Seasoned Diplomat Fatou Jobe Assumes Office as Gambia’s New Foreign Affairs PS II

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad has welcomed a seasoned diplomat into its leadership ranks as Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe officially assumed office as Permanent Secretary II on 7th April 2025.

With a distinguished career spanning over 15 years in diplomacy, public administration, and international relations, Ms. Jobe’s appointment is seen as a strategic move to bolster The Gambia’s global engagement and enhance its foreign policy impact.

Before her new role, Ms. Jobe served as Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Chancery at The Gambia High Commission in Dakar, Senegal, with extended responsibilities covering Mali and Burkina Faso. She previously held the same position at The Gambia Embassy in Beijing, China, where she was concurrently accredited to Japan, South Korea, North Korea, and Mongolia.

Between June 2019 and October 2020, she served as Chargé d’Affaires at the Beijing Mission, representing The Gambia during a pivotal period in its diplomatic outreach to Asia.

Her wealth of experience is not limited to foreign missions. Ms. Jobe also served in key government positions, including as Permanent Secretary at the Office of the President and the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure, as well as in various senior administrative roles across different ministries.

Academically, Ms. Jobe is well-grounded with a Master’s degree in International Affairs and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Ming Chuan University, Taiwan. She is fluent in English and has basic proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and French.

Throughout her career, she has been an active voice on international platforms, having represented The Gambia at major events such as several United Nations General Assemblies, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meetings, the U.S-Africa Leaders Summit, and the 2018 Beijing Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Notably, she also played a leading role in initiating and co-organizing bilateral economic forums between The Gambia and both China and Senegal, promoting trade and investment opportunities.

With this robust background, Ms. Jobe is expected to play a transformative role in the Ministry’s operations. Her appointment is seen as a step forward in strengthening The Gambia’s diplomatic visibility and safeguarding the welfare of Gambians abroad.

Her colleagues and partners anticipate renewed strategic direction, with one official noting that she brings “renewed energy and innovation to the Ministry’s mission of advancing The Gambia’s foreign policy objectives and protecting the interests of Gambians abroad.”