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.

President Adama Barrow has expressed ‘deep’ appreciation to ECOWAS, African Union and the Security Council of the United Nations for standing by the country over the years.

ECOWAS heads of state in January 2017 agreed unanimously to send troops to The Gambia to ensure Jammeh leaves power and President Barrow is installed amid a bitter political impass.

Tuesday marked four years since President Barrow was sworn into office at the Gambian embassy in Dakar and he has expressed ‘deep’ appreciation to ECOWAS, African Union, the Security Council of the United Nations, and all friendly nations who stood by the country over the years.

Jammeh’s refusal to cede power following the December 1, 2016 presidential election sparked a huge political impasse in the country. Ecowas then tapped a Senegalese general Francoise Ndiaye to ensure the will of the Gambian people is enforced. Jammeh then fled as the soldiers moved in on him paving the way for President Barrow’s takeover.

Meanwhile, President Barrow in commemorating the fourth anniversary of his ascension is touting ‘exceptional’ developments.

“Under the leadership of President Barrow, the country has witnessed exceptional developments, particularly in the area of road infrastructure; bearing in mind that infrastructure development is key to the advancement of the country’s socio-economic status,” State House said in a statement on Tuesday.

A senior Navy officer Mbaye Faal died early Tuesday, the Gambia Armed Forces said in a statement on Wednesday. He was aged 51.

The army described the navy lieutenant’s passing ‘untimely’ while announcing the said event.

“The sad news is extended to His Excellency the President Adama Barrow, the Hon Minister of Defence and Cabinet Ministers, his family members, relatives and friends in The Gambia and abroad.

“Burial will take place at his residence in Kerr Serign on Wednesday 20 January at 1400hrs. While asking Allah to grant his family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” the army said in a statement announcing Faal’s demise.

Police have mounted an investigation into a complaint Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh allegedly sold land to Yusupha Saidy for 2.2 million dalasis and failed to transfer the land to the businessman.

Saidy lodged a complaint with police he paid 2.2 million dalasis to Dr Janneh over a piece of land, police spokesman Superintendent Lamin Njie told The Fatu Network.

“We can confirm receiving a complaint against Amadou Scatred Janneh. According to report the complainant paid D2.2M to Mr Janneh over a piece of land. He later realized that the said land is being developed by another person. The Police have opened an investigation into the matter,” Njie said.

Dr Janneh confirmed selling land to Saidy telling The Fatu Network: “I sold a piece of property that was allocated to my company to Mr. Yusupha Saidy. I wanted to develop an alternate site in Gunjur.

“It turns out I can’t transfer the Brusubi plot to Mr. Saidy until it is leased and that process takes a considerable amount of time.

“I therefore offered to refund his money in full or to give him another property. I was informed by our intermediary (Modou Sanneh) that he preferred another piece of property. And that was to be done upon my return from the US.”

Saidy told The Fatu Network Dr Janneh blocked his numbers but Dr Janneh denied ever blocking his numbers.

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe tendered the disclaimer ‘he’s my son but I did not inculcate that habit in him’ as he said President Barrow spoke falsely about the circumstances around his appointment as foreign minister.

President Barrow’s claim Darboe insisted he could work as foreign minister even after his friend Omar Sey counselled him that his age was against him was thrown at the UDP leader during his interview with Membekering on Tuesday evening.

And reacting to the claim, the UDP leader said: “I know it’s now clear to Gambians that your president that he’s good at saying statements that do not exist. To say I cannot be vice president, that’s true. But Omar Sey was never there during our discussion. It was his press secretary Amie Bojang Sissoho who was there. She was the one inside his office.

“When I told him I could not be vice president, his eyes dropped because it shocked him. Because what he said [is that] he doesn’t like travelling, that entering plane is not something he’s excited about. That he would like for me to go to places that the president should go to. So he was shocked.

“He asked me why I could not be vice president and I told him what disqualified me to contest as president is what disqualified me to be appointed as vice president and that’s the truth. But all he said here that Omar Sey said this… Omar Sey was foreign minister, he has seen foreign ministers who are much older than me.

“So to say those statements is not true but what it has shown is that our this man is very good at saying statements that do not exist.”

And when host Pa Modou Bojang put to him President Barrow was his son, the UDP leader retorted: “He is my son but I did not implant that habit (lying) in him.”

By Ousman Jatta

Sellers at the craft market in Bakau have said the coronavirus pandemic is having rippling effect on their businesses

The tourism sector contributes immensely to the Gambian economy but the coming of coronavirus has hugely changed the narrative.

The sector employs at least 100,000 Gambians among them those in the craft market sub-sector. But according to Sainey Singhateh the president of Bakau craft market, there is no tourist season for this year which means business is not fairing as expected.

The Gambia’s tourism season usually begin in late October and normally last for a period of six months.

Samba Sarr an artisan at the Bakau craft market, spoke along the same tone as Singhateh disclosing they sit for hours, sometimes the whole day without seeing customers.

Mariama Manneh called on the government to chip in and offer a helping hand in order to compensate for their losses during these trying times of the pandemic.

By Ousman Jatta

Motor tricycles also known as Batch cars are becoming a widely used local taxi transport service by most Gambian commuters mostly during rush hours.

Three wheeled vehicle is based on the same technology as a bicycle and a motorcycle but it’s normally powered by an electric motor, scooter or a car engine.

Amadou Saidy a motor tricycle driver for the past six years said the motor tricycle is a booming business for them nowadays. He says they depend on it to earn income for themselves to be able to put food on the table for their families.

Abdoulie Jammeh is also among the few motor tricycle drivers in Bakau. According to Jammeh, the covid – 19 pandemic has seriously affected their taxi business as they sit for hours without seeing customers.

The cost of fair for the batch cars is five Dalasis, for commuter’s dwelling around Bakau.

With the country now experiencing severe traffic jams mostly during rush hours most people are beginning to turn their focus on the motor tricycles.

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe used diplomatic language throughout as he on Tuesday evening responded to Sidia Jatta over the veteran politician’s damaging claims against him.

Mr Jatta in an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network this past Sunday blasted that President Barrow killed the coalition and Darboe finalised its murder by burying it. Mr Jatta’s other claims include President Barrow allegedly telling him Darboe said he will make him foreign minister by hook or by crook.

The UDP leader responded to Mr Jatta on Tuesday evening for the first time during an interview with Membekering.

He said: “I held Sidia in high regard yesterday (previously). I respected him. One, because of his age. Two, I placed him among people who have outstanding minds. I placed him among people who even where it’s hard, to say statements that did not exist.

“But it’s today I despise (look down upon) Sidia, I despise him a lot. The statements he made which are statements that never existed and he wants people to believe those his statements that do not exist. That has made me to look down upon him a lot.

“I think he said the coalition disintegrated when the ministers were appointed. So was it me who appointed the ministers? If they say there is an agreement, he didn’t say which agreement they signed. The agreement that no one would disagree to was the one for the convention to select the president.

“It was the national assembly elections when there was disagreement. If there was an agreement, what disagreement would happen? All these people, statements that did not exist are what they say. And you know I said I did not want to respond to this statement but if you see I am saying something about it is because there is someone who spoke who I didn’t hope would say statements that do not exist.

“Didn’t he even say I was the one who told Barrow not to make him foreign minister. With his experience and his knowledge? He knows it’s the president who chooses a minister, no one can tell the president it’s so you should make minister.

“To then sit in the middle of the whole world and say these things. Wallahi I despise (look down on) him. So because I despise (look down on) him, I will not respond to him. Because if I respond to him, I will bring myself down.”

President Adama Barrow on Tuesday thanked Gambians for pulling together and installing him as president.

President Barrow was four years ago together sworn into office at the Gambian embassy in Dakar following his victory at the December 1, 2016 presidential election.

The president remembering the day on Tuesday thanked Gambians for setting aside their differences for the national interest, according to a statement by statement.

The statement signed by press secretary Amie Bojang Sissoho said: “This day in 2017, His Excellency, President Adama Barrow was sworn in at The Gambian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, after his undisputable victory in the presidential elections of December 1st 2016.

“The inauguration of President Barrow marked the beginning of an era of prosperity in all spheres of Gambian society. Four years down the line, The Gambia remains committed to the values and principles of democracy; something that the country was deprived of for more than two decades.

“Under the leadership of President Barrow, the country has witnessed exceptional developments, particularly in the area of road infrastructure; bearing in mind that infrastructure development is key to the advancement of the country’s socio-economic status.

“Remembering the day, President Barrow expressed gratitude to all Gambian electorates, the Gambians in the Diaspora, the Coalition 2016 Campaign Team, and the political parties for putting aside their political differences for the national interest.

“He expressed deep appreciation to ECOWAS, African Union, the Security Council of the United Nations, and all friendly nations who stood by the country over the years.

“Recalling the importance of good neighbourliness, President Barrow wishes to thank His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, and his government for the hospitality accorded to him, and the over fifty thousand Gambians who sought refuge in Senegal.

“Reiterating his call for peace, progress and unity, President Barrow emphasised that elections are contested based on political diversity, but the nation can only progress through national reconciliation and unity. Thus re-echoing the call for all to uphold the value of One Gambia, One Nation, One People!”

By Fatou Camara II

Police on Tuesday commenced a test exercise for drivers and vehicles nearly a month after the police chief made a decision to have all drivers undergo basic driving test.

High rate of road traffic accidents last year saw the Inspector General of Police halt issuance of driver’s license and coming up with a program to test all of the nation’s cars and drivers.

The exercise commenced on Tuesday across appointed test centres across the country amond them the Independence Stadium.

“We are checking the general conditions of the vehicles, the organs of the vehicles and when it comes to commercial vehicles especially vans carrying 14 passengers to 18 passengers and above, we are looking at the sitting capacity and where necessary we reduce the number of passengers they are carrying,” principal testing officer Amadou Badjie told The Fatu Network.

According to Officer Badjie, “if a driver does not come forward, that driver will not have the clearance to be on the road”.

One driver who took the test Amadou Jallow said the initiative is good.

“Many young people are driving and the accident rate is high and I see two to three reasons that are causing this. One is lack of decipline, attitude and some of the vehicles coming to the country are crap vehicles [sic],” Jallow said.

Mai Fatty said on Tuesday the coalition did not obtain the support or active cooperation of the Gambia Police Force, the NIA or the Gambia Armed Forces as President Adama Barrow got sworn into office following his 2016 electoral victory.

President Barrow demolished former President Yahya Jammeh at the December 1, 2016 presidential election but the latter refused to leave power. Ecowas then sent troops to the country which saw him flee to Equatorial Guinea, as the nation’s military played a spectator role.

Looking back on the events as the country marks the fourth anniversary of the swearing in of President Barrow at the Gambian embassy in Dakar, Mai Fatty said “by this time, we did not obtain either the support or the active cooperation of The Gambia Police Force, NIA or The Gambia Armed Forces”.

“Yet they would have been incapacitated from hindering the massive operation, with the imminence of the Nigerian Navy within launching distance from our shores and the rapid mobilization of ECOWAS ground forces from Senegal into The Gambia,” the GMC leader wrote in a titled ‘How Adama Barrow Became President of The Gambia In Dakar, Senegal’.

Fatty also wrote about how he warned Jammeh directly to “immediately quit power or choose one of two options: capture and imprisonment or ultimate termination”.

“He chose to flee out of the country that night to Equatorial Guinea in exile, where he still resides,” the GMC leader said.