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| Jammeh said the “Commonwealth remains at best a neo-colonial institution and at worst an animal farm, an idea which The Gambia will never subscribe to”. (Photo/EPA) |
The
Gambia has rejoined the Commonwealth, a body former president Yahya Jammeh
described as a “neo-colonial institution” when he withdrew his country’s
membership in 2013.
Jammeh’s
22-year reign ended following defeat in a December 2016 presidential poll.
His
successor Adama Barrow, announced
in February 2017 his government will begin processes to rejoin the Commonwealth
when Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson visited.
A
few hours ago, the Commonwealth Secretariat confirmed Gambia’s application to
rejoin the body has been approved by member states.
Johnson
said
Gambia’s return is “fantastic news” and that he has seen “huge enthusiasm for the
values and opportunities offered by our modern, diverse Commonwealth.”
“This
shows that when a country commits to strengthening democracy, governance and
the rule of law, it is welcomed back to the international community and the
Commonwealth family,” Johnson said on Thursday.
Gambia’s Ambassador
to London, Francis Blain, told AFP
that his country looks forward to contribute to and benefit from the “collective
wisdom” of the Commonwealth countries.
His
country’s National Assembly endorsed a motion in December 2017 for Gambia to
rejoin the Commonwealth.
 |
| Johnson on a visit to Gambia (Photo Credit: UK Gov) |
In
October 2013, Jammeh said
his country will not be a party to any institution that represents an extension
of colonialism.
While UK’s Foreign Office expressed "very much
regret" at the time, The Gambia's Commonwealth-exit came amid strained relations
between the two countries over human
rights abuse.
In April 2013, The Gambia earned specific mention
in a Foreign and Commonwealth Office report that highlighted serious human
rights violations in the country.
Then British High Commissioner in Banjul, David Morley, said he is "disappointed" that for the first time ever, The Gambia earns a "specific mention" in its pages by way of a specific case study.
In response, the Government of The Gambia said "Britain has no moral authority to dictate moral standards of rectitude and democracy to any former colony in Africa.”
Then British High Commissioner in Banjul, David Morley, said he is "disappointed" that for the first time ever, The Gambia earns a "specific mention" in its pages by way of a specific case study.
In response, the Government of The Gambia said "Britain has no moral authority to dictate moral standards of rectitude and democracy to any former colony in Africa.”
Gambia’s
withdrawal at the time left the Commonwealth, a 53-member organization mainly
of former British colonies.
The
West African country’s readmission will take the membership to its previous
number, 54.
Sharon
Wardle, the current British High Commissioner to The Gambia, said she looks forward to
welcoming President Barrow at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in London
in April.
Written by Modou S. Joof
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