By: Momodou Justice Darboe
Only five countries from the Islamic Ummahhave been represented by their leaders in the just-concluded 15the OIC conference in Banjul against earlier public expectations of a huge turn-out of leaders.
Leaders from Islamic Republic of Mauritania H. E. Mohamed Ould Cheik Ghezouani, Republic of Djibouti H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, Republic of Senegal H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye,Republic of Guinea Bissau H.E. Umaro SissocoEmbalo and Republic of Sierra Leone H.E. Julius Maada Bio
Hopes were riding high that the 15 OIC Summit would see The Gambia welcome leaders from across the Ummah but the majority of the OIC member states have decided to send in their foreign ministers to Banjul.
Many Gambians, who were expecting a massive attendance of leaders, were disappointed as only the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Republic of Djibouti, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, and Sierra Leone were represented in the summit by their leaders.
More than 40 countries were represented by their ministers of external affairs, primeministers, deputy prime ministers, special envoys, House speaker, deputy ministers, Islamic affairs ministers and ministers of state.