By BBC

Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has died aged 61, the country’s vice-president has announced.

He died on Wednesday from heart complications at a hospital in Dar es Salaam, Samia Suluhu Hassan said in an address on state television.

Mr Magufuli has not been seen in public for more than two weeks, and rumours have been circulating about his health.

Opposition politicians said earlier this week that he had contracted Covid-19, but this has not been confirmed.

“It is with deep regret that I inform you that today… we lost our brave leader, the president of the Republic of Tanzania, John Pombe Magufuli,” Vice-President Hassan said.

She said there would be 14 days of national mourning and flags would fly at half mast.

Police have detained a native of Sanyang Lamin Dampha, The Fatu Network understands.

Dampha who goes by the street name L Boy was arrested on Monday during violent protests that erupted in Sanyang. He has since been held.

The people of Sanyang are currently at Brikama Police Station to find a way of getting him out on bail.

Police spokesman Lamin Njie could not immediately comment on the issue.

Gambia Democratic Congress has issued a statement asking the government to investigate ‘rising violence’ in Sanyang.

GDC in a statement signed by spokesperson Omar Ceesay said: “The Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) under the able leadership of Hon. Mamma Kandeh is calling on the government and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to launch an investigation on the rising violence currently happening in Sanyang. This contention has already taken life and left many with seriously injuries.

“This unfortunate incident is inhumane and as a party we are recommending to the government and NHRC  to jointly address the tension amicably without any delay.

“The GDC is calling on the youth to maintain peace and desist from any sort of violent and allow justice to take its due cause.

“We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray for the decease to rest in perfect peace.”

Hundreds of Senegalese have fled Sanyang after violent protests erupted in the village on Monday where the village’s police station was set on fire.

Youth of Sanyang charged at almost everything in front of them in a huge show of anger following the death of a native after he was allegedly stabbed by a Senegalese.

Sanyang is home to over 200 Senegalese but they have all now fled to Batokunku and are being lodged in a school where police are protecting them.

An NDMA official told The Fatu Network the displaced Senegalese numbered 205 comprising men, women and children. Aid in the form of food and mattresses has been mobilized by NDMA together with Gambia Red Cross Society.

Five people have died from coronavirus, the health ministry has said.

In its latest report, the ministry said the deaths of the five people aged between 21 and 84 took the nation’s fatalities from the disease to 158.

“Decedents (3 posthumous,1 admitted due to severe pneumonia & 1 on COVID-19 treatment), ages ranged from 21-84 years,1 on COVID-19 treatment was a known hypertensive & diabetic on admission,” the ministry said.

This, as the ministry also revealed 66 new cases have been registered bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases ever confirmed in the country to 5,085.

National People’s Party’s Njie Manneh has bragged he has marabouts and he could bring Momodou Sabally to NPP if he wished to do so.

In an audio message, Manneh referred to Sabally as ‘my own Momodou Sabally’ and threatened to poach him from UDP.

“Billahi Wallahi Tallahi, I have the means and the prayers and the marabouts and if I wished today, I can bring Alhagie Momodou Sabally from UDP to NPP,” Manneh said.

Manneh said his love and respect for the former secretary general and head of the civil service would always remain as he used to call him to State House and give him money when he was in the SG role. He also said presently anyone who wants to see Sabally would have to pass through him.

Health Minister Dr Ahmadou Lamin Samateh has said the WHO has not recommended banning the AstraZeneca vaccine.

A host of countries in Europe starting with Denmark suspended the use of the vaccine after people died after they took it. The victims reportedly developed blood clots. It has not yet been established if it was related to the vaccine.

The Gambia has 36,000 doses of the vaccine and people such as President Barrow and Vice President Dr Touray have all taken a dose of the vaccine.

But according to the health minister, The Gambia goes by international standards and guidelines.

“Yes, we’ve all heard about some countries have been taking those precautionary measures. They’re called precautionary measures as suspension but yet still, as a country we know we go by international standards, not what actually has been done by one country or the other.

“We go by international standards, there are expert committees and typically WHO is the custodian of those guidelines when it comes to the international arena. And the information we’re getting, WHO is not recommending a ban,” Dr Samateh told reporters on Tuesday.

An MP on Tuesday took fellow MPs through what God said regarding skin bleaching – and then going ahead to make the claim the act promotes prostitution.

Sandu MP Muhammed Mahanera while having his say on a law that seeks to make skin bleaching legal in The Gambia said he would never support such law.

The MP said: “I thanked the Honourable Members who have voted against it. Honourable Speaker, there is a purpose of the human being to live on the earth.

“This is not my word, it’s word from our creator. Skin bleaching, to change your colour from the colour the creator has given to you to another colour that will stay for permanent is haram.

“Allah states… The act of bleaching we all know there are so many implications. One, either you’re trying to establish a relationship or you’re trying to promote prostitution.

“Honourable Speaker and what Allah has said… Allah did not even say don’t do it, Allah says do not go near it [adultery] and that is very clear.”

According to MP Mahanera, international obligation is ‘one thing’ but the obligation of your creator (God) is superior.

KARMOL’s first Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) was delivered on 15th March at Sembcorp Marine in Singapore and will begin sea trials off Singapore today ahead of its deployment to Senegal in the coming weeks.

The FSRU, called KARMOL LNGT AFRICA, will enable KARMOL (a Joint Venture between Karpowership and Mitsui OSK Lines) to offer LNG-powered electricity to the West African country for the first time using its floating Powership, Karadeniz Powership Ayşegül Sultan.

In Senegal, Karpowership is operating a 235MW capacity Powership, around 15% of the country’s supply, since August 2019. The first FSRU, operated by KARMOL will soon sail to the West African country and the Powership will switch to operating with LNG before the end of June.

KARMOL’s unique technology means a combination of Powerships and FSRU’s will bring LNG to Power to countries with no domestic gas supply. The company plans to switch its entire fleet of Powerships to LNG, a sustainable, affordable and environmentally responsible fuel.

Under the same join venture, another FSRU is already under construction which is planned for deployment to Mozambique.

KARMOL Board Member Gokhan Kocak-said: “This is a big moment for West Africa and the wider continent, and an exciting time for KARMOL.”

“We have a bold ambition to offer LNG to Power across the world and especially within Africa. Usage of FSRUs mean we can unlock the benefits of clean and affordable electricity for millions of people, even where countries have no domestic gas production or infrastructure.”

“I am looking forward to the ship completing its sea trials and beginning its voyage to Senegal.”

“The use of FSRUs and Powerships is a ground-breaking solution which opens up the prospect of stable electricity, powered by efficient, cleaner fuels, to many more countries.”

“Our KARMOL partnership is at the core of a long-term plan to bring reliable, economical and green electricity to our current partners and new customers.”

KARMOL Representative Kensuke Ito-said: “The vessel symbolizes MOL and Karpowership’s continued partnership and represents our strong commitment to providing LNG-to-Power solutions to the African region.”

“This milestone has been achieved against the most challenging of backdrops with the ongoing global COVID pandemic which makes this all the more satisfying.”

The Senegal FSRU and another vessel each have a capacity of 125,000 cubic meters. Singapore-based Sembcorp Marine has done the construction and conversion work.

Following gas trials, the FSRU is expected to depart Singapore early April, expected to arrive in Senegal in mid-May, with operations planned to begin in June. .

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Mehmet Katmer, KARMOL Representative ([email protected])

York Ishibe, KARMOL Representative ([email protected])

BACKGROUND

In 2019, Karpowership established a joint venture with MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.); with the mission of becoming the world’s most reliable and preferable LNG to Power solution provider, under the brand name of “KARMOL”. Since then, KARMOL have been investing in related assets and joint marketing its solution in selected markets around the world. KARMOL is currently working on 2 projects of Karpowership, to convert them to an LNG to Power project.

Germany has placed Bai Lowe under custody following his arrest and searching of his apartment over alleged crimes against humanity, murder and attempted murder.

According DW on Tuesday, Bai Lowe was named only as Bai L. by German authorities and his arrest is in connection with being part of a military unit used to carry out kill orders at the behest of then-president, Yahya Jammeh.

The arrest warrant said he belonged to a so-called “Patrol Team” of the Gambian military, also known as Junglers, DW reported on Tuesday.

Bai Lowe himself has confirmed in interviews that he worked as a driver among the junglers. In 2014, he joined other dissident Gambians in a plot to overthrow former President Jammeh. The coup failed and Lowe fled back to Germany.

According to DW, he is alleged to have been involved in a total of three such liquidation orders, driving unit members to attack sites.

Among those targeted was a journalist who was critical of the government, murdered in 2004, and a lawyer who survived an ambush a year earlier, DW reported. That journalist is Deyda Hydara.

In 2006, members of the unit also shot and killed a suspected opponent of the Gambian president near the Banjul airport, DW said.

Police have said they have deployed ‘reinforcements’ to Sanyang amid violent protests that rocked the coastal village on Monday.

Sanyang youth took to the streets on Monday following the slaying of Gibril Ceesay. Ceesay was allegedly stabbed by a Senegalese.

The youth burnt down Sanyang police station, a fishmeal factory as well as stalls built on Sanyang beach.

Police said on Tuesday: “Following several acts of vandalism, attack and burning of the Police Station in Sanyang as well as the burning of the Chinese Fish meal factory and destruction of properties by protesters, the Police High Command is renewing its call for calm and restraint.

“Police reinforcements have been deployed and the situation is currently  under control. Meanwhile efforts to sustain gains in bringing back complete normalcy are being intensified.

“The Police High Command assures the public that, thorough investigations will be conducted in the case of robbery with violence resulting to the death of Gibril Ceesay and justice will be served. The perpetrator is currently under Police custody helping with investigations.

“In view of the above, the GPF High Command is calling on the youths of Sanyang to maintain peace and refrain from gatherings around public places.

“Security Personnel will conduct vigorous patrols and checks in order to ensure safety and security of the public.

“The cooperation of the public is highly solicited.”

Senegalese forestry officers allegedly entered The Gambia on Monday and shot a Gambian after they pursued him, according to reports.

The officers are said to have ran into timber dealers leading to the officers reportedly crossing the border into The Gambia.

The incident reportedly happened in Sare Omar a Gambian border village in CRR.

Senegal have adopted a hardline stance against cutting of Senegalese trees but the agitation for independence in the Casamance region has seen the timber business there flourish. Timber dealers usually paid the rebels in order to cut timber which is usually sent across into The Gambia.

The army sent troops to the village but they got there after the Senegalese forestry officers had already receded into Senegal.

UDP has issued a statement calling on the people of Sanyang to allow the law to take its course but also warning that government must ‘sincerely’ address the root causes of violent events in the country.

In a statement, UDP said: “It is with great sadness and trepidation that we have learnt about the tragic killing of Gibril Ceesay, a Sanyang native, as a result of an alleged robbery attempt.

“The United Democratic Party extends sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and prays for the speedy recovery of all those injured in the process.

“The party calls for calm and demands that an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation by the government be conducted into the alleged incident as well as the resulting upheaval.

“The party further appeals to the youths of Sanyang, and Kombo South in general, to express their grievances in a peaceful manner and to allow the law to take its course. This isn’t always easy to do, but it is the best way to ensure that peace prevails and true justice is carried out.

“Incidents elsewhere teach us that the security forces must always exercise restraint and be mindful of basic rights in carrying out their duties.

“In the same vein, the government must sincerely address the root causes of these violent events to prevent recurrences. As it is obvious that these issues are beyond Sanyang, it must revisit the findings and recommendations of commissions which addressed the many challenges currently facing The Gambia’s coastal communities.

“Bold and progressive decisions must finally be taken with a view to providing jobs to the country’s youth and women, while at the same time protecting our environment and natural resources from unregulated exploitation.”

Gambians are set to be given rice again following the launch of a multi-million dalasis food aid package.

The government has purchased 700,000 metric tons of rice and its distribution has been kick-started, government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh said.

Sankareh in a statement on Monday said: “Following a massive food aid package in excess of Seven-Hundred Million Dalasis at the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020, President Barrow instructed an additional Two Hundred and Twenty-Two Million Dalasis (D222,000,000) taxpayer-funded rice distribution scheme targeting The Gambia’s poorest and most vulnerable communities across the country.

“Last month, Agriculture Minister, Hon. Amie Fabureh in collaboration with The World Food Programme (WFP) launched the second phase of President Barrow’s food programme affecting the poorest households in the municipalities of Banjul and Kanifing.

“Earlier this morning, Hon. Fabureh accompanied by Ministry officials and the WFP Country Director, Mr. Yasuhiro Tsumura officially launched the Rural Phase of the free rice distribution scheme and witnessed the distribution of rice affecting 39 households in Pacharr Sana village in the Central River Region (CRR). On completion, a total of some nine thousand, three hundred and thirty-four (9,334) households in the CRR will benefit from this massive Gambia Government food aid.

“The food assistance prioritizes families with less than four-months food stock, surviving on daily wages without regular income or remittances; households with malnourished children and chronically ill individuals, and women-headed or elderly headed households.

“This emergency food assistance targets some three hundred and forty-two thousand (342,000) people, forty-two thousand, seven hundred and fifty (42, 750 households) across all regions and municipalities of the country as part of its COVID-19 response. Each household will receive a 50kg bag of Rice per month for a period of four months – February to May 2021.

“At a time when the country is witnessing a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases worsening the food and nutrition security status of the most vulnerable, The Gambia Government seeks to protect livelihoods and cushion the vulnerable households from hunger.

“In the spirit of private sector investment promotion in agriculture as enshrined in the National Development Plan(NDP), two hundred and fifty (250) tons of the rice is cultivated in The Gambia by Maruo Farms; a private investor in the cultivation and marketing of rice.  This will encourage Maruo Farms and provide market and income to those farmers in contract farming arrangement.”

Ahmad Gitteh complained on Monday people around the president are going about offering negative reviews on officials to the president. He did not give a name.

“If you should make a list of the top 10 people who love Barrow, if you did not put my name in the list you’re unfair to the Gambian people,” Gitteh said in a live video Facebook.

Gitteh is a staunch backer of President Barrow.