Commentator Madi Jobarteh has called on the country’s political leaders to cooperate as they share the same objective: to be president.

The national air has been filled with attacks and counter attacks by the country’s political leaders and according to Jobarteh “the level of castigation and contempt between our political leaders is a threat to national unity”.

“If indeed our leaders have no interest only to serve the people from the bottom of their heart then why all this anger, ego, self righteousness and vain grandstanding amidst accusations and counter accusations, and misinformation and disinformation,” Jobarteh wrote on Friday.

He argued further: “We the citizens must not tolerate such low level leadership. After all we make individuals to be leaders hence it is we, the people who are the actual leaders and the leaders are merely our followers. Therefore let’s demand leadership that we deserve according to our narrative and not to live in the narrative of so-called leaders!

“We need humble, honest and accommodating leaders so that our best interest, as a people, could be served and served well. We don’t need leaders who are dismissive and suspicious of each other and then we get divided accordingly. Then what kind of a nation are we? We need leaders who unite us and not divide us!

“Since Independence in 1970 Gambians are divided by no one except our leaders. Let’s stop that by holding our leaders accountable and make them humble, honest and tolerant to each other. If it is not the President accusing and insulting opposition leaders rest assured it is opposition leaders insulting and disrespecting each other or the President.

“Not long ago President Barrow baselessly said some opposition leaders wanted to sell The Gambia only for us to see two top leaders – Sidia Jatta and Ousainou Darboe engage in throwing dirt on each other, not to mention Hamat Bah who recently disrespectfully described some fellow leaders as dirimo! Yet all of them base their arguments only on unverifiable hearsay and opinion but no one takes responsibility! How can such attitude unite us as a nation!? Shameful.

“I don’t follow any leader who disregards, disrespects, insults and divides our people! Let our leaders emulate Citizen Alliance leader Dr. Ismaila Çeesay who is making effort to visit fellow party leaders to cooperate. That’s peace and unity! After all, if everyone’s interest is to serve The Gambia then why the fighting over strategy when the objectives are the same! Let our leaders cooperate waay!”

US Ambassador Richard C. Paschall on Friday briefed Foreign Minister Dr Momodou Tangara on President Joe Biden’s Executive Actions on the World Health Organization and other aspects of the global COVID-19 battle, border security, and rejoining the Paris Climate Accords.

The foreign ministry put out a statement of the meeting saying Foreign Minister Tangara used the opportunity to “convey messages of best wishes and congratulations from His Excellency President Adama Barrow and Vice President Dr. Isatou Touray to His Excellency President Joe Biden and Vice President Her Excellency Kamala Harris”.

The statement added: “He (Dr Tangara) expressed optimism that there would be a new rise of multilateralism that would yield greater social and economic prosperity and security. He said the Biden administration’s decision to reposition the US in the World Health Organisation, rejoining the Paris Climate Accord and enforcing border security renewed confidence among nations. He said The Gambia is looking forward to strengthening bilateral relations with the United States in areas captured in the National Development Plan (NDP) of The Gambia.

“For his part, the Ambassador of the United States, H.E. Richard C. Paschall, informed Foreign Minister Tangara that the US has rejoined the Paris Climate Accord and reengaged with the World Health Organisation (WHO). He said President Biden issued a proclamation to reverse the banning of citizens of certain Muslim countries from entering the United States amongst others.

“Ambassador Paschall said the US will revive development assistance programmes that were stopped as a result of the autocratic nature in which The Gambia was governed during the past 22 years. He assured that more engagements would be done with the Ministry of Health and support will be given to a lot of areas in the National Development Plan (NDP) of the Government of The Gambia. These amongst other pertinent issues were the subject of their discussion.”

An ambitious policy that seeks to ensure 75% of the nation’s homes have affordable access to actual download and upload of at least 5 Mbps by 2022 has been adopted by cabinet.

President Barrow and his ministers on Thursday sat over a number of policy documents during a cabinet session at State House.

According to the Information Minister Ebrima Sillah, he presented the National Broadband Policy 2020 – 2024 during the meeting.

The vision of the Broadband Policy is to transform The Gambia into a knowledge – based economy that thrives on accessible, secure and high – speed connection within an open access regime and robust broadband ecosystem, he said.

“The National Broadband Policy has put in place targets that by June 2021, all operators to be connected to the ECOWAN on an open access basis in the provision of last mile solutions;

“That By the end of 2021 The Gambia should have another connectivity as alternative to GSC-ACE Cable that is to serve as a reliable backup for the country;

“By 2022, at least 75% of homes should have affordable access to actual download and upload of at least 5 Mbps.

“By 2024, almost 85% of the population should have affordable and increase access to broadband coverage of 4G;

“Expand broadband services to all local government areas and districts and to have 75% digital literacy amongst the government workforce and 65% digital literacy of the total National workforce including by 2024,” he said.

Cabinet have agreed to splash the cash on required equipment for the police for them to be able to take part in UN and other peacekeeping missions around the world.

President Barrow and his ministers held a cabinet session on Thursday, the first of its kind since the start of 2021.

According to Information Minister Ebrima Sillah, Minister Interior presented a paper on the procurement of equipment for the deployment of a Formed Police Unit (FPU) by The Gambia Police Force to any United Nations and other Peacekeeping Mission.

“The need to have a credible and effective peacekeeping force requires the acquisition of critical peacekeeping enablers and other specialized equipment. Providing the necessary specialized training is also part of the requirements for the deployment of a quick reaction force.

“Cabinet was informed that The Gambia Police Force has already started the generation of forces and preparation of training modules in accordance with the UN Formed Police Unit training standards.

“It is important to note that there are set of factors for The Gambia to support the UN, AU and ECOWAS missions with troops as part of the country’s global responsibility, regional dynamics and national interests.

“After a thorough discussion, Cabinet approved the paper by the Hon Minister of Interior for the procurement of equipment for the deployment of a Formed Police Unit (FPU) by The Gambia Police Force to a United Nations and any other Peacekeeping Missions around the world,” Sillah said in a statement.

By Ousman Jatta

The Bakau Fandema women’s horticultural garden at sting corner is home to many women gardeners but they are living in consternation amid rumours they could be asked to leave as the area amid a road expansion project.

“Our days are numbered here; we can be asked to leave this place any minute because there is a rumor circulating that they want to extend the road network around here. Whether they will come or not we are in the hands of God’’ Ma Saho one of the hardworking women explained.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected almost everyone in terms of their livelihood. Vegetable gardeners are not exception. Vegetable gardeners are mostly women and in Africa and they form 60% of the agricultural labour work force.

Kasamanding Barrow is the leader of the fandema women’s garden and according to her when aid is available only women at the central garden benefit.

“Even when the president’s aid arrive we are normally excluded,” Barrow said.

Juju Jawara another gardener said the start of the pandemic found them working in the garden.

“Our major problem is insecticides, and inadequate seed lings to increase production,” Jawara said.

A number of women operate at this garden. These women start their day as early as 7am. They work at the garden till sunset. It’s their only means of putting food on the Table.

By Ousman Jatta

Matarr Njie used to be a taxi driver. That’s what he’s ever done for a long time to earn a living. But he is nowadays a straw seller. The covid-19 pandemic has rattled the transport sector, and Matarr decided to change ventures and now sells straws along the highway.

‘’As a man you should be ready to do any job that comes your way’’ Njie explains.

Njie says the driving job was not working for him due to the impact of the pandemic on the transport sector. further

“I have no other option but to find another job that will earn me money.

“I thank God with my current job, because I use it to help my parents, and my owe family as well.

“If one job does not work for you another will,” Matarr says.

Ahmad Gitteh went after Ousainou Darboe on Thursday saying the UDP leader cannot compare himself with Sidia Jatta – putting his mouth into what is an entirely Sidia Jatta-and-Ousainou Darboe fight.

Sidia Jatta had claimed Darboe buried the coalition ‘when he came’ and that it was President Barrow who told him the UDP leader said he must make him foreign minister by crook or by hook.

The comments have since not sat well with UDP adherents and their leader Darboe blasted back at Sidia saying he now despises him for lying. Some UDP members have also along the way accused The Fatu Network of being anti-UDP.

Erstwhile UDP supporter Ahmad Gitteh put his mouth into the issue on Thursday going after Darboe in extraordinary fashion.

Gitteh said: “It’s Sidia Jatta who should despise you. When you were there, you accepted things. Sidia was there and he refused. He is still there but has never insulted Barrow. You were there and said Barrow is a prophet.

“It was you who said Adama Barrow is not corrupt, he’s content. Now you said Yahya Jammeh is better than Adama Barrow. Sidia is sitting and calm. He has been at the same disposition since at the outset when the coalition was being formed. It’s you who gets red, yellow and black and green.

“So how can such a person say he despises Sidia Jatta? People’s eyes are open and there are evidence. The spider thinks he has the best house when he has the worst house. I do not agree with Sidia Jatta regarding ideology but you cannot compare him with you in terms of integrity.”

On his first day in office, U.S. President Joe Biden reversed many of the unpopular and controversial immigration policies of his predecessor, including the 2017 travel ban on people from several predominantly Muslim countries.

President Biden signed an executive order ending the travel ban on citizens from more than a dozen countries, including Eritrea, Yemen, Nigeria and Sudan. It was one of six executive orders he signed which dealt specifically with U.S. immigration. The travel ban was originally criticized as a “Muslim ban” when Donald Trump first signed it. The Trump administration cited national security concerns at the time. The ban later included a few non majority-Muslim nations.

The move to repeal the ban has been hailed by several civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, which called the policy a “cruel Muslim ban that targeted Africans.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) also welcomed the move, calling it “an important first step toward undoing the anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant policies of the previous administration.”

“It is an important fulfillment of a campaign pledge to the Muslim community and its allies,” said Nihad Awad, head of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization.

The incoming president had referred to the policy as discriminatory. (CGTN Africa)

Seedy Njie threatened to end his interview with a Paradise TV reporter after she appeared to link National People’s Party to drugs.

Seedy Njie was left seething when Madinding Ceesay asked Njie to reacts to allegations NPP invested money into drugs only for those drugs to now be seized.

“If you go there we will end the interview. This is a serious allegation. I have never heard it anywhere what you’re telling us,” Seedy Njie told the reporter.

“We have nothing, we don’t know, we are not aware. Please don’t go there. I don’t want us to end the interview. I’m here because I respect you. I respect Harona and the institution. It’s a serious crime you’re labelling on the NPP. You see I don’t entertain foolish people,” the top NPP official said.

A back and forth then erupted as the reporter tried to explain to Njie that it was just an allegation. It then took a commercial break to separate the two.

The interview continued fives minutes later.

Members of the MFDC faction affiliated to Diamakoune Senghor have marked the 14th anniversary of the late rebel leader’s death.

Senghor remained a myth to many of people in Casamance until his death in February 13, 2007.

MFDC fighters on Wednesday celebrated the 14th anniversary of his death in Dialan Banta in Ziguinchor with a call for dialogue with President Macky Sall. The new president of the rebel faction is Edmond Bora who spoke to Sud Quotidien.

Bora became leader of the rebel faction following the assasination of Abdou Elinkine Diatta in 2019.

Madi Jobarteh has led calls for a ‘so-called’ cooperation agreement the Gambia government said it signed with Switzerland.

A government delegation led by Vice President Dr Isatou Touray earlier this month signed a deal on migration with Switzerland with Switzerland saying it involves deportation.

The foreign ministry had been tightlipped about it but it on Wednesday issued a press released confirming a deal has been signed.

Madi Jobarteh said shortly after the press release: “Where is the so-called Cooperation Agreement between The Gambia and Switzerland on migration? Citizens have a right to see a signed copy of the agreement. The Foreign Minister has a duty to make it public.”

GDC’s MC Cham Jnr reacted to the press release today writing: “The Gambia Government press release on the so-called protection of Gambian migrants in Switzerland, from the Foreign Affairs ministry is fake. The news we got since last week and it was published across many media outlets is that the government has signed a deportation agreement with the Swiss authorities.

“It was signed by the Vice President Dr Isatou Touray and Foreign Affairs minister Dr Momodou Tangara. The government should tell the Gambians the truth. We need to see the document they signed.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday the government has on Tuesday 12 January 2021 signed a cooperation agreement on migration matters with the government of Switzerland in the city of Berne.

The signed Cooperation Agreement is meant to curb irregular migration and ensure effective protection of the rights of Gambian citizens who are migrants in Switzerland, according to a statement by the foreign ministry. The Swiss government however said it will involve deportation of Gambian migrants.

But according to the foreign ministry, the agreement “will create cordial working relations between the Government of The Gambia and the Government of Switzerland in identifying opportunities, coordinating and managing challenges of migration”.

“These, the two countries believe will further strengthen relations and deepen cooperation with regards to the effective management of migration, dealing with unemployment and creation of more opportunities for women and youth in The Gambia.

“The Government of The Gambia further negotiated for all undocumented Gambian migrants in Switzerland to be trained on livelihood skills and be integrated in Swiss community.

“As The Gambia progresses in enhancing her democracy, there is need to ensure that the country adheres to international Human Rights Instruments by respecting the laws of other countries whilst also ensuring that Gambian citizens within and outside enjoy the required protection of the Government. In this regard, the Government of The Gambia and the Government of Switzerland agreed that all legal remedies will be exhausted before any voluntary returnees will be repatriated,” the foreign ministry said in its statement.