Banjul, The Gambia – 15 September 2025
Public-Private Integrity, a civil society organization registered in The Gambia and committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and systemic reform, welcomes and strongly supports the recent call by the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) for the establishment of an Office of the Special Prosecutor to address corruption in the public service.
This call is not only timely—it is long overdue.
As a State Party to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and African Union Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption (AUCPCC), The Gambia has a binding obligation to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of corruption-related offenses. Article 36 of UNCAC and Article 5(3) of AUCPCC explicitly encourages States to establish specialized, independent bodies with the autonomy and resources necessary to combat corruption. The creation of a Special Prosecutor’s Office would be a concrete step toward fulfilling this commitment.
Why Now?
- Backlog of Cases: The Gambia faces a significant backlog of unresolved corruption cases, many involving high-profile public officials. These delays erode public trust and embolden impunity.
- Institutional Gaps: Existing mechanisms lack the independence, prosecutorial authority, and agility required to pursue complex corruption cases without political interference.
- Public Confidence: Citizens deserve to see justice served transparently and consistently. A Special Prosecutor can help restore faith in public institutions by ensuring that no official is above the law.
Public-Private Integrity believes that the proposed Office must be:
- Independent: Free from executive or partisan influence, with secure tenure and operational autonomy.
- Well-Resourced: Equipped with skilled investigators, legal experts, and adequate funding.
- Mandated for Impact: Empowered to pursue cases across all sectors, including procurement, public finance, and state-owned enterprises.
A Turning Point for Governance
The establishment of a Special Prosecutor would mark a decisive shift in The Gambia’s anti-corruption architecture. It would signal to citizens, development partners, and the international community that The Gambia is serious about uprooting systemic corruption and protecting the integrity of its public service.
Public-Private Integrity stands ready to support this initiative through civic engagement, policy dialogue, and monitoring efforts. We urge the National Assembly, the Ministry of Justice, and all relevant stakeholders to act swiftly and decisively.
Let this be the moment when accountability is no longer deferred—but delivered.
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