The director general of the State Intelligence Services (SIS), Ousman Sowe, last week gave an impressive lecture on International Relations, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy and International Relations at Management Development Institute (MDI). The lecture was attended by students of the Department of International Relations/ Peace and Conflict Resolution.

At the invitation of the institute’s management, the SIS boss elaborated on the concept and objective of the state pursuing its domestic policy abroad as well as talked about among other things determinants of foreign policy, key among which include the following; global environment, domestic policy pursued abroad

Mr. Sowe also reiterated on International Relations theories vis-a-vis Realism, Unilateralism and Multilateralism. The lecture which lasted four more than an hour also availed the MDI students to ask critical questions in relations to the topic discussed. Mr. Sowe took his time to answer the questions to the students’ satisfaction.

Also discussed was the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomatic missions abroad (High Commissions/Embassies) and how they pursue diplomacy; how economic, political, security and defence policy objectives of a state fit into international relations pursued through diplomacy.

Mr. Sowe further dwelled on the need for the students to endeavour to be current on national, regional and international issues and global efforts on trade, wars, human rights, pandemics, climate change and terrorism since they are and will remain on the forefront of international relations and a determinant in diplomatic relations between states.

The interactive session was captivating and fascinating to the extent that lecturers and students alike not only encouraged by Mr. Sowe to return for more of these lectures, but he kindly considers being a permanent guest lecturer at MDI.

In response, he promised to return and have lectures on Peace, Conflict Prevention and Resolution in the not too distant future.

The SIS officials who attended the lecture attested that such kind of lectures fit into their ongoing reforms, restructuring and repositioning process at the SIS including outreach activities aimed at winning the confidence of the citizenry in line with the new SIS‘s vision and mission.

Lamin Camara, a student said: “The lesson we learned today can be passed on for generations. In fact, it’s like he is not only teaching us as current students of MDI pursuing International Relations and Diplomacy, but all of the people we will teach and interact with in future.”

“The perception that I have for the agency before has drastically changed. Seriously, I was thinking that the agency had only half-educated people which of course are far from that now.”

Sowe obtained Masters in Diplomacy (Distinction)from the University of Malta, MA, International Politics and Security Studies from the Bradford University, U.K and BA, Development Studies and English at the St. Mary’s University, Canada, in 1999 as well Conflict Prevention, Management & Resolution UK, in 2001

DG Sowe is also an expert in International Security/Relations/Affairs, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, National/Regional Security/Peace Architectures, National Security Policy/Management/Analysis, Regional /International Organization, UN, AU, ECOWAS etc Natural Resources, Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Negotiations, Mediation, Representation, Natural Resources Management among others.

An Old Yundum man hanged himself to death in Old Yundum after quarelling with his girlfriend, The Fatu Network has learnt.

Sources told The Fatu Network Sheriff Sunno’s body was found dangling from the roof of his house in Old Yundum near GreenHouse on Monday.

One person said he’d reportedly quarreled with his ‘black British’ partner who allegedly threatened to end their relationship.

Sunno’s body has been evacuated to the mortuary in Banjul.

The moon crescent for the month Ramadan has been sighted in Saudi Arabia, a development that will see Ramadan fasting start on Tuesday in the country.

The crescent was seen on Tumair, according to reports from Saudi Arabia.

Gambian scholars have over the years advocated for the nation to fast alongside Saudi Arabia. Yet over the weekend, the nation’s Supreme Islamic Council issued a statement asking Gambians to share any information about the moon with officials of the council when they look for it on Monday.

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has said it is his view soldiers who confessed to killing people should not be allowed to don the nation’s military uniform.

Some Soldiers who confessed to carrying out killings on the orders of former President Yahya Jammeh are still serving members of the army.

And speaking during a chat with UDP diaspora top gun Saihou Saidily, Darboe opined: “I say this without any apology and I say this with very heavy heart: soldiers who have confessed to murders, do you allow them to continue wearing our uniform?

“At least even if I don’t do anything to them, I will send them on leave so that they really do not put on that uniform of honour. Murderers should not be donning those dresses. That is my view. They will hate hearing what I’m saying but that is the right thing to do.

“If I was president, honestly, those people who were involved in the gruesome murder of Haruna Jammeh… Why should I keep those people in the armed forces?”

Darboe spoke in the context of the TRRC, where he also said he doesn’t want to believe President Barrow will not implement the recommendations of the probe once it is ready with its work.

By AFP

Egypt, Lebanon and Kuwait have announced that Tuesday, April 13, will be the first day of Ramadan as Monday is the last day of Sha’ban.

The three countries confirmed that the crescent moon of the holy month had not been sighted, and accordingly Monday will be the 30th day of Sha’ban and Tuesday will be the first day of Ramadan.

“April 13 will be the first day of Ramadan,” said Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta, the institution that issues religious edicts in the Arab world’s most populous country.

In Lebanon, top Sunni Muslim cleric Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdellatif Deryan also confirmed the holy month would begin on Tuesday.

The start of Ramadan is set by both lunar calculations and physical sightings that determine when one month ends and another begins.

Saudi Arabia, the custodian of Islam’s two holiest sites, said the crescent moon, which is used to establish the beginning of the month, was not visible Sunday and that observation committees would meet again on Monday night.

Ramadan fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. Observant Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk and traditionally gather with family and friends to break their fast in the evening.

It is also a time of prayers, during which Muslims typically converge in large numbers at mosques, especially at night.

But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Muslim-majority countries have imposed restrictions on worshippers including night-time curfews and called for prayers to be performed at home.

Spanish authorities said Sunday that they had recovered the bodies of four migrants from a boat along with 19 survivors who had taken the treacherous route from West Africa to the Canary Islands.

Spain’s maritime rescue service said that its crews had responded to an alarm call by a fishing boat that had located the migrants in a flimsy craft unfit for the high seas.

Rescue helicopters airlifted groups of the migrants to Tenerife, including six people who were in poor health and suffering from dehydration.

The Atlantic crossing from the Western coast of Africa to Spain’s Canary Islands has become a major route for migrants and asylum-seekers fleeing conflict, violence and economic plight exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. More than 2,400 people reached the Canaries in the first three months of 2021.

Last year, 23,000 people arrived by boat to the archipelago and nearly 850 others have died or gone missing along the way, according to the U.N. migration agency’s Missing Migrants Project. (AP)

President Adama Barrow said ‘I call myself grassroots president’ as he vowed to fight for grassroots Gambians.

President Barrow while meeting with Balantas on Saturday said: “I call myself grassroots president. I’d a guest from Senegal, he knows a lot of presidents…

“He knows Macky Sall, he knows people like President Lasanna Conteh, even Bassoum who took over power in Niger recently he knows him.

“He (guest) told me, ‘you’re someone who one would visit and he would not feel you’re a president’. I see myself as grassroots president and I will fight for the grassroots.”

The president assured the Balantas that his government would support them at all times, even as he asked them to submit the names of the educated ones among them.

A chapter of National People’s People has been established in France and will seek to push President Barrow’s agenda among Gambians there.

In a statement signed by Bubacarr Jabbi, the chapter would endeavor “to bring all Gambians base in France under one umbrella and help in pushing to attend the national development plans of His Excellency president Adama Barrow”.

The statement added: “Therefore, from now on we are open to all Gambian in and outside the Gambia to work with us in pushing the agendas of the government and the NPP Party.

“As new Executives and other top officials of the NPP France chapter we thank the general members for the trust bestow in us to stair the affairs of the chapter.

“We promise to work hand in gloves with Gambians and friends of the Gambia living in France in promoting the National Development Plans of President Barrow.

“Madam Assa Sillah a native of Garawol in the Upper River Region is the New President of the Chapter while Muhammed Jikineh Vice President a native of Jarra Medina. The chapter also includes other executives and members [sic].”

An association against deportation has claimed police denied it a permit for a ‘peaceful’ protest against deportation.

A statement signed by Gambia Refugees Association – Europe Branch spokesman Yahya Sonko said: “The Gambia Refugees Association – Europe Branch in collaboration with Concerned Gambians Group in The Gambia is writing to express dismay at the decision of the Gambia Police Force for denying us a permit to hold a peaceful protest in wake of recent deportations especially from Germany.

“The Concerned Gambians Group has applied for a permit since 27th January 2021 but unfortunately received a reply on 31st March 2021 from the Police Management, signed by AIG Ebrima Bah, indicating that the police cannot grant us a permit due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

“Our position is that the Covid-19 restrictions are not being respected and are not implemented. The Government of Adama Barrow cannot use the police to deter us from protesting when they are the first to violate the restrictions. So why is the police using the Covid-19 restrictions to deter us from holding a peaceful protest? This is unfair as we have seen them granting permits to political parties to hold rallies, tours, congresses, meetings, etc including the President’s party. Also the police have granted permit to the musicians to launch their new Album on 9th April amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Secondly, why didn’t the police advise the govenment to tell the European Union to stop deportations due to the Covid-19 restrictions?

“Therefore, we are calling on all political party leaders to support us in this course and tell the government and the police the truth. Let the police issue us a permit or else we will do our peaceful protest without permit as guaranteed by the Constitution. We will not announce the date of protest but we will organize among ourselves and do the peaceful protest anytime from now if they refuse to issue us a permit.”

Momodou Sabally has told the people of Wulli their hardship is caused by President Adama Barrow asking them: ala jindi.

Sabally spent the weekend campaigning in Wulli, Upper River Region – where he sang ‘ala jindi (bring him down) to the people.

And speaking to the people of Wulli, Sabally said the suffering the URR people were facing was caused by President Adama Barrow.

“If you honour someone and he disrespects you, what you should do is to sack him,” Sabally told them.

He also said: “Guns and drugs are entering this country and nothing has come out of it.mWhat should you do to such leader? You should sack him.

“Your sons are hardworking who have travelled but Adama Barrow signed an agreement with the Whites to have them deported.”

Comedian Alhaji Muhammed took his silliness to Essa Faal on Sunday when he said the top lawyer doesn’t give money to people.

“Essa Faal, you don’t give money to people but you do give advice. So I thank you for your advice. But continue advising people if you think that’s what would do something for someone. You don’t give [money] to people but you have a good heart,” the comedian said in a live video on Facebook.

Darboe is one of the nation’s top comedians and he used the video to also talk about President Barrow and his alleged stinginess.

Darboe said the president gave him only D20,000 when he visited him together with fellow comedian Alhaji Bora.

A 24-year-old man is receiving medical care after being allegedly stabbed in his face in Gunjur on Saturday.

Sources disclosed Siaka Jobe was escorted to the police station by Mamadou Joof as he bled from his wounds.

His attacker could not be immediately arrested as he fled after attacking him.

Jobe is admitted at the Brikama Major Health Centre.

President Adama Barrow has ripped into his critics saying they were nowhere to be found when the struggle against the Jammeh dictatorship was at its height.

The president lashed out at his critics referring to them as ‘those talking’ while receiving 40 leaders of the nation’s 10,000 Balantas at State House on Saturday.

The president said: “The fight that took place in this country… When it’s dark that we can’t recognize one another. We know who fought and who didn’t.

“But who are those talking today? Because those who did not do anything are the ones talking now. These are the people talking today beating their chest everywhere.

“These things you said: President Barrow is showing patience and people are talking. Those talking want to distract me, to leave what I’m doing. I will not let that happen. If you engage these people every day in a back and forth, when would you work?”

KM Mayor Talib Ahmed Bensouda and his Freetown counterpart agreed to collaborate on six major development areas and have put pen to paper.

Bensouda travelled to Freetown, Sierra Leone where he engaged Freedom City Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr.

The two officials have signed an MOU signed and cooperation is now set to begin in the areas of waste management, revenue mobilization, climate change, affordable housing, market infrastructure and public transportation.

Mayor Bensouda reacting to the development said: “I look to create similar initiatives by FCC’s Mayor’s Delivery Unit(MDU) such as: Freetown Treetown: initiative to plant 1million trees; digital Property rates system using google plus codes; transfer stations for tricycle waste collectors; regional Cooperation to Introduce Sanitary landfill; [and] complaints management system.

“I thank my dear sister Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr Mayor of Freetown for her hospitality and support, she is a shining light and an Incredible human being.

“I thank President Julius Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. and First Lady Fatima Maada Bio for the invite to their home and moral support for the initiative.

“I thank Gambian Ambassador Alieu Jammeh and Deputy Ambassador Bulli Dibba for the support and hospitality.

“We hope this bond will stimulate strong lasting links in business and cultural exchanges.”

The Supreme Islamic Council has issued a statement asking the nation’s Muslims to contact its officials if they got any information about the moon.

Gambian Muslim will likely join the rest of the world’s Muslim on Tuesday to observe this year’s Ramadan.

In a statement signed by President Sheikh Essa Darboe, the SIC urged all Muslims to help officials with information regarding the moon.

Monday has been appointed as the date for Muslims to look to the sky for the new moon.

The Independent Electoral Commission has printed a staggering 1.2 million forms as the commission anticipates strong interest in the December presidential election.

“We printed this form, 1.2 million forms. Because to get a voter’s card, you have to fill the form. So we’re saying at most, 1.2 million,” the nation’s election Czar Alieu Momar Njai told The Fatu Network in an exclusive interview.

One issue that has been on the lip of many Gambians is whether Gambians in the diaspora would be able to vote but Njai said he was still hopeful they would.

He said: “I’m very passionate about that and we had planned to do that. Voter registration was January, referendum in June and July we go up and register them, but this is how it has happened. So we’re hopeful that it would happen one day.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has confidently said he has what it takes to dethrone President Adama Barrow at the December election.

“InshaAllah, I know I have what it takes to really defeat President Adama Barrow. We’re not boasting, we’re speaking with reason. We know the political contour, we know how it is formed and we know what is out there,” Darboe told The Fatu Network in an exclusive interview.

Gambians will head to the polls in December to elect a new president, the first presidential election since the overturning of Jammeh’s dictatorship in 2016.

UDP selected Darboe last Wednesday to be its battle axe in an election which will see President Barrow seek a second term in office.

The Gambia Immigration Department has confirmed the arrest of 39 people over an attack on its officers at a seaside post in Gunjur.

The department’s spokesman Mamanding S Dibba told GRTS on Saturday 18 out of the 39 arrested are being subjected to ‘thorough’ investigation.

Dibba said: “Following the attack on the immigration post in Gunjur in the early hours of Friday, the hunt for the perpetrators of this heinous act intensified. And as the hunt for them intensified, last evening towards the night, 39 people were arrested. Out of this 39, 18 people stand out to be subjects of thorough investigation.

“These people were taken to the security base that was used by the joint taskforce that is currently working in the area as part of Operation Zero Crime and several investigations were done on these 18 people. It happened interestingly that one person was identified during an identification parade, as somebody who was in fact involved in the act in that early morning.

“As the same search for them continued, the security forces in the area mounted some raids on particular areas within Gunjur and the surrounding area and during this operation, certain tools or weapons similar to those that were used in the attack in Gunjur were discovered in a particular building.

“However, no person was arrested at that point. But later, in the early hours of today, officers in the area, joint security forces, conducted a similar early morning raid on the same facility and five people were arrested in that spot were those weapons were discovered.”