Over the past several months, the Women’s Association for Victims’ and Women Empowerment (WAVE), a transitional justice organisation, has been harnessing the power of storytelling—interwoven with fire, traditional folklore, music, and dance—to create a profound communal space for healing. More in this report.

The Executive Director of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), Mr. Essa Marenah, came under sharp scrutiny during a tense cross-examination at the High Court on Thursday, as part of the ongoing lawsuit over the deaths of children linked to contaminated medicines. The courtroom tension later spilled outside, where Mr. Marenah confronted a journalist for taking his photo and allegedly attempted to force its deletion. More in the report.

The recent announcement by a Muslim religious leader, Imam Musa Jallow, of his intent to contest the presidency in the upcoming 2026 election has ignited widespread public debate across The Gambia. Central to the controversy is a delicate question: Can a religious cleric legitimately and effectively seek the nation’s highest political office without compromising the secular foundations of the state? More in the report.

Banjul, The Gambia — The Managing Director of Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, Mr Suman, faced intense cross-examination in the High Court as legal proceedings continued over the deaths of more than 70 children allegedly caused by contaminated medicinal syrups imported from India. Plaintiffs’ counsel accused the company of negligence and collusion with Maiden Pharmaceuticals, raising serious questions about regulatory compliance and corporate accountability. More in the report.

Witchcraft accusations remain a pervasive issue across Africa, often resulting in serious human rights violations, including violence, social exclusion, and, in extreme cases, death. These accusations disproportionately affect vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. In the Gambia, a particularly disturbing incident occurred in 2009 when nearly 1,000 individuals were detained and forced to confess to witchcraft under duress. More in this factsheet.

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recently executed 102 male inmates convicted of armed robbery at Angenga prison in northwest Congo. The men, aged between 18 and 35, were identified as “urban bandits” or "Kulunas" who were involved in armed robberies. More in this 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.

The Gambia Government signed a memorandum of understanding on circular migration with the Kingdom of Spain on 28th August 2024. Barely a week after Parliamentarians ratified the MoU, a leaked letter from the Spanish Government instructed The Gambia to notify citizens not to pay for their application to work in Spain. Download a copy of the agreement from this article.

The Gambia’s National Assembly ratified an agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 24th September 2024 on Domestic Workers Recruitment signed by the Minister of Trade, Hon Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof. Download a copy of the agreement from this article.

The author of this story shares their experience of visiting the country’s only mental health care facility, Tanka Tanka, which needs significant attention and support from the government to provide adequate care to patients suffering from mental health disorders in the country. Read this article to go inside Tanka Tanka.