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London Patient ‘Cleared’ of HIV

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A London patient has become the second known man to be cleared of AIDS virus after receiving a bone marrow transplant from an HIV resistant donor, according to his doctor.

The patient has shown no trace of previous HIV infection since he underwent the transplant operation three years ago.

“There is no virus there that we can measure. We can’t detect anything,’’ said Ravindra Gupta, a professor and HIV biologist who co-led a team of doctors treating the man.

However, Gupta described his patient as “functionally cured’’ and “in remission,’’ rather than “cured. It’s too early to say he’s cured,” he said.

The first known patient to be functionally cured of HIV is an American man, Timothy Brown, who also underwent similar treatment in Germany in 2007.

Both patients received bone marrow stem cells from donors with a rare genetic mutation known as “CCR5 delta 32,” which confers resistance to HIV.

Between Brown and the new London patient, scientists made several attempts to cure other AIDS patients using the same method, but failed in all of them.

Gupta said the method used is not appropriate for all patients but offers hope for new treatment strategies.

The study is to be published on Tuesday in the journal Nature.

As of 2017, there were approximately 36.9 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS.

AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by more than 51 per cent since the peak in 2004, according to the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS.

The authors of the study published Tuesday have also said the technique may not necessarily be effective for all HIV-infected individuals, specifically those carrying the gene CXCR4.

CCR5 is the gene allegedly edited by Chinese scientist He Jiankui, which led to the birth of babies in 2018, who are said to be HIV resistant.
Sarah Palmer, the Deputy Director of the Centre for Virus Research at The Westmead Institute for Medical Research in Sydney, said the study “further confirms the promising HIV curative effects of bone marrow transplantation from the relatively few persons, who have the HIV resistant cells.

“However, this curative process is not yet applicable to tens of millions of other HIV-infected individuals worldwide. The next steps should be focused on how to do so,” she added.

DEPORTATION: Stop Giving False Information to Gambians, Campaigners Tell Sankareh

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Anti-deportation campaigners under a group called Concerned Gambians on Tuesday called on the spokesperson of The Gambia government to stop giving false information to Gambians regarding Gambian immigrants in Europe.

Ebrima Sankareh on Monday said the Gambia Government has supported more than 200 Gambians to integrate successfully in Germany.

Campaigners against deportation said Sankareh’s statement is inaccurate and misleading.

They said in a statement signed by their spokesperson Omar Saibo Camara: “I write on behalf of concerned Gambians and members of the Gambia Refugees Association in Europe to express our disappointment in the premature and negligent manner in which Ebrima G. Sankareh, Spokesperson of the Gambia Government responded to our press release calling on Gambians to join our proposed peaceful protest scheduled for March 7, 2019, at West Field in the Kanifing Municipality.

“We expect the Gambia Government to communicate effectively and professionally on issues of national concern such as the current trend of deportation but not to use a propagandist in the person of Ebrima G. Sankareh to discriminate and castigate Gambians in the Diaspora especially migrants and refugees. This approach is ill-advised and the Government must improve on its communication strategy.

“We hereby inform Gambians that Sankareh’s statement, dated 4th March, 2019, indicating that the Gambia Government has supported more than 200 Gambians to integrate successfully in Germany is inaccurate and misleading. We challenge the Government of The Gambia to provide evidence to that effect that they help any citizen with integration. In Germany, integration is handled by German social workers but not any foreign nation.

“Mr. Sankareh should know his job better and stop giving false information to Gambians. Besides, the Government must stop being defensive and effectively communicate with those concerned about the deportations, especially the manner in which they are handled and in ensuring that the legal rights of citizens are not violated and are exhausted therein.

“In his release, Sankareh addressed us as detractors and people looking for cheap popularity. We frown upon this disrespect to our plights and it shows the inefficiency of the government in providing solutions to problems. A government that is unable to bring about solutions to challenges it is facing always results to the use demeaning descriptions to those it has divergent views with, painting them as detractors or political pundits looking for popularity. It is a shame that Gambia government officials continue on this mediocre path of dealing with citizens that raise concerns about issues affecting them.

“We are not detractors and we are not interested in cheap popularity. What we want is for our government to address the deportation issue or communicate in a very clear and effective manner to Gambians once and for all regarding the issue. We have tried several diplomatic approaches to reach out to the government and appealed for their intervention but they ignored us.

“We have applied for a permit from the police but they are still delaying it that we should wait on the government, and that they will discuss about the deportation. Lest we remind them: we have the right to peaceful assembly.

“We have since January reached out to the government and have written letters to President Adama Barrow; Vice President Ousainou Darboe; the ministers of Youth, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Justice; all the National Assembly Members, including the Speaker of the House and the heads of all political parties but to no avail. Enough is enough! We are going ahead with our peaceful protest as necessitated by the lack of response and concern by those we have elected to protect and serve us as citizens.

“We are, therefore, inviting every Gambian to our peaceful protest to be held at West Field on Thursday, March 7, 2019.”

Police Dismiss Marina Int’l Head Teacher Arrest Claims

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The Gambia Police Force on Monday dismissed reports it arrested and charged the head teacher of Marina International School.

Marina International School is entombed in crisis after an incident involving its head teacher and a student.

Gainako News, an online portal, over the weekend reported that a 13-year-old student was expelled by the head teacher of Marina International for driving a car to school, which is against the school’s policy.

The paper also reported that the police intervened and arrested the principal after they were bribed by the family of the boy.

The Gambia Police Force in a post on its official Facebook page on Monday said the media reports are not “only unfounded but lacks merit as we have investigated and found out that no such case was reported at any of our police stations, nor has the head teacher been charged or bailed by the Police.”

“The management of the Gambia Police Force frowns seriously over professional misconducts and will not hesitate to apply the Police Disciplinary Code on any officer who is found acting in contravention.

“We do understand that orderlies attached to judges at the high court were sent to Marina International School to execute a high court order inviting the school head teacher to appear before the court.

“The Office of the Inspector General of Police is in receipt of a complaint regarding the manner in which those officers conducted themselves at the school and the general public is assured that investigations will be conducted,” the GPF said.

FJC Abandons Gambia Return

By Lamin Njie

Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay has abandoned her plan to return to the country and turn herself in to authorities, The Fatu Network gathered Monday.

The former speaker of the national assembly is wanted by police following her shocking attempt aimed at derailing the work of the TRRC.

A witness last week told the commission Jahumpa Ceesay called him and asked him to turn his back on the investigation.

Alhagie Kanyi while admitting to the killing of as many as nine people said he was surprised as he didn’t know Jahumpa Ceesay ‘in the night and in the day.’

Jahumpa Ceesay was expected to arrive in The Gambia on Sunday from Dakar but a source told The Fatu Network she has abandoned the trip.

Jahumpa Ceesay is not the only one named by Kanyi in the shameful act.

Kanyi said former army lieutenant Yankuba Touray also called him and told him he should not mind the TRRC.

Touray has since been arrested and has been hauled up before court. He faces up to three years in jail.

Meanwhile The Fatu Network has gathered that Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay owns a house in Dakar, Senegal.

UNITED KINGDOM: Gambian Boy in Hospital after Vicious Slashing across Face

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A teenager from Gambia who was visiting his family in the UK was viciously slashed across the chin in an unprovoked attack.

Police say the 18-year-old who was visiting relatives in Yorkshire, was in Crow Nest Park, Dewsbury, on Tuesday evening when the attack by three males took place as he walked by a duck pond.

West Yorkshire Police Duty Inspector Darren Brown said a call was received by his colleagues at 6.21pm.

He said: ‘It happened near the duck pond and initial reports were that he was attacked by three white males.

‘We struggled to find him, but eventually he was located at Dewsbury & District Hospital receiving treatment for his injuries before he was transferred to Pinderfields Hospital.

‘Police identified the scene at Crow Nest Park and couldn’t find the suspects on the day.

‘The victim has sustained facial injuries including deep wounds to his chin, but they have not gone all the way through this cheek.

‘Enquiries are ongoing and no-one has been arrested. We are appealing for witnesses and anyone with any information should get in touch on 101 and quote crime reference 104924 of the 26th.’

Michael Ramsden, who lives in Dewsbury, said: ‘My brother-in-law was attacked and slashed with a knife in Crow Nest Park at 6pm on the 26th by three youths.

‘This was a random attack so could happen to anyone. Please be on your guard.’ (Metro)

‘I TAKE IT IN GOOD FAITH:’ Gassama Reacts as Barrow Choses him to Replace Sacked Ya Kumba Jaiteh

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By Lamin Njie

Foday Gassama on Monday said he takes President Adama Barrow’s decision to name him as a member of the national assembly in good faith.

President Barrow on Monday announced he was replacing Ya Kumba Jaiteh with Foday Gassama.

Mr Gassama had served as a regional youth coordinator for the United Democratic Party for West Coast Region.

Gassama, reacting to his picking, told The Fatu Network: “The 1997 constitution gives the president the prerogative to nominate or denominate a national assembly.

“So in exercise of that power, he decided to appoint me as new member of the national assembly of the republic of The Gambia. So I really appreciate and I take it in good faith.”

Gassama’s nomination comes as opinion remains bitterly split over whether the president has the power to fire a member of the national assembly.

President Barrow last week swung to action and sacked Ya Kumba Jaiteh as a member of the national assembly.

The constitution allows the president to nominate five people to the national assembly and Ms Jaiteh was among five people who were handpicked in 2017 by President Barrow to be members of the national assembly.

But the president’s decision to sack her has prompted controversy.

Breaking: Barrow Picks Foday Gassama to Replace Sacked Ya Kumba Jaiteh

By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow has doubled down on the sacking of nominated national assembly member Ya Kumba Jaiteh by naming her replacement.

President Barrow last week announced the termination of Ya Kumba Jaiteh who he handpicked to be member of the national assembly in 2017.

The move prompted debate over whether the president had the power to dismiss a member of the national assembly.

But State House of The Gambia said in a Facebook post on Monday President Barrow has nominated Foday Gassama to replace Ya Kumba Jaiteh. His nomination took effect on Monday, the presidency added.

Foday Gassama has served as a regional youth coordinator for the United Democratic Party but he has been finding life difficult in the party in recent times.

He is accused of being a member of the President Barrow Youths for National Development.

TRRC vs Yankuba Touray (and Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay) – Lost in Translation

By Sana Sarr

News broke that the Truth, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission (TRRC) ordered the arrest of former junta member, Yankuba Touray. According to the release,
“Touray’s arrest follows a complaint by the Ministry of Justice over concerns expressed by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) that the subject was either attempting to tamper or interfering with its witness, ex-army Sergeant, Alagie Kanyi, or attempting to pervert the course of justice by concealing evidence that could potentially incriminate him and junta colleagues in alleged atrocities and extra-judicial executions meted out to citizens while in power.” – MOICI

 

As usual, Gambian Social Media has gone into overdrive, mostly with supporters and critics on both sides. Naturally, a lot of the comments I’ve come across are guided more by emotion than by fact or reason. I found 2 particular questions most common and concerning because many seem to have misunderstood the reason/justification for Yankuba Toura’s arrest.

1. Why arrest Yankuba Touray and not arrest the NIA Director Sowe who tampered with evidence by overseeing construction at the NIA Headquarters?

Answer:Yankuba knew that Kanyi had been invited by the TRRC for questioning. He called Kanyi and tried to stop him from responding to the invitation because he did not want Kanyi to name him and his friends. That’s a clear case of witness tampering.
The NIA director could very well be guilty of tampering with evidence, but it’s not yet as clear (to me.) One can assume, and I would certainly agree, that the only purpose of all that construction at crime scenes have a sole purpose of covering up evidence. What’s unclear is whether there’s enough evidence to prove that the action offends the TRRC.Was the construction started before or after the TRRC began sitting? Did the TRRC inform the NIA that they would be visiting? If so, did the constructions begin before or after such notification?The answers to these types of questions will advise the TRRC’s decision to arrest NIA Director Sowe.
IF there’s evidence that the NIA began construction AFTER the TRRC informed them that they would be visiting to gather evidence, then it would be a clear case of evidence tampering to obstruct the TRRC. That would make an easy case for the TRRC to prosecute. Anything less than that provides a weak case that no serious prosecutor would jump on just out of emotion.

 

  1. Why arrest Yankuba Touray and not the other junta members and/or suspects named by TRRC witnesses?
    Answer:Because the TRRC is still at the stage of investigations, hearing witnesses and gathering evidence. NOT yet at the stage of prosecuting people for crimes committed between 1994 – 2016. Upon completion of its investigations, it will make recommendations to pardon or prosecute suspects based on their level of involvement. Yankuba was not arrested for crimes committed during APRC rule. He is arrested as a suspect for offending the TRRC (and the Gambian people) by trying to obstruct the work of the TRRC. As the release from the government goes on to clarify…

    “The Gambia Government wishes to make it categorically clear that any attempt to interfere with TRRC witnesses, their testimonies or tampering and or concealing evidence formally or informally, is utterly criminal and punishable by law.” MOICI

 

The revelations about murder and torture overseen by the Yaya Jammeh’s AfPRC regime are indeed gruesome. It’s natural that they elicit such strong emotions in society, especially one as close-knit as our small Gambia, where everyone knows everyone else. These victims, and suspects, are people we know and live with, so by all means we are justified to be angry. However, we must allow our rationality and sense of justice guide our anger. We must endeavor to gather all the relevant information and make sure we fully understand issues, before we take certain actions or make certain proclamations. The country is at a crossroad and we need to make sure we get this right. In trying to fight for justice, we cannot be unjust. In trying to prosecute people for violating human rights, we cannot violate their rights. The law is not a “one size fits all”and there will be many instances of “similar but not identical.”

So far, the TRRC has not given us much reason to question their competence, fairness or professionalism. I hope we remain vigilant with them, but also give them the support they need to do the job we asked them to do.

Breaking: TRRC INTERFERENCE: Yankuba Touray Appears in Court

By Lamin Njie

Yankuba Touray on Monday appeared in court charged with interfering with a witness of the TRRC.

Touray was arrested on Saturday after a witness told the TRRC the former local government and land minister called him and asked him not to cooperate with the commission.

The witness ended up appearing before the commission and named Touray as one of the people who brutally murdered state minister Ousman Koro Ceesay in 1995.

The 1994 junta topshot on Monday appeared at the Kanifing Magistrates Court charged with interfering with informants or witnesses contrary to Section 36(a) of Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission Act, 2017.

According to prosecutors, Touray on or about 5th January, 2019 called Alhagie Kanyi a potential witness of TRRC through his africell number and told him that he should not mind the commission as they cannot do anything.

Prosecutors say his action amounted to interfering with the work of the commission.

He was granted bail in the sum of one million dalasis and will reappear in court next week Monday.

Anti-Deportation Campaigners to Stage Protest Thursday

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A group, Concern Gambians Against Deportation, will stage a march past on Thursday to protest against the deportation of Gambians from Europe.

The group in a statement signed by its spokesperson Omar Saibo Camara at the weekend said: “The general public is hereby informed that the Concerned Gambians will be organising a peaceful demonstration in The Gambia on Thursday, 7th March 2019 at West Field ground in the Kanifing Municipality. The demonstration will be organised in wake of the recent trend of deportation happening from Europe especially Germany.

“There will be a march past from Mobile Traffic Junction along Mamadi Maniyang Highway to the Youth Monument at West Field in the Kanifing Municipality.

“The Gambia Refugees Association-Europe Branch in collaboration with the Concerned Gambians are therefore appealing to the entire Gambian populace, youths, women, parents, activists, Human rights defenders, Civil Society Organisations, etc to join the demonstration and put pressure on Gambia Government to engage the European Nations to stop deporting Gambian migrants and refugees.

“Recently, Germany has announced that the it will deport 2,500 Gambians and the mass deportation has started since last year December. Several efforts have been made to convince the Gambia government to engage the EU but nothing has been done. Enough is enough and we urge our government to stop the deportation now.

“Additionally, we demand that the European police stop maltreating our brothers and sisters who are being deported. The latest group of 20 deportees that arrived at the Banjul International Airport on Monday, February 25, 2019, were handcuffed and have their legs shackled from Germany to Gambia. This is totally wrong and is against human rights. We demand that the European police stop such heartless, wicked and racist act now. And we call on the Gambia government to address the harrassments and rights violation meted out on our people during the process of deportation.

“Upon arrival at the Banjul International Airport, the deportees were escorted by the police and Immigration officers to the old buildings at the airport to undress and release them from the chains and handcuffs that were put on them. The journalists who were present at the airport were denied access by our very own Gambian security (Police, Immigration and GCAA security at the airport) and they could not get clear pictures of the handcuffed deportees with their legs schackled in chains until they were freed. This is very shameful and is undone. We are no longer in the time of slave trade and we will not tolerate such anymore.

“Therefore we are appealing to all Gambians to join the demonstration in Banjul on Thursday, March 7, 2019 to put an end to this inhumane and unfair treatment.

“Free vehicles will be available at various locations such as Bakau, Sukuta, Tabokoto, Brikama, Tanji, Brufut, Gunjur, etc, to transport people who want to attend the demonstration.

“T-Shirts and banners will be available as well. Come out in your numbers and let’s demonstrate to stop this unjustified deportation.

“Finally, we have applied for permit to organize this demonstration and we are hopeful that it will be issued on Monday. Equally the police have promised to provide escort for the protesters on Thursday.”

Internet Turns 30 this Month, Inventor Rues Hijack by Crooks

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Thirty years ago this month, a young British software engineer working at a lab near Geneva invented the world wide web, later known as internet, for scientists to share information that would ultimately change humanity.

But three decades after his invention, Tim Berners-Lee has warned that his creation has been “hijacked by crooks” that may spell its destruction.

Berner-Lee’s old office at Europe’s physics lab CERN now looks no different than the others lining the long, nondescript corridor within the expansive compound.

The only indication that history was made there is a small commemorative plaque and a page from an old CERN directory hung on the door, with “MOMENTARILY OUT OF OFFICE!” written in jest next to Berners-Lee’s name.

“Tim worked a lot,” said technician Francois Fluckiger, who took charge of the web team after Berners-Lee left for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1994.

“The lights were always on in his office,” Fluckiger told AFP.

Berners-Lee was responsible for CERN’s internal directory but was interested in ways to allow the thousands of scientists around the world who cooperated with the lab to more easily share their work.

His vision for “a decentralised information management system” soon gave birth to the web. Primitive forms of the internet — a network linking computers — had previously existed, but it was the World Wide Web that allowed web pages to be collected and accessed with a browser.

“Very early on, we had the feeling that history was in the making,” Fluckiger said.

In 1990, Belgian scientist Robert Cailliau came onboard to help promote the invention, which used Hypertext Markup Language, or HTML, as a standard to create webpages.
They created the Hypertext Transfer Protocol, or HTTP, which allows users to access resources by clicking on hyperlinks, and also Uniform Resource Locators, or URLs, as a website address system.

At the end of 1990, Berners-Lee set CERN’s first web navigator server into action.

The browser was released outside of CERN in early 1991, first to other research institutions and later to the public.

Fluckiger, now retired, hailed the web as one of three major inventions in the 20th century that enabled the digital society, alongside the Internet Protocol (IP) and Google’s search algorithms.

But he lamented the “online bullying, fake news, and mass hysteria” that flourish online as well as threats to privacy.

“One has to ask oneself if we did not, in the end, create a completely out-of-control monster.”

Edward Singhatey Spotted in Abuja

By Lamin Njie

Potential TRRC big fish Edward Singhatey has been spotted in Abuja, Nigeria.

The TRRC is probing human rights violations and abuses that occurred under Yahya Jammeh’s rule and the former vice president of the Ecowas Commission’s name has fored.

Witness after witness have told the commission Singhatey is one of the living top 1994 junta leaders behind the November 11, 1994 killings. He has also been named as the mastermind behind the brutal elimination of a former Gambian secretary of state for finance Ousman Koro Ceesay.

A source told The Fatu Network on Monday Singhatey was still in Abuja.

“He was spotted by someone I know a few days ago,” the source said.

Singhatey is one of five young army officers who seized power in The Gambia in July 1994 and the army lieutenant at the time went on to serve in various roles including vice chairman in the transition government led by Yahya Jammeh.

Singhatey has been described by those who knew him at the time as a ‘sadist’.

A witness Alhagie Kanyi last week told the TRRC Singhatey in 1995 invited him to his house and told him they were going to ‘teach this fucking cunt a lesson.’

Kanyi said he later found out Singhatey was referring to Gambian finance minister Ousman Koro Ceesay who they ending up murdering in cold blood in fellow junta leader Yankuba Touray’s house.

On Shenanigans @ TRRC

Dear Editor
 
The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC Act 2018) came into being as a means to, ‘provide for the establishment of historical record of the nature, causes and extent of violations and abuses of human rights committed from July 1994 to January 2017. Listening to the catalogue of events as harrowing as the crimes there are, it is apt to affirm that the most serious infractions must NOT go unpunished. In the course of this write talking to various people across the spectrum, apparently, these crimes have impacted us all, not only ones directly affected. 
Given the depravity of a situation presented if witness testimony is anything to go by, It is incumbent upon The Gambia police to establish an ”ad hoc” team of investigators to shadow the TRRC whilst gathering evidence and names to connect the dots on legacy (cold case) crimes/
 
The government better wake up to the seriousness of the circumstance, at the heart of which lies the stability of The Gambia state.There is real fear that the very people cheering for TRRC’s existence may end up undermining it themselves, in view of ill-advised clamouring & politicking on the scene.
 
With the seriousness it deserves, suspects should be weeded out of governmental roles wherever they hide or reside in a deliberate push to order. Government ought to restore credibility. And as distressing scenes continue to playout – expect to hear more, even worst – we can only hope that the administration will fulfil a campaign / constitutional pledge seeing to it that justice is served without ill-will or favor!!!
Even moreso, with a dozen or so special advisors in town remitted on generous monthly paychecks, can someone at least prevail on the administration for a rethink on national security decisions in the application of ‘smart power’. Today, a suspected murderer, Edward Singhateh, leads Gambia at the Ecowas Commission. The president’s own incompetent national security advisor has a chequered past, as well as handpicked Chief of defense Staff. Despite efforts to have the disjointed army and NIA command disbanded for a fresh recruitment drive, all intentions were frustrated by the very hence-men recycled anew. Talk of credible reforms, the underhand army / SIS facelift appears but old wine in new bottles … yet the Gambian people are told to expect for a boisterous replacement facing up to 21st Century demands (huh). 
I will say this: No one should ever be pressured or forced to reconcile; given that politicians have already moved on from the terrible atrocities inherited, chasing votes left, right and centre. The obsession for re-election bid has had the resident at ‘Marina Parade’ took eye off the ball on critical challenges of governance. Even if speculation, the processions & commissaries continually summoned to State House for unknown known reasons must halt; and for parliament to get its house in order exercise scrutiny over the executive branch. 
Still, the president’s agenda could be best served by effecting a cabinet reshuffle; discarding the other old half for new players working in sync in the national interest – if he is to fulfil declared promises:  
Throughout history, noteworthy leaders have built up shiny legacies through efficiency and vision, which may attain through the rule of law being centre-stage in every decision. Now, given the harrowing scenes as dramatized at the TRRC, the fact that there still exist blood-stained villains pocketing monthly pay cheques at the expense of the taxpayer sickens me to the pit of the stomach. Their rightful abode is Mile 2 prison, to reprocess, rehabilitate on reflective justice until such time that … Listen, the pillars of abuse must cut to size and for justice to be felt and seen to serve!
In all respects, lack of decisive action by a disjointed coalition government too busy laying bed with remnants of the previous regime has come of great surprise. And it is precisely the reason some people find it difficult to support the president’s ideas. The country is best served on ideals; lead to show us what you believe in and the methods or formula to achieve them. 
The waste on bumper executive pay in relation to average wages is concerning. Better schools, teachers and nurses could have prioritised. The ministry of Justice continues to be a weak point as to advisory role for the gov’t, despite millions in budgetary and developmental aid throughout the process. Again, checks and balances must strengthen – for usurped power to return to parliament in the new constitutional amendment.
Lack of decisive action raining on perpetrators of crime has rendered the Barrow government weak in the eyes of observers. Through sheer greed, foolishness, succumbing to the lure of vested interest, various aspects of the transitional justice process has been rendered somewhat farcical.
 
The democratic way to go about it, perhaps had the Inspector general of Police have visionary qualities in him, you would think the Serious Crimes Unit will have, could have, but should have mobilised on legacy crimes for the courts. An investigative / prosecutorial team operational at the TRRC and Janneh Commission respectively to detain & prosecute infractions against the state. IGP Jobe and police HQ will be held accountable on these failings; notwithstanding credible institutional reforms, anti-corruption drive, as well as monthly/quarterly/annual crime figures – left to wonder if the police knew its true role and purpose in an ‘advancing’ democracy.    
Gibril Saine

FJC to Return to Gambia Today, to Turn herself in

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By Lamin Njie

Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay will return to The Gambia today after an election observer mission to Nigeria, The Fatu Network learnt Sunday.

Jahumpa Ceesay is on the radar of Gambian police following her shocking attempt to cause harm to the TRRC’s work.

A former soldier last week told the TRRC the former speaker of the national assembly asked him not to cooperate with the commission.

Alhagie Kanyi confessing to his sins of killing as many as nine people said Jahumpa Ceesay called him moments after another potential TRRC person of interest Yankuba Touray called him asking him to snub the commission. Her action left Gambians shell-shocked who have demanded that she be arrested.

A close source told The Fatu Network on Sunday that Jahumpa Ceesay will return to The Gambia on Sunday from Dakar.

She will go straight to Kairaba Police Station to turn herself in to authorities, the source added.

The Fatu Network editor Lamin Njie contacted her for comment but she did not respond to any of the messages sent to her via WhatsApp.

Meanwhile Jahumpa Ceesay’s suspected associate Yankuba Touray has since been arrested and has been charged under the TRRC act, government spokesperson Ebrima Sankareh said in a statement on Sunday.

The former army lieutenant is expected to appear in court this week, Sankareh added.

The reality of resurrection in New Gambia is needed beyond doubt

We have all been keenly following the proceedings of the Truth, Reconciliation, Reparation Commission. The hypothesis has been are Gambians that vicious to inflict such heinous crimes against their fellow citizens? As the TRRC continue to execute their mandate more revelations will surface in the public sphere for debate. Gambians will learn the horrendous crimes inflicted against their fellow citizens by a brutal regime that holds us hostage for 22 years. One of the recent confessions by a witness in the name of Alagi Kanyi is just the tip of the iceberg.  Now this leads me to the premise of my post are we able to forgive and reconcile as a Nation?

Forgiveness and reconciliation can occur in every sphere of human experience, including individual, community, national, and trans-national levels. In our discussion about forgiveness and reconciliation in regards to current revelations from the TRRC, it is important to make a distinction between the two before analyzing each of them in greater detail. On the one hand, forgiveness does not necessarily mean reconciling with the wrongdoer. There may be good reasons why someone may not wish to reconcile. Reconciliation is an additional choice. On the other hand, it is nearly impossible to reconcile with someone you have not gone some way to forgive.

Forgiveness is both a process and a choice, and may be both intrapersonal and interpersonal. It is a complex and enigm­atic concept, hard to pin down because it can apply in different ways to different situations; not everyone experiences it in the same manner. For some, it may result in reducing a personal hurt that makes life easier; for others, it may mean reconciling with an enemy and being able to live side by side again.

Individuals choose forgiveness for a number of reasons in times of hurt and trauma. In his book Unattended Sorrow, Stephen Levine writes that when trauma disturbs our future, deeper psychological wounds may persist; and “Long after the shrapnel is removed, the inner war continues” (Levine, 2005, p. 67).

The anger and rage elements of loss must be expressed. Anger naturally arises after being hurt and often needs to be integrated, not rooted out like some bacterial illness. Denial or suppressing anger is a survival strategy that helps some people cope for a while. However, being in denial for too long is unhealthy, as the underlying emotions evoked by a past event may become self-consuming as well as hinder one from moving beyond the initial pain. To move beyond pain and agony, this is why some members who have been named by key witnesses as accomplices who in fact took part in torture should not be in charge of running the affairs of our Republic. I do not want to sound like someone who is deeply entrenched in witch hunt; at the same time, it is painful to see these members within the government after testimonies from numerous witnesses. My suggestion will be for these members to be on some type of administrative leave until at some point when the commission complete their findings. Anything less will be injustice to victims and their families. I heard the argument that taking actions against these perpetrators before the commission’s final report will hinder some key witnesses to come forth; however, at the same time inaction sends a bad message.

In our collective efforts in community building we must all recognize that we are all capable of harm, given the right circumstances. The Russian author and dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote in The Gulag Archipelago: “If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?” (Solzhenitsyn. 2003, p. 75).

Truth commissions are official, temporary bodies used to investigate human rights violations and to provide a mechanism for countries and communities to come to terms with a past marked by prolonged conflict, human rights violations, and violence.  My assumptions are at the end, the commission will produce a report which will name individual perpetrators as well as individual victims. It will also provide detailed recommendations for reparations and offered proposed reforms to Gambia’s social, security and political systems. I am hoping in its report, the commission will include faith communities, the judiciary, prisons, armed forces, the health sector, media, and educational institutions in a reconciliation process.

We must all make it a priority in creating a safe space for reflection, and creating conditions conducive to questioning and changing attitudes for example discussing how society works, how humanity works, how forgiveness works, and how the psyche of a victim or a perpetrator work. Restorative justice views crime as injury rather than law-breaking, and justice as healing rather than punishment. Forgiveness should never be a condition of restorative justice, but is frequently an outcome, simply because when two people or two groups come to hear the story of the “other,” fixed perspectives start to shift. This restorative justice process demonstrates how individual transformation can lead to societal change.

Our government must make concerted efforts to support the TRRC in execution of their work. Few things that came to mind, the lead counsel and his deputy counsel should consider allowing witnesses to testify in local languages especially in their closing statements. Watching witnesses from afar, I will say most of them struggle in expressing recollection of events in English due to no fault of their own.

Finally, our Republic must get it right, we must endeavor to deliver justice to the victims and their families. Our shared values, passions and core beliefs must be enshrined in turning the page on the past. That means we must weed out those elements who have taken part in torture. In the military when a senior officer is alleged in wrongdoing, he or she is reassigned pending investigation to preserve discipline, order and unit cohesion. How do you explain to the junior troops when a Brigadier General is accused of using a sledge hammer to torture prisoners? How do you maintain discipline and order in the armed forces when some of their current leaders are named in gross human violations? I will say enough of political aggrandizement, enough of political polarization, tribal and religious divisive rhetoric. We must learn from the past that such actions haven’t paid any dividends but further divide us as people.   Let’s come together to form a perfect union despite our political differences. Democracy is great and sometimes it is noisy! At this time of great decision of our Republic. We must not be entrenched in the past but to look to the future. In a future that Gambians can lead and be define. We should all look to a future when our government respects our citizens because of the ideals of democracy. The governments we create are inherently imperfect and Gambia is no exception. However, the principles enshrined in our Constitution enable citizens to have freedom of speech, the right to assemble. Our citizens are entitled to better healthcare, education and infrastructure especially after 53 years of deficiency in providing these services.

Our government must reform laws, fulfill the promise it has made to the people and the entire world. Together we can define new standards of justice for the future, a standard that is clear, powerful and inspiring. Liberty is the longing of every soul and inevitably democracy is the ideal path for every nation. I must conclude by saying “NEVER AGAIN” THE TRUTH SHALL SET US FREE”. Fellow Gambians let’s all be stalwarts of our new-found democracy and never allow those who are in for themselves divide us. Let’s continue to work together for a better future for the Republic of Gambia.

Sariang Marong

Camp Lemonier

Djibouti East Africa

Police Yet to Arrest FJC

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By Lamin Njie

Police have yet to arrest Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay, The Fatu Network has learnt.

The former speaker of the national assembly faces arrest following her shocking bid to derail the work of the TRRC.

The TRRC is delving into the past human rights violations and abuses of former president Yahya Jammeh’s 22 years rule but last week, a witness told the commission Jahumpa Ceesay called him and asked him not to assist the commission.

The witness said it was her and Yankuba Touray who called him and told him he should not cooperate with the TRRC because it was a toothless bulldog.

The Fatu Network gathered on Sunday that police have yet to arrest her as she is not in The Gambia.

YANKUBA TOURAY: Complaint for Ex-Army Lieutenant’s Arrest Came from Justice Ministry – Sankareh

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Ebrima Sankareh on Sunday said the government will not under any circumstances condone any attempt by anybody to interfere with the TRRC’s operations.

The government spokesperson stated this while confirming the arrest and detention by police of Yankuba Touray.

Touray, a former army lieutenant and a founding member of the AFPRC governing council, was arrested and detained by police on Saturday.

“Yankuba Touray’s arrest follows a complaint by the Ministry of Justice over concerns expressed by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) that the subject was either attempting to tamper or interfering with its witness, ex-army Sergeant, Alagie Kanyi, or attempting to pervert the cause of justice by concealing evidence that could potentially incriminate him and junta colleagues in alleged atrocities and extra-judicial executions meted out to citizens while in power,” Sankareh said in a statement on Sunday.

According Sankareh, faces criminal charges under Section 36(a)(b) of TRRC Act, 2017.

Touray faces up to three years in jail should the police charge him and press ahead with his prosecution.

President Bio Engages Leadership of Political Parties for Inclusive Governance

State House, Freetown, Friday 1st March 2019* – His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has engaged the leadership of all political parties in his maiden consultative meeting as part of his inclusive governance approach to state governance.

Declaring the purpose of the meeting, the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon Sidie M. Tunis told the various political party representatives that he was instructed by the President to contact the leadership of all political parties for a meeting that will strengthen political engagement and collaboration.

Addressing the members of political parties, President Bio said that politics was now over and it was time for governance. He said that he believed all political parties would want the best for the country but that the routes to achieve that are different. President Bio said that the meeting was meant to show that politicians are not enemies but that all of them can work in the best interest of our country. “This meeting is to encourage dialogue among political parties for national development and social cohesion in the country,” President Bio stated.

President Bio also used the forum to update political parties on three recent national issues which have stirred up public debates: the appointment of the Electoral Commissioner – South, the Commissions of Inquiry and the declaration of the State of Emergency.
On the three issues, President Bio briefed the leaders of political parties that all of the decisions have been taken in the best interest of the country and that the forum will now strengthen the consultation and dialogue among political parties. “For instance, the Commissions of Inquiry is for all of us as politicians so that it can serve as a deterrent and draw a line under corruption,” President Bio asserted.

Explaining the rationale for the State of Emergency, President Bio emotionally explained that when he heard the statistics and listened to the stories of survivors, he felt compelled that something urgent needed to be done not just to call for action but to mobilise resources to support the survivors. He assured the leaders of political parties including representatives of the All People’s Congress that the State of Emergency was specific to address rape and sexual violence and not for politics.

Responding to President Bio, various senior members of other Political Parties including Hon. Minkailu Mansaray and Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh of the All People’s Congress, Dr Dennis Bright of the National Grand Coalition, Dr Jonathan Sandy of the National Unity and Reconciliation Party, Tamba R. Sandi of the Coalition for Change among others praised President Bio for the initiative to engage leaders of other political parties on national issues and individually stressed that such dialogue will promote social cohesion and reduce political tension. Detailed discussion also took place in camera between the President and political party leaders.

All seventeen (17) political parties were represented at the meeting by their senior leadership and these registered Parties are: Alliance Democratic Party (ADP); All People’s Congress (APC); Citizens Democratic Party (CDP); National Democratic Alliance (NDA); National Progressive Democrats (NPD); National Unity and Reconciliation Party (NURP); Peace and Liberation Party (PLP); People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC); People’s Democratic Party (PDP); Revolutionary United Front Party (RUFP); Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP); United Democratic Movement (UDM); United National People’s Party (UNPP); Unity Party (UP); National Grand Coalition (NGC); Republic National Independent Party (RENIP) and Coalition for Change (C4C). His Excellency President Bio also assured the leaders of political parties that such a meeting will be held more frequently to enhance political dialogue and collaboration.

SOURCE: Edward Singhatey, Ecowas Commission Have Parted Ways

By Lamin Njie

Edward Singhatey left his role as vice president of the Ecowas commission after his tenure ended almost a year ago, sources have told The Fatu Network.

The former defence minister of The Gambia has come under sharp national focus after the emergence of his name at the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission.

The TRRC is an investigation into the past human rights violations and abuses of former president Yahya Jammeh’s government, and the name of the former close confidante of Jammeh has emerged from the off.

As many as five witnesses have told the TRRC he has played a key part in a number of killings which include the November 11, 1994 bloodbath and the gruesome murder of a former Gambian minister of finance Ousman Koro Ceesay.

Gambians have been calling on the Gambia government to front Singhatey’s recall from the Ecowas Commission, his last known destination.

But a source close to Mr Singhatey told The Fatu Network on Friday “he is no more with Ecowas.”

“His tenure ended close to a year now,” the source added.

The Fatu Network could not immediately establish Mr Singhatey’s current address.

Meanwhile, The Fatu Network has learnt that the current vice president of the Ecowas commission is Madam Finda Koroma from Sierra Leone.

TRRC INTERFERENCE: Gambians Call for FJC’s Arrest

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By Lamin Njie

Gambians have called for the arrest of Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay for interfering with the work of the TRRC.

A former member of the Gambia National Army Alhagie Kanyi on Thursday told the commission the former speaker of the national assembly called him and asked him not to cooperate with the TRRC.

“I was wondering how this lady… I never know her (sic). Mmalong suto, mmalong tili (I don’t know her in the night, I don’t know her in the day, how did she manage to get my number? Through Yankuba [Touray]. But definitely for her the advise she advise me is that, ‘is your mother alive?’ I said, ‘yes my mother is alive.’ She said, ‘always do good for your mother let her pray for you but don’t mind about these people.’ I said, ‘which people?’ She said, ‘TRRC people, I learnt that they called you,’” Kanyi told the commission.

Kanyi also told the commission it was Yankuba Touray who first called him.

“He [Touray] said to me, ‘Kanyi where are you?’ I said, ‘I’m at home.’ He said, ‘okay don’t worry, are you called by these people?’ I said, ‘which people?’ He said, ‘TRRC.’ I said, ‘yes.’ He said, ‘yes I was also invite[d] by them but don’t worry, forget about them.’ He said, ‘so hope you didn’t tell them anything?’ I said, ‘sir, anything they ask me, I will tell them.’ He said, ‘forget about them, they can’t do nothing to you, we are the head, we are the senior, we are the leader.’ I switched off my mobile phone, I ring it off (sic),” Kanyi said.

Gambians immediately took to social media to call for the arrest of the duo who many say are ‘very close.’

“I hope the TRRC Chair will ask the High Court to issue arrest warrants and prosecute Yankuba Touray and Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay for interfering with witnesses and obstructing the work of the TRRC!” Madi Jobarteh, a political commentator, said in a Facebook post.

Astro Camara commented: “These criminals are indeed remorseless and never have the country’s interest in heart, therefore arrest warrants should be issued against them and prosecuted.”

Alieu Gako said: “Fatoumataaa jahumba ceesay from Kanyi’s testimony amounts to tampering in witness testimony. The TRRC should arrest Yankuba touray and shameless Fatoumataa Jahumba. The TRRC Act deemed it a punishable act.”

Salifu Jarsey on his part said: “Witness tampering is a crime and the two most be prosecuted to send a clear and unambiguous message to others who might be considering doing the same.”

George Nyouki said: “The wise think to do with them (Yankuba Touray and Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay) if it is true is for the TRRC to ask for an interim order to place them ( Yankuba Touray and Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay) under house arrest or at best detained them at the Police Headquarters until the TRRC investigators are through collecting their statements.”

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