Corruption, Parliament, Civil Society, Politics Askanwi Gambia Corruption, Parliament, Civil Society, Politics Askanwi Gambia

Gambia Participates Blames President Barrow for Delayed Anti-Corruption Commission

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.

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Human Rights, Migration, Parliament Askanwi Gambia Human Rights, Migration, Parliament Askanwi Gambia

Gambia’s First Law Criminalising Migrant Smuggling Set for Parliament

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.

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Parliament, Business Economy, Civil Society Askanwi Gambia Parliament, Business Economy, Civil Society Askanwi Gambia

ActionAid Engages Parliament’s Trade Committee on Bilateral Investment Treaties

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.

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Development, Migration Askanwi Gambia Development, Migration Askanwi Gambia

Former Basse NAM Unveils Paris Festival Plans to Fund Multi-Purpose Center

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.

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Business Economy, Agriculture Askanwi Gambia Business Economy, Agriculture Askanwi Gambia

D2 Billion National Food Security Corporation Proposed by Parliamentarian

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.

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Business Economy, Budget Askanwi Gambia Business Economy, Budget Askanwi Gambia

Budget Update Delayed as Finance Minister Seeks Last-Minute Travel Approval

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.

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Askanwi Gambia Askanwi Gambia

Lawmaker Raises Alarm Over ‘Normalisation of Killings’ in The Gambia

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.

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Budget, Business Economy Askanwi Gambia Budget, Business Economy Askanwi Gambia

Speaker Matches VP’s Salary as NAMs Overtake Ministers After 50% Pay Rise

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.

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Human Rights, Africa Askanwi Gambia Human Rights, Africa Askanwi Gambia

Stakeholders Call for Gambia to Ratify Optional Protocol to Convention Against Torture

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.

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Africa, Human Rights, Environment Askanwi Gambia Africa, Human Rights, Environment Askanwi Gambia

CPA Africa Hosts 54th Conference in The Gambia to Strengthen Governance, Democracy and Resilience in Africa

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.

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Youth Askanwi Gambia Youth Askanwi Gambia

Hon. Sawaneh Vows to Strengthen Youth Representation at National Youth Parliament

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.

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Haunted by a Massacre: Families of West African Migrants Demand Exhumation and $1M Compensation

Haunted by memories of the brutal 2005 massacre of over 50 West African migrants in The Gambia, relatives of the victims returned to Banjul 20 years later to demand justice, the exhumation and return of their loved ones’ remains, and an increase in compensation to $1 million per victim.

Marking two decades since the killings, the delegation submitted a petition to Gambian authorities, calling for concrete action to prosecute former President Yahya Jammeh and to fully implement the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission’s recommendations.

More in the report.

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Youth, Election Askanwi Gambia Youth, Election Askanwi Gambia

NYP 2025 Elections: 53 Young Gambians Elected to Represent Their Constituencies

In a major step forward for youth representation in The Gambia, the National Youth Parliament (NYP) has elected 53 young parliamentarians through its first-ever fully youth-led, constituency-based election. Announced on 16 July 2025, the results mark a new chapter in democratic participation, with thousands of young voters casting their ballots despite funding and logistical hurdles. More in the news report.

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Constitution Askanwi Gambia Constitution Askanwi Gambia

Minority Caucus Rejects 2024 Draft Constitution

The Gambia’s 2024 Draft Constitution suffered a decisive blow in the National Assembly after the Minority Caucus voted against it during the crucial Second Reading on 7th June 2025, denying the bill the three-quarters majority required for passage. Despite support from the Majority Caucus, the constitution failed to clear the legal threshold, marking the second time Parliament has blocked efforts to replace the 1997 Constitution. More in this report.

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