The Commercial Customs Brigade of Keur Ayip, Kaolack Subdivision last Friday seized several tons of drugs from a truck from The Gambia, Senego reported on Monday.

Office of Public Relations and Communication of the Senegalese of Customs department said in a statement the drugs were discovered in a refrigerated truck from The Gambia.

According to Senego, the value of the drugs is estimated at 1,564,118,740 CFA francs. The value of another 649 kilograms of tablets that tested positive for pure morphine remains to be determined, the outlet added.

According to the paper, the drugs were hidden under crates of frozen fish.

United Democratic Party has issued a statement over reports of the seizure of large quantities of drugs in Kerr Ayib, a Senegalese town bordering The Gambia.

UDP’s statement read: “The United Democratic Party views with alarm and despair the frequent reports of interceptions and seizures of large quantities of drugs and narcotic substances in and around the Gambia. The recent spike in number of serious crimes such as murder, rape, armed robberies human trafficking and drug smuggling are a serious cause for concern about the effectiveness of the Gambia’s national security apparatus particularly at the points of entry into the country.

“UDP condemns the lackadaisical attitude of the Gambia Government in diligently investigating and prosecuting serious crimes involving narcotic substances which originate from outside the Gambia. The presence of these ‘expensive’ drugs in the Gambia is the result of significant security lapses at various ports of entry.

“Recently more than 2 tons of cocaine was confiscated at the port of Banjul by DLEAG, although the consignee of the cocaine shipment has been identified presently he is  at large and considered a fugitive, no arrest or charges have been made so far. UDP appreciates the fact that investigates must be allowed to run their course unhindered at the same time we believe that periodic updates and progress reports can help to reassure the populace.

“The international dimensions of the above incident and the Keur Ayib incident seriously jeopardizes  the national reputation of the Gambia as a peaceful tourism destination and increases  the risk of Gambia being regarded as a Narco-state. Even worse making the Gambia a soft target for organized crime syndicates operating globally and using  the Gambia as an entrepot into West Africa to gain onward access to the more lucrative markets of  Europe and Asia.

“The presence of hard drugs that are highly valued  globally in the country puts a heavy burden on the law enforcement agencies in keeping the exhibits (drugs) safe and secure until lawfully disposed. At the same time there is the real risk of the drugs getting introduced into the local population and the youths are particularly vulnerable in this regard.

“For these reasons  the UDP urges the law enforcement agencies to be extra vigilant in the execution of their duties and to redouble their efforts investigating and apprehending all those involve in this serious threat to our National Security.

“Therefore, the UDP calls on the Gambia Government to take tangible measures to urgently deal with this ominous trend towards wanton criminality in the Gambia. Furthermore, UDP urges the Gambia Government to collaborate with the sister republics of Senegal, Guinea Bissau, & Guinea Conakry to develop joint strategies to combat this regional and global threat to peace and security of our nations.”

Two personnel of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) recently returned to the country after successfully completing a two-month long course in Explosive Ordinance Devices (EOD) and Post Blast Analysis in Egypt, the army said on Monday.

They are Captain Modou Nying, a Staff Officer under GAF Operations and specializing in explosives and Staff Sergeant Bojang Muniru from 4 Infantry Battalion in Kanilai, the army said.

The army reported on its website: “This particular course was conducted at the Egyptian Police Academy.

“The course covered EOD general areas namely: making explosive charges and emplacement, demolition of both military ammunition and Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs) using the disruption methods.”

Charitable Islamic group Al-Birr Association has warned Gambians against attempts aimed at bringing the Muslim veil and abaya dress into disrepute.

There has been suggestion those who wear the Muslim dress are often either thieves or into other not-so-good acts.

But Al-Birr in a statement said: “Following the shocking video of two veiled women shoplifting at a clothing shop around the 1^st of May 2021, Al Birr Association (a charitable organization for the wellbeing of Muslim women in the Gambia) has decided to do a press release regarding the unfortunate incident. Gambian women of all religions are respectable, dignified and very hardworking. Consequently, it is indeed shocking to see these two women stealing from a clothing shop cash reported to be over 200,000 Dalasis. A couple of days after, another video went viral on social media showing the same two women, this time unveiled in their normal outfit. One can safely conclude that these women may not be hijab wearing women. The questions then are: why were they in veil (hijab) in the first video? Was the hijab used as a cover?

“The reason for this release is to urge the general public to desist from abuse of a very decent clothing (the hijab) which is prescribed by the Almighty Allah for Muslim women. Islam generally speaks of women with high regard and dignity. There are a lot of decent women of excellent character, both hijab and non-hijab. These two sisters probably used the hijab for the wrong reason.

“That should not be the reason to humiliate & harass the rest of God-fearing women and girls in our streets and markets. Most times you hear statements like “These ibaadus (veiled women) are thieves”. Such remarks are an insult to many decent women & girls out there. We solicit the understanding and cooperation of the general public to respect all women & girls especially the veiled ones. Al Birr will therefore hold a Press Conference very shortly.”

Chad’s new leader Gen. Mahamat Idriss Deby traveled to Niger on Monday, making his first international trip since the military put him in charge last month following the death of his father.

Deby arrived in Niger’s capital, Niamey, where he was greeted by Niger’s Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou Mahamadou and other dignitaries. The 37-year-old Chadian head of state is expected to meet with Niger’s new President Mohamed Bazoum.

Some 1,200 Chadian soldiers are deployed in western Niger near the border with Burkina Faso, where extremist attacks have been increasing over the past few years.

Chad and Niger are both members of the G5 Sahel, a regional security force battling extremism, alongside Burkina Faso, Mali and Mauritania.

Chad’s military government now in charge has blamed the death of longtime President Idriss Deby Itno on a rebel group and said some of the militants had then retreated across the border into Niger.

The younger Deby has sought to move forward despite lingering concerns by opposition groups that he should not have been handed control of the country. Under the country’s constitution, power should have been given to the president of the National Assembly.

However, a number of opposition politicians have since been named to prominent positions within the military-led transitional government, including the posts of prime minister and justice minister. (AP)

UDP has congratulated Rohey Malick Lowe on her selection as Mayor of the Month by the United Cities of Local Government.

In a statement, UDP wrote: “On behalf of the National President Aji Yamundow Jaye Yarboe, the Secretary-General and Party Leader Ousainu ANM Darboe and indeed on behalf of the entire membership of the United Democratic Party we wish to congratulate most heartily her worship the Mayor of Banjul Hon. Rohey Malick Lowe on her recent selection as Mayor of the Month by The United Cities of Local Government (UCLG). This is a great and prestigious honour for her the capital city of our nation.

“UDP wishes to express its great pride and profound satisfaction with the amazing work and great achievements of the first elected female Mayor of the Gambia’s capital city. Since her election in May 2018, Rohey Malick Lowe has been making history at every turn. The believes [sic] that Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe sets an excellent example for women in the Gambia and young girls all over Africa.

“UDP applauds her as a fine role model, an exemplary leader and a woman of substance who continues to represent the Gambia very well on various platforms on the global stage. We pray for her success in all her assignments and endeavours. God speed and God bless Rohey Malick Lowe.”

Samsudeen Sarr has doubled down on his stance former President Yahya Jammeh should be let to return to the country.

Mr Sarr last Monday met President Barrow but the meeting was condemned by a lot of Gambians, as Mr Sarr revealed the contents of the meeting include his proposal for the return to the country of Jammeh.

However, Mr Sarr today doubled down on his position, saying: “If you can take UDP, you can take APRC. But I have seen if UDP people join your party, no one would say anything. But APRC supporters come to your party, they say no one should hear that.

“They say why the likes of Omar Faye and Seedy Njie were taken but they do not have a problem with why Masanneh Kinteh or Yankuba Drammeh was taken who was with Yahya Jammeh until the last minute.

“I want to beg you (President Barrow) in the name of God: do for Yahya Jammeh what he did for Jawara. Bring him and let his home be in Kanilai. The army occupying his home is wrong and they should leave there. Let him come and leave with his people.”

Police have revealed arresting 681 people since the start of its much-praised Operation Zero Crime campaign last month.

“From the commencement of Operation Zero on the 2nd April 2021, a total number of 681 people were arrested at various criminal hideouts within Banjul, Kanifing and West Coast Regions,” police said today.

But according to police, 304 people out of that number were found not connected to any crime and therefore released.

Police said 119 people were found to be undocumented immigrants and handed over to the Gambia Immigration Department for necessary actions while 153 people were found with suspected drugs and handed over to the Drug Law Enforcement Agency for necessary actions.

Still, police said 105 people were charged with various crimes including going armed in public, possession of suspected stolen properties, breaking and stealing, drink and drive, assault, robbery, stealing, escape from lawful custody and obstructing a police officer.

Seedy Njie has said Momodou Sabally must not confuse himself by claiming President Adama Barrow threatened him.

“Sabally must not confuse himself and confuse the fact that a villager from somewhere announced that as a concerned villager as indicated in that audio which of course no sane person would associate to the National People’s Party. You cannot also just associate that to President Adama Barrow by saying ‘threats from President Adama Barrow and his supporters’,” the NPP deputy spokesman in an audio sent to The Fatu Network said.

Mr Sabally had over the weekend said threats from the president and his supporters could only embolden him but according to Mr Njie, the president has never threatened the UDP behemoth.

Mr Njie added: “President Adama Barrow has never threatened Momodou Sabally and he cannot bring himself and he will never bring himself that low to Momodou Sabally and issue threats to him. We all know the person of President Adama Barrow and he is committed to rule of law and democratic dispensation and the National People’s Party is founded on the principles of pluralism and democratic dispensation.

“We believe in a lever playing field and that’s what President Adama Barrow believes and he ushered in a new dawn where every Gambian, irrespective of your political affiliation or religion, exercise those rights to freely express yourself and to associate yourself with political parties or religion or association.

“And you’re free to express yourself without any fear as Momodou Sabally, of course, vomiting venom from his mouth against the person of the president. Of course [due to] personal grudges and vendetta. But with all that, President Adama Barrow has never uttered a word.

“The president is not any way following the activities or Momodou Sabally or any other person in his category. We want to say that the National People’s Party is disappointed with that statement of associating such to President Adama Barrow.”

Momodou Sabally has responded to threats his legs will be broken if he ever stepped foot in Gambisara saying: ‘I have no business in Gambisara but if God permits it if I’m going to Wulli I will make a stop there’.

An unidentified man in an audio that has emerged online ranted Sabally is ill-mannered and disrespectful.

“He’s not crazy to come to Gambisara. If he comes to Gambisara, we will ask kids to beat him until they break his legs,” the man said in the audio.

And he added: “He is a trouble-maker and useless. He is impertinent and insults the leaders. But if he faces some of us and says the things he says, we will destroy his mouth.”

But according to Sabally, threats from President Barrow and his supporters can only embolden him.

“You say you’re bad-mouthing and threatening me. That can only embolden me. I have no business in Gambisara but if God permits it if I’m going to Wulli I will make a stop there,” Sabally said.

The former secretary general also disclosed he enjoys great respect and love in Gambisara.

“I have great relationship with Serahules and no one can sow discord between us. I’m well-respected in Gambisara and I have great elders there who I love very much. So the words of one individual cannot get to me and make me say things to people I respect so much,” he said.

Morocco announced on Saturday that it has foiled an illegal immigration attempt across the Mediterranean and arrested 19 people.

During the operation, the police arrested in the coast of the northern city of El Hoceima one person for alleged involvement in human trafficking and migrant smuggling and seized two boasts, official news agency MAP said.

On Friday, the police arrested eight would-be immigrants and one individual in the northern city of Nador for alleged links with a criminal network active in the organization of illegal immigration.

A Moroccan navy unit operating in the Mediterranean on Friday night thwarted a drug trafficking operation and seized 3 tonnes of cannabis off the coast of Nador, MAP reported. (XINHUA)

President Adama Barrow made a move on a shot looking to beat a young goalkeeper in a photo that has triggered reaction online.

The photo, shared on the social media network Facebook by the president’s photographer Sulayman Touray, shows the president taking on a young goalkeeper in impressive style.

The Fatu Network understands the act took place on the beach in Banjul a few days ago.

A man threatened to break former secretary general Momodou Sabally’s legs if he stepped foot in Gambisara.

The unidentified man in an audio that has emerged online rants that Momodou Sabally is ill-mannered and disrespectful.

“He’s not crazy to come to Gambisara. If he comes to Gambisara, we will ask kids to beat him until they break his legs,” the man says in the audio.

“He is a trouble-maker and useless. He is impertinent and insults the leaders. But if he faces some of us and says the things he says, we will destroy his mouth.”

President Adama Barrow pledged his Government’s support for the improvement and expansion of the Gam-Petroleum fuel storage facility in Mandinari during a surprise visit to the depot and other government institutions on Thursday, State House has said.

Commenting on the purpose of the visit, the Gambian Leader said it was to familiarize himself with the facility and the management, State House said in a statement.

The statement continued: “He added that the viability and security of the fuel depot is a matter of national security and priority hence it is managed and secured by Gambians.

“While on a conducted tour of the facility by the management team, President Barrow commented that it was critical to adopt a strategy with clearly outlined steps to secure the facility as a national entity.

“In line with his government’s policy to promote the Gambian private sector growth, President Barrow also encouraged Gambian Investors to invest in the petroleum industry to ensure a level playing field and competitive market rates in the industry.

“Responding to the Human Resource capacity concerns, the Gambian President revealed that there are ongoing plans for local and international training programmes for personnel on new and emerging technologies to operate and manage the multi-million dollar infrastructure effectively.  He stated his commitment to this cause while urging the staff and management to be aware of illegal and unauthorised activities.

“On his immediate reaction to the visit, President Barrow noted that he has made observations that are key to the facility’s operation and that the presidency will collaborate with experts to map out protocols that will ensure more efficient management of the infrastructure.”

The chief executive officer of GACH global Abubakary Jawara has given 13 cows to mosques across the country on the occasion of this year’s Laylatul Qadr to be observed on Saturday.

The nation’s Muslim faithful have been marking this year’s Ramadan fast and Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) is observed on the 27th day of Ramadan.

According to narrations in Islam, the night is better than a thousand months – and Muslims set sleep to one side and spend the night worshipping Allah.

The night itself is not known but the Prophet Muhammad said it can be found in the odd days of the last ten days of Ramadan. And the 27th day is offered special attention when many Muslims stay up to pray and engage in other acts of worship.

Saikou Marong has aimed a sly dig at UDP leader Ousainou Darboe by saying he lost all the elections he contested in.

Darboe has confidently said he will be declared president-elected at the December 4 presidential election.

But Latrikunda Sabiji MP Marong wrote on Thursday: “He said he will be declared a winner 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and he lost all. Adama Barrow said he will be declared a winner in 2016 and he won.

“So if he said he will be declared a winner come 5th December 2021 should I bother myself? I’m at my corner waiting for December 5^th.”

The Supreme Court this week ruled the 54 million dalasis loan scheme by members of the National Assembly was unconstitutional and ordered for its scrapping from the budget.

Below is the full judgment;

JUDGMENT FROM THE SUPREME COURT BETWEEN GAMBIA PARTICIPATES AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

file:///C:/Users/newse/Downloads/JUDGMENT%20FROM%20THE%20SUPREME%20COURT%20BETWEEN%20GAMBIA%20PARTICIPATES%20AND%20NATIONAL%20ASSEMBLY.pdf

President Adama Barrow assured women activists of his government’s commitment to the advancement of women. The President made the remarks on Wednesday when he received members of the Gender Platform, an advocacy group promoting women’s political participation and leadership in governance.

State House said: “President Barrow expresses appreciation in receiving the team and called on educated women to step forward and participate in electoral politics and governance.

“The President of Gender Platform, Ms Tabu Njie-Sarr said their audience with President Barrow was to seek his support for a guaranteed quota of women representation in the National Assembly and other governance structures. Ms Njie-Sarr said since the attainment of independence women continued to be underrepresented in political office thus the call for reserving two seats in each region for contest among women, to change the status quo.

“Also present at the meeting at the State House was the Minister of Women, Children and Social Welfare, Honourable Fatou Kinteh, who welcomed the advocacy to increase women’s representation. She called on the Gender Platform team to continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders in all the processes to attain their objective.

“Other speakers included Honourable Fatoumatta Njie, National Assembly member for Banjul South and Maimuna Secka, representative of the Gambia Association for the Physically Disabled including rural women’s representatives, all of whom emphasised the importance of ensuring women are equally represented in elective and other leadership positions.”