A notorious goat thief, Ndeneh Ndow, has been handed a custodial sentence of one year imprisonment, the spokesman of Gambia Police Force has said.

Ndeneh Ndow was arrested by Serrekunda police taskforce in May and later sentenced to D10,000 fine by the Kanifing Magistrates Court.

The notorious thief who tapes the mouth of goats when stealing them has been arrested again but this time he was slammed with a custodial sentence of one year without any option of a fine, police spokesman Lamin Njie said.

“The Infamous cattle thief was arrested last week by the same Serekunda Police Taskforce patrol  team along with Dawda Badjie who equally recieved a D10,000 fine in default to serve one year imprisonment for his involvement in the crime.

“They were arrested in possession of nine cattle including four goats  and five sheep respectively.

In this regard, the office of the Inspector general of Police hereby encourages the general public especially those whose cattle maybe missing to visit the SK Police Station for identification,” he added.

Dr Ismaila Ceesay a senior Lecturer and the head of Political Science department at the University of The Gambia (UTG) has charged students who have graduated from Scannaid Upper and Senior School to be disciplined.

Dr Ceesay last Saturday gave an inspirational speech on discipline as hundreds of students graduated from Scannaid Upper and Senior School.

Dr Ceesay who is recognized as one of the most influential youths in Africa and known for his excellence in the fight for freedom of expression and human rights urged the graduates to maintain discipline in all their engagements.

“Today, I attribute my success to discipline and discipline more than knowledge played a key role on my path to success,” he said.

Dr Ceesay, honored by many for his Pan-Africanism and his humanitarian activism in the new Gambia described discipline as the a concept which involves doing what is required consistently in order to achieve the desired set goal in life.

“Discipline is the key to success in education…Education is about values as well as knowledge and skills,” he said values such as respect, courtesy and consideration are the foundations of a civilized society.”

Furthermore, he said   even nature is governed by certain laws to maintain perfect harmony and beauty, nature is discipline and everything in this world is expected to follow the discipline.

He enthused that discipline should be inculcated from a very young age; talent and genius alone are not enough to achieve success -discipline has an equally important role to play in national development.

“The fact that development rests squarely on individual discipline has never been more apparent than it is in contemporary times. Empirical evidence has shown that societies in which discipline is at its highest are also the fastest developing whilst the least disciplined societies only witness ever worsening conditions,” he highlighted.

Moreover, he urged the graduating class of 2019 to not let cynics limit their horizon and their resolve to reach the stars.

“See opportunities in every obstacle, in every challenge… and always remember that every challenge is an opportunity to succeed as the human mind is pre-programmed with the ability to embrace challenges,” he said.

Finally, he argued that without discipline it would be extremely had to be success in all works of life.

“Class of 2019, we need you. The world needs you. Go out and change the world. Be the best versions of yourselves and make us all proud,” he concluded.

By Lamin Njie

Momodou Sabally has blasted government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh over his behaviour towards The Fatu Network.

An angry APRC mob on Monday attacked two journalists as they attempted to film the party’s solidarity gathering held for Yankuba Touray at the high court in Banjul. One of the assaulted journalists was Modou Saidy of The Fatu Network.

On Tuesday, the Gambia government through its spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh issued a statement, but this statement was intentionally oblivious to Saidy’s ordeal.

Former secretary general and head of the civil service Momodou Sabally speaking on the issue said Sankareh ‘has shown us his state of mind.’

“Two journalists were attacked at the same venue but the government spokesman decided to condemn the attack on only one, the Tubab; in his own words “a French journalist, Mr. Romain Chanson duly accredited to report for Radio France International (RFI) in The Gambia,” Sabally said on his official Facebook page.

Sabally, also an author and motivational speaker, added: “By his act of focusing on the ‘very important’ French journliast and keeping mute on the matter of the attack on the Gambian journalist, the government spokesman has shown us his state of mind.

“Therefore he needs a dose of Bob Marley: ‘emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; none but ourselves can free our minds; how long shall they kill our prophets; while we stand aside and look?”

A migrant detention center in Tripoli, hit by a deadly air strike last week, is being gradually emptied following a decision by Libyan authorities to release its inmates, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said on Wednesday.

The July 3 air strike on Tajoura detention center killed 53 people and injured 130, according to the latest death toll from the World Health Organization.

The United Nations has said the strike on the camp, holding an estimated 350 people this week, could amount to a war crime.

The strike occurred as eastern forces under Khalifa Haftar keep up a ground and aerial offensive to wrest control of Tripoli from the U.N.-backed government. The two sides blame each other for the attack.

It left frightened migrants and refugees desperate to leave the center in an eastern suburb of the capital. The United Nations has also called for the migrants to evacuated to safety.

“At some point yesterday (Tuesday), a decision was taken by authorities to release the detainees. They were also given an option, they were not compelled,” UNHCR spokesman Charlie Yaxley said.

In all, some 260 migrants immediately left and walked to a UNHCR departure facility where they were allowed to stay overnight and given emergency assistance. They are expected to go to a community day center where they will receive food, water and medical care, he said. (Reuters)

By Lamin Njie

Social activist and human resources expert MamaLinguere Sarr has vowed to be all ears, as she prepares to step into her new role.

Reports on Tuesday emerged of Sarr’s appointment as the new director of administration of Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation.

Ms Sarr confirmed the news in a Facebook post late Tuesday saying: “Subhanalla!!! I can’t possibly respond to all the well wishers and messages but am beyond humbled and grateful to all of you for the phone calls and messages of support and prayers.

“I thank the Board of Social Security Housing Finance Corporation for the offer of appointment as Director of Human Resources and Administration and look forward to serving the staff. One thing I can promise is a listening ear and a passion for working as a team to make a difference.

“[I] am saddened that I never got the chance to inform my family and friends before the news was leaked to freedom newspaper as I only received confirmation today. That was rather unfortunate and I apologise to everyone sincerely and thank Pa Nderry MBai for reaching out.

“Please keep me in your prayers, I am under no illusion that this will be a walk in the park but with your prayers and hard work, the possibilities are endless.Once again am deeply humbled, thank you so much.”

By Lamin Njie

The Gambia government said Tuesday it has not entered into any talks for former president Yahya Jammeh to return to The Gambia.

Interim leader of opposition APRC told journalists last week the party was taking part in negotiations for the former president to return to the country.

Government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh in a statement on Tuesday said “the Gambia government categorically denies the claims as totally meritless.”

“To be abundantly sure, there are no on-going negotiations between The Gambia government and any party or parties for the return of the exiled leader, Yaya Jammeh, and Gambians are urged not to pay heed to such rumour or bogus claims,” Mr Sankareh added.

Meanwhile Ebrima Sankareh has said that “it has come to the attention of the Gambia Government that during Monday’s trial of former APRC junta minister, Yankuba Touray, elements expressing solidarity with the accused Touray, had allegedly assaulted a French journalist, Mr. Romain Chanson duly accredited to report for Radio France International (RFI) in The Gambia.”

“The Barrow Government condemns the reported assault as a blatant act of cowardice and a flagrant violation of press freedom.

“Those who assaulted the journalist are urged to desist from such reprehensible acts and The Gambia government will not hesitate to initiate criminal prosecution against such elements.

“Citizens are reminded that under current dispensation, the assault, torture, harassment and or intimidation of journalists is utterly criminal and severely punishable by law,” he said.

By Lamin Njie

Melville Robertson Roberts is yet to return to The Gambia, eight days after an ultimatum seeking for his return to the country from United Kingdom.

Robertson Roberts, a senior official at the ministry of foreign affairs, is caught up in a massive sexual abuse and sexual assault scandal that have shocked the nation. At least five women accuse him of sexually abusing them but Mr Robertson Roberts has denied the allegations.

A letter written by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suspending Melville Roberts, head of America Division, and to return to The Gambia within 7 days was leaked on social media on July 1.

“The way he would respond to the letter will determine our next line of action,” a spokesman of the foreign affairs ministry Saikou Ceesay, told The Fatu Network on Monday after he was contacted on whether Robertson Roberts has returned to the country. Ceesay added he was not of him returning to the country.

Robertson Roberts is currently in UK where he has graduated with Masters in International Law and Diplomacy at Oxford University.

The foreign ministry had asked him to return within seven days or it will nullify his diplomatic passport and inform the UK authorities.

Press release by GPU

The Gambia Press Union condemns the attack on the cameraman of The Fatu Network and reporter for Radio France International (RFI) at the High Court in Banjul Monday afternoon by supporters of the former ruling party.

The two journalists were allegedly attacked by the sympathisers of the Alliance for Patriotic, Reorientation and Construction (APRC) who were at the court complex to show solidarity with Yankuba Touray, one of the founders of the party who is being tried for murder.

Touray has been accused of killing Ousman Koro Ceesay, a former finance minister, in June 1995 during the formative years of the government of Yahya Jammeh.  He was then minister of Local Government and Lands.

Journalists Modou Saidy of The Fatu Network, and Romain Chanson of RFI were outside the High Court complex to take footage of the APRC supporters when the militants advanced towards them.

Their cameras were almost seized and destroyed by an APRC mob and Chanson was almost pelted with a heavy stone by one of the supporters had he not take to his heels.

The GPU is concerned about the frequency at which attacks of this nature are happening.

This is the second attack on journalists, allegedly, by supporters of APRC in twelve months.  In August 2018, the GRTS news crew was verbally and physically assaulted, allegedly, by the supporters during funeral proceedings of late Asombi Bojang, the mother of former president, Yahya Jammeh.

The police on their part have failed to provide protection to journalists in hostile situations, nor have they investigated any of the seven previous attacks on journalists even though official complaint has been lodged in all the cases.

Mustapha K. Darboe, vice president of the GPU, said: “The Union is troubled that attacks on journalists in the execution of their professional duties by party supporters is becoming frequent.”

He said the GPU is not taking the attack on journalists by any political party lightly.

“If this is not stopped, it could warrant a media blackout for all the activities of parties guilty of such misconducts,” he affirmed.

The GPU is calling on political parties to take proactive measures to educate and sensitise their supporters to understand that journalists are not enemies.

Meanwhile, the Union’s leadership has engaged the deputy public relations officer of the APRC, Dodou Jah, and he expressed regret over the conduct of their party supporters towards Saidy and Chanson.

However, Jah said that the APRC as a party has been known to be peaceable and would continue to conduct its activities in such manners.

He promised to talk with the party leadership to reiterate their call for the party militants to continue to conduct and comport themselves in peaceful manner.

By Momodou Justice Darboe

An angry mob of APRC militants on Monday assaulted two journalists who were covering the trial of a former APRC heavyweight Yankuba Touray.

Cameraman Modou Saidy of The Fatu Network was attacked and manhandled as he attempted to film a solidarity gathering organised for Yankuba Touray who stands accused of causing the death of former finance minister Ousman Koro Ceesay in 1995.

“Don’t damage my camera. I have the right to cover this gathering,’ Saidy could be heard shouting at the top of his voice in an attempt to free himself from his assailants.

Speaking in an interview with The Fatu Network, Romen Sancho of RFI who was also attacked by APRC militants, explained that: “I’m just here to cover the demonstration and there was someone who wielded a big stone against me. It was then that I dashed to the court precincts for safety.

“I felt scared because this was the first time I saw such a crowd advancing towards me. I just saw a crowd advancing towards me, trying to attack me.”

Also speaking to The Fatu Network, Modou Saidy said he was though perturbed by the attack, it will not deter him from executing his journalistic work.

“They came in droves to me asking me to stop taking pictures. Some of them my shirt around my neck while Rambo Jatta held me by the hand. There were some insulting me while another guy violently pushed me,” Saidy said.

By Momodou Justice Darboe

The state is contemplating slamming Yankuba Touray with ten more murder charges and other serious offences.

This disclosure was made on Monday by the attorney general and minister of justice during the trial of Mr Touray at the High Court in Banjul.

Yankuba Touray stands accused of causing the death of Ousman Koro Ceesay in 1995 but he refused to enter his plea when the charge of murder was read out to him on Monday, saying he was relying on his purported constitutional immunity and would not enter a plea.

Presiding, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh said the charges have been read out to Touray but since he told the court that he had entered a plea of constitutional immunity, the court will enter a plea of not guilty on his behalf.

But the attorney general and minister of justice, Abubakarr Tambadou representing the State, rose up to admit that the court was indeed right to enter a plea of not guilty on Touray’s behalf under the circumstances. However, he argued that Touray’s refusal to enter a plea and his claim to constitutional immunity should be viewed as a challenge to the jurisdiction of the high court to hear and determine the murder charges against him. He added that it was a challenge that cannot be ignored.

Still addressing the court, the justice minister argued that the claim to constitutional immunity by Touray is ambiguous and too broad to address its specificity. He said that there is no provision of the constitution that Touray has sought to invoke. He explained that the state did not know what type of immunity or category of offences Touray was claiming immunity for.

Interjecting, the presiding judge elucidated that Yankuba Touray has a right to remain silent and not enter a plea if he so wishes and that the onus lies on the prosecution to prove its case as issues raised were not preliminary objections.

But in his reply, the attorney general and minister of justice countered that Yankuba Touray cannot arrogate to himself the power to determine immunity and that it was not for him to hold his defense. He referred the court to section 127 of the constitution or referral of the matter to the Supreme Court for interpretation.

He disclosed that if the high court deemed to proceed with the matter despite the challenge to its jurisdiction posed by the issue of constitutional immunity, the prosecution wishes to seek for an adjournment because it was in the process of amending the indictment to add at least ten additional counts of murder and other serious offenses. Tambadou explained that this would be needed to allow Touray prepare his defense consistent with his right to a fair trial. He therefore asked the court to adjourn the case until after the vacation.

But Abdoulie Sisokho, one of Touray’s lawyers, insisted that the matter should in fact be adjourned to next week for daily-basis trial as the proposed amendment was not yet before the court. He also argued that there was nothing before the court to warrant any referral of the matter to the Supreme Court.

He consequently sought for bail to be granted to Touray arguing that the status quo has changed in relations to murder and treason, querying why the matter should be adjourned for even 15 minutes. He said the Slogan New Gambia should start with Yankuba Touray’s case.

After some arguments, the presiding judge adjourned the case to 15 July for ruling on the submissions.

Pope Francis said prayers on Sunday for victims of the bombing of a migrant center in Libya last week and called for concerted action to create extensive humanitarian corridors to prevent similar tragedies.

An air strike hit a detention center housing mainly African migrants in Tripoli last Tuesday, killing dozens of people including Gambians.

Senegalese media outlet IGFM said more than 100 migrants were killed and more than 200 others wounded during the air raid. The air raid targeted a migrant camp in Tajoura in the eastern suburbs of Tripoli.

Among the victims are Senegalese, Guineans, Gambians and Eritreans, Boubacar Séye the president of Horizon Sans Frontières (Horizon Without Borders) told IGFM.

On Sunday, the Popein his weekly Angelus in Rome said “the international community cannot put up with such grave acts.”

Pope Francis also called for prayers for those caught up in recent attacks in Afghanistan, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

By Lamin Njie

UDP leader Ousainou Darboe has said his party is slated to meet with local authorities in Central River Region and Upper River Region.

“The purporse of our visit is to call on the local government authorities in these regions and the governors as well as the regional disaster management agency,” Mr Darboe told journalists in front of his house on Sunday as a strong UDP delegation prepared to leave for the two regions.

He added: “It’s a common knowledge that in the past few weeks, there have been natural calamities in these regions and we thought that we should go out there to reach out to the people, to sympathise with them and to console them and offer token assistance which I’m sure will not meet all their needs but then it could contribute towards satisfying some of their needs.

“We are not going to the victims directly because doing so will be reducing the authorities that are responsible for management of disasters in these regions and we will be reducing them to a position of nonentities and they are the ones who are really bu statute authorised to manage funds raised for disaster victims. We may not be able to cover all of them but certainly our assistance will reach all of them.”

Nine permanent secretaries in the civil service have been redeployed, government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh has said.

In a statement on Friday, Mr Sankareh said the government was acting on what he calls ‘executive advisory’ and that it was “consistent with its (government’s) philosophy to foster growth and promote rapid and efficient delivery of resources within all sectors of governance.”

The list of the redeployed Permanent Secretaries and their portfolio are as follows:

Lamin Camara, Permanent Secretary (PS) Agriculture redeployed to Ministry of Petroleum & Energy;

Mod K. Ceesay, PS Ministry of Trade & Employment redeployed to the Ministry of Transport, Works & Infrastructure;

Ndey Marie Njie, PS Ministry of Youth & Sports redeployed to the Ministry of Defence under the purview of the Presidency. Ms. Ndey Njie replaces Dr. Cherno Omar Barry who moves to the Human Rights Commission on Secondment.

Mariama Ndure Njie, PS Ministry of Transport moved to the Ministry of Youth & Sports;

Lamin Camara, PS Ministry of Petroleum & Energy moved to the Ministry of Agriculture;

Pateh Jah, PS Ministry of Environment, Climate Change & Natural Resources moves to the Trade & Employment ministry.

Saikou Sanyang, PS Ministry of Lands & Regional Government, moved to The Ministry of Environment & Natural Resources; and

Assan Jallow, PS Ministry of Agriculture, moved to the Ministry of Lands & Regional Government.

The Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) has continued to engage more Gambians living in the diaspora as part of efforts to build a new Constitution for The Gambia that will stand the test of time. The latest engagements target Gambians resident in the United States. Gambians in the diaspora, who are generally regarded as the eight region, are crucial stakeholders in the ongoing national dialogue on constitutional reform, hence the need to consult with them.

#CRCTeamUS commenced its external consultations with Gambians in Seattle, Minneapolis, Washington DC, Raleigh and Atlanta with impressive meetings turnout. Another meeting will be held in New York on 6th July, 2019.

Addressing the Seattle consultation, the Gambian Ambassador to the United States, H.E Dawda Fadera, said the CRC consultation with Gambians in America is an important exercise as it provides a great opportunity for them to contribute towards the constitutional building process.

Ambassador Fadera further told participants at various meetings in the United States that: “The authorities for the first time have assured the inclusion of Gambian diaspora to participate in the building process of the Constitution which is indeed commendable. The diaspora have the experience, the expertise and the exposure to significantly contribute towards the Constitutional review process.”

The Chairman of the CRC, Justice Cherno Sulayman Jallow QC (JSC), reminded Gambians at various US meetings of the power and the mandate of the CRC which he said are clearly outlined in the Constitutional Review Commission Act, 2017.

Justice Jallow commended Gambians living in the Diaspora for their dedication, passion and commitment in the Constitution building process, saying that ‘everybody sees the process as a national endeavour and this has been helping the CRC.’

He reminded the Gambian diasporans that the CRC started its public consultations in The Gambia where the CRC consulted 106 communities throughout the country in four months.

“A Constitution is far too fundamental to be representative of only eleven minds. The best we can do is to ensure proper representation in the making of the new Constitution, to be inclusive, and to create appropriate platforms for Gambians to participate and take ownership of the process,” the CRC Chairman emphasized.

He said it is important to have a face-to-face dialogue with Gambians in the diaspora ‘because living outside The Gambia does not make you less Gambian than Gambians living in The Gambia’.

Meanwhile, #CRCTeamEurope has returned home after a successful completion of its European tour which took the team to five European countries, namely United Kingdom (London), France (Paris), Germany (Berlin), Sweden (Stockholm) and Spain (Ginora).

The external public consultations, according to the CRC Chairman, Justice Cherno Sulayman Jallow, are meant to seek the views and aspirations of Gambians living outside of The Gambia ahead of the drafting of a new Constitution for The Gambia.

By the CRC Communications Department

By Lamin Njie

The interim leader of opposition APRC suggested Friday the party has not engaged former president Yahya Jammeh on rape allegations that have been made against him.

Fabakary Tombong Jatta said ‘you go to discuss with somebody on things that matter’, in response to a question by The Fatu Network on whether the party discussed the issue with Jammeh.

Former president Yahya Jammeh is enmeshed in a disturbing sexual assault scandal after Canada-based Fatou Jallow claimed that the former leader raped her. The 23-year-old said Jammeh raped her while Muslim leaders gathered at State House to welcome Ramadan. The alleged incident allegedly happened in 2015.

On Friday, APRC held a press conference in Tallinding, with the party’s interim leader speaking on the issue for the first time.

“You see, you go to discuss with somebody on things that matter,” Mr Jatta told journalists.

“We as a party, have been under smear campaign from January. We were not discussing those things with Yahya Jammeh.”

Jammeh has come under massive condemnation since news of him first emerged two weeks ago that he was sexually assaulting women, with Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou saluting “the courage of Ms Jallow for speaking up and sharing her story with the world.” Tambadou said Ms Jallow exposed “yet another serious allegation of reprehensible conduct by former President Jammeh who abused his position as head of state to the detriment of many Gambians including the sexual assault of Ms Jallow, a young and brave girl.”