Africa-Press – Gambia. The United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Coalition of Progressive Gambians (COPG) have issued strong condemnations over what they describe as President Adama Barrow’s unconstitutional attempt to interfere with the mandate of the Auditor General of The Gambia.
According to reports, President Barrow allegedly sought to remove Auditor General Modou Ceesay from his constitutionally protected position by attempting to appoint him as Minister of Trade, an offer Mr. Ceesay is said to have declined in order to continue serving in his current role at the National Audit Office (NAO).
Both the UDP and COPG argue that the move amounts to a ‘backdoor attempt’ to remove the Auditor General, calling it a blatant violation of the Constitution.
“The UDP reminds the public that the independence and security of tenure of the Auditor General are enshrined in the Constitution of The Gambia. Section 158(4) provides that the Auditor General shall remain in office until the age of compulsory retirement. Section 158(5) gives the President only limited grounds for removal, specifically in cases of infirmity, misbehavior, or incompetence. None of these apply to the current Auditor General,” the party stated.
The UDP further alleged that President Barrow’s actions represent a dangerous overreach, warning that such interference undermines constitutional governance, erodes public trust, and threatens the independence of one of the country’s most critical oversight institutions.
“The attempt to forcefully reassign the Auditor General as a ‘puppet minister’ is both authoritarian and dangerous. It weakens accountability mechanisms and opens the door to corruption and mismanagement of public funds,” the statement added.
Both groups are calling on civil society organizations and international partners to join in condemning what they describe as an assault on democratic governance and constitutional order in The Gambia.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Progressive Gambians (COPG) urged the National Assembly to rise to its oversight responsibility and protect the constitutional safeguards that ensure the independence of the Auditor General.
“The Coalition stands firmly with Mr. Modou Ceesay and the staff of the National Audit Office. The independence of the Auditor General is not negotiable, it is a right, a safeguard, and a duty owed to the Gambian people,” COPG emphasized.
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