As The Gambia heads towards the December 5 presidential election, rhetoric around who belongs and who does not is increasingly entering political discourse. Lands Minister Hamat Bah is among the prominent political figureheads previously flagged by Malagen for rhetoric requiring scrutiny, making his latest remarks particularly significant.
The Gambia’s presidential race will enter a decisive phase in November, when hopefuls must move from political declarations and coalition deals to formally securing a place on the ballot. From who can nominate a candidate to the D1m deposit and possible objections, here is what voters need to know about the nomination process ahead of the December 5 election.
In this explainer, Malagen breaks down who the appointed magistrates are, what Revising Courts do, what powers they have under the Elections Act 2025, how objections are determined and how their decisions feed into the final electoral register.
Mandinkas have remained The Gambia’s largest ethnic group for decades—but GBoS census data show their share of the population has steadily declined. So, have they finally been overtaken? The latest figures tell a different story.
Beyond Imam Leigh’s remark, Malagen examines the broader dangers of tribal and divisive rhetoric, including how repeated ethnic stereotyping can reinforce prejudice, deepen social divisions and be exploited during politically sensitive periods such as elections. The report also draws on findings from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) where Imam Leigh serves as a commissioner, which has repeatedly warned about the prevalence and impact of hate speech and the responsibility of influential voices to prevent, rather than fuel, such rhetoric.
A viral post says Cashpower tariffs have gone up. Is it true? Malagen checked.
A single flight itinerary was enough to reignite speculation about Yahya Jammeh’s return, but a closer look reveals how easily unverified documents can fuel political rumours in The Gambia’s digital space.
Malagen’s verification found that the image circulating online was AI-generated and does not show a verified real-life incident.
The National Human Rights Commission has identified political actors and their supporters as the leading source of hate speech in The Gambia. As the country prepares for the 2026 presidential election, Malagen analyses a viral video that echoes those concerns.
The former Jungler was accused of involvement in alleged Jammeh-era killings, including cases linked to some of The Gambia’s most prominent human rights concerns. But a High Court ruling has now shifted the focus of his trial to assault allegations.
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