Hon. Momodou Tangara The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation
By Ramatoulie Jawo
Hon. Momodou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, revealed to the National Assembly on Wednesday that his Ministry is developing new policies and regulatory frameworks to establish laws governing its staff.
Minister Tangara made this announcement while responding to a question posed by Hon. Yahya Sanyang, the National Assembly Member for Latrikunda Sabiji, regarding the underperformance and misconduct of staff at various Gambian embassies worldwide. Hon. Sanyang asked if the Ministry had plans to implement a code of conduct for all its ambassadors.
In response, Minister Tangara explained, “my Ministry is currently preparing several policies and regulatory documents aimed at providing the appropriate laws and regulations for its staff at headquarters and the foreign missions. This includes the foreign service Bill, foreign service regulations, the posting policy scheme of service, foreign service strategy, foreign service manual and code of conduct,”he said.
He further stated that the Scheme of Service for the Foreign Ministry was completed and approved by the Public Service Commission in 2022. Other key documents, such as the Foreign Service Regulations and Foreign Service Bill, have been finalized but are awaiting validation. Meanwhile, the Foreign Service Manual and Code of Conduct are still in the drafting phase but are expected to be completed soon.
Minister Tangara emphasized that appointments within the foreign service are made with the expectation that staff will adhere to established rules, regulations, and the dignified customs of the civil service.”The foreign service does not exist in a legal vacuum as in addition to the existing foreign service regulations, there are the General order and financial regulations. They set the overarching regulations parameters guiding the action and behaviour of foreign service staff at headquarters and Overseas missions, including the Officers from other ministries and departments,”he said.
He stressed that it is unacceptable for any foreign service staff member to act in a way that violates the rules and regulations of the civil service, especially when serving at overseas missions.
“It is for this reason that the ministry where it is confirmed that a diplomat behaves dismally against existing rules and regulations takes strong and swift punitive measures against the concerned person as evidenced by the recent incidents. I also take this opportunity to highlight the important work and sacrifice of the hard-working members of the foreign service of the Gambia,”he said.
He stated that the majority of foreign service staff have been diligent in fulfilling their duties and meeting the expectations associated with their unique roles, particularly in promptly addressing citizens’ concerns and effectively facilitating and coordinating their development agendas.
“Therefore, the untoward action of a few members of the foreign service is not the full depiction of the behaviour typical of most of the members of our foreign service,”he said.