President Adama Barrow has assured Gambians of peaceful, transparent and credible elections as The Gambia prepares for its presidential election scheduled for December 5, 2026.
He gave the assurance during separate diplomatic engagements on Tuesday, when he received the letters of credence of the new United States Ambassador to The Gambia, Laurence J. Socha, and Nigeria’s new High Commissioner to the country, Tasiu Musa Maigari.
Ambassador Socha commended President Barrow for keeping The Gambia safe, strong and prosperous. He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting the country in education, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, migration, commerce, electoral integrity and other areas of mutual interest.
President Barrow expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump, the American government and the American people for their continued support as development partners of The Gambia. He noted that the partnership would yield positive results through cooperation on shared concerns, including migration, which requires collaboration among more countries.
As the country prepares for the December 5 presidential election, President Barrow said the polls would be peaceful, transparent and credible, strengthening The Gambia’s international standing and reinforcing its democratic institutions.
He also acknowledged US support for The Gambia’s transitional justice process, describing it as a national priority. He noted that proceeds from the sale of the Potomac property had been earmarked for victims of the previous regime who continue to seek justice and closure.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s new High Commissioner, Tasiu Musa Maigari, expressed enthusiasm about the similarities between Nigeria and The Gambia, describing the two countries as closely connected. He pledged to work towards further strengthening the longstanding relationship between the two nations.
President Barrow thanked Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing and deploying a High Commissioner to The Gambia. He also recalled Nigeria’s contributions to the country’s democratic process and national development.
“The Nigeria-Gambia relationship is a strategic partnership. The democracy we are enjoying today is possible with the support of Nigeria, which in 2016 decided to support the democratic will of Gambians,” President Barrow said.
He added that Nigeria’s contributions extended beyond democracy and peacebuilding to sectors including the judiciary, education, health and commerce.
President Barrow also paid tribute to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and wished President Tinubu long life and good health.
The diplomatic engagements come as the United States, Nigeria and The Gambia navigate electoral processes, highlighting their shared interest in democratic pluralism.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Sering Modou Njie, and senior officials of the ministry accompanied the two diplomats to the Presidency.
