The Basse Bridge has been named after a man who provided free river transportation to students and pregnant women.

Samba Juma was a canoe man who transported passengers between Basse and Kerewan Badala.

He also provided free transportation to the schoolchildren and would spend nights at the Riverside to help patients, particularly pregnant women.

President Barrow was one of the people who benefited from his kind deed, State House disclosed on Saturday as the bridge got inaugurated.

The Basse Bridge has officially been named Samba Juma Bridge by President Adama Barrow.

By XINHUA

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Saturday condemned the killing of illegal immigrants in a detention center in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

“IOM condemns Friday’s senseless killing and the use of live rounds against migrants protesting the appalling conditions in detention,” IOM said in a statement.

Six were killed and at least 24 others injured at the Mabani detention center in Tripoli when armed guards opened fire following a riot and an attempted escape, IOM said.

However, the Libyan interior minister denied the six deaths, confirming that only one person was killed “accidentally while leaving the center”.

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 illegal immigrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.

The rescued and arrested ones live in overcrowded reception centers across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close the centers.

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Sierra Leone beat The Gambia 2-1 on Saturday in Morocco in the two countries’ friendly match.

Striker Assan Ceesay converted from the penalty spot early on in the first half but Sierra Leone quickly hit back through Kai Kamara.

Sierra Leone then took the lead in the 42nd minute through Fofana. The Gambia from there forward looked out-of-sorts.

It means The Gambia have now lost two of three international friendly matches they are set to play.

President Adama Barrow on Saturday told thousands of citizens they have not seen anything yet in terms of development as he presided over the inauguration of the Basse roads and bridges.

“We have told you we mean business with our coming [to power],” the president told citizens in Basse Saturday afternoon.

The Basse roads and bridges were built at the tune of 100 million dollars and the president insisted this is no joke.

The president said: “This is why I said you should no longer refer to me as Barrow Manasi, say Barrow nata dokuwolela (Barrow has come to work). But we have not yet started in terms of the work that has happened, you have not seen anything yet. Do you know when real work will take place in Gambia? When the election takes place on the 4th of December 2021. This is when you will see development in The Gambia, after I win the election.

“This is because I currently have a shared government. You have some who want me to work while others do not want me to work. Those who do not want me to work are those in a haste to be president of The Gambia. These are people who have not seen The Gambia and Gambians but their own personal interests. These are the kind of people I have in my government.

“But these are hypocrites and Allah said he doesn’t help hypocrites. But on the 4th of December, the goats and the sheep will be separated. That’s when you will see President Barrow’s work as I will have my own government where our vision our way of work would be the same.”

By Amara Thoronk

Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio, has on Friday 8th October 2021 signed the “Abolition of Death Penalty Bill” into law after the country’s parliament unanimously voted to expunge it from the nation’s law books.

In a ceremony held at State House, President Bio said, “When I first proposed abolishing the death penalty in its totality for all capital crimes, there was widespread scepticism, cynicism, and outright hostility. Some cautioned that it was unwise to let go of the ultimate cudgel that had kept political opponents in line. Others wondered whether that was really what I wanted to do. Those who did not wish to be seen as hard dissenters made counter proposals that we could keep the death penalty for some crimes.”

He recalled that his position has always been a ‘hard and firm No’ to the death penalty in all its forms and for all crimes.

He went on to note that the state has absolutely no obligation to undertake judicial killings of its own citizens in order to instill law and order or for political gain. “The all-too-familiar phrase of hanging persons by the neck until they die or tying persons at a stake and gunning them down is cruel, inhumane, and degrading,” he said.

He told members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps that Sierra Leone is a civilised nation that will never again execute any person in this sovereign republic.

As President, he reiterated, “I have made a solemn commitment to good governance, justice, and to upholding, promoting, and protecting the lives and rights of every citizen. Our governance and justice sector reforms have opened up more democratic spaces, unfettered free speech, and expanded access to justice for hitherto unserved and under-served populations.”

“We will no longer execute fellow citizens for political retribution, for deterrence of crimes, or for crimes,” President Bio said, adding that, “the state must now set the example by demonstrating that it places the highest value on all human life. The abolition of the death penalty will mark an important and symbolic departure from the past to the future.”

The country’s Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards assured President Bio that the Judiciary under his watch will fully apply the Abolition of Death Penalty Act of 2021.

“We in the Judiciary note the change and are ready to apply the new law, the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, 2021 without let or hindrance where applicable,” Hon. Justice Edwards assured.

According to him, the day marks an important date in the annals of the country’s history in that Sierra Leone will be joining over 144 countries that have abolished the Law and Practice of Death Penalty.

He said Death Penalty found its way into Sierra Leone laws courtesy of certain statutes like Murder under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, Robbery with Aggravation under Section 23 of the Larceny Act, 1916, Mutiny under the Sierra Leone Military Forces Act, 1961 and the Law of Treason under the Treason and State Offences Act, 1963. The Hon. Chief Justice said Death Penalty was the way of life to addressing crimes like treason, murder and robbery.

Justice Edwards joking said, “I am paying tribute to the Death Penalty for after today, it would be laid to rest and would be heard of no more.”

The Deputy Minister of Justice, lawyer Umaru Napoleon Koroma, said some twenty-five years ago as a pupil of the Albert Academy, he participated in a debate in favour of the abolition of the Death Penalty; and at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, he joined the Amnesty International to canvass for the abolition of the death penalty but it never happened.

The West African nation is the 23rd country on the continent and the 110th worldwide to end capital punishment. This is believed to favour the democratic credentials of President Bio and Sierra Leone.

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe said on Friday he is upbeat due to what he has seen in the North Bank Region during days of tour.

“I am hopeful after what I have seen in North Bank here. But Allah is in charge of his affairs, he can change things in a blink of an eye. You have shown me there is no need for us to come for campaign here,” Mr Darboe told supporters on Friday in Farafenni.

UDP began a tour of the nation on Monday beginning in Barra. The tour took the party to Farafenni on Friday where a huge meeting was held.

It comes as UDP prepares for the December presidential election where Darboe is looking to defeat President Adama Barrow.

Police have announced arresting suspects over the theft of 14 fowls amid intensive night patrols.

Abdoulie Saidy, 43 and Demba Khan, 20 years old and residents of Brikama were arrested with 14 fowls suspected to be stolen, police said today.

Elsewhere, police said two other individuals, Edrissa Jarju and Nfally Jarju, were also arrested with 350 cartons of unlicensed liquor being smuggled into the country from Cassamance.

Three others were equally arrested for other offenses as well, police said.

“They are currently helping with investigations. Members of the public are encouraged to volunteer information about unusual criminal activities within their communities,” police said.

President Adama Barrow has stated that his visit to the family of former President Yahya Jammeh is out of respect for the former leader.

The president was in Kanilai on Thursday where he met with the family of former president Jammeh.

And speaking to reporters, the president said: “Basically my coming here is to come and inspect the school that is here. That’s why I am here. But this is the former president’s village. If I come to this village, if I come for any purpose, it’s important for me to come and see his family especially his immediate family.

“Out of respect, out of courtesy, that’s why I came to see his family. Because as Gambians we are all the same and he is the former president. Obviously he deserves respect from every Gambian especially me as president of the republic now.

“What I told the family is: every position… One day the position will finish. It’s either you retire or you’re sacked from the position or you die. Even me, I will one day be former president. But I think every Gambian deserves respect and out of that respect and courtesy I said I will have to come and see the family.

“And I am very happy that I have seen the family. They received me very well and obviously we are talking about reconciliation. This is part of reconciliation, trying to reconcile everybody, reconcile the entire Gambian people and the family of the former president.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has warned Gambians against voting for any party other than UDP – and pointing at a child and insisting anyone who votes for any party other than UDP would be destroying the future of the child.

UDP held a meeting in No Kunda on Thursday as part of a tour of the nation by the party.

Speaking at the meeting, UDP leader Darboe stated: “I call on all Gambians to vote for UDP for the future of this child. Because myself, Amadou Sanneh, Kemeseng Jammeh have done ours.

“But we should all protect the future of this young child. And Wollahi if anyone votes for any party other than UDP should know you’re destroying the future of this child.”

UDP’s tour continues.

The Senegalese government lifted restrictions on travelers to Senegal on Thursday evening, marking the reopening of the country’s air borders to all passengers with a negative COVID-19 PCR test within five days, a senior official announced on Friday.

The announcement was made by the Senegalese Minister of Tourism and Air Transport Alioune Sarr who signed a circular.

Airlines, whose operating programs have been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Senegal or which have a specific authorization, are authorized to embark and disembark their passengers who possess a negative COVID-19 PCR test within five days, it said.

Due to the COVID-9 pandemic, Senegal closed air borders to passengers from a number of countries.

After a sharp increase in new infections and deaths between July and August, Senegal experienced a drastic drop in COVID-19 cases since mid-September.

Since the first case of COVID-19 was recorded in March 2020, Senegal has recorded 73,825 positive cases, including 71,908 recoveries and 1,864 deaths, according to the statement. The number of people receiving at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccines reached 1,266,665. (XINHUA)

President Adama Barrow addressed troops at Kanilai Barracks in Kanilai on Thursday during a meeting with the servicemembers.

The president was in Kanilai to meet with the family of former President Yahya Jammeh.

The president also met with troops that form the Kanilai Barracks where he advised them to work in the interest of the nation.

The president said: “The security of this country is very important to me as commander-in-chief of the Gambia Armed Forces. But without your support, without your hardwork, that will be impossible.

“My piece of advice is: work together as a family, work together as unit, work in the interest of this country. This country belongs to all of us. The security, the development of this country is everybody’s business.”

Gambia head coach Tom Saintfeit has said The Gambia underperformed against Morocco U23 team after The Scorpions got battered 7-2 on Thursday.

“I think first of all we have to say that we are very disappointed with this performance. We never underestimated this team, we know Morocco is a very strong team. We underperformed. It’s very interesting for us. We have to be critical, we have to analyse this game,” Saintfeit told GFF media shortly after the match.

The Scorpions squarred off against Morocco on Thursday in the first of three international friendly matches.

But a hat-trick from Morocco’s El Katri and a double from Azaro condemned The Gambia to their heaviest defeat in decades.

By: Amara Thoronka

The Sierra Leone Police have arrested 98 foreign nationals in Waterloo, 40 kilometers from the country’s capital Freetown. The foreign nationals, mostly Guineans who don’t speak English were arrested inside a compound where they were undergoing military training.

According to the Local Unit Commander of Waterloo Police Division, LUC Musa Brima Bandabla, they received intelligence about these foreign national’s weeks ago and kept an eye on them. He said they conducted a thorough surveillance on them and their temporal home, a private gated compound.

“We arrested 98 foreigners mostly Guineans (84 men and 14 women) who cannot explain their purpose of visit to Sierra Leone. They have no travelling documents or ID cards. They cannot speak English and said they entered the country by road”, LUC Bandabla said.

He went on to note that the foreign nationals were also engaged in combatant training. “They were receiving words of command or combatant training. This kind of training is not meant for civilians and hence a major security concern. That’s why we arrested them”, he said.

The LUC said the suspects told police they are in large numbers and some of their colleagues have gone out of town. Bandabla added that, the suspects will be investigated further to know their motive. “We will transfer the 98 arrested to Freetown for further interrogation because all their activities are suspicious. “If they are connected with any criminal activity, they will be kicked out of the country”, he added.

William Faya Sellu of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Sierra Leone police told DW News that their initial investigations suggest the foreigners are part of a wider criminal network based in Hong Kong. “Our investigation reveals they are part of a criminal network called QNET based in Hong Kong. We will continue investigating them before we come to a final conclusion”, he said.

Faya Sellu also added that, under the ECOWAS free movement agreement, every West African national is free to live in any ECOWAS country. But he/she should not involve in any criminal activity.

Meanwhile, some Sierra Leoneans are not happy with the development. “Looking at the country’s past history, hearing news of foreigners undergoing a militia training in our country is troubling. We don’t want any situation that will disturb the peace we are enjoying or to go back to the past”, a Freetown resident told Claudia Anthony of DW News.

By: Christian Alpha Conte

The World Health Organisation has endorsed the Mosquirix vaccine, the first step in a process that should lead to wide distribution in poor countries. “To have a malaria vaccine that is safe, moderately effective and ready for distribution is a historic event,” said Dr Pedro Alonso, director of the W.H.O.’s global malaria program.

Malaria kills about 500,000 people each year, about half of them children in Africa. The new vaccine isn’t perfect, but it will help turn the tide, experts say.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organisation’s Director-General, said the long-awaited vaccine was a breakthrough for science and could save tens of thousands of young lives each year.

“As some of you may know, I started my career as a malaria researcher, and I longed for the day that we would have an effective vaccine against this ancient and terrible disease. And today is that day. Today, W.H.O. is recommending the broad use of the world’s first malaria vaccine,” Dr Ghebreyesus said.

This recommendation is based on results from an ongoing pilot program in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi that has reached more than 800,000 children since 2019. This long-awaited malaria vaccine is a breakthrough for science, child health and malaria control. Using this vaccine, in addition to existing tools to prevent malaria, could save tens of thousands of young lives each year.

This new development means the world has gained a new weapon in the war on malaria one of the oldest known and deadliest of infectious diseases.

Malaria kills about half a million people each year, nearly all of them in sub-Saharan Africa this includes 260,000 children under 5.

The new vaccine, made by GlaxoSmithKline, awakens a child’s immune system to thwart Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest of five malaria pathogens and the most prevalent in Africa.

Malaria is rare in the developed world. There are just 2,000 cases in the United States each year, mostly among travellers returning from countries in which the disease is endemic.

The vaccine, called Mosquirix, is not just a first for malaria, it is the first developed for any parasitic disease. Parasites are much more complex than viruses or bacteria, and the quest for a malaria vaccine has been underway for a hundred years.

This week, a working group of independent experts in malaria, child health epidemiology and statistics, as well as the W.H.O.’s vaccine advisory group, met to review data from the pilot programs and to make their formal recommendation to Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“We still have a very long road to travel, but this is a long stride down that road,” Dr Tedros said at a news conference on Wednesday.

The next step is for Gavi, the global vaccine alliance, to determine that the vaccine is a worthwhile investment. If the organisation’s board approves the vaccine, given the vaccine’s moderate efficacy and the many competing priorities, Gavi will purchase the vaccine for countries that request it, a process that is expected to take at least a year.

But as with COVID-19, problems with vaccine production and supply could considerably delay progress. And the pandemic has also diverted resources and attention from other diseases, said Deepali Patel, who leads malaria vaccine programs at Gavi.

“COVID is a big unknown in the room in terms of where capacity is currently in countries, and rolling out COVID-19 vaccines is a huge effort. We are going to have to see how the pandemic unfolds next year in terms of when countries will be ready to pick up all of these other priorities,” Ms Patel said.

By: Christian Alpha Conte

For the first time in over 20 years the world has awoken to a new sickle cell treatment, the National Health Service (NHS) England has revealed. The treatment NHS says will help keep thousands of people out of hospital over the next three years.

Sickle cell disease is the name for a group of inherited health conditions that affect red blood cells. The most serious type is called sickle cell anaemia. People with sickle cell disease produce unusually shaped red blood cells that can cause problems because they do not live as long as healthy blood cells and can block blood vessels.

Sickle cell disease is a serious and lifelong health condition, although treatment can help manage many of the symptoms.

People with the condition endure severe pain during a ‘sickle cell crisis’ that can occur multiple times per year, often requiring hospital admission so they can be given morphine to control the pain and prevent organ failure which can be fatal.

Known as Crizanlizumab, the new drug will be delivered by a transfusion drip and works by binding to a protein in the blood cells to prevent the restriction of blood and oxygen supply that lead to a sickle cell crisis.

Announcing the new treatment, Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive, said the drug deal, struck by the NHS, would help thousands of people over the next three years to have a much better quality of life.

Patients with sickle cell suffer from monthly episodes, making it difficult for them to continue in their jobs or other everyday activities.

The hereditary condition is much more prevalent among people of African or African-Caribbean origin.

According to Amanda Pritchard NHS Chief Executive, “This is a historic moment for people with sickle cell disease who will be given their first new treatment in over two decades. This revolutionary treatment will help to save lives, allow patients to have a better quality of life and reduce trips to the hospital for A&E by almost half.”

This announcement paves the way for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to publish final guidance on Crizanlizumab which will take into consideration the data that will be collected as part of the agreement.

People aged 16 and over who suffer from multiple sickle cell crises, or vaso-occlusive crises as they are scientifically known, per year will be eligible for the treatment.

The NHS agreed on a deal to make Crizanlizumab available for patients earlier than would have otherwise been possible at a price that is fair for taxpayers.

It is the latest in a line of deals secured by the NHS, including a new cholesterol-busting jab and lung cancer drug last month as well as the world’s most expensive drug which treats spinal muscular atrophy in infants, earlier in the year.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “It is fantastic news that this ground-breaking new treatment for sickle cell disease will soon be available in England where it will make a difference to thousands of people’s lives.