By Kemo Kanyi
Pa Modou Mbowe, a former APRC No-To-Alliance militant has defended the government’s use of courts as a mechanism to fight corruption in The Gambia.
Speaking during an exclusive interview with The Voice on Monday, Mr. Mbowe says President Adama Barrow’s reliance on legal and democratic mechanisms to combat corruption aligns with his mandate from the citizens. He notes that unlike previous administrations, the president is not expected to use draconian laws to punish the accused without independent judicial oversight.
“President Barrow’s governance reflects the will of the Gambian people. This means tackling corruption through the rule of law, not the harsh methods used by former President Jammeh,” Mbowe remarked. He added that Gambians voted for change to end a system where citizens were subjected to severe laws without proper legal substance.
Now affiliated with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), Mbowe acknowledged that court proceedings might sometimes be slow but emphasized that the government could not dictate the pace. He says all allegations are independently verified by the courts to ensure judgments are based on concrete evidence.
“All corruption cases are referred to the courts because that is what we want. Courtrooms may be busy, but this shows the government’s commitment to curbing corruption,” he said.
Mbowe also urged citizens to start the fight against corruption at home, arguing that many Gambians practice corrupt behavior in their households before extending it to workplaces. He described Gambians as skilled in the “art of deception” and stressed the need for attitudinal change for national improvement.
He further noted that highly corrupt individuals were often celebrated for their lavish lifestyles, but emphasized that eradicating corruption entirely would require harsh measures that could cost lives—an approach not supported by President Barrow’s administration, which prioritizes the rule of law.