Tuesday, April 30, 2024

CIVILITY & POLITICS: (Part 2)

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The world is full of judgment days, but it remains true that justice is the end of nature! Equity being the sum total of life; civility is...

“The Gambia and the Kingdom of Spain has long standing bilateral relationship” Gov’t...

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PRESS RELEASE    The Government of The Gambia would like to express its utter dismay  the fake news circulating in the social media purportedly reporting that the  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of The Gambia has recognized  the declaration of independence by Catalonia. This report is not only untrue but misleading and a misrepresentation of the official position of the Government and people of The Gambia.    The Gambia and the Kingdom of Spain has long standing bilateral  relationship and friendship based on mutual respect. This relationship,  which is based on respect for each other’s sovereignty, continues to grow  from strength to strength.     Therefore, the Government of The Gambia strongly disassociates itself  from this misleading information. We hereby renew our committment to a  united Spain and hope that the Spanish people will find an amicable  solution to this unfortunate impasse.    Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure  GRTS Building, MDI Road  Kanifing   

CIVILITY & POLITICS (Part 1 of 2)

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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...

‘Semester’ Hospitalised After Road Accident

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By Alieu Ceesay One Ousman Bojang, a 'semester' from Finland and a native of Jambur is currently hospitalised at the Serrekunda General Hospital. Bojang was involved in road accident...

“We Have Not Served 30 Years Of Our Lives For Nothing”–Halifa Sallah

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One of Gambia’s longest serving politicians, Halifa Sallah, National Assembly Member for Serrekunda and Secretary General of Peoples Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism PDOIS has told...

Halifa Sallah Refutes Press Statement From Office Of The President

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The Secretary General of the Peoples Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) and National Assembly Member for Serrekunda, Honorable Halifa Sallah has said that the purported...

Readout of Hon Fatty’s meetings with security stakeholders, others

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For Immediate Release   The Minister of the Interior Mai Ahmad Fatty on Thursday, October 26 held talks with relevant stakeholders of the country’s internal security sector. Minister Fatty first halted at the Banjul International Airport where he met with officials of the Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, security  Chiefs and others.   The airport meeting discussed progress registered so far and some of the challenges of the airport regarding civil aviation and airline security. The meeting reviewed the operations and how to increase collaboration and effective relations among all of these stakeholders. Various Recommendations were made in order to improve the process and the systems. Minister Fatty expressing delight at the meeting said security remains a critical national imperative and core thrust of national policy.  Tourism Stakeholders’ Meeting  Interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty went into a meeting with tourism stakeholders. The meeting was held at the Djembe Beach Hotel in Kololi. Minister Fatty told industry players that tourism is very important for the nation, forming an essential part of the economy.   He stated that the country’s security circumstances are being enhanced to allow for more growth of our economy through tourism.  Fatty said it was essential that players in the tourism industry and the Ministry of Interior engage each other so that the former’s contribution to national development can increase.     In attendance were Malleh Sallah of the Gambia Hotel Association, Sutay Jawo the deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Abdoulie Hydara director general of GTBoard, hotel managers and owners and others.   TDA Security Visit  Interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty during a visit to the Tourism Security Unit in Senegambia on Thursday challenged personnel of TDA security to conduct themselves professionally in the course of their work. “Your responsibility is to keep tourists safe and so you must be patriotic and take your job seriously,” he told lawmen.  Fatty also assured that the government was ready to address the challenges facing members of the Gambia Police Force.   UNHCR Visit  Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty made an afternoon visit to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees office in Kotu. The visit is part of deliberate efforts toward enhancing cooperation between the Ministry of the Interior and UNHCR on refugee matters. He was received by UNHCR country director Mr Sekou Saho who said his agency will focus on building a strong synergy with the Ministry of the Interior on issues relevant to both institutions. 

Kaba Bajo Calls for an end to the Brouhaha in Football

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By Alieu Ceesay The President of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) Lamin Kaba Bajo has called on football stakeholders to remain united for the development of Gambian football....

Sierra Leone ‘Lacks Funds ‘ to Travel to Banjul

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by Alieu Ceesay The Sierra Leonean National U17 Female Football Team is not traveling to Banjul for the return leg in the first round of the U17 World...

Former NIA Director General & Others Slammed With Fresh Charges

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The nine former national intelligence officers who are standing murder trial including Yankuba Badjie, former Director General, Louis Gomez, former Deputy Director General, Sheikh Omar Jeng alias...

Barrow Government On Policy reforms—Press Director

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Ms Amie Bojang Sissoho, Director of Press at the Office of the President has said that the government is keen in making policy reforms at all sectors. The...

NO AGENDA CAN REMAIN HIDDEN FOREVER: UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY (U.D.P) HEGEMONY DECLARED!

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By: Ousainou Mbenga Since the declaration of the “tactical coalition” by the United Democratic Party leadership as a guarantee for the survival of their party and consequently, the...

Khalipha of the Tidiania calls for peaceful co-existence, unity and solidarity

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Fajara, 27 October 2017  President Adama Barrow yesterday received in audience the new Khalipha of the Tidiania, Sereign Ababacarr Mbaye Sy Mansour.  The eminent Muslim leader from Senegal was in The Gambia to attend the annual “Gamo” of Kerr Ousman Jeng, celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).     Meeting with Sereign Ababacarr Mbaye Sy Mansour, President Barrow acknowledged the need for leaders to receive good counsel, and pledged to continue to do his utmost in the execution of his duties as President.    The new Khalipha emphasised the importance of strengthening family ties, upholding religious values and hard work.  He spoke of the hope which he said people have in President Barrow’s administration, and he prayed for the president to achieve his goals.      Serign Mbaye Sy Mansour said Gambians had been challenged for many years on strategies to overcome the difficulties they experienced, but Allah had intervened and directed the change, which brought President Barrow to lead them. The Khalipha expressed optimism for the continued warm and close relationship between President Barrow and President Macky Sall, which he said greatly reinforced ties between the two governments.      The Khalipha called on the Gambian leader to be accommodative of people who speak truth to power, and to know that as a leader, he should always listen to what his conscience tells him and what he is told.  He stressed that leaders have responsibilities as they lead people who have different levels of commitment and kinds of character.  He advised that President Barrow’s focus should be on the goal of leadership.  He advised the president to stick to certain important values and principles: remaining modest, non-discriminatory and not degrading anyone. He emphasised that leadership goes with truthfulness, accountability, compassion and the ability to balance issues carefully.      The Khalipha called on everyone, including coalition members, to be truthful and to realise that there cannot be an easy fix for all the challenges that The Gambia faces because of the difficult circumstances that the government inherited.  He called for peaceful co-existence, unity and  solidarity for the nation to succeed.      Sereign Mbaye Sy reiterated the religious bond between The Gambia and Senegal and their people, and thanked everyone for the hospitality accorded to his delegation.      For his part, President Barrow expressed gratitude for the good advice and prayers that he received from the Khalipha. He took the opportunity to express condolences to the Sy family for the loss of  the last Khalipha Al Amin and other members of the family.      President Barrow reassured the Khalipha of the continued peaceful co-existence between the two countries and their people. He said he and President Sall would be committed to the continuous strengthening of bilateral ties.  The Gambian leader urged all to continue to “pray for peace and respect for our religious leaders, as no one person can have everything.”   He said responsibilities have to be shared, and he commended Ambassador Salieu Ndiaye of Senegal, who accompanied the  delegation to State House, for his tireless efforts to strengthen bilateral relations.    Also accompanying the Khalipha were Imam Ratib, Cherno Alieu Mass Kah, leader of the Tivaouane in Banjul , Imam Tafsir Gaye, and representatives of Ahlou Tivaaoune and  family of Mam Ousman  Jeng, initiator of the annual Gamo of the Tijani Talibehs in Banjul.    

The Irony of the WhatsApp tool that gave us our freedom

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WhatsApp became the tool that galvanized us as a people, and the final nail in the coffin of the Jammeh tyranny. The WhatsApp tool became the nexus...

The Gambia receives three new ambassadors

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Fajara, 24 October 2017  President Adama Barrow received three new diplomatic envoys today, as his government continues to strengthen its bilateral ties with other nations. Ambassadors from Kuwait, Mauritania and Nigeria presented their credentials to the President at his Fajara office, this morning.    President Barrow called on each of the diplomats to build on the progress that their predecessors had made in constructive bilateral cooperation toward the mutual benefit of their citizens and the Gambian people. He said an ambassadorial presence was evidence of the strong ties that The Gambia enjoyed with the three countries. President Barrow assured the envoys of his support to ensure that they have successful terms in office.    The new Kuwaiti Ambassador to The Gambia, His Excellency Mr. Saleh Ali Al Saqabi, said Kuwait will strengthen its relationship with The Gambia in various areas to help it consolidate democracy. He also assured President Barrow of his country’s willingness to support The Gambia in it's hosting of the Summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in 2019.        Receiving Ambassador Al Saqabi, President Barrow described the mediation role played by the Emir of Kuwait between Saudi Arabia and Qatar as honourable. He thanked Kuwait for the support it had provided in the past, and said he looked forward to a continued successful partnership.     Ambassador Al Saqabi is a career diplomat of 25 years, having served in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Senegal. He also served as Adviser to the Emir of Kuwait, Jaber Al- Ahmad Al-Sabah.      The new Mauritanian Ambassador, His Excellency, El Hacen Mohamed Awan,  conveyed President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz’s eagerness to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.  He thanked the Gambian government for providing a hospitable environment for the Mauritanian community in The Gambia.      President Barrow noted the long history between The Gambia and Mauritania, and applauded Mauritanians for being peaceful and law abiding. He commended the efforts and commitment of President Abdel Aziz to help resolve the political impasse in The Gambia earlier in the year. President Barrow pledged to continue the spirit of unity between the two countries. He stressed that without peace there could not be  development, and he conveyed a personal message of goodwill to the Mauritanian leader through Ambassador Awan.       Ambassador Awan is an educationist. He served as Mauritania’s Minister of Education, and was a diplomat in Yemen and Sudan.    Presenting his credentials, Nigeria’s new Ambassador to The Gambia, His  Excellency, Mr. Oluwasegun Ibidapo-Obe, said the strong historic ties between Nigeria and The Gambia would make his work easy. He congratulated President Barrow for the security sector reform being undertaken, and assured him that the Nigerian government would continue to support The Gambia in various areas. He underscored the importance of supporting the country as it continued to build a stable democracy. He pledged Nigeria’s support to the Assets Recovery Commission.  Ambassador Ibidapo-Obe said that despite being a bigger country, Nigeria was interested in learning from The Gambia, in the area of tourism.    President Barrow commended Nigeria’s stand during and after The Gambia’s political impasse in early 2017. He conveyed his personal best wishes to President Muhammadu Buhari through Ambassador Ibidapo-Obe, and said he looked forward to continued strong cooperation.     Ambassador Ibidapo-Obe is a career diplomat. In 2016, he served as Nigeria’s Chargé d’ Affaires at the country’s embassy in Lomé, Togo.    These bilateral ties are expected to lead to a strengthening of support in various areas. They include having a joint commission between The Gambia and Kuwait, which will help develop trade, tourism and sports as priority areas.  Relations with Mauritania are expected to see a strengthening in security cooperation and livestock, while bilateral ties with Nigeria will result in consolidated support in the fields of education, health and the legal sector.  Nigeria is already providing support in peace and security through the ECOWAS Military Intervention in The Gambia (ECOMIG) force currently stationed in The Gambia.  The Gambian Foreign Minister, Honourable Ousianou Darbo, Higher Education  Minister, Honourbale Badara Joof, Secretary General Dawda Fadera, and other senior officials were present at the presentation ceremonies.     The State Guard battalion led by Colonel Turo Jawneh mounted a Quarter Guard in a colourful ceremony for the diplomats.    

Police Fire Tear Gas at Supporters

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By Alieu Ceesay Gambian police used tear gas to disperse angry football supporters on Tuesday during a quarter final game in the country's most watched local football competition. The...

APRC Prepares For A 50,000 Man Rally

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By Omar Wally The Opposition Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) party will on Saturday, October 28, 2017, hold a 50,000 man rally. In an interview with The...

We were used as experiments — Jammeh’s HIV patients

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The HIV/AID patients of Yahya Jammeh are initiating a legal action against the former ruler as victims of his 22-year rule join hands to secure his extradition...

POLICE DENY TARGETING OPPOSITION LEADERS

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The Gambia Police Force has categorically denied targeting opposition politicians for harassment stressing that the recent questioning of the APRC and GDC leaders had nothing to do...

Gambia’s divisive and usurper political force

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By Lamin Comma It is obvious to many that the Gambia is at a crossroads and many of my colleague political commentators and politicians have attested to this...