Ya Awa Touray

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: Ahead of the First Round of Political Consultations between the Republic of The Gambia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, held at the Coco Ocean Hotel and Resort, a high-level delegation from Azerbaijan paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Hon. Mr. Alieu Loum, who received the delegation on behalf of His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia. The Azerbaijani delegation was accompanied by Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe, Permanent Secretary II at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, and Mr. Abdoulie Jallow, Counsellor at the Asian Affairs Directorate. The Azerbaijani delegation was led by H.E. Mr. Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Other members of the delegation included: ▪️H.E. Mr. Nazim Samadov, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of The Gambia ▪️Mr. Elmaddin Mehdiyev, Head of the Middle East and Africa Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan ▪️Mr. Agil Gunashov, Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the meeting, Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe, Permanent Secretary II at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad introduced the Azerbaijani delegation and highlighted the longstanding and cordial relations between The Gambia and Azerbaijan since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1994. She underscored the continued cooperation between the two countries in areas such as education, youth development and capacity building. H.E. Mr. Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to H.E. President Adama Barrow and the people of The Gambia. He reaffirmed President Aliyev’s high regard for the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Azerbaijan and The Gambia and conveyed Azerbaijan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. He also expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to the Azerbaijani delegation and conveyed Azerbaijan’s readiness to work closely with The Gambia to ensure the success of the first round of political consultations and future engagements between the two countries. Hon. Mr. Alieu Loum, Chief of Staff at the Office of the President on his part conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of H.E. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, to his brother, H.E. President Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations between The Gambia and Azerbaijan, highlighting the importance of enhanced cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Hon. Mr. Loum underscored the importance that The Gambia attaches to its partnership with Azerbaijan and expressed appreciation for Azerbaijan’s continued support, particularly in the areas of education and capacity building. He further emphasized the need to deepen cooperation in priority sectors, including trade and investment, tourism, infrastructure, higher education and capacity building, among others. During the courtesy call, both sides underscored the importance of the upcoming political consultations as a key platform for deepening diplomatic ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation across various sectors.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Government of The Gambia refers to its earlier press release dated 3rd February 2026, informing Gambian nationals in Spain about the Spanish Government’s amnesty programme. As reiterated, the Government stands ready to provide necessary support for eligible Gambians to regularize their stay in Spain. In recognition of the difficulties faced by people in authenticating certificates of character in Dakar, Senegal, the Government has streamlined the process: Gambians in Spain can now submit their certificates to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad in Banjul for authentication and onward transmission to the Gambia High Commission and the Spanish Consulate General in Dakar, Senegal. The contact persons for the submission and authentication at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad are: Mr. Abubacarr Ceesay, Counsellor (3745488 / 7282250 / Whatsapp 9745488) Ms. Jainaba Secka, Protocol Officer (987 2713 / 7231695). The 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 for submission is 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔. Submission prior to the deadline is encouraged to ensure timely processing. The Government urges all Gambians in Spain to take advantage of this opportunity. 𝐄𝐍𝐃.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: On the margins of the Ministerial Meeting of Global Compact for Migration (GCM) Champion Countries in Cairo, the Honourable Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, held a bilateral meeting with the Director General of the International Organization for Migration, Ms. Amy E. Pope. During the meeting, Director General Pope commended The Gambia for its outstanding leadership and commitment as a GCM Champion Country, recognizing the nation’s progress in advancing global standards of migration governance and management. She reaffirmed IOM’s continued dedication to supporting The Gambia in areas including voluntary return and reintegration, migration policy development, diaspora engagement, and border management, emphasizing the value of their long-standing partnership. The Honourable Minister expressed sincere appreciation for IOM’s technical, operational, and financial support, noting the critical role the organization plays in advancing The Gambia’s migration priorities. He also acknowledged the exceptional work of the IOM Country Office in The Gambia, under the leadership of Sibgha Ajaz, whose guidance has strengthened programme implementation and collaboration across government and civil society stakeholders. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation and enhancing joint initiatives to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration, while maximizing its socio-economic benefits for The Gambia. This engagement further underscores The Gambia’s continued leadership as a GCM Champion Country and its dedication to effective, humane, and evidence-based migration governance at the regional and global levels.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Government of the Republic of The Gambia participated in the Ministerial Meeting of Global Compact for Migration (GCM) Champion Countries convened in Cairo on 1st April 2026. The Gambian delegation was led by the Honourable Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad. He was accompanied by Mrs. Ndumbeh Saho, Director of the Diaspora and Migration Directorate, and H.E. Hatem Raslan, Honorary Consul of The Gambia in Egypt. The meeting brought together GCM Champion Countries to advance the implementation of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and to further strengthen international cooperation on migration governance. Discussions focused on key priorities, including the protection of migrants and the preservation of life, the promotion of safe, orderly and regular migration pathways, and the facilitation of safe, voluntary and dignified return, as well as sustainable reintegration. During the deliberations, The Gambia highlighted its national progress in migration governance, including ongoing policy and institutional reforms, the adoption of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, the strengthening of national coordination mechanisms, and the ongoing revision of the Diaspora Strategy. The Government also underscored efforts toward the development of a GCM National Implementation Plan aligned with national development priorities under the National Development Plan (NDP), as well as its strong collaboration with international partners. The delegation reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of migrants and to contributing constructively to global dialogue and cooperation on migration. On the margins of the meeting, the Honourable Minister held bilateral engagements with counterparts aimed at further strengthening partnerships and cooperation in migration management and development. The participation of The Gambia in this high-level meeting underscores its continued leadership as a GCM Champion Country and its dedication to advancing effective, humane and cooperative migration governance at both regional and global levels.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad wishes to inform and advise all Gambian nationals currently residing in the Middle East to take proactive steps to evaluate their personal safety and consider voluntary departure from the region where necessary, as a result of the current security situation. While the Government of The Gambia continues to monitor the situation closely, Gambians in affected areas are strongly urged to remain vigilant, adhere to local authority guidance, and avoid circumstances that may expose them to risk. Those in vulnerable or uncertain conditions are particularly encouraged to make timely arrangements to relocate to safer environments to avoid being caught in unforeseen developments. In a similar vein, the Ministry reiterates its longstanding advisory to all Gambians living abroad to register with the nearest Gambian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate within their country of residence. Registration enables the Government to: ▪️Maintain accurate records of Gambian nationals abroad; ▪️Provide timely assistance in emergencies or crises; ▪️Share important updates, advisories, and support services; ▪️Strengthen engagement with the diaspora community. Gambians who have not yet registered are strongly encouraged to do so at the earliest opportunity. This can be done by contacting the nearest Gambian mission or through official communication channels provided by the Ministry. The Ministry remains committed to the safety, welfare, and protection of all Gambians abroad and stands ready to provide assistance where required. For further information, please contact: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad Banjul, The Gambia – +220 3567484/ +220 7661922

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟑𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, H.E. Sering Modou Njie, delivered an intervention at the 11th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) in Malabo, Republic of Equatorial Guinea. Speaking under the theme “A Transformed and Renewed OACPS in a Changing World,” the Minister expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Equatorial Guinea for hosting the Summit. In his intervention, H.E. Njie reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to the OACPS and underscored the importance of strengthening unity, enhancing intra-ACP trade, and deepening regional and inter-regional cooperation as key drivers of sustainable development. He emphasized the need for closer alignment between the OACPS and regional organisations, including the African Union, ECOWAS, SADC, EAC, ECCAS, CARICOM, and the Pacific Islands Forum, to ensure greater coherence and effective implementation of shared priorities. The Minister further called for a shift from commitments to concrete action, anchored on multilateralism, good governance, inclusive growth, and resilience. He highlighted the need for the organisation to harness opportunities in digital transformation, technology transfer, and innovation to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving global landscape. Addressing institutional sustainability, H.E. Njie stressed that the effectiveness of the OACPS depends on the commitment of member states to meet their assessed contributions, alongside the need for timely and responsive reforms. Concluding, he noted that with strengthened commitment and decisive action, the OACPS can reinforce its role as a credible platform for cooperation and a stronger voice for its member states in global affairs.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, His Excellency Sering Modou Njie, on Friday travelled to Equatorial Guinea to participate in the 11th Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Summit. At this distinguished gathering, he represents the President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow, and leads The Gambia’s delegation. Notably, The Gambia currently holds the Presidency of the OACPS Council of Ministers, a position that underscores the country’s growing leadership role within the organisation and its commitment to advancing collective priorities among member states. The high-level summit brings together leaders and representatives from member states to deliberate on matters of shared importance, including sustainable development, economic cooperation, and the strengthening of global partnerships. Minister Njie’s participation further reinforces The Gambia’s steadfast commitment to multilateral engagement and its dedication to fostering enhanced collaboration within the OACPS framework. Accompanying the Minister are key members of the delegation, including the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Hon. Seedy Keita; the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Dawda Jallow; the Director of European Affairs, Mrs. Mariam Khan-Jallow; His Excellency The Gambia’s Ambassador in Brussels, Mr. Pa Musa Jobarteh; the Deputy Head of Mission at the Gambia Embassy in Brussels, Mr. Musa Camara; and Second Secretary, Ms. Awa Sey.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: On 27th March 2026, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, His Excellency Sering Modou Njie, held a bilateral meeting with his Somali counterpart, His Excellency Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 11th Summit of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) in Malabo, Republic of Equatorial Guinea. During the discussions, the two Ministers exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation within multilateral frameworks. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration for the mutual benefit of their respective countries and peoples.

𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐥, 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: On Tuesday, 24th March 2026, the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sering Modou Njie, welcomed Ms. Sibgha Ajaz, Officer in Charge of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in The Gambia, at his office in Banjul. The visit provided an opportunity for open dialogue on priority areas where IOM can support The Gambia’s migration management and related initiatives. Minister Njie expressed profound appreciation for IOM’s continuous support, noting that while The Gambia sometimes faces challenging situations, IOM has always been professional, reliable, and responsive partner. Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Ambassador Lang Yabou, underscored the strong partnership between The Gambia and IOM, highlighting the many successful collaborative projects over the years. Ms. Ajaz commended The Gambia for being a “Champion Country” in the global migration landscape. She praised the nation’s leadership in leveraging its National Coordination Mechanism on Migration and partnership with IOM to implement the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM). She also recognized the excellent work of the Diaspora and Migration Directorate, led by Director Ms. Ndumbeh Saho, noting the team’s contribution to initiatives supporting Gambians abroad and championing the missing migrants’ issue. The meeting reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to closer collaboration with IOM and other partners to enhance migration governance, share best practices, and address the needs of vulnerable populations.