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Gambia: Out Goes Mayor Gomez and In Comes Njai

The Gambia Radio and Television Services, GRTS, late on Monday evening announced the immediate removal of the acting Mayor of the Kanifing Municipal Council, The Gambia’s biggest. The news broadcast, however did not say why Mr. Francis was removed from the position, for which he had been acting since 2005. Just a few days earlier on Friday 13th April, Mr. Gomez was seen very busy in organizing a mass manifestation in celebration of President Jammeh’s “breakthrough in the cure of AIDS,” organized by ruling party supporters living in his municipality. In the course of the program Mr. Gomez had even received public commendation from President Jammeh. But just a day later, on Saturday 14th April, at another program held to celebrate the ruling party’s recent electoral victories, President Jammeh made insinuations that someone at the KMC “had been taught a lesson.” Few knew then that he was referring to the Acting Mayor. Mr. Gomez has been a member of the ruling APRC party for many years and stood as councilor in the 2003 local government elections winning the seat for the Jeswang ward. He served as Deputy Mayor for long under the former Mayor, Mr. Abdoulai Conteh.

 According to the news broadcast, monitored in Banjul, Mr. Gomez is being replaced by Mr. Alieu Momarr Njai, the current IEC Commissioner in charge of Upper River Region (URR).The 72 year old Mr. Njai has been a very active socialite, having been an active scout member for a period of 60 years and being a prominent member of the Gambia Muslim community. In August of last year, a month before the presidential election, he was appointed Commissioner of IEC responsible for legal matters as well as the data bank. Many who know Mr. Njai call him a “principled no-nonsense man” and welcome his new appointment. Some however wonder if Mr. Njai, who is a known APRC supporter, can survive the rivalry, in-fighting and bickering that has entangled the over-politicized council administration.