The Gambia and Iran have restored diplomatic ties after 14 years of severed relationship between the two countries.

In 2010, the Jammeh regime cut ties with Tehran and ordered all Iranians representatives to leave the country within 48hrs. The Jammeh government gave no reason, but an Iranian diplomat said the move was taken under US pressure.

However, The Gambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad announced that the country has resumed diplomatic ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The foreign affairs ministers of the two countries signed a Communiqué on the resumption of diplomatic relations between The Gambia and Iran.

“The two Ministers agreed to build friendly bilateral ties between the two countries based on mutual respect, equality and common interests. This development comes after a series of high-level engagements between the representatives of the two countries,” the statement said.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba