Abubacarr Tambadou on 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. The Fatu Network brings you what Gambians have been saying about the performance of the nation’s former AG.

Sheriff Bojang Snr:
“Minister Tambadou has been one of the most consequential ministers. He has done a sterling job in the transitional justice process in The Gambia. And in taking Myanmar to the International court, he has taken the fight to that Burmese genocidal regime and helped check their excesses. When few or none including Saudi Arabia or Egypt, stood up to defend Muslims, Ba Tambadou put his head over the parapet and said Gambia will. For that alone, I have been his No. 1 cheerleader.”

Abubacarr Tambadou will be working at the United Nations as the registrar of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, The Fatu Network understands.

The United Nations Secretary-General will on Monday announce Mr Tambadou as the Registrar (Assistant Secretary-General) of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, to be based in the Hague, Holland.

The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (“Mechanism”) organisation of the United Nations is mandated to perform a number of essential functions previously carried out by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (“ICTR”) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (“ICTY”), according to information available on the Mechanism’s website. The Mechanism operates across two branches: one branch in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, and the other in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The Registrar heads the Registry department of the organisation which provides administrative, legal, policy and diplomatic support services to all organs in both branches of the Mechanism.

According to the organisation’s website, the Registrar is appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and is the head of entity to whom the Secretary-General has delegated the managerial authority over the Mechanism’s human, financial and physical resources.

By Lamin Njie

Abubacarr Tambadou has said he’s aware his ‘principled’ position on former President Jammeh has not endeared him to the former leader’s supporters and sympathisers.

“…and to them I say, Jammeh belongs to the past, so wake up from your dreams of a Jammeh political comeback and move on with your lives,” Mr Tambadou said on Friday at a news conference where he spoke on his resignation as attorney general and minister of justice.

During his three and a half years in the role, no group of people or political entity lambasted him more than APRC.

The party has always blamed him for all its woes, most times accusing him of witch-hunting.

But on Friday, Mr Tambadou provoked a fresh war with the party by saying sympathisers of the former president should move on with their lives.

He said: “He (Yahya Jammeh) has caused too much pain and suffering to the people of this country throughout his 22 year reign of terror as the TRRC keeps revealing.

“He has during this period destroyed the innocence and soul of Gambian society with the sheer brutality of his crimes, and for this, he will be brought to account someday here or abroad. He will surely have his day in court.”

By Lamin Njie

Abubacarr Tambadou said on Friday he resigned as attorney general and minister justice due to ‘personal reasons’, as he mounted the justice ministry podium for the last time.

At the news conference where he declined to take questions from reporters, Mr Tambadou said “it has been an honour and unique privilege for me to serve my country in such high office under His Excellency President Barrow”.

“I owe him immense gratitude for the privileged opportunity given to me to contribute, even if modestly, to rebuilding our country after 22 years of unquantifiable damage. I am grateful for the trust and confidence he had shown in me by my appointment as the first Attorney General and Minister of Justice in a post-dictatorship new democratic Gambia. I thank him for his constant and continuous support to me and the Ministry of Justice throughout my tenure as AG over the last three and half years. I owe him an eternal debt of gratitude,” Mr Tambadou who has been praised and criticised in equal measure throughout his three and a half years in the role added.

The Fatu Network 2020 Man of the Year said he had resigned since 1 June, meaning the move had been kept under wraps for weeks.

While Mr Tambadou used Friday’s news conference to tout his achievements, he also conceded ‘some things could have been done differently’.

He said: “Indeed, some things could have been done differently. In fact, some things can always be done differently, and there is always room for improvement.

He then added, in a clear riposte to critics: “”But those who are constantly looking for mistakes by this government will always find faults because of the unique circumstances in which we find ourselves as a country in transition.

“We inherited a system of governance where State institutions from the Presidency to the lowest levels were systematically dismantled over a two decade period; and where we found no culture or practice of State protocol in consonance with democratic practice.”

Mr Tambadou in a statement that was read over 40 minutes said a lot has happened over the past three and half years of the Barrow government.

On his part as attorney general, he said: “On my part, I have initiated and delivered on the key pillars of our transitional justice process which has now achieved global recognition by experts as being among the best models in the world particularly for its inclusiveness and originality.

“Some other milestones include the successful gazetting of a new draft constitution without amendment, the establishment of a Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission process which is currently underway, the establishment of The Gambia’s first National Human Rights Commission, and the establishment of the Janneh Commission to inquire into the financial corruption of former President Jammeh, and as a result of which the Government has been able to recover over 1.1 billion dalasis so far.

“And in all of these processes, we were able to put together a team of talented and credible Gambians, and I wish to thank them for their service to country.”

The United Democratic Party has said it has learned with ‘grief’ the sacking of Lamin Darboe.

Darboe was axed as acting executive director of National Youth Council on Wednesday. No reason was given.

UDP’s youth wing in a statement signed by President Kemo Bojang on Thursday said: “According to the dismissal letter from the Ministry of Youths and Sports, reason(s) of service termination were not indicted. The move by the Government, the Ministry of youths in particular, is a reminder of the system that we fought against in the 22 years of Yahya Jammeh’s dictatorial regime, where powers were abused.

“In this regard, the UDP Youth Wing wishes to express utter dismay and dissatisfaction in the manner Lamin’s sacking happened. It is our sincere belief that in the “New Gambia” such disrespect, abuse and disregard for due process of the law should not happen and people should not be victimised for political reasons.

“In light of the the above, UDP Youth Wing stands in solidarity with Lamin Darboe. The attestations from the youth fraternity since the sacking of Mr Darboe is a testimony that Lamin has been serving the country’s youths with distinction. He is known, both locally and internationally to be knowledgeable, experience and a determined young person. His stint as Executive Director of National Youth Council has witnessed unimaginable successes for the youth fraternity.

“We wish to make it clear, as the youth wing of UDP, we will not stand and watch the rights of individuals or groups violated especially within the youth population. We believe young people of The Gambia deserve better and the National youth council which is an act of Parliament that represents all interest of young people must not be used as a political tool.”

The United States Department of State Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo on Thursday released the 2020 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, upgrading The Gambia to Tier 2 Watch List.

“The report notes that the Government of The Gambia is making significant efforts in this important area but does not yet fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking,” a statement by the US government through its Embassy in Banjul said.

The United States government this time last year said The Gambia is not making significant efforts to fight human trafficking – as the country was placed in Tier 3 where it risked sanctions.

It prompted the Gambia government to make urgent moves including a two-day summit in January this year to analyse the situation of trafficking in persons in the country.

Six months down the line, the country has now been been upgraded to Tier 2 of the US TIP Report.

The US Department of State said: “The United States congratulates the Gambian government, the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons, law enforcement and justice sector entities, civil society organizations and key partners in the advancements made this past year to combat trafficking. These modest advancements include increased investigations, identifying more trafficking victims, improving security at the Department of Social Welfare shelter, coordinating with international organizations to increase training for officials, and significantly increasing efforts to raise public awareness of trafficking, including of child sex trafficking. In addition, the government encouraged former president Yahya Jammeh’s victims of sexual exploitation to testify at the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission. Many of these efforts were facilitated by the International Organization for Migration via a grant from the United States government, with an array of Gambian civil society organizations and international partners playing a vital role in promoting activities to combat trafficking and support victims.

“Despite these achievements, the government did not convict a trafficker for the third consecutive year, victim services remained inadequate overall, and some law enforcement officers allegedly requested bribes to register trafficking complaints.

“Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, a country can remain at Tier 2 Watch List for only two years and must address identified deficiencies to progress fully to Tier 2 within that time or be automatically downgraded to Tier 3. The annual rating cycle begins on April 1 and ends on March 31. We encourage the Gambian Government to expand on the good work undertaken over the past year and redouble efforts in the following critical areas: direct and fund law enforcement to investigate all reported trafficking cases, including those brought forward by civil society; investigate those accused of taking bribes to do their duty under the laws of The Gambia; increase efforts to vigorously investigate, prosecute, and convict traffickers, including allegations of child sex tourism; cease using extra-judicial or administrative remedies to resolve human trafficking cases; develop and train government officials on comprehensive standard procedures to proactively identify trafficking victims, including among people in commercial sex and other vulnerable groups.”

By Lamin Njie

Abubacarr Tambadou on Thursday visited State House amid his resignation as attorney general and minister of justice.

Mr Tambadou was at State House to meet President Barrow as well as Vice President Dr Isatou Touray.

While the circumstances of his resignation remain a matter of huge speculation, a source told The Fatu Network Mr Tambadou has landed himself a job at the United Nations.

“He was waiting on the Security Council to vet him before he finally resigns,” the source said.

The Fatu Network 2020 Man of the Year will be working at the UN in a ‘role that’s at the level of an assistant secretary general – and will report directly to the secretary general’.

A senior lawyer reacting to Mr Tambadou’s resignation said on Thursday his concerns are if the government ‘will find someone who will stand by the laws of the country and not to satisfy the government’.

“If we do not choose the best person, we will go back to the Jammeh’s era where the AG will be changing the laws to suit the needs of the president and not that of the country,” the senior lawyer said.

Dawda Jallow has quickly emerged as potential candidate to replace Mr Tambadou.

The former magistrate has the qualification of five years experience as a member of the Gambia Bar Association.

Madi Jobarteh has called on Gambian youths to take to the streets to demand the withdrawal of the sacking Lamin Darboe.

Darboe was suddenly sacked as executive director of National Youth Council on Wednesday. No reason was given.

Madi Jobarteh wrote on Thursday: “Section 13 of the National Youth Council Act gives authority to the President to appoint the Executive Secretary in consultation with ‘the Council and the Public Service Commission’. The entire Act did not speak about the removal of the Executive Secretary.

“However we know that based on Section 231(5) of the Constitution a power given to a person or authority to appoint does also include the power to dismiss. In fact Section 231(4) indicates that the person or authority who apppoints in consultation with another person or authority is not required to consider or act according to the advice of the entity that it must consult.

“This means the President can indeed sack Lamin Darboe without having to consult the Council or the PSC or take on their advice. But the need to consult only relates to appointment alone. The procedure and reasons for dismissal are not stated in the NYC Act. This means there is a huge gap in the Act which is prone to abuse.

“That notwithstanding the dismissal letter of the Executive Secretary cannot come from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The dismissal letter should come either from the Office of the President or the PSC or the Chair of the National Youth Council. Therefore I take it that the President did not sack Lamin rather it is the Minister who sacked him unilaterally which is illegal.

“For that matter this dismissal letter is unlawful and I urge Lamin Mokendeh Darboe to challenge it in court.

“At the same time I challenge the Chair of the National Youth Council Dembo Kekendo Kambi and his Council members to lead the youths to challenge this dismissal in court and occupy the streets of The Gambia to protest the dismissal until it is reversed.”

Gambian youth online have expressed their support to Lamin Darboe following his dismissal as executive director of National Youth Council.

Mr Darboe has been the NYC chief since 2014 but he was sacked from the role on Wednesday.

The ministry of youth and sport informed him in a letter that the minister of youth and sport has ‘concurred with the decision to terminate your services’ as acting executive director of National Youth Council in accordance with the National Youth Council Act of 2000.

“In this regard, you’re hereby requested to hand over the functions of the position of acting executive director, National Youth Council, to Mr Alhaji Jarju, the program manager, National Youth Council,” the ministry of youth and sports in its letter signed by permanent secretary Saikou Sanyang told Mr Darboe.

The ministry of youth has however failed to state who was behind the decision to terminate Darboe.

But Gambians mostly youths online have railed against Mr Darboe’s sudden sacking. Most who quickly changed their profile pictures to a photo of Mr Darboe have described him as a man committed to the development and interests of youth in the country.

By Lamin Njie

Executive Director of National Youth Council Lamin Darboe has been sacked from his role, according to sources.

Mr Darboe got his marching orders on Wednesday, sources have told The Fatu Network. No further detail could be obtained as to why he was sacked.

His sacking was done through the ministry of youth and sport.

Mr Darboe was National Youth Council’s executive director for the past six years.

President Adama Barrow has told a virtual meeting of Commonwealth leaders on Covid 19 that the pandemic presented a challenging period for the country but the population is united against it, according to State House on Wednesday.

The Gambian president further informed the meeting that the country has registered over forty confirmed COVID-19 cases so far as he delivered his statement to the meeting themed, ‘Sharing Solutions in Challenging Times’.

“While most of the infected persons have recovered, unfortunately, two lives have been lost. However, there is a lot more to be done, with a lot of resources still needed to contain the virus,” he said, according to State House’s news release.

He added that the country continues to be vigilant by increasing awareness and observing all relevant guidelines.

By Lamin Njie

A boyfriend will join his girlfriend in quarantine after he helped the woman escape the procedure.

Four people fled quarantine following their arrival into the country via an SN Brussels flight last Monday.

Among them is a woman who the ministry of health said escaped after getting help from her boyfriend.

The head of quarantine unit at the ministry of health Dr Buba Manjang said two of the escapees have returned to quarantine.

“One surrendered. The other one is the girl who was helped by her boyfriend to escape. A neighbour informed us and we were able to get them,” Dr Manjang said.

According to Dr Manjang, the boyfriend has been taken to police and charged. He would join his girlfriend in quarantine after finishing at the police, he added.

The top health official also said another of the escapees has called and said he would surrender.

By Fatou Camara II

Petroleum and Energy Minister Fafa Sanyang has said claims that The Gambia has the precious natural resource uranium are incorrect.

Former President Yahya Jammeh in 2008 claimed uranium had been discovered in the country.

“The biggest discovery is the discovery of uranium in the Gambia. These minerals I have talked about, we are 100 pct certain that they are in this country and can be exploited,” the former leader had said in a statement read over GRTS.

Petroleum and Energy Minister Fafa Sanyang who worked in the sector in the former leader’s government said the claims are not true.

He said at a press conference on Tuesday: “I know I was in the heart of this and I advised that government of the misinformation they got. I’m a geologist myself and I’ve worked with in the sector for many years .

“There is no uranium deposite. Somebody also mentioned to me that there is Diamond . If it was there even the British who mine it. They would not have left.”

Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou has said he has no idea of the origin of information government sold a Range Rover of former President Jammeh for D100,000.

Reports recently abounded of the the sale of an expensive Range Rover of former President Jammeh for a paltry D100,000. The car is said to have been part of the former leader’s seized assets of which the ministry of justice is responsible.

Mr Tambadou was dismissive when a national assembly member raised the issue up with him on Wednesday at the national assembly in Banjul.

He said: “Honourable member, I believe that the National Assembly and the members who sit in this August Assembly are too dignified to entertain rumours.

“I believe that when we seek accountability from us, it is based on facts. I have no idea where that information came from. I know certainly that the process which my ministry is responsible for did not sell any Range Rover for D100,000.

“I don’t know whether the auction that the commission carried out sold any such vehicle or the circumstances or the reasons why this was sold. I cannot confirm or deny that. But it will be difficult for me to believe that a Range Rover would be sold for a D100,000. I don’t know.”

By Lamin Njie

Vice President Dr Isatou Touray said on Wednesday there are ‘clear’ reasons why 25 staff of the Food Safety and Quality Authority faced the full fury of the government.

Eleven staff of FSQA got fired from the authority in January amid their longstanding revolution against the head of the authority. Thirteen were put on administrative leave while one was suspended.

Vice President Dr Isatou Touray under whose office the authority operates has lifted the lid on why the officials were punished.

Dr Touray told lawmakers in Banjul on Wednesday: “Following a petition written by several staff of the authority against the director general in October 2019 sent to the office of the vice president and copied to the secretary general and head of civil service, Office of the President and the National Assembly and circulated all over social media and press and unofficial sit-down strike was undertaken by these staff leading to an almost complete stoppage of all inspections of the authority.

“During this entire period, from October 2019 to date, most of the staff were involved in organising meetings inside and outside the office premises, within and outside working hours and conspired to synchronise stories and claims but more critically refused to carry out any orders or instructions from the supervisors and management and also subjected the other staff to harassment and insults and even labelled senior management as enablers who will be dealt with, once they achieve their objective of getting the director general of the Food Safety and Quality Authority dismissed.

“After three months of refusing to work or comply with legal instruments, they were placed on administrative leave without pay until they claim their petition is resolved in their favour.

“The said parties announced and held an unauthorised press conference at the grounds of the authority in which they repeated their litany of false allegations and innuendoes and continued to operate with impunity and arrogance, in total disregard of the service rules and government orders. Even those who were already on leave came to join them.”