𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐣𝐢𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐔𝐊 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, H.E. Sering Modou Njie, held a bilateral meeting with Ms. Kate Foster of the United Kingdom on 16th March 2026 on the margins of the Commonwealth Foreign Minister’s Meeting.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to review the longstanding relations between The Gambia and the United Kingdom and explore avenues for further cooperation in areas such as trade, education, tourism, and defence and security.

Minister Njie expressed appreciation for the United Kingdom’s continued support to The Gambia, particularly in strengthening the civil service, advancing security sector reforms, and supporting the country’s transitional justice process. He also acknowledged UK assistance in enhancing the operational capacity of the Gambia Navy in addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and irregular migration, as well as support to Peace Support Operations involving the Gambia Armed Forces.

The Minister highlighted the Government’s interest in expanding educational opportunities for Gambian students through increased scholarship programmes and expressed the desire to see a rise in tourist arrivals from the United Kingdom.

Minister Njie further informed the meeting that the Ministry is currently reviewing several national policy frameworks, including its Foreign Service Policy, and would welcome technical collaboration with the United Kingdom. He also shared plans for the establishment of a Diplomatic Academy aimed at strengthening The Gambia’s diplomatic capacity.

Ms. Foster welcomed the strong partnership between London and Banjul and reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to continued cooperation with The Gambia across key sectors. She requested for The Gambia’s support to continue working closely with the United Kingdom and other partners in support of various resolutions on human rights issues at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.In response, Minister Njie reiterated The Gambia’s commitment to working with international partners in support of peace and stability.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Fatou Bensouda, High Commissioner of The Gambia to the United Kingdom, Mrs. Sainey Barrow, Counsellor, and H.E. Harriet King, British High Commissioner to The Gambia.