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Gov’t grants $100M concession deal to Senegalese company for OIC 5-star hotel.
By Tabora Bojang
The Gambia Government has awarded a concession to Immoland Sarl, a Senegalese investment company to finance, build and operate a five-star hotel in The Gambia as part of preparations for the 2022 OIC summit.
The project, signed at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara conference hall yesterday, will require an investment of $100 million (D5, 100,000, 000).
“Immoland Sarl will invest $100 million to build, operate and transfer knowledge and capacity to Gambian youths,” the company chairman, Abdoulaye Thiam said at the signing ceremony.
According to Mr. Thiam, his desire to invest in Gambia came in May 2019, when he met President Barrow in Saudi Arabia.
“This investment is based on the spirit of creating and promoting inter-African cooperation, especially between Senegal and Gambia. It is my strong belief that we Africans should begin to promote trade and investments among ourselves instead of always depending on the foreign sources,” the Senegalese investor added.
President Adama Barrow in a statement read on his behalf by the vice president, Dr. Isatou Touray said the project when completed will not only provide excellent accommodation for OIC heads of state and delegates during the summit but also enhance The Gambia’s tourism potentials.
He said the occasion marks the strengthening of south-south cooperation and bilateral ties between the countries to “stimulate inclusive socio-economic development of our peoples.”
“However, given the short period of time available before the summit, I implore both parties to this agreement to immediately set to work and ensure smooth and timely implementation of this agreement. The concessionaire (Immoland Sarl) has the capacity to develop the proposed 5-star hotel,” Barrow assured.
OIC Gambia CEO, Yankuba Dibba said the hotel is one of the 5 key strategic milestones in Gambia’s journey towards hosting the 2022 summit of heads of state and government of the 57-member organisation (OIC).
Dibba, who described the project as a “win-win partnership” called for greater collaboration between concerned stakeholders to ensure the project is implemented within the expected timelines.
Tourism Minister, Hamat Bah said “everybody in government is committed to deliver” to ensure the country successfully hosts the summit, as he described President Barrow as an “action-oriented head of state” who only concerns himself with national development.
He disclosed that the project is the “biggest private sector investment in Gambia’s tourism industry” which took two years to negotiate.
“Therefore, the onus is on the contractor to prove himself with the task that he has undertaken. This is a government of action and when we say something, we mean it,” he added.
The Gambia Government has awarded a concession to Immoland Sarl, a Senegalese investment company to finance, build and operate a five-star hotel in The Gambia as part of preparations for the 2022 OIC summit.
The project, signed at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara conference hall yesterday, will require an investment of $100 million (D5, 100,000, 000).
“Immoland Sarl will invest $100 million to build, operate and transfer knowledge and capacity to Gambian youths,” the company chairman, Abdoulaye Thiam said at the signing ceremony.
According to Mr. Thiam, his desire to invest in Gambia came in May 2019, when he met President Barrow in Saudi Arabia.
“This investment is based on the spirit of creating and promoting inter-African cooperation, especially between Senegal and Gambia. It is my strong belief that we Africans should begin to promote trade and investments among ourselves instead of always depending on the foreign sources,” the Senegalese investor added.
President Adama Barrow in a statement read on his behalf by the vice president, Dr. Isatou Touray said the project when completed will not only provide excellent accommodation for OIC heads of state and delegates during the summit but also enhance The Gambia’s tourism potentials.
He said the occasion marks the strengthening of south-south cooperation and bilateral ties between the countries to “stimulate inclusive socio-economic development of our peoples.”
“However, given the short period of time available before the summit, I implore both parties to this agreement to immediately set to work and ensure smooth and timely implementation of this agreement. The concessionaire (Immoland Sarl) has the capacity to develop the proposed 5-star hotel,” Barrow assured.
OIC Gambia CEO, Yankuba Dibba said the hotel is one of the 5 key strategic milestones in Gambia’s journey towards hosting the 2022 summit of heads of state and government of the 57-member organisation (OIC).
Dibba, who described the project as a “win-win partnership” called for greater collaboration between concerned stakeholders to ensure the project is implemented within the expected timelines.
Tourism Minister, Hamat Bah said “everybody in government is committed to deliver” to ensure the country successfully hosts the summit, as he described President Barrow as an “action-oriented head of state” who only concerns himself with national development.
He disclosed that the project is the “biggest private sector investment in Gambia’s tourism industry” which took two years to negotiate.
“Therefore, the onus is on the contractor to prove himself with the task that he has undertaken. This is a government of action and when we say something, we mean it,” he added.
Darboe to cut gov’t spending by D80M if elected Apr 13, 2021, 11:50 AM | Article By: Yusupha Jobe.
The secretary general and leader for the United Democratic Party (UDP) has described the D80 million spent on other “peripheral” things as wasteful spending by President Adama Barrow administration, saying his government would divert this amount into the health sector.Lawyer Ousainou Darboe made these remarks over the weekend at a gathering as the country is being hit by spate of criminal activities including killings and drug trafficking.
He added that the unnecessary budgetary spending of the current government will not be allowed by the UDP leadership. He cited that some other financial spending by the Barrow administration is unnecessary, stressing that the D80 million unnecessary budgetary spending by the government will be taken into other useful sector such as the purchase of drugs for hospitals.
“We have seen how other unnecessary spending is being carried out by the Barrow government. The needless spending of 80 million dalasi by the current government into useless sectors will never be allowed by my government. It is very disheartening to hear that hospitals do even lack gloves for nurses and doctors and the high rate of death during delivery in our health care system.”
He urged Gambians to rescue their country from President Adama Barrow’s leadership amid increase in drug trafficking and murder cases.
“The Gambia is becoming the transit point for drug trafficking. And why will we have containers loaded with drugs shipped into the country? If any country is seen as a transit point for drug trafficking, crime rate and other illegal activities will continue to persist.
“So it is high time the country is rescued from individuals who do not care about the security of their own people and give it to a government that will not allow the country to be used as transit point for drug and gun trafficking including illicit criminal activities.”
“We have seen how guns were illegally imported into the country and till today, no proper explanation has been made by the government. This country will not be used as drug transit point and other criminal activities under the United Democratic Party’s leadership; it will be protected from that,” Darboe assured.
“What a country are we living in? Even school children find it difficult to arrive early in schools for classes and buses were given by the Turkey’s government for school children. So are those buses meant for our children?,” he queried.
He added that the unnecessary budgetary spending of the current government will not be allowed by the UDP leadership. He cited that some other financial spending by the Barrow administration is unnecessary, stressing that the D80 million unnecessary budgetary spending by the government will be taken into other useful sector such as the purchase of drugs for hospitals.
“We have seen how other unnecessary spending is being carried out by the Barrow government. The needless spending of 80 million dalasi by the current government into useless sectors will never be allowed by my government. It is very disheartening to hear that hospitals do even lack gloves for nurses and doctors and the high rate of death during delivery in our health care system.”
He urged Gambians to rescue their country from President Adama Barrow’s leadership amid increase in drug trafficking and murder cases.
“The Gambia is becoming the transit point for drug trafficking. And why will we have containers loaded with drugs shipped into the country? If any country is seen as a transit point for drug trafficking, crime rate and other illegal activities will continue to persist.
“So it is high time the country is rescued from individuals who do not care about the security of their own people and give it to a government that will not allow the country to be used as transit point for drug and gun trafficking including illicit criminal activities.”
“We have seen how guns were illegally imported into the country and till today, no proper explanation has been made by the government. This country will not be used as drug transit point and other criminal activities under the United Democratic Party’s leadership; it will be protected from that,” Darboe assured.
“What a country are we living in? Even school children find it difficult to arrive early in schools for classes and buses were given by the Turkey’s government for school children. So are those buses meant for our children?,” he queried.
Sillaba accuses opposition of distorting his comments on ingenuine Barrow supporters
APRIL 13, 2021.
A few days after his attack on what he called wolves in sheep’s clothing surrounding President Barrow, business tycoon Sillaba Samateh yesterday told The Standard that opposition politicians have used different platforms to give his comments a different meaning.
“I was speaking against some selfish practices of some people who are not genuine supporters of Barrow but are only looking for money and are fighting genuine supporters who are willing to invest time and money to support the president’s agenda in developing the country. I did not direct my comments to everyone in the party as the opposition is implying,” he said.
Sillaba added that what he actually meant is that President Adama Barrow did not deserve any form of betrayal or pretension from anyone since he cares for everyone including his enemies. He described Barrow as a rare leader who has no discrimination in his agenda and therefore does not deserve supporters who are not genuine.
Samateh praised Barrow for his focus and urged Gambians to genuinely support the president to consolidate the democratic system he is operating which embraces all Gambians regardless of political differences.
“I was speaking against some selfish practices of some people who are not genuine supporters of Barrow but are only looking for money and are fighting genuine supporters who are willing to invest time and money to support the president’s agenda in developing the country. I did not direct my comments to everyone in the party as the opposition is implying,” he said.
Sillaba added that what he actually meant is that President Adama Barrow did not deserve any form of betrayal or pretension from anyone since he cares for everyone including his enemies. He described Barrow as a rare leader who has no discrimination in his agenda and therefore does not deserve supporters who are not genuine.
Samateh praised Barrow for his focus and urged Gambians to genuinely support the president to consolidate the democratic system he is operating which embraces all Gambians regardless of political differences.
Supreme Court okays Gambia National Guards’ police duties
APRIL 13, 2021.
By Bruce Asemota
The Supreme Court of the Gambia presided over by Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow and four other justices, have declared that the Gambia National Guards’ performance of police duties does not contravene constitutional regulations.
The Supreme Court decision came in a judgment delivered recently in a suit filed by one Dr. Ousman Gajigo against the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Dr. Gajigo wanted the Supreme Court to order the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to advise the Government to cease the deployment of The Gambia Armed Forces (National Guards) at checkpoints and exercising police duties and functions during peace times.
Dr. Gajigo also wanted the Supreme Court to make a declaration that the said regulations are inconsistent and in direct conflict with the letter and spirit of Sections 187 and 188 of the Constitution.
Dr. Gajigo proffered arguments in support of the contention and recounted an incident on the 1st May 2019 at Kalagi military checkpoint and noted that the actions of the soldier threatened him and amounted to a serious violation of his constitutional rights.
The Supreme Court in its judgment declared that the operational use of the Armed Forces in the Gambia is consistent with the letter and spirit of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court also declared that Dr. Gajigo did not show the inconsistency or conflict of the said regulations with the letter and spirit of Sections 187 and 188 of the Constitution to warrant the said court to make an order or a declaration for the government to cease deployment of the members of the Gambia Armed Forces at checkpoints.
The Supreme Court of the Gambia presided over by Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow and four other justices, have declared that the Gambia National Guards’ performance of police duties does not contravene constitutional regulations.
The Supreme Court decision came in a judgment delivered recently in a suit filed by one Dr. Ousman Gajigo against the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Dr. Gajigo wanted the Supreme Court to order the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to advise the Government to cease the deployment of The Gambia Armed Forces (National Guards) at checkpoints and exercising police duties and functions during peace times.
Dr. Gajigo also wanted the Supreme Court to make a declaration that the said regulations are inconsistent and in direct conflict with the letter and spirit of Sections 187 and 188 of the Constitution.
Dr. Gajigo proffered arguments in support of the contention and recounted an incident on the 1st May 2019 at Kalagi military checkpoint and noted that the actions of the soldier threatened him and amounted to a serious violation of his constitutional rights.
The Supreme Court in its judgment declared that the operational use of the Armed Forces in the Gambia is consistent with the letter and spirit of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court also declared that Dr. Gajigo did not show the inconsistency or conflict of the said regulations with the letter and spirit of Sections 187 and 188 of the Constitution to warrant the said court to make an order or a declaration for the government to cease deployment of the members of the Gambia Armed Forces at checkpoints.
DARBOE ALLEGES GOV’T TARGETING PERCEIVED UDP CHIEFS, CIVIL SERVANTS Dou Sanno says Darboe admits working with saboteurs
APRIL 13, 2021.
By Omar Bah
The leader of the United Democratic Party has accused government of targeting perceived sympathisers of his party for removal from positions. He said these include chiefs, alkalolu, members of the security forces, and the civil service.
“I received reports that three natives of Jambur – all important persons in the NPP conspired to go to the Minister of Local Government to inform him that the chief of Gunjur, Lamin Darboe should be sacked because he is UDP.
They want the chieftaincy to be given to a Jambur native who is supporting the NPP so that the whole of Jambur can come to the NPP,” Ousainu Darboe told the UDP media.
This, he added, is because “they couldn’t manage to manipulate Chief Darboe. This is a very dirty thing that we have all fought against”, he complained.
Darboe alleged that even the new IGP Abdoulie Sanyang was vetted to establish whether he sympathises with UDP before he was finally appointed.
He further alleged that the former DG of GRTS, Abdou Touray was removed and moved to the information ministry because he was suspected of being a UDP supporter.
Darboe promised that a UDP government will “not target people perceived to be its opponents in government positions”.
TRRC
The former vice president also expressed hope that President Barrow would implement the truth commission’s report once it is ready. He said if President Barrow fails to implement the TRRC recommendation, a UDP government will ensure that those who committed crimes have their day in court.
“But I see no reason why Gambians should think that the Barrow administration wouldn’t take the necessary steps to implement the TRRC recommendations. They don’t even need to wait for the TRRC recommendations because we have people who have already confessed to murder and is therefore logical that the TRRC is not expected to recommend for those people to go scot free. So, do we have to wait for that? I want to believe that when they present their recommendations even before December, President Adama Barrow will take action because he should take action. When the TRRC presents these recommendations in August, he would have up to January to take action if he is not voted out in December,” Darboe noted.
The UDP leader also lamented that some soldiers who confessed to carrying out killings on the orders of former president Yahya Jammeh are still serving members of the army.
“Murderers should not be donning those dresses. That is my view. They will hate hearing what I’m saying but that is the right thing to do,” he said.
Janneh Commission
Darboe added that “a UDP government will revisit the decision of the current government and take action where necessary”.
“I will certainly tell my Attorney General to file action to court against whoever has been ordered to pay anything and we will use the report of the Janneh Commission as evidence so that no court will say there were no court orders. But before anything, we will seek advice from our state lawyers and we will go by any advice they give us,” he said.
Dou Sanno reacts
Meanwhile presidential adviser and strong Barrow supporter, Dou Sanno has described Mr Darboe’s comments as ‘quite interesting.’
“If anything, it goes to tell us all that indeed Mr. Darboe fully knows and admits that there are people in the system who are not faithful to their work because they are politically against Barrow who heads the government. Darboe is trying to play a mind game with the system so that when those saboteurs, who are secretly working with him are discovered and removed, he would say I said this before,” Dou Sanno said. He further said he has never heard Barrow threaten to sack any chief or alkalo and accused Lawyer Darboe of again trying to influence the local authorities to deny eligible Gambians of voter cards in the coming registration by creating the impression that the government has targeted them.
Sanno said he is surprised that Mr. Darboe, who himself played a key role in the establishment of the transitional justice programmes such as the Janneh Commission and the TRRC, is today making skeptical comments about government’s handling of their affairs.
“Once he is no longer part of government, he started raising objections that he did not previously raise when he was in office,” Dou Sanno said. He said Mr. Darboe can only and should now wait and see how the president will treat the TRRC recommendations. He accused Darboe of selective criticism of the Janneh commission report implementation such as the case of Momodou Sabally, simply because Sabally has now become a UDP supporter.
“But I must say this, both me and President Barrow are always constrained to respond to Mr. Darboe because of the huge respect we continue to have for him. I only come out to clarify when he makes statements that we consider to be out of context or made for cheap political gains,” Dou Sanno said.
The leader of the United Democratic Party has accused government of targeting perceived sympathisers of his party for removal from positions. He said these include chiefs, alkalolu, members of the security forces, and the civil service.
“I received reports that three natives of Jambur – all important persons in the NPP conspired to go to the Minister of Local Government to inform him that the chief of Gunjur, Lamin Darboe should be sacked because he is UDP.
They want the chieftaincy to be given to a Jambur native who is supporting the NPP so that the whole of Jambur can come to the NPP,” Ousainu Darboe told the UDP media.
This, he added, is because “they couldn’t manage to manipulate Chief Darboe. This is a very dirty thing that we have all fought against”, he complained.
Darboe alleged that even the new IGP Abdoulie Sanyang was vetted to establish whether he sympathises with UDP before he was finally appointed.
He further alleged that the former DG of GRTS, Abdou Touray was removed and moved to the information ministry because he was suspected of being a UDP supporter.
Darboe promised that a UDP government will “not target people perceived to be its opponents in government positions”.
TRRC
The former vice president also expressed hope that President Barrow would implement the truth commission’s report once it is ready. He said if President Barrow fails to implement the TRRC recommendation, a UDP government will ensure that those who committed crimes have their day in court.
“But I see no reason why Gambians should think that the Barrow administration wouldn’t take the necessary steps to implement the TRRC recommendations. They don’t even need to wait for the TRRC recommendations because we have people who have already confessed to murder and is therefore logical that the TRRC is not expected to recommend for those people to go scot free. So, do we have to wait for that? I want to believe that when they present their recommendations even before December, President Adama Barrow will take action because he should take action. When the TRRC presents these recommendations in August, he would have up to January to take action if he is not voted out in December,” Darboe noted.
The UDP leader also lamented that some soldiers who confessed to carrying out killings on the orders of former president Yahya Jammeh are still serving members of the army.
“Murderers should not be donning those dresses. That is my view. They will hate hearing what I’m saying but that is the right thing to do,” he said.
Janneh Commission
Darboe added that “a UDP government will revisit the decision of the current government and take action where necessary”.
“I will certainly tell my Attorney General to file action to court against whoever has been ordered to pay anything and we will use the report of the Janneh Commission as evidence so that no court will say there were no court orders. But before anything, we will seek advice from our state lawyers and we will go by any advice they give us,” he said.
Dou Sanno reacts
Meanwhile presidential adviser and strong Barrow supporter, Dou Sanno has described Mr Darboe’s comments as ‘quite interesting.’
“If anything, it goes to tell us all that indeed Mr. Darboe fully knows and admits that there are people in the system who are not faithful to their work because they are politically against Barrow who heads the government. Darboe is trying to play a mind game with the system so that when those saboteurs, who are secretly working with him are discovered and removed, he would say I said this before,” Dou Sanno said. He further said he has never heard Barrow threaten to sack any chief or alkalo and accused Lawyer Darboe of again trying to influence the local authorities to deny eligible Gambians of voter cards in the coming registration by creating the impression that the government has targeted them.
Sanno said he is surprised that Mr. Darboe, who himself played a key role in the establishment of the transitional justice programmes such as the Janneh Commission and the TRRC, is today making skeptical comments about government’s handling of their affairs.
“Once he is no longer part of government, he started raising objections that he did not previously raise when he was in office,” Dou Sanno said. He said Mr. Darboe can only and should now wait and see how the president will treat the TRRC recommendations. He accused Darboe of selective criticism of the Janneh commission report implementation such as the case of Momodou Sabally, simply because Sabally has now become a UDP supporter.
“But I must say this, both me and President Barrow are always constrained to respond to Mr. Darboe because of the huge respect we continue to have for him. I only come out to clarify when he makes statements that we consider to be out of context or made for cheap political gains,” Dou Sanno said.
Dozens arrested over attack on immigration post,the gambia, 12/04/2021.
Apr 12, 2021, 11:32 AM | Article By: Momodou Jawo
Mamanding Dibba, the spokesperson of The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has confirmed the arrest of dozens of people in connection with an attack on the Gunjur Immigration Post. The arrestees include one person who was identified as taking part in the actImmigration officers were attacked at their seaside post in Gunjur early Friday morning. At least three officers were injured as the attackers were said to be carrying cutlasses. PRO Dibba told The Point that 18 out of the 39 arrested are being subjected to ‘thorough’ investigation.
Dibba said: “Following the attack on the immigration post in Gunjur in the early hours of Friday, the hunt for the perpetrators of this heinous act intensified. And as the hunt for them intensified, last evening towards the night, 39 people were arrested. Out of this 39, 18 people stand out to be subjects of thorough investigation.
“These people were taken to the security base that was used by the joint taskforce that is currently working in the area as part of Operation Zero Crime and several investigations were done on these 18 people. It happened interestingly that one person was identified during an identification parade, as somebody who was in fact involved in the act in that early morning.
As the same search for them continued, the security forces in the area mounted some raids on particular areas within Gunjur and the surrounding area and during this operation, certain tools or weapons similar to those that were used in the attack in Gunjur were discovered in a particular building.”
“However, no person was arrested at that point. But later, in the early hours of today, officers in the area, joint security forces, conducted a similar early morning raid on the same facility and five people were arrested in that spot were those weapons were discovered.”
Mamanding Dibba, the spokesperson of The Gambia Immigration Department (GID) has confirmed the arrest of dozens of people in connection with an attack on the Gunjur Immigration Post. The arrestees include one person who was identified as taking part in the actImmigration officers were attacked at their seaside post in Gunjur early Friday morning. At least three officers were injured as the attackers were said to be carrying cutlasses. PRO Dibba told The Point that 18 out of the 39 arrested are being subjected to ‘thorough’ investigation.
Dibba said: “Following the attack on the immigration post in Gunjur in the early hours of Friday, the hunt for the perpetrators of this heinous act intensified. And as the hunt for them intensified, last evening towards the night, 39 people were arrested. Out of this 39, 18 people stand out to be subjects of thorough investigation.
“These people were taken to the security base that was used by the joint taskforce that is currently working in the area as part of Operation Zero Crime and several investigations were done on these 18 people. It happened interestingly that one person was identified during an identification parade, as somebody who was in fact involved in the act in that early morning.
As the same search for them continued, the security forces in the area mounted some raids on particular areas within Gunjur and the surrounding area and during this operation, certain tools or weapons similar to those that were used in the attack in Gunjur were discovered in a particular building.”
“However, no person was arrested at that point. But later, in the early hours of today, officers in the area, joint security forces, conducted a similar early morning raid on the same facility and five people were arrested in that spot were those weapons were discovered.”
Ferries gets first ever General Manager
APRIL 12, 2021.
By Lamin Cham
The Gambia Ferries Services, a subsidiary of the Gambia Ports Authority, has for the first time got its own General Manager. He is Lamin Jawara, 45, a marine engineer who until his appointment Friday was Officer- In Charge of Ferries.
Jawara, the only Gambian chartered marine engineer, served 24 years at Ferries rising through the ranks from cadet engineer, manager, and director of technical among other positions.
Following the demise of the former OIC, Jammeh, a few months ago, Jawara was appointed OIC, and on Friday, April 9 he was appointed General Manager, the first in the history of the institution.
Contacted by The Standard on how to improve the services of the ferries across the many crossing points on the River Gambia, Jawara said he and his team would continue stabilising the service by making the three boats on the Banjul-Barra route regularly available and in good shape. ”Already, we have increased the operational hours of the boats (6 am to 11 PM from the older 7 am to 9 PM schedule). We have also fixed an hourly departure schedule on the Banjul end of the route, which has the biggest traffic and would soon have one from the Barra end too. We also increased the tonnage from 30 to 50 tons with a realizable plan to increase it to 60. All these have led to maximizing of revenue of up to 25 percent in the last few months alone,” the new GM said.
Asked about his plans and priorities, Jawara said the top priority is to get a new ferry while keeping the Kanilai, Johe, and Kunta Kinteh in good condition and service in addition to maintaining the provincial fleet.
“With the building of the Sene-Gambia Bridge the boats there have been deployed to the three crossing points in the provinces, Jangjangbureh Island, Basse-Wuli, and Fatoto-Basse. Our vision is to keep this provincial fleet to standard at all times,” he said.
Mr Jawara said there are strong plans to open new ferry crossing points on the River Gambia, notably the Kartong-Kaabajo crossing which links Gambia and Casamance in Senegal.
“This place is a very important crossing that would also boost transit trade and even tourism,” Jawara noted.
Lamin Jawara comes from Kerewan and holds a BSc and master’s degree in marine engineering specializing in marine technology. He briefly worked in the New York ferry services in the US but decided to return to The Gambia in the wake of the Ferry Lander crisis last year.
Mr. Jawara led a team to replace the Landers in a shorter space of time than projected to allow ferry services to resume.
The Gambia Ferries Services, a subsidiary of the Gambia Ports Authority, has for the first time got its own General Manager. He is Lamin Jawara, 45, a marine engineer who until his appointment Friday was Officer- In Charge of Ferries.
Jawara, the only Gambian chartered marine engineer, served 24 years at Ferries rising through the ranks from cadet engineer, manager, and director of technical among other positions.
Following the demise of the former OIC, Jammeh, a few months ago, Jawara was appointed OIC, and on Friday, April 9 he was appointed General Manager, the first in the history of the institution.
Contacted by The Standard on how to improve the services of the ferries across the many crossing points on the River Gambia, Jawara said he and his team would continue stabilising the service by making the three boats on the Banjul-Barra route regularly available and in good shape. ”Already, we have increased the operational hours of the boats (6 am to 11 PM from the older 7 am to 9 PM schedule). We have also fixed an hourly departure schedule on the Banjul end of the route, which has the biggest traffic and would soon have one from the Barra end too. We also increased the tonnage from 30 to 50 tons with a realizable plan to increase it to 60. All these have led to maximizing of revenue of up to 25 percent in the last few months alone,” the new GM said.
Asked about his plans and priorities, Jawara said the top priority is to get a new ferry while keeping the Kanilai, Johe, and Kunta Kinteh in good condition and service in addition to maintaining the provincial fleet.
“With the building of the Sene-Gambia Bridge the boats there have been deployed to the three crossing points in the provinces, Jangjangbureh Island, Basse-Wuli, and Fatoto-Basse. Our vision is to keep this provincial fleet to standard at all times,” he said.
Mr Jawara said there are strong plans to open new ferry crossing points on the River Gambia, notably the Kartong-Kaabajo crossing which links Gambia and Casamance in Senegal.
“This place is a very important crossing that would also boost transit trade and even tourism,” Jawara noted.
Lamin Jawara comes from Kerewan and holds a BSc and master’s degree in marine engineering specializing in marine technology. He briefly worked in the New York ferry services in the US but decided to return to The Gambia in the wake of the Ferry Lander crisis last year.
Mr. Jawara led a team to replace the Landers in a shorter space of time than projected to allow ferry services to resume.
Deportees, refugees outraged over police refusal to grant permit
APRIL 12, 2021.
By Omar Bah
The Office of the Inspector General of Police has denied permit to a group backed by the Gambia Refugees Association – Europe branch to stage a peaceful protest against the deportation of Gambian migrants.
Hundreds of Gambian migrants have been deported over the past four years mainly from Germany under the “good practice document” signed by the Gambia government and the European Union to accept the deportation of Gambians from Germany.
Overall, Germany intends to deport at least 4,000 Gambians whose asylum claims were rejected. In the German region of Baden Württemberg alone, there are over 15,000 registered Gambian asylum seekers of whom, at least 4,000 have been rejected.
Concerned about the trend of deportations, the Gambia Refugees Association – Europe Branch in collaboration with the Concerned Gambian Group in The Gambia sought permission from the police to protest against the deportations.
In a letter signed by AIG Ebrima Bah, the police said they cannot grant the group’s permit because the date they intend to hold the protest falls within the Covid-19 restriction period.
But in a protest letter shared with The Standard, the Gambia Refugees Association said: “We write to express dismay at the decision of the Gambia Police Force for denying us a permit to hold a peaceful protest in wake of recent deportations especially from Germany.”
The group said they applied for the permit since 27th January 2021 but they only received a reply on 31st March 2021 from the police.
“Our position is that the Covid-19 restrictions are not being respected and are not implemented. The Government of Adama Barrow cannot use the police to deter us from protesting when they are the first to violate the restrictions. This is unfair as we have seen them granting permit to political parties to hold rallies, tours, congresses, meetings, etc including the president’s party. Also, the police have granted permit to musicians to launch their albums as recent as on 9th April amidst the Covid-19 pandemic,” the group argued
It added: “If the police were serious, they would have advised the government to tell the European Union to stop deportations due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
“Therefore, we are calling on all political party leaders to support us in this course and tell the government and the police the truth. Let the police issue us a permit or else we will do our peaceful protest without permit as guaranteed by the Constitution. We will not announce the date of protest but we will organize among ourselves and do the peaceful protest anytime from now if they refuse to issue us a permit.”
The Office of the Inspector General of Police has denied permit to a group backed by the Gambia Refugees Association – Europe branch to stage a peaceful protest against the deportation of Gambian migrants.
Hundreds of Gambian migrants have been deported over the past four years mainly from Germany under the “good practice document” signed by the Gambia government and the European Union to accept the deportation of Gambians from Germany.
Overall, Germany intends to deport at least 4,000 Gambians whose asylum claims were rejected. In the German region of Baden Württemberg alone, there are over 15,000 registered Gambian asylum seekers of whom, at least 4,000 have been rejected.
Concerned about the trend of deportations, the Gambia Refugees Association – Europe Branch in collaboration with the Concerned Gambian Group in The Gambia sought permission from the police to protest against the deportations.
In a letter signed by AIG Ebrima Bah, the police said they cannot grant the group’s permit because the date they intend to hold the protest falls within the Covid-19 restriction period.
But in a protest letter shared with The Standard, the Gambia Refugees Association said: “We write to express dismay at the decision of the Gambia Police Force for denying us a permit to hold a peaceful protest in wake of recent deportations especially from Germany.”
The group said they applied for the permit since 27th January 2021 but they only received a reply on 31st March 2021 from the police.
“Our position is that the Covid-19 restrictions are not being respected and are not implemented. The Government of Adama Barrow cannot use the police to deter us from protesting when they are the first to violate the restrictions. This is unfair as we have seen them granting permit to political parties to hold rallies, tours, congresses, meetings, etc including the president’s party. Also, the police have granted permit to musicians to launch their albums as recent as on 9th April amidst the Covid-19 pandemic,” the group argued
It added: “If the police were serious, they would have advised the government to tell the European Union to stop deportations due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
“Therefore, we are calling on all political party leaders to support us in this course and tell the government and the police the truth. Let the police issue us a permit or else we will do our peaceful protest without permit as guaranteed by the Constitution. We will not announce the date of protest but we will organize among ourselves and do the peaceful protest anytime from now if they refuse to issue us a permit.”
‘Barrow embolden Jammeh's enablers' Apr 12, 2021, 11:35 AM | Article By: Sankulleh Gibril Janko & Adama Tine.
The president of the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights, Sheriff Kijera, has accused President Adama Barrow of enabling and gratifying former President Yahya Jammeh's enablers after Defence Minister Sheikh Omar Faye's comments.In a press conference held at the victims’ center in Kololi, the center’s leader said the Gambian leader has emboldened such people who assisted Jammeh in his human rights violations, citing the Defense Minister as an example.
"Adama Barrow had emboldened and gratified Yaya Jammeh's enablers and perpetrators of the most gruesome crimes in the history of our great nation," Sheriff Kijera said.
"Sheik Omar Faye is the perfect example of a Yaya Jammeh enabler in a political position."
Recall: The Defense Minister Sheikh Omar Faye made comments recently which riled the victims.
He was quoted as saying "let us suck it up, let us understand that we made mistakes, let us stop crying over spilled milk, let us look for a way out, let us move on," in relation to victims of human rights violations.
These comments have angered the victims of the Jammeh regime who are calling for the sack or the resignation of the minister.
Sheriff also accused Minister Faye of disrespecting victims and their plight.
He said: "He disrespected and insulted victims who suffered torture, rape, castration, enforced disappearances, extra judicial killings and wrongfully arrested and detained under gruesome conditions."
"He told them to suck it up and stop crying over spilled milk," he emphasised.
Kijera and his fellow victims say Barrow is encouraging Jammeh's enablers by having someone who made such remarks in a political position as a minister.
According to him, it’s only an enabler who will suggest that Gambians were responsible for what the Jammeh regime had done.
Sheriff acknowledged that the Chief of Defense Staff of the Gambia Army Lt. General Yankuba Drammeh apologised on behalf of the perpetrators in the army for the harm done to the victims. He said the army chief paid the victim center a courtesy call and showed remorse for the plight of the victims. He described him as a man of honour and integrity.
Kijera also expressed his thoughts on the TRRC, saying the commission had done an excellent job so far, adding that they had established some facts about the 22years of Jammeh's alleged human rights violations.
“For clarity, the Victims Centre want to make it categorically clear that it has never worked with the Ministry of Defense on matters related to the welfare of victims of the past regime,” he noted.
On behalf of the Victims Centre, Kijera urged the government to have the political will to fully implement the recommendations of the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC), after its completion which they believe will lead to the timely prosecution of Yaya Jammeh and his enablers.
"Adama Barrow had emboldened and gratified Yaya Jammeh's enablers and perpetrators of the most gruesome crimes in the history of our great nation," Sheriff Kijera said.
"Sheik Omar Faye is the perfect example of a Yaya Jammeh enabler in a political position."
Recall: The Defense Minister Sheikh Omar Faye made comments recently which riled the victims.
He was quoted as saying "let us suck it up, let us understand that we made mistakes, let us stop crying over spilled milk, let us look for a way out, let us move on," in relation to victims of human rights violations.
These comments have angered the victims of the Jammeh regime who are calling for the sack or the resignation of the minister.
Sheriff also accused Minister Faye of disrespecting victims and their plight.
He said: "He disrespected and insulted victims who suffered torture, rape, castration, enforced disappearances, extra judicial killings and wrongfully arrested and detained under gruesome conditions."
"He told them to suck it up and stop crying over spilled milk," he emphasised.
Kijera and his fellow victims say Barrow is encouraging Jammeh's enablers by having someone who made such remarks in a political position as a minister.
According to him, it’s only an enabler who will suggest that Gambians were responsible for what the Jammeh regime had done.
Sheriff acknowledged that the Chief of Defense Staff of the Gambia Army Lt. General Yankuba Drammeh apologised on behalf of the perpetrators in the army for the harm done to the victims. He said the army chief paid the victim center a courtesy call and showed remorse for the plight of the victims. He described him as a man of honour and integrity.
Kijera also expressed his thoughts on the TRRC, saying the commission had done an excellent job so far, adding that they had established some facts about the 22years of Jammeh's alleged human rights violations.
“For clarity, the Victims Centre want to make it categorically clear that it has never worked with the Ministry of Defense on matters related to the welfare of victims of the past regime,” he noted.
On behalf of the Victims Centre, Kijera urged the government to have the political will to fully implement the recommendations of the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC), after its completion which they believe will lead to the timely prosecution of Yaya Jammeh and his enablers.
Palaver over ex-parliamentarians meeting at Musa Suso’s house
APRIL 12, 2021.
A weekend meeting attended by former National Assembly members in the company of a bevy of beauty queens has sparked a hot political debate on social media.
A number of videos and audios from the meeting contrasted with the agenda of the meeting. While many perceived it to be a declaration by the former MPs to support President Barrow’s political agenda (as alluded to by one of the speakers and echoed on the Barrow Media Empowerment), Mr. Suso and former Foni MP Musa Badjie said the meeting was not political.
”It was the maiden meeting of the association of former parliamentarians, a newly-formed group of ex-law makers,” Badjie noted in audio he said is designed to clarify matters. He said the idea of forming such a group has been conceived and the Sukuta meeting was to be the launch of the association. Badjie said it was very clear that the objective was to form an association of ex- MPs and they even had to go into a closed-door meeting demonstrating what their focus was at the meeting.
The host of the meeting, Musa Suso himself a former MP, corroborated Badjie’s position.
”I think the composition of the attendees can tell you that there in fact were two different functions. One was a general social meeting attended by friends and well-wishers including the beauty queens who came for a social lunch gathering while the other was a meeting of the ex-MPs association. Those who are not ex-MPs in fact left before the association started its closed–door meeting. I understand some women stayed but there was no intention to make them attend any political meeting or parade them as attendees of a political meeting it is been wrongly suggested,” Mr. Suso said.
However, one beauty queen said in an audio that they were told Musa Suso invited them to a lunch who often sponsors their activities. ”So we thought it was just a lunch to congratulate us because we had a contest just last week. But when we arrived in the house, we were asked to join a meeting outside of former parliamentarians who were talking about politics while some people started recording video of us in the company of the ex-MPs giving the impression that we are NPP supporters. We are very disappointed that we were unlawfully filmed and portrayed to be NPP supporters. As beauty queens, we don’t make a public declaration on political allegiance. And in any case, we are not NPP,” she added.
A number of videos and audios from the meeting contrasted with the agenda of the meeting. While many perceived it to be a declaration by the former MPs to support President Barrow’s political agenda (as alluded to by one of the speakers and echoed on the Barrow Media Empowerment), Mr. Suso and former Foni MP Musa Badjie said the meeting was not political.
”It was the maiden meeting of the association of former parliamentarians, a newly-formed group of ex-law makers,” Badjie noted in audio he said is designed to clarify matters. He said the idea of forming such a group has been conceived and the Sukuta meeting was to be the launch of the association. Badjie said it was very clear that the objective was to form an association of ex- MPs and they even had to go into a closed-door meeting demonstrating what their focus was at the meeting.
The host of the meeting, Musa Suso himself a former MP, corroborated Badjie’s position.
”I think the composition of the attendees can tell you that there in fact were two different functions. One was a general social meeting attended by friends and well-wishers including the beauty queens who came for a social lunch gathering while the other was a meeting of the ex-MPs association. Those who are not ex-MPs in fact left before the association started its closed–door meeting. I understand some women stayed but there was no intention to make them attend any political meeting or parade them as attendees of a political meeting it is been wrongly suggested,” Mr. Suso said.
However, one beauty queen said in an audio that they were told Musa Suso invited them to a lunch who often sponsors their activities. ”So we thought it was just a lunch to congratulate us because we had a contest just last week. But when we arrived in the house, we were asked to join a meeting outside of former parliamentarians who were talking about politics while some people started recording video of us in the company of the ex-MPs giving the impression that we are NPP supporters. We are very disappointed that we were unlawfully filmed and portrayed to be NPP supporters. As beauty queens, we don’t make a public declaration on political allegiance. And in any case, we are not NPP,” she added.
IEC TO EXPLAIN POSITION ON ‘VOTER CARDS’ DISCOVERY
APRIL 12, 2021.
By Omar Bah
The Independent Electoral Commission has confirmed to The Standard yesterday that the electoral body has seen reports on social media of purported new blank voter cards allegedly found in Kanifing but said he could not officially comment on the matter immediately.
About 50 blank cards strikingly similar to Gambian voter cards were found by one Molamin Gikineh at his Kanifing Estate compound gate on Saturday. The cards bear the name and logo of the Independent Electoral Commission as the issuing authority though they don’t have any pictures, names, addresses, dates or any other details of a voter. The blank cards though have what looks like the signature of the IEC chairman.
Molamin Gikineh, speaking in a video doing the rounds on social media, said he doesn’t know the person (s) who dumped the voter cards at his home.
“I found the cards at my house gate just after 8:00 in the evening. I will report the matter to the Kanifing police and as well hand the cards over to the police,” he told Freedom Newspaper oline.
The Standard contacted Samboujang Njie, the chief electoral officer at the IEC about Gikineh’s startling discovery.
He said: “We will look into these things tomorrow (Monday) and I will get back to you. For now, I cannot comment on it because I have not spoken to the chairman or anyone but we will give you some information about anything we know. But as far as I am concerned, all the cards I saw are blank and when that’s the case, we don’t have any issue,” he said.
When contacted for comments, the police spokesperson Superintendent Lamin Njie said he was busy at the time and promised to call back. But until the time of going to press he had not called back.
Meanwhile, The Standard understands that several other people made similar discoveries.
The Independent Electoral Commission has confirmed to The Standard yesterday that the electoral body has seen reports on social media of purported new blank voter cards allegedly found in Kanifing but said he could not officially comment on the matter immediately.
About 50 blank cards strikingly similar to Gambian voter cards were found by one Molamin Gikineh at his Kanifing Estate compound gate on Saturday. The cards bear the name and logo of the Independent Electoral Commission as the issuing authority though they don’t have any pictures, names, addresses, dates or any other details of a voter. The blank cards though have what looks like the signature of the IEC chairman.
Molamin Gikineh, speaking in a video doing the rounds on social media, said he doesn’t know the person (s) who dumped the voter cards at his home.
“I found the cards at my house gate just after 8:00 in the evening. I will report the matter to the Kanifing police and as well hand the cards over to the police,” he told Freedom Newspaper oline.
The Standard contacted Samboujang Njie, the chief electoral officer at the IEC about Gikineh’s startling discovery.
He said: “We will look into these things tomorrow (Monday) and I will get back to you. For now, I cannot comment on it because I have not spoken to the chairman or anyone but we will give you some information about anything we know. But as far as I am concerned, all the cards I saw are blank and when that’s the case, we don’t have any issue,” he said.
When contacted for comments, the police spokesperson Superintendent Lamin Njie said he was busy at the time and promised to call back. But until the time of going to press he had not called back.
Meanwhile, The Standard understands that several other people made similar discoveries.
Lawyer Conteh denies Banta Keita’s co-accused fled
APRIL 9, 2021.
By Bruce Asemota
Lawyer Badou Conteh has vehemently denied that his client, Sheriff Njie, a co-accused of Banta Keita has fled the country contrary to widespread radio and social media reports.
-He said Njie is currently in the custody of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG).
Speaking to The Standard, Conteh said his client was legally discharged by the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, presided over by Seedy Jorbateh on Wednesday, 7th April after a ruling premised on the defence counsel’s submission citing section 175 (c) of the Criminal Procedure Code and sections 4, 19 and 24 of the 1997 Constitution.
Lawyer Conteh further revealed that after his client was discharged by the court, and whilst he was standing outside the court premises, he was approached by plain-clothed officers who identified themselves as officers from the DLEAG. “When they were asked to produce their arrest warrants, they could not produce any warrant and as tension was rising, my client had to leave them and entered his friend’s car and drove away,” Lawyer Conteh said.
He said he was later called by some top officials of the DLEAG who informed him that his client was needed at their office. “I called my client to my chambers and drove him to the DLEAG office where he is currently detained,” Laywer Conteh said.
He said his client was discharged by the court but not acquitted.
It could be recalled that Sheriff Njie and Banta Keita are jointly charged with conspiracy to commit felony, aggravated drug trafficking and dealing in prohibited drugs for the purposes of drug trafficking after almost three tons of cocaine was found at the Banjul ports.
Lawyer Badou Conteh has vehemently denied that his client, Sheriff Njie, a co-accused of Banta Keita has fled the country contrary to widespread radio and social media reports.
-He said Njie is currently in the custody of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG).
Speaking to The Standard, Conteh said his client was legally discharged by the Banjul Magistrates’ Court, presided over by Seedy Jorbateh on Wednesday, 7th April after a ruling premised on the defence counsel’s submission citing section 175 (c) of the Criminal Procedure Code and sections 4, 19 and 24 of the 1997 Constitution.
Lawyer Conteh further revealed that after his client was discharged by the court, and whilst he was standing outside the court premises, he was approached by plain-clothed officers who identified themselves as officers from the DLEAG. “When they were asked to produce their arrest warrants, they could not produce any warrant and as tension was rising, my client had to leave them and entered his friend’s car and drove away,” Lawyer Conteh said.
He said he was later called by some top officials of the DLEAG who informed him that his client was needed at their office. “I called my client to my chambers and drove him to the DLEAG office where he is currently detained,” Laywer Conteh said.
He said his client was discharged by the court but not acquitted.
It could be recalled that Sheriff Njie and Banta Keita are jointly charged with conspiracy to commit felony, aggravated drug trafficking and dealing in prohibited drugs for the purposes of drug trafficking after almost three tons of cocaine was found at the Banjul ports.
Abdoulie Sanyang is new IGP
APRIL 9, 2021, tha gambia.
The Police High Command yesterday confirmed that former Deputy Inspector General Abdoulie Sanyang has been appointed Inspector General of Police. He replaces Mamour Jobe who died last month. His appointment came after weeks of speculations as to who the president, who was on leave, will appoint. While some tried to politicise the issue, most people advised the president to follow tradition and appoint the IGP from among the police hierarchy.
Concerned groups demand answers from IEC over December election
APRIL 9, 2021.
By Omar Bah
At least three respected rights groups, the Right 2 Know Coalition-Gambia, Democratic Union of Gambian Activists (DUGA) and Gambia Participates have written to the Independent Electoral Commission requesting crucial information about the December presidential election.
In their statement shared with The Standard, the groups said: “We seek information on how these upcoming polls are being conducted by your good offices. We have written to you in the past, the first of which was on 17th October 2016 on the same issue, albeit under very different circumstances. We have subsequently written to your good self on two other occasions on 16 September 2019, requesting that you normalise the issue of diaspora voting, and respect the rights of the Diaspora to participate in the electoral processes. We will place it on record that we have never received a response to any of our letters. We hope that this time around we will receive a response”.
The groups further explained: “As the lead agency tasked with conducting elections in The Gambia, the IEC’s awesome responsibility of upholding and adhering to its legal mandate and principles of integrity and fair play, cannot be overstated. We realise the responsibility entrusted to it by the constitution and the various legislative frameworks that legalizes its existence. It is in this regard that the R2K Coalition-Gambia wishes to enquire from the IEC several critical aspects of the management of the elections process as we inch closer to the December Presidential elections in 2021 and the National Assembly elections in 2022.”
The group said they have engaged the IEC chairman’s good offices as far back as November 2019 to discuss the levels of preparations for these upcoming elections, “and have in no small measure stretched our hand in the spirit of partnership to assist where needed, especially in terms of the external census, which is a prerequisite for Diaspora voter registration exercise. However, despite commitments made by the IEC to work with all stakeholders in this process, such commitments have come to nothing. We therefore now find ourselves in a challenging situation with less than 235 days to go before the polls, and we are yet to receive information on the voter registration regime both in and outside of the country. We are also yet to receive a road map as to how the elections calendar will be deployed.”
The groups said they are anxious that without proper planning, and timely information on these fundamental questions, issues of credibility, transparency and ability to deliver a free and fair elections by the IEC would arise.
“In the current national context, the groups added, where political tensions and suspicions amongst political parties and their supporters run high, combined with the largest number of political parties and independent candidates being registered in our history, the stakes and risks remain a real threat to peace and stability if elections are not properly managed. “We are also faced with the fact that there is now a court ruling, which compels you to rectify the policy of Diaspora disenfranchisement that the IEC and Gambia government had actively practiced since the dawn of the Second Republic. The courts have affirmed the rights of every Gambian (in and outside of the country) to vote and be voted for, as stated in the constitution. We are now awaiting with heightened expectation that this will be fulfilled as part of your legal and constitutional obligation to ensure that every Gambia living abroad is registered so as to afford them their right to cast their ballot when the time comes.”
The groups also want the Electoral Commission to share with them the elections road map detailing: “If and when an external census will be conducted to capture the number of Gambians residing abroad for the purposes of preparing the ground for their registration as voters (if they so choose); the registration process at national and international level (for the Diaspora); The dates and timelines for the above”.
“We also have other queries regarding the rationality of the upward revision of deposits for citizens vying for political office, which was included in the recently tabled Elections Bill, 2021 as follows:
(a) President, shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Returning Officer, the sum of 500,000.00 (five hundred thousand dalasis); b) Member of the National Assembly, deposit or cause the deposited with the Returning Officer the sum of 50,000.00 (fifty thousand dalasi)
c) Mayor or Chairperson deposited or cause to deposited with the returning officer, the sum of 50,000.00 (fifty thousand dalasis) and (e) Councillor, deposit or cause to be deposited with the Returning Officer, the sum of 10,000.00 (ten thousand dalasi).”
At least three respected rights groups, the Right 2 Know Coalition-Gambia, Democratic Union of Gambian Activists (DUGA) and Gambia Participates have written to the Independent Electoral Commission requesting crucial information about the December presidential election.
In their statement shared with The Standard, the groups said: “We seek information on how these upcoming polls are being conducted by your good offices. We have written to you in the past, the first of which was on 17th October 2016 on the same issue, albeit under very different circumstances. We have subsequently written to your good self on two other occasions on 16 September 2019, requesting that you normalise the issue of diaspora voting, and respect the rights of the Diaspora to participate in the electoral processes. We will place it on record that we have never received a response to any of our letters. We hope that this time around we will receive a response”.
The groups further explained: “As the lead agency tasked with conducting elections in The Gambia, the IEC’s awesome responsibility of upholding and adhering to its legal mandate and principles of integrity and fair play, cannot be overstated. We realise the responsibility entrusted to it by the constitution and the various legislative frameworks that legalizes its existence. It is in this regard that the R2K Coalition-Gambia wishes to enquire from the IEC several critical aspects of the management of the elections process as we inch closer to the December Presidential elections in 2021 and the National Assembly elections in 2022.”
The group said they have engaged the IEC chairman’s good offices as far back as November 2019 to discuss the levels of preparations for these upcoming elections, “and have in no small measure stretched our hand in the spirit of partnership to assist where needed, especially in terms of the external census, which is a prerequisite for Diaspora voter registration exercise. However, despite commitments made by the IEC to work with all stakeholders in this process, such commitments have come to nothing. We therefore now find ourselves in a challenging situation with less than 235 days to go before the polls, and we are yet to receive information on the voter registration regime both in and outside of the country. We are also yet to receive a road map as to how the elections calendar will be deployed.”
The groups said they are anxious that without proper planning, and timely information on these fundamental questions, issues of credibility, transparency and ability to deliver a free and fair elections by the IEC would arise.
“In the current national context, the groups added, where political tensions and suspicions amongst political parties and their supporters run high, combined with the largest number of political parties and independent candidates being registered in our history, the stakes and risks remain a real threat to peace and stability if elections are not properly managed. “We are also faced with the fact that there is now a court ruling, which compels you to rectify the policy of Diaspora disenfranchisement that the IEC and Gambia government had actively practiced since the dawn of the Second Republic. The courts have affirmed the rights of every Gambian (in and outside of the country) to vote and be voted for, as stated in the constitution. We are now awaiting with heightened expectation that this will be fulfilled as part of your legal and constitutional obligation to ensure that every Gambia living abroad is registered so as to afford them their right to cast their ballot when the time comes.”
The groups also want the Electoral Commission to share with them the elections road map detailing: “If and when an external census will be conducted to capture the number of Gambians residing abroad for the purposes of preparing the ground for their registration as voters (if they so choose); the registration process at national and international level (for the Diaspora); The dates and timelines for the above”.
“We also have other queries regarding the rationality of the upward revision of deposits for citizens vying for political office, which was included in the recently tabled Elections Bill, 2021 as follows:
(a) President, shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Returning Officer, the sum of 500,000.00 (five hundred thousand dalasis); b) Member of the National Assembly, deposit or cause the deposited with the Returning Officer the sum of 50,000.00 (fifty thousand dalasi)
c) Mayor or Chairperson deposited or cause to deposited with the returning officer, the sum of 50,000.00 (fifty thousand dalasis) and (e) Councillor, deposit or cause to be deposited with the Returning Officer, the sum of 10,000.00 (ten thousand dalasi).”
GCCPC study reveals estate dealers give ‘misleading’ adverts the gambia.
Apr 9, 2021, 11:29 AM | Article By: Fatou Bojang
The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (GCCPC) study 2020 on the state of consumer welfare in the real estate industry has revealed that some of the real estate companies have been engaged in false and misleading advertisements as they misrepresent their locations, amenities near the location and size of lands that are sold to consumers.These revelations were made known on Thursday at the validation of the study on the state of consumer welfare in the real estate industry.
The findings further showed that there are other consumer protection issues occurring in the industry such as consumer’s difficulty in getting access to ownership of title documents or property after finalising payments, inadequate disclosure and high penalties for consumers opting out of services, others .
As indicated in the report, “in the first half of 2020, the Commission received 13 complaints of consumers in the real estate industry worth up to three million dalasis all of which are in relation to payments being finalised by consumers, after which they are either unable to obtain their transfer documents or are not shown their properties. In some instances, they are shown the property and they later find out that the said property is already owned by someone else. All these are violations of section 8(3) of the Consumer Protection Act 2014.”
This research was carried out by the commission in order to have knowledge of the real estate industry and assess the state of consumer welfare to be able to devise strategies that will protect consumers.
GCCPC was established in 2017 to enforce the Competition Act of 2007 and administer the Consumer Protection Act 2014. The Commission in light of the findings recommends a regulatory body for the industry. “The commission with the power invested in it by the Consumer Protection Act 2014, recommends for the sector to be assigned a regulator. The stakeholders in the transaction process to be adequately trained and held accountable for their actions, and the introduction of a digital real-time land ownership database.”
The Commission also urged the Ministry of Lands and Local Government to ensure that the sector is stringently regulated in order to make the industry consumer oriented, economically vibrant and financially beneficial to the stakeholders.
The Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (GCCPC) study 2020 on the state of consumer welfare in the real estate industry has revealed that some of the real estate companies have been engaged in false and misleading advertisements as they misrepresent their locations, amenities near the location and size of lands that are sold to consumers.These revelations were made known on Thursday at the validation of the study on the state of consumer welfare in the real estate industry.
The findings further showed that there are other consumer protection issues occurring in the industry such as consumer’s difficulty in getting access to ownership of title documents or property after finalising payments, inadequate disclosure and high penalties for consumers opting out of services, others .
As indicated in the report, “in the first half of 2020, the Commission received 13 complaints of consumers in the real estate industry worth up to three million dalasis all of which are in relation to payments being finalised by consumers, after which they are either unable to obtain their transfer documents or are not shown their properties. In some instances, they are shown the property and they later find out that the said property is already owned by someone else. All these are violations of section 8(3) of the Consumer Protection Act 2014.”
This research was carried out by the commission in order to have knowledge of the real estate industry and assess the state of consumer welfare to be able to devise strategies that will protect consumers.
GCCPC was established in 2017 to enforce the Competition Act of 2007 and administer the Consumer Protection Act 2014. The Commission in light of the findings recommends a regulatory body for the industry. “The commission with the power invested in it by the Consumer Protection Act 2014, recommends for the sector to be assigned a regulator. The stakeholders in the transaction process to be adequately trained and held accountable for their actions, and the introduction of a digital real-time land ownership database.”
The Commission also urged the Ministry of Lands and Local Government to ensure that the sector is stringently regulated in order to make the industry consumer oriented, economically vibrant and financially beneficial to the stakeholders.
Farafenni police in manhunt for abandoned baby mama Apr 9, 2021, 11:54 AM | Article By: Momodou Jawo.
Security personnel in Farafenni in the North Bank Region have launched a massive manhunt for a woman, after a newly born baby was found abandoned at Farafenni General Hospital, The Point has been reliably informed.The incident was reported to have occurred three days back, an anonymous source confirmed the development to The Point.
Our source added: “I can confirm to you that the incident happened in Farafenni three days back. The child is currently safe and sound and is handed over to the Social Welfare’s regional department for up-keep."
Meanwhile, another source in the region told our reporter that it's not yet clear to security personnel whether the child was abandoned by a woman who came to the hospital or the baby was delivered at the hospital and her mother disappeared.
Our source added: “I can confirm to you that the incident happened in Farafenni three days back. The child is currently safe and sound and is handed over to the Social Welfare’s regional department for up-keep."
Meanwhile, another source in the region told our reporter that it's not yet clear to security personnel whether the child was abandoned by a woman who came to the hospital or the baby was delivered at the hospital and her mother disappeared.
NAM accuses gov’t of targeting perceived ‘UDP civil servants’
APRIL 8, 2021.
By Tabora Bojang
The National Assembly Member for Bundungka Kunda, Bakary Njie has used last week’s adjournment debate to claim that government is targeting public servants perceived to be supporters of the United Democratic Party for sacking.
He said this practice is unjust and must stop.
“We have seen it happen at the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation, Gambia Radio and Television Services and even at our foreign embassies where people are recalled just because they are perceived to be UDP supporters. Are we not Gambians? Or is this country free for other political parties except UDP”? Njie himself a UDP lawmaker queried.
The Bundung NAM further advised that government must desist from “reeling the country back into the Jammeh-era style when the civil service was politically charged” with perceived opposition sympathizers being viciously victimised.
“The UDP [sympathisers] are Gambians and they are working for their country and they must not be removed from the civil service or victimised because they are UDP. In fact, it seems to be a crime to be a UDP supporter in this country now. I don’t know why and I want an answer to this, Honourable Speaker,” the UDP lawmaker stated.
As he was raising these issues in the assembly, there was a mixture of both approval and disapproval noises from the UDP NAMs and those aligned to President Barrow.
Some NAMs interjected referring the Bundung NAM to the Standing Orders and for the Speaker to caution him on his claims. But Speaker Mariam Jack-Denton indicated that members are free to speak on general issues during adjournment debates.
When allowed to continue following the interruption from his opposing colleagues, the UDP NAM submitted: “Madam Speaker, there are certain members in this House who are not fair to me as this is not the first time they tried to disrupt me on debates. Let them desist”.
The National Assembly Member for Bundungka Kunda, Bakary Njie has used last week’s adjournment debate to claim that government is targeting public servants perceived to be supporters of the United Democratic Party for sacking.
He said this practice is unjust and must stop.
“We have seen it happen at the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation, Gambia Radio and Television Services and even at our foreign embassies where people are recalled just because they are perceived to be UDP supporters. Are we not Gambians? Or is this country free for other political parties except UDP”? Njie himself a UDP lawmaker queried.
The Bundung NAM further advised that government must desist from “reeling the country back into the Jammeh-era style when the civil service was politically charged” with perceived opposition sympathizers being viciously victimised.
“The UDP [sympathisers] are Gambians and they are working for their country and they must not be removed from the civil service or victimised because they are UDP. In fact, it seems to be a crime to be a UDP supporter in this country now. I don’t know why and I want an answer to this, Honourable Speaker,” the UDP lawmaker stated.
As he was raising these issues in the assembly, there was a mixture of both approval and disapproval noises from the UDP NAMs and those aligned to President Barrow.
Some NAMs interjected referring the Bundung NAM to the Standing Orders and for the Speaker to caution him on his claims. But Speaker Mariam Jack-Denton indicated that members are free to speak on general issues during adjournment debates.
When allowed to continue following the interruption from his opposing colleagues, the UDP NAM submitted: “Madam Speaker, there are certain members in this House who are not fair to me as this is not the first time they tried to disrupt me on debates. Let them desist”.
DLEAG explains abortive Mankamang Kunda operation
APRIL 8, 2021.
By Omar Bah
The Drug Law Enforcement Agency [DLEAG] has been giving updates on their abortive operation to arrest a suspect in Mankamang Kunda on Monday.
In a statement shared with The Standard yesterday, DLEAG said: “Acting on a tip off information operatives of DLEAG conducted surveillance on one Buba Manneh suspected to be in dealing in prohibited drugs in Mankamang Kunda village, Upper River Region on Monday 5 April 2021. Upon confirmation of his illicit activities from the surveillance team, a team was dispatched around 21:00 GMT onwards to act on the information”.
“Upon their arrival at the suspects compound, operatives identified themselves to the residents and indicated their intention to conduct a search. When the main suspect noticed the presence of the officers, he together with an accomplice who was holding a bag suspected to be containing prohibited drugs tried to run away. The other person who was holding the bag fled from the scene and the officers couldn’t identify neither apprehend him,” the statement shared by DLEAG spokesperson Lamin Saidybah reads.
DLEAG said the suspect [Buba Manneh] on the other hand was later intercepted by the officers and handed over to the PIU.
“He initially asked the officer to allow him to remove all the money in his possession which he handed over to his wife before they could conduct a search on him. The officers complied and while they were about to search his house, he started shouting, creating a scene and calling for the help of his associates. His conduct and action were designed to create chaos and prevent the operatives from conducting search in his house. The scene he created attracted different people creating commotion and a state of confusion,” he said.
DLEAG said: “It is important to note that this same Buba Manneh was recently found guilty by the Basse Magistrate court for possession of prohibited drug (cannabis)”.
“Background check on Buba Manneh hasn’t indicated any relation with the President. When he was first arrested, operatives were asked to do their job and act according to the dictate of the law without any Executive interference. The same applied to the case of Abdoulie Baldeh arrested in the same village. Operatives were given the latitude to conduct their investigation without any interference or undue influence from a quarter,” DLEAG added.
The statement added: “While it remains the same in many parts of the country where some people engage in illicit or illegal activities, their actions are usually not sanctioned by their compatriots or neighbors. We call on all to unite and help keep our societies healthy, safe, secure and free of drugs. We must always bear in mind that drugs know no boundary of one’s race, income, religious or political affiliation. Therefore, addressing ills and associate matters relating to drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking requires concerted effort and a multi sectoral approach,” they added.
However last night, a security source told The Standard that the suspect is free and on the run. It is not clear how he got free from the PIU to whom the DLEAG said he was handed over.
The Drug Law Enforcement Agency [DLEAG] has been giving updates on their abortive operation to arrest a suspect in Mankamang Kunda on Monday.
In a statement shared with The Standard yesterday, DLEAG said: “Acting on a tip off information operatives of DLEAG conducted surveillance on one Buba Manneh suspected to be in dealing in prohibited drugs in Mankamang Kunda village, Upper River Region on Monday 5 April 2021. Upon confirmation of his illicit activities from the surveillance team, a team was dispatched around 21:00 GMT onwards to act on the information”.
“Upon their arrival at the suspects compound, operatives identified themselves to the residents and indicated their intention to conduct a search. When the main suspect noticed the presence of the officers, he together with an accomplice who was holding a bag suspected to be containing prohibited drugs tried to run away. The other person who was holding the bag fled from the scene and the officers couldn’t identify neither apprehend him,” the statement shared by DLEAG spokesperson Lamin Saidybah reads.
DLEAG said the suspect [Buba Manneh] on the other hand was later intercepted by the officers and handed over to the PIU.
“He initially asked the officer to allow him to remove all the money in his possession which he handed over to his wife before they could conduct a search on him. The officers complied and while they were about to search his house, he started shouting, creating a scene and calling for the help of his associates. His conduct and action were designed to create chaos and prevent the operatives from conducting search in his house. The scene he created attracted different people creating commotion and a state of confusion,” he said.
DLEAG said: “It is important to note that this same Buba Manneh was recently found guilty by the Basse Magistrate court for possession of prohibited drug (cannabis)”.
“Background check on Buba Manneh hasn’t indicated any relation with the President. When he was first arrested, operatives were asked to do their job and act according to the dictate of the law without any Executive interference. The same applied to the case of Abdoulie Baldeh arrested in the same village. Operatives were given the latitude to conduct their investigation without any interference or undue influence from a quarter,” DLEAG added.
The statement added: “While it remains the same in many parts of the country where some people engage in illicit or illegal activities, their actions are usually not sanctioned by their compatriots or neighbors. We call on all to unite and help keep our societies healthy, safe, secure and free of drugs. We must always bear in mind that drugs know no boundary of one’s race, income, religious or political affiliation. Therefore, addressing ills and associate matters relating to drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking requires concerted effort and a multi sectoral approach,” they added.
However last night, a security source told The Standard that the suspect is free and on the run. It is not clear how he got free from the PIU to whom the DLEAG said he was handed over.
Lawyers still lobby State House to be judges – Salieu Taal
APRIL 8, 2021.
By Aisha Tamba
Continuing his testimony at the TRRC, the president of the Bar Association Salieu Taal has said the Jammeh era practice of going to State House to lobby to be judges is still common among legal practitioners even under this new government.
“There were people who were lobbying to be judges through the State House and they are still serving as judges. I would not mention names because I don’t think it would do anyone good at this point but some of them are sitting judges,” Taal said.
He said the danger of individuals lobbying to be judges is that it can affect the independence of the judiciary, as it was the case under Jammeh when such type of judges acted as his enablers. “An independent judiciary plays an important role in ensuring that we have checks and balances between the arms of government, because it is only the judiciary that can tell anyone, being the president, the parliament what is the law, what is not the law and what is constitutional or not. That kind of responsibility requires total independence. If we had an independent judiciary, it would have made it harder for the Jammeh dictatorship to last as long as it did and its impact on us would have been limited,” he added.
He said during the political impasse when Jammeh refused to accept the election results, there was a letter written to the Bar to appoint a new president. He produced a photo of the meeting where dozens of lawyers including state lawyers came together to issue “a very strongly-worded statement” condemning Jammeh’s action as treasonable. “The brave lawyers and judges who lived abroad turned up and took a risk to show solidarity and told Jammeh if he stayed one day after the 19th he will be committing treason. I think that was what emboldened Gambians as they finally saw that their lawyers are bold enough to take the step and decided that if lawyers are in front of us, we will be behind them and them came avalanche of condemnations and for the first time, Jammeh realised that Gambians are standing up to him,” the witness told the TRRC.
He added that that statement by the Bar united the whole of Gambia in fighting for their freedom against Jammeh.
He said the Bar proceeded to communicate to the Nigerian executive and media to make sure that Jammeh does not bring more judges from Nigeria. Taal became a popular face of defiance during the impasse when he founded activist group #GambiaHasDecided.
Continuing his testimony at the TRRC, the president of the Bar Association Salieu Taal has said the Jammeh era practice of going to State House to lobby to be judges is still common among legal practitioners even under this new government.
“There were people who were lobbying to be judges through the State House and they are still serving as judges. I would not mention names because I don’t think it would do anyone good at this point but some of them are sitting judges,” Taal said.
He said the danger of individuals lobbying to be judges is that it can affect the independence of the judiciary, as it was the case under Jammeh when such type of judges acted as his enablers. “An independent judiciary plays an important role in ensuring that we have checks and balances between the arms of government, because it is only the judiciary that can tell anyone, being the president, the parliament what is the law, what is not the law and what is constitutional or not. That kind of responsibility requires total independence. If we had an independent judiciary, it would have made it harder for the Jammeh dictatorship to last as long as it did and its impact on us would have been limited,” he added.
He said during the political impasse when Jammeh refused to accept the election results, there was a letter written to the Bar to appoint a new president. He produced a photo of the meeting where dozens of lawyers including state lawyers came together to issue “a very strongly-worded statement” condemning Jammeh’s action as treasonable. “The brave lawyers and judges who lived abroad turned up and took a risk to show solidarity and told Jammeh if he stayed one day after the 19th he will be committing treason. I think that was what emboldened Gambians as they finally saw that their lawyers are bold enough to take the step and decided that if lawyers are in front of us, we will be behind them and them came avalanche of condemnations and for the first time, Jammeh realised that Gambians are standing up to him,” the witness told the TRRC.
He added that that statement by the Bar united the whole of Gambia in fighting for their freedom against Jammeh.
He said the Bar proceeded to communicate to the Nigerian executive and media to make sure that Jammeh does not bring more judges from Nigeria. Taal became a popular face of defiance during the impasse when he founded activist group #GambiaHasDecided.
Gov't denies tampering with election bill Apr 8, 2021, 12:58 PM | Article By: Sankulleh Gibril Janko.
The minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, Ebrahim Sillah, has vehemently denied claims that the Gambia government had tampered with the 2020 Election Bill.The bill was recently tabled before the National Assembly for consideration and subsequent scrutiny at various stages.
There are allegations that the government has tampered with the bill contrary to the wishes and aspirations of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
However, Information Minister Ebrahim Sillah told West Coast Radio on Tuesday, "We have not tampered a single dot in that document."
The government and the IEC are perceived to be having issues with a common understanding especially on the demarcation and diaspora voting.
During a recent meeting with stakeholders, the Chief Electoral Officer Samboujang Njie commented on the said bill.
"What has been seen when it was sent to the parliament is that there has been some serious errors with the bill and this is not from the IEC," he said.
"We can inform you that when we completed the last validation with the Ministry of Justice, everything was given to them in order.
"And one of the issues as per the Election Bill when it came last week was the demarcation of the constituencies where it states 41 constituencies and we have 53 constituencies.
He emphasised: "The IEC did not give that to the Minister of Justice."
"We cannot and must not underestimate, downgrade or reduce the number of constituencies from 53 as we have to 41, that is not from us.
"We also observed that there were some issues that were agreed upon and are not reflected on the bill.
"In a nutshell what we are trying to say is the bill as it is presented to the parliament is the will of the Ministry of Justice."
The Information minister Sillah expressed his dissatisfaction with the comments made by the IEC.However, he admitted that the Justice Ministry detected errors they made and rectified them before re-submitting the bill for debate and consideration at the parliament.
"The mistakes that actually happened the day the bill was presented before the National Assembly, when they were spotted, they were immediately corrected and the bill was re-submitted again for debate and consideration before the National Assembly," Sillah said. "So I was really shocked to hear all these things from the Independent Electoral Commission."
He also said that government expressed concerns that the IEC wants to make major changes in an election year which he thinks could be difficult.
"The IEC was suggesting that a paper ballot system should be introduced and we said this was never tested, you have not done any pilot run and this a major election, the stakes are very high.
He continued: "You cannot just come and say that for a major election you want to introduce something that has not been tested before and looking at the illiteracy rate in this country but even beyond that."
He cited the University of The Gambia when it used paper ballots during the recent student executive election with a high invalid vote despite their level of literacy.
"So we said this thing is risky for a major election like this, let us make sure that we test this, we pilot it and then see how it will turn out to be," the minister stressed.
He claimed other political parties also made similar suggestions.
He said those were the only issues the government raised about the bill.
Sillah added that in as much as the government wants diaspora Gambians to vote in major elections, there are numerous constraints especially for National Assembly elections which requires a voter to be a registered member of a particular constituency.
He further argued that even the presidential elections, they will encounter logistical issues with Gambia in diaspora, adding that "you don't just introduce something in an election year and you expect that even being an electoral commission people will not disagree with you."
There are allegations that the government has tampered with the bill contrary to the wishes and aspirations of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
However, Information Minister Ebrahim Sillah told West Coast Radio on Tuesday, "We have not tampered a single dot in that document."
The government and the IEC are perceived to be having issues with a common understanding especially on the demarcation and diaspora voting.
During a recent meeting with stakeholders, the Chief Electoral Officer Samboujang Njie commented on the said bill.
"What has been seen when it was sent to the parliament is that there has been some serious errors with the bill and this is not from the IEC," he said.
"We can inform you that when we completed the last validation with the Ministry of Justice, everything was given to them in order.
"And one of the issues as per the Election Bill when it came last week was the demarcation of the constituencies where it states 41 constituencies and we have 53 constituencies.
He emphasised: "The IEC did not give that to the Minister of Justice."
"We cannot and must not underestimate, downgrade or reduce the number of constituencies from 53 as we have to 41, that is not from us.
"We also observed that there were some issues that were agreed upon and are not reflected on the bill.
"In a nutshell what we are trying to say is the bill as it is presented to the parliament is the will of the Ministry of Justice."
The Information minister Sillah expressed his dissatisfaction with the comments made by the IEC.However, he admitted that the Justice Ministry detected errors they made and rectified them before re-submitting the bill for debate and consideration at the parliament.
"The mistakes that actually happened the day the bill was presented before the National Assembly, when they were spotted, they were immediately corrected and the bill was re-submitted again for debate and consideration before the National Assembly," Sillah said. "So I was really shocked to hear all these things from the Independent Electoral Commission."
He also said that government expressed concerns that the IEC wants to make major changes in an election year which he thinks could be difficult.
"The IEC was suggesting that a paper ballot system should be introduced and we said this was never tested, you have not done any pilot run and this a major election, the stakes are very high.
He continued: "You cannot just come and say that for a major election you want to introduce something that has not been tested before and looking at the illiteracy rate in this country but even beyond that."
He cited the University of The Gambia when it used paper ballots during the recent student executive election with a high invalid vote despite their level of literacy.
"So we said this thing is risky for a major election like this, let us make sure that we test this, we pilot it and then see how it will turn out to be," the minister stressed.
He claimed other political parties also made similar suggestions.
He said those were the only issues the government raised about the bill.
Sillah added that in as much as the government wants diaspora Gambians to vote in major elections, there are numerous constraints especially for National Assembly elections which requires a voter to be a registered member of a particular constituency.
He further argued that even the presidential elections, they will encounter logistical issues with Gambia in diaspora, adding that "you don't just introduce something in an election year and you expect that even being an electoral commission people will not disagree with you."
Defense Minister under fire over ‘insensitive’ comments about Jammeh victims
APRIL 7, 2021.
By Alagie Manneh
Defense minister Sheikh Omar Faye has received condemnation for remarks he made during a Facebook Live appearance on For the People by the People Show.
Mr Faye, a former Jammeh ambassador and minister, said “let us suck it up and move on” in response to a question on how he intends to reconcile his past unalloyed defense of the Jammeh regime in light of the revelations today.
“Somebody has to do the job. Let us suck it up. Let us understand we made mistakes. Let us stop crying over spilled milk. Let us look for ways out, let us move on. This is my philosophy today,” Mr Faye told the popular show Monday.
Earlier on in the show, the minister admitted to “mistakes” of the former government and added that he was now ready to learn from those misfortunes.
“I was ambassador, I was minister of youth and sports, I was director of press and public relations, I was deputy head of mission in Mauritania, just name it but we have made mistakes. I am ready to learn from those mistakes and I think together we should map out the way forward and we can discuss it. I am more than happy to open and talk about it but I want to build up on the new, my friend. This is my philosophy.”
When asked what to say to the victims who cannot ‘suck it up’, he replied: “No. We all made mistakes. Which victims? The TRRC is going on, my friend.”
Don’t you think you owe the Gambian people that apology for promoting a regime that was killing Gambians, co-host Coach Pa Samba Jow asked the minister.
“For serving my country? That was the government of the day, my friend,” a defiant minister Faye replied.
Calls for resignation
Many people, including his critics, accused him of disparaging the victims of Jammeh and for being unremorseful for his aiding and abetting of the dictatorial regime.
The comments also enraged the Victims Centre, who are now calling for his immediate resignation.
“We want him to immediately resign as minister of Defense. He is not fit to be minister or to serve in any capacity in government,” Sheriff Kijera, the chairman of the centre told The Standard.
He added that if minister Faye refuses to resign, the Centre will shift its focus on the president to sack him.
Following the wide spread condemnation of Faye’s remarks, his ministry issued a statement to ‘clarify’ the comments.
In it, the ministry claimed to have been “working very closely with these victims” and with the TRRC to bring “closure to their plight”.
But a former lead investigator of the Truth Commission, writing on his Facebook page, said the ministry’s statement was a cock and bull story.
“He [Minister Faye] is lying [about his ministry working with the TRRC],” Alagie Saidy Barrow said. “Ask Omar Faye how many times he ever visited the TRRC or the victims centre to discuss the welfare of his victims! General Drammeh visited the victims centre; Omar Faye is too busy to care.”
Outspoken critic Madi Jobarteh described the minister’s comments as a “security threat”.
“Sheikh Omar Faye had the audacity to face Gambians and insult them only to rush to his ministry to issue an equally insulting press statement as a cover up! Shame,” Mr Jobarteh said on Facebook. “This is a very nonsensical statement that is unbecoming of a Defense Minister. Utterly insulting and criminal for anyone to say ‘suck it up’ about the horrible experiences meted to our people.
Defense minister Sheikh Omar Faye has received condemnation for remarks he made during a Facebook Live appearance on For the People by the People Show.
Mr Faye, a former Jammeh ambassador and minister, said “let us suck it up and move on” in response to a question on how he intends to reconcile his past unalloyed defense of the Jammeh regime in light of the revelations today.
“Somebody has to do the job. Let us suck it up. Let us understand we made mistakes. Let us stop crying over spilled milk. Let us look for ways out, let us move on. This is my philosophy today,” Mr Faye told the popular show Monday.
Earlier on in the show, the minister admitted to “mistakes” of the former government and added that he was now ready to learn from those misfortunes.
“I was ambassador, I was minister of youth and sports, I was director of press and public relations, I was deputy head of mission in Mauritania, just name it but we have made mistakes. I am ready to learn from those mistakes and I think together we should map out the way forward and we can discuss it. I am more than happy to open and talk about it but I want to build up on the new, my friend. This is my philosophy.”
When asked what to say to the victims who cannot ‘suck it up’, he replied: “No. We all made mistakes. Which victims? The TRRC is going on, my friend.”
Don’t you think you owe the Gambian people that apology for promoting a regime that was killing Gambians, co-host Coach Pa Samba Jow asked the minister.
“For serving my country? That was the government of the day, my friend,” a defiant minister Faye replied.
Calls for resignation
Many people, including his critics, accused him of disparaging the victims of Jammeh and for being unremorseful for his aiding and abetting of the dictatorial regime.
The comments also enraged the Victims Centre, who are now calling for his immediate resignation.
“We want him to immediately resign as minister of Defense. He is not fit to be minister or to serve in any capacity in government,” Sheriff Kijera, the chairman of the centre told The Standard.
He added that if minister Faye refuses to resign, the Centre will shift its focus on the president to sack him.
Following the wide spread condemnation of Faye’s remarks, his ministry issued a statement to ‘clarify’ the comments.
In it, the ministry claimed to have been “working very closely with these victims” and with the TRRC to bring “closure to their plight”.
But a former lead investigator of the Truth Commission, writing on his Facebook page, said the ministry’s statement was a cock and bull story.
“He [Minister Faye] is lying [about his ministry working with the TRRC],” Alagie Saidy Barrow said. “Ask Omar Faye how many times he ever visited the TRRC or the victims centre to discuss the welfare of his victims! General Drammeh visited the victims centre; Omar Faye is too busy to care.”
Outspoken critic Madi Jobarteh described the minister’s comments as a “security threat”.
“Sheikh Omar Faye had the audacity to face Gambians and insult them only to rush to his ministry to issue an equally insulting press statement as a cover up! Shame,” Mr Jobarteh said on Facebook. “This is a very nonsensical statement that is unbecoming of a Defense Minister. Utterly insulting and criminal for anyone to say ‘suck it up’ about the horrible experiences meted to our people.
Anatomy of Sheikh Omar Faye: The “I was working for my country bunkum”
APRIL 7, 2021.
As I sit and take stock of the demise of Demba Touray (RIP), a victim of Yahya Jammeh and his thuggish Government, I am appalled by the level of callousness that is allowed to rear its ugly head in The Gambia and exhibited by the likes of Omar Faye. If your marabout asks you to give charity to a spineless, selfish, unscrupulous and duplicitous individual, do not walk past this man when you see him. He fits the bill to a tee. Now this wicked man is asking Gambians to “suck it up” and “move on”. He claims all Gambians “made mistakes” and so we should just move on. To this wicked man, his actions as ambassador and minister for a tyrant are equal to that of those who chose to guard their honor and never involved themselves with the evil of Yahya. Kon mu yombah di! Don’t take my word for the wickedness and hypocrisy of this man; let’s take a look at his own statements and you can be your own judge:
“Absolutely, absolutely. There is no questions about that because of the history and the reputation of the system. So yes, I think my safety will be at risk. There’s no doubt about that,” Sheikh Omar Faye.
Those were his words when he was recalled by his master, Yahya Jammeh. He said “the history and reputation of the system…” His words, not mine! Meaning he knew of the killings, illegal imprisonments, rapes and evil of Yahya, but he didn’t care, so long as he got to sit in DC pretending to be an ambassador of that same “system” he was afraid to come back to!! The history he refers to is the history men like Demba Touray suffered while he championed their killing in the hands of Yahya!
Asked: “But then I have to ask. Given that this government does have a record of human rights abuses, why did you support the government for as long as you did?”
Meaning if you knew it was such a bad system that is so evil that you are afraid of going back, why did you continue to promote that evil all this while. His answer:
“I have done that because I’ve been serving my people. I was asked to go and serve the Gambia and not to serve an individual.”
Who asked him to go and serve The Gambia? Certainly not the Demba Tourays of The Gambia!!! But that same excuse is the refuge of all these wicked and evil promoting sycophants. They all claim to be serving their country! They claim Yahya was democratically elected by The Gambian people. Ask them to name you one single election that was free and fair; a requirement for any semblance of a democratic process and they cannot name one! But I guess Satan is also serving some god somewhere! Upon his hiring by the dictator, this is what he had to say and not once did he mention being chosen by The Gambian people who he was supposedly serving!
“Speaking following the ceremony, Ambassador Faye thanked PRESIDENT JAMMEH for the confidence bestowed in him to serve as HIS representative in the United States. He called it an honour of a “lifetime” and reassured the PRESIDENT that he will live up to HIS expectations worthy of an Ambassador.” (Emphasis mine). Source: The Point.
After he was out scavenging for the next opportunity and courting Adama Barrow with the help of his fellow opportunists who managed to hang on from serving Yahya, this is what he said about Yahya:
“Remember, you are talking about the new government inherited from 22 years of very serious problems that The Gambia had gone through. Of course, there were some developments that nobody can deny, but then, WE HAD HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES, WE HAD DISAPPEARANCES, we had serious economic problems…”
So he knew people were disappearing and he knew about the human rights abuses, but since he cannot bring himself to be honest and call a spade a spade, he calls it “22 years of very serious problems…” Somehow, Sheikh Omar Faye does not understand if you go by his logic, those that were violating Gambians’ human rights and disappearing Gambians were also WORKING FOR THEIR COUNTRY! How is he any different from those violating the human rights of Gambians?
But let’s see what he says when he was part and parcel of those 22 years!
“Lots of positive things have happened, great things! Of course A FEW HITCHES HERE AND THERE. In 2014 my staff and I hosted President Jammeh when he was in Washington for the US-Africa Leadership Summit. I have met with State Department officials on several occasions to work on common interests, attended functions at The White House, and reached out to institutions to let them know that The Gambia is the PLACE TO GO.”
The “PLACE TO GO TO” His words!!! It was the place to go to when the going was good for him, but soon as he was fired, he claimed “my safety will be at risk. There is no doubt about that.”
You wonder why Masaneh Kinteh had to go? I cry not for him by the way! It’s a dog eat dog world in the world of sycophancy! If anyone thinks it is these Yahya Jammeh leftovers that will propel us into any form of progress, we will continue to subsist in poverty and neglect. These folks never cared enough and they certainly never will. I was sent a snippet of his interview defending the Senegalese incursion into The Gambia to apprehend a suspect claiming it was based on some agreement! If these people knew just a little bit of history about how the Casamance crisis started, they would be mindful of such. It was an incursion of Senegalese security personnel into a sacred grove in the Casamance that helped foment the already heightened prevailing tensions. To be waving some silly agreement made as if that is some holy edict and justification that renders any argument against the Senegalese actions null and void, is the height of ignorance.
We can continue to pretend as if Yahya Jammeh is our only problem and see if that will solve our problems. Embracing his enablers and not holding them accountable for their role for the sake of politics or whatnot, will be our undoing. This hypocrisy is the reason why my brother Mustapha Manjang said in fact he is supporting Yahya. He is not callous or indifferent to the suffering of Yaya’s victims, he is simply tired of seeing the unaccountable pretending as if they are saints while their family and friends embrace them! Our current foreign affairs minister whose communication campaign is relentless, humbly told us how he was praised by the UN for his role in preventing disaster during the 2016 Jammeh foolishness. The disaster he championed to the world somehow eludes him! He wants us to be grateful to him now.
I saw Jam Sarr (I agree with a buddy that someone should get that guy some much needed mental health help), another spineless and wily character, excoriating his old pal Sheikh Omar Faye and calling out his hypocrisy. Buwal beh nyo too foe la…. Acha rek!!!
“Absolutely, absolutely. There is no questions about that because of the history and the reputation of the system. So yes, I think my safety will be at risk. There’s no doubt about that,” Sheikh Omar Faye.
Those were his words when he was recalled by his master, Yahya Jammeh. He said “the history and reputation of the system…” His words, not mine! Meaning he knew of the killings, illegal imprisonments, rapes and evil of Yahya, but he didn’t care, so long as he got to sit in DC pretending to be an ambassador of that same “system” he was afraid to come back to!! The history he refers to is the history men like Demba Touray suffered while he championed their killing in the hands of Yahya!
Asked: “But then I have to ask. Given that this government does have a record of human rights abuses, why did you support the government for as long as you did?”
Meaning if you knew it was such a bad system that is so evil that you are afraid of going back, why did you continue to promote that evil all this while. His answer:
“I have done that because I’ve been serving my people. I was asked to go and serve the Gambia and not to serve an individual.”
Who asked him to go and serve The Gambia? Certainly not the Demba Tourays of The Gambia!!! But that same excuse is the refuge of all these wicked and evil promoting sycophants. They all claim to be serving their country! They claim Yahya was democratically elected by The Gambian people. Ask them to name you one single election that was free and fair; a requirement for any semblance of a democratic process and they cannot name one! But I guess Satan is also serving some god somewhere! Upon his hiring by the dictator, this is what he had to say and not once did he mention being chosen by The Gambian people who he was supposedly serving!
“Speaking following the ceremony, Ambassador Faye thanked PRESIDENT JAMMEH for the confidence bestowed in him to serve as HIS representative in the United States. He called it an honour of a “lifetime” and reassured the PRESIDENT that he will live up to HIS expectations worthy of an Ambassador.” (Emphasis mine). Source: The Point.
After he was out scavenging for the next opportunity and courting Adama Barrow with the help of his fellow opportunists who managed to hang on from serving Yahya, this is what he said about Yahya:
“Remember, you are talking about the new government inherited from 22 years of very serious problems that The Gambia had gone through. Of course, there were some developments that nobody can deny, but then, WE HAD HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES, WE HAD DISAPPEARANCES, we had serious economic problems…”
So he knew people were disappearing and he knew about the human rights abuses, but since he cannot bring himself to be honest and call a spade a spade, he calls it “22 years of very serious problems…” Somehow, Sheikh Omar Faye does not understand if you go by his logic, those that were violating Gambians’ human rights and disappearing Gambians were also WORKING FOR THEIR COUNTRY! How is he any different from those violating the human rights of Gambians?
But let’s see what he says when he was part and parcel of those 22 years!
“Lots of positive things have happened, great things! Of course A FEW HITCHES HERE AND THERE. In 2014 my staff and I hosted President Jammeh when he was in Washington for the US-Africa Leadership Summit. I have met with State Department officials on several occasions to work on common interests, attended functions at The White House, and reached out to institutions to let them know that The Gambia is the PLACE TO GO.”
The “PLACE TO GO TO” His words!!! It was the place to go to when the going was good for him, but soon as he was fired, he claimed “my safety will be at risk. There is no doubt about that.”
You wonder why Masaneh Kinteh had to go? I cry not for him by the way! It’s a dog eat dog world in the world of sycophancy! If anyone thinks it is these Yahya Jammeh leftovers that will propel us into any form of progress, we will continue to subsist in poverty and neglect. These folks never cared enough and they certainly never will. I was sent a snippet of his interview defending the Senegalese incursion into The Gambia to apprehend a suspect claiming it was based on some agreement! If these people knew just a little bit of history about how the Casamance crisis started, they would be mindful of such. It was an incursion of Senegalese security personnel into a sacred grove in the Casamance that helped foment the already heightened prevailing tensions. To be waving some silly agreement made as if that is some holy edict and justification that renders any argument against the Senegalese actions null and void, is the height of ignorance.
We can continue to pretend as if Yahya Jammeh is our only problem and see if that will solve our problems. Embracing his enablers and not holding them accountable for their role for the sake of politics or whatnot, will be our undoing. This hypocrisy is the reason why my brother Mustapha Manjang said in fact he is supporting Yahya. He is not callous or indifferent to the suffering of Yaya’s victims, he is simply tired of seeing the unaccountable pretending as if they are saints while their family and friends embrace them! Our current foreign affairs minister whose communication campaign is relentless, humbly told us how he was praised by the UN for his role in preventing disaster during the 2016 Jammeh foolishness. The disaster he championed to the world somehow eludes him! He wants us to be grateful to him now.
I saw Jam Sarr (I agree with a buddy that someone should get that guy some much needed mental health help), another spineless and wily character, excoriating his old pal Sheikh Omar Faye and calling out his hypocrisy. Buwal beh nyo too foe la…. Acha rek!!!
The marble versus the paper ballot – are we afraid of change
APRIL 7, 2021.
We often hear that “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know”, but sometimes the devil you know may be so bad that anything else is preferable. That was what happened in 2016, when a majority of Gambians chose Adama Barrow, who hardly anyone knew, over Yahya Jammeh, whom we all knew very well.
Even though most Gambians are no longer quite satisfied with the Barrow administration, after it has reneged on most of the promises it made to the people, but it is definitely several times better than what we had under President Jammeh. Therefore, hardly anyone would ever want to revert to the old devil, especially considering the chilling revelations we have all been hearing from the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).
In a similar scenario, it appears that most Gambians are up in arms against the suggestion by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to migrate from the use of marbles in our elections to the universally acclaimed paper ballot system. Are we not really concerned that out of the about 200 countries of the world, the Gambia, one of the smallest, is the only one that still uses such an archaic system? “Why do we want to continue to use ‘stones’ in our elections as if we are still in the Stone Age?” someone sarcastically asked.
Of course, it is good to be unique sometimes, but such uniqueness should be based on something worth emulating. However, in this case, it is something that virtually everyone else has moved away from, and no doubt for a very good reason. Therefore, apart from being afraid of change, there is hardly any other reason why we still want to maintain such a system.
We have heard some people give some flimsy reasons as to why we should continue with the use of the marbles; such as “if it is not broken, why try to fix it”, while others describe it as a more fraud-proof system compared to the paper ballot. Some even try to justify its continuous use to the fact that a majority of Gambian voters are not literate and therefore would not know how to use the paper ballot.
Of course, like every system, there are advantages and disadvantages, but with honest analysis, one would realise that there are far more advantages than disadvantages in migrating to the use of paper ballots. Like the Chairman of the IEC once said; by insisting that Gambian voters lack the capacity and sophistication to migrate to the paper ballot, we are assuming that we are the dullest people on earth, especially considering the fact that other countries with lower literacy rates and level of sophistication have been using the system without major problems. Why would the Gambia be different? Someone even said; “If countries with far lower literacy rates like Guinea Bissau, for instance, can successfully adopt the paper ballot system and had been holding relatively free and fair elections, then it is hard to see why this country should still hang on to such an archaic system.”
There was indeed a time when the marble system was serving this country very well, especially when we had few political parties and a manageable number of registered voters. However, now that we are likely to have a voter population of over one million and almost 20 registered political parties and several potential independent candidates, the dynamics have drastically changed.
In the past, we hardly had more than three candidates in presidential elections and a similar number for local government or National Assembly elections per ward or constituency. It was therefore quite easy to allocate a ballot box to each candidate with his/her photograph, party colour and symbol clearly displayed on the ballot box. Therefore, with not more than four boxes in a polling booth, it was quite simple for anyone to just walk in there and easily identify his/her preferred candidate.
However, with the potential of having 20 or even more ballot boxes cramped into one small polling booth, despite all of them with their candidate’s photographs, party symbols and colours (no doubt some of them quite similar), it would still be almost impossible for an unsophisticated old woman from the rural areas, for instance, getting alone into that polling booth and being expected to go around and identify her preferred candidate. It is certainly a prescription for chaos.
Comparing that scenario to the paper ballot system in which only one ballot box would be required for every polling booth, regardless of the number of candidates, and the very fact that such a box would be placed in the open where it would be seen by everyone, it makes quite a lot of sense to assume that such a system is much simpler. Also, with a single list of the candidates in a particular polling station containing their photographs, party colours and symbols, it would be much easier for the voters to identify and tick against their preferred candidates.
Another significant difference between the two systems is that, while in the case of the paper ballots, there is the opportunity to keep the ballots for a very long time for reference purposes, but in the case of the marbles, the IEC can only keep them as long as the next elections, as they are the same marbles used for all elections.
Therefore, by every indication, the paper ballot is a far much less complicated system to use than the marbles and all that Gambian voters may need would be simple sensitization by the IEC. Indeed, if the IEC were quite serious about migrating to the paper ballot system, it could have done the sensitization since 2017 rather than wait until when it is too late.
However, for the paper ballot system, the onus of sensitization is more on the political parties and their candidates than anyone else. This is because it is in their paramount interest to ensure that the voters easily identify their candidates when they get hold of the ballot paper.
Now that the IEC has resolved to go ahead with the marbles for the forthcoming Presidential elections, some people are quite worried about the possible implications, considering the possible logistical nightmare of managing the system in view of the potential number of candidates that may be involved. The management of the situation could even be quite dire during the National Assembly elections when we expect far many candidates per constituency than we had ever seen in this country.
Therefore, in view of the possible logistical nightmare involved in going ahead with the marbles, some people are skeptical of whether the IEC has the capacity to conduct free and credible elections under the circumstances. This is in view of the fact that the Commission seems not quite well prepared for the next electoral process. While it has already released its calendar for the process, but it seems too little and too late in the day as there is very little time left for the presidential elections, compared to the mammoth task that the process involves. Is it possible to carry out a general voter registration and all the other processes involved, with less than eight months left before the presidential elections? This makes everyone wonder what the Commission had been doing since 2017 when it had all the time in the world to carry out the necessary reforms and it still failed to do so.
While the IEC has no doubt abandoned the idea of holding a referendum for a new constitution after the failure of the President Goodluck Jonathan project, but the Commission needs to clarify whether it intends to carry out any amendments to the 1997 Constitution in order to make it at least meet some of the wishes of a majority of Gambians. For instance, is it possible to restore Section 48 that required a 50 +1 majority for a presidential candidate to win an election in the first round, which was later amended by the Jammeh regime to a simple majority?
Another area that the Commission however still needs to clarify is how it intends to go about the logistics of the registration of diaspora Gambians. Does the Commission really have the capacity to undertake such a project, especially in view of the time factor and resources involved?
Even though most Gambians are no longer quite satisfied with the Barrow administration, after it has reneged on most of the promises it made to the people, but it is definitely several times better than what we had under President Jammeh. Therefore, hardly anyone would ever want to revert to the old devil, especially considering the chilling revelations we have all been hearing from the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).
In a similar scenario, it appears that most Gambians are up in arms against the suggestion by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to migrate from the use of marbles in our elections to the universally acclaimed paper ballot system. Are we not really concerned that out of the about 200 countries of the world, the Gambia, one of the smallest, is the only one that still uses such an archaic system? “Why do we want to continue to use ‘stones’ in our elections as if we are still in the Stone Age?” someone sarcastically asked.
Of course, it is good to be unique sometimes, but such uniqueness should be based on something worth emulating. However, in this case, it is something that virtually everyone else has moved away from, and no doubt for a very good reason. Therefore, apart from being afraid of change, there is hardly any other reason why we still want to maintain such a system.
We have heard some people give some flimsy reasons as to why we should continue with the use of the marbles; such as “if it is not broken, why try to fix it”, while others describe it as a more fraud-proof system compared to the paper ballot. Some even try to justify its continuous use to the fact that a majority of Gambian voters are not literate and therefore would not know how to use the paper ballot.
Of course, like every system, there are advantages and disadvantages, but with honest analysis, one would realise that there are far more advantages than disadvantages in migrating to the use of paper ballots. Like the Chairman of the IEC once said; by insisting that Gambian voters lack the capacity and sophistication to migrate to the paper ballot, we are assuming that we are the dullest people on earth, especially considering the fact that other countries with lower literacy rates and level of sophistication have been using the system without major problems. Why would the Gambia be different? Someone even said; “If countries with far lower literacy rates like Guinea Bissau, for instance, can successfully adopt the paper ballot system and had been holding relatively free and fair elections, then it is hard to see why this country should still hang on to such an archaic system.”
There was indeed a time when the marble system was serving this country very well, especially when we had few political parties and a manageable number of registered voters. However, now that we are likely to have a voter population of over one million and almost 20 registered political parties and several potential independent candidates, the dynamics have drastically changed.
In the past, we hardly had more than three candidates in presidential elections and a similar number for local government or National Assembly elections per ward or constituency. It was therefore quite easy to allocate a ballot box to each candidate with his/her photograph, party colour and symbol clearly displayed on the ballot box. Therefore, with not more than four boxes in a polling booth, it was quite simple for anyone to just walk in there and easily identify his/her preferred candidate.
However, with the potential of having 20 or even more ballot boxes cramped into one small polling booth, despite all of them with their candidate’s photographs, party symbols and colours (no doubt some of them quite similar), it would still be almost impossible for an unsophisticated old woman from the rural areas, for instance, getting alone into that polling booth and being expected to go around and identify her preferred candidate. It is certainly a prescription for chaos.
Comparing that scenario to the paper ballot system in which only one ballot box would be required for every polling booth, regardless of the number of candidates, and the very fact that such a box would be placed in the open where it would be seen by everyone, it makes quite a lot of sense to assume that such a system is much simpler. Also, with a single list of the candidates in a particular polling station containing their photographs, party colours and symbols, it would be much easier for the voters to identify and tick against their preferred candidates.
Another significant difference between the two systems is that, while in the case of the paper ballots, there is the opportunity to keep the ballots for a very long time for reference purposes, but in the case of the marbles, the IEC can only keep them as long as the next elections, as they are the same marbles used for all elections.
Therefore, by every indication, the paper ballot is a far much less complicated system to use than the marbles and all that Gambian voters may need would be simple sensitization by the IEC. Indeed, if the IEC were quite serious about migrating to the paper ballot system, it could have done the sensitization since 2017 rather than wait until when it is too late.
However, for the paper ballot system, the onus of sensitization is more on the political parties and their candidates than anyone else. This is because it is in their paramount interest to ensure that the voters easily identify their candidates when they get hold of the ballot paper.
Now that the IEC has resolved to go ahead with the marbles for the forthcoming Presidential elections, some people are quite worried about the possible implications, considering the possible logistical nightmare of managing the system in view of the potential number of candidates that may be involved. The management of the situation could even be quite dire during the National Assembly elections when we expect far many candidates per constituency than we had ever seen in this country.
Therefore, in view of the possible logistical nightmare involved in going ahead with the marbles, some people are skeptical of whether the IEC has the capacity to conduct free and credible elections under the circumstances. This is in view of the fact that the Commission seems not quite well prepared for the next electoral process. While it has already released its calendar for the process, but it seems too little and too late in the day as there is very little time left for the presidential elections, compared to the mammoth task that the process involves. Is it possible to carry out a general voter registration and all the other processes involved, with less than eight months left before the presidential elections? This makes everyone wonder what the Commission had been doing since 2017 when it had all the time in the world to carry out the necessary reforms and it still failed to do so.
While the IEC has no doubt abandoned the idea of holding a referendum for a new constitution after the failure of the President Goodluck Jonathan project, but the Commission needs to clarify whether it intends to carry out any amendments to the 1997 Constitution in order to make it at least meet some of the wishes of a majority of Gambians. For instance, is it possible to restore Section 48 that required a 50 +1 majority for a presidential candidate to win an election in the first round, which was later amended by the Jammeh regime to a simple majority?
Another area that the Commission however still needs to clarify is how it intends to go about the logistics of the registration of diaspora Gambians. Does the Commission really have the capacity to undertake such a project, especially in view of the time factor and resources involved?
Re: China condemns assault on Sanyang fishmeal factory
APRIL 7, 2021.
I am appalled at the adverse misdirected plea from the Chinese Ambassador after the Sanyang incident. Chinese fishmeal factories are exploitative to the Gambia and the local communities within which they operate. Still, their operations are outright ruthless and criminal in The Gambia and throughout the African continent. Interesting to note that the Chinese Ambassador is more concerned about protecting the fishmeal business than the destruction and havoc their operations are causing the Gambian communities. It is destructive to our economy, the environment, and our food security. I am disappointed that the Ambassador is more concerned with profits than saving the Gambian people’s lives. His plea to the Gambian government is unfortunately misrepresented and misplaced. I am still baffled at why the Gambian government has not shut down all these fishmeal factories in the country, considering the very negative and disastrous consequences on our communities since 2016.
If the Gambian government did not close these Chinese fishmeal companies in the country, the frustrated youth and the community will choose to protect their rights and livelihood. Dialogue is most welcome, but these fishmeal operations are nothing but causing havoc to the environment and our food security. Yet, operating with an audacious outright disrespect to the country, especially the very local communities, that they are ripping their only means of livelihood.
I am shocked by the Chinese Ambassador’s presser about the Sanyang situation. Foreign direct investments are just not about profits at the expense of the host citizens. It must protect and improve the lives of both countries. The foreign direct investment must be a win-win for both countries engaged in the business. This fishmeal business is a direct assault on our existence; and that of future generations. I am seriously unnerved at the Gambian government’s mute on this issue. If the government and its officials are not complicit in these operations, these fishmeal factories have to cease operations altogether.
It is only in Africa that “foreign direct investments” deplete fish from our seas, smuggle all timber from our forests, encroach and illegally acquire fertile land, confiscate women’s gardens, deplete black sand from our coastal towns, causing a severe economic and environmental disaster for the countries/continent. These coastal town communities have been helplessly complaining about the environmental havoc, recklessness, and severe hazards. These operations are costing them their survival, but their plea falls on deaf ears. This erosion and broad daylight robbery of the country’s future cannot go on. If China wants to engage in business in the Gambia, it should engage in companies that will benefit both countries economically, foster communal relations, and respect ON equal terms.
I am calling and pleading to the government, environmentalists, activists, and all concerned citizens to make their voices known against these Chinese fishmeal operations. To come together to fight this ruthless, destructive enterprise under the guise of a “Foreign Direct Investment.” What a shame. A Gambian national will dare not catch a frog in Chinese waters much more deplete their seas of their primary source of nutrition without repercussions. What is happening in the Gambia is not a business deal or engagement but an assault on our dignity, human rights, and livelihood.
Given the numerous protest and growing sentiments of the locals in the east coast region of the country, if the Gambian government and its officials are not complicit in these operations, these fishmeal operations should have been stopped immediately. As these fishmeal operations continued to cause them extenuating damages economic and environmentally, the soundings of their alarms kept falling on deaf ears of our leaders.
Well, the heartless and unfair comments coming from the Chinese Ambassador regarding the Sanyang incident suffice what the outcome will be. Chinese direct foreign investment in the Gambia and Africa must be a win-win for businesses and the engagements of collective interests of their citizenry. They must follow the countries’ rules and regulations regarding their operations and respect the welfare of the host country’s citizens. The sad Gambian reality is that these Chinese fishmeal operations could care less over the lives of our people, and they must be shut down immediately! They are abusive and detrimental to our survival.
If the Gambian government did not close these Chinese fishmeal companies in the country, the frustrated youth and the community will choose to protect their rights and livelihood. Dialogue is most welcome, but these fishmeal operations are nothing but causing havoc to the environment and our food security. Yet, operating with an audacious outright disrespect to the country, especially the very local communities, that they are ripping their only means of livelihood.
I am shocked by the Chinese Ambassador’s presser about the Sanyang situation. Foreign direct investments are just not about profits at the expense of the host citizens. It must protect and improve the lives of both countries. The foreign direct investment must be a win-win for both countries engaged in the business. This fishmeal business is a direct assault on our existence; and that of future generations. I am seriously unnerved at the Gambian government’s mute on this issue. If the government and its officials are not complicit in these operations, these fishmeal factories have to cease operations altogether.
It is only in Africa that “foreign direct investments” deplete fish from our seas, smuggle all timber from our forests, encroach and illegally acquire fertile land, confiscate women’s gardens, deplete black sand from our coastal towns, causing a severe economic and environmental disaster for the countries/continent. These coastal town communities have been helplessly complaining about the environmental havoc, recklessness, and severe hazards. These operations are costing them their survival, but their plea falls on deaf ears. This erosion and broad daylight robbery of the country’s future cannot go on. If China wants to engage in business in the Gambia, it should engage in companies that will benefit both countries economically, foster communal relations, and respect ON equal terms.
I am calling and pleading to the government, environmentalists, activists, and all concerned citizens to make their voices known against these Chinese fishmeal operations. To come together to fight this ruthless, destructive enterprise under the guise of a “Foreign Direct Investment.” What a shame. A Gambian national will dare not catch a frog in Chinese waters much more deplete their seas of their primary source of nutrition without repercussions. What is happening in the Gambia is not a business deal or engagement but an assault on our dignity, human rights, and livelihood.
Given the numerous protest and growing sentiments of the locals in the east coast region of the country, if the Gambian government and its officials are not complicit in these operations, these fishmeal operations should have been stopped immediately. As these fishmeal operations continued to cause them extenuating damages economic and environmentally, the soundings of their alarms kept falling on deaf ears of our leaders.
Well, the heartless and unfair comments coming from the Chinese Ambassador regarding the Sanyang incident suffice what the outcome will be. Chinese direct foreign investment in the Gambia and Africa must be a win-win for businesses and the engagements of collective interests of their citizenry. They must follow the countries’ rules and regulations regarding their operations and respect the welfare of the host country’s citizens. The sad Gambian reality is that these Chinese fishmeal operations could care less over the lives of our people, and they must be shut down immediately! They are abusive and detrimental to our survival.
2 caught in possession of illegal GFF logoed shirts
APRIL 7, 2021.
he Gambia Football Federation announced yesterday that it has apprehended two people allegedly involved in the illegal sale of Lacoste shirts with the GFF logo printed on them.
”The operation, with help from The Gambia Police Force (GPF), and the Ebo Town Police Post, arrested a man found with 25 Lacoste shirts with GFF registered crest printed on them in Wellingara,” the GFF said.
The shirts were recovered and confiscated but the suspect led the operations team to a shop in Banjul with a press machine where piles and piles of plain Lacoste shirts were found waiting to be printed with GFF logos for commercial gains.
According to the GFF, the two men were both escorted to the Ebo Town Police Post where they were later released on bail. The GFF warned that it will not allow illegal use of its regalia, logo or those of the national teams for commercial gains.
”The operation, with help from The Gambia Police Force (GPF), and the Ebo Town Police Post, arrested a man found with 25 Lacoste shirts with GFF registered crest printed on them in Wellingara,” the GFF said.
The shirts were recovered and confiscated but the suspect led the operations team to a shop in Banjul with a press machine where piles and piles of plain Lacoste shirts were found waiting to be printed with GFF logos for commercial gains.
According to the GFF, the two men were both escorted to the Ebo Town Police Post where they were later released on bail. The GFF warned that it will not allow illegal use of its regalia, logo or those of the national teams for commercial gains.
NARCOTICS OFFICERS OBSTRUCTED FROM ARRESTING MANKAMANG KUNDA SUSPECT
APRIL 7, 2021.
By Omar Bah
Officers of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency were on Monday obstructed in Mankamang Kunda when they attempted to arrest an alleged ‘notorious’ cannabis dealer in the village, The Standard has been reliably informed.
The narcotics officers reportedly went to the president’s home village to arrest one Buba Manneh, who they suspected of being in possession of cannabis.
According to impeccable security sources, Buba was arrested a few months ago for being in possession of 600grams of cannabis and charged. He was fined D50, 000.
In April 2020, one Abdoulie Baldeh, 30, was also arrested in Mankamang Kunda with two bundles of cannabis.
A senior narcotics officer in Basse, who was part of Monday’s operation and spoke to The Standard on the basis of anonymity, said: “All these days we were receiving information that Buba Manneh is in possession of cannabis but we could not go there because the president was there. We didn’t want to go there and cause embarrassment to the president.”
But he said one of their officers was sent there to monitor the situation in and around the suspect’s house.
“It was when the president left for the Kombos that we decided to go there on Monday and upon arrival, we were led to the suspect’s compound by the same officer who was there to monitor his movements. When we entered the compound, we found two people; the suspect Buba and another man in the house preparing cannabis but the moment he knew we were around, Buba threw the cannabis behind his house. The other guy managed to escape but we arrested Buba. But we could not take him because some villagers obstructed us.”
“The moment we attempted to search the suspect’s house, a serious confrontation ensued after the suspect appealed to the residents in Fula language not to allow our officers to search his house because if they do, they will find cannabis which could put him in trouble.
So some of the residents who were there obstructed us and told us to stop arresting people in the village. They started telling us why we didn’t try to arrest people in Kanilai during Yahya Jammeh’s time. They said they will not allow us to arrest anybody in the village again,” the narcotics officer told The Standard.
“But what was strange is that even when we approached the PIU officers there to assist us, they took no interest and even told us that we didn’t inform them when we were coming,” he said.
When contacted for comments, the DLEAG spokesperson, Lamin Saidybah, said: “I can confirm that the operation took place and our officers were obstructed. Our officers are currently working on their report and when they are done, I will update the media in due course. But I can assure you that we will not relent on our job to ensure that we bring culprits to book.”
Officers of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency were on Monday obstructed in Mankamang Kunda when they attempted to arrest an alleged ‘notorious’ cannabis dealer in the village, The Standard has been reliably informed.
The narcotics officers reportedly went to the president’s home village to arrest one Buba Manneh, who they suspected of being in possession of cannabis.
According to impeccable security sources, Buba was arrested a few months ago for being in possession of 600grams of cannabis and charged. He was fined D50, 000.
In April 2020, one Abdoulie Baldeh, 30, was also arrested in Mankamang Kunda with two bundles of cannabis.
A senior narcotics officer in Basse, who was part of Monday’s operation and spoke to The Standard on the basis of anonymity, said: “All these days we were receiving information that Buba Manneh is in possession of cannabis but we could not go there because the president was there. We didn’t want to go there and cause embarrassment to the president.”
But he said one of their officers was sent there to monitor the situation in and around the suspect’s house.
“It was when the president left for the Kombos that we decided to go there on Monday and upon arrival, we were led to the suspect’s compound by the same officer who was there to monitor his movements. When we entered the compound, we found two people; the suspect Buba and another man in the house preparing cannabis but the moment he knew we were around, Buba threw the cannabis behind his house. The other guy managed to escape but we arrested Buba. But we could not take him because some villagers obstructed us.”
“The moment we attempted to search the suspect’s house, a serious confrontation ensued after the suspect appealed to the residents in Fula language not to allow our officers to search his house because if they do, they will find cannabis which could put him in trouble.
So some of the residents who were there obstructed us and told us to stop arresting people in the village. They started telling us why we didn’t try to arrest people in Kanilai during Yahya Jammeh’s time. They said they will not allow us to arrest anybody in the village again,” the narcotics officer told The Standard.
“But what was strange is that even when we approached the PIU officers there to assist us, they took no interest and even told us that we didn’t inform them when we were coming,” he said.
When contacted for comments, the DLEAG spokesperson, Lamin Saidybah, said: “I can confirm that the operation took place and our officers were obstructed. Our officers are currently working on their report and when they are done, I will update the media in due course. But I can assure you that we will not relent on our job to ensure that we bring culprits to book.”
Gambia-Senegal signs agreement on transit trade facilitation.
Apr 6, 2021, 11:40 AM
Press release
The Gambia and Senegal Reach Significant Bilateral Agreement on Transit Trade Facilitation
Consistent with the objectives of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, Convention on Interstate Road Transit and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme as well as the Trade and Transit Cooperation Agreement between The Gambia and Senegal on the 12th March 2020 in Dakar, the Governments of the two counties on Tuesday, 30th March 2021, made significant progress towards the facilitation of the transit trade across their respective territories.
At a meeting held in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, officials of both Governments discussed and agreed to adopt strategies for combatting transit fraud through information sharing, eliminating all non-tariff barriers particularly on petroleum products destined to Mali and accelerating the handling of goods in transit to Guinea Bissau and the Republic of Guinea.
The two countries also agreed to codify transit procedures between Gambian and Senegalese Customs Administrations by mid-2021, and adopting the Automated Management of Transit Merchandise (SIGMAT) as well as upgrading strategic border posts.
The high-level talks were led by the Senegalese Minister of Finance and Budget, Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo and his Gambian counterpart, Mambury Njie.
During the high profile talks, both Finance Ministers echoed similar sentiments that Senegal and The Gambia were inextricably interconnected by geography, history, culture and ethno-linguistic realities; forces too powerful to ignore in our geo-political and economic existence as neighbouring states.
Senegalese Finance Minister Diallo was assisted by Ambassador Basiru Saine, High Commissioner of Senegal to The Gambia, Abdourahman Jaye, Director General of the Senegalese Customs and several experts.
Finance Minister Njie was accompanied by Gambia’s Minister of Justice, Dawda A. Jallow, Secretary General Nuha Touray, The Gambia’s High Commissioner to Senegal, His Excellency Hadram
Press release
The Gambia and Senegal Reach Significant Bilateral Agreement on Transit Trade Facilitation
Consistent with the objectives of the revised ECOWAS Treaty, Convention on Interstate Road Transit and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme as well as the Trade and Transit Cooperation Agreement between The Gambia and Senegal on the 12th March 2020 in Dakar, the Governments of the two counties on Tuesday, 30th March 2021, made significant progress towards the facilitation of the transit trade across their respective territories.
At a meeting held in the Senegalese capital, Dakar, officials of both Governments discussed and agreed to adopt strategies for combatting transit fraud through information sharing, eliminating all non-tariff barriers particularly on petroleum products destined to Mali and accelerating the handling of goods in transit to Guinea Bissau and the Republic of Guinea.
The two countries also agreed to codify transit procedures between Gambian and Senegalese Customs Administrations by mid-2021, and adopting the Automated Management of Transit Merchandise (SIGMAT) as well as upgrading strategic border posts.
The high-level talks were led by the Senegalese Minister of Finance and Budget, Abdoulaye Daouda Diallo and his Gambian counterpart, Mambury Njie.
During the high profile talks, both Finance Ministers echoed similar sentiments that Senegal and The Gambia were inextricably interconnected by geography, history, culture and ethno-linguistic realities; forces too powerful to ignore in our geo-political and economic existence as neighbouring states.
Senegalese Finance Minister Diallo was assisted by Ambassador Basiru Saine, High Commissioner of Senegal to The Gambia, Abdourahman Jaye, Director General of the Senegalese Customs and several experts.
Finance Minister Njie was accompanied by Gambia’s Minister of Justice, Dawda A. Jallow, Secretary General Nuha Touray, The Gambia’s High Commissioner to Senegal, His Excellency Hadram
117 suspected criminal arrested,the gambia.
Apr 6, 2021, 12:06 PM
The Police High Command says it has activated a Joint Security High Visibility Patrols targeting criminal hideouts within the Greater Banjul and West Coast Regions, leading to arrest of 117 suspected criminals.The objective of the operation was to tackle crime and criminal activities within communities and to dismantle all criminal hideouts, as well as prosecute offenders in accordance with the Law.
Over the weekend a total number of 117 people including three females were arrested at various criminal hideouts within the Greater Banjul and West Coast Regions. Among the number of people arrested, 15 were arrested at Banjul Region, 75 arrested at Kanifing Region and 27 arrested at West Coast Region.
According to the police, they were arrested in connection with several offences including going armed in public, assault causing actual bodily harm, possession of suspected drugs, possession of suspected stolen properties, idle and disorderly manners, and attempt to commit felony among others.
They are currently being processed for court actions.
“The public is assured that; the conduct of the security personnel shall be strictly within the confines of the Law. To ensure this, the Police High Command has instituted a strong Inspectorate Unit to regularly supervise and monitor the activities of security personnel, in a bid to ensure respect for human rights and the rule of Law.”
The police notified the public that they may be seeing high presence of security movements within their vicinities as routine patrols will be intensified. However, they said people are urged not to panic and should go about doing their lawful businesses.
“Individuals going armed in public with knives and other small weapons will be stopped and searched and anyone found wanting will be processed and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law,” says the police.”
Similarly, police say all criminal dens, vous, ghettos, and criminal hideouts will be targeted during the exercise.
“Members of the public who wish to travel outside or leave their homes for other reasons during odd hours of the night are accordingly encouraged to carry with them documents for identification purposes.”
“The public is further reminded that, it is our collective responsibility to collaborate and partner with the security in the fight against crime.”
The Police High Command says it has activated a Joint Security High Visibility Patrols targeting criminal hideouts within the Greater Banjul and West Coast Regions, leading to arrest of 117 suspected criminals.The objective of the operation was to tackle crime and criminal activities within communities and to dismantle all criminal hideouts, as well as prosecute offenders in accordance with the Law.
Over the weekend a total number of 117 people including three females were arrested at various criminal hideouts within the Greater Banjul and West Coast Regions. Among the number of people arrested, 15 were arrested at Banjul Region, 75 arrested at Kanifing Region and 27 arrested at West Coast Region.
According to the police, they were arrested in connection with several offences including going armed in public, assault causing actual bodily harm, possession of suspected drugs, possession of suspected stolen properties, idle and disorderly manners, and attempt to commit felony among others.
They are currently being processed for court actions.
“The public is assured that; the conduct of the security personnel shall be strictly within the confines of the Law. To ensure this, the Police High Command has instituted a strong Inspectorate Unit to regularly supervise and monitor the activities of security personnel, in a bid to ensure respect for human rights and the rule of Law.”
The police notified the public that they may be seeing high presence of security movements within their vicinities as routine patrols will be intensified. However, they said people are urged not to panic and should go about doing their lawful businesses.
“Individuals going armed in public with knives and other small weapons will be stopped and searched and anyone found wanting will be processed and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law,” says the police.”
Similarly, police say all criminal dens, vous, ghettos, and criminal hideouts will be targeted during the exercise.
“Members of the public who wish to travel outside or leave their homes for other reasons during odd hours of the night are accordingly encouraged to carry with them documents for identification purposes.”
“The public is further reminded that, it is our collective responsibility to collaborate and partner with the security in the fight against crime.”
Sanyang demand unconditional release of arrested youths
APRIL 6, 2021.
By Olimatou Coker
The Sanyang Youths Development Taskforce Committee on Thursday held a press conference to demand the unconditional release of their fellow youths who were arrested in the wake of last month’s violent riot in the village.
At least 22 youths are currently detained at the Mile II Central Prisons in connection with the incident.
Addressing journalists, the Sanyang taskforce chairman Yusupha Jobe, said: “We demand the release of our youths because it is the inaction of the government to address our concerns that is responsible for the current degeneration of the situation in our community.”
The committee chairman further noted that the violent protests came as a result of longstanding frustrations “caused by the lack of justice in the persistent environmental violations and pollution by the fishmeal factory and mining companies in Sanyang.
“We have suffered enough from the activities of the factory and we now kindly seek immediate international intervention because as long as these factories continue to exist, both our lives and livelihoods are threatened and as such natural resource related conflicts will persist,” Chairman Yusupha Jobe warned.
He said what the government needs to do is to engage the civil society and others to study the root cause of the Sanyang incident.
“Our village has lost a great man of values, positive attitude and impeccable character and devoted Muslim,” Jobe said, referring to Gibril Ceesay, the victim of last month’s homicide that sparked the riot in the village in which the fishmeal factory and police station were burnt. The police have said the mob had taken the law into their hands. The lawyer and relatives of the arrested youths have accused the police of refusing to release them even after a court order, pending the transfer of the case to another court.
The Sanyang Youths Development Taskforce Committee on Thursday held a press conference to demand the unconditional release of their fellow youths who were arrested in the wake of last month’s violent riot in the village.
At least 22 youths are currently detained at the Mile II Central Prisons in connection with the incident.
Addressing journalists, the Sanyang taskforce chairman Yusupha Jobe, said: “We demand the release of our youths because it is the inaction of the government to address our concerns that is responsible for the current degeneration of the situation in our community.”
The committee chairman further noted that the violent protests came as a result of longstanding frustrations “caused by the lack of justice in the persistent environmental violations and pollution by the fishmeal factory and mining companies in Sanyang.
“We have suffered enough from the activities of the factory and we now kindly seek immediate international intervention because as long as these factories continue to exist, both our lives and livelihoods are threatened and as such natural resource related conflicts will persist,” Chairman Yusupha Jobe warned.
He said what the government needs to do is to engage the civil society and others to study the root cause of the Sanyang incident.
“Our village has lost a great man of values, positive attitude and impeccable character and devoted Muslim,” Jobe said, referring to Gibril Ceesay, the victim of last month’s homicide that sparked the riot in the village in which the fishmeal factory and police station were burnt. The police have said the mob had taken the law into their hands. The lawyer and relatives of the arrested youths have accused the police of refusing to release them even after a court order, pending the transfer of the case to another court.
NAMs want Gambia, EU, Senegal fishing agreements reviewed
APRIL 6, 2021.
By Tabora Bojang
National Assembly members have called for a swift revisiting of Gambia’s fishing agreements with Senegal and the European Union, which allow fleets of foreign industrial fishing boats to fish in Gambian waters. The Gambia Government in 2019 signed a 6-year fisheries agreement with the European Union which allows EU vessels from Spain, Greece and France to fish 3300 tons of tuna in Gambian waters yearly, with a financial compensation of € 550, 000 per year.
According to the deal, half of this yearly contribution, about €275, 000, will be used to strengthen management of fisheries resources and development of the Gambian fishing sector.
A similar fisheries and aquaculture agreement was signed between The Gambia and neighbouring Senegal in 2017, to “boost the Gambian fishing industry and capacity” and yearly train five Gambians at the Dakar school of maritime.
But during the National Assembly adjournment debate for the 2021 legislative year Thursday, several members proposed that the agreements should be revisited arguing that they have caused a precarious unsustainable situation in the artisanal fishing industry, including increased fish prices and fish scarcity across the country.
“Gambians are really suffering to get fish or to have access to fish, while best quality fish is taken out of the shores of The Gambia all in the name of agreements,” Foni Kansala member Musa Amul Nyassi decried.
“It is high time we [ the Assembly] engaged the Ministry of Fisheries to review these agreements and see how we can put a stop to what is happening.”
Nyassi warned that Gambians will continue to be “exploited” of their “God-given resources” amid undermined food insecurity “unless these deals are urgently revisited.”
The Upper Fulladu NAM Sanna Jawara, said: “We [NAMs] signed these deals [with Senegal and EU] in good faith because the minister promised that there are very attractive benefits for the country in terms of capacity building, monitoring and other benefits of trainings as well as the transfer of knowledge and experience to Gambian citizens but it is evident that this is not happening and we are losing stock of our blue economy. I would urge the committee to engage the ministry and see how we do a revisit of these agreements.”
Kajali Fofana of Jarra West said the bilateral fishing agreements and the issuance of license to foreign industrial fishing vessels have continued to negatively impact on local artisanal fishing operators, women processors and generally pressured the Gambia’s food insecurity.
“The availability and affordability of fish from 2018 to date is getting from bad to worse and so there is a need to go back to the agreement to remedy the situation,” Fofana urged fellow NAMs.
The NAM for Bundung Bakary Njie, questioned the issuance of license to fish oil factories operating in coastal Gambia saying it is unfair for Gambians to be struggling to “make ends meet” when foreign factories are eating away tons of fresh fish to “feed their animals.” “We need to look at this matter seriously, and find ways to address it, before it turns to be a national disaster or a catastrophe. We cannot starve our people and bring factories to feed animals in other countries,” NAM Njie warned.
Ousman Sillah of Banjul North said it would be wise for the Barrow administration to invest in fishing as a means of production and youth empowerment instead of the continuous reliance on agreements and licenses paid by fishing companies.
“What is stopping the government from taking the lead? The young people of this country need the right environment to be productive,” he said.
National Assembly members have called for a swift revisiting of Gambia’s fishing agreements with Senegal and the European Union, which allow fleets of foreign industrial fishing boats to fish in Gambian waters. The Gambia Government in 2019 signed a 6-year fisheries agreement with the European Union which allows EU vessels from Spain, Greece and France to fish 3300 tons of tuna in Gambian waters yearly, with a financial compensation of € 550, 000 per year.
According to the deal, half of this yearly contribution, about €275, 000, will be used to strengthen management of fisheries resources and development of the Gambian fishing sector.
A similar fisheries and aquaculture agreement was signed between The Gambia and neighbouring Senegal in 2017, to “boost the Gambian fishing industry and capacity” and yearly train five Gambians at the Dakar school of maritime.
But during the National Assembly adjournment debate for the 2021 legislative year Thursday, several members proposed that the agreements should be revisited arguing that they have caused a precarious unsustainable situation in the artisanal fishing industry, including increased fish prices and fish scarcity across the country.
“Gambians are really suffering to get fish or to have access to fish, while best quality fish is taken out of the shores of The Gambia all in the name of agreements,” Foni Kansala member Musa Amul Nyassi decried.
“It is high time we [ the Assembly] engaged the Ministry of Fisheries to review these agreements and see how we can put a stop to what is happening.”
Nyassi warned that Gambians will continue to be “exploited” of their “God-given resources” amid undermined food insecurity “unless these deals are urgently revisited.”
The Upper Fulladu NAM Sanna Jawara, said: “We [NAMs] signed these deals [with Senegal and EU] in good faith because the minister promised that there are very attractive benefits for the country in terms of capacity building, monitoring and other benefits of trainings as well as the transfer of knowledge and experience to Gambian citizens but it is evident that this is not happening and we are losing stock of our blue economy. I would urge the committee to engage the ministry and see how we do a revisit of these agreements.”
Kajali Fofana of Jarra West said the bilateral fishing agreements and the issuance of license to foreign industrial fishing vessels have continued to negatively impact on local artisanal fishing operators, women processors and generally pressured the Gambia’s food insecurity.
“The availability and affordability of fish from 2018 to date is getting from bad to worse and so there is a need to go back to the agreement to remedy the situation,” Fofana urged fellow NAMs.
The NAM for Bundung Bakary Njie, questioned the issuance of license to fish oil factories operating in coastal Gambia saying it is unfair for Gambians to be struggling to “make ends meet” when foreign factories are eating away tons of fresh fish to “feed their animals.” “We need to look at this matter seriously, and find ways to address it, before it turns to be a national disaster or a catastrophe. We cannot starve our people and bring factories to feed animals in other countries,” NAM Njie warned.
Ousman Sillah of Banjul North said it would be wise for the Barrow administration to invest in fishing as a means of production and youth empowerment instead of the continuous reliance on agreements and licenses paid by fishing companies.
“What is stopping the government from taking the lead? The young people of this country need the right environment to be productive,” he said.
Street price for cement pegged at D305
APRIL 6, 2021.
By Mafugi Ceesay
The Ministry of Trade has announced that henceforth cement will be sold in The Gambia at D285, factory price, and D305 retail price.
The new measure is contained in a press statement issued by the Ministry over the weekend, following a public outcry about the unavailability and high price of cement. The ministry also said cement has now been classified as an essential commodity and warned against hoarding it.
The full statement reads:
“The General Public is hereby informed that the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, as part of its monitoring of prices of commodities has observed with great concern the continuous hikes in the prices of some of these commodities, especially cement.
Following these observations, the Ministry has conducted a series of consultations with the relevant stakeholders, and it was confirmed that there is a disproportional increase between the wholesale and retail prices of cement. The factory price ranges from D265 to D285 whilst the retail price has ranged from D340 to D400 over the past few weeks.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) wishes to inform that the Essential Commodities Act enacted by the National Assembly in 2015 serves to ensure that, in the interest of the General Public, the importation, distribution and retailing of essential commodities in The Gambia is regulated to ensure its availability at fair and reasonable prices. By this declaration, cement is now classified as an essential commodity in line with the Essential Commodities Act 2015. As such, all importers, distributors and retailers of cement are required to obtain a license from MOTIE with immediate effect in line with the Act.
In addition to cement, all importers, distributors and major retailers of the following essential commodities are reminded to obtain a license from MOTIE by I s t of May 2021: rice, sugar, edible oil, onions, potatoes, flour, chicken legs and whole chicken.
In view of this, Government is imposing a Price Cap on the wholesale price of a bag of cement at D285 and a cap on the retail price at D305 with immediate effect.
Any entity/person found selling cement at any price above the capped prices will be subject to the full penalty of the law as stipulated in the Consumer Protection Act
2014. The General Public is also encouraged to report any incidence of cement sales above the capped price to MOTIE or the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for immediate action.
The dealers in cement are hereby reminded that the act of hoarding is against the Hoarding (prohibition) Act, No.8 of 2009.
The General Public is hereby informed that the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, as part of its monitoring of prices of commodities has observed with great concern the continuous hikes in the prices of some of these commodities, especially cement.
Following these observations, the Ministry has conducted a series of consultations with the relevant stakeholders, and it was confirmed that there is a disproportional increase between the wholesale and retail prices of cement. The factory price ranges from D265 to D285 whilst the retail price has ranged from D340 to D400 over the past few weeks.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) wishes to inform that the Essential Commodities Act enacted by the National Assembly in 2015 serves to ensure that, in the interest of the General Public, the importation, distribution and retailing of essential commodities in The Gambia is regulated to ensure its availability at fair and reasonable prices . By this declaration, cement is now classified as an essential commodity in line with the Essential Commodities Act 2015. As such, all importers, distributors and retailers of cement are required to obtain a license from MOTIE with immediate effect in line with the Act.
In addition to cement, all importers, distributors and major retailers of the following essential commodities are reminded to obtain a license from MOTIE by 1s t of May 2021: rice, sugar, edible oil, onio ns, potatoes, flo ur, chicken legs and whole chicken.
In view of this, Government is imposing a Price Cap on the wholesale price of a bag of cement at D285 and a cap on the retail price at D305 with immediate effect.
Any entity/person found selling cement at any price above the capped prices will be subject to the full penalty of the law as stipulated in the Consumer Protection Act
2014. The General Public is also encouraged to report any incidence of cement sales above the capped price to MOTIE or the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for immediate action.
The dealers in cement are hereby reminded that the act of hoarding is against the Hoarding (prohibition) Act, No.8 of 2009.”
The Ministry of Trade has announced that henceforth cement will be sold in The Gambia at D285, factory price, and D305 retail price.
The new measure is contained in a press statement issued by the Ministry over the weekend, following a public outcry about the unavailability and high price of cement. The ministry also said cement has now been classified as an essential commodity and warned against hoarding it.
The full statement reads:
“The General Public is hereby informed that the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, as part of its monitoring of prices of commodities has observed with great concern the continuous hikes in the prices of some of these commodities, especially cement.
Following these observations, the Ministry has conducted a series of consultations with the relevant stakeholders, and it was confirmed that there is a disproportional increase between the wholesale and retail prices of cement. The factory price ranges from D265 to D285 whilst the retail price has ranged from D340 to D400 over the past few weeks.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) wishes to inform that the Essential Commodities Act enacted by the National Assembly in 2015 serves to ensure that, in the interest of the General Public, the importation, distribution and retailing of essential commodities in The Gambia is regulated to ensure its availability at fair and reasonable prices. By this declaration, cement is now classified as an essential commodity in line with the Essential Commodities Act 2015. As such, all importers, distributors and retailers of cement are required to obtain a license from MOTIE with immediate effect in line with the Act.
In addition to cement, all importers, distributors and major retailers of the following essential commodities are reminded to obtain a license from MOTIE by I s t of May 2021: rice, sugar, edible oil, onions, potatoes, flour, chicken legs and whole chicken.
In view of this, Government is imposing a Price Cap on the wholesale price of a bag of cement at D285 and a cap on the retail price at D305 with immediate effect.
Any entity/person found selling cement at any price above the capped prices will be subject to the full penalty of the law as stipulated in the Consumer Protection Act
2014. The General Public is also encouraged to report any incidence of cement sales above the capped price to MOTIE or the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for immediate action.
The dealers in cement are hereby reminded that the act of hoarding is against the Hoarding (prohibition) Act, No.8 of 2009.
The General Public is hereby informed that the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, as part of its monitoring of prices of commodities has observed with great concern the continuous hikes in the prices of some of these commodities, especially cement.
Following these observations, the Ministry has conducted a series of consultations with the relevant stakeholders, and it was confirmed that there is a disproportional increase between the wholesale and retail prices of cement. The factory price ranges from D265 to D285 whilst the retail price has ranged from D340 to D400 over the past few weeks.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment (MOTIE) wishes to inform that the Essential Commodities Act enacted by the National Assembly in 2015 serves to ensure that, in the interest of the General Public, the importation, distribution and retailing of essential commodities in The Gambia is regulated to ensure its availability at fair and reasonable prices . By this declaration, cement is now classified as an essential commodity in line with the Essential Commodities Act 2015. As such, all importers, distributors and retailers of cement are required to obtain a license from MOTIE with immediate effect in line with the Act.
In addition to cement, all importers, distributors and major retailers of the following essential commodities are reminded to obtain a license from MOTIE by 1s t of May 2021: rice, sugar, edible oil, onio ns, potatoes, flo ur, chicken legs and whole chicken.
In view of this, Government is imposing a Price Cap on the wholesale price of a bag of cement at D285 and a cap on the retail price at D305 with immediate effect.
Any entity/person found selling cement at any price above the capped prices will be subject to the full penalty of the law as stipulated in the Consumer Protection Act
2014. The General Public is also encouraged to report any incidence of cement sales above the capped price to MOTIE or the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for immediate action.
The dealers in cement are hereby reminded that the act of hoarding is against the Hoarding (prohibition) Act, No.8 of 2009.”
IEC ASSURES DIASPORA VOTING
APRIL 6, 2021.
By Omar Bah
The Independent Electoral Commission has confirmed that a date will soon be announce for the commencement of a voter registration for Gambians living in the diaspora.
Gambians in the diaspora have raised concerns when the IEC released its latest electoral calendar without specifically indicating when they will register.
But the commission has said the absence of diaspora voting in the new electoral calendar doesn’t mean they will not register or vote in December.
Addressing a news conference on Thursday, the IEC chief electoral officer, Samboujang Njie said: “It is in the commission’s plans to register the Diaspora. I can assure you that the IEC is very committed and ever ready to ensure that the diaspora are given the opportunity to vote. We didn’t include them in the recent calendar because we want to conclude with the domestic registration first after which we will communicate the date for the Diaspora registration”.
He further revealed that the commission will identify registration centers for the Diaspora soon, adding that they have written to the Ministry of Justice on the regulations about the planned Diaspora constituencies.
Njie affirmed that the commission will make sure that the Diaspora is registered and vote in December, saying the IEC had recommended Diaspora voting to the Constitutional Review Commission.
Turning to the forthcoming general voter registration planned for May 29, the chief electoral officer said all eligible Gambians with or without voters’ cards should register in this exercise as the old cards will no longer be valid once the general registration starts in May.
He said the registration will be conducted every day for 44 days from 8am to 5pm at 730 registration centers as opposed to 636 previously.
He disclosed that there are 220 registration teams who will crisscross the 730 registration centers and their movement schedules are being developed and will be circulated so that all those eligible to register will know when the team comes to their areas.
“All applicants must appear in person to the registration centers and all applicants must be 18 years old and should have either an ID Card, passport, alkalo or chief’s attestation to be eligible,” he said.
The IEC top official warned Gambians against attempting to register more than once, saying “anyone caught doing so will be dealt with by law”. He said the commission is targeting to register about 1.1 million Gambians “if everything goes to plan”.
Commenting on the recent debacle made by the Ministry of Justice on the Election Bill with regard to the constituency demarcations, Njie said: “The Elections Bill was sent to Parliament with some serious errors mainly because the Ministry of Justice took the bill to parliament without consulting the electoral commission. We hope that the National Assembly will invite us to clarify some of the issues that need clarifications.”
Njie also announced that the commission has elevated Pa Makan Khan as director of training, communications and public affairs. Khan replaced Joe Colley who is now made vice-chairpman.
The Independent Electoral Commission has confirmed that a date will soon be announce for the commencement of a voter registration for Gambians living in the diaspora.
Gambians in the diaspora have raised concerns when the IEC released its latest electoral calendar without specifically indicating when they will register.
But the commission has said the absence of diaspora voting in the new electoral calendar doesn’t mean they will not register or vote in December.
Addressing a news conference on Thursday, the IEC chief electoral officer, Samboujang Njie said: “It is in the commission’s plans to register the Diaspora. I can assure you that the IEC is very committed and ever ready to ensure that the diaspora are given the opportunity to vote. We didn’t include them in the recent calendar because we want to conclude with the domestic registration first after which we will communicate the date for the Diaspora registration”.
He further revealed that the commission will identify registration centers for the Diaspora soon, adding that they have written to the Ministry of Justice on the regulations about the planned Diaspora constituencies.
Njie affirmed that the commission will make sure that the Diaspora is registered and vote in December, saying the IEC had recommended Diaspora voting to the Constitutional Review Commission.
Turning to the forthcoming general voter registration planned for May 29, the chief electoral officer said all eligible Gambians with or without voters’ cards should register in this exercise as the old cards will no longer be valid once the general registration starts in May.
He said the registration will be conducted every day for 44 days from 8am to 5pm at 730 registration centers as opposed to 636 previously.
He disclosed that there are 220 registration teams who will crisscross the 730 registration centers and their movement schedules are being developed and will be circulated so that all those eligible to register will know when the team comes to their areas.
“All applicants must appear in person to the registration centers and all applicants must be 18 years old and should have either an ID Card, passport, alkalo or chief’s attestation to be eligible,” he said.
The IEC top official warned Gambians against attempting to register more than once, saying “anyone caught doing so will be dealt with by law”. He said the commission is targeting to register about 1.1 million Gambians “if everything goes to plan”.
Commenting on the recent debacle made by the Ministry of Justice on the Election Bill with regard to the constituency demarcations, Njie said: “The Elections Bill was sent to Parliament with some serious errors mainly because the Ministry of Justice took the bill to parliament without consulting the electoral commission. We hope that the National Assembly will invite us to clarify some of the issues that need clarifications.”
Njie also announced that the commission has elevated Pa Makan Khan as director of training, communications and public affairs. Khan replaced Joe Colley who is now made vice-chairpman.
Transport Union tells Police to stick to official check points Apr 1, 2021, 11:22 AM | Article By: Adama Tine.
The General Transport Union (GTU), after a nationwide familiarisation tour aimed at getting first hand information from its members about the challenges affecting them, has strongly urged The Gambia Police Force (GPF) to strictly stick to official checkpoints.“We are cognizant of the importance of temporal check points, but they shouldn’t be maintained as permanent ones. There operations should be needed base, and not otherwise,” Omar Ceesay, the president of the Union said.
He added that in order to enhance security and coordinate data collection on freight traffic, the Union highly recommends that there should be compulsory introduction of a manifest domestic and international traffic.
According to him, the government should revisit the issue of check points as they significantly reduce travel times. He added that there is a need to balance the security and efficiency objectives of travelers.
The Union, he said, is of the view that the Senegambia Bridge should enhance the livelihoods of the Gambians. Therefore, the government should consider reducing the tariff for vehicles crossing the bridge.
He further urged the government to improve the safety of both passengers and vehicles by installing standard speed bumps in strategic locations across the country as part of broader efforts at improving road safety.
For reduction of rampant road accidents, Ceesay urged the National Road Authority (NRA), in collaboration with all relevant partners to create designated picking and alighting points along the highway and also create designated crossing points for pedestrians.
He outlined that there is a need for the government in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders especially local councils and the private sector to establish on-street and off-street parking facilities especially in the Greater Banjul Areas where the issue of traffic congestion is more visible.
“The government should come up with mechanisms to ensure that contractors utilize local trucks and the drivers in the construction of government projects as the union is of the view that employing the services of our own Gambian commercial sector will help boost our economy and increase employment,” he suggested.
He added that in order to enhance security and coordinate data collection on freight traffic, the Union highly recommends that there should be compulsory introduction of a manifest domestic and international traffic.
According to him, the government should revisit the issue of check points as they significantly reduce travel times. He added that there is a need to balance the security and efficiency objectives of travelers.
The Union, he said, is of the view that the Senegambia Bridge should enhance the livelihoods of the Gambians. Therefore, the government should consider reducing the tariff for vehicles crossing the bridge.
He further urged the government to improve the safety of both passengers and vehicles by installing standard speed bumps in strategic locations across the country as part of broader efforts at improving road safety.
For reduction of rampant road accidents, Ceesay urged the National Road Authority (NRA), in collaboration with all relevant partners to create designated picking and alighting points along the highway and also create designated crossing points for pedestrians.
He outlined that there is a need for the government in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders especially local councils and the private sector to establish on-street and off-street parking facilities especially in the Greater Banjul Areas where the issue of traffic congestion is more visible.
“The government should come up with mechanisms to ensure that contractors utilize local trucks and the drivers in the construction of government projects as the union is of the view that employing the services of our own Gambian commercial sector will help boost our economy and increase employment,” he suggested.
Gambia photographers impeach president for corruption Apr 1, 2021, 11:34 AM | Article By: Cherno Omar Bobb.
The Gambia Professional Photographers Association on Tuesday impeached their president Matarr Jassey for corruption at an emergency meeting held at B.O. Semega Janneh Hall.Jassey is reported to have illegally withdrawn D49,000 from the association’s account together with one Amat Panneh.
Members of the association also elected former treasurer Abdoulie Fatty as president to replace Matarr Jassey.
Other executive positions were also filled following the resignation of position holders. Ebrima Jammeh was elected deputy vice president, Ousman Camara, former chief organiser as treasurer, Abdoulie Bah as chief organiser, Masaneh Jammeh as public relations officer and Dawda Camara as head of Taskforce.
Alpha Omar Kanagie and Alh Ansumana Ceesay maintained their positions as secretary general and vice president respectively.
Elected executive members will steer the affairs of the association until November 2024 when the association will go to congress again.
Elected executive members promised to work towards the processing of members’ press cards as well as securing a secretariat for the association. They also assured members that they would be there for their interest.
Alpha Omar Kanagie, secretary general of The Gambia Professional Photographers Association, said they were elected into office on 27 November 2020, saying until that day, the previous executive had not handed over to them.
He added that that had made it difficult for them to carry out certain activities.
He explained that monies were withdrawn from their account by the impeached President Matar Hasseh and Amat Panneh without the executive nor the general memberships’ knowledge.
He described Jassey and Panneh’s actions as very shocking to the executive when they knew about it.
He further said that after learning about their actions they investigated and Matar admitted to withdrawing the monies, as such he said they took the needed steps to ensure they pay back the money which they did.
Mr. Kanagie said their constitution has empowered them to impeach any executive member involved in corrupt activities.
He stated that because of corruption, the association cannot still develop.
Ansumana Ceesay, vice president of the association said honesty and sincerity were lacking within the association, thereby holding back its development strides. He added that as an executive they would execute their mandate to the fullest.
Abdoulie Fatty, then treasurer of the association said the withdrawals were made between November 2020 and January 2021. He added that leaders should be accountable and serve as examples as well as safeguarding association’s integrity.
Ousman Camara, chief organiser for the association, said they would not compromise corruption in their association. He assured members of their commitment towards the development of the association.
Meanwhile, Matarr Jassey, when contacted for comments described his impeachment as “illegal”, saying: “we did not do anything illegal because some executive members were contacted before we withdraw the monies.” “In fact I resigned some months before this matter.”
Members of the association also elected former treasurer Abdoulie Fatty as president to replace Matarr Jassey.
Other executive positions were also filled following the resignation of position holders. Ebrima Jammeh was elected deputy vice president, Ousman Camara, former chief organiser as treasurer, Abdoulie Bah as chief organiser, Masaneh Jammeh as public relations officer and Dawda Camara as head of Taskforce.
Alpha Omar Kanagie and Alh Ansumana Ceesay maintained their positions as secretary general and vice president respectively.
Elected executive members will steer the affairs of the association until November 2024 when the association will go to congress again.
Elected executive members promised to work towards the processing of members’ press cards as well as securing a secretariat for the association. They also assured members that they would be there for their interest.
Alpha Omar Kanagie, secretary general of The Gambia Professional Photographers Association, said they were elected into office on 27 November 2020, saying until that day, the previous executive had not handed over to them.
He added that that had made it difficult for them to carry out certain activities.
He explained that monies were withdrawn from their account by the impeached President Matar Hasseh and Amat Panneh without the executive nor the general memberships’ knowledge.
He described Jassey and Panneh’s actions as very shocking to the executive when they knew about it.
He further said that after learning about their actions they investigated and Matar admitted to withdrawing the monies, as such he said they took the needed steps to ensure they pay back the money which they did.
Mr. Kanagie said their constitution has empowered them to impeach any executive member involved in corrupt activities.
He stated that because of corruption, the association cannot still develop.
Ansumana Ceesay, vice president of the association said honesty and sincerity were lacking within the association, thereby holding back its development strides. He added that as an executive they would execute their mandate to the fullest.
Abdoulie Fatty, then treasurer of the association said the withdrawals were made between November 2020 and January 2021. He added that leaders should be accountable and serve as examples as well as safeguarding association’s integrity.
Ousman Camara, chief organiser for the association, said they would not compromise corruption in their association. He assured members of their commitment towards the development of the association.
Meanwhile, Matarr Jassey, when contacted for comments described his impeachment as “illegal”, saying: “we did not do anything illegal because some executive members were contacted before we withdraw the monies.” “In fact I resigned some months before this matter.”
Banjul Road Project: 2nd Disbursement of D423 Million Has Just Been Paid Amid The Severe Fiscal Situation Of The Barrow Government April 2, 2021.
Dear Mr. Mbai,
Whose interest is this government serving Adama Barrow and his cronies or the Gambian people?
The second disbursement of D423 million has been paid bringing the total amount paid so far to the Contracted within a year (February 2020 to February 2021) to be over D900 million. This is more than the combined budgets of the Ministries of Youths and Sports, Fisheries and Natural Resources, Tourism and Culture, and Gender, Children and Social Welfare.
The much controversial contract, awarded in a ‘no tender’ bid to Gai Construction Ltd in 2019 for a reportedly $35.6 million or D1.8 billion fee payable in five instalments is fraudulent and fraught with huge discrepancies. The contract is still not made available to the respective Parliamentarians, and todate many Gambians cannot still know exactly what the real value of the contract is let alone provided with the accurate data on how much installment payments to be made every year. Another D77 million has just been added to the original contract amount of D1.8 billion to cater for ‘additional work’ , obviously without following any required due process.
Every year, the finance minister in a desperate bid to raise the necessary revenues needed to pay the contractor, had to do the impossible in order to meet the huge annual installment payment to be made in the first week of February as specified in the poorly-designed contract agreement.
In January this year the government took over the revenues of the Senegambia Toll Bridge, secretly diverted grant receipts meant for the Covid-19 response, and forced GPA to pay dividend of D50 m when its 2020 Accounts has not yet been audited in order to prioritize the 2nd disbursement payment for the Banjul Road Project.
It would be recalled that the project to rehabilitate and improve the sewage and drainage systems of Banjul has been much criticized during the ordinary session of the National Assembly last year when Finance Minister Mambury Njie made his Oral Statement to Cabinet explained the over 300 percent increase in capital expenditure from D153 million in 2019 to D680 million in 2020, which he attributed to the huge payment made for the Banjul project.
There is no doubt that Banjul with 35, 000 inhabitants is going through tremendous changes in its appearance. However, the rehabilitation of a 14-km road network which also includes improving the drainage, and sewage systems of the capital city, is grossly over-valued. This became apparent when compared to the OIC project to construct a 50km Urban Road at a total value of $50 million. The OIC project is being subjected to international competitive bidding to be approved by the financing institution, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). The systematic approach to the SDF funded project in line with best international practices highlighted the remarkable deficiencies in the planning, design and financing of the Banjul project.
Spending $35.6 million to rehabilitate a 14-kilometer road and sewage systems of Banjul without following established tender procedures especially when the whole project is being prefinanced by the contractor, cast serious doubt about the whole arrangements- from the way the project was conceived to the approval process by cabinet. Projects of such magnitude should have been adequately designed with detailed preparatory studies as well as rigorous appraisal reviews before implementation.
The Banjul project has all the hallmarks of an over-inflated project that is being executed amid gross violations of government transparency and public accountability requirements. The OIC project is meant to construct a 50km dual carriage new roads at a cost of $ 50 million. The Banjul Road project is to rehabilitate a 14km road network at a cost of $35.6 million. Based on this analysis, the Banjul project is no doubt grossly over-valued.
This government must be held to account for every taxpayers’ money laundered in a wasteful and badly designed project only to fill the pockets of greedy people who chose politics for personal enrichment and not to serve the interest of the people who elected them into office. The total amount spent so far (D900 million) does not commensurate with the amount of work done so far.
From: A Concerned Gambian
Whose interest is this government serving Adama Barrow and his cronies or the Gambian people?
The second disbursement of D423 million has been paid bringing the total amount paid so far to the Contracted within a year (February 2020 to February 2021) to be over D900 million. This is more than the combined budgets of the Ministries of Youths and Sports, Fisheries and Natural Resources, Tourism and Culture, and Gender, Children and Social Welfare.
The much controversial contract, awarded in a ‘no tender’ bid to Gai Construction Ltd in 2019 for a reportedly $35.6 million or D1.8 billion fee payable in five instalments is fraudulent and fraught with huge discrepancies. The contract is still not made available to the respective Parliamentarians, and todate many Gambians cannot still know exactly what the real value of the contract is let alone provided with the accurate data on how much installment payments to be made every year. Another D77 million has just been added to the original contract amount of D1.8 billion to cater for ‘additional work’ , obviously without following any required due process.
Every year, the finance minister in a desperate bid to raise the necessary revenues needed to pay the contractor, had to do the impossible in order to meet the huge annual installment payment to be made in the first week of February as specified in the poorly-designed contract agreement.
In January this year the government took over the revenues of the Senegambia Toll Bridge, secretly diverted grant receipts meant for the Covid-19 response, and forced GPA to pay dividend of D50 m when its 2020 Accounts has not yet been audited in order to prioritize the 2nd disbursement payment for the Banjul Road Project.
It would be recalled that the project to rehabilitate and improve the sewage and drainage systems of Banjul has been much criticized during the ordinary session of the National Assembly last year when Finance Minister Mambury Njie made his Oral Statement to Cabinet explained the over 300 percent increase in capital expenditure from D153 million in 2019 to D680 million in 2020, which he attributed to the huge payment made for the Banjul project.
There is no doubt that Banjul with 35, 000 inhabitants is going through tremendous changes in its appearance. However, the rehabilitation of a 14-km road network which also includes improving the drainage, and sewage systems of the capital city, is grossly over-valued. This became apparent when compared to the OIC project to construct a 50km Urban Road at a total value of $50 million. The OIC project is being subjected to international competitive bidding to be approved by the financing institution, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). The systematic approach to the SDF funded project in line with best international practices highlighted the remarkable deficiencies in the planning, design and financing of the Banjul project.
Spending $35.6 million to rehabilitate a 14-kilometer road and sewage systems of Banjul without following established tender procedures especially when the whole project is being prefinanced by the contractor, cast serious doubt about the whole arrangements- from the way the project was conceived to the approval process by cabinet. Projects of such magnitude should have been adequately designed with detailed preparatory studies as well as rigorous appraisal reviews before implementation.
The Banjul project has all the hallmarks of an over-inflated project that is being executed amid gross violations of government transparency and public accountability requirements. The OIC project is meant to construct a 50km dual carriage new roads at a cost of $ 50 million. The Banjul Road project is to rehabilitate a 14km road network at a cost of $35.6 million. Based on this analysis, the Banjul project is no doubt grossly over-valued.
This government must be held to account for every taxpayers’ money laundered in a wasteful and badly designed project only to fill the pockets of greedy people who chose politics for personal enrichment and not to serve the interest of the people who elected them into office. The total amount spent so far (D900 million) does not commensurate with the amount of work done so far.
From: A Concerned Gambian
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‘Jammeh covers-up his lies to imprison 3 top officials’ Apr 1, 2021, 11:45 AM | Article By: Pa Modou Cham.
Lawyer Lamin K. Mboge, yesterday in his second day of testimony before the TRRC revealed that former President Yahya Jammeh ordered the imprisonment of former Attorney General Harry Sambou, former Secretary General Njogu Bah and his personal assistant, Momodou Sabally just to cover-up his lies."Yahya Jammeh signed an order for Justice Wowo to be arrested, detained and tried but when he realised that Justice Wowo had American citizenship and the ambassador raised concerns over the illegalities under which Wowo was arrested, Jammeh withdrew his orders and blamed former Attorney General, Njoigo Bah and Sabally for responsible of Wowo's arrest."
Lawyer Mboge said the three top authorities were tried in court and on the judgment day, they had hope for possible discharge. He added that the court was slated for 10 a.m. but the judge was in his chambers till 1 p.m. and the information they heard was that some plain clothes officers were in the judge's chambers to change his judgment in order to convict the three authorities.
"Jammeh imprisoned the three just to cover-up his lie."
The witness continued that many things had happened in the country during Jammeh's 22 year rule. He added that Mai Fatty's accident was not normal, saying it was planned by a group of people who worked for Jammeh to eliminate Fatty from the judiciary.
In an attempt to eliminate him (Mboge), he further testified that in 2006 during the treason trial, one NIA officer, Lamin Bojang came to his car that was parked in his compound at Brikama.
"I was called and upon arrival, I saw him running with a black and tinted glass car. I suspected that it was the NIA because they were the people who drove those kinds of vehicles."
In a different trap, the witness testified that a similar thing happened on another occasion as he carried his family to the village for a Tobaski feast.
"In another planned accident with a truck in 2016, I was pronounced dead but thank God we are alive because I was in the car with my five family members including my wife."
He told the commission that in 2016, some marked men, dressed in black were in search of him to eliminate him but to no avail.
In 2009, in a case involving Lang Tombong Tamba, in which he represented Sarjo Fofana, the witness said he was later arrested, charged and remanded in custody. He added that his case was politically motivated.
Mboge confirmed to the commission that he later supported Jammeh's government on condition to get discharged from court.
"I supported Jammeh and even campaigned for him. I publicly announced my loyalty to him and later established the Rival Bar Association. "
After long debate with Lead Counsel Essa Faal on many legal terms, the witness finally accepted being used by Jammeh against his colleagues.
In his concluding remarks, he called on the government to help the judiciary with funds for capacity building. He also called on the state to act fast in addressing the ‘slave’ issues in the Upper River Region.
Lawyer Mboge said the three top authorities were tried in court and on the judgment day, they had hope for possible discharge. He added that the court was slated for 10 a.m. but the judge was in his chambers till 1 p.m. and the information they heard was that some plain clothes officers were in the judge's chambers to change his judgment in order to convict the three authorities.
"Jammeh imprisoned the three just to cover-up his lie."
The witness continued that many things had happened in the country during Jammeh's 22 year rule. He added that Mai Fatty's accident was not normal, saying it was planned by a group of people who worked for Jammeh to eliminate Fatty from the judiciary.
In an attempt to eliminate him (Mboge), he further testified that in 2006 during the treason trial, one NIA officer, Lamin Bojang came to his car that was parked in his compound at Brikama.
"I was called and upon arrival, I saw him running with a black and tinted glass car. I suspected that it was the NIA because they were the people who drove those kinds of vehicles."
In a different trap, the witness testified that a similar thing happened on another occasion as he carried his family to the village for a Tobaski feast.
"In another planned accident with a truck in 2016, I was pronounced dead but thank God we are alive because I was in the car with my five family members including my wife."
He told the commission that in 2016, some marked men, dressed in black were in search of him to eliminate him but to no avail.
In 2009, in a case involving Lang Tombong Tamba, in which he represented Sarjo Fofana, the witness said he was later arrested, charged and remanded in custody. He added that his case was politically motivated.
Mboge confirmed to the commission that he later supported Jammeh's government on condition to get discharged from court.
"I supported Jammeh and even campaigned for him. I publicly announced my loyalty to him and later established the Rival Bar Association. "
After long debate with Lead Counsel Essa Faal on many legal terms, the witness finally accepted being used by Jammeh against his colleagues.
In his concluding remarks, he called on the government to help the judiciary with funds for capacity building. He also called on the state to act fast in addressing the ‘slave’ issues in the Upper River Region.
National Federation of Gambian Women seeks for financial assistance Apr 1, 2021, 11:52 AM | Article By: Isatou Ceesay-Bah.
National Federation of Gambian Women is soliciting for financial assistance from government and NGOs to help the feredation construct a walking pavement at its market situated at Sukuta.With a membership of close to 500,000 people, the federation attracts members from both within the Gambia and the Diaspora. The federation is the umbrella body of all women associations in The Gambia.
In an interview with the Point, Fatou Joof, a member of the association disclosed that the federation’s main market situated at Sukuta along the Brusubi highway is faced with numerous challenges making their work difficult.
She lamented that access to the market especially in the rainy season is a challenge, as the area is muddy making its access a difficult challenge.
“We therefore need help to construct a pavement between the buildings and three concrete roads to the main gates. Secondly, the existing borehole is very small which is 4,000liters compared to the size of the entire market. We therefore need a bigger borehole that can meet our demands. We also need electricity, as the area has almost 500 shops of different sizes.”
In an interview with the Point, Fatou Joof, a member of the association disclosed that the federation’s main market situated at Sukuta along the Brusubi highway is faced with numerous challenges making their work difficult.
She lamented that access to the market especially in the rainy season is a challenge, as the area is muddy making its access a difficult challenge.
“We therefore need help to construct a pavement between the buildings and three concrete roads to the main gates. Secondly, the existing borehole is very small which is 4,000liters compared to the size of the entire market. We therefore need a bigger borehole that can meet our demands. We also need electricity, as the area has almost 500 shops of different sizes.”
GFF to decide fate of 2 staff ‘politicians’
APRIL 1, 2021.
The executive committee of the Gambia Football Federation will decide the fate of two of its staff members who are also executive members of political parties. The two are finance director Kemo Ceesay and Pa Matarr Ndow of UDP and APRC, respectively.
According to GFF secretary general, Lamin Jassey, all staff of the Federation have been notified with a regulation which states none can take executive positions in political parties or address political platforms.
Ceesay and Ndow are in contravention of that rule by virtue of being executive members of political parties. “The matter is now forwarded to the GFF executive committee to decide on their position. There is nothing personal in this and I think that should be understood by all,” Jassey told The Standard yesterday.
The Standard contacted both Ceesay and Ndow, but they declined to comment on the issue.
According to GFF secretary general, Lamin Jassey, all staff of the Federation have been notified with a regulation which states none can take executive positions in political parties or address political platforms.
Ceesay and Ndow are in contravention of that rule by virtue of being executive members of political parties. “The matter is now forwarded to the GFF executive committee to decide on their position. There is nothing personal in this and I think that should be understood by all,” Jassey told The Standard yesterday.
The Standard contacted both Ceesay and Ndow, but they declined to comment on the issue.
Appeals court revokes Bob Keita’s bail
APRIL 1, 2021.
By Omar Bah
The Court of Appeal yesterday revoked Bubacarr Keita’s bail and ordered for his arrest and remand over charges of rape.
Mr Keita is accused of raping his former wife’s 15-year-old sister.
Last August, Judge Momodou SM Jallow of the Bundung high court granted him bail in the sum of D100, 000 with two Gambian sureties. But the State appealed against the court’s decision at the Court of Appeal asking for the ruling of the lower court to be set aside and order for the respondent’s bail to be revoked and be remanded in custody, pending the trial and determination of the charges against him.
The State also raised issues on whether the judge has power to grant bail to the respondent, considering the nature of the offence charged and whether the judge exercised his powers properly in granting bail to the respondent.
Deciding on the matter yesterday, a three-member panel of judges led by Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara described four areas in the high court judge’s decision as ‘perverse and unsupportable’ by evidence. Justice Sillah-Camara said the judge adopted both sides’ submissions against the grant of bail as his own.
She said the granting of bail pending an appeal is clearly at the discretion of the court, and it depends on the special facts and circumstances of the case.
“It is never a matter of course, every application for bail pending appeal is to be considered on its peculiar, special facts and circumstances.” The justice said the high court judge misapplied the principle in Henry Gabriel where the Supreme Court granted bail to the man even as he was charged with the non-bailable murder offence. She held that the high court judge granted bail to Keita without ‘substantial’ reasoning.
“The learned trial judge misapplied the facts by failing to have recourse to all the affidavits in support of the bail application. The learned trial judge failed to appreciate the fact that the respondent was arrested on 6th of November 2019 and granted bail on the 7th of November 2019. The amended information was filed on the 15th of June 2019 as stated above.
“The respondent was arraigned on the 20th of July 2020 and he was remanded on the said date. The learned trial judge failed to read the averments on paragraph 6 and 7 of the affidavit in support. The respondent was only charged with the offence of rape on 15th June 2019 and barely over a month and the respondent was arraigned before the high court. Thus, the learned [trial judge] was wrong to have said that the state failed to proceed with the case for more than a year. I hold that the learned trial judge misdirected the facts by holding that the appellant did not prosecute within reasonable time.”
She added: “The learned trial judge in determining the bail application failed to give reason for the fact that the matter was not tried within a reasonable time, he failed to apply the laws to the facts correctly, Section 19 of the constitution was mentioned in the ruling without putting it into proper context and there was no correlation between the facts and the law. The citing of the case of Henry Gabriel supra was done by the way side and no proper recourse of the case was made by the learned trial judge. The learned judge failed to apply the principle in the said case correctly. The learned judge failed to appreciate the fact that the respondent was charged with rape punishable with life imprisonment.”
She argued that the judge failed to cite Section 99 of the CPC which specifically deals with bail and the matter at hand.
“It is clear from the foregoing that the learned trial judge did not handle the matter properly, with due respect to the learned trial judge he misdirected material facts, misapplied principles and failed to apply the law correctly to the facts, therefore the ruling is completely flawed and devoid of reasoning and comprehension,” she added. “I hold the view that the learned trial judge’s decision is not supported by evidence. The appeal succeeds and the ruling dated 11th August 2020 is hereby set aside. The respondent’s bail is hereby revoked. The respondent shall be arrested and remanded in custody pending the trial and determination of the charges against him,” she added.
The Court of Appeal yesterday revoked Bubacarr Keita’s bail and ordered for his arrest and remand over charges of rape.
Mr Keita is accused of raping his former wife’s 15-year-old sister.
Last August, Judge Momodou SM Jallow of the Bundung high court granted him bail in the sum of D100, 000 with two Gambian sureties. But the State appealed against the court’s decision at the Court of Appeal asking for the ruling of the lower court to be set aside and order for the respondent’s bail to be revoked and be remanded in custody, pending the trial and determination of the charges against him.
The State also raised issues on whether the judge has power to grant bail to the respondent, considering the nature of the offence charged and whether the judge exercised his powers properly in granting bail to the respondent.
Deciding on the matter yesterday, a three-member panel of judges led by Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara described four areas in the high court judge’s decision as ‘perverse and unsupportable’ by evidence. Justice Sillah-Camara said the judge adopted both sides’ submissions against the grant of bail as his own.
She said the granting of bail pending an appeal is clearly at the discretion of the court, and it depends on the special facts and circumstances of the case.
“It is never a matter of course, every application for bail pending appeal is to be considered on its peculiar, special facts and circumstances.” The justice said the high court judge misapplied the principle in Henry Gabriel where the Supreme Court granted bail to the man even as he was charged with the non-bailable murder offence. She held that the high court judge granted bail to Keita without ‘substantial’ reasoning.
“The learned trial judge misapplied the facts by failing to have recourse to all the affidavits in support of the bail application. The learned trial judge failed to appreciate the fact that the respondent was arrested on 6th of November 2019 and granted bail on the 7th of November 2019. The amended information was filed on the 15th of June 2019 as stated above.
“The respondent was arraigned on the 20th of July 2020 and he was remanded on the said date. The learned trial judge failed to read the averments on paragraph 6 and 7 of the affidavit in support. The respondent was only charged with the offence of rape on 15th June 2019 and barely over a month and the respondent was arraigned before the high court. Thus, the learned [trial judge] was wrong to have said that the state failed to proceed with the case for more than a year. I hold that the learned trial judge misdirected the facts by holding that the appellant did not prosecute within reasonable time.”
She added: “The learned trial judge in determining the bail application failed to give reason for the fact that the matter was not tried within a reasonable time, he failed to apply the laws to the facts correctly, Section 19 of the constitution was mentioned in the ruling without putting it into proper context and there was no correlation between the facts and the law. The citing of the case of Henry Gabriel supra was done by the way side and no proper recourse of the case was made by the learned trial judge. The learned judge failed to apply the principle in the said case correctly. The learned judge failed to appreciate the fact that the respondent was charged with rape punishable with life imprisonment.”
She argued that the judge failed to cite Section 99 of the CPC which specifically deals with bail and the matter at hand.
“It is clear from the foregoing that the learned trial judge did not handle the matter properly, with due respect to the learned trial judge he misdirected material facts, misapplied principles and failed to apply the law correctly to the facts, therefore the ruling is completely flawed and devoid of reasoning and comprehension,” she added. “I hold the view that the learned trial judge’s decision is not supported by evidence. The appeal succeeds and the ruling dated 11th August 2020 is hereby set aside. The respondent’s bail is hereby revoked. The respondent shall be arrested and remanded in custody pending the trial and determination of the charges against him,” she added.
Judge gives AG 12 days to charge Sanyang rioters
APRIL 1, 2021.
By Bruce Asemota
Justice Ebrima Baa Jaiteh of the High Court in Banjul has given 12 days to Principal State Counsel K.Tah of the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice to file charges against 22 suspects alleged to have attacked and burnt Sanyang police station.
Justice Jaiteh made this declaration yesterday, 31st March whilst presiding over the criminal trial involving the State and 22 persons.
The 22 suspects were alleged to have made their way to premises where they ransacked the facility at a factory and set ablaze the company’s offices and the personal effects of its employees.
The suspects were also alleged to have been armed with stones and sticks and set tires ablaze in the middle of the road, attacked policemen who were sent to quell the situation, as well as setting the police station ablaze.
Defence Counsel Lamin Darbo had raised a preliminary objection to the summons on notice filed by the State, noting that only seven suspects’ cautionary and voluntary statements had been obtained, whilst the remaining suspects’ statements are not before the court.
Lawyer Darbo also raised the detention period of the suspects, arguing that their continued detention without charge is a violation of their fundamental human rights.
Principal State Counsel K. Tah had intimated that it needed 21 days to prepare the bill of the indictment as the matter was still under investigation.
But Justice Jaiteh informed the court that 21 days was long considering the suspects are under custody, noting that the summons on notice cannot be heard by the court.
Justice Jaiteh stated that the court cannot at this juncture entertain any applications for bail and advised Principal State Counsel Tah and defence counsel Lamin Darbo to work closely with each other so as to assist the court at a just conclusion and the matter was adjourned to the 15th April 2021 for further mention.
Justice Ebrima Baa Jaiteh of the High Court in Banjul has given 12 days to Principal State Counsel K.Tah of the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice to file charges against 22 suspects alleged to have attacked and burnt Sanyang police station.
Justice Jaiteh made this declaration yesterday, 31st March whilst presiding over the criminal trial involving the State and 22 persons.
The 22 suspects were alleged to have made their way to premises where they ransacked the facility at a factory and set ablaze the company’s offices and the personal effects of its employees.
The suspects were also alleged to have been armed with stones and sticks and set tires ablaze in the middle of the road, attacked policemen who were sent to quell the situation, as well as setting the police station ablaze.
Defence Counsel Lamin Darbo had raised a preliminary objection to the summons on notice filed by the State, noting that only seven suspects’ cautionary and voluntary statements had been obtained, whilst the remaining suspects’ statements are not before the court.
Lawyer Darbo also raised the detention period of the suspects, arguing that their continued detention without charge is a violation of their fundamental human rights.
Principal State Counsel K. Tah had intimated that it needed 21 days to prepare the bill of the indictment as the matter was still under investigation.
But Justice Jaiteh informed the court that 21 days was long considering the suspects are under custody, noting that the summons on notice cannot be heard by the court.
Justice Jaiteh stated that the court cannot at this juncture entertain any applications for bail and advised Principal State Counsel Tah and defence counsel Lamin Darbo to work closely with each other so as to assist the court at a just conclusion and the matter was adjourned to the 15th April 2021 for further mention.
What Is The Update On Kemeseng Sanneh And Where Do We Go From Here?,31/03/2021.
The Police investigation team on the alleged abduction of KEXX has given preliminary remarks to sum up the evidence they have so far on the case. According to a hastily prepared statement captioned “Kemeseng Sanneh under arrest for giving false information “an unsigned report made many claims that literally indicted a person who should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Constitution is clear. Love him or hate him, the Youngman has been an asset to the nation. Hence in his time of greatest need, he should benefit from the respect, dignity and fair hearing that the Constitution provides to all sovereign citizens. Section 19 Subsection (2) “Any person who is arrested or detained shall be informed(3) Any person who is arrested or detained – (a) for the purpose of bringing him or her before a court in execution of the order of a court; or (b) upon reasonable suspicion of his or her having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence under the law of The Gambia, and who is not released, shall be brought without undue delay before a court and, in any event, within seventy-two hours. (4) Where any person is brought before a court in execution of the order of a court in any proceedings or upon suspicion of his or her having committed or being about to commit an offence, he or she shall not thereafter be further held in custody in connection with those proceedings or that offence except upon the order of a court. (5) If any person arrested or detained as mentioned in subsection (3)(b) is not tried within a reasonable time, then without prejudice to any further proceedings which may be brought against him or her, he or she shall be released either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions, including, in particular, such conditions as are reasonably necessary to ensure that he or she appears at a later date for trial or proceedings preliminary to trial.” This is the law. Kexx should get due process . Needless to say, even if he is charged section 24 of the Constitution adds: “Every person who is charged with a criminal offence – (a) shall be presumed innocent until he or she is proved, or has pleaded, guilty; (b) shall be informed at the time he or she is charged, in a language which he or she understands and in detail, of the nature of the offence charged; (c) shall be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his or her defence; (d) shall be permitted to defend himself or herself before the court in person or, at his or her own expense, by a legal representative of his or her own choice;” The way the report is written would prejudice the mind of the Public and does not provide Kemeseng the opportunity to be heard since he is in custody.
KMC disburses D1.2m to begin fencing of Buffer Zone Mar 31, 2021, 11:24 AM | Article By: Fatou Bojang.
The Kanifing Municipal Council on Monday presented D1.2 million for the fencing of the Buffer Zone Park in Tallinding through the council’s Municipality Youth Masons.This development is part of the council’s plan to rejuvenate all major parks within its Municipality. Recently, the council rehabilitated the park toilets for public use, planted 134 trees to green up the side and as well installed 120 solar lights at the area.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Mayor Bensouda said when he came to inspect the area a month ago, he was sad because the zone had no standard post. This prompted his council to come up with this initiative.
Gambian youths, he continued are talented but they don’t have the required equipment to support them, adding that what they wanted is for Gambian youths to excel for the whole world to know. While saying this, he congratulated the national team for the latest feat.
Karamo Ceesay, ward councilor for Tallinding South, thanked the council for their commitment towards reviving the park. He said the mayor sponsored the tournament that they recently had, adding that there are lots of developments currently taking place at the park.
The mayor, he continued, is a youth that supports youth initiatives in his municipality. He urged the youths to make sure that they preserve the facilities and the developments made at the park for future use.
Youth Councilor Kemo Bojang in his remarks noted the council’s stance in youth development, emphasising that they prioritise youths at KMC. The Gambia he added, has many football players, but there are not enough facilities and equipment to support the players.
According to Mr. Bojang, the council came up with the ‘Goal for KMC’ project to change all goal posts in the municipality to standard ones because they believe that there cannot be a football match without a goal post.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Mayor Bensouda said when he came to inspect the area a month ago, he was sad because the zone had no standard post. This prompted his council to come up with this initiative.
Gambian youths, he continued are talented but they don’t have the required equipment to support them, adding that what they wanted is for Gambian youths to excel for the whole world to know. While saying this, he congratulated the national team for the latest feat.
Karamo Ceesay, ward councilor for Tallinding South, thanked the council for their commitment towards reviving the park. He said the mayor sponsored the tournament that they recently had, adding that there are lots of developments currently taking place at the park.
The mayor, he continued, is a youth that supports youth initiatives in his municipality. He urged the youths to make sure that they preserve the facilities and the developments made at the park for future use.
Youth Councilor Kemo Bojang in his remarks noted the council’s stance in youth development, emphasising that they prioritise youths at KMC. The Gambia he added, has many football players, but there are not enough facilities and equipment to support the players.
According to Mr. Bojang, the council came up with the ‘Goal for KMC’ project to change all goal posts in the municipality to standard ones because they believe that there cannot be a football match without a goal post.
Hydara family speaks on disputed Serekunda land
MARCH 31, 2021.
By Omar Bah
The CEO of Hydara Plaza has issued a strong warning to Alieu Momarr Njai and others against instigating violence over the Jobe and Hydara Kunda disputed Serekunda land.
-Mr Njai, an elderly resident of Serekunda who is also the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, has called for the intervention of the Gambia government to avoid a potential unrest in Serekunda after a supreme court decision considered to have robbed the larger Jobe Kunda family of their land.
The land in question, which is opposite the Serekunda mosque, belonged to one Ali Jobe, [Mr Njai’s maternal grandfather] who was the eldest son of the late Sayerr Jobe, the founder of Serekunda.
According to Mr Njai, the Jobe Kunda family has not accepted the Supreme Court ruling which gave ownership of the land to Mr Hydara.
But in a letter shared with The Standard, the CEO of Hydara Plaza, Sulayman Hydara, said: “I am aware of the statement made by Alieu Momarr Njai through this medium’s issue of 23rd March 2021. I must, with due respect, express my utter disappointment over his comments. I believe as the chairman of the IEC he ought to show iota of respect to the authority of our courts and should not incite or partake in any conduct that would amount to defying the decisions of the courts, particularly that of the Supreme Court … nobody is above the law”.
Hydara said the dispute regarding the ownership of the land has been in the courts for over three decades.
“I have won the case at all levels i.e. in the High Court; Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. It is also important to state that there are no orphans involved in this case and I have no dispute with the people of Serekunda. It is clear from his statement that Mr Njai is trying to incite violence against me. I know he cannot succeed because this case is about a private land and the good people of Serekunda have no interest in it,” he argued.
He said by virtue of his position, Mr Njai should be seen promoting the rule law rather than making threats and inciting breach of peace.
“The Hydara family discourages all forms of violence – therefore we urge Mr Njai to explore the jurisprudence of the courts. We urge him to avoid inciting any form of violence for this country needs peace and tranquility. He should use his influence and try to foster peace and not otherwise,” he said.
The CEO of Hydara Plaza has issued a strong warning to Alieu Momarr Njai and others against instigating violence over the Jobe and Hydara Kunda disputed Serekunda land.
-Mr Njai, an elderly resident of Serekunda who is also the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, has called for the intervention of the Gambia government to avoid a potential unrest in Serekunda after a supreme court decision considered to have robbed the larger Jobe Kunda family of their land.
The land in question, which is opposite the Serekunda mosque, belonged to one Ali Jobe, [Mr Njai’s maternal grandfather] who was the eldest son of the late Sayerr Jobe, the founder of Serekunda.
According to Mr Njai, the Jobe Kunda family has not accepted the Supreme Court ruling which gave ownership of the land to Mr Hydara.
But in a letter shared with The Standard, the CEO of Hydara Plaza, Sulayman Hydara, said: “I am aware of the statement made by Alieu Momarr Njai through this medium’s issue of 23rd March 2021. I must, with due respect, express my utter disappointment over his comments. I believe as the chairman of the IEC he ought to show iota of respect to the authority of our courts and should not incite or partake in any conduct that would amount to defying the decisions of the courts, particularly that of the Supreme Court … nobody is above the law”.
Hydara said the dispute regarding the ownership of the land has been in the courts for over three decades.
“I have won the case at all levels i.e. in the High Court; Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. It is also important to state that there are no orphans involved in this case and I have no dispute with the people of Serekunda. It is clear from his statement that Mr Njai is trying to incite violence against me. I know he cannot succeed because this case is about a private land and the good people of Serekunda have no interest in it,” he argued.
He said by virtue of his position, Mr Njai should be seen promoting the rule law rather than making threats and inciting breach of peace.
“The Hydara family discourages all forms of violence – therefore we urge Mr Njai to explore the jurisprudence of the courts. We urge him to avoid inciting any form of violence for this country needs peace and tranquility. He should use his influence and try to foster peace and not otherwise,” he said.
CA says corruption is Gambia’s biggest problem
MARCH 31, 2021.
By Omar Bah
Citizens’ Alliance presidential candidate has described corruption as the biggest challenge to Gambia’s development prospects.
Addressing journalists last week at a news conference, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay said the country needs leadership and a sense of direction.
“I read on the news that they spent D3 million to buy donkeys and horses for farmers. I have toured the country but I didn’t see that number of donkeys and horses around. I don’t know where they took the donkeys and horses. I don’t know where they are. I cannot find them. The government should come out and tell us where the horses and donkeys are,” Dr. Ceesay said.
In a report expected to be tabled at the National Assembly for consideration, the government highlighted how, through the Ministry of Agriculture, it had spent about D3 million on purchasing donkeys and horses distributed to Gambian farmers last year.
The report added that a total of 195 draught animals were purchased, including 30 horses and 165 donkeys by the Department of Agriculture.
But according to Dr. Ceesay, this clearly demonstrates that the government lacks fiscal discipline.
“The Government should have used the tractors sold during the Janneh Commission instead of donkeys and horses to help farmers. A donkey costs D10, 000 – and if that is so, then D3 million can buy 300 donkeys. This government is the most unserious government The Gambia has ever had. Just recently, Nawec said they lost D15 million in a bank account. That is unprecedented. NAWEC is bankrupt since 2011 and still bankrupt. It cannot pay its debt,” he argued.
He said the “poor financial management” of the Barrow administration is “evident in the government’s missing D15 million. How can you tell us D15 million has gone missing and yet nothing happened? Nobody is suspended. Nobody is sent on administrative leave. Impunity in this country. People do whatever they want and get away with it. That is why today corruption is at its highest.”
However, Nawec has said the incident was the fault of AGIB and not them.
“Corruption is one of the main reasons young people don’t have jobs. The government doesn’t have serious economic policies to make sure that they provide them jobs,” Dr Ceesay continued.
Turning to the December polls, Dr Ceesay urged his fellow politicians to stop talking to the electorate based on sentiments and start discussing issues and policies.
“The caliber of politicians we have at large determines the type of electorate we are having because if we have at least seven politicians going to the electorate talking to them about issues – the electorate will now consider issues as what politics is all about. But if the majority of politicians go to them and talk about sentiments – they will think that politics is about sentiments,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay said the country’s political leaders will have “to define how the electorate will vote in this election but I am hopeful based on what I see. As an objective observer, I have the feeling that the majority of the voters now will not vote based on sentiments”.
Citizens’ Alliance presidential candidate has described corruption as the biggest challenge to Gambia’s development prospects.
Addressing journalists last week at a news conference, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay said the country needs leadership and a sense of direction.
“I read on the news that they spent D3 million to buy donkeys and horses for farmers. I have toured the country but I didn’t see that number of donkeys and horses around. I don’t know where they took the donkeys and horses. I don’t know where they are. I cannot find them. The government should come out and tell us where the horses and donkeys are,” Dr. Ceesay said.
In a report expected to be tabled at the National Assembly for consideration, the government highlighted how, through the Ministry of Agriculture, it had spent about D3 million on purchasing donkeys and horses distributed to Gambian farmers last year.
The report added that a total of 195 draught animals were purchased, including 30 horses and 165 donkeys by the Department of Agriculture.
But according to Dr. Ceesay, this clearly demonstrates that the government lacks fiscal discipline.
“The Government should have used the tractors sold during the Janneh Commission instead of donkeys and horses to help farmers. A donkey costs D10, 000 – and if that is so, then D3 million can buy 300 donkeys. This government is the most unserious government The Gambia has ever had. Just recently, Nawec said they lost D15 million in a bank account. That is unprecedented. NAWEC is bankrupt since 2011 and still bankrupt. It cannot pay its debt,” he argued.
He said the “poor financial management” of the Barrow administration is “evident in the government’s missing D15 million. How can you tell us D15 million has gone missing and yet nothing happened? Nobody is suspended. Nobody is sent on administrative leave. Impunity in this country. People do whatever they want and get away with it. That is why today corruption is at its highest.”
However, Nawec has said the incident was the fault of AGIB and not them.
“Corruption is one of the main reasons young people don’t have jobs. The government doesn’t have serious economic policies to make sure that they provide them jobs,” Dr Ceesay continued.
Turning to the December polls, Dr Ceesay urged his fellow politicians to stop talking to the electorate based on sentiments and start discussing issues and policies.
“The caliber of politicians we have at large determines the type of electorate we are having because if we have at least seven politicians going to the electorate talking to them about issues – the electorate will now consider issues as what politics is all about. But if the majority of politicians go to them and talk about sentiments – they will think that politics is about sentiments,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay said the country’s political leaders will have “to define how the electorate will vote in this election but I am hopeful based on what I see. As an objective observer, I have the feeling that the majority of the voters now will not vote based on sentiments”.
ASSEMBLY SUMMONS TRADE MINISTER OVER PRICE HIKES
MARCH 31, 2021.
By Tabora Bojang
The National Assembly yesterday summoned the trade minister over the out-of-control increase in prices of basic commodities in the country, leading to widespread concerns about living conditions.
The summon came after nominated National Assembly Member, Ya-Kumba Jaiteh filed a motion without notice seeking the approval of the plenary to allow the Assembly select committee on trade to hold a session with the minister, Seedy Keita.
Jaiteh, who is also a member of the committee, said the committee noted with great concerns the steep rise in prices of basic commodities.
“The committee is meeting him [Minister Keita] Thursday so that he can tell us what is the cause of the hike in the prices of essential commodities,” Ya Kumba told The Standard.
The chairman of the committee, Muhammed Mahanera said prices charged on the importation of goods have direct consequences on the prices of basic food commodities, with the ultimate price being paid by the populace.
The Sandu NAM said his committee is also concerned and will seek clarification from the minister about the recent announcement by the trade ministry requiring importers of essential commodities like rice, sugar, flour, onions, potatoes to obtain an import license.
“Subjecting some of these businesses to register is likely to attract costs and we know that prices in the market are already posing serious challenges to the consumers. So we need to hear from him why they are bringing this new policy that is almost certainly going to involve more costs,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission recently conducted a market survey to gauge the cause of the price increment of essential commodities.
According to the commission’s findings seen by The Standard, the increment is largely influenced by the international price and freight costs.
It stated that the increase was influenced at the home front with the recent upward revision of freight levy by the Gambia Maritime Administration which came into effect February 2021.
The GMA’s new levy indicated that the “freight levy for a 20ft container will be increased from D510.80 to D2,430, representing a 375% increase in from February 2021, while the levy for a 40ft container will be increased from D1021.6 to D4050, representing 296% increment in the same period.”
The findings further revealed that the increase was also informed by the government’s reinstatement of the reduced 20% indicative value introduced during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the charges to be paid by importers. However, the 20% was reinstated effective 1st January 2021.
“The increase in the cost of shipping the essential commodities from Europe and other countries and the lack of empty containers to ship the commodities are other reasons that lead to the increase,” the Commission’s findings revealed.
GCCPC warned that prices in the next two to three months are expected to be even higher if efforts are not taken to address the “tax increases, bring back the 20% reduction, control the re-exportation of rice and oil and revisit the GMA freight levy.”
The National Assembly yesterday summoned the trade minister over the out-of-control increase in prices of basic commodities in the country, leading to widespread concerns about living conditions.
The summon came after nominated National Assembly Member, Ya-Kumba Jaiteh filed a motion without notice seeking the approval of the plenary to allow the Assembly select committee on trade to hold a session with the minister, Seedy Keita.
Jaiteh, who is also a member of the committee, said the committee noted with great concerns the steep rise in prices of basic commodities.
“The committee is meeting him [Minister Keita] Thursday so that he can tell us what is the cause of the hike in the prices of essential commodities,” Ya Kumba told The Standard.
The chairman of the committee, Muhammed Mahanera said prices charged on the importation of goods have direct consequences on the prices of basic food commodities, with the ultimate price being paid by the populace.
The Sandu NAM said his committee is also concerned and will seek clarification from the minister about the recent announcement by the trade ministry requiring importers of essential commodities like rice, sugar, flour, onions, potatoes to obtain an import license.
“Subjecting some of these businesses to register is likely to attract costs and we know that prices in the market are already posing serious challenges to the consumers. So we need to hear from him why they are bringing this new policy that is almost certainly going to involve more costs,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Gambia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission recently conducted a market survey to gauge the cause of the price increment of essential commodities.
According to the commission’s findings seen by The Standard, the increment is largely influenced by the international price and freight costs.
It stated that the increase was influenced at the home front with the recent upward revision of freight levy by the Gambia Maritime Administration which came into effect February 2021.
The GMA’s new levy indicated that the “freight levy for a 20ft container will be increased from D510.80 to D2,430, representing a 375% increase in from February 2021, while the levy for a 40ft container will be increased from D1021.6 to D4050, representing 296% increment in the same period.”
The findings further revealed that the increase was also informed by the government’s reinstatement of the reduced 20% indicative value introduced during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the charges to be paid by importers. However, the 20% was reinstated effective 1st January 2021.
“The increase in the cost of shipping the essential commodities from Europe and other countries and the lack of empty containers to ship the commodities are other reasons that lead to the increase,” the Commission’s findings revealed.
GCCPC warned that prices in the next two to three months are expected to be even higher if efforts are not taken to address the “tax increases, bring back the 20% reduction, control the re-exportation of rice and oil and revisit the GMA freight levy.”
UDP opens application for presidential candidate Mar 31, 2021, the gambia.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) says it’s inviting applications for the position of the party’s Presidential Candidate for the upcoming Presidential election slated for 4 December 2021.The Point has learnt that the notice is as a result of the party’s constitutional requirement.
“Applications will remain open until Wednesday 7th April 2021 at 00.00 am. All interested applicants are invited to submit their applications to the UDP Central Committee before that stipulated deadline.”
“All interested applicants are advised to check and ensure that they meet the qualifications criteria for the office of President, as provided under Section 62 of the Constitution of The Gambia 1997.”
“All applicants are further advised to address their applications to and submit the same to the Party’s Central Committee headed by the National President at our UDP Manjai Bureau before the stipulated deadline.”
“All applications will be vetted and considered by the Party’s Central Committee for approval and subsequent selection by the Selection Committee, in accordance with Article 23, paragraphs 3 (b and c) of the Party’s Constitution.”
“Applications will remain open until Wednesday 7th April 2021 at 00.00 am. All interested applicants are invited to submit their applications to the UDP Central Committee before that stipulated deadline.”
“All interested applicants are advised to check and ensure that they meet the qualifications criteria for the office of President, as provided under Section 62 of the Constitution of The Gambia 1997.”
“All applicants are further advised to address their applications to and submit the same to the Party’s Central Committee headed by the National President at our UDP Manjai Bureau before the stipulated deadline.”
“All applications will be vetted and considered by the Party’s Central Committee for approval and subsequent selection by the Selection Committee, in accordance with Article 23, paragraphs 3 (b and c) of the Party’s Constitution.”
EU & co hail TRRC as they oppose Jammeh’s return Mar 31, 2021, 11:33 AM | Article By: Alhagie Mbye, The Point’s Europe Correspondent.
Foreign partners who were extremely instrumental in supporting The Gambia during both its transitional period as well as after the departure of former dictator Yahya Jammeh have commended the ‘‘transparent and diligent work’’ of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). However, they are extremely cautious over ‘‘sinister efforts to undermine the core process of the Commission.’’ Further emphasising such fears, in a message seen by this correspondent, human rights advocates in Europe equally expressed similar ‘‘mistrust of the former dictator’s return.’’ They acknowledged that Essa Faal and his team are doing an excellent job and following the revelations at the TRRC, many are ‘‘shocked and traumatised over what happened in The Gambia’’.
Thus, relying on international jurisprudence, they intend to sue the former dictator and his cohorts as a ‘‘deterrent against gross human rights violation’’ rather than encouraging an ‘‘irrational comeback.’’
A senior European official who was among those who pursued financial and political support for Banjul widely covered by The Point said: ‘‘We are aware of the alleged tactics and destabilising plans of the former Gambian dictator to return through secret and clandestine negotiations…it would be disastrous.’’
Further expressing disapproval over such moves, the official added: ‘‘Those taking part in the mischievous arrangement for his comeback will shun the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right also known as the Banjul Charter…there is no doubt that they will let-down the nation, future generation as well as partners and allies.’’
The Banjul Charter is an international human rights instrument that is intended to promote and protect human rights and basic freedoms in the African continent and thus legally binding by the signatories.
The French media also suggested that even President Alpha Conde of Guinea, a personal friend of Jammeh who ‘‘protected his pal until the last minute of his departure'' now has a second thought,
83-year-old Conde had earlier claimed that the Gambian dictator deserved his support because he was a ‘‘former President of an African country but changed his mind following gruesome revelations.’’
Interestingly, Conde made a U-turn (turn-about) insisting that ‘‘Africa is no longer a Trade Union of Head of States protecting each other anyhow…’’
Notwithstanding, the official who supported the country on high level cooperation also said that he and many others are ‘‘extremely disappointed that some people should even envisage taking part in such a backroom deal…while people are still grieving the unbelievable extent of human rights violations against Gambians and non Gambians.’’
However, the official could not confirm if further action is considered for those reportedly involved in the arrangement in favour of the former dictator, but emphasised that the current Gambian government is ‘‘legally obliged to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens.''
Thus, he stressed further: ''We trust that chaos, lawlessness and division will not be allowed to recur in The Gambia…Our concerns will be communicated accordingly’’.
The Point was also able to uncover that Yahya Jammeh’s return was ‘‘vigorously opposed’’ by the UN, AU and ECOWAS and that two un-named ECOWAS countries who are also active in its current peace keeping mission recently protested against any deal.
Leaders of the two countries reportedly objected that ‘‘for the sake of sub regional stability, insecurity and brutality cannot be brushed under the carpet in the name of national reconciliation…’’.
Thus, relying on international jurisprudence, they intend to sue the former dictator and his cohorts as a ‘‘deterrent against gross human rights violation’’ rather than encouraging an ‘‘irrational comeback.’’
A senior European official who was among those who pursued financial and political support for Banjul widely covered by The Point said: ‘‘We are aware of the alleged tactics and destabilising plans of the former Gambian dictator to return through secret and clandestine negotiations…it would be disastrous.’’
Further expressing disapproval over such moves, the official added: ‘‘Those taking part in the mischievous arrangement for his comeback will shun the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right also known as the Banjul Charter…there is no doubt that they will let-down the nation, future generation as well as partners and allies.’’
The Banjul Charter is an international human rights instrument that is intended to promote and protect human rights and basic freedoms in the African continent and thus legally binding by the signatories.
The French media also suggested that even President Alpha Conde of Guinea, a personal friend of Jammeh who ‘‘protected his pal until the last minute of his departure'' now has a second thought,
83-year-old Conde had earlier claimed that the Gambian dictator deserved his support because he was a ‘‘former President of an African country but changed his mind following gruesome revelations.’’
Interestingly, Conde made a U-turn (turn-about) insisting that ‘‘Africa is no longer a Trade Union of Head of States protecting each other anyhow…’’
Notwithstanding, the official who supported the country on high level cooperation also said that he and many others are ‘‘extremely disappointed that some people should even envisage taking part in such a backroom deal…while people are still grieving the unbelievable extent of human rights violations against Gambians and non Gambians.’’
However, the official could not confirm if further action is considered for those reportedly involved in the arrangement in favour of the former dictator, but emphasised that the current Gambian government is ‘‘legally obliged to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens.''
Thus, he stressed further: ''We trust that chaos, lawlessness and division will not be allowed to recur in The Gambia…Our concerns will be communicated accordingly’’.
The Point was also able to uncover that Yahya Jammeh’s return was ‘‘vigorously opposed’’ by the UN, AU and ECOWAS and that two un-named ECOWAS countries who are also active in its current peace keeping mission recently protested against any deal.
Leaders of the two countries reportedly objected that ‘‘for the sake of sub regional stability, insecurity and brutality cannot be brushed under the carpet in the name of national reconciliation…’’.
Gambia prepares money laundering charges against Banta Keita & co Mar 30, 2021, 11:14 AM | Article By: Momodou Jawo.
Banta Keita, a French-Gambian and a resident of Fajara M. Section, in the Kanifing Municipality, who is alleged to have shipped in nearly three tonnes of cocaine in the country, is in hot water as the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG) is preparing money laundering charges against him and other suspects, The Point can authoritatively report.An anonymous source has confirmed the development to The Point. Our source further added that the country’s narcotic agency will press money laundering charges against the suspect next week.”
It could be recalled that operatives of DLEAG in January 2021 seized nearly three tonnes of cocaine from a shipment of industrial salt originating from Ecuador, amounting to over $88 million. It’s reported to be the biggest ever cocaine seizure in the country by the narcotic agency.
The 118 bags weighed a gross 2tonnes, 952kg, and 850g. The cocaine was discovered on Thursday during a search of a container shipped from the port of Guayaquil in Ecuador and through Algeciras in Spain, and then to the country.
According to our source, several witnesses have been questioned by investigators with regard to the case. “Given the fact that it’s a transnational case a quite number of counties are concerned with the investigation. In fact, investigators of other countries are working with investigators of DLEAG in evidence gathering.”
Our source further added: “Investigation further determines to pursue money laundering charges against Banta Keita and his collaborators outside The Gambia.”
The Point has gathered that, Mr. Keita, who’s the principal suspect, might be within one of the West African nations.
It could be recalled that operatives of DLEAG in January 2021 seized nearly three tonnes of cocaine from a shipment of industrial salt originating from Ecuador, amounting to over $88 million. It’s reported to be the biggest ever cocaine seizure in the country by the narcotic agency.
The 118 bags weighed a gross 2tonnes, 952kg, and 850g. The cocaine was discovered on Thursday during a search of a container shipped from the port of Guayaquil in Ecuador and through Algeciras in Spain, and then to the country.
According to our source, several witnesses have been questioned by investigators with regard to the case. “Given the fact that it’s a transnational case a quite number of counties are concerned with the investigation. In fact, investigators of other countries are working with investigators of DLEAG in evidence gathering.”
Our source further added: “Investigation further determines to pursue money laundering charges against Banta Keita and his collaborators outside The Gambia.”
The Point has gathered that, Mr. Keita, who’s the principal suspect, might be within one of the West African nations.
EU applies visa sanctions on Gambia Barrow in a Catch 22 Situation Mar 30, 2021, 11:09 AM | Article By: Sanna Camara.
The Gambia is among a list of 13 countries that attracted the wrath of the European Union stringent visa sanctions, for its failure to cooperate in receiving their citizens who exhausted right to stay in Europe.The sanctions in essence will include increasing the fee for Schengen visas, and extending or lifting the 15-day limit on the processing of visa applications to longer periods. The new restrictions are targeting government officials who wish to travel to Europe for business, medical or leisure purposes.
According to a statement from the European Union following their video conference held on Friday, March 12, the EU Interior Ministers discussed the improvement of cooperation with third countries on return and re-admission of illegal migrants.
Present at the meeting was also the German Federal Minister of the Interior Seehofer, who also supported the proposal, among other EU member state’s Interior Ministers. Minister Seehofer especially insisted that migration policy is not “a one-way street.”
“If countries do not cooperate on repatriation, there must be consequences. Those who do not take back their own citizens cannot expect any visa facilitation,” the German Minister argued throughout the meeting.
In November 2020, a Gambian paper reported that the EU had threatened visa sanctions against The Gambia if the country did not cooperate on migrant returnees’ agreement as the two countries signed earlier. The Gambia government did not make any public statement on the matter since then.
Now, it is official. Once described by international relation analysts as one of the EU’s favorites after the change of government, The Gambia managed to end up on the list of 13 countries on which the EU will apply visa leverage.
However, the restrictions would not apply until the summer, when an assessment will be conducted on which countries show positive evidence of cooperation in the implementation of the signed agreement.
This means that visa sanctions will not be applied in summer if until then, The Gambia allows more of Gambian citizens in the EU to be subject to force-returns under international law.
According to a German newspaper, Die Welt, the targeted countries were on a list drafted by the European Commission.
The states’ willingness to follow international law and take back their citizens is “inadequate,” the document stated. This applies in particular to rejected asylum-seekers, according to the report.
A spokeswoman for the European Commission told the German news agency, DPA, that it was not possible to confirm which countries were facing such scrutiny.
But, according to Die Welt, EU officials want to “start a dialogue” with Iraq, Iran, Libya, Senegal, Somalia, Mali, Gambia, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Guinea-Bissau.
“The whole purpose of the visa leverage is to hurt the elite of the country so that they show more cooperation on the issue of readmission,” diplomatic sources told The Point on Monday.
“If the government does not improve the cooperation on readmission, it is very likely that the European Union will even tighten the issue of visa, which will even hurt The Gambia more. At the end, the government is now between a rock and a hard place. Barrow is now in Catch 22 situation,” said our source.
According to a statement from the European Union following their video conference held on Friday, March 12, the EU Interior Ministers discussed the improvement of cooperation with third countries on return and re-admission of illegal migrants.
Present at the meeting was also the German Federal Minister of the Interior Seehofer, who also supported the proposal, among other EU member state’s Interior Ministers. Minister Seehofer especially insisted that migration policy is not “a one-way street.”
“If countries do not cooperate on repatriation, there must be consequences. Those who do not take back their own citizens cannot expect any visa facilitation,” the German Minister argued throughout the meeting.
In November 2020, a Gambian paper reported that the EU had threatened visa sanctions against The Gambia if the country did not cooperate on migrant returnees’ agreement as the two countries signed earlier. The Gambia government did not make any public statement on the matter since then.
Now, it is official. Once described by international relation analysts as one of the EU’s favorites after the change of government, The Gambia managed to end up on the list of 13 countries on which the EU will apply visa leverage.
However, the restrictions would not apply until the summer, when an assessment will be conducted on which countries show positive evidence of cooperation in the implementation of the signed agreement.
This means that visa sanctions will not be applied in summer if until then, The Gambia allows more of Gambian citizens in the EU to be subject to force-returns under international law.
According to a German newspaper, Die Welt, the targeted countries were on a list drafted by the European Commission.
The states’ willingness to follow international law and take back their citizens is “inadequate,” the document stated. This applies in particular to rejected asylum-seekers, according to the report.
A spokeswoman for the European Commission told the German news agency, DPA, that it was not possible to confirm which countries were facing such scrutiny.
But, according to Die Welt, EU officials want to “start a dialogue” with Iraq, Iran, Libya, Senegal, Somalia, Mali, Gambia, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Guinea-Bissau.
“The whole purpose of the visa leverage is to hurt the elite of the country so that they show more cooperation on the issue of readmission,” diplomatic sources told The Point on Monday.
“If the government does not improve the cooperation on readmission, it is very likely that the European Union will even tighten the issue of visa, which will even hurt The Gambia more. At the end, the government is now between a rock and a hard place. Barrow is now in Catch 22 situation,” said our source.
NAMS QUERY VOTER ATTESTATION BY ONLY CHIEFS, ALKALOLU
MARCH 30, 2021.
By Tabora Bojang
National Assembly members currently debating on the Elections Bill have raised concerns over the involvement of only district chiefs and alkalolu in the issuance of attestations as one of the criteria for eligibility to acquire a Gambian voter’s card.
According to the new Elections Bill, which underwent a second reading in parliament yesterday, the IEC shall register a person’s name on the register of voters in a constituency if he or she produces either a birth certificate, Gambian passport, ID card or an attestation from an alkali or a seyfo certifying that he or she is a Gambian.
It further stated that the commission shall not reject a valid document produced under any of these clauses.
However, several National Assembly members, who debated on the principles and merits of the bill before it was referred to the Assembly business committee, said the inclusion of an attestation to be issued by a village head or a district chief could actuate vulnerabilities and potential fraud.
Member for Brikama North, Alhagie S Darboe said the situation could pose huge challenges to alkalolu to accurately attest to the citizenship of an applicant, since they may not necessarily know everybody in their townships.
“The worst scenario comes in the case of the chiefs, a district as big as Kombo Central where the chief may not know most of the people from his own community, let alone people from Brikama or outside Brikama. How can he accurately attest to the citizenship of those people? What used to happen is to have five elderly people chosen by the community itself to attest to the applicant for the issuance of attestation rather than only the alkali and the chief,” Darboe said.
Sainey Touray of Jarra East said he expects the Barrow government to “strictly adhere to the language spoken” in the 2021 Elections Bill that only eligible Gambian citizens are entitled to hold our national document. “Therefore, voters’ card must not fall into any hands that are deemed ineligible, because if that happens it would defeat the purpose of this election bill and that would go on to tell us that this bill is not fit for purpose,” Touray warned.
The member for Foni Bondali, Kaddy Camara said the provision of an attestation by an applicant from a chief or alkali should not be a determinant to effectively satisfy the citizenship of any Gambian.
“The alkali and the chief are representatives of the people but it is not enough for them alone to identify whether one is a Gambian or not. It should be beyond them by including the intervention of selected community elders,” NAM Camara urged.
Member for Serrekunda, Madi Ceesay raised an eyebrow over the inclusion of district chiefs in the process.
He said the attestation should be restricted to the level of an alkali since they live within the communities and they know one another.
“The seyfo is a member of the district who is also a citizen of a particular village within a district and some districts are up to eighty villages. How can a chief attest to citizenship of people in his district? This is a great consideration which we need to consider very well before passing this bill into law,” he advised fellow NAMs.
National Assembly members currently debating on the Elections Bill have raised concerns over the involvement of only district chiefs and alkalolu in the issuance of attestations as one of the criteria for eligibility to acquire a Gambian voter’s card.
According to the new Elections Bill, which underwent a second reading in parliament yesterday, the IEC shall register a person’s name on the register of voters in a constituency if he or she produces either a birth certificate, Gambian passport, ID card or an attestation from an alkali or a seyfo certifying that he or she is a Gambian.
It further stated that the commission shall not reject a valid document produced under any of these clauses.
However, several National Assembly members, who debated on the principles and merits of the bill before it was referred to the Assembly business committee, said the inclusion of an attestation to be issued by a village head or a district chief could actuate vulnerabilities and potential fraud.
Member for Brikama North, Alhagie S Darboe said the situation could pose huge challenges to alkalolu to accurately attest to the citizenship of an applicant, since they may not necessarily know everybody in their townships.
“The worst scenario comes in the case of the chiefs, a district as big as Kombo Central where the chief may not know most of the people from his own community, let alone people from Brikama or outside Brikama. How can he accurately attest to the citizenship of those people? What used to happen is to have five elderly people chosen by the community itself to attest to the applicant for the issuance of attestation rather than only the alkali and the chief,” Darboe said.
Sainey Touray of Jarra East said he expects the Barrow government to “strictly adhere to the language spoken” in the 2021 Elections Bill that only eligible Gambian citizens are entitled to hold our national document. “Therefore, voters’ card must not fall into any hands that are deemed ineligible, because if that happens it would defeat the purpose of this election bill and that would go on to tell us that this bill is not fit for purpose,” Touray warned.
The member for Foni Bondali, Kaddy Camara said the provision of an attestation by an applicant from a chief or alkali should not be a determinant to effectively satisfy the citizenship of any Gambian.
“The alkali and the chief are representatives of the people but it is not enough for them alone to identify whether one is a Gambian or not. It should be beyond them by including the intervention of selected community elders,” NAM Camara urged.
Member for Serrekunda, Madi Ceesay raised an eyebrow over the inclusion of district chiefs in the process.
He said the attestation should be restricted to the level of an alkali since they live within the communities and they know one another.
“The seyfo is a member of the district who is also a citizen of a particular village within a district and some districts are up to eighty villages. How can a chief attest to citizenship of people in his district? This is a great consideration which we need to consider very well before passing this bill into law,” he advised fellow NAMs.
GPU trains election officials & law enforcement officers Mar 29, 2021, 12:51 PM | Article By: Jarra Cham.
The Gambia Press Union (GPU) in collaboration with partners recently engaged election officials and law enforcement officers on access to information in elections.The training is part of GPU’s project with Africa Information Centre (AFIC) on Access to Information and Elections in Africa.
The project aims to improve Transparency and Accountability in Election Processes in Africa. This project is jointly implemented in The Gambia, Zambia and Uganda, and funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
Recently, The Gambia Press Union also engaged Civil Society Organizations and journalists on a two-day training on Access to Information, which is also part of the project.
GPU president Sheriff Bojang Jnr described the national Independent Electoral Commission and the security forces as key stakeholders in the electoral cycle.
“This is a very critical year in The Gambia because this is an election year and citizens in their quest to make informed choices would have to benefit from transparency and accountability throughout the process”, he said.
The GPU president said the significance of the Electoral Commission cannot be less strong because it is the electoral body that conducts elections all the way.
“People need to scrutinize, people need to have the confidence and trust in the fact that only eligible Gambians have registered to vote and that the elections are free from rigging, fear and all forms of fraud”, he also said.
However, he said, the role of the security is of paramount importance adding that, in dealing with issues of transparency and accountability, there is always the security forces between those who inform the journalists and the citizenry.
“We feel, it is important that we train security forces and members of the armed forces on the significance of accountability and transparency in relation to access to information,” it further said.
John Charles Njie, Chairman of the Civil Society Coalition on Access to Information, said it was important that Gambians work together to enhance access to information. He said this will allow all stakeholders to play an effective role in the development of the country.
“The collaboration between civil society and the Gambia government, which resulted in a draft access to information law currently before lawmakers, is something we should be proud of,” Njie said.
In her remarks on behalf of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Commissioner Sireh Jabang, said the assurance of impartiality during an election year is essential to the attainment of the participants’ confidence and commitment to the electoral process.
“The institutions responsible for the administration and security of an election must fulfill their mandate, and they must remain impartial. Therefore, this training on access to information and elections is timely,” she said.
Chairman of the IEC, Alieu Momarr Njai, said “the IEC’s mandate centres around policies that promote freedom, fairness and transparency.”
“In this regard, transparency calls for the dissemination of timely and accurate information to all stakeholders in the electoral process,” he said.
Mr. Njai also hailed the media as playing a very positive role in the success of previous elections, especially in the area of information dissemination. “Whatever is done in the election process is greatly influenced by the quantity and quality of electoral information that voters have been given access to,” he said.
The project aims to improve Transparency and Accountability in Election Processes in Africa. This project is jointly implemented in The Gambia, Zambia and Uganda, and funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
Recently, The Gambia Press Union also engaged Civil Society Organizations and journalists on a two-day training on Access to Information, which is also part of the project.
GPU president Sheriff Bojang Jnr described the national Independent Electoral Commission and the security forces as key stakeholders in the electoral cycle.
“This is a very critical year in The Gambia because this is an election year and citizens in their quest to make informed choices would have to benefit from transparency and accountability throughout the process”, he said.
The GPU president said the significance of the Electoral Commission cannot be less strong because it is the electoral body that conducts elections all the way.
“People need to scrutinize, people need to have the confidence and trust in the fact that only eligible Gambians have registered to vote and that the elections are free from rigging, fear and all forms of fraud”, he also said.
However, he said, the role of the security is of paramount importance adding that, in dealing with issues of transparency and accountability, there is always the security forces between those who inform the journalists and the citizenry.
“We feel, it is important that we train security forces and members of the armed forces on the significance of accountability and transparency in relation to access to information,” it further said.
John Charles Njie, Chairman of the Civil Society Coalition on Access to Information, said it was important that Gambians work together to enhance access to information. He said this will allow all stakeholders to play an effective role in the development of the country.
“The collaboration between civil society and the Gambia government, which resulted in a draft access to information law currently before lawmakers, is something we should be proud of,” Njie said.
In her remarks on behalf of Deputy Inspector General of Police, Commissioner Sireh Jabang, said the assurance of impartiality during an election year is essential to the attainment of the participants’ confidence and commitment to the electoral process.
“The institutions responsible for the administration and security of an election must fulfill their mandate, and they must remain impartial. Therefore, this training on access to information and elections is timely,” she said.
Chairman of the IEC, Alieu Momarr Njai, said “the IEC’s mandate centres around policies that promote freedom, fairness and transparency.”
“In this regard, transparency calls for the dissemination of timely and accurate information to all stakeholders in the electoral process,” he said.
Mr. Njai also hailed the media as playing a very positive role in the success of previous elections, especially in the area of information dissemination. “Whatever is done in the election process is greatly influenced by the quantity and quality of electoral information that voters have been given access to,” he said.
Road to 2022 OIC Summit: NRA, OIC officials visit project sites.
As part of preparations for the 2022 OIC Summit in the country, officials from the OIC Gambia in collaboration with National Road Authority (NRA) last Friday embarked on a day-long visit to show contractors the 50 roads project with a view to starting the construction of those roads ahead of the OIC summit in Banjul.Speaking to journalists shortly after the visit, Ebrima Kolly, project manager, OIC Gambia Secretariat, said the purpose of the visit is to take contractors around and get prepared to start the work, adding that their initial plan was to start in March.
“Now the tender has started, and by mid April, the tender will be closed, then evaluation would come in and then send it back for approval and by April to May for work to start,” he disclosed.
“The assurance I will give to Gambians is that these roads will be built,” he said, adding that the second quarter will start this year and then 14 months after, they would be completed.
“We are building these roads to improve our infrastructure and the people need it, so let’s all join hands together and support each other to get it done,” he appealed.
Nfally Fadera, head of Branding and Communications, OIC Gambia Secretariat, thanked everyone for participating in the process, adding that all what “we are witnessing here is the conclusion of a very important exercise as part of our efforts aimed at hosting a successful OIC summit come 2022.”
Kebba Trawalleh, National Road Authority (NRA), said as part of the tender process of the 50 kilometers roads project, the tender was launched on 15 March 2021, and today “we are here with more than 15 contractors who bought the bit documents to show them the sites, and today we have gone through all the proposed roads for the construction of the 50 kilometers urban road project.”
“We are here with the consulting engineers and they did the design and the preparation of the tender documents, and it’s an obligatory for three steps, in order to give the contractors the field of the sites, so that they can prepare a very competitive proposal.”
“It is an obligation for us to take them to the sites, so that they see the different conditions on these sites.”
For demolition part, Trawalleh told journalists that it is the contractors who would do the actual demolition, but there are many processes to be fulfilled before “we carry out any demolition.”
“We have started the process from the design of the consultant, and he has estimated the affected structures that are likely to be demolished, so we have marked them all, and now we are waiting to have the contractor onboard,” he said adding that the process would be given to Physical Panning and Department of Lands, then from there, we would have the evaluation for the compensation.”
“We appeal to the residents for their cooperation, and the purpose of these roads in addition is to create employment and capacity,” he noted.”
“Now the tender has started, and by mid April, the tender will be closed, then evaluation would come in and then send it back for approval and by April to May for work to start,” he disclosed.
“The assurance I will give to Gambians is that these roads will be built,” he said, adding that the second quarter will start this year and then 14 months after, they would be completed.
“We are building these roads to improve our infrastructure and the people need it, so let’s all join hands together and support each other to get it done,” he appealed.
Nfally Fadera, head of Branding and Communications, OIC Gambia Secretariat, thanked everyone for participating in the process, adding that all what “we are witnessing here is the conclusion of a very important exercise as part of our efforts aimed at hosting a successful OIC summit come 2022.”
Kebba Trawalleh, National Road Authority (NRA), said as part of the tender process of the 50 kilometers roads project, the tender was launched on 15 March 2021, and today “we are here with more than 15 contractors who bought the bit documents to show them the sites, and today we have gone through all the proposed roads for the construction of the 50 kilometers urban road project.”
“We are here with the consulting engineers and they did the design and the preparation of the tender documents, and it’s an obligatory for three steps, in order to give the contractors the field of the sites, so that they can prepare a very competitive proposal.”
“It is an obligation for us to take them to the sites, so that they see the different conditions on these sites.”
For demolition part, Trawalleh told journalists that it is the contractors who would do the actual demolition, but there are many processes to be fulfilled before “we carry out any demolition.”
“We have started the process from the design of the consultant, and he has estimated the affected structures that are likely to be demolished, so we have marked them all, and now we are waiting to have the contractor onboard,” he said adding that the process would be given to Physical Panning and Department of Lands, then from there, we would have the evaluation for the compensation.”
“We appeal to the residents for their cooperation, and the purpose of these roads in addition is to create employment and capacity,” he noted.”
Macky Sall under fire over Sonko affairs,29/03/2021.Senegal.
Confronted with urban riots after the judicial indictment of oppositionist leader Ousmane Sonko, Senegal’s President Macky Sall is experiencing the most serious crisis since his accession to power.
Demonstrators were dispersed and pursued in the streets of Dakar by armed rioters that the forces of order turned a blind eye to. Total stations and Auchan supermarkets were ransacked by protesters. Tear gas and stun grenades were thrown in response to stone-throwing. Army tanks were positioned at strategic points in the capital.
And finally, according to Amnesty International, 11 people – including a 12-year-old child – died from bullets fired by the forces of order.
Not since the protests held in 2011-2012 against the controversial constitutional reform project and Aboulaye Wade’s third presidential candidacy, has Dakar experienced such scenes of rioting.
For Senegal’s President Macky Sall, re-elected in February 2019 to a five-year term, the riots at the start of March were a late baptism by fire.
“We are all witnesses to the demonstrations of rare violence that have broken out in recent days in Dakar. Nothing, no cause, can justify these regrettable acts,” said the head of state on the evening of 8 March, in an impromptu speech intended to lower the tension.
Usually praised for its stability, the country of Teranga has made an unusual appearance on the front pages of international media because of this outbreak of discontent which also set other cities in the country ablaze, from Thies to Ziguinchor.
“We didn’t expect such demonstrations, we were taken by surprise,” says a minister. While one editor described it as a barricaded regime, some government ministers chose to lodge their families in hotels while waiting for a lull.
Ineligibility
At the heart of this unprecedented wave of protests lies a legal case that could have remained confined to the news. It concerns an accusation of rape made by the employee of a Dakar massage parlour.
The only difference is that Ousmane Sonko, the 46-year-old politician targeted by the young woman, is now seen as one of the last surviving members of a Senegalese opposition weakened by successive scandals and accusations of corruption which have targeted several of its leaders.
These include Khalifa Sall, Dakar’s former mayor, who has been stripped of his post due to a judicial conviction and former minister Karim Wade, who has been exiled to Qatar since 2016 after a stay of more than three years in Rebeuss prison.
theafricareport.com
Demonstrators were dispersed and pursued in the streets of Dakar by armed rioters that the forces of order turned a blind eye to. Total stations and Auchan supermarkets were ransacked by protesters. Tear gas and stun grenades were thrown in response to stone-throwing. Army tanks were positioned at strategic points in the capital.
And finally, according to Amnesty International, 11 people – including a 12-year-old child – died from bullets fired by the forces of order.
Not since the protests held in 2011-2012 against the controversial constitutional reform project and Aboulaye Wade’s third presidential candidacy, has Dakar experienced such scenes of rioting.
For Senegal’s President Macky Sall, re-elected in February 2019 to a five-year term, the riots at the start of March were a late baptism by fire.
“We are all witnesses to the demonstrations of rare violence that have broken out in recent days in Dakar. Nothing, no cause, can justify these regrettable acts,” said the head of state on the evening of 8 March, in an impromptu speech intended to lower the tension.
Usually praised for its stability, the country of Teranga has made an unusual appearance on the front pages of international media because of this outbreak of discontent which also set other cities in the country ablaze, from Thies to Ziguinchor.
“We didn’t expect such demonstrations, we were taken by surprise,” says a minister. While one editor described it as a barricaded regime, some government ministers chose to lodge their families in hotels while waiting for a lull.
Ineligibility
At the heart of this unprecedented wave of protests lies a legal case that could have remained confined to the news. It concerns an accusation of rape made by the employee of a Dakar massage parlour.
The only difference is that Ousmane Sonko, the 46-year-old politician targeted by the young woman, is now seen as one of the last surviving members of a Senegalese opposition weakened by successive scandals and accusations of corruption which have targeted several of its leaders.
These include Khalifa Sall, Dakar’s former mayor, who has been stripped of his post due to a judicial conviction and former minister Karim Wade, who has been exiled to Qatar since 2016 after a stay of more than three years in Rebeuss prison.
theafricareport.com
Malian billionaire Babani Sissoko dies,29/03/2021.
Babani Sissoko, the Malian billionaire who invested in The Gambia establishing an airline company called Air Dabia in the late 1990s, has died. He was 79 and was still the mayor of his native town Dabia, in the circle of Keniéba, region of Kayee where he built an airport for his “AIR Dabia” which had 05 Boeing 747s and other planes.
During his short business interest in The Gambia, Babani who befriended former Gambian leader Jammeh, said he wanted to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in The Gambia. That did not quite materialise as he left the country promptly and never returned.
In 2018, the BBC carried a story which featured Babani as a “playboy” who took $ 242 million from a bank. The article chronicled how the Malian made his fortune in the 1996 to 1998 in an Islamic bank in Dubai “One day in August 1995, Foutanga Babani Sissoko walked into the headquarters of the Islamic Bank of Dubai and asked for a loan to buy a car. The bank manager accepted. Sissoko invited him to dinner at his place and that marked the start of one of the most astonishing cases of breach of trust of all time, according to Brigitte Scheffer, senior BBC reporter and author of an investigation into the Malian businessman. Over dinner, Sissoko told banker Mohammed Ayoub that he has magical powers that allow him to double any amount of money. The banker returned to see him with an amount that the mysterious businessman from a distant village in Mali simply doubled, to his astonishment. Between 1995 and 1998, Ayoub made 183 transfers to Sissoko’s bank accounts in several countries, according to the BBC World reporter, who investigated this one-of-a-kind news item. In November 1995, only a few weeks after his meeting with Mohammed Ayoub, the Malian national went to a New York bank, where he opened an account, testifies Alan Fine, a lawyer from Miami, to whom the Islamic Bank of Dubai asked. to investigate the case. “One day, Sissoko entered Citibank without an appointment. There he met a cashier and ended up marrying her, “says Alan Fine, who knows a lot about the exploits of the Malian businessman. ”
During his short business interest in The Gambia, Babani who befriended former Gambian leader Jammeh, said he wanted to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in The Gambia. That did not quite materialise as he left the country promptly and never returned.
In 2018, the BBC carried a story which featured Babani as a “playboy” who took $ 242 million from a bank. The article chronicled how the Malian made his fortune in the 1996 to 1998 in an Islamic bank in Dubai “One day in August 1995, Foutanga Babani Sissoko walked into the headquarters of the Islamic Bank of Dubai and asked for a loan to buy a car. The bank manager accepted. Sissoko invited him to dinner at his place and that marked the start of one of the most astonishing cases of breach of trust of all time, according to Brigitte Scheffer, senior BBC reporter and author of an investigation into the Malian businessman. Over dinner, Sissoko told banker Mohammed Ayoub that he has magical powers that allow him to double any amount of money. The banker returned to see him with an amount that the mysterious businessman from a distant village in Mali simply doubled, to his astonishment. Between 1995 and 1998, Ayoub made 183 transfers to Sissoko’s bank accounts in several countries, according to the BBC World reporter, who investigated this one-of-a-kind news item. In November 1995, only a few weeks after his meeting with Mohammed Ayoub, the Malian national went to a New York bank, where he opened an account, testifies Alan Fine, a lawyer from Miami, to whom the Islamic Bank of Dubai asked. to investigate the case. “One day, Sissoko entered Citibank without an appointment. There he met a cashier and ended up marrying her, “says Alan Fine, who knows a lot about the exploits of the Malian businessman. ”
‘SIS is one of the most reformed security institutions in Gambia’ Mar 29, 2021, 11:37 AM | Article By: Momodou Jawo.
Aziz Hydara, a senior operative of the State Intelligence Services (SIS) during his appearance at the TRRC, said SIS is the is one of the most reformed security institutions in the country, adding that the agency has now turned 360 degrees from its activities.“I didn’t see any achievement of institutional reform from any security institution in the country apart from the SIS. I have seen the NIA before and I have now seen how they are restructured today. The service has become more tolerant and professional institution or service in the country. They have now turned 360 degrees from their activities. Now even an SIS officer would be afraid to tell people that they are SIS operatives.”
Mr. Hydara in making his concluding remarks at the TRRC through Skype said: “I would like to thank all the staff of the SIS through their director general for definitely transforming the institution and restructuring and repositioning the service to be one of the best services in the country,” he stated, adding that the agency is playing a significant role towards the maintenance of peace and stability in the country.
“I have seen in most of the testimonies, people were emphasising on the torture attitude and the human right violations at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). However, they forget other institutions in the country. In fact, others were even claiming that it’s mode of operandi of the NIA. But I want to tell this commission that I have been working for 27 years at the NIA.”
“Out of these 27 years, I spent 24 years at the headquarters in Banjul. Therefore, I know the place very well. I will not deny the fact that the place have been used for torture and human rights violation and I have listened to some witness testimonies, claiming that 90% of NIA staff are torturers. I will not agree to that. Maybe you will only have 15% or 20% who are torturers. In fact, most of the torturers would come from other institutions and use the NIA premises for tortures.”
“This is like a cycle of the activities of the security institutions. Like the military would arrest some people and detain them at Mile Two Central Prison. However, in the night they would pick those detainees and take them in the NIA premises and tortured them. Equally the NIA would arrest some people and detained them in various police stations and the police officers or the authorities would be rotating these people from one station to another in order to hide them from their families.”
“The police, he claimed, would equally sometimes arrest people and detained them at Mile Two without warrants. The military would again took these police detainees from Mile Two and bring them to the NIA and beat them. Therefore, who is innocent of these tortures?” he queried.
Mr. Hydara in making his concluding remarks at the TRRC through Skype said: “I would like to thank all the staff of the SIS through their director general for definitely transforming the institution and restructuring and repositioning the service to be one of the best services in the country,” he stated, adding that the agency is playing a significant role towards the maintenance of peace and stability in the country.
“I have seen in most of the testimonies, people were emphasising on the torture attitude and the human right violations at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). However, they forget other institutions in the country. In fact, others were even claiming that it’s mode of operandi of the NIA. But I want to tell this commission that I have been working for 27 years at the NIA.”
“Out of these 27 years, I spent 24 years at the headquarters in Banjul. Therefore, I know the place very well. I will not deny the fact that the place have been used for torture and human rights violation and I have listened to some witness testimonies, claiming that 90% of NIA staff are torturers. I will not agree to that. Maybe you will only have 15% or 20% who are torturers. In fact, most of the torturers would come from other institutions and use the NIA premises for tortures.”
“This is like a cycle of the activities of the security institutions. Like the military would arrest some people and detain them at Mile Two Central Prison. However, in the night they would pick those detainees and take them in the NIA premises and tortured them. Equally the NIA would arrest some people and detained them in various police stations and the police officers or the authorities would be rotating these people from one station to another in order to hide them from their families.”
“The police, he claimed, would equally sometimes arrest people and detained them at Mile Two without warrants. The military would again took these police detainees from Mile Two and bring them to the NIA and beat them. Therefore, who is innocent of these tortures?” he queried.
UDP NBR regional chairperson warns Sonko Mar 29, 2021, 11:49 AM | Article By: Yusupha Jobe.
The United Democratic Party UDP) regional chairman of North Bank Regional chairman (NBR) has warned the Brikama Area Council (BAC) chairman to refrain from criticizing the party leader as he has already been sacked from the party.Karamo Njie made the statement in response to the recent comments made by the chairman of Brikama Area Council Sheriffo Sonko on West Coast Radio. Sonko in an interview which was reported by The Point, called on the UDP leader Ousainou Darboe to resign from the party, saying he (Darboe) would never rule The Gambia following his victory against UDP at the Supreme Court. He further opined that there is huge difference between President Barrow and Ousainou Darboe.
Reacting to Sonko’s comments, Mr. Njie said the fate of United Democratic Party in winning the presidential election cannot be determined by any person except Allah, stating that comments made by Sheriffo Sonko on their party leader is insensitive and should refrain from such despicable comments since he has been sacked.
“What I wanted to inform Sheriffo Sonko is that it is better for him to leave the UDP and its party leader alone and mine his business because he is no more a party member.”
“So what business does he have to advise our party leader to resign the UDP? Sonko should know that today he is the chairman of the Brikama Area Council due to UDP and Ousainou Darboe; so his words cannot take us anywhere.”
“And beside; because of his statement; people called to show their love to the party,” Njie disclosed.
He said BAC being the largest area council in the country has the largest tax collection in terms of finance. However, he added, under Sonko’s watch, this could not be translated into development for the benefit of the people of the region.
The UDP NBR regional chair then compared BAC and KMC and BCC, saying: “I want to inform you that today; Brikama Area Council is the largest in term of rate collection, but still, it cannot match the ongoing development at KMC and the BCC.
“So I think Sonko should concentrate more in providing development to his people than talking unrealistic statement against the UDP.”
“Let me tell you that with his comment against the UDP, he is not going to win the next chairmanship election because Gambians are no more sleeping.”
“There is no one who can stop the UDP from winning the 2021 presidential election and he Sonko will face the Commission of Inquiry after the elections on funds he misused at the council,” he alleged.
Reacting to Sonko’s comments, Mr. Njie said the fate of United Democratic Party in winning the presidential election cannot be determined by any person except Allah, stating that comments made by Sheriffo Sonko on their party leader is insensitive and should refrain from such despicable comments since he has been sacked.
“What I wanted to inform Sheriffo Sonko is that it is better for him to leave the UDP and its party leader alone and mine his business because he is no more a party member.”
“So what business does he have to advise our party leader to resign the UDP? Sonko should know that today he is the chairman of the Brikama Area Council due to UDP and Ousainou Darboe; so his words cannot take us anywhere.”
“And beside; because of his statement; people called to show their love to the party,” Njie disclosed.
He said BAC being the largest area council in the country has the largest tax collection in terms of finance. However, he added, under Sonko’s watch, this could not be translated into development for the benefit of the people of the region.
The UDP NBR regional chair then compared BAC and KMC and BCC, saying: “I want to inform you that today; Brikama Area Council is the largest in term of rate collection, but still, it cannot match the ongoing development at KMC and the BCC.
“So I think Sonko should concentrate more in providing development to his people than talking unrealistic statement against the UDP.”
“Let me tell you that with his comment against the UDP, he is not going to win the next chairmanship election because Gambians are no more sleeping.”
“There is no one who can stop the UDP from winning the 2021 presidential election and he Sonko will face the Commission of Inquiry after the elections on funds he misused at the council,” he alleged.
Jammeh, Edu, Yanks, Sana could be tried for crimes Mar 29, 2021, 11:52 AM | Article By: Sanna Camara.
The determination to the question referred to the Supreme Court by the High Court of The Gambia on whether or not a former member of the AFPRC junta can be tried, has renewed hopes that Yahya Jammeh, Edward Singhateh, Sana Sabally and Yankuba Touray could be tried for crimes they committed, despite the immunity provisions inserted in the 1997 Constitution.The Supreme Court, presided over by the Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow on the 27th January 2021 found that “… Yankuba Touray is not entitled to Constitutional immunity from prosecution for alleged murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay pursuant to paragraph 13(1) (4) and (5) of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia.”
“Paragraph 13(1), Chapter 4, as well as the preamble (of the 1997 Constitution) thereto are contained in the same enactment. They were enacted simultaneously. They must therefore be read together… The general provision of paragraph 13 must be made subject to the specific Constitutional commitments to accountability, to justice and to the enforcement of the human rights provisions and to providing relief and remedy and accountability for the violations. To do otherwise would be to give free reign to impunity, contrary to the national commitment to justice and accountability which is enshrined in the Constitution,” CJ argued.
The issue of whether or not Yankuba Touray enjoyed amnesty for the said crime was a matter that came before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh during the trial at the High Court since 2020. On the 12th of October 2020, defence lawyer of Mr. Touray, Mr. A. Sissohor, applied to the High Court urging it to discharge the accused on the grounds that as a “junta member of the AFPRC from 1994 to 1997” and pursuant to paragraphs of Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, enjoys immunity from prosecution.
Yankuba Touray had been adversely mentioned by several witnesses at the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) for alleged involvement in atrocities during the former regime. One of them is the murder of the junta’s second Finance Minister Ousman Koro Ceesay, whose body was found burnt with his official car.
Appearing before the TRRC in June 2019, Mr. Touray defied instructions to cooperate with the Commission and refused to testify before it. TRRC Chairman Dr. Lamin Sise, called for Touray’s arrest after he declined a second chance to take an oath and testify before the commission.
Touray told the TRRC he would not testify because he had immunity from prosecution for any crimes he was alleged to have committed. He was, however, arrested by the Attorney General’s office amidst public outcry that nearly caused his lynching by a group of mob that converged on the TRRC sitting venue and at the Kairaba Station where he was briefly detained.
The Supreme Court, having considered both the oral and written submissions of both parties (the state and Yanks), and an Amis Curiae admitted by the Court, ruled that Yankuba Touray is not entitled to Constitutional immunity from prosecution for the murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay.
The said paragraph in question had even been amended by the Supreme Court but never reflected in the reprinted version of the Constitution. Hence an accurate version was stated in the decision as thus:
“The member of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council… shall be liable either jointly or severally for any act or omission in the performance of their official duties during the administration of the… Council.”
The court granted a group of human rights lawyers, Mr. Gaye Sowe, Neneh M.C. Cham, Salieu Taal and Abdoulie Fatty acting as Amicus Curiae without objection from both parties. This is the first time the Supreme Court granted such an Amis Curiae – known as “a friend of the court.”
Mr. Sowe, Faal, Fatty and Ms. Cham appeared before the Supreme Court with strong interest in or views on the subject matter of immunity from prosecution claims by Yankuba Touray, but not a party to the action. They petitioned the court for permission to file a brief. Such amicus curiae briefs are commonly filed in appeals concerning matters of a broad public interest; e.g., civil rights cases.
However, even where the 1997 Constitution gives immunity to the AFPRC members, the Supreme Court said The Gambia is still obligated by international treaties, laws and regulations it is a part of, whether domesticated or not.
“The African (Banjul) Charter on Human and People’s Rights has, however, a special place within this body of international human rights law… the Judicial Council of the Privy Council held that whilst unincorporated treaties cannot change the law of the land or have any effect on citizens and duties in common or Statute law… [that] they might have an indirect effect upon the construction of statuses or might give rise to a legitimate expectation by citizens that the government, in its acts affecting them, would observe the terms of the treaty.”
According to Chief Justice Hassan Jallow, the Supreme Court found that the Africa (Banjul) Charter on Human and People’s Rights, whose negotiation and adoption was spearheaded by The Gambia as Africa’s premier human rights instrument officially named “the Banjul Charter” in recognition of such roles played by The Gambia.
In its elaboration, an instrument ratified by the government and legislature of The Gambia, and with Gambia hosting the Commission created and mandated by the Charter to investigate human rights violations within and by state parties, cannot, despite not having been incorporated into law, be regarded as totally relevant to the Gambia legal system.
Therefore, the Supreme Court, given the aforementioned, holds that ratification of the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights by The Gambia creates a legitimate expectation amongst people in The Gambia that The Gambia state will respect its provisions. Thus the court has a duty to interpret and apply Gambian law in a manner that does not undermine that legitimate expectation but to interpret our laws in a manner consistent with the obligations of the Gambia under the Charter, and of decisions of judicial or quasi judicial bodies established by the Charter.
About the paragraph 13(1) of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of The Gambia, Justice Jallow said the 1997 version of the clause is broadly cast as an immunity clause to shield the members of the then AFPRC, its Ministers and appointees from liability and accountability for any acts and omissions in the performance of their duties during the administration of the said AFPRC.
“Paragraph 13(1), Chapter 4, as well as the preamble (of the 1997 Constitution) thereto are contained in the same enactment. They were enacted simultaneously. They must therefore be read together… The general provision of paragraph 13 must be made subject to the specific Constitutional commitments to accountability, to justice and to the enforcement of the human rights provisions and to providing relief and remedy and accountability for the violations. To do otherwise would be to give free reign to impunity, contrary to the national commitment to justice and accountability which is enshrined in the Constitution,” CJ argued.
The issue of whether or not Yankuba Touray enjoyed amnesty for the said crime was a matter that came before Justice Ebrima Jaiteh during the trial at the High Court since 2020. On the 12th of October 2020, defence lawyer of Mr. Touray, Mr. A. Sissohor, applied to the High Court urging it to discharge the accused on the grounds that as a “junta member of the AFPRC from 1994 to 1997” and pursuant to paragraphs of Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, enjoys immunity from prosecution.
Yankuba Touray had been adversely mentioned by several witnesses at the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) for alleged involvement in atrocities during the former regime. One of them is the murder of the junta’s second Finance Minister Ousman Koro Ceesay, whose body was found burnt with his official car.
Appearing before the TRRC in June 2019, Mr. Touray defied instructions to cooperate with the Commission and refused to testify before it. TRRC Chairman Dr. Lamin Sise, called for Touray’s arrest after he declined a second chance to take an oath and testify before the commission.
Touray told the TRRC he would not testify because he had immunity from prosecution for any crimes he was alleged to have committed. He was, however, arrested by the Attorney General’s office amidst public outcry that nearly caused his lynching by a group of mob that converged on the TRRC sitting venue and at the Kairaba Station where he was briefly detained.
The Supreme Court, having considered both the oral and written submissions of both parties (the state and Yanks), and an Amis Curiae admitted by the Court, ruled that Yankuba Touray is not entitled to Constitutional immunity from prosecution for the murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay.
The said paragraph in question had even been amended by the Supreme Court but never reflected in the reprinted version of the Constitution. Hence an accurate version was stated in the decision as thus:
“The member of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council… shall be liable either jointly or severally for any act or omission in the performance of their official duties during the administration of the… Council.”
The court granted a group of human rights lawyers, Mr. Gaye Sowe, Neneh M.C. Cham, Salieu Taal and Abdoulie Fatty acting as Amicus Curiae without objection from both parties. This is the first time the Supreme Court granted such an Amis Curiae – known as “a friend of the court.”
Mr. Sowe, Faal, Fatty and Ms. Cham appeared before the Supreme Court with strong interest in or views on the subject matter of immunity from prosecution claims by Yankuba Touray, but not a party to the action. They petitioned the court for permission to file a brief. Such amicus curiae briefs are commonly filed in appeals concerning matters of a broad public interest; e.g., civil rights cases.
However, even where the 1997 Constitution gives immunity to the AFPRC members, the Supreme Court said The Gambia is still obligated by international treaties, laws and regulations it is a part of, whether domesticated or not.
“The African (Banjul) Charter on Human and People’s Rights has, however, a special place within this body of international human rights law… the Judicial Council of the Privy Council held that whilst unincorporated treaties cannot change the law of the land or have any effect on citizens and duties in common or Statute law… [that] they might have an indirect effect upon the construction of statuses or might give rise to a legitimate expectation by citizens that the government, in its acts affecting them, would observe the terms of the treaty.”
According to Chief Justice Hassan Jallow, the Supreme Court found that the Africa (Banjul) Charter on Human and People’s Rights, whose negotiation and adoption was spearheaded by The Gambia as Africa’s premier human rights instrument officially named “the Banjul Charter” in recognition of such roles played by The Gambia.
In its elaboration, an instrument ratified by the government and legislature of The Gambia, and with Gambia hosting the Commission created and mandated by the Charter to investigate human rights violations within and by state parties, cannot, despite not having been incorporated into law, be regarded as totally relevant to the Gambia legal system.
Therefore, the Supreme Court, given the aforementioned, holds that ratification of the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights by The Gambia creates a legitimate expectation amongst people in The Gambia that The Gambia state will respect its provisions. Thus the court has a duty to interpret and apply Gambian law in a manner that does not undermine that legitimate expectation but to interpret our laws in a manner consistent with the obligations of the Gambia under the Charter, and of decisions of judicial or quasi judicial bodies established by the Charter.
About the paragraph 13(1) of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of The Gambia, Justice Jallow said the 1997 version of the clause is broadly cast as an immunity clause to shield the members of the then AFPRC, its Ministers and appointees from liability and accountability for any acts and omissions in the performance of their duties during the administration of the said AFPRC.
CA warns foreigners to stay clear of Gambia’s elections
MARCH 26, 2021.
By Omar Bah
The opposition Citizens’ Alliance party has issued a very strong message to foreign embassies in the country to warn their citizens to stay away from Gambia’s electoral process.
Addressing journalists at the party’s periodic press conference, Dr Ismaila Ceesay, CA’s presidential candidate, said: “I want to warn non-Gambians to avoid coming close to obtaining our voter’s cards. If you are not a Gambian, don’t allow selfish politicians to use you because if that happens, not even the government can assure your security. We are not going to tolerate it.”
Dr Ceesay also urged foreign embassies in the country to convey this message “to their citizens living in The Gambia, if they desire to continue living in the country in peace.”
Ceesay further said the most important role in this falls to Gambians themselves, whom he urged to be more vigilant than ever to ensure that not a single non-Gambian is registered to vote in the December presidential election.
“All foreigners found seeking or trying to obtain the country’s voter’s card should be reported to police and other lawful authorities so that they will be dealt with according to law,” he said.
While urging Gambians to come out in their numbers and obtain voter’s cards, Dr Ceesay appealed to the IEC to be flexible and willing “to extend the registration timeline whenever deemed necessary so that all eligible voters can vote”.
Turning to the political situation in the country, Dr Ceesay said the greater number of Gambians are now politically aware and will not vote in December based on sentiments or tribal lines but issues that could change their lives.
“During our recent tour of the country, we interacted with many communities who told us they used to have the impression that they should not go against a sitting government but that notion has changed. But there are still few communities who believe they should not oppose a sitting government. It is now the responsibility of politicians to start politicking based on issues and not sentiments,” he said.
The emotional Dr Ceesay also expressed dismay over the living conditions of Gambians in the rural areas, saying “they lack basic needs. Most of the communities we visited don’t even have drinking water, healthcare service and roads. It is disheartening that after 50 years of independence our people in the provinces are living in deplorable conditions. We should realise that these people also deserve to live a dignified life. If a state cannot provide these basic needs for its citizens, then that state is a failed state,” he said.
The CA leader condemned the burning of the Sanyang police station and the Chinese fishmeal but blamed the government for ignoring the root causes. “The defining character of the Barrow administration is inaction. All they are interested in now is their re-election”.
He described the Barrow administration as the most unserious government Gambia has ever had.
“This is why we have a situation where a government entity [Nawec] will claim D15 million was stolen from their account. I have never heard of something like this anywhere in the world,” he said.
Dr Ceesay also urged the government to address the issues, saying “there is a lot of drugs in the country that is driving many young people mad.”
The opposition Citizens’ Alliance party has issued a very strong message to foreign embassies in the country to warn their citizens to stay away from Gambia’s electoral process.
Addressing journalists at the party’s periodic press conference, Dr Ismaila Ceesay, CA’s presidential candidate, said: “I want to warn non-Gambians to avoid coming close to obtaining our voter’s cards. If you are not a Gambian, don’t allow selfish politicians to use you because if that happens, not even the government can assure your security. We are not going to tolerate it.”
Dr Ceesay also urged foreign embassies in the country to convey this message “to their citizens living in The Gambia, if they desire to continue living in the country in peace.”
Ceesay further said the most important role in this falls to Gambians themselves, whom he urged to be more vigilant than ever to ensure that not a single non-Gambian is registered to vote in the December presidential election.
“All foreigners found seeking or trying to obtain the country’s voter’s card should be reported to police and other lawful authorities so that they will be dealt with according to law,” he said.
While urging Gambians to come out in their numbers and obtain voter’s cards, Dr Ceesay appealed to the IEC to be flexible and willing “to extend the registration timeline whenever deemed necessary so that all eligible voters can vote”.
Turning to the political situation in the country, Dr Ceesay said the greater number of Gambians are now politically aware and will not vote in December based on sentiments or tribal lines but issues that could change their lives.
“During our recent tour of the country, we interacted with many communities who told us they used to have the impression that they should not go against a sitting government but that notion has changed. But there are still few communities who believe they should not oppose a sitting government. It is now the responsibility of politicians to start politicking based on issues and not sentiments,” he said.
The emotional Dr Ceesay also expressed dismay over the living conditions of Gambians in the rural areas, saying “they lack basic needs. Most of the communities we visited don’t even have drinking water, healthcare service and roads. It is disheartening that after 50 years of independence our people in the provinces are living in deplorable conditions. We should realise that these people also deserve to live a dignified life. If a state cannot provide these basic needs for its citizens, then that state is a failed state,” he said.
The CA leader condemned the burning of the Sanyang police station and the Chinese fishmeal but blamed the government for ignoring the root causes. “The defining character of the Barrow administration is inaction. All they are interested in now is their re-election”.
He described the Barrow administration as the most unserious government Gambia has ever had.
“This is why we have a situation where a government entity [Nawec] will claim D15 million was stolen from their account. I have never heard of something like this anywhere in the world,” he said.
Dr Ceesay also urged the government to address the issues, saying “there is a lot of drugs in the country that is driving many young people mad.”
Marena calls for need to strengthen Judicial Service Commission Mar 26, 2021, 11:28 AM | Article By: Pa Modou Cham.
Mr. Cherno Marena, former solicitor general and Legal Secretary, on Thursday, 25 March 2021 told the TRRC that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of The Gambia should be strengthened for a more vibrant judiciary.Marena appeared to explain how the justice sector enabled Jammeh to violate the rights of Gambians and laws that were often used to eliminate the former president's opponents.
Asked whether the legislation was enacted extensively but implemented for Jammeh's own ends, the witness in response said while at the Ministry of Justice, there were three notoriety legislations that were mainly used against Public Servants.
“However, these were not made by Jammeh and one of them was the Criminal Code and Giving False Information to a Public Servant, Abuse of Office, Negligent of Officials duty and the Economic Crime Decree.”
He said the Decree was an AFPRC Decree of 1994. Faal then asked him to explain why that Decree was still in the law books. He said all the AFPRC Decrees were formed to be part of the laws of the Gambia and were incorporated in the Constitution.
Asked to explain how whistleblowers were treated under Yahya Jammeh, he said what was unfortunate about those people was, if there was nothing to link with that person, the person will be subjected to police investigations, which will eventually slap them with the charges of false information.
However, he said if such persons give certain information and Yahya Jammeh is not happy with it, the individual will face the false information charge.
“It was all based on his whims and caprices,” he said.
Mr. Marena testified that one of the examples of whistleblowers was the case of former Minister of Justice, Lamin Jobarteh, Pa Harry Jammeh and Njogu Bah, former secretary general.
“Apart from the right violations it had several impacts on the public because it made people reluctant to report certain things and sat on their constitutional right to petition the president. People were afraid to provide information because they did not know what the consequences would be.”
On the issue of negligence by government officials, he said even a minor mistake on administrative lapses, someone faced charges.
“Some lawyers saw the charge of false information as a defective charge as the president was not part of the Public Service and therefore was not a “public servant."
Further testifying, he said Jammeh sharpened the weapon by replacing the word of Public Servant to 'Public Official' because under the Constitution, the President was not a Public Servant but a Public Official.
After the Jammeh regime, the main thing was to change the Criminal Procedure Code and task certain Gambian lawyers led by Senior Counsel, Antouman Gaye to make sure that the laws were within international standards and had since been sent to the National Assembly.
For the Economic Crimes Decree, Marena said the invention behind the Decree was to deal with people who sabotage the economy or cause economic losses in the Public Service.
On the application of the law to punish people, Marena indicated that the Decree provides a trial at the High Court and if they wanted to deny bail, they would charge the person at the Magistrates Court.
Asked whether the legislation was enacted extensively but implemented for Jammeh's own ends, the witness in response said while at the Ministry of Justice, there were three notoriety legislations that were mainly used against Public Servants.
“However, these were not made by Jammeh and one of them was the Criminal Code and Giving False Information to a Public Servant, Abuse of Office, Negligent of Officials duty and the Economic Crime Decree.”
He said the Decree was an AFPRC Decree of 1994. Faal then asked him to explain why that Decree was still in the law books. He said all the AFPRC Decrees were formed to be part of the laws of the Gambia and were incorporated in the Constitution.
Asked to explain how whistleblowers were treated under Yahya Jammeh, he said what was unfortunate about those people was, if there was nothing to link with that person, the person will be subjected to police investigations, which will eventually slap them with the charges of false information.
However, he said if such persons give certain information and Yahya Jammeh is not happy with it, the individual will face the false information charge.
“It was all based on his whims and caprices,” he said.
Mr. Marena testified that one of the examples of whistleblowers was the case of former Minister of Justice, Lamin Jobarteh, Pa Harry Jammeh and Njogu Bah, former secretary general.
“Apart from the right violations it had several impacts on the public because it made people reluctant to report certain things and sat on their constitutional right to petition the president. People were afraid to provide information because they did not know what the consequences would be.”
On the issue of negligence by government officials, he said even a minor mistake on administrative lapses, someone faced charges.
“Some lawyers saw the charge of false information as a defective charge as the president was not part of the Public Service and therefore was not a “public servant."
Further testifying, he said Jammeh sharpened the weapon by replacing the word of Public Servant to 'Public Official' because under the Constitution, the President was not a Public Servant but a Public Official.
After the Jammeh regime, the main thing was to change the Criminal Procedure Code and task certain Gambian lawyers led by Senior Counsel, Antouman Gaye to make sure that the laws were within international standards and had since been sent to the National Assembly.
For the Economic Crimes Decree, Marena said the invention behind the Decree was to deal with people who sabotage the economy or cause economic losses in the Public Service.
On the application of the law to punish people, Marena indicated that the Decree provides a trial at the High Court and if they wanted to deny bail, they would charge the person at the Magistrates Court.
Barrow gov’t not confident in Gambian security – Lawyer Martin Mar 26, 2021, 11:06 AM | Article By: Sulayman Waan.
Hassan Martin, Gambian human rights lawyer has said that one of the factors of poor security in the country is due to the fact that President Adama Barrow's government failed to have confidence in Gambia's security apparatus to do their work effectively.Lawyer Martin was reacting to series of murder cases incident times in an exclusive interview with The Point saying “The current administration of President Adama Barrow has no confidence in Gambian soldiers to do their work or Gambian security to do their work.”
He added that government is not taking care of the country’s security apparatus as expected, justifying that the police are not given enough equipment such as vehicles to execute their functions well.
Lawyer Martin said Gambian security personnel particularly the police are underpaid and said under normal circumstances, the police should be receiving good salary as part of motivation to ensure proper national security.
“These are all combination of factors that are affecting the current state of security,” he said.
According to reports, recently The Gambia has registered murder cases at Sanyang, Brikama and Bakau.
The human rights lawyer further said failure of leadership at government level has also contributed a lot in the country’s poor security and alarming murder cases which triggered public concern across the state.
“We need a leadership that will build a security apparatus that is fit for the twenty-four (24) century. And we are not having that,” he argued.
He said government is not looking into the constraints that security institutions are battling daily but the government is busy in political activities ahead of the presidential elections.
He recommended to President Barrow to establish good security policies to ensure lives and properties are saved in the country, while adding that there is a great need for government to look at the root cause of the series of murder cases and address them with urgency.
Recommending further, he said government should endeavour to get competent people to lead the security institutions in order to combat crimes across the country.
On Murder Cases
He described the various murders cases in the country in recent times as worrying, saying government should take actions to ensure lives of Gambians and non-Gambians in the country are protected.
Martin further tasked government to investigate all murder cases with urgency and reinforce the security apparatus to avoid reoccurrence of such ugly crimes.
“The government for the past year or more has not been very much focus in dealing with crimes,” he accused.
Martin believes that lack of employment is another factor leading to crimes in The Gambia.
He added that establishment of fish meal factories in the coastal communities without benefiting the residents also factored in crimes in the area as many are unhappy with government as well as company owners on the move.
He added that government is not taking care of the country’s security apparatus as expected, justifying that the police are not given enough equipment such as vehicles to execute their functions well.
Lawyer Martin said Gambian security personnel particularly the police are underpaid and said under normal circumstances, the police should be receiving good salary as part of motivation to ensure proper national security.
“These are all combination of factors that are affecting the current state of security,” he said.
According to reports, recently The Gambia has registered murder cases at Sanyang, Brikama and Bakau.
The human rights lawyer further said failure of leadership at government level has also contributed a lot in the country’s poor security and alarming murder cases which triggered public concern across the state.
“We need a leadership that will build a security apparatus that is fit for the twenty-four (24) century. And we are not having that,” he argued.
He said government is not looking into the constraints that security institutions are battling daily but the government is busy in political activities ahead of the presidential elections.
He recommended to President Barrow to establish good security policies to ensure lives and properties are saved in the country, while adding that there is a great need for government to look at the root cause of the series of murder cases and address them with urgency.
Recommending further, he said government should endeavour to get competent people to lead the security institutions in order to combat crimes across the country.
On Murder Cases
He described the various murders cases in the country in recent times as worrying, saying government should take actions to ensure lives of Gambians and non-Gambians in the country are protected.
Martin further tasked government to investigate all murder cases with urgency and reinforce the security apparatus to avoid reoccurrence of such ugly crimes.
“The government for the past year or more has not been very much focus in dealing with crimes,” he accused.
Martin believes that lack of employment is another factor leading to crimes in The Gambia.
He added that establishment of fish meal factories in the coastal communities without benefiting the residents also factored in crimes in the area as many are unhappy with government as well as company owners on the move.
DLEAG suspends 5 for drug use Mar 26, 2021, 11:38 AM | Article By: Momodou Jawo.
Five personnel of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia have been indefinitely suspended after they were found to be cannabis and opium users, The Point has been reliably informed.Ousman Saidybah, the spokesperson of the country's narcotic agency, who was contacted for comments, confirmed the development to The Point, saying the officers are currently indefinitely suspended pending the decision of the agency’s board.
“As part of the continued reform initiatives aimed at maintaining professional standards and in compliance with policy instruments as provided for in the agency’s Staff Service Rules and Staff Code of Conduct, the agency conducted drug of abuse tests for all staff of the agency."
He added: “Section II (11:12) of the Staff Service Rule talks about the conduct and discipline of staff. It prohibits staff from consuming any form of intoxicant or illicit drug while on duty, abusing any form of illicit drug while in the employment of the agency and equally directs the agency to conduct periodic tests on all staff to determine their drug use status."
Similarly, he went on, Part III (6) of the staff code of conduct deems staff intoxicated or under the influence of any form of illicit drug unfit for duty and service.
“Premise on this and with blessing from the Board of Governors, management contracted an independent laboratory firm to conduct the drugs of abuse test for all staff from the agency. No single staff was exempted."
“The top most senior being the director general to be least most junior staff were all subjected to this test. It is important to note that neither the test was conducted in such a way that the person analysing the urine samples cannot know whose sample was being analysed."
“Samples were collected and labeled with EE numbers of staff rather using their names. Therefore, after the exercise, 22 staff tested positive for the use of cannabis. This result was presented to the board and they decided to suspend them for two months without salary with a condition to subject them to retest at their own cost."
After the two months period, Saidybah explained, they were subjected to another drug of abuse test.
“Twenty one (21) of those on suspension availed themselves for a retest while one (1) person abstained by failing to make himself available."
“After the second retest, five (5) persons were found to be positive. Four (4) for cannabis and one (1) for opium. These five persons in addition to the one who abstained presently on indefinite suspension pending decision of their fate by the Board of Governors"
“Management of the agency wants to assure the public of its stance of zero tolerance to any form of misconduct and unprofessionalism by its staff. The test will be a continuous process and it is here to stay. As the entity mandated by law to fight against drugs, we cannot in any way allow our own staff to be found wanting."
“Any staff found wanting will be dealt with accordingly"
“Furthermore, we want to make it clear that the DLEAG commissioner for the North Bank Region is not among those found wanting in this exercise. He is a fine gentleman who has dedicated his service to the Agency and country from his time at The Gambia Police Force to DLEAG," Saidybah clarified.
“As part of the continued reform initiatives aimed at maintaining professional standards and in compliance with policy instruments as provided for in the agency’s Staff Service Rules and Staff Code of Conduct, the agency conducted drug of abuse tests for all staff of the agency."
He added: “Section II (11:12) of the Staff Service Rule talks about the conduct and discipline of staff. It prohibits staff from consuming any form of intoxicant or illicit drug while on duty, abusing any form of illicit drug while in the employment of the agency and equally directs the agency to conduct periodic tests on all staff to determine their drug use status."
Similarly, he went on, Part III (6) of the staff code of conduct deems staff intoxicated or under the influence of any form of illicit drug unfit for duty and service.
“Premise on this and with blessing from the Board of Governors, management contracted an independent laboratory firm to conduct the drugs of abuse test for all staff from the agency. No single staff was exempted."
“The top most senior being the director general to be least most junior staff were all subjected to this test. It is important to note that neither the test was conducted in such a way that the person analysing the urine samples cannot know whose sample was being analysed."
“Samples were collected and labeled with EE numbers of staff rather using their names. Therefore, after the exercise, 22 staff tested positive for the use of cannabis. This result was presented to the board and they decided to suspend them for two months without salary with a condition to subject them to retest at their own cost."
After the two months period, Saidybah explained, they were subjected to another drug of abuse test.
“Twenty one (21) of those on suspension availed themselves for a retest while one (1) person abstained by failing to make himself available."
“After the second retest, five (5) persons were found to be positive. Four (4) for cannabis and one (1) for opium. These five persons in addition to the one who abstained presently on indefinite suspension pending decision of their fate by the Board of Governors"
“Management of the agency wants to assure the public of its stance of zero tolerance to any form of misconduct and unprofessionalism by its staff. The test will be a continuous process and it is here to stay. As the entity mandated by law to fight against drugs, we cannot in any way allow our own staff to be found wanting."
“Any staff found wanting will be dealt with accordingly"
“Furthermore, we want to make it clear that the DLEAG commissioner for the North Bank Region is not among those found wanting in this exercise. He is a fine gentleman who has dedicated his service to the Agency and country from his time at The Gambia Police Force to DLEAG," Saidybah clarified.
GAMBIA QUALIFIES FOR FIRST AFCON
MARCH 26, 2021.
By Lamin Cham
After more than 50 years of waiting, The Gambia made history last night reaching the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, and with a match to spare. The country’s footballers secured one of the two available spots in Group D after beating Angola 1-0 in an empty Independence Stadium in Bakau.
Assan Ceesay latched on to a rebound to drill in the only goal after Steve Trawalley set up Abdoulie Jallow with a defense splitting pass in the 62nd minute. That was enough for The Gambia’s part in the historic journey confirmed by Gabon’s 3-0 spanking of DR Congo in Libreville. Both Gabon and Gambia have a game to play on March 29 when the fixtures would be completed but the two sides have so far secured an unassailable 10 points lead ahead of Congo which can only have 9 points at best, while Angola had since been eliminated.
The final whistle was greeted by emotional scenes in the stadium with Gambian players hugging and celebrating a lifetime achievement for the country. Soon after, a spontaneous outburst of jubilation rocked the Greater Banjul Area with cars blaring horns as groups gathered to bask in the feeling. The president of the Republic Adama Barrow immediately called the national broadcaster’s commentary team in the stadium to congratulate the nation and the players for the historic achievement. He said as a great fan of football, the victory is a personal pleasant surprise for himself. He promised that his government will continue to support the team and sports in the country.
As news of the historic feat went around, Gambians around the globe took to social media to pour congratulations and celebrate the country’s historic victory.
“The feeling is indescribable! If you can describe it, then you are not as high as I am, and the intensity of what you feel is not as overwhelming as what I feel. No, I am not talking about weed or crack, I mean the win and the qualification! Congratulations to the Scorpions”, commented Alagie Saidy-Barrow from Europe.
Many fans congratulated the efforts of the Gambia government and the Gambia Football Federation for working hard to prepare and motivate the players. Others dedicated the landmark event to the fallen and living legends of Gambian football such as the late Biri-Biri who died last year. A jubilant coach Tom Saintfiet commented: ”I am a very proud coach after this achievement by Gambia. I love The Gambia”.
As the evening wore on and the significance of the event sank among the population, more people staged their own corner-side celebrations praying for the footballers with good luck in Cameroon in January.
A senior government official told The Standard that a major achievement like this is rare and it will be given a fitting treatment in the not-too-distant future.
- Adve
After more than 50 years of waiting, The Gambia made history last night reaching the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, and with a match to spare. The country’s footballers secured one of the two available spots in Group D after beating Angola 1-0 in an empty Independence Stadium in Bakau.
Assan Ceesay latched on to a rebound to drill in the only goal after Steve Trawalley set up Abdoulie Jallow with a defense splitting pass in the 62nd minute. That was enough for The Gambia’s part in the historic journey confirmed by Gabon’s 3-0 spanking of DR Congo in Libreville. Both Gabon and Gambia have a game to play on March 29 when the fixtures would be completed but the two sides have so far secured an unassailable 10 points lead ahead of Congo which can only have 9 points at best, while Angola had since been eliminated.
The final whistle was greeted by emotional scenes in the stadium with Gambian players hugging and celebrating a lifetime achievement for the country. Soon after, a spontaneous outburst of jubilation rocked the Greater Banjul Area with cars blaring horns as groups gathered to bask in the feeling. The president of the Republic Adama Barrow immediately called the national broadcaster’s commentary team in the stadium to congratulate the nation and the players for the historic achievement. He said as a great fan of football, the victory is a personal pleasant surprise for himself. He promised that his government will continue to support the team and sports in the country.
As news of the historic feat went around, Gambians around the globe took to social media to pour congratulations and celebrate the country’s historic victory.
“The feeling is indescribable! If you can describe it, then you are not as high as I am, and the intensity of what you feel is not as overwhelming as what I feel. No, I am not talking about weed or crack, I mean the win and the qualification! Congratulations to the Scorpions”, commented Alagie Saidy-Barrow from Europe.
Many fans congratulated the efforts of the Gambia government and the Gambia Football Federation for working hard to prepare and motivate the players. Others dedicated the landmark event to the fallen and living legends of Gambian football such as the late Biri-Biri who died last year. A jubilant coach Tom Saintfiet commented: ”I am a very proud coach after this achievement by Gambia. I love The Gambia”.
As the evening wore on and the significance of the event sank among the population, more people staged their own corner-side celebrations praying for the footballers with good luck in Cameroon in January.
A senior government official told The Standard that a major achievement like this is rare and it will be given a fitting treatment in the not-too-distant future.
- Adve
Dissatisfied NCP members call for new congress
MARCH 26, 2021.
By Omar Bah
A faction of unhappy senior National Convention Party members has rejected the election of Minister Lamin Dibba as the party’s new leader at a congress held in Farafenni earlier this month.
The group led by Sutay SF Jammeh, a longtime member of the party, said the congress was not held in accordance with the agreement reached among all the party members and endorsed by the IEC which is for the party to call one national congress.
Sometime ago, the IEC suspended the NCP following a deep division with rival factions holding different congresses and each claiming to be the legitimate NCP.
The Commission later managed to bring the two factions together with both agreeing to unite as one party and forget all past differences for the betterment and progress of the party.
They also agreed that correspondence from the party to the IEC shall come from only one Badara Sidibeh and Dembo Jadama and that they shall conduct a united national congress of all members of the NCP as soon as Covid-19 preventive protocols are lifted.
At the beginning of this month, a congress was held in Farafenni which elected Lamin Dibba, the current minister of environment, as leader of the party.
However, speaking to The Standard Tuesday Sutay Jammeh disagreed with how the congress went, arguing: “The Farafenni congress did not have a national character and was not held in accordance with IEC’s advice because even before the consultations on the date of the congress were completed, some went ahead to organise a congress without the consent of a large number of people.”
He also alleged that while the party’s current chairman, Dembo Jadama, wanted the congress to be held later, his co-chair Badara Sidibeh, supported those who went ahead to hold the congress although he didn’t attend himself.
“This is why we want the IEC to nullify the Farefenni congress and allow the party stakeholders to agree on a new date so that all eligible members of the party would have opportunity to contest for positions. In this regard, we are appealing to the IEC not to recognize the Farafenni congress and the election of Mr Lamin Dibba because we do not want to go back to the days of division in the party,” he said.
He said they are also concerned that people like veteran NCP politician, Majanko Samusa and his favoured leadership candidate Lamin Dibba, will surrender the party to President Barrow unconditionally.
“We want a well-structured and independent NCP that will have autonomy to negotiate or enter into any agreement with any force when the need arises and not a mere asset to be passed on to the highest bidder,” Sutay said.
“As the second oldest political party in the country, NCP has a rich history and we don’t want to die just like that. The party has suffered a lot during the first republic with some of our supporters, including our leader Sheriff Mustapha Dibba spending months in jail while others were killed in prison during the 1981 aborted coup. If we allow the party to die, we will not be doing justice to these people. We are calling on all the party supporters to come together in peace and tranquility,” he said.
The IEC could not be reached for comments on the matter but the newly-elected leader of the party, Lamin Dibba said there is no division in NCP. “The two parties who were involved in the previous rival congresses and their leaders namely, Majanko Samusa and Yahya Sanyang, were both at the congress and before the congress itself, I contacted the IEC to inform them about our plans to hold the congress on the 13th of March. So after that, we called a meeting where the majority of us agreed for the congress to go ahead as planned,” Dibba said. He said the former faction leaders Majanko Samusa and Yahya Sanyang are now the party’s national president and administrative secretary, respectively. “So the rest of the members who feel their views were not honoured must realise that in any democratic process, the majority has the final say. This is democracy because we had put everything to vote and the majority voted ‘yes’ for us to go ahead with the congress. Delegates of the party came from all over the country to attend the congress and the IEC was represented. Why then should IEC nullify our congress? For what reason? For us, we are moving ahead because under my leadership, the party will not be distracted by issues of non-merits.”
Dibba also denied claims that the party has been sacrificed to the NPP. “The party is still existing as an independent entity and has not been surrendered to anybody for whatever reasons. But as far as we are concerned, we will continue supporting the coalition government which we are very much part of,” he said.
A faction of unhappy senior National Convention Party members has rejected the election of Minister Lamin Dibba as the party’s new leader at a congress held in Farafenni earlier this month.
The group led by Sutay SF Jammeh, a longtime member of the party, said the congress was not held in accordance with the agreement reached among all the party members and endorsed by the IEC which is for the party to call one national congress.
Sometime ago, the IEC suspended the NCP following a deep division with rival factions holding different congresses and each claiming to be the legitimate NCP.
The Commission later managed to bring the two factions together with both agreeing to unite as one party and forget all past differences for the betterment and progress of the party.
They also agreed that correspondence from the party to the IEC shall come from only one Badara Sidibeh and Dembo Jadama and that they shall conduct a united national congress of all members of the NCP as soon as Covid-19 preventive protocols are lifted.
At the beginning of this month, a congress was held in Farafenni which elected Lamin Dibba, the current minister of environment, as leader of the party.
However, speaking to The Standard Tuesday Sutay Jammeh disagreed with how the congress went, arguing: “The Farafenni congress did not have a national character and was not held in accordance with IEC’s advice because even before the consultations on the date of the congress were completed, some went ahead to organise a congress without the consent of a large number of people.”
He also alleged that while the party’s current chairman, Dembo Jadama, wanted the congress to be held later, his co-chair Badara Sidibeh, supported those who went ahead to hold the congress although he didn’t attend himself.
“This is why we want the IEC to nullify the Farefenni congress and allow the party stakeholders to agree on a new date so that all eligible members of the party would have opportunity to contest for positions. In this regard, we are appealing to the IEC not to recognize the Farafenni congress and the election of Mr Lamin Dibba because we do not want to go back to the days of division in the party,” he said.
He said they are also concerned that people like veteran NCP politician, Majanko Samusa and his favoured leadership candidate Lamin Dibba, will surrender the party to President Barrow unconditionally.
“We want a well-structured and independent NCP that will have autonomy to negotiate or enter into any agreement with any force when the need arises and not a mere asset to be passed on to the highest bidder,” Sutay said.
“As the second oldest political party in the country, NCP has a rich history and we don’t want to die just like that. The party has suffered a lot during the first republic with some of our supporters, including our leader Sheriff Mustapha Dibba spending months in jail while others were killed in prison during the 1981 aborted coup. If we allow the party to die, we will not be doing justice to these people. We are calling on all the party supporters to come together in peace and tranquility,” he said.
The IEC could not be reached for comments on the matter but the newly-elected leader of the party, Lamin Dibba said there is no division in NCP. “The two parties who were involved in the previous rival congresses and their leaders namely, Majanko Samusa and Yahya Sanyang, were both at the congress and before the congress itself, I contacted the IEC to inform them about our plans to hold the congress on the 13th of March. So after that, we called a meeting where the majority of us agreed for the congress to go ahead as planned,” Dibba said. He said the former faction leaders Majanko Samusa and Yahya Sanyang are now the party’s national president and administrative secretary, respectively. “So the rest of the members who feel their views were not honoured must realise that in any democratic process, the majority has the final say. This is democracy because we had put everything to vote and the majority voted ‘yes’ for us to go ahead with the congress. Delegates of the party came from all over the country to attend the congress and the IEC was represented. Why then should IEC nullify our congress? For what reason? For us, we are moving ahead because under my leadership, the party will not be distracted by issues of non-merits.”
Dibba also denied claims that the party has been sacrificed to the NPP. “The party is still existing as an independent entity and has not been surrendered to anybody for whatever reasons. But as far as we are concerned, we will continue supporting the coalition government which we are very much part of,” he said.
Magistrate discharges Sanyang 22, transfers case to High Court
MARCH 25, 2021.
By Amadou Jadama
Principal Magistrate Isatou Dabo of the Brikama court yesterday discharged 22 accused persons charged with the burning of the Sanyang police station and transferred the case to the High Court in Banjul.
Her decision came after both the police prosecutors and the defense made an argument on the application for the case to be transferred to the High Court as well as whether or not to grant bail.
In her ruling yesterday in a packed courtroom, Principal Magistrate Dabo pointed out that the practice of mentioning cases at magistrates’ court and applying for transfer to the High Court on the basis of lack of jurisdiction seems to be a ploy by the prosecution to legitimize detention of accused persons, pending such time they are ready to file a fresh indictment at the High Court.
“The court cannot be used to legitimise what is unjust procedurally especially where it is certain the procedures to be followed before an indictment is filed is one that does not happen overnight. Even where the court decided to grant bail, the High Court will not be bound by such bail conditions upon arraignment of the accused persons. This leaves a deadlock of processes adopted by this court under these circumstances,” she said.
“I have averted my mind to the nature and gravity of the charges especially count 2 and 4 which both carry a term of imprisonment for life. It is important to state that the magistrate’s court is a court of summary jurisdiction and I do not consider an offence attracting such grave punishment suitable for summary trial. Same may be prejudicial to the accused persons.”
“On the basis stated, I hereby discharge all 22 accused persons and order that the case be transferred to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court,” she concluded.
The 22 accused persons were arraigned on Tuesday before the said court on four counts ranging from conspiracy to commit a felony, arson, unlawful assembly, and rioters demolishing structures. However, they all denied the charges.
Principal Magistrate Isatou Dabo of the Brikama court yesterday discharged 22 accused persons charged with the burning of the Sanyang police station and transferred the case to the High Court in Banjul.
Her decision came after both the police prosecutors and the defense made an argument on the application for the case to be transferred to the High Court as well as whether or not to grant bail.
In her ruling yesterday in a packed courtroom, Principal Magistrate Dabo pointed out that the practice of mentioning cases at magistrates’ court and applying for transfer to the High Court on the basis of lack of jurisdiction seems to be a ploy by the prosecution to legitimize detention of accused persons, pending such time they are ready to file a fresh indictment at the High Court.
“The court cannot be used to legitimise what is unjust procedurally especially where it is certain the procedures to be followed before an indictment is filed is one that does not happen overnight. Even where the court decided to grant bail, the High Court will not be bound by such bail conditions upon arraignment of the accused persons. This leaves a deadlock of processes adopted by this court under these circumstances,” she said.
“I have averted my mind to the nature and gravity of the charges especially count 2 and 4 which both carry a term of imprisonment for life. It is important to state that the magistrate’s court is a court of summary jurisdiction and I do not consider an offence attracting such grave punishment suitable for summary trial. Same may be prejudicial to the accused persons.”
“On the basis stated, I hereby discharge all 22 accused persons and order that the case be transferred to the Special Criminal Division of the High Court,” she concluded.
The 22 accused persons were arraigned on Tuesday before the said court on four counts ranging from conspiracy to commit a felony, arson, unlawful assembly, and rioters demolishing structures. However, they all denied the charges.
Foreigners with Gambian IDs consume most drugs at health centres – Minister
MARCH 25, 2021.
By Tabora Bojang
The Minister of Health has claimed that 25 percent of drugs in Gambian public health facilities are consumed by neighbours from across the border, who visit facilities with Gambian identity cards.
Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh made these claims in response to queries by National Assembly Members on what is responsible for medicine shortages in primary health centres across rural Gambia.
“Quite a big chunk of our drugs, about 25 percent are consumed by our brothers and sisters from across the border and some of you [NAMs] from border regions can attest that their facilities are overwhelmed by people coming across the borders,” Minister Samateh told lawmakers.
He said this was mainly informed by the “cheaper nature of treatment at Gambian health facilities, provision of better services as well as the close proximity of our health centres.”
Asked what steps the government is taking to address the problem, Samateh admitted that the issue is complicated because “majority of these patients are coming with Gambian ID Cards.”
“I was in Brikama-Ba recently and when I asked why they are allowing this, the answer I got [from the health care givers] is that they know these people are from outside but they will come with our ID cards which makes it impossible to deny them,” the Minister explained. He said this is a “big difficulty” for his ministry in terms of drug estimates for the citizens “because they have not been catered for.”
The Minister further explained that this “practice can only be addressed” when the new national health insurance takes effect.
“Because persons going to the health facilities would be issued an insurance card without which they will not be given services,” he added.
Samateh, a former chief medical director at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital who is also a surgeon, said other reasons responsible for the scarcity of drugs in public health facilities is the inadequacy of drugs allocated to the country as a whole which is “not enough to go a whole year round for the population.”
Another reason, he said, has to do with “communication gaps” between people charged with managing health centres and the drug supply unit. “Sometimes drugs get finished and they do not alert in time.” he said.
The Minister of Health has claimed that 25 percent of drugs in Gambian public health facilities are consumed by neighbours from across the border, who visit facilities with Gambian identity cards.
Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh made these claims in response to queries by National Assembly Members on what is responsible for medicine shortages in primary health centres across rural Gambia.
“Quite a big chunk of our drugs, about 25 percent are consumed by our brothers and sisters from across the border and some of you [NAMs] from border regions can attest that their facilities are overwhelmed by people coming across the borders,” Minister Samateh told lawmakers.
He said this was mainly informed by the “cheaper nature of treatment at Gambian health facilities, provision of better services as well as the close proximity of our health centres.”
Asked what steps the government is taking to address the problem, Samateh admitted that the issue is complicated because “majority of these patients are coming with Gambian ID Cards.”
“I was in Brikama-Ba recently and when I asked why they are allowing this, the answer I got [from the health care givers] is that they know these people are from outside but they will come with our ID cards which makes it impossible to deny them,” the Minister explained. He said this is a “big difficulty” for his ministry in terms of drug estimates for the citizens “because they have not been catered for.”
The Minister further explained that this “practice can only be addressed” when the new national health insurance takes effect.
“Because persons going to the health facilities would be issued an insurance card without which they will not be given services,” he added.
Samateh, a former chief medical director at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital who is also a surgeon, said other reasons responsible for the scarcity of drugs in public health facilities is the inadequacy of drugs allocated to the country as a whole which is “not enough to go a whole year round for the population.”
Another reason, he said, has to do with “communication gaps” between people charged with managing health centres and the drug supply unit. “Sometimes drugs get finished and they do not alert in time.” he said.
Minister Sonko implicated in police diary altering
MARCH 25, 2021.
By Omar Bah
A former intelligence officer commanding investigations at the National Intelligence Agency yesterday told the TRRC that current Interior Minister Yankuba Sonko led a team of security officials who ‘falsified police diaries to cover up West African migrant killings’.
At least 50 regional migrants reportedly travelling to Europe were arrested in the country in 2005 and brutally murdered on the orders of former President Yahya Jammeh. Majority of them were Ghanaians.
Aziz Hydara alleged before the truth commission that immediately after the killings, Sonko, as the then Crimes Management Coordinator, led a taskforce set up to cover up the killings.
“I know he was the head of our team and he was present. He was there as the head of the team when this thing was happening. I have high regard for him (Yankuba Sonko) and I’m going by his advice that we should come to this commission and tell the truth. So that is what I’m doing,” Hydara, who was a member of the taskforce, told the TRRC.
The Interior Minister appeared at the TRRC weeks ago and accepted that there was cover-up but denied having knowledge that the police diaries were tampered with.
Hydara however said Minister Sonko was in fact the leader of the taskforce that met at Kairaba police station and concocted new diaries where all information dealing with the migrants was taken out.
Also testifying at the TRRC yesterday on the same matter, Biran Mbaye, a former officer commanding the Police Intervention Unit, said both Minister Sonko and Ebrima Jim Drammeh lied to the TRRC over their claims that ‘they don’t have any hand in the cover-up or distortion of the police diaries’. He said the government also lied when it claimed at the time that the migrants were killed by rogue elements in the army. He recalled Kawsu Camara [Bombardier] came to his office after working hours demanding for him to hand over the migrants to him.
“Bombardier told me he was sent by the IGP to collect the migrants but I refused and requested that he asked the IGP, Ousman Sonko to call me. He left my office but a few minutes later, IGP Sonko called and asked me to hand over the migrants to Kawsu. This is how I went to the guard room and took the name of Kawsu, his number plate and the detainees,” he said.
A former intelligence officer commanding investigations at the National Intelligence Agency yesterday told the TRRC that current Interior Minister Yankuba Sonko led a team of security officials who ‘falsified police diaries to cover up West African migrant killings’.
At least 50 regional migrants reportedly travelling to Europe were arrested in the country in 2005 and brutally murdered on the orders of former President Yahya Jammeh. Majority of them were Ghanaians.
Aziz Hydara alleged before the truth commission that immediately after the killings, Sonko, as the then Crimes Management Coordinator, led a taskforce set up to cover up the killings.
“I know he was the head of our team and he was present. He was there as the head of the team when this thing was happening. I have high regard for him (Yankuba Sonko) and I’m going by his advice that we should come to this commission and tell the truth. So that is what I’m doing,” Hydara, who was a member of the taskforce, told the TRRC.
The Interior Minister appeared at the TRRC weeks ago and accepted that there was cover-up but denied having knowledge that the police diaries were tampered with.
Hydara however said Minister Sonko was in fact the leader of the taskforce that met at Kairaba police station and concocted new diaries where all information dealing with the migrants was taken out.
Also testifying at the TRRC yesterday on the same matter, Biran Mbaye, a former officer commanding the Police Intervention Unit, said both Minister Sonko and Ebrima Jim Drammeh lied to the TRRC over their claims that ‘they don’t have any hand in the cover-up or distortion of the police diaries’. He said the government also lied when it claimed at the time that the migrants were killed by rogue elements in the army. He recalled Kawsu Camara [Bombardier] came to his office after working hours demanding for him to hand over the migrants to him.
“Bombardier told me he was sent by the IGP to collect the migrants but I refused and requested that he asked the IGP, Ousman Sonko to call me. He left my office but a few minutes later, IGP Sonko called and asked me to hand over the migrants to Kawsu. This is how I went to the guard room and took the name of Kawsu, his number plate and the detainees,” he said.
Interior minister accuses Jammeh of neglecting prisons Mar 25, 2021, 10:40 AM | Article By: Adama Tine.
The minister of Interior Yankuba Sonko yesterday stated that under the Yahya Jammeh regime, The Gambia Prison Service was largely neglected while its mandate was abused as well.Sonko made these remarks at Jama Hall, during the launching of the Rapid Prisons Assessment Report, Photobook and Video Documentary organised by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with The Gambia Prisons Services and UNDP.
It was revealed that after decades of maladministration, the Prisons Service is on the road to reform and progress in line with Mandela Rules and International Human Rights standards and facing a challenging environment with dilapidated infrastructure, lack of equipment, ICT and mobility but the prisons personnel are committed to improving the standard of care to inmates.
“Already under the strain, the Prisons Service suffered a severe shock when the pandemic reached our shores and immediately red flags were raised around the overcrowding in Mile 2’s Remand Wing. There were a total of 543 detainees, 19 of which were juveniles at the end of April,” Sonko pointed out.
According to him, there is an opportunity to change our prison facilities to accommodate the needs of inmates, adding that juveniles in detention need very different care and attention than adult inmates, while an education programme at minimum is needed to ensure the youth do not fall behind and into further criminality.
He continued that a vocational training programme is also needed for young men to ensure that when they are released, they have secured skills to provide for themselves and their families which would in turn make reintegration smoother.
“The prison is the end of the justice chain. It is where our most vulnerable citizens are kept under the care of the state. All actors in the justice chain, from the arresting officer, to the prosecutor and defense counsel to the judge issuing the final verdict play an essential role in maintaining public order, upholding the rule of law and ensuring the protection of human rights,” he explained.
For her part, the UNDP Resident Representative Aissata De, said the Gambia’s prisons have been in need of improvement for the longest time, the design under the colonial era were far from international human rights standards and over the years, the reputation of The Gambia Prisons has not been positive.
She added that the recent revelations from the TRRC brought out the torture, inhuman and degrading treatment that prisoners endured and limited capacities of the personnel that were prevalent in the administration of prisons.
It was revealed that after decades of maladministration, the Prisons Service is on the road to reform and progress in line with Mandela Rules and International Human Rights standards and facing a challenging environment with dilapidated infrastructure, lack of equipment, ICT and mobility but the prisons personnel are committed to improving the standard of care to inmates.
“Already under the strain, the Prisons Service suffered a severe shock when the pandemic reached our shores and immediately red flags were raised around the overcrowding in Mile 2’s Remand Wing. There were a total of 543 detainees, 19 of which were juveniles at the end of April,” Sonko pointed out.
According to him, there is an opportunity to change our prison facilities to accommodate the needs of inmates, adding that juveniles in detention need very different care and attention than adult inmates, while an education programme at minimum is needed to ensure the youth do not fall behind and into further criminality.
He continued that a vocational training programme is also needed for young men to ensure that when they are released, they have secured skills to provide for themselves and their families which would in turn make reintegration smoother.
“The prison is the end of the justice chain. It is where our most vulnerable citizens are kept under the care of the state. All actors in the justice chain, from the arresting officer, to the prosecutor and defense counsel to the judge issuing the final verdict play an essential role in maintaining public order, upholding the rule of law and ensuring the protection of human rights,” he explained.
For her part, the UNDP Resident Representative Aissata De, said the Gambia’s prisons have been in need of improvement for the longest time, the design under the colonial era were far from international human rights standards and over the years, the reputation of The Gambia Prisons has not been positive.
She added that the recent revelations from the TRRC brought out the torture, inhuman and degrading treatment that prisoners endured and limited capacities of the personnel that were prevalent in the administration of prisons.
PPP dispels Hon. Tuma Njie Mar 25, 2021, the gambia.
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has announced the expulsion of Hon. Fatoumata Njie alias as Tuma Njie for what the party called violating article 32.2, 32.3, and 32.4 respectively of the PPP constitution which “provides for the disciplinary actions against a member whose behaviour brings the Party into disrepute or which manifests a flagrant violation of the moral integrity expected of members or conduct unbecoming that of a member;” The party outlines series of following allegations against Hon. Njie:
“Impeding the activities of the Party;
Creating division within its ranks or membership;
Commit an act that undermines the effectiveness of the Party;
Behaving in such a way as to provoke serious divisions or a break-down of unity in the Party;
Undermining the respect for or impeding the functioning of the structures of the Party;
Participating in organised factional activity that goes beyond the recognised norms of free debate inside the Party and threatens its unity.
Fighting or behaving in any disorderly or unruly manner;
Showing sexism, tribal bigotry, religious, insults, and political intolerance, or any form of discrimination;
Deliberately disrupting meetings and interfering with the orderly functioning of the Party.”
“Your actions have proven gross and serious violations of the Constitution, principles, norms, and decisions of the Party. Consequently, acting on the recommendations of the National Disciplinary Committee, the National Executive Committee of the Party, regrets to inform you that you are expelled from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) with immediate effect,” the party states.
“Impeding the activities of the Party;
Creating division within its ranks or membership;
Commit an act that undermines the effectiveness of the Party;
Behaving in such a way as to provoke serious divisions or a break-down of unity in the Party;
Undermining the respect for or impeding the functioning of the structures of the Party;
Participating in organised factional activity that goes beyond the recognised norms of free debate inside the Party and threatens its unity.
Fighting or behaving in any disorderly or unruly manner;
Showing sexism, tribal bigotry, religious, insults, and political intolerance, or any form of discrimination;
Deliberately disrupting meetings and interfering with the orderly functioning of the Party.”
“Your actions have proven gross and serious violations of the Constitution, principles, norms, and decisions of the Party. Consequently, acting on the recommendations of the National Disciplinary Committee, the National Executive Committee of the Party, regrets to inform you that you are expelled from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) with immediate effect,” the party states.
Ex-police chief, Drammeh accused of altering diaries Mar 25, 2021, 11:02 AM | Article By: Pa Modou Cham.
A senior NIA agent, Aziz Hydara, yesterday, while testifying before the TRRC implicated current Minister of Interior, Yankuba Sonko and Ebrima Jim Drammeh, director of Operations Drug Law Enforcement Agency, saying they supervised the modification and falsifications of dairies containing entries of the alleged killed West African migrants.Sonko was the Crime Management coordinator, the Gambia Police Force at the time, while Drammeh was the director of Operations of the National Intelligence Agency.
Hydara, who appeared before TRRC in connection with his involvement in the taskforce, which assisted ECOWAS/ UN investigators, explained that as then head of the Investigations Unit of the NIA, he was contacted by Ebrima Drammeh alias Jim Drammeh to be part of the taskforce. According to him, they met at Sonko's Office where they were briefed that there would be UN/ECOWAS joint investigations.
"I was not part of the taskforce as explained, we were a supporting team to the UN/ ECOWAS investigators," he clarified.
“In a meeting at former Interior minister's office, we were told that we would be facilitators to the investigators. I later understood that the whole essence was to make cover-up. I said this because I’m not aware of bringing any document.”
He claimed that the diaries were re-written and Yankuba Sonko, Malamin Ceesay, Numo Kujabi, and Nfally Jabang were present, adding that entries in those diaries were transferred to a new dairy.
At this juncture, Faal told him that the minister of Interior, Yankuba Sonko testified before the Commission and said he was not aware that the dairies were doctored. Hydara however responded that Sonko lied.
He alleged that Ebrima Jim Drammeh and Nfally Jabang were always eager to enforce the government decision; adding that members of the taskforce feared Nfally Jabang because he reports to former President Jammeh.
Mr. Hydara said Yankuba Sonko was in control of the taskforce and knew that the dairies were doctored; he participated in the process.
On whether he was aware of the presence of the investigators, Hydara said he heard about their arrival in the country but not at the time when he was at Kairaba Police Station.
“Prior to the arrival of the ECOWAS/ UN investigators, they removed all the entries of the movements of the West African migrants. That was to cover-up the facts. Ensa Badjie made them believe that this was loyalty to the country. Former Minister, Ousman Sonko told the investigators that Yahya Jammeh would compensate them.”
Testifying further, Hydara said he was again called by Jim Drammeh to meet him around the Jeshwang Cemetery, where he found ongoing exhumations. The witness said Jim Drammeh further informed him of his journey to Ghana.
Mr. Hydara recollected that the remains of four bodies were taken to Ghana with the delegation from The Gambia government led by Dr. Mariatou Jallow, the then Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Mawdo Touray, Malamin Ceesay, and himself.
He further testified that the then Ghana Foreign Minister Nana Akufo-Addo insisted he wouldn’t receive them because The Gambia government lied that they killed only two Ghanaians.
Hydara said he regretted participating in the cover-up and apologised to all victims; adding that he is not aware of US$500,000 compensation paid to the Ghana government.
Hydara, who appeared before TRRC in connection with his involvement in the taskforce, which assisted ECOWAS/ UN investigators, explained that as then head of the Investigations Unit of the NIA, he was contacted by Ebrima Drammeh alias Jim Drammeh to be part of the taskforce. According to him, they met at Sonko's Office where they were briefed that there would be UN/ECOWAS joint investigations.
"I was not part of the taskforce as explained, we were a supporting team to the UN/ ECOWAS investigators," he clarified.
“In a meeting at former Interior minister's office, we were told that we would be facilitators to the investigators. I later understood that the whole essence was to make cover-up. I said this because I’m not aware of bringing any document.”
He claimed that the diaries were re-written and Yankuba Sonko, Malamin Ceesay, Numo Kujabi, and Nfally Jabang were present, adding that entries in those diaries were transferred to a new dairy.
At this juncture, Faal told him that the minister of Interior, Yankuba Sonko testified before the Commission and said he was not aware that the dairies were doctored. Hydara however responded that Sonko lied.
He alleged that Ebrima Jim Drammeh and Nfally Jabang were always eager to enforce the government decision; adding that members of the taskforce feared Nfally Jabang because he reports to former President Jammeh.
Mr. Hydara said Yankuba Sonko was in control of the taskforce and knew that the dairies were doctored; he participated in the process.
On whether he was aware of the presence of the investigators, Hydara said he heard about their arrival in the country but not at the time when he was at Kairaba Police Station.
“Prior to the arrival of the ECOWAS/ UN investigators, they removed all the entries of the movements of the West African migrants. That was to cover-up the facts. Ensa Badjie made them believe that this was loyalty to the country. Former Minister, Ousman Sonko told the investigators that Yahya Jammeh would compensate them.”
Testifying further, Hydara said he was again called by Jim Drammeh to meet him around the Jeshwang Cemetery, where he found ongoing exhumations. The witness said Jim Drammeh further informed him of his journey to Ghana.
Mr. Hydara recollected that the remains of four bodies were taken to Ghana with the delegation from The Gambia government led by Dr. Mariatou Jallow, the then Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary, Mawdo Touray, Malamin Ceesay, and himself.
He further testified that the then Ghana Foreign Minister Nana Akufo-Addo insisted he wouldn’t receive them because The Gambia government lied that they killed only two Ghanaians.
Hydara said he regretted participating in the cover-up and apologised to all victims; adding that he is not aware of US$500,000 compensation paid to the Ghana government.
Sonko tells Darboe to resign as UDP leader Mar 25, 2021, 11:12 AM | Article By: Momodou Jawo.
Sheriff Sonko, the chairman of Brikama Area Council (BAC) has called on Ousainou Darboe to resign as the leader of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), claiming that he (Darboe) has misled the party.
“I can only join UDP again if they agree to do a public apology to me. If that happens, I think I will accept them and I will be coaching and guiding them. In fact, another condition will be for Darboe and the entire UDP executives to resign because he has misled the party.”
The BAC chairman was speaking to West Coast Radio during an interview after his victory at the Supreme Court: “There’s huge difference between President Barrow and Ousainou Darboe. Barrow is a man of his words and he is someone who believes in democracy and he is a developmental oriented leader whose national development is among his top priority.”
The Supreme Court of The Gambia on Thursday made an landmark ruling that Sheriffo Sonko, the BAC chairman should keep his job following his sacking by the United Democratic Party (UDP). Last year, UDP sacked Sonko with two other councillors in the West Coast Region on the grounds that they were not complying with the rules and regulation of the party.
Relying on the Local Government laws, the party expected Sonko and co to lose their seats automatically because the law states that any elected official loses his/her seat once his/her party sacks them. However, the matter ended, with the Supreme Court declaring that law as unconstitutional.
Sonko, who was asked whether he could compare Barrow and Darboe during the interview said: “Definitely, I am not going to compare the two because they are not the same calibre. By comparing Barrow and Darboe it means I am insulting Barrow.”
Asked about Darboe’s intention of contesting the 2021 presidential election, and whether he (Darboe) can win the much anticipated election, Sonko added: “It’s practically impossible for Darboe to be the next Gambian president. I can bet that if Ousainou Darboe becomes the president of The Gambia in 2021, I will leave politics. It’s a promise.”
“Darboe will never rule this country because the genuine Gambian people see the light and the true colour of this man. He is someone who’s temper and he is not wise. If Darboe was wise he would have advised the team that went with me to court so that they can win. Darboe should even thank President Barrow so much. In fact, why should Darboe not give chance to young UDP members,” he stated, claiming that Darboe is not even qualified to be a presidential candidate.
“I am very much happy because now The Gambian Judiciary system is now a well formed one that no one can play with. Democracy is winning and Adama Barrow being the champion of this democracy in this new dispensation is also winning. Barrow is doing everything possible in ensuring that everyone is treated equally and no one should exercise his or her rights over someone else.”
The BAC chairman further noted: “Darboe wants violence in the country if he is insisting that nothing can stop him from contesting the 2021 presidential election. However, when it comes to respecting our constitution he is not qualified. The reason UDP is making Darboe as their standard-bearer in the next election is because they want violence. UDP is failing and they have already failed. Looking at the good number of people leaving the party; it’s not a good signal.”
Speaking to The Standard on Wednesday, the UDP spokesperson, Almamy Taal, points out that UDP will vet people who put themselves as candidates for the party to ensure they get the right people who understand the values of the party.
“We will get young people; male and female who are qualified and dedicated to the values that the UDP stood for. In the past years we have had wonderful suitable additions to our ranks who will be able to replace all these people who have either resigned or were expelled from the party,” he told Standard.
He said the party accepts the judgment of the Supreme Court and equally congratulates Gambians, who are continuing to test “our laws because there are several unconstitutional laws standing in The Gambia.”
“I can only join UDP again if they agree to do a public apology to me. If that happens, I think I will accept them and I will be coaching and guiding them. In fact, another condition will be for Darboe and the entire UDP executives to resign because he has misled the party.”
The BAC chairman was speaking to West Coast Radio during an interview after his victory at the Supreme Court: “There’s huge difference between President Barrow and Ousainou Darboe. Barrow is a man of his words and he is someone who believes in democracy and he is a developmental oriented leader whose national development is among his top priority.”
The Supreme Court of The Gambia on Thursday made an landmark ruling that Sheriffo Sonko, the BAC chairman should keep his job following his sacking by the United Democratic Party (UDP). Last year, UDP sacked Sonko with two other councillors in the West Coast Region on the grounds that they were not complying with the rules and regulation of the party.
Relying on the Local Government laws, the party expected Sonko and co to lose their seats automatically because the law states that any elected official loses his/her seat once his/her party sacks them. However, the matter ended, with the Supreme Court declaring that law as unconstitutional.
Sonko, who was asked whether he could compare Barrow and Darboe during the interview said: “Definitely, I am not going to compare the two because they are not the same calibre. By comparing Barrow and Darboe it means I am insulting Barrow.”
Asked about Darboe’s intention of contesting the 2021 presidential election, and whether he (Darboe) can win the much anticipated election, Sonko added: “It’s practically impossible for Darboe to be the next Gambian president. I can bet that if Ousainou Darboe becomes the president of The Gambia in 2021, I will leave politics. It’s a promise.”
“Darboe will never rule this country because the genuine Gambian people see the light and the true colour of this man. He is someone who’s temper and he is not wise. If Darboe was wise he would have advised the team that went with me to court so that they can win. Darboe should even thank President Barrow so much. In fact, why should Darboe not give chance to young UDP members,” he stated, claiming that Darboe is not even qualified to be a presidential candidate.
“I am very much happy because now The Gambian Judiciary system is now a well formed one that no one can play with. Democracy is winning and Adama Barrow being the champion of this democracy in this new dispensation is also winning. Barrow is doing everything possible in ensuring that everyone is treated equally and no one should exercise his or her rights over someone else.”
The BAC chairman further noted: “Darboe wants violence in the country if he is insisting that nothing can stop him from contesting the 2021 presidential election. However, when it comes to respecting our constitution he is not qualified. The reason UDP is making Darboe as their standard-bearer in the next election is because they want violence. UDP is failing and they have already failed. Looking at the good number of people leaving the party; it’s not a good signal.”
Speaking to The Standard on Wednesday, the UDP spokesperson, Almamy Taal, points out that UDP will vet people who put themselves as candidates for the party to ensure they get the right people who understand the values of the party.
“We will get young people; male and female who are qualified and dedicated to the values that the UDP stood for. In the past years we have had wonderful suitable additions to our ranks who will be able to replace all these people who have either resigned or were expelled from the party,” he told Standard.
He said the party accepts the judgment of the Supreme Court and equally congratulates Gambians, who are continuing to test “our laws because there are several unconstitutional laws standing in The Gambia.”
Brikamaba Health Facility Receives Over D6 Million from RBF-Minister Samateh
March 24, 2021.
The Gambia’s Health Minister, Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, has told the national assembly that Brikamaba Health Facility has received over six million dalasi (D6, 551, 522.96) from the Results Based Facility (RBF).
Minister Samateh made the remarks in response to a question asked by Alagie Darboe, the Member for Lower Fulladu West.
“Can the Honorable Minister inform this assembly what plans his ministry has to complete the construction work at Brikamaba Hospital and to address the drug shortage there?” asked Alagie Darboe Member for Lower Fulladu West.
Minister Samateh responded that the ministry is currently receiving support from Jah Oil towards the expansion of the Maternity Ward at the Brikamaba Health Facility. He said the contractor has begun bringing gravel and sand for the pavement of the floor and to continue the rest of the work.
Minister Samateh added: “In addition, the World Bank, based on the assessment done recently, is supporting the Ministry with additional structures including a theatre and preparations are at an advanced stage to commence work.”
Samateh also disclosed that the Ministry has recently begun a process of procuring drugs which will be distributed countrywide, including the Brikamaba Health Facility. He told lawmakers that using the RBF (Results Based Facility), the facility has been getting 60 percent remuneration for drugs, which is equal to D3,930,913.22 meant for the improvement of the services, including the purchase of the essential drugs, whilst 40 percent of the said RBF is meant for staff development.
The public officer said in 2019, the payment made in the first quarter stood at D578, 637.78, second quarter D430, 588.02, third quarter D376, 058 and fourth quarter D316, 294.79.
He said the quarter quality bonus in 2020 in the fourth quarter including December 2019 and January to April 2020 was D616, 138.79, which gives a total of D6, 551, 522.96, was received from the RBF Facility.
He said: “Essential medications are supposed to be procured by the Facilities whenever there is shortage”.
Minister Samateh responded: “It is not an acceptable practice and it is totally wrong, because they are not drug sellers and their work is not to sell drugs, but to provide healthcare service for the people in the facilities. We will be happy that when it happens we get evidence, because when we get the evidence, it will be easy to deal with them.
“I will also urge the people not to patronize them, because people should know their rights to say no to those kinds of things. It is totally unacceptable.
Minister Samateh made the remarks in response to a question asked by Alagie Darboe, the Member for Lower Fulladu West.
“Can the Honorable Minister inform this assembly what plans his ministry has to complete the construction work at Brikamaba Hospital and to address the drug shortage there?” asked Alagie Darboe Member for Lower Fulladu West.
Minister Samateh responded that the ministry is currently receiving support from Jah Oil towards the expansion of the Maternity Ward at the Brikamaba Health Facility. He said the contractor has begun bringing gravel and sand for the pavement of the floor and to continue the rest of the work.
Minister Samateh added: “In addition, the World Bank, based on the assessment done recently, is supporting the Ministry with additional structures including a theatre and preparations are at an advanced stage to commence work.”
Samateh also disclosed that the Ministry has recently begun a process of procuring drugs which will be distributed countrywide, including the Brikamaba Health Facility. He told lawmakers that using the RBF (Results Based Facility), the facility has been getting 60 percent remuneration for drugs, which is equal to D3,930,913.22 meant for the improvement of the services, including the purchase of the essential drugs, whilst 40 percent of the said RBF is meant for staff development.
The public officer said in 2019, the payment made in the first quarter stood at D578, 637.78, second quarter D430, 588.02, third quarter D376, 058 and fourth quarter D316, 294.79.
He said the quarter quality bonus in 2020 in the fourth quarter including December 2019 and January to April 2020 was D616, 138.79, which gives a total of D6, 551, 522.96, was received from the RBF Facility.
He said: “Essential medications are supposed to be procured by the Facilities whenever there is shortage”.
Minister Samateh responded: “It is not an acceptable practice and it is totally wrong, because they are not drug sellers and their work is not to sell drugs, but to provide healthcare service for the people in the facilities. We will be happy that when it happens we get evidence, because when we get the evidence, it will be easy to deal with them.
“I will also urge the people not to patronize them, because people should know their rights to say no to those kinds of things. It is totally unacceptable.
After Decades of Abuse, Gambia Launches Prisons Rapid Assessment Report
March 24, 2021
By Mustapha Jallow
The Gambia Government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday launched the Prisons Rapid Assessment Report, Photobook and short video documentary in a process to reform detention facilities in prisons.
After decades of neglect, maladministration, notorious acts, right abuses and misuse, the Prisons Service is on the road to reform and progress in line with the Mandela Rules and International Human Rights standards.
Despite facing a challenging environment with dilapidated infrastructure, lack of equipment, ICT and mobility, the Prisons officials are committed to improving the standard of care to inmates.
The Prisons Service has been in existence since the Colonial period. But with the new administration, officials decided to change the narrative and meet international standard of Prisons.
The country’s three Prisons are responsible for about 600 detainees. The Assessment Report is also aimed at bringing to light the greatest needs and priorities for the Prisons Reform agenda.
Speaking at the launching of the report at a local hotel in Senegambia, the Interior Minister Mr. Yankuba Sonko told the gathering: “The impact of COVID-19 on our work and lives could not have been anticipated. However, I take it as a positive sign that for those of us who understand the urgency for Prisons reforms. Therefore, we have found a way to be together.’’
The event was attended by senior government officials, National Human Rights Commission officials, NGOs, representatives from International Organozations, members of The Gambia Police Force, Armed Forces and other sister security outfit.
Minister Sonko said in the previous regime, the Prisons Service was largely neglected and its mandate abused. This, he said, is manifested in the revelations before the TRRC sessions.
“The Prisons reforms started on the first day of our new government and the challenges were immense. The Prisons Service and its leadership faced dilapidated colonial era infrastructure, an overcrowded Remand Wing, lack of basic supplies, equipment, communication devices and proper nutrition for detainees.
“Despite limited resources, the Prisons Service has committed itself to reform and meeting minimum international standards for detention,’’ he said.
Further highlighting on how the Prisons Service suffered during the pandemic crisis, Minister Sonko said red flags were raised around the overcrowded Mile 2 Remand Wing.
Out of 543 detainees, he said 302 were on Remand with 172 housed in Mile 2’s Remand Wing, saying more than half of the population inside the Prisons, were detainees on remand.
“The risk of the virus entering and spreading through the prison facilities was alarming,’’ he said.
Sonko said the idea of reforming Gambia’s prisons started since 2016, saying there has been discussion and advocacy since 2016 led by civil society, human rights groups and GCCI.
“We have an opportunity to change our prisons facilities to accommodate the needs of inmates. Juveniles in detention need very different care and attention than adult inmates,’’ he said.
Sonko said an education program at minimum is needed to ensure the youth do not fall behind and into criminality. He hinted for vocational training program for young men to ensure that when they are released, they have secured skills to provide for themselves and their families.
Ms. Aissata De, the UNDP Resident Representative, said the launch of the Rapid Prisons Assessment Report is a crucial step as they reflect on the much-needed prisons reform in The Gambia.
“We are all aware that Gambia’s prisons have been in need of improvement for the longest time. The designs of the prisons under the colonial era were far from international human rights standards,’’ she said.
UNDP representative said over the years, the reputation of Gambia prisons has not been positive, saying the recent revelations from TRRC brought out the torture, inhuman and degrading treatment that prisoners endured and the limited capacities of personnel that were prevalent in the administration of prisons.
“It is therefore important to consider the reform of prisons within the context of the transitional justice framework,’’ she said.
During his presentation of the Prisons Photobook, Ansumana Manneh, the Director General of Prisons Service, highlighted the needs and importance in the prisons reform process.
He highlighted the poor condition of the Gambian prisons and the achievement they have made through the support of UNDP and Gambia government.
“We still need to address the structural condition of the prisons, probably relocating to a new prison,’’ he said.
Manneh said the Gambia’s prisons have not reached the standards, saying even the location of the Mile II Prison is not an ideal place.
The Gambia Government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday launched the Prisons Rapid Assessment Report, Photobook and short video documentary in a process to reform detention facilities in prisons.
After decades of neglect, maladministration, notorious acts, right abuses and misuse, the Prisons Service is on the road to reform and progress in line with the Mandela Rules and International Human Rights standards.
Despite facing a challenging environment with dilapidated infrastructure, lack of equipment, ICT and mobility, the Prisons officials are committed to improving the standard of care to inmates.
The Prisons Service has been in existence since the Colonial period. But with the new administration, officials decided to change the narrative and meet international standard of Prisons.
The country’s three Prisons are responsible for about 600 detainees. The Assessment Report is also aimed at bringing to light the greatest needs and priorities for the Prisons Reform agenda.
Speaking at the launching of the report at a local hotel in Senegambia, the Interior Minister Mr. Yankuba Sonko told the gathering: “The impact of COVID-19 on our work and lives could not have been anticipated. However, I take it as a positive sign that for those of us who understand the urgency for Prisons reforms. Therefore, we have found a way to be together.’’
The event was attended by senior government officials, National Human Rights Commission officials, NGOs, representatives from International Organozations, members of The Gambia Police Force, Armed Forces and other sister security outfit.
Minister Sonko said in the previous regime, the Prisons Service was largely neglected and its mandate abused. This, he said, is manifested in the revelations before the TRRC sessions.
“The Prisons reforms started on the first day of our new government and the challenges were immense. The Prisons Service and its leadership faced dilapidated colonial era infrastructure, an overcrowded Remand Wing, lack of basic supplies, equipment, communication devices and proper nutrition for detainees.
“Despite limited resources, the Prisons Service has committed itself to reform and meeting minimum international standards for detention,’’ he said.
Further highlighting on how the Prisons Service suffered during the pandemic crisis, Minister Sonko said red flags were raised around the overcrowded Mile 2 Remand Wing.
Out of 543 detainees, he said 302 were on Remand with 172 housed in Mile 2’s Remand Wing, saying more than half of the population inside the Prisons, were detainees on remand.
“The risk of the virus entering and spreading through the prison facilities was alarming,’’ he said.
Sonko said the idea of reforming Gambia’s prisons started since 2016, saying there has been discussion and advocacy since 2016 led by civil society, human rights groups and GCCI.
“We have an opportunity to change our prisons facilities to accommodate the needs of inmates. Juveniles in detention need very different care and attention than adult inmates,’’ he said.
Sonko said an education program at minimum is needed to ensure the youth do not fall behind and into criminality. He hinted for vocational training program for young men to ensure that when they are released, they have secured skills to provide for themselves and their families.
Ms. Aissata De, the UNDP Resident Representative, said the launch of the Rapid Prisons Assessment Report is a crucial step as they reflect on the much-needed prisons reform in The Gambia.
“We are all aware that Gambia’s prisons have been in need of improvement for the longest time. The designs of the prisons under the colonial era were far from international human rights standards,’’ she said.
UNDP representative said over the years, the reputation of Gambia prisons has not been positive, saying the recent revelations from TRRC brought out the torture, inhuman and degrading treatment that prisoners endured and the limited capacities of personnel that were prevalent in the administration of prisons.
“It is therefore important to consider the reform of prisons within the context of the transitional justice framework,’’ she said.
During his presentation of the Prisons Photobook, Ansumana Manneh, the Director General of Prisons Service, highlighted the needs and importance in the prisons reform process.
He highlighted the poor condition of the Gambian prisons and the achievement they have made through the support of UNDP and Gambia government.
“We still need to address the structural condition of the prisons, probably relocating to a new prison,’’ he said.
Manneh said the Gambia’s prisons have not reached the standards, saying even the location of the Mile II Prison is not an ideal place.
‘Migrants’ killing cover-up, not in the interest of national security’ the gambia.
Director of Operations, Drug Law Enforcement Agency – The Gambia (DLEAG), Ebrima Drammeh, alias Jim Drammeh, yesterday admitted before the TRRC that the cover-up in the killings of West African Migrants was not based on national security but a shame. The former director of Internal Security and Operations at the NIA reappeared in connection with the taskforce created by The Gambia government to help ECOWAS/ UN investigations into the killings of West African Migrants.
He testified that he and Aziz Hydara were summoned at the Ministry of Interior alongside Lamin Bo Badjie, Yankuba Sonko, Malamin Ceesay, late Numo Kujabi, the late Nfally Jabang and Justice Awa Bah.
According to him, they were not chosen to investigate the matter because there was a preliminary investigation made by a previous taskforce, saying their task was to be a focal person for the UN Fact Finders.
“We were orally briefed that the UN will post questions to Gambia government and the taskforce was supposed to respond to those questions. We would also take them to visiting places, arrange interviews.”
According to Drammeh, when the alleged killings of the Ghanaians happened, he was not in the country. However, lead counsel Faal told him that he witness (Drammeh) knew a lot bigger than that.
In response, Drammeh said rumours were rife, while Counsel Essa Faal told him that those rife rumours had some elements of truth involving the person they were supposed to report to. Drammeh answered in the positive.
The witness told the commission that had it been that Jungler Omar Jallow, alias Oya and others had not confessed before the Truth Commission, he wouldn’t have known that 51 West African migrants were executed.
Continuing his testimony, the witness said when the Ghanaians’ issue arose, he was not the director of Internal Security and Operations. But Faal told him that every correspondence by government was kept at the NIA.
Mr. Drammeh said they all lied to the UN investigators but Faal told him that the lie continued from 2005- 2007 when the said investigators came to The Gambia.
Lead Counsel Faal further indicated to him that the fact findings established by The Gambia government was interested in the 8 Ghanaians that were killed, while the international community was interested in 56 migrants.
Drammeh said there was never a point in time he ever became afraid in operations other than the killings of the West African migrants, saying if they had done otherwise, he would not have been before the TRRC to testify.
He further admitted that the taskforce was formed to deliberately serve as an obstacle to the investigations.
The witness added that in all their operations, Nfally Jabang was there as the eyes and ears of the former president.
“I want to make known to this Commission that during the constitution of that taskforce, we were not to investigate but to serve as focal persons for government. To provide the necessary answers to the UN Fact Finding Mission but when we got to the work, it was different.”
He accepted that they all deliberately and consciously lied to the investigators; adding that the Barra Dairy was submitted to the then Crime Management coordinator, now Minister of the Interior.
Mr. Drammeh disagreed with Counsel Faal that he had violated the law for accepting to be part of a cover-up of crimes committed by the state.
He testified that he and Aziz Hydara were summoned at the Ministry of Interior alongside Lamin Bo Badjie, Yankuba Sonko, Malamin Ceesay, late Numo Kujabi, the late Nfally Jabang and Justice Awa Bah.
According to him, they were not chosen to investigate the matter because there was a preliminary investigation made by a previous taskforce, saying their task was to be a focal person for the UN Fact Finders.
“We were orally briefed that the UN will post questions to Gambia government and the taskforce was supposed to respond to those questions. We would also take them to visiting places, arrange interviews.”
According to Drammeh, when the alleged killings of the Ghanaians happened, he was not in the country. However, lead counsel Faal told him that he witness (Drammeh) knew a lot bigger than that.
In response, Drammeh said rumours were rife, while Counsel Essa Faal told him that those rife rumours had some elements of truth involving the person they were supposed to report to. Drammeh answered in the positive.
The witness told the commission that had it been that Jungler Omar Jallow, alias Oya and others had not confessed before the Truth Commission, he wouldn’t have known that 51 West African migrants were executed.
Continuing his testimony, the witness said when the Ghanaians’ issue arose, he was not the director of Internal Security and Operations. But Faal told him that every correspondence by government was kept at the NIA.
Mr. Drammeh said they all lied to the UN investigators but Faal told him that the lie continued from 2005- 2007 when the said investigators came to The Gambia.
Lead Counsel Faal further indicated to him that the fact findings established by The Gambia government was interested in the 8 Ghanaians that were killed, while the international community was interested in 56 migrants.
Drammeh said there was never a point in time he ever became afraid in operations other than the killings of the West African migrants, saying if they had done otherwise, he would not have been before the TRRC to testify.
He further admitted that the taskforce was formed to deliberately serve as an obstacle to the investigations.
The witness added that in all their operations, Nfally Jabang was there as the eyes and ears of the former president.
“I want to make known to this Commission that during the constitution of that taskforce, we were not to investigate but to serve as focal persons for government. To provide the necessary answers to the UN Fact Finding Mission but when we got to the work, it was different.”
He accepted that they all deliberately and consciously lied to the investigators; adding that the Barra Dairy was submitted to the then Crime Management coordinator, now Minister of the Interior.
Mr. Drammeh disagreed with Counsel Faal that he had violated the law for accepting to be part of a cover-up of crimes committed by the state.
Bench warrant for NAWEC Qpower bank account hackers Mar 24, 2021, 11:25 AM | Article By: Alagie Baba.
A magistrate court in Banjul presided over by Principal Magistrate S. Jobarteh on Tuesday, issued a bench warrant of arrest for two non-Gambians who are accused of hacking NAWEC’s Qpower Account.The accused: Godwin Ojukun and Frederick Felix Chainacherem are charged with two counts of criminal offences relating to their alleged involvement in the hacking of the Qpower account. They now face conspiracy to commit a felony and money laundering charges.
Chief Inspector E. Sarr for the Inspector General of Police said the two are currently apprehended in Guinea Bissau awaiting extradition. He explained that the Interpol office in Banjul had requested for their extradition, but their counterparts in Bissau are requesting for a bench warrant of arrest from a court of law.
Sarr, in making the application for the bench warrant of arrest against the two accused persons, pleaded with the court to grant the application in order to extradite the two.
The principal magistrate said she was satisfied with the application adding it had merit. : In this regard, she granted the application and issued a bench warrant of arrest against the two accused persons.
On the first count, they were charged with conspiracy to commit felony. According to the particulars of offence, the two accused persons, in the year 2021 in Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, conspired between themselves and jointly hacked the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) Qpower bank account number 003101010102011137 at Agib Bank, knowing same to be proceed of a crime, for the purpose of concealing the illicit origin of the funds to evade traces.
On the second and final count, the two were charged with money laundering contrary to section 22 (a) and (b) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act Combatting Terrorist Finance Act 2012. According to the particulars of the offence, the two accused persons, in the year 2021 in Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, jointly hacked the NAWEC Qpower bank account at Agib Bank, knowing same to have been the proceed of a crime, for the purpose of concealing the illicit origin of the funds to evade traces.
The case was adjourned to the 26th April 2021 at 10 am for mention and for further hearing. Media reports suggested that the amount hacked is believed to be to a tune of eight million dalasis.
Chief Inspector E. Sarr for the Inspector General of Police said the two are currently apprehended in Guinea Bissau awaiting extradition. He explained that the Interpol office in Banjul had requested for their extradition, but their counterparts in Bissau are requesting for a bench warrant of arrest from a court of law.
Sarr, in making the application for the bench warrant of arrest against the two accused persons, pleaded with the court to grant the application in order to extradite the two.
The principal magistrate said she was satisfied with the application adding it had merit. : In this regard, she granted the application and issued a bench warrant of arrest against the two accused persons.
On the first count, they were charged with conspiracy to commit felony. According to the particulars of offence, the two accused persons, in the year 2021 in Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, conspired between themselves and jointly hacked the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) Qpower bank account number 003101010102011137 at Agib Bank, knowing same to be proceed of a crime, for the purpose of concealing the illicit origin of the funds to evade traces.
On the second and final count, the two were charged with money laundering contrary to section 22 (a) and (b) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act Combatting Terrorist Finance Act 2012. According to the particulars of the offence, the two accused persons, in the year 2021 in Banjul and diverse places in The Gambia, jointly hacked the NAWEC Qpower bank account at Agib Bank, knowing same to have been the proceed of a crime, for the purpose of concealing the illicit origin of the funds to evade traces.
The case was adjourned to the 26th April 2021 at 10 am for mention and for further hearing. Media reports suggested that the amount hacked is believed to be to a tune of eight million dalasis.
Yakumba, Yusupha Jaiteh to file no-case submission Mar 24, 2021, 12:32 PM | Article By: Dawda Faye.
Defence Counsel Lamin S. Camara, who is representing Yakumba Jaiteh and Yusupha Jaiteh, who are charged with assault and obstruction, had informed the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Isatou Janneh-Njie that the defence would file a no-case submission. The defence felt that the prosecution has not established a prima facie case against the accused persons to warrant them to open their defence.When the case was called on the 23rd March, 2021, ASP Jahateh rose and told the court that he was representing the IGP along with Warrant First Class 2231 Gibba and Inspector Sanyang. He stated that the accused persons and their lawyer, Lamin S. Camara, were not present in court. He noted that no reason was advanced by the defence as to why they were not present in court. He applied for an adjournment at the instance of the defence.
The presiding magistrate then told the court that the case would be adjourned to the 12th April, 2021, to give the defence the benefit of the doubt to file a no-case submission.
This followed the testimony of the last prosecution witness, Sisaho Nyabally. The witness testified that he lives at Serrekunda and he is a narcotic officer. He stated that he is stationed at Serrekunda Police Station.
He further noted that on the 6th October, 2020, he was part of a team of narcotic officers. He informed the court that he saw the accused persons in the past. He adduced that on the 6th October, 2020, a team of narcotic officers left the charge office for a patrol. He said the team comprised Abdoulie Jarju, Ebrima Fadera, Landing Tamba and himself.
He testified that upon arrival at Queen’s Head Bar their vehicle stopped. He told the court that they met some people and told them that they would like to conduct a search after they identified themselves as narcotic officers. He revealed that as their vehicle stopped, some of his colleagues went to a corner while some stayed.
“At Queen’s Head Bar, we conducted a search on the people we found. As we were going, we realized that two of our men were left behind,” he testified. He went on to say that when they realized the absence of his colleagues, they boarded a vehicle and heard a shout for help from the junction. He stated that he and his other colleagues went to the scene, and when they arrived, they showed out their warrant cards.
“On arrival, we found our colleagues struggling with the suspect, Tijan Macauley, who was being cuffed. As we were trying to get Tijan into the vehicle, the crowd insisted that Tijan would not go,” he told the court.
He revealed that he realised that among the crowd, there was a lady called Yakumba Jaiteh, and that she was with an old man he believed to be her father. He further stated that as they were struggling with Tijan to get him into the vehicle, Yakumba and her father dragged Tijan from the officers. He added that Yakumba and her father held Tijan so that he would not be arrested.
“We succeeded getting Tijan into the vehicle. As he was in the vehicle, Yakumba and her father still pulled Tijan from the vehicle and he fell. We drove to the Serrekunda Police Station. On arrival, Ebrima Fadera was complaining about some injuries he sustained. He was escorted to the hospital where he was treated and discharged. I later made my statement and signed it,” he narrated.
Under cross-examination to test the credibility of the witness, Lawyer L.S. Camara, who was representing the accused persons, rose and asked him how long he has been a narcotic officer. He said he served twelve years as a narcotic officer. It was put to him that he said that at the Queen’s Head Bar, he and his colleagues went to the junction. He answered in the positive.
“How long have you been at the junction before you went to the Queen’s Head Bar?” he was asked.
“Not long,” he replied.
“Who were not at the scene when you went back to your vehicle?” Counsel Camara wanted to know.
“They were Abdoulie Jarju and Ebrima Fadera,” he said.
He was asked whether Abdoulie Jarju and Ebrima Fadera were the officers who went to Tijan and handcuffed him. He replied in the positive. It was put to him that he said that when they arrived they found a crowd. He was asked how big the crowd was. In response, he said it was not a large crowd. He was also asked whether there were men and women mixed together. He answered in the positive.
It was put to him that he did not know Yakumba before. He noted that he could recognise her. It was also put to him that he did not know Yusupha Jaiteh before. He answered in the negative. He asked whether the majority of people who were pushing and pulling were at the junction. He replied that they could have been there.
“Where did you realise that the accused persons were among the crowd?”
“They were on the ground.”
“At the scene, did you specifically know Yakumba?”
“Yes. But for Yusupha Jaiteh, I knew him at the station.”
”Were you present when Yakumba spoke to Jarju and Fadera?”
“No.”
“Because you were not there, you do not know what transpired between the accused persons and Jarju and Fadera.”
“Yes.”
It was put to him that he did not know the circumstances that led to the arrest of Tijan Macauley. He stated that he knew how Tijan was arrested but further told the court that he was not present when Tijan was arrested and put in cuffs.
At this juncture, he was given his statement which he confirmed. Counsel Camara applied to tender the statement. The prosecution team did not raise any objection to the tendering of the document. It was subsequently admitted by the court.
The presiding magistrate then told the court that the case would be adjourned to the 12th April, 2021, to give the defence the benefit of the doubt to file a no-case submission.
This followed the testimony of the last prosecution witness, Sisaho Nyabally. The witness testified that he lives at Serrekunda and he is a narcotic officer. He stated that he is stationed at Serrekunda Police Station.
He further noted that on the 6th October, 2020, he was part of a team of narcotic officers. He informed the court that he saw the accused persons in the past. He adduced that on the 6th October, 2020, a team of narcotic officers left the charge office for a patrol. He said the team comprised Abdoulie Jarju, Ebrima Fadera, Landing Tamba and himself.
He testified that upon arrival at Queen’s Head Bar their vehicle stopped. He told the court that they met some people and told them that they would like to conduct a search after they identified themselves as narcotic officers. He revealed that as their vehicle stopped, some of his colleagues went to a corner while some stayed.
“At Queen’s Head Bar, we conducted a search on the people we found. As we were going, we realized that two of our men were left behind,” he testified. He went on to say that when they realized the absence of his colleagues, they boarded a vehicle and heard a shout for help from the junction. He stated that he and his other colleagues went to the scene, and when they arrived, they showed out their warrant cards.
“On arrival, we found our colleagues struggling with the suspect, Tijan Macauley, who was being cuffed. As we were trying to get Tijan into the vehicle, the crowd insisted that Tijan would not go,” he told the court.
He revealed that he realised that among the crowd, there was a lady called Yakumba Jaiteh, and that she was with an old man he believed to be her father. He further stated that as they were struggling with Tijan to get him into the vehicle, Yakumba and her father dragged Tijan from the officers. He added that Yakumba and her father held Tijan so that he would not be arrested.
“We succeeded getting Tijan into the vehicle. As he was in the vehicle, Yakumba and her father still pulled Tijan from the vehicle and he fell. We drove to the Serrekunda Police Station. On arrival, Ebrima Fadera was complaining about some injuries he sustained. He was escorted to the hospital where he was treated and discharged. I later made my statement and signed it,” he narrated.
Under cross-examination to test the credibility of the witness, Lawyer L.S. Camara, who was representing the accused persons, rose and asked him how long he has been a narcotic officer. He said he served twelve years as a narcotic officer. It was put to him that he said that at the Queen’s Head Bar, he and his colleagues went to the junction. He answered in the positive.
“How long have you been at the junction before you went to the Queen’s Head Bar?” he was asked.
“Not long,” he replied.
“Who were not at the scene when you went back to your vehicle?” Counsel Camara wanted to know.
“They were Abdoulie Jarju and Ebrima Fadera,” he said.
He was asked whether Abdoulie Jarju and Ebrima Fadera were the officers who went to Tijan and handcuffed him. He replied in the positive. It was put to him that he said that when they arrived they found a crowd. He was asked how big the crowd was. In response, he said it was not a large crowd. He was also asked whether there were men and women mixed together. He answered in the positive.
It was put to him that he did not know Yakumba before. He noted that he could recognise her. It was also put to him that he did not know Yusupha Jaiteh before. He answered in the negative. He asked whether the majority of people who were pushing and pulling were at the junction. He replied that they could have been there.
“Where did you realise that the accused persons were among the crowd?”
“They were on the ground.”
“At the scene, did you specifically know Yakumba?”
“Yes. But for Yusupha Jaiteh, I knew him at the station.”
”Were you present when Yakumba spoke to Jarju and Fadera?”
“No.”
“Because you were not there, you do not know what transpired between the accused persons and Jarju and Fadera.”
“Yes.”
It was put to him that he did not know the circumstances that led to the arrest of Tijan Macauley. He stated that he knew how Tijan was arrested but further told the court that he was not present when Tijan was arrested and put in cuffs.
At this juncture, he was given his statement which he confirmed. Counsel Camara applied to tender the statement. The prosecution team did not raise any objection to the tendering of the document. It was subsequently admitted by the court.
Yankuba Darboe’s alleged seditious video played in court Mar 24, 2021, 12:39 PM | Article By: Alagie Baba.
The Banjul Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday played the alleged seditious video featuring Lawyer Yankuba Darboe of the United Democratic Party (UDP). Lawyer Lamin S. Camara appeared for the accused person, Yankuba Darboe, while Commissioner Abdoulie Sanneh, Chief Superintendent M. Jarju and Superintendent A.S. Manga appeared for the Inspector General of Police.
Police prosecutors told the court that they have amended the charge sheet and Darboe was asked to take his plea again. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
On count 1, he was charged with Sedition contrary to section 52 (1) (b) of the Criminal Code. According to the particulars of the offence, Yankuba Darboe on or about the 10th February 2021 at the Serious Crime Office in the city of Banjul, with seditious intention uttered seditious words against the President and the administration of Justice of The Gambia when he stated: “We will not go to any fucking court on this case anymore, if they want, let them take us to Mile II and we will remain there until sanity comes back to this country, Barrow is a stupid and clueless dictator”- an act that is calculated to bring into hatred, contempt or disaffection against the person of the President of The Republic of The Gambia.
On the second count, Darboe is charged with prohibition of conduct conducive to the breaches of peace conduct contrary to section 9 of the Public Order Act.
According to the particulars of offence, Yankuba Darboe on the 10th February 2021 at the Serious Crime Office in the city of Banjul of The Republic of The Gambia, whilst in a public place, used insulting and abusive language against the Judicial System of The Gambia making utterances that: “If they want, they can go to their Kangaroo courts and decide our fate with their son of a bitch judges, bastard judges, we will not accept their nonsense again and we will never go to no fucking court.”
Assistant Commissioner Gibril Lowe, an IT expert responsible for the police IT Unit testified as the first prosecution witness on Tuesday. The expert witness said he extracted the two videos – one was the alleged “seditious” comments and the second video was the apology.
The flash drive containing the alleged “seditious” comments and the apology was tendered in court by the police.
The case is adjourned to the 5 April 2021 at 11:00 a.m. for the continuation of hearing.
Police prosecutors told the court that they have amended the charge sheet and Darboe was asked to take his plea again. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
On count 1, he was charged with Sedition contrary to section 52 (1) (b) of the Criminal Code. According to the particulars of the offence, Yankuba Darboe on or about the 10th February 2021 at the Serious Crime Office in the city of Banjul, with seditious intention uttered seditious words against the President and the administration of Justice of The Gambia when he stated: “We will not go to any fucking court on this case anymore, if they want, let them take us to Mile II and we will remain there until sanity comes back to this country, Barrow is a stupid and clueless dictator”- an act that is calculated to bring into hatred, contempt or disaffection against the person of the President of The Republic of The Gambia.
On the second count, Darboe is charged with prohibition of conduct conducive to the breaches of peace conduct contrary to section 9 of the Public Order Act.
According to the particulars of offence, Yankuba Darboe on the 10th February 2021 at the Serious Crime Office in the city of Banjul of The Republic of The Gambia, whilst in a public place, used insulting and abusive language against the Judicial System of The Gambia making utterances that: “If they want, they can go to their Kangaroo courts and decide our fate with their son of a bitch judges, bastard judges, we will not accept their nonsense again and we will never go to no fucking court.”
Assistant Commissioner Gibril Lowe, an IT expert responsible for the police IT Unit testified as the first prosecution witness on Tuesday. The expert witness said he extracted the two videos – one was the alleged “seditious” comments and the second video was the apology.
The flash drive containing the alleged “seditious” comments and the apology was tendered in court by the police.
The case is adjourned to the 5 April 2021 at 11:00 a.m. for the continuation of hearing.
Qatar’s new minimum wage enters into force
MARCH 24, 2021.
Press release
Qatar’s non-discriminatory minimum wage comes into force, applying to all workers, of all nationalities, in all sectors, including domestic workers.
The legislation adopted last year provided a six-month transition period for employers to prepare for the new minimum thresholds.
Qatar is the first country in the region to introduce a non-discriminatory minimum wage, which is part of a series of historical reforms of the country’s labour laws.
In addition to the minimum monthly basic wage of 1,000 Qatari riyals QAR (275 USD), the legislation stipulates that employers must pay allowances of at least QAR 300 and QAR 500 for food and housing respectively, if they do not provide workers with these directly.
More than 400,000 workers or 20 per cent of the private sector will benefit directly from the new law. “This wage increase will also improve the lives of a large number of family members in the workers’ countries of origin who rely on the remittances sent every month,” said Max Tuñón from the ILO Project Office in Qatar.
To ensure compliance with the minimum wage, the Government is enhancing the detection of violations, enacting swifter penalties and further strengthening the capacity of labour inspectors.
The minimum wage legislation was adopted following a comprehensive analysis carried out by the Government of Qatar and the ILO, in consultation with national and international experts and workers and employers from different sectors of the economy. The legislation also established a Minimum Wage Commission that will review the impact and application of the minimum wage, and propose adjustments, in consultation with different government bodies, experts, workers and employers.
This law follows other major reforms, including the dismantling of the kafala or sponsorship system. In particular, workers are no longer required to obtain an exit permit to leave the country, or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to change jobs. These measures will likely make Qatar a more attractive destination for global talent and investment.
“Some obstacles still must be addressed for more effective labour mobility, but we’ve observed a large number of workers moving to new jobs. While 75 per cent of the workers who have applied to change jobs have already completed the process, the remainder are currently being processed”, said Max Tuñón. “Companies across all industries have also benefited from being able to recruit workers locally, reducing the costs and risks related with cross-border recruitment.”
Source: Qatari Embassy in Banjul.
Qatar’s non-discriminatory minimum wage comes into force, applying to all workers, of all nationalities, in all sectors, including domestic workers.
The legislation adopted last year provided a six-month transition period for employers to prepare for the new minimum thresholds.
Qatar is the first country in the region to introduce a non-discriminatory minimum wage, which is part of a series of historical reforms of the country’s labour laws.
In addition to the minimum monthly basic wage of 1,000 Qatari riyals QAR (275 USD), the legislation stipulates that employers must pay allowances of at least QAR 300 and QAR 500 for food and housing respectively, if they do not provide workers with these directly.
More than 400,000 workers or 20 per cent of the private sector will benefit directly from the new law. “This wage increase will also improve the lives of a large number of family members in the workers’ countries of origin who rely on the remittances sent every month,” said Max Tuñón from the ILO Project Office in Qatar.
To ensure compliance with the minimum wage, the Government is enhancing the detection of violations, enacting swifter penalties and further strengthening the capacity of labour inspectors.
The minimum wage legislation was adopted following a comprehensive analysis carried out by the Government of Qatar and the ILO, in consultation with national and international experts and workers and employers from different sectors of the economy. The legislation also established a Minimum Wage Commission that will review the impact and application of the minimum wage, and propose adjustments, in consultation with different government bodies, experts, workers and employers.
This law follows other major reforms, including the dismantling of the kafala or sponsorship system. In particular, workers are no longer required to obtain an exit permit to leave the country, or a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to change jobs. These measures will likely make Qatar a more attractive destination for global talent and investment.
“Some obstacles still must be addressed for more effective labour mobility, but we’ve observed a large number of workers moving to new jobs. While 75 per cent of the workers who have applied to change jobs have already completed the process, the remainder are currently being processed”, said Max Tuñón. “Companies across all industries have also benefited from being able to recruit workers locally, reducing the costs and risks related with cross-border recruitment.”
Source: Qatari Embassy in Banjul.
22 Sanyang youths charged with arson, unlawful assembly
MARCH 24, 2021.
By Amadou Jadama
Police prosecutors yesterday pressed charges against 22 young people, all from the coastal village of Sanyang for allegedly setting fire to Sanyang police station.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Isatou Dabo of the Brikama court, the accused were slammed with four counts bordering on conspiracy to commit a felony, arson, unlawful assembly and rioters demolishing structures.
The accused persons are Lamin Tijan Jabang, Abdou Kunta Fofana, Sainey Badjie, Arfang Sanneh, Modou Lamin Marong, Lamin Manneh, Suwaibou Bojang, Mbye Darboe, Mbye Sanyang, Ousainou Dumbuya, Abdoulie Bayo, Sulayman Sanyang, Bubacarr Darboe, Yerro Jallow, Ebrima Manneh, Amadou Joof, Lamin Saidy, Samsiden Sanneh, Bakary Kanteh, Yaya Gaye, Ba-Saikou Sanyang and Ebrima Bojang.
When the charges were read to them, all the accused pleaded not guilty to all the four counts.
According to the indictment filed by police prosecutors, count one stated that the alleged incident happened on March 15 at Sanyang when the 22 accused persons conspired to commit a felony. Count two alleged that the 22 accused persons wilfully and unlawfully set fire on the Sanyang police station while count three also alleged that the accused persons jointly took part in an unlawful assembly. The last count accuses the 22 persons of being riotously assembled, and unlawfully destroyed the Sanyang police station.
Police prosecution team, headed by Superintendent A S Manga, applied under section 62 of the Criminal Procedure Code to have the case transferred to Special Criminal Division of the High Court in Banjul, by virtue of the legal notice 1999, arguing that the court has no jurisdiction to try counts two and four, which punishment attracts life imprisonment.
“Your worship, we relied on section 208 of the CPC to have the accused persons remanded in prison pending their appearance at the High Court.”
In response, the head of the defence team, Lawyer Lamin S Camara, stated that the court has the jurisdiction to hear the case by virtue of section 5 subsection 2 of the CPC.
“The establishment of the Special Criminal Division doesn’t oust its jurisdiction to hear this case and legal notice can’t take away the jurisdiction of the court created by an Act of the National Assembly.”
On the issue of bail, counsel Camara said bail is a discretion of the court. He further reminded the court that bail has been granted in cases of arson and manslaughter. “It therefore is wrong for prosecution to say that bail can’t be granted for an offence attracting life imprisonment,” Camara argued.
At this point, the trial Magistrate Dabo adjourned the case to Wednesday for ruling on transfer of case and bail. The courtroom was full to capacity with family members of the accused persons, while a huge crowd stood outside the court waiting as PIU officers were deployed in riot gears.
Meanwhile, the police yesterday released a statement detailing the extent of the damages following the riot.
The full statement is reproduced, thus:
“The Police High Command wishes to inform the public that it has opened an investigation into the violent riot incident that occurred at Sanyang Village in Kombo South of West Coast Region on Monday 15th March 2021.
This unfortunate incident resulted in several acts of vandalism, attack and burning of the Police Station in Sanyang, burning and looting of a Fish Meal processing factory, burning of tires on roads as well as numerous acts of destruction to properties by rioters.
Preliminary assessment of properties damaged reveals that, 13 Fishing boats, 9 Boat engines , 5,273 Fishing nets were burnt and destroyed. Cash amount of about 8 Million Dalasis, 1 Million Five Hundred Thousand CFA, and Thirty- Four Thousand Chinese Renmini ( RMB 34,000) is suspected to be looted from the Nessim Fish Meal processing company and from individual residents. A total of four Motor Vehicles including two Pickups and two Mini Truck were also burnt down. Sanyang Police Station was attacked and the building burnt down including all records, Case exhibits , furniture and a Taxi Car parked at the station, was equally damaged.
Furthermore, homes of 5 individuals within the Village were attacked and their compounds and properties vandalised . A mobile shop was broken into and items estimated at Two Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand Dalasis were all looted.
Further threats of violent attacks on foreign nationals within the coastal south areas led to the creation of a temporary shelter at Batokunku Village. The shelter is currently inhabited by over 250 people of various nationalities, mainly Senegalese. Security and relief is being provided for individuals at the shelter while efforts to reintegrate them into their communities are underway.
In view of the wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties by rioters contrary to the Laws of the Gambia, the Police High Command has initiated a thorough investigation into the incident on Thursday 19th March 2021 . The investigation led to the arrests of 50 individuals currently helping the Police in their investigations.
Twenty-Two individuals among the arrested people have been charged with offences under the criminal code including Arson, Rioters demolishing buildings, Rioters injuring buildings, Unlawful assembly and Conspiracy to commit felony. They will be arraign before the courts as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, investigations are in progress and members of the public are encouraged to come forward with information that may be useful to the investigations.
The GPF High Command reminds the public that , in as much as the law provides for citizens to express themselves, they must do so within the confines of the Law and in a peaceful manner.
The cooperation of the public during the investigations is highly solicited.”
Police prosecutors yesterday pressed charges against 22 young people, all from the coastal village of Sanyang for allegedly setting fire to Sanyang police station.
Appearing before Principal Magistrate Isatou Dabo of the Brikama court, the accused were slammed with four counts bordering on conspiracy to commit a felony, arson, unlawful assembly and rioters demolishing structures.
The accused persons are Lamin Tijan Jabang, Abdou Kunta Fofana, Sainey Badjie, Arfang Sanneh, Modou Lamin Marong, Lamin Manneh, Suwaibou Bojang, Mbye Darboe, Mbye Sanyang, Ousainou Dumbuya, Abdoulie Bayo, Sulayman Sanyang, Bubacarr Darboe, Yerro Jallow, Ebrima Manneh, Amadou Joof, Lamin Saidy, Samsiden Sanneh, Bakary Kanteh, Yaya Gaye, Ba-Saikou Sanyang and Ebrima Bojang.
When the charges were read to them, all the accused pleaded not guilty to all the four counts.
According to the indictment filed by police prosecutors, count one stated that the alleged incident happened on March 15 at Sanyang when the 22 accused persons conspired to commit a felony. Count two alleged that the 22 accused persons wilfully and unlawfully set fire on the Sanyang police station while count three also alleged that the accused persons jointly took part in an unlawful assembly. The last count accuses the 22 persons of being riotously assembled, and unlawfully destroyed the Sanyang police station.
Police prosecution team, headed by Superintendent A S Manga, applied under section 62 of the Criminal Procedure Code to have the case transferred to Special Criminal Division of the High Court in Banjul, by virtue of the legal notice 1999, arguing that the court has no jurisdiction to try counts two and four, which punishment attracts life imprisonment.
“Your worship, we relied on section 208 of the CPC to have the accused persons remanded in prison pending their appearance at the High Court.”
In response, the head of the defence team, Lawyer Lamin S Camara, stated that the court has the jurisdiction to hear the case by virtue of section 5 subsection 2 of the CPC.
“The establishment of the Special Criminal Division doesn’t oust its jurisdiction to hear this case and legal notice can’t take away the jurisdiction of the court created by an Act of the National Assembly.”
On the issue of bail, counsel Camara said bail is a discretion of the court. He further reminded the court that bail has been granted in cases of arson and manslaughter. “It therefore is wrong for prosecution to say that bail can’t be granted for an offence attracting life imprisonment,” Camara argued.
At this point, the trial Magistrate Dabo adjourned the case to Wednesday for ruling on transfer of case and bail. The courtroom was full to capacity with family members of the accused persons, while a huge crowd stood outside the court waiting as PIU officers were deployed in riot gears.
Meanwhile, the police yesterday released a statement detailing the extent of the damages following the riot.
The full statement is reproduced, thus:
“The Police High Command wishes to inform the public that it has opened an investigation into the violent riot incident that occurred at Sanyang Village in Kombo South of West Coast Region on Monday 15th March 2021.
This unfortunate incident resulted in several acts of vandalism, attack and burning of the Police Station in Sanyang, burning and looting of a Fish Meal processing factory, burning of tires on roads as well as numerous acts of destruction to properties by rioters.
Preliminary assessment of properties damaged reveals that, 13 Fishing boats, 9 Boat engines , 5,273 Fishing nets were burnt and destroyed. Cash amount of about 8 Million Dalasis, 1 Million Five Hundred Thousand CFA, and Thirty- Four Thousand Chinese Renmini ( RMB 34,000) is suspected to be looted from the Nessim Fish Meal processing company and from individual residents. A total of four Motor Vehicles including two Pickups and two Mini Truck were also burnt down. Sanyang Police Station was attacked and the building burnt down including all records, Case exhibits , furniture and a Taxi Car parked at the station, was equally damaged.
Furthermore, homes of 5 individuals within the Village were attacked and their compounds and properties vandalised . A mobile shop was broken into and items estimated at Two Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand Dalasis were all looted.
Further threats of violent attacks on foreign nationals within the coastal south areas led to the creation of a temporary shelter at Batokunku Village. The shelter is currently inhabited by over 250 people of various nationalities, mainly Senegalese. Security and relief is being provided for individuals at the shelter while efforts to reintegrate them into their communities are underway.
In view of the wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties by rioters contrary to the Laws of the Gambia, the Police High Command has initiated a thorough investigation into the incident on Thursday 19th March 2021 . The investigation led to the arrests of 50 individuals currently helping the Police in their investigations.
Twenty-Two individuals among the arrested people have been charged with offences under the criminal code including Arson, Rioters demolishing buildings, Rioters injuring buildings, Unlawful assembly and Conspiracy to commit felony. They will be arraign before the courts as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, investigations are in progress and members of the public are encouraged to come forward with information that may be useful to the investigations.
The GPF High Command reminds the public that , in as much as the law provides for citizens to express themselves, they must do so within the confines of the Law and in a peaceful manner.
The cooperation of the public during the investigations is highly solicited.”
Gov’t has no intention to alter constituencies – AG
MARCH 24, 2021.
Justice minister Dawda Jallow has said the government has no plans to alter any constituency boundaries for the upcoming 2021 election, saying the current 53 electoral constituencies will remain intact.
Controversy surrounds the electoral amendment bill following its first reading in parliament Monday as it reportedly outlined new proposals to demarcate and annul several constituencies.
It states that Bundungka Kunda, Jeshwang, Latrikunda Sabiji, Serrekunda West, Kombo East and Kombo South shall be demarcated into two constituencies, while Busumbala, Old Yundum and Sannementereng will constitute a single constituency under Kombo North and the Tumana constituency to be scrapped.
But speaking to journalists at the National Assembly yesterday, the Justice Minister explained that the constituency boundaries in the bill tabled in parliament was a “wrong version.”
“We have realised that a particular staff that was working on the bill lifted the old schedule from the old bill and attached it to the new bill without consulting the IEC to obtain the most updated schedule. There is no decision on the side of government to alter any constituency boundary. That decision has never been taken. The government has no interest in changing the constituency boundary. In fact, that is not the mandate of the government,” the minister said.
“It is the constituency boundary commission or the IEC that can change the boundaries. It is an error and humans do make errors and the error has being rectified. The current 53 constituencies will remain,” Minister Jallow clarified
Controversy surrounds the electoral amendment bill following its first reading in parliament Monday as it reportedly outlined new proposals to demarcate and annul several constituencies.
It states that Bundungka Kunda, Jeshwang, Latrikunda Sabiji, Serrekunda West, Kombo East and Kombo South shall be demarcated into two constituencies, while Busumbala, Old Yundum and Sannementereng will constitute a single constituency under Kombo North and the Tumana constituency to be scrapped.
But speaking to journalists at the National Assembly yesterday, the Justice Minister explained that the constituency boundaries in the bill tabled in parliament was a “wrong version.”
“We have realised that a particular staff that was working on the bill lifted the old schedule from the old bill and attached it to the new bill without consulting the IEC to obtain the most updated schedule. There is no decision on the side of government to alter any constituency boundary. That decision has never been taken. The government has no interest in changing the constituency boundary. In fact, that is not the mandate of the government,” the minister said.
“It is the constituency boundary commission or the IEC that can change the boundaries. It is an error and humans do make errors and the error has being rectified. The current 53 constituencies will remain,” Minister Jallow clarified
UDP ACCEPTS SUPREME COURT RULING ON BAC CHAIRMAN Blames IEC for not acting in good time
MARCH 24, 2021.
By Omar Bah
Following a landmark supreme court ruling declaring that Brikama Area Council chairman, Sheriffo Sonko can remain in his job despite being expelled by the party which sponsored him, the UDP has said it accepts the decision of the court.
- Advertisement -The UDP had expelled Mr Sonko and filed a mandamus in court for the IEC to conduct a by-election at BAC, relying on the Local Government Act.
Speaking to The Standard, the UDP spokesperson Almamy Taal however blamed the Independent Electoral Commission for failing to act in good time.
“The party accepts the judgment of the Supreme Court and equally congratulates Gambians who are continuing to test our laws because there are several unconstitutional laws standing in The Gambia,” Taal said.
He further stated that the 1997 constitution itself came under attack when the Supreme Court ruled that the former AFPRC junta member, Yankuba Touray does not have immunity from answering the charge of murder.
“So really, we are witnessing the growth of our jurisprudence that reflects the Gambian values. But in the case of Sonko, the IEC should have acted in good time but of course, all these are part lot of challenges facing the IEC and that it has to respond in the interest of our democratic transition. Look at this voter registration debacle; so many instances the IEC just cannot meet the demands of the time. We have to be honest with each other as Gambians that it is time for the IEC to review its mandate and its terms of reference and we hope the new law that is coming into play will guide us towards a better political environment,” he said.
On the judgment again, Taal argued that “the question that we are asking is how do you protect political parties in a multiparty democracy when individual right is seen to supersede the interest of a team that put you up as a political candidate; invested and put their reputation on you?”
Asked what the ruling means for the UDP’s writ of mandamus against the IEC, Taal said: “Now that the Supreme Court has spoken, we don’t have a case anymore.
Probably, we will withdraw the case against the IEC because we were asking the IEC to do its job according to the laws of The Gambia but the Supreme Court has pronounced that the law we relied on is unconstitutional. It is no longer a law of the land.”
Taal said moving forward, the UDP will vet people who put themselves as candidates for the party to ensure they get the right people who understand the values of the party.
“We will get young people; male and female who are qualified and dedicated to the values that the UDP stood for. In the past years we have had wonderful suitable additions to our ranks who will be able to replace all these people who have either resigned or were expelled from the party,” he added.
Sheriffo Sonko reacts
Also reacting to the Supreme Court ruling, Chairman Sheriffo Sonko said he was convinced from the beginning that the UDP has no right to dismiss him. He said the UDP leader never wanted him to be the party’s candidate. “This is why the party is now in a coma because all the genuine people are leaving to join other parties,” he said.
He continued: “When they said they have expelled me because of my support for President Barrow, I made it emphatically clear to them that Barrow was not having a party at the time and that I was only supporting his presidency but they didn’t even want me to do that.”
He said the UDP should have been the very party that should have supported and helped President Adama Barrow to follow the footsteps of South Africa’s ANC “so that the party will stay in power for long”. Sonko said the worst mistake Gambians will make in December is voting UDP into office.
Sheriffo was speaking to Barrow Media Empowerment.
Following a landmark supreme court ruling declaring that Brikama Area Council chairman, Sheriffo Sonko can remain in his job despite being expelled by the party which sponsored him, the UDP has said it accepts the decision of the court.
- Advertisement -The UDP had expelled Mr Sonko and filed a mandamus in court for the IEC to conduct a by-election at BAC, relying on the Local Government Act.
Speaking to The Standard, the UDP spokesperson Almamy Taal however blamed the Independent Electoral Commission for failing to act in good time.
“The party accepts the judgment of the Supreme Court and equally congratulates Gambians who are continuing to test our laws because there are several unconstitutional laws standing in The Gambia,” Taal said.
He further stated that the 1997 constitution itself came under attack when the Supreme Court ruled that the former AFPRC junta member, Yankuba Touray does not have immunity from answering the charge of murder.
“So really, we are witnessing the growth of our jurisprudence that reflects the Gambian values. But in the case of Sonko, the IEC should have acted in good time but of course, all these are part lot of challenges facing the IEC and that it has to respond in the interest of our democratic transition. Look at this voter registration debacle; so many instances the IEC just cannot meet the demands of the time. We have to be honest with each other as Gambians that it is time for the IEC to review its mandate and its terms of reference and we hope the new law that is coming into play will guide us towards a better political environment,” he said.
On the judgment again, Taal argued that “the question that we are asking is how do you protect political parties in a multiparty democracy when individual right is seen to supersede the interest of a team that put you up as a political candidate; invested and put their reputation on you?”
Asked what the ruling means for the UDP’s writ of mandamus against the IEC, Taal said: “Now that the Supreme Court has spoken, we don’t have a case anymore.
Probably, we will withdraw the case against the IEC because we were asking the IEC to do its job according to the laws of The Gambia but the Supreme Court has pronounced that the law we relied on is unconstitutional. It is no longer a law of the land.”
Taal said moving forward, the UDP will vet people who put themselves as candidates for the party to ensure they get the right people who understand the values of the party.
“We will get young people; male and female who are qualified and dedicated to the values that the UDP stood for. In the past years we have had wonderful suitable additions to our ranks who will be able to replace all these people who have either resigned or were expelled from the party,” he added.
Sheriffo Sonko reacts
Also reacting to the Supreme Court ruling, Chairman Sheriffo Sonko said he was convinced from the beginning that the UDP has no right to dismiss him. He said the UDP leader never wanted him to be the party’s candidate. “This is why the party is now in a coma because all the genuine people are leaving to join other parties,” he said.
He continued: “When they said they have expelled me because of my support for President Barrow, I made it emphatically clear to them that Barrow was not having a party at the time and that I was only supporting his presidency but they didn’t even want me to do that.”
He said the UDP should have been the very party that should have supported and helped President Adama Barrow to follow the footsteps of South Africa’s ANC “so that the party will stay in power for long”. Sonko said the worst mistake Gambians will make in December is voting UDP into office.
Sheriffo was speaking to Barrow Media Empowerment.
IEC announces May 29 as voter registration date Mar 23, THE GAMBIA.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced that it will conduct a general registration of voters from 29 May 2021 to 11 July 2021.The registration according to IEC, will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
The press release signed by IEC Chairman Alieu Momarr Njie states all claimants at the time of registration must provide one of the following Gambian documents: a birth certificate, Gambian passport, National Identity Card, or a document certified by the district Seyfo or an Alkalo of the village of birth of the applicant stating the applicant was born in the district or village.
It added that all claimants must have or will have attained the age of eighteen years by 4 December 2021, and must not be disqualified or disentitled from being registered or voting under any law.
The general voter registration is in accordance with section 14 of the Election Act.
The press release signed by IEC Chairman Alieu Momarr Njie states all claimants at the time of registration must provide one of the following Gambian documents: a birth certificate, Gambian passport, National Identity Card, or a document certified by the district Seyfo or an Alkalo of the village of birth of the applicant stating the applicant was born in the district or village.
It added that all claimants must have or will have attained the age of eighteen years by 4 December 2021, and must not be disqualified or disentitled from being registered or voting under any law.
The general voter registration is in accordance with section 14 of the Election Act.
CPA calls for swift investigations into student boat tragedy
MARCH 23, 2021.
The Child Protection Alliance has called for a swift and independent investigation into the weekend boat disaster that left three students dead.
The Yundum Barracks Upper Basic School students were on an excursion when a navy boat carrying them capsized in the waters of Jangjangbureh.
Expressing its dismay, CPA said the incident could have been avoided had proper emergency mechanisms were put in place, and called for a swift probe into the matter.
“We express our sadness at the loss of three school-going kids which is quite tragic. We don’t think the people who took these children for this excursion and on board this boat put in any child protection mechanisms. To put children on a boat, you are exposing them to risks and without mitigating structures, it will result to loss of life, which is tantamount to negligence as in this case,” CPA national coordinator Lamin Fatty, told The Standard.
He said had proper emergency mechanisms were in place, this incident could have been avoided.
“Unfortunately, that did not happen,” he said.
He said a detailed explanation of every event that led to the tragic incident must be established for the law to take its course.
Education ministry reacts
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has reacted to the tragedy after Gambians criticized it for keeping mute.
In a statement on its official Facebook page yesterday, the ministry said: “The Management and staff of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education are deeply saddened by the death of three of our students, Musa B. Ceesay, Sanna Kijera and Babucarr Jaiteh of the Yundum Barracks Upper and Senior Secondary School.
This devastating event occurred following a tragic boat accident between Jangjangbureh and Laminkoto crossing point while on excursion. The entire Ministry mourns this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families, teachers, classmates and friends during this difficult time.”
The Yundum Barracks Upper Basic School students were on an excursion when a navy boat carrying them capsized in the waters of Jangjangbureh.
Expressing its dismay, CPA said the incident could have been avoided had proper emergency mechanisms were put in place, and called for a swift probe into the matter.
“We express our sadness at the loss of three school-going kids which is quite tragic. We don’t think the people who took these children for this excursion and on board this boat put in any child protection mechanisms. To put children on a boat, you are exposing them to risks and without mitigating structures, it will result to loss of life, which is tantamount to negligence as in this case,” CPA national coordinator Lamin Fatty, told The Standard.
He said had proper emergency mechanisms were in place, this incident could have been avoided.
“Unfortunately, that did not happen,” he said.
He said a detailed explanation of every event that led to the tragic incident must be established for the law to take its course.
Education ministry reacts
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has reacted to the tragedy after Gambians criticized it for keeping mute.
In a statement on its official Facebook page yesterday, the ministry said: “The Management and staff of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education are deeply saddened by the death of three of our students, Musa B. Ceesay, Sanna Kijera and Babucarr Jaiteh of the Yundum Barracks Upper and Senior Secondary School.
This devastating event occurred following a tragic boat accident between Jangjangbureh and Laminkoto crossing point while on excursion. The entire Ministry mourns this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families, teachers, classmates and friends during this difficult time.”
Govt suffers another setback in decriminalising skin-bleaching
MARCH 23, 2021.
By Tabora Bojang
Government’s attempt to decriminalise skin bleaching suffered another major setback after the National Assembly rejected a motion for its consideration yesterday.
The Bill was rejected at its second reading in 2020 but was committed to the National Assembly committee on health for consideration.
The committee lay its report and recommendations to the plenary last week where it was adopted by members, and set for consideration.
However, when the motion was put to a vote, 23 members voted against its consideration while 10 others voted to support the motion. It now goes to the third reading stage scheduled for March 29.
According to the government proposal on the repeal, any attempt to enforce the skin bleaching (prohibition) act could amount to discrimination on the basis of gender which could lead to social stigmatisation and strive.
It further argued the practice of skin bleaching is a matter of choice, and can never be effectively enforced, hence a law that cannot be implemented should have no place in the statute books.
“This act has been in place since 2009 and it has never been implemented except some few unsuccessful attempts which were merely public shows.”
Speaking to The Standard following the rejection, NAM for Latrikunda Sabiji Saikou Marong who voted in support of the repeal, described the rejection as “unfortunate.”
He said what his fellow lawmakers should concern themselves with is “to engage in sensitising their people about the dangers involved in the practice instead of imposing laws” on women that are deemed “discriminatory” with the potential to put them behind bars.
“We cannot dictate women how to take care of their skin. They should be in the position to determine that for themselves; we are all talking about women empowerment and this is part and parcel of women’s rights.
“You don’t make laws to impress sections of the society. As lawmakers, we did not come here to only stand for Muslim factions from our constituencies but everybody, regardless of their religious background. I am a Muslim but I have a duty to make sure I fight for what is right for everybody,” Marong said in response to his fellows who said skin-bleaching is un-Islamic.
Member for Foni Kansala, Musa Amul Nyassi said: “I have made my position very clear that I am not going to be a party to legalise skin bleaching because the simple reason is that even though the Act is not enforced, it has enabled our school authorities to take control of our young girls.
“All schools have come up with a regulation which bars our girls from the practice of bleaching and that suffice to say, it is a good law even where the state is not enforcing it.
The fact that the law exists in itself is a deterrent and the other reason is that, Islam is against the idea of bleaching. So these are ample evidence for me not to give my weight to the repeal of the bill, aside from the huge health risks,” the APRC lawmaker stated.
Government’s attempt to decriminalise skin bleaching suffered another major setback after the National Assembly rejected a motion for its consideration yesterday.
The Bill was rejected at its second reading in 2020 but was committed to the National Assembly committee on health for consideration.
The committee lay its report and recommendations to the plenary last week where it was adopted by members, and set for consideration.
However, when the motion was put to a vote, 23 members voted against its consideration while 10 others voted to support the motion. It now goes to the third reading stage scheduled for March 29.
According to the government proposal on the repeal, any attempt to enforce the skin bleaching (prohibition) act could amount to discrimination on the basis of gender which could lead to social stigmatisation and strive.
It further argued the practice of skin bleaching is a matter of choice, and can never be effectively enforced, hence a law that cannot be implemented should have no place in the statute books.
“This act has been in place since 2009 and it has never been implemented except some few unsuccessful attempts which were merely public shows.”
Speaking to The Standard following the rejection, NAM for Latrikunda Sabiji Saikou Marong who voted in support of the repeal, described the rejection as “unfortunate.”
He said what his fellow lawmakers should concern themselves with is “to engage in sensitising their people about the dangers involved in the practice instead of imposing laws” on women that are deemed “discriminatory” with the potential to put them behind bars.
“We cannot dictate women how to take care of their skin. They should be in the position to determine that for themselves; we are all talking about women empowerment and this is part and parcel of women’s rights.
“You don’t make laws to impress sections of the society. As lawmakers, we did not come here to only stand for Muslim factions from our constituencies but everybody, regardless of their religious background. I am a Muslim but I have a duty to make sure I fight for what is right for everybody,” Marong said in response to his fellows who said skin-bleaching is un-Islamic.
Member for Foni Kansala, Musa Amul Nyassi said: “I have made my position very clear that I am not going to be a party to legalise skin bleaching because the simple reason is that even though the Act is not enforced, it has enabled our school authorities to take control of our young girls.
“All schools have come up with a regulation which bars our girls from the practice of bleaching and that suffice to say, it is a good law even where the state is not enforcing it.
The fact that the law exists in itself is a deterrent and the other reason is that, Islam is against the idea of bleaching. So these are ample evidence for me not to give my weight to the repeal of the bill, aside from the huge health risks,” the APRC lawmaker stated.
PARTY LEADERS URGE IEC TO CLEAN ELECTORAL REGISTER
MARCH 23, 2021.
By Omar Bah
Political party leaders meeting under the auspices of the umbrella body, the Inter-Party Committee, have expressed commitment to maintaining a peaceful political environment in the country during and after elections.
- Advertisement -The party leaders also used the IPC’s first breakfast meeting on Saturday to challenge the Independent Electoral Commission to clean the electoral register and endeavor to avoid any errors in the December presidential election.
The IPC gives political parties space to discuss matters of mutual interest and further settle divisive and contentious issues among themselves.
Addressing the meeting, the leader of the Gambia For All party [GFA] Bakary Bunja Dabo, said: “I fear that the biggest threat to consolidating our democracy could come from a weakened integrity of our electoral system which, though has delivered over the years, is not a perfect system. There is general perception that the electoral register has a lot to be improved on its reliability. A lot of people have raised concerns over our electoral system and this perception is that there are sizable number of voters in the system are not supposed to be there. The challenge, therefore for now, is that the general voter registration should be an occasion to do as much cleaning as possible”.
He said the GFA fully supports the principles guiding members of the IPC.
The leader of the APRC, Fabakary Tombong Jatta said political parties and the IEC should speak with one voice to ensure a peaceful and a level political playing ground.
He advised the electoral body to avoid repeating the mistakes in the 2016 presidential.
“We may have very good laws for the electoral process but it can only be effective when those laws are effectively applied and the IEC should ensure that the regulations guiding elections are implemented to the letter,” FTJ said.
He added that the IEC should ensure that certificate of all party representatives during elections are signed and certified by its staff.
FTJ assured the meeting that the APRC will continue to adhere strictly to the document.
The GAP leader, Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly urged his fellow party leaders to put their differences aside and work for the country.
“The political situation I am seeing now, if we don’t preach peace among ourselves, there will be chaos in this country which could affect the whole Ecowas region. This is not a joke,” he warned.
Dr Ismaila Ceesay, leader of Citizens’ Alliance, said his party supports the code of conduct and MoU of the IPC to the fullest.
“This is a very important year for The Gambia. We are at a crossroad. I think you will all agree with me that politically there is lot of polarisation in this country and as such, the stakes are high. Therefore, the IEC and every Gambian have a role to play to ensure a peaceful election. But the IEC has a bigger role to play because when elections are transparent and credible, then they are peaceful, but when people start questioning the integrity of the electoral process, that can bring some problems that we don’t want in this country,” he said.
Halifa Sallah, leader of PDOIS, said article 13 of the IPC MoU clearly indicates that parties must avoid derogatory remarks in exercising their rights.
“The concept is that the IPC will go beyond just an institution that seeks assistance from our partners in order to carry out programmes. The intention is to go beyond that. This is just seen as a process. The intention is to transform the IPC into a statuary body where our national coffers will finance it, so that the National Assembly will provide it with subvention necessary to be able to carry out its programmes,” he said.
The GDC leader, Mamma Kandeh reminded his fellow leaders that without coming together as one, they cannot achieve any sustainable development for the country regardless of who is president.
Political party leaders meeting under the auspices of the umbrella body, the Inter-Party Committee, have expressed commitment to maintaining a peaceful political environment in the country during and after elections.
- Advertisement -The party leaders also used the IPC’s first breakfast meeting on Saturday to challenge the Independent Electoral Commission to clean the electoral register and endeavor to avoid any errors in the December presidential election.
The IPC gives political parties space to discuss matters of mutual interest and further settle divisive and contentious issues among themselves.
Addressing the meeting, the leader of the Gambia For All party [GFA] Bakary Bunja Dabo, said: “I fear that the biggest threat to consolidating our democracy could come from a weakened integrity of our electoral system which, though has delivered over the years, is not a perfect system. There is general perception that the electoral register has a lot to be improved on its reliability. A lot of people have raised concerns over our electoral system and this perception is that there are sizable number of voters in the system are not supposed to be there. The challenge, therefore for now, is that the general voter registration should be an occasion to do as much cleaning as possible”.
He said the GFA fully supports the principles guiding members of the IPC.
The leader of the APRC, Fabakary Tombong Jatta said political parties and the IEC should speak with one voice to ensure a peaceful and a level political playing ground.
He advised the electoral body to avoid repeating the mistakes in the 2016 presidential.
“We may have very good laws for the electoral process but it can only be effective when those laws are effectively applied and the IEC should ensure that the regulations guiding elections are implemented to the letter,” FTJ said.
He added that the IEC should ensure that certificate of all party representatives during elections are signed and certified by its staff.
FTJ assured the meeting that the APRC will continue to adhere strictly to the document.
The GAP leader, Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly urged his fellow party leaders to put their differences aside and work for the country.
“The political situation I am seeing now, if we don’t preach peace among ourselves, there will be chaos in this country which could affect the whole Ecowas region. This is not a joke,” he warned.
Dr Ismaila Ceesay, leader of Citizens’ Alliance, said his party supports the code of conduct and MoU of the IPC to the fullest.
“This is a very important year for The Gambia. We are at a crossroad. I think you will all agree with me that politically there is lot of polarisation in this country and as such, the stakes are high. Therefore, the IEC and every Gambian have a role to play to ensure a peaceful election. But the IEC has a bigger role to play because when elections are transparent and credible, then they are peaceful, but when people start questioning the integrity of the electoral process, that can bring some problems that we don’t want in this country,” he said.
Halifa Sallah, leader of PDOIS, said article 13 of the IPC MoU clearly indicates that parties must avoid derogatory remarks in exercising their rights.
“The concept is that the IPC will go beyond just an institution that seeks assistance from our partners in order to carry out programmes. The intention is to go beyond that. This is just seen as a process. The intention is to transform the IPC into a statuary body where our national coffers will finance it, so that the National Assembly will provide it with subvention necessary to be able to carry out its programmes,” he said.
The GDC leader, Mamma Kandeh reminded his fellow leaders that without coming together as one, they cannot achieve any sustainable development for the country regardless of who is president.
Gov’t warned of potential unrest over disputed land in Serekunda,THE GAMBIA.
By Omar Bah
Alieu Momarr Njai, an elderly resident of Serekunda who is also the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, has called for the intervention of the Gambia government to avoid a potential unrest in Serekunda after a Supreme Court decision was considered to have robbed the larger Jobe Kunda family of their land.
The land in question, which is opposite the Serekunda mosque, belonged to one Ali Jobe, [Mr Njai’s maternal grandfather] who was the eldest son of the late Sayerr Jobe, the founder of Serekunda.
According to Alieu Momarr Njai, the Jobe Kunda family has not accepted the Supreme Court ruling which gave ownership of the land to one Mr Hydara.
“Immediately after the ruling, the elders of the town held a meeting and agreed for their lawyer to ask the Supreme Court to set up a panel of 7 judges to review the case. They also told the lawyer to ask the court to order a stay of execution until the case is reviewed by the panel of judges,” Njai told The Standard.
Njai also said the family wants the court to order Mr Hydara to stay away from the said land until they exhaust all legal means or there would be serious consequences.
“The Jobe family could not understand why the Supreme Court has decided to rule in favour of Hydara over a land which is owned by orphans and has not been shared yet. We made all these arguments through our lawyer at the court but still, they were not satisfied,” he said.
He said the disputed land was allegedly given to JC Faye by Isatou Jobe, a daughter of the late Ali Jobe, even before the property was shared in the Islamic tradition.
“I want to send a clear signal to the government that whenever Hydara attempts to build anything on that land, there will be chaos in Serekunda. The youth of the town have made it emphatically clear to me that they will attack him whenever he attempts to touch the land. So the ball is in government’s court to act now or risk entertaining a civil unrest,” he said.
Alieu Momarr Njai, an elderly resident of Serekunda who is also the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, has called for the intervention of the Gambia government to avoid a potential unrest in Serekunda after a Supreme Court decision was considered to have robbed the larger Jobe Kunda family of their land.
The land in question, which is opposite the Serekunda mosque, belonged to one Ali Jobe, [Mr Njai’s maternal grandfather] who was the eldest son of the late Sayerr Jobe, the founder of Serekunda.
According to Alieu Momarr Njai, the Jobe Kunda family has not accepted the Supreme Court ruling which gave ownership of the land to one Mr Hydara.
“Immediately after the ruling, the elders of the town held a meeting and agreed for their lawyer to ask the Supreme Court to set up a panel of 7 judges to review the case. They also told the lawyer to ask the court to order a stay of execution until the case is reviewed by the panel of judges,” Njai told The Standard.
Njai also said the family wants the court to order Mr Hydara to stay away from the said land until they exhaust all legal means or there would be serious consequences.
“The Jobe family could not understand why the Supreme Court has decided to rule in favour of Hydara over a land which is owned by orphans and has not been shared yet. We made all these arguments through our lawyer at the court but still, they were not satisfied,” he said.
He said the disputed land was allegedly given to JC Faye by Isatou Jobe, a daughter of the late Ali Jobe, even before the property was shared in the Islamic tradition.
“I want to send a clear signal to the government that whenever Hydara attempts to build anything on that land, there will be chaos in Serekunda. The youth of the town have made it emphatically clear to me that they will attack him whenever he attempts to touch the land. So the ball is in government’s court to act now or risk entertaining a civil unrest,” he said.
Musa Yalli Batchilly to open defence Mar 23, 2021, 12:09 PM | Article By: Dawda Faye.
Musa Yalli Batchilly, secretary general and leader of the Gambia Action Party, (GAP), will open his defence on the 6th April, 2021, before Principal Magistrate Isatou Janneh-Njie of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court. This followed the announcement of the closure of the prosecution’s case by Superintendent Manga.He has been charged with obtaining money by false pretence and fraud which he vehemently denied. The prosecution has so far called some witnesses to prove their case. At the end of their testimonies, Lawyer Kijera, who is representing the accused, cross-examined them to challenge, discredit and contradict them.
It is now the turn of Musa Yalli Batchilly to tell the court what transpired between him and the complainant, Fatoumata Baye-Saine. He is to convince the court not to convict him with the help of his lawyer.
Prosecutors alleged that sometime in the year 2019, at Manjai Kunda and diverse places within the jurisdiction of the court, in the Republic of The Gambia, with intent to defraud and by false pretence, he induced Fatoumata Baye-Saine to deliver to him the sum of 6,000,000 CFA, equivalent to D504,000 under the pretext that he legally owns a compound measuring 15m X 25m, situated at Batokunku on offer for sale, which pretext was false.
It was also alleged that with intent to defraud and by false pretence, he induced Fatoumata Baye-Saine to deliver to him the sum of 6,000,000 CFA, equivalent to D504,000 under the pretext that he legally owns a compound measuring 15m X 25m, situated at Batokunku; concealing the fact that the compound he purported to sell does not belong to him.
He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of D500,000 with one Gambian surety with a title deed who should swear to an affidavit of means.
When the case was called on the 18th March, 2021, Superintendent Manga announced his representation for the Inspector General of Police, assisted by Inspector Inna Jallow, Sub-Inspector Jammeh and Warrant First Class 2231 Gibba.
Lawyer Kijera, who is representing the accused, was not present in court. The accused then informed the court that his lawyer was on his way to the court from Brikama. The case was delayed for fifteen minutes. When it resumed, the accused informed the court that he had spoken to his lawyer who had told him that he should tell the court that he is to open his defence.
It is now the turn of Musa Yalli Batchilly to tell the court what transpired between him and the complainant, Fatoumata Baye-Saine. He is to convince the court not to convict him with the help of his lawyer.
Prosecutors alleged that sometime in the year 2019, at Manjai Kunda and diverse places within the jurisdiction of the court, in the Republic of The Gambia, with intent to defraud and by false pretence, he induced Fatoumata Baye-Saine to deliver to him the sum of 6,000,000 CFA, equivalent to D504,000 under the pretext that he legally owns a compound measuring 15m X 25m, situated at Batokunku on offer for sale, which pretext was false.
It was also alleged that with intent to defraud and by false pretence, he induced Fatoumata Baye-Saine to deliver to him the sum of 6,000,000 CFA, equivalent to D504,000 under the pretext that he legally owns a compound measuring 15m X 25m, situated at Batokunku; concealing the fact that the compound he purported to sell does not belong to him.
He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of D500,000 with one Gambian surety with a title deed who should swear to an affidavit of means.
When the case was called on the 18th March, 2021, Superintendent Manga announced his representation for the Inspector General of Police, assisted by Inspector Inna Jallow, Sub-Inspector Jammeh and Warrant First Class 2231 Gibba.
Lawyer Kijera, who is representing the accused, was not present in court. The accused then informed the court that his lawyer was on his way to the court from Brikama. The case was delayed for fifteen minutes. When it resumed, the accused informed the court that he had spoken to his lawyer who had told him that he should tell the court that he is to open his defence.
IEC to Start Voters’ Registration As Elections Nears March 22, 2021.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will start registration to issue eligible Gambians with voter’s cards on the 29th of March. The voter registration process is expected to last from 29th March to 11th July 2021, the IEC has revealed Monday.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) postponed the commencement of 2021 general voter registration initially slated for January 14th this year. The Commission cited ‘logistical challenges beyond its control’ as its main reason for suspending the exercise.
While announcing the new date for the registration process, the IEC informed that its officials might only issue voter cards to eligible Gambians with recognized national documents. Any of these documents could serve the purpose of registration. A birth certificate, a Gambian passport, a national ID card or a document certified by the District Seyfo or an Alkalo of the village of birth of the applicant stating he or she was born in the district or village.
The IEC has also warned, “All applicants must have or will have attained the age of eighteen years by 4th December 2021, and must not be disqualified or disentitled from being registered or voting under any law.”
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) postponed the commencement of 2021 general voter registration initially slated for January 14th this year. The Commission cited ‘logistical challenges beyond its control’ as its main reason for suspending the exercise.
While announcing the new date for the registration process, the IEC informed that its officials might only issue voter cards to eligible Gambians with recognized national documents. Any of these documents could serve the purpose of registration. A birth certificate, a Gambian passport, a national ID card or a document certified by the District Seyfo or an Alkalo of the village of birth of the applicant stating he or she was born in the district or village.
The IEC has also warned, “All applicants must have or will have attained the age of eighteen years by 4th December 2021, and must not be disqualified or disentitled from being registered or voting under any law.”
Over 40 Sanyang youths arrested amid unrest Mar 23, 2021, 12:37 PM | Article By: Yusupha Jobe.
The Police Anti-Crime Unit has arrested over 40 youth at Sanyang after a mob attack, burning of a police station and fishmeal factory last week following the alleged killing of a native by a Senegalese.The arrest according to our sources, took place over the weekend as the police Anti-Crime Unit arrested people on the streets and compounds.
The incident followed the burning of fishing boats and nets belonging to Senegalese residing at Sanyang.
Alieu Bayo, a resident, in an interview with The Point, said the ongoing mass arrest of young people on the streets and compounds is a violation of human rights, stating that the arrest and intimidation of the youths on the streets have the potential of creating unrest in the village.
“How can you meet people on the streets and start arresting them without any verification. May be some of those arrested and taken by the police Anti-Crime Unit were even innocent. So it is very illegal.”
“I can inform you that since last Friday to Sunday arrest of young people is been going on in the community by the police Anti-Crime Unit and over 40 young people have been apprehended. So this has to stop to avoid any possible violence in the community. Right now some of us are not even comfortable sleeping in our homes,” he warned.
He alleged that the killing of a Gambian by a Senegalese citizen is not seen as a concern to the government of President Adama Barrow, while adding that atrocities committed by Senegalese nationals such as stealing and rape have rendered unsafe environment for the natives.
“We have been living with Senegalese for many years in the community. But since the establishment of fishmeal factory, it has caused the influx of many foreign fishermen in the village committing with various kind of crimes. So we are not going to sit and allow our community to be destroyed like that; and that will never happen,” he stressed.
The National Youth Council (NYC) on Friday visited the community with a view to finding a lasting solution to the problem. A meeting was held at the village’s center where youths were urged to maintain calm and allow the law to take its course.
Madi Jorbateh, a human right activist in a statement, accused the police of using forceful means of arresting people in the streets, while stating that arrest and prosecution will not address the core of the problem in Sanyang.
“Arrest and prosecution will not address the core of the problem in Sanyang. Since the Faraba incident two years ago, the Commission of Inquiry’s report predicted this kind of incidents erupting in coastal towns if necessary actions are not taken to address issues of land and natural resources,” he recalled.
The Point, in an effort to reach the police for comment proved futile.
The incident followed the burning of fishing boats and nets belonging to Senegalese residing at Sanyang.
Alieu Bayo, a resident, in an interview with The Point, said the ongoing mass arrest of young people on the streets and compounds is a violation of human rights, stating that the arrest and intimidation of the youths on the streets have the potential of creating unrest in the village.
“How can you meet people on the streets and start arresting them without any verification. May be some of those arrested and taken by the police Anti-Crime Unit were even innocent. So it is very illegal.”
“I can inform you that since last Friday to Sunday arrest of young people is been going on in the community by the police Anti-Crime Unit and over 40 young people have been apprehended. So this has to stop to avoid any possible violence in the community. Right now some of us are not even comfortable sleeping in our homes,” he warned.
He alleged that the killing of a Gambian by a Senegalese citizen is not seen as a concern to the government of President Adama Barrow, while adding that atrocities committed by Senegalese nationals such as stealing and rape have rendered unsafe environment for the natives.
“We have been living with Senegalese for many years in the community. But since the establishment of fishmeal factory, it has caused the influx of many foreign fishermen in the village committing with various kind of crimes. So we are not going to sit and allow our community to be destroyed like that; and that will never happen,” he stressed.
The National Youth Council (NYC) on Friday visited the community with a view to finding a lasting solution to the problem. A meeting was held at the village’s center where youths were urged to maintain calm and allow the law to take its course.
Madi Jorbateh, a human right activist in a statement, accused the police of using forceful means of arresting people in the streets, while stating that arrest and prosecution will not address the core of the problem in Sanyang.
“Arrest and prosecution will not address the core of the problem in Sanyang. Since the Faraba incident two years ago, the Commission of Inquiry’s report predicted this kind of incidents erupting in coastal towns if necessary actions are not taken to address issues of land and natural resources,” he recalled.
The Point, in an effort to reach the police for comment proved futile.
Yanks maintains he returned to State House after seeing off Jammeh at airport
MARCH 23, 2021.
By Bruce Asemota
Yankuba Touray, a suspect in the killing of former minister Ousman Koro Ceesay, yesterday told the High Court presided over by Justice Ebrima Ba Jaiteh that after seeing off ex- president Jammeh at the Banjul International Airport on the 25th June, 1995, he was driven back to the State House in Banjul by one Pa Malang, Jammeh’s former driver in the company of Lang Tombong Tamba, then state guard commander.
Touray made these revelations under cross-examination by counsel K. Tah.
He acknowledged that he spoke to his former orderly Ensa Mendy and Alagie Kanyi [who had testified for the prosecution] but their discussion was based on the November 11, 1994 aborted coup.
According to Yankuba, the time he called Ensa Mendy, he was not yet identified as a witness of the TRRC and their discussion was not related to the alleged murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay.
Touray said he had cordial relationship with his subordinates who served under him such as Ensa Mendy and Amat Jargum.
He said he cannot remember whether the cabinet ever launched an investigation into the death of Koro Ceesay but could recall that a coroner inquest was requested by the cabinet.
He explained that the office of the Chairman of AFPRC did issue a statement on the rumour surrounding the death of Ousman Koro Ceesay and that he was aware of rumours of the involvement of some Council members including himself.
He further told the court that it was during the TRRC sittings that he heard that the alleged murder of Koro Ceesay happened in his residence as well as suggestions of his personal involvement.
The trial continues today.
Yankuba Touray, a suspect in the killing of former minister Ousman Koro Ceesay, yesterday told the High Court presided over by Justice Ebrima Ba Jaiteh that after seeing off ex- president Jammeh at the Banjul International Airport on the 25th June, 1995, he was driven back to the State House in Banjul by one Pa Malang, Jammeh’s former driver in the company of Lang Tombong Tamba, then state guard commander.
Touray made these revelations under cross-examination by counsel K. Tah.
He acknowledged that he spoke to his former orderly Ensa Mendy and Alagie Kanyi [who had testified for the prosecution] but their discussion was based on the November 11, 1994 aborted coup.
According to Yankuba, the time he called Ensa Mendy, he was not yet identified as a witness of the TRRC and their discussion was not related to the alleged murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay.
Touray said he had cordial relationship with his subordinates who served under him such as Ensa Mendy and Amat Jargum.
He said he cannot remember whether the cabinet ever launched an investigation into the death of Koro Ceesay but could recall that a coroner inquest was requested by the cabinet.
He explained that the office of the Chairman of AFPRC did issue a statement on the rumour surrounding the death of Ousman Koro Ceesay and that he was aware of rumours of the involvement of some Council members including himself.
He further told the court that it was during the TRRC sittings that he heard that the alleged murder of Koro Ceesay happened in his residence as well as suggestions of his personal involvement.
The trial continues today.
Political parties renew commitment to peaceful elections Mar 22, 2021, 10:54 AM | Article By: Adama Tine.
As a forum for dialogue among political party leaders to promote a level ground for multi party contest and peaceful co-existence among members, the Inter- Party Committee (IPC), over the weekend held an Inaugural Quarterly Breakfast Meeting under the theme: ‘Commitment to Peaceful Elections’ through collective implementation of the MoU and Code of Conduct signed by registered political parties at the Sir Dawda Kairaba International Conference Centre.Speaking at the forum, the IPC co-chairperson Hon. Halifa Sallah, said a government based on consent is the cornerstone of peace and stability in any country without which there can be no development.
According to him, in 2016, the UNDP created a forum for dialogue among the political parties of the country of which a fundamental question was raised: Could we go through peaceful elections without revitalising the Inter- Party Committee?
“Before the elections of 2016, we reached an agreement that was supposed to be signed but at the eleventh hour, the government decided to renege its position therefore the signing could not take place,” Sallah recalled.
He added that the IPC is fully conscious that a stable and peaceful political environment is indispensable to development and they are also conscious that the presidency is an embodiment of dignity and respect and the opposition is also an embodiment of dignity and respect.
The political adviser to the special representative of the President of ECOWAS to The Gambia, Claude Kondor said the Inaugural Quarterly meeting of the Inter- Party Committee seeks to facilitate dialogue among members, and further serves as an information and experience sharing forum.
He added that it is a significant step forward in equipping members of the IPC, especially newly registered parties, with information regarding the MoU and Code of Conduct to facilitate dialogue, cooperation and collaboration among them.
For her part, the UNDP resident representative, Aissata De, said the best practices in maturing democracies reveal that elections tend to be more peaceful and credible in political context where parties have developed a culture of building consensus on contentious electoral issues and processes.
She added that in The Gambia, the culture of consensus building among political parties gained traction post 2017, political transition largely because of strategic efforts and dialogue space provided by the IPC.
“One of the challenges facing political parties in The Gambia is leaving women behind as demonstrated by the April 2017 parliamentary elections where only three women were elected as members of the National Assembly,” she concluded.
According to him, in 2016, the UNDP created a forum for dialogue among the political parties of the country of which a fundamental question was raised: Could we go through peaceful elections without revitalising the Inter- Party Committee?
“Before the elections of 2016, we reached an agreement that was supposed to be signed but at the eleventh hour, the government decided to renege its position therefore the signing could not take place,” Sallah recalled.
He added that the IPC is fully conscious that a stable and peaceful political environment is indispensable to development and they are also conscious that the presidency is an embodiment of dignity and respect and the opposition is also an embodiment of dignity and respect.
The political adviser to the special representative of the President of ECOWAS to The Gambia, Claude Kondor said the Inaugural Quarterly meeting of the Inter- Party Committee seeks to facilitate dialogue among members, and further serves as an information and experience sharing forum.
He added that it is a significant step forward in equipping members of the IPC, especially newly registered parties, with information regarding the MoU and Code of Conduct to facilitate dialogue, cooperation and collaboration among them.
For her part, the UNDP resident representative, Aissata De, said the best practices in maturing democracies reveal that elections tend to be more peaceful and credible in political context where parties have developed a culture of building consensus on contentious electoral issues and processes.
She added that in The Gambia, the culture of consensus building among political parties gained traction post 2017, political transition largely because of strategic efforts and dialogue space provided by the IPC.
“One of the challenges facing political parties in The Gambia is leaving women behind as demonstrated by the April 2017 parliamentary elections where only three women were elected as members of the National Assembly,” she concluded.
GPA pays D50m dividend to gov’t Mar 22, 2021, 11:08 AM | Article By: Isatou Ceesay Bah.
The Gambia Port Authority (GPA) on Friday paid D50 million to government as dividend for the year ended 31 December 2019.The presentation was held at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs’ Conference Hall in Banjul.
Speaking at the presentation, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mambury Njie, stated that he acknowledged the efforts of the management and staff of Gambia Port Authority in contributing to the financial achievements of the company.
He added that the GPA’s achievements as a strong organisation has been accompanied by the critical role played in maintaining good standards of corporate governance critical to ensure financial stability and sustainable institutional growth.
Minister Njie, however, disclosed that his ministry, for the past years has factored into the national budget under Revenue Forecast, Dividend Revenue line-item expected from state-owned enterprises that can be directed to provision of basic services to citizens which are not recorded in the national budget.
“My sincere appreciation goes to GPA for being the only SOE that is able to contribute this expected revenue share to government,” he disclosed.
He therefore hailed President Adama Barrow and the Transport minister for their unwavering leadership and guidance over the years.
GPA chairman of board of directors, Babucarr Sarr, expressed that the GPA was thrilled to show the result of what they are able to achieve, and also give back to government a return of their investment for the year 2019.
He assured government that they would continue to work diligently to generate surpluses that can be used to help other activities of government in developing the country.
Speaking at the presentation, the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Mambury Njie, stated that he acknowledged the efforts of the management and staff of Gambia Port Authority in contributing to the financial achievements of the company.
He added that the GPA’s achievements as a strong organisation has been accompanied by the critical role played in maintaining good standards of corporate governance critical to ensure financial stability and sustainable institutional growth.
Minister Njie, however, disclosed that his ministry, for the past years has factored into the national budget under Revenue Forecast, Dividend Revenue line-item expected from state-owned enterprises that can be directed to provision of basic services to citizens which are not recorded in the national budget.
“My sincere appreciation goes to GPA for being the only SOE that is able to contribute this expected revenue share to government,” he disclosed.
He therefore hailed President Adama Barrow and the Transport minister for their unwavering leadership and guidance over the years.
GPA chairman of board of directors, Babucarr Sarr, expressed that the GPA was thrilled to show the result of what they are able to achieve, and also give back to government a return of their investment for the year 2019.
He assured government that they would continue to work diligently to generate surpluses that can be used to help other activities of government in developing the country.
GPA’s infrastructure challenges highlighted as it pays D50M dividend to gov’t
MARCH 22, 2021.
By Tabora Bojang
Bai Lamin Jobe, the Minister of Works, construction, and infrastructure has contended that the infrastructure deficit of the Banjul port is a big challenge hampering the institution. Minister Jobe made these remarks in Banjul on Friday at the presentation of a D50 million-dividend payment by Gambia Ports Authority to the Gambia government for 2019.
The payment follows windfall profits of about D 200 million made by the Authority during the year under review, 20% of which should be handed over as dividend to the shareholder [government].
Addressing the event, the minister under whose purview the GPA operates, described the payment as “interesting” saying it was achieved despite challenges of congestion at the ports and the dilapidated nature of its facilities
“These challenges are real and they can be controlled. The point in saying this is to appeal to the Ministry of Finance to assist the GPA to meet the challenges, especially the challenges of the deficit in their infrastructure, which have been on the table for the past five years.
“We were almost there [commence infrastructural changes] with AFC but we could not continue because of pressures from our external partners. I am not a finance person but I believe if a country decides on doing something that was agreed on a gate plan, I don’t think we should leave it to anybody to decide for us,” the minister bemoaned.
Jobe challenged his counterpart Mambury Njie, the Minister of Finance to ensure “these interests are affected in the parliament and the cabinet.”
Responding, Minister Njie said the government recognised the reform strategies of the ports to improve their technical and financial capacity.
“But sometimes government looks at cost benefit analysis and, in this case, what happened is that as we proceeded to finalise the AFC financing agreement, we realised that we have concessional financing combined with the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank and the grant component is huge. So, we cannot ignore it. One thing I can guarantee is that the timeline which was agreed is still achievable because the government is willing and ready to come on board if there is a financing gap, where we can provide bridge financing,” Njie added.
He disclosed that the GPA has been one of the only State-Owned Enterprises to be able to “contribute expected revenue in the amount of D50 million” after government factored into the national budget dividend revenue line-ups expected from the State-Owned Enterprises to be directed to provisions of basic service to citizens which are not recorded in the budget.
“This [dividend] will greatly assist the government in executing the budget based on planned revenue and planned expenditure,” he concluded.
Bai Lamin Jobe, the Minister of Works, construction, and infrastructure has contended that the infrastructure deficit of the Banjul port is a big challenge hampering the institution. Minister Jobe made these remarks in Banjul on Friday at the presentation of a D50 million-dividend payment by Gambia Ports Authority to the Gambia government for 2019.
The payment follows windfall profits of about D 200 million made by the Authority during the year under review, 20% of which should be handed over as dividend to the shareholder [government].
Addressing the event, the minister under whose purview the GPA operates, described the payment as “interesting” saying it was achieved despite challenges of congestion at the ports and the dilapidated nature of its facilities
“These challenges are real and they can be controlled. The point in saying this is to appeal to the Ministry of Finance to assist the GPA to meet the challenges, especially the challenges of the deficit in their infrastructure, which have been on the table for the past five years.
“We were almost there [commence infrastructural changes] with AFC but we could not continue because of pressures from our external partners. I am not a finance person but I believe if a country decides on doing something that was agreed on a gate plan, I don’t think we should leave it to anybody to decide for us,” the minister bemoaned.
Jobe challenged his counterpart Mambury Njie, the Minister of Finance to ensure “these interests are affected in the parliament and the cabinet.”
Responding, Minister Njie said the government recognised the reform strategies of the ports to improve their technical and financial capacity.
“But sometimes government looks at cost benefit analysis and, in this case, what happened is that as we proceeded to finalise the AFC financing agreement, we realised that we have concessional financing combined with the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank and the grant component is huge. So, we cannot ignore it. One thing I can guarantee is that the timeline which was agreed is still achievable because the government is willing and ready to come on board if there is a financing gap, where we can provide bridge financing,” Njie added.
He disclosed that the GPA has been one of the only State-Owned Enterprises to be able to “contribute expected revenue in the amount of D50 million” after government factored into the national budget dividend revenue line-ups expected from the State-Owned Enterprises to be directed to provisions of basic service to citizens which are not recorded in the budget.
“This [dividend] will greatly assist the government in executing the budget based on planned revenue and planned expenditure,” he concluded.
APRC says draft constitution’s retroactive clause is witch-hunt Mar 22, 2021, 11:21 AM | Article By: Momodou Jawo.
Fabakary Tombong Jatta, the leader of the opposition Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) has affirmed that the retroactive aspect of the Draft Constitution is purposely designed to witch-hunt certain individuals, saying constitutions are not meant to target individuals.“You don’t make a constitution to target individuals. A constitution should be holistic and the overall interest of the public. We have a series of concerns in the draft constitution that we feel should be looked into if we are to lend support to it,” he said.
In an exclusive interview with The Point on Saturday at his Tallinding residence, the former lawmaker for Serrekunda East during the former regime said: “APRC don’t believe in retroactivity especially in this situation. We are heading to election in December and we are yet to have a constitution. Therefore, why having a constitution and backdating it to affect an individual.”
The veteran politician added: “We as a party don’t believe in that. We believe it is witch-hunting. We sincerely believe that immediately the draft constitution comes into force, that clause should take effect from the next president of the Republic of The Gambia. Retroactive laws are usually done, but they are not done on attacking individuals.”
According to him, the APRC lawmakers will vote against the draft constitution if it’s tabled again at the National Assembly. “We will continue to vote against the draft constitution until our concerns are addressed. The legality of repealing the 1997 Constitution has to be clear. From consultations with legal luminaries, we are reliably informed that it will be illegal even for parliament to try to bring in a new constitution and put away the 1997 Constitution,” he stated.
The APRC party, he explained, has over 30 concerns in the draft constitution which are yet to be addressed. “We had our observation in the draft constitution. When the second draft was out, we observed that most of our comments and inputs were not addressed, hence we will not support it.”
He added that his party understands that the current government delegated the Attorney General to try and see how people can look at the draft constitution with a view to bringing it back to the parliament using Goodluck Jonathan, former Nigerian president as mediator.
“However, when various political leaders returned from the Nigeria trip, various comments were made that all parties have agreed except one political party. I want to make it very clear that the issues we had with the draft constitution are many. We don’t buy the idea of passing the draft. There is already a draft that can be amended. Why do you have to legislate it and try to bring to parliament to amend it.”
“As at now our position remains the same that we are not in support of the draft constitution unless and until we are able to verify amendments and proposals that were put in and those that were deleted. However, if it addresses all our concerns then fine.”
“We are also of the opinion that and following some consultations with some legal luminaries, we are told that the 1997 Constitution itself has no clause that allows its own repeal, even if all Gambians agree to the new draft constitution. We will not participate in illegal things."
FTJ further said: “These questions were posed by us during various consultations we had with various stakeholders, but we are yet to receive an answer. I am reliably informed about this and I have read it and consulted legal minded people on the matter. We are told that you can’t throw away the 1997 Constitution but you can only amend it with a view to remove anything you want and bring in anything you want, but you can’t throw it aside,” he told our reporter.
The draft constitution, he went on, will create a constitutional crisis in the country if Allah doesn’t guide us well. “People shouldn’t use sentiment and partisan politics especially in drafting a constitution which is our supreme law. President Barrow is in government today but tomorrow he won't be there. Are we saying that any government that comes we have to go and draft a new constitution? We could have spent that millions of dalasis on drafting the constitution to other important issues.”
In an exclusive interview with The Point on Saturday at his Tallinding residence, the former lawmaker for Serrekunda East during the former regime said: “APRC don’t believe in retroactivity especially in this situation. We are heading to election in December and we are yet to have a constitution. Therefore, why having a constitution and backdating it to affect an individual.”
The veteran politician added: “We as a party don’t believe in that. We believe it is witch-hunting. We sincerely believe that immediately the draft constitution comes into force, that clause should take effect from the next president of the Republic of The Gambia. Retroactive laws are usually done, but they are not done on attacking individuals.”
According to him, the APRC lawmakers will vote against the draft constitution if it’s tabled again at the National Assembly. “We will continue to vote against the draft constitution until our concerns are addressed. The legality of repealing the 1997 Constitution has to be clear. From consultations with legal luminaries, we are reliably informed that it will be illegal even for parliament to try to bring in a new constitution and put away the 1997 Constitution,” he stated.
The APRC party, he explained, has over 30 concerns in the draft constitution which are yet to be addressed. “We had our observation in the draft constitution. When the second draft was out, we observed that most of our comments and inputs were not addressed, hence we will not support it.”
He added that his party understands that the current government delegated the Attorney General to try and see how people can look at the draft constitution with a view to bringing it back to the parliament using Goodluck Jonathan, former Nigerian president as mediator.
“However, when various political leaders returned from the Nigeria trip, various comments were made that all parties have agreed except one political party. I want to make it very clear that the issues we had with the draft constitution are many. We don’t buy the idea of passing the draft. There is already a draft that can be amended. Why do you have to legislate it and try to bring to parliament to amend it.”
“As at now our position remains the same that we are not in support of the draft constitution unless and until we are able to verify amendments and proposals that were put in and those that were deleted. However, if it addresses all our concerns then fine.”
“We are also of the opinion that and following some consultations with some legal luminaries, we are told that the 1997 Constitution itself has no clause that allows its own repeal, even if all Gambians agree to the new draft constitution. We will not participate in illegal things."
FTJ further said: “These questions were posed by us during various consultations we had with various stakeholders, but we are yet to receive an answer. I am reliably informed about this and I have read it and consulted legal minded people on the matter. We are told that you can’t throw away the 1997 Constitution but you can only amend it with a view to remove anything you want and bring in anything you want, but you can’t throw it aside,” he told our reporter.
The draft constitution, he went on, will create a constitutional crisis in the country if Allah doesn’t guide us well. “People shouldn’t use sentiment and partisan politics especially in drafting a constitution which is our supreme law. President Barrow is in government today but tomorrow he won't be there. Are we saying that any government that comes we have to go and draft a new constitution? We could have spent that millions of dalasis on drafting the constitution to other important issues.”
News 3 DEAD AS NAVY BOAT CAPSIZES.22/03/2021.
By Omar Bah
Three students from Yundum Barracks Upper Basic school, who were on an excursion in Jangjangbureh, have been confirmed dead after the navy boat transporting them capsized, the Army deputy spokesperson Captain Malick Sanyang, confirmed to The Standard yesterday.
According to impeccable sources, a total of 136 students from the school were touring the slave and other historic relics in Jangjangbureh. At some point in their excursion, they boarded a Navy boat from the Laminkoto Navy station heading to Jangjangbureh. The boat then capsized resulting in the drowning of Sanna Kijera, Musa B Ceesay and Abubacarr Jaiteh.
“I can confirm that the incident happened on Saturday at around 10am. When the students arrived at Laminkoto – Jangjangbureh crossing point, they found that the ferry was not in service. So as usual and consistent with the Navy’s activities and mandate along all the major crossing points on River Gambia, the students were ferried on a Navy boat in groups of ten but unfortunately during one of the trips, the boat capsized resulting in the drowning of 3 students,” Cpt. Sanyang said.
He further disclosed that when the army command received the information about the incident, they immediately contacted the Farafenni military barracks for reinforcement, and a rescue operation was mounted which saved 7 out of the 10 students.
“The rescue continued until around 9pm on Saturday during which time they recovered two bodies [Musa B Ceesay, (Grade 7) and Abubacarr Jaiteh, (Grade 8]. A third body, believed to be that of Sanna Kejira, was recovered yesterday morning,” he said.
Cpt Sanyang said the Navy officer, who was transporting the students and all the personnel either involved or close to the scene, are helping army in their investigations.
“The military will come up with a report immediately after the investigations,” he said.
He said the military’s high command is very concerned about what happened.
According to eyewitnesses, some of the students did wear life-jackets but the Navy boat had a hole thus water was penetrating.
But Cpt Sanyang denied that account: “They were all wearing life-jackets. But you know when certain incidents are meant to happen, they just happen because not every person that wears a life jacket is a good swimmer. It is not unusual for the Navy to transport people during emergencies like this when there are no ferries and all those many missions have been completed with great success. But naturally, accidents overshadow previous successful achievements. This incident really touched the army because the victims were people very close to our hearts and of course, when things are destined to happen, they will happen no matter what.”
Asked whether all the students involved were children of military officers, Cpt Sanyang said: “One of the victims was a son to one of our warrant officers. But the school is opened to surrounding villages around the barracks.”
Three students from Yundum Barracks Upper Basic school, who were on an excursion in Jangjangbureh, have been confirmed dead after the navy boat transporting them capsized, the Army deputy spokesperson Captain Malick Sanyang, confirmed to The Standard yesterday.
According to impeccable sources, a total of 136 students from the school were touring the slave and other historic relics in Jangjangbureh. At some point in their excursion, they boarded a Navy boat from the Laminkoto Navy station heading to Jangjangbureh. The boat then capsized resulting in the drowning of Sanna Kijera, Musa B Ceesay and Abubacarr Jaiteh.
“I can confirm that the incident happened on Saturday at around 10am. When the students arrived at Laminkoto – Jangjangbureh crossing point, they found that the ferry was not in service. So as usual and consistent with the Navy’s activities and mandate along all the major crossing points on River Gambia, the students were ferried on a Navy boat in groups of ten but unfortunately during one of the trips, the boat capsized resulting in the drowning of 3 students,” Cpt. Sanyang said.
He further disclosed that when the army command received the information about the incident, they immediately contacted the Farafenni military barracks for reinforcement, and a rescue operation was mounted which saved 7 out of the 10 students.
“The rescue continued until around 9pm on Saturday during which time they recovered two bodies [Musa B Ceesay, (Grade 7) and Abubacarr Jaiteh, (Grade 8]. A third body, believed to be that of Sanna Kejira, was recovered yesterday morning,” he said.
Cpt Sanyang said the Navy officer, who was transporting the students and all the personnel either involved or close to the scene, are helping army in their investigations.
“The military will come up with a report immediately after the investigations,” he said.
He said the military’s high command is very concerned about what happened.
According to eyewitnesses, some of the students did wear life-jackets but the Navy boat had a hole thus water was penetrating.
But Cpt Sanyang denied that account: “They were all wearing life-jackets. But you know when certain incidents are meant to happen, they just happen because not every person that wears a life jacket is a good swimmer. It is not unusual for the Navy to transport people during emergencies like this when there are no ferries and all those many missions have been completed with great success. But naturally, accidents overshadow previous successful achievements. This incident really touched the army because the victims were people very close to our hearts and of course, when things are destined to happen, they will happen no matter what.”
Asked whether all the students involved were children of military officers, Cpt Sanyang said: “One of the victims was a son to one of our warrant officers. But the school is opened to surrounding villages around the barracks.”
BAC CHAIRMAN TO KEEP HIS JOB
MARCH 19, 2021.
By Bruce Asemota
A landmark Supreme Court ruling has handed a lifeline to Brikama Area Council chairman, Sheriffo Sonko to keep his job.
The ruling is a major success for Mr Sonko against his political party UDP which, in a different suit, asked the court to order the Independent Electoral Commission to call a by-election, relying on the Local Government Act requiring elected local officials to lose their seat when they are expelled or left their parties.
The UDP had expelled Mr Sonko for not conforming to the party’s rules after he was suspected to have shifted political allegiance to President Barrow.
But the Supreme Court declared yesterday that even if Sheriffo Sonko leaves his party, the constitution still gives him the right to remain as the chairman of Brikama Area Council.
The judgment, read by Justice Awa Bah, further disclosed that the election to the office of the chairmanship position was done by a direct suffrage and not by the political party he belongs to.
She refers to section 91 (1) d of the Constitution which ‘clearly provides that a member of National Assembly still retains his /her position even if she vacates the political party he/she was a member at the time of his/her election to that position.”
Justice Awa Bah disclosed that section 19 (1) g of the Local Government Act is inconsistent with section 194 (c) of the Constitution.
She stated that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that section 194 provides for direct election to the positions of mayors and local government chairpersons.
The court pointed out that the Local Government Act in seeking to remove officials elected by direct suffrage is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.
Background
Sheriffo Sonko filed a suit against the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the suit seeks amongst other things an injunction to restrain the electoral body or their servants, agent or whosoever from doing any acts, exercise or election to the office of the Brikama Area Council.
While there has not been any official reaction from both Sonko and the UDP, supporters of the BAC chairman took to social media to celebrate the ruling which means now that Mr Sonko would serve his full mandate which runs until May 2022.
A landmark Supreme Court ruling has handed a lifeline to Brikama Area Council chairman, Sheriffo Sonko to keep his job.
The ruling is a major success for Mr Sonko against his political party UDP which, in a different suit, asked the court to order the Independent Electoral Commission to call a by-election, relying on the Local Government Act requiring elected local officials to lose their seat when they are expelled or left their parties.
The UDP had expelled Mr Sonko for not conforming to the party’s rules after he was suspected to have shifted political allegiance to President Barrow.
But the Supreme Court declared yesterday that even if Sheriffo Sonko leaves his party, the constitution still gives him the right to remain as the chairman of Brikama Area Council.
The judgment, read by Justice Awa Bah, further disclosed that the election to the office of the chairmanship position was done by a direct suffrage and not by the political party he belongs to.
She refers to section 91 (1) d of the Constitution which ‘clearly provides that a member of National Assembly still retains his /her position even if she vacates the political party he/she was a member at the time of his/her election to that position.”
Justice Awa Bah disclosed that section 19 (1) g of the Local Government Act is inconsistent with section 194 (c) of the Constitution.
She stated that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that section 194 provides for direct election to the positions of mayors and local government chairpersons.
The court pointed out that the Local Government Act in seeking to remove officials elected by direct suffrage is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.
Background
Sheriffo Sonko filed a suit against the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the suit seeks amongst other things an injunction to restrain the electoral body or their servants, agent or whosoever from doing any acts, exercise or election to the office of the Brikama Area Council.
While there has not been any official reaction from both Sonko and the UDP, supporters of the BAC chairman took to social media to celebrate the ruling which means now that Mr Sonko would serve his full mandate which runs until May 2022.
Touma speaks on PPP high court judgement, describes congress re-run a ‘blessing’
MARCH 19, 2021.
By Tabora Bojang
Fatoumatta Njai alias Touma, who was one of the rival contestants in the PPP disputed leadership, has said the high court ruling on the party’s 2018 congress “must be respected”, saying it was a vindication of her claims of foul play during the party’s 2021 congress.
According to a high court judgement delivered a few weeks ago, the PPP 2018 congress, which Papa Njie won against former vice president Bakary B Dabo, should be redone.
This followed a suit by Alhagie Yaya Ceesay and others in 2019, who supported Mr Dabo’s claim that the election was fraudulent.
Touma, who heads one of the rival camps claiming to be legitimate leaders of the party following its crisis-marred congress last month, said she will consider contesting for the leadership if there is to be a re-run of the 2018 congress as laid by the court ruling.
“This [re-run] will be a blessing from the Almighty, because if we should go to any free and fair election bringing PPP delegates, I am going to win, because the PPP is nothing without me,” Njai told The Standard.
The Banjul South lawmaker boycotted the party’s last month congress in Brikama-Ba as she marched out in protest with her supporters claiming a “fraudulent electoral process.”
“We have been vindicated [by the court decision] because it happened in 2018 and it was going to happen in 2021,” Touma stated.
She said the party “must do everything to respect and act on the court decision” which according to her will pave the way to take over the helm of the party.
“I will never get involved in anything that is done unceremoniously without due process, because I am not corrupt. The court decision must be respected and we must hold another congress, in a free and fair atmosphere bringing PPP delegates which I am going to win. I am the PPP and all the regional chairs are behind me,” Njai noted.
Fatoumatta Njai alias Touma, who was one of the rival contestants in the PPP disputed leadership, has said the high court ruling on the party’s 2018 congress “must be respected”, saying it was a vindication of her claims of foul play during the party’s 2021 congress.
According to a high court judgement delivered a few weeks ago, the PPP 2018 congress, which Papa Njie won against former vice president Bakary B Dabo, should be redone.
This followed a suit by Alhagie Yaya Ceesay and others in 2019, who supported Mr Dabo’s claim that the election was fraudulent.
Touma, who heads one of the rival camps claiming to be legitimate leaders of the party following its crisis-marred congress last month, said she will consider contesting for the leadership if there is to be a re-run of the 2018 congress as laid by the court ruling.
“This [re-run] will be a blessing from the Almighty, because if we should go to any free and fair election bringing PPP delegates, I am going to win, because the PPP is nothing without me,” Njai told The Standard.
The Banjul South lawmaker boycotted the party’s last month congress in Brikama-Ba as she marched out in protest with her supporters claiming a “fraudulent electoral process.”
“We have been vindicated [by the court decision] because it happened in 2018 and it was going to happen in 2021,” Touma stated.
She said the party “must do everything to respect and act on the court decision” which according to her will pave the way to take over the helm of the party.
“I will never get involved in anything that is done unceremoniously without due process, because I am not corrupt. The court decision must be respected and we must hold another congress, in a free and fair atmosphere bringing PPP delegates which I am going to win. I am the PPP and all the regional chairs are behind me,” Njai noted.
Former army officer says Gambia must take security reforms seriously
MARCH 19, 2021.
By Mafugi Ceesay
A former senior army officer and minister, Sheriff Gomez, has told The Standard that The Gambia must urgently fast-track efforts on security reforms so that citizens become reassured by the new security architecture and services.
He said this would mitigate the urge and spread of rumours based on no valid evidence.
“Such security reforms, restructuring and reorganising should include training, capacity development, security services mandates, inter-(security) service work collaboration and linkages. In the same vein, it should be comprehensive enough to positively enhance and impact the motivation and morale of service personnel – men and women of the services – enabling them to commit to their roles and responsibilities that the country has entrusted them”.
“We have seen the furtherance of the reforms through the undertaking of the defence policy drafting and credit should indeed go to the government. It should also be recognized that there are security sector reform documents being developed and that is an encouraging trend but committing to consistency of work on the Security Sector Reform is urgent, critical and must be followed through, so that servicemen and women have the requisite capacity, within a lean and professional security architecture, committed to reassuring and winning the trust of the Gambian people. This is necessary to enable people to go out and about their businesses with full confidence that the security services in place can and will take care of their security concerns. Ensuring that the increasing incidents of security lapses such as armed robberies and carjacking are nipped in the bud. Of Course, the preamble, once incidents happened, must include thorough investigation, lapses questioned and looked into and comprehensive report developed, with concrete recommendations submitted on what went wrong, who needs to do what and particularly instructive for the security services to take the necessary measures to ensure security breaches or lapses of such nature don’t happen,” he noted.
Ecomig
Gomez said it is a concern too that Ecomig has been here for this long because foreign forces in a sovereign state, in any part of the world, would have some negative impact on self-esteem and sovereignty of that state.
“A prolonged stay of such a force will in one way or the other create problems like resentment and disagreement on whether there is a need. But of course, there was no doubt in 2016-17 that Gambians wholeheartedly welcomed the Ecomig; and indeed, they have done a tremendous job for the country and we cannot thank them enough.”
Are Gambian security services abandoned by Barrow?
Mr Gomez said: “I don’t think also that the security services have been abandoned by the president. Yes, there seems to be a security challenge in the country, and we need to understand what is the cause and deal with it, so that we don’t fuel speculation and start making assumptions that are not driven by evidence. I think this will be unfair to the government or the security services. We should continue to encourage and engage the security services and urge the Government to move steadfastly towards the direction of reforms in order to embolden the security to take national duties more responsibly for that is their mandate.”
A former senior army officer and minister, Sheriff Gomez, has told The Standard that The Gambia must urgently fast-track efforts on security reforms so that citizens become reassured by the new security architecture and services.
He said this would mitigate the urge and spread of rumours based on no valid evidence.
“Such security reforms, restructuring and reorganising should include training, capacity development, security services mandates, inter-(security) service work collaboration and linkages. In the same vein, it should be comprehensive enough to positively enhance and impact the motivation and morale of service personnel – men and women of the services – enabling them to commit to their roles and responsibilities that the country has entrusted them”.
“We have seen the furtherance of the reforms through the undertaking of the defence policy drafting and credit should indeed go to the government. It should also be recognized that there are security sector reform documents being developed and that is an encouraging trend but committing to consistency of work on the Security Sector Reform is urgent, critical and must be followed through, so that servicemen and women have the requisite capacity, within a lean and professional security architecture, committed to reassuring and winning the trust of the Gambian people. This is necessary to enable people to go out and about their businesses with full confidence that the security services in place can and will take care of their security concerns. Ensuring that the increasing incidents of security lapses such as armed robberies and carjacking are nipped in the bud. Of Course, the preamble, once incidents happened, must include thorough investigation, lapses questioned and looked into and comprehensive report developed, with concrete recommendations submitted on what went wrong, who needs to do what and particularly instructive for the security services to take the necessary measures to ensure security breaches or lapses of such nature don’t happen,” he noted.
Ecomig
Gomez said it is a concern too that Ecomig has been here for this long because foreign forces in a sovereign state, in any part of the world, would have some negative impact on self-esteem and sovereignty of that state.
“A prolonged stay of such a force will in one way or the other create problems like resentment and disagreement on whether there is a need. But of course, there was no doubt in 2016-17 that Gambians wholeheartedly welcomed the Ecomig; and indeed, they have done a tremendous job for the country and we cannot thank them enough.”
Are Gambian security services abandoned by Barrow?
Mr Gomez said: “I don’t think also that the security services have been abandoned by the president. Yes, there seems to be a security challenge in the country, and we need to understand what is the cause and deal with it, so that we don’t fuel speculation and start making assumptions that are not driven by evidence. I think this will be unfair to the government or the security services. We should continue to encourage and engage the security services and urge the Government to move steadfastly towards the direction of reforms in order to embolden the security to take national duties more responsibly for that is their mandate.”
BAC CHAIRMAN TO KEEP HIS JOB ,THE GAMBIA 19/03/2021.
By Bruce Asemota
A landmark Supreme Court ruling has handed a lifeline to Brikama Area Council chairman, Sheriffo Sonko to keep his job.
The ruling is a major success for Mr Sonko against his political party UDP which, in a different suit, asked the court to order the Independent Electoral Commission to call a by-election, relying on the Local Government Act requiring elected local officials to lose their seat when they are expelled or left their parties.
The UDP had expelled Mr Sonko for not conforming to the party’s rules after he was suspected to have shifted political allegiance to President Barrow.
But the Supreme Court declared yesterday that even if Sheriffo Sonko leaves his party, the constitution still gives him the right to remain as the chairman of Brikama Area Council.
The judgment, read by Justice Awa Bah, further disclosed that the election to the office of the chairmanship position was done by a direct suffrage and not by the political party he belongs to.
She refers to section 91 (1) d of the Constitution which ‘clearly provides that a member of National Assembly still retains his /her position even if she vacates the political party he/she was a member at the time of his/her election to that position.”
Justice Awa Bah disclosed that section 19 (1) g of the Local Government Act is inconsistent with section 194 (c) of the Constitution.
She stated that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that section 194 provides for direct election to the positions of mayors and local government chairpersons.
The court pointed out that the Local Government Act in seeking to remove officials elected by direct suffrage is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.
Background
Sheriffo Sonko filed a suit against the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the suit seeks amongst other things an injunction to restrain the electoral body or their servants, agent or whosoever from doing any acts, exercise or election to the office of the Brikama Area Council.
While there has not been any official reaction from both Sonko and the UDP, supporters of the BAC chairman took to social media to celebrate the ruling which means now that Mr Sonko would serve his full mandate which runs until May 2022.
A landmark Supreme Court ruling has handed a lifeline to Brikama Area Council chairman, Sheriffo Sonko to keep his job.
The ruling is a major success for Mr Sonko against his political party UDP which, in a different suit, asked the court to order the Independent Electoral Commission to call a by-election, relying on the Local Government Act requiring elected local officials to lose their seat when they are expelled or left their parties.
The UDP had expelled Mr Sonko for not conforming to the party’s rules after he was suspected to have shifted political allegiance to President Barrow.
But the Supreme Court declared yesterday that even if Sheriffo Sonko leaves his party, the constitution still gives him the right to remain as the chairman of Brikama Area Council.
The judgment, read by Justice Awa Bah, further disclosed that the election to the office of the chairmanship position was done by a direct suffrage and not by the political party he belongs to.
She refers to section 91 (1) d of the Constitution which ‘clearly provides that a member of National Assembly still retains his /her position even if she vacates the political party he/she was a member at the time of his/her election to that position.”
Justice Awa Bah disclosed that section 19 (1) g of the Local Government Act is inconsistent with section 194 (c) of the Constitution.
She stated that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land and that section 194 provides for direct election to the positions of mayors and local government chairpersons.
The court pointed out that the Local Government Act in seeking to remove officials elected by direct suffrage is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.
Background
Sheriffo Sonko filed a suit against the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the suit seeks amongst other things an injunction to restrain the electoral body or their servants, agent or whosoever from doing any acts, exercise or election to the office of the Brikama Area Council.
While there has not been any official reaction from both Sonko and the UDP, supporters of the BAC chairman took to social media to celebrate the ruling which means now that Mr Sonko would serve his full mandate which runs until May 2022.
Gambia to harness diplomacy to resolve transit trade barriers Mar 19, 2021, 12:01 PM | Article By: Abdoulie Nyockeh.
The Gambia’s Finance Minister Mamburry Njie and the Commissioner General of The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Yankuba Darboe, have reassured the Malian delegation in the country of firm commitment to use diplomacy to resolve the obstacle on transit trade barriers via Senegal to Mali.At a meeting with the Malian delegation on Wednesday, Gambian authorities described as a very sad situation that the sub region is still encountering blockage at the borders.
“I think in the spirit of the ECOWAS protocols, this blockage should have been history now,” Finance Minister Njie told the delegation.
“No country will gain anything from the blockage in this century,” adding that is due to interpersonal relationship, family relations and even trade.
“I think any attempt to block such transit; I think is unfortunate but we will still use diplomatic channel to be able to resolve these transit trade barriers.
I am confident that eventually we will overcome the obstacle, but it takes two of us to our commitment, dedication and insistence to ensure that we continue to use the road. “We believe that certain interest groups are causing this obstacle and that’s why a unilateral action will not help to solve the problem.”
“We will still use diplomacy to resolve the matters.”
However, the Finance minister urged the two countries to continue to deepen their business partnership in The Gambia.
“The Gambia government will do everything possible to provide you the conducive environment and to persuade other countries that the trade relationship we want to build in the interest of ECOWAS such blockage is a major bottleneck and it will not help trade relationship with the three countries.”
Finance Minister Njie called on the Malians to exercise patience, saying that with tolerance, surely the problem will be the thing of the past among the three countries.
He reiterated that these blockages are caused by certain interest groups, while assuring that the matters will be resolved to ensure smooth trade movement.
The minister also pointed out that: “The Gambia is aware of the additional cost tariff but will address it to ensure convenience for you to do business in The Gambia.”
For his part, the Commissioner General of GRA Yankuba Darboe, expressed dissatisfaction with the trade barriers at the borders, saying no country has rights to grant another authorisation to do business. This is unbelievable and unacceptable due to the fact that The Gambia has signed all the ECOWAS protocols. Therefore Gambia does not want anybody to give “us quarter on transit trade.”
The Commissioner General also reminded that Senegal has signed the ECOWAS protocols but woefully failed to respect it.
He recalled that two months ago, a loaded truck with fuel from Gam-petroleum heading to Mali was blocked by the Senegalese security for three weeks at the border, something he described as unsafe.
According to him, similar incident happened when another 21 trucks were delayed at the depot due to unnecessary tariff barriers.
The GRA CG noted that The Gambia has the rights do business with any country of its choice since both agreed to do so. Darboe called on the Senegalese authority to respect the ECOWAS Protocols as well the two MOU that GRA signed with Senegalese Authority.
“I think in the spirit of the ECOWAS protocols, this blockage should have been history now,” Finance Minister Njie told the delegation.
“No country will gain anything from the blockage in this century,” adding that is due to interpersonal relationship, family relations and even trade.
“I think any attempt to block such transit; I think is unfortunate but we will still use diplomatic channel to be able to resolve these transit trade barriers.
I am confident that eventually we will overcome the obstacle, but it takes two of us to our commitment, dedication and insistence to ensure that we continue to use the road. “We believe that certain interest groups are causing this obstacle and that’s why a unilateral action will not help to solve the problem.”
“We will still use diplomacy to resolve the matters.”
However, the Finance minister urged the two countries to continue to deepen their business partnership in The Gambia.
“The Gambia government will do everything possible to provide you the conducive environment and to persuade other countries that the trade relationship we want to build in the interest of ECOWAS such blockage is a major bottleneck and it will not help trade relationship with the three countries.”
Finance Minister Njie called on the Malians to exercise patience, saying that with tolerance, surely the problem will be the thing of the past among the three countries.
He reiterated that these blockages are caused by certain interest groups, while assuring that the matters will be resolved to ensure smooth trade movement.
The minister also pointed out that: “The Gambia is aware of the additional cost tariff but will address it to ensure convenience for you to do business in The Gambia.”
For his part, the Commissioner General of GRA Yankuba Darboe, expressed dissatisfaction with the trade barriers at the borders, saying no country has rights to grant another authorisation to do business. This is unbelievable and unacceptable due to the fact that The Gambia has signed all the ECOWAS protocols. Therefore Gambia does not want anybody to give “us quarter on transit trade.”
The Commissioner General also reminded that Senegal has signed the ECOWAS protocols but woefully failed to respect it.
He recalled that two months ago, a loaded truck with fuel from Gam-petroleum heading to Mali was blocked by the Senegalese security for three weeks at the border, something he described as unsafe.
According to him, similar incident happened when another 21 trucks were delayed at the depot due to unnecessary tariff barriers.
The GRA CG noted that The Gambia has the rights do business with any country of its choice since both agreed to do so. Darboe called on the Senegalese authority to respect the ECOWAS Protocols as well the two MOU that GRA signed with Senegalese Authority.
Justice catching up with Yahya Jammeh Mar 19, 2021, 12:06 PM | Article By: Sanna Camara.
The chairperson of the Gambia Center for Victims of Human Rights Violations said this week that the long arm of justice is catching up with ex-president Yahya Jammeh for crimes he committed while in office.Mr. Sheriff Kijera described as “good news” the arrest of a third member of the hit squad, saying: “We will get them one by one.”
“The long arm of the law is catching up with them (Jammeh and his accomplices), and it is a signal to all those on the run; the fugitives from justice, that there is no safe haven for any torturer or perpetrator of human rights violations against innocent people,” Kijera said.
He said the arrest represents “good news” for families of Deyda Hydara, Daba Marenah, Haruna Jammeh and Ousman Sillah, along with those of 59 West African migrants massacred by the junglers in 2005 in The Gambia.
“Germany’s arrest of an alleged ‘jungler’ shows that the long arm of the law is catching up with Yahya Jammeh’s accomplices around the world,” said Reed Brody, senior counsel at Human Rights Watch. “Jammeh’s henchmen in Gambia and even Jammeh himself in Equatorial Guinea may soon be held to account for their alleged international crimes.”
“To the victims, this is a signal to Yahya Jammeh that the long arm of justice will soon catch up to him. The arrest of Bai Lowe on Tuesday was a good day for victims and international Justice,” Mr. Kijera added.
Kijera said these arrests on perpetrators outside The Gambia’s jurisdiction are indications that the noose is tightening around all perpetrators, especially the ex-president himself. He said each of the said cases will help throw more light on those who played roles and bear greatest responsibilities for crimes committed under the 22 year dictatorship in The Gambia.
“The international justice is setting good precedents as far as accountability mechanisms are concerned. There are no torture safe havens for any perpetrator anywhere in the world. It is better that you surrender yourselves to the processes of the TRRC before its mandate ends,” he advised.
“Universal jurisdiction cases are an increasingly important part of international efforts to hold those responsible for atrocities accountable, provide justice to victims who have nowhere else to turn, deter future crimes, and help ensure that countries do not become safe havens for human rights abusers,” Reed Brody, popularly called dictator hunter said.
“Those who have committed international crimes need to be brought to justice wherever they may be found,” Brody said.
“The long arm of the law is catching up with them (Jammeh and his accomplices), and it is a signal to all those on the run; the fugitives from justice, that there is no safe haven for any torturer or perpetrator of human rights violations against innocent people,” Kijera said.
He said the arrest represents “good news” for families of Deyda Hydara, Daba Marenah, Haruna Jammeh and Ousman Sillah, along with those of 59 West African migrants massacred by the junglers in 2005 in The Gambia.
“Germany’s arrest of an alleged ‘jungler’ shows that the long arm of the law is catching up with Yahya Jammeh’s accomplices around the world,” said Reed Brody, senior counsel at Human Rights Watch. “Jammeh’s henchmen in Gambia and even Jammeh himself in Equatorial Guinea may soon be held to account for their alleged international crimes.”
“To the victims, this is a signal to Yahya Jammeh that the long arm of justice will soon catch up to him. The arrest of Bai Lowe on Tuesday was a good day for victims and international Justice,” Mr. Kijera added.
Kijera said these arrests on perpetrators outside The Gambia’s jurisdiction are indications that the noose is tightening around all perpetrators, especially the ex-president himself. He said each of the said cases will help throw more light on those who played roles and bear greatest responsibilities for crimes committed under the 22 year dictatorship in The Gambia.
“The international justice is setting good precedents as far as accountability mechanisms are concerned. There are no torture safe havens for any perpetrator anywhere in the world. It is better that you surrender yourselves to the processes of the TRRC before its mandate ends,” he advised.
“Universal jurisdiction cases are an increasingly important part of international efforts to hold those responsible for atrocities accountable, provide justice to victims who have nowhere else to turn, deter future crimes, and help ensure that countries do not become safe havens for human rights abusers,” Reed Brody, popularly called dictator hunter said.
“Those who have committed international crimes need to be brought to justice wherever they may be found,” Brody said.
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