UDP leader Ousainu Darboe accompanied by a high powered delegation visited Tanka Tanka Psychiatric Hospital on Tuesday.

The group conducted a tour of the facilities after hearing firsthand the challenges faced by the institution, UDP said on its official Facebook.

Mr. Darboe donated sugar, oil, onions, soap, 20 bags of rice and other items as a token of appreciation.

Senegalese authorities are investigating leads linking famous thief Boy Djine to a burglary incident in Jeshwang last month.

Armed men allegedly forced their way into the home of Walid Bourgi in Old Jeshwang and stole at least 16 million dalasis.

According to Senego on Wednesday, Baye Modou Fall alias Boy Djine is being questioned by the Criminal Investigation Division in Senegal over the incident.

The famous criminal allegedly received help from Dame Sy who has also been arrested.

According to Senego who relied on Lasnews, the missing money is estimated at 17 million dalasis in addition to gold and silver jewelry.

APRC deputy interim leader Ousman Rambo Jatta has called on supporters of APRC to decide wisely in the December presidential election as the life of the party depends on it.

Speaking in an interview with photojournalist Alpha Bah, Mr Jatta argued: “God forbid they take government. It’s not going to end up good. This election will determine the future of the APRC. We have to decide and we have to decide very wisely.

“If we fool ourselves, that will be the end of us and President Jammeh will never return to this country.

“The reason why I said God forbids a UDP government… they’re going to go to where he is to try to prosecute him because they’re full of vengeance, they’re full of hatred for the man. This is why I will never like UDP. I don’t hate them but I dislike their attitude.”

By Ousman Jatta

The magistrates court in Brikama has struck out a case of land involving the alkalo of Old Yundum Borry Jassey.

The Brikama Magistrates Court struck out the land case between Borry Jassey Alkali and and businessman Landing Jadama on Tuesday on grounds the court does not have the jurisdiction to hear the case.

The move came following an application made by the senior state counsel S.O Sibbie in April for the court to strike out the case.

State Counsel O.S Sibbie argued  that  Landing Jadama is facing trial at the High Court of the Gambia over the same land located at Old Yundum Village, measuring 190m by 115m by 50m by 80m by 115m by 235m.

Jadama, of Brufut, had sued the alkalo over the land claiming it belongs to him. Jadama will now continue his battle as a defendant at the High Court of the Gambia, as a law suit is against him there over the same land.

By Ousman Jatta

The alkalo of Manduar Mandinka the original founders of Manduar has said the people of Manduar Touba should be told the truth.

Clashes erupted between the two Manduars on Monday as a result of Touba Manduar’s attempt to be in charge of their own voter registration by having their own alkalo endorse the attestation forms of their villagers. But some youth from Manduar Mandinka allegedly decided to interrupt the whole attestation process by allegedly refusing for Manduar Touba alkalo issue attestation to Touba Manduar residents.

But speaking to The Fatu Network, Alkalo Jerreh Bojang, said while he is not against the alkaloship of Mandouar Touba, he was never informed about the alkaloship of Mandour Touba.

“Mandour Touba should be told the truth,” the alkalo added.

Riot police stormed the registration center on Tuesday breaking a crowd of the angry youths with tear gas.

But one youth of Manduar Mandinka said: “Since 1996, we have been registering with our neighbours from Mandour Touba. This year if you see they decided to have their own attestation, they have strangers whom they want to give attestation to, in order for them to a have a voter’s card.”

Making comments on the clash over attestation, Superintendent Lamin Njie explained: ’’There is Manduar Mandinka and Manduar Touba of the Wolof. The IEC had designated a voter registration center for Manduar. This center is based at the Manduar Mandinka Kunda.

“But there is the other side which is Manduar Touba who have their own Alkalo and this Alkalo is a legally appointed alkali. So the IEC realized that since they are both alkalos and there is one registration center, they suggested that the two alkalos can come at the registration center or maybe they can all be designated as people can give attestation in case there is anybody who needs attestation.

“But the people in the Mandinka area said that is not possible because the only recognized Alkalo is their own Alkalo, the other Alkalo cannot participate in that process. I understand that the other Alkalo came with his table and stuff, but were disrupted by the people of Manduar Manding, who even when to the extent of instigating violence. This was why the police decided to intervene and deploy officers there and control the situation. So in that process, five people have been arrested for obstruction related issues.”

The Gambia Critical COVID-19 medical supplies as part of the support to ECOWAS countries worth USD 14 million were handed over to the Ministry of Health on Tuesday at the central medical stores in Kotu.

In a press release on Tuesday, UNDP Gambia said the medical supplies were funded by the German Government (BMZ), the European Union, UNDP, ECOWAS Commission and WAHO, and procured by GIZ and UNDP.

Representatives from these institutions together with the UN Resident Coordinator were there to hand over these lifesaving supplies to Honorable Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh, Minister of Health, the press release added.

The medical items include goggles, gloves, throat swab, PCR tube 0.2ml, gowns, pulse oximeters, N95 masks, Oxygen face masks, oxygen concentrator, specimen collection swab, PRC tubes and other critical supplies.

Gambian men have trailed their women counterpart by more than 100,000 in voter registration, according to latest data from the IEC.

The Independent Electoral Commission has since last month been registering Gambians for the December presidential election.

According to the IEC in their latest update, it has so far registered 720,394 Gambians for the key plebiscite.

Out of the number, 411,319 are women and 309,075 are men.

Police said on Tuesday a joint operation by the Police, GRA-Customs, Public Health and Environmental Inspectors has been activated to enforce the Tobacco Control Act and Regulations.

In a statement, police said the Tobacco Control Act has banned public smoking, display of tobacco products, selling of single sticks and advertisements of tobacco products as well as Shisha.

The operation is initiated to enforce these provisions, and so far the compliance from the public is very impressive with regards to public smoking which is drastically reducing, police said.

Police added in their statement: “There has not been any reports of confrontation since the commencement of the operation, and some illegal tobacco products such as cigarette packs less than 20 sticks, packs that are not labeled *sold in the Gambia* were seized during the operations.

The operation, which started on Saturday 26th June 2021 at Kanifing Municipality and West Coast will be extended to all regions across the country.

“The Police at TSU will conduct patrols around the Tourism Development Areas to ensure full compliance.

“The public is further reminded that Shisha is currently a banned substance and anyone found with it will face penalties in accordance with the laws. The cooperation and compliance of the public is highly solicited.”

National Water and Electricity Company NAWEC has asked private channel operators to ‘immediately’ bring down cables they placed on their lines or face consequences.

According to NAWEC on Tuesday, it has noticed private channel operators “using our transmission and distribution infrastructure for private their businesses”.

“This poses serious threat to electricity transmission as well as a serious risk to the distribution network thereby causing negative consequences to the consumers.

“NAWEC hereby informs all to those responsible, to desist from this practice and immediately bring down their cables. Failure to adhere to this advice, NAWEC will take the necessary action to free our lines which may attract charges on the side of the defaulters,” NAWEC said in a dispatch.

By Sarjo Brito

The leader of the United Democratic on Saturday joined the Lord Mayor of KMC and other party officials for a visit to the Serrekunda Market.

The purpose of the visit according to the Lord Mayor was for his party leader to acquaint himself with the condition of the market and have first-hand information on the plight of market vendors. While applauding the KM Mayor for the achievements he has registered so far, Darboe admits local government authorities continue to struggle in executing their duties, especially when it comes to funding.

Government subventions to Municipalities have been a longstanding issue as they accuse central government of sitting on their funds. The UDP leader promised a complete separation of powers between central and local government under a UDP administration.

“There needs to be a change of government. When that happens, Area Councils can receive their subventions as they should. A UDP government will reconsider the ratio because the amount central government give to area councils is like a drop in the ocean.

“The independence and autonomy of Local Government Authorities as enshrined in the Constitution will be respected. There will be decentralization as all powers in this country right now resides in the office of The President and when that happens moving forward becomes a problem. I promise that when a UDP government come in, there will be separation of powers,” Mr Darboe said.

The Lord Major of Kanifing Municipality Talib Bensouda said support from government has become almost non-existent in recent years.

“Every year September 31st, as written in the constitution, we write our subventions and request it from the national government. Every year we request about 47million. It is never granted. They tell us its either late or they do not have the money. But that is not the law. What the law said is that the money is ours because it is taxpayer’s money, and it does not belong to anybody. It belongs to the Gambian people and should be returned to them through KMC. That has never happened and that is why we are unable to do our work as we should,” he said.

Police have confirmed that the people of Manduar Mandinka and those of Manduar Touba clashed on Tuesday over the issue of voter registration.

Police spokesman Lamin Njie told The Fatu Network the villagers clashed over having two alkalos preside over attestation for voters in Manduar.

Superintendent Njie explained: “There is a dispute over alkaloship between the two Manduars. There is Manduar Mandinka and Manduar Touba of the Wollof. The IEC had designated a voter registration centre for Manduar. This centre is based at the Manduar Mandinka Kunda. But there is the other side which is Manduar Touba who have their own alkalo and this alkalo is a legally appointed alkalo also. So the IEC realized that since they are both alkalos and there is one registration centre, they suggested that the two alkalos can come at the registration centre or maybe they can all be designated as people can give attestation in case there is anybody who needs attestation.

“But the people in the Mandinka area said that is not possible because the only recognized alkalo is their own alkalo, the other alkalo cannot participate in that process. So I understand that the other alkalo came with his table and stuff and they (Manduar Mandinka) came and disrupted the whole process and even instigated violence. So this was why the police decided to intervene and deploy officers there and control the situation. So in that process, five people have been arrested for obstruction related issues and their matters are under investigation.”

GDC leader Mamma Kandeh has called on party leaders to ask their supporters to put a stop to insults and campaign peacefully and respectfully.

In a statement, GDC said: “It has come to the attention of the leadership of the Gambia Democratic Congress that audios containing abusive language which is very uncommon in The Gambia and our society in general.  Such act is also against everything that our party (GDC) stands for and we deem it necessary to add our voice to condemn it before the commencement of political campaign for the upcoming elections. The Gambia belongs to all of us and no particular tribe should insult each other over politics. The Gambia Democratic Congress therefore, condemns the recent politics of insults in the strongest possible terms.

“The leadership of the GDC, under Honorable Mamma Kandeh further denounced the abusive audios and videos circulating on social media in which people use foul language regarding their opponents who are personally insulting a particular tribe or party leader all in the name of politics. This is not right and we seize this opportunity to ask all our supporters and supporters of other parties to desist from such act.

“It is in this regard, the GDC under the leadership of Honorable Mamma Kandeh disassociates itself from such act and condemns all forms of insults and character assassination targeting certain tribes in The Gambia and individuals. We are all interested in the welfare of all Gambians. Nobody, on any account, should insult and or tarnish the image of another person or tribe in the name of politics.

“Honorable Kandeh and the entire Executive of GDC are encouraging all Gambians to safeguard the strong cultural ties, use good language and relate well with their fellow Gambians and desist from politics of hate and insult especially the youth and women.

“In the same vein, the GDC leader Honorable Kandeh is urging all political and traditional leaders, CSOs, civic education personalities to continue preaching peace and enabling stability for the betterment and common good of The Gambia. Finally, Honorable Kandeh is calling on all Party leaders to advise their militants to put a stop to insults and campaign peacefully and respectfully.”

Press release

The fifth resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of The Gambia to Turkey Serign Modou Njie, on June 23, 2021 presented his Letters of Credence to the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at a special ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Ankara.

Following presentation of his Letters of Credence, Ambassador Njie conveyed fraternal best wishes from the President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow to the Turkish President, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Government and people of Turkey. He also conveyed President Adama Barrow’s profound gratitude and appreciation to H.E President Erdoğan for his leadership role in the Muslim world and the valuable support that the Republic of Turkey has rendered to the Government and people of The Gambia in various fields of development such as in Education, Health, and Security Sector, as well as in building the capacity of our civil servants and the security personnel.

During diplomatic engagement with the Turkish President, Ambassador Njie highlighted the fruitful cooperation between The Gambia and Turkey in the areas of Education, Health, trade, air transport, security, tourism, and Women Empowerment projects. He also briefed President Erdogan about the status of the legal case filed by The Gambia against the State of Myanmar at the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

The Ambassador used the opportunity to request an increase in the number of Turkish Government scholarships and patients that receive free treatment in Turkey under the existing Cooperation Agreements. He also appealed for the Turkish Government’s support in granting residence and work permits to the hundreds of Gambian immigrants currently residing in Turkey. Finally, he requested for Turkey’s support in the planned refurbishment of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital and the construction of office premises for members of the National Assembly at the National Assembly complex.

While expressing happiness over the state of bilateral relations and cooperation between The Gambia and Turkey, Ambassador Njie promised to augment these relations to a new height during his tenure.

In his response, President Erdoğan immediately approved the request for the refurbishment of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital and tasked his team to look into the other areas of cooperation.

For his part, President Erdoğan congratulated Ambassador Njie on his deserved elevation to the position of Ambassador, following his stint as Deputy Ambassador in Turkey, and wished him success in further strengthening the existing bilateral relations between The Gambia and Turkey. President Erdoğan fondly highlighted that The Gambia is the first sub-Saharan African country to have a defence cooperation agreement with Turkey and expressed the desire to deepen the existing bilateral cooperation in various fields of mutual interest. Finally, President Erdogan expressed the need to improve on the current US$60 million trade volume between the two countries.

It could be recalled that The Gambia established diplomatic relations with Turkey as of the date of Gambia’s independence from Britain in 1965. The two countries have closely work together at international community level, such as the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Present at the presentation ceremony were Madam Sally Manneh Njie, spouse of the Ambassador, Mr. Cherno Marenah, Deputy Head of Mission, Brigadier General Omar Bune Mbye, Defence Attaché, and the family of the Ambassador.

Riot police fired tear gas as the people Manduar Mandinka and those of Manduar Touba Wollof clashed on Tuesday.

Tension broke out over voter registration with sources saying the people of Manduar Mandinka have insisted that Manduar is just one village where everyone should register the village’s only registration centre. The people of Touba Manduar see themselves as a separate village and that they should be in charge of their own voter registration, according to one source.

The people of Manduar Mandinka see the Wollofs as strangers who only recently came and settled in Manduar and so cannot build a village within a village, one person said.

However, another person said the Manduar Touba Wollof people have had their own alkalo since 2012 and so it was only fair their alkalo uses his own stamp to issue attestation.

He added: “Today’s clashes are as a result of Manduar Mandinka villagers’ refusal for Touba Manduar residents attested by their own alkalo to be registered at the registration centre.”

Riot police fired teas gar and arrested a number of people, The Fatu Network understands.

Police spokesman Lamin Njie could not immediately comment on the issue.

National Executive Members of the Citizens’ Alliance (C.A), led by Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, visited the Center for victims of human rights violations in The Gambia on Monday.

The visit is in line with the C.A’s top ten priorities (2021-2025). One such priority includes implementing every recommendation made by the state-established institutions vested with powers to function the transitional justice process.

In welcoming the delegation, the Victims Centre’s Chairman, Sheriff Kijera, expressed gratitude to the C.A party for being the first political party to visit the Centre.

The C.A party leader and presidential candidate Dr. Ismaila Ceesay assured officials of the Victims Centre of his party’s unconditional willingness to ensure justice for all victims.

As a result of the educative and enlightening exchange, the Citizens’ Alliance and the Victim Centre convened to squarely continue to discuss means through which the party can support the advocacy strategy of the Centre.

To help support the healing process for the victims, the Citizens’ Alliance will provide an annual subvention to the Victims Centre. And most importantly, C.A will stand firm to ensure the full implementation of the TRRC’s final recommendations.

MPs on Monday voted for the ministry of fisheries to bring to parliament a controversial fisheries pact between The Gambia and Senegal.

Gambia and Senegal reached an understanding for Senegalese fishing boats to fish in Gambian waters – but MPs questioned the fisheries minister on the agreement on Monday.

MP for Foni Kansala proposed for the suspension of the agreement insisting it wasn’t ratified by parliament.

But the minister of fisheries clarified that it was a longstanding agreement that dates back to the first republic. He had initially admitted the agreement was illegal.

After voting the fisheries ministry to bring the agreement to parliament, the fisheries minister James Gomez said: “I want to assure everybody that this is not anything personal about me. This is the position I hold and every Gambian has a right to know what the facts are. So I thank you very much for inviting me.”