By: Christian Conteh

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has intensified its call for the repeal of the death penalty. In its recent report, the institution called on the Adama Barrow led Government to repeal the obnoxious law from the country’s Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code.

This is in line with Section 18 of The Gambia’s 1997 Constitution which guarantees the right to life and the prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of life except in the lawful execution of a death sentence imposed by a court of law.

The Gambia ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant in Civil and Political Rights aimed at the abolition of the death penalty in 2018 but the law remains in the law books despite its enforcement being suspended since 2017.

“The death penalty remains in the statute books of The Gambia and continues to be passed in judgments where persons are convicted of offences punishable by the death penalty. For instance, on 14 July 2021, Yankuba Touray, a former Minister of Local Government in the early days of Yahya Jammeh’s rule was sentenced to death by the High Court in Banjul for the murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay, who was one-time Finance Minister,” the National Human Rights Commission says in its report.

It also referenced a certain Saidou Cham who was also convicted of murder and sentenced to death by the High Court in Basse. This act of sentencing people and putting them on death row the human rights commission says is degrading, inhumane and contrary to the human right to dignity.

The commission, therefore, calls on the state to commute all death sentences imposed on all inmates to life imprisonment and to expedite the enactment of the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedure Bills that are currently before the National Assembly.

Gambia For All (GFA) has welcomed the release of the Government white paper on the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) report and urged the citizenry to be vigilant to ensure the implementation of the white paper.

GFA says the establishment of the TRRC to investigate the horrendous atrocities allegedly committed by the Jammeh dictatorship, is considered to be a key part of our country’s transition to democratic rule.  The conclusions of the commission’s hearings and the submission of their report to the government were in itself a milestone worthy of celebration.

It further noted that like all Gambians, GFA eagerly awaited the government’s response, in the form of a White Paper. Delivered with much fanfare and ceremony on the 25th of May 2022, the government indicated that it has accepted more than 95% of the recommendations in the report.

“GFA broadly welcomes the government’s TRRC white paper as a step in the right direction. The Barrow government’s regrettable alliance with alleged rights violators and active enablers notwithstanding, we want to believe that the administration will muster the courage and determination to ensure that the equally difficult implementation stage of the report will be timely, fair, and effective.”

GFA added that necessary institutional reforms, which form part of the TRRC report, should attract a new sense of urgency to the government’s legislative agenda.

This it notes will be important if the TRRC mantra of “NEVER AGAIN” is to be realized.

By: Hadram Hydara

In a press release, the National Environment Agency and Gambia Maritime Administration and other key stakeholder institutions have said the management of Gam Petroleum was summoned to an emergency meeting held on Sunday the 29th of May to explain the circumstances that led to the oil spill.

“During the briefing, stakeholders were informed that the preliminary figures indicated that 1,501.334 metric tons HFO was discharged from the ship but the fuel depot just recorded 1,430.469 metric tons as received. Based on the fact that the difference between the quantities pumped by the ship and the amount received by the depot was roughly 70.865 metric tons which approximately translates to 70, 865 litres, it is assumed that the difference is the quantities of HFO discharged into the sea is caused by a ruptured submerged pipe through which the HFO discharged to the shore tank GP,” the press release reads.

It further went on to assure citizens that relevant stakeholders are aware and plans are being put in motion to address the situation while also seeking the cooperation of the public during these times.

“The public is hereby informed that GMA, NEA, PURA, GPA and other relevant stakeholders are aware of the incident and necessary actions are being taken to address the situation. We indulge the support and cooperation of the general public while this unprecedented situation is being addressed appropriately,” it concludes.

By Ousman G. Darboe

The Food Safety and Quality Authority of the Gambia on Wednesday 1st June 2022 ordered the closure of the Brikama Fish Market due to its unhygienic condition.

The closure of the fish market is as a result of the stagnant stinking water which causes unpleasant odor in the market and its surroundings.

The authority has it that, the market is not healthy for selling of food products and thereby ordering the closure of the market.

Last week, the Minister of Works during his six-day nationwide familiarization tour visited the said market.

He was welcomed by stinking waste and other unfavorable conditions in the market.

In this regard, the Minister promised to work with the market and local authorities to give the Brikama Fish Market a facelift for vendors and buyers.

Foday Manjang, the President of the fish market however said the closure of the market has a serious setback, noting that they would experience severe financial losses as their survival depends on the sales they make in the market.

Manjang described the closure of the market as too prompt, adding that there was no communication prior to the said action.

“The Food and Safety authoritie came to us unexpectedly and ordered the closure of the market. Fish is different from other food products as it is easily perishable. We would loss over One Million Dalasi worth of fish,” Manjang expressed.

He said since the incident occurred, the Ministry of Fisheries has never visited them to know their problems as they pay regular dues to the Ministry.

Abdoulie Touray, the Financial Accountant of the fish market said the poor sanitary condition is caused by the lack of sewage system in the market.

“The government should help us with proper sewage system or a safety tank to properly dispose waste. The Ministry should come to our aid in oder to make the market conducive,” Touray said.

Area council and market authorities are expected to do a massive cleansing exercise in the market to enhance proper hygiene and safety.

The Brikama Fish Market lacks proper sewage system which causes waste to stuck in and thereby causing offensive odor at the displeasure of vendors, buyers and passers-by.

By: Hadram Hydara

An oil spill into the tributary and riverbank of the Gambia from the country’s main oil reserve in Mandinaring, Kombo East, has reached the Pirang riverbank, on the coast of Kombo East. The threat has been fast approaching the River Gambia.

Reliable sources within Gambia Environmental Alliance (GEA), an umbrella body for civil society and community-based organisations on environmental safety, told The Fatu Network that the spillage has been going on since Saturday and has since been covering a lot of sea area.

“The spillage started when a ship was delivering oil to the Gam Petroleum depot in Mandinaring. So far, the spill has expanded and covered an area of 40 to 50 km of the river coast, which shows you how severe this case is. It is one of the worst cases ever in the Gambia marine environment.”

The sources further went on to emphasise that the oil pollution could be hazardous, especially to the biodiversity along the riverbank, if imminent action is not taken.

“The oil pollution can be very detrimental because it could lead to significant loss of biodiversity along the riverbank. It could also contaminate the freshwater and brackishwater stream flow into the River Gambia, thereby affecting the distribution by causing a massive dieback of mangrove species.”

Asked if he has any knowledge of the Gambia government putting measures into place to curb the situation or as an Environmental body, if his organisation is doing their bit to help, the GEA sources said the government does not seem to be serious about the disaster and that they are just trying to cover it up.

“The government is fully aware and they are the ones trying to cover it up because it involved a foreign vessel. Even the Petroleum Minister visited the site but nothing has been said about mitigation plans to prevent such disasters from happening in the future. The government does not seem to be serious about the disaster as they failed to implement the training they did on oil spillage disaster around 2010 to 2012 when Jammeh was still around.”

Speaking on the impacts of oil spillage on the environment and marine life, Omar Malmo Jr, an Environmental activist and an accredited Multidisciplinary Researcher said oil spillages on cause devastating impacts on the society.

“Spillages are basically pollutions, therefore environmental pollution in one way or the other affects or compromises the environmental quality of every society. So when toxic oil spilled in water like it did in Mandinaring, it would have a significant impact on the marine biodiversity because most of the fish species come into the mangrove crakes to lay their eggs and to spoon so if there is significant oil quantity in this ecologies it would eventually come in contact with the fish species and thereby leading to the death of some these fish, which would reduce their abundance in that ecology. Besides, even if it did not kill the fish but then the fish consumes part of this toxic oil and it finds its way into the food chain and if humans also consume the fish, there are possibilities of causing serious health conditions to humans or even death to people depending on the toxicity level. If people swim in these areas, all of that has to stop simply because it could cause skin problems or even find its way to our respiratory system.”

On the possible damages this could cause the environment, the young environmental activist went on to explain the serious consequences of the spillage happening on land.

“If the spillage happened on land it would actually seep down and it could kill all the micro-organisms in the ground and therefore this land cannot be used for any productive agricultural activity. Also if it seeps down it could get into the ground water thereby polluting the ground water and this is where Gambians get drinking water, which means that if this spillage gets into the ground water it will affect the consumption of water in the Gambia and also agricultural productivity will be highly compromised due to high presence of oil spillages on land. This can have a devastating impact on life and livelihood,” he said.

Speaking on how the government can curb the spillages, Omar urges the government to asked the public to stay away from this site as there is a risk of getting heath issues.

“First, in terms of response, because like I said this is a public health emergency and what needs to be done now is to communicate the public to stay away from this site because if there are other socio-economic activities happening around these areas, it could definitely affect the health of the people that are involved, therefore, people need to avoid the site immediately and the government needs to put up a remedial plan immediately to see how best the spillage could stop. Having all those water depots around our water bodies and all of these things should not, in the first place, been the case. There should be regular monitoring of some these depots or some the activities that are being done along our water ecologies, otherwise, such things would continue to reoccur, but what government needs to do first is to need communicate the masses and of course give information to the people and of course put up signs within these affected areas for people to avoid while the try how best to remedy the situation depending on what is available on the ground.”

Speaking on environmental governance and laws, Omar said the country’s environmental laws in the Gambia are not serving the people and the environmental institutions are not doing as expected.

“When environmental governance is dependent on the bargaining powers of politicians and business people, poor people are left with options to either fight injustice, corruption, violations of rights, and environmental pollution and things like this or live to bear the consequences as per what may. I think the Gambia requires more concentration on environmental governance than any other sector. Our environment is highly volatile to a lot of things and our government is not really concentrating on anything around that, instead the government is really compromising our environmental laws and regulations. But what I could say is, I think the National Assembly needs to look into and ensuring that there is an independent environmental agency that is independent of even the state government to ensure that even government is kept on check and balances. So the National Environmental Agency (NEA) should be given full autonomy to corporate on their own to ensure that there is that environmental consciousness, including government to be punish if they do thing wrongly, otherwise, if you want to leave everything to government they just keep doing what they want to do. All these we are seeing in the Gambia are mastermind not by ordinary citizens but by the government of the Gambia so therefore the government is the biggest violator of our existing environmental laws in the Gambia,” he concluded.

The government is understood to have set up a task force with stakeholders, including NDMA, Environment, PURA, Maritime Agency, Ministry of Petroleum, and GamPetroleum. They will have a meeting today at PURA and then do a joint press release this afternoon.

By Amara Thoronka 

Popular young Gambian pan Africanist, Ousman Touray, has in an interview with The Fatu Network said that tribalism in The Gambia is promoted by politicians with zero ideas. He said such politicians do not have properly designed messages to present to the electorates, so they use tribal sentiments to mobilize support.

“Tribalism is an entity promoted by politicians with zero ideas. It is like their last card. All they do is to gather people based on tribal lines and relations. And because they don’t have a proper message to package, all they can do is to seek solidarity from tribal lines,” he said.

Touray noted that such a trend has negatively affected the Gambia and other African countries where such is equally practiced, noting that the interest of the country should be at the center stage in national discussions and events.

“This has really affected not just The Gambia but many African societies. We might have not yet been to the extreme, but we don’t want to get there. We want to eliminate it from the very beginning. We want to see a society where Gambia is what matters.”

The young pan Africanist advised young people in the country not to align themselves with politicians and political parties they promote tribalism. He cautioned young Gambians not to support politicians because they belong to the same tribe or ethnicity.

“My advice to young Gambians is that do not belong to a political party that has a surname. It’s wrong. Don’t belong to a party that is promoted based on tribal lines. Don’t subscribe to individuals who pull you to their own agendas just because you belong to their tribe.”

“Don’t be that person who look at another tribe as a threat. Embrace diversity! Embrace the uniqueness of The Gambian culture. The idea of ‘we and them’ is killing us,” he advised.

Ousman Touray mentioned that The Gambia is one country which has a joking relationship across tribes and surnames, citing that such a relationship is meant to promote uniqueness and togetherness regardless of diversity in tribes and affiliations.

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has in a press statement disclosed that the union’s President, Muhammed S. Bah, is to serve a three-year term in the Gender Council of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).

Bah’s nomination by the GPU was accepted by the IFJ ahead of the 31^st IFJ World Congress taking place in Muscat, the capital of Oman, from the 31 May – 3 June, 2022 – where members of the new IFJ Gender Council were unveiled on Tuesday.

The Gender Council plays an important role as the IFJ’s main voice on gender.

Its responsibilities include developing instruments to guide projects and policies concerning gender and good practice, raise awareness of gender issues, and mainstream gender issues throughout the IFJ, its projects and its member unions.

The Council’s recommendations, its activities and projects on gender are to be included in all IFJ Expert Groups, Executive Committee, the Congress, IFJ projects, and the IFJ Constitution.

Reacting to his nomination to serve in this important body of the global body of journalists, Muhammed S. Bah said he is looking forward to making significant contributions to the work of the Gender Council.

“The GPU has dedicated a lot of efforts to gender and welfare issues confronting journalists by conducting studies on working conditions of journalists and sexual harassment in the media,” Bah said.

“These interventions resulted in the development of a Collective Bargaining Agreement and a Sexual Harassment Policy which are now being used to address gender and welfare issues. I hope to bring these experiences to the IFJ as a Member of the Gender Council.”

The work of the Council is aimed at achieving three broad objectives:

• To engage women and men equally in all IFJ affairs, at all levels of the organisation and its member unions,
• To advise the Executive Committee and member unions on proposals for policy, projects and actions needed to bring gender issues into the mainstream of IFJ work,
• To actively promote solidarity and support among IFJ unions, through projects, activities and policies, in the defence of gender rights, and all actions needed to combat all forms of gender discrimination.

The Gender Council is led by a Chairperson and a Vice-chairperson who are elected from among nominated members, and the Council’s mandate is for a term of three years.

It is made up of 37 members from six IFJ regions including Africa, the Arab World and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America.

The Council’s activities are overseen by the Gender Council Steering Committee which is composed of two members from each IFJ designated geographic region including the chair and vice chair.

The Steering Committee meets at least every six months and when possible, at the same venue and in the same period as the IFJ Executive Committee.

In recent years, the Gender Council  carried out a number of activities, including a campaigns against online trolling, ILO  Convention 190 on harassment and violence at work, byte back, and women in front.

By: Sanna Jallow  

Residents within the West Coast Region have raised concern about the frequent surge in rent prices. Most of the tenants believe that the involvement of house agents has been the cause for the dire situation they have been facing for a while, considering the fact that they set a certain price with the compound owner just to get some amount of profit from the advanced six (6) months payment, which is usually required before you get the key to the premise.

Most people who rent houses within the West Coast Region are low-income earners, many living by hand-to-mouth on their small skills business.

Momodou Jallow, a tenant said the frequent increment in rent by landlords is really hard on him as the breadwinner of the family.

“Last month I was paying one thousand five hundred dalasis for a single room and now it has been increased to two thousand five hundred per month. I spend all the money I gain at the end of the month on rent even to eat proper food is a problem because everything is expensive and as a low-income earner it’s hard on me”, he lamented.

He said if he does not pay his rent the landlord will kick him out of his property. “I have no choice but to pay or else I will live on the streets.”

Amie Jallow, a mother, explained that she just left the place she was renting a week ago because the landlord had increased the rent without giving them prior notice.

“I cannot afford the amount for the rent because my earnings are very small. Since I cannot afford to pay the rent I left the place because I have no choice,” she Explained.

Ebrima Dem, a property owner said, “I did not increase the rent because I want to do so, but I am a businessman and I also generate income from the rent. I use it to take care of my family and other things.

According to Dem, property owners are responsible for paying rent tax and maintenance, saying that the certain price increment of some building materials is the reason why they increase the rent.

“We buy cement D360 per bag and other building materials are also costly so these are the reason why we increase the rent to be able to make a profit to be able to maintain our businesses,” he said.

Tenants urge the government to take action to address the rental issues in the country.

By: Sainabou Sambou

Bakery owners and bread retailers in The Gambia have called on the Adama Barrow led government to ensure there is a reduction in the taxes levied on importers bringing in flour to the country. This they say should also extend to the general control of prices in the local market. According to them these steps will help alleviate the suffering of the poor Gambian people.

“We have a flour factory in the Gambia but most of the products come from Russia. According to the statistics in the market, the price of flour has increased to about five hundred and twenty US dollars, when you convert that into Gambian dalasis it will be about thirty thousand dalasis,” Hanna BD Sillah a Bakery owner at Kairaba Avenue said.

She further noted that the tax the importers pay at the port is very high and is a major reason for the hike in prices of flour and other bread making condiments.

“I urge the government to work on the price control and also do something about the hike in the price of flour in the Gambia,” she said.

Tamsir Mballow, Manager of Chakraa bakery in Serekunda said they have come to an agreement that they should increase the price of bread due to the hike in flour price in the country.

He said from January to May 2022, there has been a 25% increase in the price of flour. He said they have increased the price of bread to ten dalasis since January and they have now increased it to twelve dalasis. He said the ingredients that they put into the flour are very costly and that also has an impact on the increment.

“We have informed all our customers that we have increased the price of bread but they do not agree with us. Most of them said they will not patronise us until they hear an official statement on the increase.”

By Sainabou Sambou

Bakers in the Kanifing Municipality have blamed the increase in the price of bread on the hiking price of flour, causing a price change for a loaf of bread from Ten Dalasis to Twelve Dalasis.

Hanna B.D Sillah, a bakery owner, told The Fatu Network said the increase in the price of bread is due to the high cost of flour.

She also said that the ingredients they use in baking bread have become expensive, saying that they are all factors causing consistent price increase in bread.

“Flour now costs Two Thousand One Hundred Dalasis. We also buy fuel. Per minimum, we use between 6 to 7 liters to bake a bag of flour. In the absence of electricity, I use my generator to bake, and it is very costly.”

Sillah added that the country has a flour factory but however noted that most of the baking products come from Russia.

She noted that the tax importers pay at the port is very high and that such is reflected in the market price of flour and other products.

“I urge the government to enhance price control and also do something about the hike in the price of flour in the Gambia,” she said.

Ousman Bah, a consumer, said the government should act urgently saying that most Gambians consume bread daily.

He noted that he buys porridge when there is no bread, but however noted that there are people who find it difficult to afford other food when there is no bread. He mentioned that there is no price control in the country and that everyone sells to his or her satisfaction which affects less privileged citizens.

Tamsir Mballow, Manager at Chakraa Bakery in Serekunda said they as bakers have come to an agreement that they should increase the price of bread due to the hiking price of flour in the country.

He said from January to May this year there has been 25% increase in the price of flour. He said they increased the price of bread to Ten Dalasis since January and that they have now increased it to Twelve Dalasis.

He disclosed that they are having challenges with their customers, saying that people are not happy with the new price.

There have been loud calls for government and stakeholders in the baking industry to find a lasting solution to the situation because the survival of many people in the country depends on bread.

By Sainabou Sambou

Information Minister, Lamin Queen Jammeh, has said government is not in support of the recent increase in bread price by the Bakers Association.

Mr. Jammeh, in an interview with King FM on 31^st May 2022, said that he had spoken with the Minister of Trade Seedy Kieta on the said increase in the price of bread. The Information Minister disclosed that the Trade Minister told him that he previously had a discussion with the Bakers Association.

According to Mr. Jammeh, the Trade Minister reiterated that he spoke with the President of the Bakers Association prevailing on them to reduce the current cost of Twelve Dalasis to its previous price of Ten Dalasis.

“The bakers increasing the price of bread is not in the agreement we had with them,” he said.

He noted that the Trade Minister told him his Ministry is not in support of the increment.

Mr. Jammeh added that the bakers have broken their agreement with the government.

He maintained that it doesn’t mean government is lazy to take action, adding that The Gambia is a democratic State and hence government’s intervention should be fair and democratic.

He further stated that the government will continue its discussion with the Bakers Association.

“Last Tuesday, when I was at West Coast Radio for an interview on the “Coffee Time” program with Peter Gomez, I told the people that the Trade Minister is not in the country. Peter Gomez however called him on the program via phone. Minister Keita said on air that the government didn’t agree with the Bakers Association to increase the price of bread,” Information Minister explained.

Bread is a main component of diet in The Gambia. A good number of the country’s population is sustained by it. Few months ago, the price of bread increased from Seven Dalasis to Ten Dalasis.

By: Musa Saidykhan

May 25th 2022 opened a memorable chapter in my life – a day I received one of the biggest shocks of my life. I am still struggling to cope with the passing of Alhagie Ebrima Bah (Mamakoto) in Bakau. I have already started missing the Gambia’s Sea of Knowledge. He may be gone but his legacy cannot be erased.

I had religiously followed Mamakoto’s Menyanta flagship program on Radio Gambia for so many years before Burama Sanneh (Fabou) made the connection between me and the Legend in 2014. Both myself and Fabou wanted to tap into Mamakoto’s God-gifted Hikma (Wisdom) and allegory laden guidance to better prepare Gambians for the challenges of a post-Jammeh era. His unquestionable knowledge, wealth of experience, eloquence, unique conversation style and delivery skills were needed.

My respect for Mamakoto doubled when he referred me to his sons first before we launched Menyanta on Kairo Radio. His words still sounded in my brain: “I’m an old man who doesn’t want to do anything that may inconvenience my children. I cannot run away from national calling either but I will be more than happy if you can talk to my sons: Omar, Muntaha and Kaw. I am at their disposal.”

My discussions with Mamakoto’s well cultured sons opened the doors of not only Menyanta but my acceptance into the Bah family. I must thank Fabou Sanneh for being a vital link in Vancouver city in Washington State.

The presence of Mamakoto on our team was like Manna From Heaven, so to speak. We would later delve into everything Gambian, including discussing uncharted social issues. Our goal was to help shape a Gambia where diverse people live in peace and tranquility. Kairo Radio will keep Mamakoto’s legacy alive by sharing all Menyanta programs on YouTube.

Mamakoto still remained glued to me, Imam Ceesay, Yaya Dampha and Kemo Barrow even after the Menyanta program ceased to run on Kairo Radio. He joked with us nicknaming Dampha Sulu (wolf). He had widened my connections and wanted us to talk at least three times a week. “I know you are a very busy man but you need to spare time for your father,” he repeatedly told me. Our bond became so strong that brother Kaw would sometimes open communication lines between us saying, “Baba miss your communication Mr. Saidykhan. I will be grateful if you can talk to him. For some reason, he feels happy to talk to you.” The death of his wife of 57 years on August 24th 2019 wasn’t easy for Mamakoto. I would frequently call to initiate discussion on topics of his interest. He never ceased to inspire me with his unshakable faith, daily reading of Quran and contentment. “Never forget to give praise and thanks to Allah,” was his advice. I had never regretted a minute’s chat with Mamakoto.

I had been regularly talking to Mamakoto until early March 2022 when his health started failing. He had repeatedly said, “aging is a reality and that I have no complaint against Allah.” At some point I was convinced the old man had given me a clue that his days were numbered.

Our thrice weekly calls were trimmed to one. Kaw’s March 29th missed call at 3 am was more than alarming. He quickly left a message assuring that “you don’t have to panic. Baba is fine, although he is not doing well. As a matter of fact, we are traveling to the Gambia so Baba can rest.”

I spoke to an upbeat Mamakoto twice before he left Vancouver. Our short conversation was riddled with an assuring statement. “Don’t panic because I’m in the hands of Allah, the best of Creators. Whatever Allah decrees is the best,” he said. My worries soon faded.

Through Kaw’s help I spoke to Mamakoto in the Gambia twice before he passed on. Never a single time had he manifested signs of despair in our last conversations. He was highly spirited throughout. I kept praying for my mentor, counselor and go-to person. I am naturally a very emotional person whose body communicates sadness ahead of time. My whole body became stiff hours before Mamakoto’s death was announced. I woke up from sleep and found Kaw’s missed call. I became alarmed and sensed that Baba was gone. A tribute audio message from Imam Ceesay and a call from Kaw both confirmed Baba’s death. Kaw said that “Baba passed on and because of your close relationship with him, I have called to inform you before the news goes public.” I am and will remain grateful to Mamakoto and his family.

Mamakoto was a symbol of an exceptional Gambian who had his people’s interest at heart. “I believe I love the Gambia more than any other person,” Mamakoto proudly repeated.

Mamakoto had throughout been at the forefront of everything worthwhile: religion, culture and humanitarian affairs. The icon had selflessly served his nation without expecting anything in return. All he wanted was to see a Better Gambia where people bridge their differences through meaningful dialogue rather than throwing fists. Mamakoto’s weekly Menyanta program, which premiered on Radio Gambia decades ago, taught and advocated positive cultural practices, values and mastery of Mandinka language. Menyanta, a must-listened to program which attracted listeners from across the Gambia and beyond, became so popular that it had won the next day rebroadcast rights.

Born a Fula in Georgia Town (now Jan Jan Bureh) in the Central River Region, Mamakoto had a smattering of English but spoke Wolof, Fula and Mandinka fluently. He was admired by Gambians of all tribes.

A founder member of both Gambia Islamic Union and Gambia Supreme Islam Council would not complete a conversation without preaching the benefits of being a pious Muslim. He advised people to embrace their identities: nationality, culture, religion and language. Mamakoto had championed a campaign for Gambians in the diaspora to speak to their kids in their mother tongue.

With enthusiasm and uncontested energy, he conducts weekly and fortnightly Menyanta programs on both Gambian Talents Promotion and Kairo Radio, respectively. His goal was to “help the country heal its 22 years of dictatorship wounds. It’s incumbent on those who live longer to help guide Gambians to get back to normal life,” he would say. He cautioned against fermenting seeds of discord, hatred and tribal animosity.

Mamakoto was revered by many for being Truthful and Encyclopedia for a society that has, for far too long, been searching for Wisdom, Knowledge and meanings behind unexplained stories. The Maverick with an appetite to learn was good at dissecting complex social issues, and in the process, healed unhealed wounds. “My secret,” he often said, “lies with being the backbencher; I don’t compete for anything. Wisdom lies in waiting for your turn.”

Mamakoto’s selfless services were recognized by the Gambian Talents Promotion. He was conferred Gambia Pride Award 2017 on Alhagie Ebrima Bah. Mamakoto spent over 92 years on earth serving humanity with humility, compassion and sincerity.

I extend Kairo Radio’s heart-felt condolences to the Bah family and pray for the Noble Soul of Mamakoto to rest in Janatul Firdaus.

Musa Saidykhan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

United States

By Sanna Jallow 

The Senior Programme Officer, Non-Communicable Disease Unit in the Ministry of Health Seyfo Singhateh, has revealed that it has come to the ministry’s notice that women now used tobacco products in their private parts for sexual pleasure.

According to Singhateh their findings further reveal that men equally also used tobacco products for sexual pleasure, describing the act as deadly.

“We need to get to our people to make them understand how deadly these tobacco products are,” he said.

He disclosed that 34% of people die of non-communicable diseases and the major risk factors are tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets.

He further noted that annually, around 8 million people die from tobacco use, including about 890, 000 from second-hand smoke exposure.

“Most mortalities occur from cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes are caused by tobacco use,” he explains.

Smoking he says kills 33.50% of all those who use it by an average of 15 years prematurely, the substantial economic resources are lost due to tobacco-related illnesses, premature disability and death.

These losses are especially harmful when economic resources are needed for economic and social development activities.

“The recent innovation of the tobacco industries is the use of shisha which includes using tobacco and added flavours to give it a nice aroma.”

This is the reason why the government is interested in the implementation of the Tobacco Control Act.

He advised the young people to desist from popping Shisha as it is poisonous and dangerous to their health.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The head coach of the senior national football team of the Gambia, Tom Saintfeit has said they cannot change the late arrival of players in camp and the withdrawal of players from the team’s training camp in Dubai over passport and injuries issues.

The Belgian tactician, who guided the Scorpions to the pinnacle of African nation’s Football, AFCON in Cameroon last year, explained that they have to manage with the situation on the ground ahead of the 2023 Ivory Coast AFCON qualifiers against South Sudan and Congo.

“It is a little bit sad that we lost three players in Hamza Barry, Dembo Darboe and Modou Barrow. These are three important players for the team,” he told The Fatou Network.

The players joined the camp piecemeal from different parts of the globe. First in Dubai and then Senegal. About three other players, who are expected to play a part in the qualifies could not even join them in Dubai where the team was expected to have all the needed time to prepare well.

“I would want us to have more days together so that we can have more tactical sessions. But this is out of my control. We have to work like that. We can’t change it. We will do what we can. We are going to make the best use of the situation using what we have”, Tom explained to The Fatu Network.

Withdrawal Of Hamza Barry, Dembo Darboe And Modou Barrow

Many Gambian football fans hailed the inclusion of Hamza Barry on the 25-man list released by the head coach. The midfielder didn’t play a part in Tom Sainfeit’s side in the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon.

Earlier last week, the Gambia Football Federation announced that the Midfielder will not join the team due to Passport issues.

According to the head coach Tom Sainfeit, they were not aware that Hamza will not be allowed to travel until last Thursday morning. He described it as a bit sad characterising Hamza as a very good player.

Dembo Darboe and Modou Barrow, both of whom are attackers also left the camp due to injuries. The duo played for the country in the AFCON in Cameroon.

” Dembo Darboe is injured and Modou Barrow contacted us and told us that he is injured”, Tom told TFN.

 Late Arrival Of Players

Tom Sainfiet told The Fatu Network that the late arrival of players is out of his control. He said the late arrival is as a result of the teams that the players are playing for.

James Gomez, AC Horsen’s player of the season, Matar Ceesay, Nuha Marong and Bun Sanneh are expected to join the team in Senegal today when the team arrived from Dubai.

Tom acknowledged that he would prefer to have the players altogether.

Bun Sanneh and Nuha Marong are invited following the withdrawal of Dembo Darboe and Nuha Marong.

Tom also said the other players may join the camp as well.

On Sunday, the Gambia National Football team documented another history by playing a one-all draw against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The draw was the first time the senior national team collected a point against a non-African side. UAE is among the top 6 football nations in Asia and they used the friendly game with the Gambia to prepare for their FIFA World Cup playoff games.

The Gambia will play against South Sudan on Saturday, June 4 in Thies, Senegal before travelling to Congo on the 8th.

The recently released Government White Paper on the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) report highlights major killings, torture and other atrocities committed by the junglers which the TRRC says were receiving direct orders from former President Yahya Jammeh. The TRRC recommends for Jammeh and the junglers to be prosecuted for the following atrocities:

1. The Commission found that Dawda Nyassi was killed on the orders of Yahya Jammeh after he was picked up at Serrekunda by Tumbul Tamba, Sanna Manjang, Alieu Jeng and Malick Jatta. All four Junglers participated in his unlawful killing.
2. The Commission found the NIA handed over Ndongo Mboob to the Junglers (Tumbul Tamba, Solo Bojang, Sanna Manjang, Alieu Jeng and Malick Jatta) who took him to Bunubor Gardens where he was killed him. The Commission found Ndongo Mboob was killed due to differences he had with former President Yahya Jammeh. The fact that no investigation was conducted into his whereabouts following his disappearance shows that former President Yahya Jammeh intended for his disappearance to remain unknown.

3. Lawyer Ousman Sillah defended Baba Jobe when he was prosecuted after Baba Jobe had fallen out with Yahya Jammeh. Lawyer Sillah was a critic of Yahya Jammeh accusing him of wanting to entrench himself in power. The Commission found Yahya Jammeh ordered the junglers to kill Lawyer Sillah. He however survived the attempt on his life.
4. The Commission found that Deyda Hydara was a veteran journalist who had a column “Good morning, Mr. President” in the Point Newspaper and was regarded by former President Yahya Jammeh as one of his most ardent The Commission found that the Killing of Deyda Hydara by the Jungerlers was ordered by former President Yahya Jammeh. The operation was conducted by two groups of junglers, one headed by Tumbul Tamba and another by Kawsu Camara (Bombardier) who ambushed Mr. Hydara at Kanifing in December 2004 and shot him. Mr. Hydara died from the gunshot wounds and two of his staff members sustained serious injuries.
5. The Commission found that Haruna Jammeh and Jasaja Kujabi, brother and cousin respectively of Yahya Jammeh who Jammeh fell out with as he believed the duo planned to kill him to take over his properties. The Commission found Yahya Jammeh ordered the junglers to kill the two. Tumbul Tamba, Solo Bojang, Sanna Manjang, Omar Jallow (Oya) and Alieu Jeng organised and executed the order by killing both Haruna Jammeh and Jasaja Kujabi and dumping their bodies in a well belonging to Solo Bojang where he disposed of the
6. The Commission found that Daba Marenah, Alpha Bah, Ebou Lowe, Alieu Ceesay, Manlafi Corr, Masi Jammeh (sister to President Jammeh), and a lady named Julia were killed sometime in early 2006 by Tumbul Tamba and other Junglers on the orders of Yahya Jammeh.

7. Daba Marenah and his three male colleagues were suspected of being involved in the failed Ndure Cham Masi Jammeh was killed for trying to obtain information from Yahya Jammeh on the whereabouts of her brother, Haruna Jammeh. Julia is suspected to be one of the West African migrants (Julia Maku) who was not killed together with the other male African migrants in July 2005.
8. The Commission found that following the unlawful killing of Daba Marenah and his colleagues, Yahya Jammeh caused a false press release to be released which attempted to mislead the Gambian people by suggesting that they escaped following a car accident while being transported to Janjanbureh Prison.
9. The Commission found Yahya Jammeh ordered the junglers to kill Ceesay Bujiling as he believed Ceesay needed to eat a very high-profile person to prove his mettle following his selection as Chief wizard (“Buwa Mansa”) so Jammeh decided to kill Ceesay out of fear that Ceesay may kill him.
10. Ebou Jobe and Mamut Ceesay were two Gambian Americans who visited The Gambia in 2013 and were arrested by the Junglers on the instructions of Yahya Jammeh as he believed they wanted to overthrow his The Commission found that on the orders of Jammeh they were arrested in Brusubi and taken to Kanilai where they were killed, mutilated, and buried in a single grave in Jammeh’s farm in Kanilai. Their remains have not been found despite excavation in the area identified as their grave.
11. The Commission found Tumani Jallow and Abdoulie Gaye were apprehended by the Junglers at different places on the orders of Yahya Jammeh and unlawfully killed with their graves suspected to be in Tumani Jallow was believed to be one of the soldiers who attacked the APRC headquarters in Kanifing and burnt the voters cards found there which were allegedly intended to be used by non-Gambians to bolster Yahya Jammeh’s votes in the 2016 election. Abdoulie Gaye was believed to be an informant of Pa Nderry Mbai of the Freedom Newspaper.

12. The Commission found that on 28 October 2011, Baba Jobe was strangled to death by the Junglers whilst sleeping on his hospital bed at the EFSTH. Baba Jobe had completed his prison term and was due for release having been imprisoned for several years following disputes between him and Yahya Jammeh which led to his prosecution for economic crimes and The Commission found that Jammeh did not want Baba Jobe to leave prison, so he ordered for his unlawful killing.
13. The Commission found former President Yahya Jammeh ordered the Junglers to kill Former CDS Ndure Cham after a former close aide of his led the Junglers to his hideout in Farafenni. He was apprehended having been on the run following coup accusations against
14. The Commission found Yahya Jammeh ordered for the killing of Ello Jallow who was believed to have been having an affair with the former First Lady Zeinab Ello Jallow was lured by Bora Colley a Jungler to meet him and upon his arrival was apprehended by the Junglers and killed after which he was placed in his vehicle and pushed over the bridge at Old Cape Road around Bakau to make it appear he had an accident.
15. The Commission found that on the instructions of Yahya Jammeh, Mustapha Colley, a former soldier was killed by the Junglers and placed in his taxi to make it appear he died a natural death in his It was revealed Yahya Jammeh specifically instructed the Junglers to make the death appear like that of Ello Jallow. After being killed, his car was driven from Kololi to Sukuta Jabang road, and he was placed in the driver’s seat.
16. The Commission found Jammeh ordered the killing of Sulayman Ndow and Mahawa Cham having learnt that they were planning to overthrow his He used former Gambian mercenaries in Liberia (Swandi Camara and Lau Jarjue) who worked for him as government agents to lure Sulayman Ndow and Mahawa Cham into Casamance and with the assistance of a Senegalese military intelligence officer the two were arrested by the Junglers, returned to The Gambia where they were unlawfully killed, and buried in Jammeh’s farm in Kanilai.

17. The Commission found that Mariama Camara and Alpha Jallow were killed at Hamza Barracks. There were speculations surrounding their death with some suggesting they committed suicide. Whilst others said they were killed by the Junglers on the orders of Yahya Jammeh to hide an illicit relationship he had with Mariama who had gotten pregnant. The Commission however could not reach a conclusion on how the two died.
18. The Commission found that over sixty-seven (67) West African migrants arrived on Gambian shores on July 22, 2005, to meet their Gambian agent Lamin Tunkara who was to facilitate their travel to Spain. Upon their arrival in The Gambia, they were apprehended by Gambian security officers in Barra and sent to Banjul where they were received at the Marine Unit by senior security officers some of whom referred to the group as mercenaries and Kawsu Camara (Bombardier) assaulted a The group was later detained at different locations: Kairaba Station, Bundung Station, Baba Jobe’s house and the PIU. The Commission found that on the orders of Yahya Jammeh, they were unlawfully killed in groups at different locations within The Gambia and areas around the Gambian border with the Casamance region of Senegal. Yahya Jammeh then ordered a major campaign to destroy and fabricate evidence contained in the police diaries and misled the UN/ECOWAS Investigation Team sent to The Gambia to investigate the issue.
19. The Commission found that Yahya Jammeh ordered nine (9) death row inmates convicted of capital crimes to be executed. There were allegations that they were executed as some form of human sacrifice by Though sentenced to death by a court, Yahya Jammeh and then Minister of Justice Lamin Jobarteh (Babadinding) did not follow due process to ensure that the executions were carried out in accordance with the law.
20. The Commission found that individuals arrested in connection with the 2006 Ndure   Cham coup, the 2009 alleged Lang Tombong Tamba coup, the alleged Lalo Jaiteh  coup and the Freedom Online Newspaper saga were all subjected to acts of torture by the Junglers at the NIA These acts of torture were intended to punish the suspected coupists and to improperly obtain incriminatory evidence to secure their conviction either in civilian courts or military courts.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The National Youth President of Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), MC Cham Jr. has claimed that if the Deputy Spokesperson of APRC contested and win the next year’s mayoral election for Kanifing Municipal Council, he will end his political career, noting that Jah will not even win at the polling station where he will cast his vote.

On Monday 30^th May, APRC’s Dodou Jah told The Fatu Network that his candidacy is yet to be approved by his party leadership. However, he said that the membership of the party wants him to contest the mayoral election.

The GDC’s youth leader came out with conviction to say that Jah will not win the election if he attempts. He proclaimed that he would quit politics if Jah wins. He reiterated that the Deputy Spokesperson of the former ruling party will not even win at the polling station where he would cast his vote.

“If Dodou Jah contest and win, I will quit politics. Even if he wins at his polling station, I will know that it is time for me to resign from politics because he can’t win at his polling station,” he said.

APRC had been enjoying supremacy in the KMC until the 2018 Mayoral election when their candidate, Rambo Jatta lost to UDP’s Talib Bensuda.

Regardless of their past glory in the area, Cham claimed that it is misleading for anyone to say that the Kanifing Municipal Area is a strong APRC ground anymore.  He affirmed that it used to be a strong APRC based but not anymore.

Despite casting doubt on Jah’s potential of winning the election, he however warned him to be focused because the incumbent National People’s Party knows how to play with the minds of the APRC leadership which will compel APRC to back an NPP candidate in the election.

“I will advise him as a brother because I know the NPP as a party knows how to play with the APRC so that at the end of the day, they will withdraw their candidate. So, if he believes in himself, even if NPP comes, let him carry on with his intentions”.

Both MC Cham and the spokesperson of the GDC, Hon. Omar Ceesay told The Fatu Network that they cannot confirm if the Gambia Democratic Congress will put up a candidate in the Mayoral election.  The duo also have the conviction that only a coalition or tactical alliance will deny the NPP from winning in the local government elections next year.

By Sanna Jallow

The Non-Communicable Disease Unit of the Directorate of Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health together with the Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Monday 30th May 222 held a press conference to inform the public that the Tobacco Control Act is still functioning, noting that anyone the drug law enforcement agents catch smoking in public areas or popping shisha would be subjected to arrest and prosecution.

Seyfo Singhateh, Senior Program officer at the ministry’s Non-Communicable Disease Unit explained the dangers of tobacco consumption.

“Cigarettes contain more than seven thousand chemicals and most of these chemicals are found in the black substance use in road construction and cooking gas. These chemicals can cause cancer,” he explained.

Mr Singhateh added that tobacco doesn’t only damage people’s health but also destroys the economy, disclosing that in the Gambia the prevalence of tobacco is 16.7 per cent.

Omar Badjie, the programme manager of Non- Communicable Diseases and the National Focal Point for tobacco control at the Ministry of Health said the chemical used in manufacturing tobacco products which is also used in shisha is more dangerous than cigarettes.

“Popping shisha in one hour is equivalent to five packets of cigarettes. The chemical used in manufacturing tobacco are all poisonous. The detergents used in cleaning toilets and rooms are included in making tobacco and cigarettes.

Sangally Trawalley, Deputy Director of Health Promotion noted that they are not only educating people on the dangers of smoking cigarettes, tobacco and shisha but that they are also implementing the Tobacco Control Act.

“The Tobacco Control Act will help us to use different strategies to be able to cut down the mortality or morbidity which is caused by Tobacco smoking.

Pa Samba Bojang, Deputy Commissioner of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency said the Tobacco Control Act is still in force, urging everyone engaged in the tobacco business to comply with the law.

“We are going to empower the station officers, including public health officials, to act on our behalf to make sure we have free tobacco environment,” he started.

The Tobacco Control Team urged the public to take ownership of the law and not leave drug law enforcement only in the hands of law enforcement agencies.

By Ousman G. Darboe

The Founder and Project Manager for Sankandi Youth Development Association, Ansumana Darboe has told the Fatu Network that lack of proper means of transportation to health facilities has brought lot of challenges to the people of Sankandi Village in Kiang.

He disclosed that many pregnant women give birth on their way to access health facilities. He attributed the occurrence to poor transport condition.

“Many a times, pregnant women lose their babies while boarding the only tricycle in the village, the only means of transport to access health facilities,” Darboe lamented.

He said that there is an urgent need for an ambulance within the community which he said can serve the people of Sankandi and its surrounding communities in case of emergencies.

He added that the presence of an ambulance in the community would provide a safe, comfortable and quick mobility for pregnant women to reach health facilities for safe delivery.

“The community faces numerous challenges. There is no ambulance for sick people to quickly access health facilities in Keneba, Kwinella, and Bwiam. The community also faces serious water shortage. The amount of water available in tanks is not sufficient for the current population.  People in the community now depend on abandoned wells or water facilities in nearby communities. This is really a big problem for us,” Ansumana expressed.

Sankandi is a village located in Kiang West District, Lower River Region, about 138 kilometers East from the capital, Banjul.

The Gambia Bar Association (GBA) has in a press release dated 30^th May 2022 welcomed the release of the Government of The Gambia White Paper on the report of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) which was established in 2017 to inquire into gross human rights abuses and violations during the period July 1994 – 2017 under the leadership of former President Yahya Jammeh.

GBA described the TRRC process as rigorous, thorough, impartial and truth-seeking. The umbrella body for lawyers in The Gambia urged the Ministry of justice to enhance and expedite a judicious implementation strategy of the recommendations of the Commission, describing it as critical in ensuring justice and accountability.

Read the press release below:

PRESS RELEASE

GOVERNMENT WHITE PAPER ON THE REPORT OF THE TRUTH RECONCILIATION AND REPARATIONS COMMISSION

The Gambia Bar Association (GBA) welcomes the release of the Government of The Gambia White Paper on the report of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC).

The GBA commends the Government of The Gambia for issuing a White Paper within the prescribed six-month time limit as stipulated by s. 30 (3) of the TRRC Act.

The Government’s commitment to implementing the overwhelming majority of the TRRC recommendations, with the exception of a few, is indeed a significant milestone in the country’s transitional justice process and a critical step towards fulfilling the overarching objectives of the TRRC. Following a very rigorous, thorough and impartial truth-seeking process conducted by the TRRC, the judicious implementation of the recommendations of the Commission is critical to ensuring justice and accountability.

We are pleased to note that Government has committed itself to ensuring that those who bear the greatest responsibility for the gross human rights abuses and violations during the period July 1994 – 2017 are held accountable. To this end, the GBA welcomes the establishment of the proposed Special Prosecutor’s Office and a special judicial framework within our domestic court system with the requisite capacity as well as juridical authority to prosecute international crimes such as torture, enforced disappearances and crimes against humanity that are not currently provided for by our domestic laws.

The GBA has, in partnership the International Commission of Jurists ( ICJ), Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) and the International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), following extensive interviews of stakeholders in 2020, Stakeholder Consultative meetings in June 2020 and November 2021, been proactively engaged in shaping the discourse and policy on the best options for prosecuting those who bear the greatest responsibility for human rights violations and abuses between July 1994 and January 2017.

The White Paper sets out Government’s position on the TRRC recommendations and its broader intention of how to implement some of the recommendations and at the same time highlighting Government’s commitment to ensuring that the required legislative reforms are put in place to achieve this goal. We urge the Ministry of Justice to promptly come up with an implementation strategy or plan with clear deliverables, proposed timelines and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms with regards the implementation of the TRRC recommendations.

We take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of Government in establishing the TRRC and mobilising the required resources for the TRRC to carry out its mandate. We equally extend our appreciation to the TRRC, including the Commissioners, Secretariat and all the support staff for its work in establishing the truth and presenting an impartial historical record of the violations and abuses of human rights from July 1994 to January 2017.

As a Bar Association, we remain committed to supporting the Government of The Gambia, the victims and the Gambian people as a whole to ensure the success of our transitional justice process as a key pillar towards the restoration of the respect for the rule of law and good governance in The Gambia.

Dated 30^th of May 2022

Signed

Salieu Taal

President

Gambia Bar Association