By Mahamadou Camara, Point Newspaper

The use of government vehicles and other state resources for purely partisan politics will not be condoned, stated a press release from the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure.

This stance follows an “inadvertent request recently made for government vehicles to partake in the ongoing campaign for the National Assembly elections without any authority or clearance from the office of the President”, the release stated.

According to the release, this act “will no longer be condoned” by the new government, as it “is quite at variance with the policy and comportment of this government and, therefore, as soon as it came to the notice of the competent authorities, the two vehicles in question were immediately withdrawn and returned to their respective units of assignment”.

The release quoted the Information Minister Hon. Demba A. Jawo, saying: “On behalf of the government, I wish to make it categorically clear to all concerned that there should be a clear distinction between State matters and partisan politics and, henceforth, the two should be treated as separate entities.”

The release stated further that the use of government vehicles and other State resources for “purely partisan politics is a thing of the past, which shall no longer be condoned”.

By Lamin Sanyang

The government of President Adama Barrow has still remained silent on former President Jammeh’s alleged properties after taking office for almost two months now.

The new government has so far not issued any statements to shed light on the state or former President Jammeh’s “private” owned properties feeding into rumors circulating about what became of them. Former President, Jammeh was a serial land grabber, which was so pervasive, Gambians could at some point not distinguish what belonged to him and what belonged to the state – a distinction he was never willing to make.

So when he (Jammeh) was forced out by ECOWAS and hurriedly flown to Equatorial Guinea after losing the elections to current president, Adama Barrow, speculations and rumors started to spread even alluding to people laying claim to those lands without any proof of ownership.

The alleged properties of The Gambia’s exiled former dictator in Farato Farm are secured by soldiers of The Gambia Armed Forces who are acting as guards. The soldiers are guarding the place around the clock with guns. It is not clear whether the properties belong to the state as the soldiers are paid by the taxpayers or belong to former exiled president.

Jammeh built a multimillion dollar animal farm at Farato Village. Sources say he reared crossbreed animals from different countries over there. The property is situated on the Highway closed to Nyambai Forest.

Lieutenant Colonel Lamin B Bojang, Spokesperson of The Gambia Armed Forces, when contacted, said he could not ascertain whether the properties belong to the state or dictator Jammeh. He could not explained the reason why soldiers are guarding the places. He promised to find out but until going to press, he didn’t get back us.

Jammeh has another property close to The Gambia Groundnut Cooperation (GGC) also known as ‘Saroo’ in Banjul. There too, paramilitary officers were securing the place as guards but have reportedly been removed from the place.

In fact, the former president allegedly ‘owned’ several properties throughout the country including the central Abattoir in Abuko, Sifoe Farm and Kanilai Farm amongst others. It is alleged that some of these properties were forcefully taken from people.

The properties in his native village of Kanilai were abandoned without security guards except for a handful of youths who are guarding the place. The state has withdrawn its security forces without actually stating the ownership of the properties. It has left the place exposed to all kind of threats.

The Sifoe Farm is situated between the villages of Kitty and Sifoe in the Kombo Central District. The two villages have disputed over the ownership of the land before it was illegally taken by the former dictator. It is one of the biggest lands seized from the villagers.

Security sources inside The Gambia Armed Forces have revealed that the former exiled president’s properties are under the watched of two senior military officers. They are Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert Jatta and Major Gibril Jammeh. It is not clear whether the two officers were assigned by the state or by former dictator, Yahya Jammeh.

There are reports of several state vehicles going missing during the political impasse. The police have issued a press release asking the public to returned the said vehicles, urging compliance of the law.

Meanwhile, ASP Foday Conta, Police Spokesperson confirmed the return of some vehicles but said there are still others out there.

By Lamin Sanyang

The Criminal case involving 24 APRC supporters who attacked the coalition convoy at Kafenda was struck out based on humanitarian grounds at Brikama Magistrates Court. . The APRC supporters were accused of using abusive words against one Lulu Sanyang and some others when they were going back to their respective destinations from the Independence Celebrations and the inauguration of President, Adama Barrow.

 
When the case was called, Inspectors S. Sanyang and Gibba along with Sergeant Jaiteh announced their appearance for the Inspector General of Police while Ibrahim Jallow represented all the accused persons. The criminal proceeding was well attended by APRC party supporters as well as relatives and sympathizers of the accused persons. The accused persons are Banna Kujabi, Sunkau Bojang, Aminata Bojang, Amie Saidy, Hawa Manga, Sohna Bojang, Hawa Badjie, Mai Dampha, Yamundow Manga, Nyara Yanga, Rabiatu Bojang, Mai Daffeh, Mai Gibba, Sunkau Wodeh, Wudeh Bojang, Fatoumatta Sidibeh, Sarjor Daffeh, Lamin Manga, Lala Saidy, Sireh Jatta, Sainey Camara, Mai Manneh Sulayman Manga, Madiba Manga and Sira Bojang.

 
The 24 supporters of Gambia’s former governing Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC) party who were accused of using abusive or vulgar words against Lulu Sanyang and some others with intent to provoke a breach of peace on February 19 at Kanfenda checkpoint in Foni Kansala District have been acquitted by Magistrate Cham at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court following prosecution’s application for the matter to be withdrawn from court.

 
Inspector S Sanyang said in court on Wednesday that he was applying under Section 68 of the Criminal Procedure Code for the case to be withdrawn before the court base on humanitarian grounds.
Magistrate Cham granted prosecutor Sanyang’s application and acquitted all the accused persons. He also advised the accused persons to maintain the peace, saying, “‘we are all related and peace is always number one.”

Letter writer defends former managing director of The Social Security & Housing Finance Corporation, Edward Graham calling his dismissal a witch hunt by senior government officials in the Barrow administration.

Below we produce the whole letter:

My fellow  Gambians,

He who runs away from fighting has to fight another day. We cannot allow the Fraudster and devious Saihou Sanneh, Former senior Audit Manager of SSHFC, whose services were terminated by the Board of SSHFC for lying n giving misleading information about his MSC Finance Examination results. SSHFC spends nearly D3,000,000 for Saihou Sanneh to pursue his Masters Degree in UK which he failed and thereafter lied to management that he passed his Masters., thereby deliberately misleading management which eventually led to his services being terminated . Thus Saihou Sanneh is the main architect in spreading false rumors about our Managing Director, Edward Graham on social media,

For instant he is claiming that our MD Graham gave free land to top Government officials. This is a blatant lie, it was the then President YAHYA JAMMEH, who gave executive Directives to God fearing and hard working then Minister of Lands Mr. Aki Bayo to allocate land to some Civil Servants. Minister Aki Bayo then solicited the services of SSHFC Housing Department to do the demarcation and apportionment. (Kindly refer to attach letter from Lands)

We have decided to make it known to the whole world how Mr Graham, our hardworking MD mustered his courage to write to then President Yaya Jammeh to pay the Loans given out to Government under Executive Directives(Please see attached letters) In response to our MD’s Letter the then President set up a Task force to direct all Concerned Institutions , like GRTS, NAWEC, GGC, Ministry of Finance and Office of the President to pay their loans. Please Find attached some of the supporting document

Why this witch hunting? Why is Amadou Sanneh, Mai Fatty and Osainou Darboe witch hunting our erudite and competent MD, Mr Graham on adhering to Executives Directives, when his Predecessors like Tumbul Danso, Mr. M L Gibba and Mr Andrew Sylva also adhered to Executives Directives and Tumbul Danso had unprofessionally released cash to the tune of US$ 1,000,000 (one Million Dollars) to the office of the president (see Attached Documents), While Prematurely interdict our MD Mr. Graham with suspension on half salary pending investigations. When current SG Fadera and all those Ministers who were adhering to Executive Directives to arrest, dismiss, and terminate the services of innocent people.

Is this not witch hunting? Mr Amadou Sanneh, why jump the gun and start with parastatals Managing Directors and choose to Spare the kinds of Mrs. Iatou Njie Saidy, who was second in command form such probing and investigation? . It is because her Late Husband MR Jay Saindy financed the cost of your education and that of Ousianou Darboe, is this not blatant nepotism and Favoritisms?.

By Madi Jobarteh

The greatest betrayal of trust and confidence inflicted on Gambians since independence came from APRC National Assembly Members. The National Assembly represents our collective will and power and the primary defender of the people. It is the only institution vested with the power to monitor and restrain any other power or authority or person in a democracy in defense of the supreme interests of the country and the rights of citizens. Hence when the National Assembly fails to perform that function, then there will be carnage and impunity in that society.

 
When we elect a parliament we hand over our lives and rights to them to protect. We hand over our national wealth and destiny to them to manage and defend. This is why in our constitution for any act or decision the Executive should take, they have to get the approval of the National Assembly first. Whether the National Assembly agrees or not, it means we the people have so decided. Yet in the Gambia, since 1997 the APRC NAMs deliberately, consciously and irresponsibly decided to surrender our will, our voice and our power to one single man to abuse and misuse anyhow. This is indeed betrayal of the highest level.

 
Here is how the APRC NAMs betrayed and endangered our lives by allowing one armed robber, Yaya Jammeh to rape, loot, plunder, torture and kill Gambians for nothing.
First. These APRC NAMs approved each and every bill tabled by APRC Ministers to either amend the constitution or create new laws that disempower and take away the rights of Gambians. As they take away our rights and power, they handed it over to Yaya Jammeh as a single person to use it to harm fellow citizens.

 
Second. APRC NAMs failed to protect our public wealth. They consistently approved the budget without any question and anytime the government needs more money Isatou Njie Saidy would go to the parliament for them to give more money. The APRC NAMs failed to exercise their oversight functions to ensure that our money is not wasted with impunity. They allowed and watched as Yaya Jammeh lavishly dished out our money as he wished.

 
Third. The APRC NAMs failed to protect our human rights and sovereignty as they allowed Yaya Jammeh to use henchmen from the NIA and other security agencies to arrest, detain, torture, rape and kill Gambians with impunity. The National Assembly has a constitutional role to check and hold to account the Executive. Yet the APRC NAMs instead closed their eyes and ears to the abuses of Yaya Jammeh against innocent Gambians when they had the responsibility to defend our rights.

 
Fourth. The APRC NAMs did not just watch and allow Yaya Jammeh to damage our rights and plunder our national wealth, but they went further to defend Yaya Jammeh for committing those crimes against Gambians. Hence the APRC NAMs once again failed their duty to our country and people as they allowed and defended one single citizen to sit on top of our heads only to break our necks with impunity.
Fifth. Yaya Jammeh was not only destroying the rights of Gambians or killing innocent citizens, but he also went further to ridicule the very name and reputation of the Gambian nation thus making the Gambian a laughing stock of the world. By claiming to cure HIV/AIDS and pulling the Gambia out of the Commonwealth among numerous stupid dramas, Yaya Jammeh soiled the good name and stature of the Gambia. The leading institution that had the power and authority to put a stop to such ridicule and disgrace was the National Assembly. Rather, what we saw was how the APRC NAMs stood with Yaya Jammeh to defend him in his blatant and rude manners in disrespecting the good name of the Gambia.
How therefore would any Gambian in the first place consider standing for APRC in this election? Of course there are always human beings who lack conscience and sense of honesty and patriotism hence such people will continue to support and stand on the APRC ticket. But should you as a citizen go to vote for such a person?

 
Yes, every citizen has a right to freedom of association and to take part in politics. Hence any Gambian has a right to stand for or vote for APRC. Even though APRC as a ruling party committed heinous crimes in this country, they have a right to exist until banned through due process. But they cannot and must not escape accountability. Hence there is a need to set up a commission of enquiry to hold individuals within the APRC to render account for their individual actions in damaging the rights and lives of Gambians and endanger national interests.

 
But until the Barrow Administration set up an enquiry on the APRC, for the meantime the greatest court to which we must subject APRC is the court of public opinion. Every Gambian must ask himself or herself whether one would vote for or join a party that killed one’s father or brother? Who would vote for or join a party that raped one’s mother or sister? Who would vote for or join a party that tortured one’s friend or uncle? Would you vote for or join a party that ridiculed and disgraced the name of your country? Would you vote for or join a party that decided to just damage every human rights and every rule in our constitution for their own selfish interests? These are moral, legal and political questions that each and every Gambian must ask himself or herself.

 
Our answers will show that there are two categories of Gambians:
1. Gambians who are honest and patriotic, and
2. Gambians who are dishonest and unpatriotic.

To which category do you belong?

God Bless The Gambia.

By Lamin Sanyang

The last contingent of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) who recently returned from the Darfur Region are bitterly complaining about their peacekeeping allowances.

It is reported that the soldiers are still not paid after returning to the country more than a week ago. Some of the soldiers are said to have spent a year at the peacekeeping mission. They lamented about the unfavorable weather conditions in the region.

Sources say the peacekeepers under the United Nations are usually paid in advance towards the end of the mission, payments are made directly to their respective countries. It is alleged that their allowances arrived in the country during the last days of the former President, Yahya Jammeh.

“Jammeh used to get a percentage from every peacekeeper’s allowance” a source disclosed. Many are also accusing Brigadier General M.A Bah, former Head of Finance at GAF of squandering the funds.

Lieutenant Colonel Lamin B. Bojang, Army Spokesperson confirmed the story and added that they are working to settle the matter in the soonest possible time, he said that it is a process that cannot be automatic. Lt. Col. Bojang called on the soldiers to exercise patience for it will take a whole process to resolve the matter.
Security sources say a similar incident happened in the early 90s, after soldiers returned from a peacekeeping mission in Liberia.

By Lamin Sanyang

Justice Kumba Sillah of Banjul High Court has remanded the former NIA Director Yankuba Badjie, Louis Gomez, Haruna Susso, Yusupha Jammeh, Lamin Lang Sanyang, Tamba Massireh, Lamin Darboe, Sheikh Omar Jeng and Babucarr Sallah at the state central prisons Mile II.
The nine former NIA officers are standing criminal trial in the murder of Solo Sandeng, a UDP executive and political activist who was arrested and tortured to death.

When the case was announced this afternoon the state was represented by Lawyers O. Danso and B. Jeng while the defense lawyers Mene, Chime, Uzoma and Dayo appeared for the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th accused persons respectively. Four of the accused persons, Tamba Massireh, Yusupha Jammeh, Lamin Darboe and Babucarr Sallah urged the state to provide lawyers for them while Sheikh Omar Jeng said he will get himself a lawyer.

State Counsel Danso made an application for adjournment to get the case file from Office of the Inspector General of Police.

Defense lawyer Mene was opposed to the application, saying the court is not a storage facility as the state has made the same application last sitting without doing anything to proceed with the case. He questioned the reason for the arrest when investigation is incomplete. He explained that the right approach is to investigate first rather than arraigning them when they are not ready to prosecute.

“It shows that the accused were arrested without investigations which is not the right approach in criminal administration,” Lawyer Mene submitted.

Lawyer Mene referred the court to section 19 subsection (5) of the Constitution, urging the court to unconditionally released the accused persons until such a time when prosecution is ready with their case. He further urged the court to dismissed the application made by the state counsel, adding that justice delayed is justice denied.

Meanwhile, lawyers Chime, Uzoma and A. Dayo associated themselves to the submission made by their colleague.

The State Counsel argued that the submissions made by the defense lawyers were misconceived, saying the section quoted does not affect their case as the matter was only transfer to the higher court a week ago. She urged the court to dismissed the submission and grant her application. Subsequently, the court has granted her application by dismissing the defense submission.

“Justice delay is justice deny but justice rushed is also justice denied,” Justice Kumba Sillah said.

The matter was adjourned for mention on Monday, March, 20, 2017. The state was urged to file proper case and provide lawyers for the other accused persons.

Meanwhile, there was a tension when the accused persons were entering the prison van between the daughter of Solo Sandeng and families of the accused.

“You can rot in hell,” Fatoumatta Sandeng, daughter of Solo Sandeng told accused persons.

The incident has triggered tension between Sandeng family and families of the accused persons at the high court premises but the security rushed to control the situation.

Just few days after a leaked letter requesting government vehicles for Coalition politicians to campaign with during the upcoming April 6 parliamentary elections surfaced in the media, The Office of The President has withdrawn two vehicles that were already out to drive tour parties to their campaigns.

The leaked letter was first posted on The Facebook page of activist Coach Pa Samba Jow who condemned the act saying:

“For almost 22 years. The Gambian opposition, which now constitutes the government, has complained about Jammeh and his administration using government vehicles and resources for APRC campaign. To my chagrin, the Government Vehicles’ Control Unit Office of the President of The Gambian is writing to various government agencies asking for “very good vehicles for His Excellency’s coalition members for the election period….” This is unacceptable and must be denounced by all. The Barrow government must not use government resources to finance a political campaign. This practice was wrong under Jammeh and must not be tolerated or repeated.”

Madi Jobarteh, a human rights defender also condemned the act. He posted this on his Facebook:

“There is a letter circulating on social media on an official letterhead carrying the alleged request. Despite some missing information on the letter and it’s poor language yet it is on what looks like an authentic Gambia Government letterhead. Hence for the integrity of the government and to stabilize public concern it is necessary that the government clears the air.
For the purpose of clarity, let me repeat…
Is this letter true or false that the Barrow Administration and his Coalition intend to use government vehicles for their electioneering purposes?
We are waiting for answers. Silence means consent.”

President Barrow is said to have told the Vehicles’ Control Office that his administration is different from the Jammeh regime, adding that no political party will be allowed to use Government vehicles for campaigns.

The politicians are now expected to rent their own vehicles to transport their supporters for the April polls.  A new dawn it seems; is upon us in The Gambia.

Fatou Bah Barrow, The First Lady Of The Republic Of The Gambia is currently in the Senegalese Capital, Dakar attending a private wedding reception.

Credible sources have informed this medium that President Barrow paid for the entire trip of The First Lady out of pocket, saying the State should not pay for it since it is private. Many applauded President Barrow actions hoping that senior government officials will emulate him.

The First Lady is expected back home by the end of the weekend. She is accompanied by her protocol and a few others on a commercial flight.