ECOWAS and UNOWAS mission hastily leaves Guinea-Bissau after President Embaló's threat to expel delegation amid tensions over electoral roadmap. Concerns rise over transparency in upcoming elections and ECOWAS's mediation role. Political tensions deepen as regional observers question ECOWAS's influence.
The National Assembly in Senegal rejected Deputy Thierno Alassane Sall's proposal to repeal the controversial amnesty law due to budgetary non-compliance, sparking political tensions. Sall denounced the rejection as politically motivated and vowed to challenge the decision, raising uncertainty over accountability for past political offenses.
Yahya Jammeh, exiled from The Gambia for nearly eight years, maintains significant influence in Gambian politics, recently expelling rising political figure Bakary Badjie from his faction of APRC. Despite being ousted from power, Jammeh's control over political dynamics persists, utilizing
Former police spokesperson ASP Binta Njie faces administrative cautioning for criticizing NPP supporter's derogatory remarks against Kiang people on social media, highlighting concerns of divisive rhetoric and potential security threats, while public outcry questions police action perceived as unjustified.
Guinea-Bissau's major political coalitions reaffirm President Umaro Sissoco Embaló's term ending on February 27, 2025, rejecting any extension as unconstitutional. Opposition demands respect for human rights, electoral reforms, and accuses the administration of corruption and economic mismanagement
During former President Yahya Jammeh's regime in The Gambia, hate speech was weaponized to suppress dissent and deepen ethnic divisions. Post-2016 transition to democracy, social media has amplified hate speech challenges, necessitating legal reforms and institutional responses to combat divisive rhetoric.
Nominations for the Massembeh Ward area council by-election in The Gambia open today, with candidates from the United Democratic Party and the National People's Party set to file their papers. The by-election was called following the death of Bakary Cheren Korita, who was elected on a UDP ticket. The ward includes the major settlements of Kolior, Jomari, and Massembeh.
Essa Bokarr Sey, former ambassador and deputy chief executive officer of the OIC Gambia Secretariat, has publicly declared his opposition to any third term for incumbent president, Adama Barrow. Sey, who previously served as The Gambia’s ambassador in Taiwan and the US, voiced concerns that term limit manipulations and constitution tampering are key causes of conflict and political instability in West Africa.
The People's Progressive Party (PPP), once a significant political entity during Jawara's administration in The Gambia, is currently facing internal disputes and a decline in influence. A faction within the party has challenged the leadership elected in the December congress, citing constitutional breaches. Uthman Jeng, a representative of the faction, emphasized the importance of constitutional integrity and fairness in the electoral process, stating that the faction is not contesting the election results, but rather highlighting constitutional violations.
President Barrow, initially an independent candidate, is currently serving his second term in The Gambia, despite initially agreeing to serve for only three years. This year, as The Gambia turns 60, questions arise about whether Barrow will establish a two-term limit for future presidents or seek another term, potentially continuing a history of long-serving presidents in the country.
In response to criticisms from Ousainou Darboe and Essa Faal, President Adama Barrow and his officials typically respond with hostility. However, despite inflammatory remarks from former dictator Yaya Jammeh, the government has remained silent. This raises questions about Barrow's commitment to transitional justice and suggests he may be protecting Jammeh.