Minister Says Government Is Following Legal Process to Shield Anti-Corruption Body From Political Criticism

By Makutu Manneh

Demba Sabally, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Security, said this week that the government was strictly adhering to procedures set by the National Assembly in establishing the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission, a move he said was intended to head off accusations from the opposition that appointees were political loyalists.

Mr. Sabally, who is also deputy national president of the ruling National People’s Party, said in an appearance on QTV that candidates for the commission had already been identified and submitted to the National Assembly, and that the process was continuing.

“It is not taking the government long to establish the Anti-Corruption Commission,” he said. “It is a process, and these processes have timelines. I don’t think there is any delay in this—it is an issue of process, and we are following process.”

Mr. Sabally said the government was being careful to comply with the Anti-Corruption Commission Act in order to avoid criticism from political opponents, who he said would otherwise accuse officials of stacking the commission with supporters of President Adama Barrow.

He added that if these processes are not followed, the opposition will accuse them of just putting people in the commission who are pro-Barrow. He said this is why they are following the processes prescribed in the act.

Sabally added that the government is working to ensure the commission is fully up and running as part of its anti-corruption crusade.