Gambias most respected politician the Honorable Halifa Sallah has been cleared by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

This means having fulfilled all the requirements for nomination Halifa Sallah joins President Adama Barrow, Opposition Leader Ousainu Darboe and three others to run for President in the 4^th December 2021 election.

According to Alieu Momarr Njai, Returning Officer and Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission,

“Halifa Baboucarr Sallah’s nomination is hereby accepted in accordance with section 46(1) of the Elections Act.”

During nomination the 68-year-old veteran politician noted that he has reached the pinnacle of his participation in politics in the country. Therefore, he will help the next generation position themselves for development. He confirmed that this is the last time he will be seeking an elected political office.

The National People’s Party has issued a statement notifying all supporters of the party’s election campaign.

The statement signed by campaign manager Lamin Cham read: “This is to inform all Parties, membership and supporters of the grand coalition of His Excellency President Adama Barrow that campaign will start on Tuesday 9th November 2021.

“Consequently, team President Adama Barrow will depart on Tuesday 9th November 2021 for a nationwide campaign tour beginning with North Bank Region.

“All executives and members of partner parties and Independents, regional, constituency, Ward and village committees of all parties are notified. A massive welcome awaits the President in Barra by 10 am.

“The Grand coalition will have meetings in Upper Niumi (Fass Omar Saho) , Lower Niumi (Ndungu Charreh) and Jokadu ( Kuntair) on Tuesday. The rest of the Itinerary will be shared once approved by the IEC.”

Dr Ismaila Ceesay has vowed to appeal the decision of the IEC to reject his nomination for want of signatures.

The IEC said CA and Dr Ceesay could not collect 200 signatures from Banjul as required by law.

In a video message on Saturday, Dr Ceesay vowed to appeal the decision of the IEC as he called on his supporters to remain calm.

“I want to make it clear that we submitted over 250 signatures or nominations from Banjul but IEC is saying that what they have is less than 200. Just to let you know that we have made a decision to appeal this decision by the IEC. By tomorrow we will send in the appeal and we will wait for the outcome of the IEC and then we will keep you updated,” Dr Ceesay said.

Dr Ceesay has also called on his supporters to remain calm.

“We know it’s a difficult moment for all party members, supporters and sympathizers but we urge everyone to stay calm while we follow due process,” he write while sharing his video message.

GANU leader Sheikh Tijang Hydara has announced his party will join President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party.

The Gambia Alliance for National Unity (GANU) will henceforth join the National People’s Party (NPP) to support the country’s development objectives and to boost national reconciliation,” Mr Hydara said in a statement.

He added: “The country’s national development is a top priority and GANU is ready to join hands with the President of the Republic to further develop our beloved nation.

“Therefore, in my capacity as the party leader of GANU, I call on all my supporters to join President Barrow’s wagon of development for the best interest of the country.”

It comes as Mr Hydara’s political rise suffered a huge blow after former President Jammeh’s supporters cancelled their decision to support. It also comes after he failed the IEC’s nomination test.

Mai Fatty has reacted that he is disappointed with the decision of the IEC which saw his nomination for president rejected.

The IEC said Mr Fatty could not collect 200 signatures from Banjul.

But Mr Fatty said in a post on his official Facebook page: “I am disappointed that the IEC claimed the reason for not accepting my nomination was because we did not have the required number of 200 voters nomination from Banjul. This is inaccurate.

“We filed way in excess of that number with the IEC. The process is not yet over. I will file an immediate appeal against this wrongful decision. I am convinced that the improper decision would be reversed.

“I call on all GMC and other supporters to remain calm as we tackle this issue before midnight. Our Faith is being tested, and we cannot fail. Stay strong. Watch here for updates.”

Sheikh Tijan Hydrara of GANU has been edged out of the 2021 Presidential Race. Hydara fell short of the requirements set out by the country’s Independent Electoral Commission.

According to Alieu Momarr Njai Independent Electoral Officer, Hydara has not complied with Section 42(2) (a) of the countrys Elections Act by submitting the support of nomination by less than two hundred registered voters respectively, as opposed to the legal requirement that a candidate for election to the office of president shall be nominated in the prescribed Form 1 Part A of the Fourth Schedule by not less five thousand voters whose names appear in the register of voters with at least two hundred voters from each administrative area.

His nomination is rejected in accordance with Section 47(1) of the Elections Act

The Independent Electoral Commission has accused Alieu Sowe of forgery and has nullified his nomination.

“The nomination of Alieu Sowe is hereby nullified by the Independent Electoral Commission, due to the fact that forgery has been detected on the support of nomination form. This is classified as an offence in Section 112(a) of the Election Act,” IEC chairman Alieu Momar Njie charged on Saturday.

Sowe, a former army major, emerged as Gambia Action Party presidential candidate this year following the sacking of General Lamin Bojang.

His disqualification comes amid a fresh crisis that has gripped GAP with the suspension of secretary general and party leader Musa Batchilly.

Mr Batchilly was punished by the party after he publicly announced that he would be backing President Barrow in the election.

By Christian Alpha Conteh

Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission has officially announced the names of candidates who have fulfilled the requirements to run for president in the country’s December 2021 Presidential Election.

President Adama Barrow of the NPP who is seeking re-election will go head-to-head with main opposition leader Ousainu Darboe of the UDP, other contenders in the race include GDCs Mamma Kandeh, PDOIS Halifa Sallah, NUPs Abdoulie Jammeh and Independent candidate Essa M Faal, who have all qualified to run for president.

According to Alieu Momarr Njai Independent Electoral Officer, “Following the successful completion of the nomination of candidates for the contest of the Presidential Election of the 4^th December 2021 and after a thorough and careful review of all the nomination papers submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission by the various aspirants, I hereby give the outcome of the nomination of candidates.”

This follows the successful completion of the nomination process which lasted between 30^th October to 5^th November 2021 at the IEC Election House.

Matthew Gomez, Tamsir M Jassey and Mamadou Bah all independent candidates and the GFA and APP candidates cancelled their nominations earlier this week.

Joseph Henry Joof (Independent), Marie Sock (the only female candidate, Independent), Alhaji Mamadi Kurang (independent), Ebrima Tabora Manneh(independent), Momodou Bah (independent), Bankole Yao Jojo Ahadzie (the Independent rasta candidate), ANRD Lamin Satou Bojang, GMC Mai Ahmed Fatty, Mamadi Camara (independent), CA Ishmaila Ceesay, GANU Sheik Tijan Hydara, GAP Alieu Sowe, Sheikh Matarr Nyang (Independent, Papa Faal (Independent) and Yusupha Dumbuya were all disqualified.

Reasons for their disqualification includes forgery in contravention of Section 12 (a), of the Elections Act, failure to submit the Legally required number of support to nomination by registered voters 42 (2)(a), not submitting asset declaration form as per Section 42(7) of the Elections Act among others.

Intense campaigns are expected to start on Tuesday 9th November 2021

GMC leader Mai Fatty nomination has been rejected by the Independent Electoral Commission in a surprising development.

Mr Fatty was one of many candidates who filed in their nomination for the upcoming presidential election.

The chairman of the IEC Alieu Momar Njie announced on Saturday Mr Fatty has not complied with Section 42(2)(a) of the Electoral Act in that he submitted support of nomination of less than 200 registered voters from Banjul. The law says you must submit at least 200 from each region.

CA leader Dr Ismaila Ceesay’s nomination has been rejected by the Independent Electoral Commission in a surprising development.

Dr Ceesay was one of many candidates who filed in their nomination for the upcoming presidential election.

The chairman of the IEC Alieu Momar Njie announced on Saturday Dr Ceesay has not complied with Section 42(2)(a) of the Electoral Act in that he submitted support of nomination of less than 200 registered voters from Banjul. The law says you must submit at least 200 from each region.

Dr Ceesay is one of 15 candidates who have been disqualified.

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has passed IEC’s nomination test and will be contesting the December presidential election.

Mr Darboe is one of six candidates cleared by the IEC in run in the presidential election in a few weeks time.

It comes amid talk that has persisted for months that the UDP leader is not qualified to run in the election.

Some of his supporters online peddled the claim that he has been disqualified while some vowed that there would be no election should his disqualification be true.

The Kanifing Municipal Council has issued a statement saying waste collection services in KM would now be limited to strategic areas due to fuel shortage.

In a statement signed by public relations officer Muhammed Sandeng, the council said services will be limited to areas where waste collection is highly needed.

The statement said: “The general public is hereby kindly informed that due to the current acute fuel shortages within the municipality, the operations of KMC mbalit or waste collection services will be limited to only strategic areas within our communities where waste collection is highly needed.

“The council would like to appeal to the people of municipality that as soon the fuel is made available, the waste collection service will be made normal to all the respective areas within the municipality

“We count on the unflinching usual cooperation of the general public and apologise for all inconveniences as we work tirelessly to resume normal operations.”

By Amara Thoronka

At around 10 in the evening hours of Friday, two fully loaded tankers exploded after colliding at Wellington in the East-end of Freetown Sierra Leone’s capital, reportedly leaving about 100 people dead and property worth billions of Leones burnt to ashes.

Videos from the scene show many bodies burnt and some still on fire as the victims lament about their pain and constantly beg for death. A big bus and other vehicles loaded with people were seen burnt to ashes.

Disturbed by the fatal incident, the President of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Bio in a twit said:

“I am deeply disturbed by the tragic fire and horrendous loss of lives around the Wellington PMB area. My profound sympathies to families who have lost loved ones and those who have been maimed as a result. My government will do everything to support affected families.”

Visiting the scene on Saturday morning, Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, said the government is deeply saddened and that the President had instructed the line ministries and agencies on disaster, health and welfare to provide the needed support and care for the victims and their families.

Dr. Jalloh described the occurrence as a national disaster, stressing that government will provide all the social, medical, and other support needed by the victims and their families.

Both the dead burnt bodies and burnt patients are at the Connaught Government Hospital and the 34 Military Hospital.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has issues a statement confirming that the country is currently experiencing some shortage of fuel, especially Gas Oil.

A statement by the authority said: “The Authority wishes to assure all and sundry that efforts are deployed as engagements are currently ongoing among the Gambia Government, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), and other relevant stakeholders in a bid to resolve the matter immediately.

“PURA and all parties involved are determined to restore the situation to normalcy by facilitating overland importation of Petrol and Diesel for the current period and quickly replenishing the shipment.

“The Authority laments the difficulties the public continues to face in this period. Whilst we share your frustration, the public is encouraged to exercise restraint and patience as efforts are intensifying to address the shortage and avert any future recurrence.

“We further urge the public not to panic-buy or store petroleum products or any other flammable substances in their residences or unsafe places.

“We thank you all for your understanding and cooperation in these trying times.”

President Adama Barrow has repeated his vow of retiring his father UDP leader Ousainou Darboe from politics next he can sit at home and be going to the mosque.

Speaking to his supporters on Thursday after his nomination which was done in style, the president said: “I want to tell Gambians my father stands and says I betrayed him. But I want to take Gambians back in history. On the 8th of November 2016 when I was nominated and came here, I spoke and took a vow that if you vote for me and I win I will free Ousainou Darboe from prison and make him minister.

“I then made him minister of heaven and earth, I made him vice president and gave him all the powers. I have done all of that for him. I have fulfilled all my vows so between him and I who did not fulfill his promise? So my father Lawyer Ousainou Darboe is the one who did not fulfil his promise.

“But it’s said ‘you own all of this’, only for you to show you are not content with that, you will not be satisfied even if you are to eat everything.

“But we will tell my father that on the 4th of December, Gambians and his oldest son will retire him so he can sit home and be going to the mosque while he receives his pension.”

Mamadou Bah has cancelled his presidential bid and has met President Adama Barrow to endorse him for next month’s presidential election.

Mr Bah filed in his nomination papers with the IEC on Tuesday expressing his interest in the presidency.

But in a dramatic twist on Friday, Bah who vowed to build a wall between The Gambia and Senegal has now walked back his bid.

He met President Barrow at State House on Friday where he told him he would be backing him in next month’s presidential election.

He told The Fatu Network the president is willing to work with him and his team regarding their policies and programs.

“Our program includes prize control bill, introduction of high tax for fish export, zero drug in the Gambia, youth regionals fund for agribusiness. President Barrow is willing to work with us to move this country and he has accepted our points,” Mr Bah said.

Citizens’ Alliance presidential candidate Dr Ismaila Ceesay has declared his assets with the IEC showing the former UTG lecturer has only D20,000 in his Standard Charted bank account.

In an asset declaration form he signed on November 1 and seen by The Fatu Network, Dr Ceesay also owns a house in Kerr Serign worth D15M. He also owns a land in Madiana valued at 1.5 million dalasis.

The CA leader also owns one car valued at D700,000.

Elsewhere, the CA leader has four TVs, three refrigerators, eight ACs, two Ipads and three laptops.

The presidential candidate and secretary-general of the newly registered Democratic Party (DP) Yusupha Dumbuya has officially presented his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) here at Election House.

Speaking to the press immediately after completing the process he promised to build 4,000 affordable houses each year whether he is voted for or not.

Apart from social housing, Dumbuya blamed corruption for the several problems the country faces

“We have a serious problem. What have we been doing for 53 years; does it take that long to make a country of about 1.7 million people?” he asked rhetorically.

He further noted that it is impossible to develop the economy if corruption cannot be tackled adding that the country needs to deal with a system change before it can deal with the issue of corruption. This is where he says he comes in to take care of the people and rid the system of corruption.

He promised that everywhere in The Gambia will light up in 2 years, when he becomes president.

“Everywhere in The Gambia will light up in 2 years, when I become president. I have already agreed with foreign partners on this. I will also improve housing for the poor,” he said.

He affirmed his policy of gender inclusion saying in his political party 60% of women hold positions.

Yusupha Dumbuya was born and brought up in Banjul The Gambia but his parents originated from Kerewan Samba Sira in the Central River Region. He is pursuing a doctorate in accounting and business studies at the University of Maryland in the USA.

The leader of the National Unity Party Abdoulie Jammeh has presented his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) at Election house.

Speaking after completing his nomination the former director-general of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority said his party will set up an Anti-Corruption Commission to tackle the high rate of corruption in the country

“We will set up an Anti-Corruption Commission. We believe corruption kills people and destroys the nation, we need foreign direct investment, therefore we must have a commission that fights corruption,” Abdoulie Jammeh said.

When asked about his programmes as a party Jammeh said he will

first start with security considering that The Gambia depends on Tourism as a major source of revenue and tourism cannot strive without adequate security.

“If you don’t fix the security situation it will affect tourism which is a major driver in our economy,” he said.

He also mentioned that he will fix the health care system which he described as appalling.

He also promised to fully implement the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) a commission set up to investigate the Yahya Jammeh era from 1994 to 2017.

“Reconciliation is key to development. We want to ensure things in the past are kept in the past and we move forward. We however recognise the need for justice to ensure closure, but reconciliation is paramount,” he said.

Jammeh also faithfully promised to review the reforms in the country’s security sector.

On the area of a coalition, he said, “I have always said we will consider a coalition. But we will only go into a coalition based on principles and in the interest of the people.”

He emphasized the need to unite all the people of The Gambia irrespective of political, racial, religious, and tribal affiliations, the need to curb the rise in corruption, and the need to improve the standard of living for all Gambians.

Mr Jammeh obtained MSc Development Management, PGD Information Systems Management) in Glasgow Caledonian University, UK in 1994, (Information Technology Management) Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore in 1989, GCE A’ Levels – Gambia High School (Now Gambia Senior Secondary School

NRP leader Hamat Bah has said UDP leader Ousainou Darboe’s political career will come to end when he gets defeated comprehensively by President Adama Barrow in December.

“What I want is that if we are defeating him, we do it cleanly,” Mr Bah told the president supporters at the Buffer Zone on Thursday evening.

Hamat also said: “If you’re wrestling with a stubborn wrestler, you knock him down in the ashes so there would be no dispute. But if Adama Barrow knocks him down this time, it would mark the end of his political career.

“Changing your name would not make you win an election. Holding a hand-fan that has a charm would not make you win an election. Let me tell you that. What makes you win an election is to do things in peace and you have God give you the people and the people give themselves to you.”

President Adama Barrow filed in his nomination papers with the IEC on Thursday accompanied by thousands of supporters.

The president is seeking re-election next month and his political father UDP leader Ousainou Darboe will be his fiercest challenger.