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The Gambian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, His Excellency Dr. Mamadou Tangara, on Tuesday 30th January 2024 visited The Russian Federation on a working visit. During his visit, he held talks with his Russian counterpart, His Excellency Minister Sergey Lavrov, during which they discussed ways to strengthen the historically friendly Russian-Gambian relations. The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in trade, economics, and humanitarian endeavors, with both diplomats exploring opportunities for increased business collaboration, particularly in infrastructure, transportation, and agriculture. The two sides also conducted a comprehensive exchange of views on global and African affairs, emphasizing the preference for political and diplomatic methods in resolving African crises. They highlighted shared approaches between Moscow and Banjul in Middle East regulation and discussed ways to address UN Security Council reform, regional conflict resolution, and counterterrorism efforts in the Saharo-Sahel region and West Africa. Foreign Minister Tangara also discussed the upcoming 15th summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Banjul this May with his counterpart. They plan to strengthen coordination in the UN and other multilateral platforms to advance the comprehensive Russian-African partnership. The meeting concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Consultations between the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, underscoring their commitment to ongoing diplomatic collaboration. This working visit marks a significant step towards strengthening the relations between Russia and The Gambia, creating platform for future collabrations in various sectors.

BANJUL, 24th January 2024: A delegation from the People’s Republic of China led by Ambassador WU PENG, Director General of the Department of African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is visiting The Gambia from 22nd to 24th January 2024 to hold bilateral discussions anchored on the Forum for China – Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Ambassador Wu Peng and delegation called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad Dr. Mamadou Tangara at his office on January 23rd 2024, where the two officials engaged on areas of cooperation between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of The Gambia – particularly within the framework of FOCAC while also exploring opportunities for program scale up and/ or freeing up of bottlenecks that hinder progress. Reflecting on the nine program areas put forward by His Excellency President Xi Jinping to guide Africa – China relations, the two officials noted that at the heart of these programs lies the everlasting spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation; sincere friendship and equality; win-win cooperation for mutual benefit and common development; fairness and justice; and progress with the times and openness and inclusiveness. China’s contributions to The Gambia’s human capacity, green development, digitalization and innovation, trade and investment as well as health care delivery was acknowledged by Dr. Tangara on behalf of a grateful nation. Similarly, H.E Mamadou Tangara expressed his appreciation for the visit, considering it is timely as it gives The Gambia a better opportunity to prepare as a country for the upcoming 2024 FOCAC. He further reiterated that the Republic of The Gambia has always recognized China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is committed to the one-China Principle. Dr. Tangara further took the opportunity to reaffirm MOFA’s commitment to facilitating the development Agenda of His Excellency  President Adama Barrow through reinforced bilateral cooperation with China.

BANJUL, 23 January 2024: Her Excellency Dr. Fatou Bensouda on Monday, 15th January 2024 presented her Letters of Credence to His Excellency, Alexander Van der Bellen, the President of the Federal Republic of Austria accrediting her as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of The Gambia to Federal Republic of Austria with residence in London. Following the presentation of her Letters, Her Excellency the Ambassador conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from His Excellency President Adama Barrow and the people of the Republic of The Gambia to President Alexander Van der Bellen. The Ambassador further stressed Gambia’s readiness and desire to deepen ties of cooperation with Austria. Ambassador Bensouda requested stronger ties between Gambia and Federal Republic of Austria in the field of education by offering places to Gambian students in science, technology, and medicine scholarships. Avenues such as student exchange programs, further capacity building for Gambian civil servants, and joint security sharing of best practices should also be explored through the EU cooperation. Discussions were held regarding easier access to visas for Gambians to travel to Austria. Regarding the issue of Gambians living in Austria, currently, there are around 440 Gambians living in Austria, and the Non-resident Ambassador highlighted their contributions towards enriching Austrian society. President Alexander Van der Bellen welcomed the Ambassador and conveyed his greetings to His Excellency President Adama Barrow and assured Her Excellency the Ambassador of the Austrian government’s desire to maintain cordial relations with the Gambia. He reiterated his government’s wish to open further avenues of cooperation. President Van der Bellen spoke about his passion for the environment, ecology and cutting greenhouse gases. President Van der Bellen concluded by stressing that Austria will work closely with the Gambia at all multilateral foras, and that stronger bilateral ties will be maintained to foster understanding and cooperation.