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H. E. Fatima Maada Bio receives Warrior Award in California, USA

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, was honoured with the Warrior Award at the International Women of Power Luncheon in California, U.S.A. The award was presented to Her Excellency by international actress Jackie Appiah for her bravery and outstanding contribution towards women and girls in Sierra Leone.
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The International Women of power event celebrates women who are pace-setters, trailblazers and strong voices on issues of women and girls. First Lady Bio in her acceptance speech, reiterated that Africa has the youngest population and as a continent, we are destined for greatness. She also urged men to be part of the drive, to ensure women in Africa achieved their full potential. She also put out a stern warning that sexual perverts must #HandsOffOurGirls.

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The event brought together world celebrities like Wendy Raquel Robinson(Host), Tiffany Haddish, Ryan Destiny, Nomzamo Mbatha, Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah as honorees and stars like Jackie Appiah, Malinda Williams, Edwina Findley and Raven Goodwin, among others.

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It could be recalled that Madam Fatima Maada Bio in early October 2018 at an event in New York, was recognised and ranked among the Global Top 100 most influential women of African decent under 40 years.

Ethiopian Airlines: ‘No Survivors’ on Crashed Boeing 737

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An Ethiopian Airlines jet has crashed shortly after take-off from Addis Ababa, killing all on board, the airline says.

It said 149 passengers and eight crew members were believed to be on flight ET302 from the Ethiopian capital to Nairobi in Kenya.

The airline added that there were 33 different nationalities on board.

The crash happened at 08.44 local time, six minutes after the months-old Boeing 737 Max-8 took off.

It is not yet clear what caused the accident.

An eyewitness at the scene told the BBC there was an intense fire as the aircraft hit the ground.

“The blast and the fire were so strong that we couldn’t get near it,” he said. “Everything is burnt down. There are four helicopters at the scene now.”

First word of the crash came when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his “deepest condolences” on Twitter.

In an earlier statement, the airline said that search and rescue operations were under way near the crash site around the town of Bishoftu, which is 60km (37 miles) south-east of the capital.

“Ethiopian Airlines staff will be sent to the accident scene and will do everything possible to assist the emergency services,” the statement added.

Boeing, the company that built the aeroplane, said in a tweet that it was “closely monitoring the situation”.

Its 737 Max-8 aircraft is relatively new to the skies, having been launched in 2016. It was added to the Ethiopian Airlines fleet in July last year.

Another plane of the same model was involved in a crash five months ago, when a Lion Air flight crashed into the sea near Indonesia with nearly 190 people on board. (BBC)

NRP Denies Defection Claims

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By Lamin Njie

The National Reconciliation Party has denied the reported defection of dozens of its members to the United Democratic Party.

UDP on Saturday held a rally in Farafenni, North Bank Region, with a prominent member of the party claiming that more than 50 people have abandoned NRP and have gone on to join UDP.

“More than 50 people from nrp have switched their allegiance from little nrp headed by their chairman Dorro Bah to mighty UDP!!!! They just sake hand with our leaders,” Bakary Njie, a UDP national assembly member, said in a Facebook post on Saturday.

NRP quickly responded to the claims, saying they were false.

“We want to inform the general public that the information circulating on social media purporting that hundreds of NRP supporters led by Doro Bah cross carpeted to UDP, is false,” NRP said on its official Facebook page.

According to the party, Dora Bah was the APRC Chairman for Lower Saloum constituency.

“He joined UDP and recently got elected as it’s CRR Chairman. It is therefore illogical to say he cross carpeted to a party he already holds chairmanship or led people from a party he was never a member,” it added.

President Bio Woos academics and students at Harvard Law School, invites investors to Sierra Leone

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Friday 8th March 2019 –

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has wooed academics and students at Harvard Law School during a forum on Sierra Leone organised by the Centre for African Studies, Harvard University.

Delivering his keynote address, a confident President Bio said that he has prioritised human capital development because that is the foundation for sustainable development.

In his usual unique description of human capital development, he told his audience about the three components of human capital development which include education, food security and healthcare. In addition to the free quality education, he also highlighted measures he has undertaken for food security and accessible healthcare.

President Bio also said that he was in Harvard University to seek partnership and collaboration through experience sharing, knowledge sharing and learning. Discussing the cost of his flagship programme, free quality education, he also said that “ignorance is more expensive than education”.

President Bio used the forum discussion which coincided with International Women’s Day to higlight some of his policies which have been targeted towards the protection and empowerment of women and girls in Sierra Leone. In the area of education, he spoke about grants-in aid for female students pursing sciences in tertiary institutions. A passionate President Bio also explained about the state of emergency on rape and sexual violence as part of series of measures to protect girls and women.

President Bio also highlighted his achievements in revenue mobilisation and control of expenditure to demonstrate his efficient economic management of the state. He spoke of his war against corruption and the commissions of inquiry to ensure democratic accountability to the people.

During the dialogue forum there were also expert presentations by academics in the following areas: Dr Paul Farmer presented on Healthcare Infrastructure and Healthcare Delivery; Professor Fernando Reimers presented on K-12 Education for a Global World; Professor Margaret McMillan presented on Economic Development in Sub-saharan Africa and Professor Raymond Atuguba presented on Law and Governance in Sierra Leone.

Earlier, President Bio held discussion with the Harvard University President, Larry Bacow and senior academics of the University wherein a partnership between Harvard University and Sierra Leone was discussed.

Later in the evening, President Bio was also hosted to an investors dinner where the Presidential Adviser on Economic and Financial Policy, Mr Joe Demby, presented the Sierra Leone Investment Ecosystem Strategy and the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Mrs Nabeela Tunis presented on investors’ experience in Sierra Leone. During the investors’ dinner, President Bio also assured investors of his commitment to improve the investment climate in Sierra Leone and invited them that Sierra Leone is open for business.

EDMOND THOMAS: Police Say they’re Investigating Mechanic’s Death

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By Lamin Njie

The Gambia Police Force has said it is investigating the death of Edmond Thomas.

Mr Thomas is reported to have died under curious circumstances on Wednesday at a mechanic shop in Brikama.

The police in a statement on Saturday said they are aware of Mr Thomas’ death and that investigations were ongoing.

The statement from the GPF press office read: “On Wednesday 06 March, 2019, approximately 1730 hours, the Office of the Inspector-General of Police received information that the lifeless body of a man identified as Edmond Thomas was found lying under the chassis of a fuel tanker at the premises of Global Electrical Group (GEG) in Brikama.

“Preliminary investigations revealed Mr. Thomas was a mechanic supervisor at GEG until he was laid off some six months ago. On the fateful day, it is believed he drove to the location in his private vehicle, a black Pajero marked BJL 5388 B, and upon arrival, removed some parts from the fuel tanker which belongs to his former employer, GEG.

“Mr. Thomas’ body was found by the spouse of Mr. Foday Ceesay, a man employed by GEG to secure their premises. She informed her husband and he reported the matter to Kabafita Police Station.

“After taking appropriate actions, the Police moved the deceased to Brikama Health Centre and eventually Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital for autopsy.

“The Office of the Inspector – General of Police hereby informs the public investigations are ongoing and its outcome will be made public as soon as possible.”

Gambia’s Touma, Others Discuss Women’s Participation in Politics at Summit

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By Vanguard newspaper

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Mr. Moustapha Cisse Lo has disclosed that ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association, (ECOFEPA) has championed the legislation for the enhancement of women participation in politics in West Africa.

Cisse Lo made this disclosure at the end of a three day conference on Single Currency organised by ECOWAS Parliament in Dakar Senegal.

Mr. Cisse Lo said, “Women through the instrumentality of ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association, ECOFEPA, have championed the legislation for the enhancement of women participation in politics in West Africa.

“I acknowledge the roles played by the ECOFEPA, women caucus, with citizenry of the community.”

“The improvement of legislation for the citizen’s empowerment and their contributions towards ensuring further participation of women in political life in West Africa”.

International Women’s day is celebrated on March, 8th every year as a focal point in the movement for woman’s rights. This year’s theme which is #BalanceforBetter is a call to action for driving gender balance across the world.

Some Female members of the ECOWAS Parliament who spoke on what the day means to them.

Mrs. Veronica Sesay, who is also a member of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, said the International Women’s Day is a great day because it is very essential for women to be recognized for their role in the society.
She decried the fact that women are the vulnerable and contribute immensely to the society, out of the whole year; the role of the women is just acknowledged just a day out of 365 days in a whole year.

According to Mrs. Sesay” we are mothers, sisters, Aunties, so I am very much happy that this day is a day that should be worth celebrated by every woman.”

In my own parliament in Sierra Leone we have 12% representation but not withstanding, we interact because we have the male champions that work in collaboration with us whenever we have issues of women they come along with us.

“Just two weeks ago, we adopted a resolution for peace and security, for all the women in the whole world, in the adoption there is violence against women, affirmative action, all these was embedded in that resolution, in my country.”

“We don’t discriminate against women in Sierra Leone, just that sometimes, it is very difficult for women to come on board, but if we have the affirmative action adoption put in place, things will be better.”

Fatoumatta Njai, a member of the Gambian National Assembly, said women should be celebrated every day, because of the role they play in the society.

She noted in the Gambian Parliament, female parliamentarians are only seven percent.

For Ama Pomaa Boateng, a Ghanaian Parliamentarian and a member of ECOWAS Parliament said the day creates opportunity to promote the advancement and recognition of roles of women in any society.

Politically in Ghana, Boeteng noted that there has been increase in women participation.

She said, “Women should strive to compete favourable with their male counterparts.

Gambians Unload on Batchilly as Audacious GAP Leader Claims he Can Fix Gambia in 90 Days

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By Lamin Njie

A raft of Gambians have taken to social media to ridicule Musa Batchilly after the Gambia Action Party leader audaciously claimed he could fix The Gambia in 90 days.

“If they can borrow me Gambia, if they can borrow me. If Barrow can step out, borrow me, Gambia for like 90 days, Wallahi 90 days I will do a proper, effective impact the whole entire dunya (world) will talk about it. [In] 90 days I will do proper management. It [Gambia] [will] start walking,” Batchilly exclusively told QTV.

Gambians have taken turns on social media to react to Mr Batchilly’s comments.

Faith Cole posting a one-minute video of Mr Batchilly’s QTV interview on Facebook commented: “Belie where did this man come from, Gambia belie du dem (Gambia will not move).”

Pa Amang Sanneh, reacting to Faith Cole’s post, said: “Too bad I had to watch this gruesome show of a man. I’d rather we encourage leadership of people who are well contained in their emotions and ideas hence exhibit these in very excellent ways without having to sound aggressive, bullish and sarcastic. Met the man once in person some time last month, exchanged pleasantries though however snippets of this interview gave me an insight as to how much of power hungry individuals we have within our midst. God Save The Gambia.”

Gambia First, said: “Hahahahaha….OMG ” If they can borrow me Gambia 90 days, I will do a proper effective impact “…I will bring a battalion of proper technocrats “….I thought General Baxso was the worst English speaker among our politicians, but this Man surpassed him… Definitely kee dafa yabb Gambians…who in their right mind will vote for this clown ? Let him go sir somewhere please with his wolengish ( wollof + english ) dialect…lol”

Awa Omadi Sarr said: “…Borrow me Gambia… With that grammar, he might be worse than Barrow.”

Kebba Ceesay said: “Hahaha seriously ths guy is a clown… So thsi guy was an executive member of GDC… No wonder they failed.”

 

President Adama Barrow is a Deportee from Germany – Spokesperson

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By Lamin Njie

Government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh has said that President Adama Barrow is a deportee from Germany.

Sankareh made the astonishing revelation during a panel discussion on QTV on Thursday.

“The immigration issue… This question for me is a very passionate issue. It is very emotional. I have my own son deported from America. President Adama Barrow, the president of The Republic of The Gambia is a deportee from Germany, today he is the president of the Republic of The Gambia,” Sankareh told QTV’s Viewpoint even as he fell short of stating why Germany deported President Barrow.

The Gambia government is facing the full fury of the Gambian public in its handling of the deportation issue.

Anti-deportation campaigners holding a protest on Thursday demanded an end to what they describe as the government’s silence on the issue.

““We are here to send a message on behalf of our brothers in the diaspora. This movement came as a result of the announcement of the deportation of 2500 Gambians from Germany. It’s about government’s silence about deportation that’s what triggered this movement,” Omar Saibo Camara, one of the leaders of Thursday’s protest told fellow protesters at Westfield.

But the Gambia government on Friday said it has imposed a moratorium on the deportation of Gambians from Europe.

“Following intense diplomatic negotiations regarding the plight of thousands of Gambians facing potential mass deportations from across Europe, The Government of President Adama Barrow has imposed a moratorium on repatriations pending further negotiations with our European partners,” government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh said in a statement on Friday.

Gambia, Germany Agree to Halt Deportation – Sankareh

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By Lamin Njie

Government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh said Friday the Gambia government has struck an agreement with Germany to temporarily halt the deportation of Gambians from Germany.

Sankareh stated this in a statement he signed and sent to news media organisations including The Fatu Network on Friday.

Sankareh said: “Following intense diplomatic negotiations regarding the plight of thousands of Gambians facing potential mass deportations from across Europe, The Government of President Adama Barrow has imposed a moratorium on repatriations pending further negotiations with our European partners.

“After a frank and amicable meeting; first between the German Ambassador Stephen Roken and the Interior minister, Mr. Ebrima Mballow and later between Ambassador Roken and Gambian vice President H. E. Ousainou Darboe, witnessed by senior officials of the Gambian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, The Gambia government agreed with Germany to halt the planned mass deportations while better and more humane modalities are worked out. Meanwhile, Government is meeting visiting senior British officials on Monday and will be sending a correspondence to our Spanish, Italian, British and Austrian allies formerly informing them of the moratarium on pending repatriations.

“During the discussions, vice President Darboe responding to wild allegations of complicity in the ongoing repatriation of Gambians, made it categorically clear that “neither me nor Mai Fatty ever signed any agreement to deport Gambians from Europe” and expressed natural curiosity over the source of these unfounded allegations. This matter was corroborated by the German envoy that his government never signed any such deal or agreement with any Gambia government officials and that he was in fact, willing to face the media on this unfounded story. Therefore, the Government of The Gambia wishes to make it categorically clear that it has never received money from any European country to facilitate the mass deportation of Gambians as is persistently alleged. These are mere allegations and our European partners can be contacted by journalists and all concerned citizens for further verification.

“In a related development, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mamour Jobe, and a cross-section of the Service Chiefs had a very successful meeting at his office with representatives of Concerned Youth Gambia (CYG) who passionately deliberated on the inhumane nature of deportations and the associated social stigma and indulged The Gambia government to immediately intervene. IGP Jobe thanked Messrs. Yerro Jallow, Muktarr Saho and Malang Camara of CYG for their legitimate concerns over the plight of our fellow citizens and informed them of both the Government and Police’s equal interest in the protection and security of all its citizens. IGP Jobe assured the CYG representatives that Government takes the plight of deportees very seriously as evident in the on-going discussions at home and diplomatic negotiations with European partners.

“In the end, the police and CYG were able to reach an understanding, a permit was issued for their planned demonstration to highlight the plight of deportees which finally took place peacefully on Thursday at the West Field Youth Monument.”

Vice President Darboe NOT Sacked – Source

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By Lamin Njie

Ousainou Darboe has not been sacked as vice president of The Gambia contrary to rumours that he been removed, presidency sources told The Fatu Network on Friday.

Rumours awashed social media on Friday that the 70-year-old has been fired by President Adama Barrow.

Relations between the pair have in the past months been a matter of national focus with many Gambians claiming they were souring. Darboe has served as vice president of The Gambia since June 2018.

“I was at the presidency today and I can assure you that there has been nothing like vice president Ousainou Darboe being removed,” a presidency source told The Fatu Network on Friday.

Meanwhile The Fatu Network contacted the Director of Press and Public Relations Amie Bojang Sissoho over the issue but she did not pick a call.

The government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh told The Fatu Network he couldn’t say anything as he was only hearing about the issue.

Sankareh Says he Used Newspaper to Exploit US Immigration System, Others

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By Lamin Njie

Government spokesperson, Ebrima G Sankareh, has said that hundreds of Gambians were granted asylum in the United States and Europe thanks to his ‘own creative ingenuity’.

Sankareh said he made used of his defunct Gambia-Echo newspaper and have signed over 300 affidavits to help people gain asylum in the US, Israel, Europe and other parts of the world .

He made these remarks during a panel discussion on QTV on Thursday.

Sankareh said: “ Personally… for the past 22 years I have lived in America my home was home away from home for most Gambians. There were lawyers, former Yahya Jammeh ministers, former Yahya Jammeh soldiers and permanent secretaries across the spectrum.I have signed over 300 affidavits supporting Gambians to be granted asylum.

“And of all the people I sought asylum for none was ever denied.None. Likewise in Europe, Israel; all over the world using The Gambia-Echo newspaper and my own creative ingenuity. I am not a lawyer but I understood the immigration system so well I was able to do that.

“It will be hypocritical for me who just last year was signing hundreds of affidavits for Gambians to be granted asylum to come and join this government and want them to be deported. That’s not me. That’s far from the truth.We Gambians and journalists, because English is not our mother tongue, we tend to call everybody a refugee”.

Protest Demands End to Gov’t’s Silence on Deportation

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By Lamin Njie

Campaigners against deportation under a movement called Concerned Gambians have called on the Gambia government to end its silence on deportation.

Dozens of protesters on Thursday gathered at Westfield to express a variety of concerns on the deportation of Gambians from Europe.

“We are here to send a message on behalf of our brothers in the diaspora. This movement came as a result of the announcement of the deportation of 2500 Gambians from Germany. It’s about government’s silence about deportation that’s what triggered this movement,” Omar Saibo Camara, one of the leaders of Thursday’s protest said.

The Gambia government is facing the full fury of the Gambian public over the way and manner in which it is handling the deportation issue.

The protesters who wore t-shirts bearing the phrase, ‘Stop The Deportation,’ insisted the government must show greater concern.

“The deportation has started and the manner in which the deportation is done we have all been seing it but the government has been silent, the government has been ignoring,” Omar Saibo Camara who is the spokesperson of Concern Gambians said.

He added: “The Gambia government must take our lives seriously. We are angry because our brothers are being handcuffed from Germany like they are slaves.

“If the government says they don’t signed a deal that fine but has the government not seen how they are being sent back home? They can say something about that.”

Facebook to Become ‘Privacy-Focused Platform’: Founder

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Facebook is shifting to become “a privacy-focused messaging and social networking platform,” chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said Wednesday as he outlined a broad vision for transforming the social networking giant.

Zuckerberg said on his Facebook page it would be less of “the digital equivalent of a town square” because “people increasingly also want to connect privately in the digital equivalent of the living room.”

The announcement suggests a new emphasis for Facebook as it seeks to navigate a crisis over privacy and data protection amid revelations on how it handles personal user data.

Gambia Manjagos Seek Gov’t’s Intervention in Land Conflicts

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By Lamin Njie

Members of the Manjago ethnic group have met with the minister of lands, regional administration and religious affairs to seek for the government’s intervention in a festering land crisis, the spokesperson of the government has said.

Manjagos are embroiled in pockets of conflict over land in the Kombo areas of the country.

Ebrima Sankareh in a statement on Wednesday said the meeting took place on Monday “in the wake of communal tensions among members of the Manjago ethnic group within the Kombos and segments of their neighbours.”

He said: “The Government of The Gambia has assured Manjagos that they are coequals and very significant players in Gambian society and should therefore, never consider themselves as minorities or marginalized people.

“In a highly emotional yet very frank, amicable and productive meeting lasting almost two hours, the Minister of Lands, Regional Administration and Religious Affairs, Hon. Musa S. Drammeh who chaired the session on Monday, praised the Manjago community for their respect for law and order, discipline, hard work and peacefulness.

“Minister Drammeh told the crowded hall at the Quadrangle reflecting a cross-section of Manjago Alkalolu and representatives within the West Coast Region, that Government has been closely monitoring the unfortunate events among neighbours they have lived with peacefully for decades and that his ministry is determined to solve all these disputes amicably.

“Addressing the emotional graveyard issue at Tananeh village, Kombo South and all its sensitivities, Hon Drammeh assured the gathering that his ministry has since struck a deal with one Mr. Seedu Barrrow by compensating him with a piece of land at the Brusibi Layout. This according to Mr Drammeh, was meant to preserve the sanctity and respect befitting the dead and to consolidate on the gains made among neighbors lasting decades.

“Regarding the ongoing problems in Daya village in the same district and other Manjago settlements, Minister Drammeh assured the gathering that he has been in close consultations with the Chiefs, the Governor of West Coast and the Ministry of Justice as well as the office of the Chief Justice to ensure that this issue is resolved peacefully using our traditional mechanism and the law where necessary.

“In his remarks, the Minister of Fisheries and Water Resources, Hon. James Furmus Gomez, a respected elderly Manjago statesman among Gambian Catholics and Christians echoed similar sentiments and reaffirmed Government’s position in treating all citizens as equals. Mr. Gomez assured his tribesmen of Government’s unflinching resolve to promote peace at all times and its recognition of the Manjagos’ respect for the rule of law, hard work and dedication to duty in their respective spheres of life.

“In his contribution, the veteran broadcaster and Manager of West Coast Radio, Mr. Peter Gomez, himself a Manjago, thanked Ministers Drammeh and Gomez for their timely intervention, wise counsel and the seriousness and significance they attach to a very emotional matter confronting the Manjago ethnic group. Mr Gomez also admonished his people to continue to nurture their spirit of tolerance, hard work and respect for authority that they are known for.”

DEPORTATION: Sankanu Says German Gov’t Doesn’t Need Agreement to Remove Gambians

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By Lamin Njie

Germany-based Gambian Abubacarr Sankanu has said that Germany doesn’t have to sign an agreement for it to be able to deport people.

The Gambia government is accused of signing a deal with the government of Germany for the most powerful nation in Europe to deport Gambian immigrants.

Sankanu who worked with the immgration and asylum department of the government of Germany exclusively told The Fatu Network that “anybody who comes to Germany without a visa, you’ve violated the law and that’s what many young people don’t understand.”

He said: “You enter the country without a visa, under normal circumstances you should be expelled. But why is it that our boys when they come they come they leave them? [It] is because of the Geneva Convention.

“If you come and say, ‘I have a problem in my country, I need protection.’ They give you that cover and you go through that legal process. If not, the moment you step on the territory without a visa you should be deported.”

According to Sankanu, while the debate rages as to whether the government signed an agreement, 90 percent of Gambians in Germany are not supposed to be in that country.

He said: “This deportation issue is not as easy as… People are talking about it. I stayed out of it because I’m in the centre of it. I know what is going on. The debate is that the government signed, the government did not sign. It’s about denial, it’s about credibility issues.

“My own observation would have been let us move the debate further because the issue is that 90 percent of who are there, if you are to tell the truth, they are not supposed to be in Germany.

“They have either exhausted their procedure for asylum or they have no reason to stay in the country. But because German law says you cannot deport someone to a country with poor human rights record under Jammeh so many young boys.

“They call it Article 60. So that Article 60 of the German asylum law covered a lot of Gambians under Jammeh law. They had no reason to get asylum to stay in Germany but Germany gave them that protection because the law says you cannot deport somebody to a country where there is death penalty, where there is abuse of human right and that covered them. And now that Jammeh is gone, that protection is over.”

UDP’s Taal to GDC: You Guys Are Nothing

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By Lamin Njie

United Democratic Party spokesperson Almamy Taal has said the Gambia Democratic Congress is a party comprising nobodies.

The national chairman of GDC at the weekend said his party doesn’t want any UDP member including its leader Ousainou Darboe to lead The Gambia for even two days.

Dr Demba Sabally said because UDP is fraught with hypocrisy his party prefers President Adama Barrow to Vice President Ousainou Darboe.

The UDP spokersperson Almamy Taal reacting to Dr Sabally’s comments told The Fatu Network: “They [comments] are ridiculous and they are complete rubbish and as a party we are not going to be responding to all kinds of rubbish coming from…

“Mamma Kandeh was the one against the coalition when we were going to election. Everybody was approached, he did not join the coalition. We are all familiar with the history of these people. These people have been playing that kind of politics where you say all kinds of rubbish and the journalists are very happy to put it out there.

“This is what has happened here. Mamma Kandeh refused to join the coalition. The coalition has won. The coalition was led by somebody from UDP now everybody is trying to gang up and saying things about UDP. Election after election, UDP has been winning. I just don’t know why the journalists don’t find the responsibility to tell these people but UDP has been winning elections after elections.

“If you claim that there is hypocrisy within UDP, what are you saying exactly? UDP is a united party. These one-man parties are no-man parties that people are giving time of day. They are nothing, quietl frankly. I just don’t understand why the journalists are not looking at the facts and putting it before these people when talking this kind of rubbish.

“Who are these people representing, going around saying that there is hypocrisy between Almamy and his brother. How is that your business? It’s not even true. Why don’t you sort out your party? Your GDC, sort it out. Win elections so that people can see.”

Breaking: Defiant Ya Kumba Jaiteh Sues Barrow over Brutal Booting

By Lamin Njie

The supreme court has been invoked to stay a decision by President Adama Barrow sacking Ya Kumba Jaiteh as a nominated member of the national assembly, The Fatu Network learnt Wednesday.

Ya Kumba Jaiteh was brutally fired last week as a nominated member of the national assembly by President Barrow.

The move has divided Gambian opinion with the lawmaker vowing to continue in her role.

On Monday, President Barrow doubled down on his decision by naming Ms Jaiteh’s replacement.

A supreme court source told The Fatu Network on Wednesday Ms Jaiteh has filed a lawsuit in which she praying for an injunction to stay the president’s decision until the court makes a final ruling on the matter.

DEPORTATION: Thursday’s Protest on Course as Police Grant Permit

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By Lamin Njie

Concerned Gambians will hold a peaceful gathering on Thursday to protest against the deportation of Gambians from Europe.

It comes after the Gambia Police Force on Wednesday granted permit to the anti-deportation group to stage their planned protest.

“Please be informed that permission has been granted to you to go ahead with your peaceful demonstration slated for the 7th March 2019 at the Youth Monument in Westfield from 11:00hrs to 12:30hrs,” a letter seen by The Fatu Network and signed by Assistant Inspector General of Police for Operations Landing Bojang said.

The letter dated March 6, 2019 is addressed to the spokesperson of Concerned Gambians, Omar Saibo Camara.

Meanwhile police have asked the anti-deportation campaigners to ensure their gathering is held within the ambits of the law.

“No derogatory words or remarks should be addressed to any person that will eventually result to the breach of the peace. Failure to comply will result to revocation of this permit and or criminal prosecution,” the police said in their letter.

MARINA: Calm Returns to School as Court Stays Student’s Expulsion

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By Lamin Njie

A sense of sanity returned to Marina International High School on Wednesday after almost a week of disquiet over an incident involving the school’s principal and a student.

Marina International High School last week made headlines following the expulsion of a 13-year-old student.

The student was purged after school authorities found him wanting of driving a car to school.

The family of the student took the matter to court and an injunction was handed for the student to be allowed back in the distinguished private school until the matter was resolved.

The principal failed to comply with the injunction leading to court law enforcement officers storming Marina and bringing him in to court where he was charged with contempt.

The embattled principal on Wednesday told The Fatu Network the court has granted him bail on conditions which include allowing the student back in school.

“It is a standing court order and we’ll respect the order because it is also a condition of my bail. So, if I refuse I’m sure I will be put in jail,” William Arthur said.

Arthur also said the school is back in full operation.

“The students are back in school, those who are writing exams are writing their exams. There’s a 100 percent sanity and calm in school,” he said.

GDC Don’t Want Darboe to be President of Gambia for Even 2 Days – Sabally

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By Lamin Njie

The national chairman of the Gambia Democratic Congress, Dr Demba Sabally, has said that his party doesn’t want vice president Ousainou Darboe to be president of The Gambia.

Sabally speaking at a meeting held by GDC at the party’s bureau at Latrikunda Sabiji at the weekend said because of the hypocrisy within the United Democratic Party, the Gambia Democratic Congress neither wants Darboe nor any member of his party to lead The Gambia.

He said: “Today if Barrow resigns, for us we have asked a lot of people who are experts in the constitution. He (Barrow) will not be able to organise elections. He has only one power which is to resign and if he resigns, there is no elections in 90 days. God forbids if he dies today, it’s the speaker who can organise elections in 90 days but if resigns the one serving as vice president is the one who should complete the term. That is to say if the three years ends and Barrow resigns, the vice president there now Darboe will be the president for the remaining two years.

“For us at GDC, Barrow’s two years is better than Darboe’s two days as president. So before we say, ‘Barrow resign, Barrow resign’, for us as a party, what is our interest? If Barrow is there today, we don’t want that. We want Hon Kandeh to be there but for Barrow to resign, if we as a party do the pressuring until he resigns we will end up having Darboe.

“And Darboe and his party, the hypocricy that is in UDP, if that person becomes president for two years… And today IEC, you should know three people at IEC this year is there 13 years of service. At the end of this year, their 14 years would be complete. On the appointment of IEC commissioners, the act says seven years and there is automatic renewal for another seven years. So that makes it 14 years. When that finishes, the president can reappoint.

“In 2020, there are three commissioners including the chairman Momar Njie will be replaced. If we put pressure on Barrow for him to step down, in 2020 if Darboe becomes president, he will go ahead and appoint his own people and one among them will be the chairman of IEC.

“UDP today with their hypocrisy, if they control all of the government’s wealth, they control the security system, they become president, they become vice president, they appoint all IEC commissioners, appoint the IEC chairman, how can we as a party win?

“So anyone who says Barrow should resign… Left to me alone Hon Kandeh tomorrow will be the president. But whatever we do as a party, we should calculate our interest first. Because in as much as we don’t want Barrow there, but between Barrow and Darboe, Barrow can be there and after the end of five years we can go to elections. [That] is better than Darboe’s two days.

“To say that Barrow should step down now when there is no new constitution is a big gamble. I want people to understand this. For Barrow to be in power is not something we want but he’s the one God put there. But right now, for him to complete five years, we place more sense in that than Darboe spend two days there or anybody UDP member to spend two hours there.”

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