Iran Press/Africa: In an interview with Iran Press News Agency in Abuja, the Majority Leader and Chairman of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the National Assembly of The Gambia Honorable Bilay G.Tunkara, expressed optimism about the newly restored Gambia-Iran relations, stating that "Iran-Gambia relations dated back far in the 1970s since the days of our former president Sir. Dawda k. Jawara and during his tenure the relations was very fruitful".
As part of Gambia's Commitment to Iran Gambia Ties, the former Gambian President, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, paused a policy naturally during the Iran and Iraq war.
During the reins of Former president Yahya Jammeh, he also maintained a policy of neutrality, but at a time, the relationship soared.
President Jammeh has enjoyed support from the Iranian government, particularly during hosting the Africa Union (AU) summit held in Banjul in 2006, in which Iran's former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was invited as the Chief Guest Honor.
Hon.Biley G.Tunkara described the resumption as "a significant milestone in terms of bilateral ties between the two countries"
Gambian leader President Adama Barrow, who is also the Chairperson of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), deems it necessary to revitalize the Gambia-Iran relations, which the Chairman of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Tunkara is said to have generated support for the Gambians in the area of Agriculture and Fisheries during President Jammeh's regime.
"Now we pray and hope that the newly fixed relations will benefit both parties symbolically as Gambia carries the helm of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) leadership, the Gambia Majority Leader lamented. 204
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