Foreign relations of the Gambia Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Gambia has played an active role in that organization's efforts to resolve the Liberian Civil War and contributed troops to the community's cease-fire monitoring group (ECOMOG). It also has sought to mediate disputes in nearby Guinea-Bissau and the neighbouring Casamance region of Senegal. The People's Republic of China, Cuba, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America have embassies or high commissions in the Gambia. On 25 May 2005, the Gambia announced its readiness to establish full diplomatic relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Military history of The Gambia Giffard was its first General Officer Commanding. His headquarters was established near Accra and his task was to ensure the defence of all West African territories and coordination of military resources in the West African colonies. The first Commanding Officer Gambia Area was appointed on 19 December 1940, in the form of Colonel (Acting) Neil Dewar Rice (he was promoted to Acting Brigadier in August 1941). On 10 December 1941, GHQ West Africa Command was formed to supersede HQ Military Forces West Africa. It had under its command four areas: Nigeria Area, Gold Coast Area, Sierra Leone Area, and Gambia