505 12 President Jammeh attends Senegal's 50th independence anniversary
President Jammeh was among 22 Heads of State from across the continent who attended Senegal's 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations held Sunday morning in Dakar. At the center of the celebrations was the inauguration of a $27m monument which measures 53m high. The Monument of African Renaissance as it is called, was erected by Senegal's President, H.E. Maitre Abdoulaye Wade to immortalize the vision of a new Africa.
The event took off late Sunday morning with a combination of military display and civil parade; with the participation of detachments from across the continent including The Gambia. The theme of Senegal's 50th Independence Anniversary was, 'African Renaissance and Development,' an agenda championed and promoted by President Jammeh, since he assumed office in a bloodless coup in July 1994. He dilated on what most of his counterparts called a theory sixteen years ago, saying he is happy that his call for African Renaissance is now gaining momentum throughout the continent. He, however, called for a change of statusquo, in that African Leaders would rededicate their efforts in meeting the aspirations of their peoples. Many of Africa's current leaders have failed to uphold the expectations and hope of Independent Africa. If anything, few have successfully translated their government policies into practice.
The twenty-two heads of state, including President Jammeh were in Dakar not only to assist Senegal in the commemoration of its 50 years of Independence but also to witness President Wade's government shake off the last vestiges of colonialism. Wade announced at the end of the parade that Senegal was assuming control over military bases used by the French Army even after Senegal's Independence in 1960.
He thanked The Gambia exceptionally for sending a detachment, together with Gabon, Mauritania, Morocco and France to participate in the parade.
The highlights of the celebrations of Senegal's golden jubilee was the inauguration of the monument of "African Renaissance", which has a height of 53m. The $27m bronze statue which a government release says, was built by a North Korean Firm in exchange for a land equivalent the price, depicts through its three characters, the African continent coming out of obscurity after centuries of slavery and colonialism. The foundation stone of the statue which now towers over the capital Dakar was laid by the former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo in 2002. President Wade now claims 35% of any revenue generated by the monument since he owns the intellectual rights, but promised to plough his shares in the construction of early childhood centers.
President Jammeh, trailed by his popular stance towards African integration and more closer relations with Senegal, left for Banjul shortly after receiving the President of Cape Verde Islands H.E Pedro Pires who called on him in his Hotel.
President Jammeh was among 22 Heads of State from across the continent who attended Senegal's 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations held Sunday morning in Dakar. At the center of the celebrations was the inauguration of a $27m monument which measures 53m high. The Monument of African Renaissance as it is called, was erected by Senegal's President, H.E. Maitre Abdoulaye Wade to immortalize the vision of a new Africa.
The event took off late Sunday morning with a combination of military display and civil parade; with the participation of detachments from across the continent including The Gambia. The theme of Senegal's 50th Independence Anniversary was, 'African Renaissance and Development,' an agenda championed and promoted by President Jammeh, since he assumed office in a bloodless coup in July 1994. He dilated on what most of his counterparts called a theory sixteen years ago, saying he is happy that his call for African Renaissance is now gaining momentum throughout the continent. He, however, called for a change of statusquo, in that African Leaders would rededicate their efforts in meeting the aspirations of their peoples. Many of Africa's current leaders have failed to uphold the expectations and hope of Independent Africa. If anything, few have successfully translated their government policies into practice.
The twenty-two heads of state, including President Jammeh were in Dakar not only to assist Senegal in the commemoration of its 50 years of Independence but also to witness President Wade's government shake off the last vestiges of colonialism. Wade announced at the end of the parade that Senegal was assuming control over military bases used by the French Army even after Senegal's Independence in 1960.
He thanked The Gambia exceptionally for sending a detachment, together with Gabon, Mauritania, Morocco and France to participate in the parade.
The highlights of the celebrations of Senegal's golden jubilee was the inauguration of the monument of "African Renaissance", which has a height of 53m. The $27m bronze statue which a government release says, was built by a North Korean Firm in exchange for a land equivalent the price, depicts through its three characters, the African continent coming out of obscurity after centuries of slavery and colonialism. The foundation stone of the statue which now towers over the capital Dakar was laid by the former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo in 2002. President Wade now claims 35% of any revenue generated by the monument since he owns the intellectual rights, but promised to plough his shares in the construction of early childhood centers.
President Jammeh, trailed by his popular stance towards African integration and more closer relations with Senegal, left for Banjul shortly after receiving the President of Cape Verde Islands H.E Pedro Pires who called on him in his Hotel.
