Gambia Action Party has written to Lamin Bojang informing him of his termination as flagbearer of the party.

The letter signed by administrative secretary Muhammed Kandoro Yaffa reads:

The Gambia Action Party is very much aware about the recent nude videos and photos of Hon. Lamin Bojang circulating in the social media platforms and this came as a shock and surprise to the general membership of GAP. All attempts were made within the National Executive to ensure that the image of the party and Hon. Lamin Bojang remains clean and clear from the mess, but we have less control on what is published in social media platforms.

Since the beginning of the scandal, everyone connected to the party stands in solidarity with you and until recently, you accused the Senior Members of the party for circulating the purported nude videos and photos in a press conference held in your house at Brufut published on Facebook by Paradise TV. This came as a surprise package to the entire larger family of GAP because no executive member was aware of the Press Conference. The National Executive Committee of GAP made the first attempt to lure you to an executive meeting but proved futile because you claimed to had coincidental family meeting. The purpose of this meeting is for the simple fact that the Executive Committee Members want first hand information and your version of the saga. Until on the 12th of July, 2020 when you appeared in a meeting and unanimous decision was made to suspend you from the role of the Presidential Candidate or Flag Bearer of GAP until the outcome of the ongoing investigation in a written letter but you pleaded for forty eight hours. Despite ignoring the calls of the various media outlets to clarify the scandal in honor of the ongoing investigation, but you went ahead to accused the Senior Executive Members. GAP as a political institution is built on strong values and principles to uphold the norms and values in a democratic society without infringement of the people.

We want to make it crystal clear that your actions are unethical and are not inline with the constitution of the party, as well as our modus operandi. Thus, we unanimously agreed to expel you from the party and you’re no longer our PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OR FLAG BEARER effective on the 14th of July, 2020. Whatever grievances you had with any member of the party, the Executive Committee is capable to settle and proffer lasting peace and solution. You were not supposed to share with the media without the permission of the GAP administration and failure to act in accordance with the code of conduct and guided by the oath of secrecy, you failed woefully in your quest to lead the party into 2021 Presidential Elections.

As we all head into our separate ways, we wish you all the very best in your new terrain and thank you for your services to the party. This is a clarion call we must answer and the answer for the betterment of both parties. You disappointed the entire GAP National Executive Committee as we defended you in all angles to ensure that your name is stain free but your reward is to disintegrate the party or use divide and rule tactics on us which is never possible. We are so much grateful to you for the time, resources and energy spent on the party and thank you for the memories. We endeavour to effectively create room and avail chances for the development of every Gambian which we wholeheartedly did in your case. “But not all that glitters is gold and one must not take a mile when an inch is given”.

For the general consumption, Mr Lamin Bojang has no connection with the party henceforth and can’t represent the party in anywhere. By a copy of this letter, the media fraternities and The Independent Electoral Commission are served.

By Lamin Njie

Abubakary Jawara didn’t commit any crime importing guns into the country as he had authority to do so, according to Majanko Samusa.

Tongues were set wagging last year when police alongside intelligence officials impounded 1,263 pieces of firearms packed in 252 boxes at the port belonging to the top businessman. A police investigation later found no evidence about claims by Gambians Mr Jawara imported assault rifles into the country.

The national assembly’s select committee on defence and security also conducted its own investigation in the issue, and on Tuesday, the lawmakers met to discuss their report on the issue.

Nominated Member Majanko Samusa during the session insisted Mr Jawara committed no crime.

He said: “Hunting guns have ever since been accepted in this country, as far as history is concerned. It has never been something new in this country. I can associate myself with members… The discrepancy, that is the 13 guns but otherwise I am not seeing anything illegal for ordering these guns.

“All processes in the report, the company has gone through it. The committee made recommendations so that the authorities can revisit this act and see how best they would modernise it so that certain powers given to the Inspector General of Police would be modernised. But otherwise I don’t see what authority this august house has… An application that has been approved by a competent authority? Who are we, this august house, to seize somebody’s liberty, somebody’s right? What authority do we have?

“Sometimes, people should know their limit. Regardless of being a national assembly member, there are certain things, we should know where to stop. People have gone our of order here by castigating an innocent [man] who is not here to defend his or herself.

“We went to the warehouse, we saw how secure these guns are. Mr Speaker, Abubacarr Jawara, is he the first to import guns in this country? All what we know here is foreigners who imported guns into this country here. The question of one to order guns, is that a crime? Particularly somebody with an authority? Back by the laws of this land?”

The European Union on Tuesday announced its Tekki Fii project led by IMVF (Instituto Marquês de Valle Flôr) handed over sanitary supplies and first aid kits to the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, as schools re-open to students of 9th and 12th grades.

The union insisted its Tekki Fii project is actively supporting the country’s national response to COVID-19.

“Twenty-five schools in LRR, NBR, CRR and URR will benefit from this support,” a statement by the union said.

It added: “The project (Tekki Fii) has supported the Regional Youth Committees of CRR, NBR, LRR and URR to be on the frontline of COVID-19 prevention. Sanitary materials were distributed along with awareness raising to more than 100 communities. Five community radios, which have received new equipment, hosted awareness raising programmes that reached thousands of people in the rural areas of the country.

“At the community level, twenty-five vegetable gardens have received sanitary supplies. The project is aiming at intervening in 30 community gardens that will benefit from market-oriented planning to improve and increase production capacity and productivity. Farmer Field Schools are being organised in 30 gardens, from which 11 will start already in the rainy season. In this season, 1,000 farmers shall benefit from access to quality agriculture inputs, mitigating the losses of the previous harvest season and encouraging farmers to quickly return to the fields. Moreover, since the outbreak, 18 young agro-entrepreneurs received or are about to receive a Tekki Fii grants and 10 youths selected for the Rural Youth Awards will soon receive in-kind support for their agribusiness activities.”

“Gambians can count on the European Union’s continued support in response to the challenges of COVID-19. We all have to adapt to this new reality, including the educational sector. Today’s donation will allow more than 16,000 students to resume their studies safely and with serenity.” – said the European Union Ambassador to the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Attila LAJOS, according to the statement.

The Tekki Fii project “Promoting Agribusiness and Strengthening Social Cohesion” is led by IMVF and implemented in partnership with ADWAC, United Purpose and Alianza por la Solidaridad. The project aims to support the creation of sustainable market-oriented agribusiness value chains that shall contribute to employment creation and income generation.

At the same time, a social cohesion component aims to create a conducive social environment for the youth to tackle the opportunities in the country and to engage in community development. The project is part of the larger flagship Tekki Fii programme designed to provide better opportunities for youth in the Gambia. All projects of the Tekki Fii programme are funded by the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.

By Matty Senghore

Lamin Bojang tried very hard not to cry as he broke his silence about a nude video scandal that is threatening to all but end his political career, insisting he is stronger than ever before while also reserving special thanks for his wife for her ‘understanding’ and ‘cooperation’.

The GAP presidential candidate has been the talk of the town following the circulation last week of his nude video online, the first political leader in modern time to be mired in such a disaster.

On Tuesday, the retired army general broke his silence about the issue insisting he is as strong as ever.

“I am going through it with you people who trust in me and Wollahi today I am stronger because of you, my spirit is more rekindled and there is no way that somebody can force me to resign from politics,” he said.

Mr Bojang also insisted one person who’s ‘severely’ affected when such a thing happens is one’s spouse.

The former diplomat said: “When this incident happened, I live with a family, I live with a woman and I live with my parents. Most times when these types of things happen, the first person that is severely affected, that could even be an understatement, is your spouse.

“And I want to on-camera thank my wife for her understanding and her cooperation. And also through her, thank her family for the support that they have given me all throughout, from last week to date.

“My wife has been doubting but Alhamdullilah when she went through every bit of this incident, she vowed and swore that we are going to stand in this shoulder to shoulder.”

By Lamin Njie

Tension broke out again on Monday at the National Assembly after UDP NAMs attempted to stop the contentious local government act amendment bill from being discussed.

Duo UDP NAMs of Sanna Jawara and Ya Kumba Jaiteh instituted an all-out offensive against the bill as soon as the clerk of the house read it out for discussion by all the lawmakers.

“It has been brought to my attention Honourable Speaker that this particular bill has not fulfilled the obligatory requirements or processes, that it should in fact not be entertained in the house,” Upper Fulladu NAM Sana Jawara blasted as soon as the clerk finished reading the item for discussion.

He blasted further: “Simple reason is Section 63(2) [of Standing Order] says that if a bill is a member’s bill, then in addition to and in contemporaneously, the provisions in paragraph 1, a statement of the general nature and objects of the bill shall be published in at least one newspaper circulating in The Gambia.

“The second one is [Section] 63(3): if the bill contains a clause or clauses intended to affect or benefit some particular person, association or corporate body, then in addition to provisions in Paragraph 1, such bill shall contain a clause saving the rights of the president of the republic and successors in office, all bodies politic and all others except those as are mentioned in the bill and those claiming by from or under them.

“So you will see that basically we all saw the reasons and objects of the bill. It’s claiming to give the councillors independence from their political parties and leaders. And Section 63(3) is trying to address that, that anybody affected, in favour or adverse, should actually contain a clause saving the rights of those particular persons or bodies.”

House deputy speaker Momodou Sanneh who presided responded to Mr Jawara by saying, as those supporting the bill heavily hit the table in their admiration of him: “Honourable Member for Upper Fulladu, Standing Order 63(2) bill has been met as I was made to understand. It has been published in The Point, Standard newspaper [and] Foroyaa newspaper.”

“Honourable member for Upper Fulladu, this bill cannot be retroactive. As a result, it will not favour or it will not affect any person’s rights,” Sanneh added.

Ya Kumba Jaiteh then quickly joined Sanna Jawara in the fightback by saying: “Honourable Speaker, am just rising on Point of Order 32, 1(A). It says, ‘by raising a question on a point of order when proper procedures have been followed’. The decision whether this bill would affect the right of political bodies, corporate bodies or political parties or associations, it would be a one quite subjective and I would advise the Honourable Speaker to actually seek legal interpretation of this provision.”

Halifa Sallah in an attempt to take the floor from Ms Jaiteh then bellowed in his microphone amid huge noise in the background: “Honourable Speaker, Point of Order, Point of Order.”

Ya Kumba Jaiteh who wasn’t interested continued: “I am rising on a point of order, if I complete my point of order…”

A relentless Halifa Sallah bellowed again as he raised his constituency tag: “Honourable Speaker, Point of Order. Honourable Speaker, Point of Order. Honourable Speaker, Point of Order.”

“I am rising on a Point of Order,” Ya Kumba Jaiteh fired back.

Halifa Sallah then insisted: “I am also saying what is being said, there’s a Point of Order. That statement itself, I am objecting, is a Point of Order. Honourable Speaker, I want to rise to a Point of Order.”

Intervening, the Speaker said: “Honourable Member for Serrekunda, a note has been taken on your Point of Order but allow her complete her statement then you will be called upon, please.”

“Honourable Speaker, there is a Point of Order by virtue of the statement but it’s left to you. I accept your ruling” Mr Sallah standing down, fired back.

Member for Kantora then drew the ire of the speaker when he told the speaker Mr Sallah was making a Point of Order.

“There is a Point of Order, you cannot allow her to proceed when there is a Point of Order,” Billay Tunkara told the speaker.

A frustrated speaker Sanneh then slammed him: “Honourable Member for Kantora, I made a ruling for nominated member to continue. Please don’t disturb the proceeding of the house.”

Ya Kumba Jaiteh continuing said the bill that was before the lawmakers was clearly affecting the rights of political party as she read out Section 63(3) of the house’s Standing Order which frowns at such a bill.

“And the bill in question clearly doesn’t contain a saving clause in regards to those rights. This is my interpretation and I would advise that we suspend this sitting, get the interpretation because this is a mandatory provision,” Ms Jaiteh insisted amid huge noise which she said wouldn’t distract her.

Halifa Sallah was at this point give the floor but he took a completely different direction.

He said: “Honourable Speaker, while respecting the motion which is put without even being seconded and there is continuation of a debate on it, but because we must respect the deep concerns of people. Honourable Speaker, we’re departing from procedure which is Standing Order 66 which tells us the stages of the bill.

“Honourable Speaker, we cannot lecture people on procedure when we are departing from procedure. So my and really Honourable Speaker, I am alone. I have no support, I am seeking no support in what I am saying in this parliament. Honourable Speaker, the procedure is for us to have a motion seconded before you even talk about a debate.

“And Honourable Speaker, you the speaker you’re the authority and there is permissible interruption and you’re speaking and somebody interrupted you, Honourable Speaker and we still remained calm. Honourable Speaker, I don’t need to give a lecture. Please Honourable Speaker, take charge and then let’s move according to procedure.”

Ya Kumba Jaiteh then provoked fresh commotion when she said she was to speak again on a Point of Order.

“Mr Speaker, we must respect the procedure, you cannot allow somebody to go ahead when you [didn’t] give he or her authority,” a enraged Majanko Samusa said amid repeated ‘Point of Order’ yelling from Brikama North MP.

“Come rain, come sunshine this bill will go,” Banjul Central Muhammed Ndow could be heard saying.

The speaker the ruled that the bill be discussed at the committee level of the louse comprising all the lawmakers. The bill was then adopted even as some changes were made in it.

The lawmakers will meet again on Friday when sponsor Alhagie Jawara will read it for the third time before it proceeds to a vote.

By Lamin Njie

Musa Yali Batchilly said ‘I swear he doesn’t listen to me’ as he reprised his call on Sunday for President Adama Barrow to allow him to guide him on how to move the nation.

The GAP chief said he had met with president Adama Barrow and told him ‘we can restructure the game’. The president told him he would call him and never did.

Mr Batchilly told The Fatu Network exclusively on Sunday evening: “I met him. I sat with him. This was private meeting, this was not public meeting. I wear he don’t listen to me. I told him we can restructure the game. [About our meeting], he said let’s meet again, he said he will call me. He never called. You know why? Surrounding [sic] knows if Batchilly is around…

“I don’t work for him, I will never work with him but I will help him. You know why? If Barrow fails, we all fail.

“But those surrounding [him], they take left and right to feed themselves and they will never allow anybody to come next to him to tell him the truth. And I am urging Mr President…If you want to succeed, come to GAP. ‘Listen to the advice of GAP’. ‘We will show you the ways’. That’s why I say, ‘borrow me 90 days’. When I structure his government, we step aside, we watch him.”

A soldier who drove in former President Yahya Jammeh’s convoy on Monday called on the TRRC to investigate the 2014 coup attempt insisting: ‘we would have been victims if it had succeeded’.

Gambians mostly dissidents on 30th December 2014 launched an early morning attack on State House in an attempt to seize the compound. It misfired amid the killing of three of the eight attackers among them director of the attack Lamin Sanneh.

Lamin Jarju, an army staff sergeant testifying before the TRRC on Monday said: “I am appealing to the TRRC, that they have made everything clear on the ground here, except one thing that I want them to observe about [sic]: 1994 coup was clearly spelt out here, 11/11 was clearly spelt out here but the coup of 2014 December was not clearly spelt out here. We want to know who are the cause and who are the pioneers and the countries involved.

“Because if they could have succeeded, we would have been victims. So definitely it’s a cause for concern for us to know.”

The United States government has said The Gambia made significant progress in its ‘continuing’ efforts at government fiscal reform.

The US Department of State on June 15, 2020 released its 2020 Fiscal Transparency Report. The Department’s fiscal transparency review process assesses whether governments meet minimum requirements of fiscal transparency. For the purpose of this report, the minimum requirements of fiscal transparency include having key budget documents that are publicly available, substantially complete, and generally reliable, the US government through its Embassy in Banjul said in a press release on Monday.

The press release added: “The review includes an assessment of the transparency of processes for awarding government contracts and licenses for natural resource extraction. Fiscal transparency is a critical element of effective public financial management, helps build market confidence, and underpins economic sustainability. Fiscal transparency fosters greater government accountability by providing a window into government budgets for citizens, helping citizens hold their leadership accountable, and facilitating better-informed public debate.

“During the review period, The Gambia published its enacted budget and end-of-year report online and improved the completeness of budget documents.  Information on debt obligations was publicly available and updated at least annually.  Budget documents were substantially complete. The criteria and procedures by which the national government awards contracts or licenses for natural resource extraction were specified in law and followed in practice.  Basic information about natural resource extraction awards was publicly available. The report also noted that The Gambia’s fiscal transparency would be improved by publishing its executive budget proposal online within a reasonable period of time and ensuring the supreme audit institution publishes audit reports within a reasonable period of time.

“The U.S. Embassy in The Gambia commends the government of The Republic of The Gambia, and in particular the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and the National Assembly, for the continued focus and attention on enhancing transparency in this and other important areas.”

A poll by Paradise TV has put Dr Ismaila Ceesay incredibly ahead of his opponents regarding a debate organised by the outlet.

Dr Ceesay squared off with PPP’s Papa Njie, GAP’s Lamin Bojang and the exciting Marie Sock on July 4.

Paradise TV posted on its official Facebook page Sunday: “When asked who among the candidates had better understanding of the issues affecting the country, majoriy of the respondents 81% say Ismaila Ceesay followed by Papa Njie (10%), Marie Sock (7%). The least rated candidate was Lamin Bojang (2%).”

It added: “Dr. Ismaila Ceesay was also voted as the most responsive panelist with (76%). Marie Sock the only female participant was rated second (11%) followed by Lamin Bojang (7%) and Papa Njie was rated the least responsive (6%).

“Majority of the respondents (79%) say Dr. Ismaila Ceesay is more likely to succeed as a presidential candidate. Lamin Bojang (1%) was the least rated followed by Marie Sock (7%) and Papa Njie (13%).”

By Fatou Camara

A Gambian student in Morocco has insisted the Gambia government should come out and clear the air over a student relief package announced amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Gambia government had in April said it was rolling out a multi-million dalasis relief package for Gambian students studying abroad.

At least 200 Gambians are studying in Morocco and according to architecture student Baba Landing Jarju, they did not receive the funds.

“Our student body president confirmed to us that the permanent secretary (ministry of higher education) said they made a mistake. I am not an activist, I am not a politician. I am only a concerned student,” Jarju said.

He added: “The statement regarding the relief package was aired on all media platforms, making parents, guardians and the public believe that this is a thing the government is doing to help their children abroad during these trying times and this has never been the case.

“Therefore, we want the general public to know about what is going on and we also demand that the government comes out and explain to the public about why they did not give us the funds.”

By Lamin Njie

When it comes to wealth, power and influence, Morry Gassama had a bag full of it. Morry was wealth and wealth was Morry.

Morry Gassama was one of the country’s top diamond dealers. Born in 1950 in Basse Koba Kunda (according to his official documents), Morry left The Gambia for Sierra Leone in 1965 to take up a career in diamond dealing.

“I first went to Sierra Leone where I specialised in digging the earth for diamond,” he says.

After a year, he left Sierra Leone for Liberia in an attempt to proceed to Congo then called Zaire.

“I wanted to go to Congo but they deported me back to Sierra Leone,” Morry says.

From 1966, Morry stayed in Sierra Leone and continued trading in diamond.

“I was supporting those that are mining and I was also into buying and selling of diamond,” he says.

“I then became very popular in Sierra Leona. In 1970, I made some big money. I was there with my uncle.”

Morry returned to The Gambia in 1971 but was arrested.

“I was arrested by the police because they said the diamond I had with me was a lot,” he says.

“I was in a court battle with the government for three years. I won that case which lasted for three years, between 1971 to 1973. I was powerful, I had hired three lawyers among them Lawyer Drammeh who is Ida Drammeh’s dad. The government owes me a lot of money over that 1971 case.”

Morry went into business as soon as he returned by opening a petrol station in Basse but that business didn’t really cut for him.

“My dad asked me to leave and I left for Congo in 1975,” he says.

In Congo, Morry spent the next years dealing in diamond. He was well-known and well-connected among captains in the diamond trace and industry.

“In the 1980s, I was connected. White men were travelling with me to the forest diamond sites to get diamond. We would charter planes for this,” Morry says.

According to the 70-year-old, they would get the diamond from diggers and take it to countries like Belgium.

“I made some good friends, the likes of Abdalla Wazni and John Siberi,” he says. “There were times they would send me at least one million dollars daily in a plane for me to go to the diamond site to get diamond.”

Mobutu Sese Seko was Congo’s president at the time and Morry was close to him too.

“I was close with Mobutu. This resulted in me becoming just friends with his wife’s sister,” Morry says.

Morry was hugely influential in Congo; he even married the winner of Miss Congo of the year 1985.

“I married Fatoumatta in 1986,” Morry says.

Things suddenly started crumbling for Morry in 2006 when he was arrested in Senegal for entering the country without declaring he was carrying diamonds with him.

“I was there to sell my diamonds to business partners,” Morry says.

“Senegal just wronged me, there is nowhere in law which says you should declare your diamond either in The Gambia or Senegal.”

It was the Senegalese customs that took Morry’s diamonds.

“They took my diamond and valued it at $464,000. They then gave me a receipt.”

Morry was then jailed for 11 months in Senegal following his arrest.

“I went to 28 times, I was also taken to almost every hospital,” Morry says.

“On the 28th time in court, I collapse in court. They wanted to take me to the hospital but I insisted I would be fine if the case was heard. The court then agreed to free me.”

Morry was then released from prison and asked to leave the country.

“They said they would only pay the 10 million CFA I paid at the customs and the 10 million CFA I paid for my lawyer and leave my diamond behing and leave the country. I said I will not do that,” Morry says.

“They said If I do not do that they would take the matter to the supreme court. They took me to the supreme court which spanned five years and again I won.”

According to court documents seen by The Fatu Network, the Senegalese top court ordered the Senegalese state to return Morry’s diamonds as well as the money he paid to the customs and his legal fees.

“I have since been going up and down knocking on the door of government departments both in The Gambia and Senegal – foreign affairs, ministries of justice of Gambia and Senegal etc,” Morry says.

“In my attempts to get my diamond back, I met the procureur general (attorney general) of Senegal. He asked me to bring him the files. I took them from my lawyers and gave them to him. He said if I want my 20 million CFA, they will pay that but I will die without getting my diamonds back. He (attorney general) was the issue was now between state and state.”

Former President Yahya Jammeh made several attempts in order for Morry to get his diamonds back.

“Jammeh tried, he wrote a letter and asked Tangara to take it to Macky Sall,” Morry says.

“The whole world knew about that and Macky Sall said he was going to ensure I get my money.”

One would think because Macky and Jammeh were not the best of friends is the reason why he couldn’t succeed in getting Morry get his diamonds back. Morry was then filled with hope when President Barrow came to power.

“I became hopeful when the new government came. I met [Ousainou] Darboe and he said they will help me. Ousainou Darboe didn’t help me at all,” Morry says.

In 2019, Morry wrote a letter to President Adama Barrow seeking his help in retrieving his diamonds.

“President Barrow knows about the issue. It was Amie Bojang who took the letter to the secretary general but they didn’t do anything. They said it’s ministry of justice that should take care of my case,” Morry says.

State House’s director of press and public relations Amie Bojang Sissoho did not respond to a email request for comment.

Alpha Robinson has been redeployed to the ministry of foreign affairs for subsequent deployment to the foreign service, according to a letter seen by The Fatu Network.

In a letter dated 10 July, the Personnel Management Office kept well away from telling Mr Robinson that he’s sacked. Instead, the office only informed him of ‘executive decision’ to redeploy him – and who really pulled the trigger on Mr Robinson was avoided.

“By a copy of this letter, the permanent secretary, ministry of foreign affairs is hereby instructed to determine your designation and mission of posting in further consultation with the executive,” the letter said in part.

Alpha Robinson was sacked as NAWEC chief on Friday, one year after he took over leadership of the company.

By Fatou Camara

The Independent Electoral Commission has lifted the suspension of National Convention Party.

NCP brought itself trouble after two factions emerged from the party and began battling for the soul of the party. IEC then suspended them.

But in a press release on July 9, IEC said: “The Independent Electoral Commission wishes to notify the general public that the suspension of National Convention Party (NCP) has lifted with effect from 9th July 2020.

“Both opposing camps have signed a joint declaration expressing their willingness to unite . This was preceded by rigorous negotiations all of which were witnessed by the IEC.

“The sincerity with which the negotiations and the ultimate agreement were carried out gave room for the IEC to lift the suspension of the NCP.”

NAWEC has said two of its feeders would be shut down for ‘routine’ maintenance on Saturday.

“NAWEC wishes to inform the general public that feeders 1 and 2 will be shut down for routine maintenance on Saturday July 11, 2020. Works will begin at 9:00 am and expected to last for five hours,” the company said on its official Facebook page Friday evening.

It comes amid the sacking of Alpha Robinson as managing director of the company earlier on, on Friday. His deputy Nani Juwara was quickly elevated.

According to NAWEC, its ‘routine’ maintenance on its feeders would mean at least five towns in the Greater Banjul Area will experience ‘interruptions’ electricity and water supply.

They include Bakau, Cape Point, Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Kotu, Westfield, Serrekunda and Bertil Harding Highway.

President Adama Barrow has used his personal Facebook page to send a message of condolences to Ivory Coast president Alasane Ouattara over the passing of Amadou Gon Coulibaly, the country’s Prime Minister.

Mr Gon Coulibaly died on Wednesday just days after returning from two months of medical treatment in France.

The 61-year-old, who had heart surgery in 2012, became unwell during a weekly cabinet meeting and was taken to a hospital where he passed away, according to a spokesman for President Alassane Ouattara, according to Al Jazeera.

And President Adama Barrow in a Facebook post on Friday said: “My heartfelt condolences go to my brother and colleague, Excellency, Allassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and through him to the family and the people of Côte d’Ivoire, on the demise of Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly. May Allah grant him eternal peace and console his family.”

Civil society organisations across West Africa have called on President Adama Barrow to reverse arbitrary and illegal arrests and intimidation of human rights defenders and citizens, warning such actions make citizens and world question change he promised Gambians.

“Mr. President, we also wish to underscore the fact that Mr. Jobarteh’s arrest and false accusation is just one of the many, suggesting a dangerous descent for the country as far as human rights, freedoms and democratic governance are concerned,” twenty-eight civil society organisations told President Barrow in a letter on Friday.

The organisations including West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), the Africans Rising, CIVICUS and Gambians CSOs such as Activista and Law Hub added in their letter to the president: “Several in the line of police mistreatment include Mama Kandeh (‘invited’ by the police for expressing his opinion on ministers and corruption); Fabakary Tombong Jatta (questioned by the police for asking the Government to release detained security officers); Dr. Ismaila Ceesay (detained for proffering advice to the President about the military); Fatou Badjie (arrested and charged proclaiming the President is not a good Muslim); Amadou Scattred Janneh (questioned by police for standing up against the destructive Chinese fishmeal factory in his community); and many others.

“Other instances include the deliberate clamping down on citizen groups and political organizing with parties been denied permits to protest or to hold rallies beginning with #OccupyWestfield in 2017. Gambians should not be treated as enemies of the state because they are only expressing their opinion on national and policy issues or defend human rights and good governance.

“Mr. President, actions such as these make citizens and the world question the change you promised the Gambia people. The blatant disregard of the abuse of the police and security forces, arbitrary and illegal arrests and intimidation of human rights defenders and citizens is a mark of the Gambia under the erstwhile dictatorial regime, and must not be allowed to fester in the new Gambia. If allowed, these actions would erode the very gains made when the ‘Gambia Decided’.”