Malagen

10/10/2025

Malagen Media Monitoring flags remarks by UDP North Bank chairman Sainey Sabally warning against “foreigners” voting, highlighting the risk of xenophobic tensions and declining trust in the electoral process ahead of the 2026 elections.

On 9 October 2025, The Standard Newspaper reported remarks by Sainey Sabally, the United Democratic Party (UDP) North Bank regional chairman, warning against “foreigners” voting in The Gambia. Malagen Media Monitoring considers the statement troubling for its xenophobic undertone and its potenti...

10/10/2025

We are delighted to present the cover of the Malagen Magazine 2.0.

A new edition that marks our continued commitment to quality journalism and bold storytelling.
Thank you for your patience and trust as we return with richer and deeper investigations!

09/10/2025

It’s finally here!
We know the wait has been long and this one has been long overdue, we can’t thank our amazing readers enough for your patience and continued support.

Tomorrow, we unveil the cover of Malagen Magazine 2.0, a new edition packed with bold investigations, fresh perspectives, and opinion articles that dig deep into issues shaping our nation and beyond.

Stay tuned for the big reveal and get ready for a reading experience that’s worth the wait!

08/10/2025

Malagen has flagged a pro-NPP page for sharing a xenophobic post accusing KMC Mayor Talib Bensouda of being backed by “Moroccan relatives” a narrative that fuels ethnic hostility and distorts political competition.

On October 7, a page named NPP Must Go26, which openly expresses support for the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), shared a xenophobic post targeting Talib Bensouda, the Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC). The post accuses the mayor of being financed by his…

07/10/2025

Malagen finds that the Ministry of Youth and Sports flouted procurement laws by awarding over D245 million in stadium contracts without open tender. The breach, revealed in the 2023 audit report, exposes serious lapses in transparency and accountability.

When the National Audit Office (NAO) released the government’s 2023 financial statements audit report, it once again highlighted serious procurement violations, echoing concerns raised in previous years. The audit revealed instances where public funds were spent without following proper procuremen...

07/10/2025

Malagen flagged the comment because it frames political rivalry in tribal terms, a rhetoric that risks stirring hostility between ethnic groups and encouraging voters to align along tribal lines ahead of the 2026 presidential election.

On October 3, 2025, Baba Jah, a prominent supporter of the National People’s Party (NPP), addressed a group of Gambians in Spain during an NPP Diaspora fundraising event. In a three-minute speech captured in a TikTok video that has since garnered over 95 shares, Mr.…

03/10/2025

Malagen verified that The Gambia’s poverty level is 53.4% — not 60% as claimed by Nenneh Cheyassin Secka on Sunu Reew.

Claim: Gambia’s poverty level is at 60 per cent Source: Nenneh Cheyassin Secka, Vice President of the Golden Era Party Verdict: False On October 2, 2025, Gambian philanthropist Nenneh Cheyassin Secka, who also serves as Vice President of the newly formed Golden Era Party, appeared…

30/09/2025

Despite constitutional rights, peaceful protests in The Gambia are repeatedly met with police crackdowns, contradicting President Barrow’s claims.

On 29 September 2025, President Adama Barrow addressed the nation on state television following the death of Omar Badjie, allegedly beaten by police officers while on patrol in Mandinary, West Coast Region. In his speech, the president claimed: “The right to protest peacefully is a…

27/09/2025

The Open Media Center, in partnership with UNESCO through the infrastructure for peace project, successfully conducted a two-day workshop on Countering Hate Speech: Promoting Digital Citizenship as part of the ongoing Workshops on Media and Information Literacy Clicks and Digital Literacy for Non-Conventional Schools and Vocational Training Institutions.

The workshop took place at the GTUCCU Hall in Brikama and brought together participants from various backgrounds. Over the course of two days, trainees engaged in a series of comprehensive modules including Media and Information Literacy, Misinformation and Disinformation, Privacy and Data Protection, Digital Responsibility, and Ethical Online Behaviour, among others.

The sessions were designed to be highly interactive, incorporating real-life case studies and discussions aimed at deepening participants’ understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that come with digital engagement.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to equip individuals and communities with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital space responsibly and effectively.

27/09/2025

His death comes amid a string of violent clashes between security forces and civilians despite the government’s post-2017 “Never Again” promise and stalled security sector reforms.

Hundreds of residents of Mandinary in The Gambia’s West Coast Region have poured onto the streets to demand justice for 27-year-old Omar Badjie. Omar, a construction worker and the breadwinner of his family, died under disputed circumstances after an encounter with police on a routine…

27/09/2025

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.

At the 80th United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, Vice-President Muhammad B. S. Jallow painted a picture of steady progress in The Gambia since 2017 arguing that the Barrow administration has pursued inclusive development, peace, and respect for fundamental rights; that it is implementi...

26/09/2025

The Gambia escaped the travel ban imposed by the U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year. But those applying for short-term visas for business, tourism, family visits, medical treatment, conferences and social events will pay a hefty security deposit that can be as high as $15,000.

Omar Wally Gambians applying for visas to travel to the United States will pay a security deposit that can cost up to $15,000 - approx. D1 million - according to the U.S. State Department. The new rule will come into effect in two weeks - on…