African Affairs Directorate

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Honourable Justice Veronic Wright, The Gambia’s candidate for Judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC), was on Monday 27th July 2026 presented before the African Union’s Ministerial Committee on Candidatures in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia a key step in her campaign ahead of the ICC judicial elections to be held in New York in December 2026. The presentation was led by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Ambassador Lang Yabou, who highlighted Justice Wright’s extensive experience and expertise in international criminal law, and the integrity and competence she brings to the role. Justice Wright is contesting under List A. In her address, Justice Wright shared her vision for a stronger, more effective, and independent ICC, one that delivers justice for victims of the most serious international crimes while assuring a fair trial for those accused before it. The Committee has since reported to the AU Executive Council, noting all eight African candidates presented for the ICC judicial elections. Justice Wright’s campaign continues as she engages with States Parties to the Rome Statute in the lead-up to December’s elections. The Gambia look forward to the support of ICC Member States for the success of her candidacy.

𝐃𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐑, 𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Experts’ Meeting of the 4th Session of the Senegalo-Gambian Presidential Council officially opened today in Dakar, Republic of Senegal, bringing together senior officials and technical experts from The Gambia and Senegal to review progress made since the Third Session of the Presidential Council held in Banjul in August 2023. Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe, Permanent Secretary II at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia, led the Gambian delegation to the Experts’ Meeting and delivered the opening remarks. In her statement, Ms. Jobe reaffirmed the deep historical, cultural, and fraternal ties between The Gambia and Senegal, emphasizing that the Presidential Council remains a vital mechanism for advancing bilateral cooperation, regional integration, and shared prosperity. She highlighted progress made across key sectors since 2023 while underscoring the importance of strengthening implementation, coordination, and follow-up mechanisms to achieve tangible outcomes. She further called on delegates to engage in constructive and results-oriented deliberations and to formulate practical recommendations for consideration by Ministers and Heads of State. Leading the Senegalese delegation, Mr. Mouhamed Konante, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Senegalese Abroad, commended the excellent relations between the two countries and stressed the importance of the Experts’ Meeting in reviewing the implementation of decisions, agreements, and roadmaps adopted under the Presidential Council framework, as well as preparing the ground for the Ministerial and Presidential Sessions. H.E. Ambassador Papa Mada Ndour, Executive Secretary of the Senegalo-Gambian Permanent Secretariat, highlighted the strategic importance of the meeting in assessing progress made on previous decisions and developing recommendations to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries. He also emphasized the role of the Permanent Secretariat in facilitating dialogue, coordination, and implementation of bilateral commitments. Over the next two days, experts from both countries will deliberate on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including peace and security, transport and connectivity, trade and customs cooperation, energy, health, education, environmental management, institutional collaboration, and other strategic areas of bilateral cooperation. The Government of The Gambia remains firmly committed to working closely with the Republic of Senegal to deepen bilateral cooperation and advance the shared aspirations of both peoples. #𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 #𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 #𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 #𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 #𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 #𝐌𝐎𝐅𝐀𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚

𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐥, 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 : The Minister of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad of the Republic of Senegal, His Excellency Cheikh Niang, paid an official visit to The Gambia as part of his regional tour. The visit marked his first official engagement since his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The visit follows a meeting between H.E. Cheikh Niang and The Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, H.E. Sering Modou Njie, held on the margins of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, during which both Ministers agreed to undertake this visit to further strengthen the longstanding bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two sister countries. During the visit, the two Foreign Ministers held a bilateral meeting focused on promoting and enhancing cooperation in various sectors of mutual interest. They also discussed the implementation of the outcomes of the Third Senegalo-Gambia Presidential Council Meeting held in Banjul, aimed at deepening collaboration and supporting joint initiatives between The Gambia and Senegal. Following the bilateral talks, the two Ministers held a joint press briefing to inform the public about the outcomes of their discussions. H.E. Cheikh Niang also paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mohammed B.S. Jallow, Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia. The visit was conducted in a spirit of fraternity and mutual respect, reflecting the shared commitment of both countries to strengthening their cooperation and advancing regional peace, stability, and development. H.E. Cheikh Niang departed Banjul for Nouakchott, Mauritania, and will subsequently continue his regional engagements in Guinea-Bissau. The visit to The Gambia was described by both sides as fruitful and productive.    

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of The Gambia to the Republic of Guinea, with residence in Guinea-Bissau, Her Excellency Amie Fabureh, on 10th October 2025, presented her Letters of Credence to His Excellency General Mamadi Doumbouya, President of the Republic of Guinea, at the Mohamed V Palace in Conakry. Following the presentation of her Letters, Her Excellency the Ambassador conveyed warm fraternal greetings and best wishes from His Excellency President Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, to his brother President General Mamadi Doumbouya, and to the government and people of the Republic of Guinea. Ambassador Fabureh reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expressed her desire to deepen cooperation with the Republic of Guinea in the fields of trade, agriculture, tourism, and sports, for the mutual benefit of both nations. In response, President Mamadi Doumbouya welcomed Ambassador Fabureh and conveyed his warm greetings to His Excellency President Adama Barrow. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fostering stronger bilateral cooperation and expressed readiness to work closely with The Gambia in promoting peace, economic growth, and regional integration. Her Excellency Amie Fabureh was accompanied to the presentation ceremony by officials from The Gambian Embassy.