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Fajara, 27 October 2017  President Adama Barrow yesterday received in audience the new Khalipha of the Tidiania, Sereign Ababacarr Mbaye Sy Mansour.  The eminent Muslim leader from Senegal was in The Gambia to attend the annual “Gamo” of Kerr Ousman Jeng, celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).     Meeting with Sereign Ababacarr Mbaye Sy Mansour, President Barrow acknowledged the need for leaders to receive good counsel, and pledged to continue to do his utmost in the execution of his duties as President.    The new Khalipha emphasised the importance of strengthening family ties, upholding religious values and hard work.  He spoke of the hope which he said people have in President Barrow’s administration, and he prayed for the president to achieve his goals.      Serign Mbaye Sy Mansour said Gambians had been challenged for many years on strategies to overcome the difficulties they experienced, but Allah had intervened and directed the change, which brought President Barrow to lead them. The Khalipha expressed optimism for the continued warm and close relationship between President Barrow and President Macky Sall, which he said greatly reinforced ties between the two governments.      The Khalipha called on the Gambian leader to be accommodative of people who speak truth to power, and to know that as a leader, he should always listen to what his conscience tells him and what he is told.  He stressed that leaders have responsibilities as they lead people who have different levels of commitment and kinds of character.  He advised that President Barrow’s focus should be on the goal of leadership.  He advised the president to stick to certain important values and principles: remaining modest, non-discriminatory and not degrading anyone. He emphasised that leadership goes with truthfulness, accountability, compassion and the ability to balance issues carefully.      The Khalipha called on everyone, including coalition members, to be truthful and to realise that there cannot be an easy fix for all the challenges that The Gambia faces because of the difficult circumstances that the government inherited.  He called for peaceful co-existence, unity and  solidarity for the nation to succeed.      Sereign Mbaye Sy reiterated the religious bond between The Gambia and Senegal and their people, and thanked everyone for the hospitality accorded to his delegation.      For his part, President Barrow expressed gratitude for the good advice and prayers that he received from the Khalipha. He took the opportunity to express condolences to the Sy family for the loss of  the last Khalipha Al Amin and other members of the family.      President Barrow reassured the Khalipha of the continued peaceful co-existence between the two countries and their people. He said he and President Sall would be committed to the continuous strengthening of bilateral ties.  The Gambian leader urged all to continue to “pray for peace and respect for our religious leaders, as no one person can have everything.”   He said responsibilities have to be shared, and he commended Ambassador Salieu Ndiaye of Senegal, who accompanied the  delegation to State House, for his tireless efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.    Also accompanying the Khalipha were Imam Ratib, Cherno Alieu Mass Kah, leader of the Tivaouane in Banjul , Imam Tafsir Gaye, and representatives of Ahlou Tivaaoune and  family of Mam Ousman  Jeng, initiator of the annual Gamo of the Tijani Talibehs in Banjul.    

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Fajara, 24 October 2017  President Adama Barrow received three new diplomatic envoys today, as his government continues to strengthen its bilateral ties with other nations. Ambassadors from Kuwait, Mauritania and Nigeria presented their credentials to the President at his Fajara office, this morning.    President Barrow called on each of the diplomats to build on the progress that their predecessors had made in constructive bilateral cooperation toward the mutual benefit of their citizens and the Gambian people. He said an ambassadorial presence was evidence of the strong ties that The Gambia enjoyed with the three countries. President Barrow assured the envoys of his support to ensure that they have successful terms in office.    The new Kuwaiti Ambassador to The Gambia, His Excellency Mr. Saleh Ali Al Saqabi, said Kuwait will strengthen its relationship with The Gambia in various areas to help it consolidate democracy. He also assured President Barrow of his country’s willingness to support The Gambia in it's hosting of the Summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in 2019.        Receiving Ambassador Al Saqabi, President Barrow described the mediation role played by the Emir of Kuwait between Saudi Arabia and Qatar as honourable. He thanked Kuwait for the support it had provided in the past, and said he looked forward to a continued successful partnership.     Ambassador Al Saqabi is a career diplomat of 25 years, having served in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Senegal. He also served as Adviser to the Emir of Kuwait, Jaber Al- Ahmad Al-Sabah.      The new Mauritanian Ambassador, His Excellency, El Hacen Mohamed Awan,  conveyed President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz’s eagerness to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.  He thanked the Gambian government for providing a hospitable environment for the Mauritanian community in The Gambia.      President Barrow noted the long history between The Gambia and Mauritania, and applauded Mauritanians for being peaceful and law abiding. He commended the efforts and commitment of President Abdel Aziz to help resolve the political impasse in The Gambia earlier in the year. President Barrow pledged to continue the spirit of unity between the two countries. He stressed that without peace there could not be  development, and he conveyed a personal message of goodwill to the Mauritanian leader through Ambassador Awan.       Ambassador Awan is an educationist. He served as Mauritania’s Minister of Education, and was a diplomat in Yemen and Sudan.    Presenting his credentials, Nigeria’s new Ambassador to The Gambia, His  Excellency, Mr. Oluwasegun Ibidapo-Obe, said the strong historic ties between Nigeria and The Gambia would make his work easy. He congratulated President Barrow for the security sector reform being undertaken, and assured him that the Nigerian government would continue to support The Gambia in various areas. He underscored the importance of supporting the country as it continued to build a stable democracy. He pledged Nigeria’s support to the Assets Recovery Commission.  Ambassador Ibidapo-Obe said that despite being a bigger country, Nigeria was interested in learning from The Gambia, in the area of tourism.    President Barrow commended Nigeria’s stand during and after The Gambia’s political impasse in early 2017. He conveyed his personal best wishes to President Muhammadu Buhari through Ambassador Ibidapo-Obe, and said he looked forward to continued strong cooperation.     Ambassador Ibidapo-Obe is a career diplomat. In 2016, he served as Nigeria’s Chargé d’ Affaires at the country’s embassy in Lomé, Togo.    These bilateral ties are expected to lead to a strengthening of support in various areas. They include having a joint commission between The Gambia and Kuwait, which will help develop trade, tourism and sports as priority areas.  Relations with Mauritania are expected to see a strengthening in security cooperation and livestock, while bilateral ties with Nigeria will result in consolidated support in the fields of education, health and the legal sector.  Nigeria is already providing support in peace and security through the ECOWAS Military Intervention in The Gambia (ECOMIG) force currently stationed in The Gambia.  The Gambian Foreign Minister, Honourable Ousianou Darbo, Higher Education  Minister, Honourbale Badara Joof, Secretary General Dawda Fadera, and other senior officials were present at the presentation ceremonies.     The State Guard battalion led by Colonel Turo Jawneh mounted a Quarter Guard in a colourful ceremony for the diplomats.    

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