The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Gambia has strongly contested the Gambia Immigration Departmentโs (GID) explanation for refusing entry to campaign technicians and vehicles engaged for the presidential campaign of Prince Ebrahim Sanyang.
In comments published by The Standard on 26 October, Immigration Director General Ebrima Mboob insisted the decision was not political. But EFF argues that his account is riddled with contradictions and fails to provide a lawful basis for the refusal.
EFF noted that the Director General claimed the passengers said they were joining another candidateโs campaign. The party disputes this, pointing out that the vehicles were clearly branded in EFF colours and carried the portrait of Prince Sanyang.
โTechnicians do not travel to equip one partyโs campaign in vehicles branded for another,โ the party stated.
EFF also highlighted inconsistencies in the Departmentโs description of the vehicles and passengers. While Mr. Mboob referred to โa bus and a pickup truckโ and later โtwo buses,โ EFF insists the facts are clear: six Senegalese technicians in two vehicles.
The Immigration Department suggested the Senegalese registration plates cast doubt on the vehiclesโ connection to Sanyangโs campaign. EFF countered that ECOWAS-registered vehicles cross Gambian borders daily and pledged to produce documentation proving campaign ownership.
The party further invited the Department to publish photographs and records taken at the border post, expressing confidence that they would confirm EFFโs account.
EFF criticized the reliance on โmovement controlโ as justification, arguing that no published rule requires prior clearance for ECOWAS citizens on short technical assignments. The party asked the Department to identify the specific rule applied, where it is published, and since when it has been enforced.
Prince Sanyang submitted a formal clearance request on 23 October, but as of 27 October no decision had been communicated. EFF argued that the Department cannot rely on its own delay as grounds for refusal.
The party demanded proof that the same prior-clearance requirement has been applied to all candidates, including the incumbent. โFair treatment means a rule must be known in advance and applied to every contender alike,โ the statement declared.
EFF linked the incident to broader complaints by opposition parties about restrictions on meetings and movements this month, warning that with the presidential election scheduled for 5 December, every decision affecting campaigns must be lawful, reasoned, and even-handed.
Immigration response
The Acting Public Relations Officer of the Gambia Immigration Department (GID), Ansumana Cham, has addressed concerns raised by EFF Gambia regarding the recent incident at the border involving Senegalese citizens.
Cham explained that the matter was not politically motivated but rather stemmed from procedural requirements that were not fulfilled. According to him, many members of the public remain unaware of immigration regulations, which often leads to complications at border crossings.
He noted that the Senegalese nationals in question informed immigration officers that they were attending a political rally in The Gambia. This claim was corroborated by the presence of a public address system in one of their vehicles. Cham stressed that while individuals are free to attend events, they must clearly state and justify their purpose of visit to border officials.
The Acting PRO further highlighted that administrative procedures require proper documentation, which was not completed within the necessary timeline. โIt was not a matter of politics, but of procedure,โ Cham emphasised, adding that the GID operates under a reform agenda that prioritizes transparency and cooperation with the public and the media.
Cham concluded by reaffirming the departmentโs readiness to work with any group or entity, provided they meet the financial and administrative requirements at the border. โOur role is to enforce immigration laws fairly and consistently, without political bias,โ he said.
