Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A tense exchange unfolded at the First Ordinary Session of the National Assembly as the member for Janjanbureh, Hon. Omar Jato Jammeh, pressed the minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad to disclose a comprehensive list of foreign nationals holding Gambian diplomatic passports between 2017 and 2025.
Hon. Jammeh asked the minister to provide the Assembly with the full names, status, and supporting application documents of all foreign citizens issued Gambian diplomatic passports during the period under review.
Responding, the Minister explained that diplomatic passports are issued to clearly define categories of individuals whose duties and official assignments require them to represent and advance the national interest of the Republic of The Gambia.
He noted that, in exceptional circumstances, foreign nationals may be considered for diplomatic passports strictly where it is demonstrably in the national interest.
Such cases, he said, involve individuals who provide strategic services to The Gambia or are formally engaged by the government in an official capacity.
According to the minister, any such issuance is subject to presidential approval and follows established institutional procedures. The process involves multiple institutions, including the Office of the President, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the Gambia Immigration Department.
On the request for a comprehensive list of foreign nationals issued diplomatic passports between 2017 and 2025, the minister said the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, is compiling the relevant information.
However, he cautioned that matters concerning holders of diplomatic passports, particularly foreign nationals, are inherently sensitive. He cited diplomatic practice, reciprocity, confidentiality obligations, and national security considerations as factors that limit public disclosure.
“The public disclosure of detailed personal data, application documents, and status particulars may risk breaching confidentiality obligations, undermining established diplomatic norms, and potentially affecting the national interest of The Gambia,” the minister told lawmakers.
He nevertheless assured the Assembly that the government remains committed to upholding the law, protecting the integrity and credibility of Gambian travel documents, and ensuring that diplomatic passports are issued strictly in accordance with established criteria and in the best interest of the country.
Unsatisfied with the response, Hon. Jammeh insisted that issues of confidentiality are well understood by members of the National Assembly and that parliamentary procedures provide safeguards for handling sensitive documents.
“As such, Honourable Minister, I still want to persist with my question. How is it possible for you to serve this National Assembly with a comprehensive list of foreign nationals who are issued a diplomatic passport? If you cannot give it to the whole House, I request it. I definitely have an interest in having that list,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Seedy Njie, who was presiding over the session, intervened and ruled that the Minister had sufficiently answered the question, declaring the Janjanbureh lawmaker’s follow-up out of order.
Hon. Jammeh challenged the ruling, arguing that his substantive question had not been fully addressed. He maintained that the minister had only outlined procedural requirements but had not provided the specific information requested.
“I have every right to obtain answers as required since my question was admissible. Please go back to your records or to the rules that guide this House and correct it before telling me he has responded,” he told the Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy Speaker insisted that the lawmaker take his seat, reiterating that the minister had responded.
In a final attempt, Hon. Jammeh asked when the compiled list would be ready and shared with the Assembly, noting that the Ministry and other institutions were already working on it.
The minister replied that the relevant institutions are collaborating closely to compile the information but reiterated concerns about diplomatic confidentiality.
He further noted that Gambian nationals are also issued diplomatic passports by other countries and that the principle of reciprocity could expose Gambians to similar scrutiny if sensitive information were disclosed.
The exchange underscores growing parliamentary scrutiny over the issuance of diplomatic passports and the balance between transparency and diplomatic confidentiality in The Gambia’s foreign affairs management.
