Van Hollen, Cardin, Delaney Welcome Fanta Jawara Home to Maryland

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen andBen Cardin(both D-Md.) and Representative John K. Delaney (D-Md.-06) released the following joint statement Thursday after their constituent, Fanta Jawara, arrived in the United States following imprisonment in The Gambia during political unrest in that country last year. As her Federal elected officials, the Senators and Congressman had consistently advocated for her release from prison:

"Fanta's return home to Maryland today closes a difficult, almost year-long ordeal for her family. We are relieved Ms. Jawara is reunited with her husband and daughters and that she can get back to her life in Frederick. We are honored to represent her in the Congress and will continue to be advocates for the rights and privileges of our constituents and all Americans abroad.

"More broadly, we congratulate leaders in West Africa for their commitment to ensuring that there was a peaceful transfer of power that reflected the will of the Gambian people in last year's election. We applaud President Adama Barrow's stated intent to undertake key constitutional and legal reforms to enforce constitutional provisions in place to protect the fundamental rights of citizens in The Gambia."