Tida Kijera will officially endorse UDP leader Ousainou Darboe on Sunday as she announced she is joining the party.
Mrs Kijera who was Gambia Moral Congress’s most powerful woman was sacked by the party this week in a development that has surprised many.
The woman politician updated her Facebook profile picture on Friday with a new photo of her and UDP leader Ousainou Darboe.
She said she will be meeting Darboe on Sunday to officially endorse him.
Scores of citizens on Friday attended the burial of the mother of top National People’s Party chieftain Seedy Njie in Chamen, Nianija.
Mr Njie’s mother, Kaddijatou Jallow, passed away on Thursday and was laid to rest on Friday at her native in Chamen Nianija.
A massive crowd of mourners attended the funeral among them Vice President Dr Isatou Touray, Hamat Bah, Dr Demba Sabally and Imam Muhammed Lamin Touray.
A regional delegation led by the governor of CRR Abba Sanyang also attended the funeral.
By: Maimouna Bah
President Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP) leads voting intention of male and female voters in the forthcoming presidential election in The Gambia. This is according to an opinion poll report done by Center for Policy, Research and Strategic Studies (CePRass) and National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
The report states that NPP leads with 42% among female respondents and 45% among males. It indicates that opposition strongman Ousainou Darboe’s United Democratic Party (UDP) takes second with 23% among female respondents and 24% among males.
From the report, NPP leads among males by 21% and 19% among females.
Gambian American actor and Real Estate business man, Alex Darboe this week closed on a 30.5 million Dalasi Real Estate deal in America and donated 50,000 to his native Gunjur towards the building of a multipurpose skills center.
Mr Darboe migrated to the United States more than a decade ago and has gone on to become one of the most successful young Gambians in the US.
He confirmed his recent success in real estate to The Fatu Network.
The country’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) lacks both the capacity and competence to conduct the December 2021 Presidential Election the leader and presidential candidate of the Citizens Alliance (CA) Party has said. According to Dr Ismaila Ceesay, the commission is ill-prepared for the task and as such has resulted in victimising his party.
“The Chairman of the IEC is Weak and does not seem to be in charge of the institution. The IEC is acting in bad faith, they are discriminatory and we have very little faith and trust in them. Their action is spiteful and vindictive and we cannot accept it,” Dr Ceesay said.
He called on civil society organisations, International Observers and the media to take note of the injustice stating clearly that they as a party have been pushed to the wall.
“IEC action has the potential to derail the electoral process and undermine the peace and stability of the Gambia if not checked,” Dr Ceesay said.
The High Court of The Gambia on 23rd November 2021 handed down judgement in favour of Citizens’ Alliance after clearly establishing that the IEC acted in violation of the country’s Elections Act.
“They are vehemently bent on depriving us of running for the 4th December Election. But they cannot stop us. As a matter of fact, we shall start our campaign on Sunday,” Dr Ceesay said sternly
Meanwhile, Dr Ceesay revealed that yesterday at 11:40 the party submitted fresh nomination papers containing 331 signatures in accordance with the court ruling.
By Amara Thoronka
Gambians go to the polls on Saturday 4th December 2021 to elect their President. As moral guarantors of peace, Gambia Supreme Islamic Council in collaboration with the Office of The Imam Ratib of Banjul and Gambia Christian Council yesterday held a press briefing on the importance of peace and tolerance before, during and after election.
Making a clarion call, The Imam Ratib of Banjul said Christians and Muslims in The Gambia are united and therefore encouraged politicians and their supporters to emulate such by embracing peace and tolerance and follow due process.
“Muslims and Christians live together in unity, peace and tolerance. I want politicians and their supporters to learn from this and always keep the peace in the interest of a unified Gambia. On polling day, stay at home if you have no business with the electoral process, and after voting, go home peacefully and wait for the result.”
President of Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, Essa Darboe, appealed to Gambians not to say or do things that would destabilize the nation, citing that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned Muslims to desist from creating instability as it is a great sin.
In his contribution, General Secretary of Gambia Christian Council, Rev. Rodney Prom said in the absence of peace everyone suffers, emphasizing that the victory of any of the candidates in the forthcoming presidential election should be seen as a victory of all Gambians.
“When the absence of peace comes upon us it will not look at our faces, religions or political affiliations. It will only steal away our peace, security and shelter. When one person wins the December 4th presidential election it is the whole of Gambia that wins. We intermarry and are connected in many ways, so we should not allow politics to divide us.”
Vice President of Pastors Alliance, Pst. Sylvester Jammeh noted that Gambians should exercise their freedom of association with peace, and first think about the children, pregnant women and the disabled before saying or doing anything detrimental to the peace and security of The Gambia.
In climaxing the press briefing, the interfaith clergy prayed for a peaceful, free, fair and transparent presidential election in The Gambia.
United Democratic Party leader Ousainou Darboe has told thousands of his supporters he pulled out of the campaign trail after falling and sustaining a minor fracture.
“Two days ago, I pulled out of the campaign trail because after performing the Asr prayers, while folding my prayer mat, I tripped and fell and then sustained a minor fracture. I couldn’t be attended to in the LRR in the manner I wanted medically. So I had to come back to Banjul to have better medical evaluation,” Mr Darboe told his supporters at his Pipeline residence early Friday.
UDP’s campaign contingent returned to Banjul on Thursday after ending the first part of their presidential campaign.
It however saw Mr Darboe missed the big return after spending a day at Afrimed hospital.
“My compatriots, I am humbled yet by another rapturous welcome by the members of this great party. This welcome of the campaign team has been made possible by your devotion and your dedication to the United Democratic Party,” Mr Darboe told his supporters.
By Matty Senghore
The National People’s Party beat United Democratic Party to respondents who indicated which candidate is likely to win the December 4 presidential election
The Central for Policy Research and Strategic Studies has published its latest opinion poll on next month’s presidential election showing a massive 44% of respondents saying NPP is likely to win the election.
“NPP leads on the likely to win and the intention to vote at 44% and 41%respectively, followed by UDP at 24%and 22% respectively, while others (PDOIS, GDC ,GUP, ESSA FAAL) struggle for less than 10% and 15% of respondents votes respectively. However a significant 24% of respondents say they can’t tell who will win , while 25% say they are undecided or say it their secret when asked about their intention to vote,” the poll, released on Friday said.
According to the poll relying on respondents, President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party is also likely to win in all the regions of the country except Banjul where the number of people who said they can’t tell is more than those who said NPP is likely to win.
CEPRASS interviewed 1,184 likely voters across the country in a survey that lasted for 10 days.
The survey also revealed that the most important issues for the incoming president to address are health, agriculture and security.
By Matty Senghore
The National People’s Party beat United Democratic Party to respondents who indicated which candidate is likely to win the December 4 presidential election
The Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies has published its latest opinion poll on next month’s presidential election showing a massive 44% of respondents saying NPP is likely to win the election.
“NPP leads on the likely to win and the intention to vote at 44% and 41%respectively, followed by UDP at 24%and 22% respectively, while others (PDOIS, GDC ,GUP, ESSA FAAL) struggle for less than 10% and 15% of respondents votes respectively. However a significant 24% of respondents say they can’t tell who will win , while 25% say they are undecided or say it their secret when asked about their intention to vote,” the poll, released on Friday said.
According to the poll relying on respondents, President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party is also likely to win in all the regions of the country except Banjul where the number of people who said they can’t tell is more than those who said NPP is likely to win.
CEPRASS interviewed 1,184 likely voters across the country in a survey that lasted for 10 days.
The survey also revealed that the most important issues for the incoming president to address are health, agriculture and security.
The Presidential Candidate of the Citizens’ Alliance (CA) Party Dr Ismaila Ceesay has informed the Gambian people that his party is going ahead to start campaigns and the country’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) cannot stop them.
He was speaking at a press conference at the party’s secretariat. Dr Ceesay’s outburst comes after a court ruling which indicated that the IEC acted in violation of the Elections Act.
“They are vehemently bent on depriving us from running for the 4th December Election. But they cannot stop us, as a matter of fact we shall start our campaign on Sunday.” Dr Ceesay said sternly
He further noted that although the court made a ruling that they (The IEC) acted outside the law, they are now bent on frustrating the judgement by filing an appeal only to delay and forestall his opportunity to run for president.
Mai Ahmad Fatty has confirmed the expulsion of certain members of Gambia Moral Congress after the party’s strongwoman Tida Kijera confirmed her booting.
Mr Fatty wrote on his official Facebook page on Thursday: “After hours of marathon National Executive meeting, GMC resolved on key decisions relating to the way forward, including the difficult and sensitive decision of expulsion of certain members.
“Few years ago, another political Party had to expel eight of its elected members of parliament and a chairman of a municipality. Such difficult decisions must be made in the overwhelming interests of the Party, in conformity with Party Constitution, and preferably unanimous. On this, the decision was absolutely unanimous.
“The Deputy Spokesperson will inform the media of our next political move regarding elections. GMC is a sovereign political Party that fought valiantly to end tyranny and will once again assert its presence in the landscape, and will do so according to what the Party perceives to be in its best interests and that of the country.”
By Christian Conteh
The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) was constituted, and commissioners sworn-in in October of 2018 as an independent Gambian institution with a mandate to conduct research and investigations into human rights violations committed under the presidency of Yahya Jammeh.
The essence of the commission’s work was to lay the foundation to prevent a repetition of the violations and abuses suffered under the past regime by making recommendations to government and citizens to ensure the crimes of the past never recur in The Gambia.
In line with its vision, the TRRC over the period facilitated community and national reconciliation, launched civic education efforts on peace and justice, designed individual and communal reparations, and shaped the scope of future prosecutions and amnesties. All this was done to promote national reconciliation and healing, by assisting victims and their relatives.
The much-talked-about TRRC report has today Thursday 25th November 2021 officially been presented to President Adama Barrow at State House in the Gambian capital, Banjul
According to the report, Jammeh and his cohorts stand accused of a range of crimes including theft of resources to gross human rights violations. Victims and perpetrators of crimes testified before the TRRC, giving graphic accounts of abuses, rapes, murders, disappearances, torture and illegal imprisonment of opponents of the regime.
Giving the welcome address Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dawda Jallow noted that the TRRC Commission was constituted in October of 2018 and commenced hearings in 2019.
Over the period he said the commission spoke with over 300 witnesses during a period of over 800 days. He assured the president that the report is completed and ready for submission.
Submitting the report Chairman of the TRRC Dr Sise thanked President Barrow on behalf of the commissioners for receiving them and giving them a free hand to do their work over the years. He recalled that on the 15th October 2018 they were sworn in as commissioners of the TRRC and took up the assignment of going back into the dark history of their motherland.
He, with a sigh of relief, noted that they have completed their work and are submitting their report as per the commissions statutory mandate as established in Section 29 of the TRRC Act of 2017.
“Pursuant to Section 29 of the TRRC act of 2017 the commission is required to submit a report to the President. The report must submit findings and recommendations. The report contains 393 witness testimonies the majority were victims, some were self-confessed perpetrators.
The allegations include Arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention and killings including extrajudicial killings, rape, castration, witch hunting, fake HIV treatment and general and widespread human right abuse,” Dr. Lamin Sise Chairman TRRC said.
Chairman, Dr. Lamin Sise said the commission worked intensely for nearly three years to fulfil its mandate, hearing 393 witness testimonies the majority being victims and some self-confessed perpetrators. The report he revealed is contained in 17 volumes.
Receiving the report on behalf of the government and people of The Gambia President Adama Barrow started by clearly indicating that he is the Architect of the TRRC, and It will be his legacy.
“I want to make this very clear to the Gambian people and the entire world. I don’t think anybody would have been interested in the TRRC more than myself as the architect and knowing fully well that the TRRC will be part of my legacy in the future,” President Barrow said.
He noted that the report completion and submission mark a great achievement for the Gambian nation, and it is a sense of pride that his government decided to establish the TRRC commission.
The report he said was to bring justice, accountability, healing and reparation for victims, indicating that many African countries have established TRC platforms in one way or the other, naming Rwanda as an example.
“The Gacaca Courts of Rwanda is an example; despite the genocide, the people have reconciled their differences and are now working together to develop their country. Realising that they could not undo the past, the Rwandese factions that killed and maimed one another’s families realised that the right thing to do was to bury the hatchet and work together to build the future as one people,” President Barrow said.
He went on to note that through the TRRC Gambians now know what happened in the past, but the desire of citizens should be to exist peacefully as Gambians and nurture the country’s democracy in a stable country where the rule of law prevails.
He commended the commissioners, and the legal team for carrying out what he described as ‘a national service’ successfully and extended gratitude to international partners including the UN and UNDP among others for their support.
“My government will ensure justice is done but I urge all to be patient, so we follow the legal processes. My government will study the report carefully and we shall put out a white paper six months from today,” President Barrow ended.
The TRRC has identified and recommended for prosecution those who bear the greatest responsibility for human rights violations in the Gambia between 1994 to 2017, under the watch of former dictator Yahya Jammeh.
The 17 volumes contain 427 findings and 218 recommendations after 3 years of work by the commission.
By Sarjo Brito
The highly anticipated TRRC report was submitted to President Adama Barrow on Thursday amid warning from the chairman of the investigation forgiving and forgetting the heinous crimes perpetrated under former President Yahya Jammeh will not only undermine reconciliation but will also constitute a massive and egregious cover-up of the crimes narrated by the witnesses.
Chairman Lamin J Sise and his commissioners faced reporters shortly after the submission of the TRRC’s report to the president telling them The Gambia cannot go through ‘Maslaha’ syndrome or letting people do what they want and to ignore these gross violations.
“To forgive and forget with impunity the violations and abuses narrated by witnesses to the Commission would not only undermine reconciliation but also constitute a massive egregious cover-up of the crimes committed. Not addressing these crimes could threaten, in the long term, the stability of our country and society. The individuals involved in perpetrating the violations and abuses must be held accountable for their actions,” Dr Sise insisted.
Dr. Sise emphasized, Gambia cannot afford to tolerate or ignore the crimes perpetrated during Jammeh’s 22-year reign because the country cannot survive their being repeated.
“The violation and abuses of human rights that the National Assembly Mandated us to do investigate were, from the testimonies of witnesses, so calculated and wicked that the Gambia, to paraphrase the words of Justice Robert Jackson at the Nuremberg Trials in November 1945 ‘cannot tolerate their being ignored, because it cannot survive their being repeated’,” Dr Sise said.
The Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission was launched by the Gambia government in 2018. The principal purpose of the commission was to investigate alleged human rights violations perpetrated under the 22-year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.
Thursday’s submitted report to the Gambian leader contains the finding of the commission and recommendations concerning the reforms and other measures needed to achieve the objective of the Commission.
Gambia Moral Congress leader Mai Ahmad Fatty has expelled the party’s top chieftain Tida Kijera.
Mrs Kijera served in the roles of woman mobiliser and spokeswoman.
She was expelled on Thursday in a letter by leader Mai Ahmad Fatty.
The letter did not say why she was being relieved but The Fatu Network understands Mrs Kijera had taken a break from the party’s activities amid ‘issues’ within the party.
By Dawda Baldeh
The Gambian President who doubles as the leader of the National People’s Party Adama Barrow has promised to construct more roads and hospitals across the country.
“I will construct over 1600-kilometre roads across the country and build hospitals to strengthen the health sector if re-elected on 4th December 2021,” Barrow said.
The head of state was speaking during his meetings in Bwiam, Somita and Giboroh last night.
The Gambian president said his government is committed to developing and unifying The Gambian people.
Responding to concerns raised by various speakers President Barrow assured voters that he will continue to work for the country. Barrow called on Gambians to embrace unity and desist from those things that divide the nation and fester tribalism.
The NPP leader called on his supporters to remain calm while awaiting victory in the race to state house, noting that Gambians should understand he is the president, and his time will end and will someday be history.
Honourable Sunkary Badjie is a National Assembly Member for Foni Berefet he called on people to rally behind president Barrow.
Imam Alhagie Baba Ceesay of Bwiam called on citizens to embrace peace, noting that there cannot be any meaningful development without peace. He told the gathering that politics is not about attacking one another.
He, however, expressed concerns over the challenge of easy access to education.
President Barrow’s work was recommended by various speakers on different campaign platforms, most of them saying that the country has made progress within the five years of his mandate.
President Barrow is accompanied by a delegation of senior government officials, party leaders and independent candidates who pledged their support describing Barrow as the right candidate for the top job.
Now that the TRRC has submitted its recommendations, the government can bring to light the truth about this dark period in the country’s history and ensure that the victims can receive reparations for what they suffered.
Michèle Eken, Amnesty International West Africa researcher.
“Perpetrators, some of whom are still in the security apparatus should be brought to court and authorities must ensure that these state-sponsored human rights violations are never repeated.”
Background
Today, the TRRC commissioners of the Gambian Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) submitted their final report to President Adama Barrow.
Established in December 2017, the main objective of the TRRC was to create an impartial historical record of violations and abuses of human rights from July 1994 to January 2017 in order to “promote healing and reconciliation, respond to the needs of the victims, address impunity, and prevent a repetition of the violations and abuses suffered by making recommendations for the establishment of appropriate preventive mechanisms, including institutional and legal reforms.”
It was also meant to establish and make known the fate or whereabouts of disappeared victims and grant reparations to victims in appropriate cases. On 15 October 2018, President Adama Barrow appointed and swore in the 11 Commissioners of the TRRC which began its hearings on 7 January 2019. It submitted its Interim Report to the Government on 29 April 2020.
The Deputy Chairperson of the TRRC has vehemently described as false allegations that indicate there was political interference with their work as a commission.
Adelaide Sosseh refuted this claim during a press conference at TRCC’s Office.
“There was no political interference with our work. The work reflected what the victims told us, we were to do an impartial work and that is exactly what we did,” Madam Sosseh said.
She maintained that this (the TRRC report) is one report that she feels very comfortable about because the victims’ organisations are determined to ensure the recommendations are implemented.
Essa Faal on Wednesday declared him and his people have changed Gambian politics – and that the youth have taken charge of their destiny.
“From 10am to now (8pm), thank you. We must also thank the IEC for making this event possible. We had to make changes at the last minute and they accommodated us,” Mr Faal told supporters from the roof of his car after arriving home.
The Turnaround advocate insisted Gambian youth have taken charge of their destiny and will unite in December to effect change.
Mr Faal said: “We have changed Gambians politics. It is no longer a reserve for the adults, it is now the property of the Gambian youth and from henceforth, you decide your future.
“From today onwards, you decide your destiny and come December 4th you will be united in one resolution, that is to change this government.”
Essa Mbye Faal is one of six candidates who will contest next month’s presidential election with President Adama Barrow seeking re-election.
Mr Faal is a lawyer by profession and was the lead prosecutor for the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission.
The TRRC has identified and recommended for prosecution those who bear the greatest responsibility for human right violations in the Gambia between 1994 to 2017, under the watch of former dictator Yahya Jammeh, Dr. Lamin J Sise Chairman of the TRRC has said in an ongoing press conference at the commission’s office.
The press conference comes after the presentation of the 17 volumes containing 427 Findings and 218 Recommendations after 3 years of work by the TRRC.
The National People’s Party has issued a statement expressing gratitude to citizens for showing love to President Adama Barrow on his return to Banjul on Sunday from upcountry campaign.
A statement by the party said: “His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, Secretary General and Party Leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) on behalf of the NPP National executives, members and supporters of all partner parties and independents express profound gratitude to all Gambians for the unprecedented show of love demonstrated during his 2021 Presidential campaign in rural Gambia.
“Thousands of Gambians attended his political meetings and lined up streets in their various settlements as President Barrow’s motorcade slowly drove passed.
“In all the meetings, Gambians spoke with common determination to vote President Barrow back into office with an absolute majority to allow him continue his development programmes.
“While in rural Gambia, President Barrow assured Gambians of his resolve to deliver in the area of infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education, skills development, youth and women entrepreneurship, health care, water and sanitation, sports development, democratic gains and the rule of law. Barrow told Gambians these areas will take centre stage in his next government agenda.
“Throughout the Presidential campaign tour across the North Bank, Central River, Upper River and Lower River Regions over ten thousand Gambians defected from UDP and GDC to the National People’s Party.
“Leaders of the various defectors hailed President Barrow’s astute leadership and development agenda as inclusive and hence the necessity to vote for him on the 4th December, 2021.
“They described President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party as inclusive and non-tribal.
“President Adama Barrow returned to Banjul on Sunday 21st November, 2021 in a spectacular 14-hour journey as massive crowds escorted his convoy through Mansakonko, Kalaji, Kombo Brikama, Farato, Busumbala, Yundum, Banjulinding, Lamin to the State House in Banjul.
“The NPP and its allies are grateful to Gambians for the patience, tolerance and endorsement of its campaign.
“Special commendations to all regional chairmen, constituencies, wards, districts and village chairmen as well as committee members and supporters of the NPP-led Grand Alliance.
“President Adama Barrow is expected to address hundred thousand electorates at a mass political rally in Buffer Zone, Tallinding on Wednesday 1st December 2021 and a wrap up of his campaign with two hundred thousand massive political rally on Thursday 2nd December, 2021 at the McCarthy Square in Banjul.”
