By Amara Thoronka

West African Examination Council (WAEC), the public exams conducting body in West Africa, has shown unwillingness to corporate with the Government of Sierra Leone led by President Julius Maada Bio in providing free electronic access to the 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results.

On Christmas Day [Saturday 25th December 2021] Sierra Leone’s Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh twitted:

“I did ask WAEC for the release of soft copies of the 2021 WASSCE results. They refused, claiming the data belongs to them and referred the matter to their Board which meets in January 2022. We have dispatched the hard copies to schools without analyses.”

Dr. Sengeh is a United States-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) trained expert with wide experience in information and communication technology, recognized globally.

It could be recalled that Dr. Sengeh and team, mid-2021, and for the first time in the history of Sierra Leone developed an electronic system that allowed for free, easy and quick access to results of this year’s National Primary School Examination (NPSE) – public exam for entrance to junior secondary school – and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) – public exam for entrance to senior secondary school.

This year, 124,541 candidates took the NPSE and 131,822 sat to the BECE. All were given the opportunity by the Ministry to freely and quickly access their results at the comfort of their homes by sending a free text message to 468 and in a few seconds the results popped up.

Parents and pupils were profoundly appreciative and thanked President Bio and Dr. Sengeh for removing the financial burden of paying approximately One Hundred Thousand Leones ($10) to purchase a WAEC scratch card to access the result of just one pupil.

In a letter dated 22nd October 2021, addressed to Dr. Sengeh, WAEC expressed dismay over the Minister’s intention to extend the same free electronic access to candidates who took the 2021 WASSCE.

“At a meeting of the Sierra Leone Examinations Committee (SLEC) of WAEC held recently in Freetown it was reported that the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Examination (MBSSE) had created an online result checker platform and displayed for free access by candidates for the 2021 NPSE and BECE, despite the existence of a functional WAEC Result Checker facility. The council has viewed this development as most inappropriate and deeply worrisome…” the letter noted.

“In view of the adverse implications, I wish to solicit your kind intervention, Honourable Minister, to immediately shut down the MBSSE result checker platform to prevent the danger it portends and facilitate necessary consultation between WAEC and MBSSE on the issue,” it urged.

The scratch card system to access results online was introduced in Sierra Leone in August 2008. It has been 13 years of generating huge money from poor parents. The price of scratch card increases every year. The usual modus operandi is that WAEC will upload on their portal results for the said public exams and inform candidates to access their results online by purchasing a WAEC scratch card.

The results will be on the portal for weeks before they are sent to the schools. This is reportedly to influence curious parents to buy WAEC scratch cards to know the performance of their children before the results are sent to the schools.

As Sierra Leoneans observe the issue between WAEC and the Ministry, many hold the view that the move of WAEC is a way to continue making huge money from the sale of scratch cards as usual, notwithstanding the high poverty rate in the country.

Pope Francis has urged world leaders to shun polarisation and try dialogue to heal a divided world. Pope Francis was speaking over the weekend whilst delivering his traditional Christmas message.

The Pope decried increasing polarisation in personal and international relationships, saying only dialogue can resolve conflicts ranging from family feuds to threats of war.

In his “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message, he called on individuals and world leaders to talk to each other rather than dig in their heels, a distancing he said has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our capacity for social relationships is sorely tried; there is a growing tendency to withdraw, to do it all by ourselves, to stop making an effort to encounter others and do things together,” he said from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica on a wet and windy Christmas in Rome.

“On the international level too, there is the risk of avoiding dialogue, the risk that this complex crisis will lead to taking shortcuts rather than setting out on the longer paths of dialogue. Yet only those paths can lead to the resolution of conflicts and to lasting benefits for all,” he said.

Francis, who turned 85 last week, listed conflicts, tensions or crises in Syria, Yemen, Israel, The Palestinian Territories, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Sudan, South Sudan and elsewhere.

“We continue to witness a great number of conflicts, crises and disagreements,” he said, speaking from the same balcony where he first appeared to the world as pope after his election on March 13, 2013.

“These never seem to end; by now we hardly even notice them. We have become so used to them that immense tragedies are now being passed over in silence; we risk not hearing the cry of pain and distress of so many of our brothers and sisters,” he said, speaking to an unusually small crowd reduced by COVID-19 restrictions and the weather to only several hundred.

He asked God to “give serenity and unity to families”, praising those who strive to keep them and communities together in such divisive times.

“Let us ask him for the strength to be open to dialogue. On this festive day, let us implore him to stir up in the hearts of everyone a yearning for reconciliation and fraternity,” he said.

He used the word “dialogue” 11 times in a speech of little more than two pages as he spoke to people huddled under rain parkas and umbrellas.

Francis asked God to “prevent fresh outbreaks of a long-festering conflict” in Ukraine, which has accused Russia of massing tens of thousands of troops in preparation for a possible large-scale military offensive.

Russia denies planning any attack and accuses Ukraine and the United States of destabilising behaviour, saying it needs security guarantees for its own protection.

He asked people not to be indifferent to the plight of migrants, refugees, the displaced, political prisoners and women victims of violence and urged leaders to protect the environment for future generations.

In his Christmas Eve Mass on Friday night in St. Peter’s Basilica, Francis said that people who are indifferent to the poor offend God, and urged all to “look beyond all the lights and decorations” and remember the neediest.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters)

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu, 90, has died in Cape Town, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in a statement on Sunday.

Alongside late Nelson Mandela, Tutu was one of the most important voices against the old system of white minority rule known as apartheid. The Anglican cleric also headed the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the post-apartheid era and was seen by many as the conscience of the troubled nation.

Tutu “died peacefully at the Oasis Frail Care Center in Cape Town this morning,” said Ramphela Mamphele, the acting chairperson of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu IP Trust and coordinator of his office. The statement, issued on behalf of Tutu’s family, did not provide details on the cause of death.

Tutu Praised as ‘Patriot Without Equal’

“Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation said, “His contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies. He was an extraordinary human being.”

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said, “He was a true humanitarian and a committed advocate of human rights.”

Pope Francis said in a statement issued by the Vatican that he was saddened to learn of the archbishop’s passing.

“Mindful of his service to the gospel through the promotion of racial equality and reconciliation in his native South Africa, his Holiness commends his soul to the loving mercy of Almighty God,” the statement read.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also offered his condolences, saying that Tutu had “made a decisive contribution to ending apartheid in South Africa.”

“He was a lifelong advocate of the principles of humanity, freedom and equality, and worked to bring about balance and reconciliation among people.”

“Especially at Christmas time and in view of his death, these are values that we particularly celebrate and hold dear,” Scholz added.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted Tutu “will be remembered for his spiritual leadership and irrepressible good humour.”

US President Joe Biden says he and his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, were “heartbroken” to hear about Tutu’s passing. “His legacy transcends borders and will echo throughout the ages,” the Bidens said.

“On behalf of the people of the United States, we send our deepest condolences to the people of South Africa who are mourning the loss of one of their most important founding fathers.”

Former US President Barack Obama said Tutu was “a moral compass for me and so many others.”

“A universal spirit, Archbishop Tutu was grounded in the struggle for liberation and justice in his own country, but also concerned with injustice everywhere,” Obama said on Twitter.

Queen Elizabeth II said the royal family was “deeply saddened” by news of Tutu’s passing and said the archbishop was a “man who tirelessly championed human rights in South Africa and across the world.

“I remember with fondness my meetings with him and his great warmth and humor,” the queen said in a statement.

Elections Like ‘Falling in Love’

Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his efforts in leading the non-violent struggle against apartheid.

While other leaders, like Mandela, were incarcerated, Tutu traveled and spoke widely, using his senior position in the Anglican Church and the esteem the Nobel Peace Prize brought to promote his anti-apartheid message worldwide and elevate the stories and lives of Black South Africans.

Following Mandela’s release from prison after 27 years, Tutu led him onto a balcony at Cape Town City Hall where Mandela delivered his first public speech.

Tutu likened voting in the country’s first democratic election in 1994 to “falling in love.” When Mandela was sworn in as the country’s first black president, Tutu was at his side.

The archbishop’s life was a testament to the hope and strength he placed on reconciliation in the divided nation, Ramaphosa said.

Dream of a ‘Rainbow Nation’

While Tutu preached against the tyranny of apartheid, he would go on to be just as critical of black political elites.

He even publicly criticized his ally Mandela over what the cleric describes as the “gravy train mentality” of Mandela’s party, the African National Congress. Later, Tutu would castigate Mandela for his open affair with Graca Machel, who Mandela would eventually marry.

In 2013, Tutu withdrew his support for Mandela’s party, describing South Africa as “the most unequal society in the world.”

In recent years, Tutu started to campaign in favor of the assisted dying movement.

“Dying people should have the right to choose how and when they leave Mother Earth,” he wrote in the Washington Post in 2016.

“I have prepared for my death and have made it clear that I do not wish to be kept alive at all costs.

Toward the end of his life, Tutu also spoke with regret that the dream of a true “rainbow nation” had yet to be realized.

Politician and fellow anti-apartheid activist Reverend Allan Boesak told DW that the archbishop acknowledged that his work was not yet complete.

“He knows that South Africa is still a society in which women are violently assaulted, we are still in many ways discriminating, despite our constitution, against LGBTQ persons. And so he would love for us, who are now living and taking up the baton and going forward with the struggle, to continue… because he knew the work is not done.”

Credit: DW

Around 8,000 flights were cancelled globally between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day as airlines experienced staff shortages due to COVID-19.

Approximately 3,000 of the cancelled flights were in or out of the United States, where the highly transmissible Omicron COVID variant is causing a surge in infections, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.com

The website’s tally showed 14,269 flights were delayed on Boxing Day, 3,099 were called off and of those, 1,369 were in the US.

As of 2.30am on Monday, 1,176 flights had already been cancelled around the world, with 268 of them being to or from the States. A total of 678 had been delayed.

The Christmas period is typically a peak time for travel but this year it has coincided with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, which has caused many airlines to cancel flights while pilots and cabin crew self-isolate.

A Delta spokesperson said on Sunday: “Winter weather in portions of the US and the Omicron variant continued to impact Delta’s holiday weekend flight schedule.”

They added the airline was working to “reroute and substitute aircraft and crews to get customers where they need to be as quickly and safely as possible”.

Infections have risen sharply in many parts of the US, with New York state’s health department warning it had recorded a “startling” four-fold increase in COVID-19 hospital admissions for children under 18 since the week beginning 5 December.

Several cruises have also been affected by COVID-19, according to multiple media reports.

Lawyer Malick F M’bai, co-managing partner of Fajara Chambers has been chosen as the winner of the Commercial Law Expert of 2021.

Mr M’bai was recognized as the commercial law expert of the year in The Gambia by the Leaders in Law Global Awards 2021.

Mr M’bai is a solicitor and barrister and Co-Managing Partner of the law firm of Fajara Chambers which was founded in 1995 by Senior Lawyer Ann Rivington, a UK qualified lawyer with over 40 years combined practice experience in the UK and The Gambia.

The Chambers are conveniently located at the Standard Chartered House, Kairaba Avenue, Kanifing Municipality, the heart of the commercial and financial district of The Gambia.

The practice has a wide client base of local and international corporate and private individual retained clients. This includes local and international manufacturers, international airlines, local and international NGO’s, international and locally owned hotels and tourist enterprises, financial institutions, diplomatic missions and international investors. The practice receives agency instructions from international law firms in Europe, USA, Africa as well as locally based clients.

The members of the Chambers have a combined practice experience of over 50 years of offering and delivering legal services and the practice has the capacity to undertake large and complex transactions handled with high professional and ethical standards and the delivery of high quality legal services. The Chambers is well known for its client orientated approach aimed at delivering professional legal services in an efficient, timely and cost effective manner.

Mr M’bai currently focuses on civil litigation, debt recovery, property and conveyance, private client care, banking, corporate and commercial transactions and documentation, tax, petroleum law, probate, estate administration and matrimonial causes.

By AFP

On Monday, December 27 after five years of work and at a cost of more than 1 billion U.S. dollars, Senegal’s capital city will finally welcome a new commuter railway line.

Politicians are lining up to extol the benefits of slashing journey times and decongesting Dakar once the gleaming TER regional express trains start to roll.

“I know that in Dakar, there has been controversy about the TER being behind schedule,” TER General Manager Frederic Bardenet explained. But this is not the case, we are almost breaking world records in terms of construction, in terms of completion of this project.”

The state-owned railway line is a key part of President Macky Sall’s plan to overhaul the nation’s infrastructure by 2035.

The new transport system is aimed at reducing journey times and also decongesting the city.

Traveling at up 160 kilometers per hour, the trains will ply the 36-kilometer route between Dakar and the new city of Diamniadio in about 20 minutes.

Tickets for the Dakar-Diamniadio stretch will cost 1,500 CFA francs (2.5 U.S dollars) in second class, and 2,500 francs (4.3 USD) in first.

The trains will carry 115,000 people per day, saving passengers hours otherwise spent in vehicular congestion.

SETER will use 15 four-car dual-mode trains with diesel and electric power, built by French company Alstom.

The TER stations will link up with express buses, which will operate on reserved lanes on a toll highway that has been operating for the last decade.

But thousands of residents claim they have not been properly compensated for homes and businesses that were demolished to make way for the project.

“We plan to block the start of the TER on the day of the inauguration to demand satisfaction for our grievances,” said Ibrahima Cisse, who leads a group of some 16,000 people who say they are owed money.

Many are also furious that the rehousing they were promised has not yet been completed.

Yatma Dieye of Apix told AFP that “98.8 percent of people affected by the project have been compensated.”

“Payments began in February 2017. Everything was transparent and done according to international standards,” he said.

The government says that almost everyone who is owed compensation has received it but accepts that some resettlements have not yet happened.

By AFP

Mali’s government has denied any deployment of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group following charges by a group of 15 Western powers involved in the fight against militants in the Sahel region.

The government “gives a formal denial to these baseless allegations” of “an alleged deployment of elements from a private security company in Mali,” it said in a statement released late Friday.

Mali’s government “demands that proof be brought to it by independent sources” and said “Russian trainers” were in Mali as part of strengthening the operational capacity of the national defense and security forces.

Bamako was “only involved in a state-to-state partnership with the Russian Federation, its historical partner”, said the statement signed by government spokesman Colonel Abdoulaye Maiga.

A group of 15 Western powers on Thursday expressed anger that Russian mercenaries working for the controversial Wagner group had started to deploy in Mali, accusing Moscow of providing material backing for the fighters.

General Saul Badjie has returned to The Gambia more than four years since he fled the country alongside former President Yahya Jammeh.

General Badjie accompanied former President Jammeh to Equatorial Guinea as the disgraced former dictator sought refuge there following his 2016 electoral loss.

Badjie who was the head of the republic national guard was Jammeh right-hand man but The Fatu Network understands Badjie grew frustrated living in Equatorial Guinea in the past months.

He returned to the country on Friday along with other guards following a request they put in asking the government to help in their return home.

Army spokesman Captain Malick Sanyang confirmed that Badjie is back home and are being processed by authorities.

His return comes the same day the Justice Ministry said in a statement that the TRRC said Badjie is responsible for the deaths of a number of citizens during former President Jammeh’s rule.

Desmond Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBT rights, has died aged 90.

Announcing the death, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said it was “another chapter of bereavement in our nation’s farewell to a generation of outstanding South Africans who have bequeathed us a liberated South Africa”.

An uncompromising foe of apartheid in South Africa, Tutu worked tirelessly and peacefully for its downfall.

The buoyant, blunt-spoken clergyman used his pulpit as the first black bishop of Johannesburg and later Archbishop of Cape Town as well as frequent public demonstrations to galvanise public opinion against racial inequity both at home and globally. Mr Ramaphosa added:

“From the pavements of resistance in South Africa to the pulpits of the world’s great cathedrals and places of worship, and the prestigious setting of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, the arch distinguished himself as a non-sectarian, inclusive champion of universal human rights.” Tutu died peacefully at the Oasis Frail Care Centre in Cape Town, the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Trust said in a statement on Sunday.

He had been treated in hospital several times since 2015, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997.

The trust’s statement added: “Typically, he turned his own misfortune into a teaching opportunity to raise awareness and reduce the suffering of others.

“He wanted the world to know that he had prostate cancer, and that the sooner it is detected the better the chance of managing it.”

Throughout the 1980s – when South Africa was gripped by anti-apartheid violence and a state of emergency giving police and the military sweeping powers – Tutu was one of the most prominent blacks able to speak out

Press Release

Following the conclusion of the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission’s (TRRC) work and the submission of its final report to His Excellency the President, The TRRC’s findings with regards to Criminal Liability for human rights violations and abuses are as follows:

1. All members of the Junta comprising Yahya AJJ Jammeh, Lt. Sana B. Sabally, Lt. Edward Singhatey, Lt. Sadibou Hydara, Lt. Yankuba Touray, and Lt. Peter Singhatey including their orderlies Private Baboucarr Njie aka Njie Ponkal, JCB Mendy, Mustapha Touray (Churro), Lamin Marong, Lamin Senghore (Pa Senghore/Assassin), Private Zackaria Darboe, Ensa Mendy and Jali Madi Suso are responsible for the torture and inhumane treatment of Capt. Momat Cham, AIG Ebrima Chongan and RSM Baboucarr Jeng at Mile II Central Prison on September 6, 1994.
2. Sanna Sabally and JCB Mendy are responsible for the torture of Political prisoners after 1994 coup particularly O.J Jallow. Yahya Jammeh also bears criminal responsibility for these crimes due to his failure as Commander in Chief to investigate and punish the perpetrators.
3. Yahya Jammeh, Capt. Sanna Sabally, Capt. Edward Singhatey, Capt. Sadibou Hydara, Capt. Yankuba Touray, Capt. Peter Singhatey, and Major Baboucarr Jatta together with their orderlies and security guards are responsible for the torture and inhumane treatment of soldiers arrested and detained at Yundum Barracks on November 11, 1994 and also unlawfully killed Lt. Gibril Saye, Lt. Abdoulie Bah “Achopin Chopin”, Lt. Bakary Manneh (“Nyancho”), Lt. Buba Jammeh, Lt. Momodou Lamin Darboe, Cadet Amadou Mbackeh Sillah, Lt. Abdoulie Dot Faal, Lt. Basiru Barrow, Fafa Nyang, Sgt Basiru Camara and E.M Ceesay.
4. Yahya Jammeh, Capt. Edward Singhatey together with their orderlies and security guards including Alhagie Martin and Lamin Senghore are responsible for the unlawful arrest, unlawful detention /imprisonment, torture and sexual violence of Sanna Sabally and Sadibou Hydara. Capt. Yahya Jammeh and Capt. Edward Singhatey are also responsible for the unlawful killing of Sadibou Hydara.
5. Yahya Jammeh, Capt. Edward Singhatey, Capt. Yankuba Touray, Capt. Peter Singhatey, Pte. Alhagie Kanyi, Pte. B.K Jatta and Pte. Pa Alieu Gomez are responsible for the unlawful killing of Ousman Koro Ceesay.
6. Yahya Jammeh and his State Guards personnel including Almamo Manneh (deceased), Bubacarr Bah, Musa Jammeh (Malia Mungu) (deceased), Sgt. Gomez (Hitler) and Kawsu Camara (Bombardier) were responsible for the persecution, sexual violence and torture of the PPP supporters, particularly OJ Jallow, Housainou Njai and MC Cham, who were arrested, mistreated and unlawfully detained at Fajara Barracks in 1995 and 1996.
7. As leaders of the group that went to the bridge, Edward Singhatey, Yankuba Touray and Peter Singhatey are responsible for the tortures of scores and the murder of two UDP supporters around Denton Bridge in Banjul sometime in December 1996. Yahya Jammeh also bears responsibility for these serious crimes of unlawful killings, persecution, torture and inhumane treatment of UDP supporters at the Denton Bridge in December 1996 due to failure to prosecute.
8. Yahya Jammeh is responsible for the persecution of Gambian journalists between 1994 to January 2017 by unlawfully arresting, harassing, detaining, deporting, torturing, forcing them into exile, killing and disappearing them.
9. Yahya Jammeh, Vice President Isatou Njie-Saidy and heads of the security agencies including Baboucarr Jatta (Fmr. Chief of Defence Staff), Ousman Badjie (Fmr. Minister of Interior), Baboucarr Sowe (Fmr. Crime Management Coordinator of the Police) and Momodou Ceesay of the PIU, along with Abdou Njie (Giri), Gorgui Mboob, Inspector Darboe, Modou Lamin Fatty, Abdoulie Bah, Modou Cham, Modou Gajaga, Cpl Lamin Camara, Capt. Wassa Camara bear responsibility for the killings of the 17 civilians on April 10 and 11, 2000
10. Yahya Jammeh bears responsibility for the killing of both Almamo Manneh and Momodou Dumbuya.
11. Yahya Jammeh, Tumbul Tamba, Alieu Jeng, Sanna Manjang, Malick Jatta, Manlafi Corr, Kawsu Camara (Bombardier) and Bai Lowe are responsible for the killing of Deyda Hydara.
12. Yahya Jammeh, Ousman Sonko, Tumbul Tamba, Sulayman Badije, Bai Lowe are responsible for the attempted murder of Lawyer Ousman Sillah.
13. Yahya Jammeh, Tumbul Tamba, Malick Jatta, Solo Bojang, Sanna Manjang and Alieu Jeng are responsible for the killing of Dawda Nyassi.
14. Yahya Jammeh, Tumbul Tamba, Solo Bojang, Malick Jatta, Sanna Manjang, and Alieu Jeng are responsible for the killing of Ndongo Mboob and the disappearance of Momodou Lamin Nyassi, and Bubai Sanyang.
15. perpetrators of the unlawful killing of Haruna Jammeh and Jasaja Kujabie are Yahya Jammeh, Tumbul Tamba, Solo Bojang, Sanna Manjang, Omar Jallow (Oya) and Alieu Jeng.
16. Yahya Jammeh, Tumbul Tamba, Solo Bojang, Sainey Jammeh, Yusupha Sanneh, Omar Jallow (Oya), Bora Colley , Michael Correa, Sanna Manjang, Michael Jatta, Nfansu Nyabally, Mustapha Sanneh, Ismaila Jammeh and Alieu Jeng are responsible for the unlawful killings of Daba Marena, Manlafi Corr, Ebou Lowe, Alpha Bah, Alieu Ceesay, Masi Jammeh and Julia Maku.
17. Yahya Jammeh, and Junglers Sanna Manjang, Musa Jammeh and Sulayman Sambou are responsible for the killing of Kajali Jammeh, Yamma Colley, Bai Dam, Sheikh Faal Pa Ous Jeng and three other unknown men suspected to be cattle rustlers.
18. Yahya Jammeh is responsible for the unlawful killing of Ceesay Bujiling.
19. Yahya Jammeh, Omar Jallow (Oya), Pa Ousman Sanneh, Mustapha Sanneh, Michael Jatta, Fansu Nyabally, Malick Manga, Sulayman Sambou, Momodou Jarju (Rambo) and Nuha Badjie are responsible for the unlawful killing of Baba Jobe.
20. Yahya Jammeh, Nuha Badjie, Momodou Jarju (Rambo), Lt. Mustapha Sanneh, Lt. Michael Correa, Lt. Michael Jatta, WO2 Nfansu Nyabally, Staff Sgt. Malick Manga, Staff Sgt. Omar Jallow (Oya), Staff Sgt. Sulayman Sambou, Lau Jarju and Suwandi Camara are responsible for the murder of Sulayman Ndow and Mahawa Cham.
21. Yahya Jammeh, Yankuba Badjie, Gen. Saul Badjie, Major Nuha Badjie, Capt. Momodou Jarju (Rambo), Lt. Mustapha Sanneh, Lt. Michael Jatta, WO2 Fansu Nyabally, WO2 Pa Sanneh, Staff Sgt. Amadou Badjie, Staff Sgt. Sulayman Sambou, Staff Sgt. Malick Manga, Staff Sgt. Omar Jallow (Oya) Lt. Michael Correa and Corporal Saikouba Jarju are responsible for the unlawful killing of Mamut Ceesay and Ebou Jobe
22. Yahya Jammeh, Yankuba Badgie, Gen. Saul Badgie, Lt. Col. Nuha Badjie, Capt. Momodou Jarjue (Rambo), Staff Sgt. Omar Jallow (Oya), Staff Sgt. Malick Manga Staff Sgt. Sulayman Sambou and Staff Sgt. Saikouba Jarju are responsible for the unlawful killing of Ndure Cham
23. Yahya Jammeh, Gen. Sulayman Badjie and Bora Colley bear joint responsibilty for the killing of Ello Jallow.
24. Yahya Jammeh, Gen. Saul Badjie, Nuha Badjie, Mustapha Sanneh, Momodou Jarjue (Rambo) , Nfansu Nyabally, Omar Jallow (Oya) and Sulayman Sambou are responsible for the murder of Mustapha Colley.
25. Yahya Jammeh, Gen. Saul Badjie, Sheikh Omar Jeng, Lt Col. Nuha Badjie, Major Momodou Jarjue (Rambo), Capt. Mustapha Sanneh, Capt. Michael Jatta, WO2. Fansu Nyabally, WO2. Malick Manga, Staff Sgt Sulayman Sambou. Sgt Omar Jallow (Oya), Staff Sgt Amadou Badjie, Major Sanna Manjang and Corporal Saikouba Jarju are responsible for the unlawful killing of Tumani Jallow and Abdoulie
26. Yahya Jammeh, Foday Barry, Salmina Drammeh, Lamin Babadinding Jobarteh, Mendy (first name unknown), Harry Sambou and Samsudeen Sarr are responsible for the tortures and inhumane and degrading treatment of Yaya Drammeh, Ballo Kanteh, Baldeh and Omar Dampha at the NIA Headquarters in Banjul and the unlawful killing of Yaya Drammeh who died at Mile II Central Prisons.
27. Yahya Jammeh, Tijan Bah, Baba Saho, Foday Barry, Ousman Jallow, Salmina Drammeh, Ousman Sowe, Edrissa Jobe (Alagie Morr) and Sukuta Jammeh (deceased) are responsible for the torture of Lt. Omar Darboe and Ebrima Barrow.
28. Yahya Jammeh is culpable together with Omar Cham as his superior for his failure to punish Omar Cham for the tortures that he committed against NAWEC staff between 2001 and 2003.
29. Yahya Jammeh and his band of Junglers including Manlafi Corr, Tumbul Tamba, Musa Jammeh, Michael Sang Correa, Momodou Jarjue (Rambo), Nuha Badjie, Mustapha Sanneh, , Malick Jatta, Amadou Badjie, Sanna Manjang, Omar Jallow (Oya), Nuha Badjie, Saikou Jallow, Solo Bojang, Bora Colley, Alagie Martin (eyes and ears of Yahya Jammeh) as well as the members of the Panel Foday Momodou Hydara, ASP Demba Sowe, Lamin Cham, Abdoulie Sowe, ASP Malamin Ceesay, Corporal Boto Keita, late Sgt Sainey Ndure, Yusupha Faye, N’fally Jabang, Ousman Bojang, CDS Lang Tombong Tamba, Fmr. IGP Ousman Sonko, Alagie Martin, Baba Saho, Foday Barry were responsible for the tortures of Bunja Darboe, Wassa Camara, Yaya Darboe, John Pierre Mendy, Pharing Sanyang, Momodou Babady Sarr, Momodou and Alieu Bah, and civilians namely Sheikh Omar Faal (Marabout), Alieu Jobe, Demba Dem and Tamsir Jasseh.
30. Yahya Jammeh and Lamin Darboe, Edrissa Jobe (Alagie Morr), Sheriff Wadda, Baboucarr Jallow, Baboucarr ARK Jallow, Samba Gajaga, Lamin Darboe, (all NIA operatives) as well as Salifu Nyang and Boto Keita (police officers) are responsible for the torture of Kebba Secka (NIA operative), Sam Kambai (soldier) Mouminy Baldeh and Kemo Conteh.
31. Yahya Jammeh and these panel members including Omar Colley, Louis Gomez, Yankuba Badjie, Buba Beyai, Edrissa Jobe (Alagie Morr), Sheriff Gassama, Lamin Manneh, Sukuta Jammeh (deceased) from the NIA, Lamin S Sanyang, Sgt.Sainey Ndure(deceased) and Lamin Cham from The Gambia Police Force, Lt Bora Colley, Solo Bojang and Jerreh Gomez from The Gambia National Army are responsible for the torture and fabrication of evidence against Lt. Gen. Lang Tombong Tamba CDS, Abdoulie (Ali) Joof, Yusuf Ezzideen (Rambo), Brigadier Gen. Omar B. Mbye, Lamin Bo Baaji, Major Kawsu Camara (Bombardier) DIG. Modou Gaye and Gibril Ngorr Secka.
32. NIA officers Lamin Darboe, Basiru Sey, Alassana Baldeh and Gibril Kanyi are responsible for the torture of Amadou Jogo Sowe, Saidou Sowe and Abbass .
33. NIA officers Basiru Sey, Alassana Baldeh, Gibril Kanyi, Alieu Sumareh and Lamin Darboe are responsible for the torture of Sarjo Touray.
34. Sanna Manjang, Modou Jarjue and Malick Jatta, Nfally Jabang (all Junglers) were part of the group that tortured Lamin Bojang during the Freedom Newspaper saga.
35. Modou Jarjue (Rambo) and Sanna Manjang are responsible for the torture of journalist Lamin Cham during the Freedom Newspaper Saga.
36. Yahya Jammeh, Tumbul Tamba, Kawsu Camara (Bombardier), Bai Lowe, Musa Badjie, Landing Tamba, Sanna Manjang, Solo Bojang, Malick Jatta , Alieu Jeng, Omar Jallow (Oya), Lamin Sillah and Buba Jallow are responsible for the murder of the West African migrants.
37. Yahya Jammeh is responsible for the rape of Fatou Jallow (Toufa).
38. Yahya Jammeh is responsible for sexual abuse of protected witness DB18.
39. Ousman Sonko responsible for several rapes and torture of Binta Jamba
40. Yahya Jammeh bears responsibility for the rape of Protected witness FB 17.
41. Yahya Jammeh and Dr. Tamsir Mbowe are responsible for the deaths of (forty one) 41 HIV/AIDS patients who died as a result of their fake treatment programme. They are also responsible for the sexual violence committed against the victims which was part and parcel of the treatments administered.
42. Yahya Jammeh, Solo Bojang and Saikou Jallow bear responsibility for the deaths, sexual violence, torture and other inhumane acts and persecution committed against the persons they accused as being witches or wizards during the president’s witch hunting exercise.
43. Yahya Jammeh, Saul Badjie, and Solo Bojang are responsible for the unlawful execution of 9 Mile 2 death-row inmates.
44. Yahya Jammeh, Yankuba Badjie (DG NIA) Sheikh Omar Jeng, and Tamba Masireh are responsible for the torture and persecution of the UDP supporters in April 2016.

In line with Section 19(1) of the TRRC Act any adversely mentioned individual who has previously appeared before the Commission and made a full disclosure of his or her involvement in human rights violations and abuses and has expressed remorse is hereby granted a period of 14 days to apply to the Commission for amnesty.

The Commission shall within a period of 6 weeks review all applications for amnesty and provide a report to the President accordingly. Where the Commission refuses an application for amnesty it shall give reasons for its refusal in writing to the applicant and any other person who in relation to the offence is a victim.

In line with Section 19(3) amnesty shall not apply to acts which form part of a crime against humanity.

The above findings are subject without prejudice to any future prosecution. In the interim the adversely mentioned individuals continue to benefit from the presumption of innocence.

The Government will continue its review of the TRRC report as well as any recommendations for amnesty and shall issue a White Paper on or before the 25th of May 2022.

——————————————–

Hon. Dawda A. Jallow

Attorney General & Minster of Justice

24th December 2021

The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission has said former President Yahya Jammeh and Dr Tamsir Mbowe are responsible for the deaths of 41 HIV/AIDS patients.

“Yahya Jammeh and Dr. Tamsir Mbowe are responsible for the deaths of (forty one) 41 HIV/AIDS patients who died as a result of their fake treatment programme,” Justice Minister Dawda Jallow said in a statement on Friday.

The Justice Minister faced reporters on Friday to publicly release the contents of the TRRC report following its submission to President Adama Barrow.

The Justice Minister in his statement also said Jammeh and Dr Mbowe are also responsible for the sexual violence committed against the victims which was part and parcel of the treatments administered.

The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission has said former President Yahya Jammeh raped Fatou Jallow.

Widely known as Toufah, the 25-year-old former beauty queen publicly testified before the commission in 2019 telling the probe Jammeh rubbed his genitals on her face and then went on to ‘penetrate’ her from behind. The alleged incident allegedly happened at State House in 2015 while Jammeh was president.

During a marathon at the TRRC, Toufah recalled how the former president showered her with gifts in a bid to endear her to himself.

It all started with her taking part in a beauty contest in 2014 which Jammeh himself was funding. Later, Toufah was asked to work on a project – a project the former leader committed to fund. This then led to a number of meetings between Toufah and the former president.

On the day the former leader allegedly raped her, Toufah was invited to State House for an Islamic gathering that never was for her personally. She was taken to a room where the former president allegedly met her and raped her.

On Friday, the justice ministry told reporters Yahya Jammeh is responsible for the rape of Fatou Jallow alias Toufah.

The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission has held responsibly former President Yahya Jammeh, his former deputy Isatou Njie-Saidy and his former army chief Babucarr Jatta for the deaths of 17 civilians mostly students killed in April 2000.

“Yahya Jammeh, former vice president Isatou Njie-Saidy and heads of the security agencies including Babucarr Jatta former chief of defence staff, Ousman Badgie former minister of interior, Babucarr Sowe former Crime Management Coordinator of the police and Momodou Ceesay of the PIU along with Abdou Njie alias Giri, Gorgi Mboob, Inspector Darboe, Modou Lamin Fatty, Abdoulie Bah, Modou Cham, Modiu Gajaga, Corporal Lamin Camara, Captain Wassa Camara, all bear responsibilities for the killing of 17 civilians on April 10 and 11 2000,” a justice ministry official told reporters at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre Friday afternoon.

More follows…

Happening Now at the Gambia International Conference Centre at Bijilo, the Ministry of Justice Makes TRRC Report Public; says Yahya Jammeh Bears Criminal Liability for Crimes Committed During his 20 Year Rule. He stands accused of Unlawful Killings, Torture and Persecution

Details on the way…

By CGTN Africa

Move over, Google. Step aside Facebook (Meta). TikTok is now the most popular destination on the internet, according to a tech firm that tracks online activity.

Storage software company Cloudflare found that TikTok was not only the most visited website but also the most widely used social media platform in 2021. Cloudfare’s ranking is based on how traffic a website generates in a given year.

The rankings show that TikTok and Google spent the first six months of 2021 in a back and forth for the title. TikTok took over the top spot in August and has held the number one position since.

It is believed one of the reasons for the surge in TikTok’s popularity is because of the Covid pandemic, as lockdowns meant people were stuck at home and looking for entertainment.

By July this year, TikTok had been downloaded more than three billion times, according to data company Sensor Tower.

The app hosts a variety of short videos, covering genres such as comedy, dance, politics. The app’s developers say food and recipe videos are increasingly becoming a key part of its success with such videos gaining millions of views.

Google, which according to Cloudfare, was the most visited site for the past 15 years, fell to second place in 2021.  Facebook, Microsoft and Apple rounded out the top five. Places 6-10 were occupied by Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, Twitter and WhatsApp.

The list of top ten most visited social media platforms were:

TikTok

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

Instagram

Snapchat

Reddit

Pinterest

LinkedIn

Quora

By XINHUA

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday says that at least 70 migrants, including children, drowned and 100 others went missing this week off the Libyan coast.

“Children continue to lose their lives amid attempts to cross the Central Mediterranean, one of the most dangerous and deadliest migration routes in the world,” Lana Wreikat, the UNICEF acting special representative in Libya, said in a statement.

“Just this week, two children were found dead off Libya’s shores and another two are still missing due to three shipwrecks. At least 70 people drowned while another 100 are still missing,” Wreikat said in the statement.

The statement called for support to the migrants and refugees and to strengthen search and rescue mechanisms.

It also underscored the need to address the route causes of illegal migration and to support safe migration for children and young people through expanding safe and legal pathways.

“UNICEF will continue to work with partners towards finding a safer alternative to sea crossing and long-term solutions for children attempting to cross the sea,” the statement said.

So far in 2021, a total of 31,456 people have been intercepted and returned to Libya, while hundreds others died and went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route, according to the International Organization for Migration.

APRC deputy spokesman Dodou Jah has said President Adama Barrow’s vow to send UDP leader Darboe to retirement was facilitated by APRC.

APRC threw its weight behind President Barrow in the December 4 presidential election which the president ended up winning with a landslide.

Dodou Jah said: “Of course we have said it. Especially when their spokesperson came and said they don’t need APRC votes. That there is nothing from APRC that they need.

“And we told them politically we are a heavyweight and wherever we throw out weight that will become the winner of the day and history has proven us right.”