By Lamin Kujabi
His Excellency President Adama Barrow on Friday, June 10th received in audience Mr. Michael C. Gonzales, Deputy Assistant Secretary for West Africa Regional Peace Security(WARPS) of United States of America. He was accompanied to State House by the US ambassador to The Gambia Her Excellency Sharon L. Cromer.
Speaking to the media shortly after his closed-door meeting with President Barrow, Mr. Michael C. Gonzales, said he was at the presidency to pay a courtesy call on the President and discuss various issues including better collaborations between the two countries.
According to the Deputy Assistant Sectreatay his conversation with President Barrow highlighted key priority areas; such as constitutional, institutional and legislative reforms for democratic governance.
“I commended the President for conducting free and fair election not only for the presidential election but also the National Assembly election and clearly Gambian people have spoken” he remarked.
He went on to say that he is very impressed with the cordial relations between the US embassy and the Gambia government, and that they will work with the government in key areas that require urgent attention such as reforms and the implementation of the government white paper from the recommendations of TRRC report.
Mr. Michael C. Gonzales said the TRRC report is commendable, and that moreover there is political will from the higher authority to implement the recommendations of the report. He advised actors to focus on the fundamental component on transitional justice, reparations and bringing to justice people who committed serious crimes.
In conclusion, he said the United States will look into the resource available for new areas of collaboration and initiatives with emphasis on political reforms to improve the country.