The nation’s top military leader Lieutenant General Yakuba A Drammeh has disclosed in a goodwill message to troops the army achieved a lot in 2020 despite the challenging impediments occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is with a deep sense of accomplishment, gratification and hope that I address this message to the gallant officers, soldiers/ratings of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) as we draw the curtain on an eventful Year 2020. It is my fervent conviction that we have achieved a lot together (in the context of our set goals) during the out-going year despite the unprecedented and challenging impediments occasioned by, among other things, the COVID – 19 pandemic,” General Drammeh said.

The general also said: “Apparently, the Pandemic had and continues to pose serious challenges to the realization of some of our strategic objectives in the area of training, operations and capacity building. In order to mitigate the risks of transmissions among our personnel, GAF had to scale down its administrative, operational and training activities at the respective Service, Formation and Unit Headquarters. At this juncture, allow me to commend the Directorate of GAF Medical Services for the vigorous sensitization campaign conducted for troops under command thus reducing the risks of transmission within all military installations.

“During this challenging period, troops of GAF provided humanitarian services, at the request of Civil Authority, by helping in the distribution of the government COVID – 19 food packages to needy Gambians and participated in preparing isolation centres for infected persons. Additionally, during the month of June 2020, as part of celebrations marking ‘World Blood Donor Day’, you all made us very proud when you thronged all the major health facilities to voluntarily donate blood. Such calculated moves on the part of these fine men and women is worthy of commendation and should be encouraged at all times.

“On the operational front, my Headquarters launched Operation “CRACK NUT” following the declaration by the Commander-In-Chief of a State of Public Emergency throughout the country in March 2020. Personnel of the Gambia Armed Forces were mobilized to ensure that the risk of transmission of the COVID is reduced through vigorous patrols, contact tracing and quarantine of suspects. Additionally, the GAF equally maintained her operational tempo with a new deployment earlier in the year at Kerr Pateh village in the North Bank Region. This was precipitated by incidences of armed robberies and banditry activities by unscrupulous groups of individuals that threaten the peace and security in these communities.

“It is therefore, heartening to report that the deployment has been able to successfully curb the occurrence of these activities by criminals in the general area. It may be instructive to state that the Armed Forces has won the hearts and minds of many Gambians and non-Gambians through the conduct of these outreach activities and also restored peace and security to vulnerable communities through vigorous patrols and other operations. All these achievements, amongst many others, would not have been registered without the resolute commitment and diligence of the gallant men and women in uniform. Your unique service to the Nation is worthy of commendation and you are urged not to relent to live up to your individual and collective responsibilities.

“In the domain of Peace Support Operations, a lot of progress has been made in our efforts to deploy a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) in a UN mission in view of the pending closure of the Darfur mission in Sudan. To this end, on Wednesday 25 November 2020, the first consignment of 20 soft skin vehicles were received while the second consignment comprising 8 vehicles including an ambulance, a Recovery and Maintenance vehicle is expected in the next couple of weeks. Furthermore, I am happy to report that GAF successfully conducted a virtual Advance Advisory Visit (AAV) by the UN to ascertain our operational capability in terms of personnel, equipment and appropriate training to deploy a QRF in the mission area to be identified.

“It is important at this point to express our sincere appreciation to His Excellency the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Gambia Armed Forces, Mr. Adama Barrow for his commitment to support the Armed Forces in its transformation and reform process. The Armed Forces wishes to reiterates its total and unflinching commitment to the reform process while appreciating the progress that has been registered so far in this domain since the appointment of a Minister of Defence. At present, with support of strategic partners, several policy and legal documents such as the Gambia Armed Forces Act, the Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) for both Officers and Soldiers/ Ratings, documents relating to recruitment, training, promotions and peace support operations are being reviewed.

“It is against this backdrop that I sincerely convey heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all our strategic partners who have been instrumental and magnanimous in providing the necessary support in terms of logistics, training and other related assistance. Worthy of commendation is the sister security services and the ECOMIG Forces for the collaboration and mutual support that we continue to enjoy. Significantly, I wish to express profound gratitude to members of the general public for their immense patience, understanding and confidence exhibited towards the Armed Forces during the period under review.

“As we gradually welcome 2021 and the country prepares for elections, I wish to remind you all of the political climate while urging you all to remain vigilant, professional and apolitical in the execution of your sacred constitutional duties. We must endeavor to be a reformed Armed Forces that is prepared to execute its constitutional roles and at the core, subjected to democratic civilian authority and accountability. Our role, I must admit is a noble one and requires total commitment to the ideals of the Founding Fathers of this country.

“Finally, as we celebrate Christmas and look forward to a New Year in peace, I enjoin all of you to equally remember and pray for our fallen comrades for Almighty Allah to forgive their sins and grant them the highest Heavens. I thank you all once again for the good job you continue to render to the Nation and look forward to greater progress in the Year 2021.

“New Year is the beginning of new hopes and new aspirations. May each day of Year 2021 be illuminated with happiness, good health and good fortune. In addition, may the coming Year be blessed with warmth and love for you and your families. May God shower your lives with eternal peace and happiness and bring you success in every step of your lives. I am wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Successful New Year full of blessings.”

People’s Progressive Party has issued a statement greeting the nation’s Christians over Christmas.

The statement signed by PRO Ebrima Savage reads;

On the occasion of Christmas and New Year, the entire PPP party wishes our Christian brothers and sisters a very joyous Christmas and New Year celebrations. This year, due to Covid-19 might make it hard to meet your family and dear ones on this day. But Covid-19 should not take away the joy of this festival.

It has been in our tradition that both Christians and Muslims celebrate and honour each other feast yearly, this has demonstrated the religious tolerance of Gambians, and we must continue to nurture and guard such a tradition jealously.

In this regard, we wish every Christian a happy and enjoyable Christmas and Happy New Year in advance. We must all continue to pray for unity, peace, prosperity, love, and harmony.

May the almighty continue to bless the Gambia Merry-Christmas and prosperous New Year 2021.

By Sarjo Brito

After photos of kids in NPP t-shirts surfaced online welcoming President Barrow upon his return from his nationwide tour, his former adviser Mai Ahmad Fatty took to his social media calling out President Barrow and his NPP for what he describes as intentional child exploitation, and NPP is clapping back.

A staunch supporter of President Barrow and his NPP called out the GMC leader, describing his angry outburst as ‘attention seeking and desperate politics’. Lamin S Demba added that NPP as a political party played no part in gathering the kids for the Presidents welcoming and insists it was at their families own accord.

‘’Mai Fatty is just attention seeking and we would not respond to him. If he was as concerned as he put it to his timeline, he should not stop at raising concerns, he should investigate and try implored the Law as he rightfully put it. But He knows if he does that, he will eventually come to the indisputable fact that NPP as a party has NO hands in to this arrangement, but the will of the families portrayed in this picture’’

‘’ Mai, we know you are bitter since the constitution does not make it through the parliament, which is so dear to your heart. And we know the reason behind your whimpering. I am on record to have defended you when all negative allegations are coming on your way in regard to your sacking, even though I never ascribed to your political ideology. But trying to gain political scores out of such triviality is desperate politics’’

‘’I keenly wait for you to sue the families of these children portrayed here as contrary to your perception, NPP as a political party has nothing to do with this, it is done at their families own accord. Looking at pictures of your own party congresses, underage children are visibly seen in the crowd, your concern would have been taken seriously today has it been you sent those children out of you crowd then. Mai, we want fair play in politics’’

The Ghanaian troops based in Barra as part of the ECOMIG force have donated assorted soft drinks and packed food items, to the children of the Catholic Diocese of Banjul to celebrate this year’s Christmas festivities. The troops donated the items to the Parish Priest of the Saint Matthew’s Catholic Church at Barra, Reverend Father Kofi Bour Offeh, in the afternoon of Tuesday, 22 December 2020 in a short ceremony at the church.

According to the Ghanaian Contingent Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Danso Nimako, his contingent would have wished to host the children in their camp as a group amid music and other forms of entertainment but for the COVID-19 pandemic. The commander said that this move is a way of thanking the people of Barra in particular and all Gambians in general for the support they have been giving to the current Ghanaian troops since their arrival in the country almost a year ago. He advised the children to live good lives as Jesus Christ did so that they become good and responsible citizens in future.

Ghana is a country made up of both Christians and Moslems and both religions have lived together peacefully for centuries. It will be recalled that the Ghanaian troops also presented educational materials to an Islamic school in Barra during the Eid celebrations. It is to show the diversity that the contingent also decided to donate the food and other items to the Catholic church.

The Parish Priest of the Saint Matthew’s church at Barra, Reverend Father Kofi Bour, who is also a Ghanaian, thanked the troops for the donation. He indicated that the food and drinks were enough to go around the estimated 400 children in the Diocese. He also prayed for the Ghanaians to have a successful tour of duty in The Gambia and in their future endeavours. The Banjul Diocese comprises parishes such as the Saint Matthew’s at Barra, Saint Micheal at Njongon, Saint Vincent de Paul at Amdalai, Our Lady of Visitation at Bakindick, Saint Bridget at Kessewa, Saint Luke’s at Bakalar, Saint John’s at Touba Kolong and Saint Peter and Paul at Albreda.

The items were presented on behalf of the Ghanaians by their delegation led by Captain Jibril Osman (Company Commander), Captain Mbrah Aikens (Medical Officer), Lieutenant Jennifer Adobea Nkrumah (Officer-in-Charge, Civil-Military Cooperation) and Senior Warrant Officer Zakaria Issifu (Company Sergeant Major).

Mai Fatty ranted on Thursday it’s illegal to expose children ‘potentially’ to grave harm along a heavy duty traffic highway.

A photo of children wearing NPP t-shirts appearing to be taking part in welcoming President Barrow emerged online on Thursday.

And Mai Fatty reposting the photo blasted: “This is illegal, immoral, inexcusable and unacceptable. It is unlawful under the Children’s Act. These kids are being substantially exploited and physically abused by exposing them potentially to grave harm along a heavy duty traffic highway.

“From their faces they look perplexed, hungry, thirsty, exhausted and clueless. Look at the feet of some of them…not even proper shoes. I am outraged. I condemn this intentional child exploitation by the NPP.

“I commit myself to pass a law that will make it a crime to parade or assemble minors, under-age or school kids along streets, roads or paths to achieve political goals. The Child Protection Alliance and the Ministry of Women, Children & Social Welfare should take the lead to put an end to the political exploitation of children by Barrow & his NPP. This isnt about politics. It’s about protecting our children against exploitation and abuse.

“If these were your kids being used in such a despicable manner, how would you feel?”

Gambia Action Party and Gambia For All have joined political parties in sending messages of love and best wishes to Christians in the country.

GAP’s message read;

The Gambia Action Party under the stewardship of Hon Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly, joins the rest of the Christian community in the Gambia and around the globe in this year’s Christmas celebrations. As the world is hold at hostage by COVID-19, this year’s celebrations will look different.

Fellow Gambians, the Gambia Action Party is committed to religious tolerance that our nation is known for more than half a century. In our quest to maintain peace and stability in the Gambia, GAP led government will give zero tolerance to the religious violence, inequality and discrimination amongst religious groups in the country. During the moment when our nation is surrounded by uncertainty, we always bonded ourselves together backed by commonalities, love of country, love of life and pursue of happiness coupled with mutual respect, love and interest for the betterment of our nation.

This avail us the much needed time to live in harmony regardless of our religious views and affiliations. The Gambian citizenry celebrates all the feasts together, whether one is Muslim or Christian and this trend shall be maintained by a GAP led administration. We urge everyone to value human existence, peace and tranquility as well as maturity in handling our individual differences. To our Christian brothers and sisters in the Gambia and around the world, we wish you a joyous Christmas celebrations.

The 2020 Christmas festival is different from the previous celebrations, cognizant of the fact that life still remains different as so many lives are lost, infected with COVID-19, misplaced or hampered by the pandemic and social distancing be adhered. We hope that next year’s event will be back to normalcy where families, friends and loved ones will sit around the round tables to celebrate at the usual way without fears of the virus.

Fellow Gambians, ladies and gentlemen; our country is a property of everyone and we all have the same constitutional mandate binding on us to maintain our peaceful coexistence to ensure that our daily commitments are reached. A path that we urge everyone to value and task him or herself. We take this this opportunity to call for unity, genuineness and integrity in our daily tasks. We must be conscious of the fact that, nations has witnessed divisions and tribal conflicts as well as fractions amongst the people. We must be sensitive that this country cannot afford to follow those nations we take as examples today, the bone of contention before ourselves is to ensure that history is proud of every Gambian.

Equally, we used this endeavour to call for political calmness, unity and oneness. Our different political ideologies are a clear manifestation that our strength as a nation lies on unity, but not a sign of divisiveness or cowardice. To my fellow party leaders, I humbly recommend we preach peace amongst our surrogates to do away from sentiments that will further polarize our nation and the path that we cannot afford to joke with. Let us accommodate one another to give chance for the common good.

Gambia For All’s message reads;

Once again, the happy season of Christmas is upon us. On the auspicious occasion of this joyous event, the Secretary General and entire membership of the Gambia For All Party send glad tidings to the christian community, wishing them a very Happy and Merry Christmas.

The Gambia historically has been known to be one of the most tolerant societies in the world, with members of different religious communities living happily together. Despite challenges to this harmonious order, the people of the Gambia have largely held together, and continue to resist any attempt to divide us based on ethnic or religious lines.

The Gambia for All Party symbolizes this characteristic Gambian idea of tolerance and diversity; in spirit, structure, and ideology. With this in mind, we wish our christian members a safe and happy Christmas .

Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) under the leadership of Mamma Kandeh said on Thursday they’re joining all Christians in the Gambia and abroad in the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ.

“We thank and praise him for the life he lived as a mercy to all,” a statement issued by the party said.

The statement said more: “As a people we must not only remember his birth but also his teachings, love and affection to the poor and needy and more importantly his manners, that he never was a curse to anyone.

“People were save from his tongue, hands and power while those who went close to him were shown a right and just way.

“We take this opportunity to remind all Gambians that we must celebrate such birth of a great prophet, and in doing so we must live side by side in peace and warmly share the little we have with those that are less privilege or may not have at all, thus was the life of Jesus Christ.

“May we witness many more celebrations in peace and that 2021 brings us progress, peace and prosperity as a nation. Merry Christmas to you all.”

A man was stopped from speaking as he tried to explained to the crowd his encounter with police at Fatoto.

President Barrow during a meeting at Misiraba Mariama in Kantora had his meeting gripped briefly by confusion after Ebrima Sanyang got removed from the podium.

“There is something in my heart and I must say it,” Sanyang who was one of many speakers began shortly after asking the people of Kantora to vote for President Barrow.

He then continued in comments that made little sense: “I’d apologised to the alkalo and the imam. If at all the anger wasn’t too much, the imams and the alkalolu are people that are close to me.

“Musa Drammeh… the alkalo said you brought a vehicle, [that] new police officers are going to get a vehicle but you will not get it. Because even God is not into severing family ties. Your these police, from top to bottom, no one would remain there. It was these police that damaged the ties between my sister and I. I did not see the reason, it’s not in the law. They did that to me.”

“No no no I swore, she doesn’t enter my compound. So tell Musa Drammeh his police…,” the man said elsewhere as a sea of officials surrounded him in an attempt to take him away from the podium.

“Don’t say this here, this is a family matter,” President Barrow’s political adviser is heard telling the man in an extraordinary moment captured by both Eye Africa TV and Paradise TV.

“They beat me and jailed me. I have to say it. Tell Musa Drammeh…,” he continued as the people who surrounded him asked him to calm down

Kantora MP Billay G Tunkura told The Fatu Network the man’s problem is strictly a family issue and that he was trying to bring it to the attention of Local Government Minister Musa Drammeh. Many people in URR see Drammeh as in charge of the governor and the police.

The Fatu Network understands Sanyang and his family have had a difficult relationship since he was dismissed from UDP.

MP Saikouba Jarju’s comments directed at Ahmadis have disappeared from his Facebook wall after he became the victim of huge excoriation.

Busumbala constituency MP Jarju implied on Wednesday that Ahmadis are not Muslims.

UDP mandated the Amir of Ahmadiya Muslim Jamat Baba F Trawally over the weekend to lead Muslims in the Muslim prayers during the opening of their congress.

But MP Saikouba Jarju took Ahmadis apart from Muslims writing late on Wednesday a UDP government will value Ahmadis more than Muslims, sharing a video of the UDP’s congress where the amir of the jama’at was seen praying at the event.

“Every political party is a semi government. Therefore this is an indication that when UDP comes into power, Hamadiyad are going to be valued more than the Muslims. May Allah protect the Muslims in the Gambia,” Jarju wrote on his Facebook. The post has now disappeared.

Ahmadis of The Gambia have over the years faced many problems in terms of other Muslims accepting them as Muslims.

Their Amir Baba F Trawally testifying before the TRRC in February bigotry against the jama’at began in June 1997 when then-State House imam Abdoulie Fatty started castigating the sect.

The MP has now appeared to have gotten more than he bargained for after he got hammered by Gambians online with one describing him as an idiot.

UDP leader Ousainou on Thursday afternoon sent Christmas greetings to Christians as they prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the first political leader to do so.

Christmas is celebrated every December 25 and UDP leader Darboe in a short message wished Christians in the country a “Merry Christmas and best wishes for the festive Season”.

“Christmas is about spending time with family, friends and loved ones and it is about creating happy memories that will last a lifetime. This Christmas, I pray that we all take the time to cherish and celebrate what is important in our lives. We must be grateful for being alive and for being in good health. But most of all, we must as a society, exercise religious tolerance, embrace each other as one and take the opportunity during this Festive Season to share love and kindness to those who need it the most,” Mr Darboe said.

He said elsewhere: “This year has been a tough year and many have lost loved ones as a result of COVID-19. As we continue to pray for those who have departed, and those who are sick and in bed, we must continue to stay safe and remember that this virus knows no boundaries.

“May the special occasion of Christmas bring peace, joy and good will to you, your families and your loved ones. May the Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright New Year in anticipation that next Christmas will be brighter, better and more joyous for many.

“Wishing you and your families peace, good health, happiness and prosperity in the coming year.

“On behalf of the Executive and members of the United Democratic party and from my family to yours, a very Merry Christmas to you all once again!”

A cap-less Kebba Jallow knelt before Mamma Kandeh and begged him not to expel him from GDC, according to MC Cham Jnr.

Jarra Central MP Kebba Jallow this week declared he is cross-carpeting to National People’s Party in a moment which saw he lash out at GDC leader Mamma Kandeh for trying to remote-control GDC lawmakers.

MC Cham Jnr in a riposte shared with The Fatu Network blasted that Kebba Jallow has had a strained relations with GDC over the years.

“He doesn’t attend GDC meetings. Whenever he’s invited, he would demand that fuel be put in his car. But if President Barrow has a meeting he goes there without asking for fuel,” Cham said.

He also said: “It got to a point he was removed from all our WhatsApp groups.

“When Barrow Movement for Five Years were protesting in Banjul, Kebba Jallow went and we called him for a meeting at the bureau. We asked him why he went there, he could not explain.

“Hon Kandeh gave an order at that meeting for Kebba to be expelled. We wrote the letter. Everyone stood up to beg him [Kandeh]. Kebba Jallow knelt before him, begging Hon Kandeh not to expel him. He removed his cap and sought his forgiveness.”

Star FM/TV has paid tribute to Sarjo Barrow a year since the top Mandinka newsman died.

Mr Barrow died on December 22, 2019 aged 66.

Star FM/TV in a statement on Wednesday said “we continue to remember the great man he was and all that he has given to us”.

“Alhaji Sarjo was a man of the people and helped to build this nation he loved. Over this past year we have heard so many of your stories and it is amazing to see how many lives he has influenced not only through his work but also his everyday life.

“He left us all with so many important lessons learned but what was most important to him was the importance of always having faith in what you believe.

“Alhaji Sarjo, left a legacy that has inspired us to build a Museum and Library in his honor. We are more committed than ever to see this project through and we look forward to the day we can welcome you all inside to explore.

“This year has been difficult but we want to thank you all for your continued support and encouragement. Thank you for continuing to honor his legacy through your stories and friendship,” the organisation said in a statement.

President Adama Barrow has told the people of Kiang to be alert to the advances of people who come to them talking rubbish.

Speaking in Kiang Kaiaf on Wednesday evening, the president said certain people have been going to Kiang telling the people they will never get electricity.

The president said: “I believe the issue of electricity is now clear. The foolish people who come to tell you nonsense things, your own son (Fafa Sanyang) has clarified things in terms of our electricity programme.

“Those fighting are doing it for themselves. We don’t want those people to waste your time. They had said electricity will not come to Kiang, so I do not know what they are telling you today.

“They have been coming to you to say you will never get electricity. So when they come to you saying such things now, make light of those statements and let that person know he doesn’t mean well for you.”

Anti-Crime’s new commander who served as Gorgi Mboob deputy has paid tribute to the axed officer for what he called his ‘robustness’ in the fight against crime.

Gorgi Mboob was the commander of anti-crime since the outfit was formed in 2018. His time as head of the outfit ended prematurely in October when he was found guilty by the National Human Rights Commission of torturing a 26-year-old detainee.

But on Wednesday, the new head of the outfit Superintendent Momodou Sowe who assisted Mboob praised the officer for his ‘hard work’.

“Police anti-crime unit was initiated by the Office of the Inspector General of Police and his senior management in April 2018 to control the alarming rate of crime within The Gambia

“Since the initiation of this unit, efforts towards controlling crimes paid dividends over the years thanks to the unflinching support from the Office of the IGP and the entire police command.

“Not forgetting the hard work of my predecessor deputy police commissioner of police Gorgi Lamin Mboob for his robustness in the fight against crime,” Sowe said at the decoration of 16 promoted junior officers at the anti-crime office in Bijilo.

National Assembly Member for Busumbala constituency Saikouba Jarju has implied that Ahmadis are not Muslims.

UDP mandated the Amir of Ahmadiya Muslim Jamat Baba F Trawally over the weekend to lead Muslims in the Muslim prayers during the opening of their congress.

But MP Saikouba Jarju has taken Ahmadis apart from Muslims writing late on Wednesday a UDP government will value Ahmadis more than Muslims.

“Every political party is a semi government. Therefore this is an indication that when UDP comes into power, Hamadiyad are going to be valued more than the Muslims. May Allah protect the Muslims in the Gambia,” Jarju wrote on his Facebook.

Ahmadis of The Gambia have over the years faced many problems in terms of other Muslims accepting them as Muslims.

Their Amir Baba F Trawally testifying before the TRRC in February bigotry against the jama’at began in June 1997 when then-State House imam Abdoulie Fatty started castigating the sect.

Hamat Bah vigorously corrected an interpreter after he termed Sutay Jawo as a permanent secretary in an astonishing dressing down.

Sutay Jawo is a deputy permanent secretary at the ministry of youth and sport in the technical department.

But at President Barrow’s meeting on Wednesday in Kiang Nema, an interpreter could be heard thanking Sutay Jawo while referring to him as permanent secretary.

“Is deputy permanent secretary, don’t misquote. You have the permanent secretary sitting there,” Hamat Bah lashed at the interpreter from where he was sitting in comments a hot mic caught.

The Nema meeting is still on and being broadcast live by Eye Africa TV.

An interpreter refused to turn over the mic to his colleague after he was asked to do so in a video that has emerged online.

The interpreter who donned dark spectacles and is always at UDP’s events got into an argument with Almamy Taal at UDP’s congress held over the weekend over who should interpret.

“Talib said you should take the mic,” Almamy Taal is heard saying in the video to the other interpreter, referring to Mayor of KM Talib Bensouda.

The one having the mic unhappy refused to give the mic away as he is heard saying: “Talib doesn’t own here, this is a UDP event.”

“We’re not arguing,” Almamy Taal is heard responding to him.

Almamy Taal told The Fatu Network it was a minor misunderstanding which they have gone past – but it was actually the mayor who designated two interpreters and that it was the turn of the other interpreter.

Bernd George Diedrich has shared proof of his ownership of the dispute-stricken land in Tranquil dating back to 1991.

Diedrich is locked in a bitter dispute with at least 20 home owners in Tranquil over a parcel of land in the small town.

Diedrich had battled it out in the high court in Brikama with 15 respondents and won, with high court judge Emmanuel Amadi declaring Diedrich as the rightful owner of the land. This was contained in a 2012 judgment seen by The Fatu Network. The Court of Appeal last year upheld the decision of the high court, court records seen by The Fatu Network show.

Impeccable documents show Diedrich became owner of the land in March 1991 from Ebrima Faal and Saihou Faal of Bijilo.

The families however in a news conference on Sunday insisted they own the land – but most of them told The Fatu Network their ownership of the land isn’t more than 10 years long.

But in a rebuttal, Diedrich blasted the families as encroachers who had relied on the ‘corrupt’ regime of Yahya Jammeh and “now they are crying again for the government to sanction their illegal acquisition of my land from criminal real estate agents”.

Below is his full rebuttal;

I am Bernd Georg Diedrich, who is falsely accused and charged in your video of trying to take away a Gambian millionäre family‘s illegally built villa without any legal basis.

I was very surprised at the one-sidedness of your video. Your reporter did not ask a single critical question to realise, that this family, like all the others affected, is stylising itself one-sidely as a victim in order to divert attention from the fact that they are perpetrators!

Ms. Camara scolded in your video:“ Our lawyer is already on his way to Banjul!“

At the latest one could have asked then to find out that Mr. Camara and the 19 other encroachers on my land have sued against a ruling of the Brikama High Court from 2012 in my favour, namely that I am the rightful owner.

The High Court in Banjul was supposed to overturn the Brikama High Court ruling from 2012 in order to prevent an eviction in 2017. This means they forced me into another High Court Case, which the 20 applicants (Mr. Camara is No. 5) then lost. Judgment by Hon. Justice S. Wadda Cisse on 30.7.2018.

As an aside: Their case was filed by lawyer Foster in Banjul intentionally under the same number as the Brikama High Court case (HC/313/09/BK/035/A0) from 2012, which is not legal and should actually have led to the classification of a non case for deception. Mr. Foster did this to suggest that the 20 encroachers have a legal relationship with me to be able to sue me. However no one of them was part of the Brikama judgment of 2012 and I did not sell them the land at all. They have bought the land from Real Estate Agents like Bacarama Sumbundu, Sheik Tijan Sangnia, Abdoulie Ndimbalan et. al. who had previously bought it illegally from the Alkalo of Bijilo, who had betrayed me during my absence in 2005 by selling my whole land of 22.000 sqm, knowing exactly that I have a valid lease for the land. because he had also signed all the documents for it himself!

After his application had been dismissed at the High Court in Banjul on 30.7.2018, Foster then also appealed against the Judgment of Hon.Justice S. Wadda Cisse to the
Court of Appeal. This Appeal was also dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 18.12.19 by the Presiding Judge of the Court of Appeal Hon. Justice A. Bah. (GCA 080/2018).

In her interview, one lady pretended to be unaware of the real facts and she commented on the impudence of trying to evacuate her saying: “Let them go to court then!“
I don‘t know which court she is talking about here! This case has gone through all the courts, starting from 2005, which have confirmed me as the rightful owner.

I have always been open to negotiating compensation, but none of these 20 applicants ever approached me during the 8 years of dispute. By the way. I lived in the immediate vicinity for almost 2 years.

Even before the Brikama judgment, when the whole land was under an injunction imposed by the High Court since 2005 and as well as after the judgment in 2012, the encroachers simply continued to built on the houses and so unscrupulous bent the law without consequences. They relied on the help of ex-Justice Minister Jobarteh, whose aim was to arrest me and Mr. Barry. He then did so pesonally and charged us with ecomomic crime.

While he was arresting us on the 2nd February 2013 he said to me: „I will show you that you have no land here!“

We ended up in police custody for 8 days and later were remanded in Mile 2 for 8 days with 20 people in a 20sqm prison cell. The case had been discontinued by the state and we were discharged on the 12th August 2013.

I continued to try to fight the discrimination and injustice but was finally expelled from the country on the 16th January 2015.

The encroachers had relied on the corrupt regime under Yammeh and now they are crying again for the Government to sanction their illegal acquisition of my land from criminal Real Estate Agents. Why didn‘t they actually sue their fellow Gambians who cheated them and quickly resold them the illegally acquired land to cover their own tracks? It is oviously easier to arbitrarily charge a foreigner without any legal basis! None of them is an innocent buyer!

I quote from a letter from the Ministy of Lands and Regional Government (P↓ M. Sanyang) to the director of Physical Planning, dated 7.1.2014: „Any other lease or permit issued within this premises after 1996 date is declared null and void, since it would be issued over a legal lease which was neither revoked nor cancelled at the time“. (He is refering to the date of my lease document DI 35/L.5041, Serial Registration No.: P51/1996.

Then Mr. Sanyang writes further: „ Here is a typical case, where people (like Mr. Camara et. al.) flagrantly choose to develop structures at their own peril!“

As for confirmation of the legal facts I can mail the judgments in question!

I would be very pleased and relieved if you would turn the one-sided portrayal of the Camara family upside down and hold up a mirror to this wealthy upper-class family with roots in USA and Europe with regard to the discrimination and prejudices they spread.