Barrow calls for more UN support in global peace & security

 By Pa Modou Cham

President Adama Barrow strongly advocated for multilateralism, calling for more support for the UN in the search for global peace and security. According to State House, he delivered this powerful message of hope and inspiration at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The president comprehensively highlighted the foreign policy trajectory of the country, ramping up support for China, Palestine and the Rohingya Muslims. 

On Multilateralism, President Barrow said our salvation, as human beings, lies in strengthening our multilateral institutions and fostering greater international cooperation to collectively address global challenges.

“Those of us who value the UN, as well as those who have benefited immensely from its work, should be at the forefront to call upon all Member States to step up support for the Organization. Support and invest more in the United Nations, instead of withdrawing our participation or cutting back our financial support,’’ he said.

“We (Gambia) are also resolutely pursuing institutional and constitutional reforms. Such reforms have commenced, with the hope of putting The Gambia on a solid path to becoming a shining champion of democracy and human rights in the world”

He said Gambians wanted ''significant, and not cosmetic, improvements in their lives''. He added it is for this reason that government is now implementing a comprehensive National Development Plan (2018-2021).

In applauding the Diasporas, he said in our pursuit of a fully transformed Gambia, they recognize the importance of a meaningful engagement with The Gambian Diaspora - fondly referred to as “The Eighth Region of The Gambia”

“Our Diaspora strategy seeks to explore and utilize the skills, talent and resources of Gambians everywhere for the successful implementation of the National Development Plan,” he pointed.

The President lamented that The Gambia’s experience demonstrates that democracy yields amazing dividends. He says remarkably, we have noticed a decrease in the number of youths attempting to undertake dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean to Europe. 

“The average Gambian is willing to stay in the country and contribute to national development. Despite these positive developments, I strongly urge that interventions to curb youth migration be supported through incentives,’’ Barrow says.

Buttressing to Foreign Policy, President Barrow explained that as Africans, we must assume leadership for maintaining peace and security on our continent. He added that in this respect, he commends the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea for the extraordinary efforts made to bring lasting peace to the Horn of Africa.

“My government reaffirms its strong support for the two-state solution to establish peace between the Palestinians and their neighbors’’.

“We pronounce our unconditional recognition of the One-China Policy. Similarly, we recognize the support provided by the Government and People of Bangladesh to address the plight of the Rohingya Muslims’’.

However, Barrow reiterated that The Gambia has undertaken, through a Resolution, to champion an accountability mechanism that would ensure that perpetrators of the terrible crimes against the Rohingya Muslims are brought to book”.