Press release
President Adama Barrow has called on the United Nations, the African Union and other regional organizations to promote and invest in preventive diplomacy and participate actively in mediation efforts and conflict resolution.
The President made this call at the Nelson Mandela Peace Summit ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he also joined world leaders in the unveiling of a statue in Honor of the former South African leader.
President Barrow told his colleagues that as they devoted the Peace Summit to celebrating the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, he would urge them to reflect on some of the lessons from the leader’s life for the betterment of our world.
“The whole world has noted with admiration that, in spite of the unique situation in his homeland, his lifelong struggle was not solely about liberating South Africa from injustice and oppression; rather, it was about making the entire world a better place for all. This made Nelson Mandela a noble, global citizenship with a global vision for humankind,” President Barrow said. He urged world leaders to draw from Mandela’s wisdom, strength and resolve to stamp out these vices and transform the world into a safer and better place for all.
He reminded the audience that Mandela intervened at critical moments to end conflicts and discord across Africa and continued a mediatory role as an elder statesman, even after he left office as President.
The Gambian leader suggested that the United Nations, the African Union and all regional organizations to promote and invest in preventive diplomacy and participate actively in mediation efforts and conflict resolution.
Meanwhile, President Barrow met with several leaders and held a bilateral discussion with the President of Australia, Alexander Van der Bellen. At this historic meeting of the two Heads of State they discussed common issues of interest ranging from climate change to tourism. The two leaders also discussed the importance of democracy and human rights and the steps taken to establish the right institutions including the TRRC in The Gambia.
