The embassy of the United States of America in The Gambia, on the eve of the inauguration of their new president, Barack Obama, hosted a reception in honor of the historic day.

The get-together was held at the residence of the US ambassador in Fajara. Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th and the first African-American president, took the oath of office last Tuesday before millions of people. Speaking at the reception, Barry Wells, the US ambassador to The Gambia, said millions of people around the world witnessed “the most powerful and stirring event ever held in the United States of America”. He observed that Americans from all works of life sat with friends and family members to watch the historic and life changing event.  

Ambassador Wells reflected on Dr Martin Luther King Jr and his famous ‘I have a dream speech’ and the circumstances surrounding blacks at that time to the present day when millions gathered to witness that dream being fulfiled. He noted that the US government’s presidential transition is examplary in the whole world. However, Ambassador Wells admitted that President Obama is faced with many challenges, notably the global credit crunch and financial crises, the responsibility of managing two wars, and the challenging diplomatic relations with an assortment of countries.

For his part, Omar Touray, secretary of state for Foreign Affairs, also recognised the day as historic.  “We hope that the prevailing changes will bring back peace, harmony and unity in the world. We also hope to see change not only in America but the world at large. The Gambia joins America to celebrate this great day,” he said.

SoS Touray then spoke at length on the cordial relations between Banjul and Washington, and prayed that such a relationship should continue for eternity. The programme was punctuated by a documentary film show on President Obama’s life, Martin Lurther King’s 1963 ‘Dream Speech’ and Barack Obama’s inauguration speech. Senior government officials, diplomats, politicians and a host of other stakeholders, attended the ceremony.