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Gambia, Others Can Learn from Rwanda, Tambadou Suggests

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By Julius Bizimungu

The Minister for Justice of The Gambia, Ba Tambadou, has said that there is no dispute about the fact that the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi took place in Rwanda and is firmly part of the world’s history.

Tambadou, who is also his country’s Attorney General, is a former prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), the Arusha-based tribunal that tried some of the architects of the Genocide. ICTR’s role has since been taken over by the Mechanism of International Criminal Tribunals.

Tambadou was Friday addressing more than 500 delegates attending the international conference on genocide taking place in Kigali.

“No amount of denial can change this fact,” he noted.

Tambadou, who worked for ICTR for 14 years, observed that there was no reason for Rwanda to even engage those who deny the Genocide against the Tutsi, saying they do not deserve Rwanda’s attention.

He first visited Rwanda 15 years ago as a prosecutor with ICTR.

Tambadou was the prosecutor in the case against the former chief of staff of the defunct Rwandan army that implemented the Genocide, Gen. Augustin Bizimungu, and former Chief of the Rwandan National Gendarmerie, Gen. Augustin Ndindiliyimana.

The Gambian minister was involved in cases of 12 accused persons at the ICTR. Among others, he defended the conviction of Genocide architect Col. Theoneste Bagosora on appeal, secured the conviction of Gen. Augustin Bizimungu and defended that conviction on appeal.

“I actually appealed against the sentence given to Gen. Augustin Bizimungu. In fact, during the appeals hearing he took an opportunity to and said to me; ‘why are you following me everywhere?’ And I responded sarcastically, of course, that I was only following orders,” he recounted.

The minister recalled how his work at the tribunal took him to most parts of Rwanda – except the regions of Cyangugu and Byumba – and recalled some of the major incidents of the Genocide, such as the case of Tutsis who were killed at ETO in Nyanza and the resistance of people of Bisesero.

“This exposed to me how the Genocide was calculated, premeditated and cold-blooded. The events at Bisesero, on the contrary, demonstrated to me another side of our humanity: the sheer will to survive,” he told the participants, who included scholars, researchers, policymakers and seasoned journalists.

Tambadou said that Rwanda epitomises the clear line between old and new Africa.

Leaders across Africa exploited citizens’ natural divisions, religious differences, ethnic differences, communal differences and used it to perpetuate themselves in power, said.

On the contrary, he said, Rwanda is showing that “you don’t have to divide people to stay in power”.

“You can unite people, you can reconcile your people because unity is strength and that is what Rwanda is showing to the world today,” he said.

The Gambian minister said that his country is emerging from 22 years of brutal dictatorship and they were building with inspiration from Rwanda.

If Rwanda can bring her people together around national unity, no other country has an excuse for failure, he noted. (The New Times)

Zeroes And Heroes-TRRC Witness Awards

By Sana Sarr

We have gone through 2 sessions of sittings for the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission. The testimonies have brought us some truth and some lies, but also left us with many unanswered questions. One thing is certain though, hearing first hand narratives of some of the horrific acts committed by Gambians against other Gambians has been sobering for many. There have been many tears, both for what these realities mean for the nation and also for what some of the victims and their families went through. While the commission took a break from sittings this week, here is, in humorous vein, my mid-season awards to some of the witnesses who have appeared at the commission so far.

  1. Zero! – SCHUPIT FOOL AWARD– Remember when your illiterate uncle or grandpa got so mad and wanted to hurl insults at someone they felt was an idiot? Yes, at their wit’s end, their go-to insult was “Schupit Fool!” This award is for the witness who came with the intention to lie to the commission, but is so dumb that they couldn’t even align their lies. The lies were so incoherent and insane that even a toddler could tell it was a lie. Unfortunately, the only person was still “schupit” enough to not realize how obvious they were…and this made them annoying enough to drive grandpa to his wit’s end.

    Ensa Mendy– by claiming that a private soldier making less than $50 a month owned a mobile phone in 1994 Gambia, Ensa really proved himself an *$$ clown!

    JCB Mendy– Annoying as Ensa was, he still couldn’t out-dumb his fellow lie man JCB Mendy. JCB’s lies were frequent, varied and schupit as can be. Dude was so annoying that Lead Counsel Essa Faal could no longer mask his frustration. JCB was like a ghost – one minute he was present at a crime scene and next minute he wasn’t. For example, despite confessing that he was one of the soldiers who confiscated the camera of a photographer, yet, he claimed he couldn’t tell whether the same photographer was beaten by those who took the camera. What did he do, grab the camera and then immediately close his eyes?

  2. Zero – COCKROACHAWARD – Following the saying that karma is a dog, many of those who participated in the gross human rights abuses for the former regime had their day at the receiving end of the evil they once supported. A good number of them, however, survived and to this day continue to wear the uniform and have their livelihood funded by taxpayer money. They did so much damage, but like cockroaches, they continue to survive…a shoe is required to squish them.

    Warrant Officer Lamin Colley– could have easily qualified for a number of other awards in the liar categories. Despite reports of his alleged direct participation in at least one gruesome murder, this man continues to serve in the army and actually appeared at the commission in his army uniform! Not only did he survive the evil regime, he also continues to survive today…at least for now.

    Alagie Martin – Although the former regime had slapped him around a few times, Martin has managed to survive the worst of it and continues wearing the uniform to this day. His record as both a supervisor of torture and/or a direct perpetrator himself has long been rumored around town, and it’s no surprise that victims continue to name him.

  3. Zero! – NOLLYWOOD AWARD– Have you seen those Nigerian movies, the ones where everything is so exaggerated to the point of absurdity? Yes, this award is for those who overdid it with the storytelling. Not only were the stories outrageous, they were also unnecessary.

    Warrant Officer Lamin Colley – knowing that many of those who saw him shoot and kill a man were still around and some had even named him as the shooter, this fool, still in uniform, decided to recreate the story. He’s not dumb enough to deny shooting, but he’s “smart enough” to spin it…and thinks we’re the dumb ones to believe that he, a medic, heard the voice of Sana Sabally, a man he “was terrified of,” calling for the shooting of a soldier. This “compassionate” medic then saw the fleeing soldier shot, and with Sabally and others who ordered the shooting watching, he, “the compassionate one”, ran to save the fallen soldier… and that’s when his hand “accidentally” fell on his gun and “accidentally” pulled the trigger to shoot the man he was trying to save… in the head! “Kii mor muna d**l!!!” Nollywood directors got nothing on him, and his story may have been funny if it wasn’t so heinous!

    That Jeng Guy – One of the first witnesses called, this dude probably had no reason to lie. I’m not even sure how much he lied, but his whole demeanor showed he was trying too hard to embellish his story just to appear cool. I wonder who he was trying to impress… or maybe he felt this was his 15 minutes of fame and thought to make the best of it. Whatever his reason was, I hope it was worth it, because he has since disappeared back into oblivion. I couldn’t even remember his full name… and no, I didn’t bother to look or ask!

  4. Zero! – MAKEUP ARTIST AWARD– We’ve talked about the dumb liars – the ones who embellished stories but because they’re not smart enough, were so incoherent that their lies were obvious. Well, there were smarter folks. They simply took a true story and carefully edited or adjusted parts of it. They did it so well that some people were unable to tell fact from fiction, just like when people use filters to edit photos for social media.

    Captain Amadou Suwareh– One had to pay close attention to Suwareh’s narrative to realize that he was one of the first punks to give in to the coupists on July 22, 1994. Left to man the Denton Bridge and stop the advancing soldiers, Suwareh simply laid down and joined the criminals.

    Alhaji Kanyi did quite well when he admitted to participation in some crimes, including murder, while still claiming innocence in others. He brought the tears and the ratatoyeto curry sympathy. Nyakajomm!

    Dr. Binneh Minteh, one of the plotters of the November 11 attack, who escaped and eventually made his way to the USA, also used his scholarly skills to portray himself as the hero who did nothing but attempt to save Gambia. He gave very little about how the plot was hatched, how he involved unsuspecting innocent folks like Mafuji Sonko or how he learned the plot had leaked, only for him to escape, leaving his partners behind. Yes, when fiction is based on a true story, it’s hard to tell where one begins and the other ends.

  5. Zero! – MR. HEARTLESS AWARD– For a long time, many Gambians believed Sana Sabally was the most heartless and wicked of the AFPRC council members. It was not unearned. Sabally’s guards and orderlies were notorious for abusing anyone that got in their way. They publicly shot at cars on the road, beat up cameramen and went around offices to terrorize civil servants. The hearings have revealed that while he made the most noise, Sana Sabally was a punk who relied on guards and orderlies to do the dirty job, much like Yaya Jammeh. Edward Singhateh, on the other hand, who many believed to be the quiet one, seems to actually enjoy inflicting pain on others. “Gee sumayaa mofaa laa” – we say in Mandinka.
  6. Hero! – FAVORITE MEAL AWARD– Here we have two. “Water water chu”was a favorite stew enjoyed by the soldiers at the barracks, but it was outdone by “Wet or Dry Cherreh”, the coos meal served at Mile 2 Prisons for prisoners and detainees. Even the notorious gangster rats at Mile 2 refused to eat it!
  7. Hero! – ESSA FAAL AWARD– named after the lead counsel because I suspect it’s his favorite part of the job. With name worthy finalists like Di cheb, Churoo, Achopin and Lie tulu Baa, the award for Best Nickname goes to none other than Njie Ponkal. Because of how much he enjoys saying the name, lead counsel Faal should give a plot of land to Mafuji every time he says the name!
  8. Hero! – BRAVE HEART AWARD – many will claim heroism. Who are the real heroes?

    AIG Ismaila Chongan– By all indication, Chongan seems like he was the only leader who tried to actively stop the soldiers taking over on July 22. It appears that Chongan never, not even for a moment, wavered on his belief that allowing the military to depose a democratically elected government was wrong. It’s not a surprise that the only shot fired on the day was on his orders. After being jailed, tortured and released, he left the jurisdiction and never stopped speaking out against the regime.

    Prison Officer/Medic Bubacarr Jatta – Buba’s story is evidence that one can work within a flawed system and still maintain your decency, integrity and humanity. He is also evidence that one did not need to be a high ranking official to make a difference. Despite working at what was basically a crime scene, at a time of gross human rights violations, under the most stressful conditions, not least of which was the knowledge that getting caught showing kindness to the detainees could land him in the worst possible situation, this prison warden/untrained medic displayed the best of humane qualities Gambians want to be known for. He did not cure AIDS or build an orphanage. He simply showed compassion and empathy for people when they were at their lowest and needed it most…and they all appreciated him for it. Buba is a national hero!

OJ Jallow– The Civil Rights Movement had MLK and Malcolm X. Apartheid had its Madiba. Many heroes are recognized and appreciated posthumously. He was arrested and tortured in the presence of his young children. He was detained for a long time. He was beaten so badly that he lost one eye. Yet, even while in detention and being tortured, OJ continued to speak truth to power, because he felt it was his responsibility to be a leader. This angered his captors even more and they chose to make an example of him to shut others up. The civilian leaders, Jawara, BB Dabo, Saihou Sabally and many others ran into exile. Security service leaders like Chongan also left the country when they had the opportunity. OJ chose to remain in the country and continued to live his truth, without apology and not for want of an opportunity to flee like the rest of his peers. I’m sure he has many flaws, but when it comes to principles and bravery, others may rise to his level, but none can can go higher than Omar Amadou Jallow!

  1. MVP – he won us with his candor, his honesty, his humility and he won us with his charisma. He made us cry and he made us cry. He gave us “tinki tanka” and he offered to demonstrate to the commission how to use the bathroom with both hands tied behind his back!!! Mafuji Sonkois the real MVP!!!

Divided Views Greet JCB Mendy’s Indictment

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By Lamin Njie

Gambians have expressed divided views on the arrest and indictment of the chief security officer of Gambia International Airlines John CB Mendy.

Mendy who served as orderly to Sana Sabally was arrested on Tuesday while trying to cross into neighbouring Senegal through Giboro.

On Thursday, police investigators charged him murder over his role in the November 11, 1994 execution of at least a dozen soldiers.

Mendy’s arrest and indictment came from the ministry of justice and it has sparked both commendation and condemnation.

Sampierre Mendy in a message sent to The Fatu Network said “JCB was not intending to run as haters are speculating.”

Mendy said: “How could somebody with that intention, drove his car with his name clearly written on its number plate, parked right at the front of the the police station to obtain a travel clearance. Does that make sense to anyone?

“Those who absconded the country earlier, no police officer caught them. Maybe they were sleeping then. Let us stop tribalism and work together for the interest of country. What is all about this nonsense in the Gambia?”

Pboy Mendy, on his part, said: “Is it that only JCB mendy is the only one who killed in November 11? Where are the others?Edward and sana etc where are they and colley ,all those who testify where are they? Let them arrest them too.”

Alpha Jallow said: “Double standard. What about alhagie Martin?”

Gambians have also taken to social media to commend the authorities over their move.

Sang Mendy reacting to JCB Mendy’s indictment commented on Facebook: “Let him be severely dealth with. He need to be teach a lesson to serve as lesson to the incoming witnesses. There is no place for liars in our new Gambia. Bravo justice ministry proud of you.”

Lamin A Jammeh: “Justice minister was acting according to the law an moreover there is evidence.”

Emuhamed Nj said: “Thank you very much justice Minister Tambedou. Anyone who try to come to the aid of a killer is a hypocrites. These people killed innocent and defenseless Gambians for no reason. Why was he trying to abscond? He knows what he did, he was forewarned by the lead counsel that lying under oath was a crime. Why would anyone sympathize with these cold blooded murderers, Gambians should stop being naive and stand up for the truth. Imagine if it was your relative he killed, what would your reactions be? Let’s be honest to ourselves (sic).”

Facts about Sharia Law around the World

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Brunei on Wednesday introduced harsh new sharia laws — including death by stoning for adultery and gay sex — despite a storm of global criticism from rights groups.

Although most Muslim nations incorporate elements of sharia law in their legal systems, very few carry out the harsher punishments — known as hudud — which even Muslim scholars disagree on.

Here are some facts about sharia law and how it is interpreted around the world:

— What is sharia law? —

Sharia is a religious law forming part of the Islamic faith derived from the Koran and the hadiths — the words or actions of the prophet Mohammed.

The manner of its application in modern times has been a subject of dispute between conservative and liberal Muslims, and it remains a contested topic around the world.

Some aspects have been widely accepted — such as how it applies to banking — with even Western companies introducing Islamic finance products to attract Muslim customers.

Hudud, which means “boundaries” in Arabic, is the punishment meted out for sins such as adultery, rape, homosexuality, theft and murder.

Extreme punishments are rarely carried out as many offences must be proved by a confession or by having been witnessed by several adult Muslim males.

Countries which follow extreme sharia law include:

— Saudi Arabia —

Sharia is the basis for all Saudi law and until fairly recently extreme hudud punishments carried out in public were common. Homosexual acts are not only illegal but punishable by execution — although the usual penalty has been limited to flogging and imprisonment.

Beheadings and amputations by sword were usually carried out on Fridays, before midday prayers.

In extreme cases, such as the rape of a child, the condemned man is sometimes ordered crucified after execution.

The law also allows for literal eye-for-an-eye punishment, known as “qisas”, in cases of personal injury.

The family of a murder victim can pardon a condemned person — often in exchange for blood money.

— Afghanistan —

Afghanistan’s constitution is based on Islamic law but how that is interpreted has a complex history influenced by local custom and tribal traditions.

The Taliban followed a brutal interpretation of Sharia law during their rule from 1996-2001.

For instance, they confined women to their homes, only allowing them outside with a male escort and hidden beneath a burqa. Hudud punishments were widely practiced all over the country.

The militants now control more territory in Afghanistan than any time since 2001, and again are imposing their strict interpretation of Sharia, although they have also recently indicated they could loosen some of their strictest interpretations if they return to power.

— Indonesia —

Indonesia’s conservative Aceh is the only province in the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country that imposes Islamic law.

Public flogging is common for a range of offenses in the region at the tip of Sumatra island, including gambling, drinking alcohol, adultery and having gay sex.

Despite calls for it to end, the practice has wide support among Aceh’s mostly Muslim population.

Aceh adopted religious law after it was granted special autonomy in 2001, an attempt by the central government to quell a long-running separatist insurgency.

While Indonesia has the death penalty, the government last year warned that Aceh’s plan to usher in beheading as a punishment for murder was banned under existing national laws.

— Sudan —

Sudan adopted sharia law in 1983 but since then has implemented it randomly, activists say.

Death by stoning remains a judicial punishment but has not been implemented in decades — although activists claim that hundreds of women are flogged every year for “immoral behavior” under the criminal code.

In recent weeks several women protesters were sentenced to flogging for participating in protests against President Omar al-Bashir’s rule, but an appeals court overturned the sentence.

— Pakistan —

In 1979, military dictator Zia ul Haq introduced the widely-criticised Hudood Ordinances, part of a sweeping Islamisation of Pakistan.

Sharia courts implementing the laws ran parallel to the mainstream British-influenced Pakistan Penal Code, and covered adultery, false accusations in court, property crimes and prohibition of drugs and alcohol.

Women were not allowed to testify in the most severe cases, involving stonings or amputations, and the laws on rape or adultery required four adult Muslim males of good character to testify to the act.

In 2006, MPs overwhelmingly approved the Women Protection Law, voting that rape and adultery cases should no longer be heard under the harsh religious system, but in the mainstream courts.

Rulings in sharia courts can also now be appealed in the mainstream courts.

— Nigeria —

Some 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states have extended Sharia to criminal matters and courts can order amputations — although few have been carried out.

The rest of Nigeria has a mixed legal system of English common and traditional law.

— Qatar —

Flogging is still used in Qatar as a punishment for alcohol consumption by Muslims or illicit sexual relations.

The punishment for adultery is 100 lashes.

Adultery is punishable by death when a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim man are involved.

— The Islamic State —

Although not a country, under its “caliphate”, declared vanquished on March 23, the Islamic State group ran its own courts and implemented its brutal interpretation of Islam in areas it controlled in Syria and neighbouring Iraq.

It punished alleged crimes including theft, alcohol consumption, adultery, and homosexuality.

The extremist group carried out beheadings, stonings and amputation, and threw men suspected of being homosexual off buildings. (AFP)

Justice Ministry Accused of Being Behind JCB Mendy’s Ordeal

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By Lamin Njie

The Ministry of Justice ordered that JCB Mendy be charged with murder even after police investigators concluded that the chief security officer of Gambia International Airlines was arrested on no grounds, it has been alleged.

Police sources on Thursday told The Fatu Network investigators interrogated the former orderly to AFPRC junta leader Sana Sabally and found no grounds for arresting him.

A senior police official who does not want to be named said: “It was the Ministry of Justice that asked for his arrest. When that happened, they [investigators] tried to interrogate him but apparently they could not find any grounds for arresting him.

“That was communicated to them [Ministry of Jusitce] but they ordered that he should charged with murder. The ministry provided us with further details with regard to the killings at Fajara Barracks, Yundum Barracks and the [firing] range. So now he’s charged with murder.”

The Fatu Network on Thursday contacted the Minister of Justice Abubacarr Tambadou and he said “those who do not cooperate and tell the truth when they appear before the TRRC will face trial if there is evidence.”

“I have said that many times in the past. The choice is theirs. We can’t satisfy every section of Gambian society, that’s just impossible,” Mr Tambadou said.

Dr. Ismaila Ceesay received the ‘Most Influential Young Person of The Year’ 2019 award

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Dr. Ismaila Ceesay received the ‘Most Influential Young Person of The Year’ 2019 award, conferred by the renowned Confederation of West African Youths in Freetown, Sierra Leone on the 31st of March at a Golden Tulip Forum & Award ceremony.

Under the theme ‘New Leaders, New Africa: A Gathering for Africa’, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay delivered a speech highlighting education in Africa and the need to invest in our own people.

This conferment follows the August 2018 confederation publication of the 100 most influential young persons in West Africa in which Dr. Ismaila was listed amongst others. Giss Giss fellow talk show host- Mr. Momodou Sabally also received the ‘Influential Person of the year’ award. Dr. Ismaila Ceesay’s award is in recognition of his outstanding role in mentoring and inspiring young Africans, thereby shaping the future of Africa.

Former SG Sabally inspires the Continents Young Leaders in Freetown

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With a thunderous speech interrupted by persistent applause, former Presidential Affairs Minister, Momodou Sabally, has told a crop of young Leaders from across the African continent to take up the challenge of providing a fresh kind of transformational leadership for a better contingent.

Sabally was speaking at a forum and award ceremony convened by the Confederation of West African Youths at Golden Tulip Hotel in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

“What we need is a new crop of leaders that would help us walk on the waters of Information Communication Technology and break bread in the labs of new food technology. But such a new leadership must stop aping the methods of the West whole scale without scrutiny. Such a leadership must look back at our rich and dignified past and take from it what’s best and brightest and apply its lessons in inspiring dynamic ways. Such a leadership would learn and appropriate lessons from far and wide but it must never cut, copy and paste.” He asserted.

Citing the Sierra Leonean Government’s recent rejection of an offer of a modern airport by China, Sabally told the gathering of government officials and young leaders that the envisaged new transformational leadership he hopes for the African continent would be one with “UNWAVERING COURAGE. The courage to take tough decisions and to defy interests and tendencies that want to game our systems or bait us with alluring present gains at the cost of our entire future.“

In conclusion, he implored the youth leaders thus : “The new kind of leadership envisaged must be one to rise above our current challenges and dream beyond the tough cliffs and lift our imagination into the glorious valleys of future bliss. This is a kind of leadership that should thrive on inspired VISION.”

The youth confab, which was also the occasion for the award of honours for deserving recipients, saw he conferment of  Most Influential Person Awards to Sabally alongside UTG senior lecturer Dr. ismaila Ceesay.

Singer Jennifer Lopez sued for $6.5m

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American singer, Jennifer Lopez, has been sued for $6.5million by Alvin Gray-El, for allegedly stealing his idea of ‘World of Dance’ TV show.

Lopez, who is the judge and executive producer on NBC’s “World of Dance,” is being sued by Gray-El, who claimed he came up with the idea for the TV show.

Gray-El reportedly filed a Federal lawsuit this week against the singer and a famed choreographer Debbie Allen.

According to Gray-El, the ‘World of Dance’ was a total rip of his idea for a show called “Let’s Start the Dance’ in 2009, which he first pitched to renowned choreographer Debbie Allen.

He also claimed to have faxed a letter to Debbie Allen and her production company in an effort to see if she was interested in producing the show.

In 2010, Gray-El said he had the show registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

According to him, some years later, he discovered that the “World of Dance” was in the works at NBC in 2017.

He added that he tried to contact NBC to notify them of the copyright infringement but he did not get a reply.

Gray-El is asking for $5 million in actual damages and $1.5 million in punitive damages.

In December 2018, Lopez starred in the comedy film ‘Second Act’ directed by Peter Segal she also produced the film, and recorded the single “Limitless’ for its soundtrack.

She is set to star in as an executive producer of ‘ Hustler’, directed by Lorene Scafaria for STX Entertainment inspired by a New York article by Jessica Pressler, entitled ‘The Hustlers at Scores’.

She is also attached to star as drug lord Griselda Blanco in a television film for HBO which would focus on the “rise and fall” of Blanco and to serve as an executive producer for the film, which is currently in development.

Lopez as an executive producer, is also developing an untitled legal drama for CBS and futuristic drama series entitled C.R.I.S.P.R. for NBC.

‘BACK WAY’: Three African Migrants Charged in…

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Maltese authorities charged three young African migrants on Saturday with committing an act of terrorism for hijacking a vessel that rescued them off the coast of Libya.

The two teenagers from Guinea and one from Ivory Coast, aged 15, 16 and 19, are accused of forcing the Palau-flagged tanker Elhiblu I towards Malta after it picked up 108 migrants, including women and children, on Wednesday and headed towards its destination in Libya.

A Maltese special operations unit boarded the ship a day later, arrested five men suspected of leading the hijacking.

They handed control back to the captain who steered the ship to Valletta under a navy escort.

The three migrants, who were charged at a Maltese court with seizing control of the ship through the use or threat of force and intimidation, pleaded not guilty and were placed in preventive detention pending trial.

They face prison terms of between seven and 30 years if convicted.

The ship’s captain told Maltese media the hijackers “were desperate and absolutely did not want to return to Libya.”

“Panic and confusion erupted when the migrants understood that we were going back,” to a country where migrants face trafficking, kidnap, torture and rape according to the United Nations and aid groups.

Following Italy’s increasingly tough anti-migrant stance, vessels that pick up migrants crossing the Mediterranean increasingly return them to Libya.

Boatloads of rescued migrants have in recent months refused to disembark there, however, prompting local authorities to use force.

Pope to Perform Pre-Easter Feet-Washing Ritual in Prison

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Pope Francis will carry out the traditional pre-Easter ritual of the washing of the feet in a prison near Rome the Vatican said on Wednesday.

“The ritual recalls the gesture that Jesus is believed to have performed on his knees for the 12 apostles before the Last Supper, to show them that the Lord was capable of the most humble act.

“The pontiff will perform it on April 18, Holy Thursday, in the prison of Velletri, some 45 kilometres South-East of Rome,’’ a Vatican statement said.

Francis has made it a habit of celebrating the ritual outside of traditional church settings, to reach out to people in difficult situations.

In previous Holy Thursdays, the pope visited other prisons, including one for juvenile criminals, a centre for the disabled, and a migrant detention camp.

Is UDP to be Blamed for Barrow turning into an Inept ‘Political Animal’

The Gambia has been dealt with a heavy hand in the arena of leadership. After a feckless, corrupt 30-year rule of President Jawara, under the patronage of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), a new euphoria was welcomed with much excitement following a coup d’état by the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC), under the leadership of Yaya Jammeh in 1994. The young 29-year-old Jammeh, gave the people hope for a much better live. The excitement and the long yearning for change compelled Gambians to celebrate the new breed of leadership. Four months after the 1994 coup, another group of soldiers plotted a counter coup but failed. They were captured and one killing led to another. The need to cover-up those killings necessitated the silencing of anyone that spoke against the ruling government. Despite widely held belief that Jawara’s government was corrupted and failed to lay a proper foundation for the country’s infrastructural and human development, his government was democratic, and freedom of speech and association abound.

 

However, a small poor West African country like the Gambia was easy to win over with much needed construction of roads, a new airport, more schools, health centers and a first national television station. The Jammeh government constantly reminded the citizenry of these new infrastructure ad nauseam and the demand for gratitude. Anyone dared to remind the people that it was a right to have infrastructural developments and should not be seen as a privilege, would be jailed, killed or will abruptly disappear. Gradually, the democracy enjoyed by Gambians was hijacked in a systematic way unnoticeable to the majority. With a high level of illiteracy, it was also easy to convince the people that the leader that ‘had done so much for Gambians’ needs to be repetitively glorified. Oppression starts to creep in, and the press could no longer hold Jammeh’s government accountable as they would be risking lives, censorship or exile. Beyond journalism, thousands of Gambians were victims of state sanctioned Human Rights abuses.

 

Consequently, these illiberal practices continued for 22 years until the long-divided opposition challenged by the younger generation—most of whom had studied from the very university established by the Jammeh government and the instigation and full support of Gambians living in the diaspora, suggested the formation of a coalition. A convention was setup and the opposition voted a flagbearer that emerged from the United Democratic Party (UDP) to lead the Coalition in the 2016 presidential elections. UDP was the Gambia’s biggest opposition party and has been in existence since 1996. Earlier in April of 2016 one of UDP members, the late Solo Sandeng had been detained and died in police custody. This was as a result of a protest he together with other members of UDP youth wing organized in the streets of Serrekunda demanding for electoral reforms. His dead forced the party Leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and some other party executives to come out and demand for the release of Solo Sandeng, under the slogan: “Dead or Alive”. They were also taken into police custody and charged with ‘unlawful assembly’. The courts presided over by Justice Dada, one of Jammeh’s missionary judges found them guilty and on July 20th, 2016 were sentenced to three years in prison. Many agreed that this fueled the anger of a population with Jammeh’s regime and contributed to the spark for the youth uprising and challenging the opposition parties to form the coalition and reclaim the country.

 

Adama Barrow, a real estate agent and Assistant Treasurer of the UDP emerged winner at the convention and was bound to lead the coalition. Barrow who was described as humble with a modest personality reluctantly got admitted to his role to take on the brutal dictator in the 2016 presidential election. At the time of the election, a lot of Gambians were hopeful and confident; however, a good many were skeptical about the viability of the coalition because they believed the incumbent would suspiciously win the elections AGAIN. Essentially, Gambians in the diaspora through a lot of funding campaigns, financed the ‘Coalition 2016’ campaign and also convinced friends and families back home to vote for change. As election day gets nearer, it became clear even to Jammeh that Gambians were up for change. December 2nd, 2016, results were announced and Adama Barrow was declared the winner.

 

The Gambian political landscape was upended—ushering in a wave of excitement and jubilation. There was a lot of goodwill from the masses, people vowed to show relentless support to the new government. Democracy was restored and so was press freedom. A ‘New Gambia’ has been born, and this new dispensation seemed hopeful. From an inept, corrupt 30-year rule to a 22-year dictatorial rule, Gambians felt the need to take part in the governance of their country. With the help of social media, Gambians all over the globe are informed about the developments in their country.

 

Comments and critics begin to fill up the Facebook timelines and Twitter feeds. Everyone had a thing or two to say about the new government. Who should be hired, what new laws should be prioritized and what institutions should be disbanded or retained? The political discourse took center stage on every thread and those that felt they fought more than others thought more government positions belonged to them whilst others believed that everyone fought in their own different capacity. It seems like every week—there is something new coming out of the Gambia’s political sphere, sparking a myriad of online debates. Eventually, members of the cabinet and the diplomatic missions were appointed. A lot of people thought the allocations of these appointments only favored the UDP whilst the UDP felt that it was deserving of them to get those appointments because their party sacrificed more than anyone and the president came from their party. That led to a formation of two camps: one camp seeing the shortfalls of the government and criticizes it and the others thought the government needed time to settle in and ignored all red flags sans reservation. Many questions ensued, some even broaching and questioning if the appointments were for national interest or to reward party sacrifices.

 

Thereupon, the newly minted president started to feel comfortable because he felt he had the support of his party members and thought he could get away with much. The banter continues as the president indicated in an interview that he was not sure if he would step down after the agreed three-year mandate given to him and his coalition partners. Online critics heard the news and, as expected, took on their keyboards to call out the president on betraying the coalition agreement. Again, UDP members supported by their party leader—Ousainou Darboe—reminded people of the five-year mandate powered by the Constitution of the Gambia, alienating the coalition agreement and vowed to take anyone to court for insisting on the president to step down after three years. President Barrow ‘grew wings’ as described by his critics and revealing that his plans for the Gambia could not be completed within a three-year mandate.

 

Gambians went back to the polls to vote for their parliamentary representatives. Out of 53 seats, the UDP swept off 31 seats. Leaving the remaining 22 seats distributed among the other political parties and independent candidates. President Barrow as president is mandated to nominate an additional five national assembly members, including the speaker and deputy speaker. Most of his nominations again favored his former party as three of the five were UDP members or sympathizers. None of the coalition parties got nomination into the Assembly. Again, the two camps took on to social media to debate the landslide of the National Assembly (NA) Elections and the President’s nominations. The feud lasted for weeks with critics calling out the irrationality of the nominations and the UDP supporters continued to defend the president’s nominations. A couple of months later, these newly sworn in NA members were all gifted with a brand-new vehicle each from the office of the president. The President claimed the vehicles were donated by an unknown philanthropist who wished to stay anonymous. As expected, the argument continued demanding for the donor’s name and reasons for the donation. Hoping that the National Assembly responsible for checking the executive would also question the sources of the vehicle but shockingly, most of the members quietly accepted the gifts.

 

To test the ‘newly found democracy’ and protest what they said was culture of increasing corruption and impunity in the country, Human Right Activists took to the streets in June 2018 to demand for better living, health and education conditions. Their freedom to assemble was limited by the security forces. The Police Intervention Unit sent armed riot police and allocated a time frame for the protest. The activists were also shunned by the UDP supporters and labelled as ‘Disgruntled Entitled Youths’ and further indicated that they ought to be grateful for living in a Gambia with zero killings.

 

Many people believed that, these actions, among other things, emboldened the president to engage in a war of words with his critics; asking where they were when he single handedly defeated the dictator? Questioning their interest in seeing a more developed Gambia with better living conditions for her people. He continues to take part in throwing jabs at his critics and those he felt were threats to his leadership. Toward the end of June 2018, Barrow embarked on a massive cabinet reshuffle. He manifested the powers as the Executive President of The Gambia. He fired most of his coalition partners and replaced them with former Yaya Jammeh enablers. And goes further to redundant the powers of anyone standing in the way of his quest to entrench himself to the Presidency. The members of his party whom he had initially appointed to the following cabinet positions; Vice President, Minister of Trade and Agriculture were equally later relieved off of their positions following a UDP convention that elected Lawyer Darboe as party Secretary General.

 

Looking at where the political dynamics of The Gambia is, a lot of people are blaming the UDP for blindly supporting Barrow despite all his reckless decisions and ignoring all signs of ineptitude. They were allegedly ready to go to war with anyone that challenged the government and constantly massaging Barrows ego in order to stay in his good graces. A lot of UDP’s opponents similarly accused Lawyer Darboe for selfishly defending the most argued five-year mandate, to help him and his party better situated to take on the mantle of Presidency come 2021. Today, it seems the UDP have lost the influence they have had in the executive with their party executives being relieved off of their positions after purportedly stumbling the country in a deep hole. They have now decided to strategize and restructure their party and position in the political environment with continuous reminders of their existence. Their online members have once again joined their former counterparts in the struggle to critically criticize the same Barrow government that they sided with only three months ago.Can we conclude that the UDP that gave us the humble Barrow in 2016 also upgraded him to the ‘political animal’ that we now see? What the political field holds for Barrow, UDP and other political parties is difficult to predict now but it is obvious that 2021 will be another interesting year in Gambia’s political evolution.

Author:Sukai Gaye

Media and Communication Studies Student,

University of Washington, USA.

 

A Nation En-route to discovering truth and justice; but some want it quick and low-cost!

The argument that there is no shortcut to justice is valid but it has been challenged by those critics of ‘plea bargaining’ who see the practice as a form of shortcut to justice. However, the saying that ‘Justice is very expensive’ has not been challenged by anyone due to having no reasonable grounds to do so. In her book “Uprooted”, American writer – Noami Novik justified this by stating that the reason there is little justice out there is because of its expensiveness and affordable only by few who either have enough money to pay for legal fees and or are influential enough to press some buttons and make things work their way (paraphrased). With the above, one can deduce that to follow due process and attain proper justice, there must be a lot of mechanisms in place, backed by the required resources. Otherwise, a shortcut will be the option – an option that will go against the same principles intended to be displayed and maintained.

 

At the dawn of a new government in The Gambia in early 2017, majority of Gambia started calling for justice for victims of former President Jammeh and his government. Some even wanted a more radical approach by calling for the attack and possible arrest of Jammeh while he was still the substantive holder of the Office of the President. After his departure to exile, the former NIA Director Yankuba Badjie and his senior officers were arrested and charged with the murder of a national martyr Solo Sandeng  – two years on, the case is still ongoing. In addition, there has been arrest of other soldiers believed to be members of the hit squad – the Jugulars, alleged to have planned and executed various human rights violations, including killing of Gambians and non-Gambians alike perceived to be opponents to the then regime. Unfortunately, the reported operation leader of the hit squad, Sana Manjang left the shores of Gambia right at the fall of Jammeh. Manjang would have made investigations into killing easier because he has been a long time member of that group. Allegedly initiated in 2003, his first operation was the arson attack of the Independent Newspaper in October 2003.

 

Time went by and some Gambians became so impatience with the Government of Adama Barrow and others went far as rebuking the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for what they believe is a show of ‘lack of sympathy to victims’ or ‘lack of commitment to deal with those who committed abuses in the previous two decades’. The calls for action were genuine but the manner in which those agitators wanted government to handle the situation would have made the claimed defender of justice turn into a violator – that was the system of the former regime. Correcting it means doing things differently and in line with law and procedure. Jammeh and his closest security officials never believed in due process. For them, the law is not what is in the books but what Jammeh says it is and whoever commits an action perceived to be wrong need to face the consequences there and then – from the interpretation of their actions, the courts was somewhat a time and resource waster. Even if one is lucky to get to court, the outcome was very obvious because what use to be, was a judiciary where the Gambian born judges were confined to the civil courts and the Nigerians, mostly, machinery unqualified judges presided over the criminal courts, including the court of appeal where all government interested cases are brought.

 

The downfall of Jammeh’s empire was greeted with overwhelming joy and a sigh of relief for the thousands who wanted change. It will be meaningless if only Jammeh is not in the country but his system is glued to our minds. It was an entrenched system that we must disentangle ourselves and accept the obvious – that what use to be wasn’t in anyway right and as such we must strive to follow the rule of law. It will be expensive and time consuming but we should be ready to go through it to the end because the intention is not just to know the truth, put on trial and possibly jail the guilty ones, confiscate some illegally gotten properties and close the chapter. We want formidable outcomes with recommendations on how to set up strong systems and institutions to prevent a reoccurrence of what happened in The Gambia – not just in the presidency of Jammeh but that of his predecessor, President Jawara. Our failure – identical all over Africa, is the lack of well-established and strong institutions, made complex by a majority population that is either politically not inclined or not awareness of their civil rights and power as citizens or just focus on trivial matters and a pathetic situation of unreasonable selfishness.

 

The encouraging factor is the government of “New Gambia” through the Justice Ministry established the Financial Commission. They went on to table, and National Assembly ratified the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) Act. While the Financial / Janneh Commission submitted its report to the President on Friday 29thMarch, the TRRC is just starting what will be a very long and tedious work to unearth the hitherto out-of-sight activities of Jammeh’s government 22.6 years reign over Gambia. The revelation so far are chilling. What is yet to come will not just shock us but has the potential to break some families and relationship.  Some will argue that it is not worthy – it is, we will get over it, reconcile and move ahead as greater people who will work together to avoid allowing a few mess up a whole country and its future. At this stage, the atmosphere is favorable and we must take this opportunity to correct what was wrong in our criminal justice system. The government, by all indication is committed to get to the bottom of what happened under Jammeh. Fact that it was done over two decades in a guileful manner explains why the financial commission took more time and resources than envisage.

 

Some Gambians have cause to complain about the money used, especially those cost relating to the venue, which could have been reduced if government had used its own facilities for the sittings. However I am of the believe that if one is to apply the principle of cost benefit analysis, the advantage far outweighs the bad – and this I say in full confidence that President Barrow’s government will implement the recommendations of the commissions – he cannot let us down and must not be selective or scapegoat some in implementation of the recommendations. This will also be the right time to remove from cabinet, in the security forces or other government departments anyone found to be adversely implicated in the wrongs of the pass. Doing it now as some people have called for President Barrow to do will be wrong and certainly not in line with due process – the foundation on which legal matters between people and state is premised. There is a reason why the law frowns at beating a thief who is not physically violent. Same reason why despite a thief admission of stealing at Police, he is still taken to court instead of incarcerated and the victim asked to stop work or other more important commitments to come to court and testify – failure which the thief will be let go. It is the law and must not be bypassed simply because we are sure someone did wrong. Patience and following the rule of law is demanding but we must not be pressured to act ultra vires. In the end, we will not just be recovering money, we will also move forward in creating institutions and setting up a system that will dictate how government business is done and not leave it to the whims of a person serving as leader at any level. We will also be sending a clear message to the international community that Gambia is serious about fighting corruption – but in the rightful manner.

Police Say They Arrested JCB Mendy Because He Was Without…

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By Lamin Njie

The Gambia Police Force has confirmed the arrest of the chief security officer of Gambia International Airlines John CB Mendy.

Mendy was arrested on Tuesday while trying to cross into neighbouring Senegal through Giboro.

It comes two weeks after the former orderly to ruthless AFPRC junta leader Sana Sabally testified before the TRRC. Mendy has been accused of lying to the TRRC regarding his own role in human rights abuses and violations.

The spokesman of the Gambia Police Force told The Fatu Network on Tuesday Mendy “got intercepted by the Police while he was trying to cross the border without proper documentation”

“As a result he is currently under police custody, helping the police in their investigations,” GPF spokesman Lamin Njie said.

Hours before his arrest, the Ministry of Justice issued a statement saying it has requested the Gambia Police Force to arrest and detain Mendy.

The ministry said he who was attempting to leave the country.

SENEGAL: Sall Sworn in for New Term

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By Lamin Njie, in Dakar

Macky Sall has been sworn in as the president of Senegal.

Mr Sall was sworn in on Tuesday, one month after a general election he won by 58 percent.

Heads of state from across Africa, foreign dignitaries, Senegalese government and private sector officials gathered at Diamniadio Exhibition Centre in Diamniadio for the ceremony.

Mr Sall took the president oath of office before constitutional council justices led by Justice Pap Omar Saho.

In his inaugural speech, Mr Sall said he was committed to building a Senegal for all within the framework of his Senegal Emerging Plan of 2019 to 2024.

“It is about giving and not taking. Therefore with determination and resolve, we can serve the people of Senegal. I have fully devoted myself to the advent of a Senegal for all through the Senegal Emerging Plan,” Mr Sall said.

Mr Sall will be in office until 2024.

FATHER-SON FEUD: Darboe Responds to ‘Disrespectful’ Barrow

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By Lamin Njie

Ousainou Darboe has responded to President Adama Barrow over his claim that he sacked him because he was undermining his development efforts.

President Barrow last month sacked Ousainou Darboe as the vice president of The Gambia, claiming the move was to ‘establish order in our governance system.’

The President also said Darboe was among a group of UDP officials who were undermining his government.

But speaking to a crowd of supporters in New York on Monday, Darboe slammed Barrow as a ‘disrespectful child’ and said UDP will never make such person its leader.

Darboe said: “If you want leadership, you have to look for it in respect and humility. You can’t disrespect me, you can’t disrespect the members of UDP and you expect us to make you the leader.

“If he wants he can form his own party and that party can make him the leader. You can’t come and say by hook or by crook it’s you that people should pick to lead and when people didn’t pick you to lead, you go and stand and say things that are not true.

“If he says I was not doing my work as expected, he should have sacked me long since. But you think you can deceive us and we’ll make you the leader. We will not accept that. We all agreed that we are going to fight self-perpetuation, that is to say that no one would force himself to be president.

“A child that has no respect, no one should give the country to that child. I didn’t come to say I will be the president of The Gambia by force but anyone who wants to disintegrate United Democratic Party, it’s my head that will break.”

CANCER: Drinking a Bottle of Wine is as Bad as Smoking 10 Cigarettes, Study Says

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A new study has suggested that drinking a bottle of wine per week may be like smoking five to 10 cigarettes in the same time period, in terms of cancer risk.

A team of researchers from the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Bangor University and University of Southampton, attributed this to an increased risk of breast cancer caused by drinking.

The researchers claimed that drinking one bottle of wine per week increases the absolute lifetime risk of cancer to the same extent as smoking 10 cigarettes a week for women.

While for men, drinking a bottle of wine a week increases the absolute lifetime risk of cancer equivalent to smoking five cigarettes.

The researchers also attributed it to the risk of cancer in parts of the body such as the bowel, liver and oesophagus.

Theresa Hydes and her team estimated 10 in 1,000 men would develop cancer at some point in their lives from drinking one bottle of wine each week.

However, for women this figure was 14 out of 1,000, according to the study published in the journal BioMedCentral public health.

While women were at risk of breast cancer, men were more likely to get gastrointestinal cancers from drinking.

The risk was much higher for both men and women who drink three bottles of wine per week – more than double the recommended amount.

“It is well established that heavy drinking is linked to cancer of the mouth, throat, voice box, gullet, bowel, liver and breast,” said Hydes, the lead author of the study.

“Yet, in contrast to smoking, this is not widely understood by the public.

“We hope that by using cigarettes as the comparator we could communicate this message more effectively to help individuals make more informed lifestyle choices.”

“We must be absolutely clear that this study is not saying that drinking alcohol in moderation is in any way equivalent to smoking. Our finds relate to lifetime risk across the population.

“At an individual level, cancer risk represented by drinking or smoking will vary and, for many individuals, the impact of 10 units of alcohol [equivalent to a bottle of wine] or five to 10 cigarettes may be very different.” Ian Gilmore, chairman of the alcohol health alliance, said even at relatively low levels, alcohol can have serious consequences for our health.

“The chief medical officers recommend drinking no more than 14 units a week to keep the risks low but, worryingly, few people are aware of the guidelines,” he added.

“It is important to view these results in context,” said Jane Green, co-director of the cancer epidemiology unit at the University of Oxford.

“For both men and women in the UK, the lifetime risk of cancer is around 50 per cent.

“The authors estimate that lifetime risk is around one per cent higher for men and women who drink a bottle of wine a week, or who smoke five to 10 cigarettes a week, than for those who neither smoke nor drink.

“The average UK drinker reports drinking the equivalent of about a bottle-and-a-half of wine a week, and the average smoker smokes about 10 cigarettes a day, or 70 a week.

“This work confirms that, for most smokers, their smoking carries much greater risks for cancer than does alcohol for most drinkers.

“Moderate levels of drinking are in absolute terms particularly important for cancer risk in women, because they are associated with increased risk of breast cancer, which is very common.”

Barrow Arrives in Dakar

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By Lamin Njie, in Dakar

President Adama Barrow has arrived in Dakar, Senegal.

President Barrow is in Senegal to attend the swearing in ceremony of President Macky Sall.

Mr Sall will be sworn in on Tuesday in Diamniadio.

At least 20 heads of state and government have started arriving in Dakar for the epic event.

I Respect Barrow But I Will Tell Him the Truth Whenever… – Kandeh

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By Lamin Njie

Mamma Kandeh has said he respects President Adama Barrow as the chosen leader of The Gambia but he will not hesitate to tell him the truth when the need arises.

The GDC leader stated this at his party’s rally held in Buiba, Jarra Central on Saturday.

Kandeh said: “You are the president and we will respect you. But if the time for us to speak the truth comes, we’ll speak it. So Barrow should choose; it’s either he allows his movement to take over or he continues to lead. The reason is Barrow is the president of Gambia and all of Gambia’s wealth pass through his hands.

“Before Barrow became president, let him come out and reveal where he built a house for chicken. So what we would expect is that if Barrow becomes president, the government has insitutions. There are all types of ministers in the government but he is instead using a movement [to deliver development projects].

“I heard the Barrow Movement saying it will give boreholes to people. They’re just trying to emulate Mamma Kandeh and I take joy in that because Mamma cannot do it alone. So if Mamma does 10 and Barrow and Darboe and Hamat Bah also do theirs, Gambians will get what they want.”

GPU Slams New State House Security Measure, Asks Journalists to Snub NIA

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By Lamin Njie

The Gambia Press Union has said that the new security measure introduced by the Office of the President violates international best practices on press freedom.

GPU on Saturday convened an emergency general meeting in response to a new policy by the State House requiring journalists to undergo security screening at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) for accreditation to cover the presidency.

The new measure was announced last week by the Office of the Director of Press and Public Relations (DPPR) at the Office of the President.

The director of Press and Public Relations Amie Bojang Sissoho has vowed to implement the measure.

But Gambian journalists on Saturday met to discuss an issue that is already being politicised and have agreed to stay away from the exercise.

A communique issued by the GPU on Sunday said: “The screening by NIA, renamed SIS, is in addition to a State House-prepared accreditation form already filled by journalists giving every information about their work and as well submitting their national identity cards. In essence, the information given was enough to be used for background checks,” the union said. Now in addition to this, with the new policy, journalists are required to go before a panel of NIA officials for security screening which could last for about an hour.”

“Since the announcement, the GPU issued a media alert urging journalists to stay away from any such arrangement until it exhausts consultations with the relevant authorities on the matter, the GPU said. The GPU has had brief engagements with and made its position known to the Office of the DPPR.

“Following hours of discussions at the GPU offices, we the media professionals in The Gambia hereby resolve that: We acknowledge that the Office of the DPPR has over the past two years cooperated quite well with the press and has made tremendous efforts towards facilitating the work of the press on matters of coverage of events involving the presidency; We recognise the improved environment for press freedom. We recognise the ongoing efforts by the government working closely with the media towards improving the relationship between the government and the media; We recognise our constitutional right to hold the government accountable to the people.

“Access by journalists to such important office as the Office of the President is crucial in pursuant of our mandate as the watchdogs; We acknowledge that institutional arrangements such as press accreditations are sometimes necessary to ensure security, and law and order. We are ready and willing to respect and comply with any such measure that aims to promote, not to curtail, press freedom. We however are convinced that while background checks by security on journalists may be the norm, nowhere in the world does the process of issuance of press accreditation involve screening in the form of a panel of intelligence personnel.

“We therefore consider the screening process as required by the Office of the DPPR as an interrogation, not a background check. We have taken a common position that screening of journalists in this fashion by the NIA is a non-starter.

“It violates international best practices on press freedom as it places unnecessary barriers to the exercise of the right of the journalist to inform the people of what the government is doing on behalf of the tax payers. We are of the view that the new measure provides room for abuse of press freedom that it could be used in the future to shut out media professionals who are deemed to be critical of government and government officials

“In view of this, the emergency meeting resolves that no journalists should subject him/herself to any NIA screening. Complying may bring about long term safety complications for journalists. GPU will not intervene if any such person gets into trouble arising from complying with the new requirement. The meeting also called on the GPU to continue engaging the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure and the DPPR with a view to bringing accreditation procedures in line with standards that support the freedom and safety of media professionals.

“In conclusion, The Gambia is emerging from two decades of dictatorship during which journalists were tortured, jailed and exiled. When this government came, one of the things they promised the people was an improved environment for the protection of human rights and press freedom. A lot has been achieved in this direction. We are thus urging the authorities to refused any temptation that could derail this progress.”

Karpowership, MOL to Provide LNG-to-Power Service

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Karpowership, the world’s largest floating power plant company and the largest FRSU operator in Asia, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd (MOL), have agreed to collaborate in the LNG-to-Powership business (“Business”) to become the world’s most reliable and preferable LNG to Powership solution provider, under the brand name of “KARMOL.
The parties on March 29, 2019 announced they aim to co-invest in the related assets and joint market its solution in selected markets around the world.
The Business will generate power through the Powership® by receiving regasified LNG
through a floating LNG storage and regasification unit, FRSU, to provide reliable electricity to shore grids and facilities where base load electricity and/or replacements of fuel mode are required to meet the environmental concerns. Significance of this KARMOL collaboration are;
(1) Very competitive initial Capex construction cost and fast track solution to provide LNG
to Power to create immediate savings for customers and to meet the power demand
(2) Replacement of higher emission fuels by LNG to significantly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions
(3) Business synergy is assumed by combining both companies track records and excellence in their operations. MOL’s track record and expertise of LNG Carrier and FSRU business and Karpowership’s track record and expertise of Powership® business(*3).
Hereafter, MOL and Karpowership will jointly promote the LNG-to-Powership solution to
provide this cost competitive and robust solution in selected markets. The parties will aim to materialize several projects in the coming years.
Prior to this press release, parties have started to convert an existing LNG carrier into a
floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) to provide regasified LNG to a Powership.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. is a Japanese transport company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the largest shipping companies in the world, and the largest LNG Carrier Operator. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines fleet includes dry cargo ships, liquefied natural gas carriers, Ro-Ro Car Carrier ships, tankers and also diversifies its business to maritime related industries. https://www.mol.co.jp/en/index.html
Karadeniz Holding, a parent company of Karpower International B.V (Karpowership) was founded in 1948 and entered the trading business of heavy industrial machinery and products. Karadeniz leads the energy sector not only in Turkey but in the world, as well as having operations in the finance, real estate, and shipbuilding industries.
In 2007, Karpowership began the production of the first floating power plant “Powership“ fleet with the vision of illuminating the world and becoming the pioneers of the global energy market. Karadeniz Holding, which manages the Powership® fleet under its international brand Karpowership, is the only owner, operator and builder of the first Powership™ (floating power plant) fleet in the world and plays an active role in medium
to long-term investments; with more than 2500 employees globally. Currently, Karpowership owns and operates 20 Powerships in countries such as Indonesia, Ghana, Mozambique, Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Lebanon.
For more information about Powership®, please refer to their website; http://www.karpowership.com
Your contacts for further information:
Karpower International B.V.
TEL: +90-212-295-4737
FAX: +90-212-295-4773
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Media Relations Team
Corporate Communication Division
TEL: +81 3 3587 7015
FAX: +81 3 3587 7705

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