GDC national youth president MC Cham Jnr has said 300 supporters of NPP have left the party to join GDC.

According to Mr Cham, the mass defection took place on Sunday in Sare Abdou led by NPP man Chumban Bobb.

Mr Cham said: “Chumban Bobb facilitated the meeting and the defectors announced their departure from the NPP and assured the GDC of their unwavering support.

“The new members of the GDC party express their disappointment on the day government and assured the GDC of their unflinching support and hard work for the party.

“We welcome the newly members and  without no pessimistic of doubt I thank them for their bold and right decision in choosing the GDC.

“I thank the committed GDC delegation which comprise myself, Remeh Jagne, Hon. Omar Ceesay, Dodou Ndow GDC diaspora PRO and Fatou Suwareh for a fruitful engagements with the newly members.”

GDC’s Ebra Topp has left Gambia Democratic Congress and joined President Adama Barrow’s National People’s Party.

Mr Topp met President Barrow on Sunday in Mankamang Kunda where he vowed to support the president.

Mr Topp is the GDC’s ward charman in Kudang, according to NPP top official Seedy Njie.

The politician ditching GDC comes the same day UDP lost Amadou Manneh.

The United Democratic Party has lost its chairman in Upper Fulladu constituency to National People’s Party.

Amadou Manneh met President Adama Barrow in Mankamang Kunda on Sunday where he declared his support for NPP, the party’s deputy spokesman Seedy Njie said.

UDP spokesman Almamy Taal could not immediately comment on the development.

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has said every politician in the country wants to be like him in Kombo South.

Meeting with supporters from Gunjur on Wednesday, Mr Darboe said: “I swear by this hour every politician in this country wants to be like Ousainou Darboe in Kombo South. We have not voted yet and you’ve shown me I will win.

“I know it’s all going to happen with God’s help but it’s going to be based on the work you all are doing. So I thank you.”

Mr Darboe also cautioned: “You will hear them insult my mother a lot but they will turn to you too. Butlet’s ignore those things.

“Our party is composed of decent and disciplined people. Those who insult belong elsewhere. And let’s continue to talk to those who are not supporting us to join us.”

The Gambia Democratic Congress has called on the government to immediately provide support to victims of the deadly windstorm on Wednesday.

In a statement signed by spokesman Omar Ceesay, GDC said: “Following the destructive rainstorm on the night of Wednesday 7th July, 2021 resulting in the loss of lives and properties of many families and communities in The Gambia, the Gambia Democratic Congress under the leadership of Hon. Mamma Kandeh wishes to extend heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the affected families.

“Honorable Kandeh calls on the Government to quickly and transparently provide support to the victims and communities affected by this disaster. Similarly, the GDC is urging Corporate bodies and individuals to extend the usual solidarity and material support to those affected. Be rest assured that GDC will always be in the forefront in providing succor to Gambians in need.”

Dr Ismaila Ceesay spent the day Friday surveying the devastation caused by Wednesday windstorm and to console victims.

Ten people died due to the powerful windstorm which also blew away power lines, roofs of houses and knocked down trees and  fences.

Dr Ismaila Ceesay and CA officials travelled around the West Coast Region on Friday to assess the damage.

And in a statement, the party said it “extended its sincere sadness to all affected families and further rendered humanitarian support to all the visited affected households and families to help them rehabilitate and restore their valuable loss”.

“The party strongly share the pains and sufferings that the victims are currently facing, and hereby encourage every person to extend all forms of support to the affected households and families.

“We wish to thank the NDMA Brikama unit for the guidance and collaboration with us to manifest solidarity with the victims. We pray that Allah grant all those who lost their souls the highest Jannah,” the party said.

The government has activated the country’s emergency preparedness and response plan over the deadly windstorm on Wednesday night that killed 10 people, President Adama Barrow has said.

Addressing the nation on Friday, Mr Barrow said: “I wish to inform all citizens and residents of the country that my government is fully aware of the scale of the damage caused by this natural tragedy. We have since taken immediate steps to redress the situation.

“Working with the National Disaster Management Agency NDMA and the relevant line institutions, the government has activated the country’s emergency preparedness and response plan.

“The National Disaster Management Agency deployed around the country are working tirelessly to assess the full extent of the damage and they are instituting measures to mitigate the effects of this natural disaster.”

A self-proclaimed marabout in Senegal Kounkande has announced he will split the Soumbedioune river in August.

Kounkande has been making headlines in Senegal after his bold announcement. He said he was out to teach his fellow marabouts in Senegal a lesson that he is no match of theirs.

He told one local media: “What Prophet Musa was able to do, I can also do it. I will take all of you to the Soumbedioune river and tear it into two.

“There are people doubting it. But I will go with all of you and I will split the river and walk across. I know the invocation Prophet Musa recited and caused the sea to split. I have the secret.”

The self-proclaimed holy man said he will make seven land bridges out of the Soumbedioune river in August on the 10^th day Muharram otherwise called Yawmul Ashura. He said his enemies will drown in the river on that day.

Musician Gee has taken aim at the nation’s political leaders after comments by UDP leader Darboe for tree planting after Wednesday night’s windstorm.

UDP leader in a tweet on Thursday said his party is committed to its founders day declaration of planting a tree for each Gambian.

“We must commit to tackling climate change and making sure sustainable solutions are in place,” Mr Darboe said in his tweet.

But Gee while sharing Darboe’s tweet wrote: “Instead of going all out to make sure the families of those that lost their homes are in proper shelter, clothing, eating, etc, we’re being educated and being asked to plant a tree. It’s sad to say but a GoFundMe works quicker/better than our government/political parties.”

Dr Ismaila Ceesay has revealed he was in Manduar when tension broke out between citizens of the village.

The Mandinkas and Wollofs in Manduar clashed among themselves last month over voter registration when the former refused for the latter to have their own alkalo issue attestation to his own people.

Speaking on the issue on Thursday, Citizens’ Alliance leader Dr Ismaila Ceesay said he visited Manduar as the tension unraveled.

Dr Ceesay said he was told it was Seedy Njie who caused the confusion.

He said: “I was there. I went to Manduar but I mostly spent time at the police station speaking to both sides. I was there when the youths were arrested and taken by the paramilitary. What I know is that a village like Manduar normally should have one alkalo. Why they have two alkalos? I don’t know.

“But when I was on the ground, I was made to believe that a top NPP official caused the confusion. In fact he was there with a stamp. They told me Seedy Njie was there and I got multiple reports that Seedy Njie was there on that morning and that he caused the confusion. That he took a stamp and give it…

“That’s what they told me. Like I said these are reports that are still not verified. That he took a stamp and gave it to the other alkalo. That he caused all the trouble and then he left immediately when things started to flare up. But this is something I have not really verified.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe will win the December presidential election, according to Dr Sidat Jobe.

Mr Darboe will be one of the political leaders to watch in December considering his massive support base.

And Dr Sidat Jobe who is a prominent member of UDP believes the experienced politician will go home with the bragging rights.

Dr Jobe told The Fatu Network: “Of course he will win. I base it upon the fact that already he has, in comparison with all the [political parties] where he has 41 MPs and they had only six or four.

“I see no logic why he should [not win]. I know when I say this some people will not be pleased  and they will think that I’m taking sides.”

The National People’s Party has issued a statement saying it is saddened by the news of the death of ten people in Wednesday’s windstorm.

NPP in a statement signed by administrative secretary Mambayick Njie said: “The National People’s Party (NPP) is saddened by news of death and extensive damage to properties following Wednesday’s windstorms across the country.

“Preliminary Figures released by the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) have indicated that 10 people are now confirmed to have died and nearly 3000 people rendered homeless,  while many others sustained injuries  in different parts of the country.

“The NPP conveys its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray that Allah SWT have mercy on their souls.

“At the same time, the party expresses gratitude to His Excellency, President Adama Barrow for the timely intervention to support families and individuals whose houses were destroyed by the heavy windstorms.

“We welcome the President’s call for immediate action to first assess the extent of the damage while instructing the National Disaster Management Agency to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the affected families in the form of food and shelter.

“The NPP appeals to all Gambians to extend support to the people affected by  Wednesday’s nightly storms that happened at a crucial time which marks the start of the rainy season when families are busy on the farms.”

Unknown persons have entered Alliance for National Reorientation and Development leader General Lamin Bojang’s family home in Brufut and set his car on fire.

The attack took place early Thursday.

The former military general confirmed the incident to The Fatu Network and said police have visited scene and collected evidence.

The political leader is yet to know the reason behind the attack.

By Yero Jallow

Scores of families in villages of the Upper Fulladu West district in the Central River Region, South have been left homeless and some seriously injured after Wednesday’s night strong windstorm.

The villages affected by the windstorm number nine including Sare Madi, Sare Jabel, Sare Kanimang and Sare Njobo.

Houses were brought down by the windstorm, animals killed, foodstuffs destroyed and some people injured after the collapse of buildings.

The executive director of the National Disaster Management Agency Sana Dahaba has handed the nation an idea of the full extent of the damage caused by Wednesday night’s windstorm.

A powerful windstorm hit the country at around 10pm Wednesday night tearing the roof of many homes. Hundreds of families are now without shelter.

But according to the nation’s disaster chief, more than 3000 people have been affected.

Sana Dahaba told reporters on Thursday: “As we are speaking 3140 people have already been affected. There is 10 fatalities and 1531 internally displaced.

“This is very, very, very serious. The assessment is ongoing. Before government can determine the kind of response that the government would provide, they must have a credible and dependable data.”

NAWEC said on Thursday the powerful windstorm on Wednesday night severely affected its power transmission and distribution network across the country.

The powerful windstorm hit the country at around 10pm on Wednesday – and vast parts of the country were quickly thrown into darkness.

Citizens in parts of the greater Banjul area have confirmed not having power or water as of Thursday morning.

In a statement, NAWEC said its transmission and distribution network across the country has been severely affected, particularly the GBA.

In some areas trees have fallen on transmission lines which is causing extended blackouts at the moment, NAWEC said.

“Our engineers are currently going round to assess the situation and we will be working round the clock to quickly restore power in the areas less affected, while taking reasonable measures to address the major damages,” NAWEC said.

The National Human Rights Commission has gotten a new executive secretary in Dr Saikou Kawsu Gassama.

Dr Gassama was appointed to the role on July 1 by the commission, replacing Dr Cherno Omar Barry.

Dr Gassama had previously worked in the civil service, holding roles such as secretary to cabinet and permanent secretary at the Office of the President.

He also worked as director at the Gambia Prison Service.