Former Gambian international Tijan Jaiteh has donated football materials D100,000 to the Jarra Jenoi community football team and the LRR regional football team.

Tijan Jaiteh who now serves as the Youth Ambassador of the Gambia donated original football kits to the community of Jarra Jenoi and Lower River Region football team on July 31 at an event held in Jarra Jenoi.

A statement said: “The ceremony started with a football march between Jenoi’s Junior and senior football teams. The junior team won by a goal to zero.

“After the game Tijan Jaiteh handed two pairs of football jerseys, balls to the Jenoi football team captain and the Youth Committee who received the materials on behalf of the Regional Football team. The handing over was witnessed by the Deputy Governor of LRR Mr Kebba Darboe.

“I want to see players in rural Gambia reach their full potential in football like any other player in the world” said Tijan Jaiteh

“I can see the determination and commitment in this young people who only need a little help to prove their ability. I am happy to share the little I can” he added.

“Edrissa Drammeh, a member of the Jenoi Youth Development Association said, this is a great gift because the community finds it difficult to participate in the District competition because of football kits. The intervention of Tijan will also motivate more young people in their community to play football.

“No one can underestimate the love of football among young Gambians’ but football is also very expensive for many who couldn’t afford football shoes and jerseys.”

The Gambia Minister of Youth and Sport Bakary Badjie and the GNOC officials on Monday held a meeting with the president and secretary general of Association of National Olympic Committee of Africa in Japan, GNOC said.

The meeting was primarily to discuss on how the GNOC can continue to leverage on it’s cordial relationship with the ANOCA leadership in terms of infrastructure development.

The ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf welcomed the Gambian Delegation and reaffirmed the willingness of ANOCA to work with the GNOC in further development of sports in the Gambia. He also promised to consider assistance to Basketball and volleyball with equipment.

The Minister of Youth and Sport Bakary Badjie expressed satisfaction with the relationship between the GNOC and ANOCA and hope that it would continue to mutually be beneficial to all.

He concluded by requesting for more consideration to be giving to Gambian athletes.

President Adama Barrow has said there are people in the country who feel they are more Gambian than others and go about treating them with contempt.

Speaking while meeting with Imams at State House, the president said the coming presidential election will come as reckoning for such xenophobic people.

The president said in a meeting broadcast on Monday by EyeAfrica TV: “There are people in this country who are treating others with contempt. They feel there are the real citizens of this country, that they own this country and will take it.

“You have people who feel they are the elites, the highly educated people and so own this country and should run this country.

“They feel they have the majority of the people. But I have said that you can say you own your party but to say you own the people is false.”

The commander of 1st Infantry Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Pierre J Mendy has died, the military has confirmed.

Lt Col Mendy died on Monday aged 57.

Lt Col Mendy was born in Banjul on October 21, 1963. He attended St John’s primary school, St Therese’s primary school, St Augustine’s Junior Technical School and St Augustine’s High School.

He enlisted in the Gambia National Gendarmerie in 1984 and in 1989 got posted to State House as bodyguard to former President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. In 1995, he became the Principal Protecting Officer to military junta head of state former President Jammeh. He served in that role for three years.

He then travelled to Pakistan in November 1998 and became the head of the military police after his return to the country. He also served in the role of acting director of operation and training.

Lt Col Mendy also served as commander of Fajara Barracks in 2005.

He also served in UN missions in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The commander of 1st Infantry Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Pierre J Mendy has died, the military has confirmed.

Lt Col Mendy died on Monday aged 57.

Lt Col Mendy was born in Banjul on October 21, 1963. He attended St John’s primary school, St Therese’s primary school, St Augustine’s Junior Technical School and St Augustine’s High School.

He enlisted in the Gambia National Gendarmerie in 1984 and in 1989 got posted to State House as bodyguard to former President Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. In 1995, he became the Principal Protecting Officer to military junta head of state former President Jammeh. He served in that role for three years.

He then travelled to Pakistan in November 1998 and became the head of the military police after his return to the country. He also served in the role of acting director of operation and training.

Lt Col Mendy also served as commander of Fajara Barracks in 2005. In March 2006, soldiers led by the no-nonsense Umpa Mendy stormed the house of Lt Col Mendy and arrested him. He took him straight to Mile 2 prison. He was accused of being part of the Ndure Cham coup.

Lt Col Mendy also served in UN missions in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Former Gambia Action Party national president has lifted the lid on why he led GAP, telling For The People By The People Show Sunday unhappy executive members of the party asked the secretary general of the party to resign but he refused.

Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly is the secretary general and party leader of GAP.

Tamsir Jasseh said: “I joined a political party and that was the Gambia Action Party. That didn’t work because I didn’t like the direction that the party was going. So I decided to step aside and I was in the process of looking for another party that actually shared my views. GAP on paper did but in practice, they didn’t.

“And what happened was the good chunk of the GAP executive were also unhappy. I didn’t know they shared my views. So they approached me to actually formed a new party of which they wanted me to lead. It’s an organization that is in the process of being registered and it’s called ‘Our Homeland’ and I am the presidential candidate of ‘Our Homeland’.

“I think basically was because on social media, we have observed some very negative things concerning the secretary general and party leader at the time, and who is still the party leader. And we thought that would harm GAP’s opportunity to become a viable party in the political spectrum.

“So we asked him to step aside so would look for a new leader, he was unwilling to do that and we thought there is no way we can do what we want to do and have the credibility that we want with this type of leadership. So I decided to walk away.”

NPP deputy spokesman Seedy Njie has come after seven UK MPs who backed an Early Day Motion in the British House of Commons.

The MPs on July 21 signed the EDM welcoming the “imminent publication” of the Gambia’s truth commission’s report, and demanded it be “fully implemented”. They then blasted President Barrow for refusing to step down after three years.

But NPP deputy spokesman in a rebuttal shared with The Fatu Network on Monday said: “I read with utter disgust and disappointment, the politically motivated and malicious Early Day Motion supported by 7 MPs in the British House of Commons calculated to attack Gambian President, His Excellency, Adama Barrow.

“Their motion  is highly malicious, unfounded and full of lies. It is unfortunate that these MPs for whatever reasons, would shamelessly advocate for the full implementation of a Commission of Inquiry Recommendations even though, the Report is yet to be completed and submitted to the President of the Republic. This is probably the height of politically-motivated interference in a purely internal and domestic matter.

“Closely examined, the motion can best be described as a calculated third party ploy with vested interest in The Gambia’s domestic politics, deceptively using Jeremey Corbyn to gain cheap popularity and simultaneously create a state of fear and confusion to achieve their political objective.

“Therefore, It is with shock and utter dismay that 7 members of the UK House of Commons supposedly members of high standing in society, would allow themselves to be used as advocates of illegalities and engage in a manner that brings disrepute to the House of Commons.

“It is laughable that, the 7 MPs Early Day Motion supporters would encourage, support and talked about trivial issues and agreements which have no legal basis. Their action is contrary to the supreme law of The Gambia and indeed an insult to democracy and the rule of law.

“I am particularly disappointed with Jeremy Corbyn as a political leader who apparently acts without wise counsel. No doubt, the lawmaker is regarded as the worst and most inept leader in the history of the UK Labour Party, which led to his disgraceful exit. Commenting  on enforcement of an agreement against fundamental laws constitutes the height of hypocrisy.

“This individual motion without any support from the House of Commons and does not represent the official position of the UK Government, is malicious, ill-conceived,  premature and an interference in our internal   and domestic matters as a sovereign, independent nation.

“The 7 idle MPs called for the full implementation of the TRRC’s recommendations when the TRRC has neither finished nor submitted its work to The President.

“Jeremey Corbyn and his colleagues acted unwisely and allowed themselves to be used in what constitutes political interference in our internal and domestic affairs and against all international, diplomatic norms and protocols.

“The Gambia is a sovereign democratic state with constitutional provisions clearly indicating legal processes and procedures regarding recommendations and reports of Commissions of inquiry and how the President reviews and considers such Commissions.

“Curiously, since the TRRC have not completed their work and no report submitted yet, these 7 MPs calling for its implementation suggest they have some very dubious motivations.

“The allegation that since coming to power in 2017, the Barrow Government has not made any progress in the restoration of fundamental rights did not only show how misinformed Jeremy Corbyn and his colleagues are but that the Motion exposes how misguided, ignorant and disconnected they are from the prevailing realities in The Gambia.

“The Government of The Gambia does not only assure but equally ensures the protection of people’s rights and liberties to the fullest. Since taking office in 2017, no journalist have ever been harassed, intimidated, arrested, tortured, detained and or prosecuted.

“The Gambia Police Force and State Intelligence Services formerly NIA have seized all excessiveness and act within the limit  of the law while the Armed Forces maintain their constitutional mandate of protecting the country’s territorial integrity.

“Furthermore, since President Barrow came to power, there has not been any incidence where media operatives or houses are being targets of state-sponsored intimidation or harassment.

“President Barrow’s government entrenched and enhance democratic space and political pluralism and not a single political opponent has ever been arrested, detained, charged, prosecuted and or imprisoned for dissent or political reasons.

“Today, thanks to President Barrow, Gambian citizens continue to enjoy unhindered freedoms of association,  assembly,  expression and of press as necessary and guaranteed in a democratic state.

“The enactment of the Access to Information Law is a testimony to the unyielding rights journalist enjoys in today’s Gambia.

“As a sign of fulfillment of its commitment to human rights, The Gambia Government suspended and or imposed a moratorium on the “Death Penalty”, established and appointed Members of The Gambia National Human Rights Commission, ratified the convention against torture and all government reporting to all Human Rights mechanisms and organs are up to date. This, undoubtedly is evident that this government’s Human rights record surpassed all previous governments and People’s fundamental rights have indeed been restored.

“If the Barrow led-government’s efforts in human rights is not commended, it should not be condemned for fully complying with all domestic and international legal obligations on fundamental rights. We are aware, some MPs in the West are on paycheque by some groups to pursue their interest in a symbolic way. However, President Adama Barrow will not be distracted by this bogus Motion which belongs to the trash bin.

“The Gambia Government is committed to fighting and ending corruption. Steps have been taken, to that effect, the Anti-Corruption Bill is before the National Assembly for enactment,  in a bid to boost transparency,  Government recently introduced an E-payment system, efficient and sound micro-,economic and  financial policies and fiscal discipline,  the independence of the office of the Auditor General,  the National Audit office and Gambia Public Procurement Authority as well as putting in a legal framework that closes all possible leakages and digitalizing all government payments.

“Also, Government swiftly acts whenever officials are alleged to have committed fraud , thorough investigations are conducted and those involved interdicted .

“The Government of President Adama Barrow is committed to the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections. The Gambia has adequate laws and framework for that to happen. Further to entrench our democracy,  government in 2017 amended the electoral law and the constitution by removing excessive deposits, the upper age limit,  expulsion of MPs by political parties which results in losing  parliamentary seats. This constitutes a major electoral reform by removing unreasonable restrictions and gives elected MPs leverage and independence for  efficient and effective discharge of their duties and assures enhanced freedom of speech and debate.

“The Gambia also criminalised FGM and child marriage even though they are entrenched cultural practices.

“In sum, the Corbyn and Co.MPs Early Morning Motion is all lies and ill-conceived.”

Imam Bakawsu Fofana has again vowed to stop Musa Saidy from insulting marabout-imams in the country.

Imam Fofana spoke again Sunday expressing anger that Imam Saidy insulted marabout-imams for observing the Eid on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.

Imam Fofana said: “Musa is the only one talking. Now it’s two things: either he dies or he stops talking by November 11. I have the order. I’m the one who took on him.

“I don’t want anyone to go on his own and kill him since I’m the one who would take the responsibility both in this world and the next.

“And even if government says it heard we threatened Musa, I am the one who take the responsibility. So anyone who’s part of it will be under my order.

“We are only interested in just you alone. And if we do not meet you at your house, we will set your house on fire.

According to Imam Fofana, the only way to avert his November 11 date to exterminate Saidy is for President Barrow and the government to speak to Saidy and for Saidy to stop insulting marabouts.

An additional 151,200 doses of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine arrived in The Gambia on August 1, the second tranche of vaccines donated by the American people. The United States has donated a total of 302,400 vaccine doses to The Gambia in order to protect the Gambian people from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a press release Sunday, the US Embassy said: “This vaccine is safe. This Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine underwent rigorous testing in the United States. This single-dose vaccine is currently being administered in the United States – millions of Americans have received these very same vaccines – and in dozens of other countries.  It is certified by the WHO for global use, and has been approved by the Gambia Medicines Control Agency.

“And this vaccine works. In clinical trials, the vaccine proved effective in preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19. No one in the trial who was infected with COVID-19 at least four weeks after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine had to be hospitalized.

“We are proud to be partnering with the Gambian Ministry of Health to support their vaccination campaign. Johnson & Johnson vaccines donated by the United States are currently being distributed at public health facilities and through approved private healthcare practitioners across The Gambia – free of charge. We urge all Gambians over the age of 18 to receive the vaccine as soon as they can.

“This donation would not have been possible without the work of our tremendous partners – the Office of The President, the Ministry of Health, the African Union, Gavi/COVAX, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, and the European Union. We will continue to share as many safe and effective vaccines with as many people around the world as fast as possible until COVID-19 is defeated.”

President Adama Barrow said on Sunday he met with over 360 imams at State House – where he called on them to utilize their status in society to preach peace.

President Barrow while announcing the meeting on his official Barrow PORG Facebook page said: “I humbly received over 360 Imams from the Kanifing Municipality and Banjul at the State House this afternoon. As influential figures in society, I called on them to utilise their status to preach peace and unity amongst the people. Imams continue to be respected opinion leaders in our society, and as such, people listen to their words of wisdom. They have a crucial role in uniting the people and advocating for the remedying of issues affecting society.

“As the COVID pandemic is still with us and surging, the Imams, too, should add their voice to the campaign against the pandemic.

“Having listened to their concerns, I assured them that my Government’s policies are geared towards impacting the lives and livelihoods of the citizens, thus as imams, they are equally affected.

“We will review their concerns and develop the appropriate policies to address them accordingly.”

PDOIS presidential candidate Halifa Sallah has accepted to take on CA presidential candidate Dr Ismaila Ceesay in a debate following the latter’s challenge earlier Sunday for coalition leaders to face him.

Dr Ismaila throw down the gauntlet to the leaders after accusing them of failing the Gambian people when they pull forces in 2016.

Halifa Sallah is touted in some quarters as the mastermind of Coalition 2016 which ended former President Jammeh’s 22 years rule.

Mr Sallah’s aide Kexx Sanneh on Sunday evening the veteran politician has accepted to take on Dr Ceesay. According to Kexx, Haruna Drammeh has accepted to moderate the big showdown.

CA supremo Dr Ismaila Ceesay has challenged coalition 2016 leaders to a debate over his claim they failed Gambians and contributed to the nation’s current predicament.

Political leaders such as Halifa Sallah, President Adama Barrow, Hamat Bah, Omar Jallow and Mai Fatty came together in 2016 in a grand coalition that ended former President Jammeh’s 22-year rule.

Dr Ceesay dared the leaders Sunday: “I am reiterating this: The entire coalition failed us by either deviating from the national agenda to promote partisan agenda and/or by failing to take responsibility. They solely contributed to our current predicament so they cannot be the solution.

“If any coalition leader disagrees, I am ready to be challenged in a public debate by that leader and the LEADER ALONE.”

Top cleric Imam Bakawsu Fofana has vowed to enter the home of fellow cleric Musa Saidy with his warriors and kill him.

In an extraordinary audio message on Friday, Imam Fofana said he would lead his warriors in storming the home of Saidy and kill him.

Imam Fofana’s threat is around comments Saidy made following President Adama Barrow’s claim UDP members desecrated tombs and put charms in them.

Imam Saidy in his own audio has been heard insulting marabouts and thanking President Barrow for ridiculing the work of marabouts.

But Imam Fofana who is a marabout scholar vowed to eliminate him by November 11 this year unless he stops insulting marabouts.

He said: “I am not putting the law into consideration or anything else. Musa insulting marabouts is over starting this Friday. It’s the angel of death who will separate us. I swear to you Musa: Billahi Wallahi Tallahi. If you do not stop insulting marabouts by November 11 and Adama Barrow did not expel you [from the country], I will appoint a day and I will come with people on a battle.

“The intelligence officials will not know the day we would do it. We will come after you. From now to November 11, I will enter your home with warriors. I will lead the battle and any one of my children who is 15 years would be there, any student who has 15 years and above would be there.

“If we arrive, you either surrender but surrendering would be long gone. You must go to the next world that day. You can prepare and equip yourself with whatever arms so I would not catch you unawares.

“Any day I come face to face with you, it’s the angel of death who will separate us. You must die that day. If you wife interferes, it’s your first wife Isatou who we would kill first and her kids.”

The government has pushed back at reports former President Jammeh was returning to the country.

Government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh in a statement Saturday said: “The Gambia Government wishes to inform citizens and members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps that contrary to trending Social Media reports quoting Guinea’s Atlantic Newspaper that former President Yaya Jammehhas been granted permission to pay homage to his late mother with private security protection, is totally false.

“Contrary to widespread allegations that President Barrow and his Guinean colleague, President Alpha Condé negotiated this during Mr Barrow’s recent visit to Conakry, the entire story is inaccurate. In fact, at no time during President Barrow’s recent visit to Conakry was the issue of the former President discussed nor did he grant an exclusive interview to any Guinean journalist.

“The Gambia Government urges citizens particularly journalists, to avoid rumour-mongering, dangerous disinformation and misinformation strategies that could potentially bring fear and confusion among the population.

“Significantly, the imaginary agreement dubbed “Malabo Protocol” only exists in the minds of rumour-mongers as The Gambia Government has no such agreement in its diplomatic files.”

President Adama Barrow has been asked by Gambia Action Party to apologise over his comments UDP members went to cemeteries to desecrate graves and place amulets in them.

The president while speaking to NPP reporters said their desperation for UDP leader Darboe to get out of jail in 2016 saw them engage the services of marabouts.

But Gambia Action Party in a statement signed by leader Musa Ousainou Yalu Batchilly said: “The recent statement uttered by President Barrow is a concern for our peaceful coexistence and threat to national security standards. Thus, we are urging him to desist from such statement as well as uphold the ethics of the highest office in the Gambia and spearhead the peace building process in the country.

“Historic moments on personal matters must not be trivialized for political points and are meant to be respected and reserved from public space. We expect the President to be responsible enough and exhibit those standout qualities that accompanied with presidency.

“Climbing on five hundred meter trees and placing amulets beneath dead bodies are not necessarily worth our hearing for not being a national discourse. We urge President Barrow to publicly apologise to the Gambian citizenry and desist from such comments further.”

Gambia For All has issued a statement saying an observer of the issue of corruption in The Gambia will realise the Barrow government has turned a blind eye to ant-corruption protocols.

GFA boldly said a Saturday deliberate and rampant corruption seems to be hallmarks of President Adama Barrow’s government since 2017.

GFA said: “In 2020, Transparency International ranked The Gambia 102 out of 180 countries as the least corrupt. A recent US Department of State report described President Barrow’s government as having turned a blind eye to corruption. As if these are not bad enough, of the 1,200 Gambians who took part in a recently published Afrobarometer Survey, 732 respondents (61%; 732 individuals) say that corruption is increasing in The Gambia, with high level of corruption being reported among leaders, e.g., 42% at the President’s office and 48% in the police. Alarmingly, 912 (76%) of the 1,200 interviewed reported a failure of the Barrow government to fight corruption.

“An observer of the issue of corruption in The Gambia will realise that since 2017, the Barrow government has also turned a blind eye to the following anti-corruption protocols: The Constitution of The Gambia on internal codes of conduct, the signed and ratified AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, the ratified UN Anticorruption Convention, and it has also failed to fulfil its pledge to the Gambian people to set up an anti-corruption Commission. The corruption the Barrow government condones, has weakened the trust of both national and foreign investors and, the country’s standing in the democratic world. Over the years, his government’s failure to fight corruption and many other failures of leadership, clearly show that a Barrow government is either unwilling or incapable of addressing the most basic of the legitimate aspirations of The Gambian people. The high prices of basic commodities and the pitiful state of our health facilities reflect the leadership deficit in this country.

“The allegations levelled against the Barrow administration and by extension to The Gambian People at large by US Department of State report are very serious but not surprising, particularly for those living through the daily hardship in The Gambia.  As patriotic Gambians we feel very much embarrassed about these allegations. Since the publication of the US State Department’s Report, there was no response from the Barrow administration to either refute or apologize to The Gambian people, if the allegations are true. Their total silence on this very important national issue is not acceptable, especially for a country that has suffered unbridled corruption with total impunity throughout the Jammeh dictatorship. The failure of the Barrow administration to fight corruption and the corrupt practices of some of its officials, should not be allowed to taint the integrity of The Gambia and The Gambian people nor hypothecate their future development. We call on the Barrow administration to come out of its shell with evidence and forcefully refute these allegations in defence of his government, but more importantly, the good name and integrity of The Gambian people. Failure to do this basic responsibility of the administration as a national duty, will give more credence to the reported allegations of widespread corruption.

“If no response is forthcoming from the administration against this allegation, it will be the responsibility of all well-meaning Gambians to shine the light on this issue. The GFA will closely look at what the alleged corruptions are, their negative impacts on our country and the society. It will be clear to the reader what the GFA administration will do differently to fight and root out this scourge from our nation, if given the opportunity to govern The Gambia. Please stay tuned!”