The Edward Francis Small Center for Rights & Justice (EFSCRJ) has launched a bold push for transparency by submitting Access to Information (ATI) requests to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Gambia Immigration Department. The move targets the issuance, cancellation, and management of diplomatic passports from 2017 to the present, reviving scrutiny over a long-standing scandal that has eroded public trust.
In detailed submissions filed today, EFSCRJ is demanding aggregate data without personal identifiers, invoking the Access to Information Act of 2021. Key requests include annual totals for diplomatic passports issued and revoked; clear eligibility criteria, approval processes, and recall procedures; actions taken following the National Audit Office’s 2017–2019 special audit, which exposed irregularities; and updates on the current status and court judgments in related legal cases.
“Transparency around diplomatic passports is vital to protect national integrity, prevent abuse of privilege, and rebuild public trust in state institutions,” EFSCRJ stated in a release. The group stressed that the Act guarantees every citizen’s right to understand how public power is exercised, framing the inquiry as a non-negotiable civic entitlement.
The diplomatic passport controversy dates back to the post-Jammeh era, with audits revealing potential misuse for personal gain.
EFSCRJ has committed to publishing all responses received from the ministries. In cases of denial, the organization vows to escalate to statutory review before the Information Commission, ensuring no stone is left unturned.
“Transparency is a duty, not a choice. The Gambia deserves the truth,” the group declared, underscoring the requests’ alignment with legal standards for non-personal, aggregate information.
This initiative comes as civil society intensifies demands for institutional reforms, potentially setting a precedent for future ATI enforcement. Observers say it could pressure authorities to address lingering audit findings and court outcomes, fostering greater accountability in passport management.
