Seedy Njie, a former Information Minister during dictator Yahya Jammeh’s government contends that his exiled boss, has no case to answer as far as the Ghanaian case is concerned. Mr. Njie was reacting to recent news conferences held in Ghana, and in the Gambia, where rights activists have called for the extradition of dictator Jammeh from Equatorial Guinea to face justice in Ghana. It is Mr. Njie’s contention that the case in question, has been amicably settled by the two-former governments.

“Remember, when former President Jammeh was in power, there was intense negotiations and dialogue between the government of Ghana, and also the Gambia government and the United Nations and at one point in time, there was an agreement reached and the Gambia government paid compensation to through the Ghanaian government; and as far as we are concerned that matter was laid to rest by the two government plus the United Nations,” Mr. Njie, who is also the APRC spokesman told the Freedom Newspaper.

Mr. Njie briefly lived in Equatorial Guinea with dictator Jammeh before returning to his native Gambia. Njie is also a former nominated APRC Member of Parliament. He was appointed Information Minister during Gambia’s month long political impasse.

To the activists calling for Jammeh’s prosecution, Seedy Njie had this message for them: “He has no case to answer. I don’t know how people could just say that Jammeh ordered the massacre because I listened to international media yesterday; people from Ghana; some were saying that they were accused of being mercenaries; here and there. But what I can safely say is that there was diplomatic negotiations and the international community, including the United Nations, were key members of those who were negotiating. But as of now, we are monitoring the developments, as to how, and when, and where necessary, we will also seek legal opinion and advice. But I can assure you that as far as we are concerned and the former president, this is a nonevent.”

According to Seedy Njie, the present Ghanaian president Nana Akufo-Addo, who was Ghana’s Foreign Minister at the time, was involved in the negotiations to settle the murdered Ghanaian nationals case in the Gambia. Mr. Njie said the victims’ families were also compensated monetarily by the former Jammeh government.

“As far as we are concerned, this case is a nonissue. It was amicably settled by the two former governments,” Njie posited.

Mr. Njie told the Freedom Newspaper that Jammeh had reached an agreement with the international community prior to his departure from Banjul, and according to him, one of the agreements was for Jammeh not be harassed or threatened after he left the Gambia for Equatorial Guinea.

“We know this; and a lot of smear campaign against the APRC and the former president, but we wouldn’t relent in ensuring we continue canvassing for people’s support and get back to power,” he said.

“For now, I may not want to say anything to the Ghanaian government because there is no word coming from the Ghanaian government. But I am sure that they are aware of what happened. As a former government and as a party, we cherish and value human beings; and we respect the rule of law,” Njie concluded.

Reed Brody of the Washington based Human Rights Watch has been instrumental in ensuring dictator Jammeh have his day in court.

“We recently investigated the 2005 massacre of over 50 West African migrants; these men and women; mostly from Ghana were trying to reach Europe, but ended up stranded on the Gambian coast. Jammeh’s security services warn of a potential coup; deemed the migrants to be potential mercenaries and they are arrested and brutally killed; their bodies were dumped in wells and bushes,” Brody said in a documentary video featuring a Ghanaian escapee from the 2005 massacre in the Gambia.

Human Rights Watch said it had interviewed 30 former Gambian officials, including 11 officers directly involved in the incident. Some of the officers interviewed are currently serving the new government. The revelation was made on Thursday’s press conference by Marion Volkmann, a Human Rights activist.

Martin Kyere, a Ghanaian shoe seller, was the lone survivor of the Gambian massacre.

“We asked Lamin, where are these people taking us this early; lets pray. So, we take north direction from Banjul. While we were going one Nigerian was praying Alakubarr, Alakubarr; the car stopped; the who is that? ; the man stopped; the way the man brought the cutlass and he brought him down and just cut his backbone; he just cut the man’s backbone and he was not able to do anything again; the blood was flowing everywhere,” he said.

Martin says he and the other detainees had their hands, legs and neck tied with a rope. Luckily for Martin, he managed to escape from Jammeh’s most feared assassin team called the junglers. He found his way to neighboring Casamance, Senegal, before safely returning to Ghana.

“The car was about to stop and I jumped from the pickup and I heard a noise back there; who is that?; who is that?; I did not move back; I start running harder about four to five steps; I was hide down by a rope and gunshots follows and passes over me,” he added.

Human Rights Watch says the Bulletin of the UN Department of Public Affairs said that an ECOWAS/UN report, never made public, concluded that the Gambian government was not “directly or indirectly complicit” in the deaths and disappearances but rather that “rogue elements” in Gambia’s security services “acting on their own” were probably responsible.

Marion Volkmann is a Human Rights Consultant. She works with an organization called Gambia’s Victims Center. Marion addressed a news conference in Banjul on Thursday.

“Our investigation shows that even before the panel arrived, the Gambian government destroyed the documentary evidence of the migrants on the sea; meaning the log of the Navy showing that they have traveled from Bara to Banjul; also, police records showing they have been detained in different police stations. So, not surprising may be that report then concluded that the Gambian government was not directly or indirectly complicit,” she said.

“The new evidence today shows exactly the contrary. Basically, our investigation shows consistent logging of evidence linking the president Jammeh to the killings and making him the prime suspect in that; it is therefore our hope that the Ghanaian authorities will open an investigations in that case and will eventually ask for the extradition of Yahya Jammeh,” she added.

Michael Oko Davies is the spokesman of the Ghanaian Community in the Gambia. Davies is interested in justice as far as the Ghanaian case is concerned.

“The Gambian government should now admit that they committed these atrocities and they are willing carryout the necessary investigations; identify these bodies one after the other; and then we as Ghanaians are ready to transport our corpses back to Ghana for decent burial; then we restore to them their dignity even in death,” he told reporters.

Dictator Yahya Jammeh has been in power for over twenty-three years. His rule has been marred by wanton human rights violations. Enforced disappearances, torture and killing of political opponents were common routine during his rule.

The post Gambia: Breaking News: Former President Jammeh Has No Case To Answer As Far As The Ghanaian Case Is Concerned-APRC Spokesman And EX Information Minister Seedy Njie Clams! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

MANKAMANG KUNDA, UPPER RIVER REGION—Gambia’s new president Adama Barrow has inaugurated his new multimillion dalasi home during his two weeks vacation. The Presidential villa is situated at his home village of Mankamangkunda, in the Upper River Region of the Gambia. The rookie president, in a span of one and half year, into his presidency, has managed to transform his onetime hamlet village as a modern city.

Access to clean drinking water, good road network, street lights and good sanitation were rare things to come by in Mankamangkunda prior to Mr. Barrow ascended into the presidency. But that’s history now. Mr.Barrow has built a new presidential villa in Mankamangkunda.

There is no word as to the source of his new property and the developmental structures he invested in Mankamangkunda. Mr. Barrow’s monthly salary is two hundred thousand dalasis (D200,0000.00), which is about $4,500.00 United States dollars. His investments in Mankamangkunda, has been estimated to be over one million dollars.

Mr. Barrow is a former “small real estate” operator. He has in the past accepted handsome gifts—ranging from cars, and other valuables from “philanthropists” his State House wouldn’t name.

Our findings have revealed that the company contracted to construct the developmental structures at Mr. Barrow’s home village, was the Gigo Construction Limited. Site workers and laborers interviewed said the president recently moved to his newly built multimillion home with his family.

Constructing recreational amenities, and a magnificent house in Mankamangkunda, were among Mr. Barrow’s topmost priorities when he assumed the presidency, critics say. His critics also jokingly teased him for having accomplished his first dreamt project for the presidency—that’s to transform his village as a modern city.

Mr. Barrow is not alone in this new presidential phenomenon of developing his home village. His predecessor dictator Yahya Jammeh had also invested heavily at his native village of Kanilai. Kanilai, has now been transformed as a military base by the new Barrow led Coalition government.

Over 48 percent of the Gambian population are living below the national poverty line. The average Gambian survives below one United States dollar per day. The country’s per capita income is below $400 dollars.

Gambia must refrain from new government borrowing, the International Monetary Fund warned on Wednesday, after its debt stock reached around 130 percent of gross domestic product at the end of last year, according to Reuters. More than half of the debt is owed to external creditors, IMF said.

“Maintaining debt sustainability will necessitate refraining from contracting new government debt or contingent liabilities before additional fiscal and borrowing space has been achieved, and leveraging more private investment,” the IMF said.

While on his recent vacation at his new villa in Mankamangkunda, Mr. Barrow received guests at his home. Though some of the visitors to his home, weren’t happy with the reception accorded to them by the president’s staff. For example, they said the president, never offered them breakfast upon arrival at the provincial village. They had a chat with Mr. Barrow amid a long journey from Banjul to Mankamangkunda.

On lunch time, Mr. Barrow called his closest associates to join him for lunch. The visitors couldn’t join him since their names were not mentioned when Barrow made the announcement for lunch. They were also not given water and food throughout their visit to the new presidential villa.

Mr. Barrow returned to Banjul on Friday after ending his two weeks vacation. Mr. Barrow is expected to leave Banjul during the weekend for Belgium, where he is expected to take part in a donor’s funding conference.

WRITTEN BY A STAFF WRITER

The post Gambia: Breaking News: Building A Multi million Dalasi Villa And Transforming His Hamlet Village As A Modern City, Were Among Gambia’s Rookie President’s Achievements Since He Got Elected! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Gambia’s Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou said The Gambia is going to enforce and implement the recent sanctions the United States government imposed against Muhammed Bazzi, a former close associate of dictator Yahya Jammeh. “Absolutely, the United States is an ally of the Gambia; has been a strong traditional ally of the Gambia. We are cooperating in many, many areas; they are providing us with assistance in a number of fields. So, we will absolutely enforce and uphold the sanctions against Bazzi,” Mr. Tambadou told the Freedom Newspaper in an interview over the weekend.

“As I said, we will take whatever measures necessary to enforce the sanctions against Mr. Bazzi. We will also meanwhile, continue to pursue our own investigations through the Commission of inquiry that is ongoing into this dealings with former president Jammeh,” he added.

According to the Gambian Justice Minister, the US’s sanctions against Bazzi, has confirmed that the Gambian government has a legitimate case against the Lebanese businessman, and his former partner Yahya Jammeh. Both Bazzi and Yahya Jammeh are subject of investigations at the Janneh Commission.

“The Commission’s actions to restraint Muhammed Bazzi from disposing of his assets in the country, pending the completion of the Commission of inquiry into the financial dealings of the former president is justified. It shows that Muhammed Bazzi is a person of interest; of continued interest to the government of the Gambia and we will continue with our investigations through this Commission of inquiry in order to establishing all the facts surrounding all his dealings and relationship with the former president Jammeh,” Tambadou remarked.

Mr. Tambadou said prior to the US unleashing its sanctions against Bazzi, the Gambian government has been in contact with the US authorities on matters of national concern. Though, he wouldn’t disclose the nature of the correspondences or communications the Gambian government had with the US authorities.

“Well, we have been in close contacts with the United States government through various agencies and I am afraid those details I cant disclose on this interview. We have been collaborating very closely with the US government; and allow me, to remind you that this is not the first time that the US government has acted on the basis of our collaboration with them. The Magnitsky sanctions imposed on Yankuba Badjie and former president Jammeh; it is another indication of the results of this collaboration,” he said.

When asked whether the US authorities have officially informed the Gambian government about the sanctions imposed on Bazzi, Tambadou responded in the affirmative.

“Yes, they have indeed the dossier on Bazzi. It was presented to the Minister of Foreign Affairs by the United Ambassador here in the Gambia and I was also given a copy of it by the same Ambassador. In broad terms, it conveys an official manner; the sanctions that the United States has imposed upon Muhammed Bazzi,” he added.

Quizzed further to disclose the details of the Ambassador’s communication to the government; and whether the US government has issued an arrest warrant for Bazzi, Justice Minister Tambadou said: “I am afraid I can’t disclose the details of that communication to you at this moment.”

When asked whether he have any message for Lebanese, who are interested in investing in the Gambia, Tambadou remarked: “Well I am not sure whether this is about Lebanese businessmen or businessmen from any particular community or ethnicity. I think this is about an individual Muahammed Bazzi, who is a man of interest to the Gambia government, who is being investigated as part of our efforts to unravel the financial dealings of the former president; I think we should confine it to Muhammed Bazzi as an individual and not generalize it to the wider Lebanese community, and allow me, to state that who have been part of the Gambian community for many, many decades; who have been an outstanding citizens of this country; who have contributed economically; socially; politically; and culturally to the metropolitan nature of Gambian societies and I think we should not paint any brush really across the aboard on the basis of the individual’s actions of one person.”

Gambian journalist, and Public Relations officer Fatu Camara, recalled seeing Bazzi at the State House in Banjul, on numerous occasions while serving as Jammeh’s Press Director. She told the Freedom Newspaper that Bazzi was involved in fueling dictator Jammeh’s plane, and throwing birthday parties for the exiled dictator among others.

She recalled Bazzi meeting her in Ethiopia during a trip she made to that country with dictator Jammeh. Bazzi, she said was accompanied by some guests during that trip. She also said Bazzi facilitated the presence of Syrian doctors to the Gambia.

According to Fatu Camara, Bazzi was Jammeh’s economic engine, and had played a crucial role towards funding the dictatorship. She also said Bazzi owns Gam-petroleum Limited.

Written By Pa Nderry M’Bai

Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com

Tel: 919-749-6319

The post Gambia: Breaking News: Gambian Justice Minister Says Barrow’s Gov’t Will Enforce US Sanctions Against Muhammed Bazzi! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Fighting erupted today between two neighboring Gambian/Senegalese border villages resulting to one Gambian fire officer Ansumana Drammeh, being shot in the legs by the invading Senegalese villagers, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. Drammeh was shot at in the legs, according to credible Gambian law enforcement sources. Mr. Drammeh has been rushed to the Bansang hospital for medical treatment. He is expected to be referred to Banjul for further medical attention. This followed, a long protracted dispute between the neighboring villagers over timber log trafficking. The villagers of Jahanka, situated in the Central River Region of the Gambia, have been accused by their Senegalese neighbors of deforestation and timber log smuggling. The trafficked logs from Senegal, are usually sold to Chinese businesses and shipped to China. Last month, a Senegalese forest guard was killed by Gambian timber traffickers. The incident has sparked bad blood between the two villagers.

The villagers of Kerr-Yerro, situated in Senegal, this morning crossed the border and waged an attack against the villagers of Jahanka. Jahanka is situated in the Central River Region of The Gambia. It is not far from Bansang.

The Kerr-Yerro villagers were armed with cutlasses and guns at the time of the attack. They vowed to set the village on fire; and kill residents. This followed, strained relationship between the two neighboring border villagers.

Last month, a Senegalese forest guard was allegedly killed by some villagers of Jahanka. Some of the accused villagers were taken into custody by the Bansang police.

Some personnel of Gambia’s fire and Ambulance Services, including Gambian law enforcement officers were already stationed at Jahanka at the time of the attack. They have been stationed at Jahanka for the past four months to guard timber logs seized from timber traffickers. It was a deadly incident, which created panic in both villages.

The villagers of Kerr-Yerro were in Jahanka to avenge the death of the Senegalese forest guard. They physically assaulted the villagers of Jahanka.

As we go to press, tensions are mounting in Jahanka. Fighting is still ongoing.

Written By Pa Nderry M’Bai

Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com

Tel: 919-749-6319

The post Gambia: Breaking News: Senegalese Border Villagers Invade Gambian Border Village And Shot Gambian Fire Officer In The Leg; As Fighting Erupts Between The Villagers Of Kerr-Yerro and Jahanka appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

SSHFC MD MANJANG ENDURED THE WORST HUMILIATION OF HIS LIFE AS HE GOT BOOED BY STAFF IN A MEETING CONVENED EARLIER TODAY TO SHAMELESSLY CLEAR HIS NAME WITH REGARDS TO HIS TERRIBLE MISDEEDS SINCE TAKING OVER THE POSITION OF MD:

Today, the 22nd May has been probably the worst day of SSHFC MD, Muhammed Manjang’s life. A meeting was this afternoon convened to shed light on the damning revelations been meted against the greedy, selfish and MD. As he tried very hard while seemingly crying and trembling, to shamelessly convince the aggrieved staff of the corporation that he has not committed any foul play in all these allegations been peddled against him, especially the training program of Aisha Bayo, the no nonsense and seasoned Director of Finance, Mr Abdoulie Cham whom he accused of signing the approval  document for Aisha Bayo’s unbudgeted 3 year 4.5 million dalasis ACCA program, in a bold, convincing tone and demeanor, stressed categorically clear to the dismay of the staff that, he as the head of Finance Department under which Aisha Bayo is, had never approved for the undeserving and unqualified girl’s training neither had he recommended her.

He said he had told Manjang in a meeting with him some time ago that the girl is not trainable and there are other staffs in his department who are more qualified than her in terms of both academic criteria and longevity of service and that he would not recommend the girl for any overseas training. How could an MD act so dictatorial in this new Gambia in singlehandedly taking decisions as sensitive as this? Manjang is truly clueless and needs to go as soon as possible. Mr Cham stressed that the study program was not in the budget and there is no basis or justification for it. This clearly shows that Mr Manjang was only deceived by his love relationship with this undeserving and unqualified girl to the extent of messing himself up in this humiliating manner. I think he should be charged for economic crime and embezzlement.

Mr John Fullah, a hardworking senior accountant, Isatou Dibba and Mr Kurang all in the Finance Department made it clear to the embarrassed MD that he has no grounds to approve the study program for the girl as it was neither in the budget nor was the girl qualified for the said program. The staff, holding their banners and posters reading ‘SSHFC has decided, Manjang must go’ were in a very defiant mood intermittently booing the shameless and clueless MD. He as well tried to defend the issue of the 65,000 dalasis phone the office bought for him claiming it was not given to the girl but that the phone was damaged. Where is the damaged phone? What a lie! There again, he was booed by the staff. Oh Manjang you messed up with poor Gambian peoples’ funds for a little girl! God will punish you for this. What you are going through now is just the tip of the iceberg.

He further went on to defend the procurement of the brand new Pajero for him and the allocation of the utility cars for his use. This he said he had told the office not to buy a car for him since he already had series of cars at his disposal. Why then allow the office to buy a car of that staggering amount and also allocate you two others if you were sincere and true to your words?

Mr Sheikh Tijan Jobe, Isatou Nyassi and Isatou Dibba made it clear to him that what the idiotic and double standard Paul Correa, Senior Human Resource Development Manager advise him are all bogus and lacks merit. Paul does not know his job in that office since he does not have any academic qualifications he falsely claimed to acquire. Paul has been telling staff that the criterion for local training is two year service with the office. Why then approve an overseas study for a girl less than one year? This clearly shows his cluelessness, gross incompetence and sense of injustice. Paul should be booted from that position. Sheikh Tijan Jobe stressed to him and the MD that there is no age limit to a master’s program for any member of staff as far as the service rule is concerned and that he or no staff will ever accept that treatment meted to those in Malaysia and Ghana. I suggest those staffs’ tuition fees and allowance payments be effected soonest as they are presently going through the most stressful part of their academic journey in Malaysia and Ghana all because of a heartless beast like Manjang.

As the meeting reached a boiling point with each speaker heaping all the blame on the clueless and embarrassed MD for his incompetence in the job, no sooner had he, this time around not arrogantly and rudely but humbly and politely ordered for the meeting to be brought to an end but the defiant staff objected to his demand as there were quiet a number of staff left who wanted to vent their frustrations with the humiliated Manjang. It was thereupon that he sneaked from his seat to go out amidst the most horrifying boos I’ve ever witnessed being done to a head of an institution. LOL!

Ever since Manjang became the MD, he has been cluelessly and arrogantly doing things in a dictatorial single-handed manner without giving any regard to the other Directors in the office. He advertised the position of a confidential secretary to the MD’s office as the one who was there had retired. The criteria for the position was age not above 45 but he cunningly went to appoint a woman aged 58 years, only two years to retirement when there are young competent secretaries like Anna Mendy, Madeleine Prom, Fatou Marong and Susan Marong that can fill that position and already met the age requirement. How unjust Manjang is surely beyond any human imagination. That old woman is the one that likes to defend her in meetings and got the booing of her life too this afternoon when she wants to speak. Just recently, this old woman was assigned to arrange files in her office which is her job. She was paid thousands for that one day job. She is also being sent overseas for a secretarial training related course for a two weeks program and she is being paid a huge per diem for this when you have younger secretaries in the office that should have benefitted from this training. What kind of gross injustice is this?

Manjang disconnected staff CUG services mostly for ease of communication among staff in the institution most especially between inspectors going out to the field and their supervisors in the office. This has really hampered the effectiveness of the job for inspectors as they cannot shoulder the high expense in communicating to their supervisors whenever they want information from within the office while out in the field.

A medical insurance in the amount of 400,000 dalasis was paid to a lady, one Sirra Foon who only has to claim the amount now and not during the time of Mr Graham and Gibba. According to sources, this is unpaid medical insurance the girl has been incurring while she was on studies. The million dollar question is why Manjang paid the girl this huge sum when she could have claimed it since during the time of Graham or Gibba. Something is fishy here as this girl is also much closed to her.

A staff like Pedro Dacosta who spent almost 18 years in the institution and responsible for the printing of Social Security membership cards is here in the office disregarded and not fully given the dues he is entitled to. Just recently, he was assigned to do a very tedious job of preparing staff medical cards which was sanctioned by MD Manjang and he effectively completed that task. Here is a guy who once got promoted some time back only for him to get his promotion revoked. What type of unfair treatment is that to a hardworking staff like him? This begs the question as to how Aisha Bayo got fast promoted to where she is within less than a year.

SSHFC Staff lost any bit of respect for Manjang and I believe if he has any bit of pride left in him, he has to resign as he lost authority and credibility in this institution. He just has to go. Period!

I have the following recommendations to make to the executive:

-Aisha Bayo’s sponsorship to be revoked forthwith and recalled as it’s very risky to invest that entire huge amount on her. Her boss and supervisors have attested to the fact that she is not trainable and it will be a huge risk to spend that huge amount of poor Gambian tax payers’ money. What if she fails her courses? The program after all was not in the budget which is the most unethical part of the whole façade.

-Manjang has lost all credibility and must make way for a credible and highly competent and cool-headed individual to come and steer the affairs of the corporation. I did suggest Tumbul Danso, Graham, Mambury Njie and Abdoulie Cham, the present Director of Finance. Abdoulie Cham is one person I have utmost respect for as he is someone who does not bend the rules. He has 32 years wealth of experience in SSHFC and knows the institution to his finger tip.

-Payment of tuition and allowances for Muhammed Sallah, Burry Saine and Baboucarr Njie who have been denied sponsorship and salary by Manjang and now sponsoring themselves in a Ghanian and Malaysian University be fully sponsored by the office and paid full allowances as soon as possible. They are presently going through the worst periods of their lives. They do not deserve a bit of Manjang’s cruelty as they are part of those people who brought this noble institution to the prestigious position it is right now having served here for 20 years. Manjang was nowhere around.

BY A CONCERNED GAMBIAN!

The author’s views are entirely his own views. His views do not represent the position of the Freedom Newspaper. Thanks for your attention.

The post Gambia: SSHFC MD MANJANG ENDURED THE WORST HUMILIATION OF HIS LIFE AS HE GOT BOOED BY STAFF IN A MEETING CONVENED EARLIER TODAY TO SHAMELESSLY CLEAR HIS NAME WITH REGARDS TO HIS TERRIBLE MISDEEDS SINCE TAKING OVER THE POSITION OF MD appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

The Managing Director of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation Muhammed Manjang says there are staffers at the SSHFC, who are bent on smearing his character and image because of his uncompromising stance to cut down on waste of pensioners funds among other in house judicious management of resources he has instituted since taking over the company’s management. “Clearly, there are people with an agenda, who want the status quo to remain and the status quo is not good for this company. It will only break this company,” Manjang told the Fatu network in an interview on Tuesday.

Mr. Manjang has denied the staffers allegations of him favoring a female staffer of the SSHFC to study in Ghana. He said throughout the entire SSHFC company, there is no trained accountant, and sending the Lady to Ghana to pursue professional accounting training, will benefit the company in the long term. Manjang claimed that the decision to okay the lady’s study leave and sponsorship never came from him; a claim the SSHFC staffers strongly rejected.

On the issue of him buying a new car; and also using an exorbitant phone; all at the expense of the company, Manjang said his predecessor Graham had retained the old car that was issued to him by the company. He said it is normal for SSHFC MDS to buy such cars from the company, once it becomes old.

“There is a mobile bought. I will not dispute that. It is a practice that this organization buy mobile phone for management. This company is not buying me a mobile because I cannot afford to buy a mobile phone. I have had mobile phones many, many times before joining this company. When I was coming into the company, I came with my own mobile phone. It is a standard practice here that the company buys mobile phones from the MD level right through the senior manager level. I am not doing anything which is out of the ordinary,” Majang said.

Mr. Manjang maintains that the old SSHFC old way of conducting business is no longer sustainable if the company really wants to serve its pensioners.

“We have pensioners money to run; we have an institution right now that for every dalasi that people contribute here for their pension; we are spending 75 butut of that for ourselves; that’s not sustainable. So, for the last six years, we have not been able to give any pensioner an increase in salary,” Majang lamented.

“We have too much we are spending in ourselves. Clearly when you restrict those things, people will start telling you are heartless. But this is not my money. You cannot be generous with something that does not belong to you,” he added.

According to Manjang, it his job to jealously safeguard pensioners funds. He said he expects the other staffers of the SSHFC to have the same mindset.

“My job is to protect the money that is here for the people depending on that money when they retire. That is my job, or that should be the job of everybody else who is in this institution. And I think if we all focus on that we will do the pensioners a great deal of good. But this thing about being heartless is because people would want loan. We here have staff loan is about D130 million dalasi; that is about $4 million dollars. And I can tell you; you investigate yourself; if you look at what the private sector banks for example and you look at other prastatals, I would not be surprised if our portfolio is more than the combined total of all of those institutions. This is not our money because we see money coming in; these contributions; these are people depositing their monies with us; it doesn’t mean we are generating profits,” he pointed out.

The SSHFC, he warns, cannot recklessly use pensioners funds for staff needs. He said the company had other top priorities other than investing a greater chunk of pensioners funds on staff upkeep.

“For the last 2016, for example, every single funding in this company, made a loss. This is not our money; we cannot be over generous; yes, we have to motivate people; we have to do our very best to motivate people because people have to be motivated to push this organization forward, but for goodness sake we cannot be wasteful,” he said.

“And I get it; and I get it; some people were benefiting from everything significantly. So, really trying to tighten anything, people will cry foul; people will say you are wicket; I get it,” he added.

On Jamal’s appointment, Majang defended the move. He said Jamal is the most qualified person for the job that he has been hired to do for the company.

“Jamal, yes, he is working. He has a contract for six months. We have fundamental need to move our systems ahead. Now, the rule says you can appoint someone on a six month contract. We appointed him on a six month contract. And if you ask people who are genuine, because Jamal has an expertise in rolling out systems in a number of countries outside of this country. And I know that for a fact; he has done it,” he said.

Manjang notes that for the SSHFC to be prosperous as a company, it must change its old way of doing things. He said the company lacks basic record keeping standards.

“Now, we have run a system here before and right now I tell you, we are struggling with that system. We don’t want to repeat the same problem again. And it is urgent that we have a system in place. We cannot even produce statements on time for people; when people come for their retirement money; we take six months and sometimes it can take nine months before we can even compute what we owe you. We have date quality issues with our problems here.  We need to deal with those things; and we need to deal with them urgently. We don’t have the luxury of trying to go round,” he said.

“Jamal has gotten proven track record and proven expertise. I know people keep saying he is my friend; yes I know Jamal; but we are not friends; we are not close friends, but I know him; every I do is above board; I have nothing underneath the table; absolutely nothing; I have been dealing with things that are certainly if not the same size, but not significantly lower; whether one is fit or not fit is a personal opinion. There are people who are out to smear my character; my image; they will say anything for their personal benefit. But what I do know, for the last few months I have been here; performance is being significantly than it was before. It is up to the people to judge that,” he added.

Manjang said as far as he is doing the right thing for the company and for pensioners, he has nothing to fear. He called on staffers at the SSHFC to join him in making the company a great place to work at.

“We Gambians if we want this country to move ahead, we have to agree that there will be very difficult choices we have to take; and along the way a lot of people will feel offended; a lot of people will do allegations as they want; but as far as I am concerned; so long as my conscience is clear and so long as I know I am doing it in the best interest of the nation and I am doing it in the best interest of the pensioners; I will forge ahead with that. Certainly it will be painful along the road; and I am human; I get  that but we need to work together,” he concluded.

Written By A Staff Writer

The post Gambia: Breaking News: SSHFC MD Manjang Says He Is A Victim Of Staff Smear Campaign! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

The Gambian police have reactivated the Gunjur Chinese Golden Lead waste pipes vandalization case. The three Gambian environmentalists, who were linked to the alleged case were interviewed by detectives and subsequently charged.

The environmentalists have been charged with criminal trespass, willful damage to property and conspiracy to commit crime.

The following Gunjur residents have been charged by the police: Omar Darboe, Alhagie Kakou Bojang and Ousman Sanneh. The trio had to post bail bond of D500,000.00 dalasis each with a Gambian surety and a valid Gambian ID Card.

The Gunjur environmentalists have accused the Chinese fishing factory of polluting the environment. A charge the Chinese company denied.

It would be recalled that some environmentalists in Gunjur were accused of vandalizing waste pipes belonging to Golden Lead. One of the prominent environmentalists Amadou Scattered Janneh, was briefly questioned by the Gunjur police in connection with the said incident. Janneh, a former Information Minister in dictator Jammeh’s regime was ater let go by the police.

Mr. Janneh is currently visiting the United States. He recently witnessed the graduation of his son in the United States.

There is growing fear in Gunjur that Mr. Janneh risked being charged upon his return to the country.

The post Gambia: Breaking News: Three Gambian Environmentalists Charged With Vandalizing Waste Pipes Belonging To A Chinese Fishing Company! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

MR MOHAMMAD MANJANG, THE BIGGEST PROFESSIONAL LIAR SSHFC STAFF EVER HAD AS A HEAD:

SSHFC Staff are dead. They cannot work any longer until Manjang is removed from that seat. Everyone is flatly demotivated and lacks any bit of spirit. The reasons are clear. Manjang is the biggest professional liar one can ever imagine ever seeing in this generation of our professional cadre. The man is dishonest to the core and the most cunning person one can ever have. He is the most insincere person and lost all credibility from the general staff body of the SSHFC as an institution.

He lied in it’s entirety in that video interview he made to Fatunetwork the other day. I was taken aback by some gullible minds swayed by those lies he spewed in his interview with Fatunetwork. I therefore want to make clear to the Gambian people how Manjang is just not fit to head any of our institutions in this country.

Manjang’s dubious undertakings started ever since he took the mantle of leadership at SSHFC but all the staff were putting up with him to see what kind of person this man truly is having already suspected that he isn’t the guy the institution needs after dictatorship due to his dictatorial and arrogant tendencies.

The SSHFC Staff in whole but most especially the juniors saw it prudent to say it’s enough, we can’t  take it anymore, after Manjang did the most unthinkable wrongful act by approving the ACCA study program for the undeserving, unqualified and the least eligible person in the whole SSHFC Finance Department by all accounts, academic, longevity, etc etc. The satff now saw the need to stand up to the highest peak of corruption and injustice perpetrated by this man since he ascended to the position. Manjang lied in the video that Isha is the most qualified person in the Department which is the biggest lie that almost got my heart shred into pieces. That Department has far more qualified young men and women like Omar Badjie, Louise Jallow, Awa Ceesay,  Elizabeth Sarr and many more who have been there well before this little Aisha Bayo even knew where SSHFC building is located in this country. How Manjang could blatantly lie to the whole country like this is insane and has given me the undiluted conviction that Manjang should not be allowed near any public institution in this country much more to head it.

Manjang in that video also made mention of him being not greedy and selfish and protecting the interest of poor pensioners. My million dollar question is, would someone who has the interest of poor pensioners and brag about having money ever allow that institution buy you a 65000 dalasis phone when those poor pensioners are mostly living on one square meal per day with their hungry families? This man is truly fake. The most insulting part of all that being you hand over that phone to a little girl. I want Manjang to come before the whole country and hold the Quran and swear that he has not given that phone to Aisha Bayo. He will be crushed right there, I swear and I am fasting right now.

He also made mention of vehicles that had been bought for him by the institution which he had told the office not to provide for him. That’s also another terrible lie he spewed there because that was deliberate and it was what he wanted. He is greedy and has no regard and empathy for the poor pensioners he claimed to be protecting. In fact the pensioners are the least happy with him since he came to head the institution. They have one time planned to petition him to the Office of the President couple of months ago for his lack of foresight in addressing their concerns.

He also spoke of some people in the office wanting the status quo to remain. What status quo is he talking about? This man is truly sick. Does he meant being playful with spending of funds? Who was able to do that during the time of the killer? No wonder, he never felt the brunt of Jammeh’s brutal rule as he was silent and enjoying with his family and never cared but those of us who worked in and through it knew how it was. Ironically, Manjang has made SSHFC and it’s staff worse off now than during Jammeh’s era. Who is going to accept that in this new Gambia when we have suffered for 22 brutal years with our lives totally highjacked?

Let the government and those few gullible minds defending Manjang know that he is the biggest liar one can ever find. He is so dishonest and when you allow him talk, it means you giving him license to insert a knife into your chest and rip it apart. He has lost all trust and credence from SSHFC from the lowest to the most senior staff. In fact the lower staff are the most disgruntled with him and can’t wait to see him booted out from that seat. This is true since he does not have their interest but that of a little girl whom he is obsessed with pleasing ever since he stepped his foot in that institution. All staff are totally down as we speak, and no one is working these days. They all want Manjang out. Period!

FROM A CONCERNED GAMBIAN

Editor’s note: The author’s views are entirely his own views. It doesn’t represent the position of the Freedom Newspaper. Thanks for your attention.

The post Gambia: SSHFC STAFFERS SAY MD MANJANG IS THE BIGGEST LIAR THAT THE COMPANY HAS EVER HAD! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Ebrima Marreh, the star witness in the Lang Tombong and co treason trial, has been taken into custody by the Gambian police, the FREEDOM NEWSPAPER can authoritatively report. Mr. Marreh was arrested on Thursday. He is currently held at an undisclosed location. “ He was arrested yesterday. For now, I will keep the location of his detention because, I have to,” said our source.

It would be recalled that Ebrima Marreh and Rui Jabbi Gassama were placed under house arrest during the trial of the former CDS Lang Tombong Tamba and co. Shortly after the conviction of Tamba and his co accused persons, the duo were remanded at the Janjangbureh prison. They got released shortly after the fall of Jammeh.

“ He was released in January 2017 by the new government. Since then, he has been living quietly in Fajikunda, but recent intelligence suggested that he has been involved in drugs and also suspected of having a short gun in his possession,” said our source.

“ Ebrima Marreh was released the same date with Rui Jabbi Gassama. He is now back in state nets,” our source added.

Ebrima Marreh and Rui Jabbia Gassama were reportedly paid by the exiled Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh to lie in court in order to secure a conviction against Lang and co. The late Benedict Jammeh was tasked to coordinate the payment of the hired witnesses to fabricate evidence against the former army Chief of Defense Staff Lang Tombong Tamba and his co accused persons. Mr. Tamba and co were later granted pardon by Jammeh after serving some years in jail.

The post Gambia: Breaking News: The Star Witness In EX-Gen. Lang Tombong Tamba And Co Treason Trial Got Arrested! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Dear Mr. Mbai,

The post Gambia: Fact Checking The Numbers: MD SSHFC Exposed appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Three Faraba Banta protesters have been taken into custody by the police, according to Gambia’s Inspector General of police Landing Kinteh. Mr. Kinteh said the arrested villagers were part of a group of protesters, who allegedly vandalized a caterpillar and other equipment belonging to the Julakay Engineering and construction company. “Three people associated with the protest have been arrested. The ring leader and the organizer of the protest is being sought. The investigations are ongoing as far as the Faraba case is concerned,” said IGP Kinteh.

The Faraba environmentalists have accused the Inspector General of police of siding with the giant mining company—Julakay. A charge denied by IGP Kinteh.

“My conscience is clear with regards to the action we taken in trying to maintain the rule of law. Julakay was duly issued with license to mine,” said the Gambian police Chief. Kinteh said prior to the protest march, he had invited all the stakeholders including the Faraba village Development Committee to discuss the matter.

Sand mining is a lucrative business venture in the Gambia; though environmentalists have frowned against the practice. They say it is causing more harm than good to the environment.

Over the weekend, the villagers of Faraba Banta took to the streets to protest against a local sand mining company after accusing the company of environmental exploitation.

Faraba is situated in South Western Gambia. It is about 51 kilometers away from the capital city Banjul.

Police Chief Kinteh said Julakay normally pays a quarterly compensation of D100,000.00 to the community of Faraba. He adds that Faraba’s VDC committee headed by Alhagie Sanyang have benefited from monetary compensation from Julakay. The IGP also said there are some residents of the village, who are engaged in illegal sand mining.

Alhagie Sanyang, the Chairman of the Faraba VDC has rejected the IGP’s claims. Sanyang said he and his committee have never received a dime from Julakay. Mr. Sanyang said it was wrong for the government to issue mining license to Julakay without consulting the community of Faraba.

According to Sanyang, Julakay’s mining firm is causing more harm than good to the environment. He said there is a football field right before the mining site, and that Julakay’s trucks often occupy people’s properties.

IGP Kinteh earlier told this medium that Sanyang was on the run, but the Faraba VDC Chairman has vehemently denied such claims. He told the Freedom Newspaper that he hasn’t done anything to warrant him to evade arrest. He said to the contrary, the people of Faraba had a peaceful meeting on Saturday in the village, only for the meeting to be disrupted by armed paramilitary officers. Sanyang also denied that his VDC members destroyed Julakay’s caterpillars.

IGP Kinteh said the Faraba protesters had convened a protest without obtaining a police permit. He notes that such an unauthorized protest marches will only hurt Gambia’s investment prospects.

“ We should be very mindful with this kind of activities because they will destroy investors. This is a guy, who went through all the processes to get what he got; invested money; and at the end of the day, some elements because of their own selfish interest are saying this should not be,” said police Chief Kinteh.

IGP Kinteh also accused the ring leader of the protest march of shutting down the public taps in the village on the night of the protest. Mr. Sanyang, in a  counter reaction said neither him, nor members of the VDC were involved in the alleged shutting down of the public taps in Faraba.

Dr. Lamin Conteh is a professor of Accounting based in the United States. Dr. Conteh is a native of Faraba. Dr. Conteh says Faraba is below sea level. And he warns that any attempt to mine sand in the locality could expose the villagers to potential flooding during the rainy season.

“What the women are complaining about is that; is the water from the river; the salt is encroaching on the rice fields and on their gardens, so, which means that if we have rain again this year, we going to have more salt coming to the rice fields,” Dr. Conteh tells Freedom Newspaper.

Armed paramilitary police are still deployed at the village. They are guarding the mining site.

The post Gambia: Breaking News: Faraba Environmentalists Arrested; As Gambia’s Police Chief Denies Siding With Julakay Engineering And Construction Company! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Some Gambian Immigration Officers recently implicated in a high profile visa theft case, will soon know their fate, as according to the Inspector General of police Landing Kinteh, the case file of the accused officers have been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Justice for Legal Advice, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. IGP Kinteh, speaking during an exclusive interview with the Freedom Newspaper, has vehemently debunked reports circulating in town that there are efforts spearheaded in some quarters to stifle the Immigration visa theft case.

IGP LANDING KINTEH 

“What happed…a lot of people don’t know the procedures. When it comes to the rule of law, there are certain procedures you have to pass through. As much as I am myself, I am lawyer, and the police we have lawyers, we are not tasked, or it is not part of our responsibility to give legal advice. The institution that has the responsibility to give legal advice is the Attorney General and Minister of Justice,” Kinteh remarked.

“ Actually, we did our investigations. We sent the file to the Minister of Justice for the normal legal advice and that’s the advice we are waiting for and then you know.. people went to town (ha ha ha) that (ha ha ha) there are attempts to stifle the investigations; you know or do away with the case, which is not the truth,” IGP Kinteh added.

Some officers of the Gambia Immigration Department were recently named in a corruption scandal report published by the US based Freedom Newspaper. The officers allegedly conspired and defrauded the Gambian government in the sum of over D1.4 million dalasis. The funds in question, represents visa fees the officers stationed at the sea port in Banjul, collected from a visiting Dutch tourist boat, which was anchored at the port of Banjul.

Immigration Deputy Director Seedy Touray, had earlier written to the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior Bulli Dibba, in the wake of the corruption scandal to brief Mr. Dibba, about his findings in regards to the stolen visa funds. Touray accused the officers of denying the government of the much needed funds to develop the impoverished West African nation.

“Probably by Monday, or week coming next, we will be able to get our hands on an advice from the AG’S Chambers. It is two ways:  They may say, they may retain it for their own prosecution or they will send it for police prosecution; either ways,” IGP Kinteh told me, in a phone interview on Saturday.

According to Kinteh, the Ministry of Justice has the final say as far as prosecution is concerned. “What the police recommends is not important; what is important is the final stuff that will come out from the AG’S Chambers,” he said.

On why the police forwarded its investigative report to the Minister of Interior, Kinteh, said since the complainant in this matter was the Ministry of Interior, it was normal for the police to brief them about the outcome of the investigations.

“The investigation was sanctioned by the Ministry of Interior. They wrote to us to investigate into the matter. It is prudent after we finished before we send it to the AG Chambers, we give them a brief as to what we have discovered. It is just for their information. They have nothing to add or reduce,” he pointed out.

The post Gambia: Breaking News: There Are No Attempts To Stifle The Immigration Theft Case-IGP Kinteh; Says The Immigration Case File Has Been Forwarded To The Ministry Of Justice For Legal Advice! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

SOCIAL SECURITY M.D. AND SSHFC

Dear Pa,

It has been a while since my last email to you but I hope you will publish this as I have direct sources in The Gambia and wish the people to know what is the actual situation and also why staff members are causing such a fuss and public uproar.

The situation is simple and I have lived and done business for more than 20 years in The Gambia and also in West Africa as a whole and dealt with not only local communities but also with Permanent Secretaries, Ministers and also Heads of State.

The issue Pa is mentality and sorry to say culture. People do not like change they cry for change they argue and spread rumours to ask and voice for change but they do not except real change.

On the issue of SSHFC and the M.D. keep in mind we are talking of a man whose hard work and dedication took him to one of the most senior positions in a UK and Internationally Reputable and High Profile Financial Institution in Standard Chartered Bank. This is an institution I have dealt with both in The Gambia as well as knowing Directors of the Parent Board in the UK such as Andrew Cummings and the UK and Governing Board oversea all locations and activities and trust me if he had even 1% doubt or suspicion on him he would not have gained such high rank and position and would have been charged long ago for any irregularities or fraud.

The M.D. is a man of distinction a quiet man that has been trying to place qualified individuals to conduct projects and work regardless if he knows them personally or just through their previous work portfolios.

Ask yourself this Pa as should all Gambian and people reading this don’t you think it strange that he has been in that position as M.D. for a short while now but only now staff members are raising concerns and making reports to Freedom and also causing issues?

Also Pa are you aware that the information being leaked like cost of the mobile and the car issue etc to the precise figure being stated means that these reports come from one or more individuals at such a high level that they have access to all records which by law are actually public records as SSHFC must file audited accounts which by law are to be also vetted and confirmed by the Auditor General.

Pa why is change bad in The Gambia? Is it because now that the dictator as in Jammeh is gone people think it is their time to eat the proceeds themselves rather than it all being eaten by one man?

Pa simple fact change is good, change is wanted and needed, change is hard but in the end change will happen and we must train people to accept and be open to change and to also educate them that with change things will improve and will develop.

They are talking about staff salaries like a contract issued for 6 months and how much an individual gets paid etc. I wonder having not seen the contract of either the M.D. or Mr Jamal Miknas don’t you think it weird that they saying an individual who is on a 6 month contract is being stated as earning 45,000 plus Dalasis as an outright salary? I don’t in one instance believe he is earning that as an outright salary after all contributions or taxes etc.

I believe that the rumour spreaders are assuming too much or making a figure up as I believe they maybe are assuming any official allowances like maybe transport costs or such and are for sure not taking into account taxes or contributions that are deductible.

Also even in my company and we may only be a small company with a paid up capital of £20 Million but we have paid for short term contracts a higher salary than even to an Official Board Member that is normal practise at times as these short term contracts are for specific jobs most of the time and the individual being hired would have what is known as a pay grade based on their reputation and history on such projects but I in no way believe that Mr Miknas is being directly paid what is being stated especially as I know some members of SSHFC and they told me that is a false figure and meant to raise a commotion.

I believe that based on what the M.D. has stated on the Fatu network Mr Miknas was hired due to his past history of achieving and implementing specific types of projects and seems he had been given a short term 6 month contract which is in lone with SSHFC rules to achieve such a job and task.

If there is really any truth even 1% to the rumours against the M.D. then great there is a proper procedure and mechanism to deal with any and all investigation and actions if needs be.

What I think should and must happen is as follows and this will prove the M.D. is clean and all these accusations are false and that the voices are from people that are as we say having their wings clipped and their fingers slapped and can’t now dip into the cookie jar and take out funds without being seen or authorised or justified legally.

As I said what must be done is the M.D. must ask the Minister of Finance, The Head of the Ombudsman, The Entire SSHFC Board and even ask the Vice President and President to attend a one off meeting with all the so-called 284 aggrieved staff members and senior staffers of SSHFC and let them all openly as Gambians of honour and integrity voice their issues in an open forum and let the entire issues be discussed without fear or hiding behind anonymous articles and let’s see who is right and who is wrong and I will challenge and bet all the M.D. is clean in all this and the issue arises from as I said people not being able to dip into the cookie jar anymore without being seen and caught.

Keep in mind a string SSHFC conducting transparent strong business and investments is a great thing and will raise the profile of Gambia and the level of living standards in The Gambia.

This is all I will say on this Pa and I hope people will read carefully what I wrote and take the time to mentally digest it and then comment with logic and not just feelings.

Regards ,

A

The post Gambia: MD Manjang Is Clean And The Accusations Are False-Reveals A Writer; Staff And Management’s Coup Exposed! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

A Gambian anti-narcotic officer, who is said to be a nephew of Foreign Minister Ousainou Darboe, and was implicated in a high-profile drug case, could not be disciplined by the NDEA Command because of his relationship with the UDP leader, insiders at the NDEA have intimated. Sub-Inspector Karamba Jawla, was recently investigated by the NDEA intelligence unit on alleged drug dealing, exhibit smuggling and proliferation, which investigators say, he allegedly handed to an alleged notorious drug dealer in town for sale.

    SUB-INSPECTOR KARAMBA JAWLA

This followed, allegations made against two personnel of the NDEA: Karamba Jawla and Modou Njie, a driver at the NDEA, by one Ebrima Ndow, AKA Ratty, who claimed that the duo normally supply him with drugs to sell. Mr. Ndow is a native of Medina Serign Mass. He has been arrested by the NDEA on numerous occasions on drug related offenses. He is a familiar face to Gambia’s anti-narcotic officers.

Ratty, had Mr. Jawla on tape discussing the alleged drugs officer Jawla had allegedly supplied to him to sell. Both Jawla and Njie were implicated by Ratty in his statement to the NDEA.

The NDEA intelligence unit at CTI, in Kololi, handled the two accused officers case. Veteran Gambian detective Pa Habib Mbye was among officers who handled Jawla’s case.

Ratty is highly connected to the NDEA top brass. He has in the recent past got some officers fired. He made similar allegations against NDEA ASP Yankuba Camara, and NDEA Inspector Saikouba Jammeh after he was busted with 15 packs of marijuana, but the NDEA command sided with the drug dealer.

     FIRED NDEA INSPECTOR SAIKOUBA JAMMEH

ASP Camara was fired for not being able to account for the drug exhibits seized from Ratty and his co accused person, while Saikouba Jammeh, was dismissed because the NDEA DG Bakary Gassama, accused him of undermining his administration. Gassama also reportedly said Jammeh is married to a relative of the former president Yahya Jammeh. We will get into the Saikouba’s story momentarily. Stay tuned.

At the end of the investigations of Karamba Jawla and Modou Njie’s case, the NDEA investigators recommended that Jawla  and Njie should be dismissed, or in a worse case scenario, Jawla should be transferred to the NDEA offices in Pipeline as a gate man officer. That was the punishment meted out to him, even though he has been accused of supplying drugs to a drug dealer.

As soon as Jawla complained to the NDEA leadership, about his transfer, he was moved to the NDEA CTI intelligence unit as an intelligence officer, insiders said.  His relationship with Ousainou Darboe, had influenced Gassama and co’s move to rescind their decision to demote Jawla as a gate man, the insiders added.

Mr. Jawla was attached to the Serre-Kunda station as a drug officer at the time of the alleged incident. It is not clear if he has discussed the matter with Ousainou Darboe, but NDEA sources noted that Jawla ought to have been dismissed but because of his relationship with Mr. Darboe, he was spared.

Inspector Saikouba Jammeh and ASP Yankuba Camara Fired Because Of Ratty

Saikouba Jammeh, is an anti-narcotic officer. He joined the NDEA in 2005. He is a native of Nuimi Essau. He has served in various part of the country, as an anti narcotic officer.

INSPECTOR SAIKOUBA JAMMEH 

Mr. Jammeh is married to a relative of the former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh. His wife is also related to the former NDEA DG, the late Benedict Jammeh.

Saikouba Jammeh, was up and about in town, when he saw Ratty and six others smoking marijuana. He phoned his boss ASP Yankuba Camara, and asked him, if he could send a reinforcement to arrest Ratty and others.

Yanks Camara showed up alone, but that never stopped Jammeh from pursuing the alleged lawbreakers. Camara and Jammeh conducted the raid and they arrested a man, who was caught with 15 packs of marijuana. Ratty, and co evaded arrested.

While the accused person was being taken to the Brusibi station, where Jammeh was posted, Jammeh received a phone call from Ratty, who allegedly threatened to get him fired. Ratty told him that if he doesn’t quit “spoiling his drug market” he will get him fired. He accused Jammeh of harassing his customers. Jammeh recorded the conversation he had with Ratty, according to sources. ASP Yankuba Camara was in the vehicle at the time.

When Ratty’s co accused person, was interviewed by detectives, he confessed that the 15 packs of marijuana belongs to Ratty. Efforts were made by Inspector Jammeh and ASP Camara to have Ratty arrested. Ratty at the time was reporting to the Banjunding police station on a different drug case.

Jammeh and his boss Camara submitted a request through the station officer (S/O) at Banjulnding to help them detain Ratty if he reports at the station for his bail checking. Word later reached the duo from the Banjulnding S/O that Ratty had stopped reporting to Banjulnding station. The S/O told them that Ratty was instead reporting to Sibanorr, in the Fonis and not Banjulnding.

NDEA Commissioner Malut Faal, a native of Barra, and also a former Gendarmerie officer, told ASP Yankuba Camara, to forget about Ratty’s case. He pleaded with the officer to drop the case.

Faal also engineered the transfer of Inspector Saikouba Jammeh from the Brusibi station to Sanyang. Mr. Jammeh had worked at the Brusibi station for about six months, prior to his sudden transfer.

While in Sanyang, Jammeh, received a message from one of his colleagues, who informed him that there was a conspiracy being hatched to have him implicated by Ratty. A day, or so, he received a phone call from Commissioner Malut Faal, who instructed him to report to the NDEA CTI offices for an interview.

On arrival at the NDEA CTI offices, Jammeh was interviewed by officer Pa Mbye and Momodou S Baldeh, and Pa Manneh. He was fronted with allegations that he left with the seized 15 packs of drugs he seized from Ratty’s co accused person. Mr. Jammeh denied the allegations. He told Pa Mbye and co that at the time of the apprehension, he recorded the seized drugs into the station’s diary. He also said he handed over the 15 packs of cannabis to ASP Yankuba Camara for safekeeping.

NDEA VETERAN INVESTIGATOR PA HABIB MBYE 

Yankuba Camara at some point during the course of the investigations, he wanted to throw Jammeh under the bus, but he later confessed that the exhibits were indeed handed to him by Jammeh. Though, ASP Camara, couldn’t account for the seized drugs. He told Pa Mbye and his co investigators that he resorted to burning the seized drugs, even though he doesn’t have the powers as an ASP, to destroy exhibits without the approval of his superiors at the NDEA.

Detective Pa Mbye recommended at the end of his investigations that Yankuba Camara should be demoted from the rank of ASP to Sub-Inspector, while he said Saikouba Jammeh, should be allowed to continue working with the agency.

At the level of the NDEA Directorate, DG Bakary Gassama decided that he was going to fire both Yankuba Camara and Saikouba Jammeh. His Deputy Tijan Bah, had earlier tried to lure the two accused officers to write an apology letter, so that management can pardon them, but Saikouba Jammeh, stood his ground. He said he will not apologize because he hasn’t done anything wrong. His boss Yanks Camara, wrote an apology, but notwithstanding that never saved him from not being sacked. Both him and Jammeh were fired.

NDEA DG BAKARY GASSAMA 

DG Bakary Gassama has been accused of nepotism. He spared officer Karamba Jawla and Modou Njie, even though the NDEA investigators had recommended for disciplinary action to be taken against the two officers.

The NDEA top brass were also trying to have officer Saikouba Jammeh implicated in Karamba Jawla and Modou Njie’s drug case. Detective Pa Mbye, was categorical in his statement when one of the officers tried to imply that the officer speaking on the tape with Ratty was Saikouba Jammeh. Pa Mbye told them that the officer on the tape was not Saikou

NDEA insiders have accused management of working with drug dealers to dispose drug exhibits in NDEA stores. Bakary Gassama, Lamin Gassama, Tijan Bah, and Malut Faal’s names have featured prominently in both cases involving Ratty.

Saikouba Jammeh, has filed a complaint with the Ombudsman–alleging unlawful termination, discrimination among others against the Directorate of the NDEA.  The Ombudsman is yet to contact the NDEA Directorate on Jammeh’s allegations against Bakary Gassama, and co, according to sources reaching this medium.

The NDEA Directorate could not be reached for their own side of the story.

The post Gambia: Bombshell At Gambia’s Anti-Drug Agency-NDEA; Directorate Spared Foreign Minister’s Nephew Implicated In A Drug Case; Jammeh’s In-Law Fired For No Reason! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

A former Gambian Information Minister jailed during dictator Yahya Jammeh’s rule on charges of distributing t shirts—calling for an end to dictatorship, has been charged with damaging waste pipes belonging to a Chinese Fishing Company—Golden Lead, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. Dr. Amadou Scattered Janneh, a naturalized Gambian United States Citizen, was today charged in court in absentia, together with five other Gunjur environmentalists after been accused of “willful damage to private property and conspiracy to commit crime.” The former Information Minister is on a visit to the United States. He recently attended his son’s graduation ceremony.

Golden Lead, is a Chinese Fishing Company. It is operating a fishing factory along the coastal village of Gunjur. But residents of Gunjur have accused the Chinese company of environmental pollution. Environmentalists also accused Golden Lead of discharging toxic waste product into the sea—thereby allegedly killing Gambia’s ecosystem.

The Management of Golden Lead has rebuffed such claims. The company says it is operating in line with Gambia’s environmental safety regulations and standards.

The Brikama magistrates court today heard that the following people allegedly vandalized the Golden Lead waste disposal pipes: Dr. Amadou Scattered Janneh, Alhagie Kaku Bojang, Lamin Jassey, Ousman Sanneh, Omar Darboe, and Foday Darboe. All the accused persons were in court with the exception of Dr. Amadou Scattered Janneh, who is currently said to be on a visit to the United States.

The charges were read out in court to the accused persons, and they all pleaded not guilty. The accused persons were required to post a bail bond of D400,000, with two Gambian sureties.

The case resumes on June 12^th.

Amadou Scattered Janneh is operating a pro democracy movement called–Coalition for Change Gambia. He was jailed for life imprisonment under Jammeh’s rule. Thanks to the intervention of the veteran US Civil Rights Activist Rev. Jesse Jackson, he was freed from jail. Mr. Jackson negotiated for his release from jail.

Mr. Janneh recently announced that he was going to form a political party. Though his party is yet to be officially launched.

The post Gambia: Breaking News: Former Gambian Information Minister Jailed For Life Imprisonment Under Jammeh’s Rule, Has Been Charged Together With Five Others For Destroying Waste Pipes Belongings To A Chinese Fishing Company! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

After having survived a stroke attack back in 2012, amid an ailing health condition, Banjul born Insurance broker Bai Ndongo Faal, is also faced with potential liquidation of his businesses, as the Gambian state have already taken over his Gam-Savings financial institution, which was declared insolvent by the Central Bank of the Gambia (CBG), during dictator Yahya Jammeh’s rule, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. Gam-Savings was founded by Mr. Faal in 2002. It is a microfinance company, which normally give loans to low income Gambians interested in starting a small-scale business.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Freedom Newspaper on Wednesday, a frustrated Bai Ndongo Faal, explained how the Gambian state, through the Central Bank of the Gambia, took over his Gam-Savings company. Faal notes that the entire process of declaring his company insolvent by the Central Bank Executives was flawed. He accused Saikou Jabbi, the Bank’s First Deputy Governor and one Bai Senghore of witch hunt and harboring a personal vendetta against him (Faal) and his Gam-Savings company.

“Saikou Jabbi and Bai Senghore are bunch of liars. They have been lying against me, and my company. They were out to get me. They had a personal vendetta against me. Jabbi is a big liar. He has been fabricating reports against my company; saying it is not safe for Gam-Savings to be allowed to stay in business,” a ragging Bai Ndongo Faal alleged.

Bai Ndongo Faal’s problems with the Central Bank started during Jammeh’s rule. He couldn’t meet a new depository regulation that was put in place by the former regime—requiring microfinance companies such as his Gam-Savings company to provide a deposit of D10 million before they could be allowed to operate. The collateral deposit was increased from D500,000 dalasis to D10 million dalasis, Faal tells this medium.

Faal, was faced with the option of either closing his Gam-Savings business or borrowing money from the bank to meet the D10 million new depository rule initiated by the erstwhile Jammeh regime.

The Central Bank had already informed him that he risked having his company liquidated due to insufficient funds to cater for his customers financial needs. But Faal thinks that there was more to the Central Bank’s intervention.

“These people were on a witch hunting. They increased the capital from D500,000 dalasis to D10 million dalasis. During that period, we were trying to raise the D10 million dalasis. They put the company on prescription. I had D6 million dalasis at Ecobank at the time. They blocked the account. For nine months, they have blocked my account,” Faal lamented.

“In the end, I couldn’t access the funds. I told them that this thing is not sustainable. Let close the company. I wrote them several letters and I can give you the evidence to that effect. Despite efforts to engage them with the view of closing the company, they refused to respond to my invitation,” he added.

Mr. Faal wants the Gambian government to lift the blockage imposed on his account at Ecobank, so that he can move his funds. He accused the regime of frustrating entrepreneurs such as him, to operate business in the country.

Saikou Jabbi was appointed liquidator to oversee the closing of Gam-Savings. Mr. Faal said throughout the liquidation process, he was completely sidelined by Jabbi and his staff. This, he said, has undermined the credibility of the liquidation process.

“Then in 2010, I wrote them again, requesting for an audience so that we can sort out all these problems. I was scheduled for a meeting at the bank at 1:00 o’clock. At 12 o’clock, while going to the Central Bank to attend the meeting, I received a letter from the Central Bank stating that they have revoked the license that was issued to Gam-Savings,” Faal remarked.

“The company was not in distress; we were paying out salaries; giving out loan; they were just lying. In the end, they decided to take over the company. They appointed Saikou Jabbi, who is now the Deputy Governor, as the liquidator. That Deputy Governor has been lying against me, and Gam-Savings. He has been writing reports lying against my company. He said the company is not been run in a safe manner, which is a lie. The company was never in distress,” he further alleged.

Mr. Jabbi and his staff had to ensure that customers funds were protected. They asked Faal to hire an auditing firm to audit the books. Finance Minister Amadou Sanneh’s auditing company was hired by Faal to audit his company to see if there were any discrepancies. Mr. Sanneh was paid D35,000 dalasis to audit Faal’s company. The auditing of Gam-Savings happened during dictator Jammeh’s rule, Faal said.

“After all that, they called me, to the Central Bank and told me, that they over paid D9.1 million dalasis. They paraded very junior staff of the Bank before me, to tell me that they over paid my customers. I told them to go hell and I walked out. If you don’t consult me, you will overpay of course,” Faal said.

I had stroke since 2012. I was in Dakar, having my treatment; they sued me; They said there were discrepancies of D9.1 million dalasis,” he added.

According to Faal, the Central Bank lost the lawsuit it filed against him. He vowed that he is not going to pay the Gambian state a dime.

“I am not going to pay a dime. I owe them nothing. Jabbi, personally withdrew cash from our account to pay customers. They never check the ledger. They were doing things on their own. I was never consulted either,” he added.

Mr. Faal also debunked claims allegedly made by Mr. Jabbi that he was operating Gam-Savings without Board of Directors. He maintains that Jabbi’s goal was to send him out of business and was allegedly making up stories against him.

“He also lied in his report that we do not have a board of Directors for the company, which is a lie. Uncle Pa Cham was the Chairman of the Company; the Chairman of the Board of Directors; Juka Jabang, was a member of the Board; you can ask her, whether she was not a member of that Board. Now it was Saikou Jabbi to be the liquidator. How can you appoint a staffer of the Central Bank to be the liquidator,?” Faal asked.

Mr. Faal had a long history of having issues with the Central Bank. He said he was once told by the sacked former Deputy Governor Basiru Njie that it was not right for him to be running two companies at the same time. He even had to close his life Insurance company because of Mr. Njie’s remarks.

Bai Ndongo Faal is also the proprietor of Gamstar, one of the oldest Insurance companies in the Gambia. He said the Central Bank is also targeting Gamstar for possible closure. He said he was told by the Bank that he risked having Gamstar closed if he doesn’t provide a collateral of D20 million dalasi into his account. Faal had to loan D15 million dalasi from one of the banks in the Gambia to salvage Gamstar. But notwithstanding, Faal said, the Bank is still threatening to close Gamstar.

Gamstar has 50 staff on its payroll, while the defunct Gam-Savings company employed 80 Gambians prior to its closure, according to Mr. Faal. Faal told the Freedom Newspaper that he is being unfairly targeted by the Gambian state. He said he has invested over D41 million dalasis in the Gambia, since he started business.

Mr. Saikou Jabbi and the people implicated in Mr. Faal’s interview could not be reached for comment.

The post Gambia: Breaking News: Banjul Born Insurance Broker Bai Ndongo Faal Accuses The Gambian State Of Witch Hunt; As Central Bank Liquidates Faal’s Gam-Savings Company; Gamstar Is Also Being Targeted! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

SSHFC MD, MANJANG INVOLVED IN GROSS ECONOMIC CRIME AND ABUSE OF OFFICE BY HIS BLATANT DISREGARD TO RULES AND POLICIES IN DICTATORIALLY APPROVING ISHA BAYO’S TRAINING IN GHANA:

Fresh facts have been unveiled in the approval and sending of Isha Bayo for a 3 year ACCA Program in Ghana. Gambians will be shocked to find out that Manjang has either ignorantly, because of his incompetence or blatantly, because of his arrogance and pomposity flouted all institutional rules and policies and out of his lust for this girlfriend of his, has approved this study program for her without the girl even been confirmed on the job. Isha is still under probation for only 7 months and not yet confirmed permanently. More shocking is also the fact the girl has not in fact been bonded as her bonding process was incomplete and she was rushed by the selfish, arrogant and heartless Manjang to leave for Ghana.

Isha’s qualifications as lied to the public by Manjang are not even found in her personal file and that begs the question as to if she in fact got those two papers Manjang had claimed in the video that the girl had passed. There is, as at now, more than nine staff in the Finance Department of SSHFC who are more qualified and who have been there for more than six years and some for fifteen. The policy of SSHFC on overseas training is that one has to serve five years and above in addition to the cardinal rule of the individual being a permanent staff and be in a position to fully meet all the bonding requirements which is in the form of a collateral like a title deed. Even staff that got sponsorship from the office to enroll in the UTG must go through this rigorous process before they are allowed to settle for their first lectures otherwise that incompetent Paul Correa will never allow them to leave their office duties. Why is Isha who barely spent less than eight months on the job and the least qualified, any different from the other hardworking, dedicated and more qualified staffs that have been there for so many years?

Some people asked why all the focus on Isha as it was two staffs that were to be sent. You see Manjang is so cunning and skillful in his corrupt and dubious acts. He engineered this whole ACCA program for Isha alone and when there erupts a noise about it from the staff; he decided to ask the Finance Department to nominate another person so as to cover his clandestine motives. Another important observation is that ACCA is doable here locally and I see no reason why one will spend a lot of money on one person alone outside the country paying the tuition fees, salary and the person’s stipend. This is hard to digest and I again call for her recall and the cancellation of her whole study program.

Manjang is truly a disgrace to the new Gambia free from dictatorship. He should be prosecuted for gross economic crime and abuse of office. A drastic sample has to be and it has to start with him. H.E President Barrow, some of these wicked and selfish heads of our institutions are of the notion that the dictator is gone and you are a soft leader and they can do anything and get away with it. Please set an example on Manjang so it will be a deterrent for other heads. This way, no head of an institution will ever abuse his powers on his staff like the cruel and selfish Manjang did to SSHFC staff since he got appointed to the position.

Some people who come to his defense will allude to his professionalism as he worked with Multinational Corporations (MNC) like the Standard Chartered Kenya Office. How some Gambians are so gullible is just beyond me indeed. So if someone works in an MNC like SCB, that person is a saint and infallible? Anyway, that is not Manjang as he is the most corrupt, selfish, clueless, arrogant and incompetent leader I have ever come across. Some have also said that Manjang has managed multimillion dollar funds and he has never been found wanting. Can you please ask Manjang why and under what circumstances he left the SCB Kenya Office? You few gullible minds who come here to his defense will be shocked beyond belief to know, if he comes out honest to you but I know he being the liar he is, will not tell you the truth about it. The other thing is also the fact that one just cannot compare an MNC like SCB and our local institutions in terms of personnel.

While staff of an MNC like SCB are mostly all round polished to the highest degree especially in terms of academic qualifications, here in our offices locally, some of our staff are just below average. This category of staff especially among our girls can do anything to seduce our men at the helm and mess them up big time if one is not level headed. MNC women staff will not be so cheap and desperate to prey on their men heads of institutions as they are mostly accomplished women of high standards. In MNCs, one being the head does not mean that one can just bend the rules anyhow he or she feels unlike in most of our local institutions. This is what exactly happened to Manjang at the SSHFC as he has been messed up big time by the amount of seduction he got from the little Isha Bayo.
Manjang as well lied in that video when he made reference to the loan ceiling that has been disbursed to staff of SSHFC which was a subject of an outcry from some people. What I want these people to understand is that SSHFC has solid liquid investments that yield the institution high scale returns and does not depend on members’ contributions or pensioners’ funds to satisfy the loan requirements of its staff, the greater chunk of which are mostly building loans which no one can go without. Besides, these loans also accrue a fairly high rate of interest payments for staff. So I see no fuss here absolutely since the loans are serviced fully with interest. The selfish and cruel Manjang was only trying to mislead the public so as to amass sympathy from them but he is defeated in his treacherous motive there.

DEBUNKING MANJANG’S CLAIM THAT HIS AGENDA IS TO GET RID OF THE STATUS QUO AND THAT HE IS PROTECTING THE INTEREST OF THE POOR PENSIONERS:

The selfish, heartless and clueless Manjang made mention of getting rid of the status quo and protecting the interest of the pensioners. What does he mean by the status quo? That is our old ways of doing things right? Ok, let’s get things into perspective here. The status quo was buying a brand new vehicle for the new MD discarding the use of the previous MD’s vehicle. Why didn’t Manjang scrap that status quo and tell SSHFC Management that no, he was ok in making use of the previous MD’s official vehicle and that there was no need to spend that staggering poor pensioners’ funds as he calls it on a new vehicle for himself and another two utility cars for his family and the office? Is this man not hypocritical and selfish here? Where is the interest of pensioners he is lying about here?
The status quo was buying a phone for the MD but never to the amount of 65,000 dalasis for any former MD. Manjang is the only one to be ever bought a phone of that huge amount of money and only for him to lie within a month that the phone was damaged when he in fact gave the phone to the little Isha Bayo. The institution again had to buy another phone of similar value or even more expensive for him. The question I am asking is, what can a 65,000 dalasis whatever phone do that a less than 10,000 dalasis J5 Samsung phone cannot do? And this man said he is protecting the interest of the pensioners. Liar, selfish and a hypocrite he is! The pensioners as I said earlier are the most disgruntled against him as he betrayed every one of them.

No former MD in SSHFC’s history has ever been going to hotels at his private time and has quality time and brings those bills for the office to pay. Manjang is the only MD who did that ever. Evidences of the vouchers are there. Even if that’s a facility created for him as the MD, can’t he do away with that since he said he is getting rid of the status quo and protecting the interest of poor pensioners? Manjang is truly fake and a big liar.

The status quo was to pay the MD’s internet service at his private home. Almost 50,000 dalasis is paid on his internet bill at his home every month. Since Manjang has a lot of money as he made us to believe, why can he show some empathy to poor pensioners and the staff by getting rid of that too and paying that bill from his salary? But no! That status quo also remains as it benefits him. How we Africans are greedy is insulting to say the least and he claimed to be protecting the poor pensioners’ interest when those people even find it hard to put food on the table for their families. This is how fake Manjang is Gambians and this is how he brutalized the staff of SSHFC since he came in there. He found it a bad status quo for taking loans for staff to build their compounds and drive their cars to work as according to him, that status quo was not sustainable but any facility allocated for him was good and not a bad status quo and therefore sustainable. The man is full of grudge in his filthy heart I swear!

Manjang held the approved budget for 2018 for nearly six months until today without execution and no one knows the reason for it as alluded to by the Finance Director. Staff promotions, acting appointments and trainings that are in the budget had not been effected but he was ok to approve the unbudgeted Isha Bayo’s 3 year ACCA Program. This girl was the most undeserving, ineligible and unqualified for that training. What kind of blatant injustice and abuse of one’s powers is this? Doesn’t he know that only God is powerful and that in this new Gambia, these things cannot just go unchallenged like that?

He paid a lady, one Sirra Foon who is so attached to him a whopping 400,000 dalasis being what she termed unpaid medical insurance while she was on her studies. These claims have been rejected by the previous MDs, Gibba and Graham. The thing fishy about this payment is that Aji Yamundow Jagne who was together with Sirra on the same study program also put in a similar claim for the same unpaid medical insurance but hers was turned down by Manjang. Something is not adding up here. If Sabally could be dragged to court for a similar illegal payment to a certain lady, why not Manjang?

Manjang is very corrupt and selfish. This, I can safely vouch. He did a lot of nefarious acts since he got appointed to this position. From the dismantling of the previous biometric attendance monitoring machine and investing in a similar one to his hiring of a private security firm, G4S, to man our gates when we have our own securities, to his hiring of a private auditing firm and investing millions in that, to his hiring of Jamal Miknas, a friend on a so called ‘system management’ contract paying him exorbitant wages , Manjang was of no added value to SSHFC but instead took the institution backwards since all the staff look totally dejected and could not do their work the way they should.

As at today, close to 250 active SSHFC staffs from all categories have signed the petition for Manjang to go and for Isha Bayo to be recalled. The general staff can never work with him as they are so demotivated and dispirited by the corrupt, selfish and arrogant MD. He lacked every bit of respect and regard from all staff of this noble institution and for them to have a new lease of life to work once again; they have to get a new head. Mr President, H.E Barrow, please act fast as the SSHFC staff respect you so much and therefore will give you some bit of time to make your decision on this saga. All that you have to know is that we are not working normally as it should be until Manjang is booted out. There is no dispute that he offended us all in no small measure. Manjang typifies greed, corruption, selfishness, favoritism, arrogance and dictatorship.

Written By A Concerned Citizen

Editors note: The authors views are entirely his own views. His views do not represent the position of the Freedom Newspaper. Thanks for your attention.

The post Gambia: Concern Citizen Says MD Manjang Should Be Charged With Economic Crime appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Fearing that his current party’s leadership might likely sellout to the Barrow led Coalition government, amid uncertainty facing the onetime dominant former ruling APRC government, the exiled Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh has instituted drastic changes within the APRC leadership over the weekend, the FREEDOM NEWSPAPER can reveal. Top officials of the APRC have been replaced with immediate effect by Jammeh, who is pulling the political strings away from his new base in Equatorial Guinea. Fakabary Tombong Jatta, the APRC interim leader was earlier replaced by his Deputy former Army General MA Bah. Ousman Jatta, AKA Rambo was appointed Deputy APRC leader by Jammeh. He was supposed to replace MA Bah. Also replaced was the APRC spokesman Seedy Njie. Jammeh had earlier issued a directive that Bo Jarju, a former UDP supporter should replace Seedy Njie.  Jarju is a resident of Brikama.

But at an APRC meeting held today, Jammeh’s decision was rescinded. For now, Fabakary Tombong Jatta and his Executive remains as leaders of the APRC. The APRC fears that if Jammeh’s verbal orders were to be executed it could have led to the party’s total disintegration. Hence, which led to the sudden rescinding of the dictator’s orders.

Jammeh’s term as the APRC leader ends in 2020. He can only be replaced through a Congress. For now, Jammeh is pulling the strings from Equatorial Guinea.

As the APRC leader, Jammeh has been empowered by the APRC party constitution to appoint members of his party’s Executive. It was through Jammeh that Fabakary Tombong Jatta was appointed interim leader of the APRC. The former Interior Minister and Army Major MA Bah, was also appointed by Jammeh to serve as the party’s Deputy Leader.

Jammeh negotiated for his departure from the country, following Gambia’s month long political impasse, which saw Barrow as the winner of the December 2016 elections. Jammeh has since been living in exile in Equatorial Guinea.

Seedy Njie’s recent statement pledging his support for President Adama Barrow infuriated Jammeh. Mr. Jammeh is also not happy with the way Fabakary Tombong Jatta is handling the affairs of the party. Hence, he ordered for drastic changes within the party’s leadership.

There has been growing calls by rights groups for Jammeh’s extradition from Equatorial Guinea to face justice. The exiled Gambian leader has been accused of massive human rights violations—ranging from murder, torture, and rape.

According to sources close to the APRC, Yahya Jammeh wants a firebrand leadership within his party. Jammeh, said our sources, has doubts about the loyalty of certain members of the APRC leadership. He thinks that the likes of Seedy Njie are vulnerable and could easily sellout to the new rulers in Banjul, said one source.

Jammeh’s weekend APRC leadership shakeup has thrown the party into total confusion. The party’s leadership are currently meeting—with the view of managing the potential crisis.

Yahya Jammeh’s recent meddling into Gambia’s transitional politics will spark a debate in the country. His motives are not clear. Some analysts are of the view that Jammeh wants to plunge the country into chaos ahead of the much talked about Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The post Gambia: Breaking News: Jammeh’s Decision To Fire Two APRC Leaders Rescinded! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Omar Ann, the son of Gambia’s Vice President Fatou Jallow Tambajang, has finally secured a job with the Barrow administration, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. Ann has been appointed to serve in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Banjul Secretariat conference, which had its offices in the Gambia.

The Gambia is supposed to host the upcoming OIC Summit. Preparations are in high gears to lay the groundwork for the upcoming Summit.

Omar Ann used to live in Raleigh, North Carolina. He recently returned home. He received his appointment letter some weeks ago.

Though, Ann’s OIC job hiring was never advertised by the regime. Job appointments in Barrow’s government are hardly advertised. It is also not based on merit in some cases.

It is not clear how Omar Ann secured his new job. Though, his mum is an influential figure in Barrow’s government.

Omar Ann graduated from NC Central with a bachelor’s degree in Business administration. He has been a longtime cab driver in the Triangle. His last employment was with a Raleigh cab company prior to returning home.

Millions of dollars have been earmarked for the upcoming Banjul OIC Summit. The Chinese government is sponsoring for the construction of the multi million dollars conference center for the Summit in Bijilo.

Mr. Ann could not be reached for comment.

The post Gambia: Breaking News: VP’s Son Appointed To Serve In The Multi-million Dollars OIC Banjul Conference Secretariat! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

The Interim Leader of the former Ruling APRC Party Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has accused MA Bah, a former Army General, who was appointed by dictator Yahya Jammeh to serve as his Deputy, of trying to destabilize the opposition APRC party. Jatta also accuses Bah of using dictator Jammeh’s name to hastily prop up a new Executive over the weekend—knowing that Jammeh has never given his blessings or approval to Bah’s mischievous political machinations. “There is too much talk about MA Bah and his so-called Committee. MA Bah is not a registered member of the APRC. If General Bah, has the APRC’s interest at heart, he wouldn’t have been engaged in divisive politics. What is certain for sure is that the APRC Committee is intact. What they are saying about the former President Yahya Jammeh is a lie. It is not true.  It is a lie. I can give you evidences.  I can even make arraignment for you to talk to some people,” Mr. Jatta told Star FM radio.

“For the APRC Executive to be removed, it must go through an order and procedures. I, as the interim leader of the Party, I don’t have the powers to dissolve the Executive. That’s not possible. There are set rules and regulations governing the APRC and its Executive. There is a clique of people, with dubious intentions, who are out to destabilize the party. They are doing this for cheap popularity.  We can be in the opposition for twenty years. If anyone thinks that he can come in and write bogus stuff just for personal aggrandizement, to mortgage the party, he must be fooling himself,” Jatta added.

Mr. Jatta, speaking for the first time since Mr. Bah’s proclamation of heading the new APRC Executive, said there is no iota of truth in MA Bah’s claims. He accused Bah of instigating a coup against the current legitimate Executive of the APRC. He warned Bah to refrain from his divisive politics or risked facing disciplinary action.

“APRC is intact. We are calling on all APRC party members to remain loyal to the party. But we are also saying that the party still has a constitution and laws governing it; people must behave; ill behavior may lead to some disciplinary action. What is being said is not true. The APRC is not a one man show party; people are consulted,” he said.

MA Bah and his Executive claimed that they had the backing of dictator Yahya Jammeh, who is living in exile in Equatorial Guinea. But Fabakary Tombong Jatta disagrees.

“I just read now.. He (MA) said HE president Jammeh never told him what we are saying. That’s very interesting. Let me, assure MA, that president Jammeh is not with him. No genuine APRC is with him. I am talking between me, and God. If I, and him, were presented before Jammeh, Jammeh will take me. If their so called Executive and that of ours is presented before Jammeh, Jammeh will take ours.  If you place me, on any plate, I am heavier.  I don’t want to talk about myself; morally I am clean; me, I don’t play double standards. Capacity wise, he cannot challenge me. He is morally bankrupt for me. He is morally bankrupt. I done a lot of things with him. Me, I am content; contentment of mind; and my life is to serve, and to serve honestly. That’s all.  I am different from him,” Jatta posited.

“He can come back. He is still where he is, but he cannot continue to destabilize the party; otherwise disciplinary action will be taken against him. The party is governed by laws,” he added.

Mr. Jatta also confirmed that he spoke with Jammeh over the weekend over MA Bah’s proclamation of running a new APRC Executive. Jatta wouldn’t disclose the issues he discussed with Jammeh, but he maintained that Jammeh unequivocally refuted MA Bah’s claims.

“ I said to you people, time to time that I talk to Yahya Jammeh. We talk about a lot of issues. He also talks to other people about a lot of issues. I will not reveal that, but what I can tell you is that some claims were made which he refuted; he said a lot of things. Our position was very clear; that the APRC is a disciplined and cultured party; governed by regulations,” Jatta said.

“The information that is going around is that former president Jammeh has done this on Friday…  I am telling you, it is not true. It cannot hold water. He is 100 percent in support of the current Executive. That one, take it from me,” he added.

Mr. Jatta also downplayed Seedy Njie’s statement that he is 100 percent behind president Barrow. Jatta said Seedy is still part of the APRC, and that Seedy’s statement should not be misconstrued as if he has resigned from the APRC. He maintained that Seedy Njie is part and parcel of the APRC and he still retains his Executive position with the APRC.

The post Gambia: APRC Interim Leader FTJ Accuses MA Bah, A Non-Registered Member Of The APRC, Of Trying To Destabilize The Party; Says Jammeh Is 100 Percent Behind His Executive! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.