By: Christian Conteh

The African Union (AU) has described reported ill treatment of Africans trying to leave Ukraine as shockingly racist and in breach international law.

According to the current Chair of the African Union and President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Macky Sall, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat they are following closely the developments in Ukraine and are particularly disturbed by reports that African citizens on the Ukrainian side of the border are being refused the right to cross the border to safety.

The two Chairpersons recall that all people have the right to cross international borders during conflict, and as such, should enjoy the same rights to cross to safety from the conflict in Ukraine, notwithstanding their nationality or racial identity.

“Reports that Africans are singled out for unacceptable dissimilar treatment would be shockingly racist and in breach international law. In this regard, The Chairpersons urge all countries to respect international law and show the same empathy and support to all people fleeing war notwithstanding their racial identity,” A statement from the Union read.

The Chairpersons commend the efforts by African Union Member State countries and their embassies in neighbouring countries who have continued to receive and orientate African citizens and their families trying to cross the border from Ukraine to safety.

The United States Government through the COVAX Facility is set to deliver 100,620 doses of Pfizer Vaccines to the Government of The Gambia. The vaccines will arrive in the country on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 8:40am.

This new shipment of Pfizer doses follows the donation of over 300,000 doses of the Single-Dose Johnson & Johnson Vaccine to The Gambia in 2021 by the U.S. Government, bringing the United States’ total donation of vaccines to The Gambia to over 400,00 since the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The donations are part of the U.S. government’s global efforts to fight the pandemic.

The Pfizer Vaccine underwent rigorous testing and is currently being administered in the United States – with millions of Americans receiving the vaccine.

The U.S. Embassy in Banjul is coordinating closely with partners to ensure the safe arrival, storage, and administration of the vaccines in The Gambia. The United States Government will continue to partner with The Gambia to support its vaccination campaign.

By Sanna Jallow  

In her public lecture at the University of The Gambia (UTG) convocation lecture held over the weekend at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, Gambian international academic Dr. Aminata Sillah described youths as the air that enhances national stability, growth and economic prosperity, stating that they should be active in the democratic dispensation of The Gambia.

The convocation lecture is usually done prior to the convocation (graduation) ceremony to explore opportunities for graduands who are expected to be crucial in building the development trajectory for a successful economic transformation of the Gambia.

Dr. Aminata Sillah from Towson University in the United States spoke on the topic: “The role of youths in shaping the future of the Gambia – stolen future or opportunity for bold leadership.”

She added that the involvement of youths in national development is a most. “Young people play one of the most important roles in nation building, therefore they should not be seen as leaders of tomorrow but rather as partners of today.”

Dr Sillah emphasized that young people are social actors of change and an inclusive segment to the country’s development.

“The economic growth in the past few decades has not translated into job creation for young people; young people continue to struggle with high unemployment rate as they find it difficult to secure gainful and meaningful employment opportunities. Joblessness poses serious challenges to their future, driving many to make difficult and uninformed choices”

Vice Chancellor of UTG, Dr. Herbert Robinson, noted that it is a norm in some universities to hold convocation lectures for fresh graduates who have been found worthy both in character and learning to be awarded degrees.

He disclosed that on the actual convocation scheduled for Saturday 5^th March a total of 1,134 students from various degree programmes are expected to be given credentials to get into the job market; saying the graduates have important roles to play in making The Gambia a truly hospitable space and a place everyone will always love to live in.

By: Sainabou Sambou

Fishmongers in Bakau, especially those engaged in the regular smoking of fish have urged the government to renovate their smokehouse facility.

The structure which currently houses the smokehouse is old, unroofed and lacks basic social amenities like water and electricity. According to the women, the current structure has been in existence since The Gambia’s First Republic.

Fatou Kujabi is one of the women who smoke fish regularly, she revealed that the conditions under which they trade are quite poor indicating that they have had to cope with selling fish for over a year without having a roof over their head. Therefore, they have decided to call on the government to help them.

“The current smokehouse we have is not good, it was destroyed by heavy winds during the rainy season. It has been two years since this house was destroyed by the wind. We have sought support from different stakeholders but none of them has shown up,” Fatou said.

Speaking about sales she noted that business is slow, and even when they buy fish to the tune of ten thousand dalasis (D10,000) reselling it to make profit is almost impossible.

“This year everything is hard on us, before the fishermen use to give us fish to sell and after selling it, we give them their money but nothing of such is happening now.

In previous years we will never buy a basket of fish for four thousand dalasis (D 4,000) but now we are buying it at four thousand five hundred dalasis (D4,500) and even more sometimes.”

She added that a basket of Catfish now sells at nine thousand dalasis (D9,000) but sometimes it can even cost ten thousand dalasis (D10,000)

“If you but Catfish for ten thousand dalasis it would be difficult for you to make profit from the sales. Sometimes the money you use to buy the fish is not even recovered after sales.”

Fatou Jammeh is another fishmonger who regularly smokes her fish before selling it. Like other fishmongers, she confirmed that sales are very low and they continue to sell under very difficult conditions.

“We have sat here for five days without having fish because the fishermen say the wind is too much and they cannot go to Sea,” she said.

According to her a basket of Bonga Fish is now bought on wholesale at one thousand dalasis (D1,000) and like Catfish, it is difficult to make profit when resold.

Another challenge she identified is the unavailability of a tap where they could wash up when they are done selling.

“We would like to have a tap here too, so when we are done smoking our fish, we can have a bath before we go home. We are normally at the beach until late at night and we don’t even have electricity in our smokehouse,” she said.

She appealed to the government to come to their rescue as they are affected by both the rain and sun.

“We work in the sun and during the raining season we find it difficult to do our work due to the poor condition of the smokehouse,” she lamented.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Gambia’s youngest film producer and Nollywood actor Musa Darboe alias Chief has pleaded for support as he battles several challenges including lack of finances in Nigeria . Chief made his debut in Nollywood on 13th May 2021.

Speaking exclusively to The Fatu Network he revealed that he joined Nollywood last year and has since featured in three different roles alongside top Nigerian actors and actresses. 

According to Musa, he was contacted by a popular Nigerian film producer who introduced him to the movie industry. He then took part in three different films two of which can be viewed on YouTube. After featuring in the movies, he returned to The Gambia to launch a movie called “Jomfolo”. He returned to Nigeria again on the 13th of November 2021.

Musa says his passion for acting made him leave Gambia for Nigeria to focus on his career.

He has been nominated by the Africa Movie Icon and Celebrity Award under three categories as the best upcoming African actor in 2021. 

He has also produced a movie titled ‘The Unfaithful Girl’ that was nominated as best student film in Africa 2021. He was also nominated as the best young international actor 2021, an awards ceremony that saw him go home with two awards. 

Musa says he is closer to achieving his dreams in acting movies but confirmed that he is faced with numerous challenges. Revealing that he was nominated at the Africa Movie Icon and Celebrity Award, but he could not fly to Freetown to collect the award, he rather went by road and spent days on the journey.

“Other nominees from different countries got support from their tourism ministry with flight tickets for them to attend the award ceremony in Freetown,” he said. 

However, he thanked the people who supported him and pleaded to Gambians to support him. He noted that his focus is to represent The Gambia at International movie competitions. 

“I want to rent an apartment where I can settle down to focus on my career,” Musa Darboe said. 

“Since I came back[to Nigeria], I am staying with my movie director and his way of life is not in line with my culture and religion, so I want to leave his house,” he added.

He went on to lament about his several challenges including how he got stuck in Sierra Leone at some point in time because he had no money.

“I need an apartment to settle down so I can focus on my acting career,” he emphasised.

“The apartment will cost me about 230,000 Naira which is about 24,000 dalasis. I have no other alternative but to speak up so people can help me out. I have tried to speak to several people in Gambia that I believe can help but the moment I share my problems they never respond. However, I can be reached on whatsapp +220 346 0737.”

By: Christian Conteh

The Director-General of Gambia’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency (DLEAG) has called on all stakeholders including ordinary Gambians to work together with his institution to ensure The Gambia becomes a hostile territory to illicit drug traffickers and patrons.

Bakary Gassama made this call while delivering a statement at the anti-narcotics session at The University of The Gambia the country’s maiden university and the citadel of learning.

The institution’s “Drug Awareness Day” is part of events marking the commemoration of the students’ week.

“We must therefore work together, strengthen our resolve to dismantle criminal syndicates and ensure that The Gambia becomes a hostile territory to illicit drug traffickers and their patrons,” he said.

He revealed that the seizure of tonnes of cocaine at the seaport and cannabis in several parts of the country is a manifestation that West Africa (The Gambia included) continues to be used as a transit point for drugs.

“From 2018 to 2020, the agency seized total quantities of 7 tons 847 KG, 871 G, 61 MG of cannabis, 58 KG 905 G, 343 MG of cocaine, 243 KG, 893 G, 210 MG of cannabis resin (hashish), 1386 tablets of controlled drugs comprising diazepam, clonazepam, bromazepam ecstasy etc and 24 G, 400 MG of heroin. We registered 1958 cases involving 1987 persons during the said period,” the DG said.

He further revealed that in the first three quarters of 2021 (January to September) they seized 2 tons, 22KG, 167 G, 993 MG of Cannabis Sativa, 2 KG, 514 G, 633 MG of Hashish, 2 tons, 952 KG, 946 G, 770 MG of cocaine, 68 G, 280 MG of heroin and 707 tablets of controlled drugs.

In the area of prosecution, he confirmed that from 2018 to 2019, 347 cases were determined with the agency securing 301 convictions and 46 acquittals.

As an institution, the director-general noted that they have been actively engaged in preventive Drug Demand Reduction (DDR). The Public Affairs and Demand Reduction Unit he said conduct on average at least five one-hour weekly radio talk shows over different radio stations across the country.

They have also actively engaged in schools and community outreach programs whilst launching drug-free clubs in several schools across the country.

Mr Gassama was also proud to inform students that his institution has collaborated and supported the launching of Journalists Against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Organised Crime (JAIDTOC).

JAIDTOC he said is an association of media practitioners with a keen interest in reporting on drug-related matters as well as creating awareness on drug abuse and related activities.

Despite all these efforts, he revealed that the challenge is huge and persistent.

“We cannot do it alone. We need your support, cooperation and participation in the crusade on drugs. Therefore, I call on you all to join the bandwagon and get involved in keeping youth, children and drugs apart,” he said.

DLEAG is the lead government institution mandated by law to regulate the usage and possession of controlled drugs, prohibited drugs, precursors and matters connected therewith as provided for in the Drug Control Act (DCA) 2003 Revised Laws of The Gambia.

According to the annual World Drug Report 2021, drug use killed almost half a million people in 2019. The report also indicated that despite the proven dangers, drug use persists with almost 275 million people using drugs.

This figure is a 22% increase from the 2010 estimated global drug users. With the current demographic factors, it is projected that the number of global drug users will rise by 11% and with Africa projected to account for as much as 40% of the global figure.

This Bakary Gassama thinks should be a cause for concern for all of us considering the level of misconception and misinformation surrounding the usage of drugs, especially cannabis.

By: Christian Conteh

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad has in a statement updated the public with the latest information from the country’s Mission in Brussels, on the situation of Gambians in Ukraine.

“New information available to the Ministry indicates that Thirty-Two (32) Gambians have been successfully evacuated from the conflict in Ukraine. Twenty-two (22) are in Poland, eight (8) in Slovakia, 1 in Romania with his Ukrainian wife and child and 1 in Budapest, Hungary,” the statement reads.

It further noted that The Government of The Gambia through the Mission in Brussels has arranged for hotel lodgings in all the above-listed countries for the evacuated Gambians and provided them with a means of subsistence. 

This offer it says has been accepted by the Gambians except a few who prefer to make private arrangements. However, it says the offer of assistance will nonetheless be placed at their disposal whenever requested.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further wishes to inform families of the evacuated Gambians and the general public that the Government will facilitate the return of the evacuated Gambians back home.

This information has been communicated to all concerned. However, the decision to return to The Gambia or make alternative arrangements is an individual prerogative that shall be respected by the Embassy and, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This offer shall only be provided to those who request for it.”

The Foreign Affairs Ministry further assures the public that the operation to effectively evacuate the rest of its citizens in Ukraine is still ongoing and the Embassy officials on the ground in the Polish Ukrainian border as well as in Brussels continue to communicate, guide and facilitate the movement and safe passage of Gambian citizens in Ukraine. 

This process it emphasises will continue until the last known Gambian is evacuated.

The statement ends by extending its utmost gratitude to the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Slovakia, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria through their diplomatic representations in Brussels, Poland and Ukraine for the assistance rendered to the Team in Brussels.

By: Dawda Baldeh

Gambian irregular migrant returnees from Libya have shared the experience of living in terrible conditions, especially in Libyan prisons, prompting a call for government intervention.

The returnees told The Fatu Network that Gambians in Libya are living in terrible conditions unlike migrants from other countries. They urge the government to intervene to rescue its citizens from gross human rights violations. 

Muhammed Sanneh is a Gambian who resided in Libya for over four decades (42 years) and in the process raised a family of seven children. He said the condition of Gambians in Libya is totally unacceptable.

“I have been in Libya since the 80s and I know the country very well. Libya is not good for migrants. There is no stable government in Libya and the rule of law is not respected,” he noted. 

“I returned with my family so that we can live peacefully. Their (Libya) prisons are ‘very bad’ sometimes prisoners will die in the prisons especially Gambians because we don’t have any diplomatic representation in Libya,” Sanneh said. 

He further noted the government should send a representative to Libya to monitor the situation of Gambian migrants.

“We have returned home but our minds are with the people we left there because we know their conditions.”

Yahya Jambang a migrant who returned from Libya five months ago also called on the government to intervene in the situation of Gambians in Libya. He said many Gambians are stranded in Libya and they want to come back home but can’t come due to imprisonment.

“I was in prison for nearly one year,” he revealed.

Jalika Jarju, a mother of seven children who returned from Libya also emphasised that the situation in Libya is hard. She told The Fatu Network she travelled to Libya with her husband in the 80s and she had all her children there. 

The 56-year-old woman said she voluntarily returned because The Gambia is her home.

 “Your country is your country no matter what and there is no place like home,” she said.

She added that they were in Libya peacefully but urged the government to help those Gambians in prison so they can be free. 

Abdou Njie Kinteh a migrant returnee said the government should help the undocumented Gambians in Libya, especially those who are working and willing to assist their fellow Gambians but lack the legal documentation that will guarantee them to do so. 

“Many of the migrants are in prisons. They do not have access to health care and they are not given any opportunity to communicate with their families. Many will die in prison. All these are challenges we have gone through,” he said. 

He also joined other migrants and appealed to the government to help stranded Gambian migrants who are willing to come back. 

According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) many migrants especially women experience physical and psychological abuse, torture, rape and enslavement. Perpetrators include criminal gangs, smugglers, traffickers, border guards, police and fellow migrants. 

Nigeria’s government has condemned reports that its citizens, and those of other African countries, have been stopped from leaving war-torn Ukraine.

Isaac, a Nigerian man trying to get into Poland, said border staff told him they were “not tending to Africans”.

“We’ve been chased back, we’ve been hit with police armed with sticks,” he told the BBC.

South African foreign office official Clayson Monyela also said students had been ‘badly treated’ at the border

There have also been numerous reports of Ukrainian security officials preventing Africans from catching buses and trains going to the border.

Osemen, from Nigeria, told the BBC he had tried to get on a train in Lviv to take him to the Polish border but was told only Ukrainians would be allowed on board.

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari said there were about 4,000 Nigerians in Ukraine, mostly students.

He said one group had repeatedly been refused entry to Poland so they travelled back into Ukraine to head for Hungary instead.

“All who flee a conflict situation have the same right to safe passage under the UN Convention, and the colour of their passport or their skin should make no difference,” Mr Buhari said in a tweet

More than 350,000 Ukrainians have managed to flee the Russian invasion so far.

‘Hotel only for Ukrainians’

University student Ruqqaya, from Nigeria, was studying medicine in Kharkiv in the east of the country when the city was attacked. She walked for 11 hours overnight before she arrived at the Medyka crossing with Poland.

“When I came here there were black people sleeping on the street,” she told the BBC.

She says she was told by armed guards to wait as Ukrainians had to be let through first. She watched busloads of people, whom she described as white, being allowed through the border while only a handful of Africans were selected from the queue. After waiting for many hours, she was finally allowed to cross and made her way to Warsaw to fly back to Nigeria.

Source: BBC

By: Dawda Baldeh

The speaker of the National Assembly has revealed that over fifty-three (53) bills were enacted by the House of parliament between 2017 to February 2022. Mariam Jack Denton was speaking to lawmakers during the last Ordinary Session of the Fifth Legislature. 

She used the opportunity to commend the National Assembly members for their commitment to serving the country to the best of their abilities. Adding that the National Assembly has made tremendous progress in various areas in the development of the country. 

The fifty-three bills include the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2017; Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission Act, 2017; Constitutional Review Commission Act, 2017; Forest Act, 2018; Maritime Zones Act, 2019; Women Enterprises Fund Act, 2020; Petroleum Commission Act, 2021; Persons with Disabilities Act, 2021; National Assembly Service Act, 2021; National Health Insurance Act, 2021, and most recently The Public Service Pensions Act, 2022.

Speaker Jack Denton further stated that Parliament during the Fifth Legislature witnessed the tabling of the Constitution (Promulgation) Bill, 2020 (in other words the CRC Draft Constitution) by the Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Justice in 2020. 

However, she said the document stalled in Parliament at the Second Reading Stage. Adding that government may decide to come back to Parliament to continue the process of promulgating a new Constitution for the Republic.

She further noted that the Legislature also witnessed the tabling of three (3) Member’s Bills and enacted two of them whilst the other one tabled failed to pass through the second reading stage. 

“This is unprecedented in the history of the National Assembly as only one Member’s Bill was ever introduced and passed in the National Assembly. The Parliament has also facilitated and confirmed appointments to the National Human Rights Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Judicial Service Commission,” she said.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) has announced that Gambia will conduct the West Africa Senior School Examination Certificate (WASSCE) and The Gambia Basic Education Certificate Examination (GABECE) as planned. 

It can be recalled that last week the permanent Secretary Louis Moses Mendy told lawmakers that the country may not conduct the WASSCE and GABECE due to the arrears the country owes the examination body. 

In a press release dated 28th February 2022, the ministry informed the public that the examination will be conducted. 

“Regional Education Directorates, School Principals, Parents, Students and the Public are hereby informed that the Gambia will conduct the 2022 GABECE and WASSCE as planned,” the press release said. 

It further reveals that the development came following a successful virtual meeting held on Friday, 25th February 2022 amongst stakeholders including the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and the West African Examination Council during which the issue of arrears was amicably resolved.

“MoBSE would like to thank the leadership of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, WAEC and all other stakeholders for their continuous support, understanding and partnership. The Gambia Government through Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is committed to continuously improving quality education service delivery.”

By: Dawda Baldeh

Gambian Migrant Returnees from Libya have on Sunday 27th February 2022 formed a migrant returnees association and selected executive members to handle the day to day running of the association. This was done at a meeting held at Sanchaba Touba, West Coast Region. 

The association is expected to look at the welfare of migrant returnees in The Gambia and also advocate for the freedom of stranded Gambian migrants in Libya especially those in prisons and those who are willing to come back home. 

Various speakers commended the migrant returnees for the initiative, noting that it will make the work easy for both the government and the migrants themselves. 

Speaking on behalf of the Foreign Affairs minister, Musa Camara said the formation of the association is timely. 

“This is brilliant, it will help the government to combat irregular migration. The ministry will empower you (migrant returnees) in various areas. You left this country in search of greener pasture, but it was unfortunate that you couldn’t make it there,” he said. 

He further noted many people have returned home voluntarily but they never came up with the idea of forming an association that will advocate for the welfare of migrants. He expressed hope that the association will bring changes to the country. 

“Government can help an individual, but it is easier when you have an association like this. This will bring unity and strength,” he noted.

“I have heard about the challenges that Gambians are facing in Libya. To make this easy, we need a diplomatic representative in Libya that will help to address some of the challenges,” he said. 

Mr Camara further assured the association that the ministry will help to address their concerns. 

Yahya Jambang, president of the association gave an account of how the association was formed.

 “We returned from Libya five months ago. We promised our brothers in Libya that when we return we will form an association that will serve as a link between the government and the Gambian migrants in Libya,” he said. 

According to him, the association will advocate and promote the welfare of Gambian migrants in Libya and also help to facilitate their return through the support of the government. 

“We want to use the association to help and rescue our brothers in Libya. We know the government cannot give all of us money but we want them to help us to learn skills and those of us who already have skills we want the government to help us with loans to start businesses,” he said.

The Association elected Yahya Jambang as its President, Abdurahmane Keita as Vice President, Musa Seckan as its Secretary and Falagie Drammeh Program Coordinator among several other executive members.

Kemo Bojang, Kanifing Municipal Youth leader thanked the returnees for the initiative and assured them of the council’s support to the association. He said the council will help the returnees to register the association and will also help them to acquire loans and grants. 

These migrants returned from Libya voluntarily due to the challenges they encountered while others are still in Libya and are willing to return but lack the opportunity.

Two Senegalese Nationals engaged in illicit drug trafficking ran out of luck when they were clutched by DLEAG operatives at Yelli Tenda checkpoint in the Lower River Region. The duo were found in possession of two separate suit cases filled with suspected cannabis sativa that were wrapped with brown papers and concealed in plastic papers.

Saikou Omar Sanneh and Bamba Badjie were traveling from the Southern Senegalese region of Cassamance to the Northern part. Saikou Omar Sanneh is an adult male Senegalese National residing at Tankorong village in Cassamance. He claims to be a Farmer. 25 years old Bamba Badjie on the other hand claims to be a driver and he is a resident of Goudoump village in Cassamance.

The duo were apprehended on the 26 February 2022 around 11:30 AM onwards at Yelli Tenda checkpoint in the Lower River Region.

Saikou Omar Sanneh was arrested with ten big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa concealed in a black and red coloured suitcase and Bamba Badjie was also arrested with ten (10) big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa concealed in a brown and red coloured suitcase

The duo are presumed custody helping the officers in their investigations.

Credit: DLEAG

Ousman Sowe, the Director General (DG) of the country’s State Intelligence Service (SIS) has been unanimously re-nominated as the Chair of the 15 Regional Member Services of ECOWAS.

The SIS will Chair and coordinate the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) in the West Africa region 2022-23. DG Sowe was unreservedly re-nominated at a virtual zoom meeting held on February 25, 2022 hosted by the SIS.

The Gambia, since President Adama Barrow was elected as President in 2017 continues to gain more international recognition. Recently, The Gambia also assumed the position of President of the ECOWAS Commission. It is the first time in the history of the ECOWAS Commission that The Gambia will occupy the presidency.

DG SIS is unanimously endorsed and re-nominated by 13 of the 15 Member Intelligence Services of West Africa. The member service said they are reposing their confidence in the SIS DG to Chair because of his exemplary leadership and stewardship of CISSA West Africa from during the difficult times of 2019 to 2021.”

It could be recalled that the SIS was first selected as Chair of the Region in June 2019, when the service hosted a regional meeting in Banjul and again in 2021 when it again hosted a regional conference.

In his acceptance statement, SIS DG Sowe recommitted to work harder and get better as the challenges ahead are not going to be lesser, hence urging regional member Services of the Continental body to get better and stronger.

He further urged CISSA West Africa members to work closely and provide timely actionable Intelligence to the political leaders and decision makers. He also said he is willing to work with his colleagues and the ECOWAS Commission towards addressing the myriad of challenges confronting the sub region of West Africa.

“The SIS Gambia feels very encouraged by the re-nomination as Chair of the region which is yet another testimony to the trust and credibility that the SIS is registering not only inside the Gambia but also among regional services and beyond,” he posited

The SIS, he went on, thanked The Gambia government, the general public and indeed the West African region for the support, trust and encouragement whilst ensuring its commitment to deliver to the highest level in all its obligations in national, regional, continental and international peace and security affairs.

Citizens’ Alliance (CA) Party candidate in the upcoming National Assembly Elections Raffie Diab has officially withdrawn his bid to contest as an aspirant for the Bakau Constituency. He made this public on his official facebook page.

“It is with sadness and regret that I announce my withdrawal as aspirant for the Bakau Constituency in the upcoming National Assembly elections. I just learnt today that under the Gambian Constitution, I am not eligible to contest the National Assembly Elections as I have dual nationality.

This is a provision of  the 1997 Constitution, the supreme law of the land and leaves me with no option but to withdraw my bid for the Bakau Constituency seat,” Diab wrote

He further wished all the CA aspiring candidates the best of luck and promised to work tirelessly to support their campaigns.

“I will not relent on my quest for a better Gambia for generations to come,” he said.

By: Dawda Baldeh

The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in partnership with the International Development Research Centre has on Friday 25th February 2022 trained 30 female Home Economics teachers from different schools to make re-usable sanitary pads. The training was held at the Region 1 Educational Directorate in Kanifing. 

The teachers are expected to teach students in schools how to make these pads. This is expected to ensure the sustainability and affordability of sanitary pads.

Making her statement during the training Dr. Phebian Ina Grant-Sagnia Principal Coordinator said that there exists a gap between parents and their children in the area of addressing reproductive health issues.

She noted that the communication barrier between parents and their children is among the challenges affecting girls when it comes to understanding their menstrual cycle. This she said needs to be addressed.

 “Parents are not communicating to their grown-up children and the children are also not communicating to their parents about reproductive health. I call on the participants to make the best use of the knowledge and skills gathered during the training to help their colleagues and girls. You should go and train others on how they can make their own pads,” she said.

She told reporters that during their findings they realised that most of the girls don’t know their menstruation cycle. Adding that most parents find it difficult to communicate with their children about reproductive health. 

Ms. Fatoumatta Jabbi-Gassama, CEO and Founder of Girls Pride, thanked the organisers of the training and expressed hope that the skills and knowledge that the participants gained will go a long way in addressing girls menstruation challenges in schools and at home. 

“I want to encourage the participants to help others by teaching them how to make their own sanitary pads at home,” she said. Adding that the training is life-saving. “Each girl should make pads for herself and her friends that’s how we can assist one another,” she noted. 

Michelle A Mendy gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the trainees. She expressed their gratitude to the organisers, indicating that the training is timely and will help them as teachers to spread the knowledge among their students.

“We can not thank you enough. You have shown us how to take care of ourselves and our students,” Mendy said 

The training ended with a certification exercise.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad has launched diplomatic engagements with the Kingdom of Morocco and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on possible evacuation plans and possibilities of providing consular and humanitarian assistance to Gambians in Ukraine. 

This is in direct response to the recent political and military tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

“The Gambia Government hereby informs the general public that the Embassy of The Gambia in Brussels is in touch with the Executive of the Gambian Students Association in Ukraine. It has been confirmed by the Mission in Brussels that about Forty-Eight (48) Gambian Nationals are currently in Ukraine, (mostly students), this number is expected to increase,” a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry reads. 

It further notes that similar diplomatic démarches (actions) are ongoing with European Union Member States bordering Ukraine.

“Having due regard to the safety of our nationals, an exit and evacuation plan has been put in place and the Gambians in Ukraine are already following the referred plan,” the ministry assures.

It emphasised that The Gambia Government is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of its citizens and calls on Gambians in Ukraine to follow the safety instructions of the Ukrainian authorities under the circumstances and remain in touch with our Embassy in Brussels. 

Families of the Gambians in Ukraine have been urged to remain calm as Government does the necessary to provide all necessary assistance. A hotline has also been made available for ease of access to information by Gambians in Ukraine as well as their families in The Gambia 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs – (220) 7709165/3809312 ) Email: [email protected]

Ukraine’s honorary consul in Guinea has been suspended for “gross negligence” for urging the junta to make clear its position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Charles Amara Sossoadouno, a Guinean citizen, had made the call on social media in the hours after the invasion began on Thursday. 

Guinea’s Foreign Minister Morissanda Kouyaté said the decision to suspend him was taken at a later crisis meeting about the conflict, where the situation for around 800 Guineans living in Ukraine was also discussed.

He said Col Mamady Doumbouya, Guinea’s interim president, wanted all necessary measures to be taken to support them. 

No more was said about the conflict.

Like Mali and Burkina Faso, Guinea had been suspended from the West African body Ecowas following a military takeover, which took place last September.

Col Doumbouya has since set up a transitional government, promising to hand over to civilian rule.

BBC

By Amara Thoronka

The Republic of The Gambia has pledged its support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the bid of the Arab nation to host Expo 2030.

Expos are global events dedicated to finding solutions to fundamental challenges facing humanity by offering a journey inside a chosen theme through engaging and immersive activities. Organised and facilitated by governments and bringing together countries and international organisations (Official Participants), these major public events are unrivalled in their ability to gather millions of visitors, create new dynamics and catalyse change in their host cities.

Gambia’s support to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host the event was disclosed in a visit of the Saudi Minister of State for African Affairs, Ahmed Khattan, visited Gambian President Adama Barrow at his State House Office.

The Saudi African Affairs Minister expressed thanks and appreciation for the support of the Gambian Government and people in their quest to host the event, noting that such a support justifies the good relationship between both countries.

“President Barrow and I have discussed the issues to enhance our bilateral relationship. At the same time, I want to thank the President and the people of Gambia for supporting us to host Expo 2030”

Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, hailed the tie between Saudi Arabi and The Gambia, emphasizing that The Gambia fully backs Saudi Arabia in its bid.

“This one centers around many issues aiming at strengthening the very strong bilateral ties between The Gambia and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the close door discussion, Gambia assured Saudi Arabia of its support for them to host Expo 2030”

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is on a campaign tour to seek the support of nations to actualize its Expo 2030 hosting bid.

Five countries have submitted competing candidatures to organize World Expo 2030: Russia (in Moscow), the Republic of Korea (in Busan), Italy (in Rome), Ukraine (in Odesa) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (in Riyadh).

The project examination phase for World Expo 2030 will take place in 2022 and 2023, with each candidate submitting a detailed candidature dossier, and the BIE organising Enquiry Missions and assessing the feasibility and viability of each candidature project.

The host country of World Expo 2030 will be elected by BIE Member States gathered in a General Assembly set to take place in late 2023, on the principle of one country, one vote.

The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is the intergovernmental organisation in charge of overseeing and regulating World Expos, since 1931. It currently has 170 countries as members.