By: Christian Conteh

Gambia Participates a youth-led civil society organisation that focuses on enhancing transparency and accountability in the public sector has in its recent report on election observation pointed out instances of the misuse of government property to organise political rallies or candidate rallies or a political party dominating the state-owned media outfit among other anomalies. 

According to the organisation during the second reporting period (March 08-14), their observers were instructed to indicate whether government vehicles had been used to organise rallies, including the transport of materials to or from a rally site or for candidates to travel and make campaign speeches, nomination or if a party is dominating the scene using the state-owned media.

It states authoritatively that positive responses indicate a violation of the electoral code and abuse of elected office. 

“Nationwide, 6% of GP observers reported witnessing or hearing of such misuse of government vehicles. The reports were received from Banjul Central, Banjul North and Banjul South Constituencies. From the Greater Banjul, observers reported the use of state-owned vehicles by the NPP delegates at the nominations of Sammy Njie, Mohammed Ndow and Ousman Wada on March 10, 2022,” the report stated.

It further noted that “the Minister of Fisheries, Mr James Gomez was also seen attending the nominations, during official working hours using state-owned vehicles. Abuse of state resources was also reported in the third reporting period (March 15-21). 8% of observers witnessed the use of public resources during political campaigns, mostly state-owned vehicles.” 

These incidents according to Gambia Participates were most frequent in Foni Bondali, Illiasa, Kombo South and Old Yundum. 

“We observed that the constitutionally mandated meet the people tour was sometimes used by the President to campaign for his party candidates. The electoral cycle was the perfect timing for the president to use state resources to conduct what was fully supposed to be apolitical. This has created power inequalities and provided unfair political advantages to the incumbent’s party and candidates.”

The civil society outfit emphasised that the meet the people tour is a state-funded activity whose objectives were partly defeated for political propaganda thus violating section 91(b) of the Elections Act and section 222(15) of the 1997 constitution.

Last year, Emmanuel Tuloe, who was struggling to earn a living as a motorbike taxi driver,  found Fifty Thousand United States Dollars ($50,000) in a mix of US and Liberian notes, wrapped in a plastic bag by the side of the road.

He could have easily pocketed this life-changing amount. But he gave it to his aunt to look after and when the rightful owner appealed on national radio for help in finding the cash, Emmanuel came forward.

Mocked by some for his honesty – people laughed at him saying he would die poor – his act earned him generous rewards including a place at Ricks Institute, one of Liberia’s most prestigious schools.

President George Weah handed him $10,000 and a local media owner also gave him cash, some of which was raised from viewers and listeners. And the owner of the money that was found donated $1,500-worth of goods.

On top of those and perhaps most significantly, a college in the US reacted by offering him a full scholarship once he had completed his secondary education.

‘Enjoying the academic discipline’

And that is what he is focused on at Ricks, a boarding school set up 135 years ago for the elite of Liberian society descended from the freed slaves who founded the country. Its two-storey buildings sit on a beautiful, lush campus 6km (3.5 miles) from the Atlantic coast.

“I am enjoying the school, not because Ricks has a big name but because of the academic and moral disciplines,” Emmanuel said, chuckling and playing with the collar of his shirt as he talked.

Like many Liberian children from a poor rural background are forced to do, he dropped out of school at the age of nine in order to earn some money to help his family out. This was shortly after his father had died in a drowning accident and he went to live with his aunt.

He became a motorbike taxi driver just a couple of years later.

After such a long time out of education, he needs a lot of extra support at school.

When Emmanuel first joined the sixth-grade class “he was feeling a bit inferior; he could not voice himself in the classroom, but day-by-day we worked on him”, his main class teacher Tamba Bangbeor explained to the BBC.

“Academically, he came with a low foundation, so we tried to put him in the enrichment programme. That has been helping him.”

He now has six years of secondary school ahead of him and will be 25 when he graduates. But he does not mind the age gap with his classmates and describes them as “friendly”.

Emmanuel also enjoys boarding, saying that “dormitory life is good because this is a way of learning to live on your own someday”.

Looking at the future, he wants to study accounting at university “to prepare myself to help guide the use of the country’s money”.

His prudence and honesty were seen as examples to follow in a country where allegations of corruption are rife and where officials are often accused of stealing state resources.

‘Good to be honest’

Reflecting on the way that some people made fun of him for returning the money, he acknowledges that he could have used the funds to improve his material situation “but it was never going to get me the opportunity I now have”.

Emmanuel thanked God for giving him the rewards and he was also “grateful to my parents for teaching me to be honest”.

“And my message to all young people is: It’s good to be honest; don’t take what does not belong to you.”

The teachers at Ricks appreciate Emmanuel being there.

“Not only have we recently benefitted from his honesty as a school, he’s the second-choice goalkeeper for the school’s football team, ” Mr Bangbeor said of the die-hard Chelsea fan, who plays in the team alongside students closer to his age.

Emmanuel’s classmates also welcome him being there.

Bethlene Kelley, 11, called him “a great friend that we like sharing with and caring for because he’s quiet and doesn’t talk too much. [He is] loyal, respectful and truthful”.

Caleb Cooper, 12 appreciates Emmanuel for his conduct in class and in the dormitory.

“He doesn’t steal from friends,” Caleb said laughing.

“If Emmanuel finds something that does not belong to him, he reports it to the teacher. If the teacher is not around, he puts it on their desk,” he said.

And from the life Emmanuel left behind, motorcycle taxi drivers do not appear to begrudge his new prospects.

One of them, Lawrence Fleming, 30, told the BBC he dropped out of school in the ninth grade as a teen and he had closely followed Emmanuel’s story.

“It’s a good thing that Emmanuel has gone back to school, we thank God for him,” he said.

Standing by his Chinese-made Boxer motorcycle at the busy crossroads town of Brewerville, west of Monrovia, he passed on a word of advice.

“Let him remain in school for his future and the future of his children… he now has an opportunity that some of us don’t have.”

BBC

The Executive Director of Gambia Participates has said that the lack of political will from both the executive and legislative arms of government is responsible for the stalling of progress in the Anti-Corruption Bill in The Gambia.

Marr Nyang noted that citizens must ensure they vote for reputable individuals on 9th April 2022 to represent them at the National Assembly. Only with reputable individuals he says will there be an Anti-Corruption Law.

“There is a lack of political will in the legislative and executive arm of government to pass the Anti-Corruption Bill,” Nyang said.

Gambia Participates is a youth-led civil society organization that focuses on enhancing transparency and accountability in the public sector. 

The organisation works in the area of Anti-corruption, fighting against corruption in The Gambia by leveraging modern digital tools and other methods to track the expenditures of the government, and to engage people on these expenditures. It also works on elections observation.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has renewed its commitment to continuing and expanding its engagement in the Gambia. Ivohasina Fizara Razafimahefa, the IMF Chief of Mission to The Gambia made this commitment during the official opening of the new IMF office at Senegambia.

According to Razafimahefa, “the IMF is committed to continuing and expanding our engagement in The Gambia for the benefit of The Gambian population. This office is part of our long-term vision of establishing a strong presence in The Gambia with a view and renewed commitment to continue serving the government and people of The Gambia.”

The IMF Chief went on to commend the progress The Gambia has made so far, noting that the visible progress progress is the fruit of strong efforts by all Gambians and their leaders, in collaboration with development partners.

He expressed delight at what he described as ‘impressive progress from the social, political, and economic perspectives. The IMF in recent years started a re-engagement with a staff monitored programme.

“In early 2020 we have approved an Extended Credit Facility of $ 47 million, added $28 million, subsequently provided a Rapid Credit Facility of $21 million, provided debt service relief under the CCRT for $11 million and concluded three reviews of the Extended Credit Facility.”

By Amara Thoronka

On Friday 1^st April 2022, high court judge Justice Apongabuno Achibonga ruled against the United Democratic Party (UDP) strongman Momodu Sabally in the case between him and the country’s elections body.

Early last month, Mr. Sabally was disqualified by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on the basis that adverse findings were leveled against him by the Janneh Commission of Inquiry. Dissatisfied with the decision of the IEC, Sabally went to court.

Below are key highlights of Justice Achibonga’s ruling:

“Section 90 (1) (e) of the 1997 Constitution of the Gambia states: No person is qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly if he/she has been found by the report of a Commission of Inquiry, the proceedings of which have held and published in accordance with the relevance laws to be incompetent to hold public office by reason of having acquired asset unlawfully or defrauded the State or misused or abused his/her office or willfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interest of the State; and the findings have not been set aside on appeal or judicial review”

“From the above, the grounds for which a person can be said to have been found to be incompetent to hold public office are when a Commission of Inquiry finds:

1. That the person has acquired asset wrongly
2. That the person defrauded the State
3. That the person misused his/her office
4. That the person abused his/her office
5. That the person willfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interest of the State”

“In this case there is no dispute that there was a Commission of Inquiry set out to inquire into the financial activities of corporate bodies, enterprises, and offices as regards their dealings with former President Yahya A.J.J Jammeh and connected matters. There is also no dispute that the Commission submitted its report to the Government, and there is no dispute that the Government issued a white paper accepting the findings and recommendations of the Commission”

“In the said report [page 270], the following finding was made against the applicant: Former Secretary General Mrs. Mobugbu L. Bah and Momodu Sabally facilitated the processes for ex-president Jammeh to withdraw sums of money from numerous accounts. The proceeded that Mr. Momodu Sabally withdrew One Hundred Thousand United States dollars from the national youths government fund on 13^th February 2014 and One Million United States dollars from the international gateway account and monies should be refunded by him”

“From the above, there is specific finding made against the applicant (Momodu Sabally) by the Commission of Inquiry which findings in my view qualify the law under the basis for which a person can be incompetent to hold public office. I am therefore satisfied that there are specific findings made against the applicant by the Commission of Inquiry which qualifies the basis upon which the applicant has been said to be incompetent to hold public office. The Commission recommended that the applicant should not serve in public office for ten years.

“As to whether the findings and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry are right or wrong is not for this court to determine as it does not have the jurisdiction to do so. There is no evidence before me that shows that the findings of the Commission of Inquiry have been set aside or the enforcement of same has been suspended”

“Having found that there is a commission of inquiry report that has made adverse findings against the applicant so as to make him become incompetent to hold public office and debarring him from serving in public office for ten years, the next issue is whether or not the 1^st Respondent (Independent Electoral Commission) can rely on the findings and recommendations of the said commission of inquiry to reject the applicant’s nomination. The resolve the above issue, guidance should be heard through the Elections Act. Section 39 (2) od the Elections Act provides that: a person who desires to be nominated as a candidate for any elective office shall before the acceptance of his/her nomination papers must satisfy the requirement in the Constitution, this Acts [Elections Act] and any other Act.

“Section 47 (1) of the Elections Act provides as follows and I quote: Where a Returning Officer finds that the particulars of the nomination do not comply with the legal requirement for nomination, he/she shall reject the candidate’s nomination papers. This empowers the Returning Officer to scrutinize the nominee to ensure that he/she is qualified under the Constitution or any other law to be so nominated for that elective office”

“I find that the Returning Officer acted within the remit of his power by law in rejecting the nomination papers of the applicant and was right in law in rejecting the nomination paper of the applicant. The decision is in accordance with law”

On behalf of the Party Leader and Secretary General Hon. Bakary B. Dabo, and the party Central Committee, we write to convey blessed Ramadan greetings to all Gambians, and the greater Muslim Umaah.

Ramadan is the month when Muslims submit to Allah (SWT) in prayer and fasting, while extending kindness and generosity to their neighbours and communities. With that in mind, we pray for your good health, happiness, and continued prosperity.

In the same vein, it has not escaped our attention that the previous Ramadan’s of 2020 and 2021 were observed by Muslims under the heavy burden of a global COVID-19 pandemic. GFA advised Gambians to pray, persevere, and practice medically advised measures designed to limit the impact of the deadly pandemic. This was a natural calamity which, though not yet over, is apparently reducing in intensity.

Unfortunately, as sacrifices made by Gambians are about to bear fruit, we are now regrettably hit by another man made one; unprecedented inflationary trends in the country, that is causing unbearable economic hardship for Gambian families.

In what looks like scenes out Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors, government officials have abandoned their responsibilities in managing the economy, and are openly blaming the public for policy failures that are taking the country to the brink.

The GFA party sympathizes, and stands in solidarity with the Gambian people in these challenging times. We call on the authorities to put in place policy measures that will reduce the cost of living for Gambian families. That is a duty and responsibility they owe to the citizens of our country!

Ramadan Mubarak to all

Communication Cell, Gambia For All (GFA)

Ma-Jonka House, Block 6a, Kanifing Estate

By: Christian Conteh

The Association of Public and Environmental Health Officers (APEHOG) a registered non-profitable association of Public Health professionals in the Gambia has threatened to lay down tools if their promised allowances are not paid before the 5th of May 2022.

In early 2021, the Ministry of Health proposed to create a specific allowance for the Health Minister, PhD holders and Medical doctors serving the Ministry of Health. This APEHOG believes was very discriminatory and has caused unprecedented chaos not only within the public health cadre but within the entire Ministry of Health. 

The leadership of the association, therefore, deemed it fitting to collaborate with other sister cadres who are been unfairly excluded from the new allowance scheme.

According to the association because they all (Medical Doctors, Directors, Program Managers, Program Officers, Health Facility staff and front liners) provide the same services to the population they (APEHOG) are not to be seen and treated differently than their sister cadres. This they say is in contravention of the General orders and civil services code of conduct. 

“The general membership of the Association of Public and Environmental Health Officers has agreed that as an Association with mass representation in the Ministry of Health we strongly recommend that the allowance issue be solved before the 5th May 2022. Contrary to meeting demand by the aforesaid date, Public Health Officers across the country will lay down their tools,” a statement read by the associations president Nuha Fofana states.

The association further reveals that it has sent several letters to the authorities concerned but has not had the expected outcome. In the first letter addressed to the Secretary-General and Head of Civil Service dated 2nd March 2021, the association in collaboration with the National Pharmacy Staff Association (NPSA) highlighted their dissatisfaction regarding the bizarre decision and asked for the immediate suspension /reversal of the decision on the approval of allowances for few selected individuals, a decision they consider discriminatory and unfair to the hard-working Directors, Program Managers, Program Officers, Health Facility staff and front liners.

It further suggested that the authorities use the proposed allowance to initiate the appointment of health labourers, watchmen and orderlies across the country as soon as possible, pointing out that some have been volunteers for over 2 years without getting a salary. APEHOG also called on authorities to initiate a review for allowance increment for all cadres in the Ministry of Health.

This letter it says was followed up by numerous follow-ups and consultations with the Ministry of Health. One letter to the office of the Secretary-General and Head of Civil Service Ref: GAPHO/SG/01/21 was dated 28th September 2021.

According to the association on 6th October 2021, Amadou Daboe the Principal Secretary in the Health Ministry on behalf of the permanent secretary wrote to the Vice President of the Association of Public and Environmental Health Officers of The Gambia. The said letter bore the following reference. AD260/418/01PART1(87) and read. 

“Relative to the above captioned subject matter and to further convey that the ministry is seriously working on paying equal allowance to that cadre and calculation already done.” 

To the association’s dismay, after five months since receipt of this letter, no Public Health Officer within the country had started benefiting from the said allowance even though a specific cadre started benefitting from a new allowance scheme since September 2021.

It is for this reason that the Association of Public and Environmental Health Officers has decided to raise concern about what is considers an ‘unjust treatment’ and hopes that a consensus can be reached to avoid any disruption to its services.

The association’s statement noted that although they as public health officers will lay down tools if their allowances are not paid before 5th April 2022 they will in the meantime endeavour to keep all their members calm and focused on delivering quality health care services to the people.

Meanwhile, they wish to reassure all their members that as long as they align with the decisions of the association, the executive and the entire association will guard them against any unforeseen circumstances.

Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) has arrested a minor and an adult -all Senegalese – for trafficking prohibited drugs.

17-year-old Abdoulie Joof of Jurubel in Senegal was arrested in the morning hours of Friday 1^st April 2022 at Kalaji checkpoint with ten ten big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa. The Senegalese teenager was onboard a commercial vehicle BJL 6195 W heading to Brikama from Jarra Soma.

He is being held in custody while investigations continue. As an alleged child offender his matter is said to be forwarded to the agency’s Gender, Children and Human Rights unit for further processing and investigations.

32-year-old Bubacarr Barry who is also a Senegalese national residing at Old Yundum was apprehended in the morning hours of 31^st March 2022 at Mandinaba Police Checkpoint with two big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa. He is also in custody helping authorities with investigation.

DLEAG

By: Christian Conteh

The Chief Executive Officer of Gambia participates a youth-led civil society organisation that focuses on enhancing transparency and accountability in the public sector, Marr Nyang has said that it is wrong for President Adama Barrow to use his constitutional privilege to access state resources and embark on a campaign tour which would give the ruling NPP Coalition undue advantage in the upcoming National Assembly Elections. 

Nyang was answering to questions by pressmen at the Metzy Residence Hotel. He noted that although it is a constitutional provision that the president visits the Gambian people across the country to interact with and hear from them, it must not be used to campaign and give undue advantage to the National Peoples Party (NPP) led coalition.

“Constitutionally the president has the authority to make national visits to interact with the people. But since it is a state-funded activity the president should not use it to embark on political propaganda as it is bad and against the law,” Nyang said.

This he added will create a non-level playing field for opposition parties. 

“The meet the people tour is a state activity, but it has been used and misused for political propaganda. State-owned vehicles and public resources should not be used for political party campaigns,” he reiterated.

By: Christian Conteh

The United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) is a multi-year standing trust fund for post-conflict peacebuilding, established in 2006 by the UN Secretary General at the request of the UN General Assembly.

In Gambia the fund has invested a total of US $26 million in the past five years, funding 13 projects.

The fund was established out of the recognition that among the impediments to successful peacebuilding is the scarcity of resources, most notably financial resources. The fund aims therefore to extend critical support during the early stages of a peace process.

Projects supported include: security sector reform, women and youth participation in decision making processes, transitional justice, resolution of land conflict, the rule of law and community policing, returning migrants and climate change etc

Speaking at Tamala Beach Resort during a two-day review and coordination workshop organised by the UN Peacebuilding Fund in collaboration with the Office of the President, Noah Touray, Secretary General and head of Civil Service revealed that the fund has supported the transformation of the former Policy Analysis Unit (PAU) into the Department of Strategic Policy and Delivery (DSPD) under the Office of the President.

The theme for the workshop was ‘Learning Together to Harmonize Peacebuilding Initiatives for Better Results’.

“We have so far registered commendable progress in sustaining peace, particularly in the areas of transitional justice, constitutional review, security, judicial reform, women and youth empowerment and participation and in the integration of returning migrants,” Noah Touray said.

He registered his appreciation to the Fund for the assistance rendered and applauded the UN agencies for their technical support.

Ms. Seraphine Wakana is the country’s UN Resident Coordinator, she noted that since the democratic transition in 2017 the UN Peacebuilding Fund was one of the first respondents to support the government in its aspirations towards democratic reforms and transitional justice,” she pointed out.

“This is part of the global UN support to the government and people of The Gambia as it continues to strengthen democracy in the work after years of autocratic rule,” Ms. Seraphine Wakana said.

She encouraged those implementing the various projects to ensure visibility of the positive results of the initiatives so as to attract interest and mobilise more support from other donors to sustain the peace and stability of the country.

Operatives of Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia (DLEAG) stationed in the West Coast Region have arrested and taken into custody twelve (12) Nigerians and a Sierra Leone including two females suspected to be engaged in online scamming and fraudulent activities.

Operatives received tip off information about the conduct and activities of some people suspected to be engaged in criminal activities in Old Yundum, West Coast Region. A team was tasked to survey the said place and on the 28^th March 2022 around 15:00 hours GMT, a team was dispatched to raid the identified place which is an apartment at the first floor of a storey building in Old Yundum.

Upon arrival at the said apartment, operatives positioned themselves, knocked on the door of the apartment and identified themselves as Narcotics Officers who wanted to conduct a search. The occupants refused to open the door and the operatives had to forcefully break the door and enter the apartment.

Some of the occupants took to their heels and others tried to escape by jumping from the back door of the storey building. This action resulted in five (5) of them sustaining injuries.

All thirteen (13) of them were arrested and escorted back to the apartment where a search was conducted in their presence.

Operatives recovered eighteen 18 laptops that were connected for use in the sitting room, 19 mobile phones, one 1 router as well as 12 passports bearing the names Ezechukwu Harrison, Atake Rita Ebaeta, Victor Chiemere, Daniel Chibuke Wildom, Chukwu Chibuna Wisdom, Madu Chidiebere Temple, Madu Chidera Stanley, Godson Ifeanyi, Okafor Alwell Chidera, Ibeagi Ebube and Madu Victor Chiagbanwe all Nigerian nationals.

There was also one Sierra Leonean passport without a photo bearing the name Henry A. Conteh. No prohibited or controlled drugs were found in the scene.

DLEAG

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has granted The Gambia’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) a Grade ‘A’ Status just after 3 years of its operation. This was revealed by the institution’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation at the GANHRI session held from 14th to 25th March 2022. 

This means that the country’s human rights commission has been deemed fully compliant with the United Nations Paris Principles.

The principles are a set of international standards that rate National Human Rights Institutions on their independence, inclusivity, diversity and broad mandate. The Paris Principles frame and guide the work of human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights nationally, as well as globally.

According to Emmanuel D. Joof, the commission’s chairperson the accreditation of ‘A’ Status to the Commission followed a rigorous process of review of their work in the promotion and protection of human rights by the GANHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation. 

He further noted that the body (GANHRI) also examined their (NHRC) partnership and working relationships with Civil Society Organisations, the Government, the United Nations and other international and regional organisations.

“With our ‘A’ status accreditation, we can now fully participate in the work and decision-making of the Global Network of Human Rights Institutions, as well as the work of the Human Rights Council and other UN mechanisms. With this achievement, The Gambia joins 118 members, 86 “A” status National Human Right Institutions (NHRIs) and 32 “B” status NHRIs around the world,” Chairman Joof said.

GANHRI is one of the largest human rights networks worldwide. With its Head Office in Geneva and a governance structure representing NHRIs around the world, GANHRI membership is united by a common vision, which is a world where everyone, everywhere fully enjoys their human rights.

It works in partnership with the four regional networks of NHRIs in Africa, the Americas, the Asia Pacific, and Europe, and is a recognised, and trusted partner of the United Nations Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, UNDP, and other UN agencies, and other international and regional organisations, NGOs, civil society, and academia.

“With our membership in GANHRI and the status A rating, The Gambia’s human rights standing on the global stage will now be further enhanced and provides us the opportunity to access a strong pool of technical assistance in strengthening human rights in The Gambia,” the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission said. 

He however noted that while they as an institution are proud of this achievement for themselves and the country, the commission will remain mindful of its mandate, credibility, independence, the people’s trust, faith in its work and its drive to create a culture of human rights in the country. 

By: Dawda Baldeh  

President of The Gambia and leader of the National People’s Party (NPP), Adama Barrow, has told the people of Kiang West at a campaign rally that the government is spending over One Billion Seven Hundred and Twenty Million Dalasis on the eighty-six kilometer road in Kiang West.

President Barrow said even though he did not win the presidential election in Kiang, he will however take more development projects there, noting that he was elected to serve the Gambian people.

The President emphasized that he would not neglect the people of Kiang.

“I have fulfilled all the promises I made to the people of Kiang during the 2016 presidential campaign. You were denied lot of development projects for two decades. But today you have electricity, and your roads are under construction. The ongoing road project is eighty-six kilometers, and ach kilometer is costs Twenty Million Dalasis”

President Barrow revealed that the cost to realize electricity in Kiang is Twenty-Two Million Dollars. “This is a huge development opportunity for the people of Kiang,” he said, adding that his government is constructing a health centre in Kiang Jane.

He also noted that Government had donated two new ambulances to Kiang, a development he said is happening for the first time in the history of the Constituency.

“You have seen the fulfillment of what we promised you. You don’t love UDP more than me. I was a UDP supporter and I served as their treasurer for ten years. So, I’m urging you all to join me for the development of the country.”

Drug trafficking and related organize crimes are serious issues that nations across the globe still find challenging to contain and eradicate. Such societal menace is compounded by the constantly changing dynamics, the advent of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and the use of the dark web and social media to traffic and deal in prohibited and controlled drugs.

In The Gambia, the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG) continues to make strides in the crusade on drugs.

Read below a summarized version of DLEAG’s statistics on the status of prohibited drugs in the country for 2017/2018

This publication aims at keeping the public abreast with the seizure statistics of the Agency and the illicit drug trafficking and abuse situation in the country.

The publication/report will focus on the seizure statistics, number of cases registered, number of persons arrested, return of prosecution, some of the Agency’s preventive drug demand reduction activities etc.

Supply Suppression

Seizure Statistics From 2017 – 2018

Quantity Of Drugs Seized

For cannabis sativa the agency seized 2 tons, 563 kilograms, 213 grams and 416 milligrams in 2017 and 2 tons 983 kilograms, 504 grams and 271 milligrams in 2018.

For cocaine, the Agency seized 624 grams and 748 milligrams in 2017 and 1 kilogram, 73 grams and 545 milligrams in 2018.

For hashish we seized 1 kilogram, 237 grams and 243 milligrams in 2017 and 1 kilogram, 941 grams and 222 milligrams in 2018.

For heroin, we seized 34 grams and 800 milligrams in 2017 and 5 grams, 400 milligrams in 2018. All these mentioned drugs are prohibited drugs as per the schedules of the Drug Control Act 2003.

We also seized 57 tablets of Bronazepam, 35 tablets of clonazepam, 24 tablets of Diazepam, 10 tablets of lorazepam and 298 grams 90 milligrams in 2017 and in 2018, we seized 299 tablets of clonazepam, 60 tablets of lorazepam and 3 amples of delonazepam.

In total, 126 psychotropic substances (controlled drugs) excluding 298 grams, 90 milligrams of methamphetamine was seized in 2017 and 359 psychotropic substances (controlled drugs) excluding 3 ample of delonazepam was seized in 2018.

The seizure statistics indicate an increase in the seizure of cannabis, cocaine, hashish, clonazepam and lorazepam while in shows a downward trend in the seizure of heroin and delonazepam.

Number Of Cases Registered And Amount Of Persons Arrested In 2018

In 2018 the agency registered a total number of 668 cases involving 686 persons. 610 of the accused persons were Gambians and 76 were Non Gambians.

The Agency registered the highest number of cases in July 2018 booking 72 cases involving 79 persons. 73 of the accused persons were Gambian and 6 were Non Gambian.

For the reporting period, October 2018 recorded the lowest number of cases being 48 cases involving 46 accused persons.

Age Distribution

On the age bracket/composition of persons arrested in 2018, those between the ages of 19 and 35 represent the highest number of arrest amounting to 311 persons representing 45.3 percent. This is seconded by those from the age of 36 above representing 43 percent involving 295 accused persons and those below the age of 18 years were 80 accused persons representing 11.7 percent.

Sex Distribution

On the sex distribution of the seizure statistics, 671 were males representing 97.8 percent and 15 were females representing 2.2 percent.

Nationality

On the Nationality of the accused persons, 610 were Gambians representing 89 percent, 47 Senegalese representing 7 percent, 8 British Nationals representing 1.2 percent, 1 Sierra Leonean, 8 Bissau Guinean, 1 Ivorian, 4 Nigerians, 1 Dutch, 1 Italian, 1 Finish National, 1 Lebanese, 2 Guineans (Conakry) and 1 German.

Gender Distribution

On the gender of the accused persons apprehended for the trafficking of controlled and prohibited drugs in 2018, 186 were male clutched for trafficking cannabis sativa, 31 for trafficking hashish, 16 for cocaine and 1 for heroine.

6 females were involved in trafficking cannabis and 1 was involved in the trafficking of hashish.

Geographical Distribution For Trafficking Related Offenses

On the geographical distribution of cases regarding the trafficking of drugs, Banjul registered 1 trafficking case involving the seizure of 4 kilograms, 700 grams.

The Kanifing Municipality seized 139 kilograms, 930 grams of cannabis involving 15 persons, 633 grams, 631 grams of hashish involving 5 persons and 23 grams, 8 milligrams of involving 5 persons.

In total, 25 people were arrested on drug trafficking related offences in the Kanifing Municipality. This excludes those arrested for possession related offences.

The West Coast Region seized 2 tons, 267 kilograms, 146 grams and 895 milligrams of cannabis sativa involving 130 accused persons, 123 grams, 207 milligrams of hashish involving 14 accused persons, 702 grams of cocaine involving accused 5 persons and 4 grams 900 milligrams of heroin involving 1 accused persons. All the cases mentioned for the west coast region were drug trafficking related offenses as well.

The Lower River Region seized 119 kilograms of cannabis involving 24 accused persons. In the Central River Region, 2 kilograms 950 grams of cannabis was seized and the cases involved 3 people and in the North Bank Region, 23 kilograms 240 grams of cannabis involving 1 accused person and 700 grams of hashish involving 1 accused person were registered.

Child Welfare, Gender And Human Right Unit (CWGHR) Processed Cases

The Agency’s Child Welfare, Gender and Human Right Unit (CWGHR) processed 10 accused persons involved in the trafficking of 47 kilograms, 940 grams of suspected cannabis sativa.

Sensitive Investigations Unit

The Sensitive Investigations Unit (SIU) also seized 208 kilograms of cannabis involving 7 persons, 416 grams, 637 milligrams of hashish involving 12 persons and 1 kilogram, 25 grams, 130 milligrams of cocaine involving 6 persons.

NB: It is important to indicate that there are 23 persons involved in multiple cases. The number of persons and cases combined include 15 possession and 8 trafficking cases. Impliedly, adding these number of cases will sum up the total number of cases for 2018 to 709 accused persons. However, the addition will not affect the number of cases that will still remain at 686 cases for the period of 2018.

Other Cases Registered By The Agency And Handed Over To Competent Authorities

The Agency’s primary mandate is to control the trafficking, dealing and abuse of controlled and prohibited drugs. However, in the execution of our legally mandated duty, we usually apprehend people found or suspected to have committed other criminal related offenses. In such situations, suspect(s) are taken into custody and later handed over to the competent national authority with jurisdiction over such matters.

Some of these cases registered in 2018 include:

Dleag’s Giboro Field Office

❖ DLEAG’s Giboro field office seized 19 cartoons of suspected printer cartridges, three (3) Mab pistol with four (4) rounds, twenty five (25) rounds and thirteen (13) rounds respectively. Equally, twenty one (21) suspected stolen smart phones, sixteen (16) suspected stolen simple phones and a cumulative one million one hundred and ten thousand (1,110,000.00) CFA was seized and handed over to The Gambia Police Force (GPF).

❖ The Giboro field office also seized seven (7) cartoons of suspected stolen wine and handed them over to the Customs – Gambia Revenue Authority.

Seaport

❖ DLEAG Sea Port field office also seized thirty four (34) bottles of suspected stolen alcohol and a cumulative fifteen (15) seized mobile phones handed over to the Customs – Gambia Revenue Authority.

Prosecution And Asset Foreiture

Number Of Cases Determined

In 2018, there were five (5) specialized narcotic courts adjudicating drug cases. These courts were located in Banjul, Kanifing, Bundung, Brikama and Sibanor.

A total number of two hundred and two (202) cases were determined and the agency secured one hundred and eighty (180) convictions and there were twenty two (22) acquittals.

Asset Forfeiture

Pursuant to section 94 of the DCA 2003, seven (7) vehicles and five (5) motorbikes were forfeited to the Agency by various narcotic courts.

Drug Demand Reduction

On preventive drug demand reduction, the Agency conducted several radio and television talk shows, schools and community outreach, capacity building trainings, partnered and collaborated with several youth groups and community based organizations on preventive drug demand reduction initiatives and activities.

Joint Airport Interdiction Task Force (JAITF)

The Joint Airport Interdiction Task Force (JAITF) is a multi-agency unit established by the UNODC AIRPORT project in 2014. JAITF coordinate with similar units stationed at airports across the globe. They share real-time information and intelligence on drug trafficking related activities.

JAITF registered sixty five (65) cases ranging from drug trafficking, cigarrete and tobacco smuggling, imposter and documentary fraud, cash smuggling and environmental related offences.

The taskforce also searched 130 rush/unclaimed bags from 36 countries around the world. The bulk of the bags searched were from the USA and Spain but no illicit substance was found in any of the unclaimed bags. Dutiable items were found in some of the bags. These dutiable items were referred to customs for payment of relevant duties.

International Joint Operations

The Agency and by extension JAITF participated in several international joint operations including Global Airport Action Days (GAAD) conducted by Europol, Interpol, Ameripol, Aseanapol, and Frontex.

Other international joint operations included Operation Lion Fish Global, operation COCAIR V and operation open road and operation Baarawulo.

Operation Open Roads And Operation Baarawulo

Operation Open Roads and Operation Baarawulo were conducted in The Gambia with support from International Partners (UNODC and ECOWAS).

Over 250 officers drawn from 15 law enforcement institutions from The Gambia, Senegal and Guinea Bissau participated in this operation.

The operation covered ten land border posts in Seleti, Kounkane, Mpak, Senoba, Keur Ayip all in Senegal and also Giboro, Soma and Ferafenni in The Gambia. For Guniea Bissau, it covered Jegue and Pirada and the operational base was at DLEAG head office in The Gambia.

A simulation exercise on International Control Delivery (ICD) of cocaine from Bissau, through Senegal and termination in The Gambia was conducted. Control delivery is a law enforcement tactics that permit and supervises the transportation of illicit substances with the goal of establishing its final destination, identifying other players involve and bringing the consignees or owners to book.

During this operation, over 2000 information were shared, 980 people and 490 vehicles were searched. Suspected stolen vehicles and assets were seized and recovered. 3 kilograms of cannabis was seized and children who were possible victims of human trafficking were rescued and the suspected traffickers detained.

Operation Baarawulo conducted in The Gambia also resulted in the seizure of drugs, counterfeit currencies and expired medicines.

Bilateral Partnership

DLEAG signed operational Memorandum of Association with OCRTIS – our counterpart in Senegal. We also partnered and collaborated with the UK Border Force on intelligence, supply suppression and capacity building training related activities.

We received equipment support from the UNODC. The UNODC also supplied us with the TruNac Narcotic Analyzer. This machine have the capacity to analyze over 400 types of drugs.

The UNODC mobile training Unit (E-learning equipment) was also deployed in The Gambia. The system is loaded with over 120 courses on various areas of law enforcement and intelligence. In addition to the training opportunity presented, the system can also be used to assess competence for promotion and postings.

Conclusion

It is without doubt that DLEAG as an institution continue to gain local, regional and global recognition among our peers in the crusade on drugs. We have registered landmark cases and significant seizures that have earned us the trust of our regional and global partners.

We will continue to maintain a high sense of professional and improve on our performance and efficiency in curbing illicit drug trafficking and abuse.

We call on the public especially civil society organizations to complement our efforts and partake in keeping children, youth and drugs apart. Together, we can achieve our collective goal for a safe, secure and drug free Gambia.

Source: Extracted From DLEAG’s Annual Activity Report 2018.

Note: Next series is said to report on the 2019 seizure statistics and extract from the agency’s 2019 annual activity rep

Credit: DLEAG

By: Christian Conteh

For the first time in the history of The Gambia, 19% of National Assembly Candidates are women. This is a huge increase in women’s participation in the country’s national political arena.

This was revealed by Maurice Engueleguelu, Head of Project International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), Africa and West Africa Bureau.

He was speaking during the symbolic signing ceremony of the code of conduct for candidates in the Parliamentary Elections. The event was held at the Sir Dawda Jawara International Conference Centre at Bijilo.

He informed the meeting that there are 251 candidates certified to contest the National Assembly Elections with 19% of them women and one disabled. This he says means the country’s gender and democratic credentials are improving

By Amara Thoronka

Lawyer Abdoulie Fatty has described the disqualification of his client Momodou Sabally by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) as unlawful and untenable.

Fatty Esq made the statement while making his submission in the case between his client, United Democratic Party’s Momodou Sabally and IEC (1^st Respondent) and Attorney General (2^nd Respondent) before Justice Apongabuno Achibonga.

Lawyer Abdoulie Fatty said the matter is for the court to decide whether the 1^st Respondent (IEC) misapplied Section 90 (1) (e) of the Constitution of the Gambia which covers disqualification of persons to contest for parliamentary seat, adding that it is also for the court to decide whether his client fulfilled the conditions for disqualification as mentioned in the Constitution.

Arguing on the grounds that his client was disqualified because of adverse findings levelled against him by Justice Janneh Commission of Inquiry, Lawyer Fatty said the recommendations of the said Commission are generic and do not apply in the case before the court.

“The recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry are generic while the qualifications for election of National Assembly Member in Section 90 (1)(e) are specific. It is my submission that when public body relies on a provision covering qualification and disqualification, that public body should limit themselves to the expressed and specific provisions of the instrument.”

“The disqualification must be premised on law. The 1^st Respondent (IEC) is not supported by the very law he relied on. The applicant (Momodou Sabally) had not incur the conditions for disqualification, so the decision of the 1^st Respondent is untenable and unlawful.”

Counsel for the applicant, Abdoulie Fatty, added that it is not expressly stated in the Justice Janneh commission of Inquiry’s recommendations and subsequent Government White Paper that for the applicant to be banned from public office for life.

In his submission, counsel for the 1^st Respondent (IEC), Lawyer Kebba Sanyang said there are adverse findings against the applicant (Mr. Sabally) and that the Commission of Inquiry which found such adverse findings against him was lawfully established.

“The undisputed fact is that there are adverse findings against him by a lawfully established Commission of Inquiry. Section 26 of the Elections Act provides for circumstances empowering an electoral (returning) officer to accept or reject one’s nomination.”

Sanyang Esq. also cited various legal provisions empowering a returning officer of the Independent Electoral commission to accept or reject nominations of public election aspirants.

On 10th March, the Electoral Commission rejected the nomination of Momodou Sabally of the main opposition United Democratic Party to run for the National Assembly seat of Busumba Constituency on the grounds of adverse findings leveled against him by the Janneh Commission of Inquiry. He is in court challenging the decision of Gambia’s elections body.

Justice Apongabuno Achibonga adjourned the matter to Friday 1^st April 2022.

By: Christian Conteh

Eminent person and local facilitator of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) Mr Ousman Yabo has called on candidates in the upcoming National Assembly Elections to desist from making hate speech and tribal statements among other things that can threaten the peace and unity of The Gambia. 

He was speaking at the symbolic signing ceremony of the code of conduct for candidates of the Parliamentary Elections. The event was held at the Sir Dawda Jawara International Conference Centre at Bijilo.

He noted that by doing so they will be saving their own life since they may not know the implications of such statements if they are made.

He appealed to all present to be cautious about the use of social media, saying remarks on various platforms can lead to endless violence.

“If you lose you have to accept it honourably. You can make the Gambia a smiling coast or you can make it something else” he said.

He further encouraged all candidates that failure to gain a seat in the house of parliament does not mean an end to life.