By: Fatou Dahaba
In a significant step toward bolstering bilateral relations, The Gambia and Azerbaijan on Tuesday kicked off their first round of political consultations in Banjul, ushering in a new phase of cooperation between the two nations after nearly 30 years of diplomatic engagement.
Delegates from both countries convened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss ways to strengthen ties across multiple sectors, including education, political relations, trade, multilateral cooperation, and economic development. The talks, described as a foundation for deeper and more practical collaboration, highlighted mutual trust, shared values, and a commitment to South-South solidarity.
Permanent Secretary Lang Yabou, who co-chaired the Gambian side and heads the Diplomatic Service, delivered a warm welcome to the Azerbaijani delegation. He underscored the enduring nature of the partnership, which has grown steadily over the past three decades. He praised Azerbaijan’s consistent support for The Gambia, particularly through scholarships that have advanced higher education and human capital development.
“This partnership symbolizes shared values, solidarity, and mutual trust,” Yabou said. He expressed optimism that the consultations would lead to concrete strategic plans that deliver lasting benefits grounded in respect and practical cooperation. Yabou also urged both sides to leverage the platform to explore new opportunities that would deliver tangible gains for their peoples.
Leading the Azerbaijani delegation, H.E. Mr. Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed the strong friendship between the two countries. He pointed to Azerbaijan’s longstanding diplomatic presence in The Gambia and the consistent mutual support both nations have extended to each other in bilateral and multilateral arenas, including at the United Nations.
Rafiyev highlighted Azerbaijan’s recent restoration of territorial integrity and outlined his country’s evolving foreign policy priorities, which now place greater emphasis on economic diplomacy. He expressed readiness to explore new avenues for cooperation in humanitarian fields, economic investments, and broader development initiatives.
The Deputy Minister specifically acknowledged The Gambia’s current role as Chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit and stressed the value of collaboration on OIC-related matters. He concluded by underscoring both countries’ dedication to multilateralism and the importance of sustained dialogue in tackling global challenges.
Discussions during the inaugural round focused heavily on education, with Azerbaijan reaffirming its commitment to offering more scholarships to Gambian students. Participants also examined potential economic partnerships, including investments in agriculture and technology transfer, which could help diversify The Gambia’s economy and boost productivity.
The consultations build on earlier momentum, including a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations signed in September 2025 and recent high-level telephone discussions between the foreign ministers of both countries. Officials on both sides described the Banjul meeting as timely and strategic, coming at a moment when both nations seek to translate diplomatic goodwill into concrete outcomes.
Analysts view the development as part of a broader push by The Gambia to expand its international partnerships beyond traditional allies. At the same time, Azerbaijan continues to strengthen ties with African countries as part of its post-conflict outreach and economic diversification efforts.
As the first round concluded, both delegations expressed satisfaction with the frank and constructive exchanges. They agreed to maintain momentum through follow-up mechanisms and future engagements to turn shared aspirations into actionable programs.
The launch of these political consultations is expected to open fresh doors for trade, investment, educational exchanges, and multilateral coordination, further solidifying a relationship rooted in three decades of friendship and cooperation.
