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Statement by
Honourable Lamin Kaba Bajo,
Secretary Of State (Minister) for Foreign Affairs
at the opening ceremony of the 12th Ordinary Session of the
Permanent Representatives Committee, Banjul, 25 June 2006
Mr. Chairman,
Your Excellencies the Vice-Chairman of the Commission, and
Commissioners of the African Union,
Your Excellencies Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
At the outset let me welcome all of you to The Gambia. Indeed, the
Government and the People of the Gambia are honoured by your presence,
and will spare no effort in making your stay in our midst as
comfortable, pleasant and productive as possible. Let me also apologise
for any shortcoming you may encounter during your stay with us.
We in the Gambia attach considerable importance to the African Union,
and are determined to play our part, fully, in our collective march
towards the noble objective of African unity For in unity lies our
strength as a people. It is the view of His Excellency Alhajie Dr. Yahya
A.J.J. Jammeh, President and Head of State of The Gambia, that although
the Gambia is small, it has the right and obligations of any
member-state. The decision to host this summit in Banjul is to be
situated within this context.
As a country, we are alive to the challenges inherent in such an
undertaking, but we are encouraged by the confidence that you, our
brothers and sisters, will place our intentions above our limitations.
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, ladies and Gentlemen, your role in this
summit, just as in any other African Union summit, is crucial. As
Permanent Representatives and advisers to your governments on various
issues confronting the continent, you are being called upon to reflect
on and scrutinize the various items on the agenda of both the Excutive
Council and the Assembly. I am confident that you will live up to the
expectations of the Executive Council.
We in The Gambia are of the view that the challenges of today cannot
afford Africa the luxury of holding summits only for the sake of holding
them. Summits must produce results that I in turn lead to positive
changes in the life of the ordinary African in the street. We do
therefore trust that this summit will represent a watershed and the real
turning point on the road to regional integration.
About 15 years ago, African leaders adopted the Abuja Treaty which
recognizes regional integration as a precondition for the continent's
development and ultimate unification. This summit will afford our
leaders the first opportunity to assess our collective performance in
this area and chart a way forward. As advisors to the Executive Council,
the importance of your role in this exercise cannot be over-emphasised.
Your recommendations must be concrete and deliverable so that the
continent is able to address the various challenges that impede our
integration. Your personal experiences in trying to get to Banjul show
in no uncertain terms that regional integration is still a work in
progress to say the least. Distances that require only a few hours to
travel take days to cover.
Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you are in one of the
favourite tourist destinations of the continent. I would therefore
invite you to take time out during your stay to meet you Gambian
brothers and sisters, explore our beaches and towns and enjoy our
Gambian hospitality.
It now gives me great pleasure to declare open the 12th
Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee. I wish all
of you fruitful deliberations and an enjoyable stay in The Gambia.
Thank you
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