New U.S. Ambassador Pledges Stronger Ties With the Gambia, Defends Trump’s Immigration Policies

By Seedy Jobe

The new United States ambassador to The Gambia, Laurence Socha, has pledged to strengthen diplomatic relations between Washington and Banjul, emphasizing cooperation on security, economic development, and democratic governance while defending President Donald Trump’s restrictive immigration policies as necessary to protect American borders.

Speaking Monday during an interview on QTV’s This Morning program, Mr. Socha, who arrived in The Gambia with his family two weeks ago, said the longstanding relationship between the two countries would remain a priority during his tenure.

The ambassador described his initial experience in The Gambia as remarkable, saying the country had lived up to its reputation as the “Smiling Coast of Africa.” He praised the warmth and hospitality of Gambians and expressed enthusiasm about working with government officials and communities to address shared challenges.

Mr. Socha, who was appointed by President Trump, described his new diplomatic assignment as a significant milestone in a career spanning nearly two decades.

He said serving as the 22nd United States ambassador to The Gambia was an extraordinary honor and expressed gratitude to Mr. Trump for entrusting him with the position.

The diplomat also praised the energy and contributions of Gambians both at home and in the United States, describing the Gambian-American community as an important bridge between the two nations.

According to Mr. Socha, diplomatic relations between Washington and Banjul date to The Gambia’s independence in 1965, while cultural and personal connections between their peoples extend even further.

Addressing concerns about the difficulties Gambians face in obtaining American visas, the ambassador made clear that U.S. immigration policy is determined in Washington rather than by individual diplomatic missions.

He defended the Trump administration’s approach, arguing that the president inherited a dysfunctional immigration system and had taken decisive steps to strengthen border security.

Mr. Socha emphasized that securing national borders was a fundamental responsibility of any government, presenting the administration’s immigration measures as part of a broader effort to restore order to the American immigration system.

Despite the concerns surrounding visa access, the ambassador said he remained committed to strengthening people-to-people ties through educational, cultural and volunteer exchange programs.

He highlighted the Peace Corps as an enduring symbol of American-Gambian cooperation, noting that the organization would mark 60 years of service in The Gambia next year.

Drawing on his extensive diplomatic experience, Mr. Socha said he had spent approximately one-third of his career working in Africa, including assignments in Nigeria, Somalia and Zimbabwe.

Those experiences, he said, reinforced his belief in the importance of strong democratic institutions, accountable leadership and political stability.

The ambassador expressed admiration for The Gambia’s democratic progress, particularly its independent media and traditions of religious tolerance.

He praised the peaceful coexistence of Christians and Muslims, observing that Gambians, regardless of religious affiliation, share many of the same everyday concerns, including employment, education and the well-being of their families.

Mr. Socha also welcomed what he described as the country’s commitment to democratic accountability, contrasting The Gambia’s political environment with experiences elsewhere on the continent where democratic institutions have struggled or collapsed.

He said the United States, drawing on more than two centuries of democratic experience, was prepared to share lessons with The Gambia while remaining open to learning from the country’s own democratic transition and development.

The ambassador expressed optimism that continued cooperation, mutual respect and shared democratic values would deepen relations between the two countries during his tenure.