By Alieu Jallow

Essa Mbye Faal, the former lead counsel of The Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) and current leader of the APP Sobeya party, accused President Adama Barrow’s administration of mismanaging public funds during an interview on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez on West Coast Radio.

Faal claims that Barrow’s administration has transformed the ‘Meet the People’ Tour, which he said was originally intended as a state outreach initiative, into a political campaign platform, describing this action as both “illegal” and a misuse of public funds.

Faal highlighted several instances of what he perceives as financial mismanagement, including the expenditure of 63 million dalasi on the President’s “Meet the People” tour. He contends that such spending is unlawful and constitutes a misuse of public resources.

“This is an absolute waste. Look at the Meet the People tour. This is legalised waste that is given to the government. In 2020 how much was approved? I think it was D6 million and how much was spent by the government, 20 20-something million. In 2021, they spent 40-something million and in 2023, 10 million was approved to meet the people. The president spent 61 million dalasis, 61 million of taxpayer money just to go around and meet people in the country,” he said.

Faal argued that the tour, funded by public money, no longer serves its original purpose of engaging with citizens to address their concerns. Instead, he claims it has evolved into a campaign strategy for the ruling party to effectively blur the lines between state and party activities. According to Faal, such practices undermine democracy and public accountability, as taxpayers’ money is used to advance partisan interests thus labelling it as a national “Bumbai festival”.

“I cannot call it any other way, the whole essence of the Meet the People Tour is supposed to be a solemn program where the president goes around the country and meets the people and discusses issues of concern to those people and those areas but what we see is a national ‘bumbai festival’ wherein they gather, slaughter cows and eat and launch a political campaign to further entrenched themselves in power. That, by itself, is illegal and is unconstitutional because the constitution does not allow taxpayer money to be used for a political campaign,” he said.

Faal, who was a presidential candidate in 2021 and equally eyeing the 2026 presidential election, pledges to redefine the narrative of the Meet People’s Tour, noting it to be a period of soul-searching, a period of consultation and a period of listening to the people such that the policies of the state would be tuned around the needs of the citizens.

“It should not be a festival to just waste money to have a convoy of 80-something gas guzzlers spending money unnecessarily. This is supposed to be a solemn occasion wherein we soul-search and look at the problems and find solutions, but this is not looking for solutions, this is not even trying to identify the problems.

“What they do is go around and Politik and try to sell the president’s agendas so that the president could be voted for again and that is the illegality in the whole thing. You take a legal activity and turn it into something illegal and the test is look at 2021, it was an election year they spent 45 million out of 6 million that was approved,” he said.

The APP Sobeya party leader noted that even the D45 million approved for the President’s People tour in 2025 will likely be around 500 hundred million, stressing the obscurity in the spending for the upcoming year noting the wasteful expenditures he decries daily.

By Michaella Faith Wright

Momodou Jallow, Secretary-General of the Alliance for National Re-Orientation and Development (ANRD), unveiled an ambitious vision for The Gambia’s future at the party’s bi-annual congress held on December 29, 2024. Addressing delegates, party supporters, and the Gambian public, Jallow emphasized the party’s commitment to security, economic transformation, and inclusive governance.

The congress, held under the theme “Justice, Freedom, and Development,” featured Jallow outlining key priorities aimed at driving systemic change in the country.

“Our challenges demand bold and decisive action. At the heart of our agenda is the security of the state. A secure Gambia is the foundation for economic growth, good governance, and national progress,” Jallow remarked. He pledged to strengthen the nation’s security forces through enhanced training, resources, and tools to safeguard citizens and borders while maintaining peace and stability.

Jallow also highlighted the need for structural transformation in agriculture, describing it as the backbone of the nation. Moving beyond traditional methods, the party intends to empower farmers through mechanized agriculture and value chain development. Key crops such as rice, millet, fruits, and vegetables will be prioritized, connecting farmers to local and subregional markets and making agriculture a viable economic opportunity.

Education was identified as another cornerstone of the party’s vision. Jallow stressed the importance of aligning the education system with the country’s labor force needs, emphasizing technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial training to equip young people with skills for critical sectors such as agriculture, technology, health, and infrastructure.

He also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to inclusive leadership, stating, “We believe in empowering young people not just as participants but as leaders in this transformation. Similarly, women will not be relegated to mobilizer roles; they will hold key decision-making positions.”

Jallow further recognized the critical role of the Gambian diaspora in national development, pledging to create systems that ensure their meaningful engagement.

Concluding his speech, Jallow called for unity, saying, “Unity is our greatest strength. By fostering collaboration, empowering our people, and prioritizing the needs of our nation, we can achieve the systemic change we seek.”

The congress served as a platform to rally supporters around ANRD’s transformative agenda for a secure, prosperous, and united Gambia.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Fatu Network has been informed of an alleged verbal attack on Rohey Malick Lowe, the Mayor of Banjul City Council, during the United Democratic Party (UDP) Congress on December 29, 2024, in Banjul.

A source who identified himself as a UDP member familiar with the incident, and who requested anonymity, confirmed that the mayor was verbally attacked by a woman identified as Madina Deen, the daughter of Yamudow Secka, UDP Deputy Party Leader.

“The mayor was leaving the hall with one Lamin Sanneh, who works at the OIC, when the woman (Madina Deen) started insulting her repeatedly. The mayor asked who she was insulting, but the woman continued,” the source said.

The source described the attack on the mayor as disrespectful, stating that she deserved better treatment from all UDP members and Gambians.

According to the source, this is not the first time the mayor has faced such attacks from UDP-aligned supporters.

“At the congress in Janjangbureh, she was similarly attacked,” the source added.

The Fatu Network has also been informed of other verbal attacks against the mayor by individuals identified as UDP members, including Lamin Dibba, Matty Kanyi, and Alieu Kora.

“This is disrespectful,” said one Lamin Ndow, who was present at the scene. He added, “I am a UDP supporter, but this is unacceptable. The mayor is a very hardworking woman. I don’t know what type of heart she has to endure all this humiliation.”

Lamin further noted that despite the continued criticism and verbal assaults, the mayor has remained committed to the UDP.

“I was in Janjangbureh the last time, and the way she’s being treated is, to me, not fair. She has a proven track record nationally and internationally,” he said.

The source also disclosed that he attended the UDP gala dinner, where individuals were given awards, but the mayor was sidelined despite her remarkable achievements.

“I don’t know what the problem is, but the mayor deserved an award that night. She’s the only female mayor doing tremendous work. In Banjul, she’s uniting people, and she’s the President of REFELA and the Second Vice President of Global Mayors,” the source explained.

“I don’t know why she’s still with UDP when they are not giving her the respect she deserves,” said Malick Cham, a resident of Kanifing.

Malick further suggested that Mayor Lowe should consider leaving the UDP if she continues to face such disrespect. “She’s a brave woman. I don’t know if she’s addicted to UDP or what, but she should consider leaving,” he advised.

The Fatu Network has reached out to Mayor Lowe for comments following these allegations, but she has not responded at the time of this publication.