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Urgent Call for Action: Prioritizing Youth Welfare and Addressing Irregular Migration in The Gambia

Hadram Hydara
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Urgent Call for Action: Prioritizing Youth Welfare and Addressing Irregular Migration in The Gambia

OPINION

By: Ebrima Dembajang, Fourth-Year Development Major, University of The Gambia

Recent devastating incidents involving the loss of 40 lives from The Gambia at sea have shocked and saddened the nation.

It is high time for the government to take immediate action and prioritize the welfare of its youth.

This tragic event highlights the urgent need to address the push factors that drive irregular migration.

The loss of 40 lives at sea is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks faced by Gambian youths in irregular migration.

It demands immediate attention and action from the government.

The incident underscores the need to address the root causes of irregular migration and create opportunities for young people within the country.

The Gambian government must prioritize the welfare of our youth population as they are the future of the nation.

This includes investing in education, skills training, job creation, and mental health support.

By providing opportunities and support systems, the government can empower young people to contribute to the development of their communities.

It is crucial to address the push factors that drive irregular migration.

Poverty, lack of employment opportunities, and limited access to quality education are factors pushing Gambian youths on this dangerous journey.

The government must create an enabling environment that addresses these issues and provides viable alternatives to irregular migration.

I equally want to tell the central government that elections are over, and it is time for work.

The political rivalry and hatred the government continues to express towards the Brikama Area Council do not help us develop.

The rivalry and sabotaging of the Council’s work must stop. It is time for both entities to set aside their differences and prioritize the development of the West Coast Region.

Cooperation and collaboration are essential for effective governance and the implementation of policies that benefit the local population, especially the youth.

The tragic incident involving the loss of 40 lives at sea has served as a wake-up call for The Gambia.

The government must take immediate action to prioritize the welfare of its youth and address the push factors that drive irregular migration.

It is time for the nation to come together and work towards creating a brighter future for its youth, ensuring that they have opportunities to thrive within their own country. The time for action is now.

OPINION: The Govt/BAC tussle – No one stands to benefit

Hadram Hydara
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OPINION: The Govt/BAC tussle – No one stands to benefit

By D. A. Jawo

The ongoing war of nerves between the Brikama Area Council (BAC) and the central government is certainly happening to the detriment of the people of the West Coast Region and The Gambia at large and it should never have been allowed to degenerate to that level because it is neither in the interest of the council nor even that of the central government.

It however appears that both the BAC and the central government care more about scoring political points against each other than the consequences of their actions on the people of the West Coast. While there is an element of intransigence on the side of the BAC, particularly its chairman, Yankuba Darboe, but it is also quite evident that the central government, through the Ministry of Lands and Regional Governments, are using their power and the police to achieve their political objectives, which is to paralyze the BAC and drive a wedge between the people and its chairman and eventually make him unpopular and ineffective.

It appears that we are witnessing a repetition of what earlier happened at the Kanifing Municipal Council when a similar situation arose between the former CEO Sainabou Martin-Sonko and the KMC in which the central government again played a negative role by taking sides in favour of the CEO. Rather than investigate the allegations against Ms. Martin-Sonko, the government gave her full support at every level, insisting on her reinstatement and even went to the unprecedented extent of breaking the door to her office at the KMC to ensure that she resumed work regardless of all the evidence that the KMC produced to back their claims against her.

Just like the case of the KMC, the Brikama Area Council has also made similar accusations against their CEO and the Finance Director, Modou Jonga and Alhagie Jeng, producing enough justification for calling on the government to remove the two officials for alleged corruption. However, instead of acting on that evidence to thoroughly investigate the allegations, the government did exactly what they did in the case of Ms Martin-Sonko, by giving unqualified support to CEO Jonga and Finance Director Jeng, calling on the BAC to allow them to carry on with their work despite all the evidence of corruption that the BAC alleged against them.

If indeed the government was committed to fighting corruption, the least anyone would have expected them to do was either redeploy the two officials to other areas or send them on administrative leave and launch a thorough investigation into the allegations. However, the very fact that the government seems to have completely ignored all the allegations of corruption against them and instead give their full backing for them to continue working with the council is a serious indictment of the government’s lack of political will to fight corruption. This is certainly not going to be music in the ears of our development partners some of whom are quite concerned about the apparent rise in corruption within the government.

It is quite obvious that the government does not seem to have any intentions to help the BAC to fight corruption but instead, they seem to be using the situation to paralyze the activities of the council, regardless of the consequences to the people of the West Coast Region and the country at large.

We have all been witnesses to the overwhelming evidence of wanton corruption coming from the Commission of Inquiry into Local Government Councils and most of the corruption is being directly attributed to the government-appointed officials, particularly the CEOs and the finance directors of the different municipal councils. Therefore, the attitude of the government to such allegations of corruption against these officials at the BAC is quite indicative of the apparent lack of will to fight corruption.

What was the point of setting up the Commission of Inquiry into Local Government Councils when the government has not shown any commitment to fighting corruption? Even the very fact that the famous Anti-Corruption Bill had been languishing at the National Assembly for more than two years now without any commitment on the part of the government to get it enacted, while they had the audacity to send the Former Presidents Bill to the National Assembly under a certificate of urgency and get it passed in less than a week, is a clear indication that fighting corruption is not their priority.

From what we have heard so far from the Commission of Inquiry into Local Government Councils, apart from the municipal councils themselves being the bedrock of corruption and mal-administration, the other institutions that have come out quite poorly from the inquiry include the Ministry of Lands and Regional Governments and the so-called ‘independent’ Local Government Service Commission, which is anything but independent. The Ministry, instead of effectively playing its role as the policy arm of the local councils, was not only trying to directly micro-manage them, but it had also been usurping the role and powers of the Local Government Service Commission, thus making that commission quite irrelevant and ineffective.

Let us hope and pray that both the government and the BAC would realise that the only sensible way forward is through dialogue and comprise so that the council’s activities will continue rather than being paralyzed for purely political reasons, benefiting no one in particular.

SPOTLIGHT: Assan S. Ndure: Transforming the face of football in The Gambia

Hadram Hydara
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SPOTLIGHT: Assan S. Ndure: Transforming the face of football in The Gambia

By Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

From the streets of Barra in the North Bank to Farato Village in the West Coast Region, Assan S. Ndure, a determined young entrepreneur, had once aspired to become a renowned footballer. However, fate had other plans for him. Unfazed by his failed football career, he decided to channel his passion for the sport in a different direction, and that is how he founded the Fortune Football Club. Today, his club has become a harbinger of change in the football scene of The Gambia, with both male and female teams making remarkable strides.

Assan’s commitment to the club is evident in the massive investment he has made, which has transformed the lives of many young footballers by providing them with a platform to pursue their professional careers. Fortune Football Club is widely regarded as one of the most structured, organized, and motivated football clubs in the country today, with its positive impact on the sport being felt from the streets of Barra in the North Bank to the Farato Village in the West Coast Region.

The Beginning of a Young Football Administrator

Assan’s love for football started in the streets of Barra in the North Bank Region, where he was part of the Barra Football Academy. This academy was established by Jane Joof in 2003 and played a significant role in nurturing his love for the sport. Although his football career as a player couldn’t expand beyond the grassroots level, he took up the responsibility of running his father’s business in Farato.

As he grew old, his father handed over the family’s business to him. This marks the beginning of his quest to transform the lives of many talented players in football. The move gave birth to Fortune Football Club.

“When I was young, I wanted to be a footballer. But coming from a business family and the oldest son in the family, I couldn’t go further as a player. So, I shifted my dream from being a professional footballer to being a club president that will change the face of football in the country,” Assan told The Fatu Network, recalling the beginning of shifting into football club management.

The Birth of Fortune Football Club

On the 7th of December 2012, the young and ambitious businessman made a bold decision that would change the course of his life permanently. He decided to take his love for football and his passion for helping young people and establish a football club that he named Fortune Football Club. This football club has since become a household name and is celebrated in the annals of football history in the country.

Assan, the founder of Fortune Football Club, since the 2012 Nawettan in Farato, has always had a passion for football. He saw the need to create a team that would provide a professional path for many young people, and he was determined to make it a reality. This decision was not an easy one, but he remained steadfast in his quest to establish a team that would be much talked about today.

“When I moved to Fararo to take care of my dad’s business, I used to play for a team. But unfortunately, that team had some issues and they stopped playing in the Naweetan. That was the time I invited my friends and formed a team to play in the Naweetan.

“It actually began as just fun. Then three years later, after winning everything in the Brikama Naweetan, the vision of the club started changing. We took part in the regional third-division qualifiers, and played the league, to the second division and the first division. This happened just in two years,” he told TFN.

At the age of 34, Assan is the youngest club owner in the topflight of Gambian football, massively investing in football and player development.

Result of Massive Investment in Football: From Just Fun to Transforming Lives

Assan realized that football is an investment. Aside from the daily training, football requires finance to have the tools that win you trophies and export players.
In the 2018-19 season, when the team reached the top tier of Gambian football, a lot had changed. Apart from investing money, Assan implemented an intriguing player development project, which has resulted in the team producing players for every national team football category in the country. Not only that, but the team has also been exporting players for a professional football career.

“As a person, I have learned a lot in the game. I have discovered that there is more to this game than just playing. I have tarred a progressive path for myself and my team that has been helping us in all facets, both on and off the pitch. Having finance as a team is good, but having finance and a bright direction makes the difference and that is what is behind the success of this team in just 11 years. We have a direction and that is where everyone sees us heading.”

In their third year in The Gambia’s first division, Fortune Football Club — affectionately called the Petroleum Boys — won the league in 2021.

After winning the league in 2021, Fortune, with Assan’s vision and insatiable quest for more success, backed the team and registered them in the CAF club Champions League preliminary, where the team faced notable African champions, ES SETIF of Algeria. In the first leg in Banjul, Fortune stunned the whole continent with an emphatic 3-0 thumping of ES Setif at the Independence Stadium before losing to a penalty shootout in the second leg in Algeria.

A Vision Beyond the Corridors of The Gambia

To Assan, participating in the preliminary was just the threshold for his dream of making Fortune a giant in African football. He has his heart set on the continent, making his club one of the biggest clubs in Africa in the near future.

“The vision is for this team to only produce players for professional development or career, but to compete beyond the borders of this country. We want to compete in the club’s Champions League in the very near future. We are working on it, every time,” the ambitious club president explained.

Establishment of a Female Club

Assan does not only own and finance the male team, but he also finances a female team, which is participating in the women’s second division league, making him among the very few individuals funding both male and female teams in the Gambia Football Federation Leagues. In 2018, Assan saw the need to establish a female team and play a role in helping young girls realize their dreams in the game.

“Female football in the country is evolving. We are aware of it, that is why we are investing in that too,” he said.

“I have no doubt that in the future, women’s football in the country will be massively followed. We aren’t waiting for that, we are planning ahead and we shall be there,” he stated.

Testimony of Players

Karamba Gassama, a young Gambian player currently playing in the Albanian top-flight league, never imagined being a professional player at an early age. However, through fate and the vision of Mr. Assan Ndure, Karamba became a professional footballer.

“Assan did a lot for me. He told me that he would make sure that I became a professional footballer and it happened. What he did for me and many other young players who are now professional is incredible. Thanks to his effort, I am now taking care of my family as a sole breadwinner,” Karamba explained.

Tijan Marr, a former captain of the National U20 team who now plays second division football in Spain, described Assan as a rare breed in Gambian football.

From 2018 to date, Fortune Football has produced 14 players who represented the Gambia in the U17, 20 and U23. Recently, two players from the female team also represented the Gambia in the female U15 tournament played in Mauritania.
The team can now boast of over 10 players who passed through the team and now playing professional football in the 5 years that the club spent at the top-level of Gambian football.

Plans to Build a Stadium with a Hotel

Branded as one of the finest football administrators in the country, Assan is striving to establish a standard football field for the team that will be used as a centre for youngsters who will become national icons in the game. Part of his plan is to have a hotel in the stadium. Already, he has landed in Farato, the home of his team.

A young man with a massive dream, Assan has been a shining light in football development in the country. Through his love and investment, he has helped many footballers who are now playing professional football.

He is dedicating his time to transforming and developing footballers. In his executive capacity, Assan works with only young people, creating employment for them.

He has won the respect of many football administrators in the country.

An Open Letter to President Barrow: Hardship Faced by Gambian Citizens

Hadram Hydara
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An Open Letter to President Barrow: Hardship Faced by Gambian Citizens

OPINION

By: Saidina Alieu Jarjou

Your Excellency President Barrow, I hope this open letter finds you in good health and high spirits. Please be informed that I am writing to bring to your attention the pressing and challenging circumstances faced by many Gambian citizens and to appeal for your intervention to alleviate the hardships they are enduring.

While acknowledging your administration’s efforts to address various issues affecting the country, it is evident that some segments of the population continue to face economic difficulties, unemployment, and challenges accessing basic essential human rights services. I am putting it to you that the high cost of living, coupled with the impacts of external factors such as the global economic situation, has placed a significant burden on ordinary citizens in our motherland.

You may be surprised to know that many citizens are struggling to afford essential commodities, making it challenging for them to meet their basic needs. Unemployment persists, particularly among the youth, posing a threat to their economic well-being and contributing to social unrest. Some citizens also face challenges accessing quality healthcare services, and there are concerns about the capacity of healthcare facilities to meet the needs of the population. It is crucial to improve infrastructure, especially in rural areas, to enhance the overall quality of life for citizens.

Your Excellency, I understand that the challenges are complex, and your government has been working tirelessly to address them. However, I humbly urge you to consider implementing additional measures to mitigate the immediate impacts of the hardships faced by citizens and to work towards sustainable, long-term solutions for the better Gambia we want.

I do not doubt that with your leadership and commitment, The Gambia can overcome these challenges and continue a path of progress and prosperity that we can all be proud of. Your dedication to the well-being of the Gambian people is appreciated, and I am hopeful that urgent action will be taken to alleviate their current hardships.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I express my continued support for your efforts in steering the nation towards a brighter future in making the Gambia the last place of home on earth.

Interview with El Hadji Omar Massaly, Founding President of Éditions ELMA (Senegal)

Seringe Touray
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Interview with El Hadji Omar Massaly, Founding President of Éditions ELMA (Senegal)

El Hadji Omar Massaly, the 34-year-old, founding president of Editions ELMA, shares the aspirations of his pan-African publishing house. A multifaceted individual, he serves as an author, publisher, journalist collaborating with Jeune Afrique, and CEO of Editions ELMA, a publishing house renowned for producing significant titles. The Fatu Network caught up with this pan-African publisher during the Gambia African Book Fair.

You took part in the first edition of the Gambia African Book Fair. How do you rate this event?

EL Hadji Omar Massaly: Participating in the inaugural Gambia African Book Fair was truly enriching. I extend my gratitude to the Fair’s organizer, Fatou Camara Junior, a dedicated pan-Africanist committed to propelling her nation’s youth forward. This event provided a platform for me to discover exceptionally talented young authors whose works deserve recognition. ELMA, our pan-African publishing house, is keen on publishing and supporting some of these emerging talents.

It is crucial for the government to endorse and back this fair, serving as a showcase for both African and Gambian literature. Such initiatives require support to empower authors to reach audiences across Africa and beyond. I, along with a delegation, actively participated because I believe in the significance of inclusive cultural initiatives involving countries within the sub-region.

On the sidelines of the Fair, you made official the choice of the representative of your pan-African publishing house, Fatou Camara, in Gambia. Can you tell us a bit about your publishing house?

EL Hadji Omar Massaly: Fatou Camara’s selection was intentional; her dedicated work reflects a profound commitment to her country and Africa. Her fervor for literature and culture aligns with mine, fostering a shared vision for the continent. Together, we aim to synergize our efforts, establishing a professional cross-border publishing house that ensures authors receive the sought-after quality of production recognized internationally.

ELMA emerged at a critical juncture when Africa grapples with economic, social, and environmental challenges, hindering the development of a robust book industry. Despite being a source of employment, the book industry in Africa has yet to be fully recognized for its potential contribution to economic development, contrasting with some Western counterparts.

Historically, after gaining independence, various publishing houses were established to promote African literature, serving as a means to express our diverse cultures. Regrettably, over subsequent decades, these publishing houses encountered setbacks. However, it’s imperative for the book market to solidify its presence as a significant cultural industry in Africa.

There is an urgent need for Africa, which has demonstrated dynamism and innovation in various sectors in recent years, to focus on developing a book industry capable of contributing to its economic structural transformation.

ELMA, a pan-African publishing house employing an innovative strategy and a resilient approach, aims to play a central role in facilitating the creation of a genuine book economy. This initiative is designed to provide all participants—authors, publishers, printers, distributors, and retailers—with the opportunity to sustain themselves through their craft.

To achieve this goal, ELMA has established six collections: Thinking about Africa, Development Economy, Literature, School Education, African Entrepreneurs, and Africans in the Century. The objectives of each collection are outlined in our catalogues, accessible through our representatives. In essence, these collections aim to empower intellectuals, authors, cultural figures, and journalists to contribute to changing the narrative about Africa. In the words of economist Felwine Sarr, it involves discovering the vast spaces of possibility in African reality and making them fruitful.

Why did you choose The Gambia when it’s an English-speaking country?

EL Hadji Omar Massaly: As a pan-African publishing house, we operate across borders, fostering a connection among authors from both English-speaking and French-speaking countries. Our aim is to transcend language barriers, recognizing that the themes explored by our authors hold relevance for all nations. To facilitate this cross-cultural exchange, we have established a translation department dedicated to translating books by select authors. Additionally, manuscripts written in English undergo evaluation by a dedicated reading committee exclusively handling works in that language.

Do you have representatives in other African countries?

EL Hadji Omar Massaly: Certainly, we currently have representatives in countries including Gabon, Central Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Guinea Conakry. Our ongoing efforts involve expanding our presence into additional countries to further extend our reach and impact.

What are the objectives of Éditions ELMA?

EL Hadji Omar Massaly: ELMA’s goals include transforming the book sector into a thriving cultural industry, a challenge critical for Africa’s development, as knowledge is fundamental. Taking France as a benchmark, where publishers are projected to generate €2,911 million in turnover and sell 448.5 million copies in 2022, the book market is set to surpass €4 billion. This underscores the significant role the book sector plays in the cultural industry.

The question arises: Why not replicate this success in Africa? With the backing of investors and partners, we believe it’s possible to build a sustainable sector that generates long-term employment—an essential challenge for ELMA.

Another objective is to reshape perceptions of the continent through intellectual production. Western media, as per several studies, allocates only 2% of its coverage to Africa, despite being home to 17% of the world’s population. This limited focus hinders a comprehensive portrayal of African reality, often projecting a pessimistic and clichéd image. Addressing this disparity is a pivotal mission for ELMA

In these circumstances, depicting the full diversity of the continent becomes challenging. News coverage often revolves around tragic events, perpetuating a negative and pessimistic image of a continent marked by war, corruption, terrorism, disease, and famine.

I firmly believe that a publishing house holds significance in terms of intellectual and cultural sovereignty. Given the prevailing perspectives on Africa, often marred by darker narratives, our publishing houses must contribute to illuminating the continent. Empowering our authors to contemplate Africa and restore balance is crucial. It’s not about silencing internal challenges, but also about spotlighting the positive developments occurring in Africa. This is the precise role our publishing house is dedicated to fulfilling.

Are you ready to collaborate with the Gambian Ministry of Culture?

EL Hadji Omar Massaly: Certainly, we are actively engaged in Gambia through our dynamic and open representative. We express our keen interest in collaborating with the Ministry of Culture and take this opportunity to appeal to the minister and the government for a partnership to advance the book sector. ELMA is prepared to contribute its expertise and skills to support the relevant ministry. The Gambia, with its significant cultural potential and abundant young talent, presents an opportunity to showcase the country as a destination. Emphasizing culture is a powerful marketing tool for promoting the nation on a global scale.

Have you already published books in English?

EL Hadji Omar Massaly: Certainly, we have published books in English, and several titles originally in French have undergone translation. Additionally, we are exploring the prospect of publishing authors from Gambia, facilitated by our current representative in the country. It is our sincere wish to further enrich our literary offerings through collaboration with Gambian authors.

How COP28 Aims to Unlock Trillions for Climate Solutions by Centering Business

Hadram Hydara
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How COP28 Aims to Unlock Trillions for Climate Solutions by Centering Business

Over 70,000 individuals from around the world are about to converge in Dubai to participate in COP28. In the lead-up, the UAE’s COP28 Presidency has made no secret of its ambition to make this the most inclusive and consequential COP ever. While much of that effort has elevated historically underrepresented communities, and rightly so, a lesser-known determination of the COP28 Presidency is about transforming how the COP process engages with the private sector.

From 1-2 December this year, COP28 will feature the biggest gathering of business and philanthropy devoted to solving climate change in history, at the inaugural Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum. Held in parallel with the heads of state-level World Climate Action Summit, the Forum will bring together 1,000 heads of business and philanthropy – alongside policymakers and other stakeholders – to spur tangible climate action.

While COPs have traditionally been seen as a political process, opening the COP28 summit with this Forum will set an entirely new tone. To expedite the pathway to transformative action, the Forum will include a set of 22 actions that CEOs and philanthropists can take right away. These include game-changing climate ‘moonshots’ and breakthrough technologies, expanding indigenous peoples’ direct access to investment, accelerating food supply chain transformation across the Global South, accelerating technology transfer, de-risking green investments, enhancing natural capital, boosting green SMEs and start-ups, and increasing investment in resilience for vulnerable communities around the world. The goal is to provide an accessible way for the private sector to move beyond declarations, into implementation.

From the outset, we’ve established global partnerships with major players who will help galvanise business communities around the world. They include the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Economic Forum, Asian Development Bank, Africa Finance Corporation, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and XPRIZE.

Fixing climate finance is a top priority. Global investments of over USD 3 trillion per year will be required to enable the world to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The private sector could play the most consequential role in generating the multiplier effect required to take us from billions to trillions.

For far too long, business and philanthropy have been relegated to the periphery of global climate negotiations, often dismissed as a part of the problem. But this is a terrible missed opportunity. Private capital markets have more than doubled over the past decade, reaching over $23 trillion. Philanthropic capital alone flowing through the global financial system every year is well above 1 trillion dollars. The latter can often be deployed in more flexible, risk-tolerant and patient ways than other forms of finance.

Combined, these capital flows are key to unlocking accessible, affordable and targeted solutions to closing the climate finance gap. And we mustn’t neglect the massive additional contributions that businesses everywhere and of all sizes can make to the climate action agenda through their networks, capacity to innovate, and engagement with local communities.

That’s why the COP28 Business & Philanthropy Forum will support governments, businesses and philanthropists to work together and in parallel, collaborate where they can while playing to their respective strengths. No individual stakeholder can succeed alone. Only when we blend capabilities and capital across these sectors, can we produce outcomes with the required scale and timeframe.

Business and philanthropy hold the greatest untapped potential for accelerating the implementation of the world’s climate and nature goals. It’s time to mobilise the world’s private capital in service of the planet.

Badr Jafar is a renowned billionaire and philanthropist. He is Special Representative for Business, Philanthropy & Private Sector to the COP28 summit, and host of the COP28 Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum on 1-2 Dec which will be opened by King Charles. He is a member of the United Nations Secretary General’s High-Level Panel on Humanitarian Financing, a member of the UNESCO International Commission on the Futures of Education and CEO of Cresent Enterprises. He is a signatory to the Bill Gates and Warren Buffet Giving Pledge.

OPINION: 4-Day Israel-Hamas Truce

Hadram Hydara
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OPINION: 4-Day Israel-Hamas Truce

By: Musa Bassadi Jawara

First, I thank The Fatu Network for the extraordinary opportunity to use their prestigious platform and express my opinion globally on this ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. I have written several articles since October 7, on this war and a bit of a hiatus the past 3 weeks due to travels in Europe and the United States.

Israel-Hamas Truce: this is set to expire today unless the warring parties agree to extend it. There is no justification for Israel to resume the bombardment of Palestinian people in the wake of the recorded carnage and destruction of human and material infrastructure over the past 4 weeks.

After the pause, for IDF to resume the aerial bombardment of Gaza, killing indiscriminately the vulnerable population will be vile and abhorrent. The pause revealed that Hamas’ administrative structure is still intact against the backdrop of over fourteen thousand (14,000) Palestinians mowed down during the course of Israeli military incursion. This is glaring evidence that civilians are bearing the brunt of the dead and suffering.

Israelis are making a parallel between 9/11 in the United States and 10/7 in Israel (?)! Israel is in question mark because it’s an occupied Palestinian land where the Hamas attack occurred on October 7. The aircraft hijackers on September 11, carried out terrorist acts on undisputed U.S. territory. This is the starkest difference between the two! The Hamas terror attack on October 7, as vile and heinous as it may be, the crime occurred in occupied Palestinian lands and, this is at the core of the fracas!

The gospel truth is that there is no justification for killing the innocent and, beginning immediately a permanent ceasefire must come into effect after the current truce expires in less than 24 hours.

Israel’s military objective is to decapitate Hamas and replace it with what? Similar U.S. military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan ended in an ignominious embarrassment in blood and treasure. Ideology will never be conquered by military might. America with all its state-of-the-earth technological superiority left Kabul airport in dramatic fashion and the Soviets a couple of decades prior.

Israel’s military foray into Gaza, sooner or later will come to the same conclusion as the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan. Israeli population in general are good, progressive and peace-loving, but it’s the political establishment that’s driving this genocidal terror wagon for decades and the Palestinian people have fallen prey to it. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel War Cabinet must agree to a permanent ceasefire. What’s the justification for continuing the slaughter of Palestinians? Sadly, 1400 Israelis were murdered on October 7. Consequently, 14,000 Palestinians were bombed to death by the IDF in response to the killings of October 7. The question is: how many Palestinian lives equate to the loss of 1400 Israelis?

 

Thank you.

Musa Bassadi Jawara

Mayor Lowe and the UDP – no longer at ease?

Hadram Hydara
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Mayor Lowe and the UDP – no longer at ease?

OPINION

By: D. A. Jawo

The recent visit of Mayor Rohey Malick Lowe to President Adama Barrow in his native village of Mankamang Kunda, to ‘present’ to him two awards that she had won, and which ceremony was given unprecedented prominence by GRTS, has quite a lot of political significance.

While it is quite normal for any citizen to make a courtesy call on the head of state for whatever reason, but the time and manner it has happened in the case of Mayor Lowe, is a bit weird and unconventional, especially when she was quoted praising the NPP for their stance on her awards and hardly mentions anything about her own party.

We have all been hearing rumours of a possible rift between Mayor Lowe and her party, the UDP, and this visit not only seems to have strengthened those rumours but with almost complete silence from the UDP camp about her, indicates that there is much more than we can see with our naked eyes.

It is now quite obvious to everyone that it is ‘no longer at ease’ between Mayor Lowe and her own party and it would not be a surprise to many people if things eventually fall apart. The apparent rift between her and the UDP was even quite evident during the last mayoral elections when she was virtually left on her own while the UDP seems to have concentrated all their campaign efforts on KMC and the West Coast Region. There is absolutely no doubt that Mayor Lowe was unhappy about that, and she was said to have complained about being abandoned by her own party.

Of course, some NPP militants like Seedy Njie seem to have capitalized on such an apparent rift between her and the UDP in order to drive a much bigger wedge between them. From the look of things, Seedy Njie and his NPP colleagues seem to have succeeded in luring Mayor Lowe to their side. It would therefore not be a surprise if the rift eventually leads to separation between her and the UDP. Whatever happens however, it is unlikely that she would resign from the UDP because she knows that may lead to her losing her seat as mayor, according to the Local Government Act. However, she may try to provoke the UDP into expelling her in which case she can continue as an “NPP independent” mayor, but whether the UDP would fall for such provocation, only time will tell.

What has Mayor Lowe to gain from any such alliance with the NPP, one would tend to ask. The answer may not be quite obvious, but it is clear that she is under intense pressure from several quarters including her own deputy, who seems to be leading a rebellion against her administration by NPP councillors, who form the majority of the elected councillors in the BCC. Now that her relationship with her own party seems quite shaky, she needs to turn to somewhere else to help ward off that pressure and with encouragement from Seedy Njie and other NPP bigwigs, she seems to have chosen to lean on President Barrow and the NPP to help ease the pressure on her.

However, such a prospect may not auger quite well in some quarters within the NPP itself, especially those who see Mayor Lowe as an “enemy” which of course includes her deputy and his group in the BCC as well as those who backed Ebou Faye and fought quite a bitter “war” against her during the Banjul mayoral elections.
Whatever the outcome of this apparent political tussle between Mayor Lowe and the UDP, however, it is most likely to end in a divorce, which could have some ripple effects both for the UDP and the NPP.

‘Your every song sounds the same’: Gee ignites Jizzle beef

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‘Your every song sounds the same’: Gee ignites Jizzle beef

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Gee, an inactive Gambian rapper, has accused Jizzle, an Afro-beat sensation, of recycling his lyrics and making similar-sounding songs.

In a war of words between Gee and Jizzle on X, formerly Twitter, the rapper now based in the United States said that Jizzle has a limited vocabulary.

“You have recycled your lyrics until your every song sounds the same. Your vocabulary is limited,” Gee tweeted about Jizzle.

Gee went further to claim that he has outgrown the Gambian music industry because he has earned so much money to be playing in certain arenas.

“FYI [For Your Information], I am not a Gambian artist. I have outgrown that chapter of my life; got way too much money to be jumping on plywood entertaining kids,” he said.

In his response, Jizzle told Gee to continue selling weed and allow him to work. He claimed that he had made more money in music than Gee had made in his entire musical career.

“El Chapa, despite going to school and graduating, you are not doing anything related to academia. Sell your weed and allow the boy to work. I have more money in music than you did in your entire career,” Jizzle responded.

Gee began his musical career in The Gambia and has been regarded as one of the best rappers in the country’s musical industry.
Jizzle, on the other hand, has been doing well in the industry, winning awards and producing hit songs.

“We Need to Return to the Basics” – Tom Discusses Tactical Strategy Against Ivory Coast Tomorrow

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“We Need to Return to the Basics” – Tom Discusses Tactical Strategy Against Ivory Coast Tomorrow

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Ahead of the tomorrow’s World Cup Qualifier against the Elephants of the Ivory Coast, the head coach of The Gambia senior national team, Tom Sainfeit, has said that his team needs to go back to the basic and how they have been playing to get a point against the side the annihilated Seychelles by 9-0.

Speaking at the press conference earlier today in Tanzania where the game will be played, the Belgian tactician said that his side will change its strategies compared to the one employed against Burundi where the scorpions lost.

“We need to go back to the basics, back to how we have started. Naturally, we have lost a lot of quality players. We need to change our strategy compared to our previous match. We need to find the right mentality in the squad,” the Belgian said in a press conference.

Tom highlighted that following the country’s dramatic qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations against Congo, there was an undue perception of Gambia as a football giant in Africa, influenced by the local media. He suggested that this perception may have affected the team’s performance against Burundi. However, he assured the press that in the upcoming match against the Ivory Coast Elephants, his team would adhere to its tactical approach, anticipating a challenging game.

“Tomorrow, it will be sticking to the tactical discipline; playing with the end heart, and I think we can have points — one or more against the Ivory Coast, but it won’t be easy,” he voiced.

Speaking to the media earlier last week before the game against Burundi, Coach Tom Sainfeit said that the team cannot afford to lose more than one match if the quest to qualify for the country’s first World Cup Senior qualification can be achieved.

With a surprising defeat against Burundi and the Ivory Coast’s overwhelming 9-0 victory over Seychelles, the Scorpions enter the upcoming game as clear underdogs, relying on their tactical prowess to challenge the formidable Elephants.

GFF weekend fixtures: Mouthwatering matchups in Brikama, Banjul

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GFF weekend fixtures: Mouthwatering matchups in Brikama, Banjul

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

Match Day Two of The Gambia Football Federation Division One resumes today with exciting matches as Fortune faces Bombada in the first West Coast derby in Brikama, as they seek to revive their title hopes. Meanwhile, BST Galaxy will travel to the capital to face Waa Banjul in what promises to be an intense match.

In the first week of the top-tier football league, thirteen goals were scored across four venues, setting a high bar for the upcoming week.

Today, at the Brikama Boxba mini stadium, the Petroleum Boys will aim to revive their title aspirations when they host Bombada in the first West Coast Region derby of the season. Both teams lost their first game and will be eager to win today’s match.

Elsewhere in Banjul, Waa Banjul will welcome BST Galaxy at the Banjul mini stadium. Both sides are going to this game after a nail-biting first game. Waa Banjul received a late goal against Brikama United in the first game to get a draw, while BST played a barren game against serial champions, Wallidan.

On Saturday, last year’s second-place finisher, Falcons will host Banjul United at the Serre Kunda East. The two sides have contrasting results going into the game. Falcons won their first game by a goal to zero, while Banjul United lost to Samger by a similar scoreline.

In Bakau on the same day, the Bakau giant killers, Steve Biko will redeem their first game misery when they host The Gambia Armed Forces, who also lost their opening match.

In another cracking game on Saturday, TMT will face Team Rhino in Banjul. Both teams won their opening game and are heading to the game backed by the motivation from the opening week.

On Sunday, Champions Real de Banjul will travel to Brikama to face Greater Tomorrow in a thrilling encounter. Both teams won their opening game, setting a space for a thrilling showdown.

Then at Yundum, Academy boys, Samger will jostle with Satayba boys, Brikama United. Samger stunned Banjul United in Banjul in week one and is in pole position to inflict misery on Brikama United who is playing away from Boxba for the first time this season.

The week’s game will be rounded up in Banjul on Sunday evening as Wallidan prepares to face Marimo Pakfood at the KG5 football mini-stadium.

“Bad Music Is Dangerous”: D. Jobz Blasts Artist Fula Gangster Over Sex Music Video Lyrics, Calls for His Arrest

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“Bad Music Is Dangerous”: D. Jobz Blasts Artist Fula Gangster Over Sex Music Video Lyrics, Calls for His Arrest

By: Dawda Baldeh

In the wake of the release of a trending sex music video by Fula Gangster, featuring a girl who goes by the stage name Star Girl, both rising artists have faced widespread criticism on social media. Many argue that such music is unnecessary in the country.

The video’s lyrics have sparked controversy, with some supporters claiming the artists haven’t done anything wrong, while the majority condemns the type of music they have produced.

Reacting to the viral video, Dembo Jobarteh, also known as D. Jobz, the Baddest Manager and Music Business Consultant, has condemned the artists. He has called on the Gambia Music Union and the police to take necessary action, even if it means arresting the artists. He described their song as a gross disrespect to sector players, the arts sector, and the country at large.

This recent music video collaboration is the first time these rising stars have worked together, but it’s not the first time Fula Gangster has released such controversial songs. Last year, he released a song titled “Chago,” meaning “Prostitute,” which was widely condemned despite acknowledging the artist’s talent.

Among those who condemned Fula Gangster last year was D. Jobz, who stated, “Fula Gangster needs to be stopped by relevant authorities (particularly the police), so that all his toxic crafts can be withheld from public use, and drastic measures taken against him and others like him.”

D. Jobz finds Fula Gangster’s recent music video with the upcoming star, Star Girl, obnoxious and potentially sacrilegious in a cultured society. He believes that the artist’s style, borrowed from a foreign land, is not fitting for The Gambia.

He expressed disappointment in the Music Union (MUSIGAM) for not taking proactive measures against the dangerous artist. D. Jobz insists that bad music is as dangerous as an intercontinental ballistic launcher, influencing children to mimic it without understanding its harmful nature.

To address this issue, D. Jobz suggests that society’s artists should be fair to their fans and consider the impact on children. He referenced Michael Jackson’s songs like “Heal the World” and “Thriller” as examples of impactful music with positive messages, urging artists like Fula Gangster to emulate such figures instead of promoting sexuality.

D. Jobz concluded by emphasizing the potential impending doom caused by bad music, especially the kind Fula Gangster produces, unless it is addressed and contained.

From Hollywood to Home: Babou Ceesay’s Journey, Vision, and Gambian Film Revolution

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From Hollywood to Home: Babou Ceesay’s Journey, Vision, and Gambian Film Revolution

By: Dawda Baldeh

Babou Ceesay, an internationally acclaimed Gambian movie actor, writer, and producer, recently shared his experiences and success stories in the film industry during an interview with The Fatu Network.

With over two decades of experience, Babou has collaborated with world-class actors, writers, producers, and directors. Now, he aims to impart his knowledge and expertise to aspiring movie actors, directors, writers, and producers in the Gambia.

In 2019, Babou returned to his homeland, and by 2022, he established a foundation with the mission of nurturing and supporting talent within the Gambian film industry.

He firmly believes in the immense potential of the Gambia. With the right coaching, support, and facilities, he envisions the country excelling and even surpassing Hollywood.

During the interview, Babou discussed the challenges he faced while breaking into the competitive industry and highlighted some of his successful projects.

His acting career spans two decades and encompasses theater, television, and film work on a global scale. He has contributed to Hollywood productions such as “The Best of Enemies,” “Into The Badlands,” and “Eye In The Sky.” Additionally, he has taken leading roles in various British TV shows, earning a BAFTA nomination for Leading Actor for his performance in the BBC drama “Damilola, Our Loved Boy.”

Through his foundation, Babou Ceesay aims to provide aspiring Gambian filmmakers with the necessary support, guidance, and resources to help them succeed in the industry.

His extensive experience and connections in the movie industry make him a valuable mentor for those pursuing their dreams in filmmaking.

Stay tuned to watch this insightful interview on The Fatu Network!

New thrilling U-15 tournament opens in Brikama

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New thrilling U-15 tournament opens in Brikama

Twenty teams are currently participating in a U-15 youth league tournament in Brikama, to empower grassroots football in the region.

The competition is organised by  Ballers4Life Sports Management, an umbrella body facilitating player transfers, trials, and promoting grassroots football initiatives. Local stakeholders such as BK West Football Foundation, Jarisu Talents and Brikama Sports Committee are partners in the initiative.

The tournament started with a thrilling 1-1 opener between BK West United and Jarisu Talents while Orange Stars lost to Brikama Gift by a 3-1 scoreline at the Box Bar mini-stadium the same day.

According to the organisers, twenty teams are pooled into two groups with four teams qualifying from each group into the quarter-finals.

“The objective is to scout talents for our international football partners, help the kids out of the streets, and discourage youngsters against irregular migration, drugs and substance use,” says Alieu Sowe, an official of B4L.

The group 2 encounter saw Bundas Kid Academy pick all 3 points against Bundung Central following a 3-nil victory while the Urban Stars against Stockholm game was called off.

Training of coaches

Before the tournament, a coaching course was facilitated by B4L-trained coaches from the West Coast Region by a development coach specialist from EINTRACHT Frankfurt, Ivan Stoyanov. The training was focused on tactics, performance and results in football.

“We had good discussions on coaching techniques such as how to coordinate good warm-up sessions, how to structure the whole training conducted with the technical things, the basics and how to boost the player’s self-confidence and help them transfer such confidence into the real league games are some things we took them through,” Stoyanov told the press.

Coaches learned new innovative skills required in a modern football approach to developing young talents in two-day engagements. One of the beneficiary coaches, Momodou Jarju, a CAF C-license Holder, says the practical approaches made the difference.

“We learned a lot, especially the practical aspect of it – how to groom young players into professional standards, the simple things we needed to take. I realised that there are simpler approaches to this than the way we have been doing it in the Gambia.

Cherno Barry, founder of BK West, says more capacity-building initiatives are underway to help more coaches and actors in sports.

What can the United Nations learn from Islam in conflict resolution?

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What can the United Nations learn from Islam in conflict resolution?

About the Author: Ali Fatty is a student at the International Ahmadiyya University of Theology and Scholastic Sciences in Ghana

One month ago, the world was thrust into a challenging and delicate state of affairs since the start of the war between Hamas and Israel. While it is reported that Hamas initiated the conflict with an air strike on Israel on the 7th of October, the subsequent actions taken by the Israeli government have been perceived as increasingly severe and disproportionate, resulting in the tragic loss of thousands of innocent Palestinian lives.

These unprecedented heartbreaking happenings have become a major concern for the world—as Israel continues its carpet bombing on the pretext of self-defence. For the past weeks, Israel has been bombing innocent Palestinians indiscriminately. Many people have raised their voices in condemning this act of Israel; furthermore, calling it unjust and a violation of international laws on war.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro commented on X formerly known as Twitter, in condemnation of Israel’s bombardments of Gaza. He wrote.

“It’s called Genocide, they do it to remove the Palestinian people from Gaza and take it over,” “The head of the state who carries out this genocide is a criminal against humanity,” and “Their allies cannot talk about democracy”.

It is argued that justice dictates that only the group which is involved in a war with Israel should be fought but not innocent civilians who have nothing to do with the war.

However, the Caliph and Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad in the Friday sermon of 27th October 2023, pointed out how it is unjust for Israel or any group to target civilians who are not directly involved in the conflict. His Holiness Vaa elucidated:

“Representatives of the Israeli government claim that Hamas has killed our innocents; hence, we will take revenge. This revenge has now gone beyond limits. The loss of Palestinian lives is four to five times greater than the loss of Israeli lives, which is reported. If their target, as they claim, is to eliminate Hamas, then why do they not directly combat them? Why are they targeting women, children, and the elderly? They have also deprived these people of water, food supplies, and medical care. All claims to human rights and the rules of warfare end when it comes to these governments.

Countless media outlets and political pundits have raised the concern that Israeli forces did not even spare refugee camps which are seen as safe havens for those fleeing from the war and that under international laws of war, i.e., the Geneva Convention they are not be attacked under no circumstances. Yet, a refugee camp in Gaza was recently bombarded with missiles claiming the lives of at least 50 people and injuring many more.

Moreover, reports have it that last month Israel was also accused of attacking a hospital in Gaza causing the death of more than 500 people. According to sources when the bombardment occurred, Israeli authorities were quick to start a blame game of pointing fingers at Hamas—claiming that they misfired a rocket which landed in the Palestinian hospital causing the tragic loss of lives. However, experts say that it is evident that Israel carried out the raid on the hospital.

According to a report by the UN, confirmed by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza since Israel began bombarding Palestine after the October 7th attack of Hamas, at least more than 10,500 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,324 children.

The general secretary of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres has informed reports at the UN that the enclave Gaza Strip is becoming a “graveyard for children”. Guterres said “We must act now to find a way out of this brutal, awful, agonising dead end of destruction…Gaza is becoming a graveyard for children. Hundreds of girls and boys are reportedly being killed or injured every day.”

Now that the war seems to be escalating all limits are beyond control. Several attempts have been made by individuals and organisations to broker peace for a ceasefire and humanitarian truce however, it still remains futile as Israel adamantly insists on not agreeing to expand its bombardment.

As organisations and statesmen fail in their truce efforts between the two states, it’s important to find solutions from other means even if it is from religious teachings. So, I tried to retrospect on the teachings of the Holy Prophet (saw) and Islam if both offer any solution to conflict resolution which if used by the international organisation today could be fruitful in bringing a halt to the unfortunate war between Israel and Hamas.

Islam 1400 years ago laid down the blueprint for stopping conflicts and disputes between people and nations. The holy Quran in chapter 49, verse 10 commands Muslims that when two parties are engaged in a war, peace should be brokered between them nevertheless, the party that insists on not accepting the truce, all parties are entreated to join and fight that party until it concurs to the peace pact on the table.

وَإِن طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا فَإِن بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَى فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي حَتَّى تَفِيءَ إِلَى أَمْرِ اللَّهِ فَإِن فَاءتْ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا بِالْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ

“And if two parties of believers fight against each other, make peace between them; then if after that one of them transgresses against the other, fight the party that transgresses until it returns to the command of Allah. Then if it returns, make peace between them with equity, and act justly. Very, Allah loves the Just.”

His Holiness Vaa succinctly explained this commandment of the Holy Quran during an address at the Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands National Parliament. His Holiness said:

“A golden principle for the establishment of peace is given in chapter 49, verse 10 of the Holy Qur’an, where it says that if there is a dispute between nations or groups, third parties should seek to mediate and to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

“In the event of an agreement, if either party unjustly seeks to subjugate the other and contravenes the negotiated settlement, then the other nations should unite together and use force if necessary to stop the aggressor. However, once the aggressive party withdraws, they should not be humiliated or unjustly restricted. Rather, they should be permitted to move forward as a free nation and a free society. This principle is of great significance in today’s world and in particular for the major powers and international organisations such as the United Nations, to act upon”.

The Holy Prophet (saw) has practically taught Muslims the principles of dispute resolution; he is reported to have said in a hadith that help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. A companion was prompted to ask that it is understandable to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor? The Holy Prophet (saw) replied ‘by preventing him from oppressing others.” (Sahih Khari 2444, book 46, hadith 5)

During the 7th annual Peace Symposium of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the UK, His Holiness Vaa explained this soothing teaching of the Holy Prophet (saw) in the most beautiful manner. His Holiness said:

“The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has taught us that to develop peace and to remove hatred from your heart a person must help both the oppressor and the oppressed. Hearing this, his Companions said that they could understand the principle of helping the oppressed, but how could they help the oppressor? The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him replied that you can help the oppressor by stopping him from acting cruelly so that he can be saved from the Wrath of God.

It is necessary, therefore, to take practical steps to stop cruelty, regardless of whether it is the mighty or the weak that are inflicting the cruelty. Peace will not be established merely by adopting UN Resolutions; practical steps must be taken. It is necessary to establish trust and build confidence and for this absolute equality must prevail. Differences between the rich and developed and the poor and the developing countries must be eliminated. All forms of veto powers should be removed, and the finer points of justice need to be identified. We need to be loyal to our covenants, our obligations and our status, and this loyalty can only occur when it is followed to the letter and spirit of the law; double standards should be eliminated.” (10)

In the contemporary world today if countries and international bodies at all levels act upon these golden teachings of Islam, many wars that seem to be difficult to stop would be stopped and the world would become a much better place to live for all mankind.

Tragic Boat Incident: The Ghetto Pen Sends Tributes to Victims’ Families

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Tragic Boat Incident: The Ghetto Pen Sends Tributes to Victims’ Families

By: Dawda Baldeh

The poem titled “Was Forced to Choose the Back Way” by Ebrima Jallow, also known as The Ghetto Pen, stands as a heartfelt tribute to the young lives tragically lost in a boat capsize while attempting to reach Spain by sea.

Jallow, a second-year law student and poet at the University of The Gambia, extends his condolences and solidarity to the grieving families.

The poem illuminates the driving forces behind such perilous journeys—nepotism, hardship, and the daily struggle for survival.

Jallow underscores that opting for the “back way,” a hazardous route, often stems from a lack of opportunities and a dim future in their home country.

He critiques the leadership and societal conditions perpetuating poverty and inequality, describing a culture where the poor become poorer and the rich become richer.

Jallow questions why he shouldn’t seek a better future, even if it means risking his life.

The poet acknowledges that life inherently involves risks, asserting that he would rather face the dangers of the journey than remain in a place where there is no hope for improvement.

He contrasts the economic disparities between his home country and Europe, expressing the allure of a brighter future abroad.

Jallow concludes his poem by dedicating it to the fallen youths, expressing his wish for them to find eternal peace. He also prays for guidance and solace for the grieving families during this challenging time.

In summary, the poem serves as a poignant reflection on the desperation, aspirations, and sacrifices made by those embarking on perilous journeys in search of a better life. It also sheds light on the underlying societal issues pushing individuals to take such risks.

Was Forced to Choose the Backway

It’s nepotism, hardship and sufferation day after day,
So one faithful day, I decided the BACK WAY,
Yes, the dark, horrible and deadly way,
Since, cold fish leaders are the ones captaining the ship,
I’ve no option, but to dodge them ship,
And chose to sail in the rubber boat,
Optimistic that, God willing, man will enter safely and unlock the poverty code,
Where poor poorer and rich richer is the culture,
Truth is there’s no bright future,
So why shouldn’t I seek for a greener pasture?
Yes, it’s risky,
But life is all about taking risk,
So you gotta open your door with your own key,
I will rather escape gunshots and chose to be a desert pedestrian,
Or even die in the Mediterranean,
Than to only listen to the beautiful stories narrated about the European,
Could you imagine D50 is equivalent to 1 Euro,
Surely, me in Europe is from zero to hero,
12 months savings will be my 1 hour earning,
Tips received is what I will spend on feeding and clothing,
Here, salary eamings shows that we’re sinking,
So it’s better to chose drowning,
Was forced to chose the BACKWAY, so I’m going.

Bombing of the Jabalia Refugee Camp in Gaza!

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Bombing of the Jabalia Refugee Camp in Gaza!

Opinion

By: Musa Bassadi Jawara

I condemn in the strongest terms the bombing of the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, on Tuesday, October 31, by IDF Air Force in connivance with the invading ground troops. The Israeli bombardment of the largest refugee camp in Gaza resulted in dozens of civilians being mowed down and the majority of them children. The intransigence, pernicious and genocidal tendencies of Israel in this war have reached apocalyptic proportions.

According to Robert Einstein, “The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything. “

Mohammed Bin Salman, the de factor ruler of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the custodian of the holy mosques of Macca and Medina, Shame on you! The rulers of the Muslim world, shame on you!

The Palestinian people are neglected, abandoned, and sacrificed in the name of economic gains and geopolitical expediency. Palestinian children are being slaughtered and dismembered in glaring daylight, live in front of our eyes on television.

Prime Minister Netanyahu acclaimed, the Bible says “there is time for peace and time for war,” and he proclaimed, “time for war”! Muslims all across the world including Musa Basad, say, Netanyahu, bring it on.

The United States, European Union and major global powers imposed devastating sanctions on Russia after invading Ukraine! Why Israel is not being sanctioned along with its complicit allies in crime, baffled me, considerably!

 

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Fatu Network’s editorial stance.

Opinion/Entertainment: GamMusic and why it’s not consumed out of The Senegambia region!

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Opinion/Entertainment: GamMusic and why it’s not consumed out of The Senegambia region!

Opinion/Entertainment

By: Ousainou Njie, a Germany-based Gambian

As a Gambian and music listener, call me a ‘Melo Man’ maybe. I have had the experience of listening to a lot of music from musicians from Africa and many other parts of the world not to mention ‘GamMusic’. I have been an Art Teacher for many years and have taught in many schools within Kombo eg. St. Therese’s, LK, Former Charles Jow, ABC etc and the West Coast: Presentation of Mary, Kunta Kinteh, Jamisa, Kabafita etc.

Thus, I have had many lessons with my students back in the day in which we had discussed issues regarding Gambian Music in relation to Performing Art, Tradition and Culture referencing of course to the Gambian culture. One of my student’s frequent questions then included “Why Gambian Music remained local”?

Therefore, the article is geared towards answering the above question by making reference in recollection of some of the answers I gave to my students back in the day and their thoughtful suggestions as well. GamMusic has been struggling and continues to struggle out of the corridors of the Senegambian region.

Here we go, the reasons for the above are numerous some of which solutions also appear to be out of reach due to economic reasons, population-related issues etc. Example, GamMusic has been struggling with ‘identity’ for so long. By identity, I mean to be identified as a musical genre, tune or rhythm that is particular to The Gambia like ‘Niger’ sound of Nigeria, Rumba of the Congolese, Reggae of Jamaica and Hip hop/RnB/Pop music of The United States. There is strong evidence that Rap Music originated in Africa, and I have no doubts of knowing the importance of praise-singing of the griots (Geuwel/Jallo) in the African culture and heritage. No wonder Senegal at one point was compared to USA in terms of Rap Music in Africa. If the most popular music in the world is pop, the best-selling Rap artists like Shawn Corey Carter (Jay-Z), Eminem, Drake and Kanye West are all US-based artists and Rap in English/slang or otherwise. So, one may wonder why there are better rappers in Senegal than in the Gambia eg. Dipdoundougis, Ahlou Brick, Fata and Ngaka to name a few. Despite The Gambia being an “English speaking”/former British colony. In my opinion, the reason for the above is the question of language. For any music to excel, firstly, it must be consumed by the people from whom it originated who can help push it outside to the wider world.

GamMusic is highly consumed in The Gambia though but there is still a problem of it reaching the outside world. This is because Gambian artists are limiting their scope within themselves a lot, competing more among themselves for local fan base instead of opting for genres and collabs with international artists in Africa and the wider world.

It’s high time for Gambian artists to look at what other international African artists are doing differently so that they too can learn from them. Lest I forget, coming back to why Senegal has better rappers even though The Gambia is a so-called British colony, Senegal rappers speak their mother tongue language (Wolof) better than Gambian rappers speak theirs. This might be subjective though but it’s a fact. Thus, Gambian rappers must improve on local language skills so as to put better reams on some hard-core rhythms or Rap-Mbalax which of course was born within the Senegambia region.

I have mentioned that GamMusic lacks identity because various artists have failed to adopt a particular musical genre/rhythm that will sound unique to the smiling Coast of Africa. If you can remember very well, there was the “Smiling Coast Rhythm” and also “Da Ladies Rhythm” (by Ghetto Boy Music) some twelve to fourteen years ago. These two rhythms were very typical of Gambian Music with absolute originality and could have been developed to get that ‘identity’ that GamMusic continues to lack today. The “Smiling Coast Rhythm” was a melodious dancehall genre and “Da Ladies Rhythm” was a unique mix of melodious mbalax-rap sounds both of which had compilations featuring several Gambian artists in those days eg Cess Ngom, Nova, Nancy Nance and several others. These genres or musical tunes were a great stepping stone to mount an imprint of a type of sound that was almost UNIQUE to The Gambia. But sadly, along the way for one reason or another, the Gambian artists discontinued the push that started to build that musical identity that would have probably today competed with the “Niger Sound” of Nigeria or the Rhumba of the Congos. That led again to the continuation of copying musical genres of Jamaica (Reggae) or putting lyrics on the “Niger/afro sounds” which are already identified with other countries.

Finally, to be more recent, Gambian music fans should not allow themselves to be dragged into fruitless arguments here and there because of pronouncements made by one artist or another. Beef or beefing is part of the music industry, but it should be on the basis of talent and skills manifestation for the betterment of the artist and the industry. For example, recently in Senegal, there was a beefing/clash between Ngaka Blendè and Ahlou Brick, but the artists took the battle to their YouTube channels. They would each drop videos within 24 hours to respond to one another in “CLASH”. These videos will gather a million views within 24 hours thus getting them royalty or pay from YouTube. That type of “Clash/Beef is what is more beneficial to the artist and their fans. The GamMusic fans must stop the cheap popularity they are availing to some artists making them a bit full of themselves as local champions and thus doing very little to push their music out of Cassamance and Guinea. If Gambian music remained as it is, it would continue to struggle forever because it has no direction at the moment due to a lack of “identity”.

T-Smallz ST comments spark GamMusic controversy

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T-Smallz ST comments spark GamMusic controversy

By: Muhammed Lamin Drammeh

The Gambian music industry has been rocked by controversy following T Smallz Suso’s allegations that ST Brikama Boyo has been running away from him after all the help he had given him in the past. The accusations have led to a heated debate, with artist Kila Ace and ST’s former manager, Dembo Jorbateh, also getting involved in the situation. The country’s music lovers are on edge as they wait to see how the situation unfolds.

During an interview with Argies Corner, T Smallz Suso, who goes by the stage name Katato, claimed that he did a lot for ST, a multi-award-winning artist. However, according to him, ST is now avoiding him for reasons he cannot fathom. This statement sparked a backlash on social media, with some accusing Smallz of seeking attention. Later on, Smallz released a song called “Criminal,” in which he called out ST.

“You have to run away from me, what have you done to me? This industry is dark, just like Satan,” he asked in his lyrics.

During a speech at Argies Corner, Dembo Jobarteh, the former manager of ST who goes by the name of the Baddest Manager, supported Smallz’s remarks about ST. He also shared some similar experiences he had while working with the Brikama-based artist but did not mention anything negative that the artist did to him.

D Jobz didn’t mention why he parted ways with the talented rapper but narrated the good things he did for ST and how fans are turning a blind eye to that. He argued that ST is like any other artist despite his successes in the industry.

Ali Cham, known as Killa Ace, a rapper turned activist, came in defence of T Smallz over what he narrated about ST. Killa Ace further described ST as a coward who hides behind his fans to go out on critics.

“Only a coward artist hides behind his fans, manipulating them to be disrespectful towards critics.

“T Smalls didn’t say anything about ST in that interview that warrants for him to be disrespected like this. We need to grow up and mature as an audience. Music fans act like political party surrogates and artists act like party leaders. No artist out here is untouchable.

“Smallz keep your head up, King, you are a legend. Keep up the consistency, keep speaking your mind and don’t mind these extremist idol worshipers,” he posted on his timeline.

Ebrima Sey, also called Big Sey as his stage name, said lots of these artists are bullying ST, noting that nobody had ever shown proof that ST did bad things to them. He added that he has never seen or heard ST talk badly about other artists, but it has always been other artists talking badly about ST.

In the conversation at Argies Coner, he argued that ST’s former manager, Dembo Jorbateh has personal issues with the star. Thus, he will not accept Dembo saying he’s neutral in the whole affair.

During an episode of Argies Corner, the host Agie asked T Smallz Suso about his relationship with ST, which sparked the controversy. Many ST supporters were unhappy with Smallz’s response, leading to a strong reaction from fans. In response, T Smallz returned to his studio and recorded a song calling out ST.

Despite the controversy, neither ST nor his management has come out to say something about the issue.

The Rise of a Wonder Kid

Seringe Touray
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The Rise of a Wonder Kid

By: Alagie Cherno Suwareh

Bubacarr Kebbeh, also known as “Anderson” or more commonly referred to as Salgado, is a midfield talent born in Brufut. He currently plays for Diamond Boys in the ongoing Brikama Nawettan and serves as the team captain for Brikama’s Zonal team in the ongoing West Coast Region Zonal Football competition.

The wonder-boy, Bubacarr Kebbeh, showcases his tricky skills, renowned for brilliant set pieces, amazing one-on-one take-ons, and killer passes. His exceptional performance has inspired his Nawettan team, Diamond Boys, with five goals, two magical assists, and the creation of nine big chances in just five games in the ongoing Brikama Nawettan. This display led the Brikama Zonal team to select him without hesitation to represent the community in the ongoing West Coast Region Zonal Football competition.

Adama Sabally, also known as Nesta and currently the team coach at Brikama Zonal team, expressed, “Bubacarr Kebbeh is a rare talent, and I rely on him a lot as he is my team captain.” Coach Adama, a former football player for Brikama Utd, Real De Banjul, and LISCR FC in the Liberia First Division League, commended Kebbeh’s abilities.

Speaking to his manager, Alagie Cherno Suwareh, he described Bubacarr Kebbeh as a football genius. “It is difficult to believe that such a young player rising through local facilities possesses such magical skills. I am not surprised that many clubs have already shown interest,” he added. Suwareh noted that Kebbeh is a player that every football fanatic will enjoy watching play.

The young sensation made his debut in 2017, leading his Nawettan team to win the league. He finished as the best player, youngest best player, and the top scorer. He then represented his community in the zonal football, playing a lone match that earned him a position in Lions of Accra, a Ghanaian First Division team. He won the league title with them before returning home after the contract ended due to a knee injury. However, after his recovery, Bubacarr Kebbeh continued to deliver top-class balling skills in the Nawettan, where everything started.

Since his childhood, rising from academy tournaments with Gilkock Football Academy, Brufut branch; Orlando Boys in Brikama; Lions of Accra in Accra, Ghana, and attending several trials abroad while still a player in Accra, Ghana, the young, magical, multi-talented midfielder is expected to sign a new contract as teams from home and abroad are showing interest in signing him.

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