Africa-Press – Gambia. The newly appointed Ambassador of Liberia to The Gambia, His Excellency Ambassador Ali Sylla, on Thursday, submitted a copy of his diplomatic credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Serign Modou Njie, marking a significant step in reaffirming the longstanding ties between the two West African nations.
Speaking to the press shortly after the submission at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Banjul, the Ambassador explained that the visit was part of the formal diplomatic process.
“Today, I submitted a copy of my credentials to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, a preliminary step before I formally present the original document to His Excellency, President Adama Barrow,” he said.
The Ambassador, who is a resident envoy in Dakar, Senegal, also holds jurisdiction over The Gambia, Cape Verde, and Mauritania. His visit underscores Liberia’s commitment to strengthening diplomatic engagements in the region.
“My being here today is part of that broader engagement. The Gambia is one of the countries under my accreditation, and I’m pleased to begin this chapter of diplomatic cooperation,” he added.
During the meeting, the Ambassador and Foreign Minister Njie discussed various areas of mutual interest, including economic and cultural cooperation, regional security, and diaspora engagement.
The Ambassador highlighted The Gambia’s significant role in Liberia’s peacebuilding efforts during the civil war era, particularly through ECOWAS, under the leadership of the late President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who served as ECOWAS Chairman at the time.
“Gambia played a crucial role in our peace process, and we remain grateful. Your country stood with us not just militarily, but diplomatically as well. Even recently, The Gambia’s support helped Liberia secure a seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council,” he noted.
The Ambassador also emphasized the enduring cultural and social ties between the two nations. He praised the Gambian government and people for the hospitality extended to Liberians, especially during the conflict years when many sought refuge in The Gambia.
“We still have a vibrant Liberian community in The Gambia. Many of them went to school here, some became part of the society, and their children are now Gambian citizens. Similarly, in the 60s to 80s, there was a strong Gambian community in Liberia. These human connections form the bedrock of our relationship,” he said.
He also acknowledged the appointment of an Honorary Consul, Mr Mas Manneh, in The Gambia, describing it as a strategic move to ensure continuous support for Liberians residing in the country and to facilitate smoother diplomatic coordination.
“Though I’m not resident here, having a local honorary consul makes my job easier. He serves as a direct link between the community and the Embassy. We’ve been in close coordination even before this visit, and his role is instrumental,” the Ambassador noted.
Liberian Honorary Consul, Mr Mas Manneh, to The Gambia accompanied His Excellency Ali Sylla to the ministry on this visit.
The visit concluded with mutual expressions of goodwill and a commitment to deepen cooperation in areas such as education, trade, regional integration, and diaspora affairs.
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