After dating for less than 3 months, Horejah Bala-Gaye and Alagie Barrow tied the knot last week in a low-key ceremony in Fajara attended by a selection of close friends and family.

A source close to the couple disclosed to What’s On-Gambia: “It was very quiet even some of their colleagues  at the Truth Reconciliation and Repatriations Commission (TRRC) were not invited. Horeja is a very private person.”

How they met

They both work at the TRRC, which was established and launched in October 2018 to look into alleged human rights violations during the 22-year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh. Horejah is the deputy lead counsel and Alagie, a former US soldier, is the chief investigator.

Through the course of working together and hanging out during breaks, an attraction grew. A source revealed: “I think Alagie was struck by her confidence and intelligence, as well as her looks.”

How they survived

The couple kept it quiet at first. A month later some of their colleagues began to notice they were more than friends and this nearly scared Horejah off. 

A source who once saw them at the Senegambia Strip said: “They were holding hands and smiling at each other."

Marriage

News of their marriage caused a buzz on What’s On-Gambia’s Facebook page and people were really divided

BE Jagne in Ireland wrote: “I don't know if I should congratulate them? Because dating each other shouldn't be encouraged at any work place. If I were the TRRC chairman, one of them would be asked to leave.”

Facebook user, Whizz Don Brezzy jokingly commented: “So the investigator was not only investigating the victims and witnesses but Horejah too.”

Popular political commentator, Saul Sarr said: “TRRC is not a dating hub, so very unprofessional from both of them. They should have at least waited till after the whole process before getting married.”

Jumping to the couple’s defence, Ebrima Ceesay in the USA wrote: “TRRC is not an organization but a committee setup to investigate and assist with the reconciliation. In a year or so there wouldn’t be any TRRC. As long as their marriage has no interference with the work they do, I see no reason why they shouldn’t be married.”

Horejah and Alagie have already adjusted to life as husband and wife, continuing to work at the TRRC with their respective responsibilities.