Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio’s official visit to The Gambia has ended abruptly, prompting speculation over the reasons behind his early departure.
President Bio touched down at Banjul International Airport on Thursday at 2:00 p.m., where he was received by Gambian officials before heading to State House for talks with President Adama Barrow. The visit, part of his role as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, was expected to reinforce ties between the two West African nations.
However, plans for a private dinner between the two leaders later that evening did not go ahead. The following morning’s joint press conference, scheduled for Friday, 15 August at 10:00 a.m., was also called off without explanation.
Instead, President Bio left Banjul earlier than planned, departing without any public address or statement on the outcome of his discussions with President Barrow. Neither State House in Banjul nor Freetown has issued an official reason for the cancellations.
The unexpected change in schedule has fuelled questions among observers and diplomatic circles, particularly given the significance of the visit in the context of ECOWAS cooperation and regional diplomacy.
Both leaders have worked closely on regional security, trade, and political stability within ECOWAS, and the trip was seen as an opportunity to deepen bilateral collaboration. For now, the details of their private talks remain undisclosed, leaving the public and analysts to speculate on what might have prompted such a sudden shift in plans.
