Ex-Military Officer Abdoulie Sanyang Arrested at Banjul Airport

By JarraNews Staff Writer

Banjul, 18th August 2025 – Former military officer Mr. Abdoulie Sanyang was arrested on Sunday night at the Banjul International Airport, security officials have confirmed. The arrest took place between 21:00 and 22:00 hours on 17th August 2025, after his arrival details were flagged through the flight manifest. Mr. Sanyang was initially detained at the Airport Police Station before being handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Interpol Bureau for routine background checks. He was later transferred to the Brusubi Police Station, where he is currently in custody. Authorities link his arrest to statements he made during a live appearance on Coffee Time with Peter Gomez on West Coast Radio, aired on 14th August 2025. Officials say the remarks carry serious national security implications. It could be recalled that during the broadcast, Mr. Sanyang claimed he had returned to The Gambia to join the movement known as GALA (Gambians Against Loathed Assets), a pressure group he says is planning demonstrations aimed at removing President Adama Barrow from power before the 2026 presidential elections. "Sanyang claimed he had evidence suggesting that President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP) manipulated the 2021 presidential election. He also alleged that the government was behind the attack on Gambia’s paramilitary officers, which left two police officers dead."

Mr. Sanyang also alleged that he was the chief architect of the 2016 Solo Sandeng protest against the former President Yahya Jammeh, as well as the “brain” behind the deployment of ECOMIG Forces in The Gambia. He further declared that he is part of a group prepared to unseat President Barrow. For now, Mr. Sanyang remains in custody at the Brusubi CID, as investigations continue.

Africa at a Crossroads After Alaska Summit: Between Autonomy and Dependency

By Dr. Lang Fafa Dampha

The recent summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska has reshaped global geopolitics in ways that could reverberate far beyond Europe and Asia. Africa, already navigating fragile security landscapes and developmental challenges, now faces fresh uncertainties as global powers recalibrate their strategies. For African nations, the meeting’s implications are more than distant diplomatic maneuvers. The choices made in Washington and Moscow influence aid flows, investment opportunities, security partnerships, and the continent’s role in multilateral institutions. With both the U.S. and Russia intensifying their engagement in Africa—albeit through different means—the continent risks becoming a renewed arena of great-power competition. A Renewed Struggle for Influence The Alaska summit raises the prospect of either heightened rivalry or cautious cooperation between Washington and Moscow over Africa. Russia has expanded its footprint through military ties, private contractors, and resource-driven deals in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic. These partnerships, while offering immediate security assistance, often spark concerns about governance, sovereignty, and long-term stability. The U.S., meanwhile, has traditionally emphasized counterterrorism, governance reforms, and trade. A shift in Washington’s global posture—either towards deeper engagement or disengagement—could determine whether Africa benefits from renewed investment in health systems, infrastructure, and democratic institutions, or faces declining support at a critical time. Security Vacuums and Russian Opportunism With France’s influence waning in the Sahel and Washington signaling elements of retrenchment, Moscow appears poised to fill security gaps. Its model of offering military support in exchange for access to natural resources has gained traction, though often at the cost of transparency and democratic accountability. Should Western focus on Ukraine diminish, Russia may redirect even greater resources to Africa, reinforcing its influence in fragile states and resource-rich economies alike.

Dr.Lang Fafa Dampha Economic and Diplomatic Fallout The Alaska summit could also shape Africa’s economic trajectory. A thaw in U.S.-Russia tensions may relieve some pressure on African states forced to “choose sides,” giving them more diplomatic flexibility. It could also ease global grain markets, stabilizing food supplies for nations heavily dependent on wheat and fertilizer imports from Russia and Ukraine. Yet, the risks are considerable. Reduced Western pressure on authoritarian regimes could embolden leaders resistant to democratic reforms. Meanwhile, if the U.S. shifts attention away from Africa, critical areas such as healthcare, climate resilience, and education may face funding shortfalls—stalling progress on sustainable development goals. The Risk of Marginalisation As global powers redraw their strategies, Africa faces the danger of being treated as a peripheral player rather than an active stakeholder. Mounting debt, climate shocks, migration pressures, and recurring coups already strain many African governments. Increased reliance on Russia or China for relief may solve short-term crises while deepening long-term dependency. A Moment for African Agency Despite these risks, the Alaska summit presents an opportunity for Africa to redefine its role in global affairs. Strong states such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Algeria—along with the African Union—can seize this moment to demand greater inclusion in global governance, from climate negotiations to trade rules and security frameworks. By strengthening continental unity and prioritizing sovereignty, transparency, and accountable governance, Africa can resist being drawn into proxy rivalries. Instead, it can leverage a multipolar world order to negotiate partnerships on more equitable terms. Conclusion: The Burden of Leadership The Alaska summit underscores a central truth: Africa’s future will not be determined solely by decisions in Washington, Moscow, or Beijing, but by the resolve and vision of African leaders themselves. The continent now stands at a crossroads. Choices made in the coming years—between dependency and autonomy, between short-term deals and long-term reforms—will define whether Africa remains a stage for external rivalries or emerges as a confident actor in its own right. The stakes could not be higher. Without decisive leadership rooted in unity, integrity, and foresight, Africa risks perpetuating cycles of instability and exploitation. But with strategic vision and strong institutions, this moment of global realignment could mark the beginning of a new chapter—one in which Africa asserts, rather than defends, its place in the world.

Her Excellency Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah Barrow – Champion for Women and Children

Yesterday, a new chapter of hope and partnership was written as Her Excellency Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, First Lady of The Gambia, graced Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital with her presence.

From the moment she arrived, her warmth and compassion filled the halls. Guided by the hospital’s Chairman and CEO, Her Excellency walked through the maternity wards, bereavement centres, and neonatal units — meeting the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to give every mother and child the best start in life. She listened, she asked, and she envisioned how such expertise could be shared to benefit families back home in The Gambia.

This visit was more than a tour; it was a heartfelt mission. In partnership with the Fulbe Africa U.K. Association and the Gambian Mission, Her Excellency led meaningful discussions on building lasting ties between our two nations’ healthcare systems.

Her message was clear and inspiring: when governments, communities, and partners unite, the power to transform lives becomes unstoppable.

Her Excellency continues to be a voice for the most vulnerable — a First Lady whose vision for healthier mothers and children extends far beyond borders.

AU Urged to Put African Languages and Culture at the Heart of Integration

Dr.Lang Fafa Dampha

A new policy call warns that Africa’s unity project will falter unless the African Union embeds the continent’s own languages, cultural values, and indigenous knowledge into governance, education, and development. Experts say that mother-tongue learning, grassroots engagement, and traditional knowledge systems are vital for sustainable growth—key goals under Agenda 2063. From the early days of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU) of today, Africa’s integration drive has too often sidelined its greatest assets—its languages, cultures, and indigenous knowledge systems—in favour of externally imported models of governance and development. While initiatives such as the Inter-African Bureau of Languages and the African Academy of Languages were created to promote African languages as tools of unity, their impact has been hampered by limited institutional commitment and resources. This neglect, rooted in colonial legacies, has left governance, education, and economic planning disconnected from Africa’s diverse identities and priorities. Experts argue that genuine integration demands a fundamental shift: embedding African languages and cultural values at the heart of policy, governance, and education. Mother-tongue instruction, for instance, boosts learning outcomes and civic participation, while cultural industries—such as Nollywood and African music—generate jobs, strengthen identity, and project African creativity globally. Indigenous knowledge, from traditional farming to water conservation, offers proven, sustainable solutions to local challenges. When integrated with modern science and supported by African research institutions, these systems can drive innovation and resilience. Grassroots participation is equally critical. Policies co-designed with communities, in their own languages, ensure local ownership, enhance social cohesion, and align development with lived realities—key goals under the AU’s Agenda 2063. As Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, warned, Africa’s political and economic liberation cannot be complete without cultural revival. For the AU, reclaiming and institutionalising Africa’s languages, cultural values, and indigenous knowledge is not symbolic—it is the cornerstone of a self-determined, sustainable, and united future.

Tragic Infant Death in Wellingara Sparks Renewed Calls to End FGM

By JarraNews Staff Writer

WELLINGARA — The death of a one-month-old baby girl in Wellingara, allegedly linked to complications from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), has prompted fresh calls for justice and stronger protections for children in The Gambia. In a statement expressing “profound sorrow and indignation,” a community leader and National Assembly Member for Old Yundum condemned the incident, describing it as “a painful reminder of the urgent need to protect our children from harmful practices that rob them of their health, dignity, and future.” The lawmaker emphasized that opposition to FGM does not equate to opposition to religion or culture. “I deeply respect the rich traditions and spiritual values that shape our communities,” the statement read. “However, culture must never be used to justify violence, and faith must never be distorted to permit harm.” FGM has been banned in The Gambia since 2015, and the country is a signatory to several international agreements that obligate it to protect girls from such practices, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and the Maputo Protocol. The legislator urged authorities to conduct a full investigation into the child’s death and to prosecute anyone found responsible. “If it is confirmed that FGM contributed to the death of this one-month-old girl, accountability must be pursued swiftly and with unwavering integrity,” the statement continued. “As both a resident of Wellingara and the elected representative of the people of Old Yundum, I bear a profound moral responsibility to speak on behalf of the voiceless and stand in defense of the most vulnerable among us,” the lawmaker said, adding that the tragedy should serve as “a turning point” in the fight to eradicate FGM. “The loss of this innocent child must not be forgotten,” the statement concluded. “Our nation must renew its unwavering commitment to protecting every child’s right to life, safety, and dignity.”

A Direct Rebuttal to Dr. Lamin Manneh: The Right Meaning of “Militia”

By Yaya Dampha Coordinator NPP Diaspora Sweden

Dr. Manneh, before you dismiss the term “militia” as a dangerous fabrication, it is important to ground this discussion in facts, law, and the plain meaning of words. The term “militia” is not a vague political insult — it has a clear and universally understood meaning: a group of civilians organized to act like an armed or enforcement body outside the official state security apparatus, often self-appointed to enforce laws or protect political interests.

Militias may or may not carry firearms — what defines them is that they operate outside state authority, taking law enforcement into their own hands.

The 2021 Pre-Election Reality Before the 2021 presidential election, the United Democratic Party (UDP), through its senior official Ebrima Dibba, formed and led a squad of young men and women touring the country. These groups visited communities with the stated purpose of stopping certain individuals from registering as voters — people the UDP believed were “not Gambians.”

This action was not backed by a court order. It was not sanctioned by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). It was not conducted by the police, immigration, or any legal body mandated to determine citizenship or voter eligibility. Yet The Gambia’s electoral laws already provide: A clear process to challenge voter eligibility during registration. The establishment of a Revising Court by the IEC to adjudicate disputes over eligibility. By bypassing this legal process and physically intervening in communities to decide who should or should not be registered, these UDP youth squads acted as self-appointed enforcers of the law. That is, by definition, militia behaviour.

Why This Matters Dr. Manneh, the danger here is not in using the word “militia,” but in normalizing political groups taking over functions reserved for state institutions. Whether armed or unarmed, once a political party mobilizes its own force to enforce its own interpretation of the law, it undermines both the constitution and the electoral process. To deny this reality is to rewrite history. Gambians witnessed it. They saw groups moving from village to village in the name of “preventing fraud,” intimidating would-be registrants, and creating a climate of fear. No amount of press conferences or legal threats will erase that collective memory. Conclusion The truth is simple: If a group is organized by a political party, operates outside the law, and enforces political objectives through intimidation — it is a militia. What happened in 2021 under Ebrima Dibba’s leadership meets that definition. Refuting this with rhetoric instead of facts only deepens public mistrust. Gambia’s democracy does not need private enforcement squads, no matter which party they serve. It needs parties that trust the law, not bypass it.