JOURNALISTS BARRED FROM PARLIAMENTARY PROBE INTO BORDER ISSUES
Journalists have been barred from covering the sittings of the National Assembly joint committee investigating the ongoing border crisis between The Gambia and Senegal.
A joint select committee comprising National Assembly committees such as foreign affairs, defence and security, regional government and Lands, was established last week, tasked to conduct a comprehensive and independent inquiry into the border dispute.
The committee already heard from Agriculture Minister Demba Sabally, Interior Minister Abdoulie Sanyang, Defence Minister Baboucarr Joof, National Security Adviser Abubakarr Suleiman Jeng as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Lands, and Regional Government.
However, the testimonies of these officials were not covered by the press.
Majority leader Billay G Tunkara who is one of the chairperson’s leading the committee said the sessions are not open to the media.
Asked why, he replied that it was a decision of the National Assembly that the sessions be restricted from the media due to “national security concerns.”
However, one member of the committee told The Standard that the restrictions represent a significant departure from traditional parliamentary practice and risks undermining the work of parliamentarians to scrutinise the executive on behalf of the public.
He said the Assembly always takes pride in being an open, transparent and accessible institution, arguing that these restrictions may taint that.
The committee is expected accompany the Border Commission to commence engagement with border communities on Thursday starting in Darsilami West Coast Region, which connects with the Southern part of Senegal.
Source: The Standard
