Gambians
decided to end 22 years of dictatorship in a non-violent manner by voting
President Adama Barrow into power. This
brought back focus to the tiny West Africa state and the move to re-institute
democracy, freedom and justice was welcomed by not only Gambians and the
sub-region but the world over. However,
the former president Yahya Jammeh could not accept the fact that that Gambians
wanted change of regime and he was prepared to use brutal means to maintain
himself in power. It was in this context
that the sub regional grouping, ECOWAS, supported by the regional and global
community decided to use diplomacy and, where it became necessary, military
intervention to defend the will of Gambians.
This resulted to President Adama Barrow taking the responsibility
Gambians vested on him to serve them.
Going
by the African proverb that if you want to thank a farmer for a job well done,
you have to meet to him or her on their farm to express appreciation.
His Excellency, President Adama Barrow,
therefore, visited the Heads of State of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana to
thank them for their personal stand and that of their countries to ensure that
Gambians regain their freedom and nurture democracy.
The message the Gambian leader gave to his
fellow Heads of State was that the political impasse in The Gambia was an
African problem and they used an African solution to end it. He thanked them for standing by the Gambian
people and defending the decision they took to bring about a peaceful change of
transition. It was the first time
Gambians decided to democratically change from one government to another in 52
years.
During
his visit, President Adama Barrow held private meetings with his counterparts
on bilateral and ECOWAS issues to further strengthen the relationship between
them and their people.
The
first stage of the visit, which was to Sierra Leone, coincided with the eve of
that country’s 56th Independent anniversary. President Barrow was received at
Lunge Airport by the Vice President, H.E. Victor Bokari Foh and other
officials. The Gambian leader was honoured with a banquet dinner held in his honour
at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown.
His
Excellency, the President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, in his
welcome remarks said it was both an ECOWAS and bilateral responsibility to
defend the will of the Gambian people.
He elaborated on the historic, language and family ties between Sierra
Leone and The Gambia, and asserted that it was only through collaborative
efforts that they could deliver the quality of life their people expect.
In
Liberia, President Adama Barrow, was received at the airport by the Liberian
President, Her Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who is also the
Chairperson of ECOWAS. Speaking to the
media at the Airport in Monrovia, Her Excellency, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, expressed
delight for President Barrow’s visit and assured of Liberia and the ECOWAS
family’s continued support to The Gambia.
During the visit, the Gambian President was granted the Key to the City
of Monrovia at the City Hall and declared a Honourary Citizen by the Mayoress
of the City, Mrs. Clara Doe Mvogo.
The
last stage of his tour was to Ghana. On arrival, Gambian President and
delegation were received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana, Ms
Shirley Ayorkor Botchway. After performing the Friday prayers at Burma Camp
Mosque in Accra, President Barrow was honoured to a private lunch at the
presidential mansion, the Flagstaff House, in Accra. In welcoming his guest,
Ghanaian President Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo said that Ghana did not hesitate in
agreeing to contribute troops to the ECOWAS initiative to ensure a smooth
transition in The Gambia. He observed that the region should continue to
consolidate democracy in-order to achieve sustainable development.
In response, President Barrow noted the
similarities between his government and that of his host, His Excellency,
President Akufo-Addo, and the manner in which both came from opposition and won
their respective elections. He however
said the major difference was that Ghana went through a smooth transition while
the transition in The Gambia was obstructed by greed for power which warranted
ECOWAS intervention. President Barrow
reiterated that the election was fought based on the principles of democracy
and the will of the people prevailed.
The
Gambian President used the opportunity to meet with the Gambian communities in
Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana. They all thanked their host countries for the
hospitality extended to them but appealed for consideration of some of their
concerns which include poor flight arrangements, difficulties in renewal of
their travel documents and high cost of residence permit fees.
Speaking
to them, President Barrow thanked the Gambians in the diaspora for their
contributions to the change in the Gambia.
He further urged them to continue to contribute positively to the
development of the country as no one person can do it all.
He stated that because of the challenges
Gambians have gone through during 22 years of dictatorship, no government will
ever stay in power for more than two terms of five years. President Barrow pointed out that Gambians
have matured politically as demonstrated in the 2016 Presidential
elections.
He
cited three lessons all have learnt from the election. Firstly, it became clear to the former
president that it was the people who had the power to vote him out, secondly,
it is the same power the people can use to vote him (President Barrow) out if
they don’t want him anymore, and finally, Gambians have now realized that
together they can make the change they want.
President
Barrow reminded them that it was only when all the opposition parties came
together that they were able to effect the change of regime.
The
Gambian President called on the Gambians in the Diaspora to consider investment
in The Gambia. He appealed to Gambians experts working outside the country to
contribute with ideas to develop the country.
Speaking
to the Gambians in Monrovia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International
Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Honourable Ousainou Darboe advised Gambians at
home and in the diaspora to be law abiding, do away with tribal issues and stay
united in pursuit of the best interest of the Gambia.
He
informed them that they represent the image of the Gambia abroad and promised
that the consular issues they raised in the discussions will be reviewed and
addressed at the earliest possible time.
Source:
Office of the President
