The Gambia has requested the Zambian government for support in its judicial reforms by seconding judges to their judiciary.
Gambian Foreign minister, Dr Mamadou Tangara, made the request during a bilateral meeting with his Zambian counterpart, Joseph Malanji.
The Gambian minister said that the recommendation for Zambian judges was made by Gambian chief justice Hassan Jallow who acclaimed Zambia’s calibre of judges.
The minister said his government would formally write to the Zambia government on its request for judges and the need for enhanced development cooperation between the two countries.
He said The Gambia has not had a university [until recent] and has had to rely on external expertise in many sectors including the judiciary.
“We are at a critical time in our history, where we are making judicial reforms, therefore this can’t be fully achieved without the help of partners like Zambia,” he said.
And responding to the request, Zambian Foreign minister, Joseph Malanji, assured his Gambian counterpart that Zambia would consider the request.
He said once the formal request is made, it would be presented to the executive arm of government for consideration.
The minister echoed the good relations between the two countries and reiterated the call for enhance development cooperation.
He said further that Zambia’s judicial system was independent and devoid of any interference.
The Minister further disclosed that the judicial system was undergoing some reforms meant to improve its efficiency.
“No country is insulated from challenges, therefore the need to cooperate in key sectors such as the judiciary, health and education cannot be over-emphasised. The cordial relations that exist between the two countries must be enhanced for the benefit of the two countries,” he said.
Issued by First Secretary, Press & Tourism, Embassy of Zambia in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia.
