Civil society actors in The Gambia express deep concern over recent public remarks by Dr Ismaila Ceesay directed at Madi Jobarteh and the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice. These remarks must be understood within a broader and troubling pattern of delegitimising critical civic voices rather than engaging with the substance of their concerns. In particular, the questioning of the legitimacy of the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice—and, by extension, the credibility of its founder—raises serious issues for democratic discourse. More in the statement.

The first week of 2026 began on a positive note for Askanwi Media after it blew the whistle on telecom operators for failing to comply with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s (PURA) D75 per 1GB price ceiling, announced on 19th December 2025.

Follow Askanwi’s week-long advocacy journalism for the reduction of data prices under the price floor, which featured interviews with PURA and Gamcel.

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations on Fiscal Transparency (CCBT) ratified a set of almost 70 recommendations and submitted them to the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) on 12th July 2019.

More in the news report.

The Girls for the Future Foundation (GFTF) held its second Rural-Urban Girls Summit from October 24th to 25th, 2025, at Metzy Residence Hotel in Kololi, under the theme “Bridging Divides, Building Futures.” More in the report.

The Red Dolphin Gambia Lifeguard Association has appealed to the Gambian government to provide urgent support and lifesaving equipment as drowning incidents continue to rise along the country’s coastline during the summer break. More in the news report.

A day after the shocking death of a one-month-old baby, Sarjo Conteh, on 9th August 2025, the “heartbroken” Children National Assembly of the Gambia (CNAG) issued a statement condemning the practice and called on the government to ensure justice is done. More in the article.

In a country rebuilding from decades of rights violations, a new generation is leading the charge for change—starting in the classroom. The Human Rights Friendly School initiative honored three schools on July 30th for embedding human rights into school life, echoing the TRRC’s call for civic education and non-recurrence. More in the news report.

The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights & Justice (EFSCRJ) and the Women’s Association for Women & Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE-Gambia) have urged the Gambian government to fast-track the identification of human remains exhumed during the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) process, warning that four years of inaction have deepened the trauma of victims’ families and undermined the country’s transitional justice efforts. More in the press release.

The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) convened a high-level workshop on Friday, 18th July 2025, bringing together women leaders, lawmakers, and civil society actors to confront the systemic barriers limiting women’s participation in Gambian politics. Held at Bakadaji Hotel in Kololi, the forum aimed to spark action-oriented dialogue and strengthen pathways for inclusive political leadership and decision-making across the country. More in the report.

Civil society actors, journalists, and sector experts gathered in Kololi for a three-day workshop aimed at transforming how citizens engage with the national budget—shifting focus from figures on paper to real-world impact in essential sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture. Organized by Gambia Participates in partnership with the International Budget Partnership, the training emphasized the importance of understanding budget implementation and holding government accountable for how public funds are spent. More in the news report.

Beakanyang Kafo, a leading civil society organization in The Gambia, held a powerful two-day cultural and reconciliation festival titled the "Badingbung Reconciliation and Unity Festival" from 31st May to 1st June 2025, at Kabafita Upper Basic and Senior Secondary School in Brikama. More in the report.

Ahead of World Press Freedom Day, African movements have issued an urgent call to action as civic space crumbles under the popular leadership of President Captain Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso. A joint statement signed by 18 movements and activists has condemned “kidnappings” under the regime and urged the international community to intervene, as journalists and dissenting voices are being rounded up. More is detailed in this revealing press release, which highlights how opposing voices are being forced to face jihadists in the Sahel.

In a landmark effort to preserve the memory of victims of human rights violations committed during the regime of former President Yahya Jammeh, the Solo Sandeng Foundation on 14th April 2025 inaugurated the Solo Sandeng Memorial Centre, located in Kerr Sering. More in the publication.

ActionAid The Gambia urged journalists and bloggers to take a leading role in amplifying youth voices and fostering greater civic engagement during a three-day training in Jarra Soma. More in the report.

Caritas Gambia is taking a significant step toward strengthening its role in national development by collaborating with key stakeholders to draft a comprehensive strategic plan. The initiative, launched on 25th March 2025, aims to identify priority areas and enhance partnerships to drive meaningful and lasting change across the country. More in the publication.

Gambian CSO leaders urged Parliamentarians to restore the deleted Clause 14 in the Elections Bill to register Gambians living abroad to vote in the 2026 Presidential Elections. More in the report.

On World Consumer Rights Day, The Gambia joined the global call for sustainable consumer practices, emphasising the need for responsible consumption to address urgent environmental challenges. Organised by the Consumer Protection Consortium (CPC), the event focused on promoting eco-friendly lifestyles and protecting both consumers and the environment. More in the report.

Hygiene Cycle, a non-profit organisation based in Germany dedicated to promoting hygiene and health education, organised a handwashing campaign for students at Gambia College Buganala Lower Basic School in Brikama on Tuesday, 28th January 2025. More in the report.

The Gambia Ferry Service (GFS) is planning to introduce a 24-hour ferry service between the Banjul-Barra Ferry crossing points by May 2025. More in the report.

Two civil society organizations launched a research paper on “Gender and Migration: Spotlight on Gambian Women’s Mobility” on Friday, 13th December 2024, at Baobab Hotel. More in the article.