Gambians have reviewed the IEC favourably regarding its administration of the December presidential elections.

Centre for Policy Research and Strategic Studies’ first pre-election opinion poll revealed a massive 53% of Gambians believe the IEC has done a ‘good’ job in the registration process while 36% believe it’s ‘excellent’.

Overall, citizens gauged the IEC to have done a ‘very’ good job in the administration of the upcoming election.

A new poll by CePRASS has shown National People’s Party leading United Democratic Party in the December presidential election.

Centre for Policy Research and Strategic Studies conducted its first pre-election opinion poll where voters drawn from 969 households across the country were interviewed, with 28% women respondents and 63% men between the ages of 18 and 44.

“There is still a large pool of undecided voters (40 %), but the incumbent’s party, NPP, leads the polls on intention to vote among the 60% decided voters, followed by UDP, APRC, and GDC,” the investigation said. NPP led in the poll by 29% whereas UDP struggled at 13%. GMC came last in the poll with -1%.

According to CePRASS, 95% of the respondents are registered voters and willing to vote in the December Election.

UDP will hit the road on Monday October 4 for a nationwide tour of the nation, a statement said.

As the December presidential election draws ever closer, parties are constantly seeking to engage voters for support.

UDP’s tour is expected to commence on 4th October, 2021 and “will give Hon. Darboe a chance to touch base with Gambians, especially UDP party sympathizers particularly on the 5-Points Agenda, the manifesto and policies of the party, as the presidential election approaches”.

“During the tour, the party leader will hold rallies at different communities and towns to hear firsthand, the problems facing the populace, especially those in the province. He will also make visits to places,” UDP’s statement said.

By CGTN Africa

Guinea junta leader Mamadi Doumbouya was inaugurated as interim president on Friday to oversee what regional powers hope will be a short transition to constitutional rule after the September 5 overthrow of President Alpha Conde.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Mohamed VI Palace in the capital of Conakry with the marked absence of most West African heads of state, who agreed last month to impose sanctions on junta members and their relatives.

West and Central Africa have seen four coups since last year, political upheaval that has intensified concerns about a slide towards military rule in a resource-rich but poverty, stricken region.

Wearing military dress uniform, a red beret and wraparound sunglasses, Doumbouya held up a white-gloved hand as he took the oath of office.

“I fully appreciate the magnitude and immensity of the responsibilities entrusted to me,” he said in a speech afterwards.

He promised to oversee a transition that would include the drafting of a new constitution, fighting corruption, electoral reform and the organization of free and transparent elections.

The junta has said its members will be barred from standing in the next elections but has not made clear when these might take place, saying this will be decided by an 81-member Transitional National Council.

The Economic Community of West African States, a regional bloc, has frozen assets and imposed travel bans on the junta, hoping to encourage a swift return to democracy.

Coup leaders have said they ousted Conde because of concerns about poverty and corruption, and because he was serving a third term only after altering the constitution to permit it.

Fears that the political crisis would hinder Guinea’s production of bauxite, a mineral used to make aluminum, have eased. The country’s largest foreign operators say they have continued work without interruption.

Former speaker of the National Assembly Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay has assured President Adama Barrow victory in the December presidential election.

“We the people of Banjul whomever we support never fails. We are small but influential. And you will win Banjul and you will win Gambia,” FJC said on Thursday during the president’s meet the people tour meeting in Banjul.

Thursday marked the final day of President Barrow’s 17-day tour of the nation, with the Banjul meeting marking the final event.

However, one meeting could not go ahead due to rain which is Somita. That event will now take place on Saturday.

Friday 1 Oct 2021

A cargo plane has delivered four helicopters, weapons and ammunition from Russia to Mali, according to the military-led authorities in the West African country.

Interim Defence Minister Sadio Camara said late on Thursday Mali had acquired the aircraft in a contract agreed in December 2020 to support its armed forces in their battle – alongside French, European and United Nations troops – with fighters linked to ISIL (ISIS) and al-Qaeda.

“Mali bought these helicopters from the Russia Federation, a friendly country with which Mali has always maintained a very fruitful partnership,” he told local media on the tarmac after the plane landed in the capital, Bamako.

He added that the weapons and ammunition were gifts from Russia.

The delivery comes at a moment of tense relations between Mali and its key military partner France over reports Bamako could recruit mercenaries from a shadowy Russian military group as Paris reshapes its military mission in the region.

Diplomatic and security sources have told news agencies Mali’s military-dominated government is close to recruiting the controversial Wagner Group. France has launched a diplomatic drive to thwart it, saying such an arrangement is incompatible with a continued French presence.

France, which has deployed more than 5,000 soldiers in the Sahel region under its Barkhane mission but has pledged a major troop drawdown, has warned Mali that hiring Wagner fighters would isolate the country internationally.

The relations between the two countries have sharply deteriorated following two military coups in Bamako since August 2020, as well as after France’s decision earlier this year to redesign its military operations in the region.

In May, the Malian colonels who had agreed to share power with civilians after overthrowing President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita detained civilian politicians and took over the control of the country again.

Paris strongly denounced the latest power grab and pushed the military rulers to ensure a modicum of transition. Even though the colonels have pledged to stick to the 18-month timetable for the civilian transition, with fewer than six months to go before promised elections, doubts and mistrust are deepening.

Germany, which also has troops in Mali, also says it will reconsider its deployment should the Malian government strike a deal with Wagner.

Last week, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Mali approached private Russian companies to boost security in the conflict-torn country, adding that the Kremlin was not involved.

Lavrov’s comments came after European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that the bloc’s ties with Mali could be seriously affected if it allows Wagner contractors to operate in the country.

On Saturday, Mali’s interim Prime Minister Choguel Maiga accused France of abandoning his country in a speech at the United Nations.

Responding to this charge for the first time, President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday questioned the legitimacy of the Malian authorities overseeing a transition to elections after two coups in just over a year.

“What the Malian prime minister said is unacceptable. It’s a shame. And that dishonours what isn’t even a government,” he told Radio France International.

Credit: AL JAZEERA

Ebrima Tabora Manneh has said his People’ Alliance Party can defeat both NPP and UDP at the December presidential election.

“We did our research and we believe we can win. Individually we can defeat any of them,” Mr Manneh told The Fatu Network exclusively.

Ebrima Tabora Manneh will run for president in December. He is born in Buniadu , North Bank Region. He is an auditor and a businessman.

On why he wants to run for president, he said: “The Arabic scholars say to love your country is part of faith. Meaning being patriotic is part of faith. So I have seen a country, it’s failing. I have told people, from my own assessment and from my own understanding and analysis, The Gambia as a country is failing or has failed.

“It’s like we are in a bus, there is a driver of the bus and we are in the bus and the bus is on a cliff, a mountain if you may going at a speed of let’s say 50km/h. When we get to the edge of the cliff, we are definitely going down, we are going to fall down. Meaning The Gambia is going to fail. As a patriotic citizen, after discussing with people, like minded people who share the same vision, the same love of country and the same desire to transform this country for the better, they had this trust and faith in me. So we agreed, we said ‘okay, we will come up with solutions’.”

The ministry of basic and secondary education has said spoken out against certain public schools taking money from students.

The ministry on Thursday held a press conference to discuss this year’s GAMBECE examination results.

But according to permanent secretary Moses Mendy, some public schools are levying charges on students.

He said: “It has been brought to our notice that there are public schools that levy some charges to students and for that reason we want to say to the general public that in The Gambia, there are no fees for any students attending a public school in this country.”

Roma easily wins their second Conference League match with a 3-0 score against Zorya on Thursday evening. Among the starting line-ups was the inclusion of Gambai’s Ebrima Darboe who preferred to Diawara in midfield.

El Shaarawy opens the games in the 7th minute after a stunning pass from Ebrima Darboe, Smalling and Abraham wrapped up the scores in the second half. AS Roma boss Jose Mourinho was full of praise for the Gambian as he told reporters “he played very well, making good choices in possession and reading the opponents’ movements well.

I am very satisfied with his performance ”. Ebrima Darboe also spoke after the victory in the Conference League against Zorya: “I am happy to have played the first game with the new coach. In training I always try to understand what he wants, I still need some time. When asked about his assist to Stephen El Shaarawy, Darboe responded, ” I saw him free and I didn’t think twice about it”. Darboe was awarded MyDigital Bits Man Of The Match. As Roma fans have taken to social media and demand that Jose Mourinho gives more playing time to Darboe.

One Facebook user with the handle Thanh Ly wrote :

“Darboe’s performance was solid. Hope Jose give him more time on the pitch”. Jerry Emeke Nwamba commented ” Darboe is the future’. Mohamed Hussein Ahmed wrote “Darboe must play Sunday game”. AS Roma will travel to Empoli on Sunday in the Italian Liga Calcio.

Bulli Sowe

PDOIS leader Halifa Sallah has explained why he has not appeared in public for two weeks.

“You have not seen my appearance in the public space for almost two weeks and many people have been wondering why. My wife and my very self were struck with Covid-19,” Mr Sallah said in a video message shared by Kexx Sanneh.

Mr Sallah is now back in the public space seeking to revitalise PDOIS’ campaign with the December presidential election now 64 days away.

Mr Sallah has said he will be running for the presidency.

Drug Law Enforcement Agency agents have arrested another man for allegedly having a cannabis farm.

Sanna Yaffa, 29, and a resident of Sutukoba Village, Upper River Region (URR) was clutched by operatives of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency The Gambia (DLEAG) stationed at Basse DLEAG Station on Thursday 30 September 2021 around 13:45 GMT onwards at Sutukoba village. He was arrested for being in possession of suspected prohibited drugs and Cannabis cultivation.

A statement said: “Operatives nabbed him with four (4) big bundles and six (6) plants of suspected Cannabis Sativa. Three (3) big bundles were concealed in a multi-colored bag and the other big bundle was concealed in a multi-colored poly bag. All four bundles were discovered in a store in the compound. The six plants of suspected Cannabis Sativa were on the other hand cultivated in a bathroom in his backyard.

“He is charged for being in possession of a prohibited drug for the purpose of drug trafficking contrary to section 43(4)(e) of the Drug Control Act (DCA) 2003. His conduct also contravenes the provisions of section 36 (1) of the DCA 2003. He is presently in custody helping the operatives in their investigations.

“Section 36 (1) of the DCA 2003 prohibits a person from cultivating any plant from which a controlled drug or prohibited drug can be obtained except in compliance with 36 (2) of the Act. Section 36 (2) on the other hand permits the Minister of Interior on the advice of the Agency to specifically authorize any educational or research institute or any establishment or public laboratory engaged in research work to cultivate for scientific, experimental, or didactic purposes plants from which controlled drugs may be obtained. Section 36 (3) further states that the specific authorization referred to in subsection (2) shall state which plant may be cultivated and their quantities, as well as other conditions and restrictions the Minister on the advice of the Agency, may deem necessary.

“The recent discovery of cultivation sites makes it necessary for us to draw public attention to these provisions. We want the public to know that as far as the laws of the country specifically the DCA 2003 is concerned, it is an offense and illegal for anyone to grow any plant from which a prohibited or controlled drug can be obtained except in compliance with section 36 (2) of the DCA 2003.

“In a similar but separate development, one Amadou Touray, nineteen (19) years old Gambian and a resident of Dippa Kunda was arrested at the YBK Vehicle Check Point (VCP) with four (4) big bundles of suspected Cannabis Sativa. He was onboard a commercial vehicle heading towards Basse. The said suspected Cannabis Sativa were concealed in a multi-colored traveling bag. He is presently in custody while further probing into the matter continues.”

A high-ranking former Malawian MP, Clement Chiwaya, has shot himself dead in an office in parliament.

Mr Chiwaya, who was a wheelchair user after he contracted polio at the age of two, served as deputy speaker between 2014 and 2019.

In a note he left shortly before the shooting, he wrote about the dispute he had with parliamentary officials over the ownership of a specially adapted vehicle.

After stepping down as deputy speaker he began a process to allow him to buy the car provided by parliament that enabled him to drive despite his disability.

He paid for the vehicle but he accused parliament of failing to transfer ownership. In a statement released after the ex-MP’s death, parliament said that the matter was still in court.

Local media are reporting that Mr Chiwaya entered the office of the clerk of parliament on Thursday and shot himself with the clerk watching.

In his note, he said he was tired of begging for what belonged to him and said he took his own life for fear of “hurting others”.

Mr Chiwaya, born in 1971, became a disability rights activist and successfully ran as an MP three times.

Police are now investigating how he was able to enter parliament, which is usually under heavy security, with a loaded pistol. In its statement parliament said that security officials thought that it was his wheelchair that triggered the metal detectors.

Credit: BBC

Banjul, 30 September 2021 – UNICEF and Africell have entered into an agreement to support youth engagement and participation in decision-making processes through the U-Report platform. Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed at the UNICEF offices in Cape Point on September 23, 2021, Africell will provide free SMS services to U-Report, a free social messaging platform developed and rolled out by UNICEF and partners.  High level representatives from the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the National Youth Council graced the event.

“Young people constitute a critical mass of the Gambian population and their voices are fundamental in shaping policies and development programmes,” said Gordon Jonathan Lewis, UNICEF The Gambia Representative. “We see the signing of this partnership today as an initial step towards a lasting relationship that will demonstrate the added value that businesses can contribute towards building partnerships for accelerated results for children and youth”.

U-Report is a social messaging tool that allows users to respond to SMS polls and participate in discussions about issues that matter to them. Results from polls are automatically generated and shared with relevant partners to inform decision-making. The platform was launched in The Gambia in March 2019 and has since registered more than 12,700 members, who are known as U-Reporters. U-Report is currently used in 68 other countries and has more than 11 million global users.

“Africell is proud to contribute to bridging the gap between policymakers and the next generation of leaders,” said Hussein Diab Ghanem, Africell Gambia CEO. “We remain committed to supporting the rights and the development of young people in The Gambia.”

“This moment represents one of the greatest milestones I have witnessed in my U-Report journey”, said Ebrima M Touray, a U-Report Ambassador. “I strongly believe this partnership will make a huge difference in how young people engage with policymakers and contribute to the national discourse.”

***

About U-Report Gambia

U-Report is a social messaging tool and data collection system developed by UNICEF to improve citizen engagement, inform leaders, and foster positive change. The program sends Short Message Service (SMS) polls and alerts to its participants, collecting real-time responses, and subsequently publishes gathered data. U-Report Gambia was officially launched on March 27^th, 2019.  For more information about U-Report Gambia visit the website https://gambia.ureport.in/. Follow and join the social media pages- Twitter via @UReport_Gambia; and Facebook via @UReportGambia

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

About Africell

Africell started operations in The Gambia in 2001. Currently, providing services in Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of Congo, with expansion into a fifth, Angola, scheduled for later this year. Africell currently has over 1.6 million subscribers in The Gambia. Africell is a significant private sector employer in The Gambia.

By: Christian Alpha Conte

Aminata Bangura never seems to be in a hurry, even when navigating between a ward, a consultation desk and the young lady she had sent to buy gloves, all while talking about the change in perceptions around the COVID-19 vaccine.

Ms. Bangura is a nurse at the Macauley Street Government Hospital located in the central part of the capital, Freetown. She is one of the heroic health workers saving lives on the frontline of COVID-19.

According to Nurse Bangura before the second lockdown in the country uptake of vaccines was low. Now she says it is encouraging as people ask every day whether the hospital has received additional doses of the vaccine.

“There was a time when people did not want to come near me because they thought I would give them COVID-19 since I was interacting with and treating patients, many did not want to be vaccinated because they thought this was a trick by the government and the drug companies.” Nurse Bangura said.

In June of 2021 the Pentecostal Fellowship of Sierra Leone (PFSL) one of the Christian bodies in the nation expressed strong reservations over the process of mandatory and forced vaccination adopted by the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NaCOVERC) and other institutions.

“We believe that this process and its consequences have not been carefully thought through. We believe that there is an infringement upon our rights as citizens [and that we] are subjected to a process that is unlawful, inconsiderate, and has not been used in the developed world,” the release from PFSL stated.

As a result of awareness raising campaigns, evidence that the vaccine works and the COVID-19 wave hitting the country, there has been a noticeable change in perception in the capital. This has created a scramble for vaccines.

“Before the second lockdown, uptake of vaccines was low, but now it is encouraging, people ask us every day whether we have received additional doses of the vaccine.” Aminata says.

In August of 2021 acceptance of the vaccine has increased considerably. 63-year-old Benjamin Pratt a resident of Circular Road in Central Freetown has made his way to the Macauley Street Government Hospital on two occasions to check whether vaccines were available.

He received his first shot of the vaccine in May 2021 and was due for the second one in July 2021. Large numbers of people waiting to be vaccinated have discouraged him, on his 2^nd attempt he still cannot access the vaccine. Fully masked, he walks away promising to keep safe, saying that he would be back.

Peter Sesay a resident of a nearby community, Mountain Cut, and a grandfather of three children was initially reluctant to get vaccinated, despite his own nephew being one of the local government officials responsible for public awareness and monitoring.

He now regrets his long term defiance. His wife recently caught COVID-19 but was among the lucky ones to have successfully battled the disease. The form that struck her was a mild one, and with relatively minimal treatment, she has now fully recovered.

“I am very lucky; it could have been worse for us as a family. Many people have died around here due to COVID-19, some of them stronger than I. I will definitely take the vaccine when it is available,” Peter said.

Mr. Sesays’ nephew, David said that some people didn’t take the disease as seriously as they should have done during the first wave, despite the awareness campaigns. “I do see a great difference now,” he said.

“People are responding well, regularly asking about the next rollout phase. There are many like my previously reluctant uncle. I am confident that the people will respond with zeal when the vaccines are available. We also still encourage them to report to the health centre, should they feel ill, in the meantime, while we await guidance from the government and health professionals,” David reiterated.

David’s optimism is supported by new research showing that a significantly higher proportion of people in low- and middle-income countries are willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 than in higher-income countries like the USA and Russia. The challenge now is getting vaccines to them.

By: Christian Alpha Conte

Madam Fatu Sesay paced the corridor of the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) in the east end of Sierra Leone’s capital city, Freetown, crying and flapping her hands on her head. She just received news that her 15-year-old pregnant daughter, Kadie has suffered a ruptured uterus and must be operated on in order for the baby to be delivered safely.

According to Senior Midwifery Sister, Iye V. Conteh, the Class VI pupil has been in labour for three days since she was referred to the PCMH by the St. Anthony Hospital at Syke Street, Freetown, where she had been admitted. Apparently Kadie’s mother didn’t have the money to pay for an operation.

Kadie’s pregnancy is as a result of sexual penetration by her uncle who was tasked with the responsibility to take care of her when her sick mother was in neighbouring Guinea seeking a cure for some long term illness.

Coincidentally President Julius Maada Bio was at that very moment officially declaring a National Emergency on Rape and Sexual Violence, as a major step towards addressing rape and all forms of sexual violence in Sierra Leone.

According to President Bio each month hundreds of cases of rape and sexual assaults were being reported against women, girls and babies with some of the fatalities being as young as three months old. 70% of survivors of this traumatic experience being under the age of 15.

Of nearly 3,000 reported sexual assault cases, 602 of the survivors became pregnant; 7 of them contracted HIV/AIDS; 2,404 had STDs; thousands more were scarred and traumatised by the ordeal. Only 39 of these 3,000 reported cases were successfully prosecuted whilst 2,961 of the survivors of sexual violence were denied justice.”

According to Sierra Leone’s Health Information Bulletin of August 2020 (Volume 7, Issue 2) Maternal mortality in Sierra Leone had reached 1,070 deaths between January to June of 2020. According to a report by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in Sierra Leone, from January to March of 2020, there was a total of 581 maternal deaths. And from April to June of 2020, the total was 489 maternal deaths.

The small West African country, which ranks as one of the world’s least developed nations ranking 182 of 189 according to the UN development index, lacks accessible and affordable health care units especially in remote areas where women and girls are at greatest risk. In areas where health care units are available, reports say pregnant women are too poor to meet the charges. In effect they turn to Tribal Birth Attendants (TBAs) for health care and delivery.

Dolcie Jarrett is a nursing sister at the PCMH’s Ante Natal Division, she said most pregnant women fear to give birth in a recognised hospital but could not say whether it was because the women could not afford the bills or they were scared of an eventual Caesarean Section Operation.

“We encourage them to do regular check-up and to ensure they give birth in a recognized hospital, but most of them prefer to deliver in their homes or homes of neighborhood nurses,” said Sister Jarrett.

“They only come to the hospital in a moribund state. In fact, most of them come here damaged; they come here already dead, literally speaking. And so at the end we get the bad name,” she continued.

Over the years the PCMH, Sierra Leone’s main referral reproductive hospital, has become notorious for the consistent incidences of maternal and infant deaths occurring in its wards.

Amidst the stack reality, Dr Fatu Forna, Technical Advisor at the WHO Country Office in Sierra Leone in February of 2020 said because of the strong leadership in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) and collaboration of partners including communities, clinics, hospitals, district health management teams and health development partners she has seen promising progress in the reduction of maternal mortality. Noting that nearly all maternal deaths are now investigated and reviewed, and a robust response is mounted to address issues identified.

Popular Nigerian actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, was part of the Amnesty delegation that travelled to Sierra Leone several years ago as the organisation took on the fight against infant and maternal mortality. Along with five selected local artists, they recorded a song to raise awareness on maternal mortality which they performed live on a caravan stage that toured the country.

“It’s a gross human rights violation for a woman to die giving life,” said Omotola, who has mothered four children in the space of about six years.

But there was at least a happy ending for Kadie. Doctors operated on her and she’s now living with her daughter (who’s already been named Mariatu Sesay) at their Jamboria Street, Off Kroo Town Road, residence in central Freetown.

Police antic-crime has finally vacated its Bijilo headquarters and have moved to the police training school in Yundum.

Police anti-crime unit had been occupying the property owned by humanitarian group, Global HOMM.

Global HOMM lost the property after Jammeh in 2010 kicked the organisation out of the country after accusing it of taking money from people and not giving them the medical service that they need.

Global HOMM returned to the country in 2017 and went to court for its property and won but the land continued to be in the custody of the state.

Police spokesman Lamin Njie confirmed the police anti-crime have vacated the property. But a source said the compound is still being guarded amid reports the OICGambia Secretariat is set to take the property.

The TRRC has explained why it could not submit its final report to President Adama Barrow.

The TRRC has for the second time failed to meet its deadline for submission of its final report to the president.

In a statement on Thursday, communication director Essa Jallow said: “The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) had planned to submit today, 30th September, 2021 its Final Report to the President of the Republic of The Gambia as required under the provisions of Section 29 of the TRRC Act, 2017. Work on the sixteen volumes comprising the Final Report has been completed, except for four volumes. It is the expectation of the Commission that work on these remaining volumes should be finished shortly.

“The Commission accordingly informed the Government, through the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, that it will continue the finalisation work and submit the full report when it is completed.

“Without proposing yet another date for submission, the Commission assures that this final phase of its work will not be prolonged. The Attorney General and the Minister of Justice agreed to the proposal on behalf of the Government and reassured the Commission that the Government will continue to provide the funds required for the completion of the work of the TRRC.”

Former Vice President Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang is part of a civil society delegation to Guinea amid efforts aimed at restoring democratic governance in the country.

Mrs Jallow Tambajang herself announced the development in a statement on her official Facebook page on Wednesday.

The former vice president said: “Currently taking part in an OSIWA mission to Guinée Conakry comprising of a diverse CSO delegation and dignitaries within ECOWAS to meet with Col Mamady Doumbouya, Leader of the CNRD Transition, his government and other Guinéen stakeholders.

“The mission seeks to deepen ongoing efforts and interventions by civil society within ECOWAS to actively engage in the process of restoring democratic governance in Guinea and strengthen efforts at mitigating the rising instability and insecurity in the region.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has said Babadinding Jobarteh’s appearance and his announcement of joining UDP at the party’s Saruja meeting was not authorised by the party’s executive committee.

“The impromptu appearance of Mr. Lamin Jobarteh (Former AG of The Gambia) and his announcement of joining the UDP was not scheduled nor authorised by the National Executive Committee,” Mr Darboe said on Wednesday as he fought the fall-out that trailed UDP’s decision to publicly accept Mr Jobarteh as member.

UDP came under fire after Mr Jobarteh who is accused of cutting Balo Kanteh’s nipple was invited to speak at the party’s meeting in Saruja.

Mr Darboe apologised on Wednesday saying it was an error of judgement on the party’s part.

He said: “As a victim and as the Party leader of the UDP I take full responsibility for this lapse in judgement and hereby unreservedly apologise to our members and the Gambian people at large. I wish to reassure all compatriots of the unwavering resolve of the UDP to see that justice will be done without fear or favour ill-will or affection to all.

“No member can rely on the UDP for support or protection, because human rights violations are not only against the law of the land, but against the values and principles of the UDP.”