The Deputy Speaker of The Gambia’s National Assembly, Hon. Seedy S.K. Njie, has called on the international community to prioritise the protection of civilians and uphold humanitarian norms in times of crisis.
He made the remarks while addressing the 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, held under the theme “Upholding Humanitarian Norms and Supporting Humanitarian Actions in Times of Crisis.”
Speaking to delegates from around the world, Hon. Njie said the current global landscape marked by wars, displacement, and natural disasters demands moral courage and solidarity from all nations.
“Our humanity endures when we choose compassion over indifference, solidarity over silence, and action over despair,” he stated.
Hon. Njie emphasised that humanitarianism is not merely an ideal for The Gambia, but a core national value embedded in the Constitution, reflected in national laws, and demonstrated through concrete action both at home and abroad.
He highlighted that The Gambia has domesticated key international instruments such as the Geneva Conventions, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guide the protection of vulnerable populations and inform national responses during emergencies.
Parliament’s Standing Committees on Defence and Security and Human Rights and Constitutional Matters also ensure that security institutions operate in line with international humanitarian standards. Human rights and humanitarian law training have been incorporated into national security curricula, and the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission provides a platform for accountability and citizen redress.
Hon. Njie recounted the government’s swift response during the 2022 floods, which he described as one of the worst natural disasters in nearly 50 years. In coordination with the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and national agencies, emergency food, water and shelter were delivered to thousands of affected families.
The Deputy Speaker also highlighted the country’s humanitarian response to refugees fleeing the Casamance conflict, with communities opening their homes and working alongside the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to provide food, cash transfers and medical assistance.
“Every life mattered, and every person found dignity in their hour of need,” Njie said, commending Gambians for their compassion and resilience.
Turning to international crises, Hon. Njie reaffirmed The Gambia’s strong support for the State of Palestine, condemning what he described as the “brutal occupation and persistent aggression” against civilians.
“The deliberate targeting of civilians, the obstruction of aid, and the use of starvation as instruments of war are moral outrages that the conscience of humanity must collectively reject,” he stated.
While acknowledging ongoing diplomatic efforts by the United States and other partners, he stressed that the Palestinian people’s right to statehood, sovereignty, and self-determination is non-negotiable.
