Ambassador Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay at the APRC National Congress
By Ramatoulie Jawo
Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay, The Gambia’s Ambassador to South Africa and a special guest at the APRC Congress in Banjul, became emotional as she addressed party militants. Speaking to party supporters, she described the gathering as a testament to their shared ideals, values, and collective efforts.
“This congress is not a gathering of individuals it’s a testimony to our shared ideas, our values and collective vision, and our unyielding commitment to building a brighter future for this noble and great Party in our country the APRC,” She Said.
Reflecting on the challenges faced over the past two years, Jahumpa praised the party for its resilience, noting that their accomplishments prove they can overcome any obstacle when united.
“We cannot afford to rest on the praises bestowed on us as of now. So we should try hard and come together because that is what we are known for as APRC and that is what we should do,” She Said.
She emphasized that many who left the party have returned, while others remain silent but still hold the APRC close to their hearts, expressing confidence that they will eventually rejoin.
She highlighted that, by the grace of God, when these members return under the leadership of Fabakary T. Jatta, they will recognize that the APRC is not anyone’s possession but a collective legacy.
Jahumpa affirmed that the APRC has always been a strong party and will continue to be, leaving behind a lasting legacy for future generations to build upon.
She also expressed concern about the current political climate, describing it as unsettling and worrisome, and urged everyone to come together and work collaboratively to address these challenges.
“As we look around and closely observe and read the political atmosphere of our dear smiling cost we see an unpleasant political atmosphere with fear and absolute terrifying that we need to work together as a people. Because people have disturbed us too much I don’t see any reason why we cannot come together as one and work together. APRC is the reason we were taken to court and it wasn’t worth it, and that should not have happened so why are APRC supporters Always in quarrels,” she said.
She called on party members to unite and refrain from engaging in hate speech and internal disagreements.
“So why can’t we come together, why are we all the time quarreling and hating on each other, which should not happen? And I hope when we are from the congress in Banjul here today, that will be a thing of a past,” she said.
She also called on political leaders, transitional leaders, Religious leaders, government, and stakeholders to exercise their democratic rights and absolute honesty, discipline, and nationalism in order to leave a good legacy for the generations to come.
She urged all party members and supporters to remain vigilant against threats to democracy and to uphold its core principles of transparency and integrity.
“We must all stay focused on our party slogans and country’s slogan which said the country first, country’s interest above individual or group interest as we chart our course for the coming year I am calling us all to recommit our mission that is the purpose of green revolution, and our values as patriots for reorientation and construction,” She Said.