Fatoumata Tambajang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fatoumata Tambajang
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Tambajang in 2017
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| 8th Vice-President of the Gambia | |
| In office 9 November 2017 – 29 June 2018 Acting: 23 January 2017 – 9 November 2017 |
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| President | Adama Barrow |
| Preceded by | Isatou Njie-Saidy |
| Succeeded by | Ousainou Darboe |
| Minister of Women's Affairs | |
| In office 22 February 2017 – 29 June 2018 |
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| President | Adama Barrow |
| Preceded by | Isatou Njie-Saidy (as Secretary) |
| Succeeded by | Ousainou Darboe |
| Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare | |
| In office 1994–1995 |
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| President | Yahya Jammeh |
| Preceded by | Landing J. Sonko |
| Succeeded by | Nyimasata Sanneh-Bojang |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 October 1949 Brikama, the Gambia |
| Citizenship | Gambian |
| Political party | UDP |
| Other political affiliations |
Coalition 2016 |
| Children | 8 |
| Alma mater | University of Nice Sophia Antipolis |
| Ethnicity | Fula |
Aja Fatoumata C.M. Jallow-Tambajang (born 22 October 1949) is a politician and activist from the Gambia. She served as the Vice-President of the Gambia and Minister of Women's Affairs. She held these important roles from February 2017 to June 2018, working with President Adama Barrow.
Earlier in her career, she was an advisor to Dawda Jawara. He was the first President of the Gambia after it became independent from British rule. She also led the Gambia National Women's Council. After a military takeover in 1994, she became the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare.
She was chosen as Vice-President in January 2017. However, there was a rule about age limits for the position. So, she first became the Minister of Women's Affairs. Later, the constitution was changed, and she was officially sworn in as Vice-President in November 2017. Before this, she was the leader of Coalition 2016. This was a group of political parties that supported Adama Barrow in the 2016 presidential election.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Tambajang was born in Brikama, a town in the Gambia. She went to school in the Gambia, Dakar (which is in Senegal), and France. She earned a degree in French from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis.
Political Journey
Fatoumata Tambajang advised Dawda Jawara, the first President of the Gambia. She helped him with issues important to women and children. For six years, she led the Gambia National Women's Council. She also represented this council in the Gambia National Economic and Social Council.
From 1994 to 1995, Tambajang worked as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Welfare. She was one of only two women ministers in the government at that time. She spoke for the Gambia at a big meeting called the International Conference on Population and Development in 1994. After this, she worked for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She spent five years helping with development in areas affected by conflict.
In April 2015, Tambajang joined the United Democratic Party (UDP). She became a key member and leader of Coalition 2016. This group of opposition parties supported Adama Barrow in the 2016 presidential election. After President Yahya Jammeh lost the election, Tambajang said that he would be held accountable. She also announced plans to get back money and things that were lost due to corruption during Jammeh's time.
Becoming Vice-President
After Adama Barrow became President in January 2017, he announced that Tambajang would be his Vice-President. However, there was a rule in the Gambian constitution. It said that the Vice-President could not be older than 65 years when taking office. Reports said Tambajang was 67. Because of this, she was not sworn in right away. She said she was actually 64 years old.
In February 2017, she was appointed as Minister of Women's Affairs. In this role, she also oversaw the Vice-President's office.
On 28 February 2017, the National Assembly tried to change the constitution to remove the age limit. However, the correct steps were not followed. It took several more months to properly change the rule. The age limit for the President and Vice-President was removed on 25 July.
Her appointment as Vice-President was confirmed by the President on 8 September. President Barrow officially appointed her as Vice-President on 9 November.
Her Time as Vice-President
In April 2017, New African Woman Magazine gave Tambajang the 'New African Woman of the Year Award'. In March 2017, she joined an important committee for the Crans Montana African Women's Forum. In June 2018, there was a change in the government. Tambajang was then moved to work in the foreign service.
Personal Life
Fatoumata Tambajang is from the Fula ethnic group. She lives in Kanifing District in the Gambia. She is a mother of eight children.
See also
In Spanish: Fatoumata Tambajang para niños
