By Dawda Baldeh

Residents of the Jarra Central and East constituencies in the Lower River Region have criticised their National Assembly representatives for their inadequate representation in parliament.

They made these remarks in Bureng at the ongoing nationwide constituency consultative dialogue led by the National Council for Civic Education (NCCE), with funding from UNDP.

This tour aims to enlighten locals about the content of the 2024 draft constitution, allowing residents to express their views on specific clauses and provide feedback. The event attracts lawmakers, community leaders, religious groups, village heads, youth leaders, and district chiefs, among others.

In Jarra East, a sharp twist took place as locals hit hard at their parliamentarians.

“Let our National Assembly members tell us where they are investing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Jarra,” Alhagie Tairu Jikineh questioned.

He alleged that the money meant for communities has not been forthcoming.

“We are not saying they should give us their monthly salaries, but the money allocated to us should be given to us,” he emphasised, noting that this should be done transparently. As the meeting progressed, divergent views emerged with locals calling for accountability and proper representation.

“I’m quoting the NAM for Jarra Central, Hon. Kebba Jallow, who said they (NAMs) will do all it takes to make sure the 2024 draft is passed. So, this simply means our gathering here is not important because our NAM has taken a stand without consulting us or taking our concerns,” said Sarjo A. Ceesay, a youth leader.

Sarjo, who is a former youth parliamentarian in Jarra, described this as improper representation.

“This is not how you should represent us. You should listen to our voices and use them in parliament to address our concerns,” he said.

Mr. Ceesay further urged the electorate to hold their lawmakers accountable.

“If you represent people very well, you will not fear losing elections because you will not lose,” Mr. Jikineh added.

He emphasised that any member of parliament who neglects their duties will be voted out.
On the issue of presidential term limits, Mr. Jikineh suggested a twenty-year term, however, he clarified that if a leader fails to deliver, he or she can be voted out after one term.

Meanwhile, Momodou Dem, the alkali of Dongoro Ba, who clarified that his remarks are personal, has urged lawmakers to return the 2020 draft constitution.

“When people talk about the 2024 draft, I get angry because we wasted one hundred and sixteen million dalasis (D116m), on the 2020 draft constitution. We should’ve been allowed to pass and make the necessary amendments,” he argued.

He noted that this money wasted on the 2020 draft constitution should’ve been utilized to address other problems in the country.

“Our money and voices were wasted just like that. We are talking about the 2024 draft constitution, but our money will be wasted too,” he added.

He called on National Assembly Members to put partisan and personal interests aside and bring back the 2020 draft with the necessary amendments to pass it.

By Alieu Jallow

Fatou Yabou Manjang, the Lady Councillor for Kiang Central, has raised concerns over the persistent social stigma and discrimination hindering women’s participation in politics and leadership roles in The Gambia.

During a capacity-building workshop on inclusive representation and the review of the District Tribunal Act, held in Jarra Soma and organised by Activista The Gambia, Councillor Yabou emphasised that outdated cultural beliefs remain a major obstacle. She noted that many men, influenced by these traditional views, continue to discourage and marginalise women who show interest in political leadership.

In a side interview with The Fatu Network, Councillor Yabou further highlighted that, beyond cultural barriers, financial constraints play a critical role in limiting women’s political ambitions.

“Finance has been a great challenge because politics demands resources. You can’t contest for a political position without the necessary funding. If you don’t have the resources, you often have to rely on a political party for support,” she explained.

Women in The Gambia make up of more than half of the population and about 57% of registered voters, yet their representation in political leadership remains low. In the 2022 National Assembly elections, only 3 out of 58 seats—roughly 5%—were occupied by women, marking a decline from previous years. Women currently hold just 13.6% of cabinet positions and 7% of local councillor roles.

Several factors contribute to this underrepresentation, including socio-cultural norms, limited access to resources, and the absence of legal frameworks such as gender quotas. Although The Gambia ratified the Maputo Protocol, which promotes women’s participation in politics, the 2020 Constitution Promulgation Bill, containing provisions for reserved seats for women, was rejected by the National Assembly.

Public sentiment, however, appears to support gender equality in politics. A 2022 Afrobarometer survey found that 74% of Gambians believe women should have equal opportunities to be elected to public office, while 71% believe the government should do more to promote women’s rights.

Against this backdrop, Councillor Yabou-Manjang called on both the government and civil society organisations to take deliberate steps to empower women politically, including financial assistance and continuous capacity building.

“The government must make it a priority to empower women who want to contest for political office. Any woman who shows interest should be adequately supported, especially financially, so they, in turn, can support and inspire other women,” she urged.

These discussions, championed by Activista The Gambia, are part of a broader effort to promote inclusive governance and strengthen grassroots representation across the country.

By Alieu Jallow

The Chief of Jarra West, Yaya Jarjusey, has expressed serious concerns regarding the inadequate infrastructure for district tribunals and the low remuneration for tribunal members, asserting that these issues significantly impede the effective delivery of justice at the grassroots level.

Chief Jarjusey made these remarks during a capacity-building session on inclusive representation and a review of the District Tribunal Act. The training, organised by Activista The Gambia, assembled traditional leaders, tribunal members, and civil society stakeholders to evaluate the relevance of conventional justice systems in modern governance.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Chief Jarjusey emphasised the lack of appropriate facilities for conducting tribunal hearings.

“We do not have a structure where we can hold our hearings, we don’t even have a courtroom. Cases should not be heard in open spaces, especially not in the ‘Bantaba.’ A hearing should be conducted in a room that offers privacy and comfort for the complainant, defendant, and tribunal members to allow for a fair and free flow of the process,” he stated.

He further lamented the overwhelming workload placed on tribunal members, who receive a modest monthly stipend of D1,500—an amount he says is not reflective of their responsibilities nor sustainable under the current economic climate.

“Our tribunal members are paid D1,500. It used to be D1,000 until a recent increment of D500, which still isn’t enough to buy a bag of rice. This amount does not reflect the critical role these members play in maintaining peace and resolving disputes at the community level. We are seriously challenged in retaining tribunal members and even police support. I am appealing to the government and other stakeholders to support my tribunal members,” he added.

Chief Jarjusey praised Activista The Gambia for initiating the program, calling it a much-needed effort that strengthens the work of traditional authorities. He emphasised that the current laws governing district tribunals are outdated and no longer match the present-day realities, calling for comprehensive legal reforms.

“This capacity-building workshop by Activista is very important and complementary to our duties. Key issues regarding tribunal procedures and laws are being addressed, and the recommendations made will go a long way in supporting legal reforms,” he noted.

He concluded by calling on the central government to take responsibility for providing proper tribunal infrastructure—a duty he said was originally assigned to local councils, which have failed to deliver.

“It was the mandate of area councils to build courtrooms for tribunals and pay tribunal members, but since the advent of the current administration, they have failed in both areas. No courtrooms have been constructed, and our members’ stipends remain inadequate,” he asserted.

The workshop is part of a broader initiative by Activista The Gambia to strengthen community-level justice and foster inclusive governance across the country.

By Michaella Faith Wright

Inspector Sulayman Sambou, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Immigration Department, believes that Gambian youth are not aimless but rather helpless—and with the right support and opportunities, they can become anything they aspire to be.

In a candid insight into his professional journey and personal convictions, Inspector Sulayman Sambou, the Deputy PRO of The Gambia Immigration Department, shared his perspective on youth empowerment, education, and national development. At 32, Inspector Sambou boasts a diverse academic and professional background, reflecting a deep commitment to service and self-improvement.

He began his educational journey with a Basic Level IT Certificate from Human First, followed by a Higher Teacher’s Certificate (HTC) in English from The Gambia College. He later advanced to earn a degree in English from the University of The Gambia. With over three years of teaching experience, he transitioned into public service and communications, currently working with a communications organisation and an established environmental club, where he actively supports community development initiatives.

Beyond his professional roles, Inspector Sambou is multilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish, and maintains a strong passion for reading and following current affairs. These qualities have served him well in his role as a public communicator and in his current position at the Immigration Department.

“What our youth need are opportunities to explore their talents and become what they truly want,” he said. “They are not without dreams — they are simply without access.”

Through his work and personal development, Inspector Sambou exemplifies how determination, education, and service can intersect to create impactful leadership. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the need to invest in the future of young people — not just through words, but through action and opportunities.

By Mama A. Touray

The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, stated in an interview on Coffee Time on Tuesday that the Janneh Commission submitted a comprehensive report to the government but has not submitted the report regarding the sales of forfeited assets belonging to former President Jammeh.

He emphasised that, until today, the government has not received the list while commending The Republic for the good work done in asking critical questions.

“When the Janneh Commission finished their work, they submitted a nine-volume report to the president. In this nine-volume report, there is nowhere in the report which talks about the sale of the Jammeh assets; it’s not there,” he stated.

When asked whether he read the entire nine-volume report, he responded: “I have not read the entire nine volumes, but the Minister of Justice has confirmed to me, and the reports are on the ministry’s website.”

He emphasised that the commission submitted a report but never submitted a report on the sales of the Jammeh assets: “So you cannot give what you don’t have.”

On the list released by the Minister of Justice following the demand of a youth movement, Ceesay explained: “The list that was released was not from the Janneh Commission; they got them from those who did the sales. So, the Janneh Commission did not do a good job in providing a detailed report of the sales, and they still haven’t done that.”

According to Ceesay, what the government has are the sales of the properties done by the auctioneer Alpha Kapital, and the government has submitted that to the National Assembly.

“There will be accountability. The parliamentary enquiry will help us unearth a lot of these things that are pending on the information gap surrounding Jammeh’s assets. The enquiry will really help us to get an understanding of these issues, and I am hopeful that will happen,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ceesay stressed that the government has not sold all of Jammeh’s assets: “We have kept some for public use; some have been returned to communities, agricultural use, and some are within the Tourism Development Area for future investment within the TDA. Some are with the government, and they will make sure they are used for public purpose.”

He continued: “The President said it in his speech that the assets of former president Jammeh belong to the Gambian people and will use it to provide services for the Gambian people.”

By Mama A. Touray

The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services has accused Amadou Kora, also known as Manding King, of selling Jammeh’s assets during an interview on West Coast Radio on Tuesday.

“The Manding King should be asked about the issue of the cows. He was there when these things were sold; he was giving prices, and we came to understand that he is a UDP guy from Basse and was there when the cows were bought,” he alleged.

Ceesay continued that Manding King was the one determining the prices of the cows and that the parliamentary enquiry will be interesting and unearth unexpected revelations.

He stressed that Manding King should be asked who bought the cows, while emphasizing that the cars, cows, and tractors were not sold by the central government and that the central government is not aware of the whole thing.

“It was done purely by the Janneh Commission, and they had legal mandate to do it at that time because they were an independent institution. Now we are going to hold them accountable as a government; that’s why we are setting up the enquiry, and anybody who is found wanting of any wrongdoing in this case will face the full force of the law,” he added.

According to him, the Janneh Commission sold quite a number of cars and tractors, while the Sheriff Division at the High Court sold off the cows, “but the parliamentary enquiry will help us have a better understanding of who sold what, how, when, and who bought the cattle.”

He said all the vehicles have been sold off except those that were shown on GRTS last week.

“Altogether, there are eleven vehicles that are currently at State House, and there are some currently at Kanifing Garage. Some of them have issues, like Land Cruisers. I have sent a camera there to show those ones, and we saw the Hummer and the rest at the State House, and even the so-called biscuit car,” he added.

By Alieu Jallow

From the dusty roads of Niani to the spirited communities of Nianija, a bold new movement is shaking the foundations of grassroots justice in The Gambia. In a country where tradition often outweighs transformation, youth, women, and persons with disabilities are carving out their rightful space at the governance table.

Spearheaded by ActionAid International, The Gambia (AAITG) and partners under the UN Peacebuilding Fund project “Empowering Marginalised Young People for Inclusion in Civic Space and Local Infrastructure for Peace,” a five-day caravan has set out to champion inclusive representation in District Tribunals—a vital step toward local justice and lasting peace.

In Niani District, Central River Region – North (CRR-N), the campaign received a spirited welcome from Chief Pierre Bah and his tribunal. Addressing the gathering, Saikou Bah, head of the delegation, AAITG, highlighted the strength of the movement:

“Young people are not just future leaders; they are today’s problem solvers. Their insights and energy are critical in resolving conflicts and building peaceful, resilient communities.”

Youth-led organisations such as SaHMA, RYC, and Activista played a pivotal role, echoing the message that young voices must be heard where justice is dispensed.

Cherno Gaye of Activista was unequivocal:

“Their presence in tribunals is not a favour, it is a necessity.”

Other delegates reinforced this position. Alpha Omar Jallow, President of Keur Cherno Ecozone, called for broader inclusion of both youth and persons with disabilities in local decision-making processes. Meanwhile, Rose from SaHMA made an emotional appeal for the reintegration of returnees — a key to community healing and sustainable peace.

Despite existing constraints, Chief Pierre Bah acknowledged the ongoing participation of youth and women in the tribunal, though often with minimal compensation:

“We are constrained by limited financial resources, but we’re committed. We already have women and youth serving, and we will collaborate with the youth committee to appoint a representative aged 18 to 35, with interim support from ActionAid.”

The campaign’s second stop in Nianija District brought renewed hope, thanks to the progressive leadership of Chief Dawda York, the first chief in the region to appoint a woman to his tribunal. His model of inclusive justice is already yielding results:

“Of 87 cases handled by the tribunal, only 14 went to the formal courts. You must not wait for the government; you must be the change.”

His message to youth was clear: embrace agriculture, abide by the law, and uphold your civic responsibilities.

Isatou Juwara of Activista, CRR-N, underlined the importance of youth participation in governance at every level, while Saikou Bah reaffirmed AAITG’s unwavering support for community-driven solutions rooted in local values.

The day ended with a powerful address from Lady Councillor Jainaba, who turned to the women in the crowd with a rallying cry:

“Let us support one another and stop tearing each other down. We have the numbers. We have the power, even to lead this country.”

As the AAITG-led caravan rolls on, it leaves behind more than messages and meetings — it leaves behind a rising tide of civic awakening. In every town it reaches, it plants the seed of a future where inclusion is not an aspiration, but an expectation.

The road may be long, but the journey toward inclusive justice is already underway, with young people firmly in the driver’s seat.

By Mama A. Touray

The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) and a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have launched a community advocacy campaign targeting irregular migration, with a focus on empowering youths through skills training and awareness.

The initiative, funded by Civil Society in Development (CISU) and implemented via Gambia Media Support (GAMES), kicked off in Bakau on Tuesday. It aims to educate coastal communities—including Bakau, Barra, and Farato—on the dangers of irregular migration, legal visa processes, and opportunities in vocational training.

Bakau, a historic fishing town, has seen scores of its young residents risk or lose their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea in pursuit of better prospects. The campaign’s opening event featured stark documentaries produced by MAJaC students, showcasing both migration risks and local opportunities.

Alhagie Badara Y Jallow, Chairperson of Bakau’s Development Committee, criticised elders for their absence at the event, stressing: “National development does not only stop at political gatherings. Advocacy gatherings also contribute to the development of the nation.”

He linked the exodus of youths to parental pressures, stating: “Parents nowadays do not encourage their children to venture into skills development but encourage them to embark on Backway [irregular migration], which has brought detrimental repercussions.”

Bakau Councillor Lamin Dibba urged campaigners to meet youths “at their ghettos” for frank discussions, noting: “We must engage them where they gather.”

ChildFund Communication Officer Mustapha Mbaye emphasised the lethal stakes: “We are not saying youths should not travel, but we have seen what it has caused—over 1,000 deaths documented.”

Dr. Ebrima Sidibeh, a psychologist, highlighted systemic failures: “Schools should stop telling students, ‘You are good at maths.’ We must create local employment and vocational training. Those who succeeded via Backway had skills before leaving.”

Representatives from the Gambia Youth Chamber of Commerce outlined ongoing efforts to steer youths toward entrepreneurship and formal migration pathways.

MAJaC screened student-produced films juxtaposing migration tragedies with success stories of skills-based ventures. The coalition plans further outreach in Barra and Farato in the coming weeks.

The campaign underscores a growing push to address Gambia’s migration crisis, driven by high youth unemployment and limited economic opportunities. Over 35,000 Gambians—nearly 2% of the population—have fled via irregular routes to Europe since 2014, according to UN data.