BANJUL, Feb 9 (Reuters) - The European Union promised Gambia a 75 million euro ($80 million) aid package on Thursday, renewing its assistance to the West African country just weeks after its autocratic leader fled into exile under military pressure following his election defeat. The EU froze assistance to The Gambia in December 2014 over the dire human rights record of ex-president Yahya Jammeh, whose security services were accused by rights groups of extrajudicial killings, torture and forced disappearances. The EU has pledged €75m (£64m) in immediate funding and €150m in the longer term to help “make sure that the new Gambian state can deliver as it should … that it can stand up to the high expectations of the population”, said Neven Mimica, the commissioner for international cooperation and development, who met Barrow on Thursday. "In addition to the €75 million package of immediate support signed today, we are already preparing a medium term package of €150 million, which will focus on building the capacities of the State and on job creation." Gambian President Adama Barrow said he has inherited a nearly bankrupt economy and that the economy needed immediate restoration.He has appealed for support, especially from the European Union (EU).President Barrow was speaking in Banjul at the signing ceremony of $79 million immediate support package with the EU.He said the sad reality was brought about by the mismanagement of the public finances.“What is truly sad is that our debt burden has reached unsustainable level due to wasteful public spending,” he stated.EU Commissioner Neven Mimica, who met the Gambia leader on Thursday, said the peaceful democratic change was a result of the determination of the people, as well as the regional and international efforts.“Gambians have shown commendable resolve, patience and courage during a period of high tension.
The European Union pledges to give the Gambia €225 million in aid to assist the country following the departure of former president Yahya Jammeh, whose 22 years of misrule left the country "virtually bankrupt".