The new government of President Adama Barrow has confirmed discovery of a big financial mismanagement on worker’s pension funds at the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation and a questionable and wanton expenditures by Gambia Ports Authority (GPA) in its Business Development Expenses /Corporate Social Responsibilities Account for 2015 and 2016 respectively.

These discoveries were revealed on Monday, February 20, by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs during a press conference on the state of the country’s economy and the fraudulent activities by former President Yahya Jammeh and his APRC Government.

According to Finance Minister Amadou Sanneh, the Jammeh administration has dipped its long arm into workers pension funds through rampant ‘Executive Directives’ to the management of SSHFC and a total of D2, 094, 891, 000 was withdrawn by Executive Directives to a multitude of expenditures.

“The expenditures includes D74.517 million for NAWEC generators; D547.588 Million for loan repayments on behalf of NAWEC for ITFC and D74.662 million for interest charges for NAWEC. Another NAWEC generator acquisition amounting to D118.00 million was also made and some payments were received on this loan. Cost of John Deree tractors ($2.018 million) amounting to D57.092 million; and cash withdrawals of US$500, 000 twice totally US$1, 000, 000 were made from the SSHFC through Executuve Directives of Yahya Jammeh for expenditures unaccounted for an undocumented” he said.

Finance minister Sanneh revealed that all these expenditures were out of the ordinary workers’ accumulated pensions fund and out of a total of D2, 094, 891, 1000, the sum of D1.71 billion remains non-performing without any payment made to it.

Concerning the Gambia Ports Authority, Minister Sanneh said preliminary review found that the Authority made some questionable and wanton expenditures in its Business Development Expenses/Corporate Social Responsibilities Account for 2015 and 2016.

“GPA contribution towards Kanilai Alternative Medical Clinic run by Yahya Jammeh for D23, 000; hiring of tents for Sukuta APRC branch for D10, 000; Payment of 200T-Shirts for APRC militants and BCC for D75, 000; 50% payment to Ministry of Basic and Secondary Educarion for 22nd July scholarship pageant for D250, 000; Payment of D300, 000 for July 22,  20th celebrations; Honorarium to Volunteers at Dobong Farm D108, 000 on September 10, 2015 and another D108, 000 on December 18, 2015; Printing of Green T-Shirts for D255, 750 and payment sponsoring of a table for D375, 000 for APRC Peace and Love Gala dinner” he revealed.

In 2016, he said the GPA also made expenditures out of its Business Development Expenses/Corporate Social Responsibilities account , the resources of the Gambian people.

“Payment of its BusinessDevelopment Expenses/Corporate Social Responsibilities account of D500, 000 for Jammeh Foundation for Peace fundraising Gala dinner on 20th January 2016 and another D400, 000 for platinum plus and sapphire table to APRC Gala dinner; Payment of T-Shirts amounting to D46, 000 for July 22nd celebrations in 2016; Payment of 855 T-Shirts ecogroup for July 22nd celebrations 2016; Payment to security services of D60, 000 for July 22nd celebration in 2016; Payment of D40, 000 to APRC women rally at Jarra Soma in 2016; Payment of d356, 000 for 200 polo T-Shirts and 1300 T-Shirts for July 22nd celebrations; Payment of D110, 000 for 500 T-shirts for July 22nd celebrations; Payment of D105, 000 for T-Shirts for July 22nd celebrations; Payment of D21,000 for 100 T-shirts for APRC Award ceremony and payment of D18, 750 towards APRC Kiang West political rally” he disclosed.

According to Minister Sanneh, in 2016, the investigations discovered with shock that the GPA bough a new vehicle budgeted at D3, 000, 000 for D7, 527, 392.16, which is double the budget for the item. He then made it clear that these samples on public enterprise accounts of SSHFC, GAMTEL, GPA and Carnegie mining are reflections of the gross mismanagement of the Gambian economy by Yahya Jammeh and his government adding that the conduct amounts to total betrayal of the Gambian people leaving them with with monstrous debts amounting to D48.3 billion. He described the former APRC government as truly disaster in human rights, socially, politically, fiscally and monetarily, economically and financially.

He stated that the new government under President Barrow and the strong goodwill of international partners and the urgency with which they have come forth to assist and support a new Gambia that is full with freedom, democracy, human rights, rule of law and with sound fiscal and monetary policies, will strive and work and play to achieve the development aspirations of the people of The gambia. He assured that the government will take all steps and measures to ensure that all lost, stolen, and misappropriated assets are returned to the Gambian people and that the Ministries of Interior and Justice will have all the informations on these preliminary findings to take appropriate actions.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs has said that investigations conducted by his Ministry so far has revealed some alarming and gross mismanagement of public funds. He has  confirmed that the economy of the country has been completely destroyed and part f the stories are related to the action of the then President Exiled Yahya Jammeh and his enablers.

Amadou Sanneh made this revelation on Monday during a press conference on the state of the Gambian economy and the fraudulent activities of the former President Yahya Jammeh and his APRC Government.

The revealation by Minister Sanneh were based on preliminary findings on three public enterprises namely Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC), Gambia telecommunication Company Ltd (Gamtel), the Carnegie Mining project.

Gamtel Gateway Revenue
According to Minister Sanneh, it was discovered that the Gamtel Gateway Termination Revenue had been sycophoned by the former president. He said the gateway project is being managed by Gamtel on behalf of the Gambia government and incomes emanating from international incoming and outgoing traffic are generated through this gateway and initially used by Gamtel to offset its costs and loans.

“However, the management of the gateway was contracted to third parties over the years, Spectrum System1, Tel. and MGI. Currently, the government through Gamtel Ltd is having a 5 year contract with MGI from 2014 to 2019. The incomes generated by this project were diverted from Gamtel to an account – International Gateway Account at the Central Bank of the Gambia from September 13 2013 to July 4 2014. This account had an accumulated deposit for this period of US$5, 421, 732.98 of which US$5, 421, 440.61 was withdrawn leaving a balance of only US$292. 37” he said.

He further revealed that on July 10, 2014, another account was opened in the name of ‘the Special Projects Fund’ and a total of US$45, 194, 083.24 was deposited over the period and US$45, 171.05 was withdrawn over the same period leaving a balance of only US$110, 630.42 as at January 23, 2017.

“A sample of the withdrawals include on July 15, 2014 cash withdrawal of US$300,000 by one Sanna Jarju, Office of the President; July 23, 2014 cash withdrawal of US$700,000 through Sanna Jarju, Office of the President; July 23, 2014 cash withdrawal of US$600,000 by Sanna Jarju, Office of the president; 11th August 2014 cash withdrawal of US$1, 000, 000 Office of the President; 10th September 2014 cash withdrawal of US$1,000,000Office of the President; March 25, 2015 cash withdrawal of US$750, 000 by Sanna jarju, Office of the president; September 16, 2015 cash withdrawal of US$400,000 by Sulayman Badjie, Office of the President; September 16, 2015 cash withdrawal of US$800,000 through Sulayman Badjie, Office of the president; September 16, 2015 cash withdrawal of US$704, 721.63 through Nuha Williams, Office of the President; September 26, 2015 cash withdrawal of uS$500,000 through Sulayman Badjie, office of the president; November 14, 2016 cash withdrawal of US$704, 721.63 through Nuha Williams, Office of the President” he revealed.

According to him, preliminary findings shows that these amounts have been withdrawn in cash US dollars or Gambian dalasis withdrawn and US dollars bought in the foreign exchange market thus creating undue pressure on both our reserves and the exchange rates. He said these two accounts totalling US$50, 615, 816.22 in deposits of international call terminating revenue have been withdrawn mainly in cash foreign currency and dalasis converted into foreign currency.

Carnegie Mining Project
According to Minister Sanneh, The Gambia has not discovered huge mineral resources but Elminite has been discovered and mined over the years. He said Carnegie Mining Project account was opened at The Central Bank of The Gambia from January 24, 2012 to December 30, 2015 receiving D139, 423 million as deposits and D139. 312 millions expenditure. This he said leaves a balance of only D110, 630 as at this date today.

“This account was operated outside the Central Revenue Fund. The account has been managed by the Office of the Paresident and Yahya Jammeh and all expenditures were done at his directives or will. A sample of these expenditures inckudes transfer to Trust Bank Ltd in favour of EAGL for D30, 969, 140; cash foreign currency withdrawals of D3, 833, 000; cheque payment for D5, 000, 000; cash payments to Governors for cost of fishing boats D600,000 and Donation/support by Gambia Government of D21, 635.000” Minister Sanneh stated.

He revealed that from December 30, 2015, there was no deposit into this account and government is now investigating where the revenues due to the government from the mining contract went. He said the government is paying the services of lawyers retained for the legal case with Carnegie with retainer fees totally D59.28 million to date and claims of monthly payments of £50,000 per month still running. He noted that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice will look into these payments and the legal issues with Carnegie with the view of bringing this bizarre drama indicative of the selfish interest of the Jammeh APRC Regime to an end.

“We are verifying the current contract that exists between the Mining operators and a company said to have the mining rights – Alhamdulillah Petroleum and Mineral Company. From our initial investigations of this company, there was no trace of its registration with the Registrar of Companies, but the Attorney General and Minister of Justice is assisting us on this matter” he Stated.

Gambia’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs has discovered the mismanagement of public enterprises like Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC), Gamtel and Carnegie Mining project by the former President Yahya Jammeh and his APRC government saying the conduct amounts to a total betrayal of the Gambian people leaving them with monstrous debts amounting to D48.3 billion ($1.1billion), net international reserves of only US$27.4 Million or 0.7 months of import of goods and services.

Accordingly, the Central Bank of The Gambia has short term borrowing (SWAPS) from commercial banks of US$32.7 Million to enable it meet the government’s loan repayement obligation.

Minister Amadou Sanneh made these revelations on Monday, February 20, during a press conference at the Ministry’s conference room on the state of the Gambian economy and some fraudulent activities of the former President Yahya Jammeh and his APRC government.

He said from preliminary investigations conducted, its clear that the economy of the country had been completely destroyed and part of the stories are related to the action of the then President Exiled Yahya Jammeh and bis enablers.

“Real GDP growth of The Gambia has rebounded to 4.3 per cent in 2015 from 0.9 per cent in 2014. The improved economic activities continued in 2016 with growth expected to be within the long term trend growth rant of 4-6 per cent. Total Revenue and grants in 2017 is estimated at D14.34 billion from D12.99 billion budgeted, representing a growth of 10.4 per cent. Domestic revenue is estimated at D8.5 in 2017. Conversely, total expenditure and net lending is projected at D19.1 billion in 2017 from 16.9 billion budgeted in 2016. Of this, interest payments are estimated to be over D3 billion” Minister Sanneh explained.

Minister Sanneh added that fiscal deficit in 2017 is anticipated to increase to D4.7 billion (10 per cent of GDP) from D3.9 billion budgeted in 2016, representing a growth of 20.5 per cent. He said estimated net domestic borrowing for the fiscal year is expected to be 10% of GDP.

“Public debt ratio is 115% of GDP as at end December 2016. Total debt stock stood at D48.3 billion comprising D20.3 billion external and D28 billion domestic. The domestic debt increases from 54% to 67% of GDP from 2015 to 2016 respectively, compared with a marginal increase of the external debt from 46% to 48% of GDP from 2015 to 2016 respectively” Finance Minister Sanneh said.

According to him, consumer price inflation measured by the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) rose to 7.9 per cent in December 2016 compared to 6.9 per cent in the corresponding period in 2015, adding that both food and non-food inflation increased to 8.7 and 6.5 per cent in December 2016 from 7.6 and 5.3 per cent in 2015 respectively.

He further stated that the monetary policy rate has remained constant at 23 percent since April 2015 and gross official reserves are US$68.75 Million as at February 3 2017, while the net international reserves are at US$20.81, which is approximately less than 2 months of import cover.

Dozens of people were arrested at Foni for allegedly attacking the convoy of coalition supporters who were returning from the inauguration of President Adama Barrow and the independence celebration.

According to sources the jubilant coalition supporters coming from Bakau were allegedly attacked by angry supporters of the former president Yahya Jammeh at Kamfenda in Foni. They reportedly gathered heaps of stones and sticks waiting for the return of the coalition supporters who were assaulted with insults and attacks causing bodily harm to several people. The Police Intervention Unit PIU were deployed to the scene.

Speaking to the Police Spokesperson, Superintendent Foday Conta at the police headquarters has confirmed the incident. He explained that the situation is under control. He said about 51 people were arrested 26 juvenile and 25 adults altogether.

“They are charged with breach of peace,” Supt. Foday Conta said.

The police spokesperson said the arrestees were moved out to undisclosed locations to avoid further escalation of tension. He said there were no casualties but the victims were receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, he pointed that the juvenile arrestees were given bail while the adults are helping the police in their investigations.

By Famara Fofana

No one in these shores need reminding that February 18 1965 was the exact date when The Gambia downed the yokes of British colonial rule. That epoch-making moment in history has long been taught in our history books as early as the 3rd grade or primary five as it were in.

After much cynicism initially, we are told that this country, known at the time for her groundnut exports, was unready to steer her own destiny to the promised land. Who would forget Berkeley Rice’s book “The Gambia- The birth of an Improbable Nation”

Whatever dispensation we may find ourselves as a people, nationhood celebration must be highly cherished and relished. In truth, this has not been the case in the past two decades as the event has been downgraded to a lower level; a footnote of an occasion by the then powers that be. It was devoid of a national character and the prestige that should have been the hallmark of any Independence anniversary.

For the first time in as many years, Independence celebration generated a feel-good factor and a sense of national pride weeks before the day itself. Perphaps too, that was down to the fact the event was a two-pronged affair that also saw the Swearing-in of President Barrow here on home turf.

The mammoth crowds at the Independence Stadium were a sight to behold and even scary in some instances as fears of a potential stampede loomed large ; this as Gambians and non Gambians from different facets of life vied for a place in the bowels of the Gambia’s only national stadium. I would later learn that some people from Jarra had made the journey on the eve of the day, spending the cold night in Bakau with the aid of some oranges.

Under the scorching sun on D day, students and teachers alike stood in perseverance as a gaggle of helpless journos made frantic efforts to enter the stadium. Talking of the media, journalists on their coverage of the proceedings were accorded a vantage point they never have had all the years thanks mainly to the collaborative efforts of the Gambia Press Union and the government.

During the eye-catching march pass that is synomymous with the various security detachments in times of such national events, I could not help but gauge the views of some people at the Stadium on Saturday.

“The feeling is great because I had the opportunity to also witness the inaugural independence day as a very young boy then ” says Moses Nden, a veteran broadcaster these days. He described the Gambia @52 celebrations as unique given excatly one month to this year’s day, it was all about panic in town being the day when Jammeh’s mandate offcially ended but one that was literally given a further stay of execution in the form of the State of Public Emergency he declared .

U.S-based Gambian Muhammed Kah told me “You could feel freedom in the air. The atitude of the people, the crowd was nothing but great. Its definitely a good feeling to be back here without having to look over your shoulders”.

“There was a sense of freedom about Saturday’s event”, remarked Lamin Manneh, an I.T teacher at Charles Jow Memorial Academy.

On the task at hand, journalist Moses Nden said “we have confidence in the new administration in view of the calibre of appointments made” . Even whereas he said this one is understandable, he would want to see a less flamboyant ceremony in subsequent independence anniversary celebrations.

For Mohammed Kah who jetted in from Maryland, the idea of the new dispensation to open the doors and embracing other people’s ideas and brains is worthy of acknowledgement .”There are a lot of people I know in the U.S who are capable of coming here and start ten to twenty businesses”, Kah gleefully added.

For now though, its like a new slate for the Gambia. Beyond the pomp and pageantry that characterised the Gambia @52 , the call to arms cant be louder as encapsulated in our National pledge” we must stand together as one people with one goal and move forward as one nation”.

Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has pardoned a total of 174 prisoners who were serving various jail terms at the notorious state central prison of Mile II.

Acting under the powers conferred upon him by the Constitution, President Barrow used the occasion of the 52nd Independence Anniversary to pardon the prisoners.

Out of the 174 pardoned, only 74 prisoners were released on Saturday night while the other remaining 100 prisoners will be released in subsequent days.

Family members, friends and well wishers gathered at the gates of the prisons to welcome the released prisoners. They all expressed joy and happiness on this day saying it was indeed a surprise to them. They also prayed for the others in the prison so they can also have such an opportunity in order to reunite with their families.

Meanwhile, those pardoned include some non Gambians among them Senegalese and Guinean nationals. They were escorted out in an Immigration vehicle and headed to Banjul for paperwork to their various countries of origin.

Hundreds of people are still in the prison without being charged or put before a court of law. They were arrested by agents in the former government of Yahya Jammeh and unlawfully caged at the dirty cells of the prisons.

INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS OF H.E. ADAMA BARROW, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA

Fellow Gambians,
May I begin by thanking Allah for making me the 3rd President of this great country through the support of the Gambian people. I seek guidance and blessing for me and my cabinet to have the strength and wisdom to serve our beloved nation to higher heights.

I would like to first of all welcome the distinguished heads of states and international guests who are here to share this joyous occasion with us.
Today is symbolic because of two important developments in the history of our dear motherland. It was on this day that The Gambia was declared Independent. I was just three days old.

Now I am the President of the Republic of The Gambia after 52 years of nationhood. Few people would have thought that I will be addressing the nation today.
I would like to thank the Gambian electorates for their astuteness. They exercised their civic rights in a peaceful and non-violent manner during the campaign, on election day as well as after the elections. I will not do justice without recognizing and expressing my sincere appreciation to the Gambian Diaspora. They spent time and resources to support my candidacy through the social media. They encouraged family members and friends to vote for me. This is a victory for democracy. It is a victory belonging to all Gambians. It is the decision of Gambians to change a Government which has entrenched itself through the ballot box. That has made it possible for us to gather here today.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Gambian people, ECOWAS, AU, The UN and all our international partners in general for supporting us at the most critical period of our history. This has ensured that democracy has a meaning to our people.

Gambia has changed forever. The people are fully conscious that they can put government in office as well as remove it. No government will ever be able to entrench itself against the will of the Gambian people. This is the lesson we must draw from the change that has been brought by the people.

We are now confronted with many challenges. We have inherited an economy that has declined because of political uncertainty. During the political impasse, businesses were shot down, offices and schools were closed. Foreign missions scaled down their staff, 50, 000 left the country and over 126, 000 became internally displaced.
People restricted their movements and the country became ungovernable. The country would have remained in such a situation if the new government did not succeed in finding a solution to the impasse.

Fellow Gambians

Health
The Government under my Presidency will strive to ensure the survival, protection and development of all children.

The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is charged with the responsibility of doing an inventory on the needs of the hospitals in the country in order to determine the inputs necessary to upgrade health services. It is to ensure staff audit in order to identify constraints and develop programmes to enhance staff motivation.

The Government will seek to partner with ECOWAS, AU, the UN, other traditional development partners like the US, the EU, UK and new development partners to improve on infant and maternal health. The aim is to improve their well-being and reduce mortality.

We will work to improve nutrition, sanitation, access to clean drinking water and ensure that primary health care is accessible and affordable to both rural and urban centres.

Education
The law of the land instructs that basic education shall be free, accessible and compulsory. All Gambian children must go to school. The Gambia under my presidency will respect the dictates of the Constitution and work with our development partners to make free education for all a reality.

Agriculture and Fisheries
Agriculture shall be given added support to move towards food security and growth in export. Production and processing crops, livestock and fisheries will serve as the base for food security. These will be linked to job creation and increase in income through Agro-Industrial development.

Service Sector
The service sector, which is now the largest contributor to the Economy, will be given the incentives necessary for them to contribute more to employment creation and the GDP of the country.

Macro-economic stability will provide a fertile ground for telecommunication services, banks, hotels, insurance, housing companies and other sectors to grow and develop partnerships in Africa and all over the globe.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
The Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure will be given support to sustain its local area networks. This will make it possible for the Government to maintain the regional community information centres and provide them with the necessary ICT services. The e-government data centre will create better coordination and cooperation between government institutions.

The media, both public and private, will enjoy freedom to disseminate divergent views and dissenting opinion as required by the Constitution. The Media Law shall be reviewed and code of conduct for responsible journalism promoted.

This will include re-orientation of the state media to take up its public service responsibility.

Employment creation
As part of the reforms to be undertaken to improve on job creation, e-government will be utilised to ensure that the Personnel Management Office and the Labour Department would be able to store data on those seeking employment and the jobs available at each given period. This will facilitate proper assessment of employment and unemployment rates especially among the young people. The Government will undertake a major drive to promote employment in all sectors.

Works and Communication Infrastructure
In the area of infrastructural development the Government will give the Ministry of Works, Construction and Infrastructure time bound deadlines for the construction of the Basse-Fatoto, Fatoto-Koina and Laminkoto-Pasamas roads.

The ministry will undertake to identify all the key feeder roads in the country that require feasibility studies to prepare solid plans to source funds for their construction.

Energy Sector
In the area of Energy, the ministry is charged with the responsibility of ensuring adequate and affordable electricity supply by diversifying energy sources for basic household needs. The energy sector would be improved. The development of port facilities, road infrastructure, river transport and other services will attract foreign direct investment at a larger scale.

The Ministry of Petroleum will focus on developing the potential to exercise control and direction over the seismic surveys being done to explore the potential for oil production in the country. Industrial production shall be expanded to include robust development of the mining sector and the processing of raw materials into value added goods.
Transparency will be shown in this area to enable the people to know all developments regarding the sector.

Civil Service Reform
Civil Service Reform will be undertaken to link appointment to merit and income to performance.

A Ministry of Planning and Good Governance is to be established to facilitate and monitor the development and implementation of a blueprint for Socio-Economic development. The Provision of quality social services is the fundamental objective of the government under my Presidency.

This would require sustainable Macro Economic stability and growth. This is why I established a Think Tank, The Agency for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development (ASSED). It is charged with the responsibility to establish an expert bank. This will provide data on the different expertise available to share their knowledge and skills. Their expertise will be tapped in order to put in place an inclusive development agenda.

Regional administration will be done by public servants not political appointees.

The pay and grading structure of the civil service will be reviewed and pensioners will also benefit from the reforms.

State enterprises are to be reviewed with the view to adopt policies that would ensure that they pay dividend to government instead of being a liability.

Constitutional and Legal Reforms
The Government will undertake key constitutional and legal reforms which will be highlighted in my first address to the National Assembly.

It intends to enforce constitutional provisions that are entrenched to protect the fundamental rights of the citizens. Orders have already been given for all those detained without trial to be released.

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice will receive information regarding all those who are arrested without being traced. An appropriate commission would be established to conduct inquiries into their disappearances.

A Human Rights Commission will be established without delay to complement the initiatives of the Attorney General.

The National Council for Civic Education will be provided with the facilities to conduct civic education to promote national reconciliation in collaboration with other organisations that are set up to promote national unity and reconciliation.

The judiciary will receive adequate support in terms of personnel and independence to enable it to deliver justice without fear or favour.

On Foreign Relations
The Gambia during the impasse knows what solidarity means. Senegal has proven to be a friend in times of need. The people of Senegal hosted the people who fled and the government hosted me as President-elect and worked hand in glove with ECOWAS, The AU, UN and the international community in general to ensure that the verdict of the Gambian people is not violated.

In this regard, my first trip as a head of state will be to Senegal so that we could discuss and conclude on matters such as the SeneGambia bridge, our common borders, the status of the Senegalo-Gambian Secretariat and other outstanding issues. We want the relation between the two countries to be a model for African integration.

I would like to give special thanks to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Chair of ECOWAS, President Muhamadu Buhari of Nigeria, President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone and former President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana who undertook the first mediation efforts.

I cannot conclude without adding the names of President Alpha Conde of Guinea and President Abdul Aziz of Mauritania who stepped in at the right time.

My special gratitude is also extended to my host President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal during the impasse. I was given a choice by ECOWAS to stay in Liberia, Nigeria or Senegal during the impasse.

I chose Senegal because of the fact we are the same people occupying two different countries. I must say I made the right choice and received the greatest hospitality.
Your Excellences, honourable guests and fellow citizens, I would like to conclude by emphasizing that for 22 years the Gambian people yearned to live in a country where our diversity will be bridged by our tolerance and our determination to work together for the common good.

We decided to form a Coalition so that those speaking Jola, Serer, Aku, Serahuleh, Manjago, Mandinka, Fula, Wollof and all other groupings would ensure that we build One Gambia, One Nation and One People. Justice will guide our action and this Government intends to maintain that spirit of national unity.

The whole world supports us and The Gambia will remain a beacon of peace and hope for others to draw lessons from.

Long Live The Republic! Long Live the United People of The Gambia! Forward Ever! Backward Never!

Huge crowds waved Gambian flags, applauding in excitement as the country celebrates 52 years of Independence at The Independent Stadium in Bakau.

Many say this year’s independent celebration was very special adding that they have not seen anything like it especially during the past 22 years of the Jammeh regime.

There were waves of applause to a beloved President Adama Barrow as his motorcade entered the independence stadium. He was seen standing in his vehicle surrounded by security officers while the cameramen were taking loads of photos. He raised his hand to touch his watch a symbol to show that the era of former president has ended and that The new Gambia is here.

President Barrow was escorted to the podium where the national anthem was played in his honour before walking to greet the invited heads of State and dignitaries representing their countries to the occasion.

The invited heads of state includes the president of Senegal who was a special guest, Presidents of Liberia, Mauritania, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana and former President of Ghana, Nigerian Vice president, Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau as well as The UN Special Envoy in West Africa amongst others.

The programme was opened with prayers from both Muslim and Christian prayers.

There were helicopters flying around the stadium. The Liberian and Senegalese presidents were given cheers and loud applause by the crowd. Lt. Colonel Babucarr Sanyang was the parade commander.

The Director General of Prisons, David Colley was booed while the first Gambian soldier to switched allegiance to president Barrow was cheered.

Meanwhile, the former Vice President of the Gambia, Isatou Njie Saidy was in attendance but booed by the crowd.

Flags flying high in Bakau as the Gambia celebrates 52 years of  independence and the inauguration of President Adama Barrow at the Independence Stadium in Bakau.

Gambian men and women, young and old from different political affiliation came out in their thousands to celebrate the country’s independence from the yolk of British colonialism.

The country has gained its independent on the 18th February 1965 under the leadership of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. It became a republic in 1970.

The small West African country has since embraced multiparty democracy after independence. Former President Jawara has been in power for 30 years. His regime was overthrown by a group of young military officers headed by young Lieutenant, Yahya Jammeh. Jammeh  ruled a two year transition before retiring from military to contest elections in 1996.

The former military leader later turned into a defiant dictator who has ruled the country with an iron fist for 22 years. He made strict conditions for the opposition parties to exist. Under his watched so many people were killed while others went missing.

Jammeh lost to the opposition coalition candidate Adama Barrow in the presidential polls, December 1. He first conceded defeat but later changed position by rejecting the results and called for fresh elections. He was strongly condemned for his actions before the sub-regional military intervention came to boot him out of office that sent him into exile in Equitorial Guinea.

President Adama Barrow was sworn in on the January 19, at The Gambian Embassy in Dakar. He was flown out of the country by the sub-regional leaders after concerns were raised about his personal safety. He returned to the country after the former dictator Yahya Jammeh was forced to leave.

The new administration has inherited a broken country with a collapsed economy, bad governance, human rights abuse and ethnic politics among other things that needs knowledge and experience to be fixed. The expectations of the people are high on the new administration. The questions that is lingering on everyone’s mind is whether they would be able to live up to expectations?

Meanwhile, today’s independent celebration was marked with grand style as heads of state from other countries graced the occasion.

By Lamin Sanyang

Senegal’s President Macky Sall who was a Special Guest to the country’s 52nd Independent Anniversary has said that the two countries, Gambia and Senegal are one family.

“Gambia and Senegal are one family. We are divided by circumstances of history. We share the same values. the same history. This is the legacy we inherited from our ancestors,” President Macky Sall said.

President Sall who was speaking in English, called on the two nations to nurture the legacy of their ancestors, saying they owe it to themselves and generations to come.

“What we need is peace and harmony. What we need is security. What we need is development,” he pointed out.

Sall called on the two countries to get together, work together and face their challenges together.

President Sall said the Gambia and Senegal are not only neighbors but they are brothers. He explained that the people, cultures and foods are all the same.

Meanwhile, he congratulated president Barrow for his historic election victory, saying it is victory for The Gambian people.

Senegal’s President, Macky Sall has arrived in Banjul as special guest of President Adama Barrow on his inauguration as President of the third republic of The Gambia and the country’s 52nd Independence Anniversary.