Ousman Sowe, the Director General (DG) of the country’s State Intelligence Service (SIS) has been unanimously re-nominated as the Chair of the 15 Regional Member Services of ECOWAS.

The SIS will Chair and coordinate the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) in the West Africa region 2022-23. DG Sowe was unreservedly re-nominated at a virtual zoom meeting held on February 25, 2022 hosted by the SIS.

The Gambia, since President Adama Barrow was elected as President in 2017 continues to gain more international recognition. Recently, The Gambia also assumed the position of President of the ECOWAS Commission. It is the first time in the history of the ECOWAS Commission that The Gambia will occupy the presidency.

DG SIS is unanimously endorsed and re-nominated by 13 of the 15 Member Intelligence Services of West Africa. The member service said they are reposing their confidence in the SIS DG to Chair because of his exemplary leadership and stewardship of CISSA West Africa from during the difficult times of 2019 to 2021.”

It could be recalled that the SIS was first selected as Chair of the Region in June 2019, when the service hosted a regional meeting in Banjul and again in 2021 when it again hosted a regional conference.

In his acceptance statement, SIS DG Sowe recommitted to work harder and get better as the challenges ahead are not going to be lesser, hence urging regional member Services of the Continental body to get better and stronger.

He further urged CISSA West Africa members to work closely and provide timely actionable Intelligence to the political leaders and decision makers. He also said he is willing to work with his colleagues and the ECOWAS Commission towards addressing the myriad of challenges confronting the sub region of West Africa.

“The SIS Gambia feels very encouraged by the re-nomination as Chair of the region which is yet another testimony to the trust and credibility that the SIS is registering not only inside the Gambia but also among regional services and beyond,” he posited

The SIS, he went on, thanked The Gambia government, the general public and indeed the West African region for the support, trust and encouragement whilst ensuring its commitment to deliver to the highest level in all its obligations in national, regional, continental and international peace and security affairs.

Citizens’ Alliance (CA) Party candidate in the upcoming National Assembly Elections Raffie Diab has officially withdrawn his bid to contest as an aspirant for the Bakau Constituency. He made this public on his official facebook page.

“It is with sadness and regret that I announce my withdrawal as aspirant for the Bakau Constituency in the upcoming National Assembly elections. I just learnt today that under the Gambian Constitution, I am not eligible to contest the National Assembly Elections as I have dual nationality.

This is a provision of  the 1997 Constitution, the supreme law of the land and leaves me with no option but to withdraw my bid for the Bakau Constituency seat,” Diab wrote

He further wished all the CA aspiring candidates the best of luck and promised to work tirelessly to support their campaigns.

“I will not relent on my quest for a better Gambia for generations to come,” he said.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in partnership with the International Development Research Centre has on Friday 25th February 2022 trained 30 female Home Economics teachers from different schools to make re-usable sanitary pads. The training was held at the Region 1 Educational Directorate in Kanifing. 

The teachers are expected to teach students in schools how to make these pads. This is expected to ensure the sustainability and affordability of sanitary pads.

Making her statement during the training Dr. Phebian Ina Grant-Sagnia Principal Coordinator said that there exists a gap between parents and their children in the area of addressing reproductive health issues.

She noted that the communication barrier between parents and their children is among the challenges affecting girls when it comes to understanding their menstrual cycle. This she said needs to be addressed.

 “Parents are not communicating to their grown-up children and the children are also not communicating to their parents about reproductive health. I call on the participants to make the best use of the knowledge and skills gathered during the training to help their colleagues and girls. You should go and train others on how they can make their own pads,” she said.

She told reporters that during their findings they realised that most of the girls don’t know their menstruation cycle. Adding that most parents find it difficult to communicate with their children about reproductive health. 

Ms. Fatoumatta Jabbi-Gassama, CEO and Founder of Girls Pride, thanked the organisers of the training and expressed hope that the skills and knowledge that the participants gained will go a long way in addressing girls menstruation challenges in schools and at home. 

“I want to encourage the participants to help others by teaching them how to make their own sanitary pads at home,” she said. Adding that the training is life-saving. “Each girl should make pads for herself and her friends that’s how we can assist one another,” she noted. 

Michelle A Mendy gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the trainees. She expressed their gratitude to the organisers, indicating that the training is timely and will help them as teachers to spread the knowledge among their students.

“We can not thank you enough. You have shown us how to take care of ourselves and our students,” Mendy said 

The training ended with a certification exercise.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad has launched diplomatic engagements with the Kingdom of Morocco and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on possible evacuation plans and possibilities of providing consular and humanitarian assistance to Gambians in Ukraine. 

This is in direct response to the recent political and military tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

“The Gambia Government hereby informs the general public that the Embassy of The Gambia in Brussels is in touch with the Executive of the Gambian Students Association in Ukraine. It has been confirmed by the Mission in Brussels that about Forty-Eight (48) Gambian Nationals are currently in Ukraine, (mostly students), this number is expected to increase,” a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry reads. 

It further notes that similar diplomatic démarches (actions) are ongoing with European Union Member States bordering Ukraine.

“Having due regard to the safety of our nationals, an exit and evacuation plan has been put in place and the Gambians in Ukraine are already following the referred plan,” the ministry assures.

It emphasised that The Gambia Government is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of its citizens and calls on Gambians in Ukraine to follow the safety instructions of the Ukrainian authorities under the circumstances and remain in touch with our Embassy in Brussels. 

Families of the Gambians in Ukraine have been urged to remain calm as Government does the necessary to provide all necessary assistance. A hotline has also been made available for ease of access to information by Gambians in Ukraine as well as their families in The Gambia 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs – (220) 7709165/3809312 ) Email: [email protected]

Ukraine’s honorary consul in Guinea has been suspended for “gross negligence” for urging the junta to make clear its position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Charles Amara Sossoadouno, a Guinean citizen, had made the call on social media in the hours after the invasion began on Thursday. 

Guinea’s Foreign Minister Morissanda Kouyaté said the decision to suspend him was taken at a later crisis meeting about the conflict, where the situation for around 800 Guineans living in Ukraine was also discussed.

He said Col Mamady Doumbouya, Guinea’s interim president, wanted all necessary measures to be taken to support them. 

No more was said about the conflict.

Like Mali and Burkina Faso, Guinea had been suspended from the West African body Ecowas following a military takeover, which took place last September.

Col Doumbouya has since set up a transitional government, promising to hand over to civilian rule.

BBC

By Amara Thoronka

The Republic of The Gambia has pledged its support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the bid of the Arab nation to host Expo 2030.

Expos are global events dedicated to finding solutions to fundamental challenges facing humanity by offering a journey inside a chosen theme through engaging and immersive activities. Organised and facilitated by governments and bringing together countries and international organisations (Official Participants), these major public events are unrivalled in their ability to gather millions of visitors, create new dynamics and catalyse change in their host cities.

Gambia’s support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host the event was disclosed in a visit of the Saudi Minister of State for African Affairs, Ahmed Khattan, visited Gambian President Adama Barrow at his State House Office.

The Saudi African Affairs Minister expressed thanks and appreciation for the support of the Gambian Government and people in their quest to host the event, noting that such a support justifies the good relationship between both countries.

“President Barrow and I have discussed the issues to enhance our bilateral relationship. At the same time, I want to thank the President and the people of Gambia for supporting us to host Expo 2030”

Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, hailed the tie between Saudi Arabi and The Gambia, emphasizing that The Gambia fully backs Saudi Arabia in its bid.

“This one centers around many issues aiming at strengthening the very strong bilateral ties between The Gambia and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the close door discussion, Gambia assured Saudi Arabia of its support for them to host Expo 2030”

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is on a campaign tour to seek the support of nations to actualize its Expo 2030 hosting bid.

Five countries have submitted competing candidatures to organize World Expo 2030: Russia (in Moscow), the Republic of Korea (in Busan), Italy (in Rome), Ukraine (in Odesa) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (in Riyadh).

The project examination phase for World Expo 2030 will take place in 2022 and 2023, with each candidate submitting a detailed candidature dossier, and the BIE organising Enquiry Missions and assessing the feasibility and viability of each candidature project.

The host country of World Expo 2030 will be elected by BIE Member States gathered in a General Assembly set to take place in late 2023, on the principle of one country, one vote.

The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing and regulating World Expos, since 1931. It currently has 170 countries as members.

President of Senegal, Macky Sall, and Moussa Faki Mahamat the heads of the African Union and African Union Commission respectively have expressed their institutions extreme concern at what they describe as the very serious and dangerous situation created in Ukraine.

They further call on the Russian Federation and any other regional or international actor to imperatively respect international law, the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Ukraine.

The Chair of the African Union and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission urge the two Parties to establish an immediate ceasefire and to open political negotiations without delay, under the auspices of the United Nations, in order to preserve the world from the consequences of planetary conflict, and in the interests of peace and stability in international relations in service of all the peoples of the world.

By Sarjo Brito

The Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice in an official letter to the Chief Justice has ordered an inquest into the death of Gambia’s Ambassador to the United States, Dawda Fadera. The distinguished Civil Servant and Diplomat’s untimely demise has been shrouded with speculation following allegations that his death might not have been natural, with some suggesting the seasoned diplomat died of poisoning. 

“Following circumstances which raised reasonable suspicion with regard to the cause of death of Dawda Fadera, the Honourable Attorney General acting under Section 11 of the Coroner’s Act Cap 7, Laws of The Gambia, would like Your Lordship to order an inquest touching on the death of Dawda Fadera.”

The office of the Chief Justice has since designated Sidi K. Jobarteh as the Coroner to inquire into the Ambassador’s cause of death. According to sources, an autopsy has already been conducted on the body but the coroner’s report on the findings is yet to be made public. 

His Excellency Dawda Fadera until his demise served as Gambia’s Ambassador to the United States. Prior to this role, he was appointed Secretary-General and Head of the Civil Service by President Barrow in 2018. He also spent most part of his career working for The Gambia’s Personnel Management Office, eventually becoming the institution’s Permanent Secretary.

By Amara Thoronka

Governor of the Central Bank of Gambia, Buah Saidy, has vowed that the Bank would take appropriate legal actions to defend its reputation following a recent allegation that an employee of the bank, Abdou Ceesay, was involved in a transaction to exchange the sum of D155 million of old and mutilated notes into new notes.

The allegation further contains that another D11.1 million was paid to the said employer of the Central Bank upon his request to be distributed to some staff of the bank to facilitate the exchange.

Bank Governor Buah Saidy disclosed that upon receiving a letter from the lawyer of one Ansumana Bah, who claimed to have paid a D11.1 million bribe to the said staff of the bank to facilitate the said exchange, he (the Governor) went into action by summoning a board meeting and interrogate the staff in question on the said allegation.

“We asked our staff Mr. Abdou Ceesay whether he received or know anything about the said money; he denied ever receiving or being aware of such transaction. After the meeting, the board of the bank decided to send Mr. Ceesay on leave pending the conclusion of police investigation on the said allegations.”

The Bank Governor emphasized that they will definitely take action upon the conclusion of the police investigation to clear the image of the bank.

It could be recalled that upon conclusion of preliminary investigation last week, Police disclosed that the claim by a group of people that they have handed over D155 million of mutilated notes to a Central Bank staff for change into new notes was false and a mere scam.

According to the police preliminary investigation, Ansumana Bah and others were said to have had an engagement with an ‘criminal group’ which persuaded them to form a charitable organization in order to access funding from certain unidentified philanthropist overseas.

As a way to grab the opportunity, Ansumana Bah and Co speedily established “Jamma Charitable Foundation” to attract the said fund.

The police added that the ffraudsters made them believe that their charitable organisation had secured a £2.5 million funding from a philanthropist in UK to commence charitable operation in The Gambia.

The fraudsters are said to have convince Bah and Co that the funds were smuggled into the country and put in boxes and kept safely in one of the houses of the partners in The Gambia; adding that the said British Pounds were converted into local currencies equivalent to D155 million partly mutilated which needed to be changed to new notes at the Central Bank; saying that some workers in the bank were asking for D11.1 million bribe to be paid through one Abdou Ceesay.

The police preliminary investigation also disclosed that Ansumana Bah and Co did not have any interface with the bank officials throughout their encounter with the fraudsters, revealing that some members of the swindlers were impersonating as bank officials to lure the foundation members to believe the process.

The said police preliminary investigation emphasized that neither Ansumana nor any of the foundation members had seen the £2.5 million nor the D155 million during the course of the entire transaction; meaning they blindly believed in the words of the scammers in question.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has on Wednesday 23rd February 2022 engaged media practitioners on the nexus between the energy sector and other sectors. The event which aimed at capacitating pressmen to better inform the public about energy-related matters took place at a local hotel in Kololi. The event was attended by senior officials from MoPE, UNIDO, and the media. 

At the event, various speakers highlighted the importance of energy in the socio-economic development of the country. Ms. Oulay Camara, Deputy Permanent Secretary, MoPE described the ministry’s interaction with media practitioners as significant noting that the media play a significant role in disseminating information to the public. 

She expressed gratitude to the Global Environment Facility and United Nations Industrial Development Organization for supporting the program.

“Energy is needed in every sector of our economies to support production, service delivery and comfortable living in our homes. Countries all over the world make concerted efforts to provide adequate, reliable and affordable energy services for the development of their economies,” she said.

Ms. Camara said energy is a key component in people’s day to day activities. Noting that its unavailability can hinder development. 

She emphasized that the platform is an avenue for stakeholders to discuss the interlinkages between energy and other sectors or issues to better understand the realities of energy service provision.

According to her, they embarked on the activity to monitor, discuss, analyze, understand and advise on the energy nexus issues and it was deemed prudent to partner with the media, to effectively disseminate the work of the platform to the public. 

She added that for the media to properly on energy matters is significant noting that the platform will help journalists to adequately inform society about the relevant pertinent energy nexus issues. 

Madam Khadidiatou Diallo, UNIDO Project Coordinator says the workshop is significant as it will give media practitioners the chance to interact with senior officials from the petroleum ministry and ask key questions relating to the ministry. 

She told journalists that the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy is implementing the component on the establishment of a nexus platform to promote strong synergies between the energy sector and other sectors. 

According to her, it’s meant to integrate energy issues more systematically through a nexus approach throughout different sectors. Given the crucial role energy plays in productive sectors, she said it is important to build the capacity of media practitioners on energy-related issues.  

“This will help remove communication barriers that hinder the widespread promotion of sustainable energy solutions and foster collaboration and a better understanding of energy and interrelated topics,” she concluded.

The objectives of the workshop were not only to enhance media practitioners’ understanding of energy nexus issues and sustainable energy solutions but also to build their capacity to better play their role in advocacy and awareness creation through information dissemination.

Russian military tanks and armoured vehicles advance in Donetsk as Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a military operation in Ukraine, with explosions heard soon after across the country and its foreign minister warning a “full-scale invasion” was under way.

Weeks of intense diplomacy and the imposition of sanctions on Russia failed to deter Putin, who had massed between 150,000 and 200,000 soldiers along the borders of Ukraine.

Putin called on Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms and said the operation was overseeing a “genocide” in the east of Ukraine.

The Kremlin had earlier said rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine had asked Moscow for military help against Kyiv.

The extent of Thursday’s attacks was not immediately clear, but Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the worst-case scenario was playing out.

Biden immediately warned of “consequences” for Russia and that there would be a “catastrophic loss of life and human suffering”.

NATO’s chief condemned Russia’s “reckless and unprovoked attack” on Ukraine.

 By: Dawda Baldeh

The Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC) has announced that the party will contest in the forthcoming National Assembly election which is scheduled for 9th April, 2022, in Seven (7) Constituencies. The party made the announcement through a press release dated 22nd February 2022.

According to the press statement “The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Alliance for Patriotic Re- orientation and Construction (APRC), under the leadership of Rtd. Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, Chairman and Party Leader wishes to inform the general public more specially the militants of the APRC Party that the Party will be contesting the forth coming National Assembly Elections 2022 which is already scheduled to take place on the 9th April 2022.”

The press release stated that the party will put candidates in the following constituencies: Bundung kakunda Constituency- Kanifing Municipality, Jeshwang Constituency – Kanifing Municipality, Foni Jarrol Constituency-West Coast Region, Foni Bondali Constituency -West Coast Region, Foni Kansala Constituency -West Coast Region, Foni Berefet Constituency – West Coast Region and Foni Bintang Constituency – both in the West Coast Region.

The party called on its interested candidates to pick the application forms from the APRC Constituency Chairpersons with a deadline submission slated for 26th February at 12:00noon.

In conclusion, it says the National Selection Committee will be finalizing the selection process on Sunday 27th February 2022 for selection of candidates who shall be contesting under the banner of the APRC Party.

By: Christian Conteh

The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission (EOM) has as part of its recommendation called on the Gambia to reform its electoral laws to bring them up to speed with international and regional standards. 

Norbert Neuser, Former Member of the European Parliament from Germany is the missions Chief Observer, he noted that, “The EU Election Observation Mission positively assessed the voting and counting process on Election Day. But structural deficiencies and critical procedural and legal gaps require fundamental reform.” 

The EU EOM Final Report, which offers 20 recommendations for the Gambian authorities’ consideration, proposes essential changes to the electoral legal framework. to streamline provisions of the Draft Constitution, the Draft Elections Act, and other Acts relevant to the conduct of elections.

“It is fundamental to increase the Independent Electoral Commission’s capacity and transparency in critical areas, including the establishment of specialised divisions (legal, gender). The EU EOM proposes publishing the complete presidential election results, disaggregated by polling station, on its website.

In addition, for all future elections, the Mission suggests releasing disaggregated results during the tabulation process. Our Mission also recommends that legal provisions are made for continuous registration and updating of the voter register,” Norbert Neuser said.

Of the 20 recommendations contained in the mission’s final report, the Chief Observer noted that seven are considered priority recommendations.

 “The Mission recommends introducing a detailed and comprehensive complaints procedure throughout the electoral process with reasonable time limits for adjudication, regulating matters such as format and venue, including for the implementation of the Code on Election Campaign Ethics.

Furthermore, to formalise clear and coherent procedures for polling, counting, result transfer, and collation, in conjunction with the introduction of improved security measures of result and collation forms.” 

The mission is expected to hold discussions with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), political parties, civil society groups and other stakeholders.

By Amara Thoronka

The Governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia, Buah Saidy, has in a joint press conference held in Banjul on 23 February 2022 pledged to resign from his job as Bank Governor if the Central Bank is found culpable in the ongoing D155 million fraud investigation where a staff of the Bank is alleged to have involved.

The Governor also vowed to take legal action against the claimants of the said allegation if the Bank is proven innocent.

“There is no way someone will fraudulently bring D155 million without our knowledge. In addition to our security personnel, we also have CCTV cameras everywhere in the Bank. I have a reputation to protect. I will resign my job as Bank Governor of the Central Bank of the Gambia if the ongoing investigation finds the bank guilt of the said allegations. But if it is proven otherwise, we will take legal action against those making the allegations”

He disclosed that the said staff of the bank who is alleged to have involved in the act has been sent on leave pending conclusion of police investigation into the matter.

Preliminary police investigation has disclosed that the claimants [Ansumana Bah and Co] were lured by an organized criminal syndicate to form a charity organization in The Gambia in a bid to secure a £2.5 million (equivalence of D155) fund from a philanthropist in the United Kingdom.

The fraudsters are said to have convinced the claimants  that the funds were smuggled into the country and put in boxes and kept safely in one of the houses of their partners in The Gambia; adding that the said British Pounds were converted into local currencies equivalent to D155 million partly mutilated which needed to be changed to new notes at the Central Bank; saying that some workers in the bank were asking for D11.1 million bribe to be paid through a staff of the bank, Abdou Ceesay.

The said preliminary investigation further disclosed that throughout the period, the claimants never engage the Bank but were however banking on the persuasive statements of the fraudsters.

Investigations are ongoing.

By Sarjo Brito

The National Youth President of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) has encouraged political leaders to join the race for seats at the National Assembly rather than wait for presidential appointments.

Mc Cham Jr also called on Gambians to support party leaders contesting the forthcoming National Assembly elections. 

His comments came following Mai Ahmad Fatty’s announcement that he will be contesting the Wuli West seat. Cham said people like Mai must be encouraged as many of his colleagues who registered political parties continue to run after the incumbent, hoping to be rewarded with a position in cabinet.

“This is something that should be welcomed by every well-meaning Gambian. It is high time all these people registering political parties started looking into parliament too. Just look at the 2021 elections, a lot of political parties abandoned their parties and went to join Barrow for a so-called coalition, and we all know the reason why.

Today, most of those political leaders are just hanging around waiting for the incumbent to offer them positions. They should not wait. Let them go back to their constituencies and contest parliamentary seats under their parties,” Mc Cham Jr said

He added that being in parliament has far greater advantages than serving in Cabinet because parliament is where holding the incumbent accountable begins.

Cham challenged all the party leaders, especially those who supported President Barrow in his re-election to go back to the various constituencies and contest the National Assembly elections.  

“Major decisions taken by the Executive cannot happen if not approved by parliament. All the budgets that go into our various Ministries are agreed upon and approved by the National Assembly. That means there is a lot of power that comes with being a parliamentarian. Senegal is a classic example where we have political leaders like Ousman who was in parliament before becoming Mayor in his constituency.

I implore people like General Lamin Bojang and Musa Yalli Batchilly to go back to their constituencies during this election and show their people what they can do for this country now that the Presidential election is over. Mai Fatty’s decision is commendable,” he said.

By Amara Thoronka

Senegalese Government has named the newly constructed and officially inaugurated 50 thousand capacity stadium after the country’s former President Abdoulaye Wade.

Born on 29^th May 1926, erstwhile President Wade ruled the Republic of Senegal from 2000 to 2012. He was defeated by incumbent President Macky Sall in the 2012 presidential election.

Gambia’s President Adama Barrow was among five leaders who graced the official opening of the stadium.

Also in attendance were the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan; President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo; President of Liberia, George Weah; and the President of football world governing body (FIFA), Gianni Infantino.

African football legends Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o also graced the ceremony.

The Stadium was completed in two years and is estimated to have cost more than 200 million Euros.

The Abdoulaye Wade Stadium is to host the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics.