The Gambia Press Union has said it received official reports that freelance photojournalist Lamin Dumbuya was physically assaulted by supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP) at the residence of the party leader Ousainou ANM Darboe in Pipeline.

The supporters who assaulted Dumbuya also confiscated and damaged a number of his equipment including two cameras, the GPU said in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement continued: “UDP supporters and sympathisers gathered at the residence of Mr Darboe to supposedly show their dissatisfaction with the result of the 4th December presidential election as announced by the Independent Electoral Commission.

“As a photojournalist, Dumbuya was at the scene to photo-document the incident.  In the process, he was compelled to take refuge inside the residence of Mr. Darboe after some officers of the Gambia Police Force fired teargas in an attempt to forcefully disperse the crowd.

“It was at this time of taking refuge that some UDP supporters claimed the photojournalist was a sympathiser of the National People’s Party thereby physically assaulting him.  His professional camera was also confiscated and damaged.

“The GPU condemns in the strongest terms the actions of UDP supporters responsible for the assault of Mr Dumbuya and the destruction of his camera.  These actions by the UDP supporters continue the unfortunate trend of assault on journalists by political party supporters.

“The GPU also condemns the use of teargas and other forms of violence to disperse the crowd by officers of the Gambia Police Force.  The teargas has led to the hospitalisation of two other journalists who had inhaled the toxic fumes.

“We would like to call on the Gambia Police Force to cease from the use of undue force in the performance of its duties, and exercise restraint in dispersing crowds,” GPU President Muhammed S. Bah said.

“The GPU would also like to call on the leadership of the UDP to facilitate the return of Mr. Dumbuya’s confiscated equipment and to encourage its supporters to refrain from assaulting journalists in the line of duty.”

“The GPU is committed, ready and willing to continue engaging state authorities and political party leaders with a view to promoting an enabling environment for press freedom, especially with regards to the safety of journalists.”

An angry Ousainou Darboe lashed out at a man who called for civil war in The Gambia and asked him to quit UDP if he is a supporter of the man.

The man whose audio message first emerged from a UDP WhatsApp group chat, is heard asking citizens to rise up should the court dismiss UDP’s case get dismissed.

Darboe said: “If you’re a member of UDP, make sure you leave UDP. Because we do not want conflict in UDP. We want people who advocate for peace and stability in this country. Who told you we have gone to court? That’s a lie.

“You are making irresponsible statements, destroying my party’s name and destroying my name. I don’t know who you are but you’re the worst citizen ever. You are Gambia’s enemy and you should be arrested.”

Police have confirmed they are aware of a video where two police officers are seen celebrating the crack down on UDP supporters on Monday.

A viral video shows two PIU officers expressing joy over how they dealt with UDP supporters in Pipeline. The officers fired tear gas on the UDP supporters as they continued to gather at leader Ousainou Darboe’s house.

Police spokesman Lamin Njie told The Fatu Network the police management is aware of the video of the two officers.

He said: “The police management is aware of the video and have commenced an investigation into the conduct of the officers through the human rights and professional standards unit… appropriate actions will follow in due course.”

The video has angered many Gambians online and calls have been relentless for the two officers to be punished.

Lower Baddibu MP Alhagie Jawara has written to President-elect Adama Barrow congratulating him on his electoral victory.

The IEC declared President Barrow winner of last Saturday’s election after securing an impressive 53% of the vote.

The president won in MP Alhagie Jawara’s constituency, Lower Baddibu, and the MP is has thrown his full weight behind the president since he was fired by UDP has now written to the president to congratulate him.

He said in his letter: “I have the honor to avail myself and my Constituency the opportunity to extend to you Your Excellency heartiest congratulations on your historic landslide re-election. This victory is a testimony of the enormous trust and confidence the Gambia people have vested in you.

“This election – the process, participation, conclusion- is a testimony of the positive trajectory that our democracy is shaping into. The Gambian people have given a resounding verdict to your leadership by granting this huge and unprecedented seal of approval to your agenda for national development. Your government’s commitment to the rule of law, democracy, national unity, and development is ably reflected in your actions and roadmaps that you have demonstrated over the years and committed to for years to come.

“I am happy to commend the resolute and diverse NPP team and allies for our peaceful campaign process and all other stakeholders including the opposition for a credible, free, and fair elections. We now have a nation to build and unite, and no one can do that better than a unifying figure like you. I am ready to offer you all support necessary both in my capacity as a National Assembly Member and a Gambian to move our smiling coast to security, reconciliation, unity, development, and prosperity.

“While I thank you for nurturing this beautiful democracy for The Gambia, please be assured of my highest consideration and esteem. Congratulations once again to you, the first family, NPP and The Gambia at large.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has issued an audio message calling on the police to investigate and arrest a man who is calling for civil war in The Gambia.

The man in an audio asked citizens to rise against President Adama Barrow’s government in comments that have shocked many. The man is said to be a UDP supporter.

But Darboe said Wednesday: “I heard an audio on Santangba UDP group from an enemy of The Gambia, someone who hates Gambia and is bent on destroying this country. I want everyone to ignore this man’s statement whether you are a Gambian, a UDP supporter or not. This man wants to cause harm in this country, a country where only peace is known.

“Saying people should make bombs and go out is the most irresponsible statement ever. Only a bad citizen would say such. But the police can investigate this, they can trace the person’s number and arrest him.

“The person he is talking to too, Sarjo Jarju, can also be traced with advanced technology. Anyone calling for what happened in Rwanda should be investigated. But I also want to believe this is not a UDP supporter. Some people are using UDP as cover to say they would set this country on fire.”

The Fatu Network understands the man is from Gunjur and based in the United Kingdom.

THE FATU NETWORK EXPLORER: With Amara Thoronka 

Can you hold your hand in the air for ten minutes? It’s difficult, right? Well, there is a man in the Republic of India whose hand has been in the air for over thirty-five years. He is Amar Bharati. The world is still amazed at the decision of Bharati to raise his right hand and never put it down.

Amar Bharati is an Indian man who is believed to have raised his right hand in the air since 1973. After some years, the said hand dried up and became a piece of skin and bone. While some will see it as an unreasonable undertaking, others (especially Hinduists) perceive his withered stuck-in-the-air right hand as a symbol for Shiva worshipers around India. Shiver is a Hindu deity.

Before 1970, Amar was an average middle-class man who lived a normal life. He had a job, a home, a wife and three children, but none of that mattered when he woke up one morning and decided to leave everything behind and dedicate his life to serving Shiva.

He began wandering the roads of India dressed in his simple Sadhu clothes and carrying only his Trishula (a metal trident). After three years, in 1973, Amar realized he was still too connected to the fading luxury and pleasures of mortal life, so he decided to separate himself from them by raising his right arm and never putting it down forever. Since then, his hand is still up and he can’t use it, even if he wants to.

Other sources claim Amar Bharati felt disillusioned by all the fighting going on in the world and decided to raise his right arm for peace. As a respected Sadhu at the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, Amar has inspired other Sadhus to raise their arms for peace and harmony, and some of them have kept them raised for years.

Doing something like this doesn’t just mean giving up the functionality of an important body part, it also implies dealing with a lot of pain. Bharati himself says he went through excruciating pain for a long time, but not anymore. That’s because his arm is completely atrophied and stuck in a bizarre, semi-vertical position, a functionless bony structure ending in thick, twisted nails that he never clips.

Resources

https:www.odditycentral.com

https://www.themarysue.com

Senegalese President Macky Sall has issued a statement congratulating President-elect Adama Barrow on his electoral victory and vowing to continue working with him.

The Senegalese leader wrote Wednesday: “I warmly congratulate President Adama Barrow on his brilliant re-election and wish him every success in his new term.

“Senegal and Gambia share a common history and destiny. I will continue to work with President Barrow to strengthen those bonds.”

President Barrow won by a landslide in Saturday’s presidential election with 53% of the votes.

By: Christian Conteh

Election Observer Missions including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union (AU) and The Commonwealth have validated Gambia’s Presidential Election Result.

Describing the 4^th December 2021 polls as free, fair and credible

The validation came during their Preliminary declaration on 6^th December 2021 at the Gambia International Conference Centre at Bijilo.

Former President of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma is Head of the ECOWAS Election Observer mission. He said ECOWAS has remained at the forefront in supporting the democratic process in The Gambia while continuing to implement high development programmes in tandem with the Gambia development programme.

Key among the missions’ observation was that security was provided for all presidential candidates throughout the process and citizens and CSOs were allowed to fully participate in the process.

Polling staff they noticed arrived early and voting started on time, election materials were also available and were adequate.

However, the mission noted with dismay that COVID-19 health provisions were not observed in 70% of centres they visited although the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) made masks and sanitisers available.

“The mission is impressed with the simple but very effective voting system. The mission is appreciative of the conditions in which the elections were organised as well as the speed and accuracy with which the counting and declaration were done,” the report by ECOWAS read.

The mission went on to salute the great political maturity displayed by Gambians and confirmed that the electoral process was calm and peaceful with no major incidents reported.

“ECOWAS congratulations all Gambians, and the incoming president and challenges him to ensure peace and security, economic transformation among others in an inclusive manner,” Koroma said.

The preliminary report recommended, that the IEC should continue to communicate information about the process to the public whilst appealing to candidates to respect the results and resort to legal channels to resolve disputes.

Representing the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to the Gambia Former President of South Africa H.E. Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe called on The Gambia to quickly review its constitution and make clear provisions for a term limit for the presidency.

“Based on its pre-election assessment and Election Day findings, the AUEOM concludes that the election was conducted in a peaceful and democratic political environment and conforms to national and international standards.”

The AUEOM) further notes that the home-grown voting system, using drums, tokens, sand and sieves has been in use since 1960. Although the voting system is simple, effective and efficient, some stakeholders that the AUEOM consulted have proposed replacing it with paper ballots.

However, AUEOM is of the view that the voting system is a unique invention and effort should be made to maintain and improve it,” the statement said.

Key recommendations of the AUEOM include:

Efforts to be made to pass the Electoral Bill and continue constitutional reforms and government should enact laws that provide for public funding and enforce regulations governing private funding of political parties.

It calls on political parties to take more deliberate steps to adopt affirmative action measures aimed at increasing the participation of women, youth and People living with disabilities (PWDs) in decision making structures.

It also encourages the IEC to establish a legal department to attend to litigations speedily.

Olusegun Obasanjo is the Former President of Nigeria and Head of the Commonwealth Observation Mission to the Gambia.

He commended the IEC for conducting the election, despite the great difficulties imposed by the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic globally.

“It is the view of the Commonwealth Observer Group that this election was conducted in a credible, transparent and inclusive manner. We congratulate and commend the people of The Gambia for reaffirming their faith in the principles of democracy.”

Obasanjo promised that the Commonwealth will continue to follow the process and their final report containing their recommendations will be made public in a few weeks.

Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, Former President of Nigeria spoke on behalf of the West African Elders Forum.

He stressed the need for support of term limits by the Gambian Constitution, encouraging all players to work on the democratic processes such as good governance which is an essential part of democracy.

He advised every party to adhere to the laid down rules and respect the results of the election. He encouraged anyone who feels aggrieved to go through the right processes to seek recourse

Incumbent President Adama Barrow convincingly won the 2021 race to State House. pulling 457,519 of the valid votes cast, whilst his close contender opposition strongman Ousainou Darboe pulled 238, 253. Mama Kandeh of the GDC recorded 105,902 followed by veteran politician Halifa Sallah of PDOIS who got 32, 425 of the valid votes cast. Independent Candidate Essa Faal had 17, 206 and NUP Leader Abdoulie Jammeh recorded 8,252.

Although the main opposition leader Ousainou Darboe is yet to concede, President-elect Adama Barrow has hit the ground running with a maiden press conference where he promised the Gambian people that he will be president for all Gambians and not just a fraction of the population.

Photojournalist Modou Lamin Dumbuya has told The Fatu Network UDP supporters ‘slapped’ and held his neck and broke his cameras.

“They said I am the one who take photos of the president and so I am NPP and then attacked me,” Dumbuya alleged.

UDP supporters clashed with police on Monday after they took the street in front of leader Darboe’s house amid the party’s shock electoral defeat.

According to Dumbuya, police fired tear gas on the citizens some of whom were taken into UDP leader Darboe’s house.

“I entered and I was taking pictures when one person said I am NPP and they all descended on me. They broke my two photo cameras and one video camera,” Dumbuya alleged.

A video of the attack has since emerged online. See it below;

A video of two police officers expressing delight at the crackdown on UDP supporters have angered Gambians online.

Two police officers have filmed themselves boasting about how they dealt with UDP supporters who gathered at leader Darboe’s house in Pipeline.

Riot police fired gas at the supporters as police tried to disperse the crowd who were calling for President-elect Barrow to leave power. After the episode, one is heard in a video ‘we’re very happy’.

See video below;

The United Democratic Party has put out a short statement telling supporters of the party the party has not filed any court case yet in relation to Saturday’s poll.

“The United Democratic Party has not filed any court case in relation to the 2021 Presidential Elections,” the statement said.

It added: “We are looking at the evidence and weighing our options. Any decision taken will be formally conveyed to the Gambian people.”

It comes as the party’s supporters continue to speak in WhatsApp groups wondering what the leaders of their party are up to regarding the election.

Saturday’s poll saw UDP lose to President Adama Barrow, a defeat that has left the party in great uncertainty.

Sandu’s Member of Parliament Muhammadou Mahanera has congratulated President-elect Adama Barrow on his electoral victory.

In a statement shared with The Fatu Network, MP Mahanera who is a UDP member wished President-elect Barrow success.

He said: “Please accept my warm congratulations on your victory and my best wishes for your success as you prepare to take up the responsibilities and challenges of your high office.

“As you embark upon your new responsibilities, I wish to assure you my unflinching support in your development agenda in Sandu and for Gambia as a whole.

“Also to concert our efforts in the cause of peace and the brotherhood of all peoples.”

The United States has applauded the Gambian people for ensuring their voices were heard in their presidential election on December 4.

Gambians cast their votes with a turnout of nearly 90 percent of registered voters in a free and fair presidential election that was held peacefully.

“As was the case in December 2016, Gambians once again serve as an inspiration in their peaceful pursuit of representative governance and civic participation in the political process,” a statement from the US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price said.

The statement added: “The United States Embassy and other observers noted some minor procedural irregularities, as well as the need for broader structural reforms to the electoral processes, which are contained in stalled constitutional and electoral reform legislation. Further, we underscore the need for any appeals or complaints to be channeled through the established dispute resolution process and that determinations made through that process be respected. All parties should exercise restraint as there is no place for violence in a democratic process.

“The United States congratulates President Adama Barrow on his electoral victory. While recognizing the significant progress made since 2017, the United States urges a reinvigoration in a second Barrow administration of the many reform efforts promised in 2016 that remain unfinished. Among them are reforms to dismantle the architecture and tools of oppression and firmly build a foundation based on human rights; access to justice; and democratic, transparent, accountable governance. These include constitutional and electoral reforms as well as accountability through implementation of the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission.”

The World Bank on Monday said its funding had helped deliver 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines around the world and it would reach the 150-million mark by the end of the month if doses arrive as expected.

World Bank President David Malpass said the multilateral development bank had contracted for nearly 300 million doses, with some $7.5 billion in vaccine financing operations for 69 countries to be committed by the end of December.

Speaking at a conference hosted by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Malpass underscored the need for rich countries to fulfill their generous dose donation pledges as quickly as possible and unveiled a new database to track which countries needed financial and operational support.

Delivery swaps, like the one recently executed between the African Union, the United States and Moderna, were also helpful to meet near-term needs.

“Readiness and deployment are critical. Ample funding is available and we’re working with partners … to address the current crisis and prepare for future ones,” Malpass said, adding that enhanced data and transparency were critical to ensure that resources flowed where they were most needed.

Malpass said the new World Bank Vaccine Deployment Tracker https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/news/coronavirus-covid19/covid-19-vaccine-deployment-tracker would help resolve specific bottlenecks to scale up vaccine deployment. It is based on joint work between the World Bank and the COVAX Country Readiness and Delivery Team, which includes the World Health Organization, UNICEF and GAVI.

Momodou Sabally has spoken again since United Democratic Party lost the battle to the National People’s Party.

Gambians this past Saturday handed President Adama Barrow a fresh mandate in a presidential election that saw UDP destroyed in shocking fashion.

The party’s leaders have struggled to come to terms with the defeat and have since rejected the election results.

Supporters of the party have been gathering at leader Ousainou Darboe’s house in Pipeline calling for President-elect Barrow to leave power.

Momodou Sabally who has fallen in short in bringing Darboe to power spoke today calling on citizens who are stoking violence to stop.

“I urge all those instigating violence to stop it… #Peace,” he wrote.

By Dawda Baldeh

The executive members of the Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientations and Construction (APRC) on Tuesday congratulated President-elect Adama Barrow on his landslide victory and vowed to support.

Their letter reads: “The Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC), wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all APRC Regional, Constituency, Ward, Sub-Ward and Diaspora Chairpersons, party members, friends, well-wishers (home and abroad), APRC Diaspora members and structures, and all Gambian people (men, women, young and elderly) for their invaluable decision and patriotic duty to vote for the APRC-NPP Alliance and the Grand Coalition Presidential Candidate His Excellency Adama Kairo Barrow in the December 4th 2021 Presidential Election.

“The Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC) is also using this opportunity to wish His Excellency President Elect Adama Kairo Barrow success and the best of health to lead our beloved Gambia for another five years and more. We assure you of our continuous support and dedication at all times to serve you and country.

“To this regard, we want to thank each and every one of you for voting for Peace, Unity, Progress, Development and National Reconciliation. We pray that Allah (SWT) showers. His guidance and blessings on all Gambians home and abroad, well-wishers, APRC members and sympathizers.”

President-elect Adama Barrow has promised Gambians that before his five-year term ends the people of Gambia will have a new constitution, which will speak to the issue of term limits.

As things stand the current Gambian constitution does not make a clear provision for term limits for the president, an autocratic legacy inherited from former President Yahya Jammeh who served as president of the small West African country for 22 years.

“I am a big fan of term limits; I am also a big fan of absolute majority. I am committed to it, and I promise we will have a new constitution and term limits will be in that constitution. You will have a new constitution before my term ends” -President Adama Barrow promised the nation.

The President was speaking at his maiden press conference, after winning the December 4^th Presidential election.

He however noted that it is not entirely up to him to agree on such matters.

“These things are not entirely the president’s decision, it has processes,” he said.

He revealed that the process had started but the national assembly disagreed with the document, therefore it was suspended. But promised it will be looked into and it will be part of his legacy.

Similarly, on the issue of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) President Barrow said that it was and still is very important to him, his government and the Gambian people, but insisted that due process must be followed.

“We will look at the report and after one month we shall make it public, not more than six months later we will come up with a white paper. We don’t want to make decisions based on sentiments; we want to follow due process. Be rest assured that we shall act on it,” Barrow said.

Adding that, “It is not my singular decision, it must come to cabinet and we will have technical people with us. But we want to assure everyone that there will be justice, reparation and reconciliation, but we have to be patient as processes take time.”

President-elect Adama Barrow has for the first time reacted to decision by his father UDP leader Ousainou Darboe to rubbish Saturday’s poll.

Darboe was embarrassed by President Barrow in Saturday’s election after vowing to end the Gambian leader’s rule.

On Sunday, Mr Darboe told reporters he is rejecting the results even as he did not present any evidence the election was stolen.

But speaking to reporters at State House on Tuesday, President Barrow said: “These elections were conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission. They are the institution responsible for conducting elections. It’s not me to say ‘accept or don’t accept’ the elections.

“You can have your opinion to make but I think we all depend on the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission as the institution that is responsible for organizing elections.”