BANJUL, Feb 9 (Reuters) - The European Union pledged 75 million euros ($80 million) on Thursday to Gambia's new government, two years after suspending aid due to human rights abuses by former President Yahya Jammeh.

The EU froze 33 million euros in aid to Gambia, one of the world's poorest countries, after Jammeh's government introduced a tough law against homosexuality in late 2014.

Adama Barrow, who defeated Jammeh in a December election, has pledged to respect human rights and rebuild foreign relations. Jammeh refused to accept the election result and went into exile last month after regional forces entered the country.

Following a meeting with Barrow in the capital Banjul, the EU commissioner for international cooperation and development, Neven Mimica, said the aid package would to be used to increase food security, rebuild roads and boost jobs.

"The visit is a clear signal of the EU's readiness to provide immediate financial and technical support to the democratic process in The Gambia," Mimica told reporters.

The EU is also preparing a medium-term assistance package of 150 million euros, he said.

Jammeh took power in a 1994 coup and his government established a reputation for torturing and killing opponents - charges he denied. He repeatedly fell out with the EU, expelling its charge d'affaires in 2015.

A weak economy and political repression in the West African country has made it one of the continent's leading sources of migrants trying to reach Europe by sea despite a population of only 1.9 million. (Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Edward McAllister and Robin Pomeroy) </s> The European Union (EU) has pledged €225m ($240m; £191m) in aid to The Gambia as part of its effort to become a "privileged partner" of the West African nation. The announcement came weeks after new President Adama Barrow returned to his country from Senegal following the peaceful end of a a post-election political crisis.

"The EU is fully committed to engage with President Barrow and his Government. We want to be a privileged partner of The New Gambia," the EU said in a statement.

"In addition to the €75 million package of immediate support signed today, we are already preparing a medium term package of €150 million, which will focus on building the capacities of the State and on job creation."

The EU had frozen its aids after Gambia's former leader Yahya Jammeh – accused of human rights abuses – outlawed homosexuality in 2014.

Barrow and the EU commissioner for international cooperation and development, Neven Mimica, met in the capital Banjul.

"The visit is a clear signal of the EU's readiness to provide immediate financial and technical support to the democratic process in The Gambia," Mimica was quoted by Reuters as saying.

Following the meeting, Barrow said his country also needed emergency budget support to restore its crippled economy burdened by youth unemployment of more than 40%.

"What we have inherited is an economy that is virtually bankrupt and in need of immediate [restoration]," Barrow said.

Jammeh, who ruled the country for 22 years, lost presidential election in December 2016. However, Gambia witnessed a political stand-off when he refused to relinquish power.

The outgoing president eventually agreed to step down and go into exile in Equatorial Guinea following pressure from world leaders and the intervention of foreign troops.

Barrow, who returned to Banjul in January, said in an exclusive interview with IBTimes UK he was ready to rebuild a New Gambia through democratic principles.

The leader, a former businessman who lived in London for three years, pledged to strengthen relations between Gambia and the UK by, among other things, rejoining the Commonwealth and promoting foreign investments.

Barrow also intends to revert Jammeh's decision to pull out from the International Criminal Court (ICC). </s> The European Union announced aid worth 225 million euros ($240 million) on Thursday for The Gambia's new government as President Adama Barrow said his nation was "virtually bankrupt" due to economic mismanagement by the former regime.

The EU froze assistance to The Gambia in December 2014 over the dire human rights record of ex-president Yahya Jammeh, whose security services were accused by rights groups of extrajudicial killings, torture and forced disappearances.

Barrow's victory in December's election is seen by foreign donors as a new chance for human rights and the rule of law to be better respected in the tiny west African nation.

Neven Mimica, EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, hailed "a peaceful democratic change in The Gambia" and said it was "fully committed to engage with President Barrow and his government".

Immediate financial assistance of 75 million euros would target food insecurity, unemployment and the poor condition of the nation's roads, the European Commission said in a statement.

Further aid worth 150 million euros would be disbursed following a future visit by an EU delegation, it added.

President Barrow said in a speech given at the signing of the aid deal that his nation had just two months of foreign exchange reserves left, and described "an economy that is virtually bankrupt and in need of immediate rescue."

"Most public enterprises are debt-ridden and underperforming including the energy sector," Barrow said, adding that youth unemployment had rocketed.

Jammeh is accused by Gambians of land grabs and taking over businesses for his personal gain, while new Interior Minister Mai Fatty alleged last month the ex-president took $11 million from state coffers before heading for exile in Equatorial Guinea.

Meanwhile Foreign Minister Ousainou Darboe said human rights concerns would be "speedily addressed" by the new administration, and that the process of rejoining the International Criminal Court would soon begin.

The Gambia notified the United Nations in November it would withdraw from the legal body on Jammeh's orders. </s> BANJUL, Feb 9 (Reuters) - The European Union promised Gambia a 75 million euro ($80 million) aid package on Thursday, renewing its assistance to the West African country just weeks after its autocratic leader fled into exile under military pressure following his election defeat.

The EU froze its assistance to Gambia, one of the world's poorest countries, after former President Yahya Jammeh's government outlawed homosexuality in late 2014.

The resumption of EU aid is a vote of confidence for Gambia's new leader, Adama Barrow, who said the country was starved of hard currency.

Barrow has vowed to respect human rights and wants to rebuild the country's badly-damaged foreign relations.

Following a meeting with Barrow in the capital Banjul, the EU commissioner for international cooperation and development, Neven Mimica, said the aid package would to be used to increase food security, rebuild roads and help create jobs.

"The visit is a clear signal of the EU's readiness to provide immediate financial and technical support to the democratic process in The Gambia," Mimica told reporters.

The EU is also preparing a medium-term assistance package of 150 million euros, he said.

Speaking alongside Mimica, Barrow said Gambia also needed emergency budget support to rescue an economy burdened by youth unemployment of over 40 percent and foreign reserves that cover only two months of imports.

"What we have inherited is an economy that is virtually bankrupt and in need of immediate (restoration)," Barrow said.

Jammeh took power in a 1994 coup and his government established a reputation for torturing and killing opponents - charges he denied. He repeatedly fell out with the EU, expelling its charge d'affaires in 2015.

A weak economy and political repression in the West African country has made it one of the continent's leading sources of migrants trying to reach Europe by sea despite a population of only 1.9 million. (Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg) </s> Gambian President Adama Barrow said he has inherited a nearly bankrupt economy and that the economy needed immediate restoration.He has appealed for support, especially from the European Union (EU).President Barrow was speaking in Banjul at the signing ceremony of $79 million immediate support package with the EU.He said the sad reality was brought about by the mismanagement of the public finances.“What is truly sad is that our debt burden has reached unsustainable level due to wasteful public spending,” he stated.EU Commissioner Neven Mimica, who met the Gambia leader on Thursday, said the peaceful democratic change was a result of the determination of the people, as well as the regional and international efforts.“Gambians have shown commendable resolve, patience and courage during a period of high tension. The EU is fully committed to engage with President Barrow and his government,” said Mr Mimica.He disclosed that the EU was preparing a medium term package of $159 million, which would focus on building the capacities of the state and on job creation.The commissioner described his visit as a clear signal of the EU’s readiness to provide immediate financial and technical support to the democratic process in The Gambia and its dividends for the population in terms of good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.He promised that the EU would also step up its support to sustainable and inclusive development of the country in consultation with the new authorities.The EU-Gambia partnership has helped deliver important development goals, including the paving of roads.EU’s total allocation for the Gambia under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) for the period 2014-2020 was set at $159 million.EU had suspended its direct support to the Gambian government owing to poor governance and gross human rights violation under President Yahya Jammeh. </s> Major funding commitment to help ‘virtually bankrupt’ country shake off legacy of dictatorship, as President Adama Barrow promises better life for Gambians

The EU has pledged its support to the new leaders of the Gambia with hundreds of millions of euros, shoring up a country that is “virtually bankrupt” after two decades of Yahya Jammeh’s rule.

Aid to the Gambia dried up under Jammeh, whose record of human rights violations, along with his habit of pulling out of international institutions and throwing out diplomats, alienated donors.

Protesters in the Gambia call for resignation of national assembly Read more

Now, after promises from the new government to defend human rights, protect media freedom and rejoin the international criminal court and the Commonwealth, the EU has become the first to commit major funding to what has become known as “the new Gambia”.

After a rollercoaster transition period during which Jammeh accepted electoral defeat before performing a U-turn – he refused to leave State House, and finally conceded only under pressure from a phalanx of African presidents – there will be no respite for the country’s new president.

Having beaten the eccentric autocrat despite the odds, largely on a promise of a better life for Gambians, Adama Barrow now faces the challenge of living up to his people’s hopes.

The EU has pledged €75m (£64m) in immediate funding and €150m in the longer term to help “make sure that the new Gambian state can deliver as it should … that it can stand up to the high expectations of the population”, said Neven Mimica, the commissioner for international cooperation and development, who met Barrow on Thursday. “There is no time to lose.”

The former estate agent-turned-coalition leader told Mimica that his country was “in need of immediate rescue”, particularly emergency budget support.

“We have just assumed the task of governing the country after decades of dictatorship and self-imposed isolation,” Barrow said.

Jammeh expelled the EU’s charge d’affaires in 2015, giving her 72 hours to leave Banjul, with no explanation. “We had a dictatorship that thrived on bad governance, human rights abuses, bad policy choices, and violation of the rule of law. A dictatorship that cost us our friends. A dictatorship whose conduct deprived us of our development and aid. A dictatorship that was brutal toward its citizens,” said Barrow.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest People thought to be from Nigeria, the Gambia and Senegal await rescue from a boat in the Mediterranean, north of Libya. Barrow hopes that improved economic opportunities will stem the flow of people leaving the country for Europe. Photograph: Sima Diab/AP

“As a new government, what we have inherited is an economy that is virtually bankrupt and in need of immediate rescue. This sad reality was brought about through a mismanagement of our finances.”

Donor money is sorely needed in a country whose economy has grown little in recent decades, prompting many Gambians to take the perilous “back way” to Europe – crossing the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy – in search of a livelihood. The Gambia has public debt of more than 100% of annual GDP and youth unemployment of just under 40%.

The US is planning to send an assessment team to the country shortly after Barrow’s official inauguration on 18 February. Barrow was sworn in as president in neighbouring Senegal last month, as Jammeh clung to power. After all-night negotiations by regional presidents, who finally succeeded in persuading Jammeh to go, Barrow returned to his country and was greeted by thousands of celebrating supporters.

The Gambia faces battle to deter its young people from migrating abroad | Louise Hunt Read more

In a final blow, however, Jammeh withdrew more than $11.4m (£9.2m) from the country’s banks in the fortnight before getting on the plane to Equatorial Guinea, according to the interior minister, who said the coffers were “virtually empty”.

Despite the cash flow problems, Barrow and his team have ambitious plans.

The country’s new foreign minister, Ousainou Darboe, said he wanted to make the Gambia the “human rights capital of Africa”. This would be a dramatic turnaround from life under Jammeh, when journalists, political opposition members and people arrested at peaceful protests, whether they were protesting or not, were thrown in jail, often without trial or on trumped-up charges. Darboe was a political prisoner until his release in December, which drew thousands of people to his modest house in Banjul, flooding in to offer their congratulations.

“We already have the institutions that give the Gambia the qualification to be the human rights capital of Africa,” said Darboe. “We have the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights here in Banjul. The only institution we don’t have is the African court of human rights. We are going to champion the establishment of that institution and its location in the Gambia.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Customers shop at a market in Banjul in January 2017. Photograph: Legnan Koula/EPA

“Also, our own practice of human rights and protection of human rights will be a model.”

Barrow has said his administration will prioritise rebuilding the economy, and a national development plan is in the works. He is also creating a thinktank of advisers on agriculture, health, the environment and other areas, to identify the needs in each sector.

The country’s justice system, which Jammeh used to further his own agenda, will be overhauled, and the constitution amended, in particular to remove age limits for positions in government.

Barrow’s first move as president, making Fatoumatah Jallow-Tambajang his vice-president, was unconstitutional, as an age limit of 65 had been set under the youthful Jammeh, who was 29 when he took power and 51 when he left.

Most of the EU’s €75m is for projects tackling malnutrition, food security and unemployment. Drought and climate change have made farming difficult for Gambia in recent years, and a tenth of the population suffers from acute malnutrition. Mimica also said he was aware of the need to support “stability and reconstruction of the Gambian state” and would dispatch a team to Banjul to help decide what the other €150m should be spent on.

Along with the freedoms that Barrow’s government have promised, new economic opportunities could help stem the flow of migration to Europe, and even attract people back to the country. </s> The European Union today signed €75 Million Euros immediate economic package to the new government of the Gambia. The EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica disclosed that a package totaling €225 Million has been eyed for economic development in the Gambia. €75 million of that package is to be disbursed immediate to be followed by €150 Million at a later date.

The economic package according the commission is designed for major and micro-economic development projects to help Gambia regain its lost economic glory. Most of the aid will be used towards developing the port of Banjul, feeder roads, agriculture, education and national security among other projects. This EU aid came at an opportune time when the Gambia needed it the most after a historic change of government through the ballot box in December.

Speaking at the signing in ceremony the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ousainou Darboe welcome the EU delegation and thank them immensely for their rescue package to the Gambia. Mr. Darboe speaking on behalf of the President said the Gambia government will live up to its international obligations and will continue to strengthen its partnership with Gambia’s development partners. He stated that after two decades of isolation from the international community Gambia is back to its traditional working relationship with its development partners.

President Barrow on his part also thank the EU delegation and welcome the timely economic package to the Gambia. He said after 22 years of dictatorship Gambia was down to two months in imports of food and other commodities. He pledge to put the economic package into good use and to ensure that good governance, youths employment and education are given priority in this package. The EU commissioner thanks the Gambian people for exercising maturity during the recently disputed elections by avoiding any form of violence. He hailed the regional body ECOWAS and other partners for finding a peaceful end to the stand off. He described the situation as “a sign of Africa addressing its own political problems peacefully” </s> Adama Barrow's election victory is seen by foreign donors as a new chance for human rights to be better respected in The Gambia. By CARL DE SOUZA (AFP/File)

Banjul (Gambia) (AFP) - The European Union announced aid worth 225 million euros ($240 million) for The Gambia on Thursday as President Adama Barrow warned that the nation was "virtually bankrupt" due to economic mismanagement by the former regime.

The EU froze assistance to The Gambia in December 2014 over the dire human rights record of ex-president Yahya Jammeh, whose security services were accused by rights groups of extrajudicial killings, torture and forced disappearances.

Barrow's victory over Jammeh in December's election is seen by foreign donors as a new chance for human rights and the rule of law to be better respected in the tiny west African nation.

Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, hailed "a peaceful democratic change in The Gambia" and said the bloc was "fully committed to engage with President Barrow and his government".

Immediate financial assistance of 75 million euros would target food insecurity and unemployment and help improve the nation's roads, the European Commission said in a statement.

A further 150 million euros would be disbursed following a future visit by an EU delegation, it added.

Barrow said in a speech at the signing of the aid deal that The Gambia had just two months of foreign exchange reserves left, and described "an economy that is virtually bankrupt and in need of immediate rescue".

"Most public enterprises are debt-ridden and underperforming including the energy sector," he said, adding that youth unemployment had rocketed.

Specific funding worth 11 million euros will go towards creating jobs for young people in a nation that currently sends the highest per capita number of migrants across the Mediterranean to Italy.

"To stem the current migration trend, it is crucial to step up job creation and create more meaningful income opportunities at home," said Trade Minister Isatou Touray.

Jammeh is accused by Gambians of land grabs and taking over businesses for his personal gain, while new Interior Minister Mai Fatty alleged last month the ex-president took $11 million from state coffers before heading for exile in Equatorial Guinea.

Foreign Minister Ousainou Darboe said human rights concerns would be "speedily addressed" by the new administration, and that the process of rejoining the International Criminal Court would begin soon.

The Gambia notified the United Nations in November that it would withdraw from the ICC on Jammeh's orders. </s> Gambia will soon return to the Commonwealth under its new government, Britain’s foreign secretary said Tuesday after meeting with President Adama Barrow and pledging London’s support for this small West African nation following the departure of its leader of 22 years.

Barrow has vowed to reverse actions taken by his predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, who announced last year that Gambia would withdraw from the International Criminal Court. Three years earlier Jammeh Gambia from the Commonwealth, a 52-nation group made up mostly of former British colonies.

“We are here to help. The United Kingdom has a close relation with The Gambia,” British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said after his private meeting with Barrow.

The visit comes after longtime ruler Jammeh flew into exile last month under international pressure and the threat of a regional military intervention after refusing to accept his December election loss to Barrow. Jammeh, who seized control in a bloodless coup in 1994, is accused of overseeing an administration that tortured and imprisoned opponents.

Johnson said after meeting with Barrow that the countries would “build on longstanding friendship and partnership.” He said key areas such as education, health and security would take centre stage.

Last week, the European Union announced an $80-million package of support for Gambia as nations warm to the new government.

The United Nations has received the Gambia government’s formal notice reversing the country’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, deputy U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq announced earlier Tuesday.

Gambia was one of three African countries that informed the U.N. chief last year that they were withdrawing from the court. The others were South Africa and Burundi. </s> Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who is in The Gambia, has said he is “very pleased” the West African state is rejoining the Commonwealth.

His visit, the first to The Gambia by a British foreign secretary, comes weeks after long-time ruler Yahya Jammeh went into exile after losing elections.

Mr Jammeh took The Gambia out of the Commonwealth in 2013, calling it a neo-colonial institution.

New President Adama Barrow had promised a return to the 52-nation grouping.

Before leaving for Banjul, Mr Johnson said: “We will ensure this happens in the coming months.

“The strength of our partnerships show that Global Britain is growing in influence and activity around the world.”

The Commonwealth secretariat said it welcomed the news, saying the formal process of rejoining would have to be agreed by the 52 heads of government.

“When The Gambia left the Commonwealth in 2013, the heads of government… noted its decision with regret. We looked forward to the country’s eventual return because it was part of our very close knit family and our doors have always remained open,” a spokesman said.

Last week, the European Union promised The Gambia an aid package of nearly £65m ($81m) – almost three years after freezing its assistance to the West African nation.

Mr Barrow, who was sworn in last month, has also said The Gambia will reverse its move to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a statement on Monday, the government said it had written to UN chief Antonio Guterres to inform him of its decision “to discontinue the withdrawal notice”.

A former Gambian information minister had referred to the court last year as “an International Caucasian Court for the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans”.

The move is a blow to Africa’s anti-ICC lobby – which includes South Africa, Namibia and Burundi.

At the annual African Union summit held this month, leaders called for a mass walk-out from the ICC, but faced opposition from other countries, including Nigeria, Senegal and The Gambia.

The Foreign Office said as well as holding talks with Mr Barrow, Mr Johnson would visit the UK-funded Medical Research Council and speak to Chevening scholars and workers and employers in the tourism industry.

The West African state is a popular holiday destination for Britons. Thousands had to be evacuated last month because of security concerns when Mr Jammeh was refusing to hand over power after losing December’s elections.

Mr Barrow, whose swearing-in was held in neighbouring Senegal, is to be inaugurated as president in a ceremony at the national stadium on Saturday.

Several heads of state are expected to attend. Local dignitaries may include former Vice-President Alhagie Saihou Sabally, who local media said had returned to the country on Monday after 22 years in exile.

Mr Jammeh, who took power in coup in 1994, is now in exile in Equatorial Guinea after West African leaders deployed troops to The Gambia to ensure he left power.

Mr Johnson will go on to Ghana for talks with President Nana Akufo-Addo on Wednesday.

Referring to him and Mr Barrow, Mr Johnson said: “Their elections highlight the continuing strengthening of democracy in West Africa.”
The European Union pledges to give the Gambia €225 million in aid to assist the country following the departure of former president Yahya Jammeh, whose 22 years of misrule left the country "virtually bankrupt".