Gambiaj.cm – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Veteran politician and former National Assembly member Halifa Sallah has written an open letter to President Adama Barrow urging him to immediately reverse what he describes as an “unreasonable and unjustifiable” encroachment on the independence of the Office of the Auditor General.
In the letter, made public yesterday, Sallah warned that the integrity of The Gambia’s national institutions was being imperiled by the Executive’s handling of Auditor General Modou Ceesay’s attempted removal. He said the Constitution clearly protects the Auditor General’s tenure and independence, making the events of 15 September 2025 indefensible in any democratic society.
“You would agree with me … that the president of a country whose government speaks the language of integrity must never conduct himself or herself in a manner that brings or is likely to bring his or her office into contempt or disrepute,” Sallah wrote.
“Duty has now called for all Gambians to defend what is reasonable and justifiable in a democratic society, and you should not be found wanting in providing the appropriate remedy.”
He highlighted Section 160(7) of the Constitution, which states that the Auditor General “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority,” stressing that this provision exists to safeguard public funds and assets from mismanagement.
Sallah noted that both the government and Mr. Ceesay’s legal counsel have confirmed that he has been occupying the post of Auditor General “based on integrity and competence,” and that the state itself had justified his appointment to ministerial rank on the same grounds. “The evidence that no one is disputing is that he has humbly declined the offer of appointment as minister,” he added.
Quoting Section 158 of the Constitution, Sallah pointed out that Mr. Ceesay had already subscribed to the prescribed oath as Auditor General and therefore remained in office “until he vacates the office as dictated by the Constitution.”
He reminded the President that the Auditor General may only vacate office upon reaching the retirement age or if removed by the President on grounds of “inability to perform the functions of his or her office … or for misbehavior or incompetence.”
“Mr. Ceesay has not reached retirement age. His services have not been terminated by the President. He is not removed for misbehavior or incompetence. In fact, because of his competence, he is appointed to the rank of Minister,” Sallah wrote, arguing that declining the offer before any swearing-in ceremony should leave the substantive holder in his post “without any wrangling, unless there is another motive that is yet to be revealed.”
Sallah’s intervention comes amid mounting public and political backlash over the Barrow administration’s handling of the Auditor General’s case, which critics view as a direct assault on constitutional safeguards meant to protect public accountability.
