Erstwhile UDP diaspora stalwart Aja Maimuna Ceesay Darboe has said God no longer wants UDP leader Ousainou Darboe to be president.

Mrs Ceesay Darboe was at the heart of UDP’s war against former President Jammeh’s rule. She dramatically left UDP to join President Barrow amid a fall out between UDP and President Barrow.

Mrs Ceesay Darboe who is now NPP’s diaspora secretary while speaking to the people of Kerewan on Wednesday said: “I wanted Darboe to be president more than Adama Barrow but God no longer wants Darboe to be president. I told him when he was vice president in his office that if we fall out with Adama Barrow, it could augur well for Adama Barrow than UDP.

“I told him we should be together. I told him during our meeting with Adama Barrow in New York that he (Adama) said he wanted to develop the party and we should give him a chance. It was on that day I gave Sheriff Dibba and Jawara as an example. That Gambians are good at installing leaders but not supporting them.

“I told him to be careful of those who telling him they are going to reward him for his goodwork. I told him he would be lonely if he fell out with Adama and that’s what he is dealing with now. All his good people are no longer with him. It’s small children playing with his mind nowadays. It’s not his attitude how he is behaving nowadays but it’s people making him behave that way. But he’s also a 70-year-old elder. So we should be measured in our criticism of him since you do not have many 70-year-olds who would say or act in the right way. There are issues with him. I will not insult Ousainou.”

A Senegalese daughter who embezzled millions of CFA in her dad’s money and attempted to flee to Canada has been arrested by police.

Aïda Mbaye allegedly took 41 million CFA from her father’s Légumes d´or Sarl company and plotted with her husband Papa Ababacar Cissé Thiam to flee to Canada, Senego reported on Wednesday. Seven million CFA was given to an agent to process papers for them, according to the outlet.

The woman’s father Gora Mbaye involved the police once he learnt about the events resulting in the arrest of her daughter and her husband.

Mali’s interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane resigned on Wednesday after being arrested by the military on Monday, Reuters has reported.

According to various reports, the resignation was presented to Assimi Goïta, the transitional vice president, during an emergency meeting with former Nigerian president Jonathan Goodluck and his delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Vice president Goïta is now expected to become transitional president after Bah N’Daw’s resignation.

Bah N’Daw and Ouane were forced from Bamako on Monday in what is the second coup in the Sahel nation in the past year.

ECOWAS and other international institutions called for the release of Mali’s transitional government, with the African Union and other bodies issuing a joint statement on Monday.

France, with its longstanding military commitments in the Sahel, called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council set for Wednesday. (CGTN Africa)

President Adama Barrow has disclosed his government rendered support to Gambians in various ways to the tune of 850 million dalasis.

The president made this revelation while opening this year’s Trade Fair at the Independence Stadium on Wednesday.

The president said: “Last year, everyone in the world was affected by the pandemic in one way or another. Apart from loss of loved ones, livelihoods were either threatened or shattered.

“In The Gambia, as in many other developing countries, the economy is driven mainly by small businesses.

“Many of the women and youths running such businesses struggled to survive when the country and markets had to observe an extraordinary lockdown.

“Medium and large businesses alike suffered immensely, because many of their customers either could not afford the goods and services offered, or could not reach them physically.

“As a responsible government, we decided to support the people in various ways to the tune of Eight Hundred and Fifty Million Dalasis (D850 Million). An additional Two Hundred and Twenty-Four Dalasis (D224 Million), together with contributions from our partners, had to be spent for similar reasons.”

A Fajara Barracks court martial handed two death sentences and one life to Modou Njie after finding him guilty on three counts over the December 30, 2014 attack on State House, the TRRC heard on Wednesday.

Modou Njie formed part of an eight-man team that attacked State House six years ago in an attempt to seize it and end then-President Jammeh’s rule. All the attackers had military background.

But the attack failed following the killing of the leader of the attackers Lamin Sanneh. And Modou Njie who was with Sanneh detailed on Wednesday how he rammed a vehicle into the gates of the compound leaving them open.

He told the TRRC: “Sanneh shouted for me to take the vehicle. I ran to get to vehicle and I rushed towards the gate with the vehicle. I rammed into the front gate. But I knew there was another machine gun and knew he too was going to shoot. I flattened the car seat and that saved me. I passed and then rammed into the second black gate. I then alighted from the vehicle and went to take cover.”

According to Njie, he watched on as Sanneh and Njaga Jagne were shot and killed as they entered the State House.

Njie was arrested and military court martial sitting at Fajara Barracks later sentenced him to death on two treason counts and life imprisonment on a charge of desertion.

Luck however smiled on him when Jammeh lost the election in 2016 as he was released after spending two years in Mile Two.

By XINHUA

The mediation team of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) led by Goodluck Ebele Jonathan left Ghana Tuesday on a mission to Mali following the detention of civilian leaders by the military.

Jonathan flew out in a Ghana Air Force flight, accompanied by Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Commission Francis Behanzin, Ghanaian Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, and other officials of the ECOWAS Commission.

The former Nigerian leader had been attending the two-day sensitization workshop of the ECOWAS Council of the Wise, a peace-building and conflict mediation advisory body of the sub-regional bloc in the Ghanaian capital when the latest development in Mali started.

“The crisis in Bamako is multi-dimensional, and the heads of state have designated Jonathan as the mediator so we are going there to know what has happened again,” Behanzin, a former army general from Benin, said.

Modou Njie told the TRRC on Wednesday he was left with a broken hand after former counter-terrorism commander Musa Savage hit him with a gun from behind.

Njie while testifying on a daring attack on State House on December 30, 2014 explained that he wanted to finish the mission after his commander Lamin Sanneh was gunned down as he entered State House. Njie had already entered the compound and had taken cover.

He explained: “I turned wanting to blow the fuel [storage] but I realized I was closed to it and I will die if I blew it. I cancelled. I could see them from where I was but they could not see me. So I pondered shooting at them. I was confused because I recognized almost everyone.

“I decided to walk towards the house of the president. I was walking comfortably, some were looking at me but I acted as if I was their commander. I walked towards the president’s residence. I was armed and everything. I saw a class of mine and called him. I asked him to try to complete the mission. One of the boys wanted to leave but I asked him to stay where he was.

“When I reached the garden of General [Badjie], I could scale the fence and leave. But I decided to speak to them since I saw some who I believe I could convince so that we could complete the mission. I approached the man, he took some steps back and I told him it was me, Njie. He continued stepping back and I took off my helmet and asked him to stop.

“I saw Savage cross, stepping away from the group. I decided to go and convince them. Savage came from behind me as I approached the group. I was talking to Abdoulie Jallow when Savage hit me with a gun and broke my hand. He wrestled me down and all of them attacked me and starting beating me. They didn’t listen to me. They were beating me and kicking me.”

One of the soldiers who survived an attack on State House on December 30, 2014, has explained how their commander Lamin Sanneh was killed.

Sanneh led a dangerous operation on the night of December 30, 2014 to seized State House but the attack failed.

Modou Njie a former State Guard soldier who was with him told the TRRC on Wednesday: “Sanneh shouted for me to take the vehicle. I ran to get to vehicle and I rushed towards the gate with the vehicle. I rammed into the front gate. But I knew there was another machine gun and knew he too was going to shoot. I flattened the car seat and that saved me. I passed and then rammed into the second black gate. I then alighted from the vehicle and went to take cover.

“I saw Lamin Sanneh entering with Njaga but as then went past HMG (Heavy Machine Gun), they could see him (Lamin) because the lights were on but he can’t see them. So the guy started to shoot around that end. Lamin Sanneh was wearing a live vest but his lower body had no bullet proof. So he shot at him and he fell down. I could see but I could not shoot towards that end. Njaga was trying to rescue him but that’s where they shot Njaga Jang too. Njaga was shot at the back of his head. I called Njaga and he picked. I asked him if he was okay and he said yes but that Sanneh was down.

“I hung up and called Bai Lowe and asked him where he was. He was up, at the tower where the gun was. I told him to leave there because the two men were down. So as Bai Lowe moved, they started shooting at him. Bai Lowe left. I then called Njaga, he picked but he could not continue talking. By then he was dead but I didn’t know. There were many shots but I guessed the one that hit him in the head killed him.

“I called Bai Lowe again to call Alagie Barrow and the crew that these people have died and we should try to escape. Our satellites phones were no longer working. Bai Lowe asked me what I was going to do and I told him I will blow up the fuel dump and go out. Bai Lowe left.”

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.”