Press Release

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: 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 Gambia’s 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 General’s 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 General’s 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 Gambia’s 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 Ministry’s engagement with African Union Member States and regional institutions, deepen The Gambia’s diplomatic partnerships across the continent, promote peace and security cooperation, and advance the country’s regional integration and development agenda in line with the Government’s foreign policy priorities.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: With profound sadness, the Government of the Republic of The Gambia has learned of the passing of His Highness, the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani who passed away at the early hours of Sunday, 12th July 2026 at the age of 74. He was a leader whose transformative vision elevated Qatar on the global stage, and his visionary leadership and profound legacy will always be remembered for ever. On behalf of His Excellency, Mr. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia, the Government and the peoples of the Republic of The Gambia extend their deepest condolences to His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, the Amir of the State of Qatar, the esteemed Al Thani Royal Family and the entire Government and the peoples of the State of Qatar. And we pray that Allah the Almighty envelopes the deceased in His infinite mercy, grants him the highest place in Paradise, and bestows patience and strength upon the nations during this difficult time. Ameen!

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: On behalf of the Government of The Gambia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation & Gambians Abroad through the Permanent Mission of The Gambia to the United Nations officially launched the Candidacy of Hon. Justice Veronic Wright for election as judge of the International Criminal Court, on Friday 19th June 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The official launching was done by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation & Gambians Abroad, H.E Sering Modou Njie. In his launching speech, Hon. Minister Njie thanked His Excellency President Adama Barrow and the Government of The Gambia for the endorsement of the Candidacy of Justice Veronic Wright for the position of Judge at the ICC highlighting the Government’s strong and unequivocal commitment to international law and the role of important judicial institutions in preventing atrocity crimes and promoting accountability for the most serious crimes of international concern. H.E Sering Modou Njie also underscored The Gambia’s strong role and historical record in advancing international criminal law at the global level, referencing the country’s ongoing genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice and its role at the ECOWAS and African Union levels as important steps in this regard. He also talked about the nation’s present efforts of bringing justice and accountability for Gambians who experienced gross violations of human rights as unearthed at the TRRC. H.E Sering Modou Njie concluded by urging the international community to strongly consider Justice Wright’s candidacy referencing her practical experiences with international criminal tribunals, contemporary accountability mechanisms and her judicial service at the highest levels of our national courts and emphasised her credibility and values of integrity, independence and impartiality. On her part, Honourable Justice Veronic Wright thanked the President and the Government of The Gambia for the confidence reposed in her and for the endorsement of her candidacy to serve as a Judge at the International Criminal Court. Justice Wright also outlined her vision for the Court noting that she envisages a court where victims and survivors, including the survivors of sexual violence and the children caught up in conflict, are at the heart of its proceedings emphasizing that the legitimacy of every judgment rest upon the fairness of the process that produced it. The Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the United Nations, H.E Lamin Dibba delivered a statement on behalf of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon Dawda Jallow while Ms. Marang Sanyang, Counsellor & Legal Advisor also delivered a statement on behalf of Hon. Justice Cherno Jallow, K.C, Supreme Court of The Gambia, both of whom were unavoidably absent at the ceremony. The Launching was attended by Permanent Representatives, Legal Advisors, Election Officers and other representatives of States Parties to the Rome Statute and non-States Parties. 𝐄𝐍𝐃.

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐔𝐋, 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔: The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Hon. Sering Modou Njie, held a bilateral meeting with his Korean counterpart, H.E. Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, on 2nd June 2026 on the sidelines of the 2026 Korea–Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The Minister was accompanied by Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe, Permanent Secretary II at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Masanneh N. Kinteh, Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the Republic of Korea with residence in Beijing and Ms. Mama Drammeh, Counsellor at The Gambia Embassy in China. The bilateral meeting provided an opportunity for both sides to review the longstanding relations between The Gambia and the Republic of Korea and to explore avenues for further strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The meeting also underscored the shared commitment of both countries to deepening bilateral engagement and expanding development cooperation. During the meeting, Hon. Sering Modou Njie conveyed the fraternal greetings and best wishes of His Excellency President Adama Barrow to His Excellency President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea and reaffirmed The Gambia’s commitment to further strengthening the cordial and mutually beneficial relations between the two countries. Minister Njie expressed The Gambia’s profound appreciation for the Republic of Korea’s continued support to the country’s national development priorities, particularly in the areas of agriculture, youth empowerment, skills development, institutional capacity building, security sector support, and democratic governance. He noted that Korea’s assistance has contributed significantly to The Gambia’s socio-economic development efforts and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest for the benefit of both countries. Both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between The Gambia and the Republic of Korea in the areas of agriculture, digital transformation, education, trade, investment, infrastructure development, and climate resilience. The meeting concluded with both sides expressing satisfaction with the steady growth of relations between The Gambia and the Republic of Korea and reaffirming their commitment to working together to advance shared development goals and prosperity for their peoples.