Alagi Yorro Jallow

Mamudu: The 2018 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination results were as revealing as they were astounding in exposing the nakedness of the future of the Gambia. Check the statistics: Out of 13, 335 candidates who sat for the (WAEC) exams out of 13, 335 candidates that sat to the exams only 475 had five credits including English Language and Mathematics. Minimum requirement for admission into a university. Many others who had six, seven, eight or nine credits but didn’t pass either Mathematics or English Language.Mass failure! Ninety- six percent total

failure:

How do you make a nation great with a failed youth population? I checked the statistics over and over and wondered aloud who should carry the can of this national calamity. Reading the report was not enough shock as the reactions I got around me from a generation that sees tomorrow only from the prism of cash, real cash.

A society cannot be greater than its leaders’ values. A society mirrors its leaders. And by leaders, I am looking beyond the political leaders who are already beyond redemption.

I am seeing teachers as a special class of leaders, gate-keeping for the nation in the education sector. Students rarely excel where those who teach need to be tutored on the correctness of what they teach. Teachers are like launderers of the linen of the future. Woe betide that future that is washed in mud waters.

I blame teachers, especially those in the public schools, for the mass failure as I blame the government for providing manure to grow a generation of sterile brains. My friends who chose teaching won’t be happy at this conclusion of mine. They will spare me their anger. Is it not said that no one celebrates growers of rice bereft of grains? And the teachers can do better if only they would know that learning is a life-long task. Sedentary intellectualism does not just stagnate, it puts the habitual laid-back on reverse gear.

Teachers will do better teaching if they continually add value to themselves. They can learn from even WAEC which annually puts its examiners and markers through the crucible of refresher courses. And the result shows in the seamless manner it has been conducting its affairs.

Mamudu: We cannot blame a specific group for the mass failure, it is a collective responsibility. We are all guilty and we need to look for a way out to solve the problem. We need to work harder to ensure that students at that level are well catered for by the government, by the system, the school and teachers

Mamudu: A concerned parent pilloried that students were no longer encouraged to take their studies seriously since they believed that there were other ways of succeeding in life. Seeing what the entertainment industry has to offer, she said, they prefer to go that way rather than study to pass their examinations.

Let teachers do their bit. Let governments govern well, removing our kids from writing examinations on bare floor. Let parents see their wards as their future and be more serious in their own obligations. Let the nation promote the right values. Not doing all these puts the nation in sure trouble.

I pray the mass of the candidates who did not pass or could not pass or failed to pass will not be the next generation of troublers.

Minister Tangara, as the Special Envoy of the President, meets with President Obiang

The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad of the Republic of The Gambia, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, on August 13th, 2018 met the President of Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency, President  Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, at the Presidential Palace in Malabo.

Honourable Tangara was in Malabo as a Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency, President Adama Barrow. The visit was meant to further strengthen the already cordial bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and peoples.

The visit accorded officials the opportunity to explore ways of
strengthening and widening cooperation between the two countries.

Issued by: Communication Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad

ENDS

—
Saikou Ceesay

Communication officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad
No. 4 Marina Parade
Banjul
Mobile: +220 932 5988
Website: www.mofa.gov.gm
Twitter: @MOFAGAMBIA
Facebook: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – The Gambia

Young Africans are speaking out in their thousands today (Sunday August 12^th) on International Youth Day, pledging to share a global message that calls for an end to female genital mutilation (FGM).

Thousands of individuals, groups and organisations have shared pledges to end FGM on social media, in hopes of shattering the silence that surrounds the practice. International Youth Day celebrates the role of young people as essential partners of change, and the young Africans hope to seize the opportunity to amplify their calls to their peers, parents and leaders to speak out on the issue.

The campaign has already reached more than 3.6 million on social media, with thousands of those engaging by posting videos and using the #ihavespoken message, moving the campaign closer to its target of sparking one million conversations to break the silence surrounding this form of violence against women and girls.

One renowned ‘end FGM’ campaigner hoping to make a difference today is Natalie Tingo, Founder of Msichana Empowerment Kuria. An ardent and fearless women’s rights activist, Tingo set up Msichana Empowerment Kuria to end violence towards women and girls.

Speaking about the campaign, 25-year-old Natalie Tingo, said:

“I will create safe spaces and build the capacity of young girls and women to be change makers as well as engage young men to end FGM.”

Sine the campaign launched on Monday 23rd July, the young Africans have received an overwhelming response. An estimated 120,000 people have read about the campaign on major news websites across Africa with a combined online readership of 18.2 million. Many more will have seen the campaign as it made headlines in print newspapers across countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, The Gambia and South Africa.

Heeding the young activists’ rallying cry, Kenyan media personality Sheila Mwanyigha and musician Suzanna Owiyo have both spoken out, passionately stating that they will raise their voices to end FGM, before closing out their videos by asking her hundreds of thousands of followers if they would too.

Making her pledge, Sheila Mwanyigha said:

“Ending FGM starts with each of us committing ourselves to doing something. I choose to use my voice. The question is, will you?”

Aware that issues that aren’t spoken about prevail the longest, young activists have also used music and art to promote their message, with the ambition that theirs is the generation that ends the harmful practice of FGM.

The campaign is backed by The Girl Generation, the world’s largest Africa-led global collective of partners brought together by a shared vision that FGM can – and must – end in this generation’s lifetime.

Dr Faith Mwangi-Powell, Global Director of The Girl Generation said:

“It’s amazing to see how quickly this campaign has taken off and I am so proud to see so many young people leading the charge.

“There is real momentum behind this campaign and it shows absolutely no signs of slowing down.

“From the minds of young activists, the campaign is set to spark one million conversations that shatter the silence that surrounds FGM, ultimately making the world a safer place for our girls.”

The Girl Generation is supporting the African youth to achieve their aim by:

• Sparking conversations about FGM and breaking the silence that surrounds the issue
• Growing support for, and putting the spotlight on, the Africa-led movement to end FGM
• Unlocking further resource and policy commitments to end FGM

ENDS

For more information contact:

Stephen Dillon

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 7720 610 626

NOTES TO EDITORS

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

• FGM is an extreme manifestation of gender inequality. It is a human rights violation that can result in a lifetime of physical, psychological and emotional suffering.

• The practice persists in silence. In community after community, parents continue to cut their daughters under the false belief that their neighbours think they should and will ostracise them if they do not. They simply aren’t having the conversation.

• At least 200 million girls and women across 30 countries have undergone FGM, and 68 million more girls are at risk by 2030: a girl is at risk of being cut every 8 seconds.

• Progress is being made: today a girl is one-third less likely to be cut than 30 years ago. But global efforts need to go further and faster because population growth means that if progress is not accelerated the number of girls undergoing FGM will continue to increase.

• Efforts to end FGM are being led from within affected communities and countries, and thousands of communities across Africa have already decided to abandon the practice. Everyone has a responsibility to support this Africa-led movement for change.

• The language we use when talking about FGM matters. It is important to be careful not to victimise or stigmatise FGM survivors or people from practicing communities, instead empowering them and emboldening them to end the practice. By doing so, we will protect vulnerable groups from harm and resistance.

• Ending FGM is an essential part of empowering adolescent girls to take control of their lives and maximise their own opportunities, allowing them to speak up and have autonomy over decisions.

The Girl Generation

• With nearly 900 member organisations, The Girl Generation is the largest-ever Africa-led collective to end FGM, united by and working towards achieving a shared vision that FGM can and must end in this generation.

• The Girl Generation is a platform for accelerating social change, bringing together thousands of voices under one positive identity and building their capacity to more effectively challenge deep-rooted beliefs that hold FGM in place.

• This is the largest generation of African youth ever (40% of the continent’s working age population is between the ages of 15 and 24) and The Girl Generation’s youth members are the most active. They are energised and ready to act. As the parents of tomorrow, if they decide to and are supported not to cut their daughters, the cycle of harm will end.

• The Girl Generation has been working closely with its End FGM Youth networks to help them design and launch this campaign which together we hope will break the silence surrounding FGM, grow support for their movement and unlock resources and policy commitments to end the practice, inspiring over 1 million people to speak out and act to end FGM.

• The campaign launch follows the first ever pan-African Youth Summit on ending FGM which took place in Nairobi, Kenya two months ago where over 100 young activists from 17 countries developed their strategy to mobilise leaders and communities to take action.

• The Girl Generation will stand with them to deliver the campaign, supporting them along the way and building their capacity to act as the effective ambassadors against FGM they all seek to be.

• The Girl Generation

UNICEF study

• According to UNICEF’s study on the dynamics of social change towards the abandonment of ending FGM in five African countries, the media as well as traditional forms of communication are powerful tools to bring about social change.

• The role of public declarations in moving towards the abandonment of FGM is highlighted in the study as a way to inspire others into collective action.

• Learning lessons from UNICEF’s study, the young campaigners have concluded that the culture of silence around FGM allows it to prevail and people’s reluctance to speak about the violent practice means that laws alone won’t end it. This campaign hopes to powerfully break the cycle of silence, encouraging everyone to play a part by speaking out and taking action

• Through this campaign the African youth aim to use the media and social media as a tool that provides a forum for debate and discussion as well as a platform to inspire others to speak out and take action.

UNICEF study on the dynamics of social change towards the abandonment of ending FGM in five African countries.

Stephen Dillon | Junior Account Executive
6th Floor | Aldgate Tower | 2 Leman Street | London | E1 8FA
0203 890 6789

07720610626

The presidency is the highest office in the land. It is a position of honour, respect and dignity. The truth is that, the seat of the presidency is a seat of trust and honour given to an individual to occupy for, and on behalf of, every Gambian. It is clear that all Gambians cannot occupy one seat; thus, we come together using set principles and means to choose (elect, to use the democratic term) one from among us to occupy it for us.

Such an individual is given all the tools and all resources necessary to run the affairs of the nation. S/He is paid well and provided with all incentives to do a particular job which is simply to protect our rights and give us all the goods and services we need for a dignified live. Every waking moment of such an individual is paid for by taxpayers’ money. S/He should therefore concentrate his/her entire time to serving us.

A leader of a people is their servant. S/He should serve them with respect, dignity and honour. S/He should provide all the goods and services which will make life better for his/her people. They should have the courage and confidence that when the need arises, s/he will listen to them and solve their problems, console them when they need it, give them a shoulder to cry on.

When a person is chosen (elected in our terms), s/he should have the heart of an elephant and the ego of a bird. The heart of an elephant will enable to him/her to be very tolerant of every type of dissent and even unreasonable criticism. For one thing, not everyone in the country is at the same level when it comes to reason and sensibility. Some are capable of behaving maturely and with a perfect sense of detachment. Yet, there will be others who are not so reasonable and not so diplomatic in conveying their message(s).

The president should have the ego of a bird because s/he should always understand that it is not about him and his person, but about the office, the presidency. As we have indicated already, the presidency is a position belonging to each and every Gambian and thus we all have a right to speak to it and about it. When we speak, we speak to and about the presidency and not the person of the president. So, when you occupy that office, you must understand the subtle difference. Just think a little while prior to your coming into that office, no one interfered in whatever you were doing. But now that you occupy their seat, the people speak!

It will help if from the start you cultivate the belief that all Gambians love The Gambia. Thus, whoever speaks about the nation, it is because the person wants the country to be better. Your ideas might differ in many ways and areas, but the intention and destination are the same: a better Gambia. With this perception in mind, the ego (that of a bird, remember?) will allow you to listen to these dissenting views – some put across respectfully with detachment and others not so much – are all precipitated by that love; that intense desire to make the nation better. Even if these ideas and views are misguided in your estimation, listening to them can’t do you or the nation any harm. If anything, they will enhance your performance, your understanding of the issues that you are to tackle. So, what do you have to lose? I used the bird as an example because even though it is small, it high up there, can’t be touched by criticism of its size colour or prowess in flying.

As I said in the beginning, the presidency is a position of respect, honour and dignity and it behooves anyone addressing it to do so with some amount of decorum. But even if someone doesn’t, it behooves the president to act or react with dignity and some form of restraint. We can’t expect our president to respond to everything that is said to, and about him. We expect our president to be bigger than that. Journalists will of course raise these issues to you, remember they are looking to sell their newspapers. That is why they are tempted to follow the sensation.

If the president is to respond to every jibe thrown at him, he won’t have time to focus and concentrate on the real issues of nation building. There is a time and manner to respond to everything. The difficult thing is being able to differentiate the two. At certain times, it is the actions that will respond for the president.

It is not about the president having or not having a right to respond or not, it is about the high responsibility placed to his/her shoulders. It should make him/her better and of a higher moral ground that the ordinary people. After all, you are high up there and we are down here!

Tha Scribbler Bah

A Concerned Citizen

Dr. Omar Janneh (PhD)

The signs that a (truth) commission may end in failure are when it fails to take any conflict of interest and impartiality seriously. Similarly, if seemingly biased appointments to the Commission are greeted with suspicion by some fair-minded victims, victims’ families, and (perceived/alleged) perpetrators of wrongdoing, but ignored by the Executive, that is also a recipe for Commission failure, not least because persons recommended by the Commission for prosecution for bearing the greatest responsibility for human rights violations and abuses [TRRC Act, 2017; section 15(1)(h)(i)] could justifiably appeal against the recommendation of the Commission on the grounds that the investigations carried against them were headed by a (conflicted and possibly biased) Director of Research and Investigations Unit who was employed by a (conflicted) Executive Secretary who in turn was employed by the (seemingly conflicted) President who has been excessively empowered by the TRRC Act, 2017 – which the Executive cannot follow. Do we care to imagine the legal cost to the country of such a legal challenge? It is for this and many other reasons that voices that cry for unfairness and impartiality, from any source, must be noticed and addressed in a timely fashion by those at the top, otherwise the Commission may fail. And I think it would be reasonably justified to label leaders that fail to heed such cries of foul play as self-serving, and possibly dictators who put their personal interests above the interests of the citizens they are supposed to serve.

Twenty-two years of Jammeh’s brutality have left The Gambian society in a fractured state. We seem to be getting along reasonably well, but a badly run TRRC which is in the making may soon reveal and potentially make worse the dark years of mistrust that was the order of the day in the Jammeh years. In other words, a badly run TRRC may once again reveal the underbelly of mistrust with its sinister consequences that were the hallmarks of the previous regime. I am of the view that when truth telling starts, our very fragile security system is ill-equipped to address any societal security challengesthat the TRRC may reveal. Indeed, it may cause a social upheaval we have never experienced in our history. Once more, such a scenario may be the result of allowing a hugely inexperienced Secretariat, Investigators, and potentially inexperienced Commissioners and Chairperson to preside over such a complex task. Again, the lack of trusted security forces to support the TRRC’s work, with no relevant support for the victims/victims’ families/perpetratorsmakes our TRRC a truly toxic adventure.

Yes, we need a truth commission that establishes the truth of what happened in our dark history (1994-2016) and seeks corrective mechanisms to bring about justice and national healing, so that we can say never again. But doing that needs appropriate timing. A previous posttalked about the timing of the TRRC. Some might recall that the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission of Kenya (TJRC) was set up in 2008. The Commission was mandated to investigate, analyse, and report on what happened between 1963 to 2008 in regards to gross human rights violations, economic crimes, illegal land acquisition, marginalisation of communities, ethnic violence, etc., including the context in which those crimes were committed, but it had no mandate to prosecute (click here, and herefor some information). It is hopefully obvious that some of the victims, victims’ families, and perpetrators were of blessed memory by the time the TJRC was set up in 2008. And by the time the Commission got underway and completed its work, it is natural that others too may have responded to the forces of nature (passed on). The reason for bringing Kenya’s TJRC here is that it took Kenya some considerable amount of time to establish its Truth Commission. The timing of when to do things is an important trademark of a good leader and so the saying goes that a bad leader does the right thing at the wrong time. The truth is that truth commissions are notoriously difficult to set up – even for countries with some capacity, and hence the reason why many commissions face criticisms and invariably fail (click here,here,here, and hereand references therein for more information) because capturing the victims’, victims’ families and perpetrators’ perception of fairness and impartiality as well as their expectations – the cornerstones of any commission, are very difficult balancing acts. Nevertheless, timing is important and on balance, good leaders are good listeners; intuitive; they also surround themselves with a good team and together they try and do the right thing at the right time, as a team.

Given some of the apparent inappropriate advertisements and the manner in which the appointments to the Commission are being made by (conflicted) individuals appointing (seemingly conflicted) staff and the negative public reactions that follow the announcements of such posts, I remain totally convinced that the TRRC is likely to be a failure.  Therefore, embarking on the TRRC at this time would be wrong. I know that this is a bitter pill to dispense/swallow, but we must remember that in our bid to get to the truth of what happened in the 22 years of dictatorship, both victims and perpetrators – in effect all of us, must go about recording the truth, seeking justice and go through the process of reconciliation in the right manner so that our society and national interests remain intact.

Let us visit the problematic TRRC Act, 2017 for a moment. In fulfilment of its objectives, the Act mandates that, where necessary, individuals be summoned or subpoenaed to the Commission (TRRC Act, 2017; section 15(1)(g) – remember this may probably follow the conclusion of the work headed by a (conflicted) Director of Research and Investigations Unit who was appointed by a (conflicted) Executive Secretary who was also appointed by the (seemingly conflicted) President who was granted excessive powers by the TRRC Act (2017) they seem not to be able to follow. For example, when the President appointed an Executive Secretary of the TRRC (TRRC Act, 2017; section 22(2), it seems that he, the Minister and the Public Service Commission paid no regard to the TRRC Act’s disclosure of interest clause (TRRC Act, 2017; section 17(1-4) because we all know that the appointed Executive Secretary of the TRRC is conflicted. To add insult to injury (– at the very least, this is how alleged/accused perpetrators would see it), the (conflicted) Executive Secretary was permitted to recruit staff to the Commission. Yes, the TRRC Act, does empower the Executive Secretary of the TRRC to appoint staff to the Commission as it may require (TRRC Act, 2017; section 24(1)(3), but it is my view that the appointment of a (conflicted) Executive Secretary makes him a biased individual who should therefore not be permitted to recruit staff to the Commission. In my view, if the (conflicted) Executive Secretary must remain in his post, then it would have been wise to not permit him to continue to recruit staff to the Commission. In other words, it should be within the spirit of the TRRC Act, which aspires to see justice served by following due process, to not permit a conflicted individual to recruit staff to the Commission. Without quickly implementing such a safeguard, the mandate of the problematic TRRC Act, 2017 was followed and we saw that it led to the (conflicted) Executive Secretary also appointing a (conflicted) Director of Research and Investigations Unit, one of the most important posts in the TRRC. Clearly, these appointments have now severely undermined the credibility and impartiality of the Commission in the eyes of objectively-minded individuals, and most probably the UN, ECOWAS, AU and donor agencies – if they are observing us. We also know that the problematic TRRC Act, 2017 empowers the use of police assistance to enforce its powers (TRRC Act, 2017; section 15(1)(h). So if any objectively-minded victim(s) or (accused/alleged) perpetrator(s) of rights abuses fail to observe section 15(1)(g) of the TRRC Act, 2017 for any reason – say, because they feel that the procedures and processes are impartial and we know they are, the police may help (TRRC Act, 2017; section 15(1)(h), so that section 15(2)(a-c) of the TRRC Act, 2017 can be observed. But do we have the loyalty of our police (security) service to carry out such a function? Just to give a few examples, is it not the same police service that recently opened fire, injured and killed some innocent protestors in Faraba Banta, which is now the subject of the Faraba Banta Commission? Is it not the same security service that arrested and detained Dr Ismaila Ceesayand also arrested and severely beaten the journalist Pa Modou Bojang? Further, it is implied in the TRRC Act, 2017 that state institutions such as the police, army and the NIA may be subjects of the Commission’s investigations (TRRC Act, 2017; section 15(3)(4). Does anyone convinced that these seemingly conflicted institution(s) can be trusted to provide security or be relied upon (TRRC Act, 2017; section 15(1)(h), so that the Commission’s mandate can be observed (TRRC Act, 2017; section 15(2)(a-c)?

In a recent piece, a call was made for The Gambia Bar Association to come out and clarify its position on the TRRC Act, 2017 and the appointments to the TRRC so far. Although it would be unreasonable to expect the Bar Association to organise itself within a short time and make a statement, it has now come to light that the Association may not be able to make a statement anytime soon as the Bar Association seems to be in a state of disarray at present. I hope that harmony shine its brightest lights on the Association soon. But is it not bizarre that Parliament has chosen to remain mute over these apparent failings in the setting up of the TRRC?

I think it is appropriate to say that we are at a crossroads; choosing a wrong course of action may deepen the fractures within our society and may potentially lead to mob justice. If we say that it is the time of the victims of Jammeh’s brutality to have their cake and eat it – and so we should appoint to the Commission those who we think may give us the outcome we desire, we may be doing the same unjust and unethical things we associated with the Jammeh years. I think the international community will look down on us; I think we must care about what others think of us. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth will leave us all blind and toothless. Furthermore, such an approach will not contribute to breaking the cycle of wrongdoing, mistrust and violence that gripped our country for 22 years. A wrong course of action may either cause the rebirth of a new type of hatred –a result of the likelihood of hearing things we hadn’t known/imagined occurred- which is likely to add fuel to the smouldering cycle of wrongdoing, mistrust and violence in The (new) Gambia.

I think getting to the truth of the rights violations under Jammeh requires that we have unbiased and impartial investigations of the truth. When (accused/alleged/perceived) perpetrators and victims raise concerns of procedures and processes of a commission, we must all sit up and listen and take corrective measures that aim to address those concerns. Such a corrective measure could have been not to allow a (conflicted) Executive Secretary to continue to observe the mandate of the TRRC Act, 2017 in regards to appointing staff to the Commission (TRRC Act; section 24(1)(3), which has resulted in further failings in the setting up of the TRRC. It is said that good leaders have the intuition to be able to see blind spots even before they come into view. Overall, if it means that, in the interest of the nation and to correct a misstep, people have to lose their jobs, then that must happen. Failing to take corrective measures will undermine the process and if that process goes ahead willy-nilly, its recommendations may be worthless.

The problem with having conflicted staff in a TRRC is that even if some of the interests of such (conflicted) staff and of the victims are not met – because of Commission failures, the other interests of some (conflicted) staff are (being) served: they would be receiving salaries/payments for their work; and driving in (fancy) metals –an apparent symbol of status in The Gambia. Are these morally and ethically fair?

The eyes of the international community (UN, ECOWAS, Amnesty International, donors, etc.) are on us. Given our many challenges, I do not think we can afford to run the TRRC to a successful conclusion without the support of donors (TRRC Act, 2017; section 27(1)(a)b). Think of this: how much work do we think may be involved in fulfilling the requirements of section 15(1)(f) of the problematic TRRC Act, 2017, which states “request information from relevant authorities of a foreign country and to gather information from victims, witnesses, government officials and others in foreign countries”? How many victims and victims’ families are in the Diaspora and how easy would it be to reach all of these people and gather information from them? Who would pay for the work? I think most foreign countries (privately) believe that our TRRC is probably headed in the wrong direction and so would be unlikely to waste their public resources into a hopeless exercise. Further, I think the donors may be cautious to donate to a Commission that is impartial (appointments of conflicted and seemingly biased staff; but they may offer little by way of comment on a problematic TRRC Act, 2017) and doomed to be an exercise in futility.

Let us be honest with ourselves. The Gambia government cannot even afford the basics (e.g., medical gloves, blood bags, syringes, needles, unfalsified medicines, etc.) for our healthcare sector; equally other sectors are in a state of total decay. Therefore, is it wise to tamper with a toxic societal problem we have no capacity to run or control if it goes out of hand? Some say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I say the signs are that this pudding has gone off – it stinks. If you eat it, you may end up in a hospital that does not have sufficiently trained doctors, drugs and adequate facilitiesto get you better. Therefore, you are better off with the main meal for now.

Alagi Yorro Jallow

Mamudu: The tragedy of the Gambia is that there has never been a critical mass huge enough to embrace the intellectual and civic responsibilities of our transcendence as a nation. The bane of our transcendence in the Gambia is that too many people who imagine themselves grand envisioners of project nationhood are better off as companions of, in championing transient and limited ethnic and political agendas.

Justice is the first condition of our humanity. The Rule of Law is on ideal in an array of values that dominates liberal political morality: others include democracy, human rights, social justice, and economic freedom. This is the quality or state of being transcendent envisioning of society that generations of our leaders have not been able to rise and embrace, bogged down as they are by invidious base instincts.

Mamudu:  Paul Manafort, Donald Trump’s campaign guru is on trial; in the U.S.A. What? Zero bail – locked up for more than 2 weeks. Why? Tax fraud, money laundering and illegal lobbying. Again? If convicted, he faces a time-consuming jail term. So? Because we have many, many ‘Manaforts’; in the Gambia. What! Their files will gyrate and somersault from the offices of the Auditor-General, CID, Police, National Assembly Select committees, Director of Public Prosecutions and the Courts – till 2021-2026 Encore? Paul Manafort is on trial. In the U.S.A; other Manaforts in the Gambia cozying up to regime.

Mamudu: When it comes to exposing and fight corruptibility and criminality? Adama is ‘hapless’: Mamudu why would Adama want to treat thieves with kid’s gloves when they steal from the public? Why would Adama discreetly disappoint when he did appoint rather ambiguous? The Gambia: is endowed with resources that are ‘endeared’, by a few of his cabal. People no longer do subtle corruption in this country. Corruption is the norm. Every sector is involved, not just the political class. The civil service stinks.

Mamudu: Adama’s hope and change has given some us fear and loathing. It is the common thing to assume that corruption is a leadership challenge. Most times people blame and curse leaders. But corruption is more endemic. It permeates the entire society from the leaders to the followers so to say.

 We want a country that is free from corruption: We want a kind of leadership to end official racketeering, fraud, malfeasance and crookedness? We need a critical assessment of ourselves as Gambians.Adama, you have not provided a kind of leadership that is suitable? Where did you go wrong? Adama, corrupt officers are misbehaving engaged in profiteering, nepotism and venality. They are stealing public resources. They have accessed power to put money in their pockets. This is not the leadership Gambians want. We are sufficiently not afraid to speak about the wrong things they are doing.

Mamudu:  Rule of law and Justice codifies the core values of good governance. Rule of law is a principle under which all persons, institutions, and entities are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated: Mamudu; a united Gambia is  greater thing than a divided one, a strong National Assembly is a greater thing than a weak one, a country governed by the rule of law is a greater thing than a kangaroo one, a corruption free country is better than one infested by thieves, and a strong economy is greater than a people struggling with poverty.Adama;If all you want is to rule people, you want a small thing! Please deliver yourself from such a wrong mindset.

Mamudu: If every outrage is tolerable and defensible because you support the President (everything you would not have countenanced under  the previous president suddenly has legitimacy for you now), if every violation is rationalizable for you because you have empathy for the government in power, if the leaders in political spaces is sweet music to your ears because of a long history of animosity between politicians  and  ethnicities in the country and just because  of your own ethnicity is not at the receiving end of such violations today, if every outrage is tolerable because you and the victim of the outrage are not of the same faith, you have no business in the business of trying to envision the future of the Gambian society.

Mamudu: The Janneh Commission of Inquiry established to investigate, systematic, disorderly pillage and marauding of the Gambia’s economic and financial resources allegedly caused by Yahya Jammeh and his close allies during his administration; was a new beginning of an anti-graft commission but is heavily criticized and branded incompetent and unable to fight corruption and economic atrocities in which individuals or collectivities of people purposively acted. Given that high-profile corruption continues unabated in the country; while the government and the Janneh commission looks on helplessly, it is easy for Gambians to conclude that perhaps the main purpose of the commission is to form a firewall around corruption cartels, especially when the commission gets sucked into the mess and has to investigate itself.

Justice, Wole Soyinka says, is the first condition of humanity. Sadly, this is not his most famous ‘quotable quote’ among political leadership. What many Gambians learn by rote is that other quote from his book, The Man Died. The two quotes, as indeed the entirety of Soyinka’s work and vision, are rooted in a transcendent view of society and her future.

When Soyinka says justice is the first condition of humanity, he does not pause to enter qualifications, caveats, conditions, equivocation, and hesitation. He posited that transcendent vision of justice, fairness in a society foregrounds humanity beyond the base of instincts fed by ethnicity, religion, and politics.

In other words, when Wole Soyinka says justice is the first condition of humanity, there is no pause to determine one’s race, religion, ethnicity, and politics before the statement is deemed applicable to anyone. There is no equivocation because there is a very long history of hate, animus, and irreconcilable opposition amongst society’s own ethnic groupings. There is no hesitation because for one to belong to Christianity or Islam, two faiths. There is no qualification because of one’s political leanings or affiliation.

By Omar Wally

President Adama Barrow, has for the first time publicly responded to Dr Isamila Ceesay, a Political Science Lecturer at University of The Gambia.

Observers say, Dr Ceesay is becoming a thorn in the flesh of President Adama Barrow.

In a recent interview, Dr Ceesay said President Adama Barrow lacked the ‘intellectual pedigree’ to run the Gambia; that remark ruffled feathers.

Tuesday during a press conference at State House in Banjul, Barrow did not hold back his anger with Dr Ceesay’s remarks saying he (Dr Ceesay) is looking for cheap popularity.

President Barrow told those questioning his qualifications that he managed the finances of United Democratic Party, for many years.

Barrow said when he returned to The Gambia from The UK, he did not seek for a job but rather created his own business.

PRESS RELEASE

The office of the Inspector General of Police wishes to bring to the attention of the general public that persons selling liquor in public places shall obtain a licence as prescribed under the LIQUOR LICENCE ACT CAP 92:02 VOLUME 14 LAWS OF THE GAMBIA.

Therefore, only the hours prescribed by law shall be recognised as operational hours for selling and consumption of liquor at public places. Persons would not be allowed to sell or consume liquor at any public premises outside the general licensing hours.

Furthermore, the office of the Inspector General of police hereby informs the general public that persons involved in the trade of old metals need to obtain a licence from the office of the Inspector General of police prior to the establishment of their business(es). This is in accordance with the requirement made under SCHEDULE FORM A SECTION 3 (1) 1 of the OLD METAL DEALERS ACT, CAP 91:02 VOLUME 14 LAWS OF THE GAMBIA.

They are equally advised to keep entry (ies) of purchases and receipt of their transactions as authorized under FORM B SECTION 3 (2) of the same act.

The cooperation of the general public is highly solicited.

Superintendent David Kujabi.

Police PRO

For: Inspector General of Police

Acting in accordance with section 24(1) of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission Act, 2017, the Executive Secretary of the TRRC has appointed Rohey Samba-Jallow as Director of Communications, Outreach and Media for the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). Mrs. Samba-Jallow will oversee the work of a team of communications and reconciliation officers and work closely with the Executive Secretary and Commissioners to deliver on the mandate of the TRRC. Mrs. Samba-Jallow is currently the Secretary General of the Writers’ Association of The Gambia and secretary to the Board of the Collecting Society of The Gambia responsible for instituting copyright laws. Rohey also runs a charitable foundation, Japo Ligueyal Gambia, whose primary objective is to help raise funds to finance projects and welfare programs for socially, economically and culturally disadvantaged communities in The Gambia.

State House, Banjul, 12 August, 2016

His Excellency President Adama Barrow on early Sunday afternoon paid an unexpected visit to the central abattoir in Abuko to garner firsthand information on the sale of sacrificial rams in honour of the forthcoming Eid celebrations of the Muslim ummah, locally called Tobaski. The surprise gesture was in keeping with the president’s profound interest in being up to speed with the socioeconomic realities of the citizenry.

“It is part of the preparations for the Tobaskifeast for Muslims to purchase livestock to slaughter. I am calling on all Gambians to care for one another in this [festive] season,” the President told reporters on the site.

Mr. Musa Njie, speaking on behalf of the livestock dealers in Abuko, expressed delight at the Gambian leader’s visit to the abattoir, adding that they are seeking government’s intervention in upgrading and maintaining the structures with the improvement of security as it is the country’s main slaughterhouse. He said due to incidents of theft and armed robbery, they have decided to mobilize funds on their own to employ night watchmen, adding that they even pay for the upkeep of the place, including utility bills.

According to Mr. Njie, the structures are dilapidated and need revamping because the abattoir has not received any form of maintenance since 1981.

Amady Jah, a ram dealer, for his part, expressed gratitude to the President for his unexpected visit, describing it as very timely and important in order to boost the morale of the livestock dealers. Mr. Jah, however, urged the government to look into what he called the ‘’high duty fees’’ levied on the ram dealers at the center. He added that all the problems they were faced with emanated from the former president’s decision to privatize and sell the place to himself in 1998. He said the move didn’t serve any purpose other than enrich the owner. Mr. Jah concluded by expressing delight and optimism that these challenges would be addressed by the Government. Prices of rams range from D8, 000 to D25, 000.

The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, on August 9th, 2018 received the new World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director to The Gambia, Ms. Wanja Kaaria Ndoho, who came to present her Letters of Credence.

Receiving the Letters, Foreign Minister Tangara underscored the commitment of The Gambia Government to the relations with WFP, assuring the new Country Director of Government’s continuous readiness to support the good work of WFP in The Gambia. Mrs. Ndoho was accompanied to the Foreign Ministry by WFP’s Programme Policy Officer, Mrs. Anta Kah Janneh.   

Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister also on the same day, received the  Spanish Deputy Director General for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Alberto Cerezo, who spoke about Spain’s determination to support The Gambia in its democratisation process. He expressed delight at the fraternal ties of cooperation between The Gambia and Spain and expressed hope that the two countries  would continue to explore new, robust ways of strengthening this good cooperation involving the two countries. 

Other issues discussed include migration, in particular the fight that must intensify against criminal networks involved in the trafficking of humans, cooperation in the security. The top Spanish Diplomat also presented his country’s candidature as a Non-Permanent Member of the Security Council of the United Nations for the period 2031 -2032. 

Next to be received by Honourable Dr. Tangara was the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to The Gambia, His Excellency Zhang Jiming. The two sides primarily discussed preparations for The Gambia’s participation in the China – Africa Beijing Summit scheduled to take place on 3rd and 4th September 2018. The high convergence is expected to be attended by His Excellency, President Adama Barrow. 

Issued by: Communication Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad

The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, recently met the Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister, His Excellency Nasser Bourita, in his office in Rabbat.

Dr. Tangara was in Rabbat as a Special Envoy of His Excellency President Adama Barrow. Following delivery of Special Message of His Excellency President Barrow to Foreign Minister Bourita, Dr. Tangara described relations between the Republic of The Gambia and the Kingdom of Morocco as positive in all fields, with the potential to further strengthen cooperation in certain areas of interest to both countries.

The parties disclosed their interest to collaborate further in a bid to enhance the capacity of staff at The Gambia’s Foreign Ministry. They also discussed the need to significantly increase scholarship package The Gambia receives annually and revitalise financing of the construction project of the new Foreign Affairs complex among other areas. 

Several high-ranking Moroccan officials graced the meeting, among them were the Director of African Affairs and the Director of Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation. 

Issued by: Communication Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad