#Headlines

New IEC chair, Foreign Affairs minister appointed

Jul 10, 2025, 11:49 AM

Joseph Colley, has been appointed as the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) following the retirement of Alhajie Alieu Mamarr Njai in March 2025, while Sering Modou Njie has been appointed minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, government confirmed.

Cherno M. Jallow has also been appointed as IEC’s vice chairman.

Mr. Colley had been appointed vice chairman since 2O21. He rose through the ranks – from assistant regional electoral officer in the Regional Office at Kerewan to director of communications.

Mr Colley, who is currently serving as a Commissioner, will continue as Chairperson for the remaining period of his term, which ends on 3rd March 2028.  Meanwhile, Mr Cherno Jallow’s appointment is for seven years.

He completed his law studies at the University of The Gambia and Gambia Law School. He was called to the Bar in 2O24.

Mr. Cherno M. Jallow is a retired diplomat. He worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before joining the United Nations where he was deployed to various countries including Somalia, Kenya, DR Congo, Central Africa Republic and East Timor.

Honourable Sering Modou Njie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in International Relations.  A native of Medina Sering Mass, Honourable Njie started his military career in 1989 and in 1998 as Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Armed Forces, and rose to the position of Head of the Republic National Guard in 2011 before proceeding as Deputy Head of Mission at the Gambia High Commission in New Delhi, India. Honourable Njie also served in different positions at the Gambia Embassy in Turkey before he was appointed Minister for Defence in 2022. 

Meanwhile, His Excellency, Muhammed B.S. Jallow, the Vice President, has been entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the Ministry of Defence.