The APP-Sobeyaa Party and its leader, Mr. Essa Mbye Faal, have issued a robust defense against allegations of unlawful conduct linked to a proposed land allocation in the Tanji Bird Reserve, as reported in a recent Malegan article titled: “Tanji Bird Reserve Carved Up for Sale: Inside Deals to Turn Protected Land into Profit.” In a detailed statement, the party asserts that Faal acted lawfully, followed due process, and has no land to return, positioning him as a victim of a governmental dispute rather than a perpetrator of illegal dealings.
The controversy stems from Faal’s 2019 application to the Gambia Tourism Board (GTB) for land within the Tourism Development Area (TDA) to develop a mixed-use resort named “The New Gambia Resort.”
According to the APP-Sobeyaa statement, Faal’s interest in investing in The Gambia’s tourism sector was sparked in 2018 by the GTB’s then-Managing Director, who encouraged him to invest, citing the Barrow administration’s commitment to fostering Gambian-led development. Faal, previously lead counsel at the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC), had applied for land as early as 2010 but was never allocated any, leading him to invest in Senegal instead.
Faal’s 2019 application involved significant preparation, including an investment of millions of Dalasis in planning and a D55,000 application fee. His proposal impressed GTB officials, who escalated it to Minister of Tourism Hamat Bah and eventually to President Adama Barrow.
The statement recounts meetings where Barrow expressed support for Gambian investment, aligning with his vision for a “new Gambia.” On January 16, 2020, Faal received provisional approval for the land allocation, contingent on a non-refundable $125,000 development levy. Initially hesitant, Faal paid the fee after further encouragement from Barrow, receiving payment confirmation on December 28, 2020.
The allocated land, near the Sanneh Mentereng area, became contentious when Faal was informed it was under dispute. The GTB offered two sites: one near the Gamtel building, mired in controversy, and another near Sanneh Mentereng, previously recovered from former President Yahya Jammeh. Faal opted for the latter, believing it was free of legal issues, as survey documents indicated the Tanji Bird Reserve was 150 meters away. However, complications arose when Faal’s building permit was blocked by the Ministry of Lands in 2022, following objections from the Director of Parks and Wildlife.
The Director claimed that the Sanneh Mentereng area was part of the Tanji Bird Reserve, asserting that the reserve spanned 612 hectares, rather than the 401 hectares specified in the Biodiversity Act. Faal and the APP-Sobeyaa argue this claim is unlawful, likening it to an unauthorized legislative act. They note that the reserve’s boundaries, as shown in maps cited by Malegan, end at Brufut’s police post, excluding the Sanneh Mentereng area, which hosts various developments incompatible with a protected sanctuary.
Faal’s presidential candidacy in 2021 added complexity to the situation. He declared the provisional allocation to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for transparency, despite GTB’s advice against it, as the allocation was not finalized. During the campaign, Barrow referenced approving Faal’s land allocation, framing his candidacy as a sign of disloyalty. Following the election, Faal was unable to develop the land, and his $125,000 levy remains unrefunded, with no alternative site provided.
The APP-Sobeyaa Party contends that Faal is caught in a bureaucratic tug-of-war between the GTB, which claims authority over the TDA, and the Department of Parks and Wildlife, which is allegedly attempting to expand the bird reserve in an unlawful manner. They emphasize that Faal never gained possession of the land, followed all legal procedures, and was never asked for bribes, underscoring his commitment to transparency and integrity.
The statement concludes by reaffirming the APP-Sobeyaa’s dedication to combating corruption and promoting equitable development. Faal and the party vow to continue advocating for the rights of Gambians, undeterred by what they describe as defamatory attempts to tarnish their leader’s reputation.
