Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – A coalition of concerned Gambians and Commonwealth citizens has voiced strong opposition to the candidacy of Mamadou Tangara, The Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Gambians Abroad, for the position of Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations. The group’s stance was made clear in a letter obtained by The Gambia Journal, which has been submitted to key officials across the Commonwealth.
The letter, addressed to the Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and the Commonwealth Secretariat, has also been copied to various influential bodies including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in The Gambia, Ghana, and Lesotho, among others.
The opposition to Tangara’s candidacy is rooted in his track record during the regime of former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh. Mamadou Tangara held high-profile positions for six years, from 2010 until December 1, 2016, during which time he was closely aligned with President Yahya Jammeh’s dictatorship. His tenure ended when Gambians ousted Jammeh through the polls.
Critics of his Commonwealth bid argue that Tangara, who held significant diplomatic roles during Jammeh’s rule, played a key part in misrepresenting The Gambia’s human rights situation to the international community, including the Commonwealth. His tenure is marked by allegations of complicity in suppressing dissent and failing to protect the fundamental rights of Gambian citizens.
One of the most serious accusations leveled against Tangara involves his actions between 2011 and 2012 when he allegedly attempted to extradite Ndey Tapha Sosseh, a former president of the Gambia Press Union, from Mali on charges of treason. Sosseh, who had fled to Mali for safety, faced potential imprisonment or worse had the extradition succeeded. Tangara has denied these accusations, but they remain a significant point of contention.
The letter also highlights an incident in 2013 where Tangara, then The Gambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, was involved in a confrontation with Gambian activists protesting against Jammeh’s regime in New York. Tangara’s verbal altercations with the protesters allegedly escalated into a physical altercation, further tarnishing his reputation.
The group opposing Tangara’s bid contends that his involvement in these incidents, along with his role in the government during The Gambia’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth in 2013, make him unfit for the role of Secretary-General. They argue that his past actions are inconsistent with the values and standards expected of the Commonwealth’s leadership.
The group argues that opposing Tangara’s candidacy is not merely about preventing him from securing the position but is also crucial for highlighting the principle that self-serving actions by public officials come with consequences. They emphasize that there will always be a reckoning for such actions and remind that power ultimately rests with the people, who will not forget this fundamental truth.
Since The Gambia’s return to the Commonwealth in 2018, Tangara has worked to restore his image on the international stage. However, his critics remain unconvinced, asserting that his past cannot be overlooked in the selection process for one of the Commonwealth’s most prestigious positions.
The letter concludes with a firm declaration of the group’s opposition to Tangara’s candidacy, calling on the Commonwealth to uphold its principles by rejecting his bid.
