Press Release

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: On Thursday 23rd July 2026, Ambassador Lang Yabou, Permanent Secretary I, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia, on behalf of H.E. Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, received a high-level delegation from the African Union Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The delegation was in the country from 21 to 23 July 2026, on an advocacy mission to engage stakeholders as part of AU CDC’s engagement to support the Government of The Gambia in its efforts for the enactment of the Mental Health Bill into law. It was led by Dr. Mohammed Abdulaziz, Head of Division, Disease Control and Prevention at AU CDC. The AU delegation comprises of staff of the African Union CDC, Senators and Parliamentarians from African Union Member States, Representatives of Civil Society Organizations in Africa and, the Ministry of Health of The Gambia. In welcoming the delegation, Ambassador Yabou thanked them on behalf of the Government of The Gambia for the great initiative, noting the importance of working together to address mental health issues. He pointed out that, mental health affect mainly the critical core of our society, the young people with direct negative impacts on the labour force, safety, as well as huge social and economic consequences for the society, hence, the importance of working together to address the issue. For their part, Members of the delegation expressed appreciation to Ambassador Lang Yabou for receiving them at the Ministry and conveyed AU CDC’s gratitude to H.E Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia for joining fellow leaders in advancing efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases in Africa. The delegation conveyed its assurance to work with stakeholders to support the efforts of the Government of The Gambia in ensuring that, the Mental Health Bill pass through to become an Act, emphasizing that no one should be left behind in addressing mental health challenges. The delegation further noted that, mental health is a critical issue affecting many societies across Africa, with far-reaching social and economic implications, including its impact on productivity and community stability. Consequently, the delegation sought the Ministry’s support in facilitating the enactment of The Gambia’s Mental Health Bill and ensuring that it becomes a reality. Ambassador Lang Yabou in response, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to members of the delegation for the commitment to support The Gambia on this important issue pointing out that, The Gambia has important lessons to learn from countries’ that have successfully done it. He assured the delegation of the Government of The Gambia’s willingness to learn from their experiences to facilitate the passage of the Mental Health Bill as soon as possible. Ambassador Yabou stressed that, addressing mental health challenges would yield significant social and economic benefits for The Gambia and hence, reaffirmed the Government of The Gambia’s commitment to work with African Union Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and other partners in advancing mental health initiatives in The Gambia and across the African continent. Ambassador Yabou concluded by thanking the Ministry of Health, particularly Ms. Mam Jarra Marega for spearheading this important issue in the country and for building partnership and consensus around it. He conveyed the continuous support and partnership of the Foreign Ministry to work with all stakeholders to realize the passage of the Mental Health Bill into law in The Gambia.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: Following the audience with His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, the Gambian delegation, led by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia, Honourable Sering Modou Njie, held high-level consultations with the Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal, His Excellency Cheikh Niang, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Senegal in Dakar. The meeting, which brought together senior government officials from both countries, focused on further consolidating the longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation between The Gambia and Senegal. The two sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining peace, security and stability along the common border and to strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The two Ministers reviewed recent developments relating to the border situation, including the incident at the Bullock Military Camp, and emphasized the importance of addressing all outstanding issues through dialogue, existing bilateral mechanisms and sustained diplomatic engagement. They reaffirmed the determination of both Governments to preserve the peaceful coexistence and mutual trust that have long characterised relations between the two sister Republics.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia, Honourable Sering Modou Njie, today, in his capacity as Special Envoy of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of Senegal, His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, at the Presidential Palace in Dakar. The Honourable Minister was accompanied by a high-powered delegation comprising senior government officials. During the audience, Honourable Njie conveyed a special message of friendship, solidarity and fraternity from President Adama Barrow to President Faye, reaffirming the strong bonds of brotherhood and the longstanding partnership between the Republic of The Gambia and the Republic of Senegal. The Special Envoy also conveyed President Barrow’s firm concerns regarding developments along the common border, including the recent incident of 16th July 2026 at the Bullock military camp. The matter was raised and discussed in the spirit of the longstanding friendship and mutual trust that characterize relations between the two countries. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to preserving peace and stability along the shared border and agreed that such issues must continue to be addressed decisively through established bilateral mechanisms, dialogue and constructive engagement, in keeping with the excellent relations between The Gambia and Senegal. On behalf of President Barrow, the Special Envoy warmly congratulated President Faye on his assumption of the Chairmanship of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), expressing confidence in his leadership and vision to advance the regional integration agenda. He also conveyed President Barrow’s congratulations on the appointment of General Birame Diop as President of the ECOWAS Commission and reaffirmed The Gambia’s unwavering commitment to supporting ECOWAS in promoting peace, security, democracy, economic integration and sustainable development across the sub-region. The discussions provided an opportunity to review the excellent state of bilateral relations between The Gambia and Senegal, which continue to be anchored on shared history, culture, geography and the enduring ties of kinship between the peoples of the two sister Republics. President Faye reaffirmed his commitment to further deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including peace and security, trade and investment, infrastructure development, border management and regional integration. He underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and close collaboration in addressing common challenges, including the prompt resolution of border-related concerns, and in advancing the welfare and prosperity of the peoples of The Gambia and Senegal. The audience was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, reflecting the excellent relations between the two countries and the shared determination of the two leaders to further consolidate the strategic partnership that has long served as a model of good neighbourliness and regional cooperation. The Government of the Republic of The Gambia remains firmly committed to working closely with the Government of the Republic of Senegal to strengthen the enduring bonds of friendship, solidarity and cooperation, and to ensuring that all matters affecting the shared border are resolved swiftly and amicably, for the mutual benefit of both nations and the wider West African region. 𝐄𝐧𝐝.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, convened a diplomatic briefing for the diplomatic and consular corps resident in the Republic of The Gambia whose countries are States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Banjul, the meeting formed part of The Gambia’s diplomatic outreach in support of the candidature of Honourable Justice Veronic Wright for election as a Judge of the International Criminal Court. Chairing the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Lang Yabou, welcomed members of the diplomatic corps and reaffirmed The Gambia’s longstanding commitment to international justice, accountability, human rights and the rule of law. He underscored the intrinsic link between peace and justice, stressing that “you cannot have peace without justice.” Ambassador Yabou noted that The Gambia’s nomination of Honourable Justice Veronic Wright reflects the country’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the international justice system through qualified, principled and experienced judicial leadership. The Permanent Secretary further emphasized that Justice Wright’s distinguished career makes her exceptionally well-qualified to serve on the Bench of the International Criminal Court. He encouraged representatives of States Parties to lend their support to her candidature in the forthcoming election. Participants were also briefed on the International Criminal Court judicial election process by Ms. Ida Persson of the Ministry of Justice, who provided an overview of the election and its significance within the framework of the Rome Statute. The Director of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Mariam Khan-Jallow, presented Justice Wright’s profile highlighting Justice Wright’s outstanding qualifications, over 35 years of distinguished legal and judicial service, and nearly 18 years of experience within the United Nations system. Mrs. Khan-Jallow underscored her extensive expertise in criminal law, international criminal justice, prosecutions, judicial service, legal reform and transitional justice, including her work with the ICTR, IRMCT, UNODC, UNOCT and UNITAD. She noted that Justice Wright’s experience, integrity and commitment to the rule of law make her an exceptionally qualified candidate whose election would further strengthen the International Criminal Court. In her remarks, Honourable Justice Veronic Wright shared her vision for an independent, impartial and effective International Criminal Court rooted firmly in the principles of the Rome Statute. She reaffirmed her commitment to judicial independence, fairness, accountability, due process and the protection of the rights of victims and all parties before the Court. Drawing on more than three decades of professional experience, Justice Wright reflected on her service within The Gambia’s justice sector, international criminal tribunals and United Nations accountability mechanisms, while outlining her priorities should she be elected to the Court. The presentations were followed by an interactive discussion during which members of the diplomatic corps engaged Justice Wright and Government representatives on matters relating to the International Criminal Court, the forthcoming judicial elections and her candidature. In his closing remarks, Ambassador Lang Yabou thanked members of the diplomatic and consular corps for their participation and continued engagement. He reiterated The Gambia’s steadfast commitment to promoting international justice, human rights and accountability and expressed confidence that Justice Wright’s qualifications, integrity and experience would enable her to make a valuable contribution to the work of the International Criminal Court. The meeting forms part of The Gambia’s broader diplomatic campaign to garner the support of States Parties for the election of Honourable Justice Veronic Wright as a Judge of the International Criminal Court.