The surprising result was met with relief by Gambians, who took to social media after internet services were restored in the country following a shutdown before and throughout voting. There have been numerous reports of ordinary Gambians pouring out into the streets to celebrate the coming handover of power in January.

Gambians celebrate the victory of opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow
Gambians celebrate the victory of opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow
Image: AP Photo/Jerome Delay

Jammeh’s loss comes despite various attempts to control the electoral process in which Gambians cast their vote by placing marbles in metal drums. In addition to shutting down internet services, Jammeh had phone services shuttered, preventing Gambians from making and receiving international calls. The long-time leader also barred European Union election observers from entering the country. Jammeh had predicted a landslide victory for himself.

Jammeh’s loss, though unexpected, given his stranglehold on power and control of Gambian media, may have been a long time coming. In April, Gambians took to the streets to protest Jammeh, in what was described as “the largest and most sustained act of public defiance” against the president.

Opposition parties and groups also strategically rallied behind a single candidate, the now president-elect Adama Barrow, in a united front. Barrow, an estate agent, returned to Gambia in 2006 after working as a security guard at an Argos store in London. While campaigning, he criticized the lack of a two-term limit on the presidency and promised to promote press freedom and an independent judiciary.

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