The United States Embassy in Gambia recently declined visa requests for several Gambian officials who had planned to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This decision generated a notable public response within Gambia.
Local media reports indicated that approximately two dozen officials were affected by the visa denials. Subsequently, a significant number of Gambians expressed approval of the Embassy’s action, with public commentary suggesting the denials were viewed as preventing the expenditure of public funds on what some perceived as non-essential international travel and associated allowances. Madi Jobarteh, a prominent Gambian human rights activist, publicly stated that the denials saved the country from substantial expenses related to airfare and per diems. The article also notes a broader sentiment in various African countries concerning the financial implications of sending large government delegations to international conferences, citing an example of Nigeria’s delegation size for context.
Source: www.nytimes.com