By Fatou Sillah
Mounting public outrage in The Gambia is intensifying calls for a full-scale investigation into a sweeping set of allegations against former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Mamat O. Cham, with critics warning that failure to act could further erode trust in state institutions.
The accusations, made by former soldier Sgt. Modou Saine paints a troubling picture of alleged misconduct at the highest levels of the military. The claims include corruption, abuse of office, nepotism, financial impropriety, and the alleged diversion of military resources for personal gain.
Additional allegations point to irregular dealings involving seized migrant boats, questionable procurement practices and possible regulatory violations tied to a private security company — raising broader concerns about oversight within the armed forces.
Interviews conducted on Tuesday by Kerr Fatou reveal a public increasingly alarmed by the scope of the accusations and sceptical of the government’s willingness to act decisively.
Omar Boni Darboe, a prominent political figure, placed responsibility squarely on the administration of President Adama Barrow, accusing it of fostering a climate of impunity by failing to prosecute individuals implicated in earlier corruption inquiries, including the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission and the Janneh Commission.
According to Mr. Darboe, that inaction may have emboldened officials to operate without fear of consequences. “This did not happen in isolation,” he suggested, arguing that weak enforcement of accountability has allowed misconduct to take root.
Other citizens expressed shock at the allegations, particularly claims involving financial dealings linked to the military’s credit union. Bubacarr Jaiteh described the accusations as deeply troubling and warned that, if substantiated, they would represent a serious breach of public trust.
“Resignation alone is not enough,” he said. “There must be a thorough investigation and, if proven, prosecution.”
Lamin Sanyang echoed those demands, calling for a wide-ranging inquiry to uncover whether others may have been involved. “This cannot end here,” he said. “The full truth must come out.”
For many, the allegations strike at the credibility of one of the country’s most respected institutions. Several respondents noted that the military has long been viewed as relatively insulated from the corruption scandals that have plagued other sectors.
As of now, the government has yet to issue a formal response to the allegations — a silence that critics say is only deepening public suspicion.
With pressure building, the case is fast emerging as a critical test of the government’s commitment to accountability and the rule of law.
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