The Gambia

  2016 is a defining year for The Republic of The Gambia   An election year.   The year that could decide the fate of a country; the fate of an entire...

Dear Mr. President! When you conceded to Adama Barrow last week, the entire world celebrated your gesture as appropriate and honorable. A week later, you rescind your...

By Ebrima Janko Jawara     Simply said it is a blatant, bloody naked lie that is filled up with extemporaneous prevarication to state in your letter to Honorable Richardson...

By: Dawda Baldeh On the third day of this constitutional tour, various ongoing projects were visited in the NBR and CRR regions. The delegations visited several Water Supply...

By Yunus S Saliu The rise in the number of mentally ill youth moving around the streets is now a great concern to every parent especially in the...

By Alhagie Jobe: Nigerian President Muhammadou Buhari who is also the chief mediator in Gambia’s political impasse will lead another delegation comprising three presidents to Banjul on...

By Omar Wally A mechanical engineering student at The Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI), has invented a Pest Bird Control Device meant to help farmers get rid of...

By Fatou Sowe The Supreme Court of The Gambia, Wednesday morning entertained arguments from lawyers from both sides in the civil suit instituted by the Gambia Press Union...

Business mogul, Amadou Samba, has described his relationship with former President Jammeh as “parasitic” as he reappeared before the Janneh Commission yesterday on matters relating to the...

By Alhagie Jobe The head of The Gambia's electoral commission (IEC) has declared opposition candidate and coalition leader Mr Adama Barrow as the winner of the 2016 presidential...

Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September 2017 witnessed a fantastic fun filled weekend get-together in Leeds United Kingdom where Gambians of all works of life got together with other migrant communities. The events kicked off with a football tournament amongst the migrant communities of the Gambia, Somalia, Sudan and the northeastern African country of Eritrea on Saturday the 2nd. This was followed by a grand barbecue and a football match on Sunday the 3rd of September 2017.  In opening the tournament on Saturday, Leeds City councillor of Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward, Cllr Asghar Khan commended the organisers of the tournament and encouraged fair play. He also urged the communities to denounce violence against women especially the  menace of grooming of vulnerable girls that is tearing communities apart. He advised the communities present to go back to their communities and spread the word of peace, love and good neighborliness.   The teams that took part were the Gambia, Sudan, Somalia team 1 and 2 and Eritrea team 1 and 2. The tournament ended with the Gambia being knocked out by Eritrea team 1 on the second round with an unfortunate goal scored by accident. Somalia team 1 emerged the winners of the trophy with Eritrea team 2 ending the tourney at second place. The Gambia was however awarded a medal for “Fair Play”; characteristic of Gambians around the world.  Collecting the medal on behalf of the Gambian team, the team captain, Sanna Samateh had this to say: “This is a great day and it gives me the honor and pleasure to collect this medal on behalf of the team”.   The events continued on Sunday the 3rd of September with a grand barbecue and a football match amongst Gambians, organized by The Gambia Welfare Society in Leeds. This event showed Gambians from all tribes and regions; Greater Banjul, West Coast, LRR, NBR, CRR  and URR, showcasing their talents and skills.  Speaking at the event, the chairperson of the Gambia Welfare Society, Bampha Jaiteh, said that the matches were not about winning and scoring goals but rather promoting community cohesion and brotherhood amongst Gambians living in Leeds.  He regretted that the programs did not include our womenfolk but hoped that future events will cater for our wonderful ladies. When questioned on the achievements of the society since its inception over ten years ago, he had this to say: “The Society’s achievements are multifaceted and numerous, but a synopsis of the achievements are, organisation and arrangements of venues for Eid prayers so that we as Gambians can pray together and seek each other’s forgiveness, organisation of weekly football matches for children aged between 9 and 17. This is to ensure that we inculcate good citizenship and behavior in our children and to also keep them off the streets and from bad influences.  Other achievements include the organisation of annual Quranic recitation and Gaamo during Ramadan, the financing of repatriation cost of deceased Gambians in Leeds to name a few.    “To be honest, I cannot name all the achievements but I am proud to say that this society is here for all Gambians regardless of tribe, dialect or political inclination and affiliation”. Bampha added Another executive member, Sheriffo Sawo expressed delight that at last, we found a “winning formula”. This he said is what has been lacking for over ten years since the Gambia Welfare Society has been formed. He urged Gambians to continue lending a hand to the society and take up voluntary executive positions. Other speakers at the barbecue expressed  similar sentiments and urged every Gambian in Leeds to commit to the society for the welfare of all Gambians in Leeds.  After eating meat like they have never seen before, the Baddibunkas could hardly walk back to their cars and it was agreed that football sessions will be organized weekly, on Saturdays for children and Sundays for adults with barbecue and football match on the last Sunday of each month.      By Nuha Ceesay  September 2017 

By Fatou Sowe The director of finance of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation Abdoulie Cham, has unveiled to the Janneh Commission the debts owed by...

  By Lamin Drammeh   The Fatu Network is honored to provide exclusive coverage on the 22 annual Sohn investment conference that came to a spectacular end at David Geffen...

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....

  A six-man delegation comprising of Executives of the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and their Senegalese and Malian counterparts on Wednesday 19th April 2017 paid a courtesy-call...

By Alhagie Jobe   The African Union Commission on Saturday called a statement by Gambia's President Yahya Jammeh rejecting his loss in December 1st polls "null and void" since...

By Alhagie Jobe   Ebrima Njie and Edrissa Manga, the two prison officer accused of being present at the time of the escape of radio journalist Alhagie Abdoulie Ceesay,...

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh The coach of The Gambia national team, Tom Sainfeit, has told The Fatu Network that he has initiated contact with Gambian Swedish-born youngster, Momodou...

Tension is escalating at Kanifing Municipal Council grounds as hundreds of residents saturday, July 8 angrily mobilized and carried rubbish and dumped it in front of the...

Information reaching this network has confirmed that the 28 senior government officials dismissed, arrested and detained including permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and directors accused by state...