[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ELECT AND FREEING OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IN THE GAMBIA

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, in recent years, we have seen a troubling 
trend of democratic backsliding in several parts of the world, 
including Russia, Thailand, Uganda, Turkey, and Venezuela.
  Even some parts of Europe and the United States have seen long 
established democratic norms challenged in deeply upsetting ways.
  So imagine my great surprise late last week when the people of The 
Gambia peacefully voted for a new democratic government.
  Many probably don't know much about The Gambia--a small West African 
nation whose uniquely odd colonial borders have it straddling the 
meandering Gambia River almost completely surrounded by Senegal.
  Gambia is English speaking--Senegal speaks French--with several local 
languages shared between the unusual borders.
  Some of you may remember The Gambia was the ancestral home in the 
novel and then-television miniseries ``Roots.''
  Because of its strong ties to the U.S. and geographic location, for 
some time The Gambia also had a unique distinction of being an 
emergency landing spot for the Space Shuttle should one need to abort 
its mission early in the launch phase.
  And until 1994, it had the proud distinction of being the longest 
postcolonial democracy on the African continent.
  You see, for the last 22 years, The Gambia was ruled by a regime that 
took power in a coup, with troubling arrests and disappearances of 
journalists, activists, and opposition members.
  I and several of my Senate colleagues raised a number of these cases 
over the years, most notably the 2007 disappearance of journalist 
Ebrima Manneh--for which I now hope there will finally be a fair and 
healing accounting.
  And yet, last Thursday night, the people of The Gambia, voting with 
colored marbles placed in different containers to make it easier for 
illiterate voters, chose a new leader in a peaceful and democratic 
process.
  And outgoing President Yahya Jammeh honorably conceded the election 
and agreed to a peaceful transfer of power.
  He offered to help President-Elect Adama Barrow.
  While we have had our differences, I want to acknowledge this 
important act of leadership and love of country by outgoing President 
Jammeh.
  And not only has there been this notable peaceful transfer of power, 
but in just the few short days since the election, at least 18 
political prisoners have been released from jail, including a key 
opposition figure.
  So to the Gambian people, let me say congratulations on your 
important demonstration of democracy--a model for the African continent 
and the world.
  I look forward to significantly improved relations between our two 
nations and working together on a host of shared concerns.

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