Ya Awa Touray

BANJUL, 30th June 2026: The Republic of The Gambia and the Republic of Indonesia on 30th June 2026 reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations following the successful conclusion of the Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) of the Second Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), held in Kololi. The Meeting brought together senior government officials from both countries to review progress in bilateral relations and identify new opportunities for cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including diplomacy, trade and investment, agriculture and food security, education and research, tourism, migration governance, parliamentary cooperation, and technical capacity-building. Officially opening the Session, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Ambassador Lang Yabou, welcomed the Indonesian delegation on behalf of the Government of The Gambia. He described the Joint Commission as an important milestone in the longstanding relationship between the two countries, which have enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations since 1982. Ambassador Yabou expressed The Gambia’s appreciation for Indonesia’s continued support through technical cooperation programmes, scholarships, agricultural assistance, human resource development initiatives and capacity-building programmes. He noted that the Joint Commission provides an opportunity to review existing cooperation while charting a new roadmap for collaboration in areas of mutual interest. He reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to ensuring that the deliberations produce practical and measurable outcomes that contribute to sustainable development and the welfare of both peoples. Leading the Indonesian delegation, the Director of African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Ms. Dewi Justicia Meidiwaty, reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with The Gambia. She highlighted the growth in bilateral trade, the successful revitalisation of the Agricultural Rural Farmer Training Centre (ARFTC) in Jenoi, and Indonesia’s continued investment in human resource development through scholarship programmes and technical cooperation. She also underscored the importance of finalising the Memorandum of Understanding on the General Framework of Cooperation to expand collaboration into new areas, including political consultations, parliamentary cooperation, education, research and sustainable tourism. Following a day of constructive deliberations, both delegations concluded the Senior Officials’ Meeting with the signing of the Agreed Minutes and the Memorandum of Understanding on the General Framework of Cooperation, reaffirming their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation. Delivering the closing remarks, Ambassador Lang Yabou commended both delegations for the spirit of openness, mutual respect and cooperation that characterised the discussions. He welcomed the substantive outcomes of the Meeting and emphasized the importance of translating the commitments reached into concrete programmes and measurable results that will directly benefit the peoples of The Gambia and Indonesia. He further called for continued consultations through diplomatic channels and technical working arrangements to ensure the effective implementation of the decisions contained in the Agreed Minutes and Joint Communiqué. Earlier in the evening, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Hon. Sering Modou Njie, received the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Arrmanatha Christiawan Nasir, upon his arrival at the Banjul International Airport ahead of the Ministerial Session of the Second Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation, scheduled for 1st July 2026. The Ministerial Session is expected to build on the outcomes of the Senior Officials’ Meeting and further consolidate the enduring partnership between The Gambia and the Republic of Indonesia through enhanced cooperation in areas of shared priority.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Sering Modou Njie, on Friday, 26th June 2026, held a telephone conversation with the Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, H.E. Yván Gil Pinto, to convey the Government and people of The Gambia’s heartfelt condolences and solidarity following the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on 24th June 2026. During the conversation, Minister Njie expressed profound sympathy to the Government and people of Venezuela over the tragic loss of lives, injuries, displacement and destruction caused by the disaster. He reaffirmed The Gambia’s solidarity with the Venezuelan people during this difficult period and conveyed his sincere wishes for the swift recovery of those injured and for the success of the ongoing rescue, relief and recovery efforts. Minister Gil Pinto expressed the deep appreciation of the Bolivarian Government for The Gambia’s message of sympathy and support. He noted that the gesture reflects the longstanding bonds of friendship and solidarity between the two countries and further strengthens their shared commitment to diplomacy, mutual cooperation and international partnership. The Government of The Gambia joins the international community in extending its deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and expresses its hope for the continued resilience and recovery of the people of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Government of the Republic of The Gambia’s campaign in support of the candidature of Honourable Justice Veronic Wright for election as Judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC) continued in Geneva with a series of diplomatic engagements, following the successful launch of her diplomatic outreach in New York on 19th June 2026. Justice Wright is presented by the Government of The Gambia as a highly qualified candidate under List A of the Rome Statute, with recognised expertise in criminal law and procedure. Her distinguished career spans national prosecution, judicial service, international criminal tribunals, United Nations accountability mechanisms, legal reform and transitional justice. As part of the Geneva programme, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of The Gambia to the United Nations Office, WTO and other International Organisations in Geneva, under the leadership of H.E. Ambassador Professor Muhammadou M.O. Kah, hosted a breakfast meeting in honour of Justice Wright on 26th June 2026. The meeting brought together a cross-regional group of Ambassadors, Deputy Permanent Representatives and delegates from African States, Asia-Pacific States, Eastern European States, Latin American and Caribbean States, and Western European and Other States. The breakfast meeting provided an opportunity for Justice Wright to present her candidature directly to States Parties and to share her professional experience, judicial vision and commitment to strengthening the International Criminal Court. In her remarks, Justice Wright spoke about her more than three decades of service in criminal justice, accountability and the rule of law, including her work as a prosecutor in The Gambia, her experience at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, her service with the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals and her engagement with United Nations accountability mechanisms. Justice Wright highlighted her experience in the prosecution of genocide and crimes against humanity, investigations into sexual and gender-based crimes and crimes against children, legal reform, judicial cooperation, institutional strengthening and transitional justice. She also outlined her vision for an International Criminal Court that is independent, fair, efficient, victim-centred and firmly grounded in the Rome Statute, due process, equality of arms and the rights of all parties before the Court. The engagement also highlighted The Gambia’s strong commitment to accountability, the rule of law and human rights, including through its national transitional justice process, its action before the International Court of Justice in the Rohingya case and its consistent support for accountability and a victim-centred approach within the Human Rights Council. The presentation was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants engaged with Justice Wright on various issues relating to international criminal justice, accountability, judicial independence, victims’ rights, due process and the role of the ICC. Justice Wright’s engagement in Geneva will continue with bilateral meetings with States Parties to the Rome Statute. These engagements form part of The Gambia’s broader diplomatic outreach to secure support for her election to the ICC bench. The Permanent Mission of The Gambia expresses its appreciation to all States and partners that participated in the Geneva engagement and looks forward to continued support for Justice Wright’s candidature.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟏𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, on Monday, 15th June 2026, welcomed the African Union (AU), the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission to The Gambia. The delegation was led by Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Head of the AU–ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission, and included Miatta Lily French, ECOWAS Resident Representative in The Gambia, alongside other officials from the African Union and ECOWAS. In welcoming the delegation, the Minister expressed the Government of The Gambia’s appreciation for the continued support and partnership of both the AU and ECOWAS in strengthening democratic governance and promoting peace and stability in the country. He noted that the mission’s visit forms part of an important governance process aimed at assessing the country’s preparedness for the forthcoming elections. The Minister emphasized that AU and ECOWAS have played a pivotal role in supporting The Gambia’s democratic transition and institutional reforms since 2017. “The Government and people of The Gambia remain deeply grateful for the strategic role played by AU and ECOWAS in facilitating our transition to democracy. It is because of this support and cooperation that our citizens continue to enjoy peace, stability, and tranquility,” the Minister stated. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to democratic principles, the rule of law, constitutional governance, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. He assured the delegation that The Gambia will continue to uphold democratic values and strengthen institutions responsible for delivering credible, peaceful, and transparent elections. The Minister further highlighted ongoing electoral preparations by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), including the recently concluded nationwide supplementary voter registration exercise, and underscored the Government’s efforts to promote civic education and maintain a peaceful electoral environment. He reiterated the Government’s firm stance against hate speech, tribal politics, and any actions capable of undermining national cohesion and stability ahead of the elections. The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Ambassador Lang Yabou, also welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the work of the AU–ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission during its stay in The Gambia. He emphasized the importance of constructive engagement with national stakeholders and reiterated the Government’s readiness to facilitate the mission’s activities in accordance with established procedures and national laws. The Minister also commended the African Union, UNOWAS and ECOWAS for their unwavering commitment to peacebuilding, democracy promotion, and regional integration across the continent, while reaffirming The Gambia’s readiness to cooperate fully with the mission and future election observation efforts. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, Head of the AU–ECOWAS Pre-Election Fact-Finding Mission, thanked the Government of The Gambia for the warm reception and commended the country for the democratic progress achieved over the years. He observed that democracy is a continuous process that requires the collective commitment of governments, institutions, political actors, civil society, and citizens. He noted that the mission’s objective is to engage key stakeholders, assess the pre-election environment, and provide recommendations aimed at supporting peaceful, inclusive, and credible elections. Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan reiterated the commitment of both the African Union and ECOWAS to supporting The Gambia’s democratic consolidation and expressed confidence in the country’s continued progress toward strengthening democratic governance and electoral integrity. The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to constructive dialogue, cooperation, and the promotion of peace, stability, and democracy in The Gambia.