Headlines

Clerk defends proposed 2027 budget before FPAC

Oct 5, 2026 • Author: Jankey Ceesay

Gambia takes over global leadership of 44 Least Developed Countries

The Gambia has assumed chairmanship of the Global Coordination Bureau of the Group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), becoming the global voice for 44 of the world's poorest nations. The election by consensus took place at the Group's Plenary Meeting on September 2, 2026 at the UN Headquarters in New York, following endorsement by the African Ambassadors' Group. The Gambia succeeds Nepal, which chaired the Group for the past three years.

Oct 5, 2026

Gov’t targets universal electricity by 2028, signs contracts for 10 WCR communities

Oct 5, 2026 • Author: Isatou Ceesay-Bah

TANGO cautions against hate speech and divisive electioneering

Oct 5, 2026 • Author: Ismaila Sonko

Dr Chambas urges peaceful, inclusive elections in Gambia

As The Gambia prepares for its upcoming presidential election on 5 December 2026 and Parliamentary Elections scheduled for 10 April 2027, representing a significant milestone in the country's democratic consolidation, Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, who served as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), has emphasised the need for peaceful and inclusive elections in the country.

Oct 2, 2026 • Ismaila Sonko

D13.93M investment to boost rice production in URR

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, through the ROOTS Project, has signed contracts worth D13.93 million to develop and rehabilitate approximately 685 hectares of rice fields across six communities in the Upper River Region. The initiative, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the French Development Agency (AFD), will run for 12 months under a Pump Irrigation Intervention. Beneficiaries include farmers in Kossemar, Sotuma, Changally, Basse, Koina and Keneba.

Oct 2, 2026 • Ismaila Sonko

Religious leaders call for peaceful elections, national unity

In a powerful appeal during a dialogue session held yesterday by International IDEA, Sheikh Essa Darboe, President of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, urged Gambians to embrace truth, respect, and unity as guiding principles in the upcoming elections. Sheikh Darboe emphasised that religious leaders carry a special responsibility to use their platforms for peace rather than division. “Our leader always advises us to speak the truth, to speak good words, to respect others. These are the principles we must follow during this election process,” he advised.

Oct 2, 2026 • Ismaila Sonko

Safe Space 4 Her marks five years of supporting women and girls

Safe Space 4 Her (SS4H), a women-led organisation working to promote the rights, protection and wellbeing of women and girls, yesterday marked five years of its work in The Gambia with the launch of its new strategic plan, website and brand identity. The event, held at Bakadaji Hotel on 1 October 2026, brought together women’s rights advocates, partners, young people and beneficiaries of the organisation’s programmes.

Oct 2, 2026 • Isatou Ceesay Bah

Guinea-Bissau Embassy observes 53rd Independence Anniversary in Gambia

Oct 2, 2026

DLEAG seizes massive drug haul at Banjul Int’l Airport

The Drug Law Enforcement Agency The Gambia (DLEAG) has foiled a major suspected drug trafficking operation at the Banjul International Airport, arresting two foreign nationals allegedly in possession of 11,771 ecstasy pills and 18 big stones of suspected crystal methamphetamine. The two suspects, identified as 26-year-old Spanish national Augustina Ayela Monzon and 24-year-old Argentinian Maria Cantero Ali, were arrested on 28 September 2026 at the airport.

Oct 2, 2026 • Makutu Manneh

Court sentences habitual offender to 6 years in prison for third conviction

Principal Magistrate Isatou Sallah-M’bai of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court on 29 September, 2026, convicted and sentenced one Momodou Bah to 6 years’ imprisonment for the offence of housebreaking contrary to Section 256 (b) of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025, and 5 years’ imprisonment for the offence of general punishment for theft contrary to Section 226 of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025. The sentences shall run concurrently. This followed his plea of guilt.

Oct 2, 2026 • Dawda Faye

Army Officer Ebrima Ceesay arrested for protesting Senegalese troops deployment in Gambia

An army officer Ebrima Ceesay has been arrested, after protesting against the deployment of 618 Senegalese soldiers into the country.

Oct 2, 2026 • Sulayman Cham

Gambia named non-permanent co-chair of Global Alliance for the Missing

The Gambia has been nominated to serve as Non-Permanent Co-Chair of the Global Alliance for the Missing (GAM), alongside the Swiss Confederation, for a two-year term commencing on 1st October 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad announced the nomination in a press release issued Tuesday.

Oct 1, 2026

Rights activist slams GTBoard open-air events ban as draconian

Oct 1, 2026 • Landing Ceesay

I will only align with politicians I can vouch for: Independent aspirant

I will only align with politicians I can vouch for: Independent aspirant By Jankey Ceesay Independent presidential candidate and National Assembly Member for Foni Bintang Karanai, Hon. Bakary K. Badjie, speaking to The Point Newspaper says he will only go in an alliances he can vouch for ahead of the 2026 presidential election, insisting that any partnership must be built on sincerity, honesty and commitment to the national interest. Hon. Badjie said while several politicians, parties and independent candidates are aligning with the ruling party as the election approaches, he has remained focused on building his own political platform. He said he would only consider working with a political figure whose character he can account for, insisting that money or political strength alone would not determine his decision. “I cannot align with anyone. If I can align with anyone, that individual must be sincere, must be honest, and his hands also must be clean,” Hon. Badjie said. “I must be able to account for his character. I must be able to speak for him, I must be able to defend him,” he added. Hon. Badjie said his objective is to be a voice for the nation, regardless of whether his position attracts immediate support. “It does not matter whether the people understand it or not, it does not matter whether the people are persuaded or not, but then it matters that someone, somewhere, must be able to see things as they are,” he said. He said his campaign is already gathering support, claiming that more than 3,000 nomination forms have been collected, while his team is working towards submitting more than 8,000 forms. Hon. Badjie also linked his presidential ambition to his experience as a minority lawmaker, saying his position in the National Assembly has limited his ability to effect the changes he wants. He cited the absence of an adjournment debate for about a year as an example, arguing that that is not progress. Beyond parliament, Hon. Badjie criticised the use of state resources, particularly the distribution of state lands to MPs, cabinet ministers and the vice president. He said such lands should instead be used for hospitals, schools, industries and other development projects. Badjie also called for better use of government loans and investment in public services, warning against continued borrowing without proper utilisation of the resources. During a recent tour of five European countries, including Italy, Greece, Germany, Denmark and Spain, Hon. Badjie said Gambians in the diaspora raised concerns over their inability to vote from abroad. He said they also expressed concerns about airport fees and other challenges faced when travelling to The Gambia. Badjie maintained that whatever political decision he makes, it will be guided by what he believes is best for the country. “It is not like, for instance, you have money that I’m going to follow you; I do not work like that,” he said.

Oct 1, 2026 • Jankey Ceesay

Gambia moves to prevent migrant deaths and disappearances

Oct 1, 2026 • Makutu Manneh

Debt servicing to hit D16B in 2027 as gov’t faces rising interest bill

The Gambia’s debt servicing bill is projected to rise to D16.17 billion in 2027, putting further pressure on government finances as the country continues efforts to strengthen fiscal stability. Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Seedy Keita announced the projection on Friday while laying the 2027 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure before the National Assembly.

Oct 1, 2026 • Jankey Ceesay

New network launched for human rights defenders in Gambia

A new national platform to protect and support human rights defenders has been established in The Gambia. The Human Rights Defenders Network – The Gambia (HRDN The Gambia) was formed with the support of the West Africa Human Rights Defenders Network. Its formation was facilitated by the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS).

Oct 1, 2026