The Gambia: President Barrow picks female Vice President

President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, has chosen a woman as his Vice President, local media in the country have reported citing the opposition spokesman Halifa Sallah who addressed a press conference today in the country.

Fatoumatta Tambajang, a prominent pro-democracy activist was part of the opposition coalition that unseated long time ruler Yahya Jammeh. She is touted as one of the main brains behind the formation of a coalition going into the December 1, 2016 polls.

Mrs Tambajang, who was a former United Nations Development Program (UNDP) gender/development expert also served as a cabinet minister in the government of Yahya Jammeh. She was Minister of Health, Social Welfare and Women’s Affairs.

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Mrs Tambajang has been a vocal critic of Jammeh regime and has repeatedly condemned the arrest and detention of members of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) and the heavy crack down on opposition.

She will take the role occupied by another female, Isatou Njie-Saidy, Jammeh’s long serving deputy who resigned in the wake of the political impasse.

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#Gambia's new Vice President, Fatoumata Tambajang.#NewGambia #WeAreFreeAtLast pic.twitter.com/23sn9Xqk3w

— Fatu Camara (@Fatushow) January 23, 2017