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18/08/2024

MADI JOBARTEH: "I can’t believe that the Cabinet with 100% intellectual population could sit down to craft such a dictatorial, backward & dishonest document like this. Yet they all claim to believe in Allah/God & love their country but could mortgage their country to 1 Man."

Gambian activists are protesting against a "Draft Constitution" that is butchered by the executive to suit the whims and caprices of President Adama Barrow.

15/08/2024

SHAYKH MUHAMMAD AL-HABIB| would stay awake throughout the entire night and repeat the name of Allah over 20,000 in the dark. He did this even when he reached over the age of 90. One night, a thief entered the house and went into his room. The thief opened a cabinet and began to search it for wealth or jewellery - not realising that the Shaykh was in the room.

The Shaykh softly called out to him and told him to take whatever he needed and wanted but simply requested him to leave his books. The Shaykh then called his wife and she brought in tea and they kindly gave it to the thief. The Shaykh then made the man feel welcome, told him not to worry, reminded him he could take whatever he wanted if needed, spoke to him about Allah, informed him the doors of tawba were open for all people, and let him know that the Merciful forgives all people. Then food was prepared for the thief and he ate comfortably. Overcome by the unbelievable kindness of the Shaykh, he suddenly broke down into tears, repented and changed his life.

These are the Friends of Allah and the inheritors of the Messenger ﷺ. May Allah allow us to follow their footsteps and imitate their ways.

15/08/2024

STATE GUARD SOLDIER| Has died on a road accident that left 3 others injured.

The accident which occurred on Thursday 15 August, involved personnel of the State Guards Battalion posted at Mankamang K***a, the home village of President Adama Barrow.

According to the Gambia Armed Forces, the soldiers were travelling on a mission on board SG00060 when it collided with a commercial vehicle. Subsequently, the military vehicle somersaulted between Bakadaji and Sareh Sambel in the Upper River Region.

May Allah SWT grants the deceased eternal peace, and also wish speedy recovery to the injured.

13/08/2024

OPINION| How Could Bora Colley Enter the Gambia Undetected?
By Madi Jobarteh

Bora Colley by all accounts is a high-level security threat to the state and society of the Gambia. As a leading member of the death squad, Junglers, Bora’s name could be heard throughout the TRRC hearings in almost all cases of arbitrary arrest, detention, torture, enforced disappearance and executions. He was a man who joined Tyrant Yaya Jammeh to flee to Equatorial Guinea in January 2017 only to appear eight years later.

The question is, how come Bora could return and not be detected by the security apparatuses in this country? The National Assembly should be hugely concerned about this matter and take the necessary steps to look into the security setup of this country to see whether it is fit for purpose. The undetected entry of Bora clearly exposes loopholes within the security network of the Gambia which is a major cause for concern.

Therefore I call on the Defense and Security Committee of the National Assembly to summon the heads of relevant security agencies, namely, the National Security Advisor, the Director General of the NIA, the Inspector General of Police (GPF), the Chief of Defense Staff (GAF), the Director General of Immigration (GID) and the Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) to ask them to explain how their intelligence failed to detect the entry of Bora Colley. These security agencies have immense presence at the land, sea, and air borders of the Gambia hence no one, especially a highly sensitive person of interest should be able to enter the country without their detection. The National Assembly should hold these heads of security agencies accountable for the way they carry out their mandate.

This country is said to be undergoing security sector reforms for at least for the past 5 years. It is expected that these reforms will strengthen national security. This means the security agencies would have been much more effective, efficient, and professional so that they are able to guarantee internal security to the maximum by preventing such breaches. How then could a popular death squad operative who was living with the dictator quietly walk into the country unnoticed? If Bora had not surrendered himself, could he have lived his entire life in this country undetected? In that case, would he not have escaped accountability for his gross human rights violations?

Answers to these questions therefore question the professionalism, effectiveness, and strength of the national security apparatus. Is the country well secure or not? Are security agencies indeed performing their functions as they should? What is the quality of intelligence, surveillance skills and equipment, and overall capacity of security agencies, as well as the quality of collaboration between security agencies? The heads of security agencies must be called to answer this serious security lapse resulting in the undetected entry of Bora Colley and his continued presence in the country until he surrendered himself.

For The Gambia, Our Homeland

12/08/2024

REGGAE LEGEND| Buju Banton has criticised the Afrobeats artists who are making money out of their music without uplifting the consciousness of Africa.

In a interview, the Gargamel who recently performed at a sold out concert in America, said these artists would not have a good legacy when they pass on.

"Afrobeats is not uplifting Africa. It's not freeing the minds of the people," Buju Banton said.

"Yes, the artistes are making money, but what would be said of them when they're gone? When they couldn't use their music to uplift their people," he stated.

What do you say?

11/08/2024

EX-BRIGADIER GENERAL| Bora Colley, a former senior officer of GAF and an alleged member of the 'Junglers' has been arrested by officials of The Gambia National Army.

Colley, who escaped the jurisdiction following the departure of the former President, Yahya Jammeh to Equatorial Guinea in January 2017, is reportedly arrested on Friday 9 August 2024 around midnight. He is said to have voluntarily surrendered himself to the GAF Military Police in Yundum Barracks.

According to a presser from the national army, a surveillance was mounted by GAF intelligence operatives, acting on information, around his residence within the Greater Banjul Area the same day.

Meanwhile, the senior officer is currently detained and cooperating with the Military Police in their investigations.

06/08/2024

ONCE UPON A TIME| A rare photo of Libya's strong man, Colonel Muammur Al Qaddafi playing football.

05/08/2024

UDP LEADER| Ousainou Darboe has urged his supporters to be peaceful, civil and not insult even if he or his family is insulted.

"I want you to be peaceful and civil in all what you do," Mr. Darboe told party members while addressing delegates at the UDP diaspora convention in Spain,

"Do not insult or be provoked into doing anything ugly even if I or my family is insulted,” he stated.

Darboe urged party members to remain united, adding that the UDP is not just a political party but an ideology for which many people have laid down their lives, resources and personal freedom amongst others.

The veteran lawyer and politician had also challenged President Adama Barrow, to initiate the anti-corruption commission and subject himself and all former and serving ministers from 2017 to declare their assets and subject themselves to investigation.

He accused the President of not being interested in stopping corruption in the country.

05/08/2024

SENEGAL| President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has ordered officials not to put his photos in the public offices.

Faye who is one of Africa's youngest Presidents, said he is a servant of the people and not God or an icon. He urged them to put the photos of their children so that they would look at them whenever taking decisions.

"I don't really want my picture in your offices, because I'm not God, neither I'm icon but I'm a servant of the nation. Instead, put the pictures of your children so that you will look at them whenever you are about to take a decision," the young Senegalese President said.

What is your take?

31/07/2024

GUINEA| Dadis Camara, others jailed for 20 years over 2009 stadium massacre

A court in Guinea on Wednesday found former junta leader Moussa Dadis Camara and seven other accused military commanders guilty of crimes against humanity in a 2009 stadium massacre trial.
Their charges that included murder, r**e, torture, kidnapping were reclassified to crimes against humanity, the court said.

Four other accused were found not guilty.

Camara, 60, was the ruler of Guinea when more than 150 people were killed during a pro-democracy rally on Sept. 28, 2009.

Camara, who like the other accused, had denied the charges and pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the judge.

Tens of thousands of people had gathered at a stadium in Conakry to press him not to stand in a presidential election the following year.

Many were shot, stabbed, beaten or crushed in a stampede as security forces fired teargas and charged the stadium. An unknown number of women were also r**ed, according to human rights groups and survivors.

Source: Reuters

30/07/2024

FRENCH SPRINTER| Sounkamba Sylla says she was barred from Olympic opening ceremony due to her hijab.

French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla says she has been barred from Friday's opening ceremony at the Paris Olympics because she wears a hijab, and the French Olympic Committee said it is working with her to find a solution that adheres to the team's secular requirements for athletes.

Sylla, a 26-year-old member of France's 400-meter women's and mixed relay teams, shared her frustration on Instagram on Sunday. "You are selected for the Olympics, organized in your country, but you can't participate in the opening ceremony because you wear a headscarf," she wrote.

Cotton Tree Talks

30/07/2024

A GAMBIAN| Businessman, Haji Jawara, has opened a new toiletries factory in The Gambia. It is called "Haji Jawara and Sons Industries" located in Kamalo.

The factory is producing quality toiletries in local market with affordable prices.

Meanwhile, the factory also manufactures diapers, sanitary pads, kitchen towels, paper handkerchiefs, restaurant napkins, facemasks and many more.

Mr Jawara, was a businessman in Angola where he later served as Gambian consul.

30/07/2024

SOMETIMES| Life's challenges, the weight of responsibilities, and the emotional labor involved in supporting others remind us that, despite our roles, we are human too, with our own needs for support and understanding.

Our well-being is vital, not just for ourselves but for those who rely on our strength and guidance.

But what do we do when our well starts to run dry? Here are some practical steps to ensure you can continue to provide strength and guidance to those who depend on you:

1. Use your best days to support you in your difficult days. Write a letter to yourself as a personal reminder that darkness may fall, but daylight always follows.

2. Show yourself some much-needed love by pausing. Take a break and only engage in activities that calm your mind, reduce stress, bring peace, and provide clarity (prayer, talk to someone you trust, gratitude meditation, or journaling).

3. Shift your attention back to what truly matters. Reconnect with your passions, goals, and values. Refocusing your energy on what makes you happy can help reignite your motivation and purpose.

When our well runs dry, it's a call to replenish it with the same love and care we give to others.

Angel Simmons

29/07/2024

Good Morning, Gambia!

Prepare for retirement. Be good to people working under you. You will not be boss forever.

In this country, people respect the office more than the person. When you are retired and out of office then reality sets in.

Respect the people you serve because being in that big office is never permanent!

28/07/2024

But what if you die first, Mr. Adama Barrow?

By Fatou Dibba

Why do you assume Darboe will die first?

Death has no age limit di!

What a nonsensical statement from a nation’s leader.

This is why I have said Barrow dafa hala slow.
That’s a very childish and unnecessary comment from a Leader.

Just admit you plan to stay in power until you die, Barrow and leave the fate of others to the will of God.

Waxh ji Nyaw nah.

As death is inevitable, your harsh words will be remembered by Gambians when one of you passes away.

You don't know if your time will come first.

I wonder what the religious leaders have to say about your comment.

Anyone with a normal functioning adult brain would never say something like this.
Adama Barrow, Grow up!

The president should be held accountable for his irresponsible words and apologize to the Gambian people.

If Darboe had said something like that, Barrow would find a way to have him arrested.

Honestly, I have had enough of the drama between these two politicians and their parties.

It's a distraction from the national issues that truly matter.

Barrow is more concerned about holding on to power and preventing Darboe from becoming president than addressing our country's pressing issues.
This will be his downfall.

Anyway, Mr. Barrow, may Allah grant both you and Mr. Darboe good health and longevity🙏🏾

28/07/2024

PRESIDENT BARROW| Has crossed the limits yesterday, when he openly declared that he would continue to be the President of this country until the death of Ousainou Darboe, the leader of the main opposition UDP.

Mr Barrow made these comments at the opening ceremony of his party's new bureau at Brikama in the West Coast Region. He added that he would personally attend Darboe's funeral to confirm his death.

It is sad to listen to statements of this nature from our own President. What? Swearing to remain in the seat of power until your opponent dies. This is so unbecoming of a head of state!

Now instead of his Ministers or paid advisers to counsel him, they will come to us and said the "President's statement is taken out of context." This must stop. The President of the Republic should withdraw his statements and apologize to the nation.

27/07/2024

OPINION| Breaking Free from the Prison Mentality and Embracing a Growth Mindset

By Angel Simmons

The prison mindset is a terrible place to be stuck in. We often let our past experiences, failures, mistakes, or traumas define our present, trapping us in a mindset that prevents us from moving forward.

Let me ask you this: why do you let the past determine who you are or who you can become? I get it! Things happened! Maybe you were that person, but you don't have to continue to be.

It's time to break free from these mental shackles and embrace a growth mindset.

1. Reflect and Let It Go: Holding on to past hurts or failures only serves to keep you stuck. Reflect on them, learn from them, and then let them go.

2. Build Your Dignity and Self-Respect: Treat yourself with kindness and compassion. Acknowledge the mistakes that were made and understand that you are already a better person because you got through them.

3. Shift Your Focus: Instead of dwelling on past mistakes or setbacks, direct your attention to new goals and aspirations. Shift your focus to positivity by visualizing who you can become.

With all that happened, with all you've learned, and from all you've gone through, who would you like to be now?

Let's shift our focus from past limitations to future possibilities.

They say the mind is a terrible thing to waste, but so is time.

I'm rooting for you 💕

25/07/2024

THE HOUSE on Williams Street in Inkster is where the historical icon Malcolm X once lived. Now, the state of Michigan is giving $80,000 to restore his childhood home!

Source: Fox 2 Detroit

25/07/2024

In 2021, Yankuba Minteh was a kid in the streets of Gambia fighting to enter the Gambia national team bus to meet with the professional players.

Danny Welbeck who became a Brighton player in 2020, had played for Man United, Arsenal, Watford and Sunderland before Yankuba moved to Denmark in August 2022.

Today, the pair were celebrating together after Minteh scored his first goal for Brighton!

From watching Welbeck playing for some of premier league best clubs to have Welbeck chasing him to celebrate his first Brighton goal.

Dreams!😍

Africa Report Files

18/07/2024

HAMAT BAH| Gambia's Lands Minister, has said the government is planning to construct 200,000 affordable houses over the next ten years.

"We [government] want to build affordable houses for Gambians. We have requested 200,000 houses in the next 10 years. We are starting with 10,000 houses by December 2025," Minister Bah said.

Speaking at the National Assembly, the Lands Minister told deputies that efforts are underway to secure international funding support to set up a housing mortgage bank.

He also talked about the encroachment of reserved lands which, he said is under investigations.

Fact Check:

This is not the first time that government is making such promises without fulfilling them. The President has himself, promised to create 150,000 jobs but it never happened.

He also promises WiFi to Brikama, and Banjul/Barra Bridge amongst others. The list goes on. So far, none of these promises were ever fulfill.

17/07/2024

OPINION| Ministers And Dual Citizenship – Whose Fault Was It?

By D. A. Jawo

Rumours are going around that the resignation of the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education Haddy Jatou Sey and the sacking of the Communication and Digital Economy Minister Ousman Bah, are as a result of both of them refusing to relinquish their US citizenship as required by law.

Section 71 of the 1997 Constitution states in sub-section (2) “A person shall not be qualified to be appointed or hold the office of a Secretary of State (Minister) if, he or she is a member of the National Assembly or if he or she holds the citizenship or nationality of any country other than The Gambia.” Therefore, in view of this law, one would wonder how these people got appointed to serve as cabinet ministers when they had not met those requirements of the law. In the case of Minister Bah, for instance, he had been in office for more than two years whilst Minister Sey had served for less than six months. However, any reasonable person should have expected that they would have met all the legal requirements before their appointment.

This is yet not only another indication of this regime’s lack of a proper policy direction, but also an indictment on President Adama Barrow’s advisers, particularly his chief legal adviser, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. It is hard to imagine that President Barrow would appoint anyone in the cabinet or in any other senior position without consulting with the Attorney General for legal advice. Therefore, in such a case, the blame should be placed squarely on the shoulders of the Attorney General whose duty it is to advise President on the legality or otherwise of his appointments.

Also, the very fact that ministers had to resign or be sacked for simply refusing to relinquish their citizenship of a foreign country indicates some apparent lack of confidence in the system. Indeed, if President Barrow reserves the power to appoint and/or sack ministers and other appoint

17/07/2024

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16/07/2024

IMAM FATTY| A renowned Islamic Cleric and former imam of the State House, has cursed the National Assembly Members who recently voted for the ban on Female Ge***al Mutilation or Cutting FGM/C.

Commenting on the National Assembly's decision, the outspoken Imam described the lawmakers who supported the ban on the practice as "hypocrites" on the payroll of the West.

"Anyone who supports these hypocrites, you will be with them in the hellfire,' Imam Abdoulie Fatty said.

He called on the voters to remove those National Assembly Members who supported the ban on FGM/C.

"They have become obstacle on the path of the holy prophet Muhammad, and as such they should be removed," he stated.

The outspoken Imam has advised the Muslim voter population to replace the "hypocrites" with faithful lawmakers who would not be dictated by the West.

Meanwhile, the Imam is calling for the repealing of the ban, so that it will become a choice for the people to decide whether to practice or not to do it.

15/07/2024

Emperor Menelik II. The man who defeated the Italians making Ethiopia the only African country successful to resist European colonization. It served notice that Africa was not just there “for the taking”.

Black History

15/07/2024

SPAIN| Has beaten England 2-1 in the final of the European Football Championships, Euro 2024.

While Argentina are also Copa America Champions, beating Columbia in the finals.

According to football pundits, Argentina become the first-ever nation to win two consecutive Copa America titles with a World Cup between them. The only other country in the world that has achieved a similar feat is Spain.

13/07/2024

TRACK QUEEN| Gina Mariam Bass Bittaye, has signed a 'Endorsement' deal with QCell, a leading gsm company in The Gambia.

The signing of her partnership deal with Qcell, makes the star athlete the brand ambassador or face of the company.

She is the nation's pride who holds the esteemed title as Africa's Champion.

Meanwhile, the champ is eyeing gold medals at the upcoming Olympic games in Paris, France.

Congratulations Gina Mariam!

12/07/2024

LAMIN MANNEH| formerly with African Development Bank (ADB) has rubbished the Lands Minister, Hamat Bah's justification of allocating the Chief Justice's official resident to President Barrow.

Manneh, a seasoned economist said the action taken by the Lands Ministry is unconstitutional and should be rescinded, adding that Minister Bah's argument is baseless.

The former diplomat urged the Lands Minister to stop misleading the public. He stressed that government residents cannot be allocated to any individual as private property.

"Just as the State House cannot be given to a individual, so is the resident of the Chief Justice. Though, the President can stay at the State House until his term expires in 2026," he asserted.

He said the same thing about the Vice President and the Chief Justice amongst other official residents that cannot be given to individuals.

Mr Manneh argued that the land that was allocated to Ousainou Darboe and family during the Jawara government was a empty plot which he applied as a ordinary citizen whiles the one given to President Barrow is a official resident and did not follow the due process.

"No one should be given a state allocation more than once as every Gambian is entitle to get one," Lamin Manneh stated.

He said the President's asset declaration of 2021 Presidential Elections, has shown that he was allocated more than once but wants to use his office or influence to acquire more state lands, which he said is unconstitutional. He also accused the Lands Minister, Hamat Bah, who was the former Tourism Minister of misappropriating the TDA lands.

"It is only a matter of time, but it will soon come to the open," he asserted.

08/07/2024

Good Morning, NAWEC!

The greater part of West Coast Region, including Brikama and it's surroundings did not have electricity since yesterday evening.

Up to this morning there is still no light. Almost 15 hours blackout. What is going on?

You know that so many livelihood depend on electricity. Yet, you are killing businesses. How can a nation be living this way?

Really, this country deserves better!

05/07/2024

BREAKING| The United Kingdom is getting a new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after his party, Labour, got over 326 seats with many more still to be declared.

The Labour Party is predicted to get a 170-seat majority, while the outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the Conservative Party, has conceded defeat and called Keir Starmer to congratulate him.

03/07/2024

JANJANGBUREH NAM| Hon. Omar Jammeh has strongly criticised President Adama Barrow's State of the Nation Address (SoNA) for neglecting serious issues of national concern.

During the SoNA Debate on Monday, the island's legislator told deputies that the President has failed to address the killing of two police officers, drug abuse, youth unemployment and high cost of living amongst others.

"Last year in 2023, when the President came to address the nation before this very National Assembly, he did promised to create 150, 000 jobs but until today no one can tell what mechanisms are in place in order to create those lucrative jobs for our young people in order to curb unemployment and under-employment in this country," Hon. Omar Jammeh, the National Assembly Member for Janjangbureh said.

Hon. Jammeh said the President has not explained his government's plans and strategies to curb the high cost of living in the country. He added that the National Assembly was misled to approve a loan ($50 Million) that was given to a businessman (Hamidou Jah) so that essential commodities would be accessible and affordable to citizens.

"What we were told before its approval and what they did after it was approved is different. We need to monitor it," he stated.

The Janjangbureh legislator has also expressed his disappointment at the President's failure to address the magnitude of crime rate and drug abuse in the country, including the deadly kush that is killing the young people on daily basis. He said the President only mentioned about the decline of crime but refused to give the details.

"It is not about the number of crime rates registered but it should be the magnitude of the crimes that are occurring in this country," Hon. Jammeh told lawmakers.

He said the syndrome of irregular migration and deportation of young people from Europe, even though these are national discourse but the President chose not to mention it in his nation's address.

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GPU CONDEMNS VERBAL ATTACK ON JOURNALIST PA NDERRY TOURAY Fajara, 16 April, 2022 – The Gambia Press Union is concerned by comments made by Ousainou Darboe, the leader of the UDP, describing a Star FM talk show host as someone who dislikes his party and members of the Mandinka ethnic group. Mr. Darboe also accused the journalist, Pa Nderry Touray, of trying to cause divisions in his United Democratic Party, as he addressed new UDP National Assembly Members at his house along Kairaba Avenue on Friday, April 15, 2022. The GPU condemns in the strongest terms the actions of the UDP leader. Darboe and all other politicians are being urged to desist from such rhetoric targeted at journalists because they incite their supporters to either physically or verbally assault journalists. In recent years, the GPU has observed and documented a disturbing trend of political rhetoric from political leaders, with others accusing journalists or certain media houses of bias and unfavourable coverage – a stark reminder of how the dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh gradually started its onslaught against the media. Over the last five years, a good number of physical and verbal assaults on journalists and media professionals recorded in more than 15 incidents were perpetrated by politicians and their supporters, with impunity. To avoid these attacks on journalists, the GPU has been engaging politicians on an annual basis to discuss the safety of journalists covering and reporting on the activities of their political parties. The latest of these engagements was held just last month (on March 11) attended by participants from registered political parties and independent candidates. “The GPU is urging politicians to lead by example in promoting and protecting journalists from verbal attacks that are likely to expose them to further attacks, physically,” GPU President Muhammed S. Bah said. “Political party leaders have a responsibility to protect journalists from attacks, and m