Neneh MacDouall-Gaye


Neneh MacDouall-Gaye is a Gambian politician and diplomat. She served as Yahya Jammeh's last Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2015 to 2017 and as Gambian Ambassador to the United States in 2009.

Early life and education

MacDouall-Gaye was born in Banjul and attended St Joseph's High School, graduating in 1974. She then received a diploma in mass communication from the Radio and Television Training Institute, part of the Maspero television building in Cairo, Egypt, in 1980.

Political career

MacDouall-Gaye was initially a journalist, joining Radio Gambia in 1979. She earned many fans due to her 'golden voice'.
MacDouall-Gaye was appointed as Secretary of State for Trade, Industry and Employment in 2005, a position she held for just a few months. She was then appointed as the Secretatary of State for Communication and Information Technology, serving until 19 March 2008, when she was replaced by Fatim Badjie. It was announced that she would become the Gambia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, but instead, Susan Waffa-Ogoo was appointed to the role.
MacDouall-Gaye was appointed as Managing Director of the Observer Company Ltd, the publishers of The Daily Observer, on 19 June 2008. She replaced Dida Halake, who was at the time held in detention at Kotu police station. MacDouall-Gaye held that role until her appointment as Gambian Ambassador to the United States on 30 January 2009. At the same time, Musa Mboob, former Inspector General of Police, was appointed as Deputy Ambassador to the United States. Her position as Ambassador was terminated on 12 August 2009.
On 5 January 2015, MacDouall-Gaye was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing Bala Garba Jahumpa. On 16 January 2017, during the 2016–2017 Gambian constitutional crisis, MacDouall-Gaye issued her letter of resignation to President of the Gambia Yahya Jammeh.