Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland congratulated Adama Barrow and the people of The Gambia as she attended the President鈥檚 inauguration ceremony in Bakau.
Adama Barrow was sworn in as The Gambia鈥檚 3rd and continuing President before a jubilant crowd of Gambians at the Independence Stadium. The inauguration was also attended by Commonwealth leaders, African heads of government and heads of international organisations.
Expressing his gratitude to The Gambian people, President Barrow said:
鈥淭oday, we can comfortably conclude that my re-election for another five years is a vote of confidence in my government, a vote of acknowledgement of my achievements, a vote of endorsement of the path we have undertaken to follow, and a vote of acceptance of the democratic principles and values we stand for.
鈥淚t is also a vote of appreciation of who we are as a people and how we have branded ourselves, as well as a vote of willingness of the people to come together and work together to pursue our dreams and aspirations. In short, it is a vote of hope and reassurance, a rejection of division and oppression, and a new legitimate mandate for me as President and Head of State of the Republic of The Gambia.鈥
Witnessing the swearing-in, the Secretary-General said: 鈥淔our years ago, when Gambia re-joined the Commonwealth, it felt like a beloved brother or sister; a prodigal son coming back home.
鈥淭oday, my brothers and sisters, we can say together that our partnership will go from strength to strength.
鈥淥ur world faces profound and serious challenges, but I truly believe that The Gambia will shine like a beacon across the Commonwealth, just as the Commonwealth will shine like a beacon across the world.
鈥淲e can see, in the process of democracy, The Gambia鈥檚 light shine.
鈥淏ecause at a time when democracy is under strain in many parts of our world, democracy in The Gambia is getting stronger.
鈥淚 hope the example of The Gambia鈥檚 journey will not only provide a strong foundation for The Gambia鈥檚 future but will also help to heal injured democratic process in other places.鈥
Following the inauguration, the Secretary-General spoke with President Barrow. The President thanked the Secretary-General for her presence at the inauguration and for the 糖心探花鈥檚 dedicated support to The Gambia, exemplified by the Secretary-General鈥檚 visit.
The Secretary-General convened a Commonwealth Observer Group at The Gambia鈥檚 election last December, which judged the election to be transparent. See the group鈥檚 interim statement.
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