By: Christian Conteh

Deputy Commissioner of Police Lamin Bojang has described the event caught on tape at Brikama as unfortunate. According to Bojang the police are not above the law and must always act in conformity with laid down laws.

A viral video shows police officers beating an unarmed civilian as riots broke out following the rejection of nomination papers of UDP National Assembly nominee Momodu Sabally.

“What happened in Brikama is unfortunate. We as police officers are not above the law,” he said.

He further revealed that in response to the incident the police command has initiated an internal investigation and those officers if found wanting of wrongdoing will be brought to justice.  This he says indicates that the office of the Inspector General of Police is concerned.

“Just to reassure you it was not something that was designed by the police command. Trainings will be rolled out so as to avert the reoccurrence of such occasions,” Bojang said.

He however equally condemned the violent conduct of civilians reporting that police officers were injured during the clash.

The Gambia midfielder Sulayman Marreh has told the BBC that the ban on his country’s national stadium from hosting international games ‘is a big disgrace’.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has said that the Independence Stadium in Bakau does not meet its standards to host international matches.

It means the Scorpions, who reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, will have to play the home leg of their preliminary qualifier for the 2023 Nations Cup finals against Chad on 29 March in Morocco.

“It’s a huge disappointment not to be able to play at home after our historic (Nations Cup) qualification – and now again against Chad,” Marreh, 26, told BBC Sport Africa.

“I think the people responsible should look at themselves because this is a big disgrace for Gambian football.

“I hope they can fix it as soon as possible because the Gambian people don’t deserve this.”

The side last played at the Independence Stadium in March 2021 when they beat Angola 1-0 to qualify for their first ever Nations Cup finals.

“We were looking forward to play in front of our fans after a long time without playing at home,” The Gambia captain Omar Colley told BBC Sport Africa.

“I know they’ve also been waiting for this moment but none of us are in control of this situation. It’s a shame that we have to play away especially coming back from a great tournament.

“Hopefully they’ll fix the stadium as soon as possible for us to reunite with our fans and start playing at home.”

Supporters had been looking forward to finally reuniting with their heroes having missed the opportunity when the team’s return from the Nations Cup in Cameroon was disrupted with 11 players returning to their clubs.

“It would’ve been fantastic to play after our Afcon with the support of our fans,” coach Tom Saintfiet said.

“Especially knowing that our Gambian fans are looking forward to seeing their heroes, their players and to celebrate them and support them and it’s a very sad situation.

“Playing in Cameroon against Chad and playing in Morocco against Chad is naturally a very strange situation.”

The Independence Stadium is the country’s only international stadium and the facility, which was built in 1983, has never undergone any major maintenance.

The general manager of the venue, Ebou Faye, says they knew a ban from Caf had been a possibility since 2019.

“It was disappointing but we knew that it was coming,” Faye told BBC Sport Africa.

“Around 2019 when Caf came up with their stadium must-have requirements, we shared it with the government. The government did give us some money to improve some areas, but not everything was done.

“We knew that at some point if we didn’t do what was necessary to improve the standard of the stadium to the level of Caf’s requirements it would be banned.”

The Ministry of Youth and Sports along with the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure have set up a technical committee to look at the facility, with the hope of upgrading it to meet the required standards.

“They have done their survey of what needs to be done. Even if it’s going to be done in phases it will be done,” Faye added.

“Also we have a private investor who’s also looking at how to work with government to improve the standard.

“The target is to make sure that in our (Afcon) qualifiers in June we play in The Gambia, so work has to start very soon.”

Below is the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 preliminary play-off fixtures

Sao Tome and Principe v Mauritius

Djibouti v South Sudan

Seychelles v Lesotho

Somalia v Eswatini

Chad v The Gambia

Ties to be played on 21 and 29 March.

Credit: BBC

By: Christian Conteh

The Official Spokesperson of the United Democratic Party (UDP) has called for urgent legal reforms in The Gambia.  

Almameh Taal was making a contribution during a dialogue forum among political parties, The National Human Rights Commission, the Independent Electoral Commission, Civil Society Organisations and the Media 

Mr. Taal noted that several pieces of legislation including the country’s Grundnorm the 1997 Constitution needs to be urgently reviewed. He said the current laws make it difficult to practice the much talked about human rights.

He referenced their (UDP) rejection of the December 4th 2021 Presidential Election result and their court action which he said could not be heard because of the very undemocratic laws in the country.

“The constitution and all our democratic institutions were made to promote one man’s agenda made to favour one man, that is why we still have issues. Without a comprehensive reformation of our laws, human rights and democracy mean nothing. Without a human rights culture without an ecosystem that makes human rights possible it will be difficult,” Taal said.

He however thanked the Human Rights Commission for their uprightness and their ability to speak up almost immediately whenever rights are violated.

By Amara Thoronka

President Adama Barrow has contributed Five Million Dalasis (approximately $94,000) to the recently established Government Multi-Sectoral Rapid Assessment Team to handle the emergency welfare of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees in the Foni Districts following conflict between neighbouring Senegal and MFDC separatists operating in Casamance.

The multi-sectoral response team is headed by the country’s Vice President Dr. Isatou Touray. The team consists of various government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

On Monday 14^th March 2022, the Gambia Government in a press statement confirmed that due to the military operation launched by Senegal against MFDC separatists operating in the Senegalese southern region of Casamance on Sunday 13^th March 2022, and owing to its proximity to The Gambia, several Gambian communities and villages particularly in Foni Bondali, Foni Kansala and Foni Bintang Karanai Districts were affected by sounds of heavy gunfire and shells landing in those Gambian border villages.

The Government also confirmed the situation of IDPs and refugees in the Foni Districts. President Barrow instructed his Vice President to preside over the response team to address the urgent needs of those affected.

The refugees are reported to be residents of Casamance and its environs who are fleeing to the Gambia in fear of worsen conflict in the Senegalese southern region.

In a meeting in the capital Banjul, Vice President Touray confirmed the Five Million Dalasis contribution of the President to the ongoing humanitarian response.

“His Excellency President Adama Barrow has already provided Five Million Dalasis in response to the humanitarian circumstances. We are therefore calling on philanthropists and humanitarian organizations to help in the response.”

The Casamance conflict has been ongoing between Senegalese Government and the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) since the early eighties. MFDC wants independence from Senegal.

By: Christian Conteh

The embattled United Democratic Party (UDP) Candidate for Busumbala Constituency,
Momodou Sabally has reiterated his resolve to seek justice. He notes that the resolve of himself and the Gambians who support him remains solid and their determination unshakable.

“It has been a momentous weekend in our beloved country. Democracy, they say, can be messy and noisy, and we are all witnesses to that reality by now. Jai and I are profoundly grateful to all of you for the outpouring of love, support and solidarity across political ethnic and religious lines.

This is proof that there is hope for a better Gambia despite our challenges as a nation is in transition, “he noted.

He went on to note that the fight against the unjust rejection of his candidature in the upcoming National Assembly Election has now morphed into a national movement for justice, due process and fair play. This he points out is indeed a plus for the country’s fledgling democracy.

“Our resolve remains solid and our determination unshakable that my candidature for the upcoming election cannot be squashed by the whims and caprices of a jaundiced few, intoxicated with power handed to them by your sweat and votes.

It is unfortunate and appalling that a government that came to power on the backs of a people fighting against corruption, injustice and oppression has now become synonymous with rampant corruption, abuse of power, selective justice and police brutality,” Sabally said.

He described the status quo as untenable and said they shall continue to fight to correct the mess that the Barrow Administration has made of The Gambia.

“He ends by noting that this struggle will surely be a success by the Grace of God and together (himself and like minds) shall move forward with a nation guided by the rule of law, fair play and peaceful coexistence.

By: Christian Conteh

The chairman of the National Electoral Commission (IEC) Alieu Momarr Njai has made it unequivocally clear that his institution is guided by the law and they do not take any decision outside of the law.

He was responding to accusations of unfair treatment levied at the commission in the ongoing Brikama saga that saw the disqualification of opposition strong man Momodu Sabally.

“We are guided by the law and it is the law that tells us who is qualified and who is not,” Chairman Njai noted.

The IEC boss was speaking at an ongoing dialogue forum at The Kairaba Beach Hotel.

At its session held on 12th March 2022, the IEC upheld the decision of the Returning Officer that Momodu Sabally’s nomination has not complied with the law as per the application of Section 90 (1) (e) of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia.

The decision sparked protests, with police firing tear gas injuring many and leaving some hospitalised.

Momodou Sabally has since rejected the commission’s decision calling it unfair.

“And so the IEC has doubled down on their banditry and gross injustice meted at me. They have rejected my appeal and I have also rejected their rejection. So we will soon meet at the right platform for adjudication,” Sabally wrote on his Facebook page

By Sainabou Sambou

The Media Academy for Journalism and Communication (MAJaC) has on Monday 14th March 2022 organised its MAJaC week. During the three days event students at the school are expected to demonstrate their talents in poetry, drama, news presentation and sports activities such as football and athletics. The event started with a march past from Westfield, Traffic light to the MAJaC ground.

Sang Mendy the Managing Director of MAJaC said journalism is created for strengthening democracy and strengthening democracy is by media development. When media practitioners are developed it is they who go out and hold the government accountable for their actions he said.

He said MAJaC has over the years continued to produce quality media professionals some who work as editors, producers and some in government service helping to strengthen the state’s communication mechanism. Revealing that the current GPU President and Secretary-General were students of MAJaC.

He further noted that MAJaC started in 2010 when he was a student with only one class and in 2013 the school got another class.

“When we combine 2010 and 2013 students, we have 22 people working in the media some of them have moved from mainstream media to the communications sector, “the GPU President said.

“In 2015 to 2018 we started developing to become a school that would produce mass communication graduates and today we are talking about eight active classes and three classes taking their internship in total. We have two hundred and fifty or more students. It is not only an achievement for us but an achievement for the media looking back to 2010 there was no journalism training institute, “he said.

Making her presentation Fatu Camara CEO of The Fatu network said being a journalist you have to be credible and if you are not credible there is no way you can make it the field of journalism. She said that as a journalist before writing a story you need to do a lot of research and fact-checking.

She added that in the media everyone wants to rush and post things on their Facebook page but encouraged journalists that when they write their stories, they should give it to someone to double-check it so as to avoid mistakes.

“There is no money in the media all the media owners are suffering we have to pay tax, buy equipment and also pay our staff. Sometimes the amount of tax sent to us is in millions. I think this is something that we could talk with the GPU president about and see how we can talk to the government. They should know that this is not an industry where you make a lot of money,” she stated.

She told the MAJaC students that they must research and edit any item they share like a professional journalist. “Some people will rush and post something on social media and there is a big mistake on it, and everybody will screenshot it and start sharing it,” she said.

Moreover, she said as a journalist you are to be creative and do things that others are not doing. That is how she said you get the attention and people will follow your stories. “Go to the provinces and look for human interest stories,” she encouraged.

Muhammed S Bah Gambia Press Union President said the media gives food to the people because information is so powerful that it empowers the citizens to make decisions.

He added that as a journalist you have to know your role which is holding government accountable.

“Government collects taxes, how are they going to utilise those taxes? the media should play a role to ensure that every butut is spent correctly,” he said.

By: Christian Conteh

Lawyer M. Robertson Roberts has made it unequivocally clear that the country’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) lacks the locus standi to interpret the constitution.

He was responding to an article written by Lawyer Lamin J. Darboe and posted on The Fatu Network. The article was titled ‘The Momodou Sabally National Assembly Nomination Saga: Sad but Lawful’.

According to M. Robertson Roberts Esq, the fact of the matter is that the law is not static nor is it monotonous. Hence, it is subjected to various interpretations. It is for this reason that where there is ample dissenting voice in a particular judgement, it is put to a vote and the majority decides. 

“Many jurists and scholars have opened debates as to whether it is a matter of law or a matter of majority. The truth is, that for now, such matters are both of law and majority because no matter the brilliance of the dissenting judgement and or opinion if the majority does not decide on it, it stays where it is as a dissenting opinion and not the substantive judgment,” he said.

He expressed that he is however unmoved in his position that the Returning officer had no legal authority to interpret section 90(1) (e) of the 1997 constitution and reject Momodou Sabally.

“Brilliant article by Lamin J Darboe as always. However, I do not believe that any legal mind is questioning the authenticity and or legality of Section 90(1)(e) of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia. What is being questioned and what has caused an electrifying debate is whether or not, provided under law is the legal authority of the IEC to make constitutional interpretations which in my belief solely resides with the courts and this is where Gambian lawyers are divided and hence the public debate,” the learned counsel said.

“As to whether the IEC has the competence to interpret section 90 (1) (e) of the Constitution at its level, I merely state it is performing a legally permitted intermediate gatekeeping function which can only be conclusively ratified by a competent court where its perspective is contested. However, the Janneh Commission Report and its accompanying White Paper are public documents available to the IEC and it can act upon them where deemed necessary.” -Lamin J Darboe 

From the above quotation from the article Lawyer Roberts notes It seems that Lawyer Lamin Darboe agrees absolutely that the IEC does not have any power or authority to interpret section 90(1)(e) of the constitution. However, Lawyer Darboe proceeded to give his personal opinion and make excuse for the IEC by stating that

 ” I merely state it is performing a legally permitted intermediate gatekeeping function which can only be conclusively ratified by a competent court where its perspective is contested.”

Now, the question to be determined he notes is whether the law permits for the IEC to serve as a gatekeeper to make constitutional interpretations? The answer is no, he clearly pointed out. “There is no such thing as gatekeepers in constitutional interpretation. It is left solely at the feet of the courts to decide,” he said.

“Now assuming without conceding that a subsidiary law grants such powers to the IEC to make constitutional interpretations, then that subsidiary law is in conflict with the constitutional powers of the courts who are vested with sole authority to make interpretations and therefore this creates an inconsistency and where there is a subsidiary law that is inconsistent with the constitution then the constitution takes precedence,” he said.

“Furthermore, the eminent jurist stated that the IEC acted as a third party gatekeeper and that its actions can only be “ratified” by the courts. One word stands out and that’s “ratified”. It seems to me that the author has gone further to assume what legal interpretation the judges will make and is therefore saying that whatever decision of the IEC with regards to constitutional interpretation will be endorsed by the courts when such matter is brought before it. 

Again, I disagree because there is nowhere in the law that suggests and or provides that any matter brought before a court would merely attract the endorsement of the judges. If this is the case, then, in all honesty, going to court then becomes a futile exercise in this instance,” Roberts Esq Opined.

“Finally, I feel that the subject of Sabally’s rejection is not as straightforward as it may appear by merely citing Section 90(1)(e) of the 1997 constitution of The Gambia. I believe the matter should be brought before the courts and again allow for our jurisprudence to grow and be enriched.”

He went on to explain that the question therefore that the courts will face is for it to determine whether the Returning officer had the legal mandate, power and or authority to reject the nomination of Momodou Sabally with the words,

“you are hereby rejected because you do not meet the requirements of Section 90 because you have been adversely mentioned in a commission”.

He ended his article by commending the brilliance of his learned colleague, the erudite Lawyer Lamin J. Darboe for taking the debate a notch higher.

By Amara Thoronka

Government of The Gambia has in a press release dated 14^th March 2022 stated that The Gambia will neither be used as a launching pad nor allow anyone to enter the country with arms and ammunition.

A launching pad is a special area from which a spacecraft or missiles are launched.

“President Barrow also wishes to reassure citizens, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps that The Gambia will neither be used as a launching pad nor allow anyone to enter the country with arms and ammunition,” states the government press statement.

This follows the confirmation of instability and fear among Gambians in the Gambia-Senegalese border of Foni. According to the release, this is due to a military operation carried out by Senegal against MFDC separatists in its southern region of Cassamance on Sunday 13^th March 2022.

“It has come to the awareness of The Gambia Government that Senegal launched a ‘Military Operation’ against MFDC separatists in its southern region of Cassamance on Sunday 13^th  March, 2022. Given its proximity to The Gambia, several communities and villages particularly in Foni Bondali, Foni Kansala and Foni Bintang Karanai Districts have been affected by sounds of heavy gunfire amid reports of shells landing in these Gambian border villages. The Gambia Government can confirm that as of last night, several Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees from the border areas began arriving and are being registered in the villages of Foni Bintang, Foni Kansala and Foni Bintang Karanai,” the press release explains.

Gambia President Adama Barrow is said to have directed a vigilant and robust border patrols, intensifying security activities on The Gambian border for the safety of citizens as well as safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country against any potential foreign threat.

In the wake of the military operation and its attendant refugee situation, President Adama Barrow has directed the Vice President to work with the relevant Ministries, Government Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to urgently respond to the pressing needs of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees.

“The Gambia continues its peaceful advocacy for a resolution of the Cassamance Conflict and envisages lasting peace, security and stability in our region. Meanwhile, The Gambia Government strongly urges citizens to desist from spreading false news and recycling of old videos and audios of similar past events to create confusion and fear in the minds of innocent, peace loving citizens affected by this conflict,” government warns.

The MFDC separatists in the Senegalese southern region of Cassamance have been operating for decades, claiming many lives.

Government of The Gambia has in a press release dated 14^th March 2022 confirmed instability and fear among Gambians in the Gambia-Senegalese border of Foni. According to the release, this is due to a military operation carried out by Senegal against MFDC separatists in its southern region of Cassamance on Sunday 13^th March 2022.

Gambia President Adama Barrow is said to have directed a vigilant and robust border patrols, intensifying security activities on The Gambian border for the safety of citizens as well as safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country against any potential foreign threat.

The Barrow led government emphasized that The Gambia will neither be used as a launching pad nor allow anyone to enter the country with arms and ammunition.

Read the release below:

Press Release: Dated 14^th March, 2022

Re: The Gambia Government Statement On Effects of Senegalese Military Operation in Cassamance

Banjul, The Gambia – It has come to the awareness of The Gambia Government that Senegal launched a ‘Military Operation’ against MFDC separatists in its southern region of Cassamance on Sunday 13^th  March, 2022.

Given its proximity to The Gambia, several communities and villages particularly in Foni Bondali, Foni Kansala and Foni Bintang Karanai Districts have been affected by sounds of heavy gunfire amid reports of shells landing in these Gambian border villages.

The Gambia Government can confirm that as of last night, several Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees from the border areas began arriving and are being registered in the villages of Foni Bintang, Foni Kansala and Foni Bintang Karanai.

In the wake of this military operation and its attendant refugee situation, His Excellency, President Adama Barrow directed that the Vice President working with the relevant Ministries, Government Departments and Agencies (MDAs), urgently respond to the pressing needs of the IDPs and refugees.

Equally, President Barrow has directed for the exercise of more vigilance, robust border patrols, and intensified security activities on The Gambian border for the safety of citizens as well as safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country against any potential foreign threat.

President Barrow also wishes to reassure citizens, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps that The Gambia will neither be used as a launching pad nor allow anyone to enter the country with arms and ammunition.

The Gambia continues its peaceful advocacy for a resolution of the Cassamance Conflict and envisages lasting peace, security and stability in our region.

Meanwhile, The Gambia Government strongly urges citizens to desist from spreading false news and recycling of old videos and audios of similar past events to create confusion and fear in the minds of innocent, peace loving citizens affected by this conflict.

Signed:

Ebrima G Sankareh

The Gambia Government Spokesperson

By: Sainabou Sambou

Sixty students have on Saturday 12th March 2022 graduated and are now ready to add value to the field of journalism courtesy of Gambia Talents Promotion. The institution which provides practical journalism training seeks to improve the quality of media practitioners across the country.

Muhammed S Bah is President of the Gambia Press Union he said Journalism is a noble course. If you look at our constitution in section 207 he said it states that journalists should hold the government accountable. This means if you are a journalist, you have a duty to make a platform for people to get divergent views/ information.

Adding that journalism is a career because the world is progressing and journalists play a significant role in sharing, creating and shaping society.

“Journalists are expected to create fair opinion because they are committed to finding the truth and presenting the facts, the news is a function in people’s life it is like food because information is very important, information is powerful and creates awareness and also empowers people to live a decent life,” he said.

He added that the world for journalism has now expanded because we have seen citizen journalists. These he said are people who will just sit in their corner and pretend to be a professional journalist and most of the time misinform the public.

Ebrima Sillah is the Minister of Information, he told the grandaunts that a pen and a microphone in the hand of a wrong and untrained person is more dangerous than an AK 47 gun.

He said words written or produced can travel very far and they leave ink for the rest of a person’s life. When a bullet hits a person, he says it does damage the person instantly, words on the other hand stay forever.

“In today’s environment, everyone with a smartphone who has an internet connection is potentially an independent producer and a distributor of news, even if it’s false news,” he said.

Fatoumatta Bah Barrow the First Lady of the Republic of the Gambia advised the grandaunts that they should be careful with how they use words, as words are very dangerous.

Adding that in this era of smartphones people easily tarnish each other’s image.

“If someone tarnishes another person’s image or reputation that person will never recover from that pain for the rest of his or her life,” she said. Adding that she will support the Gambian Talents Promotion starting this year.

Fatou Samba Country Coordinator of the Gambian Talents Promotion said Gambian talents is a youth founded and led non-profit organization that provides training and employment opportunities to underprivileged young people of the Gambia.

She said their program is unique as their primary beneficiaries are school dropouts, migrate returnees locally known as backway deportees, fresh high school graduates who don’t meet the basic requirements to gain college admission, students of Madrassa (a Muslim school, college, or university that is often part of a mosque) and university students who want to gain practical training in the field of journalism.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has endorsed his former archrival for the country’s top job, weeks after their parties joined forces ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections in August.

“We have chosen Raila Odinga, without any opposition, to be the fifth president of Kenya,” Kenyatta told a cheering crowd of thousands in the capital Nairobi.

The announcement brings together two of Kenya’s top political dynasties, who have a long history of opposing each other at the ballot box.

But in 2018, Kenyatta and Odinga stunned the country when they shook hands and declared a truce after post-election violence in 2017 left dozens of people dead.

Source:  Al Jazeera

The justice system seems to have toughened up in a bid to stop the scourge of rape and sexual penetration across the country.

Recently at the High Court Justice Sainabou Wadda-Cisse sentenced a certain Babucarr Makanbou to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of rape. 

Babucarr was also sentenced to three years imprisonment for impersonating a Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officer.

According to the charges he (the convict) was found to have sometime in November 2018 at the Independence Stadium represented himself to the survivor as a PIU officer and used the opportunity to rape the victim whilst threatening her with a knife.

The prosecution led by state counsel Muhammed B. Sowe called seven witnesses to prove their case. The convict in his plea of mitigation informed the court that he has 8 children who depend on him for their livelihood.

Justice Sainabou Wadda-Cisse however, considering the gravity of the offence ignored his plea and handed down her landmark judgement. This is expected to serve as an example to others who intend to carry out such diabolic acts.

By Dawda Baldeh

Addressing Banjulians (residents of Banjul) in a town hall meeting on Saturday 12 March 2022, Mayor of Banjul City Council (BCC) Rohey Malick Lowe said 72% of house or compound owners in Banjul are not paying rates to the council, citing revenue loss.

The town hall meeting is said to be in line with 2002 Local Government Act which mandates the mayor  to organize such a meeting to give people the opportunity to know the functions and operations of the Council and ask questions surrounding such.

Mayor Lowe emphasized that lack of rates payment to the council remains their key challenge.

“72% of compound owners in Banjul are not paying rates. As a result of this, the council has lost over Seven Million Dalasis since 2018,” Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe disclosed.

He added that apart from the unpaid Seven Million Dalasis rates, tthere were over 40 Million Dalasis of unpaid debts from compound heads when she assumed office in 2018.

She noted that slow bureaucracy in decision making is another challenge, adding that in most decisions council has to write to the Ministry of Local Government and wait for response.

“Also, councils rely on parliamentarians for the promulgation of good laws that enhance our work. Council seeks to work closely with MPs for the implementation of good laws that will ensure council’s autonomy and strengthen our power for the implementation of developmental oriented policies and programs that will help the city,” she explained.

She also cited the building of stores within the inner city, the sand mining at the Denton Bridge and the buildings on the Tanbi wetland among others.

She urged residents of Banjul to voluntarily pay their debts to help in the development of the city; highlighting other challenges that hinders the development of the city.

By: Sarjo Brito

UDP Commando Momodou Sabally has fired back almost immediately after the Independent Electoral Commission announced it had upheld its decision to reject his National Assembly nomination papers.

Momodou Sabally has vowed to challenge the IEC’s decision. The UDP aspiring candidate for the Busumbala Constituency seat said he is neither giving up nor taking a step back in this fight as the IEC has no legal authority to reject his nomination. Sabally describes his rejection as an outright flouting of procedure and blatant disregard for justice and fair play by the IEC officials.

“The legal and administrative steps necessary to correct this maleficent, this targeted oppression of an innocent citizen of this country will be taken to assure you that I am not giving up. I am not taking a step back. I will continue to fight for my rights as a citizen of this country who has been oppressed, targeted, side-lined, marginalized by an inept, corrupt administration,’’ The UDP Commando said.

Momodou Sabally alleged that the statements uttered by the IEC returning officer during his nomination were uttered out of instruction from the country’s leadership, calling it a premeditated act targeted against him.

“And so the IEC has doubled down on their banditry and gross injustice meted at me. They have rejected my appeal and I have also rejected their rejection. So we will soon meet at the right platform for adjudication,” he said.

“The IEC is not a court of law talk less of a branch of the IEC. Who told Tony Secka that there was a commission of inquiry that made adverse findings against me? Why did he have the temerity to sit down on that spot and reject my nomination when all other nominations are vetted and scrutinised over a period of 48hours or even more before a decision is taken. What he has manifested is a clear fact that this act of rejection was a premeditated act targeted against me.”

Momodou Sabally also called out the Gambian leader for what he describes as cherry-picking who the law applies to, making reference to the Mamburay Njie’s appointment as Finance Minister who has been equally found wanting by the same commission.

“[President] Adama Barrow has decided to ignore the commission of inquiry that Tony Secka was referencing, by appointing Mamburay Njie who has serious adverse findings made against him. To appoint Alagie Ceesay as Chief of Protocol inside his cabinet, who had worse adverse findings from the commission against him. If Barrow can ignore the recommendations of the commission and decide to do business with Tarek Moussa and TK Motors, a foreigner, why should I be singled to be targeted to strip me of my rights to seek elected office in this country,” Sabally asks.

By: Sarjo Brito

Less than 24 hours after filing his appeal at the Independent Electoral Commission, Momodu Sabally’s National Assembly bid has suffered another setback as IEC rejects his appeal, maintaining his nomination has not complied with Section 90 (1) (e) of the 1997 Constitution.

“At its session held on 12th March 2022, the Commission upheld the decision of the Returning Officer that your nomination has not complied with the law as per the application of Section 90 (1) (e) of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia.”

On March 10, 2022, Momodou Sabally submitted his nomination papers at the IEC Brikama office where he was told by returning officer Tony Secka that his nomination was not in compliance with section 90 (1) (e) of the country’s Constitution which bars people found wanting by a Commission of Inquiry from seeking public office.

Momodou Sabally has since his rejection questioned the legal authority of the IEC to reject his candidature as the institution is no court of law. Mr Sabally has also made allegations that he is singlehandedly being targeted by the country’s leadership while they have other Gambians who the Janneh Commission have made adverse findings against holding public office.

By : Christian Conteh

The Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Ousainou Darboe has said that his party the UDP is a law-abiding political party and has been so since the formation of the party some 27 years ago.

He however warned the Gambia Police Force to not provoke his supporters.

Lawyer Darboe was speaking at the party secretariat on Kairaba Avenue. He called the press conference to express concern about his safety and the safety of his supporters following a clash between his supporters and the police during nomination day at Brikama.

“All the access routes to my house have paramilitary forces stationed there, this is an act of provocation. This is a political season and nobody will stop a UDP crowd from coming to the party’s office,” he said.

He however maintained that whatever they do they will do within the confines of the law. 

“Please let us help each other to keep the peace in this country. We are law-abiding citizens, we have not done anything in contravention of the law since our formation 27 years ago” he said. 

He strongly appealed to the Inspector General of Police to withdraw his men stationed around his house and on routes leading to his house.

By Sarjo Brito

The United Democratic Party’s Ebrima Dibba has applied for a permit to protest the Independent Electoral Commission’s decision to disqualify the party’s (UDP) candidate for Busumbala Constituency in the forthcoming National Assembly elections. The application letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police and dated March 11 says the reason for the protest is to ask the IEC to do the right thing, which is to rescind its decision regarding Sabally’s rejection. 

“I hereby apply for a permit to conduct a peaceful protest against the IEC’s decision to reject Momodou Sabally’s nomination application on Thursday 10th March 2022, in Brikama. Mr Sabally submitted his credentials to the IEC office in Brikama as the candidate of UDP for Busumbala Constituency for the upcoming National Assembly Elections. Instead of following due process and doing the right thing, the returning officer rejected his nomination,” the letter read.

“We are protesting to ask the Independent Electoral Commission to do the right thing and accept Mr Sabally’s nomination and to call for justice and fair play in this country. The protest will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at West Field from 10 am to 3 pm.”

The Independent Election on Thursday rejected the nomination of Momodou Sabally, the UDP’s candidate for Busumbala Constituency, citing section 90 (1) E of the 1997 constitution which states that:

No person shall be qualified for election as a member of The National Assembly if he or she “has been found by the report of a commission or committee of inquiry (the proceedings of which have been held and published in accordance with the relevant law) to be incompetent to hold public office by reason of having acquired assets unlawfully or defrauded the State or misused or abused his or her office, or willfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the State, and the findings have not been set aside on appeal or judicial review.”

Sabally who was adversely mentioned in the Janneh Commission Report has since appealed the IEC’s decision and is waiting for the outcome of his appeal.

Meanwhile, he has promised to carry on with his campaign as he accuses the IEC of being used as a tool to oppress him.