In one of the most anticipated speeches of his political career amidst fellow world leaders and a public tuned-in-wait, the Gambian leader delivered a flawless masterclass to the UN General Assembly in laying out his government’s foreign policy priorities. Sandwiched between the address by the president of Afghanistan and that of Bolivia respectively, President Barrow took to the stage after the clock had struck midnight Banjul time in his maiden address on the supranational stage of international politics. The speech started slow, understandably nerves, perhaps, but then got better & better the more he went on.
Approaching his first UNGA, I was expecting a rather restraint speech from the president, but no, he went at it quite strongly, albeit, in a measured tone portraying his vision for a more benign world. Well done to him representing the Gambian people in that speech as reflected in the reactions from the nations in audience. And in breaking with the past, a pat on the back to State House media mogul, A.B Sissoho and senior civil servants at the Foreign Ministry also for lining the much-needed transformation from a confrontational, to a more cooperative diplomatic foreign policy. But the day belong to the President. He has acquainted himself well amid the glare of worldwide press, and the Gambian people will have been proud for the possibilities this new Gambia represents.
However, major challenges remain as he has perfectly alluded to in that speech. The President mentioned the energy crisis facing our region, in which the Gambia is faring worst, aha NAWEC. He lamented lack of jobs for the youths, yet his government is still to come up with large-scale job creating measures. He also cries domestic industry in the same breath his Interior Minister, Mai fatty, is conniving to throw away I.D card and Passport production to a foreign firm in SEMLEX – when Gambian firms can do an even better job, at a cheaper cost to the taxpayer. The price of rice is still unaffordable for the average Gambian salary which I hope the administration will address soonest.
The President’s comment on the Middle East peace process will certainly makes headlines around the world. And if twitter feeds are anything to go by, appreciations are pouring in from I.O.C member countries and Muslims around the world. In all honesty, his was one of the best speeches so far calling on the world’s conscience to do more for the poor. He challenged his fellow leaders to give diplomacy a chance in the face of complex challenges facing mankind. And for the wealthier global north to do its fair share of lifting for a balanced global economy, for a fairer, inclusive, and for a more just world.
Gibril Saine Twitter: @gibbysaine
