Analysis & Comments

Lawyer Chime, the defense counsel of former NIA Director General Yankuba Badjie has said his client will not succumb to trial by surprise. Chime made objection to the...

By Omar Wally Despite the controversy over her appointment as the country number 2, Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang is the first Gambian to be appointed by President Adama Barrow....

The Gambian Vice President, Her Excellency Madam Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang, is scheduled to meet with victims of human rights violations at the Victims' Center on Wednesday, November...

By Jamal Drammeh 'We need fuel to make fire!' If government is the fire, the fuel that makes it possible is the society. Government and society rise...

I write with scathing rage as to the high level of drugs abuse and that of prostitution among the country’s youths tearing-down lives & families apart. In...

In the New Gambia, we envisage a kind of police services that is apolitical and non-partisan and only dedicated to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms....

Justice Kumba Sillah Camara of the Banjul High Court has revoked the bail of Lamin Lang Sanyang, former medic of the notorious National Intelligence Agency NIA. Sanyang is...

The two major ingredients that are indispensable prerequisites for socio-economic development of any modern nation are electricity and roads. Hence if there is anything that Barrow needs...

PRESS RELEASE FROM GPF It has come to the notice of the office of the Inspector General of Police that certain individuals are posting on the social media,...

By Sana Sarr Imagine... - Young Gambians apply for a permit to #OccupyWestfield... - The government issues them a permit... - The government provides security to work with the protesters... - 10...

Bukavu/Geneva/New York, 2 November 2017  For immediate distribution   In the village of Kavumu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), families once endured the unspeakable: children abducted in the...

By Omar Wally Assistant Superintendent Foday Conta, spokesperson for Gambia Police Force, has told The Fatu Network, that the Police are yet to Issue permit to Occupy Westfiled...

Fabakary B Ceesay, a senior Gambian journalist and Human Rights Defender said he was seriously manhandled by Senegalese security officers under the ECOMIG Forces during the 61st...

Fajara, 31October 2017  Press Release President Adama Barrow has Tuesday sworn in six new Gambian judges at his office in Fajara. The President said that appointments of qualified legal experts would ensure that in future, the entire Gambian judicial system would be efficiently and professionally managed by qualified Gambians.    The President called on the judges to uphold the virtues of integrity and professional ability, and to command trust and respect through their conduct. He encouraged them to preserve public confidence in the competence and independence of the judicial system. Mr Barrow also reminded the judges that citizens rely on the law, and that the oath they took requires that justice be done according to the law, without discrimination.     President Barrow assured the new judges that his administration would continue to create the conducive environment for them to deliver on their mandate without any interference from the Executive branch. He urged them to maintain impartiality and be fearless in the administration of the law.    Speaking on behalf of his high court colleagues, Justice Ebrima Jaiteh expressed gratitude to President Barrow for giving them the opportunity to serve as judges.  He reminded his colleagues of the qualities of an upright judge, and advised that they be guided by justice in executing their functions.      Chief Justice, Hassan Abubacarr Jallow also enjoined the new judges to uphold the virtues of professionalism and integrity in their work.      The new judges are: Honourable Justice Awa Bah as President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Haddy Cecillia Roche, Justice Basiru Vassili Portier Mahoney, and Justice Kumba Sillah-Camara,as Justices of the Court of Appeal. Justice Buba Jawo and Justice Ebrima Jaiteh were sworn-in as Justices of the High Court.      The appointment of Justice Awa Bah marks the first time that a woman has been appointed as President of the Court of Appeal. Half the number of new judges sworn-in today are women. The appointments reflect President Barrow’s commitment to promote gender equality in decision-making positions.    Foreign Minister Ousainou Darbo, members of the Judicial Council and other senior officials attended the swearing-in ceremony, which was moderated by Secretary to Cabinet Isatou Auber- Faal. 

By Alieu Ceesay Foday Conta, the Police PRO has confirmed that the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has received a letter from the organizing committee...

Fajara, 31 October 2017  Press Release The Gambia has received assurances of continued support from the European Union Monday as President Barrow welcomed a delegation from the European Union Human Rights External Action Service.    The EU Special Representative for Human Rights Stavros Lambrinidis who was also the head of delegation, congratulated President Barrow for what he described as the remarkable democratic transition in the country and the bravery of the Gambian people. He reassured the President that the EU would remain a steadfast partner of the Gambian government and people in the transition.    Discussions with the visiting delegation covered governance, including the  country’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission, engagement of Gambian youth in politics, both constitutional and security sector reforms, and female genital mutilation  among others.    President Barrow acknowledged the confidence and support that he received from the European Union during the political impasse. He told the EU Special Representative that upholding human rights remained one of the biggest issues of his government, which he is optimistic and willing to learn from others’ experiences.     The President spoke about the comprehensive reforms underway in different areas, including the security sector. He told Mr Lambrinidis that his government Is working towards a new and all-encompassing constitution for the Third Republic.  President Barrow said Coalition members would continue to work together to nurture the change that they all fought for, despite the fact that they come from different ideological leanings.       President Barrow said supporters of the former regime are part of Gambian society and like everyone else they are stakeholders in the reforms taking place. He added that some of the former president’s supporters hadsembraced the change of regime and are supporting his government. Mr Barrow said: “In politics there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies. One has to be courageous to take criticism.”    Discussing the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) President Barrow said his government would uphold the law banning FGM, and stressed the need to raise more awareness about the practice and the law against it.    Mr Lambrinidis said the EU respected President Barrow’s leadership for the inspiration he had given to many during the impasse. He acknowledged that it was not easy to build institutions, instill a culture of freedom and security, and at the same time secure a presence for one’s country in the international community all at once.  He said The Gambia, through its example as a human rights leader, could continue to inspire many countries on the African continent and around the world, and demonstrate that it is possible for human rights, security and development to all work together.  The EU special representative commended the Gambian leader for signing five United Nations treaties at once at the UN General Assembly in September. He commended Mr Barrow for demonstrating leadership, and urged The Government of The Gambia to go further, beyond the signing of the treaties.  Mr Lambrinidis said he appreciated the efforts of the government to change policies, hearts and minds, and integrate human rights in its reforms.  He added that the Barrow administration has encouraged many with the inclusion of members of civil society in its endeavors. He assured the President of EU’s commitment to support an exchange of ideas and practices with other countries.    “Focus on human rights as your new stamp, and keep in mind that you are an inspiration to many others,” he told President Barrow. Also discussed during the meeting were plans for an upcoming donor’s conference in February 2018, and an African Union/European Union continental meeting on youth and job creation.     Speaking to the press after his audience with the President, Mr Lambrinidis told reporters that President Barrow is working on various key challenges which includes youth unemployment, prison conditions, rehabilitation, and security reforms....

If The Gambia takes measures to fix its judiciary, security services and meet certain other conditions, ex-Interior Minister and the President could be extradited to face justice...

Like in war, words are the lethal weapons of politics. Civility, on the surface, is often antithetical in the battles for political or idealogical supremacy. But I...

Seven senior officers, mainly majors and captains, of the Gambia Army Forces have been discharged with immediate effect, The Point has gathered. The discharge letters were issued by...

I feel very staggered, flabbergasted, bowled over, perturbed and provoked beyond all human endurance, when men use the key board to lambaste and attack our own women as far beyond the red sea.     At home they are to do all sorts of household work like cooking, washing, cleaning, harvesting , etc. In the early days women were seen as wives who were intended to cook, clean, and take care of the kids. They were not allowed to vote while men took care of having jobs and paying any bills that had to be paid. Soon enough it caught on that women should have a bigger role than what other people thought they should have.  ​ Gender equality is, first and foremost, a human right. A woman is entitled to live in dignity and in freedom from want and from fear. Empowering women is also a vital tool for advancing development and reducing poverty. Empowered women contribute to the health and productivity of whole families and communities and to improve prospects for the next generation.  ​ Today women are playing important role in all spheres of life. They are no longer confined within the four walls of their parents’ or husbands’ house.    They have come out of the kitchens and are working hand in hand with men in all the development programs of the government. By receiving higher education they are becoming pilots, doctors, engineers, hospitality professionals, teachers, administrators , etc. They have been able to prove their worth.    They not only do their household work but also work outside of their houses. They are contributing much to the economy of the country.  ​ I discovered my life was 87% positively impacted by women! My full-time parent I learnt most from (Mom), my teachers right from kindergarten to university (8/10 have been female), all my advocacy  Campaigns were 64% women dominated!     Therefore, we need to amplify women’s voices out there, no matter how small their contribution is to society. The teachers, mothers, cooks, civil servants, employees, employers, leaders and more! Regardless of whom they are married to, background, looks and more! Women are the most vital part of our society and are to be celebrated. Every day, I choose to celebrate the women in my life, past and time to come.    When they’re in parliament, for example, they promote women’s rights legislation. When women are in sufficient numbers in parliaments they also promote children’s rights and they tend to speak up more for the interests of communities, local communities, because of their close involvement in community life,    The evidence shows that female leaders typically have more compassion and empathy, and a more open and inclusive negotiation style. This is not, of course, necessarily true of all women -- there are many different leadership styles. That said, modern ideas of transformative leadership are more in line with qualities women generally share: empathy, inclusiveness and an open negotiation style.    Today's global problems require leaders that have diverse skill sets and innovation that can only come from diverse ideas and players. Women bring the skills, different perspectives and structural and cultural difference to drive effective solutions. In short, female leaders change the way global solutions are forged.    But having more female leaders from politics to the boardroom is important for another reason, too. Simply having female leaders change the norms about who can lead and what qualities are necessary in leadership. Having women in leadership roles is breaking down cultural and structural barriers improving leadership around the world and showing everyone what women can achieve.    Women face several obstacles to participating in political life. Structural barriers through discriminatory laws and institutions still limit women’s options to run for office. Capacity gaps mean women are less likely than men to have the education, contacts and resources needed to become an  Effective leaders.   Now it has come to the realization that true development of the country is not possible keeping half of population idle at home. So it needs no telling that women are playing a great role in the socioeconomic condition of our country.    Therefore we have to give the women the room to showcase their talent beyond any imagination. It is the only way we can make The Gambia great once more again.    By: Saidina Alieu Jarjou  Blogger/Activist/Watchdog.