Gambian Foreign Minister Momodou Tangara visited Moscow to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after participating in the Italy-Africa Summit.

During their meeting, the two ministers discussed various topics, including military cooperation, economic ties, the reform of the UN, and the Security Council, emphasizing the need to consider African interests in these bodies. They also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting each other in various UN bodies, particularly during elections.

Diplomacy, military cooperation, and security in the Sahel region

The discussions between Momodou Tangara and Seirgei Lavrov focused on African affairs, particularly the situation in the Sahara-Sahel region and the Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad. Both sides expressed concerns about the growing terrorist threat posed by jihadist organizations associated with ISIS and Al-Qaeda in West Africa.

“We talked about the situation in the Sahara-Sahel region with a focus on the situation in hotspots, including the situation in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad,” Minister Lavrov said. “We expressed concern about the rising terrorist threat from jihadist organizations affiliated with the so-called Islamic State and al-Qaeda (both banned in Russia).” Lavrov said these groups are spreading their activities to other West African countries.

Regarding Russia’s role in stabilizing the Sahara-Sahel region and other parts of Africa, Minister Lavrov reiterated Russia’s readiness to continue its efforts. He highlighted Russia’s bilateral assistance to countries in the region, including support for defense capability, combat effectiveness of armed forces, training of military personnel and law enforcement officers, and humanitarian aid.

Both Tangara and Lavrov agreed during the press conference that African crises and conflicts should be resolved through “African problems, African solutions,” with regional organizations like the African Union playing a crucial role. They expressed hope for the resolution of issues within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) through equal and respectful dialogue.

As a matter of fact, Russia expressed appreciation for The Gambia’s support for Russian initiatives, such as joint resolutions on combating the glorification of Nazism. The recent signing of a Memorandum of Consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministries was highlighted as a step to enhance regular contacts and closer interaction at the UN and other multilateral platforms.

Russia favors strengthening trade and economic ties with Gambia.

Minister Lavrov said he informed his Gambian counterpart about Russia’s assistance in providing free supplies of food and fertilizers, as announced by President Vladimir Putin at the second Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg in July 2023.

Meanwhile, Russia considers it important to increase trade and economic ties with Gambia to match the growing political dialogue between the countries, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during talks with Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara.

Russia and Gambia are “tied by traditionally friendly relations resting on the principles of equality and mutual respect,” and “the bilateral political dialogue” between the countries continues to evolve at all levels, the top Russian diplomat said.

“It would be important to bring trade and economic ties to the level of our good political dialogue,” Lavrov noted. “We are ready for that, just as we are ready to ramp up cooperation in the humanitarian and educational spheres,” he added.

Russia to send representatives to the OIC summit in Gambia

Moscow will send its representatives to attend an upcoming Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit as observers, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a press conference following talks with Gambian Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara.

“Gambia is currently heading the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Our friends informed us of preparations for the organization’s 15th summit, which is set to take place in Banjul in May. We confirmed our willingness to send Russian representatives to attend this important international forum as observers,” Lavrov pointed out.