Gambia councillors reject bid to remove Mayor Bensouda
15 councillors voted against the government's recommendation to remove the mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council.
Councillors at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) voted on Thursday to reject the government's recommendation to remove Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda from office. During a council meeting, 15 councillors voted against the removal, two abstained, and one voted in favour. This decision follows deliberations on the government's proposed action against the mayor.
Mayor Bensouda stated that the dispute originated from allegations against a former KMC Chief Executive Officer in 2020 and 2021. He claimed a joint investigation by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Local Government vindicated the council's concerns, but alleged the government proceeded with a Presidential Commission of Inquiry, which he described as political retaliation.
The mayor questioned the timing and conclusions of the White Paper, noting the commission finished its work months before the report was released. He argued the commission identified broader administrative challenges, not personal liability, and renewed calls for decentralisation reforms to grant local governments more authority. Bensouda stressed KMC's autonomy as an elected institution.
Why it mattersThe elected representatives of the Kanifing Municipal Council have shown strong backing for Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda, rejecting a government recommendation for his removal.