The Gambian President Adama Barrow has set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the conduct of local government councils from 2018 to 2023. 

The inquiry, which will be set up just barely three months before the local government elections, has raised alarm among opposition leaders. 

Last weekend Ousainou Darboe, leader of the main opposition UDP party, denounced the setting up of a commission saying that they will not accept such commission to go ahead.

However, the government has pressed on with its plan to set up the commission. 

In a statement seen by Gambiana dated 10 February 2023, the government stated that: “In exercise of the powers conferred on the President by section 200 of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambla, 1997, a Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of all Local Government Councils, and for connected matters is hereby issued.”

According to the statement, the appointment of commissioners consist of -Jainaba Bah Sambou who shall be chairperson, Samba Faal, Oreme E. Joiner, Baba M. Leigh; and Sukai Secka Sagnia.

“The Commission is authorised to inquire into the conduct of all Local Government Councils, in particular, the circumstances surrounding the Ioans acquired for and on behalf of a Local Government Council between the period May 2018 to January 2023.”

The government’s probe into local authorities is going ahead despite a ruling by the Supreme Court last December. 

Local government officials including Kmc  Ahmed Talib Bensouda, a fierce critic of Jammmeh, won a case at the Supreme Court against the Attorney General.

The court ruled that the government does not have the power to dissolve municipal councils three months before elections and set up interim committees. 

It also said that mayors shouldn’t have to seek permits from the minister of local government for overseas travel. 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba