Written by: Mama A. Touray

The Director General of the Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency (GLMA), Momodou Darboe, failed to appear before the National Assembly’s Special Select Committee on the sale and disposal of assets identified by the Janneh Commission, missing a scheduled statement-taking session.

During the committee proceedings, Chairperson Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay expressed disappointment at the absence, warning: “You should understand that this committee is very serious about what we are doing, and we don’t want the Gambia Livestock Marketing Agency to be an obstacle to the committee’s work.”

In a written apology submitted to the committee, DG Darboe explained that his absence was due to a misunderstanding of the official communication. “This was due to the first letter received from the team with a new date, and I thought it was shifted to 21st July 2025 instead of 17th July 2025, without looking at the content of the letter,” he stated.

He further admitted that he only realised the discrepancy after being contacted by a committee member. “I understand the inconvenience and disappointment this may have caused you and the team. I am committed to ensuring that such errors do not occur in the future,” Darboe added.

Chairperson Ceesay, however, rejected the excuse, pointing out that the committee’s letters clearly indicated different dates. “The dates you were supposed to appear were clearly stated. We expect you to respect the decisions of this committee whenever we send a letter regarding your appearance. We want your cooperation,” he said.

He went on to emphasise the importance of the investigation and the expectation of compliance from all witnesses. “What we are doing is for The Gambia, and you are also working for The Gambia. No one is working for themselves in this task. We are disappointed because we expected you to come and give your testimony, and you failed to do so, which was unacceptable.”

Ceesay added that other witnesses had complied with the process, given their statements, testified, and left without issue. “We expect the same from you,” he told Darboe.

“We want your cooperation, and remember, there are provisions in the law. If you fail to appear for statement-taking again, that is a matter for the committee to decide. As head of an institution operating in this country, no one should have to tell you what your responsibilities are,” he concluded.

DG Darboe was excused from the session and instructed to meet with the investigative team to provide his statement and return tomorrow to testify.

By: The Fatu Network News Desk

President Adama Barrow has claimed that 75 percent of Gambians support his leadership, citing a large turnout at a women’s political rally in the Central River Region as evidence of public backing for his government’s development agenda.

“The massive turnout at the Central River Region Women’s Rally held in Janjanbureh reflects strong support for my government’s development agenda,” Barrow said in a statement shared on Sunday. “I extend special gratitude to the NPP National Women’s Mobiliser, a native of the region, for organising this initiative.”

The rally, organised by Aja Maimuna Baldeh, brought together supporters from across the region. Barrow used the occasion to highlight his administration’s focus on public service delivery, especially in health and education.

“We are currently focused on building the capacity of our service providers in education, health, and other sectors,” the president said. “Significant improvements have been made in training health professionals at all levels, including nurses, doctors, and other specialists. Likewise, we have increased the number of certified personnel in education, enhancing their ability to deliver high-quality education.”

Barrow also reiterated his commitment to the empowerment of Gambian women, stating, “I appreciate the backing we have received and assure Gambian women of my commitment to their progress. We remain dedicated to advancing our country.”

The Central River Region is one of The Gambia’s most populous areas, and has historically played a key role in political mobilisation during election cycles.

Written by: Dawda Baldeh

The leader of the opposition People’s Alliance Party (PAP), Ebrima Tabora Manneh, has criticised the recent hike in the presidential candidate deposit from ten thousand dalasis to one million, describing it as a deliberate attempt to discourage competent candidates with limited financial means from contesting.

Earlier this month, lawmakers voted to reinstate a provision in the Election Bill that mandates aspiring presidential candidates to pay a deposit of one million dalasis—a significant increase from the ten thousand dalasis fee in place since the 2017 change of government. The updated legislation also requires presidential hopefuls to secure nomination support from between 5,000 to 15,000 registered voters nationwide.

In reaction to these developments, Mr. Manneh remarked, “This is designed to prevent competent candidates with low budgets from contesting, and it benefits the incumbent and powerful parties.” He condemned the move and called for the decision to be reversed in the interest of democratic participation, allowing Gambians to freely choose their preferred candidate. “When you require presidential candidates to pay a deposit of one million dalasis, it will obstruct some quality candidates from running because it’s too costly,” he added.

While acknowledging the importance of maintaining certain electoral standards, Manneh warned that imposing such financial barriers could instead encourage corruption. He emphasised that leadership should be determined by vision and integrity, not by financial strength.

Outlining his party’s vision, he said, “As PAP, we will not compromise our integrity for anything; no amount of money or position is worth it. We aspire for the betterment of the country where every Gambian feels represented and empowered.”

Manneh pledged that under a PAP-led administration, the agricultural sector would be revitalised to promote commercial farming. He also promised to tackle corruption, improve business opportunities, enhance education and healthcare, and upgrade infrastructure and living standards.

He concluded by calling on Gambians to unite for the country’s progress rather than focusing on partisan or personal agendas.

Speaking on Giss Giss, a popular weekly current affairs programme aired on The Fatu Network, panelist Raffie Diab described Banjul City Council Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe as a “corrupt and incompetent leader.” Diab, a politician, businessman, and social commentator, cited ongoing testimonies before the Local Government Commission of Inquiry, where Mayor Lowe has appeared multiple times and admitted to several financial irregularities.

“Rohey Malick Lowe is running BCC like a family business and does whatever she wants. She’s the most corrupt and incompetent mayor. She must be held accountable for the millions of dalasis stolen at the council,” Diab alleged, referencing revelations surrounding land sales involving Indian businessmen. “Why must BCC be involved in land sales? This mayor is so incompetent,” he added.

He further criticised the mayor’s alleged disregard for procurement procedures, particularly regarding a contract awarded to her brother. “She contracted her brother to purchase three thousand waste bins at a cost of over thirteen million dalasis. This is unbelievable,” he remarked. Although Mayor Lowe has defended some of her decisions during her appearances before the commission, she has denied taking sole responsibility for the alleged irregularities.

Diab argued that awarding contracts to family members violates the principle of fair competition. “I am a businessman as well, and that’s why I avoid government contracts, because my party is in alliance with the government. Even at the Ministry of Information, I don’t take any contracts. But the mayor is granting restricted tenders to her brother just to favour him,” he claimed, referencing proceedings at the commission.

He also criticised Mayor Lowe’s deteriorating relationship with the United Democratic Party (UDP), stating, “She’s trying hard to find a way to leave the party and join the ruling party to avoid possible punishment after the commission.” Diab concluded by urging President Barrow to take swift action. “I am urging you, President Barrow, to act on the commission’s recommendations. Don’t allow people like Mayor Lowe to escape accountability.”

While Mayor Lowe has been credited with initiating some development projects in Banjul, the mounting allegations of financial mismanagement have raised serious questions about her leadership and integrity.

Written by: Mama A. Touray

Alhaji Mamadi Kurang, former secretary to the Janneh Commission, has reported a profit of D5.5 million from the sale of 42 tractors, despite admitting to undervaluing two others. This disclosure was made during his second appearance before the National Assembly Special Select Committee on the sale and disposal of assets identified by the Janneh Commission.

Kurang began his testimony by admitting he undervalued two scrap tractors. One, with a reserve price of D30,000, was sold for D25,000, and the other, valued at D20,000, was sold for D10,000.

Regarding the remaining 42 tractors, Kurang stated that they had a combined reserve price of D4.9 million but were sold for a total of D10.5 million.

“Total within those three days of sales was D10,572,000 while the reserve price was D4,974,000. That is a gain of 5.5 million above the reserve price,” he explained.

He further outlined specific sales that led to this surplus. According to a report prepared under his direction, on 25 June 2018, a tractor with a reserve value of D75,000 was sold to Jah Oil for D1.2 million.

“We sold it for 1.2 million because the tractor looked like a used one parked in the bush, but for some reason, companies were interested in this particular tractor. So when the auctioneer looked at me, I told him to keep ringing the bell until the amount reached D1.2 million,” he testified.

Kurang added that the auctioneer told him he could not recall any government vehicle ever being sold at such a high price during an auction. He noted that even the commissioners were surprised.

“Out of the list of 44 items, the commissioners asked me to justify how a tractor could be sold at that price. They searched the internet and found that the cost of a new tractor was not far from what we sold the used one for,” he said.

“They had doubts whether this was a true payment,” Kurang added, explaining that the commissioners questioned the valuer who set the original reserve price. He claimed the commissioners and lead counsel nearly halted the transaction.

“We spent a whole day on this. At some point, I was pissed off. But the lead counsel told the commissioners that they had no legal basis to stop a transaction that had already taken place. This was a proud moment for me and the team. We didn’t play any game, we played by the rules,” he stated.

The report also cited other profitable sales, including one on 24 June 2018 at the Sibanor Police Station, where a tractor with a reserve price of D80,000 was sold for D400,000.

“They saw the tractor, were satisfied with its condition, competed for it, and the man who paid the highest bid won,” Kurang explained.

Another tractor with a reserve price of D75,000 was sold for D451,000 to an agricultural company.

In Kotu, Kurang said serious buyers emerged. Adama Sallah from Lamtoro paid D665,000 for a tractor, while Hadim Gaye bought two others for D700,000 and D650,000 respectively.

“In Kotu, there were serious buyers,” he said.

He also highlighted the sale of a Mahindra tractor described as “scarab” (scrap or non-functioning), which had been parked at the Brikama Police Station. It had a reserve price of D2,500 but was sold for D15,000, earning a D12,500 gain.

Written by: Alieu Jallow

Veteran politician and United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe has once again renewed his public criticism of President Adama Barrow over the withdrawal of former Justice Minister Ba Tambadou’s nomination for a top post at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a statement broadcast on Camaraba Online TV on Tuesday, Darboe sharply denounced the decision and urged the Sarahule community to assess its broader implications.

“I want the Sarahule community to judge for themselves. Their own son, Ba Tambadou, was being considered for one of the most highly sought-after positions in the world. Yet President Adama Barrow chose to withdraw his nomination in favour of a Nigerian candidate. If I were president, I would have stood by him until the voting process was completed — not pulled out halfway. This decision, to me, reflects a lack of seriousness on Barrow’s part when it comes to national development,” Darboe stated.

He went on to emphasise that as Chair of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Barrow had a platform from which he could have mobilised support for Tambadou across its 57 member states, but failed to do so.

Darboe also addressed potential tribal interpretations of his support:

“I don’t talk about tribe — I never have. But if it were about tribe, I wouldn’t have endorsed Ba Tambadou, because everyone knows he’s a Sarahule. He’s competing for one of the most prestigious legal positions in the world, and there’s no questioning his qualifications. He’s young, energetic, and highly capable. My support for him had nothing to do with his ethnic background. I backed him because he’s a competent Gambian whose appointment would have been a source of national pride,” he said.

This episode marks yet another instance of Darboe publicly criticising President Barrow over the ICC nomination issue, underscoring his ongoing concern for national meritocracy and transparency.

Darboe’s renewed remarks have come at a time when efforts to curb hate speech are intensifying amid preparations for the 2026 electoral cycle. Observers caution that even indirect references to ethnic identity—like those in Darboe’s speech—risk exacerbating existing divisions.

Isatou Keita, President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), weighed in on the need for calm and responsible discourse:
“The media has a strong role in reducing hate speech. Journalists must be mindful of their language and avoid reporting in ways that create division or incite violence. Freedom of expression is important, but it should be used responsibly… In those cases, it’s our duty to ask the right questions, provide context, and not give space for harmful views to spread,” Keita stated.

As The Gambia edges closer to its next national election, calls for respectful, fact-based commentary and unity continue to grow. Through its ongoing trainings and dialogues, the GPU is working to equip media professionals for fair, cohesive, and peaceful reporting.

Written by: Mama A. Touray

Alhaji Mamadi Kurang, former Secretary to the Janneh Commission, has admitted to undervaluing two tractors during the sale and disposal of assets identified by the Commission. He made the admission during his second appearance before the National Assembly Special Select Committee investigating the matter.

Testifying on his involvement in the disposal of the tractors, Kurang referenced a report he had prepared dated 24th June 2018, which noted that OC Christ purchased a scrap Mahindra tractor in Somita for D25,000, despite a reserve price of D30,000.

“Out of 44 tractors, this is one of the items that was sold at a price lower than the reserve price. The reserve price was D30,000, and we sold it for D25,000, resulting in a loss of D5,000,” Kurang explained.

Defending the sale, Kurang stated that the valuer had described the tractor as scrap. He added, “Parts of the tractor were lying at Somita Police [Station], and there was nobody interested in the item other than OC Christ. So I told myself: should I leave a single scrap, or should I allow the man who paid D25,000 to get the scrap?”

“I took the responsibility to sell the item to him with the advice of my colleagues. That was the reasonable economic decision I made,” he continued.

Kurang further argued that taking the auction team back to Somita would have cost more in fuel than the D5,000 loss incurred in the sale.

When asked whether he sought the approval of the Commissioners before selling the tractor, Kurang replied, “I did not seek the approval of the Commission in the case of Mr. OC Christ.”

In a second incident, a scrap item valued at D20,000 was reportedly sold for D10,000. Counsel Dibba put it to him that he had assumed the roles of both valuer and auctioneer in that instance, a claim Kurang denied.

“I did not assume the role of any of them. I was put in charge of the process. The auctioneer did all he could but could not reach the reserve price. Then I came in. They had their roles, and I made the final decision representing the Commission in line with the public interest,” he said.

The Committee also observed that OC Christ appeared six times on the list of buyers. Responding, Kurang said, “He sells spare parts in Brikama Ba, so I think he needed the items. That’s why he showed interest in high-value items. But any vehicle said not to be functioning, he expressed interest in it.”

When asked about the reaction of the Commissioners, Kurang concluded, “The Commissioners did not ask me any questions. They were more interested in the ones where I made huge profits.”