Headlines

SIS validates Bill to reposition as ‘robust, futuristic intelligence service’

The State Intelligence Service (SIS), in a landmark moment for The Gambia’s democratic transition and ongoing Security Sector Reform process, yesterday validated its long-awaited SIS Bill 2026, positioning the Service as the nation’s premier intelligence institution. The landmark legislation is designed to reposition the SIS as a modern, accountable, and trusted intelligence service capable of safeguarding national security while upholding human rights and democratic oversight. The landmark validation is hailed as part of the country’s democratic gains and reform agenda, underscoring the SIS’s transformation into one of the most progressive and reform-driven security institutions in the nation.

Jul 31, 2026 • Momodou Jawo

Informal poll shows Costa Rica's Grynspan ahead in race to be next UN chief

July 30 (Reuters) - A first informal U.N. Security Council poll on Thursday showed former Costa Rican Vice President Rebeca Grynspan as the ​early frontrunner in the race to become the next secretary-general of the world body, ‌followed by former Guyanese Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, diplomats told Reuters. One diplomat said Argentina's Rafael Grossi, head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, was in a "surprise" third place among the seven candidates for the post. In the non-binding "straw poll" voting ​by the 15 members of the Security Council, Grynspan received 10 "encourage" votes to nine for ​Rodrigues-Birkett and seven for Grossi.

Jul 31, 2026 • David Brunnstrom, Michelle Nichols and Emma Farge

Alleged killer of Latrikunda German mechanic complains of poor detention conditions at Mile 2

Buba Jallow, the alleged killer of Ebrima Njie, a mechanic from Latrikunda German, yesterday appeared before Justice I. Janneh of the Bundung High Court, where he complained about the conditions of his detention and his deteriorating health. When the case was called, State Counsel W.K. Drammeh appeared for the State, while the accused was unrepresented.

Jul 31, 2026 • Makutu Manneh

NEA, UNEP push road map to tackle dirty fuel, reduce vehicle toxic emission

The National Environment Agency (NEA), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the ECOWAS Commission, had engaged stakeholders on effective implementation of reviewed policies, environmental challenges, and protection of public health and safety, by spearheading the development of a national road map to implement ECOWAS directives on clean fuels and vehicle emission standards in The Gambia.

Jul 31, 2026 • Mariama A. Darboe

Bakau young boys arraigned for alleged robbery as relatives’ protest

Lamin Bojang, Dawda Darboe, Ousman Sarr, Muhammed L. Sanyang and two other minors, all from Bakau, were on the 22nd July, 2026, arraigned before Magistrate F. J. Camara of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court and charged on two counts of robbery and conspiracy to commit felony. They all denied the charges.

Jul 31, 2026 • Dawda Faye

Digital reform doubles Gambia’s tax revenue to D25B: Finance Minister

The Gambia’s annual tax revenue has more than double in just three years without broad-based tax increases, according to Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Seedy Keita, who attributed the sharp rise to digital reforms, stronger tax administration and efforts to plug leakages in the revenue collection system.

Jul 30, 2026 • Jankey Ceesay

Sanna Manjang recounts rescuing 7 soldiers from Casamance rebels

Ex-Lt. Col. Sanna Manjang, and a member of the notorious killer squad know as ‘junglers’, a unit created by the former President Yahya Jammeh opened his defence following the withdrawal of four murder charges against him by the state and substituted with assault causing actual bodily harm. Manjang is alleged to be a key operative in the "Junglers," a unit accused of carrying out human rights abuses under the direct command of then-President Jammeh.

Jul 30, 2026 • Landing Ceesay

MCA claims it was not served AKI report amid audit concerns

The National Audit Office (NAO) has raised a red flag over the Medicines Control Agency’s (MCA) failure to produce the Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Investigation Report during the audit of its 2021-2024 financial statements, saying the omission prevented auditors from verifying whether recommendations from the investigation had been implemented. The matter, classified as a high-priority finding, forms part of the agency’s management letter and highlights concerns over accountability and access to key documents required for the audit process.

Jul 30, 2026 • Jankey Ceesay

45 new lawyers admitted to the Bar

The Judiciary of The Gambia yesterday admitted 45 newly qualified legal practitioners to the Bar in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow at the High Court in Banjul. The new lawyers comprise 21 females and 24 males. The event was attended by members of the Gambia Bar Association, the Judiciary, the General Legal Council and dignitaries from across the justice sector.

Jul 30, 2026 • Makutu Manneh

FAWE, THET fund forge partnership to transform higher edu., TVET

The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Gambia and the Tertiary and Higher Education Trust Fund (THET Fund) have agreed in principle to establish a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening higher education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in The Gambia. The proposed collaboration follows a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the FAWE Gambia Annual General Assembly, bringing together representatives of FAWE Africa, FAWE Gambia and the THET Fund.

Jul 30, 2026 • Isatou Ceesay Bah

Mama Kandeh joins NPP-led alliance

“It’s Game Over” – Seedy Njie speaks to FTN as GDC leader Mama Kandeh joined President Adama Barrow’s NPP-led alliance ahead of 2026 presidential elections. NPP’s Deputy Spokesperson Seedy Njie has declared Kandeh’s allegiance as “game over” after the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) formally joined President Adama Barrow’s NPP during a visit to State House yesterday.

Jul 30, 2026

Gabonese president due in Banjul today

President Adama Barrow will host the President of the Gabonese Republic, His Excellency Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, for a State Visit to The Gambia from 30th July to 2nd August 2026, aimed at strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries. During the visit, the two Heads of State will hold a tête-à-tête, followed by official bilateral talks at State House in Banjul to review existing areas of cooperation and explore new opportunities for partnership between the two countries.

Jul 30, 2026

Labour market improves as unemployment falls to 6.2%: Survey

The Gambia’s labour market recorded significant gains over the past year, with unemployment declining to 6.2 per cent and employment levels rising sharply, according to the latest findings of the Gambia Labour Force Survey (GLFS) 2026 Quarter One released on Friday. The findings, presented by the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment at Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau, reveal a labour market that is steadily expanding despite persistent structural challenges such as widespread informal employment, gender inequality, youth vulnerability and child labour.

Jul 30, 2026 • Isatou Ceesay Bah

Audit questions MCA leadership after acting director exceeds 6-month rule

The National Audit Office (NAO) has raised concerns over the leadership of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) after finding that the agency’s Acting Executive Director remained in office beyond the six-month period permitted under its service rules, while two critical management positions have remained vacant since the agency was established.

Jul 30, 2026 • Jankey Ceesay

Darboe says 2016 mistakes will not be repeated

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has formally withdrawn from the ongoing Coalition 2026 negotiations, citing deep constitutional concerns and warning against what it described as a repeat of the political missteps of 2016. Speaking at a press conference in Banjul, Party Leader and Secretary General Ousainu Darboe told journalists that the UDP had entered the coalition talks “sincerely, openly, and in good faith,” but could no longer continue under the current framework adopted by the majority of participants. “The United Democratic Party can no longer continue participating in the current Coalition 2026 process. This decision was neither rushed nor taken lightly,” Darboe declared.

Jul 29, 2026 • Momodou Jawo

GBoS Labour Survey: 733,000 Gambians now employed

The Gambia’s labour market is showing signs of renewed strength, with more than 733,000 Gambians now in employment, according to the latest Labour Force Survey released by the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBOS). The landmark 2026 survey, unveiled at a national seminar in Banjul, reveals that labour force participation has surged to 54.5 per cent, up from 43.6 per cent in 2023, while unemployment has fallen to 6.2 per cent.

Jul 29, 2026 • Momodou Jawo

Court sets date for final brief adoption in AKI case

The High Court has moved the landmark Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) case arising from the deaths of dozens of Gambian children linked to contaminated imported cough syrups a step closer to judgment after fixing Friday for the adoption of final written briefs. The development came after Justice Ebrima Jaiteh of the high court granted the plaintiffs leave to file their written address out of time, paving the way for the parties to conclude their final legal arguments before the court retires to deliver judgment.

Jul 29, 2026 • Makutu Manneh

Omitted voters threatens free, fair elections, GEP leader warns

Golden Era Party (GEP) leader Saikou Sawo has expressed concern over alleged omissions in the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) provisional voter register, warning that every eligible Gambian left off the register weakens the credibility of the country’s electoral process.

Jul 29, 2026 • Jankey Ceesay