Lamin Kaba Bajo Makes History as FIFA Committee Chair

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

Doha Ceremony Marks Landmark Achievement

President of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF), Lamin Kaba Bajo, has been officially inaugurated as the Chairperson of FIFA’s Grassroots and Amateur Football Committee. The ceremony, presided over by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, took place in Doha, Qatar, on December 16, 2025, marking a proud milestone for The Gambia.

A First for The Gambia

Bajo’s appointment—made just over two months earlier—represents the first time a Gambian has been named Chairperson of a FIFA Standing Committee, although Gambians have previously served as committee members. His term runs from 2025 to 2029, underscoring FIFA’s trust in his leadership and experience.

Global Football Role and Responsibilities

In addition to leading The Gambia’s football administration, Bajo currently serves as:

• President of WAFU Zone A
• Member of the Players’ Status Chamber of the FIFA Football Tribunal, where he has served since 2021

The Players’ Status Chamber oversees global compliance with regulations on the status and transfer of players, while ensuring fair competition structures across FIFA tournaments.

Championing Grassroots Development

Grassroots and amateur football remain essential pillars of global football development. Bajo’s appointment is seen as particularly significant given his role in steering what many describe as the Golden Era of Gambian football, during which the country has made historic strides on the African and global stage.

First Meeting and High-Level Participation

Following his inauguration, Bajo chaired his first Committee meeting. It was attended by FIFA legends and senior officials including:

• Arsène Wenger
• Steven Martens
• Natascia Prieto
• Bernd Neuendorf, President of the German Football Federation and FIFA Council Delegate
• Michael Ricketts, Vice Chairperson and President of the Jamaican Football Federation

Gambia’s Growing Influence in FIFA

The ceremony also highlighted another Gambian achievement. Maimuna Kanteh, GFF Executive Committee member, was inaugurated into the FIFA Youth Girls’ Competitions Committee. She will work alongside Chairperson Anya James of The Bahamas and Deputy Chairperson Naziah Ali of Fiji.

Profile: Lamin Kaba Bajo

Lamin Kaba Bajo is a seasoned football administrator and respected regional leader whose influence extends beyond national football governance. As President of the GFF and WAFU Zone A, he has contributed significantly to the development and professionalization of football structures in The Gambia and West Africa. His new global leadership position reinforces The Gambia’s rising stature in world football administration.

This historic appointment not only honors Bajo’s dedication but also reflects The Gambia’s growing voice in international football affairs.

From Fear to Freedom: A Diary Of An Investigative Journalist

A former investigative journalist who survived detention, exile, and threats under Yahya Jammeh reflects on a transformed Gambia—where journalists now speak freely, critics thrive, and democracy breathes without fear.

By Yaya Dampha – Sweden 

As someone who once walked the dangerous corridors of Gambian journalism under the Yahya Jammeh regime, I write not from hearsay, not from partisan imagination, but from memory, personal scars, and lived experience. I have been threatened, hunted, beaten, detained, and eventually driven into exile—simply because I dared to investigate and publish facts. I traversed the length and breadth of The Gambia and even crossed into Southern Senegal’s Casamance region in pursuit of truth. I entered military barracks, police stations, and the feared National Intelligence Agency without invitation to uncover the realities Gambians were forced to whisper about.

Under Yahya Jammeh, journalism was a risk to life. Detention without trial was routine, torture under custody was real, enforced disappearances were not fiction, and extrajudicial killings claimed innocent Gambian lives. Journalists were assaulted, humiliated, jailed, and some never returned home. My writings on unlawful arrests, property confiscations, and security brutality earned me the wrath of regime insiders. The feared Junglers did not hide their hatred. APRC supporters attacked me physically more than once, and finally, I was arrested with Amnesty International staff and forced into exile for more than a decade. That was the Gambia of yesterday—ruled by fear, silenced by brutality, and shadowed by dictatorship.

Today, some voices—especially among certain media practitioners and self-styled “analysts”—try to downplay the transformation The Gambia has undergone under President Adama Barrow. But honesty demands acknowledgment, and integrity requires truth. We must tell Gambians and the world the reality: President Barrow presides over the freest era of speech in the nation’s history.    

Under President Barrow, Gambians speak without fear of midnight knocks. Journalists criticize government openly, sometimes harshly and irresponsibly, yet they wake up free the next day. Media outlets publish stories without intimidation from state security. Protesters take to the streets under lawful permits, political opponents campaign nationwide, and critics insult the President publicly—yet they remain unharmed. In Jammeh’s time, such acts would have meant arrest, torture, disappearance, or worse.

There are journalists today who publish unverified claims, rely on gossip rather than investigative discipline, and still enjoy peaceful coexistence with the very government they criticize. Some dine with the President after attacking him in articles; others secure lucrative contracts despite repeatedly condemning his administration. That alone demonstrates not weakness—but extraordinary tolerance, maturity, and democratic conviction.

President Adama Barrow has demonstrated patience, humanity, and commitment to democratic values. His administration has allowed:

A vibrant private media space to flourish

Open criticism of government without retaliation

Strengthening of civil society and human rights advocacy

Judicial independence and constitutional processes to function

Political plurality with opposition parties freely operating

These are not favors, they are democratic rights—but they must also be acknowledged honestly. Freedom of expression in The Gambia today is not only protected; it is lived, exercised, and enjoyed daily. That reality should not be blurred by partisan bitterness or sensational journalism.

Those who benefited from the sacrifices of journalists who suffered under dictatorship should not trivialize how far The Gambia has come. Media houses and commentators must be honest enough to say: The Gambia under President Barrow is fundamentally different from the Gambia under Yahya Jammeh. It is fair to critique government policies, but it is dishonest to deny that this administration opened the doors of freedom and kept them open.

As a former investigative journalist who risked life and freedom to expose injustice, I state confidently: President Adama Barrow stands as one of Africa’s most tolerant leaders in respecting press freedom, human rights, and democratic accountability. He has allowed dissent, nurtured political freedom, and resisted the temptation of authoritarianism.

History will judge leaders, but it will also judge journalists. Our responsibility is truth—not propaganda, not bitterness, not distortion. If we fought dictatorship yesterday, we must defend democracy today.

And in that judgment, President Barrow deserves acknowledgment, respect, and commendation.

A Champion of Press Freedom and Human Rights: Why President Adama Barrow Deserves Global Recognition

Since The Gambia gained independence in 1965, successive governments have spoken of empowering the media and safeguarding human rights, but none have taken bold, tangible, and institutional steps equal to those of His Excellency President Adama Barrow and the National People’s Party (NPP) government.

President Barrow has not only upheld democratic values — he has transformed them into action.

His latest landmark decision to allocate land for a permanent headquarters for the Gambia Press Union (GPU) stands as an historic and unprecedented milestone. For the first time since independence, a Gambian government has demonstrated practical commitment to media empowerment by creating the foundation for a sustainable, independent, and professional press infrastructure. This is not symbolism; this is state support anchored in respect for independence, integrity, and freedom of expression.

This monumental gesture is a bold testament that The Gambia under President Barrow is no longer a country where journalists live in fear, where dissent is silenced, or where press freedom is a privilege. Instead, The Gambia is steadily becoming a beacon of democratic progress in Africa — a nation where journalists can operate freely, safely, and confidently.

The annual Presidential Media Dinner at the State House has become more than a formality — it is a bridge of dialogue and mutual respect between the presidency and the fourth estate. By engaging directly with journalists, President Barrow has nurtured a climate of trust and openness, reinforcing the message that government and media are partners in nation-building, not adversaries.

Why the GPU, ECOWAS, AU, and Global Media Institutions Should Recognize President Barrow

President Barrow’s leadership embodies principles championed by regional and international democratic institutions. His administration has:

Restored dignity to journalism in The Gambia after years of repression.

Strengthened legal and democratic space for free expression and accountable governance.

Promoted transparency, dialogue, and institutional collaboration between the state and the media.

Encouraged responsible journalism, ensuring press freedom goes hand-in-hand with national development.

Created a safer environment for journalists, free from intimidation, harassment, and political persecution.

Aligned The Gambia with international democratic standards, reinforcing its global standing as a rights-respecting nation.

President Barrow’s commitment deserves not only national applause but global recognition. The Gambia Press Union, ECOWAS, African Union, international media bodies, and human rights institutions such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders, and UNESCO should acknowledge him as a Champion of Human Rights and Press Freedom.

Under his stewardship, The Gambia has rewritten its democratic narrative — from fear to freedom, from silence to speech, and from suppression to empowerment.

Today, The Gambia stands tall as a shining example of what visionary leadership, respect for rights, and democratic conviction can achieve. President Adama Barrow has done what no government dared or managed to do since 1965 — and history will remember this era as a defining chapter in The Gambia’s democratic journey.

Written by:

Yaya Dampha

NPP Diaspora Coordinator

UK Jarra Association Rings in New Era With Fresh Board Leadership

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

The UK Jarra Association (UKJA) has ushered in a new chapter in its history following the election of a new Board of Trustees at its Annual Congress held on 6 December 2025.

At the heart of the new leadership is Mr. Yaya Fulo Fofana of Jarra Karantaba, who takes over as Chair of the Board, while Mr. Mustapha Darboe from Jarra Bureng has been elected Secretary General. Their appointment signals renewed momentum for the association at a time of strategic growth and institutional reform.

Notably, the election also marks the return of several respected pioneers of UKJ⁸A, bringing decades of institutional memory back into leadership. Among them are Mr. Lamin Manjang, the association’s founding Chairperson; Mr. Kebba Lang Sanneh, its first Secretary General; Mr. Mustapha Sanneh, a former Welfare Officer; and Fatou Ndow Ceesay, who previously served as Deputy Treasurer and Internal Auditor. Their comeback is widely seen as a vote of confidence in unity, experience and continuity.

Governance Reforms Take Centre Stage

The newly elected board will operate under a restructured governance model designed to align the association with modern charity management standards. The reforms introduce a clear division between strategic oversight and daily administration, in line with guidelines from the UK Charity Commission.

Under the new framework, the Board of Trustees will focus on policy direction, accountability and long-term planning, while a professional administrative team—headed by the Secretary General—will manage day-to-day operations. The move is expected to enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability across UKJA’s programmes.

A Decade of Service to Jarra

Established on 15 August 2015 by Jarrankas living in the United Kingdom, the UK Jarra Association is a registered charity in both England and The Gambia. Over the past decade, it has become a key driver of educational, health and community development initiatives across Jarra and the wider Lower River Region.

The association’s impact is visible through landmark projects such as the establishment of science and computer laboratories in Soma and Bureng, the renovation of the Soma Upper and Senior Secondary School library, and the expansion of the Soma Maternity Ward. UKJA has also supplied vital medical equipment and created a scholarship scheme to support outstanding students from the region.

Eyes on the Future

With a blend of seasoned leadership and fresh perspectives, the new Board of Trustees is expected to steer UKJA into a period of strengthened governance, deeper community engagement and more impactful development projects.

As the association looks ahead, expectations are high that UKJA will continue to build on its strong legacy while positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of the Jarra community at home and abroad.

A RESPONSE TO BABAGALLEH JALLOW: LAW IS NOT OPTIONAL, MORALITY IS NOT SELECTIVE

Babagalleh Jallow as the NPP Diaspora Coordinator and a founding member of the party who is supporting His Excellency President Adama Barrow’s bid to contest the 2026 Presidential Election its duty- binding to respond to your morally selective advice to President Adama Barrow.

Your recent open letter to His Excellency President Adama Barrow is neither neutral advice nor principled statesmanship. It is a carefully packaged political opinion masquerading as moral authority, and it collapses under the weight of its own contradictions—legal, logical, and ethical.

You boldly declare that President Barrow’s bid for the 2026 Presidential Election is “legally right but morally wrong.” That single sentence exposes the fundamental weakness of your argument: you seek to elevate your personal moral judgment above the supreme law of The Gambia, while conveniently excusing yourself from the same moral standard you demand of others.

Let us start with the law, because in a constitutional democracy, law is not a suggestion—it is the foundation.

Let's base our argument on the point law i mean the Constitution of The Gambia on this matter and later i will talk about morality and your very track records.

 The Constitution Is Supreme, Not Personal Morality

And it says 

Section 4 of the 1997 Constitution is unequivocal: the Constitution is the supreme law of The Gambia.

 There is no constitutional provision that bars President Adama Barrow from contesting the 2026 election. None. Zero.

In law, what is not prohibited is permitted. That is the essence of legality. To argue otherwise is to invite rule by personal conscience instead of rule of law, a dangerous doctrine that Africa knows too well.

If moral opinion were sufficient to override constitutional rights, then no elected office would ever be secure, and elections would be governed by who shouts “morality” the loudest.

 You Cannot Weaponize Morality Selectively

You insist President Barrow must abandon his constitutional right in the name of morality. Yet when you yourself were confronted with a moral duty, you chose legality over morality.

President Barrow trusted you and appointed you Executive Secretary of the TRRC—a body tasked with one of the most sensitive national assignments in our history: truth, justice, and reconciliation.

You resigned before the completion of the TRRC’s work to pursue personal interests.

Yes, you resigned legally.

 But was it morally right?

Did you pause to consider:

the moral obligation to victims?

the institutional disruption your departure caused?

the national interest in continuity and closure?

You did not.

You relied on the law, not morality, to justify your decision.

So we must ask plainly:

When it was about you, legality was enough.

When it is about President Barrow, legality is suddenly insufficient.

Is that fairness?

 Is that consistency?

 Is that moral integrity?

 Moral Obligation Cannot Be Invented After the Fact

You repeatedly invoke “promises,” “expectations,” and “moral duties” allegedly owed by President Barrow. But in constitutional governance, political promises do not override constitutional text.

Coalition agreements are political instruments, not superior law.

 Campaign assurances are not constitutional amendments.

 Moral expectations do not extinguish legal rights.

If they did, then every president would be bound forever by the shifting interpretations of past supporters—even when the legal framework remains unchanged.

That is not democracy. That is political blackmail.

Comparing Barrow to Jammeh Is Intellectually Dishonest

You invoke Yahya Jammeh to frighten the public. This is deeply irresponsible.

Jammeh abused power illegally, manipulated the Constitution, ruled by decree, jailed and killed citizens, and rejected electoral defeat.

President Barrow:

operates under constitutional limits,

submits to elections,

respects court decisions,

and governs in an open political environment.

To suggest that exercising a clear constitutional right is the first step toward dictatorship is not caution—it is fear-mongering.

.Democracy Is About Choice, Not Moral Gatekeeping 

The Gambian people are not children who need political elites to decide who may or may not contest elections.

If President Barrow is unworthy, vote him out.

 If Gambians believe he deserves another term, that is their sovereign right.

Democracy does not mean limiting choices to satisfy the moral comfort of former officials who can no longer command public support.

The Real Issue: Politics, Not Morality

Let us be honest.

Many who suddenly oppose President Barrow’s candidacy are:

former insiders who lost influence,

failed aspirants who cannot win elections,

and self-appointed moral arbiters who cannot persuade voters.

Unable to defeat him at the ballot box, they now seek to disqualify him through moral arguments that have no legal standing.

That is not patriotism. That is political expediency.

Final Question to You, Babagalleh Jallow

You ask President Barrow to sacrifice his legal right for morality.

So we ask you:

Were you morally right to abandon the TRRC before its work was completed?

Were you fair to President Barrow who trusted you?

Were you fair to the Gambian people who expected continuity and closure?

Morality that is selective is not morality.

 Principle that bends for self-interest is not principle.

President Adama Barrow’s bid for 2026 is constitutional, lawful, democratic, and legitimate. The rest is opinion—yours included.

And in a democracy, opinions do not override the Constitution.

Yaya Dampha NPP Diaspora Coordinator 

A Response to Ousainou Darboe: Law, Facts, and Responsibility Over Reckless Rhetoric

By Yaya Dampha NPP Diaspora Coordinator Sweden 

Hon. Ousainou Darboe’s recent statement in Essau exposes not strength, but desperation. Poor attendance on the UDP’s so-called nationwide tour appears to be weighing heavily on its leadership, and instead of sober reflection, the party has once again resorted to inflammatory rhetoric, fear-mongering, and veiled threats of confrontation. Gambian youths are awake now. This is not 1996, not 2016, and certainly not an era where young people will die for anyone’s personal lust for the presidency.

Let us speak plainly—and factually.

 The Law Is Clear: No Third Term Exists Under the 1997 Constitution

President Adama Barrow is serving his first term under the 1997 Constitution, elected in 2021. The 2016–2021 transition period was explicitly recognized as a transitional mandate, not governed by term limits under the current constitutional order. This is not opinion; it is constitutional fact. Until a new constitution is adopted and applied retroactively—which the UDP itself failed to deliver while controlling key state institutions—the two-term limit under the 1997 Constitution does not bar President Barrow from contesting in 2026.

Political arguments cannot override constitutional law.

UDP’s Selective Amnesia on Promises and Failures

It is deeply ironic for UDP leaders to accuse others of broken promises when:

The UDP failed to deliver a new constitution despite controlling the National Assembly.

The party walked away from national consensus and compromise.

UDP leadership prioritized party dominance over constitutional reform.

Promises do not become law simply because they are repeated at political rallies.

 A Dangerous History the UDP Refuses to Confront

Before lecturing the nation on accountability, Hon. Darboe must answer serious moral questions:

How many lives were cut short during moments of political unrest fueled by confrontational opposition politics?

How many Gambians were jailed, intimidated, or dragged into prolonged legal battles because of UDP-led political brinkmanship?

How many women were widowed, and how many children orphaned, because politics was turned into a do-or-die struggle for State House?

These are not rhetorical flourishes; they are real consequences of reckless leadership. Gambians remember April 2000. Gambians remember violent protests. Gambians remember the cost.

.No One Has a Monopoly on Democracy

The UDP does not own democracy, does not interpret the constitution alone, and does not decide who may or may not contest elections. Democracy is upheld through institutions, courts, laws, and ballots, not street pressure or threats of “action” outside legal frameworks.

Any call that hints at unrest or confrontation is not democratic—it is irresponsible.

 The Youth Are No Longer Tools

Gambian youths today are educated, aware, and politically mature. They are demanding jobs, development, stability, and peace—not recycled slogans and political intimidation. No sensible youth will sacrifice their life so that one man or one party can fulfill an endless ambition for power.

Leadership means restraint. Leadership means respect for the law. Leadership means putting country above self.

. 2026 Will Be Decided by Ballots, Not Bullets

If the UDP believes it has the people, then the path is simple: campaign peacefully, present policies, and face the electorate. But attempts to delegitimize constitutional processes or incite public anger will fail. Gambians want peace, continuity, and lawful governance—not chaos disguised as activism.

Conclusion

Hon. Darboe should pause, reflect, and recalibrate. Politics should not be driven by frustration over empty grounds and fading influence. The Gambia has suffered too much to return to politics of anger, threats, and division.

The law will prevail. The people will decide. And the future of The Gambia will not be hostage to any individual’s ambition—no matter how loud their voice at a rally.

Enough is enough.