Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – Prominent Gambian activist Kemesseng Sanneh, also known as Kexx Sanneh, has alleged that his professional contract with Alport Banjul, the Turkish-operated company managing the Banjul Port, was terminated due to his participation in a recent protest against corruption.
In a public statement, Sanneh said the company ended its engagement with him because of his involvement in the Gambia Action for Liberty and Accountability (GALA) protest.
The protest, which called out corruption and mismanagement of public funds, was staged in defiance of growing frustrations over lack of accountability in public affairs.
Sanneh claims Alport Banjul’s Managing Director, Salih Levent, informed him that the decision to cut ties with him came after pressure from unnamed government officials who were uncomfortable with his anti-government activism.
“He [Salih] said the decision was influenced by my participation in demonstrations against the government, implying that their partnership with me became inconvenient,” Sanneh explained.
“I would rather eat sand than stay silent in the face of corruption,” Sanneh declared. “I did not sign a contract to surrender my Gambian citizenship or to give up my constitutional rights to hold the government accountable. The struggle continues for a better Gambia.”
In a written notice seen by this outlet, Levent expressed respect for Sanneh and acknowledged the terms of their prior agreement but formally stated, “You may accept this writing as a notice to discontinue our working relationship with you until further notice. I have to stay away from politics or political views. We are here to do business.”
He assured Sanneh that his outstanding invoice for work completed through July 30th would be paid.
Swiftly reacting to the news of Kexx Sanneh’s sudden contract ending with Alport Banjul, Alhaji Mamadi Kurang, a founding member, posted on his Facebook feed, “GALA! Anyone who was part of that moment and thinks the elites will ever let you go like that, then you’re still living a fantasy and have never read history.“
The development comes amid the high-profile opening of the Sahel Governance Forum in Banjul, where President Adama Barrow lauded democratic progress and reform.
Observers say this episode may test the government’s stated commitment to democratic values and raise fresh scrutiny over the influence of state actors on private sector decisions.
