By: Dawda Baldeh

President Barrow has labeled the opposition-led Kanifing Municipal Council as enemies of progress, accusing them of favoritism during the distribution of coronavirus relief support. Barrow made these statements at a joint meeting in Bundung, where he directly engaged with residents from various constituencies in the Kanifing Municipal Council.

During the meeting, the Gambian leader disclosed that when he announced the appointment of a coordinator for Banjul and KMC, some individuals, whom he referred to as opponents and haters, spread misinformation, claiming that the appointment of coordinators is illegal. “Fear a knowledgeable hypocritical person because he/she can destroy a country or generation and can be capable of destroying everything. May Allah protect us from knowledgeable hypocritical people,” he remarked.

Barrow emphasized that all other regions have government representatives, so why not Banjul and KMC, who would support government development agendas? He questioned the opposition to such appointments, stating that there is a gap in the councils that needs to be addressed for development.

“All the projects in KMC, if the coordinator was there, he would be a board member or chairman to supervise everything for the benefit of all,” Barrow explained. He argued that even if the current Mayor in KMC were from the ruling party, he could not represent the central government, let alone an opposition council.

“These are not only oppositions but oppositions who don’t want the development of the country. If you have these types of councils without a coordinator, there will be no development in such regions,” he warned. Barrow cited an example of the council’s mishandling during the distribution of COVID-19 relief food packages, alleging that they favored their supporters and neglected others.

Barrow announced that the new coordinators would be empowered to meet the expectations of the people. He revealed his determination to remove individuals in the government who sabotage his development efforts for the betterment of the country. “No one will waste our time. If you are not ready for development, we will remove you and move on because we want to develop this country. We have a lot of projects in the Kanifing Municipal Council, and we will continue,” he concluded.

(Geneva, 6 December 2023) The trial of Ousman Sonko, former Gambian Minister of Interior, will open on 8 January 2024 before the Swiss Federal Criminal Court (FCC).

Ousman Sonko is accused of multiple counts of crimes against humanity, allegedly committed between 2000 and 2016, during the rule of former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh.

This will be the second trial for crimes against humanity in Swiss judicial history. Moreover, Ousman Sonko will be the highest-ranking state official ever to be tried for international crimes in application of the principle of universal jurisdiction in Europe.

The trial of Ousman Sonko will open on Monday 8 January 2024 before the FCC, situated in Bellinzona, Ticino, Switzerland. It is planned to last until 30 January, with a week reserve time between 4-8 March 2024.

The proceedings will be in German and open to the public and journalists within the limits of the available courtroom space.

Interested journalists can request accreditation with the General Secretariat of the FCC.

Further information provided by the FCC.

For more information, please contact:
Anja Härtwig (English, French, German)
[email protected]
+41 22 519 03 96

Mama Jabbie, the prosecution’s 3rd witness, had call records that indicated her physical presence in the President’s hometown of Mamkamang Kunda on the 30th of September and 12th of October 2023. During cross-examination, Counsel J Darboe, defense counsel for the first accused (Ousainou Bojang), pointed out to the witness that her call records on the 30th of September and 12th of October 2023 indicated her physical presence in Mankamang Kunda.

Earlier in the proceedings, Counsel J Darboe requested the court to grant an order to provide printouts of the call records of Mama Jabbie (PW3) and evidence in chief of the ongoing murder trials related to the police murder that happened on the 12th of September 2023 at the Sukuta-Jabang traffic light.

“I am putting to you that you were physically present in Mankamang Kunda on the 30th of September and 12th of October 2023 as per exhibits C1,” Counsel posited.

This statement came following Counsel J Darboe’s question on when the PW3 last visited Mankanmang Kunda, to which the witness attested to not recalling but acknowledged passing through Mankamang Kunda while heading to Basse.

The witness was also questioned on when she last used her SIM cards. Following her assertion of ejecting her SIM cards due to cyberbullying from the public, the witness stated that she can’t currently remember not using those SIMs.

Objecting to such an assertion, Counsel J Darboe pointed out to the witness that she was using her Africell SIM up until the 22nd of November 2023, according to exhibits C1.

“Since I received those insults, I stopped using my Africell, and all the phones are in one place,” Mama Jabbie responded.

The witness was also questioned on the maternity of Musa Camara, the GRA officer she called after reporting the first accused person (Ousainou Bojang). She replied that she knew Musa Camara’s mother, whom she said is Maimuna Barrow, known as Korka, a resident of Yarambamba who shares the same mother and father with the President.

At this point, State Counsel AM Yusuf objected, stressing that whatever the witness said might be hearsay or her own opinion. The objection was overruled by Justice Ebrima Jaiteh, who is presiding over the case.

On the 20th of November 2023, PW3 (Mama Jabbie) told the court that she doesn’t know who Musa Camara’s mother is, as well as his relationship with the President. Counsel Darboe presented this to her and further asked if she still stands by those statements. “I’m still standing by that answer,” Mama affirmed.

The case resumed today at 10:30 am.

By: Dawda Baldeh

One Sheikh Seedy Mutarr Gassama, a resident of Old Yundum Constituency, impressed many yesterday, including Gambia’s President Adama Barrow, as he revealed that he rejected lavish offers and proposals that could have earned him millions of dalasis for a land he dedicated to hospital construction, which he also fully funded.

The laying of the foundation stone for this project was presided over by President Barrow at a high-profile ceremony on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023.

“I am not constructing this hospital because I have enough money or don’t have other needs to settle. If it were about monetary gains, I would have sold this place long ago because I have rejected offers and proposals that would have earned me millions of dalasis. People have offered me different amounts of money for this place and other projects, but I rejected all. My intention has always been to build a hospital on this land for people. Everyone needs a hospital, and that is why I am now constructing it here. I am sponsoring the construction 100%. I don’t mind getting support, but with or without it, I will do what I can to fulfill my desire,” he told journalists briefly after the laying of the foundation stone.

Speaking passionately about this motive, Gassama added, “If you can afford breakfast, lunch, and dinner and you still have money in your pocket, you should support others, and that is what Islam teaches.” He reiterated that all the materials are readily available and kept in a safer place. Gassama noted that he has not involved anyone, but he will do all it takes to make the project successful.

The old man expressed hope that the construction of the hospital will be completed on time, and he wants the president to also preside over the inauguration. “Everyone will benefit from this hospital irrespective of their tribes, culture, religion, or political affiliation. That is why I named it ‘All Care Hospital,’ which is catering to all individuals,” he added.

After presiding over the ceremony, President Barrow commended Mr. Gassama for the initiative, saying it will go a long way in complementing ongoing national efforts in making healthcare affordable and accessible for all. “This is how everyone should be thinking, not just to continue criticizing the government for everything. If we all think and work like Mr. Gassama, we can develop our country and make it look like America. This country belongs to all of us, and we are the ones who can develop it for ourselves,” he said.

Several other speakers, including Dr. Ahmed Lamin Samateh, the Minister of Health, applauded Mr. Gassama for the initiative and called on citizens to emulate his move in supporting the development of the country.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Gambia’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, Hamat NK Bah, described Brikama as filthy and urged the women in Brikama to ask the Yankuba Darboe-led Brikama Area Council to clean the town first, amidst the council’s decision to sue the National Road Authority and Police over the demolition of shops in the market.

The Tourism Minister made these comments while addressing the audience in Brikama on Saturday during the president’s Meet-The-People’s Tour.

“I will tell you this: those who are providing you with certain information, like the Brikama Area Council, telling you things that do not exist, tell them Brikama is dirty, and we want you to clean the town. Brikama is extremely dirty. Let the Council wake up and clean the town. That should be their number one responsibility,” he said.

Referring to Chairman Yankuba Darboe and his councilors, Minister Bah said that the council should focus on working for the region instead of engaging in meaningless talks when they have not done anything meaningful for the region.

Reaffirming Minister Bah’s statement, President Barrow also told the Brikama Area Council to clean Brikama and the council’s gate first because that’s the easiest work they can do, rather than saying they are going to help women market vendors.

Two weeks ago, the Chairman of the Brikama Area Council announced that the council passed a resolution to take legal measures against the National Road Authority and the Gambia Police Force over the demolition of canteens in the market that has left many women vendors without any place to sell their goods.

According to him, many affected vendors went to him to appeal for help because their source of income has been damaged.