By: The Fatu Network Editorial

Alhagie Alieu Momarr Njai, the long-serving Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), has officially announced his retirement, marking the end of a significant era for the commission, an IEC official confirmed to The Fatu Network.

During his tenure, the IEC oversaw several major elections, most notably the 2016 presidential election, which led to a peaceful yet turbulent transition of power from Yahya Jammeh to Adama Barrow.

By: The Fatu Network Editorial

The Gambian Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare’s recent statement on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) highlights a concerning reality: despite over a decade of concentrated efforts, progress in eliminating the practice remains gradual. While any reduction is significant, the statistics reveal a stubborn persistence of this harmful tradition.

“We have registered a reduction of the FGM prevalence rate from 90% in 2009 to 76% in 2013 and further reduction to 73% currently,” the Minister reported, revealing that nearly three-quarters of the female population still faces this human rights violation. This represents just a 17% decrease over a 15-year period, averaging roughly 1% per year.

Despite the implementation of the Women’s Amendment Act in 2015, which explicitly criminalizes FGM, the practice continues to maintain a strong foothold in Gambian society. The Minister acknowledged ongoing resistance to change, noting that “We are happy that this law is maintained despite attempts for a pushback in 2023 and 2024,” suggesting active opposition to anti-FGM legislation.

The Minister emphasized that FGM remains “one of the most extreme violations of the rights of women and girls,” causing “lifelong physical, psychological, and emotional suffering.” Yet, deeply rooted cultural practices continue to challenge elimination efforts, particularly at the community level where the Minister admits “the real change happens.”

While the government celebrates the engagement of youth in anti-FGM advocacy and continues its community outreach programs, the slow rate of decline raises questions about the effectiveness of current strategies. The country’s commitment to eliminating FGM by 2030, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals, appears increasingly ambitious given the current pace of change.

The Minister’s call for “collective efforts of all, with the active participation of communities, religious leaders, traditional leaders, teachers, health workers, and families” underscores the complexity of the challenge. However, with only a 3% reduction between 2013 and 2025, the battle against FGM in The Gambia appears to be facing significant cultural and social barriers that existing approaches have yet to effectively address.

Despite these challenges, the government maintains its commitment to elimination efforts, with the Minister asserting, “We have come a long way and will never relent, but rather we will consolidate on the gains registered and scale up our efforts.” However, the data suggests that without significant changes to current strategies, The Gambia’s goal of zero tolerance for FGM may remain elusive for generations to come.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Once a prominent political party during Jawara’s administration, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is currently grappling with internal disputes and gradually losing its influence in the Gambian political arena. In December of the previous year, the party convened its congress, resulting in the election of new leaders. Unexpectedly, this election faced opposition from a faction within the party, which challenged the new leadership on grounds of constitutional breaches.

In an interview with The Fatu Network, Uthman Jeng, a representative of the faction, clarified that the matter revolves around maintaining constitutional integrity and fairness in the electoral process. “We are not contesting the election results. Instead, we are bringing attention to constitutional violations committed by certain candidates who intentionally neglected to meet a fundamental requirement,” he stated.

Mr. Jeng further noted that signing the mandatory constitutional undertaking is a prerequisite for every candidate, as explicitly outlined in the constitution. “All candidates are required to sign this undertaking prior to participating in our electoral processes. Failure to sign will lead to disqualification,” Jeng quoted from the party constitution. He stressed that the core of democracy is rooted in adherence to constitutional provisions.

“Elections are not solely about participation; they are also about fulfilling the established requirements of fairness and credibility. This principle applies equally to all candidates. Disqualification is not a pre-election determination but a result of not meeting the established criteria during the process,” he elaborated.

Jeng, who is part of the faction that contested the December congress, stated that rules are enforced when violations occur. He indicated that the body tasked with organizing the elections adheres to due process to ensure the constitution is upheld. “No one is above the law,” he contended, adding that the integrity of the electoral process relies on the impartial enforcement of the law.

The Gambia Action Party (GAP) stands in solidarity with Gambian students and scholars in North America who are currently facing emotional and psychological distress due to recent changes in U.S. immigration policies. We acknowledge the concerns raised by the Union of Gambian Scholars and Students in North America (UGSNA) through its Information and Public Relations Officer, Sanna Bairo Darboe, and we recognize the urgent need for support and intervention.

For decades, many young Gambians have sought opportunities abroad, particularly in the United States, to further their education and contribute to their families and nation. However, abrupt and stringent immigration reforms continue to pose challenges for international students, putting their academic and personal lives at risk. The uncertainty surrounding visa regulations, work permits, and the overall hostility towards immigrants in some Western nations have left many students in distress.

As a political entity that prioritizes the welfare of Gambians, GAP strongly urges the Government of The Gambia to establish robust mechanisms to assist affected students. This includes diplomatic engagements with U.S. authorities to ensure that Gambian students can complete their studies without fear of deportation or unnecessary restrictions. We call on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Gambian Embassy in Washington, D.C., to provide direct assistance, legal guidance, and mental health support to those affected.

Beyond these immediate concerns, this situation serves as a wake-up call for African leaders. For far too long, Africa has relied on foreign nations for education, employment, and economic survival. The time has come for a paradigm shift. African governments must prioritize investment in quality education, research institutions, and job creation to curb the dependency that forces our youth to seek opportunities abroad. We cannot continue to send our brightest minds to nations that impose ever-changing and often hostile immigration policies, treating African scholars as burdens rather than assets.

We, therefore, urge African leaders to focus on:

1. Investing in Higher Education – Strengthening universities and research centers to retain talented students and scholars within the continent.
2. Expanding Economic Opportunities – Creating employment and entrepreneurship avenues so that young Africans do not feel compelled to migrate for survival.
3. Strengthening Diplomatic Relations – Establishing strong, fair partnerships with foreign nations to protect the rights of African students abroad.
4. Pan-African Collaboration – Promoting intra-Africa mobility programs that allow African students to study and work within African nations rather than seeking opportunities in hostile foreign environments.

The Gambia Action Party remains committed to advocating for policies that protect Gambians both at home and abroad. We stand with our students and scholars in this difficult time and urge the Gambian government, in collaboration with other African nations, to take proactive steps in ensuring that our young minds are given the support and opportunities they rightfully deserve.

SERVANT MUSA OUSAINOU YALI BATCHILLY
SECRETARY GENERAL & PARTY LEADER
GAMBIA ACTION PARTY (GAP).

By: Dawda Baldeh

Bai Saine, a prominent youth leader in the Jokadou constituency, has expressed criticism of President Adama Barrow’s recent statements made during an interview with QTV. In response to the President’s assertion that his bid for a third term is aimed at safeguarding the party from an untimely downfall in the Gambian political arena, Saine remarked that this suggests the NPP has no future without Barrow. “President Barrow has made it evident that the NPP’s future is bleak without him, acknowledging that there is no succession plan in place within the party,” he stated.

The youth leader indicated that this reflects President Barrow’s lack of confidence in the NPP, suggesting that Barrow believes the party will fail without his leadership. “This should serve as a wake-up call for all NPP supporters—why support a leader who thinks he is the only one capable, with no vision for the future beyond himself?” he asserted.

Saine, who ran as an independent candidate in the last parliamentary election and lost by a margin of 12 votes to the current Jokadou National Assembly Member, argued that President Barrow ought to allow others within his party the opportunity to lead after serving two terms. Like many others, Saine stated that pursuing a third term would contradict the principles of integrity and democracy. He urged Gambians to unite and prevent one individual from monopolizing the leadership of the country.

“Let us not anchor our nation’s future to a single person. Instead, we should concentrate on establishing robust institutions, fostering inclusivity, and advocating for visionary leadership that benefits all citizens—not just a political party. The future of The Gambia is greater than any one individual. Let’s make wise choices,” he emphasized.