Diplomacy and Development; From 1994 to Date

Since July 22 1994, The Gambia’s diplomacy, the conduct, management and formulation of foreign policy, refocused its orientation on the cardinal principles of peaceful coexistence of all states and International cooperation to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.

As a developing nation, a conscious and calculated move was taken to make diplomacy a tool, an instrument for development in order to respond to the aspirations and expectations of a rapidly evolving and a more and more youthful population. How have we been putting the foregoing into practice, into concrete terms?

It is a trite saying that the success or failure of a diplomacy is determined by one’s relationship with one’s immediate neighboughs.

1. “Good neighboughliness”

a) Because of the geography and history of The Gambia we have a special relations with the Republic of Senegal. Relations have been steadily improving since 1994, especially with the revival of the Joint Ministerial Commission. To better utilize this instrument of cooperation, it was mutually agreed that a mechanism be put in place that would guarantee a sustained dialogue. Thus a follow-up committee was established, co-chaired by H.E. The Vice-President of The Gambia and the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of Senegal. It meets every six months, alternatively in Banjul and Dakar.

b) We have excellent bilateral relations with the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, evidenced by an exchange of visits at the highest levels between the two countries.

c) Mali: Earlier this year H.E. The President paid a very successful and memorable visit to the Republic of Mali. Important agreements were concluded and signed. These agreements were initiated during a session of the Joint Ministerial Commission in Bamako.

d) A similar action took place with the Republic of Guinea and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Hitherto dormant instruments have been revived and enthused with a new dynamism.

2. At the Continental level, the election of a Gambian as one of the Commissioners of the African Union is a major achievement and demonstrates the trust and confidence reposed on The Gambia. It also illustrates our commitment to the ideals of integrating the continent and descendants of the continent in the Diaspora.

Integration for the promotion of social progress and better standards of life can however not be readily achieved in the absence of peace and stability. In order to harness the tremendous human and natural resources that the Almighty Allah has embowered the Continent of Africa with, there must be peace. There must be peace and tranquility everywhere. It is from this premise, this conviction, that despite the paucity of our resources and the urgency of challenges facing us, we have resolutely taken part and continue to take part in peacekeeping operations, primarily in the Continent but also around the World. Such as ECOMOG in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia – Eritrea, East Timor, Kosovo etc.

Because of our special relations with Guinea-Bissau, a special attention was paid to that country. Our policy has always been that without stability in that country, we can never fully integrate the sphere that constitutes ECOWAS. Because of this, our term at the United Nations Security Council was judiciously utilized to turn things around in that long-troubled country. We established and continue to coordinate an association for that purpose – the Group of Friends of Guinea-Bissau. We are equally coordinator of another association – the Group of the Friends of Taiwan; on account of the exemplary nature of the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries. Our tenure at the Security Council, 1998 – 2000 had been acclaimed by the entire International Community for our invaluable contributions towards the ideals of the United Nations.

 3. A refocused diplomacy in support of development rejuvenated relations with Cuba and the Commonwealth, resulting in the provision of doctors and other medical personnel from Cuba and judges for the judiciary from the Commonwealth. Both sectors are vital for greater social progress. 

 Our relations with other International Organisations have improved considerably over these years, especially with the European Union.This is evidenced by the EDF grand and the decision to up-grade the E.U. office in Banjul. 

We intend to build on these achievements and to explore new areas of cooperation, of working together in pursuit of our national goal.