Surahata Janneh, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry has dismissed the application made by Amadou Samba, a Gambian business tycoon and close associate of the former president for the discharge of an interim order made against him.

Chairman Janneh in his ruling went through the arguments of both the applicant’s Lawyer Mary Samba and Commission Counsel Amie Bensouda on the application for the discharge of the interim order which he said lacks merit before rejecting it.

Janneh also dismissed the application made by the business tycoon’s attorney that they were not notified prior to the issuance of the order. He further ruled that the applicant is at liberty to apply to the commission to discharge or set aside the orders noting that the applicant shared the same order in clause A of the interim order as that of the families and close associates of the former President. Lawyer Samba has not put forward the determination of the orders.

Chairman Janneh cited the decrees of AFPRC/APRC military junta after taking power through a Coup d’état which lead to the establishment of a Commission of Enquiry to investigate the alleged rampant corruption of the Jawara regime. He said the first Act of the Commission of Enquiry in the Constitution was in 1903 under the colonial era. He added that the recent commission is in consistence with the same line.

According to the Chairman Janneh, Amadou Samba, Muhammed Bazzi and Fadi Mazegi are considered to be close associates of former president Yahya Jammeh, noting that over D200 million and $10,000,000 being government monies are missing which is currently under investigation.

Chairman Janneh who is also a doyen of The Gambia Bar Association further stated that except by the decision of the chairman, all hearings concerning the commission will be made public in the interest of the general public who he said are urged to provide information on assets belonging to close associates being it within or outside the jurisdictions and such information will be treated as confidential.

The Chairman of the Commission further highlighted that Amadou Samba’s application was not for the variation of the interim order but for their discharge, adding that he will determine as alleged by Mr Samba’s attorney as to whether the Commission acted ‘ultra vires’ (beyond one’s legal powers or authority).

Chairman Janneh also cited from the rule of the High Court order and Section 14 of the 1903 Commission Act to give weight to his ruling, noting that the commissioners are not obliged to inform anybody about their duties to hire a legal counsel. He said Mr Samba should have sought for a legal practitioner given that Jammeh was democratically removed from power through a ballot box and that the counsel argument for Mr Samba holds no water.

He said the commission did not see the immunity and liberty of Mr Samba as argued by his counsel in her application and therefore the application failed in its entirety and is therefore rejected.

Counsel Mary Samba at that point after the ruling applied to be availed with the copy of the ruling and record of proceedings but was asked to make her application through the secretariat. She also applied to be given the opportunity to respond to the allegation made by other witnesses against her client.

Meanwhile, the Commission will go for recession till 7 November, 2017 and Mr Samba is expected to continue with his evidence when the Commission resumes proceedings.

The world is full of judgment days, but it remains true that justice is the end of nature! Equity being the sum total of life; civility is the sum total of the sacrifices each society makes to sustain itself and self-perpetuate. Civility, kept at a net deficit, the society will collapse. This phenomenon has been consistent throughout the history of mankind.

Civility is not the absence of debates on divergent views by members of the society. It is not the ‘turning of the chic the other way’ and allow injustices in the society; by extension, condoning injustice. In fact, most atrocities and the destruction of many societies came about – not because there weren’t enough good people, but because good people simply said nothing or did nothing!

To contrast opposing views and to engage in passionate debates are healthy for any dynamic society, and more so for a vibrant democracy. Clash of doctrines and strong convictions should only help sharpen our perceptions, open for us new windows for healthier classifications, and spur society’s ingenuity to new heights and possibilities. Such is the case when we enter debates in quest for truth and for the benefit of the society.

In quest to that noble end, it is important to remember that – the ‘profound’ logic, reason and facts with which you made your own classification isn’t absolute. We should be reluctant to render our brother as an ‘unsafe-able’ bigot, a soulless racist or a ‘permanent’ tribalist, to whom our noble classification might be elusive to – NOW.

It is normal for a descent person to find racism and tribalism, and all other forms of bigotry detestable. But without excusing the bigotry, isn’t it also true that each person’s unique journey, experience and level of awareness shapes their perception that brought them to that ‘low point’ and ignobility we so despise?

We can blame nature or heredity for intellectual deficiency, but it is the duty of the society to enlighten its members to dispel ignorance. Instead of honest attempts at erudition and benefit, we often aim at gaining superficial advantages and self-aggrandizement; the common sin of the ‘intellectual’ class.

Not in orations and protestations are we learning anything new; but in careful listening and honest reflection can we learn something from opponents. The path to erudition can be polished by fierce opposition, and even by persons we might find detestable in our own estimates. Even in the emptiness of profound stupidity and ignobility – there can be invaluable lessons to be deduced.

Each man is unique. Our journeys aren’t same. Our trials are different. Some of us might be raised under privileged circumstances, whilst others only know of pain and privation. They could be lonely amidst vibrant crowds; behind their smile might be lurking deep sadness and resentment for the ills and injustices they suffered in private. Their bitterness and fanaticism might only be an outgrowth of their wounded pride, the humiliation in their private lives, and might be their honest cry for respect and acceptance.

The emotional bile they stored is perhaps rooted in circumstances which few souls can endure. So they drag to the public square their ‘righteous’ indignation, and viciously spew it all out in political posture to force the society to hear their cries, sense their rage, and feel the pain of their privation.

It takes strength to offer a political or an ideological opponent a way to save face; knowing it can always blow back on your face. It is still well worth trying – for their is always a chance for every ‘bigot’ or ‘demagogue’ to drop that brutal mask they carry around and let a humane face emerge.

Though we love to project mechanical strength even from behind keyboards, human nature remains fragile and very vulnerable; therefore, the hope for salvation for all the members of our people shall always remain a constant among the variables.

We must not view our opponents as enemies or permanent nemesis. The politics of bigotry can raise in us a dark passion, weaken our bonds with fellow countrymen, but it should never break our resolve to leave behind a better, more just and a more tolerant world for our children.

Civility must not be an option, but the ultimate choice in our political discourse. Our bonds of affection must never perish. We don’t teach virtue by mean ways. So I agree with the Platonic argument that; it is not the business of a good man to punish the bad man. It is most fitting for the good man to stick to his noble ways. But it is also part of civility and the business of a good man to see justice through.

It is best to show genuine interest in understanding the opponent’s views and even their individual stories if they chance to share. To reserve judgment and assume fallibility of your own strong convictions.

We don’t have to agree with people to acknowledge them and be respectful to their views. Acknowledging a bigoted view is not condoning it; but by lowly listening you’ll have a chance to show a better way. We don’t show character in how we agree but rather in how we disagree.

Now, I have to admit, there are times that I’m betrayed by these clear reasons and equanimity of civility I’m proposing. For example; I’m easily stupefied whenever it’s suggested to forgive murder by subverting justice – in the name of God, religion or in the interest of the nation. On hearing such, the words that flows to my lips are often profane and vindictive. It’s a fleeting thought, but nevertheless a personal low point of my own struggles with civility. I hope to also improve.

Justice is the highest virtue of every descent society, and to impart it – is the noblest act by its members. We should remain unapologetic in submission to this higher law, nor shall we be charitable to support its subversion; but with civility shall we still engage one another in its discourse.

When truth is imparted, it is enough that it is stated with clarity and precision. Truth and reality are self-dependent. Beating of chest and stomping of the ground will add naught to their intrinsic worth.

Arguments, in essence, aren’t to convince oneself and like minds. The aim of an honest argument is to win over hearts and minds for the course of justice; to seek converts to a higher calling; or to seek a common ground with opponents for the betterment of the society. If our highest course is to see justice through – the principles that escorts its delivery must remain stern and uncompromising, yet the methods – most be civil, charitable and gentle.

With civility, love and empathy we will appeal to the better angels of our nature. Never underestimate your input of goodwill no matter how meager. The trajectory of a nation can be tilted in a single act of charity; the faith of the people can be restore by a single staunch man of goodwill; and you, dear reader, with your civility, can touch a life with a single word of love.

One of Gambia’s longest serving politicians, Halifa Sallah, National Assembly Member for Serrekunda and Secretary General of Peoples Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism PDOIS has told journalist at a press conference that his party has not served 30 years in the country’s politics for nothing.

Speaking to journalist at a congested conference hall full of party militants, the veteran politician made highlights of his recent trip to Europe particularly London where he met with MPs at the House of Commons and House of Lords, Labour Party, had meetings with African Caribbeans, Diaspora Gambians, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, technocrats, university lectures and an interview with BBC among others. He added that he also visited Belgium where he visited the House of Commons and Senate.

The press conference was opened with revolutionary songs sang by a women’s group from Wuli.

“We have not served 30 to 40 years of our lives for nothing,” Halifa Sallah told journalists.

He added: “We want to live a life fit for human beings”.

SG Sallah said Gambians with conscience know the need for damage control otherwise they will end up harming their own people by focusing on trivialities rather than the larger picture. He cautioned the people who are putting the image of the country in disrepute to stop making them scapegoats. He referred to them as ‘haters’ who would achieve nothing but the very opposite of what they are looking for.

“We need a new Gambian to be born who will be able to tolerate what does not favor one’s position,” Halifa Sallah said.

“You must be able to distinguish divergent views from malicious views,” he added.

Sallah said the new Gambian must be ready to face the battle of ideas between truth and deception without holding contempt.

“The message to our party members was PDOIS has emerged on one purpose for Gambian people to take charge of their destiny,” he asserted.

He said the role of the party is to liberate the people starting with the liberation of the minds. Party members, he said were told not to be confuse by those who failed to distinguish between liberation and cheap populist popularity. It is their duty to travel the length and breadth of the country to tell people that sovereignty resides in them.

“We told them that the measure of success of PDOIS is not the number of seat we have in the national assembly but it is how many people we have manage to liberate to know that they own the Gambia so that they become indomitable and nobody on the face of the earth will ever make them slaves,” he pointed out.

The NAM for Serrekunda said they were the only party in the first republic that has educated the country about a sovereign constitution, sovereign republic and a sovereign people.

SG Sallah spoke about the rejection of ministerial posts offered to them after the military coup in 1994 as they would never be part of any government that crucify the sovereignty of their country and its people. He spoke about the role they played to push the junta to restore republican constitutional status to go to election in two years. He added that they were taken to jail in the process but nobody came out to the streets in their defense.

“All of them were in their comfort zones but we struggled until the country restores the republican sovereignty and conducted election then all of them decide to take the lead,” he asserted.

The veteran politician said some of their party members contributed in helping these politicians to hijacked the narrative to accused their party of making a bad constitution. He explained that the constitution was suspended when the coup occurred and decrees were put in place. He added that they were not given the narrative but instead of bringing bad constitution as if they were the ones ruling the country.

“When all parties lost hope we decided to work with them to create coalition in 2006, 2011 and 2016 we managed to uproot power that was entrenched, a self perpetuating regime that nobody thought would be uprooted on the 2nd December 2016,” Sallah asserted.

“That is PDOIS’s history,” he added.

The PDOIS Secretary General emphasized that the people are more important than their presidents, national assembly members and councillors because they are the ones who elected them and can unseat them if they want. He talked about the plans of the party to embark on membership, citizenship and law educations. He defined regime change in the context of constitutional, electoral and institutional reforms among others.

SG Sallah argued that system change is not attainable in the transition as the country imports everything it consume for 52 years which he said cannot reverse within 3 years but added that the next stage of the struggle should be system change.

He spoke about the Attorney General coming with a bill to establish constitutional review committee to the National Assembly.

The NAM for Serrekunda spoke about the problems of detention without trial saying no government is fit to govern that fails to protect its citizens whether they are civilians or military personnel.

SG Sallah in response to allegations on the press release from the Office of the President labelling him as someone who finds it easier to criticize than take responsibility, he highlighted some of the things he did during the impasse such as his meeting with the Inspector General of Police and security heads to provide protection to the president elect Barrow and public institutions.

He spoke about talking to the Central Bank Governor and heads of government departments to secure documents and prepare for a new government. He went on to say that he helped prevent the tampering of important documents and looting that normally happened when there is power vacuum as Jammeh left the country while the president elect was in Senegal at the time.

The Press conference ended with Sallah singing revolutionary songs with party militants.

By Alieu Ceesay

The President of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) Lamin Kaba Bajo has called on football stakeholders to remain united for the development of Gambian football. Bajo was speaking on Friday during a press conference convened to react to allegations made a month ago by a group of individuals who called themselves concerned stakeholders.

Speaking openly on the allegations for the first, the former Sports Minister began by refuting and dismissing, in the strongest possible terms, the allegations made against the Federation by Lamin King Colley and those he called “some so-called stakeholders” in a tersely arranged press conference on September 17, 2017.

The allegations made by the ‘concerned stakeholders’, most of whom, he said, are non-members of the GFF, are not only lies perpetuated by power hungry disgruntled individuals, but a part of their continuous smear campaign against the leadership of Lamin Kabba Bajo since he assumed office three years ago.

“Mr. Bajo took over the leadership of Gambian football at a time when the country was banned from all categories of football competitions as a result of the deliberate decision by previous administration to use ineligible players in a CAF U20 competition. His first action was to prevail upon on both the continental and global bodies to lift the ban, which was duly lifted.

This happened at a time when the fortunes of Gambian football was going down as a result of administrative malpractices and the President set himself on a pedestal to build the structures from the grassroots for sustainable development,” the GFF ExCo said in a statement read by the President Bajo.

Bajo, who was elected in 2014 said, despite the efforts of the current Executive to open up and bring everybody onboard, there has been smear campaign against the executive by a small group of individuals who consider themselves as God sent to manage football in the country.

“This is evident by the incessant negative postings and comments on the social media, print and electronic media. This campaign of theirs has further escalated into unsubstantiated allegations of corruption and mismanagement, and incompetence from the same few individuals who are fighting for a common group interest, which is to bring the former executive into office.”

A seeming unhappy Bajo added, “It is not entirely a disappointment when one of them, Lamin King Colley, a former executive member of the then GFA unveiled his true colors in responding to a question from a reporter who accused him of a personal vendetta, driven by his greed, due the Federation’s decision not to endorse his candidature as a GNOC Presidential aspirant.

For Colley to unequivocally state that his mantra is; You Do Me, I Do You, which has been trending on Facebook ever since with the #YouDoMeIDoYou, is a confirmation of our long-time held believe that these people are fighting individual and group interests rather than national interest.

The current Executive Committee, he told reporters inherited the FIFA approved Goal Project No.4 of US500, 000.00 from the Kebbeh administration for the rehabilitation of the dilapidated facility. Shortly after assuming office the FIFA Development Officer visited the Gambia to discuss with all matters relating to the GFF’s relation with FIFA and the management of the approved FIFA Project.

“After the visit of the FIFA Development Officer, the Executive deemed it fit to replace the identified Consultant who was then an employee of Gamworks with Francis Jones Associates a well know Consultancy Firm in the Gambia. The GFF sought and received approval for the above from FIFA accordingly.”

The most responsive contractor Shrecji Development Enterprise was recommended by the consultant who was approved by FIFA. FIFA, he added, later signed a Formal Contract with Both Francis Jones Associates and Shrecji Development Enterprise.

“All payments to both firms are made directly to them by FIFA as per the contract. FIFA deals directly with the Consultant on the physical implementation of the project and the GFF’s role were only to see that works progress as planned and attend to site meetings.

FIFA Development Officer for West Africa, Mr. Sampon Kaplan formally Handed-Over the reconstructed NTTC to the GFF at a formal Ceremony in November 2015.”

On the GFF Football Hotel and NTTC project, Bajo clarified that it was conceptualized when the current executive engaged FIFA on ways to make it operational after the successful completion of its reconstruction and refurbishment.

The facility had a major face lift and lacks the required furniture, fittings and equipment as all the former were unusable most of them dated 2004. FIFA informed GFF that there exist a funding opportunity under the Win but only for Income Generating Projects.

GFF conceptualized the Football Hotel project based on the following: The Football Hotel will save money by accommodating national and other teams at a lower rate compared to local hotels; the Football Hotel can target other customer segments to fill up the rooms in periods when no teams are residing therein, and to generate income which can be used to finance the facility and eventually be re-invested into the development of football; and the NTTC shall be the home of the GFF technical Department and Centre of Excellence for Grassroots Football Development.

The GFF boss strongly rubbished the stakeholders allegations that the elections were not free and fair.

“Regarding KMRFA, the GFF received a petition from a group of stakeholders faulting the notice period given for the congress. The notice period given was barely 48 hours contrary to their constitution which dictated a notice period of one month.

Based on this argument, the GFF directed that the congress must be held in accordance with the constitution of the RFA, failure of which the outcome of the proposed congress will not be recognized by the GFF. The executive of the region ignored this directive and proceeded with the congress in the absence of some key stakeholders. It is in this regard, that the GFF has not recognized the current executive elected in the said congress.”

He also spoke on the Soma Mini Stadium Development Project. “It was during the tenure of the current GFF Executive that the FIFA Soma Mini Stadium (in Lower River Region) Artificial Turf Project was implemented. The GFF Executive sought and secured CAF Financial Package of $125,000.00 for the further development of the Soma Mini Stadium.

The First Phase of the project includes putting up of the Perimeter Fence of the Artificial Turf, completion of the main fence of the Mini Stadium, extension of pipe borne water supply service to the turf, and the erection of the First Phase of a 15,000 capacity Pavilion.”

Expansion of the National Leagues He revealed that with effect from the 2017/18 season, all the regional champions will compete for the 3rd division for qualification to the 2nd division.

By 2020, the leagues will have a national character, with clubs from the entire country competing in all the divisions.​

National Team Coaches The National Teams coaches’ (U23, U20, U17 and Goalkeeper Trainer) appointments, Bajo went on were sanctioned by the National Sports Council under the Chairmanship of Mr. Lamin King Colley in which they promised the GFF that the NSC will provide D100, 000 monthly towards the salaries of the local coaches and the GFF to administer them and be responsible for their entitlement benefits and taxes.

“Since their appointment in April 2016, the National Sports Council under the Chairmanship of Lamin King Colley hasn’t provided a single butut as per the agreement. Thus the GFF has since been footing the bills for the salaries and other benefits of the said coaches.”

The Senior National Team Head Coach, he added, like the above is appointed by the National Sports Council (NSC) and he signed his Employment Contract with the Executive Director of the NSC under the Chairmanship of Mr. Colley.

“His salary up to July this year was paid by the MGI on behalf the NSC. Since the termination of the International Gateway Contract by the government of the Gambia, neither MGI nor the NSC has paid the salary of the coach. A letter to the NSC on this issue is yet to yield any reaction from them.”

He finally assured all stakeholders and partners that they will stay on course to enable them meet their set targets of football development in the country, and that no amount of noise, smear campaign, threat, blackmail and sabotage will distract them.

“At the end of the day, the ultimate decision rest in the hands of the bonafide stakeholders.”

by Alieu Ceesay

The Sierra Leonean National U17 Female Football Team is not traveling to Banjul for the return leg in the first round of the U17 World Cup Qualifiers. This, according to information gathered, is due to lack of funds.

The team was supposed to be in Banjul last Wednesday for the Saturday’s much talked about encounter with their Gambian counterparts.

The Gambian team has been camped since their return from the first leg in Freetown where they defeated the host 3-0.

This, means The Gambia will now proceed to the next round of the qualifiers and will face Ghana in December.

The Sierra Leone Football Association headed by Isha Johansen has been embroiled in a political saga as it was reported on Tuesday, that the President of the SLFA Isha Johansen, as well as the Secretary General Christopher Kamara, have been sacked with immediate effect by the executive committee of the SLFA, as both have been indicted by the Sierra Leone Anti Corruption Commission on grounds of corruption.

The nine former national intelligence officers who are standing murder trial including Yankuba Badjie, former Director General, Louis Gomez, former Deputy Director General, Sheikh Omar Jeng alias Sir Jeng, former Operation Director, Babucarr Sallah, Yusupha Jammeh, Tamba Massireh, Haruna Suso, Lamin Darboe and Lamin Lang Sanyang were slammed with 19 additional charges added to the 6 previous ones.

The charges include murder, conspiracy to commit grievous harm, accessory after the fact to murder, forging, making documents without authority, fabricating evidences with intent to mislead a tribunal in judicial proceedings, disobedience to statuary duty, abducting in order to torture and murder and abducting in order to subject persons to grievous harm among others. They took plea before Justice Kumba Sillah Camara of the Banjul High Court. All the accused pleaded not guilty.

Antouman Gaye, Prosecutor General described the ninth accused person Lamin Lang Sanyang as a terrorist telling the court to revoke his bail, saying the amended charge incriminates him with 5 counts which is different from the previous charges where he was charged with lesser counts. He urged the need to review his bail as the amendments has taken away his bail.

“There is no bail any longer,” Prosecutor General Gaye said.

The trial judge urged him to make a formal application before adjourning the case to November 2, 2017. Previously, Justice Sillah Camara made a ruling on section 175 of the Criminal Procedure Code cited by the defense saying it does not waive the provision of the public prosecutor to act on behalf of the Attorney General Chambers as the section cannot be read in isolation. She dismissed the objection of the defense on private prosecutors acting on behalf of the Attorney General Chambers. She urged the accused persons to take plea on the next adjourned date.

Ibrahim Jallow, defense counsel of the 3rd accused (Jeng) made objection prior to the ruling of the judge about the signing of the charge sheet by private prosecutor. He referred to section 175 (d) of the Criminal Procedure Code that requires the Attorney General or any professional staff under the office designated to sign on behalf of the AG Chambers.

He submitted that the Prosecutor General, Antouman Gaye does not have the constitutional mandate to sign off on any information on behalf of the AG Chambers.

“There is no law that says a private prosecutor can sign on behalf of the Attorney General,” Lawyer Ibrahim Jallow submitted.

Jallow submitted that the charges were not properly brought before the court and that the accused ought not to take a plea. He urged the court to strike out the entire charges. Lawyers Mene, P. Gomez and Uzoma aligned themselves to his submissions.

Antouman Gaye, Prosecutor General submitted that section 175 cannot be read in isolation. He referred to section 175 (d) saying they were authorized by the Attorney General.

“We are not private prosecutors but appointed as public prosecutors,” Antouman Gaye said.

Gaye referred the court to section 66 of CPC on their appointments while arguing that the objection of the defense is frivolous without merit and urged the court to dismiss it.

Meanwhile, the court made a ruling in favor of the prosecution but told them to provide all copies of the amended documents and exhibits including witness statements to the defense. The case was adjourned for continuation of plea taking.

Ms Amie Bojang Sissoho, Director of Press at the Office of the President has said that the government is keen in making policy reforms at all sectors.

The Press Director made these revelations at the 7th press briefing by the office of the President, Fajara.

Ms Bojang Sissoho spoke about the reforms at the Finance Ministry which is currently preparing policies on public sector restructuring, the development of a nationalization plan, government vehicles policy and business travel policies.

“This is all in the view of drastically reducing the need for government to borrow, consequently leading to a decrease in interest rates,” Ms Bojang Sissoho said.

She added: “The reduction in interest rate is expected to encourage private sector lending”.

She spoke about the International Organization for Migration receiving 3.9 million euros from EU on returnees’ integration in The Gambia. The IOM, she said works with the Ministry of Interior through technical working group to implement the project. She added that President Barrow has been updated on the implementation of the projects targeting the youths and migrants in particular.

Ms Bojang Sissoho said the government and its partners are working on a national migration policy which will spell out the comprehensive national response to migration and returnees’ management.

“The president has been informed about the 1300 migrants who voluntarily return to Gambia,” she asserted.

The Press Director said the issuance of non-biometric passports has stopped saying a process is underway to issue new biometric passports in different parts of the world while Gambians traveling to The Gambia can obtain temporary traveling certificates from the nearest Gambian diplomatic or consular mission.

On Agriculture, she said the president has been briefed by the minister of agriculture who is doing a monitoring program to confirm the exact situation in the regions to give technical advice where necessary.

Meanwhile, she explained that the industrial fishing embargo has been lifted with new amendments which it is expecting 25 percent increment on revenue.

By: Ousainou Mbenga

Since the declaration of the “tactical coalition” by the United Democratic Party leadership as a guarantee for the survival of their party and consequently, the death of “Coalition 2016”; all of the characterizations of the Barrow administration as a U.D.P government, even though dismissed as inaccurate, are now an open secret, even as those, who are raising the alarm, are being attacked as“tribalist” and or disgruntled.

On September 23, 2017, in New York City at the Town Hall Meeting with president Barrow and his staff, the co-master of ceremony Lamin Drammeh made the first “public-official” announcement on behalf of the party: “since this is a U.D.P government, we will now introduce”…… Naturally, the damage control theatrics ensued but the cat was already out of the bag. Whenever the Jinni is out of the bottle, it’s always problematic to put it back in.

That announcement drew a comment from Kawsu Badjie saying:“time out, this is not a U.D.P government” which did not sit well with some party supporters that attempted to charge at him. I intervened in his defense and in unity with him that it was inappropriate to have made such an announcement. But besides the public announcement of a “U.D.P government” the town hall meeting was a misrepresentation of the “one Gambia” — “one people” slogan commonly uttered in speeches. Talk is the cheapest commodity on social media, at conferences and meetings, anyone can talk.

Jammeh’s downfall and Barrow’s “lift onto the saddles of power” is only a starting point towards genuine freedom. Freedom has never been free, the cost is all the consequences that come with the genuine struggle for revolutionary social transformation of our beloved Gambia. For all intent and purposes, the genuine struggle needs to intensify hundred-fold to prepare the Gambian masses with an unshakable fighting capacity to build the “new Gambia” rooted in our national advancement and not ethnic or tribal loyalties.

The genuine struggle for revolutionary changes in our beloved Gambia and the African world will continue until we are free from the need to be free. Yes, the struggle continues. But against what? Tribalism and all forms of reactionary ethnic affiliations against our national interest. The struggle continues, against ignorance and most importantly against any “elite” interested only in a meaningless regime change in contrast to us who are determined to uproot  the rotten neocolonial system once and for all.

What is abundantly clear with the Barrow administration (U.D.P government) and its hell-bent-supporters is the flawed believe that U.D.P won the 2016 elections, which explains the “winner takes all” attitude while hiding behind the inclusive “new Gambia”.

Lets assume the claim that U.D.P is the majority party and won the elections. Does that mean that everyone should be under their boot? Conversely, so what if any one of the ethnic groups in the Gambia constitute the so called “majority”? Does it means you have absolute power with total disregard for the rest of us? In my view, this arrogance is more destabilizing than the mere constructive criticisms made of the regime.

A HISTORY OF SACRIFICE VERSUS BETRAYAL

The masses never betray the cause!

In the past 52 years, there has never been a period in the history of our beloved Gambia when the people (masses) were called upon to rise against oppression and exploitation and they didn’t respond. The most fresh in our memory is the February 18, 2017, independence celebration following the “impasse” with the Jammeh regime. Approximately 60,000 critical mass (inside and outside the stadium) were in attendance. This unprecedented response of the masses can only rival the first call on the masses for “flag independence” during which the entire population was mobilized.

The genius of the masses was at its best. Inspirational – Nationalist songs and music with pulsating rhythms punctuated the rallying cries for “independence” not only in Gambia but across the African continent. The youth and women, the bedrock of all resistance were jolted into an awoken consciousness to shatter the colonial chains of the mind and body, creating a reservoir of resistance from which every government with its opportunist politicians draw support from during political campaigns for local and presidential elections.

Then came the post “independence” call for “Tesito” (organized production) and the masses rose to yet another occasion with the hope for a better life and a bright future. But again betrayal raised its ugly head and tentacles to strangle the people’s hope. As the “Tesito” years went by with its one sided sacrifice from the masses while the “elite” became oblivious of the suffering in the land, the social conditions for anarchy, adventurism and coup d’etat were inevitable.

As adventurist as the July 1981 coup was, the fed up masses responded to the call in defense of the motherland with tragic consequences. At least a thousand people died resulting in the first mass grave in the Gambia. As it has shown to be in Africa and other oppressed countries, once a coup, twice a coup. Thirteen years later it repeated itself with consequences beyond tragic.

We thought coup d’etat were permanently aborted in the womb of our beloved Gambia. And because the P.P.P government never learned from its past complacencies, they ignored the wretched social conditions that bred the aborted coup of 1981 and subsequently the coup that ultimately lifted Jammeh onto the “saddles of power” for 22 damn years

The year was July 22, 1994, when the “soldiers with a difference” called on the masses to support their deceitful program to entrench “transparency, accountability and probity after 30 years of the corrupt and cruel Jawara regime. The mass jubilation and support for change was phenomenal but short lived as betrayal raised its ugly head yet another time.

The July 22, 1994, coup happened under the most bizarre circumstances and remained shrouded in “coincidental mysteries,” thanks to the USS Lamoure County naval ship that just happen to be in Gambian waters at the time of the coup and offered Sir Dawda Jawara, the president safe haven until negotiations with the coup plotters were settled.  That negotiations lasted for 22 years until the Gambian masses imposed the “Coalition 2016” on the pussy-footing “opposition parties” to make our determination of “No fifth term for Jammeh” a reality.

The masses are to sacrifice as the government and its treacherous politicians are to betrayal. We have entered a new period of genuine struggle with rekindled optimism and vow to end this history of betrayal. It is because of this history of betrayal that we refuse to give the Barrow administration, its “tactical coalition,” Coalition 2016 and subsequent administrations a CHANCE. From this point forward every administration and representatives of the people will be put to the TEST.

We must win the masses of our people to revolutionary politics to cultivate revolutionary leadership as oppose to “leadership of entitlement” grossly impregnated with tribal / ethnic backwardness. The Gambian masses must know where their interest lies and who serves their interest. Has “tribalism” ever served the interest of the down trodden masses who are historically misused as canon fodder by the opportunist elite politicians? Never did, never will. Let’s take possession of our brains and never relinquish it to opportunism.

ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE! ONE GAMBIA

INDIVISIBLE! DOWN WITH TRIBALISM

WhatsApp became the tool that galvanized us as a people, and the final nail in the coffin of the Jammeh tyranny. The WhatsApp tool became the nexus for Gambians living in small villages and hamlets to Gambians living in the Diaspora, as we shared the platform to remind all of us the need to come together and bring sanity to our homeland. We were tired of the fear, disappearances, impunity, and the realization that our Gambia was off the cliff of becoming a failed state. The Diaspora was seen by our folks back home as the enlightened sons and daughters who are only driven by love of country, and irrespective of our partisan divide and whatever perceived difference we may have, there is a known truth that we will never engaged in processes that will threaten the stability of our country. The irony of it all is that the WhatsApp, the tool touted by president Barrow wherever he goes as the most effective tool that finally brought down the Jammeh tyranny and gave us our freedom, is now seen to be threatening and poised to put us back in the path of self-destruction

By Alieu Ceesay

Gambian police used tear gas to disperse angry football supporters on Tuesday during a quarter final game in the country’s most watched local football competition.

The game between SK East and Bakau ended with SK East defeating Bakau 1-0 in a derby game. Alder Mendy scored the all-important goal in the second half.

The Super Nawettan or better known as Zonal is an annual football competition competed among recognized zones.

It was a derby encounter and the two sides had a long history of rivalry. The final whistle was the end of the game, but the start to a fight between the supporters as they threw any object they can lay their hands on.

The incident saw fans causing damage to the perimeter fence and chairs at the park. There was no major injury reported at the time of going to press, but one journalist was left suffocated by the tear gas.

In the other quarter final game, Gunjur won Kombo East at the Box Bar Mini Stadium. The Super Nawettan Organising Committee Chaired by former Army General Lang Tombong Tamba is expected to sit on the matter and come up with appropriate sanctions.