The five-person strong UDP delegation comprised (2) gentlemen and three (3) ladies, namely: Mr Lamin Manneh, Deputy Secretary, External Affairs, of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Mr Mamanding Kuyateh, former Director and International Consultant, Ms Ramzia Diab-Ghanim, former Ambassador and NAM, Ms Zainab Diab, Secretary Resource Mobilisation, UDP and Ms Binta Senghore, President, UDP’s Female Youth Wing.
The discussions between the two parties, which started at 11am and lasted about an hour, focused on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including but not limited to, the UDP’s Janjanbureh Congress of 9-11 December 2022 and its outcomes, the UDP’s Five-Point Agenda, the Mayoral and Local Council elections slated for April 2023, the state and trends of the Gambian economy, particularly inflation, pending reforms, developments on the political front, human rights, freedom of expression and other fundamental rights of citizens.
H.E. Ambassador BERMEK dwelled on the consistent strength of Turkish-Gambian relations from the inception of diplomatic relations between the two countries to date. He warmly welcomed UDP’s outreach to the diplomatic community because as Head of Mission, he said he is interested in hearing from all players on the national political front and the meeting marked the first time an opposition party reached out to him.
Before concluding the meeting, the parties expressed appreciation for the cordial exchanges and agreed to meet regularly henceforth, as well as whenever necessary, on issues of common interest.
