By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

Authorities intensify operations as perilous illegal migration routes claim more lives

The growing menace of illegal migration through dangerous sea routes has once again come under the spotlight, as the Government of The Gambia intensifies efforts to curb the so-called “backway” journey to Europe—a voyage that has cost countless lives in the treacherous Atlantic waters.

The Government of The Gambia has expressed deep concern over the alarming rise in the number of people attempting to migrate illegally to Europe by sea, using the country as a launch point. In response, special operation teams under the Ministry of Interior have been activated to decisively tackle the situation.

Through coordinated, intelligence-led enforcement operations, the Gambia Immigration Department, in collaboration with the Gambia Police Force, targeted identified hotspot areas across the country. These operations led to the interception of 782 intending migrants and the arrest of four suspected organisers believed to be involved in human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

The intercepted migrants comprise nationals from several West African countries, including 233 Senegalese, 197 Gambians, 176 Guineans, 148 Malians, 16 Ivorians, six Nigerians, two Mauritanians, and one each from Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Ghana.

Authorities have commended the vigilance and cooperation of members of the public whose timely information played a crucial role in the successful interceptions. The Ministry of Interior noted that this level of civic responsibility demonstrates a strong national spirit and collective resolve to confront emerging social challenges and criminal networks that prey on vulnerable individuals.

Meanwhile, rescue and investigation efforts continue following the tragic boat capsizing incident of 1 January 2026. Authorities say work is ongoing to account for all those involved and to provide support to affected families, as the nation mourns yet another painful reminder of the deadly risks associated with illegal sea migration.

The Ministry, however, strongly condemned the indiscriminate circulation of graphic images of deceased victims without the consent of their families, describing the act as insensitive and inhumane. Both the media and the public have been warned to immediately desist from such practices.

Reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and safeguarding national security, the Government praised the dedication of security forces on the frontline and reiterated its resolve to dismantle illegal migration networks. The public has once again been urged to remain alert and promptly report any suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities.

As the crackdown continues, authorities stress that no dream of a better life is worth the deadly gamble of the backway journey—a path increasingly marked by tragedy, loss, and heartbreak.

Finance Minister Applauds GRA’s Strong 2025 Performance Ahead of 2026 Targets

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

As the country prepares to enter 2026, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Honourable Seedy K.M. Keita, has lauded the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) for what he described as an exceptional performance throughout 2025.

The Minister made these remarks during a courtesy visit to the GRA headquarters in Banjul, where he held discussions with the Commissioner General, Yankuba Darboe, and members of the Authority’s senior management team.

According to the Minister, the visit was intended to personally convey his appreciation to the GRA staff, following an earlier letter in which he formally commended the institution for its achievements. He noted that beyond written correspondence, it was important to acknowledge the workforce in person for their collective efforts.

Hon. Keita praised the GRA’s steady institutional growth, describing it as an organisation whose reputation now extends beyond national borders. He said the Authority’s achievements place it among leading revenue institutions in the sub-region and reflect its emergence as a centre of excellence in public revenue administration.

He further highlighted the importance of teamwork and inclusivity, stressing that every member of staff plays a vital role in the Authority’s success. The Minister encouraged employees at all levels to remain committed and to build on the progress already made as the country looks ahead to 2026.

In his response, Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe welcomed the Minister’s visit and expressed gratitude for the recognition accorded to the Authority. He assured the Minister of GRA’s continued dedication to meeting and exceeding its revenue targets in the coming year.

Also speaking during the visit, the Chairman of the GRA Board, Mr Dawda M.E. Ndure, commended the Minister’s leadership approach, noting that his gesture of appreciation had significantly boosted staff morale.

The Gambia Revenue Authority operates under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and is mandated to mobilise domestic revenue through tax and customs administration. Its performance remains critical to government financing, economic stability, and the achievement of national development objectives.

Operation "Storm Watch,” Police Arrested Over 200 In Jinack

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

Following President Adama Barrow’s declaration that illegal migration in The Gambia will no longer be treated as “business as usual,” security forces have intensified operations to curb the practice and hold both migrants and smugglers accountable. The government says the tougher stance is aimed at reducing irregular migration and preventing the tragic loss of lives at sea, where hundreds of young men, women and children—many from the subregion—have perished in recent years.

In line with this directive, the Gambia Police Force, through the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) in the North Bank Region (NBR), carried out a major early-morning operation on Tuesday, January 6, 2025, targeting suspected irregular migration activities in the Jinack area.

The operation, code-named “Storm Watch,” commenced at around 05:00 hours and involved PIU officers from Kerewan under the leadership of their commander. The team conducted coordinated raids, searches and arrests at identified locations believed to be linked to the facilitation of irregular migration and unlawful departure attempts.

As a result of the operation, more than 200 individuals suspected of involvement in irregular migration were arrested and evacuated from the Jinacks. They are currently undergoing screening and processing at the Barra GID and Essau Model Police Station, in collaboration with immigration and other relevant security authorities.

Police authorities said the success of the operation was bolstered by the cooperation of community members from Kajata village, particularly Jinack Nigi, whose support helped officers secure key locations and ensure an orderly process.

According to the Gambia Police Force, the operation forms part of sustained, intelligence-led efforts to dismantle irregular migration networks, prevent dangerous journeys and safeguard lives.

The police have commended the communities in the Jinacks for their cooperation and reiterated that community partnership remains central to the fight against irregular migration. Members of the public are urged to continue supporting security efforts by reporting suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or by calling 9968885.

The Rule of Law Must Prevail Over Emotion

By Yaya Dampha, NPP Diaspora Coordinator

There is no doubt that many Gambians sympathize with Mr. Abdoulie Sanyang. His ill health is a matter of genuine concern, and his past contributions to the struggle against dictatorship in The Gambia are well known and widely acknowledged. Compassion, however, must never eclipse the supremacy of the Constitution. A nation governed by law cannot substitute justice with sentiment, no matter how compelling the circumstances may be.

Recent calls on President Adama Barrow to pardon and release Mr. Sanyang before the conclusion of his trial are not only misguided; they are unconstitutional and unlawful.

Presidential Pardon Applies Only After Conviction

The Gambian Constitution is unequivocal on this matter. Under Section 126 of the 2019 Draft Constitution—mirroring provisions in the 1997 Constitution—the President may grant a pardon, respite, or remission of punishment only to a person who has been convicted of an offence, typically after consultation with the Prerogative of Mercy Committee.

There is no ambiguity here. A presidential pardon applies solely to a convicted person. The President cannot pardon an individual whose trial is ongoing. Moreover, a pardon does not erase guilt; it merely forgives or reduces punishment after a court of law has rendered its judgment.

Any demand for a presidential pardon prior to conviction therefore has no constitutional basis. It is not an act of mercy; it is executive interference in the judicial process.

Discontinuation of Trials Is Not a Presidential Power

Equally important is the issue of discontinuing criminal proceedings. The Constitution clearly assigns this authority to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), subject to the approval of the Attorney General. The DPP may discontinue proceedings at any stage before judgment.

The President has no constitutional authority to unilaterally halt or withdraw a case before the courts. Suggestions that the President should “order” Mr. Sanyang’s release or terminate his trial either misunderstand—or deliberately ignore—the principle of separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution.

Separation of Powers Is Fundamental

The judiciary exists precisely to prevent executive overreach. Courts determine guilt or innocence; the executive does not. A presidential pardon is not a substitute for a trial, nor was it ever intended as a political tool to bypass the courts. Allowing such a practice would drag The Gambia back to the authoritarian past that many citizens sacrificed so much to overcome.

The law is clear:

A pardon after conviction: constitutionally permitted and exercised by the President.

A pardon before conviction: constitutionally prohibited.

Discontinuation of a trial: within the powers of the DPP, with Attorney General approval.

Stopping a trial by executive order: constitutionally impermissible.

The Lawful Path Forward

If Gambians are genuinely concerned about Mr. Sanyang’s health and welfare, the responsible and lawful course of action is clear. The courts should be urged to expedite the trial so that justice is neither delayed nor denied. The judiciary must be allowed to determine guilt or innocence without pressure or interference. If—and only if—Mr. Sanyang is convicted, constitutional avenues for a presidential pardon may then be properly pursued.

This approach respects the Constitution, upholds the rule of law, preserves the separation of powers, and honors the democratic values that Mr. Sanyang himself once championed.

Conclusion

The President of The Gambia cannot lawfully pardon, release, or discontinue the trial of an individual whose case is still before the courts. Any demand to the contrary is not a call for justice; it is a call for constitutional violation.

True democracy is not tested when the law is convenient. It is tested when the law must be upheld despite sympathy, pressure, and emotion. Let justice take its course. Let the courts do their work. And let mercy follow the law—not replace it.

Falana Urges U.S. Congress to Sanction Trump Over Alleged Venezuela Invasion

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

January 4, 2026

Nigerian human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has accused former United States President Donald Trump of committing grave violations of international law, calling on the U.S. Congress to impose sanctions over what he described as an illegal invasion of Venezuela.

Falana also urged the United States judiciary to resist what he termed an attempt by Mr. Trump to use domestic courts to undermine the sovereignty of Venezuela and the rights of its people as protected under international law.

In a statement reacting to reports of U.S. military action in Caracas, Falana alleged that American forces bombed the Venezuelan capital, overthrew President Nicolás Maduro’s government, killed scores of unarmed civilians, and moved to seize the country’s oil resources.

According to him, the Venezuela operation represents a continuation of what he described as “reckless gangsterism” during Mr. Trump’s second term in office, characterised by military actions allegedly carried out without the approval of the U.S. Congress.

“In his second term in office, the United States President, Mr. Donald Trump, has repeatedly engaged in reckless gangsterism. A few months ago, he bombed Iran without congressional approval,” Falana said.

He further recalled that in November 2025, Mr. Trump allegedly threatened military action against Nigeria over claims of a so-called Christian genocide.

Falana also referenced an announcement made by Mr. Trump on December 25, 2025, in which he claimed to have launched “powerful and deadly” strikes against militants allegedly linked to the Islamic State (IS) group in north-western Nigeria, again without congressional authorisation.

“Once again, he did not secure congressional approval,” Falana stated.

The human rights lawyer said the situation worsened with reports of the bombing of Caracas and the alleged overthrow of the Venezuelan government. He further claimed that following the invasion, Mr. Trump announced the capture of a foreign head of state and his wife, who were reportedly charged with terrorism and narcotics offences in a U.S. District Court.

“The abduction and extraordinary rendition of a sitting president of a sovereign state is indeed a blatant violation of international law,” Falana said, adding that the response of the international community exposed “glaring hypocrisy and double standards.”

Beyond the military action, Falana accused the Trump administration of attempting to install a transition regime in Venezuela with the sole aim of controlling the country’s vast oil and gas resources, effectively turning it into “a new colony of the United States.”

While acknowledging ideological differences between the United States and the Maduro administration, Falana maintained that such disagreements do not justify external military intervention or regime change.

“Notwithstanding ideological differences with the Maduro administration, the United States Congress should sanction Mr. Trump for the illegal invasion of Venezuela,” he said.

He also called on the U.S. judiciary to reject what he described as efforts to use domestic courts to subvert Venezuela’s sovereignty.

Falana concluded by urging the United Nations to take decisive action, warning that silence in the face of such alleged violations would erode the credibility of the global body.

“The UN must stand with the people of Venezuela and demand justice and accountability for the fundamental breach of the United Nations Charter if it is to uphold the letter and spirit of the Charter,” he said.

Barrow for 2026,” We say it with Confidence, Evidence, and Conviction

By Yaya Dampha

NPP Diaspora Coordinator

Fellow Gambians at home and abroad,

As we step into a new year filled with hope, promise, and renewed determination, it is only fitting that we pause to reflect on how far our beloved nation has come under the leadership of President Adama Barrow—and, more importantly, where we are headed together as one people with one destiny.

Since January 2017, President Barrow has presided over a historic turning point in The Gambia’s journey. He restored what no project can be priced to buy: freedom, peace, and democratic governance. These priceless foundations have allowed development to take root across every sector of our economy and society.

Guided first by the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018–2021, and now by the forward-looking Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (RF-NDP) 2023–2027, “YIRIWAA”, President Barrow has provided a clear national vision—one that is planned, monitored, and accountable. Development under this administration is not accidental; it is deliberate and strategic.

Across the length and breadth of our country, roads, bridges, and connectivity are redefining national integration. From the transformative URR Roads and Bridges Project, to the OIC Roads, the ongoing nationwide road expansion, and the landmark Hakalang Road, rural communities are no longer cut off from opportunity. These roads are not just asphalt; they are pathways to markets, schools, hospitals, and national unity.

In the energy and water sector, President Barrow confronted decades-old challenges head-on. Through the Electricity Restoration and Modernisation Project, the OMVG regional interconnection, grid densification, and the 23MW Jambur Solar Power Plant, The Gambia is steadily building a reliable, diversified, and green energy future. The launch of the Greater Banjul Area Water Supply Project (WASIB) further demonstrates a commitment to dignity, public health, and urban resilience.

The health sector stands as a testament to leadership in times of crisis and beyond. From the decisive COVID-19 Preparedness and Response, to the renovation of EFSTH, the construction of the 1500-bed National Treatment Centre in Farato, expanded diagnostic services, strengthened laboratories, and new health facilities across rural Gambia—healthcare delivery has been fundamentally strengthened so that no Gambian is left behind.

Education and skills development remain at the heart of President Barrow’s human capital agenda. Scholarships for UTG excellence, Islamic higher learning, the National TVET Policy, Ndemban Skills Centre, RISE Project, SIE Fund, Zero Out-of-School Children Initiative, curriculum reform, student loans, and the ultra-modern UTG Faraba Banta Campus all point to one truth: this administration is investing in the future of Gambian youth.

In agriculture, the backbone of our economy, the President has moved beyond subsistence to transformation. Through NAIP II, rice and horticulture value chains, ROOTS, climate-smart agriculture, mechanisation, youth agribusiness programmes, and fertiliser subsidies, food security and farmer incomes are being strengthened with resilience and sustainability in mind.

Tourism—our window to the world—has rebounded strongly with post-COVID recovery plans, diversification, eco-tourism, MSME support, licensing reforms, and investment promotion. At the same time, youth and sports, entrepreneurship and trade, social protection, and security sector reform have all benefited from coherent policies, financing mechanisms, and institutional reforms that empower citizens and protect the state.

From NAFA cash transfers to MSME financing, from youth revolving funds to women enterprise support, President Barrow’s development agenda is inclusive, people-centred, and pro-poor.

Fellow Gambians, this record speaks for itself. And this is only some of what has been achieved.

That is why, when we say “Barrow for 2026,” we say it with confidence, evidence, and conviction. Continuity is not a slogan—it is a necessity. The foundations have been laid. The systems are working. The vision is clear.

Let us move into this new year united, hopeful, and resolute in our support for a leader who has delivered peace, stability, and development—and who is best positioned to take The Gambia even further.

May the New Year bring progress, prosperity, and peace to our nation.

May God bless President Adama Barrow.

May God bless the Republic of The Gambia.