Rabat – The Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) of Morocco, Mohammed Berrid, met with Gambia’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Mamat Oa Cham, while on an official visit to Morocco this week. The visit aims to boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting was held at the general staff headquarters of the FAR and was initiated based on instruction from King Mohammed VI, who serves as the Supreme Commander and Chief of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.
Discussions during the meeting focused on various aspects of military collaboration, with particular emphasis on training programs and the exchange of experiences between the FAR and the Gambian armed forces, according to an official statement from the FAR general staff.
Expressing satisfaction with the existing strong relations between the two countries, the military leaders explored avenues to further enhance cooperation. Among the key points of discussion were plans to broaden collaboration into other areas of shared interest, including joint participation in military exercises and organizational endeavors.
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The diplomatic ties between Morocco and The Gambia have been on an upward trajectory. The strengthening of bilateral relations has been ongoing since the visit of King Mohammed VI to The Gambia in 2006.
The West African country was the second state to open a consulate in Dakhla in January 2020, an event that cemented its support of Morocco’s sovereignty of its southern provinces in the Western Sahara.
Following the inauguration of the Gambian consulate, Gambia’s foreign minister paid multiple visits to Morocco.
In November 2023, Gambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Mamadou Tangara reiterated his country’s support for Morocco’s territorial integrity, saying that his country’s stance is clear and “without any ambiguity.”
Earlier this month, Tangara, while on an official visit to Morocco, praised King Mohammed VI’s strategic initiative aiming to promote socio-economic development across the Sahel region.
This strategic initiative, called Enhance Atlantic Ocean Access, aims to explore solutions for integration and economic transformation in the Sahel countries, in order to improve the quality of life for their populations.
