Gambia’s minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Wednesday bade farewell to António Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations.
Dr. Tangara, who was Gambia’s ambassador and permanentr epresentative to the United Nations in New York, thanked the Secretary-General for receiving him in audience and thanked him and the United Nations for their steadfast support to the Gambia throughout his tenure.
He highlighted the critical support the Secretary-General gave to the Barrow Government during the political impasse and the transition to a new democratic order.
Dr. Tangara also spoke highly of the critical support that the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel and the UN Country team provided during the Gambia’s political transition.
He further highlighted that the initial support that the UN provided to the Gambia through the Peacebuilding Commission and its Support Office, made a huge difference in kick-starting reforms in the areas of peacebuilding, transitional justice and security sector reform. He assured the Secretary-General that President Barrow is committed to consolidating democracy, good governance and the rule of law in the country.
For his part, Secretary-General Guterres recognised Minister Tangara’s leadership, which he demonstrated while serving as the Gambia’s permanent representative to the United Nations during that difficult political transition in the country.
He said he has no doubt in his abilities to fulfill his new role as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Secretary-General also thanked the people of the Gambia for their commitment to democracy, which made it possible for the UN and the International Community to stand by them.
He reiterated the UN’s commitment to making the Gambia a success story in its peacebuilding and development efforts. The Secretary-General stated that the United Nations will continue to support The Gambia’s democratic transition.
