By Dawda Baldeh

Tanzanian international singer and songwriter Diamond Platnumz will perform live in The Gambia on Saturday at the Independence Stadium.

During his press conference with journalists earlier Saturday, he promised to work with any Gambian artist who want to work with him.

He said his main target is to represent Africa. At the same time, he promised to give his best at the show.

“I am very glad to be in Gambia and I will give you long hours of performance as long as you are not tired,” he said. “My goal is to represent the whole of Africa in the Music industry.”

According to him, he has won about seventy (70) individual awards in the music.

By Dawda Baldeh

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Gambia Hassan B. Jallow has on Wednesday 17 of December 2021, invited all parties involved in the ongoing court case to a status conference at his chamber in Banjul on Monday to discuss road way of the case.

The top justice made this known on Friday as UDP election petition case began.

The case was however adjourned to Tuesday amid a motion filed by President Barrow’s lawyers that a sitting president can’t be sued.

Speaking at the court, Jallow called on all the lawyers to work together for the best interest of the public.

By Matty Senghore

Interior Minister Yankuba Sonko has stated that they have observed that Gambian youth particularly girls are increasingly engaged in the abuse of controlled drugs.

Mr Sonko stated this on Wednesday during the public destruction of various drugs worth over 100 million dalasis.

He said: “We have observed that young people particularly girls are increasingly engaged in the abuse of control drugs. Most of them are influenced by life styles they show in the internet.

“The best way to reverse this trend is to counter the impression given to this young people and guide through career guidance and counselling schemes. This everyone can do to support the course.”

A 10-year-old boy accidentally shot a 12-year-old girl in Lamin Babylon on Thursday, police have confirmed.

Reports emerged of a minor getting shot in Lamin on Thursday.

Police said on Friday: “The Crime Department of the Gambia Police Force has opened investigations into a shooting incident that occurred at Lamin Babylon on Thursday 16th December 2021.

“Police Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) visited the scene of Crime for the desired scene  documentation and analyses.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that, one Abdou Njie a 73-year-old man (hunter), visited a home in Lamin Babylon to market his carcass.

“He left his loaded hunting gun unattended during a brief marketing transaction in the compound with a customer.

“During his brief absence, a 10-year-old boy took the loaded gun and by fidgeting, pulled the trigger leading to inadvertent firing of a gun shot.

“The apparent accidental gun shot led to the eventual death of a 12-year-old girl.

“Meanwhile, investigators are probing into the circumstances of the death to establish possible criminal responsibilities.”

By Matty Senghore

Drug Law Enforcement Agency Gambia this week held public drug destruction exercise where its director general Bakary Gassama revealed the drugs destroyed are valued at 109 million dalasis.

“We are about to witness the destruction of 4ton,607kg, 700 of Cannabis, 238kg, 264g of Cannabis Resin (Hashish) 17g of Heroine52kg,13g, 00mg of Cocaine. The street value of these drugs stands at hundred and nine million five hundred and twenty-nine thousand and seventy dalasi (D109, 529, 070.00). this is equivalent to two million one hundred and six thousand three hundred and twenty-eight dollars and seventy-seven cents (USD 2, 106, 328.27),” Mr Gassama said during the event held at Old Cape Road on Wednesday. Gassama said public drug destruction is a practice that demonstrates accountable governance in law enforcement in the management of drug exhibits.

Abdoulie T.B. Jarra, permanent secretary ministry on interior and DLEAG member who represented MR Gaye Sowe the chairman of DLEAG board of governors said the use of illicit drugs has negatively impacted the lives of youth.

“Drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking has enormous negative impact on our youth. Young people are deceived into believing that they can get their way through drugs and abandon education to venture in to drug abuse and petty trading of drugs, thus ending up in the streets. There is also clear indication that illicit drugs are adversely impacting on the demand for public health as most of the psychiatric admission in this country,” he said.

Top Imam Abdoulie Fatty has stated categorically that only Allah can make one president and no one else as he explained how Sheriff Dibba could not become president despite his popularity among voters.

In his Friday sermon, the former State House Imam insisted Allah gives leadership to whomsoever he wants.

Imam Fatty said: “We have to pay attention to our faith all the time. Faith increases but also decreases. The most difficult of faith is what has happened or yet to happen. What Allah says is what will happen and what he does he does it emphatically. Before say we should not say it.

“Being leader is Allah’s. He gives it to whomsoever he wants and not what people want. People will like someone but God has not made him a leader. He will not be able to be it (president). Sheriff Mustapha Dibba was very popular. There was a year when people almost lifted him along with his car. He lived until he died and could not be president. Was that what many wanted then? No.

“It was Jawara that Allah made the leader. May Allah forgive the both of them. Yahya Jammeh was president for 22 years. People tried everything, through election they could not remove him. Through the gun they could not remove him. Through lies they could not remove him.

“When Allah said he would go, didn’t he leave? Few things were the reason. He insulted a particular tribe and that tribe got angry and Allah got angry. He also said female genital mutilation is not in the Quran. When he started saying these things, Allah left his side and stripped him of being leader. No one can make you president except Allah. Allah gives leadership to whomever he wants. So all of you talking, tell me Allah did not say this?”

Mamma Kandeh has issued a statement thanking Gambians over their support but also the maturity they have shown in the December 4 presidential election.

The GDC leader’s statement issued on Friday reads: “On behalf of the Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC), I wish to express my profound appreciation of the peaceful conduct of the just concluded December 4, 2021 Presidential elections. I must say that, I am highly elated by the maturity and disposition for peace exhibited by Gambians and the attendant peaceful manner in which the process of voting was carried out without any iota of violence.

“I am particularly grateful to all those who in various exceeding ways gave their weight to the GDC during the very tasking campaign period. I therefore wish to extend my gratitude to all the GDC party militants both at home and in the diaspora who worked tirelessly in support of our party; the two independent candidates – Mr. Nyang and Lawyer Assan Martins for their steadfastness in rallying behind our party, the various people involved in the GDC/GAP/APRC-No-Alliance group, the Women’s Wing of the GDC, the youth, and all Gambians and allied friends who expressed their support and solidarity for the GDC during the campaigns, ipso facto, making our campaign-outings a landmark one.

“I also thank the various political parties for their commitment to peace and order throughout the campaign period. I am deeply grateful to all religious leaders, civil society groups, organizations and individuals who preached the message of peace ahead of the Presidential elections. Very importantly, I must thank the members of the Gambian security force, especially, the Inspector-General of Police. I wish to specially note that the PIU team that was attached to our party during the campaign period did a great job as they carried out their duties in a very professional and brilliant manner. Indeed, and in truth, they did a very wonderful job.

“I wish to reassure all Gambians that we of the GDC will continue to work towards a peaceful Gambian society in line with our mission and mandate of, ‘One Gambia, One People! I sincerely thank you all.”

Ahmad Gitteh has said it is a little late for UDP leader Ousainou Darboe to ask his supporters to stop engaging in extremist behavior.

Darboe furiously lashed at a UDP supporter Lamin Darboe who called for a Rwanda-style civil war in The Gambia. Darboe said the imbecile is the worst citizen ever.

But Ahmad Gitteh said: “A little too late for Darboe. This should have started in 2019, 2017, when UDP guys were going after every single individual that disagrees with Darboe and his leadership philosophy.

“I listen to his audio where he is taking about the guy who said ‘we will turn Gambia, we will burn Gambia like Rwanda’.

“Bakary Trawally said on several occasions ‘we’re going to burn markets, we will burn ministers’ houses, we will kill ministers’. Bakary Trawally in the United States, an associate of the UDP, 100% UDP. Ousainou is aware of that.

“But then he thought whatever they do is only getting him popularity and intimidation and that is what is going to get Ousainou to power. And now that he has lost that, now that he has lost every credibility, he is trying to restore…”

Team Sobeyaa prominent member Ahmed Manjang has said Essa Faal made a mistake in going to UDP leader Ousainou Darboe’s house and rejecting the election result.

“We all makes mistakes and he signed. That very night, he realized that there was a mistake. I personally point it out to him,” Manjang told The Fatu Network. According to Mr Manjang, Essa was invited to Darboe house.

UDP has rejected the poll accusing President Barrow of bribing voters but Manjang said: “Why they didn’t complain about those issues before?

“I don’t know what they mean by bribery but if you say jindi bali (cooking pot) to communities, that exactly what UDP [itself] was doing.

“I have seen their seeds they distributed to women vegetable gardeners in Gunjur and we also gave some football jerseys.”

Youth Minister Bakary Badjie has congratulated Ousman Touray on his notable success of being crowned the Young Pan Africanist of the Year 2021.

Mr Touray won the Africa Illustrious Award as the Young Pan Africanist of the Year 2021 at an event held in Nigeria recently.

Minister Badjie said: “Received gratifying news that Gambia’s own fine young man Ousman Touray has won the Africa Illustrious Award as the Young Pan Africanist of the Year 2021.

“Mr. Touray is among distinguished Africans who had their work of creating a better, and promoting a brighter Africa recognized at the continental event held in Lagos, Nigeria.

“On behalf of the Ministry and government, I wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ousman and wish him continued success in his work in the continent.”

By: Christian Conteh

Ahead of the UN-backed Global Disability Summit to be co-hosted by Ghana and Norway in February 2022 the United Nations Secretary-General has called for a disability-inclusive pandemic response to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic. According to António Guterres, those with a disability are among the hardest hit by the pandemic.

“COVID-19 has laid bare the persistent barriers and inequalities faced by the world’s one billion persons with disabilities”, he said.

Mr. Guterres argued that a disability-inclusive pandemic response and recovery should be guided by persons with disabilities themselves.
The response he further noted should, “forge partnerships, tackle injustice and discrimination, expand access to technology and strengthen institutions to create a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”

According to the UN, about 80% of persons with disabilities live in developing countries with an estimated 46% of people aged 60 years and over having one form of disability. One in every five women is likely to experience disability in her life, while for children, that figure is one in ten.

To respond to the needs of these people, the UN Secretary-General urged all countries to fully implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Governments, he said, should also work to increase accessibility, and dismantle legal, social, economic and other barriers with the active involvement of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations.

“Realizing the rights, agency, and leadership of persons with disabilities will advance our common future”, he argued.

Adding that, “we need everyone, including persons with disabilities on board, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Audrey Azoulay is Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) speaking about the digital world she narrated how the pandemic has battered those with disabilities.

“As part of our lives moved online, confinement measures have brought to the fore another series of inequalities affecting people with disabilities: the inequalities relating to technology and the digital world,” she said.
According to the latest Education Monitoring Report, only 68% of countries have a definition of inclusive education and just 57% mention all the multiple marginalised groups.

For Azoulay, these are some of the issues that should be discussed at the next UN-backed Global Disability Summit.

By Dawda Baldeh

Hearing in United Democratic Party’s petition against the December 4 election has been adjourned amid an application seeking the dismissal of the petition by lawyers of President Adama Barrow.

UDP sued the president at the Supreme Court over the December 4 presidential election, asking the top court to declare as invalid the poll over alleged bribery and non-citizens voting.

The case began on Friday but was adjourned amid a motion by President Barrow’s lawyers led by Ida Drammeh.

The lawyers are arguing that President Barrow cannot be taken to court both in his official or private capacities.

Lawyers on both sides are now set to fight over motion on Tuesday.

The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, on Wednesday 15 December, 2021 made a courtesy call on the privately-owned The Point newspaper where he worked as news editor for both the English and French versions of the paper until 2005.

Minister Tangara was received upon arrival by the Managing Director and Co-founder of The Point newspaper, Mr. Pap Saine, accompanied by the Editor-in-Chief of the paper, Mr. Bekai Njie.

The Honourable Minister was at The Point newspaper offices at the Centenary building in Westfield to pay homage to the legacy of the late Mr. Deyda Hydara, Co-founder and Editor of The Point newspaper until his assassination on 16 Dec, 2004. This year, 16 Dec, 2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of The Point newspaper and the 17th anniversary of the murder of Deyda Hydara.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Tangara said The Point newspaper played a significant role in the transformation of The Gambia to democratic rule. The paper created space where the voiceless people were heard and suggestions were recommended with a view to addressing challenges in governance. Many young people were inspired and had their lives shaped by this institution, he added.

“The Point has contributed a lot to not only the lives of individuals but even in broadening the democratic space here in The Gambia. The Point started operating during times, when many people would not speak. Today, everybody is courageous; everybody speaks his mind. But difficult times when many of those who are very vocal today did not have the courage to speak, The Point was here to make the voice of the people loud and clear,” Minister Tangara noted.

Dr. Tangara recalled that his stint at The Point was well spent and made great impact on his life as a young man. “At personal level it was a fulfilling journey, where I met great people like the late Deyda Hydara, from Pap Saine to the late J. Saidy and so many other people. I think, as a person, it helped me to widen my horizon and to know that when you have willed, you can achieve a lot, because with the little resources, The Point is doing miracles.

The Hon. Minister also used the opportunity to call on cub reporters to stay focus and indulge in capacity building activities and to maintain high sense of team work, unity and be result oriented.

For his part, the Managing Director and Co-founder of The Point newspaper, Mr. Pap Saine, commended Foreign Minister Tangara for honouring the legacy of Mr. Hydara and also for support and encouragement given during the difficult days and years following the murder of Mr. Hydara. “He has always been supportive to our cause and we are grateful for that,” Mr. Saine posited.

According to Mr. Saine, Tangara is the pride of The Point. “He worked here and we trained him and that is something we are proud of,” said Mr. Saine.

As the year ends, the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) has encouraged taxpayers including those with outstanding Trade Licence invoices and property owners to settle their 2021 tax arrears. This according to KMC will ensure they avoid fines and court summons.

“Canteen and Kiosk leaseholders are kindly urged to pay by end of the year or they risk a fine being added to their balance and being taken to court for default and could lose their lease. Businesses with outstanding Trade Licence invoices are urged to pay by the end of the year. In doing so, they avoid receiving summons to go to court and penalties being added to the sum owed,” the KMC statement said

Adding that, “Property Owners are urged to pay their rates and outstanding arrears or risk being served summons to court and a fine being added to their arrears.”

It went on to thank the huge majority of taxpayers for paying their taxes on time. Noting that everyone needs to pay taxes for the development of Kanifing Municipality and better facilities and services.

The statement added that not everyone is paying and it is only fair that everyone pays so that there is equitable access to amenities and proper service delivery.

“Please note that if you are absent, your property whether it is rented out or left vacant, you have to inform KMC and ensure that rates are paid. You can lose your property if you do not keep up with payments to Council, whether or not you appear in court,” the statement maintained.

The World Bank Board has approved an International Development Association (IDA) grant of $75 million to improve natural resources governance, enhance inclusiveness and promote sustainability of development financing. This Development Policy Operation (DPO) is the first in a series of three operations focusing on Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Financing, aimed at supporting the government’s efforts to build the foundations for a robust, inclusive, and sustainable economic recovery from the pandemic.

“The World Bank continues to be an active partner in supporting Sierra Leone’s recovery from severe shocks in the aftermath of the Ebola Virus Disease, and the current COVID-19 pandemic,” said Abdu Muwonge, World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone. “We stand ready to further support the Government of Sierra Leone to transform the economy, make it resilient to shocks while improving the well-being of the Sierra Leonean people.”

Sierra Leone faces major economic and social challenges, including substantial gender gaps, that lead to low human development outcomes. The country’s growth potential has been constrained by limited spillovers from the mining sector, and poor access by the population to financial services, natural resources (such as, land and minerals), and high-quality education.

The reforms supported by this DPO address some of the most critical structural impediments to raising potential output and improving resource allocation in key sectors of the economy and are well-anchored in Sierra Leone’s Medium-term National Development Plan (MTNDP, 2018–2023). This DPO supports the Government’s efforts to build the foundations for a robust and inclusive economic recovery from the pandemic and promote sustainable development financing of the Budget.

In the short term, the operation will help the government close the country’s large financing gap, as it emerges from the pandemic. It supports policy reforms under three pillars: improving natural resources governance through land and mining reforms; enhancing inclusion through reforms to support women’s economic participation, access to quality education and financial inclusion; and ensures sustainable development financing through measures to improve fiscal sustainability and debt transparency and management.

This DPO will address poor governance of the mining and land sectors, limited access to financial services, limited job creation, and the quality of education.  As the COVID-19 shock has eroded the country’s fiscal position, this DPO proposes reforms that will help minimize the immediate tradeoff between supporting the economy and maintaining fiscal sustainability.

It aims to improve fiscal and debt sustainability and address weaknesses in the public procurement process. By addressing regulatory issues in the land and mining sectors, this DPO is expected to help mitigate climate risks through progressive afforestation of mining sites, protection of forest reserves, improved environmental standards and community involvement in managing the environment.

“This Operation builds on previous development policy engagement in Sierra Leone, while also introducing new elements. It has a direct connection with the previous DPO series (“Productivity and Transparency Support Grant” over the period 2017-2020) and continues two policy reforms –the mineral and mines and lands reforms – whose implementation was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Kemoh Mansaray, Senior Economist and Task Team Leader.

The financing by this DPO closes a critical fiscal gap essential for maintaining macroeconomic stability during the pandemic.

The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve poor people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 76 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa.

Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.6 billion people who live in IDA countries. Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 113 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $21 billion over the last three years, with about 61 percent going to Africa.

Source: World Bank SL Media

The United Democratic Party’s petition against the December 4 election result will come up at the Supreme Court on Friday at 10am.

UDP has filed a petition at the apex court seeking the court to cancel the December 4 poll for alleged bribery and non-citizens voting in the election.

UDP is being led into the battle by top lawyer Borry Touray.

President Adama Barrow and the Independent Electoral Commission are the respondents and The Fatu Network understands the president will be defended by top attorneys Ida Drammeh, Chris Mene and Sheriff Tambadou.

The four PIU officers arrested by the Gambian navy onboard a canoe have been released, the spokesman of the army Captain Malick Sanyang has said.

Four PIU officers were on Wednesday arrested along with two foreign nationals onboard a canoe.

Reports on Wednesday said mercenaries had entered into the country with dangerous weapons but police quickly issued a statement dismissing the reports as false. Police said the two men were in fact private security officers who have been protecting a cruise ship against pirates.

Captain Sanyang told Paradise TV on Thursday: “This has been informed by the fact that disturbing information was received by the Gambian navy and as of yesterday in the morning, an operation was launched to go out at sea and then verify what information they received in terms of its veracity. When going at sea, the navy was able to capture a local canoe.

“After, an arrest was effected of that local canoe. It was discovered that there were two foreign nationals believed to be of European origin allegedly. And together with them were also four PIU officers who were also onboard the canoe with their personal rifles, and also the boatman who is also believed to be a Gambian.

“So when the arrest was effected, they were driven to the naval fleet complex which is situated in Banjul at Bond Road just close to the Gambia Ports Authority. But as of today, the PIU officers have been released, their statements were taken and they have been released. The two foreign nationals have also been held by the navy and their statements have also been taken.”

Youth leader Lamin K Saidy has gifted three sets of football jersey to the sport committee of his native Siffoe.

Mr Saidy presented the sport attires to the committee at an event held in Siffoe on Wednesday.

Speaking during the presentation, Mr Saidy praised the young people of Siffoe for exercising maturity during and after the election irrespective of their political differences.

“I presented this as a citizen of Siffoe and it bears no party symbol because sports is an activity that his supposed to unite people,” he said.

Saidy revealed that he wanted to donate the jerseys earlier but he held back to avoid claims he was doing so for political reasons. He thanked the minister of youth and sport Bakary Badjie for his efforts and commitment to the development of the nation’s youth.

Saidy is the deputy national youth president of National People’s Party.

The Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced arresting a tailor and retrieving suspected drugs from him.

According to DLEAG on Thursday, Ousman Joof, a tailor by profession was apprehended at Kololi with four small bundles and 20 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa.

DLEAG also said Omar Camara of Churchills Town was arresred at Ebo Town with 33 parcels of suspected cannabis sativa. Both suspects were arrested on the 15 December 2021.

DLEAG also said its Siffoe field office nabbed one Mustapha Darboe at Sinchu Wuri village on the 15 December 2021 around 20:50 GMT onwards with one big bundle of suspected cannabis sativa.

Kenya’s High Court has suspended a government order to prevent those who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from accessing services and entering public places such as national parks, bars and restaurants. The country announced last month it would require people to show vaccination certificates from December 21 to access in-person government services, including hospitals, schools, tax and immigration offices.

But on Tuesday, High Court Judge Antony Mrima suspended the order pending a hearing of the case filed by a businessman who termed the directive “tyrannical” and a gross violation of the constitution.

Campaigners, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have criticised the directive as discriminatory and urged the government to abandon the plan, which also requires visitors from Europe to provide proof of full vaccination.

“While the government has an obligation to protect its people from serious public health threats, the measures must be reasonable and proportional,” HRW said on Tuesday.

“Requiring proof of vaccination to access public services may act as a powerful incentive for people to get vaccinated, but the way it is carried out should also account for the numerous reasons that a person may not be able to receive the vaccine in time,” the rights watchdog added, noting that there was not enough stock to vaccinate all adults before the deadline.
Last October, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the lifting of a nationwide curfew that had been in place since March 2020.

“It is now time to shift our focus from survival to co-existing with the disease,” he said at the time. Kenya has fully vaccinated only 3.2 million people, or 12% of the adult population, according to official figures, well below the government target of 10 million by the end of 2021. Its target is to vaccinate 27 million people by the end of 2022.

But Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe defended the order on Sunday, saying it was the government’s duty to protect the rights of the vaccinated from exposure to infection.
“This is even more critical with the emergence of the Omicron variant. Experts have warned that it is more infectious than previous forms of the virus,” Kagwe said.

Kenya has recorded a total of 256,484 coronavirus cases, of which 5,349 have been fatal.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA