By Mama A. Touray
President Adama Barrow has explained that “in 2016, our objective was to liberate the people from oppression and injustice. It was a call for change, and, indeed, change has come about.”
The 56-year-old took the oath of office on Wednesday and was administered by Chief Justice Hassan Bubacarr Jallow at a ceremony held at the Independence Stadium, Bakau. He was re-elected with 53% of the votes.
Barrow was sworn in before his cabinet members, MPs, several heads of state, diplomats, and other high-ranking local and international guests and observers.
Among the Heads of State who witnessed the swearing-in ceremony were the Presidents of Togo, Mauritania, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, Liberia, and Ghana, the current chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
US President Joe Biden has designated Richard Carlton Paschall III, US Ambassador to The Gambia, to lead his country’s delegation.
“Today, The Gambia of the past has given way to a new democratic Gambia, where every citizen is equal before the law.
“The independence of the Judiciary is unquestionable, and Gambians have confidence in our judicial system. This is what the people fought for, and this is what they have chosen to sustain,” he told Gambians in a nationwide address.
According to him, the transition period, 2017 to 2021, has been a tremendous success, regardless of the shortfalls and obstacles encountered along the way.
“We have realised growth in our economy, increased infrastructural development, enhanced the policy environment, and evenly set the pace for our democratic institutions to be efficiently viable and effective,” he noted.
He pointed out that 2022 to 2027 is a period to press on for accelerated growth, expansion, and advancement, disclosing that the focus now centers on economic development and independence, social upliftment, service to the nation, and the projection and protection of the Gambian identity and dignity.
President Barrow stated that the country’s Foreign policy is now robust and fruitful enough to build on, and The Gambia has regained her position in the international community and has successfully expanded friendship and cooperation around the world.
“We will pursue this with vigor, beginning with our friends and neighbours in the sub-region and the African continent.
“In particular, ECOWAS provides a platform for dialogue, cooperation, joint ventures, and collaboration on regional and global matters.
“We are greatly indebted to ECOWAS for standing by us, providing the most needed support, most especially during and after the 2016 political impasse. Their guidance and support to establish and maintain peace and stability during our transition program contributed to the successful conduct of the last Presidential Election,” he told his guests and the public.
He noted that the presence of ECOMIG signifies the relevance and competence of ECOWAS as a regional body, while he called on Gambians to pay immense tribute to the leaders of the regional block, past and present, for their impressive contribution to the welfare of Gambian peoples.
“Without the continuous backing of ECOWAS, the pace of our transition would have been hindered,” he noted.