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THE ROLE OF THE GAMBIA BAR ASSOCIATION IN “NEW GAMBIA”

Fatu Camara
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THE ROLE OF THE GAMBIA BAR ASSOCIATION IN “NEW GAMBIA”

 

On the 12th day of December, 2016, Mr. Sheriff M. Tambadou, the then Interim President of the Gambia Bar Association stood on the steps outside the Conference Hall at the Coco Ocean Hotel and read out a statement on behalf of the Gambia Bar Association.

 

In this statement the Gambia Bar Association condemned the Former President of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh’s attempts to subvert the will of the Gambian people as demonstrated in the Presidential elections of 1st December, 2016. This statement by the GBA set off a catalogue of condemnations by other civil society organisations and demonstrated that the change can be achieved by peaceful means. What it further demonstrated is that true power lies in the hands of the people. That, if every one of us comes together to challenge authoritarian rule, we can succeed.

 

Following the impasse and the events which took place at the end of 2016 and the beginning of 2017, it is clear that there is a need to really consider the role that the Gambia Bar Association should play in the emerging democracy that is The Gambia.

 

We need to consider the challenges that we face and create a roadmap of how to overcome the challenges.

 

It is generally accepted that lawyers should be heard and should contribute to the development of legislation and government policy, not because lawyers should be afforded a privileged position in public debate or because we are more important than other professions. We should be heard on these issues because it is an extension of our duties to our clients and to society to get involved in the questions which relate to the formulation of law and its broader application to all citizens.

 

Without access to competent and independent legal practitioners, individuals are often unaware of or unable to exercise their rights effectively. The laws that are passed then become inconsequential and meaningless.

 

Part of the obligation of the GBA is therefore to foster the independence of legal practitioners to provide a robust defence for the people. We must also ensure that the honour and the dignity of the profession is maintained. This can only be done by ensuring that each lawyer understands and abides by the highest professional and ethical standards.

 

Another role that the GBA should have is to scrutinize the actions of the government. The experience of the last Twenty Two years have confirmed that if illegal and wrongful actions and decisions by the government remain unchecked, its officials will become emboldened to continue to flout law and procedure. We moved from a leader who came into power in 1994 talking about accountability and transparency and ended up with a megalomaniac who had no regard for the constitution or any law. We as a people cannot afford to relive this nightmare again. We therefore all have an obligation to scream at the top of our lungs whenever any of the three arms of government fail to adhere to the provisions of our constitution and other laws. We need to understand that “the sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the people of The Gambia from whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of the government are to be exercised in accordance with this Constitution.” These are powerful words. We, as a people should realize that ultimately any government derives its legitimacy from us. Government officials are our servants. They work for us and everything that they do should ultimately be in our best interest. To choose to become a public servant is to choose to carry the weight of the expectations of the people on your shoulders. This is a heavy burden and so we must commend those who make this choice and give them the support they need to carry their burden. In the same vein we must critically analyse their actions and draw them back when they fail to meet to expectations of the people or to comply with the provisions of the constitution and other laws.

 

We have watched and continue to watch the new Government since they took over the Presidency on the 19th of January, 2017. We appreciate that they took over power at a tumultuous time in our history. We understand that the transition that ought to have happened did not and could not take place. We have given them the benefit of the doubt and have given them sufficient time to get settled in. We therefore remained silent when the President issued a press release on the 31st of January, 2017 purporting to change the name of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to the State Intelligence Agency (SIS). The change of name was purportedly effected by Presidential decree. The change of name of the NIA cannot be effected without an amendment to Section 191 of the Constitution. We believed that the announcement was made out of inexperience and expected that it would be remedied. To date, no attempt to amend the Constitution has been made but the Government persists in referring to the NIA as the SIS. Whilst this might seem like a minor issue, we need to remember that The Gambia was suddenly made an Islamic State by Presidential decree despite the provisions of the Constitution making it clear that The Gambia is a secular state and that even the National Assembly did not have the power to pass a Bill to establish any religion as a state religion. Such a decision could only be made by the people through a referendum. By ignoring the attempt to change the name of the NIA to SIS through Presidential decree, we might be sending the message that such actions are acceptable. As stated earlier, we cannot afford to take such issues for granted.

 

We cannot afford to remain silent when the provisions of the law are not complied with, even for the most minor of issues.

 

A further derogation from the Constitution was the announcement made on behalf the President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow on the 23rd of January, 2017. The announcement was to the effect that His Excellency the President had appointed the Honourable Mrs Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang as the Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia.

 

What followed this announcement was a public discussion as to whether Mrs Tambajang was qualified to be appointed Vice President under the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, 1997. Section 70(2) of the Constitution provides that “a person shall be qualified to be appointed as Vice-President if he or she has the qualifications required for the election of the President under Section 62”. Section 62 (1) (b) provides that a person shall be qualified for election as President if “he or she has attained the minimum age of thirty years but not more than sixty-five years.”

 

The controversy arose as to the age of Mrs Tambajang. This controversy was acknowledged and the Spokesperson for the President in a subsequent press statement said that the attention of the President had been drawn to the constitutional provisions. He stated further that whilst Mrs Tambajang is well suited for the job, the provisions of the Constitution will be respected.

 

The public was informed that the matter was being looked into and the people of The Gambia will be informed subsequently. In the interim, Mrs Tambajang took over the functions of the Vice President. She represented the country at Regional meetings and attended public functions as the Vice President of The Gambia.

 

On Monday the 27th day of February, 2017, there was a press release published in the newspapers stating that the National Assembly was convening a second extra ordinary meeting of the National Assembly in the 2017 Legislative year to consider the “1997 Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2017” and “The Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2017”. These Bills were debated on the 28th of February, 2017 and passed by the National Assembly.

 

The 1997 Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2017 sought to amend the age requirement under Section 62 (1) of the Constitution by deleting the maximum age of sixty-five set by the Constitution. There was a huge outcry following the purporting passing of the Bill. The Honorable Attorney General subsequently gave a press conference admitting that the process of the amendment was not in accordance with the Constitution.

 

The President had on the 22nd of February, 2017 announced that that Mrs. Jallow Tambajang was appointed as the Minster of Women’s Affairs and the Overseer of the Office of the Vice President. To date, there has been no announcement clarifying the age of Mrs Jallow Tambajang. This is despite the fact that the President had on the 28th of January, 2017 given a press conference in which he said that Mrs Jallow Tambajang is not above the age of 65 and that proof of this would be presented to the people. To date no such proof has been presented. Rather, what followed was the abortive attempt to amend the Constitution.

 

Despite the outcry that followed the abortive attempt to amend the Constitution, it seems that the government is determined to persist on its attempt to amend the Constitution to remove the upper age limit for holding office as President of the Republic of The Gambia thereby paving the way for the appointment of Mrs Jallow Tambajang as Vice President. On the 13th of April, 2017, there was a gazette announcement of that it is intended to introduce a Bill to the National Assembly “to amend the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, 1997 to revise the compulsory age of a judge of a Superior Court, to remove the upper age limit for holding office as President of the Republic of The Gambia and for connected matters.”

 

The Bill was debated and passed by the National Assembly in its sitting of the 25th of July, 2017. This is an issue of concern. Firstly, it raises the question of whether the amendment to the Constitution is solely in order to regularize the appointment of Mrs Tambajang as Vice President. It would seem so particularly taking into consideration the fact that seven months into this government, the President has still not appointed a Vice President. This is of concern because it would suggest that the Government, instead of acting in accordance with the law, is rather amending the law to legitimize decisions already made. This reminds us of the case of SABALLY v INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (1997-2001) GR 878. That case follows the events of the protests which took place on the 10th April, 2000. Sabally sued the Inspector General of Police for injuries occasioned on him by State Security Personnel. Whilst the case was pending, the Government passed the Indemnity (Amendment) Act, 2001 which sought to indemnify security agents against all claims in respect of actions taken during a period of public emergency.

 

Whilst the facts of that case can be distinguished from the present case, in both cases, the Government rather than conforming its actions within the confines of the law, has instead chosen to alter the law to legitimize actions already taken. The government that sought to introduce the Indemnity (Amendment) Act, 2001 was an authoritarian government. This government was elected on the promise of respect for the rule of law and democratic principles. The similarities in the response by these two governments should be an issue of great concern to every Gambian. The laws of our land particularly the provisions of the Constitution are not written in pencil to be erased to suit the interest of one individual.

 

Whilst there are good arguments for the removal of the upper age limit for holding office as President, is this an issue of such urgency that it cannot await the comprehensive review of the Constitution which we are told is in the pipeline? We have not heard any arguments put forward by the Government on this issue.   We will reserve our opinion on this point for now. It should be emphasized however that there are provisions in the Constitution which require urgent consideration. Section 18 (3) provides that “the National Assembly shall within ten years from the date of coming into force of this Constitution review the desirability or otherwise of the total abolition of the death penalty in The Gambia.” Twenty years, later, this issue has yet to be considered by the National Assembly. Is the removal of the upper age limit for President a more urgent issue than the decision as to whether or not we want the death penalty to be part of our laws? This is a question which the Government must answer if they want us to believe that the proposed amendment was not designed solely to pave the way for the appointment of Mrs Jallow Tambajang as the Vice President.

 

Ultimately, the Government must realize that the honeymoon has ended and the realities of everyday life have set in. We do not see what effect a change of name of the NIA has if the same operatives who had no consideration of the principles of rule of law are the same operatives working for the so called SIS. It is naïve to believe that a change of name of one of the most feared institutions under the Jammeh regime will cause a change in the perception of the general public of that institution. The change of name has not led to a change of perception. The manner in which the change of name was done has only led to a feeling of déjà vu.

 

The experience of déjà vu is repeated on a daily basis by Gambian motorists who are forced to yield to the familiar unmarked, speeding and menacingly tinted government vehicles. While Section 8 of the Motor Traffic Act clearly makes it illegal for any vehicle apart from the vehicle of the President to be unmarked; this Government has happily slipped into the shoes of the latter. Our liberators are now eerily mimicking the familiar acts of the former dictator.

 

On the 13th of July 2017 the Ministry of Interior issued a press release stating that tinted glass permits for non-factory tints would be banned for all vehicles except an exclusive few including the top echelons of Government and curiously …. “Bank Heads”. No reasons were given. In the first place the requirement for tint clearances are illegal. This author has not found any Regulation issued by the Minister of Interior under the Motor Traffic Act requiring tint clearances. Without such regulations the requirement for tint clearances are illegal and an abuse of power.

 

Instead of reversing this, the new Minister of Interior has sought to tighten the noose. The public may have found such an announcement palatable if security reasons were given for the protection of civil servants. However it is evident that the exclusive list contains no security officials. Why are “Bank Heads” privileged above the average Gambian? Is anyone of managerial level in a Bank entitled to a national VIP status? Why must the servants of the public who are bound to transparency hide behind tinted glasses while tax paying Gambians who fought for freedom cannot freely tint their cars within the limits of roadworthiness.

 

The trend is disturbing and it is escalating. This Government must recognize that it leads, subject always to the good graces of The Gambian people. The people yearn for freedom and change. And while change may have come for the privileged few, we the majority grow ever more impatient.

 

We remind the Government that one of the directive principles set down under our Constitution, which should guide its actions towards the common good is that it should endeavour to secure and promote a society founded on the principles of freedom, equality, justice, tolerance, probity and accountability. This is more reason why our public officials should not hide behind heavily tinted windows in cars paid for by hard working tax payers.

 

 

Contributor

 

Yassin Senghore

Vice President – GBA

Political Pluralism

Fatu Camara
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Political Pluralism

 

It has become common for people to ask, ‘Where were you when Jammeh was here , and why were you not criticizing?’ I think this type of position is ill-informed. Jammeh had a repressive regime and a very sinister way of silencing dissent. So, as ordinary citizens, it would have been foolhardy to take the regime head on.

Those of us who have no influence or voice [I am an ordinary classroom teacher] remained in the background doing whatever we could to survive. Well, December 2016 approached and all genuine Gambians were seized by a ‘political frenzy’. We campaigned, wrote articles and spoke to our people. The opposition did not disappoint. They came together and presented one candidate. We all went to the polls and voted for change. We were victorious and everyone was happy.

Now, there is a saying that ‘once beaten twice shy’. We all vowed never to allow one man to abrogate our rights again while we stand aside and watch. So, we therefore keep constant watch. Speak out when the need arises and criticise [constructively, I might add] anything we deem undemocratic. We all thought that there is hope for Gambia.

President Barrow has repeatedly said that there will be total freedom of the press and of expression. I told him about my activism and he said that that is good. ‘That is how we build a nation, together’.

Unfortunately, there has arisen those who would do anything to silence whoever says anything against Barrow and his regime. This is scary. I mean can’t they see the irony here? This is the same thing we accused Yahya Jammeh of, now it’s our turn. Have these people ever heard of being magnanimous in victory?

If anyone finds time to take a pen and write about the current issues, or talk about it openly, it is because he or she loves the country. We may differ with such a person in opinion but at least let us accord him/her the respect he/she deserves. We are all Gambians and no one is more Gambian than the other. We have to have a common goal. Pluralism is indispensable if we are serious about our democratisation process.

Whatever the case, asking someone why he didn’t speak out when Jammeh was here is unfair. Let us try to be objective in our criticisms. If we see an opinion, let us study it carefully before we start lambasting its author. And when we debate, let us talk about the issues rather than the personalities.

Together as one! We have a nation to build!

#TenacityForBetterGambia#

 

 

Unite and make Gambia great again – Deputy Speaker

Fatu Camara
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Unite and make Gambia great again – Deputy Speaker

 

Deputy Speaker, Momodou Sanneh has challenged all Gambians despite political differences to work together in “this new dispensation of justice, democracy and good governance to make the country great again”.

Speaking before lawmakers, the Deputy Speaker praised the President’s Monday address at the Assembly and thanked the Ecowas regional bloc members, particularly Senegal, for the crucial role they played during the political crisis which almost plunged the country into war.

The long-time lawmaker and the erstwhile Minority leader also called for respect for the rule of law which he said the former regime failed do so citing its withdrawal from the Commonwealth and International Criminal Court as examples.

“The Constitution which is the supreme law of the land and the voice of the citizens must be respected by our leaders who are being elected by the people to represent them and this was where the former regime failed because it had no regard for the rule of law,” Mr Sanneh chastised.

He challenged the Barrow administration to revive the agriculture sector which he said has been “dormant” for the past two decades and make it attractive as a source of employment for the youth.
Mr Sanneh, who was imprisoned by the former president, further postulated: “Considering the fertile soil The Gambia is blessed with and the river, they can be utilised effectively to improve our agric sector. That will create job opportunities for our youth.

On the issue of health as highlighted by the President in his address, 800 vehicles and motorcycles are purchased to revive our primary healthcare which is very important. We have learned a lot in the past two decades for politicising our institutions despite politics having nothing to do with our institutions. Therefore, all hands should be on deck despite our political differences to help the new government to achieve its development goals to make our country great again for the betterment of our people.”

The Member for Wuli East, Suwaibou Touray, appealed for preparedness to trade with other countries like China. He said the trade with Beijing in rose wood generated US$300 million for the government.

“China has great interest in our groundnuts and wood, therefore, we must try and improve our forest to trade with them. The country should try and graduate from aids which does not solve the economic problem of a country,” he advised.

He appealed for proper planning which he said is imperative to the economic wellbeing of any nation as any country will fail in the absence of proper planning.
Sessions continue.

I have not taken any bribe – Minister Fatty

Fatu Camara
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I have not taken any bribe – Minister Fatty

 

The Interior minister has denied allegations that he has given a biometric national identification card project to Semlex Company in exchange for an unspecified amount of dollars.

Mai Ahmed Fatty, who held an hour press conference with journalists at his new office building along the Bertil Harding Highway, said the contract with Semlex which was signed by Yahya Jammeh’s government was terminated by executive directives.

Fatty said if the ‘illegal termination’ of the contract with Semlex has not been properly taken care of, government would be obliged to pay US$100 million.

“I have not been bribed and if anybody has any evidence to show that I am bribed, then I welcome anybody from anywhere in the world to come and show that,” he said.

He said even Jammeh’s Justice ministry had advised him not to go ahead with the rather unorthodox termination of the contract with Semlex given the legal implication it could have.
“And so we did not want to go through another adjudication process when Jammeh’s own Justice minister is telling us don’t,” he added.

Mai said the Gambian-owned Pristine company has never applied to his office to bid for making of The Gambia’s identification cards.

Minister Fatty, a popular barrister and leader of the Gambia Moral Congress, has recently been at the centre of many corruption allegations mostly by Gambians online.

A more recent allegation was that of the building of a forensic lab in the country, a contract that his critics claimed has brought him significant kickbacks from the contractors.
Others said the contract is a misplaced priority given the dire economic situation in this country.
However, Fatty said Gambia government has not put a single butut in the establishment of that US$48 million forensic lab.

“The Gambia government has not contributed a butut to the forensic lab scheme. It is purely a private investment by a private investor who came to The Gambia on his own volition without an invitation from anybody. The real name for it is Centre for Diagnostic and Molecular Science Research,” he said.

“This is a company with private investors who are identifiable. The US$48 million is an estimate which was provided by a private company headed by a molecular scientist Dr Sheikh Tijan Sey.”

Fatty said the land will be allocated by government and the centre will serve as both a research centre and forensic lab.

The ministry also addressed many other issues such as prison reforms initiatives they are working on and salary increment plans for service personnel.

Source: Standard Newspaper

Gross Inequality in Our Public and Private Sectors!

Fatu Camara
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Gross Inequality in Our Public and Private Sectors!

 

The tragedy in the Gambia is not just about the suppression of our civil and political rights by the APRC Dictatorship. But this Dictatorship has also suppressed certain vital national issues while at the same time provided a cover for other forms of oppression and exploitation to take place across our society. One of the effects of the Dictatorship is that it nurtured a culture of inequality, injustice and exploitation in our public and private sectors. The incidence of sexual harassment, abuse of power and wide income gaps are severely prevalent in our work places. Hence December 1 must begin the process of fighting for, and bringing about social and economic justice in the Gambia.

In the private sector, for example the banks, some CEOs are taking home nothing less than 400 thousand dalasi per month! Some general managers are collecting a monthly salary of nothing less than 200 thousand dalasi. All across our bank, managers can be seen with flashy cars and huge building loans, with sumptuous incentives and benefits. At some banks, Board directors and chairs are said to receive up to one million dalasi as dividend per annum. At GTB the former chair who has always been in cahoots with Yaya Jammeh was said to receive 10 million dalasi as dividend in 2016! Yet the GTB permanent staffs get annual dividend of less than 10 thousand dalasi while the Xsell ‘Temporary Workers’ who form the majority of staffs never got any dividend until 2015. Meantime cleaners and security guards are outsourced only to be paid less than D2000 per month. These disparities are utterly scandalous and must be regularized!

This is gross inequality and it is unjustified. This scenario clearly shows that the private sector is an arena of exploitation and injustice where monkey works and baboon chops. It is such outlandish injustices that have led to movements in the US and Switzerland since 2013 campaigning for caps in what fat cats in the private sector can receive. It is unfair for companies to make billions of dalasi by overworking decent men and women who are only paid pittance while the directors, CEOs and managers enjoy fat salaries.

It is therefore urgent that all Gambians realize that we need to get up to ensure a fair and just society so that everyone gets a fair share of their sweat and labour. By maintaining these inequalities means we are perpetuating poverty and injustice. All over the private sector, from banks to commercial farms to hotels and supermarkets including GSM companies Gambians are being overworked and paid slave wages. This must stop.

The Gambia Government must step up to its responsibility to ensure that our private sector is progressively regulated to allow workers obtain decent wages that will ensure decent living standards. The Government must set a minimum wage. The Government must review the labour laws to better protect the rights and welfare of the Gambian worker. Civil and political rights are meaningless if social and economic rights are disregarded and damaged.

As it is in the private sector, the same inequality and injustice also operate within the public sector. From the central government to the local governments to parastatals and public enterprises wide income gaps prevail to the detriment of most workers. Permanent Secretaries, managing directors, directors and managers receive sumptuous allowances and benefits while their junior staffs live from hand to mouth. No doubt many people work for their entire life in the public sector only to retire into abject poverty after 40 years of service to the nation. This is unfair and unjust. We must restructure the Gambian society along the lines of justice otherwise poverty and deprivation shall continue to characterize the masses of our people.

Furthermore we have bossy permanent secretaries, managing directors, director generals and managers who are acting like dictators. They take vital decisions unilaterally; abuse their staffs by cutting salaries or marginalizing them and even dismissing or suspending staff members without due process. Some of these bosses have become true tyrants onto themselves. These were the attitudes in the past 22 years in many work places within the civil service that have contributed to killing professionalism, morale and productivity. We do not expect such abuses should exist anymore.

What all of these indicate is the gross structural imbalances within our economy which is the reason why that very economy could never grow and therefore giving rise to high cost of living and poverty. World Bank Doing Business Reports have consistently shown that the Gambia has always been among the top few countries with the highest total tax rate. Income tax is grossly high in the Gambia and with meager salaries, it means majority of workers bleed through the nose to make ends meet. This is also one of the reasons why corruption and deprivation are rife in our country. Until the Gambia embarks on urgent restructuring of our economy in order to modernize our systems, improve working conditions and increase wages in order to close income gaps, we shall always be a poor country.

Therefore it is urgent and necessary that all public and private sector workers begin to join trade unions and embark on industrial action to demand better working conditions and better pay and respect. We have seen how public and private sector workers in advanced economies agitate everyday and succeed in securing their rights and welfare. This shows that unless Gambian and African workers also agitate for their rights and welfare, they shall continue to wallow in poverty, deprivation and injustice. Let us therefore join trade unions and from now onwards we utilize May Day as a day of protest for better wages and conditions. No more sports and useless fanfare!

Let staff associations stop engaging in only staff parties and gala dinners and picnics. Let staffs sit together to identify their rights and work entitlements and make demands and pursue those demands until they achieve them. Workers must not allow one person to unfairly benefit from their sweat and labour just because that person is the CEO or Permanent Secretary or Board Director. Staffs must not sit and watch while one of them is being abused and disrespected by another senior manager. The public and private sectors must generate and distribute wealth for all and not to engender poverty and deprivation only for junior workers. The current set up of our public and private sectors is not geared towards that direction. No one will change that direction other than the workers themselves.

Workers of the Gambia, Unite and Arise! Expose unfair treatment and injustice in your work place. Demand better conditions and respect for your rights! Embark on industrial action including going to court for your rights and welfare. You are a human being and a citizen, not a slave!

God Bless The Gambia.

Madi Joba

Interior Minister Mai Fatty Clarifies Issues Surrounding The $48 Million Forensic Lab

Fatu Camara
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0
Interior Minister Mai Fatty Clarifies Issues Surrounding The $48 Million Forensic Lab

 

The Minister of Interior, Mai Ahmed Fatty has clarified concerns raised over a $48 Million project to establish a Forensic Lab in the Gambia.

Minister Fatty made these remarks at a press conference held at his office which he promised to have every month.

“The Forty Eight (48) Million is an estimate provided by the private developer,” Minister of Interior Mai Ahmed Fatty said.

He added:”The Gambia government has not contributed a single butut in the Forensic Lab project.”

Minister Fatty told journalist that the Lab was funded by a private investor who was not even invited by the government but his company was incorporated in the Gambia. He said the establishment of the Lab will be of great benefit to the country as the Gambia is facing challenges on issues relating to criminal forensics. He added that the forensic science centre will support law enforcement officers to provide data that will assist them in solving crimes.

The Interior Minister said the centre was envisaged not only solving crimes in the Gambia but it would provide service to the rest of the African continent.

“The Gambia is not going to look for funds for the centre,” he asserted.

Minister Fatty said the Gambia is a training partner and will pay the centre for the national services.

Meanwhile, the Minister also talked about the prison reform programs, salary increment for security officers and the rehabilitation of prisoners among other things.

HELLO MR PRESIDENT. … No Wakh Wakheet Please…

Fatu Camara
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HELLO MR PRESIDENT. … No Wakh Wakheet Please…

 

I read with dismay an interview you granted to some reporters in the newspapers in which you were asked as to whether you will run for a second time. In answer to that question, Mr President, you said that it depends on the Gambian people. This is disappointing!

Your word should be your bond! Eight political entities came together and agreed that in order to oust Yahya Jammeh, they should choose one candidate to be the standard bearer to usher in a transitional government of three years. Then, after completing the Constitutional and Institutional Reforms, elections will be held in which that candidate [you, in this case] shall not contest.

This is very clearly spelt out in the Memorandum of Understanding that all these political entities signed. Now, the question of three or five years has merit on both sides of the argument because the Constitution stipulates five years for the presidential term. How you [all the signatories of the MoU] will untangle yourselves from that quagmire is something you will have to decide. What one cannot fathom is why you would even hint that if Gambians tell you to contest a second term you will do it.

Do you remember these words ‘So long as Gambians want me to rule them, I will rule this country for a billion years’! What crap! All these statements are just a way to entrench oneself in office. You are not – should not be – like Yahya Jammeh. You are a democrat and I hope that what glitters in that political seat will not beguile you into trying to overstay in power.

Look, there will always be people who will support you and who would want you to run for office again. Similarly, there will always be people who would want you to leave. Both parties will be Gambians, so who would you listen to? You must stick to your agreement and not seek office a second time.

With that, Mr President, the respect that people have for you will multiply manifold and you will ever remain in the good books of the people of the world. You will be remembered as one of the top statesmen of Africa. In fact, you may even win the Mo Ibrahim Award for Good Governance. Please, do not tarnish your image by doing what we call ‘Wakh wakheet’.

Have a Good Day Mr President….

Tha Scribbler Bah

A Concerned Citizen

“Don’t Expect My Calls Interfering With Your Work”–President Barrow Tells CJ

Fatu Camara
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“Don’t Expect My Calls Interfering With Your Work”–President Barrow Tells CJ

 

Gambia’s President Adama Barrow said he told the country’s Chief Justice, Assan Jallow to not expect a phone call from him with regards to interfering with his job.

“Don’t expect my calls,” President Adama Barrow said.

President Barrow made these statements at a press conference held at his office in Fajara. He said the Gambian judiciary is very independent. He added that he told the Chief Justice when he came to his office that he should not expect calls from him.

The Gambian leader in his respond to a two term limit said it was a promised that was made during the campaign which he is still committed to fulfill.

“As long as I am the president, it will happen,” he pointed out.

President Barrow was further quizzed about the piecemeal approach of the constitutional amendments on the presidential age limit and nomination fees among others instead of holistic approach to reform the constitution as promised during his campaign. He asserted that the government is still committed to the promises made in the campaign. He said the few amendment made were very urgent but reaffirmed the general reform of the constitution.

“We will be going for a referendum as I stated in my address of the National Assembly,” he asserted.

He reiterated that constitutional reform will strengthen the Gambia’s democracy which he said shall not be compromise.

President Barrow talked about the relationship between the Gambia and Senegal which he said is based on mutual friendship as the two countries are sovereign states.

Meanwhile, the media team at the office of the president has launched a newsletter and official website of the State House.

Corruption or Dangerous Driving

Fatu Camara
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Corruption or Dangerous Driving

 

Dear Editor,

 

Can we please take a moment to reflect on the tragic accidents that occur in the past months? #Brikama Nyambai forest: A truck collided with a passenger car. At least three people dead.
#Kabakor Village, Foni Bintang Karanai: A Mercedes Benz intruded into a container truck: Three dead others seriously injured.

#Somita, Foni Berefet: A truck ran over a police officer resulting to his dead.

#Kafuta Forest 26/07/2017: A pickup truck hit a truck loaded with Timber resulting to the dead of a man and his wife.

#Brikama Castle 26/07/2017: A truck hit a taxi near the castle petrol station.
And many more….

If this was because of a crime, the streets would have been infested with patrol teams trying to apprehend culprits and put this madness to an end. A truck park on the road without any reflectors installed that results to collision and deads cannot be called an accident. I called it “intend to murder”. A speeding truck approaching a police station just to see a driver got his head out off the window screaming “AMUT BRAKE”!!! Having the police officers running to safety is “intend to murder” since he fail to stop as soon as he can. A truck loaded with timbers without a back light is intending to commit murder. A car with one head light on speeding in the night is intending to commit murder since it only seems to be a motorbike. The point is, so long we see accidents as natural, more people will continue to die.

We live in a country where thieves appear in the newspapers daily on trials but hardly do we read of drivers being charged with murder or manslaughter.

What is the interior ministry and the police doing about this? If a car can travel from Kalagi to Brikama with no back light in the night, then I am tempted to say the police are not doing their job. Stop taking bribes and do your work! In fact, I dare say the corruption in Gambia is not only the officers but the people. It is us who when an officer stops our driver on the highway for neglecting traffic rules jump out appealing to them to release the car. We sometimes call them names, accuse them of doing this because they want money.

To the #interior minister, #IGP and #Gambians in general, let us not assume noting is happening. The lives you save, can be your own.

Entering a car now to work is as if you are going to a battle field. You only hope that you come back safe.

Halifa: Commission of inquiry may look discriminatory

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Halifa: Commission of inquiry may look discriminatory

 

The National Assembly member for Serekunda Halifa Sallah has warned that the nature of the Commission of Inquiry into Jammeh’s assets may look discriminatory giving its nature and mandate.

Speaking during the debate on the motion establishing the commission, Hon Sallah warned that passing such motions could lead the parliamentarians to be judged in the wrong way at this early stage.

“I want to call on the government to come very clear on whether it is going to have a commission of inquiry into the assets of all those who governed within a period or only into assets of former President Jammeh, his family members and close associates”, he said.

He said to avoid any form of discrimination the commission of inquiry should have focused on all those who governed within the period in question. “So, I think we should be clear on what we are trying to do and not to allow ourselves to be judged in the wrong way at a time when we are just starting,” he added.

Sallah added: “That is one element, but the other element is the public enterprises. Are the public enterprises been inquired into only in their relations with a particular president or substantively the institution through its declarations of audited accounts as manifested in propriety, and therefore the public enterprise itself is been subjected to inquiry.”

“I want more information and real explanation to be able to make decisions. It is important for us to know that this is a new Gambia and that we are establishing a system of justice that will never be in indicted by issues.”

He said what is of concern to him is that the NAMs were told that the commission of inquiry is been constituted, “we are also told the establishment of the said commission is necessitated by the receipt of preliminary reports from the Central Bank of the Gambia etc.”

“I am not privy to such a report, where is the report? I am being asked to support the motion but I am not been given the substantive instrument or the basis of which I should support the motion. So, in my view the motion should not pass until that document comes to this National Assembly; we review it and determine its authenticity.”

He said it is important that when a mandate is given it is made clear, “because if we do not make a clear demarcation we could be accuse of personalizing or politicizing justice,” he said.

Source: Standard Newspaper

 

My Objection to the Constitutional Amendments!

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My Objection to the Constitutional Amendments!

 

Why did the Barrow Administration change only two provisions in our Constitution when they had identified in their 2016 Manifesto numerous provisions that they would amend when they assume power? Whose interest are they serving by changing only the age requirement for president and judges? In his Manifesto, Barrow said his Coalition Government “will promote and entrench the sovereignty of the people; eradicate vestiges of the self-perpetuating rule; and empower citizens to defend their sovereignty and to have control over public authority as equal stakeholders.” Yet the provisions that should ensure this objective have been neglected in favour of those that empower only the Executive. Why?

According to the Coalition Manifesto, Barrow promised to change Section 39 of the Constitution and Sections 11 and 141 of the Elections Act in order to enfranchise Gambians abroad to vote. He promised to restore Section 48 of the Constitution to require presidential candidates to obtain at least 50 percent of the votes cast in the first ballot in order to win an election. His Coalition also promised to subject Section 63(1) to a referendum in order to introduce a two-term limit. They also said they will seek an act of parliament under Section 63(5) to determine the procedure for a referendum when a vote of no confidence is cast against a President. They also promised to amend Section 91 to prevent a NAM from losing his or her seat just because one is dismissed by one’s party. They promised that Section 42 would be amended so that no IEC Commissioner is arbitrarily removed unless subjected to a judicial inquiry.

Further, the Coalition said they would set up a Constituency Boundaries Commission in compliance with Section 50 of the Constitution. To empower electorates to recall undesirable NAMs, they said they would enact the procedure for that under Section 92. They also said they will enact other laws such as the Freedom of Information law so that public information is available to the general public all the time. In that regard they promised to repeal the Newspaper Act in order to make it easier and cheaper for one to establish a media house. Why then did they ignore all these provisions but only amended one?

Furthermore, they promised to revoke all pieces of legislation that criminalize speech including libel, sedition, false news and false publication within six months of assuming political office. They also promised to repeal any provision in the “Public Order Act that is not reasonable and justifiable in a democratic society such as those that hinder peaceful procession to highlight public grievances, which is the main tool for exercising civil society oversight over the governance process.” In fact their Manifesto described the Public Order Act as a law that, “gives too much power to the Inspector General of Police and does fetter freedom of association and assembly.”

Therefore why are these laws or provisions not repealed within these past six months?
Barrow’s Coalition also promised in their Manifesto to amend Section 114 of the Criminal Code that relates to giving false information to a public servant, because they recognize that citizens have a right to petition the president under Section 25(f) of the Constitution. They also promised to invoke Section 18 in order to abolish the death penalty through a referendum within one year of coming to office.

In other words, it is clear from their Manifesto that this Government, which was in the Opposition, knew all the shortcomings in our Constitution and committed themselves to changing them. Yet six months down the line, all they could do is to pick one insignificant provision, given our circumstances to change and leave the rest in place. Why?

The amendments they outlined show that the issue of legal and constitutional reform should be the highest agenda of this government. Hence it is indeed disheartening that our National Assembly Members would rubber-stamp this amendment when they know that we need a new constitution altogether.

Why should we change our Constitution just for the appointment of one person to one position when there are many other qualified Gambians to fill that position? Our National Assembly Members have even deliberately ignored the fact that the Preamble of the Constitution has recognized July 22 as a legal act. Why was this not changed? Further in our Constitution, all of the actions, decisions and persons acting on behalf of AFPRC and July 22 coup have been completely indemnified under Section 232(13). Why was this not also changed? In fact Section 96(2) gives power to the president to dissolve the parliament and call for new elections at anytime as he deems fit. Yet our NAMs decided to ignore these bad provisions but to change only a tiny provision just for the appointment of one citizen! This is tragic!

On 20th July, the Minister of Justice said the government will pursue the drafting of a new constitution leading to a referendum and that process will take at most two years. Four days later, the president himself spoke in the parliament and reiterated that there will be constitutional reforms. In the first place one wonders why should it take 18 months to two years to draft a new constitution for the Gambia. I therefore completely disagree with the Justice Minister that we need two years to create a new constitution. We know all of the shortcomings of the Constitution. We have the expertise to draft a new constitution and go to a referendum within one year. Why then take 18 months to two years to do that?

Thus instead of insisting on one amendment, one would expect that the Executive and the Legislature would rather consider putting in motion a process for the total overhaul of this constitution and the creation of a new one. But even if they fail to do that, why then cherry-pick provisions to change and not change all of them at once?

I therefore hereby express my total condemnation of this constitutional amendment on July 25. The country does not need a piecemeal change of the constitution to suit one person or a government. We need a holistic overhaul of the entire constitution so that we have a new constitution to usher in a fresh republic founded on democratic principles and human rights. The action by both the Executive and Legislature is a betrayal of the deepest aspirations of the people of the Gambia. They have not served the supreme interest of our people and country in anyway by this action.

God Bless The Gambia.

Madi Jobarteh

President Barrow Meets The Press

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President Barrow Meets The Press

 

Mr. Adama Barrow, the President of the Republic of The Gambia has met local and international journalist at a press conference held at the Office of the President in Fajara on Thursday, July 27.

The Gambian leader answered tons of questions on governance, the economy, human rights, youth unemployment, development blueprint and constitutional reform among other important issues.

“Political campaign and governance are not the same. When you take over a government you realize it is full of challenges,” President Adama Barrow said.

President Barrow called on the Gambian people to exercise patience as his government will surely deliver on the promises made during his campaign that brought about the downfall of the former president who ruled the country with an iron fist for the past 22 years.

“We will get there,” he added.

Barrow told journalist about the plans of his government to provide a development blueprint which is expected to be complete in the next two weeks as the Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service is compiling the papers.

The Gambian leader said his government’s top priorities is to revive the economy and the energy sector. He asserted that the economy was almost empty at the time of assuming office which he said has made the Finance Minister the busiest minister in the cabinet doing everything possible to rebuild the economy. He also talked about the energy sector, saying they have a roadmap for NAWEC, a short and medium term plan to stabilize things. He added that the agreement with Senegal is part of the short term plan.

He talked about the country’s petroleum particularly the oil mining project formerly called by the former president as the ‘ALHAMDULILAH PROJECT’. He claimed that the prospects are high as bigger companies are bidding for contracts. He promised that the project will be very transparent and there will be accountability.

President Barrow said his government is planning to set up more commissions including the establishment of the Lands Commission to look into the the cases of communities and individuals whose lands were forcefully taken.

The president was further questioned about a post on his official Facebook page that threatened to charge journalist with sedition but the president does not give a direct answer as to whether he was aware or responsible of the said post. He only talked about his government’s commitment to bring in good media laws. He promised his government will be very media friendly which he said is the reason why he appointed a senior journalist and activist in the person of Demba A. Jawo as the Minister of Information, Communication and Infrastructure.

“A healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” he interjected.

He talked about the plans of his government to provide health services as they are doing everything possible to reform the country’s health sector.

President Barrow told journalist that the Bamba Tenda/Yelli Tenda bridge project is at an advanced stage. He disclosed that efforts are on the way to bridge Banjul/Barra river. He also promised to bring back a better river transport like in the past.

Meanwhile, the president said his government has not signed any agreement with European countries to deport the Gambian nationals.

I will go when Gambians decide – Barrow

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I will go when Gambians decide – Barrow

 

President Adama Barrow has said yesterday he is leaving his options open as to whether he will resign after three years as provided for in the agreement signed by the Coalition.

“It will depend on what the people want. Constitutionally the mandate is five years and we agreed on three years. We feel that we have to come together and compromise our principles to make sure we dislodge a dictator. It was just parties that came together. The Gambian people are bigger than the parties,” he said.

When asked to say specifically if he would resign after three years, the president said: “It is the Gambian people who will decide. I am not saying I am going to violate the agreement but if the Gambian people say… go after 3 years, I will go”.

Below is a short excerpt of the interview:

How about if they say contest again after 5 years?
It is the Gambian people now.

How about if they say contest for the second term?
It is the Gambian people now.

So that means Adama can contest elections for two terms?
That is left to the Gambian people.

Source: Standard Newspaper

 

‘No Medical Insurance, No Bonus, GT Bank Is Unfair To Us’ A Staff Member Tells The Fatu Network

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‘No Medical Insurance, No Bonus, GT Bank Is Unfair To Us’ A Staff Member Tells The Fatu Network

A staff member at The Guaranty Trust Bank who wants to remain anonymous has said that many of them have had their services outsourced without their knowledge. Below we produce the full details sent to us by the source.

We were employed by GT Bank but to our knowledge we are going to be outsourced without any official communication from the bank. An agency called xsell, well it’s not even a company but a sole proprietorship business owned by one lady who gave us contracts as her employees. The contracts specified a temporary employment with no other benefits, we have been working for more than 4 years under that said contract which is illegal based on the labour laws as temporal employment should not be more than 1 year. Even though that is the case, we have been working for years with no benefits, no promotions and no salary increment.

We have complained to management on many occasions but all they tell us is to choose between staying or resigning. We decided to form a group with more than 113 employees and raised the issue but still no response from management. We later decide that we write to them, as soon as we did, they suspended 8 of our representatives just for demanding our rights. Now the other staff members are in solidarity with the eight asking management to either consider our demands and  bring back the eight staff or we will all go on a sit down strike.

They never listened so we proceeded with the sit down strike on July 20. We now had meetings with our employer and GT bank together with officials from the labour department but unfortunately we ended the meetings with no solution. We found out that management is going around trying to persuade other members of the group to resume work so as to divide us.

We have gone to Foroya and other media outlets for we want the world to know what is happening, our rights have been exploited by xsell and GT bank over the past 4 years

At GT bank we have no medical allowance no transport allowance for the past 4 years, this has never changed our work schedule which is from Monday to Saturday with no bonus or overpay. With all of this, they are threatening to sack anyone who continues with the sit down strike and are  forcing us to go to work. The labour act section 51 states that a temporary worker should not exceed 1 year, how can we be temporary workers for more than 4 years and the labour department is not doing anything bout this? They have to investigate the matter.

Farewell Party For Former Basic Education Minister Fatou Lamin Faye Draws Controversy

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Farewell Party For Former Basic Education Minister Fatou Lamin Faye Draws Controversy

 

From a concern MOBSE staff…

It has come to my notice that on Wednesday, July 19, 2017, the ministry of basic and secondary education made a farewell party for the former minister Fatou Lamin Faye. This was held at the clay oven Indian restaurant in Fajara. The farewell party was organized and attended by high ranking officials of the ministry.

This is something very unethical and wrong. The peaceful transfer of power is one of the most important tools to bring about a democratic change of government. Fatou Lamin was one among those ministers who were the biggest enablers of former President, Yahya Jammeh and refused to handover peacefully to the incoming ministers during the political impasse. She was one of those who stood by Jammeh dancing to his tunes when this peaceful country was about to turn into a war zone.

The likes of former information minister stood up and say no to Jammeh and thanks to the ECOMIG forces and the people of our beloved nation who stood up for the country despite the tricks that Jammeh and his enablers were engaged in. Where was the likes of the current minister of works Bai Lamin?

We all know that during the political impasse Jammeh and his allies took millions out of this country and left us with notting… thus why should the ministry use the little money we have to organize this mega party for this lady. The money could have been use for something useful to this country… this is totally unconstitutional and therefore angers us a lot.

At this juncture I really want President Barrow to sit up and look at the ministry just like he did at the central bank of the Gambia, GPA, GAMTEL, and other state institutions. It was not only the ministers who were the enablers but also top government civil servants, there are still hypocrites amongst us… they should all be screened and checked for proper administration to take place otherwise there will be a room for them to undermine the current minister and then history would repeat itself again which will be a total failure for the Barrow administrative and the entire country as well.

One should be very suspicious that if this people can do such a thing in this country then, there is no doubt that we still have them among us right at this ministry. They are big enablers and are ready to make sure that this government fails. The officials who organized this party should be questioned by the commission of inquiries to ensure a clean and loyal personnel to the ministry and the barrow administration.

GAMBIAN STAR FOOTBALLER SAINEY CEESAY MAKING QUICK PROGRESS in GERMANY

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GAMBIAN STAR FOOTBALLER SAINEY CEESAY MAKING QUICK PROGRESS in GERMANY

 

By Lamin Drammeh

Stephan Laufer, team manager of Sv Amstetten 1946, has hailed the contribution of Gambian footballer Sainey Ceesay, who scored 20 goals for Sv Amstetten in his first season at the Germany club.

The 21-year-old former Sait Matty and Steve Biko talisman arrived in Germany from Gambia by boat through Italy. It didn’t take long before he get recruited into the Sv Amstetten side. The club finished 7 place in the 16 team league table on 43 points last season, scoring an amazing 63 goals in a total of 28 games of the entire season.

Traveling to Europe by sea is a pretty risky journey for anyone to take more so for a young footballer playing at the highest league in Gambian standard.

However, there can equally be excitement that comes with it provided that one makes it. Cognizant of the so called luxurious living condition expectations and fancy lifestyle many expect to find once they made it to their final destinations. In the height of all these expectations high in their minds, many turned to football in search of better life for themselves and their families.

It appears Ceesay is amongst few Gambian footballers that took the risky back way road with hopes of finding himself a bigger club and conducive footballing environment to showcase his talent. The youngster is on his road to becoming another Gambian footballer making a mark in Germany.

He looks highly likely to emulate the progress made by Ousman Manneh, who signed lucrative contract with the Germany Bundasliga club Werder Bremen in 2015.

Manneh went on to net several goals for his new club including a whooping 4 friendly match victory goals he scored in the space of 15 minutes. That proved to be a remarkable career turn-around for a youngster Ousman Manneh, now living the life of a world class footballer from little known Gambia.

Manneh made history when he became the first Gambian to score in the Germany’s Bundasliga in his debut appearance against Bayern Leverkusen, settling brilliantly with life at Bremen as a teenage sensation.

He started on his road to becoming a household name in Germany Bundasliga as he turns 18 at the time of making his eagerly anticipated maiden debut in a Bremen shirt.

Well if you think that is the end of success story for Gambian footballers in the Bundasliga, you may have to think twice because it looks like there’s another Ousman Manneh of the Bundasliga in the making.

His Gambian compatriot and fellow Bakau native Sainey Ceesay is equally making wave in Germany at Sv Amstetten1946. Sainey signed for the club in 2016 after arriving from Gambia.

According to Sv Amstetten team manager Stephan Laufer, 41, in a telephone interview with The Fatu Network by this reporter, Ceesay joined Sv Amstetten after undergoing a successful trial with the team who found his strength and pace useful in their persuade of a top striker with great finishing ability to kill of the games.

Stephan has high expectations for the powerful forward and is positive about Sainey’s future on a personal rating.

He said, “Sainey is fundamental for the future because our plan for this coming season is based on player’s of his quality. He arrived here from Gambia through Italy in 2016. We tried him for a week at the amateur level, and challenged him to prove what he can do for the team. After successfully passing trials, we accepted him to be part of the team on a regular basis and he did not disappoint after scoring 20 goals in his first season at the club. That is a record achievement for the young footballer from Gambia. It took him a little amount of time to settle quickly with the team’s style of play and life at the city. We provided a house for him and other logistics arrangements needed to better serve us as a footballer,” added Stephan, who is entering the second year into his appointment as the club manager.

Sainey who goes by sobriquet Chompy came into spotlight when he played for Katchically United during the Nooran Football tournament.

While at the Bakau-based Nawettan club, the pacy foward was a key member of the Katchically side that qualified for the Nawettan proper. Known for his amazing goal scoring technique combined with his tactical brilliance contributed to his invitation to the Gambia U-17 team but a knee and ankle injuries prevented him making the final list of players shortlisted for the Gambia U-17 team at the time. It was confirmed the the baby scorpions will be without one of the most gifted young footballers in the country at the time, much to the disappointment of a player regarded as a potential replacement upfront.

Ceesay made a sensational recovery from those injuries with great comeback for the top tier side Sait Matty Football club, a performance that earned him a call up to the Bakau Zonal team.

Chompy was outstanding as Bakau won their third zonal championship thanks to an unforgettable sublime volley goal he scored as Bakau emerged narrow winners against their City rivals, Banjul, in a mouthwatering Zonal cup final.

The diminutive forward was an influential member of Africell Sait Matty team that regain promotion to the country’s top flight football following their relegation to the second tier season before that. He went on to establish himself as a regular scorer for the Gambia top tier outfit Sait Matty.

Sainey Jarju, former coach of Sainey Ceesay at Katchically is hugely credited for helping to lift Ceesay to the top. He was once quoted by this reporter as saying, “Chompy has been the symbol of Katchically during his short spell with the team. He is always willing to deliver for all the clubs he played for. It is save to say Chompy was both the head and the heart of Kachically United side that played the finest attacking football of the Nawettan in Bakau.” Shortly afterwards, he was sent to Steve Biko Fc, which was the last Gambian team he played for prior to leaving the shores of the country two years ago.

Lawmaker questions integrity of Commissioner Saine

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Lawmaker questions integrity of Commissioner Saine

 

The National Assembly member for Banjul South, Fatoumatta Njie has questioned the integrity of Bai Mass Saine, a member of the newly formed Commission of Inquiry into former President Jammeh’s assets.

The NAM argued the fact that Saine, being the son of former NIA boss Captain Lamin Saine who was Jammeh’s associate, could compromise his impartiality in the commission.

His father Captain Lamin K Saine was also nominated into parliament by former President Yahya Jammeh following the 2012 parliamentary election before serving as Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency from 2012 to 2013. He was sacked as the DG of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on Monday, 9th December, 2013.

The NAM argued that with such a deep connection of his father with the former regime, Commissioner Saine’s judgment could be clouded.

However, in response to the NAM’s misgivings, the Minister of Justice Aboubacarr Tambadou, said: “On membership of Bai Mass Saine, I personally believe that no son or daughter should be made to pay for the sins committed by their parents if at all there are sins at the first place.

“We need to be very careful here, on how we judge people. Bai Mass Saine is a very mature person and a qualified banker with an impeccable integrity. He should be judged on his character alone and not by those of his family members.”

He said it is unfair to cast doubt on Saine’s credibility and integrity on alleged sins of his family.
“Allow me to emphasise that this Commission of Inquiry is a fact-finding one and its powers are only limited to making recommendations,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the parliamentarians passed and adopted a whopping D900, 000 remunerations for the three commissioners tasked to lift the lid on former President Jammeh’s assets in the next three months.

Moving the motion before the NAM’S yesterday the Minister of Justice said the establishment of the said commission was necessitated by the receipt of preliminary reports from; inter alia, the Central Bank of the Gambia, Gamtel, GNPC, NAWEC, SSHFC, and other public institutions which indicate that substantial funds were, either directly or indirectly withdrawn.

Source: Standard Newspaper

PRESIDENTIAL AGE-LIMIT REMOVED

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PRESIDENTIAL AGE-LIMIT REMOVED

 

Members of the National Assembly yesterday passed and amended Section 62 of the 1997 Constitution to revise the compulsory retirement age of a judge of a superior Court and removed the controversial upper age-limit for holding presidential office and connected matters.

The 1997 Constitution placed an age limit on qualification for presidency in the country at 65, as well as the appointment of vice president, which has similar qualifications as president.
Critics of former president Jammeh said he had relied on this section to disqualify most of his opponents who might be interested in contesting election against him.

Moving the motion before the members of National Assembly the Minister of Justice Aboubacarr Tambadou said the bill also seeks to extend the age at which a judge of superior court should vacate office.
He added that the amendment of the bill will facilitate and encourage qualified, competent and experienced Gambians to be appointed as judges of the superior Courts and candidates to be elected to the political office of the president.

The Minority Leader and NAM for Niamina Dankunku Hon Samba Jallow, in seconding the motion, said the age limit should not have been in the constitution in the first place.
The changes would come as a relief to the Barrow administration whose chosen Vice President Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang is believed to be over 65 and could technically be called vice president to avoid the legal complications forcing the government to coin the phrase Vice President Overseer when referring to her role at state house.

The current foreign minister and leader of the United Democratic Party would have been faced with a legal bottleneck were he to aspire to contest the election of last December.
As fate would have it though he was sent to prison in April, it prompted his party to select a younger Adama Barrow as presidential candidate who later won the election under a coalition ticket.

Many National Assembly members welcome the amendment, saying the section was discriminatory and has no place in the country’s statute book.

Source: Standard Newspaper

“I am The Only One Who Cannot Be Fired In This National Assembly” Hon. Muhammed Magassy

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“I am The Only One Who Cannot Be Fired In This National Assembly” Hon. Muhammed Magassy

 

Honourable Muhammed Magassy, the National Assembly Member for Base has said that he is the only parliamentarian who cannot be sacked by any party leader for expressing his mind in the National Assembly.

The honourable member for Basse made these statements in his intervention on the Amendment Bill of the presidential age limit presented by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice at the National Assembly in Banjul.

“I am the only one in this National Assembly who is free to speak my mind without worrying about anybody sacking me from the parliament because section 91 D (1) cannot be applied on me,” Hon. Muhammad Magassy said.

Honourable Magassy called for the amendment of section 91 D (1) of the constitution which empowered political party leaders to sack National Assembly Members to loose their membership from the party that brought them to the parliament, saying it is the electorates who voted members of parliament not political parties.

“This is not something that should be encourage in the new Gambia,” he asserted.

Magassy said this will make the honorable members perform by allowing them to speak their minds on the interest of their people even if it is against their party interest.

Honourable Alhagie S. Darboe, the National Assembly Member for Brikama North commended the amendment of the age limit, saying the move taken is long overdue. He said that was what the then opposition fought to change. He added that the lower age should be also consider like the upper age for equal treatment without discriminating the lower age people who want to contest.

“When the age limit is amended the term limit should also be introduced,” Hon. Alhagie S Darboe pointed out.

The Brikama North Parliamentarian called for a two 5 year term limit for the President.

Meanwhile, several interventions were made by honorable members from various constituencies.

VOTE FOR MR. EL HADJI NDAO AND COALITION AND SAXAL LIGGEEY!

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VOTE FOR MR. EL HADJI NDAO AND COALITION AND SAXAL LIGGEEY!

 

There are a few people in our lives that we come across who are truly remarkable people, who are motivating to be around in their actions and their zest for life. El Hadji Ndao is one of those people. El Hadji Ndao is candidate COALITION AND SAXAL LIGGEEY headed by Ajaratou Aissatou Mbodj.

I have known Mr. El Hadji Ndao personally and professionally for many years as a researcher and a Journalist. I have for several years known of his work with Sunu Afrik radio. In addition, I have for several years followed with great interest on El Hadji Ndao’s religious and political activities in the African diaspora.

I have been in touch and kept abreast of his political engagement as well as his professional goals and accomplishments. Accordingly, I have been particularly impressed by his editorials and reporting on Senegal’s political discourse. I am, therefore, convinced that El Hadji has both the intellectual strength and leadership skills to succeed in representing the Senegalese diaspora in the National Assembly. Let me elaborate:

Mr. El Hadji Ndao combines the rare gifts of a superb intellect, excellent analytical, communication skills that set him apart from most in his profession. These qualities combined make him, in my view, one of the most erudite and engaging and thought-provoking political and religious activist I have ever met. El Hadji’s views are thoughtful, always clearly and logically articulated and in the end, generate refreshing debate and discussion. Consequently, I have benefited immensely as a researcher from his works and insights on Senegalese and African Politics, generally.

El Hadji Ndoa’s penchant for accuracy and balance have earned him much deserved respect from his peers, audience, friends and critics alike because of his leadership and clarity of vision. What I find particularly impressive about him is the strong direction and leadership he gave to Sunu Afrik radio, transforming it from a marginal to one of the premier radio in the African diaspora.
Furthermore, I had the opportunity to watch El Hadji Ndao grow up and witness the challenges that life presented him where many have given up. El Hadji Ndao fought to reach his goal. He is CEO and Producer of Sunu Afrik popular radio in the diaspora and President Diara Ansarudeen in New York.

Over these past months, the public and I have had the opportunity to observe and evaluate the perspectives and agendas of the various candidates in the upcoming legislative elections for National Assembly member for the Senegalese Diaspora in North America. His honest, pragmatic, and hopeful insight into our community’s problems and needs, and his willingness to examine the issues and listen closely to the public’s questions and concerns, sets him far apart from the other candidates’ expected techniques and talk, and so I am writing today to express my support for his campaign and my intention both to canvass vote for him in the upcoming elections and to spread word to others of the value of his policies and abilities.

Since El HadJi Ndao has continued to stand for the rights and dignity of African diaspora community in North America. He has consistently maintained his convictions and loyalty to the struggle for freedom and the attainment of the deepest aspirations of the people in North America.
I call on all diaspora to vote for Mr. El Hadji Ndoa. I anticipate that if elected El Hadji Ndao would bring to the National Assembly strong leadership qualities and more. He is an able communicator, independent and original thinker who works well with others. I expect he will make a lasting

contribution to the National Assembly. He, undoubtedly, will also bring with him a rich and varied background that would enhance the National Assembly offerings immensely. And, finally, El Hadji Ndao is a genuinely nice person of high moral standing, with a sense of humor, who has my highest endorsement for National Assembly representing the Senegalese diaspora in North America.

I am hoping for your success.

Alagi Yorro Jallow

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