Russia’s Honorary Consul in The Gambia Awarded Pushkin Medal by President Putin at Kremlin
By Bakary Sonko
BANJUL, The Gambia, 4 November 2026 — Momodou Lamin Manga, Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in The Gambia, has been awarded the prestigious Pushkin Medal by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a state awards ceremony held at the Kremlin to mark Russia’s National Unity Day.
According to an announcement by the Russian Embassy in The Gambia, Manga received the medal in recognition of his contributions to culture, the preservation of historical heritage, and his efforts to strengthen relations between peoples and promote Russian culture internationally.
The Pushkin Medal is a Russian state decoration awarded to individuals for achievements in culture, arts, education, literature, and contributions to the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of international cultural cooperation.
The ceremony, held on 4 November, brought together distinguished individuals from Russia and other countries who were recognized for their contributions to strengthening national unity and advancing international cooperation. Alongside Manga, several foreign public figures, scientists, and entrepreneurs received Pushkin Medals and Orders of Friendship.
Manga’s recognition represents a significant milestone in the cultural and diplomatic relations between The Gambia and the Russian Federation.
A former Director General of the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), Manga was appointed Honorary Consul of Russia in The Gambia in 2015. Since his appointment, he has played a role in facilitating bilateral engagements, particularly in cultural diplomacy and people-to-people relations.
Among the notable initiatives associated with his tenure was the establishment of the Russian Consulate’s presence in Banjul in 2016 and efforts to create opportunities for Gambian artists to access the Russian music market through a bilateral cultural agreement signed that same year.
More recently, Manga has continued to participate in diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries. In October 2026, Russian Ambassador Sergei Kruykov visited Banjul, this underscoring renewed efforts to deepen diplomatic and bilateral relations.
During the visit, Ambassador Kruykov described Manga as an “extraordinary diplomat” and expressed confidence in his ability to facilitate further progress in relations between Russia and The Gambia. Since then the Russian Federation has sent a full ambassador to the Gambia who have already presented his credentials
The award of the Pushkin Medal places Manga among foreign nationals recognized by the Russian Federation for their contributions to cultural exchange, heritage preservation, and international cooperation.
For The Gambia, the recognition also highlights the role of cultural diplomacy and the contributions of individuals working to build stronger international partnerships beyond traditional political and economic engagement.
