The United Democratic Party (UDP) has issued a scathing condemnation of President Adama Barrow’s alleged attempt to unlawfully remove Auditor General Momodou Ceesay from his constitutionally protected position, labeling the move a direct assault on The Gambia’s democratic institutions.
In a strongly worded press release, the UDP accused President Barrow of attempting to sideline Ceesay by offering him the position of Minister of Trade, which Ceesay reportedly declined to continue his work at the National Audit Office. The opposition party described the maneuver as an “unconstitutional attempt to remove the Auditor General through the back door,” arguing it undermines the independence of a critical oversight body.
The UDP highlighted that the Constitution of The Gambia guarantees the Auditor General’s independence and security of tenure. Section 158(4) stipulates that the Auditor General remains in office until the compulsory retirement age, while Section 158(5) limits the President’s authority to remove the official to cases of infirmity, misbehavior, or incompetence—none of which, the UDP asserts, apply to Ceesay.
“President Barrow’s actions constitute an unlawful interference that undermines constitutional order, erodes public trust, and jeopardizes the independence of one of the most critical oversight institutions in our democracy,” the UDP stated. The party further warned that the attempt to reassign Ceesay as a “puppet minister” is both authoritarian and dangerous, potentially opening the door to corruption and mismanagement of public funds.
The UDP praised Ceesay for his principled stance in rejecting the reassignment, calling on President Barrow to immediately halt any further attempts to interfere with the Office of the Auditor General. The party also appealed to Gambians, civil society organizations, and international partners to join in condemning what it described as a “blatant assault on the Constitution and democratic governance.”
The controversy has sparked concerns about the state of accountability and transparency in The Gambia, with the UDP emphasizing that a government undermining its own oversight institutions threatens the nation’s democratic fabric. The party reiterated its commitment to defending constitutionalism, accountability, and the rule of law, positioning itself as a staunch advocate for good governance.
