State
House, Banjul, January 31, 2020 – His Excellency, President Adama Barrow on
Friday, January 31, 2020, received in audience, the U.S. ambassador to The
Gambia, Richard Carlton Paschall at the State House in Banjul.
The
two leaders discussed critical issues of mutual concern to the two governments
and peoples.
Ambassador
Paschall said the meeting was another opportunity to advance the
Banjul-Washington relationship; promote the ideals of accountability,
transparency and justice in various aspects of the events and “important
processes” that are going on in The Gambia.
In
response, President Barrow reiterated his government’s commitment to promoting
democratic values, including the independence of the judiciary, freedom of
expression and the respect for the rule of law.
He maintained that the non-interference with the judiciary entrenches
the rule of law that all citizens will equally enjoy.
The
Gambian leader made a firm commitment to ensuring that the government acts on
addressing the issues. He had made
public statements highlighting the concerns and efforts government had made to
tackle illegal migration, the most recent was the tragedy of the boat accident
in Mauritania.
Speaking
to the press after a closed-door audience, Ambassador Paschall said the
discussions also touched on steps being taken to address human trafficking in
The Gambia.
“We
are hopeful, particularly with the prosecution of some trafficking cases
pending in the courts… That would send a clear signal that trafficking and
exploitation in persons will not be accepted here in The Gambia; that
Government will take all measures under the rule of law and consistent with the
law, to make progress in this area,” the diplomat said.
The
Gambia Government recently held a high level meeting with stakeholders to
respond to the Human Trafficking report published by the U.S. State Department.
Positive
actions to address human trafficking and exploitation will enable The Gambia to
continue to benefit from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Programme
that is geared towards attracting up to $300 million U.S. investment towards
reducing poverty through economic growth.
The MCC programme focuses on energy, transport infrastructure projects,
among series of others.
