The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) wishes to congratulate the President of the Islamic Republic of The Gambia, His ExcellencyAdama Barrow, on the peaceful return to his country.
The African has been closely following the developments in The Gambia since the Presidential elections of 01 December 2016, when it welcomed the peaceful conduct of the elections, and called for an orderly handover of power from the former President following the outcome of the elections.
The African Commission had also expressed its concern over the political impasse which ensued, and was therefore elated to hear of the inauguration of President Barrow at the Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. The return of President Barrow to The Gambia will undoubtedly consolidate and contribute towards the normalization of the situation in the country.
The African Commission seizes this opportunity to commend the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations for the steadfast commitment to giving effect to the will of the Gambian people as expressed through the 01 December 2016 Presidential elections. The Commission also calls upon the international community to continue providing support to President Barrow and his new Government.
The African Commission urges President Barrow, and the incoming Government of The Gambia, to commit to the promotion and protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which The Gambia is a State Party. The African Commission remains committed to providing support to the new Government of The Gambia in this regard.
Banjul, 27 January 2017
For further information, please contact:
The Secretariat of the Commission
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District
Western Region.
P.O Box 673 Banjul, The Gambia
Tel: 220 4410505/6; 2304361
Fax: 220 4410504
E-mail: au-banjul@africa-union.org
