AGP Executive Report

Justice: The Gambia’s completed Special Court for sexual and gender-based violence cases is awaiting inauguration. It aims to speed up cases and reduce survivors’ exposure to lengthy proceedings; a report cited more than 5,000 pending cases, a figure still needing confirmation from the Judiciary. Human Trafficking: The country kept its Tier 2 status, with investigations rising to 20 and prosecutions to six. But just one conviction, limited resources and weaker victim-service funding remain concerns. Border Demarcation: The Gambia and Senegal have begun the second phase of boundary fieldwork, after mapping nearly 30 kilometres and identifying colonial-era markers. Election Readiness: The UDP condemned alleged threats against electoral and military officials, while the Gambia Press Union trained journalists and police on election safety ahead of December’s presidential vote. Diplomacy: New U.S. Ambassador Laurence Socha presented his credentials to President Barrow, pledging to strengthen ties on trade, security and democratic development. Football: The Scorpions’ 4-2 win over Ghana has left the Black Stars without a point in their opening two AFCON qualifiers and prompted a search for a new coach.

Football: The Scorpions’ 4-2 victory over Ghana in Accra has left the four-time African champions bottom of their 2027 AFCON qualifying group. Ghana’s sports minister called the defeat difficult to watch but said the Black Stars can still qualify. Diplomacy: President Adama Barrow received the new Russian and Turkish ambassadors, with talks covering agriculture, education and trade. Separately, The Gambia and Spain urged concrete progress on cooperation in security, migration and economic development. Election Politics: UDP leader Ousainu Darboe rejected claims that voter-registration objections target Fula and Wolof communities, saying challenges are made by individual voters under the law. Agriculture: ActionAid The Gambia called for greater investment in agroecology, including support for women farmers and wider use of organic fertiliser to ease food insecurity. Regional Justice: Gambian Justice Awa Bah is among five new ECOWAS Court judges; Liberia’s Charlyne Brumskine was elected president and pledged to promote timely justice and judicial independence.

Economic Resilience: Finance Minister Seedy Keita and IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva reaffirmed cooperation, while warning that high debt costs, energy prices and declining aid threaten African economies. Election Tensions: UDP leader Ousainu Darboe rejected claims that voter-registration objections target Fula and Wolof voters, as ethnic rhetoric grows ahead of the December 5 election. Gambia–Spain Relations: Both countries called for bilateral agreements to deliver concrete gains in security, migration, trade and development. Migration: IOM says arrivals in Europe from The Gambia, Mali, Senegal and Guinea fell 59% in the first half of 2026, but warns that routes are shifting and remain dangerous. Football: The Scorpions’ 4–2 win over Ghana has left The Gambia level with Côte d’Ivoire at the top of their 2027 AFCON qualifying group; Ghana’s sports minister said the defeat was difficult to watch. Regional Justice: Gambian judge Awa Bah is among five new ECOWAS Court judges, with Liberia’s Charlyne Brumskine elected president.

Regional Justice: Liberian Justice Charlyne Brumskine was elected president of the ECOWAS Court for a two-year term. Gambian Justice Awa Bah is among the court’s five new judges. Election Readiness: Fifty officers from security agencies are taking part in a five-day course on electoral violence and security ahead of December’s presidential vote. Public Accountability: MPs questioned D75.9 million in presidential travel spending by August, against a D50 million budget. Gambia International Airlines staff also staged a strike over welfare, job security and alleged mistreatment. Migration & Borders: IOM says sea arrivals in Europe from The Gambia, Mali, Senegal and Guinea fell 59% in the first half of 2026, but warns that routes are shifting and remain dangerous. An ECOWAS border-governance meeting in Banjul also called for stronger regional cooperation. Sport & Tourism: The Gambia’s 4-2 win over Ghana has left the Black Stars bottom of their AFCON qualifying group. The Scorpions will also compete in a six-team T20 World Cup qualifier in Abuja, while WAFFEST organisers expect more than 30 countries in The Gambia this week.

Public Spending: National Assembly members questioned D75.9 million in presidential travel costs by August, exceeding the D50 million budget allocation. Workers’ Welfare: Gambia International Airlines staff staged a strike over job security, stalled promotions, alleged mistreatment and a suspended medical scheme. Election Security: Fifty officers from security agencies began training to prevent and respond to violence ahead of December’s presidential election; a media monitor also flagged an imam’s reported praise of past killings and calls for violence. Regional Cooperation: The Gambia hosted an ECOWAS meeting urging stronger border governance and cooperation among member states. Land and Tourism: The Tourism Board warned against unauthorized land sales in the coastal Tourism Development Area, cautioning buyers to verify titles and approvals. Social Protection: SSHFC is preparing a pilot scheme to extend social security coverage to informal-sector workers. Football: The Scorpions’ 4–2 win over Ghana has left the Black Stars bottom of their AFCON qualifying group after two defeats.

AFCON Qualifiers: The Gambia’s 4-2 victory over Ghana in Accra left the Black Stars bottom of Group C without a point. Ghana’s football leadership says it shares fans’ frustration. The Gambia’s U-20 side faces Liberia on October 15 in the WAFU-A qualifiers in Mali. Border Cooperation: ECOWAS called for stronger regional border governance after boundary commission chiefs met in Banjul, with eight West African countries agreeing to deepen coordination and cross-border cooperation. Election Watch: The UDP says it will use geolocation tracking for polling agents and collect copies of result forms ahead of the December 5 presidential election. Tourism: The first charter flight of the 2026/27 season brought 139 visitors from London to Banjul, with the Tourism Board anticipating more UK flights. Health and Farming: A new maternity theatre at Brikamaba health centre is expected to bring emergency surgery closer to rural families, while farmers in Sabach Sanjal are expanding upland rice cultivation as rice prices fluctuate.

Election Watch: As the December 5 presidential vote approaches, the UDP says it will use geolocation tracking and verified result slips to monitor polling agents. Coalition 2026 candidate Talib Ahmed Bensouda says both government and opposition forces are targeting his coalition. Healthcare: Health Minister Ahmadou Lamin Samateh says a new maternity theatre at Brikamaba Major Health Centre will bring emergency surgery, including caesarean sections, closer to families. Tourism: The first UK charter of the 2026/27 season landed in Banjul with 139 passengers; the Tourism Board expects more flights but faces calls to spread tourism benefits beyond the coast. Rural livelihoods: Farmers in Sabach Sanjal are turning upland fields to rice as prices rise and households seek more affordable food. Regional justice: Gambian judge Awa Bah has joined four new ECOWAS Court judges, sworn in for four-year terms. Infrastructure: After a 10-day provincial tour, President Barrow returned to Banjul, highlighting completed Kabada roads and pledging full electrification of the Lower River Region. Football: The Gambia’s 4-2 win over Ghana in AFCON qualifying has prompted calls in Ghana for a GFA leadership overhaul.

Scorpions’ Statement Win: The Gambia stunned Ghana 4-2 in Accra after trailing by two goals, leaving the Black Stars without a point from their first two 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Barrow’s Provincial Tour: President Adama Barrow returned to Banjul after a 10-day tour, celebrating completion of the 200km Kabada roads project and promising full electrification of remaining communities in the Lower River Region. Border Cooperation: The Gambia and Senegal have urged border communities to stay calm as they explain a boundary-densification exercise, stressing it will clarify the existing border, not create a new one or take land. Banjul also hosted an ECOWAS meeting where eight West African countries discussed stronger border governance and cross-border cooperation.

Infrastructure: President Adama Barrow hailed completion of the 200-kilometre Kabada roads project as a milestone and promised to electrify the remaining communities in Lower River Region. Regional Justice: Gambian Justice Awa Bah was sworn in as one of five new ECOWAS Community Court judges, with the bloc’s chair urging them to act impartially and strengthen public trust. Border Cooperation: The Gambia and Senegal have begun community outreach on a border “densification” exercise, stressing it clarifies the existing boundary and will not take land from residents. Regional boundary officials also met in Banjul to push for stronger cooperation and faster border work.

Border Relations: The Gambia and Senegal have launched a campaign to explain that border work will make the existing boundary clearer, not redraw it, and to address community concerns. Regional Cooperation: Boundary officials from eight West African countries met in Banjul to advance border management and cross-border coordination. Election 2026: President Adama Barrow predicted UDP leader Ousainou Darboe’s defeat in December, while the UDP questioned a reported 28,932-voter gap in supplementary registration figures. Power Supply: The government says 21-megawatt generators from China are part of its response to severe power cuts. International Justice: Nobel winner Navi Pillay is an International Court of Justice judge in The Gambia’s case accusing Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya. US Visas: Banjul is among 25 African missions whose routine US visa processing has shifted to regional hubs; embassy operations remain unchanged.

Border Management: The Gambia and Senegal have begun community outreach on their border-densification exercise. Officials say it will make the existing boundary clearer, not create a new border or take land from residents. Regional Cooperation: Banjul hosted an ECOWAS meeting of eight countries’ boundary commissions, which called for stronger coordination and dialogue to resolve border issues. International Justice: South African jurist Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting international law. She is an ad hoc judge in the genocide case The Gambia brought against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. Power Supply: The government says two new generators, with a combined 21MW capacity, are part of its response to severe power cuts. US Visa Services: Routine visa processing at the US Embassy in Banjul has shifted to a regional hub; the embassy remains open, but applicants must use the designated location.

International Justice: Navi Pillay won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for advancing international law. The former UN rights chief is an ad hoc judge in The Gambia’s genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice. Election Watch: Opposition parties are pressing the Independent Electoral Commission to release voter data, with the UDP questioning a reported 28,932-voter gap in supplementary registration figures ahead of December’s presidential election. Power Crisis: The government says two Chinese generators, with a combined capacity of 21 megawatts, are part of its response to crippling power cuts. Regional Security: Gambian authorities intercepted more than 80 Senegalese nationals amid concerns over irregular migration. Jammeh Reparations: The Reparations Commission says $2.5 million from the sale of Yahya Jammeh’s US property has yet to reach The Gambia.

Election Watch: President Adama Barrow has predicted a heavy December defeat for UDP leader Ousainou Darboe, as opposition groups press the electoral commission to release the supplementary voter register and question a reported 28,932-voter gap. Justice and Accountability: The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize winner, jurist Navi Pillay, is an ad hoc judge in The Gambia’s genocide case against Myanmar. At home, officials have outlined a strategy for post-TRRC prosecutions, while the ECOWAS Court adopted a settlement in the Mahawa Cham disappearance case. Girls’ Rights: UNICEF is urging stronger action to end child marriage. The rate is 43% in rural areas, compared with 17% in urban communities. Security and Services: The government says it is strengthening border management; more than 80 Senegalese nationals were intercepted in The Gambia. The country has also received medicines and medical supplies. Sports: The Scorpions climbed seven places to 109th in FIFA’s latest rankings after recent wins.

Scorpions’ Statement Win: The Gambia’s 4–2 comeback victory over Ghana has left the Black Stars bottom of their AFCON qualifying group. Coach Jonathan McKinstry says his team had prepared its game plan three weeks ahead. Power Crisis: The government says newly received 21-megawatt generators are part of its urgent response to crippling power cuts. Election Debate: President Adama Barrow is pitching December’s vote as a choice between continuing his development programme and starting afresh. Opposition figures are challenging the fairness of past elections, while a citizens’ coalition is urging opposition parties to unite. Jammeh Assets: The Reparations Commission says $2.5 million from the sale of Yahya Jammeh’s US property has yet to reach The Gambia.

Power Supply: The Gambia has received 21MW of generators from China to ease crippling power cuts, with Vice-President Jallow describing the delivery as part of the government’s rapid response. Election Watch: President Adama Barrow cast the December 5 vote as a choice between continuity and a fresh start, while UDP leader Ousainou Darboe questioned the fairness of past elections. Separately, Malagen flagged Mai Ahmed Fatty’s call for Gambians to avoid UDP meetings as potentially inflammatory rhetoric. Transitional Justice: The Reparations Commission says $2.5 million from the sale of Yahya Jammeh’s US property has yet to arrive, as the government outlines its approach to prosecutions stemming from the TRRC. Public Health: GRA chief Yankuba Darboe says tobacco taxes should be judged by their impact on smoking and health, not revenue alone. Sport: Seven young Gambians will compete in five disciplines at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games, beginning October 31.

HealthTech: Gambian startup CEO Ousman Manneh says a new African health innovation award will boost BTS Health Technologies’ work on locally developed patient-monitoring devices. Climate: The Gambia is among nine countries sharing a $78 million Great Green Wall programme targeting 270,000 hectares of degraded land and better livelihoods for five million people. Transitional Justice: The government has outlined how its Special Accountability Mechanism will handle TRRC-era prosecutions, while the ECOWAS Court adopted a settlement in the Mahawa Cham disappearance case requiring an investigation, prosecutions, compensation and the return of his remains. Election Watch: A coalition is pressing the IEC to publish the supplementary voter register for scrutiny ahead of December’s presidential election. Power: The government says two generators, with a combined capacity of 21MW, are part of its response to severe electricity shortages. Regional Justice: Gambian Justice Awa Bah has been sworn in for a four-year term on the ECOWAS Community Court. Jammeh Assets: The Reparations Commission says the $2.5 million from the sale of Yahya Jammeh’s US property has yet to reach The Gambia for victims.