Dr. Mamadou Tangara, the seasoned diplomat and Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, is set to resign from his position, according to reliable government sources.
The Alkamba Times (TAT) has learned that Dr. Tangara, currently abroad, is expected to submit his resignation letter to President Adama Barrow next week, concluding his third term as foreign minister, a role he has held since 2018. His impending departure signals the end of a controversial era in Gambian diplomacy, given his instrumental role in elevating the nation’s global profile.
Born in Banjul in 1965, Dr. Tangara is a distinguished academic and diplomat whose career spans academia, public service, and international diplomacy. He holds a PhD in social sciences from Université de Limoges, France, where his research on Manding oral historians earned high honors. Additionally, he possesses a master’s degree in Comparative Literature from Limoges and Demography from the University of Louvain, Belgium. A polyglot fluent in English, French, Spanish, Mandinka, Wolof, Bambara, Dioula, and Krio, Tangara’s linguistic versatility has been a cornerstone of his diplomatic success, enabling him to navigate complex international arenas with ease.
Tangara’s career began in academia as a lecturer at the University of The Gambia, where he later served as chairman of its Governing Council. From 2008 to 2010, he coordinated the National Authorising Office Support Unit for EU-funded programs, showcasing his administrative acumen. His diplomatic career took off in 2010 when he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs under President Yahya Jammeh, a position he held until 2012. During this period, he also held portfolios in Fisheries, Water Resources, and Higher Education. In 2013, Tangara was appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a role he held from 2013 to 2016 and again from 2017 to 2018. His tenure at the UN was marked by bold actions, including his public call during the 2016–17 Gambian constitutional crisis for Jammeh to step down peacefully, a stance that led to his dismissal as UN envoy.
Reappointed as foreign minister in 2018 by President Adama Barrow, Tangara spearheaded efforts to reintegrate The Gambia into the international community following years of isolation under Jammeh’s regime. His leadership in forums such as the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS has earned him widespread respect. He served on the executive boards of UNESCO, UNICEF, and UN Women and chaired the African Group at the UN, notably presiding over Nelson Mandela’s memorial meeting. In 2019, his contributions were recognized with the UNFPA United Nations Population Award.
While the reasons for Tangara’s resignation remain undisclosed, speculation abounds regarding his next steps, particularly after his unsuccessful bid for Commonwealth Secretary-General. His exit leaves a significant gap in Gambia’s foreign policy leadership, raising questions about the country’s diplomatic future as it navigates a complex global landscape.
