Senegalese President Macky Sall received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by China’s Sinopharm in the presidential palace on Thursday.

Several members of the government and presidential office staffers were also vaccinated.

Addressing the nation afterward, the Senegalese president said that he wanted to emphasize that all people over the age of 60 should be able to be vaccinated.

He said that he and members of the government wished to set an example. (CGTN)

Top Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko said on Thursday none of Adji Sarr’s claims of rape has foundation as he speaks to the press on the raging issue.

Sonko has been fighting to clear his name in the past two weeks after a woman accused him of raping him at a massage parlour in Dakar. Sonko was a regular at the parlour.

On Thursday, Sonko told journalists in Dakar Sarr’s claims are baseless. Sarr claimed Sonko raped him three times at gun-point.

Sonko said: “[When she said] it’s a car that picked me up, they checked and found that a car picked her up. She then talked about SMS and they checked and there was no SMS. They asked her about the SMS and she said she’s deleted it.

“[She said] my dad lodged a complaint against Sonko and they checked and found there was no complaint lodged. If we’re to reveal everything, it would fill a page or two pages. This shows that person doesn’t have the credibility which could make one to believe her.”

Sonko accused Senegal president Macky Sall of being behind the scheme.

The head coach of Samger Sulayman Kuyateh died on Thursday following a brief illness. He was 39.

In a statement, the club said the gaffer died at the Brikama Hospital.

“He was a family-oriented and an amazing human being both as a coach and a mentor to our players. He held a CAF B License coaching certificate,” the club said.

The club added: “Sulayman was signed by Samger Football Club ahead of the 2019/20 season and tasked with returning to team to the elite of Gambian football. Therefore, it is a devastating blow and indeed sad that he wouldn’t be able to complete the journey that he started with us.

“In other to celebrate his legacy and a show of appreciation to his undivided loyalty and services to Samger Football Club, our owners, Mr. Harry Gerber and Mr. Cherno Samba have announced that the Club will continue to pay Sulayman Kuyateh’s monthly salary in full for the rest of the current football season.”

“It is a sad day for football and a sad day for Gambia obviously because he is one of the very inspiring young coaches and he’s always had a talent that you could see. He’s always talked about football and how it should be played and a young person has lost his life so young. We’re saddened and sorry obviously,” a very emotional Cherno Samba told Samger’s in house medium, according to the club’s statement.

“It breaks my heart to see young ones like him goes but it’s always the good ones that go early and we’re here to make sure that his family are taken care of at least until the end of the season. And our condolence to the Kuyateh family and especially his wife and the six-month old baby,” he added, according to the club’s statement.

NPP’s Seedy Njie on Thursday refused to be drawn into any exchanges with those who frowned at his attendance of the Abuja constitution talks.

Njie rubbed shoulders with the nation’s top political leaders at the Abuja talks meant to find an understanding over the crisis-gripped draft constitution. His attendance of the talks was much criticized.

But when asked to comment on Gambians who criticized him, the smart politician simply dismissed: “Definitely I won’t respond to that. I represented a party, I won’t respond to that.”

The Gambia government is racing against time to trigger in a new constitution before the presidential election in December. The draft constitution which was put together by the CRC ran into trouble after MPs loyal to President Barrow voted against it late last year.

In respect of the Abuja talks, Njie said: “We made progress. Most of the issues that were of course contentious issues were raised and most of the political parties, almost all the political parties except one agreed on everything.

“But I hope when we resume the talks in about two weeks time here in Banjul, we will be able to communicate to the Gambian people. But it was very fruitful, very frank and all political parties came up with there positions and thank God all of them who were present agreed except one.

“I wouldn’t want to disclose that but many the organisers in the coming days would want to tell Gambians what was the bone of contention, which political parties agree and which political parties did not agree.”

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe on Thursday declined to speak following his return to the country from Abuja, Nigeria – where he participated in talks over the crisis-gripped draft constitution alongside compatriot political leaders.

The leaders jetted out to Nigeria on Monday for a showdown with former Nigerian leader Goodluck Jonathan who has been preoccupied with the job of speaking to them for them to come to a common understanding.

After three days of talks, the leaders returned to the country amid reports of the talks failing to clinch success.

UDP is said to have disagreed in two key areas: the issue of whether President Barrow’s current term should count as part of a two-term limit under the new constitution and whether amendments should be made to the draft constitution before it’s taken back to the national assembly.

However, UDP leader Darboe declined to speak when approached by The Fatu Network for comment.

Five young girls who underwent female genital mutilation in Boune, Senegal have developed complications, according to local media.

Senego said on Thursday six girls were put through FGM by their mothers but five of them have been taken to hospital after they suffered complications.

Three moms and a woman who allegedly cut the girls have been placed under custody.

FGM is procedure common among African societies that entails the partial or complete removal of the female clitoris.

By Fatou Camara II

Disgust over Gambian political leaders travelling to Nigeria to discuss the fate of the draft constitution has intensified.

The nation’s political leaders this week flew to Abuja to meet former Nigerian leader Goodluck Jonathan in search of a deal over the failed draft constitution. Many Gambians have publicly criticized the development.

Speaking to The Fatu Network, Yusef Tailor (Flex Dan) Editor of Gainako Online News blasted that the trip doesn’t make sense.

He said: “It defies logic in so many ways because I don’t know how it made sense to have about ten people travel to go and meet one mediator, so financially it doesn’t really make sense at all.

“I don’t know who is paying the bills but looking at it the other way at the end of the day if they take our constitution talks out of this country and they are going to have to bring same results here, pass it at the National Assembly so it’s definitely baffling and it defies logic they are going to bring whatever it is they have agree back to the Gambia for it to be decided at the National Assembly.”

Ousainu Colley popularly known as Ousainu Gambia said: “We understand that diplomacy works from country to country but this is the constitution of the Gambia we are talking about.

“This is a law that directly affects Gambians, it is something that is going to affect me or you more than Jonathan or any other so it’s something that the Gambians should have their 100% voice on. Therefore before we listen to any other we should listen to ourselves.

“We have the national assembly representing the people ,the executive presenting the people so if we really want to give the constitution a second trial let them come together and we solve it in our own Gambian way.”

At least 41 migrants drowned off the Libyan coast in a shipwreck, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Wednesday.

According to testimonies of the 77 migrants who were rescued by a commercial vessel, a total of 120 people were on a dinghy that left Libya on Feb. 18, including six women, one of whom was pregnant, and four children, UNHCR and IOM said in a statement.

“Tens of thousands of persons travelling along the route through Libya to the Central Mediterranean have fallen victim to unspeakable brutality at the hands of traffickers and militias,” the statement said.

Migrants who were rescued and returned to Libya are forced into arbitrary detention and risk becoming victims of abuse, violence and major human rights violations, the statement said.

IOM and UNHCR reiterated that Libya “cannot be considered a safe port and that every effort must be made to ensure that persons rescued at sea are not sent back there.”

Due to the state of insecurity and chaos in the North African nation following the overthrow of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, thousands of immigrants, mostly Africans, chose to cross the Mediterranean from Libya towards Europe.

Some 160 migrants have died in the Central Mediterranean, while more than 3,500 others were rescued and returned to Libya so far this year, the statement said. (XINHUA)

GMC leader Mai Ahmad Fatty has said truth will ‘always’ triumph amid a trip to Nigeria to participate in talks alongside his compatriots.

The nation’s political leaders including Fatty left the country earlier this week to meet Goodluck Jonathan over the draft constitution. And it was Fatty who first publicly dropped a hint of the trip by posting a photo of himself, Mamma Kandeh and Dr Ismaila Ceesay.

And writing on Thursday, Mai Fatty said: “There is nothing between truth and falsehood except what is false. When the truth shifts its ground, even by an inch, it loses its status as the truth. Truth will always triumph.

“Politics is NOT a game. It’s not simply about winning or losing. It’s about the truth, principle and morality. These are the cardinal pillars of our political philosophy.”

The leaders are now on their way home after talks concluded on Wednesday.

A 25-year-old woman has died after contracting coronavirus taking the number of people who died from the disease to 147.

According to the health ministry, the woman had an underlying health problem of diabetes.

The ministry also disclosed 24 new cases have been registered bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases ever confirmed in the country to 4,640.

Those who have contracted the disease newly are between the ages of three months and 86 years.

The nation’s political leaders have left Nigeria and are currently transiting in Lome, Togo ahead of their arrival Thursday evening.

More than a dozen of political party leaders travelled to Nigeria on Monday for talks over the draft constitution. The talks however failed.

They have now left Nigeria and are due back Thursday evening, The Fatu Network understands.

The man between them, Goodluck Jonathan, will fly into the country on March 8.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday revoked a proclamation made by his predecessor blocking many green card applicants from entering the United States, Reuters reports.

Former President Donald Trump issued the ban last year, saying it was needed to protect US workers amid high unemployment due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The ban included visas for work in high-tech industries and a range of others for low-skill workers, interns, teachers, managers and au pairs in the H-1B, H-4, H-2B, L-1 and J categories, and company transfers.

Biden rejected that reasoning in a proclamation on Wednesday rescinding the visa ban. The Democratic president said it had prevented families from reuniting in the United States and harmed US businesses.

“The suspension of entry imposed in Proclamation 10014… does not advance the interests of the United States. To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here,” Biden said.

Biden, pledged to reverse many of Trump’s hardline immigration policies. Business groups and immigrant advocates pressed in recent weeks for him to lift the visa ban, which was set to expire on March 31.

The reversal means that thousands of foreigners who had expected to wait until the end of March for the chance to apply for the coveted visas can now do so immediately.

U.S.-based tech companies use H-1B visas to hire highly skilled workers, including engineers, IT specialists and architects from outside of the country. The companies claim there is a shortage of U.S.-resident talent. The visas are good for three years and can be renewed for a second three-year term. Prior to the shutdown, about 65,000 visas were issued each year.

Critics say they serve as loopholes for businesses seeking to undercut American salaries because companies can pay foreign workers less.

Biden left in place another ban on most foreign temporary workers.

Presidential Proclamation 10052, which continues to block certain work visa applicants from entering the U.S. during the country’s economic recovery from the pandemic, as well as rules blocking visa issuance to applicants in the Schengen area, Iran, China, Brazil and South Africa, remains in place for now. (CGTN Africa)

Talks with Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, Nigeria geared towards shaping a consensus around the beleaguered draft constitution has failed to produce a breakthrough.

Gambia political leaders are in Nigeria for talks over the draft constitution as the charter remains trapped in uncertainty following its collapse in parliament last year.

The leaders have been bitterly split over it and former Nigerian leader Goodluck Jonathan has since been spearheading dialogue among them.

The dialogue process has now taken them to Nigeria but a deal could not be reached after three days of talks, one person familiar with the talks told The Fatu Network.

All leaders but UDP’s Darboe agreed for the knocking out of the so-called retroactive clause which would have condemned President Barrow to just one new five-year term in office if the new constitution is adopted, with his current term counted. UDP’s disagreement on this means there was no deal.

Still, the whole process has now been thrown into further uncertainty after the UDP also dissented over the way and manner the draft constitution should be returned to parliament.

Parties have conceded to the idea of changes to be made to the draft before its re-submission in parliament but UDP has rejected that idea and wants the draft to remain unaltered and be taken to parliament as it is.

President Adama Barrow on Wednesday met with the ambassadors of Spain and Belgium, a day after meeting with those of Cote D’Ivoire and Italy.

State House said: “After receiving the Letters of Credence of The Spanish Ambassador, H.E Olga Cabarga Gomez, President Barrow recognised the support provided to the Gambians living in Spain in particular, through skills transfer, while promoting bilateral cooperation in the areas of tourism and the manufacturing industry. He said such investments would create youth employment opportunities and help curb migration.

“The Spanish Ambassador extended best wishes to the President from the King of Spain noting that she felt honoured to be accredited to The Gambia.

“Additionally, she stated that she would further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries by encouraging more Spanish Investors and bring more tourists to The Gambia.”

“We have a big community of Gambians in Spain that are working hard for both the success of Spain and The Gambia. This means our relationship is stronger and we looking for ways to make it even stronger,’’ she noted, according to State House.

With a population of forty-five (45,000) thousand, Spain has the largest concentration of Gambians, while the Gambia is home to one thousand (1000) Spaniards, State House said.

“For the Belgian Ambassador, H.E. Hubert Roisin, the relationship between The Gambia and the Kingdom of Belgium is manifested daily by the frequency of Brussels Airlines entering and leaving the Gambia. He praised the trade links between The Gambia and the cities in Belgium, stating that it extends across sectors. He also highlighted the EU-funded cooperation that is currently creating decent jobs for young people in The Gambia through agriculture while commending the cooperation between the Belgium Port of Ghent and The Gambia Ports Authority.

“On the relationship with Belgium, President Barrow observed the special interest Belgium has in The Gambia and said there is potential to enhance trade and tourism for the mutual interest of both countries. On the promotion of tourism, Brussels Airline already contributes to air travel with at least five flights per week.

“The Belgian Development Agency is also supporting The Gambia with its transitional programme and other areas of mutual interest through the European Union.”

Karpowership on Wednesday gave $5,000 (D250,000) cash to Omar Malick Islamic Centre – and also rice and oil to the same centre worth D75,000.

In a joint ceremony at Karpowership’s office in Fajara, the company also gave $1,500 to Gambia Maritime Administration towards the administration’s plan of building a walk bridge for Gambians who cross the river on canoes between Banjul and Barra.

The country manager of Karpowership Yankuba Mamburay said the gestures were part of his company’s corporate social responsibility.

“We do place corporate social responsibility as a high priority because we believe that we should be giving back to the people,” he said.

Karpowership since coming to the country in 2018 has and continues to extend a hand of generosity to Gambian citizens and institutions.

Karpowership has used past Muslim feasts to give food to the needy; the company has also supported fishermen with fishing gear while it has also supported the nation’s biggest hospital EFSTH by helping the baby’s ward with water. In the education sector, the company helped refurbished the national library branch in Brikama and later donated computers and books to the library. The company also supported the National Environment Agency during clean-up exercises.

Last year, the company donated five ventilators to the health ministry worth more than five million dalasis and has alsod bought 1000s of face masks and gave it to various institutions.

Gambia’s electricity fortunes have registered remarkable turnaround since the arrival of Karpowership in May, 2018.

“When we came here, we all knew the situation of electricity in this country; blackout was the order of the day but we were able to stabilize electricity supply in this country since when we came in. For that we are grateful to the government of The Gambia and also our partner NAWEC for giving us the opportunity to serve this country.

“We know that our primary mandate is electricity generation but we have gone beyond that. We have seen to it that we should go over and above just providing our contractual obligation which is electricity generation. We also have some statutory legal obligation which we have been fulfilling satisfactorily including to institutions like Public Utility Regulatory Authority, Gambia Maritime Authority, Gambia Revenue Authority, National Environment Agency and so many other agencies in the country,” Yankuba Mamburay said on Wednesday during the presentation of money and food to Omar Malick Islamic Centre and Gambia Maritime Administration.

Top Imam at Omar Malick Islamic Centre Imam Bojang said: “We thank Karpowership for this kind gesture; it will benefit us a lot.”

Abbas Saidykhan of Gambia Maritime Administration said: “We have a lot of challenges where people are dropped in the water or their items damaged. So the administration tasked with the mandate of ensuring safe usage of our waters among others deemed it necessary to intervene.

“We thank Karpower[ship] very much for this kind gesture towards improving safety and safe usage of the Gambian waters.”

Ousman Muhammed Cham community leader from Sukuta said: “We can only thank them (Karpowership) for this kind gesture and I hope the money will be used in the best manner, to serve the children in the quranic center.”

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) has given thresher machines to farmers in Central River Region.

In a colorful ceremony held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021, at the Governor’s office in CRR, TIKA handed over four thresher machines to the farmers in CRR through the Governor of CRR Abba Sanyang.

The Turkey embassy in a press release said: “The machines donated by TIKA will be used in processing groundnut and millet with the objective of mitigating post-harvest losses.

“The handing over ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to The Gambia H.E Tolga Bermek, Governor of CRR Hon. Sheriff Abba Sanyang, the Coordinator of TIKA Banjul Office Mr. Mehmet Akif Eyigun, chiefs of districts in CRR and the regional directors of agriculture and health respectively.

“In his speech, the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to The Gambia H.E Tolga Bermek reiterated the brotherly relations between Turkey and The Gambia which is bearing the fruits of strong cooperation between the two countries in many areas. He stated that TIKA has come up with this timely support in response to the hardship of the farmers in CRR. He went further to thank TIKA for this kind donation and hope that such support by TIKA will continue with a broader scope in The Gambia.

“In his remarks, the Coordinator of TIKA Banjul Office Mr. Mehmet Akif Eyigun stated that this was not the first time CRR is benefiting from TIKA’s support. He stated that under the Covid-19 Mitigation Project initiated by TIKA Banjul Office, CRR benefited from hand washing facilities, face masks, and food items. He finally thanked the Governor of CRR for the mutual cooperation and expressed his hope that the donated machines will be put into good use.

“On his part, the Governor of CRR Hon. Sheriff stated that before the coming of these machines, farmers in his region relied on machines coming from Senegal to thresh their groundnut and millet. He stated without any doubt that the thresher machines will ensure efficiency in the processing of groundnut and millet in CRR. Finally, he extended his profound gratitude to TIKA and promised that the donated machines will be handled with utmost care.”

By Sarjo Brito

Niamina Kudang Village in CRR was the scene of a gruesome discovery on Wednesday morning February 24th, following the brutal alleged murder of one Bambo Darboe. Darboe, who was 56 years old at the time of his demise was allegedly hacked to death by his killer using a cutlass.

Police PRO Superintendent Lamin Njie confirmed an incident of a man suspected to have been murdered to The Fatu Network.

“We can confirm the incident of suspected murder of 56-year-old Bambo Darboe at Niamina Kudang Village in the Central River Region. The body was discovered in the early hours of today Wednesday 24th February 2021.

“An Investigation has been immediately opened into the matter. Members of the public who wish to support the investigation by volunteering information on the condition of anonymity are encouraged to do so,” Njie said.

Reacting to news of the savage attack, National Assembly Member for Niamina East Omar Ceesay said this is worrying not only for the people of Kudang, but the entire Niamina as this has been the third person to suffer similar attacks in the region in less than six months.

Honourable Ceesay said he is calling on the office of the Inspector General of Police to get to the bottom of things and bring whoever is responsible before the law.