Gambia sacks 27 government officials accused of corruption

Authorities in Gambia have sacked 27 government officials including 10 permanent secretaries on suspicion of having fraudulently acquired official cars and other items.

The officials are being investigated by the National Intelligence Agency.

Nine former senior government officials and a local businessman were arrested and charged two weeks ago as part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption at the state-owned Gambia National Petroleum Company (GNPC).

President Yahya Jammeh has ruled the small West Africa country for almost two decades since seizing power in a bloodless coup.

Last month, while addressing thousands of supporters in Tallinding during his nationwide tour, Jammeh accused the Mandingo people of opposing his regime despite his achievements.

He described them as foreigners and warned that he will not hesitate to give orders to the army to eliminate them if they dare to protest against his regime.

Opposition and activists in the country said the autocratic leader is using state power as an instrument to clampdown on defenseless citizens.

The country is due to hold elections in December, when Jammeh will run for a fifth term.

Press Agency