Ahead of State Opening of Parliament, Macky Sall, Others Arrive

Hon. Macky Sall, speaker of the Senegalese parliament, accompanied by a high powered delegation from the Senegalese parliament arrived in the country yesterday to attend this years state opening of the Gambia's National Assembly.

Also among the delegates to grace this historic occasion are Hon. Tunde Akogun and Hon. Ali Ndume majority and minority leaders of the Nigerian parliament respectively among five other Nigerian parliamentarians.

Speaking to journalists shortly after arrival, Macky Sall, speaker of the Senegalese parliament, expressed his appreciation at being able to join his Gambian counterpart Hon. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, speaker of the National Assembly on this occasion.

"I am very proud to be here in The Gambia, land of peace and the country of President Jammeh who is an example on the African continent", he said. He described The Gambia and Senegal as countries that share every thing in common.

Meanwhile, speakers from the parliaments of Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania are also expected to arrive in Banjul this morning to join their counterparts for the opening of the second legislative year of The Gambia National Assembly.

This occasion will give the President, Alhagie Dr. Yahya Jammeh, the opportunity to outline his government's plans for the year and the achievements of his administration for the past fourteen years.