(JollofNews)- With warm greetings to you all from the New Gambia, we thank the Almighty God for making this great gathering of global leaders possible once again this year. Allow me to formally congratulate the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary General of our organization for their leadership and commitment to the values of the United Nations.
After more than seventy years of existence, the United Nations undoubtedly remains the ultimate international platform for finding solutions to global challenges, as we in The Gambia know all too well. Today, being my maiden appearance at this great forum of world leaders, let me take this opportunity to re-affirm the Gambia’s firm commitment to the Charter of the United Nations. My Government fully appreciates the UN’s central role in the pursuit of preventive diplomacy to avert crises around the world.
Mr. President, the recent political crisis that took place in my country created a new democratic beginning and the experience taught us useful lessons that Gambians will not easily forget. We learnt that will power and national unity, decisive regional intervention as well as undivided and clear support of the international community could produce positive outcomes.
Also of importance, was the coordinated international action inspired by our common values of solidarity, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law which was critical in sending the right message to the former President to respect the will of the people and leave without bloodshed.
During those difficult times, we knew we had friends, ones who came to our aid and who have since kept faith with us. We therefore would like to seize this great opportunity to thank the leaders of ECOWAS for their timely and firm intervention in bringing peace to the Gambia.
We also thank all our regional and international friends who stood by us in our critical hour of need. Thanks to your collective efforts, the Gambia is now on a solid path to peace and good governance and ready to take over our traditional role among the champions of human rights and democracy. Gambians have made an irreversible choice to close a dark chapter in our history and today, our national agenda is one of reform and transformation.
Like any restored democracy, we are facing enormous challenges in the revival of our economy, a comprehensive reform of our laws, our administrative and judicial institutions. The modernization of our security sector, consolidation of the rule of law and human rights are part of our reform programme. It is only by overcoming these challenges that we can reinforce our democratic gains and my Government is committed to delivering a New Gambia that is fit for our children to be proud of.
Indeed, young people were all along at the forefront of our democratic transition and addressing youth unemployment, which is a top priority of my government, will no doubt create enormous opportunities.
Mr. President, we also recognize the crucial role of Gambians in the Diaspora in contributing to the transformation of our motherland. Let me seize this opportunity to sincerely thank our development partners and friends for the invaluable budget and policy support they are providing to the Government to help address the challenges of job creation and youth irregular migration. My Government is committed to using such resources wisely for sustainable socio-economic development.
Mr. President, we may be a small country but one with huge needs. As a matter of urgent priority, we have developed a New National Development Plan in line with the transformative agenda of the new Government.
This development blueprint is designed to put the country back on track to economic growth and prosperity following two decades of mismanagement, corruption and widespread human rights violations. This new plan is built on sound macro-economic and fiscal policies that will lead to stability and economic growth over the medium and long term. It has also incorporated the Sustainable Development Goals and other commitments contained in Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The Paris agreement is critically relevant for The Gambia because climate change means a lot more in our situation. When land productivity declines and water shortage intensifies, young people from rural areas are often sent away to ease the burden on the family and to find new sources of income. This sadly explains why many young Gambians have been forced to make the long and dangerous journey to Europe.
The journey is so risky that many perish at high seas and never reach their final destination. Countless others disappear into immigration detention centers or vanish in the sands of the Sahara desert.
Those who are able to complete the journey are often dismissed as economic migrants and sent back home. This sense of hopelessness and frustration also provides fertile ground for smugglers and extremist groups to recruit innocent youths into the criminal underworld.
Young people do not deserve this experience, they deserve the chance to enjoy a safe and prosperous future, at home. Creating new employment opportunities that provide young people with sustainable incomes and connect them to a revitalized land, healthy and productive environment is an investment in the future of the nation. This is a key priority in our National Development Plan.
Over the last decade, we lost many of our friends and development partners through wrong policy choices, but since the restoration of democracy and good governance, many of our long-standing partners are all coming back to work with us. We are in the process of rejoining the Commonwealth and the International Criminal Court. We are also committed to be part of the African Peer Review Mechanism.
We are finalizing plans for a roundtable donors’ conference to mobilize resources for the long-term development of the country. Your continued support, solidarity and partnership will be critical to the success of that conference.
Mr. President, although the Gambia did not go through armed conflict, the political crisis that we experienced came as a result of decades of bad governance, weak state institutions, rule of fear, and growing intolerance. We were on the brink of political violence and armed conflict.
We therefore express our deep appreciation to the United Nations Office for West Africa, United Nations Peace Building Commission and the Peace Building Support Office for the initial critical support that they have rendered to my country.
Your continued support in the areas of transitional justice and security sector reform will certainly go a long way towards entrenching peace, justice and democracy in The Gambia.
Mr. President, there is neither a shortage of ideas nor that of resources to fix the major problems facing the human race. What has always been scarce is the political will and unless adequate resources are invested, the pace of development will remain slow and minimal impact achieved.
It is against that backdrop that I am calling on the private sector to emulate philanthropists for their generosity towards the most isolated, marginalized and deprived sections of the world, providing safe drinking water, roads, power, health care and education, key to regaining human dignity.
Mr. President, the pursuit of peace and security in Africa and the world will always be a major foreign policy goal for the Gambia. We will pursue good neighborliness and cooperation with the sister Republic of Senegal and the countries of ECOWAS will remain strategic partners. West Africa is on the march towards the consolidation of its democratic gains but as a region we are facing serious threats to our peace and security.
Terrorism, extremism, religious intolerance, organized crime and drug-trafficking are seriously undermining our development efforts. Recent attacks in Mali, Burkina Faso, Cote d’lvoire and the Sahel in general underscore the urgent need for greater regional and international cooperation in addressing these challenges.
Mr. President, the indifference, the injustices, and the indignities in isolated parts of the world create real threats to global peace, prosperity and democracy. We need to take bigger and bolder steps to close the gap between the North and South as the world is too imbalanced.
Mr. President, we remain deeply concerned that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict still defies resolution. My Government firmly subscribes to the idea of a two-state solution; for the two peoples to live side by side in peace and harmony. We therefore call on the UN Secretary-General to vigorously pursue this formula in the interest of lasting peace.
Mr. President, in our foreign policy and as part of our historic friendship, we fully recognize the one-China policy. The People’s Republic of China is the sole representative of the Chinese people and a true friend of the Gambia. Our two countries continue to strengthen cooperation on the basis of a win-win approach built on mutual trust and respect within the framework of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation.
Mr. President, an organization like the United Nations, by virtue of its functions, would always require some level of reform of its management systems.
The inter-governmental character of the mandates entrusted to the Secretariat requires the existence of trust and accountability between member states and the Secretariat. As you embark on your proposed reforms, we stand ready to give you our full support in the interest of an effective and more relevant world body.
Lastly but not the least, one of the long-standing issues is the pending question of Security Council reform. Former Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said that “No reform of the United Nations is complete without reform of the Security Council”. That remains true today. Africa will not give up its legitimate and historic quest for true representation on the Council and The Gambia fully supports the African Union’s demand for the long overdue reform of the Security Council.
Mr. President, I want to conclude by reaffirming my optimism and confidence in our collective ability to uplift mankind from the clutches of poverty; to institute a global order of peace, firmly held together by justice; loving, caring and tolerating each other. In tune with our National Anthem, we pledge our firm allegiance to these values we hold ever true.
With best wishes from the people of the Gambia – The Smiling Coast of Africa, I wish you all a successful 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
God bless the world, thank you.
One Speech does not Make a Man or a Country. However, Mr. President, You have made this Gambian Proud of you and more Significantly the Gambia.
Your Speech at the UN may be a game changer for you, if not for the whole of Gambia’s perception in the International community. It all may depend on how it is followed up by all Gambian Stakeholders. This was a Speech that he has to deliver in a manner consistent with diginity, skill and setting up an Agenda and Mission of the Gambia and the Government. In my Opinion, you did not fail. The Speech was measured, balanced and touched on the areas of concern for the International community and Partners. The task and or work is Developing, Transforming and Transfering the Wish and Check lists in the Speech into a Practical, Sustainable and Operational National Policy that would make a difference in the Gambians’ daily lives. The President’s Advisers, the Cabinet, the NAMS and the Judiciary Branch need to be involved in the Development, Transformation and Codification of the Salient Agenda into an Operational National Mission of the Gambia for a Meaningful Socio-economic and Infrastructural development. For such an Endeavor to be of a Sustainable and Transforming Impact in and among Gambians’ lives, the Public and Private Sectors must be involved and work in Tandem. The Population needs be Co-opted, not in a cynical attempt of Subterfuge but one of a Broad Based Mass Movement of Unity Under One Destiny for the Development of the Gambia, its People and Regions. Gambia is More than the Sum Total of One Ethnic Group or Region.
Great speech delivered, thank you Mr President.This is the speech with maturity and self composed of our leader we are expecting for the past 23 years. Gambians are proud of you.
God bless Mr President,
God bless The Gambia.
Thank you President Barrow for making me proud of my President again. Thank you for manifesting to the world that Gambians are good natured, loving and caring people, people who care not only themselves but humanity’s advancement to live in peace, justice and equality. Thank you for creating a new narrative, a narrative that all Gambians will be proud of. ”Your President made a great speech”. Sanity finally in a man whom Gambians call our President. Our beautiful country became known as ” Yeah, your president say he can cure aids”. I left many business dinners sad and wished our country is known for its beauty, its industrious, resilient men and women who live to smile and smile to live. But we were the butt of a cruel joke. We were governed by a jerk, a freak, a liar, a pretender, a false prophet and a killer. Yahya Jammeh was a curse. A paupers son who held a nation and its people hostage for 22 long hurtful years.
Thank you President Barrow for letting the world know that Yahya Jammeh is opposite to who Gambians are as a people. We are humble in victory and humble in defeat.
The contents of his well-rehearsed speech bear no substance. All what he said have been reiterated over years by other world leaders without results from the UN.
The only speeches that are carefully listened and adhered to in letter and spirit are those delivered by the American, European, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and some other Asian leaders.
Speeches from our African/South American leaders are just boarded into the agenda as part of the usual UN protocol, but nothing substantive is driven from them for a tangible UN policy resolution. So all these speeches are null and void.
The UN is an American and European institution, which works on the finances and dictates of these nations. That’s why Trump dared say “he would destroy North Korea.”
Will Adama Barrow tell him that that statement is farfetched and beyond reasonable human thinking?
Going to the UN is a damn waste of resources, a futile trip that only dips into our meagre economic resources.
“Well rehearsed speech”……, but still not as well rehearsed as your pompously irrelevant reactions to constructive articles and comment. I wonder what it would like if it were you addressing a world event….. Kicks, jerks and squeals…..
Abdou, Nasty Natty Dread, Jack, the Fool
PLEASE READ THE ATTACKED ARTICLE.
WHILE YOUR ILLITERATE PRESIDENT WAS READING THE WELL-REHEARSED MEMO(prepared for him), HIS DELEGATION WAS JUST ENYOYING THEIR SIESTA ON THE SEATS OF THE GA, SNORING AND JUST WASTING OUR POOR PEOPLE’S FUNDS.
OF COURSE, THAT’S WHY THEY WENT TO NEW YORK; to amass money, buy souvenirs, walk along Manhattan and RETURN TO RECEIVE THEIR OVER D300,000 PER DIEM FOR SLEEPING AT THE UN.
YOU ARE SILLY, NUMBED AND DUMPED TO REGARD THIS CLIQUE OF INEFFICIENT AND CORRUPT PEOPLE AS OUR “SAVIOURS”
WHAT A DISGRACE!
Gambia: Sleeping Gambian Ministers AT The UNGA Asked To Refund Funds Spent On Them!
It is disheartening to see all of our ministers and Attorney General sleeping during a UN Assembly meeting. Really… This is how engaged they are? This is justification for our government to pay their travel fares and…
September 21, 2017
From The Web
It is disheartening to see all of our ministers and Attorney General sleeping during a UN Assembly meeting. Really… This is how engaged they are? This is justification for our government to pay their travel fares and allowances for one week. I think Gambians deserve a refund of every penny spent on them just to take naps. Am sure those funds would better use to buy a police station a car or fuel to execute public safety.
Am of the view that we didn’t just throw out Jammed just to get so called leaders to enrich themselves. The change we all fought for is to right the wrongs of the past, improve the quality of life for all Gambians.
All we got this far from these greedy so-called leaders is more of the same corruption of the past. The only difference is we now have new faces doing it. I don’t know of any parent that would be happy to learn that your child you sent to school spent the school day sleeping in class. Governments purpose of sending a delegation is to engage and lobby in favor of our people and country.
There is no excuse good enough to be sleeping when you are being paid to participate on behalf of your country. It should be an honor to represent one’s country and not just a means to make money on the backs of poor Gambians.
The optics does not look good for any one of these people to travel and represent Gambians even to a sleeping contest.
I challenge the delegation members to refund Gambians cost of their tickets and all per diem paid to them.
Thanks for the space to air my view on this.
Written By Modou Cham
Views: 42
Stop this ‘capital’ shouting, braying and air jabbing around with your hind hooves please! I’m not a sucker like you who is all too dumb enough to be a faithful shoe-kisser of any man much less a public figure like a President. Sensible Gambians are doing everything it takes not to be misleading bigots around Barrow like your type were around Jammeh the citizen killer and bloodsucker. I told you I’m no partisan daredevil like you concrete-headed snouted-beast. Your lying attitude deserves no serious attention other than acknowledging it. Please go ahead with your Capital shouting.
Have you verified the story of the sleeping ministers before you reproduce the article here? Any one with a reason can write anything, but not everything that is written is true.
However, if the story is true, then those individuals should look at themselves and honestly ask themselves, whether they have represented the nation well. The state should also use such occurrences to assess the suitability of representatives to future international conferences. It is not right that officials should be seen sleeping at public functions, especially international ones.
Heads of states don’t usually read agreements or protocols they sign. They have technocrats specialised in various fields, who do the necessary work and fine tuning. The presidents just turn up and sign the documents, so I don’t know why you criticise President Barrow, in that respect. I think that’s unfair criticism.
Jack, the Jackass,
I know you haven’t read the article, hence it will turn thorny in your flesh. What a dumbed, numbed FOOL, who cannot see right from wrong.
What is your bunch of SNORING IDIOTS at the UN General Assembly going to report on return back home? Perhaps LIE to our people that the GA was a big success and that their fat-bellied “president” signed memos he didn’t read, couldn’t read, neither had a clue about their content.
The next day, they’ll call on the Treasury to issue their vouchers for their over D300,000 ill-gotten, stolen per diem emoluments.
Yet there are conformist IDIOTS like Jack, the Jackass, Nasty Dreadful Natty who would applaud and pat their backs for a “job well done”. What silly fools you are!
Man, the Gambia’s president and delegation at the U.N assembly you refer to as ‘snoring idiots’ are not mine neither yours but public figures of the Gambia who themselves are aware of the reality of being people liable to criticism. You’re perhaps insinuating that a clenched jawbone and popping eyeballs is an indication that one is paying attention to what is happening or being said around him/her, and if so, I hereby advise you to stop being foolish. By claiming you know I didn’t read an article you’re fine tuning to my interest, I too is sure of the fact that you haven’t unlearned you master’s habitual dazing off of his eyelids and biting his lips as if he is aware of everything even before it happens or is said. Your type here are not up to anything good but to inspire the new government in doing the minimum of what is expected of them, and help them feel indifferent to the highly placed expectations of the average Gambians, which is to prevail in making a contrasting difference to the evil predecessor. There are types of criticism that helps inspire in bringing about progress and there are those contemptuous ones meant to derail efforts on Progress’s course.
Babu the narcissistic fool of a jackass who wants Jack to be indeed what Babu is…., by who or how do you thinks presidents speeches are made available? Are you a type who can even say one sensible phrase at a U.N assembly stand with your exhibited amount of idiocy? Yes of course, bray you can….; long live the revolution, longer live Babu Soli’s tail, up with people’s heads rolling down the ditch and high up with the heap trash….isn’t it?
Babu, stop missing your monstrous master in his human blood fertilised cabbage garden and relearn meaningful criticism. Please don’t get your nerve endings spiked with my two pence advice.
I have not listened to all the speeches from African leaders at the General Assembly, but the veteran, Hon. Robert Mugabe, did not disappoint me, and this quotation from his speech, was the icing on the cake, for me.
President Robert Mugabe:
“My country is an unflinching advocate for the respect of the sovereignty and independence of countries. We therefore, defend and respect the right of each country to take decisions in exercising its sovereign right. We cannot, however, remain silent when those decisions impact or have the potential to negatively affect our own welfare.
And on these, may I say (that) some of us were embarrassed, if not frightened, by what appear to be the return of the Biblical giant called Goliath. Are we having the return of Goliath in our midst, who threatens the extinction of our countries?
And may I say to the United States President, Mr Trump, please blow your trumpet.. (interrupted by applause)..blow your trumpet in a musical way towards the values of unity, peace, cooperation, togetherness, dialogue, which we have always stood for and which are well written in our very sacred document, the Charter of the United Nations….”
Earlier in his speech, he also made a very pertinent observation about the difficulties that Africa continues to face in the current global system, as follows:
“We cannot halt or reverse the persistent widening of the gap between the rich and poor amongst our nations, without deeper international cooperation and genuine reform of the existing inequitable international system. The current system is inherently structured to enrich the few and impoverish the many. It cannot therefore, deliver on a key aspiration and watch-word objective of the 2030 Agenda: that of leaving no one behind.
Mr President, for us in Africa, the current antiquated system perpetuates a historical injustice; one that can never ever be justified (even) today…”
The message is brilliant and it demonstrates a deep understanding of the rigged global system, and its adverse effects on the African Peoples, but unfortunately, the messenger is tainted and that is very, very sad.
Bax,
Robert Mugabe is not more than a talented clown at what he does and knows best. No wonder why many clowns today perform by the pseudonym ‘Robert Mugabe…’
Reliable sources have brought to light how his sons are typical examples of the bloodiness, barbarism and greed that manifests in all of the continents clinched dictatorships playing their roles in the global injustice that continues drowning the continent both economically and human resource-wise. Their jeremiad against colonialism and neocolonialism is nothing but distractive tactics to draw attention from the Goliaths they pose to be upon their own citizens. Having to be a key figure of liberation of one’s country from Western colonial rule is not a justifiable factor of claiming ownership of a country by false propaganda, making such status quos a will of their people. So-called Panafricans like Mugabe who make true Panafricans shake in their graves are worse than the colonial masters who lynched and raped Africans for the fact that they too have raped and their own African children and scorched mothers in the demoralising manners. They are basically no contrasts that sets Mugabe better off from Trump. In my opinion they are both two big woes in the way of a peaceful world’s cause.