Major Secka Completes UK Defence Academy Workshop

By JarraNews Staff Writer

Shrivenham, United Kingdom – August 28, 2025 – Major Abdoulie Secka of the Gambia Armed Forces has successfully completed a Joint Doctrine Development Workshop at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom in Shrivenham.

The intensive programme, organised by the UK Ministry of Defence and delivered by the Integrated Warfare Centre, brought together participants from both NATO and non-NATO countries. The training focused on the United Kingdom’s joint doctrine development process at strategic and operational levels, combining lectures, practical exercises, and modules on effective writing for doctrine formulation.

Gambia’s High Commissioner to the UK, Her Excellency Dr. Fatou Bensouda, praised Major Secka’s dedication and urged him to remain steadfast in service to the nation. Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Suntou Touray, also underscored the importance of continuous training, describing the Gambia Armed and Security Forces as a reliable institution tasked with safeguarding national security. He noted that since 2017, the force has embarked on a series of reforms and capacity-building initiatives designed to modernize the army. Reflecting on his experience, Major Secka expressed gratitude for the opportunity to train in England. He said the knowledge and skills gained will play a vital role in strengthening the operational effectiveness and doctrinal development of the Gambia Armed Forces.

Editorial: Hypocrisy Has No Place in the Gambia Police Force

Superintendent David Kujabi’s conduct is a test of leadership, discipline, and integrity in the GPF

The credibility of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) rests on discipline, integrity, and professionalism. When these values are undermined, the entire institution suffers. Today, that credibility is being tested by the conduct of Superintendent David Kujabi—a man whose rise within the Force tells a story not of merit, but of privilege and Kujabi did not build his career through the rigors of professional policing. He joined the police as a cadet after working as a teacher at Bwiam School. Since then, his postings have been confined to headquarters, where he secured a position as Police Public Relations Officer and later benefited from secondment opportunities. Despite his senior rank, he has never acquired the practical experience that defines a true police officer. This lack of grounding is evident in his recent behavior. Instead of upholding discipline, Kujabi has chosen to take to social media, styling himself as a critic of the very institution he serves. He couches his attacks in the language of democracy and accountability, but what lies beneath is clear: disgruntlement, indiscipline, and a dangerous disregard for the chain of command. A serving officer cannot claim to defend institutional values while openly violating the code of conduct that binds every member of the GPF. Worse still, Gambians remember the past. During the repressive era of Yahya Jammeh—when citizens were killed, silenced, and brutalized—Kujabi was no defender of justice. He was not among those who stood with the oppressed. Instead, he benefited from proximity to the regime, rewarded with promotions and privileges that ordinary Gambians could not dream of. For such a man to now lecture colleagues and the public on democracy and justice is the height of hypocrisy. Those who served and prospered under tyranny cannot suddenly claim the moral high ground when it suits them. This behavior is not harmless. It erodes public trust, undermines ongoing reforms, and threatens the integrity of the Force. If officers are allowed to publicly disparage leadership and institutional decisions with impunity, the GPF will descend into indiscipline and chaos. Leadership must not allow this dangerous precedent to take root. The solution is clear: Superintendent David Kujabi must face decisive disciplinary action. Whether through dismissal or demotion, the message must be unmistakable—unprofessionalism, hypocrisy, and betrayal of the institution will not be tolerated. Anything less would be a betrayal of the Force itself and of the Gambian people. The GPF is at a crossroads. To emerge as a truly professional, impartial, and disciplined institution, it must cleanse itself of double standards and hold its officers accountable. The Gambian people deserve a police service built on loyalty, discipline, and integrity—not opportunism disguised as principle. If the GPF cannot confront hypocrisy within its own ranks, it will never command the respect of the nation it claims to serve.

Hon. Billay G. Tunkara Pays Courtesy Call on Gambia High Commission in London

By JarraNews Staff Writer

LONDON, 26 August 2025 — The Majority Leader of The Gambia’s National Assembly, Hon. Billay G. Tunkara, who also chairs the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, has paid a courtesy call on the Gambia High Commission in London. Hon. Tunkara was warmly received by the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Suntou Touray, who conveyed the greetings and assurances of Her Excellency Dr. Fatou Bensouda, The Gambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Mr. Touray reaffirmed the Mission’s commitment to closer collaboration with the National Assembly on matters of national interest.

During the visit, Hon. Tunkara underscored the critical role of The Gambia’s diplomatic missions, stressing that all government ministries, directly or indirectly, benefit from the work of Gambian diplomats abroad. The discussions between Hon. Tunkara and Mr. Touray focused on issues affecting Gambians living in the United Kingdom, particularly access to travel documents and essential consular services. Hon. Tunkara also expressed his appreciation for the High Commission’s hospitality and continued service to Gambians in the diaspora. Mr. Touray, for his part, briefed the visiting parliamentarian on the Mission’s extensive summer programme of community outreach. He highlighted the growing demand for biometric passport issuance in the UK and across other countries under the London Mission’s jurisdiction. Both parties further explored ways to strengthen the participation of Gambians abroad in the country’s development and political processes, recognising the invaluable contributions of the diaspora to The Gambia’s progress.

Barrow Moves to Address Telecoms Tariff Concerns

By JarraNews Staff Writer

Banjul, 26th August 2025 – President Adama Barrow has established a High-Level Committee to review recent telecommunications pricing regulations introduced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). The move follows growing public concern after PURA’s tariff announcement last week, which sparked demonstrations by a group calling itself Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA). Authorities declared the protest illegal, leading to the arrest of dozens of youths, several of whom have since been remanded by a Magistrates Court According to State House, the new committee will be composed of representatives from: 1. The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy 2. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs 3. The Ministry of Justice 4. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment 5. The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) 6. The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (GCCPC) The committee is tasked with conducting a thorough and impartial review of the pricing regime, ensuring its findings are evidence-based and in line with the government’s policy of safeguarding competition and consumer welfare. President Barrow emphasized that the establishment of the committee reflects his government’s commitment to transparent and consultative governance. He assured Gambians that their rights, interests, and welfare in accessing fair and affordable telecom services will be protected. “The Government recognizes the concerns of the public and remains steadfast in its resolve to safeguard consumer rights while preserving the integrity of the competitive market,” the statement noted. Authorities also cautioned against illegal demonstrations, urging citizens to express their concerns through lawful and constructive channels. The public will be updated on the committee’s findings and further steps as consultations progress.

Opinion: Diaspora Agitators Are Abusing Gambia’s Democracy for Their Own Gain

By Samba Baldeh

It is nothing short of tragic that those who played no role in the long and painful struggle to remove dictatorship from The Gambia—those who were completely absent until late 2014, when their close relatives became victims of tyranny—are today the loudest voices urging our youths into the streets against the police, despite the reality of democracy and rule of law in this country. People like Juka Ceesay, Tukulorr Sey, Ben Suwareh, and other self-styled diaspora “activists” have reduced politics to little more than adrenaline-seeking agitation. Their noise on Facebook and WhatsApp is their only claim to relevance. Since their emergence in the final years of Jammeh’s rule, they have devoted themselves to destabilising The Gambia—not through constructive ideas or sacrifice—but through endless noise-making from their living rooms in the U.S. and U.K. Let’s be honest: no nation has ever developed by turning its youth into idle protesters who blame the government for every shortcoming while refusing to take responsibility for their own growth. Development comes from action, discipline, and hard work—not constant ranting online. Take Juka Ceesay as an example. She tragically lost her brother in 2014, but rather than channelling her grief into something productive, she has turned it into a lifelong campaign of bitterness against President Barrow. Tukulorr Sey thrives on the dopamine of Facebook likes, patrolling timelines for division, her activism more about attention than nation-building. And then they dare to call this “democratic struggle.” Protest is indeed a right—but it is not a lifestyle, nor a business model for collecting diaspora donations. This culture of endless protests that these individuals are exporting into The Gambia is toxic, unsustainable, and fundamentally dishonest. In the very countries they live—America, the U.K.—no one can protest without permits and strict rules. Why then do they expect The Gambia, a young democracy, to tolerate chaos disguised as activism? Turning social media into a circus of division is not activism. It is the abuse of democracy. And it feeds directly into the argument many African thinkers have made: that Africa is being pushed into “democracy” without the time to build the strong institutions and disciplined civic culture that the West took centuries to develop. Instead of direct colonial interference, today’s destabilisation comes through diaspora loudmouths whose motives are anything but national interest. President Barrow must not be distracted by this posturing. During Jammeh’s brutal era, many of these so-called activists were silent, enjoying their personal lives abroad. Now, suddenly, they parade as the conscience of the nation while insulting judges, security officers, and civil servants who are simply carrying out their duties. Even in America, if you defy the law in protest, you face arrest. But when Gambian law enforcement upholds the same principles, these diaspora agitators scream “dictatorship.” This hypocrisy is nauseating. Democracy without law and order is not democracy—it is anarchy. And to the Gambian youth: stop letting yourselves be manipulated by these attention-seekers thousands of miles away. You have opportunities before you—education, entrepreneurship, community building. Instead of wasting your energy on Facebook live streams and protests for protest’s sake, invest in building your own future. This country needs builders, not pawns for diaspora egos. Finally, the UDP—once respected as a voice of maturity in opposition politics—must reflect deeply. Aligning with every anti-government bandwagon only diminishes its credibility. Opposition must mean offering alternatives, not promoting chaos. The time has come to draw the line: democracy is not a toy for diaspora adventurists. It is the lifeblood of our nation, and it must be protected from those who would abuse it for likes, donations, and personal validation.

Police Confirm Suspected Baby Dumping in Tallinding Farokono

By JarraNews Staff Writer

The Gambia Police Force has confirmed the arrest of a 25-year-old woman in connection with an alleged case of baby dumping in Tallinding Farokono. According to a police statement issued on Sunday, August 24, 2025, the suspect, identified as Isatou Jawneh of Farato, was apprehended by members of the public after allegedly attempting to abandon a newborn. She was escorted to the Tallinding Police Charge Office by a crowd along with the infant. Police said officers immediately transported the baby to Kanifing General Hospital, where the child was sadly pronounced dead on arrival. During questioning, Ms. Jawneh reportedly admitted that although she is married, the pregnancy resulted from a relationship with her boyfriend. Due to the size and intensity of the crowd gathered at the station, she was later transferred to Bundung Police Station for her safety. The body of the deceased baby has been transferred to the Banjul mortuary for preservation and a possible postmortem examination. Police say investigations into the matter are ongoing.