Momodou Bah, leader of the African Federalism and Republican Orientation Movement (AFRO Movement) and presidential aspirant for 2026 election, has said the recent power outage at Banjul International Airport, resulting in flight diversions to Dakar, Senegal, is an embarrassment for The Gambia exposing the systemic failures of governance and the powers that be.
Speaking in an interview with this medium at the weekend concerning the recent power failure at the Banjul International Airport, Mr Bah said the incident, which saw runway lights and communication with the control tower go down, is not just a technical mishap, it is a symbol of “the deep-rooted incompetence and mismanagement” that have plagued The Gambia for years.
“This is indeed a national embarrassment on the global stage,” he bemoans, saying: “As the gateway to our nation, Banjul International Airport is critical to tourism, business, and international relations, for it to be rendered inoperative due to a power outage, which reflects poorly on the country’s infrastructure and governance.”
Passengers, he noted, described the situation as “surreal”, with pilots forced to abort landing attempts due to intermittent runway lights.
Mr Bah said flight diversions to Dakar caused not only inconvenience for travellers; it exposed also the lack of preparedness and effective contingency planning at one of the most important facilities in the country.
This is not the first time a critical infrastructure in The Gambia has been crippled by power failure, Mr Bah recalls: “Hospitals, schools, and even government offices have repeatedly faced disruptions, yet the leadership seems indifferent to these persistent challenges.”
He remarked that the government’s inability to ensure a stable power supply at the airport arguably the nation’s most sensitive facility raises serious questions about their priorities and governance capability.
Since the incident occurred (in the Christmas period, on 23/24 Dec 2024), there is yet no official comment from the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority or other relevant agencies, which speaks volumes about the lack of accountability in The Gambia’s public institutions.
Mr Bah emphasises that the culture of silence and evasion is emblematic of a government more focused on preserving its power than addressing the needs of its people.
“The issues at the airport are not isolated,” he argues. “They are symptomatic of a big problem such as corruption and mismanagement, which have drained resources that should have been invested in upgrading our infrastructure.”
While critical sectors like energy, transportation, and healthcare are neglected, he noted, millions of dalasis are lost to corruption and mismanagement in public office.
The embarrassing airport power outage should serve as a wake-up call for all Gambians, he advised, saying The Gambia needs a new generation of young enlightened leaders, untainted by the old ways of corruption and inefficiency. “Leaders who will prioritize the needs of the people, invest in reliable infrastructure, and ensure that such embarrassing incidents become a thing of the past are those we need,” he prescribes.
Referring to the upcoming presidential and local government elections, he said: “We must demand transparency, accountability, and professionalism from those who seek to lead us. Let this airport debacle remind us of what is at stake, the safety, dignity, and progress of the nation.”
