Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Yahyah Jammeh, the president of Gambia for 22 years who was defeated in the country's first free election, has asked for an extension of a deadline forcing him to cede power.
Jammeh, who took power in the tiny West African country in a coup 22 years ago, lost a presidential election on Dec. 1 to Adama Barrow. Although the election was regarded by international observers as legitimate, Jammeh nullified the vote and has refused to leave office. Barrow was inaugurated in the Gambia embassy in Dakar, Senegal, on Thursday.