Mamma Kandeh has suggested a showdown between the two most powerful men in the country – President Adama Barrow and UDP leader Ousainou Darboe.

The nation’s political leaders have been holding talks over the beleaguered draft constitution but a deal has so far proved elusive.

Former Nigeria leader Goodluck Jonathan has been fronting the talks but they are now headed for complete collapse amid a huge standoff.

Darboe has continued to stand his ground that no changes should be made to the draft constitution including the so-called retroactive clause, a political leader who attended Wednesday’s talks at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre told The Fatu Network.

At Wednesday’s meeting, GDC leader Mamma Kandeh proposed that President Barrow and Darboe face off over the draft constitution, another political leader who attended the talks said.

The talks have now entered a final day.

President Adama Barrow on Wednesday became the first Gambian to get a dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at State House and a raft of citizens including ministers, health workers and journalists quickly following suit.

President Barrow on Wednesday launched The Gambia’s National Vaccination Campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic at State House– where he assured citizens of the safety and effectiveness of the inoculation.

In launching the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the president said priority will be given to those who are highly at risk and the most vulnerable segments of the population.

“These are the frontline health workers, those aged sixty-five (65) and above, and people with health conditions. With the arrival of more vaccines, the campaign will be expanded to include other segments of the population,” President Barrow said.

The Gambia recently received 36,000 doses of AstraZeneca Vaccine under the Covax package. President Barrow branded it as ‘remarkable’.

“Let me reassure you that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine for the prevention and control of COVID-19,” the president said.

With the nation also receiving 10,000 doses of the Sino-Pharma vaccine from Senegal, the president also expressed appreciation to Senegal.

“I thank my brother, His Excellency, President Macky Sall, for this kind gesture,” the president said.

The Independent Electoral Commission has gotten a new deputy IEC chairman in Joe Colley its erstwhile communications director.

The IEC has been combing for a new deputy chairman since the resignation of Malleh Sallah last year.

The appointment of Oreme Joiner last year backfired after it emerged he was a member of President Barrow’s National People’s Party.

The country’s electoral body now has a new deputy chairman in Joe Colley.

Colley confirmed his appointment to The Fatu Network and said it came on Tuesday in a letter. His appointment came from the president.

Prominent anti-FGM campaigner Jaha Dukureh has joined PDOIS, a development that came three days after the party’s impressive congress.

Jaha Dukureh is well known around the world for her stance against female genital mutilation, with her work taking her to as far as the United Nations.

The Safe Hands for Girls chief reacting to her decision on Wednesday by sharing PDOIS’ Facebook public group statement with the caption: “It’s about putting Gambia first and national interest.”

President Adama Barrow will be out of office amid a two weeks vacation, State House said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the presidency said: “The Office of the President informs the public that His Excellency, Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia will begin fourteen (14) working days leave, effective Friday, 12^th March 2021. He will resume work on Tuesday, 6^th April 2021.

“While on leave, President Barrow will stay at his residence in Mankamang Kunda. The Office of the President wishes him a restful and enjoyable vacation.

“Prior to the start of his leave, President Barrow will travel to Dakar, Senegal on Thursday, 11^th March 2021 on a day’s private visit.”

By Ousman Jatta

Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly leader of the Gambia Action Party has called on former President Yahya Jammeh to return back to country and apologise to every Gambian especially the victims of his regime.

Speaking in a Star FM interview, the GAP leader said Jammeh should be willing to accept he did wrong Gambians.

Batchilly said: “Because Jammeh was the servant of the nation, he was elected by Gambians. Whether good or bad you should always take responsibility.

Batchilly then addressed Jammeh directly: “President Jammeh if at all you are listening to me; I did not support you. I respect you because you are our leader, Gambians are our boss and they were the ones you affected in your regime.

“Whether it happen under your instruction or not, but it occurred under your government, Jammeh you should return and repent, you tell people to forgive you, and tell people that you take the entire blame.”

By Lamin Njie

Bubacarr Keita’s ex-wife told the high court in Bundung she never insulted the mother of the businessman rather Keita himself in a text message.

“I did not insult his mother, I have never insulted his mother. I told him ‘you bastard’. I can remember it,” the woman told judge Momodou SM Jallow when Keita’s lawyer looked to suggest she insulted the businessman’s mother.

Keita’s rape trial resumed at the high court in Bundung on Wednesday following a setback on Tuesday amid the absence of an interpreter.

At the return of the trial on Wednesday, Keita’s ex-wife who has been giving evidence as the first witness in the trial disagreed with Keita’s lawyer Lamin Camara that the proceedings of February 12, 2020 at the Cadi court was initiated with regard to the custody of her children.

“No, it’s not correct. It was part of the final judgment. Because when the Cadi dissolved the marriage, they addressed the man with regard to his duties to his children and his rights,” the woman said.

She also rejected any suggestion by Camara the Cadi court told her she was already granted divorce at home by her ex-husband.

“The court did not tell me that. They asked me if I would consider reconciling with him. I told them I cannot marry a man who has raped my sister,” the woman told the court. She said she has all the Cadi court documents – both order and judgment – when asked if she could provide them.

During the session, Keita’s lawyer also asked the witness about a D100,000 per month maintenance money she asked the Cadi court to slap on Keita.

The witness however said: “This is not about child maintenance, it’s my own iddah maintenance that I charge D100,000. Because he owes me a lot of money and I told the Cadi for him to pay back the money he owes me.”

“Therefore, it is correct to say that you were actually divorced on the 6th of November 2019 at home and not on the 12th of February 2020 at the Cadi court?” Keita’s lawyer Camara asked her.

She replied: “My marriage ended on the 12th [of February] 2020. I far as I can remember, that on the 6th he is talking about, I spent the night in his house. The day they took him to police, I slept in his room and I took him to police because of him raping my sister and that’s why the marriage ended.”

The witness’ lawyer here took to his feet and complained that the defence lawyer was putting words into the mouth of his witness by making inference the witness was saying her marriage collapsed on November 6, 2019.

“The witness never said the 6 of November was when the marriage ended, she never said she was divorced on the 6 of November. What she said is the reason for her divorce is the fact that the husband was accused of raping her sister,” Alasan Jobe complained.

Lamin Camara then bit back: “I take exception to his statement that I’m putting words in her mouth. I did not put words in her mouth. I asked her a question on specificity. If she answers a question regarding on the 6 [November], we need to get that.”

The judge intervening said the defence lawyer could only put a statement in question form. Matters then became a little chaotic when Camara asked the witness to share the day she left her ‘matrimonial’ house.

“When did you leave the matrimonial house, that’s all I want. My lord this kind of thing, it’s wasting the court’s time with explanation. Give us a day and we move on,” Camara complained when the witness said she left the following day [Nov 7] and then went ahead to explained that she had woken up and realized that Keita’s mother and sibling got information she had taken Keita to the police.

“I want to say when I left and why I left,” the witness insisted but Camara said she could not speak on things until he asked questions about them. There, the judge told the interpreter to tell the witness she was obliged to answer questions and not frame her own questions. He however said she could extrapolate but only on what she’s been asked.

“When did you leave the matrimonial house?” Camara asked again.

“Before I can answer that, can I say something?” the witness said but the judge told her to answer the question. The witness replied she left the house the following day [Nov 7].

Keita lawyer then asked the witness if it was correct she received a text message from the accused person on November 6, 2019 in the morning that she was granted a divorce and that she should leave the house. The woman said the accused sent her a message because she insulted him.

“Did you receive a message to say you have been granted a divorce and you should leave the house? Simple question?” a frustrated Camara reacted.

The witness’ lawyer Jobe interjected by telling the judge his witness should be given the opportunity to clarify.

“My Lord I understand the defence counsel wants simple answers from the witness but she should be given the opportunity to clarify and give context,” Jobe said.

“Nobody is saying that she is not supposed to give context,” the judge replied.

In her response, the witness said the issue of Keita divorcing her through a text message was not accurate.

“That is not correct, he did not divorce me. He only told me to leave his house. He sent me a message that I should leave his house because I sent him a message and insulted him. I insulted him and the reason I insulted him is because I received a call and found out that my sister was pregnant and it was him who impregnated him. That’s why I insulted him,” she said.

Camara then asked her: “It is correct that in your text message to the accused person, you actually insulted his mother in your text message and not him?” The witness in her response said she ‘I did not insult his mother, I have never insulted his mother’.

“I told him ‘you bastard’. I can remember it,” she added.

The witness then told the court she would not be able to produce the text messages between herself and the accused because she no longer used that mobile phone, after Keita’s lawyer asked her if she could. But the moment saw the state counsel making an objection to the defence counsel’s claim the state has transcripts of the text messages but the defence counsel standing his ground that they have a right to say the state has it because ‘they have it during the course of the investigation’.

Still, Keita’s lawyer continued questioning the witness by asking her if she knew a person named Pa Modou Jobe. The witness said she knows Pa Modou Jobe.

“Who is he?” Camara then asked her and the witness said he is a friend to the victim. When the lawyer asked her what his relationship with the victim was, she said the victim said he was her boyfriend.

Keita lawyer then asked the witness if Pa Modou Jobe was arrested in connection with the case in which the witness said he was called by police for questioning. She however said she doesn’t remember when Pa Modou was detained when asked by Keita’s lawyer.

Meanwhile, Keita’s lawyer also asked the witness if she made any complaint against Pa Modou Jobe at the police on the night of November 6, 2019. She witness said she did not.

Elsewhere, the top attorney asked the witness whether the ‘minor’ was already 22 weeks pregnant on the night of November 6, 2019. The witness in answering said: “Yes, between 21 to 22 weeks.”

The case was then adjourned to Thursday as Keita’s lawyer applied for the witness to produce the cadi court proceeding documents.

Political leaders who travelled to Nigeria for a showdown with Goodluck Jonathan were each given 400 euros, it has been revealed.

The nation’s political leaders most of them heads of political parties flew to Abuja, Nigeria last month for talks with the former Nigerian President Jonathan over the draft constitution.

In an interview with The Fatu Network, Gambia Action Party leader Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly revealed each of them was given 400 euros at the talks.

The talks are now continuing in The Gambia following the arrival of Goodluck Jonathan on Monday.

To win the 2020 Ibrahim award for African leadership, and the $5m (£3.6m) prize attached to it, Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou had to leave office.

His decision to step down after two terms means Niger will have the first democratic transition between elected leaders since it became independent from France more than 60 years ago.

But that was not the only reason why he was given the award – the prize committee praised his leadership after inheriting one of the world’s poorest economies.

It said that he had “fostered economic growth, shown unwavering commitment to regional stability and to the constitution, and championed African democracy”.

For a prize that has not been awarded in some years because of the lack of a suitable winner, Mr Issoufou’s credentials should not be taken for granted.

If the 68-year-old wanted to remain in power, he could have copied other presidents across West Africa who managed to get the constitution changed so they could extend their time in office.

But his convictions would not let him do so, he told the BBC before last month’s elections.

“I respect the constitution. I respect the promise I made to the people of Niger who have given me the honour of leading them for two terms. This decision is in line with my convictions and my vision of what Niger’s democratic future should be,” he said. (BBC)

By Sarjo Brito

PDOIS front-man Halifa Sallah during his party’s congress on Sunday boasts of how his party has not become a tool for anyone, alleging that many political parties in this country take millions from individuals with strings attached, hoping to pay them back once they assume office.

“A party will emerge today, have a number of seats in the National Assembly and they will say but PDOIS was here for 30 something years, what are they here for? And PDOIS could have accepted to be a tool. You will see parties going to an individual, who will give millions, with strings attached. Governments will do that, individuals will do that so that ultimately when you take over power, you will owe obligations. PDOIS refused to do that, and you are blaming PDOI but today that refusal is yielding something. That refusal is yielding fruit, that PDOI will do owe any obligation to anyone on the face of the earth,” Sallah said.

Halifa Sallah furthered that the only people his party owes an obligation is the Gambian people who will entrust the party with power, adding that his party will continue defending the interest of the Gambian people to the grave. Sallah also shared the role his party played in the 2016 elections debacle and how he came up with tactics and strategies to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.

“PDOIS participated in effecting the change and stabilising the nation in order to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. Do not judge the party by the number of seats we have in the National Assembly, do not judge the party by the percentages. That does nit define PDOIS, it defines you. Because for us we know our national duty and we are ready to sacrifice our lives for the sake of our people and country. And we do so without any expectation, no obligation. You hate us, we will serve you, you love us, we will serve you,” he said.

Kalilou Camara has joined Gambia Action Party and has been elected deputy national president of the party at the party’s congress held at the weekend.

US-based Camara announced late last year he would be vying for the top job of president of The Gambia in a massive move.

He is currently in the country and attended GAP’s Sunday congress where he got elected into the party’s executive.

He is GAP’s new deputy national president.

ML Fatty has told said GMC is a party that is not growing which informed his decision to leave the party.

Fatty who served as a GMC top official in the diaspora officially joined UDP on Monday meeting with UDP foot soldier Momodou Sabally.

He confirmed to The Fatu Network on Tuesday he has left GMC for good.

“GMC wasn’t moving. There was only one person and that’s the leader. Everything revolves around him. And almost all of the media activities do not sit well with me.

“Can you imagine the party leader was in Abuja but did not consult any party official and went ahead to hold a media briefing,” ML Fatty told The Fatu Network.

He’s agreed he will appear on The Fatu Network News Review on Thursday.

Fatoumatta Njai has kick-started the process of meeting with PPP officials across the nation, as she brushes aside Kebba Jallow’s leadership of PPP.

PPP is at a crossroads following a disaster congress in Brikama-ba last month which Touma Njai refused to take part in an election alleging fraud. She then went ahead to declare herself leader of PPP.

She wrote on Sunday while meeting with PPP supporters in Foni: “Received at Foni today and recognised as the SG and Party Leader of the PPP pending free and fair elections.

“In the coming week we shall be received by all other Regional Chairpersons of the PPP as their choice of Party Leader  … Gambia loves the PPP it was the leadership that was to be desired …..

“My leadership shall be for the People …. Leadership to empower the women and the youth….. An inclusive leadership in which transparency and accountability would be of priority.”

The health ministry has announced all intending travellers requiring COVID 19 testing and certification will pay D3,000.

“Every traveller is required to pay this fee and present receipt at sample collection sites,” the ministry said in a statement Monday evening.

The ministry then explained: “The public is informed that, the COVID 19 pandemic continues to pose challenges, considerably overwhelming our health system.

“Besides, since the reopening of airports and subsequent introduction of new protocols such as mandatory provision of negative COVID 19 viral test by travellers within three days of travel period, the cost of testing has exponentially been on increase.

“It thus becomes imperative to effect this payment scheme to help manage the cost efficiently. The fee can be a reflection of the resource cost the national reference laboratory faces for completing COVID 19 diagnostic test in a timely manner.”

Persons travelling will pay the sum at Ecobank.

The absence of an interpreter has sparked the adjournment of the rape trial of businessman Bubacarr Keita.

Keita, 29, is standing trial after being accused of raping his ex-wife’s 15-year-old sister, a charge that he denies.

The trial was supposed to resume on Tuesday but got quickly adjourned after it was made known that the interpreter was absent.

The case will now go on, on Wednesday.

President Macky Sall of Senegal has broken his silence over the series of protests witnessed in Senegal for days, over the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

The president called for calm and serenity in the country, saying, “each life lost is a mourning for the Nation. This is why the state will come to the aid of bereaved families and facilitate access to care for the injured.”

Sall further commended the Defense and Security forces saying, “In the face of such incredible violence, where children and women were put, in an organized manner, on the front line in the scenes of breakage, our Defense and Security Forces demonstrated professionalism and restraint. Otherwise, the toll would have been heavier.”

Ousmane Sonko was on Monday released on bail after being arraigned, he faces a rape charge which he has since denied, saying the accusations are politically motivated.

After his release, Sonko asked his supporters to continue with peaceful demonstrations.

“We are not asking the people to go and unseat Macky Sall,” he said at a news conference.

“But let’s be clear, the revolution is marching its way to 2024,” Sonko said in reference to the next presidential election.

The protests which commenced Wednesday as a result of Sonko’s arrest have led to the death of at least 5 people including a 17-year-old boy.

Schools in the capital were also ordered to close for a week following the unrest. (CGTN Africa)