Opposition Illusions, Social Media Noise, and the Reality of Electoral Politics

As The Gambia approaches another decisive election year, it is necessary to separate political reality from manufactured illusion. Unfortunately, much of what is being presented by segments of the opposition and their online cheerleaders belongs firmly in the latter category.

A growing number of opposition supporters have convinced themselves that social media noise and selective “surveys” are substitutes for political organisation, national presence, and electoral credibility. They are not. Elections are not won on Facebook timelines, WhatsApp groups, or Twitter spaces. They are won on the ground—through structures, consistency, unity, and delivery.

Electoral history is instructive. Parties such as Sobeyaa, UMC, and PDOIS have repeatedly failed to break beyond marginal percentages nationwide. This is not insult; it is record. Outside the Kombos, many of these parties lack visible, functional structures and cannot demonstrate sustained grassroots support across all six administrative regions. Press statements and online activism cannot replace political machinery.

It is also important to clarify a common deception: signatures collected for party registration do not equate to voter loyalty. The Gambian electorate understands the difference between administrative compliance and political commitment. No one is fooled.

More telling, however, is the state of the so-called “main opposition.” The UDP is currently experiencing one of the most difficult periods in its history. Since the selection of Ousainou Darboe as flagbearer, the party has not consolidated; it has fractured. Two prominent figures exited and formed separate political movements. Their support bases did not vanish—they dispersed, with many supporters quietly relocating to the National People’s Party (NPP).

The consequences are visible and damaging:

Open hostility between former UDP allies on social media

Persistent factionalism among those who remained and those who left.

A recent nationally televised war of words between two Members of Parliament who were once UDP colleagues, now divided after one departed with the party’s former political favourite to establish a new movement.

This is not a picture of readiness. It is a picture of disunity and internal collapse.

A fragmented opposition cannot plausibly present itself as a credible alternative government. If a party cannot manage its own internal contradictions, how does it propose to govern a diverse nation?

There is also a moral contradiction that deserves mention. During the darkest years of dictatorship—when dissent was dangerous, rights were suppressed, and fear dominated public life—many of today’s loudest critics were conspicuously silent. Now, in an environment of freedom and constitutional protection, they present themselves as fearless champions. Courage exercised only after danger has passed is not leadership.

The irony is that the very freedom enabling today’s criticism exists because this country moved away from dictatorship. Under authoritarian rule, such public attacks would have been unthinkable.

Meanwhile, voters are not blind. They see tangible outcomes:

Nationwide infrastructural development

Rural electrification reaching towns, villages, and hamlets

Expanded agricultural support

Improved access to education

Protection of human rights and social justice

An open democratic space that tolerates dissent

Even opposition-celebrated data such as the CePRASS report does not demonstrate opposition strength; it reveals fragmentation. Preferences are scattered, leadership is contested, and coordination is absent. Undecided voters are not rejecting the ruling party in favour of the opposition—they are withholding judgment, waiting for seriousness, unity, and clarity.

The National People’s Party will not allow political fantasy to dominate national discourse. We will engage, respond, and confront misinformation directly—platform for platform, record against record.

This election will not be decided by hashtags or manufactured outrage.

It will be decided by credibility, unity, and delivery.

On those measures, the contrast is clear.

Yaya Dampha

NPP Diaspora Coordinator – Sweden

GENEVA BOWS TO THE GAMBIA: Minister Mod K. Ceesay Leads Historic Trade Mission to the WTO

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

The Gambia has firmly stamped its authority on the global trade stage as a high-powered national delegation, led by the Honourable Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Mod K. Ceesay, arrived in Geneva for the country’s highly anticipated Trade Policy Review at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

This landmark appearance marks a defining chapter in The Gambia’s economic diplomacy, showcasing a nation confidently asserting its place within the international trading system. The Trade Policy Review offers a prestigious platform for The Gambia to project its reform credentials, articulate its strategic vision, and reaffirm its unwavering commitment to transparent, rules-based global trade.

The delegation’s presence in Geneva comes at a moment of renewed momentum, as The Gambia accelerates sweeping reforms aimed at modernising its trade framework, empowering the private sector, and positioning the country as a rising hub for investment, regional commerce, and sustainable economic transformation.

Minister Ceesay’s commanding leadership at the WTO underscores the Government’s firm resolve to place trade at the heart of national development, job creation, and inclusive growth. His stewardship reflects a clear message: The Gambia is open for business, reform-driven, and globally engaged.

During the review process, The Government of The Gambia received resounding praise from WTO members, with particular commendation directed at the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) for its bold reform agenda and effective trade facilitation measures powered by modern techniques.

This international recognition highlights the country’s impressive strides in strengthening customs efficiency, streamlining border procedures, and deploying digital innovations that enhance transparency and ease of doing business. These achievements are widely regarded as game-changing reforms that boost investor confidence and ensure smoother, faster trade flows across borders.

As The Gambia commands attention in Geneva, one message rings clear: a new era of economic confidence, credibility, and global respect is firmly underway.

Political Survivors Disguised as Patriots: The APEX Illusion Exposed

Written by Yaya Dampha, NPP Diaspora Coordinator

Demba Ali Jawo and the APEX Initiative have neither the moral authority nor the credibility to lecture Gambians about opposition unity or the so-called “untenable situation” of the country. An organisation built on shaky foundations and led by individuals with questionable records cannot convince anyone—let alone unite a serious political opposition.

Let us start with credibility.

Demba Ali Jawo often presents himself as a victim of dictatorship and a champion of press freedom. The truth is far more nuanced. Yes, he was a senior member of the Gambia Press Union, but unlike many journalists who were hunted relentlessly, jailed, tortured, or permanently exiled, Jawo was going in and out of The Gambia. Many of us had no such luxury. Others paid with their lives, careers, and families. History should be told honestly, not selectively.

Now let us talk about performance, not rhetoric.

When Demba Ali Jawo was appointed Minister of Information, hopes were genuinely high. Gambians expected bold reforms—especially the removal of draconian media laws that we all fought against during the dictatorship. That was the collective cry of journalists, activists, and civil society.

What happened instead?

The draconian media laws remained firmly in the Constitution.

No meaningful legislative reform was initiated or completed.

No clear policy direction was set to professionalize or sanitize the media space.

Ironically, it was during Jawo’s tenure that the media environment deteriorated the most—marked by:

The rise of unprofessional and unethical media outlets

Rampant misinformation and propaganda

A toxic, unregulated broadcasting culture

Until his removal, Demba Ali Jawo cannot point to a single enduring achievement that elevated journalism, strengthened ethics, or restored professionalism in Gambian media. That failure is part of the legacy he is now trying to erase with political commentary.

And let us be very clear on one crucial point:

If President Adama Barrow were the authoritarian figure Jawo and his allies try to paint him as, those same draconian media laws would already be in full force. The fact that President Barrow has not weaponized those laws—despite relentless provocation, misinformation, and abuse—speaks volumes about his democratic restraint and commitment to freedoms.

Now to APEX itself.

APEX is not struggling because opposition parties are stubborn.

APEX is struggling because it is led by political failures whose relevance depends on President Barrow losing power.

These are individuals who:

Failed in office

Failed to reform systems they once controlled

Failed to earn sustained public trust.

Their sudden concern about “national interest” rings hollow. Gambians can clearly see that their political and social relevance ends if President Adama Barrow wins the 2026 election—which, by all indications, he is well-positioned to do.

The irony is painful.

Jawo accuses President Barrow of being surrounded by people focused on survival. Yet it is precisely Jawo and his cohorts who are fighting for political survival—repackaged as “unity,” sold as “patriotism,” but driven by self-interest.

Finally, let us talk about results, because politics is not a debating society.

The Gambian people are wiser than APEX assumes. They vote based on lived reality, not studio talk shows.

Under President Adama Barrow and the NPP government, Gambians have seen:

Massive infrastructural development across the country

Strengthened democratic space and institutional support

Policy reforms and stability

Improved public service salaries, income, and job security

A peaceful political environment unmatched in our recent history

These are tangible achievements, not theoretical grievances.

That is why no amount of noise from APEX will rewrite reality.

That is why Gambians will decide for themselves—not because they are forced, but because they know what is good for them.

Unity cannot be built on bitterness.

Leadership cannot be claimed without results.

And credibility cannot be borrowed from a past that was never fully delivered.

APEX does not lack unity—it lacks trust.

GRA Showcases Visionary Leadership and Digital Transformation at IMF Regional Forum

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has once again affirmed its growing stature as a regional pacesetter in modern revenue administration, as its top leadership participated in the Second IMF–AFRITAC West 2 Regional Leadership Forum, bringing together Commissioners General and senior tax administrators from Anglophone West Africa and Cape Verde.
At the heart of GRA’s strong presence at the high-level forum was the visionary leadership of Commissioner General, Mr. Yankuba Darboe, whose transformative agenda continues to reposition the Authority as a modern, efficient, and fully digitalized revenue institution. He was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner General and Head of Domestic Taxes, Mr. Essa Jallow, and the Director of Technical Services, Mr. Yahya Manneh—a senior management team widely credited for driving institutional reforms and embedding innovation across the Authority.

The forum, officially opened by Sierra Leone’s Honourable Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, also attracted senior representatives from the IMF, the European Union, and the AFRITAC West 2 Centre, underscoring the strategic importance of the gathering in shaping the future of tax administration in the region.
Discussions focused on critical leadership and reform themes, including ethical and adaptive leadership, effective decision-making, managing political interference, performance management, and translating bold vision into measurable impact. These themes resonate strongly with the reform trajectory championed by Commissioner General Darboe and his management team, who have consistently prioritized results-driven leadership and institutional modernization.
A major highlight of the forum was GRA’s presentation on “Navigating Political Challenges in Reform Implementation and Revenue Administration.” The Authority showcased practical, homegrown solutions that reflect its forward-looking strategy, including the successful implementation of ASYCUDA World, the rollout of Digital Tax Stamps on excisable goods, the Revenue Assurance System for Mobile Network Operators, and the Rental Tax Compliance System. These initiatives stand as clear evidence of GRA’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance transparency, efficiency, and domestic revenue mobilization.
Observers at the forum noted that GRA’s experiences demonstrated how strong leadership, backed by a cohesive senior management team, can overcome political and operational challenges while sustaining reform momentum. The Authority’s journey toward becoming a fully digital revenue institution was widely acknowledged as a model for peer administrations in the AFRITAC West 2 region.
Beyond sharing its own success story, GRA’s delegation also engaged with counterparts to learn from regional best practices, further strengthening the Authority’s reform agenda under the steady guidance of Commissioner General Darboe.
As The Gambia accelerates its national development ambitions, the performance of the GRA under its current leadership continues to inspire confidence. Through visionary direction, strategic innovation, and an unwavering commitment to modernization, the GRA is not only uplifting its institutional capacity but also reinforcing The Gambia’s position as a leader in revenue administration across West Africa.

Sheikh Dr. Kemo Saidy Khan Successfully Defends PhD Thesis

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

Sheikh Alhagie Kemo Saidykhan, a distinguished son of Jarra Kani Kunda and a descendant of the renowned Islamic scholar Mamma Yero Saidykhan—whose legacy greatly contributed to the spread of Islamic teachings in The Gambia—has successfully defended his doctoral thesis and has been officially confirmed as a PhD holder.

The thesis, titled “The Impact of False Religions on Qadiani (Ahmadiyya) Beliefs: A Descriptive and Critical Study,” was rigorously examined and unanimously approved by the academic panel.

Following the successful defense, Sheikh Dr. Kemo Saidy Khan was awarded the Al-‘Alamiyyah (Doctorate) degree with an Excellent grade and First Class Honours, marking a significant milestone in his scholarly and religious journey.

The defense took place on 17th Sha‘ban 1447 AH, corresponding to 5th February 2026.

Family members, scholars, and well-wishers have expressed joy at this achievement and have called for continued prayers for Sheikh Dr. Kemo Saidy Khan’s guidance, success, and service to Islamic knowledge and the wider community.

Darboe’s Vision Elevates GRA as Regional Tax Reform Powerhouse at IMF Forum

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter, 2026

The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), under the decisive and forward-looking leadership of Commissioner General Mr. Yankuba Darboe, has once again positioned itself as a leading force in regional tax administration, following its high-profile participation at the Second International Monetary Fund (IMF)–AFRITAC West 2 Regional Leadership Forum held from 2nd to 6th February 2026.

The prestigious forum brought together Commissioners General and senior revenue administrators from Anglophone West Africa and Cape Verde to confront critical leadership and reform challenges shaping the future of revenue mobilization across the region.

Leading The Gambia’s delegation was Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe, whose reform-driven stewardship has transformed the GRA into one of the most dynamic and respected revenue administrations in West Africa. He was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner General and Head of Domestic Taxes Mr. Essa Jallow, and Director of Technical Services Mr. Yahya Manneh, reflecting the depth and strength of the Authority’s senior leadership team.

The forum was officially opened by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Finance, Hon. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, with strong representation from the IMF, European Union, and the AFRITAC West 2 Center—further underscoring the significance of the gathering.

Discussions focused on high-impact themes essential to modern revenue administration, including ethical leadership, effective decision-making, managing political interference, delivering successful reforms, stakeholder management, and translating vision into measurable results. These themes closely mirror the reform agenda already being vigorously pursued at the GRA under Darboe’s leadership.

A major highlight of the forum was the GRA’s presentation on “Navigating Political Challenges in Reform Implementation and Revenue Administration.” Drawing from real-world experience, the presentation showcased The Gambia’s bold and innovative reforms, many of which have been personally championed by Commissioner General Darboe.

Among the standout initiatives were the successful implementation of ASYCUDA World, the rollout of Digital Tax Stamps on excisable goods, the Revenue Assurance System for Mobile Network Operators, and the Rental Tax Compliance System—all reforms that have strengthened transparency, improved compliance, and significantly boosted domestic revenue mobilization.

These achievements were widely acknowledged as practical examples of how strong, principled leadership can overcome political and operational challenges while delivering tangible national benefits.

The forum also provided an invaluable opportunity for the GRA’s Senior Management Team to exchange ideas and learn from peer administrations, further enhancing the Authority’s reform momentum.

With Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe at the helm, the GRA continues to set benchmarks in integrity, innovation, and results-driven leadership—earning The Gambia growing respect as a model for revenue administration reform across the West African sub-region.