Gambian President-elect’s Christmas message

The President-elect of Gambia, Adama Barrow has broadcast a goodwill message to Christians in Gambia and prayed for peace and peaceful transition in Gambia. The message was published on Youtube.

“Today is Christmas Day. It is a day of thanksgiving and prayers for Christians all over the world and a day of solidarity from Muslims, in particular, and all peace loving people. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all peace loving people a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance.

In his Christmas message, Barrow has urged Gambians to pray for a peaceful transition in the troubled nation where the incumbent President, Yahya Jammeh has refused to hand over executive power when his tenure officially ends in January 2017.

“I am now the President-elect. I should assume office when the term of office of the incumbent expires on 19 January 2017. I do not want to preside over a country that is not at peace with itself. Hence, I am calling on all peace loving Gambians to advocate, pray and work for a peaceful transfer of Executive power, for the first time in our history since Independence. If the colonialists could peacefully hand over Executive power in accordance with the dictates of the people of the Gambia, we the citizens should be able to show a better example to our children,” Barrow said in his message.

Barrow has also said, under his presidency, he would ensure that the Gambia remains a secular, democratic sovereign country. This is contrary to President Jammeh’s intentions to turn Gambia into an Islamic state.

“I would like to conclude by assuring you that I will spare no effort to ensure that The Gambia remains a Secular, Democratic, Sovereign country which would protect the right of each Gambian to hold and practice the religion or creed of one’s choice without any hindrance or discrimination,” Barrow reassured.

Recently at the 50th summit of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)  held in Nigeria and attended by 11 heads of state, members called  “for a swift resolution of the political impasse in The Gambia after disputed elections in which long-term president Yahya Jammeh is refusing to concede defeat.”

(Fr. Paul Samasumo, VR)

Email: [e-mail]