By: Saidu Jalloh
On Tuesday, 5th February 2025, Her Excellency Martha Kanagbo, the High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to Banjul (also accredited to Guinea-Bissau), paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Mr. Muhammed S.B. Jallow, Vice President of The Gambia, at his office in Banjul.
During the visit, H.E. Kanagbo commended the Vice President for the warm hospitality extended to her and her team. She conveyed the heartfelt greetings of the President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, and the people of Sierra Leone.
High Commissioner Kanagbo highlighted the long-standing historical ties between Sierra Leone and The Gambia. She emphasized the importance of further strengthening the bilateral relationship and exploring opportunities for collaboration that would benefit both nations.
In particular, she focused on enhancing trade relations between the two countries and improving the welfare of Sierra Leoneans residing in The Gambia. H.E. Kanagbo also raised the issue of a parcel of land that had been allocated to the Sierra Leone Muslim Jamaat in The Gambia during the era of President Jammeh. She informed the Vice President that an unknown individual had unlawfully built on the land. In light of this, she respectfully appealed to the Vice President for the allocation of another plot of land for the Sierra Leonean community.
To mark the occasion, H.E. Kanagbo presented a unique gift of a map of Sierra Leone to the Vice President, which was warmly received.
In his response, Vice President Jallow thanked High Commissioner Kanagbo for her visit and for the thoughtful gift, describing it as a unique token. He noted that the relationship between Sierra Leone and The Gambia transcended diplomatic ties, being rooted in the historical connections of both nations during the colonial era.
Vice President Jallow elaborated that, during the colonial period, both countries were administered under British rule, with The Gambia governed by a colonial governor who answered to the Governor of Sierra Leone. He assured H.E. Kanagbo of his commitment to further collaboration between the two countries and promised to address the issue of the land allocated to the Sierra Leone Muslim Jamaat.
