The Republic

06/11/2025

Our Editor-in-Chief, Mustapha K Darboe, comes second at the African Investigative Journalism Conference for his biting investigation into Yahya Jammeh’s assets. Join us in congratulating him! 👏🏿👏🏿

30/10/2025

Former acting registrar of companies arrested, charged with contempt of Assembly

For the second time in two days, the National Assembly special select committee investigating alleged wrongdoing in the disposal and management of the assets of the ex-president Yahya Jammeh, arrested and charged a witness with contempt of the National Assembly.

A former acting registrar of companies, Alieu Jallow, was charged on Thursday with contempt of the Assembly after he was found to have tampered with evidence, provided false and misleading testimony, and deleted relevant files from his laptop shortly before submitting to a forensic analysis by the Committee's investigation team.

A forensic analysis on his laptop showed files relevant to the inquiry were accessed, modified, and some deleted.

Jallow faces charges of perjury and contempt of the parliament. Jallow was involved in the sale of the livestock of ex-president Yahya Jammeh and also the recording of inventory of his assets while inquiries into the alleged financial wrongdoing of the former leader were ongoing. He denied any wrongdoing.

On Wednesday, Adama Jagne, a vehicle mechanic at the State-owned Kotu Garage and a sergeant in the Gambia National Army, was charged with a similar crime and arrested.

30/10/2025

Based on a legal opinion from the AG’s Chambers–which redrafted the contracts signed by the media–Sparkling was asked to refund the D2,525,000 within 60 days. It has been a year since, and the money has not been refunded.

The government had two other options to recover the funds; through the bank guarantee provided by Sparkling or through a civil suit. The Republic understands none of the options was taken by the government to recover taxpayers’ money.

A project conceived in June 2023, when budget bilaterals had barely started, was somehow not budgeted for. Through a series of access to information requests

29/10/2025

Soldier and State mechanic charged with contempt of Assembly

By Awa Macalo

Adama Jagne, a vehicle mechanic at the State-owned Kotu Garage and a sergeant in the Gambia National Army, has been charged with contempt of the National Assembly by the special select committee probing alleged wrongdoing into the disposal and management of the assets of the ex-president Yahya Jammeh.

The select committee said the serving soldier has provided misleading information and interfered with witnesses.
During his numerous appearances before the committee, Jagne denied several pieces of evidence put before him, including that he personally sold vehicles of former president Jammeh.

The investigation, however, revealed that he was actively involved in selling the vehicles and had also instructed other witnesses not to disclose relevant facts to the Committee.

“The Committee considers that these actions and the continued conduct of Sergeant Adama Jagne amount to interference with the lawful functions of the National Assembly and constitute Contempt of the Assembly under the Standing Orders and established parliamentary principles,” the Committee said in a statement on Wednesday signed by the chairperson Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay.

Jagne was arrested and handed over to the military police.

24/10/2025

On October 22, The Republic published a story detailing adverse audit findings on the operation of Gach Mining Company Ltd. The company runs a revenue sharing mining operation with the Gambia government where it takes 40% of net profit. At the time of the publication, our reporter did not receive a response from the company. But GACH later brought it to her attention that the email was, in fact, sent and forwarded it to her. While we have adjusted the story with their comments, we are also sharing the entire question and answer here below:

1) Auditors have found that despite the gross cost of metric ton of mineral sand increasing from $125 to $133, the sales price has never remained unchanged since 2017. This increase should affect the government’s 60% share but it has remained the same. Could you please comment on this?

Our sales are based on what is called an offtake contract where we enter into an agreement with a buyer for a fixed quantity of minerals at a fixed price in order to guard against price volatility. During the period in question the gross costs of mining saw an increase connected to fuel prices which led to an increase from around $125 to $133. This negatively impacted Government's revenue but maintained the floor price of $40 contained in the licence. In the subsequent years of 2023 and 2024, we adjusted our operations by cutting production expenditure and that led to a drop in cost and increase in government revenue to an average amount of $45 per ton. The government's 60% share was not therefore unchanged.

2) Also in 2021, your company exported 621 containers, equivalent to 18, 494 metric tons of black sand. Based on your agreement with the government, their share would be $832,253. The bank statement seen by auditors show that you only paid $739, 818, meaning $
92, 435 of royalties remain unpaid. Could you please comment on this?

This was perfectly explained to the auditors but they went ahead to publish their report with the erroneous interpretation. The revenue cannot be calculated by comparing the amount of HMC shipped in a Calendar year with the revenue for that calendar year. Revenue overlaps. For example HMC shipped between September to December may only be paid for between January to March of the next year. The auditors needed to look at explanation notes which accompanied each bank transfer to determine to what payment this transfer corresponded to. Furthermore in some instances they calculated the revenue based on a fixed price of $125 failing to take into consideration the fact that the licence provides that the cost may vary as far as the floor price of $40 is maintained. The only instance in which the company has to notify the department is if any increase in cost is such that the government's share will be below the floor price of $40 and this has never occured.

3) In 2022, 659 containers of 17,687.15 tons of black sand was exported by your company. The $832,253.85 to be paid to the government was delayed for two consecutive years. Could you comment on this?

In this period 4 transfers were made to the CBG account all of which bounced. Several communications were made to the Department of Geology and meetings were held with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, and the accountant General to resolve this issue with the USD denominated bank account the Royalty payments were to be made. During this period we provided constant updates on shipments and Government share of revenue and even made a proposal to pay in Dalasi since the Dalasi is the legal tender and given that there were protracted issues with the USD account. I am not sure if this information was provided to the auditors but when the issue was finally resolved and the go ahead given for us to pay in Dalasi, we paid at the current central bank rate which was higher than when the payments would have been due ensuring that there was no loss to Government.

4) Auditors also found that you have failed to pay the $100,000 to the Geological Department for training and institutional support for three consecutive years (2021, 2022 and 2023). This is a total of $300,000 not paid by you or remain unaccounted for. What do you say to this?

The Licence requires that we make a payment of $100,000 each year into a bank account managed directly by Geology. Due to public finance control regulations, this could not be possible. Instead the department made direct requests to us and we covered the Training and Institutional support expenses directly from an account into which we lodged these funds, with the remainder carried over to the next year. We have never failed to meet a request for T&IS and in fact as we speak have always met 100% of the requests for each year including annual expenses of over $200,000 in certain years based on the carried over balances.

“There is a risk that the proportion of revenue remitted to the government of the Gambia is understated since no control is in place to monitor or confirm

22/10/2025

The Gach Mining Company exported a total of 621 containers or 18, 494 metric tons of black sand in 2021, according to the auditors. Based on the contract agreement, the company is expected to pay the government $832,253. However, bank statements seen by auditors show that only $739, 818 was paid as royalties, with a total of $92, 435 (D6.7m) remaining unpaid to the government.

“There is a risk that the proportion of revenue remitted to the government of the Gambia is understated since no control is in place to monitor or confirm

29/09/2025

So far, witnesses and documentary evidence reveal names of individuals who bought the animals, a list that was entirely kept from the public for years.

Click on the link 👇🏿

https://therepublic.gm/major-buyers-of-ex-president-jammehs-cattle/3042

28/09/2025

The Republic wins at the 2025 A.N.E.K.E.D Human Rights In Action Awards. Our appreciation to everyone who voted for us. This trophy is yours!

27/09/2025

We are live!

Join us to unpack our last publication:

https://therepublic.gm/inside-the-multi-million-dollar-gambia-govt-venture-that-makes-presidents-nephew-a-major-food-importer/3042

https://x.com/i/spaces/1yNxabMdqYDKj

The Republic’s Space · 32 listening · Where live audio conversations happen

26/09/2025

Following our publication on the multi-million-dollar food importation business involving the president’s nephew, we are inviting you to join the conversation tomorrow Saturday at 8PM.
We’ll dissect the issue, unpack the investigation process, highlight key indicators of corruption, and explore other critical findings in the report.

Don’t miss this important discussion. Join the Space and be part of the conversation!

18/09/2025

Setting the Record Straight: Ecotra Group Ltd.’s Commitment to National Prosperity and Food Security

In light of recent allegations made against Ecotra Group Ltd., we feel it is imperative to address these claims and clarify our role and contributions to The Gambia’s economy, particularly in the crucial sectors of food security and job creation.

The allegations of corruption concerning our company’s operations, particularly regarding a private loan from a bank, are completely unfounded and misleading. At Ecotra Group Ltd., we are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all our business practices. Our relationship with our private bank is a strategic move intended to enhance our ability to effectively serve the Gambian market. As private individuals, the owners of Ecotra Group Ltd. have every right to secure loans from any financial institution, operate their business legally, and fulfill their repayment obligations. We are fully committed to conducting our operations in accordance with the legal framework of The Gambia.

All financial dealings have been conducted in compliance with local regulations, including the payment of a significant amount of money in duties to the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) over the past few years, just like any other legitimate business. Our commitment to ethical business practices is further evidenced by our compliance with all licensing requirements necessary to operate in The Gambia.

Furthermore, all foreign exchange purchases were made in strict adherence to the regulations set forth by the Central Bank of The Gambia (CBG). Payments to our suppliers were carried out directly through our banking partners upon the presentation of invoices, and our banks were notified promptly upon receipt of the bill of lading. This meticulous process underscores our commitment to transparency and compliance in all financial transactions

Ecotra Group Ltd. has played a pivotal role in improving food security in The Gambia, particularly regarding staple commodities like rice and oil. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that these essential goods remain accessible and affordable for all Gambians. Our efforts have significantly impacted the local economy, benefiting every Gambian directly or indirectly.

A significant achievement in this regard has been the facilitation of a government-to-government (G2G) scheme between The Gambia and India, supported by the Gambian consulate in Delhi and the Ministry of Trade, Employment, and Regional Integration. At the time of this G2G scheme, India had already imposed a ban on rice exports; however, The Gambia was among the first four countries granted a quota for rice imports. This success was made possible due to the collaborative efforts of Ecotra Group Ltd., the Gambian consulate in India, and the Ministry of Trade. Notably, some export duties were waived by the Indian government for the Gambian government, further enhancing the viability of this arrangement. Had the quota not allocated to the Gambia, price of rice would spiral.
Through this collaboration, a total of 150,000 metric tons of rice has been imported between 2023 and 2024. It is important to note that none of the businesses involved in this scheme operated solely for profit; rather, the primary objective was to enhance food accessibility and affordability for the Gambian population.

During the facilitation of the G2G scheme, a dedicated member of our team spent a significant amount of time in India, with all trips funded entirely by our company. This commitment reflects our determination to ensure the success of the scheme and to maintain the highest standards of quality and efficiency in our operations.

In a historic milestone for The Gambia, it has been more than two decades since a privately owned Gambian national company successfully docked a vessel of rice on our shores. Ecotra Group Ltd. achieved this remarkable feat in 2024, marking a proud moment for us and many genuine Gambians. This accomplishment not only represents a significant achievement for our company but also symbolizes our commitment to enhancing food security and self-sufficiency in our nation.

From June 2023 to January 2024, the price of rice remained stable at fixed rates: GMD 1,525 within Banjul and KMC, GMD 1,530 in the West Coast Region, GMD 1,575 in the Lower River Region (LRR) and North Bank Region, GMD 1,600 in the Central River Region (CRR), and GMD 1,650 in the Upper River Region (URR). However, the price skyrocketed to GMD 1,950 the moment we ran out of stock, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining adequate supplies. This record will be etched in memory for ever.
Another notable price reduction occurred between September and December of 2022, when we deliberately reduced cooking oil prices from GMD 2,400 to GMD 1,600. This initiative resulted in significant savings for consumers, yet the prices also surged in the Banjul market once our stock was depleted, demonstrating the volatility that can arise in the absence of sufficient inventory.

Other notable players have also participated in this vital scheme, underscoring the collective effort towards ensuring food availability for all Gambians.

It’s also essential to clarify that the publicity surrounding the Ministry's involvement was not intended to favor Ecotra Group Ltd. Instead, it occurred during a time when commodity prices were notably high, and the Ministry aimed to enlighten the public about the pricing scheme and the measures being taken to stabilize prices for essential goods.

In addition to our commitment to ethical practices and transparency, it is important to note that Ecotra Group Ltd. and our banking partners jointly manage the stock imported as additional collateral. This arrangement ensures that goods are only released to buyers through the appropriate channels, safeguarding the integrity of our supply chain and maintaining the trust of our customers and stakeholders.

Ecotra Group Ltd. is proud to have created numerous employment opportunities across the nation. We have opened more than 30 outlets nationwide, providing jobs to Gambians and supporting local economies. Our workforce is comprised largely of local talent, and we operate under a uniform pricing system that ensures fairness and accessibility for all consumers.

By employing Gambians to manage our operations and sales, we are not only contributing to the livelihoods of individuals and families but also fostering a sense of community and partnership.

At Ecotra Group Ltd., our mission extends beyond profit; we are dedicated to the progress of The Gambia and its people. We remain committed to transparency and ethical business practices, and we will continue to work closely with government entities, local communities, and stakeholders to ensure that our contributions align with national goals of food security and economic stability.

We invite the public and our stakeholders to engage with us, ask questions, and seek further clarification on our operations. Together, we can build a prosperous future for all Gambians.

We appreciate your support and understanding as we navigate these challenges and continue our work for the betterment of our country.

Management Team
Ecotra Group Ltd.

17/09/2025

A son of the president's late twin sister Hawa, in 2022, Sanneh made the National Audit Office’s list as one of the ineligible holders of The Gambia’s