Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia
H.E. Dr. Mamadou Tangara is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia. He was appointed Minister in 2018. A position he previously held from 2010 to 2012. Dr. Tangara also served as a distinguished member of The Gambian Foreign Service, in his capacity as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of The Gambia to the United Nations in New York. He also served as Minister of Higher education, Research Science and Technology.
Executive Board/Chairmanship Positions
Throughout his career, Dr. Tangara Member, represented The Gambia in various Executive Boards of the United Nations and other International Organisations. In January 2022, he was appointed to the Advisory Board of United Nations Institute for Training And Research (UNITAR) – Division for Multilateral Diplomacy. A two year term from January 2022 to December 2024. He has also served as Executive Board Member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UN Women; Dr. Tangara has Chaired on numerous occasions, the African Group at the United Nations in New York. He presided over the memorial meeting for the late Nelson Mandela. Dr. Tangara served as Chairman, University of the Gambia Governing Council; President of Alliance Franco-Gambienne and Honorary Ambassador of the Brabant Wallon, Region (Belgium).
Professional Positions
Dr. Tangara has had an extensive professional career, and prior to his high-level appointments, he served as Coordinator, National Authorising Office Support Unit (NAOSU) for the European Development Fund (EDF) projects and programmes implemented in The Gambia. He also consulted for the United Nations Fund for Population Affairs (UNFPA) and other International Organisations. Dr. Tangara was also Focal Person, Science and Technology and Innovation of The Gambia and served as Governor, Capacity Building Foundation. His professional career in academic includes, International Examiner, interpréter, lecturer. He is also a trained journalist and demographer.
Educational Background
H.E. Dr. Mamadou Tangara holds a Doctorate degree (PhD) from Université de Limoges, France. His research on the myths and secretas of oral historians of the Mandinka received Mention Très Honorable avec Félicitations a l’unanimité du Jury from the Universite de Limoges. He worked as Editor in Chief of the French Magazine, La Lune. As a true Pan Africanist, Dr. Tangara was made member of the steering committee of World Festival of Black Arts, Dakar 2009. He has written extensively on Semiology of Cultural Interaction, Literature and Conflict Resolution, and African Writers and their Cultural Heritage;
Languages
Dr. Tangara is a multilinguist, fluent in English, French, Spanish, Mandinka, Wolof, Bambara, Dioula, Krio etc This enabled him to serve in various academic and journalistic positions.
Awards
Dr. Tangara is the laureate of the most prestigious award of the United Nation, the UNFPA 2019 United Nations Population Award, (Individual Category). He was awarded at the United Nations Headquarters on 20th June 2019 in recognition of his courage and leadership through the use of diplomacy both in the global and national arena respectively.
