Date: 31st July 2025; Your Excellency, the Vice President, Honourable Cabinet Ministers, Senior Government Officials, Members of the Media,

I thank the Secretary to Cabinet for administering the mandatory Oaths of Office, and I thank you all for your attendance.

Together, we have just witnessed the swearing-in of various public officeholders as a public affirmation of their commitment to serving the Gambian nation through their new assignments.

In this respect, I warmly congratulate each of them, beginning with the in-coming Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Mr. Modou Njie, followed by the newly appointed Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Mr. Joseph Colley and Dr. Cherno Jallow, respectively. Last but by no means least, Ms. Isatou Jammeh of the Reparation Commission. I often remind public officials that when entrusted with public office, it is obligatory to serve diligently with sincerity and uphold the confidence and trust reposed in us. Institutions mirror the nations they serve, and public servants mirror their institutions. By implication, it is through the institutions we render public service that we can showcase The Gambia as a model country where good governance, adherence to the rule of law, and maintenance of peace, stability, and security stand out as solid pillars of advancement and development.

Your Excellency, Honourable Cabinet Members, Our journey as a country has exposed us to challenges that we would not surmount if we did not have people of integrity in our public service. The public figures sworn in today, like every one of us, have the enormous task of initiating change, progress, and productivity, building on best practices, avoiding and managing lapses, and improving on shortcomings to better serve the people and measure up to expectations. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Gambia has re-imaged itself as a nation that builds on international relations and encourages cooperation and partnership. As the chief liaison diplomat, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad is expected to lead and guide our diplomatic policy, build friendships, and encourage investments in our development agenda.

I trust that Honourable Njie is experienced enough to take off from where his predecessor left off and will fly the Gambian flag higher. I must remind him, nonetheless, that his new role is exceedingly demanding and will require him to sacrifice much more of his time and energy.

For you, the IEC Chairman and Deputy Chair, your call to duty, like any other, is a national call. Through the leadership of your institution, the nation looks forward to fulfilling its desire for suitable electoral reforms and strengthened electoral processes and procedures to sustain our thriving democracy. I urge you, therefore, to build on the existing institutional frameworks, guided by the rules, regulations, and Electoral Law of the country.

Moving on, the Transitional Justice programme spearheaded by the Government has advanced to a critical stage, hence the setting up of the Reparation Commission. As Cabinet members know, the other six members have been sworn in already.

Ms. Isatou Jammeh now joins them as a fully-fledged member of the Reparation Commission, in accordance with the 2017 Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Act. Through the Ministry of Justice, my government is working with partners to ensure that victims of the former government get the justice they deserve. I wish the Reparation Commission success in fulfilling this aspect of our Transitional Justice Programme. At this juncture, Your Excellency, Honourable Cabinet Members, I most sincerely thank the predecessors of the officials sworn in today; that is, the outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, and the Retired Chairman of the IEC, Alhajie Momar Njie. On behalf of every Gambian citizen, I generously commend both of them for their service and support. We appreciate their invaluable contributions towards the building of our dear nation and pray for their success in the next stages of their journeys in life. Once again, I congratulate the newly sworn-in officials and thank them sincerely for accepting to serve the nation through their new positions and institutions.

To conclude, I wish all of you the best of luck in your endeavour to bring your experience, knowledge, and expertise to bear on the execution of your duties for greater efficiency, effectiveness, and impact. Thank you for your attention.