By: Dawda Baldeh

Momodou Cham, also known as Mc Cham Junior, the nominated Business and Tailoring Councilor at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC), has claimed that The Gambian government does not trust the country’s health sector. He argued that President Adama Barrow’s administration prioritizes infrastructure development over essential health services, which he believes undermines public welfare. Cham criticized the government for using road construction as a measure of progress, questioning the transparency and fairness of the contracting process.

“We need to ask how these roads are contracted, who the contractors are, and whether the process is fair and transparent. We should not praise the government for building roads—that’s their responsibility,” he stated. He emphasized the urgent need for improvements in the health sector, noting that public hospitals are often underfunded and lack essential medications. “Even those in the government don’t trust our hospitals. If they or their families fall ill, they seek treatment abroad,” he remarked, asserting that no minister would choose to be treated in public hospitals.

Cham further criticized the government’s achievements, claiming that, aside from road construction—which he attributed largely to projects initiated by former President Jammeh—there is little to celebrate. He pointed to the rising cost of basic commodities, saying, “Since Barrow took office, everything has continued to rise, including cement, rice, sugar, and passport prices. After nearly nine years, Barrow cannot name a single thing whose cost has been reduced.” While acknowledging the importance of road infrastructure, Cham insisted that the government should focus on other critical areas to address the urgent needs of citizens. He noted that many communities still lack access to clean water, proper roads, and basic services.

Cham also criticized Mai Ahmed Fatty, leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), whom he described as an opportunist seeking personal gain by aligning with the president. “I question the education of Mai and others like him. They cannot create jobs for themselves or others; they only rally behind the president for their own interests,” he said. Cham reiterated that road construction is among the simplest tasks for a government, urging a shift in focus toward improving the health sector and addressing the basic needs of the Gambian people.

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

Chairman of the Kerewan Area Council (KAC), Papa Tunkara, has responded strongly to recent criticisms from the United Democratic Party (UDP), dismissing claims of reckless spending under his leadership as “bogus and misleading.”

The rebuttal follows a press statement issued by UDP’s Administrative Secretary for Media and Communication, Tombong Saidy, accusing the National People’s Party (NPP)-controlled council of prioritizing luxury expenditures over essential community services in the North Bank Region (NBR). In a detailed response, Chairman Tunkara asserted that the allegations are not only false but also fail to acknowledge the developmental gains achieved by the current council.

“Instead of spreading false allegations about Kerewan Area Council and its leadership, Mr. Saidy, you should have contacted my Office to get your facts right,” Tunkara stated.

He noted that upon assuming office in 2023, his administration inherited a council in financial disarray, left behind by the previous UDP-led administration. Despite the challenges, Tunkara said his team has completed three abandoned market projects in Munyagen, Sara Kunda, and Ngayen Sajal—each of which cost the new council nearly one million dalasis to rebuild or complete.

Chairman Tunkara also listed several borehole rehabilitation efforts and road improvement projects across various NBR communities. “We have rehabilitated boreholes in Farafenni Darra Abdou, Kataba Wollof, Kerr Amadou, and other villages that were long neglected under the previous council,” he said.

In response to concerns over the purchase of two official vehicles, Tunkara clarified that the D7.6 million figure cited by the UDP was inaccurate. He explained that the vehicles were acquired through a pre-financing agreement with Supersonicz Micro-Finance and are to be repaid in installments over four years. “These vehicles are not personal luxuries but assets of the Council to improve operational efficiency,” he emphasized.

He further defended the council’s planned international engagements, specifically a trip to the United States for the World Conference of Mayors. Tunkara said the visit fostered a partnership with the City of Union Springs, Alabama, paving the way for potential bilateral cooperation in areas such as education, agriculture, and waste management.

The Chairman also announced that procurement processes are underway for two new waste collection trucks and for the rehabilitation of the Chairman’s Residence and Council office building—both of which he said are in dilapidated condition. Additionally, he confirmed that tenders for the construction of the Pakau Njogu and Medina Sering Mass markets have already been submitted to the GPPA for approval.

“Our record speaks for itself,” Tunkara said. “The new NPP Council inherited a bankrupt institution and has turned it into one of the most solvent councils in the country.”

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has raised concerns about what it describes as reckless spending by the NPP-controlled Kerewan Area Council (KAC), led by Chairman Papa Tunkara. The party has questioned the prioritization of luxury expenditures over addressing the basic needs of communities in the North Bank Region (NBR).

In a press statement shared by Tombong Saidy, the UDP Administrative Secretary for Media and Communication, the party accused the council of mismanaging public funds, particularly citing the purchase of two high-end vehicles for the Chairman and CEO, totaling D7.6 million. According to the UDP, this expenditure amounts to over 20% of the council’s budget, while communities in NBR are reportedly struggling with issues such as access to clean water, poor feeder roads, and inadequate agricultural support.

“The council has spent millions on luxury vehicles, yet the people of NBR are still without basic services such as waste collection vehicles,” Mr. Saidy said. “We believe the priorities should be shifted towards community development projects that directly benefit the region.”

Mr. Saidy also criticized the council’s foreign trips, specifically a trip to the United States last year for a “Mayoral Conference,” which, according to the UDP, cost taxpayers nearly D1.5 million. Saidy contended that the conference could have been attended virtually, and another trip to the same event, including the Chief’s Representative, is being planned with an estimated cost exceeding D2 million.

“The UDP believes that attending such events in person is an unnecessary expense when virtual participation could suffice,” Saidy said. “We are concerned about how taxpayer money is being allocated for such trips.”

Additionally, the UDP questioned the council’s focus on the construction of the Chairman’s Residence and a new council office building, rather than completing the Pakau Njogu and Madina Serign Mass markets inherited from the previous council.

“These projects raise questions about the council’s priorities. While these luxury constructions are taking place, vital community infrastructure remains underfunded,” Saidy added.

Mr. Saidy emphasized the need for immediate action. “The people of NBR deserve leaders who serve them, not themselves,” Saidy said. He called for a full audit of KAC’s finances and urged the council to redirect funds toward essential services such as water access, roads, waste collection, and agricultural support.

The UDP also called on the Barrow-led NPP government to address what it sees as excesses in local councils, including the Kerewan Area Council. According to the UDP, if the central government is unable to rein in its councils, it raises concerns about their ability to manage national resources.

“We urge the government to take action to ensure that public funds are used efficiently and in ways that benefit the communities that need them the most,” Mr. Saidy added.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Kerewan Area Council or the NPP government regarding the UDP’s allegations. The UDP has called for a full audit of the council’s finances, urging that public money be redirected toward essential services such as water access, waste management, roads, and agricultural support.

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.