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Former President Jammeh Steals GRTS Equipment, Leaves Camera Crew Stranded In Conakry

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Former President Jammeh Steals GRTS Equipment, Leaves Camera Crew Stranded In Conakry

Sankung Fatty a cameraman with the state TV assigned to the state house and three others are currently detained by Senegalese security agents in the border town of Karang.

The four are part of the delegation that traveled with former President, Yahya Jammeh and his family on January 21, 2016 after he was asked to leave the country. This came after Jammeh’s refusal to handover the mantle of leadership to President Adama Barrow who the Gambian people voted into office.

Sankung Fatty, Ebou Njie Taru, a photographer, Balago, a military driver and Amadou Jammeh ‘Pajero’ a military officer were both stopped in Conakry where Jammeh’s flight transited before it took off to Equitorial Guinea where he currently lives in exile.

According to sources, Jammeh took off with Sankung’s video camera and Ebou Njie Taru’s photographic camera which all belongs to the state, gave them $100 dollars each and took off with his family leaving them in the cold in Guinea Conakry.

After a few days, the four tried to travel to Dakar en route to Banjul. Upon arrival at the border town of Karang, they were detained and are currently undergoing questioning. “Jammeh tricked them, they had no intention to travel with him but he took them along just to take their equipment from them” a source told The Fatu Network.

The source disclosed that Fatty and Njie travel with the former president without their passports, this the source said is because they had no idea that he was going to take them with him.

Meanwhile, Jammeh is said to have given this assassin team, ‘The Junglers’ two hundred thousand dalasis (almost $5,000) to share and promised them that he will send them more money the following monday. The ‘Junglers’ are said to have waited but they never heard from Jammeh again. They are all said to have fled the country to avoid prosecution.

 

“NIA Name Change Is Unconstitutional” Writer Says

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“NIA Name Change Is Unconstitutional” Writer Says

By Omar Jabang

Mr. President Barrow, in as much as we love and support you, that doesn’t mean we will go to sleep and watch you unchecked. The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is a creation of the Constitution. See Section 191 of the Constitution. If you wish to change the name, send a bill to the National Assembly for an amendment to the section which creates it by coming up with a new name in accordance with section 226 of the Constitution.

 
Section 191 Is not an entrenched clause so a simple parliamentary deliberation will do. Let’s start doing things according to law. It would not be business as usual. Gone are the days when violations of the Constitution would be tolerated without consequences. We understand the trauma attached to the name NIA but that’s not an excuse for non observance of the book you swore to defend.

 
Put your house in order and consult before you take your steps. You are under the microscope of the new Gambia. For the purpose of clarity, it wouldn’t be business as Jammeh. We have passed that stage and there is no going back to it. This is why the need for naming your cabinet. Your Attorney General would have put you right.

 
The name change of the NIA to whatever name is unconstitutional. The NIA was not created by any President but by the Constitution. If you want it changed, follow the Constitutional dictate.
Wasalam!

PRINCESS AKOBUNDU EXPRESSES OPTIMISM ON GAINS OF THE AU SUMMIT AS HEADS OF STATES AND GOVERNMENT ARRIVE IN ADIS ABABA.

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PRINCESS AKOBUNDU EXPRESSES OPTIMISM ON GAINS OF THE AU SUMMIT AS HEADS OF STATES AND GOVERNMENT ARRIVE IN ADIS ABABA.

By Lawrence Okoh, Abuja.

Ahead of the meeting of African Heads of States and Government at the ongoing 38th Summit of Heads of States and Government organized by the African Union Secretariat in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD Nigeria, Hon. Princess Gloria Akobundu, has expressed optimism that the gathering of the African leaders would yield strong dividends for the continent .

The NEPAD Nigeria CEO, who is leading a delegation of NEPAD staff and other strategic consultants from across the globe that are seeking to garner technical and financial support for the many programmes and projects, which the CEO has lined of in her 2017 Timelines, in a chat with journalists in made the above revelation, Friday, in Adis Ababa where she also described this year’s Summit as unique, given the fact that, in the absence of a major political turmoil or ongoing war on the continent, almost all African leaders attending the Summit would be expected to speak with one voice.

Princess Akobundu, who described the central theme of the Summit as peace in Africa, praised the wisdom of the African leaders at arriving at such a theme since peace, she said, was a sine qua non for all strides in development to bear fruit. She said:
“We must not fail to thank our leaders in Africa for their wisdom ,which has helped in beating a solid path for Africa’s development .In the West African sub-region, we saw how the efforts of President Sir-Leaf of Liberia with the strong support of our own President Muhammadu Buhari and others, were able to calm and contain what would have been another crisis in The Gambia”.

Enjoining the citizenry to continue to support our leaders in their efforts for peace, security and development in Africa, Hon. Akobundu expressed confidence that whoever would be chosen to replace the outgoing President of the AU Commission, Mrs Nkusozana Dlamini Zuma, would harness all the efforts of the female diplomat to consolidate the gains made across the years.She also expressed hope that other leaders that would take over the administration of the different Councils and Arms of the AU in the new dispensation would be men and women of consummate honor , wisdom and strength of character.

NIA Director Yankuba Badjie working to flee out of the country soon

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NIA Director Yankuba Badjie working to flee out of the country soon

Yankuba Badjie, the director of the Gambia’s notorious National Intelligence Agency (NIA) now State Intelligence Services (SIS) is working his way out of the country as soon as possible, The Fatu Network has confirmed from reliable source.

According to our source, Badjie is currently speaking with some people closed to him to help him out as soon as possible. He is planning to head to Mauritanian where one of his relative (Aunty) is currently residing.

Badjie headed the feared and deadly secret agency empowered by former President Yahya Jammeh in his 22 dictatorial rule of The Gambia. He is a witnessed to many atrocities committed in that agency under former President Jammeh.

The NIA are involved in all state-directed arrests, tortures and disappearances and mysterious killings were the order of the day as former President Yahya Jammeh used them to arrest and torture to death many people during his 22 years in power.

Throughout his presidency, arbitrary arrests and detentions increased on daily basis and NIA agents continued to harass and mistreat people especially opposition members, journalists, activists and civilians in general..

It is very important for the authorities to keep an eye on Badjie and many others who where involved in executing dirty activities for former President Jammeh, before they flee out of the country.

In past days, rumors had it that Badjie and his team has destroyed important evidences at the NIA which could implicate them when Truth and Reconciliation Commission begins.

Meanwhile, many other officers who where in Jammeh’s killing gang called the ‘junglers’, have started fleeing out of the country. Serial killer Sanna Manjang is on the run, Sulayman Sambou, who tortured to death the UDP’s member Solo Sandeng is also on the run.

The Senegalese authorities at the Gambia-Senegal border have also confirmed the arrest of Bora Colley, a one time head of the notorious Mile II prisons and commander of the ‘junglers’ who was also on the run.

Notorious NIA renamed, unauthorized to arrest, detain or torture anymore

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Notorious NIA renamed, unauthorized to arrest, detain or torture anymore

The notorious and dreaded National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in The Gambia has been renamed as State Intelligence Services (SIS) by the new government of President Adama Barrow.

In a press statement read on State TV, the government said the NIA now SIS is henceforth not mandated anymore to arrest, detain or conduct any unconstitutional act. They are now assign to deal with state intelligence matters and not to involved in any ungodly act as they where operating in the previous government of Yahya Jammeh.

It could be recalled that the NIA was the most feared, brutal and deadly agency in The Gambia under former President Yahya Jammeh who empowered them to conduct several ungodly and unconstitutional acts in the country.

They where involved in all State-directed arrests, tortures, disappearances and mysterious killings under former President Yahya Jammeh’s 22 years in power as arbitrary arrests, detentions, harassment and mistreatment of detainees, opposition members, journalists, and civilians was the order of the day.

Today, uncountable number of Gambians died in their hands due to severe torture while under interrogation, many flee the country for fear of been arrested by them or been killed as its ever been their norm.

Meanwhile, several agents of the body have started fleeing the country to avoid facing justice for the atrocities committed over the years.

Gambia: 11 ministerial positions filled, 7 others remaining

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Gambia: 11 ministerial positions filled, 7 others remaining

The spokesperson of Gambia’s new President Adama Barrow on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of eleven Ministerial positions in the new Cabinet who will be sworn-in tomorrow, Wednesday, February 1st, 2017.

He also announced that seven other ministerial positions are yet to be unfilled as the appointment would be determine base on their competence, determination and qualification, saying the president has started work on some recommended people.

Halifa Sallah, spokesperson of the coalition government on behalf of President Barrow told a Press Conference that they have already written to the eleven people to take up cabinet appointments.

“They have received their letters but they are not yet ministers until they are sworn-in,” he pointed out. I’m inviting you all to attend the swearing in ceremony tomorrow” Sallah said.

He said the eleven Cabinet positions to be sworn-in on Wednesday comprises of the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Attorney General, Youths and Sports, Tourism, Agriculture, Local Government, Trade and Forestry and Environment while the remaining 7 positions would be determine on a later date.

Sallah explained clarified that any person with dual citizenship cannot be appointed as minister in The Gambia. He also clarified that people who where imprison cannot be appointed to the Cabinet but those pardon can be appointed.

Meanwhile, the names of the eleven Cabinet Ministers will be announced tomorrow, Wednesday, February 1st, 2017.

Young people call on Gambia’s lawmakers to resign

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Young people call on Gambia’s lawmakers to resign

By Journalist Famara Fofana

Scores of young people representing different youth organisations in The Gambia on Tuesday made their way to the capital, Banjul, where they stormed the National Assembly demanding Members to resign.

The youths donning the #Gambia Has Decided T-Shirts made a lively procession towards the Parliament’s two main gates, chanting in unison  slogans like  “National interest first”, “NAMS resign” among others.

The protest action came hard on the heels of an earlier petition dispatched to the Gambia’s National Assembly by the young people who had called on the legislators to revoke a resolution they had passed on January 17th 2017, supporting him to hang on to power after been defeated in December polls.

The National Assembly passed a motion empowering former President Jammeh to declare a State of Public Emergency through out the country. They also allowed him to extend his mandate for another ninety days despite the expiry of his five-year term following his defeat to now President Adama Barrow.

Babucarr Kebbeh, a spokesperson for the protesters said their action was a peaceful one that fell within the confines of the law, having acquired a police permit to that effect.

Kebbeh, a vocal youth activist argued that the decision taken by the National Assembly in paving the way for a State of Emergency could have had serious ramifications.

“A lot of people could have been arrested, tortured or jail without good cause under such a situation” said Kebbeh.

He blamed the people’s representatives for causing lot of people to flee their homes, as they gave ex-President Jammeh to make that infamous declaration.

When reminded about the explanation offered by the APRC dominated house recently that their resignation would mean no functional legislature to work with the Barrow government, Kebbeh responded “that would be an issue for the new dispensation to worry about. And so far, they haven’t made their position in that regard”.

At the time of the protest, it was unclear whether any National Assembly Member or official were in the building. Also, not many people appeared to have endorsed the peaceful protest by the youths with one Gambia in the diaspora branding it as an unnecessary distraction at a time when the new government is trying to find its feet.

#GambiaHasDecided writes to Barrow, raises concern over VP appointment

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#GambiaHasDecided writes to Barrow, raises concern over VP appointment

The #GambiaHasDecided group has called on President Adama Barrow to ensure that the appointment of the Vice President is fully compliant with the Constitution and any doubt about her age is resolved without an iota of ambiguity.

According to them, the ongoing uncertainty and conflicting information about the appointed Vice President’s age is encouraging a lot of speculation which in turn in undermining confidence in the new government.

#GambiaHasDecided, which a civil society initiative promoting democracy and the rule of law, had the most trend hastag on social media during the Gambia’s Presidential election and post election crisis.

In a letter address to President Barrow dated January 31st and signed by Salieu Taal, Chair of the #GambiaHasDecided, the group reminded President Barrow of what he rightly said during his inauguration that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’ and they expect nothing less than probity, accountability and respect for the rule of law.

The group expressed concern over the appointment of Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang as Vice President in the face of doubts about her eligibility on the grounds that she is reportedly over the age of 65. In their view, the group said the Vice President nominee has the requisite academic qualifications, skills, experience and aptitude to discharge her role professionally but however, there is a confusion over her real age.

According to the group, in some records, she is over 65 years old, which disqualifies her from holding the office of Vice President as the 1997 Constitution clearly stipulates that the holder of the Office of the Vice President shall be between the age of 30 years and 65 years old. The group therefore says it is their duty as concerned citizens to bring to President Barrow’s attention any doubts raised about the age of Mrs Tambajang that may impinge on the propriety and constitutionality appointing her to the office of Vice President.

“Your Excellency, at your recent press conference held at your Brufut residence, you have expressed your belief that the appointment of Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang is compliant with our constitution and invited the public to proffer any evidence to the country. With respect Your Excellency, the responsibility and anus of ensuring the appointment of any Gambian to the office of Vice President rests on the state. Civil Society as the Fifth Estate are the watch dogs of our democracy and in this capacity, deem it fit to raise the legitimate concerns of the population. The state has all the resources and control over the relevant institution that have the information that can put the impending controversy to rest” the letter reads.

The movement further congratulated President Barrow on his inauguration as President of the Republic of The Gambia following his election victory in the December 1st, 2016 Presidential election.

They also welcomed President Barrow’s return to the shores of The Gambia to take up the mantle of leadership at a critical and challenging time.

ECOWAS forces intercept trucks loaded with timber in Brikama

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ECOWAS forces intercept trucks loaded with timber in Brikama

The Senegalese soldiers under the ECOWAS troops have intercepted dozens of trucks loaded with timber at Brikama in the West Coast Region.

The trucks with Gambian Number Plates transporting timber logs were parked by the Senegalese soldiers at Brikama/Mandinaba Highway. They were questioned about the papers for the logs. They were asked to park their trucks under the watch of the Senegalese soldiers that were encamped at Cannon.

Colonel Faye, the Senegalese soldier in charge at the Check Point was approached but declined to comment, saying the military spokesperson is the one to be contacted. He has not given any further reason for parking the trucks.

The truck drivers also would not explained the reason but only said they were instructed to park. Some of them said they were told the order came from the ECOWAS Command Centre. They were ordered to stop the transportation of timber while the matter is being resolve.

According to eyewitnesses, the soldiers were filming the timber trucks and taking photos as well. It is said some of the drivers were having Senegalese royalties and custom papers.

All Gambians need to rebuild their country, even members of the old regime

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All Gambians need to rebuild their country, even members of the old regime

By Sait Matty Jaw

Guardian Newspaper

How do countries with no history of political transitions survive one when it comes along? How will Gambians endure their transition from authoritarianism to democracy? What is at stake at this critical moment? Can Gambians survive the post-Yahya Jammeh era? Are they ready to move on into a new Gambia? And what would this new Gambia be like?

 
These are some of the questions in the minds of Gambians and those who have followed the political impasse in the country since 9 December last year. With former leader Jammeh currently exiled in Equatorial Guinea, Gambians have started discussing the future of this tiny nation as new President Adama Barrow forms his new government. Some of the discussions are interesting; others leave me concerned.

A few days ago, sitting in my room in rainy Bergen, Norway, I logged into Facebook and read through several posts from Gambians at home and in the diaspora. Many were criticising the appointment of Masaneh Kinteh as Barrow’s military aide. His appointment resulted from the actions of the Economic Community of West African States Mission in Gambia (Ecomig). The presence of Ecomig forces, led by Senegal, has been perceived by some as an invasion in all but name under the Economic Community of West African States banner. To coordinate efforts between Gambian Armed Forces and Ecomig, Barrow deemed it necessary to hire an aide to advise him on security matters during the volatile transition period.

The perceived problem here is that Kinteh served under Jammeh as ambassador to Cuba and chief of defence staff of the GAF, and was seen as an “enabler” of the former president’s quest to stay in power. Most criticisms centred on the letter he wrote to Jammeh after the failure of the 30 December 2014 attack on the State House.

The attacks on Kinteh’s past engagement, mainly by prominent members of the Gambia democracy movement, paint a scary picture. Gambians have sworn never to live under dictatorship again, after 22 years of Jammeh. Hence the need to scrutinise every action of the current government at the earliest stage, in the hope that this will prevent it from becoming dictatorial.

What the Gambia needs is a reconciliatory process to heal our wounds and redirect our attention to nation-building

 

However, we must be cautious in the exercise of these freedoms we fought for. People who have the knowledge, skills, institutional memory and capabilities to serve the current government should not be pushed out simply because they served the past government. Some have been calling for a clean slate, with Barrow’s government removing all Jammeh’s former enablers. This could be the biggest mistake that the new president could make, in an attempt to please the people. Weeding out those associated with the past regime may not just derail the transition efforts, it may also plunge the Gambia into a protracted conflict.

The need to bridge the divides fostered by Jammeh should be the focus of the new government. Expunging so-called enablers will further entrench the divides and make it practically impossible for Barrow and the coalition government to govern effectively. Most of these people, like Kinteh, have both the institutional memory and expertise to contribute meaningfully in the new Gambia. Isolating them will create a huge vacuum in our institutions and it might take years to fill. In fact, if such people created the Jammeh phenomenon, are they not well-placed to transform our country and culture under a better and more transparent leadership?

Isolating them would run counter to Barrow’s call for all Gambians with useful skills to return home and contribute to development efforts. What the Gambia needs right now is a reconciliatory process that will heal our wounds and redirect our attention to nation-building.
If all these people are removed from their positions, Barrow and the coalition government would have broken their promise of “no witch hunts”. People such as me will see a bloodthirsty government that is out for revenge for the ills of the Jammeh regime. It has been said that revenge cannot develop a country. The evils of divide and rule should end with Jammeh. We have demanded and voted for change, and now that we have achieved it, we should make it count.

This does not mean that people should go unchecked. For those found wanting in the execution of their tasks, especially in line with the constitution and for the public interest, the necessary legal steps should be taken. The National Intelligence Agency and the GAF, in particular, must be revisited and reformed to create a stable environment for rapid socio-economic development.

For me and the numerous Gambians in exile, we are looking forward to returning to a new Gambia. I have already started counting the days left in my beloved Bergen, and very soon I will return home to play an active role in the transition process. While I call on all Gambians to be focused and look ahead, I hope that we see Jammeh as a lesson from which we can learn, as we try to build our future.

AU rewards ECOWAS for peacefully resolving Gambia crisis

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AU rewards ECOWAS for peacefully resolving Gambia crisis

The African Union Monday awarded a certificate of appreciation to the sub-regional bloc, ECOWAS, for the extra-ordinary efforts in peacefully resolving the recent political impasse and defending democratic transition in The Gambia.

The award took place at the ongoing 28th AU Summit in the Ethiopia capital, Addis Ababa which opened on Monday.

The outgoing Chair of the African Union Commission Dr. Dlamini Zuma called on ECOWAS leaders up onto the stage and awarded the sub-regional bloc with the Certificate of Appreciation after which the general body and delegates in the hall accorded a round of applause to ECOWAS for the work done in The Gambia.

Dr. Zuma expressed gratitude to ECOWAS, who stood by the people of The Gambia and defended the values and principles of the African Union.

“We are particularly proud, that it was under your stewardship, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, as our first elected female President. Our thank you to all those who participated, the President of Mauritania and others, and who remained steadfast” she said.

Outgoing African Union Chairperson and Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno handed over the award to the Chairwoman of the Authority of Heads of Sates of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

It could be recalled that the Gambia crisis started after the December 2016 election in which former President Yahya Jammeh was defeated by President Adama Barrow. Mr Jammeh conceded and week later, rejected the results and refused to step down when his term ends. The sub-regional bloc, ECOWAS, immediately formed a mediation team led by Nigerian President Muhammadou Buhari along with former Ghanaian President John Mahama, Sierra Leonean President Ernest Bai Koroma and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to mediate and resolve the crisis.

All attempts by ECOWAS failed to convince Mr Jammeh though resulting to a deployment of military forces to remove Mr Jammeh. Until in the last minutes, Guinean President Alpha Conde and Mauritanian President Muhamed Ould Abdel Aziz under ECOWAS permission intervened and finally convince Mr Jammeh, avoiding any military operation.

Today, former President Yahya Jammeh has stood down and in exile in Equatorial Guinea.

Guinea’s President Conde is new AU Chairperson

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Guinea’s President Conde is new AU Chairperson

Guinea’s President Alpha Conde has been named the new chairperson of the African Union at the ongoing 28th AU Summit in the Ethiopia capital, Addis Ababa.

He replaces Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno who has served for one year in the rotating chairmanship position of the continental body.

Outgoing President Deby of Chad has since handed over the African Union Chairmanship baton to President Alpha Conde who addressed the summit calling for stronger unity.

He thanked members of the body for the trust bestowed on him and assured that he will deliver as expected.

President Conde also paid special tribute to outgoing Chair of the African Union Commission Dr. Dlamini Zuma for her extra ordinary services to the continent and humanity over the years. He also thanked his predecessor President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad for the services to the continent.

AU Summit opens in Addis with Gambia’s new VP Tambajang in attendance

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AU Summit opens in Addis with Gambia’s new VP Tambajang in attendance

The 28th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union opened Monday in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa on the theme: “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investment in Youth.”

Highly welcomed and recognized at the summit is Gambia’s new Vice Fatoumata Tambajang who is representing President Adama Barrow.

Addressing the opening ceremony, outgoing African Union Commission Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Dlamini Zuma expressed gratitude to the sub-regional bloc, ECOWAS, who stood by the people of The Gambia and defended the values and principles of the African Union.

“We are particularly proud, that it was under your stewardship, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, as our first elected female President. Our thank you to all those who participated, the President of Mauritania and others, and who remained steadfast” she said.

On youth empowerment, Dr Zuma said on their part, they will this year appoint a Special AU Envoy for Youth, to mobilise and advocate for the youth, during this year. She said by facilitating the full participation of girls and young women, we secure the future.

“By involving young people, they have a sense of ownership & stake in the future. We must support the call by civil society, for an African Decade of Reading, so that new generations may learn from & renew Pan-Africanism. As the rest of the world ages, Africa will remain a young continent…which must be translated into a demographic dividend. The continent has 200 million young men & women ages 15 to 24 years. By 2025, a quarter of the world’s youth under 25 will be African.

Its befitting that our theme for 2017 summit is ‘Harnessing the Demographic Dividend, through Investment in African Youth’. As we start this year of youth, we must indeed commit to value our youth and deserve Africa’s future” she said.

According to her, 2017 also marks 100 years since the birth of a pre-eminent freedom fighter, Pan-African – diplomat & democrat, OR Tambo, born in 1917.

“In tribute to the founding mothers, it’s therefore appropriate that the Assembly recognizes Pan African Women’s Organisation (PAWO) as a Specialized Agency of the African Union. 2017 marks 55 years since the formation of PAWO in 1962, a year before the OAU. We must fight for the full lifting of the economic embargo & the return of Guantanamo Bay to the Cuban people” she said.

The outgoing AU Commission Chair Zuma paid tribute to former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, is to continue our friendship and solidarity with the Cuban people for been a true friend of Africa throughout his lifetime.

“We also welcome the President of The Gambia, HE Mr. Adama Barrow and congratulated Ghanaian President Nana Ado Dankwa Akuffo Ado on his election. She also congratulated Ba Edgar Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia adding Africa look forward to work with you to strengthen peace, and to raise the dignity and wealth of all Africans” Dr Zuma said.

She welcomed the new United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on his first African Union Summit in this capacity and finally reminded leaders at the Summit that whatever they do at the Summit, they must ensure that they preserve the precious & principled unity of this continent & the Union.

New United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Chadian leader Idriss Déby Itno, who is outgoing Chairman of the African Union and Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine & Chair of Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) addressed the Summit.

Letter Writer Urges Gov’t To Rescue Ports Authority

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Letter Writer Urges Gov’t To Rescue Ports Authority

Dear Editor,

I would like the New government to help rescue The Gambia Ports Authority from the management team instituted there by former President, Yahya Jammeh starting from board chairman Mustapha Colley to the current managing director Lamin Sanyang. They are the most corrupt management team the institution ever has.

Lamin organizes overseas trips only for him to be paid per diems. He did not even witness the home coming of Barrow from Senegal because he organized a two weeks overseas trip to Europe. He left barely a day or two before Barrow returned from Senegal.

He is yet to come back. Sanyang was appointed barely two years ago but the amount of wealth he gathered in this two years is beyond apprehension. He has built four to five storey buildings around the kombos. He appoints people close to him especially Jolas in key positions without going through the normal recruitment procedures. Just before the elections he appointed some positions over 50 to 90 percent of those positions were filled by Jolas and are relative of key military officers from the state house like Gen. Saul Badjie.

The records are there to proof. Most of them are not qualified for the positions. Sanyang was appointed as MD with the help of Gen. Saul Badjie after undermining his former boss ML Gibba who did everything for him when he ML Gibba was MD. This guy listed some staff to be dismissed when Jammeh wins the election for simply they are supporters of the coalition.

Thanks, God bless you and your team.

Jammeh’s ‘Junglers’ Abandon Their Kotu Residence

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Jammeh’s ‘Junglers’ Abandon Their Kotu Residence

Jammeh’s assain team, ‘The Junglers’ have not been seen at their kotu residence for almost a week since the departure into exile of  their commander in chief who they are directly answerable to.

Sergeant Sulayman Sambou the man alleged to have tortured Solo Sandeng to death, the national organizing secretary of the opposition United Democratic Party is nowhere to be seen. Both Sergeant Sambou and Sana Manjang another alleged killer for former President, Yahya Jammeh are all said to have left the country.

“I have just heard that someone helped him with a visa to Spain” a source disclosed to The Fatu Network. Sergeant Sambou is said to be a very dangerous man who does not hesitate to kill on the orders of former President, Yahya Jammeh. “If you see him coming towards you, it is better you find something to kill yourself with, because the way he tortures people is so brutal and terrible’. a security source said.

 

The whereabouts of Sana Manjang is also unknown. “I used to see him everyday, but now he has not been seen for almost a week” a neighbor said.

Meanwhile, General Bora Colley, a one time commander of Jammeh’s assassin team is currently held in Senegal after he was arrested by police at a border checkpoint attempting to enter Guinea Bissau. General Colley served as camp commander in Kanilai, Jammeh’s home village and briefly served as director general of the notorious Mile two central Prison.

MR PRESIDENT GAMBIANS WILL HELP YOU LIFT AS WE RISE TOGETHER

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MR PRESIDENT GAMBIANS WILL HELP YOU LIFT AS WE RISE TOGETHER

By Basil Jones, PhD

Gambia is at the dawn of a new era. We need to do the smart thing and nothing, absolutely nothing should stop or distract the in-coming government of President Adama Barrow from delivering to the Gambian people. To you, your Excellency Mr. President, Gambians at home and in the diaspora and all friends of Gambia wish you well. Mr. President, expectations are high from the Gambians for your administration. I will hasten to add that as Gambians will have to temper our high optimism with a dose of realism and give your administration time to get things right. So far we all appreciate what we have been hearing from the coalition spokesperson in terms of good governance by widening the democratic space, instituting rule of law and ensuring freedom of the press and expression responsibly.

Mr. President let me specifically talk about the macro-economy which have a lot of binding constraints caused by 22 years of misrule and economic mismanagement. Gambia should now be open for business – BUSINESS UNUSUAL. For your administration the needs are urgent – everything is a priority to achieve development impact. This calls for strategic and focused engagement with all Gambians, in particular the private sector and development partners (who have shown a lot of goodwill to re-engage with The Gambia). Our economy is not productive and have even regressed, hampered by inadequate infrastructure, weak institutions, an over taxed and over exploited private sector and lack of respect for property rights. The high poverty level have undermined efforts to accelerate economic progress and create employment for the youths leaving them with no alternative but to take the “backway”. This narrative have to change.

For the economy the starting point is to reestablish macroeconomic stability and an enabling business environment and more efficient use of public resources in an accountable and transparent manner. This will make or break economic management in the 3rd Republic. If you take the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business 2017 report that measures regulation that enhance business activity and those that constraint it. The Gambia is ranked 145 out of 190 countries. Then compare The Gambia to Rwanda that experienced Genocide, which is ranked 56. Mr. President Sir, this is the benchmark for the new administration. If Rwanda can do it – Gambia can also do it. We need to raise the bar very high and there is no room for mediocrity and complacency.

What is clear is that we need improved institutional and policy environment to attract private investment and mobilize resources both domestic and external. The domestic debt burden is out of control as Yahya have raped our economy using domestic financing. There is a need to revamp the entire public financial management system. There are also structural challenges that needs to be addressed such as youth unemployment, accelerating urbanization, environmental degradation that is exacerbated by climate change.

Prudent economic management is not rocket science, we need to get the fundamentals right again. So the incoming government will need broad and coherent policy objectives and actions on several fronts in order to jump start the economy, create the momentum and achieve sustainable and inclusive growth that will translate into improving the quality of life for our people.

My two cents contribution

Gambian President addresses the media

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Gambian President addresses the media

By Journalist Famara Fofana

Gambian President Adama Saturday morning briefed local and international journalists at his residence in what was his maiden press conference on home soil since he became president of the tiny West African country.

Responding to questions which bordered on a raft of critical issues, Mr Barrow said he intend to announce his cabinet members by Monday or Tuesday.
Amid the controversy that sorrounds his pick for Vice President, the president told reporters that the appointment of Fatoumatta Tambang as his number two is in conformity with the law, saying proofs that Tambajang is not above the constitutionally sanctioned aged limit of 65 years shall be made available.

Barrow, 51, said the Gambia’s much feared National Intelligence Agency remains an institution of the state but was quick to indicate plans to have the NIA renamed and transformed professionally.

Adama Barrow also made it clear that The Gambia will no longer be known as the Islamic Republic but rather the Republic of The Gambia.

On media freedom during his stewardship, he said
“From today the media in this country is free. Access to information is key in infuencing people to make decisions independently. We will issue licenses to people to open media houses. We had no access to the Gambia Radio and Television Services. It is social media especially WhatsAPP that gave us victory, said Barrow.

In response to a question about his government’s plans for the country’s youth in the face of the mass exodus by Gambian youth to Europe accross the mediterrenean, Mr. Barrow said “Youths have been our foot soldiers. We will create employment opportunities. We have plans for the fishing industry as well. We want businesses open; large scale manufacturing industries to create more job opportunities”.

The Gambian president also spoke of his government’s resolve to bolster the tourism sector given that it accouts for 20 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product.

Asked whether he would consider cabinet postions for minsiters of the Jammeh regime, he answered with an emphathic no, saying “we have enough man power”.

The man who was suprisingly defeated ex Gambian strongman Yahya Jammeh assured reporters that “the days of executive directives are now over”, as he reaffirmed his commitment to rule in accordance with the principles of rule of law and a democratic process.

President Adama Barrow would not know the number of people that were flown with Yahya Jammeh, hinting that the official number of working days will return to five days instead of the four introduced by Jammeh when he decalred the country as an Islamic state.

Barrow promised a better and closer ties with the neighbouring Senegal, where he had been sworn in as Gambian President.

In addition to rejoining the International Criminal Court, Adama Barrow said the Gambia will return to the commonwealth as soon as possible. He also repeated plans by his government to set up a truth and reconciliation commission which shall culminate in the preparation of a report that will make recommendations for them to act upon.

Barrow hosts joint meeting with Security Chiefs & ECOMIG command

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Barrow hosts joint meeting with Security Chiefs & ECOMIG command

Gambia’s President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces Adama Barrow Saturday hosted his first meeting with Gambia’s security service chief.

Spotted at the meeting included the Chief of Defense Staff of the Gambia Armed Forces Ousman Bargie, Inspector General of Police Yankuba Sonko, NIA Director Yankuba Badjie and David Colley of the Gambia Prisons Department among others.

The meeting was also attended by top brass of the ECOWAS Military Intervention in Gambia (ECOMIG) led by the Commander, Major General François Ndiaye, who are currently in the country to sanitize and ensure security after the political impasse that engulfed the nation.

It is not exactly clear what has been discussed though but many believed that security chiefs briefed President Barrow of the state of security in the country and the progress in the collaboration between the Gambia Armed Forces and the ECOMIG troops to ensure absolute peace.

President Barrow is said to have assured them of his support while security chiefs have also renewed their loyalty and assured of maximum security for peace and tranquility in the country.

The regional forces dubbed ECOMIG where deployed by the sub regional bloc to remove former President Yahya Jammeh who refused to hand over power after his mandate ended. Fortunately, he finally accepted and went into exile. Despite, the troops advanced into the country with the welcome of Gambian troops to support each other in ensuring maximum security.

Gambia’s new Cabinet ministers to declare assets

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Gambia’s new Cabinet ministers to declare assets

Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has told journalist that the ministers in his government would declare their assets before taking cabinet appointment.

“The Ministers will declare their assets before taking up appointment” President Barrow said on Saturday during his first press conference after his return from Senegal.

President Barrow said all Cabinet ministers would declare their assets as he has done during his nomination as presidential aspirant. He has not explained the details of the asset declaration whether it would be an open declaration but promised to set the standard.

Meanwhile, President Barrow said he would spend the first 100 days in office working with the Cabinet and a ‘Think-Tank’ to make comprehensive reports on every sector.

President Barrow Oks inherited Army Chief Bargie to continue in position

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President Barrow Oks inherited Army Chief Bargie to continue in position

Gambia’s Army chief will stay in his position and continue his job according to Gambia’s new President Adama Barrow.

At a his first press conference on Saturday after returning home from Senegal where he was sworn-in at the Gambian embassy, President said: “The Chief of Defense Staff of Gambia Armed Forces Lt. Gen Ousman Bargie will continue with his job”.

Bargie was appointed as Army Chief in July 2012 by former President Yahya Jammeh. He replaced Lt. General Masanneh Kinteh, who was deployed to the Foreign Service and now back as Military aides to President Barrow.

President Barrow inherits Army Chief Bargie from the former administration of Yahya Jammeh.

Meanwhile, Gambian’s have been questioning the loyalty of the army chief to the new government after recent events and U-turns in support of former President Jammeh especially when he vowed to hang onto power even after his mandate ended.

President Barrow’s assertion has now clear the doubts and assured Gambians of his trust in him to lead the army.

It could be recalled that immediately after the election results where declared, Bargie pledged his loyalty and allegiance to President Barrow and was pictured celebrating with people on the streets of the capital.

A week later when former President Jammeh reversed his decision saying he is not accepting the results anymore, the Army chief also reversed his allegiance back to Mr Jammeh.

The Army Chief wrote a letter to then President Jammeh pledging allegiance and support.

“May I please seize this opportunity to renew to your Excellency the assurance of the unflinching loyalty and support of the Gambia Armed Forces,” General Ousman Badjie wrote in a letter to Jammeh published in the pro-government Daily Observer newspaper.

This prompted the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to place a stand by force on alert in case Jammeh attempts to stay in power after his mandate ends on January 19th.

Mr Jammeh then called the bloc’s stance “a declaration of war“. He ordered the same Army chief through the National Security Council to visit all military installations in the country to renew loyalty and stand for him as he vowed to hang onto power. He then warned Senegal not to attempt to attack the Gambia saying “I will kill you like animals”.

After heavy regional military where deployed heading to Gambia as the deadline for Mr Jammeh to go got nearer, Bargie shifted allegiance to President Barrow saying he would not engage his men in a battle with the troops from ECOMIG should the political impasse turn into force.

He said “I love my men” while posing for selfies with people while dressed in fatigues, beret and green T-Shirt.

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