September 2026

𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐥, 10𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Hon. Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, on Tuesday, 8th September 2026 held a meeting with Former Gambian Ambassadors and Retired Senior Diplomatic Executives at the Ministry in Banjul the first meeting of its kind between the Ministry and the country’s former diplomats. The meeting was also attended by Permanent Secretary I, Ambassador Lang Yabou, Permanent Secretary II, Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe, Ambassador Ebrima Ousmane Ndure, Chairman of the Interim Committee for the proposed Association of Former Gambian Ambassadors and Retired Senior Diplomatic Executives, and Ambassador Ruth Adjuah Sowe, The Gambia’s first female Ambassador. During the meeting, the Hon. Minister outlined the Ministry’s strategic vision and priorities, including a Foreign Service Reform Programme and a proposed Foreign Service Academy. He also updated attendees on a number of policy instruments currently being finalized: the Foreign Policy Framework, the Foreign Service Regulation, the Foreign Service Bill, the Diaspora Strategy, and the Code of Conduct for Gambian Diplomats. Minister Njie proposed the establishment of a Retired Diplomats Advisory Forum and outlined areas for continued engagement with retired diplomats, including mentorship of serving officers, contributions to the proposed Foreign Service Academy, and input into the review of institutional and policy documents. Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Ebrima Ousmane Ndure, Chairman of the Interim Committee, briefed attendees on progress made toward formalizing the Association of Former Gambian Ambassadors and Retired Senior Diplomatic Executives an initiative intended to provide mentorship, training, and advisory support to the Foreign Service. In their remarks, Permanent Secretary I, Ambassador Lang Yabou and Permanent Secretary II, Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe welcomed the former diplomats on behalf of the Ministry and expressed appreciation for their continued willingness to support the work of the Foreign Service. In conclusion, the Hon. Minister thanked the former Ambassadors and retired senior diplomatic executives for their years of service and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to structured and ongoing collaboration with them going forward.

𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐥, 10𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Hon. Sering Modou Njie, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, on Friday, 4th September 2026, received Ms. Helen Kamau, Representative and Country Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in The Gambia, who paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry to formally present her Letters of Credence. During the meeting, the Hon. Minister welcomed Ms. Kamau to the Republic of The Gambia and congratulated her on her appointment as WFP Representative and Country Director. He expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between the Government of The Gambia and the World Food Programme, noting the Organisation’s continued contribution to the country’s development efforts. Minister Njie further highlighted the valuable role played by WFP in supporting national priorities, particularly in the area of education and other programmes aimed at improving the welfare and livelihoods of vulnerable communities. For her part, Ms. Helen Kamau expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome and outlined some of the challenges confronting the organisation, particularly in relation to resource mobilisation and language barriers. She, however, expressed her commitment to working closely with the Government of The Gambia and other partners throughout her tenure to advance WFP’s mandate in the country. In conclusion, the Hon. Sering Modou Njie thanked Ms. Kamau for the continued support and contributions of the World Food Programme to The Gambia. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening cooperation between The Gambia and WFP and expressed hope for further collaboration in areas of mutual interest.