By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Deputy Administrative Secretary for Media and Communication of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), Yankuba Darboe, has blasted the Chairman of the Brikama Area Council (BAC) Sherrifo Sonko for his incompetence in leading the region’s Area Council, saying the chairman has turned the office into a brothel and allowed corruption to blossom.

Darboe, whose party endorsed Sherrifo Sonko to contest and won the seat in the last local government election but later fell apart, said Sherrifo Sonko is inept and accused his former party mate of turning the office into a brothel where he sexually abused women.

“… Sheriffo Sonko has proven to all that competency and integrity matter in public office. For he’s bereft of those traits, and the consequences have been terrible for West Coast. He turned our honourable office into a brothel, where he preyed on vulnerable women and sexually abused them. I think we have heard his sex audios,” Yanks said.

The lawyer-cum-politician, who affirmed his readiness to vie for the top office in Brikama Area Council under the UDP ticket yesterday, told The Fatu Network that Chairman Sheriffo Sonko has abused his office for far too long and allowed corruption to flourish.
He pointed out that his former ally in the United Democratic Party is unfit for the position, adding that chairman Sonko betrayed the trust conferred on him by those that voted him in.

“He had abused that office for far too long and allowed corruption to thrive. Thus, he is not fit to be in that office for another 5 years and should have the decency not to even contemplate it. He has betrayed the trust and confidence of the people of West Coast,” he stressed.

Sheriffo Sonko, who is now believed to have cross carpeted from UDP to National People’s Party (NPP), is yet to publicly announce if he will seek re-election or leave the office at the end of his term.

The West Coast Region Brikama Area Council Chairmanship election has been predicted by many commentators to be a well-contested battle.

Yankuba Darboe of UDP, Jammeh EK Bojang of UDP and Ahmad Gitteh of NPP are among the people who have publicly announced their aspirations for the seat.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Justice Sidi K Jobarteh of the Banjul high court has given an order to the state on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, to file their indictment against one Kumba Sinyan, the alleged murderer of Lamarana Jallow, 25, following an adjournment application filed by the state which was objected to by the defence.

Delivering her ruling on what became the second adjournment since the case was transferred from the Kanifing Magistrates court on the 19th of September 2022 for want of jurisdiction, the High Court judge ordered the state to “file an indictment on or before the next adjourn date” which is the 16th of November 2022 at 11:30 a.m. Justice Jobarteh did not say exactly what will happen if the state fails to file an indictment on the 16th.

The prosecution counsel, L Jarju had informed the court that they had received the case file from the police less than 30 minutes before the beginning of the proceedings but assured they would do the needful on the next adjourned date.

The defence counsel, Sagar Jahateh opposed the adjournment application over what she believed was disregarding the fundamental human rights of her client. She submitted that the state had ample time to indict the accused.

“The court should give an order for the state to file an indictment or else the accused be discharged until they are ready to proceed with the case,” defence counsel said.

The accused, Kumba Sinyan is charged with murder. She is alleged to have killed one Momodou  Lamarana Jallow, 25, by cutting open his stomach with a razor blade at the Friendship Hotel in Bakau on the 14th of September 2022. Kumba was allegedly in a relationship with Lamarana. The deceased, according to reports, was supposed to fly to Indonesia for studies a day after his murder.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

A regulatory officer at the Medicines Control Agency has told reporters that some of the seventy deaths recorded as a result of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) were found not to have been caused by the medicines (contaminated cold and cough syrups from India).

“Out of the seventy (70) kids that died, some of the kids died without taking any medication. And out of those 70 kids, some kids took medications we have tested, and the medications are not affected; they are safe to be used. But the kids only took those medications and died,” Tijan Jallow, told journalists at a press briefing on Monday, 31 October 2022.

The regulatory office said an investigation is being launched to ascertain the exact causes of what was regarded by some Gambians as a national tragedy and has not concluded whether it was medicines or microorganisms.

“Because we were in the rainy seasons, and we know for the past 15 to 20 years Gambia experience the highest rainfall in this season. We realised 95% of the kids that died are from flooded areas. So, some urine blood samples were collected from a kid that was showing the same signs and symptoms.

“So, after analysing those samples. 90 – 95% of those samples show the presence of 6 different bacteria species and three different virus species. We also collected three samples from kids that are having the AKI. When we analyse their stool samples, all of them have bacteria in their stool,” Tijan Jallow said at the press briefing.

He said he is part of a task force that is assessing the causes of the deaths by establishing the medication each child took.

“And as I made it clear, a good number of kids died without taking medications.”

By: Modou Touray

Human rights activists drawn from the length and breadth of the African continent, while brainstorming on the factors triggering military overthrows of democratically elected governments, admitted that coups are not a solution to citizens’ grievances, but it is a signal of poor governance by an incumbent government.

Activists who delivered their statements highlighting their country’s scenarios called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to institute more robust measures to ensure that African leaders adhere to term limits and rule within democratic frameworks to avoid unconstitutional takeovers.

Reflecting on the military regime in Mali, rights activists revealed that despite the unconstitutionality of the regime, most of the citizens seem to be comfortable with the military regime and don’t prefer civil government.

The Director of Policy and Engagement, Open Society Africa, George Kegoro, spoke at length on factors leading to military coups in Africa. He further asserted that people’s anger towards a poor system of governance often leads to coups but said it is not the best option.

“People need human security, which discusses to make life bearable, such as security for hunger, physicality, and social protection. If these lacks, that leads to a response which brings about coups,” he said.

The executive director of the African Center for Human rights studies Mrs Hana Forster pointed out that an unconstitutional overthrow by the military cannot be the appropriate remedy, but it indicates a justifiable problem in incumbent governments in Africa.

Mrs Forster also dilated on curbing protests in Africa while calling on governments to ensure that citizens have the right to protest.

“We have to have a way of dealing with protest and conflict in general in Africa. There are so many triggers of conflicts around us but how do we together find a solution to it,” she said.

She added that it’s our collective responsibility to find tangible solutions to our challenges as a continent

Mrs Hannah Foster stated that the convergence is an opportunity to bring to the attention of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights trending issues about instability and conflict in African Union member states through resolutions and recommendations.

Currently, there are military governments in Mali, Guinea Conakry, Burkina Faso, and Chad. The Republic of Mali experience double coups and Guinea Bissau as well experience an attempted coup.

The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) made numerous calls for the total abolition of military takeovers but couldn’t materialise due to poor governance across Africa, the violations of the rights of citizens and ignoring the presidential term limits.

Other activities from South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and other African countries spoke on democracy and good governance in Africa.

By: Modou Touray

Students at the Gambia College – Brikama campus have expressed health concerns over the poor condition of their facility which they say expose them to a range of health risks.

Many dormitory residents, who requested anonymity, called on authorities and the public to help them fix the said sanitary problem.

“The condition of the toilets is deplorable. The college administration needs to replace the facility. We have nine rooms in this dormitory block and each room is sometimes up to three students. There are three toilets here and only one bathroom for more than 20 students,” a male student said.

Many students come from the provinces and only rely on the university for accommodation.

“I came from the province to stay here for the duration of my course. I have no relatives in Brikama to lodge in town, therefore I have no choice but to stay here,” another student told this reporter.

Fatou Njie, a student, noted that many students have passed through such conditions at the dormitory and the situation seems to be the same.

President of the general student council of the Gambia College – Brikama Campus, Fatou M Yaffa, confirmed that water supply at the dormitory is insufficient and appealed for support to fix that.

“For 40 years now, the dormitory hasn’t undergone any major refurbishment. Our student council normally intervenes to help to clear the filled toilets. Also, we help fix the bulbs when they fuse. We are looking for immediate assistance from the public. The mattresses are getting old too and they need to be replaced,” the student president appealed.

In his reaction, the principal of the Gambia College, Mr Abubacarr Jallow said:

“The management of the dormitory is in the hands of the students’ leadership. They are the ones collecting the rental fees. I wanted to close the dormitory because we have issues maintaining it but the students made an appeal and I decided to leave it. Only 200 students are staying there currently.”

The Gambia College is a public tertiary institution with campuses in Banjul and Brikama.

If you’d told the 16-year-old me that at 46, I’d be divorced, single and having a baby on my own — by choice! — I’d have shuddered and firmly said “no!”

Back then, I had very definite ideas about the future course my personal life would take, and it didn’t look like this. I imagined something way more straightforward and dare I say it, conventional.

I’ve been blessed to build the career of my dreams over decades as a journalist — 13 years on air for CNN International, travelling the world to cover global events and interviewing presidents, movie stars and world leaders.

I published a book, became a UN Goodwill Ambassador and started a nonprofit to help empower African girls, but in my quiet moments the one thing I wanted the most, to become a mother, remained out of reach.

A brief marriage to a kind man didn’t result in children, and then the year I turned 40, my mum had a catastrophic stroke, leaving me no emotional space to contemplate anything other than caring for her. Six years went by and a few months ago I found myself in a subpar relationship with a man who took about 12 hours to reply to all my texts, among other red flags.

It was then, in the aftermath of our inevitable breakup, that it hit me: Not having a child would be the greatest regret of my life. And with my biological clock ticking down, if I was waiting for the right man to come along before I did it, well, I might just find myself out of time.

So, I decided to take control of my life and settle on the bravest and scariest decision I have ever made: to have a baby on my own. I had many long conversations with myself and tried to get to grips with questions about what it would mean to not have the support of a partner, both emotionally and financially. How would I handle society’s questions?

What would being a single parent mean for my child? I still don’t have all the answers, but I decided to take the leap because I refuse to let fear, social conventions or judgment hold me back from seeking this joy.

The process hasn’t been easy. The endless array of meetings with various doctors has also required a battery of blood tests, pelvic exams, bruising injections, nausea-inducing medication and an unexpected fibroid surgery.

But perhaps most challenging of all has been the emotional dimension of this journey, especially surrounding my choice of a sperm donor. The decision asked of me to confront questions surrounding the importance of the race, ethnicity, religion and educational background of my child’s father.

Essentially, it forced me to re-examine my own upbringing, values and worldview. But harder still was the task of trying to tease clues from the questionnaires that would tell me whether a donor was a good man? Did he have a moral compass? Was he truly kind, empathetic, and open-minded?

Ultimately, I made a decision — entirely on my own — and I have no regrets.

My first IVF attempt was unsuccessful, and I cried for days afterwards, before I could find the strength to start the process all over again a few months later. But with each passing day, I grew more fearful and anxious about my chances of being able to successfully carry a child.

Those feelings only intensified when my doctor decided to halt my second attempt mid-cycle because my body was responding negatively to the medication. With two failed attempts to my name, I approached my third embryo transfer with relatively low expectations.

In the two weeks that followed the procedure, my mind raced uncontrollably and I battled the urge to take an early pregnancy test. The day before I was scheduled to return to the clinic, I finally caved in and bought a home test because I couldn’t bear a repeat of the hours-long wait before the clinic called with the results.

The next morning I got up long before the sun was up, anxiously headed to my bathroom and opened the box. The minutes ticked by and I cycled through a myriad of emotions. When the word “pregnant” flashed up on the tiny screen, I screamed and fell to my knees before bursting into tears.

Even though many weeks have gone by since then and my belly is growing larger by the day, whenever I say the words, “I am pregnant,” it is with no small measure of amazement. I am elated, emotional, terrified, but above all thankful.

My pregnancy journey is just beginning, but so far I can tell you that in addition to great joy, it has also brought unenviable amounts of nausea, fatigue, food aversions, sound sensitivity and an ongoing battle with my hormones.

In the weeks ahead, I plan to share more of my life-changing experience in the hope that if there is anyone out there being held back from chasing their heart’s desire — no matter what it is — maybe my story will spark something in them and provide the little nudge they need to go for it.

Credit: Myjoyonline.com

By: Modou Touray

Gambian youths who had responded to the call by ex-president Yahya Jammeh for citizens to go back to the land (revive farming) have expressed frustrations over the coalition government neglecting them following their takeover in 2017.

In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, their leader Alhagie Karamo Jammeh highlighted that their agricultural production output has drastically reduced due to a lack of support from the new government. Agricultural machinery as well as financial support which were provided by ex-president Jammeh are not available now and they have no choice but to depend on their little resources to sustain their agricultural initiative.

“After the former president left, we don’t get any help from anyone. We struggle and grow and after growing, we will contact markets and rent a car from Kombo and go around that’s why we were calling on the government to give us support because, with their help, we can continue with the effective and sustainable initiative of “growing what you eat, eat what you grow initiative,” Mr Jammeh said.

The champion farmers believe that the agricultural initiative of the ex-president Jammeh is a tangible proposal and should be well nurtured to enhance food security and self-employment

“Not everything about ex-president Jammeh is bad, he championed good things for the citizens. We cannot ignore everything associated with him. Engaging in agriculture to feed ourselves is for our benefit. After the fall of the Jammeh regime in 2017, most of the youths working with me decided to return to their various villages because they were hopeless,” he explained.

According to Alhagie Karamo Jammeh, his association started in 2019 with 7 youths with a view to engender the back-to-back initiative of ex-president Yahya Jammeh and also to use it as a self-employment venture.

“This agricultural activity started with 7 youths and presently we have a total of 37 youths working together and also collaborating with some experienced Gambian farmers. We visited many institutions of the government still they are not answering our call for help this year. We have already registered 58 villages in the Gambia to engage different youths to expand our initiative and ensure that the back-to-land initiative remains a reality,” Mr Jammeh stressed.

Mr Jammeh on behalf of the Champion Farmers appeals for support in agricultural input, and technical support to enable them to harvest high yields on their farms and meaningful links with other unemployed youths nationwide.

“Agriculture is the backbone of the economy and must be enhanced. All necessary supports needed must be put together to make food security and self-employment possible. We used to link with Yahya Jammeh but since the coalition government came to power, they don’t support us,” Mr Jammeh lamented.

The Champion Farmers still won’t relent in their move to promote the farming agenda of former president Jammeh, back to the land. Grow what you eat and eat what you grow.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The National Youth President of the opposition National Democratic Congress (GDC), MC Cham Jrn has responded to Deputy Speaker Seedy SK Njie’s claim that responsible Gambians should apologise to the Health Ministry, urging the deputy speaker to instead apologize to Gambians and the victims of the affected families.

On Wednesday, October 22 during the National Assembly’s extraordinary session on the Indian-made syrups that killed over 70 Gambian children, the deputy speaker commended the country’s health ministry, claiming that the deaths of those kids have been politicized and urged responsible citizens to apologize to the ministry.

Responding to the Deputy Speaker, the GDC youth leader exhorted Seedy Njie to apologize, remarking that government should take responsibility for the deaths of over 70 children as a result of the contaminated Indian-made syrups.

“Wonders shall never end. I suggest that Deputy Speaker Njie apologize to the Gambians and the victims of the contaminated syrups. The government should take responsibility and review the ministry that continued to fail Gambians during the pandemic under Dr Samateh and ensure dismissals, license revocations and replaced by competency and capability and not nepotism and favouritism,” he remarked.

MC Cham outlined the Parliament should be the protector of Gambians and not detractors, adding that if the Parliament served as detractors, then there is no hope for the victims.

He reiterated that Gambians have nothing to apologize for since the ministry didn’t tell everything in the preliminary investigation regarding the syrups into the country.

“What is there to apologize for in the preliminary investigation that did not tell us since July when the outbreak was known by them but covered up and allowed importation over three months with increased death to date known to be over 66?” he questioned.

The never-silent politician said he wants to remind Seedy Njie that the ministry of health’s staff is paid by Gambians and that the preliminary investigation was inadequate.

“I would like to remind Deputy Speaker Njie that, the Gambia government MoH are paid by the people to do a job, and we should not applaud fish for swimming in the water. This preliminary investigation is inadequate,” he remarked.

On Wednesday, the nation’s parliamentarians debated over the Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) deaths that have exceeded the previous number of 66 announced by the Health Ministry.

The National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA), a technical arm of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST) on accreditation and quality assurance matters on Wednesday, 26^th October 2022 commenced the Regional Skills Competition in Basse, Upper River Region (URR), The Gambia.

The Regional Skills Competition is the Activity 7 Component of the UNESCO – KOICA Youth Empowerment through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Project.

The competition is based on five skills areas, namely:

1. Block laying
2. Electrical Installation
3. Floor and Wall Tiling
4. Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning; and
5. Tailoring

In his opening remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of NAQAA, Dr Gibril Jaw underscored the significance of the competition, saying it is in line with The Gambia government’s national development goal of improving the country’s skills-based resources. Dr Jaw further highlighted that possessing the right skills and attitude helps reduce poverty levels and makes the youth job creators and not job seekers. He also outlined that the regional skills competition will provide more visibility to skills education and training in The Gambia.

For her part, Ms Fatou Janneh, the Principal Tertiary and Higher Education Officer and the TVET Focal Person in the Directorate of Tertiary and Higher Education of MoHERST, reaffirmed the commitment of the government of the Gambia through the MoHERST to producing home-grown technicians that will take charge of the developmental imperatives of the country. She went on to state that the Ministry calls on all partners to invest towards the sustainability of the skills competition so that it becomes an annual event with the hope of further participating in World Skills Competitions.

Also, in attendance was Mr Mamanding Ceesay, the Deputy Governor of URR, who spoke on behalf of the Governor. Mr Ceesay highlighted that the youth are the future of this country, and as such, they should be supported and guided to actualise their full potential. The Deputy Governor recommended more social policies, projects and programmes, like the skills competitions, to raise the level of expertise of our young people. He informed the gathering that the Office of the Governor in URR commends MoHERST through NAQAA for bringing this skills competition to URR. He reiterated that this maiden event would give the young people of his region the platform to showcase their talents.

In her speech, the Regional Education Director of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), Mrs Fatou Kinneh Sey, stated that the country needs engineers and technicians. Thus, she is optimistic that the regional skills competition will boost the morale of young people to venture into TVET careers.

After the opening ceremony, the first leg of the regional competition began for the 15 young people participating in Basse. Three competitors were represented from different TVET institutions and workshops for each of the five skill sets. Five winners emerged, one from each skill set. These are:

1. Block laying – Malick Jawo of Insight Training Centre, 29 years old – Lives in Sinchu Baliya
2. Electrical Installation – Abdoulie Njie, former GTTI, and Insight Training Centre Student, 22 years old – Lives in Wellingara
3. Floor and Wall Tiling – Ebrima Fofana, GTTI, 26 years old – LRR Jara Sankule
4. Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning – Mamadou Salieu Jallow of GTTI – 25 years old – Lives in Basse
5. Tailoring – Fatou Nyassi – Bundung, studied at Sunrise Skill Centre, 27 years old

This round’s winners will participate in the national skills competition in mid-November 2022.

They will later be invited to attend the National Awards Ceremony, where they will be provided with Prizes.

The next stop is Mansakonko, the Lower River Region of the country, for the second leg of the skills competition on Saturday, 29 October 2022.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

Justice Jaiteh of the Banjul High court has rejected for lack of compelling reasons the adjournment application filed by the Prosecution on Thursday, 27th October 2022 to secure the presence of a Dakar-resident medical doctor, who, according to the Prosecution, would have been their final witness in the manslaughter trial involving Sainabou Mbaye and two others. Meanwhile, Defence has promised to file a motion of “no case to answer”, thereby seeking the acquittal of Sainabou and co without having to present a defence.

The medical doctor, who would have been the 8th Prosecution witness, is the one said to have conducted the autopsy on Baby Muhammed, a victim of the alleged manslaughter.

“I’m not persuaded and convinced by the submission of the Prosecution in seeking an adjournment. The reasons advanced are not compelling as the state had more than three months to use the machinery of the state via diplomatic channels to secure the attendance of the witness from Dakar, Senegal – cannot in my view, be justified to warrant counsel an adjournment.

“For this reason, I hereby resolve this issue in favour of the Defence that the Prosecution did not provide any compelling… and verifiable reasons to warrant this honourable court exercise its discretion to adjourn this matter,” Justice Jaiteh ruled.

The ruling of the judge followed the application and argument between the prosecution counsel A.M Yusuf and defence counsel C. Gaye regarding the adjournment application.
The prosecution counsel submitted that their witness is in Dakar and getting him to testify requires some bureaucracy, therefore, A.M Yusef urged the court to grant their application in the best interest of justice.

However, Defence counsel C. Gaye argued that the Prosecution’s reasons were not compelling as they did not detail the protocols the Prosecution took in securing the witness.

“We are vehemently opposed to any application for adjournment,” C. Gaye argued.

The rejection of the adjournment application meant the closure of the Prosecution’s case since the medical doctor was supposed to have been their last witness.

“Since the state is unable to secure a witness in court, the proper cause of action is to close the case of the Prosecution. The case of the Prosecution, I closed,” Justice Jaiteh said.

Meanwhile, the Defence has made known to the court that they would file a “no case to answer.” The Judge ordered that the service and all other protocols be done before the 17th of October 2022 when the case will resume for the adoption of the “No Case to Answer” submission.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Two weeks after taking over as the new Director of Operations of Cruise Ship Crew, Gambia, Musa Drammeh, is taking a new dimension in managing the affairs of the ship by conducting regular sensitization with Gambian youths who are waiting for deployment to work as crew members by urging them to desist from absconding, saying it is a violation of contract agreement.

Drammeh, who worked as a crew member for nine years (9), told The Fatu Network that the American Embassy has been very supportive of the crew since they began operations in The Gambia.

“The cruise is an opportunity for young people to legally travel to America without difficulties. Getting an American visa is not easy, so I am urging the youths to desist from absconding,” Drammeh said.

He expressed the company’s gratitude to the American Embassy for their continuous support while assuring the embassy that they are doing all it takes to make sure those who absconded are traced.

“Absconding in America will never help anyone and is a violation of the laws and you can be banned from getting an American visa anywhere. I am urging the Gambian youths to make the best use of the cruise that is here to create employment opportunities.
We all know the country is facing employment challenges and the government cannot employ all. We need to work hard and change the narrative. Gambia is known for good, and we should preserve that beautiful reputation,” he emphasized.

Drammeh promised to embark on a nationwide sensitization campaign about the risk of absconding and the benefits of working on the cruise line. Speaking on a range of issues, Drammeh revealed that some people had challenges with their agency but noted that change is about to happen as he took over to restore the booming confidence. As part of complementing his task, he vowed to continue to engage the crew members so that their challenges can be addressed.

According to him, employees on the cruise ship are given five years American visa and are entitled to a vacation every six months (6) which they will come to the Gambia and return after the vacation.

He applauded the crew members who are working tirelessly to achieve their goals.

“This is an opportunity for young people to work and change their living conditions.
Our youths are hardworking, and we respect them for that… only a few are selfish and want to destroy the image of the country. As we speak, there are over twenty crew members in the country who are on vacation after working for six months on board,” he said, disclosing that all the guarantors of those crew members who absconded will be taken to court immediately with no hesitation.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Gambian comedian, actor and director, Kitabu Fatty has said that Gambian men and ‘semesters’ (rich Gambian men overseas) halted the completion of Saretii Bayelaa, a popular Mandinka drama series, by marrying most of the series’ main female characters.

The comedian-actor said this in response to calls on why the drama that hooked the attention of many people has not been airing lately.

“Most of our characters — the main characters — are married. So, in marriage, the husbands have more authority over their wives than us. So, we have to give them time to do their matrimonial duties. This is what is delaying the continuation of the drama,” he explained.

Kitabu declared that he does not want to keep repeating this (the reason why the drama is stalled), but he had to due to the frequent inquiries from followers of the drama series.

The comedian blamed Gambian men and ‘semesters’ for the delay, saying that they will do almost anything to get the girls.

“We will bring back Saretii Bayella but you people have to give us time. But the problem is that even in the movie we are working on, if they see cute girls, they will take their contacts, especially these ‘semesters’. They will be making calls and everything. So, if they succeed in getting them, they will in turn deny them from continuing the drama,” he said.

Kitabu, who stunned Gambians in the run-up to the 2021 presidential election by announcing his intention to seek the country’s top office, said Gambians should be patient about the Saretii Bayella drama series.

Aside from Gambian men and ‘semesters’ contributing to the delay in the completion of the drama series, Kitabu pointed out that sponsors have been a major hindrance as well. He stressed that Gambian companies do not invest in the industry, adding that they have been managing the little they have to do all that they did.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Seventy children have now been confirmed to have succumbed to acute kidney injury (AKI) linked to imported contaminated medicines from India. In exercising one of its key mandates of representation, National Assembly Members have urged their colleague lawmakers in the parliamentary select committee on health to take very seriously investigations into the demise of the kids and the importation and circulation of the said medicines.

While debating the national health emergency on Wednesday, assembly representative of Foni Bintang Constituency, Hon Bakary K Badjie, said the parliamentary health committee must do everything possible to ensure that their investigations are not compromised.

“The issue is very serious as we still mourn the death of the children. Parents are crying; the nation is mourning. The loss of the children is huge, and we are sympathizing with the parents.”

The lawmaker said the country has no mechanisms of bringing back the dead to life, adding that the issue is a public concern and must be treated seriously.

He reminded the assembly that they are representing the people and whatever they do should be in the interest of the people of The Gambia.

Badjie added that those who are found wanting for the importation of the contaminated medicines must be held accountable. He assured that they will do everything possible to stop the importation of such medicines to the country, noting that people cannot continue to consume contaminated medicines.

“My advice to the select committee on health is for them to remember that The Gambia is for all. Remember that the nation is looking up to you. Also remember that the faith of the country lies in your hands. If you betray us, you betray yourself and Allah will hold you to account on the Day of Judgment,” Hon Badjie told health committee members.

Hon Omar Jammeh, member of parliament for Janjangbureh, also expressed condolence to the families who lost their children to AKI. He further called for the immediate closured of pharmacies that have been selling the said medical products.

Hon Kebba K Barrow of Kombo South and Hon Assan Touray of Bakua constituency both described the deaths as shocking.

Hon Barrow warned that such unfortunate incidents will not stop if people are not held responsibility while Hon Assan Touray called on the select committee on heath to champion the investigation, find out and reveal how the medicines were imported into the country.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The National Youth Secretary General of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), Kemo Bojang has reacted to a writ of summons served to Momodou Sabally on behalf of Abubakary Jawara. Kemo claimed that the writ of summon is a national issue and if they succeed in silencing Sabally, then they can silence all of them. The UDP youth SG further alleged that the plaintiff Abubakary Jawara has abetted a system that is not fit for purpose.

On the 18th of October 2022, Momodou Sabally was issued a writ of summons, commanding him to be at the court on the 14th of November 2022 at 11 a.m. to answer a suit against him filed by Abubakary Jawara of the Kanifing Municipal Council. The plaintiff (Jawara) is claiming damages for defamation and slander and seeking compensation of 8 million dalasis from Momodou Sabally.

Reacting to this, Sabally’s co-party member and youth Secretary General, Kemo Bojang, said the move is non-partisan and claimed that everyone must take a stand to stop it.

“Gambia, if they succeed in silencing Momodou Sabally, they will silence all of us. This is not partisan but a national issue which affects all of us, and we must take a stand in stopping it,” he stressed.

According to the UDP youth leader, plaintiff Abubakary Jawara has a hand in the country’s current situation. He alleged that Jawara abetted a system that is not doing the country any good.

“I will advise Mr. Abubakary Jawara to look inward and understand that we are in this predicament as a country today because of him and many like him have aided and abetted a system that is not fit for purpose because of their selfish interest. Mr Jawara has openly admitted to forgery in an interview, he is the first Gambian who has imported guns into this country, he is the sole reason why the petroleum sector of this country is in shambles and many more,” Kemo Bojang claimed.

Bojang told The Fatu Network that stifling the rights of individuals to express themselves is a threat to democracy, noting that this country is heading in that direction.

In defence of Sabally, Bojang explained that they will not sit and watch things unfold unfairly, stressing that the common people will defend themselves.

“We will not sit by and watch the country become an Animal Farm, the common people will defend themselves, and we will do it when and where it is needed,” he pointed out.

Momodou Sabally confirmed to The Fatu Network earlier that he has received the writ of summons. He is expected to face off against Jawara in court next month.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Alhagie Mamadi Kurang, economist, politician and now a towering figure in the People’s Democratic Organizations for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), has told The Fatu Network that United Democratic Party (UDP) will not take over the affairs of the country as a ruling party because the party always put its interest and individual interest over national interest.

The former 2021 presidential aspirant said Gambians will not vote for UDP to lead the country considering the track records of the party members at the beginning of Adama Barrow’s administration. He claimed that Gambians felt robbed by UDP who dominated the cabinet from 2017 to 2019.

“People felt robbed of the three years transition simply because the UDP always put party and individual interest before national interest. Gambian people don’t forget history even if they are quiet, history is always reflected in how they vote,” he claimed.

Kurang, who, after an unsuccessful attempt in his bid for presidency went back to Niamina East to seek their vote in the parliamentary election and lost, claimed that the United Democratic Party will get smaller as the years pass. He compared UDP NCP, labelling the biggest opposition party as the 21st century NCP.

According to Mr. Kurang, many members of the UDP hands are not clean as in the National People’s Party (NPP) and APRC. This, he pointed out, will avert their chances of winning in major elections.

“Many members of the UDP like NPP and APRC are already suspects or implicated in several corruption scandals. Once you participated in government, even for a month, you will be judged by your record in government during the one month in years to come. This country does not vote you back into power once you lost power due to your failures,” he said as he plays down UDP’s potential in becoming the ruling party in the Gambia.

The Niamina Kudang prodigal, in digging into UDP’s no-chance of becoming the ruling party, the party will continue losing its strength until 2026.

“UDP is already sinking and can only continue to sink in 2026,” he stressed.