The European Union had, in December 2014, halted assistance to the West African country following reports of extrajudicial killings, torture and forced disappearances under the regime of ex-president Jammeh.
But recent reports indicated that Barrow’s emergence as president may see foreign donors turning to assist the country after Jammeh’s 22-year of dictatorship.
The EU’s Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, who disclosed the development in a statement, hailed “a peaceful democratic change in The Gambia” and said it was “fully committed to engage with President Barrow and his government”.
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Mimica further noted that the EU would immediately release financial assistance of 75 million Euros to tackle food insecurity, unemployment and fix the poor state of major roads in the country.
She added that the EU would subsequently disburse aid worth 150 million Euros to Gambia.
THE WHISTLER recalls that President Barrow had raised the alarm that the now exiled Jammeh carted away $11.4 million cash while shipping out luxury vehicles by cargo plane to the Equatorial Guinea.