Rohingya issue to be taken to int’l court of justice
Visiting Gambian Foreign Minister Dr Mamadou Tangara yesterday expressed his country’s commitment to continue to support Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue and take the matter to the International Court of Justice.
“We’ll continue our cooperation with Bangladesh on the Rohingya issue and take it [the matter] to the International Court of Justice as it is a humanitarian issue,” he said.
The Gambian foreign minister made the remarks when he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Gono Bhaban residence in the morning. PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
Dr Mamadou praised the prime minister’s leadership, especially in women’s development and empowerment. At the meeting, he handed over a letter from the Gambian president to the prime minister.
The Gambian foreign minister informed the PM of the meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart and signing of a Foreign Office Protocol. “We are keen to have cooperation in the field of science and technology,” he said.
The PM recalled her long struggle for restoration of democracy in Bangladesh after returning home from six-year exile on this day in 1981, after being elected the president of Awami League.
“We’re now trying our best to uplift the condition of the country’s people,” she said.
In this context, the PM mentioned that the poverty level has been brought down to 21 percent while the country is going to achieve 8.13 percent GDP growth in the current fiscal year, thanks to various pragmatic steps of her government.
The prime minister said the government is setting up 100 economic zones across the country aimed at ensuring industrial development and generating employment.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, PM’s International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi and Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman were present on the occasion, among others.
Earlier, during a bilateral meeting with Gambian foreign minister at the state guest house Meghna yesterday, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen thanked Gambia for its leadership role in the OIC on the accountability related to the Rohingya issue.
Briefing on the gravity of the crisis that Bangladesh is facing with the Rohingyas, he said accountability on the issue must be determined, and Bangladesh will support all OIC initiatives in this respect.
Dr Momen stressed on improving “South-South-North Triangular” cooperation among developing countries like Bangladesh and Gambia.
He mentioned that cooperation may be established in agriculture and food production sectors with Gambia taking into account Bangladesh’s remarkable success in the fields.
He mentioned that Gambian companies may invest in Bangladesh and cooperate in energy, agro-processing and SME industries. He also informed that Gambia may import RMG, pharmaceutical, ships and boats from Bangladesh.
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