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UNFPA Partners with Gambian Government on Healthcare

President Adama Barrow received the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Regional Director for West Africa, Dr Sennen Hounton, at the State House. Dr Hounton is in The Gambia to assess the agency's work and engage in discussions with officials to enhance collaboration and cooperation. During this visit, the President also met with the newly formed Board of Directors of the Banjul International Convention Centre, which manages the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre and the VVIP lounge at the airport.Dr Hounton's visit aims to promote sexual and reproductive rights for women and children by evaluating the agency's efforts in The Gambia and connecting with relevant stakeholders.After his discussion with the President, Dr Hounton described the meeting as productive, noting that both parties agreed to strengthen their partnership in areas such as maternal and child health, the elimination of violence against women and girls, and access to healthcare.He reassured that the UNFPA is committed to supporting The Gambia in its goal to eliminate maternal and child mortality by 2030.In a separate engagement, the Board of Directors of the Banjul International Convention Centre paid a courtesy visit to the President to update him on the activities of the newly constituted Board, which oversees the management and operations of the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre and the airport's VVIP lounge.After their meeting, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mawdo C. Juwara, expressed that the discussion provided an opportunity to inform the President about recent developments at the Conference Centre.Yankuba Dibba, the Chief Executive Officer of the Banjul International Convention Centre, shared that the new board and management have implemented the necessary policies and strategies to ensure smooth and profitable operations in accordance with legal requirements.He thanked the President and his government for their support of the BICC and pledged to ensure the centre and the airport lounge operate effectively and profitably.

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PRESIDENT BARROW WITNESSES DOUMBOUYA'S INAUGURATION IN GUINEA

The President-elect of Guinea, General Mamadi Doumbouya, was sworn in during a ceremony held in the capital, Conakry. The event was attended by eight African leaders, including His Excellency Adama Barrow, the President of The Gambia, as well as thousands of ordinary Guineans.Doumbouya was elected earlier this month in an election contested by eight other candidates, securing nearly 87% of the vote. This marks a new beginning for the West African nation of 15 million, which has been under military rule since 2021.Guineans from all walks of life filled the 50,000-capacity Sekou Toure Stadium for the swearing-in of President-elect Mamadi Doumbouya. Several African leaders, including Adama Barrow of The Gambia, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Basirou Diomaye Jakhar Faye of Senegal, General Assimi Goita of Mali, and Muhammed Sheikh Ould Gazzouani of Mauritania, attended the historic ceremony.General Mamadi Doumbouya, a former military officer who won the presidential election, arrived at the stadium in a military vehicle, dressed in a flowing white kaftan. As he ascended to the VIP pavilion, his mother greeted him with a warm embrace, symbolising his transition from military to civilian life.The 36-year-old former army general observed as military vehicles, armoured personnel carriers, and rocket launchers paraded through the stadium, while military helicopters flew overhead to celebrate the occasion, which was marked by pomp and pageantry.Doumbouya then descended to the centre of the stadium, where a specially prepared stage was set up for the formal ceremony. The President of the Supreme Court, Fode Bangura, validated the election results, confirming Doumbouya’s commanding lead over his opponents.With his right hand raised and his left on the Holy Book, General Mamadi Doumbouya took the prescribed oaths. He swore to uphold the Constitution, perform the duties of President in the interest of the state, safeguard national unity, and defend the territorial integrity and independence of Guinea.He was subsequently awarded the nation's highest honour, the National Order of Merit with the Grand Croix, officially marking the start of his term as the second democratically elected President of Guinea and the seventh Head of State since independence from France in 1958.In his address to the nation, Doumbouya described this historic milestone as a new beginning for the country. He expressed gratitude to his compatriots for granting him the mandate to lead and promised to work towards improving the lives of Guineans, addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by the nation, and enhancing Guinea’s role in regional, continental, and global affairs.His inauguration concludes nearly five years of military rule, during which Guinea was suspended from ECOWAS and the African Union. The presence of sub-regional leaders may signal that Guinea, under General Mamadi Doumbouya, will regain its standing in both organisations and restore democracy in the country.After the swearing-in ceremony, President Adama Barrow returned to Banjul. He was seen off at the Sekou Touré International Airport by Ambassador Amie Fabureh and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Morissanda Kouyaté.

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BARROW JOINS AFRICAN LEADERS FOR GUINEA'S TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN RULE 

President Adama Barrow has arrived in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, to attend the inauguration of President-elect General Mamadi Doumbouya. Doumbouya won a landslide victory in the recent presidential election, which followed more than four years of military rule. President Barrow is joining eight other African leaders for this ceremony, marking the end of the transitional period.Upon arrival at Sekou Toure International Airport, President Barrow was welcomed by Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs Morissanda Kouyaté, Gambia's Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau (also accredited to Guinea) Amie Fabureh, and the Consul General in Conakry, Muhammed Lamin Ceesay.Outside the presidential lounge at the airport, members of the Gambian community in Conakry greeted the President, waving the Gambian flag. The President will attend the inauguration ceremony of General Mamadi Doumbouya, the former military ruler, who secured nearly 87% of the vote in the presidential election.Eight other African heads of state have been invited to the official ceremony, which will take place at the National Stadium in Conakry, symbolising the end of the transitional period following the military coup in 2021.

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PRESIDENT BARROW MEETS SENEGAL'S DEFENCE CHIEF

President H.E. Adama Barrow welcomed the Chief of Defence Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, General Mbaye Cisse, at State House. General Cisse was accompanied by his Gambian counterpart, Lt. General Mamat Cham, National Security Adviser Abubacarr Jeng, and other senior military officials.General Cisse leads a delegation of high-ranking Senegalese military officials who are visiting The Gambia for a series of engagements with their Gambian counterparts and other officials. Speaking to reporters after his meeting with President Barrow, General Cisse stated that their discussions focused on enhancing the existing cooperation and collaboration between the two armed forces, in accordance with current bilateral defence agreements.General Cisse expressed gratitude to the President for his support of the Armed Forces, noting that since 2017, the two services have worked closely together to promote peace and stability in both countries.Lt. Gen. Mamat Cham commended the Senegalese Armed Forces, under General Cisse's leadership, for their unwavering support of the Gambian Armed Forces. He highlighted that over the past eight years, the two armies have established a robust and mutually beneficial professional relationship.General Cham assured that the Gambian Armed Forces will continue to strengthen its partnership with the Senegalese Armed Forces to effectively address security challenges in the sub-region and to secure the borders of both countries against threats from criminal and terrorist groups.General Cisse and his delegation will continue their engagements in The Gambia, which include meetings with the Defence Minister and visits to the Senegalese military contingent serving under the Ecomig peacekeeping force in the country.

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Olympic House to Get Facelift with $50,000 ANOCA Grant

The Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC) has secured a $50,000 (approximately 3.6 million dalasi) grant from the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) to renovate the Olympic House.This significant funding injection is part of the NOC's strategic plan to upgrade the facility, boost capacity, and give it a fresh new look.The renovation project is set to commence soon, following the signing of a contract with MJ20 Construction and Civil Engineering Company Ltd. The revamped Olympic House is expected to enhance Gambia's sports profile, showcasing the country's commitment to sports development. 

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GAMBIA EMBASSY IN CHINA DENIES MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS OVER SCHOLARSHIP ISSUES 

Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia to the People’s Republic of ChinaOn Recent Media Allegations Concerning Scholarship AssistanceThe Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia in the People’s Republic of China issues this statement pursuant to instructions received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad in Banjul, in response to recent media allegations by certain Gambian students concerning scholarship assistance.The Embassy considers it necessary, in the interest of accuracy and public clarity, to place the following facts firmly on record:First, out of a total of over one hundred and thirty (130) Gambian students currently in the People’s Republic of China, only ten (10) students are affected by the specific scholarship-related issues that have been the subject of recent media reports. Any attempt to portray this matter as affecting the broader Gambian student population in China is therefore grossly misleading and factually incorrect.Second, it must be clearly stated that the affected students travelled to China on their own initiative under self-sponsorship arrangements. They were not beneficiaries of government-to-government scholarships or ministry o-r ininstitution-facilitatedponsorships at the time of their arrival. This critical fact has been omitted in public narratives and has contributed significantly to the misrepresentation of the situation.Notwithstanding this, and acting in good faith and in line with a humanitarian gesture, the Embassy nevertheless extended support and advocacy on behalf of the students to the Ministry of Higher Education R, Research, Science and Technology through official diplomatic channels. These efforts included formal correspondence, follow-ups, consultations, and the provision of guidance to the students, despite the fact that their initial status fell outside formal scholarship frameworks.The Embassy and by extension the Government of The Gambia t, therefore categorically reject the allegation that no definitive resolution has been achieved as if the students were prepared and sent by the Government of The Gambia. Such claims are false, misleading, and inconsistent with the documented actions undertaken by the Embassy within the scope of its mandate and diplomatic practice. Further i, it’s imperative to bring to the fore that the students’ tuition fees and stipends for the academic year 2024-2025 have been duly settled. Additionally, the stipends for the academic year 2025-2026 have already been disbursed. The remaining matter pertains solely to the tuition component of 20the 25-2026 Academic Year to be settled by the Government of the Gambia. However, Mithe nistry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology has encountered delays attributable to budgetary cycles and prevailing fiscal constraints arising from competing national priorities. The Embassy regrets that, instead of acknowledging the support already rendered by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology and failure to adhere to the advice of the embassy by engaging constructively through established channels, certain individuals chose to resort to the media and being economical with the facts. This approach is irresponsible, counterproductive, and damaging to ongoing efforts by the embassy and the Government of The Gambia as part of the broader scheme of duty of care and protecting the interests of Gambian students abroad.Accordingly, acting strictly in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, the Embassy remains committed to the welfare of Gambian nationals in China and will continue to provide assistance within the limits of its responsibilities. However, the Embassy will not accept attempts to undermine its integrity or that of the Government of The Gambia through misinformation or public pressure tactics.The Embassy urges the media and the public to rely on accurate and verified information, and calls on all Gambian students to engage with the Embassy in a spirit of honesty, responsibility, and mutual respect.The Embassy reserves the right, in line with instructions from Banjul, to take any further appropriate measures necessary to safeguard its institutional credibility and that of the Government of The Gambia.Issued by:Embassy of the Republic of The GambiaBeijing, People’s Republic of China

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