When the coronavirus began spreading around the world, the remote Pacific archipelago of Kiribati closed its borders, ensuring the disease didn’t reach its shores for nearly two full years.

Kiribati finally began reopening this month, allowing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to charter a plane to bring home 54 of the island nation’s citizens. Many of those aboard were missionaries who had left Kiribati before the border closure to spread the faith abroad for what is commonly known as the Mormon church.

Officials tested each returning passenger three times in nearby Fiji, required that they be vaccinated, and put them in quarantine with additional testing when they arrived home.

It wasn’t enough.

More than half the passengers tested positive for the virus, which has now slipped out into the community and prompted the government to declare a state of disaster. An initial 36 positive cases from the flight had ballooned to 181 cases by Friday.

Kiribati and several other small Pacific nations were among the last places on the planet to have avoided any virus outbreaks, thanks to their remote locations and strict border controls. But their defenses appear no match against the highly contagious omicron variant.

“Generally speaking, it’s inevitable. It will get to every corner of the world,” said Helen Petousis-Harris, a vaccine expert at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. “It’s a matter of buying enough time to prepare and getting as many people vaccinated as possible.”

By: Christian Conteh

This year’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) reveals that corruption levels are at a worldwide standstill.

The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories around the world by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. The results are given on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

While corruption takes vastly different forms from country to country, this year’s scores reveal that all regions of the globe are at a standstill when it comes to fighting public sector corruption.

At the top of the CPI, countries in Western Europe and the European Union continue to wrestle with transparency and accountability in their response to COVID-19, threatening the region’s clean image.

In parts of Asia Pacific, the Americas, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, increasing restrictions on accountability measures and basic civil freedoms allow corruption to go unchecked. Even historically high-performing countries are showing signs of decline.

In the Middle East and North Africa, the interests of a powerful few continue to dominate the political and private sphere, and the limitations placed on civil and political freedoms are blocking any significant progress.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, armed conflict, violent transitions of power and increasing terrorist threats combined with poor enforcement of anti-corruption commitments rob citizens of their basic rights and services.

The Gambia remained as the 102nd corrupt nation, only better than 78 countries, in a list of 180 countries gauged by Transparency International in 2021.

Marr Nyang, Executive Director of the civil society group Gambia Participates is of the view that there have not been proactive or sufficient efforts taken by the government to prevent the occurrence of corruption.

“The fact that the country scored the same points as of 2019 demonstrates that there have not been proactive or sufficient efforts taken by the government to prevent the occurrence of corruption both in the public and private sectors and then also detect and prosecute corruption cases and there has not been any law that has been legislated even though we are anticipating the next legislative assembly will pass the anti-corruption bill,” Nyang said.

Gambian President Adama Barrow has pledged to work to jumpstart the economy as he was sworn in for a second five-year term in office near the capital, Banjul.

Barrow, 56, came to power in 2017 by unseating his predecessor Yahya Jammeh at the polls. He comfortably won re-election last month with 53% of the first-round vote.

The United Democratic Party, leading opposition candidate Ousainou Darboe appealed the election results to the Supreme Court, alleging irregularities and corruption in Barrow’s campaign. The plea was dismissed.

“Today we can comfortably conclude that my election to another five years is a vote of confidence in my government, a vote of acknowledgement of my achievements,” said Barrow, dressed in a white cap and robe, after being sworn in on Wednesday before an audience that included several other West African heads of state.

“2022 to 2027 is a period to press on for accelerated growth, expansion and advancement. The focus now centres on economic development,” he said.

He has faced a challenge reviving the economy of mainland Africa’s smallest country. The coronavirus pandemic pushed the economy into recession in 2020, keeping away tourists from its white-sand beaches.

However, growth is estimated to have bounced back to about 5% last year. During his first term, he improved relations with many foreign countries that had cooled under Jammeh’s 22-year tenure and worked to restore civil liberties that were repressed during that period.

Jammeh was accused by human rights group of presiding over a government accused of a litany of abuses including death squads and torture.

During the swearing-in ceremony, Barrow reiterated a previous commitment to introduce a new constitution. He has previously said it would introduce presidential term limits but has not said whether that would prevent him from seeking additional terms.

Debates about presidential term limits have flared in several of Gambia’s neighbouring countries, including Ivory Coast and Guinea, whose presidents in 2020 used constitutional changes as reset buttons on their tenures to stay beyond the two-term limit.

Barrow had pledged as a candidate in 2016 to serve only three years if he was elected but later went back on that commitment.

Health officials are confronting vaccine reluctance among African women, especially those of childbearing age

The health outreach workers who drove past Lama Mballow’s village with a megaphone handed out T-shirts emblazoned with the words: “I GOT MY COVID-19 VACCINE!”

By then, the women in Sare Gibel had heard the rumours on social media: The vaccines could make your blood stop or cause you to miscarry. Women who took it wouldn’t get pregnant again.

Lama Mballow and her sister-in-law, Fatoumata Mballow, never made the 3.4-mile trip (5.5 kilometres) to town for their vaccines, but the family kept the free shirt. Its lettering is now well-worn, but the women’s resolve has not softened. They share many meal preparation duties, child care, and their outlook on the vaccine.

“I definitely need a lot of children,” said Lama Mballow, 24, who has a 4-year-old son, another child on the way and no plans to get vaccinated. And Fatoumata Mballow, 29, struggling to get pregnant for the third time in a village where some women have as many as 10 children, quietly insists: “I don’t want to make it worse and destroy my womb.”

As health officials in Gambia and across Africa urge women to be vaccinated, they’ve confronted unwillingness among those of childbearing age. Many women worry that current or future pregnancies will be threatened and, in Africa, the success of a woman’s marriage often depends on the number of children she bears. Other women say they’re simply more afraid of the vaccine than the virus: As breadwinners, they can’t miss a day of work if side effects such as fatigue and fever briefly sideline them.

Their fears are hardly exceptional, with rumours proliferating across Africa, where fewer than 4% of the population is immunized. Although data on the gender breakdown of vaccine distribution are lacking globally, experts see a growing number of women in Africa’s poorest countries consistently missing out on vaccines. Officials who already bemoan the inequity of vaccine distribution between rich and poor nations now fear that the stark gender disparity means African women are the least vaccinated population in the world.

This story is part of a year-long series on how the pandemic is impacting women in Africa, most acutely in the least developed countries.

“We do see, unfortunately, that even as COVID vaccines arrive in Africa after a long delay, women are being left behind,” said Dr. Abdahalah Ziraba, an epidemiologist at the African Population and Health Research Center.

Source: The Associated Press

By Dawda Baldeh

The ongoing TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon started with 6 groups (Group A-F) featuring 24 African countries.

Both the Group and Round 16 knockout stages have ended. It is now the quater-finals where 8 countries are to lock-horns in 4 matches.

The eight African nations in the quarter-finals are: Gambia, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal and Equatorial Guinea.

Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Equatorial Guinea are francophone (French speaking) countries; while Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are Arabic speaking nations.

Interestingly, of these eight, only THE GAMBIA is an anglophone (English speaking country) and the small West African nation is at AFCON for the first time.

Football enthusiasts across the world are still shocked by the consistent impressive performance of the team from the qualifying series to the group state, Round 16 and now quarter-finals.

The Scorpions of The Gambia remain unbeaten so far, as they won two and drew one of their three group stage matches. They recently eliminated Guinea in the Round 16 Knockout Stage.

The Scorpions will now face the host of the 2021 AFCON tournament (Cameroon), in the quarter finals, on Saturday 29 January 2022 at 4pm Gambian time.

By Sarjo Brito

One week after his presidential inauguration, President Adama Barrow has today Thursday 27 January 2022, presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Cabinet Ministers at the State House in Banjul. The caretaker Cabinet consists of immediate past cabinet ministers who will continue to hold the same portfolios.  All Ministers, except the Minister of Youth and Sports who is currently in Cameroon with the national team, took their oath of office before the Head of State.

Speaking to the Ministers shortly after they swore to the oath of allegiance, President Barrow thanked his cabinet for accepting their appointments and their contribution in the governance process of The Gambia the past five years.

‘’I will not do justice to you if I do not publicly declare my appreciation and gratitude for your laudable efforts and the commendable commitment you demonstrated during my first term in office. You executed your duties responsibly and responsibly and with devotion to ensure that we succeed together on our development aspirations’’

‘’we have managed to create a legacy that will visibly go down in the history of The Gambia. I believe that no matter how long one serves in public office, it is more important than anything else to sincerely make the best use of the opportunity put at our disposal to serve the nation. Longevity does not matter as much as the quality and significance of the service we provide to our people and nation while in office.

President Barrow said while this is just a transitional cabinet, all Ministers sworn in today are expected to perform their functions with the oaths they took today and within the law, and the rules and regulations that govern public office.

By Amara Thoronka

Foni Agency for Rural Development (FARD) has in a press release submitted recommendations to the Gambian Government following the clash between ECOMIG and MFDC rebels in Foni.

“We are appalled by continued occupation of our region by foreign troops and as an organisation representing our people; we submit the following to the state: immediate review of the security posts in Foni and demilitarisation of the area; replacement of the Senegalese with Gambian Security Forces; immediately ban all timber exports via the area; deployment of Gambia National Army around the border and removal of the security check point in Bwiam ,” the organization submitted.

FARD noted that since the incident occurred on Monday 24 January 2022, the people of Foni have been finding life very challenging leading to loss of lives and displacement of many.

“The past few days have been moments of sobering reflection as dark clouds of fear, anxiety; pain and trauma hover menacingly over the people of Foni. The Monday 24 January clash between Senegalese ECOMIG soldiers and MFDC rebels within Foni has disrupted the peace and tranquil of our people. The ugly incident has forced many to flee their homes for fear of losing their lives in a war that has nothing to do with them.”

“The incident has us thinking in many directions. Are we a people of a lesser god? Are we not sovereign citizens? Why are we treated differently and finally, why the continuous occupational forces in Foni and if for security reasons – why not have Gambian military or Ghanaians or Nigerian forces in Foni – Why Senegalese forces with the full knowledge that Foni has close proximity with southern Senegal (Casamance) who are sworn enemies with the MFDC rebels,” they explained.

The Organisation said the focus should be on finding a lasting solution to the issue in Foni.

“Today, besides mourning the death of both the military and rebels who lost their lives in this avoidable scenario – we ask ourselves is this sustainable – the answer is NO – is it avoidable – the answer is an emphatic YES. Since hearing, this unfortunate news, Foni Agency for Rural Development (FARD), has sprung to action to show solidarity to our people and gather some resources to help victims who have been internally displaced. This is a short-term reprieve to help our people but what should we do to have sanity, security, safety, peace and dignified living conditions in Foni.”

The emphasized that, “The presence of the Senegalese Forces in our region since 2018 has in no way given us a feeling of safety but rather makes us feel like objects of suspicion. Our people suffer constant intimidation and harassment whilst our women suffer sexual exploitation and abuse. Furthermore, the ill placed security checkpoint in Bwiam has caused several accidents yet there is continued indifference about it.”

FARD stated that Foni has always been known for peace and security but warned that their silence and niceness as a people cannot and should not be taken as cowardice.

President Adama Barrow has already constituted a committee to investigate the issue in Foni.

By Sarjo Brito 

Gambia’s ex-Secretary General under Yahya Jammeh’s presidency and onetime Budget Director, Momodou Sabally has announced his intention to run for the forthcoming parliamentary election slated for April 9th, 2022. The youngest SG now dubbed Darboe’s right-hand man is seeking his election under the ticket of the United Democratic Party. In a statement shared on his official Facebook page, Sabally announced to his followers that he has formally submitted his letter of intent to the selection committee of the United Democratic Party’’

‘’ I have formally submitted a letter of intent to our relevant party officials in my bid to stand for the UDP in the upcoming National Assembly Election for the powerhouse, Busumbala Constituency’’

Sabally promise to pull off a landslide victory if selected by his party to contest the Busumbala constituency seat. Momodou Sabally in a widely circulated audio said his reason to run for Parliament is due to the many appeals he received from community elders and the youths. When elected he said, he’ll serve to attain amongst other things the protection and promotion of the sovereignty of the republic of The Gambia, improvement of the welfare of the residents of Busumbala Constituency, Fight for responsible and responsive fiscal policy so that Gambian taxpayers get their money’s worth in deliverables, promulgation and promotion of real youth and women’s empowerment legislature and supporting environmental protection and Cultural authenticity.

While the selection process is still ongoing at party level, Momodou Sabally said few party members who wanted to contest the seat have decided to withdraw their application following his announcement to run as a show of support to him.

By Amara Thoronka

Justice B.V.P Mahoney has called for the amendment of Gambia’s State Proceedings Act which he describes as a ‘pre-independence law’ that gives the State ‘blanket protection.’

He made the call for amendment to the said law on Tuesday 25^th January 2022 when handing in his ruling on a motion in the ongoing case between the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) versus the Minister of Lands and the Attorney who recently established a commission of inquiry to probe into corruption allegations at KMC. In the said case, which is in progress, KMC had filed in a motion for the court to restrain the commission from progressing with its inquiry proceedings.

Citing supreme court cases in which the State Proceedings Act was referenced, Justice Mahoney ruled that the said law, in cases of such, prevents the court from restraining public officers in the exercise of their statutory powers.

“I must confess that I find it hard to digest that the State Proceedings Act would give such blanket protection to the State to make any decision which although the courts are permitted to review or even set aside but cannot in any circumstance prevent the performance of the impugned decision until the final hearing of the dispute.”

Also on State Proceedings Act, Justice Mahoney quoted from page 5 of the Gambia Supreme Court ruling in the case of Gambia Participates versus The Clerk of Parliament & 3 others dated.

“It is by virtue of this provision [section 17(2) of the State Proceedings Act] that no relief pertaining to an injunction or specific performance will be granted by a court against the State in any civil proceedings.”

The high court judge therefore called for an amendment to the State Proceedings Act.

“I am of the humble opinion that the provision in the State Proceedings Act, which is a pre-independence Act, ought to be revisited as injunctions may be granted against the State in many other jurisdictions which, if were not available, would have resulted in great material loss or breach of fundamental rights.”

When ruling on cases before them, judges sometimes give their opinions on legal issues to enhance fair justice, peace, orderliness and positive change in society.

By Yerro Mballow

Justice Basirou V.P.Mahoney has dismissed application made by Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) to suspend proceedings of the Commission of Inquiry recently set up by the Minister of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs.

The said Commission of Inquiry was formed to probe into corruption allegations at the Kanifing Municipal Council under the leadership of Mayor Ahmed Talib Bensouda.

In his ruling on the application made by KMC in the ongoing case, Justice Mahoney said the court cannot grant such application.

“The 1^st Respondent (the Minister) exercised his power under the Local Government Act, rightly or wrongly, and is presumed to be regular until determined otherwise in the main suit. The Commission of Inquiry was established and gazetted. Going by the Supreme Court decisions in Ya Kumba Jaiteh v The Clerk of the National Assembly and Gambia Participates v The Clerk of the National Assembly, no court can restrain the power exercised by the State. It is noteworthy that in the instance matter, although the application is for a stay of proceedings of the Commission, its effect is to restrain the performance of the official act of the 1^st Respondent which going by the above mentioned Supreme decisions, cannot be granted and is hereby dismissed,” the ruling stated.

Citing precedents, Justice Mahoney noted that the court is bound to follow the decisions of the Supreme Court in the case of Ya Kumba Jaiteh versus Clerk of the National Assembly; and that of Gambia Participates versus The Clerk of the National Assembly which affirm that no court can restrain the performance of power exercised by the State.

It should however be noted that the said ruling is just for application (motion) made by KMC for the court to restrain the Commission of Inquiry from continuing with its proceedings. The ruling is not for the substantive (actual) case which challenges the legality of the establishment of the said commission.

The hearing on the substantive case comes up on 31st January 2022.

By Sarjo Brito

Gambian President Adama Barrow in a press statement dated January 26, 2022, says he has set up a Presidential taskforce effective immediately, to investigate Monday’s incident in Foni where Senegalese soldiers clashed with elements of the separatist group MFDC. The exchange between the two groups on Gambian soil claimed the lives of two Senegalese soldiers and displacing many of the civilian population living around the border villages.

‘’Given the urgency of the situation, President Barrow has immediately constituted a Presidential Taskforce to thoroughly investigate the incident. For a more inclusive and transparent investigation, the Presidential taskforce draw membership from key Government institutions and the ECOWAS Permanent Mission in The Gambia’’

The Gambian leader in his press release says he sympathises with the people of Foni after a threatening situation which has disrupted their daily activities and forced many to flee for safety.

‘’Mr Barrow is particularly touched by the pain and suffering of the people of the satellite villages of Kampant, Kappa, Ballen and Buginga and assures them of his government’s unflinching commitment to ensure lasting peace and security within their communities. Therefore, the people of Foni and the people in general are urged to go on their normal business as the situation is under control and Government wishes to ensure all, that it has no plans to use The Gambia launchpad for cross border attacks’’

President Barrow also shared his condolences to the ECOMOG Command, The ECOWAS Community, and the bereaved families of the fallen Senegalese soldiers.

The Gambia Government has in a press release dated 26 January 2022 refuted publications on the parliamentary summons of the Minister of Tourism Hamat Bah Over Corruption allegations at Gambia Tourism Board.

“The Gambia Government strongly believes that story which was subsequently reproduced across various Social Media platforms was false and malicious calculated to defame the character of the Honourable Minister and bring the Government into disrepute as Hon Bah was never given the opportunity to respond to the summons allegations. Minister Bah is one person who has never hesitated to answer queries from journalists and does not shy away from public scrutiny,” the release stated.

“As echoed by the rejoinder from the Clerk of the National Assembly dated 25^th January 2022, the Petitions Committee is investigating the claims by the staff of The Gambia Tourism Board (GT Board) and fair hearing will be granted to all  those who are adversely mentioned,” it clarified.

It emphasized, “While remaining committed to public scrutiny, The Gambia Government encourages media practitioners and social media content creators to verify their stories consistent with standards of journalistic fairness”

According to a release from the President’s Office, President Adama Barrow will tomorrow 27 January 2022 swear-in a new cabinet in accordance with Section 71 (3) of the Constitution of the Gambia. This comes a week after the President took oath of office at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

‘’The public is hereby informed that in accordance with Section 71 (3) of the Constitution, the swearing-in ceremony of Cabinet will be held tomorrow, 27th January 2022 at the State House in Banjul. The ceremony which will be graced by His Excellency President Adama Barrow will take place at the State House Grand Tent at 10:00 AM,’’ the release noted.

A day after his second inauguration as President of The Gambia, President Adama Barrow constituted a caretaker cabinet which he said will administer the affairs of the country until further notice.

Gambia Police have revealed findings of preliminary investigation of a missing girl who reportedly missing at Manjai Kunda some days ago.

The missing girl is Khadijatou Jallow commonly known as Angela, an 8-year-old child who has lost both parents.

According to police findings, Khadijatou was under the care of Marie Jarjue, her grandmother who is believed to be mentally unstable, adding that due to numerous reports of abuse, she was officially placed under the care of Mr. Momodou K. Jallow of the Jallow family at Manjai Kunda.

Khadijatou was subsequently enrolled at Cherno Baba Memorial School where she is currently attending school at grade two.

The police preliminary investigation disclosed that on Thursday 20th January 2022, the grandmother of the child, Marie Jarjue went to the school without authority, picked up the child and left with her to an unknown destination.

The police are currently conducting a search to trace the whereabouts of the girl and are therefore urging members of the public to volunteer information that may be useful to the investigation.

The public is encouraged to call the toll free 117 hotline for any information.

By Sarjo Brito

Gambia’s former Minister of Interior and now leader of Gambia Moral Congress Party, Mai Ahmad has spoken on the ongoing saga involving foreign forces in the Foni area and the separatist rebel group MFDC based in Cassamance.

Mai Fatty describes the incident which left two Senegalese soldiers dead and displacing many “a violation of Gambia’s sovereignty.” The former Interior Minister and onetime Presidential Adviser called on Gambians to put their political differences aside at a time like this and unite to expel the invaders.

‘’We must put all political differences aside and unite to defend our Sovereignty against foreign rebel incursion. That is what all civilised Nations do. An armed attack from Cassamance rebels against foreign forces present at the legitimate invitation of our country, is a military attack against our country. We must not let our strong feelings against ECOMIG presence, or troops from Senegal under separate bilateral Agreement, disable our Republican civic duty to protect our country against unprovoked rebel aggression on Gambian soil’’

Monday’s exchange of gunfire between the Senegalese forces and the separatist group resulting to the loss of lives have raised eyebrows on how it happened on Gambian soil. The statement of the Senegalese leader Macky Sall that the Senegalese forces were on an operation against illegal timber trafficking sparked further questions on the mandate of the mission in the country, accusing Senegal of using the ECOMOG as a cover up to pursue their own geopolitical interest.

Mai Fatty said despite the MFDC’s heavy presence in the Foni’s, there has never been a been a military attack launched by Senegalese forces from The Gambia against the MFDC. Despite that no attacks were directly launched from The Gambia; Mai says no troops must use their presence in the Gambia to advance their geopolitical interest.

‘’Having said that, it is illegal for any troop contributing State to use their presence in The Gambia, as pretext to advance their strategic geopolitical interests, contrary to our national economic, political and security interests. It is illegal and unconstitutional for any foreign force present in The Gambia, under any guise, to interfere in the implementation of our domestic laws, including alleged smuggling of any nature, and in our general internal affairs’’

Military leaders on Monday detained Burkina Faso’s President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, later announcing they had ousted the leader, dissolved the government and suspended the constitution.

“I came here this morning to support the putsch. We expect the military to deal with the corruption in the country”, said one of hundreds of people gathered in Nation Square, Ouagadougou, on Tuesday.

As the crowds waved flags and sounded vuvuzela horns, some hoped the new leaders would tackle security concerns including jihadi attacks which have killed millions in the country. “We are tired of this situation. We are tired of crying, we are tired of always suffering because our brothers are killed”, said another.

The West African country is now in the hands of the Patriotic Movement for Preservation and Restoration (MPSR), the name of a junta led by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.

Source: France24

The Senegalese army says two of its soldiers have been killed and nine are missing after clashes in The Gambia, a country almost totally surrounded by Senegal.

The troops were part of the West African peacekeeping mission that has been deployed in The Gambia for the past five years.

Senegal’s military says the men clashed with southern Senegalese separatists illegally smuggling timber.

It said the separatists were probably holding the nine hostage.

One of the insurgents also died.

Source: BBC

By Sarjo Brito

The Deputy Managing Director at The Gambia National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Yero Jallow has replaced Saihou Drammeh as the new Managing Director of Gam-Petroleum. Yero’s appointment came following the release of the findings and recommendations by the taskforce which was set up by The Gambia Government to investigate Gam-Petroleum after the discovery of a massive corruption scandal late last year. The task force according to a government press release recommended the restructuring of Gam Petroleum Company, including the constitution of a new board of directors, immediate appointment of an interim management amongst others.

Yero Jallow specialises in accounting, international business, and management. His experience in these sectors spanned for a period of thirty years, working across many industries.

In 2014, Yero served as Treasury Manager at Elton Oil Gambia Company ltd. He left the company that same year and started working as a freelance management consultant, providing services on strategic management procedures, writing policy and procedures manuals etc.

After providing consultancy services to business entities as a Freelance Management Consultant since January 2010, Yero decided to set up the YBJ Business Management Enterprise in January 2016 with the main objective of helping Gambian-based Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs), as well as Government Agencies to improve their strategic management, financial management, and administration capabilities.

In October 2016, Yero would later move to TAF Africa Global, one of the leading real estate companies in the Gambia and the sub region. Jallow worked for the real estate company under the capacity of Assistant Financial Controller. He was sent to Nigeria to take up this job in its special purpose vehicle (SPV) company (RivTaf Nigeria Ltd), which was set up in partnership with the Rivers State Government to develop the RivTaf Golf Estate in Port Harcourt.

In October 2020, Yero Jallow became the Deputy Managing Director of the Gambia National Petroleum Corporation before his recent appointment as Managing Director of Gam-Petroleum.

Yero graduated from the University of East London and holds an MBA, International Business.

The Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) has made several arrests in the Kanifing Municipality in connection with possession of prohibited drugs and also for obstruction of DLEAG’s operatives from performing their duty.

DLEAG apprehended seven (7) persons for obstructing their operatives and willfull damage to property. The suspects were said to be involved in the stoning and obstruction of the operatives when one Ablie Demba was arrested on Saturday 22 January 2022 at Tallinding Sicap. The patrol team indicated that Ablie was taken into custody after operatives discovered seventeen (17) parcels and one hundred and seventeen (117) wraps of suspected cannabis sativa wrapped with white papers and concealed in multi colour nylon bags in a specific compound in Tallinding Sicap.

The suspect Ablie Demba then started shouting, creating commotion and calling for his people not to let the officers take him into custody. This resulted into a serious confrontation as those he sought help from obstructed the officers and insisted that he will not be arrested. Some started throwing stones at the patrol team resulting to the vandalisation of the windscreen of one of the patrol vehicles.

All seven suspects identified to be involved in the obstruction alongside Ablie Demba and another suspect (Lamin Sanneh) earlier arrested in the same compound with 13 kg 400 grams  of suspected cannabis sativa were arraigned in court and remanded accordingly.

It is however disappointing and disheartening that people especially relatives will be aware about their kinsmen involvement in illicit activities and wouldn’t make any effort to address it. On the contrary, they will do everything humanly possible to ensure that such people are shielded and not brought to book. We must understand that it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our societies are safe and secure.

We are loosing youths with high potentials and prospects to drugs. Youths as young as 12 years old sit in joints within our communities abusing drugs all day long. No one dare address them for fear of the disrespect they will receive from them. The agency continues to receive countless number of complains and reports from the public regarding drug related activities and open drug abuse.  It is our expectation that if we embark on implementing control measures to abate this menace, all meaningful and sincere Gambians and residents should support us and not the contrary.

We assure the populace that we will not be distracted in fulfilling our mandate as provided for in law. We will employ all lawful means to ensure that our communities are safe and drug free so that our youths can grow to realize their potentials.

We also use this opportunity to remind heads of households and those concerned in the Management of premises that it is an offense to knowingly permit drug related activities in their premises.

Section 40 of the DCA 2003 frowns at and prohibit those concerned with the Management of premises from knowingly permitting producing, supplying, preparing, smoking or otherwise using a controlled or prohibited drug. It also bars them from knowingly permitting anyone to attempt  any such activity.

Section 40 subsection 2 further provides that except proven otherwise, anyone found engaged in drug related activities on any premise shall be presumed to have been permitted by the person, persons or entity concerned in the management of such premise or premises.

On that note, we call on them to be alert and vigilant. Henceforth, the agency shall strictly apply this provision for those arrested in places notorious for the dealing or open abuse of drugs. And unless the contrary is proven by investigations, charges will be preferred accordingly.

In a similar but separate development, DLEAG’s Kanifing Field Station arrested one Yankuba Jammeh, an adult male Gambian National on the 22 January 2022 With eleven (11) bundles and thirty one (31) wraps of suspected cannabis sativa in Lamin (WCR).

DLEAG’s Sanyang Field Station arrested one Ebrima Barry, an adult male Gambian and a resident of Jabang Layout with one (1) bundle and two (2) wraps of suspected cannabis sativa. He was arrested on the 23 January 2022 around 18:25 GMT onwards at Jabang Layout

DLEAG’s Jareng Field Station took into custody Bakary Bayo, a 37 years old farmer and Lamin Nyabally, a 21 years old student for possession of suspected prohibited drugs.

The duo were nabbed on the 19 January 2022 around 13:30 GMT onwards at Jareng village with three (3) parcels and six (6) wraps of suspected cannabis sativa.