平和構築委員会（PBC）ガンビアに関する大使級会合における水田公使参事官ステートメント
令和4年10月18日
(Check against delivery)
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for convening the meeting.
I would also like to thank the briefers for the updates.
As we increasingly see political and security instability in Africa and beyond, the importance of sustained peace and prevention of conflict cannot be stressed enough. Observing such situation, the steady progress and commitment shown by The Gambia’s government and its people towards peacebuilding since 2017 should be commended and supported.
Japan is encouraged by the developments in The Gambia since the last meeting of the PBC in October 2021. We have seen positive developments such as the holding of the peaceful, free and fair presidential election last December and legislative elections this April, the submission of the final report of the Truth, Reconciliation and Repatriation Commission (TRRC), and the consequent release by The Gambian government of the White Paper outlining its approach to the implementation of those recommendations.
The recommendations culminating from the inclusive and participatory process of the TRRC deserve full attention. Japan looks forward to concrete actions and reforms to be taken by the Government to promote justice, reparations, and reconciliation.
In this context, let me highlight two points that Japan sees as important in the efforts to promote reconciliation and peace in The Gambia.
First, it is critical that The Gambia’s government continues to bolster efforts to establish effective, accountable, and democratic institutions to uphold human rights, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms, which provide the basis for a peaceful society. The proper and resilient institution building is one of the important elements that contributes to the achievement of such society, and Japan has long supported The Gambia in this area. Our recent cooperation in the area of institution building includes strengthening the Gambian authorities’ capacity to manage borders and to enhance the maritime surveillance and migrant protection capabilities off the coast of The Gambia. Japan intends to continue the support in the area of border management to promote peace, stability, and security in The Gambia.
Second, given the prevailing global socio-economic crises, enhanced effort is needed to alleviate their impacts on the population. In this regard, Japan provided bilateral grant aid of approximately 1.7 million USD for food assistance this year, as well as training programmes towards agricultural development and private sector development, among others.
To conclude, let me assure you that Japan stands ready to continue our cooperation and to support The Gambia’s endeavour towards establishing lasting peace.
I thank you.