THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Germany has opened its first embassy in the Gambia. Until now, the presence of the German Federal Foreign Office in The Gambia was limited to a Liaison Office as part of the German Embassy in Dakar.
The event took place on 17 May and was marked with a diplomatic reception.
To honour the milestone, Minister of State in the German Federal Foreign Office, Ms Katja Keul, visited The Gambia and unveiled the embassy signboard, joined by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr Momodou Tangara.
The dignitaries expressed that the opening of a permanent German diplomatic presence in Banjul is ‘a testimony of the deepening friendly relations and strengthening of the bilateral cooperation between The Gambia and Germany’ and that it is a sign of recognition and appreciation towards The Gambia’s efforts in the democratic transformation process.
Since The Gambia’s democratic transition started in 2017, relations between the two countries have picked up, and many initiatives have been jointly implemented to strengthen The Gambia’s security, economy, health and education sectors, to name but a few.
To recognise these efforts and to better serve crucial areas such as politics, economy, culture and education, Germany is increasing its diplomatic presence in The Gambia. Later this year, the German Embassy Banjul will be welcoming the first German Ambassador to be posted in The Gambia.
At the same time, the German Embassy Banjul will remain a small representation with only a small team. This means that consular services and visa issuance continue to be taken care of by the German Embassy in Dakar, which also assists the mission in Banjul with administrative matters.
The Embassy is located in the premises of the former Liaison Office Banjul of the German Embassy Dakar.
Germany manages 226 diplomatic missions abroad. Of these, 152 are embassies.
Adira Kallo
