Moses Benjamin Jallow, The Gambia's ambassador to France has written a congratulatory message to the Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, on the occasion of The Gambia's 45th Independence Anniversary.

The message reads:
It is with a great sense of pride and joy that I am again joined by my family members and staff of The Gambian Mission in Paris and all the Gambian communities in France and the neighbouring countries under my jurisdiction, to convey warm congratulations to Your Excellency and through Your Excellency to The First Family, the Government and People of The Gambia on this historic occasion when our beloved country The Gambia marked 45 years of independence from colonial rule and under your very able leadership since 1994, when the Second Republic was ushered in.

This historic day of The Gambia is timely in that it falls during the Holy Period of "Lent" when all Christians in The Gambia and the world over are engaged in full prayers, sacrifice and fasting in preparation for Easter a timely moment for all Gambians irrespective of their religious affiliations to give thanks and praise to our "Maker" in appreciation for all the tangible and intangible accomplishments since the four and a half decade long of Independence to date, notably Religious tolerance which is one of The Gambia's greatest Human  Rights accomplishments, complemented with the basic family values that have kept us together as strong and self -sustaining economic and social units.

Under Your Excellency's wise leadership, The Gambia ushered in a new phase in her political history in 1994 which brought a stable democratic government and strong social system which has reinforced peace, respect and cooperation amongst all Gambians. Your ongoing efforts to improve the conditions, to foster stability and prosperity, improve quality of life for the whole nation, to ensure the protection of the rights and freedom of the Gambians is worthy of commendation.

A good momentum of development and cooperation in international and regional affairs has been maintained and continues to be strengthened and developed in the interest of all Gambians. On this auspicious occasion it is my prayer that all Gambians re-dedicate their efforts all across the nation towards achieving economic and social security and especially in realisation of your Vision 2020 objectives as it is a pre-requisite for stability and prosperity.

Together we join all Gambians at home and abroad, friends of The Gambia and all well-wishers to pray for Your Excellency's personal good health, happiness and for the prosperity of The Gambia our homeland. Please accept Your Excellency Mr. President the assurances of my highest consideration.

Moses Benjamin Jallow
Ambassador / Permanent Representative, France