Gambia election: Bensouda challenges municipal inquiry in court
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Bénin Web TV
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, leader of the UNITE party and a candidate in the Gambian presidential election, has appealed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the findings of an inquiry into his management of Kanifing municipality. His candidacy for the 5 December election remains subject to a decision by the Independent Electoral Commission, reports Bénin Web TV.
Talib Ahmed Bensouda, former mayor of Kanifing and leader of the UNITE party, has appealed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the findings of an inquiry commission into his management of the municipality. He argues that the Gambian government's white paper does not constitute a legal obstacle to his presidential candidacy on 5 December.
The contested findings concern, among other things, spending authorisations, recruitment and public contracts. The government has accepted the commission's findings, while UNITE describes them as a political manoeuvre aimed at Bensouda's candidacy.
Bensouda resigned from the mayor's office with effect from 6 November, after eight years and five months at the helm of Kanifing. His party explained the resignation by the constitutional conditions required to run for the presidency.
The Independent Electoral Commission has yet to rule on Bensouda's eligibility. Gambian President Adama Barrow, for his part, plans to seek a third term on 5 December.
