Juan David Latorre
Last Monday, the Embassy of the Gambia commemorated the 60th anniversary of his country’s independence with a reception. “On this day, Ambassador Noah Touray said during his speech, we honor the courage, resilience and unwavering spirit of those who fought to secure our freedom and sovereignty.”
“Their sacrifices, continued the Gambian ambassador, laid the foundations of the thriving democracy that we proudly call our home today. Therefore, we have a cause to celebrate our independence.”
Looking back 60 years ago, Noah Touray noted that “many members of the international community were skeptical about the new nation’s sustainability and viability because of its small economy and limited human and natural resources. Some even suggested that the Gambia could merge with our largest neighbour, the Republic of Senegal. American author Berkeley Rice described the challenges in a book he wrote, sarcastically titled ‘The Birth of an Unlikely Nation’.
“However, it indicated, despite skepticism about its viability, over the past six decades successive administrations of the Gambia, with the support of bilateral and multilateral partners from around the world, including the Kingdom of Spain, has transformed itself into a nation that stands firm on the world stage, upholding the values of democracy, peace, tolerance and unity. This journey has been marked by remarkable achievements in education, health, infrastructure and social equality, made possible by the determination and hard work of Gambians at home and abroad.”
Ambassador Noah Touray concluded that “as we celebrate this anniversary, we also look to the future with hope and ambition. Let this occasion remind us of our collective responsibility to promote sustainable development, protect the freedoms we value and unite against the challenges that threaten our progress. Together, as one people, we can pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous Gambia”.
