Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has dismissed claims that President Adama Barrow was overlooked by fellow West African leaders for the ECOWAS chairmanship, insisting that the Gambian leader deliberately chose not to pursue the position.
Speaking on West Coast Radio’s Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, Dr. Ceesay said President Barrow’s absence from the leadership of the regional bloc was not due to a lack of support from his peers but was a conscious decision based on the financial obligations that come with the office.
His remarks come after Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected Chairperson of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, prompting some commentators to question why President Barrow, one of the bloc’s longest-serving leaders, did not assume the role.
“The President was never snubbed. The President never wanted to be the ECOWAS chair. That is why he is not the chairperson of ECOWAS,” Dr. Ceesay said.
Financial Burden Influenced Decision
According to the minister, chairing ECOWAS is not merely a ceremonial or prestigious position but one that carries significant financial commitments, including hosting regional meetings and supporting various ECOWAS activities.
“Becoming chair of ECOWAS is not only a prestige position. It comes with costs,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay explained that President Barrow believes The Gambia is not yet in a position to take on those additional expenses, as doing so could place an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.
“The President, in his wisdom, believes that Gambia is not ready to shoulder that burden now,” he added.
Selection based on consensus
The minister also stressed that the selection of an ECOWAS chairperson is reached through consultation and consensus among the bloc’s heads of state rather than through a competitive election.
He argued that had President Barrow wanted the position, he would have been able to secure the support of his regional counterparts.
Dr. Ceesay further dismissed suggestions that President Barrow’s decision to remain in office beyond the three-year transition period he had initially proposed had weakened his standing within ECOWAS or affected his eligibility for the chairmanship.
He said such domestic political issues are not part of the criteria considered when selecting the regional body’s chairperson.
Gambia’s Influence Remains Strong
Despite not holding the ECOWAS chairmanship, Dr. Ceesay maintained that The Gambia continues to play an influential role within the regional organization.
He pointed to the leadership of the ECOWAS Commission by Gambian diplomat Omar Alieu Touray as evidence of the country’s continued prominence in regional affairs.
The minister insisted that President Barrow’s decision not to seek the ECOWAS chairmanship was driven solely by national interest and a desire to avoid placing additional financial pressure on the country’s limited resources.
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