Government is closing down two diplomatic missions as part of its efforts to cut spending.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad made the announcement on Wednesday.

The ministry’s Communications Officer, Saikou Ceesay, said “The entire process is on and that is what the ministry can say for now.”

It comes weeks after the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mamadou Tangara told parliamentarians that two foreign missions are identified for closure as a temporary measure amid financial constraints, even though the ministry of Finance recommended for more.

“We are going to close some of them temporarily but when our financial conditions are better, we will even think of opening embassies elsewhere like in Japan and Scandinavia,” Mr. Tangara said.

He said the Ministry has also taken steps about the fate of the diplomatic officials whose services have been terminated and are yet to return, adding that prerequisite arrangements for their repatriation are being made.

No details were given as to the diplomatic missions that would be closed down.

The Gambia has 26 foreign missions operating in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Morocco, Algeria, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Ethiopia, France, Turkey, Belgium, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Spain, Malaysia, Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, India, China, UAE, United States, United Nations and UN office in Geneva.

(APA)