Gambia Official News

21/01/2025

Air Senegal at Risk of Bankruptcy?

Air Senegal is facing serious challenges as Carlyle Aviation Partners, the company that leases its planes, demands a $20 million USD purchase commitment, despite Air Senegal having already paid $92.74 million USD since 2018.

Carlyle has reportedly failed to provide the necessary documents for the airline to renew its aircraft registrations, leaving some planes grounded for extended periods. An internal source at Air Senegal criticized Carlyle’s demands, saying, "They are asking for amounts that are much higher than the planes’ current value," as reported by Seneweb.

The airline is also dealing with administrative issues, including outdated documents listing the wrong CEO. On January 13, the new CEO, Tidiane Ndiaye, wrote to Carlyle asking for urgent updates, stating that the delays are affecting the airline’s operations.

Air Senegal is considering legal action against Carlyle for what it calls "unfair behavior," as the airline faces financial struggles and the risk of bankruptcy. One source within the company warned, "If this situation continues, the consequences will be disastrous," also reported by Seneweb.

21/01/2025

21/01/2025

Report Gambia Official News:

POLICE ARREST MBEMBA DRAMMEH’S SURETIES As he reportedly leaves Gambia

Police have arrested two persons who acted as sureties in the bail of former National People’s Party (NPP) member Mbemba Drammeh, who was arrested last month after alleging on television that he took part in rigging the 2021 elections.

The sureties, Musa Kanteh from Tabokoto and Saidou Bayo of Wellingara told The Standard that they were invited to Kairaba, Kanifing, and later Banjul police headquarters where they were being held as of last night.

They said they have been told by the police that Drammeh failed to report on bail after requesting two-day permission to travel to Basse.
The sureties claimed that the police suspected that Mr Drammeh has jumped bail and might have gone out of the jurisdiction of The Gambia.
He has since called to say he is back in France.

“In fact, little later Mbemba Drammeh himself called to say that he has arrived in France. The police have told us that we will be kept here over night until they hear from the authorities,” one of the sureties, Kanteh told The Standard.

Contacted for comments, police PRO Modou Musa Sisawo, confirmed that the sureties are being held at the police and that Drammeh has jumped bail and is believed to have left the country. He gave no further details.
Source: The Standard

19/10/2024

KMC’s Former PR Manager Testifies at Local Government Inquiry

The Local Government Commission of Inquiry, established to investigate the financial and administrative operations of local councils between 2018 and 2023, heard testimony from Isatou Faal, the former Public Relations Manager of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC). The inquiry aims to enhance transparency and accountability within local governance structures.

Faal, whose written statement dated 7 June 2023 was admitted into evidence, testified that she was employed by the KMC in June 2018. She recounted her prior working relationship with KMC Mayor Talib Bensouda, stating that she had worked for his company, Safaro Gambia Limited, first as a salesgirl and later as operations manager and marketing head. Following Bensouda’s election, Faal expressed her interest in continuing to work with him at the council and was encouraged by him to submit an application for the PR Manager position, which was vacant at the time.

According to Faal, the time between her application and appointment was approximately one week. However, under questioning by Lead Counsel Patrick Gomez, it was revealed that both her application letter and appointment offer were dated 7 June 2018. When confronted with this discrepancy, Faal maintained that she had not been appointed on the same day she applied, attributing the issue to a possible administrative oversight by the council’s HR manager, Dembo Jah, who had conducted her interview.

Gomez pressed Faal on whether her employment had been influenced by her prior relationship with Mayor Bensouda. Faal denied any improper influence, asserting that she had gone through the correct hiring process. However, Gomez pointed out that her swift appointment raised suspicion, particularly given that the Local Government Service Commission, as required by law, had not been involved in her hiring process. Faal admitted to being unaware of this legal requirement.

17/10/2024

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker’s wife, Annie Kilner, has filed for divorce after he refused to give her half of his estimated $30 million fortune and properties.

Annie earlier discovered that walker had cheated on her and fathered a child outside their marriage.

So She gave Walker two choices:

🔵 Give her half of his wealth, for them to remain married, and still have access to their children

OR

🔵 she would proceed with the divorce, which would entitle her to get half of walker wealth, and walker would Also be required to pay child support.

Walker delay in making a decision On the two options led Annie to officially file for divorce, bringing their marriage to an end.

The 31 years old mother of 4 has instructed Lawyers to begin legal proceedings, As she prepare to fight for half of the Manchester city Defender wealth

07/06/2024