Africa-Press – Gambia. Hagi Suwaneh, the National Youth President of the United Democratic Party (UDP), has sharply criticized the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), accusing it of shielding its officials from corruption allegations while manipulating a national commission of inquiry for political gain.
Suwaneh’s remarks come as the Commission of Inquiry, established to investigate alleged financial mismanagement at various local government councils, continues to hear evidence implicating senior officials appointed by President Adama Barrow’s administration. Despite this, Suwaneh claims the government has attempted to redirect public scrutiny toward opposition-led councils, particularly those under UDP leadership.
“It always makes me laugh to hear the National People’s Party led government, saying UDP is trying to downplay the revelation of the Commission of Inquiry!” Suwaneh said in an interview. “Evidently, NPP has made it a culture to point fingers at UDP anytime they are exposed for maladministration and rampant abuse of public funds by trying to divert public pressure on them through characterizing UDP, a party known for speaking against corruption of any sort, as a party which seeks to hide the ongoing commission of inquiry involving their Councils.”
Suwaneh pointed to ongoing proceedings that have allegedly implicated high-ranking NPP officials, including former Brikama Area Council Chairman Sheriffo Sonko and the current Kuntaur Area Council Chairman, both elected under the NPP banner. According to Suwaneh, these individuals have been portrayed in commission hearings as among the most egregious offenders, yet have faced little to no consequences.
He further criticized the government’s handling of corruption allegations at the Kanifing Municipal Council, where the reinstatement of embattled CEO Sainabou Martin Sonko—who faces accusations of embezzlement and bribery—was allegedly forced by central authorities, despite ongoing investigations.
“However, Kanifing Municipal Council was forcefully broken illegally by the dictates of the central government to reinstate Sainabou Martin Sonko, a person accused of embezzling Council’s funds and taking bribes to favor certain contractors with the Council’s contract,” Haji said.
The UDP youth leader also cited the case of Brikama Area Council Chairman Yankuba Darboe, claiming that efforts to reform the council under Darboe’s leadership were obstructed by central government interference. He alleged that corrupt senior officials—appointed by the state and found culpable by the commission—were not disciplined but instead transferred to other councils.
“When the Chairman, Yankuba Darboe, started fighting corruption in the administration of his council, we saw how the central government, under the leadership of Adama Barrow, made the task difficult for Yankuba to fight corruption. The Chief Executive Officer and the Finance Officer, appointed by the central government, and confirmed by the commission to be corrupt in one way or the other, are compensated for their corruption through transferring them from one council to another. Can any sane person believe that the NPP-led Executive is ready to fight corruption when we all witness the compensation of fraudsters and corrupt officials?” he asked.
He expressed skepticism over the commission’s independence, suggesting that it may be serving a broader political agenda to weaken the UDP ahead of the 2026 presidential election.
“If not, why would the NPP forget that over one hundred million could not be accounted for under the leadership of NPP’s BAC Chairman, Sheriffo Sonko? However, with this sum of money unaccounted, no one was sent for administrative leave to conduct a fair and impartial investigation and also, over 33 million geology funds went missing and the CEO was unable to account for it. Since it is about UDP, over 20 junior staff of Banjul City Council were quickly sent for administrative leave in the name of investigations with the intention to handicapped UDP-led councils,” he said.
Suwaneh also criticized Information Minister Ismaila Ceesay for distancing himself from the financial affairs of the NPP-led Kerewan Area Council, where he claims over D7 million was spent on vehicle purchases and travel without sufficient justification. He accused Kerewan Chairman Papa Tunkara of misrepresenting development projects initiated under his UDP predecessor, Momodou L. Bojang.
“Like President Barrow, he is beating his chest on former KAC Chairman, Momodou L Bojang’s initiatives, which the people of NBR know very well. Papà Tunkara, the NPP’s KAC Chairman, is deliberately misleading the public. For record, the Munyagen & Njen Sanjali markets are initiated and completed under the former Chairman Momodou L. Bojang, whilst the Sanjali Sara Kunda Community market’s foundation stone was laid and first payment was done by Chairman Bojang’s led council. Thus, it is completely ungrateful of the NPP led council under Papa Tunkara to take credit for a project that was done before coming to the office,” he said.
Suwaneh concluded by casting doubt on the longevity and purpose of the commission, asserting that its mandate—originally limited to three months—has been quietly extended without explanation. He accused President Barrow of using the commission as a political tool to damage the UDP’s image ahead of future elections.
“Yes, I know it may continue beyond such a period. But I know your intention is to delay it for 2026 because the original goal was to use it for false propaganda to tanish the good image of the UDP. This initial ill-motive to use it in the 2023 local government election was exposed and subsequently blown in the dustbin. Again, everybody is aware that this commission commenced sitting on the 10th of July, 2023.
“Its original mandate has elapsed, and there was no transparent announcement as to why the need to extend its mandate beyond three months. Now, Barrow is exchanging our National Identity Card with Voters. But, remember, the former Senegalese President Maky Sall tried everything, including accusing his opponent with rape, but he do not succeed because the wind of change has blown,” he concluded.
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