UK Foreign Secretary pledges support for Gambia's education
The Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson says the UK is ready to help The Gambia improve its education system and infrastructure as well as boost tourism.
The Foreign Secretary has visited the West African nation, which he said was having an "extraordinary moment" following the "new start" under President Adama Barrow.
Mr. Johnson said he had "some great conversations" with Mr. Barrow, who has "fantastic ideas for taking this country forward".
The former Argos security guard defeated hardline ruler Yahya Jammeh in a December election, but Mr. Jammeh clung to power, saying there had been irregularities in the poll.
Mr. Johnson said the new Gambian administration "got rid of a guy who was really holding things up and they want to take the country forward".
He said: "There is a strong tie with Britain and Gambia if you recall history.
"They colonised Gambia and we are part of the Commonwealth and we will return to the Commonwealth again.
"Any aspects that's going on in Gambia, Britain will be our number one partner in terms of trade, in terms of democracy, in terms of good governance. They will be our partners."
Meanwhile, the Gambia is to rejoin the Commonwealth within months - after four years outside the group of 52 states.
Boris Johnson has since left the Gambia and currently in Ghana holding discussions with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on how to strengthen the existing bilateral relations between Ghana and the UK.