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By Musa Bassadi Jawara Mr. Tambadou, you forwarded your “Open Letter to Mustapha K. Darboe” dated May 18, 2026 to me directly. In the spirit of transparency and public accountability, I respond. The nation is entitled to more than one voice when matters of justice, reputation, and public trust collide. This is that response — professional, academic, and unflinching. The issues you raised in your letter, in their entirety, are presented as conclusions of fact. With respect, th

By Dave Manneh Securing Futures: Land Rights Action Collaborative (SFLRAC) One year ago, I wrote "Beyond Jammeh's Shadow: Elite Capture, Land Dispossession, and State Assets Underselling in the Supposed New Gambia." That piece argued that Mustapha K. Darboe's investigation in The Republic exposed more than a scandal over stolen luxury goods. It mapped a system that moves public and communal wealth into the hands of a connected elite, the same elite that flourished under Yahya

Former Gambian Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubacarr Marie Tambadou, popularly known as “Ba Tambadou,” has demanded a public apology from investigative journalist Mustapha K. Darboe over what he described as “false and defamatory” claims published by The Republic in April 2025 regarding the disposal of assets linked to former President Yahya Jammeh. In a lengthy open letter dated 18 May 2026, Tambadou accused Darboe and The Republic of publishing allegations tha

A Response Essay | What Did the Workshop Actually Validate? | By Dave Manneh, Securing Futures: Land Rights Action Collaborative (SFLRAC) On 12 April 2026, What If We Stop Performing the Lie? (the third essay in The Architecture of Predation trilogy) asked what happens when communities refuse the performance the state requires. Seventeen days later, the NaNA Conference Hall offered not an answer but an illustration. The architecture, dressed in the language of reform, had l

Ahmed Manjang, representing the Gunjur Conservationists and Ecotourism Association (CETAG), is participating in the Regional Forum of the Partnership for Regional Coastal and Marine Conservation (PRCM) taking place in Nouakchott, Mauritania from 27th to 30th April. Ahmed Manjang of CETAG delivers at 𝐏𝐑𝐂𝐌 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐨𝐮𝐚𝐤𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐭 At the forum, Manjang of CETAG is contributing to critical discussions on sustainable fisheries management and commu

Hon. Omar A. Manjang has called for greater shared responsibility between men and women in antenatal and postnatal care across The Gambia. In a statement, he expressed his support for ongoing calls for change, urging men to actively participate in what are traditionally seen as women-dominated spaces, commonly referred to as “Nurse” clinics. “I am excited to join the call for change and shared responsibility in the monthly antenatal and postnatal clinics,” he said. “I call on

The recent engagement between the Association of Gambian Influencers (AGI) and the Online Media Association of The Gambia (GOMA) comes at a critical moment in the country’s media evolution. As discussions intensify around the proposed Broadcasting and Online Content Regulations 2026, one issue stands clearly at the center of national debate: how The Gambia can balance regulation, freedom, and economic opportunity in a rapidly digitising world. This conversation is not happeni

Yankuba Darboe, Chairman of the Brikama Area Council and a senior member of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has criticised President Adama Barrow, accusing him of attempting to politicise the investigation into the killing of two police officers at the Jabang/Sukuta junction in September 2023. In a strongly worded statement posted on his Facebook page, Darboe dismissed allegations linking Ousainou Bojang to the fatal shooting, describing the claims as “fabricated” and lack

President Adama Barrow on Thursday, 2nd April 2026, laid the foundation stone for a 6.1-kilometre feeder road linking Gunjur to Berending, under the Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development (GIRAV) Project. 6.1KM Gunjur-Berending feeder road foundation stone laid by President Barrow earlier on Thursday, 2nd April 2025 The road is expected to serve as a vital corridor for farmers and traders, easing the movement of agricultural produce and improving

Alhagie Ebrima Jatta, long regarded as a diehard supporter of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has made a significant political switch, declaring his support for Dr Lamin J. Darbo and the National Unity Party (NUP). Alhagie Ebrima Jatta (Right) has shifted his support to Dr Lamin J Darbo (L) Jatta’s decision comes in the wake of the widely discussed and successful legal defence of the Bojang siblings, who were represented by Dr Darbo and his legal team. The outcome of the c

The acquittal of Ousainou Bojang by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh brings to a close one of the most closely watched criminal trials in recent times in The Gambia. Justice Ebrima Jaiteh has acquitted and discharged Ousainou Bojang after finding him not guilty of the murder of the police officers as charged Accused of the alleged murder of two police officers, Bojang’s case gripped national attention and stirred intense public debate. Yet, at its core, the trial served as a critical te

A proud moment has been recorded for Gunjur as one of its own, Ahmed Manjang, a Senior Lecturer in Medical Science at the University of The Gambia (UTG), celebrates the graduation of his first batch of medical doctors. A total of 54 students from the University’s School of Medicine and Applied Sciences have successfully completed their studies, overcoming significant academic and resource challenges along the way. The UTG Medical Class of 2025 have successfully completed thei

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has officially unveiled a 23-man squad for the Gambia national football team ahead of their much-anticipated international friendly against the Senegal national football team. The high-profile encounter, widely known as the Senegambia derby - is scheduled to take place on March 31, 2026, at the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium. Gambia’s 23 man squad to face Senegal was unveiled by Head Coach Jonathan McKinstry The squad features a strong blend of ex

The Government of The Gambia has officially declared Thursday, 19th March and Friday, 20th March 2026 as public holidays in celebration of Eid al-Fitr. The announcement was made in a press release from the Office of the President, confirming that the holidays are in anticipation of the Muslim feast locally known as Koriteh. According to the statement, Adama Barrow expressed his pleasure in granting the holidays nationwide, allowing Muslims across the country to observe the im

We Refuse a Return to Permission-Based Journalism in The Gambia By Former Presidents of the Gambia Press Union We write not as distant commentators, but as journalists who have lived through the darkest chapters of media repression in our country. We write as journalists who stood firm when the cost of speaking out was harassment, intimidation, exile, imprisonment — and, for our fallen colleague, friend and former GPU president Deyda Hydara, death itself. Five former G

Omar A. J. Saho, a Gunjur-born Climate Action Specialist, environmentalist, sea turtle conservationist and social policy analyst, recently participated in the Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival held in Blaine. Omar A J Saho at the Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival in Blaine. The festival brought together birding enthusiasts, conservationists, researchers and environmental advocates for a day of learning, networking and outdoor activities focused on bird con

The Government of The Gambia has introduced a new environmentally friendly ferry named “Barra” to improve transportation between Banjul and Barra. New Banjul - Barra ferry expected to improve travel between Banjul and Barra | Photo Credit: Saul Touray The modern green ferry, which can accommodate up to 2,000 passengers, is expected to significantly ease travel along one of the country’s busiest crossing points. The Banjul–Barra route serves as a vital link connecting the capi

Jenny Ringstead, Co-Founder of the The Gunjur Project, on Friday, 13th March 2026 paid a visit to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen digital learning and technology access in schools. Ms Ringstead was accompanied by development partner Dr. Amadou Scattred Janneh, CEO of CommIT, and Neil Griffiths, Chief International Operations Officer at Turing Trust. (L-R): Dr Janneh, Ms Ringstead, Minister Cole, Mr Griffiths and Mr Jobe

Press Release: GPU Raises Concerns Over Arrest & Detention of Justice Darboe Fajara, 12 March, 2026 – The Gambia Press Union (GPU) notes with concerns the arrest of the Editor of Jollof News Online, Momodou Justice Darboe, on Wednesday at the Banjul Magistrates Court. Darboe was on a routine coverage of the trial of two Austrian nationals, Manuel Di Stofleth Mitterer and Angelika Mitterer, who are being tried on charges of “disobedience to lawful orders” over allegations tha

GUNJUR / WEST COAST REGION, The Gambia – Green Up Gambia on Wednesday joined partners of the Ramadan Project to plant and distribute more than 50 seedlings of nutritious fruit crops to five schools in an initiative aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and healthy nutrition among students. Students and staff from beneficiary schools receive fruit seedlings and planting equipment during the tree planting initiative organised by Green Up Gambia in collaboration with p