Elizabeth Ya Eli Harding

Elizabeth Ya Eli Harding (born 23 March 1956) was the High Commissioner of The Gambia to the United Kingdom from 2007 to 2013, then the first Ambassador of The Gambia to the United Kingdom from 2013 to 2017, when she was replaced by Francis Blain.

Early life

Harding was born on 23 March 1956, and educated at high school in Banjul, followed by sponsorship from the Commonwealth to attend a diplomatic program in French, and then studies in Scotland and Canada. She earned a master's degree from Glasgow Caledonian University.

From 2013, Mrs. Harding was the Ambassador to the United Kingdom, until she was recalled in 2017. She has since been replaced by Francis Blain.

In December 2014, a "gang of Gambian diplomats" were found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of running a "tax-free tobacconist" from embassy premises in London for three years, and avoiding £5 million of tax. Seven people including the Deputy Head of the Gambian Diplomatic Mission, Yusupha Bojang, were found guilty. In January 2017, Jammeh dismissed 12 ambassadors including Harding. In February 2017, Gambia's new President, Adama Barrow, reinstated the dismissed ambassadors.

Honours

Harding is a Member of the Order of the Republic of The Gambia.

Personal life

Harding is married, with four children.