The international conference for The Gambia, co-chaired by the EU and The Gambia's President Adama Barrow drew to a very successful close in Brussels on Tuesday 22 May (see EUROPE 12022).
The commitments taken by Barrow and his government to open the page on a 'new Gambia' convinced the international community and EU to bring political and financial support to the country's national development programme for 2018-2020, which was designed with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
In total, €1.45 billion was pledged over three years, including €140 million in donations from the EU. This is added to the €225 million in development aid already committed to by the Commission at the start of 2017.
This is substantial support to the democratic transition and priorities of this programme, which aims to reform a country that in January 2017 came out of 22 years of suffering and dictatorship.
"When transition comes about from autocracy to democracy through the electoral process, it is the duty of the EU and international community to support this transition. We want to support the country's democratic process and its economic and social development. The ambitious reforms undertaken by the government will be our common objective. We stand alongside the Gambian people", European Commissioner for International Development Neven Mimica stated.
The eight priorities of the national development programme include governance through support to democratic reforms, agriculture, fostering job creation, and the population's access to renewable and sustainable energy. Barrow thanked the donors and stated that this programme is based on the rule of law, human rights, social cohesion, and the restoration and preservation of peace and stability.
Mentioning "the courageous measures to relaunch the economy, the commitment taken to invest in human capital, sustainable development and the improvement of clean energy, the development of communications infrastructure to create connectivity and investment opportunities, as well as a favourable environment for private investment", Barrow said he was optimistic about the fulfilment of these commitments.
The EU's cooperation with The Gambia covers security, development through growth, transitional justice, the economic partnership, trade, fisheries and migration. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)