Gambiaj.com – (JAKARTA, Indonesia) – The Gambia has proposed a new initiative to Indonesia aimed at enhancing diplomatic capacity and establishing a collaborative peacekeeping force, a move that Jakarta has warmly welcomed.
Speaking at a press briefing in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono described The Gambia as a “faraway neighbor” and pledged Indonesia’s readiness to support the strengthening of Gambian diplomats’ capacity.
He also expressed his government’s commitment to deepen cooperation in military and maritime security, particularly in combating irregular migration and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Sugiono noted that broader proposals for cooperation in other sectors will be taken up with the relevant Indonesian ministries and institutions.
The announcement follows a bilateral meeting between Gambian Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie and Minister Sugiono on Monday, September 29, 2025, held on the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly in New York.
During the talks, Minister Njie expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s support during The Gambia’s hosting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit earlier this year.
He also highlighted Indonesia’s contributions in education and agriculture, including the establishment of a training center in Jenoi, which has benefitted Gambian farmers and those from across West Africa.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties at the bilateral and multilateral levels. Indonesia and The Gambia have enjoyed diplomatic relations since 1982, with Indonesia accredited to The Gambia through its embassy in Dakar, while The Gambia is represented in Jakarta via its mission in New Delhi.
Indonesia’s longstanding cooperation with The Gambia includes the Agriculture Rural Farmers Training Center (ARFTC) in Jenoi, established in 1998 on 6.6 hectares of land.
The center has trained thousands of farmers from The Gambia and neighboring countries, reinforcing agricultural development and South-South cooperation.
The new peacekeeping and security initiative signals a fresh chapter in Gambian-Indonesian relations, one that extends beyond traditional cooperation to address pressing global and regional challenges.
