Ismaila Fadera, the newly elected President of the 24th Executive Council of the University of The Gambia Students’ Union (UTGSU), was scheduled to be administered his oath of office on the evening of May 16, 2026. This significant event, marking the formal commencement of the new leadership's term, was anticipated by the student body as a moment of unity and transition. The inauguration, however, experienced significant division and discord as the remaining 10 members of the Executive Council, all elected under The Solutionists-Salvation Coalition banner, conspicuously abstained from the ceremony. These members, representing a substantial portion of the incoming leadership, turned their backs on the proceedings in a powerful demonstration of solidarity with Sports Minister-elect Cherno MB Jallow. Their collective absence showed a deep rift within the new administration even before it had officially begun its work, raising immediate questions about the viability and cohesion of the 24th Executive Council.
The Nominee's Credentials and Unjustified Rejection
The core of this unprecedented division stemmed from the treatment of Sports Minister-elect Cherno MB Jallow. He had been denied the prerogative to appoint his preferred deputy, Modou Lamin Jallow, who is widely known by his popular moniker, Arturo. This denial, a key point of contention, ignited the protests that overshadowed the inauguration. Arturo's professional and leadership credentials within student governance are extensive and well-documented, making his rejection particularly perplexing to his supporters and The Solutionists-Salvation Coalition.
Arturo's history of involvement in student governance is both broad and deep, showcasing a consistent commitment to student welfare and organizational development. He served with distinction as a Sports Committee Member across three different executive councils for the University of The Gambia Students’ Union (UTGSU) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Students’ Association (SoSHSA). Specifically, his service extended to the 21st, 22nd, and 17th Executive Councils, indicating a sustained engagement and a wealth of institutional knowledge regarding the functioning of these bodies. This multi-term involvement provided him with invaluable experience in coordinating and executing sports-related activities, a critical component of student life.
Beyond his direct committee work, Arturo also held a key position on the Technical and Logistics Committee of the 23rd Executive Council of UTGSU. In this capacity, he was instrumental in ensuring the smooth operation of various union initiatives, demonstrating his organizational prowess and ability to handle the practicalities of large-scale student events. His leadership capabilities were further demonstrated in 2022 when he successfully led the SoSHSA football team to a resounding victory in the highly competitive Vice Chancellor Football Tournament. This achievement not only noted his strategic acumen and motivational skills but also solidified his reputation as a capable leader within the student community. His supporters argue that such a track record should have made him an undeniable choice for a deputy position, especially one within the sports ministry.
A Troubling Double Standard in Appointments
The decision to reject Modou Lamin Jallow (Arturo) came from a powerful bloc within the incoming administration. President Ismaila Fadera, alongside Vice President-elect Adama Ndow, Secretary General-elect Muhammed Bah, Information and Communications Minister-elect Ebrima Mbaye, Education and Research Minister-elect Fatou Darboe, and Auditor General-elect Isatou Bah, collectively rejected Arturo's nomination. This rejection occurred despite Arturo's extensive and proven background in student governance, which many believed made him an ideal candidate for the role. The decision by these officials stood in stark contrast to practices observed during the preceding 23rd Executive Council, drawing accusations of a troubling double standard.
The 23rd Executive Council notably embraced a more inclusive policy of cross-camp appointments, fostering an environment where talent and commitment were prioritized over political affiliation. For instance, the Finance Minister of the 23rd Executive Council appointed the campaign manager for the UTG Inter-School Alliance for Change Campaign (2025) as his Deputy Finance Minister. This specific instance clearly indicated a willingness to integrate individuals from different political affiliations within the student body, recognizing their contributions regardless of their campaign allegiances. This previous council's approach allowed for broader inclusion and aimed to harness the best available talent for the benefit of the entire student community, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. The current leadership's decision to exclude Arturo, despite his qualifications and the precedent set by the 23rd Executive Council, has therefore been interpreted as a regressive step, undermining principles of meritocracy and inclusivity.
The ministers who chose to walk out of the inauguration ceremony were all members of The Coalition, the same political alliance as Sports Minister-elect Cherno MB Jallow and his proposed deputy, Modou Lamin Jallow (Arturo). Their unified departure, a dramatic and highly visible act of protest, noted a clear and immediate division within the student union leadership. This schism centered squarely on the decision to exclude Arturo from a deputy position, signaling a breakdown in trust and cooperation from the very outset of the new administration. The solidarity shown by these 10 members shows the depth of their conviction regarding the injustice of Arturo's rejection and their commitment to their political alliance.
Implications for Student Governance and UTGSU's Future
The division within the University of The Gambia Students’ Union (UTGSU) has immediate and broad implications for the effective functioning of its 24th Executive Council. Of the 21 members that constitute the 24th Executive Council, excluding the Justice Minister, only 11 proceeded to take their oaths of office. This means that a significant portion of the executive body, nearly half of its total membership, has not been officially sworn in, noting a substantial leadership vacuum at the outset of the new term. The abstention of these 10 elected members, all from The Solutionists-Salvation Coalition, leaves key ministerial positions unfilled or lacking official mandate, creating an immediate governance crisis.
The absence of these officials, including the Sports Minister-elect Cherno MB Jallow himself, suggests potential and significant challenges in implementing student programs and initiatives. This is particularly true for those requiring broad executive consensus or specific ministerial oversight. The Sports Ministry, for example, is key for student welfare and engagement, and its leadership vacuum could directly impact student life. The UTGSU's ability to represent the student body effectively may also be severely impacted by this internal discord, as a fractured leadership could struggle to present a unified front on campus issues, dilute its advocacy efforts, and lose credibility among the students it purports to serve. The inaugural ceremony's outcome indicates a challenging period for the newly sworn-in President Ismaila Fadera and his administration as they navigate governance with a partially constituted executive. This internal strife risks paralyzing the union's operations, hindering its capacity to address student concerns, organize events, and fulfill its mandate to advocate for the student population. The path forward for the 24th Executive Council appears fraught with obstacles, demanding immediate and decisive action to bridge these divisions and restore functionality to the student union.
