By Buba Gagigo
A delegation consisting of United Democratic Party (UDP)’s Deputy Secretary, External Affairs, Mr. Lamin Manneh, and erstwhile Minister of Works, Mr. Mbemba Tambedou today, January 13, 2023, met with the Head of the Diplomatic Representation Office of the French Republic in The Gambia, His Excellency Mr. Jean-Charles ALLARD.
The UDP statement reads in part
“His Excellency Mr. Jean-Charles ALLARD, Head of the Diplomatic Representation Office of the French Republic in The Gambia, today 13 January 2023 met with a UDP delegation at his Fajara Office. The UDP delegation consisted of Mr. Lamin Manneh, Deputy Secretary, External Affairs, of the United Democratic Party (UDP), and Mr. Mbemba Tambedou, former Minister,” the party confirms.
The United Democratic (Party) statement further indicates that the two parties’ discussion centered on issues of mutual interest;
“The two parties discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, ranging from the UDP’s Janjanbureh Congress held in December 2022, to the imminent Mayoral and Local Council elections, the current status of the Gambian economy, developments on the political front, French and European cooperation with The Gambia, human and other fundamental rights issues and pending reforms,” the statement reads.
The statement went on to state that H.E ALLARD informed the delegation that, consistent with diplomatic and consular practices and traditions, upon his assumption of duty in The Gambia, he paid a courtesy call on the UDP Party Leader, H.E. ANM Ousainu Darboe, at his Pipeline Office.
“At the end of the meeting, the UDP delegation thanked its host for the warm welcome and cordial discussions, which lasted well over an hour. The parties agreed to meet regularly and whenever either party wishes to consult the other on issues of interest”. the statement ends.