Mr. Adama Barrow, the President of the Republic of The Gambia has met local and international journalist at a press conference held at the Office of the President in Fajara on Thursday, July 27.

The Gambian leader answered tons of questions on governance, the economy, human rights, youth unemployment, development blueprint and constitutional reform among other important issues.

“Political campaign and governance are not the same. When you take over a government you realize it is full of challenges,” President Adama Barrow said.

President Barrow called on the Gambian people to exercise patience as his government will surely deliver on the promises made during his campaign that brought about the downfall of the former president who ruled the country with an iron fist for the past 22 years.

“We will get there,” he added.

Barrow told journalist about the plans of his government to provide a development blueprint which is expected to be complete in the next two weeks as the Secretary General and Head of the Civil Service is compiling the papers.

The Gambian leader said his government’s top priorities is to revive the economy and the energy sector. He asserted that the economy was almost empty at the time of assuming office which he said has made the Finance Minister the busiest minister in the cabinet doing everything possible to rebuild the economy. He also talked about the energy sector, saying they have a roadmap for NAWEC, a short and medium term plan to stabilize things. He added that the agreement with Senegal is part of the short term plan.

He talked about the country’s petroleum particularly the oil mining project formerly called by the former president as the ‘ALHAMDULILAH PROJECT’. He claimed that the prospects are high as bigger companies are bidding for contracts. He promised that the project will be very transparent and there will be accountability.

President Barrow said his government is planning to set up more commissions including the establishment of the Lands Commission to look into the the cases of communities and individuals whose lands were forcefully taken.

The president was further questioned about a post on his official Facebook page that threatened to charge journalist with sedition but the president does not give a direct answer as to whether he was aware or responsible of the said post. He only talked about his government’s commitment to bring in good media laws. He promised his government will be very media friendly which he said is the reason why he appointed a senior journalist and activist in the person of Demba A. Jawo as the Minister of Information, Communication and Infrastructure.

“A healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” he interjected.

He talked about the plans of his government to provide health services as they are doing everything possible to reform the country’s health sector.

President Barrow told journalist that the Bamba Tenda/Yelli Tenda bridge project is at an advanced stage. He disclosed that efforts are on the way to bridge Banjul/Barra river. He also promised to bring back a better river transport like in the past.

Meanwhile, the president said his government has not signed any agreement with European countries to deport the Gambian nationals.

President Adama Barrow has said yesterday he is leaving his options open as to whether he will resign after three years as provided for in the agreement signed by the Coalition.

“It will depend on what the people want. Constitutionally the mandate is five years and we agreed on three years. We feel that we have to come together and compromise our principles to make sure we dislodge a dictator. It was just parties that came together. The Gambian people are bigger than the parties,” he said.

When asked to say specifically if he would resign after three years, the president said: “It is the Gambian people who will decide. I am not saying I am going to violate the agreement but if the Gambian people say… go after 3 years, I will go”.

Below is a short excerpt of the interview:

How about if they say contest again after 5 years?
It is the Gambian people now.

How about if they say contest for the second term?
It is the Gambian people now.

So that means Adama can contest elections for two terms?
That is left to the Gambian people.

Source: Standard Newspaper

The National Assembly member for Banjul South, Fatoumatta Njie has questioned the integrity of Bai Mass Saine, a member of the newly formed Commission of Inquiry into former President Jammeh’s assets.

The NAM argued the fact that Saine, being the son of former NIA boss Captain Lamin Saine who was Jammeh’s associate, could compromise his impartiality in the commission.

His father Captain Lamin K Saine was also nominated into parliament by former President Yahya Jammeh following the 2012 parliamentary election before serving as Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency from 2012 to 2013. He was sacked as the DG of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on Monday, 9th December, 2013.

The NAM argued that with such a deep connection of his father with the former regime, Commissioner Saine’s judgment could be clouded.

However, in response to the NAM’s misgivings, the Minister of Justice Aboubacarr Tambadou, said: “On membership of Bai Mass Saine, I personally believe that no son or daughter should be made to pay for the sins committed by their parents if at all there are sins at the first place.

“We need to be very careful here, on how we judge people. Bai Mass Saine is a very mature person and a qualified banker with an impeccable integrity. He should be judged on his character alone and not by those of his family members.”

He said it is unfair to cast doubt on Saine’s credibility and integrity on alleged sins of his family.
“Allow me to emphasise that this Commission of Inquiry is a fact-finding one and its powers are only limited to making recommendations,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, the parliamentarians passed and adopted a whopping D900, 000 remunerations for the three commissioners tasked to lift the lid on former President Jammeh’s assets in the next three months.

Moving the motion before the NAM’S yesterday the Minister of Justice said the establishment of the said commission was necessitated by the receipt of preliminary reports from; inter alia, the Central Bank of the Gambia, Gamtel, GNPC, NAWEC, SSHFC, and other public institutions which indicate that substantial funds were, either directly or indirectly withdrawn.

Source: Standard Newspaper

Members of the National Assembly yesterday passed and amended Section 62 of the 1997 Constitution to revise the compulsory retirement age of a judge of a superior Court and removed the controversial upper age-limit for holding presidential office and connected matters.

The 1997 Constitution placed an age limit on qualification for presidency in the country at 65, as well as the appointment of vice president, which has similar qualifications as president.
Critics of former president Jammeh said he had relied on this section to disqualify most of his opponents who might be interested in contesting election against him.

Moving the motion before the members of National Assembly the Minister of Justice Aboubacarr Tambadou said the bill also seeks to extend the age at which a judge of superior court should vacate office.
He added that the amendment of the bill will facilitate and encourage qualified, competent and experienced Gambians to be appointed as judges of the superior Courts and candidates to be elected to the political office of the president.

The Minority Leader and NAM for Niamina Dankunku Hon Samba Jallow, in seconding the motion, said the age limit should not have been in the constitution in the first place.
The changes would come as a relief to the Barrow administration whose chosen Vice President Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang is believed to be over 65 and could technically be called vice president to avoid the legal complications forcing the government to coin the phrase Vice President Overseer when referring to her role at state house.

The current foreign minister and leader of the United Democratic Party would have been faced with a legal bottleneck were he to aspire to contest the election of last December.
As fate would have it though he was sent to prison in April, it prompted his party to select a younger Adama Barrow as presidential candidate who later won the election under a coalition ticket.

Many National Assembly members welcome the amendment, saying the section was discriminatory and has no place in the country’s statute book.

Source: Standard Newspaper

Honourable Muhammed Magassy, the National Assembly Member for Base has said that he is the only parliamentarian who cannot be sacked by any party leader for expressing his mind in the National Assembly.

The honourable member for Basse made these statements in his intervention on the Amendment Bill of the presidential age limit presented by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice at the National Assembly in Banjul.

“I am the only one in this National Assembly who is free to speak my mind without worrying about anybody sacking me from the parliament because section 91 D (1) cannot be applied on me,” Hon. Muhammad Magassy said.

Honourable Magassy called for the amendment of section 91 D (1) of the constitution which empowered political party leaders to sack National Assembly Members to loose their membership from the party that brought them to the parliament, saying it is the electorates who voted members of parliament not political parties.

“This is not something that should be encourage in the new Gambia,” he asserted.

Magassy said this will make the honorable members perform by allowing them to speak their minds on the interest of their people even if it is against their party interest.

Honourable Alhagie S. Darboe, the National Assembly Member for Brikama North commended the amendment of the age limit, saying the move taken is long overdue. He said that was what the then opposition fought to change. He added that the lower age should be also consider like the upper age for equal treatment without discriminating the lower age people who want to contest.

“When the age limit is amended the term limit should also be introduced,” Hon. Alhagie S Darboe pointed out.

The Brikama North Parliamentarian called for a two 5 year term limit for the President.

Meanwhile, several interventions were made by honorable members from various constituencies.

The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Amadou Sanneh has addressed the development partners forum on the Gambia’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2018–2021 at Kairaba Beach Hotel.

The Finance Minister said the country has reached a critical point in the preparation of the National Development Plan with the recent completion of the revised draft.

“As you all know, the National Development Plan is the vehicle through which we seek to define the strategies and actions to pursue to address the host of economic and social challenges that we have inherited after 22 years of poor political and economic governance under the last regime,” Finance Minister Amadou Sanneh said.

He added: “It will set the template to guide us as we seek to deliver on our promises of good governance, accountability and a revitalized and transformed economy to our citizens.”

Minister Sanneh said in preparing the National Development Plan, they have followed a very participatory and inclusive process. He said they have actively solicited the input of different development partners, civil society, community organisations and, more broadly, citizens. He also noted that they have taken due account of the Coalition Manifesto and the development priorities agreed by Cabinet and reflected in the compact from the cabinet retreat.

“I am both hopeful and proud that this document is richer and very relevant to the needs and aspirations of the New Gambia,” he interjected.

The Finance Minister identified eight strategic priority areas to focus on delivering on their goals which includes:

Governance, Human Rights and Security Sector Reform,

Macroeconomic Stabilization and Economic Management

Modernized Agriculture, Agribusiness and Fisheries

Human Capital– Health, Education, and Social Protection

Infrastructure and Energy

Tourism and Culture

Youth Empowerment and Development

Private Sector Development and Trade

Minister Sanneh further stated that they have ensured that the new National Development Plan is focus squarely on achieving results.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister thanked in particular the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for immense technical and financial support provided during the process.

Finally the president laid out his agenda before the parliament six months after taking office! While long overdue, yet it is necessary. However, the State f the Nation address is large on aims and ambitions but limited on targets and specifics. It did not show in any significant way that we are indeed on the path to system change. The speech mainly reported what has happened so far. And apart from the commission of enquiry and the panel to investigate past injustices, the rest of it merely reported on the usual operations of a government.

Usually in such speeches, the Secretary General asks ministries, departments and agencies to submit reports on their activities that go to make up the speech of the president. It is clear that this was what took place again hence one can see how various sectors reported on activities which are actually ongoing such as the 950 pit latrines built or distribution of vegetable seeds to farmers among others. These are actually ongoing activities.

This speech should indeed be more than that. It should have been huge on the specifics and targets in terms of effecting actual system change and progress. In order words, this speech should have focused more on the country’s strategic needs and the policy options to effect system change. Barrow must understand that he has until 2019 to deliver. He has inherited a broken statecraft that must be reconstructed. Hence strategy, specificity and targeting are critical.

For that matter the most significant part of the speech to me came under the section ‘Administration and Civil Service. ‘ The president said he “has tasked the Personnel Management Office to conduct a comprehensive nationwide staff audit for the entire civil service. This began on the 27th of March 2017.” This, to me is when I truly see policy and system change taking place. This is the very kind of strategy we expect in each and every sector if we are to ensure true system change and progress.
But beyond this, the civil service also needs a purely merit and results-based management system to avoid going back to the old attitudes. There must be a performance appraisal system and all civil servants must undergo the process to ensure performance and results and also determine promotions, trainings and other incentives. Without such actions, we cannot determine if indeed the reforming of the government machinery that he mentioned will truly happen.

Under Justice and Judiciary, we saw once again Barrow giving us feedback. But justice delivery is more than releasing prisoners and setting up commissions of enquiry? We need more information on how these criminal proceedings will unfold especially given the challenges with the NIA case. Apart from this case, numerous acts of violations and corruption of the former regime are in waiting to be addressed. How is Barrow going to deal with them? What about the victims that Barrow has not even met yet as a group? Is there any form of compensation for victims?

Not much on institutional reforms has been mentioned under the Information and Communications section. It is indeed welcoming that anti-media laws will be repealed and some media houses re-opened. But our media houses are beset by high taxes and high cost of input. There are no subsidies or subvention provided to them. Thus apart from the political repression of the past, the economic challenges the media face is the reason for the lack of an efficient and vibrant media environment. Incentives within media houses are hopelessly poor. Thus we need the government to bear these in mind and take actions to address to support the media. For that matter the president and his Minister of Information would do well to commission a study on the state of affairs within the media.

The issue of ICT was not mentioned at all, yet this is a major driver of the economy and change in our society. What is Barrow’s government going to do to ensure that there is widespread availability, affordability and use of quality Internet service? It is obvious that ICT promotes efficiency, professionalism and transparency in both the public and private sectors.

On Energy, the president said he signed an agreement for a new 60mw power plant. But he did not say with who and when this plant will be built and start operation. He also mentioned energy coming from Senegal, but the nature of this arrangement is not disclosed. He said it is short term but how long or short is this short-term measure? How will the two countries connect the power lines? Hence there is need for more information here as to the actualization of these initiatives.
But what really is the problem with our energy? We need the government to speak to that. As a new government, what do they know about our electricity problem? Is it about production or distribution or some other capacity issue such as technical competence? Secondly what about renewable energy? The Gambia has enough sunlight and wind to power our homes and industries. What is Barrow’s government thinking in this area?

On Petroleum, the president gave a very good statement that he will be transparent about issues there. He mentioned that there is exploration and research going on currently. But what are these exploration and research about? Where in the country is exploration taking place and by which company? What have they found so far? I think we need more information on this matter than what has been given to us. And since we are talking about petroleum, has Barrow considered that oil can be both a blessing and curse? For that matter, do we have an idea or plan as to how to manage our oil money when it starts flowing?

On the issue of Trade, there was no mention of small-scale businesses while the overall macroeconomic issues for the private sector have not been touched – taxes, interest rates, cheaper inputs. While he spoke about electricity, but he did not exactly speak to the specifics in terms when the power plant will start delivery or the Senegal outlet will start work. Will costs of electricity reduce or not?

On financial matters, the president spoke of the ‘Accelerated National Response Plan’ but did not give the basic details, terms and targets of this plan? It must be noted that taking loans must be done with caution especially if such loans are not directly linked to productivity and income generation. We saw how APRC lived on loans and taxes, which have led to our deplorable situation. Hence the president should speak to the need for setting a ceiling for loans in order not to overly indebt the country. We also need to stop or reduce government borrowing which was beyond control under APRC. Yet these issues have not been addressed by the president.

On the issue of the youth, the president talked about returnees from Libya, but exactly what interventions are going on here and where? Again the youth sector is one place where the government needs to conduct an assessment to identify the issues, concerns and challenges confronting this sector. For example, apart from the existing youth programs by the NYC and the issue of the returnees, what concrete activities are directed at youths – such as education, skills, jobs among others? What or how much is government putting into GTTI, PAS, NYSS, NEDI and similar youth institutions? Secondly most youths are involved in small and medium scale enterprises. What is the plan for them in terms of access to credit, protection and other forms of support to make them grow? The president did not mention this.

On Agriculture, the president did not show that there is a shift from the usual approach since independence. Supplying seeds and fertilizer to these poor farmers is not enough. What about facilities such as transportation, storage and processing of agricultural produce? Are we not thinking of creating national farms corporation to engage in large-scale cultivation of all kinds of cereals, fruits, crops and horticulture as well as animal husbandry, poultry and fisheries? We used to have a vibrant Gambia Cooperative Union as well as GPMB and even NTC, which were all wrecked. But these are necessary and useful institutions for our farmers and development. Has Barrow and his government thought of these issues and how to re-activate them?

On Fisheries, Barrow spoke of efforts to review the 2008 fisheries regulations. But specifically what are these amendments about? Are we going to see the setting up of a national fisheries company, or more tools provided to fisherfolks including cold storage facilities, transportation and better equipped fish markets so that fresh fish is available to all throughout the country. Are we going to see processing and packaging of our fish for export? These are the things that will generate employment and increase revenue for both the individual and government. What about the Golden Lead issue in Gunjur and foreign fishing in our waters?

On Water and Sanitation, I am saddened that in 2017 the Gambia is still talking about constructing pit latrines for our people. Pit latrines must be abandoned altogether and the government must introduce flush toilets. Pit latrines are not hygienic at all. We must take steps to introduce our people to modern facilities and more hygienic ways of living.

As usual most of the issues mentioned under Health have been ongoing activities under existing projects. We need to hear of the specific issues and challenges within the health delivery system and how to improve. There is gross shortage of personnel, drugs and equipment in our public health facilities and the entire health delivery system is in shambles. What is the difference that we are going to see from now? There is lot for the president to talk about health yet very limited information was shared.

Under Education, the entire focus is on infrastructural issues. What about the content and methodology of learning and teaching given the abysmal underperformance in our schools. The quality of education is poor and falling in this country and that means the future of the country is bleak. What is this government doing to review the entire education system as well as the health delivery system? Merely receiving loans and grants to build structures is not the solution. The working conditions of teachers and health workers are deplorable while processes and technical competences are major challenges. These are the fundamental issues that have not been addressed by the president.

The president reported that he has appointed five new governors and spoke well about depoliticizing regional administration. But what the president did not speak to is the local governance system itself. That is, we need to implement the Local Government Act in full. The politicizing of the local government system is because the local government law has been disregarded. Hence there is need to bring back the law and then review the local government system itself in order to empower area and city councils to play their role more effectively and efficiently as per the law. Our local government structures have severe capacity challenges because they have always been severely abused and misused by the central government itself. Hence there is need for a major review of the system in order to make them more efficient and responsive to the needs of locals. The Bakoteh dumpsite within the wider poor cleansing services within KMC and BCC alone clearly speak to the need for system change in local governance.

In talking about all of these issues, there is one indispensable and instrumental natural resource that is constantly ignored in Gambia’s policy and development discourse. That is the River Gambia. This river is probably the most instrumental resource ever in the Gambia – for agriculture, education, health, tourism, transportation, food, commerce, entertainment and all sorts of livelihoods. What are we using the river for? For decades, wharfs have been built in villages and towns along the river yet they lie idle. What is Barrow and his government thinking about the River Gambia?

Finally, Barrow said his immediate priority is to fix the energy problem and the economy and all its attendant issues as well as introduce legal, constitutional and institutional reform. Yet he has not told us when we will have a new constitution, which is urgent and necessary. The constitution is the basic law of the land and the current one is just bad. Thus the need for a new constitution must be a top priority. I expected that he would tell us about the composition of a constitutional review commission and a timeline as to when they will finish their work.

Overall the president’s speech was large on projects and activities that are hugely focused on the country’s immediate needs. He did well to highlight noble values of transparency and accountability that seek to ensure that our freedoms and the democratic dispensation continue to flourish. While these are commendable ideals, however the speech was low on policy that is directed at addressing our strategic needs and ensure system change.

God Bless The Gambia

Chinese products now have an unhindered access to the Gambian market with the free trade agreement signed by the governments in Banjul and Beijing.

“I am proud to announce that my Minister of Trade has since signed a letter of agreement with China for duty free trade between our two nations,” President Adama Barrow said yesterday at his maiden state opening of the National Assembly.

“This will remove the need for costly trans-shipment of Gambian exports to China through a third country,” he said. “It will also make our goods more competitive, and boost our export potential to the world’s largest market.”

The Gambia National Assembly had ratified the World Trade Organisation trade facilitation agreement.

The Gambian leader, himself a businessman, said this agreement would make The Gambia a more attractive export destination for its trading partners.

He said Gambians’ exercising of their democratic right at the December 2016 presidential election “ushered in a new Gambia that is more open to the world”.

“We now have a country that will benefit from greater openness through international trade and tourism,” Barrow said.

“Since my inauguration, it is clear that the world appreciates The Gambia and wants to engage with us. We have already seen an increase in the volume of cargo at the port of Banjul as well as a rise in vehicular traffic using the ferry services,” he said.

“Furthermore, there has been a clear boost in the flock of new investors exploring opportunities in our country.”

A strategic partner

The Gambian leader said with the coming of the new government, relations between The Gambia and Senegal have been transformed positively.

Barrow said Banjul and Dakar now meet as strategic partners who recognise the mutual benefit of closer cooperation.

“Within the first 100 days of our period in office, our countries signed several key agreements on defence and security, tourism, fisheries and consular assistance,” he said.

“As a small economy, The Gambia has much to gain from more efficient trade across our borders with Senegal and beyond.”

2017 and beyond

The Gambian leader also said the government has got a “lot to do in 2017 and beyond and as “I have always said, this is going to be a government of action”.

“Our immediate priority is to fix the continuous energy problem as well as the broken economy, unify the nation, improve health and agricultural sub-sectors, end the country’s isolation and introduce robust institutional, electoral and constitutional reforms in line with our new democratic principles that will respond to the realities of our time,” President Barrow said.

“This has to be done in tandem with reforms in the Civil Service and security sector as well as State Owned Enterprises.”

Justice

While the government has restored key democratic institutions, the pursuit of justice remains a high priority for the Barrow-government.

“Indeed, we still have a lot to do despite the progress made so far,” the president said.

Over 500 prisoners have been pardoned as part of the reform the prisons reform project which includes plans to decongest the prisons by releasing political and other deserving reformed prisoners.

Barrow paid tribute to “the gallant Armed Forces”, who he said, have been receptive to the normalisation of their role in the state, and have conducted themselves with maximum professionalism.

“To ensure that our military remain effective and professional, we plan to set up an infantry centre and school, as well as a military academy to train our officers and other personnel in all aspects of military science,” he said.

Source: The Point Newspaper

Gambian business tycoon Amadou Samba has dismissed reports in social media that he was arrested in Dakar.

“If I was arrested would I have been able to talk with you? The report was malicious and has no iota of truth,” Mr Samba said.

This allegation was put out by the social media that Samba was dining with Zineb Jammeh together with Samuel Sarr, former Senegalese Minister of Energy (during Abdoulaye Wade’s regime) in Dakar.

Mr Samba further told The Point’s reporter to ask the Senegalese authorities if Zineb Jammeh was in Dakar, saying the report on the issue “is not true”.

Source: The Point Newspaper

Unimpeachable sources close to Senegalese intelligence and the Interpol office in Dakar have refuted statements on the social media that former first lady Zineb Jammeh was in Dakar and held meetings with Gambian businessmen Amadou Samba and Samuel Sarr.

The highly ranked source who asked for anonymity said: “This story is completely false. In fact, our records show that she has not been to Senegal for at least two years. If she steps her feet in Senegal, I’d be one of the first to know. This is not true at all. There are no records at any of our border entry ports of Zineb Jammeh entering Senegal. Period. We have informed the Interpol office in Banjul. You can confirm from them.”

Earlier yesterday, Sidi Sanneh, a former Jammeh minister who turned arch opponent after his sacking, broke news on his blog that the Senegalese authorities had arrested both Mr Samba and Mr Sarr.

However, when contacted on their phones in Dakar, both men laughed off the report. Mr Samba said the news was “incredulous” while Mr Sarr said: “I am in my office right now as I am speaking to you. This whole thing is all untrue. In fact, what they are doing is quite dangerous. They are intimating that the Senegalese authorities are failing in their job…which is not the case at all.”

Officers at the Gambia’s State Intelligence Services told The Standard last evening that they do not have any information about Lady Zineb’s presence in Dakar.
Spokesman Inspector Conta said the Gambian police are not aware of the story and said he would contact the Banjul Interpol office, however did not return to us by the time we went to press.

The story about Lady Zineb’s presence in Dakar and purported meeting with Messrs Samba and Sarr was first reported by Sidi Sanneh and quickly went viral. It was picked up by papers in Senegal and The Gambia.

Reacting to the developments, a social commentator queried to The Standard last night: “Why is Sidi Sanneh… a man of his age and standing in our society, writing such unfounded things. This is the story that never was. It is sad and very troubling!”

Source: Standard Newspaper

People who are accused of committing crimes under President Yahya Jammeh will be held accountable, Interior minister Mai Ahmed Fatty assured the families of victims of the Jammeh regime recently.

The minister was addressing the families of the victims and activists who converged at Kairaba Beach Hotel for a symposium.

“There will be transitional justice but there are incredulous offences that will go to court. At the Ministry of Interior, we believe transitional justice is important but judicial justice where people are tried and put behind bars for good is also key and something we cannot forget about,” Minister Fatty said.

“We will continue to investigate, notwithstanding the transitional justice programme… we will continue to investigate mass graves and we will continue our forensic examinations and we will need your support.”

Minister Fatty said they have not stopped investigations but they have halted exhuming people because of the inadequate forensic experts and equipment to protect the integrity of the evidences.
He said it is in that light that they have “just signed an agreement in order to create a forensic centre in this country at no cost to Gambia government”.

“I want to tell you something, for those who are looking for justice, there will be one,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Sheriff Kijera, a senior member of the Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations, an institution that was recently established to ensure justice for Jammeh’s victims, said July 22 marked a “dark page in the history of Gambia”.

“The Centre for Victims has begun the campaign for justice, and it is in our resolve to see to it that the government provide justice for the victims of Jammeh,” Kijera told the gathering.
The evening symposium was chaired by a former minister under Jammeh, Dr. Scattred Janneh, who was convicted of treason and jailed for 15 months for distributing T-shirts saying, ‘Coalition for change, Gambia end dictatorship now’.

“It is important for the victims to be heard so that we can know from their side what needs to be done,” Dr Janneh said.

The symposium was supported by DUGA and Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations.

A documentary titled “pain of a people” which conveyed the tales of disappearances, murder and protracted detentions under Jammeh was played while a five-member panel discussed the way forward.

Source: Standard Newspaper

Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has made a marathon statement on the policy document of his government to the National Assembly in Banjul.

“Together, we have ushered the New Gambia into a world of hope, a world we shall jealously guard to preserve the freedom and dignity of our people. Never again shall this nation return to those dark days of impunity, obvious disregard for constitutional order or be globally isolated,” President Adama Barrow said.

He added: “This is an achievement that we should not take lightly. I thank Allah for this blessing and also seek his continued guidance and strength to serve you well in the coming years.”

President Barrow told deputies that the spirit of unity that brought the last historic presidential election outcome continues to drive the nation forward, which is evident in the business of the new Cabinet. He said this spirit of unity is seen every day across the nation as they strive together to build the New Gambia that the citizens want and deserve. He said the most important achievement so far is the peaceful transition of power to the new democracy.

“You have elected the government that you want, and we have taken your expressions of goodwill and your desire for peace and prosperity seriously,” he asserted.

Barrow has indicated the task of steadily reforming the government machinery so it can do the work of nation building and help strengthen the new found democracy. He commended the ECOWAS, African Union, European Union, United Nation and all international partners that supported his government in this transition. He promised that his government would be action oriented.

He spoke about security, communication infrastructure, energy, trade, foreign policy, judiciary and justice, economy, agriculture and tourism among other sectors of his government’s priorities.

Speaking on the judiciary and justice system, he said they have restored some of the key democratic institutions, the pursuit of justice remains a high priority for his government, saying over 500 prisoners have been pardoned as they have delivered on their promise to decongest prisons by releasing political and other deserving reformed prisoners. He said a Criminal Case and Detention Review Panel has also been established to enquire into all criminal proceedings against current and former public officers.

“Our Judiciary has been ‘Gambianised’ with the appointment of a Gambian Chief Justice and six Superior Court justices,” he said.

President Barrow said his government is working on reforming the security sector which is closely linked to the delivery of justice and the restoration of free and fair democracy, saying gone are the days of armed security personnel representing the face of government. He disclosed that the Gambian Armed Forces are now confined to their military barracks. He noted that members of the former State Guard Battalion have been redeployed to other units, and the armed forces are now disengaged from civilian matters.

“It is also important to note that arms and ammunitions have been stored in safe locations,” Barrow interjected.

However, the Gambian leader applauded the gallant Armed Forces, who have been receptive to the normalization of their role in the state as they continue to play a critical role in keeping the nation safe and secure, and deserve unconditional support and respect as they carry out their professional duties.

President Barrow in addressing the issue of Information and communication said his government have taken concrete steps to review oppressive media laws, to ensure freedom of the press and freedom of expression in the country.

“New communications measures have been introduced to include regular press briefings by the media team at the Office of the President, by the Minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure, and bi-annual news conferences by myself,” he disclosed.

The Gambian leader also promised to improve the country’s energy sector, saying his government has made it a priority from day one, to work with international partners, investors and developers to attract investments in the energy sector.

“Some of the negotiations are at a very advanced stage. We recently signed an agreement for a new 60-megawatt power plant, which will more than double the current generation capacity in the country,” President Barrow pointed out.

President Barrow in speaking about trade and foreign policy said the country would benefit from greater openness through international trade and tourism.

“The Gambia has begun the process of rejoining the Commonwealth, and reaffirmed our membership to the International Criminal Court,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Barrow spoke about his government’s plans on agriculture, international financial affairs and public finances, tourism, youth empowerment, health, fisheries and environment among other things.