At least 27 migrants headed for the UK have drowned in the English Channel near Calais after their boat sank. The International Organisation for Migration said it was the biggest single loss of life in the Channel since it began collecting data in 2014.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “appalled” by what happened, adding the UK would leave “no stone unturned” to stop human trafficking gangs.

He will chair an emergency Cobra meeting this evening on the issue.

A fishing boat sounded the alarm on Wednesday afternoon after spotting several people at sea off the coast of France. French and British authorities are conducting a rescue operation by air and sea to see if they can find anyone.

Mr Johnson said the deaths were a “disaster”, adding that it was vital to “break” the people trafficking gangs which, he said, were “literally getting away with murder”. He said more needed to be done to stop criminals organising crossings.

The PM said: “It also shows how vital it is that we now step up our efforts to break the business model of the gangsters who are sending people to sea in this way.”

French prime minister Jean Castex said the shipwreck was a “tragedy” and those who died were victims of “criminal smugglers”.

“My thoughts are with the many missing and injured, victims of criminal smugglers who exploit their distress and injury,” he said.

Conservative MP for Dover and Deal, Natalie Elphicke, said the incident was an “absolute tragedy” that underlined why boats needed to be stopped from entering the water.

“As winter is approaching the seas will get rougher, the water colder, the risk of even more lives tragically being lost greater,” she said. “That’s why stopping these dangerous crossings is the humanitarian and right thing to do.”

A number of people are believed to have reached the UK in small boats on Wednesday, with people seen being brought ashore in Dover by immigration officials.

BBC Newsnight’s policy editor, Lewis Goodall, said he understood about 25 boats had attempted the crossing so far during the day.

He added that an aid agency warned there was a risk the Channel could become a “graveyard”.

It comes amid record numbers of migrants making the crossing from France to the UK. More than 25,700 people have made the dangerous journey to the UK in small boats this year – more than three times the 2020 total.

The Dover Strait is the busiest shipping lane in the world and has claimed many lives of people trying to cross to Britain in inflatable dinghies.

It is thought at least 10 other people had died in the past few weeks while attempting to make the crossing.

SOURCE: BBC

By Matty Senghore

President Adama Barrow resumed his campaign on Tuesday after taking a day off following his return to Banjul on Sunday. The president held rallies in Kalagi, Bondali and Sibanor. In Bondali, the president said Gambians have made it clear they want to continue having him as their leader whether one believes it or not.

“Whether one accepts or not, Gambians have agreed that they want to continue with President Barrow from 2021 to 2026,” the president said.

President Barrow called on citizens of Foni to enter his boat before it departs. According to the president, a person risks getting drowned if he doesn’t enter his boat.

“President Barrow’s vessel is anchored at its original spot and it’s Noah boat. Anyone who could should enter the boat. Enter the boat before it departs. If the boat departs, the ocean will take you,” the president said.

The president also vowed that the people of Foni will enjoy development dividends that they could not get during former president Yahya Jammeh’s rule.

The president said: “Foni is part of Gambians and I want to tell you that any development you didn’t get during President Jammeh’s government, you will get it from President Barrow’s government.”

Hamat Bah earlier on warned Gambians against voting for UDP leader Ousainou Darboe who can’t manage the affairs of his party talk less of a whole country.

“All what Darboe is interested in is to be president and that’s all. Therefore, I want to warn Gambians to be careful never to make a mistake to elect a person who cannot manage a party much more a nation,” Mr Bah said.

Former Foni Jarrol MP Bory Colley speaking at the rally assured President Barrow that Foni will vote for him in next month’s election.

“We are behind you today and tomorrow, we will take our vote and give it to you,” Mr Colley said.

The president has vowed to carry Foni along in all his development programs insisting Gambia would never be complete in any counting that leaves Foni out.

By Maimouna Bah

Residents in Gambia have called on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to act fairly in the discharge of their function. They were speaking to The Fatu Network whilst sharing their thoughts about the recently concluded court cases that saw Citizens’ Alliance (CA) and Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) Parties join the race for Statehouse.

Alpha bah is a photographer, whilst congratulating the two political parties who won the case following their disqualification as presidential candidates, he warned the citizens of Gambia to be cautious of the IEC.

“If Gambians are not cautious about IEC they will put a blazing fire in the country, they are bias and they favour who they want,” Bah said.

He further noted that he has continued advocating on his social media page, continually calling on Gambians to be cautious of the IEC.

“The country is at risk; I pray for peace and stability. Whatever that is going to bring the downfall of the country should be avoided,” he said.

The ICE he says has a role of restoring peace in the country and if they misbehave history will repeat itself.

He prays peace reigns in the Gambia. Calling on whoever wins to be there for Gambians and not for their interest. Indicating that the eradicating of poverty and womens employment must be key deliverables.

On her part Binta Njie a market vendor said she is advocating for free and peaceful election. She called on the IEC to avoid the urge of being bias but embrace the need to be fair and independent.

Sanna sabally a Senegalese who resides in the Gambia is also advocating for free, fair and peaceful elections. He emphasized the need to avoid all forms of tribalism, maintaining that all ethic groups are one family.

By Sarjo Brito

The leader of the Turn Around Movement, Essa Mbye Faal, Monday, made a stop at Niamina Dankuku in the Central River Region as part of his political campaign tour. Faal who’s contesting the forthcoming presidential elections as an independent candidate wasted no time in calling out the government of Adama Barrow and his predecessor, Yahya Jammeh, for neglecting the people of Niamina.

‘’The people of Niamina Dankunku are crying that for 27 years, both the government of Adama Barrow and Yahya have not done anything for them. Are you people not part of this country? It is sad. Dankunku is part of Gambia. Dankunku is important just like any other part of this country’’

Barely few months after Parliament’s approval of the supplementary appropriation bill of 1.5 billion dalasis for the 2021 financial year, Essa Faal described the country’s economy as “backward” which he attributed to government’s inability to prioritise, citing the six hundred and seventy-seven million dalasis allocated to the office of the President annually.

‘’I tell people that the reason Gambia is backward is because of misplaced priorities. We are giving our President’s office six hundred and seventy-seven million dalasis per annum. I have said during the Presidential debate that it is a huge amount to be allocated to the office of the President. What are they using all that money for?’’

Essa also argued that development must be equitable and fair, taking what seemed to be a dig at the President who has been accused by his critics of focusing his development projects mainly in his region.

‘’I have always argued that development must be equal and fair. If we can bring development to Banjul or Basse, then we should be able to do the same for Niamina Dankunku or Choya. Concentrating your development projects in the region where you came from is what I call discrimination’’

The former TRRC lead counsel also touched on systemic corruption in The Gambia, quoting a recent Forbes magazine article where Gambia was ranked as one of the worst countries in Africa to do business.

Faal assured his supporters that his government will ensure equal distribution of the country’s wealth and that anyone found wanting of corruption would face the full force of the law.

The President of the Republic of The Gambia, on 15th October 2018 appointed and swore in Commissioners of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission TRRC.   The TRRC was constituted 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 Commission aims to prevent a repetition of the violations and abuses suffered under the past regime by making recommendations to government and citizens aimed at ensuring 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.

This long process is finally concluded, and the commissions much-talked-about report will be officially presented to President Adama Barrow tomorrow at State House

According to a statement from the TRRC, the presentation will be done after consultations with the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Dawda Jallow.

“The Commissioners will hold a press briefing at TRRC premises in Kotu following the submission of the report,” the statement from TRRC said.

Key among the expectations of the Gambian people is knowing the fate of the country’s former President Yahya Jammeh. Will Jammeh be prosecuted? Several people have asked ahead of the release of the report.

Insight into the report shows 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.

The Gambia Refugees Association Europe Branch has issued a statement expressing its ‘utter’ dismay at the way and manner in which a Gambian refugee was manhandled by the German police in Offenburg last week.

A statement signed by secretary general of Gambia Refugees Association Europe Branch Kalifa Suwareh said: “The said victim is seen in a video that was reported in the German media and made viral on social media, where he was wrestled on the ground while he was naked and seriously manhandled. This inhumane action of the police reminds us of the George Floid case, which happened two years ago in the USA.

“The Gambian refugee is suffering from mental illness and needs psychological support instead of being subjected to maltreatment, harassment, and discrimination as evident in the video.

“Therefore, the Gambia Refugees Association condemns the police action on him in the strongest terms and calls on the Gambia Government to react to this inhumane treatment against its citizen.

“Additionally, we also call on the Gambia government to ensure that Germany reprimands the concerned police officers who subjected our citizen to such inhumane treatment.”

United Democratic Party leader Ousainou Darboe has been evacuated to hospital, dependable sources have told The Fatu Network.

Mr Darboe withdrew from his campaign tour in Jarra on Tuesday with his party announcing he was taking a day off due to dehydration.

But credible sources have now told The Fatu Network Mr Darboe has been evacuated to a private hospital. His condition is however said to be stable as doctors continue to examine him.

The UDP leader is among the country’s six presidential candidates who have been involved in torturous campaign ahead of the December 4 poll. Mr Darboe is 73 years old.

This story is developing…

Global Hearts of Medical Mission has issued a statement dismissing as false and misleading a statement put out by the attorney general and minister of justice two days ago regarding the group’s claim of owning a Bijilo property that has become a subject of much row.

The ministry of justice on Monday said a group that doesn’t exist in The Gambia cannot own a land and blasted Global HOMM’s Neneh Gomez for misleading the public.

But the group has now issued their own statement and below is the statement in full;

“Our attention has been drawn to a press release by the Attorney General which carries nothing but misleading and contradictory information.

“An undisputed fact is that Dr. Byung Barnabas Lee, founder of Global Hearts of Medical Mission (Global HOMM), met with a high-level delegation which included 2 Cabinet Ministers and the Director of Health. It is convenient for the State to characterize it as an invitation to return to The Gambia to continue the work of providing charitable medical services as per the initial proposal, informed that the land was not properly allocated, and that another parcel of land will be allocated.

“The undisputed fact is that Dr Lee received the sincere gratitude of his generosity, the expression of sincere apology to the Church, himself and his colleagues, with further appreciation of his understanding that such occasions will never occur in the new Gambia. Global HOMM did return to The Gambia under the leadership of Dr Gabou Mendy, a Gambian physician based in the US (Medical Missions, March 2018, February 2020; and Vision Care Missions, April 2019, Feb 2020). Dr Byung In Barnabas Lee, MD passed away in August 2018 (Blessed memory), never to return to The Gambia he loved.

“The masterplan that was presented in 2006 to serve the people of The Gambia is still maintained by Global HOMM and is being expanded to serve the rural population with a facility in each Region of The Gambia. Besides the service delivery of health, the education of the next generation of healthcare professionals, there is expectant workforce development. “If health is wealth, then the lack of health must be poverty” (Professor Khama Rogo).

“To state that the Claim for possession before the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court was not determined on its merits is a farce. The witnesses for Home of Medical Mission testified in the suit and upon closing its case the State reopened its case. A crucial part of the evidence that was adduced by the State in particular by the Deputy Director of Lands and Surveys was that the State could not defend the action because the records at the Lands Department indicate that the property belongs to Home of Medical Mission. It was in consequence of that piece of evidence that the State eventually conceded to the Claim. The case was therefore heard and determined on its merits leading to the admission of liability by the State.

“The State never sought at the time to compulsorily acquire the said property. If for anything the State made an attempt by way of an application to strike out the suit on the representation that the property was one of those acquired by Yaya Jammeh and therefore a subject of the Janneh Commission, which was in fact false. The said application was dismissed by the Court. The State thereafter accepted payment of Land Rent from the Mission in the sum of D589,500 (Five Hundred and Eighty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred Dalasi Only) covering the period of 2007 to 2020. Why then did they accept and receive the said payment if as the Attorney General claims they intended to compulsorily acquire the property considering also to the fact that such a payment should have been waived since during the period 2010 to 2019 when the property was wrongfully in the possession of the State until it was handed by the said court judgement in September, 2019.

“In order to circumvent the judgement of the Magistrates’ Court, the State clandestinely acquired the property without the due process and after they had received D589, 500 (Five Hundred and Eighty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred Dalasi Only) as land rent payment from the Mission. No notice was served on the Mission neither was the said notice to acquire gazetted as required by law. At a meeting held between Dr. Gabou Mendy, a member of Global Hearts of Medical Mission (Global HOMM) (a registered legal entity in The Gambia and for whom the Home of Medical Mission acted as Trustees for the acquisition of the said property in The Gambia) and the President, H.E. Adama Barrow, at the State House the President revealed to him that he had received $87,000,000.00 from a Foreign Investor to build a 5 Star Hotel for the purposes of the OIC three day Conference after which the property would revert to the said Investor. This discussion was later confirmed in a recorded conversation between Neneh Freda Gomez and the Government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh. The Attorney General in his attempt to mislead the public in his Press Statement has been very economical in the non-disclosure of these facts.

“The illegal acquisition of the property by the State led to the filing of an application in court seeking to set aside the said acquisition as being illegal and unconstitutional and for a declaration that the purpose for which the said property was acquired was not for public use bearing in mind that the State can acquire one’s property only where the purpose is for public use or where the lessee has failed to adhere to the terms of his lease and in both cases due processes must be followed before such an acquisition. In presenting the said application before the High Court, the Mission produced the judgement of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court and the lease granted to Home of Medical Mission by the State. What eventually broke the camel’s back was the subsequent production of the transcript recorded conversation between Sankareh and Gomez. The State immediately conceded that the acquisition was not only illegal but was also not for public use and Orders of the Court to that effect were granted accordingly with Cost of D500,000.00 awarded in favour of the Mission. At no time did the High Court in its Ruling state that a declaration of title was no bar to the State initiating and completing the acquisition process in line with the Land Acquisition Act as again misrepresented by the Attorney General.

“As falsely stated in the Attorney General’s Press Statement nowhere in any of the Affidavits of Neneh Gomez did she depose to the fact that Home of Medical Mission was a registered entity in The Gambia. All the Affidavits of Neneh Gomez clearly established that the Global HOMM under whose umbrella Home of Medical Mission exist is a registered legal entity in The Gambia and the United States of America, which the said registration the Attorney General himself has confirmed in his Press Statement.

“It is unimaginable that as a lawyer, the Attorney General, would state that the Judgements/Orders of the courts in favour of the Home of Medical Mission are unenforceable. It is a basic principle of law that all judgements and Orders of Courts are valid and subsist until set aside. Even the layperson knows this basic principle. The Attorney General has produced no order of court setting aside any of these Judgements/Orders. I dare to say that contrary to the misunderstanding of the law by the Attorney General all the orders obtained by the Mission are enforceable and subsist to date.

“Contrary to the representation by the Attorney General, the Mission produced in court a Resolution by Global HOMM appointing a Committee known as Home of Medical Mission as its Trustee in the acquisition of the said lease property in The Gambia as well as a Certified True copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of Global HOMM in The Gambia authenticated by the Registrar General. In fact the production of these documents led to the withdrawal by the State of its application to strike out the suit on the ground that Home of Medical Mission did not exist and the application was struck out by the High Court. It is again a misrepresentation by the Attorney General that the Mission failed to produce any documents establishing the legal existence of the Home of Medical Mission.

“It is ironical that the Attorney General would state that a non-legal entity cannot own land when it is the State itself that granted the lease to the Mission, permitted the Mission to develop the said land and even after the judgement of the Magistrates’ Court accepted payment of land rent from the same Mission in the sum of D589,550 (Five Hundred and Eighty-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Dalasi Only) which up to date has not been refunded by the State if indeed the State believed that Home of Medical Mission is a non-legal entity. This then begs the question, if indeed the Mission cannot own land why then does the State want to compensate the Mission with another land by reason of its illegal acquisition of the Mission’s property? The Attorney General has said that they have transferred the property to a Private Investor to build a hotel for the OIC Conference. The question is how can the State transfer the said property to a Private Investor when they have not yet acquired the property from the Mission. With my little knowledge of the law I know that one cannot give what he/she does not have. Ownership of the property remains in the Mission and therefore the State could not have legitimately transferred it to anyone else.

“The application by the Mission for a writ of mandamus to issue was against the Inspector General of Police to compel him to remove the Anti-Crime Unit from the said property. On the day the matter came up for continuation of hearing the Anti-Crime Unit had already vacated the property and the Sheriff of The Gambia had given the Mission possession of the property in execution of the judgement of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court. As such, the application had been overtaken by events. Effectively, there was no need to proceed with the application because what the application sought for had already been done. This was what led to the withdrawal of the application by the Mission, again conceded to by the State in Court.

“The community of Bijilo and beyond who have utilized the services of the Clinic/Hospital on the property when it was in operation will confirm that at no time was any patient charged even a butut for treatment at the Clinic/Hospital. There was a standard fee for registration. In fact the natives of Bijilo will tell you that an announcement was done at the Mosque in Bijilo every week inviting people to come to the clinic for treatment free of charge and for those who were unable to come to the Clinic the doctors would treat them at the Alkalo’s house every Tuesday or Thursday of every week. Up to date Global HOMM continues to deliver free medical treatment in the rural areas. It is therefore shameful of the Attorney General to utter such false statements in an unsuccessful attempt to disparage the Representatives of the Mission and what it stands for. The derogatory statements made by the Attorney General without regard to the $87,000,000.00 (Eight Seven Thousand Dollars only) received by the President coupled with the illegal actions by the State is more suited for the President and his Executive and not the Mission who have never asked the State or its people for a butut in its objective to provide mankind with adequate health care.

“This property has never been in the hands of the Gambia Tourism Authority but property previously owned by one Masseray Faal, who graciously gave up her land for a purpose greatly beneficial to the Gambian people. In fact, there is no justification for not having a hospital within the Tourism Development area. After all there are other medical facilities such as Lamtoro Medical Clinic operational within the TDA and another upcoming. The said Clinic/Hospital apart from serving the Gambian Community can be utilized by the surrounding tourism developments to treat their staff and guests. We all know given the appalling situation with the State’s Hospitals/Clinics that such a facility is desperately needed. It is absurd that the State wishes to replace such a public use for private use. This Clinic/Hospital we believe is more of a public use than the building of a hotel meant for THREE DAY OIC Conference to be utilized by a few and which is not likely to hold in March, 2022.

“Just recently on the 17th day of November, 2021 the High Court in an application by Neneh Freda Gomez and others seeking for declaration that their earlier arrest and detention by the State was unlawful again held that she and the other applicants were in lawful occupation of the said property belonging to Home of Medical Mission and therefore declared such arrest and detention unlawful. The Court further ordered the unconditional release of Neneh Freda Gomez and others forthwith with compensation of D100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Dalasi Only) to each of them payable by the State. Barely a day after the said Orders the State has again gone on a rampage to unlawfully arrest Neneh Gomez and Lamin Sey for being in lawful occupation of the same property.

“Miss Neneh Freda Gomez, the Country Coordinator representing the Mission in the country has always acted in accordance with the Law and will continue to act within the scope of the judgement and rulings of the Court. Miss Gomez in our view is resilient, has fortitude, endurance, faith and an awe-inspiring character. She is a true citizen of the soil with genuine intentions for the people of The Gambia. No harassment or failed attempt to intimate and slander Neneh Freda Gomez can stop the Mission except by Order of Court. The attempt by the Attorney General and the State to take the law into their own hands is an abuse of their powers. As it is often said “POWER CORRUPTS AND ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY.” Despite all odds we will never relent on our objective at all material time to obey the Law and protect our rights.”

The Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday the accident and emergency unit of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital will now be housed at Ndemban clinic amid a massive renovation of the nation’s biggest hospital.

In a statement, the ministr said a contract of a huge 176 million dalasis has been awarded for the renovation of EFSTH and construction works will start soon in phases.

“The construction, once commenced, may pose some challenges to patients and visitors in affected areas particularly, the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit during the period, therefore, all accident and other emergency cases in adult will be temporally seen at EFTSH Bakau Centre (formally called Ndemban Clinic) starting 24th November 2021,” the ministry of health said in its statement.

It added: “During the renovation phase, all referrals meant for the Accident and Emergency Unit at the EFSTH in Banjul are requested to go to EFSTH Bakau Centre. However, Maternity related cases will continue to be seen at EFSTH in Banjul.

“The Ministry of Health is therefore soliciting the support and cooperation of the public and all health facilities during the period of the renovation works at the EFSTH in Banjul.”

By Dawda Baldeh

Tourism and Culture Minister and leader of National Reconciliation Party Hamat Bah has stuck the knife into the leader of United Democratic Party Ousainou Darboe for making ‘false’ comments that President Adama Barrow is not interested in agriculture.

Mr Darboe had reportedly said the president is not interested in agriculture, one of the country’s most important sectors.

“The comments Ousainou Darboe made are false and misleading,” Hamat Bah said at President Adama Barrow’s rally in Bondali, Foni on Tuesday.

“I want Darboe to go and research about the development projects this government has brought in the country,” he added.

Mr Bah noted that the government has secured projects and programs that has never happened in the country before.

“Darboe will be another failed politician in the country,” he said.

A total of 98 candidates, including two women, have submitted applications for the first direct presidential election in Libya as the application ended on Tuesday.

Emad Al-Sayeh, Chairman of the High National Elections Commission, on Tuesday told a press conference in Tripoli that 98 people have submitted applications for presidential candidacy, and a primary list of candidates will be published in two days.

Most of the political and military figures, as well as a large number of activists, academics, and artists, are running for president.

Abdulhakim Bayo, the first presidential candidate who submitted an application to the Elections Commission, said the upcoming elections are the first democratic elections in the North African country since 2011.

“I am positive that these elections are a chance for me to serve my country,” Bayo said.

The House of Representatives, the country’s parliament, approved the presidential election law in September and approved the parliamentary election law in October.

According to the laws, the president will be elected at the end of December by direct general secret ballots, while the parliament will be elected after a month from the presidential election.

Mahmoud Khalafallah, a political analyst, believes the record number of presidential candidates is expected, given the new democratic experience in Libya.

“Everyone believes that they can be a president of the country, especially in the absence of one real candidate who can guarantee to win the presidency,” Khalafallah told Xinhua.

“There are no politicians or figures in Libya with long experience in this field. Therefore, this made even those who do not have a political history believe in their opportunity to win the votes,” Khalafallah said.

The political analyst also pointed out that some candidates are running for president as a political maneuver, attempting to gain a position in the elected authority in the coming weeks.

“Some individuals want to be referred to as “presidential candidate”. Some of them were pushed by political parties to be an alternative to the well-known figure who may be outside the electoral race. Therefore, the number of presidential candidates is large,” he explained.

The most notable presidential candidates include Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi, Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the eastern-based army, Aguila Saleh, the speaker of the parliament, and Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah, the incumbent prime minister.

The elections are part of a roadmap adopted by the UN-sponsored Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in February, with the aim to bring stability to Libya.

CGTN

By Matty Senghore

The presidential candidate of opposition Gambia Democratic Congress has said no one has the right to tell him who should speak at his rally and who should not – and accused the Independent Electoral Commission of being indifferent to President Adama Barrow giving out money to voters.

Speaking at Felenkoto, Jarra East on Tuesday night, Mr Kandeh also addressed the issue of former President Jammeh’s supporters backing him saying that no one can stop them from wearing APRC t-shirts.

“The people talking between the APRC alliance and NO Alliance have no business to talk about it even the IEC has no business to talk about it. They are all APRC supporters, the party isn’t dead. They are still APRC and that is where they still support. Their only difference is they are not supporting the same person. Who am I (MAMA KANNDEH) to say they are not APRC supporters, who is the IEC to say they are not APRC supporters? If they are APRC supporters, who is there to stop them from wearing APRC materials? It’s not IEC’s business,” Mr Kandeh said.

He said elsewhere: “I believe Yahya Jammeh is still APRC, and I still believe President Jammeh is still a member of the APRC. Yahya Tamba and all his followers remain to be members of the APRC and I haven’t heard anywhere that these people have been expelled from the APRC. Does the executive of THAT APRC have the power to expel everyone from APRC just because you are not supporting President Barrow?

“IEC should know what is expected of them, I am telling you that we don’t have dumb people. I know the laws, I respect and accept the law. By God’s grace, I won’t violate the law. Therefore, IEC will not be able to do what they are used to this time around. Alieu MOMAR NJIE refuses to retire but by GOD’s grace, you will not do what you want.”

Elsewhere, Kandeh angrily accused President Barrow of giving out money to voters and vowed he will file a petition and make sure National People’s Party of the president is deregistered.

He said: “If we are truthful, in the electoral laws of this country, we all know giving out money during campaigns it is violating the electoral laws of this country and every day we are seeing President Barrow giving out money to people.

“I am so disappointed by this IEC. I won’t admit that you haven’t seen videos and haven’t heard from people that Barrow and his people are bribing everybody every day which is against the electoral laws of this country. You have turned a blind eye to that. I will put a petition to that and I want to see the NPP being de-registered because they are violating the law and IEC are not talking about that. Are you the one to tell me who should be speaking in my meeting? Who are you?”

By Dawda Baldeh

Supporters of the National People’s Party on Tuesday came out in large numbers expressing support as the President resumed his campaign in Foni after spending 12 days in rural Gambia before returning to Banjul on Sunday.

During his rally at Kalagi, Bondali and Sibanor on Tuesday, President Barrow called on his supporters to rally behind him. However, he dismissed claims made by Lawyer Ousainou Darboe in a WhatsApp audio saying that ‘President Adama Barrow not interested in agriculture’. The president said these claims are misleading.

Barrow emphasized that his government is committed to improving the agricultural sector. “My government have budget $80m rice value chain, $28m on livestock, project $27 boreholes for animals and new $40m from World Bank,” he said. “I want my father to go and find about the agriculture projects we have brought in the country.”

“I will work hard to put the best interest first,” he said. “Only work can develop this country. Let’s work hard and talk less. I will not blame my father (Ousainou Darboe) because he is too old.”

Honorable Bori LSB Colley described the APRC/ NPP alliance as the best interest for the country. He called on the people of Foni to rally behind President Adama Barrow while urging them to desist from supporting the APRC breakaway team. “I want to assure you our firm support,” he said. “In Foni, we don’t know what opposition is.”

Henry Gomez, leader of GPDP, the election is not about President Barrow but Gambia vs Gambia. He also urged the citizens to vote for President Barrow in December.

At these rallies, President Barrow has been described as peaceful, generous and democratic leader. However, residents continue highlighting challenges face by women ranging from lack of milling machines, shortage of water in gardens among many things.

Other speakers at the meetings include Hamat Bah, Tamsir Jasseh Independent presidential candidate, Hon Alhagie Jammeh National Assembly Member for Foni Jarol, Modou Lamin Barrow, Momodou Bah 1 Independent Candidate who all expressed their support to the president.

When Citizens’ Alliance and Dr Ismaila Ceesay when their case against the Independent Electoral Commission on Tuesday, it was clear what awaited them regarding Mai Ahmad Fatty and his Gambia Moral Congress party.

Mr Fatty had also sued Election House for the same exact charge: illegal disqualification.

The party’s case came up in court today where the high court held the IEC flouted the law during its rejection of Mr Fatty’s nomination and instructed for him to join the contest again.

Mr Fatty himself wrote after the high court’s verdict: “GMC just won its case against the IEC. The Court granted all Reliefs against IEC. Justice has prevailed. We are appreciative of the enormous support from my Co-Counsel Mr. L. S Camara of Dandimayo Chambers.

“Thank you to our GMC loyal supporters and sympathisers both at home and in the Diaspora, and to all Gambians. Grateful to my colleagues in the Bar who supported one way or the other. Gambian democracy has been further consolidated. The judiciary is the bastion of our sovereignty. God Bless the Republic of The Gambia.”

By Lamin Njie editor-in-chief and Christian Conteh and Maimuna Bah

Judge Amina Saho-Ceesay on Tuesday blasted that the Independent Electoral Commission’s wanton disregard and non-compliance with the prescription of the law and its own guidelines profoundly violated the right of Citizens’ Alliance leader Dr Ismaila Ceesay to stand for election.

“In my judgment, the cumulative effect of IEC wanton disregard and non-compliance with the prescription of the law and their own guidelines profoundly infringes on the 1st applicant’s fundamental right guaranteed under [Section 20(c)] of the constitution, that is the right to stand for election without reasonable restriction,” she said while entering a judgment in favour of Dr Ismaila Ceesay.

“I also finds and holds that the IEC’s rejection of the 1st applicant’s (Dr Ceesay) without following due process of the law is in violation of Article 13 of the Banjul Charter…,” the top judge said elsewhere.

Dr Ismaila Ceesay had last week sued the Independent Electoral Commission for illegally rejecting his nomination to stand in next month’s presidential election. Election House turned his nomination down saying he did not fulfill the 200 signatures requirement in one of the nation’s seven regions, Banjul.

The judge however ruled on Tuesday the Independent Electoral Commission treated Dr Ceesay unfairly by not giving him a chance to make adjustments to his nomination as required by law.

Dr Ismaila Ceesay was happy with the court’s verdict telling reporters he did not go to court for himself only but for future generations.

“This is not about this election, it’s about justice, it’s about preventing somebody in the future to become a victim of such malpractice and such blatant disregard for the rule of law,” Dr Ceesay told reporters.

The IEC’s lawyer Kebba Sanyang said he is neither surprised nor disappointed by the high court’s decision.

“I am not disappointed,” Barrister Sanyang said and said when asked if he was going to appeal. “I act for a client, when I get instructions on that we will proceed.”

The verdict came at 5:32pm on Tuesday after the judge had finished going through the facts of a case that started only last week. Judge Amina Saho-Ceesay ordered that Dr Ismaila Ceesay submit additional signatures to the IEC for the Banjul Administrative Area and for the IEC to be at liberty to vet the signatures. She also ordered that the IEC pay D200,000 dalasis to Dr Ceesay and CA.

Ethiopian Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner Abiy Ahmed has announced he will lead his country’s soldiers on the front lines of the war against advancing rebel fighters, in the latest escalation of the year-long conflict between his government and rebel groups from the northern Tigray region.

“Starting tomorrow, I will head to the war front to lead the defense forces in person,” he wrote in a statement on Twitter late Monday, urging citizens to “lead the country with a sacrifice” and join him. “Those of you who aim to be one of Ethiopia’s children who will be celebrated in history, rise up today for your country, let’s meet at the war front.”

“In the past and in the present, the needs and lives of each and every one of us is below [the needs of] Ethiopia,” Abiy added. “We would rather die to save Ethiopia than outlive Ethiopia.”

Abiy referred to the push as the “final fight to save Ethiopia” from “internal and external enemies” who he claims are “ready to build their strength on the weakness of Ethiopia.”

The statement comes after the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) — the former ruling party of Tigray — claimed its fighters had captured two towns as they advance towards the capital Addis Ababa, more than one year after the conflict erupted in the north of the country.

One of the towns TPLF claims was captured on Saturday includes Shewa Robit, which is about 220 km (136 miles) northeast of Addis Ababa. CNN has not been able to reach the federal government for comment on the claim.

TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda responded to Abiy’s statement in a tweet, warning that “our forces won’t relent on their inexorable advance towards bringing his chokehold on our people to an end.”

While the Prime Minister is on the battlefield, his duties and the duties of other administrators who have joined the fight will be done by federal and regional officials who will “work to their fullest capacity” to oversee the development and administration of the country.

“Ethiopia is the name of winners,” Abiy concluded his statement, ” I never doubt that my generation shall pay the price in its name as an icon of freedom.”

When Abiy received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for ending a 20-year war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, he was lauded as a regional peacemaker. Now, he is presiding over a protracted civil war with rebels in Tigray that by many accounts bears the hallmarks of genocide.

In November 2020, Abiy ordered a military offensive in the northern Tigray region and promised that the conflict would be resolved quickly. One year on, the fighting has left thousands dead, displaced more than 2 million people from their homes, fueled famine and given rise to a wave of atrocities.

 SOURCE CNN

The Director General (DG) of  Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS), Mr. Malick Jeng, has showered praises on President Adama Barrow and his government for providing the national broadcaster with a new set of transmitters for both radio and television.

In a press release dated 23rd November 2021. DG Jeng confirmed that the said equipment has already been delivered to the GRTS offices.

He said the equipment was purchased from a government allocation of 36 million dalasi (about 680 thousand United States dollars) to the state broadcaster, being part of a supplementary budget allocation approved by the National Assembly on 28th July this year.

DG Jeng noted that the development comes at a time when all GRTS transmitters are operating below half power, emphasizing that the said equipment will enable the national broadcaster to improve its public service delivery to communities across The Gambia.

He disclosed that the new equipment will be installed at four of GRTS’ transmitter stations, namely:  Abuko, Mansakonko, Bansang and Basse, adding that a second consignment of transmitters expected in the near future will replace the equipment at two other stations, Kanilai and Kudang, as well as equip two new stations proposed for Kaur and Kerewan.

In his statement, the Chairperson of the GRTS Board of Directors, Mrs. Fatou Jagne Senghore said: “As part of the efforts to reposition and transform GRTS into a truly public service broadcaster, it is critical that the institution be fully equipped to cover the whole of The Gambia and provide better services to Gambians.”

The Director General of GRTS also disclosed that in addition to the transmitters, GRTS also purchased Television cameras, new Pickup vehicles and a mobile studio. He also thanked all staff of GRTS for their hard work and dedication.

By Lamin Njie editor-in-chief, Christian Conteh and Maimuna Bah

Judge Amina Saho-Ceesay on Tuesday blasted that the Independent Electoral Commission’s wanton disregard and non-compliance with the prescription of the law and its own guidelines profoundly violated the right of Citizens’ Alliance leader Dr Ismaila Ceesay to stand for election.

In my judgment, the cumulative effect of IEC wanton disregard and non-compliance with the prescription of the law and their own guidelines profoundly infringes on the 1st applicant’s fundamental right guaranteed under Section 20(c) of the constitution, that is the right to stand for election without reasonable restriction,” she said while entering a judgment in favour of Dr Ismaila Ceesay.

“I also finds and holds that the IEC’s rejection of the 1st applicant’s (Dr Ceesay) without following due process of the law is in violation of Article 13 of the Banjul Charter…,” the top judge said elsewhere.

Dr Ismaila Ceesay had last week sued the Independent Electoral Commission for illegally rejecting his nomination to stand in next month’s presidential election. Election House turned his nomination down saying he did not fulfill the 200 signatures requirement in one of the nation’s seven regions, Banjul.

The judge however ruled the Independent Electoral Commission treated Dr Ceesay unfairly by not giving him a chance to make adjustments to his nomination as required by law.

Dr Ismaila Ceesay was happy with the court’s verdict telling reporters he did not go to court for himself only but for future generations.

“This is not about this election, it’s about justice, it’s about preventing somebody in the future to become a victim of such malpractice and such blatant disregard for the rule of law,” Dr Ceesay told reporters.

The IEC’s lawyer Kebba Sanyang said he is neither surprised nor disappointed by the high court’s decision.

“I am not disappointed,” Barrister Sanyang said and said when asked if he was going to appeal. “I act for a client, when I get instructions on that we will proceed.”

The verdict came at 5:32pm on Tuesday after the judge had finished going through the facts of a case that started only last week. Judge Amina Saho-Ceesay ordered that Dr Ismaila Ceesay submit additional signatures to the IEC for the Banjul Administrative Area and for the IEC to be at liberty to vet the signatures. She also ordered that the IEC pay D200,000 dalasis to Dr Ceesay and CA.