The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Special Representative to Liberia in 2003, Francis Blain is dead.
The Gambian diplomat Blain service at the time helped to negotiate the peace agreement that led to the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Liberia’s first female President.
A book of condolence has been opened for The Gambia’s former High Commissioner, Frances Blain born on November 8, 1943 and died on January 21, 2022 in Banjul.
The cause of his death is not made public but the family and the Charge d’ affairs of the High Commission announced that the book of condolences will remain opened from January 25-31, 2022 respectively.
After Mr. Blain completed other assignments in 2005, in May 2018, he was again called out of retirement by President Adama Barrow and appointed Ambassador of The Gambia to the UK and on Saturday June 19, 2021, the High Commissioner was given a befitting farewell at a ceremony held at the High Commission in the UK.
It was during his time that The Gambia re-entered the Commonwealth of Nations which received huge endorsement from Gambians and members of the international community.
High Commissioner Blain worked hard in ensuring that the strong bond of friendship between The Gambia and the United Kingdom is strengthened based on shared values.
Following his arrival in the UK, Blain’s initial focus was on “The Gambia’s fast-tracked re-entry into the Commonwealth of Nations thus raising The Gambia’s flag at the Commonwealth Secretariat on February 8, 2018 to mark The Gambia’s re-entry into the Commonwealth which was one of the most memorable moments of his career.
“Now this important objective has been achieved,” he continues, “I am confident that the British government will be favorably disposed to increase its assistance in support of The Gambia’s socio-economic development.”
The astute diplomat returned to London at the end of last year to live in the capital after almost 40 years having served as Counselor at the High Commission from 1977-79.
Blain joined The Gambia’s civil service in November 1970, and his first position was with the Registration of Voters, which meant he travelled the length and breadth of the country and subsequent assignments included serving as Senior Assistant Secretary and Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and The Gambia’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN.
From 1983, Mr. Blain spent 20 years with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), completing posts as Principal Officer in the UNDP offices in Jamaica and Pakistan, Resident Representative and Resident Co-ordinator of the UN Development System in Liberia, Principal Officer in the Division for External Relations at UNDP Headquarters and Deputy Director of the Special Unit for Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries.