Gambia

As the sun rose over the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna, a group of determined soldiers stood ready for a new chapter in their careers. They had undergone rigorous training at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC), preparing not just for the duties ahead but for the tremendous responsibility of peacekeeping in The Gambia. During a pre-deployment ceremony, Major General Uwem Bassey, the Nigerian Army Chief of Operations, took a moment to instill confidence in the…

The Starlink Conundrum: Diplomacy or Manipulation? In an intriguing investigation by ProPublica in 2025, a complex tale unfolds involving significant tensions at the intersection of business and international diplomacy. At the heart of this narrative lies the government of The Gambia and its controversial dealings with Starlink, the satellite internet service spearheaded by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Quite remarkably, the campaign entailed at least seven Gambian ministries embroiled in what could be perceived as veiled threats…

In a surprising turn of events, a distinguished diplomat has officially declared his candidacy for the presidency ahead of the 2026 elections. Essa Bokarr Sey, a seasoned figure who has represented The Gambia in various capacities—most notably as ambassador to France, Taiwan, and the USA—stands at the forefront of this political endeavor. However, his announcement does not occur in a vacuum. It emerges against a backdrop of significant controversy surrounding the recent revisions to the national constitution. The original…

In the wake of widespread public discontent, the Gambian government has initiated an investigation concerning the controversial sale of assets confiscated from former President Yahya Jammeh. This decision reflects the growing disquiet among citizens who have raised concerns over alleged irregularities and a glaring lack of transparency surrounding these transactions. Among the assets in question are livestock, luxury vehicles, and various properties, all sold precipitously before an inquiry panel could assess Jammeh's…

In a surprising revelation, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue recently took to X to discuss the U.S. government's proposal to deport African migrants to Equatorial Guinea. While no binding agreement has emerged from these discussions, Mangue's statement raises many questions and concerns in his home country. "What does it mean for our nation to accept these migrants?" This is a sentiment echoed by numerous Equatorial Guineans who worry about the implications of such a decision. Anxieties loom large, particularly…

The truth commission in The Gambia, a relatively young institution born in 2018, stands as a beacon of hope amid the shadows of a troubled past. This vital body has accused numerous officials from the regime of former president Yahya Jammeh of heinous acts, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and a slew of other human rights atrocities. Each of these allegations unfurls stories of grief, loss, and injustice that echo throughout the national psyche. Take, for instance, the recent issuance of an arrest…

The Future Beckons: Somalia’s U-17 AFCON Journey Mogadishu (AX) — For Somalia's U-17 squad, the journey to the Africa Cup of Nations concluded in disappointment sooner than they had hoped. On a fateful Friday at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi, Gambia delivered a decisive 5-1 victory, eliminating the Ocean Stars from the quest for glory. Earlier, Tunisia had handed them a 3-0 defeat, leaving Somalia with no points and firmly at the bottom of Group C. The harsh scoreline paints a picture of a team outmatched, yet it was…

In a developing tale that intertwines geopolitics and aviation, Belarus's national airline, Belavia, appears to be on the brink of a significant acquisition. Sanctioned by the West and in desperate need of aircraft, Belavia is reportedly poised to bolster its fleet with three Airbus A330 aircraft, which previously flew under the banner of Magic Air, a Gambian carrier. This revelation comes from three reliable sources who spoke to Reuters. Belarus and its ally, Russia, have been navigating…

For centuries, the story of the West African kingdom of Kaabu has resonated through the rich tapestry of oral traditions. Flourishing from the mid-1500s until the 1800s, this influential kingdom encompassed areas that today correspond to parts of Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and the Gambia. Yet, how do we capture the essence of a place when words are rooted in the past, whispered from one generation to the next? The answer lies in the griots—those remarkable oral historians who were the storytellers of their time, singing praises…

As the dawn of 2024 approached, a significant legislative move unfolded in The Gambia. The National Assembly took a historic step, passing a bill aimed at establishing a specialized tribunal dedicated to prosecuting human rights violations attributed to the tumultuous reign of former president Yahya Jammeh. This decision, though monumental in its moral implications, was further galvanized in December when the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced its commitment to assist The Gambia in creating this…