The Gambia - September 2025

On 15 September, Auditor General Modou Ceesay was removed from office by police days after declining a cabinet shuffle that reassigned him as trade minister. The government claims Ceesay initially accepted the role, which he disputes. Although the president has authority to appoint ministers, legal experts argue the Auditor General’s post is protected under the 2015 Audit Office Act, which guarantees tenure and independence. Ceesay’s removal, partway through his term, has triggered a legal challenge at the Supreme Court and raised questions about executive overreach. Civil society actors warn the move could undermine public trust in anti-corruption efforts. The presidency says the appointment reflected Ceesay’s experience, not interference with audit operations. Ceesay had led several high-profile corruption audits and created an internal investigative unit. His removal has sparked youth-led protests and renewed calls to uphold institutional safeguards in the democratic reform agenda.

Sources: Africa Confidential, African Press Agency (1), African Press Agency (2), The Point, British Broadcasting Corporation, Peoples Dispatch