The President Elect, Ma Ying Jeou of Taiwan was on Tuesday inaugurated in the presence of over 530 foreign dignitaries including Vice President Njie Saidy of The Gambia.

In his inaugural speech President Ma revealed some of his administration’s policies with regard to China, such as economic and political ties. However, he does oppose unification with Mainland China.

President Ma Ying Jeou is the 12th president of Taiwan. He replaces President Chen Shu Bian whom he defeated in the March 2008 General Elections. “What matters is not sovereignty, but core values and way of life,” he said on Tuesday at the ceremony. “We hope that Mainland China will continue to move towards freedom, democracy and prosperity for all the people.”  Ma also urged Beijing to seek reconciliation with Taiwan in the international arena.

An estimated 530 foreign delegates are expected to attend president-elect Ma Ying-jeou’s presidential inauguration next Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed.

“There are more than 530 foreign guests, including special envoys from 22 out of 23 diplomatic allies, that will attend the inauguration ceremony,” MOFA spokeswoman Phoebe Yeh said at a press briefing.
The Caribbean allies of Haiti and the Dominican Republic are planning to dispatch a presidential office secretary-general and a ministerial level official, respectively, to the ceremony, Yeh said.
She added that although Saint Lucian President Stephenson King would not be available for the ceremony, he would pay a state visit to Taiwan later this year.
Yeh said that countries without diplomatic relations with Taiwan are also enthusiastic about Ma’s inauguration. The US will have the largest foreign presence at the ceremony, with 120 dignitaries, including congresspeople, academics and former government officials participating in the event.
A five-member delegation, led by former White House chief of staff Andrew Card, is expected to attract the most attention among the foreign guests.
The other members of Card’s delegation are AIT Chairman Raymond Burghardt, American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Stephen Young, former Massachusetts lieutenant governor Kerry Healey, and Frank Fahrenkopf, a member on the board of the International Republic Institute, a statement issued last week by AIT said.
Japan is expected to have around 76 representatives attending the festivities.
Tokyo Governor Ishihara Shintaro, Mayor of Yokohama Nakada Hiroshi and Okinawa Governor Nakaima Hirokazu have all confirmed their visits, Yeh said.
Parliamentarians, think tank representatives and academics from Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, Peru and Venezuela are also expected to come, she said.

We wish to inform those wishing to help Samba Saine the boy featured in Friday’s edition and needing medical treatment abroad that the following are the contact numbers 9924403, 9740416, 7710867 and 6475185.

On the eve of The Gambia’s forty-third independence anniversary celebration, President Dr Alhaji Yahya Jammeh on Sunday hosted a reception for President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa of Zambia and President Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires of Cape Verde and other dignitaries at the State House grounds, Banjul.

The Vice-President, Dr Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, Secretaries of State, National Assembly members, members of the diplomatic and consular corp as well as other APRC supporters attended the reception.

Mbye Gaye, a mbalax star and Kabakel group entertained the crowd which lasted for over five hours.

Samba Faal, the newly-elect mayor for Banjul in the just concluded local government elections, was yesterday, sworn into office at a colourful ceremony held at the Council’s Chambers in Banjul.

The two-time occupant of the city’s mayoral seat promised to execute the functions of a mayor without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, while taking an oath of office, administered by Ismaila Sambou, secretary of state for Local Government and Lands.

Hon Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, speaker of the National Assembly, Mass Axie Gye, secretary of state for Youth and Sports, Bala Garba Jahumpa, The Gambia’s ambassador to Venezuela, were among several dignitaries who attended the ceremony, which also saw the nine elected councillors sworn into office.

Speaking at the ceremony, SoS Sambou commended the new mayor and his elected councillors for the trust and confidence reposed in them by the people of Banjul.

According to SoS Sambou, local governments play a significant role in the development process of a country and expressed optimism that the new council will endeavour to further steer the development of Banjul, which should serve as a bright example for other councils to follow.

Banjul is the capital city and therefore should always be in the forefront in the quest to put The Gambia at its rightful place in a free and democratic world, the SoS noted, adding “I wish to stress to the councillors that, whether you are elected or nominated, you need to see yourselves as [servants] working for the same people who elected you. Therefore, maintaining a strong spirit of collaboration is the only way you can achieve that higher goal of public service.”

For Banjulians to realise an effective functioning of the council, he further advised, there shoud always be more action and less rhetorics.

SoS Sambou reaffirmed that the government, under the dynamic leadership of President Jammeh, attaches a great importance to local governments and as such his department of state responsible for local governments will continue to give courage and support to the local representatives.

Speaking earlier, Mayor Samba Faal, expressed gratitude to President Jammeh for endorsing his candidature, and also thanked the people of Banjul for the confidence and trust bestowed on him.

He urged his people to put aside politics at this point in time and unite to push the development agenda of the country’s capital forward.

“Now that you have already chosen us to serve you, I am appealing to the people of Banjul to cooperate with the municipality in a bid to achieve the development goals that you have been yearning for,” he said, adding that his municipality would not compromise with standards already set by the former interim committee.

While commending the interim committee under the leadership of Alieu Mboge for the achievements registered within three months in office, Mayor Faal said he has already signed a contract with the people of Banjul and assured that he would live up to expectations.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Alieu Mboge, the outgoing interim chairman of BCC, and Mustapha Bachilly, the CEO.

The Banjul Youth Committee in collaboration with the Banjul Youth Parliament (BYP), on Thursday called on Banjul stakeholders to their young people’s breakfast show. The ceremony was held at the BYP Canteen at the High Court in Banjul.

The Occasion which was aimed at strengthening and consolidating the cordial relationship that exist between the Banjul City Council (BCC) and the young people of Banjul, brought together high dignitaries in Banjul including the Chief Justice, Abdou Karim Savage, Mass Axi Gai, secretary of state for Youths and Sports and Samba Faal, Mayor elect of Banjul.

Speaking at the occasion, SoS Axi Gai, said that his priority is to strengthen the relationship that exist between the youths and his department, adding that 65% of the bilateral arrangement between the Gambia-Spanish government focuses on youths.

 He added that the issue of migration will soon be history and further pledged to support the canteen. For his part, Adbou Karim Savage, Chief Justice of The Gambia expressed delight to be associated with the BYC and BYP, adding that the youths are the future leaders of the country describing their regime as dynamic. He reminded the gathering their childhood days in Banjul and advised them to make best use of the canteen.

 He also advised them to double up their efforts to contribute their little to national development.

Alagie Bai Ceesay, Speaker of the Banjul Youth Parliament, said that failure and success of the city  lies in their hands, as they are the first youth organisation to set up such a business venture in Banjul. He noted that BYP cannot achieve its goals without the help of the Chief Justice. 

According to him, the programme  is meant to show their  appreciation to the people of Banjul for electing representatives in the council and the National Assembly and called on Banjulians to  unite and put aside their political difference for the interest of the city.

He highlighted some constraints the organisation faces over the past years such as the yearly subvention from the city council. He also expressed  concern on the issue of illegal migration.

Other speakers at the ceremony included Sandigie Njie, BYC Treasurer.