Gambian private radio station, Gainako Radio, is reporting Yahya Jammeh may seek asylum in Mauritania.

Reports from the station, monitored by Myjoyonline.com, indicate that the embattled leader may even be on his way to Mauritania, although they could not independently confirm.

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz arrived in The Gambia on Wednesday to meet Yahya Jammeh in what many say was a last-minute effort to persuade him to step down.

Mr Jammeh is refusing to step down despite losing an election to challenger Adama Barrow in December last year. He initially conceded defeat but later raised concerns about the results which he is challenging in court.

The embattled leader ruled The Gambia since taking power in a coup in 1994. As his term of office drew close, he declared a 90-day state of emergency with the hope of clinging on to power.

As ECOWAS forces – from Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal – mass up at entry points of The Gambia, Gainako Radio reported Thursday morning that they are picking up information that their embattled leader may seek shelter in Mauritania.

“I am a bit sceptical if Yahya Jammeh is still in the country,” one panellist added.

Fatu Radio, another Gambian radio station monitored by Myjoyonline.com had some callers declaring that Yahya Jammeh is now ‘rebel Jammeh’.

Gambians are waking up to the realization that Yahya Jammeh’s time is up and he is no longer in charge.

Already, Gambia's ministers for Finance, Foreign Affairs, Trade and the Environment, as well as the Vice-President, have all resigned. 

Some Gambians said while they applauded the Jammeh government officials for resigning from their posts, they owe the Gambian people an unqualified apology.

They believe the country can move on only when Jammeh and his cabinet officials apologise to Gambians.