Presidents
and other high profile politicians from different parts of the world have sent
in their reactions on the just concluded presidential election of The Gambia.
The
Gambia, a small country as many described it, on the 1st December took to the
polls to redesign the faith of the country in a peaceful, calm and transparent
elections. This left world leaders and
the world at large with a strong message: in peace, every situation can be handled.
In
a statement, the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson,
commended the people of The Gambia for executing the election in a peaceful and
calm manner.
“This
represents a new dawn for The Gambia and it is a significant day for democracy
in Africa,” he said while congratulating the outgoing president for accepting
defeat.
“Britain
has an enduring relationship with The Gambia and we stand ready to assist the
work of the new president and his government,” he added.
The
U.S Secretary of State, John Kerry, said the result of the election herald the
beginning of “new era in The Gambia”.
“I
commended the willingness of the outgoing president in respecting the result of
the elections but also grateful to the Electoral Commission for its transparent
handling of the elections,” he said.
“We
call for unity and calm during this transition period and urge the Gambia
government to respect the rights of citizens to freely assemble and express
their views on the election results.”
The
UK foreign secretary said he looks forward to working with the new government
to promote democracy and governances.
The
chairperson of ECOWAS, in a press release, thanked the outgoing president,
Yahya Jammeh, for his display of maturity by accepting the result of the
election.
The
acceptance of defeat by the outgoing Gambian leader is described as good news
for African democracy.
President
of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf also praised the people of The Gambia for
conducting a peaceful election, which made ways for new political direction.
She
said the outgoing president, Jammeh, will be remembered by the ECOWAS region as
he once again showed patriotisms in accepting the election results.
President
Buhari of Nigeria also made similar comments regarding the election. He said such an uncommon gesture was crucial
in calming the fear of unrest in the West African region, and said he looks
forward to the smooth transition of power.
