By Fatou Sillah
The National Assembly Member for Latrikunda Sabiji, Yahya Menteng Sanyang, has accused the Barrow administration of deliberately refusing to issue national identification documents to residents of Brufut Ghana Town, alleging that the decision is politically motivated ahead of upcoming elections.
Sanyang claimed the government’s actions are aimed at influencing voter registration and shaping electoral outcomes.
“I am telling the people of Brufut Ghana Town, it is not anybody but the Barrow administration that refused you documents, and they are doing this so that they can facilitate your registration to vote for them in the next presidential election,” he alleged.
According to the lawmaker, the government’s refusal to issue ID cards also contravenes The Gambia’s international obligations, particularly the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
He further recalled that residents of Ghana Town had been issued documentation under former President Yahya Jammeh’s administration, but these documents were subsequently revoked by the current government.
“If you can also remember very well, people, this particular community said the government will not issue them ID cards, but when it is time for the election, the same government will go there and tell them to give them voter cards so that they can be able to vote for them,” Sanyang added.
The parliamentarian urged the Barrow administration to uphold its legal and constitutional responsibilities by documenting and naturalizing stateless residents, noting that this is essential for protecting their rights and ensuring their full participation in national life.
“The government must act on these conventions to facilitate documentation for stateless citizens and to help them assimilate and naturalize them,” she said.