Darboe’s Opposition to the Parliamentary Inquiry Is Challenge To Transparency ?

By Alagi Yorro Jallow

Darboe’s Opposition to the Parliamentary Inquiry: A Challenge to Transparency? Is This About Partisan Interests or Governance Integrity. Transparency Must Prevail Over Political Calculations In a stunning turn of events, UDP Leader Ousainou Darboe has publicly urged President Barrow to block the parliamentary inquiry into the sale of Yahya Jammeh’s assets, citing partisan interests. His statement, delivered in Mandinka and now circulating widely, raises serious concerns about the future of accountability in The Gambia. For years, Gambians have demanded full transparency regarding the disposal of Jammeh’s confiscated wealth, suspecting irregularities, insider dealings, and financial mismanagement.

The establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee was seen as a critical step toward uncovering the truth. Yet, Darboe’s opposition to this investigation raises fundamental questions—is this about protecting political allies, or does he genuinely believe the inquiry is flawed? Blocking an investigation into potential financial misconduct risks undermining public trust and setting a dangerous precedent. If transparency is negotiable based on political convenience, then what does that mean for future accountability efforts? If Darboe is indeed opposing the inquiry, it raises critical questions about his motivations. Is his concern genuinely about partisan interests, or does he believe the inquiry lacks fairness and transparency? Given the historical significance of Jammeh’s asset disposals, blocking an investigation could The sale and disposal of former President Yahya Jammeh’s assets have long been shrouded in controversy, raising serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and potential insider dealings. The establishment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate these transactions was widely seen as a necessary step toward financial justice. Yet, reports suggest that UDP Leader Ousainou Darboe has urged President Barrow to block the inquiry, citing partisan interests. If true, this stance demands scrutiny—why would a leader of one of The Gambia’s largest opposition parties seek to halt an investigation into potential financial mismanagement? Is this about partisan interests or governance integrity? Darboe’s opposition raises two possible interpretations? A strategic political move—If UDP believes the inquiry is politically motivated, Darboe may view it as an attempt to target specific individuals or factions rather than pursue genuine accountability. Concerns over procedural fairness—If the inquiry lacks clear oversight mechanisms, Darboe may fear it will be used selectively rather than conducted with full transparency. However, blocking an inquiry entirely rather than advocating for fairer investigative processes risks undermining public trust. Gambians deserve full disclosure, and any attempt to halt scrutiny could be perceived as shielding potential wrongdoing. Fatoumatta: If Darboe actively discourages the inquiry, he risks alienating voters who demand accountability. The Gambian people have consistently called for transparency, particularly regarding Jammeh’s financial dealings. Any leader who stands in the way of such investigations may face public backlash, as citizens increasingly demand clean governance and institutional integrity.

Furthermore, blocking an inquiry could set a dangerous precedent, signaling that financial investigations can be obstructed based on political convenience. This would weaken The Gambia’s democratic institutions, making future accountability efforts more difficult to enforce. Fatoumatta: Regardless of political affiliations, accountability should never be negotiable. If Darboe has concerns about the inquiry’s fairness, he should advocate for stronger oversight and procedural integrity, rather than calling for its outright dismissal. The Gambian people deserve answers—not political maneuvering. If the inquiry is conducted with full transparency, it will serve as a crucial step toward restoring public trust in governance. Any attempt to block or weaken this process must be met with firm resistance from civil society and the electorate. Fatoumatta: The Gambian people deserve unfiltered truth, not political maneuvering. The parliamentary inquiry into the sale of Yahya Jammeh’s assets is not about partisan interests—it is about accountability, integrity, and restoring public trust in governance. If political leaders begin cherry-picking which investigations should proceed based on political convenience, The Gambia risks slipping into a dangerous precedent where transparency is conditional, rather than fundamental. Darboe’s opposition to the inquiry may raise strategic concerns, but blocking investigations into financial mismanagement only weakens democratic institutions. Leaders must advocate for fairness, not prevent scrutiny altogether. If transparency is indeed a priority, then allowing the inquiry to proceed without obstruction is the only path forward. Fatoumatta: In governance, accountability is non-negotiable. Gambians must reject attempts to silence investigations, ensuring that truth is never compromised for political expediency. https://www.facebook.com/reel/706452825098317