Ohio University will welcome a respected national political leader from The Gambia to campus on Feb. 21, 22 and 23.

Halifa Sallah, a high-ranking government official from the western Africa nation, will be visiting Ohio University and taking part in several events for students, faculty, staff and area residents. Sallah currently serves as one of the most senior members of the National Assembly of the Republic of The Gambia. He is also a spokesperson and special adviser for President Adama Barrow.

Sallah has a long political career in The Gambia, which includes:

• Co-founder of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism,
• Former candidate for president,
• An outspoken critic of former President Yaya Jammeh, Sallah was arrested several times and detained in prison while Jammeh was in power,
• One of the architects of the Coalition 2016 organization, which helped to unseat Jammeh, who had led The Gambia for 22 years,
• Distinguished tenure with the National Assembly,
• Member of the Pan-African Parliament.

During his time at OHIO, Sallah will be involved in several events, including a Wednesday, Feb. 21, Meet and Greet from 3:15-4:15 p.m. in the Center for Law, Justice and Culture, Bentley Hall 001B. Additional information about this event can be found in this article.

On Thursday, Feb. 22, Sallah will give a presentation on “Developments in The Gambia since the Disputed 2016 Election.” This Contemporary History Institute event, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Baker University Center 240. Additional information about this event can be found on this webpage.

On Friday, Feb. 23, Sallah will lead a workshop on “Disruptive Development” in R-Tech 314, beginning at noon. This event, which is free and open to the public, is part of the Global Professional Development Series offered by the Center for International Studies and its Global Leadership Center.

Additional information about this presentation and the Global Professional Development Series can be found on this webpage.

Sallah will take part in numerous meetings and events during his visit to campus, and his visit is sponsored by the Contemporary History Institute, African Studies Program, Global Leadership Center, Center for International Studies, War and Peace Theme, Office of Multicultural Programs, Department of History, Department of Political Science, Center for Law, Justice and Culture, Department of African American Studies, Office of Global Affairs, and Black Student Cultural Programming Board.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Global Affairs at 740-593-1840.