<p> Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Gambia's capital Banjul on Monday demanding that President Adama Barrow respect his pledge to quit after three years in office.</p>.<p>The president, a relative unknown at the time, defeated former autocrat Yahya Jammeh in elections in the tiny West African state in 2016.</p>.<p>He promised to rule for three years before stepping down but he has since said he will govern until 2021, serving a full presidential term.</p>.<p>On Monday, some 10,000 Gambians of all ages marched in the capital in protest at the U-turn, chanting "Three years, three years!" and to the rhythm of Bob Marley music.</p>.<p>AFP was unable to independently confirm the figures.</p>.<p>According to the founding charter of Barrow's ruling coalition, the president was meant to lead a provisional government for three years and then call elections, and not stand.</p>.<p>However, in March, Barrow said "we will go to the elections in 2021 and I will hand over power with dignity to whoever wins", according to local press.</p>.<p>At the end of September, part of Barrow's coalition agreed to support a five-year term.</p>.<p>But two parties have rejected the move, including the United Democratic Party, which is Gambia's largest party.</p>.<p>Protest organisers on Monday sent Barrow a memorandum reminding him of his commitments and gave him until January 19 -- the three-year anniversary of his swearing-in -- to step down.</p>.<p>The protests were organised by the movement "Operation Three Years Jotna", which means "operation three years enough" in a hybrid between English and the Wolof language.</p>.<p>It was founded this year by Musa Kaira, a Gambian businessman living in the United States.</p>.<p>Abdou Njie, the president of Operation Three Years Jotna, told AFP that promises must be kept.</p>.<p>"As Gambian citizens, we are ready for everything," he said.</p>.<p>However, Amie Bojang Sissoho, a spokeswoman for Barrow, said the president was elected for five years.</p>.<p>"They have the right to demonstrate, they have demonstrated and that's all," she said.</p>
<p> Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Gambia's capital Banjul on Monday demanding that President Adama Barrow respect his pledge to quit after three years in office.</p>.<p>The president, a relative unknown at the time, defeated former autocrat Yahya Jammeh in elections in the tiny West African state in 2016.</p>.<p>He promised to rule for three years before stepping down but he has since said he will govern until 2021, serving a full presidential term.</p>.<p>On Monday, some 10,000 Gambians of all ages marched in the capital in protest at the U-turn, chanting "Three years, three years!" and to the rhythm of Bob Marley music.</p>.<p>AFP was unable to independently confirm the figures.</p>.<p>According to the founding charter of Barrow's ruling coalition, the president was meant to lead a provisional government for three years and then call elections, and not stand.</p>.<p>However, in March, Barrow said "we will go to the elections in 2021 and I will hand over power with dignity to whoever wins", according to local press.</p>.<p>At the end of September, part of Barrow's coalition agreed to support a five-year term.</p>.<p>But two parties have rejected the move, including the United Democratic Party, which is Gambia's largest party.</p>.<p>Protest organisers on Monday sent Barrow a memorandum reminding him of his commitments and gave him until January 19 -- the three-year anniversary of his swearing-in -- to step down.</p>.<p>The protests were organised by the movement "Operation Three Years Jotna", which means "operation three years enough" in a hybrid between English and the Wolof language.</p>.<p>It was founded this year by Musa Kaira, a Gambian businessman living in the United States.</p>.<p>Abdou Njie, the president of Operation Three Years Jotna, told AFP that promises must be kept.</p>.<p>"As Gambian citizens, we are ready for everything," he said.</p>.<p>However, Amie Bojang Sissoho, a spokeswoman for Barrow, said the president was elected for five years.</p>.<p>"They have the right to demonstrate, they have demonstrated and that's all," she said.</p>