By Imam Alhaji Muhamad al-Amine Jabbi
The Gambia is currently confronted with three serious and interconnected challenges that, if left inadequately addressed, could have significant consequences for social cohesion, public institutions, and the country’s economic and political stability.
First, is the growing prominence of ethnic and political polarisation. The Gambia has long taken pride in the peaceful coexistence of its diverse ethnic and linguistic communities. However, recent political discourse has raised concerns about the increasing use of ethnic identity and political affiliation in electoral mobilisation. Several senior figures associated with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) have faced public criticism over remarks perceived by opponents and sections of the public as divisive or ethnically charged. These controversies have included statements attributed to former presidential adviser the late Dembo “By Force” Bojang, presidential adviser for political affairs Saihou Mballow, and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Seedy Njie. For example, Njie faced widespread criticism in 2026 following a leaked audio recording in which he was alleged to have discussed blocking appointments involving members of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) and Mandinka individuals.
More recently, Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs Hamat Bah was widely criticised following remarks at an NPP political gathering in Farafenni. Bah stated that “this country will never be Lebanon” and that “no foreigner will run this country”. Although he did not explicitly name a presidential candidate, some commentators and political actors interpreted the remarks as a reference to Talib Bensouda, leader of the Unite party. The comments have generated renewed debate about the role of nationality, ancestry, ethnicity, and identity in the 2026 electoral discourse. Such rhetoric is particularly concerning in a politically competitive environment because repeated appeals to ethnic or perceived outsider identities can deepen social divisions and undermine the longstanding ideal of an inclusive Gambian national identity.
Second is the growing concern over patronage and politicisation within the civil service. The Gambian civil service was historically regarded as an important institution of professional administration, but concerns about nepotism, favouritism, and political influence have increasingly entered public discourse. The perception that employment and advancement may depend not only on qualifications and professional competence but also on political connections or affiliation has weakened confidence in merit-based public administration. The frequently repeated expression that “it is not what you know, but who you know” reflects this broader public perception. Reports on governance in The Gambia have similarly identified nepotism and the politicisation of public institutions as factors that can undermine institutional effectiveness and public confidence. If perceptions of political exclusion become entrenched, they risk diminishing morale among civil servants, discouraging qualified citizens from public service, and weakening the neutrality and professionalism that are essential to an effective state.
Third, and perhaps most consequential, is corruption and its relationship to poverty and institutional weakness. Corruption can impose substantial social and economic costs, particularly where citizens must navigate public institutions to obtain essential services. Concerns about bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, misuse of public resources, and allegations of kickbacks have contributed to declining public confidence in government institutions. The US Department of State has reported that bribery, embezzlement, and nepotism are significant concerns in The Gambia and that the politicisation of key institutions can foster patronage and favouritism. At the everyday level, allegations of petty bribery can make access to public services more difficult for citizens with limited financial means. At the broader level, the alleged mismanagement of public funds and development resources can reduce the resources available for poverty reduction, public infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other essential services.
These three challenges — ethnic polarisation, the politicisation of public institutions, and corruption — are closely interconnected. When political competition becomes increasingly organised around identity, when access to public employment is perceived to depend on political loyalty, and when public resources are vulnerable to corruption and patronage, citizens’ confidence in state institutions can deteriorate. Addressing these challenges therefore requires more than isolated interventions. It requires sustained efforts to strengthen merit-based public administration, improve transparency and accountability, enforce anti-corruption measures, and promote political discourse that emphasises citizenship and national inclusion rather than ethnic, ancestral, or partisan divisions.
The Gambia’s reputation for peaceful coexistence and social stability is an important national asset. Preserving that legacy requires political leaders, public officials, civil society, and citizens alike to recognise the risks associated with divisive rhetoric, institutional patronage, and corruption and to support reforms that strengthen accountable, inclusive, and professional governance.
Alhaji Muhamad al-Amine Jabbi is a Gambian imam based in Paris, France
