FOREIGN MINISTER DR. TANGARA IS NOT A GAMBIA—Letter Writer Alleges

Birth Record Office Could Not Confirm, Or Deny Tagana’s Non Gambian Citizenship

By Modou Gaye, Banjul

A  letter writer in the person of one Modou Gaye has claimed that Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Momodou Tangara, is not a Gambian Citizenship by birth. Mr. Gaye claimed that Dr. Tangara was born in Mali (Bamako) and could not be enrolled in Gambia’s school system due to lack of birth certificate, when he migrated into the West African country with his parents during his tender age. Young Tangara, now Gambia’s Foreign Minister was compelled to be enrolled to the French school in Banjul, which accommodates foreign expertrates  kids, foreigners, including Gambian natives, the letter writer alleged. 

The Freedom Newspaper could not independently confirm the writer’s assertions, as the Health Ministry’s birth records office refused to volunteer, or release information about Minister Tangara’s birth record. One of the health Ministry insiders said the matter at hand is “sensitive” adding that without official clearance they cannot comment on the matter.

According to a highly placed source at the Health Ministry, obtaining a Gambian birth certificate is the easiest thing nowadays in The Gambia, but the source was hasten to point out that the majority of the foreigners who secured the Gambian document are barely known in the very communities they claimed to have been born.  The source said even if Mr. Tangara claimed to have obtained a Gambian birth certificate, he should prove to Gambians his place of birth, and if necessary elders in a given community to vouch on his behalf that he is a citizen of The Gambia.

 Dr. Tangan himself could not be reached for comments. The Freedom Newspaper is treating his non Gambian citizenship as an allegation until such a time that it is confirmed.  Dr. Tangana is free to give us his own side of the story.  Below is the Modou Gaye’s letter. Please read on..

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Dear Pa,

It been a while.  I have been winding up on certain personal issues but always a keen follower of your news both the print and the radio. Allow me to wish you success in all your endeavors. I have one important information tip for you. The new SOS for Foreign Affairs, Momodou Tangara, is a Malian. That’s why nobody seems to know him. I knew him since childhood. He came to the Gambia at the age of three with his mom, Ya Fatou Bambara. They (THE PARENTS) wanted to enroll him at St. Mary's School at the time, but because he had no Gambian Birth certificate he was registered at The then French School opposite the present National Library. You can investigate further and report this. He is a Malian by birth. Hope to see your report on soon That is why it’s important to make a detailed background check before appointing these people. Although he is short of people for appointment as SOS we Gambians should not allow foreigners to direct our public policies. Momodou Tagara is not a Gambian.

Thanks and regards