The Government of Gambia has ordered a criminal investigation into Kanifing Municipal Council Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda following adverse findings against him by the Local Government Commission of Inquiry. The Commission, established in February 2023, was tasked with inquiring into the administration and financial management of eight Local Government Councils. The probe into Bensouda's activities revealed several irregularities, including the unlawful receipt of a D10,000 honorarium in 2018.
The Commission found that Bensouda's office indirectly interfered in recruitment, favouring supporters such as Isatou Faal and Nuru Deen Adams, which constituted an abuse of office. Additionally, it was discovered that procurement under his leadership had incomplete documentation, missing minutes, and lacked GPPA registration. The Commission also found that allegations of unbanked collections and deleted records were not addressed, as investigations ordered did not produce reports or recoveries.
The Commission's report highlighted several other issues, including the poorly drafted D105 million Mbalit truck contract, which had vague clauses and led to D13.1 million in unplanned costs. The report also noted that audit reports were not consistently debated, with statutory oversight not fulfilled, particularly in 2020. The Commission recommended economic crime, surcharge, legislative review, fitness for public office review, improper behaviour, and negligence charges against Bensouda.
The Government has accepted the recommendations in full, holding Bensouda's conduct as improper and negligent. The Government directed the IGP to initiate a criminal investigation to establish prima facie culpability and transmit the findings to the Attorney General for prosecution if established. The Auditor General was also referred to conduct a forensic audit and recovery of the D10,000.
The opposition party, UNITE, and Coalition 2026 have reacted to the development, describing the timing of the Government's decision as an attempt to confuse the public. They argued that the Commission's report did not ban Bensouda from contesting and that his nomination will proceed as scheduled. The IEC has allocated 7 November 2026 for UNITE to file nomination papers.
Bensouda's candidacy has not been deterred, with UNITE insisting that he will continue to contest. The party and Coalition 2026 described the Government's actions as a political manoeuvre. The development has sparked mixed reactions, with some calling for Bensouda's accountability and others seeing it as a politically motivated move.
The probe into Bensouda's activities and the subsequent Government action have raised concerns about the governance and accountability of Local Government Councils in Gambia. The Commission's report and the Government's response have highlighted the need for improved oversight and transparency in the management of public funds. The outcome of the investigation and potential prosecution of Bensouda will be closely watched.
Key points
- The Gambia Government has ordered a criminal investigation into Kanifing Municipal Council Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda over financial irregularities.
- The probe into Bensouda's activities revealed several irregularities, including the unlawful receipt of a D10,000 honorarium in 2018.
- UNITE and Coalition 2026 have insisted that Bensouda's candidacy will not be affected by the Government's decision.
