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Gambian Coalition Launches Drive to Curb Youth Migration Through Skills Training

By Mama A. Touray

The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) and a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have launched a community advocacy campaign targeting irregular migration, with a focus on empowering youths through skills training and awareness.

The initiative, funded by Civil Society in Development (CISU) and implemented via Gambia Media Support (GAMES), kicked off in Bakau on Tuesday. It aims to educate coastal communities—including Bakau, Barra, and Farato—on the dangers of irregular migration, legal visa processes, and opportunities in vocational training.

Bakau, a historic fishing town, has seen scores of its young residents risk or lose their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea in pursuit of better prospects. The campaign’s opening event featured stark documentaries produced by MAJaC students, showcasing both migration risks and local opportunities.

Alhagie Badara Y Jallow, Chairperson of Bakau’s Development Committee, criticised elders for their absence at the event, stressing: “National development does not only stop at political gatherings. Advocacy gatherings also contribute to the development of the nation.”

He linked the exodus of youths to parental pressures, stating: “Parents nowadays do not encourage their children to venture into skills development but encourage them to embark on Backway [irregular migration], which has brought detrimental repercussions.”

Bakau Councillor Lamin Dibba urged campaigners to meet youths “at their ghettos” for frank discussions, noting: “We must engage them where they gather.”

ChildFund Communication Officer Mustapha Mbaye emphasised the lethal stakes: “We are not saying youths should not travel, but we have seen what it has caused—over 1,000 deaths documented.”

Dr. Ebrima Sidibeh, a psychologist, highlighted systemic failures: “Schools should stop telling students, ‘You are good at maths.’ We must create local employment and vocational training. Those who succeeded via Backway had skills before leaving.”

Representatives from the Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce outlined ongoing efforts to steer youths toward entrepreneurship and formal migration pathways.

MAJaC screened student-produced films juxtaposing migration tragedies with success stories of skills-based ventures. The coalition plans further outreach in Barra and Farato in the coming weeks.

The campaign underscores a growing push to address Gambia’s migration crisis, driven by high youth unemployment and limited economic opportunities. Over 35,000 Gambians—nearly 2% of the population—have fled via irregular routes to Europe since 2014, according to UN data.

Minister Hamat Bah Hails Pres. Barrow’s Leadership, Reaffirms Gambia’s Commitment to Democracy

By Michaella Faith Wright

The Minister of Lands and Regional Government, Hamat N.K. Bah, has commended the President’s exceptional leadership, describing him as one of the best leaders the country has seen since independence.

Speaking on Saturday at the National Congress of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) in Brikama Bar, Central River Region, Minister Hamat Bah lauded President Barrow’s dedication to national development and unity across political lines.

“Though we belong to different political parties, we all have one common interest, which is the Republic of The Gambia,” Minister Bah said. “I am grateful that we have a wonderful leader who is development-conscious, and I believe you all agree with me that President Barrow is one of the best presidents we’ve had since independence. There is no doubt about that.”

He highlighted the significant progress The Gambia has made under President Barrow’s leadership and emphasized the irreversible commitment of the country to democratic governance.

“This country is on the move, and nobody can stop it,” he said. “To those who have intentions of reversing our democratic gains, let me send a clear message: Gambia will never go back to dictatorship or military rule. No amount of chaos or anarchy will derail our democratic journey.”

Minister Bah paid tribute to the efforts of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and other stakeholders since the establishment of youth representation in 1997. He also remembered the contributions of late electoral officials such as Mr. Robert.

He urged Gambian youth to embrace skill acquisition and prepare to take part in national development. “This country believes in peace, justice, stability, and hard work,” he added.
The congress brought together party delegates and supporters in a spirited call for continued national progress.

‘Europe is Not Paradise’: Shattered Dreams and the Hidden Realities of Gambian Migration

By Alieu Jallow

For many young Gambians, Europe remains the ultimate destination—a symbol of hope, wealth, and a better life. But behind this widespread illusion lies a far harsher reality, one that has left many dreams shattered, lives lost, and families broken.

Yaya Sowe, regional youth leader for Kombo South and entrepreneur, knows this reality all too well. In 2014, he was once tempted by the idea of irregular migration. Misleading social media posts and the influence of friends already in Europe lured him and others into embarking on the journey. After nine months of hardship and failed attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea from North Africa, Yaya returned home.

His turning point came after being selected among 127 young people across West Africa to participate in the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI). Now in his third year, first semester at the University of The Gambia, Yaya has trained over 250 young people in entrepreneurship and travelled to more than three European countries. He now works to raise awareness among youth in his community.

“Where I am now, I’m doing small business and food processing, so Europe is not Paradise! Europe is battle battlefield, what the Europeans portray in the media or what our friends say in the media, and the reality is different. It is not like what you think, they are portraying a good image in the social media but in the reality, that’s not what is there so my advice to the youth, I can’t stop them from going but lets use the right way and also lets play our part to national development, whatever we can do here, we can do it and gain from it, let go for it and do it”.

Similarly, Bubacarr Saidykhan’s story is one of repeated failure and ultimate transformation. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to reach Europe, he redirected his energy into entrepreneurship, turning waste materials such as car tyres and bottles into furniture and reusable items. Saidykhan, who has now established a skills academy, has trained over 300 young people—some of whom have already started businesses and are making progress in their ventures.

“I was training young ones but the first 60 people I trained, they just concluded their exams and now, they are waiting for graduation but I can say Alhamdulillahi, I am in Europe in Africa especially the Gambia training these 60 youth with skills and go to their families while some people are making the same product and sell and pay their school fees, their brothers expenses and even their parents’ medication and others. This is something that relieved me, and I said to myself, if I know I’ll not even embark on the “backway”, I will stay and start this before this year or last year. Don’t force success; the only thing, success is step by step, and we can have it in this country. We have to change our mindset,” he states.

Ebrima Jallow wasn’t so fortunate. After surviving a perilous journey that claimed the lives of close friends, he returned home disillusioned but determined. Like many others, Jallow never initially intended to migrate, but peer pressure, family expectations, and social stigma eventually forced him to sell his business and take the route.

He recounted six years of regret, without his business, away from family, and imprisoned multiple times. He described the harrowing experiences that nearly cost him his life. For him, Europe had seemed like paradise, where the money bag was simply waiting to be picked up and sent home.

“I expect that I am going and once I get to Europe, help myself and my parents. I sold my business and embarked on the journey because I heard Europe is Paradise, but God has decided that I will not get to Europe but in my mind and hope once I get there, everything will be roses for me, but I failed to realise that what I left behind is where my success lies. I want to advise my youth to be mindful of this perilous journey, for it’s more deadly and that if you something meaningful you doing or engaged, try to strive because for my experience on this journey has taught me a lesson and is something that do not sit well in my mind so I urge everyone of us to strive to make in our endeavours and undertakings” he says

Mariama Ceesay shared her harrowing experience of crossing the Sahara Desert. After falling into a coma for three days, she was nearly buried alive. Today, Mariama urges young people to focus on building opportunities at home and encourages safe, orderly, and regular migration practices.

“This journey is dangerous and challenging and I urge my fellow youth that travel opportunity is God’s destiny and if he so wills, anytime, you will be but my fellow Let’s endeavour to exercise patience till God wills our travel time to travel safely, so let’s try to see how we can minimised the risk of the “backway” because there is no gains in the “backway” unless endless sufferings” she appeals

Alagie Jarju, Executive Director of the National Youth Council, underscored the persistent risks young Gambians continue to take through irregular migration, despite years of awareness campaigns. He noted that these efforts often fall short of dispelling the deeply rooted perception of Europe as a “promised land,” particularly because many youth live in dire conditions with few prospects. He emphasised that awareness alone is not enough without tangible hope and opportunity.

“Unfortunately, all of us the focus is among the few Gambians who gone and are doing well that is an example society cites, the son, the daughter of neighbour X is gone and is doing well and remitting money back home but the son the daughter of neighbour S who has actually did not died but is currently in Europe struggling for the past 4, 5 or 10 years not able to have a document and not able to have access to comeback to his country even parents, siblings or wife pass away no one talks about that so the focus is only on few that had gone and made it, these are the one society gives as examples and that continues to wrongly inspire young Gambians to continue to believe is only better out there, I think this is the more the reason why from our end we cannot and we will need to continuing sensitizing our young ones to understand the dangers but beyond the dangers, we also getting understand that there are opportunities int this country, most of them will tell you, what im doing in this country, there is nothing for me. We say no, there is a lot that is available that you can do in this country and from our end we keep citing people that came into this country from the subregion. They ca young, they came vulnerable but with the smallest opportunities available in the Gambia, with their hardwork, with their perseverance, today theare at another level far better than wherethey started fro, probably five- ten years ago”

Addressing the Council’s efforts, Jarju highlighted several youth empowerment initiatives in entrepreneurship, skills development, and civic engagement designed to offer viable alternatives to migration.

“From the Tekifi project has ended not long ago, to IOM different reintegration projects that they have, the AVRR or loans the and grants provided by the ministry of Youth and sports through NEDI. We have seen Higher Education trying to ensure that skills training is revived as some of the training centres that were dormant, we seen them putting capacity in those training centre in ensuring they are revived and they continue to train young people to have those skills that they will to be able to thrive good in the Gambia but beyond the Gambia when the u leave the soil of this country, they still have the opportunity to work” he outlined

When asked whether the government is doing enough to tackle structural challenges such as unemployment and inadequate education, Jarju responded candidly.

“ I think at the level of government a lot is being done to tackle some of this and I think it started probably a year or two ago when the president launched the national employment action plan targeting to employ over 150,000 young people over the next four years. I think it’s an ambitious plan at the level of government to ensure that young people are taking of the streets and employment is created for a lot of our young people. The challenge sometimes at the level of government is having the needed resources and on time to able to deliver. Some of these interventions are donor supported like the project the president recently launched with MOHERST almost a 400 million dalasis project funded through the World Bank and of course, other partners with ITC and IMO is usually EU-funded so that’s the level of intention from the government to ensure that unemployment is brought down to mininal accepted level especially amongst young people”. He states
Muhammad Lamin Dibba, a Gambian migration specialist based in Switzerland, elaborated on the gap between perception and reality.

“ the fact of the matter is legal employment in Europe is often inaccessible, especially without documentation and qualification recognised in Europe. For example in Spain and in Italy where migrnats from the global south work in the agricultural sector under modern

Dibba also emphasized how European migration policies and strict border control systems contribute to the exploitation and vulnerability of undocumented migrants.

“According to Doctors Without Borders, European policies on migration systematically and violently target migrants and trap them unsafe situations which is very unfortunate.

Furthermore, undocumented immigrants do have access to basic rights such as healthcare, education and legal employment, those who are employed are not paid on the value of their labour and exploited. According to the Global Impact, every migrant have the right to be protected and respected irrespective of their migration status so therefore, the European policy in this sense is discriminatory and therefor do not Protect the rights and dignity of migrants.

He stressed the need for governments in origin countries to address the root causes of irregular migration—by investing in sustainable economic development, youth empowerment, and infrastructure to make staying at home more appealing than leaving.

“Undoubtedly the root cause of migration often lies in the lack of opportunities at home especially in the Gambia. Therefore, the onus lies in the government to drive economic policies that creates sustainable jobs, education and also infrastructure to make life sustainable to make life sustainable and appealing for young people. Young people are not only future leaders but vital stakeholders in today’s national development therefore the government need a progressive youth policy that drives economic growth and development so that young people could stay and contribute to the economic development of the Gambia”. He states

As more young people speak out about the painful truths behind irregular migration, one message resonates clearly: Europe is not paradise. For many, the dream has turned into a nightmare and the real hope may lie in building a future at home.

This reportage was produced with the support of the Informa project, funded by the European Union.

Silenced in Sukuta: Section 5 and The Gambia’s Democratic Deficit

OPINION

By Dave Manneh

A Symptom of Suppression

The Gambia Police Force’s denial of the “Request For a Permit to Hold a Peaceful Demonstration” on Saturday, 17 May, highlights the urgent need to repeal the Public Order Act. The denial of a permit, however, is not an isolated incident, but a reflection of a pattern of suppressing dissent.

The Area councillor for Sukuta, the protest’s lead organiser, expressed his disappointment at the unexplained refusal, calling it a betrayal of democratic rights. This pattern of vague denials and forceful crackdowns suggests a deliberate strategy to shield systematic asset stripping and land dispossession from public scrutiny.

The timing of the denial, particularly following The Republic’s investigative reporting, which subsequently spurred the GALA (Gambians Against Looted Assets) protest, suggests a deliberate tactic by the authorities. That peaceful show of displeasure led to the arrest of 27 peaceful protestors.

Coupled with the Indemnity Act,  which protected police involved in the 2018 Faraba Banta killings, these laws foster impunity; and contravene Section 25 of the 1997 Constitution and Article 21 of The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Silencing a Plea for Accountability and Justice

Assistant Inspector General Ebrima Bah’s refusal in his letter, citing undefined “security reasons“, silenced the community’s plea for accountability and justice. This law suppresses dissent, and stifles democratic expression, violating fundamental rights. Its removal is crucial to dismantling the legal framework that stifles expressions of disquiet and dissatisfaction with the political situation.

A Colonial Legacy of Suppression

Enacted in 1961 under British rule (with Section 5 mandating police permits to control dissent), its purpose reveals itself in colonial patterns: suppressing anti-British sentiment as nationalist movements and Workers’ Union activities took root. This permit system prioritised colonial power over democratic expression, creating a framework that post-independence governments retained to serve authoritarian ends. Jammeh used it to crush the 2000 student protests (resulting in 14 deaths). The same law imprisoned Ousainou Darboe in 2016, for participating in a protest demanding justice for the late Solo Sandeng.

It is all the more disheartening to see its use under Barrow.

The police invoked it to deny the Sukuta Salagi victims their voice, effectively shielding the system responsible for their dispossession. The Act has thus transitioned from a tool of colonial control to a legal shield to suppress outrage over land dispossession. The planned peaceful protest, with victims having prepared placards reading “Free Our Lands” and “Our Lands Are Our Life“, exemplifies the silencing of legitimate grievances.

Challenging the Justification of Order Versus Freedom

In defence of the Act, some argue that it prevents chaos. However, this concern is overstated.

Rights-respecting alternatives, such as Sweden’s notification system, can ensure public safety without discretionary control. The Act’s fundamental colonial design, prioritising order over freedom of expression, constitutes suppression of legitimate views under the guise of law.

The fact that The Gambia has not repealed the Act, despite its questionable justification, reveals the true purpose behind its continued use: obstructing dialogue on systematic misgovernance while maintaining a superficial democratic image.

When authorities deny permits for peaceful protests, our country risks descending into “competitive authoritarianism“: elections without genuine accountability and institutions lacking true independence.

A Call for Review and the Human Cost

Reflecting this growing concern, the National Council for Civic Education’s (NCCE) call for a review reflects growing public awareness that democracy is undermined when laws protect legally questionable acts. Civil society should urge the National Assembly to initiate a legislative review, involving citizens, police, and legal experts, to develop a rights-based framework that reinforces democratic accountability.

Moving Towards Genuine Democratic Transition

Moving beyond its colonial origins, the Public Order Act is an active instrument in suppressing contemporary political activism. Recent revelations concerning asset underselling, land dispossession, and institutional compromise demonstrate how post-Jammeh Gambia continues to use authoritarian tools while claiming democratic advancement. Genuine democratic transition necessitates the complete dismantling of this colonial relic.

Replacing it with transparent, rights-based frameworks would signal a genuine commitment to accountability. Only then can the voices of the dispossessed, like those in Sukuta Salagi, and the broader issues they represent, find the democratic space they deserve.

Decisive action to ensure that progress, peace, and prosperity benefit all Gambians, not just a privileged few, is both necessary and urgent.

Dave Manneh – Research Lead

Securing Futures: Land Rights Action Collaborative

 

Securing Futures: Land Rights Action Collaborative, a registered NGO-think tank hybrid based in The Gambia committed to empowering Kombo’s dispossessed land-owning communities and advocating for equitable governance policies.

Pres. Barrow Launches GBA Water Supply Project: Providing Access to Clean, Safe Drinking Water

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By Dawda Baldeh

President Adama Barrow has launched a massive water supply project for the greater Banjul area to provide access to clean and safe drinking water to communities in the West Coast Region.

This project, launched in Siffoe under WASIB with funding from the Agence Française Development (AFD) in partnership with the National Water and Electricity Company, is aimed at addressing water shortages in the region. In his keynote address, Gambian President Adama Barrow described water as a basic requirement for life.

“Without water, there is no life…,” he stated, noting that the provision of safe and clean drinking water is a fundamental right. He reiterated his government’s steadfast commitment to providing adequate, safe and clean drinking water to the country.

He commended NAWEC and its partners for the initiative. This will provide access to water to more than one million people in the WCR and beyond,” he explained.

He added that this would expand the NAWEC water supply by 300 thousand meters.
This will follow the construction of a state-of-the-art water supply to 80 thousand new beneficiaries.

Accordingly, the head of the state disclosed that the project will also include the construction of a 500 cubic meter water treatment plant.

“This is expected to expand the distribution network by 100,000 meters,” he explained.
Governor of North Bank Region, Lamin Saidy, who represents the governor of West Coast Region, underscored the importance of water in our daily lives and how this project will improve the quality of life in the Greater Banjul Area.

“Water is a foundation for our lives,” he said, adding that this project will address challenges of access to clean drinking water in the area.

“When we invest in water, we invest in health and education,” he added.
He urges people to take ownership of the project to ensure its sustainability.
AFD, representative, Mahoub Meqouaghi said this project is dear to his institution as it will address the water crisis in the country.

“Water is a crucial component of our lives,” he said, noting that they are excited about the partnership with NAWEC.

He echoed similar sentiments on the impact this project will bring to the populace.
Charge De Affairs of France Embassy, Stephane Dovert, described the launch as a milestone achievement in the relationship between Gambia and France.
“Water is life, and its ability will significantly improve our lives,” he stated.

The charge d’affaires aligned this project with the government development goals.

“This project will improve water supply in the West Coast Region,” he added. “Today we celebrate a strategic partnership,” he noted.

The event marks a significant milestone in the country’s drive for a sustainable water supply. If completed, this project will address water shortages within different communities in the greater Banjul area.

Human Beings Are Not Illegal – A Call for Respectful and Dignified Language

OPINION

On Thursday, 15 May 2025, The Gambia Armed Forces announced that The Gambia Navy Patrol vessel HSB SEADOG “intercepted and arrested suspected illegal migrants…”

Again, yesterday, 16th May 2025, during the Mansa Kunda programme, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gambia stated, “Mauritania are deporting people who are illegal in their country.”

As a concerned citizen and advocate for human dignity, I am deeply disturbed by the continued use of the term “illegal migrants” by Gambian authorities, ministries, and public institutions when referring to our fellow Gambians in Mauritania, Libya, Europe, or those on irregular migration routes.

Let us be clear: No human being is illegal. This phrase, widely condemned by human rights organisations around the world, dehumanises individuals and strips them of their basic dignity and identity. It is a term that reduces complex human lives and stories into a label of criminality.

The United Nations, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and global human rights bodies have all urged that we use the term “irregular migrants” or “undocumented persons”, language that acknowledges the legal complexity of migration without criminalising the person. Even within Europe, only far-right and extremist groups continue to label human beings as “illegal.” Should Gambian institutions really be echoing the rhetoric of those who seek to exclude and devalue migrants?

Gambians abroad, regardless of their migration status, are our brothers and sisters. Many have left due to economic hardship, insecurity, or to seek better opportunities in situations that are well known to our institutions. Their journeys are often marked by resilience, sacrifice, and the pursuit of dignity.

We therefore respectfully demand that all government officials, ministries, and state institutions:

1. Cease using the term “illegal migrants” immediately.

2. Adopt rights-based language in all official statements, referring to Gambians abroad as “irregular migrants” or “undocumented Gambians.”

3. Affirm the humanity, dignity, and rights of all Gambians, regardless of where they reside or how they migrated.

Words matter. The language we use can either uplift our people or perpetuate stigma, discrimination, and harm. Let us choose words that reflect the values of respect, solidarity, and unity.

No human being is illegal.

Gambia Intercepts Over 178 Irregular Migrants in Banjul and Janje Operations

By Michaella Faith Wright

According to Inspector Sulayman Sambou, Deputy PRO of the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), over 178 irregular migrants were intercepted in two separate operations in Banjul and Janje this May.

Inspector Sulayman Sambou, deputy public relations officer of the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), confirmed that the department, working with national and international partners, intercepted more than 178 migrants in two major operations this month.
The first interception occurred on May 15, 2025, in Banjul.

It was carried out by the Gambian Navy, where about 100 migrants were apprehended. Among them were 31 Senegalese, 21 Guineans from Conakry, one Cameroonian, one Ghanaian, and one Sierra Leonean. A total of 90 males were intercepted, along with one male and one female minor. The group was reportedly heading to Mauritania when their vessel lost control. Two suspected smugglers—Alhaji and Bob—are currently at large.

The second operation was carried out in Janje, where 78 migrants were intercepted. The group included 31 Senegalese and seven Guineans. There were nine females in the group, including one female and one male minor. Two individuals identified as possible smugglers—Ebrima and Buba Serahule—have also fled.

“This is a frequent situation as many migrants use The Gambia as a transit point,” said Inspector Sambou. He acknowledged the support of key partners, including the Red Cross, COP Gambia (funded by the EU), the Spanish National Police, Guardia Civil, and national bodies such as the Police, SIS, and Navy.

Sambou emphasised that protecting lives is a top priority. “We provide psychological support and ensure a safe space for all migrants,” he said, urging collective efforts to end The Gambia’s use as a migration route.

NHRC Trains PWD Advisory Council on Disability Rights Monitoring

By Mama A. Touray

In its efforts to strengthen the National Disability Advisory Council’s institutional capacity to independently monitor the implementation of The Gambia’s disability rights frameworks, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) organised a two-day training course on disability rights monitoring for the council.

The National Disability Advisory Council (NDAC) was established under Section 8 of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2021, to monitor and advise on disability rights implementation in The Gambia in alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

This training is designed to equip the advisory council with the tools and approaches to effectively monitor access and report on the implementation of the CRPD and the national framework.

The Chairperson of the National Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities, Muhammed Krubally, outlined the timeliness of the training and the need to build the capacity of its members.

“Since [the] council has been established pursuant to Section 8 of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2021, we have existing members, yet the capacities are lacking to monitor whether our fundamental rights as enshrined in [the] Persons with Disability Act 2021, from its preamble up to the last section (71), [are] effectively undertaken or implemented by the duty bearers and other agencies,” he added.

Krubally continued that the National Disabilities Policy 2022 to 2031 has yet to witness effective implementation despite the UN Convention’s call for state parties to ensure the establishment of national monitoring mechanisms for the implementation of fundamental rights outlined in the convention.

The representative of UNICEF praised the Persons with Disabilities Act 2021, stating that it marks a critical step in the country’s journey toward equality and inclusion while emphasizing that “laws and policies must be translated [into] tangible change in the livelihoods of people, especially persons with disabilities who have long been left on the margin.”

Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender, Ismaila Danso, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Welfare, highlighted the timeliness of the training and the fundamental role of the National Disability Advisory Council. He also reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting and protecting the welfare of persons with disabilities.

He added that “The government has approved the allocation of D4 million for the National Disability Fund, and the Ministry has worked closely with the Federation of Persons with Disability as the umbrella body for all forms of disability in the country. This close collaboration is important to ensure the rights and protection of persons with disability in this country are respected and promoted.”

The training is expected to enhance the council’s ability to monitor, report, and advocate for disability rights implementation in The Gambia.

Barrow’s Broken Trust: The Hollow Echo of Democracy in Gambia’s Asset Heist

OPINION

By Dave Manneh

President Adama Barrow’s national address on 14 May 2025 offered a predictable, yet fundamentally dishonest, response to the burgeoning scandal surrounding the criminal disposal of Yahya Jammeh’s forfeited assets. Gambians both at home and abroad exchanged knowing looks and network-mediated eyerolls. Numerous analyses have correctly identified the chasm between Barrow’s platitudes of transparency and accountability, and the stark reality of systemic failures and a deeply entrenched democratic deficit.

Despite the President’s lip service to public concern and his admission of “certain procedural failures,” his strategic framing and continued reliance on demonstrably compromised institutions confirm the ongoing elite capture that has strangled The Gambia’s democratic aspirations.

Barrow began by acknowledging the “national concern with reason,” a tacit admission of the outrage Gambians feel and continue to express. His attempt to sanitise the government’s actions by referencing the Janneh Commission and the subsequent Ministerial Taskforce aimed to project a veneer of order and due process.

The Janneh Commission itself faced widespread criticism, and the very existence of a regularly reporting Taskforce directly exposes the incredulity of the President’s subsequent claim that he learnt crucial details “for the first time.” This implausible attempt to evade responsibility further shreds public trust, already decimated by revelations that assets worth millions were pilfered for mere fractions of their true value.

There are allegations of a state official’s brother acquiring a Mercedes-Benz for next to nothing, and stories of the wealthy plundering tractors intended for farmers. Those are stark evidence of a profound betrayal of the Gambians.

The President admitted “certain procedural failures,” notably the premature sale of assets, a significant concession forced by public outcry. Yet his subsequent decision to entrust the investigation primarily to the National Assembly and the National Audit Office – institutions previously shown to be toothless against powerful interests – exposes a cynical manoeuvre to neuter any genuine accountability.

There is a corpus of opinion pieces with incisive analyses that have demonstrated that The Gambia’s formal democratic structures, while present, lack the power to challenge entrenched power networks. Therefore, by opting for these compromised bodies, rather than establishing an independent panel as he initially considered, guarantees the perpetuation of a system where “connections matter more than competence and loyalty trumps law.”

This strategic choice is not about a commitment to a robust, impartial investigation; it is a calculated effort to control the narrative and severely limit the scope of any inconvenient findings.

Barrow’s pledge to publicise the findings and enforce recommendations offers a sliver of false hope, overshadowed by the historical context of broken promises and the proven complicity of the very institutions that the state tasked with this crucial undertaking. The true test will not be his words, but the government’s non-existent political will to implement any findings that might implicate powerful figures within the administration and the elite class.

Given the documented periodic attempts to suppress the media, and the routine disregard for judicial rulings, any expectation of a self-dismantling of the current corrupt power structure is naive. Thus, Barrow’s pledge convinces only a tiny fraction of Gambians.

President Barrow’s call for calm and unity is the routine rhetoric of leaders seeking to quell justified public anger. Nonetheless, genuine calm and unity can only be built upon a bedrock of trust and accountability, qualities this scandal has destroyed.

The Gambian public, especially the younger generation who see the truth online, increasingly understands the chasm between democratic pronouncements and the grim reality of endemic corruption and elite impunity. As my young cousin, Isatou aptly stated to me last night, “We swapped a dictator for a democracy, but we’re still waiting for the democracy to deliver.”

That wait, under Barrow’s leadership, appears destined to continue unless young people like her raise their voices and demand change.

Ultimately, President Barrow’s address, far from offering a genuine path to resolution, represents a superficial attempt to placate a furious populace. By clinging to compromised institutions and offering carefully crafted message, the President prioritises political survival over the fundamental necessity of justice.

Until The Gambia tears down the mechanisms of elite capture through concrete, independent action, the aspiration for a truly accountable democracy will remain a cruel illusion, and the stolen assets will stand as enduring monuments to a transition betrayed from within.

The true measure of President Barrow’s legacy will not be his pronouncements, sincere or otherwise, but his failure to dismantle the system of privilege that has infected the very democratic institutions Gambians fought and died to establish.

Dave Manneh – Research Lead

Securing Futures: Land Rights Action Collaborative

 

Securing Futures: Land Rights Action Collaborative (SFLRAC) is a registered NGO-think tank hybrid based in The Gambia. Committed to empowering Kombo’s dispossessed land-owning communities, SFLRAC combines participatory action with rigorous research to secure ancestral land rights, advocate for equitable governance policies, protect cultural heritage, and advance sustainable development.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Fatu Network’s editorial stance.

 

Belgian Woman’s Decade-Long Search for Gambian Father Leads Her to Banjul Post Office Clue

By Alieu Jallow

For nearly a decade, 27-year-old Azra, a Belgian-born woman, has been chasing shadows—searching for her biological father, a Gambian man known only as “Alex,” who vanished from her and her mother’s life over twenty years ago.

Azra’s mother, Eva, recalls meeting Alex during a brief youthful romance in Antwerp, Belgium. The relationship was short-lived, and contact was quickly lost. Eva remembers little beyond his nickname, and he once mentioned having a daughter named Sarah with a Belgian woman. That was his only trace left until Azra took matters into her own hands.

“I’ve worked with lawyers, hired private investigators in Antwerp, and visited countless places,” Azra told The Fatu Network. “I even travelled to The Gambia last year, hoping to uncover a clue—and I found one.”

That clue brought her to the Banjul Post Office.

There, Azra uncovered a postal trail linked to a Gambian man named Kajally Ceesay, who once rented the same Antwerp apartment her father used after Kajally returned to The Gambia. Kajally’s name surfaced through a letter sent from The Gambia using the address of Mr. Ibnou A. Touray, owner of a local business, T/A Agro-Bio (P.O. Box 939, Banjul). The letter, found by the building owner in Antwerp, could hold the key to unlocking her father’s identity.

Azra believes Kajally may have been a close friend of her father, possibly helping him settle in Antwerp during the 1990s. Her father, she learned, studied Dutch at Encora Language School (Kipdorvest 24, Antwerp) between 1995 and 1996 and frequently spent time at Koningsplein.

“This has been a draining journey,” Azra said. “Sometimes you feel close, but it turns out to be a dead end. Still, I need to know more about my roots, my ancestors, and where I come from. It’s a piece of me that’s missing.”

Azra is appealing to anyone in The Gambia who knows Mr. Ibnou A. Touray or Kajally Ceesay, or has information about a Gambian man known as Alex who lived in Antwerp around the mid-1990s, to reach out.

“I just want to say to my father, wherever you are—I’m sorry it went this way. I’ve been looking for you for so long. I’ll be happy to finally find you.”

Anyone with information can contact:
Azra’s friend in Gambia: 2099996
Email: [email protected]
Or reach out to The Fatu Network.

Mayor Lowe: “The CEO Controls Council Finances, Not Me”

By Michaella Faith Wright

Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, has informed the Local Government Commission of Inquiry that she lacks financial authority in the affairs of the Banjul City Council (BCC), placing full control of expenditures in the hands of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Appearing before the Commission on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, Mayor Lowe declared that she merely plays an advisory role in financial decisions at BCC. “The CEO has the exclusive power to make expenditures. I only advise. The CEO and others implement,” she stated during her testimony.

Mayor Lowe presented a six-page written statement and responded to extensive questioning by Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez. Her testimony revealed gaps in documentation, legal knowledge, and internal control measures at the capital city’s local government authority.

She admitted limited familiarity with the Finance and Audit Act and the Financial Manual, stating, “I do not concentrate on them too much because they deal with finance, administration, and audit.” When pressed, she confessed, “I am not a master in that.”

The mayor also acknowledged she could not recall how some nominated councillors were appointed in 2018 and promised to provide supporting documents. She identified four council committees but could not name them all or provide evidence of how members were selected.

Gomez reminded her that the Local Government Act grants mayors executive authority to supervise council operations. But Lowe disagreed, asserting that “mayors in The Gambia have no power” and describing her position as largely ceremonial.

Her testimony highlighted the ongoing struggle between elected political leadership and career administrators—a central theme the Inquiry is probing across councils. Mayor Lowe is expected to reappear before the Commission with requested documents to clarify procedural concerns during her tenure.

Calls for Full Transparency as Gambia Petroleum Commission Withholds FAR (Gambia) Ltd. Drilling Data and Quietly Redraws Offshore Blocks

Banjul, The Gambia – 14 May 2025

A series of unanswered information requests, coupled with a little-noticed 2023 Block Demarcation Regulation, has raised fresh questions about the management of The Gambia’s offshore petroleum resources and the country’s long-running border alignment with Senegal.


Key Points

  1. Three formal requests, three refusals.
    Since 2 December 2024, researcher and legal analyst Ousman F. M’Bai has made three lawful requests to the Gambia Petroleum Commission (GPC) for FAR Gambia Ltd.’s drilling data and compliance records under the Access to Information Act 2021. The GPC has repeatedly declined to release the material, citing commercial sensitivity, while simultaneously advertising the same data to private investors free of charge.

  2. Evidence GPC already holds the data.
    Internal e-mails (Feb 2024) show FAR Gambia Ltd. delivering a “Master Inventory” and soft copies of all A2/A5 exploration data to the Commission, in fulfilment of licence Article 19.10. FAR’s own surrender letter of 27 January 2023 confirms those deliveries and asserts no confidentiality restrictions.

  3. Block boundaries quietly redrawn.
    In December 2023 the Government of The Gambia issued the Petroleum (Exploration, Development & Production) Block Demarcation Regulation. The regulation appears to reduce the surface area of Blocks A2/A5—the same acreage FAR relinquished—while expanding certain deep-water acreage to the west.

  4. Potential impact on the Sangomar Reservoir.
    Independent maps suggest the pre-2023 A2 boundary lay at the edge of Senegal’s Sangomar oil-and-gas field. The new demarcation may have diluted or at worse removed The Gambia’s potential claim to that shared reservoir/s. Because the (GPC) refuses to release the original A2 corner-point coordinates, the public still does not know how much of The Gambia’s most prospective block has been shaved off by the 2023 demarcation. Independent GIS analysts cannot measure an acreage change without those coordinates.

  5. Licence amendments removed FAR Gambia Ltd.’s work obligations.
    Two deeds of amendment (24 Aug 2022 and 1 Apr 2023) deleted drilling and study commitments and waived financial penalties, paving the way for FAR Gambia Ltd. to exit without completing its promised work programme.


Quotes

“The public has a right to know why crucial drilling data remain locked away while the same records are dangled before private investors,” said Ousman F. M’Bai. “Equally troubling is the 2023 block-demarcation regulation, approved just months before FAR Gambia Ltd’s retreat, which seems to shrink The Gambia’s most prospective acreage.”


Mr M’Bai Makes the Following Observations about FAR Ltd.’s ASX Announcement of 22 August 2022

  • Unverified “Sangomar oil” claim.
    In its 22 August 2022 ASX release, FAR Ltd. announced that laboratory results “support the pre-drill model that the Sangomar oil extends into Gambia,” yet simultaneously declared the find “non-recoverable” and of “no direct commercial significance.” FAR Ltd has never released the well-pressure data, MDT logs, or core analyses to substantiate either assertion.

  • Ambiguous wording.
    In standard petroleum terminology, one would state that the Sangomar reservoir—not merely “oil”—extends into A2. FAR Ltd.’s phrasing blurs a crucial distinction: a reservoir extension would oblige licence holders (including Woodside Energy and Petrosen) to address potential unitisation with The Gambia across the Senegal-Gambia border.

  • No independent oversight.
    Gambian officials were denied real-time verification access while drilling; no third-party auditor has certified the “poor-quality reservoir” conclusion.

  • Commercial double-speak.
    Just eight months later FAR Gambia Ltd surrendered the blocks—after the block sizes were demarcated reducing their contact with the Sangomar oil field, deeds of amendment deleted its work obligations and waived penalties—yet the Government now offers the same data to investors, free of charge. If the information is truly of “no direct commercial significance,” why refuse public release?


Mr M’Bai Reiterates His Call for:

  1. Immediate publication of the Bambo-1, Bambo-1ST1 and Samo-1 pressure data, MDT logs, and core photos;
  2. An independent reservoir study—commissioned by the GPC and released in full—to confirm whether the Sangomar pay zones extend into Gambian waters;
  3. Full disclosure of the 2023 Block Demarcation Regulation’s technical basis, including any coordination with Senegal under the UN Law of the Sea.

Demands

  • The GPC should release the Master Inventory and all non-exempt portions of FAR’s drilling and seismic data.
  • The Ministry of Petroleum & Energy should publish the technical rationale behind the 2023 Block Demarcation Regulation and clarify any maritime-boundary understandings with Senegal made under the UN Law of the Sea.
  • The GPC must publish the 2017 and the 2023 coordinates tables side-by-side.
  • Parliament should open a public hearing into whether licence amendments and boundary changes were consistent with the national interest.

Background

FAR Gambia Ltd—the wholly owned subsidiary of Australia-listed FAR Ltd—entered The Gambia in 2017, drilling the Samo-1 and Bambo-1 exploration wells (plus a sidetrack) and holding 100% of Blocks A2 and A5. Its parent company FAR Ltd also owned a 13% interest in Senegal’s Sangomar oil-and-gas field, immediately across the maritime border.

By early 2022, FAR Ltd had defaulted on capital-call payments to its operator, Woodside Energy, and risked forfeiting its entire Sangomar stake without compensation. Under pressure, FAR Ltd sold that stake to Woodside for US $121 million, with an additional US $55 million contingent payment due by 2027. Including debt Woodside assumed, FAR Ltd has publicly stated that the transaction delivered over US $500 million in total value.

Woodside later told investors that its purchase did not include any interest in FAR Ltd.’s Gambian acreage. Unable to attract new partners, FAR Gambia Ltd invoked licence Article 26 and formally surrendered Blocks A2 and A5 in January 2023. Two deeds of amendment approved in August 2022 and April 2023 deleted FAR Gambia Ltd.’s remaining work obligations and waived all financial penalties, allowing the company to exit at no cost.


Attachments for Editors:

  • Letters of request and refusals exchanged with the GPC
  • FAR Gambia Ltd. surrender letter (27 Jan 2023)
  • February 2024 e-mails confirming data hand-over
  • Extract of the 2023 Block Demarcation Regulation

Former BAC CEO Confirms Council Received Jammeh’s Tractors

By: Dawda Baldeh

Former Brikama Area Council (BAC) Chief Executive Officer, Mamsait Jallow, has confirmed to The Fatu Network that the council received former President Yahya Jammeh’s tractors from the Janneh Commission on 26th February 2019.

Speaking exclusively to this medium via telephone, Jallow, who is now retired, stated that his office had received a correspondence from the Janneh Commission informing them of allegations concerning eight tractors intended for the council. “It is good that we put the records straight. We received tractors from the commission in 2018. The correspondence stated eight tractors, but we only received two that were functioning. The rest, we were told, were scraps,” he said.

Jallow added that the records related to this matter should still be in the council’s possession. However, he clarified that only two tractors were actually delivered to the council.

Responding to assertions made by the current chairman, Jallow stated, “The current chairman may not be aware of the issues surrounding the tractors, but those who were there are aware.”

Reading Still Matters in the Smartphone Era Despite Gradual Decline

OPINION

By Bernice Ndeckey

Individuals nurturing the culture of reading – Photo: credit UTG website

In today’s world, many young people spend hours on their phones, scrolling through TikTok, chatting on WhatsApp, Instagram or watching videos on YouTube. While technology has its benefits, one important habit is slowly fading away, and that is reading. Reading may not seem exciting to some people anymore; it may look old-fashioned, but it is still one of the most powerful tools for personal growth and success, and still one of the best ways to learn, grow, and improve one’s future.

Piedmont Healthcare indicated that reading plays a vital role in human development, significantly contributing to health, academic achievement, and social wellbeing. Numerous studies have shown that reading regularly can reduce stress levels, improve mental health, and even increase longevity. The report also showed that reading just a few minutes of each day can lower heart rate and ease muscle tension, thus effectively reducing stress.
Furthermore, reading has been linked to better sleep quality and a lower risk of cognitive decline in old age, according to Nuvance Health, and PubMed Central, 2016. Despite all the aforementioned good benefits associated to reading, the habit of reading is gradually fading away in today’s world.

Academically, reading helps improve one’s vocabulary, comprehension and critical thinking skills, the more one reads, the more words one learns, and this helps you to express yourself clearly. It also builds your confidence, in writing and public speaking. Other reports, including Lakewood Catholic Academy, showed that students who read regularly tend to perform better across various subjects due to increased focus and mental engagement. It also fosters a love of learning and curiosity, traits essential for lifelong personal and professional development. In a chat with a teacher at St. Therese’s Upper Basic School he acknowledged the importance of reading in the academic development of students. “I noticed that students who read at home perform better in class. They speak better, write better, and think better,” said Mr. Emmanuel Mendy, an S.E.S teacher.

Reading helps improve one’s vocabulary. The more one reads, the more words one learns, and this helps express oneself clearly. It also builds one’s confidence, especially during essay writing, public speaking, etc. That is why in 2009, the ‘Gambia Reads’ programme, supported by the Global Partnership for Education, which aimed to enhance early learning, introduced instruction in local languages to improve reading at schools. In 2009, it was reported that over half of Gambian students in grade 2 could not read a single word.

To help students pick up the habit of reading again, the Early Grade Reading Assessment

The Gambia conducted a study with 1,200 Gambian primary school students learning to read in English. The assessment measured foundational reading skills such as letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and reading comprehension. The survey results indicated that students with regular reading habits performed better in these areas. Therefore, supporting the habit of reading shapes a student’s future reading skills.

Paul Jammeh, a 11th grade student at St. Peter’s Senior Secondary School expressed passion for reading. “It’s not just about passing exams. Reading helps me improve my English and understand different topics, even outside school,” he said.

Furthermore, reading helps to improve communication skills by exposing individuals to different styles of expression and storytelling, which in turn enhances their ability to express thoughts clearly and confidently, this helping them fit in the society.
It is important to note that reading is a habit, and just like any habit it grows with time. In the pursuit for a better Gambia with a better future the Gambia National Library Service Authority offers children and adults reading opportunities, where they provide book and guide for people read and learn how to read. Other youth centres in Kanifing, Brikama, and Banjul, also offer reading programmes for people.

To nurture the habit of reading, one does not have to start with complex books or difficult novels, simple stories in books in local newspapers, or children’s magazines. Also, short online articles on interesting topics. Libraries and community reading clubs can also offer a comfort zone in helping to grow the habit of reading.

John Mendy, a 16-year-old from Bwiam, urged fellow students to make time for themselves; saying it is important for the brain than phone addiction. “Sometimes, I put my phone away and read before bed. It helps me sleep better and makes school easier,’’ the teenager said.

Smartphones and social media are not bad, but it’s important to allocate time for reading too. Even just 15 to 30 minutes daily can make a big difference. So next time you reach for your phone, think twice. Maybe pick up a book instead. Your brain and your future will thank you.

About the author: Bernice Ndeckey is a 3rd year student at the University of the Gambia. She is a major in English language.

GALA Demands Transparency in Sale of Ex-Dictator Jammeh’s Assets, Calls for ICC Nominee’s Withdrawal

Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) has issued a scathing petition to the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Chambers, demanding urgent accountability for the allegedly non-transparent and undervalued sale of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh.

The move follows an explosive investigative report by The Republic titled “The Assets of Gambia’s Former Dictator Go for a Song,” which uncovered irregularities in the disposal process.

In the petition, GALA warns that the asset sales—intended to symbolise accountability for Jammeh’s 22-year authoritarian rule—have instead “threaten[ed] to undermine public trust and discredit the entire exercise.” The group alleges “non-transparent disposal processes, potential insider dealings, and failure to keep the public informed,” and has demanded immediate action under constitutional and transparency laws.

GALA states: “These assets—recovered in the name of justice and national healing—were meant to symbolise accountability and restitution for the Gambian people. Instead, the opaque disposal process […] now threaten[s] to undermine public trust.”

The petition, grounded in Section 25(1)(f) of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution and the Access to Information Act (2021), outlines five demands:

1. Publication of Asset Disposal Records: A full, unredacted list of seized assets, including “detailed descriptions, final sale prices, buyer names, and valuation methodologies.”
2. Disclosure of Proceeds Usage: A breakdown of how sale funds were allocated, including “commissions, intermediary fees, or consultant payments.”
3. Independent Oversight: Creation of a joint oversight body with the National Assembly, National Audit Office, and civil society to audit past transactions and monitor future sales.
4. Withdrawal of ICC Nomination: Immediate retraction of former Justice Minister Abubacarr Ba Tambadou’s nomination to the International Criminal Court, citing concerns over his oversight of the asset-disposal process.
5. Presidential Address: A public statement from President Adama Barrow outlining a “concrete, time-bound plan” to address accountability and institutional reforms.

GALA further “prays” that the National Assembly launch a formal inquiry into the asset sales and that President Barrow take “decisive action against any officials found culpable.”

The petition concludes with a rallying cry: “These revelations are far more than administrative lapses—they are a pivotal test of our national commitment to truth, justice, and the democratic ideals we cherish.”

GALA’s last week’s protest reignited public debate over accountability for Jammeh-era crimes and corruption. Jammeh, who ruled from 1994 to 2017, fled into exile after refusing to accept electoral defeat. His regime was marked by torture, extrajudicial killings, and embezzlement of state funds.

Sabally Says UDP Lacks Moral Authority to Criticize Barrow on Jammeh’s Assets

By: Mama A. Touray

Special Presidential Adviser Momodou Sabally has said that the United Democratic Party (UDP) lacks the moral authority to criticize President Adama Barrow over the issue of former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets. Speaking in a recent interview on West Coast Radio, Sabally was responding to remarks made by the UDP in Farafenni, where the party accused the current government of leading the country toward dictatorship.

“UDP does not have the moral authority to criticize President Adama Barrow and the National People’s Party on the issue of Jammeh’s assets,” Sabally stated. “When the commission was formed, UDP was part and parcel of the coalition government. In fact, they were the major stakeholder and were calling the shots in this government.”

He further argued that the composition of the Janneh Commission reflects the influence of the UDP, citing individuals he claims were closely aligned with the party. “Even a casual look at the composition of the Janneh Commission reveals that key players were associated with UDP. Ba Tambadou, whom I have criticized and continue to criticize, is still celebrated by the UDP to this day—he is one of them.”

Fondly called “Sabs,” Sabally emphasized that the UDP should apologize to Gambians rather than cast blame. “They were part of the group that acted out of emotion, driven by an apparent desire for revenge. That’s what led to all these missteps, and now we are left with a mess that we must work together to correct,” he said. He urged the UDP to stop “finger-pointing and name-calling” and instead focus on constructive dialogue and national progress.

Reflecting on his own experience within the UDP, Sabally admitted that he once believed the negative perceptions of Barrow. “When I was in the UDP, many of Barrow’s opponents said all sorts of things to convince me he was not competent and didn’t have the country’s best interests at heart. From afar, I believed it,” he confessed. “But now that I’m working with him, I’ve realized that’s not true. I regret the unfair statements I made, and I thank him for his patience, tolerance, and accommodation.” He added, “Let the UDP clean up their internal mess rather than pointing fingers at others.”

On the recent protest organized by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), Sabally reiterated his position that the list of seized assets should be made public. However, he criticized the approach taken by the protesters. “Do I agree with the protesters going out? I think it’s wrong to protest in this country without a permit, and I stand by that. My position is that it’s illegal. If your permit was denied, reapply and negotiate—we’ve done that before, even when I was in the UDP,” he said.

Sabally also dismissed claims that the government routinely denies permits for protests against corruption. “That’s a lie,” he said. “I was part of the UDP when we requested a permit to protest against corruption, and it was granted.”

“Their Goal Is to Keep Us in a Permanent War”: Traore Rejects Human Rights Watch Mass Killing Accusations

Written by: Seringe ST Touray

In a televised interview with Russia’s international state television, Russia Today (RT), Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, strongly dismisses accusations from Human Rights Watch (HRW) regarding military abuses in his country. He frames the fight against terrorism not just as a battle for national security. Instead, Captain Traore views this as part of a larger struggle against Western imperialism.

This month’s uproar didn’t come out of the blue. It followed a string of closely linked events. On May 9, Traore was in Moscow for the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s World War II victory. A day later, he was at the Kremlin, face to face with Putin. The meeting was no quiet affair. It was filmed, shared, and talked about everywhere, especially given the growing closeness between their two countries.

Putin welcomed Traore with warm words, stating, “Your visit to Russia to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the victory is a great symbol and it reflects the friendly character of relations between Burkina Faso and Russia.” He also brought up the historical connection between the two countries, noting that about 30,000 Burkinabè soldiers had fought alongside the anti-Hitler coalition during World War II—a reminder that the roots of their relationship stretch back decades.

The agenda of the meeting overwhelmingly focused on counterterrorism cooperation, expansion of commercial activity, and educational exchange, with Putin going so far as to reveal that the number of Russian state scholarships available to Burkinabè students had increased more than two-fold for the 2024-2025 academic year. Traore expressed gratitude for the invite and commended Russia for remaining strong on the world stage “despite all the sanctions.”

On May 12, immediately after the diplomatic meetings, HRW published a report alleging that Burkina Faso government forces committed the massacre of at least 100 Fulani civilians near Solenzo in western Burkina Faso. The report claims that Burkina Faso’s special forces and the pro-government Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDPs) – civilian fighters recruited by the government – were to blame. According to HRW, the country’s own military “led and participated in the massacre of more than 130, possibly many more, ethnic Fulani civilians” during an operation in the Boucle du Mouhoun region in March 2025. HRW further stated that these killings were part of an extensive military operation that resulted in mass civilian deaths and alarge-scale displacement of Fulani people.

“The viral videos of the atrocities by pro-government militias near Solenzo sent shock waves through Africa’s Sahel region, but they told only part of the story,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at HRW. “Further research uncovered that Burkina Faso’s military was responsible for these mass killings of Fulani civilians, which were followed by deadly reprisals by an Islamist armed group. The government needs to impartially investigate these deaths and prosecute all those responsible.”

The HRW report outlined how these operations unfolded over several days, claiming that the pro-government militias (VDPs) would shoot at civilians and loot their cattle, forcing them to flee. The report states that military forces “blocked their flight in an apparent pincer move, then massacred at least 130 civilians and possibly several hundred trapped in the bush.”

Notably, prior to the release of HRW’s report, the Burkinabè government had already issued a statement on March 15, describing the events of March 10. The government claimed that militia and security forces had repelled a “terrorist” attack, killing around 100 assailants. In its version of events, it reported finding women, children, and elderly civilians whom it said had been used as human shields by attackers. These individuals, the government alleged, were later misrepresented as civilian victims by rights organizations. HRW’s May report, however, disputed this narrative, claiming that witnesses found no evidence of fighting near Solenzo and instead described a premeditated military massacre.

Traore, however, vehemently rejected these accusations. Speaking to Russian state television, he dismissed the allegations as part of a broader Western plot to destabilize Africa.

“It’s not terrorism, it’s imperialism,” Traore declared when asked about the security situation in his country. “Their goal is to keep us in a permanent war so that we cannot develop and continue to lose our resources, and so they have every interest in bringing specialists in mines to lay various types of mines, explosives specialists.”

The HRW accusations about the Solenzo killings were not the first of their kind. In April, HRW had claimed that Burkinabè forces had executed over 200 civilians, including children, in two northern villages—an allegation that Traore’s government continues to deny. When asked about the financiers behind the “terrorist” fighters operating in his country, Traore responded cryptically, “All imperialist countries finance these fighters. They are numerous. We cannot name them individually. Some are even hidden, unimaginable, but they are numerous.”

Traore also took aim at Western media and human rights organizations, accusing them of spreading misinformation. “The Western media, you often listen to them, they spend their time lying,” he said. He added, “Look today at the AES [Alliance of Sahel States] which is a model that is emerging, they can’t go from morning to night without talking about Burkina Faso or talking about the [AES]… it’s impossible for them, and every time they try to send information to divide, to manipulate the youth.”

In one of his strongest critiques of Western attitudes toward Africa, Traore stressed: “Africans are not capable of developing anything, Africans are not capable of inventing, of innovating, of taking initiatives, that’s what we are fighting against. And as long as they continue to see Africans like that, as subhumans who are not capable of thinking, who are not capable of innovating, capable of inventing, we can never be friends.”

He added, “It’s the very vision they have of black people, they have to stop that because by treating us like that, it’s as if they see black people as subhumans, and that’s dangerous.”

Throughout the interview, Traore repeatedly referred to the historical injustices Africans have suffered, including the exploitation of African soldiers during World War II and nuclear testing. “Do people know that when France was experimenting with its first atomic bomb, it was black soldiers they put next to it in the lethal radius to see the effect? Let’s bring out the archives. Everything they used against Africa, it’s terrible,” he said.

He also criticized the manipulation of historical narratives by Western powers: “Through communication, they managed to reverse history, and African history too. They schemed everything to pass off lies, and that means that young Africans, some don’t even know the history of Africa, what did Africa do, some don’t even know that our grandparents fought, were put at the forefront as cannon fodder, and on their return they were killed like animals.”

Traore’s outright dismissal of the Human Rights Watch accusations during his Russian state television appearance reflects a deeper realignment underway in the Sahel. Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, is steadily pulling away from old alliances with the West, especially France, while drawing nearer to Moscow. The release of the HRW report, coming right on the heels of Traore’s public engagement with Putin, throws into sharp relief the battle over narratives in a region increasingly marked by division and shifting loyalties.

For Traore, the fight against terrorism is inseparable from his broader fight for true independence from Western influence. His message to Russian television made that clear: “Africans are not capable of developing anything, Africans are not capable of inventing, of innovating, of taking initiatives, that’s what we are fighting against.”

While HRW’s report presents a grim view of the security situation in Burkina Faso, Traore’s government offers a starkly different perspective. For him, international human rights organizations are merely instruments in a larger Western strategy aimed at maintaining influence in Africa. As these competing narratives continue to shape international perceptions of the Sahel conflict, Traore’s message remains resolute: the fight against terrorism is intrinsically tied to the fight against modern imperialism.

UDP Demands Minister Retract Threat Against Mayor, Activist Over Protest Rights

By Mama A. Touray

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has called on Gambian Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally to retract his warning that Banjul Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe and lawyer Essa Mbye Faal could face arrest if they join youth-led protests, condemning the remarks as a threat to constitutional rights.

Sabally, speaking at a political rally in Tallinding on Sunday, vowed that authorities would “arrest and send Rohey Malick Lowe and Essa Faal to jail” if they participated in peaceful demonstrations. The UDP, in a statement issued Monday, described the comments as “an abuse of authority” and demanded an immediate retraction and public apology.

“UDP demands an immediate retraction and apology from Minister Sabally for his inflammatory remarks,” the party stated, adding that the government must provide a “public assurance [it] will respect and protect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly” and cease “political victimisation.”

The party invoked Section 25(1)(d) of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to “assemble and demonstrate peaceably and without arms.” It emphasised that this right extends to all individuals, including elected officials like Mayor Lowe and political figures such as Faal, a former presidential candidate.

“For a sitting Minister to openly threaten arrest and imprisonment for exercising a constitutional right is an abuse of authority and a clear violation of democratic principles,” the UDP said in a statement. “Such statements undermine the rule of law and create a climate of fear and intimidation.”

The UDP urged the Gambia National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate the matter, stressing that public officials “must not be allowed to intimidate citizens with unlawful threats.” It also warned President Adama Barrow’s administration against reverting to tactics reminiscent of the country’s authoritarian past under former leader Yahya Jammeh.

“The Gambia has fought hard to move away from the dark days of dictatorship,” the statement read. “We urge the government to act responsibly and uphold the democratic values that our people sacrificed for.”

Sabally’s remarks have sparked concerns over escalating political tensions ahead of anticipated protests. The UDP affirmed its solidarity with “the youths of this nation, Mayor Rohey Lowe, Essa Mbye Faal, and all Gambians who choose to protest peacefully for a better future,” pledging to resist attempts to “silence dissent.”

Neither Sabally nor government spokespersons had publicly responded to the UDP’s demands at the time of publication.

Dictatorship No More

OPINION

By Alh Suntou Touray – London

Calls for transparency and public engagement are natural features of democratic governance. However, the attempt to paint President Adama Barrow as a dictator suggests that some people are, perhaps, nostalgic for the “real McCoy”—Yahya AJJ Jammeh, the embodiment of ruthless tyranny and public lawlessness.

In politics and democracy, it’s common to stir up public sentiment and generate tension to make an incumbent appear unpopular. This can take the form of provocation—sometimes overt, sometimes subtle. Attacking a leader’s credibility, goading them into emotional responses, and waiting for any sign of misstep is all part of the political game. That is the challenge of managing a democracy: it demands patience, balance, and openness—far different from the rigid control of a dictatorship, where dissent is simply silenced.

Those of us who are close to President Adama Barrow can attest that he is far from harbouring dictatorial tendencies. In fact, he often delegates responsibilities to the appropriate officials and rarely overreacts when those officials fall short. If anything, he is actually restrained in his reactions.

Post-dictatorship governance is often complicated by the lingering habits of the past. Many leaders find it easier to mimic the firm-handed ways of their predecessors. But President Barrow has deliberately distanced himself from the authoritarian methods of Yahya Jammeh. He comes from a completely different school of thought—one grounded in dialogue, civility, and constitutionalism.

Critics who aim to provoke President Barrow should reflect on this contrast. Dictatorship often comes from a background in security and control, accompanied by deep emotional and psychological scars. But democracy thrives on resilience, compromise, and public trust.

Let’s not make “dictatorship hunting” a distraction. In the delicate art of nation-building, it’s important to recognise growth where it’s due and to protect the fragile, hard-earned gains of democracy.

Those entrusted to execute public service should always remember their obligations and not hide behind the insulation of invisible walls of being a civil servant. The calm and cordial disposition President Adama Barrow is known for should continue to define his leadership methods. The youths all over the world have different ways of reacting to situations, leaders act with calmness and openness to resolve crisis where they arise.

President Adama Barrow is not a dictator even in a metaphorical sense.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Fatu Network’s editorial stance.

Gambian Industries Warn of Economic Impact After Youth Demonstration

By Mama A. Touray

The Confederation of Gambian Industries has voiced concerns over the potential economic and social repercussions of the recent three-day youth demonstration, warning that unrest at this critical juncture could hinder the country’s post-pandemic recovery.

In a statement shared with the media, the confederation acknowledged the democratic right to peaceful protest but stressed the need for stability, particularly as The Gambia navigates a fragile economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The demonstration, led by the Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), was planned as a peaceful protest from the Christian cemetery to the Attorney General’s chambers. However, the Inspector General of Police denied permission for the march last Wednesday. Despite this, activists gathered at the cemetery ahead of the scheduled protest time, leading to multiple arrests—a move that triggered widespread discontent among young people across the country.

The Confederation of Gambian Industries cautioned that instability and uncertainty could negatively affect investor confidence, industrial productivity, and job creation.

“Our industrial sector, already facing significant challenges from global disruptions, remains a critical engine of youth employment and economic growth. The active participation of young people in our industries is essential—not only as workers and entrepreneurs but as future leaders of national development,” the statement read.

Business leaders fear the unrest may exacerbate economic difficulties, with potential repercussions for youth employment, a sector that remains vital for national development.

The confederation urged all parties, particularly young activists, to seek constructive engagement and dialogue in addressing their concerns. They also called on authorities to handle protests in a manner that is “measured, lawful, and respectful of civil liberties.”

The organization reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government, civil society, and development partners to strengthen an inclusive and resilient industrial sector that serves the interests of all Gambians, particularly the youth.

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