Central Baddibu Member, Hon. Sulayman Saho, described the President’s action as a “dangerous” precedent.
“We have seen an abuse of office and power by the President. It is normal to call someone and offer them a job, but there must be a formal letter of appointment and acceptance. In this case, no evidence has been shown of the AG accepting the appointment. Section 59 of the 1997 Constitution is clear the AG can only be removed by a tribunal appointed by the Chief Justice. How can the President just act in the name of promotion, for the sake of peace? The President should rest this matter.”
Hon. Omar Jammeh, Member for Janjanbureh, argued that the government’s actions were a direct violation of the supreme law of the land.
“Our nerves have been touched because the Constitution has been violated; having the police storm the AG’s office was wrong. Some institutions are absolutely independent and should remain as such without intimidation or force.”
Member for Sami, Hon. Alfusainey Ceesay, appealed for calm but insisted that the law must guide the way forward.
“We are all aware that the President should appoint the AG in consultation with the Public Service Commission, and the same applies to removal,” he explained. “The President should be advised to promote peace in the country to arrest the growing discontent among young people who are standing in solidarity.”
Brikama North’s Hon. Alhagie S. Darboe warned that if unchecked, the executive’s action could collapse the country’s democratic pillars.
“The government claims the AG accepted their proposal, yet they cannot provide evidence,” Darboe argued. “Even if he had accepted, considering his office to be independent, he should have first resigned before taking up a political appointment. Otherwise, it infringes the independence of the office. This requires judicial interpretation to set the record straight. If not, our democratic institutions will be collapsing, and Parliament and the Judiciary will be part of it. The President must reconsider his move.”
However, not everyone was critical. Nominated Member Fatou K. Jawara stood firmly on the side of the executive.
“The President is the sole appointing authority of the Auditor General, and he also holds the power to dismiss,” Jawara maintained. “This Assembly should not overstep its boundaries.”
At the heart of the storm is Auditor General Modou Ceesay, who was recently appointed Minister for Trade by the President but reportedly declined the post after initial acceptance. Days later, police officers forcibly escorted him from his office at the National Audit Office, sparking outrage and protests from civil society. Several youths and a journalist were arrested in the aftermath, fueling accusations of repression.
Hon. Almameh Gibba, who moved the matter, reminded colleagues that the matter was not a mere personnel reshuffle but a constitutional crisis. “It strikes at the very core of our democracy and the independence of our institutions,” he warned.
