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A Challenge to Gambians in the Diaspora

Fatu Camara
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A number of criticisms and labels are made against Gambians in the diaspora (GD henceforth) especially those in Europe and North America. One of those criticisms is that when it comes to Gambian politics, GD are as disunited and uncooperative as the opposition political parties in the country. These differences are played out daily on the various diasporian fora such as online newspapers/ radios, blogs, Facebook pages and other social media. For the purpose of this blog post, I will highlight just two.

 

 

The first difference in my opinion is on political affiliations. One way to notice the different political affiliations of GD is through our different online radios/newspapers. While one media house is busy glorying and representing Halifa and the PDOIS as the best option and deligitimizing all the others, another media group will be riding on the PPP platform and claiming that OJ is the promised Messiah of the Gambia. At the same time, you will hear another media entity claiming that the only opposition party that can take on Jammeh is the mighty UDP. I even recently heard from a pundit that the UDP does not even need a coalition and will kick Jammeh out of the State House in December 2016. Some even claim that Hamat Bah is the main man as he has abandoned his cows for the love of country.

 

 

The second area of difference among GD is on the method on how to bring about a political change in the Gambian. There are different groups including the following:

 

 

The No Fifth Term Group: Members of this group believe that Jammeh has completely expired and therefore he must step down immediately to pave way for a free and fair elections amongst the rest of the opposition parties. If Jammeh fails to step down, then they are calling for a total boycott of the elections.
The Coalition Group: This group does not believe that Jammeh will voluntarily step down and therefore claim that the only way for a political change is for all the opposition parties on the ground to unite and present a single candidate to take on Jammeh.
The Riot Group: This group believes that the political landscape is so skewed in favour of Jammeh that not even a coalition can win against Jammeh. This group is saying no to elections all together and are calling for Gambians to rise up like the Burkinabe did against Blaise Campaore. They believe that a popular uprising will send Jammeh running across the Kanilai-Cassamance border.
The Use of Force Group: This group believes that Jammeh will not step down, that elections cannot take him out and that Gambians are either too peaceful or too scared of death to rise up against Jammeh. So they believe that the only way to bring about change is through the barrel of the gun.
The Peace, Security and Democracy Group: This is the group where I belong. We also believe that the Second Republic has indeed expired and that the majority of Gambians are craving for a Third Republic so badly that there is no way Jammeh can win in December 2016. But unlike all the other groups, we firmly believe that The Gambia can and will have a peaceful political change through the ballot box and not through the barrel of a gun. We believe in peace, security and democracy.
My opinion about the GD is that their differences is actually not a sign of disunity but that of diversity. Furthermore, the collective desire for a Third Republic among the majority of those in the diaspora is a far stronger uniting factor than their differences. To borrow the quotes of an iconic leader talking on climate change, “what unites us is stronger than what divides us”.

 

 

In this regards and based on the fact that our constitution stipulates for us to elect a President every five years, my postulation is that whether Jammeh steps down or not; whether there is a coalition or not; whether there is a popular uprising or not; and as long as the use of force group stays on Facebook and there is no outbreak of armed violence in our country; Gambians will go to the polls on 01 Dec 2016.

 

 

Therefore, my challenge to my brothers and sisters in the diaspora is that you must not leave any stone unturned in making sure that you cast your votes on 01 Dec 2016. Our constitution clearly gives every Gambian above the age of 18 (including you the diasporian) the right to vote so therefore you must exercise this right for the first time in 2016. In this age of information technology, every Gambian living abroad who has a passport or an appropriate Identity Card should be able to register and vote with the click of a mouse or a tab on their smart devices. There is no need to fly to Banjul or to a Gambian embassy/consulate. Lack of funds/resources is not an excuse because there are thousands of organizations, agencies, departments and pro-democracy movements that would be more than delighted to finance such a process.

 

 

A few months ago, I read on one of the online newspapers that there are about 100,000 Gambians living in the diaspora. Assuming that there are one million Gambians legible to vote this year and one candidate ended up running against Jammeh, just imagine the power of 10% of the votes which is literally in your hands. All that you people have to do is to constitute a small committee of prominent Gambians in the diaspora such as Imam Baba Leigh, Dr. Seedat Jobe and the like to come together, strategize and make it happen.

 

 

While hoping that the GD will take up my challenge and make it a success, there is only one caveat to my challenge. Since you people have problems with my comrades-in-arms farming and dancing for my godfather, you must not vote for a Serrer person who will turn them into fisherman!!!

 

 

Long live the Republic of The Gambia and long live the peace and security it is so well-known for. Together, we can and we will make the Gambia smile better!!!

 

Lamin Gano

Trumped-up Anger – The Making of a Monster (with tiny hands)

Fatu Camara
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When I decided to write this piece, my initial thesis was to write why I think Americans should vote for Donald Trump in the Republican Primaries. Yes, I know that sounds crazy coming from me but there’s a method to my madness so please bear with me. Why Trump? Well, I thought it would be fun to watch the GOP completely destroyed by the monster they (unintentionally) created. I think if Trump gets the most votes but not enough to win outright, the establishment, who clearly cannot stand him, will usurp him at the convention. This will in turn further anger (there’s that word again) his supporters enough for them to break away from the party causing irreparable division and handing the elections to the Democrats. This, I thought, would be the perfect reward, and a historic lesson to the GOP for the hard work they did in creating this monster!

 

 
What monster and how is the GOP responsible?

 

 
In what everyone agrees is the craziest election cycle in the history of the US, one of the common themes I hear as explanation of all the madness is that “the people are angry”. I hear it (more) from the Republicans, the pundits, the media, heck, even the Democrats! With what we’ve seen, it’s impossible to dispute there is anger. However, I had to pause and ask myself “what exactly is the cause of said anger?” I suspect you then want to ask me how I can give credit to the GOP when we’ve had 8 years of a democrat in the White House?

 

 
To understand it, we’ll have to rewind a bit to 2008 to compare the states of affairs people say is the cause of anger – mainly national security, foreign policy, the economy.

 

 
1.September 11, 2001 had taken place under president George W. Bush’s watch. Several terrorists had entered the country, hijacked US airlines and flown them into buildings killing over 3000 innocent people.

 

 
2. Seven years after taking responsibility for the horrors of 9/11, Bin Laden was still running around and releasing videos more frequently than the Kardashians on Snapchat.

 

 
3. Five years after the US had been (mis)led into 2 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it was now clear there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and America was losing thousands of lives and resources fighting what would become the longest war in US history.

 

 
4. The economy was on the brink of collapse with the great recession. Millions had been lost with the collapse of the housing market and the financial industry and the auto industry needed a bailout by the federal reserve.

 

 
If there was ever a time for anger, i thought that would have been a perfect time for it. Why then, was anger not a huge part of the elections/campaign rhetoric in 2008? Instead, Obama and the democrats campaigned on a message of “HOPE and CHANGE” – appealing to the positive human values to aspire to becoming better.

 

 
Fast forward to 2016

 

 
1. Since 2008, we’ve had the San Bernardino attacker, who was a US citizen and purchased his guns using his(and his US citizen friend’s) 2nd amendment rights, senselessly murder innocent people. I believe that one life lost to terrorism is one too many! However, it’s noteworthy that nobody has entered the country from outside to come execute a successful terrorist plan (at least up to the time of writing).

 

 
2. Bin Laden has been killed but Abubakr Al-Baghdadi is running around and his gang of criminals is releasing videos of gruesome murders of innocent people.

 

 
3. The number of Americans in combat is significantly reduced but Syrian, Libyan, Iraqi and Afghan lives are being lost daily.

 

 
4. The auto industry is back, the banks are back to screwing over the people, the housing market has picked up, job gains have been registered for several consecutive months and unemployment is below 5%.

 

 
So how come this election cycle is all about ANGER? How come people are angrier than in 2008 when they had more reasons to be angry? How come people are so angry as to rally behind an egomaniacal, greedy opportunist that leads the Republican party? (Allow me to digress a bit because i think this is important. I did not forget to call him “racist”. I deliberately left it out because i honestly am not sure how racist he is. I think the Orange Man with the tiny hands is more opportunistic than racist. I think, and he has shown, that he will insult anyone and everyone if he thinks it will further his agenda. He does business with China, Hispanics and the Muslims in the Middle East when it serves him, yet on the campaign trail he “hates” them.)

 
“The chickens coming home to roost”, “those living in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”, “reaping what you sow” etc. – choose your proverb – but “anger” is no coincidence or accident. It’s a direct consequence of that meeting on the night Obama was inaugurated back in 2009 when the leaders of GOP decided (as admitted to by former speaker Newt Gingrich), that their number one priority was not to serve the American people, not to do what was best for the country, but “to make Obama a one-term president”. (See Robert Draper’s “Do Not ask What Good We Do”) With that agenda, the GOP embarked on their “carefully” devised plan of sowing the seeds of division and hate through fear-mongering. The aim was to anger the population just enough that Obama would be booted out by 2012. Unfortunately for them, not only did they fail when Obama was reelected in 2012, but the seeds of anger they had sown had overgrown. The base they pandered to had been angered past reason giving room for an opportunist like Ted Cruz to cultivate the tea party. He took over their tactic of obstruction and shoved it in their faces in congress. Things got so bad, that Speaker John Boehner could not take it any more and he quit when he “found Jesus” after the Pope’s visit. By this time, they had all seen the mess they had created so nobody wanted the prestigious position of House Speaker! They had to beg Paul Ryan (by the way, speaker Ryan was present at that cynical meeting when the obstruction strategy was devised) to accept the position. This was bad enough but the worst was yet to come. Little did the GOP know that the big bad wolf was lurking…and even when they saw him, instead of realizing their mistake, like a drunk asking for an extra bottle, they thought they would cash in some more…just a little bit more. Like a true opportunist, Trump saw the cracks and burst in. He seized on the simmering anger message the GOP had been nursing for 8 years and fertilized it with a brash, unapologetic and deliberate rhetoric of fear mongering, division, xenophobia and hate. Instead of nipping it in the bud, the GOP thought Trump was a clown they would use and dump. They were going to let him verbalize and amplify all the crazy things they had been subtly whispering and implying since 2008 to fire up the anger in their base. This was going to make their preferred candidate (Jeb) appear more moderate and they would dump Trump whenever they wanted. Little did they know that their magic beans had grown into Jack’s beanstalk with Trump the monster at the top. The little smoke they lit in the backyard to scare the neighbors had grown into a full-blown inferno engulfing the entire city! Mocking John McCain for being captured while serving his country, insulting the new party darling Carly Fiorina, being disgusting to their most effective “super-pac”, Fox News star anchor Megyn Kelly, boycotting a debate their main propaganda arm, Fox News – nothing matters to the angry base. The man even had a go at the infallible POPE and his support remains unflinching!!!

 
Yes, it seems like now they’ve realized it after they’re practically left with what Republican Senator Lindsey Graham accurately called “choosing between shot or poisoned” in a choice between Ted Cruz and Donald Trump that the GOP finally woke up and decided to put out the fire. At this stage, with wins in Florida and Ohio, it seems like all their efforts including former republican nominee Mitt Romney’s statements, the meetings they hold, the ads, the super-pacs, and all the “anybody but Trump” efforts seem like using a teacup to try and put out the inferno that already engulfed the entire neighborhood – too little, too late.

 
While writing the piece, I realized that by encouraging a vote for Trump in the republican primaries with the hope that it would teach everyone a lesson, I would be guilty of the same cynical motives and methods they’re guilty of. I therefore take back that recommendation and remind myself to ALWAYS do what I honestly believe is best for the good of all and to be sincere in my words and actions.

 

 

I conclude with a Wollof saying from West Africa – “Ku yarr sa mbeur, balaa daan ken fayti lah”.
…and tell me this “logic” does not sound like Trump and his troops…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBk…

Sana Sarr

Gambian criminal laws challenged at regional court

Fatu Camara
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The Federation of African Journalists and three exiled Gambian reporters have filed a legal claim before the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States to challenge the pervasive culture of persecution, violence, and injustice towards journalists in The Gambia.

 

 

They argue that their right to freedom of expression has been violated, including through the use of criminal laws that prohibit criticism to be made of the government. These laws, which have their roots in colonial times when they were used to suppress dissent, are now specifically used to target journalists and human rights defenders. The applicants have asked the Court to make a declaration that their very existence violates the right to freedom of expression. In addition, some of the applicants argue that they suffered torture as a consequence of them exercising their right to freedom of expression.

 

 

This marks the first time that The Gambia’s criminal laws have been challenged before an international court. The case has been brought with the support of the Media Legal Defence Initiative.

 

 

Since President Yahya Jammeh seized control in 1994, journalists in The Gambia have suffered arbitrary detention, criminal prosecution, and even torture at the hands of public officials.

 

 

Three of the applicants are Gambian journalists who have all fled the country. They have been charged under the country’s false news, criminal libel and sedition laws in relation to publications critical of President Jammeh and his regime. Whilst in custody, one of the applicants alleges that he was tortured by government authorities on multiple occasions, including to extract information from the journalist.

 

 

The experience of the three applicants is not unique; over 110 Gambian journalists have fled the country since 1994 for fear of similar prosecutions whose roots lie in the very existence of a set of criminal laws that are easily abused to suppress dissent. A judgment in the applicants’ favour would set an important precedent because of the potential impact on these laws in The Gambia, as well as similar laws elsewhere in the region.

 

 

In recent years, the Court of the Economic Community of West African States – better known by its acronym, ECOWAS – has proved to be an influential forum for human rights issues. Last year, the Court found that the Gambian government had failed to conduct a meaningful investigation into the death of journalist Deyda Hydara. The Federation of African Journalists supported that case also, and Maria Luisa Rogerio, Interim President of FAJ, commented that “FAJ has experienced first-hand the effects President Jammeh’s oppressive media laws have had on journalists in The Gambia. The ECOWAS Court has already criticised the impunity witnessed in the Hydara case, and we hope that that they will continue in this vein by handing down a strong precedent criticising the criminal laws that are currently being used to persecute, intimidate and harass journalists in The Gambia and compel the country to maintain an environment where journalists are able to perform their duties without impediment.”

 

 

The Nigerian human rights lawyer Noah Ajare, who acts for the Applicants in the present case, said: “It is our hope that this application can benefit from the precedent of the Hydara case, since the ECOWAS Court is continuing to expand its work on human rights abuses in the West African region and has recognised the important role played by journalists in a democracy. The ECOWAS Court is carrying out a vitally important role in holding West African states to account for their human rights abuses. Thus the applicants are convinced that their right will be protected and preserved by the Court, despite the fact that most of them are not guaranteed justice before their national court.”

 

 

MLDI’s support of this case follows its involvement in two other precedent-setting African cases regarding journalists’ rights and freedom of expression. In 2014, Legal Director Nani Jansen co-represented a journalist from Burkina Faso before the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Court ruled that imprisonment for defamation violates the right to freedom of expression. In addition, MLDI assisted the Burundi Journalists’ Union in bringing a case to the East African Court of Justice earlier this year. In its first ever judgment on free speech, that Court ruled that restrictions on the press imposed through Burundi’s 2013 Press Law violated the right to press freedom and the right to freedom of expression. The current claim at the ECOWAS Court builds on the precedent set by these two cases and invites the Court to align itself with the courts’ reasoning that criminal laws cannot unnecessarily restrict the right to freedom of expression.

 

 

Nani Jansen, Legal Director at MLDI, said: “The Gambia’s maintaining of these criminal laws constitutes a wide-ranging violation of the rights of journalists, media outlets and the recipients of independent news in the country. A favourable judgment from the ECOWAS Court would set an important precedent for journalists and independent media in The Gambia and would oblige the government to meet its responsibilities under international human rights law. It would also have a positive impact on other ECOWAS nations, where similarly restrictive laws are being used to prosecute journalists.”

 

 

British barrister Can Yeginsu, part of the team presenting the case at the ECOWAS Court, said: “This is a case of great public importance: it presents the ECOWAS Court with an opportunity to uphold the importance of the right to communicate opinions and ideas without fear of government retaliation or censorship. That right is, of course, of particular importance for the media which plays a special role as the bearer of the general right to freedom of expression for all. Society as a whole will suffer if journalists are persecuted by public officials with apparent impunity.”

 

 

Notes to editors:

The Gambia is a Member State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The mandate of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice is to ensure “the observance of law, and of the principles of equity […] in the interpretation and application of the provisions of the Revised Treaty of the Economic Community of West African States.”

 
The Application referred to in this press release was filed at the ECOWAS Court on 7 December 2015.
There are currently four Applicants: the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) and three Gambian journalists who currently live in exile outside of The Gambia.

 
FAJ is the African chapter of the International Federation of Journalists. It comprises of journalist trade unions and associations which came together to form a continental body of journalists’ trade unions in the media industry in Africa. FAJ’s common objective is to work to improve the social and professional rights of its members; it is now the most representative, independent and democratic journalists’ movement in Africa.

 
The Applicants argue that the continued maintenance, by The Gambia, of its criminal laws on sedition, defamation and prohibiting the publication of ‘false news’ represses press freedom and violates its citizens’ human rights. Among the relevant provisions of the criminal law being challenged are: provisions of the Criminal Code of 2009 which establish criminal offences relating to sedition; provisions of the Criminal Code of 2009 which establish the criminal offence of unlawful publication of libel; and provisions of the Information and Communications Act (as amended) which provide for the criminal offence of publication of false news or information.
For more information, please contact:

 

 

Nani Jansen, Legal Director, Media Legal Defence Initiative: [email protected], tel. + 442037525549

Noah Ajare, Lawyer, Victory Chambers: [email protected], tel. +2348033975746

Gabriel Baglo, Head of the Secretariat, Federation of African Journalists: [email protected], tel. +221-33 867 95 86/87

Dictator Jammeh In Limbo; Sends Secret Missions To Senegal Begging As Border Closure Pinches Harder

Fatu Camara
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Reliable sources in The Gambia have informed The Fatu Network about the secret missions Dictator Jammeh’s envoys have been making to Senegal as part of efforts to convince the Senegalese authorities to open the Senegal – Gambia border.





 

It would be recalled that both the Vice President and the Imam Ratib of Banjul were in Senegal some two weeks ago but the missions were unsuccessful as they could not meet any Senegalese officials. The Vice President Mrs Isatou Njie Saidy in particular was said to have been left shocked at the apparent refusal of the authorities to grant her audience.

 

 

 

Pressured at all front because of falling revenue and the eminent shortage of fuel and other essential commodities, the dictator, The Fatu Network has been reliably informed, has given orders to the officials of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) to visit Senegal for discussion.





 

The GRA had since wrote a letter to the Senegalese authorities seeking audience but according to our impeccable sources, this has also been rejected. The Gambia government had already put together a team comprising Yankuba Darboe, GRA Director General, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, The Gambia Ports Authority, and the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

 

 

 

As it is, according to our sources right in the heart of the administration in Banjul, there is likelihood of severe shortage of essential consumer goods across the country. The business people in Gambia are also complaining bitterly in addition to what appears to be like a new form of open defiance to the regime.





The Fatu Network is currently monitoring this story and will report on any development as we get it.

“The border will open on one Condition: Either President Yahya leaves power or I get removed from my post!” Declares Gora Houma, Senegalese Transport Boss

Fatu Camara
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The head of the Senegalese Transport Union, Gora Houma has finally drawn line in the sand – for the border to reopen, either he or President Yahya Jammeh must leave office. He made this declaration during an hour long interview with Banka Manneh of Fatu Network. With this pronouncement, Houma has effectively shut down all doors to any quick settlement to the latest border impasse.





 

Houma’s current hardline stance is grounded on years of frustration with the way The Gambia’s iron fist dictator uses the border between the two neighbors as bargaining chip in his endless scheme to blackmail the bigger neighbor. This is the umpteenth time this border crisis keeps resurfacing and the narrative is almost always the same – Jammeh gets angry about Senegal’s refusal to hand over Gambians running away from his human rights abuses, and as punishment, either raises fees on Senegalese truckers or without warning, denies them usage of the important route to the Southern Senegalese region of Casamance, thereby eliciting Senegal’s retaliation. The Senegalese it seems want none of it this time.

 

 

 

“What Gambia has is a king and not a President” said Houma with indignation. “In Senegal, we have a President and not a King, so you can see why I am not familiar with how kingship operates” he continued. Gora made these remarks to point to the fact that Jammeh sees Gambia has his kingdom, so he doesn’t see the need for consultation or seeking collaboration when he makes decisions. He (Jammeh) has no respect for either Gambians or the Senegalese; otherwise, he would have consulted on such major decisions that have such serious implications for all involved.





 

Gora also again raised the case of Shefiff Dibba, the Gambia Transport Association head who died in custody in the hands of security personnel. He revealed that upon hearing the demise of Mr Dibba and having been briefed about the ill treatment the man received in detention prior to his death, he (Gora) proceeded to contact his counterparts in London, U.S, EU, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and other places to intervene. He was therefore happy to announce that the international body responsible for Trade Unions has taken up Dibba’s case and they will be sure to get to the bottom of the matter to see to it that whoever gave the orders and who ever carried them out, brought to justice. He said very powerful groups around the world have decided to join them in their effort to get justice for Dibba’s family and he is confident that we will soon hear about a big development in that direction.

 

 

 

Quizzed as to what impact the current efforts by the likes of Imam Cherno Kah and the appeals made by the Caliph General of the Nyassane sect will have on the border impasse, Gora insisted that religious leaders can have their own consultations and discussions on matters of concern to them as they deem fit, and even Macky Sall and Yahya Jammeh can do the same at their level too if they like, but that these will have absolutely no effect on their current position as it stands – the Senegalese truckers will not ply Gambia’s roads again as long as Yahya Jammeh is the President. “Or unless I get removed from my post as the head of the Transport Union here in Senegal” Houma emphasized.





 

The border impasse continues and Fatu Network will report any developments.

Notable Gambian Women Called On Fellow Women To Close Ranks At A US Embassy Organized event On International Women’s Day

Fatu Camara
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Leading Gambian women from all works of life were the guest of the US Ambassador to the Gambia, H.E. C. Patricia Alsup on Friday, March 11, 2016 as part of activities to celebrate the international women’s day. The women were invited as a result of their contributions in the Gambia particularly in women related issues. Some of the invited guests at the residence of the US Ambassador in Fajara (about 20 in number) are artists, agriculture specialists, entrepreneurs, politicians, activists, educationists, journalists, members of security forces, among others. Some of the women described their chosen careers as coincidental while others attributed it to choice.





The occasion included an interactive session which lasted for about two hours, during which various topics came up such as role and contribution of women in national development, challenges facing women in politics, sexual abuse, women and democracy, woman to woman violence, education and mentoring among other issues.

 

 

 

After a brief debate on problems faced by Gambian women in politics, it was agreed that once the young people take over, “we will reach there”. Some suggested that women have to do away with the fear factor that has been besetting their effective participation in politics. For this reason, it was clearly spelt out that much needs to be done for women to work with fellow women to organize themselves and focus on issues that further their cause.





It was suggested that since there is a huge presence of Gambian women in social and online media, it should now an urgent priority to get them mobilized to be part of a grand sensitization drive to ensure that women and youth empowerment issues are put on the map.

 

 

 

During the discussions the issue of women and child rights featured prominently where some prominent women narrated the problem of rape and child molestation in The Gambian society but issues which are always brushed under the carpet. One of the invitees who happens to be a daughter of a former prominent politician in the Gambian even recounted how she was molested by her uncle and subsequently sexually abused elsewhere.





Present at the US Embassy organized event included Amie Bojang- Sissoho of GAMCOTRAP, Jainaba Nyang-Njie, Haddy Badjie of Radio Gambia, Amie Sillah-Sarr of PDOIS, Sarjo Camara-Singhateh of FOROYAA, Ndey Fatou Ceesay (a DESIGNER), Awa Fofana (MAMA AFRICA), an Artist, Matida Daffeh of Girl’s Agenda.

Giant super-rat found on London estate ‘came all the way from GAMBIA and is highly intelligent’

Fatu Camara
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THE giant super-rat found on a London housing estate could have come here from GAMBIA and would have been highly intelligent.

 

 

Boffins from the University of Liverpool believe the animal could be a Gambian pouched rat, which are becoming popular with pet owners because they “tame quite nicely”.

 

 

Experts have said the mammoth rat found Thursday is likely to have been someone’s pet – and added that it is not rare for people to keep that particular species on a lead.

 

 

Gambian pouched rats are so intelligent they have been used to sniff out landmines in the southern African nation of Mozambique.

 

 

Dr Dougie Clarke from the University of Huddersfield said the monster rats grow as big as four feet, and said: “These are highly intelligent and extremely large rodents – so big they are often kept on leads”.

 

 

A shocking photo of the super-rat found on an estate in Hackney, East London, on Thursday, caused mild controversy yesterday when some people were cynical about its alleged enormous size.

 

 

Some claimed it was as big as four feet long, but senior researcher and data scientist Oliver O’Brien dissected the image to give a more accurate idea of its length.

 

 

However his findings still judged the rat to be an incredible two feet long.

 

The Sun, UK

THE GAMBIAN MILITARY: SOLDIERS PAR EXCELLENCE

Fatu Camara
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Traditionally, the main role of Armed Forces around the world is the protection of national sovereignty by keeping borders and people safe. Overtime however, their roles were expanded and adapted to suit the specific security and geopolitical situations of the respective countries as well as to suit other needs and aspirations.

 

 

In most advanced countries, the roles of militaries have been expanded to include national development functions such as engineering, agriculture and other infrastructural development activities; assistance in cases of natural disasters; foreign relation engagements; international peacekeeping; domination of the high seas through navies; and control of international airspaces through satellites and air forces among other roles.

 

 

In Africa however, a different situation arises. Following the attainment of independence, most African countries were faced with internal conflicts or civil wars. Countries going to war against each other ‘in defence of territorial sovereignty’ was mitigated largely due to the fact that the artificial borders that were imposed on the continent were generally accepted as sacrosanct. In response to these internal threats to ‘national security’, African leaders also adapted the roles of their security services away from protection of borders and territorial sovereignty and used them for the protection of the State/governing elites against the citizens/groups they regarded as threats to their governments.

 

 

There is however one common similarity among all militaries of the world (be it the British, Chinese, Syrian or Gambian Armed Forces) which is they all follow a similar chain of command and are generally under the command and control of their respective governments to whom they owe unconditional loyalty and obedience. It is just like the relationship between a man and his horse. Although once in a while the horse may disappoint his master (like Jammeh did to Jawara in 1994), soldiers are generally subservient to their political leaders.

 

 

It is based on this relationship that George W. Bush and Tony Blair sent their militaries to Iraq to unjustifiably topple Saddam Hussein. This is also why when Barrack Obama clicked his fingers, the mighty US Army came running back to their bases at home. And believe it or not if Donald Trump becomes President, the US Army will be right back in the Middle East to “bomb the hell out of ISIS”.

 

 

It is also based on this unconditional loyalty and obedience that the Israeli Defence Forces are occupying Palestinian lands and while no amount of UN Resolutions or global condemnations will make them to move an inch, a single order from Netanyahu will get them back to Jerusalem. It is this same obedience to the chain of command that is why 33 year old Kim Jon-un of North Korea is able to control hundreds of Generals who are older than his grandfather; it is why the Burundian Army is standing by Nkurunziza; it is why the Syrian Army is with Assad, it is why the Ugandan Defence Forces are protecting Museveni; it is why the Zimbabwean military are still serving the nonagenarian Mugabe. It is also precisely the same reason why the Gambian Army is behind Jammeh.

 

 

As for those calling/praying for the soldiers to over throw Jammeh, I just cannot comprehend their logic. Do they expect General X to risk his life to remove Jammeh and then hand over power to Civilian Y? Soldiers do not do coup d’états for civilians; they do it for themselves. In my opinion, the best way forward to a Third Republic of the Gambia is through free, fair and peaceful elections and not through any violent means.

 

 

And for those saying that The Gambian military is worthless and should be disbanded, history tells us that there is not a single African country that has abolished her military since independence and Gambia is not going to be the first. I do hope and pray that the Third Republic will usher in a government that is filled with compassion, wisdom, competence, and knowledge to lead our country on the path of peace, security, cooperation, unity and development.

 

 

And I further hope that such a government will realize that the Gambia Armed and Security Services are not a liability but rather a national goldmine well juxtaposed to be the government’s number one partner in national development. The reason for my claim is not farfetched: our security services are composed of thousands and thousands of young, healthy, able-bodied, intelligent, patriotic, loyal and obedient men and women who are able, willing and eager to generate revenue, build infrastructure, play leading roles in international sports and to participate in science, technology, research and innovation in addition to their tradition roles of territorial defence and national security.

 

 

In my opinion, simple initiatives such as expanding our peacekeeping capacities to two or three Military Battalions and Formed Police Units and developing/equipping the security support services such as the engineering, communications, agricultural, educational, IT and medical corps/departments/battalions will have tremendous advantages including the following:

 

 

Enhance the international image of the country
Generate tremendous amounts of revenue
Increase the experience and professionalism of the service personnel
Make every service personnel financially independent
Increase youth employment to mitigate the back way syndrome
Create post-service professional skills
Build a cordial civil-military relationship and
Keep security personnel so occupied and contented that they will have no incentive to involve in politics again.

 
However, if we have as a the President of the Third Republic a Serrer who prefers to use the security services for fishing, be rest assured that The Gambia will be a leading fish exporter; if s/he is a Manjago who wants to make the Gambia a palm wine exporting nation, the security personnel can make it happen; and if s/he is a Sarahullay who wants to transform the Islamic State into a Chura State, I am sure that the security personnel can make sure that no one cooks nyankatang in the Fonis.

Long live the Republic of The Gambia and Long live the Gambia Armed Forces.
Author Gano
Posted on March 12, 2016
Categories Uncategorized

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER and SERVICE CONVENED BY THE GAMBIA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL

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5th March 2016, The Christian Day of Prayer and Service in The Gambia went well and far beyond expectations. It will be recorded as a great day of Christian unity and solidarity in the history of The Gambia. There was a record attendance coming from Christians, Muslims and people of non-faith from Banjul and the Greater Banjul Areas. Well selected inspiration songs filled the air. This National Day of Prayer has been rated as the greatest Gambian Christian gathering.

 

 

The prayers and service started at 09:00am and continued till 12:30 mid-day. Indeed the Gambia Christian Council was very pleased and expressed heart felt gratitude and appreciation to the following institutions for their support in making this event a success: Guaranty Trust Bank, Africell, Gambia Pastoral Institute, Solmic Catering, Unique Graphics, Knights of Saints Peter and Paul, West Coast Radio and Hot FM Radio.

 

 

The event started with the National Anthem followed by Introductory Remarks and Opening Prayer: by GCC Chairperson-Presiding Hannah C. Faal-Heim. She emphasized the need for continued love, respect, peace and harmony for all living in the Gambia.

 

 

Exhortations: by Bishop Robert Ellison (Roman Catholic Mission). He remarked that 10th December 2015 will forever be remembered in the history of The Gambia. It was the onset of a period of uncertainties in the country. The declaration in December 2015 was followed by series of events that led one to wonder whether these were mare coincident; namely the change of name for the country, organizing an Islamic Conference on 7th February 2016 and the Marrakesh conference in the Middle-East. The Bishop in prayer recited the National Anthem emphasizing “We strive and work and pray, That all may live in unity, freedom and peace each day. Let justice guide our action towards our common good, And join our diverse peoples to prove man’s brotherhood”.

 

 

Prayers of Adoration: by Bishop James Odico (Anglican Mission). He observed that the day has been characterized by harmonious atmosphere discipline and respect. That it is a day of thanks giving to recognize and appreciate the peace that prevailed in the Gambia between Christens, Muslims and people of non-faith. He observed that Gambians regularly renew their pledge in the words of the National Anthem: “That all may live in Unity, Freedom and Peace each day.” There was much emphasis on the word “ALL” and he skeptically posed the questions “Does a referee take sides? And “Is a referee neutral? He prayed that the will of God, not man, be done on earth.

 

 

Scripture Readings: by the Roman Catholic Mission Ps 93, Eph. 1:3-6 (In Wolof)

Scripture Readings: by Anglican Mission 2: Chronicles 7:14-16        1 John 1:5-10

Scripture Readings: by the Methodist Mission Col. 3:15-17 and 1 Paul Thessalonians 5: 16-22

Scripture Readings: by Pastor Sylvester Jammeh (Evangelical Member) Genesis 18: 22-33; 1 Timothy 2:1 and 2

 

 

Prayers of Supplication: by Pastor John C. Njie (Evangelical Member). He remarked that it is time to make real the promises of democracy in The Gambia; this is the time to call upon our God. Worshipers were reminded that because of the obedience and humility of Jesus God gave Him a name above all other names. He further noted that “whenever the name of my God is called upon He answers”. The call of Christians on this day of prayer is “Let the Kingdom of God/Yahweh/Jehovah visit the Gambia; let false imprisonment and injustice cease to exist. Let justice guide our leaders in the Gambia and that Christians are praying from a point of victory not for victory”.

 

 

Silent prayers of personal confessions led by Bishop Ellison – Catholic Bishop

Prayers of Thanksgiving: Rev. Gabriel Allen (Methodist Mission). The prayer sessions recalled history starting with the period of Slave Trade affirming that both white people and local inhabitants connived in the capture and sale of slaves. It was a dark period of history that culminated with its abolition and subsequent arrival of Missionaries that built churches throughout the country, from Amdallai to Sabi, from Koina to Banjul. This space of evangelization and education witnessed a period of rule with compassion and justice that earned the Gambia the name ‘The Smiling Coast of Africa’. The Day of Prayer has now connected together people in God’s wisdom; all are urged to ‘Stand up for Jesus; and that the strive will not be long”.

 

 

Vote of Thanks: by GCC General Secretary Rev. Mthr. Priscilla Johnson, She was overwhelmed by the great multitude of people many of who remained standing throughout the event. It was the desire to organize similar meetings periodically.

Closing Remarks and Prayer: by GCC Chairperson-Presiding Bishop Hannah C. Faal-Heim and finally Benediction by the three Bishops namely Methodist, Catholic and Anglican.

 

 

There were intermittent hymns of praise, thanksgiving and dancing to gospel music songs. These included: The Church is One Foundation; All Creatures of our God & King; Our God is An Awesome God; Ngum Na ti Yov, Yesu; Dear Lord and Father of Mankind; All to Jesus I Surrender; Sune Yesu; There Is A Redeemer; Na Het Yi Yep Santa Sunu Yalla; Give Thanks; Shine Jesus Shine; He Is Lord; Magay U Kerten; We Are One In The Spirit; Onward Christian Soldiers and To God Be The Glory.

 

 

Worshipers rendered thanks to God for giving the Holy Spirit that protects the Church. It was a prayerful day; strong statements were made that ‘This is time for the Gambia and in unity there is strength’. There were calls for encouragement, strength and boldness for the present and future. People were highly energized to speak out strongly and very loud to the unwelcome signs in the Gambia. There were prayers for the Church and Mission in The Gambia and the world over. The gathering implored upon God the Almighty to take control over the situation in The Gambia; they cried out that ‘The battle is the Lord’s’.

More Troubles For Embattle Journalist Alhagie Ceesay As Government Stops His Visitation Rights

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Highly placed dependable sources within The Gambia Prisons Service have informed The Fatu Network that journalist Alhagie Abdoulie Ceesay is now been denied all direct contacts with his family following the publication of a petition signed by over 50 media and civil rights organisations around the world calling on The Gambia government to release him.





According to our source, the order to ban journalist Ceesay’s family in accessing him in prison came from the Minister of Interior Ousman Sonko. Minister Sonko was also said to have been instructed by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Mama Fatima Singhateh to tighten security and surveillance around journalist Ceesay anytime he goes to court.

 

 

 

This came about following the publication of a photo of the embattled journalist sitting pale and sickly on the witness bench inside a courtroom where his case was supposed to be heard. The Justice Minister who is also a mother of young siblings was said to have been angry and incensed by what she said was a serious breach of security for allowing cameramen to take photos of the journalist while inside the courtroom.





True to his overzealousness, no sooner had the warning got to the Interior Minister Sonko than he got into action strictly warning the prison authorities from allowing journalist Ceesay’s family anywhere near the prison facilities.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, security sources within both the NIA and the State House have told The Fatu Network that security personnel are frantically looking for some unspecified members of journalist Ceesay’s family. One of our sources said: “Fatu I want to tell you that currently we have been instructed to increase surveillance on journalist Alhagie Abdoulie Ceesay’s family. In fact they have given us some names among the family who when spotted should be arrested.”





Further to the aggravated harassment the family is going through, the state has meanwhile instructed and bullied all business partners of the embattled journalist to sever all business relationship with him or face the consequences. According to our security sources, this is meant to completely breakdown the Ceesay family by starving them of any meaningful earning opportunities that would make them stand the test of time in this trying period.





The Fatu Network is keenly following this story and we are warning the government of Dictator Jammeh that we are aware of the sinister plots it has hatched against the Ceesay family. If any single member of the Ceesay family gets harmed, then we will squarely put that blame on Jammeh and his government.

If Gambians are tired of Jammeh, They are equally tired of the Opposition

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Now that the socialist democratic opposition, People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) and the ruling Alliance for Patriotic Re-Orientation and Construction (APRC) have both selected their candidates for the upcoming presidential election, the call for opposition unity has been intensified mostly by the Gambian diaspora. While we wait for other parties (UDP, PPP, GMC and NRP) to organize their congress and present their leaders to the electorates, I have a few observations to share on the continuous call for a coalition opposition force. I am convinced even with a united opposition, the chance of uprooting Jammeh is minimal. The issue is not whether they are united or not, the issue is their approach to everything.

 

 

This whole idea of opposition unity is not a new phenomenon. I remember coming across some documents during my research on PDOIS that pointed me to similar efforts during the period leading to the 1992 elections. The only difference this time is that the leading advocates of such are Gambians in the diaspora. The call for opposition unity is premised upon the notion that the only possible way of removing Jammeh electorally is a united opposition. Of course, the obsession to remove Jammeh is linked mostly to the numerous human rights violations as well as his poor socio-economic and political policies. Also, there are some disgruntled individuals who hate him for whatever reason. As much as this argument maybe true, I tend to believe otherwise. I strongly believe that even if united, the opposition has little chance of removing Jammeh. My argument is centered on the current nature of our electoral system including the previous electoral results.

 

 

Since the colonial period, The Gambia adopted the First Past the Post voting system. This system is based on the number of votes that a candidate received in an election. The one with the most votes is declared the winner. For example, in an election where there are three candidates and a total number of 100 voters, if one candidate received 34 votes, the two remaining candidates with 33 votes each, the one with 34 votes is declared winner. Nonetheless, if the votes of the others are combined, the winner is in the minority. This means that there are more people that did not vote for the winner than the ones that voted for him/her. Over the years, this system has received wide condemnation on the fact that it is not very representative and does not show the true choice of the people. Undoubtedly, such electoral system only favors the incumbent in a society where the political space is a closed one, like the case of The Gambia. The only possible and logical way to access political power is by forming a coalition. That is, before elections, the two candidates that received 33 votes unite and put forward one candidate to contest. The possibility in this case is that they will have 66 votes, thus representing the voices of the majority. However, within the current Gambian political dispensation, even if opposition political parties are united, the possibilities of them winning are very slim. Many analysts might fault the unlevelled playing field, the use of state resources by the ruling party as well as youth political apathy among many other factors. I think one area that is under looked in our analyses is APRC’s popularity and the number of people that prefer them over the rest. Although this is not the direction of this article, I think it is worthy to note that there are people that love and prefer the APRC over all other parties. Whether they are in the majority or not, we cannot tell. Nonetheless, attention must also be given to them. Whether their support is changing or not is also very debatable.

 

 

In The Gambia, there has been history of coalitions formed by political parties. For instance, around the time of independence, the Democratic Party of Reverend J.C Faye collaborated with I.M Garba Jahumpa’s Gambia Muslim Congress Party to form the Democratic Congress (DC). The same DC joined with the People Progressive Party (PPP) even though the PPP was the dominant party. Though many analysts call such a coalition “cooptation”, what this did at the time was to create two parties: PPP and United Party (UP); and made it very easy for the electorates to select. Financially, it cut the electioneering cost of the parties and gave them more opportunities to intensify their electoral campaigns. The demise of UP and the coming up of the National Convention Party (NCP) led by Sheriff Mustapha Dibba pushed forward the two party dominant politics in The Gambia up to 1986 when the PDOIS and Gambia People’s Party (GPP) emerged almost around the same time. The coming up of these two parties and later the coming up of Gambia People’s Democratic Party (GPDP) changed the total nature of the Gambian political landscape from one of two parties to multiparty competition. With the increase in political parties, those that were interested in political change called for a united opposition as a means to replace the PPP government. However, this did not materialize based on many issues, but primarily on ideological differences of the parties. At least, this was the argument of PDOIS.

 

 

Consequently, this might not be the case today. Yet, the idealistic PDOIS defer greatly to the form or approach to coalition building. While UDP claim that they are the majority party and all other parties should follow them, PDOIS believe in effective grassroots mobilization, which will ultimately lead to a primary, where a candidate of people’s choosing will be selected. This is a whole debate that requires another blog on why Gambian parties refuse to unite today. You may read Essa Njie’s perspective.

 

 

So far, I have shown the nature of the Gambian voting system. Let us put it into perspective all the previous elections and assume full coalition was formed by the political parties. I argue that even with such coalition the parties had no chance of winning the APRC. This article does not go into detail on the factors that made the APRC dominant. We all know or may argue the various reasons.

 

 

In the 1996 presidential election, the combined electoral votes in terms of percentage acquired by the United Democratic Party (UDP) (35.84%), National Reconciliation Party (NRP) (5.52%) and PDOIS (2.87%) was 44.23%, while the APRC won with 55.77%. These figures changed in the 2001 elections due primarily to the lifting of the ban on political parties, which facilitated the coming of NCP. The combined votes increased to 47.16%. This year was interesting because the first idea of coalition in the second republic was initiated between the UDP, PPP and GPP. The UDP led coalition received 32.59% of the votes; NRP received 7.8%, NCP 3.77% and PDOIS 3.02%. The increase in total opposition vote affected percentage vote received by the APRC from a total vote of 55.77% in 1996 to 52.84%.

 

 

Comparing the two elections, we have seen NRP and PDOIS improve in 2001. However, we have seen a decline in votes on the side of APRC and UDP. As mentioned earlier, the decline of votes from these two parties could be as a result of the arrival of NCP. It shows that NCP’s loyal supporters that were divided into supporting UDP or APRC went back to their party. Undoubtedly, the UDP coalition substantiates the argument that many have pushed before. That UDP is a mere replica of the banned parties of the First Republic.

 

 

The 2006 election was a very interesting one. 67.33% of the votes went in favor of the APRC. APRC’s high vote could have been as a result of NCP’s decision to throw its weight behind the party. The reason for this sharp increase was also primarily blamed on the oppositions’ failure to unite and present a single candidate. Nevertheless, the opposition was united into two different camps: the UDP led Alliance for Regime Change (ARC) and the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD). While the ARC coalition received 26.69% of the votes, the NADD camp received 5.98%. Now, when we sum the total opposition votes, we realize a sharp decrease from the previous election from 47.16% to 32.67%. Although we cannot assume what would have happened when a single candidate was forwarded from the opposition, nonetheless, many analysts blame the results on the opposition’s failure to unite.

 

 

The 2011 election followed a similar pattern as that of the previous election with two opposition camps. As usual, one led by UDP and the United Front (UF) putting forward an independent candidate. The combined votes of the two opposition camps was 28.47% where UDP-led received 17.36% and the UF received 11.11%, while the APRC received 71.54%. Again, the proponents of coalition blamed the outcome of the results on the opposition failure. At least I thought taking cue from the 2006 and 2011 elections, which exhibited strong form of coalition compared to the previous elections, one would assume that the opposition would have received more votes. Instead they received fewer votes. Possibly with a single coalition this time around, they might receive even fewer votes.

 

 

Here is the argument. On what basis do Gambian electorates vote? What factors influence the voting pattern or behavior of the citizens? Is it based on ethnicity, economic reasons, regionalism or the individual candidates? These might all serve as answer(s) to the question. However, to determine this, detailed studies must be conducted. We are assuming that a united opposition will succeed in removing Jammeh from office. This could be, but first we must understand the behavior of the electorates. We must move from the candidates and focus our attention on the ones that truly matter – the voters. See, this is the scenario. Do we just want the opposition to unite to satisfy or adhere to our call or do we strongly believe they have a chance to win the election, if united?

 

 

With the current electoral system, like many others, I would like to see a “united opposition”, one built on solid democratic principle, not because I believe they can win, but because it will show a different side to our political scenario. It will show the level of seriousness of the opposition. I am not as pessimistic as one may think; I would like to see a change of government. A change from one dominated to one that will open up the environment for wider public participation. I am all for our democratic growth. However, my desperation for change will not force me to accept anything undemocratic and with no hope of succeeding. Changing Jammeh today, in haste, does not guarantee anything different.

 

 

Let us look at issues here. If a coalition was to be formed, what form or structure should it take? Would it be like the NADD or like what happened in the last election with the independent candidate? Or will the parties just throw their weight behind some party. This could be a problem because the debate between PDOIS and the UDP are both legitimate. UDP believe they have majority and that they should lead. PDOIS argue that the best approach is for parties to organize themselves and run a primary. If I were ever asked to choose, I would pick the PDOIS approach. It may seem longer and tiring, but is more democratic and people driven. Most Gambians do not belong to political parties. They are not registered members of any party. In fact, none of the political parties can show you a list of registered members. Hence, to claim that one party is bigger based on previous results does not guarantee a democratic future. In fact the statistics above shows a great decline of UDP popularity. Nonetheless, if the goal is to get rid of Jammeh, the UDP way could be the way.

 

 

It is true that the seemingly more united the opposition gets, the stronger Jammeh becomes. We have seen the decline in votes of the opposition. We can blame it on their failure to unite, but I also think it has everything to do with their nature and the way they organize themselves. We have for many years blamed the unleveled playing field. Playing fields have never been levelled in any African election. The party contesting must make it level. An idea for an opposition today is to attract the voters of the ruling party, reduce the support base of the party so as to win political power. Calling for opposition unity is one way and there is more to it than just coming together. I think a new face should do the work. All the political parties in Gambia are like the APRC.

 

 

I think we are so obsessed with Jammeh that we forget what future our country should take. I for one will not vote for a united opposition just because they are united, but for the policy and program they have to offer. This should be the issue. We must move from politics of Jammeh to politics of The Gambia and its future. One may argue that the two are linked. I refuse to accept that. I think we have created Jammeh and positioned him above everything else and that he will leave when Gambians are really ready for change. The fact of the matter is that we are not ready and I don’t think 2016 will be any different even with a united opposition. The bottom line is we are equally tired of the opposition.

 

Sait Matty Jaw

Fatu on Jammeh’s plans to destabilize Casamance

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Plans by Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh to destabilize Casamance

A Treachery Uncovered: Dictator Jammeh Lays Dangerous Bait For Unsuspecting Diasporans Coming Back Home On Holidays

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The Fatu Network has uncovered yet another dangerous plan by Dictator Yahya Jammeh. This other one is hatched against unsuspecting Gambians based in the diaspora who annually go back home on holidays to reunite with their family and loved ones.





 

For the past nine months, the lonely dictator through his scoundrel National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has been compiling a database on Gambians living in the diaspora which it believes are those bent on destabilising the country or those engage in activities aimed at discrediting the government overseas. This list is distributed to immigration officers, the police and NIA personnel posted at all entry points of The Gambia including the Banjul International Airport.

 

 

 

The list which our credible sources on the ground have promised to provide to us, shows yet undeterred determination and the length at which the Dictator Jammeh and his isolated government wants to go in inflicting more harm on the already traumatised and brutalised populace.





 

Recent travellers have been narrating the unusually long process it now takes to pass through immigration desk at the airport where screening officers consult through all kinds of lists before an entry stamp is put on your passport.

 

 

 

Unknown to many of these home comers however is the treacherous plans hatched by the dictator against Gambians in the diaspora. The list of supposed “enemies of The Gambia” is divided into three different categories: the first category is those tagged “open opposition party supporters” and this group is classified as “not dangerous” since all what they do is to raise funds, support and propagate the ideals of their respective parties…although the NIA memo clearly says they should be tracked. This category of people can come back home and they need to watch their back because the NIA would be tracking their movement and activity while in the Gambia according to our credible source.





 

The second category of described as “enemies of The Gambia” are those the NIA tagged as “engaging in unrelented propaganda” spreading falsehood against The Gambia government and its officials most particularly the President of the Republic, his Cabinet Ministers and his immediate family. Those names listed in this particular group and seen by our credible sources are online media journalists and their regular guests, anti-government bloggers, prominent Facebook users and Twitterites hostile to the “supreme national interest” of The Gambia, former senior government officials who after fleeing the country would be talking to the online media revealing state secrets, asylum seekers who the regime accuses of using false claims just to get asylum, suspected homosexuals who have fled the country but are talking to pressure groups to put pressure on the government, heads and prominent members of international human rights organisations who the NIA described in their memo as “taking a hostile and belligerent approach” against The Gambia government.

 

 

 

According to our sources, anyone whose name is this second list should be immediately arrested and integrated at the point of entry before being handed over to the NIA. The instruction from the dictator’s own office is that this category of people should be charged under the false information act and brought before the courts depending on the severity of your case and the evidence compiled against you.

 

 

 

The third category of people are those tagged “severest.” The people listed in this group are those the regime referred to as “saboteurs.” They include former soldiers that it is believed are being used to destabilise The Gambia, alleged coup plotters, security forces (soldiers in particular) who have abandoned their force and fled to overseas, prominent Gambians based in the diaspora who are accused of scouting funding for dissident groups to attack The Gambia, other Gambians and unspecified number of non-Gambians who are lobbying foreign governments to put different kinds of sanctions on The Gambia.





 

The NIA memo on the third category of people is explicit that this category once spotted anywhere in The Gambia should be arrested and handed over to the Kanilai squadron. In one of the files marked FYEO (For Your Eye Only), which one of our credible sources happened to see, says that every effort should be done to not only track the third category of people, but that the Eternal Security Division of the NIA “should work with our friendly partners in the region to counter and or stop this group listed in number three by any means necessary” including inducement and something our source said is encircled in black ink but which is not legible.

 

 

 

Apparently the NIA and other security branches tasked to carry out this dastardly treacherous act against innocent Gambians have already been posted at the various entry points across the country. Currently at the Banjul International Airport, most of the coach drivers are now intelligence officers, in addition to a large number of plainclothes military intelligence officers who mingle in the crowd at the airport. A special detention facility has been created at the old terminal at the Banjul International Airport where suspects are to be processed before being handed over to the relevant security agencies.





 

The Fatu Network will continue to follow this rather interesting developing story that is meant to harm perceived enemies of The Gambia government.

Gambia: Free ailing journalist arbitrarily detained

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Gambia should free an ailing journalist who has been arbitrarily detained since July 2015 and drop all charges against him, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

 

Alagie Abdoulie Ceesay, the managing director of the independent radio station Teranga FM, has been charged with sedition and “publication of false news.” He has been hospitalized twice since the beginning of 2016. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called on Gambia last week to release Ceesay and drop all charges against him.

 

“The use of archaic sedition laws to harass and lock up critics is a serious violation of the right to freedom of expression,” said Stephen Cockburn, Amnesty International deputy regional director for West and Central Africa.

 

“Alagie Ceesay’s case is a further example of Gambia’s blatant disregard for freedom of the press, and he should be released immediately and unconditionally.”

 

Ceesay was arrested on July 2 by the National Intelligence Agency after he privately shared by phone a picture in which a gun was pointed toward a photograph of President Yahya Jammeh. The image had been circulating on the internet, and Ceesay was not its author. His radio station, Teranga FM, had been closed down several times over the past years.

 

The use of archaic sedition laws to harass and lock up critics is a serious violation of the right to freedom of expression
Stephen Cockburn, Amnesty International deputy regional director for West and Central Africa.

During his detention Alagie Ceesay has been held ‘incommunicado’ for two periods by members of the Gambian security forces. Ceesay was held in an unknown location from July 2 to July 13, then released.

 

He was rearrested on July 17 and detained at the National Intelligence Agency headquarters, which is not an official place of detention, without access to a lawyer or his family. He was taken before the High Court on August 25 and charged with six counts of sedition under Section 52 of the Gambian Criminal Code, and publication of false news with intent to cause fear and alarm among the public. He is currently held at Mile 2 prison on the outskirts of the capital, Banjul. In February this year, he was denied bail for the fourth time.

 

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention released an opinion last week, adopted during its last session, in December 2015, that Ceesay had been arbitrarily deprived of liberty. It said he should be released immediately and given an enforceable right to compensation. It also said the government should ensure that freedom of opinion and expression is better protected and called for an investigation into allegations that Ceesay has been tortured.

 

Alhagie Ceesay shouldn’t have been locked up in the first place
Corinne Dufka, West Africa director at Human Rights Watch

Ceesay’s health has been deteriorating since the beginning of 2016. On January 13, he was hospitalized after complaining for over a month about stomach pains and difficulties sleeping. A doctor diagnosed him with an enlarged liver and prescribed pain medication. On February 29, he was readmitted to the same hospital for an asthma attack and returned to prison on March 1.

 

“Alhagie Ceesay shouldn’t have been locked up in the first place,” said Corinne Dufka, West Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “The deterioration in his health only underscores the urgent need to release him.”

 

Gambia should amend several draconian laws that give authorities sweeping powers to arrest and detain critics and violate international and regional standards on the right to freedom of expression, the organizations said. These include the law on seditious publication, the Information and Communication (Amendment) Act 2013 and the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2013.

 

In April 2015, Gambia rejected 78 of the 171 recommendations at the universal periodic review of human rights conditions in the country by the United Nations. The recommendations it rejected included removing restrictions on freedom of expression.

 

Gambia has not implemented the judgments of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice in three cases related to journalists: the enforced disappearance of Ebrima Manneh in 2010; the torture of Musa Saidykhan in 2010; and the unlawful killing of the president of the Gambia Press Union Deyda Hydara,in 2014.

 

Media freedoms and freedom of expression more broadly have been systematically eroded through repressive legislation, intimidation and the imprisonment of independent journalists
Robert Mahoney,CPJ Deputy Executive Director

“Gambia’s catch-all laws on sedition and publication of false news are nothing but an instrument of censorship and should be repealed,” said CPJ Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney.

 

“Media freedoms and freedom of expression more broadly have been systematically eroded through repressive legislation, intimidation and the imprisonment of independent journalists. Alagie Abdoulie Ceesay is a victim of this crackdown and must be released from prison immediately.”

Mystery Surrounds the Presence of a Group of Middle Eastern Men in Kanilai!!!

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Sources have informed Fatu Network that Gambia’s President, Yahya Jammeh is playing host to a group of Middle Eastern men in Kanilai, whose presence and commute back and forth have raised eyebrows within both his own security network and the Kanilai villagers. We are still trying to determine the exact number but the men who are seen riding bicycles in the evenings in what seem like rehearsal formations, are said to be around a dozen.





Jammeh has recently been intensifying his game of mischief both at home and abroad – there is an escalating border crisis brewing between this small country of 1.9 million people and its much larger neighbor, Senegal – all thanks to his belligerence. There is even a rumor of him securing a jet fighter plane or helicopter gunship (still trying to determine which is true). The rebels fighting against Senegalese forces in that country’s southern region are once again rattling sabers claiming to be demanding for the release of a dead body of a comrade – it has now been confirmed through sources on the ground that Jammeh is the one behind this move, just as he has instigated such actions by the rebels in the past.

 

 

So with this latest act of clandestine elements in the midst, there is growing concern among people in The Gambia that Yahya is once again up to no good and that the presence of these men only spells trouble. There is high suspicion on the ground that these men are either mercenaries or brought in to train a clandestine group for either terrorizing the population or to pick a fight with Senegal. There is even one far-fetched theory that with him declaring the Gambia an Islamic State, these men maybe in town to use it for launching an attack against Western interests in the region, especially in Senegal. There has recently been growing concern over terrorism in the region prompting countries like Senegal to beef up security and conduct anti-terrorism raids, especially after bloody attacks by terror groups in Mali, Nigeria, Kenya, Chad, Niger, and most recently, Burkina Faso.





There is said to be a female group too but Fatu Network has been able to establish that those females came from Ethiopia and are possibly being used as sex toys for Jammeh since his rape of young Gambians girls has been exposed and intensely reported by this network.





These are very troubling times in The Gambia. Yahya Jammeh is increasingly becoming a huge headache for not only that country but the entire West Africa region. Gambians both on the ground and in Diaspora are therefore hoping that Senegal will strengthen her resolve in being tough on him; otherwise the ensuing disaster could have serious consequences for all.

Dictator Jammeh in total confusion as his antics show a rather jittery President

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Sources within the corridors of The State House in Banjul, have informed The Fatu Network about a rather worried dictator Jammeh who for the past few days has been showing signs of unease to the point that even his closest aids are refused access to him.

 

 

In the same vein, cabinet ministers, foreign diplomats and other senior government officials have been on the waiting list for a while to have audience with the dictator on urgent state matters without success.





One credible source has told The Fatu Network that the dictator is so jittery about what he calls ‘Signs of security concerns’ that Jammeh avoids handshakes with his security details and other close aids. He said the dictator for some strange reasons, has now taken some extra precautionary measures where he remains in his car now longer than usual anytime they reach their destination.

 

 

The source stated that in the past anytime Jammeh arrives at a venue he will quickly descend from his car, but now according to our credible source, the dictator takes more than five minutes to come out from his car. In addition he said plain clothes officials of the dictator’s militia are also always now seen combing areas of target in the vicinity where the dictator is before he comes out of his car.





In addition, our source has said that the dictator is now accompanied by a larger than usual convoy with all kinds of military equipment wherever he goes. He has also increased the number of check points from Denton bridge to the state house area in addition to increased night patrols by heavily armed soldiers. The dictator is also said to have reduced his habitual long discussions on telephone.

 

 

Meanwhile, inside the dictator’s own backyard, Gambians particularly women are getting more and more agitated thanks to the unending economic problems in the country.





Just yesterday, March 8, 2016, two young women based in Banjul openly phoned The Fatu Network’s popular Today Show where they challenged the dictator to resign or face the wrought of a rather fed up populace. The two callers are part of a chorus of young people who are mobilizing themselves for an eventual showdown with dictator Jammeh and his government.





For far too long, young Gambians were being used, misused and then micromanaged by the dictatorship in The Gambia. But now it seems many young people have woken up from their slumber and that in itself is a huge headache for the dictator.

 

 

The Fatu Network will continue to provide its platform for increased advocacy to provide the young people not only with the right information, but to also expose the excesses, brutality, corruption, and mismanagement of The Gambia’s resources by dictator Jammeh and his government.

 

Jakarrlo Ak Amzo

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Confusion In Kanilai As Dictator Jammeh Summons His Trusted Aids To Fish Out Supposed Informants Following The Fatu Network’s Damning Story On His Genocidal Plans Against Opposition Leaders

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The Fatu Network can report with upmost certainty about two high level meetings hurriedly organized by Dictator Yahya Jammeh following our Thursday lead story which explicitly documented dangerous genocidal plans being hatched against the Gambian opposition parties and their supporters.

 
Bewildered and furious, our trusted sources intimated to The Fatu Network how Dictator Jammeh summoned senior officials of the security forces and tasked them to fish out those giving out classified state information to The Fatu Network. The Dictator was said to have been particularly “very angry” at what our credible source described as the apparent lapse in controlling state secret when plans to kill opposition leaders were leaked to The Fatu Network.




The genocidal plan itself against the opposition has three different operational strategies: Plan A: is to target the prominent opposition supporters with inducement of job offers and even lavish cash spending on them. If this could not yield fruit, then the architects have recommended what it terms under Plan B: as a strategy to suffocate the opposition of the much needed space to conduct their rallies and activities. These plans include denying the opposition permits to hold rallies; unexplained disappearances; arrests and long detentions; identifying and singling out their bread winners for dismissal from their jobs and also denying them opportunities to make it impossible for them to focus on supporting the opposition.
But the scary bit falls under Plan C…..which the architects code named the operation as “The Black Cat.” Under this plan, over 300 people have been identified across the country among them UDP leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, PPP leader OJ Jallow, NRP leader Hamat Bah, PDOIS leader Halifa Sallah and several youth leaders of both the UDP and PPP as well as newly cross carpeted youths from the ruling party to the UDP. All of their names have been circled in a red ink.




At least six prominent names of diaspora opposition party activists from both the UDP and PPP have also been listed and their family addresses already identified and circled in red ink as “potentials.”
The Plan C talks about abductions of the prominent party members, arrest and court charges including inciting violence so that they would be denied bail. But the epic of the operation is what the architects called “silence the parrot” which include extreme use of force and violence against defenceless civilians.
Under this plan, residential addresses of the targets have been identified, all escape routes marked “Gates closed” and the number of security men to be tasked to be conducting the operation mapped. For example for both UDP and PPP leaders’, the architects have suggested that not less than 30 heavily armed men should storm their residences with tear gas ganisters. The attackers should also use a specially designed balaclavas (hoods) to hide their identity.
Meanwhile, within Kanilai itself, the Dictator has tasked his trusted security team to liaise with telecommunications service providers to particularly find out who have been communicating with The Fatu Network in the US.




Our source said there is currently serious panic among the close aides of the Dictator who are worried that they could be wrongly accused of being the informants. According to different sources who spoke to The Fatu Network, the security taskforce setup by the Dictator first met Thursday night
immediately after the publication of our damning story. The taskforce has now already put together modalities to crack down on what they called informants bent on destabilizing the country. On Sunday 6th March, the taskforce met again to brief the Dictator about the steps they have taken.
One source said the online media has now become Dictator Jammeh’s biggest headaches where on a daily basis, a special group of intelligence officers stationed at the NIA record all programs especially aired on The Fatu Network. Names of regular contributors on the online radios are also compiled and in some cases their relatives tracked in The Gambia.

 
The Fatu Network is keenly following this story and we will continue to update our audience with the developments.

Fatu’s Take On The Gambia & Senegal Border Closure

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Under Siege, The Gambia’s Nervous Christian Denominations Pray for Tolerance in The Country!!!

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The Christian Council of the The Gambia on Saturday, March 5 organized what it called Nation Day of Prayers. The event was held at the Independent Stadium in Bakau and all three Christian denominations in the country were in attendance. According to those present, this was the largest congregation they have ever seen in that country, a lot of Muslims were also in attendance as a show of solidarity with a people coming under siege because of their faith.





This event came on the heels of some troubling developments in that country not ever seen or felt throughout its history. The President, Yahya Jammeh who rules this country of 1.9 million people, 85-90% of which identify themselves as Muslim, with an iron fist has a penchant for using his terrorized people as pawns in schemes that most of the times only he can explain. The Christians have recently been the ones on the receiving end of this continuing madness. First, he declared the country and Islamic State, to the consternation of both Christians in the country and the International community, then, proceeded to issue directives that forced the Christians to start adhering to Islamic dressing. Of course every observer agrees this is a just a ploy by him to get funds from Arab states because all financial aid coming from European sources have dried up due to his lack of adherence to basic human rights for his people. This according to them is after all the man who openly worships idols and engages in rituals considered heresy in Islam.





These actions and many others prior it – all meant to sow seeds of division between the Muslim majority and the Christian minority for his own political gain, have forced the usually sympathetic Christian community (Yahya was raised by Christians and has family members who are Christians too) to feel alienated and as a result started distancing themselves from him and his regime. With trepidation growing among them, and knowing the direction the president is going will eventually see them completely wiped out of the country they call home, the leaders in the churches have started voicing out their frustrations and fears. Reverend Edward Gomez was the first who delivered a sermon that called for tolerance towards the Christian minority among other serious concerns. The video of that sermon was shared widely on social media by activists, human rights defenders, and social commentators who felt the time is here for the Christian leaders to finally speak up before it is too late.

 

 

So this event at the Independent Stadium came as no surprise, and the tone of the speakers speaks volumes as to the degree to which the Christians in The Gambia are beginning to feel left of their own country. According to an eye-witness, speakers included Arch Bishop Robert Ellison from the Catholic Mission who began his speech with a question asking; should referees be corrupt? Should they be neutral? This it seems is a direct reference to how the leaders in the majority Muslim country are not treating the Christian minority as equals in their own country. He continued praying that the Lord guide our leaders and judges to remain neutral in order to serve fairly in accordance with the law. The second speaker, Mrs. Bishop Hanna C. Faal-Heim buttressing Bishop Ellison’s earlier remarks, but one seen by observers as a swipe against the Muslim elders like Imam Cherno Kah and others who have as usual decided to be the President’s cheerleaders in these unconstitutional maneuvers, stressed that leaders should speak the truth, and shy away from being hypocrites to President Jammeh. She prayed for such leaders to be guided by the Lord and strengthen their faiths to judge in accordance with the law. Speaking to the general feeling of Christians in the country, she also prayed that no Gambian be treated as refugees in their own country and that each and every one of them be able to associate freely with whatever faith or belief one chooses but yet all of them living in peace and harmony together as one people and one nation. She celebrated the diversity of the Gambia and commended the citizens for having big hearts. In an attempt to calm nerves among the scared Christians, Bishop Fall assured the congregants that Christians and Muslims will continue to work together in the country.





Reverend Priscilla Johnson gave the closing remarks.

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