President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia has recalled his representative in the United States after the latter endorsed the election of Adama Barrow.
Sheikh Omar Faye, who was appointed to the top job in June 2015, is the first Gambian diplomat to openly recognise Adama Barrow, who was declared winner of the December 1 disputed presidential election.
His boss, President Yahya Jammeh who has governed the Gambia since July 1994, is disputing the election results and has petitioned the country’s Supreme Court to declare them null and void.
Commenting on his sudden sacking, Mr Faye wrote on his Facebook page: “I would like to inform my friends, colleagues, and all Gambians that I have been recalled for home service. I will handover in line with Foreign Service Regulations (FSR). At the same time, I hope and pray H.E President Yahya Jammeh will likewise handover to President Elect Adama Barrow and respect the will of the people of The Gambia and the constitution.”
While thanking Mr Jammeh for giving him the opportunity to serve as Gambia’s representative in the United States of America, he called on Gambian officials including civil servants and military personnel to protect the security, peace and prosperity of the country.
“We should all work together to ensure that the peace our beloved country is known for is not compromised. The Gambian people, its history, and above all God, the Almighty will judge us. Let us all side with justice and the will of our people,” he added.
“On 19th January 2017 God willing, Mr. Adama Barrow will become the third President of the Republic of the Gambia and we all should rally behind him for the benefit of our beloved country. We should all forget personal ambitions and strive towards maintaining the peace and social cohesion of our beloved country.
“As a former military officer, I was taught loyalty to country first. I hope the armed and security forces will uphold the will of the Gambian people made on 1st December 2016. The current Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Lieutenant General Ousman Bargie , the Deputy-Chief of Defense Staff General Yankuba Drammeh, and several active and retired officers who served with me both in Yundum and Kudang camps can bear witness to the patriotism of our forces.
“I hope the Gambian Armed and Security Forces will do the right thing by standing with the People of The Gambia, maintain peace, and prevent any usurpation of power. They owe that to the people of the Gambia, to history, and to God, the Almighty.”
Ambassador Faye has held other senior government positions in the 22-year regime of Yahya Jammeh including minister of Youth, Sports, and Religious Affairs, deputy Chief of Mission in Mauritania and Chargé d’Affaires at the Gambian Embassy in Washington.
Prior to joining public service as a civilian, Ambassador Sheikh Omar Faye served in the Gambian military for 14 years, and retired in 1995 at the rank of major.
