Gambia–Senegal Border Tensions: UDP leader Ousainu Darboe urged President Adama Barrow to urgently engage Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to stop reported evictions of Gambian farmers, warning delays could worsen hardship during the rainy season. Judiciary Shake-up: The Gambia Bar Association has filed a Supreme Court challenge to the constitutional validity of the appointment of Chief Justice Edi Faal, while Faal has outlined a reform agenda focused on protecting judicial independence and improving efficiency. Education & Social Protection: SSHFC and NAQAA signed a five-year MoU to strengthen compliance with social security contributions in The Gambia’s tertiary and higher education sector. Skills Funding: President Barrow presided over awards of over D83m to 25 TVET institutions under the Skills, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fund with World Bank support. Community Support: BSIC Islamic Banking Window donated D275,000 to the Pipeline Mosque for renovation. US Visa Policy Impact: The US made its visa bond programme permanent, with The Gambia among affected countries, potentially requiring refundable deposits up to $20,000 for some B1/B2 applicants. Regional Mobility Note: A 2026 ranking on intra-African visa-free access places The Gambia among top performers for travel freedom within Africa.