President Adama Barrow has called on the United States to lift its longstanding embargo on Cuba as he addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday morning.
“Reverting to other important matters of global concern, we entreat the United States to end the longstanding embargo imposed on Cuba. The reason is that global solidarity and friendly cooperation should define relations between the Member States of the United Nations,” President told world leaders at the summit.
Gambia and Cuba are longstanding allies, and the Gambia, under both former President Jammeh and Barrow, has advocated for an end to the US Blockage of Cuba.
In the Middle East, Gambia’s leader said the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict needs a new impetus for lasting peace. ” As a people, the Palestinians deserve a state of their own. Hence we call for a new peace initiative that includes the revival of the Arab Peace Initiative.”
He further told the 77 UN General Assembly: ” We remain deeply disturbed by the horrors and humanitarian catastrophe arising from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Moreover, the destabilizing global economic conditions imposed on the rest of the world are unbearable.”
He said: “In Africa and elsewhere, the cost-of-living crisis and the biting inflation, with food and energy insecurity, are devastating our economies and continue to frustrate pandemic recovery efforts. Additionally, the debt burden has reached crisis levels. Therefore, we call for general debt relief.”
Speaking briefly on the Russia- Ukrainian conflict, Barrow plea for dialogue.
“We implore Russia and Ukraine to heed the global plea for political dialogue and end the war. Africa is simply asking for global peace and friendly relations. Our survival and progress depend on global peace and stability.”
On the plight of the Rohingya, he said: ” The plight of the Rohingya remains a matter of grave concern to The Gambia. We call on the Myanmar Government to comply with the rulings of the International Court of Justice and end all human rights violations against the Rohingya. The Gambia will continue to defend its rights.”
On Taiwan, Barrow told the Assembly: ” As a responsible member of the international community, The Gambia considers Taiwan part of the Peoples Republic of China, and we advocate adopting the One-China policy.
Therefore, we urge the international community to fully respect China’s sovereignty over Taiwan and avoid actions that undermine global peace.”
The President said Africa will continue to demand its rightful place in the permanent membership category of the Security Council; thus, the negotiations must produce tangible results.
” let me emphasize that genuine commitment and substantially increased resources should now accompany the transformation of our institutions, systems, mechanisms, and state of preparedness, and the developing world must not be left behind.”
