By BB Ceesay, Banjul
Leaks from the President’s office in Banjul say the continuous delay in filling the Deputy Ambassador position in Washington DC was due to some Diplomatic issues raised in some quarters regarding the new hire, whose credentials are yet to be accepted by Washington. Ebrima JT Kujabi, who was denied visa by the American Embassy some years ago, is facing hard time to have his credentials honored, even though the young would be diplomat had already completed Protocol training at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said diplomatic sources. Reports have it that Kujabi’s past visa denial might be one of the reasons hindering his credentials to be accepted. Until, last week, Kujabi was the Director of Press at the State House.
Mr. Kujabi who schooled at the Saint Peters High School had little grounding in journalism. His close ties with the President, coupled with family relations, earned him the State House job, said a former official of the State House.
Mr. Kujabi served as a senior staff reporter at the Daily Observer, before moving to The Gambia Ports Authority, where he worked as a Communications officer. He was also appointed the acting Terminal Manager and Chief Revenue Controller at the Barra Ferry Terminal.
According to sources close to the Foreign Ministry, Mr. Kujabi was denied Visa by the American Embassy, when he worked as a reporter with the Daily Observer. “ This information came to our attention after his appointment. He is yet to have his credentials accepted. Kujabi applied for a holiday visa, but his application was rejected. We are working on his case.” said the Foreign Ministry insider.
Mr. Kujabi is living comfortably in The Gambia. He has been allocated with modern cars and is often seen changing vehicles at his own accord. One of the cars allocated to him was used during the African Union Summit.
Kujabi was hired the same time with Fatou Sinyan-Mberegan, Yusupha Bojang and others into the diplomatic field. His continuous presence in Banjul is raising eyebrows in some quarters. Its been more than two months, when JT was appointed as Deputy Ambassador.
Efforts to reach Mr. Kujabi for comments proved futile. Sources close to the State House say Kujabi was yet to have his credentials accepted.