A coalition of thirteen Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has strongly condemned President Adama Barrow’s decision to remove Auditor General Modou Ceesay from office, describing the move as a “constitutional coup” and a direct attack on Gambia’s democratic institutions.
In a joint statement delivered on Thursday by Lamin Dibba of the Center for Budget and Macroeconomic Transparency (CBMT), the organisations called the dismissal unlawful and demanded Ceesay’s immediate reinstatement.
A Blow to Democracy
The CSOs emphasised the irony of the timing, noting that the decision came on the International Day of Democracy. They said it reflected a troubling shift by President Barrow, who rose to power in 2017 promising democratic reforms but is now “actively undermining the very framework that brought him into office.”
“This is not an error or an oversight,” the statement read. “It is a deliberate act to weaken accountability and dismantle the safeguards of democracy.”
Protecting Independent Institutions
The Auditor General’s office plays a central role in monitoring public spending and holding government institutions accountable. By dismissing Ceesay without clear legal grounds, the CSOs argue, the presidency has set a precedent that endangers the independence of all oversight bodies.
The groups further warned that silence in the face of such actions could embolden future leaders to erode constitutional checks and balances.
Call to Action
The statement urged Gambians from all walks of life political leaders, civil servants, and ordinary citizens to resist what it described as an assault on democracy.
“Defending the independence of the Auditor General is not about one individual,” the coalition stressed. “It is about safeguarding the future of accountability, transparency, and democratic governance in The Gambia.”
The organisations concluded by reaffirming their demand for Ceesay’s reinstatement and warning that failure to reverse the decision would mark “a dangerous step toward authoritarian rule.”
