West African Troops Will Remain In Gambia For Three Months

It has been gathered that Five hundred Ghanaian, Senegalese and Nigerian troops will remain in the tiny west African country until at least late May, according to a communique released on behalf of Senegalese General Francois Ndiaye.

"The three-month mandate... will start its mission on February 21, 2017," the statement said, and would continue to assure the safety of Barrow, his government and state institutions.

A statement from Barrow's office late Wednesday did not specify exact dates or troop numbers, but said the three-month extension was "renewable".

Manpower has already reduced from a peak of 4,000 at the height of the country's political crisis, and the force will have a land presence only by February 20, according to Ndiaye.

Sections of the security services were under Jammeh's personal control and are responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture and arbitrary detention, rights groups say, including the notorious secret police of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). 

Explaining how the NIA would be reformed, a statement from Barrow's office on Thursday said its name would change and functions would be limited to "intelligence gathering, analysis and advice to the relevant arms of government responsible for internal and external security." 

The NIA "has not limited itself to work within its mandate but has abused the office and instilled fear amongst citizens," the statement added.