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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
The Civic Scribe: Articles & Poems 