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JOB VACANCY AT GAMBIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION

🇬🇲 THE GAMBIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION (GFF)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT 

POSITION: PROCUREMENT MANAGER

Reports to: General Secretary

Location: Football House, Kanifing, The Gambia

JOB PURPOSE

To lead, manage, and develop the procurement function of the Gambia Football Federation. The Procurement Manager will oversee the strategic and operational procurement of all goods, services, and works in a transparent, efficient, and cost-effective manner in compliance with GFF policies, national laws, and FIFA/CAF standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Procurement & Tendering

Implement procurement policies and best practices

Develop procurement guidelines across departments

Manage the full tendering cycle (RFQ, ITT, RFP)

Ensure fair and transparent bid evaluations

Source suppliers for equipment, kits, travel, medical supplies, and services

Contract & Supplier Management

Negotiate pricing and contract terms

Draft and manage supplier contracts

Monitor performance and supplier compliance

Compliance & Reporting

Ensure compliance with GPPA, GFF, FIFA & CAF regulations

Maintain accurate procurement records

Prepare regular procurement reports

Budget & Cost Control

Work with Finance on budgeting

Identify cost-saving opportunities

Monitor market trends and pricing

Stakeholder Engagement

Liaise with all GFF departments

Serve as the main contact for procurement issues

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement, Business, Finance, or related field

Minimum of 5 years experience in procurement or supply chain management

Proven tendering and contract management experience

Strong knowledge of procurement laws and ethics

Professional qualification (e.g., CIPS Level 4 or above)

Experience in public sector, NGO, or sports organization

Knowledge of GPPA regulations

Familiarity with FIFA/CAF financial governance

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

Excellent negotiation and analytical skills

Strong communication and reporting abilities

Advanced MS Office skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Strong organization and multitasking ability

High attention to detail

Experience with procurement software is an advantage

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Integrity and ethical leadership

Self-driven and proactive

Team-oriented and collaborative

Ability to work under pressure

Strong commercial awareness

WORKING CONDITIONS

Location: GFF Headquarters, Kanifing

Hours: Full-time (flexible hours during tournaments and national engagements)

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Friday, 19th December 2025 at 12:00 NOON

HOW TO APPLY

Submit:

CV

Cover Letter

Copies of Certificates

Address to:

General Secretary

Gambia Football Federation

Kanifing East Layout

The Gambia

NPP DIASPORA COORDINATOR RESPONSE TO FENDA DARBOE

By Yaya Dampha NPP Diaspora Coordinator 

Fenda, your passionate concerns about President Barrow’s intention to seek a third term would have carried moral and political weight had they not been anchored in selective memory, selective outrage, and selective principles. But the truths you conveniently ignore are louder than the statement you issued.

Let’s start with the law, since you claim the “constitution” is being abused.

1. There Is NO Law in The Gambia That Bars President Barrow From Seeking a Third, Fourth, or Tenth Term

Your entire argument collapses on the foundation of legality.

The 1997 Constitution is unambiguous: there are no presidential term limits, because the 2017 Draft Constitution—which your own father championed—was rejected in parliament.

So how can a president be condemned for acting within the law, while your own father seeks a sixth attempt at the presidency, also within the law?

You cannot demand constitutional obedience only when it suits your family’s political ambitions.

2. If “Leadership Is Not Possession,” Why Is Your Father Seeking a 6th Flagbearership at Almost 80+?

You speak of leaders “clinging to power”—but your own father has clung to the UDP leadership for over two decades, losing five consecutive presidential elections, refusing to hand over the baton, and presiding over the most fragmented opposition party in Gambian history.

If Barrow running for a third term is “unsettling,” then what do we call:

Ousainou Darboe seeking flagbearership for the 6th time?

The party splitting three times under his watch?

Young, competent UDP leaders fleeing because there is no space to grow?

Talib Bensouda forming his own movement?

Lamin J. Darboe forming his own party?

You speak of “making room for new voices”—yet your father has silenced every rising voice around him, insisting on being UDP’s only presidential candidate until nature decides otherwise.

If your words are sincere, then the first place to preach this gospel of renewal is your own home.

3. You Mention “The Will of The People”—But the People Rejected Your Father by 200,000 Votes

In 2021, when your father finally faced President Barrow head-on, the electorate delivered a message that could not be misinterpreted:

A nearly 200,000 vote defeat.

Not slim.

Not ambiguous.

Not questionable.

But overwhelming—the will of the people in its clearest form.

So if respecting “the will of the people” is the standard, then your father should have retired in 2021, accepted that Gambians chose Barrow twice, and opened the UDP for younger, stronger, more electable leaders.

Instead, he is preparing for a sixth attempt, at nearly 80, with no strategy except nostalgia.

Where is your outrage about that?

4. You Invoke Morality, but Ignore Political Bullying Against Barrow

You lament that Barrow “fears what comes after he leaves,” yet you forget the years when:

He was mocked as an “accidental president,”

Insulted, belittled, and disrespected by the same people who rode on his popularity to gain relevance,

And then rejected them when he became his own man.

Your father was in prison when Barrow won in 2016, yet when Barrow governed independently, he was treated as a traitor—as if he owed his presidency to your family name.

That is not moral leadership.

That is political entitlement.

5. Democracy Means Choice—Not Selective Condemnation

The constitution allows Barrow to run.

The constitution allows Darboe to run.

The constitution allows Gambians to choose.

If Barrow is truly unpopular, the ballot box—not family press statements—will decide.

And if UDP truly wants change and renewal, then Darboe must lead by example and step aside, not insist on a lifetime monopoly over the yellow flag.

FINAL WORD

You speak of power being “borrowed” from the people. You are right.

But the same people who can reject Barrow can also reject your father.

And they already have—five times.

So before condemning Barrow for running legally, constitutionally, and with broad support, perhaps the better question is:

What is stopping YOU from telling your father—who has lost five elections, fractured his party three times, and is approaching 80+—to finally allow the youth of UDP to lead?

If third terms are undemocratic, then six attempts are not leadership.

They are obsession.

And if BarrowMustGo because he seeks reelection, then by your own logic—

DarboeMustStepDown.

Yaya Dampha 

RESPONSE TO TOMBONG SAIDY AND MEMBERS OF THE UDP ON THE BORRY MATTER

 

By Yaya Dampha, NPP Diaspora Coordinator – Sweden

The attempt by Mr. Tombong Saidy and some members of the UDP to equate the reckless and dangerous incitement to violence issued by Lawyer Borry S. Touray with the political statement made by Hon. Demba Sabally is not only dishonest, but also dangerously misleading to the public.

These two statements are not equal, and they are not comparable, either in law, in meaning, or in consequence.

Lawyer Borry Touray was not responding to any political metaphor or campaign rhetoric. He openly called on the youth to take the law into their own hands, to confront the state, and create disorder. That is a textbook definition of incitement to violence. In every democratic society, encouraging citizens to rise against public order, to disobey the law violently, or to provoke chaos is a criminal offence. There is no democracy in the world where such statements are harmless or protected as “free speech”. 

By contrast, Hon. Demba Sabally’s statement — made in direct response to UDP’s own declaration that the 2026 election is “do or die” — was not a call to violence. It was political rhetoric expressing commitment, sacrifice, and determination in the face of an aggressive political narrative already introduced by the UDP leadership. It was metaphorical, not operational. It contained no instruction, no mobilisation for violence, and no encouragement of lawlessness.

To suggest that both statements are the same is either intellectually dishonest or politically desperate.

Mr. Saidy claims the law is being applied selectively. But selective application would mean similar wrongdoing being treated differently. Where is the video of Hon. Sabally instructing citizens to riot? Where is the recording of him calling on youths to dismantle law and order? Where is the statement in which he urges violence? There is none — because it does not exist.

Freedom of speech is not freedom to incite violence.

Freedom of speech does not grant the right to provoke unrest.

Freedom of speech does not include the right to destroy the peace of a nation.

When a lawyer — who should be a custodian of the law — publicly encourages anarchy, it is not political expression; it is a threat to national stability. The state has not only the right but the duty to act.

The UDP and its allies must stop confusing political defence with moral confusion. Defending incitement today is defending chaos tomorrow. History shows us exactly where this road leads: instability, suffering, and national regression.

Democracy is not damaged when the law is enforced.

Democracy is damaged when lawlessness is defended.  Democracy is destroyed when incitement is normalised. Just like how some of you are portraying it.

Justice is not selective when it is applied correctly. It only appears “selective” to those who believe political loyalty should grant immunity.

The law is not a party card.

 The Constitution does not wear party colours.

 Public safety is not subject to political negotiation.

The Gambia has suffered enough instability in its history. We will not return to the days when reckless statements set communities on fire and leaders pretended innocence afterward or you all thinking in the same myopic manner. 

Let it be crystal clear:

 Political speech is protected.

 Incitement is a crime.

 Law is law.

 And no one is above it.

If Mr. Saidy and the UDP truly believe in democracy, they should be the first to defend peace, legality, and responsibility — not excuse recklessness because it comes from someone wearing the same political badge.

History will not judge us by party loyalty.

 It will judge us by whether we stood on the side of law, peace, and truth.

In Defence of Democracy: Supporting Alagi Yorro Jallow and the Rule of Law in The Gambia

By Yaya Dampha NPP Diaspora Coordinator 

Alagi Yorro Jallow’s article is not merely an opinion piece; it is a timely civic warning.  It confronts an uncomfortable truth that many prefer to evade: democracy cannot survive when incitement is disguised as activism and recklessness is paraded as courage.  

Lawyer Borry Touray’s inflammatory remarks do not belong to the realm of legitimate political expression.  They venture dangerously into the territory of provocation, where words are intended not to persuade but to ignite.

Freedom of expression is not a license to undermine national peace.  No society, whether African or Western, tolerates direct calls to violence.  In every credible democracy, incitement is a crime — not a political right.  Words that encourage bloodshed, especially in a fragile political environment, are not heroic; they are destructive.  They do not advance democracy; they endanger it.

Alagi Yorro Jallow correctly reminds us that free speech has limits when it threatens life, stability, and constitutional order.  The Gambian Constitution, like all serious legal frameworks, protects liberty while criminalizing violence and incitement.  The law is not partisan.  It does not wear party colours.  It protects citizens — not egos, not ambitions, and not reckless rhetoric.

The Gambia Police Force therefore deserves commendation, not criticism, for charging Borry Touray with incitement to violence.  This action is not political persecution; it is constitutional policing.  The police acted to preserve peace, prevent chaos, and uphold the rule of law.  A democratic state that fails to respond to dangerous speech becomes complicit in the violence that follows.

Selective outrage is the cancer of political morality.  Those who shout the loudest today were often whispering — or silent — during the worst years of dictatorship.  During Yahya Jammeh’s reign, when the constitution was trampled, tribes were insulted, and citizens disappeared, many who now perform bravery were nowhere to be found.  Silence then cannot be rebranded as righteousness now.

As African wisdom teaches: “You cannot divorce your husband and claim your virginity.”  One cannot be absent when courage is required and later claim purity through recklessness.  One cannot ignore tyranny and later posture as a defender of democracy through incitement.  History keeps receipts.

Alagi Yorro Jallow is also right to condemn all forms of incitement, regardless of source.  Whether it comes from the opposition or the government, from ministers or lawyers, tribalists or populists — it must be rejected.  Political loyalty must never be greater than loyalty to peace.  A nation burns not only from the fire of bad leaders, but also from the silence of their followers.

Those who incite violence are not patriots.  They are arsonists in borrowed uniforms.  They exploit frustration, hunger for attention, and wrap recklessness in liberation language.  But bravery is not noise.  Courage is not volume.  Leadership is not incitement.

The Gambia has suffered enough.  This generation must refuse to inherit chaos wrapped in political slogans.  Democracy is defended not by the loudest voice, but by the clearest conscience.  The rule of law is not oppression; it is protection.  Accountability is not punishment; it is preservation of peace.

Alagi Yorro Jallow deserves applause for saying what many think but fear to say: Cowardice in dictatorship cannot be redeemed by recklessness in democracy.  Incitement is not activism.  Hypocrisy is not patriotism.  And silence in tyranny cannot be washed away by noise in freedom.

The Gambia’s future depends not on who shouts the loudest, but on who stands for justice when shouting is not fashionable.  Let the law stand.  Let peace prevail.  Let hypocrisy be named.  And let democracy be defended — not with violence, but with principle.

Rebutal: SANNA MANJANG’S PROSECUTION IS LAW, NOT POLITICS

By Yaya Dampha

 NPP Diaspora Coordinator, Sweden

The ongoing prosecution of Sanna Manjang has reignited intense public debate. While no reasonable Gambian contests the necessity of accountability for crimes committed during the Jammeh-era, it is equally important that public discussion be grounded in law, not conjecture. Unfortunately, recent commentary has injected legal inaccuracies and political speculation into what is, in reality, a straightforward matter of criminal justice.

Several claims being circulated deserve correction.

Sanna Manjang Is Not a Serving Member of the Gambia Armed Forces

The suggestion that Sanna Manjang remains an active member of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) is legally false.

Under the Gambia Armed Forces Act (GAFA) 1985, any soldier who is absent without lawful authority for more than 30 days is formally recorded as Absent Without Leave (AWOL). After three months, the individual is deemed a deserter. Importantly, under military law, prolonged desertion—especially extending over years—results in the automatic loss of military status. Sanna Manjang has not been in active service for over two decades. In law, he is no longer a member of the armed forces and therefore cannot be treated as such.

There is no legal basis for presenting a person in military uniform when he is no longer a legal member of the institution.

Civilian Courts Have Lawful Jurisdiction

Even if Sanna Manjang were a serving soldier (which he is not), the claim that only a court-martial could hear his case is incorrect.

Military law governs internal offences such as desertion, insubordination, or disciplinary breaches. However, crimes such as murder, torture, enforced disappearance, arson, and aggravated assault fall squarely under civil jurisdiction—regardless of whether the accused is a soldier or civilian.

Uniform does not confer immunity.

 Military rank does not shield criminal liability.

 Human-rights violations are not subject to military privilege.

The High Court of The Gambia therefore retains full jurisdiction.

Prosecution of One Suspect Is Not “Selective Justice”

It has also been argued that prosecuting Sanna Manjang while other Junglers remain uncharged amounts to selective justice. This misunderstands how criminal prosecutions work.

Prosecutorial decisions rest on:

availability of witnesses,

sufficiency of evidence,

admissibility standards,

and custody status of suspects.

Courts do not wait for multiple defendants to be arrested before proceeding against one who is already in custody and sufficiently implicated. No legal standard anywhere in the world requires that crimes be prosecuted in “batches.”

Justice is not rendered invalid because it is first.

Living Freely Does Not Mean Legal Innocence

The fact that some former Junglers remain at liberty does not render this prosecution illegitimate. It means only that investigations, evidence-gathering, and jurisdictional obstacles differ case by case. Prosecution is not a popularity contest or a public spectacle; it is a legal process driven by evidence, timing, and access to suspects.

To halt a legitimate trial simply because others have not yet been charged would institutionalize impunity rather than cure it.

The TRRC Was Not a Court — and Does Not Replace One

Another misunderstood point is the role of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). The TRRC was:

not a judicial body,

issued no convictions,

rendered no binding verdicts.

It produced findings and recommendations only.

Criminal prosecution comes after truth commissions—not before. The courts are not enforcing TRRC conclusions; they are applying the Criminal Code of The Gambia using evidence and witness testimony subjected to judicial scrutiny.

This Is Not Electoral Politics—It Is Delayed Justice

To label this prosecution “election-driven” trivializes years of survivors’ suffering and ignores the reality of systemic delay in post-dictatorship accountability.

Justice delayed by two decades is not political—it is overdue.

Timing does not invalidate legitimacy.

Conclusion

This is not a show trial.

 This is not political theater.

 This is lawful prosecution.

Sanna Manjang stands before a civilian court because:

he is lawfully a civilian,

his alleged crimes are civilian offences,

and the court holds jurisdiction.

The real threat to justice is not prosecution.

 It is public confusion fueled by false legal claims.

Gambians deserve truth based on law—not speculation.

Justice must proceed—not retreat.

Former ‘Jungler’ Sanna Manjang in Custody as Army Confirms Arrest

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter, Banju

The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed that Sanna Manjang, a former member of the feared paramilitary unit known as the “Junglers,” is currently in custody, following reports of recent arrests linked to security operations in the country.

GAF spokesperson Malick Sanyang verified Manjang’s detention but said details regarding other individuals reportedly arrested remain unclear, including their identities and nationalities.

“It is my understanding that the referenced Sanna Manjang is indeed in custody, but the others allegedly rounded up have not yet been confirmed to be Gambians,” Sanyang said. He added that Gambian authorities are working closely with regional counterparts to ensure proper procedures are followed.

“There is close collaboration with our counterparts and the necessary steps are being taken in a timely manner,” he said. “Further details will be released as developments unfold. We urge the public to remain patient as this matter is being treated with the seriousness it deserves. A more detailed statement will be issued soon.”

Manjang reportedly fled The Gambia after the fall of the Yahya Jammeh administration. He has been implicated in several alleged human rights abuses highlighted in reports by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).

Meanwhile, a senior security officer disclosed that former president Yahya Jammeh and individuals described as his close associates are believed to be aware of alleged plans by Manjang and others to carry out coordinated attacks on strategic installations, including Banjul International Airport, Kanilai military camp, and Yundum Barracks. According to the officer, some of the alleged plotters contacted elements within the army who instead reported the communications to security authorities.

The officer further commended the Government of Senegal and its security services for what he described as their diligence and cooperation in the ongoing security efforts.

Security sources say intensive intelligence-led investigations are continuing, with the possibility of further arrests. Observers also say the latest developments may explain recent claims by the APRC No-To-Alliance faction that former president Jammeh would return to the country this November, claims now widely viewed as increasingly doubtful.

ECOWAS in Action: Guinea-Bissau President Secured in Senegal

JarranewsTV – Dakar, Senegal

Senegal President Takes Part in Emergency ECOWAS Summit on Guinea-Bissau Crisis

The Government of Senegal has confirmed that His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye on Tuesday took part in an extraordinary virtual summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to address the unfolding situation in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau following an attempted military takeover.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, the government said the high-level meeting strongly condemned the use of force to seize power and called for the immediate restoration of constitutional order. The summit also demanded the unconditional release of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and all individuals currently in detention.

ECOWAS leaders further agreed to establish a mediation committee to oversee the implementation of the resolutions adopted. Senegal has been selected as a member of this ad hoc body, which is expected to travel to Bissau in the coming days to engage directly with stakeholders and assess the situation on the ground.

Addressing the summit, President Faye underscored the importance of upholding constitutional legality, ensuring the safety of civilians, and holding any electoral process in a peaceful and secure environment in line with regional frameworks.

According to the ministry, Senegalese authorities have been in continuous contact with political actors in Guinea-Bissau since the onset of the crisis. Under the direct guidance of the Head of State, discussions focused on securing the release of President Embaló and other political detainees, as well as reopening borders to allow the evacuation and repatriation of foreign nationals, including election observers.

As part of these efforts, the Senegalese government dispatched a chartered aircraft to Bissau to facilitate the operation. The intervention ensured the safe transport of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló to Senegal.

The Government of Senegal reiterated its commitment to work closely with ECOWAS, the African Union, and international partners to promote dialogue, stability, and the swift restoration of constitutional governance and democratic legitimacy in Guinea-Bissau.

Forward Gambia Movement Engages GFD on Disability Inclusion Ahead of 2026 Polls

A delegation from the Forward Gambia Foundation, associated with supporters of former Gambian ambassador Essa Bokar Sey, on Friday held talks with the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) to explore possible areas of collaboration and discuss the inclusion of persons with disabilities in national governance.

The high-level engagement took place on 25 October at the federation’s headquarters in Kanifing and brought together GFD’s executive leadership and representatives from several Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), including the National Union of Disability Organisations (NUDY), Gambia Organisation of the Visually Impaired (GOVI), Gambia Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association (GADHOH), and the Gambia Amputees Association.

Presiding over the meeting, GFD President Muhammed Krubally said the Federation welcomed dialogue on disability issues but maintained its position as a non-political institution. He stressed that while the GFD does not endorse political parties or candidates, it remains open to partnerships that advance the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.

Speaking on behalf of the Federation, Acting Executive Director Sainey Camara disclosed that the engagement was formally requested by the Forward Gambia Foundation to present its agenda on disability inclusion. He reminded the delegation that the GFD operates under established protocols, adding that any partnership must respect the federation’s structures and procedures.

Presenting the movement’s position, the Foundation’s Nationwide Coordinator, Halimatou Sowe, said the group is inspired by Ambassador Sey and seeks to build a framework that ensures the participation of persons with disabilities at community, regional and national levels. She noted that Ambassador Sey, who is the parent of a child with a disability, has prioritised disability inclusion as a core part of his national vision.

The delegation underscored the importance of consulting the disability community as part of any national political agenda, stating that true national representation cannot be achieved without the active involvement of persons with disabilities in governance and decision-making processes.

A profile of Ambassador Sey was presented by Ebrima Ceesay, who highlighted the former diplomat’s service as ambassador to France, Russia, Taiwan and the United States. He also confirmed that preparations are underway to register a political party ahead of the 2026 presidential election.

Chairman Krubally cautioned against the use of persons with disabilities for political leverage and warned against what he described as past instances of “token representation” that failed to produce lasting impact. He also emphasised the correct use of inclusive terminology, urging the consistent reference to “Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).”

The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to maintain dialogue and explore areas of cooperation that promote empowerment and long-term inclusion. They reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, mutual respect and sustained engagement in the national interest.

Report by Madi S. Njie

IEC Official Sounds Alarm Over Low Female Representation in Gambia’s Politics

  

By Madi S. Njie

A senior official of The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has urged authorities, political parties and civil society to intensify efforts to ensure women and other marginalised groups are fully included in the country’s electoral system.

Mariama Jammeh, who oversees gender and disability matters at the IEC, made the appeal on 19 November 2025 during a UNDP-supported capacity-building forum held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre. Addressing participants at the workshop, she said that unequal access to political space continues to hold back democratic development.

In her presentation, she underlined that social expectations placed on men and women often determine who gets opportunities in public life and who is left behind. According to her, groups such as women, young people, persons with disabilities and economically disadvantaged communities still face significant obstacles when attempting to engage in politics.

Ms Jammeh pointed out a clear contradiction in the country’s voting patterns: although women make up most of the electorate, they remain largely absent from leadership positions. She disclosed that women accounted for more than half of registered voters in the past two national elections—53.5 per cent in 2016 and 57 per cent in 2021—yet none has ever stood as a presidential candidate in those contests. Representation in the National Assembly has also remained unchanged, with only three women elected in both the 2017 and 2022 parliaments. At local level, the situation is similarly bleak, with just one woman elected as mayor or council chairperson in both 2018 and 2023.

She warned that such imbalances weaken democracy and reduce the diversity of voices in decision-making. “Institutions should mirror the society they represent,” she said, noting that inclusion improves policymaking and supports national and international development goals.

To reverse the trend, she proposed a range of measures including the introduction of quotas, reforms within political parties, leadership mentoring for women, and nationwide education campaigns to raise awareness about voting rights and participation. She also stressed the need to confront long-standing cultural attitudes that discourage women from entering politics.

The workshop, organised with support from the United Nations Development Programme and coordinated by UNDP Governance Officer Ms Emi Leung, forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen democratic participation and ensure no group is excluded from the political process in The Gambia.

Editorial: The Extravagant Travels of Former Auditor General Momodou Ceesay

JarraNewsTV Editorial: When the Auditor Becomes the Question — The Extravagant Travels of Former Auditor General Momodou Ceesay

In a country where every dalasi matters, the office entrusted with protecting the nation’s finances must be beyond reproach. That is why the newly surfaced travel chart linked to Momodou Ceesay, the former Auditor General of The Gambia, has sparked deep public concern and a wave of whistleblower-level scrutiny.

The data shows a startling pattern: near-continuous foreign trips, long hotel stays, high per diems, and an eagerness to attend every conference, workshop, or international gathering available. For a civil servant, the lifestyle appears more like that of a diplomat or a jet-setting executive than the head of a national oversight institution.

But the real issue is bigger than travel.

It is about trust.

The Office of the Auditor General holds the highest responsibility in uncovering financial mismanagement across government institutions. It is the watchdog—the one body expected to remain disciplined, frugal, and focused on the public interest.

Yet, the irony here is impossible to ignore:

No one audits the Office of the Auditor General.

The institution responsible for scrutinizing others has no internal or external mechanism that routinely scrutinizes its own spending. So when the Auditor General himself is seen engaging in frequent, costly international trips, the public’s confidence naturally collapses. If the watchdog is left unchecked, who then ensures accountability within the most critical accountability office in the country?

The emergence of this travel pattern also raises broader questions about Ceesay’s recent refusal of a ministerial appointment. A minister’s life is heavily domestic, tightly monitored, and subject to political and public scrutiny. It does not offer the same level of unrestricted international mobility, allowances, and luxury that these records suggest he grew accustomed to.

Was this globe-trotting lifestyle too comfortable to abandon?

While JarraNewsTV does not claim wrongdoing, the red flags are too obvious to ignore. At a time when The Gambia urgently needs strong financial guardianship, this situation reveals a deeper systemic weakness: a watchdog without a watcher.

If the Office of the Auditor General is allowed to operate without oversight, then national accountability itself stands on fragile ground.

JarraNewsTV will continue to follow this story as more details emerge.

MADI Accuses ECOWAS Commission President of Abuse of Office, Warns of Diplomatic Fallout

A Nigerian civil society organisation has levelled serious allegations against the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, in a development that may add new strain to relations between Nigeria and The Gambia.

In a statement released in Abuja, the Make A Difference Initiative (MADI) accused Dr. Touray of overstepping his authority by withdrawing powers earlier delegated to the Nigerian ECOWAS Commissioner for Internal Services, Professor Nazifi Abdullahi Darma. The group says the decision was made on the grounds of alleged insubordination but without regard for the disciplinary procedures laid out in the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol.

According to Articles 18 and 19 of the protocol, only the ECOWAS Council of Ministers—not the Commission President—has the power to discipline Commissioners. Professor Darma has since taken the matter before the ECOWAS Court of Justice, where the legality of the President’s action will be contested.

Concerns Over Representation and Balance of Power

MADI further claimed that Dr. Touray attempted to allocate Commissioner-level duties to a Gambian national appointed from his office. Such a move, the group argues, would effectively give The Gambia two Commissioner positions, contradicting the ECOWAS principle of fair geopolitical representation.

The organisation expressed fears that this could fuel perceptions of preferential treatment towards The Gambia and erode the goodwill between Abuja and Banjul. Nigeria currently contributes close to 90 percent of ECOWAS’s financial and logistical resources, making it a major stakeholder in the bloc’s governance.

Beyond the immediate dispute, MADI warned of what it called a “growing concentration of power” at the Commission’s top level. Both the Commission President and the Director of Cabinet—considered one of the most strategically important offices—are Gambian nationals. The group said this pattern, coupled with heightened political tensions across West Africa and the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the bloc, could weaken the institution’s stability and international credibility.

Call for Gambian Government Action

In a direct message to Banjul, the organisation urged the Gambian government to step in and ensure that the matter does not escalate further.

“It may be necessary to rein in or, if required, recall Dr. Touray to protect its reputation, preserve bilateral goodwill and uphold the integrity of ECOWAS,” MADI stated.

The civil society body outlined six key demands, including the withdrawal of the memo issued against Commissioner Darma, restoration of his delegated powers, a halt to what it described as interference in the judicial process, and a broader review of governance practices within the Commission.

“ECOWAS cannot demand constitutional order from member states while violating constitutional order within its own leadership structure,” the group cautioned.

Issue Expected at December ECOWAS Meetings

According to reports by The Authority newspaper, the dispute is expected to feature prominently during the upcoming ECOWAS ministerial meetings scheduled for December in Abuja.

As of the time of publication, Dr. Touray has not issued a response to the allegations.

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GRTS Welcomes AUB Delegation as Plans for 2026 Continental Gathering Intensify

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter, Banjul

A high-level delegation from the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB), led by its Director General, Mr. Gregoire Ndjaka, is currently in The Gambia as guests of the Gambia Radio and Television Service (GRTS).

Mr. Ndjaka is accompanied by Ms. Rokehya Ndiaye, the AUB’s Head of Member Relations. The visiting team is in the country to engage government officials and the GRTS leadership on preparations for the 2026 AUB General Assembly, scheduled to take place in Banjul.

During their mission, the delegation held a series of consultative meetings with the Minister of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services. They also met with GRTS Director General, Mr. Abdoulie Sey, and senior management of the national broadcaster to review initial planning requirements for the continental gathering.

As part of their assessment, the team conducted site visits to key hospitality and conference facilities, including the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo. They later held discussions with members of the GRTS Board of Directors, represented by Vice Chair Mr. Kemo Conteh.

The 2026 General Assembly will mark the first time The Gambia hosts an AUB event—an important milestone that underscores GRTS’s efforts to strengthen its visibility within Africa’s broadcasting landscape.

Background on the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB)

Established in the early 1960s under its former name URTNA, the African Union of Broadcasting is the continent’s principal professional body for national radio and television organisations. It was restructured and renamed AUB in 2006 to adapt to modern broadcasting needs and expand cooperation across African media houses.

AUB works to promote collaboration among broadcasters, facilitate content exchange, negotiate affordable satellite transmission rates, and support training and professional development across the sector. It also represents African broadcasters in international forums and plays a key role in advocating for media rights, technological advancement, and fair access to global broadcast opportunities.Today, the organisation brings together public and private broadcasters from across Africa, united by the mission of strengthening the continent’s media landscape and projecting a more authentic African narrative to global audiences.