Thursday will be a public holiday throughout The Gambia, State House said in a statement on Wednesday.

Gambia will clock 56 years since it gained independence from Britain in February 18, 1965.

And to mark the day, public holiday will hold throughout the country on Thursday, according to State House.

“The celebration will be at the McCarthy Square in Banjul. The parade will be attended by the Security Forces, school children, and voluntary organisations.

“His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, will be present and all invited guests are kindly asked to be seated at 9:00 a.m.

“The President wishes to take this opportunity to wish all Gambians home and abroad, a happy celebration and a blessed day,” State House said in a statement signed by Amie Bojang Sissoho.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment said on Wednesday through its continuous monitoring and engagements with relevant stakeholders on the essential food commodities with a view of ensuring availability and affordability has observed that the stock levels for most of the essential food commodities being monitored are adequate for the next three months.

“The stock level for the week of 8^th February compared to the week of 2^nd February 2021 has increased by 123.2% for sugar at 42,482 Metric Tons, 23% for flour at 1,484 Metric Tons and 194.5% for onions at 123,915 Bags. The stocks of rice, edible oil and potatoes are as well adequate for the next three months at 28, 618 Metric Tons, 313,291 liters and 41240 bags respectively,” a statement by the ministry said.

The ministry added: “Similarly, the Ministry has also observed that wholesale prices of most of the essential commodities are generally stabilizing during the week under review.

“Notwithstanding, at the retail front, average retail prices of some of these essential food commodities are rising disproportionately as observed in Banjul, Greater Banjul Areas and in the provinces based on our weekly price monitoring. In view of this, the Ministry convened a consultative meeting with major retailers on Monday 15^th February 2021 to understand the causes of the abnormal gaps between the wholesale and retail prices. It was reported that the major importers ration the supply to the retailers and this contributes to the price distortion.

“In light of the above, the Ministry will continue to engage with the major importers and hereby informs the general public that such practices are not in line with the spirit of free market and as such should be ceased.  Failure to do so will result in the implementation of the needed tools to address the situation.”

World leaders have congratulated President Adama Barrow on the 56 anniversary of the country’s independence from British colonial rule.

According to State House, goodwill messages were conveyed from President Vladimir Putin of Russia, President Emmanuel Macron of France, and President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez of Cuba.

They all renewed their commitment to strengthen bilateral ties for the mutual benefit of the people of the Republic of The Gambia and their respective countries, State House said.

PPP national congress billed to take place next week in Brikamaba is in doubt amid the death of national president and host Lamin Nanko.

Elder party official Nanko died on Tuesday. He was the national president of the party.

Touma Njai who is running for the secretary general role of the party wrote on Tuesday: “This sad event occurred this afternoon at BrikamaBa. Alhagi took me as a daughter and am honoured and privileged to have visited him at his residence on Sunday.

“He took my hand, prayed for me and Said Alhamdullilah. I am blessed to have had his prayers. Please pray for our father to rest in peace in the highest jannah. My condolences To the whole PPP Family specially to the people of BrikamaBa.”

PPP’s congress was scheduled for February 26 and February 27 in Brikamaba.

Government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh said on Wednesday police have suspended issuing permits for all political events and all other forms of social gatherings.

“In the light of the worrisome trajectory of a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, The Gambia Government hereby suspends the issuing of new police permits for all parties, music festivals, political events and ‘all forms’ of social gatherings effective 8th March, 2021,” Sankareh said in a statement.

He added: “Conscious of the difficulties associated with the COVID-19 restrictions and the time required to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, The Gambia Government will in due course, outline a more detailed statement governing the upcoming restrictions and their regulations.

“Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health urges members of the public to adhere to the basic COVID-19 protocols of proper wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular hand washing and limited gatherings.”

NPP top official Mambanyick Njie has said those accusing his party of engaging in illegality have no basis to their claims, instead they have grudges in their hearts.

“These are people by virtue of what they have seen in the stadium, they can no longer keep the grudges in their hearts. It has to be vomited,”Njie told EyeAfrica TV.

The NPP is just over a year old but it has proven to be one of the riches parties in the country and where it gets money continues to be on the lip of Gambians.

But according to Njie, it’s the president’s rich friends who are supporting the president’s political cause.

“The National People’s Party is a bonafide party and the president has so many friends even before he became president, friends of affluence, people that have money and legal money for that matter. Is it illegal for them to support the president’s political cause? I suppose not,” Njie said.

Gambia Action Party leader Musa Ousainou Yali Batchilly has said minimum monthly take-home under a GAP government will be D30,000.

The GAP leader stated this during an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network.

Batchilly said: “Minimum salary [will be] D30,000. We’re not poor [as a country]. Look at the black sand. The machine that processes the black sand costs $25M. That machine can create over 4,000 employees.

“And the deposit of black sand in Kartong is different from the one in Sanyang. In Gunjur, we have the sulphate, the sand that we can mix with chemical and we have our cement factory. We don’t need to import cement. There are things here [and] if you want to be a leader, you tell your people what they have so that they can believe in themselves.”

By Sarjo Brito

Rosewood is a family of tropical tree species widely used for antique-style furniture in Asia and in particular China. It is considered to also be the world’s most trafficked wildlife product. The rosewood and its illegal trade have become one of the world’s most lucrative businesses. A rare type of wood that not many countries are not blessed to have and for the ones that do, it is a million-dollar trade.

A BBC investigation revealed that China has imported more than 300,000 tonnes of West African Rosewood since President Barrow came to power in 2017. Despite declaring its own stocks close to extinction almost a decade ago, the BBC probe uncovered that the Gambia is ‘consistently among the five largest global exporters of rosewood.

In a workshop organized by Gambia Participates, relevant stakeholders were brought together to discuss and identify lapses propelling these illegal activities and more so, to follow the money from the rosewood business and how it trickles down to the ordinary Gambian. Dealers in rosewood are now turning to countries like the Gambia and the Cassamance region to fill their pockets and this is a cause for concern for Gambia Participates.

CEO of Gambia participates Marr Nyang, said the illicit rosewood trade has cost the Gambia government millions of dollars in revenue, especially after a significant discrepancy of $471million between Gambia’s reported timber exports and imports declared by trading partners, with many alleging massive underreporting.

Nyang said while they are concerned about the revenue aspect of this illicit trade, the security risks attached to it must not be overlooked as MFDC forces are alleged to be getting their funding from this trade, putting both the Gambia and Senegal in vulnerable positions. Today’s stakeholder meeting according to Nyang, will provide the opportunity to discuss key recommendations from the Environmental Investigation Agency’s  investigative report titled ‘Cashing-in On Chaos’.

By Ousman Jatta

The importation of second hand vehicles in the country has intensified over the past years. Part of the reason of this trend is as a result of the introduction of electric cars in Europe, America and Asia, which is now creating pressure for developing countries, as a result of the influx of vehicles imported annually.

Second hand vehicles of different categories could be spotted in almost every corner of the country. With the outbreak of the deadly Covid–19 pandemic coupled with the high tax levied on cars at the port, most car dealers are struggling to maintain their businesses.

Musa Njie, a local car dealer said: “If you see people are complaining about the high cost of vehicles, is because the custom tax charged at the port is too costly, before it was cheap, but now it is different.”

According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the global on-road vehicle fleet is set to double by 2050, with most future car purchases taking place in developing markets.

But while there is consistent rise in the importation of used cars vehicles in The Gambia, middle class Gambians cannot afford them.

“So if you consider what you spend on buying the car, plus the shipment is not very easy on us,” Njie said.

The chairman of the coalition of civil society organisations John Charles Njie has said the problem of the country transcends beyond the Barrow administration.

Speaking during a meeting of stakeholders over the draft constitution organized by Centre for Research and Policy Development, Njie said: “But who do these politicians think they are to decide for Gambians what is best for us? What Gambians have called for is to have a constitution before us and in a referendum; we will decide whether we want what we want and what we don’t want.

“The problem in our country really is beyond even the Barrow administration. The problem with our country is our parliament. We talk about reforms. There are two bills before our national assembly: access to information law and anti-corruption bill.

“Today the opposition is asking where the president is getting vehicles from when an anti-corruption bill is before you that you could put in place, have a commission in place and begin to ask the questions that you’re asking politically.”

The National Human Rights Commission said on Tuesday it has noticed with ‘deep concern and fear’ the public’s total disregard and law enforcement agencies’ non-enforcement of the Ministry of Health and WHO Guidelines for the prevention of Covid-19.

Social distancing, wearing of facemasks, avoidance of public gatherings and events especially and other guidelines are disregarded with absolute apathy, NHRC said on Tuesday in a statement.

The statement added: “By all indication, the statistics show an exponential increase in our Covid-19 infection rate and already families have lost loved ones, some of whom are breadwinners and community pillars, to the pandemic. The recent detection of the UK variant of Covid-19 is even more worrisome as this variant is said to be more contagious and deadlier.

“Unfortunately, mega-events continue to be organized and their organisers are music promoters, political leaders and political parties who the public look up to for guidance in these trying times. All are reminded that the protection of the public from Covid-19 should be placed above everything else.

“The Government has the obligation to guarantee the fundamental human rights of the people, thus, it has a duty to protect all and sundry and to ensure enforcement and implementation of the safety guidelines including that of the WHO regarding Covid-19 prevention.

“The National Human Rights Commission wishes to reiterate that we can only win the fight against COVID-19 when we all exercise personal responsibility in the observance of the WHO guidelines, and the political leaders leading by example.  It is only through compliance with the law, respect for human rights and dignity and ‘being each other’s keeper’, we will overcome this pandemic.”

The Gambian Association in Libya, an umbrella body of all Gambians in the troubled north African country, has called on the Gambia government to appoint a liaison officer as Gambians continue to face terrible challenges.

Libya has been a hotspot for migrants since the fall of the Gadaffi regime in 2011, with thousands of Gambians using it as a route to Europe.

However, as the conflict clocks a decade with peace now within touching distance under the new interim Prime Minister, there’s already potential for reopening of diplomatic missions.

A statement from the Gambian Association said appointing a liaison officer could make a huge difference

“The Gambian Association is struggling to undertake and carry out any or all activities for the promotion and welfare of all Gambian nationals in Libya, which we have registered. 15,780 Gambians are currently living in Libya, 75 stranded, 5 widows with their kids, 4 psychiatric cases, 8 medical cases, 2 dead bodies in the mortuary. The Association always finds it difficult to bury bodies in Libya or to repatriate them in the absence of a diplomatic mission.

Therefore, the Gambia Association renews its request for the government to at least to appoint a Liaison Officer who can run the affairs of the Gambians diplomatically in Libya,” the association stated.

The Association said Gambians came together and forged a lasting brotherhood in Libya, regardless of their differences as the country grapples with rising violence.

It added: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad requested from the Gambian Association to select a person to be appointed as the liaison officer in Libya within ourselves in April 2020. We selected a person named Abubacarr Camara on 12/4/2020 and sent the name to the Ministry. Since then, we haven’t heard from the Ministry.

The Gambian Association in Libya relies on the International Organization for Migration (IOM) since the conflict began in Libya to evacuate Gambians, plus providing health care and other humanitarian assistance.”

Confirmation of Suku Singhateh’s defection to National People’s Party was only a matter of time and when it came on Monday evening, there was quietude. At least among those who went about denying the man’s defection.

The former MP sent a delegation to the leadership of UDP telling them he has left the party. Some UDP supporters have been reacting;

Yunus Hydara: “It is unfortunate to see him go but we wish him well. However, the UDP remains resolute and indispensable in its pursuit of creating a better and prosperous Gambia for all.”

Bubacarr Sidiq Jammeh: “I thank Mr. Suku Singhateh for his contributions to the cause of the UDP during his stay and also wishing him good luck on his new endeavor. In his absence, the UDP will continue doing what we’ve been doing since 1996, and that is to fight for the salvation of our country from the clutches of bad governance, unbridled corruption, and chronic poverty. We are once again calling on Gambians of all walks of life to join us in this fight. Aluta continua.”

The Permanent Representative and Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the Swiss Confederation and the Permanent Mission of The Gambia to the United Nations Office, World Trade Organisation and other International Organisations in Geneva, Professor Muhammadu M.O. Kah, on 10 February 2021 presented his Letters of Credence to the Director General of the United Nations Office, Tatiana Valovaya. The ceremony was held at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

A statement by the foreign ministry said: “Ambassador Kah was warmly welcomed by the Director General, Her Excellency Ms. Tatiana Valovaya. The UN Diplomat received the credentials on behalf of the UN Secretary General, H.E Antonio Gueterres and shortly after a photo-opportunity the two Diplomats exchanged good will messages.

“Ambassador Kah used the opportunity to extend greetings and best wishes from His Excellency President Adama Barrow, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Government and the People of The Gambia to the United Nations Secretary General, His Excellency Antonio Gueterres and the Director General, Her Excellency Ms. Tatiana Valovaya. He expressed appreciation at the warm reception accorded to him since his arrival in Geneva.

“During discussions, Ambassador Kah assured Her Excellency Tatiana Valovaya of the commitment of the Government of The Gambia to working closely with the United Nations Office in Geneva and other international organisations to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He said efforts are underway to further maximise opportunities for the mutual interest of The Gambia and her development partners.

“Ambassador Kah stated the need for efforts to be synergised with a view to utilising potentials for the socio – economic development of The Gambia. He commended Director General Valovaya for the assurance of cooperation and support during the course of his tour of duty.

“For her part, Director General Tatiana Valovaya congratulated Ambassador Kah on his appointment as Ambassador and Permanent Representative designate of the Republic of The Gambia to the United Nations Office in Geneva, World Trade Organisation and other International Organisations in Geneva.

“Director General Valovaya assured Ambassador Kah of the support and cooperation of her office and all related United Nations agencies and organisations in Geneva. She said different institutions in Geneva offer different opportunities which countries like The Gambia can utilise in its policy, development strategies and initiatives.

“She cited the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created by her office to support countries, in particular developing countries for the attainment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goal Lab, started in 2017, is a multi-stakeholder initiative that contributes to implementing the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Goals.

“Ms.Valovaya informed Ambassador Kah about the existence of the Gender Champions initiative, which she said is meant to keep the gender discourse and debate on multilateral agenda. She expressed hope for continued participation of The Gambia in multilateralism programme agendas.

“Ambassador Kah was accompanied to the United Nations Headquarters by Ms. Baturu Camara – Ceesay, Counsellor at the Embassy and Permanent Mission of the Republic of The Gambia in Geneva, Switzerland.”

UDP’s Ebrima Dibba has called on UDP supporters to put the departure of Suku Singhateh behind them and focus on wresting State House from President Adama Barrow.

Dibba was one of many top UDP officials who confirmed Singhateh has left the party. He is the latest high profile name to jump out of the UDP ship.

“Everyone should focus on what would take UDP forward and ensure UDP wins the 2021 election. We can assure everyone that it’s UDP that will enter State House on December 4. So everyone should be patient and let’s move on,” Dibba said while speaking to the party’s Saihou Saidily.

A top UDP official told The Fatu Network on the condition of anonymity Singhateh sent a delegation to the party to convey his decision of leaving the party. He has moved to NPP.

UDP executive member Suku Singhateh has left the party for National People’s Party, officials of the party have confirmed.

Two top UDP officials told The Fatu Network Suku sent a delegation to the party on Monday evening.

The confirmation of his departure comes after days of reports and counter reports as the politician refused to speak on the issue. Several attempts by The Fatu Network to speak to him proved futile.

One UDP official told The Fatu Network on Monday evening: “I can confirm that he has left. He sent a delegation which met with the leadership of the party tonight.”

Another UDP top official also confirmed that Suku has left the party and he has informed the leaders of the party.

The party’s Ebrima Dibba has also confirmed Singhateh’s exit in an audio obtained by The Fatu Network.

A youth leader in Sanchaba Ablie Gaye has joined United Democratic Party after a meeting with Momodou Sabally.

“Sabally and I discussed a lot about the youths and also issues that can take the Gambia forward. This gave me the hope to join UDP,” Gaye said in an audio obtained by The Fatu Network.

Gaye is a youth leader, an environmentalist and a coach.

A number of parties are reportedly interested in having Gaye join their party.

Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was appointed Monday to head the leading international trade body as it seeks to resolve disagreements over how it decides cases involving billions in sales and thousands of jobs.

Okonjo-Iweala, 66, was appointed director-general of the World Trade Organization by representatives of the 164 member countries, according to a statement from the body.

She said in a statement that her first priority would be to quickly address the economic and health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and to “implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again.”

“Our organization faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today,” she said.

The appointment came after new United States President Joe Biden endorsed her candidacy, which had been blocked by former President Donald Trump.

On Monday, the US delegate to the WTO said he was “eager” to work with Okonjo-Iweala. (Al Jazeera)