By Haddy Touray
The Kingdom of Morocco has conferred the Alaouite Grand Cordon Wissam on former Gambian Ambassador to Morocco, Mrs. Saffie Lowe Ceesay, in recognition of her contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
The decoration, graciously bestowed by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco, was presented during a reception hosted Saturday by the Moroccan Embassy in Banjul in the presence of senior Gambian government officials and diplomats.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Kingdom of Morocco to The Gambia, Ahmed Belhadj, described the award as recognition of an “exceptional personality” who had played a significant role in promoting cooperation between Morocco and The Gambia.
He said His Majesty King Mohammed VI had chosen to honour Mrs. Ceesay in appreciation of her professionalism, commitment and dedication to strengthening bilateral relations.
According to him, Mrs. Ceesay worked closely with the Moroccan Embassy during her tenure as Gambian ambassador to Morocco from November 2018 to November 2024, helping to advance several joint initiatives and deepen diplomatic cooperation between the two countries.
Quoting from the royal decoration certificate, Belhadj said: “We have, by the Grace and Might of the Most High, blessed Her Excellency Mrs. Saffie Lowe Ceesay, former Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia, with the Alaouite Grand Cordon Wissam as a token of the appreciation and esteem she enjoys with Our Majesty.”
He added that the distinction reflected the strong and longstanding relations between Morocco and The Gambia, which he described as “brother countries” bound by shared values and historical ties.In her acceptance speech, Saffie Lowe Ceesay expressed gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for the honour, describing the award as both humbling and significant.
She said serving as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Gambia to Morocco, with concurrent accreditation to Tunisia and Cyprus, had been a rewarding experience despite not being a career diplomat.
Mrs. Ceesay also thanked Gambian President Adama Barrow for the confidence reposed in her through her appointment.
“I am deeply honoured to be the recipient of this prestigious award, as it signifies, among other things, that I have fulfilled the trust reposed in me by my President and have served my country faithfully,” she said.
She further paid tribute to senior Moroccan officials who supported her diplomatic work, including Abdelatif Annas Khales, Director of Protocol at Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mohamed Methqal, Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation.
Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sering Modou Njie, praised Mrs. Ceesay for enhancing relations between the two countries during her tenure.
He also commended Ambassador Ahmed Belhadj for his role in bringing Morocco and The Gambia closer through sustained diplomatic engagement.
Njie expressed appreciation on behalf of the Gambian government and people to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan government and people for what he described as the “special relationship” existing between the two nations.
“The two countries continue to enjoy an excellent relationship and continue to work together in many spheres of cooperation,” the minister said.