Alimamy Bakary Sankoh, President of Africans United for Taiwan, (AUT) Gambia Chapter, has urged the United Nations Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon, to make a difference during his tenure the participation of Taiwan in the world’s largest body.

Speaking to both local and international journalists at the AUT Offices in Bakoteh, Serrekunda , on Saturday, Mr Sankoh said Taiwan is an independent sovereign state and no government is qualified to represent her in the UN. The AUT president added that Taiwan belongs to the human family and her continued isolation in UN contradicts the Charter of the World’s body.

Mr Sankoh further told journalists that Taiwan has made tremendous contributions to the advancement of peace, democracy and improvement of the welfare of mankind. “Taiwan participation in the UN would not only be a blessing ,but rather encourage the government and NGOs in Taiwan to develop the world, especially Africa,” he said.

He urged the international community to exert pressure on governments to boycott the 2008 Olympic games scheduled to take place in Beijing. Mr Sankoh stressed that the exclusion of Taiwan in the UN has inflicted more harm on the credibility of the World’s body.

According to him, the law that was passed in Beijing on the “January 15, authorising the use of Chinese military force to invade Taiwan, shows the hatred meted against Taiwan. Taiwan is a true independent democratic nation that needs to be recognised in the UN, WHO and other world bodies. AUT has no ill-will against China and its collaborators. We believe and remain committed to the realisation of the legitimate aspirations of the people of Taiwan,” he added.

He revealed that AUT will organise an international conference later this year, to discuss the issue. He said recommendations from the conference will be forwarded to the UN General Assembly in New York as a petition.