By Michaella Faith Wright

The Minister of Information, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has defended the Gambian government’s expenditure on the recent United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Conference, clarifying that 24 officials attended with government funding.

He also addressed a viral video allegedly showing a Gambian migrant being beaten by Mauritanian security forces, stating that the government is taking diplomatic steps to address the matter.

Speaking on Coffee Time on West Coast Radio, Dr. Ceesay explained that the government officially funded the participation of 14 delegates, including himself, while additional attendees from civil society, NGOs, and the private sector were sponsored by external organizations. In addition, the President and nine members of his team, as well as four other officials, including his protocol and the Permanent Secretary (PS), also attended, bringing the total number of government-funded participants to 24.

“This was funded by the taxpayers of The Gambia,” Dr. Ceesay stated, emphasizing transparency in the government’s participation at the global event.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ceesay also addressed concerns over a viral video showing a Gambian migrant allegedly being assaulted by Mauritanian security forces. He assured the public that the government is taking the matter seriously, stressing that the welfare and safety of every Gambian remain a top priority.

“We are concerned about this incident, and we have taken appropriate measures through the right diplomatic channels to deal with the situation,” he said.

The Gambian government continues to monitor the developments closely and urges citizens to remain calm while diplomatic efforts are underway to ensure the safety of Gambians abroad.

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, High Court Judge, in a heartfelt tribute, mourned the passing of Fafa E. M’bai, describing him as “a national treasure” whose profound impact on The Gambia’s legal landscape was immeasurable.

He praised M’bai’s dedication to justice, noting his instrumental role in the establishment of key legal institutions, such as the Faculty of Law at the University of The Gambia and The Gambia Law School. Reflecting on his personal connection, Justice Jaiteh shared that M’bai was his “godfather in the legal profession,” guiding him with wisdom and inspiring his journey in law.

He concluded by emphasizing that M’bai’s legacy of “commitment, brilliance, and an unyielding pursuit of justice” would forever be cherished by The Gambia and beyond.

By: Alieu Jallow

In a desperate bid for a better life, a Guinean man, his wife, and their only daughter were intercepted by the Gambia Immigration Department (GID) in Yarambamba, in the western region, while awaiting a boat to the Canary Islands. Musa Camara expressed his deep frustration with the African continent, declaring, “I am tired of Africa. I am an African, but it doesn’t deliver a promised future.”

Musa told The Fatu Network that he paid 450,000 CFA, equivalent to D52,193.87, for himself, his wife, and their daughter – amounting to a total of D156,582 – to an agent he never met.

“I paid CFA 450,000 for myself, my wife, and my only daughter. Even though it’s risky, I entrusted myself and my family to the Almighty Allah. All I want is help because my dream world is not Africa anymore,” he stated.

The family had been struggling for years, battling poverty and a lack of opportunities. His wife, Mariama Camara, echoed his sentiments, stating, “If I had the money right now, I would leave with my only daughter and husband.” Their situation reflects the growing frustration among many young Africans who see irregular migration as their only hope for a better life.

“I Will Go by the Powers of Allah” – A Guinean Migrant’s Determination

Alongside another Guinean family, a young Guinean man named Abdoulie Keita was also intercepted by authorities. Despite being stopped, his resolve remains unshaken. “Even if another opportunity presents itself, I am determined to go. By the powers of the Almighty Allah, I will go,” Keita affirmed.

His statement highlights the deep desperation and determination of many young West Africans who, despite the risks of the perilous journey through the Atlantic, remain willing to take their chances. Many believe that enduring the dangers of irregular migration is better than staying in a place where they feel trapped in a cycle of poverty and hopelessness.

The attempted journey of these migrants is part of a broader trend of irregular migration from West Africa to Europe. The Canary Islands route – one of the most dangerous migration paths – has seen an alarming rise in crossings. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), thousands of migrants have died or gone missing on this treacherous route.

While the Gambia Immigration Department has intensified efforts to curb irregular migration, frequently intercepting boats and detaining smugglers, economic struggles persist, leaving many undeterred.

Migration analyst Mustapha Paragon Sonko, a migration officer at the National Youth Council and a master’s student at Malmö University studying International Migration and Ethnic Relations with a focus on migration and citizenship, argues that unless deep-rooted economic and social issues are addressed, more young Africans will continue to risk their lives seeking a better future abroad.

“It must be clear that migration is a right, yet the rate at which young people die in the high seas and the deserts is a cause for concern. To minimize this, the government needs to partner with private institutions to provide job opportunities for young people and tackle wage differences to ensure they can lead meaningful lives. Young people need skills, which will enable them to find jobs in The Gambia without risking everything.

The bilateral agreements between The Gambia and Spain, as well as Saudi Arabia, indicate that migration results from wage disparities rather than merely unemployment. Therefore, the government should create an environment that addresses these economic imbalances,” he stated.

The story of this intercepted family and Abdoulie Keita is just one of many. Their desperation speaks to a larger crisis – one that will not be solved through interceptions alone but through real opportunities that give people a reason to stay.

The Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Yankuba Darboe, has reported that the smuggling of taxable goods into the country has been reduced by 95% following the introduction of digital excise stamps.

The Gambia’s revenue mobilisation chief expressed enthusiasm that this development has created more market opportunities for local producers and importers.

In an interview with local journalists, CG Darboe explained that a digital tax stamp is being applied to cigarettes, flour, soft drinks, and all excisable commodities. He acknowledged the government’s support in creating an enabling environment for the country’s primary revenue mobilising agency to collect taxes for national development.

The GRA chief pointed out that the agency would not have succeeded in virtually eliminating the smuggling of excisable commodities without the government’s backing, as the policy has faced resistance from certain quarters. He further recognised the government’s support in advancing the GRA’s reform agenda, noting that such reforms would increase tax revenue.

CG Darboe emphasised the importance of digital taxation in domestic revenue mobilisation, stating that in this day and age, most developing countries are advocating for domestic revenue generation rather than relying on external sources of revenue.

“Whatever we are doing, the government is helping us to make sure that we can collect more for the use of the government. GRA comes with reforms, and the government supports us so that at the end of the day, there is a strong digital structure on different tax lines, and we will be able to collect more revenue that the government can use to sustain whatever development desire they have,” the GRA boss said.

He also said The Gambia is standing high when it comes to domestic revenue mobilization, explaining that GRA’s modus operandi makes it one of the best in the sub-region as they enjoy the support of the government in pushing forward their reforms.

“If we don’t have the support of the government, some of these reforms will be hard,” he said.

The digital stamp initiative was introduced in March 2024 in The Gambia to revolutionise the tracking and monitoring of excisable products in real time. This followed an agreement between the government of The Gambia and SICPA, the solution provider, in fulfilment of the GRA’s reform priorities as outlined in their Corporate Strategy Plan 2020-2024.

According to the GRA, the initiative is expected to streamline operations by enabling them to swiftly identify and prevent illicit trade and smuggling.

Speaking about the revenue mobilisation solution provided by SICPA, Finance Minister Seedy Keita stated that its full implementation would enable the GRA to access accurate, real-time production data for locally produced excisable goods and to distinguish between illicit and legitimately imported excisable goods.

“This (DTS) will protect the market share from unfair competition from fake and illicit products and the public will gain through the consumption of genuinely imported and locally produced excisable goods,” he said.