The National Assembly on Thursday treated the escalating wave of homicides and violent crimes as a Matter of the Day, with lawmakers expressing deep concern over the growing threat to public safety and national stability.
Hon. Yaya Gassama, Member for Kiang East, who brought the motion, painted a grim picture of the current security climate. He told the House that recent killings and brutal attacks have triggered widespread fear among citizens, raising serious questions about the state’s ability to protect lives and property.
“The right to life is at the centre of our constitutional order,” Hon. Gassama declared, citing Section 18(1) of the 1997 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, and Section 17(1), which binds the state to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms. He stressed that these provisions place a clear obligation on government and security agencies to ensure citizens can live without fear of violence.
The lawmaker detailed the far-reaching consequences of the crime surge, noting that beyond the tragic loss of lives, families are left devastated, communities traumatized, and public trust in institutions severely eroded. He warned that unchecked violent crime undermines social cohesion, disrupts economic activity, and damages The Gambia’s international reputation.
While acknowledging that no society is completely free of crime, Hon. Gassama urged immediate and decisive action. He called for strengthened community policing, improved intelligence gathering, and closer collaboration between security forces and local communities. He also demanded that law enforcement agencies be properly equipped and empowered to prevent crime, investigate cases effectively, apprehend suspects, and deliver justice swiftly and fairly.
The motion dominated proceedings, reflecting the Assembly’s recognition of the issue as a pressing national priority.
Following the debate, the House moved to other legislative business. The Hon. Minister for Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Mod K Ceesay, presented the Second Reading of the Labour (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
The Assembly also received two reports from the Select Committee on Trade and Regional Integration, presented by Chairperson Hon. Kebba Jallow, concerning the GIEPA Amendment Bill 2025. Additionally, the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC), chaired by Hon. Alhagie S Darbo, laid a comprehensive report covering the Auditor General’s accounts for 2021–2024, along with audited financial statements, management letters, and activity reports of various public institutions and agencies from 2020 to 2024.
