A Gambian journalist has reportedly been questioned by state security officers and had his passport seized following his involvement in a community fundraising and cultural event attended by prominent political figures, according to claims made by a youth activist.
Omar Camara, spokesperson for the youth group GALA, said journalist Omar P. Jallow—who works with the state broadcaster GRTS and is attached to the Office of the Vice President—was taken in for questioning by state intelligence officials. He added that Jallow’s passport was later confiscated, preventing him from traveling with the vice president to the United States on Friday night.
According to Camara, the development stemmed from a village fundraising and cultural programme where Jallow served on the organising committee. The event reportedly extended invitations to opposition leader Talib Ahmed Bensouda of the Unite Movement for Change and Deputy Speaker Seedy SK Njie, who also serves as deputy spokesperson for the ruling National People’s Party.
Speaking to Kerr Fatou, Camara claimed tensions arose after Njie objected to Bensouda’s invitation. He further alleged that the situation escalated into accusations that Jallow was acting as an informant within the Vice President’s office—claims he said were later used to justify the questioning and seizure of the journalist’s travel documents.
“He was reported to the state as a spy within the Office of the Vice President,” Camara said. “He was supposed to travel with the Vice President to the US, but his passport was seized instead.”
Camara described the development as politically motivated intimidation, insisting that Jallow had no control over which guests the community chose to invite.
“This is just intimidation,” he said. “He cannot dictate who the village invites. If the community wants to invite Talib, that is their right.”
He also warned that the incident raised wider concerns about political tolerance and democratic freedoms. “This is a serious issue for democracy and elections when people are targeted over community decisions. It raises questions about the integrity of the process,” he said.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of the Unite Movement for Change, said he had verified the report and insisted that Jallow had done nothing wrong. He noted that his invitation to the event came directly from the community, not from the journalist.
“Let me be clear: Omar Jallow has done nothing wrong,” Bensouda said. “The village independently chose me as their guest for their annual festival. Even if he supported UMC, that is his democratic right.”
He added that intimidation should not be accepted in public life. “We must not normalise intimidation, and we must not allow fear to replace freedom,” he said.
Bensouda also urged President Adama Barrow not to seek another term in office, warning that current developments could reverse democratic gains. “I have repeatedly appealed to President Barrow: do not pursue a third term and drag this country backwards toward dictatorship,” he said.
Contacted by Kerr Fatou, Mr. Jallow declined to comment.
