Gambiaj.com – (DOHA, Qatar) – Qatar and The Gambia have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening judicial collaboration as the two nations continue to expand ties rooted in transitional justice, rule of law, and institutional reform.
On Monday, Qatar’s Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, HE Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi, held talks in Doha with Gambia’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dawda Jallow.
According to Qatari authorities, the meeting focused on enhancing judicial cooperation and exploring new avenues for partnership. While both sides exchanged views on “legal matters of mutual interest,” officials did not disclose the specifics of those discussions.
The meeting reflects a broader and steadily growing legal partnership. Qatar has played a significant role in supporting The Gambia’s transitional justice efforts, particularly the implementation of recommendations issued by the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), which investigated human rights violations committed under former President Yahya Jammeh.
This latest engagement follows a similar high-level encounter in April last year, when Gambia’s Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow met Qatar’s Attorney-General, HE Dr. Issa bin Saad Al Jafali Al Nuaimi, also in Doha. That discussion centered on improving legal cooperation, sharing judicial expertise, and deepening institutional ties.
Qatar’s support to The Gambia dates back several years. In 2018, Doha signed a US$3 million grant in Banjul to advance democracy, strengthen the rule of law, and buttress transitional justice mechanisms.
The two countries have also maintained a bilateral investment agreement since 2002, forming the backbone of economic cooperation.
Relations between the two states were briefly strained after a high-profile corruption scandal involving Ansumana Jammeh, a relative of former President Jammeh and The Gambia’s ambassador to Qatar from 2008 to 2014.
Ansumana Jammeh, along with Qatari businessmen Soaud and Rashid Ghandour of Conapro and GFFI, was implicated in economic crimes in 2015.
While the Qatari businessmen faced no legal consequences and the court ruling against Ansumana Jammeh was never enforced, diplomatic relations eventually stabilized.
The latest meeting in Doha signals continued confidence-building and renewed momentum in judicial cooperation as The Gambia presses forward with post-dictatorship reforms.
