Gambian President Barrow appoints 11 ministers, 7 others remaining

The Gambia's new president Adama Barrow has appointed 11 ministers to his government, his spokesperson Halifa Sallah announced this Tuesday.

"I am not mandated to reveal the names [of the appointees]," Sallah said at a press conference. "What the president wanted is for you to know that he has fulfilled his promise. The people appointed will be sworn in tomorrow and you will know them."

He confirmed that the ministerial positions filled are finance, trade, justice, foreign affairs, tourism, lands, interior, fisheries and environment.

Barrow led a coalition of seven political parties and an independent candidate to a shock election victory against longtime president Yahya Jammeh, who has now been forced into exile following ECOWAS military intervention.

According to Sallah, the cabinet positions emerged out of a compact forged by the coalition, which President Barrow is trying to satisfy.

Barrow returned home from Senegal last Thursday. His first cabinet appointee was Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang as vice president.

Tuesday's announcements leave seven more ministerial positions to be announced.

"The remaining seven cabinet positions will be based on the competencies of the individuals," Sallah said.

source: Xinhua