Madi Jobarteh, Human Rights Defender and Founder Edward Francis Small Center For Rights and Justice
By Madi Jobarteh
Since 2021, Dr. Alieu Gibba and Prof. Matarr Njie have been noticed to be vocal against alleged corruption, unfair treatment of Gambian academic staff, poor working conditions, and poor leadership among other issues at the nation’s premier university. In fact, in July 2021, Gibba and the UTG Staff Association led a sit-down strike demanding solutions to a myriad of issues they claimed were affecting the university.
But ever since, the UTG leadership has been on these two gentlemen accusing them of damaging the reputation of the university.
While I agree that institutions have rules to guide the conduct of members which must be obeyed in full, these rules must also respect fundamental rights while serving to expose and correct wrongs in a fair and just manner. If UTG wants to have a good reputation then it must institute the highest levels of good governance, effective management and ensure high performance and delivery of its staff, lecturers and students.
I do not think it is right for the UTG Governing Council to ignore the issues being raised by Gibba and Njie and then rely on their ‘rules’ to claim damage and then punish these gentlemen for that matter. That would tantamount to weaponizing rules to silence divergent and dissenting opinions which is a fundamental right guaranteed by national and international law. UTG is obliged to uphold fundamental rights and freedoms, which includes academic freedom.
The issues that Gibba and Njie have been raising over the years are critical matters that go to the very heart of good governance, effective administration and institutional building which are indispensably necessary for any institution. Therefore, the UTG Governing Council and Administration are expected to openly, honestly and diligently review, and not to dismiss the issues being raised by Gibba and Njie. UTG needs staff like Gibba and Njie who would challenge issues and decisions and put the leadership on its toes so that the highest values and standards are followed and upheld. Hence, they must not be seen as a nuisance and shut down.
I demand that UTG reinstate Dr. Alieu Gibba and Prof. Matarr Njie immediately and set up an independent taskforce to hear and address the governance, management, academic and institutional issues being raised. This should have been the first line of action.
For The Gambia, Our Homeland