Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Concerned residents and elders of Manjai Kunda have petitioned Adama Barrow to review and reconsider the appointment of Ismaila Camara as the new Alkalo of the community, arguing that the process lacked transparency, consultation, and community consensus.
In a petition dated 15 May 2026 and addressed to the President at State House in Banjul, the group expressed “deep disappointment and concern” over the appointment, which followed the death of the late Alkalo on 23 February 2026.
The petition, signed by Amadou Gomez on behalf of “Concerned Residents and Elders of Manjai Kunda,” stated that the government appointed Ismaila Camara on 1 March 2026, during what the community described as the traditional 40-day mourning period.
The petitioners argued that the role of Alkalo is central to local governance and social harmony and therefore requires extensive consultation with elders, traditional authorities, and residents before any appointment is made.
According to the document, residents were previously consulted during the selection of an Alkalo in 1995, when four candidates reportedly expressed interest before Momodou Salieu Gomez emerged as the preferred candidate and was eventually appointed by the then Commissioner of the Western Division, Sankung Badgie.
The petitioners contrasted that process with the current appointment, claiming that community elders and key stakeholders were not adequately consulted and that the appointment was made only seven days after the burial of the late Alkalo.
The letter also raised concerns about the suitability of the newly appointed Alkalo, alleging that many residents do not believe he possesses the necessary experience and public confidence required to manage sensitive issues such as land administration and dispute resolution.
In one of the more contentious claims contained in the petition, Amadou Gomez argues that Bakary Kara Singhateh informed him that an “executive order” had already been issued to install Ismaila Camara as Alkalo before the seventh day following the death of his father.
The petition also referenced past land disputes involving members of the Camara family and cited a 2013 newspaper report concerning allegations over land sales.
The petition further cited what it described as a “troubling historical precedent,” alleging that the appointee’s father, Karafa Camara, was politically appointed in the late 1970s and that his brother, the late Momodou Lamin Camara, who served as Alkalo until 1995, was dismissed over alleged maladministration and land mismanagement.
The residents warned that the appointment risks undermining public trust and destabilizing the social fabric of Manjai Kunda if left unreviewed.
They have therefore asked the President to direct the Ministry of Local Government, Lands, and Religious Affairs to conduct what they described as a “transparent and inclusive consultative process” involving elders, traditional authorities, and community representatives before confirming any appointment.
The petition concluded by reaffirming the community’s commitment to peace, dialogue, and development while expressing confidence in the President’s commitment to justice and good governance.
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