The Gambian government has denied speculation that the recent visit of ECOWAS Chairman, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, was connected to President Adama Barrow’s reported interest in seeking a third term.
President Bio made a brief stop in Banjul on August 14, during which even a scheduled press briefing was cancelled. The unusually short trip fueled speculation among Gambians that the ECOWAS leader may have raised the issue of presidential term limits with Barrow. The Gambia remains one of the few countries in West Africa without a two-term constitutional limit, a matter the regional bloc has been urging member states to adopt.
Responding to the rumours, Information Minister Dr. Ismaila Ceesay insisted that no such issue was discussed. “No. The talks between the two leaders did not include anything like that,” he said.
A statement from the Ministry of Information later clarified that President Bio’s visit was part of his regional consultation tour following his election as ECOWAS Chairman. According to the ministry, discussions between Barrow and Bio focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation, as well as advancing ECOWAS’s agenda for peace, security, and regional integration.
The statement explained that the visit was shortened due to a scheduling change. Bio, who was expected to stay overnight in Banjul, had to leave earlier than planned to meet Cape Verde’s president in Praia. From there, he is expected to continue his regional tour in Senegal.
