Gambia President Yahya Jammeh Concedes Defeat

President Yahya Jammeh has conceded defeat to opposition leader Adama Barrow, the country’s electoral commission’s chairman confirmed on Friday.

Jammeh has ruled The Gambia for 22 years.

“It’s really unique that someone who has been ruling this country for so long has accepted defeat,” Alieu Momar Njie told reporters.

Gambia’s electoral commission said Friday that opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow had taken 45.54 percent of the vote in a stunning victory over longtime President Yahya Jammeh.

Barrow won 263,515 votes, while Jammeh took 212,099 votes (36.66 percent) and third party candidate Mama Kendeh 102,969 votes (17.80 percent), the Independent Electoral Commission said.