The United States puts itself forward as a bastion of international democracy so for Sir Dawda it is a high honour to be asked to attend this national convention of the Democratic Party. It is a clear signal that the international community still considers Sir Dawda Jawara a true democrat. Even though he is no longer directly involved in politics, he is an ambassador for The Gambia and will no doubt fly the Gambian flag high while he is in the US.

It is an extremely exciting time to be attending the Democrat convention, Barrack Obama being the Democratic candidate for that party. He is running on a message of change and most will agree that if he is elected it will mark a great change in American society. To think that race as a defining issue could begin to be left behind in the dark days of American history, is a welcome thought indeed.

At the convention, democracy will be the order of the day. All people in attendance will be getting ready to engage in a free and fair election that will see their candidate emerge victorious and be named as the president of the most powerful nation on earth.

We wish Sir Dawda Jawara well on his trip and again congratulate him on the honour of being asked to attend. It is a testament to his democratic credentials.

‘Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary’.

Niebuhr, Reinhold