Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The National Assembly erupted into heated debate on Wednesday over the forceful removal of Auditor General Modou Ceesay, exposing deep divisions among lawmakers and reigniting public concerns about constitutional governance under President Adama Barrow.
Two nominated members of the Assembly — Fatoumatta Jawara and Maimuna Ceesay — mounted a staunch defense of the president’s actions, even as the majority of National Assembly Members (NAMs) condemned the move as unconstitutional.
Jawara argued that President Barrow acted squarely within his constitutional powers, dismissing the youth-led protests demanding Ceesay’s reinstatement as politically misplaced.
“The president is the one responsible for appointing and dismissing the Auditor General. Those youths that gathered and protested have no business in the dismissal of the Auditor General because most of them were not part of the electors of this democratic government,” she said.
Maimuna Ceesay went further, blaming the Auditor General himself for his predicament.
“The president has understanding and would have looked into the matter in a better way, but the Auditor General’s failure to write back was disrespectful to the president. President Barrow is someone who rules by listening to instructions from the people around him, so people around him should stop the side talks,” she said.
Their defense sharply contrasted with the views of other lawmakers. Hon. Almameh Gibba (Foni Kansala) described the removal as a “constitutional crisis” that undermines democratic institutions.
Hon. Yaya Menteng Sanyang (Latrikunda Sabiji) called the president’s action “unjust” and accused him of bypassing parliamentary authority, while Hon. Omar Jatto Jammeh (Janjanbureh) warned that Barrow was being “ill-advised.”
The controversy stems from the government’s claim that Ceesay had accepted an appointment as Minister of Trade on September 10, only to rescind it the following day.
Police escorted him out of the National Audit Office on September 15, sparking outrage from civil society groups and rights defenders.
Youth-led protests calling for his reinstatement initially led to several arrests, though all those detained have since been released.
Parliament remains deeply divided, with some lawmakers demanding Ceesay’s reappointment while others back the president’s authority.
The episode has become one of the most contentious constitutional debates of Barrow’s presidency, raising fresh questions about executive power and institutional independence in The Gambia.
