Civil Society Statement On The Unwarranted Attacks By Dr. Ismalia Ceesay Against Madi Jobarteh & EFSCRJ

By Admin Last updated Jan 23, 2026

Civil society actors in The Gambia express deep concern over recent public remarks by Dr. Ismaila
Ceesay directed at Madi Jobarteh and the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice. These
remarks must be understood within a broader and troubling pattern of delegitimizing critical civic
voices rather than engaging with the substance of their concerns. In particular, the questioning of the legitimacy of the Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice and, by extension, the credibility of its founder raises serious issues for democratic discourse.

At the outset, it is important to state clearly that the legitimacy of civic engagement is not determined by office buildings, servers, or staff strength, but by the substance, accuracy, and public value of the work produced. Across the world, and indeed throughout The Gambia’s own democratic struggle, individual citizens and small initiatives have played decisive roles in advancing accountability, transparency, and human rights.

The Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice has, over the years, contributed consistently
to public discourse on governance, the rule of law, and accountability. Whether one agrees with its
positions or not, its work has helped stimulate debate, promote civic awareness, and reinforce the
constitutional right of citizens to scrutinize public power.

It is also important to situate this discussion within the professional standing and public record of
the Center’s founder. Madi Jobarteh is a leading civil society actor and development specialist with
over three decades of experience in governance, human rights, and development work. He is widely
recognized within The Gambia and across the African continent for his sustained engagement on
issues of social justice, democratic governance, and public accountability.

Over the years, Madi Jobarteh has been a consistent and principled advocate for transparency, rule
of law, and citizen participation in governance both within The Gambia and beyond. His advocacy
has never been rooted in personal aggrandizement, but in the conviction that democratic
governance must be inclusive, participatory, and accountable to the people. The establishment of the
Edward Francis Small Center for Rights and Justice is therefore not incidental, but an embodiment of Madi Jobarteh’s long-standing beliefs and commitments.

It reflects a deliberate effort to contribute to the building of a better Gambia grounded in institutional accountability, civic responsibility, and democratic participation not one based on hero worship or personality cults reminiscent of the Jammeh era, which Gambians collectively rejected.