The public Eye

24/08/2026

“Gambia’s National Security Is Still in Gambian Hands” Minister Fires Back at Unite’s Security Claim

The Public Eye

Information Minister Dr. Ismaila Ceesay has strongly rejected claims that The Gambia’s national security is not fully under Gambian control, insisting that the country’s security remains “Gambian-led, Gambian-commanded and subject to Gambian authority and laws.”

Dr. Ceesay made the remarks on Coffee Time, in response to concerns raised by Unite presidential candidate Talib Ahmed Bensouda over the presence of foreign security forces in The Gambia.

Bensouda has vowed to put the country’s security “fully in Gambian hands,” a position Dr. Ceesay described as misleading and potentially dangerous.

The minister questioned whether a presidential candidate making such a statement understands the structure of The Gambia’s security architecture.

“If somebody who’s a presidential candidate who wants to be the president of this country, does he know, at this stage, that the Gambian national security is in the total control of Gambia, then there’s a problem,” Dr. Ceesay said.

He pointed out that key positions within the country’s security institutions are occupied by Gambians.
“The National Security Advisor is a Gambian. The IG of Police is a Gambian. The Chief of Defence Staff is a Gambian. The head of the Navy is a Gambian,” he said.

According to Dr. Ceesay, the presence of foreign security personnel in The Gambia does not amount to a transfer of control or sovereignty.

“The Gambian national security remains Gambian-led, Gambian-commanded and subject to Gambian authority and laws,” he said.

The minister argued that security cooperation with other countries is necessary in an increasingly interconnected region, particularly in dealing with cross-border threats such as terrorism, drug trafficking, human smuggling and irregular migration.
He said regional security partnerships should not be confused with foreign control of the country’s security institutions.

“Don’t confuse cooperation, complementarity and partnership with control and loss of sovereignty,” Dr. Ceesay warned.

He compared The Gambia’s security cooperation with arrangements in other countries, citing the presence of American forces in Japan and NATO forces in Germany as examples of foreign military cooperation that does not necessarily mean those countries have surrendered control of their national security.

“We live in an interconnected world where problems at the global level can have local consequences,” he said.

Dr. Ceesay also defended the presence of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) security forces in The Gambia, describing them as partners supporting Gambian security institutions rather than replacing them.

According to the minister, the foreign personnel are there to complement the work of Gambian security forces and operate under the authority of the Gambian state.

He rejected the suggestion that their presence amounts to a loss of sovereignty.

“How can you claim that now Gambian national security is not in the hands of Gambia?” he asked. “That is an insult to our security institutions.”

Dr. Ceesay further criticised Bensouda’s statement as “dangerous populism,” arguing that anyone seeking the presidency should have a clear understanding of the country’s security arrangements.

He said the president, as commander-in-chief of the armed and security forces, must understand the structure and dynamics of national security before making public claims about foreign involvement.

The dispute comes as security and sovereignty increasingly feature in the political debate ahead of the December 5, 2026 presidential election.

Bensouda’s call for greater Gambian control over national security is likely to resonate with voters concerned about sovereignty, while the government maintains that international and regional security partnerships are necessary to protect the country from threats that cross national borders.

Dr. Ceesay, however, insists that cooperation does not mean control, and that The Gambia’s national security remains firmly in Gambian hands.

24/08/2026

“UDP Is Losing Support” Information Minister Dismisses UDP’s Rising Poll Numbers and Big Crowds

The Public Eye

The Gambia’s Information Minister, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has dismissed the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) growing public presence and recent opinion poll gains, insisting that the opposition party’s support base is “dwindling” despite a large turnout at its 30th anniversary celebration in Brikama.

Speaking on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, Dr. Ceesay said the size of the crowd at the UDP’s anniversary celebration should not be interpreted as evidence that the party is gaining significant electoral strength ahead of the December 5, 2026 presidential election.

“UDP is dwindling. Their support base is dwindling,” the minister said, while congratulating the party on three decades of political existence.

His comments came after the programme host pointed to reports of a large crowd at the UDP’s anniversary event in Brikama and questioned whether the gathering should concern the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) and its allies.

Dr. Ceesay dismissed the significance of crowd size, arguing that the UDP had previously attracted large gatherings without translating them into electoral victory.

“Beyond the crowd, we’ve seen UDP pull out more crowd than was pulled out yesterday,” he said.
The minister also relied on figures from a recent opinion poll to argue that the UDP’s apparent surge should not be exaggerated.

According to the figures discussed during the programme, the UDP polled 12 percent in an earlier round before rising to about 25 percent in the latest survey.

Dr. Ceesay described the increase as the party returning to what he called its “default position,” rather than evidence of an extraordinary political breakthrough.

He questioned why the UDP had recorded only 12 percent in the earlier poll, particularly when other political movements were reportedly ahead of it at the time.

“Why were they at 12 percent in round one?” he asked, arguing that this should be the more important question when assessing the party’s current position.

The minister, however, acknowledged that the poll showed a significant movement in the UDP’s numbers, particularly as the proportion of undecided voters reportedly declined sharply between the two rounds.

He said the figures suggested that the UDP may have attracted a substantial portion of voters who were previously undecided.

But he repeatedly cautioned against treating opinion polls as an electoral verdict.

“Opinion polls are an indication of public opinion and public sentiment. They are not the electoral verdict,” Dr. Ceesay said.

His comments come as the UDP marks 30 years of political activity and intensifies its preparations for the 2026 presidential election.

The party has been presenting itself as a major alternative to the Barrow administration, while the ruling NPP and its allies have sought to maintain their political dominance ahead of December’s vote.

Despite dismissing the UDP’s current momentum, Dr. Ceesay said the government was taking the election seriously and would campaign aggressively.

“We are taking these elections very seriously. We are going to do everything possible to campaign hard,” he said.

He also rejected the suggestion that the UDP represents a serious threat to President Adama Barrow’s re-election prospects.

According to the minister, the opposition party has failed to convincingly present an alternative programme capable of addressing the country’s major challenges.

“They lack, an alternative that the government is looking for,” he said.

Dr. Ceesay further argued that the UDP’s strength at local government level, particularly in the West Coast Region, should not automatically translate into presidential electoral success.

He pointed to the difference between local government and presidential elections, saying voters make different considerations when choosing local representatives and a president.

The minister also dismissed the significance of the UDP’s control of the Brikama Area Council, arguing that the council’s political leadership would not necessarily determine the outcome of the presidential election.

With the 2026 presidential contest increasingly taking shape, Dr. Ceesay maintained that President Barrow remains confident of victory.

He said there was “no doubt” in his mind that President Barrow and his political allies would win the December 5 election, although he stopped short of firmly repeating his earlier prediction that the president would secure at least 75 percent of the vote.

The minister’s latest comments come as opposition parties increasingly challenge the government’s record on electricity, employment, cost of living, security and governance.

With just months remaining before voters head to the polls, the clash over whether the UDP is genuinely gaining momentum, or merely returning to its traditional support base, is likely to remain a major feature of the 2026 election debate.

21/08/2026

Unite Puts Its Own Supporters on Notice: No Automatic State Jobs Under a Talib Government

The Public Eye

Unite Party Deputy Party Leader Nenneh Freda Gomez has put the party’s own supporters on notice, saying a Unite victory in the 2026 presidential election would not automatically translate into government jobs for those who helped bring the party to power.

Gomez made the statement during an interview on West Coast Radio’s Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, where she was asked how a government led by Unite flag bearer Talib Ahmed Ben Suda would approach appointments to ministries, public institutions and other positions of responsibility.

Her answer challenged one of the most familiar expectations in partisan politics: that those who work for a political party during an election should be rewarded when the party wins.

Gomez rejected that principle.

“Not because you are a Unite supporter, or you are a Unite believer, that’s the reason why you will be appointed,” she said.

Instead, she said competence and experience should determine who gets entrusted with public responsibilities.

“It has to be based on competence,” Gomez stressed.

The Deputy Party Leader said she would personally oppose appointments based solely on party affiliation, arguing that government positions should be treated as responsibilities to the public rather than rewards for political loyalty.

“I, for one, will be opposed to that. I, for one, will advocate against that,” she said.

Gomez even applied the principle to herself.

She said she would accept being overlooked for a senior government position if another candidate was more qualified or experienced.

“I will give it up for somebody who is more qualified,” she said.

The position could become one of the more closely watched promises from Unite as the party seeks to convince voters that it represents a different approach to politics and governance.

Gomez said the party’s priority should be the people whose lives government decisions are expected to improve.

“My belief is not about my personality, but about the people that we will be serving,” she said.

Her comments also raise a difficult question for any political movement seeking power: Can a party that depends on thousands of supporters, volunteers and campaigners win an election and then resist pressure to reward those supporters with public positions?

Gomez says Unite can.

She argued that party membership should not create an entitlement to government office, insisting that the ability to perform should come before political allegiance.

But while Gomez outlined the principle, she did not provide details of a formal appointment system, such as whether Unite would introduce competitive recruitment, public criteria for ministerial appointments or other mechanisms to independently assess qualifications.

That leaves the party with a potentially powerful promise to defend as the election approaches.

20/08/2026

30 ERCA Rulings Put West Africa’s Business Giants on Notice as Watchdog Tightens Market Rules

The Public Eye

West Africa’s regional competition watchdog has issued about 30 decisions since October 2024, signalling a tougher approach to businesses and market practices that could undermine fair competition across the region.

The disclosure by Dr. Juliette Anokye, Chair of the ECOWAS Regional Competition Authority (ERCA) Council, comes ahead of the Authority’s first annual conference, which The Gambia will host in September.

The figure provides a rare insight into the work of an institution whose decisions could increasingly shape how powerful companies, smaller businesses and consumers operate within the ECOWAS market.

Dr. Anokye said the Council’s decisions were based on investigations conducted by ERCA’s Executive Directorate, headed by Executive Director Dr. Simeon Koffi.

ERCA operates through two main arms. The Executive Directorate conducts investigations and provides technical work, while the Council is responsible for considering cases and making decisions.

But beyond the number of decisions, Dr. Anokye highlighted what she described as a central consideration in ERCA’s work: consumer welfare.

She said the impact of each case on consumers is considered when the Council makes its decisions, placing consumers at the heart of regional competition enforcement.

That focus could have significant implications for ordinary consumers as West African markets become increasingly integrated.

Where competition is weak, dominant companies can potentially influence prices, limit consumer choices, restrict market access or make it difficult for smaller businesses to survive.

ERCA is also paying close attention to mergers involving major companies.

Dr. Anokye said the Council considers the possible impact of mergers on small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly where a larger company could gain excessive power over competitors.

She warned against situations in which powerful companies could effectively “bully” smaller businesses.

The concern is particularly relevant as regional economic integration creates opportunities for companies to expand beyond their domestic markets.

A larger ECOWAS market could mean more investment, trade and business opportunities, but without effective competition rules, it could also give dominant companies greater room to consolidate their market power.

ERCA’s mandate is to prevent such distortions and strengthen cooperation between national competition authorities across the 15-member regional bloc.

The Authority’s growing role also comes as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) expands opportunities for businesses to access markets beyond their home countries.

The bigger the market, the greater the need for rules capable of ensuring that competition remains fair.

The Gambia is now preparing to host ERCA’s inaugural annual conference, bringing the regional competition debate to Banjul.

Approximately 300 participants are expected, including competition regulators, businesses, government officials, legal practitioners, researchers and experts in competition and consumer protection.

Dr. Koffi said the conference will allow stakeholders to exchange experiences on competition law enforcement and examine how ERCA can contribute to deeper regional integration.

He said the Authority also wants to learn from competition jurisdictions across Africa and other parts of the world to strengthen its institutional framework and implementation of its mandate.

For The Gambia, the conference is more than a diplomatic gathering. It places the country at the centre of an emerging regional debate over who gets to control markets, how businesses compete and how consumers are protected.

For Gambian businesses, particularly SMEs, the discussions could offer a clearer understanding of the rules governing competition in an increasingly integrated West African market.

For consumers, the bigger question is whether stronger regional enforcement will translate into fairer prices, greater choice, better quality and protection from abusive market practices.

With roughly 30 decisions already issued since October 2024, ERCA appears to be moving beyond simply establishing a regional competition framework.

The next test will be whether those rules can be enforced strongly enough to keep powerful market players in check while ensuring that smaller businesses and consumers are not pushed to the margins of West Africa’s growing economy.

20/08/2026

20/08/2026

Barrow Wraps Up Development Tour with 60KM West Coast Road Project

The Public Eye

President Adama Barrow concluded his national development tour in the West Coast Region with the laying of the foundation stone for a 60-kilometre road project aimed at improving connectivity across the region.

The project is expected to ease transportation, strengthen links between communities and markets, and boost trade and economic activity in the West Coast Region.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Barrow said his government remains committed to connecting communities across the country through modern road infrastructure.

“No infrastructure, no development,” President Barrow declared.

The President said the development of road infrastructure is central to his administration’s broader agenda of improving livelihoods and supporting national economic growth.

The launch brings the President’s latest nationwide development tour to a close, with infrastructure projects remaining a major focus of his government’s development programme.

For communities in the West Coast Region, the 60-kilometre project is expected to provide improved access and make movement of people and goods easier once completed.

19/08/2026

FSQA DG: “I Will Resign and Face Prosecution” If Independent Probe Finds Me Guilty

The Public Eye

The Director General of The Gambia’s Food Safety and Quality Authority (FSQA), Mamodou Bah, says he is prepared to resign and face prosecution if an independent investigation finds him guilty of any wrongdoing.

Bah made the declaration during an interview in which he was questioned about several allegations circulating on social media concerning his leadership of the food-safety regulator.

Asked whether he would resign if an independent investigation found him guilty, Bah responded that he would not only resign but would also accept prosecution.

“Yeah, of course. I wouldn’t even resign. I won’t ask them to prosecute me,” Bah said, emphasising his willingness to face the consequences of any proven wrongdoing.

Bah has faced questions over allegations ranging from conflicts of interest and dealings with food businesses to claims concerning the use of FSQA resources and the treatment of staff.

He denied the allegations and repeatedly challenged those making them to produce evidence.

The FSQA boss said he is seriously considering legal action over what he described as defamatory and slanderous claims circulating online.

“I am dead serious,” Bah said when asked whether he intended to pursue legal action.

He maintained that his protection against the allegations is transparency, honesty and documentation, arguing that relevant records are available for scrutiny.

“My protection is being straightforward and being honest and doing the right thing,” he said.

Bah also expressed support for an independent investigation into the allegations against him, saying he has nothing to fear from scrutiny.

The FSQA DG’s declaration comes as the authority faces increased public attention over its enforcement record, food confiscations, governance, staff-related controversies and allegations involving businesses regulated by the institution.

He urged the public to examine the evidence and allow the relevant authorities to determine the facts rather than relying solely on claims circulating on social media.

“If I was at any shady or anything that is doubtful,” Bah said, he would accept the consequences of an investigation.

His comments now place the question of independent scrutiny firmly on the table: Will an independent investigation into the allegations against the FSQA DG be conducted, and if so, will its findings be made public?

18/08/2026

🚨🇸🇳 HERE WE GO! PATRICK VIEIRA TAKES CHARGE OF SENEGAL!

Former Arsenal and France star Patrick Vieira has officially been appointed as the new head coach of the Senegal national team.

The Senegalese Football Federation has reached an agreement with Vieira on a long-term contract, with the former midfielder now set to lead the Teranga Lions into a new era.

A major appointment for Senegal, and a fascinating new chapter for Vieira.

18/08/2026

WHO IS PUTTING THE GAMBIA FIRST? YOUTHS PUT OPPOSITION LEADERS ON THE SPOT

The Public Eye

As political leaders position themselves ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election, young Gambians are asking a difficult question: Who is putting The Gambia first?

For many young voters, the growing political manoeuvring over leadership, party interests and who should lead an opposition alliance has raised concerns about whether the national interest is truly coming first.

The question being thrown at opposition leaders is simple: if they genuinely believe The Gambia needs political change, how much are they willing to sacrifice to make that change possible?

“If they cannot put their personal ambitions aside for the country, why should we trust them with the country?” asked Mariama Touray, a 24-year-old university student.

Touray said young Gambians are increasingly watching political leaders not only for what they say, but for the sacrifices they are prepared to make.

“If everyone says they want to save The Gambia, then somebody must be willing to step aside. You cannot have everybody wanting to be president and still tell us that the country comes first,” she said.

For Lamin Ceesay, a old small-business owner, the issue goes beyond which political party is bigger or which leader has been in politics longer.

“If you tell us that The Gambia is suffering and that you are the person who can save the country, then you should be ready to sacrifice your position if somebody else has a better chance,” he said.

“You cannot tell us to put The Gambia first while you are putting yourself first.”

The frustration is particularly strong among young people who say they are dealing with unemployment, rising living costs, limited economic opportunities and the pressure to seek better opportunities abroad.

Fatou Jallow, a 27-year-old teacher, said opposition leaders need to demonstrate the national interest through their actions rather than speeches.

“If everybody wants to be number one, then who is thinking about The Gambia? Somebody has to be willing to say, ‘I will support you because the country is more important than my ambition,’” she said.

The youths’ concern is not necessarily that opposition politicians disagree.

Rather, they question what happens when political disagreement turns into a struggle over positions.

Who is willing to go down for the sake of unity?

Who is willing to support another leader?

Who is willing to accept a position below the one they originally wanted?

And who is willing to put the national interest above the interests of their party?

Ebrima Sanyang, a 31-year-old taxi driver, said young people are tired of being asked to make sacrifices for politicians who appear unwilling to make sacrifices themselves.

“We are the ones they ask to attend rallies, campaign online, defend them and vote for them. But when it comes to their own positions, suddenly nobody wants to sacrifice. How does that put The Gambia first?” he asked.

For Haddy Conteh, a 30-year-old trader, the debate should not end with who becomes president.

“We don’t want to replace one group of people fighting over positions with another group fighting over positions. We want jobs, better hospitals, better schools and an economy where young people can build a future,” she said.

The question of leadership has therefore become central to how some young voters are assessing the opposition.

Alieu Bah, a 26-year-old graduate, said political leaders should be prepared to support whoever has the strongest chance of winning if their objective is genuinely to change the country.

“If they all say the country is bigger than them, then let them prove it. Let the person with the best chance lead and let the others support that person. If everybody wants to be at the top, then who is thinking about the people?” he asked.

But not all young Gambians believe that political leaders should be expected to surrender their ambitions simply for the sake of unity.

Sainabou Fofana, a 28-year-old marketing assistant, said political competition is part of democracy and voters should be given the opportunity to choose between different political visions.

“Unity should not mean forcing everyone to support one person. We need to know what each leader stands for and what they will actually do for the country,” she said.

Still, Fofana said opposition leaders should be prepared to work together if they eventually find themselves on the same political platform.

The question of sacrifice also extends to what happens when a leader loses.

Muhammed Sanneh, a 25-year-old entrepreneur, said the real test of political commitment would come when one leader has to accept that another has been chosen.

“You can have ten opposition leaders today, but if they genuinely care about the country, the person who loses should be able to support the person who wins,” he said.

“If you cannot accept losing for the sake of The Gambia, then don’t tell us that you are doing politics for the country.”

For many of the young people interviewed, the issue is also about trust.

They say they have heard promises of political change before and want to see whether politicians can behave differently from the political leaders they criticise.

Awa Darboe, a 23-year-old student, said young voters are paying attention to the conduct of politicians during the coalition-building process.

“We are not children anymore. We can see when politicians are fighting over positions. Don’t tell us it is about the people when everything seems to come back to who will become president, vice president or minister,” she said.

Ousman Njie, a 33-year-old mechanic, put the question even more bluntly.

“If you cannot put the country before yourself when you are asking for our votes, why should we believe you will put the country before yourself when you get power?” he asked.

For some young voters, the concern is not only about what happens before the election but what happens after it.

They want to know whether political agreements made during the campaign will survive once power is secured.

“If they cannot agree now when they need our votes, what happens when they get power and start sharing positions?” asked Mariam Colley, a 29-year-old civil servant.

The question exposes one of the biggest challenges facing any opposition alliance: winning an election may require unity, but governing together requires an even greater willingness to compromise.

For these young Gambians, political leadership should therefore be measured not only by ambition, popularity or the size of a party’s following, but by the ability to sacrifice.

They want to see leaders who can accept losing.

They want to see leaders who can support another candidate.

They want to see parties willing to compromise.

And, above all, they want to see politicians demonstrate that the country’s interests can come before their own.

“The Gambia cannot be everybody’s second priority,” said Mariama Touray. “If you want us to trust you with the country, show us first that you are willing to put the country before yourself.”

As the 2026 election approaches, the debate among young Gambians is therefore becoming less about which opposition party should occupy the top position and more about what kind of leadership the country deserves.

The presidency may be the prize politicians are competing for.

But for the voters who will ultimately decide who gets it, the bigger question is whether those seeking power are prepared to put the power of the country above their own political ambitions.

Who is putting The Gambia first?

17/08/2026

Barrow Takes Development Drive to LRR, Opens Two Health Posts and Inspects 93KM Road

The Public Eye

President Adama Barrow has inaugurated two health posts in Madina Sancha and Madina Angalleh in the Lower River Region (LRR) and inspected the ongoing 93-kilometre Kiang Kabada road project.

The new health posts are expected to reduce the long and costly journeys residents previously made to access basic healthcare, particularly for pregnant women, children and other patients.

The facilities now provide basic healthcare services, with nurses, midwives and essential medicines available within the communities. The projects form part of the government’s commitment to expanding healthcare access under the National Development Plan.

Speaking during the tour, President Barrow said LRR had waited too long for basic infrastructure and described the ongoing development as a transformation for the region.

“Kabada is a complete revolution and a complete transformation. Gambia is moving and we are not turning back,” Barrow said.

On the Kiang Kabada road project, the president said the development would significantly improve connectivity for communities that had been deprived of major infrastructure for decades.

“For a very, very long time, the people of Kabada have been deprived of this kind of development. Over 52 to 60 years, they have been patient, and they have been paying their taxes without reward. But now, it is their time,” he said.

The Kiang Kabada project comprises 12 road links covering approximately 93 kilometres and forms part of the Kabada Loop, connecting rural communities to the Trans-Gambia Highway.

The government says the project has reached 93 percent physical progress and is fully funded by the Government of The Gambia.

The Madina Sancha and Madina Angalleh facilities are the third and fourth health posts inaugurated by Barrow during his ongoing infrastructure tour of the provinces, following similar facilities opened in Ballangharr and Buduck in the Central River Region.

The four health posts are expected to provide first aid, support childbirth, manage complications and facilitate referrals for patients requiring advanced medical care.