Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Hon. Sering Modou Njie, disclosed this during an interview on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, where he outlined the government’s approach to foreign relations and ongoing work at his ministry.
The minister said The Gambia’s foreign policy is currently very open and inclusive and is shaped by the country’s relations with other nations, as well as the principles of the United Nations and African Union charters.
He said the policy focuses on promoting international peace, national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the national interest of The Gambia.
The minister recalled that during a previous appearance on the programme, questions had been raised about whether The Gambia had a foreign policy.
He said the government subsequently presented a document dating back to 1965, the year the country gained independence.
“Currently, as we are doing, the ministry is also working to make sure that we revise this foreign policy document,” Njie said.
The planned revision forms part of broader work being undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including policy documents, legislation, bills and strategies.
According to Njie, some of these initiatives have already been concluded, while others have been submitted to Cabinet or presented before the National Assembly.
He said the ministry is working to ensure that the country’s foreign policy reflects its current national and international priorities.
The minister also highlighted the importance of The Gambia’s relationship with Senegal, describing it as an excellent relationship that covers defence and security, economic cooperation, education, culture and other areas.
He said the two countries recently concluded the fourth Senegal-Gambia Presidential Council meeting, where several cooperation agreements were finalized and a joint communique adopted.
The two countries also agreed on two roadmaps covering areas including defence, security, diplomacy, legal matters, economic integration and financial integration.
Njie said an agreed working document, with timelines for implementation, is being supervised by the Senegal-Gambia Permanent Secretariat.
The foreign minister said the ministry’s current work is therefore aimed at strengthening the country’s engagement with the outside world while ensuring that national interests remain central to its foreign policy.
“Gambia, we have now a foreign policy that is very open and inclusive,” Njie said.
