Former London Argos security guard Adama Barrow elected new president of Gambia

New president: Adama Barrow speaks during a rally in Gambia
REUTERS/Thierry Gouegnon
Jamie Bullen2 December 2016

A former London security guard has been elected Gambia’s new president following a shock defeat in the country’s presidential elections.

Adama Barrow, who reportedly worked at Argos in Holloway Road, defeated longtime president Yahya Jammeh in a surprise result.

Mr Jammeh, who came to power following a coup in 1994, is expected to concede defeat following 22 years of leadership.

Gambia’s electoral commission chairman Alieu Momarr Njai said Mr Barrow received 263,515 votes, Mr Jammeh won 212,099 and a third candidate, Mama Kandeh, received 102,969.

Shock result: Supporters hailed Mr Barrow's victory
PA

Mr Barrow, now a property developer, reportedly moved to London shortly after the turn of the century and worked in Argos while he studied in the capital.

He returned to Gambia in 2006 to set up his own business and received the presidential nomination to lead a coalition of seven parties in this year’s election.

During his campaign, he promised to revive the Gambian economy which has forced thousands of people to travel to Europe in search of jobs.

Mr Barrow said on voting day that he strongly believed Gambians were ready for change, adding: "He is not going to be re-elected - his era is finished."

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