Tensions Rise In Gambia As Police Force Auditor-General Forced Out Over Appointment Dispute

Ceesay, who had served as auditor-general for nearly three years, was recently included in a cabinet reshuffle but rejected the ministerial appointment. President Adama Barrow, however, maintained that Ceesay initially agreed to the role before later backtracking.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The standoff intensified when plainclothes security operatives stormed the National Audit Office in Banjul, forcibly removing Ceesay and installing his successor, Cherno Amadou Sowe, the former Director of Internal Audit.

Staff of the audit office initially resisted the takeover, with dramatic scenes broadcast live by local media. Police reinforcements were eventually deployed to break up the standoff, ejecting Ceesay from a press conference and escorting him to his lawyer’s office.

The incident provoked widespread outrage from citizens and activists, who accused President Barrow of undermining the independence of the audit office to shield his government from corruption allegations.

According to the BBC, activist Kemo Fatty condemned the action, declaring: “He refused your appointment. Now you forcibly remove him from office. Are the Gambian people not watching? If the auditor general does not return to office today, President Barrow will leave the State House today.”

Fatty and fellow activist Alieu Bah were later arrested while attempting to address journalists at the audit office.

The forced removal comes against the backdrop of growing protests over allegations that assets seized from former President Yahya Jammeh had been redistributed among Barrow’s allies — a claim the president has denied.

In a statement, the presidency defended Ceesay’s redeployment, insisting his appointment as Trade Minister was “based solely on his qualifications and experience” and not an attempt to weaken the audit office.

“The government remains firmly committed to the rule of law, transparency, accountability, and the responsible management of public finances,” the statement said.

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