PUBLIC STATEMENT 15th September 2025
The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice expresses deep concern and outrage over the unlawful and forceful removal of the Auditor General and the illegal arrest and detention of citizens. These actions represent a blatant assault on democracy, accountability, and the rule of law in The Gambia. We detest the fact that the Gambia Police had to invade, occupy and forcefully remove the Auditor General Modou Ceesay from his office today 15th September 2025, a day designed as International Day of Democracy.
This unconstitutional act clearly confirms the autocratic nature of Pres. Adama Barrow and his Government’s total disregard of the rule of law. This act unequivocally confirms Pres. Barrow’s attempts to remove all fences around public wealth and leave it open for corruption and plunder. By unconstitutionally removing the Auditor General, Pres. Barrow has shown the nation that he is not interested in transparency and accountability but hellbent on encouraging corruption and protecting corrupt officials.
The National Audit Office is the cornerstone of public financial oversight, mandated to ensure transparency and safeguard national resources. Any attempt to undermine this office by illegally dismissing its occupant not only violates the National Audit Office Act 2015 but also sends a dangerous signal that accountability institutions can be interfered with and manipulated for political ends, leaving public funds vulnerable to misuse and corruption.
Members of GALA and other youths who exercised their constitutional duty to defend the Auditor General were subjected to police brutality including illegal arrest and teargassed. Once again, the Gambia Police have demonstrated that they are driven by political interests and not by the rule of law, professionalism, independence, and impartiality. By their actions, the Police have only shown that they remain a tool in the hands of politicians and vested interests against public interest and the law. The Police have indeed severely betrayed the trust of the Gambian people hence undermined their legitimacy and credibility.
We wish to remind Pres. Adama Barrow and the Inspector General of Police Seedy Muctarr Touray as well as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dawda Jallow that they are harming the Gambia by trampling on our Constitution and democracy just to serve selfish interests. We wish to remind these officials that indeed the day of reckoning shall arrive when they shall be punished for their gross misconduct.
As we demand the immediate re-instatement of the Auditor General Modou Ceesay and the unconditional release of the GALA leaders and other detained youths, we wish to urge citizens to stand vigilant and protest in defense of the Constitution and democracy. The Gambia’s hard-won democratic gains must not be reversed. Citizens deserve a government that operates with integrity, accountability, and respect for fundamental rights.
2025 – The Year of Transparency and Accountability
