By Sarjo Brito

The Citizens’ Alliance party on Thursday January 14th, 2021, held their second monthly press briefing to share information with the public and to state their position on some of the recent happenings the country is grappling with, particularly issues of national interest.

Addressing the recent voter registration postponement by the Independent Electoral Commission, Dr Ceesay challenged the IEC to make it clear what logistical reasons led to the indefinite postponement of this crucial process.

‘’What is important for us as a party and as citizens is that elections are no jokes. They are life and death issues. They are about democracy, peace, security and stability, and therefore we must get it right. We urge the IEC to make sure whatever they do, they do it right,” Dr Ceesay said at a news conference held in Kanifing.

Sharing his thoughts on what many call the biggest drug seizure in the history of the Gambia, Dr Ceesay said The Gambia has become one of the biggest transits and storage points for drugs. While he admitted that the issue of drugs has increasingly become a regional problem, it should a cause for concern for the Gambia considering how small the country is.

“For the Gambia as small as it is, for us to be having this amount of drugs into our country is a serious cause for concern,” he said.

And like many other politicians and Gambians outraged about the drug scandal, Dr Ceesay called for an urgent investigation into the matter and bring whoever is found culpable before the law.

“Our position is clear. We strongly urge government to investigate this drug issue and make sure the perpetrators are brought to justice and set a very good example. Failing to do so and letting people go scot-free will cause impunity,” the former UTG political science lecturer said.

The Presidential aspirant also touched on other issues like the recent maternal deaths in the country, urging government to invest more in the health sector.

A deadly bird disease has broken out in Senegal killing thousands of the country’s chicken, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.

H5N1 bird flu has caused the death of 58,000 chicken in Thies, Senegal with another 42,000 subjected to enforced slaying to stop the disease from spreading.

The National Disaster Management Agency will hold a press conference in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture through the Department of Livestock Services and the Ministry of Health thought its Epidemiology and Disease Control Unit.

The news conference will be held on Friday Jan 15.

Leaders of two political parties have stood up and said they want to let go of the issue of retroactivity in the draft constitution.

The draft constitution was shot down by MPs loyal to President Barrow after they realised the Gambian leader would be allowed to run for just one more five year term when it gets voted into law.

Inter-governmental organisation International IDEA is leading efforts to revive the draft constitution by engaging political stakeholders in a bid to ending the deadlock.

The organisation top official leading the effort Professor Adebayo Olukoshi told The Fatu Network ‘at least’ two political party leaders stood up and said they are willing to let the issue of retroactivity rest.

“If you’re witness to the combined session with the political party leaders and civil society leaders, you would have seen political party leaders who got up and said that for the greater interest of The Gambia, they are ready to let this issue of retroactivity rest. At least two of them,” Professor Olukoshi.

According to the official who works alongside former Nigerian President Dr Goodluck Jonathan, their dialogue process has registered success and they would not want to jeopardise it by speaking on everything that has been happening behind the scenes.

Imam Muhammed Lamin Touray has offered his view on how politicians should comport themselves amid an election year.

Gambians will vote in a presidential election later this year and attacks and counter-attacks have already rented the air.

But according to former president of the Supreme Islamic Council, politicians should focus on what their plans are instead of attacking each other.

He told The Fatu Network: “God is already done with who is going to sit on the chair (to be next president). As a human being, your wealth or your plan or your knowledge will not stop it from happening. It’s not bad for one to want to be in that seat.

“But there cannot be a more important thing than seeking it in a way that which will not make God angry. There is nothing wrong with us seeking it but we should seek it in the right way.

“[Your campaign should be] ‘I will help you, this is what I will do for you when you select me’. That’s where you should stop. But to talk about others when you don’t even know them is not right.”

By Fatou Camara II

Dodou Jah has reacted to cocaine seized by DLEAG telling The Fatu Network the drug should be burnt in front of everyone.

DLEAG last week seized over two tons of cocaine after a combing a container that was suppposedly containing salt. It was one of the biggest cocaine busts in the country’s history.

APRC deputy spokesperson speaking to The Fatu Network suggested the cocaine should be burnt in front of everyone.

“If it is to be confiscated, burn it in the presence of everybody. That would create ease in the nerves of the people that whatever is feared in society has been well taken cared of but if it ended in stores and warehouses will just all of a sudden disappear again goes into the market and circulating people making money out of it,” Jah said.

According to Jah, he was not surprised at the discovery “because security is a bit loose in this country and two previous cases occurred and up till now we do not know how it ended”.

“It was not concluded so you will expect more unless they take their firm stand against drugs and in such case.

“Any nation that is very rampant with drugs definitely doesn’t have a bright future because we know what drugs can do in communities and societies,” he said.

Eight young people between the ages of 26 and 35 have been given 2.9 million dalasis to help them grow as entrepreneurs.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports have created a project dubbed ‘Youth Revolving Fund Scheme’ – with an amount of 20 million dalasis as a start-up reserve funds. The scheme is to support young Gambian youth.

The initiatives are jointly managed by the National Enterprise Development Initiative (NEDI) of the Youth Ministry and Social Development Fund (SDF), under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, according to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

President Barrow during his meeting in Banjul recently handed checks totalling 2.9 million dalasis to eight youth under the project.

DLEAG is seeking help in arresting a person of interest in connection with over 500 blocks of hashish retrieved from a truck.

DLEAG on December 20 moved in on a truck in Old Yundum and discovered nearly 400 blocks of hashish. The agency later discovered 98 blocks of the drug at a Brusubi home.

DLEAG has now published a photo of a Mauritanian man wanted in connection with the drug.

His name is Sidi Elemine Mohammed aged 48.

Commentator Nyang Njie said on Wednesday tracing wanted Banta Keita’s collaborators is not difficult.

Fajara man Banta Keita is being hunted down by the Drug Law Enforcement Agency after cocaine was retrieved from a container he allegedly owns. He is said to be holding a French passport.

But according to Nyang Njie, its not difficult to trace Banta Keita’s circle of collaborators.

“Just access his phone logs. Some people are complicit in his dealings. He must have been aided & abetted by people in power. Three tons of coke is not 3 grams,” the commentator said in a Facebook post Wednesday.

DLEAG last week combed four containers that were supposedly containing salt only to find cocaine in one of the containers. It’s one of the biggest seizures for cocaine in the country in years.

Four out of 42 people who were arrested at a pool party in Almadies Senegal have tested positive for coronavirus.

Senegalese gendarmarie this past weeken arrested children of important people in Senegal who died a ban on public gatherings and organised a pool party in one of the country’s most expensive towns.

According to Senego on Wednesday, four of the 42 people tested positive for coronavirus as they got ready to face a judge.

The rest have been quarantine remanded.

Islamic Enlightenment Society Iskaat has issued a statement charging haters of Islam are the ones behind claims terrorism lifestyle is being inculcated in young Gambian Islamic men.

Various claims flooded social media following a video of young men seeking knowledge in Islam taking part in martial arts session. The men had provide security to the country’s imams during their congress this past weekend when they converged to show off their fighting skills.

Iskaat in a statement on Tuesday responded to those claiming terrorism in other countries started in the form of gathering young men and teaching them how to fight.

The group said: “Martial arts kung-fu is a well known ancient art that instills discipline, calmness, personal security, peace, and respect in people. It is the right of any Gambian citizen to learn Kung-fu or any disciplinary art. What does martial art events in the Gambia have to do with religious extremism or violence?.

“In fact, this event was held at the Supreme Islāmic Council’s headquarter, and our elders were entertained after they concluded their congress. Hence, they are indirectly accusing the Islamic council of training or encouraging potential terrorists. These assertions are absurd and disgraceful. Martial art is not a new phenomenon in Islamic schools. Amongst the first black-belt holders in the Gambia are Arabic students.

“The likes of ?????? ?????, happens to be the first person to open a center for martial-art in the Gambia. He was remarkably assigned to train our soldiers and other non-Islamic institutions. Over the years, not once did we hear about extremism from him or the copious number of Gambians who were trained under him. The cultural norms of ????? and ????? are strongly intertwined with martial arts. Yet, these respective countries only gain benefits from the art. The many around the world today were initially exposed to Asian cultures because of martial arts.

“It is rather unfortunate, that these islamophobic sentiments are coming from those who zealously hates Islam, and the ignorant Muslims amongst them who fear there own religion, in a nation that constitutes 96% Muslims.

“Should Democracy in The ?????? only be limited to few?. No Gambian, irrespective of tribe, religion, or race should be marginalized. The freedom of speech and expression of any Gambian will not be compromised by online opinions. Orthodox or practicing Gambian Muslims should not be discouraged to pursue any profession or sports they desire in their own country.

“It is important to note that those that have taken up arms against our country since independence (from kukoi to the December 30th attackers) are all western educated Gambians. The enemies of Islam are indeed eager for violence to spring from the Islamic schools in this country, and Inshaa’Allah this will never happen.

“Islam is a peaceful way of life that deals with all aspects of society. This beautiful religion will continue to spread undeterred Inshaa’Allah. Preserving a peaceful Gambia is a responsibility of all Gambians, especially our online media that feeds us information. We can argue and disagree with reasoning and respect, but let us not blackmail and formulate lies that cannot be substantiated. We ask Allah (Subhanalah wa Taalah) to continue to bless our beloved nation and preserve its people.”

Switzerland has said ‘operational’ cooperation with The Gambia over returning citizens generally works well, as the country announced the signing of two deals with The Gambia.

On 12 January Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, as vice president of the Federal Council, and Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter signed two cooperation agreements – on civil aviation and on migration – during the official visit to Bern by a delegation from the Republic of The Gambia, headed by Vice President Isatou Touray, according to a press release found on the federal council website.

The press release said: “The agreement on migration allows Switzerland and The Gambia to strengthen their respective efforts in fighting illegal migration.

“Ms Keller-Sutter and Gambian Vice President Isatou Touray and his delegation discussed migration issues and the way in which the two countries can strengthen their cooperation. Approved by the Federal Council on 7 October 2020, the agreement signed at this occasion opens up new opportunities for cooperation between Switzerland and the Republic of The Gambia in the field of migration.

“Many Gambian citizens are leaving their country for other countries in the region, Europe or the United States. Gambian nationals account for a significant proportion of migrants crossing the Mediterranean each year to reach the Italian or Spanish coasts. After a peak in 2016, the number of asylum applications from Gambian nationals in Switzerland has since fallen sharply.

“Faced with these challenges, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) intends to continue to support the Gambian authorities in handling migration, not least by helping to implement projects locally. So far, SEM has organised ad hoc training to enable The Gambia to increase its capacities and is supporting a project with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Operational cooperation with The Gambia over returning citizens generally works well. The agreement covers issues relating to the practical organisation of returnees, such as identification and the issuing of replacement documents. Switzerland has so far concluded eight similar migration cooperation agreements with countries on the African continent, among them Angola, Cameroon, Benin and Tunisia. These are in addition to the 56 other agreements on return migration that Switzerland has concluded.”

The foreign ministry is yet to respond to requests for comment.

Former foreign minister Sidi Sanneh on Tuesday fired off multiple posts where he announced the return of his blog.

US-based Sidi Sanneh contributed immensely in the fight against the 22 years rule of former leaer Yahya Jammeh. He ran his own blog where he mainly focused on issues of corruption and human rights violations in government.

Sanneh went into hibernation following the change of government in 2016 but signs of frustration with the Barrow government over the past four years has now seen him announced on Tuesday he is coming back.

In one of his posts on Tuesday, he clarified he is so upset because “I feel Gambians, let’s say, many Gambians, are being disrespected by Barrow daily & we’ve done nothing to deserve it” adding “no self-respecting Gambian should tolerate it any longer”. He simply said in one, “Barrow Must Go”.

He had earlier on said he has been quiet for four years but “I’m not going to any longer while I watch a handful of greedy, hungry, clueless miscreants abuse power vested in them by the Gambian people”.

He then wrote today: “The War Room undergoing some transformations before I start publication of my blog @ sidisanneh.blogspot.com. The frequency will depend on the nonsense emanating from Banjul. The more the nonsense, the more they’ll hear from me.”

Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia said today it seized 502 blocks of hashish prior to the cocaine bust.

DLEAG last week seized cocaine worth over four billion dalasis, one of its biggest ever cocaine seizures in years.

The agency however today said it made an unprecedented seizures of hashish where a suspect was arrested with a gun.

The agency said in a statement: “Prior to the seizure of one hundred and eighteen (118) bags of cocaine weighing 2 tons 952 KG 850 G at the Sea port in Banjul, personnel of DLEAG’s West Coast, Kombo North Divisional Command on Sunday 20th December 2020 successfully interdicted huge quantities of cannabis resin (hashish) at old Yundum and Brusbi Phase one (1) respectively. This seizure happened after 48 hours of diligent undercover operation. Notably, the seizure of Five hundred and two (502) blocks weighing 225 kg 760 g of Hashish is unprecedented and a landmark in the history of the agency and the Gambia.

“Ebrima Bittaye while in the company of Ousman Kanteh was nabbed with eight (8) blocks that he came to collect from one of the truck parked inside a property located at Old Yundum. Subsequently, operatives discovered three hundred and ninety six (396) blocks concealed in eleven (11) wooden pallets in a green Scania truck with Registration Number KM 7989 C parked in the same property. Further probing into the matter, operatives recovered ninety eight (98) blocks at a residence in Brusbi Phase one (1). One Sedia Ndow occupies the said property.

“Initial investigations linked a Person of Interest (POI) who fled our jurisdiction. OCRTIS, our counterpart in Senegal clutched him in Dakar on Tuesday 29 December 2020 and handed him over on Friday 1 January 2021.

“Prior to this landmark seizure, the special operation squad of DLEAG seized twenty–six (26) blocks of cannabis resin (hashish) weighing 12kg 150g at the residence of one Mr. Bai Modou Njie. Mr. Njie is a Gambian, male and a resident of TAF Brufut Gardens on the Thursday 10 December 2020. Similarly, operatives recovered a pistol with five live rounds from him. Initial findings revealed that the hashish seized from Mr. Njie was sourced from the consignment of hashish seized on 20 December 2020.

“Investigation into the matter continue while, Mr Ousman Kanteh (male, 30 year old), Mr Sedia Ndow (male, 28 year old), and Mr Ebrima Bittaye (male, 52 years) are helping officers with the investigations.”