(JollofNews) – The Gambia and Iran have agreed to rekindle their friendship following a bitter fallout between the previous regimes of Presidents Yahya Jammeh and Ahmadi-nejad.
The decision to deepen ties between Banjul and Tehran follows a series of talks between the Gambia’s deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Momodou Sanneh and senior Iranian officials including Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif
Mr Sanneh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
According to the official Farsi Newspaper , the Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif said during the meeting that: “The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to start a new chapter of cooperation with Gambia in different agricultural, hygiene and technological fields, building power plants and fighting against extremism and terrorism.”
The Iranian minister of Agriculture, Jihad Minister Mahmoud Hojjati said that Iran is fully ready to cooperate with Gambia in the fields of research, education and agricultural machinery.
“Iran with diverse climatic conditions has successful experience in the field of producing all types of crops,” Hojjati said in a meeting with Sanneh in Tehran.
Describing Gambia as a rich country in terms of water resources, Hojjati said that in addition to enjoying enough water resources and fertile soil as well as suitable climate to raise tropical crops with high global demand, Gambia has the potential for aquatic farming.
“Iran faces shortage of water, but it makes great attempts to produce food of 80 million Iranians independently,” Hojjati said recalling Iran’s self-sufficiency in producing wheat.
For his part, Mr Sanneh, underscored the necessity for increased cooperation with Iran, and said there are good grounds for the two countries’ cooperation in agricultural, technological and hygiene sectors as well as investment in economic infrastructure.
He added that the Gambia is a country with enough water and soil, but it needs mechanization of agriculture and procuring fertilizers to boost production and maintain fertility of its soil.
Hailing Iran’s progress in agriculture in recent years, Gambian official expressed the hope that the two countries’ agricultural cooperation would further improve in future.
In November 2010, the former Gambian regime of Yahya Jammeh severed ties with Iran and gave Iranian diplomats in the country 48 hours to leave the West African nation.
The government also cancelled all aid projects Iran had under construction in the Gambia following the interception of a shipment of arms in Nigeria destined for Gambia.
Dangerous liaisons; This Gambian government has a short if convenient memory. An indication that it really does not have a cohesive, ethical foreign policy. It just shouts “give me aid” and cares little about who is giving it. A move likely to upset the US and its Middle Eastern allies. Suspicion is worse than threat. It undermines all partnerships. Recent emerging issues surrounding the coalitions style of government, are leading to much online criticism online. Allegations of torture, and detention without charge or access to legal advice, and rallies from the opposition being denied.
Are real causes for concern. Only 7 months gone and dirty linen, beginning to emerge. Sad,,,, very sad indeed.
Mixed feelings about this move, but I must say, it’s a brave one, when the government is literally on “life support” from the West.
However, recent leaks from emails within Saudi power circles suggest that the crown Prince is not against US normalizing relations with Iran.
In fact, he is reported to be considering pulling out of the Yemen conflict, leaving the door wide open for Iran.
So the Coalition Government may be playing a serious hand here.
I mean to say, why should the Gambian government build policies to create wealth and employment and growth; When it can fly business class around the world to beg for aid. The amount of aid it collects is 5 times greater than the total Gross Domestic Product of the Gambia. Meanwhile those at the lower end of the food chain, go hungry. Gambians abroad show more responsibility to there families than any Gambian government of the past 52 years. If Gambia made government redundant would gambians be any worse off ? Its a pertinent and leading question. Even the IMF pencilled in donor support in its most recent posting. I think such comments are insults.” Life support from the west”>> I like that Bax.
Dangerous and false friendships, Iran is seeking Shia Masjid to introduce they fake religion into our country the Gambia witch is clearly haram in Sunnah Muslim as Gambia is Sunnah Muslim country community.you guys know Iran than anyone