Mayor Rohey Lowe Hosts Azerbaijani Delegation, Pushes for Stronger Africa–Middle East Ties

The Mayor of Banjul City Council, Rohey Malick Lowe, has hosted a high-level delegation from Azerbaijan, describing the meeting as both a diplomatic milestone and a deeply personal moment.

According to a statement shared on her official Facebook page, Mayor Lowe welcomed H.E. Yalchin Rafiyev, alongside Ambassador Nazim Samadov and senior foreign affairs official Elmaddin Mehdiyev.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Banjul and Baku, with discussions also expanding to broader collaboration between Africa and the Middle East. Mayor Lowe emphasized the importance of building strategic partnerships across the two regions, highlighting shared priorities such as youth empowerment, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

In a heartfelt reflection, the Mayor described Azerbaijan as her “second home,” recalling the moment she received a prestigious recognition from UN-Habitat on Azerbaijani soil, an experience she said continues to shape her leadership and commitment to urban development.

She praised the visit as a symbol of growing friendship and mutual respect, expressing optimism that the engagement would translate into tangible development outcomes for both cities and regions.

The visit marks another step in deepening diplomatic and development ties between The Gambia and Azerbaijan, as leaders on both sides seek to expand cooperation beyond traditional partnerships.