(d) (2) The Gambia shall not(a) (b) (3) subject to the prior approval of the National assembly, the declaration of war and the making of peace. enter into any engagement with any other country which causes it to lose its sovereignty without the matter first being put to a referendum and passed by such majority as may be prescribed by an Act of the National assembly; become a member of any international organisation unless the National assembly is satisfied that it is in the interest of The Gambia and that membership does not derogate from its sovereignty. The National assembly may, by resolution establish procedures for the ratification of treaties and other international agreements. Constitution of public 80. Subject to this Constitution and any Act of the National Assembly Offices the President may constitute any public office for The Gambia and make appointments to such office and terminate such appointments. Administration of 81. Department of state Prerogative of mercy (1) Where the Vice-President or a Secretary of State has been charged with responsibility for any department of the Government, he or she shall exercise general direction and control over that department; and subject to such direction and control the department shall be under the supervision of a permanent secretary whose office shall be an office in the public service. (2) The principal advisers on professional and technical matters in all the departments of the Government shall be professionally qualified persons. (1) The president may, after consulting the Committee established by subsection (2)(a) (b) grant to any person convicted of any offence a pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions; grant to any person a respite, either indefinite or for a specified period, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for any offence;