Binta Jallow Nabbed in Drug Smuggling Attempts at Mile 2 Prison

By JarranewsTV Staff Reporter

Authorities have raised alarm over a growing trend of individuals attempting to smuggle prohibited substances into the Mile 2 Central Prison under the pretext of delivering food to inmates.

In recent weeks, security officials have intercepted multiple cases involving concealed drugs. Notably, a young man from the Yundum area was apprehended after allegedly attempting to sneak a prohibited substance locally known as “kush,” hidden inside packets of instant noodles.

In a similar development, on Monday, 16 March 2026, prison authorities arrested Miss Binta Jallow, a resident of Brikama Newtown, for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into the facility. According to officials, the suspect had visited the prison to deliver food to a remand prisoner when a routine security screening uncovered a plastic bag containing suspected cannabis and pills concealed inside a food bowl.

She was immediately detained and subsequently handed over to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG), for further investigation and possible prosecution in accordance with national drug laws.

Prison authorities, working in close collaboration with DLEAG, have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining strict security measures and ensuring that correctional facilities remain free from illegal substances. They have issued a stern warning to the public that any attempt to smuggle contraband into prisons constitutes a serious criminal offence and will be dealt with decisively.

Editorial Note: A Call to Youths

The increasing involvement of young people in drug smuggling and trafficking is deeply troubling. What may appear to be a quick way to make money or assist acquaintances is, in reality, a dangerous path that leads to arrest, prosecution, and long-term consequences that can permanently damage one’s future.

Young people must understand that engaging in drug-related activities—whether as users, couriers, or dealers—comes with severe legal and social repercussions. It is not worth sacrificing your freedom, reputation, and opportunities for short-term gains.

Jarranews urge youths across the country to resist peer pressure, avoid criminal networks, and channel their energy into productive and lawful ventures. The fight against drug abuse and trafficking is a collective responsibility, and the future of the nation depends on the choices its young people make today.

Say no to drugs. Choose a better path.

Exposed in Broad Daylight: How Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang’s False Claims Collapsed Under Facts and Accountability

By Yaya Dampha, NPP Diaspora Coordinator

Alagi Yorro Jallow’s recent commentary stands as a timely and necessary intervention in a political climate increasingly threatened by misinformation and reckless public discourse. His analysis does not merely challenge a claim—it exposes a dangerous pattern that undermines democratic integrity and public trust.

The allegations made by former Vice President Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang regarding the supposed diversion of European Union funds to the National People’s Party (NPP) were not only unverified but demonstrably false. As clearly outlined in Jallow’s fact-based critique, these claims lacked evidence, documentation, and any attempt at verification through established channels such as the Freedom of Information framework. In a democracy, such conduct is not just irresponsible—it is deeply damaging.

Both the NPP and the European Union swiftly and categorically refuted these allegations. The EU clarified its institutional position: it engages exclusively with the Government of The Gambia, not political parties. The funds referenced by Tambajang were not EU disbursements but voluntary contributions from supporters. Yet, despite these clarifications, the misinformation had already circulated widely, illustrating how quickly falsehood can distort public perception before truth catches up.

At a time when the nation requires sober reflection and responsible leadership, it is troubling that a figure of such seniority would choose speculation over facts. Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang, with her vast political experience and generational influence, carries a responsibility not only to her peers but also to her children, grandchildren, and the wider Gambian society. Public trust is not a tool to be manipulated—it is a duty to be preserved.

Contrary to her claims, the NPP’s funding model is transparent and rooted in grassroots mobilization. The party relies heavily on membership dues, diaspora engagement, and voluntary contributions from supporters. On November 4th in Bañola, Spain, NPP diaspora groups organized a fundraising event that raised an impressive 24 million dalasis in a single day. Additional initiatives within The Gambia generated over 6 million dalasis, complemented by efforts from the party’s central committee. These are verifiable, people-driven contributions—not the product of any misappropriated international funds.

What makes this episode particularly concerning is its resemblance to past political behavior that Gambians have already rejected. The use of emotional rhetoric, religious overtones, and unverified claims to shape public opinion is not new. It is a strategy that has previously eroded trust and credibility in governance. The re-emergence of such tactics only reinforces the urgency of demanding higher standards in public discourse.

Alagi Yorro Jallow’s article methodically dismantles Tambajang’s assertions, exposing not only their inaccuracy but also the broader implications of such “shenanigans behavior” in our politics. When influential figures present conjecture as fact, they do more than misinform—they weaken the very institutions that sustain democracy.

This moment must serve as a turning point. Politicians must verify before they speak. Journalists must rigorously fact-check before they publish. Citizens must engage critically with the information they consume. Truth must not be optional; it must be foundational.

Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang’s claims have been tested against facts—and they have failed. What remains is a clear lesson: misinformation may travel fast, but truth, when pursued with diligence and courage, will always prevail.

The Gambian people deserve leadership grounded in honesty, accountability, and respect for truth. Anything less is a disservice to the nation and a threat to its democratic future.

Hypocrisy, Habitual Negativity, and the Politics of Opposition for Opposition’s Sake

By Yaya Dampha, NPP Diaspora Coordinator

The reaction of some supporters of the United Democratic Party to the government’s purchase of a modern state-of-the-art ferry is yet another embarrassing display of political hypocrisy and blind opposition.

For years these same voices have screamed that the ferries serving the Banjul–Barra Ferry Crossing are old, unreliable, and constantly breaking down. Every mechanical fault was turned into propaganda against the government. Every delay was framed as proof of incompetence.

Now that President Adama Barrow has taken the practical step of acquiring a modern ferry capable of carrying 800 passengers and multiple trucks, the same critics are suddenly outraged.

So which is it?

Were the ferries too old and unreliable, or should the government refuse to modernize them?

This is not criticism. It is pure political bad faith.

1. The Ferry Hypocrisy

UDP supporters complained relentlessly that ferries were outdated and unsafe.

Now that the government invests in a modern replacement, they complain again.

If government does nothing — they complain.

If government solves the problem — they complain louder.

That is not accountability; that is politics of sabotage.

2. The Electricity Hypocrisy

When rural electrification projects began under President Barrow, the same critics said:

“Those poles will never see electricity.”

But when electricity finally reached those communities, the narrative suddenly changed to:

“Those people are hungry; they need food more than electricity.”

So the question is simple:

Are rural Gambians not entitled to electricity and development?

Electricity powers schools, clinics, businesses, refrigeration, irrigation, and communication. Only those who have never experienced development planning would pretend otherwise.

3. The Road Development Hypocrisy.

When highways and rural roads are constructed, the UDP chorus repeats the same tired slogan:

 “Are we going to eat roads?”

This is perhaps the most economically illiterate argument in modern Gambian politics.

Roads are the arteries of development. They allow farmers to move crops to markets, traders to move goods, ambulances to reach hospitals, and businesses to expand into rural areas. Without roads, there is no commerce, no tourism expansion, and no regional trade.

Anyone who claims development should happen without roads clearly does not understand development.

4. Opposition That Opposes Everything

At this point, one must agree with a friend who once said:

 "It is dangerous for a political party to remain in opposition for too long"

The United Democratic Party has become so accustomed to opposing that it now opposes everything — even progress.

This is the same party that, while part of the coalition government from 2017 to 2019, organized protest marches against its own leadership. Imagine that level of confusion — protesting a government you are part of.

That is not responsible politics. That is political addiction to chaos.

5. The Bridge Argument Is Another False Narrative

Now they claim that because President Adama Barrow promised to build a bridge across the Banjul–Barra Ferry Crossing, he should not buy a ferry.

This argument ignores the basic reality of governance.

Major infrastructure projects take years of planning, financing, and construction. Governments must manage short-term needs while preparing long-term solutions.

The same logic applied to the Senegambia Bridge at Yelitenda–Bambatenda.

The idea of that bridge was first declared more than forty years ago by former president Dawda Kairaba Jawara. Yet it remained unfulfilled through his administration and for 22 years under Yahya Jammeh.

It was President Adama Barrow who finally delivered it.

That is the difference between talking about development and actually implementing it.

6. Development Requires Planning, Not Noise

Governments plan for the future through short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies. Buying a ferry to solve immediate transport challenges does not contradict the vision of building a bridge.

Only those who deliberately refuse to understand governance would pretend otherwise.

Conclusion

At this stage, the pattern is obvious.

When development is proposed — the UDP attacks it.

When development begins — the UDP mocks it.

When development succeeds — the UDP changes the argument.

This endless negativity does not help Gambians. It only exposes a political culture that has become so obsessed with opposing President Barrow that it now opposes progress itself.

Gambia deserves constructive criticism, not reflex opposition driven by bitterness and political desperation.

Rebuttal to the UDP West Coast Region Chairman

By Yaya Dampha, NPP Diaspora Coordinator – Sweden

The statement coming from the United Democratic Party (UDP) West Coast Region Chairman is nothing more than a desperate attempt to manufacture fear and suspicion ahead of the December elections. What we are witnessing is a classic political strategy: when a party begins to sense the possibility of defeat, it starts laying the groundwork to question the credibility of the very democratic processes it once benefited from.

First and foremost, it is important to remind the Gambian public that since 2017, the political environment in The Gambia has become more open, tolerant, and accommodating than at any other time in our history. Opposition parties, including the UDP, operate freely across the country. They hold rallies, organise meetings, and campaign openly without the intimidation and repression that once defined our political landscape. Security forces now provide protection to all political parties equally during campaigns and public gatherings. Therefore, the suggestion that the electoral playing field is somehow tilted against the opposition is simply not supported by the facts.

Secondly, the UDP’s sudden concern about “inflammatory speech” is deeply ironic. Anyone who follows Gambian politics knows that UDP supporters and activists are among the most aggressive voices on social media and political platforms. Daily insults directed at political opponents and even their parents have become a regrettable norm in some of their online spaces. In many cases, their supporters have even been involved in physical confrontations with political opponents on the streets. For such a party to now pretend to be the guardian of civil political discourse is nothing short of a mockery.

Thirdly, the voter registration process in The Gambia is governed by clear legal procedures under the electoral laws. If anyone believes that a particular individual has fraudulently obtained a voter’s card, the law provides a clear and legitimate path: raise the objection at the revising court and present evidence. The burden of proof lies with the accuser. It is not enough to stand outside registration centres and intimidate citizens by labeling them “foreigners” without evidence. Such behaviour undermines the rights and dignity of Gambian citizens and only creates unnecessary tension in communities.

Furthermore, the Gambian electoral system remains one of the most transparent in the region. From the campaign period to the actual voting process, counting of ballots, and announcement of results, every stage is monitored by party agents representing all contesting political parties. National and international observers are also present to ensure credibility and transparency. In fact, by the time the Independent Electoral Commission announces the final results, every political party already knows the outcome from each polling station through their own agents.

With the introduction of spot counting at polling stations, the process has become even more transparent. Results are counted openly in the presence of party agents, observers, and members of the public immediately after voting. This makes it virtually impossible to manipulate the outcome without detection.

What the UDP leadership should be doing at this stage is preparing their policies and programmes to convince Gambian voters—not attempting to cast doubt on institutions simply because they fear electoral rejection. Democracy requires maturity, responsibility, and respect for institutions.

The Gambian people are politically aware and capable of making their own choices. No amount of political alarmism will change that reality.

Instead of spreading mistrust, all political actors should focus on promoting peace, respect, and issue-based campaigning. The December elections will ultimately be decided by the will of the Gambian people, and that will must be respected by all.

Fear of defeat should never become an excuse to undermine the credibility of our democratic institutions.

Major Road Upgrade Begins in Gunjur

A major road construction project has officially started in Gunjur, bringing renewed optimism to residents who have long awaited improvements to the town’s main transport route.

Heavy machinery and construction crews from HAGE Group have begun work on the town’s principal road. The project will see the road built with a concrete surface, a more resilient material expected to better withstand heavy traffic and the harsh conditions that often affect roads during both the dry and rainy seasons.

The initiative forms part of the government’s nationwide road infrastructure drive under the administration of Adama Barrow. In recent years, the programme has focused on expanding and modernizing road networks across the country to improve transportation and stimulate local economies.

For decades, residents of Gunjur have struggled with difficult road conditions. During the dry season, thick dust clouds have been a common problem, while the rainy season often leaves the road muddy and nearly impassable. These conditions have frequently disrupted daily activities for motorists, traders, schoolchildren, and pedestrians.

The road runs through the heart of the community, connecting residential areas, local markets, schools, and neighboring coastal settlements. Its reconstruction is expected to ease transportation challenges and support economic activities within the town.

In addition to the main Gunjur road project, work is also progressing on another important route linking Gunjur to Jambanjelly through Kunkujang.

This road serves as a key connection for surrounding communities, facilitating the movement of farmers, fishermen, traders, and commuters between inland areas and the coast.

When completed, the projects are expected to strengthen transportation links across the southern parts of the West Coast Region, an area experiencing steady population growth and increasing economic activity.

For the people of Gunjur, however, the start of construction on their main road represents a particularly meaningful development — the beginning of a transformation that many in the community have hoped to see for years.

Coalitions, Not Personalities: Lessons from The Gambia for Senegal’s Political Moment

By Yaya Dampha NPP Diaspora Coordinator Sweden 

Alagi Yorro Jallow is right to warn Senegal about the dangerous rise of political revisionism and personality-driven narratives. His reflection about the mandate of Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the decisive role of the Diomaye Coalition should not be dismissed as partisan rhetoric. It is a factual reminder that modern democratic victories are rarely the triumph of a single individual. They are almost always the product of coalitions, compromise, and collective sacrifice.

Those of us who observed and participated in the democratic struggle in The Gambia understand this reality very well.

In 2016, after the imprisonment of Ousainou Darboe and several executives of the United Democratic Party (UDP), the opposition faced a historic crossroads. In a moment of necessity, the UDP leadership endorsed a relatively unknown businessman, Adama Barrow, as its presidential candidate. But Barrow did not become the symbol of change because of the UDP alone. He emerged through negotiations among a broad coalition of opposition parties and civil society actors who agreed that unity, not ego, was the only path to defeat dictatorship.

Barrow went through coalition consultations, won the coalition primary, became the unified opposition candidate, and ultimately defeated the long-standing ruler Yahya Jammeh. That victory was not the achievement of one party. It was the collective triumph of Gambians who rallied behind a coalition for democratic change.

However, history took a troubling turn after Darboe’s release from prison. He was appointed Foreign Minister and later Vice President. Yet instead of consolidating the spirit of coalition politics, unilateral decisions and confrontational rhetoric began to dominate the political atmosphere. Some supporters within the UDP started belittling President Barrow as an “accidental president,” claiming he owed his victory solely to Darboe and the UDP.

Such arguments ignore the central truth of coalition politics: no coalition victory belongs to one individual or one party.

Ironically, since distancing itself from the coalition framework, the UDP and Darboe forgot the fact that they have suffered four consecutive electoral defeats in the hands of Yahya Jammeh. The 2021 election results proved them wrong when Adama Barrow defeated Ousainou Darboe outrightly. This is not merely a political coincidence; it is a reminder that popularity within a party base or on the streets does not always translate into electoral victory.

The same lesson may be unfolding today in Senegal.

Ousmane Sonko, like Darboe in The Gambia, commands undeniable street popularity. His supporters are passionate, vocal, and emotionally invested in his political persona. But politics is not measured by street enthusiasm alone. Electoral success requires broad national alliances, institutional respect, and the humility to recognize the contributions of others.

This is precisely the point that Jallow makes about the Diomaye Coalition. When the political party structure collapsed and legal barriers threatened the candidacy of Diomaye, it was the coalition that carried the legal, financial, and organizational burden. The coalition mobilized voters across Senegal’s diverse political spectrum, ultimately securing the 54 percent mandate that brought Faye to power.

To attempt to erase that coalition and rewrite the story as a single-hero narrative is not only historically inaccurate; it is politically dangerous.

Even more troubling is the contradiction emerging in recent events. The same youth movements that once mobilized passionately in support of Sonko and the broader opposition struggle now find themselves confronting state security forces during protests at universities. Reports of police repression against young demonstrators raise difficult questions about whether revolutionary rhetoric has now given way to the harsh realities of governing.

Democratic politics cannot survive on antagonism, revenge, or emotional mobilization alone. Successful leadership requires restraint, maturity, and the ability to transform movements into institutions.

That is why President Faye’s metaphor about circumcision, as Jallow explains, should be understood not as a casual remark but as a cultural symbol of political maturity and responsibility. Leadership in Africa has always carried this deeper meaning: initiation into the burden of governing with discipline and restraint.

In this sense, Senegal now stands at a crossroads familiar to many African democracies.

Will its politics evolve toward coalition governance, institutional respect, and national unity?

Or will it descend into the same destructive cycle of personality cults, historical revisionism, and factional revenge that has destabilized many political movements after victory?

The Gambian experience offers a clear lesson: when pride replaces pragmatism, and when individuals attempt to rewrite collective victories as personal triumphs, political movements inevitably fracture.

Coalitions win elections.

Ego divides them.

Senegal would do well to remember this truth.