By Lamin Njie

Former Vice President Isatou Njie Saidy said on Thursday she did not give any order to the head of the Gambian army in 2000 to deploy soldiers as students protested the death of their colleague.

Hundreds of students in The Gambia in April 2000 took to the streets following the death of Ebrima Barry.

Barry, 19, died on April 9, 2000 after he was apparently tortured by men of the fire and rescue service. The next day, students in urban Gambia and in Brikamaba filled the streets to demand justice. At least thirteen students were killed during the protests.

Njie-Saidy was the acting president at the time of the protest, with then president Yahya Jammeh away in faraway Cuba.

The 67-year-old appeared before the TRRC on Thursday but she peppered her testimony on the issue with two phrases; ‘I don’t know’ and ‘I don’t remember.’

“President Jammeh to be honest was a strongman. Even if he delegates you to do something, you have to refer back to him,” Njie Saidy told the TRRC.

Former President Jammeh was a ruthless leader who ran a secret killer squad that took orders from him yet Njie Saidy served as his vice president from 1997 to 2017, making her the longest serving vice president in the country’s history.

During her testimony, Njie Saidy denied playing any front-row role in Jammeh’s reign of terror, saying throughout she would only hear of crimes only after they have been committed. This made TRRC counsel Essal Faal who was clearly running out of patience at some point asking the former vice president which country she was living in but Njie Saidy stood her ground telling Faal she was living in The Gambia.

On the April 2000 student demonstrations, the former vice president said the former head of the army Baboucarr Jatta met with her in her office amid the demonstrations but she denied ordering Jatta to deploy soldiers on to the streets.

Njie Manneh who was a student at Brikamaba Senior Secondary School in 2000 told the TRRC in August soldiers fired live rounds and bullets hit him on all parts of his body but for the intervention of charms that were given to him by his father.

By Lamin Njie

The deputy leader of United Democratic Party has said 6 May 2019 was the last time her party was consulted on issues relating to Coalition 2016.

Political parties that formed a front in 2016 called Coalition 2016 have been racing to clear the air over last Friday’s meeting with President Adama Barrow.

The chairperson of the group together with some coalition party leaders met with the Gambian leader. At the meeting, the officials pledged to support the president on his five years in office ambition.

UDP did not participate in the meeting raising questions over whether the party is in fact a part of the coalition.

The deputy leader of the party has issued a statement saying UDP was not ‘aware of the said meeting held in the State House and did not therefore participate in it.’

“Since the U.D.P was not aware of the said meeting, the decision arrived thereat does not and cannot bind the UDP and its supporters,” Mariam Secka said.

She added: “Since the 6th day of May, 2019 when the UDP delegation marched out of the coalition meeting at Kairaba Hotel we have not been invited and or consulted on any issue relating to coalition 2016.”

By Lamin Njie

Gambia Moral Congress said on Thursday it was never consulted about the visit to State House nor does it give its blessing to an extension of the president’s mandate.

Coalition chairperson Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang and some coalition party leaders met President Barrow at State House last Friday where they pledged to back the Gambian leader’s five years ambition.

“[The reform agenda] is yet to be completed. So we have discussed it extensively with our flagbearer and on the basis of the incompletion of the reform agenda, we have decided as a coalition to give him, to extend his social legitimacy from three years to five years,” Mrs Jallow Tambajang told State House reporters moments after the summit.

GMC is one of three political parties that never took part in the meeting and the party on Thursday issued a statement saying recent ‘pronouncement’ by Mrs Jallow Tambajang ‘does not reflect our position.’

“GMC as a party was never consulted about the visit to State House nor does it give its blessing to an extension of the president’s mandate. Major and important decisions like that can only be approved by GMC national Congress,” Tida Kijera said in a statement.

The party’s acting spokesperson added: “In 2016, we went into a coalition following a decision made by the national congress. Similarly, a decision to extend the president’s mandate from three years to five years can only be made by the national congress.

“In conclusion, we wished to emphasise that neither the party leader nor the GMC Executive were informed about the meeting referred to by Madam Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang.”

By Lamin Njie

Essa Faal and Babucarr Jatta went head to head on Wednesday as investigations into the April 2000 student massacre deepened.

The duo was facing off for the second time in months as the TRRC continues its probe into the human rights violations and abuses that took place during the 22 years rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.

Former army chief Baboucarr Jatta and TRRC counsel Essa Faal were involved in a testy exchange in April this year as Jatta gave evidence regarding the events of November 11, 1994.

The bad blood began after the screening of the testimony of three witnesses who claimed to have been present when a group of soldiers were lined for execution at Fajara Barracks. The witnesses claimed Jatta was part of an extended line of soldiers who were to shoot the captured soldiers.

Tempers flared after Counsel Faal asked Jatta whether all three witnesses were lying, with Jatta telling Faal: “Why should I relinquish myself to tell you that I’m not doing the right thing, am trying to dodge I will never do that. I’m a very sincere person.”

A seething Jatta later slammed Faal saying the popular lawyer did not understand military matters and that he was only guessing.

Faal who was clearly offended fired back saying he understood the whole law about command responsibility in the military but only after the chairman of the investigation intervened.

Jatta returned to the commission on Wednesday this time on the April 2000 student demonstration but the showdown went without any malice.

Jatta testified that it was then vice president Isatou Njie Saidy who ordered him to deploy soldiers as students protested the death of their colleague. Fourteen people were killed after being shot at by police.

By Lamin Njie

Former Vice President Ousainou Darboe has said Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou did not do anything wrong regarding members of his family holding diplomatic passports.

Mr Tambadou has in recent weeks endured a heavy dose of the wrath of a section of the Gambian public after it emerged some members of his family hold a Gambian diplomatic passport.

A letter that was leaked online last month showed the justice minister making a request to President Barrow for members of his family including his mother to be issued diplomatic passports.

But former Vice President Ousainou Darboe has said the justice minister was not in the wrong in ‘asking’ for the document.

“Certainly, he applied and it was left to the approving authority to approve or disapprove. There is nothing stopping you Pasamba from applying for a diplomatic passport for yourself and your wives or your wife and children,” Mr Darboe said on For The People By The People Show on Sunday.

He added: “It’s left to the approving authority to really approve or disapprove. I don’t think there is anything wrong in the asking. I believe maybe if he had misused his office, then I would think that that would be unethical.”

Mr Tambadou is displeased with the way Gambians have reacted to the issue, vowing in a news conference last month that he will return the passports. It is however not clear whether he has returned the passports.

By Momodou Justice Darboe

The head of the Gambian army is on the firing line for allegedly likening those who want to nurture a culture of political decency to mutineers.

Operation Three Years Jotna has sharply reacted to General Mamat O. Cham’s warning that any group that attempts to ‘subvert’ a constitutional order will come into contact with the army.

“I want to state here that the Gambia Armed Forces will not recognize anything that is not in line with the constitution. So any group, any political association that tries to subvert the peace and stability and the due process of achieving of any political power if you try that you will come across the Gambia Armed Forces,” the top general said on state television, GRTS last week.

Though, the commander of the Gambia Armed Forces was not explicit, Operation Three Years Jotna movement said it’s disappointed in General Cham in that he was comparing the members of the group to rebels. The group pointed out that such threats have no place in the new democratic dispensation.

“Therefore, Operation Three Years Jotna has strongly condemned those threatening remarks made by our security forces to the electorate or citizenry in general,’’ Operation Three Years Jotna’s Haji Suwaneh said in a news conference in Tallinding on Monday.

“He compared us to soldiers who were planning a mutiny, as people who want to overthrow a legal, elected government and if anything like that arises as soldiers they would crush the citizens to make sure they defend that elected government which as Gambians we say Never Again.’’

Mr. Suwaneh explained that the role of the Gambia army is to protect and defend the country from any external aggression and that the army is not a force to stifle democratic expressions.

“We want to remind the commander that Gambian citizens calling on the President to honour his words that was given to citizens is in line with the Constitution. We are making our stance clear that we will never allow any individual to come and play or undermine our democracy that we fought for. Gambia belongs to Gambians and holding our leaders accountable is a democratic responsibility,’’ he stated.

The group’s chairman also lashed out at the army commander saying ‘we heard them trying to whitewash the statement but we are not fools.’

“I heard the PRO on the radio saying people should not twist go about things their statement. We are not fools,” Abdou Njie said.

He added: “An elder who is in his right state of mind when speaking should know what he is saying and how people are going to hear and receive it.

“When Yahya Jammeh staged a coup, he (General Cham) was in the army. What did he do? Because the person Yahya removed was constitutionally elected by us.”

Operation Three Years Jotna, meanwhile vowed to up the scale in holding elected and appointed public servants accountable for their deeds and words.

By Momodou Justice Darboe

The grassroots pressure group Operation Three Years Jotna is not impressed with the composition of the coalition stakeholder group that last week extended the mandate of the transition government from three years to five.

The group has also questioned the integrity of the coalition leader Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang to lead and negotiate any amendment to the coalition agreement as no official reason has been advanced for her sacking as the country’s vice president.

Representatives of five political parties of the seven that formed the 2016 Coalition, led by Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang, were last Friday in a conclave with President Adama Barrow at State House in Banjul and the outcome of the close-door meeting was the extension of the coalition three-year agreement to five years.

But reacting to the Friday State House meeting in a press briefing on Monday, Operation Three Years Jotna said it is concerned about the development.

‘’On 27 September 2019, Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang decided unilaterally that she should collect some members of the Barrow-supported camp to join her deliberately extend that legally-binding contract from three years to five years,’’ Haji Suwareh, an Operation Three Years Jotna executive, told journalists.

‘’In 2016, the coalition was having seven political parties but the group which announced the amendment for the extension….we have never seen those faces in that amendment; the reason why Fatoumatta Jallow-Tambajang should explain,’’ he added.

“In fact, some vocal persons, parties in that 2016 coalition has never supported the five years,” Suwareh said.

The group insists that any amendment to the 2016 Coalition manifesto must be a product of broad and ‘proper’ consultations with the citizenry who elected the coalition government with the conviction of serving only three years.

“We still believe that the contract of three years is between the coalition executives/stakeholders and Gambian citizens in general. So, therefore we believe that if any amendment or changes shall take place on that agreed transition, they should make proper consultations with citizens who voted them on the basis of three years,’’ Suwareh noted.

The pressure group advised the coalition stakeholders to go back to the drawing board so as to effect amendments that would be agreeable to the citizenry.

See our Facebook page for more on the Operation Three Years Jotna media briefing.

More than 1,000 migrants have died in the Mediterranean Sea this year, the sixth year in a row that that “bleak milestone” has been reached, the United Nations refugee agency said on Tuesday.

“UNHCR is urgently calling for an increase in search and rescue capacity, including a return of EU state vessels to search and rescue operations, and an acknowledgement of the crucial role of NGO boats in saving lives at sea,” UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley said in a statement.

At least 15,000 people have lost their lives in Mediterranean crossings since 2014, the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) said. (Reuters)

By Lamin Njie

Tens of pupils at Kerewan Lower Basic School sit on the floor during lessons because the school does not have enough desks and chairs.

Kerewan Lower Basic School in Kerewan Samba Sira in Central River Region has 513 learners with 13 teachers.

Pupils in ECD 1 and ECD 2 sit on the floor during lessons, with learners in the two classes numbering 65.

A teacher at the school told The Fatu Network: “The government is aware of this issue because education officials have been coming here.

“Even the governor Abba Sanyang once came to the school and found the children sitting on the floor.

The Fatu Network understands four pupils from Grades 1 to 6 share a chair and a desk during lessons at the school.

By Lamin Njie

Gambia Action Party announced Monday former chief of army staff General Lamin Bojang will be the party’s presidential candidate for the 2021 presidential election.

Gen Bojang led a distinguished career in the army but was sacked by former president Yahya Jammeh in 2012. The former president quickly compensated the top general by appointing him as consular general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

At a news conference in Bijilo on Monday, GAP secretary general Musa Yali Batchilly hailed Mr Bojang as a man who ‘lives an honest and honorable life.’

“He is kind, sincere, hardworking, firm and very fair. But his leadership skills have been tested when he was just an adolescent, a test he passed well,” Mr Batchilly said of Mr Bojang who is currently the deputy Gambian ambassador to Russia.

It is not yet clear whether Mr Bojang will accept to be GAP’s presidential candidate as he was not consulted regarding the role.

Officials of Team Bakary Badjie on Saturday met with President Adama Barrow at State House where they pledged their support to the Gambian leader on his plan to remain in office until 2021.

President Barrow came to power in 2016 after promising to be in office for only three years but he has had a change of heart and will now remain in office until 2021.

Gambians have been divided over whether Mr Barrow should remain in office, with many claiming the president is trying to cling to power.

But on Saturday, the local executive committee of Team Bakary Badjie that managed and supported the campaign for the ‘Bakary Badjie for KMC Mayor’ held a meeting with the President Barrow, with the three years issue featuring prominently.

A statement signed by Bakary Badjie said: “The meeting centered on the growing political polarization and other issues impeding peaceful coexistence and advancement of our beloved country, The Gambia.

“Nyima Saidy, Campaign Manager and Matarr Saine’s remarks focused on the history, core values, objectives and activities of Team Bakary Badjie before and after the local government elections. The speakers took turns acknowledging the daunting challenges confronting the government as it tries to steer the affairs of the country forward. Dabakh Malick and Bakary Badjie (who address the meeting via phone call) assured the President and his government of their support in actualizing the national development plan particularly priority areas 3 and 7 which focuses on fisheries, agriculture and youth empowerment.

“The team also called on His Excellency Adama Barrow to avail young people of The Gambia the resources and opportunities to be proactive players in the political and economic development of our country through support to the sporting, entertainment and trade sectors.

“The controversial issue of “Three Years Jotna” was also considered in the discussion. Speakers from ‘Team Bakary Badjie’ understand the controversy surrounding the coalition’s 3 years agreement in relation to Barrow’s term. As per the constitution, the team concedes to the directive of the supreme law of the land and resolved that Barrow should be allowed to serve a five-year mandate as a democratically elected president. The team conveyed to the gathering that while we support citizen’s right to peaceful protest, we will not participate in any riot or forceful removal of a democratically elected President.

“President Barrow in his statement thanked Team Bakary Badjie for taking the initiative to meet him. He also expressed his commitment and readiness to work with the team on our common goals for a better Gambia.

“We want to make it clear that contrary to misconceptions out there. The team’s meeting with President Barrow did not stem from any ulterior motives but a normal engagement of proactive citizens that are willing to lend a hand to development goals of a sitting President to create a better Gambia for all. This we have done with not just President Barrow but other key players in our polity. As enshrined in our national anthem: “We pledge our firm allegiance. Our promise we renew. Keep us great God of nations. To The Gambia ever true.”

By Lamin Njie

The head of Coalition 2016 said on Friday the group has agreed to back President Adama Barrow on his plan to be in office until 2021.

Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang and some coalition party leaders met President Barrow at State House on Friday where they pledged to back the Gambian leader’s five years ambition.

“[The reform agenda] is yet to be completed. So we have discussed it extensively with our flagbearer and on the basis of the incompletion of the reform agenda, we have decided as a coalition to give him, to extend his social legitimacy from three years to five years,” Mrs Jallow Tambajang told State House reporters moments after meeting President Barrow.

Mr Barrow came to power in 2016 after promising to be in office for only three years but he has had a change of heart and will now remain in office until 2021.

Coalition stakeholders have been divided over whether President Barrow should remain in office, with two of the most important political parties that ensured the Barrow presidency appearing to have left the group. UDP and PDOIS have not taken part in any of the coalition’s activities that have been geared towards allowing President Barrow to remain in office for five years.

The two parties’ position raised further questions on Friday after they chose not to be part of the meeting.

But President Barrow couldn’t have cared less saying late Friday he was ‘pleased to receive the chairperson and coalition 2016 members.’

“We had a fruitful discussion on the need to continue to work together, especially on the successful implementation of the ongoing reform agenda of the government for the good of the Gambian people,” Mr Barrow said on his official Facebook page.

“I welcome the solidarity and the commitment shown to stand by my government until 2021, when we will have laid down strong democratic foundation for the New Gambia we all want.”

By Lamin Njie

Political commentator and civil society activist Madi Jobarteh has ripped into State House press secretary Amie Bojang Sissoho over her new show on GRTS.

Mrs Bojang Sissoho hosted the National Dialogue show on GRTS on Thursday but the program which featured Gambian security chiefs has drawn flaks in many quarters.

Madi Jobarteh has slammed Amie Bojang sissoho over the show saying nowhere in the world would the spokesperson of the president hosts a prime-time television show on prevailing national issues.

“It is with deep concern that none other than the Director of Press and Public Relations Amie Bojang Sissoho would host a television program herself where the guests are heads of armed and security forces of the country with the sole purpose of threatening citizens, undermining democracy and weakening good governance in the Gambia,” Jobarteh said in a write-up titled, ‘National Dialogue Television Show: Jammeh-Era Scare Tactics and Propaganda Will Not Work’, on Friday.

He added: “In the first place nowhere in the world would the spokesperson of the President hosts a prime-time television show on prevailing national issues. Hence it beats one’s imagination that the Press Secretary Amie Bojang Sissoho would have no better idea or useful activity to do other than to engage herself in such a misplaced venture!

“I hope she will discontinue her so-called ‘National Dialogue’ otherwise GRTS must stop her immediately so that the proper personnel of the national television will carry out such a duty as media professionals.

“This unfortunate and disgraceful television show put up by Amie Bojang Sissoho is indeed a threat to our democracy and good governance. It indicates that indeed the Gambia’s security institutions and political leaders are not interested in security sector reforms and system change overall. I want to advice Adama Barrow that this program is seeking to destroy him and the sooner he brings his Director of Press to book to stop this despicable program the better for him. Amie is overstepping her limits and she need to be told that she must confine herself only to the role of Director of Press and Public Relations at State House. If she wants to be a journalist let her resign and apply for a job at GRTS or any other media house. Period.”

On the comments of the commander of the Gambian army and the country’s intelligence chief, Mr Jobarteh said: “Of the greatest concern to me are the statements of the intelligence chief Ousman Sowe as well as the army general Mamat Cham. By seeking to hide behind drugs and the need for peace, these top security officers had the audacity to threaten the democratic rights and duties of Gambians as if they are the kings of the Gambia.

“To attempt to link citizens right to protest and drug cartels and drug users is not only irresponsible but highly disappointing. Who told DG Sowe that protesters in December will be high on drugs? That is not only a false statement but is utterly dishonest and disgraceful that he would even imagine much more utter such unintelligible words!

“What these officers manifest is that they are serving the interests of their political masters against the Gambian Constitution and the Gambian People. Therefore, it is utterly false when they claim that they are apolitical. Their statements indicate once again that these security chiefs have decided as usual to become stooges and defenders of a government against the people of the Gambia.

“This is what they manifested under Jammeh and this is what they are manifesting under Adama Barrow. We hope Adama Barrow will not fool himself like Yaya Jammeh did by listening to sycophants and bootlickers in big warambas, colourful neckties and uniforms full of stripes only to derail himself.

“Freedom of assembly or peaceful protest is a right and it is normal in a democracy. Protest is not a criminal activity and protesters are not criminals. Therefore, to seek to demonise citizens who wish to express their political opinions by claiming that they will bring violence and criminality is indeed unbecoming of an intelligence officer. DG Sowe is doing nothing other than seeking to scare citizens, to deny human rights and to undermine our democracy by equating political activity with drug trade and drug abuse.

“Army general Cham must also realise that the Gambia does not belong to the military. It is not for General Cham to determine who should protest or not. Just because some military officers were caught and court-martialled for seeking to overthrow the government does not mean unarmed citizens embarking on a peaceful protest are seeking the violent overthrow of the government. That is an outrageous analogy that only a dishonest military officer serving his political masters would claim.

“Let me put it to General Cham that citizens have a right to hold their government accountable. It is not the role of the military to defend a government against the people. If that is his understanding of the role of the military in a democracy, then he is hugely miseducated.

“General Cham must realise that a democratically elected government can be removed from office by many other means other than election. There are multiple places in the Gambia Constitution in which the National Assembly can remove the President out of office and those are democratic means without election. Above all in any republic citizens have a right to rise up en-masse to demand the removal of a government or any elected public servant when those citizens feel that their government or the elected official has violated the constitution or human rights or injured the dignity of the country in any way or engaged in any misconduct or corruption including failing to fulfil promises or commitments.

“This is why we had the Arab Spring where citizens overthrew by peaceful means elected presidents in Tunisia and Egypt for corruption, abuse of human rights and failing their promises. We have seen similar uprising in Puerto Rico in July 2019 when the people removed State Governor by peaceful demonstrations for demonising opponents and victims of Hurricane Maria. Over the past few years we have also seen how popular uprisings either removed or severely challenged democratically elected presidents and governments in Guatemala, Bulgaria, Venezuela, Ukraine, Thailand, Macedonia, South Africa, Spain, Iceland, Hungary, Moldova, Brazil and Poland for corruption, abuse and failed promises. Therefore, who is Army General Mamat Cham to threaten Gambians for seeking to rise up against their government and president if they so wish?

“It is indeed arrogant of General Cham to threaten Gambians openly on national television. For uttering such threatening words, I hereby demand that the Commander-in-Chief Pres. Adama Barrow to sack General Cham forthwith because he has made statements that are above and beyond his powers and the mandate of the Gambia Armed Forces. The Gambia Armed Forces is NOT the legitimate authority to decide what to accept or not accept from Gambian citizens. The Gambia Armed Forces must only submit to the civilian authority and execute only lawful orders.

“When the Constitution says that the primary function of the military is to preserve and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Gambia it means that it is the self-determination of Gambians as a people and land that is being protected. Our self-determination is our sovereignty which the same Constitution proclaims resides in the people of the Gambia. That sovereignty is the basis of our rights and duties as well as our will and voice hence the power of the people to form or dismantle their government. Therefore, the Gambia Government is nothing but the opinion of citizens.

“Political activities by citizens that are guaranteed by the Constitution are not a matter for the military or NIA or Police or NDLEA to decide. Rather they must keep their hands off to allow Gambian citizens to enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed rights. Rather all armed and security services are mandated to promote and protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of Gambians.

“Therefore, Gambians who wish to protest in December to make Pres. Adama Barrow to honour his word have a sovereign right to do so. But also, those Gambians who also wish to protest to make Pres. Adama Barrow stay in office for five years also have a sovereign right to do so. Therefore, who is General Mamat Cham or NIA Director General Ousman Sowe to face Gambians to tell them what they can do or cannot do? What we expect our armed and security institutions to do is to protect the space to ensure all Gambians express their political opinions whether they chose to stay to home or climb a mango tree or swim in the River Gambia or occupy streets without violence and use of arms.

“To Mamat Cham and Bakary Gassama and Ousman Sowe, rest assured that the patriotic and conscious Gambians will not let you abuse our Constitution and sovereignty. The days of threats, abuse of power and misconduct by our security chiefs is over. Rest assured you will be confronted by conscious citizens if you wish to derail this country once again. Your statements highlight what Capt. Thomas Sankara said that a soldier without political education is a virtual criminal. This is what you have manifested on that poor show!”

The United States Department of Labor has released the 18th edition of its annual findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor report, with the report concluding children in The Gambia engage in the worst forms of child labour.

A statement by the US Embassy in Banjul on Friday said the TDA report includes an assessment of government actions to advance efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labor.

“The Gambia is among 131 countries, non-independent countries, and territories profiled in this Report. The Report highlights moderate advancement The Gambia made to eliminate the worst forms of child labor, including providing training to relevant individuals in support of the protection of children,” the statement said.

It added: “However, the Report found that children in The Gambia engage in the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking and forced begging.

“The United States government is committed to working with the government and people of The Gambia, in coordination with other international partners, to address the scourge of child exploitation.

“We urge the government of The Gambia to reinvigorate efforts to combat the worst forms of child labor and protect those vulnerable to human trafficking in the soonest possible timeframe.

“Ensuring public awareness of the government’s specific actions and inter-ministerial work plans will further enable civil society partners and the public to play crucial roles in this important process.

“To this end, the United States government, through the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) is providing a $750,000 (GMD 37.1 Million) grant to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support The Gambia’s national efforts to combating human trafficking in the country, including human trafficking related to the worst forms of child labor, and to support Gambian-led progress toward effectively combatting trafficking in persons.”

By Lamin Njie

The commander of the Gambia Armed Forces said Thursday any group that tries to ‘subvert’ the peace and stability of the country will come across his army, in a veiled threat directed at Operation Three Years Jotna.

Hundreds of Gambians are expected to take to the streets in December to demand that President Adama Barrow step down from power, a campaign spearheaded by pressure group Operation Three Years Jotna.

The Gambian army has largely stayed away from the issue but on Thursday its commander spoke saying the army was ready to crush any protest that is ‘not in line with the constitution.’

“I want to state here that the Gambia Armed Forces will not recognize anything that is not in line with the constitution. So any group, any political association that tries to subvert the peace and stability and the due process of achieving of any political power if you try that you will come across the Gambia Armed Forces,” General Mamat O Cham said on state television, GRTS.

The three years coalition deal that shot President Barrow to power will expire in December but the president has said he will not leave power. Operation Three Years Jotna says it wants to hold him accountable.

But according to the army’s commander, nobody has ‘a right to conspire with another illegally remove a legally constituted government.’

“So from that perspective, anybody who associates with anybody through whatever means, either in person or using electronic means canvass for anybody to partake in any action which is calculated to subvert the constitutionally elected government is involved in what is called a treasonable action and you could be prosecuted and locked,” Cham said.

By Lamin Njie

With the looming collapse of Thomas Cook, the Minister of Tourism Hamat Bah summoned a meeting of stakeholders to seek remedial actions to respond to this emergency, government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh said Thursday.

Top aviation giant Thomas Cook went into administration earlier this week, leaving millions of travellers scrambling for options.

Thomas Cook is a major player in The Gambia’s aviation life and most British tourists fly to the country through the airline.

Thomas Cook’s collapse has thrown the country’s tourism into uncertainty but the Gambia government is saying ‘significant steps have been taken to mitigate the potentially devastating effects of this unfortunate situation on Gambian tourism, which is the heartbeat of our economy.’

“Predictably, given the crucial role that Tourism plays in the Gambian economy, the Government of President Adama Barrow is shocked and saddened by the devastating news of Thomas Cook’s collapse following an unsuccessful attempt to secure a bailout,” government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh said in a statement.

According to Mr Sankareh, no sooner had news of Thomas Cook’s definitive liquidation broke than The Ministry of Tourism and Culture convened an emergency meeting with “all stakeholders including the International Monetary Fund, the European Union, the World Bank and the Ministry of Finance to device a strategic response.”

While Mr Sankareh did not state when and where the meeting took place, he said it “came up with an Emergency Response Team which has already recommended a Strategy to immediately mitigate the shock on the job market and the impact on the overall economic situation of The Gambia.”

“The Barrow Government, working with our partners, has since developed modalities to increase the frequency of flights to Destination-Gambia by other carriers as a direct measure to minimise the impact of Thomas Cook’s collapse on The Gambian tourism market,” Sankareh added.

By Lamin Njie

Opposition APRC has called on the UN, AU and Ecowas to put pressure on the Barrow administration in order for former president Yahya Jammeh to return to The Gambia.

Mr Jammeh fled to Equatorial Guinea in January 2017 after suffering a shock election defeat.

The United Nations, AU and Ecowas all played major roles in him fleeing the country.

Jammeh’s party, the APRC, wants the former dictator to return to The Gambia and has called on three international organisations to facilitate the move.

“We challenged the United Nations, the AU and [Ecowas] to put pressure on this government to ensure that, that document is adhered to strictly. Other they will lose credibility within the region and indeed the entire world,” APRC interim leader Fabakary Tombong Jatta told journalists Wednesday in Tallinding.

“If you remember president Jammeh left the shores of this country based on an agreement, negotiated by Ecowas, AU and the United Nations. Immediately President Jammeh left the shores of this country, that document was thrown into the dustbin.”

Former President Jammeh ruled The Gambia for 22 years but his time in office is being remembered for its massive corruption and human rights violations.

He was seeking re-election in 2016 but lost surprisingly to political newcomer Adama Barrow which dashed any hope of him ruling for a ‘billion’ years.

Police in The Gambia on Wednesday said they have introduced a new car number plates system.

Unlike the existing ones, the new number plates are more durable and have stronger security features as they are built out of Aluminium, a statement from the office of the inspector general of police said.

The statement added added: “In this regard, owners of vehicles without number plates and those with the old number plates are urged to apply for the new Aluminium Number Plates.

“Payments are to be made at the Trust Bank Ltd where a receipt will be issued. Applicants are advised to come along with this receipt to the issuing outlets. Currently the new number plates are issued at Banjul Police Head Quarters, Kairaba Police Station and Brikama Police Station.

“The charges for the Aluminium number plates are as follows: motor vehicle number plates D1200 (One thousand Two Hundred Dalasis), motor cycle number plates D630 ( Six Hundred and Thirty Dalasis), personalised number plates D5000 ( Five Thousand Dalasis)

“Application for replacement requires applicants to have their Valid National Identification Card, Motor vehicle Insurance and, to surrender their replaced number plates to the Police. The charges for replacement are the same as stated above. The cooperation of the general public is highly solicited.”