APRC Number 2 Ousman Rambo Jatta has also reacted to former President Yahya Jammeh’s fiat that saw the former dictator summarily dismissed nearly 50 executive members.

Jammeh shocked the nation on Friday evening when he said he never endorsed APRC’s marriage with NPP, contradicting an earlier statement by leader Fabakary Tombong Jatta that he did. Jammeh then fired the executive of the party and named new leaders.

Reacting to Jammeh’s madness, Ousman Rambo Jatta said: “This pronouncement that happened today has not shaken us but has fortified us. That means we have been working hard and need to redouble our efforts.

“There are people here, who are very close to the former president… They are in solidarity with us. Here are they sitting. So we should take solace in that.

“Tomorrow is the big meeting in Sukuta. Let the place be green and show the people we are not little guys in politics. The fight against this [pronouncement] should start tomorrow.”

APRC leader Fabakary Tombong Jatta has reacted to former President Yahya Jammeh’s fiat that saw the former dictator sack him and his top aides as leaders of APRC.

Jammeh shocked Gambia on Friday when he addressed APRC supporters where he rubbished statements by Jatta he agreed to APRC entering into an alliance with NPP. Jammeh went ahead to dismissed Jatta and his APRC executive members and named new leaders.

Speaking in Bwiam, Mr Jatta said: “APRC is not owned by anyone, it’s Gambia that owns it. Us sitting here will leave one day and you too will take over. No one should be sad or angry. Ignore and let it not make anyone say anything that is said out of anger.

“What we know since yesterday is calmness, patience and discipline. They also said there is a new committee. That’s not an APRC committee.

“I think his people who left us to join GANU are those who are with GANU. They would either be independent or be GANU but APRC… I don’t know about the future but it’s us who are in charge of the party today.”

APRC No Alliance Movement diaspora official Lamin Tamba has asked Gambians who think Jammeh fears any being to think again.

Jammeh shocked the nation Friday when he addressed his supporters in Kanilai where he told them he had not given his consent and blessing to APRC’s alliance with NPP. He also fired the leaders of APRC who entered into an alliance with NPP and named new leaders.

Lamin Tamba who had all along insisted Jammeh never agreed to what the leaders of the party did wrote: “Leadership is not always about taking popular decisions. It’s about taking the best available option no matter how difficult.

“If you think Jammeh fears any being or situation, think again. The man wears his heart on his sleeves #lion.”

Former President Yahya Jammeh has named 11 people who he said would now be in charge of APRC.

Addressing supporters in Kanilai on Friday, the former dictator ruthlessly dismissed leader Fabakary Tombong Jatta and his entire executive who spearheaded the APRC’s alliance with NPP. Jammeh said he never gave his blessing and consent to the marriage.

In announcing the new leaders, Mr Jammeh said: “Members of the executive who have left the party and went and joined another party, I have no problems with that but they are hereby being replaced by the following people;

“Honourable Abdou Jarju, Honourable Bakaray Saibo Sanneh, Muhammed Lamin Jammeh, Yahya Bamba, Honourable Jerrending Sanyang, Honourable Matarr Kujabi, Honourable Ebou Sambou, Honourable Omar Mamburay, Pa Modou Mbowe, Regina Williams, [and] Habib Secka. These people will work with the GANU team.”

By Lamin Njie, editor-in-chief

Former President Yahya Jammeh has said he did not approve the APRC’s alliance with National People’s Party, contradicting Fabakary Tombong Jatta who said he did.

APRC leader led by Fabakary Tombong Jatta in September agreed to back President Adama Barrow in the December presidential election.

“Whatever we are doing, former President Yahya Jammeh is aware and has endorsed it,” Mr Jatta had said at a press conference in September while announcing the move.

But on Friday, Mr Jammeh told his supporters at his home village in Kanilai he never approved the decision, contradicting Mr Jatta.

“All those who are with NPP, I am not approving it, we are not going to align with NPP, we are aligning ourselves with GANU party,” Jammeh said.

Jammeh addressed his supporters through telephone from Equatorial Guinea where he has been living in exile since 2017 following his 2016 electoral defeat.

Former President Yahya Jammeh has said leaders of APRC who entered into an alliance with NPP are no longer leaders of the party and has named new leaders.

Jammeh shocked the nation on Friday by addressing supporters in Kanilai where he told them he had not given his consent and blessing to APRC’s alliance with NPP.

“APRC will work with GANU and no other party,” Mr Jammeh stunningly said.

Abdou Jarju, Bakaray Saibo Sanneh, Jerrending Sanyang and Pa Modou Mbowe are part of a group of leaders Jammeh named. Jammeh also declared himself supreme leader of APRC.

Jammeh said he did not approve the APRC’s alliance with National People’s Party, contradicting Fabakary Tombong Jatta who said he did.

APRC leader led by Fabakary Tombong Jatta in September agreed to back President Adama Barrow in the December presidential election.

“Whatever we are doing, former President Yahya Jammeh is aware and has endorsed it,” Mr Jatta had said at a press conference in September while announcing the move.

Mr Jammeh told his supporters at his home village in Kanilai on Friday evening he never approved the decision, contradicting Mr Jatta.

“All those who are with NPP, I am not approving it, we are not going to align with NPP, we are aligning ourselves with GANU party,” Jammeh said.

Jammeh addressed his supporters through telephone from Equatorial Guinea where he has been living in exile since 2017 following his 2016 electoral defeat.

The New Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission Dr Saikou Kawsu Gassama was sworn in on Thursday, August 14th at the VP’s Office.

Dr. Gassama has a PhD in Political Science and has served Government and Civil Society Ogarnisations in various senior positions.

Dr Gassama was appointed to the role on July 1 by the commission, replacing Dr Cherno Omar Barry.

Dr Gassama had previously worked in the civil service, holding roles such as secretary to cabinet and permanent secretary at the Office of the President.

He also worked as director at the Gambia Prison Service.

The chief of Kombo South Lamin Darboe has been removed as chief of the district.

Mr Darboe was removed as chief on Thursday.

Community outlet GunjurOnline reported Falalo M. Touray of Gunjur Mang Kunda and a seasoned agriculturist has been appointed the new Chief of Kombo South.

No Alliance Movement Pa Modou Mbowe has told The Fatu Network the movement will hold a mega rally in Kanilai on Friday evening where former President Yahya Jammeh will speak.

“For Jammeh to speak will make the clarification [regarding APRC-NPP alliance]. Of course he is going to speak,” PMM told The Fatu Network on Thursday.

APRC entering into an alliance with NPP hasn’t sat well with some APRC supporters who have now formed a movement to fight against the alliance saying former President Jammeh never endorsed.

The party’s executive has however insisted the former President is aware of the decision and has in fact endorsed it.

Imam Bakawsu Fofana has come after Imam Chebo Cham over the latter’s comments Islam doesn’t accept opposition.

Imam Cham had last week Friday blasted the nation’s opposition saying they are doing nothing in the country other than causing conflict.

Imam Cham had said: “All the opposition do not want anyone to speak on the good things of government. The reason they don’t want it is because speaking on the good things of government makes people to love the government and if people love government they cannot get to power themselves.

“Sheikh Muhammed Lamin Touray did not say anything other than ‘my religion forbids being opposition’. And that is true and you cannot stop us from saying that. It’s our religion that says it. Do you want us to misrepresent the verses as the jews did?

“You can do your opposition all you like but our religion bars us from opposing government. Billahi Wallahi anyone who studies the religion will find this there. What benefit have your opposition-hood for Gambia? Nothing other than conflict that we are in.”

In a riposte he released on Thursday, Imam Fofana said: “You swore on a lie Chebo Cham. Which Surah says we should not oppose the leader? You swore on a lie Chebo Cham. A lie that can take one to hell.

“The way to know the religion or the Quran doesn’t ban being opposition… You have all gone to Saudi to study along with scholars in Senegal and elsewhere in the region.

“But you will never hear these scholars in their fatwas that the religion doesn’t accept being opposition. So why would your religion teach that? Are you not in the same religion as the people?”

MoBSE- Communication Unit

Following complaints that some Government and Government assisted Schools are defying government’s policy against school levies, the senior management of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has swiftly convened a meeting with school heads in Region-One at the Kanifing RED Office, to frown at the unlawful school levies.

Mr. Ousman Bah is Regional Education Director-1, he noted that the primary objective of the School Improvement Grant (SIG) is to ease the burden of school fees on parents. Although, uniforms, shoes, stationary and launch are not catered for in the SIG, school heads have no right to force any parent to buy them in the school, he emphasised.

He called on Heads of Schools to desist from charging illegal levies on parents as a precondition for admission. Mr. Bah described the issue of forcing students to buy books or pamphlets written by their subject teachers as illegal and unacceptable!

Mr. Adama Jimba Jobe, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Programs (DPS) -MoBSE, stressed that he is directed by the Permanent Secretary to inform the school heads that:

“Any Government school head who is found wanting of levying illegal school fees will be asked to handover his/her school to the Regional office and be replaced with immediate effect.”

“Any Grant-Aided School found wanting of levying illegal school fees will have their subventions frozen with immediate effect!” Mr. Jimba Jobe added. Warning that the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is determined to implement the Government Policy against school levies to the latter.

In the same vein, sequel to the recent press release of MoBSE on students converging around the traffic light vicinity in their uniforms, the senior management successfully engaged the various school heads with a view to proffer a definitive solution.

By Amara Thoronka

Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Wonnie Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra, was on Thursday 14th October 2021 awarded ‘West Africa President of the Year 2021’ by the Carter and Merger Center of Leadership and Good Governance at this year’s sixth London Political Summit in the United Kingdom.

Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ambassador Morie Manyeh, received the award on behalf of President Bio who is currently attending the Dubai Expo 2021 in the United Arab Emirates.

Political analysts say the rationale for receiving such an award cannot be unconnected to the President’s resolve in providing free quality education in all government and government-assisted schools across the country, decriminalizing libel, providing microfinance to businesses, abolishing the death penalty and more.

— 

Gambia National Olympic Committee on Thursday 14th October briefed the media ahead of the arrival of the Queen’s Baton relay to The Gambia as part of events and activities marking the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The baton is expected to arrive in the Gambia on 19th October 2021 and already the Olympic House is looking forward to an exciting and eventful visit with series of engagements and activities that involves the President of The Gambia running with the baton, and touring major settlements in Banjul, Kanifing Municipality and West Coast Region.

Both the Banjul and Kanifing mayors will run with the baton as well as students from identified schools and athletes.

The British High Commision and the Ministry of Youth and Sport will also host the baton before departing to Sierra Leone.

The full schedule of the three-day activity in The Gambia will be later communicated.

Birmingham will stage the 16th official Queen’s Baton Relay – an epic journey across the Commonwealth, with The Queen’s Baton visiting all 72 nations and territories, reaching Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and the Americas.

The Relay is scheduled to begin in October 2021, once Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has placed her message to the Commonwealth into the Baton.

The Baton will then travel for 294 days, connecting communities in every corner of the Commonwealth, embracing unique cultures and sharing stories.

This collective journey ignites and fosters hope, solidarity and collaboration for the next generation, with inspiring stories encouraging people to take on the challenges that matter most to the development of themselves, their nations and the Commonwealth in general.

The Drug Law Enforcement Agency has announced the arrested of four people over cannabis possession.

A statement by DLEAG on Thursday reads: “DLEAG operatives stationed in the West Coast Region apprehended Modou Alieu Barry, a Conakry Guinean National with three (3) big plants of suspected Cannabis Sativa. He was arrested on the 13th October 2021 around 17:00 hours GMT onwards at his residence in Brikama Gidda. The said suspected cannabis plants were discovered in his backyard toilet.

“Saikou Camara an adult male Gambian National was also nabbed at Gunjur, West Coast Region on the 13th October 2021 around 14:50 hours GMT onwards with two big plants of suspected Cannabis Sativa and some seeds of suspected Cannabis Sativa. The said suspected Cannabis Sativa plants were cultivated in his backyard toilet at a residence occupied by him and one Ismaila Bojang who is currently at large.

“In a similar but separate development, Bubacarr Jallow, a Gambian national and a resident of Gunjur was clutched with two (2) medium bundles and fifteen (15) parcels of suspected Cannabis Sativa while Abiola Thomas, A sixty (60) years old, Gambian National was arrested with three (3) big bundles of suspected Cannabis Sativa at the entrance of Mandinaba, West Coast Region. All the suspects are in custody while the investigation into the matter continues.”

The Libyan Navy on Wednesday said a Coast Guard patrol intercepted 70 migrants off the country’s western coast.

The migrants had remained at sea for three days and were about to drown when the patrol came to their aid, the Libyan Navy said.

The intercepted migrants include 11 women and seven children, it said, adding that they were taken to Tripoli Naval Base, provided with humanitarian and medical assistance, and handed over to anti-illegal immigration authorities.

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

Intercepted migrants end up inside overcrowded reception centers across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close those centers. (XINHUA)

By: Christian Conteh

The outbreak of COVID-19 has had an immeasurable impact on the African population particularly those between the middle and lower level manpower categories. One of the hardest hit are small scale farmers in rural Gambia and Sierra Leone, the majority of who believe in small-scale agriculture for their food security and incomes.

Gambia is arguably one of the largest exporters of groundnut in the sub-region.

Even before the advent of COVID-19, the sector had been faced with a plethora of challenges, including, lack of access to markets, finance, storage, and transportation among others.

The presence of COVID-19 poses a severe challenge not only to food security and incomes of the rural farmers but also to the entire economy of the two West African Countries. There is no doubt that the scourge will put rural farmers, particularly women-headed households, in extreme poverty.

Sahr O Falla is the District Youth Chairman in charge of the Chiefdom Youth Farm at Baoma Nimikoro Chiefdom in Kono District, he said on average amidst the COVID-19 the farm is doing relatively well. He however lamented about challenges including limited capacity, late supply of seeds, unavailability of fertilisers and herbicides to kill the grass among others, all because of the change in processes and procedures caused predominantly by COVID-19.

“Before COVID-19 government provided most of what is needed to ensure the farm does well, but now resources have to be diverted to the fight against the virus,” Sahr O Falla revealed.

He however expressed optimism that there would be better yield next year if their challenges are addressed and COVID is tackled.

Similarly, COVID-19 has proven a real threat to The Gambia’s rural population, this is as a result of the extraordinary measures taken by the government to combat the spread of the disease. Among these, the closure of local weekly markets (lumos) is particularly devastating for small-scale farmers. Various rice and vegetable farmers’ organizations have already reported difficulties in buying and selling because of lumos closures across the country.

“We are not even sure whether we will have farm inputs this year,” says Hawa Jagne, President of the Boiram Farmers’ cooperative.

The effects of the pandemic are also exacerbating long-standing challenges to The Gambia’s food security. Yields of staple cereal crops have been declining steadily for the past 10 years compared to the rest of West Africa, resulting in increasingly heavy reliance on food imports. Now, with heightened potential for food crises, the lives and livelihoods of much of The Gambia’s rural population are in danger.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating risks for the entire rural population, the impact will undoubtedly be particularly severe on the livelihoods of women. Like many rural women, Gambian women are largely dependent on the informal economy and the agribusiness sector. Shocks affecting these sectors could spell a drastic decrease (or absence) of the income that is critical for maintaining their families’ food and health needs.

At Gibina Pujehun, Southern Sierra Leone Adama Swarray explained that her over 50-acres farmland did not do as well as she anticipated since COVID-19 reduced her workforce considerably.

Women harvesting rice at Gibina, Pujehun, Southern Sierra Leone

“As you can see the weeds have overrun the rice, during the lockdown periods we couldn’t come out to work and most of the young people who use to work for me are looking for other means of sustenance,” Adama said.

Adama’s ordeal is similar to that of Mariatu Fobbie who is caretaker of 150-hectare farmland in the riverine community of Gbondapi, Southern Sierra Leone. The only difference is that Mariatu’s farmland did better since it was cultivated in the river.

“I was lucky to have a good harvest this year but I couldn’t transport as much as I wanted to the big markets due to the travel restrictions, this is why I pray COVID-19 becomes a thing of the past soon,” Mariatu said.

Kai Sama Mondeh is Chiefdom Youth Leader at Sandor, he revealed that the farm there was cultivated by a small number of young men who he had engaged regularly since the majority of the youths already had their own small personal farms, and most had abandoned farming following the restriction on movement of persons and goods in a bid to curtail the COVID-19 virus.

“COVID-19 has affected me greatly, I had just harvested some large amount of vegetables when the second lockdown was announced, most of the produce perished before I could take them to the big market,” Mondeh said stressing that the challenges they have encountered are many.

Overall COVID-19 Pandemic affected the movement of farm products from rural to urban centres. The transport system slowed down considerably, and at times, it was unavailable because of travel restrictions. This led to only a few people turning up to open markets. The situation caused several products, such as tomatoes, fruits and vegetables to perish, ultimately creating a loss of revenue.

It is also important to note that government extension officers in Sierra Leone did not effectively carry out their functions owing to travel restrictions. This means that much of the agricultural information flow that is normally given to farmers was curtailed. In the prevailing environment, farmers had to either adjust to other income-generating activities or wait for the situation to normalise.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Small Scale Farmers in Gambia and Sierra Leone call for an urgent look at the situation and a need for critical answers on what needs to be done to alleviate their plight.

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has accused Kantora MP Billay G Tunkura of betraying UDP because of D10,000.

MP Tunkura is among eight MPs UDP ruthlessly fired from the party in 2019 after they were accused of supporting President Barrow, a political rival. The MPs were said to be among MPs who were collecting D10,000 from President Barrow.

Speaking in Koina on Thursday as part of his nationwide tour of the nation, Mr Darboe reserved some criticism for MP Tunkara.

Darboe said: “What they said about your MP is that… Well, that MP [Tunkara] is a one term MP just like how Adama [Barrow] is a one term president. You the people of Kantora know not many people knew Billay Tunkara in Kantora before 2016. It was just a few people, maybe in the Suduwol area.

“It’s UDP that brought him out, put him on a colour and show him to Kantora and the world until he became an MP. So if he is not satisfied with being a national assembly member and going ahead to betray UDP just because of D10,000. This is what made him betray UDP. But he is a one term National Assembly Member.”

The high court in Banjul has remanded embattled permanent secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries Bamba Banja.

Banja was remanded on Wednesday. He faces economic crime charges.

His lawyer Abdoulie Fatty told The Fatu Network Thursday they are working on getting him out on bail.

He ran into trouble after a Malagen investigation last year implicated him a bribery scandal involving a Chinese fish-meal company.