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| President Adama Barrow |
Fellow Gambians and friends of The Gambia, I am humbled to
stand before you to address the whole world on this historic occasion. This is
a day no Gambian will ever forget in one’s life time. This is the first time
since The Gambia became Independent in 1965 that Gambians
have change their government through
the ballot box.
I must take this opportunity to thank the entire electorate
of the Gambia and Gambians in the Diaspora for making this day possible.
I thank the entire campaign team of Coalition 2016 and the stakeholders
for putting aside their political differences to unite us for the national
interest.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to register special
appreciation to Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President
of Liberia, and the Chairperson of Authority of Heads of States of ECOWAS, for
her personal commitment and tireless efforts towards resolving the political
crises in The Gambia. The sam sentiment goes to H ;EMuhammadou Buhari,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E Ernest Bai Koroma, President
of the Republic of Sierra Leone and H.E John Draman Mahama, former President of
Ghana.
I must also express profound gratitude to ECOWAS, AU, the
Security Council of the United Nations and all friendly nations who stood by us
during our time of greatest need.
I wish to thank His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the
Republic of Senegal and his government for
their hosting and hospitality accorded me and my delegationat the request of the
ECOWAS Chair. This is what it means to
be part of a Community of Democratic Nations.
Exceptional circumstance has compelled me to be sworn here today
and does not permit all those who made this day possible to be present.
It was later realised that the loser of the Election may not
fulfill the mandate of a caretaker government and facilitate a proper
Inauguration with the full support of all state Agencies.
In fact, two days before the term of office of the incumbent
expires a State of Emergency was declared. However, the Constitution of the
Gambia does not permit any law maker to deprive a citizen of a right that is already
acquired. My right as a winner to be sworn in and assume the Office of
President is constitutionally guaranteed and irreversible.
I hereby make a special appeal to ECOWAS, AU and the U.N
particularly the Security Council to support
the Government and peoples of The Gamba in enforcing their will, restore their sovereignty and constitutional legitimacy.
I therefore call on all civilian and military Personnel of
the state to support my Presidency since it is built on a Constitutional foundation. They are assured that they will not be subjected
to any injustice and discrimination but would be provided with better working
conditions and terms of service.
This is a victory of the Gambian Nation. Our National flag
will now fly high among those of the most Democratic Nations of the world. The
capacity to effect change through the ballot box has proven that power belongs
to the people in the Gambia.
Violent change is banished forever from the political life
of our country. All Gambians are therefore winners. There is no loser in the
Gambian Election. It is a fact that we contest Elections on the basis of
political diversity but we build Nations on the basis of National Unity. We are
here assembled as One Gambia, One Nation, and One People.
Throughout our campaign we promised to unify our diverse
people so that each would take ownership of the country, irrespective of ethnic
origin, religion, gender or any other differences. Today, most Gambians are
united in-order to give Gambia a new start.
Hence, as of today, I am the President of all Gambians regardless
of whether you voted for me or not.
We could now become the architects of a Democratic Republic that
is built on the pillars of Good Governance, Rule of Law and Respect for
Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.
My government will implement comprehensivere forms. These include constitutional,
institutional and legal reforms to
expand the democratic gains we have made.
Your Excellencies, Honourable Guests, fellow Gambians, I
belong to the generation of children who were born in 1965 when The Gambia became
Independent. I believe in the wise saying that “to whom much is given, much is expected”.
I established a Think Tank, The Agency for Sustainable Socio-Economic
Development (ASSED). This will bring
experts on board to share their knowledge and skills in order to put in place
an inclusive development agenda.
Your Excellencies, honourable guests and fellow Gambians, I
would like to conclude by saying that men and women of this nation joined hands
to effect a change that was in the making for many decades.
This is a change that should bring liberty and prosperity to
everyone and not to bed is criminated on the basis of gender, religion or ethnic
origin. We are now determined to build a Gambia where merit and what you know
counts more than who you know.
As the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, I call on all
personnel of the armed forces and othersecurityagencies to remain loyal to the
constitution and to the Republic.
I command the Chief of Defense Staff, and other officers of
the high command to demonstrate their loyalty to me as their
commander-in-chief, without any delay. I command all members of the armed
forces to remain in their barracks. Those found wanting or in possession of
firearms without my order, shall be considered rebels.
Gambiais our homeland! It demands our love and loyalty. Let
us all pledge our firm allegiance to be ever true to our mother land The
Gambia.
Long Live The Republic
Long Live the United People of The Gambia.
Forward Ever! Backward Never!
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