Africa-Press – Gambia. The Ministry of Interior has issued a statement clarifying the procedures and legal basis for issuing national identity cards to Gambian citizens residing overseas.
In a press release dated Friday, 8 August, the ministry reaffirmed that all services provided to Gambians, both at home and abroad, are delivered in accordance with established domestic laws and international legal instruments.
“The ministry assures all Gambians that the services delivered are based on established domestic and international legal instruments, as have been practiced in the past,” the ministry said.
Citing the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the ministry highlighted that embassies and consulates operate under the principle of extraterritorial jurisdiction. This grants The Gambia the legal authority to extend public services—such as the issuance of national documents—to its citizens within the premises of its diplomatic missions and consular offices.
“The issuance of national documents within or outside the Gambia is subject to the same requirements and conditions set out by law to guarantee the integrity of our national documents,” the statement read.
According to the ministry, the initiative to issue ID cards to Gambians abroad was prompted by the difficulties many citizens face when their documents expire while living overseas, especially when they are unable to travel back home for renewal. The government, as the principal duty bearer, is therefore obliged to facilitate legal identification and residency for its nationals abroad.
The ministry further disclosed that a team of immigration officers from the Gambia Biometric Identification System (GAMBIS) is currently deployed to Gabon and Togo to conduct enrolment and processing. Completed ID cards will be issued in Banjul upon the officers’ return.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to effective public service, the ministry assured citizens that the delivery of these services will remain fully compliant with the rule of law, as well as internationally accepted standards and best practices.
“The Ministry reassures the Gambian public of its resolve to provide effective and efficient service delivery, without compromising the rule of law and accepted international standards and best practices,” the statement concluded.
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