Prominent activist Kemeseng Sanneh, widely known as “Kexx Sanneh,” has revealed that his contract with Alport Banjul has been abruptly terminated. Sanneh alleges the termination is a direct consequence of his participation in the recent anti-corruption protests organised by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), sparking significant concerns about freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly in The Gambia.
Sanneh, a vocal critic of corruption and mismanagement of public funds, stated that Alport Banjul’s Managing Director, Mr. Salih Sevent, explicitly linked the decision to “pressure from government officials.” According to Sanneh, Salih alluded to the company’s discomfort with their partnership while Sanneh was actively involved in demonstrations against the government.
“I would rather eat sand than stay silent in the face of corruption and the mismanagement of public funds in my country,” Sanneh told JollofNews, expressing his unwavering commitment to the cause.
He recounted his direct response to Mr. Sevent, emphasising that his contract with Alport Banjul did not entail relinquishing his Gambian citizenship or surrendering his constitutional rights to hold the government accountable.
When asked about the specifics of his contract with Alport Banjul, Mr. Sanneh told JollofNews, “We signed a contract agreement for one year to use my platform to promote the activities and engagements of the company.”
Sanneh’s participation in the GALA protests, which have gained significant traction across the nation, underscores a growing public demand for transparency and accountability from the government. His termination from Alport Banjul, if proven to be a punitive measure for exercising his constitutional rights, could set a troubling precedent for civil liberties in The Gambia.
“The struggle continues for a better Gambia. No surrender,” Sanneh declared, signalling his resolve to persist in his advocacy despite the personal repercussions.
Alport Banjul has not publicly responded to the allegations. Repeated attempts by JollofNews to contact the company for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
