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.”

Japan has donated 115,956 bags of rice to The Gambia, State House said on Monday adding the ship carrying the food has docked at the ports.

A statement by State House said: “The Office of the President in consultation with the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance and Economic Affairs has decided to conduct the sale of the rice at the Ports. No single buyer will be allowed to purchase more than five thousand (5,000) bags. The price for a 30 kilograms bag of rice is pegged at four hundred and fifty Dalasis (D450) only.

“Interested buyers are invited to contact the Accountant Generals office, where they will be given an invoice and an account number to make all payments before collecting the rice. It has been agreed with the Japanese Government that the proceeds will be deposited in a special account at the Central Bank of The Gambia to support the government in its NDP priority areas.

“The public is hereby informed that it is strictly forbidden to sell the rice outside The Gambia. The price to the consumers should not be more than five hundred and fifty Dalasis (D550) per bag.”

Fatoumatta Njai has thanked Abubacarr Tambadou for his service to the nation saying on Monday she wished his critics have done a bit of what the outgoing justice minister had done.

Mr Tambadou on Monday appeared at the national assembly for the last time as attorney general and minister of justice.

Banjul South MP Fatoumatta Njai bidding Mr Tambadou farewell said: “I think I have been one of the hardest on Ba in this national assembly. Not because I question his integrity but I know Ba can take us where we wanted to go. That was why I kept pushing.

“I stopped having breakfast with Ba at his place just because of work. Because I wanted to detach our personal and professional work. But Ba, I wish you well. I know that where you are going, you will continue serving us and we’re looking up to you to continue serving us.

“All I can say today is thank you for your services to this nation. You came in when it was needed. You’ve been criticised, you’ve heard so many things but I wish those people saying that have done a bit of what you have done. Thank you.”

Abubacarr Tambadou last Friday said ‘personal reasons’ triggered his resignation as attorney general and minister of justice. His exit after three and a half years in the role has divided opinion. He was at the national assembly on Monday for the last time and The Fatu Network brings you what Halifa Sallah said about him after he praised Halifa Sallah.

Halifa Sallah:

When one is singled out, one is also weakened to make comments. In fact it is duty bound to do so. Having lived this long, and being associated with so many things. I have to use every occasion to share lessons. Honourable speaker, justice and mercy are two sides of a coin. And we heard the attorney general. Today attorney general, tomorrow ex-attorney general. And that’s the same for all of us. What legacy do we live behind is really what matters. And essentially, jobs have to be done. And one thing that we must learn is to separate work to be done and the person doing it. When we are here, we must abide by the dictates of the constitution, of conscience, of the national interest. We must separate our individual self from the national cause, the national duty. What is important at this stage is to examine the task that confronted the nation and those who had to carry out the responsibility to ensure that the nation moves forward. Msitakes are unavoidable. Personal conflicts are unavoidable but ultimately we must move on and the nation must move on. And we hope today, as he leaves this forum, he will go knowing that this is Gambian his homeland. And each of us belongs to this nation. And it is our duty to want to build a nation we will want our children and our children’s children to inherit and be proud of. So in this spirit of national unity, we hope this departure will touch the heart of every member of this parliament so that we see a person who has had a job to do and had to face us, and we also had a job to do and had to confront him under certain circumstances so that ultimately we achieve a purpose worth achieving. And as we go our separate ways, we go with the spirit of forgiveness, spirit of real national reconciliation to know that after justice, then there must be peace and we must move forward with reconciliation before there is that peace. Every starting point requires a new state. It will not be nice after a conflict because you must settle all that existed during the period. But after all that, we should have a new beginning. And I hope that he will have a new beginning where he is going and we will continue to search for that new beginning of a Gambia that all of us will belong to and all of us who wish to serve and all of will give our might and heart so that we shape a destiny where there will be no conflict that we see today, no hatred that we may see today but all of us will know that we have a job to do for the nation and the best of all of us. We wish him the best and we hope that he leaves The Gambia knowing that this parliament is striving as much as possible to at least bring that new ethos of building a country for all of us.

Dr. Mamadou Tangara on Monday held a meeting with the out-going High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to The Gambia Sharon Wardle, according to a statement by the foreign affairs ministry.

The meeting was held at the foreign ministry in Banjul.

The statement by the ministry said: “In his opening statement, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mamadou Tangara commended the out-going High Commissioner Ms. Wardle for the progress registered in the bilateral relationship between The Gambia and the United Kingdom since the advent of the new democratic government of President Adama Barrow.

“Minister Tangara informed the High Commissioner of President Barrow’s appreciation of gains registered in the area of strengthening cooperation between the two countries during her tour of duty. He expressed confidence that more positive outcome will be realised in our already cordial relationship.

“In her remarks, High Commissioner Wardle who is also the Dean of the Diplomatic Community in The Gambia expressed optimism about the future of The Gambia. High Commissioner Wardle thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the support rendered by the Foreign Affairs Ministry towards enhancing the work of the British mission in The Gambia. The two sides discussed ways and means of containing the deadly pandemic – COVID -19 and also exchanged views on pertinent issues crucial to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

“It could be recalled that H.E. Sharon Wardle was appointed Ambassador to The Gambia by Her Majesty in July 2017. However, her designation changed to High Commissioner following Gambia’s return to the Commonwealth in 2018.”

Abubacarr Tambadou on Monday appeared at the National Assembly for the last time as attorney minister and minister of justice.

Below is the full text of his address to members of parliament;

I guess parting is never easy. And I have had memorable encounters with almost all of you. It’s not been easy at times. Some have actually recently threatened to conduct citizen’s arrest on me, others have labelled me incompetent. But that is the joy of democracy. It’s the joy of what each and every one of us here, in this assembly fought for, for many many years.

Many of you devoted your entire lives to fighting this cause. And on a day like today, I would like to single out honourable member for Serrekunda for his devotion to fighting for this freedom for many many years. I recall when I was a student at St Augustine’s and we used to be excited socialist-marxist ideas and we would invite him to come and give talks at our symposium. I used to be inspired by him.

It’s been three and a half short and long years. It’s been difficult sometimes but I only wish to remind all the members here that our country is at crossroads. You’re all patriotic men and women of this country. You represent our people here. Everything you say, everything you do, you do on behalf of the people of this country. But the responsibility to traverse from this very shaky water to a more stable and institutionalised democracy rests on each and every one of us. And we cannot do that without peace. It is what we have, it’s our national treasure. It’s what we must always preserve.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for the engagements, for your criticisms, for your compliments and for the openness. The Gambia has changed. It will only change for the better from now on. You more than anyone out there have a unique responsibility to ensure that there is transparent, open and accountable government in this country. You more than any other constituency out there have a unique ability to check the execesses of power. You have a heavy burden to make sure that this country will no longer go back to a dictatorship. And you’re already doing that. I can only encourage you to do that some more. See the executive as your partners in development and engage constructively.

Of course sometimes our decisions will be swayed by partisan political interest but what makes us true democrats is the ability to identify a national crisis and come together and put aside our political differences. It’s going to be difficult going forward. Democracy is chaos. We will not like some of the things that are being said about us. We will not like the insults on social media. We will not like the unfair, unjustified criticism sometimes but I personally and I know as much as you prefer to live in this climate than the climate that we came from on the 1st of December 2016. It behoves all of us to ensure that The Gambia we bequeth to future generations is The Gambia that we inherited before 22nd July 1994. I thank you all for your support. I thank you Honourable Speaker. I thank the Office of Clerk. I thank you.

At least 19 harmful practices, ranging from breast ironing to virginity testing, are considered human rights violations, according to the latest UNFPA report.

The report which focuses on the three most prevalent ones: female genital Mutilation, child Marriage, and extreme bias against daughters in favour of sons, will be released on Tuesday, according to a statement by UNFPA Gambia.

“Harmful practices against girls cause profound and lasting trauma, robbing them of their right to reach their full potential,” UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem said, according to UNFPA’s statement.

The press release statement added: “This year, an estimated 4.1 million girls will be subjected to female genital mutilation. Today, 33,000 girls under age 18 will be forced into marriages, usually to much older men. Also, an extreme preference for sons over daughters in some countries has fueled gender-biased sex selection or extreme neglect that leads to their death as children, resulting in 140 million ‘missing females’.

“In The Gambia, 3 in every 4 girls have been subjected to Female Genital Mutilation while 1 in every 3 girls is married off before her 18th birthday. Although some of these practices are waning, due to population growth, the number of girls subjected to them will actually rise in the coming decades, if urgent action is not taken.

“Having ratified international treaties such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, The Gambia has a duty to end the harm, whether it’s inflicted on girls by family members, religious communities, health-care providers, commercial enterprises or state institutions. Although the Country has responded by enacting laws, but laws alone are not enough.

“Decades of experience and research show that bottom-up, grassroots approaches are better at bringing change, “We must tackle the problem by tackling the root causes, especially gender-biased norms. We must do a better job of supporting communities’ own efforts to understand the toll these practices are taking on girls and the benefits that accrue to the whole of society by stopping them,” as stated by Dr. Kanem UNFPA’s Executive Director.

“The economy and the legal system that supports gender inequality must be restructured to guarantee every woman equal opportunities, changing rules for property inheritance, for example, can eliminate a powerful incentive for families to favour sons over daughters and help to eliminate child marriage in the Gambia.

“Ending Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation worldwide is possible by 2030 if we invest in scaling up efforts to keep girls in school longer, teaching them life skills and engaging men and boys in social change.”

Leaving Abubacarr Tambadou has described the country’s lawmakers as patriotic men and women who devoted their lives to democracy.

Speaking at the national assembly on Monday for the last time, Mr Tambadou said: “Many of you devoted your entire lives to fighting this cause [democracy]. It’s been three and a half short and long years. It’s been difficult sometimes but I only wish to remind all the members here that our country is at crossroads. You’re all patriotic men and women of this country. You represent our people here. Everything you say, everything you do, you do on behalf of the people of this country.

“But the responsibility to traverse from this very shaky water to a more stable and institutionalised democracy rests on each and every one of us. And we cannot do that without peace. It is what we have, it’s our national treasure. It’s what we must always preserve.”

Mr Tambadou reserved special praise and admiration for Serekunda NAM Halifa Sallah.

He said: “And on a day like today, I would like to single out honourable member for Serrekunda for his devotion to fighting for this freedom for many many years. I recall when I was a student at St Augustine’s and we used to be excited socialist-marxist ideas and we would invite him to come and give talks at our symposium. I used to be inspired by him.”

In April, the duo nearly clashed after Mr Tambadou said the issue of interpreting the law is not a matter for the national assembly in a direct riposte to a suggestion by Mr Sallah for President Barrow’s state of emergency proclamation to be referred to the National Assembly’s committee on human rights and constitutional matters before they could vote on it.

By Lamin Njie

Ousman Rambo Jatta has vowed to stop Abubacarr Tambadou from leaving the country as the former attorney general prepares to leave for his new role in The Hague.

Mr Tambadou last week announced he was stepping down as the country’s attorney general. He had been in the role for three and a half years.

APRC has remained Mr Tambadou’s biggest nemesis as he led vast efforts aimed at keeping former president Yahya Jammeh accountable for his crimes. The former attorney general once daringly vowed he was going to personally prosecute Jammeh if he ever stepped foot in The Gambia.

Last Friday, he admitted however his ‘principled’ position against Mr Jammeh has not endeared him to the former leader’s supporters, as he spoke for the last time as attorney general.

The party’s deputy interim leader Ousman Rambo Jato Jatta in a message to all APRC supporters said they are going to deal with the outgoing attorney general.

Rambo said in an audio message obtained The Fatu Network: “All APRC militants, I advise you to be on stand-by. Ba Tambadou is not going to leave the shores of The Gambia without telling us where the assets of our former president is.

“Anyone day we hear Ba Tambadou is leaving this country, we’re going to block the highway to the airport for Ba Tambadou not to leave. Ba Tambadou will not leave this country without clashing with us. Ba Tambadou you’re not going to escape.”

Rambo’s comments come as Mr Tambadou said at the national assembly on Monday there are some people who want to conduct a citizen’s arrest on him. He did not elaborate.

Youth in Kombo East have called for answers over the sacking of Lamin Darboe.

Darboe was sacked last week from his role as acting executive director of National Youth Council. No reason was given.

The youth of Kombo East in a statement signed by chairman of the district’s youth committee Lamin Sanneh on Sunday said: “Kombo East Youth and Children Development Alliance (KEYCDA) express our utter dismay and condemnation of the unlawful dismissal of Mr. Lamin Darboe, from his position as Executive Director of the National Youth Council of The Gambia.

“Mr Darboe is an exemplary figure in the youth sector who prepares and inspires many Gambian youth and remains a role model within families and communities. We consider his termination as illegal and a blatant disregard to the dictates of the National Youth Council Act 2000.

“Due to his dedication, commitment and foresight towards the wellbeing of young people of The Gambia (particularly Kombo East District), he co-founded Kombo East Youth and Children Development Alliance (KEYCDA); the first organised district youth and children development organisation in The Gambia and became the first coordinator in 2005. During his tenure, he selflessly mobilised and united communities within Kombo East and beyond.

“As the first coordinator of KEYCDA, he led the basics for progressive youth empowerment and development, community child protection and youth entrepreneurship and sports development, amongst others within communities, districts, Regions and beyond. His contributions toward youth empowerment have positively transformed the lives of many young people who are making great impact towards national development.

“Mr Darboe’s dismissal through the Ministry of Youth and Sport is unlawful and contradicts Section 13 of the National Youth Council Act, which gives authority to only the President to appoint the Executive Secretary in consultation with ‘the Council and the Public Service Commission.’ This Act is however, silent on the removal of the Executive Secretary, thereby empowering the common legal maxim that “he who appoints can dismiss.”

“Mr. Darboe was served a letter of dismissal without stating any ground that renders the government to sack him from his position. He is widely regarded as a competent, resourceful, diligent, ethical and professional youth leader in The Gambia and the sub-region.

“As a result, his unlawful termination has agitated the entire Gambian youth population and beyond due to his selfless services and sacrifices. He has been selflessly rendering development services to the young people and the government of this country which has broadly contributed to progressive youth empowerment and the development of our beloved nation The Gambia. He has been an epitome of hope for the youths and a pillar for the construction and development of life-changing initiatives in the country.

“During his stint as Executive Director of NYC, Mr Darboe has transformed all the Regional Youth Offices in the country and succeeded in building healthy relationship with partners and stakeholders in youth empowerment and development, bringing trust, coordination and mobilization much easier than before.

“Without any regard for that national commitment and endeavors, his position was unjustifiably snatched in the most unfashionable manner, with series of miscalculated remarks from the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youths and sports, against the personality and competence of Mr. Darboe.

“In light of the above, we the young people of Kombo East District Youth Committee, on behalf of the entire young people of the district, demand answers for Mr. Darboe’s unlawful dismissal and urge for his unconditional reinstatement.

“We are equally calling on Civil Society Organisations, NGOs and individuals to continue standing against Mr. Darboe’s unlawful dismissal and against injustice at all-time as it will not help in the attainment of the desired goals and aspirations of our beloved country.”

Imam Baba Leigh on Friday used his sermon to lend his voice to the issue of bigots that attack the tribe of others.

“Let’s be mindful of the events of this age. We’re living a difficult time. Insulting a tribe is bad. What Sossehs call ‘si neng diro’. To call an entire tribe and say bad things,” Imam Leigh said.

He added: “Any tribe you see has good people, they have walis (holy men), they have good servants of Allah. And you refer to all and insult them? When you the culprit, is certainly a nobody.

“And honestly, things are trying to get out of hand. The person who was doing it, naming a tribe and insulting them, Allah has removed him from here. But he has put that nonsense in the hearts of people now. Anyone who gets up would name and tribe and insult it. It’s an ignorant person that insults.”

His comments come as a Marie Sock supporter insulted Mandinkas. She has however apologised.

A second person from the SN Brussels flight that came into the country last Monday has tested positive for coronavirus.

A 24-year-old Dutch national who has been in quarantine on account of his recent arrival from the UK by an SN Brussels flight tested positive for the disease on Friday.

“He is asymptomatic and currently admitted at the treatment centre,” the ministry of health said on Saturday.

The National People’s Party Fass Njaga Choi village chairman has dismissed claims of a major defection involving members of NPP.

A group comprising ‘about 50’ people from Fass in Lower Nuimi led by Omar Corr on Saturday met GDC leader Mamma Kandeh and told him they are joining. They claimed to be NPP supporters.

NPP top official in Fass Njaga Choi Mustapha Joof told The Fatu Network the claims were exciting laughter in him.

He said: “This is making me laugh. The people saying this should also say what position they held in NPP to the extent they’re cross-carpeting. The whole of Lower Nuimi including Fass used to be Mamma Kandeh (GDC).

“So for people to get up and say they are cross-carpeting to a party they have been supporting would amount to paranoia. They do not hold any role in any committee of the party be it village or ward.

“The people that left here were five people. They were to other villages and took people who are Mamma Kandeh [supporters]. They said they are going to Mamma Kandeh to ask him to help Fass with a borehole. They’re just saying whatever they like.”

NPP top-shot Seedy Njie slammed the reported defection as a ‘non-event’.

He said: “It is a non-event. It’s false, it’s not true. As the National People’s Party as we speak… In fact it was few days ago it was announced that the National People’s Party is in the process of finalising its executive committees and in fact it was announced that regional executives have been composed across the length and breadth of the country, and we’re looking forward to getting the National Executive Committee soon.

“I cannot fathom, and I can’t believe that a party that is busy setting up its executive members and we have been who are cross-carpeting from the NPP to the GDC. That is false, that is a child’s play. Even a six-year-old child will never believe people will leave the National People’s Party to join a dying party.

“The party is already dead. In fact to set the records straight, Omar Corr is a close friend of Modou Bobb. Modou Bobb was the candidate for the Gambia Democratic Congress in 2017 parliamentary elections. Both of them hail from Fass Njaga Choi and they’re part of the founding members of Gambia Democratic Congress.

“How can a sober person, a sane person leave National People’s Party and say the he is defecting to a dead party? It’s not true and I want to say that the people of Fass Njaga Choi are very loyal and committed to the government and the National People’s Party and our support base there is second to none. These are political propaganda.”

Three people have been killed after a ‘gele gele’ van conveying passengers crashed into a static truck.

Police said Saturday the an accident happened at Tanene village, West Coast Region around 10:30am.

Police said: “A 20 passenger “gele gele” with registration no BJL 1154 S hit a truck which was parked along the road side.

“Three people are reported dead at the scene while others are evacuated to Brikama health center for further medical attention.

“The Police have opened up an investigation into the accident.

“We urge drivers to be vigilant and to drive with due care especially during the rainy season. Furthermore, this is a period of time when vehicles need proper maintenance to avoid mechanical fault leading to road accidents.”