Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has held crucial talks with President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia on the future of the West African nation, which on December 30 witnessed an attempted coup.

Mr. Obasanjo, who was one of four African leaders invited to private talks with President Jammeh after the 50th Independence Anniversary of The Gambia, briefed reporters on his visit, saying discussions centred on the recent coup attempt, security in The Gambia and the future of the nation’s economy.

“One of the points that we looked at together is what this country has going for it,” Mr. Obasanjo said.
“There is relative peace, relative stability, relative continuity and relative security. These are necessary ingredients to fast track development and growth as a democratic country.

“This is why I said to my brother (President Jammeh) that nothing stops The Gambia from being the Switzerland of West Africa. Switzerland is a small country but it is a great country. Gambia is a small country but it is on the path of being great.

Mr. Obasanjo said it is in the interest of all Africans that The Gambia grows to become a great country.

“I, therefore, hold myself ready to be a partner in pursuance of that great objective,” he said.

After the meeting with Mr. Obasanjo, Mr. Jammeh held further talks with the Presidents of Ghana, Mauritania and Equatorial Guinea.