The debate over Gambians abroad gaining voting rights took center stage in Parliament as the Minister for Justice, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow, clarified an amendment to Section 88 of the 1997 Constitution. Speaking to lawmakers on 4th March 2025, he stated that the Constitution allows for 'at least 53' elected members, meaning no amendment is needed to register Gambians living overseas. However, his claim that constituency demarcation is required before registration has sparked debate among pro-Diaspora Vote advocates. So, does the law actually mandate demarcation before registration? Here’s what the facts say.

The Minister of Justice, Hon. Dawda A. Jallow, claimed that the Draft Constitution would have addressed inadequacies related to constituencies for Gambians living abroad. However, a thorough review of both the 2020 and 2024 Draft Constitutions reveals that no such provisions exist, contradicting his statement. This raises concerns about the accuracy of his remarks during the consideration of Clause 14 of the Elections Bill 2021. More in the FactCheck report.

The Gambia’s National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) latest progress report highlights that only 16 recommendations issued by the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) have been implemented by the Gambia Government over a two-year period (2021 to 2023). More in the FactSheet.

Back in December 2023 the Justice Minister revealed to Parliamentarians that his Ministry would establish a Victims Commission in the first quarter of 2024. However, now that the third quarter is almost complete the question remains if a Victims Commission will be established in 2024 at all.

Eight years after winning his first term under the promise of a Draft Constitution, President Adama Barrow continues to promise a Constitutional Referendum for December 2024. Our factcheckers verified if the President is on track with his promise.

The parents of 19 children who died from Acute Kidney Injury have filed a law suit against Maiden Pharmaceuticals, Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, the Medicines Control Agency, the Ministry of Health and the Attorney General on 30th June 2023.

The Gambia’s Justice Minister informed Parliament that the Government is currently pursuing diplomatic channels with the Indian Government to pursue legal action against the Indian Company responsible for manufacturing tainted medicines which took the lives of more than 73 children in The Gambia from mid-2022 to early 2023.

President Adama Barrow is expected to lay the foundation stone for a US$100 Million Hotel to be built for the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Summit scheduled to be held in The Gambia. According to the OIC Gambia CEO and the Branding and Communications Lead, the Gambia Government will only benefit from a 10% share of the proceeds of the Hotel.