EU Congratulates Jammeh, Expresses Concern Over Democratic Governance

Troika from European Union on Friday extended, through SECY Baboucar Blaise
Jagne, both their congratulations to the President Jammeh on his election
victory and their concerns with the intimidation and detention of opposition
supporters, independent media and human rights activists.

The European Troika consisting of the Belgian Ambassador in Dakar, Mr.
Phillipe De Clerk, the Eu Head of Delegation in Dakar, Mr. Thierry de Saint
Maurice, the Spanish Councillor in Dakar, Mr. Guillermo Lopez Mac-Lellan was
accompanied to the Ministry by the British High Commisioner who is also the
EU Permanent Presidency in The Gambia.

Below, we reproduce the full text of the Demarche as handed over the
Secretary of State Jagne:

“The European Union is pleased to congratulate the President of The Gambia
for his election victory on October 18th. Those elections were held in a
broadly free and transparent manner. However, the events which have followed
the election are damaging the good image which The Gambia created through
its election process.

The European Union is concerned with the intimidation and detention of
opposition supporters, independent media and human rights activists, which
has followed the election, and calls for the release of all those held
without charge, and respect for human rights of all Gambians.

The European Union calls on the Government of The Gambia to show the
international community that successful democratic elections will be
followed by good governance and respect for the rule of law.

The European Union is particularly concerned about the dismissal of senior
civil servants and other Gambians responsible for the implementation of
donor supported programmes.

These measures create a loss of continuity and a serious impediment to the
implementation of co-operation programmes. On this note the Eu invites the
Government of The Gambia to further dialogue with a particular focus on the
impact of its policies on external assistance.

The European union hopes that the legislative elections in January will be
held in a free, fair and transparent manner and that all candidates will
have equal access to the media and will be able to campaign without fear of
intimidation.”

(This Press Release is issued on behalf of the European Union by the British
High Commission in its capacity as the local Presidency)





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