Gambia's Auditor General, Modou Ceesay, was expelled from his office by police yesterday, Monday, September 15, while he was giving a press conference. The forceful intervention was aimed at installing his successor, Cherno Amadou Sowe.

Indeed, according to the Gambian Presidency, Mr. Ceesay had previously been appointed Minister of Trade. An appointment he initially accepted, before retracting.

 

"The goal was not a promotion, but rather to remove me from my position."

 

However, in the meantime, President Barrow had already appointed his replacement. For State House, there was no question of turning back. Mr. Sowe must take office.

Modou Ceesay doesn't see it that way. He says he never accepted the ministerial position offered by the president. "The allegations of promotion to a higher position were clearly not sincere. It is now clear that the objective was not a promotion, but rather to remove me from my position as Auditor General," he accused. The Presidency denies having such intentions.

She claims that Mr. Ceesay was appointed because of his qualifications and experience in the civil service, investment and finance.

A complaint will be filed with the Supreme Court

 

Lamine J. Darboe, counsel to the Auditor General, announced that he would file a complaint with the Supreme Court to challenge his client's dismissal. Mr. Ceesay is thus engaged in a legal battle with the Gambian government.

Let us recall that there is a law on the National Audit Office which guarantees the autonomy of the Auditor General and protects the office from any political interference.