Commentator Nyang Njie on Tuesday expressed sadness Gambia government functionaries are ignorant of the country’s laws and statutory holidays.

The government displayed ineptitude on Monday amid two conflicting statements over Tuesday’s public holiday.

State House Monday afternoon said Tuesday was not a public holiday but the government spokesperson hours later said it was in fact a public holiday.

Nyang Njie said: “So sad that Government functionaries are ignorant of our laws and statutory holidays. We deserve better. In a nutshell, the downward spiral we have been witnessing is partially due to incompetence.

“Gambians are generally not honest with their competencies. Some public officials are operating over and beyond their pay grades thereby being liabilities to society.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has said a UDP government will  pursue a foreign policy based on the Pan African values of ‘Ubuntu, Teranga  and Boonya’.

Speaking on this year’s Africa Day, Mr Darboe said: “I pledge to you that a UDP Government will pursue a Foreign Policy based on our timeless Pan African values of Ubuntu, Teranga, Boonya; values that emphasise the worth and dignity of human beings; values that place a premium on cooperation and solidarity in place sterile competition. A new Pan African cooperation framework anchored on African culture and civilisation that celebrates our diversity in unity of purpose and shared values of democracy, good governance and respect for the rule of law.

“Over the years we have become used to seeing images of African young men & women and now children crammed into boats and makeshift rafts trying to reach Europe through the ‘BACKWAY’. According to reports of humanitarian organisations more than 20,000 people have lost their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean since 2014 including several Gambians.

“Life is so difficult for millions of people on our continent and opportunities so few that they would risk their lives crossing the sea in pursuit of a better future. In the Gambia we are experiencing a wave of violent crimes unprecedented in the history of our peace loving nation. Prompting the question what is the role of the state in ensuring human dignity security and prosperity? What is the role of Government in protecting the lives and properties of the citizens?

“UDP firmly believes that Africa needs a new theory of Government and a new vision of the role of the state in the development of the capacities of the people. To achieve that low-income small states like the Gambia must reinvent the institutions of government to increase the capabilities of the state to empower the people and to enable them to build better lives for themselves in genuine cooperation through win-win partnerships with their neighbours and the planet.”

Mai Fatty has disagreed with President Adama Barrow over his suggestion the upsurge in crime in the country is as a result of the prevailing free and democratic environment.

The President in an address to the nation on Monday insisted his government has exercised much restraint since 2017 to allow Gambians and residents of The Gambia to enjoy their fundamental rights and freedoms without interference.

“Unfortunately, it is now evident that some individuals and groups among us are taking advantage of the prevailing free and democratic environment to engage in violent-related crimes, such as illegal possession of arms, robbery, burglary, rape and various types of assaults, some of which tragically end in fatalities,” the president said.

But GMC leader Mai Fatty said: “The ‘surge’ in crime, particularly violent crime, has nothing to do with the expansive enjoyment of political freedom. It has everything to do with governance deficit, high unemployment, hopelessness among the youth, misplaced priorities and neglect of the basic needs of the GPF and other internal security agencies. Linking political freedom to violent crime rates, demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of the underlying causes. That is a huge problem.

“We had hoped for concrete action plans (comprehensive solutions), with specific details as urgent intervention variables, to directly tackle this emergency head-on. It did not come; instead what came was very abstract and did not even address the challenge. That too is a huge problem. Tackling such an emergency calls for decisive leadership.”

By Reuters

Military officers in Mali detained the president, prime minister and defence minister of the interim government on Monday, deepening political chaos just months after a military coup ousted the previous president, multiple sources told Reuters.

President Bah Ndaw, Prime Minister Moctar Ouane and defence minister Souleymane Doucoure were all taken to a military base in Kati outside the capital Bamako, hours after two members of the military lost their positions in a government reshuffle, the diplomatic and government sources said.

Their detentions followed the military ouster in August of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The development could exacerbate instability in the West African country where violent Islamist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State control large areas of the desert north.

Political instability and military infighting have complicated efforts by Western powers and neighbouring countries to prop up to the impoverished nation, contributing to regional insecurity.

The United Nations’ mission in Mali called for the group’s “immediate and unconditional” release and said those who hold the leaders would have to answer for their actions.

A delegation from the top regional decision-making body ECOWAS will visit Bamako on Tuesday to help resolve the “attempted coup”, ECOWAS, the U.N., African Union, European Union and several European countries said in a joint statement.

“The international community rejects in advance any act imposed by coercion, including forced resignations,” the group said.

The U.S. State Department called in a statement for the “unconditional release of those currently being held”.

The National Human Rights Commission has joined the police in condemning mob justice insisting no one has the right to take the law in his hand.

In a statement, NHRC said: “The Commission is equally perturbed by the images of mob justice circulating on social media that victims subject the suspects of these crimes, literally taking the law into their hands and imposing their own punishments on these suspects.

“While the Commission empathises with the victims and condemns the suffering, and at times the assaults and violence, they are put through, it wishes to state categorically that no one has the right to take the law into their hands or subject another person to humiliating, degrading and dehumanizing treatment no matter the crime or offence committed.

“Alleged offenders when apprehended should be handed over to the Police whose duty it is to prosecute and ensure the law takes its course. Mob justice is an affront to due process and the rule of law and the Commission, thus, urges everyone to be law abiding and uphold human rights of all.”

State House has explained that government has decided to uphold a 2009 law that set Africa Day as a public holiday in The Gambia.

State House MOnday afternoon dismissed as untrue reports of Tuesday being a public holiday. The government through Ebrima Sankareh Monday evening issued a statement saying the president has declared Tuesday a public holiday.

The press secretary at State House Amie Bojang Sissoho explained: “Just got information that Parliament declared it a public holiday in 2009 and it has not been repealed.

“To avoid contravention of the Constitution, Government decided to uphold the Constitutional provision. This was brought to the attention of the OP this evening.”

Government spokesperson Ebrima G Sankareh has issued a statement announcing that President Adama Barrow has declared Tuesday a public holiday in a stunning about-face.

State House Monday afternoon dismissed reports of a public holiday on Tuesday saying all public servants are expected to report to work.

But in a statement posted by GRTS, government spokesperson Ebrima G Sankareh said: “In exercise of the powers vested in him by the 1997 Constitution, under Section 102 Sub-Section (e) and Section 76 Sub Section (2), His Excellency, The President of The Republic, Mr. Adama Barrow, is please to declare tomorrow Tuesday, 25th May 2021 a Public Holiday throughout The Gambia in observance of African Liberation Day.

“President Barrow urges Gambians and all residents in the country to join their African brethren on the Continent and across the Diaspora to seriously reflect on the significance of this special day in our collective struggle against tyranny, imperial domination and colonial subjugation for centuries.

“In moments like this, President Barrow asks that we remember our Founding Fathers like the late Ghanaian President Dr Kwame Nkrumah who led the struggle against colonial domination and exploitation. It is because of great men like the late Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah that we are all a free people, he said.”

Police have vowed to arrest and prosecute anyone found wanting of torturing suspected thieves.

In a statement on Monday, police said they have opened investigations into several videos they received.

Police said: “The Inspector General’s Office has opened investigations into several videos it received in connection to the matter.

“The Public is hereby informed that individuals found wanting of perpetrating torture against other individuals alleged of stealing will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the Gambia.”

Police have issued a statement over people taking the law into their hands when they effect citizen’s arrest on suspects.

Police said in a statement on Monday: “The office of the Inspector General of Police has learned with deep concern, videos circulating on the social media in which individuals are severely tortured for allegedly stealing properties belonging to others.

“This acts of mob justice, torture and degrading treatment are seriously condemned and  frown upon as they have no place in any civilised society.

“The Inspector General’s Office has opened investigations into several videos it received in connection to the matter.

“The Public is hereby informed that individuals found wanting of perpetrating torture against other individuals alleged of stealing will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the Gambia.

“While we understand and appreciate the concerns of victims of crime, members of the public are urged to remain calm, exercise maximum restraint and allow the due process of the law at all times.

“The public is further advised to report matters to the Police and other appropriate authorities for redress and never must they take the law into their own hands. The cooperation and understanding of the public is highly solicited.”

The Independent Electoral Commission has recognized Kebba Jallow as the leader of People’s Progressive Party.

PPP members have been at war among themselves since a disputed congress in February this year.

Touma Njai who stepped forward to contest against Kebba Jallow refused to take part in the election after she charged that the process was marred by fraud.

Later on, she complained to the IEC who later wrote to her that they could not interfere in internal party matters.

Yet, the IEC wrote to the clerk of the National Assembly on May 19 telling him it has recognized Kebba Jallow as the ‘official’ leader of PPP.

And Touma Njai sharing a copy of the letter said: “Did I not tell you there’s was more to it than meets the eye. This was sent by the IEC after they said it was an internal matter.

“They decided to take a decision ignoring the letters written by the regional chairpersons followed by a visit by all of them to the IEC office. How can we trust the IEC to Preside over an elections under these circumstances. See you in court.”

A Sudanese court sentenced to death on Monday a paramilitary officer charged with killing a demonstrator during a deadly breakup of a protest camp in the capital, Khartoum, two years ago.

The court ruled that the officer, Youssef Mohieldin al-Fiky, a major with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, rammed a protester with his car as security forces were dispersing a sit-in outside the military headquarters in June 2019.

The protester, Hanafy Abdel-Shakour, was one of over 120 people killed during the brutal crackdown on demonstrators in Khartoum and elsewhere in Sudan that June. It followed two months after the military ousted then-President Omar al-Bashir amid a public uprising against his nearly three-decade autocratic rule.

Al-Fiky rammed his car into 22-year-old Abdel-Shakour, in Omdurman, a city adjacent to Khartoum, according to the state-run SUNA news agency. The report said the trial had started more than a year later, in July 2020, in Khartoum’s Judicial and Legal Science Institute. Judges held 26 hearings before their ruling on Monday. The verdict can be appealed before a higher court.

According to videos distributed on social media, dozens of people outside the courthouse cheered the court ruling. Abdel-Shakour’s family were also seen hugging each other and praying.

Since al-Bashir’s ouster, Sudan has since been on a fragile path to democracy and is ruled by a joint military-civilian government.

Monday’s ruling was the first of its kind. The 2019 breakup of the sit-in camp was a turning point in what had until then been relations between the military and the protesters.

Protesters had called for an international probe into the breakup, but an African Union-brokered agreement in August 2019 between the generals and the protesters said a local commission would investigate. The panel, however, repeatedly missed its deadlines for reporting, angering the victims’ families and protest groups.

Protesters accused the paramilitary force of leading the crackdown. The force grew out of the notorious janjaweed militias implicated in the Darfur conflict and is now part of the military.

A military-backed prosecutor said in 2019 that eight officers, including a major general, were charged with crimes against humanity in the crackdown. But there has been no word since of any being tried or detained. (AP)

State House has pushed back at reports Tuesday is a public holiday.

Reports have abounded of Tuesday being a public holiday in respect of Africa Liberation Day celebrations.

Former President Yahya Jammeh used to declare May 25th a public holiday in the country to mark the day but State House has indicated there is no public holiday for this year.

“It should be noted that 25 May is recognized as Africa Liberation Day in recognition of the struggles of the founding fathers to liberate the continent from colonial rule. To commemorate this day, Africans should redouble our efforts for the continent’s true political and socio-economic emancipation through hard work and commitment to nation building,” State House said in a statement.

The statement added: “Once again, let it be reiterated that Tuesday 25th May 2021 is not declared a public holiday in The Gambia and all public servants are expected to be at work.”

The mother of the complainant in the rape trial of Bubacarr Keita on Monday to testified that her daughter lived with her elder sister when the latter was married to her husband, Bubacarr Keita.

Businessman Keita’s rape trial resumed on Monday at the high court in Bundung before judge Momodou SM Jallow.

The mother of the complainant testified that her daughter was staying with her elder sister when the elder sister was married to Bubacarr Keita.

She then turned to the events that took place in the summer of 2019 when asked to explain it to the court in chronological order by prosecuting lawyer Alasan Jobe.

The businesswoman recalled: “At that time, my daughter [*Amie] was sick, she had a headache. She had frequent headaches. I got a call from the school that [*Amie] had a headache. I then called her sister and told her that [*Amie]… my elder sister’s child called me and said [*Amie] was having frequent headaches in school.

“I then told Sainabou that she should take her to the hospital. Sainabou took her to the hospital in Banjul where she was checked. When she came, I asked Sainabou what happened and Sainabou said she thinks it was malaria. She was given medicine and she took the medicine when she came home. She took the medicine for days, felt better and returned to school.

“When she went back to school, she had headache again after a few days. My sister’s child who sells at the school called me and asked me if [*Amie] told me her head disturbs her a lot and when it begins to ache, all of them would be over her to support her. Their French teacher later called me and told me I should consider taking her to a traditional healer.”

The case returns on June 1.

The people of Kanilai were out in the streets and in the balcony of their apartments as officials of the TRRC visited the village.

TRRC commissioners led by Dr Lamin J Sise on Friday visited Kanilai to search for mass graves and view other places such as the crocodile pond.

Dr Sise spoke on their visit today saying it went well and that the people of Kanilai showed their appreciate the mandate of the TRRC.

Dr Sise said: “There was no hostile reaction towards the visiting commissioners. Whatever happened in the past, it has not made us react towards each other with hostility.

“They were out in the streets and in the balconies of their apartments. They didn’t clap or cheer for the visiting team. I thought that was recognition for the mandate of this commission.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe on Sunday spent some time helping UDP market its upcoming fundraising event.

UDP supporters will be at the Independence Stadium next month in a huge musical event in a bid to shore up the party’s accounts amid an election year.

Darboe said Sunday while meeting with supporters from Kiang: “We are looking for money from Gambians. We want Gambians to support their party. Next month on the 19th, we will do a fundraising at the Independence Stadium.

“Before that we are selling tickets. There are tickets costing D300, there are the D2,000 ones too. But the D300 ticket is cheaper. If we all take out D300 and buy a ticket and the money goes to our party’s coffers will make it easier to run the party’s activities.

“I beg you all to support your party. With regard to this fundraising, we’re not excluding any imam, we’re not excluding any majlis owner. We want all to come on board. We want majlis owners to buy tickets for their students for them to come where when Jaliba sings they too can sing Islamic songs.”

By CGTN Africa

Nigeria’s top-ranking army commander Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru was laid to rest in the capital Abuja on Saturday, a day after he and 10 other officers died when their plane crashed in bad weather.

It was the third military air disaster this year and the army posted videos on social networks of the service attended by political and military leaders at the national mosque.

Army chief of staff Attahiru was only appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari last January in a shakeup of the senior command to better fight surging violence and a more than decade-long jihadist insurgency.

But the president, who offered his condolences just hours after the crash in the northern state of Kaduna, did not attend the funeral, an absence widely criticised on social media.