Jammeh receives outgoing US ambassador, Ivorian Speaker

The outgoing US Ambassador to The Gambia on Friday bade farewell to President Yahya Jammeh at State House in Banjul.

Ms Pamela Ann White told reporters after a closed door meeting with President Jammeh that her discussion with the Gambian leader centered on trying to improve the relationship between Banjul and Washington.

“I would like to see some aid money coming back to The Gambia and in that the countries have to build trust, respect, communication, and I think I have done that and, hopefully, the money will come,” Ambassador White said.

She told reporters they have managed to get to the Gambia US$500,000 for food, and seeds; and that another US$500, 000 will come in the coming weeks. This, she added, is what she wants to do to build the relationship between the two countries.

Describing Gambians as open and friendly, the outgoing US Ambassador, who spent her life working as a development expert, said she will miss The Gambia, her home for the past two years.

Outgoing Ambassador White will be replaced by Edward (Ned) Alfred, a career member of the senior US foreign service, and the current consul general at the US consulate in Frankfurt, Germany.

In another development, President Jammeh also on Friday received at State House Guillaume Soro, speaker of the Ivorian parliament, who was in Banjul at the invitation of his Gambian counterpart, Hon Abdoulie Bojang.

Speaking to reporters after his audience with the Gambian leader, Soro said he was in Banjul at the invitation of his Gambian counterpart.

“I am also here to show my fraternity, brotherhood and friendship to President Jammeh”, Soro said pointing out that they belong to the same generation.

According to him, it was therefore important for him to come and meet with President Jammeh to see what Jammeh has done for his country, since coming to power 17 years ago.