The Fatu Network Heroes Awards 2021 event will not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the chairperson of the awards committee.

The Fatu Network last year established the program of recognizing and celebrating Gambians who have offered invaluable service to the country and to their communities. Former Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou won last year’s TFN Man of the Year award.

This year’s event has however been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the chairperson of the Awards Committee Fatou Mambouray said in a statement.

She said: “After careful consideration of the ongoing spread of COVID-19 both domestically and internationally, it is with deep regret that we announce the postponement of what would have been the 2nd Annual Fatu Network Heroes Awards. The decision was a tough call to make, but we believe that adhering to the World Health Organization’s Coronavirus prevention guidelines is the least we can do to play our part in prioritizing the health and safety of our community.

“We also find it important to note that the state of the pandemic has since escalated as the emergence of new variants of the virus are causing much global concern. The more contagious new strain has already been detected on our continent and not much information is known regarding the repercussions.

“Last year, we had a fruitful and well attended event, this year the theme is to avoid the 3C’s: spaces that are either Closed, Crowded, and/or insinuate close Contact. Nonetheless, we continue to urge the permanently inspired Gambians across all sectors doing their best to move our nation forward! The Fatu Network Heroes Awards will pick up where it left off at the first sign of a safer climate. Until then, keep being agents for change whilst keeping global best practices in mind. We are watching and cannot wait to highlight your efforts when the time comes!

“Our sympathies are with those who have been affected by the pandemic, losing loved ones due to these vaguely unpredictable times. And our appreciation lies with those continually making strides towards a Covid-free Gambia.”

Teacher-turned-musician Mam Tamsir Njie has died, according to sources close his family.

Njie died Wednesday morning. He was aged 64.

Essa Faal on Wednesday tore into Baba Saho a former official of the NIA after he tried to suggest the TRRC counsel wasn’t the one doing all the work at the TRRC, although he looked so to many.

“If you talk about the TRRC, the first person they will talk about is Essa Faal…,” Saho who was testifying on allegations of torture said.

“Look Mr Chair, it’s the same example we received yesterday it’s the same example Bishop objected to, they are playing from the same hymn book. They are one and the same, Peter and Paul. They are giving us the same crap. They are feeding us the same falsehood,” Essa Faal said. He was referring to Foday Barry who had made similar comments when he appeared before the TRRC on Tuesday. The duo worked together at the NIA.

“So you wouldn’t allow me to land?” Baba Saho fired back at Essa Faal

Faal said he could not because “you’re feeding us the same falsehood that we heard yesterday”.

“You’re depriving me of my right to talk,” Saho told Faal.

Faal in responding said: “No, I’m not depriving you of your right to talk. I’m telling you the commission is not accepting or receiving that answer because it’s the same falsehood we received yesterday.”

“Whether it’s the same answer or not, you’re denying me,” Saho insisted.

Faal then said: “It’s so shocking, it’s disappointing, it’s laughable that you and Foday Barry will give exactly the same answers, using exactly the same words. It is laughable. This is not a game.”

Later on Wednesday, Faal clashed with Saho again when the lawyer said what the former NIA official saw as being popular could be seen as notoriety.

“I think that’s an insult, Mr chairman that’s an insult,” Saho told Faal.

“I’m characterizing the evidence,” Faal replied.

“No, you’re characterizing us. You said ‘this is why you’re so notorious’,” Saho fired back.

Faal responded that the witnesses said “you were torturers”.

“Mr chairman please I don’t expect that word from him that we are so notorious,” Saho responded.

The TRRC chairman in intervening said Faal was placing on record what witnesses say. Saho again reacted that he did not expect that from Faal.

“I will not apologise for saying that. The same stunt was pulled yesterday. ‘Withdraw that word, don’t use rude’,” Faal said.

At least nine people all accused Saho of torturing them but according to the former top investigator, “there’s never a time that I tortured these people”.

Senegal opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on Wednesday visited a hospital in Dakar where a supporter of his who got injured in Monday’s protests is receiving medical care.

Sonko has been sweating after a beautician accused him of repeatedly sexually assaulting her. The politician has denied the allegations.

His supporters on Monday clashed with police after they converged at his house in Dakar in show of support.

The woman said the PASTEF leader allegedly sexually assaulted her during the politician’s massage trips to a massage parlour where she works.

Police have been trying to interview Sonko but the politician who is a member of parliament says an immunity protection bars it.

Three Years Jotna officials who were arrested and charged over a protest last year have vowed they are prepared to settle for Mile 2, accusing the police of trying to abuse the ‘system’ against them.

Nine top officials of the advocacy group were arrested and charged with various crimes after violent protests against President Barrow’s rule in January last year.

The officials appeared in court on Wednesday where the state said it wanted to withdraw the case. The officials were then allegedly re-arrested and detained at police headquarters.

Speaking from an office at the police headquarters, Yankuba Darboe one of the officials said: “This should never be condoned by anybody. I call on the bar association, I call on every conscious Gambian to stand up against this brute barbarity. This is nonsense. It’s an abuse of our judicial process.

“We have no confidence in going to any other court with these people and the charges that they brought against us because we know they will abuse the process. What they will do is bring those charges, as soon as they know they’re about to lose, they will withdraw it and be charged again.  How is anybody gonna get justice in that kind of system. If that is the system, we’re happy to be in Mile 2 and we will remain in Mile 2 until this government goes.”

Abdou Njie the chairman of the group said: “They never win a case. Whoever they go to court with wins them because they do not know what they are doing. But Gambians never learn. The police Yahya Jammeh used are the same police who are doing things and these are the people who would also say in future they were forced to do it. But the days of impunity is over. Everyone will pay for whatever you do. But we know who are behind it. It’s [Mamour] Jobe and the SIS director Ousman Sowe.”

“They brought us here and charged us again. They can do whatever they like but we’re not going to give any new statement,” Sheriffo Sonko confirming their detention told The Fatu Network.

TRRC chairman Dr Lamin Sise on Tuesday reprimanded Foday Barry after the former NIA top official tried to make Essa Faal less mysterious.

“Let me tell you one thing about Mr Essa Faal: everybody would think that Essa Faal is doing everything, he’s the master, brain or whatever in the TRRC but it is not,” Barry said to Faal who was pressing him on events that took place at the NIA. Faal was left shaking his head and speechless.

“Objection to that Mr Chairman,” the TRRC’s Commissioner Odico quickly blasted.

The probe’s chairman Dr Lamin Sise intervening told Barry he was not before the commission to speak on personalities.

“No comments on any person here. That’s not what you’ve been brought here to testify to. Stick with your statement. You’re here to testify on what we’re investigating, not commenting on individuals,” Sise said.

When the former NIA director of investigations tried to interjected, Sise got riled saying: “Please can I just finish? You’re here under a particular set of procedures, we’re very polite with witnesses that come here, our rules require us to do that.

“You have to obey the rules that this commission operates under, not come here and then start commenting on personalities and individuals here in the commission.”

During his testimony before the TRRC on Tuesday, Barry denied allegations of torture against him including claims by Balo Kanteh that he tortured him.

The Gambia’s time at the WAFU U-17 Championship in Senegal is following its disqualification by the Confederation of African Football CAF.

The Gambia Football Federation said on Tuesday its delegation at the championship received a “letter from the WAFU Executive Director that CAF has disqualified the Gambia U-17 Team because some player(s) failed the Competition MRI Test without specifying the name of number of players”.

“The Federation would like to state that all our players that are taking part the Competition were tested and passed the test by the CAF medical personnel.

“The GFF is protesting/appeal against the decision and the general public will be informed accordingly,” the federation said in a statement.

All three numbers of UDP big-gun Suku Singhateh have not worked amid reports he has flipped to National People Party.

Singhateh was recently tapped by UDP as its administrative secretary responsible for social and fundraising. If true, he will become the latest high profile name to have left UDP since Dembo Byforce Bojang.

National People’s Party TV and NPP supporters were first to say Singhateh converted to NPP. He attended a meeting on Tuesday that was also graced by President Adama Barrow. The UDP official however was seen declining to be interviewed by NPP TV, whose reporter was saying the whole time that he has joined NPP.

A number of UDP officials close to the politician said the reports of him leaving the party were not true. However, a number of top NPP officials told The Fatu Network the reports are true.

All three numbers of Singhateh could not be reached since on Tuesday evening while The Fatu Network had tried to reach him through his wife which also proved futile.

The IT Association of The Gambia (ITAG) has said it’s dismayed by the Internet outage that occurred on Tuesday 9th February around 7am.

“In a space of five weeks, The Gambia has seen four internet outages ranging from four hours to over 10 hours.

“ITAG as the umbrella body of all ICT companies in The Gambia would like to highlight the effect this downtime has had on not only its membership but the public and private sector.

“The economic effect of these outages when calculated are in the millions across the tech industry alone. Where more and more businesses are working online and struggling with the effects of the pandemic, Internet outages have compounded the losses businesses have incurred significantly, causing some to close shop temporarily,” ITAG said in a statement.

Beran Dondeh Gillen the President of ITAG said, according to the statement: “The Internet is the heart of every company, in these pandemic times were systems work more online than offline. These outages have not only an economic and financial impact but also a social impact that affects our lives and livelihood.

It is therefore pertinent that the right policies are put in place and implemented to ensure redundancy in our access to critical resources such as the Internet.”

Internet went down in The Gambia again on Tuesday disrupting work in all sectors of the economy.

Internet last Tuesday went down in the country lasting six hours, causing major disruptions. President Barrow could not attend the ECOWAS videoconference meeting because of the internet outage.

A similar nationwide outage began on Tuesday February 9 and lasted over eight hours. Service provider Africell said it was due to an outage on the ‘backup’ cable.

An 84-year-old woman has died of coronavirus taking the country’s fatalities to 135, according to the ministry of health.

The woman was until her demise admitted at one of the main hospitals and had her sample collected while she was still alive, the health ministry said.

She had a long-standing comorbid condition prior to manifesting symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, the ministry said.

This, as the ministry said 65 new cases were registered bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases ever confirmed in the country to 4,302. Of these, 20, 23 and 22 cases were confirmed on the 5th, 6th and 7th February respectively, the ministry said.

By Ousman Jatta

Environment Minister Lamin B. Dibba on Monday confirmed 22 containers filled with timber logs have been seized with the alleged owner facing trial.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Dibba said a lot of people will not understand why the government is asking citizens not to cut trees.

According to the minister, he in 2019 ordered his ministry to conduct a reassessment of all the landing sites through the northern part of the country where the timber are coming from, adding “we have realized that there has been a significant drop in the wood because of the several [arrests] made”.

“Before business we must have a sustainable production and consumption. That cannot be done without a healthy environment. Healthy environment promotes the livelihood of people and equally as well promoting its economy,” Dibba noted.

Since the change of government in 2016, dozens of Gambian trucks loaded with timber have been intercepted by Senegalese security forces especially those at the Bwiam Military Checkpoint.

Gambia Action Party has issued a statement over the extension of the mandate of the ECOWAS military mission in The Gambia.

The statement reads;

The Gambia Action Party is committed to the security of our nation and we are conscious of the fact that the recent joint communique from the ECOWAS leaders to have extended the mandate of ECOMIG forces in the Gambia for another twelve months with new detachments due in the Gambia from Ivory Coast, Senegal, Togo and Ghana with policing roles. As an institution directly with the people, GAP has taken a preceding view and approached the oval office to provide sufficient justification that warrants the extension of the ECOMIG forces and we were referred to the Minister Of Interior. We believe in the method of dialogue and not insurgent behaviour that will further polarise our nation.

Since the very beginning of GAP, we promised to safeguard the security system of the Gambia and the recent decision made by our government does not only position the nation into  fragility or brittleness but created fear and uncertainty surrounding our people and places our sovereignty to a possible adverse outcome that could be perilous in future.

In our recommendations shared with the Minister Of Interior, we urged the government of the Gambia to be committal to the Security Security Reform as no earnest action is made necessary to implement the reform agendas and the current state of the Gambia is not a post conflict scenario that allows military intervention. We called the attention of the government for its failure to ensure parliamentary approval or writ as a body directly representing the public interest. On the equally footing, we recommended for the arrival of security personnel from Ghana,  Nigeria and Sierra Leone for being in the commonwealth with the Gambia and practices the same criminal justice act to provide for compensation if some specified cases or risks occur and that differs from the procedures in Senegal, Togo and Ivory Coast.

Their policing mandate order shall be in derivation of the Inspector General of The Gambia Police Force to shape their operations without infringement on the sovereign owners of the Gambia when the service is required. We urged the government to restore the sovereignty and be versatile enough to condemn acts that contravene our peaceful coexistence. We recommended for dialogue with all the relevant stakeholders and the party leaders inclusive on the national discourse and ceaselessly communicate to the people on all the latest developments. The stabilization of the Gambia must be considered by all and sundry as we are conscious of how divisiveness led to the destruction in many parts of Africa, the Gambia will not trend on such trajectory.

We are conscious of the roles played by the ECOMIG forces after the 2016 presidential election and remain grateful for the support as a party and nation, we recommended for their withdrawal tactics which should have been done in the first year of President Barrow in office. We are calling on all the ECOWAS leaders to remain in the service of the sub region and not consolidation of self perpetuating cultures in governance or a perceived standard of higher behaviour for going against the will of the people. The recent political turmoil in Guinea Conakry and Ivory Coast clearly substantiate this claim and evidence based enough for military intervention but why Gambia?

We call on all the political leaders and their surrogates to maintain law and order, protect our jovial relationship as we venture into an election year. History will assess every Gambian based on patriotic efforts geared towards national unity and oneness. In 2021, the future of our nation lies in the hands of sixteen people and must all be responsible enough to avoid a replica of 2016.

We thank the government to have given us the chance and outlined our recommendations that could possibly avert the security threats surrounding our nation. It’s time to rethink and rebuild our HOMELAND.

Secretary General and Party Leader of GAP,

Hon. Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly.

Dr Ismaila Ceesay slammed on Monday it is ‘unjustifiable’ to outlaw inter-school athletic competition but allow super music concerts and political gatherings to take place.

Singer ST launched his album this past Saturday at the Independence Stadium attended by thousands of fans.

It came days after President Barrow launched his party at the same venue attended by thousands.

The government has however banned inter-school athletic competition in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus – in an astonishing show of inconsistency.

According to Dr Ceesay, it’s unjustifiable to bar students from taking part in their annual athletic competition where you allow super music concerts and political gatherings to take place.

“The political leaders, myself included, have failed to show leadership at a time when it is needed to fight the virus,” Dr Ceesay said in a tweet on Monday.

A surge in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is feared in The Gambia as COVID-19 disrupts learning and programmes that help protect girls from this harmful practice, UNICEF and UNPFA warn ahead of a high-level event to commemorate International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM on Tuesday.

The event, to be graced by the Vice President Her Excellency Dr Isatou Touray and other stakeholders, is being jointly organized by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, UNFPA and UNICEF to galvanize national efforts and strengthen partnerships to eliminate FGM in the country.

Over the years, The Gambia has registered remarkable progress in eliminating FGM. Between 2010 and 2018, FGM among children 0-4 years old has dropped by 10 per cent to 27 per cent, the two UN agencies said in a statement on Monday.

Huge gains have also been made in changing perceptions with 49 per cent of women now openly saying FGM should stop, they said.

“Evidently, our collective work has translated into great progress in eliminating this human rights abuse”, said Kunle Adeniyi, UNFPA The Gambia Representative, according to the agencies.

“But while we take pride in our achievements, we must be more resolute to protect every girl and woman from FGM, including the 27 per cent of young girls who continue to undergo the practice,” Adeniyi added, according to the statement.

Even before COVID-19, reports of a widespread practice of FGM in The Gambia were rife, despite its criminalization, the agencies said. The outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic has made the Sustainable Development Goals target of ending FGM by 2030 an even more ambitious commitment, the agencies said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted critical programmes and shuttered schools, leaving many girls vulnerable and at increased risk of FGM,” said Gordon Jonathan Lewis, UNICEF The Gambia Representative, according to the statement.

“That is why we insist that schools must remain open at the slightest opportunity and that all measures must be taken to support programmes that help protect girls,” Lewis added according to the statement.

An Ado Ekiti High Court has sentenced one Farotimi Samuel 27 to life imprisonment for conspiracy and rape.

In her testimony the victim said, she went to buy garri  and sugar, while on her way home, she was waylaid by three men, who covered her mouth and later took her to an uncompleted building where they all had sex with her adding that she can recognise the accused person among them.

According to the charge sheet, the act was committed on or about the 29/01/2018 at oke-ureje, Federal Polytechnic road, Ado Ekiti, the accused conspired with others at large to rape a 14yr old girl, contrary to sections 516 of the Criminal code, 31 of the Child Right Law, Cap C16 and C7, laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

In his judgement, justice Adekunle Adeleye said “I hold that the prosecution has established the ingredients of the offence of rape against the defendant beyond reasonable  doubt, he is found  guilty as charged he is hereby sentenced to life imprisonment.”

To prove his case, the prosecutor Mr Olawale Fapohunda called five witnesses, while the accused confessional statement was tendered as exhibit.

The accused spoke in his own defence through his counsel Chris Omokhafe and called no witness. (Vanguard Nigeria)

Essa Faal departed from his promise of being courteous to former NIA director of operations Salmina Drammeh by blasting him for lying to the TRRC.

Drammeh had earlier on, on Monday complained that it was wrong to tell an ‘elderly’ person he is lying.

“I’m ashamed to tell you that you lied,” Faal told Drammeh when he began his testimony before the TRRC on Monday morning. The witness had testified he knew about only two torture incidents at the NIA.

“You don’t tell an elderly person that you are lying,” Drammeh told Faal. Faal then rowed back a little by saying he would now use the word ‘false’ instead of ‘lie’.

Drammeh continued his testimony Monday afternoon which saw Faal not living up to the pledge.

The witness got Faal frustrated when he said former rebel Balo Kanteh was lying when he said security officials began beating him at the gate of the NIA, as soon as he entered.

“He is lying,” Drammeh told Faal who asked him whether the ex-rebel was lying.

Essa Faal then blasted: “Mr witness, I am sorry to tell you if there is anyone lying about this it’s you. Mr witness you told the commission a little while ago, five minutes ago that when the guy arrived and alighted from the vehicle, all of you guys were emotional, you descended on him and he was being beaten as he was taken away to the hall.

“I said mob justice and you said I am giving a legal description. I asked you to give a factual description and I asked you two times. You did not answer that question and we moved on. I can remember exactly what you said.”

Drammeh who looked unhappy fired back: “Counsel, are you trying to play on my intelligence or what? Did I say on arrival at the gate I was present?”

Faal then countered: “No, you said he was being beaten from there, [that] all of you descended on him, you’re beating him as he was being carried away.”

A top rebel commander who was forced out of his base in Casamance by the Senegalese military has retreated further in the north with his fighters, according to Senego.

The Senegalese army last week seized Sane’s base in Sikoun alongside another base after heavy bombardment. The top rebel then fled with his fighters.

According to Senego, the town of Sikoun which lies near Senegal’s border with Guinea Bissau had been a sanctuary for MFDC rebels but the Senegalese army has now regained control of the area. There hasn’t been much media coverage around the Senegalese army’s recent operation in Casamance, according Senego.

MFDC rebels have been fighting for the independence of southern Senegal since 1982.

Senegal’s top opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been gripped by allegations of rape following a massage parlour scandal.

-What we know-

Sonko is Senegal leader Macky Sall’s biggest opponent but recent days have seen the opposition leader sweating after he got accused by a woman of rape.

The opposition leader himself broke his silence on Sunday saying no one could really believe what is being peddled – that he repeatedly sexually assaulted a woman at gunpoint at a massage parlour he’s been frequenting.

Sonko admitted on Sunday he sought massage therapy at a massage parlour that belongs to a married woman.

He said he is ill and doctors recommended that he undergoes massage therapy.

He said two ladies are always in the room when he is being massaged – and that it was his Oustadh who said he could be massaged by women if it’s on health grounds.