The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) has reiterated its standing as an effective regional bloc in the world, following the  successful ousting of former Gambian dictator, Yahya Jammeh, without firing a shot or destroying a single structure.

Jammeh, who came to power more than 22 years ago, lost the December 2016 presidential election in a failed attempt to prolong his stay in power. He surprised most of his critical observers when he conceded victory to the opposition leader, Mr Adama Barrow on 7th December 2016. Barely a week later when it dawned on him that he could face rough weather out of power, he made a volte-face and vowed to contest the election results.

With his country plunged into  turmoil and international pressure building against his change of mind, Jammeh started digging in, declaring a state of emergency which would enable him  extend his stay in power for a provisional 90 days. Faced with threats to his safety, Barrow escaped to Senegal, while the leaders of the ECOWAS commenced a series of methodical diplomatic sorties to sort  out  Jammeh.

They presented him with a fait accompli: vacate office on the due date (19th January 2017) or face forceful ejection, with all the unpleasant consequences attached. As the deadline approached, troops from Nigeria, Senegal and other West African countries massed at the Senegal/Gambia border, ready to move in and remove Jammeh by force. The diplomatic efforts intensified.

With Barrow already sworn-in in Senegal as the new President of the Gambia, Jammeh only spent one extra day in office. That was because  ECOWAS leaders exercised patience in their belief that diplomacy will triumph over military solution, an objective that was achieved to the relief of all.

We applaud the neat work done by the West African leaders. They did their best to avoid being unduly trigger-happy or deploying undue bullying tactics, which would probably have played the predominantly Muslim-populated Gambia and surrounding countries into the hands of Islamist terrorist groups such as the Islamic State (IS) and Al Qaeda.

President Barrow and his ECOWAS allies must continue to follow through the transitional process with great wisdom and caution, ensuring that the ongoing security sweep of The Gambia before the return of Barrow is cast-iron and thorough. Barrow must move to reassure his people that he has come to serve them and not witch-hunt anyone, including Jammeh’s erstwhile supporters who are law-abiding.

Jammeh must be completely neutralised politically, but he must also be treated humanely to avoid unnecessary complications. The Gambia and Senegal, which depend heavily on tourism, cannot afford to be plunged into Islamist unrest, as the consequence of that will reverberate throughout the region and beyond.