Ismaila Ceesay Denies Justice Minister Visited Election Commission Over Bensouda’s Eligibility

Gambia’s Information Minister Ismaila Ceesay has rejected claims that Justice Minister Dawda Jallow visited the Independent Electoral Commission to influence a decision about Talib Ahmed Bensouda’s eligibility to run in December’s presidential election. Speaking on the programme Coffee Time with Peter Gomez, Ceesay said Jallow had not visited the electoral body since becoming justice minister. He also denied reports that Jallow urged President Adama Barrow to publish the government’s White Paper quickly because Bensouda might challenge its findings in court. Ceesay questioned how Bensouda could know about an alleged conversation between Jallow and Barrow, and called for evidence of any such meeting. He asked who had attended, when it supposedly took place and whether the attorney general had advised the president. According to the minister, the reported exchange never happened, and Jallow would not interfere in the electoral process. Ceesay also said Barrow had no interest in influencing independent institutions, including the commission responsible for overseeing elections. He maintained that the electoral body was empowered to make its own decisions without presidential involvement. The dispute comes amid debate over the government’s White Paper responding to a commission of inquiry into local government administration. The inquiry’s report included recommendations concerning Bensouda, who is the Coalition 2026’s presidential candidate. Bensouda has questioned the timing of the White Paper’s publication and suggested the process was rushed for political purposes. Ceesay countered that the inquiry had been established more than two years ago, before Bensouda’s presidential ambitions emerged. He said its purpose was to address corruption and shortcomings in local government, rather than to target Bensouda’s candidacy.