Embassy of The Republic of The Gambia - Addis Ababa

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission to African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Jainaba Jagne, has expressed sympathy to the Somali people as they battle climate-related crises in addition to the over three decades of conflict.
Jagne, who is also the Ambassador to Ethiopia and High Commissioner to Kenya, and also representing the sub-committee on Refugees Returning and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), told journalists during a mission visit to the African Transmission Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), said that at the first quarter of 2023, the AU had been briefed about the double crises.

Ambassador Jagne said the Permanent Representative Committee (PRC) sub-Committee on Refugees Returnees and IDPs had a preliminary session during which it was clearly said that Somalia was facing two sets of crises.

The Ambassador said; “Not only do we have the conflict crises but, we have another crisis that has been brought about by climate change, they are suffering a drought”.

She said the subcommittee took it upon itself to fill an assessment and a solidarity mission to the Republic of Somalia.

She further said; “In the same vein, we were also sent to express our sympathies and our solidarity by bringing in one hundred and fifty US Dollars ($150,000) to assist them with the work that they are doing in providing humanitarian services to the citizens.

“We, as part of the humanitarian assessment mission have visited several sectors in Somalia, We visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with the Commissioner for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons and the Director General at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

“After this, we had consultations with troop-contributing countries representing their embassies here and also met with the Deputy Commissioner for the Somalia Disaster Management Agency, several Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and humanitarian partners.

“As part of the outcomes of this visit, we will be reporting to the sub-committee on Returnees Refugees and IDPs about the augmented humanitarian situation that has been brought about by the two sets of crises, the conflict as well as the climate change, and we should hopefully be coming up with a durable solution to the issue at hand here, the humanitarian crises.

“It has also been brought to our attention, whilst we were here, that the drawdown of the ATMIS, will also have an impact on the humanitarian situation in Somalia. Where there has been draw down at the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs). We have been informed that the IDPs moved with the FOBs. Unfortunately, as the drawdown continues, we would be having congestion of IDPs at the last drawdown FOB,” she said.

She further said; “In addition to this, our technical expert will be looking at how we can initiate projects and programmes while also trying to operationalize the African Humanitarian Agency, to ensure that we continue to assist our brothers and Sisters of Somalia”.

Responding to questions on the magnitude of the drought in Somalia, the Ambassador estimated that it could run into millions of dollars.

“To put an exact cost to this, I can only estimate for you, but will most certainly be going into the millions and millions of dollars. As I had mentioned, the information I have gathered would be taken back to the subcommittee that will then report to the permanent representative committee at the African Union where in turn we would work with our Somali brothers and Sisters to find durable solutions to the problems they are encountering. It will have to be more at a technical and expert level to give further answers as to some of the programmes that would be initiated at the short term, midterm and long term for this “She said

Meanwhile, the Political Officer, of the Department of Health, Humanitarian and Social Development, African Union Commission Joseph Maada- Soyei reiterated that the damage cost and financial implication can only be answered by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS).

Maada-Soyei said; “For the Humanitarian Division, we actually respond in the short to medium term, if we have durable solutions for disasters which is very technical. Our own expertise lies in providing durable solutions to forced displacements.

“We are quite aware that when disaster happens, it creates an internal displacement within the country. There is only going to be a problem if the disasters happen at the border. At that time, we would have to define the concept, because immediately a displaced person crosses a border, he becomes a refugee.

“But, we actually do not have in concept a climate refugee and that is the time we can actually have a challenge but when it happens within the country, it is the humanitarian aspect to respond in the short term such as providing shelter, movement away from the disaster site while the medium term will have parts of the durable solutions which includes getting the victims back their livelihood and resilience so they can live in the society,” he said.

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE, AFRICAN UNION
Press Release No: Date: 13th September 2023
Venue: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts undertook a Lessons-learning mission to Sierra Leone on the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Children affected by Armed Conflicts
The Africa Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts (AP CAAC) undertook a lessons-learning mission to the Republic of Sierra Leone to assess and learn from the initiatives undertaken on rehabilitating and reintegrating children affected by the decade-long civil war (1991-2002). AP CAAC commended the deliberate and concerted efforts undertaken by the Government in collaboration with key stakeholders and partners to address the plight faced by children during the conflict and called on the Government of Sierra Leone to continue to lead efforts in promoting children's rights. The lessons-learning mission to the Republic of Sierra Leone occurred from the 4th to the 8th of September 2023. The mission aimed to provide a lessons-learning opportunity for the Platform to learn the best practices on the rehabilitation and reintegration of children affected by armed conflict to enhance the capacity of the Platform on measures to be recommended, contextually, to countries in conflict situations.
The delegation was led by H.E. Jainaba Jagne, Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the African Union (AU) and the Co-Chair of the AP CAAC. It comprised H.E. Rebecca Otengo, Permanent Representative of Uganda to the African Union (AU), H.E. Ntsiwa Sekete, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Lesotho to the African Union (AU), representatives of the Ambassadors of Ghana, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria and the AU Commission, as well as the Save the Children Liaison Office to the AU, in its capacity as the secretariat of the Platform. The mission engaged with critical stakeholders in Sierra Leone, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Gender, Children's Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Family Support Unit, the National Human Rights Commission, UNICEF, survivors and CSOs including Save the Children, Fumbal Tok and Centre for Memory and Reparations.
The delegation, which paid a courtesy call to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was received by H.E. Francess Alghali, the Deputy Minister. "We are glad that the Platform chose Sierra Leone to come and see what we have done to continue to consolidate peace in our country and help our children," said the Deputy Minister in her welcome remarks. She also alluded to the relevance of legal and institutional frameworks and collaborations with key partners, including CSOs, in pursuing rehabilitation and reintegration of children affected by armed conflicts.

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union under the leadership of Senegal conveyed an Emergency Meeting today on the political situation in Niger. During the meeting, The Gambia joins other Member States of the PSC in strongly condemning the illegal and Unconstitutional Change of Government and urge the Military Junta in Niger to restore the Constitutional order and democratic governance.

The 15 Members of the PSC upon careful deliberations formulated the following positions:

1. Express deep concerns about the alarming rate of Coup d'etat which undermines democracy, peace, security and stability on the Continent.

2. The PSC Members also reiterated their zero tolerance for Unconstitutional Change of Government in line with Article 4(a) of the Constitutive Act and reaffirms total adherence to the AU legal normative frameworks on the illegal takeover of Governments on the Continent and the Declaration on terrorism and Unconstitutional Change of Government adopted on the 16th Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.

2. Condemn in unequivocal terms the military Coup in Niger which resulted in the ousting of the democratically elected Government of H.E President Mohamed Bazoum on the 26th of July 2023.

3. Demands the Military to return to their barracks and immediately hand over power to the democratically elected Government.

4. Demands the unconditional release of H.E President Bazoum and all other detainees. To respect their fundamental human rights, physical and moral integrity.

5. Warns that the PSC will take necessary actions including punitive measures against the perpetrators.

6. Commends ECOWAS under the leadership of H.E President Tinubu of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the appointment of H.E President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin as the mediator in the political upheaval in Niger while also conveying the Extraordinary Summit of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government for the meeting to be held on the 30th July 2023 In Abuja on restoring a permanent solution to the crisis in Niger.

7. Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to continue to closely monitor the situation and to work in close coordination with ECOWAS and subsequently brief the Council as soon as possible.

8. Reaffirms the solidarity and resolute support of the AU to the people of Niger.

9. Expresses its concern on the humanitarian situation in Niger and launches an urgent appeal to the stakeholders to provide their support in this regard while adapting to the new situation.

PRESS STATEMENT

His Excellency Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad participated in the Ministerial Session of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) held virtually on 21st July 2023 under the Theme “Community Responses to the Security Challenges in Africa”. The Session was chaired by Her Excellency Madame Aïssata Tall Sall, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad of the Republic of Senegal, in her country’s capacity as the Chair of AU PSC for July.

During the session, the Ministers collectively reviewed the existing whole-of-government and society approaches to the implementation of AU's flagship programmes on good governance, sustainable peace, and security on the African continent. They recommitted to the inclusion of religious, traditional, and civil society actors in their efforts to sustainably "Silence the Guns" within the continent. This is anchored on the effective implementation of the AU Governance, Peace, and Security Architectures (AGA and APSA).

Minister Tangara emphasized the significance of community-led and grassroots initiatives in transforming the African continent through the prevalence of integrated support mechanisms for sustainable peace, security, and inclusive development. He also stressed the importance of implementing the commitments made by the Policy Organs of the AU to include women, girls, and religious and cultural leaders in conflict resolution, transitional justice, and peacekeeping. Minister Tangara reiterated the Government of The Gambia's commitment to entrenching a national development approach that addresses the concerns of all strata of the population of The Gambia.

On the margins of the 43rd AU Executive Council currently taking place in Nairobi, His Excellency Dr Mamadou Tangara attended, on behalf of His Excellency President Adama Barrow, the launching of the UNDP Flagship Report "Soldiers and Citizens: Military Coups and the Need for Democratic Renewal in Africa"

The launching of this report which will serve not only as UNDP’s compass in providing strategic support in our governance efforts but to the collective response to the scourge of military coups in Africa. The Gambia Government highly appreciates the launching of the Flagship Report which promises a viable turning point to our quest for democratic entrenchment on the continent and the reaffirmation of Africa’s determination to end the resurgence of military coups.

The Soldiers and Citizens Report forms part of UNDP’s response to the uptick in military coups in Africa. The report underscores critical findings and provides an explicit development lens in seeking to understand and frame responses to the unfolding events of military coups. A unique contribution of the study is that it offers a robust data-driven study on military coups by elevating the voices of 8,000 citizens’ perspectives from across eight countries. Furthermore, it lays an evident premise for the co-creation of the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT), which will be an important part of the joint operational response to coups in Africa going forward.

It is worth noting that The Gambia is one the few countries in Africa eligible to the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT), a Facility aimed at providing integrated support to countries undergoing complex political transitions including countries experiencing or at risk of UCG.

H.E Dr. Mamadou Tangara on the sidelines of the 43rd Session of the Executive Council of the African Union held a bilateral meeting with his Ethiopian counterpart- H.E Demeke Mekonnen. At the request, H.E Dr Tangara assured him of the constant support of The Gambia to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and his commitment to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

On the margins ofthe Executive Council, HM Tangara received Mauritania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad to discuss dates for holding of the Joint Commission Mixtes with Portugal and Spain. The two Ministers agreed on the interval for the convening of the said Joint Commissions.
HM Tangara also seized the opportunity to thank H.E. Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug for intercepting Gambian youths on illegal migration to Europe via Mauritania.

On the sidelines of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union being held in Nairobi, Kenya, The Gambia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Dr. Mamadou Tangara participated in an advocacy breakfast meeting for high-level diplomats marking the 20th Anniversary of the Maputo Protocol on Women Rights.

Jointly convened by the AUC Deputy Chairperson and the AU Special Rapporteur on the rights of Women In Africa, the session sought to promote universal ratification, greater domestication and implementation accountability for the Maputo Protocol within the African continent.

Delivering a solidarity statement, Minister Tangara expressed great pleasure and a deep sense of solidarity with the objectives of the session.

He stated that the Republic of The Gambia, like many other African countries, recognises the Maputo Protocol's fundamental importance in safeguarding the rights of women and girls.

Touting the protocol as a testament to the shared vision for a continent where all enjoy the full range of human rights, Hon.Tangara also invited deep reflection on the significant number of African women who continue to face systemic barriers that impede their full participation in society.

Citing cases of gender-based violence, limited access to education and health care, economic disparities and social marginalisation, the Minister advocated for unwavering commitment and collective action to address these impediments to women's advancement.

Foreign Minister Tangara reassured the meeting that The Gambia stands in solidarity with her African brothers and sisters in recognising that women's empowerment is crucial for the overall development and prosperity of the continent.

Furthermore, Minister Tangara confirmed that The Gambia is committed to strengthening its policies and partnerships that promote gender equality, ensure access to justice, and foster inclusive socio-economic opportunities for women and girls. The linkages between women's empowerment and unlocking the potential for sustainable and inclusive development were also buttressed.

He concluded by calling upon all African nations to renew their commitment to the Maputo Protocol and redouble their efforts to protect and promote the rights of women and girls.

He also called for deep reflection on the issue of accountability, emphasizing that domestication and implementation of the Maputu Protocol must be coupled with robust mechanisms that ensure accountability at all levels.

H.E Ambassador Jainaba JAGNE today received the ECOWAS Permanent Representative to the African Union, His Excellency Ambassador Francis Gabriel OKE. Ambassador JAGNE commended the ECOWAS Representative for his dedication to advancing the interests of the sub-regional bloc (ECOWAS) at the level of the African Union and for his formiddable role towards enhancing Peace and Security. On his part, Ambassador OKE also thanked the Embassy of The Republic of The Gambia - Addis Ababa through the dynamic leadership of Ambassador JAGNE for the strong display of leadership exhibited by The Gambia as a member of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.

The 46th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representative Committee(PRC) commenced yesterday at the African Union Headquarters. Preceding the Sessions of the Executive Council to be held in Kenya, this Session of the PRC entails considering the African Union Commission's programmes and budget as well as the Commission's administrative, budgetary and financial matters, and make recommendations to the Executive Council.

H.E Ambassador Jainaba JAGNE today paid a courtesy call to Mr. Melaku Bedada Senbeta(Director General of Protocol of the Republic of Ethiopia). The discussions were centered on the strengthening of bilateral relations between The Gambia and the Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in various spheres of national development priorities and the adoption of best practices between the two countries.

H.E Ambassador Jainaba Jagne today received in audience Mr. Pavel Zemen(the Candidate of the Czech Republic) currently vying for the position of Judge at the International Criminal Court(ICC). H.E JAGNE buttressed the significance of the rule of law and the strengthening of measures to consolidate Impartiality and independence of the Court . In his deliberations, Mr. Zemen also reiterated the significance of the rule of law, justice and accountability and accordingly reiterate his profound commitment to deliver to the effective mandate of the ICC when elected.