By: Dawda Baldeh

A group of angry youths in Tawuto village in Kombo North have captured one Ousman Sowe alias Ous whom they described as a “notorious gang leader” in the community.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Alasan Bah, a one-time victim of the gang, claimed that Ousman led his gang to attack one man believed to be in his late 40s. He said some of the gang members were captured after the village youths intervened, but Ousman fled and was on the run.

“Last night, they attacked one guy in Tawuto. They beat him and took his stuffs away; the man was even hospitalized. Some boys in the neighbourhood help caught some members of the gang and handed them over to the police,” Alasan explained.

The alleged gang leader, Ousman Sowe, was beaten at the neighbourhood before the police anti-crime unit picked him up.

“I was a victim of armed robbery in the same area in January this year. I met a group of young boys who attacked and beat me and took away my stuffs. I was hospitalized for 4days. I suffered for two weeks before I could finally recover,” Alasan Bah told TFN.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The Defence Counsel for the first defendant in the manslaughter trial involving Sainabou and others has reprimanded the 5th witness of the Prosecution, Adama Bojang, after believing she was not telling the truth to the court and that she was only narrating what she heard on social media about the incident. The 5th witness is a neighbour to the accused persons’ newly rented house in Brusubi.

“I’m putting it to you that the evidence you gave was what you heard on social media, and you wanted to be important that is why you came here to be seen as the star witness,” counsel Drammeh said during the cross-examination of the witness on Thursday, 6th of October 2022.

“I don’t know Sainabou Mbaye. I don’t even use social media; why would I do that,” the witness replied.

The Defence’s statement was triggered by the witness’s responses regarding the pouring of water on Baby Muhammed on the 3rd of July after he was allegedly left in the vehicle by the accused persons.

The witness was asked whether she was the one who poured water over Baby Muhammed, to which she replied in the negative.

“Who poured water over Baby Muhammed?” Counsel Drammeh asked.

“I found they had already poured water over him. There were too many people there,” the witness answered.

“You didn’t tell police that you poured water over Baby Muhammed?” Counsel asked.

“I don’t think I have told them that,” the witness answered.

“I’m putting it to you that you told the police that you threw water over Baby Muhammed at the time he was held by Kibily (third witness),” counsel Drammeh said.

The witness replied: “I can’t remember saying that… I might have said it out of slip of the tongue, but I did not pour water over him.”

“Madam, Unfortunately, I have to tell you that you are not a truthful witness. You have been lying to the court,” the Defence counsel said.

“I’m under oath. I can swear that everything I said was true,” said the witness.

Counsel Drammeh asked: “So everybody who says anything different from what you have said is the person lying – is that what you want the court to believe?”

“I can’t say that, but what I said is not a lie,” replied the witness.

At this point, the Prosecution counsel, Jobateh rose to object to what he believed was not a fair question to his witness, but his objection was overruled.

By: Sarjo Brito

Initial reports from Gambia’s Ministry of Health said that 28 children died from acute kidney injuries possibly caused by E. coli and toxic paracetamol syrup. A probe into the deaths by the World Health Organization has revealed that at least 66 children died from acute kidney injuries. The findings, announced by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reveal that the deaths may be linked to contaminated cough and cold syrups made by an Indian drug manufacturer, Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Activist and social commentator Pasamba Jow says the mass deaths of 66 Gambian children from Acute Kidney Injuries caused by toxic paracetamol syrup must be treated as murder. The vocal activist faults the country’s regulatory authorities for failing to vet the quality of drugs entering the country.

‘’The deaths of at least 66 innocent babies are murder and must be treated as such. All evidence points to the fact that those who imported the medicines were not licensed to do so in The Gambia. Some corrupt, greedy, gutless, and wicked Gambians aided and abetted in this most callous crime.’’

The WHO announcement has angered a lot of Gambians and raised eyebrows about the country’s shady pharmacy business where licensed pharmacists allegedly give their licenses to unscrupulous people to import medicines into the country.

‘’An act that is both unethical and criminal. Simply put, all those pharmacists who are found liable for this criminal act must have their licenses permanently revoked, in addition, those who gave their licenses to the importers of the killer syrups must be prosecuted for murder, for by their actions, they are accessories to the murders of at least 66 babies.’’

Pasamba Jow said the Gambia government through its agencies must be held responsible for what he describes as a callous crime.

‘’This mass murder must not go on punished. Gambians, particularly the victims, deserve answers and compensation for the State’s negligence in this. The State has a responsibility, through its agencies, to ensure that all medications sold in our pharmacies and hospitals are safe to use.’’

Meanwhile, while Gambians wait to hear directly from authorities, an emergency technical meeting was held by President Barrow at the State House in Banjul.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a medical product alert in the Gambia linked to the death of 66 Gambian children, Gambians have reacted to the news, some calling for the resignation of Dr. Ahmad Lamin Samateh, the Health Minister of the country.

Yesterday, WHO Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a media briefing that they have issued a medical product alert for four contaminated medicines in the Gambia that are products of an Indian pharmaceutical company, and are believed to have been the cause of death of 66 Gambian children through Acute Kidney Injury(AKI).

Reacting to this revelation by WHO, national treasurer of Gambia Democratic Congress, Lamin KB Bojang said health authorities have been failing Gambians.

“I just can’t imagine that syrups are imported from a country that are not using them and you allow that in our pharmacies without any proper laboratory test on them,” he asserted.

Lamin, who has now lost hope in the health ministry, has called on Dr. Ahmad Lamin Samateh to resign or be sacked with immediate effect.

“He should resign or be sacked with immediate effect since he knows exactly what is going on in the sector. In any serious country the Minister of Health will not keep his job for even thirty seconds after this revelation. Earlier in the year, we have witnessed the sacking of Senegalese Minister of Health after an inferno consumed a hospital and claimed the lives of eleven kids. Even though I do not agree with Macky on a lot of issues I believe he got this one spot on

In our own case, we lost sixty-six beautiful young souls due to avoidable circumstances and the minister continues to be paid salary from taxpayers’ money. That’s ridiculous and outrageous,” he commented

He further calls for a further investigation to be done on the whole issues so that those responsible can be punished.

According to the Director General of WHO, the four medicines that are causing the Acute Kidney Injury and the death of children in The Gambia are cough and cold syrups produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited in India.

Main opposition UDP’s Youth Wing National Secretary, Kemo Bojang, says the President or the Minister of Health should resign.

“You cannot lose 66 babies to negligence and act like it’s a minor issue. I call on the Honourable Minister to do the honourable thing and learn a thing from IGP Kinteh’s book.”

A press release from the Indian government says that the company has manufactured and exported these medicines to only The Gambia.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Amidst lots of talks surrounding the sale of Dibba Oil to Steve Trawally, the founder of Dibba Oil FC, Lamin Dibba, has said that he sold the club to Gambian International star and Hammarby IF attacker because the family takes so much pressure for the team.

Mr. Dibba, whose passion for the game stimulated him to establish the club in 2017, told The Fatu Network that his whole family took ownership of the club and are always under pressure to make sure the team wins at all cost in their games.

“I owned and spent on the team, but everyone in the family supported me and made it their own. But our family took a lot of pressure for the team and most of my family members are short tempered. None of them wanted the team to lose a single game,” he explained.

According to him, his mother will not sleep the night before their games due to the pressure. These and in a bid to avoid family members being affected by the pressure from the team, warranted him to sell the club.

“My mum will not sleep a night before our games in the second division. Nobody in the family sleeps at night whenever we lose the game in the second division. To them, Dibba Oil should win every game. So, before the pressure or the team gives heart attack to family members, the family now agreed that we leave football and focus on our business. I am into this with my parents. Initially, I wanted to sell it on percentage base but they said no, I have to sell it,” he described.

Established and served as the founding President investing heavily in the team, Dibba further confirmed to The Fatu Network that the team has been sold to Bubacarr Steve Trawally at one million six hundred thousand dalasis.

He said the new management will change the name of the team and have a discussion with the players who are contracted to the team to see what will be next.

Dibba Oil FC started as a football Academy in 2017 before playing in the ‘Nawetans’ and then to the Lower River Regional Third Division Qualfiers. In 2021, the team made it to the second Division league and made it to the last game of the play-offs to the First Division League.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Ahmad Gitteh, a founding member and stalwart of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), has said the party will not pick Dr. Ismaila Ceesay over him for the Brikama Area Council (BAC) chairmanship next year.

When the party leader of the Citezens’ Alliance (CA), Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, announced that the party has joined the NPP, many political commentators started predicting that the senior political science lecturer at the University of the Gambia may be picked by the ruling NPP for the Brikama Area Council Charimanship despite Ahmad Gitteh’s public longing to use the party’s ticket to contest for the Brikama Area Council chairmanship in next year’s local government elections. Gitteh, sounding so optimistic, says he doesn’t think NPP will pick Dr. Ceesay over him because he is NPP.

“NPP will not do that. They won’t. I can assure you that they won’t. I am NPP,” he emphasised.

Gitteh lauded the alliance but doesn’t believe part of the alliance is for Dr. Ceesay to rival him over the party’s choice to run for Brikama Area Council chairmanship.

“What I can say is for certain that Ceesay came in and he is into alliance with NPP but whether the party is going to present him as a candidate in Brikama – I don’t think so. I don’t think that is what is in the agreement. That is not something I believe,” he pointed out.

He said he has no reason to be threatened by the alliance regarding his desire to contest under the NPP banner for the local government election.

According to Gitteh, he doesn’t think there is anything like Dr. Ceesay to contest for the position he is yearning for even though he doesn’t have access to the agreement between CA and NPP.

“I have great respect for my brother Dr. Ceesay and great respect for my party for doing a great job to have Dr. Ceesay on board. But, if there is anything in the agreement, I don’t think there is anything that has to do with Brikama Area Council,” Gitteh asserted.

According to him, political commentators are only making a prediction about the local government election.

It is still not clear whether the NPP will approved Ahmad Gitteh’s candidacy next year. However, Gitteh has repeatedly revealed that NPP will endorse his candidacy.

Last Saturday, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay and some senior party members of CA, visited President Barrow at the State House in Banjul, after which the political science lecturer revealed to the press that his party has formed an alliance with the ruling party for the interest of for country.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The fourth prosecution witness, Dibba has given evidence in the manslaughter trial involving Sainabou Mbaye, Cherno Mbaye and Kibily Dambally in Banjul High Court. Bakary Dibba was the head of the investigating team that went to Brusubi to reconstruct the scene where Baby Muhammed was said to have been left in a vehicle.

The Assistant Superintendent of Police – with over 11 years working experience at the Serious Crime Unit told the court that he in fact, set-up the panel which include; ASP Francis Jatta, ASP Jally M.I Senghore (PW3), Inspector Bunanaa Bass Manga, Corporal Samba Mballow (PW2) and himself in consultation with his seniors.

The witness told the court they received the case file on the 20th July for investigation of the demise of Baby Muhammed.

“As investigators, we sat them (the suspects) down. We interrogated them by form of interview and then gave explanation of the demise of Baby Muhammed. As part of best practices, a team was dispatched from my office headed by myself together with four or five officers (to reconstruct the scene) and Kibily and Cherno,” the witness testified.

The witness continued that the rationale behind the reconstruction of the scene was to get first-hand knowledge as to exactly what happened, adding that they were taken through the newly-rented apartment and where the vehicle, which was drove by Cherno, was parked; where Baby Muhammed was said to have been left inside; and the sitting arrangements in the car as well.

“Having gotten all these from them, we applied the actual crime scene procedure by measuring from the front tire of the vehicle to the compound gate and equally, rear tire of the vehicle to the compound gate. I put up a sketch plan for the scene (which were admitted into evidence and marked as exhibit P7series), specifying where the vehicle was and all the fixed points,” the witness told the court

Mr, Dibba testified that they interacted with a woman called Adama Bojang, a neighbour to the apartment, who explained to them what she witnessed on the day of the incident.

During the cross-examination, defense counsel C Gaye asked the witness whether the suspects were being detained at the time of reconstruction of the scene; to which the witness replied, “no, they were detained after the reconstruction of the scene.”

The defense counsel asked whether the investigation revealed the presence of any other person apart from the accused persons. The witness replied that there were agents and the driver of the truck that transported their luggage.

The witness was also asked to describe to the court the apartment they were taken through by Cherno but he said he would not be able to describe exactly.

“Did you not tell the court Cherno took you through the house?,” asked defense Counsel C Gaye. The witness replied, “I did. But that is not enough for description.”

The defense counsel asked whether the witness had taken pictures of the scene and why had he not brought it in court. The witness replied that they had photos of the scene but “there was division of labour and the photos were taken by somebody different from myself.”

“But you told the court that you were the head of the team, so you should be in possession of the photos,” asked the defence counsel.

Witness replied: “I’m the head of the team; that doesn’t suggest that I do everything.”

Counsel C. Gaye asked about who took the measurements of the scene which the witness responded that he recorded with the help of Corporal Mballow and Inspector Manga.

She also asked whether Marrong Kunda, a neighbour of the newly rented house, whose compound gate the vehicle was said to have been parked against was occupied as at 3rd July, the date of the incident. The witness replied “yes.”

The defense counsel further put it to the witness that the vehicle (Nissan Rogue) was drawn out of position by the witness who was the architect of the sketch plan. The witness said he drew the vehicle in a position as per the explanation of the driver, Cherno, the second accused.

“I’m not talking about what the driver told you. I’m talking about what you drew,” but the witness replied, “that was the exact position of the vehicle.”

The witness was asked why did they not draw the perimeter of the house which he replied that was not relevant to the subject.

“I’m putting it to you that your investigations were incomplete and unreliable,” defense counsel said.

The witness replied: “that was the opinion of the counsel, but our investigation was effectively and efficiently carried out.”

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The trial has begun for Sainabou Mbaye, Cherno Mbaye and Kibily Dambally at the High Court in Banjul as the trio faces a two-count indictment which alleges their involvement in the alleged manslaughter of one Muhammed Mbaye, who is a nephew to the first and second accused persons.

Sainabou, Cherno and Kibily; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd accused persons respectively, were arraigned on Monday, 4th October 2022 before Justice Jaiteh of the Banjul High Court where the charges of “manslaughter” and “child exposure” were read to them. They denied both charges giving the prosecution, who had their witnesses on hand, the burden to prove its case.

In what was a marathon hearing – from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Prosecution called three witnesses who were all police officers from the Serious Crime Unit in Banjul Headquarters, and each of them being an officer who obtained statements from one of the three accused persons regarding the alleged manslaughter.

Jankey Manneh was the first witness to testify in the case. She told the court she was assigned by her supervisor to obtain the cautionary and voluntary statements from Sainabou Mbaye, the 1st accused person in the trial, which she did on the 22nd and 23rd of July 2022 with one Babucarr Colley as the independent witness.

“I took the 1st accused to one of our offices where I asked her if she would be comfortable in that room. She replied, “yes,” the Corporal told the court, adding that she explained to the 1st accused that she needed not to say anything unless she wishes to because the statements would be presented in court.

The witness continued that the suspect, who is now the 1st accused told her she was tired and wanted to rest because she travelled from Senegal and arrived at 8 p.m. The witness told the court she contacted her supervisor who commanded her to allow the suspect to rest.

The following day, she narrated that, she got an independent witness in the name of Babucarr Colley, at around 8 a.m., who she said is a businessman.

“At the end, I read everything and translated it in Wollof to the suspect which she confirmed to be the true version of the statement,” Corporal Manneh narrated.

During the cross-examination, counsel Drammeh for the 1st accused asked the witness about where she got the “so-called” independent witness and how long he stayed at the station. The witness replied that he was brought by her supervisor at 8a.m. and was there till 11 a.m. on the morning of 23rd July.

The Defence for the 1st accused asked whether there was any autopsy report during the obtaining of statements; to which the witness replied “no.”

“It is correct, is it not, that your statement taking was just a question-and-answer session,” counsel asked, putting it to the witness that Mr. Colley is a friend of the police.

The Prosecution tendered the cautionary and voluntary statements of the 1st accused which were admitted and marked as exhibits P1 and P2 respectively.

The Second witness (PW2)

Another witness that testified for the Prosecution was Samba Mballow. Mr. Mballow is a Farato-native corporal who works at the Serious Crime Unit, just like the first witness.  He was the one who obtained the statements from Kibily Dambally, the third accused person in the case, on the 20th of July 2022. He told the court he was assigned by his supervisor to obtain statements from the 3rd accused.

“I invited an independent witness and interviewed him. I recorded his details and I read the details of the statements in the presence of the independent witness. He confirmed it was his statement. I asked him to sign.”

Kibily was provided with a Sarahule interpreter in the courtroom because he said it was the language he speaks well. The language issue was a bit contentious during the cross-examination when the Defence counsel for the 2nd and 3rd accused persons asked the witness about why he interviewed her client in Fula, when in fact, her client preferred speaking in Sarahule.

“In fact, he preferred to speak Sarahule but you told him there was no Sarahule interpreter or speaker” but the witness replied, “Kibily Never told me that.”

The independent witness called by the 2nd witness is Fabakary Kinteh whom the witness said he did not know when asked by the council.

“I’m telling you that Fabakary is a friend of the police and always offers to serve as an independent witness,” saying Mr. Kinteh was the one who served as the independent witness in the NIA 9 trial.

The cautionary and voluntary statements of the 3rd accused were also admitted and marked as exhibits P3 and P4.

Third Witness (PW3)

Mr. MI Senghore was the third witness called by the Prosecution. He is an Assistant Supervisor at the Serious Crimes Unit. He was the one who obtained Cherno Mbaye’s statements, the 2nd accused who he said spoke in the English Language.

“An independent witness was called and was cautioned and charged,” Mr. Senghore, who became known as the supervisor of the first and second witnesses told the court.

The witness was one of the investigators who went to Brusubi to “reconstruct the scene.”

“When we reached at the scene, the first thing we did was to position the vehicle exactly it perhaps was,” the witness said, referring to the vehicle used by the accused persons.

“We also met a neighbour who goes by the name Adama Bojang and interacted with her as to what she saw on that fateful day,” continuing that they observed, “the vehicle used by the accused persons was parked some meters from the gate of the newly rented apartment of the first accused (Sainabou Mbye).”

The Counsel for the 1st accused asked whether the investigators have investigated how the deceased got into the vehicle to which the witness replied, “our investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the death of the child.”

The Counsel asked whether they have investigated the effect of water poured on the deceased by Adama Bojang, a neighbour the witness said they interacted with at the scene. He replied “no.”

The Defence counsel also asked whether the witness was aware of the suspension of Paracetamol Syrup which was the cause of the death of some children. She said the deceased was prescribed and had taken the drug; asking the witness if they investigated whether that was the cause of his death. The witness responded in the negative.

“I’m putting it to you that your investigation is not correct that is why you brought charges,” counsel Drammeh said.

The Case was adjourned to the 5th of October 2022 for the continuation of cross-examination by the Defence of the 2nd and 3rd accused persons.

By: Modou Touray

The president of the National Farmers Platform, the Gambia Mr Sheriffo Bojang has frowned upon the wrong representation of farmers at overseas seminars, conferences, and important agricultural forums meant for farmers engaging in functional agriculture. Mr Bojang expressed disappointment that scrambling for per diem and allowances lead to the manipulations of the selection process.

“Farmers want to be fully represented in the Conference of Parties (COP) which is an international conference of stakeholders in agriculture, climate change and biodiversity. I call on the Ministry of Agriculture and other concerned bodies responsible for identifying participants to choose the right people. The Conference of Parties (COP), the 27th edition is approaching, and we are faced with who is going to represent us,” Mr Bojang stated.

He further challenges the agricultural authorities to bring scattered Agric groups together for smooth coordination which he stressed is indeed timely.

“We have different farmers groups who are independently implementing their projects with various government departments and agencies. Our farmers produce crops, and the foreign traders buy them and value-added them and sold to us. If we unite together, we could end this system and empower our own farmers,” he stressed.

Mr Bojang spoke at length on the need to ensure food security and empower local farmers which is all geared towards the selection of proper persons to highlight the plight of Gambian farmers at international forums.

“The international conference I just attended in Vietnam was focused on how the forest and farm facility projects are implemented worldwide and all participating countries were all given the opportunity to narrate their own way and level of implementation,” he said.

In the Gambia, the National Farmers’ Platform is implemented with their partners, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Natural Resources consulting (NACO).

The Farmers’ Platform president was speaking at a meeting he convened at his office in Brikama to share the outcome of his trip to farmers.

“It is important to give feedback after attending a program on behalf of farmers. This is a norm here, you must prepare a report of programs you attend so that even if you are not here, those coming will reference it.”

He discourages the culture of attending international conferences without sharing the outcome with the farmers whom you represent, noting that the impact of the overseas trips on agriculture must be felt.

The international conference Mr Bojang attended on behalf of Gambia farmers brought together farmers’ representatives to discuss how business models can foster food diversification not uniformity.

The conference according to Mr Bojang, enhanced peer learning through south-south and triangular cooperation and also engendered share innovative examples of inclusive climate resilient business models, financing structures, enabling policy environments and messaging championed by forest and farm producer organisations.

By: Hadram Hydara

Honourable Madi Ceesay, veteran journalist and United Democratic Party (UDP) National Assembly Member (NAM) for Serrekunda West Constituency, has described statements from President Adama Barrow’s State of the Nation Addresses (SONA) as “bogus” and referred to him as the “chief” of a “camp that is made of corrupt people”.

The NAM, who is on his second term in Parliament, was answering a question about another NAM, believed to be a staunch supporter of the President, who said in Parliament that Police should be encouraged to take bribes.

“It is disappointing but then it is also not disappointing because it is coming from a camp that is made of corrupt people; that is the NPP, and the chief is the President.

I will tell you why I said the President. As we speak now, we have imprest amounting to 31.7 million dalasis that is pocketed by people. It is not members of his government that took that imprest, this was before he came but where I am holding him responsible… that president now is gone, and people have now given him mandate to man the affairs of this country and he has found those records there. For six years now his government has done nothing about recovering that 31.7 million.

All that was recovered is 2.5 million or around that, but then the outstanding is now 29.7 million. So, if a NAM should say that Police should be encouraged to take bribes, it is disappointing, very disappointing,” he admitted.

Madi further said corruption is the cancer derailing the country while noting the Speaker of the National Assembly should have asked the NAM to withdraw his statement.

“In fact, corruption is really what is bringing the Gambia down. So, on the floor of the National Assembly, if I were the Speaker, I would have asked that NAM to withdraw his statement because that is not good to be on the records coming from Parliament. But then, like I said, I am not disappointed too because you look at where he is coming from.”

When asked why he has not been attending the President’s State of the Nation Addresses for four consecutive years, Madi said: “Because his statements are bogus, that’s all”.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Residents of New Jeshwang-Ebotown in the Kanifing Municipality are calling on the government to intervene in addressing the issue of people settling illegally on their wetland which they said is a growing concern.

They attributed the current environmental crisis facing the community to the settlement on the wetland. The youths said they will address the issue on their own if the government and relevant authorities do not address it.

Habib ML Ceesay, the Councilor of Old Jeshwang Ebotown Ward, said the issue of people settling illegally on the wetland is a growing concern that needs urgent government intervention.

“All those building on the wetland don’t have documentation from the Alkalos and if the government do not address the problem, we the youths will address it by ourselves. We would rather not reach that stage. The stakeholders should come and address the situation before it gets out of control,” he said.

Mr. Ceesay claimed that those buildings on the wetlands are illegal settlements, and they (youths) will demolish all those buildings.

He added that the settlement is affecting their wetlands, thereby causing other environmental hazards in the community.

“I am calling on the government, and other relevant authorities such as the Physical Planning, our National Assembly representative, the Local Government and Lands Ministry to address the issue. If not, we will go and demolish all those structures and that will lead to chaos, which we don’t want.”

Mr. Ceesay challenged all those buildings on the wetland to produce authentic documentations they acquired from the Alkalos.

He claimed that the youths are furious currently because the environment is everyone’s concern.

According to him, they have reported the matter to the Local Government and Lands Ministry on several occasions when Honorable Musa Drammeh was the minister, but to no avail.

He added that the community is concerned about the illegal settlement on the wetland.

“We have engaged the two Alkalos on the wetland issue and they both told us that they have not sold any land to anyone, and we trust them. They (alkalos) informed us that anyone who claimed to acquire the lands from them should present their documentation,” Habib ML Ceesay told reporters yesterday.

He accused non-Gambians of involving in selling the wetland within the area. “We are assuring the community that there will be no new buildings within the wetland from now on. I am elected by the people to represent them, and their concerns are my priority. Before I take any step, I will have to consult my people because I am answerable to them.”

By: Dawda Baldeh
Shine Light in Girls Education (SLIGE), a non-profitable organization helping girls academically, donated school materials to sixty-seven (67) girls with support from their German partners.

The materials donated include shoes, bags, books, set-boxes, pens, pencils, calculators, and uniforms among other school items. The beneficiaries are 67 girls in the Lower River Region, West Coast Region and Central River Region. The gesture is geared towards empowering girls in education by reducing the burden on their parents.

According to the officials, the organization began by supporting 6 girls in 2020, 44 in 2021, and now 67 in 2022 to empower them in their academic careers.

Ebrima Fadera, the President of the organization, is concerned about the importance of educating a girl child.

“Educating a girl child is like educating the whole nation because they play a crucial role in the development of every sector in our societies. It is not easy because we live in a world where girls are struggling to have their voices heard, and we want to achieve that goal to ensure girls’ voices are heard,” he reiterated.

Mr. Fadera emphasized the need for the importance of girls’ education and the cultural norms and practices that hindered girls from equal opportunities like a boy child to be addressed. This, he added, is silencing girls and limiting their goals.

He noted that Shine Light in Girls’ Education (SLIGE) aimed at creating a conducive environment in which girls can explore their potential ranging from academic and other forms of social, economic, political and decision-making processes.

Njie further called on people to give equal learning opportunities to girls and also allow them to participate in social and political activities.

He recalled that they have been working tirelessly to support parents to ensure their girls go to school and supported them with school materials and cash as well to facilitate their smooth academic performances.

According to him, girls and women are given fewer opportunities in accessing education in many communities as well as participating in decision-making.

Tijan Fadera, the Regional Coordinator, said the concept of not registering girls in schools in many regions has been declining since their intervention over the years.

He added that they have been supporting girls and also monitoring their academic performances to ensure they participate well in school.

Mr. Fadera urged parents to allow their girl child to be educated, noting that the importance is huge. “Girls should not be marginalized, and the narrative needs to change,” he emphasized.

Amie Manga, a beneficiary since the inception of the organization, said the donation will go a long way in helping them.

She expressed her profound gratitude to the organization for the gesture. Described by many as a brilliant girl, Amie confirmed that they have received school materials and cash over the years from the organization, which she attributed to her growing academic excellence over the years.

“These materials will definitely help us, and I am pleased to be part of the beneficiaries again,” Amie said.

According to UNICEF, girls who receive education are less likely to marry young and more likely to lead healthy, productive lives. They earn higher incomes, participate in the decisions that most affect them, and build better futures for themselves and their families. Girls’ education strengthens the economy and reduces inequalities.

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Political commentator and social activist, Coach-Pasamba Jow, has argued that Citizens’ Alliance (CA) Doctor Ismaila Ceesay’s claim that the CA’s alliance with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) is done out of national interest is deceitful.

Coach-Pasamba explained that CA as a party and Dr. Ismaila Ceesay have the right to associate themselves with any group or party but argued that CA’s alliance with NPP is misleading.

“CA as a party and Dr. Ceesay as a private citizen have the right to associate themselves with any group or organisation but arguing that it is done purposely in the ‘national interest’ is to my estimation, disingenuous. The question remains, does being in the opposition in a democratic country against the national interest?” he quizzed.

Coach-Pasamba, who referred to the NPP-CA Alliance as so-called, pointed out that only a few Gambians will be surprised by the alliance. According to him, President Barrow and Dr. Ceesay have been playing footsies for a while.

Yesterday, October 1, the Citizens’ Alliance political party leaders visited the President at the State House, after which the party leader announced they are in for an alliance with the ruling party. However, Coach-Pasamba questioned why CA should ally with NPP without a memorandum of understanding.

“Ironically, how can CA, a party that is supposed to be of the new breed of Gambian politicians, ally with another political party without a Memorandum of Understanding signed? I guess Dr. Ceesay and CA will have to reconcile their past utterance against Barrow and their recent actions,” he said.

Speaking on the future of CA as a political party after forming this alliance, the resignation of a founding member and chairman Dominic Mendy and the suspension of former spokesperson Neneh Freda Gomez, Jow said he doesn’t see CA recovering from this.

“There is a great chance that CA will suffer the same fate as the other parties that joined Barrow. The CA may very well be consuming the NPP,” he said.

At the beginning of Adama Barrow’s presidency, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay was a vocal critic of his government. Together with others, being unsatisfied with the government, formed a political party to unseat Adama Barrow. However, when Dr. Ismaila Ceesay was rejected to run for the presidency and later successfully appealed, he was given a vehicle to campaign for NPP, a claim that was confirmed by his party after an investigation.

CA, for the past months, have been hit with the resignation of the founding chairman, Dominic Mendy, citing deviation of the party leadership from its founding principles.

By: Modou Touray

As indiscriminate cutting down of trees in the Kombo Darsilameh community forest and its surroundings has prompted the village Alkalo Musa Balla Tabally Bojang to task his villagers with scouting for illegal logging and offenders of deforestation and all forms of destruction to their community forest park.

In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network during a tree planting activity, Mr Bojang warned that anyone captured will be prosecuted accordingly.

Kombo Darsilameh settlement borders the southern Senegalese region of Casamance which makes it more challenging to protect the environment.

“When a forest is cut down, there is no place left for the creatures that once lived there, and they die off. Biodiversity is decreased accordingly. The more forests that are cut down, the more associated organisms have no place to live, and the more biodiversity decreases,” Alkalo Bojang revealed

“Since most of our valuable forest trees have been cut down and the animals’ species also aren’t visible anymore. I beef up vigilantism in our endangered forest park to avert deforestation,” he continued.

Although the charges attached to forestry offences are minimal, but the Darsilameh village Alkalo is not relenting on his quest to bring offenders before the law. For example, section 109 of the forestry offences Act, fines up to D3000 for charcoal burning, failure in which the offender will serve a sentence of up to 6 months.

“Trees give off oxygen that we need to breathe. Trees reduce the amount of stormwater runoff, which reduces erosion and pollution in our waterways and may reduce the effects of flooding. Many species of wildlife depend on trees for habitat. Trees provide food, protection, and homes for many birds and mammals,” Alkalo Bojang said.

Vigilante groups in the environment are people keeping a watchful or close eye on activities in the forest. Sometimes a vigilante will make news for catching a criminal, and sometimes vigilante groups form to target criminal activity.

Mr Bojang further asserted that trees provide many benefits to our cities, towns, and villages. Trees benefit communities by improving air quality, mitigating stormwater, providing shade and enhancing aesthetic beauty, providing wildlife habitat, and increasing property value.

“The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of problems for human beings,” he added

Experts believe deforestation causes habitat destruction, increased risk of predation, reduced food availability, and much more. As a result, some animals lose their homes, others lose food sources – and finally, many lose their lives. Deforestation is one of the main causes of extinction.

In the Community forestry concept, communities have the right to manage the forest resources upon which they depend, with a view to improving their living conditions. Recognising, securing, and enforcing forest communities’ rights is the most effective and inclusive way to preserve, restore and enhance forests.

The Community Forest management approach helps to mitigate increasing deforestation and forest degradation to address the negative impacts on rural livelihoods.

By: Sarjo Brito

Political Science professor and leader of the Citizens’ Alliance (CA) party made headlines today October 1st after announcing his party’s coalition with President Barrow’s National People’s Party (NPP). Dr. Ceesay, who has been known as a staunch critic of the Gambian president has told local media that the Citizens’ Alliance party has decided at the executive level to coalesce with the ruling party to support the government’s agenda.

“It is a partnership and an alliance with the NPP to work for the interest of this country. And let me emphasize that we see the Gambia first. It is not about Dr. Ismaila Ceesay; it is not about President Barrow; it is about The Gambia.’’

While supporters of Barrow’s NPP bask in their newfound ally, Citizens’ alliance members and the general public share their thoughts on the newfound political romance involving the Gambian President and the Citizens’ party leader. Dawda Ceesay, who has been a member of CA since its launching said he is disappointed about Dr’s alliance with President Barrow, especially at a time when the Gambian leader’s popularity is declining and the country grappling with many other issues including crime surge, and corruption among others. Dawda Ceesay confirmed to this network that he is giving up his party’s membership effective immediately as a result of the alliance.

“I’m just disappointed with everything that’s going on. With Barrow losing popularity regarding the high crime rate, corruption, and high influx of potent drugs, the least CA could do is to form an Alliance with NPP who are in bed with APRC and are planning to find a way to bring Jammeh back. To say I’m disappointed is an understatement. How can CA convince Barrow to tackle corruption and the high mortality rate of women in hospitals? I wish them all the best.’’

Asked about his future in the party after it decides to go into a political marriage with Barrow, and whether this is the end for him, Ceesay said: “Yes, I am out.”

National People’s Party’s spokesperson and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Honourable Seedy Njie said the new alliance has been months in the making. Njie said the alliance is in the greater interest of the Gambia and her people.

“The President has asked all NPP supporters in the country and the diaspora to welcome and work with CA in all structures and levels.”

Meanwhile, the new NPP-CA alliance has also raised eyebrows in the context of the forthcoming local government elections. Some observers offer this explanation: They believe Dr. Ceesay might be selected by the NPP to contest the Brikama Area Council Chairmanship, a position that is already being sought by one of the founding members of the NPP, Ahmad Gitteh.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, leader and 2021 presidential candidate of the opposition Citizens’ Alliance (CA) party, has officially announced a formation of alliance with the ruling National Peoples Party (NPP) after a close-door meeting with President Adama Barrow at State House, Banjul on Saturday 1^st October 2022.

Speaking to journalists after his meeting with the President, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay said the purpose of the alliance is in the interest of the country and not on personal interest.

“We wanted to contest for the 2021 presidential election with our ten-point manifesto, but we were not able to do so. President Adama Barrow won the election and has called on Gambians to work with him. This is the called we answered to for the best interest of the country.”

He said they want to share their manifesto with the President to help in developing the country. He added that they don’t want to sit on their manifesto and not share it with the President.

“We reflected at party level on why we should not seat on our manifesto, so we deemed it necessary to share with the President who is entrusted to lead the country. The President has called on people to work together, and the party thought it wise to answer to the call,” he stated.

Dr. Ceesay, a critic of President Barrow in the 2021 presidential campaign, said part of the alliance is for them to work with the NPP for the upcoming local government election.

“We see Gambia first; it is not about Dr. Ismaila Ceesay neither is it about President Barrow. It is about the country. The country is facing challenges. Some challenges are inherited since colonial times while some are globally induced because we know what is happening globally because of the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war,” he explained.

He said the President Barrow led government trying in addressing the challenges in the country but noted that the government cannot do it alone.

“We find ourselves in very challenging times. We want to move from the old politic which is based on tension, insults and so on. We intend to bring a new type of politics. We believe the opposition and the government can work together for the interest of the country. If NPP and CA are fighting on social media and if CA is going out to protest every day, the poor farmer in Foni, Badibou, the child who doesn’t have access to education, the woman dying at the hospital lacking proper healthcare will suffer.

Our problems are bigger than our personal interests. We are calling on all Gambians to come together as this is a time for national convergence of ideas and resources to build this country,” Dr. Ceesay narrated.

Asked about the party’s future, Dr. Ceesay said the party is owned by its members. He highlighted that politics has different interests: national, partisan and individual, emphasizing that the alliance is for national interest.

For Dr. Cessay they will share development ideas with the President for the advancement of the country, saying both parties have strong support based which can change the political dynamics in the country where young people can learn that politic is not about protest, insult or barrage but a competition of ideas.

However, Dr. Ceesay confirmed to journalists that they have not reached a state of signing agreement with the NPP, but they have declared their intention to work together.

Mambanyick Njie, NPP administrative secretary, said the move by CA is a welcoming initiative that can help in the development of the country.

“Development or nation building is an ongoing process. It is a process that needs redefining and rethinking. This is a welcoming move, and we are pleased. CA has recognized the efforts of the President, and they believe to share their ten-point manifesto with the President for our development.

We will seat with them and look at their manifesto and see how it will be operationalizing,” Mr. Njie noted.

By: Sarjo Brito  

Political scientist and social commentator Essa Njie has in an exclusive with The Fatu Network described the country’s opposition as election-oriented political parties. His statement comes at the hills of recent scandals that have rocked the country, saying opposition and civil society are doing little in pressuring and holding the government into account. Njie said holding the government accountable has been left in the hands of party militants whom he said sometimes divert people’s attention from more pressing issues.

“With all the scandals that we have seen on the papers since last week, no opposition or civil society is coming to talk about these things. There is a scandal in this country every day. The National Assembly debate that is going on just told us that they have discovered over 20 million dalasis that was unaccounted for according to the National Audit Report, but nobody shows concern. It is sad to say but we have election-oriented political parties. Opposition parties that will just come and contest elections and when they are over, they go back to their political bureaus.’’

The Political Science Lecturer also described the country’s civil society organizations as project-oriented whom he also said do not seem to understand their role in a democratic society. Njie further explained how civil society has played an instrumental role in removing longstanding dictators in other countries like Zambia’s Kenneth David Kaunda, adding that having a less vibrant civil society is bad for Gambia’s democratic dispensation.

“We have a civil society that is just project oriented, sad to say. They are only focused on winning projects and when it is time for elections, they go and observe elections, monitor, prepare their reports, and preliminary statements and tell people that the election is free and fair. They don’t even understand their role in a democratic society. It is very unfortunate and if you look at the history of the democratization process in Africa after the cold war, civil society was instrumental.’’

Last week, Essa Njie made headlines after he described the country’s opposition parties as dormant. Some political parties reacted to his statement describing it as misleading and unfair.

By: Modou Touray

In a decisive administrative move, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the entire local government area across the length and breadth of the country was united under a single network with the principal focus on timely service delivery to the taxpayers they serve. An initiative they believe could accelerate the routine functions of local governments.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Brikama Area Council and chairman of the Network of City Managers – the Gambia, Mr Modou Jonga his counterpart’s Chief executive officers will benefit from a variety of methods and tools to boost their professionalism, acquire a people-centred service and results-oriented culture and behaviour.

“We shall adopt the culture of benchmarking as well, policies evaluation and performances comparison in terms of service delivery and local administration management. Equally, we shall also participate in peer review and peer learning activities and be exposed to best practices and sharing of experiences.

The CEOs of various local government areas are the administrative heads of their councils and are also considered to be the closest advisors to the local government’s political leaders (Council chairpersons and Mayors).

“I am indeed grateful for the mantle of leadership bestowed on me as head of the network of city managers. I hereby assured you that my team and I will do our best to meet the expectations. I am Determined to change the status-quo to make councils more responsive to the needs of tax-payers.”

Mr Jonga further highlighted that realizations of local government development targets squarely lies on the chief executive officers and their staff who are the technicians implementing the policy decision of politicians.

“The mayors and chairperson, as well as the elected ward councillors, make decisions on development priorities but its effective implementation is our role. We are optimistic that with consultations with colleagues and chief executive officers we will be able to move with the same development pace to ensure that the tasks ahead of us are implemented”

The local government authorities have been facing numerous challenging in fulfilling the development needs of their people which they say is largely due to insufficient revenue and a rapid increase in urbanisation (in the case of the greater Banjul area).

Chief Executive Officers of the eight Local Government Authorities in The Gambia recently elected Modou Jonga, chief executive officer of Brikama Area Council, as President of the Network of City Managers – the Gambia chapter which is affiliated to Africa network of city managers (Africa Magnet)

The Gambia association of local government authorities (GALGA) is proactively committing itself to respond to the needs of the people. The regularization of the structures under GALGA which have international affiliation will expose Gambia’s local government Authorities to global platforms.

By: Ousman Saidykhan

The Gambia’s Interior Minister, Seyaka Sonko has called on people to be mindful of painting the country “so red” as he believes doing such would only give tourists the impression that the Gambia is not a good destination; an impression he believes would not favour the tourism industry which employs “a lot” [of people].

“Yes, what happened was unfortunate. We don’t really think we should brush that under the carpet, but we should be mindful of how we say it. So that we don’t paint our country so red that no one wants to come here. A lot [of people] depend on the tourism industry,” Honourable Seyaka Sonko told journalists.

Mr Sonko was speaking in his first press conference about the security of the Gambia which has been the talk of the town over the past weeks. The current security situation in the Gambia has been described by some Gambians as unprecedented having witnessed six homicides in a month, a figure that surprises some, yet the Ministry reported a decrease in crime rate.

“I think we should be mindful also that this is the only country we can call home. It is a destination for tourists – it is a destination for our people in Diaspora who want to come here and enjoy their holidays. So, if we depict it as such a horrible place; who wants to come to a horrible place where every minute someone is killed?” the Interior Minister said.

He continued, “that is why when we are talking about these things, we also point out that, yes, these are happening, but comparatively, the trend is not as high as people say.”