Media stakeholders from the Gambia Press Union (GPU) and other organizations including The Fatu Network met with President Adama Barrow on November 4 to address pressing issues concerning press freedom, professional standards, and media sustainability.

A highlight of the meeting was President Barrow’s decision to drop the civil defamation case against The Voice newspaper and its Editor-in-Chief Musa Sheriff, following concerns about the case’s potential impact on press freedom. “A free and independent media is essential to our democracy,” President Barrow acknowledged.

The media representatives also urged the government to prioritize reforms in media laws, referencing a 2018 ECOWAS court ruling that deemed certain Gambia’s media regulations incompatible with journalists’ rights.

By: Alieu Jallow

In what is described as a milestone achievement, President Adama Barrow has decided to drop the civil suit he filed against Musa Sheriff, the managing editor of The Voice Newspaper. The lawsuit, which initially raised eyebrows within both media and political circles, was seen by many as part of a broader struggle over press freedom in The Gambia.

The legal battle began after The Voice Newspaper published a news article on September 23, 2024, with the caption, “Barrow Chooses Muhammed Jah as Successor as President Works on Exit Plan – Sources.” According to Seedy Njie, the Deputy Spokesperson of the National People’s Party, the article created disunity, confusion, mistrust, and pandemonium within the party. In response, Barrow’s legal team initiated civil proceedings against Musa Sheriff, alleging defamation and seeking damages.

After decades under authoritarian rule, The Gambia has made strides toward a more open media landscape, yet tensions remain high between the government and independent news outlets, with this suit standing out.

The announcement of the suit’s withdrawal was made during a high-level meeting with the Gambia Press Union, led by its President Muhammed MS Bah, along with his board, the Female Journalists Association, and the Media Council at the State House. This move is widely believed to reflect Barrow’s commitment to fostering a democratic environment and maintaining national unity.

After a closed-door meeting with the President, Musa Sheriff was subsequently invited to the State House for a discussion with Deputy Speaker Seedy Njie, Information Minister Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, and the Chief of Staff. This meeting is seen as a conciliatory step and a way to chart a path forward to prevent future occurrences.

Following the closed-door meeting, both parties unanimously agreed to issue a final communiqué to be shared with the public.

President Barrow’s withdrawal of the lawsuit has sparked renewed discussion about the importance of defending journalistic freedom and ensuring that the media can operate without fear, creating space for robust debate and accountability in governance. However, the responsibility now falls on the Inspector General of Police to either discontinue their case in court or respect the President’s decision.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Addressing new defectors from the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) at Baobab Hotel recently, the leader of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), Mamma Kandeh, told women that the President Adama Barrow-led government is “addicted” to betraying electorates.

Kandeh believes that extending Barrow’s presidency to the next term would cause the country severe economic hardship and would hinder the nation’s progress. “Barrow and his government have nothing to offer Gambians. This is a government that is addicted to betraying electorates. He has failed woefully,” Kandeh said.

The GDC leader made these remarks while welcoming women’s groups and youth groups from Brikama Bojang Kunda, comprising 75 members who have crossed over to his party. During his speech, Kandeh told the new GDC supporters that they had made the right decision, saying even those within Barrow’s government know that the country under Barrow is a mess.

“From the coalition agreement to development initiatives, reforms, institutional performance, cost of living, education, health, agriculture – Barrow has failed,” he stated.

Kandeh cited ongoing reforms in Senegal as clear indications of a committed government, asserting that Barrow lacks ideas. “Women are suffering in this country, and during elections, Barrow can only offer them cooking pots and the youth football vests so they can vote for him. Open your eyes and don’t allow the same mistake to continue,” Kandeh warned.

The GDC leader thanked the defectors from the NPP for stepping up to help remove Barrow from power ahead of the 2026 presidential election. “From today, we are all equal in this party. This is a party for every Gambian. Let’s unite and develop our country, and we must put the interests of the country first,” he emphasized.

Several speakers commented on the persistent hardships the country has been experiencing recently, stating that there is little to no commitment from the government to address such issues.

“You have come to the right party, where the interests of the country are the top priority. GDC is the only stable party in the country that will take Gambians out of this mess,” said Lamin Bojang, GDC desk officer in West Coast Region 2.

Samba Sabally, who facilitated the cross-carpeting of the youth and women’s groups, also stated, “These people were with the NPP, but today they are with the GDC. Let’s support the GDC and work together for the betterment of the country.”

Banjul Bojang Kunda ‘Gegg Group’ PRO Fatoumata Fadera stated, “We were with the NPP since Barrow started his party, but we don’t see any progress. The country is going backward, and we are tired. Barrow cannot lead this country, and people are suffering. Nothing is going right, from security to cost of living, healthcare, education, development, and so on. From today, we are fully supporting the GDC,” she explained.

She added, “We are not joking; this is not a time for jokes, but to rescue this country.”

Samba Bah, a youth mobilizer, said, “I convinced my colleagues to leave the NPP for the GDC because the party has nothing to offer Gambians. We supported the NPP in the interest of the country, but currently, that’s not how the party is governing.”

Samba, who has reportedly been actively participating in politics since 2016, stated that the GDC is the right party to develop the country.

By: Alieu Jallow

Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, the Minister for Information, has publicly apologized to the citizens of The Gambia in light of recent remarks made concerning President Adama Barrow’s potential candidacy for a third term in office. The statement comes amid growing concerns about the implications of extending presidential term limits and the current political climate in the nation.

Speaking on a TikTok platform hosted by Fatoumatta Coker, Dr. Ceesay acknowledged that his comments do not reflect his personality, noting that every human being is fallible.

“The most important thing is when you make mistakes, you accept your mistakes, you learn from them, and try to avoid them. No one can guarantee that they can be a politician for 10, 20, or 30 years, interacting with people, and never make mistakes in their comments. It’s not possible. So if I uttered some words in a manner that’s not me, I would prefer for people to point them out so next time, I communicate better,” he pointed out.

As the backlash grew, Dr. Ceesay quickly clarified his position, emphasizing his stance on President Barrow’s pursuit of another term in office but acknowledged that his tone does not define him and that many, including himself, feel upset about it.

“If the President wishes to vie for another term in office, no one can stop him, but the manner in which I said it is not me, and many are upset about it, including myself. I wish it never happened. I can’t do anything about it, but I will learn from it to communicate better.”

The 1997 Constitution of The Gambia does not explicitly provide for any term limit for the presidency, a critical safeguard instituted following decades of authoritarian rule. Dr. Ceesay stressed that his comments were based on the provisions and dictates of the constitution, which does not stipulate term limits.

Similarly, his apology reflects an acknowledgment of the sensitivity surrounding the issue, especially ahead of the 2026 elections.

“The manner in which it came out is unbecoming, and I could have avoided it. I will not repeat it anymore. I am not a robot, and in fact, I am happy that people can see that I am also fallible. I want people to see that I made a mistake, and I am ready to accept those errors to develop and move on, because that’s good for me as I am not perfect.”

As Gambia’s political landscape continues to evolve, the response from citizens will be crucial in shaping future discourse around leadership and governance. With Dr. Ceesay publicly addressing the issue, it’s underscored that the Gambian government recognizes the necessity of engaging with its people on such vital matters.

By: Alieu Jallow

In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, Bakary K. Badjie, National Assembly Member for Foni Bintang Karanai, called on the Gambian government to bolster security measures in the Foni region. His appeal comes amid escalating fears that tensions between the Senegalese army and separatist groups, particularly the Mouvement des Forces Démocratiques de Casamance (MFDC), could spill over into Gambian territory, posing a direct threat to the safety and stability of residents.

The NAM emphasized that despite the recent ceasefire between Senegalese forces and the separatists, the presence of the Senegalese army within the region and separatists residing in Casamance remains a potential trigger for renewed conflict.

“After the heavy bombardment, the soldiers are still stationed there, and any time the soldiers and the rebels meet, there will be heavy bombardment. The bombardment occurs within the borders, so people are uncertain if they will enjoy lasting peace until either the soldiers leave or the separatist movement dissolves. But as long as they remain, it presents a challenge, and people will not feel stable or comfortable,” he explained.

The MFDC has long pursued autonomy for Senegal’s Casamance region, and recent military engagements between Senegalese forces and MFDC fighters have raised alarms among communities near the border. The conflict, which has persisted for decades, has heightened fears of instability in neighboring areas, including Foni Bintang—a region with a significant population of ethnic Jola, many of whom have historical ties to the struggles across the border.

Badjie expressed his concerns for the safety of his constituents, alleging that the Senegalese soldiers disregard the safety of Gambians living near the border. He further alleged that President Adama Barrow initially showed little concern until recently, when he began to demonstrate commitment.

“In the beginning, the president didn’t care until later, when the pressure became overwhelming. When our people were killed repeatedly, no one could understand what our crime was. We told them we were inhabitants of Foni, hearing the heavy bombardment and seeing shells landing in Foni. But initially, when people were being buried, no minister or governor was present. It was only later, when security forces, the CDS, the national security adviser, and ministers visited the area in a heavy convoy, that the bombardments ceased, and he began to show concern and commitment—but it was too late. How many people did we bury in Foni? It was many,” he alleged.

Badjie expressed optimism in the new leadership in Senegal to mitigate the conflict; however, he urged the Gambian government to increase military patrols and reinforce security along the border to manage the uncertainty looming over the region.

By: Alieu Jallow

Seedy Njie, Deputy Speaker and Deputy Spokesperson of the National People’s Party, testified as Prosecution Witness 1, telling the court that he never granted an interview to Musa Sheriff, the Managing Editor of The Voice Newspaper.

Njie stated that as the spokesperson for the NPP, he is responsible for disseminating accurate and reliable information on behalf of the party. He emphasized that any information not coming from him or the spokesperson Lamin Queen Jammeh is “utterly false, speculative, and garbage.”

When asked by Commissioner A. Sanneh, appearing for the IGP, if he recalled the events of September 22, 2024, Njie affirmed, recalling the date and specifying the hours between 5 and 6 pm when the first accused, Musa Sheriff, placed a phone call to him. Sheriff mentioned having “hot news on the desk” that he wished to verify before publication, claiming he had reliable information from two NPP executive members that the President had finalized plans to make Muhammeh Jah the party’s flagbearer. Sheriff sought Njie’s confirmation of the story.

“I told him that I would not grant him any interview and requested that he disclose the names of the two executive members,” Njie told the court.

Njie further testified that he informed Sheriff the purported news was inaccurate, noting that the President had announced his intention to contest in the next election just a fortnight prior.

“I said, ‘Mr. Sheriff, I am not granting you an interview, and if you don’t want to create disunity and spread false information, you cannot publish that.’ I reiterated multiple times that I was not granting him an interview.”

Njie also claimed that Sheriff did not disclose the names of the alleged NPP executives, prompting him to reiterate his refusal to grant an interview. Sheriff reportedly promised to consult his news desk before proceeding.

The Deputy Spokesperson stated that he warned Sheriff of the potential harm the story could cause, saying it would be injurious to the President and the state, and would result in false publication. Nevertheless, Njie expressed shock and disappointment upon seeing the publication in The Voice Newspaper with the headline: “Barrow Chooses Muhammed Jah as Successor as President Works on Exit Plan – Sources.”

“Everyone who reached out to me—from party leadership to grassroots members—was shocked and confused because the executive had never held any meeting about succession or flagbearer matters. There was pandemonium among the high command and rank-and-file members,” Njie recounted.

He emphasized that the party held no meeting to discuss matters of succession before September 22, 2024. He added that the publication created disunity, confusion, mistrust, and pandemonium within the party. He placed a call to express his disappointment to the author of the story, reiterating that he had never granted an interview.

The case was adjourned to Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 10:30 am for cross-examination of Prosecution Witness 1.

By: Alieu Jallow

In a controversial declaration, President Adama Barrow asserted that his presidency would extend well into future generations, warning opposition leaders that their time to govern will come only after his legacy has been solidified. President Barrow made this statement during a recent rally in Basse Mansajang while on his annual leave.

“I am telling my opposition to sit down and listen: your time is not yet up. I, President Barrow, am the father of the party (NPP). Once I’m done, I will hand it over to my [NPP] children. Once my children are done, they will hand it over to my grandchildren, and once they are done, they will in turn hand it over to my great-grandchildren. You can’t wait for such a period, so you have to wait,” he vowed.

During the rally, the President emphasized the longevity of his NPP party, citing his administration’s achievements and claiming to have laid the groundwork for a strong and prosperous nation. He hinted at unveiling his administration’s planned projects during his upcoming “Meet the People Tour.”

“My proposed plan and projects will be unveiled during the ‘Meet the People’ tour. I have renewed packages, new projects, and new initiatives meant for Gambians. Among those, we have a package specifically for women, separate from men who are not included,” he asserted.

President Barrow further emphasized that one cannot belong to both the opposition and the government, stating it is impossible to “sit on the fence.” He reiterated that the seat of power is vested in him as Commander-in-Chief.

“This country’s president, this country’s Commander-in-Chief, is President Barrow, and my command shall be the order to be acted upon,” he emphasized.

The President’s bold claims have set the stage for a pivotal confrontation between the ruling party and the opposition. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the coming weeks and months will be crucial, with backlash expected from citizens and opposition alike.