Spoken to the UGOA, presented by APRC-Atlanta. Speech delivered by M. Sanneh
on behalf of the executive body.

Mr. Chairman, Hon. Speakers, Organizing committee of the United Gambian
Organization of Atlanta (UGOA), Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, my
Fellow Gambians. On behalf of the APRC Atlanta Branch, It is our great honor
and privilege; to come here this evening to present some fundamental
socio-economic development, undergoing in the Gambia under the wise
leadership of President Alhagi Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh and the APRC
government.

Before going any further, Ladies and Gentlemen, Allow me to extend to this
gathering and the entire Gambian people, the APRC Atlanta branch’s,
commitment under the wise chairmanship Mr. Salifu Jallow toward nation
building and reconciliation.

Having said that my friends. I want to tell you briefly about the Gambia
under the second republic. Foremost I must say, this was a country that was
in doubt when she agitated for her independence in 1965. Today, my friends,
under a young and dynamic leadership led by H.E. President Yahya Jammeh, no
one doubts the Gambia’s ability to manage her own affairs and maintain
herself as an independent sovereign nation.

The armed forces provisional ruling council (AFPRC) was formed to lead the
Gambia through a transition period, which would lead to the establishment of
the second republic. In December of 1994, “AFPRC” Chairman Yahya Jammeh
established a national consultation committee (NCC) which was given the
mandate to conduct a nation wide consultation with the Gambian people on the
timetable for the transition. The Gambian people through the NCC voiced
their preference for a two-year timetable instead of the four years
originally envisioned by the “AFPRC”. The AFPRC accepted the recommendation
of the NCC, and presidential elections were scheduled for July 1996.
Although, this was later postponed until September, when a British Company,
with the mandate to assist with voter registration materials and to train
registration teams fell behind schedule.

In preparation for the establishment of the Second Republic, a new
constitution was drafted. After thorough debate and review by all concerned
citizens, an amendment was put before the Gambian people in a National
referendum with a voter turnout of 86%, Gambians overwhelmingly voted to
approve the new constitution on August 8, 1996.

The new constitution provided for the separation of powers and established
checks and balances among the various branches of government. The
constitution also lowers the voting age guarantees the independence of the
media and protects the rights of women, children and the disabled.

The September 26 presidential election in the Gambia was deemed free and
fair by the Gambia’s provisional Independent Electoral Commission (PREC).
The commission had been called for by the new constitution to prepare and
pave the way for the elections near by among other activities carrying out
civic education programs, requesting donor assistance and obtaining
participation by international election observers. The election, was
monitored by eighty international election observers. The multi-party
election was peaceful and voter turnout was high. There were no
irregularities reported at the pools. Candidates from four political parties
competed in the presidential elections of September 26. Yahya Jammeh, the
“AFPRC” Chairman received 56% of the votes while Ousainou Darboe, a
prominent lawyer and vice Chairman of the Gambia bar association received
36% of the votes. The two independent candidates shared the remaining 8% of
the votes. President Jammeh was sworn in as the first president of the
second republic in October 18 1996. I am also glad to add that the president
was returned to office in October of 2001 with a resounding mandate.
The final step Ladies and Gentlemen in concluding the Gambia’s transition to
democracy and the establishment of the second Republic was the national
assembly elections. All four political parties competed in the parliamentary
elections, which were held on January 2, 1997. The elections were peaceful
and was observed by international monitor teams. President Jammeh’s party
APRC won 33 of the 45 seats while Mr. Darboe’s UDP party won 7 seats. The
party of national reconciliation won 2 seats and PDOIS won 1 seat. 2
independent candidates rounded out the 45 seats filled in the election. In
addition, President Jammeh appointed another 4 including the Speaker and the
Deputy Speaker bringing the total number of members of parliament to 49. All
4 registered political parties; as well as independent legislators are
represented in the National Assembly.

With the transition to democracy completed, the Jammeh administration has
summarized its aspirations for the Second Republic in an official mission.
“To transform the Gambia into a financial center, a tourist paradise, a
trading export, oriented agricultural and manufacturing nation, thriving on
free market policies and a vibrant private sector, sustained by a well
educated trained, skilled, healthy, self-reliant and enterprising population
and guaranteeing a well balanced Eco-system and a decent standard of  living
for one and all, under a system of government based on the consent of the
citizenry.

To accomplish this task, the government of the Gambia, in collaboration with
the private sector has begun the implementation of a comprehensive plan to
transform the country socially, economically and scientifically over the
next quarter century to be completed by the year 2020.  A cardinal aspect of
this plan christened vision 2020 is emphasized on the private sector as the
engine of growth.

My fellow Gambians, to compensate for decades of neglect the Gambia has
embarked on a multi million dollar series of ambitious, far reaching
Socio-development projects, which are of practical everyday use to the
Gambian people.

Since 1994, the Gambia government has expanded and improved the country’s
communication network, including building numerous bridges, drainage ditches
and pipelines. As Doctor Saine mentioned in his presentation, I quote “The
highway from Barra to Kerrewan is paved with a bridge at Kerewan to Farafene
and beyond. The same is true from Serrekunda to Soma in the South Bank.
While the stretch between soma and basse is relatively good.” “The coastal
highway system from Brufut connects Gunjur and Kartong and other outlying
towns and villages.”

The government has boasted the strength of the country’s national radio
station to cover the entire country. The government has established the
country’s first television station. The government has funded the
construction of clinics, and construction of major hospitals for the rural
areas. The government has opened over dozen middle and high schools in both
rural and urban areas. The government has renovated Banjul’s Seaport to meet
worldwide maritime standards. The government has modernized and upgraded the
facilities at the Yundum International Airport to meet international
aviation standards. The government has established the Gambia's First
University System, which is in full course and ready to grant Bachelor’s
degrees in respective fields. The Government has completed beautification
projects such as Arch 22, and impressive 115-foot landmark, which serves as
the gateway to Banjul. The Monument named after the July 22, 1994 change
houses the national museum and an art gallery.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as a developing country, the Gambia has welcomed all
efforts by friendly nations, which are interested in contributing to its
development. The Gambia has welcomed the technical and medical assistance of
doctors provided by Cuba, which also provides Doctors and medical assistance
to other developing countries. Although the Gambia is a non-aligned country
and the developmental assistance received is economically oriented rather
than politically motivated.

The Gambia government has very generous and investor friendly economic
policies. The economy has been opened to greater private sector
participation, and tax policies have been developed to achieve a simplified
system for granting incentives to foreign investors. Foreign investors do
not need Gambian partners in order to invest and there are no restrictions
on the repatriation of profits of capital as long as all required taxes are
paid. The Gambia seeks to be investment heaven in Africa.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we live in a world of increasing interdependence among
countries. No country can achieve any meaningful Socio-economic development
in isolation. At the same time, no country cannot develop without peace and
stability. Therefore the foreign policy goals of the Second Republic of the
Gambia will be to adopt a more pro-active role in international affairs with
aim of mobilizing greater support for the country’s development. Ladies and
Gentlemen the focal points of the Gambia foreign policy objectives stands
not only from the desire to ensure national security, but also to ensure
economic development assistance.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the Gambia under the umbrella of the APRC
administration, will continue to participate fully with global, regional and
sub-regional bodies in the implementation of programs, and plans to enhance
the Gambia’s position in the international scene, under the APRC regime.
Special attention has been given to increasing co-operation among other
developing countries as well as improving collaboration without West African
neighbors.  As a member of ECOWAS the Gambia is fully complying with ECOWAS
protocols on the implementation of free movement of goods, capital and labor
within the integrating markets of the sixteen Ecowas member states.  Ladies
and Gentlemen, the Second Republic is also looking for international donor
organizations to provide assistance in developing the Gambia. In particular,
the Second Republic hopes to be a trusted friend to the west. With the
dissolution of the AFPRC and the establishment of the Second Republic, any
apprehension the west may have had about the state of democracy in the
Gambia should be put to rest. The President and the legislators in the
national assembly are directly elected representatives of the Gambian
citizens. The Second Republic is a functioning multi party democracy, which
is responsive to the needs of its people.

The Second Republic is ensuring that the Gambia continues to participate in
peace making and peace enforcement operations on the African continent as
well as elsewhere in the world.

My brothers and sisters, to conclude, the Second Republic is committed to
being a responsible member of the international community and is actively
engaged in promoting co-operation and understanding among nations. The
Second Republic is currently and will remain a member of the United Nations
and all its principal organs. The organization of African Unity (OAU) and
the British Commonwealth of Nations among other entities.

My Fellow Gambians, Chairman Jallow, honorable speakers, members of the
United Gambian Organization of Atlanta (UGOA), on behalf of the APRC Atlanta
branch I wish to conclude with a school of thought to all Gambians at home
and abroad regardless of our political differences to reconcile and work
together towards the national development for the Gambia our homeland. Thank
you.









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