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Corruption and Anti-Corruption in The Gambia

The Gambia has made progress in addressing corruption, but challenges persist. This article provides an overview of the current state of corruption in the country.

Judiciary: Limited Access to Justice

Access to justice is limited due to financial constraints and resource limitations. The judiciary faces several challenges, including:

  • Financial constraints: The lack of resources hinders the effectiveness of the judicial system.
  • Resource limitations: Insufficient funding and personnel limit the capacity of the judiciary.

Security Sector Reform: Progress Stalls

Progress in security sector reform has been slow due to a lack of strategic coordination and government leadership. Key challenges include:

  • Strategic coordination: The absence of clear coordination between different agencies hinders progress.
  • Government leadership: Weak leadership from the government contributes to delays.

Private Sector: Corruption as an Obstacle

Investment policies in the Gambia are relatively friendly, but corruption can be a significant obstacle to foreign direct investment. Factors contributing to this challenge include:

  • Corruption: Widespread corruption can deter investors.
  • Lack of transparency: Unclear regulations and procedures create uncertainty.

Positive Developments

Despite these challenges, there have been some positive developments in the fight against corruption:

  • Civilian oversight bodies: The establishment of civilian oversight bodies has improved accountability in the security sector.
  • Intelligence Service restructuring: Efforts to restructure the Intelligence Service aim to enhance transparency and reduce corruption.
  • Legal Aid Act: The Legal Aid Act aims to strengthen access to justice by providing legal assistance to those who cannot afford it.

Conclusion

While progress has been made, corruption remains a significant challenge for the Gambia. Continued efforts are needed to address these issues and promote transparency and accountability in all sectors.