By: Ousman Saidykhan
The Managing Director of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Nfansou Bojang, has refuted claims that the Gambia violated any regulations in connection with “Operation Assad,” a covert mission allegedly involving the smuggling of valuables linked to Ex – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
In a Wednesday interview on GRTS’s Good Morning Gambia, Bojang dismissed allegations stemming from a Reuters investigation. The investigation claimed a private jet registered in The Gambia, operated by a Syrian-Lebanese businessman, was used to transport cash, gold, and other assets from Damascus to Russia and Dubai in late 2023. The investigation cited flight records, whistleblower accounts, and intelligence sources, alleging the jet operated under the guise of diplomatic cargo.
Bojang clarified that the aircraft was not registered in The Gambia in 2023 and emphasized that the country’s Civil Aviation Act was fully adhered to. “The Gambia has a robust aircraft registry system, and our processes are in total consonance with international standards,” he said. He explained that aircraft ownership does not require the plane to be based in the registering country, stating, “Once registered in The Gambia, it can operate anywhere, as long as it meets safety standards.”
“Aircraft are owned by individuals. You can own an aircraft without owning an airline. If you own an aircraft as an individual, you are at liberty to rent it out to any airline operator that you agree with in terms of fees and charges,” said Mr Bojang.
Bojang noted that the GCAA’s role is limited to ensuring aircraft airworthiness and approving maintenance facilities, not policing aircraft owners’ activities. “If an aircraft is used for nefarious purposes, that is the owner’s responsibility, not the state’s,” he said.
Bojang further highlighted The Gambia’s compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, noting that the country has consistently passed international audits.
He cited examples of airlines like Badr Airline, Tarco Airlines, Jupiter Airlines, and Supreme Airlines, which were registered in The Gambia but operated in countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, and the UAE, often due to sanctions or lack of competent aviation authorities in those nations.
The GCAA’s response comes amid growing scrutiny of The Gambia’s aircraft registry, though Bojang insists the country’s practices align with global norms. “The state of registry and the home of operation are often different,” he said, underscoring that The Gambia has never been cited for violations by international auditors.
