The Gambia Network of Aids Support Society has said that it has discovered a total of 1,207 new cases of HIV infections among Gambians in 2018.

The group made this revelation during a recent press conference held at its office in in Churchill Town.

GAMNAS officials described the number as a call for concern and added that the rate of the infection in the country could cause havoc if measures are not taken.

However, International Treatment Preparedness Coalition has been launched in the country to increase access to antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV.

It  covers at least eleven West African countries including The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Cote d’ voire, Guinea, and Togo.

The project aims to formalize and expand existing community treatment observatories to all focus countries, create a regional treatment observatory and build the capacity of the eleven national people living with HIV networks to do treatment monitoring.

Samba Sey, program manager at GAMNAS, said: “The project is targeting key population in the country and that key population they are the youth for this HIV infection because we see to it that they are the people that more vulnerable to HIV infection.”

He said the key barriers to HIV prevention are stigma and discrimination which he noted discourages many people from taking the test.

He said: “Unfortunately many barriers to HIV prevention remain stigma and discrimination still deters people from taking an HIV test. Access to confidential HIV test is still a concern many people still get tested after becoming ill symptomatic.” 

He further described HIV testing as essential for expanding treatment to ensuring that people living with HIV can live healthy and productive life.

The director general of State Intelligence Service has said the government remains committing to building an intelligence agency that is accepted by all Gambians.

“Today part of our reforms is to have the public institution in the name of the SIS that is accepted, that is trusted, that is recognize, that is not scary to the people, that is commanding the confidence of the people,” Ousman Sowe told journalists at a press conference held at the SIS headquarters in Banjul on Friday.

State Intelligence Service once named National Intelligence Agency is the intelligence agency of The Gambia responsible for gathering intelligence. However, the agency has a distressed past due to its complicity in the atrocities committed by the immediate past government. The government of President Adama Barrow has promised to rehabilitate the agency.

Mr Sowe said: “[Our objective is] to have an intelligence service of national character, an intelligent service that everyone can look at and say, ‘yes, that is state intelligence’. [An intelligence agency] that is devoid of tribe, is devoid of biases, is devoid of nepotism, is devoid of all those ills that are unhelpful…”  

According to him, the agency has come up with a new mantra, ‘no more excesses.’

“Our task is to reform restructure, reshape, reengineer and reposition the intelligence service in helping and meeting the national security needs of this country both home and abroad,” he said.

By Lamin Njie

The leader of opposition Gambia Democratic Congress Mamma Kandeh has said that his party was formed to fight tribalism.

Mamma Kandeh said this Saturday as hundreds of delegates met in Basse Upper River Region to pick a new leadership for GDC. It was the first time the party was holding an elective congress since its formation two years ago.

According to Mr Kandeh, “the GDC came to trample down tribalism and champion peace in our homeland.”

“As we came to champion peace, we envisage to have a happy nation, enjoy high standards of effective governance. The party was built to foster a culture of respect for the fundamental human rights and freedom with a highly skilled and motivated workforce,” the GDC leader told delegates.

“The part focuses on strong democratic foundations that promote popular and multi-party contest for power thus enabling the people to have and to make choice of their leadership.”  

By Lamin Njie

Deputy political adviser to President Adama Barrow Dou Sanno has said that the spokesperson of the United Democratic Party Almami Taal cannot know him because he is a stranger in the party.

UDP spokesperson Taal had in a recent media encounter sarcastically asked, ‘who is Dou Sanno?’

Reacting to Mr Taal’s comments during an exclusive interview with The Fatu Network, Mr Sanno who continues to face the full fury of some members of the United Democratic Party over his part in the President Barrow Youth for National Development said Mr Taal is a stranger who will not be able to know him.

“I will not be able to respond to Almami Taal. He will not be able to know me. A stranger who entered a compound can only ask the homeowner and it’s the homeowner who will introduce his spouses to him,” Sanno said.

“If the homeowner didn’t introduce his spouses to him, the stranger will not be able to know them. He is a stranger who entered newly and that’s why he will not be able to know me.”

Mr Sanno said “we greet each other all the time and he calls me Dou.”

“So I don’t know why a question like that came out of his mouth.  But when the time comes, I will thrash that out with him. He may not know me but UDP [members] know Dou and Alhamdoulillahi Rabbil Alameen,” he said.

By Lamin Njie

A former vice president of The Gambia Bakary Bunja Darboe has announced he would run for the office of secretary general of the People’s Progressive Party, PPP.

“I’m among those who have asked members of the party to consider. If they feel satisfied by my qualities, I am ready to lead the party and make sure the work that’s required is done,” Bakary Bunja Darboe told journalists at a press conference held in Fajara on Thursday.

“It’s not just me maybe others are also vying for the position. And it’s not a problem at all for others to vie. That’s what the law sanctions and that’s what the party’s rules say.” 

Mr Darboe, 72, is an economist who served as vice president of The Gambia between 1982 to 1992.

His announcement comes as the People’s Progressive Party braces for its national congress which will take place on Saturday December 29. It’s the first time the party will hold such a high-profile event since it was kicked out of power in 1994.

Mr Darboe sets his sights on the PPP top job at a time when the party’s interim leader Omar Jallow said it was time for younger people to assume their rightful positions in the party.

His decision to run for the office of party leader runs counter to Mr Jallow’s comments – a former agriculture minister who has made his intention known that he will not be vying for the position of party leader.

By Lamin Njie

Brewers in The Gambia have hit out at the government over its decision to impose new taxes on alcoholic beverages.

The Gambia government through the Ministry of Finance last week announced a 75% tax rise on wine and beer – a policy that has started to elicit bitter criticism from which the brewer community.

A senior official at Banjul Breweries Ltd told The Fatu Network the move is ill-advised.

“Excise hike from 10% to 75% is found in no country in the whole of Africa. This will have a negative impact on the beverage manufacturing industry and the economy,” the senior official said on the condition of anonymity.

The Gambia government says the move will which also affect sugary drinks is to shore up the country’s revenue.

However, brewers are contending that the move if anything will shrink tax revenue from alcoholic beverages by almost 50%.

“Tax contributions by Banjul Breweries Ltd in 2017 was a whopping 120 million dalasis and is expected to contribute and increase from 120 million to about 150 million as tax to government for year ending 31st December 2018 at the current rate of 10% excise and 15% of VAT,” the senior Banjul Breweries official said.

“The increase excise tax for 2019 will therefore lead to a reduction in volume sales by 40 to 45% and this will leave the company with no option but to reduce the staff number from 150 to 95.”

The Gambia government’s new policy will also likely have an impact on the tourism industry as beverage sales by hotels are expected to drop by 25%.

The chair of the Constitutional Review Commission has said that the commission would issue the first draft of the new constitution in June 2019.

Justice Sulayman Jallow stated this during a recent press conference held at the commission’s headquarters in Kotu.

“We expect to complete the public consultation including the Diaspora consultation by June of next year. We are hoping by July, August of next year we would be in the position to have drafted constitution for this country,” he said.

The commission mandated to review and draft a constitution would finish public consultation in December. If the document passes a referendum, it will make it the third constitution the country has had since independence in 1965.

The head of the commission noted that once his office concludes engaging the public in the new book would commence collating the ideas together for drafting.

According to him, his office would have to first agree on the feedback of the public and prepare draft instruction before submitting it to a technical committee on constitutional drafting.

However, Mr Jallow added that after collation of the public ideas, the public would be given a second chance to look at the constitution in term of their aspirations of what have been done and left out.

He added: “And once that is done is also part of our action plan we would make a  first draft publicly available so that public has an second chance to look at the constitution in term of their aspirations and what have done and what have been left out.”

Meanwhile, the consultation has so far triggered a heated debate on citizenship, death penalty, Presidential qualification, Electoral reform among others.

Deputy political adviser to President Adama Barrow has blasted coalition 2016 leaders for coming up with a deal that runs counter to the Gambian constitution.

Seven political parties in 2016 agreed to come together to pick a candidate to contest against former president Yahya Jammeh. Coalition leaders which include Halifa Sallah, ex-vice President Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang, Hamat Bah, Mai Fatty and others had agreed that their candidate who must resign from his party would preside as a transition president for three years after which fresh elections would be called. Debate over the deal has never been more tense as President Barrow enters his third year in office.   

But Dou Sanno speaking exclusively to The Fatu Network said President Barrow will go with “what all Gambians sat and agreed on.”

Mr Sanno, who says his relationship with President Barrow goes way back, said: “The three years that they are talking about, that three years the time the people who came up with it were once at the National Assembly. Some held other responsibilities. Some were very important people. The time they came up with this, have they forgotten that it was just a few of them who met in a house even as what the entire country agreed on was five years? Were they sent by the entire country to put together that three years term?

“So, if they didn’t agree with all Gambians, they didn’t go around the country for them to agree with all Gambians should the gentleman agreement that they put together in a house stand? So, we would like to tell them that what all Gambians sat and agreed on is what the President will go by. One, two three people cannot decide the fate of the country.”

By Lamin Njie

President Adama Barrow has said that his administration will remain firm to ensure that it delivers as required by the mandate that has been handed it.

“As president entrusted with the welfare of all Gambians and those residents within the country, I am determined to work for peace, happiness, progress, unity, development and for all the good things we wish ourselves, families and loved ones,” the President said Monday evening while greeting the Christian faithful on the occasion of this year’s Christmas.

Christians in The Gambia on Tuesday joined over two billion people globally to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

And the President in his Christmas address said occasions such as Christmas “should help us to reflect on our circumstances, assess the consequences for our actions and ask ourselves soul-searching questions.”

“The answers to such questions should strengthen us if we are on the right track. Otherwise, they should compel us to repent and amend our ways. In this regard, I ask all religious leaders as always not to falter or despair in delivering educative sermons that are strong enough to penetrate our hearts, soften us and help us to live as pious people,” the President said.

The President in his Christmas address also called on all Gambians to rally round his change agenda.

Mr Barrow said:  “As a government guided by the National Development Plan, we will continue to commit ourselves to democracy, good governance and the attainment of our development agenda. We are committed and resolved and will remain firm to ensure that we deliver as required by the mandate, trust and confidence bestowed upon us. However, national development is a collective responsibility. Therefore, I ask that we work together as a united people and nation.”

By Lamin Njie

Leader of the Gambia Democratic Congress Mamma Kandeh has sent his warm felicitations to the Christian faithful on the occasion of this year’s Christmas.

In a statement made available to The Fatu Network, the charismatic opposition leader said Christmas in The Gambia is “a time that brings families, friends and love ones together in the Christian spirit of love, compassion and faith in God.”

Mr Kandeh said: “It is also a season of peace, joy, reflection and celebration of God’s miracles. As Christians in The Gambia and around the world celebrate Christmas, I wish to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance.

“Today, as we join our brothers and sister of the Christian faith in commemorating the birth of Christ, I pray for continued peace and prosperity of our beloved country. I therefore, I implore all Gambians to love and cherish one another regardless of religion, political affiliation or ethnicity. We are one Gambia, One people, and on this note, The Gambia Democratic Congress is wishing every Gambian a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a happy 2019.”

The United Democratic Party has called on Gambians to continue to show much love and care for each other.

The country’s biggest political party gave the call Monday while felicitating with the Christian faithful on this year’s Christmas.

A statement signed by UDP national youth secretary general Kemo Bojang read: “As Christians in The Gambia and across the globe celebrate the birth of Christ, the UDP is pleased to wish them a happy and joyous celebration. The birth of Jesus Christ, undoubtedly, marks an important milestone on the Christian calendar because of its great significance.

“It is for this reason that the commemoration of this day here in The Gambia and elsewhere, is often characterized by not only deep supplication to our Maker but also merrymaking, symbolic decorations, holidaying, social gatherings and almsgiving. Christmas is a season of love and care especially for the needy in society. These were the virtues that Christ personified.

“And so, as we commemorate this day, the UDP calls on all and sundry particularly people who subscribe to the Christian faith, to show much love and care to the needy in diverse ways in order to give real meaning to the essence of Christmas. Christmas teaches us that today is not just a day for celebration, we should therefore not forget the plight of our underprivileged brothers and sisters.

“Again, it is a sad reality though that an occasion like this, unfortunately comes with rising cases of road accidents, crime rates among other unpleasant spectacles. While calling on the police and relevant authorities to step up their efforts at forestalling such occurrences, we also think that, as individual citizens, we should not compromise on our personal security. Once again Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year in advance.”

President Adama Barrow has declared Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th December 2018 as public holidays to mark the Christmas and Boxing Day Celebrations respectively.

“The Public is hereby informed that the President of the Republic and Commander-In-Chief of The Gambia Armed Forces, His Excellency Adama Barrow, acting under section 76 of the 1997 Constitution of Republic of The Gambia, is pleased to declare Tuesday 25^th and Wednesday 26^th December 2018, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, respectively, as Public Holidays throughout The Gambia,” a statement signed by the President’s press secretary Amie Bojang Sissoho on Monday said.   

“On behalf of the First Family and the entire Gambia government, the President would like to wish everyone, particularly the Christian community, a merry Christmas!” 

The executive secretary of the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission has promised that the commission will investigate and establish truth about the assassination of Deyda Hydara.

“I want to assure the Gambia Press Union and Gambian public that the TRRC will leave no stone unturned in order to investigate and establish the truth about Deyda’s assassination to accord justice to his family and Gambian people and country,” Dr. Baba Galleh Jallow told journalists and civil society organizations on Sunday at Djembe hotel in Kololi during the fourteen years anniversary of the slain journalist.

He added: “I want to take this opportunity to reassure the Gambia Press Union and the general public and Deyda’s family that the TRRC stand ready to work with the Gambian people to discover the remaining truth of Deyda Hydara.”

He described the truth commission as totally impartial and independent saying “we will remain total impartial and independent.”

Late Deyda was murdered in December 2004 while returning home from work.   

By Lamin Njie

Alcoholic beverages will face higher taxes effective January 1, 2019, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs has said.

Finance Minister Mamburay Njie told members of the National Assembly recently that the move is part of the government’s tax reform program for 2019.

The minister said new taxes will also be levied on sugary drinks.

The government said the price of imports per litre of spirits (sugary drinks) would rise from D175 to D280; the price of imports per litre of beer would rise from D100 to D175; and the price of wine would rise from D150 to D240 per litre.

Meanwhile the move is set to leave a bad taste in the mouth of consumers as plans are being made by brewers to pass the new tax hike along to them. A source told The Fatu Network on Monday brewers will increase the price of both alcoholic and sugary drinks as soon as the new tax hikes take effect.  

The Gambia Press Union on Sunday launched a new body that will watch over the fulfillment of journalism ethics norms in the country.

The Media Council of The Gambia is a self-regulatory national institution that seeks to improve the Gambian media by promoting the highest professional standards. 

Speaking at the launch at Djember Hotel on Sunday, Sheriff Bojang Jnr said it is time for journalists in the country to raise their game when it comes to ethics and ethical standard.

“We need to raise our game when it comes to ethics and ethical standard in the way we do business. What we don’t agree with is how do we tackle that, how do we deal with that,” he said.

Ebrima Sillah, Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure described the launch of the council as a milestone in the history of the Union.

He assured government’s commitment to creating friendly atmosphere for Gambian media to continue working without interference.

“As a ministry let me assure of government commitment to ensuring that we have a conducive environment where you can work and then also deliver. We want to assure you that we will work with you in this difficult journey to ensure that we do what it takes for the Gambian media to operate without restriction and to continue to work and inform the public accordingly,” he said.

He reassured that the bill will be table before the National Assembly in first weeks of January 2019, adding it couldn’t hold in this December due to circumstances at the office of the Attorney General.

Demba Ali Jawo a former information minister also described the launch of the council as significance and that it is better for the press to regulate itself than government to regulate them.

No fewer than 25 people are believed to have died or are missing, including a pregnant woman, when a group of migrant boats got stranded at sea and was rescued off the Spanish coast on Thursday.

Briefing reporters in Geneva on Friday, spokesperson for the UN High Commission for Refugees Elizabeth Throssell said that colleagues in the field had reported that bodies had been found on two of the boats.

“You can imagine how traumatising that was for the people who were rescued,” Throssell said.

According to reports, the migrants had sailed from North Africa. On one of the six vessels found adrift in the Straits of Gibraltar, in the western Mediterranean Sea, 33 people had been rescued, but 12 had died and a further 12 were missing, UNHCR said.

On another of the boats, the UN refugee agency said 57 people had been on board, including one that had already died by the time of the rescue.

“There was a massive sea-swell that threw them into the water”, Throssell said, adding that among the survivors was a mother and her two-year-old child who was evacuated by helicopter, after she was found to be suffering from hypothermia.

She added that many of the survivors were being held at detention centres at the Port of Almeria in Spain.

“Our implementing partner is there to provide the people with information and support and to help any potential protection and other needs and of course to promote access to the asylum process for those who may need it,” she said.

Delivering the latest overall statistics on the deadly Mediterranean migration route, UN migration agency (IOM) spokesperson, Joel Millman, said that as of December 19, 113,000 migrants had entered Europe by sea so far in 2018.

According to him, the figure is the lowest recorded in five years. Recently, however, he said the death rate for migrants attempting to reach Spain, had tragically begun to tick upwards, with 769 fatalities registered on the western Mediterranean migration route.

“That’s only slightly more than half of all on the Central Mediterranean route from North Africa to Italy, but what’s remarkable is how rapidly that number has increased over the last three months,” he said. Millman said it was likely that there would be “more incidents like this” in the next 10 days. (NAN

By Lamin Njie

Finance Minister Mambury Njie on Friday said nobody has the authority and right to tell him to resign from the position.

The finance minister has been sweating over a controversial supplementary appropriation bill. An initial additional estimate of 1.2 billion dalasis was last week rejected by the House only for the finance minister to go back to the House Thursday with the same bill albeit revised.

And speaking at the plenary, the National Assembly Member for Kombo South Kebba K Barrow slammed the revised bill as unconstitutional even as he called on the minister to resign.

“I think it is about time we stood and know our position as citizens of this country. This is The Gambia that we fought for and we will continue to do it. And I have said since day one… My position is very clear. At this age I’m not going to look into anybody’s eyes. And I don’t have anything to succumb to any pressure and nobody is going to convince me to support this bill. Madam speaker this is very wrong and it’s very untimely and it’s not professional and I want to urge the minister to resign because he is bringing things that is going to put people at loggerheads in this country,” the Kombo South lawmaker who is also the majority leader said.

The finance minister kicking back expressed disappointment that the lawmaker was asking him to resign.

The finance minister said: “You cannot just all of a sudden say, ‘we are all Gambians. We are patriotic and believe in this country.’ We have all done our quota and we have taken the risk. Nobody has the authority and right to come and tell you, ‘you resign’. We are Gambians. Nobody has that authority to do that. Because of what, sentiments? [I]’s wrong. I am a Gambian like any other Gambian and I have been called to serve my people and I intend to stay and serve my people. I will not resign.”

Meanwhile additional estimates of over 500 million dalasis have been approved by Gambian lawmakers after a marathon back-and-forth that began on Thursday and ended early Friday.