By Fatoumata Joof
The Honourable Minister of the Interior, Mr. Seyaka Sonko, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, Mr. Assan Tangara; and Adviser to the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Gibril Secka, on Wednesday, 8th February 2023 paid a courtesy call on the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to The Gambia, His Excellency Ambassador LIU JIN at his office in Banjul. The purpose of his visit was to discuss ways of strengthening the friendly bilateral ties between the two countries; especially on security.
During the meeting Minister Sonko thanked Ambassador Liu for receiving him and his team before highlighting the mandate and functions of his Ministry and its line security departments and commissions.
He informed that his Ministry has been collaborating with sub-regional countries and the United Nations Office to combat counterterrorism. He went on to mention The Gambia Police Force, Gambia Immigration Department, Gambia Prison Service, Gambia Fire and Rescue Service and Drug law Enforcement Agency, as institutions needing more capacity building on counterterrorism, road traffic accident management, murder case management, cyber-crime management, crime scene management, border patrol/ control and other related security areas.
Minister Sonko finally assured of his office’s commitment to addressing the needs of the line security agencies of the Ministry; especially in the area of equipment supply, to ensure that effective and efficient security service is provided to the people. He therefore enlists the support and collaboration of the People’s Republic of China through the embassy in that endeavour, while thanking them for their continual support and cooperation with The Gambia.
For his part, Ambassador Liu Jin welcomed the Honourable Minister of Interior and his delegation and thanked him for the timely visit.
He acknowledged that The Gambia is a peaceful nation and that the two countries enjoy a friendly bilateral cooperation. He noted that it is part of China’s foreign policy to help other nations and therefore promised to focus on supporting the security sector through capacity building.
The Ambassador recalled that sometime around 2018/2019, the People’s Republic of China donated motor bikes to The Gambia Police Force to support them in their daily operations. He suggested that the two countries can learn and share knowledge and experience on security and safety through a study tour to the People’s Republic of China and by participating in conferences and seminars with relevant institutions in China.
