By Sering Mass Jallow
The European Union Representative to The Gambia, Immanuela Roca Cortes, has dismissed allegations that funds provided by the EU were diverted by the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) for political purposes.
The allegations were raised by former Vice President Fatoumatta Tambajang, who claimed that a D50 million women’s enterprise fund, purportedly supported by the European Union, was instead channelled to the NPP women’s wing as a political tool. She described the move as a “voter-buying scheme,” sparking public debate and calls for accountability.
Responding to the claims, the EU Ambassador clarified that while the European Union supports initiatives aimed at women’s economic empowerment in The Gambia, it has not funded any political party.
“The EU supported the creation of women’s enterprise fund initiatives for Gambians, but at no point funded money that goes to a political party for women’s activities,” Roca Cortes told The Voice.
The ruling NPP has also rejected the allegations, describing them as “misleading” and “baseless.” The party maintains that the D50 million fund was mobilised through its own supporters and is not linked to any foreign assistance.
The controversy has nonetheless intensified public scrutiny, with sections of the population continuing to call for greater transparency regarding the origin and management of the funds.