Honorary Consul Prof. Francesco Cristina Reflects on 36 Years of Service to The Gambia and Calls for Upgraded Status

By : Isatou Jallow

In an exclusive interview with Global Radio and TV (GRTV) on Friday, 25 September 2026, Prof. Lawyer Francesco Cristina of Santànnera reflected on his nearly four-decade career representing The Gambia in Italy and San Marino, detailing key milestones in bilateral cooperation and addressing the evolving needs of the Diaspora.

Appointed in 1990 by The Gambia’s first president, the late Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, Prof. Cristina initially took on the role of Honorary Consul to oversee a modest diaspora of roughly 300 Gambians living in Italy. Over the past 36 years, that population has expanded significantly to an estimated 52,000 nationals today, including both registered and unregistered residents.

Tasked from the beginning with establishing and consolidating diplomatic, economic, and cultural cooperation between Banjul and Rome, Prof. Cristina worked closely with community elders to organize the diaspora. Under his leadership, the consulate facilitated the establishment of 57 Gambian community associations across various Italian cities to foster integration, mutual aid and civic coordination.

Prof. Cristina highlighted that he has maintained and operated the Consulate General office in Milan using his personal financial resources on a purely voluntary basis, taking no government salary or financial stipend for his work protecting Gambian citizens.

Diplomatic Mandate and Legal Recognition.
Addressing the legal parameters of his role, Prof. Cristina noted that under the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, an Honorary Consul’s formal duties are typically limited to basic administrative tasks, such as issuing certificates and declarations. However, leveraging his standing as an Italian university professor, legal practitioner, and member of an esteemed Italian family, he has frequently intervened at higher diplomatic levels to advocate for Gambian nationals and protect their interests.

Given the demographic shifts and the scale of the diaspora, Prof. Cristina suggested that the Gambian government consider adjusting his official title to better match his current responsibilities and his rank in neighboring jurisdictions. Since 2006, he has served as Minister Counselor to the Republic of San Marino. He noted the structural paradox of holding a higher diplomatic status in San Marino while serving as Honorary Consul General in Italy, where the vast majority of Gambian nationals reside.

He expressed hope that HE the Ptesident and the Minister of Foreign Affairs would consider elevating his status to Ambassador, Minister Counselor, or at least full-fledged Consul General to provide a solid legal framework for his ongoing work.
Strengthening Security and Bilateral Relations

The interview also highlighted concrete outcomes of the bilateral relationship between Italy and The Gambia. Prof. Cristina pointed to significant defense and security support provided by Rome, including a 2017 donation of 40 Toyota double-cab pick-up trucks to Gambian authorities.

More recently, in mid-September 2026, Italy delivered a new fleet of 40 border patrol vehicles comprising 30 Ford pick-ups and 10 Fiat minibuses to bolster border security operations. The vehicles have arrived in The Gambia, and Prof. Cristina confirmed plans to travel to Banjul shortly to join Gambian and Italian officials for the formal handover ceremony.

Reflecting on his personal connection to the nation, Prof. Cristina who holds Gambian citizenship by naturalization alongside his native Italian nationality emphasized that his dedication remains rooted in service rather than personal gain. He disclosed that, he had secured sixty scholarships for each university academic year from the Italian Minister of Universities and Research, with the goal of training a new generation of young Gambians to receive a high-level international education in Italy.

"I am not looking for money or privileges in helping Gambians and representing Gambians, but simply having an appropriate and lawful diplomatic role to continue my voluntary work and to consolidate the diplomatic relations between The Gambia and Italy," Prof. Cristina stated.

"I look forward to doing much more for Gambians because they are my people and The Gambia is my country. May the Almighty bless The Gambia, and the Gambians including myself." Prof. concluded