Halifa Sallah, Party Leader and Secretary General of the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), has issued a scathing open letter to the President, urging action to safeguard the integrity of national institutions following a controversial incident involving the Office of the Auditor General. The letter, made public today, calls on the President to uphold constitutional principles and address what Sallah describes as an “unreasonable and unjustifiable” encroachment on democratic governance.
The controversy stems from events on September 15, 2025, when the Office of the Auditor General faced what Sallah deems an improper interference. He emphasizes the critical role of the Auditor General in ensuring lawful management of public funds and assets, as enshrined in Section 160 Subsection (7) of the Constitution, which states that the Auditor General operates independently, free from external direction or control.
At the heart of Sallah’s concern is the case of Mr. Ceesay, the current Auditor General. The state and Mr. Ceesay’s legal counsel have affirmed his appointment based on integrity and competence. Recently, the state offered him a ministerial position, citing his proven abilities. However, Mr. Ceesay declined the offer, a decision Sallah highlights as evidence of his commitment to his constitutional duties.
Sallah points to Section 158 of the Constitution, which outlines the Auditor General’s tenure. Subsection (3) requires the Auditor General to take a prescribed oath before assuming office, a step Mr. Ceesay has fulfilled. Subsection (4) specifies that the Auditor General vacates the office only upon retirement age or through termination by the President, while subsection (5) allows removal solely for inability, misbehaviour, or incompetence—none of which apply to Mr. Ceesay. “He has not reached retirement age, his services have not been terminated, and he is not removed for misbehaviour or incompetence,” Sallah writes, adding that the ministerial offer further validates his competence.
The PDOIS leader argues that since Mr. Ceesay declined the ministerial role before any swearing-in ceremony, he remains the rightful Auditor General. “The substantive holder who has not vacated his office should remain in his post without any wrangling, unless another motive yet to be revealed,” Sallah warns, suggesting potential hidden agendas behind the incident.
Sallah’s letter underscores a broader call to action for all Gambians to defend democratic values. He asserts that a president committed to governance integrity must avoid actions that risk discrediting the office. “Duty has now called for all Gambians to defend what is reasonable and justifiable in a democratic society,” he states, urging the President to provide a remedy consistent with the Constitution’s letter and spirit.
The open letter has sparked widespread discussion, with citizens and political analysts awaiting the President’s response. Sallah’s intervention is a bold move to protect institutional independence, a cornerstone of The Gambia’s democratic framework post-2016 transition.
Sallah concludes by emphasizing the need to prevent the impairment of national institutions, calling for transparency and adherence to the rule of law.
