President Adama Barrow working with the National Assembly hopes to eventually come up with legistation to bring a lasting solution to the abuse and insults innocent citizens are subjected to online, according to government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh.

President Barrow had threatened to ban all opposition political activities when he wins the election in December.

On Tuesday, government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh issued a statement saying the president’s statement was mischaracterised.

He however said elsewhere the president will work with the National Assembly on a law around insult.

He said: “Moving forward, President Barrow envisages a more tolerant and diverse Gambia where citizens can debate openly, agree and disagree amicably without resulting to insults and foul language that could potentially cause chaos in society.

“Working with the National Assembly, the president hopes to eventually come up with legislation to bring a lasting solution to the abuse and insults innocent citizens are subjected to daily on social media platforms.”

MP Sanna Jawara on Wednesday blasted as ‘utter’ baloney comments by President Adama Barrow the 35 million dalasis a Chinese company paid into the account of the First Lady’s foundation was used to fund his trip to China.

A staggering 700,000 dollars landed in the account of the First Lady’s foundation in 2017 and the money quickly disappeared. President Barrow spoke about the issue for the first time recently and said the money was used to fund his 2017 trip to China.

But MP Sanna Jawara of Upper Fulladu West wrote Wednesday: “For the President to claim that his delegation’s trip to China was financed by TBEA’s dubious D35M transfer into the FaBB Account is utter baloney. That trip was financed through the SAB 2018 with an allocation of D29M.”

His comment has however left Alhagi A Barry confused who wrote: “Bro the trip was in 2017 how comes it was in the budget, or SAB for 2018 am confused please elaborate more if am right.”

The MP then replied: “Alhagi A Barry this was my argument during the SAB 2018 debate. I argued that we cannot approve the allocation since the cost was incurred before the approval by the National Assembly, thus in contravention to sec.153 of the 1997 constitution.

“However my argument was not supported by the plenary and was eventually supported as part of the approved SAB 2018 bill. I hope that clarifies your question. Thank you sir.”

The price of bread has jumped to D10 in the Central River Region while the cost of a regular taxi trip has also shoot up.

People in Bansang and its surrounding villages have started complaining about a recent sudden rise in the price of bread.

Sainey kandeh says he is saddened about the sudden increment of the price of a loaf bread to D10 from D7.

“I usually buy five loaves of bread for my family at a cost of D35 and now I have to take D50 to have five loaves of bread. I am urging the government or those authority in control the prices of essential commodities to come to our aid,” he said.

Meanwhile, fares have also gone up in parts of the region with cost for a taxi trip shooting to D10 from D8.

Bansang native Alagie Camara says the move is likelt to bring a confrontation between the taxi drivers and the commuters.

Kounkande has suspended his plan to tear the Soumbedione Sea amid much controversy that has trailed it.

Announcing the suspension on Tuesday evening, Kounkande said there has been a lot of controversy and that there are reports of some people trying to cause chaos.

He told Senegalese media EvenProd: “When I was making my announcement, I did not tell Demba, I did not tell Masamba. My uncles were not aware, my wives were not aware, there was no journalist that I invited and told I was going to part the sea.

“It was my decision to tear the sea to help Senegalese go to Europe. But since it has given birth to all this controversy, we will postpone the event.”

The Gambia was on Tuesday evening drawn in Group F in the AFCON 2022 finals in Cameroun where it will face Tunisia, Mali and Mauritania.

Africa football governing body CAF on Tuesday evening drew the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations groups in Yaounde, Cameroun.

Cameroon who are the host will battle Burkina Faso for the tournament- and Group A-opener in Yaoundé on January 9. Ethiopia and Cap Verde round out Group A.

Group B includes Senegal, Zimbabwe, Guinea and Malawi, while Group C will see Morocco take on Ghana, Comoros and Gabon.

In Group D, Nigeria will face Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.

Defending champs and tournament favourites Algeria lead a strong Group E that includes Sierra Leone, Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast.

Group F will see Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania and Gambia squaring off.

Government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh has issued a statement dismissing reports President Adama Barrow plans to ban political activities in the country.

Mr Sankareh in a statement on Monday said: “The Government of The Republic of The Gambia, hereby declares that His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, has no intentions whatsoever to either curtail the freedoms of citizens nor interfere, control or ban political activities either during or after the upcoming Presidential election slated for 4th December, 2021. The same applies to the 2022 Parliamentary elections.

“Citizens, residents, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps are reassured without equivocation, that President Barrow is a strong believer in Democracy. Ever since coming to power in 2017, the promotion and consolidation of fundamental human rights has been his preoccupation as evident in the proliferation of media houses, the raging public debates and stimulatingdiscourses.

“Fundamentally, while a strong believer in human rights as universal values, President Barrow sees as worrisome, the amplification of audios and videos in Social Media subjecting innocent citizens to daily insults, abuse, innuendoes and ridicule and urges citizens to desist from such activities.

“Concerned about this worrisome trajectory that has plagued Gambian society in the new dispensation, Mr.Barrow tried to address it in a speech at State House while meeting a cross-section of the Serer Community. That statement has in itself, been grossly exaggerated, mischaracterized and misinterpreted to score cheap political points.

“Moving forward, President Barrow envisages a more tolerant and diverse Gambia where citizens can debate openly, agree and disagree amicably without resulting to insults and foul language that could potentially cause chaos in society. Working with the National Assembly, The President hopes to eventually, come up with legislation to bring a lasting solution to the abuse and insults innocent citizens are subjected to daily on Social Media platforms.”

President Adama Barrow has said an adviser doesn’t necessarily have to be a PhD holder, pushing back at criticism directed at his top aides.

The president has been much savaged for appointing nonentities are his closest confidantes.

But speaking in an exclusive interview with Star TV, the president said: “Sometimes they say it’s professors and PhD holders who should be your advisers. That’s how they think about it. But there are PhD holders whom you know are not loyal. Would such a person advise you on anything good? He would only throw you in a ditch.

“An adviser must be somebody who is loyal. Someone who would tell you the truth. And someone who is ready to work with you for the sake of your agenda, and is ready to take the bullet for you. Those are the kind of people you should make your advisers.”

Ramou Sabally will meet UDP leader Ousainou Darboe on Friday to officialise her membership of UDP.

Ramou who is a stalwart member of President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party left the president’s party on Monday. She had vowed on her parents graves to leave the party amid a bitter feud between her and Maimuna Baldeh.

The Fatu Network understands Ramou will meet UDP leader Darboe on Friday.

Former secretary general Momodou Sabally taunted President Adama Barrow in an audio message on Tuesday saying he has taken his sister from him.

Ramou Sabally, Sabally’s sister, left President Barrow’s National People’s Party on Monday.

Mr Sabally in an audio message said: “I thank Allah that whenever I said something, it happens. I went to Faraba with my brother Omar Sanyang to take his sister from NPP and bring her to UDP. I am launching ‘Operation Bring Back Your Sisters’.

“I said [to you] ‘Adama Barrow, you’re with two of my sisters and I would take one of them back before the election’. Has one not come? UDP will only move forward. It’s about Operation Save your Relatives. Let’s bring our relatives back and save them from humiliation.”

By XINHUA

More than 1,700 irregular migrants were intercepted off the Libyan coast over the past week, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Monday.

In the period of August 8-14, “1,788 migrants were rescued/intercepted at sea and returned to Libya,” IOM said, adding 22,045 migrants, including women and children, have been intercepted and returned to Libya so far this year.

The agency said 380 irregular migrants have died and 629 others gone missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route so far this year.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African nation a preferred point of departure for thousands of illegal migrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores.

Migrants who are intercepted by Libyan security forces at sea generally end up inside overcrowded reception centers across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close those centers.

President Adama Barrow slipped up on Monday when he called Fakebba Colley as Fabakary Colley while offering condolences on the demise of the fallen MP.

“I extend my condolences to the family, friends and the entire Gambian nation on the passing away of Honourable Fabakary Kolley, National Assembly Member of Kiang West. I knew him as a humble and committed person to democracy and freedom. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal peace,” the president had wrote on his official Barrow PORG Facebook page.

Later on Monday, the president corrected the error on the same post after Gambians had jumped at him with one calling him ‘wicked’ for forgetting the name of the MP.

Coach-Pasamba Jow had commented: “The name of the deceased is FAKEBBA COLLEY. How can you get his name wrong?”

Police have been asked by civil society organisation Centre for Research and Policy Development to distance themselves from comments by President Adama Barrow he would ban all political activities after the December election.

“In the same vein, the CRPD has also called on the Gambia Police Force to distance itself from such reckless remarks and unlawful directives,” CRPD said while condemning the president’s comments on Monday.

It added: “We urged the Police to remain in the service of the nation following the dictates of the law and constitution. The participation of political of parties and citizenry in the political process is central to democracy and therefore any attempt to limit or control this participation would undermine Gambia’s democratic consolidation.

“Members of thePolice are expected to protect life and property and should not, in anyway, allow themselves to be an impediment to the growth of democracy in the country. It is also time for The Gambia Police Force to unequivocally conduct itself as professional, a pro-democracy rule of law institution that respects and upholds the rule of law.”

The National People’s Party chieftains have said 217 supporters of UDP in Banyaka village have defected to the party.

NPP deputy spokesman Seedy Njie told The Fatu Network the over 200 people defected to the president’s party on Sunday in Jambanjelly.

A press statement shared by Mr Njie said: “The huge announcement was made by the group’s leader, Mr. Morro Barrow in a massive political rally in Jambanjelly, Kombo South. An elated Mr. Barrow said they, in appreciation of the unprecedented development strides of His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, decided to defect to NPP and work tirelessly for his re-election in December, 2021.

“While assuring his team’s unflinching loyalty and support to President Barrow and the NPP, he commended Kebba Madi Bojang, the NPP National Youth President for his relentless efforts and major contributions which ultimately ultimately led to their defection. Mr. Barrow also asked Government to consider their road network for construction.

“In welcoming them to the NPP, the Minister for Information and Communication Infrastructure, Mr Ebrima Sillah, commended Morrow Barrow and the youth for a wise and timely decision. Sillah assured them of President Barrow’s resolve to usher in development in the area and that West Coast Region will benefit from the Government OIC Road Projects. The rally was attended by several thousand National People’s Party supporters among them NPP Executives.”

The Centre for Research and Policy Development has issued a statement blasting President Adama Barrow over his threat to ban all political activities after the December 4 presidential election.

President Barrow during a meeting with the Serer Community from Jeshwang Ndagen over the weekend said he will give instruction to the Inspector General of Police to deny Gambians a permit to hold political meetings.

But in a statement, civil society group Centre for Research and Policy Development said: “In recent months, President Barrow has used the State House grounds to make inconsiderate and ill-advised remarks that are not only exacerbating social tensions in the country but also threatening to undermine the democratic gains made so far. Some readers would recall that on 28th July 2021, President Barrow was streamed live by the Barrow Media Empowerment during which the President revealed how he was part of a group that buried amulets and fetishes locally called Jujus under the head of dead bodies in graveyards, in order to spiritually expedite the release of UDP leader Ousainou Darboe, Barrow’s political godfather at the time, who was languishing in jail in 2016. As the Presidential Election gets closer, President Barrow has been inviting to State House members of the various ethno-linguistic groups in the county to rally support for his bid for re-election. And most of President Barrow’s political rhetoric and rants have been directed at his former Party, United Democratic Party (UDP).

“The CRPD is dismayed and also troubled by President Barrow’s statement and therefore, calling on him to adhere to democratic principles and the rule of law. President Barrow must be reminded that among other things, he was elected on the basis of ending self-perpetuating rule and to return this country to a functioning democratic state.

“Consequently, his latest threat to restrict and regulate the democratic space after the forthcoming Presidential Election is undemocratic and against the very principle under which he was elected in 2016. President Barrow’s remarks are regrettable as they pose a risk for Gambia’s fledgling democracy. Therefore, we call on President Barrow to be mindful of his seemingly populist statements and instead focus on bridging the social divide in the country. His latest statement will undoubtedly further exacerbate the political polarization and divisions in the country, ahead of the December Presidential Election.

“As a civil society organization, the CRPD states that it is ever ready to defend, through civic actions and legal means, the democratic space in the Gambia against any threat that has the potential to undermine or compromise the Gambia’s democratic process.”

Momodou Sabally said Monday ‘the game is over’ as he reacted to her sister’s NPP decamping.

Ramou Sabally on Monday announced she was leaving NPP and joining UDP – where she would be uniting with his brother Momodou.

Her brother, Momodou Sabally wrote: “The deal is done. The game is over. It’s time for Barrow to face the realities of our local politics.

“She has left. My good sister and lifetime politician Ramou Sabally has quit the sleeping bus and joined the mighty UDP.

“She was the National PRO of the NPP’s Women’s Wing; and also Founder and Chair Lady of the nationwide women’s movement Barrow Sisters. Didn’t I tell you that we are #winning.”

NPP women wing spokeswoman Ramatoulie Sabally has announced she has left the president’s party, in an extraordinary move.

“I came today to declare relinquishing all my roles in NPP to join United Democratic Party. I have come to support His Excellency Honourable Ousainou Darboe. I am here to join your family today Monday. I thank all UDP members and Alagie Conteh and Momodou Sabally,” she said in an audio message obtained by The Fatu Network.

Ramou’s swapping NPP for UDP comes two days after she threatened to leave the president’s party.

“I will leave NPP on Monday. Even if my mother, Kaddy Jammeh Mabintou and Lamin Sabally who gave birth to me emerge from the grave cannot stop me, so let’s see who in this country can stop me [from leaving],” she had threatened.

While Ramou had said she had no issues with President Barrow who has huge respect for her, she called out Maimuna Baldeh in a sign of bad blood between her and the NPP woman leader.

“There would be a lot of talk, they will insult me and all of that. If Maimuna Baldeh is not ashamed of going out in Gambia, I will be a masquerade who would walk outside proud with my head held high.

“Let them try and insult me and what they will see. You know they are looking for Maimuna Baldeh’s naked video. The video will come out,” she said in an initial audio where she appeared speaking to someone on her decision to leave NPP.