By Omar Bah
The Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure Demba Ali Jawo has confirmed that President Barrow did hold a closed-door meeting with President Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea on the sidelines of the recent UN General Assembly meeting in New York.
Jawo made the confirmation at his monthly press conference at Television House yesterday.
Commenting further the minister said: “Yes I understand President Barrow met the President of Equatorial Guinea while they were in New York at the UN general assembly,”
Further asked what the two men might have discussed Mr Jawo replied: “It was a closed-door meeting and so far none of them has made details of the meeting public. But it is not unusual for two African leaders to meet to discuss issues of bilateral nature. We know that Equatorial Guinea has a Gambian guest, probably their discussions may center around him but I cannot confirm this as it was a closed-door meeting,” Jawo said.
In another development Minister Jawo also commented on the recent signing of protocols on the abolition of the death penalty in the US by President Barrow, clarifying that that act was an intention on the part of the government to abolish the death penalty but it doesn’t mean that it has become law right away.
“It has to be taken to the National Assembly for ratification”, he said.
On the issue of the recent reports that the EU could withhold visa to Gambian officials unless Gambia accept back her citizens liable for deportation from EU countries,
Jawo said: “The Gambia is not aware of any threat from the European Union with regard to the deportation of Gambian migrants. But of course we would be very happy to receive our fellow countrymen if they voluntarily accept to come home.”
The Minister also touched on various issues undertaken by different arms of the government over the past one month.
