The President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, has described the Gambia as a young democracy saying Gambians made it clear that they would never again accept a government that denies them dignity, respect, and fundamental rights after voting to remove former President Yayha Jammeh.
The U.S. president made the comments at the White House in Washington DC while receiving the chief Gambian diplomat, Momodou Lamin Bah, who presented his letter of credence to the U.S. leader in December 2022.
The U.S. President said The Gambia is a young democracy but has proven to be a world leader in protecting the vulnerable. President Biden noted that The Gambia’s pursuit of justice in the wake of grave human rights abuses is a beacon for all those yearnings for a voice and accountability.
President Biden pointed out that the Gambian people have made it clear that they would never again accept a government that denies them dignity, respect, and fundamental rights. He said the United States has stood beside The Gambia throughout the transitional justice process and will remain beside The Gambia.
In a statement made available to The Alkamba Times by the Gambian Embassy in Washington DC, which informs the public that the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Mr. Momodou Lamin Bah, on 12 December 2022, presented the letter of recall of his predecessor plus his Letter of Credence to President Joseph R. Biden at a ceremony held at the White House in Washington, D.C.
Following the presentation of his Letters of Credence, Ambassador Bah conveyed fraternal greetings and best wishes from His Excellency President Adama Barrow and the people of The Gambia to the President of the United States of America, Honourable Joseph R. Biden, and the people of the United States of America.
Ambassador Bah used the opportunity to inform President Biden that he knows the rich legacy and fruitful bilateral relations between The Gambia and the United States of America.
He observed that the two countries had enjoyed cooperation in socioeconomic development through USAID, the Peace Corps, and other American institutions.
Ambassador Bah said The Gambia and the United States had enjoyed political and diplomatic partnerships, and the two countries are strong allies in the fight against terrorism.
He pledged to work with the Biden Administration to deepen further and strengthen the partnership between the two countries.
He said the two countries are traditional allies based on shared values of respect for human rights, the dignity of our people, the sanctity of life, and the rule of law.
This, Ambassador Bah said, is one of the main reasons that made the United States take the frontline role in supporting The Gambia during the struggle to liberate the country from a brutal dictator who had hijacked The Gambia and subjected the people to twenty-two years of tyranny and misrule.
Ambassador Bah hailed the role played by the U.S. Government in successfully seeking forfeiture of the U.S. property of the former Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh.
The Ambassador pointed out that this is a clear indication of the support of the U.S. Government to The Gambia, adding that President Barrow and the people of The Gambia would never forget the help.
Ambassador Bah re-echoed the call by President Adama Barrow for global peace and understanding and sought strengthened partnership from the American leadership to defeat intolerance and terrorism.
He renewed The Gambia’s support for the position of the United States for the political class everywhere in the world to take the lead by espousing norms and practices that encourage inclusiveness and fair play.
On the Millennium Challenge Corporation award of a threshold program to The Gambia, Ambassador Bah said the award is not only seen as economic assistance but also as a show of confidence in the leadership of The Gambia, which he said is ready, able and willing to re-engage with the United States as a strategic partner.
On his part, President Joseph R. Biden said he was delighted to welcome Ambassador Bah and expressed his resolve to work with him to advance common agenda and deepen bonds between our two countries. He extended condolences on the passing of the late Ambassador Dawda Fadera, whose dedication he said brought relations between the two countries even closer.
President Biden recalled that five years ago, the people of The Gambia stood together, united in their calls for freedom. He said today, The Gambia stands proudly among the world’s democracies, working daily to build prosperity and opportunity for its people.
President Biden said the arrival of Ambassador Bah in Washington signifies the continued steadfast friendship between our nations and marks our enduring, shared commitment to the principles of democracy, human rights, and economic prosperity.
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President Biden said our two countries stand united in the face of shared challenges, the rising cost of living, and global health threats. He observed that however difficult those obstacles may be, progress comes only with close cooperation and by unlocking the potential of our talented and diverse people to innovate and overcome.
He said the U.S. sees opportunities to collaborate with The Gambia on shared interests in promoting economic growth and development.
