The government and Immoland Sarl on Tuesday signed a concession agreement for the construction of a five star hotel in the country ahead of the 2022 OIC Summit.

Providing luxurious accommodation for the summit guests is one of the key mandates of the Secretariat and the Gambia government, OIC Gambia said in a statement, adding, the hotel will have 400 rooms including presidential and royal suites.

The secretariat said: “Immoland Sarl will finance the project 100% while the government provides the land. According to the group Chairman, Mr. Abdoulie Thiam, construction is expected to begin by next month and will last for about 20 months.

“The Minister of Tourism, Hamat NK Bah, who signed on behalf of The Gambia government, described the partnership as ‘the biggest private investment in our tourism, ever’. Reiterating the significance of the partnership, the Minister added that the project will contribute to the economy by addressing the absence of a branded hotel franchise in the tourism sector.

“The Vice President lauded the venture stating that providing excellent accommodation facilities for the OIC Summit is a key infrastructural requirement. She assures Immoland Sarl of the government’s full support and stressed that it would continue to enhance the tourism potential of the country.

“The investment partnership was borne out of the desire to create and promote intra-Africa cooperation and regional integration, according to Chairperson of Immoland Sarl,” Mr. Abdoulie Thiam said according to OIC Gambia.

“Africans should begin to promote trade and investments among ourselves instead of always depending on foreign sources of financing’’, he said, according to OIC Gambia.

The event was attended by various Ministers and other dignitaries.

Karpowership has leapt to the aid of a staggering 150 families by giving them rice and sugar amid this year’s Ramadan. It is the fourth time the company is reaching out to Gambian families during Ramadan.

Speaking at the presentation of the foodstuff to the families on Monday at the Karpowership office in Fajara, Yankuba Mamburay country manager of the company said his company is much known for such programmes.

Mamburay said: “This is our third year of operation in The Gambia but this is our fourth presentation. Because the first year, we just started… Barely two months after starting, it was time for Ramadan and we went ahead and did something like this.

“Our name almost became synomyous with this kind of gesture, helping the community, helping the people even though our mandate primarily is electricity generation.

“We’re glad to be part of the development programmes of The Gambia. Electricity is very important, without it no nation can develop.”

Mamburay thanked NAWEC and the government for allowing his company to serve the Gambian people.

The families thanked Karpowership for the assistance. Each family was given one bag of 50kg rice, one bag of 50kg sugar and four packs of dates.

“I’m really happy and this is possible because of prayers. So let’s not forget prayers. We should pray for those who made this possible. This is indeed a good gesture and may Allah bless the act,” one of the beneficiaries said.

The event was attended by Fatou Camara, the chief executive officer of The Fatu Network and Sheriff Bojang, the Proprietor of The Standard newspaper, who are the PR partners of Karpowership.

Kexx Sanneh has written again describing QTV’s apology to him as ‘half-hearted and inadequate’.

QTV mistakenly used Kexx’s photo while reporting the arrest of Alagie Manneh of Sanyang. Sanyang had allegedly looted over D150,000 during violent protest in Sanyang last month.

Kexx then demanded an apology from QTV who has apologized but Kexx isn’t satisfied.

He wrote on Monday: “QTV has came [sic] up with an apology in their Wednesday 7th April 2021 newscast to me for negligently associating me to a police operation in Kombo Sanyang whereby one Alagie Manneh was arrested for allegedly stealing D 158,000.00, but used my image in the report.

“Again, QTV got my name wrong in their apology. Instead of Kemeseng Sanneh, the apology was directed to one Kebba Sanneh, which is legally inadmissible.

“Also, the apology was made only in the Wolof language, but the first broadcast was run in Fula, Mandinka and wollof. I am expecting QTV to proportionately apologise, as in the first broadcast. This is the position of law and professional journalism.”

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on Tuesday it is ‘deeply’ perturbed by the spate of rape and other forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the country.

In a statement, NHRC said hardly a week passes by without the report of sexual violence against the female gender in the newspapers or on social media.

“A few days ago, it was the alleged rape of a 9-year-old girl by a 40-year-old man in Lamin, West Coast Region and the alleged rape and gruesome murder of a Grade 12 student in Busumbala. Our young girls and ladies are apparently not safe in their own homes, schools, on the streets and at the workplaces,” NHRC said.

It added: “A study on sexual harassment in the workplace in the Gambia, conducted by the NHRC in February 2021, indicates a high prevalence (74 per cent) of sexual harassment in our workplaces, especially in role allocation, promotion and employment seeking. Disproportionately but unsurprisingly, women form the majority of the victims and the workplace is the most identified location where the harassment occurs. The three highest types of workplace harassment are sexually suggestive comments and jokes, inappropriate staring and leering and the repeated or inappropriate invitation to go out on dates. The Demographic and Health Survey 2013 and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2018 both showed the disturbing prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence in our society.

“The NHRC regards all forms of sexual and gender-based violence as a serious violation of human rights and reprehensible abuse of power and authority and the highest betrayal of trust. As a statutory body mandated to promote and protect the rights of everyone within the Gambia, the NHRC  strongly urges the State, as the primary duty bearer, to take every legal measure and action to combat sexual abuse, violence and exploitation in the society.

“The NHRC further urges the Gambia Police Force to vigorously enforce the Children’s Act 2005, Sexual Offences Act 2013 and all other legislation that protect children and women from sexual violence and for the Ministry of Justice to ensure that alleged offenders are prosecuted. The laws must be enforced by investigating alleged perpetrators and successfully prosecuting the offenders. It is only in this way that impunity would be challenged and people’s confidence in the laws restored.

“In the same vein, we called on the Ministries of Health and Gender, Children and Social Welfare to intensify their efforts in the building of a more protective environment for victims of sexual violence. Essential services, including health, psychosocial and rehabilitation and reintegration programmes must be in place to support victims and survivors.

“While the NHRC appreciates the great efforts of the Media, including social media, in exposing these abuses and violations, we urge them to always bear in mind the best interest of the victims and strict observance of its ethical standards in the reporting of sexual and gender-based violence and children’s issues. The privacy, honour and dignity of the victims and survivors should always be given primary consideration.

“As a society, there is the need for us to begin serious conversations at all levels on the factors which engender sexual and gender-based violence and our individual roles in its perpetuation. We must interrogate those aspects of our culture, including patriarchy, which subordinate women, perpetuate masculinity and blame and cast aspersion on victims for their abuse and violations and encourage everyone especially our girls, women and children to report all forms of sexual and gender-based violence that they are subjected to or know about to the appropriate authorities.

“The NHRC understands that there are factors that inhibit victims and witnesses from reporting cases to the Police or other statutory bodies. To safeguard confidence in our protection system, statutory bodies with obligations to protect must ensure that cases are expeditiously investigated and perpetrators prosecuted for their crimes and that victims and whistleblowers are protected from victimization.

“The NHRC will continue to engage all the critical stakeholders and duty bearers to map out strategies for the effective protection of victims and survivors and to put an end to the impunity which has dampened confidence in our protection system. We must do more for the vulnerable members of our society and the protection of girls, women and children is paramount.”

Police are ramping up efforts to arrest a teenager who mowed down a man during a car race on Bertil Harding highway at the weekend.

Omar Seckan died after being killed by a car during a car racing reportedly involving a teenager.

Police spokesman Lamin Njie told The Fatu Network “the case is currently under investigation”.

“The driver is currently at large, meanwhile efforts to get him arrested are being intensified,” he added.

Gambia Action Party leader Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly has wished Gambian Muslim a blessed Ramadan.

In a statement on Tuesday, Batchilly said: “As Muslims in The Gambia and around the world commence their fast today, The Gambia Action Party wish them a month filled with Allah’s divine grace and blessing, protection and mercy. This is a unique and holiest moment that connects all the muslims around the world with renewed hope and love amongst them.

“Even in the midst of the pandemic when live seems otherwise, we urge the Muslim community to pray for the restoration of public safety and health in The Gambia. We wish every muslim in The Gambia and around the world a blissful month of Ramadan and may all supplication be answered.”

World Health Organization, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said that “Confusion and complacency in addressing COVID-19 means the pandemic is a long way from over, but it can be brought under control in months with proven public health measures.”

While addressing a media briefing, the Director General insisted that “The COVID-19 pandemic is a long way from over. But we have many reasons for optimism. The decline in cases and deaths during the first two months of the year shows that this virus and its variants can be stopped,

“Transmission was being driven by confusion, complacency and inconsistency in public health measures.” He added.

Adhanom also spoke of the world now having seven consecutive weeks of increasing COVID-19 cases and four weeks of increasing deaths globally.

“In January and February, the world saw six consecutive weeks of declining cases. We have now seen seven consecutive weeks of increasing cases, and four weeks of increasing deaths. Last week was the fourth-highest number of cases in a single week so far,” Tedros said.

“We too want to see societies and economies reopening, and travel and trade resuming.

But right now, intensive care units in many countries are overflowing and people are dying – and it’s totally avoidable.” He said.

So far some 780 million vaccines have been administered globally, with a total of 137,322,644 people testing positive for COVID-19 globally,  2,961,025 deaths, 110,521,058 recoveries. (CGTN Africa)

Day 1 of Ramadan in Senegal will be on Wednesday after the moon crescent was not sighted in the country, according to local media.

Leral.net reported the moon crescent was not sighted on Monday in the country.

Ramadan in The Gambia began on Tuesday after the Supreme Islamic Council announced the moon was seen in North Bank and Upper River regions.

President Adama Barrow has sent his greetings and prayers to Gambians on the occasion of this year’s Ramadan.

Ramadan fast began in The Gambia on Tuesday.

And writing on his official Barrow PORG page, the president said: “Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims in The Gambia and around the world.

“As we begin the fast in this holy month, I pray that Allah continues to shower blessings on us and help us defeat Covid-19 to end the Coronavirus pandemic.”

Mamma Kandeh has pleaded with the nation’s security top officials to act against the rising crime in the country.

The GDC leader made the plea on Monday as he met supporters.

He said: “I call on the minister of interior, I call on the minister of defence, I call on the Inspector General of Police, I call on the director of intelligence. The reason I called on them is that our country has been destroyed. The country has no security.

“No Gambian is seeing nowadays, there is no secure place. Crime rate is high in Gambia. Killing is high in Gambia. We’re seeing something that has never happened in Gambia.

“The reason I called out these people and not Adama Barrow is because I want to take Adama Barrow out of the picture completely because Adama has failed.”

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.