By Alagie Manneh
Over fifteen Heads of State are expected to grace the much-awaited 18 February inauguration of President Adama Barrow, the Head of the Media Organizing Committee for Independence and Inauguration, Musa Sise disclosed Sunday, February 12, 2017.
They are also expected to witness the 52nd Independence celebrations, which will coincide with the inauguration.
“These are the leaders who were supposed to be in the country on January 19 for the inauguration of President Adama Barrow, but because he was sworn in Dakar, they could not make it to Banjul.” Mr Sise said.
According to Mr Sise, dignitaries from around the world and the African Union delegates will also be in Banjul to attend the occasion.
He told Gambians to expect “a wonderful victory celebrations at the Independence stadium, free for everyone to come and be part of”. Musa also said that there will be a reception for the visiting dignitaries on February 17, a day before the Independence celebrations.
Mr Sise hailed the Senegalese government, saying they have been very supportive of this whole event. “They have done extremely well, and have been very cooperative during this whole time”. He added.
On whether former President Sir Dawda will be at the event, organizers say the first President of the Gambia is an “old man now” and at 95 they do not expect to drag him to the event, but a special invitation has been sent to him and his family.
Mr Ceesay also gave a brief layout of some of the activities that will take place during the celebrations, adding that a line-up of Gambian artists who are expected to perform is already set up
