The Senegambia Observer

27/02/2026

Divisions Surface as Pastef MPs Boycott President Faye’s ‘Ndogou’

The much-anticipated breaking of the fast scheduled for Friday at the Presidential Palace is set to unfold under a cloud of political tension, as several parliamentarians from the ruling coalition’s Pastef group have announced they will not attend the event.

Their absence, reported by local news outlets, exposes widening rifts within the coalition led by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who himself hails from Pastef.

“We will not be there—President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is not our political leader. All we are interested in is the Pastef project, the one embodied by Ousmane Sonko and the party,” stated MP Cheikh Bara Ndiaye in an appearance on Walf TV. “If he wants us to be by his side, he only has to change direction.”

The annual breaking of the fast, or ndogou, is traditionally a moment of unity and conviviality, but for some, the invitation this year is anything but neutral.

MP Fatou Cissé Goudiaby, in a lengthy public message, dismissed the gathering as a “political invitation, not an institutional one.”

She wrote, “A Ndogou is a moment of conviviality. And when you invite someone, it calls for a moment of complicity.”

Goudiaby says her attendance hinges on “concrete actions” from the president that prove his full alignment with Pastef.

For her, the coalition itself has outlived its purpose since Faye’s swearing-in: “Pastef does not need her to rule politically.”

Some lawmakers accuse the president of straddling two worlds. MP Cheikh Omar Bamba Diop was blunt: “I refuse to be used as a tool.”
In a statement to the nation, Diop argued, “One cannot be simultaneously in a personal coalition and in Pastef without political clarification.”

He pointed to what he calls “the public disavowal” of the party leader and the coalition’s inclusion of figures who once opposed the Pastef project.

For Hon. Seynabou Yacine Sambe, the decision is “out of conviction.” She stressed the need for justice for “the martyrs,” demanded accountability for corruption, and questioned the gathering’s true purpose.

“If it is a partisan meeting, I consider, in principle, that the Palace of the Republic is not the appropriate setting,” she said.

Despite her respect for the Head of State, Sambe reaffirmed her loyalty to Ousmane Sonko’s vision and to honouring commitments made to the Senegalese people.

These public refusals, marked by strong words and personal conviction, underscore the political fault lines now running through the parliamentary majority.

As Friday approaches, the absence of these MPs at the Palace is set to speak volumes about the state of unity within the ruling coalition—and the challenges that may lie ahead for President Faye’s government.

20/02/2026

Senegalese Commentator Arrested for Remarks about Student’s Death

The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Senegalese authorities to release news commentator Abdou Nguer, who was arrested on Wednesday for challenging a public prosecutor’s statement on the cause of a student’s death.

“Detaining a news commentator for his remarks on legal proceedings of public interest sends an intimidating message to the entire press in Senegal,” said Moussa Ngom, CPJ’s Francophone Africa representative. “Senegalese authorities must release Abdou Nguer and stop using false news charges to deprive journalists of their right to freely comment on public affairs.”

Nguer is the second news commentator to be detained on false news charges over reports related to a deadly crackdown on university protests, following Sen TV’s Modou Fall’s arrest on February 11. Fall could face a six-month sentence in a trial that is due to reach its verdict on February 23.

On February 19, a prosecutor charged Nguer, a freelance commentator, with spreading false news and ordered his trial on Friday, his lawyer, Aboubacry Barro, told CPJ.

Nguer had commented on public prosecutor Ousmane Ndoye’s dismissal of allegations that the dead student had been tortured, as available evidence did not support “rumours” that he had been subjected to physical violence.

Nguer said that Ndoye was denying the results of a medical autopsy, which indicated several traumas on the body of the young man, who died in a hospital in the capital, Dakar, after police stormed the university campus.

“If it’s not torture, what is it?” asked Nguer, adding that he didn’t believe the prosecutor.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Ndoye said evidence gathered by investigators showed that the student fell from the fourth floor while fleeing a fire in a neighbouring room.
In 2025, Nguer was detained for seven months on multiple charges. He was released in November after serving a three-month sentence for causing offence to the head of state.
CPJ’s calls to request comment from the Ministry of Justice went unanswered.
In recent years, numerous journalists in Senegal have been charged with spreading false news for commenting on public affairs.

Courtesy of The Committee to Protect Journalists

17/02/2026

UN Secretary General Appoints Gambia's Awa Dabo as Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights

The Ministry of Justice has announced the appointment of Gambian human rights lawyer Ms Awa Dabo as United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Ms Dabo, appointed by the UN Secretary General, began her UN career as a volunteer and went on to hold several senior roles spanning human rights, crisis recovery, peacebuilding, humanitarian affairs and development.
Recently, she served as Director and Deputy Head of the UN’s Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office. She also held leadership positions with the United Nations Development Programme in Africa, including Country Director in Tanzania and senior policy roles within its Crisis Bureau.

11/02/2026

Gambian Dr. Satang Nabaneh Joins African Child Rights Committee

Dr. Satang Nabaneh of The Gambia has been elected as a Member of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC).

She secured 43 votes during elections held at the 48th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Dr. Nabaneh’s election is a milestone for The Gambia and underscores the confidence of African Union member states in her expertise as a legal scholar, human rights advocate, and champion for children’s welfare across the continent.

With extensive experience in child rights, gender equality, legal reform, and African human rights mechanisms, Dr. Nabaneh brings both scholarship and practical experience to the Committee. Her contributions to strengthening child protection frameworks and advancing normative standards within the African Union system have been widely recognized.

The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) is a continental body established under the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The Committee monitors and promotes the implementation of the Charter, advises Member States on child rights issues, reviews government reports, investigates violations of children’s rights, and supports initiatives to advance the welfare and development of children across Africa.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Gambia issued a statement on the 11th February 2026 to inform the public of the election. It said, “We are immensely proud of Dr. Satang Nabaneh’s election, which reflects the trust and confidence of our African Union partners in her capabilities.” The statement added, “This achievement reaffirms The Gambia’s unwavering commitment to promoting and protecting the rights and welfare of children across the continent.”

The Ministry also congratulated Dr. Nabaneh directly, saying, “We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Nabaneh on this well-deserved appointment and pledge our continued support as she fulfills her mandate.”

Photo credit: MOFA

10/02/2026

The wait is over — Part 2 of our Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival highlights is here!

If you thought Part 1 was something special, just wait until you see what’s in store this time. More dancing, more vibrant costumes, and even more of the incredible spirit that makes this festival one of a kind.

Dive in, relive the magic, and let us know which moments stood out to you. Thanks for celebrating with us — and here’s to keeping these traditions alive!

07/02/2026

Greenpeace Africa has made its first-ever dock in The Gambia, marking a historic milestone for the country and the global environmental movement. Watch the full story in the clip.

07/02/2026

We joined the crew aboard Greenpeace's iconic vessel - the Arctic Sunrise - to hear firsthand from Captain Mike Fincken and Dr Aliou Ba about why protecting our seas matters more than ever for Gambian communities.

From tackling illegal fishing to building hope for the next generation, this visit is a powerful reminder that our oceans are life.

Read our full feature, with exclusive interviews and photos from the Arctic Sunrise, here: https://thesenegambiaobserver.com/senegambia-observer-steps-aboard-as-greenpeaces-arctic-sunrise-brings-hope-to-the-gambia/
Let's keep the conversation going — our fish, our future! ’s

It’s not every day that the Banjul Ports play host to a ship with a history as storied as the Arctic Sunrise. When our crew from The Senegambia Observer arrived at the docks, the Greenpeace vessel was unmissable — squat, bright, and bristling with energy, a floating beacon for environmental defe...

05/02/2026

Gambia’s main port is struggling to keep up as sand and sediment pile up faster than ever, threatening to disrupt our country’s supply of crucial goods like cement.

Port officials now have to dredge every six months just to keep shipping lanes open—a big change from just a few years ago.

What’s behind the sudden surge in sediment, and what does it mean for businesses and the everyday Gambian? Find out what’s really happening and what’s at stake for our economy.
Read the full story here:

By Biran Gaye Sand is piling up in the Gambia’s main shipping channel at a rate port officials say they’ve never seen before, threatening to choke off vital imports and send ripple effects through the country’s construction and manufacturing sectors. What used to be a routine dredging job ever...

04/02/2026

Check out our latest story on The Senegambia Observer: The Gambia Press Union has just launched three major policy documents to raise ethical standards, protect journalists and make newsrooms safer across the country.

From updated ethics guidelines to new protections against harassment, these changes mark a big step forward for Gambian media. Read the full story on our website!

By Biran Gaye The Gambia Press Union on Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, introduced three landmark policy documents designed to raise ethical standards, strengthen accountability, and create safer workplaces for journalists nationwide. The official launch, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Internation...

30/01/2026

Experience the magic of Janjanbureh like never before!

We’ve put together some of the best moments from the Janjanbureh Kankurang Festival — the colors, the energy, the traditions that make this celebration truly unforgettable.

This is Part 1 of our two-part highlight series, so stay tuned for even more incredible scenes from the festival. Hit play, share your favorite moments in the comments, and don’t forget to watch out for Part 2!

29/01/2026

A chat with the Gambia Police Force Public Relations Officer on why a large number of young people show interest in joining the Police?