The Gambia: Forward With Taiwan Aid And Advocacy

Media watchdog suggest Taiwan can and should do more than just aid 

Button-like image of country described in file name (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Indications are that The Gambia is far from letting her bilateral relations with Taiwan strained. Looking forward to ties regarded as "cordial and beneficial" the tiny West African country of less than 2 million people on Tuesday gave assurances of "continued bilateral cooperation and partnership." 

Barely 24 hours after the United States-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) suggested more could be done to ensure justice for slain-journalist Deyda Hydara eight years ago. It said "...And with so much time passed, it might seem there is little to be done to achieve justice. But this is not so. Far more can and should be done."

"Governments providing aid (Taiwan) to the Gambia as well training and support to its military (United States, United Kingdom) must be reminded to raise this case and demand its full investigation according to international standards," the global press freedom and free expression advocacy group said on Monday Dec. 17.

However, on Dec. 18, 2012, the newly-appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs for The Gambia Susan Waffa-Ogoo told students and diplomats that her country is committed to the bilateral cooperation of the two countries. 

Taiwan, Taipei (Photo credit: Toby Simkin)

Taiwan’s relationship with her allies is not only mainly based on paper, but it is nurtured through constant engagements and exchanges, she said during the 1st Gambia-Taiwan Club Annual Meeting according to local media reports.

Taiwan has pumped millions of dollars into the country in return for international advocacy for her desire to join major international bodies, but so far the UN and China have refused to contribute to opening the avenues for membership of Taiwan in the various funds, agencies, treaty bodies and programmes.

Main land China has for many years failed to recognised Taiwan as an independent country, while the UN keeps the country at bay from joining its many agencies.

  

At the same meeting on Tuesday, Samuel Chen, Taiwanese Ambassador to The Gambia talks on past records of cooperation and current projects it funded in 2012 in sectors like health, education, agriculture, infrastructure and culture.

Written by Modou S. Joof

Follow on Twitter: @thenorthbankeve 

Follow on Facebook: The-North-Bank-Evening-Standard