President Adama Barrow has appointed a new foreign minister as part of a minor cabinet reshuffle announced on Wednesday.

Sering Modou Njie, formerly the Minister of Defence, will now lead the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad.

The appointment takes immediate effect, according to a statement from the presidency in Banjul. It was made under powers granted by the country’s 1997 constitution.

Mr Njie, a former army officer, has held several diplomatic and government roles. He joined the Gambia Armed Forces in 1998 and rose to become head of the Republic National Guard.

He later served in the Gambia’s diplomatic missions in India and Turkey before being named Defence Minister in 2022.

He holds a degree in political science and a master’s in international relations.

Vice-President Muhammed B.S. Jallow will temporarily oversee the Ministry of Defence.

The presidency did not give a reason for the changes.

By Adama Makasuba