Guinea’s strongman Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, who seized power last month, has sacked 44 generals and admirals in an apparent purge of the military top brass.

The authorities in the West African country announced late Tuesday that 42 generals and two admirals “are required to exercise their right to retirement.”

The reason for the decision was not given.

Among the string of officers is General Sekouba Konate, who briefly ran a transition government before organising elections in 2010.

A former army chief of staff is also on the list, as is the senior commander of the gendarmerie, a police force that is under the control of the military.

The forced retirements come less then a week after Doumbouya, 37, appointed Mohamed Beavogui as his interim prime minister.

A relative unknown, Beavogui has a background in international development, and an untarnished reputation in the cut-throat world of Guinean politics.

Former special-forces commander Doumbouya launched a coup on September 5, ousting elected president Alpha Conde after months of brewing discontent against his government.

Doumbouya defied broad condemnation of the putsch and was sworn in as interim president on October 1.

He has nevertheless promised to restore civilian rule after a transition period of unspecified length, and to unite the politically fractious nation of 13 million people.

Conde, 83, first won office in 2010 and was re-elected in 2015. But last year, he pushed through a new constitution enabling him to run for a third term in October 2020.

The move sparked mass demonstrations in which dozens of protesters were killed. Conde won the election but the political opposition maintained the poll was a sham. (AFP)

Neneh Freda Gomez has told The Fatu Network she has been handed over to the prosecution unit at the Kanifing Police Station along with her two staff ahead of their appearance in court.

“Please be informed that my staff and I have been handed over to the prosecution unit at Kanifing police station and are awaiting for them to araign us before the Kanifing magistrate court,” Ms Gomez said.

Ms Gomez was arrested by police on Monday along with two Global HOMM officials at a property her organisation claims ownership of in Bijilo. Police said they were arrested for ‘trespassing into a property under litigation at the High court’.

Neneh Gomez, Gilbert Manga and Lamin Sey have been charged with criminal trespass and malicious damage to property.

People’s Alliance Party on Tuesday held a press conference where officials said the Independent Electoral Commission has been dragging the party’s registration.

Party officials said they have since April this year fulfilled all requirements for registration but the IEC has yet to let them register.

“We’ve done everything under the sun, everything that has been requested of us but nothing has happened,” leader Ebrima Tabora Manneh told reporters on Tuesday.

He added: “But because we love this country not only our faith. But we don’t want to be the source of acrimony, we don’t want people to say IEC is wrong and unfair or to blame them and use us as a reference.

“This country is bigger than all of us. We want the best for this country. It’s the peace and the stability and the growth of this country that we want. And everything that we will do as a party will be positive and good.

“We will act responsibly with respect. We will not break any laws but we’ve been highly disappointed by the conduct of the IEC.”

The military has appointed Captain Malick Sanyang as acting director of press and public relations.

Captain Sanyang served as deputy to Major Lamin Sanyang who is now away on a military mission.

Captain Sanyang has now been appointed acting spokesman of the army. He confirmed his appointment to The Fatu Network.

Prominent NPP member Ahmad Gitteh has stuck the knife into Essa Faal saying the former TRRC lead counsel had an ulterior motive from the beginning.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, the sharp-tongued Gitteh went after Mr Faal over his visit to the victim centre.

Gitteh said: “Essa is the number one spoiler of this TRRC. Because the fact that Essa Faal paraded himself as the lead counsel, a man that is supposed to be neutral between victims and perpetrators, Essa’s stance, Essa’s personality is very critical in what happens when it comes to the outcome of this TRRC.

“Now I as a supporter of President Adama Barrow, I am seeing Essa as a man with an ulterior motive from the beginning. He has used it as a political platform and in fact treating certain individuals in some very terrible way.

“Before Essa came out, I am one person who never met Essa Faal and I am one person that was very careful. I told this to someone that will be watching me. [That] I am not comfortable with the way Essa Faal is conducting this TRRC. Essa insulted Imam Fatty here. Essa has disrespected religious scholars here, Essa has disrespected certain members…

“We have some lawyers here who went to the TRRC, that helped Jammeh a great deal. The way Essa treated them… Some of them, he did not even want to be at the panel. The Essa we know would always go for the big fishes. Any time there is a critical person, any time there is an important person who played a huge, Essa would be the one to take the seat.

“We had a former justice minister here, Essa was no where to be seen. We had a very very powerful person here who helped, drafted six decrees and gave some very powerful guidance to the junta, Yahya Jammeh and his men. Where was Essa? He ran away to Dakar. For the fact he has declared his intention [to run], I said ‘Essa, you have destroyed this TRRC. And it’s a big big issue.

“Essa Faal defended war criminals, so if Essa Faal is talking about morality. You have defended people who when you combine have killed almost a million innocent souls. That’s not a problem in morality. You’re coming here and bragging about Yahya Jammeh facing justice?”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe stated on Tuesday evening he was satisfied with the crowd that welcomed him in Basse.

“I thank you, I am very much pleased with the welcome we received here. The people of Baddibu said Baddibu will get 60%. I have not gone to Wulli yet, I have not gone to Kantora, I have not gone to Tumana yet, I have not seen Jimara yet. This is just Basse but I will give you 70%,” Mr Darboe stated.

UDP leader Darboe later warned that President Adama Barrow can never go into a crowd competition with him.

Mr Darboe said: “Mr President we don’t think boyish, we don’t think puerile. We are not in any crowd competition.

“We are in competition of ideas, we are in competitionof policies. But even if it were to be a competition of crowd, your crowd can never match my crowd.”

Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda posted a one-minute video showing massive crowds as UDP’s tour caravan entered Basse on Monday evening.

“Mission accomplished! URR has spoken! Change is coming,” Bensouda who is also UDP’s national organising chief said along with the one mission video.

Watch video below;

The military on Tuesday evening issued a statement dismissing as inaccurate reports of a coup plot involving soldiers from a particular tribe.

The army’s statement reads in full:

The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) High Command wishes to draw the attention of the general public and online news followers regarding a disturbing headline of a story published by the Freedom newspaper online that reads: “FIVE JOLLA ARMY OFFICERS CONFRONT CDS DRAMMEH…” This story was published on 4th October 2021. A further publication on 5th October 2021 followed suit, which reads: “…THE PURPORTED MILITARY INTELLIGENCE REPORT…” Following these stories, an audio was uploaded through the same medium expressing similar views and sentiments on the two stories and calling out some names at least without the mention of tribe. These publications in total present a deep concern to the Gambian populace whose hope for the healing of the nation is challenged constantly by the bane of tribal sentiments and political bigotry.

It is instructive to state that the armed forces of any nation is the bastion of unity and the last line of defence and GAF is by no means an exception to this reality. Accordingly, GAF strives and commits herself to the preservation of peace and security of our motherland in line with her prescribed mandate as contained in the 1997 Constitution (As Amended). In order to achieve this lofty ideal and aspiration, it is important to highlight that GAF does not have any policy that portrays any of its personnel along ethnic, religious, colour or creed lines. Consequently, making such a disturbing and misleading reference to certain members of the Armed Forces with a particular ethic nomenclature is not only divisive but also callous and dangerous to say the least with huge security ramifications.

On genesis of the meeting (so-called confrontation) of the adversely mentioned officers with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), as described by the online publication, is not only misleading but also grossly inaccurate. In the interest of highlighting military culture and its ethos, as it exists, the officers mentioned first and foremost shared their concerns with the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (DCDS) on the purported report. Thereafter, the DCDS contacted the CDS for an audience with him together with the concerned officers. This request was granted on the basis of transparency. It was during this meeting that the CDS indicated that it was the first time that he heard about the purported report containing the names of the deeply concerned officers. It is therefore imperative to indicate that there exists no such thing in the Armed Forces as “confrontation” between senior and junior officers. Any senior officer can call the attention of his junior and a junior officer may also respectfully raise concerns or make a case to a senior in line with Service tenets and protocols i.e ‘chain of command’ approach. Such occurrences therefore can only be described as normal in the Armed Forces.

It was furthermore indicated to them that no such report has been tendered to the GAF High Command (Office of the CDS) nor has he (CDS) been briefed on such purported report and, the concerned officers have been assured to go about their normal businesses. The High Command took cognizance of the past where people were arrested, incarcerated and even dismissed just on unproven allegations. Therefore, without any substantive proof, the officers have been reassured that gone are the days when people could just be alleged and arrested arbitrarily.

As alleged by the online stories on the involvement of the GAF Military Intelligence unit, nothing in fact and in substance could be further from the assertion being accurate. It is pertinent to mention that like any other directorate at the Defence Headquarters, there is no barrier between the Director of Military Intelligence and Security and the CDS and as such, dealings between the two does not go through a third party intervention. Therefore, the Director of Military Intelligence is obliged to share with Command on timely basis; all issues that boarder on National Security, which is consistent with his/her Terms of Reference. Hence, whatever document originates from that unit goes directly to the Office of the CDS; a process of which this purported document never passed through from all indications.

Given the gravity of the allegations, the questions that any genuine and rational person would therefore ask are why the purported document did not bear a letterhead and signature, which is inconsistent with official GAF document configurations. One could further be tempted to ask, why was the purported document never sent to the office of the CDS, as it should have been if the GAF Intelligence unit had written it? Therefore, the only sound deduction could be that the purported report online is just ”hearsay” backed by no factual evidence. Base on these questions raised, the GAF Intelligence unit could not be the ones responsible for such an evidence devoid report.

Given these narratives for the purpose of clarity and to allay the fears of the officers concerned and the public at large, if anyone especially the originator(s) of the purported report; be it an individual or groups of individuals, should come forward with substantive evidence and present it, be assured that the right course of action (full blown investigation) will be carried out in line with established military procedures. Until it is proven beyond reasonable doubt with substantive facts given the gravity of the allegation, the report is considered hearsay. It must be emphasized that the true spirit of the GAF does not thrive on tribal cleavages nor encourage discrimination base on sex, tribe or religion etc. and condemns therefore, without reservation the way the report has been angled online.

Additionally, it has been observed of recent, the ascription of appointments within the GAF to tribe, region and other deplorable assertions from some quarters in the public domain. Therefore, it is pertinent to clarify that postings and appointments in the military are strictly based on merits and nothing else. The raison d’être for this is to ensure sound service delivery output in line with the ideals of the Security Sector Reform, which is solely for the betterment of the Armed and Security services of the Gambia as it obtained in many other countries.

It is essential to indicate that GAF spots officers and test them with new challenges every now and then until the individual officer’s strengths are realized in a certain area. In the recent past (between 2017 to date), officers have been moved in single instances as well as en-mass from one appointment to the other. Such routine rotations and reshufflings would always continue until the right people are in the right places. It would therefore be tremendously misleading to ascribe appointments in the GAF on tribal leanings but rather on effectiveness.

With regards to the purging of some officers due to their ethnic inclinations as alleged and contained in the Freedom newspaper publication of 5th October 2021, the general public is hereby informed that such does not exist in terms of context and fact. Furthermore, for clarity sake and fact checking, those claiming that appointment in GAF is tribally inclined are encouraged to further investigate or contact the armed forces in person for details of key appointment holders and their ethnicities within both the Defence Headquarters and the Joint Services Headquarters respectively. Our doors are open for clarification and we are more than ready to provide you with undisputable facts.

To this end, GAF craves the indulgence of all law abiding citizens and fellow compatriots to distinctly insulate the GAF and her members from politics and help in the advancement of the apolitical commitment it has made so resolutely since the period of 2017 to date. Hence, persons with nefarious intent must avoid attempts to infiltrate the military through political means in advancement of agendas not commensurate with that of the lofty ideals of the GAF.

The Gambia beat South Sudan 2-1 on Tuesday in a friendly international match played in Morocco.

Striker Assan Ceesay converted from the penalty spot twice in the first half to put Gambia on strong footing.

South Sudan fought back and pulled one back in the 87th minute after keeper Sheikh Sibi made a complete mess of a South Sudan free-kick.

The victory comes on the back of two defeats for The Gambia, one of them being Morocco who thrashed Gambia 7-2.

Imam Chebo Cham has said people in opposition are averse to people who talk good about government because it makes people love that government.

In a Friday sermon, fiery Imam Chebo Cham insisted being opposition has caused the nation nothing other than conflict.

The Imam 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.”

Fajara, The Gambia There’s a great division in how Americans view the second Monday of October. The question of celebrating “Columbus Day” versus “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” reflects people’s stance on what it really means to have “discovered” America. Before Columbus had accidentally landed on American shores, millions of natives had already lived on the continent for several centuries, developing rich, distinct, and complex civilizations across what became known as America. Columbus was a talented sailor, and after much convincing, he was able to persuade the Spanish monarchs to give him three ships. On October 12, 1492, he and his crew set their eyes on Hispaniola…becoming both his worst failure and biggest achievement.

Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World on October 12, 1492. Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, and over the years, Italian Americans increasingly picked up the cause of acknowledging his accomplishments. This sense of pride for Italian-Americans is one of the main reasons for the celebration of this day.

Native Americans and other organizations have criticized the commemoration of an event that culminated in the colonization of the Americas, the start of the transatlantic slave trade, and the deaths of millions of people due to murder and disease. To halt the celebration of the Italian explorer in favor of recognizing Indigenous Peoples and their tenacity in the face of oppression is what seems right; celebrating their bravery and courage to stand through it all.  Baley Champagne of the United Houma Nation, petitioned her Governor, John Bel Edwards, to change the holiday, and he did as she asked.  Ms Champagne once said:

“We’re drawing light to the fact that we’re not going to allow someone like that to be made into a hero because of the harm he caused to Indigenous peoples in America by establishing Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” – Baley Champagne,

As part of our studies in our U.S. History class we held a mock trial for Christopher Colombus and those who supported his voyage. In the mock trial, the king and queen of Spain, Christopher Columbus and his men, and the Indigenous People were tried by a jury of The People. Blame was assigned to all groups except the Indigenous People.

Indigenous Peoples are as much a part of America as any other ethnicity, however they have been pushed to the side, oppressed, and ignored for the most part for the past few hundred years. Indigenous Peoples have contributed so much to the U.S. and have done a lot for the country, but these contributions are often disregarded. Indigenous Peoples’ history and culture is not taught in schools and their resilience and perseverance in the face of oppression is rarely celebrated in America. By making Indigenous Peoples’ Day a holiday, it shows that America cares about its Indigenous community and acknowledges and regrets the atrocities it committed against Indegenous Peoples. It shows the value of the Indigenous community and celebrates and teaches others the Indigenous Peoples’ history, culture, and accomplishments. Proving that they are an integral part of America and that their story is more than the oppression they suffered― and are still suffering— while also acknowledging that oppression and hopefully taking steps to repair it.

Indigenous Peoples have unique cultural beliefs and practices which, historically, haved included Mayan stone structures like the double chambered vessel used to express scenes of daily life and rituals of the Maya; Incan architecture like the sun temple used as to pay tribute and give offerings to the sun inside Machu Picchu; and potlatch ceremonies held amongst the Kwakiutl.

From the Indian Removal Act to the dedication of a federal holiday celebrating Indigenous Peoples is progress that cannot be overlooked. However, celebrating and commemorating the myriad peoples on a single day will not rid them of the various problems Indigenous Peoples still endure. As a society, we must use Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a toolto learn more about the important life, legacy, and culture of Indigenous Peoples in the United States.

BAIS Gambia

The Banjul American International School is an accredited international school providing a meaningful, rigorous American curriculum in a global context. In partnership with local and international communities, we empower students to become enthusiastic, creative, lifelong learners who value integrity, cultural diversity, and global responsibility.

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UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has called on the people of Janjangbureh not to vote for President Adama Barrow.

Speaking in Janjangbureh on Monday, Mr Darboe said: “December 4th is crawling towards us and we are also crawling towards it. This is day Gambians will either make their future or destroy it.

“I am not expecting it will happen but if Adama Barrow’s government returns to power in this country… Five years of Adama Barrow is 25 years of retrogression. That will be big regret for the country.”

UDP has since last week been touring the country, less than two months to presidential elections.

The party’s tour has now entered the Central River Region.

Citizens’ Alliance said its leadership and general membership are dismayed by the arrest and subsequent charges levied on its spokeswoman, Nenneh Freda Gomez.

In a statement, CA said: “Nenneh, a patriotic and a law abiding citizen, was arrested with some of her staff and a journalist, taken to Senegambia Police Station and later charged at the Kairaba Police Station on two counts – criminal trespass and malicious damage of property – in her attempt towards reclaiming a property rightfully belonging to her and her partners.

“We wish to unequivocally stand in solidarity with our colleague, while calling on the police to immediately drop both charges and promptly release them without delay.

“In the same vein, we wish to remind the police that right to property and freedom of expression are fundamental human rights guaranteed in our constitution.”

By XINHUA

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday said 16 bodies of illegal migrants were recovered off the Libyan coast.

“Bodies of 16 persons were recovered as 2 boats arrived at Tripoli Naval Base on Monday evening. As many as 187 survivors were provided aid, some in need of urgent medical help by the UNHCR and the International Rescue Committee,” UNHCR tweeted.

“The passengers had set off from Zwara and Alkhoms (western Libya) the night before,” UNHCR said.

Due to a state of insecurity and chaos, Libya has been suffering since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, and thousands of illegal migrants choose to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya to European shores, many of whom died on the way.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a total of 26,314 illegal migrants, including women and children, have been rescued and returned to Libya so far this year, while 474 died and 689 went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route.

The Gambia Football Federation has issued a statement dismissing as unfortunate and misleading claims millions of dalasis went missing at Football House.

GFF is currently implementing a FIFA-backed multi-million dollars football infrastructure project in the country. The projects seeks to bring the country’s football parks up to speed with modern football parks.

But claims have persisted millions of dalasis have gone missing and that the parks are yet to register any tangible transformation.

But in a statement on Monday, Football House said the claims are unfortunate and misleading.

Football House while sharing a breakdown of the project and how much money spent so far said: “It can be seen that GFF is yet to receive any money for Item No: 6 Refurbishment of existing grounds (Banjul, Brikama, Manjai, Serrekunda East and Serrekunda West) works estimated at USD1,200,000. The works done so far, plus payments to the consultants, and the procurement of two new sets of Artificial Turfs for Brikama and Banjul were paid from the GFF Covid Fund and GFF Prefinancing from our operational support and short-term Bank Loans.

“In light of the above, it is unfortunate and misleading for anyone to claim that millions of project monies went missing at Football House. The GFF is on record in the various media outlets through its competent authorities for making clarifications and shedding light on the state of the said projects, which we thought would have cleared anyone’s doubts about them.

“We would like to happily state that not at anytime did a single dime, either from FIFA or any of our partners has ever gone missing at the GFF since the current leadership ascend to the leadership of Gambian football. This has been proven in the numerous audit exercises that the federation undergo annually (three audits exercise by External auditors: two for FIFA Funds and one for the general audit).

“However, the recent video documentary by Citizen’s Network Gambia (CNG)titled: “The GFF and the Missing FIFA Millions” is misleading and far from the reality. Prior to the publication of this documentary, the FIFA Development Manager for Africa Mr. Solomon Mudege, on the 24th September, 2021, visited Football House for bilateral talks as well as to check the progress on the ongoing works. He expressed satisfaction with the progress, thus, unlocking the doors for us to access another stage of the disbursement of the funds. His visit will be followed by another visit by officials of the FIFA Dakar regional office in the coming days.”

By Amara Thoronka

Sierra Leone’s President, Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio on Monday 11 October 2021 departed Sierra Leone for neighbouring Guinea on the invitation of the Military Head of State of the Republic of Guinea, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya.

The one-day working visit was characterised by discussions on security cooperation issues between the two neighbouring countries, the restoration of constitutional order in the Republic of Guinea and the ECOWAS democratic transition roadmap.

In a tweet, after the meeting of the two leaders, President Bio said:

“The people of Guinea supported Sierra Leone through our most difficult times. Our meeting today on security co-operation was very fruitful. We will continue to engage and support the ECOWAS transition framework.”

It should be noted that although the Republic of Guinea has been suspended by ECOWAS from all Community activities due to the military coup, ECOWAS member states are not prevented from engaging the Republic of Guinea on bilateral issues.

President Julius Maada Bio was accompanied to the Republic of Guinea by a four-man delegation including the Speaker of Sierra Leone’s Parliament, Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis; the Deputy Minister of Defence, Colonel (Rtd) Kellie Conteh; and the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Sullay Ibrahim Sesay.

Police have confirmed arresting Neneh Freda Gomez and two others for allegedly trespassing into a property under litigation.

“We can confirm the arrest of Neneh Freda Gomez and two others for trespassing into a property under litigation at the High court,” police spokesman Lamin Njie told The Fatu Network.

He added: “They have been charged with criminal trespass and malicious damage to property contrary to laws of The Gambia.

“They are currently granted bail while appropriate actions follows.”

Neneh Gomez, Gilbert Manga and Lamin Sey were arrested on Monday afternoon while trying to enter a property their organisation is claimin ownership of.

The property has been a subject of much row between Global HOMM and the government with the latter wanting the property as part of its preparations for the OIC summit next year.