By: Michaella Faith Wright

The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has hailed the conviction of former Jungler Michael Sang Correa by a U.S. federal court as a landmark moment in the global fight against impunity. The organization also called on the Gambian government to fast-track domestic prosecutions and act on the long-overdue recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).

Correa, a former member of ex-president Yahya Jammeh’s notorious hit squad, was found guilty on April 15 of torturing five individuals in the aftermath of a failed 2006 coup attempt. His conviction is the first time a non-U.S. citizen has been prosecuted under American legislation permitting the prosecution of torture committed abroad. EFSCRJ described the verdict as sending a “clear message” that perpetrators of human rights violations cannot hide behind foreign borders.

While commending the U.S. court’s decision as a milestone for justice, EFSCRJ voiced serious concern over what it described as the Gambian government’s sluggish approach to accountability. It criticized the reported implementation of less than 10 percent of TRRC recommendations and cited continued failures—such as the refusal to declare April 10 and 11 as school holidays and the President’s ongoing patronage of the Supreme Islamic Council—as symbolic of broader governmental inaction.

The organization also sounded the alarm on growing signs of democratic backsliding, urging public officials and members of the security forces to resist unlawful directives. Reaffirming its role as a guardian of accountability and good governance, EFSCRJ declared, “The day of reckoning shall arrive.”

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

The Supreme Court of The Gambia has ruled in favor of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) in its legal challenge against the Ministry of Lands and the Inspector General of Police, declaring that their actions in attempting to reinstate Sainabou Martin Sonko as Chief Executive Officer of the Council were unconstitutional.

The Court found that the Ministry of Lands and the Police violated the Constitution by forcibly entering the KMC premises to install Ms. Sonko, who was on administrative leave at the time. According to the ruling, “the forced entry into the KMC offices and the use of armed police officers to install Sainabou Martin Sonko were unconstitutional acts that violated the sanctity of public office and the lawful administrative processes of the Council.”

It further determined that the breaking into offices at the KMC constituted an unlawful act. “The break-in into offices at the KMC amounted to an illegal act and a breach of the constitutional rights afforded to the institution and its staff,” the judgment stated.

The Supreme Court also declared that the deployment of armed police officers to enforce Ms. Sonko’s installation as CEO was unconstitutional. “The deployment of armed police officers to enforce the appointment of a suspended CEO was not only excessive but a clear violation of constitutional safeguards,” the Court ruled.

The attempt to compel KMC management to hand over control, documents, and authority to Ms. Sonko was similarly rejected. The Court noted that “efforts to coerce the Council into transferring power to an individual on administrative leave undermined lawful administrative procedures and violated the principles of good governance.”

The ruling reaffirmed that the Kanifing Municipal Council holds a high degree of autonomy as prescribed by law and that decisions regarding internal management and staff appointments, including the CEO, fall within the authority of the Council. “The Kanifing Municipal Council possesses a high degree of autonomy as guaranteed by law. The Ministry of Lands has no legal authority to interfere in internal administrative decisions of the Council,” the judgment stated.

In addition, the Court addressed the issue of official correspondence, declaring that the Permanent Secretary’s act of withholding documents intended for the Local Government Service Commission constituted unlawful interference. “Interfering with official communications intended for the Local Government Service Commission constitutes an unlawful obstruction of the Commission’s independence,” the ruling emphasized.

This decision underscores the constitutional protections afforded to local councils and delineates the limits of ministerial and police authority in matters relating to local governance.

By: Alieu Jallow

In a strong call for transparency and accountability, the EF Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) has raised serious concerns over the government’s decision to increase the cost of Gambian passports from D3,060 to a staggering D5,100, effective May 1, 2025. While the Centre welcomes the decentralization of passport services, it insists that Gambians deserve clear and detailed explanations regarding the numerous contracts and private entities involved in the production and issuance of national documents.

EFSCRJ’s investigation into the history of passport production in The Gambia reveals a complex web of contracts involving several international companies—some with limited public profiles and unclear operational frameworks. At the center of this web is a 15-year Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) agreement signed in 2013 with Spanish firm Zetes, which later subcontracted the work to Africard. The biometric passports under this deal were first delivered in December 2013.

According to the Centre, Zetes had reportedly committed to implementing an automated eGate system at the airport. However, this commitment appears to overlap with the controversial 2019 border security contract awarded to Securiport—flagged by the Auditor General for bypassing competitive bidding procedures. “To date, there is little public information available about Africard’s operations, nor is the legacy GAMBIS system referenced on official government platforms,” the Centre stated.

EFSCRJ also referenced recent media reports alleging the existence of a new contract between the government and Ghanaian-based Margins Group for the production of national documents. Simultaneously, Japan has pledged multimillion-dollar support to The Gambia’s border management systems, including a $2.2 million project covering border posts in Kerr Ali, Amdalaye, and Giboro.

In light of these developments, EFSCRJ is calling for full disclosure from the government on the scope, legality, and implications of the following:

1. The Zetes/Africard biometric passport project
2. Securiport’s border control operations
3. The Margins Group’s involvement in national document production
4. The status and impact of the GAMBIS system
5. Japanese-funded border management initiatives

The Centre is also questioning the rationale behind the price hike and the passport’s five-year validity period. “D5,100 is unaffordable for many citizens, especially in the absence of any clear justification,” EFSCRJ said, adding that the Immigration Act should be revised to extend passport validity to ten years and reduce the cost.

Furthermore, EFSCRJ is advocating for a fully nationalized system of document production to reduce reliance on foreign firms, strengthen national institutions, and improve public service delivery. The Centre warned that outsourcing such vital national functions presents security risks and undermines institutional stability—as demonstrated when the exit of Semlex disrupted the issuance of ID cards and driver’s licenses.

“This is not merely a question of cost—it’s about sovereignty, security, and accountability,” the statement concluded. “The Gambian people deserve to know who is managing their data, their documents, and their borders.”

As the new passport fees take effect, EFSCRJ’s demands add renewed pressure on the government to provide clarity and act in the best interest of its citizens.

By Mama A. Touray

The Secretary General and Party Leader of the People’s Alliance Party (PAP), Ebrima Tabora Manneh, has condemned the demolition exercise carried out by the Department of Physical Planning last week.

Speaking to The Fatu Network in Banjul, Manneh described the incident as “sad and pathetic,” stating that the destruction went beyond buildings and materials.

“The destruction is ongoing, and it’s not just material things being affected—people’s livelihoods have been destroyed,” he said.

He continued: “If the work that people have put together over the years is destroyed, it means their hopes are shattered. And we all know that human beings live on hope. So, if you destroy that, you’ve caused great harm.”

Manneh criticized the Department of Physical Planning for failing to consider the effort and financial struggles of the victims before launching the demolition.

“They didn’t just pick money off the street. They worked hard for it,” he said. “Before demolishing these houses, the department should have asked how these individuals managed to build them to that stage.”

He recalled the story of one of the victims, a woman named Mariama Bojang, who sells ice to make a living.

“She told me how she runs a small petty business selling ice—a trade with very little profit. Yet, she managed to buy land and build a house without any problems. The government doesn’t provide employment or startup capital for people like her,” he added.

Manneh also emphasized that land acquisition usually involves the approval of local authorities such as Alkalos or chiefs, who represent the government.

“These Alkalos and chiefs act on behalf of the government. So, when they issue a transfer of ownership, people believe it’s legal,” he explained. “Some victims even have sketch plan documents endorsed by the Physical Planning Department, confirming ownership. So for the government to turn around and destroy their homes despite those documents is truly heartbreaking.”

By: Dawda Baldeh

Momodou Cham, a prominent politician, youth leader, and community development advocate, has renewed his call for the government to honor its promise to rehabilitate the Chamen Health Center. His renewed appeal follows the Ministry of Health’s decision to revoke the clearance for a planned maternity ward, a project initiated by the Chamen Club Diaspora.

Just three months ago, the community celebrated the groundbreaking of a modern maternity ward designed to accommodate 15 beds at the health center. However, that enthusiasm was short-lived. Only a day after the foundation was laid, the Ministry of Health issued a revocation notice, abruptly halting the project and leaving residents disheartened.

Cham believes the decision was politically motivated, deepening a sense of neglect among community members. He called on authorities to prioritize the health and well-being of the people of Nianija over political considerations. “It’s been three complete months since the government canceled the construction of a maternity ward in Chamen Health Center by the Club Diaspora,” Cham stated.

He directly accused Deputy Speaker Seedy S. K. Njie and National Assembly Member for Niamina, Amadou Camara, of obstructing the project for political purposes. “Seedy S. K. Njie and Amadou Camara denied the people of Nianija a healthy maternity ward under the pretense of political gains,” he alleged. Cham said he received a letter from Dr. Nyasi, Director of Public Services, on January 2, 2025, officially notifying him of the revocation.

Despite the backlash, both Njie and Camara have denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the government has instead secured funding to expand and renovate the existing health facility. However, Cham remains skeptical, citing the prolonged silence and lack of visible action as indicators of a broken promise. “Both Amadou and Seedy have proven their incompetence as representatives of Nianija,” he claimed.

Cham further accused the government of politicizing critical development efforts aimed at improving maternal health in the region. Describing the current condition of the health center as inadequate for childbirth services, he emphasized the urgent need for action. “The government has denied the women of Chamen a better place for child delivery for political reasons. And both Seedy S. K. Njie and Hon. Camara have failed us,” he lamented.

He concluded by urging unity in national development efforts and called on the government to fulfill its commitment to improving healthcare in Chamen Nianija.

By: Alieu Jallow

Nine years to the day since Gambian democracy activist Solo Sandeng led a peaceful protest demanding electoral reform – only to pay the ultimate price – the EF Small Centre for Reconciliation and Justice (EFSCRJ) has issued a stirring tribute to his courage, alongside a renewed call for urgent democratic reforms.

On April 14, 2016, armed with nothing but a megaphone and a banner, Sandeng and his companions stood beneath the scorching West African sun at Westfield Junction, demanding change. The Yahya Jammeh regime responded with swift brutality: Sandeng was arrested, tortured, and killed in custody. His fellow protesters endured severe violence at the hands of the now-defunct National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

In a commemorative statement released today, EFSCRJ lauded Sandeng’s bravery and that of his fellow demonstrators, describing the protest as a watershed moment in The Gambia’s pro-democracy movement – one that helped ignite the Kalama Revolution and paved the way for the 2016 Grand Coalition that eventually ousted Jammeh.

The statement read that the Centre pays tribute to Solo Sandeng and all Gambians who sacrificed their lives, limbs, resources, and freedom for the liberation of the country – a cause it remains committed to defending and advancing.

While acknowledging the Barrow administration’s initial steps – including the prosecution and conviction of NIA operatives and the 2023 national memorial in Sandeng’s honor – the Centre expressed growing concern over what it described as The Gambia’s “fledgling state of democracy.”

Nearly a decade later, EFSCRJ lamented the lack of substantial electoral reforms, accusing the very political parties that once championed Sandeng’s cause of betraying their promises.

The Centre decried the continued use of the 1996 Elections Decree-crafted under military rule – and condemned the ongoing disenfranchisement of diaspora Gambians. It also criticized the controversial practice of attestation, which has long raised questions about the integrity of the voter registration process.

The statement said the Centre is deeply disturbed that the political parties and politicians who became the direct beneficiaries of the April 14 protest have failed to live up to its ideals.

Referencing the 2015 GOFER electoral reform proposal – submitted to national and international stakeholders, including the UN, AU, and ECOWAS – EFSCRJ called for urgent legislative action to pass the long-delayed Elections Bill, including Clause 14, which would enable diaspora voting.

The Centre also issued a bold demand for voting rights to be extended to prisoners, insisting that neither incarceration nor living abroad should strip a Gambian citizen of their sovereign right to vote.

EFSCRJ anchored its call in a broader historical context, invoking the legacy of EF Small, the iconic nationalist who in the 1920s championed the principle of “No taxation without representation.” Linking Sandeng’s sacrifice to this enduring fight for democratic rights, the Centre reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing reforms that honor the struggles and sacrifices of Gambian heroes.

The statement concluded that elections are the lifeblood of self-governance, ensuring that power flows from the people, not from force or privilege. This, it said, is the legacy Solo Sandeng represents and one the EF Small Centre vows to uphold.

As The Gambia approaches another electoral season, EFSCRJ has declared 2025 the Year of Transparency and Accountability, urging both leaders and citizens to rise to the moment and help make the vision of a fully inclusive, participatory democracy a lived reality.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Hon. Modou Lamin B. Bah, the National Assembly Member for Banjul North Constituency, has called for urgent and decisive action to address the growing trend of suicide in The Gambia. A staunch advocate for social justice, Bah described the surge in suicides as a national tragedy requiring immediate attention from all sectors of society. He proposed the establishment of a national suicide prevention strategy, one that is rooted in compassion, informed by data, and driven by concrete actions.

“We need to amend laws that criminalize suicide in The Gambia to allow individuals to seek help without the fear of punishment or imprisonment,” Bah said. His remarks come in the wake of three recently reported cases of suicide this week. “We can no longer remain silent. In just one week, The Gambia has witnessed three suspected suicides. These are not mere statistics or headlines; they represent human lives lost, families torn apart, and communities left in grief and confusion,” he emphasized.

The opposition lawmaker from Banjul North further explained, “Over the years, I’ve had the privilege and the painful experience of listening to countless stories from individuals grappling with invisible wounds.” Hon. Bah argued that many in the country suffer in silence, trapped between cultural and legal stigmas, spiritual shame, and a lack of professional support. “In a society where ‘being strong’ often means suppressing pain, far too many are buckling under the weight of that silence. These three tragic incidents are not isolated,” he said.

Bah pointed out that the alarming rise in suicides is indicative of how severely underfunded and neglected mental health services are in The Gambia. “For every suicide reported, many others go unspoken. And for each life lost, countless more are suffering quietly—hoping that someone will notice, will care, and will offer help,” he concluded.