-
The sunbaked streets of Banjul felt worlds away from my desk when news broke last March that Gambia’s parliament had voted overwhelmingly to repeal its ban on female genital mutilation (FGM). Forty-two legislators, nearly all men, raised their hands to reverse a decade-old prohibition protecting girls from a practice endured by 73% of Gambian women
-
The Mediterranean Sea doesn’t give up its dead easily. Last month, a boat carrying 64 Gambian migrants – mostly youths dreaming of Europe – capsized off Tunisia’s coast. Only four survived. This tragedy, one of countless similar episodes, epitomizes the grim paradox of “the Backway”: the perilous irregular migration route that has become a perverse
-
Banjul’s skyline tells a story of hope and hardship. Gleaming buildings funded by money sent home from abroad stand alongside neighborhoods reliant on that same lifeline. The Gambia’s transformation since the 2016 ousting of dictator Yahya Jammeh is undeniable, and its vibrant diaspora deserves immense credit. Yet, this powerful force for change carries within it
-
BANJUL, The Gambia — Eight years ago, this small West African nation celebrated a democratic miracle. After 22 years of Yahya Jammeh’s brutal dictatorship, citizens voted him out of office. The euphoric aftermath promised not just new leadership but a rebirth: a new constitution to dismantle the architecture of tyranny and build institutions resilient against
-
While democracies grapple with threats like disinformation, The Gambia faces a more tangible crisis: the enduring presence of foreign troops eight years after their deployment to restore democracy. What began as a celebrated regional rescue mission has evolved into a contentious symbol of compromised sovereignty. From Liberation to Lingering PresenceIn 2017, the Economic Community of
-
The Gambia, West Africa’s smallest nation, is celebrated for its stunning beaches, rich birdlife, and remarkable 2017 democratic transition. Yet, beneath this hopeful surface lurks an insidious force crippling its economic potential: “teri kafos.” This Mandinka term, translating to “eating alone by a club of friends,” encapsulates a pervasive culture of corruption, patronage, and self-enrichment by those
-
In the corridors of Gambian power – from government ministries to port terminals and understaffed hospitals – a corrosive transaction unfolds countless times daily. Cash passes discreetly to a customs officer to expedite paperwork. A “gift” secures a business contract. A nurse demands a “token” for basic care. This is mashlaha, a term once rooted in
-
In a world increasingly fractured by identity politics, small nations like The Gambia face a stark choice: cling to the divisive politics of ethnicity or forge a unifying nationalism that transcends tribal lines. Here, where the Gambia River stitches together a tapestry of Mandinka, Fula, Wolof, Manjago, Serahuli, Aku, Jola, Serer and other communities, the
-
In 2016, The Gambia emerged as an unlikely beacon of hope when a fragile coalition of opposition parties toppled dictator Yahya Jammeh, ending his 22-year reign of terror. The victory of Adama Barrow, a businessman turned unity candidate, was hailed as a triumph for democracy in a region increasingly besieged by coups and autocrats. Yet
-
BANJUL — As dawn breaks over the Gambia River, a nation stands at a crossroads unimaginable a decade ago. Emerging from decades of authoritarian rule, The Gambia – one of Africa’s smallest and most densely populated countries – now faces its most audacious challenge: transforming persistent poverty into prosperity within a generation. To achieve this,
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
The Civic Scribe: Articles & Poems 