๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad is pleased to announce the appointment of Ambassador Mr. Lamin Faati as Director of African Affairs, effective June 2026.
Ambassador Faati is a distinguished Gambian diplomat, international lawyer, and seasoned public servant with over three decades of experience in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, international law, multilateral negotiations, and public administration. His appointment reflects the Government of The Gambiaโs commitment to advancing its foreign policy objectives, strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations across the African continent, and promoting regional peace, security, and economic integration.
Ambassador Lamin Faati began his public service career in 1990 at the Accountant Generalโs Department. Following completion of his Bachelor of Laws (LLB)and Bar Course in 2000, Ambassador Faati was called to the Sierra Leonean Bar and also The Gambia Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of The Gambia and also appointed as State Counsel at the Attorney Generalโs Chambers and Ministry of Justice.
In February 2002, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Senior Assistant Secretary/First Secretary before being posted to The Gambia Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York where he served from 2002 to 2012 in various capacities, including First Secretary and Counsellor, representing The Gambia in the United Nations General Assembly, its Main Committees, and numerous international negotiations.
He played an active role in advancing The Gambiaโs interests within the African Group, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth, and the Group of 77 and China. His contributions included negotiations leading to the establishment of key international institutions and frameworks, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Peacebuilding Commission, UN Women, as well as several international legal instruments.
Between 2012 and 2016, Ambassador Faati served as Counsellor and was later promoted to the Rank of Deputy Permanent Secretary while still serving at The Gambia Embassy in Addis Ababa and Permanent Mission to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). In this capacity, he represented The Gambia at African Union Peace and Security Council meetings, AU Summits, and numerous continental conferences, providing strategic advice on peace and security, conflict prevention, legal affairs, and political developments across Africa.
Following his return to Banjul, in June 2016, was appointed Permanent Secretary II at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Finance and Administration, Multilateral Affairs, and African Union and United Nations matters.
In May 2017, Ambassador Faati was posted to The Gambia Permanent Mission in New York where he served from 2017 to 2024 as Deputy Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the United Nations in New York.
He was redeployed to Addis Ababa as Deputy Head of Mission to the Embassy of The Gambia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and UNECA from November 2024 until his return to Home Service and appointment as Director of African Affairs, Directorate in June 2026.
Academically, Mr. Faati holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) from the University of Ghana and a Barrister-at-Law qualification from the Sierra Leone Law School. He is also a recipient of the prestigious United Nations Fellowship Programme in International Law at The Hague and has undertaken extensive professional training in diplomacy, international law, peacebuilding, preventive diplomacy, treaty negotiations, and multilateral affairs.
Ambassador Lamin Faati brings a wealth of legal expertise, diplomatic experience, and strategic leadership to his new role.
As Director of African Affairs, Ambassador Lamin Faati will lead the Ministryโs engagement with African Union Member States and regional institutions, deepen The Gambiaโs diplomatic partnerships across the continent, promote peace and security cooperation, and advance the countryโs regional integration and development agenda in line with the Governmentโs foreign policy priorities.