Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has endorsed his former archrival for the country’s top job, weeks after their parties joined forces ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections in August.

“We have chosen Raila Odinga, without any opposition, to be the fifth president of Kenya,” Kenyatta told a cheering crowd of thousands in the capital Nairobi.

The announcement brings together two of Kenya’s top political dynasties, who have a long history of opposing each other at the ballot box.

But in 2018, Kenyatta and Odinga stunned the country when they shook hands and declared a truce after post-election violence in 2017 left dozens of people dead.

Source:  Al Jazeera

The justice system seems to have toughened up in a bid to stop the scourge of rape and sexual penetration across the country.

Recently at the High Court Justice Sainabou Wadda-Cisse sentenced a certain Babucarr Makanbou to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of rape. 

Babucarr was also sentenced to three years imprisonment for impersonating a Police Intervention Unit (PIU) officer.

According to the charges he (the convict) was found to have sometime in November 2018 at the Independence Stadium represented himself to the survivor as a PIU officer and used the opportunity to rape the victim whilst threatening her with a knife.

The prosecution led by state counsel Muhammed B. Sowe called seven witnesses to prove their case. The convict in his plea of mitigation informed the court that he has 8 children who depend on him for their livelihood.

Justice Sainabou Wadda-Cisse however, considering the gravity of the offence ignored his plea and handed down her landmark judgement. This is expected to serve as an example to others who intend to carry out such diabolic acts.

By Dawda Baldeh

Addressing Banjulians (residents of Banjul) in a town hall meeting on Saturday 12 March 2022, Mayor of Banjul City Council (BCC) Rohey Malick Lowe said 72% of house or compound owners in Banjul are not paying rates to the council, citing revenue loss.

The town hall meeting is said to be in line with 2002 Local Government Act which mandates the mayor  to organize such a meeting to give people the opportunity to know the functions and operations of the Council and ask questions surrounding such.

Mayor Lowe emphasized that lack of rates payment to the council remains their key challenge.

“72% of compound owners in Banjul are not paying rates. As a result of this, the council has lost over Seven Million Dalasis since 2018,” Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe disclosed.

He added that apart from the unpaid Seven Million Dalasis rates, tthere were over 40 Million Dalasis of unpaid debts from compound heads when she assumed office in 2018.

She noted that slow bureaucracy in decision making is another challenge, adding that in most decisions council has to write to the Ministry of Local Government and wait for response.

“Also, councils rely on parliamentarians for the promulgation of good laws that enhance our work. Council seeks to work closely with MPs for the implementation of good laws that will ensure council’s autonomy and strengthen our power for the implementation of developmental oriented policies and programs that will help the city,” she explained.

She also cited the building of stores within the inner city, the sand mining at the Denton Bridge and the buildings on the Tanbi wetland among others.

She urged residents of Banjul to voluntarily pay their debts to help in the development of the city; highlighting other challenges that hinders the development of the city.

By: Sarjo Brito

UDP Commando Momodou Sabally has fired back almost immediately after the Independent Electoral Commission announced it had upheld its decision to reject his National Assembly nomination papers.

Momodou Sabally has vowed to challenge the IEC’s decision. The UDP aspiring candidate for the Busumbala Constituency seat said he is neither giving up nor taking a step back in this fight as the IEC has no legal authority to reject his nomination. Sabally describes his rejection as an outright flouting of procedure and blatant disregard for justice and fair play by the IEC officials.

“The legal and administrative steps necessary to correct this maleficent, this targeted oppression of an innocent citizen of this country will be taken to assure you that I am not giving up. I am not taking a step back. I will continue to fight for my rights as a citizen of this country who has been oppressed, targeted, side-lined, marginalized by an inept, corrupt administration,’’ The UDP Commando said.

Momodou Sabally alleged that the statements uttered by the IEC returning officer during his nomination were uttered out of instruction from the country’s leadership, calling it a premeditated act targeted against him.

“And so the IEC has doubled down on their banditry and gross injustice meted at me. They have rejected my appeal and I have also rejected their rejection. So we will soon meet at the right platform for adjudication,” he said.

“The IEC is not a court of law talk less of a branch of the IEC. Who told Tony Secka that there was a commission of inquiry that made adverse findings against me? Why did he have the temerity to sit down on that spot and reject my nomination when all other nominations are vetted and scrutinised over a period of 48hours or even more before a decision is taken. What he has manifested is a clear fact that this act of rejection was a premeditated act targeted against me.”

Momodou Sabally also called out the Gambian leader for what he describes as cherry-picking who the law applies to, making reference to the Mamburay Njie’s appointment as Finance Minister who has been equally found wanting by the same commission.

“[President] Adama Barrow has decided to ignore the commission of inquiry that Tony Secka was referencing, by appointing Mamburay Njie who has serious adverse findings made against him. To appoint Alagie Ceesay as Chief of Protocol inside his cabinet, who had worse adverse findings from the commission against him. If Barrow can ignore the recommendations of the commission and decide to do business with Tarek Moussa and TK Motors, a foreigner, why should I be singled to be targeted to strip me of my rights to seek elected office in this country,” Sabally asks.

By: Sarjo Brito

Less than 24 hours after filing his appeal at the Independent Electoral Commission, Momodu Sabally’s National Assembly bid has suffered another setback as IEC rejects his appeal, maintaining his nomination has not complied with Section 90 (1) (e) of the 1997 Constitution.

“At its session held on 12th March 2022, the Commission upheld the decision of the Returning Officer that your nomination has not complied with the law as per the application of Section 90 (1) (e) of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia.”

On March 10, 2022, Momodou Sabally submitted his nomination papers at the IEC Brikama office where he was told by returning officer Tony Secka that his nomination was not in compliance with section 90 (1) (e) of the country’s Constitution which bars people found wanting by a Commission of Inquiry from seeking public office.

Momodou Sabally has since his rejection questioned the legal authority of the IEC to reject his candidature as the institution is no court of law. Mr Sabally has also made allegations that he is singlehandedly being targeted by the country’s leadership while they have other Gambians who the Janneh Commission have made adverse findings against holding public office.

By : Christian Conteh

The Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Ousainou Darboe has said that his party the UDP is a law-abiding political party and has been so since the formation of the party some 27 years ago.

He however warned the Gambia Police Force to not provoke his supporters.

Lawyer Darboe was speaking at the party secretariat on Kairaba Avenue. He called the press conference to express concern about his safety and the safety of his supporters following a clash between his supporters and the police during nomination day at Brikama.

“All the access routes to my house have paramilitary forces stationed there, this is an act of provocation. This is a political season and nobody will stop a UDP crowd from coming to the party’s office,” he said.

He however maintained that whatever they do they will do within the confines of the law. 

“Please let us help each other to keep the peace in this country. We are law-abiding citizens, we have not done anything in contravention of the law since our formation 27 years ago” he said. 

He strongly appealed to the Inspector General of Police to withdraw his men stationed around his house and on routes leading to his house.

By Sarjo Brito

The United Democratic Party’s Ebrima Dibba has applied for a permit to protest the Independent Electoral Commission’s decision to disqualify the party’s (UDP) candidate for Busumbala Constituency in the forthcoming National Assembly elections. The application letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police and dated March 11 says the reason for the protest is to ask the IEC to do the right thing, which is to rescind its decision regarding Sabally’s rejection. 

“I hereby apply for a permit to conduct a peaceful protest against the IEC’s decision to reject Momodou Sabally’s nomination application on Thursday 10th March 2022, in Brikama. Mr Sabally submitted his credentials to the IEC office in Brikama as the candidate of UDP for Busumbala Constituency for the upcoming National Assembly Elections. Instead of following due process and doing the right thing, the returning officer rejected his nomination,” the letter read.

“We are protesting to ask the Independent Electoral Commission to do the right thing and accept Mr Sabally’s nomination and to call for justice and fair play in this country. The protest will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at West Field from 10 am to 3 pm.”

The Independent Election on Thursday rejected the nomination of Momodou Sabally, the UDP’s candidate for Busumbala Constituency, citing section 90 (1) E of the 1997 constitution which states that:

No person shall be qualified for election as a member of The National Assembly if he or she “has been found by the report of a commission or committee of inquiry (the proceedings of which have been held and published in accordance with the relevant law) to be incompetent to hold public office by reason of having acquired assets unlawfully or defrauded the State or misused or abused his or her office, or willfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the State, and the findings have not been set aside on appeal or judicial review.”

Sabally who was adversely mentioned in the Janneh Commission Report has since appealed the IEC’s decision and is waiting for the outcome of his appeal.

Meanwhile, he has promised to carry on with his campaign as he accuses the IEC of being used as a tool to oppress him.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The management of the Gambia Ferry Service has warned fishermen to desist from placing their fishing nets along the ferry navigation area making it clear that such an action can cause potential damage to the ferry.

The call was made during a press conference organised by the GFS at the Banjul Ferry Terminal on Friday 11th March 2022. 

Lamin Jawara, General Manager of the Gambia Ferry Service said the activities of fishermen along the ferry navigation have become their major challenge asking fishermen to desist from such activities.

 “Their activities along the navigation areas are causing a lot of challenges for us,” he said.

Adding that they have invested over thirty million dalasis (D30m) for the maintenance of the ferry. 

He revealed that the fishing nets can cause damage to the engines of the ferry if they come in contact with it.

 “We are warning the fishermen to stop placing their nets along the navigation area,” he said. 

Pa Dawda Sanyang, Operational Manager said such activities should be avoided adding that its impact can lead to economic losses. 

“Three new engines had to be installed onto the ferry that came in contact with a net,” he said. 

According to GFS management, if the fishing activities continues taking place along the navigation area it can affect the Ferry service delivery. “We want the public to know the challenges we are encountering at the ferry. If the ferry parts are damaged it will take time before they are replaced and they are not available in the country,” Pa Dawda Sanyang said.  

Yankuba Manneh, Public Relation Officer of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) also called on fishermen to avoid the fishing activities within the navigation area, adding that if the ferry is affected many businesses within and outside Banjul will be affected. 

By: Christian Conteh

Momodou Sabally the United Democratic Party (UDP) nominee for Busumbala constituency in the upcoming National Assembly Elections has blamed President Adama Barrow for his rejection by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

Momodu Sabally made these allegations whilst speaking to UDP supporters and Gambians through an audio message shared on social media. 

He said the country’s first gentleman and his people have ‘touched the untouchable’ and he is prepared to fight like a jin (a spirit that appears in human form).

He called on his people to calm down, promising them that he will get nominated and will be the next Member of the National Assembly representing Busumbala.

“We will get nominated by Allah’s will and I will be an MP in Busumbala constituency if it so pleases Allah,” he assured his people. Meanwhile, he said his campaign will continue unabated.

Momodou Sabally’s nomination bid was yesterday rejected by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on the grounds that his name had been adversely mentioned in a Commission of Enquiry.

His party leader Ousainou Darboe has challenged the IEC decision saying it is illegal. This prompted a wave of violent clashes between the police and UDP supporters in Brikama, an incident that left many people injured and some hospitalised.

The National Human Rights Commission has condemned police brutality but encouraged citizens to be law-abiding and use legal means to seek redress.

By: Christian Conteh

The country’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decried police brutality against a civilian describing it as unacceptable. 

This is in direct response to an incident that occurred yesterday 10th March 2022 where a group of Police Intervention Unit Officers in full riot gears were caught on camera as they kicked and beat an unarmed, non-threatening civilian with batons all over his body.

The Commission notes that it wishes to state in no uncertain terms that,

“no person, in particular law enforcement officers, has the right to torture, beat, injure or harm another regardless of the provocation. The Commission has also contacted the Office of the Inspector General of Police to raise its concerns. The actions of these Police Officers are condemnable, inhumane, degrading and, above all, a flagrant violation of human rights.” 

A Police Officer it further states is not only a guardian of the law but is also expected, as a duty bearer, to respect and protect the human rights of all people, including those who are even suspected of breaking the law. 

“By the adoption in 2020 of the Guidelines on Policing Public Assemblies in The Gambia, the Gambia Police has placed upon itself the obligation to put in place mechanisms and standards for the peaceful management of assemblies and demonstrations. Having a group of officers acting contrary to the spirit of the Guidelines is both disheartening and disturbing,” the press release reads. 

The Commission used the opportunity to as usual reiterate its unequivocal position against impunity and every form of human rights violation. Police brutality it says has no place in a democratic dispensation. Due process and rule of law are expected to be followed when a person breaks or is suspected of breaking the law. 

The Human Rights Commission went on to call on the Inspector General of Police to immediately identify and bring to book the Police Officers who are in the video assaulting the civilian. Indicating that they have violated the law and should therefore be punished accordingly. 

While the commission reminds all law enforcement officers that they have a duty to respect and protect human rights and that they would be held accountable for any human rights violation committed whether under command or not, it also urges everyone to always be law-abiding, uphold the rule of law and follow due process when aggrieved. 

By: Christian Conteh

Dr Ismaila Sesay of the Citizens’ Alliance Party (CA) has openly condemned the high handedness of The Gambia Police Force. His condemnation came after police officers manhandled supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP) during yesterday’s nomination exercise.

UDP supporters attempted to force their way into the electoral body’s premise in Brikama an attempt which the police reacted to with tear gas and beating. 

The Gambia politician however, encouraged citizens to always be disciplined and law-abiding and follow legal processes where they feel injured or that their rights have been violated.

“We condemn all forms of police brutality regardless of perpetrator or victim. We urge The Gambia police to always exercise restraint and act within the confines of the law when maintaining public order. We advise all citizens to always be disciplined and law-abiding and follow legal processes where they feel injured or that their rights have been violated. Trust in the judicial process is the bedrock of a peaceful society,” Dr Ceesay said.

Dr Ceesay was the flagbearer for the Citizens’ Alliance Party (CA) but could not participate in the December 4th 2021 Presidential Election after his nomination was rejected by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

He went to court to challenge the decision. The court ruled in his favour and set a very important judicial precedent in the country’s electoral history.

By: Christian Conteh

Another legal mind in the person of M. Robertson Roberts Esq has agreed with lawyer Ousainou Darboe Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) that Momodou Sabally’s disqualification was not in line with constitutional provisions, thus making the process fundamentally flawed.

Lending his legal opinion Lawyer Roberts said the procedure adopted to disqualify Momodou Sabally Is flawed and he thinks it must be set aside.

“Indeed, the Returning Officer has abused and outstripped his mandate by leaps and bounds. The procedure adopted by the returning officer is so flawed that any decision that emanates thereof should be set aside like rotten meat,” he said.

He further noted that no returning officer has the right, power or legal mandate to reject the candidacy of a Parliamentary contestant outrightly by stating that that person has been adversely mentioned in a Commission of Enquiry.

This he emphasises is certainly not what section 90(1) (E) of the country’s constitution states.

Infact, he maintained that the Returning Officer went on to state that this was his decision and not the decision of the IEC. And gave Momodou Sabally 48hrs to write to the IEC to challenge this decision.

“This is preposterous nonsense and the law deals with procedures and forms, and this should be the basis of a challenge at the courts. Who is this returning officer and what makes him think he possesses such a right to disqualify a candidate on his own accord, on the spot and based on his own individual understanding of the Constitutional provisions of Section 90 of the 1997 Constitution of The Gambia,” Lawyer Roberts opined.

The learned counsel further noted that when Mr. Sabally quizzed him (the IEC Returning Officer) he said he made the decision on his own accord,

“No No this is my decisoin”! (I refer you to the video on the Fatu Network). 

“Who are you Mr. Returning officer to make such a decision?” Lawyer Robert asks.

He stressed that the event of yesterday Thursday 10th March 2022 must be the basis of a legal challenge in the courts.

“Let the courts tell us if this is how the law must be applied and interpreted. That an unknown returning officer sitting under the blazing heat in Brikama can now make pronouncements on such constitutional matters of his own volition.”

“If you a returning officer possesses such monumental powers then what powers have the courts? Why then is an appeal pending in our courts when you Mr. Returning officer with absolutely no legal qualifications can give a blanket interpretation of a constitutional provision linking it to the findings of a constitution,” he further asked.

The matter continues to generate heated debate across the political divide, with various lawyers lending their legal opinion to the issue.

By Sainabou Sambou

The United Democratic Party (UDP) yesterday submitted nomination papers for several candidates contesting in the April 2022 National Assembly Elections.

At Kanifing the aspiring candidates promised to fight against corruption in the Gambia when they get elected to the house of representatives.

Yahya Sanyang an aspirant for Latrikunda Sabiji said he is optimistic that he will be accepted by the IEC because he has fulfilled all the criteria that the IEC asked for.

He said the Gambia is at a very sad stage right now and he feels that people like him must step up and play a role in changing the situation. He expressed optimism about winning the April election.

“I will fight corruption if I win because there is 100% corruption in this country, and we need to stop that,” he said.

Assan Touray an aspirant for Bakau said he has brought a lot of development to his community and if he is re-elected, he will continue to bring the same development in his constituency and the Gambia at large.

“I am very sure that when I will have been re-elected into office for the second time, I will fight corruption and make sure that the Anti-Corruption bill is tabled in the National Assembly” he stated.

Ya Kumba Jaiteh an aspirant for Serekunda said if she is re-elected into office, she will make sure that the laws are put into order and also ensure she supports a new constitution for the Gambia.

Madi Ceesay an aspirant for Serekunda west, Musa Badjie an aspirant for Tallinding kunjang, Bakary Njie for Bundungka Kunda constituency and others made similar commitments.

Opposition Leader Ousainou Darboe has accused the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of deliberately and illegally rejecting the nomination papers of one of its National Assembly picks Momodou Sabally.

Darboe was speaking at a presser held on Thursday evening. He alleged that the IEC rejection of the nomination papers of Sabally is a calculated ploy to help the governing National People’s Party (NPP) win the National Assembly Elections slated for early next month.

“We want to put this out to the world and to say that IEC is at it again. IEC is at it again to help the NPP win and there could be no clear indication of that than what this returning officer has done,” Darboe said.

The decision is already a topical issue of debate across the country.

By Sarjo Brito

Momodou Sabally’s rejection by the Independent Electoral Commission has ignited a debate on selective justice in The Gambia. Momodou Sabally’s National Assembly bid was cut short during the filing of his nomination papers in Brikama West Coast Region where officials of the IEC told him the reason for his disqualification was because he was adversely mentioned in the Janneh Commission report. The decision of the IEC has since been met with different opinions, with some accusing the Barrow government of cherry-picking people who the commission’s recommendations apply to and not.

‘’A government white paper is not Law. It is a policy document. Only the courts can give it the force of law. It is for that same reason that the courts rejected the legality of the selling of Jammeh’s assets by the Ministry of Justice and deemed it illegal. If the IEC is now rejecting Sabally then it means they have acted outside the remit of the Law. If lawyer Darboe was accepted as a presidential candidate there is absolutely no reason that sabally should be rejected. Both were found wanting by a Commission of Inquiry. You cannot accept Lawyer Darboes nomination and reject that of Momodou Sabally’’ – Melville Roberts argues

‘’What’s good for the goose, is good for the gander. If Sabally Momodou is disqualified, then the president should do himself a favour and dismiss some of his cabinet ministers named in the Janneh Commission report. Some people might see this partisan but we’re treading in dangerous waters. The President is there for all Gambians and should not be allowed to score political points by people’’—Dawda Ceesay

Momodou Sabally and his supporters alike have accused the Independent Electoral Commission of using Janneh Commissions adverse finding to target him while having other people serving Ministerial positions who have equally been found wanting by a commission. while his supporters come to his defence, others believe Sabally’s disqualification is clearly justified in the 1997 Constitution.

‘’Section 90(1)e of the Constitution is very clear with regards to Sabally’s disqualification. It states: No person shall be qualified for election as a member of The National Assembly if he or she

“has been found by the report of a commission or committee of inquiry (the proceedings of which have been held and published in accordance with the relevant law) to be incompetent to hold public office by reason of having acquired assets unlawfully or defrauded the State or misused or abused his or her office, or wilfully acted in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the State, and the findings have not been set aside on appeal or judicial review”.

‘’There’s no ambiguity in this provision. Sabally isn’t qualified. Public office means any national, state, or local governmental position of public trust and responsibility, whether elective or appointive, which is created or prescribed or recognized by constitution, statute, or ordinance’’—PDOIS’S Sulayman Bokar Bah wrote.

By Sarjo Brito

Momodou Sabally, National Assembly aspirant for Busumbala Constituency under the UDP ticket has been rejected by the Independent Electoral Commission. Sabally’s disqualification according to one of the IEC presiding officers is due to his name being adversely mentioned in the Janneh Commission report and his subsequent ban by the Barrow government from holding public office.

“We have gone through all the documents that you’ve submitted and that’s why we have received your nomination and a list that you both signed indicating everything that you submitted. So, we have to go through the whole process and check through everything to make sure everything is intact. Unfortunately, like it’s stated clearly in the copy that was in the nomination form, the guidelines to the nomination, you have qualifications and disqualifications. Now according to Section 90 (1)(e), it’s clearly stated that because you’ve been adversely mentioned at the commission and the subsequent process, you have been disqualified’’

Given 48 hours to appeal the decision of the IEC, Momodou Sabally responded to the Independent Electoral Commission’s decision, accusing the institution of being used as a tool to oppress people like him who have not been found wanting by any court of law.

‘’I have appealed against the adverse findings of the commission and that process is on. So, what authority do you have to override a process that’s higher than you constitutionally of the republic of The Gambia? I don’t think you have the right to do that. I think you are abusing your office and that’s completely unacceptable in a democratic transition. I think you are being used as a tool to oppress an innocent Gambian who has not been found wanting by any court of law’’

By: Christian Conteh

The National Assembly Member who has over the years refused to accept an official vehicle and a plot of land is seeking re-election to represent the people of Banjul North.

Honourable Ousman Sillah from People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) submitted his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Thursday morning.

“I have been offered vehicles and land, but I have refused to take it because I believe those resources must go to my people who need them most. I am a servant of the people, so I am not expected to be living above them, so I have to be living like them, that is the rationale,” Hon Sillah said.

He went on to reiterate that over the years he has complied with Section 112 of the constitution which calls for him to uphold the highest standards. It is on this basis that he seeks re-election.

Hon Sillah has been using public transport for the past four years, since his election to the National Assembly in April 2017.

By: Sainabou Sambou

Parliamentary Aspirants for the People’s Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDIOS) have today submitted nomination papers to contest in the April 2022 National Assembly Elections. 

At Kanifing the aspiring candidates said they will make sure that the draft constitution and the Anti-Corruption Bill become law.

Musa Cham an aspirant for Serekunda Constituency said he is very proud to replace Honorable Halifa Sallah in the National Assembly, he described Halifa as a man of integrity and honesty.

“Our party is known for integrity I’m here to offer myself to the electorates and serve them with honesty. We will emerge victorious, the Serrekunda people are informed citizens and if I’m elected as PDOIS candidate I will be guided by our party principles” he said.

He expressed optimism that he will win the parliamentary election and will make sure that the Anti-Corruption Bill and other bills are passed by the house. He added that he was the former councillor for Serrekunda ward and has done many projects both in his constituency and Serrekunda at large.

Fatou Sowe an aspirant for Serekunda West Constituency also said if she wins the National Assembly Election, she will make sure that the Anti-Corruption bill is passed.

“I will work on the PDIOS transformative agender and have a development fund. I will contribute five thousand dalasis every month for the development of Serekunda West and Serekunda at large.”

Aminata Correa an aspirant for Latrikunda Serekunda said if she wins, she will make sure that they look at the draft constitution, the disability bill, the Anti-Corruption bill and the women’s bills.

“I have participated in my community and also in politics since 2016. My participation is not only restricted in my constituency I have served the nation over the years and I think I have shown the Gambian people what it means to represent them in parliament “she said.

Ebrima K Ceesay another aspirant for Tallinding said there are things that they need as a community especially a health centre and a proper water system. These things he said will be his priority when elected to the National Assembly.