within gambia

Good morning, Gambia!

When an attempted coup was launched against President Patrice Talon of Benin, ordinary citizens poured into the streets to denounce the alleged plotters. When we asked a Beninese living in The Gambia why Talon enjoys such strong public support, he replied: “He is a good leader. When he came to power, he made life easier for us, especially when it comes to getting national documents or buying land.”

Yes, building roads matters. But roads mean little when citizens are humiliated, exhausted, and broken while trying to access basic government services. When people are forced to suffer just to obtain documents they are legally entitled to, trust in government dies.

President Adama Barrow is likely to win a third term. Not because Gambians are happy. Not because they feel respected or well-served. But because many have simply lost interest in the current opposition.

Gambians are tired. They are angry. They are hurting. To obtain a passport, ID card, land papers, or any official document, citizens endure endless frustration and deliberate delays. In many offices, people are forced to pay bribes just to move forward.

If President Barrow truly cares about Gambians, he must confront the deep dysfunction in institutions such as the Gambia Immigration Department and the Department of Physical Planning. He should conduct unannounced visits to these offices and witness firsthand the suffering citizens endure.

Yesterday, we visited the Immigration Office near Police Headquarters. What we saw was heartbreaking. Dozens of people stood helplessly under the scorching sun, some for hours, desperate to obtain a passport. Their faces reflected exhaustion, frustration, and despair. Many immigration officers were openly rude, dismissive, and unapproachable.

And this is not an isolated incident. It is the daily reality across many public institutions in this country.

Uganda has ordered an internet shutdown two days before national elections in which President Yoweri Museveni is seeking to extend his decades-long rule. The Uganda Communications Commission said the move aims to curb misinformation, electoral fraud, and incitement to violence during the vote. The suspension, set to begin Tuesday evening, will remain in place until further notice, with essential state services exempted. The government has not formally commented on the decision, despite earlier assurances that the internet would not be shut down. Uganda also blocked internet access during the disputed 2021 elections, which were marked by allegations of rigging and violence against the opposition led by Bobi Wine, who is again contesting the presidency.

Story by DW Africa