By: Dawda Baldeh

Sixteen years ago, in 2009, families were torn apart, and hearts and reputations were shattered when former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh initiated what was described as a politically motivated campaign labeling individuals as witches and wizards. Many families faced devastation as their parents were forcibly detained and made to consume concoctions, resulting in the deaths of over 40 people.

To restore and rebuild these damaged reputations, the Women’s Association for Victims and Empowerment (WAVE) yesterday completed a two-day engagement with communities and stakeholders aimed at combating discrimination against witch-hunt victims in The Gambia. Prisalla Yagu Ceesay, Co-founder and Senior Technical Advisor of WAVE, emphasized the significance of the two-day event in uniting victims, law enforcement officers, civil society organizations, and the media to assist victims in overcoming past traumas.

“Our goal is to restore social cohesion among the alleged victims in society, reduce stigma, and rehabilitate communities and individuals who have been subjected to the witch-hunt campaign,” she stated. She further mentioned that the aim is to support victims labeled as witches and wizards in rebuilding their lives while providing them with mental and physical assistance.

Hassan Baldeh, a police superintendent, described the plight of former President Jammeh’s alleged witch-hunt victims as troubling. He highlighted the crucial role the police could play in safeguarding victims, stressing that society must protect them from all forms of discrimination. “It’s disheartening to witness people discriminating against these individuals accused of witchcraft. Hearing their stories was very emotional for me, and it’s tragic that security forces were used to mistreat citizens,” he expressed. Baldeh further emphasized the importance of people supporting one another to foster harmonious living. “We must ensure that such atrocities do not occur again,” he added, pointing out that the police are dedicated to protecting citizens’ rights.

Ismaila Sonko, a resident of Esso village in the North Bank Region, recounted the incident of his father’s arrest in 2009. His father was among many accused of witchcraft by former President Jammeh. “When the soldiers arrived, they told my father he had health issues and were taking him to the hospital. He insisted that there was a hospital next to his house and should be taken there, but the soldiers refused. He was released after three days,” he recalled.

Before his arrest, he was healthy and fit, but after his release, he developed serious health problems. Mr. Sonko reflected on the societal impact that this allegation had on his father and praised WAVE for leading this initiative to assist victims in recovering from trauma and advocating for legislation to prevent further suffering. “People are aware that the allegations were false,” he added. Mr. Sonko’s father passed away in 2016, prior to Jammeh’s defeat by coalition leader President Barrow.

This initiative is supported by the Peace Building Fund, UNDP, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. At the conclusion of the program, participants reiterated the call for the implementation of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) recommendations regarding the witch hunt to prevent further discrimination against victims.

By Michaella Faith Wright

The Minister of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure, Ebrima Sillah, has clarified that the government is not selling public assets under the ongoing reforms at the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), but rather handing them over to capable operators who can run them efficiently without incurring losses to the state.

Speaking on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, Minister Sillah emphasised that the current initiative aims to ensure that critical national assets are managed competently and sustainably.

“We are not selling any assets. What we are trying to do is hand over the assets to someone able and capable of running them amicably, without bringing any losses to the state,” Minister Sillah explained.

He also pointed out that no government anywhere is expected to continuously provide funds to cover the salaries of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

“No government will give you money to be able to pay the salaries of SOEs. In our current situation, the government remains one of the biggest employers, especially for highly qualified and educated people. NGOs and the private sector also play a major role in employment, but when it comes to investing in training and professional careers, it’s primarily the government,” he said.

Minister Sillah said some reforms are necessary, citing the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority as an example. He explained that the Authority is currently performing dual roles—regulatory and operational, which should ideally be separated.

“At the airport, when there’s no electricity at the terminal, when water supply fails, or when the air conditioning system isn’t working, the operating company must be held to account. Even issues like poor toilet conditions that people complain about—these are the things we deal with daily,” he noted.

He further revealed that a draft bill is being finalised to legally address these operational and regulatory challenges.

“The draft has been prepared by the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with a consultant. Once approved by the Cabinet, it will be taken to the National Assembly for legislation,” he stated.

Minister Sillah assured the public that the goal of the reforms is to enhance efficiency, professionalism, and service delivery without compromising state interests.

By Dawda Baldeh

Residents of the Jarra Central and East constituencies in the Lower River Region have criticised their National Assembly representatives for their inadequate representation in parliament.

They made these remarks in Bureng at the ongoing nationwide constituency consultative dialogue led by the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), with funding from UNDP.

This tour aims to enlighten locals about the content of the 2024 draft constitution, allowing residents to express their views on specific clauses and provide feedback. The event attracts lawmakers, community leaders, religious groups, village heads, youth leaders, and district chiefs, among others.

In Jarra East, a sharp twist took place as locals hit hard at their parliamentarians.

“Let our National Assembly members tell us where they are investing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Jarra,” Alhagie Tairu Jikineh questioned.

He alleged that the money meant for communities has not been forthcoming.

“We are not saying they should give us their monthly salaries, but the money allocated to us should be given to us,” he emphasised, noting that this should be done transparently. As the meeting progressed, divergent views emerged with locals calling for accountability and proper representation.

“I’m quoting the NAM for Jarra Central, Hon. Kebba Jallow, who said they (NAMs) will do all it takes to make sure the 2024 draft is passed. So, this simply means our gathering here is not important because our NAM has taken a stand without consulting us or taking our concerns,” said Sarjo A. Ceesay, a youth leader.

Sarjo, who is a former youth parliamentarian in Jarra, described this as improper representation.

“This is not how you should represent us. You should listen to our voices and use them in parliament to address our concerns,” he said.

Mr. Ceesay further urged the electorate to hold their lawmakers accountable.

“If you represent people very well, you will not fear losing elections because you will not lose,” Mr. Jikineh added.

He emphasised that any member of parliament who neglects their duties will be voted out.
On the issue of presidential term limits, Mr. Jikineh suggested a twenty-year term, however, he clarified that if a leader fails to deliver, he or she can be voted out after one term.

Meanwhile, Momodou Dem, the alkali of Dongoro Ba, who clarified that his remarks are personal, has urged lawmakers to return the 2020 draft constitution.

“When people talk about the 2024 draft, I get angry because we wasted one hundred and sixteen million dalasis (D116m), on the 2020 draft constitution. We should’ve been allowed to pass and make the necessary amendments,” he argued.

He noted that this money wasted on the 2020 draft constitution should’ve been utilized to address other problems in the country.

“Our money and voices were wasted just like that. We are talking about the 2024 draft constitution, but our money will be wasted too,” he added.

He called on National Assembly Members to put partisan and personal interests aside and bring back the 2020 draft with the necessary amendments to pass it.

By Alieu Jallow

Fatou Yabou Manjang, the Lady Councillor for Kiang Central, has raised concerns over the persistent social stigma and discrimination hindering women’s participation in politics and leadership roles in The Gambia.

During a capacity-building workshop on inclusive representation and the review of the District Tribunal Act, held in Jarra Soma and organised by Activista The Gambia, Councillor Yabou emphasised that outdated cultural beliefs remain a major obstacle. She noted that many men, influenced by these traditional views, continue to discourage and marginalise women who show interest in political leadership.

In a side interview with The Fatu Network, Councillor Yabou further highlighted that, beyond cultural barriers, financial constraints play a critical role in limiting women’s political ambitions.

“Finance has been a great challenge because politics demands resources. You can’t contest for a political position without the necessary funding. If you don’t have the resources, you often have to rely on a political party for support,” she explained.

Women in The Gambia make up of more than half of the population and about 57% of registered voters, yet their representation in political leadership remains low. In the 2022 National Assembly elections, only 3 out of 58 seats—roughly 5%—were occupied by women, marking a decline from previous years. Women currently hold just 13.6% of cabinet positions and 7% of local councillor roles.

Several factors contribute to this underrepresentation, including socio-cultural norms, limited access to resources, and the absence of legal frameworks such as gender quotas. Although The Gambia ratified the Maputo Protocol, which promotes women’s participation in politics, the 2020 Constitution Promulgation Bill, containing provisions for reserved seats for women, was rejected by the National Assembly.

Public sentiment, however, appears to support gender equality in politics. A 2022 Afrobarometer survey found that 74% of Gambians believe women should have equal opportunities to be elected to public office, while 71% believe the government should do more to promote women’s rights.

Against this backdrop, Councillor Yabou-Manjang called on both the government and civil society organisations to take deliberate steps to empower women politically, including financial assistance and continuous capacity building.

“The government must make it a priority to empower women who want to contest for political office. Any woman who shows interest should be adequately supported, especially financially, so they, in turn, can support and inspire other women,” she urged.

These discussions, championed by Activista The Gambia, are part of a broader effort to promote inclusive governance and strengthen grassroots representation across the country.

By Alieu Jallow

The Chief of Jarra West, Yaya Jarjusey, has expressed serious concerns regarding the inadequate infrastructure for district tribunals and the low remuneration for tribunal members, asserting that these issues significantly impede the effective delivery of justice at the grassroots level.

Chief Jarjusey made these remarks during a capacity-building session on inclusive representation and a review of the District Tribunal Act. The training, organised by Activista The Gambia, assembled traditional leaders, tribunal members, and civil society stakeholders to evaluate the relevance of conventional justice systems in modern governance.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Chief Jarjusey emphasised the lack of appropriate facilities for conducting tribunal hearings.

“We do not have a structure where we can hold our hearings, we don’t even have a courtroom. Cases should not be heard in open spaces, especially not in the ‘Bantaba.’ A hearing should be conducted in a room that offers privacy and comfort for the complainant, defendant, and tribunal members to allow for a fair and free flow of the process,” he stated.

He further lamented the overwhelming workload placed on tribunal members, who receive a modest monthly stipend of D1,500—an amount he says is not reflective of their responsibilities nor sustainable under the current economic climate.

“Our tribunal members are paid D1,500. It used to be D1,000 until a recent increment of D500, which still isn’t enough to buy a bag of rice. This amount does not reflect the critical role these members play in maintaining peace and resolving disputes at the community level. We are seriously challenged in retaining tribunal members and even police support. I am appealing to the government and other stakeholders to support my tribunal members,” he added.

Chief Jarjusey praised Activista The Gambia for initiating the program, calling it a much-needed effort that strengthens the work of traditional authorities. He emphasised that the current laws governing district tribunals are outdated and no longer match the present-day realities, calling for comprehensive legal reforms.

“This capacity-building workshop by Activista is very important and complementary to our duties. Key issues regarding tribunal procedures and laws are being addressed, and the recommendations made will go a long way in supporting legal reforms,” he noted.

He concluded by calling on the central government to take responsibility for providing proper tribunal infrastructure—a duty he said was originally assigned to local councils, which have failed to deliver.

“It was the mandate of area councils to build courtrooms for tribunals and pay tribunal members, but since the advent of the current administration, they have failed in both areas. No courtrooms have been constructed, and our members’ stipends remain inadequate,” he asserted.

The workshop is part of a broader initiative by Activista The Gambia to strengthen community-level justice and foster inclusive governance across the country.

By Michaella Faith Wright

Inspector Sulayman Sambou, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Immigration Department, believes that Gambian youth are not aimless but rather helpless—and with the right support and opportunities, they can become anything they aspire to be.

In a candid insight into his professional journey and personal convictions, Inspector Sulayman Sambou, the Deputy PRO of The Gambia Immigration Department, shared his perspective on youth empowerment, education, and national development. At 32, Inspector Sambou boasts a diverse academic and professional background, reflecting a deep commitment to service and self-improvement.

He began his educational journey with a Basic Level IT Certificate from Human First, followed by a Higher Teacher’s Certificate (HTC) in English from The Gambia College. He later advanced to earn a degree in English from the University of The Gambia. With over three years of teaching experience, he transitioned into public service and communications, currently working with a communications organisation and an established environmental club, where he actively supports community development initiatives.

Beyond his professional roles, Inspector Sambou is multilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish, and maintains a strong passion for reading and following current affairs. These qualities have served him well in his role as a public communicator and in his current position at the Immigration Department.

“What our youth need are opportunities to explore their talents and become what they truly want,” he said. “They are not without dreams — they are simply without access.”

Through his work and personal development, Inspector Sambou exemplifies how determination, education, and service can intersect to create impactful leadership. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the need to invest in the future of young people — not just through words, but through action and opportunities.

By Mama A. Touray

The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, stated in an interview on Coffee Time on Tuesday that the Janneh Commission submitted a comprehensive report to the government but has not submitted the report regarding the sales of forfeited assets belonging to former President Jammeh.

He emphasised that, until today, the government has not received the list while commending The Republic for the good work done in asking critical questions.

“When the Janneh Commission finished their work, they submitted a nine-volume report to the president. In this nine-volume report, there is nowhere in the report which talks about the sale of the Jammeh assets; it’s not there,” he stated.

When asked whether he read the entire nine-volume report, he responded: “I have not read the entire nine volumes, but the Minister of Justice has confirmed to me, and the reports are on the ministry’s website.”

He emphasised that the commission submitted a report but never submitted a report on the sales of the Jammeh assets: “So you cannot give what you don’t have.”

On the list released by the Minister of Justice following the demand of a youth movement, Ceesay explained: “The list that was released was not from the Janneh Commission; they got them from those who did the sales. So, the Janneh Commission did not do a good job in providing a detailed report of the sales, and they still haven’t done that.”

According to Ceesay, what the government has are the sales of the properties done by the auctioneer Alpha Kapital, and the government has submitted that to the National Assembly.

“There will be accountability. The parliamentary enquiry will help us unearth a lot of these things that are pending on the information gap surrounding Jammeh’s assets. The enquiry will really help us to get an understanding of these issues, and I am hopeful that will happen,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ceesay stressed that the government has not sold all of Jammeh’s assets: “We have kept some for public use; some have been returned to communities, agricultural use, and some are within the Tourism Development Area for future investment within the TDA. Some are with the government, and they will make sure they are used for public purpose.”

He continued: “The President said it in his speech that the assets of former president Jammeh belong to the Gambian people and will use it to provide services for the Gambian people.”