Constitutional Review Commission director of communications Sainey MK Marenah said on Wednesday Abubacarr Tambadou demonstrated patriotism and love for country while serving in the role of attorney general and minister of justice.

Representing the CRC at a send-off event in Banjul organised for the former Barrow government minister, Mr Marenah said: “You were the right man, at the right place and at the right time. Any honest broker will recognize that this Ministry has been moving at bewildering speed and has achieved numerous milestones. The CRC is very appreciative of your office’s unflinching and sterling support and collaboration all throughout the process of reviewing and developing the new draft constitution for the Republic of The Gambia.

“I have heard Justice Cherno Sulayman Jallow acknowledge in all our press conferences that your Ministry has supported the CRC every step of the way without ever attempting to interfere or influence the outcome of the constitution building process. That amply demonstrates your level of professionalism and job ethics in the service of The Gambia, your beloved country.

“From all indications, it is clear that your Ministry has succeeded in putting the Gambia on the right trajectory to democracy, the rule of law, that will pave the way for socio-economic development and shared prosperity. As you leave office for other assignments, we want to register our gratitude to you and to tell you how proud we have been, working with you to build a robust foundation for the country.

“You have demonstrated patriotism, loyalty and love for country.

“As you are all set for a global assignment, we have no shred of doubt that you will triumph. This conviction of ours is largely premised on the monumental achievements you have selflessly registered at the home front despite the inevitable odds. “

Major General Yakuba A Drammeh has said that President Adama Barrow is very much passionate and committed to the cause of the Gambia Armed Forces.

Army chief Drammeh was at the State House on Wednesday to brief the President on the outcome of a two-week tour of military installations across the country which saw his high-level engagement with governors, key stakeholders, and community leaders across the country, State House said in a news release on Wednesday.

“As usual, President Barrow has taken ownership of the Armed Forces once again as Commander-in-Chief… He gave assurances that he will stand with the Armed Forces in our collective pursuit to bring about the much-necessary peace and tranquility,” the chief of defence staff said, according to State House.

Drammeh became the head of the army following the March preening of Masanneh Kinteh.

President Adama Barrow in consultation with the Ministerial Sub-Committee on COVID-19 and based on the advice given by the Health Experts’ Committee of the Ministry of Health has decided to extend the State of Public Emergency in The Gambia, according to State House.

State House said in a statement on Wednesday: “In exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 34(6) of the 1997 Constitution, President Barrow has declared that the State of Public Emergency continues to exist in the whole country for seven days, effective 1st July 2020.

“The public is also informed that the COVID -19 Emergency Regulations issued under the Emergency Powers Act shall continue to apply during the period of the State of Public Emergency.

“Meanwhile, the public is reminded that COVID-19 is real as the number cases recorded in the country is on the increase. The public is also advised to take all precautionary measures to protect themselves and prevent infecting others.

“The government gives assurances that all efforts are being made to prevent and contain the coronavirus from spreading further, as it continues to monitor developments within the ECOWAS region.”

Interior Minister Yankuba Sonko has conceded to claims some security officers are into drugs, telling members of the national assembly efforts are being perfected to identify them.

“I think I totally agree with you. In some instances, security officers are arrested. Just couple of weeks ago, some officers of the army are arrested. So I will not dispute your criticism but however, wherever you have good ones, you will still have bad ones among us. So we trying to identify them and weed them out if possible so that efforts to fight against drug abuse can be strengthened,” Mr Sonko told Banjul Central MP Muhammed Ndow who raised the issue at a session at the House on Wednesday.

Earlier on, the interior minister told members of the national assembly cogent efforts are being pursued to end cannabis use in The Gambia.

Mr Sonko said: “I’m pleased to inform the Honourable Members that the government of the Gambia through my ministry has designed and implement strategies to address the disturbing surge of cannabis abuse and trafficking covering supplies operation, that’s enforcement as well as demand reduction, public awareness sensitisation.

“In line with the national standard and best practices, non-custodial sentence measures such as community service, counselling and mentoring are provided for the first, second and third time offenders in cannabis possession cases.

“Additional efforts include upgrading of the drug demand reduction unit of the drug law enforcement of The Gambia to a directorate and the implementation of robust and accelerate public engagement sensitisation activities targeting mainly the youths who constitute the majority of the victims.

“Series of school outreach activities in the form of symposium, drama, debate, quiz competition are conducted in schools across the country alongside the establishment of the anti-drug clubs in several schools.

“Furthermore, DLEAG has signed an operational memorandum of understanding with their counterparts in Senegal and Guinea Bissau. Within the framework of this agreement, joint operations named, ‘Operation Open Roads’ are conducted with the aim of strengthening sub-regional cooperation in drug interdiction…

Also, serious lobbying with partners is in progress to construct a rehabilitation centre to cater for the needs of abusers. This will complement other efforts to reduce the demand since victims will have access to various support services to facilitate their reform.”

Ensa Jesus Badjie said today he has ‘whole-heartedly’ forgiven convicted thief Soriba Conde whose testimony against him played a big part in his jailing.

“I don’t blame Soriba. I have forgiven Soriba whole-heartedly, between myself and God,” the former Inspector General of Police said today as he came face to face with Soriba at a reconciliation showdown held at the TRRC in Kotu.

The former police chief was arrested in 2010 on bogus charges of drug trafficking, corruption and theft.

He was later jailed after Soriba Conde a thief who specialised in breaking shops gave false testimony against him.

The two men met at the TRRC where Soriba who has been in jail for over 10 years begged for Mr Badjie’s forgiveness.

Soriba said he did wrong Mr Badjie and always felt ashamed when he sees Mr Badjie while they were both in Mile Two.

Concerned Gambians have descended on Kairaba Police Station to show support to Madi Jobarteh.

Mr Jobarteh was at the police station this morning to report following his release on bail on Tuesday.

Police on Tuesday called the prominent activist in for questioning over comments he made at a Black Lives Matter The Gambia protest last Saturday.

Mr Jobarteh in a Facebook post said the police official handling his case informed him that his bail has been extended to Thursday.

“I asked why is that and he said it’s a “directive” and he won’t say from who and why! The fight for human rights and democracy continues!” he said.

By Jaka Ceesay Jaiteh

Women and girls have been undermined, discriminated, and gone through various forms of Gender Based Violence for decades all around the world. The fight to end GBV has been a collective effort between government bodies, NGOs, and international organizations.

The ministry of women, children, and social welfare of the Gambia in partnership with the UNFPA has launched the State of the World Population Report 2020 and the National Gender Based Violence hotline. The event was held on the 30th June at the Paradise Suites Hotel located in Senegambia.

The state of the world Population Report is UNFPA’s flagship report which seeks to the current position of global efforts on population issues especially the needs, issues and current conditions of the youths, girls, and women globally. The theme for this year’s report “Against my will: Defying the practices that harm women and undermine equality” which focus on the three most prevalent harmful practices: Female Genital Mutilation, Child Marriage, and extreme bias against daughters in favor of sons.

The implantation of the helpline (call center) will be done by the Paradise Foundation. The Gender Based Violence helpline will serve as a professional council unit and provide psychosocial support for victims of GBV. With the hotline 1313, the government of the Gambia with its partners believe this would serve as a great means to helping victims of GBV especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

Two people have tested positive for coronavirus as the cases of the disease rose to 49.

The ministry of health said on Tuesday a 57-year-old and a 25-year-old have contracted the disease.

The ministry said: “Cases 048 and 049 are both male Gambians of 57 and 25 years of age respectively.
“While case 48 is a deportee from US who entered the country on the 17th June, case 049 came in on the 27th June through one of the POEs (Amdalai Border Post) after having spent a month in Senegal.”

Police have confirmed they have invited Madi Jobarteh for questioning over ‘certain’ statement he made.

“We can confirm the call in for questioning of Madi Jorbateh in connection to certain statement he made. We will share details as soon as we get them from the investigators,” police spokesman Lamin Njie told The Fatu Network.

It comes as Mr Jobarteh was charged Tuesday with false publication and broadcasting.

Mr Jobarteh said the police questioned him on comments he made about the deaths of Haruna Jatta, Kebba Secka and Ousman Darboe.

Mr Jobarteh has been released on bail and would be reporting back to the police on Wednesday.

Leaving British High Commissioner to The Gambia Sharon Wardle insisted on Tuesday what’s left of President Adama Barrow’s five-year term in office will continue to be crucial as she met the president at State House.

“We have seen and been through a lot over the past three years. Of course, many challenges remain, but I am optimistic about the future,” Sharon Wardle said to the press corps after her audience with President Barrow this morning, according to a news release by State House.

Wardle had been UK’s high commissioner to The Gambia since 2017; she is now leaving for London after completing her tour of duty in Banjul.

“I genuinely feel that the foundations are being laid for a more prosperous, more secure future for The Gambia. The transition journey is not yet done… The next 18 months will continue to be crucial to The Gambia and we will continue to render our unflinching support to the transition journey,” she said, according to State House’s news release.

By Lamin Njie

United Democratic Party has sacked Sheriffo Sonko as member of the party for the second time in three months.

UDP had in March sacked the Brikama Area Council chairman but quickly walked the move back after Mr Sonko insisted due process was not followed.

The party went back to the drawing board and wrote Mr Sonko a letter for him to explain why he shouldn’t be sacked. Mr Sonko wrote back to the party but only after the deadline given him had expired, according to UDP.

On Tuesday, UDP in a letter signed by senior administrative secretary Lamin Dibba informed Mr Sonko of a fresh decision to sack him.

“The central committee of UDP has directed me to convey to you that notwithstanding your failure to deliver your written explanation within the period specified in the letter of 10 June 2020, it has nonetheless considered the explanation but finds no merit in it,” a part of the sack letter said.

It added: “I am therefore directed by the UDP central committee to inform you that having failed to deliver your written explanation within the specified period and also failing to give satisfactory explanation in your letter of 18th June 2020 why you should not be expelled from the party, it has accordingly resolved to expel you from the United Democratic Party with immediate effect.”

Sheriffo Sonko had in his 18 June letter demanded for the resignation of Darboe and the entire UDP leadership.

Prominent human rights activist Madi Jobarteh has been invited by police for questioning three days after the Black Lives Matter protest where activists called for an end to racism and injustice against blacks in America.

Mr Jobarteh is a member of the group and he is called by police over an interview he granted on Saturday, the day the protest took place.

The fearless activist confirmed the development to The Fatu Network.

He will be reporting to Kairaba Police Station at 3pm.

Former information minister Demba Ali Jawo has offered possible reasons behind Abubacarr Tambadou’s resignation as attorney general and minister of justice.

“It is however obvious to anyone familiar with the terrain that his resignation is much more than what really meets the eye. When we refer to some of his own comments regarding why he took up the appointment of Attorney General, we would realise that something dramatic must have prompted him to resign at this very time he did,” Mr Jawo said.

He added: “For instance, in an exclusive interview with Harona Drammeh of Paradise TV in August 2019, he said that when President Adama Barrow offered him the position, he had to consult his relatives and friends before accepting and they all advised him that “If your country needs you, it is better to disregard all other considerations and serve your country”.

“He said he therefore had to give up a “1000 percent pay cut” when he decided to resign his position at the office of the UN Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda to take up the appointment because he felt that his country needed him more and it was worth the sacrifice. “If your country needs you, then you should give up everything else to serve,” he said, justifying his decision to take up the appointment.

“One would therefore wonder what has suddenly changed Baa’s patriotic principled stance on preference to serve his country rather than work for any other organization. This country certainly needs him much more today than even at that time. Therefore, it looks like his departure is an apparent indication of frustration with how things are working in the Barrow administration, especially considering his patriotism and love for country.

“Therefore, there is a high possibility that it is such frustration that had prompted him to take such a decision, which seems to go against his own principles. Knowing Baa Tambadou, he definitely must have been prompted by something much more than financial considerations to resign his position in the government to take up an international appointment.

“Another possible reason for his frustration and eventual decision to resign could have been attributed to the vitriolic criticisms and personal insults he had often been subjected to by some elements within the society.

“While Baa is quite energetic and dedicated to his work, but he does not seem to have developed enough thick skin that go with a public office to withstand such personal criticisms.

“We have seen, for instance, how he poorly handled the diplomatic passport saga involving his mum and other members of his extended family. There is no doubt that all those issues and many others behind the scenes must have played a big part in Baa’s decision to resign.”

Two new people have tested positive for coronavirus as the country’s total cases jumped to 47.

The ministry of health said on Monday both cases (a Senegalese and a Gambian) were “in quarantine by virtue of recently returning to the country from locations with ongoing local transmission”.

The ministry said: “Cases 046 and 047 are a Senegalese and a Gambian of 40 and 27 years of age respectively.

“While case 046 entered the country on the 22nd June, case 047 came in on the 24th June through the same PoE (Amdalai Border Post).

“They both evaded quarantine and made it to their respective homes in The Gambia before being reported to the response team (through the 1025 Hotline) and were taken into quarantine on the 24th and 25th June respectively.”