The Solo Sandeng Foundation has paid tribute to UDP leader Ousainou Darboe and all those who took to the streets on April 16, 2016 demanding the ‘dead-or-alive’ release of Solo Sandeng.

Solo Sandeng’s arrest on April 14 and his subsequent murder prompted UDP leaders and rank-and-file supporters to take to the streets to demand for his release. They were stopped by riot police who brutalized them with the likes of Darboe later sent to Mile Two.

Friday marks five years of the event and the Solo Sandeng Foundation in a statement signed by President Fatoumatta Sandeng Darboe said: “As we remember another historic day of our struggle to restore democracy in The Gambia, we pay homage to the gallant men and women who on the 16th of April 2016 took to the streets to demand for the release of Solo Sandeng and the rest of the Westfield protesters of 14/4/16. They chanted “Release Solo Sandeng dead or alive”. Face to face with forces of one of Africa’s most brutal dictatorships, their lives have not been the same ever after, because with a great spirit of patriotism they paid the price in sweat, blood and in jail terms. The April 14th Protest gave birth to the April 16th Protest and many more resistances that followed, therefore the need for this day to be celebrated and remembered equally.

“Five years on we honor, recognize, and respect the sacrifices of these patriots for country. Generations of Gambians unborn will learn about them and the true patriotic senses they all possess.

“The Solo Sandeng Foundation also calls on the government of The Gambia to ensure that justice is served for the April 14/16 protesters and all victims in The Gambia. This as is evident is the only way for our nation to go through proper healing and reconcile with the gruesome atrocities that occurred in this country for 22 years.

“On behalf of the Sandeng family, the Solo sandeng Foundation wishes all a reflective and proud April 16th anniversary. We pray for colleagues of our father, grandfather, husband, and icon to continue to withstand the life changing effects of this day and we reaffirm our gratitude to their resolve for justice and peace in our beloved Gambia.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has reacted to comments by critics he turned a blind eye to the wrong decisions of the Barrow government when he was part of it.

Darboe served as foreign minister and vice president in the early days of President Adama Barrow’s government. He was sacked in 2018 as tension reached boiling point between him and his political son, President Barrow.

He is now a regular critic of the actions and decisions of the Barrow government but his critics would always knock back at him that he never criticized the government when he was part of it.

But Darboe told The Fatu Network, while answering questions on vehicles that were donated by an anonymous donor and later given to the country’s MPs: “People think that when you’re in government, things happen and you keep quiet about them. In fact I was disciplining one of the youths in the party and the president didn’t like it… So it wasn’t that I wasn’t speaking, I was.”

Brikama Area Council Chairman Sheriffo Sonko has rendered thanks to God for his victory against United Democratic Party.

Sonko came out on top after UDP sued the IEC and himself for by-elections to be held in the chairmanship of Brikama Area Council after the party sacked him. But the Supreme Court last month ruled in Sonko’s favour by saying the law UDP relied on was faulty.

And reacting to the development, Sonko told The Fatu Network: “I feel very relieved and relaxed. Why? Because my family was very disturbed. UDP has caused a very big problem in my family. My family members, maybe some of them did not have the strong faith like I may have.

“[They] were afraid that our breadwinner is going to lose his job. So I’m relieved the way they were happy that day. So I thank Allah for that victory. God will never support those kinds of things. The war against me was so evil, it was personal and this personal attack went into the party.”

The risk of developing a blood clot after having COVID-19 is eight times higher than after being given the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab, according to a study by Oxford University.

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) occurred in 39 in a million COVID-19 patients, compared with about five in a million people given the AstraZeneca vaccine.

In the study of over 500,000 coronavirus patients, the risk was reported to be around 100 times higher than normal after infection.

Numerous countries have limited use of the vaccine to certain age groups or paused its rollout – with Denmark even dropping the jab from its vaccination programme permanently – following reports of very rare cases of blood clots.

The UK’s medical regulator has said the vaccine is still safe and effective but has limited its use in those under 30 as this age group is less at risk of becoming seriously ill with coronavirus.

However, the Oxford study suggested around a third (30 percent) of the CVT reports after COVID-19 infection were in people under 30.

Scientists have said the technology used in the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, harnessing an adenovirus, has been linked to a slightly increased risk of blood clots.

It’s the same explanation for the Johnson& Johnson vaccine, which has been paused in the US after a handful of clotting reports there. (CGTN Africa)

Respected youth leader leader Lamin K Saidy has put his mouth into a debate that has erupted after the government this week authorized female civil servants to close early to enable them cook for their families.

A debate erupted around the move with some women’s rights activists branding it as sexist. Some said it was designed to condemn women to the kitchen.

Lamin K Saidy wrote Thursday: “Greeter percentage of our women take pride in preparing food for their husbands an family member and that never changed their status as dignified person(s).

“Again, the tragedy is that most of us are not practicing what we preaching to the young ones.

“Most women desires the contrary….they wanna cook for their husbands.

“I support women empowerment with the context of religion,  harmless cultures etc.”

Landing 13 Badjie who was the nation’s top police officer in the mid-2000s has died, The Fatu Network has learnt.

Badjie is said to have died in Dakar on Thursday.

He is a former Inspector General of Police under former President Yahya Jammeh’s regime.

People’s Progressive Party has called on Gambians to commit themselves to peace and stability in an election year.

In a Ramadan statement signed by Kebba E Jallow, PPP said: “As the auspicious month of Ramadan starts, may the Crescent month brighten your path with fulfillment and peace through the grace of Allah.

“2020 was an extremely difficult year for humanity. So let us use the Holly month of Ramadan as a moment of reflection and opportunity to remember those lost loved ones and those in their sick beds.

“Let us renew our commitment to the spirit of neighborliness that characterizes Gambian as caring, sharing, and forgiving peoples.

“2021 is an election year in The Gambia So let us all pray and commit ourselves to peace and stability.

“The benefit of peace and stability is too great, and the good thing is that we can all contribute to it by preaching and sensitizing our families and friends to exercise decorum in our political discussions. We should encourage political tolerance that we are all brothers and Sister Keeper. 

“I call on all Gambians and non-Gambians resident in the country to pray very hard during the Holly month of Ramadan that Allah’s blessing and grace see us through the December 4th electoral process peacefully. 

“On behalf of the People’s progressive Party, I wish you all Ramadan Mubarak.”

About seven in 10 citizens or 69 per cent of Gambians believe prayer is more effective than a vaccine in preventing one contracting coronavirus, according to a new survey.

In a new report dubbed ‘Views on Covid-19 and government’s response to the pandemic’, most Gambians believe prayer is a more effective means to preventing Covid-19.

The survey was conducted by Afrobarometer, a pan-African, nonpartisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life.

The report on Covid-19 was released on Wednesday and on its findings on vaccine, “about seven in 10 citizens (69%) say prayer is more effective than a vaccine would be in preventing COVID-19 infection, including 52% who think prayer is “much more effective.”

Researchers interviewed Gambians who are aged 18 and above with respondents selected randomly.

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has said he doesn’t owe Gambians an apology over his comments of legal action against anyone who tried to have President Barrow step down at three years.

President Barrow had initially pledged to serve for only three years but UDP leader Darboe balked at any attempt to have Barrow leave power at three years as talk intensified for the president to honour his promise. This was in the early days of the coalition government.

But speaking to The Fatu Network on Wednesday, Darboe stood his ground saying: “If to say that anybody who wants to use force… Bring me the agreement and we test it against the constitution. If that is offensive, then I owe no apology to the Gambian people because I am going by the constitution of this country.

“After all, we came in to say there should be a proper constitutional order, there should be adherence to the constitution.

“So if my statement that adherence to the constitution is regarded as emboldening Barrow then those who profess to be constitutionalists are really not constitutionalists, they’re something else. So I have no regret about it and I do not apologise to anybody about it, for standing by the constitution.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe thanked Ebrima Solo Sandeng on Wednesday five years after the death of the respected UDP youth leader.

Sandeng was tortured to death by security officers on former President Yahya Jammeh’s orders following his arrest on April 14, 2016.

The activist-politician led a small group of Gambians to protest for changes to the country’s electoral laws.

In a tweet, UDP leader Darboe said: “Ebrima Janko Solo Sandeng. Five years on, thank you for all you have done. The United Democratic Party and The Gambia in general appreciates you.”

The World Health Organization expressed concern Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic could worsen in the Middle East and North Africa during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Detected cases of COVID infection in the region rose 22 percent last week, while deaths rose 17 percent, said Ahmed al-Mandhari, the Cairo-based chief of the WHO for the eastern Mediterranean.

Mandhari said the situation in the vast region reflects a “worrying trend”.

“We are especially worried that the current situation may worsen during Ramadan if people don’t follow and adhere to the proven social measures that work,” he told an online news conference.

Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, began in most Muslim countries on Tuesday.

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.

“This year, like last year, people may feel that the spirit of Ramadan has changed because of social distancing and lockdowns,” said Mandhari.

“But the actions that need to be maintained to help contain the pandemic are in line with the basic tenets of Islam: take care of your physical health and do no harm to others.”

Dalia Samhouri, WHO’s regional head of emergency preparedness, said the international organization wanted “countries to do a risk assessment in order to prevent the dissemination of the infection”.

She suggested measures that could be taken around mosques during Ramadan, including physical distancing, ventilation, and regular disinfection.

People who felt sick were advised to stay at home, along with the elderly and sufferers of chronic disease, she said.

Mandhari said all countries in the region had received vaccines, but that those with the most limited access were Yemen and Syria.

“Although progress has been made with starting vaccination around the world, there remains a shocking imbalance in the distribution of vaccines,” he said.

“This is especially true in our region.”

In Yemen, where some 14 million doses were pledged through the COVAX programme that aims to ensure equitable access to COVID vaccinations, only 360,000 have been delivered. (AFP)

Businessman Abubakary Jawara has donated a car to NPP political reporter Alagie Bambo Lemm.

Alagie Bambo Lemm who goes by his moniker Alagie Bambo Lemm Barrow Dorong was donated the car last week.

Lemm told The Fatu Network Jawara likes him very much and told him about it when they met.

“Mr Jawara has done something for me which is bigger than a car. I can only pray for him. He continues to encourage me and he also listens to me all the time,” Lemm said.

Lemm is the NPP reporter who describes President Barrow as the ‘record breaker and the history maker’.

Police have issued a statement asking drivers to renew both their driver’s and vehicle licenses.

In a statement Wednesday, police said: “The Office of the Inspector General of Police wishes to announce to the general public, particularly vehicle owners and drivers that, they should renew their licenses on or before 15th April 2021.

“The Gambia Police Force will commence an exercise to check on all vehicles and drivers that have not got their licenses renewed for 2021. This exercise will begin on Monday 19th April 2021 and vehicles that are found unlicensed will be impounded. To avoid any inconvenience, all vehicle owners and drivers are urged to ensure that, their licenses are renewed for 2021’’

“The usual cooperation and understanding of the general public is highly solicited.”

The chief imam of Gunjur Fakawsu Touray has died, The Fatu Network has learnt.

The cleric died in Gunjur on Tuesday.

His age was not immediately known.

Gambians took turns on Wednesday to pay tributes to Solo Sandeng whose brutal murder five years ago sparked a huge campaign against former President Yahya Jammeh’s rule.

Sandeng was tortured to death in April, 2016 by security forces loyal to Jammeh after he took to the streets demanding reforms to the country’s electoral laws.

Wednesday marks five years of the tragic event and Gambians have taken to social media to honour the late UDP youth leader.

Below is what some Gambians are saying;

Bubacarr Sidiqi Jammeh: “Ebrima Solo Sandeng is a shining example for all of us. A patriot who was on the path of working for the country and seeing the best for the country… We can only look up to him.”

Ayesha Haruna Jammeh: “14 April is a day that Gambians should always remember and should always commemorate because this was the day that these brave men and women gave up their lives for The Gambia.

Alhagie Darboe: “Janko Solo was the catalyst of our changed. May your soul continue to rest in the highest place of Jaanah. Ameen.”

Coach Pasamba Jow: “Solo Sandeng has a special place in The Gambia’s history because of what he stood for. Because Solo stood for justice, Solo stood for democracy and Solo stood for liberty.”

By Ousman Jatta

The Serrekunda market is one of the Gambia’s biggest and busiest markets and as the holy month of Ramadan commences, businesses and businessmen at the market get to receiving a lot customers.

But vendor Mai Saidy is describing business in the market as hard. Prices of goods have shot through the roof and the impact is being felt.

“Now the business is very challenging, because the prices of goods have all increase, a times we find it very difficult to buy goods, to later sell it,” she says.

Sulayman Jallow another vendor says there has been an increase on the prices of goods.

“A bowl which used to cost for hundred dalasis (D100), it is now costing for D150,” he says.

Ramadan is an important month for Muslims. Because Muslims go the whole day without food and water, most find it necessary to stock up on food for their late evening and early morning meals.

But prices of these commodities are increasing by the day and that can only come off as big pain for them.

By Fatou Camara

Narations tell us the breaking of fast with dates is rooted in religious teachings of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, who is quoted as saying: “When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates; but if he cannot get any, then he should break his fast with water, for water is purifying. “

According to Islamic scholar Oustass Muhammed Sye, “it is significant for Muslims to break their fast with dates”.

“This is Sunnah, it is the way of life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Therefore I strongly advise all Muslims to consider breaking their fast with dates if they have it. In fact, is narrated the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to break his fast with dates in odd numbers and if he don’t have dates then he takes water three times in sequence then eat something else.  The sahabas followed this act and all Muslims to an extent WHO conducted a research on the fruit and came out with multiple health benefits,” the imam said.

Date vendor Rasidu Barry is a date trader for 15years. The man said Ramadan brings good business for him

“I’ve been in the date business for 15 years now. It is true that a business do not sell everyday but to be honest with you the business sells mostly during the month of Ramadan and I am glad the month is here and customers are coming to buy. This is good for my business.

“Even not for the business as a Muslim dates is something one should consider eating at the time of breaking the fast. It was the way of life of our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him),” he said.

The Qur’an also narrates the incidence when Maryam, may Allah be pleased with her, was provided with fresh ripe dates when she was feeling pain during childbirth ,and this also served as a  reason for considering dates to be beneficial to pregnant women while experiencing contractions.

Momodou Sabally has commended government for letting women close early during Ramadan.

The government has authorized all female officials to close at 2pm from Monday to Thursday to enable them cook their iftar meals.

While the move has remained unpopular in many quarters, Sabally is welcoming of the idea.

He wrote on his official Facebook page today: “And also we must commend the Barrow administration for the magnanimous gesture of reducing working hours for women during this holy month of Ramadan.

“Wishing His Excellency the President and his entire administration Allah’s blessings and protection during this holy month and beyond.”

Joe Colley has been sworn in as deputy chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission official becoming the second most powerful man at Election House.

President Adama Barrow on Tuesday swore in the election expert at State House following his appointment as deputy chairperson a few weeks ago.

At the event, President Barrow said it is important that the country have an independent and impartial electoral body to conduct free and fair elections, State House said in a statement.

“As a government, the political will is 100 per cent, that we conduct free and fair elections. Africa and the entire world is looking up to The Gambia and 2021 is a very important year for this country,” President Barrow said, according to State House’s statement.

Colley said at the event, according to State House’s statement: “Being elevated from the secretariat to the Commission has caused me to reaffirm my unwavering commitment and courage to ensure the creation of a more level playing field in the political arena as the electoral laws of The Gambia have called for.”

The government is facing a backlash over its move for female officials to close at 2pm to enable them get home and cook for their families during Ramadan.

In a memo that has emerged online, the Personnel Management Office on Tuesday wrote to all permanent secretary informing them of authorizing all female workers to close at 2pm from Monday to Thursday “and adhere to the normal closing time for Friday (12:30pm) in honour of the holy month of Ramadan which officially begins today Tuesday 13 April, 2021”.

The missive said “this is to allow female staff to attend to their traditional evening ‘itar’ preparations ahead of the breaking of the fast”.

Gambians have reacted variously to the move with both Christians and non-Christians reacting.

Neneh Gomez blasted: “Christians are Gambians and we deserve to be treated as Gambians. What is good for the goose is equally good for the gander. We christians observed our Lenten season for forty good days and I bet you all those Christians civil servants went to work while fasting and closed normal time. Ooops, least I forget, the Secretary General of the christian civil servants forgot to issue a directive for christian women to close work early.

“Thanks to the Secretary General  of the muslim civil servants under the dynamic leadership of the president of the Muslims in the Gambia, Adama Barrow, for looking after your people. When you are represented, you will never be considered. Unless the people at the helm of it are fair and considerate. Unfortunately our own people are the epitome of selfishness and inconsiderate.”

Annetta Titita wrote: “My fellow Christians women did you receive such letter during the lent period. Or are we invisible? treated differently by the government in our own country.

“I heard that SSHFC, did not allow Christians to go for afternoon mass during the lent period. Correct me if I’m wrong.

“Also women’s role is to be in the kitchen, as they’ve highlighted.”

Coach Pasamba Jow in lending his voice to the issue said: “The Gambia is NOT an Islamic State, it is a country of Muslims and Christians alike, who are all CITIZENS and must be treated equally as such. The patronizing and blatant discriminatory move by the Secretary General to order female Civil Servants to close at 2pm during the month of Ramadaan is absolutely repugnant. The Christians observed Lent without any such directives, begging the question: Why?

“Gambia Muslims have observed many Ramadaans without ever needing a Secretary General to come up with such a divisive and patronizing directive.  The Secretary General, and by extension the President, must always be guided by what is just and what is in the general interest of all Gambians. Ridiculous directives like this, do nothing but fan the flames of discord among a population that has lived harmoniously together.”

Pa Louis Thomasi said: “This is the height of recklessness and irresponsibility. How can the State come up with such an irresponsible and discriminatory letter? This is shameful and disrespectful to the Christian community of the Gambia.”