UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has thanked the nation’s youth for welcoming him in style, declaring what he saw is ‘history’.

Mr Darboe returned to Banjul on Thursday after spending the past weeks touring the nation to popularise UDP’s five-point agenda.

Mr Darboe told supporters from the roof of his car early Friday morning: “The young men and young women of The Gambia, I thank you very much. What I saw today is history in The Gambia, it has never happened.

“And I believe it is only the United Democratic Party that can pull a crowd of this size. Thank you people of The Gambia.”

Thousands of Gambians from all walks of life poured on the the transGambia highway, from Kalagi to Pipeline to welcome Mr Darboe back home following the first leg of his tour.

Mr Darboe told supporters he was getting set for his nomination on November 1.

“We are doing the preparatory acts for the nomination and I am happy to announce to you that the so-called reason why they believe Ousainou Darboe will not be nominated no longer holds,” Mr Darboe said.

By Amara Thoronka

Sierra Leone Appeals Court judge, Justice Momoh-Jah Stevens, on Wednesday 20th October 2021 imposed a five-year imprisonment on Ahmed Issa Kamara or pay the sum of Eighty Million Leones (Eight Thousand United States Dollars) and an additional mandatory Twenty Million Leones (Two Thousand United States Dollars) as compensation to the victim of a sex video filmed and circulated by the convict.

The accused Ahmed Issa Kamara was before the Court on four counts ranging from making indecent material, contrary to section 18 (1) (a); circulating indecent material contrary to section 18 (1) (b); possessing indecent material, contrary to section 18 (1) (c) and circulating indecent materials on various dates contrary to section 18 (1), all of the Sexual Offences Act 2012, Act No. 12 of 2012, as repealed and replaced by the Sexual Offences (amendment) Act 2019, Act No. 8 of 2019.

According the particulars of offence, the convict, between 1st March to 2nd April 2020 at Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, made an indecent material of the victim when performing oral sex. On Count two, the convict circulated a nude video of the victim to the victim’s fiancé residing overseas.

In his judgement, Justice Momoh-Jah Stevens said the accused person was charged with four counts of sexual related offences and he pleaded not guilty to all counts as charged. He noted that the Prosecution made a successful application for the accused person to be tried by judge alone pursuant to Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1965 as amended.

He continued that the Prosecution presented three witnesses and were able to prove that the phone that was used to do the sexual activity was owned by the accused. He added that the activity itself was done without the consent of the victim.

According to Justice Stevens, two videos were played in closed court, one was where the victim was having foreplay with the accused and the other was where they were having sex. He said both the accused and the victim had been in a domestic relationship.

Justice Stevens said the Prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt which is the standard in criminal law, stating that the accused is found guilty as charged in all four counts.

In his plea mitigation, the lawyer representing the accused, C. Taylor-Young Esq., said he (accused Ahmed Issa Kamara) is a first time offender and a young man that has prospect to grow affirmatively. Referencing Section 18 of the Sexual Offences Act of 2012, he pleaded with the judge to either sentence the convict or to fine him.

After his conviction, the accused appealed to the judge to temper justice with mercy.

Delivering his sentence, Justice Stevens cautioned that men should be mindful in treating women as they should be well respected.

“Circulation of sexual video is uncalled for and unacceptable,” he said, and therefore sentenced the convict to five years each for all the count charges or to pay twenty million Leones for each count. In addition, he said the convict should pay a mandatory compensation fee to the victim in the sum of twenty million Leones on or after he had completed his sentence of payment of fine.

He said the accused should either pay the fine plus the twenty million Leones compensation fee or be imprisoned for five years.

Lawyer M. P Sesay represented the State while Lawyer C. Taylor-Young represented the accused [now convict], Ahmed Issa Kamara.

Circulating sexual material after having sex is one social menace that continues to be very disturbing to the sight and hearing of decent civilized people.

People still wonder why a guy can have an affair with a lady, film the moment and circulating it to people, including the lady’s fiance.

The judgement is believed by many to send a strong warning to prospective offenders.

Fabakary Tombong Jatta has said former President Yahya Jammeh was indeed aware of APRC entering into an alliance with NPP.

Former President Jammeh last week shocked the nation when he called from Equatorial Guinea and said he was not approving of the APRC’s alliance with NPP. Jammeh said the leaders never had his consent.

But addressing reporters on Thursday, APRC leader Fabakary Tombong Jatta said: “I also want to make one thing very clear: the alliance with NPP that I Fabakary Tombong Jatta as a Muslim want to make it abundantly clear that our former President His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Abdul Aziz James Junkung Jammeh was aware of this coalition move.

“I stand and I will swear to the Holy Quran at any level. When it was happening, it was not only me, it was in the presence of Ousman Rambo and Yankuba Colley. I have seen somebody who is very close to him, he was even sent to me by him on this very issue.”

APRC leader Fabakary Tombong has announced the stripping of officials sympathetic to the Jammeh-backed No Alliance Movement of their roles in the party.

Speaking at a press conference in Manjai on Thursday, Mr Jatta said: “What we have agreed and I will make that annoucnement here today is that Honourable Abdou Jarju, our national youth mobiliser has been relieved of his position. Consequently, our youth structure… We have the national youth mobiliser, the first deputy national youth mobiliser and the second deputy national youth mobiliser. Consequently, we have appointed his first deputy national youth mobiliser to act in his position, that Honourable Pa Matarr Ndow. In addition it has been decided that from that Thursday that Honourable Abdou Jarju and Bakary Saibo Sanneh are no longer members of the national executive.

“We are aware former deputy COP (chief of protocol) Muhammed Lamin Jammeh is named in the new committee. To that end, earlier than today about three weeks or a month ago, we were suspicious and we have evidence most of the executive committee meetings that are leaked out were done through him and then we removed him from the executive forum. Since that day we have not had cause for accusing each other of people giving out information. Muhammed Lamin Jammeh is also relieved of his position as a member of the national executive committee.”

On former President Jammeh’s last Friday fiat that saw the former dictator sack them, Mr Jatta could only say he was ‘mis-informed’.

He said: “Despite what might have happened on that Friday, I think he had been misinformed and mis-advised. But I recognise one thing and I said: I said Yahya Jammeh had been our president for 22 years, Yahya Jammeh had been our party leader for 20 years. Just for those two, he deserves our respect. And we appreciate what he has done in this country. He has transformed this country. Like it or not. Agree to it or not. He has impacted positvely on every sector of this country.

“Yes, he is a human being like us. He has his shortfalls and shortcomings. Subsequent steps will only be necessary depending on what comes in next. But as at now, even those in the NAM group, we are not removing them from the party. They are members. If they choose to go to GANU or any political party, we have no qualms. But we are urging them to come back to their green party.”

Fabakary Tombong Jatta has dismissed position holders of APRC who are affiliated to the Jammeh-backed No Alliance Movement.

Speaking at a press conference in Manjai on Thursday, Mr Jatta said: “What we have agreed and I will make that annoucnement here today is that Honourable Abdou Jarju, our national youth mobiliser has been relieved of his position. Consequently, our youth structure… We have the national youth mobiliser, the first deputy national youth mobiliser and the second deputy national youth mobiliser. Consequently, we have appointed his first deputy national youth mobiliser to act in his position, that Honourable Pa Matarr Ndow. In addition it has been decided that from that Thursday that Honourable Abdou Jarju and Bakary Saibo Sanneh are no longer members of the national executive.

“We are aware former deputy COP (chief of protocol) Muhammed Lamin Jammeh is named in the new committee. To that end, earlier than today about three weeks or a month ago, we were suspicious and we have evidence most of the executive committee meetings that are leaked out were done through him and then we removed him from the executive forum. Since that day we have not had cause for accusing each other of people giving out information. Muhammed Lamin Jammeh is also relieved of his position as a member of the national executive committee.”

By Sarjo Brito

Imam Essa Jawara yesterday shared that one of the kids who were severely injured and fighting for their lives has died in a Gambian hospital, taking the death toll in the deadly fire incident to six.

Five children died in Saturday’s fire outbreak at the Bilal Boarding School in Yundum after they got trapped in their room. Seven others were hospitalised due to severe burns.

In a video shared on social media, the CEO of the school Imam Essa Jawara said a sixth boy has died while six other children remain in critical condition.

He said: “Five people died at the scene and now we have lost another one at the hospital making it six. We have six other people in critical condition. We were able to get ambulances yesterday to transport three of them to Dakar and now we are trying to transport the remaining three.

“The cost for one ambulance alone to Dakar is thirty-five thousand Gambian dalasis. We are seeking assistance from the public to help fund their treatment and rebuild the school so that learning can go back to normal.”

While many Gambians took to social media to share their condolences following the incident, a huge debate was sparked on how the proliferation of boarding schools should be controlled and properly vetted by The Gambia Government.

Many also called for an urgent investigation into the matter and bringing anyone found culpable to face the full force of the law. It is not clear if the fire was an arson attack or not.

The Gambia Police Force has already launched their investigations according to Police PRO Superintendent Lamin Njie.

Edrissa Mass Jobe’s mother has passed away, the businessman has announced on Facebook.

Aji Rohey Njie passed away a couple of hours ago. She is said to be aged around 97.

A source close to Mr Jobe confirmed the sad news to The Fatu Network. Burial will be held at 2pm on Thursday in Wellingara.

Mr Jobe is the chairman of EM Holding as well as the President of Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Independent Electoral Commission has stated where it stands regarding the crisis that has gripped APRC.

Former President Yahya Jammeh last Friday pushed APRC into a crisis when he called his supporters and told them he was sacking the party’s executive members. His reason was that they entered into an alliance with NPP without his blessing.

But the parties leaders led by Fabakary Tombong Jatta have insisted Jammeh doesn’t have the power to dismiss them.

But the spokesman of the IEC Pa Makan Khan told The Standard: “It is a legal requirement for all political parties to conduct bi-annual congresses from which they will select their executive. So, for somebody somewhere to just dissolve an executive elected through a congress has no legal basis and doesn’t hold water.

“We have the list of the APRC executives and the party leader is Fabakary Tombong Jatta. This is what stands as of now and until they go to congress in two years time, the FTJ executive is the legitimate one as dictated by section 105 of the Elections Act as amended in 2015.”

Police have announced a live firing exercise will be held on Thursday through Saturday.

In a statement, police said: “The office of the Inspector General of Police wishes to inform the general public, that it will conduct a life firing exercise at the Tintinba Firing Range behind Kanfenda Village in Foni Kansala, West Coast Region, for officers of the Police Intervention Unit on routine training exercise.

“The firing exercise will be conducted between Thursday 21st October 2021 and Saturday 23rd October 2021 at 08:00 hrs onwards.

“In this regard, members of the public particularly residents of Tintiba, Burock, Kanfenda, Dumbuto, Giramba, Darsilami, JomoKunda and surrounding villages are urged not to panic and should go about their normal businesses.

“In the same vein, residents within the surroundings of the aforementioned villages of the Firing Range are advised to completely avoid the area for safety reasons.”

Mama Fatima Singhateh has denied claims her mother manages a property belonging to former President Yahya Jammeh.

An investigation in 2017 saw the former president’s property seized by the state but former speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay said in an audio that has emerged online that someone told her Ms Singhateh’s mother was managing a property belonging to the former president.

Ms Singhateh who is now the UN special rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children wrote on twitter Wednesday: “There is an audio purportedly made by Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay (FJC) making the rounds on social media. I don’t usually comment on misinformation but the fact that my name was mentioned makes me worried about the credibility of FJC.

“I am upset and disappointed by what she said. For the record and for the benefit of any person/ media outlet who is interested in the truth, I have NEVER and DO NOT manage any property belonging to HE the former president and for FJC to not only stoop so low as to tell a lie against me but also mention my mother’s name in that lie is beyond my comprehension. I will advise myself on my legal options.”

An alleged drug trafficker has been arrested by agents of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

DLEAG in a statement on Wednesday said: “DLEAG operatives stationed in the West Coast Region arrested one Pa Marong, A Gambian National and a Resident of Kiang Tendaba with fifty-three (53) big bundles of suspected cannabis sativa. He was nabbed on 15 October 2021 around 23:25 hours GMT onwards at Besse River crossing point.

“His accomplices Alagie Karamba of Kiang Tendaba, Lamin Sonko of Kiang Tendaba, and two (2) others are currently at large.

“The said suspected prohibited drugs were all wrapped with cement papers and sellotape. Twenty-five (25) bundles were covered with a yellow nylon bag and concealed in a blue and white bag, twenty-seven (27) bundles were covered with yellow plastic and seven (7) bundles were covered with a blue plastic bag and concealed in a white and blue bag. The suspects used two motorcycles (one without a registration plate and the other with registration number WCR 4396 A) to convey the said drugs en route from Cassamance.

“In a similar but separate development, operatives in the Kanifing Municipality also arrested one Ousman Jawara, A Gambian, and a resident of Tujereng with one (1) bundle and seventy (70) parcels of suspected cannabis weighing two (2) kilograms four hundred and fifty (450) grams. He was clutched on 18 October 2021 around 12:15 GMT onwards at Tujereng, West Coast Region.

“He is currently in custody while investigations into the matter continue.”

Hamat Bah has condemned Mamma Kandeh for comments the GDC leader has made about President Barrow and his late son.

President Barrow’s son died shortly after the president came to power in December 2016.

Kandeh at a recent rally said it was President Barrow who said he sacrificed his son for the presidency.

Clearly saddened and disappointed by Mamma Kandeh’s comments, Hamat Bah said: “For Mamma Kandeh to stand at a platform to say that Adama Barrow lost his son… When he won the election he lost his son, after victory. For Mamma Kandeh to utter to say that Barrow sacrificed his child… You sacrifice when you’re looking for something.

“But Barrow won the election already as a president and for you to stand and say that as a presidential candidate, it shows the type of opposition that we have again. Let’s respect our values, our norms, our conventions, to make sure we have clean politics. When the game is over, we can all shake hands.”

Mr Bah spoke over the weekend during President Adama Barrow’s rally in Sukuta.

By: Christian Alpha Conteh

The Free Quality Education Programme was officially Launched by President Julius Maada Bio on August 20^th 2018. This was in line with his top campaign promise which targets developing the human capital of the country through education, skills training, health and the provision for and protection of vulnerable Sierra Leoneans. This good initiative has over the years been met with its own fair share of challenges including:

Limited teaching staff

There is currently a high number of unqualified teachers.  Data suggests that in total 48,761 teachers representing 58.7% have the required minimum qualification to teach at the various school levels, which should inform us that a lot more teachers currently in the classroom are untrained and unqualified.

Surprisingly, and sadly amidst the fact that government allocates 21% of the National Budget to education, households still contribute significantly to schools. Data puts the resources going into schools from households at more than one fifth.  Moneys collected from parents with children in pre- schools, accounted for 70% of the resources flowing into schools from households.

In primary, despite the FQSE, parents’ contribution accounted for 24% of the total resources, indicating that even with FQSE, some schools are still charging some levies. Only two thirds to three quarters of the resources flowing into junior and senior secondary schools come from the government.

Overall, salaries and wages account for the highest spending item for schools at 45.4% followed by rehabilitation at 30% and acquisition of learning materials at 20% which are the key inputs to any functioning school.

School growth and infrastructure

Another challenge the School Census Data brought to the fore is that the expansion in school infrastructure has not corresponded with the growth in student population. The number of schools increased from 10,747 to 11,180, an overall increase of only 4%.

Only 52.3%, 53.2%, 64.6% respectively of classrooms in pre-primary, junior secondary and senior secondary are solid and in good condition.

6.7% of the classrooms in basic and senior secondary are makeshifts with grass, wood, palm fronds and other local materials.

Although the average class size with all classrooms considered for approved schools are 25, 34, 38 and 46 in pre-primary, primary, junior and senior secondary respectively, further analysis reveals that the average class size in more than 40% of approved pre-primary schools is 50 if only solid classrooms are considered.

In primary, JSS and SSS, the average class size in more than 60% of approved schools is more than 50. A considerable number of basic and senior secondary schools do not have access to any source of water and a majority do not have access to piped water.

Hygiene and Sanitation

1 in 3 pre-primary schools, 4 in 10 primary schools, 3 in 10 junior secondary schools and 2 in 10 senior secondary schools do not have access to any source of water. A significant share of schools (58% in pre-primary, 54% in primary, 45% in junior secondary and 42% in senior secondary) rely on boreholes and wells.

Some Districts fare abysmally with water provision. In Koinadugu District only 7.7% of the schools in primary and 18% in secondary have access to safe water (piped and borehole).

In approved schools, the results show that the toilet ratios when considering only toilets in good conditions are unbearably high (47 learners for every toilet in pre-primary, 124 in primary, 108 in Junior secondary and 157in senior secondary).

About 47,965 pupils in the four levels of education are children with special needs (67.4% of them in primary, 22,2% in Junior secondary and 6.2% in senior secondary). A majority of these children, accounting for 27.6% suffer from learning disability, followed by visual, hearing, speech and physical disability (19.4%, 18.0%, 17.8% and 17.2% respectively).

Despite this state of affairs, only 1 in 10 schools reported having ramp and special latrine for pupils with disabilities, and only 6% of schools said they provide special cubicles for girls during menstruation.

Laboratory, Electricity and ICT

Another shocking revelation the School Census unearthed is that nationally, only 2% of the schools have a functional science laboratory, while 6% have a functioning library. A majority of these are in senior secondary schools.

It is clear from available data that access to electricity, computers and internet services in schools is a big challenging as indicated nationally by only 22%, 4% and 1% of schools respectively that have access to electricity, computer and internet facilities.

Further analysis by levels shows that 2%, 16% and 9% respectively of primary, senior and junior secondary schools have access to computer services. Only 7%, 3%, 1% and 1% respectively of Senior, Junior, primary and pre-primary schools are connected to the internet.

Amidst these challenges the government of Sierra Leone has increased its expenditure on national exams (NPSE, BECE, and WASSCE) and tuition fees by over 400 %

The FQSE programme has also resulted in a tremendous increase in student enrolment nationwide. The number of learners enrolled in schools increased by almost 700,000 due mainly to the commencement of the FQSE.

The education sector data reveal a significant increase in the number of schools approved for Government support. 53.4% of pre-primary, 78.7% of primary, 76.7% of junior secondary, and 80.4% of senior secondary schools are now approved- meaning they can receive tuition subsidies, textbooks, and other learning interventions. In 2018, less than half of the schools across basic and senior secondary were approved to receive government support.

The Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) in the primary has increased by 30 and 34 percentage points for boys and girls respectively between 2018 and 2019.

Data at the Ministry of Finance show that the annual teacher’s wage bill has also now increased from Le 474.16 billion in 2019, to 636.62 billion for 2020; this includes additional costs of up to 4000 new teachers that were recently brought on the payroll. A new set of 1,000 teachers have been recruited for 2021 further expanding the teaching wage bill.

“The support we’ve got for education in the last couple of years is unprecedented. We have large government commitments, have the largest multi-donor trust fund ever at USD 72million with five major development partners, and now see some private sector contributions as well. Recently, we became eligible for up to $40m GPE transformation grant because of the work we have done,” Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education Dr. David Moinina Sengeh said.

UDP second vice president Rohey Malick Lowe has called on all supporters of UDP to come out in their large numbers to welcome leader Ousainou Darboe.

Mr Darboe will return home on Thursday from his tour of the nation.

A huge welcome is being prepared for him from Brikama to his residence in Pipeline.

And Rohey Lowe who is also the mayor of Banjul wrote on her official Rohey Malick Lowe Second Vice President of United Democratic Party Facebook page said: “Tomorrow Thursday is the historic welcoming of our party leader and flagbearer, Hon Ousainou Darboe.

“Comrades and party sympathizers come out in your large numbers and be part of history making event.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that government has signed a joint communiqué on the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between The Gambia and Burundi.

The joint communique was signed by officials of the two countries on the margins of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union held on 14th and 15th October, 2021 in the African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a statement by the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

It added: “The Joint Communiqué was signed by H.E. Dr. Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad and his distinguished counterpart, H.E Ambassador Albert Shingiro, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi.

“The two Ministers applauded this momentous development and described it as a strong commitment to jointly pursue opportunities both bilaterally and through the joint membership of multilateral institutions, for the benefit of the peoples and governments of the Republic of The Gambia and the Republic of Burundi.

“The two Ministers agreed to put in place the requisite political and institutional mechanisms towards the realisation of a vastly expanded bilateral relationship between the Republic of The Gambia and the Republic of Burundi.

“The signing ceremony was witnessed by H.E. Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, Permanent Representative to the African Union.”

By Dawda Baldeh

As part of the country’s preparation in hosting the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in 2022, the project work has begun at the Banjul International Airport for the construction of a nine million dollars new presidential lounge to be built by AREZKI.

During last Friday’s demolition exercise of the old airport, Aymen Marsaoui, the contactor of the Presidential Lounge project promised that the construction can to be done on time.

“I will make sure that the contract is done on time,” Aymen Marsaoui said. “The new building will be different from the old presidential lounge. It will be in accordance with modern technology. The quality and convenience is up to standard. If you are inside, you will not hear the noise that is coming from outside.”

Kabirou Jammeh the Project Manager for the construction of the New Presidential Lounge at the Banjul International Airport said the presidential lounge will be built in accordance with modern technology. He said the project cost of the 9 million dollar for the building and it is expected to be completed in 12 to 14 months.

“This new presidential lounge will be in accordance with modern technology,” Kabirou Jammeh said. The project manager at the airport said he is optimistic that the contractor can meet the stipulated time.

Nfally Fadera Head of Brand and Communication OIC Gambia Secretariat revealed government is committed to the OIC project.

“The presidential lounge will be the first welcoming place were the guest coming to attend the summit,” Fadera said. “We want to make sure that Gambia is rank as the best country for hosting international summits.” Fadera also stated that the benefits of the summit are huge.

GANU leader Sheikh Tijan Hydara has said God it’s God who is behind his party’s alliance with the No Alliance Movement APRC.

“It’s an alliance that has come about because of God and it’s that God who will protect us and it’s that God who will support us, and it’s that God who will put us in State House come come [2021 December election],” Mr Hydara told a meeting of ‘APRC’ and GANU supporters in Foni.

His comments come as former President Jammeh addressed his supporters last Friday asking them not to support the APRC’s alliance with NPP.

Jammeh insisted the leadership of the APRC entered into the alliance with NPP without his approval.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said Tuesday that 216 migrants were rescued off Libya’s western coast.

“Last two nights, 2 boats with a total of 216 persons aboard were returned to Zawiya and Tripoli,” UNHCR tweeted.

No missing persons were reported, and medical care, food and water were provided, it said.

Almost 400 migrants were rescued off the Libyan coast and returned to Libya in the past week, said the International Organization for Migration (IOM) also on Tuesday.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.

So far in 2021, a total of 26,705 migrants, including women and children, have been rescued, while 493 died and 686 went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route, according to the IOM. (XINHUA)

Four people have been arrested over cocaine seized by the Senegalese military on Tuesday off Senegal’s Atlantic coast.

Local media reported on Wednesday 44-year-old Gambian-Senegalese Makha Gaye is the leader of the alleged traffickers. He is said to have been born in Guédiawaye.

He was arrested alongside Senegalese Pope Madiop Dieye, Sierra Leonian Marrah Foday and Bissau-Guinean Quecuto Bajo.

Senegal seized more than two tonnes of pure cocaine from a ship off its Atlantic coast, the navy said on Tuesday, in the West African country’s largest-ever cocaine bust.

The 2,026 kg of cocaine was found on a ship 363 km (226 miles) off the coast by naval forces backed by air support from the French air force, the navy said in a statement.

The ship had five crew members aboard, it added.

Drug smugglers typically use West Africa as a transshipment point for cocaine en route from South America to Europe

In January, authorities in neighboring Gambia seized nearly three tonnes of cocaine from a shipment of industrial salt originating in Ecuador.

Morocco police on Monday seized one tonne and 335 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a container ship in Tangier Med Port. (Reuters)