The Edward Francis Small Centre for Rights and Justice (EFSCRJ) today celebrated its first anniversary with a blistering public statement that shattered the nation’s long-standing excuse of poverty, declaring instead that The Gambia is “richly endowed” and crippled solely by six decades of plunder, corruption, and citizen indifference.
Named after the legendary Gambian journalist and nationalist Edward Francis Small, the Centre used the milestone to launch a nationwide appeal for “citizen vigilance,” branding 2025 “The Year of Transparency and Accountability.” In a statement released today in Banjul, EFSCRJ leaders accused successive governments of plundering the country’s abundant resources while Gambians remained silent.
“The Gambia is not a poor country,” the statement thundered. “To claim otherwise is false, misleading, and ungrateful to God and nature.” The document listed the nation’s untapped wealth, including vast arable lands capable of feeding the region; the River Gambia, a year-round artery for agriculture, energy, and tourism; abundant sunlight and wind for renewable power; rich oceans and unexploited minerals; and a peaceful, creative populace steeped in cultural wisdom.
Yet, the Centre charged, 60 years of state capture have left The Gambia classified as a Least Developed and Highly Indebted Poor Country. “There is *no justification* for poverty here except corruption,” the statement read, citing chronic looting, waste, and zero accountability.
The sharpest rebuke was reserved for citizens themselves. “The greatest tragedy is our silence,” EFSCRJ declared. “For six decades, Gambians have been spectators in their own democracy, defending politicians while they destroy our future.” The group condemned a culture of “rationalization, appeasement, and disengagement” that has normalized failure.
EFSCRJ issued a direct call to action, urging every Gambian to: Demand justice from every public servant; Reject propaganda that excuses graft; Organize and mobilize to defend their rights; Refuse to normalize incompetence; and Engage actively in civic processes.
“Until citizens stand up, the ‘Smiling Coast of Africa’ will remain a tragic metaphor – a nation smiling through pain, poverty, and deception,” the statement warned.
Reaffirming its mission, EFSCRJ pledged to continue “speaking truth to power without fear or favor,” defending victims, and promoting transparency. The Centre appealed for moral, financial, technical, and material backing from citizens and partners alike.
