A large number of Bissau-Guineans residing in The Gambia recently converged on the Banjul International Airport to welcome their new ambassador accredited to The Gambia.

His Excellency Idrissa Dialo replaces Her Excellency Francisco Mario Vaz, whose tour of duty in Banjul has ended.

The new ambassador later held a brief welcome meeting with the Bissau-Guinean community in Banjul at the Asis Hotel in Kololi.

At that meeting, Ambassador Dialo, a former Colonel in the Guinea Bissau army, thanked his compatriots in The Gambia for the warm welcome accorded to him. He assured them of a continuous strong collaboration between the Bissau-Guineans living in The Gambia and his office. He also promised to raise the flag of his country high and maintain the bond of cultural and ethnic ties between Banjul and Bissau.

He added: "I don't consider myself a foreigner in The Gambia because of many reasons because the blood relationship between Bissau and Banjul is very cordial. We are the same people and we share a lot of things in common, such as the ethnic relationships, culture and traditions. I am here to serve you and build a good image for our country and I will serve in the best way to fortify the relationship between Banjul and Bissau."