By Sanna Camara

The cooperation between the Republic of The Gambia and the Federal Republic of Germany is taking a new milestone as Gambia is about to open an Embassy in Berlin, a year after Germany inaugurates its own in Banjul.

This development was revealed by the German Ambassador to The Gambia Mr. Klaus Botzet at the celebrations marking the German National Day, also known as the Day of German Unity held in Banjul on Thursday, 7^th November 2024. Present at the ceremony were dozens of German nationals working and living in The Gambia, and friends of Germany in both government and NGOs.

“Since Germany opened its Embassy in Banjul last year, good progress has been made on opening an Embassy of the Gambia in Germany.  A suitable location in Berlin has been identified so we are optimistic that this new Embassy will start its operations early next year,” Ambassador Klaus announced, amidst cheers from the audience.

The two countries had enjoyed decades of strong relations until the 1994 military coup, which halted their cooperation and dormancy. However, with the end to what turned out to be two decades of dictatorship in 2017, new opportunities emerged for both countries, with the visit of then German President in late 2017, marking the most important  milestone for strengthened cooperation.

The 35 years marking the Day of German Unity this year has been a journey of progress and economic development with the aim of uniting the east and the west into one politically united economic force, with social progress and development for her people. However, it is not a journey without turbulence, just as The Gambia.

“This year has proven to be quite turbulent, no matter where we look. It was also a turbulent year for The Gambia, our beautiful host country. Not only has the Gambia struggled with trying to stop its young people to risk their lives on the backway, but a new Constitution also needs to be passed, and important development decisions need to be made,” Ambassador Kalus said.

On top of all of these developments in The Gambia came a proposed abolition of the ban on Female Genital Mutilation – a challenging decision for the country that shook its foundations of tolerance and adherence to human rights of women and girls. This issue did not only occupy The Gambia, but likewise attracted a lot of international attention.

“Fortunately, after the intense debate that ensued, it came to a good end.  The ban was upheld and human rights in The Gambia for women and girls remain protected,” the Ambassador said, thanking the National Assembly for their courage and steadfastness in standing up for women and girls in The Gambia.

Meanwhile, through continued cooperation, the two states enjoy deep ties in areas of migration, security sector reform, support to education and training of youths for employment creation as well as development in the health care services.

“Furthermore, our cooperation supporting the Gambian security sector reform, strengthening and modernizing the Gambian National Police and building a ‘community police’ has progressed well. I think you can already notice the difference, looking at the Gambian police of today,” said the Head of the German Mission to The Gambia.

Their support to returning migrants from Europe also continues to expand.  The Gambian German Advisory Centre located at Westfield, with increased support from the German government, was able to expand its operations, and is now providing psychological and social support to returnees. Among a lot of areas of interventions, these are just a few, the two countries have shared over the years, from agriculture to education, scholarships to specialized trainings and hundreds of TVET trainings.

The next few months will witness the opening of the Gambian embassy in Berlin, which will swing the doors wide open between the two states to ensure a deepened collaboration for the benefit of their respective peoples.