Gambiaj.com – (Banjul, The Gambia) – The Government of The Gambia has strongly denied allegations circulating in Senegalese and online media that it issued over 20,000 diplomatic passports to Gambians and foreign nationals, including former Senegalese President Macky Sall and members of his family.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Ministry of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services described the claims as “entirely false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to sow misunderstanding and create unwarranted tension between the two brotherly nations.”
The allegations were first published by the online platform forGambia.com and later relayed by Atlanticactu.com, a media outlet known for its alignment with Senegal’s PASTEF party.
The story, titled “Bombshell: Macky Sall Official Issued Gambian Diplomatic Passport to Escape to France,” alleged that President Adama Barrow’s government had recklessly distributed thousands of diplomatic passports to undeserving individuals, including politicians, businesspeople, and foreign nationals from countries such as China, France, and Nigeria.
Citing unnamed “insiders,” the report also claimed that Macky Sall’s relatives and several of his former ministers had been issued Gambian diplomatic passports to facilitate their departure to France, accusations that the Gambian government has categorically dismissed.
“The issuance of diplomatic passports in the Republic of The Gambia is strictly governed by established policies and procedures that ensure transparency and accountability,” the ministry’s statement clarified.
“Such passports are granted exclusively to Gambian diplomats and their spouses, senior government officials, Gambian nationals serving in international organizations, and individuals formally designated to represent The Gambia’s interests.”
The statement further emphasized that “neither former President Macky Sall nor any member of his family has ever requested, nor have they been issued, any Gambian passport of any category.”
Addressing insinuations that The Gambia was complicit in facilitating the departure of certain Senegalese nationals, the government described the claims as “entirely unfounded and deeply concerning.”
Authorities urged the public and media to rely solely on verified information issued through official government channels and not to fall for “deliberate disinformation designed to strain bilateral relations.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and the Gambia Immigration Department, reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the country’s passport issuance system and preventing any misuse or fraudulent activity.
The Gambian government’s statement comes amid heightened scrutiny of passport issuance across the region, where diplomatic documents are increasingly being misused for illicit travel and financial schemes.
