President - Republic of The GambiaAdama Barrow
“I am pleased to endorse the candidature of the current Foreign Minister of The Gambia, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, for the position of Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations. Dr. Tangara represents a new brand of leadership in an era of global dynamics requiring a visionary and transformational unifier. His distinguished career in academia, government, and diplomacy, and his ability to build partnerships and foster international cooperation, stand out as qualities the Commonwealth needs to address current challenges.
Dr. Tangara’s charisma, leadership ingenuity, and grasp of complex issues can strengthen the Commonwealth, making it a more relevant and active international body and a valued contributor to global peace and prosperity.
As an eminent scholar and seasoned statesman, Dr. Tangara understands the workings of Government and Civil Society. He networks regularly with global influencers and has the aptitude to lead a Secretariat committed to a resilient Commonwealth of Nations. It is my honor to support his candidature as Secretary General.”
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Gambia to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to UN Organisations at Geneva, WTO & other international organisations in SwitzerlandProf. Muhammadou M.O. Kah
“Dr Tangara will bring in brilliant leadership, integrity, and experiences to strengthen the Commonwealth with innovations, efficiency, and responsiveness to the diverse needs of the member states at a time of changing geopolitics and increasing Socio-economic and sustainable development challenges.”
The High Commissioner of The Gambia to the United Kingdom, former Gambian Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC).Fatou Bensouda
“Dr Tangara has become an icon on the tapestry of Gambia’s diplomatic landscape and international affairs and foreign relations, having also served as the Gambia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, acquiring great knowledge and experience in the workings of the United Nations and other international institutions. His sharp diplomatic skills and ability to listen, learn, and negotiate places him on a unique pedestal to be your next Secretary General of the Commonwealth. He understands the challenges facing the Commonwealth, especially small island states and developing countries in the Commonwealth, and will bring his expertise and skills to bear in amplifying these voices and ensuring that all member states – regardless of their size or power – have a seat at the table and that their concerns and that of the most vulnerable are prioritized in global discussions. I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Tangara previously in contributions to resolving the political impasse in The Gambia in 2016 to prevent conflict and promote sustainable peace, security, and good governance in The Gambia, which earned him the UNPA (United Nations Population Award) in recognition of his courage. Therefore, I am in no doubt that as Secretary General, Dr Tangara will certainly be driven by the commitment to promote our shared values of democracy, human rights, and sustainable development across our diverse nations, and to help create a world where equality, justice, and respect for human dignity are upheld.”
