Gambia Roundup: Court orders exhumation, Darboe pledges justice reforms and rural women demand electricity

1. ECOWAS Court orders exhumation of former lawmaker Mahawa Cham

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has approved a settlement requiring The Gambia to investigate the disappearance and unlawful killing of former parliamentarian Mahawa Cham, prosecute those allegedly responsible and return his remains to his family.

The settlement was adopted as a consent judgment on October 6, 2026, following a case brought by eight family members: Binta Jarju, Isatou Fatty, Lamin Cham, Bakary Cham, Fatou Cham, Kaddy Cham, Omar Cham and Limam Cham. Cham, a former member of parliament for Kiang East, disappeared during the rule of former President Yahya Jammeh. The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) concluded in its November 25, 2021, report that he had been unlawfully disappeared and killed. Under the agreement, the Gambian government has committed to investigating and prosecuting the case within one year of the settlement. It must also exhume and surrender Cham's remains to his family, pay an agreed amount of compensation and pursue the case against alleged perpetrators to its conclusion. The family was represented by the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), working with the African Network against Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearance (ANEKED). Cham's son, Lamin Cham, welcomed the settlement but said compensation could not replace his father. He expressed hope that the agreement would bring closure to the family and encourage accountability for other victims.

2. Darboe promises to implement truth commission recommendations within five years

Opposition leader ANM Ousainou Darboe has pledged to implement all recommendations of The Gambia's Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission within five years if elected president. The United Democratic Party (UDP) leader committed a fundraising event organised by the party's GASH chapter in Switzerland, where he outlined his plans for transitional justice, legal reform, economic empowerment and electricity. Darboe argued that genuine national reconciliation would be impossible without first addressing the abuses committed under former President Yahya Jammeh. “We want reconciliation in the country, but you cannot have that if justice does not take place.” He said victims must receive recognition and justice before the country can achieve lasting unity. The TRRC investigated human rights violations committed during Jammeh's 22-year rule, including enforced disappearances, unlawful killings, torture and other abuses. Its recommendations called for prosecutions, reparations and institutional reforms intended to prevent similar violations. Darboe also promised to review and repeal laws his party considers unjust or outdated, saying the UDP has sufficient legal expertise to undertake the reforms within three years. On the economy, he called for greater Gambian participation in strategic businesses and national assets. Referring to the sale of Mega Bank, Darboe argued that Gambians, including those living abroad, should have been given an opportunity to invest before the bank was offered to foreign buyers.

3. Kaur women urge Barrow to expand electricity, roads and employment opportunities

Women in Kaur, Central River Region, have appealed to President Adama Barrow to extend electricity to underserved communities, improve rural roads and create more employment opportunities, particularly for young people. The requests were presented during Barrow's Meet the People Tour in Kaur Wharf Town, where representatives of Lower Saloum, Upper Saloum and Nianija discussed local development priorities. Speaking on behalf of the women, Njie Ceesay welcomed a government-backed revolving loan scheme that allows beneficiaries to borrow money for business activities and repay it over five months so other women can access the funds. She said beneficiaries meet monthly at the chief's compound to make repayments and called for the programme to be expanded to women who have not yet received support. Despite acknowledging government investments in roads and electricity, Ceesay said several communities still lacked power. She identified Jamweli, Kerr Musa, Simbara, Ganjeh, Chamen, Gongkuru and Buduk among the villages needing electricity connections. She also appealed for construction of the Jahwurr–Ganjeh feeder road, including improved links through Kerr Musa towards Kerr Malick. Ceesay said poor road conditions were particularly difficult for schoolchildren travelling from Ganjeh, Gongkuru and Chamen to schools in Jimbala and Kerr Malick. The women also raised concerns about disrupted rainfall, which they said had damaged maize and groundnut harvests, affecting farming households already struggling with limited employment opportunities.

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4. New US Ambassador Laurence Socha arrives in The Gambia

The new United States Ambassador to The Gambia, Laurence Socha, arrived in Banjul on Monday, October 5, to begin his assignment as head of the US diplomatic mission. He was welcomed by Bernard Mendy, Director of the American Desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, and Omar Sawh, Deputy Chief of Protocol. Socha becomes the 22nd US Ambassador to The Gambia since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1965. A career member of the US Foreign Service, Socha has nearly 20 years of diplomatic experience, including assignments across Africa, the Americas and Europe. During his career, he has represented the United States in 12 countries across four continents. His appointment comes as Washington and Banjul maintain cooperation on democratic governance, economic opportunities, regional security and exchanges between their citizens. According to the US Embassy, Socha will lead American diplomatic engagement with the Gambian government and work to strengthen the bilateral relationship. He is expected to present copies of his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad before formally presenting his letter of credence to President Barrow.

5. Gambian medical research unit to lead £5 million study into Strep A and heart disease

The Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRCG at LSHTM) will play a leading role in a £5 million international research programme investigating how Group A Streptococcus infections contribute to heart disease. Announced by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine on October 1, the programme will examine how exposure to the bacteria during early childhood affects the immune system and increases the risk of later complications. Group A Streptococcus, commonly known as Strep A, causes infections including sore throats and skin infections. Although many infections are treatable, some can lead to serious complications, including rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease develops when the body's immune response to a Strep A infection causes inflammation that damages the heart valves. The condition disproportionately affects children and young adults in vulnerable communities, particularly where access to timely diagnosis and treatment is limited. Researchers will study how immunity develops following early exposure to Strep A and why some people are more likely than others to develop severe disease. The findings could help scientists identify ways to prevent infections and inform the development of future vaccines.