By Seedy Jobe
A senior official of the Unite Movement for Change and business councilor at the Kanifing Municipal Council, MC Cham Jr., has cautioned that The Gambia’s recent recognition among Africa’s 10 best-governed countries masks persistent weaknesses in the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts.
His remarks came less than a day after the State House of The Gambia announced that the country had been ranked among the continent’s top performers in the 2026 World Economics Governance Index, earning an overall score of 47.6. According to the announcement, The Gambia recorded notable gains in press freedom, scoring 65.4, and political rights, at 54.8—improvements the government attributed to governance reforms under President Adama Barrow.
In a statement responding to the ranking, Mr. Cham acknowledged the advances in civil liberties but argued that the celebration should be tempered by what he described as troubling deficiencies in other critical areas.
“Improvements in press freedom at 65.4 percent and political rights at 54.8 percent are positive developments and reflect the democratic space that has gradually expanded in recent years,” he said.
Yet he pointed to significantly lower scores in rule of law, at 38.5 percent, and control of corruption, at 31.6 percent, calling them a cause for serious national reflection.
“These are not minor indicators,” Mr. Cham said. “They are the foundation upon which any meaningful democracy is built. Without a strong rule of law and a credible fight against corruption, democratic gains remain shallow and vulnerable.”
He questioned the administration’s commitment to combating corruption, describing its record as disappointing and marked by a lack of decisive action.
“Fighting corruption requires more than public statements and promises,” he said. “It requires political will, consistent enforcement, and real accountability across all public institutions. The absence of firm action and visible consequences has contributed significantly to the country’s poor performance on the corruption index.”
Mr. Cham also urged the government to strengthen judicial independence, calling for concrete support for the judiciary to ensure it can function without interference.
“Strengthening the rule of law is not optional,” he said. “It is the central pillar of democracy and good governance.”
He further called on public officials to demonstrate transparency and accountability in their conduct, arguing that reform must begin at the highest levels of government.
“If the administration is serious about reform, it must lead by example,” he said. “Public officials must be held to the highest standards, institutions must be protected from interference, and transparency must become the norm rather than the exception.”
Although The Gambia’s overall score of 47.6 placed it ahead of many of its regional peers, it remained behind neighboring Senegal and Sierra Leone. Mr. Cham said that standing should inspire humility rather than triumphalism.
“Progress in selected areas must not be used as political cover to avoid confronting deeper institutional weaknesses,” he warned.
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