The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Seedy Muctarr Touray has acknowledged that the Gambia Police Force (GPF) lacks enough vehicles to respond swiftly to crimes at some police stations and posts, amid growing public concern over recent killings and police responses to criminal activities.

More in this detailed publication.

The Gambia’s Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2023 is facing renewed scrutiny after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) confirmed that it “received 11 allegations of torture” against security personnel in 2025. However, despite the law being in force for three years, no case has yet reached the courts, a magistrate has confirmed to Askanwi.

More in this feature report.

Members of The Gambia’s National Assembly signed a Political Social Contract for Accountability and Good Governance hosted by Gambia Participates on Saturday, 27th June 2026, at Bakadaji Hotel in Kololi.

The initiative seeks to strengthen youth participation in governance by creating a platform where political leaders publicly commit to accountability, transparency, and responsive leadership.

More in the news report.

The Women’s Association for Women and Victims Empowerment (WAVE) launched its annual human rights festival at Makumbaya on 20th June 2026, with a day of panel discussions, cultural performances, face painting and a documentary screening.

At the opening session, the Executive Secretary of the Reparations Commission announced that the Commission has disbursed D20 million in reparations to victims and is in the process of distributing an additional D5 million this year.

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The Gambia could soon impose a minimum fine of D3 million on individuals convicted of “aggravated migrant smuggling,” as lawmakers continue scrutinising the proposed Immigration Bill 2026, which seeks to criminalise migrant smuggling for the first time in the country’s history.

More in this parliamentary report.

The convening of women human rights defenders in Dakar has positioned the Afrofeminist methodology of the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD) as an emerging continental model for engagement and protection. By giving defenders the first voice before state representatives, diplomats and continental institutions, the gathering reversed traditional power dynamics and placed civil society analysis at the centre of policy discussions. Participants and institutional partners framed the approach as a shift from consultation to accompaniment, arguing that the women carrying the work must also shape the response architecture designed to protect them.

More in the press release.

Almost eight months after the National Assembly confirmed three Anti-Corruption Commissioners in December 2025, the Office of the President is yet to officially hold their swearing-in ceremony to empower the Commission to commence investigating corruption allegations.

More in the news report.

The Gambia is set to take a major step in tackling irregular migration as lawmakers prepare to consider a new Immigration Bill that could, for the first time, specifically criminalise migrant smuggling in the country.

The Immigration Bill 2026, which is scheduled to be tabled before the National Assembly on Monday, 8th June 2026, seeks to repeal and replace the main immigration legislation that has been in force for more than six decades.

More in this parliamentary report.

Nearly five years after The Gambia's Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) documented killings, torture, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations committed by state security agents, ANEKED Country Director Ms Sirra Ndow has called for a people-centred approach to security sector reform, stressing that the ultimate goal to ensure that Gambians never again fear the institutions meant to protect them.

More in the news report.

The High Court Annex in Banjul on Monday adjourned Environment Minister Rohey John Manjang's D50 million defamation lawsuit against investigative journalist Kebba Ansu Manneh to 23rd June 2026.

The adjournment followed the absence of defence counsel, who informed the court through a letter that he was unwell and unable to attend proceedings. However, the court noted that no medical certificate or supporting documentation was provided to substantiate the claim.

More in the court report.

High school students spoke out about the pressure they face from parents when choosing their career paths, revealing that many are being forced to balance their personal ambitions with family expectations.

The concerns were raised during a career guidance engagement organised by the Hope for the Future Foundation at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) on Saturday, 23rd May 2026.

More in the news report.

ActionAid The Gambia (AAITG) held an engagement forum with the National Assembly Select Committee on Trade on Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) on Friday, 22nd May 2026.

The forum, held at the National Assembly in Banjul, brought together key stakeholders to discuss the implications of BITs on trade, investment governance, national development, and public accountability in the Gambia.

More in the Parliamentary report.

The head of the Tobacco Industry Monitoring Team, Mr Omar Conteh, has revealed that 673 people die from smoking-related causes annually in The Gambia, according to the 2025 Tobacco Atlas report.

More in the report.

PayPal today announced it is making PayPal USD (PYUSD) available in 70 markets worldwide in the PayPal account. This dollar-backed stablecoin enables users to send funds globally, with faster settlement and lower costs than traditional payment methods.

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President Adama Barrow has assured Gambians that his government will issue a White Paper and implement all accepted recommendations contained in the report of the Commission of Inquiry into Local Government Councils and Connected Matters in accordance with the constitution.

More in this report.

Western Sahara human rights defenders alleged that they are being silenced in The Gambia, highlighting that their side event at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 87th Ordinary Session was cancelled by the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre (SDKJ-ICC) yesterday, 12th May 2026.

More in the report from Banjul.

After waiting hours for a magistrate to be assigned to commence the trial, some 14 activists affiliated with the anti-corruption youth movement, Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), were granted court bail on Monday, 11th May 2026, after being charged with unlawful assembly and common nuisance by police.

More in the court report.

IgniteEX, a nonprofit youth-led technology initiative aimed at bridging the technology exposure gap among young Gambians, was officially launched on Saturday, 9th May 2026, at the National Youth Parliament (NYP).

The initiative seeks to expand access to technology, digital skills, and innovation opportunities through partnerships with schools, communities, and technology organisations across the country.

More in the news report.

As risks against journalists persist in the country, participants of the recent Gambia Press Union’s (GPU) Hazardous Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) have revealed that the programme has become a critical lifeline, equipping them with skills that could mean the difference between safety and serious harm.‍

More in the news report.

In a quiet room where strategy meets concentration, a new movement is taking shape, positioning chess as a powerful tool for mental development and inclusion. In The Gambia, a joint initiative by the Gambia Chess Federation (GCF) and the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD) is opening doors for Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), using the game’s ability to sharpen memory, strengthen problem-solving skills, and build critical thinking.

More in the news report.