Embassy of the United States, Banjul

LocationBanjul, Gambia
AddressKairaba Avenue, Fajara P.M.B. 19 Banjul, The Gambia
Coordinates13°27′43″N 16°41′13″W / 13.46194°N 16.68694°W / 13.46194; -16.68694
Websitehttps://gm.usembassy.gov

The Embassy of the United States in Banjul is the diplomatic mission of the United States in Gambia.

History

The United States officially recognized The Gambia on February 18, 1965. Diplomatic relations between the United States and The Gambia were established on August 9, 1965, when Ambassador Mercer Cook presented his credentials to the Gambian authorities. Ambassador Cook was also accredited to Senegal and maintained his residence in Dakar. The Embassy at Bathurst (now Banjul) was officially established on September 9, 1965, with John G. Gossett serving as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim.[1]

Political developments in The Gambia saw President Yahya Jammeh ascend to power during the 1994 Gambian coup d'état, a position he held until the election of President Adama Barrow in 2016.[2]

In the event of an emergency on any of the NASA Space Shuttles, Banjul International Airport had been selected as an augmented landing site. Gambia was the perfect location when the shuttle was launched with a low, 28-degree inclination.[3][4] In 2001 NASA announced that Banjul airport would no longer be used as an augmented landing site because future shuttle launches would take place at inclinations of up at 51.6 degrees to reach the International Space Station, making air bases in Spain and France more suitable for an emergency landing.[5]

In October 2018, Gambian environmental groups voiced opposition over a new U.S. embassy in Bijilo Forest Park.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Gambia". history.state.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  2. ↑ "U.S. Embassy Banjul, Gambia". diplomacy.state.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  3. ↑ "SPACE SHUTTLE EMERGENCY LANDING SITES". globalsecurity.org. July 20, 2011. Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Gambia – NASA Co-Operation". Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ Lacey, Marc (September 4, 2005). "Memories Linger Where NASA Lights Shone in Gambia". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  6. ↑ Joof, Modou (October 28, 2022). "Gambia Activists Oppose US Plan to Build Embassy in Monkey Park". bloomberg.com. Bloomberg News. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
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