By Kebba Ansu Manneh
Barrister Lamin J. Darboe, legal counsel for the Sanyang Development Fund (SDF), has formally urged Inspector General of Police Seedy Muctar Touray to launch a thorough investigation into a suspected arson attack that destroyed the Sanyang Eco-Lodge, a community-owned tourism facility, on January 27, 2026.
In a strongly worded letter dated February 17, 2026, Barrister Darboe expressed deep concern over the lack of visible police action following the incident. The blaze completely razed the eco-lodge, which residents and stakeholders view as a vital community asset and a symbol of local development.
“I act for Sanyang Development Fund (SDF) and write this letter on its instructions,” Darboe stated in the correspondence. “It is my Client’s instructions that a suspected arson attack destroyed Sanyang Eco Lodge, a community-owned property, on 27 January 2026.”
The lawyer emphasized that the matter was initially reported to the Sanyang Police Station, yet no meaningful steps appeared to have been taken by authorities. He described the incident as “a serious and deliberate act” warranting an exhaustive probe by The Gambia Police Force (GPF).
The Sanyang Eco-Lodge, a registered charitable organization based in the coastal village of Sanyang, was established through a partnership between the local community and a group of Spanish medical doctors. The project operates on a 60/40 profit-sharing model, with the Spanish investors entitled to 60 percent of net profits as capital providers, while the Sanyang community retains 40 percent as landowners.
The facility featured approximately 14 fully furnished and equipped rooms and was promoted as a year-round viable business. According to analyses cited by Darboe, the lodge had the potential to generate at least a million dalasis in annual revenue after expenses, contributing significantly to local employment and economic growth.
Barrister Darboe highlighted troubling details surrounding the response to the fire. He alleged that lodge management failed to formally report the suspected arson to the GPF or contact the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) promptly. When attempts were made to investigate the cause, management reportedly showed a lack of cooperation.
Acting on behalf of the SDF—a community-based organization with a vested interest in Sanyang’s affairs—the group filed its own report with the police on February 9, 2026, receiving diary reference D/REF/No. 42/9/02/26. Darboe placed the IGP on formal notice, insisting that “an exhaustive investigation of the incident can be undertaken as a matter of urgency.”
The destruction of the eco-lodge has sparked wider calls among Sanyang residents for accountability, amid allegations of foul play possibly linked to internal disputes. The incident underscores ongoing challenges in protecting community investments and ensuring swift law enforcement responses in rural areas.
Police have yet to issue a public statement on the matter or confirm the initiation of any formal inquiry. The SDF and its counsel await a response from the IGP amid mounting pressure for transparency and justice in this high-profile case.
