Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-03-01 09:37:00
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that ambassador to Cuba, Sheikh Tijan Hydara, and his deputy Vincent Mendy, have been recalled due to a fight that took place at their duty station in Havana. The initial findings and available evidence confirmed that their actions were inconsistent with diplomatic norms, leading to their loss of integrity and privilege to continue representing The Gambia as diplomats.
A release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that a fact-finding mission was deployed to Cuba to not only understand the incident but also assess the overall operations of the embassy in Havana. The mission aimed to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent future similar occurrences and normalize any irregularities in the embassy’s operations.
The leaked correspondences revealed conflicting narrations from the two diplomats regarding the events of January 25, 2024. Ambassador Hydara claimed that after a charged meeting, Deputy Mendy barged into his office demanding keys to a utility car. When Hydara refused, Mendy threatened him, leading to a physical altercation where Mendy allegedly attacked Hydara, causing severe injuries.
On the other hand, Mendy stated that he went to the ambassador’s office to take the key and was confronted by Hydara who became physical. Mendy claimed he defended himself during the altercation and eventually used a spare key to the car to leave the embassy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received photos of Hydara’s injuries and bloody shirt following the altercation. Despite the physical attack, Hydara expressed gratitude for not retaliating against Mendy, citing respect for the honor bestowed upon him by President Adama Barrow and his office.
The recall of the ambassador and his deputy is a significant diplomatic decision, highlighting the importance of upholding diplomatic norms and integrity in representing a country abroad. The fact-finding mission sent to Cuba reflects the government’s commitment to addressing the incident and ensuring the proper functioning of its diplomatic missions.
Moving forward, it is essential for diplomatic personnel to maintain professionalism and adhere to diplomatic protocols to avoid any future incidents that could harm the reputation of The Gambia on the international stage. Clear communication, conflict resolution mechanisms, and adherence to diplomatic norms are crucial for the effective functioning of embassies and the representation of a country’s interests overseas.
Read the original article on The Standard
