National News

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: His Excellency Mr. Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, on Monday 25th August delivered a powerful statement at the Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), held in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Speaking on behalf of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, the Government and people of The Gambia, Minister Njie underscored the urgent need for decisive international action in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the wider Occupied Palestinian Territories. “The continuation of Israeli military action, forceful displacement of the Palestinian people, and destruction of their homes and livelihoods will not bring peace or security to the region,” Minister Njie declared. He highlighted the devastating impact of the conflict, particularly on children, with reports revealing that over 300,000 children in Gaza face famine and death due to the ongoing blockade. Minister Njie strongly expresses regret and concern about Israel’s targeting of humanitarian aid convoys, workers, and critical infrastructure, describing such actions as violations of international law, including the Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. He emphasized the urgent need for: ▪Unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza and other affected territories ▪A coordinated international response to protect civilians and alleviate human suffering; ▪A durable political solution based on international law and UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2334; ▪Full recognition of the State of Palestine within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem (Al-Quds Al-Shareef) as its capital. Reaffirming The Gambia’s unwavering solidarity with Palestine, Minister Njie called on the international community to exercise “reason, compassion, and moral obligation” by engaging Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian lands and uphold the peace process. He reiterated The Gambia’s strong support for the Two-State Solution, which he described as the only viable path toward lasting peace, mutual respect, and stability. Minister Njie also praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of France for co-chairing the recent UN High-Level Conference on Palestine, which reinforced the international community’s commitment to advancing a two-state solution. Concluding his remarks, the Minister stressed: “The people of Palestine, particularly those in Gaza, have suffered enough. We must act now and consolidate our resolve to address their plight, defend the sanctity of Al-Quds Al-Shareef, and restore international peace and security. These are challenging times, but with true OIC solidarity, there is no issue that we cannot solve.” The Gambia reaffirmed its full support for the resolution under consideration at the Extraordinary Session and called for a united front in mobilizing global support for Palestine.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: On the margins of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia, Hon. Sering Modou Njie, held a bilateral meeting with the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Hon. Ronald Lamola, on Friday, 22 August 2025. The two Ministers reaffirmed the longstanding bonds of friendship and solidarity between The Gambia and South Africa, rooted in the shared values of African unity, mutual respect, and cooperation. Both sides welcomed the opportunity to further strengthen their bilateral partnership across multiple sectors of mutual interest. During the discussions, the Ministers agreed on the importance of deepening cooperation through the signing of a Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement between the Republic of The Gambia and the Republic of South Africa. Once finalized, this agreement will facilitate the movement of people, foster closer ties, and enhance business, tourism, and cultural exchanges between the two nations. In addition, the Ministers exchanged views on avenues for capacity building and diplomatic training, emphasizing the need to strengthen institutional cooperation between their respective ministries. Both sides highlighted the value of sharing expertise, best practices, and training opportunities to build stronger, more resilient diplomatic institutions capable of addressing contemporary global challenges. The meeting concluded with both Ministers expressing their strong commitment to accelerating cooperation in these priority areas and ensuring that the partnership between The Gambia and South Africa continues to grow in scope and depth.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Hon. Sering Modou Njie, held a bilateral meeting on Wednesday, 20th August 2025, with his Japanese counterpart, H.E. Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9). The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and addressing shared global challenges. Minister IWAYA emphasized Japan’s commitment to deepening ties with The Gambia, highlighting shared values such as democracy and the rule of law. He also expressed Japan’s readiness to support The Gambia in food security through the provision of agricultural equipment and food assistance, the digitalization of education, and the introduction of advanced food-drying technologies in collaboration with Japanese companies. In response, Minister Njie conveyed his appreciation for Japan’s warm hospitality and praised Japan’s continued engagement with The Gambia. He thanked Japan for its support and partnership over the years, and expressed optimism for further public-private partnerships, particularly in the agriculture, fisheries, water, and health sectors, as well as increased Japanese investment in other areas. Both Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to work closely on regional and international issues, including cooperation within the United Nations, regional security policies, and particularly matters related to nuclear, missile, and abduction issues, as well as other issues of common concern and interest. The meeting underscored the deepening partnership between The Gambia and Japan and the commitment of both nations to advancing peace, stability, and prosperity.