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3 YEARS AGREEMENT: Barrow’s Adviser Sanno Blasts Sallah, Ex-VP Tambajang, Others over ‘Gentleman’ Deal

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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.”

We’ll Remain Firm to Ensure We Deliver – Barrow

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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.”

Kandeh Greets Christians, Calls for Unity

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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.”

SENEGAL: Bocoum Abandons Presidential Bid, Gives Reasons

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By Chiekh Tidiane Ndiaye

The leader of Senegal’s AGIR party Thierno Bocoum has explained why he abandoned his plans to stand as a candidate in February’s presidential polls.

Bocoum said his decision is premised on the need for opposition parties in Senegal to come together in order to wrest power from Macky Sall.

“We arrived at the conclusion according to which the opposition has to take strong initiatives to achieve the conditions of an alternation in 2019. And that this must involve the mutualization of the living forces of the opposition”, he said in a letter to fellow opposition leaders.

“Our goal is to achieve a critical mass of people, skills and values for a real change in paradigms at the exclusive service of the Senegalese people.”

Bocoum said there is a need for the opposition in Senegal “to work to make effective the conditions of an alternation with the establishment of solid clusters of applications.”

“However, we strongly want to make it clear that even if we are not candidates, AGIR’s struggle remains Macky Sall’s departure from power,” he said.

 Thierno Bocoum will not be a candidate in the February election even if his party collected 65, 591 signatures as sanctioned by Senegal’s constitution.

Senegal’s constitution says any party that wishes to contest in a general election must collect 65, 000 sponsors in seven regions around the country.  

On Breaking Barriers: Letter to my President (Part 2)

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Your Excellency

It has been a full week since I came back from Basse, URR where I joined thousands of patriotic, result-oriented Gambians who came to  show you solidarity in your game-changing groundbreaking events at the nation’s furthermost end. Truly what I saw in Basse and Wulli is a testimony to the fact that you are the most likeable politician in New Gambia and the people are willing and ready to give you all the support you need to implement your national development plan!

Upon my return to the urban areas, I expected some positive feedback from my move to join your team at Basse but I did not expect much endorsement from the constellation of idealistic young intellectuals who number among the bright stars in my youth development and mentorship firmament. But much to my pleasant surprise, I got hundreds of calls from university students, young professionals, youth mobilisers across the political spectrum and even former cabinet ministers who all pledged their loyalty and support to Your Excellency in your renewed drive for a fast-track approach to nation building; especially your landmark pronouncement of making the year 2019 the turning point for your development process!

Truly I am deeply gratified by the overwhelming show of support for you and the President Barrow Youths for National Development platform. The membership request is so huge that I am not even sure they can all be absorbed so soon. This all goes to prove that Gambians are willing and ready to go hands on in support of development. The young people of this country have told me that they are not going to sit down in workshops and conferences and social media bantering, they are not going to be spectators but active players in your new arena of premiership-level classic action in socio-economic transformation.

Indeed the people of this country are tired of that kind of democracy that is all about talking and meetings and protests. The democratic dividend must be felt and lived by the people; your recent moves in URR, in addition to previous steps you took in the area of energy capacity expansion and institutions building, have laid the framework for transformation. The implementation process is surely not going to be a cakewalk but Gambians must step up and stand up for everything that is good for this country.

Your Excellency, you must be ready to personally go to these work sites and to question and challenge the implementors  of your projects. Trust no technological concoction or other myriad matrices that may come your way as monitoring tools. The old saying “seeing is believing” is my recommended yardstick Your Excellency. We have seen Gambians collude with foreign contractors in the past to rob this country of the high quality of roads and other infrastructure that were tabled and signed at the initial stages of projects; leaving us with sub-standard roads and other public infrastructure. If they can risk it under a dictator, you must never assume that our people will naturally do the right thing under a free and democratic dispensation. Forget about their assurances and fancy M & E processes and systems. You must be the nation’s Chief Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and I wish you success in this, Sir!

We are willing and ready to stand by you and support you through thick and thin. And the tens of thousands of young people who follow me and listen to me are ready to do the right things and to start off by transforming their own attitudes, in the nation building processes. Verily, my advice to them in various fora in the past two years has been hinged on the thought of the legendary philosopher-cum-economist, J.S Mill: “The demands of democracy are clear — the elevation and transformation of your very self. If you are not transformed, you’re just skating by.”

Therefore, why am I sitting here writing you so long a letter; Let me conclude with the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow:

“Let us then be up and doing; with a heart for any fate; still achieving, still pursuing…”

I salute you Sir, with the assurances of my patriotic allegiance and support. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in advance!

Momodou Sabally

The Gambia’s Pen

CHRISTMAS: UDP Felicitates Gambian Christians, Preaches Love

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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.”

CHRISTMAS: Barrow Declares Tuesday, Wednesday Public Holidays

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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 25th and Wednesday 26th 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!” 

TRRC Will Find Truth about Deyda’s Death – Dr Jallow

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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.   

Gambia Brewers Set to Increase Price of Alcohol

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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.  

New Body Launched to Raise Quality of Journalism in Gambia

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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.

‘BACK WAY’: Dozens of Migrants Found Dead on Mediterranean Sea

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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

‘I WILL NOT RESIGN’: Finance Minister Njie Unleashes Furious Rant at Kombo South MP

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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.

Africell Delivers Christmas Gifts to Students

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The Gambia’s biggest GSM operator Africell has said that it will continue to stay true to its caring and sharing approach as a company.

The company stated this as it this week made a Christmas season visit to various schools to deliver gifts to thousands of students.

“Let’s share what we have and look forward to sharing even more. It is Christmas and there is nothing more gratifying for Africell than sharing and caring,” the company said in a Christmas statement.

According to Africell, Christmas for them is a moment of reflection and giving thanks.

The company said: “We reflect and think of the less fortunate ones and deliver in a period we all cherish most.

“During Christmas as in every other christmas, Africell’s benevolence and goodwill comes to the forefront of the GSM company’s duties in putting a smile in the most gratifying matter to the thousands of vulnerable school children.

“Africell’s caring and sharing approach has seen the GSM operator, host a number of Christmas party’s for students of St. John’s school for the deaf, GOVI, Methodist academy and SOS children village, Bakoteh.

“It is that time of the year when goodwill, patience, and devotion, takes center stage at Africell and our efforts are geared towards sharing as a responsibility with the great Gambian public.

“It is Africell’s desire and wishes to cater for all those in need during this festive period as a manifestation and care towards our esteem customers.”

Meanwhile the schools visited by Africell are Saint John’s school for the deaf, GOVI, Methodist, and SOS children village in Bakoteh.

Africell senior management staffers were all present to mark the occasion and entertain the kids namely; Hussein Diab, Director of operations,  Ebrima Barry Dir.  Admin & HR, Assan Mbye, Dir. Of Finance,  and Musa Sise Senior Cooperate Affairs & Media Consultant.

The School children enjoyed the goodies, in their new school bag filled with books pencils and lunch packs.

They were also entertained with music and Christmas carols  Food and refreshment were served to all the children and teachers.

The principals thanked Africell for the surprise visit and appreciated the gifts and hoped for more partnership in the near future.

CRC Gets Brand New Car

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The Constitutional Review Commission on Friday received a brand-new 4 wheel Toyota Land Cruiser from United Nations Development Programme. The vehicle is a partnership support aimed at making mobility easier for officials of the commission as they bid to draft a new constitution for the country.

Receiving the new car on behalf of the chairperson of the commission, Omar Ousaman Jobe-executive secretary of CRC expressed delight about the gesture, adding that UNDP has been rendering support to the commission since the commencement of it services.

According to him, the car is second of the commission’s mobility since its inception months ago which he said they had to hire vehicles for the transportation of some other people.

“If you are to come to the CRC secretariat today I can tell you that 95% of the furniture that you see there is coming from UNDP,” he said,

Yankuba Manjang-a commissioner described the gesture as magnanimous and that it will provide the CRC go long way in the work.

For her part, the UNDP resident representative in the country, Nessie Golakai-Goold said the gesture aims at facilitating the work of the commission in ensuring that every Gambian is involve in the constitutional review process.

She said: “This will able to facilitate the work of the CRC in reaching out the entire country to ensure that no one is left behind in term of having a voice.”

She added that her agency is also supporting youth and women groups across the country in areas of their internal sector to define the constitution they want.

 

 

US Announces Fellowship Program for Gambians, Others

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Press Release

The U.S. Government is pleased to announce that qualified Gambians can apply for the Cochran Fellowship Program, sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  The program is open to citizens from Burkina Faso, Mali, The Gambia, and Senegal.  The Fellowship offers short-term training opportunities to those working in the tourism and hospitality industry and government officials who oversee food safety.  Gambians in the private sector who work in the hotel, restaurant, and Institutional sector and food safety regulators and policy makers from the government of The Gambia are encouraged to apply to participate in this capacity building opportunity.

The Cochran Fellowship is one of many ways the United States is helping to build capacity to promote mutual economic prosperity.  The Program goals are: to help eligible countries develop agricultural systems necessary to meet the food and fiber needs of their domestic populations; and to strengthen and enhance trade linkages between eligible countries and agricultural interests in the United States.

Applications are due on Thursday, January 24, 2019.  Applicants are urged to clearly note in their application which topic – Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional (HRI) Sector Development and the U.S. Southern Food Culture Experience – they have chosen and are applying to. Completed application (including passport photos, recommendation letters, and passport copy) can be dropped off at: U.S. Embassy Banjul – Attn. Public Affairs Officer.  It can also be dropped off at: U.S. Embassy Dakar – Route des Almadies BP 49 Dakar (Senegal).

Approximately 600 Cochran fellows come to the United States each year, generally for 2-3 weeks, to work with U.S. universities, government agencies, and private companies. They receive hands-on training to enhance their technical knowledge and skills in areas related to agricultural trade, agribusiness development, management, policy, and marketing. USDA announces eligible countries and topics each year based on current trade issues.  For further information on the program, please see this link:  https://www.fas.usda.gov/programs/cochran-fellowship-program.

The United States is firmly committed to promoting economic development led by Gambians.

On the Appointment of International Debt Advisors for the Government of The Gambia. The Clock is Ticking

By Dr Assan Jallow

The center of gravity in our distress public debt seems to have shifted in favor of international advisors. The appointment of International Advisors by the current administration to advice and help negotiate on the country’s long-standing debt with the Paris Club and other development partners is like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted. It is not a bad policy-management decision by the government. It sounds like a good idea for policy to be able to respond to changing circumstances but the timing isn’t right and the cost to bear will be too high for small and resource-constraint Gambia. Invariably, action consistency and application shows that having an advisor alone doesn’t help to solve the mystery behind the perennial and magnitude of our ever-growing debt portfolio as a country. We will agree to disagree that advisors are like consultants who will borrow your watch and tells you the time. The question is, do we want to be that country that will be told the time by the hired consultant in the name of an advisor to negotiate on our behalf for debt forgiveness under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiatives (HIPCI)? What strategies would they adopt differently in handling our national debt crises? How was the Potomac Group selected and was the bidding done through the open bidding process? How much will it cost the government for the Potomac’s Group services? What happens if the group fails to secure debt forgiveness or put our debt on the plank of sustainability? These are questions we need to know as part of a broader-centric citizenship monitoring mechanism to hold our government accountable. We do not have the luxury to pay for services that were negotiated in closed-doors and won’t make any difference in our state of our economy. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

 

It is important to note that there is no nation that is prune from public debt and of which developing economies are placed at the disadvantage for been at the receiving end where politics takes precedence instead of the real issues and policies. Yes, the problems abound and a country that is running a deficit in excess of 5% of GDP and a public debt of 116. 1 GDP is seriously in trouble with the likelihood of jumping off the cliff of endless economic challenges  and running the risk of not likely to be granted a debt forgiveness. We have an agreement with our development partners like the IMF & WB that must be respected in managing the finances of our country, while ensuring we do not borrow beyond our limits and capacity to absorb. And, the Barrow economics must help to resuscitate the economy from the doses of stagnation, non-growth, despair, corruption, and poverty. That’s the economic model needed in this critical time of nation-building to help engineer a growing, robust, resilient and expansionary development economy to withstand both internal and external shocks.

 

The problems surrounding Gambia’s public debt are evidently complex and voluminous that the immediate need is for a policy environment that can push the country ahead on the curve of self-reliance. The state of health on the public debt isn’t encouraging and is beyond human imagination. To put in perspective, most of our debt constitutes 53% of the domestic stock. What this implies is that the principal part of our domestic debt is owed to local investors (financial institutions and individuals). It is heart-wrenching and worrying to hear from unconfirmed sources that our Debt-GDP has been recalculated with reports reaching out to be about 80%. No amount of GDP recalculation can address the problem of the public debt we incurred over the years when our development seems to be ignored in the face of parochial and self-serving interests of leaders and partisan politics. Our policy of response shouldn’t be built on the towers of pseudo-economics. The government has to avoid tip-toeing around the prevalent public debt distress narrative and develop a strategic policy direction within the dynamics of workable macroeconomic economic fundamentals in managing our economy and addressing the issues of debt and excessive government expenditure.

 

Addressing debt requires a political will form the government to prioritize its development programmes, hence meetings the needs and aspirations of the citizenry. And in this critical juncture of almost crossing the ‘Bermuda Triangle’ of exceeding the debt ceiling in our public financial resource management spectrum, we must ensure we budget within our means and enforce austerity measures. It is worthy to note that the problem of our national debt is bigger than having an advisor to turn around things unless we muster the courage and pursue austerity measures to address the seemingly intractable challenges of the over-bloated and incessant government expenditure spending. More importantly, we have Gambians with the requisite knowledge and technical competency in debt management and their knowledge and skills are desperately needed to help cushion our public debt. In the art of enforcement, once a government has decided on a course of action, it should maintain that course in order for the goals to be pursued and achieved. Hoping the government will listen and act in good faith in delivering the expected public goods in fiscal management.

Gambia’s Poorest Region to Finally Get Electricity

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One of the most neglected regions in The Gambia Kiang will soon finally get to ascertaining how having electricity feels, that’s according to the Office of the President.

A news release from the Presidency on Thursday said the construction of the first OMVG hydro-electric power station, connecting communities from Jarra Soma, Lower River Region to Brikama, West Coast Region, will be launched in early 2019.

Following a closed-door discussion with His Excellency, President Adama Barrow at the State House in Banjul, Antonio Serifo Embalo, Chairman, Council of Ministers of the Gambia River Basin Development Project (OMVG in French) announced that the president has accepted to lay the foundation stone for the project in Jarra Soma.

Chairman Embalo expressed optimism that the project would have a significant impact on the economic progress of member countries: “This project lies at the heart of the industrialization of the member countries as power is key to development. Energy is also part of the five flagship programmes of the Gambia’s development blueprint (NDP 2018-2021)”.

The OMVG head said his discussion with President Barrow also centered around the 11th Ordinary Session of the Conference of the Heads of Government of OMVG member states which will be hosted in The Gambia, revealing that the timing coincides with the inauguration of the TransGambia Bridge in January.

President Barrow has given assurance that he will take it up with his counterparts for the OMVG organization to continue receiving financial support from member countries towards its effective functioning.

Under the first phase of the electricity project, 70MW of energy would be distributed in The Gambia through two substations in Jarra Soma and Brikama.

US Says it has ‘Credible’ Information Ex-President Jammeh was Involved in Corruption

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Former President Yahya Jammeh has been hit by fresh sanctions by the United States. The US State Department last weekend publicly designated the former dictator over his involvement in corruption under section 7031(c)(A) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act 2018. He is the first former president to be banned under this new law. And the US government through its Embassy in Banjul has been responding to questions from The Fatu Network regarding this development. Excerpts;-

TFN: How did the US State Department arrive at the decision to publicly designate former President Yahya Jammeh and what does it mean?

US GOV’T: The Department has credible information that Mr. Jammeh was involved in significant corruption while president of The Gambia.

As a general matter, when an individual is determined to be ineligible for entry into the United States, that individual will not be able to obtain a visa and will not be permitted to enter the United States.

TFN: Aside Yahya Jammeh, can you give us some examples of former presidents who were publicly designated by the US State Department in the past?

US GOV’T: The first Section 7031(c)(1)(A) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act public designation was released in2018. Mr. Jammeh is the first former president designated under this visa authority. Public designations from this past year can be found in the report to Congress on Anti-Kleptocracy and Human Rights Visa Restrictions.

TFN: Why is this coming almost two years since ex-president Jammeh left The Gambia for Equatorial Guinea where he now lives in exile?

US GOV’T: The Department obtained credible information regarding Mr. Jammeh’s involvement in significant corruption.

TFN: There has been mixed reaction in The Gambia with regard to this move. While many have celebrated the decision, there are those who have slammed the US over this move. That the US plays double standard when it comes to human rights. What do you say to this?

US GOV’T: Under the circumstances in this particular case, we believe it is important for the Gambian government and the Gambian people to know just how seriously we view public corruption and Mr. Jammeh’s involvement in corrupt acts.

TFN: We know the ex-president has some assets in the US among them a $3.5M Mansion. What will happen to these assets now that he has been blocked from entering?

US GOV’T: The announcement against former president of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, and his immediate family, complements our efforts— using all available tools— to promote accountability for human rights abusers and corrupt actors.  Jammeh’s 2017 designation under Executive Order 13818 and the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act already imposed visa and financial sanctions on him.  However, the significance of the designation under section 7031(c) is it gives us another means of denouncing his corruption and applies to his immediate family too.  Section 7031(c) renders officials who have been involved in significant corruption and gross violations of human rights ineligible for entry into the United States, as well as their immediate family members.  This action is not related to the forthcoming Africa Strategy; rather, this action exemplifies the administration’s commitment to holding accountable human rights abusers and corrupt actors, including those who enable or benefit from these corrosive actions.

TFN: The move also affects his immediate family but we know his children are U.S. citizens. Can such a ban apply to US citizens?

US GOV’T: Designations under 7031(c) would not impact U.S. citizens, since it is a visa restriction.  However, due to privacy considerations, we cannot comment on an individual’s citizenship status.

TFN: The Gambia government on Tuesday issued a statement thanking the US government for this latest action against Jammeh. Is the US government aware of this statement if yes, what does it make of it?

US GOV’T: Yes, we are aware of the Statement.  We are encouraged that the Government has welcomed the designation.  We echo the Minister of Justice’s statement that the United States stands in solidarity with the Government of The Gambia in its transition toward good governance and respect for human rights.  We are eager to collaborate with The Gambia on matters of mutual interest.

TFN: The Gambia government has also restated its commitment towards working with the US on various areas. What specific areas of interest does the US share with The Gambia?

US GOV’T: We work with closely with the Government of The Gambia on many issues.  In fact, the United States is currently working on projects in TheGambia that touch on all of the items in The Gambia’s National Development Plan.  The United States goals in The Gambia are to strengthen democracy, improve education, and encourage development led by Gambians.  We support the government of The Gambia in many areas, mostly related to increasing the government’s capacity to address the needs of its citizens. We provide support to the Security Sector Reform (SSR) process through a USG-funded security sector advisor; we provide technical support to the Ministry of Finance on issues related to debt management and budget formulation; we provide training to National Assembly members on various issues related to National Assembly operations and constituency outreach; we provide support to civil society in the areas of elections, women empowerment, youth employment, transitional justice, and media outreach. We also provide grants to local organizations for community-led projects that increase the wellbeing of local communities. We are committed to continuing to support the democratic transition in The Gambia in any way possible through the government, but also as direct support to the Gambian people.

JAMMEH’S CHILDREN: US Says New Law is a Visa Restriction, Wouldn’t Impact US Citizens

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By Lamin Njie

The United States has said that designations under section 7031(c)(A) of its department of state, foreign operations and related programs appropriation act 2018 would not impact US citizens as it is a visa restriction.

The US last week handed former President Jammeh a fresh setback after it said it was publicly designating him over his involvement in significant corruption. His immediate family is also affected by the sanction.

However, the US government responding to a question from The Fatu Network regarding the fate of Mr Jammeh’s children who are believed to be US citizens said designations under 7031(c) would not impact U.S. citizens, since it is a visa restriction.

“However, due to privacy considerations, we cannot comment on an individual’s citizenship status,” it said.

BREAKING: US says Jammeh is 1st ex-leader to be banned from entering country under new law

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By Lamin Njie

The United States has said that former president Yahya Jammeh is the first former president to be banned from entering the country under section 7031 (c)(A) of its new Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.

The United States last week announced travel restrictions on former president Yahya Jammeh, his wife and two children. It said the move was because of the former president’s involvement in ‘significant corruption.’

The US government through its embassy in Banjul told The Fatu Network it obtained credible information regarding Mr. Jammeh’s involvement in corruption and gross human rights violations.

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