H.E. Dr. Mamadou Tangara is the Special Representative of the African Union Chairperson of the Commission in Mali and the Sahel and Head
of the MISAHEL Office in Bamako, Mali as of July 2025. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians
Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia from 2018 until June 2025, a position he had also previously held from 2010 to 2012.
A consummate diplomat, Dr. Tangara also served as a distinguished member of the Gambian Foreign Service, in various capacities including Ambassador and Permanent Representative of The Gambia to the United Nations, in New York from 2013 – 2016 and re-appointed after the December 2016 political impasse from 2017 – 2018. He is reputed for the crucial role played in averting humanitarian catastrophe in The Gambia during the political impasse as well as his efforts in returning The Gambia back to the comity of nations to promote and protect peace and security, human rights and progressive development of international law among others.
Through his collective leadership efforts and demonstration of his diplomatic prowess as PR and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2017 – 2018 and 2018 – June 2025 respectively, he charted a coordinated roadmap for a successful conflict prevention. The Gambia has since been cited in reports such as the Secretary-General’s on peacebuilding and sustaining peace
as a success story for prevention. Among his many other cabinet portfolios is the position of Minister of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology. As an educator, Dr. Tangara served in this position with great joy and satisfaction knowing that he provided life changing opportunities to the future generation of The Gambia from 2010 – 2013.
Dr. Tangara is a laureate of the UNFPA 2019 United Nations Population Award, (Individual Category). He was awarded at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York on 20th June 2019 in recognition of his courage and leadership during the December 2016 political impasse for preventing conflict and promoting peacebuilding and sustaining peace in The Gambia and the region.
