Dr. Mamadou Tangara Resigns as Foreign Minister to Take Up AU Role

State House, Banjul – 3rd July 2025: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, has officially tendered his resignation to President Adama Barrow, following his appointment to a senior diplomatic role within the African Union.

President Barrow has accepted Dr. Tangara’s resignation and extended his gratitude for the minister’s years of dedicated service to the nation. He also wished him success in his new responsibilities on the continental stage. Dr. Tangara, who served as Foreign Minister from 2018 to 2025 under the Barrow administration, is set to assume the position of Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in Mali and the Sahel. He will also serve as Head of the AU’s MISAHEL Office based in Bamako, Mali. Dr. Tangara’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter in The Gambia’s foreign affairs leadership, as he transitions to a crucial role addressing peace, stability, and cooperation within the West African sub-region.

Editorial: Darboe’s Dangerous Rhetoric and the Violence It Emboldens

The events that transpired at the United Democratic Party (UDP) meeting in New Yundum — where a female UDP supporter was assaulted, humiliated, and mobbed by her own party comrades — are not only disgraceful but symptomatic of a deeper rot within the political culture that some leaders continue to nurture.

On that very day, UDP leader Ousainou Darboe delivered a speech extolling women in the UDP for their so-called “fierce resistance” and “courageous fight,” framing the party’s legacy in the language of struggle, aggression, and combat. Instead of championing democratic values like dialogue, unity, and peaceful engagement, Mr. Darboe glorified a history of confrontation, implicitly validating violent behavior as a badge of loyalty.

His remarks, far from empowering women, have emboldened a factional, hostile environment where female militants now feel justified — even celebrated — for attacking their fellow citizens, including women within their own ranks. This is not bravery. This is not political engagement. This is thuggery dressed in yellow. The irony is glaring: while Mr. Darboe romanticized women “tightening their waists” to “rescue the country,” a loyal UDP woman was being dragged, beaten, and publicly shamed — not by her political opponents, but by UDP women at a UDP event, under the watch of UDP leadership.

This culture of glorified resistance and selective victimhood has devolved into something dangerous. One must now ask: is the United Democratic Party a platform for democratic ideals or a breeding ground for political hooliganism? Mr. Darboe cannot continue to bask in the glow of past struggles while turning a blind eye to the violence committed in his name. His silence on the attack is complicity. His praise of past aggression is incitement. We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the violence committed by UDP women at the New Yundum meeting. And we hold Ousainou Darboe morally accountable for fostering an atmosphere where such acts are not only tolerated but seemingly encouraged. The Gambia deserves better. Our politics must be guided by respect, not retaliation — by principle, not provocation. Leaders who cannot rise above personal cults and partisan brutality are unfit to lead a nation striving for peace and progress.

Zero Tolerance for Corruption as Justice Ministry Staff Face Prosecution

By JarraNews Staff Writer President Adama Barrow has reaffirmed his government's commitment to accountability, declaring that no individual found culpable in commission of inquiry reports or audit findings will be shielded from justice. Sources close to JarraNews reveal that several cases investigated by the police and forwarded to the Attorney General’s Chambers are slated for prosecution, in what is seen as a strong message against corruption and the misuse of public funds. These impending legal actions aim to serve as a deterrent to public officials, civil servants, and others entrusted with managing state resources. In a major development underscoring the administration’s anti-corruption stance, three staff members of the Ministry of Justice have been formally charged in connection with alleged financial misconduct. The accused are Seedy Jammeh, Yusupha M. Cham, and Matarr Sylva—officials at the Intellectual Property Registry Office—who are alleged to have misappropriated over D14 million in public funds between 2018 and 2019. According to the bill of indictment filed by the State Law Office, the trio are facing six charges: conspiracy to defraud, theft, economic crime, forgery, official corruption, and abuse of office. Details of the Charges Count 1: Conspiracy to Defraud – The accused allegedly conspired to defraud the Government of The Gambia by issuing fraudulent receipts and misappropriating fees collected for trademark applications and renewals. Count 2: Theft – It is alleged that the trio dishonestly converted GMD 14,395,620 in public funds to their personal use. Count 3: Economic Crime – The accused reportedly engaged in willful financial misconduct, causing significant economic loss to the state. Count 4: Forgery – They are accused of falsifying IFMIS records to conceal the alleged embezzlement. Count 5: Official Corruption – Cham and Sylva, both public officers, allegedly received unlawful financial benefits by abusing their positions. Count 6: Abuse of Office – The same two defendants are charged with failing to adhere to financial procedures, leading to a substantial loss of public funds. All three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they appeared before the High Court in Banjul. Bail Hearings and Court Rulings During the bail hearing, State Counsel M. Sarr did not oppose bail but requested stringent conditions to ensure the accused remain available for trial. Defence Counsel S. Sonko, representing the first and third accused, argued that his clients had complied with previous police bail terms. He urged the court to maintain similar conditions. Counsel L.J. Darboe, representing the second accused, called for fair and practical bail terms, stressing that bail is a constitutional right and should not be used as a punitive tool.

In his ruling, Justice Jaiteh acknowledged the presumption of innocence under Section 24(3)(a) of the 1997 Constitution and noted the state’s lack of objection to bail. He further emphasized that there was no evidence suggesting the accused posed a flight risk or had attempted to tamper with witnesses. Justice Jaiteh granted bail under the following conditions: Each accused must provide bail in the sum of D16 million, along with one Gambian surety. The surety must be the registered owner of landed property within The Gambia, with a verified value of at least D16 million. A certified estate valuer must appraise the property, and a valuation report submitted to the High Court Registrar within ten days. Original title deeds must be deposited with the court for safekeeping. The accused must attend all court proceedings unless formally excused. Justice Jaiteh warned that any breach of these conditions would result in automatic revocation of bail and the issuance of a bench warrant. This latest development marks a critical test of President Barrow’s pledge to uphold transparency and justice within the public service.

Gambia’s Drug Enforcement Chief Marks World Drug Day with Call for Renewed Action

Banjul, The Gambia – June 26, 2025 The Director General of The Gambia’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG), Mr. Demba Ceesay, has issued a clarion call for stronger national and international collaboration in tackling drug abuse and illicit trafficking, as the country marked this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Speaking at a commemorative event hosted by the President’s International Award in Banjul, Mr. Ceesay expressed gratitude to President Adama Barrow for entrusting him with the leadership of the agency and reaffirmed his team’s commitment to combatting the growing drug crisis in The Gambia. “This year’s commemoration comes nearly one year after my appointment, at a time when drug abuse and trafficking are on the rise globally and locally,” said Mr. Ceesay. “The influx of synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances continues to pose grave threats, particularly to our youth.” Mr. Ceesay detailed the evolving nature of the drug trade, highlighting the spread of synthetic cannabis, crack cocaine, ecstasy, and other controlled substances in Gambian communities. He also noted The Gambia’s vulnerability as a transit point on the transatlantic cocaine route to Europe. Reforms and Results In response, DLEAG has undertaken significant internal reforms. According to the Director General, strategic restructuring in 2024 helped bolster operational effectiveness, leading to record-breaking drug seizures and arrests. Between January and December 2024, the agency registered 1,208 drug-related cases and arrested 1,219 individuals, of whom 205 were foreign nationals from countries including Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Pakistan, the UK, and the US. Drug seizures during the reporting period included: Cannabis Sativa: Over 1.9 tonnes Cocaine: 125 kg Hashish (Cannabis Resin): 14 kg Skunk (Cannabis Ruderalis): 48 kg Kush: 13.9 kg Methamphetamine Tablets: Nearly 19,000 MDMA (Ecstasy) Tablets: Over 104,000 Crystal Meth, Tramadol, Clonazepam, and other prescription and designer drugs

Cannabis-related substances accounted for 54.7% of all cases, with emerging drugs like Kush and Methamphetamine contributing significantly to the remaining share. Prosecution has also improved markedly. DLEAG successfully prosecuted 207 cases in 2024, with a 92% increase in the second half of the year following reforms within the agency’s Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Affairs. Beyond Enforcement: Rehabilitation and Education Mr. Ceesay emphasized that enforcement alone will not solve the country’s drug problem. “We have stepped up our drug demand reduction efforts through nationwide sensitization, school outreach, and radio programming,” he said. A milestone initiative is the development of a national treatment and rehabilitation center in Tranquil, West Coast Region. Construction began in March 2025 in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission. Once operational, it will be the first such center in The Gambia. Gratitude to Partners and Citizens The Director General expressed appreciation for the support of local security institutions, including the Gambia Police Force, Immigration Department, Armed Forces, and others. He also thanked international partners such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), ECOWAS, the EU, and foreign missions, including embassies of Turkey, China, the U.S., and the U.K., for capacity-building support. Special thanks were extended to the judiciary, media, and civil society organizations, as well as grassroots youth and women’s groups, for their role in prevention and advocacy. To the public, Mr. Ceesay issued a call for vigilance and cooperation. “Law enforcement cannot be everywhere at once,” he said. “We need the public’s help to report suspicious activity and work with us to build drug-free communities.” In closing, he commended his agency’s staff and the DLEAG Board for their unwavering dedication. “This fight belongs to all of us,” he said. “Together, we can protect our youth and secure the future of this country.”

The Gambia and Finland Deepen Maritime Cooperation in London Bilateral Talks London

Yet in another giant step on the 24 June 2025 – The Gambian High Commission In a significant step towards strengthening maritime collaboration, representatives of The Gambia and Finland held a high-level bilateral meeting in London on Monday. The engagement formed part of Finland’s diplomatic outreach in support of its candidacy for re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council under Category C. The Finnish delegation, led by Ms. Minna Kivimäki, Permanent Secretary at Finland’s Ministry of Transport and Communications, met with Sulayman Suntou Touray, Deputy Head of Mission at the Gambian High Commission, and his team to discuss shared maritime interests and areas of cooperation. Both parties affirmed their commitment to the IMO’s overarching goals, including maritime safety, sustainable development, and capacity building within the sector. Ms. Kivimäki outlined Finland’s key priorities in its re-election bid—chief among them maritime decarbonisation, technological advancement, maritime education, and safety enhancement. Finland also highlighted its advanced national digital maritime infrastructure, particularly the FinTraffic system, as a potential model for technical cooperation with developing countries.

Mr. Touray welcomed the Finnish delegation’s initiative and reaffirmed The Gambia’s readiness to deepen bilateral ties in the maritime domain. He outlined The Gambia’s strategic priorities, such as professional training for seafarers, sustainable port development, and efforts to position the country as a regional maritime hub. He further noted that Finland’s technological strengths align well with The Gambia’s vision for its blue economy. As a mark of diplomatic solidarity and shared objectives, The Gambia officially endorsed Finland’s re-election to the IMO Council. Discussions also identified key areas for future collaboration, including digital port solutions, maritime security, and the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—an urgent issue for West African coastal nations. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with Finland extending an invitation to the Gambian delegation for an upcoming diplomatic reception. Both nations expressed strong interest in sustaining the momentum through continued technical and diplomatic engagement.

GRA and Trust Bank Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance Tax Collection

The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) continues to modernize the country’s tax administration under the leadership of Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe, with a strong emphasis on digital transformation. The Authority’s commitment to fully digitizing revenue collection is yielding significant results, contributing billions of dalasis to national revenue annually.

In a major step forward, the GRA and Trust Bank Ltd on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at boosting tax collection efficiency across the country. The signing ceremony, held in Banjul, was attended by Trust Bank’s Managing Director, Njilan Senghore, and GRA Commissioner General Darboe.

This strategic partnership seeks to streamline the payment of taxes and customs duties through secure, transparent, and timely transactions. It also aims to provide taxpayers with tailored banking services while fostering economic growth and community development.

At the heart of this collaboration is the shared vision of building a modern, digitized, and taxpayer-friendly revenue system for The Gambia.