By Lamin Njie

The Gambia Christian Council Tuesday stuck the knife into the Constitutional Review Commission saying the body might have been manipulated into leaving out the word ‘secular’ in the new draft constitution.

The CRC last month released the new draft constitution after 18 months of consultations but one issue that has proved emotive is the issue of whether The Gambia is a secular nation.

Gambian Christians through the Gambia Christian Council have issued a public reaction for the first time saying they are concerned that the word ‘secular’ did not make it to the new draft constitution.

“The GCC is concerned that the CRC may have been unduly influenced into omitting the word ‘secular’ in the proposed draft following the many audio clips that were circulated and purporting to come from an Islamic scholar who put up a forceful argument against including the word ‘secular’ in the new constitution which he argued was un-Islamic with insinuations that there were sinister groups with anti-religious agendas trying to influence members of the Constitutional Review Commission to include the word ‘secular’ to undermine Muslims,” top GCC official Bishop Gabriel Mendy said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The Constitutional Review Commission is currently on a nationwide tour to engage Gambians on the new draft constitution before it would be finalised for a referendum.

The GCC is expected to come into contact with the commission as part of the consultations and the officials said they will bring to the attention of the commission their frustrations and concerns.

“The GCC is aware that there are some people who are attributing the word ‘secular’ to mean irreligious, rejection and exclusion of religious considerations in everything pertaining to the state including not having public religious prayers and/or religious symbols. This is certainly not what the GCC is advocating for,” Bishop Mendy said.

By Sainey Darboe

Former president of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, displayed superior leadership qualities in combating the coarsening of culture in political discourse than president Barrow, UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has enunciated.

The leader of the United Democratic Party was addressing an accumulation of furious supporters who convened on his house to show solidarity with him, as the snipe-fest between him and president Barrrow’s camp reaches a frightening crescendo.

The veteran opposition leader was the subject of severe savaging by Fatoumatta Jawara at a meeting attended by president Barrow at Buffer zone.

Her words: “I have sacrificed and given my life to the party for 22 years and nobody had a problem with me.But when change came and things got better they found issues with me.

All the maternal and paternal insults that are being directed at me have been at the behest of a drunkard old man who drank alcohol until the skin on his lips came off and turned red. He is a kaffir (unbeliever)and an accursed old man.”

In his riposte, Darboe declared president Adama Barrow lost an opportunity to set a civil tone for political proceedings when he failed to issue a reprimand, saying: “Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay made similar statements against me during a meeting attended by president Jammeh. Jammeh called her right there and then to issue a reprimand and forbid her from joining him for the rest of the tour. That’s what a good leader should do when such things happen.”

By Lamin Njie

Police on Tuesday touted ‘peak periods’ as the reason why they denied Gambia Democratic Congress a permit to hold its planned rallies in URR.

GDC had written to the Inspector General of Police reqeuesting a permit to hold rallies in Kulari, in Tumana and Sareh Buchi village in Jimara next week. The party has not been granted a permit.

The Inspector General of Police Mamour Jobe confirmed to The Fatu Network capacity contraints led to the denial.

“We are at our peak moment of security coverage. Where we issue a permit, we should be able to provide security. And we are engaged in other national commitments regarding the activities of December. So we denied it until after this period,” Mr Jobe said.

By Lamin Njie

A panel has been convened and investigators have met ahead of a major probe into a migrant boat accident last week.

A boat carrying 170 passengers capsized off the coast of Mauritania while trying to sneak into Spain’s Canary Islands last week Wednesday. At least 60 people died in the accident most of them natives of Barra.

Police and some natives of Barra have been accused of having a hand in the tragedy, with police at Barra accused of receiving bribes from the smugglers.

Police sources told The Fatu Network today a panel has been convened and officials on the panel “are currently meeting to commence a thorough investigation into the incident”. They will explore all angles and allegations, the sources added.

It comes almost a week after news of hundreds of Gambian youths setting off for the perilous ‘back way’ journey emerged. The youths spend days and sometimes weeks wading in the sea in their attempt to reach Spain’s Canary Islands.

The irregular sea migration to Spain was first discovered in the mid-2000s when thousands of Gambian youths made it to the South-western European nation.

The French Embassy in Banjul has announced the formalisation of a two million euros budget support to The Gambia.

France was one of the EU countries that pledged to help bring The Gambia’s economy out of the woods after a donor conference in Brussels in 2018.

Finance minister Mambury Njie and Alexandre POINTIER, the French Development Agency (AFD) Regional Director for Senegal, The Gambia, Cabo Verde and Guinea Bissau today signed a pact formalizing a 2 million euros budget support to The Gambia.

A statement from the French Embassy said: “Further to the 2017 democratic transition in The Gambia, the Government of France has expressed its willingness to work toward the renovation of its diplomatic and economic relations with the country. During the International donor Conference for The Gambia in Brussels in May 2018, France pledged to contribute to the economic stabilization of the country and to support the implementation of the National Development Plan with 50 Million euros to be disbursed over 2018-2021.

“The financing agreement signed today between AFD and the Government of The Gambia is a second budget support operation and it comes in addition to the pledge made at the Brussels conference. In 2018, the French Government granted a 5 Million euros budget support to sustain the macroeconomic stabilization of the country and to ease the transition towards an IMF-financed program.

“The purpose of this second operation is to safeguard poverty-reducing spending and to support efforts by the government of The Gambia to restore fiscal balance. As such, it will both seek to safeguard poverty-reduction expenditures and alleviate the government’s financing gap.

“As expressed in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Republic of The Gambia and the French Development Agency on November 5th, 2018, in the presence of Mr. Jean-Yves LE DRIAN, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, it is expected that AFD and The Gambia will increase their cooperation. In the short-term, it is up to 26.5 Million euros programs that will be implemented, in addition to budget support, in the areas of agriculture to increase food sufficiency, and access to water in urban areas to support sustainable public services development.”

By Adama Makasuba

Chairman of constitutional review commission has dismissed insinuations ‘right to marry provision’ in draft constitution promotes ‘gay rights’.

A top UN official recently called on The Gambia to allow same-sex marriage, a call that sparked outrage.

In an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, Justice Sulayman Jallow said the country’s position on gay marriage is ‘clear’.

“We have a law under the criminal code that (is) prohibiting gay marriage, so people need to look in this proper context and stop sensationalizing things that really are not meant to be in that form.

“The provision is clear, we have replicated what is in the 1997 constitution, and it hasn’t been an issue in that constitution and we have repeated the same in the draft constitution – word for word. So, we don’t understand why it’s been an issue,” Justice Jallow said.

The Gambia is one of many countries in Africa where gay marriage is a criminal offence and anyone convicted of the crime could be jailed for life.

Police said they have arrested a 24-year-old man over his alleged involvement in kidnapping, violent extortion, and rape of women within the Greater Banjul Area and Kanifing.

Ismaila Ndong of Banjul was arrested by police anti-crime unit on Monday.

The taxi driver’s arrest comes amid reports some men in the Greater Banjul Area specialise in kidnapping, violent extortion, and rape of women.

“Following a public outcry about the activities of certain unscrupulous individuals going around kidnapping, extorting and raping women around the independence stadium, usually in a taxi driving around the stadium at night; the police have never relented in their investigations to locate and arrest these suspected bandits disguised as taxi drivers,” the police said in a statement.

“Ismaila Ndong, 24 years old, was arrested around 02:30hrs at Jeshwang –Mile Seven Junction along the Bertil Harding Highway. He was driving Taxi Benz 200 C Class with registration number Bjl 4176 R, with features marching descriptions given by victims.

“The IGP’s Office has invited one of the victims and in line with standard procedures conducted an identification parade during which suspect was identified many times by the victim. Other victims are advised to come forward for possible identification of the suspect while the search for accomplices continues,” the statement added.

The National Human Rights Commission has called on Gambians to strive to promote a culture of human rights for all, as The Gambia today joined the rest of the world to celebrate this year’s human rights day.

December 10 is observed every year as Human Rights Day.

In a statement, NHRC said in observance of the day, it becomes imperative for “us as a nation and people to take stock and reflect on what has been achieved and what needs to be done to improve human rights in all areas of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.”

The statement signed by chairperson Emmanuel Daniel Joof added: “Human Rights Day is celebrated by embracing a particular theme and this year’s theme is “Youths Standing up for Human Rights” and “the Role of the Youths in Advancing the Agenda 2030”. This theme is particularly important for us in the Gambia, as children and young people comprise the majority of our population with approximately 63.6 per cent of the total population of 1,857,181 being under 25 years of age.

“Children are the future leaders of the country and the way we treat and socialise our children generally, the values we instill in them, and the kind of education we provide for them will eventually determine the kind of society that they will inherit tomorrow. Instilling values such as respect for diversity for all regardless of tribe, religion, gender, or other social status is key to our peaceful coexistence as a people. It is also paramount that views and opinions of children and young persons are heard and included in our development agenda.

“The NHRC therefore calls on each and every person living in The Gambia to celebrate this Day and strive to promote a culture of human rights for all.”

By Lamin Njie

Ousainou Darboe on Monday lashed out at Siaka Jatta over Fatoumatta Jawara’s astonishing attacks against him.

The Tallinding NAM at President Barrow’s meeting in Buffer Zone on Saturday branded the UDP leader a drunkard and kaffir (non-believer).

The comments have not been sitting well with UDP supporters and on Monday, hundreds of them showed up at Mr Darboe’s house in Pipeline to stand in solidarity with their leader.

Mr Darboe addressed the UDP adherents saying what happened on Saturday could spark violence.

He said: “What happened on Saturday in the presence of the president was nothing other than instigating violence. What I thought was, at that gathering, the president would address the issue by saying the remarks were distasteful, that the comments should not have been made because they could lead to violence. But he didn’t do that.

“The person who made the comments, the comments didn’t get to me. What she also accused me of didn’t get to me. It’s two things that angered me; their chairman… I was angered by his [behaviour] and up till the day I die it will never go away. I admit that someone I share the same parents with, can be in one party while I am in another. But I refuse to admit that when we are not part of the same party, we should do things that will destroy our kinship.

“The reason I am saying these is because the chairman and I are from Lang Marang Sanneh. Siaka is my younger brother. A wayward child makes nasty comments, my younger brother said nothing other than saying, ‘we will now call Bati Yaay to perform’.”

By Lamin Njie

TRRC director of research and investigations Alagie Barrow has announced he is stepping down from his role. Mr Barrow had been in the role for one and a half years.

In a Facebook post on Monday, he said he was resigning based on ‘personal and professional’ reasons. He will be replaced by his deputy Abdou Manneh.

TRRC executive director Dr Baba Galleh Jallow confirmed Mr Barrow’s resignation.

He told The Fatu Network on Monday: “He gave me his resignation letter two weeks ago. The reason is that his wife took a leave of absence from the ICC.

“The leave of absence is expired now. There was an extension, so I am not sure they can extend her leave again. So she is going back to her job in the new year. Barrow is going with her.

“I saw some people posting that he’s going because of Adama Barrow’s statement. That’s not true. He gave me his resignation letter two weeks ago, well before Adama Barrow’s statement.”

Alagie Barrow is married to TRRC deputy lead counsel Horeja Bala Gaye. The two met at the TRRC and got married in May this year.

Mr Barrow’s resignation will bring to an end months of protest over his appointment as the TRRC’s research and investigation chief.

He was part of a group of dissident Gambians who attempted to overthrow former President Yahya Jammeh in December 2014. APRC, Jammeh’s party, has been speaking out against Mr Barrow’s appointment. The party insists he is the wrong candidate.

By Lamin Njie

Operation Three Years Jotna has been granted a permit by police to stage a protest on Monday 16 December, a development seen by observers as a major victory for the right to freedom of assembly.

The group has in the past months been engaged in months of negotiation regarding its plan to take to the streets this month to demand President Adama Barrow leave office.

A source told The Fatu Network today the Inspector General of Police has called the chairman of Operation Three Years Jotna and told him his permit to stage a protest was ready for pickup. The officials will meet with the police chief on Tuesday, the source added.

It comes hours after President Barrow announced at a rally in Banjul on Sunday that he would registering his party by the end of December. The president said the party will be launched in early 2020.

Mr Barrow had earlier on invited Operation Three Years Jotna to a meeting in Buffer Zone but the group declined his invitation.

On Friday, officials of Operation Three Years Jotna met with the minister of interior at his office in Kotu. The summit was attended by other top senior goverment officials.

By Omar Wally

Nearly a week after the National Assembly Member for Banjul South Fatoumata Touma Njie said mosques should be removed from government institutions, a comment that didn’t go down well with many Gambians, the former leader of her PPP party Omar Jallow has shared his opinion.

Touma’s comment was condemned by many, OJ however said he as a Muslim believe mosque should not be torn down instead the new constitution should provide for the construction of religious edifices, be it a mosque or church, in government or public institution.

OJ said: “When I was a minister in the first republic there was not mosque in quadrangle. When I went with first President of The Gambia Sir Dawda Jawara to Saudi Arabia and he was looking for funds to build mosque in Banjul.

“When the funds were given to Sir Dawda he didn’t build at state house the mosque was built at King Fahad mosque and every Friday Sir Dawda will drive and go and pray at King Fahad.

“Why didn’t Sir Dawda build it at state house? Therefore there should be no mosque at state house, it’s unfortunate it’s there.”

OJ said before building mosques in government institutions, villages that need them should get them.

“We are a secular state Muslims, Christians and non-believers all have the same right,” he said.

By Lamin Njie

UDP youth wing on Sunday lashed out at President Adama Barrow over Fatoumatta Jawara’s savage attack on UDP leader Ousainou Darboe.

President Barrow on Saturday held a meeting in Buffer Zone where the Tallinding NAM spoke but her speech will be remembered for her astonishing meltdown. Mrs Jawara used the greater part of her speech to launch personal attacks on Darboe. She branded the UDP leader a drunkard and an un-believer.

UDP youth wing in a statement signed by President Kemo Bojang rued the development, but going ahead to reserve special criticism for President Barrow.

The wing said: “In light of the recent vulgar utterances by the sitting National Assembly Member of Tallinding Fatoumata Jawara and other public servants in their capacity as presidential advisers on national platform, one sponsored by tax payer funds, and in the company of the President and his cabinet, we would like to urge the general membership of UDP, especially the youths to get behind the passionate plea for restraint made by His Excellency ANM Darboe, Secretary General and party leader of the United Democratic Party.

“His timely and urgent intervention has offered solace to his supporters and affirmed their faith in him as a leader worthy of the title, if only we, as a country can say so much about our national leadership.

“It is disheartening that the President of the republic, a man in a unifying role in such volatile period in our nation’s transition from tyranny, not only encourages such nasty rhetoric but also finds it amusing.

“We are disappointed and concerned, but we take solace in the strength of our party leadership and in their track record of service to the nation.

“We pride ourselves in the fact that never, in this party’s history had anyone who’d been entrusted with natioanl or party leadership used their privileged position to haul vulagrities towards political opponents. The party leader has reaffirmed his desire for all to adhere to that spirit and focus on issues that concern the poor and struggling masses, we are with him on that and encourage everyone to show heed his plea while we condemn in the strongest possible terms this persistent negative and vulgar political rhetoric coming from the president and his team.

“We hope the Inspector General of police and all other security chiefs are aware of these grave utterances of people who hold positions of authority and that these words are more dangerous to the security of our nation than any other threat that might be allegedly looming.”

By Sainey Darboe and Lamin Njie

Fatoumatta Jawara yesterday skewered the leader of the United Democratic Party Ousainou Darboe for acts of betrayal and calumny against her, as the plot thickens on the civil strife in the yellow camp.

Speaking during a meeting attended by President Barrow at Buffer zone, the Tallinding national assembly member acerbically recalled: “I have sacrificed and given my life to the party for 22 years and nobody had a problem with me. But when change came and things got better they found issues with me.

“All the maternal and paternal insults that are being directed at me have been at the behest of a drunkard old man who drank alcohol until the skin on his lips came off and turned red. He is a kaffir (unbeliever) and an accursed old man.”

The female legislator who was recently expelled from the United Democratic Party said she had made spirited efforts to clear her name following accusations of receiving D10,000 from president Barrrow, but her efforts at two UDP rallies met with a brick wall of resistance as her name was expunged from the list of speakers.

Fatoumatta Jawara came into prominence following arrest and prosecution alongside the UDP leader for participating in a protest against the killing of Solo Sandeng by state agents. She earned her freedom after the defenestration of Jammeh regime in 2016 polls.

Darboe reacted to Fatoumatta Jawara’s astonishing meltdown in an audio message to his supporters.

The respected politician said: “I want to call on all UDP members supporters, my relatives, my friends, my spouses, I want to beg all of you. No one should say anything about Fatoumatta Jawara for insulting me. No one should insult her.

“No one should pay attention to Fatoumatta Jawara, no one should respond to her. I leave her with Allah, I leave her with the Prophet. For her to say false things about me, for her to insult me… A young child who Ya Adam is older than, even Numukunda is older than. For her to open her mouth in a gathering, people clapping with her insulting me.”

By Lamin Njie

Government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh has slammed reports suggesting President Adama Barrow was nursing the idea of former President Yahya Jammeh returning to the country from exile.

Former President Jammeh has since January 2017 been living in exile in Equatorial Guinea following his humiliating defenestration in the 2016 presidential election after over 20 years in office.

But at a meeting in Sibanor, President Barrow, Jammeh’s nemesis, said the former dictator can come back to The Gambia and live like everyone else.

“His time is over and he will not come back [as president]. This country is his country. He can come back and live like everyone else, that can happen. But for him to be president of The Gambia? That will not happen again,” Mr Barrow said.

Gambians later pounced to interpret the president’s comments with many saying he was planning to allow Jammeh to return to The Gambia.

Government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh spoke on Saturday on the issue saying President Barrow’s comments were ‘purely’ hypothetical.

“Mr. Barrow told Gambians that even If President Jammeh were to return to The Gambia some day, he could never again be a President and could only live as an ordinary citizen and nothing else. Mr Barrow offered no protection nor any privileges whatsoever as is being bandied around social media and some news outlets. It is totally false and very unfortunate that such a direct statement is deliberately mischaracterized for purely political reasons,” Sankareh said in a statement.