By Adama Makasuba

National Assembly Member for Upper Nuimi has reacted to his sacking by United Democratic Party.

UDP on 14 November expelled a staggering eight respected members, all of them national assembly members. They were accused by the party of conducting themselves in a way that ran counter to party principles.

Omar Darboe speaking for the first time since his sacking insisted he was not sacked by UDP based on the interest of the country.

“If it was [The] Gambia’s interest, they wouldn’t have problem with President Adama Barrow,” Mr Darboe said in Chilla at a meeting presided over by President Barrow who is currently on a nationwide tour.

The Nuimi lawmaker added: “I will not joke with Barrow. If anyone has the interest of The Gambia, you will not have a problem with President Adama Barrow.

“They were trying to use me as a tool to fight against President Barrow but I will not allow them to use me because they were pretending to be good people to President Barrow and make us bad people against him.

“Unstoppable fight… You fought Yahya Jammeh and said you don’t like him. We helped you fight him until he left. Then you bring your own son and people but you still say you don’t like that person. Who do you like now?”

By Momodou Justice Darboe

The governor of Central River Region said he was deeply embarrassed by the actions of the youths of his region in attempting to obstruct the motorcade of President Adama Barrow over claims of lack of vehicles, food and other welfare issues as the President continues his country-wide tour.

There were embarrassing scenes on Thursday at Laminkoto/Janjanbureh ferry crossing when scores of youths attempted to barricade the President’s motorcade from moving from the ferry-crossing and governor Abba Sanyang of CRR lamented that the development was a collective shame for the people of his region but that the lion’s share of the embarrassment was his.

Amateur footages of the development surfaced on some social media platforms on Thursday and early Friday morning and governor Sanyang could be heard telling the youths that President Barrow did not deserve such treatment from them, considering his station.
He told the infuriated throngs of youth that the governor’s office has always maintained the lines of communication open and has always given them the opportunity to speak up and out.

The youth, some of whom could be heard threatening to abandon the President on his tour, were among some of the people mobilized by regional authorities in CRR to welcome the President on his visit to their region.

But they have bitterly complained that they were being treated in a care-free manner and the resultant exasperation and frustrations led them to take the decision of trying to obstruct the President’s cavalcade and prevent him from entering deeper into CRR North.

And the governor of CRR admits that he was utterly disappointed in and embarrassed by the youths.

“President Barrow is such an important person that he shouldn’t be obstructed. It is not the President that you embarrassed but me. I invited you with the sole aim of making the President feel at home here[CRR] but not otherwise.

“We did not receive any money in CRR for food. Nobody give us anything. It’s not only Barrow who needs you but you also need him so that you can talk to him about your challenges. I understand your problems, regarding vehicle and food but you cannot vent these frustrations on the President.’’

Governor Sanyang added: ‘’ I was at your lodgings yesterday and you informed me that you’ve all eaten well. So, don’t accuse me. I know your problem is vehicle and I’ll take care of that. I know this is youthful exuberance but please don’t allow this to happen again. My doors are always open.’’

But the youths however admitted that they’d earlier intended to meet the governor over the locomotion problem and related issues but that lack of organization among them resulted in their actions. They then apologized to the governor for any inconvenience that their action may cause.

By Adama Makasuba

President Adama Barrow has vowed not to mind his critics as he branded them detractors who are all out to deflect his attention from his development programmes.

President Barrow spoke at a meeting in Upper Niumi as his 20-day nationwide continued.

“I will not listen to them because they want to distract me so that I will stop my works and be arguing and responding to them until 2021. When 2021 comes, the issue of accountability is between you (citizens) and I because you are the people who voted me in office,” Mr Barrow said.

He added: “We are here for real work but there are people who want to blow flame into your eyes, going around saying, ‘don’t mind the works done by President Barrow.’ You have shown me that you are not interested in listening to those people going around talking petty.”

President Barrow while hinting at possibility of him seeking re-election in 2021 said he would love to meet Gambians in 2021 and be able to enumerate his achievements.

“If I am coming back in 2021, I want to tell you (Gambians), ‘I built the Hakalang road, I want to be able to say I built OIC conference centre and highway, [that] I developed Basse…’,” he said.

By Lamin Njie

State House senior communication officer Nfally Fadera has been appointed head of brands and communication at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation national secretariat.

Mr Fadera was among candidates who applied for the role, a source close to the State House official told The Fatu Network today. He will be leaving his role at State House.

Mr Fadera has confirmed his appointment telling The Fatu Network: “I can confirm the appointment. While I will miss my incredible team at the OP, I look forward to my new challenge with great excitement and hope for what the OIC can do for us a country.

“My ultimate mission will be to renew confidence and ensure popular ownership of the organization. An OIC of the people, and for the people of some sort.”

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation national office has since August this year been looking for a new head of brands and communication following the resignation of Nyang Njie.

The OIC national secretariat is the body entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the 2022 OIC summit in The Gambia. It’s also tasked with mobilising funds in order for the necessary structures to be put in place.

The Gambia Press Union has said it has been informed of the alleged assault of journalists covering President Adama Barrow’s nationwide tour.

Reports abounded Thursday evening of the assault of three journalists travelling with President Barrow on his two weeks tour of the country.

It has now been revealed the journalists involved are Sally Jobe of Kerr Fatou, Ebrahim Jambang of Gambian Talents Promotion and Landing Ceesay of Paradise FM.

GPU in a statement said it has been informed the three journalists “have been physically and verbally assaulted by the supposed members of the delegation or supporters of President Barrow”.

“The incident happened Thursday afternoon at Janjanbureh-Lamin Koto ferry crossing point when the journalists began to film a protest by some members of the entourage who were not happy with certain logistical arrangement.

“It was at that point that the perpetrators advanced towards the journalists hauling insults and eventually physically assaulted them. Landing said he was hit on his chest. A phone in Sally’s possession has been broken after it was smashed as she was taking video of a man who was insulting her parents,” the union said.

The union’s president, Sheriff Bojang Jnr, who himself came under fire in March this year for assaulting a journalist spoke on the issue saying he had reached out to the director of press and public relations at the Office of the President, and the spokesperson of the government “to express our concerns to them”.

“They both expressed regret over the incident and also apologised on behalf of the presidency,” he added, according to the union’s statement.

The GPU says it is calling on the authorities to swiftly act to investigate the matter.

By Lamin Njie

The TRRC today ended its public hearings in Jambur with dozens of natives giving harrowing accounts of what they went through in the hands of ritualists who stormed Jambur in 2009 in their hunt for witches.

Women, as old as 90 years, detailed how they were stripped and bathed by young boys. They also explained how the witch-doctors forced them to drink disgusting liquids which has since caused the death of many victims. Those alive have health complications.

Dozens of men were also not spared as they were also arrested and taken to Kololi where they were also forced to drink a bitter liquid.

Next week, the TRRC will take its public hearings to Sibanor in Foni Bintang Karanai.

Former President Jammeh’s 2009 witch-hunt exercise began in Foni with hundreds of people reported to have been kidnapped, beaten and forced to drink concoctions. Many have since succumbed.

The exercise was carried in almost all Foni villages and Sintet is said to have been hit hardest by the exercise.

In Batabut Kantora, older natives spend the entire day in the bush in an attempt to evade the ritualists.

Former Budget Director Momodou Sabally has called on Gambian lawmakers to reject a proposed 34 million dalasis increase in the budget allocated to the Office of the President for the fiscal year 2020.

Sabally made this call in an open letter addressed to the Minister of Finance on the proposed budget for 2020.

While admitting that our budget situation is very difficult due to the macroeconomic realities on the ground, the former presidential affairs minister argued that recent policy moves championed by the current Finance Minister is worsening the budget situation and the economy of the country in general

He said: “The increase in the budget of the office of the President by D34 million is wrong. We all know the problem of dealing with that budget head knowing the difficulty of satisfying the political animal in that office. But the wisdom has always been to constrain the presidency ab initio, and then manage the situation as the budget implementation cycle unfolds.

“By expanding expenditure for the presidency, you are simply pampering your boss for political patronage at the expense of the tax payer. The increase in salaries at the office of the President is also waste of resources. We know that the problem at that office is being compounded by further expanding the bureaucracy of an already dysfunctional office instead of taking the tough decision of redeploying or firing all the “squares pages in round wholes.”

While clarifying that his call for deputies to vote down the proposed increase in resources allocated to the presidency was not for political reasons and urging the deputies to treat it as a non-partisan matter, Sabally emphasised “I would surely recommend that the deputies at the Assembly cancel the proposed increase of expenditure under the office of the President to set a perfect example and send a message to the executive that the meagre resources of our tax payers cannot be used for ‘mbumbai’ in these trying times.“

He further admonished the Finance Minister as follows “the executive has for long trodden on the poor tax payers for too long. Now that the tax payers have voted to have something better than what used to obtain in the past, we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of yesteryears. If the Mandinka saying that ‘sila kotor kataa satay kotor leh to’ is anything g to go by, then you are leading this country back into the doldrums of fiscal obstinacy. We can do better than this so let us strive to make the future better, cleaner and brighter. This is our collective responsibility regardless of our political leanings.”

Some 73 migrants, many suffering from hypothermia and burns, were rescued by a Spanish charity ship late on Wednesday from a packed rubber dinghy that had been drifting off the Libyan coast for nearly 24 hours.

It is the latest rescue by the Open Arms vessel in the Mediterranean, where more than 1,000 migrants on their way from north Africa to Europe are believed have drowned or are missing so far in 2019, according to UN figures.

Open Arms has repeatedly clashed with governments in Italy and Malta in its efforts to save migrants attempting the dangerous crossing, with both countries resisting attempts to land those rescued on their territory.

The migrants taken on board on Wednesday included two children under the age of five.

They looked petrified as they were lifted out of the dinghy, Reuters video footage showed.

The migrants, mostly from Central and Western Africa, were found crammed in a dinghy whose engine had broken down, according to Open Arms spokeswoman Laura Lanuza.
Many were in shock and suffering from hypothermia and second-degree burns from prolonged exposure to saltwater and gasoline, she added.

One young man from Niger was suffering from gunshot wounds which he said were sustained in a Libyan detention center in early November.

Open Arms mission chief Ricardo Gati said that while the rescue took place near the Libyan town of Zawiya, the NGO was seeking to disembark at a European port.

“We would like a response from a functional government, which leaves Italy or Malta. The closest safe port to us is in Italy,” said Gati. “We’re waiting to see what the response is and how long we have to wait.”

This summer, the NGO was involved in a weeks-long standoff with the Italian government, with nearly 100 migrants crammed on board Open Arms in deteriorating conditions, which ended when an Italian court ordered authorities to open its port.

This time, he warned, time was running short. “Within two to three days, we know the sea will become very rough.” (Reuters)

One Babucarr Sowe has pleaded guilty to a single count of defiling a 17-year-old girl, The Standard reported today.

Sowe met the victim sometime in March, 2019 in Farato Village in West Coast Region and expressed loving her which she accepted, police prosecutors told the Brikama Magistrates Court. Soon after, a relationship developed and the victim got pregnant as was confirmed by Brikama Health Centre, the prosecutors added.

The accused was arrested by the police, cautioned, charged and arraigned before Brikama Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to the charge of defilement contrary to section 5(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2013, according to The Standard.

Bubacarr Sowe has been remanded as he awaits his sentencing.

By Lamin Njie

Yankuba Touray has special protection by the constitution but this protection cannot solve his problem, a top lawyer on constitutional matters has said.

Former army captain Yankuba Touray in June this year shocked the nation after he invited to the TRRC only to get there and refuse to testify. He claimed he enjoys special protection by the constitution.

UK and US educated lawyer Lamin J Darbo in an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network said Mr Touray was right in claiming he has immunity ‘but that immunity cannot solve his problem’.

Darbo said: “Yankuba Touray was a subject of potential prosecution. You cannot bring him to the TRRC and force him to testify because he runs the danger of incriminating himself or of lying to the TRRC or of being charged with contempt of the TRRC. So he was in a very difficult situation.

“But on the issue of immunity, he does have immunity but that immunity cannot solve his problem. We have to careful here. The immunity that he is claiming, if you look at the constitutional text, that immunity really cannot avail him of anything.

“I wouldn’t say he didn’t advise him properly because people look at these constitutional provisions differently. That’s why we have the courts to disentangle the arguments and decide what is wrong and what is right. Most of the times, the courts have it correct. Sometimes the courts can misinterpret.

“But really the immunity part, I wouldn’t bother with that. That cannot succeed. He cannot say I am protected from coming to the TRRC, based on the immunity. There are other principles, constitutional principles. Those are far more powerful arguments. That is, ‘I don’t want to incriminate myself’.

“The TRRC is a fact-finding commission. It shouldn’t put people in a situation where they would do one of three things; lie to them, incriminate themselves or act contemptuously to the TRRC.”

By Lamin Njie

Dr Ismaila Ceesay has said if President Adama Barrow appoints him adviser he will accept as it is about the country, as he responded to critics regarding his new role as policy adviser to Kanifing Municipality mayor Talib Bensouda.

Mayor Bensouda on Wednesday announced the appointment of Dr Ceesay as his new policy adviser but the move has generated criticism in some quarters with some people arguing Dr Ceesay was being tapped for a role he has no idea about.

Dr Ceesay responded to critics Wednesday evening telling The Fatu Network: “Talib is doing a fine job at KMC and this is a time when we should put politics aside and our personal interests and look at the greater interest of the country. You have a young man who has a vision for this country, who wants to do a good job for KMC and wants to tap my expertise. I think I will do injustice to this country if I should refuse to help because of my political ambitions or because politics.

“Now, if it’s something I wouldn’t be able to do because I lack the competence or capacity or expertise I would turn it down. I took it out of the good faith that with the guy’s doing a good job and having a clear vision for KMC, my expertise in the area of policy and in terms of development will help him work for KMC.

“Today if Adama Barrow appoints me to advise him, I will advise him. It’s for the country. I am not helping Adama Barrow, I am helping The Gambia. So obviosuly, if it’s Adama Barrow, if it’s Rohey Lowe… Anybody I know has the heart to do some good work for the country and you demand my expertise I will gladly help you.

“And I told Talib it’s voluntary. I am not going to be paid a dime. It’s not a full time job. It’s a voluntary job. Whenever he needs my advice, I advise him. When I think he implementing a development project, I will advise him.”

By Adama Makasuba

State House press director has said she is not aware of people travelling with President Adama Barrow racking up 2,000 dalasis a day.

Reports have been doing the rounds on social media alleging government officials who are travelling with President Barrow on his nationwide tour were being paid 2,000 dalasis a day as allowance.

Amie Bojang-Sisoho spoke to The Fatu Network Tuesday night via telephone “I am not aware of that one…’

“I know that government officials are being paid their per diems and that is not 2000 dalasis that is 1000 dalasis that we have been paid for their DHK –so that they can pay for their rooms and everything,” she added.

On Monday, President Barrow began a Kartong-to-Koina tour that will last for 19 days. He will preside over 44 meetings during the tour.

By DailyMail

A male contraceptive may be just around the corner in India, where scientists report they’ve completed clinical trials for a drug that’s injected into men’s groin.

All that’s left is for the Indian equivalent of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve the birth control shot, which lasts for 13 years, the Hindustan Times reported.

Then, men can line up to be put under anesthesia to get a shot of synthetic material into their testicles to block off the tube that would deliver sperm to the penis.

If the drug can mount that final hurdle, it will be the first approved male birth control in the world, finally providing an alternative sterilization via vasectomy for men and the plethora of contraceptives used by women.

‘The product is ready, with only regulatory approvals pending with the Drugs Controller,’ Dr RS Sharma, the senior scientists at the help of the project told Hindustan Times.

Dr Sharma told The Wire he’s been working on drug for a quarter of a century.

The scientist who developed the polymer that is the crux of the entire contraceptive treatment, Dr Sujoy Kumar Guha, has been working on it for even longer – 37 years.

In India, over half of couples use contraceptive, according to the Hindustan Times.

Sterilization is the most popular form of contraceptive, and is by and large done via tubal ligations performed on women.

Less than one percent of sterilization procedures there are vasectomies done on men.

In the US, 99 percent of women of reproductive ages have used contraceptives of some form at some point in their sexually active lives.

Currently, about 60 percent are using some method.

Over 70 percent of women that use contraceptives use forms that are not permanent, including the most popular form, the pill, or less widespread patches, injections, implants, rings and intrauterine devices.

About 22 percent of women have have undergone sterilization procedures. Just seven percent of the contraceptive-using population prevents pregnancy via male sterilization.

This means that in the US and India alike, women are by-and-large responsible for contraception and take on the side effects which include, for the most popular form, the pill: spotting, weight gain, mood swings, nausea, acne, breast swelling and tenderness and breakthrough bleeding between periods.

Male contraceptives had made it to clinical trials a few times in the US but those have ultimately failed or been called off because the side effects were deemed unbearable for the men.

The side effects are strikingly similar to those women experience while on birth control.

But the team at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has done something unprecedented: they’ve completed all three rounds of clinical trials with a large sample of men.

According to the Hindustan Times, the new injectable is 97.3 percent effective and Dr Sharma said the 303 participants reported no side effects.

If the drug gets ultimate approval, men will be put under anesthesia for the injection.

The polymer, known as reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance (RISUG) is then injected into the vas deferens, the tubule that delivers sperm from the testes to the penis where its released in ejaculate.

It eventually wears off, in about 13 years.

‘The product can safely be called the world’s first male contraceptive,’ said Dr Sharma. (DailyMail)

Banjul, The Gambia – Karpowership, has been connected to The Gambia’s national grid since May 2018 and been providing reliable and affordable electricity since first day of operation. Karadeniz Powership Koray Bey, with its 36 MW has helped to significantly reduce the electricity supply gap in the country.

Powerships are barge or self-propelled ships, mounted with floating power plants, delivering the most reliable power supply solution with an optimum cost. With wide ranges of installed capacities for utility size operations and no completion or construction risk, Powers hips are ready for power production within a short period of time. They are built utilizing the latest dual fuel engine technology, having the ability to operate both on Heavy Fuel Oil and Natural Gas. Fuel flexibility ensures the lowest cost of delivered power and maximum efficiency with no capital required from the country in need of electricity.

Karpowership was selected by NAWEC among many competitors, through a competitive bidding process, as the proposal with better price and superior commercial offerings.

The company has a proven track record of supplying sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity with all its Powerships. Currently, with the decrease in Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO); the total cost of electricity for the good people of The Gambia is lower than 11.65 UScents per kilowatt hour as of today. With this price, Powership is the most affordable source of electricity in The Gambia.

The Powership, is currently operating with low Sulphur Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) to generate electricity but thanks to its hybrid operational ability, it can convert to natural gas when available, ensuring additional cost savings for The Gambia. Karpowership is ready to support the investments in transmission and distribution network when needed; with the mission of increasing access to electricity in the country.

Since the arrival of Karpowership, there has been a tremendous and significant improvement in available electricity supply in The Gambia. NAWEC has seen a substantial positive change in all the challenges prior to the Powership project. Power supply has become more stable and uninterrupted. Load shedding has been virtually eliminated contributing to the dynamics of the business operations in general and household life.

In its efforts to expand its operations and provide an efficient and cost-effective electricity supply generally, Karpowership is currently working with the Government of Mali for the operation of a gas fired power plant that will be located in The Gambia. This project has enormous economic advantages for The Gambia. Not only will it be an extra source of foreign exchange for NAWEC that will be derived from the payments for the location of the project site, but it will also generate employment and provide affordable electricity supply that will come from the extra power generated from a gas-fired generation of 400 MWs.

While providing reliable and affordable electricity; Karpowership is also a socially responsible company committed to the development of communities in which they operate. With its operations in The Gambia, the company has been engaging in social responsibility projects to further enhance the growth of the local people and economy. Among some of the things Karpowership has done in 2019 are donating rice, oil and other food supplied to orphanages; providing fishing equipment to fishermen, and supporting coastal clean up efforts with National Environmental Agency.

The role of Powership in the energy sector globally has provided an opportunity for a more accessible, efficient and affordable solution to the challenges of power supply; in emerging economies of the world.

Karpowership is continuing to invest in the area and has recently deployed a 240 MW Powership to Senegal as per the agreement signed in August 2019; and the Powership became operational within 2 months of contract signing. The operation in Senegal will switch to LNG within 6 months of time.

As a key strategic partner, Karpowership is committed to The Gambia’s development and will continue to provide all Gambians with sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity.

About Karpowership
Karpowership is the owner, operator and builder of the only Powership™ (floating power plant) fleet in the world and plays an active role in medium to long-term investments; providing access to fast-track, affordable and reliable electricity. Powerships have a range of 30 MW to 470 MW and are delivered ready to operate in less than 60 days. Currently, Karpowership owns and operates 22 Powerships with an installed capacity exceeding 3,500 MW and another 5,000 MW are under construction or in the pipeline. Karpowership is operational in Indonesia, Lebanon, Mozambique, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Senegal and the Caribbean. For more information on how Karpowership powers life, please visit: www.karpowership.com

For More Information
Fatu Camara
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[email protected]

By Lamin Njie

Security officers appeared before former President Yahya Jammeh seeking his blessing to assassinate individuals during the 2016 political impasse, former information minister Seedy Njie has said.

Jammeh stunningly lost the 2016 presidential election and a one month political impasse that followed pushed the country to the brink of war.

Seedy Njie was tapped as information minister in the last humiliating days of Jammeh’s rule, following the resignation of Sheriff Bojang. He was in the role for nine days.

Njie told Paradise TV in an exclusive interview security officers came before Jammeh and asked him to give his blessing for the assassination and arrest of individuals.

“People have approached him, security officials and other people for them to arrest other people, to assassinate other people or even fight but Jammeh refused,” Njie told the outlet.

Former President Jammeh ruled The Gambia for 22 years, a rule that was marked by gross human rights violations and corruption. He was seeking for a fifth term in office when he surprisingly lost to newcomer Adama Barrow in the 1 December 2016 presidential election.

Initially, Mr Jammeh accept defeat but change his mind five days later which triggered a standoff. Ecowas countries then intervened by sending troops to ensure he leaves office. Jammeh now lives in exile in Equatorial Guinea.

By Adama Makasuba

Three women have detailed how a band of witch hunters and ‘green boys’ stormed their homes and drove with them to Kololi where they were forced to drink a bitter liquid.

In 2009, former President Yahya Jammeh launched a so-called witch hunt campaign after hiring a band of witch doctors guarded by soldiers armed with AK47. The ritualists targeted the poor farming communities and public offices.

The TRRC has taken its public hearings to Jambur, one of the many affected communities.

Lamarana Jallow, Sukai Jallow and Fatou Sowe were among dozens victimized during Jammeh’s 2009 witch hunt.

Lamarana Jallow was unceremoniously picked up by the band of witch hunters and green boys as she was preparing to cook lunch at her house and got bundled on a green bus.

“Some of them were beaten to drink the concoction and the concoction was pounded mixed with water, and what the man advised us was anyone who drank water after drinking the concoction will die but I was unconscious and I was unconscious until in the morning around 10:00am,” Jallow told the TRRC.

“They bundled us in a bus and drove us off to Kololi and when we arrived at the compound they gave us groundnut past and rice and meat (local delicacy) to eat and asked some people to drink concoction. But what they first ordered us to for everybody to handover their properties ranging from mobile phones and money, and I they took 700 dalasi to them.”

“They will hold your hand and give the concoction to drink and they will come for another person, and some people felt down and went unconscious after drink the concoction. Their hands were held by people wearing green-green attire, and anytime they drink the concoction they would felt on the ground,” she added.

Sukai Jallow recalled seeing people looking death while others went conscious after drinking the concoction and ‘I was feeling dizzy and I felt sleep till the next morning , the concoction was bitter because the water mixed with it was not much and I drank a cup and half cup of it.’

A boy from the green-green boys came to me and asked me from last year to this year how many people have you eaten and I replied to him that I had never eaten human being because I am an elderly woman and is only you who accused me of being a witch, I really don’t know why they pointed finger to me and accused me of a witch, she added.

She said ‘they were stripped off naked and a young man was standing there pouring water on you and rubbing it over their body who could even be your grandson but there was nothing we can do.’

And Fatou Sowe a nice to Sukai Jallow said: “The concoction caused me high blood pressure. We were many because if my memory serves me, we were about fifty people, and when were forced to drank the concoction around 5:00pm we all went asleep until the next morning.”

President Adama Barrow will today hold a meeting in Salikeni, a UDP stronghold, according to an itinerary seen by The Fatu Network.

Mr Barrow on Monday began a 19-day nationwide tour, holding his first meeting in Fass Njaga Choi, a Lower Nuimi town. The president later toured the IFAD road to Jurunku which is presently under construction, and wrapping the day with another meeting in Kuntair.

Today, President Barrow will preside over a meeting in Saba and then proceed to Salikeni, all in Badibu. He will wind up the day with a meeting in Farafenni.

By Lamin Njie

Three UDP national assembly members who were among eight UDP lawmakers that were sacked by the party have reacted to their sacking.

Billay G Tunkara (Kantora), Alhagie Jawara (Lower Baddibu) and Baba Galleh Jallow (Sanimentering) were last Thursday expelled by UDP after they were found to have conducted themselves in a way that was not in ‘conformity’ with party principles. But the three lawmakers could not have cared less as they Monday joined President Adama Barrow on his nationwide tour.

The three NAMs spoke to The Fatu Network with Billay G Tunkara saying: “The party leadership and the executive committee did send us a letter indicating that our membership is no more needed in the party, as a result of our overt support of President Barrow and his political outfit.

“We take it in good faith but obviously everybody knows that what we are doing, we are supporting the rule of law and constitutional supremacy.”

Alhagie Jawara said: “It’s not about supporting President Barrow, it’s about… As a leader, there are three things that makes a leader and that is integrity, capacity and strength. We are supporting President Barrow based on the constitutional mandate The Gambia and her people gave him.

“Yesterday everybody heard what somebody in that party who talked about if anybody wants to challenge President Barrow on his constitutional mandate of five years, he is going to be the very one who is going to take your to the high court. And just few weeks back, we heard different story. So as a man of principle, I cannot be just flip flopping just like that.”

Baba Galleh Jallow said: “I am not fired, I would say I am relieved. We have a lot of trouble with the party. So if it comes to this stage, I believe we are relieved, we are not fired.

“Our agendas are not the same because we are supporting the president we elected. Our agenda is we voted Barrow for five years.”

By Wally Omar

The Imam of Jamburr village Omar Bojang who was a victim of 2009 witch-hunt today gave testimony to the truth commission about the incident which took place ten years ago.

Bojang was among several people from that village who were arrested and detained at government detention centers accused of being witches and wizards.

In 2009, following the death of former president Jammeh’s aunt, Jammeh hired six witch-doctors from Guinea to hunt witches and wizards in the country.

In today’s hearing at the village Imam Bojang told the truth commission that the witch-hunters were accompanied to the village by a soldier called Solo Bojang.

The witch-hunters arrived in the the village square in the midst of drumming with the ritualists dressed in red outfits and wielding cow horns. The witch-hunters told the villagers that they were in the village to pray but later requested to be taken to the village cemetery.

At the cemetery, the witch-doctors slaughtered red cock and red goat; the cock was buried but the goat was put in to the car.

Fifty-eight-year-old Omar Bojang narrated that the event coincided with the death of her mother. He was however not spared ritualists walked in to his house with drums and ransacked his room and other rooms.

“In my bathroom they left a stone which I stand when taking bath and remove juju, saying that juju was the reason why village was not progressing.

“I was told by the witch-hunters to go with them to the village square and the two visitors from Senegal were also talking along with me. At the village Bantaba we were asked to sit on the floor and they went in to the village to search for others .

“Sixty-two people were arrested from Jamburr and were taken to a government detention center where we were forced to drink concoction,” Imam Bojang said.
Imam Bojang said even before the witch-hunt he was a victim of Jammeh. Following

Jammeh’s election victory in 2001; while he relaxing at village Bantaba green youths attacked and beat him.

He said his younger brother who was a police had advised him to report the matter to police and the matter was taken to Brikama Police Station, however police didn’t take any step in the matter.

The attack he said was politically motivated because he was accused of not supporting former President Jammeh.