Yesterday, 7th July 2026, Askanwi Media published the list of 105 prisoners pardoned by President Adama Barrow on the occasion of Yawm Al-Ashura, although the offences for which they were convicted were not disclosed. Our reporter has since received a crucial update that a Private Member's Bill currently before Parliament seeks to regulate this process and require the offences of all persons granted a pardon to be published in the Gazette.

More in the news report.

Members of The Gambia’s National Assembly signed a Political Social Contract for Accountability and Good Governance hosted by Gambia Participates on Saturday, 27th June 2026, at Bakadaji Hotel in Kololi.

The initiative seeks to strengthen youth participation in governance by creating a platform where political leaders publicly commit to accountability, transparency, and responsive leadership.

More in the news report.

The Gambia could soon impose a minimum fine of D3 million on individuals convicted of “aggravated migrant smuggling,” as lawmakers continue scrutinising the proposed Immigration Bill 2026, which seeks to criminalise migrant smuggling for the first time in the country’s history.

More in this parliamentary report.

Almost eight months after the National Assembly confirmed three Anti-Corruption Commissioners in December 2025, the Office of the President is yet to officially hold their swearing-in ceremony to empower the Commission to commence investigating corruption allegations.

More in the news report.

The Gambia is set to take a major step in tackling irregular migration as lawmakers prepare to consider a new Immigration Bill that could, for the first time, specifically criminalise migrant smuggling in the country.

The Immigration Bill 2026, which is scheduled to be tabled before the National Assembly on Monday, 8th June 2026, seeks to repeal and replace the main immigration legislation that has been in force for more than six decades.

More in this parliamentary report.

ActionAid The Gambia (AAITG) held an engagement forum with the National Assembly Select Committee on Trade on Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) on Friday, 22nd May 2026.

The forum, held at the National Assembly in Banjul, brought together key stakeholders to discuss the implications of BITs on trade, investment governance, national development, and public accountability in the Gambia.

More in the Parliamentary report.

The head of the Tobacco Industry Monitoring Team, Mr Omar Conteh, has revealed that 673 people die from smoking-related causes annually in The Gambia, according to the 2025 Tobacco Atlas report.

More in the report.

Conflict in southern Senegal has led to the temporary closure of several Gambian schools in the Foni area along the border between the two countries. Hon Gibba for Foni Kansala raised a matter of the day, debating the issue in parliament.

More in this news report.

Former National Assembly Member for Basse Constituency and current Gambian Counsellor in Paris, Hon. Muhamed Magassy, has unveiled plans to organise a cultural fundraising festival in Paris aimed at mobilising resources to build a multi-purpose skills centre in the Upper River Region (URR). The former MP made this announcement at an Iftar event held at his residence in Brikama Kabafita.

The National Food Security Corporation Bill 2025 is currently facing parliamentary review and was tabled in Parliament for consideration on 3rd March 2026.

The bill proposes the establishment of the National Food Security Corporation, commencing with a value of D1 billion, which was doubled after a member’s recommendation.

More in this parliamentary report.

The National Assembly is set to consider a motion seeking legal and diplomatic pathways for the restitution of Gambian artefacts removed during the colonial era, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to reclaim looted cultural heritage.

More in this parliamentary news story.

The Gambia’s Finance Minister, Hon. Seedy S. Keita's last-minute request to postpone his scheduled parliamentary budget update has been approved by Parliament, allowing him to travel out of the country instead of reporting to Parliament yesterday, 2nd March 2026.

More in our detailed publication featuring the Clerk and the Speaker.

The National Assembly Member for Banjul North, Hon. Modou Lamin B. Bah, has raised serious concerns over what he describes as a dangerous and recurring trend in The Gambia, the gradual ‘normalisation of violent deaths’.

Reflecting on a series of killings in recent years, Hon. Bah warned that fatal incidents increasingly pass without sustained public outrage or visible accountability. More in this news report.

The Speaker of the National Assembly will now earn the same basic salary as the Vice President, while all 54 Parliamentarians will take home more than most Cabinet Ministers under a new 50% pay raise approved by the Sixth Legislature. The increases, which will cost taxpayers an additional D18.5 million in basic salaries alone, come alongside expanded allowances and a separate gratuity bill that could further raise Parliament’s compensation package in 2026.
More in the report.

The Women’s Association for Women and Victims Empowerment (WAVE), in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Assembly Committee on Human Rights and Constitutional Matters, convened a strategic session on the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT). More in the report.

The Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission has announced the dates for the next electoral cycle, 2026 to 2027, covering presidential, National Assembly and local government elections. More in the news report.

The Ministry of Information has released a presser lauding the Parliamentary Approval of the Personal Data Protection and Privacy Bill. More in the press release.

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.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region held its 54th Annual Regional Conference in The Gambia for the first time, under the leadership of their current president, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the Speaker of the National Assembly. Attended by Gambian President Adama Barrow, the opening ceremony featured statements from both leaders focusing on the theme “Strengthening Democracy, Governance and Resilience in Africa: Tackling Conflicts, Economic Shocks, and Climate Risks.” More in the report.

Newly elected Youth MP for Latrikunda Sabijie, Ousainou J. Sawaneh, has committed to championing youth voices and driving inclusive policies at the National Youth Parliament. Building on his work as a community leader and founder of a football academy, he plans to raise awareness about the Parliament’s role while empowering under-represented groups. More in the news report.