Green-Up Gambia strongly condemns the continued arrest and arbitrary detention of our Executive Director, Kemo Fatty, by the Government of The Gambia. His unlawful detention represents not only an attack on his fundamental rights and freedoms but also a direct assault on the values of democracy, justice, and constitutionalism that the Gambian people have fought tirelessly to uphold.
Kemo Fatty is a respected environmentalist and human rights defender who has dedicated his life to advancing sustainable development, climate action, and the protection of natural resources for the benefit of all Gambians. His tireless work has inspired a generation of young people to actively engage in the fight for environmental justice. His persecution is therefore not only unjust but also a grave threat to civil society and the democratic space in our country.
We remind the Government of The Gambia that arbitrary arrest and detention violate both our national constitution and international human rights obligations, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The continued disregard for due process, transparency, and accountability underscores a pattern of unconstitutional conduct by the regime, one that undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust.
Green-Up Gambia urgently calls on the international community, diplomatic partners, human rights organisations, and regional bodies to pay close attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in The Gambia. We urge them to exert pressure on the Gambian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Kemo Fatty and to end the harassment of civil society actors who peacefully advocate for justice, democracy, and environmental protection.
We stand resolute in our demand for freedom, justice, and accountability. The Gambian people deserve a government that upholds the law rather than subverts it. The continued detention of Kemo Fatty must not be allowed to persist.
Green-Up Gambia
9-16-2025

On the Removal of the Auditor General
The Gambia Bar Association (GBA) expresses deep concern regarding recent developments surrounding the forceful removal from office, of the Auditor General, Mr. Momodou Ceesay.
On the 10th September 2025, a government press release announced the appointment of Mr. Ceesay as Minister of Trade, Industry, and Employment. A subsequent statement on 11th September 2025 indicated that Mr. Ceesay declined this appointment.
In another release, the government announced Mr. Amadou Cherno Sowe’s appointment as Auditor General. On Monday, 15th September 2025, the police forcefully removed Mr. Ceesay from the premises of the National Audit Office (NAO).
In this case, in the absence of a letter of resignation from Mr. Ceesay or his lawful termination, the GBA is of the view that the position of Auditor General could not have been vacant for him to be replaced. So, the steps taken thus far in removing him from office therefore, are not in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution of The Gambia, 1997 and the National Audit Office Act, 2015. The purported appointment of another person to this office, therefore, is ill-advised and the actions of security forces who physically extracted Mr. Ceesay from the NAO building are deeply troubling.
The GBA reminds that the Office of the Auditor General is established under section 158 of the 1997 Constitution, the Supreme law of the Land. Given the enormous responsibility of ensuring transparency, probity and accountability in the management of public finances, coupled with the need to safeguard the absolute independence of the office, section 160(7) of the Constitution expressly provides that “in the exercise of his or her functions under this Constitution or any law, the Auditor General shall not be subject to the direction and control of any other person.”
Furthermore, while the President of the Republic is vested with the authority to appoint the Auditor General, the power to remove him/her is strictly circumscribed by law. Section 158(5) of the Constitution and section 16(4)(5)(6)(7) of the National Audit Office Act, 2015, prescribe the specific grounds and procedures for removal of the Auditor General from office.
Any action outside the limits of this framework therefore, is inconsistent with the Constitution and the National Audit Office Act and a violation of the Constitution. The manner of Mr. Ceesay’s removal from office and the uncompromising insistence on replacing him, is viewed as the form of interference that the constitution and statute seek to expressly prevent.
The public must have faith and confidence in this important oversight institution to discharge its functions independently and faithfully in accordance with its mandate as prescribed by the Constitution. Any action by the Executive that interferes with its independence will diminish its ability to discharge its constitutionally mandated role.
Accordingly, the GBA unequivocally calls on the Executive to ensure compliance with the law and allow Mr. Ceesay to resume his work without delay, let or hindrance.
The GBA strongly urges that this matter be resolved with the extreme urgency it deserves, due to its seriousness, as well as the unintended consequences on the overall reputation of the State in combating corruption and promoting good governance.
Signed by the President of the Gambia Bar Association
16th September 2025

GALA has successfully submitted three permit requests to The Gambia Police Force headquarters, notifying them of the peaceful protests we will embark on: Wednesday at the National Audit Office, Thursday at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Courts, and Friday at Westfield.
This is a national call to stand against illegality. Let's do it for the next generation
#Reinstate_the_Auditor_General