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Ecowas asks Col Assimi Goita and co to hand back power to civilians and that elections be held in a year

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By Reuters

Mali’s West African neighbors on Friday told the military junta which seized control 10 days ago that it must transfer power to a civilian-led transitional government immediately and hold elections within a year.

In exchange, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) committed to lifting sanctions gradually as the coup leaders complied with its demands, the bloc’s chairman said.

ECOWAS suspended Mali from its institutions, shut borders and halted financial flows with the country following the overthrow of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on August 18.

On Friday, the 15-member group reinforced its hard-line because of concerns about prolonged instability in Mali and its potential to undermine the fight against Islamist militants there and in the wider Sahel region.

It outlined four main points it wanted to see progress on before sanctions could be gradually lifted.

Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou, who currently chairs ECOWAS, said Mali’s transitional president and prime minister must be civilians and would be banned from running in the next legislative and presidential elections.

“No military structure should be above the transitional president,” Issoufou said.

ECOWAS also called for the quick establishment of a government that will tackle the various challenges Mali is facing, and in particular prepare for legislative and presidential elections within 12 months.

A spokesman for the junta, Djibrila Maiga, said its leaders were still studying the bloc’s decisions.

The junta issued a statement on Friday evening inviting Mali’s political parties including Keita’s ruling coalition and civil society groups to a meeting on Saturday to discuss the organization of the transition.

Some members of Mali’s opposition coalition, the M5-RFP, which held several demonstrations calling for Keita to resign before the coup, said the regional leaders were misreading the situation.

“ECOWAS needs to revise its position,” Clement Dembele, a member of the coalition and a former presidential candidate, said in Bamako.

“The question, today, is that Mali needs statesmen. Mali doesn’t need a civilian or a soldier but a statesman,” he said.

The junta leaders said after taking power that they acted because the country was sinking into chaos, insecurity and corruption, blaming poor leadership.

The soldiers behind the coup are anxious to get the sanctions lifted and, as a gesture of goodwill, released Keita on Thursday and allowed him to return home.

They also cut their proposed duration of a transition to democracy to two years from three.

Mountaga Tall, another member of the M5-RFP coalition, said Mali’s needs must be identified first before fixing the deadline for a transition.

“It would be more rational, more reassuring to establish the tasks for the transition and, relative to the immensity of these tasks, to then decide if it will be three months, two years or three years,” he said.

Two diplomats who attended the conference said there was room for the transition to be extended for a couple of months beyond the ECOWAS deadline.

Regional leaders are scheduled to meet again on Sept. 7 in Niger’s capital Niamey, where they will assess the situation in Mali and take other measures, if necessary, Issoufou said.

Mali has struggled to regain stability since a Tuareg uprising in 2012 was hijacked by Islamist militants.

A French intervention drove back the insurgents but since 2018 the country has seen a sharp increase in violence and insecurity that has driven more than half a million people from their homes.

TRIBUTE: Sally P.C Njie(1932-2020), (The Gambia’s First Librarian; Pioneer Chief Librarian of The Gambia National Library)

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The Mother of Library in The Gambia is Gone!

By: Hassoum Ceesay, Historian

Aunty Sally P.C Njie died this week at the ripe age of 88. She was the pioneer staff of The Gambia National Library when it was founded in 1963, a few months after the closure of the British Council in Bathurst. Hitherto, the British Council Library served as the only reference and lending library facility in the country. Her demise offers us an opportunity to go down memory lane and retrace the development of public library service in The Gambia.
It was Bishop Daley of the Anglican Mission who opened the first public library facility in Bathurst in 1945. Before then the few educated elite had always moaned in the pages of the Bathurst Press that the absence of a public reading facility was indeed a shame which needed to be remedied. Although Bishop Daley’s library was mainly ecclesiastical, it whetted the appetite of local readers such that in 1946, the British Council opened its Library and Reading Room along Clifton Road(Independence Drive), where the National Museum is now located. Ms Njie was among the first Gambian staff at the British Council Library.

In 1955, she was sent to study Library Science at the Gold Coast(Ghana), and in 1957 she returned home a qualified librarian. Subsequently, her keenness and determination was requited with a yearlong internship at the Ghana Library Board. She studied in the UK to become a Chartered Librarian.

In 1962, the British Council told the P.S Njie’s Government that it was closing its operations in The Gambia. Despite Chief Minister Njie flying to London to argue against this decision, the Council shut its operations in 1963, but handed over its library collection of 5000 volumes to The Gambia Government. The debate raged as to what to do with the books: distribute them to school libraries or establish a National Library. Ms Njie managed to convince Premier Jawara that the latter option was more dignified of a country.

She was asked to become Librarian. She worked alone for there were no other qualified Librarians in the country. Also, no resources were allocated to the nascent library. But by dint of hard work and foresight, Ms Njie built the National Library into a formidable instrument for national development.

For example, by 1970, the Library had over 7000 books and lent 4000 books annually. Soon, she operated a mobile library service that took reading material to all parts of the country. Moreover, she established the Gambiana Section where she deposited every material published about The Gambia. This section still exists, and it is most useful to researchers.

However, Ms Njie greatest legacy was how she successfully built up a cadre of Gambian librarians. She started by training school librarians, and later some of them were recruited into The Gambia National Library staff. Ms Njie insisted that each trained school librarians, mostly teachers, must returned back to their school with a Reading Cupboard full of interesting books which he/she could lend out to pupils or use in the Reading class sessions.

Ms Njie started the issuance of International Standard Book Number(ISBN) and the International Standard Serial Number(ISSN), the sort of birth certificates of all publications, from books to newspapers, which make them traceable in the international publications system. Before the introduction of the ISBN and ISSN, it was not possible to trace a publication printed in the country or to have it deposited in major libraries like The Library of Congress or the British Library.

With support of the British Government, The Gambia National Library was moved to a more spacious site along Reg Pye Lane in Banjul in 1976. Ms Njie became The Gambia First Chief Librarian and remained so until her retirement in 1987.

But prior to her retirement, she had published widely. In 1979, for example, she published the first ever edition of Who’s Who The Gambia. This is a biographical dictionary of prominent Gambians in all spheres of life. In 2016, I worked with James Abraham and Alhaji A.M Sering-Secka on an updated version of Who’s Who The Gambia, published by Toplink Print. To her scholarly credit also, Ms Njie annually published a Bibliography of The Gambia, which listed all published material on the country to serve as reference guide to researchers. In later years, Professor David Gamble expanded the Bibliography and continued to publish it.

On 30 May 2005, I met Ms Njie at her modest house off Garba Jahumpa Road for an interview on her life for my book titled Gambian Women: An Introductory History(Fulladu Publishers, 2007). She told me the contours of her life from her days at the Methodist Girls High School, and her sojourn as a staff of the Post Office in the 1950s. She also told me how as one of the first Gambian women to drive a car, how when she took books to the villages, crowds will turn up to see if it was indeed true that there was a woman who could drive a car. ‘Driving my new Landrover through Gambian villages in the 1950s and 1960s, I realized that I was breaking stereotypes of women not being able to do certain tasks..’, she told me then.

Another thing she told me was how came she spoke such impeccable English. Once over the telephone, I asked her where she got her perfect British Accent. Ms Njie laughed and told me at school in those days they learnt Greek and Latin, and did Pronunciation as a subject as they did Hand writing. ‘But you know, I also spent many years in England as a student and on holidays’.

Ms Njie was an accomplished Gambian woman. She built singlehandedly, from scratch, one of the most important institutions in our Republic, our National Library, the depository of our knowledge production and the fulcrum of our knowledge consumption. She was modest, intelligent and keen in the production, distribution and consumption of knowledge in The Gambia.

To her family, friends and colleagues at the National Library like Mr. Mbye, Ms. Ndow, and to all staff of the National Library, I convey my condolences and pray that her soul rest in peace.

(Sally P.C Njie, Gambian Chartered Librarian; Pioneer Chief Librarian of The Gambia National Library, born in Bathurst 1932; died 25 August 2020).

Hassoum Ceesay, historian

Businessman Alasan Gent Ceesay takes Rahma’s generosity to EFSTH as company supports the nation’s top hospital with equipment half a million dalasis was spent on

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By Jaka Ceesay Jaiteh

Businessman Alasan Gent Ceesay has taken his company’s corporate social responsibility to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital by providing the hospital equipment worth half a million dalasis.

The Chief Executive Officer of Rahma Gambia, Mr Ceesay presented the items at a brief ceremony at the premises of the nation’s top hospital in Banjul on Friday. Rahma is one of the few Gambian owned companies engaged in the importation of food commodities and essential goods.

“It is a massive opportunity for us and a means of saying thank you to the frontline workers for their efforts during this period.” Mr Ceesay said.

Mr Ceesay added that this is not the end of his company’s contribution towards the society but the beginning.

“A portion of our profit to go back to the society. We see it as a social investment and not a charity.” he said.

The items presented included two desktop computers, a printer, a drug refrigerator, three stools, a projector, three staff lockers, UPS, two shoe racks, shelves and a table top.

The items were received on behalf of the hospital by Dr Kebba Marenah a senior doctor at the Edward Francis Small Teaching hospital.

 

Chadwick Boseman: Black Panther star dies of cancer aged 43

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By BBC

US actor Chadwick Boseman, best known for playing Black Panther in the hit Marvel superhero franchise, has died of cancer aged 43.

He died at home in Los Angeles with his wife and family by his side, a statement posted on social media said.

Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer four years ago but had not made the information public.

The news has left fans and the film world stunned. Get Out director Jordan Peele, said it was “a crushing blow”.

“A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” his family said in the statement.

“From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more – all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honor of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther.”

Boseman came to prominence playing real-life figures – baseball great Jackie Robinson in 2013’s 42, and soul singer James Brown in 2014’s Get on Up.

However, it will be as the titular Black Panther in the blockbuster 2018 film he will be best remembered.

Boseman stars as the ruler of Wakanda, a fictional African nation with the most advanced technology on earth.

As well as winning critical praise and taking more than $1.3 billion US dollars (£973m) at cinemas worldwide, the film was widely seen as a cultural milestone for having a largely black cast and a black director, Ryan Coogler.

Boseman said last year that the film had changed what it means to be “young, gifted and black”.

Black Panther was the first superhero film to get a nomination for best picture at the Oscars.

He also played the same role in other Marvel films Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.

A sequel was in the works and due to come out in 2022, with Boseman set to return.

 

No new coronavirus deaths but cases storm to 2,895 after 98 new cases are discovered after 357 people are tested

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The ministry of health said on Saturday 98 new cases of coronavirus have been discovered following the testing of 357 people.

Ninety-eight new cases registered, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases ever confirmed in the country to 2,895, the health ministry said.

“This represents a 27.5% test positivity rate (98 out of 357 total tests performed). The median age of the new cases is 33.5 years (range: 9 to 78 years),” it added.

The Day of Judgment is Here: Are you Ready?

Anytime I recite the “Salatul Ibrahimiyyah” which is recommended as the best way to send salutations  and prayers  upon the Holy Prophet of the Whole World Muhammad (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) my mind runs to the blessed place

where his blessed body rests beside his beloved family and honoured disciples. 

And often my mind goes to the fact that the best of creation is gone and so are his closest friends and family. And when I recite the part of the prayer where we ask Allah to bless and send peace on Muhammad just like he did for the patriarch of his forebears,  Prophet Abraham, (peace be upon him) I remember,  for sure,  that death is inevitable; and surely the Day of Judgement is near, as prophesied by all illumined souls sent by Allah as warners to humankind.

In multiple Quranic verses, Allah reminds us about the closeness of the hour. The Day of judgment is mentioned so often in the Quran that it scares me daily. And from the Quran to the Hadiths of the Prophet (SAWS) it is always emphasised that we do not have time. The hour for the whole of creation to come before the Creator is not far away. The first three verses of Surah Qamar come to mind: “The Hour (of judgement) has come near, and the moon has split [in two]. But if they see a miracle, they turn away and say, “Passing magic.” They reject (the warning) and follow their (own) lusts but every matter has its appointed time.”

Despite these powerful reminders, mankind continues to revel in our delusion. This age of distraction, fuelled by the Internet,  has worsened our forgetfulness about the inevitable moment and yet its imminence and obviousness is unmistakable. 

With strong onomatopoeic cadence Allah alerts us in the first verse of the 22nd chapter of the Holy Quran, Surah Hajj “Inna zalzalata’sa’ati shai’un atheem”  (Verily the convulsion of the Hour (of Judgment) will be a thing terrible!). Allah goes further to give us some window into this inevitable moment in the subsequent verse of the same Surah, “The Day you shall see it, every mother giving suck shall forget her suckling-babe, and every pregnant female shall drop her load (unformed): thou shalt see mankind as in a drunken riot, yet not drunk: but dreadful will be the Wrath of Allah.”

If you are like me, then, you have lost at least one parent, friends, close relatives  and some colleagues. They have all gone into that long ‘sleep’; into that inevitable abode we shall all share one day, the graveyard. From there our next moment of wakefulness, out of that enclosure, in our physical dimension shall be the Day of Judgement. Yet as a preacher once said “if you should state here that a year from today, some of us in this crowd would have been dead, then each person would assume that the one to join the dead would be the next person sitting beside him.”

One wise man has put it in a very smart way: why should we worry about how many hundreds or thousands of years far away is the Day of Judgement? The Day of Judgement happens upon us the day we die and leave this world. The moment we go to sleep in our graves is the very hour of the Day of Assembly before our Creator because the next step we take would be the day of Judgement.

A whole chapter, Surah Al-Qiyama, is named after this day. Moreover, in the Quran Allah tells us that His Holy book itself is sent as an admonition about the Day of Judgement as clearly stated in  Surah Shura, verse 7, “And thus We have revealed to you an Arabic Qur’an that you may warn the Mother of Cities [Makkah] and those around it and warn of the Day of Assembly, about which there is no doubt. A party will be in Paradise and a party in the Blaze.”

In Surah Yasin, which is considered the heart of the Quran, one of the the key themes is about the subject of this essay. And if that chapter is the heart of the Quran then, shall we not take heed? The Day of Resurrection and judgement is at the very heart of the Holy Book of the Muslims. In this Surah Allah tell us in verses 51-52 : And the trumpet shall be blown, when lo! from their graves they shall hasten on to their Lord. They will say, “O woe to us! Who has raised us up from our sleeping place?” [The reply will be], “This is what the Most Merciful had promised, and the messengers told the truth.”

Elsewhere in the same Surah Allah answers the doubters who question the possibility of resurrecting the dead “when they would have become mere bones”. In verse 79 He proclaims: Say, “He will give them life Who created them for the first time! for He is Well-versed in every kind of creation!-

Allah then goes ahead to conclude the Surah with an emphatic blow to the doubters after having earlier stated the similitude of the dead earth which is brought back to life with green foliage. In verse 81, He asserts with a rhetorical question “Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like of them? Yea! and He is the Creator (of all), the Knower.”

Therefore, doubtless, the Hour will come and none knows it’s specific moment but Allah. Shall we not then be mindful of the multiples warnings He has sent us? The alarm bells are ringing constantly. And as the poet John Donne states “never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.” 

The only barrier between us and this day is death and death is certain, none can deny that. And as the Holy Quran poignantly assures us in verse 8 of Surah Jumuah: 

“Say: (As for) the death from which you run away, that will surely overtake you, then you shall be sent back to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will inform you of that which you did.”

Momodou Sabally

‘I’m so damn shocked’: Madi Jobarteh slams police chief Mamour Jobe over ‘courteous’ letter to Rambo and him not being informed

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Madi Jobarteh has reacted to a letter purportedly by the Inspector General of Police Mamour Jobe warning APRC top official Ousman Rambo Jatta over comments that saw him (Madi) lodge a complaint with the police.

The Standard had reported Mr Jobarteh and compatriot commentator Nyang had lodged complaints with the police over comments by Rambo. Rambo reportedly described Nyang Njie as too diminutive to be handled, describing his legs as smaller than those of a mosquito before warning Mr Njie to watch his tongue. Rambo also reportedly described Madi Jobarteh, saying he is as short as a b**t, warning that APRC is preparing for him too.

On Thursday a letter that appears to be written to Rambo by police emerged online, where Rambo is seen being warned to desist from such utterance.

Some APRC supporters online however quickly pounced on the letter to taunt the two vociferous commentators.

One said: “Madi Jobarteh and Nyang Njie better luck next time lol. Keep trying hard and the more you do, the more you continue wasting your valuable time, energy and resources. But ask me whether they have anything meaningful in their lives to do.

“Turn for that malnourished insect Sherrif Kijera of the UDP victims centre to give it a try and be shamed as in the fate of his co UDPians.

“Gone are those days when UDP handpicked Police Prosecutors would turn an innocent green loyalists to guilt. At APRC, we are always winners.”

Another said: “Lol Nyang and Madi will not sleep tonight.”

Mr Jobarteh reacting to the letter on Friday told The Fatu Network: “All I can say is that, as responsible citizens we reported a crime to the police and we made statements to that effect. By so doing it means we exercised restraint and abided by the law.

“Therefore my expectation is that if the police have concluded their investigation they would have the good sense to inform us accordingly so that we would know if they are prosecuting the matter or not.

“So I am damned shocked that instead the police decided to officially write to only the perpetrator with so much courteousness but blatantly decided to ignore myself and Nyang Njie.

“To me this reflects unfairness and unprofessionalism on the part of the IGP and a dangerous precedent that can only discourage citizens to report crime. More seriously this action by the IGP shows his contempt and disregard of the complainants which is utterly unbecoming of the dignity of his office. The IGP must not disrespect and disregard any citizen more so citizens who recognized his duty and approached him with respect.”

 

Three people that tested positive for coronavirus and self-isolating at home die of disease

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The health ministry said on Friday three people have joined 93 people in dying of coronavirus.

All 3 tested positive for COVID-19 prior to their deaths, according to the ministry of health in a report.

The ministry added the said deaths were detected through the routine virtual clinics being conducted by volunteer doctors monitoring the conditions of COVID-19 positive cases in home isolation.

The number of people that died of Covid-19 is now 96.

Gambia’s most grateful boss? Boss gifts his star employee 1.3 million dalasis car as mark of appreciation

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A boss has surprised his most hard working employee with a car worth 1.3 million dalasis as a show of gratitude and appreciation.

Alasan Gent Ceesay the CEO and Founder of Rahma Gambia food commodities company gifted operations supervisor Fakebba Ceesay a brand new Peugeot 3008 car worth 1.3 million dalasis.

In a video shared with The Fatu Network, Fakebba is seen cutting the figure of a shocked man as his boss tells him he was the owner of the car while he thanks him for his services.

While both Alasan and Fakebba share the same surname, The Fatu Network understands they are not related.

On the late Imam Banding Drammeh: Reflections on a Life well Lived

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A graduate of the prestigious Al-Ahzar University. The late Imam Banding Drammeh was a trailblazer in Islamic scholarship and the promotion of Arabic education in The Gambia. His demise has left a void in the country and beyond; but his legacy will forever brighten our lives. 

Ahmad Cherno Banding Drammeh commonly known as Imam Banding Drammeh is a native of Brikama town. He was born in brikama in 1937. His father’s name is Mustapha Drammeh and his mother is Aja Nano Sillah.

He started learning from local Islamic schools called (Karanta or Majlis) with his uncle Alhaji Malamin Drammeh in Brikama, where he learned how to read and write in Arabic. After the death of his grandfather Sheikh Basidia Drammeh, he later moved to their hometown, Basse Dampha Kunda with his father.

Imam Banding lived in Basse for more than a decade, seeking knowledge and blessings from his parents. From a humble beginning, he realized that making it in life wasn’t going to be easy and he had to endure many challenges along the way.

In the late 1960s he left Brikama for Egypt to pursue further education, unfortunately, he had stopped and settled in Sedro, Ghana, for three years. During his stay in Ghana he built a school called Ridwan Islamic school where students are taught how to read the Qur’an and Islamic principles. He returned to the Gambia and re-started his journey to Egypt.

 

Upon his arrival in Egypt in 1964, he then headed to one of the best universities in the world Al-Ahzar university where he did his bachelor’s in Arabic language. 

He went to Egypt with his colleagues from the Gambia, including Oustass Kebba Jabbi, Oustass Mass Jah,  and Oustass Sarja Fatty. After completing his degree program in Arabic language in 1973, he returned home. Before returning home, he met the famous boxer, Muhammad Ali in Egypt in the early 70s. Ali tried to convince the erudite scholar Imam Banding Drammeh to join him in America to preach the religion of peace to the American people, but he still insisted to return home because that is where he was needed most. 

After his return from Egypt in 1974, he was offered scholarship from the Libyan authorities to study his higher diploma in ‘Dawatul Islamia’. Upon completion of his higher diploma he was later appointed by the Islamic Call Society to teach and preach Islam in Tanzania but he still declined, and decided to come back to Gambia.

The late Imam Banding’s quest for knowledge and teaching was unmatched. He started his career as Arabic teacher at Muhammadan primary school in Banjul, then he moved to Muslim High School from 1975 towards 1978. While teaching at Muslim, he also had his own Quranic school (Madrassa) at Perseverance Street in Banjul, at the same time.

In 1976, he started a two-class madrassa in Brikama. From 1976 towards 1978 he taught in Brikama in the morning and continued the afternoon classes in Muslim high school. In 1978 the project of his Arabic school commenced; and in the early 1990s he extended the school to Jamisa, as the institution expanded. He became the first Islamic scholar to have built an Arabic school with English section, in the Gambia.

With support from donors, he later increased the size of the school from two story building with eight classrooms to a bigger one with high school. Imam Banding was the first Islamic scholar to have his own Magazine (voice of Islam) in the 1970s. It was published once every month in English and Arabic. The magazine was focused primarily on Islam related issues, and religious consciousness. He co-founded many Islamic associations across the country. He is among the founding fathers, or an executive member, of almost all the Islamic associations, including The Gambia Islamic Council and Amana. Alongside all these responsibilities, he also started a weekly radio talk show on numerous Islamic topics at Radio Gambia from 1976 to early 2020.

Imam Banding became the vice president of the Supreme Islamic Council under the stewardship of Alh. Soriba Jabbi; then he rose to the presidency of that institution. He served as a supreme Islamic council president for two terms, from 1998 to 2008. 

During his tenure, he transformed the Supreme Islamic Council to a formidable and well-structured council. He requested for the council to have its own place which was subsequently given to them by the Jammeh administration, on the MDI road in Kanifing.  He sought donations from Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, and Malaysia, for the erection of those structures at the headquarters of the council. He instituted different offices in the Islamic council, among them is the institute for the training of imams. His contribution towards the spread of Islamic studies is immense and valuable.

The late Imam Banding Drammeh May be gone into the next world but he has left behind a bright and inspiring legacy. Imam Banding has taught thousands of Gambians who became distinguished scholars and experts in all walks of life; lawyers, teachers, Imams, Bankers and Engineers. Some of his students are Alh. Dr Manta Drammeh, Dr Basidia Drammeh, Dr Abdul Kadir Sillah and even the current president of the Gambia Islamic council, Muhammed Lamin Touray was his student. 

His close associates describe him as a pace-setter, a mentor and a role model. His influence remains as a guiding light for thousands of Scholars and religious leaders in The Gambia and beyond. May Allah grant him repose in Jannatul Firdaus.

Basiru O. Ceesay  

Brusubi

Mosques and churches get greenlight to open again but conditions are set

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Places of worship have been allowed to open again by the government as coronavirus-enforced regulations around them got revised on Thursday.

The Gambia government through its spokesperson has announced that public places of worship such as churches and mosques may open. The government has however announced conditions around their reopening.

A statement by government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh on Thursday said: “A public place of worship (mosque, church, et cetera.) may be opened fifteen (15) minutes before scheduled congregational prayers and shall be closed immediately after the end of prayers.

“A person in charge of a place of worship shall ensure the availability of hand cleansing and hygiene materials at the entrance of the premises to be used by all worshippers.

“Each worshipper shall wear a facemask covering the mouth and nose; all taps and toilets in the premises of worship centres shall remain closed to the public. In the cases of mosques, all worshippers shall come with their own prayer mats and worshippers shall keep a distance of at least one (1) metre from each other.

“By this Regulation, all churches or mosques shall be closed immediately after every congregational prayer and a Special Committee shall be established by each worship centre in The Gambia for the observance of these new public health and safety guidelines.

“The Gambia Government encourages all Mosque and Church Committees to engage their members and worshippers in adhering to the letter of the State of Public Emergency Regulations governing places of worships and all other aspects of public life.”

President Barrow extends curfew by fresh 21 days and it FORBIDS Gambians from being outside between 10pm and 5am

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President Adama Barrow has imposed a new 21-day curfew on the nation amid the expiry of a three-week curfew that he had imposed on the country earlier this month.

A statement by government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh on Thursday said nightly curfew from 10pm to 5am daily remains in place throughout The Gambia.

“Persons on official COVID-19 duties, ambulances and public officials on essential assignments are exempted from the curfew. Anyone who violates the curfew commits an offence and is liable to a fine of Five Thousand Gambian Dalasi (D5,000) or in default of payment be ordered to undergo community service of cleaning public markets for a period of one week in the area he or she committed the offence,” the statement said of the move which forms part of a new state of emergency declared by the president

 

Husband seeks helping in finding his wife and three-month-old child after they failed to return home for over 24 hours

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A Bundung Bantaba husband is seeking help in finding his wife and three-month-old child after they left the house and never returned.

Walking into our offices on Kairaba Avenue, Guinean national Cherno Jallow explained that his 22-year-old wife Mariama Dalanda Jallow did not return home after stepping out to buy formula for their three-month-old child.

The 30-year-old said: “It happened around 8am on Wednesday. She went to the shop to buy formula for the child and has not returned since. All my relatives have been calling me and saying they have not seen her.”

Cherno has reported the matter to the police. Anyone that sees Mariama should contact 7871878.

BABA GALLEH JALLOW – STORY: The adventures of Alkatan – 2

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By Baba Galleh Jallow

The people of Tonya Kunda were so happy that Degere had changed so much after Alkatan threw him down. Now they knew he would not dare beat anybody up because Alkatan was around. And to their surprise, Degere did not only not try to beat anybody up, he became one of the most peaceful and friendly people in Tonya Kunda. He now wore a permanent smile on his face and did not hesitate to say to anybody, you are a good person. But his sudden friendliness did not endear him to the people of Tonya Kunda; rather, they were happy that they could now ask him in so many ways just who he thought he was! For the transgressions of Degere were just too much!

Now when Degere passed by, people would call out to him and ask when he would next wrestle, adding that they really missed his famous faity style. Degere would always say “ah, now I stopped wrestling. I have left it to the children.” People became so unafraid of Degere that some would come up to him, give him a snappy handshake, and ask if he had seen Alkatan lately. Degere would say, “no, I saw him just yesterday. Or when was it, this morning? A good man.”

And when Degere now passed by the well at which the women did their laundry, the women would stop their work and all stand up to argue loudly as to who was their champion wrestler. Some would loudly say “As for me, Degere is my champion!” and loudly clap their hands and laugh out aloud. Another would say, “Degere? That Degere the old man threw down? Muk! As for me, Alkatan is my champion!” The women would laugh and make loud references to the fact that a scorpion is small but if it stings you! And some would say, “I would rather marry an old man than a young man who could be thrown by an old man!” Degere would walk past, pretending not to hear. Before the Alkatan encounter, Degere would always stop by the well to brag, flirt and have the women tell him which among his victories their favorite was. Was it when he threw Nyambo down? Or did they think it was what he did to Falo of Sembe Kunda village? “Ah,” he would brag, “you all saw what I did to Cheepu! As for Mbahalo, I almost killed him!” Now, he just quietly walked past and the women always repeated their drama whenever Degere passed by.

In the days and weeks following their encounter, Alkatan had a lot of visitors and heard a lot of strange stories about Degere that often made him cry. Everyday people would come around to thank Alkatan for dealing with Degere. “He saw that he had more power than me so he beat me up. I did nothing to him,” many would say. Alkatan would listen in utter amazement as people told of how Degere publicly disgraced them and how they had not been feeling well ever since. The stories unfailingly made Alkatan sad, but they never made him angry, for Alkatan had become incapable of anger. But he was deeply pained to imagine a big and strong man like Degere fiercely pouncing upon an old and frail man, smashing him to the ground and severely beating him up just because he thought they were looking at his wife the other day! Such stories made the tears fall in Alkatan’s heart and made him wish that he was there to deal with Degere. And they made his heart cry not merely because of the absurdity of Degere’s cruelty, but because of the utter helplessness of his innocent victims as Degere unleashed his bulky fury against them. He could never understand the human capacity for cruelty.

Alkatan’s heart cried at the scale of Degere’s unjust behavior against the powerless people of Tonya Kunda. Yes you could beat somebody up if he committed some beatable offence, but you certainly could not beat somebody up just because you thought he was looking at your wife the other day, or because he dared request that you repay his small debt. “He tells you sweet words when he wants to borrow from you,” many villagers had said of Degere. “And if you don’t give him a loan he would say you think he is dishonest and a thief. And he would pounce on you and beat you up. That is why he fell on me and broke my hand. See, it is still swollen and it hurts a lot,” one villager said, showing Alkatan his swollen hand. Alkatan could not hold back his tears, and promised the man he would find a cure for his hand the following day. A woman came who said because she refused to do what he wanted, Degere beat up her sick husband, and he died shortly afterwards and made her a widow. Now she had to feed her three children all by herself. “I said I did not want to play with him and he said did I think my husband was a better man than he. I said no it’s not that; but he said yes it was but he would show me. When my husband came home that day, he told me Degere fell on him and beat him up because I said my husband was better than him.” Alkatan held his mouth and listened and the tears flowed in his heart.

One afternoon a man in tattered clothes came to Alkatan’s hut. His face was wet with tears and he clearly was in great distress. As he entered Alkatan’s hut and sat down, he was wiping his tears and struggling to greet the old man with a shaky voice. Alkatan was hoping to hear another tale of cruelty about Degere, but this man did not speak of Degere. He spoke instead of the Alkalo seizing his only goat. “When Kiyanka’s father died and he became alkalo last year, he immediately said everyone must now give him a goat every year as taxes. His father did not do that but he said he was not his father and that he was now the alkalo. Kiyanka is a rich man. He has three herds of cattle and hundreds of sheep and goats. Last year I gave him my male goat, and this year he forcefully took my female goat which is suckling her kid. My wife is sick and her breasts have no milk, and we use the goat’s milk to feed our daughter, who is only six months old. Now the baby does not have anything to eat and last night she cried till morning because we only had water to give her. So I said let me go to Alkatan and tell him. Probably God will help us though him,” the distraught man told Alkatan.

“So the alkalo has three herds of cattle and hundreds of sheep and goats, yet he took your only goat,” Alkatan said. “Yes,” the man replied. “And each herd has over two hundred cows. But everyone paid a goat last year and this year. I was the last person to pay because I only had one goat and my wife is sick and her breasts have no milk and it was the goat’s milk that we gave our daughter. But yesterday Kiyanka sent his men and they forcefully took my goat away and the baby was hungry and cried all night and we couldn’t sleep. She is till crying at home.”

“Ah,” Alkatan sighed. “I think we should go have a chat with the Alkalo. I think he should return your goat.” With that Alkatan rose and followed the man out of his hut. The two men walked towards the center of Tonya Kunda where the Alkalo’s compound was.

Light at the end of the tunnel? Gambians’ power misery set to end as NAWEC targets end-September to stabilise

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National Water and Electricity Company has said it’s ‘pretty’ sure it will stabilise in supplying sufficient electricity to Gambians.

The past weeks have seen NAWEC struggle in terms of power supply amid widespread frustration among Gambians.

NAWEC’s public relations officer Pierre Sylva exclusively told The Fatu Network: “The overhaul is ongoing, we already placed the order for the materials that are required for the overhaul and they’re coming intermittently.

“Already you have the material for G8, G8 has been fixed. The material for G3 in Brikama, according to the company overseas says by next week those materials will be here. This is why the engineering group have already started dismantling and doing some repairs on the ones that don’t require replacement.

“And the others, according to the orders that we made, will come by mid-September. So we’re pretty sure by end-September, we will stabilise.”

Ousted Mali president Keita has been freed by coup leaders, says junta spokesman

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By CGTN Africa

Coup leaders in Mali have released ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita from detention, a spokesman for the junta Djibrilla Maiga said on Thursday.

“He was freed this morning, (and) he has returned to his home,” he said, without giving further details.

Keita, who was overthrown in an Aug. 18 coup, had been in military custody. He is still being guarded by army officers since his release late Wednesday, said a person who spoke to Keita, declining to be identified because he’s not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.

(source from agencies)

OICGambia announces tapping of NACO as designer and supervisor of ultra-modern presidential lounge at airport

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The Gambia O.I.C. Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure and The Gambia Civil Aviation Authorit said on Thursday it is pleased to announce the recruitment of Netherlands Airport Consultants (NACO) as the consultant for the Design and Supervision of the construction of an ultra-modern Presidential VVIP Lounge at the Banjul International Airport in preparation for the forthcoming OIC heads of state and government summit in 2022.

“Under this agreement, NACO and its Gamban partner, Cityscape of The Gambia, will provide integrated design services for an independent VVIP pavilion for the exclusive use of the President of the Republic and other designated guests. This complex will include presidential lounges, press rooms, protocol offices, security offices, parking lots for the use of passengers arriving and departing the presidential lounge, and roads linking the lounge to the Aircraft Apron,” a statement by OIC brand and communication chief Nfally Fadera said.

It added: “Additionally, the engineering firm will provide detailed designs and pre-contract services for a period of 23 weeks as well as deliver construction compliance and site supervision duties for 52 weeks.”

The statement then quoted Yankuba Dibba, the chief executive officer of The Gambia O.I.C. Secretariat as saying: “The signing marks yet another indication of our logical approach to systematically putting in place an array of infrastructure to ensure a successful hosting of the OIC 2022.

‘‘The VVIP lounge will give our guests a taste of the experience of Gambian hospitality. It would provide a befitting welcome to the smiling coast of Africa’’.

The statement then continued: “The building of a modern presidential lounge at the country’s only international airport, ahead of the OIC Summit in 2022, will uplift its image and standards in line with international protocol and high-level reception requirements.

“The project will complement ongoing efforts by OICGambia, and The Gambia government, to position The Gambia as a leading conference destination in the subregion. Moreover, like other OICGambia projects, it will create several job opportunities and transfer of knowledge to local firms and individuals.”

 

Families troubled by poverty set to get D1,500 monthly as ‘Nafa’ quick cash project gets launched

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Thousands of families are set to be given D1,500 twice over four months following the launch of a multi-million dollars project.

The Government of The Gambia in collaboration with the World Bank is executing a 5-year US$31 Million Social Safety Net Project; the project is currently being implemented by the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA), the Social Protection Secretariat, the Department of Community Development and Department of Social Welfare.

Vice President Dr Isatou Touray virtually launching the project on Thursday said: “The project objective is to improve the coordination of social assistance activities, provide temporary social assistance support to rural households in the wake of COVID-19, and increase the inclusion of the extreme poor in the Nafa Program.

“The “Nafa Quick” intends to contribute to the mitigation of the social and economic impact of COVID-19 on the population by providing immediate universal cash transfer of D1,500 per month (2 transfers of D3,000) within a period of 4 months to about 83,000 households in 30 districts in WCR, LRR, CRR, URR and NBR covering the lean period.

“Thereafter, the Nafa Program will be implemented in the 20 poorest districts targeting 15,606 extreme poor households (selected using a Proxy-Means Test and community validation) for a period of 18 months.

“The regular revenue provided to the households through the Nafa Program is aimed at both increasing short-term consumption of essential goods and services, and enabling longer-term investments in human and productive capital.”

 

Alleged mobile phone thief tied to tree and gets mercilessly beaten by mob after getting caught

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An alleged thief has been brutally beaten by a mob after reportedly getting caught while allegedly trying to steal.

The unidentified man was was mercilessly dealt with on Wednesday. The incident happened in Sukuta and a source told The Fatu Network the man is with Sukuta police.

A man speaking in an audio message shared with The Fatu Network is heard detailing how the alleged thief has been terrorising their area and stealing people’s mobile phones.

“We tied him on a mango tree and beat him well. It was around 4am that we took him to the police station,” the man who appears proud of his act is heard saying in Mandinka.

Police spokesman Lamin Njie did not pick a call for comment.

Mali junta seeks three-year post-coup transition, West Africans say one is enough

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By Reuters

The leaders of the military coup in Mali have told a delegation of West African mediators that they want to stay in power for a three-year transition period, Nigeria said on Wednesday.

Negotiators from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) were sent to Mali at the weekend to discuss a return to civilian rule with the military officers who ousted President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in the Aug. 18 coup.

But three days of meetings ended without a decision on the structure of a transitional government.

The junta leaders said after taking power that they acted because the country was sinking into chaos and insecurity which they said was largely the fault of poor government. They also promised to oversee a transition to elections within a “reasonable” amount of time.

The Nigerian presidency said the mutineers were now seeking to oversee a three-year transition before elections. Earlier, ECOWAS envoy Goodluck Jonathan had given an update on talks to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We also told them that what would be acceptable to ECOWAS was an Interim Government, headed by a civilian or retired military officer, to last for six or nine months, and maximum of 12 calendar months,” the presidency quoted Jonathan as saying in a statement.

The coup has raised the prospect of further political turmoil in Mali which, like other countries in the region, has faced an expanding threat from Islamist militants and civil unrest.

Coup leaders have held Keita since his overthrow, declining an ECOWAS request for him to be moved to his own residence.

“They said he could travel abroad, and not return to answer questions they may have for him,” Jonathan was quoted as saying.

The bloc has taken a hardline on the coup, shutting borders and halting some financial flows.

“The military leaders want ECOWAS to lift sanctions put in place, as it was already affecting the country,” it said.

Leaders of the 15-nation bloc are scheduled to hold a summit on Friday to discuss further steps.

 

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