We find that key institutions remain unestablished, TRRC recommendations are only partially implemented, and the continued arrests of peaceful protesters and journalists reveal a significant gap between government claims and reality.
From a rising young mayor to longtime loyalists - and even a handful of little-known party figures with outsized ambition, Mr. Darboe’s decades-long grip on the United Democratic Party was facing what looked like a rare test. Until the most serious threat backed away.
By Kaddy Jawo The recently published National Audit report, covering the period from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023, found that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) may have misappropriated public funds totalling three hundred sixty-eight million, thirty-five thousand, eight hundred ninety-three dalasis and sixty-one bututs (368,035,893.61). The financial irregularities detected in the audit include a failure to remit collected revenue to the consolidated revenue fund, missing receipts that were not accounted for, overpayments on contracts, payments made to the personal accounts of staff, suspected diversion of public funds for personal use, suspected fraudulent payments of allowances, and unretired funds. These...
By Kaddy Jawo The West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results have been released with more than 18,000 Gambian registered students took the regional standard test to conclude their secondary education level. In this factsheet, we analyse the public data provided by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) following the release of the results in August. Number of students registered for WASSCE According to the Ministry, 18,042 Gambian Grade 12 students were registered to take the exam. The number is representative of 148 senior secondary schools across the country, administered by West Africa Examination Council. WASSCE credential is a requirement for...
After nine days of nominations, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has cleared 251 people to contest as candidates for the National Assembly elections slated for April 9. However, only 19 of them are women. Compared to 232 male contestants, female candidates represent a paltry 7.6% of the total number of candidates. Out of the 19 female candidates, 4 are incumbents - three were elected and one nominated.
It is fundamental to note that, Transatlantic Slave Trade (TaST) —the ‘legitimised buying and selling of Senegambians— 15th-19th century) was organised as capitalistic from the outset, enslaving African captives for the profit of slave merchants, plantation owners, European political institutions and markets. As it already broke the fabric of the local labour, peace and governance, TaST gave way to colonialism and new ways to plunder Africa and never to allow it develop its powerful civilisation harmoniously.
Criticisms over the alleged receipt of US$200, 000 payment from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation by officials of the Justice Ministry has brought to fore a public scrutiny of payment of honorarium in central government, something which is widespread yet not guided by any regulations or Act of Parliament.
For the family of Ousman Koro Ceesay, justice was done on July 14 this year when the High Court in Banjul handed a former government minister the death sentence for his role in the murder of his colleague. The ruling brought a measure of closure to the mystery that for 26 years surrounded the death of the former Finance minister. Ousman Koro’s charred remains were found in his burnt car, few hours after he saw off then junta chairman, Yahya Jammeh, at the airport. Some members of the junta, including Touray, have long been reported to have been behind the assassination. With...
The fisheries sector has also seen significantly dwindling earnings for fishermen and traders. “There is no fish in the waters…,” he said. “We used to catch up to 90 trays (a tray carries 50kg of fish) of sardinella a day and now we barely get 5 trays a day.” Touray owns a boat since 2009. “Our catches used to be good,” said Eliman Jammeh, a father of 4, who owns two boats operating in Gunjur— a coastal fishing community an hour drive from Banjul. Jammeh started going to sea in 1988. “On a good day before—say early 2000s— one can catch up to...
Kunta Kinteh is alive but not safe and sound, said social commentator Alagie Jinkang. Jinkang is a PhD candidate at the Department of Law of the Universitá degli Studi di Palermo.
© Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved.