MINISTER JOOF TO CHAMPION GAMBIA’S SECURITY LEADERSHIP AT PRESTIGIOUS PARIS SUMMIT

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

Banjul, 13 April 2026 — The Honourable Minister of Defence, Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof, is set to project The Gambia’s growing influence on the global stage as he addresses the inaugural plenary meeting of the G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea in Paris, France.

Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Madam Rohie Bittaye Darboe, Minister Joof’s participation signals yet another strong endorsement of the government’s proactive and forward-looking security diplomacy under President Adama Barrow’s leadership.

The high-level meeting, scheduled for 15 to 16 April 2026, is convened under the auspices of the powerful Group of Seven (G7), with France hosting in its distinguished role as the 2026 G7 President. The gathering brings together some of the world’s most influential nations alongside Gulf of Guinea states in a united front to safeguard one of Africa’s most strategic maritime corridors.

The G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea initiative stands as a vital international platform—fostering cooperation between global powers, regional actors, and strategic partners—to decisively confront maritime insecurity, piracy, and transnational organized crime. The inclusion and active participation of The Gambia in this elite forum underscores the country’s rising credibility and trust among international partners.

Backed by key institutions such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the European Union, the Paris plenary is expected to deliver bold, coordinated strategies to secure the Gulf of Guinea—an economic lifeline critical to regional prosperity and global trade.

Minister Joof’s address is anticipated to spotlight The Gambia’s tangible contributions to regional peace and security, while reinforcing the nation’s unwavering commitment to collaboration, intelligence sharing, and capacity building. His presence not only amplifies The Gambia’s voice but also affirms its position as a responsible and dependable partner in safeguarding maritime stability.

As global attention turns to Paris, The Gambia once again demonstrates that, despite its size, it remains a formidable and respected player in shaping solutions to some of the world’s most pressing security challenges.