March 2023
Factsheet: Are audit reports an opinion?
In a video interview that went viral over the weekend, the Gambian leader said audits are an opinion, a comment seen by critics as softening his position on combating corruption.
How Dr. Banja sold a ‘flourishing career’ to Chinese for D50,000
The landmark case follows a Malagen investigative story which exposes how Golden Lead, a Chinese-owned fishmeal company operating in the Kombo South town of Gunjur has for years been bribing their way out of wrongdoing, ranging from environmental crimes to illegal fishing.
Explainer: Assessing Securiport contract breach and its subsequent chaos
There is a public uproar in The Gambia over the content of an audit report by Securiport, a US-based company tasked with providing aviation and immigration security. The National Audit Office, among other things, found that key government officers, including diplomatic passport holders, were exempt from paying an airport security fee in contravention of the law.
Factsheet: What aspirants and voters need to know as local government elections near
The Local Government Elections are due to take place in two months across the Gambia. It will give the qualified Gambian citizens the opportunity to elect ward councillors, area council chairpersons and mayors for Banjul City and Kanifing Municipal Councils. The elections will complete the 2021-2023 electoral cycle which already witnessed the presidential in December 2021 and April National Assembly 2022.
Hate speech alert: Talib Bensouda is a rat with Lebanese blood
In a WhatsApp audio obtained by Malagen, politician Bakary Jaiteh, known as ‘Baxo’, has launched scathing attacks on the mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, Talib Ahmed Bensouda. The eleven-minute-long audio contains hateful comments. It has gone viral on various social media platforms.
February 2023
Explainer: Did The Gambia Coalition 2016 implement only three out of 22 of Barrow’s manifesto on democracy and rule of law?
On January 13, 2023, Madi Jobarteh, a human rights activist and social commentator, had a face-off in a debate with Halifa Sallah, the secretary-general of People’s Democracy Organisation for Democracy and Socialism (PDOIS), following the former’s comments that The Gambia Coalition 2016 betrayed Solo Sandeng.
Explainer: Renewed commitment to ending Female Genital Mutilation in The Gambia
Photo Source: Africa.cgtn.com According to the World Health Organisation, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. Why is Female Genital Mutilation Practised in The Gambia? Although its practice is mostly linked to religion, female genital mutilation is an ancient cultural and traditional practice in The Gambia. In most societies in The Gambia, the practice is viewed as a form of ‘purity’ for women. Most girls undergo the process as infants, others later in their childhood. One of the common...
False! Not all households in Kiang community have electricity
Claim: Dembo ‘By Force’ Bojang, national president of the National People’s Party (NPP), has said that all households in Kiang are electrified. Verdict: FALSE. At least 16 communities in Kiang are yet to be electrified. On December 27, 2022, the National People’s Party (NPP) national president, Dembo Bojang, popularly called Dembo By Force, stated that every household in Kiang, a village in the Lower River Division of The Gambia is electrified. He made this remark at the ruling party’s congress. The claim can be found in the 55 minutes of this video. He was speaking in the Mandinka language, and an interpretation...