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Gambia News: Attorney-General Visits Marlborough House

Commonwealth expresses support for rule of law in The Gambia and encourages dialogue between government and opposition

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon held talks 4 February with The Gambia's Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Ms Marie Saine Firdaus, focussing on support for the rule of law in the West African country.

Ms Firdaus was accompanied to Marlborough House in London by Mr. Ousman Jammeh, Secretray General of the Office of the President, Head of the Civil Service and Minister of Petroleum and Energy in The Gambia.

Mr McKinnon highlighted the importance of the rule of law in enhancing democracy, good governance and development Commonwealth countries after Ms Firdaus requested the Secretariat's assistance to strengthen Gambia's judiciary and legal sector.

"The Commonwealth is already contributing to The Gambia's judiciary by providing judges, a prosecutor, and other assistance. We have now received a series of requests to play an even stronger role and the Commonwealth stands ready to do so. We are encouraged by this commitment by The Gambia to strengthen the rule of law and, by doing so, to deepen democracy," Mr. McKinnon said.

The talks also addressed the amount of Commonwealth technical assistance provided to The Gambia. "Our assistance is an extremely good financial return on The Gambia's contribution to our Commonwealth Fund for Technical Assistance. I am glad that The Gambia's Government will consider increases in its investment in our technical assistance programme - that is a welcome vote of confidence in the Commonwealth," the Secretary-General said.

Mr McKinnon also emphasised the importance of dialogue between the Government and Opposition of The Gambia. The Commonwealth brokered a Memorandum of Understanding on greater political dialogue and cooperation in February 2006. The Memorandum between the ruling and opposition parties was facilitated by former Nigerian Leaders General Abdulsalami Abubakar and President Olusegun Obasanjo. Ms Firdaus and Mr Jammeh responded that political dialogue and cooperation between the ruling party and opposition parties is improving.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General also expressed support for the independence of a responsible media. "The media is one of the building blocks of a healthy and stable democracy, and the Commonwealth is scheduled with the backing of The Gambia's government to provide training to the media as part of its human rights programme."