President Barrow Rejects UNITE’s Claims, Defends Timing of Inquiry White Paper Publication

Written by: Dawda Baldeh

President Adama Barrow has rejected allegations of political bias surrounding the publication of the Government’s White Paper on the Local Government Commission of Inquiry, maintaining that the decision was made in accordance with constitutional requirements.

In a formal response dated 5th November 2026, addressed to UNITE Secretary General Dembo B. Kanteh, State House defended the timing of the publication, citing Section 203(a) of the Constitution, which requires the President to publish the commission’s report and the Government’s position within six months of receiving it.

According to the letter, the commission submitted its report on 11 May 2026, giving the Government until 11 November 2026 to fulfil its constitutional obligation.

Responding to suggestions that publication should have been delayed until after the presidential nomination period, State House maintained that constitutional deadlines could not be adjusted to accommodate the political timetable of any candidate.

“The Government could not lawfully have deferred publication beyond that period by reference to the nomination programme of any intending candidate, including His Excellency,” the letter stated.

The response also addressed the legal challenge brought by Kanifing Municipal Council Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, who appealed against the commission’s adverse findings in June 2026.

State House noted that the matter remains before the courts and argued that it would be inappropriate for the President to comment further on the findings or seek to amend or clarify them while the appeal is pending.

“The Report is, for the purposes of that appeal, to be treated as if it were a judgment of the High Court,” the letter stated, citing Supreme Court precedent.

“It would be improper for His Excellency to comment further on them, or to ‘correct’ or ‘clarify’ the record concerning them, while the appeal is pending.”

State House further maintained that the White Paper represents the Government’s official position on the commission’s findings and does not constitute a court judgment or a final determination of any candidate’s eligibility under Section 62 of the Constitution.

It emphasised that determining whether a prospective candidate meets the constitutional requirements for nomination falls within the mandate of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

“His Excellency remains committed to free, fair and peaceful elections, to the independence of the Independent Electoral Commission and of the courts, and to the equal treatment of all candidates under the law,” the letter concluded.