Press release

The Gambia rejoins the Commonwealth

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson gave a statement welcoming The Gambia re-joining the Commonwealth.

• From: Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon Boris Johnson
• Published: 8 February 2018

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

The Foreign Secretary with President Adama Barrow in February 2017.

The Gambia rejoined the Commonwealth on 8 February 2018, after the Commonwealth Secretariat confirmed their application had been approved unanimously by Commonwealth Member States.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

The Gambia’s return to the Commonwealth family is fantastic news. When I visited the country last year, I saw huge enthusiasm for the values and opportunities offered by our modern, diverse Commonwealth.

This shows that when a country commits to strengthening democracy, governance and the rule of law, it is welcomed back to the international community and the Commonwealth family.

I very much hope to welcome President Barrow to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London in April.

British High Commissioner to The Gambia, Sharon Wardle, welcomes the announcement

British High Commissioner Sharon Wardle

Published 8 February 2018