President Adama Barrow has expressed gratitude to former President, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara and Lady Chilel Jawara for honouring his invitation to attend the Gambia’s 53rd Independence anniversary celebration. Despite his old age, the man who led the Gambia to independence on February 18 joined thousands to celebrate the country’s 53 independence celebration, which signified his desire to see democracy thrive as well as provide support and encouragement to the current administration.
“His presence brought nostalgia to many and re-echoed the desire for the Gambia to once again take its place amongst the nations that respect human rights, democracy and rule of law,” President Barrow said in a statement. “The attendance of the former President was an honour and has demonstrated that Gambians are all one big family, no matter their political and ideological differences.”
President Barrow, whose administration marked its second independence anniversary, thanked all Gambians and friends of The Gambia who took their time to attend the celebration. He also thanked the organising committee and the security and armed forces for providing security as well as displayed magnificent march pass. “President Barrow further expressed gratitude to the school authorities, teachers and parents for the efforts made to get the children to participate in the march pass.”
After the march pass, President held a closed door meeting with heads of the security forces, thanking and urging them “to continue to work together and strengthened national security.” Gambian leader said the “world is moving towards democracy and that the armed forces have an important role to play in the promotion of peace and stability for democracy to thrive.”
“President Barrow prides administration for re-connecting the Gambian democracy where Sir Dawda Jawara’s government left in 1994,” he added, calling on “all Gambians to continue to nurture peace, unity and respect for rule of law as we all work for the advancement of our nation.”
Ends