West African troops extend Gambia mission for a year

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) said it has extended the mandate of its military mission in The Gambia.The force, consisting mainly of soldiers from neighbouring Senegal, was first sent to the small country in January to compel longstanding president Yahya Jammeh to relinquish power to his elected successor Adama Barrow.At a weekend summit in the Liberian capital Monrovia, the 15-nation body commended the "crucial role" played by the mission in keeping The Gambia secure bu