The Gambia has taken over the presidency of the Council of Ministers (COM) and the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ambassadors (COA) of the Organisation for African, Caribbean and Pacific States at a handing-over ceremony held in hybrid format on 2nd February 2026 at the OACPS Headquarters in Brussels, a position it will hold for the next six months until 31st July 2026.
For most member states, including The Gambia, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs is the designated minister responsible for the organisation’s dealings with the EU on development cooperation.
It is against this backdrop that Honourable Seedy KM Keita, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, took over the Presidency of the Council of Ministers from Honourable Peter Shanel Agovaka, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Solomon Islands. The Gambia’s Finance Minister Keita will be chairing the Council of Ministers’ meetings in its role as the body responsible for implementing the guidelines laid down by the Summit of Heads of States.
Similarly, His Excellency Ambassador Pa Musa Jobarteh, Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the Kingdom of Belgium and the EU, also took over the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ambassadors from Ambassador Mr Moses Kouni Mose of the Solomon Islands to the Kingdom of Belgium.
The OACPS founded in 1975, is an international organisation with the collective aim of achieving sustainable development by promoting the economic, social and political well-being of its peoples. It comprises seventy-nine (79) Member States. Forty-eight (48) from sub-Saharan Africa, sixteen (16) from the Caribbean, and fifteen (15) from the Pacific Region.
The main organs of the OACPS responsible for the management and oversight of its functions are:
1) The Summit of Heads of States, which is the highest decision-making body of the OACPS meets every 3 years.
2) The Council of Ministers,
3) The Committee of Ambassadors,
4) The Secretariat, and
5) The Joint Parliamentary Assembly of member states serves as a political oversight body.
The next and 11th Summit of Heads of State will take place in Equatorial Guinea from March 27 to 29, 2026, with confirmation of attendance already received from many Presidents and foreign ministers.
The Gambia’s leadership period will prioritise the following:
Supporting the governance reforms and the future stability of the OACPS;
Ensuring membership stability by working to improve the confidence of the member states in the Organisation as a pillar of multilateralism;
Supporting a sustained political engagement to ensure successful preparations and high-level participation at the 11th OACPS Summit in Equatorial Guinea;
Support the follow-up of the implementation and operationalisation of the Samoa Agreement, including engagement with the European Union; and
Monitoring the successful implementation of the 2026 Secretariat Budget.
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Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia to the People’s Republic of ChinaOn Recent Media Allegations Concerning Scholarship AssistanceThe Embassy of the Republic of The Gambia in the People’s Republic of China issues this statement pursuant to instructions received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad in Banjul, in response to recent media allegations by certain Gambian students concerning scholarship assistance.The Embassy considers it necessary, in the interest of accuracy and public clarity, to place the following facts firmly on record:First, out of a total of over one hundred and thirty (130) Gambian students currently in the People’s Republic of China, only ten (10) students are affected by the specific scholarship-related issues that have been the subject of recent media reports. Any attempt to portray this matter as affecting the broader Gambian student population in China is therefore grossly misleading and factually incorrect.Second, it must be clearly stated that the affected students travelled to China on their own initiative under self-sponsorship arrangements. They were not beneficiaries of government-to-government scholarships or ministry o-r ininstitution-facilitatedponsorships at the time of their arrival. This critical fact has been omitted in public narratives and has contributed significantly to the misrepresentation of the situation.Notwithstanding this, and acting in good faith and in line with a humanitarian gesture, the Embassy nevertheless extended support and advocacy on behalf of the students to the Ministry of Higher Education R, Research, Science and Technology through official diplomatic channels. These efforts included formal correspondence, follow-ups, consultations, and the provision of guidance to the students, despite the fact that their initial status fell outside formal scholarship frameworks.The Embassy and by extension the Government of The Gambia t, therefore categorically reject the allegation that no definitive resolution has been achieved as if the students were prepared and sent by the Government of The Gambia. Such claims are false, misleading, and inconsistent with the documented actions undertaken by the Embassy within the scope of its mandate and diplomatic practice. Further i, it’s imperative to bring to the fore that the students’ tuition fees and stipends for the academic year 2024-2025 have been duly settled. Additionally, the stipends for the academic year 2025-2026 have already been disbursed. The remaining matter pertains solely to the tuition component of 20the 25-2026 Academic Year to be settled by the Government of the Gambia. However, Mithe nistry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology has encountered delays attributable to budgetary cycles and prevailing fiscal constraints arising from competing national priorities. The Embassy regrets that, instead of acknowledging the support already rendered by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology and failure to adhere to the advice of the embassy by engaging constructively through established channels, certain individuals chose to resort to the media and being economical with the facts. This approach is irresponsible, counterproductive, and damaging to ongoing efforts by the embassy and the Government of The Gambia as part of the broader scheme of duty of care and protecting the interests of Gambian students abroad.Accordingly, acting strictly in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, the Embassy remains committed to the welfare of Gambian nationals in China and will continue to provide assistance within the limits of its responsibilities. However, the Embassy will not accept attempts to undermine its integrity or that of the Government of The Gambia through misinformation or public pressure tactics.The Embassy urges the media and the public to rely on accurate and verified information, and calls on all Gambian students to engage with the Embassy in a spirit of honesty, responsibility, and mutual respect.The Embassy reserves the right, in line with instructions from Banjul, to take any further appropriate measures necessary to safeguard its institutional credibility and that of the Government of The Gambia.Issued by:Embassy of the Republic of The GambiaBeijing, People’s Republic of China
“It is with deep concern and a heavy heart that I deliver this address on the tragic accident recorded off the coast of Jinack Village in the North Bank Region. This happened around midnight on 31st December 2025, when a boat reportedly carrying an unspecified number of irregular migrants capsized.So far, one hundred and two (102) persons have been rescued, with a number of victims still under urgent medical care. Sadly, only seven bodies have been recovered, but search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate those still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, our National Emergency Response Plan has been activated, and the Government has deployed adequate resources to intensify efforts and provide immediate assistance to the survivors.On behalf of the Government and the people of The Gambia, I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved families and to all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. I reassure every parent, relative, and loved one anxiously waiting for additional news that you are not alone in this dilemma. The nation grieves with you, and we hold you dearly in our hearts at this painful moment.On behalf of the entire nation, I express profound gratitude to the gallant personnel of The Gambia Navy for their swift, courageous, and determined response. On receiving the distress alert, they acted promptly by putting their lives at risk to save the lives of others. We equally commend our dedicated emergency response agencies and the personnel of the security services who supported the operations professionally and urgently.I also extend special appreciation to our health workers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and staff at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital, for working tirelessly to treat the injured, provide comfort, and preserve life. Their compassion and sacrifice remind us of the best of humanity. We are similarly grateful to the community volunteers, including local fishermen, who came forward selflessly to assist in the rescue operations. The Gambia salutes you all.This incident is a painful reminder of the dangerous and life-threatening nature of irregular migration. Surely, no dream, journey, or promise is worth a single loss of life at sea. My government, therefore, remains firmly committed to strengthening efforts to prevent irregular migration. More importantly, we remain strongly determined to create safer and more dignified opportunities for our young people through development initiatives, jobs, and other livelihood options at home.I urge all citizens to remain calm, supportive, and compassionate, as our security and humanitarian agencies continue their critical search and rescue operations. We will provide updates on the identities, nationalities, and other verified details of the victims whenever we receive them.Furthermore, the Government will launch a comprehensive investigation into this incident, and all individuals found wanting will be dealt with in accordance with the law.May the Almighty Allah grant mercy to those who have passed, healing to the injured, strength to the grieving families, and protection to all those involved in the rescue efforts.”
The Ministry of Defence wishes to inform the general public that the flying or operation of Drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and any other aerial objects over key national installations (State House, Banjul International Airport, Defence and Security Installations) and the surrounding restricted airspace, is strictly prohibited.This restriction is enforced in accordance with National Security measures, as well as existing aviation and public safety laws. Any unauthorized aerial activity within or around these restricted areas is regarded as a serious security violation and shall attract serious consequences. Accordingly, no individual, organization, or institution is permitted to operate Drones or any similar UAV without explicit written authorization from the competent authorities. The Defence and Security Agencies have been duly instructed to take appropriate action against any unauthorized aerial activity within the restricted areas.All public and private drone operators are hereby strongly urged to adhere to this communication. The Ministry of Defence solicits the cooperation of all citizens and residents to ensure full compliance in safeguarding national security and maintaining public safety.
The Office of the President hereby informs the public that His Excellency President Adama Barrow has declared Thursday, 25th December and Friday, 26th December 2025, respectively, as Christmas and Boxing Day, as public holidays throughout The Gambia. Additionally, Thursday 1st January 2026, has also been declared a public holiday as part of the New Year celebrations.On behalf of the President and the First Family, the Office of the President wishes everyone a joyous Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
The Gambia Police Force invites applications for the position of Police Constable as part of the 2025/2026 General Recruitment Exercise. All interested and qualified Gambian citizens are encouraged to apply. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for enlistment into The Gambia Police Force:A. Nationality: Applicants must be Gambian citizens and provide a valid Birth Certificate, National Identity Card, or Passport along with two recent passport-size photos.B. Education: All Applicants must possess a minimum of four (4) credits at WASSCE, including English Language. Candidates with specialised skills and professional qualifications are encouraged to apply:- Civil Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Criminology & Crime Analyst - Data Science - Forensic & Biomedical Sciences - Psychology & Counselling - Cyber Security - Facility Management - Electrical Engineering• Information and Communication Technology* Forensic Auditing* Procurement * Fleet Management C. Age Limit: Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.D. Height Requirement: Applicants must be at least 1.60 meters tall for both males and females.E. Fitness Test: All candidates will undergo a basic fitness test to assess their physical fitness.F. All candidates must pass an entry examination.G. Health: Applicants will be subjected to medical examination. H. Criminal Record: Applicants must submit a Certificate of Character.I. Interview: All candidates will undergo a formal interview.Application Process:Effective Monday, December 22, 2025, application forms will be available for purchase at the cost of D300.00 at all branches of The Gambia Police Force Cooperative Credit Union. Completed forms, along with copies of relevant supporting documents, must be returned to the same branch where they were obtained.Deadline of Submission: 05th January, 2026Warning: Any forgery or misrepresentation will lead to disqualification and may result in prosecution under the Criminal Offences Act, 2025For: Inspector General of Police GPF Recruitment and Selection Board For further inquiries: 9968885Date: December 18, 2025
A press release from the office of the government spokesperson
President Barrow to Embark on Working Visit to DR CongoState House, Banjul, 27th February 2022The Office of the President informs the public that His Excellency, Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, will embark on a two-day working visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.The visit will accord the President the opportunity to strengthen diplomatic and bilateral ties between The Gambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.President Barrow and the delegation will leave Banjul International Airport on Monday 28th February at 10:00 am.
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