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.”

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.