President Yahya AJJ Jammeh has affirmed that his immediate priority for the next five years is to ensure that he turns The Gambia into the best country in the world by completely eradicating poverty and other social ills, thus, making The Gambia an economic power and a model in Africa.

In his first news conference held at State House on Saturday soon after being declared the winner of the September 22nd Presidential polls, President Jammeh thanked all Gambians for a very successful election and also for the trust and confidence bestowed on him.

Reacting to questions on uniting Gambians, President Jammeh opined that the main problem that Africa is beset with is that of political division, noting that it is paramount for all patriotic citizens of a nation to work together for the common good of ther country after political activities. He added that he was set to develop the country and that it was up to Gambians to join him in his quest to make The Gambia a modern state. “ It is also up to the minority to join the majority for the development of the nation. The Gambia belongs to every Gambian. What is important is that we should see each other as Gambians. National development is a duty that every patriotic Gambian has to perform” he stated.

Speaking on the Oil discovery, Jammeh said the sky is the limit and that despite all the tribulations in the past 12 years, the fast developing nation has remained an independent nation. “During the past 11 years, The Gambia had little or no support from common donors and despite difficulties, we remained an independent nation. The mere fact that The Gambia is a poor nation does not mean that she will not be independent. The Almighty Allah will remain to be my world bank and by Allah's will, i will make The Gambia the best country with the cooperation of Gambians”, said Jammeh.

On the AU problem in Darfur and the visit of President Omar Al Bashir, President Jammeh said that he does not think there is a problem in Africa that Africans cannot solve amicably. He called on the United Nations to give Africa the required resources necessary for her to solve the problem in Darfur. President Jammeh hastened to deny claims by the Western Press that Africans are not doing much about the crisis in Darfur.

“Because of the crises in Darfur, African leaders should stand up to the challenge of being good leaders. Also the African Union heads of State should work collectively to solve the problem in Darfur. We should stop killing each other .Every war in Africa is created by Africans. The inability of Africans to solve their own problems is a big disgrace. Let us join hands and put an end to this unfortunate phenomenon. Let Africans learn from the past.The people of Sudan should stop the fighting and the killing of innocent people”, Jammeh stated. He then went on to condemn all forms of violence and called on the people of Darfur to reach a compromise so as to bring about perpectual peace in the land.

Following a question on Press freedom in The Gambia, President Jammeh asserted that journalists in The Gambia will not be given the freedom to use their pens and papers to tarnish people's reputation. He said his government will not kill any journalist, but sentence them to imprisonment when decided by a court of law. “Why should I kill a journalist. If you offend me, i take you to a court of law. As a leader, I don't kill journalists neither other people. I don't believe in killing people and am not here to kill people”, he said.

Speaking on the overwhelming victory of the APRC in the presidential electionon, President Jammeh said that he believes in the supremacy of Allah and that the outcome of the election has shown that Gambian people have spoken clearly. He added that he would have loved to have more than the percentage he gained but according to him, the ulterior motive was for him to win the election with a clear mandate.

President Jammeh described The Gambia as a peace loving country, neutral in super power politics and an independent sovereign nation that has a good relation with the international community more particularly the muslim nations. He said The Gambia will always continue to extend hands of friendship to other nations. Meanwhile, Jammeh described the opposition as not being enemies to him noting that they want to become president of the country and he also wants to continue his development plans for The Gambia. He declared that he does not have  problems with the opposition. President Jammeh urged the opposition to join the majority of Gambians in developing the nation noting that Gambians have decided and that it was the responsibility of every patriotic citizen to work towards the development of the nation. “ I am not a ruler and am not in office to make money but rather to develop The Gambia”, Jammeh affirmed.

On the illegal migration of Africans, President Jammeh said people are bound to travel to other countries and that despite all the difficulties, human beings will travel across the world. “If Africans get what the Westerners should return  back to them, we will all stay in our countries and go to Europe and America as Tourists and not assylum seekers” he observed.