Since
the result of The Gambia’s December 1 presidential election was announced,
messages of congratulations and goodwill have continued to rain down the
country and on president-elect Adama Barrow, including commendation for the
peacefulness of the electoral process.
Congratulatory
messages from countries and personalities like Senegalese president Macky Sall,
UN envoy Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Liberia’s president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the
US, the UK, Turkey and regional bodies like ECOWAS, and the AU, have applauded
The Gambia for conducting a fair, transparent and peaceful presidential
election.
Some
have expressed readiness to fully work with president-elect Adama Barrow and
his government, to ensure a new Gambia with more development and a brighter
future.
Whilst
they congratulate outgoing-president Yahya Jammeh for conceding defeat
graciously, they also express their willingness to maintain progressive and
fruitful relations with The Gambia that will ensure more development for the
country.
For
instance, the UK foreign secretary congratulated Adama Barrow on his victory
and President Yahya Jammeh for his “statesmanship in respecting the will of the
Gambian people and conceding defeat”.
Put
together, we should continue to give God all the praise for having seen our
nation through a peaceful and successful election, and we should keep praying
for the peace and tranquility in the country to continue uninterruptedly.
All
should endeavour to keep the peace and maintain a spirit of nationhood, as The
Gambia resonates as a beacon of peace and tranquility the world should learn
from.
As
we move on into the process of transferring power to the elected president,
let’s hope and pray that every bit and piece of that process is conducted
smoothly with the full cooperation and understanding of both parties.
“It
is essential that all parties work together and ensure an orderly and peaceful
transition,” the UK foreign secretary said again, adding that Britain has an
enduring relationship with The Gambia, and “we stand ready to assist the work
of the new president and his government.”
They
say one swallow does not make a summer, but the show of statesmanship exhibited
by the outgoing president in conceding defeat, and with readiness to transfer
the reins of government to the president-elect, it can be said that all shall
be well as we oversee a transition of power to a new authority and
dispensation.
“It is not the strongest or the most
intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change. .”
Charles
Darwin
