A senior diplomat has confirmed to The Alkamba Times (TAT) the reported expulsion of Gambian diplomats in Washington for alleged visa fraud.
This was after Gambia’s Embassy in Washington, D.C., declined to comment on the matter.
Those reportedly affected, TAT was further informed, including the Deputy Head of Mission, Mustapha Sosseh, Finance Attache Alagie Babou Joof, and First Secretary Pa Sako Darboe.
Following reports of their expulsion, TAT contacted embassy officials, but they declined to comment on the matter.
“I refer you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the First Secretary for Information and Cultural Affairs told TAT.
However, the senior diplomat who confirmed the expulsions said they “acted outside the diplomatic rules of engagement.”
When we decided to publish this story, TAT attempted to speak to the Foreign Minister in Banjul, who had yet to respond to our calls and text messages.
The U.S. decision signals to Banjul that the U.S. government does not condone malpractices by diplomats, according to foreign affairs analysts.
The Gambia and U.S. have enjoyed cordial relations since Independence, but they say the recent development may strain Banjul-Washington ties.
