General
On 7th July 2025, The Gambia’s National Assembly (NA) rejected the 2024 Draft Constitution. Although the draft aimed to modernise fundamental rights and introduce additional socio-economic protections, it also included specific restrictions that drew criticism from human rights advocates. Critics have pointed out that the 2024 draft Gambian Constitution centralises power by removing the retroactive clause for presidential term limits and increasing presidential power over National Assembly members.
Furthermore, the draft undermines judicial independence by eliminating the requirement for assembly, confirmation of judicial appointments and the citizenship requirement for the chief justice.
Additionally, there are concerns over the extension of police detention periods from 48 to 72 hours, which is seen as a compromise of civil liberties. The 2024 draft also imposes limitations on the rights to education, petition, and assembly, potentially reducing democratic participation and hindering national development. Additionally, provisions affecting citizenship by marriage and restricting media ownership to Gambian citizens have sparked debates over inclusivity and press freedoms.
The Gambia Bar Association raised concerns about the lack of transparency and inclusivity in the government’s reintroduction of the Constitution Bill 2024, which they believe hinders the country’s efforts to establish a new constitution. The United Democratic Party, The Gambia’s main opposition, called for the withdrawal of the 2024 draft constitution, deeming it “unacceptable”.
Expression
Gambian journalists face legal charges over succession report
On 26th September 2024, in Banjul, police arrested Musa Sheriff, the editor-in-chief and owner of The Voice newspaper, along with reporter Momodou Justice Darboe, on accusations of “false publication and broadcasting” following an article they published on 23rd September on President Barrow’s purported choice of successor. The arrest came after Gambian President Adama Barrow had threatened The Voice with a civil defamation suit on 25th September 2024. On 8th October 2024, the High Court of Justice in Kanifing charged Sheriff and Darboe with “false publication and broadcasting” but subsequently released them on bail, pending further proceedings. On 4th November 2024, the Gambian president withdrew the defamation lawsuit against Sheriff and The Voice newspaper after successive appeals from local media representatives, the National Human Rights Commission, and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network condemned the application of the False Publication and Broadcasting Law against journalists in The Gambia, calling for an end to defamation suits and criminal trials against media professionals.
Gambian minister summons media over ‘misleading’ headline
On 27th March 2025, Gambian Minister of Information Dr. Ismaila Ceesay summoned the editor of The Voice newspaper, the Gambia Press Union, the Media Council, and the Newspaper Publishers Association over a headline deemed misleading. The article, based on an Afrobarometer survey from October 2024, reported declining public trust in government institutions. The Minister’s action, citing concerns about damaging the fragile democracy, sparked debate on press freedom. The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) condemned the summons as intimidation, calling it an overreach. The MFWA demanded an apology from the Minister and urged him to cease such tactics.
Gambian Minister sues journalist for defamation over corruption allegations
On 3rd September 2024, The Gambia’s Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Rohey John Manjang, filed a libel and slander suit against Kebba Ansu Manneh, an investigative journalist for The Alkamba Times (TAT). The lawsuit stemmed from a report alleging the Minister’s involvement in illegal transactions of seized logs. TAT’s investigative article, authored by Manneh and published on 29th June 2024, included an allegation that 150,000 Gambian Dalasi (approximately USD 2,000) was paid into a bank account belonging to the Minister. Minister Manjang sought a public apology and retraction of the article. The Media Foundation for West Africa expressed concern over the lawsuit and urged the parties to consider an amicable settlement. On 12th December 2024, Justice Sonia Akinbiyi of the Banjul High Court Annex granted an extension for out-of-court settlement negotiations between the parties.
The Gambia Press Union (GPU) expressed concern over the defamation lawsuits filed by President Adama Barrow and the Environment Minister against journalists and media houses. According to the GPU, such actions could undermine press freedom, lead to self-censorship, and reverse recent gains in media freedom in The Gambia.
Gambia’s new criminal law: A double-edged sword for civic space
On 24th March 2025, The Gambia’s National Assembly passed the Criminal Offence and Procedure Bill 2025, which replaced colonial-era laws and eliminated outdated provisions that criminalised defamation and sedition. However, this new legislation has raised concerns among rights groups. The Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) argues that the law grants the executive branch unchecked power, potentially endangering democracy by allowing restrictions on publications, curbing freedom of expression, and criminalising dissent.
Among the contentious elements is Section 49, which permits the President or Minister to ban publications without judicial oversight, along with the new provisions that prohibit religious insults and disturbances. The GPU President, Isatou Keita, pointed out that the bill reintroduces the offence of “False Publication and Broadcasting”, a provision widely used during the Jammeh era to silence dissent, further heightening concerns about its impact on civic space and freedom of expression.
Draft cybercrime bill threatens press freedom, freedom of expression and digital rights
In March 2024 the National Assembly of the Gambia reintroduced the proposed 2023 Cybercrime Bill (the draft bill) for adoption. Although the Cybercrime Bill aims to bolster The Gambia’s capacity to effectively tackle cybercrime incidents, it has faced significant scrutiny and criticism due to concerns about its potential negative impact on press freedom, freedom of expression, and digital rights. The draft bill broadly criminalises various forms of online speech, including criticism of public officials and reports on sensitive topics. Its vague and expansive language can be used to target journalists, media organisations, and civil society groups, thereby stifling dissent and public discourse. It holds media leaders criminally liable, which could significantly weaken the voices of the opposition. Furthermore, the bill grants law enforcement extensive surveillance powers with minimal oversight, endangering privacy and digital security. By criminalising the possession of digital security tools and lacking protection for public interest, it further threatens the work of journalists, researchers, and human rights advocates, severely limiting the exercise of fundamental freedoms in the digital space. In its position paper presented to Gambia’s National Assembly, the GPU called for public consultations on the Draft Cybercrime Bill.
PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY
Peaceful protesters arrested, detained in Banjul
On 22nd August 2025, law enforcement officers reportedly arrested about 23 young protesters in Banjul, during the dispersal of a peaceful protest organised by a coalition of civil society organisations. The coalition included the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ), Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), and Team Gom Sa Bopa, all of which opposed the new internet data tariffs imposed by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA). The latter imposed corporate interests over the needs of ordinary Gambians by introducing high data tariffs. During the protests, law enforcement officers reportedly used excessive force against the protesters. Among those arrested were prominent activists such as journalist Yusuf Taylor, Ali Cham, also known as Killa Ace, a well-known Gambian rapper from Team Gom Sa Bopa, a Gambian youth movement, Abdoulie T. Bah, General Manager at Paradise Estate, and Fallou Gallas Ceesay, Program and Administrative Director for the youth movement Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA). Three of the arrested protesters were released on bail, while others rejected the bail conditions and instead demanded unconditional release. On 27th August, the Kanifing Magistrates Court granted bail to about 23 protesters arrested in connection with demonstrations against PURA.
Gambian activists arrested in violent crackdown on peaceful protest
On 15th September 2025, law enforcement officers arrested four individuals at the National Audit Office in Kanifing, Gambia. Those arrested included Omar Saibo Camara, Public Relations Officer of “Gambians Against Looted Assets” (GALA), and three other GALA members: Kemo Fatty, Alieu Bah, and Mamadou Camara. Bakary Tamba, a journalist from Gambia Talents Promotion, was briefly detained and later released.
The arrests occurred during a peaceful protest against the forceful removal of Auditor General Momodou Ceesay, on 10th September, who had reportedly rejected an appointment as Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.
Protesters were peacefully expressing support for Ceesay outside the National Audit Office when the police arrived and violently cracked down on them. The police dragged some of the protesters into a pickup truck and used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Omar Saibo was arrested while giving an interview, and others were arrested while attempting to hold a press conference or engage with journalists. The Media Foundation For West Africa condemned the arrests and intimidation, urging Gambian authorities to release those detained and respect civic freedoms.
Protesters arrested in anti-corruption protests
On 23rd July 2025, the Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) movement orchestrated nationwide, youth-led anti-corruption protests, demanding transparency in the management of assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh. These demonstrations were spurred by an investigative report that exposed mismanagement of the sale of former president Yahya Jammeh’s recovered assets. GALA called for due process and proper asset recovery to aid national rebuilding efforts, stressing that ongoing corruption undermines essential sectors. The demonstrators presented petition letters to several government ministries, the office of the president and the National Assembly.
Prior to the July protests, on 8th May 2025, GALA had organised an unauthorised public protest in Banjul that was sparked by a report alleging government cover up in the sale of Jammeh’s forfeited properties. During the protests, the police arrested and briefly detained over 16 activists and charged them with unlawful assembly. The Office of the Inspector General of Police had rejected GALA’s demand for a protest permit, citing security concerns. During the protests, GALA demanded full disclosure of property sales and the withdrawal of support for former justice minister Ba Tambadou’s nomination to the International Court of Justice, amid allegations of his involvement in the fraudulent sales of President Jammeh’s assets.
In response to the May 2025 events, GALA had formally petitioned the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Chambers, urging immediate action to address irregularities in the disposal of assets seized from former President Jammeh.