By Amara Thoronka 

Gambians go to the polls on Saturday 4th December 2021 to elect their President. As moral guarantors of peace, Gambia Supreme Islamic Council in collaboration with the Office of The Imam Ratib of Banjul and Gambia Christian Council yesterday held a press briefing on the importance of peace and tolerance before, during and after election.

Making a clarion call, The Imam Ratib of Banjul said Christians and Muslims in The Gambia are united and therefore encouraged politicians and their supporters to emulate such by embracing peace and tolerance and follow due process.

“Muslims and Christians live together in unity, peace and tolerance. I want politicians and their supporters to learn from this and always keep the peace in the interest of a unified Gambia. On polling day, stay at home if you have no business with the electoral process, and after voting, go home peacefully and wait for the result.”

President of Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, Essa Darboe, appealed to Gambians not to say or do things that would destabilize the nation, citing that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) warned Muslims to desist from creating instability as it is a great sin.

In his contribution, General Secretary of Gambia Christian Council, Rev. Rodney Prom said in the absence of peace everyone suffers, emphasizing that the victory of any of the candidates in the forthcoming presidential election should be seen as a victory of all Gambians.

“When the absence of peace comes upon us it will not look at our faces, religions or political affiliations. It will only steal away our peace, security and shelter. When one person wins the December 4th presidential election it is the whole of Gambia that wins. We intermarry and are connected in many ways, so we should not allow politics to divide us.”

Vice President of Pastors Alliance, Pst. Sylvester Jammeh noted that Gambians should exercise their freedom of association with peace, and first think about the children, pregnant women and the disabled before saying or doing anything detrimental to the peace and security of The Gambia.

In climaxing the press briefing, the interfaith clergy prayed for a peaceful, free, fair and transparent presidential election in The Gambia.

United Democratic Party leader Ousainou Darboe has told thousands of his supporters he pulled out of the campaign trail after falling and sustaining a minor fracture.

“Two days ago, I pulled out of the campaign trail because after performing the Asr prayers, while folding my prayer mat, I tripped and fell and then sustained a minor fracture. I couldn’t be attended to in the LRR in the manner I wanted medically. So I had to come back to Banjul to have better medical evaluation,” Mr Darboe told his supporters at his Pipeline residence early Friday.

UDP’s campaign contingent returned to Banjul on Thursday after ending the first part of their presidential campaign.

It however saw Mr Darboe missed the big return after spending a day at Afrimed hospital.

“My compatriots, I am humbled yet by another rapturous welcome by the members of this great party. This welcome of the campaign team has been made possible by your devotion and your dedication to the United Democratic Party,” Mr Darboe told his supporters.

By Matty Senghore

The National People’s Party beat United Democratic Party to respondents who indicated which candidate is likely to win the December 4 presidential election

The Central for Policy Research and Strategic Studies has published its latest opinion poll on next month’s presidential election showing a massive 44% of respondents saying NPP is likely to win the election.

“NPP leads on the likely to win and the intention to vote at 44% and 41%respectively, followed by UDP at 24%and 22% respectively, while others (PDOIS, GDC ,GUP, ESSA FAAL) struggle for less than 10% and 15% of respondents votes respectively. However a significant 24% of respondents say they can’t tell who will win , while 25% say they are undecided or say it their secret when asked about their intention to vote,” the poll, released on Friday said.

According to the poll relying on respondents, President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party is also likely to win in all the regions of the country except Banjul where the number of people who said they can’t tell is more than those who said NPP is likely to win.

CEPRASS interviewed 1,184 likely voters across the country in a survey that lasted for 10 days.

The survey also revealed that the most important issues for the incoming president to address are health, agriculture and security.

By Matty Senghore

The National People’s Party beat United Democratic Party to respondents who indicated which candidate is likely to win the December 4 presidential election

The Center for Policy Research and Strategic Studies has published its latest opinion poll on next month’s presidential election showing a massive 44% of respondents saying NPP is likely to win the election.

“NPP leads on the likely to win and the intention to vote at 44% and 41%respectively, followed by UDP at 24%and 22% respectively, while others (PDOIS, GDC ,GUP, ESSA FAAL) struggle for less than 10% and 15% of respondents votes respectively. However a significant 24% of respondents say they can’t tell who will win , while 25% say they are undecided or say it their secret when asked about their intention to vote,” the poll, released on Friday said.

According to the poll relying on respondents, President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party is also likely to win in all the regions of the country except Banjul where the number of people who said they can’t tell is more than those who said NPP is likely to win.

CEPRASS interviewed 1,184 likely voters across the country in a survey that lasted for 10 days.

The survey also revealed that the most important issues for the incoming president to address are health, agriculture and security.

The Presidential Candidate of the Citizens’ Alliance (CA) Party Dr Ismaila Ceesay has informed the Gambian people that his party is going ahead to start campaigns and the country’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) cannot stop them.

He was speaking at a press conference at the party’s secretariat. Dr Ceesay’s outburst comes after a court ruling which indicated that the IEC acted in violation of the Elections Act.

“They are vehemently bent on depriving us from running for the 4^th December Election. But they cannot stop us, as a matter of fact we shall start our campaign on Sunday.” Dr Ceesay said sternly

He further noted that although the court made a ruling that they (The IEC) acted outside the law, they are now bent on frustrating the judgement by filing an appeal only to delay and forestall his opportunity to run for president.

Mai Ahmad Fatty has confirmed the expulsion of certain members of Gambia Moral Congress after the party’s strongwoman Tida Kijera confirmed her booting.

Mr Fatty wrote on his official Facebook page on Thursday: “After hours of marathon National Executive meeting, GMC resolved on key decisions relating to the way forward, including the difficult and sensitive decision of expulsion of certain members.

“Few years ago, another political Party had to expel eight of its elected members of parliament and a chairman of a municipality. Such difficult decisions must be made in the overwhelming interests of the Party, in conformity with Party Constitution, and preferably unanimous. On this, the decision was absolutely unanimous.

“The Deputy Spokesperson will inform the media of our next political move regarding elections. GMC is a sovereign political Party that fought valiantly to end tyranny and will once again assert its presence in the landscape, and will do so according to what the Party perceives to be in its best interests and that of the country.”

By Christian Conteh

The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) was constituted, and commissioners sworn-in in October of 2018 as an independent Gambian institution with a mandate to conduct research and investigations into human rights violations committed under the presidency of Yahya Jammeh.

The essence of the commission’s work was to lay the foundation to prevent a repetition of the violations and abuses suffered under the past regime by making recommendations to government and citizens to ensure the crimes of the past never recur in The Gambia.

In line with its vision, the TRRC over the period facilitated community and national reconciliation, launched civic education efforts on peace and justice, designed individual and communal reparations, and shaped the scope of future prosecutions and amnesties. All this was done to promote national reconciliation and healing, by assisting victims and their relatives.

The much-talked-about TRRC report has today Thursday 25^th November 2021 officially been presented to President Adama Barrow at State House in the Gambian capital, Banjul

According to the report, Jammeh and his cohorts stand accused of a range of crimes including theft of resources to gross human rights violations. Victims and perpetrators of crimes testified before the TRRC, giving graphic accounts of abuses, rapes, murders, disappearances, torture and illegal imprisonment of opponents of the regime.

Giving the welcome address Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dawda Jallow noted that the TRRC Commission was constituted in October of 2018 and commenced hearings in 2019.

Over the period he said the commission spoke with over 300 witnesses during a period of over 800 days. He assured the president that the report is completed and ready for submission.

Submitting the report Chairman of the TRRC Dr Sise thanked President Barrow on behalf of the commissioners for receiving them and giving them a free hand to do their work over the years. He recalled that on the 15^th October 2018 they were sworn in as commissioners of the TRRC and took up the assignment of going back into the dark history of their motherland.

He, with a sigh of relief, noted that they have completed their work and are submitting their report as per the commissions statutory mandate as established in Section 29 of the TRRC Act of 2017.

“Pursuant to Section 29 of the TRRC act of 2017 the commission is required to submit a report to the President. The report must submit findings and recommendations. The report contains 393 witness testimonies the majority were victims, some were self-confessed perpetrators.

The allegations include Arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention and killings including extrajudicial killings, rape, castration, witch hunting, fake HIV treatment and general and widespread human right abuse,” Dr. Lamin Sise Chairman TRRC said.

Chairman, Dr. Lamin Sise said the commission worked intensely for nearly three years to fulfil its mandate, hearing 393 witness testimonies the majority being victims and some self-confessed perpetrators. The report he revealed is contained in 17 volumes.

Receiving the report on behalf of the government and people of The Gambia President Adama Barrow started by clearly indicating that he is the Architect of the TRRC, and It will be his legacy.

“I want to make this very clear to the Gambian people and the entire world. I don’t think anybody would have been interested in the TRRC more than myself as the architect and knowing fully well that the TRRC will be part of my legacy in the future,” President Barrow said.

He noted that the report completion and submission mark a great achievement for the Gambian nation, and it is a sense of pride that his government decided to establish the TRRC commission.

The report he said was to bring justice, accountability, healing and reparation for victims, indicating that many African countries have established TRC platforms in one way or the other, naming Rwanda as an example.

“The Gacaca Courts of Rwanda is an example; despite the genocide, the people have reconciled their differences and are now working together to develop their country. Realising that they could not undo the past, the Rwandese factions that killed and maimed one another’s families realised that the right thing to do was to bury the hatchet and work together to build the future as one people,” President Barrow said.

He went on to note that through the TRRC Gambians now know what happened in the past, but the desire of citizens should be to exist peacefully as Gambians and nurture the country’s democracy in a stable country where the rule of law prevails.

He commended the commissioners, and the legal team for carrying out what he described as ‘a national service’ successfully and extended gratitude to international partners including the UN and UNDP among others for their support.

“My government will ensure justice is done but I urge all to be patient, so we follow the legal processes. My government will study the report carefully and we shall put out a white paper six months from today,” President Barrow ended.

The TRRC has identified and recommended for prosecution those who bear the greatest responsibility for human rights violations in the Gambia between 1994 to 2017, under the watch of former dictator Yahya Jammeh.

The 17 volumes contain 427 findings and 218 recommendations after 3 years of work by the commission.

By Sarjo Brito

The highly anticipated TRRC report was submitted to President Adama Barrow on Thursday amid warning from the chairman of the investigation forgiving and forgetting the heinous crimes perpetrated under former President Yahya Jammeh will not only undermine reconciliation but will also constitute a massive and egregious cover-up of the crimes narrated by the witnesses.

Chairman Lamin J Sise and his commissioners faced reporters shortly after the submission of the TRRC’s report to the president telling them The Gambia cannot go through ‘Maslaha’ syndrome or letting people do what they want and to ignore these gross violations.

“To forgive and forget with impunity the violations and abuses narrated by witnesses to the Commission would not only undermine reconciliation but also constitute a massive egregious cover-up of the crimes committed. Not addressing these crimes could threaten, in the long term, the stability of our country and society. The individuals involved in perpetrating the violations and abuses must be held accountable for their actions,” Dr Sise insisted.

Dr. Sise emphasized, Gambia cannot afford to tolerate or ignore the crimes perpetrated during Jammeh’s 22-year reign because the country cannot survive their being repeated.

“The violation and abuses of human rights that the National Assembly Mandated us to do investigate were, from the testimonies of witnesses, so calculated and wicked that the Gambia, to paraphrase the words of Justice Robert Jackson at the Nuremberg Trials in November 1945 ‘cannot tolerate their being ignored, because it cannot survive their being repeated’,” Dr Sise said.

The Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission was launched by the Gambia government in 2018. The principal purpose of the commission was to investigate alleged human rights violations perpetrated under the 22-year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.

Thursday’s submitted report to the Gambian leader contains the finding of the commission and recommendations concerning the reforms and other measures needed to achieve the objective of the Commission.

Gambia Moral Congress leader Mai Ahmad Fatty has expelled the party’s top chieftain Tida Kijera.

Mrs Kijera served in the roles of woman mobiliser and spokeswoman.

She was expelled on Thursday in a letter by leader Mai Ahmad Fatty.

The letter did not say why she was being relieved but The Fatu Network understands Mrs Kijera had taken a break from the party’s activities amid ‘issues’ within the party.

By Dawda Baldeh

The Gambian President who doubles as the leader of the National People’s Party Adama Barrow has promised to construct more roads and hospitals across the country.

“I will construct over 1600-kilometre roads across the country and build hospitals to strengthen the health sector if re-elected on 4th December 2021,” Barrow said.

The head of state was speaking during his meetings in Bwiam, Somita and Giboroh last night.

The Gambian president said his government is committed to developing and unifying The Gambian people.

Responding to concerns raised by various speakers President Barrow assured voters that he will continue to work for the country. Barrow called on Gambians to embrace unity and desist from those things that divide the nation and fester tribalism.

The NPP leader called on his supporters to remain calm while awaiting victory in the race to state house, noting that Gambians should understand he is the president, and his time will end and will someday be history.

Honourable Sunkary Badjie is a National Assembly Member for Foni Berefet he called on people to rally behind president Barrow.

Imam Alhagie Baba Ceesay of Bwiam called on citizens to embrace peace, noting that there cannot be any meaningful development without peace. He told the gathering that politics is not about attacking one another.

He, however, expressed concerns over the challenge of easy access to education.

President Barrow’s work was recommended by various speakers on different campaign platforms, most of them saying that the country has made progress within the five years of his mandate.

President Barrow is accompanied by a delegation of senior government officials, party leaders and independent candidates who pledged their support describing Barrow as the right candidate for the top job.

The Deputy Chairperson of the TRRC has vehemently described as false allegations that indicate there was political interference with their work as a commission.

Adelaide Sosseh refuted this claim during a press conference at TRCC’s Office.

“There was no political interference with our work. The work reflected what the victims told us, we were to do an impartial work and that is exactly what we did,” Madam Sosseh said.

She maintained that this (the TRRC report) is one report that she feels very comfortable about because the victims’ organisations are determined to ensure the recommendations are implemented.

Essa Faal on Wednesday declared him and his people have changed Gambian politics – and that the youth have taken charge of their destiny.

“From 10am to now (8pm), thank you. We must also thank the IEC for making this event possible. We had to make changes at the last minute and they accommodated us,” Mr Faal told supporters from the roof of his car after arriving home.

The Turnaround advocate insisted Gambian youth have taken charge of their destiny and will unite in December to effect change.

Mr Faal said: “We have changed Gambians politics. It is no longer a reserve for the adults, it is now the property of the Gambian youth and from henceforth, you decide your future.

“From today onwards, you decide your destiny and come December 4th you will be united in one resolution, that is to change this government.”

Essa Mbye Faal is one of six candidates who will contest next month’s presidential election with President Adama Barrow seeking re-election.

Mr Faal is a lawyer by profession and was the lead prosecutor for the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission.

The TRRC has identified and recommended for prosecution those who bear the greatest responsibility for human right violations in the Gambia between 1994 to 2017, under the watch of former dictator Yahya Jammeh, Dr. Lamin J Sise Chairman of the TRRC has said in an ongoing press conference at the commission’s office.

The press conference comes after the presentation of the 17 volumes containing 427 Findings and 218 Recommendations after 3 years of work by the TRRC.

The National People’s Party has issued a statement expressing gratitude to citizens for showing love to President Adama Barrow on his return to Banjul on Sunday from upcountry campaign.

A statement by the party said: “His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, Secretary General and Party Leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) on behalf of the NPP National executives, members and supporters of all partner parties and independents express profound gratitude to all Gambians for the unprecedented show of love demonstrated during his 2021 Presidential campaign in rural Gambia.

“Thousands of Gambians attended his political meetings and lined up streets in their various settlements as President Barrow’s motorcade slowly drove passed.

“In all the meetings, Gambians spoke with common determination to vote President Barrow back into office with an absolute majority to allow him continue his development programmes.

“While in rural Gambia, President Barrow assured Gambians of his resolve to deliver in  the area of infrastructure, agriculture, energy, education, skills development, youth and women entrepreneurship, health care, water and sanitation, sports development, democratic gains and the rule of law. Barrow told Gambians these areas will take centre stage in his next government agenda.

“Throughout the Presidential campaign tour across the North Bank, Central River, Upper River and Lower River Regions over ten thousand Gambians defected from UDP and GDC to the National People’s Party.

“Leaders of the various defectors hailed President Barrow’s astute leadership and development agenda as inclusive and hence the necessity to vote for him on the 4th December, 2021.

“They described President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party as inclusive and non-tribal.

“President Adama Barrow returned to Banjul on Sunday 21st November, 2021 in a spectacular 14-hour journey as massive crowds escorted his convoy through Mansakonko,  Kalaji, Kombo Brikama, Farato, Busumbala, Yundum, Banjulinding, Lamin to the State House in  Banjul.

“The NPP and its allies are grateful to Gambians for the patience, tolerance and endorsement of its campaign.

“Special commendations to all regional chairmen,  constituencies, wards, districts and village chairmen as well as committee members and supporters of the NPP-led Grand Alliance.

“President Adama Barrow is expected to address hundred thousand electorates at a mass political rally in Buffer Zone, Tallinding on Wednesday 1st December 2021 and a wrap up of his campaign with two hundred thousand massive political rally on Thursday 2nd December, 2021 at the McCarthy Square in Banjul.”

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a statement urging President Adama Barrow to consider and share the TRRC report with all relevant stakeholders.

“Now that the TRRC has completed the task for which it was set up, the Government of The Gambia has the duty to take the next important step. We hereby urge the President, to consider and share the Report with all relevant stakeholders as provided for in that TRRC ACT, issue a White Paper report and put in place all the necessary mechanisms, institutions, processes, and resources to implement all the recommendations fully and adequately within a realistic timeframe,” NHRC said in a statement on Wednesday.

It added: “The TRRC final report should provide the country and the Government the unique opportunity to right the wrongs committed under the former regime; assure justice to the survivors and families of the victims of human rights violations, heal the nation, address impunity, and embark on institutional, administrative, legislative, and constitutional reforms.

“The devastating ordeals narrated by the victims who testified before the TRRC and the gruesome revelations of witnesses including the ‘’Junglars’’ regarding the disappearances and extrajudicial killings carried out in the name or on the orders of ex-President Jammeh must NEVER AGAIN occur in the Gambia. The NHRC encourages the President to reinforce institutions to prevent such reign of terror that prevailed and the wanton disregard for human rights, rule of law and fundamental freedoms.

“In line with NHRC’s advisory role to the State and cognizant of the great importance of the TRRC report in the transitional justice process of the country, the NHRC strongly urges the Government to exhibit the highest level of commitment and implement the recommendations contained in the TRRC Report.

“As a matter of priority, the NHRC strongly recommends that the Government: expedite the policy, administrative, security and legal reforms; establish and strengthen all the necessary accountability institutions and mechanisms for the effective implementation of the TRRC recommendations; and ensure that victims receive timely and appropriate reparations.”

President Adama Barrow has said boldly that he is the Architect of the TRRC and that it will be one of his legacies as President of The Gambia. He was speaking whilst accepting the TRRC report from the Chairman of the TRRC at an event at State House in Banjul.

Insight into the report show that Jammeh and his cohorts stand accused of a range of crimes ranging from theft of resources to gross human rights violations. Victims and perpetrators of crimes testified before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission, giving graphic accounts of abuses, rapes, murders, disappearances, torture and illegal imprisonments of opponents of the regime.

Details on the way…

Samsudeen Sarr has said Gambians should reject Essa Faal whom he said was silent throughout the Jammeh dictatorship.

“Definitely they should [reject him],” Mr Sarr told The Fatu Network on Tuesday.

Mr Sarr said further: “When we were in Mile 2, we were all alerted to stand by because Essa Faal they said is coming to prosecute us. Babucarr Jatta at some point at the TRRC said something to the effect that ‘Essa don’t forget, 11 November you were telling us what to do’ including from what I understand when Sana Sabally massacred those guys, he advised them to say that they all died in a fire fight rather than being executed summarily.

“I am telling you facts that I know about. It was Essa Faal who came to the army headquarters, took out Sana Sabally’s dossier, prepared all the evidence that locked Sana Sabally nine years in jail. And recently you heard Halifa Sallah told him in his debate ‘you were the one prosecuting us’ when they were going against Decree No. 4 that they should not publish their paper. And what did he say? ‘No, I was just holding a briefcase I was not a lawyer yet’. But he was and he was a zealous lawyer.

“That is why his promotion rapid, catapulted from the ministry of justice right to the embassy in UN. What qualified him to go there? That’s where he started building his career. Did you ever hear Essa Faal attacking Jammeh and his regime with all his talent and all this pomposity today? No he did not. He was silent throughout.

“I last time I heard him saying ‘I am going to increase the salary of the security forces’. Soldiers are looking at him as ‘this was the greatest devil during the 22 years of Jammeh and now he wants to turn himself into a saint’. That is why I don’t think he is gonna go too far.”

 “Pursuant to Section 29 of the TRRC act 2017 the commission is required to submit a report to the President. The report must submit findings and recommendations. The report contains 393 witness testimonies, majority were victims, some were self-confessed perpetrators.

The allegations include Arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention and killings including extra judicial killings, rape, castration, witch hunting, fake HIV treatment and general and widespread human right abuse,” Dr. Lamin Sise Chairman TRRC

Details on the way…

Former President Yahya Jammeh has called on citizens in Berending, Kombo South to vote for his alliance, the GDC-APRC-GAP alliance.

Jammeh, on exile in Equatorial Guinea, attacked President Adama Barrow saying he is a Saitan person.

He said: “Let’s trust in God, be united and eschew tribalism and stand this year and remove these Saitan people from power. This [man] who is leader of the country says he would not let anything happen to the peace and stability in the Gambia. He said if you’re president you can say anything you want even if it’s not true. Do you think someone who is a Muslim would say that? Those are Saitan statements.

“I have told you anytime the opposition take the country, you will suffer and it would be only them and their families who would enjoy. What I said has turned out to be true. Let no one fool you.

“Billahi Wallahi Tallahi, if you vote for GDC-APRC-GAP alliance within one week there will not be a single thief. My government is our government, all of us. Billahi Wallahi, if we come to power, even the Saitan they worship will run away. If God wills, Gambia will get to the next level if we come to power. You say you pay school fees now but when I come there will be free education again.”