The Gambia’s Backsliding on Anti-Corruption Efforts Raises Concerns

As International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) is commemorated worldwide, Public-Private Integrity (PPI), a premier anti-corruption civil society organization, has expressed deep concern over The Gambia’s performance in enforcing anti-corruption principles and characteristics.

The State of Anti-Corruption Efforts in The Gambia

According to PPI, The Gambia has consistently underperformed in upholding anti-corruption standards since 2005. This is attributed to the inconsistent behavior of executive, parliamentarians, and non-elected public officials towards combating corruption, which enables corrupt practices in the country.

Key Factors Contributing to The Gambia’s Backsliding

• Inconsistent behavior of government officials
• Failure to operationalize an Anti-Corruption Commission since 2012
• Deficiencies in policy, legal frameworks, and procedures related to corruption prevention, stolen assets recovery, law enforcement, and international cooperation

Government Commitments vs. Reality

While acknowledging efforts by government officials to draft an Anti-Corruption Bill, a Mutual Legal Assistance Bill, and enter into bilateral agreements on anti-corruption and crime, PPI notes that The Gambia has failed to translate these commitments into concrete actions.

Areas of Improvement

• Domesticate international agreements on anti-corruption at the national level
• Elevate the definition of a public official and public office to encompass all elected and non-elected officials involved in public service within the country
• Ensure independence of key institutions such as the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), the Gambia Police Force (GPF), and the Attorney General (Chief Law Officer) from external supervision that may compromise their integrity

Recommendations for Improvement

1. Make available copies of successful contracts, as required by law
2. Refrain from operating a public service loan scheme, extension of credit, and transmission of funds, and instead work within prescribed functions provided for by relevant laws and regulations
3. Appoint an appropriate authority to administer financial support policies for public officials in a transparent manner

By addressing these concerns and implementing the recommended improvements, The Gambia can take a significant step towards strengthening its anti-corruption efforts and promoting a more transparent and accountable governance system.