National Assembly Member for Foni Kansala, Almameh Gibba, has called for the reintroduction of the death penalty in The Gambia, making a forceful argument during a tense parliamentary debate.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Gibba insisted that capital punishment should apply in murder cases.
“Death penalty is the only issue. If you kill, you are killed,” he said.

His comments immediately stirred debate among lawmakers as he also questioned the concept and application of Western-style democracy, which he described as deeply flawed.

“What is democracy? It’s the worst government system, governance system that we have ever seen on this earth,” he said.

Gibba argued that African nations often adopt democratic models from the West without properly adapting them to local realities, warning against what he called “copycat governance systems.”

Beyond constitutional debate, the Foni Kansala NAM also raised concerns about national security and state capacity, linking rising crime challenges to weaknesses in law enforcement resources and planning.

He questioned government spending priorities for security institutions, suggesting that underfunding continues to affect operational effectiveness.

“How do you think the security force will do what they are supposed to do?” he asked.

His remarks are expected to intensify ongoing national discussions around capital punishment, governance systems, and justice reform in The Gambia.

By Adama Makasuba