The president of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo; the president of Senegal, His Excellency Macky Sall; and the prime minister of Ivory Coast, His Excellency Daniel Kablan Duncan, were among other distinguished personalities from across the continent present at The Gambia's 48th Independence Anniversary celebration.

President Sall, President Nguema Mbasogo and Prime Minister Duncan joined thousands of Gambians and non-Gambians alike at the July 22nd Square Monday in Banjul to celebrate the event. First to arrive in the country on Sunday was President Nguema Mbasogo and later Prime Minister Duncan.

The Equatorial Guinea leader was received at the foot of the aircraft by his Gambian counterpart, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, the vice president and minister of Women's Affairs, Her Excellency Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy among a host of senior government officials.

VP Njie-Saidy had earlier received the Prime Minister of Ivory Coast.

A Guard of Honour was mounted for both President Mbasogo and Prime Minister Duncan. They were later escorted from the airport before being finally installed in their various hotel residences.

The Ivorian prime minister later joined other dignitaries at State House for a well-attended reception organised as partof the activities for the Independence celebrations.

Both heads of state and the prime minister of Ivory Coast left Banjul soon after the celebration on Monday at the July 22nd Square. They were seen-off by VP Njie-Saidy.