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Mystery Surrounds the Presence of a Group of Middle Eastern Men in Kanilai!!!

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Sources have informed Fatu Network that Gambia’s President, Yahya Jammeh is playing host to a group of Middle Eastern men in Kanilai, whose presence and commute back and forth have raised eyebrows within both his own security network and the Kanilai villagers. We are still trying to determine the exact number but the men who are seen riding bicycles in the evenings in what seem like rehearsal formations, are said to be around a dozen.





Jammeh has recently been intensifying his game of mischief both at home and abroad – there is an escalating border crisis brewing between this small country of 1.9 million people and its much larger neighbor, Senegal – all thanks to his belligerence. There is even a rumor of him securing a jet fighter plane or helicopter gunship (still trying to determine which is true). The rebels fighting against Senegalese forces in that country’s southern region are once again rattling sabers claiming to be demanding for the release of a dead body of a comrade – it has now been confirmed through sources on the ground that Jammeh is the one behind this move, just as he has instigated such actions by the rebels in the past.

 

 

So with this latest act of clandestine elements in the midst, there is growing concern among people in The Gambia that Yahya is once again up to no good and that the presence of these men only spells trouble. There is high suspicion on the ground that these men are either mercenaries or brought in to train a clandestine group for either terrorizing the population or to pick a fight with Senegal. There is even one far-fetched theory that with him declaring the Gambia an Islamic State, these men maybe in town to use it for launching an attack against Western interests in the region, especially in Senegal. There has recently been growing concern over terrorism in the region prompting countries like Senegal to beef up security and conduct anti-terrorism raids, especially after bloody attacks by terror groups in Mali, Nigeria, Kenya, Chad, Niger, and most recently, Burkina Faso.





There is said to be a female group too but Fatu Network has been able to establish that those females came from Ethiopia and are possibly being used as sex toys for Jammeh since his rape of young Gambians girls has been exposed and intensely reported by this network.





These are very troubling times in The Gambia. Yahya Jammeh is increasingly becoming a huge headache for not only that country but the entire West Africa region. Gambians both on the ground and in Diaspora are therefore hoping that Senegal will strengthen her resolve in being tough on him; otherwise the ensuing disaster could have serious consequences for all.

Dictator Jammeh in total confusion as his antics show a rather jittery President

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Sources within the corridors of The State House in Banjul, have informed The Fatu Network about a rather worried dictator Jammeh who for the past few days has been showing signs of unease to the point that even his closest aids are refused access to him.

 

 

In the same vein, cabinet ministers, foreign diplomats and other senior government officials have been on the waiting list for a while to have audience with the dictator on urgent state matters without success.





One credible source has told The Fatu Network that the dictator is so jittery about what he calls ‘Signs of security concerns’ that Jammeh avoids handshakes with his security details and other close aids. He said the dictator for some strange reasons, has now taken some extra precautionary measures where he remains in his car now longer than usual anytime they reach their destination.

 

 

The source stated that in the past anytime Jammeh arrives at a venue he will quickly descend from his car, but now according to our credible source, the dictator takes more than five minutes to come out from his car. In addition he said plain clothes officials of the dictator’s militia are also always now seen combing areas of target in the vicinity where the dictator is before he comes out of his car.





In addition, our source has said that the dictator is now accompanied by a larger than usual convoy with all kinds of military equipment wherever he goes. He has also increased the number of check points from Denton bridge to the state house area in addition to increased night patrols by heavily armed soldiers. The dictator is also said to have reduced his habitual long discussions on telephone.

 

 

Meanwhile, inside the dictator’s own backyard, Gambians particularly women are getting more and more agitated thanks to the unending economic problems in the country.





Just yesterday, March 8, 2016, two young women based in Banjul openly phoned The Fatu Network’s popular Today Show where they challenged the dictator to resign or face the wrought of a rather fed up populace. The two callers are part of a chorus of young people who are mobilizing themselves for an eventual showdown with dictator Jammeh and his government.





For far too long, young Gambians were being used, misused and then micromanaged by the dictatorship in The Gambia. But now it seems many young people have woken up from their slumber and that in itself is a huge headache for the dictator.

 

 

The Fatu Network will continue to provide its platform for increased advocacy to provide the young people not only with the right information, but to also expose the excesses, brutality, corruption, and mismanagement of The Gambia’s resources by dictator Jammeh and his government.

 

Jakarrlo Ak Amzo

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Confusion In Kanilai As Dictator Jammeh Summons His Trusted Aids To Fish Out Supposed Informants Following The Fatu Network’s Damning Story On His Genocidal Plans Against Opposition Leaders

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The Fatu Network can report with upmost certainty about two high level meetings hurriedly organized by Dictator Yahya Jammeh following our Thursday lead story which explicitly documented dangerous genocidal plans being hatched against the Gambian opposition parties and their supporters.

 
Bewildered and furious, our trusted sources intimated to The Fatu Network how Dictator Jammeh summoned senior officials of the security forces and tasked them to fish out those giving out classified state information to The Fatu Network. The Dictator was said to have been particularly “very angry” at what our credible source described as the apparent lapse in controlling state secret when plans to kill opposition leaders were leaked to The Fatu Network.




The genocidal plan itself against the opposition has three different operational strategies: Plan A: is to target the prominent opposition supporters with inducement of job offers and even lavish cash spending on them. If this could not yield fruit, then the architects have recommended what it terms under Plan B: as a strategy to suffocate the opposition of the much needed space to conduct their rallies and activities. These plans include denying the opposition permits to hold rallies; unexplained disappearances; arrests and long detentions; identifying and singling out their bread winners for dismissal from their jobs and also denying them opportunities to make it impossible for them to focus on supporting the opposition.
But the scary bit falls under Plan C…..which the architects code named the operation as “The Black Cat.” Under this plan, over 300 people have been identified across the country among them UDP leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, PPP leader OJ Jallow, NRP leader Hamat Bah, PDOIS leader Halifa Sallah and several youth leaders of both the UDP and PPP as well as newly cross carpeted youths from the ruling party to the UDP. All of their names have been circled in a red ink.




At least six prominent names of diaspora opposition party activists from both the UDP and PPP have also been listed and their family addresses already identified and circled in red ink as “potentials.”
The Plan C talks about abductions of the prominent party members, arrest and court charges including inciting violence so that they would be denied bail. But the epic of the operation is what the architects called “silence the parrot” which include extreme use of force and violence against defenceless civilians.
Under this plan, residential addresses of the targets have been identified, all escape routes marked “Gates closed” and the number of security men to be tasked to be conducting the operation mapped. For example for both UDP and PPP leaders’, the architects have suggested that not less than 30 heavily armed men should storm their residences with tear gas ganisters. The attackers should also use a specially designed balaclavas (hoods) to hide their identity.
Meanwhile, within Kanilai itself, the Dictator has tasked his trusted security team to liaise with telecommunications service providers to particularly find out who have been communicating with The Fatu Network in the US.




Our source said there is currently serious panic among the close aides of the Dictator who are worried that they could be wrongly accused of being the informants. According to different sources who spoke to The Fatu Network, the security taskforce setup by the Dictator first met Thursday night
immediately after the publication of our damning story. The taskforce has now already put together modalities to crack down on what they called informants bent on destabilizing the country. On Sunday 6th March, the taskforce met again to brief the Dictator about the steps they have taken.
One source said the online media has now become Dictator Jammeh’s biggest headaches where on a daily basis, a special group of intelligence officers stationed at the NIA record all programs especially aired on The Fatu Network. Names of regular contributors on the online radios are also compiled and in some cases their relatives tracked in The Gambia.

 
The Fatu Network is keenly following this story and we will continue to update our audience with the developments.

Fatu’s Take On The Gambia & Senegal Border Closure

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Under Siege, The Gambia’s Nervous Christian Denominations Pray for Tolerance in The Country!!!

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The Christian Council of the The Gambia on Saturday, March 5 organized what it called Nation Day of Prayers. The event was held at the Independent Stadium in Bakau and all three Christian denominations in the country were in attendance. According to those present, this was the largest congregation they have ever seen in that country, a lot of Muslims were also in attendance as a show of solidarity with a people coming under siege because of their faith.





This event came on the heels of some troubling developments in that country not ever seen or felt throughout its history. The President, Yahya Jammeh who rules this country of 1.9 million people, 85-90% of which identify themselves as Muslim, with an iron fist has a penchant for using his terrorized people as pawns in schemes that most of the times only he can explain. The Christians have recently been the ones on the receiving end of this continuing madness. First, he declared the country and Islamic State, to the consternation of both Christians in the country and the International community, then, proceeded to issue directives that forced the Christians to start adhering to Islamic dressing. Of course every observer agrees this is a just a ploy by him to get funds from Arab states because all financial aid coming from European sources have dried up due to his lack of adherence to basic human rights for his people. This according to them is after all the man who openly worships idols and engages in rituals considered heresy in Islam.





These actions and many others prior it – all meant to sow seeds of division between the Muslim majority and the Christian minority for his own political gain, have forced the usually sympathetic Christian community (Yahya was raised by Christians and has family members who are Christians too) to feel alienated and as a result started distancing themselves from him and his regime. With trepidation growing among them, and knowing the direction the president is going will eventually see them completely wiped out of the country they call home, the leaders in the churches have started voicing out their frustrations and fears. Reverend Edward Gomez was the first who delivered a sermon that called for tolerance towards the Christian minority among other serious concerns. The video of that sermon was shared widely on social media by activists, human rights defenders, and social commentators who felt the time is here for the Christian leaders to finally speak up before it is too late.

 

 

So this event at the Independent Stadium came as no surprise, and the tone of the speakers speaks volumes as to the degree to which the Christians in The Gambia are beginning to feel left of their own country. According to an eye-witness, speakers included Arch Bishop Robert Ellison from the Catholic Mission who began his speech with a question asking; should referees be corrupt? Should they be neutral? This it seems is a direct reference to how the leaders in the majority Muslim country are not treating the Christian minority as equals in their own country. He continued praying that the Lord guide our leaders and judges to remain neutral in order to serve fairly in accordance with the law. The second speaker, Mrs. Bishop Hanna C. Faal-Heim buttressing Bishop Ellison’s earlier remarks, but one seen by observers as a swipe against the Muslim elders like Imam Cherno Kah and others who have as usual decided to be the President’s cheerleaders in these unconstitutional maneuvers, stressed that leaders should speak the truth, and shy away from being hypocrites to President Jammeh. She prayed for such leaders to be guided by the Lord and strengthen their faiths to judge in accordance with the law. Speaking to the general feeling of Christians in the country, she also prayed that no Gambian be treated as refugees in their own country and that each and every one of them be able to associate freely with whatever faith or belief one chooses but yet all of them living in peace and harmony together as one people and one nation. She celebrated the diversity of the Gambia and commended the citizens for having big hearts. In an attempt to calm nerves among the scared Christians, Bishop Fall assured the congregants that Christians and Muslims will continue to work together in the country.





Reverend Priscilla Johnson gave the closing remarks.

With Fast Dwindling Health and Little Hope, Journalist Alhagie Ceesay’s Sad Ordeal Continues in the Hands of Africa’s Worst Dictator – President Yahya Jammeh!!!

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Alhagie Ceesay broken, tired, nauseated, sick, and almost at the point of despair sat staring at an empty space, except for an occasional effort to give his lawyers an undivided attention, he seemed completely out of it. But then again, judging by the picture (talking to his lawyer in the photo), the old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” holds true. This sad scene of the 25 year old played out in court on Monday, February 22. The case was adjourned to Monday, February 29, a date he failed to appear in court because he was too sick to attend – he spent that day lying helplessly down on a hospital bed. When the case was called, the Prisons officer told the court that the “accuse is sick and admitted at RVTH.” The case was adjourned yet again to March 15, between 1PM and 2PM.




This was the umpteenth time Alhagie Ceesay has been dragged to court to attend proceedings in a case that is as frivolous as it can get. Even UN Human Rights Council couldn’t help but depart from its usual diplomatic language to; in a scathing report, describe the detention of this manager of Taranga FM Radio Station as “arbitrary”

http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Detention/Opinions2015AUV/Opinion%202015%2050_TheGambia_Ceesay_AUV.pdf

 

In the meantime, the notorious Mile 2 Prisons is where he is calling home – thanks to President Yahya Jammeh’s evil scheme to silence a young man who poses absolutely no threat to his rule, except for the radio station Alhagie’s manages effort to translate local papers from English to the local languages.




Alhagie’s case is a stark reminder of the brutal realities of life in this impoverished country of 1.9 million inhabitants, and journalists have undoubtedly taken the brunt of the madness – President Yahya Jammeh, it seems has truly made good on his promise that “They talk about rights, human rights, and freedom of the press, and say that this country is a hell for journalists. There are freedoms and responsibilities. The journalists are less than 1 percent of the population, and if anybody expects me to allow less than 1 percent of the population to destroy 99 percent of the population, you are in the wrong place.” The Gambia is branded by Human Rights and journalist rights groups as the worst country for journalists – none like it in Africa. Since his coming to power in a military coup in 1994, hundreds of journalists have fled, essentially wiping the entire country of any semblance of an independent press. Except for Foroyaa Newspaper whose journalists write under the shied of the opposition PDOIS political party, none other dares even highlight the cases of missing, killed, tortured, illegally detained, and disappeared Gambians in whose circumstance the government is suspected to have had a hand. The ones that fled are the lucky ones – renown journalist Deyda Hydara and journalist Ebrima Chief Manneh were not so lucky – the former was murdered in cold blood while the latter’s disappearance has still not been solved, Yahya Jammeh’s involvement in both crimes being pretty much all but confirmed at this point.




So what makes Alhagie’s case even more urgent and dire is the fact that his health according to prison guards, hospital sources, and family members is failing fast, and if he is not released immediately and sent overseas for medical treatment, he could suffer the same fate as Sheriff Dibba, the former head of The Gambia Transport Control Association, who recently died in custody because of his ill health being compounded by the ill treatment he received in the hands of the security forces. Alhagie was severely tortured during his previous arrests by the security forces under the orders of Jammeh.     The Gambia’s sad ordeal continues and Fatu Network will be reporting all developments.

Bombshell: The Abomination In Dictator Jammeh’s Islamic Republic: Young Girls Recruited By The Dictator’s Political Pawns As Lesbians

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A young Gambian girl who has confessed of being a lesbian and who was arrested some two years in the Gambia and charged with involvement in homosexuality and other indecent acts, has told the Fatu Network that she and many other young girls are being recruited into lesbianism by powerful members of the women’s wing of Dictator Yahya Jammeh’s ruling APRC party.





In a rather chilling interview which was broadcast on The Fatu Network’s popular Today Show program, the girl (name withheld) who is only 24 years old said she was first recruited into lesbianism about four years ago by a certain wealthy woman who is also a prominent member of the ruling APRC party.

 

 

The girls, who is a vulnerable prey having lost both parents at tender age, said at the time of her recruitment, life was so difficult and “that’s what my recruiters used to get me into this life of lesbianism,” she said.





Contrary to what many believe that Gambia is a highly traditional and religious society, the young girl said “homosexual acts are very in The Gambia.” She said some wealthy women in particular use their privilege position to lure young girls into the act.

 

 

She said in order to escape the wrath of the dictatorship, some of the wealthy women engaged in lesbianism are also openly involved in supporting and funding the ruling party. “They are also involved in bribing the security forces especially the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to ensure that they escape any arrest.”

 

 

She however said in the unfortunate scenario where an inexperience intelligence officer arrest culprits, it is her and other innocent, vulnerable young girls who are compromised to the NIA where they are sexually abused and tortured.





Narrating her ordeal in the hands of the NIA which was an uncomfortable listen, the young girls who has since fled the Gambia to a neighboring country, said while under detention, her torturers were inserting objects into her private part punctuated with beatings for doing what they called an abominable act.

 

 

She said even within the NIA, there are some officers who are rumored to be involved in homosexual acts. She cited several incidents where some alleged gay intelligence officers would force young men into sexual relationship only to refuse paying them. Most of these young men she said normally end up being arrested and brutally tortured.





She said as far as Dictator Yahya Jammeh is concerned, the issue of Islam is only a lip service because neither the dictator nor his supporters believe and behave Islamic in any way. She said all the noise about homosexual acts is meant to drum up financial support from Arab countries.

 

 

But in actual fact she said: “Yahya Jammeh and his entire security apparatus all know who the homosexuals are in the Gambia…..because they mingle with them every day and these people are also responsible for funding many ruling party activities.”

The Senegalese Transport Union Boss, Gora Khouma Takes President Jammeh to the Cleaners!!!

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“He acted without consultation and raised the charges for the border crossing to 400,000CFA ($800)”. “He signed ECOWAS protocols and yet doesn’t adhere to them”. “He doesn’t know the difference between running a country and running a household.”





These were just some of the charges leveled by Gora Khouma, the head of the Senegalese Transport Union, against the Gambian dictator, Yahya Jammeh. These charges came on the heels of an escalating border crisis between the Gambia and her neighbor, Senegal. It must be noted that this is not the first time the border between these two neighbors becomes the source of friction – it is an ongoing feud that also breaks out whenever Jammeh wants to instigate a crisis to distract the Gambian population from his bad governance.

 

 

As a sign of Senegal’s intransigence this time around, the Transport Union has yanked the matter out of Senegalese President, Macky Sall’s hands, who is seen as a soft power peddler when it comes to Yahya Jammeh’s mischiefs towards this bigger neighbor. Macky, according to Gora has been asked to stay out of the current crisis for as he put it “Jammeh did not inform them (Macky and his government) when he made his decision (imposing crippling tariffs on Senegalese truckers in an attempt to manufacture yet another fake crisis for political gains).” And it seems, the move is proving effective in containing Jammeh’s belligerence – he has made an attempt to resolve the border dispute after realizing the unintended consequences of threatening his grip on power, but the Union has rebuffed such advances citing his past insincerities as cause for concern.





Mr Khouma in making his case to the Gambian people during an interview with Fatu Network didn’t hold any punches. In a move to show solidarity with their counterparts in The Gambia who have recently been the latest victims of Jammeh’s callous brutality, Gora raised the issue of Sheriff Dibba, the former Secretary General of the Gambia Transport Control Association who died in custody after what human rights groups and sister trade associations contend was caused by the ill treatment he got in the hands of the security forces. The family of Mr Dibba has still not officially been told the cause of his death and no formal investigation has since been launched, confirming the suspicions of many that foul play resulted to his untimely demise.

 

 

Gora also laid out their Transport Union’s game plan as far as tackling what he termed “Jammeh’s madness.” He said he has already given directives to drivers to by-pass The Gambia and use other routes when going to their country’s Southern region of Casamance. This he said is being done to make sure Senegal doesn’t feel the impact of the border closure as much as Gambia does.





The Union boss also had a word of advice for Gambians if they want to disentangle themselves out of the current “concrete jungle” type situation Jammeh has visited on them since 1994 – he called on Gambians especially the security forces to stand up against Jammeh and boot him out of power. “Jammeh is not who people think he is, nobody has ever shot him but for sure if and when it happens, it will kill him” he assured a traumatized and terrorized nation. To demystify Jammeh further, he ridiculed the Gambian iron fist dictator for his disease herbal treatment programs (Yahya even claims he can cure AIDS, Diabetes, Infertility, High blood Pressure, certain types of cancer, among others), reminding the population that the whole country is sick and the man is yet to cure anyone them.





“Gambia does not belong to Jammeh just as Senegal doesn’t belong to Mack” Gora Khouma emphatically concluded. Fatu Network will continue to monitor this gathering storm and report back any developments to our readers as always. Stay tuned.

“THOSE WHO CAST THE VOTES DETERMINE NOTHING; THOSE WHO COUNT THE VOTES DETERMINE EVERYTHING” BY: Ousainou Mbenga

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On June 25 2015, the desperate despot, Jammeh yet again unleashed another of his trademark amendments to assure himself “president for life”. The despotic one million Dalasis ($25,000) fee imposed on presidential candidates and the insult upon injury fee of half a million Dalasis ($12,500) to contest for a National Assembly seat clearly paves the way to hell for our beloved Gambia. But Gambia and her sons and daughters will never go to hell. “If there is a hell below”, Jammeh and his APRC will be the ones to go.

 

 

 

JAMMEH ACTS ON HIS ELECTORAL THREATS

 

On August 19, 2015, the not so Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of the Gambia wrote to all the legally registered political parties in the Gambia with the caption: REGULARIZATION OF EXISTING POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE GAMBIA.

 

 

 

The letter pointedly referred to the “recent amendment to the Elections Act (2009)”, in particular the “amendments made to section 105 of the principal act to ensure that all political party executives are resident in the Gambia; the political party has a secretariat in each administrative region; and the constitution of the political party requires it to hold a biennial congress”.

 

 

 

The letter continued its imposition by stating: “Furthermore, in accordance with the said laws, each political party write an undertaking that it shall submit its yearly audited account to the commission”.

 

 

 

“This above criteria and any other as enshrined in the electoral law of The Gambia shall be met by all political parties latest March 31st 2016, failure of which will course the” Independent Electoral Commission” to apply the law as to cancel the registration of any defaulting party”.

 

 

 

And on February 9, 2016, a “sequel to the Amendment Act, 2015” letter was dispatched to the political parties as a reminder to conform or risk de-registration. Both letters signed by none other than infamous Chairman of the IEC, Alhagie Mustapha Carayol.

 

 

 

IN PURSUIT OF ABSOLUTE POWER

 

In the history of electioneering in the Gambia; there will be none like the impending 2016 presidential elections, Jammeh’s fifth “contest” for absolute power. All the instruments required to rig the “elections” are systematically being put in place to intimidate all opposition to APRC tyranny.

 

 

 

Prior to Jammeh’s “ascension to power”, the electoral process in the Gambia was indeed not without questionable transparency, accountability and probity; the three legged – stool the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) said it came to replace. TAP (transparency, accountability and probity) almost replaced the “national anthem” of the Gambia during the euphoric days following the coup.

 

 

 

After its entrenchment as AFPRC and ultimately civilianized into APRC (Association of Pigs, Rats and Coach Roaches), the electoral process in the Gambia degenerated into the most lawless institution ever witnessed in our life time.

 

 

 

 

 

ILLUSIONS OF “LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD”

 

The playing field will never get level under the neocolonial state. Leveling the political playing field is a privilege and a “right” for European states, where the ruling classes generally engage in a peaceful contest for power; an attempt to validate the sham electoral system every four years. This peaceful contest among the imperialist countries; unheard of under neocolonialism, represents the level playing field that “opposition” parties in Africa and other oppressed countries wishfully ask of the incumbent tyrants. Really, why would Jammeh, aspiring to become a monarch under an Islamic Republic level the playing field?

 

 

 

The illusion that “elections and voting” are the highest manifestations of democracy turns on its head every election or selection year since Jammeh “ascension to power”. In the oppressed “nations”, elections are conducted under the most repressive and senseless violence against the masses.

 

 

 

Elections and voting have become the most meaningless democratic exercise for Gambians under the APRC tyranny. Voter apathy hit rock bottom when Jammeh and his spineless IEC imposed a D100 (Dalasis) fee for a voting card. This despicable act of paying for a voting card brings back memories of the poll tax during the colonial era. Jammeh is nothing but a colonialist in black face.  

 

 

 

FLIPPING THE NARRATIVE

If Jammeh can challenge and defy the “authority” of the African Union (the hand) and ECOWAS (the glove), why in the hell can’t we challenge his despotic laws? We must shape and control the narrative of electioneering and voting against the APRC as it continues to disrupt our existence.

 

 

 

We cannot vote ourselves out this misery; neither will prayers alone rescue us from the APRC’s impending doom. We must be willing to trust the people’s fighting capacity to uproot Jammeh and the rotten social system that breeds neocolonialism. As an advocate of “by any means necessary” action; elections and voting can be a component but only if we are present to COUNT THE VOTES.

 

JAMMEH MUST GO! VICTORY IS CERTAIN!

 

Gambia’s Independence: Celebrate or commiserate?

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First, is to commemorate those brave Gambians who paid the ultimate sacrifice for Gambian’s full sovereignty. Second, how the hard-gained and long-awaited independence and the dream associated with it turned out to be a disastrous fiasco, especially for the Gambian youth who are languishing indefinitely in the ‘so-called’ national military service; and as a consequence, risking their lives to escape the hopeless situation at home under Yaya Jammeh regime.

 
Gambia has become a new sovereign state in the Horn of Africa ever since the ultimate victory sealed on the 18thof February 1965. This milestone is the result of heavy sacrifices paid by founding fathers. Gambia’s history for self-determination struggle is full of heroism and self-reliance; recounting that history is certainly beyond the scope of a single article. Every year on the 18th February, Gambians celebrate independence day to pay respect to those heroic patriots who paid with their lives for their country’s full sovereignty. The national pride Gambia’s independence brought about cannot be disputed.

 

 

In the mist of all this great success, of course, today the majority of Gambians commiserate with the Gambian people for the sad situation the country is in. Some commiserate independence day silently and others publicly, by voicing their rejection of the dictatorial regime ruling Gambia with an iron fist.

 

 

Gambians need to remember the brilliant heroic stories of our martyrs, which we have some of them. We need to put our disagreements aside on this day, as it defines the destiny of our nation. But at the same time, we should continue fighting to free the Gambian people from the grip of the authoritarian regime which is humiliating our people day in day out, and decide to change the present course of events by acting collectively to reverse the current dire situation.

 
To be fair, let us now look at what have been ‘achieved’ during the last 51 years of ‘independence’? According to both first and second republic regimes staunch supporters, the answer is a lot. That is not true! According to the opponents of the both regimes, the answer is none. That is inaccurate assessment either! The truth of the matter is a modest progress has been made in some areas (e.g. infrastructure, agriculture, potable water facilities, health clinics, etc.). It is difficult to utterly deny these achievements. However, In the last 21 years the means by which this progress has been made is morally questionable and unacceptable to any decent human being. Development at the expense of human dignity and freedom should be rejected. Could Gambia has been in a better position politically, economically & socially had all Gambians given equal opportunity to freely participate in politics and rebuild their country? Certainly yes!

 
For me, the important issue is not about whether progress has been recorded or not in many areas of life. My argument against the Jammeh regime’s failure to take the country in the right course stems from its appalling human rights record- primarily extra-judicial killings, incommunicado imprisonment and youth exploitation. Yaya Jammeh crimes against the Gambian people are numerous; some are committed directly at the hands of its ruthless security apparatus and others indirectly by forcing Gambian, especially the youth, to take desperate measures. Since Jammeh took power in Gambia, a sizable number of Gambians horrifically killed and many others disappeared under mysterious circumstances. These crimes brought so much agony to the victims’ families in particular and to the populace in general.

 

 

The very saddening and troubling issue about Gambia is the country has been emptied of its youth. Gambian youth at home are living without hope and future, and a necessary question to be asked is, what kind of citizens are they going to be? Gambia is going to have a generation of unemployed and hopeless youth. Under such conditions, the future is bleak and very frightening to contemplate. In the past 3 years Gambians tragically lost their lives after a boat in which they were travelling capsized in the Mediterranean Sea and almost all of them drowned and perished in a very tragic circumstance. The death of these innocent people – including children and women –demonstrates how desperate Gambians are at home. They are daring to embark on a high risky mission to reach Italy in search of a better life in Europe. They were compelled to embark on a treacherous high risky journey escaping oppression and gloom future at home. The relentless hardship Gambian youth are enduring at home is unprecedented. Similar tragic incidents happened in the past and will happen in the future, so long as Gambians are facing relentless hardship in their home country.

 

 

Now is the time for Gambian’s in Gambia to go all out and vote againts the murderer and Gambian in diasporato come together under one umbrella to restore and demand their dignity and freedom snatched away from them by Jammeh. If we are to defeat the dictatorship, attitude change is an absolute must! If we can’t come up with our own, let us adapt Jesse Jackson’s “Keep hope alive!” or better yet, Obama’s “Yes we can!”

Happy 51 independence for the Gambia Our Homeland.

Ousman JC Darboe

Youth and Human Rights Activists

Missing Person Appeal – Ebrima Ceesay of Kanifing South ($1,000 Reward) By Yusef Taylor

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The family of Ebrima Ceesay are appealing to the general public for information to help trace their loved one who has been missing since 28th November 2015. The family are currently searching for their loved one and will reward anybody who provides information leading to his safe return up to $1,000 (D39,580 Gambian Dalasis).

 

 

Ebrima is 39 years old and is 5 feet 8 inches tall, slim but a strongly built young man who speaks fluent English, Wollof and Creole. Ebrima was last seen in the morning of November 28th, 2015 wearing a blue T-shirt and jeans. He was reported to have left to visit a friend in the morning around nine o’clock who lives in Kanifing South. He reportedly never made it to the friend’s house where he visits frequently. After enquiries with his friends asking about his whereabouts the friends said they never saw Ebrima that morning. Where he went or what may have happened to him is still a mystery to the family.

 

 

Ebrima’s family have since visited every Police station nearby to file a missing person’s case on his behalf. The police said they will look for him and will let the family know if they find him. His family are appealing with the Police and relevant authorities to investigate his disappearance thoroughly. Ebrima was diagnosed with some mental illness and was taking medication for the disorder. This highlights the urgency and the need for his swift return to his family who are deeply concerned about his disappearance. Not taking his medications for this long could lead to serious effects on him. Ebrima was never involved in any political activity which could have endangered his possible arrest and detention by the authorities. He was a calm and peaceful young man who stayed at home and only went out on occasion. He was never violent and had never taken anybody’s property. What then could have happened to this young man?

 

 

Ceesay Family Appeal

“Our brother Ebrima Ceesay has been missing since 28th November 2015. If anyone has any information of his whereabouts, please contact me or any of my family members via social media or in person in Gambia or anywhere around the globe. Anybody that provides us information that lead to his safe return to his family will receive a $1000 (D39,580 Gambian Dalasis) reward.”

 

 

Mental illness is a serious matter but unfortunately in Gambia the mentally ill are often neglected and or made fun of in the streets. A mentally ill person must have help to be able to get treatment and be rehabilitated back into society. So if anyone see anybody sleeping in the streets or loitering around a corner in your neighbourhood, please report the matter to the police so they can find out who the person is. There are several young men and women of able bodies and sometimes even children who are mentally ill and are roaming the streets in Gambia with people passing by or simply making jokes about the individual. Our society has an obligation to protect the mentally ill in our country.

 

 

Although there are no evidence or reason to believe that law enforcement is involved in this young man’s disappearance, it must be noted that authorities in the Gambia have previously detained a mentally ill Ambu Drammeh in Mile II for a long period of time without trail. The family visited mile II and were told that Ambu was still there but that “they did not have access to him” (Foroyaa Nov 30th, 2014). A Magistrate finally ordered the young man to be taken to a Psychiatric Hospital for evaluation. So the family of Mr. Ceesay are appealing to the NIA and the Prison staff to look into their roster and see if Ebrima was accidentally detained by Gambian authorities. Ebrima’s elderly mother is severely disturbed on the disappearance without trace for several months of her son. He could have been anybody’s son, brother or nephew. So please help with information on this urgent matter.

 

 

The family sincerely appeals to all and sundry to please report any information related to Ebrima’s disappearance.  We urge anybody with information to call or send an email to Bala Musa Ceesay immediately on:

Musa      Ceesay       2404721596    [email protected]
Mbemba Ceesay      +49 1575 5426141
Nfansu    Ceesay       2203423042
Kalilu       Ceesay       244931608471 [email protected]
Mabintu   Ceesay       2203057219
Lasana ceesay          +358 40 8537568

 

 

Any information that could be provided on his whereabouts will be very much appreciated and rewarded by the Ceesay family residing in Kanifing South and in the United States. Please refer to the attached image which can be used to help identify him. The life of this young man could be saved by anybody who cares to report the matter. The family anxiously look forward to his safe return.

 

“The Gambia’s Human Rights Abuses warrant investigations by The International Criminal Court”…Jeffrey Smith

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International Human Rights Advocate, Jeffrey Smith, has urged Gambians to start compiling the monumental human rights abuses meted against defenseless civilians for possible prosecution by The International Criminal Court, ICC. Mr. Smith who was speaking to The Fatu Network on a wide range of rights abuses in The Gambia said there is an opportunity for The ICC to hear cases against Gambia’s dictatorship committed since 1994. Below is the full text of the interview with Jeffrey Smith.





Question: We have seen how The Gambia government under dictator Yahya Jammeh continues to repeatedly violate and abuse the very constitution he swore to defend, particularly when it comes to the case of journalist Alhagie Ceesay. What do you think needs to be done to push the case of Alhagie further to the international level?

 

 

Answer: I think some good work has already been done to raise the profile of Alhagie Ceesay, but clearly, there is much more work left to be completed. Press freedom advocates need to join together with traditional human rights groups, effectively linking Gambia’s crackdown on press freedom and free to speech to bigger, prevailing concerns in the country; namely the overall lack of respect for human rights and basic human dignity. It would also help if leaders in West Africa, some of which are the continent’s top democratic performers, were to speak out in defense of Alhagie, and those like him, who are languishing behind bars in Gambia— languishing in a prison, mind you, that has been singled out by the United Nations, among others, as being one of the worst of the worst in the world due to the pervasive use of torture and abuse that takes place there, not to mention detainee deaths, which was the case last week with Sheriff Dibba, a former official at the now banned Gambian Transport Union.





Question: We have also seen, and even got credible information, about the deteriorating health condition of journalist Alhagie Ceesay who is being denied bail repeatedly but also denied access to proper healthcare. Under international law what options do you think are available to those fighting Alhagie’s case now?

 

 

Answer: Unfortunately, Yahya Jammeh and his regime have proven, repeatedly and with impunity over the past two decades, that the Gambian constitution means little to them, not to mention the myriad regional and international legal conventions to which they have both signed and ratified. In practice, these laws and conventions mean very little to them, as is the case with authoritarian regimes the world over. We have seen Yahya Jammeh frequently snub his nose at the law, and the many rulings against his government, from the ECOWAS court, for example. Given this context, I think the key is to maintain the public pressure through public advocacy and getting policymakers in the United States, in the West African region, and elsewhere to impose consequences on the regime, and on Yahya Jammeh in particular. He has been allowed to abuse the human rights of Gambians with impunity, and with little consequences for twenty-two years now, so I think we need to work to isolate the regime further and begin considering heightened measures, including travel restrictions and asset seizures, in order to compel Jammeh to act in accordance with basic democratic principles and the rule of law.





Question: Torture is routine in The Gambia and most of the reported tortures are very brutal and systematic. Is this quantifiable enough to constitute crimes against humanity?

 

 

Answer: I think, taken together, the sheer quantity and systematic use of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading abuses that Jammeh, his security forces and affiliated militia groups like the Jungulars, have inflicted against Gambians certainly amounts to crimes against humanity. Crimes against humanity are defined as acts that are committed as part of a systematic attack directed against any identifiable part of a population; that the political opposition, human rights activists, and journalists have been murdered, disappeared and at best, arrested and tortured, over the course of the past two decades is evidence enough that Jammeh and his government henchmen are criminals. It’s an absolute travesty, and the Gambian people deserve so much better.

 

 

Question: Using Alhagie’s situation as a case scenario: with all the tortures that we hear going on in The Gambia, would it make sense to compile these reported cases of human rights abuses together and start a test case in the international criminal court against dictator Jammeh and his government?





Answer: Absolutely. It’s not enough to have anecdotal tales of abuse and torture. And hearsay will not do anyone any good, least of all Jammeh’s many, many victims.There needs to be systematic and credible documentation of the crimes being committed by the Jammeh regime. This is, of course, a massive undertaking, and a courageous act given the horrid human rights environment in Gambia, but it needs to be done if Jammeh and his APRC associates, as well as those in the security forces, are ever to be held accountable and made to pay for their barbarity.

 

 

My Challenge to President Jammeh

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I have written 22 articles on why the Gambian needs a new President and her Armed Forces a new Commander-in-Chief. I do hope that you will accept my challenge so that there would be no need to publish them.
My Dear President and Godfather,

Some political scientists, analysts and commentators have argued that a long tenure in office by a head of state erodes the balance of power between the people and the government thereby weakening the authority of autonomous legislatures, independent judiciaries, neutral electoral authorities, and competitive political parties. Overstaying in power distracts a president from implementing important policies, it contributes to political polarization and leads to authoritarianism/ dictatorships. Overstaying in power also promotes corruption and is a significant obstacle to economic development.

 

 

On the flip side of the coin, when leaders serve for a limited term in office, politics ceases to be viewed as a zero-sum game. In this way, ruling parties are able to cultivate new leadership which can carry on the successful policies of their former leaders while at the same time also correcting for past missteps. They can remake themselves in the public eye and adapt to the dynamic challenges of the world around them. As an advocate for fixed presidential term limits and good governance, I also share these views.

 

 

Your Excellency, I am aware that you have just been nominated by our great party to run for a fifth term in office. However, in a world where two term presidential limits is very much the norm, I urge you to reject this nomination as it is not binding/mandatory on you. There is still adequate time for the party secretariat to nominate another candidate to lead our party while you preside over a free, fair and peaceful election in December and then to hand over power to whoever the Gambian people choose as their next president. I do believe that 22 years in power is more than enough for any individual to lead a country in this 21st Century.

 

 

This course of action would juxtapose Your Excellency on the list of the few African leaders who voluntarily and peacefully relinquish power thereby earning you a niche in the enviable club of the respected elderly world statesmen like Abdou Diouf of Senegal, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria and Tijan Kabbah of Sierra Leone just to mention a few. I believe that the goodness of such a move would outweigh all the shortcomings that your critics levy against you and I have absolutely no doubt that the kind, religious, forgiving and peaceful nature of the Gambian people would overcome whatever rancor, grieve or disappointments that they may have encountered/endured during your 22 years in power.

 

 

Personally, this is what I will do if you accept my challenge Mr. President. I will give up my ambition to become a Secretary General of the United Nations and immediately return home to campaign for the new APRC presidential candidate. Then after you have handed over power following the elections, I will continue to be your Aid de Camp/Security Officer and follow you to Kanilai or wherever you choose to go in the world. I am still reminiscing the two years we spent together serving our homeland. I have a lot of respect and admiration for Your Excellency and I recognize that you have made tremendous impact in the lives of many Gambians including my self and have brought about unprecedented developments/ improvements on various sectors of the country. But for your own peace of mind and the continuous well-being of your family; for the sake of the Gambian people; and for the sake of the patriotic and gallant men and women of the Gambia Armed and Security Services, please do not run for this year’s elections.

 

 

The good old days when we served our country together
President Jammeh and my humble self: The good old days when we served our country together
However, if you reject my challenge and really run for a fifth term, then you will lose a very loyal supporter in the person of my humble self. I have written 22 blog posts on why the Gambia needs a new President and her Armed Forces a new Commander-in-Chief. I hope that you will accept my challenge so that there would be no need to publish my posts. Long live the Republic of The Gambia and long live the Gambia Armed Forces. Together, we can make The Gambia smile better by working for a Third Republic!!!!

 

Lamin Gano

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE GAMBIA SMILE BETTER

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My little blog has generated a lot of attention. I have been inundated with hundreds of private messages and comments on social media as a result of which I am obliged to make some acknowledgements and comments. First of all I would like to thank the hundreds and hundreds of people who liked my blog and accept it as a positive, genuine and relevant addition to the discourse on the current state of affairs of our beloved country. I thank this group for the show of solidarity and most important of all for their prayers. May God reward them all.

 

 

I also received dozens of criticisms and condemnations of my blog as well as my person. This group is determined to separate the wheat from the chaff and they will not settle for anything less. These are the true voices of justice and truth and it is such critical minds that would constitute the building blocks of strong and viable state institutions in the Third Republic of The Gambia. As we all may know, credible institutions of checks and balances are pillars for a peaceful coexistence and development in a country. This group of critics have really reinvigorated my conviction and hope for a bright future in our country and I salute them for their unflinching patriotism and loyalty to The Gambia. Please continue to read, share and make your comments on my blog. This is the beauty of democracy and the freedom of speech.

 

 

I have also had a good number of insults, threats and hate messages in my private emails as well as on social media. As a human being, I see other people as a reflection of myself. Therefore, if I hate anyone, it is my own self that I am hating and if I insult anyone’s parents, then it is my own parents that I have insulted. I have got so much love and respect for myself and my parents to ever go down that lane and I pray to God to continue to keep me that way. As for those who are threatening me with violence, it is only God who protects and harms. No one can harm even a fly without the will of God so they have no powers to harm me/cause my death or my family. To God we all belong and to him we will return.

 

 

Surprisingly, numerous criminal charges have also been levied against me on Facebook and other online media. One interesting thing about social and online media is that anyone who has access to internet can constitute a court of law, accuse people of anything they like and then serve as the policeman/woman, judge, jury and executioner. But the good thing about these online tribunals is that accused persons have the total freedom of choice whether to respond, remain silent, or even to fabricate their own cases against those who accused them.

 

 

Apart from saying that all the criminal charges against me are false, malicious and baseless, I refuse to waste my time on Mark Zuckergerg’s courts. There are only nine months left for our extremely important presidential elections and so I would rather stick to my own personal website/blog to discuss contemporary issues on Gambian politics, peace, security and development.

 

 

However, I really hope and pray that we will have a Third Republic next year and that we will be able to set up real and credible courts and institutions at home to freely and fairly adjudicate on our collective differences, concerns and interests. In that way, we will not have to resort to washing our dirty linens online for the whole world to see.

 

 

There is however one important charge against me which I would like to confess to. I am accused of being neither a scholar nor an expert/ professional in the field of peace and security and therefore lack the authority to blog on these issues. This is really true. As you can see on this link to my blog: http://www.lamingano.com/my-resume-3/, my resume is an embarrassingly short and scanty one page document. I have got ONLY about 30 education/training certificates; I have served for ONLY 16 years in the military where I held ONLY eight appointments; and I have served in ONLY three peacekeeping missions and heading to my fourth in a few weeks’ time. I do crave your indulgence not to take me to task on this but to pray for me to become a scholar and an expert in this field that I am so passionate about. My long term ambition is to be a peace lecturer at the Gambia University in my retirement age and who knows your child or grandchild may benefit from your prayers.

 

 

In spite of my lack of knowledge and experience in peace and security however, I will continue blogging. My blog is founded on the love that I have for my country and the blog is rooted in a 35 year history of pathological abhorrence for violence and a genuine desire for peace, security and development. In my next post, I will summarize this history of travails, tribulations and obsession with security for the followers of my blog. In conclusion, I implore all of us to cooperate and work hard in order to make Gambia smile better!!! Peace to you all.

 

Lamin Gano

 

 

Dictator Jammeh’s Genocidal Plans Against The Opposition Unveiled

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The Fatu Network has stumbled on a rather disturbing plan being hatched by Dictator Yahya Jammeh against the Gambian opposition. The outline of what looks like a rather carefully thought-out plan appears so scary that The Fatu Network had to apply maximum editorial judgement before we decided to publish this story. In fact for four days we have been sitting on this story to specifically verify everything before we could come with it. At least three different sources have alluded to the existence of the plan.





It all began after the ill-fated ruling party congress in Kanilai….the birth village of Dictator Yahya Jammeh. Unknown to many delegates was that a long list of prominent people in the Gambia mainly supporters of the opposition parties and their families has been compiled by a select few from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and submitted to the dictator for what our reliable source called “a plan to tame specific members of the opposition.”

 

 

One of our credible sources who has seen this list of more than 600 names spread across the different parts of the Gambia said majority of the people belong to opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

 

 

The plan has three different operational strategies: Plan A: is to target the prominent opposition supporters with inducement of job offers and even lavish cash spending on them. If this could not yield fruit, then the architects have recommended what it terms under Plan B: as a strategy to suffocate the opposition of the much needed space to conduct their rallies and activities. These plans include denying the opposition permits to hold rallies; unexplained disappearances; arrests and long detentions; identifying and singling out their bread winners for dismissal from their jobs and also denying them opportunities to make it impossible for them to focus on supporting the opposition.

 

 

But the scary bit falls under Plan C…..which the architects code named the operation as “The Black Cat.” Under this plan, over 300 people have been identified across the country among them UDP leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, PPP leader OJ Jallow, NRP leader Hamat Bah, PDOIS leader Halifa Sallah and several youth leaders of both the UDP and PPP as well as newly cross carpeted youths from the ruling party to the UDP. All of their names have been circled in a red ink.





At least six prominent names of diaspora opposition party activists from both the UDP and PPP have also been listed and their family addresses already identified and circled in red ink as “potentials.”

 

 

The Plan C talks about abductions of the prominent party members, arrest and court charges including inciting violence so that they would be denied bail. But the epic of the operation is what the architects called “silence the parrot” which include extreme use of force and violence against defenceless civilians.





Under this plan, residential addresses of the targets have been identified, all escape routes marked “Gates closed” and the number of security men to be tasked to be conducting the operation mapped. For example for both UDP and PPP leaders’, the architects have suggested that not less than 30 heavily armed men should storm their residences with tear gas ganisters. The attackers should also use a specially designed balaclavas (hoods) to hide their identity.

 

 

Our source is currently working hard to send us the full list of what he calls “Dictator Yahya Jammeh’s genocidal plans against innocent Gambians.” Our source said he is worried about this plan because most of the people and families are mainly Mandingka whose only crime is to support the UDP.

 

 

Indeed just last week the UDP leader at a mass rally held in Talinding informed his supporters that the Party is told of sinister plans being hatched against the opposition. Although Lawyer Darboe fell short of naming the particular sinister plan, he however warned that the “evil plans designed and hatched in Kanilai are known and that his party will not allow itself to be intimidated.” Darboe further warned: “we will not incite violence but whoever wants to bring violence to us, even if you are aided by satan, you will meet us half way. The UDP will not give-in to intimidation and we shall continue with our politics whether Yahya Jammeh likes or not.”





It is not clear whether the UDP leader was also referring to this same sinister plan that The Fatu Network stumbled on. But whatever the case, it seems the dictator is up to no good.

 

 

The Fatu Network is keenly following this story and we will continue to update our audience with the full list when it is made available to us.

 

 

Senegal Rebuffs President Jammeh’s Offer to End the Border Closure Impasse Citing the Gambian Dictator’s Past Insincerities!!!

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The border between The Gambia and Senegal has been the scene of numerous frictions between these two West African neighbors. The dispute over tariffs is seemingly the core of the problem, but upon close scrutiny, the fact that President Yahya Jammeh is the main culprit using it as a ploy to settle any scores he has with Senegal and her President, Macky Sall becomes apparent. Jammeh has made it a habit to instigate trouble with Senegal because he believes it makes for good politics back home. It gives him the constant distraction he needs for the Gambian public so as to deny them any focus on the daily hardship his rule has inflicted on them. It seems he is at it again – the border has been closed for almost a month – thanks to yet another tic-for-tat game yet again orchestrated by Jammeh.





This time though, Senegal seems to not want to have any of it – this country that borders Gambia on all three sides, almost circling it, is finally putting its foot on the ground. Fatu Network was reliably informed by insiders within the corridors of power in the Gambia that Yahya, just as he has done in the past after playing the same politic trick, has decided it is time to reach out to the neighbor to end the closures, but the Senegalese have made it categorically clear, on no uncertain terms will the border on their side be opened. Macky Sall has referred the matter to the powerful Transport Union which in turn is insisting that it has to see concrete measures in place before even considering a negotiation. Key among the demands being made by the Union is the building of the Yeli Tenda-Bamba Tenda bridge to ease transportation between Northern and Southern Senegal. The Unionists insist they want this done because they are tired of always playing into Jammeh’s hands in the past when they would reopen the border after similar crisis instigated by him – because they feel sorry for the innocent Gambians, only to see him repeat it again causing massive sudden disruptions in Senegal’s economy and huge unforeseen loss of income for the truckers and business owners.

 

 

This latest move by the dictator came as no surprise to observers who have contended from the beginning that a prolonged border closure between Gambia and Senegal could have a devastating impact on the Gambia’s economy and by extension make life miserable for the already traumatized population because of Jammeh’s reign of terror. This is also one of the main reasons why some of these observers question why Jammeh thinks provoking Senegal for his own political gain is a good idea in the first place. But then as one of them put it “He just continues to use poor Gambians as pawns in his evil games of deceit knowing fully well these actions could have serious consequences for the suffering nation. He just doesn’t care about the welfare of his people; otherwise he would consider the impacts of such actions before starting trouble with our neighbors.”





In the meantime, concern in the Gambia regarding the fast dwindling stock of basic commodities is growing. According to business owners in the country who wish to remain anonymous, petrol will soon run out threatening to cause massive disruptions in transportation, builders have stopped building because there is no ‘Basalt’ (black stones used for building), not to mention most basic food commodities. Jammeh, according to State House insiders, is considering to seek Mauritania’s help in securing petrol and many of these commodities but the concern there too is those can only be transported to the Gambia through Senegal, which Macky Sall will not allow. So Jammeh is now stuck and confused as to what to do.

 

 

So observers found it amusing that The Gambia government’s mouthpiece, DailyObserver Newspaper, recently ran a story claiming the Senegalese have sent letters of congratulations to Jammeh on the occasion of Gambia’s Independence. They opined that even if this were true, it should be noted that it is very normal for countries to send such letters to each other even under the most unpleasant of circumstances, and so this does in no way indicate Senegal is softening its position regarding the border.





Fatu Network is closely monitoring this gathering storm and will update readers as more information becomes available.

Breaking News: Journalist Alhaji Ceesay removed from his hospital bed; Forcibly returned to Mile Two Prisons

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In what appears to be a desperate move by The Government of Dictator Jammeh to conceal the severity of Journalist Alhaji Ceesay’s deteriorating health conditions, The Fatu Network has been informed that the journalist has been returned back to mile 2 prisons this afternoon, March 1, 2016.

 

 

 

Earlier yesterday, Journalist Ceesay was rushed to the emergency unit of The Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital where he spent the night under armed guard. Neither his family nor his colleagues were allowed access to him.




Disturbing news about his condition reveals that Journalist Ceesay is battling with either liver problems or an advanced asthma case.

 

Following news of his hospitalization, a chorus of concerned voices have called on The Government to realease journalist Ceesay and discharge him of all the pending court case against him. But as it is, it seems The Gambia Government is trying to present a situation which depicts that journalist Ceesay is after all not gravely ill.




Several sources have told The Fatu Network that The Gambia Government’s decision to return Alhaji Ceesay back to mile 2 prisons was an attempt to prevent his deteriorating health condition being leaked to the public. However, our sources have warned that by keeping the journalist in the crowded mile 2 prisons could lead to some further damage to his already bad health situation.




One source has even expressed his concern that the journalist may suffer a break down, thanks to a perpetual worry about his condition. The Fatu Network is monitoring the situation and will continue to post regular updates on Journalist Alhaji Ceesay’s case.

Gambia strongman Jammeh eyes fifth term in office: TV

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BANJUL (GAMBIA) (AFP) –
Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, who has been in power for 21 years, will run for a fifth term in office when the country holds presidential elections in December, public television said.

 

 

Jammeh, a 50-year-old military officer, has ruled this tiny west African country with an iron fist since seizing power in a coup in 1994.

 

 

His candidacy was approved at a meeting of his Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction party on Friday, public television reported late on Saturday.

 

 

The presidential election will take place on December 1 and will be followed by general elections on April 6, 2017.

 

 

Jammeh lashed out at suggestions his term in office should be limited, and pledged to continue serving the people of Gambia.

 

 

The smallest country in mainland Africa, and flanked on both sides by Senegal, the Gambia is frequently criticised for human rights abuses and has a chequered recent diplomatic record.

 

 

“This is a democracy and yet they speak of term limitations. Whichever western head of state or other leader wants to speak about term limitations… let them come to Gambia to talk to me,” he railed in reference to criticism by western leaders and rights groups.

 

 

In 2010, the European Union cancelled 22 million euros ($27 million) in budget support because of concerns over human rights and governance issues.

 

 

An impoverished former British colony known for its white-sand beaches, the Gambia has a population of nearly two million, 90 percent of whom are Muslim. Of the remainder, eight percent are Christian and two percent are defined as having indigenous beliefs.

 

 

A former wrestler from a rural background, Jammeh has frequently been the source of diplomatic spats on the international stage.

 

 

He has cultivated the image of a practising Muslim and is often seen holding a Koran or prayer beads, promoting an aura of mysticism.

 

 

He regularly rails against the Gambia’s colonial past, blaming it for many of the country’s woes and in 2014, he said he would drop English as its official language.

 

 

Opponents say he has become increasingly paranoid, regularly reshuffling his ministers and keeping only a tiny circle of trusted allies close to him.

Breaking News: In Journalist Alhaji Ceesay’s case : Prison authorities confirmed his hospitalization

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The Fatu Network can confirm with utmost certainty that journalist Alhaji Abdoulie Ceesay is seriously ill and is currently admitted at The Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul. Earlier today, Monday, February 29, 2016, The Fatu Network received a disturbing news about the deteriorating health conditions of the journalist…So bad that he was rushed to the hospital where he was admitted at the emergency unit.   Apparently, Journalist Ceesay was scheduled to appear in court today, but when the case was called, the journalist was nowhere to be seen. The Prison officer who normally escorts him to the court, stood up to inform the presiding judge that Alhagi Ceesay was ill and was rushed to the hospital where he is currently admitted.

 

Interestingly under The Gambia’s deplorable prisons conditions, even the near dead inmates are not allowed to get hospital referrals, but as it is, the fact that journalist Ceesay was hurriedly rushed to the hospital even when he was to appear before the court, reveals a grim picture of his health situation.

 

The Fatu Network would like to inform The International Community about our fears of a frail Journalist who is still languishing in an overcrowded prison for merely doing his job as a journalist. We also hold The Gambia’s Dictator, Yahya  Jammeh of any problems that might befall Alhaji. Alhaji is set to appear in court again on March 15, 2016 at 1pm GMT..The Fatu Network will continue to monitor the situation.

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