The United Democratic Party (UDP) expresses deep concern over the growing number of serious allegations surrounding senior government officials occupying critical national security and public trust positions in The Gambia.
Recent allegations circulating widely in the public domain and on various media platforms involve the current National Security Adviser to the President, Mr. Abubakarr Suleiman Jeng, who has allegedly been linked to foreign nationals reportedly involved in drug trafficking activities in the country.
Equally concerning are the allegations against the current Chief of Defence Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mamat Cham, who has been accused of involvement in various acts of corruption and abuse of office. Among the allegations circulating publicly are claims that seized boats confiscated from alleged illegal migration organizers were improperly used for private commercial fishing activities linked to members of his immediate family. These allegations, if proven true, represent a serious abuse of public trust and state resources.
Furthermore, serious allegations have also emerged against the nominated Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Defence and Security, Hon. Seedy Njie. Several audio recordings circulating publicly, alleged and widely believed to contain his voice, suggest discriminatory practices regarding employment opportunities and access to government benefits based on tribal affiliation and political association.
These allegations are extremely troubling because they involve senior officials directly or indirectly connected to the country’s national security architecture and institutions with command, oversight, and operational responsibilities. National security institutions must remain professional, impartial, credible, and trusted by all Gambians regardless of tribe, political affiliation, or social status.
Once public confidence in national security institutions is compromised, the consequences for national cohesion, public trust, stability, and democratic governance can be severe and far-reaching.
The UDP therefore calls on:
1. President Adama Barrow;
2. The National Security Council;
3. The National Assembly;
4. Relevant oversight and anti-corruption institutions;
to immediately establish independent and credible investigations into all these allegations in the interest of transparency, accountability, justice, and national stability.
The Gambian people deserve clarity and truth. These allegations cannot simply be ignored, politicized, or dismissed without proper investigations. Public office, particularly in matters concerning national security, must never be used for personal enrichment, tribal favoritism, political discrimination, or criminal enterprise.
The UDP further reiterates that this is precisely why H.E. Ousainu Darboe continues to emphasize the urgent necessity for comprehensive Security Sector Reform (SSR) in The Gambia. Genuine reform is necessary to strengthen professionalism, restore public confidence, improve accountability mechanisms, and insulate national institutions from abuse, corruption, political interference, and tribal considerations.
The future stability and democratic progress of The Gambia depend on strong institutions governed by integrity, competence, fairness, and the rule of law.
The UDP remains committed to building a democratic Gambia where public institutions serve the national interest above all else.
