Commonwealth Deputy SG due in Banjul ahead of polls

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba will visit The Gambia from tomorrow Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 October 2011 for consultations ahead of presidential election next month.

While in Banjul, Mrs Masire-Mwamba will meet senior government officials, leaders of political parties, representatives of civil society, members of the election management body, the media and other stakeholders.

“My visit to The Gambia is meant to demonstrate the commitment of the Commonwealth to support democratic processes in member countries,” Mrs Masire-Mwamba, a national of Bostwana, said.

“Elections lie at the heart of democracy. The conduct of credible and peaceful elections requires the full and unrestricted participation of all the key actors and the electorate. Those vying to represent the people of the country should be permitted to compete on a level playing field. Everyone needs to have the national interest at heart and behave with dignity and responsibility.”

The Commonwealth Secretariat has worked with the Government of The Gambia on a number of activities, including support to the judiciary, enterprise development, tourism and media development.

Meanwhile, she will be accompanied by Ambassador Ayodele Oke, the head of Africa political section at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.