On July 22nd, 1994, the Gambia thirty year stable and steady democracy was overthrown by junior officers in a military coup that was successful because there was no resistance from the state’s security forces. What followed was a gradual but unmistakable progression toward absolute tyranny. For over two decades, Yaya Jammeh, the military leader turned… Continue reading Reversing democratic gains – The Gambia backsliding into authoritarianism
We all remember Dodou Sanneh of GRTS formerly maga Dou of Radio Syd. Well, if you do not, here is a brief biography. In 2006, to impress upon Gambia’s donors, benefactors and international partners, Yaya Jammeh gave into pressure demanding a level playing field for all political players if Gambia’s elections were to be certified… Continue reading Democracy Dies in Darkness – Adama Barrow and the Media
By an Insider While some condemn the widespread public commentary on the issue of the murdered constables of the Gambia Police Force, the commentaries also draw the interest of people who may have some foundational knowledge, experience, or even expertise in conducting investigations and gathering evidence. Like most of us, they too are not convinced… Continue reading Profiling the shooter
When news broke on September 12, 2023, that three police constables, all personnel of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) were fatally shot, and that two died and another in critical condition at a local clinic, the nation was shocked. Such brazen acts of violence, especially targeting uniformed officers are unheard of in the Gambia, at… Continue reading Why is the public reluctant to accept the state’s narrative?
Military heads of state of Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea ans Niger The recent spate of military coups in West and central Africa have been received with mixed reactions among Africans both at home and in the diaspora. Should coups be tolerated, embraced, or even celebrated or should they be condemned indiscriminately? No doubt, military coups… Continue reading Can Military Coups Be Justified?
On August 13th, 2023, a day after appearing as a regular panelist on the ‘Baadinya Kachaa’ show on Kerr Fatou, popular comedian, and social commentator Alagie Bora Sisawo was invited to a local police station and detained without cause. Nearly 72 hours later, he was released on bail without charge. This is The Gambia Police… Continue reading The Gambia’s Absent Civil Society
As Adama Barrow shows up in Nigeria for the inauguration of their new president, Bola Tinubu, I took a cursory look at State House of The Gambia's official page to see how many such visits he has made in the recent past.What stood out inadvertently is that the last time any head of state visited… Continue reading The Gambia’s Dwindling Status
Part II One does not even have to look too closely to see Yaya Jammeh being reincarnated in Adama Barrow, any denial to that effect would be borne out of naivete or insincerity, more likely the later. From the rhetoric to the political strategy, Adama Barrow keeps on proving that democracy is a burden he… Continue reading Political violence is never spontaneous, it builds up over time and Gambians should be concerned for 2026
Part I The 2026 elections are shaping up to be the most contentious and most vulgar if the reactions from within the National People's Party (NPP) following the shellacking of the party at the hands of the United Democratic Party (UDP) in the just concluded local government elections is anything to go by. From the… Continue reading Political violence is never spontaneous, it builds up over time and Gambians should be concerned for 2026
It worked for him in the 2021 presidential campaign, so President Barrow decided to double down on his divisive rhetoric to wrest control of the local government executive positions form his main rival the United Democratic party (UDP). The president took it upon himself to make it clear that the elections are about him and… Continue reading A lame duck president and his ineffectual campaign
Mankajang 