Gambian Foreign Minister Dr. Mamadou Tangara addressed the National Assembly to explain the fate of several diplomats recalled due to various scandals. Over the past few years, Gambian diplomats stationed in countries like the US, Cuba, Mauritania, and Russia have been removed from their positions following incidents that brought embarrassment to the country.
In response to questioning, Minister Tangara confirmed that some diplomats involved in these controversies have been removed from the foreign service. He refrained from naming individuals but mentioned that, last year, four diplomats were expelled from the US due to offenses such as visa fraud. Additionally, two diplomats were recalled from Cuba following an “unfortunate incident,” along with a finance officer.
More recently, a diplomat was recalled from Mauritania under controversial circumstances. When asked about the ministry’s actions beyond recalling the diplomats, Tangara stated that although these individuals remain part of the civil service, they will no longer be part of the foreign service. He explained that while the ministry cannot remove them from the civil service entirely, they can recommend that these individuals no longer represent the Gambia abroad due to the country’s image being at stake.
Tangara also highlighted that in other countries, diplomats typically resign when involved in controversies, but this is not always the case in Gambia. Therefore, the ministry takes responsibility for removing them from foreign service. Once recalled, these individuals are placed at the disposal of the civil service, which determines their future assignments.
