Breaking News
Austrian Minister of State for African Affairs welcomes GMC Leader, Mai Fatty
By A Special Correspondent
VIENNA, AUSTRIA-- His Excellency Helmut Freudenschuss, Minister of State for African Affairs at the Austrian Federal Ministry of European and International Affairs, received GMC Flag Bearer, Barrister Mai N.K Fatty at his Office on the afternoon of the 18th March 2010, in the Austrian capital Vienna.
Minister Freudenschuss and Barrister Fatty (above)held a tete a tete dialogue on issues of mutual interests and concerns to both sides, including Austrian foreign policy in Africa, and The Gambia in particular. The visit was conducted under the mutual obligations and responsibility protocol which enabled both sides to exchange views on many sensitive issues. Barrister Fatty underscored the fundamental duty of Austria in strengthening human rights, the rule of law and good governance in The Gambia, emphasising that it is the obligation of the international community to demonstrate greater practical interest in the dastardly human rights predicament of Gambian citizens.
Barrister Fatty urged for a comprehensive consensus on conclusively confronting the regime of Yaya Jammeh on this issue by demanding immediate but durable verifiable compliance with democratic practices consonant with constitutional provisions and international human rights instruments. Mr. Fatty underscored that if Gambians feel abandoned by the international community, the severity of on-going political repressions may end up in violent resistance with unpredictable consequences on peace in the Region. He stated that democracy and peace are inseparable and that The Gambian situation has reached boiling point, noting that the intensity of political intolerance and social indignity must attract definite consequences.
Minister Freudenschuss assured Barrister Fatty that human rights is at the core of Austria’s Africa policy, and has always been reflected in official dealings with The Gambia through multilateral institutions. He further assured that the Austrian Government shall not shy away from taking appropriate effective measures with regards to persistent human rights violations as a matter of policy.
Barrister Fatty was invited to make a presentation on the governance situation in The Gambia before the Parliamentary Sub-committee on Human Rights during which he sought the active support of Austrian legislators on human rights atrocities being perpetrated by Yaya Jammeh’s government. He reminded them that they control government spending, including
development budgetary allocation, and should demand their Government to require verifiable political accountability for Austria’s financial support to The Gambia through multilateral institutions.
As part of his official visit, Barrister Fatty also held talks with Ms. U. Hartmann (above), Head of S.P.O International Affairs on the 19th March 2010 in Vienna. The talks centred on strengthening bilateral relations between both Parties, including joint international programmes and capacity building. Madam Ulrike expressed strong support for the campaign to end human rights atrocities in The Gambia.
Barrister Fatty later held consultative dialogue with UNIDO at its World Headquarters at Vienna International Center, on The Gambia Country Programme 2010 -2013 and the Regional Programme for Investment Promotion in Africa. Mr. B. Conde, UNIDO Programme Officer briefed Barrister Fatty on the implementation of the Country Programme, and expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation so far. It would be recalled that The Gambia and UNIDO signed over five million Dollars Project Agreement in January 2010 on three main components: poverty reduction; enhancing the capacity of The Gambia; energy & the environment. The energy programme was launched two weeks ago, while the remaining components would be commenced soon.
Lawyer Fatty expressed support for The Gambia Country Programme, noting that it will contribute towards poverty alleviation and achievement of the Millennial Goals. He stated that when it comes to development projects that are specifically targeted to ease the burden of poverty, GMC shall support Government’s efforts. He further urged UNIDO to ensure that the project is implemented for the exclusive advantage of the intended beneficiaries, particularly the rural population which remains the worst affected by poverty. Barrister Fatty also urged UNIDO to positively consider and include The Gambia under the Shanghai Model, which has been proven to be very effective, and to facilitate the integration of The Gambia on the AfrIPANet Platform.