Prominent human rights activist, Madi Jobarteh has warned that continuous looting and poor governance are major obstacles to The Gambia’s development.
Speaking at a protest organized by Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA) yesterday, Mr. Jobarteh highlighted that key sectors in the country remain stagnant and deteriorated because of mismanagement and corruption.
He points out that The Gambia is rich in resources, noting that the government’s ability to purchase a vehicle worth D12 million for a minister disproves claims of poverty.
“That is rich. That is wealth,” he said. “Looting has been part of The Gambia’s history since independence. Our public officials abuse their offices, disregard the law, and mismanage public resources for personal gain. This is why poverty, unemployment, and the high cost of living persist. Our health, education, sports, and energy sectors are all in shambles.”
As head of the Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCFRJ), Mr. Jobarteh described The Gambia as a “super rich” country, given government spending levels. He stresses that the country’s main problem is the persistent mismanagement and plundering of resources, especially under the regimes of former Presidents Yahya Jammeh and Adama Barrow.
He further accused these administrations of illegally withholding public lands for personal benefit.
“They take lands that belong to families or communities, label them as ‘reserve land,’ ‘layouts,’ or ‘tourism development areas,’ and then distribute or sell them among themselves, business people, family members, and friends,” Mr. Jobarteh alleged.
He also condemned the government’s misuse of forest lands across the country, stating that such plundering has left many Gambians frustrated, discouraged, and hopeless.
“The only problem we have is bad governance, bad leadership, and corruption. It is time for citizens to stand up and demand that this stops,” he said.