By Sarjo Brito

The Gambia Police have arrested a total of 39 suspects following an attack on immigration officers at the newly inaugurated Immigration post in the coastal village of Gunjur. At least three Immigrations officers were attacked at their seaside post in Gunjur on Friday with the attackers allegedly using cutlasses as their assault weapons. The motive behind the attack remains unknown.

As investigations into the matter continue, the Gambia Police has now confirmed arresting dozens in relation to the case, urging members of the public to come forth with any information that will help in the case

Police said: “Following an unwarranted attack on the newly inaugurated Immigration post at Gunjur beach by individuals believed to be speaking the Susu dialect, patrols have been conducted to clean up the beach area. A number of 39 suspects have been arrested including some individuals identified as part of the attack and assault on the officers. They are currently being processed for court actions

“Meanwhile, patrols are being intensified in other areas to apprehend the rest of the suspected assailants of the Gunjur Immigration post.

“Members of the public who may have information useful to the investigation are encouraged to come forward.”

By DailyMail

The country will hold a minute’s silence as the Duke of Edinburgh is carried to his funeral next week, on a specially-modified Land Rover he helped design.

Buckingham Palace today announced that Prince Philip’s ceremonial royal funeral will take place on April 17 in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and a national minute’s silence will be observed as it begins at 3pm.

Prince Harry will travel to the UK to be with his family for the service, but his wife Meghan will remain at their home in California, having been ‘advised not to travel’ by her doctor, the Palace confirmed tonight.

Official royal mourning will then take place for two weeks after the funeral.

Only 30 people – expected to be the Duke’s children, grandchildren and other close family – will attend as guests, but the Duchess of Sussex has been ‘advised by her physician not to travel to the UK’ for the funeral.

The announcement came as Prince Charles paid a poignant tribute to his father, describing his ‘dear Papa’ as a ‘very special person’ and ‘the most remarkable, devoted’ companion to the Queen in an emotional video released this evening.

In a moving address, speaking without notes, the Prince of Wales said his father would have been ‘deeply touched’ by the sorrow felt by millions of people in Britain and across the world at news of his passing.

He said he would miss his father ‘enormously’ and added that his family were ‘deeply grateful’ for the condolences offered, which he said would ‘sustain us’ at this ‘particularly sad time’.

The Earl and the Countess of Wessex spent around an hour with the Queen at the castle on Saturday, with a tearful Sophie telling reporters as she left: ‘The Queen has been amazing.’

The Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin will be transported in a ceremonial procession to his funeral on a Land Rover he helped to design.

It is a fitting tribute to Philip, who was known for his practical skills and his enduring interest in design and engineering.

The purpose-built Land Rover was specially modified to carry a coffin in a project that the Duke helped with many years ago.

The vehicle will process slowly through the grounds of Windsor Castle ahead of the duke’s funeral on Saturday at St George’s Chapel.

A bearer party from the Grenadier Guards will place the coffin on the Land Rover at the state entrance of the castle, before the vehicle begins the eight-minute journey at walking pace to the west steps of the chapel.

It will be flanked by pall bearers reflecting the duke’s special relationships with the military – the Royal Marines, Regiments, Corps and Air Stations.

Immediately behind the Land Rover, the Prince of Wales and other members of the royal family, likely to be the duke’s other children and some of his grandchildren, will proceed on foot.

The Land Rover’s poignant role in the funeral proceedings always formed part of Operation Forth Bridge – the codename given to the plans following Philip’s death.

A senior Palace official said: ‘The Duke of Edinburgh had a hand many years ago in the design of these vehicles.’ The official added that there were two Land Rovers for ‘belt and braces’.

The Queen has approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation of national mourning, which began on April 9 and runs until and including the day of the funeral.

It is understood Meghan made every effort to be able to travel with Harry, who will be among the mourners, but has not received the medical clearance to board a plane.

Originally 800 people would have been due to gather to pay their respects to the nation’s longest serving consort, but Philip is known to have wanted a low key affair.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will not attend the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral to allow for the attendance of as many family members as possible during coronavirus restrictions, No 10 said tonight.

The first guest confirmed by the palace was the duke’s private secretary, Archie Miller Bakewell, who has held the post for 11 years.

All public elements of the funeral have been cancelled, it will be televised but take place entirely in the grounds of the castle, the Palace said.

The Queen has decided the royal family will enter two weeks of royal mourning, and engagements will continue appropriate to the circumstances, a senior royal official said.

Public elements of Operation Forth Bridge – the codename for the duke’s funeral plans – were abandoned for fear of drawing crowds including the long held arrangements for military processions through London and Windsor.

Instead, the proceedings will take place entirely in the grounds of Windsor Castle, televised, but away from public view and with no access for royal fans.

The duke died peacefully in his sleep at Windsor Castle on Friday, two months before his 100th birthday, leaving the Queen and the royal family ‘mourning his loss’.

The Duke of York arrived at Windsor on Saturday, while the Prince of Wales visited his mother there on Friday.

Gun salutes have been fired across the UK, in Gibraltar and at sea in tribute to the duke.

Police have said they have arrested 26 people on days 7 and 8 of their Operation Zero Crime campaign.

Police said the suspects were arrested for allegedly “going armed in public, possession of suspected drugs, possession of suspected stolen properties, attempt to commit felony, breaking and stealing, among others.”

“We continue to appreciate and commend the exceptional performance of all the security services taking part in the operation, namely: GAF, GID, GPS, GFRS, SIS, and DLEAG respectively.

“The usual cooperation and compliance of the public is highly solicited,” police said.

Interpol says it has arrested 88 human traffickers and 63 migrant smugglers in an international operation. It said it also rescued 500 victims.

Smuggled migrants are described as those that have given their consent, while those trafficked are forced or deceived by criminals, according to Reuters.

The operation, called “Weke,” which means stop in Swahili, took place from March 28 to April 2 in 24 countries, including Kenya, Brazil and France.

One of the rescued is a 15-year-old Congolese girl, who Interpol said had been sexually abused while being smuggled to avoid a forced marriage.

Construction workers from Lebanon, Syria and Jordan also were rescued from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Interpol said they’d had their passports taken and had not been paid.

“These victims could not simply walk away from the horrific situation they found themselves in and the suffering they endured,” said Interpol Secretary General Juergen Stock, in a statement.

“We will continue to help countries untangle sensitive and complex cases, which will undoubtedly generate more arrests in the months to come.”

Interpol said the COVID-19 pandemic propelled human trafficking and smuggling because “the most vulnerable are desperate to escape hardship, and the criminal networks are just keen to turn a profit.” (CGTN Africa)

A group comprising ’10 to 15’ people are involved in attacking immigration offers at an immigration post in Gunjur, the spokesman of the Gambia Immigration Department has said.

Immigration officers were attacked at their seaside post in Gunjur early Friday morning. At least three officers were injured and the attackers were said to be carrying cutlasses.

Immigration spokesman Mamanding S Dibba told GRTS on Friday: “All what we know right now is that there are a group of 10 to 15 who assaulted the immigration post injuring people and we don’t know the motive behind this attack.

“Because these are people who did not ask for anything, they did not ask for money, they did not ask for valuables. And as they were going, they did not pick any single dime from the immigration post.”

Gambians on Saturday morning raised their hand up in the air as famous comedian Kitabu enquired if they loved him.

Kitabu performed at O Boy’s album launch on Friday, helping music lovers at QCity in Bijilo to have a laugh.

But Kitabu’s lines came only after he asked the concert seers to raise their hand if they loved him.

“I have won already,” Kitabu said after so many hands were raised.

The PDP presidential candidate was one of many Gambians who graced O Boy’s album launch held at QCity.

President Adama Barrow called Queen Elizabeth II ‘the Queen of England’ in an apparent diplomatic blunder.

The president posted to his Barrow PORG Facebook page on Friday to send ‘heartfelt’ condolences to Queen Elizabeth II on the death of her husband, Prince Philip. Philip died on Friday aged 99.

In his message however, the president addressed Queen Elizabeth as ‘Her Majesty the Queen of England’.

Some Gambians picked up on the mistake and tried correcting him.

One said: “Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. That’s her official designation. Not merely Queen of England.

“Again, when you write for and on behalf of the Head of State, do it diligently. No room for mediocrity.”

Another said: “Queen of the United Kingdom(Britain), not just England…why do you always got basic facts wrong, Mr President?”

The president is yet to correct the error. The president also misspelt Prince Philip’s name, writing it as Phillip.

The president repeated the mistake on Twitter.

On Twitter, one commented: “Queen of England? The official account of the president lol'”

Another said: “Who the hell is handling this account?”

President Adama Barrow sent message of condolences to Queen Elizabeth II amid the death of her husband, Prince Philip. Prince Philip died on Friday aged 99.

State House in a statement signed by Amie Bojang Sissoho said: “Upon receiving news of the demise of His Royal Highness, The Prince Philip [sic], Duke of Edinburgh, His Excellency, President Adama Barrow dispatched a message of condolences to Her Majesty, the Queen of England [sic], Elizabeth II.

“On behalf of the Government and People of The Republic of The Gambia and on his own behalf, the President extended his heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth as a whole.”

By Ousman Jatta

Concern over women dying at child birth is continuing to persist in The Gambia and the healthcare system is being blamed for it.

A number of women have died in the past months while giving birth sparking fears of a surge in maternal deaths across the country.

Last year, there were marches across the country to call for more action against maternal mortality.

But speaking to MPs on Thursday, health minister Dr Ahmadou Samateh said maternal mortality was slowing in the country as he shared data.

He told MPs: “It is important to note that in this country maternal mortality has been on the decline notwithstanding the perception of the rise in maternal mortality. It is important to emphasize that it is actually on the decline based on what had been happening in the previous years.”

But according to the MICS 2018 survey conducted by UNICEF, under-five mortality in The Gambia is at 57 per 1,000 live births; infant mortality is at 41 per 1000 live births; and neonatal mortality is at 31 per 1,000 live births.

There has been a steady decline in mortality rates, however for neonatal mortality (deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life) there has been a slight increase from the last 5 years from 28 to 31/1000 live births.

A report by the World Health Organisation, every day in 2017, approximately 810 women died from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.

The report further revealed that 94% of all maternal deaths occur in low and lower middle-income countries.

Immigration officers posted at a beach post in Gunjur have been attacked by unidentified men.

The officers were attacked early Friday leaving some injured.

Immigration spokesman Mamanding S Dibba confirmed the incident but said they were putting the facts together which they would later share.

The Fatu Network understands a fire officer and one immigration officer were injured by men carrying cutlasses.

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has vowed to energise the nation’s economy once he is elected as president in the December election.

The UDP leader made the statement on Wednesday while accepting to be UDP’s flagbearer in the critical election.

He said: “I want to assure you all that together we will bring about the change in this country. It will be a change that will affect the system of government  in this country. I pledge to all of you that when I am elected, there would complete devolution of power. There would be decentralization so that the local government authorities would enjoy their autonomy, the local government authority will function in the way all other local government authorities function in our commonwealth of nation.

“I pledge to you that when I’m elected, we will reduce the wasteful expenditures, in fact we will do away with wasteful expenditures of this government and the previous government and we will reduce the current expenditure by 80.6 million when we are elected.

“I pledge to you that when I’m elected, me and my team will really energise the economy of this country. We will reintroduce the vehicle policy and make significant savings of at least 300 million dalasis which we will utilize to ensure that our social sectors are well funded.”

President Adama Barrow on Thursday received in audience the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), Dr. Lassina Zerbo, at the State House.

In a statement, State House said: “Following a closed-door meeting with the President, Dr. Zerbo said President Barrow showed commitment to having The Gambia ratify the CTBTO treaty. He added that H.E. President Adama Barrow remains committed to international peace and security by showing his engagement for The Gambia being part of the International fora with the ratification of such important treaty.

“Dr. Zerbo further expressed that President Barrow’s desire for lasting peace and security in the world aligns with his organisation’s objectives. The Gambia’s ratification of the treaty, he said, would help ECOWAS present a firm commitment to nuclear non-proliferation for global peace and security.

“The Gambia signed the CTBTO Treaty in April 2003 but has yet to ratify it. The treaty has been ratified by 170 countries in the world, including all the countries in West Africa.

“Dr. Zerbo was accompanied to the State House by the Honourable Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs International Corporation and Gambians Abroad, Sheikh Omar Faye and Dr. Mamadou Tangara respectively.”

By Sarjo Brito

Citizens Journalist and PDOIS stalwart Kexx Sanneh has expressed disappointment on his social media handle following a QTV report where his image was used in relation to the recently introduced ‘Operation Zero Crime’ by the Gambia police. The objective of the operation according to police is to tackle crime and criminal activities within communities and to dismantle all criminal hideouts, as well as prosecute offenders. In a report where the Police PRO was interviewed detailing the operations and a particular case of one Alagie Manneh who is alleged to have stolen a whooping D158,000, Sanneh’s image was used as the cutaway.

The use of his image in the report according to Sanneh, has left him pondering where exactly he fits in the equation, raising concerns from his friends and relatives.

“This has raised lots of concerns from my family, relatives and friends in The Gambia and outside the country. As a result, the report was not only embarrassing to me, but also caused me emotional distress. In this connection, QTV did not simply fail the responsible journalism requirement test as required by law, but the inclusion of my image in their report was also an act of negligence. Media freedom is not important in instances like this.

“I consider the use of my picture in relation to criminal activities defamatory and, also a copyright violation for using my picture without my authorised consent. In this respect, I am demanding for a prompt correction and a public apology in the soonest possible time, which is not an exemption from seeking legal remedies for damages caused to my reputation,” Sanneh wrote on Thursday evening.

Some social media commenters flooded the comment section in his defence, demanding that he takes legal actions to set an example.

The Queen today announced with ‘deep sorrow’ the death of her husband Prince Philip at the age of 99, her ‘strength and guide’ throughout their 73-year marriage and her 69-year reign.

The Duke of Edinburgh spent his final days at Windsor Castle with his wife after a 28-night stay in hospital having been admitted in mid-February for an infection and a pre-existing heart condition.

Her Majesty announced her husband’s death at midday. Buckingham Palace said in a statement: ‘It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty The Queen announces the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

‘His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. Further announcements will made in due course. The Royal Family join with people around the world in mourning his loss’.

His death plunges the nation and the Royal Family into mourning, and brings to an end Philip’s lifetime of service to Britain and to Elizabeth, the Queen who adored him since her teens.

‘He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years,’ Her Majesty said at their Golden Wedding banquet in 1997. ‘I and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.’ (DailyMail)

Kemeseng Sanneh has been removed from the central committee of PDOIS, The Fatu Network understands.

Sanneh emerged as PDOIS’ top official responsible for the youth bureau at the party’s congress last month.

But his role in the party has taken a twist as he is no longer serving in the role, a party official said.

The Fatu Network understands the party removed him after learning he wasn’t a delegate at the congress.

Another person, Aminata Correa, is also no longer a member of the PDOIS executive.

Aminata confirmed to The Fatu Network she is indeed no longer a member of the PDOIS executive.

She said: “I was contacted by the presiding officer two days after the congress over a dispute regarding my status at the congress. I received a letter on 9th of March to clarify whether I was an invitee or a delegate in which I response on a letter dated 10th March 2020  highlighting the fact that I was an invitee not a delegate and that I was aware of the fact that voting rights where reserve for delegates but did not realise that only delegates can  be voted for in office until after been voted  for in office and our nominated  youth rep disqualified base on not been a delegate.

“In the same letter I relinquish my position as Assistant Secretary General and reaffirmed my commitment to the party. I have however not received any confirmation from the party (central committee) in response to my letter or and official statement.”

NPP stalwart official Ahmad Gitteh has said he is ‘satisfied’ with President Adama Barrow’s decision of appointing Abdoulie Sanyang as the country’s new IGP.

There was much blabber over who should be the nation’s new police chief following the sudden death of Mamour Jobe.

But President Barrow has now put every speculation to rest as he has now appointed Sanyang to be the country’s new police chief. He was the country’s deputy police chief.

Ahmad Gitteh strongly rooted for Sanyang to be the new IGP amid claims people were advising President Barrow not to appoint the experienced cop.

And reacting to the decision made by the president, Gitteh said: “I am very satisfied by the decision made by the president in appointing Ablie Sanyang as IGP.

“Ablie is a professional officer and I have trust in him that he el do the right thing. He has support from across political landscape and that is the type of leader we need in sensitive positions like his. We wish him very well.”

By Ousman Jatta

Commercial drivers have expressed concern over the recent increment of fuel across the country.

As a result of Covid-19 restrictions imposed around the world, demand for crude oil and refined petroleum products decreased significantly from mid-March 2020 onwards and led to sharp decreases in crude oil and refined product prices.

However, this trend did not last for long as the country is now experiencing a spike in the price of fuel.

Lamin Badjie a commercial driver says they are frustrated about the increment of fuel prices as they’re now struggling to break even.

“And we are the ones who toured the length and breadth of the Gambia with president Adama Barrow, during the 2016 presidential campaign,” he says.

Pa Modou Joof a taxi driver explains that drivers are usually not notified if the price of diesel is being increased.

“If you are working for someone it can be quiet frustrating. This is is why we prefer to sit and wait for town trips,” Joof adds.

A litre of diesel is now selling at D50.

Foreign minister Dr Mamadou Tangara visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial as part of his visit to Rwanda.

According to the foreign ministry, as Rwanda begins 100 days of the 27 Commemoration of the Genocide Against Tutsi, the Government of The Gambia Wjoins in solidarity with Rwandans in this difficult period of #Kwibuka27”.

“Let’s honour the victim by combating genocide denial and revisionism. – Humura, Rwanda.

“During one of his recent trips to Rwanda, the Honourable Minister visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial – the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide Against the Tutsi,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Abdoulie Sanyang has been appointed the country’s new inspector general of police, sources have told The Fatu Network.

Sanyang was former IG Mamour Jobe’s deputy. His ascension comes three weeks after the death of Jobe.

It comes two days after The Fatu Network asked President Barrow when he was going to hire a new police chief but he did not answer the question as aides quickly put him into a vehicle and he left. The president had finished meeting with the family of the late IGP Mamour Jobe.

State House Director of Press and Public Relations said Sanyang’s appointment took effect on Thursday.