The 51st Session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers convened on 21stโ22nd June 2025 in Istanbul, Tรผrkiye, under the chairmanship of H.E. Dr. Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tรผrkiye. The high-level gathering, hosted in the historic city of Istanbul, was inaugurated with an address by President Recep Tayyip Erdoฤan, underscoring Tรผrkiyeโs leadership in the Muslim world.
Among the distinguished delegates was H.E. Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, who represented The Gambia and delivered a powerful statement emphasizing the urgent need for unified Islamic action in the face of ongoing global challenges.
In his speech, Minister Tangara strongly condemned the recent Israeli attacks on Iran, framing them as deliberate attempts to distract from the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. He highlighted alarming reports of famine affecting nearly 290,000 children in the Gaza Strip, calling the situation โgenocidalโ due to the ongoing blockade by Israeli forces.
โThe Gambia reiterates its unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights,โ said Dr. Tangara. He emphasized the importance of international law and moral responsibility, urging the global community to compel Israel to respect peace processes and cease violations of Palestinian rights. He also supported the adoption of a declaration by the Council to condemn Israelโs assaults and prevent further regional destabilization.
Minister Tangara cautioned against military escalation, urging the OIC and the international community to resist being drawn into conflict through Israeli provocations. He reiterated that diplomacy remains the only sustainable route to peace in the Middle East and that any response must not sabotage the long-standing objective of achieving a Two-State Solution with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Shareef) as the capital of a sovereign Palestinian state.
Reaffirming The Gambiaโs commitment to justice, Dr. Tangara updated delegates on the ICJ case against Myanmar concerning the Rohingya genocide. He called for continued support from OIC member states to cover legal expenses and praised Kuwaitโs additional pledge of $100,000 to the OIC Special Account for the case.
In his capacity as Chair of the Ad Hoc Ministerial Committee on the Rohingyas, Dr. Tangara announced a meeting on the margins of the session to mobilize further support and solidarity for the persecuted minority.
Dr. Tangara praised the sessionโs theme, โThe OIC in a Transforming Worldโ, describing it as timely and reflective of the urgent need to reform and revitalize the Organization. He reiterated The Gambiaโs full alignment with OIC reform initiatives aimed at enhancing the organizationโs operational effectiveness, financial transparency, and global relevance.
Linking the current session to the outcomes of the 15th Islamic Summit Conference held in Banjul in May 2024, Dr. Tangara reaffirmed The Gambiaโs dedication to the reform agenda, advocating for accelerated consultations and institutional renewal to better serve the Muslim Ummah in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
In conclusion, Minister Tangara extended profound appreciation to the government and people of Tรผrkiye for their hospitality and leadership. He congratulated Tรผrkiye on assuming the chairmanship of the Council and expressed The Gambiaโs strong support for Iraqโs proposal to host the 52nd Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.
โAs we deliberate on pressing global issues, let us remain committed to collective action, solidarity, and diplomacy principles that are the bedrock of our shared Islamic values,โ he concluded.