By Omar Wally
Despite the controversy over her appointment as the country number 2, Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang is the first Gambian to be appointed by President Adama Barrow. The announcement of her appointment came after President Barrow disclosed on TFM (Senegalese Televison) that his VP pick is a female.
Until the upper age limit was removed by National Assembly members and her appointment confirmed, Tambajang was overseeing the office of The Vice President and ministry of Women’s Affairs.
In delivering her statements after taking the oath of office as the country’s Vice President on Thursday, Tambajang commended President Adama Barrow, for trusting, motivating and guiding her to be resilient to the trials and tribulations of her eleven months journey.
“I thank my entire colleagues of Coalition 2016, the bedrock for our democratic change, for entrusting me with the leadership in its creation and strengthening.”
She added that the national strive to champion the liberation of political prisoners and other innocent citizens, including leaving home at 5:30 am for prison visits, hospital visits and attending Yahya Jammeh’s orchestrated Kangaro courts during many trials of the citizens, has also been both challenging and rewarding.
“ I got stranded many times on the road side and was picked up and dropped off by His Excellency President Adama Barrow, this is because many at that time won’t give me a ride. I am forever grateful to you, Your Excellency for this humane and courageous gesture.”
Madam Jallow Tambajang said the brave man or woman is not he or she who is not afraid, but he or she who conquers that fear. “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”
She said democratic process has matured in The Gambia and that they are committed to nurturing it. “For two solid decades, our nation has faced enormous challenges as a result of bad governance by the dictatorial regime of Yahya Jammeh”. She added that Gambians as peace loving people fought against it in a matured and resilient way.
She noted that today the country embarks on a new democratic journey.
“Our inspired, talented, ingenuous and patriotic fellow Gambians, are ready to work with our Government to transform our country into a democratic model in the world through constitutional, political, legal, economic, social, and security reforms. “
