By: Kemo Kanyi
The Gambia government has defended its decision to issue national identity cards to citizens living outside the country, insisting that the practice is both legal and necessary.
In a statement issued out on Friday, the Ministry of Interior said the service was grounded in established domestic and international legal instruments and had been carried out in the past.
The move has sparked widespread criticism from sections of the public and opposition parties, including the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), have all questioned its legality.
The ministry cites the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which establishes the principle of extraterritorial jurisdiction within embassies and consulates. Under this doctrine, it says, The Gambia retains the authority to provide public services including the issuance of national documents to its citizens within the premises of its diplomatic missions and consular offices.
“All services provided to Gambians abroad are strictly governed by the Constitution of The Republic of The Gambia and other relevant laws. The issuance of national documents within or outside The Gambia is subject to the same requirements and conditions set out by law to guarantee the integrity of our national documents,” the statement pointed out.
The ministry said the decision to send enrolment teams abroad took into account the difficulties faced by Gambians whose documents expired while they were overseas and who were unable to return home for renewal.
A team of Immigration officers from the Gambia Biometric Identification System (GAMBIS) has been deployed to Gabon and Togo to facilitate the enrolment and processing of applications. According to the statement, all approved ID cards will be printed in Banjul and then dispatched to the respective embassies or consulates for collection.
The government maintains it remains committed to providing responsive services and safeguarding the rights and interests of Gambians, regardless of their place of residence.