The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh has ended hisfive-day state visit toTaiwan and is expected to return to Banjul this morning at 09:ooam.

While in Taiwan, President Jammeh Friday alongside his host Taiwanese leader President Ma Ying-jeou, attended a joint graduation ceremony of Taiwan's military academies in the southern city of Kaohsiung, marking the first time a leader of one of Taiwan's allies has joined such an event.

Friday’s graduation ceremony was joined by a total of 1,088 military cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies, as well as from the National Defense University and National Defense Medical Center. Two of the graduates are exchange military cadets from The Gambia.

During his speech to the graduates, Ma urged all those present to fully devote themselves to the armed forces and serve the country by recognizing military service as a life-long career.

Held at the Republic of China Military Academy, President Ma used the occasion and presented to President Jammeh a model of a patrol boat that will soon be donated to The Gambia to boost its naval defense.

Ma said he had promised to send three patrol frigates to The Gambia during his state visit to the West African country in April. “(The donation) shows Taiwan's sincerity in enhancing bilateral military cooperation ... which also symbolizes our long-term and solid friendship,” Ma said.

In return, President Jammeh expressed gratitude for the warm ties between the two countries and vowed to further increase bilateral exchanges.