𝐌𝐨𝐅𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, in partnership with the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), has conducted a two-day training programme on the African Human Rights System aimed at strengthening the capacity of Gambian diplomats to effectively engage with regional and international human rights mechanisms.

Held from 7th–8th July 2026, the training brought together sixteen (16) diplomats from the Ministry, particularly officers engaged in multilateral affairs, treaty reporting and international cooperation. The programme focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of the African and ECOWAS human rights systems, The Gambia’s treaty obligations and reporting responsibilities, while equipping them with practical skills to engage in treaty reporting, periodic review processes and interactions with relevant human rights mechanisms.

The programme was officially opened on 7th July 2026 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Hon. Sering Modou Njie. Also in attendance were the Director of Administration and Finance, Mr. Swaibou Barry, and the Director of African Affairs, Ambassador Lamin Faati.

In his opening remarks, the Minister underscored the close relationship between diplomacy and human rights, reaffirming The Gambia’s commitment to promoting democracy, the rule of law and human rights at the continental and international levels. He highlighted the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, commonly known as the Banjul Charter, as the cornerstone of the African Human Rights System and described it as a significant contribution to the development of international human rights law.

The Minister further noted that The Gambia continues to demonstrate commitment to human rights through the ratification and domestication of key regional instruments. He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired from the training to enhance the country’s engagement within regional and international human rights mechanisms.

Dr. Musa Kika, Executive Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), also delivered opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of strengthening institutional capacity to support effective engagement with the African human rights system. He highlighted the value of collaboration between IHRDA and national institutions in advancing awareness, implementation and compliance with regional human rights commitments.

The training concluded on 8th July 2026 with closing remarks by the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Lang Yabou, who described human rights as one of the defining pillars of The Gambia’s foreign policy. He emphasized that peace, development and human rights are inseparable and encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained to further strengthen the country’s engagement with regional and international human rights frameworks.

Ambassador Yabou also highlighted The Gambia’s longstanding contribution to regional peace, democracy and human rights, noting that continued investment in the professional development of the Foreign Service remains essential to advancing the country’s foreign policy objectives.

The training forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional capacity, improve coordination on international human rights obligations and reinforce The Gambia’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights across Africa.