The Gambia and Bangladesh have signed a visa exemption agreement, enhancing their bilateral relationship while reaffirming The Gambia’s support for the Rohingya issue. Dr. Mamadou Tangara emphasized commitment to advocating for the Rohingya at the ICJ, while proposing broader cooperation in agriculture and peacekeeping efforts. Home Adviser Lt Gen Jahangir Alam Chowdhury echoed appreciation and stressed the global nature of the crisis, urging sustained international support.
Recently, The Gambia and Bangladesh formalized a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders, enhancing their bilateral relations. The signing ceremony emphasized The Gambia’s continued support for Bangladesh in addressing the Rohingya crisis. Dr. Mamadou Tangara, The Gambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for its hospitality and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to advocating for the Rohingya.
As the chair of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Dr. Tangara affirmed The Gambia’s role in ensuring the Rohingya’s voices are heard at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), focusing on holding perpetrators accountable and restoring their rights. He recognized Bangladesh’s significant efforts in hosting over a million Rohingya refugees, pledging continued legal and diplomatic assistance.
Dr. Tangara underscored that while progress has been made at the ICJ, collective international pressure remains crucial for justice. He noted a recent productive discussion at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies, where the importance of prioritizing the Rohingya issue globally was acknowledged.
In addition to the Rohingya crisis, Dr. Tangara highlighted potential avenues for further cooperation between The Gambia and Bangladesh, especially in agriculture and peacekeeping efforts, leveraging Bangladesh’s success in achieving food self-sufficiency. He emphasized that The Gambia seeks to learn from Bangladesh’s expertise, anticipating mutual benefits through partnership.
Reflecting on global interconnectivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tangara stated the necessity of international collaboration in addressing such humanitarian crises, including the Rohingya situation. Home Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury echoed the sentiment of appreciation for The Gambia’s support, stressing the global nature of the Rohingya crisis and the indispensable role of international cooperation.
He articulated optimism for expanding cooperation across various sectors beyond the Rohingya issue, highlighting potential in trade, agriculture, and climate resilience. Acknowledging the teams who facilitated the agreement, the Home Advisor welcomed continued collaboration, strengthening diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and The Gambia.
In conclusion, The Gambia and Bangladesh’s recent agreement marks a significant milestone in their relations, particularly regarding the ongoing Rohingya crisis. The Gambia’s commitment to advocate for the Rohingya at international forums and its support through the OIC highlights the importance of collective action. Both nations have expressed intentions to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors, signifying a promising future for their diplomatic and economic partnership.
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