Speaking in an exclusive interview with QTV Gambia, President Barrow said his administration initiated the constitutional reform process but faced challenges securing the parliamentary support required to pass the proposed legislation.

He recalled that an earlier attempt to introduce a new constitution failed at the National Assembly stage, prompting his party to seek a stronger parliamentary mandate in the 2021 elections.

According to Barrow, although the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) secured a simple majority after the election, its parliamentary numbers were insufficient to meet the threshold required to pass the constitutional draft.

He said the government could not secure the more than 40 votes needed, despite having approximately 35 supporting votes, and attributed the failure to opposition lawmakers, particularly members of the UDP, who voted against the bill.

Barrow questioned why his administration continued to face criticism over the stalled reforms when the legislation required support from lawmakers across the political divide.

He also acknowledged the independence of the National Assembly, noting that lawmakers make their own decisions when voting on legislation. He said the passage of a new constitution therefore required broader parliamentary support.

Looking ahead to the next election, Barrow said he could not guarantee the passage of a new constitution without his party securing the required majority in the legislature.

He said that, if given the necessary parliamentary numbers, his party would prepare a new constitutional draft and present it to the National Assembly. He added that he would campaign for the proposed document, while the legislative process would determine whether it could proceed.

The 1997 Constitution remains in force, following the failure of the 2020 draft constitution to secure the required support at the National Assembly. The debate over constitutional reform continues to centre on the process for adopting a new constitution and the role of lawmakers in securing the necessary majority.

The application challenged the legal sufficiency of the charge preferred against Manjang under Section 53(1)(a) of the Gambia Armed Forces Act, with the defence arguing that the particulars of the offence failed to establish the essential ingredients of desertion, particularly the requirement relating to active service or orders for active service.

The defence maintained that the allegations, as presented, disclosed no more than AWOL and did not sufficiently establish the offence of desertion.

However, the prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) AM Yusuph, opposed the application, arguing that the relevant provisions of the Armed Forces Act must be read together, particularly Sections 53 and 55.

The State contended that Manjang remained subject to military law when he allegedly left his duty post and that his prolonged absence did not terminate his military status. It further argued that the application amounted to an abuse of court process.

In its ruling, the court examined the particulars of the charge, the submissions of both parties and the applicable statutory provisions.

On the question of whether the particulars disclosed desertion, the court acknowledged the distinction between desertion and AWOL, noting that prolonged unauthorized absence alone does not necessarily establish desertion where the law requires an intention not to return or to remain permanently absent.

The court stated that such intention must be proved by the prosecution at trial.

However, it distinguished between a charge that fails to disclose a legally essential element and one whose allegations are disputed or may be difficult to prove. It held that disputed allegations or difficulties in proving a case do not, by themselves, justify striking out a charge.

On the issue of active service, the defence argued that the requirement was an essential condition of the offence and that the particulars did not allege sufficient facts to establish it.

The prosecution, in response, maintained that the Act must be interpreted as a whole, relying on the qualification contained in Section 2 and the relevant provisions governing desertion.

The court agreed that the legislation must be read as a whole but observed that the qualification in Section 2 did not, by itself, eliminate a condition expressly imposed by Section 53.

It therefore treated the active-service question as one of statutory interpretation rather than simply a factual disagreement between the parties. 

The court declined to accept that the charge must automatically fail merely because the existence of active service was disputed, leaving the issue for further analysis.

The court also rejected the prosecution’s argument that the application constituted an abuse of process. It held that the dismissal of an earlier jurisdiction challenge did not automatically prevent the defence from bringing a subsequent application raising a distinct question about the statutory ingredients of the charge.

On the request to strike out or substitute the charge, the court described striking out as a serious remedy applicable where a charge is legally unsustainable and the defect cannot be cured.

It further stated that the prosecution, rather than the court, must initiate any amendment in accordance with the applicable procedural law. 

The court also declined to substitute the desertion charge with AWOL merely because the defence disputed the prosecution’s allegations.

Ultimately, the court dismissed the defence motion and its prayers, leaving the desertion charge in place.

The prosecution was represented by Mr Yusuph, assisted by P. Gomez, A. Tambari, A. Drammeh, and RV Ojikutu, alongside Major Suwaibou Jammeh and AK Conteh.

The defence was led by counsel SK Jobe, assisted by M. Bah, Commander Alieu Sanneh, Captain Augustus Mendy, and WO2 Baba FM Jaiteh.

According to a statement issued by DLEAG Public Relations Officer Dawda Sanyang, the suspects comprise 48 Gambians and three Senegalese nationals, aged between 16 and 42. Of the total, 50 are males and one is female. An alleged 16-year-old child offender is also among those arrested.

The arrests were recorded across five operational areas, with 30 suspects apprehended in the West Coast Region, 12 in the Kanifing Municipality, five in the North Bank Region, three in Banjul and one in the Central River Region.

Among the cases highlighted by the agency are the arrests of Alagie Njie, 31, of Bakau, and Yasaye Ndure, 31, of Bijilo, who were apprehended on October 26, 2026, at the Banjul Post Office.

The two suspects were allegedly found with five parcels of suspected cannabis ruderalis, commonly known as skunk, concealed in a breadcrumb tin inside a carton.

In another operation, DLEAG arrested Kebba Mbye, 42, of Kololi, on October 27, with two stones and three pieces of suspected crack cocaine allegedly concealed in a yellow nylon bag inside his trousers.

The agency also reported the arrest of Yaya Kebbeh, 23, of Serrekunda, on October 17, with 49 pills of suspected ecstasy, while Antouman Gaye, 41, of Kololi, was arrested on October 20 with six pieces of suspected crack cocaine and two small bags of suspected ecstasy.

Other arrests involved suspected cannabis and kush in various quantities. DLEAG reported that Saikou Sanyang, 28, of Tanji, was arrested on October 20 with 51 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa and 81 pieces of suspected kush.

In a separate case on October 28, Ousman Saidy, 34, and Ismaila Darboe, 36, both residents of Tanji, were arrested in connection with suspected cannabis and kush. The reported exhibits included 93 wraps of suspected cannabis sativa and 85 pieces of suspected kush, alongside an additional bundle and five wraps of suspected cannabis.

The agency also reported arrests involving suspected cannabis resin, commonly known as hashish, and suspected crystal meth in different locations across the country.

Meanwhile, three men - Seedy Sonko, 33, Ebrima Gibba, 27, and Hadim Sonko, 24 - all residents of Pirang were arrested on October 14 for allegedly obstructing DLEAG officers while they were carrying out their duties during the arrest of Muhammed Camara.

DLEAG has warned members of the public against obstructing, interfering with or preventing its officers from performing their lawful duties. The agency urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement officers and use the appropriate legal channels to report any alleged misconduct rather than resorting to confrontation.

The agency said the operations form part of its continued efforts to combat drug dealing, trafficking, possession and related offences, safeguard public health and promote a safer, drug-free Gambia.

All 51 suspects remain in custody as investigations into their respective cases continue.

Speaking at the commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons at the Senegambia Beach Hotel on Thursday, NHRC Chairperson Emmanuel D. Joof said protecting older persons must be recognised as a human rights obligation rather than an act of charity.

The commemoration was held under the theme, “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” which calls for a reassessment of social, economic and healthcare systems to meet the needs of an ageing population.

Joof said older persons deserved to live with dignity, good health, peace of mind and access to essential services, stressing the need for The Gambia to prepare for the future as more people live longer.

According to figures cited by the NHRC chairperson, approximately 73,754 people in The Gambia are aged 65 and above, representing about three per cent of the population. He warned that this proportion was expected to increase, making it necessary for the country to strengthen its support systems for older citizens.

“We want to grow old, we want to grow older, with dignity, with good health, access to basic services and peace of mind,” Joof said.

He emphasised that the country must prepare for a future in which its citizens will increasingly need accessible healthcare, integrated social protection, appropriate care services and opportunities to participate meaningfully in society.

“Protecting older persons should not simply be an act of charity. It is a matter of human rights, equality and social justice,” he said.

Joof added that older persons deserved respect and protection against discrimination, abuse, neglect and social exclusion.

He welcomed The Gambia’s progress in ratifying the African Union Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Older Persons in Africa, which the National Assembly ratified on June 25, 2024.

However, he stressed that more efforts were needed to popularise the protocol and translate its provisions into practical measures that improve the lives of older persons.

He called for stronger advocacy and collaboration among stakeholders to support the domestication and implementation of the protocol, the development of a national policy on older persons and increased state support, including social protection and access to essential services.

Delivering the keynote address, Alay Barra, Director of Social Welfare at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, said the commemoration provided an opportunity to reaffirm the country’s collective commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of older persons.

Barra said increasing life expectancy was an achievement reflecting improvements in health, education, nutrition and social development. However, he noted that longer lives also required governments and institutions to rethink how their systems respond to the needs and aspirations of ageing populations.

He said ageing should not be viewed as a burden but celebrated as a testament to human progress and an opportunity to benefit from the experience, wisdom and contributions of older citizens.

Despite their contributions to families, communities and national development, Barra noted that many older persons continued to face poverty, inadequate access to healthcare and social protection, discrimination, neglect, abuse and social isolation.

He said addressing these challenges requires collective action involving government institutions, civil society organisations, communities and development partners.

Meanwhile, Jainaba Jallow Njie, President of the University of the Third Age, Gambia Chapter, described growing old as a stage of life many people look forward to, having witnessed the experiences of their grandparents and parents.

The discussions also highlighted the need for reliable social protection that enables older persons to live with dignity and reduces excessive financial dependence on relatives.

Key issues included establishing or strengthening social pension arrangements for older persons without formal retirement benefits, expanding pension coverage to informal-sector workers, farmers and traders, and improving support for those living in poverty.

The commemoration renewed calls for policies that recognise older persons not merely as vulnerable members of society but as citizens with rights, knowledge, experience and valuable contributions to national development.

This is precisely the approach that Russia offers and it fully resonates with the principle — "African solutions to African problems" — that forms the basis for a new security architecture and the official political philosophy of the continent. For this reason, rather than imposing ready-made models, Russia seeks to implement joint projects with its African partners that deliver tangible benefits in specific economic sectors and areas like education, science, culture, healthcare, and so on.

Historical Context: From Decolonization to Modern Partnership

Historically, Russia (including during the Soviet era) has consistently advocated for the liberation of peoples from colonial oppression. A pivotal moment was its support for the 1960 UN General Assembly Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. Today, this commitment continues through new formats, including technology transfers, professional training, and collaborative infrastructure and industrial projects.

For The Gambia and other nations across the continent, it has a particular significance: the partnership is structured around the objectives that the states themselves identify as priorities — whether in energy, food security, education, or the development of local businesses.

Russia–Africa Summits: From Declaration to Practice

The Russia – Africa Summits and the associated Economic and Humanitarian Forums have become the key mechanism for this cooperation.

At the First Summit, held in Sochi in 2019 under the theme "For Peace, Security, and Development," we agreed with African states to establish a multifaceted dialogue with the continent on an equal footing. The event resulted in practical agreements across a wide range of cooperation areas: from security and science to culture and the economy.

The Second Summit, held in St. Petersburg in 2023, confirmed the value of this approach, drawing delegations from 48 countries — including 27 represented by heads of state or high-ranking officials — as well as five of the continent’s major integration blocs. This is clear evidence that the partnership has begun to take shape around concrete needs and projects that deliver tangible benefits on the ground.

A new phase is now underway: the Third Summit, along with the Russia – Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, is currently taking place in Moscow. The program features approximately 40 plenary sessions, with topics developed in collaboration with African partners and focused on achieving practical results.

What this means for African nations — and for The Gambia in particular

The focus is on areas critical to the continent’s development:

Energy and infrastructure. Access to reliable energy is the foundation for growth. Key priorities include energy supply solutions — such as localized projects — as well as the construction of roads, ports, and logistics hubs. For The Gambia, for instance, this could translate into new opportunities to expand energy networks and reduce power outages.

Food security. This concerns the exchange of agricultural technologies and expertise in areas such as crop breeding, sustainable farming practices, and harvest storage. For many countries, this represents a direct contribution toward reducing reliance on imports and expanding domestic production.

Economy and trade. Increasing trade turnover, supporting local production, and creating conditions for the growth of African businesses and the creation of new jobs.

Education and science. Expanding scholarship programs, establishing joint research centers, and developing academic exchange and professional training initiatives tailored to the specific needs of national economies.

Technology and digitalization. Implementing practical solutions for public administration, healthcare, education, and agriculture — with a focus on adapting these tools to local conditions.

In addition to the business agenda, the Summit will feature a Media Forum —bringing together leaders from African media outlets — and a Youth Forum. These events serve to demonstrate what an equal partnership looks like: one that avoids imposing pre-packaged models, but instead fosters a willingness to share experience, technology, and resources.

Africa’s Voice in a Multipolar World

At the Gas Exporting Countries Forum Summit in Moscow on October 27, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Africa as the "continent of the future". He placed special emphasis on the African youth — highlighting their energy, thirst for knowledge, and desire to improve their lives. According to him, this very force will serve as the primary engine of change.

In The Gambia, this potential is already being reflected in various technological initiatives. The country is developing digital projects tailored to local needs, such as mobile services for farmers, platforms for educational access, and solutions to streamline financial transactions. Young people are actively acquiring IT skills, participating in hackathons, and launching startups — thereby building local expertise and creating new employment opportunities.

We reasonably expect the Third Summit will serve as a platform for putting forward new ideas to foster direct engagement among representatives from the business, academic, scientific, and government sectors of Russia and African nations. This will enable the parties to agree on the implementation of concrete projects, sign formal agreements, and launch pilot initiatives in the coming months.

For African media, covering the summit offers a chance to highlight their own priorities and demonstrate how the decisions that shape the continent’s future are actually formulated.

Mikhail KORNEEV

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of The Gambia

Speaking at African Princess Hotel on Thursday, Acumen representatives emphasised that the fellowship is not just about business growth but about cultivating moral leadership, to set the tone with a powerful reminder: “If not me, who?”, urging participants to see themselves as agents of change. 

Omono Etomi Acumen Fellows manager explained that Acumen’s mission is to invest in entrepreneurs who build inclusive societies. The Green Rise Africa Fellowship is a six-month hybrid program combining virtual workshops and in-person sessions across West Africa. Its curriculum focuses on self-reflection, values-driven leadership, and resilience in business.  

Oluchi Okoroafor, Acumen’s fellowship senior associate, highlighted that the fellowship goes beyond technical training: “It asks leaders to look beyond their businesses, examine their values, and be intentional in their decisions.” Workshops such as Authentic Voice and Adaptive Leadership help fellows navigate ethical dilemmas and competing priorities.

Oyinda Adegboye, founder manager of Acumen, described Acumen’s global network of over 2,000 fellows as the fellowship’s greatest legacy. Graduates gain lifelong membership, access to peer collaboration, and opportunities for funding through the Angels Green Rise Africa program, which offers grants of $25,000 or $50,000.  

“Funding is important,” Adegboye noted, “but the strongest capital we provide is social capital - the network of entrepreneurs who support and learn from each other.”  

Local entrepreneurs shared how the fellowship has transformed their work.  

Beran Dondeh Gillen, co-founder, The Hub Ltd, described the program as “truly transformational”, emphasizing that it validated his commitment to integrity in business. “It’s an uphill battle to be a moral leader, but Acumen gave us the opportunity to learn, validate, and pass these values on to our teams.”  

Mariam Sarge, founder of Electric Energy Solution, explained how the fellowship helped her delegate tasks and amplify her business story. “Before, I did everything myself. Now, through Authentic Voice, I’ve learned to pitch proposals and bring my team forward. The fellowship is not just teaching me how to manage a business, but how to explore new opportunities.”  

The event underscored Acumen’s vision: to nurture leaders who can tackle poverty and climate challenges with integrity. As the Green Rise Africa Fellowship expands across 15 countries, Gambian entrepreneurs are finding themselves part of a larger movement one that blends business innovation with moral leadership.

President Ouattara made these remarks at the presidential lecture of the 20^th anniversary of the Aid for Trade programme which also marked as the 10^th Global Review of Aid for Trade held on Thursday 29 October 2026 at the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The occasion was marked with small firms, global rules, a dialogue with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and WTO on standards, regulation and trade facilitation.

The Aid for Trade Global programme signifies strategic partnership as a catalyst for trade development across the globe. The Aid for Trade initiative was launched at the 5^th WTO Ministerial Conference in Hongkong in 2005 to help developing economies benefit from market access opportunities offered by the multilateral trading system.

President Ouattara says investment contributes to infrastructure development, modernization of productive systems and innovation, and the creation of sustainable jobs. Together, these two pillars can accelerate development trajectory, he stated.

He however outlined that the benefits are neither automatic nor evenly distributed, emphasizing that an economy that mainly exports raw materials while importing high value-added manufactured goods risks remaining trapped in a position of dependency.

President Ouattara outlined that attracting foreign investment is not an end in itself, that its contribution to development depends on its ability to create jobs, facilitate technology transfer, develop local skills, maximize the opportunities offered by free trade, and build lasting linkages with domestic enterprises.

He emphasized that it is therefore essential to align trade and investment policies with industrial, agricultural, and technological strategies. The aim, he said, is to build economies that are not only able to participate in international trade but also to derive greater value from it and become more resilient to external shocks.  

Ouattara noted that globalization aims to make trade more inclusive, diversify value chains, and enable more countries to participate in global economic opportunities.

For developing countries, he said, re-globalization represents an opportunity to move beyond their traditional specialization in primary commodity exports and secure a greater role in innovation, processing, manufacturing, and marketing activities.

“This requires improving infrastructure, developing skills, facilitating access to finance, and promoting technology transfer. It also calls for coherent public policies, strengthened international cooperation, and trade rules that enable the most vulnerable countries to better seize the opportunities offered by the global economy,” he said.

“Re-globalization should allow us to move from an integration model based primarily on the export of raw materials to one founded on value creation, competitiveness, and productive transformation.”

Further, Ouattara revealed that between 2012 and 2025, his country recorded sustained economic growth averaging approximately 7 per cent, despite several external shocks, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This performance, he said, exceeded the average for sub-Saharan Africa (3.3 per cent) and the global economy (3.2 per cent) over the same period. It was accompanied by significant growth in trade, gradual market diversification, and strengthened productive capacity.

These results stem in particular from improvements in the business environment, stronger governance, a sound macroeconomic framework, and sustainable debt management, he said.

“Côte d’Ivoire occupies a major position in global cocoa and cashew nut markets. However, our ambition is no longer limited to producing and exporting these commodities. Our goal is to increase their processing within our country, thereby retaining a larger share of value added, creating jobs, particularly for young people, and diversifying our economy,” he explained.

In the cocoa sector, he said progress has been significant, adding that the processing rate for the 2024-2025 season is estimated at 41 per cent. He added that the large number of grinding facilities now enables local production of cocoa liquor, butter, and powder for international markets and the food-processing industry.

The next step, he said, is to move further towards finished products, particularly chocolate and processed food products, which offer additional opportunities for value creation and employment.

The government’s position was disclosed during a question and answer session at the National Assembly, where a parliamentarian asked when the second new Green Ferry was expected to arrive in the country.

In response, the government explained that the ferry was expected to be delivered within 16 months from the commencement of construction.

The response indicated that the construction period had not yet started, as the government was still awaiting the bank’s decision on its grant application before moving forward with the process.

A parliamentarian, seeking clarification on the status of the project, asked whether the construction had yet to begin.

The response confirmed that the government was still waiting for the AfDB’s decision.

The delay in commencing construction means that the delivery timeline will depend on when the funding process is completed and construction begins.

The second Green Ferry is expected to support ferry services in the country, making the project an important part of efforts to improve transport connections for people and goods.

However, no specific date for the commencement of construction or the ferry’s arrival was provided during the exchange.

The government is expected to proceed with the next stage of the project following the AfDB’s decision on the grant application.