Boris Johnson to begin west Africa visit to highlight UK's growing global relationships
BORIS Johnson will tomorrow begin an official visit to west Africa to highlight Britain's growing relationships around the world and the potential for yet stronger links after Brexit.
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His trip will include talks with two of the world's newest leaders.
In The Gambia, where he will be the first British Foreign Secretary on record to visit, Mr Johnson will hold talks with former north London Argos security guard Adama Barrow, who was elected president in December but took office only last month after predecessor Yahya Jammeh finally agreed to step down.
Mr Johnson will confirm that The Gambia will rejoin the Commonwealth group of nations headed by the Queen.
In 2013 then President Jammeh, who took power in a coup in 1994, announced his country would leave the 54-nation "neo-colonial institution".
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President Barrow - nicknamed "No Drama Adama" for his calmness during the election - stood on a platform including asking the Commonwealth to readmit his country.
Mr Johnson then travels to Ghana, where he will meet President Nana Akufo-Addo who was also sworn in last month after elections in December.
During his visit to the two countries the Foreign Secretary will also visit health and security projects which he will say show how British aid can support wellbeing and safety in the UK as well as in the region, and he will meet UK-backed businesspeople and "rising stars" of African society.
Ahead of his visit, Mr Johnson said the two presidents' elections "highlight the continuing strengthening of democracy in West Africa.
"I am also very pleased that Gambia wants to rejoin the Commonwealth and we will ensure this happens in the coming months.
"The strength of our partnerships show that Global Britain is growing in influence and activity around the world."