William John Joof, the former Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Foreign Affairs has been reinstated, reliable source informed the Daily Observer yesterday.

According to sources, Mr  Joof received his reinstatement letter as Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Foreign Affairs on Monday, August 27th 2007, following his removal earlier this year from the said post.

It could be recalled that, Mr Joof has served in various portfolios for the government. He has served in Nigeria as acting Gambian High Commissioner and First Secretary in Brussels.

He was also a one time, Consul-General of The Gambia in Guinea Bissau from 1995 to 1997. From there, he was appointed as Chief of Protocol to the President in 1997, after which he served as Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Foreign Affairs until 1998.

From 1998 to 2000, Mr Joof served as Permanent Secretary Office of the President. Then, he was appointed the Gambian Ambassador to Guinea Bissau from 2000 to 2001. From Guinea Bissau in 2001, Mr Joof was later appointed as Gambian Ambassador in Paris from 2001 to 2005, where he covered nine other European countries. He was then appointed again as Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Foreign Affairs from September 2005 to February 2007 and later removed.

He is again reinstated in the same portfolio, with effect from Monday, August 27th, 2007.