By Demba Bah
Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe on Tuesday, March 4 dismissed concerns that the Belgian city of Ostend is set to sever ties with Banjul, following reports of financial mismanagement in a European Union-funded partnership between the two cities.
Speaking at a press conference held at Banjul City Council’s new office on Independence Drive, Lowe responded to a social media post that suggested Ostend would end its collaboration with Banjul by the end of the year. The post, which has circulated widely, stated that “for more than 20 years, there was collaboration between the two cities, but things have come to light in Banjul that raises concerns.”
The partnership, known as City Link Ostend-Banjul, was funded under the EU’s Local Authorities: Partnerships for Sustainable Cities program. Established to promote sustainable urban development, the initiative—branded Future Proof Banjul—ran from December 2019 to November 2024. The joint project between Ostend and BCC, focused on governance, environmental sustainability, waste management, and the revitalization of Crab Island as an innovation hub.
Scrutiny in Belgium
Despite the program’s ambitious goals, growing political pressure in Belgium has placed its future in doubt.
Vlaams Belang, a right-wing Flemish nationalist party, has pushed for the partnership’s termination, citing financial mismanagement.
Ostend City Council has acknowledged concerns about project expenditures, with reports suggesting that some funds were improperly allocated.
“Amounts have been paid for meetings, but no reports were ever drawn up,” said Alderman Maxim Donck, a councillor in Ostend. “We subsidised a waste processing company to place containers, but they were never installed. That money was used for other things.”
Donck also pointed to Ostend’s financial struggles, noting that the city faces a €260 million debt while dealing with shortages in childcare and disability services.
“The collaboration with Banjul costs us €200,000 annually,” he said.
Lowe, however, dismissed Donck’s remarks, saying he was a lone voice among Ostend’s 41 city councillors.
“He is the equivalent of a deputy mayor in Belgium’s system, but he cannot end the partnership on his own,” she said, adding that other councillors had assured her the relationship remained intact.
During the press conference, Lowe spoke for 34 minutes and 34 seconds in English and 24 minutes and 58 seconds in Wolof, a local language. However, she did not present any documents to support her claims, relying solely on verbal statements.
While acknowledging the authenticity of the social media post, Lowe maintained that the partnership had been beneficial to Banjul.
“This project has brought significant development to our city, and we remain committed to its objectives,” she said.
