Gambia
will soon return to the Commonwealth under its new government, Britain’s
foreign secretary said Tuesday after meeting with President Adama Barrow and
pledging London’s support for this small West African nation following the
departure of its leader of 22 years.
Barrow
has vowed to reverse actions taken by his predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, who
announced last year that Gambia would withdraw from the International Criminal
Court. Three years earlier Jammeh Gambia from the Commonwealth, a 52-nation
group made up mostly of former British colonies.
“We
are here to help. The United Kingdom has a close relation with The Gambia,”
British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said after his private meeting with
Barrow.
The
visit comes after longtime ruler Jammeh flew into exile last month under
international pressure and the threat of a regional military intervention after
refusing to accept his December election loss to Barrow. Jammeh, who seized
control in a bloodless coup in 1994, is accused of overseeing an administration
that tortured and imprisoned opponents.
Barrow’s
new government promises democratic reforms, freeing political prisoners and a
truth commission.
Johnson
said after meeting with Barrow that the countries would “build on longstanding
friendship and partnership.” He said key areas such as education, health and
security would take center stage.
Last
week, the European Union announced an $80 million package of support for Gambia
as nations warm to the new government.
The
United Nations has received the Gambia government’s formal notice reversing the
country’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, deputy U.N.
spokesman Farhan Haq announced earlier Tuesday.
Gambia
was one of three African countries that informed the U.N. chief last year that
they were withdrawing from the court. The others were South Africa and Burundi.
Source: AP
