President Adama Barrow and the new UN Representative for West Africa and the Sahel H.E Leonardo Santos Simão
State House, Banjul, 31st August 2023
His Excellency President Adama Barrow Thursday received the new UN Representative for West Africa and the Sahel H.E Leonardo Santos Simão on a tour to acquaint himself with the work environment.
During the audience, President Barrow congratulated him on his role while stating that he came at a difficult time when the region is experiencing instability. The President referenced 2017 when the Presidents of some ECOWAS member countries assumed office through democracy to bring development for their people.
President Barrow said the Mali situation was not addressed and set a precedent. ‘’Some citizens are unhappy with their Presidents, and the root cause should be addressed because the military is not a solution,’’ he observed.
The President also highlighted the Gambia’s human resource base and the expectations of the young people while urging the UN to be Proactive in looking at challenges for Presidents to respect term limits and to avoid unconstitutional changes.
He said the UN is an important partner and Grateful for its support for the TJ process. “Next is the implementation stage, and we need support for compensation and to make it a priority to facilitate reconciliation and the justice processes.” President Barrow said, adding that TJ financial support should give reparation priority and not justice only.
He commended the Predecessors for their support to the Gambia.
For his part, the UNOWAS rep thanked the President for supporting his candidacy. He congratulated the government for the progress registered in the TRRC and President Barrow’s encouraging citizen participation in democratic processes. He pledged to work with the Gambia to consolidate the peace.
He said Terrorism, violence and humanitarian situations are negatively impacting on the region’s economy and increasing poverty, which affects the youth.
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