The United States has given its approval to The Gambia’s presidential elections, hailing the victory of incumbent Adama Barrow after a ballot in which it said observers noted only “minor” irregularities, IgbereTV reports.
“Gambians cast their votes with a turnout of nearly 90 percent of registered voters in a free and fair presidential election that was held peacefully,” the US State Department said in a statement seen Wednesday.
Last Saturday’s elections in the fledgling democracy have been closely followed in West Africa and beyond.
Barrow was seeking re-election after a five-year term that brought the curtain down on 22 years of dictatorship under Yahya Jammeh.
According to official results, the former property developer notched up 53 percent of the ballot, far ahead of political veteran Ousainou Darboe’s 27.7 percent. Turnout was 87 percent of the electorate.
