GAMBIA’S ex-leader left the country he ruled for 22 years late on Saturday after he finally agreed to step down, bringing an end to weeks of political tension and quelling fears of conflict.

Yahya Jammeh had refused to step down after being voted out on December 1, prompting Western African leaders to threaten military force if he didn’t give up his leadership.

However on Friday the exiled leader agreed to relinquish power in return for assurances from regional bloc Ecowas that neither he nor his family would face prosecution and he would be able to come back to the country at any time.

He had previously disputed the result of December’s presidential election after reports of polling irregularities.

“I have decided in good conscience to relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation,” said Mr Jammeh.

“I think it is not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed.”

But incoming President Adama Barrow’s confidante Mai Ahmad Fatty said yesterday that his boss was against the deal.

“Gambia will neither respect nor honour what was contained in that joint declaration. We don’t consider it legally binding on us.”

Human rights activists have repeatedly called for Mr Jammeh to be held accountable for alleged abuses including the torture and detention of his opponents.

As the agreement is only a political document it is possible that the former president could still face prosecution for alleged human rights abuses.

Mr Jammeh flew out of the country late on Saturday, reportedly heading for Equatorial Guinea, where he will remain in exile.

His successor, who once worked as a security guard at retailer Argos while studying in London, was yet to arrive in the capital Banjul yesterday, where his supporters awaited him.

The Ecowas entered Gambia shortly after Mr Jammeh’s departure and was securing the country and its capital, Banjul, ahead of Mr Barrow’s arrival from Senegal.

“President Barrow would like to leave [Senegal] as soon as possible. One can’t leave the country open,” said Ecowas chairman Marcel Alain de Souza.

Sections of Gambia’s security forces needed to be “immobilised,” he said, claiming Mr Jammeh had brought in mercenaries during the crisis.