Almost ninety percent of the Gambian students, who sat for this year’s West African Senior Secondary school Certificate (WAEC) Examination, have miserably failed. The students have failed most of their subjects, especially subjects such as Mathematics and English language. Gambian academicians have warned that the results represent the country’s declining education system.

According to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), over 13, 000 Gambian students sat for this years’ West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. Over 45 percent of the candidates were male, while 54 percent were female.

The West African Examinations Council says 475 candidates obtained credit passes in five subjects and above, including English language and Mathematics. WAEC also says there has been decreased in pass ratio compared to last year, when 530 students obtained five credit passes in five subjects and above.

Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, a Political Science Professor at the University of the Gambia, opines that the WAEC results depicts gloomy future for Gambia’s education system.

“The results are saying that the education system is really faltering because I think over ninety percent of the students, who sat the exams didn’t have the five credits that is needed to even enter University. Meaning that over ninety percent basically failed the exams. With compared to other countries in the sub-region, if you look at Nigeria, or Ghana, if they have 30 percent pass rate for them that is a failure. And this has been happening for the past couple of years especially in the subjects of Maths and English; Gambian students are failing,” Ceesay noted.

The exiled Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh has been credited for building numerous schools and hospitals in the country. Though, the two sectors have been underperforming for a while.

Dr. Ismaila Ceesay said lack of quality education could partly be blamed for the appalling results. “There is a combination of factors; one is that during the previous; in the past 10, 15, 20 years, the Gambian government has been investing more on the hardware of education; that is building schools; they have been focusing more on the quantity rather than quality; and they have not been investing more on the software of education; that is investing in teacher training; investing more in the education system.”

Ceesay also said lack of decent salaries and incentives is impacting on education in the Gambia. He says Gambian teachers are poorly paid, hence many are leaving the profession.

Also reacting to the development is Musa Bah, an English teacher at the Nurstrat High School. “The first reaction is that, the results are abysmally poor. The performance is very, very bad, and it is worrying for the country,” he said.

“ That means a large number of young people will be there, who cannot go to University because they don’t have the results; they cannot get jobs; and if it continues like this I think it is worthy of concern,” he added.

Mr. Bah said a wide range of reasons are responsible for the students underperformance in this year’s WAEC Exams. He cited the lack of comprehensive government policy in revamping the sector.

“Well the factors are many and vary; it can go from government policy to WAEC, and the way they write their questions; the teachers, the parents; it is complex, but all these factions are to blame in some way or the other,” Bah said.

The Gambian government under the leadership of President Adama Barrow, has developed a national blueprint document called the National Development Plan (NDP). The NDP seeks to address the country’s key developmental challenges such education, health, agriculture, among others.

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: 90 PERCENT OF GAMBIAN STUDENTS WHO SAT FOR THIS YEAR’S WAEC EXAMS FAILED MISERABLY! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Dear Pa Nderry,

I want to thank you for allowing us to express our opinions on what is happening in our country.

I have been following the story of the port container scanning contract and would like to state that GRA clarifications made on July 22 make no sense.

I know about container scanning and I am appalled to see that such practices we fought against are still very much alive.

Please find below my opinion on the matter.

Is it really the new Gambia?

One may wonder, considering the scandal currently happening in the attribution of the scanning operations at the Port of Banjul, such a vital and strategic gateway to the country.

GRA has been entrusted to conduct the bidding process with internal conflicting results.

The bid has been attributed to Nick TC-Scan, raising many concerns amongst the specialists, the least of them being its dubious reputation.

Faced with questions, GRA provided indications on what Nick TC-Scan offered, that raise even more questions within informed circles.

Let’s analyze some of the assertions of GRA in their latest communication to explain their choice:

Weight of scanning machine to be provided: the performance of a scanning machine is absolutely not related to its weight, height, size but rather to the steel penetration.

Steel penetration between 320 – 350 meters: Scanning machines are produced in series. For each series there are various models and each model has a fixed penetration. The exact model chosen has to be mentioned of which the penetration should be a fixed value.

Maintenance: Minimum time required to repair the machine is “15 as engineers will be on the ground”: 15 min? 15 hours? 15 days? Dismantling the X-ray tube only takes several hours.

Standby generator, power stabilizer, transformer: A power generator, as well as a power stabilizer, are necessary for all scanning machines as a backup when the normal power supply is unavailable or unreliable. Any good scanning operator will include in its investment a power generator fitting the power needs of the machine.

All high intensity scanners have embedded transformers as components since they require high energy.

Stock of spare parts on the site: the stock of spare parts cannot be included in the investments.

The company will invest $23 million dollars, not the government: By definition, in BOT contracts, governments do not disburse any money. This is the essence of a BOT. All bidders, in response to the specifications of the bid documents must have proposed to finance the investment.

For specialists though, whatever the type of machine, the features, the manufacturer or the accessories, a 6 MeV scanning is usually around $3,5 million and definitely cannot cost up to  $23 million dollars.

Did GRA take into account the potential increase of scanning fees for the bidder to recoup its massive investment, and the consequences on the prices of goods in the country?

What did the other bidders offer that was so below such a disputable and expensive offer?

If we want transparency, if we want the new Gambia we fought so hard for, GRA must answer.

A  Concerned Gambian.

The post Is it really the new Gambia? appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Mali Violence A Lesson for Gambia – Ex-Minister

Former Minister of the Interior Mai Ahmad Fatty has said that violence in Mali and elsewhere “is valuable lesson for The Gambia to urgently, fully implement Security Sector Reform (SSR), take public security seriously.”

“We should provide needed resources and enhanced capacity for our law enforcement agencies,” Fatty said through his official Facebook page.

“If we are negligent of the institutional needs of our security outfits, then we as a nation must be cognizant of the potentially complex public security challenges,” he added.

According to Fatty, it was imperative for the government “to genuinely engage civil society and political parties on the way forward, and seriously fight corrupt practices through effective accountable governance architecture.”

“We need to focus on those elements that will fundamentally grow the domestic economy to create new jobs for the youth. We must be inclusive, embrace all and provide a sense of belonging for all Gambians. We need a National Political Dialogue to entrench our new democratic gains,” he said.

Malians went to the polls on Saturday to vote for a new president but the process was halted at hundreds of polling stations because of violence.

“We condemn the violence against the Malian electoral system by terrorists, as result of which 644 polling stations were reportedly unable to operate. We stand with Mali in their consolidation of democracy,” Fatty said.

Written By Lamin Njie

The post Gambia: Mali Violence A Lesson for Gambia – Ex-Minister appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

A leading Gambian Political Scientist Dr. Ismaila Ceesay said President Adama Barrow does not only lacked the intellectual pedigree to run the Gambia, but has also shattered the aspirations of the Gambian people who voted him into office to champion meaningful political change. “It is my opinion that he lacks the wherewithal to give Gambians what they now most yearn for; that is development, and a comprehensive political, social and economic transformation. He has demonstrated his inability to do this, through a pattern of inconsistencies and contractions in his style of leadership,” Ceesay, who is a Political Science Professor at the University of the Gambia told Freedom Radio Gambia in an interview.  

“When he started the first thing he did was to appoint Ambassadors at large. For me, that was one of the wrong moves he made. What does those Ambassadors at large…; really what values have they added to his government? I don’t know. And secondly, normally people will not be happy with this; but I think he lacks the intellectual disposition to handle the challenging problems of government. Experience also is another issue. I am glad that he himself admitted that,” he added.

Ceesay, who is currently visiting the United Kingdom, said, it is about time for Gambians to make it compulsory for non-degree holders not to be elected as President. He said the current Constitution, has low standards as far as the qualifications of one being elected as a President is concerned. The constitution, he said, doesn’t require one to secure a certain  number of credits upon completing secondary education. All it says , he went on, “is that for one to be qualified to run for President, he or she must finish his secondary school education,” adding that he doesn’t think candidates, who failed mathematics and English language can effectively lead a country, like the Gambia.

Hence, Ceesay says, there should be a provision in the new constitution currently being drafted to require people aspiring to be elected President to bag a University degree. He pointed out that there is no proof available online to suggest that President Adama Barrow has successfully completed his high school education. Ceesay said in the interest of transparency, President Barrow should make his high school results public as done by his predecessor dictator Yahya Jammeh.

Dr. Ceesay also noted that President Barrow is leading a mediocre government. Barrow, he said, is not only clueless when it comes to governance, but to add insult to injury, he has surrounded himself with poorly educated political hacks. This, he said, is having a devastating impacting on governance and development in the country.

“He shot himself in the foot. What did he do; he got rid of the people, who had experience. He didn’t bring in people, who could help him, navigate the complex world of governance, but then he surrounded himself with people, who can add no value to his own weaknesses,” Ceesay said, adding that it was wrong for Barrow to fire his Coalition partners. He referenced the sacking of VP Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang, Agriculture Minister Omar Amadou Jallow, and former Interior Minister Mai Fatty. He said Barrow has proven to be a betrayer, and his decisions are often influenced by his increasing desire to consolidate himself in power.

“So, in a nutshell Pa, Jawara gave us independence in 1965, when we wanted it. In 1994, we wanted change, Jammeh gave us change; in 2016, Gambians wanted democracy, Barrow gave us the democracy. Now, Gambians want a leader, who can give us the much-needed development, which has so far been elusive,” he added.

Dr. Ceesay also said Barrow hasn’t spearheaded any meaningful development project since he was voted into office in December of 2016. He said the regime is instead busy promoting the National Development Plan (NDP), when there are pressing developmental challenges facing the country. He cited the tanked economy, coupled with massive youth unemployment, and lack of security in the country. He said having the NDP is one thing, but it is another think for the government to be able demonstrate that they can run the country.

“They have been adopting the wrong approach in looking for a development solution. They have been looking elsewhere. They had always thought that the solution to Gambia’s development imperatives is outside; it through loans, and grants and running around the world; no, the solution is inside the country. Until and unless we start looking inwards; until and unless we start appreciating and harnessing our resources that we have; resources such as the sea; we have the Atlantic Ocean where we have a bunch of spices; we have a very fertile soil; agriculture; we have pleasant weather not far from mainland Europe; tourism; we have a very youthful population. Over 65 percent of our population are young; invest in the young people,” he said.

In our subsequent edition, we will publish another story, in which Dr. Ceesay warns about the political and economic dangers of having Barrow as Gambia’s President post transition period. Stay tuned.

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: ADAMA BARROW LACKS THE INTELLECTUAL PEDIGREE TO RUN GAMBIA-PROF. ISMAILA CEESAY appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

A renowned and respected Gambian Political Scientist Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has warned against President Adama Barrow, staying in power beyond the three years transition period or the five-year mandate stipulated by the constitution. Dr. Ceesay warns that Gambia’s peace and stability cannot be guaranteed if Mr. Barrow decides to cling onto power beyond the stipulated time period mentioned above, while citing the possibilities of the military overthrowing his government. “Now, if Barrow decides to stay beyond the five years, this can cause problems for the Gambia, and it might lead to another military dictatorship in the Gambia. So, that is why for me, it is important; this is very, very important; and every Gambian must really fight; any Gambian who really believes; is a strong democrat and believes in the national interest, Barrow should not be allowed to run in the next elections,” Dr. Ceesay, who is a Political Science Professor at the University of the Gambia told Freedom Radio Gambia during an exclusive interview.  

“Gambia’s political stability and democratic gains consolidation cannot be guaranteed if he stays beyond five years. Because I will repeat it: That Barrow going after five years, could really bring another military dictatorship in the Gambia. Like I said Pa, self-perpetuating rule; because you know ECOMIG will not stay in the Gambia forever. They will leave at some point; the rate of nepotism and corruption that we are seeing now is reminiscent of the Gambia of the eighties. And if it continues; that is the reason why the military intervened in 1994; it is because of that,” he added.

Dr. Ceesay reminded President Barrow that a man’s word is his honor. He said it was Barrow, who told the Gambian nation, including the Senegalese press, that he was going to honor the three year transition period agreed by the Coalition government.

Barrow, he said, also promised that he was not going to run after his three-year mandate. But what we are witnessing now, he went on, is Barrow, reneging from his original promise. He said Barrow has clearly communicated to Gambians during his recent meet the farmers tour that he wants to stay in power beyond the three year transition period.

“I think President Adama Barrow should honor his word. He had an agreement in the form of an MOU with his peers. And the agreement was that the person, who is elected as the flag-bearer, should only rule for three years and then we will call for fresh elections. You have to understand the spirit of the MOU. The whole idea was that we are going to establish a new constitution for within three years, which could allow for elections to take place,” Dr. Ceesay remarked.

“So, for me, I think he should honor his words. If he for some reason sees that the three years isn’t enough for him to do the necessary constitutional reform; the TRRC and so on and so forth; I think it is just apt for him to consult again with the people he sat with to say look: We agreed on three years, but I cannot do the three years; I want to go for another two years; for another five years; and if we all agree, why not; but that agenda is difficult now because he has burnt bridges. He has elbowed out most of his coalition partners; that wasn’t a wise way to do,” he added.

Dr. Ceesay warns that there are far reaching political ramifications associated with Barrow ruling the Gambia beyond five years. He further warns that any attempt on the side of Barrow to self-perpetuate himself in power, could cost the impoverished West African nation dearly.

“For the sake of maintaining our democratic gains after the transition; and also, for the sake of the supreme national interest of the Gambia, Barrow should not go beyond the five years. Whether he will go after the three years, that is up to him and the coalition partners. They are the ones to make that agreement, but for the five years, I don’t think it is in the interest of the Gambia, for Barrow to go beyond the five years. It is not in the interest of the Gambia, for Barrow to run in the next Presidential elections; because why? The reason is that: One, one of the reasons why we had this transition and the MOU is to inject a new democratic culture in the Gambia. The spirit is to stop self-perpetuating rule. Instil a new democratic culture, where a leader voluntarily relinquishes power. This will not only send a strong signal that our democracy is maturing, but it also sets a very important political precedent,” he said.

When asked what makes him believe that Barrow’s prolonged to stay in power could lead to another military dictatorship in the Gambia, Dr. Ceesay remarked: “ Because the whole idea is to stop self-perpetuating rule. Because if Barrow runs for the next elections, the playing field will not be leveled. Obviously, if Barrow has during the transition shown tendencies whereby he blatantly engages in constitutional infractions by receiving gifts and so on and so forth. There is no reason for us to believe that Barrow will not use the state resources to win the next elections. And you know African politics… the power of incumbency, or the advantage of incumbency. So, if Barrow stays for five years; this five years, and win the next elections; definitely he will be there for fifteen years; fifteen and twenty what is the difference?,” he rhetorically asked.

“What happens is that we are going to repeat the same cycle of self-perpetuating rule. So, there is no guarantee that there cannot be another young military officer, who will just think look, it is enough; it is enough; we are also going to take over the country. So, for me, that is why I say, we should set a good precedent; we should take break from the past; we should reset the democratic culture and instill a new democratic culture in the Gambia,” he added.

Dr. Ceesay also said Gambians should put all hands on deck to prevent Barrow from prolonging his stay in power. He said Barrow has so far proven that he is not only incompetent to run the country, but has also betrayed his coalition partners by firing them.

“Barrow will do favor for himself; he will do himself a favor; the Gambia a favor and the world a favor; he will earn the respect of every Gambian; he will earn the respect of posterity; he will earn the respect of the whole world, if Barrow after the three or the five years, and said look, I have been given a task to do certain reforms; I have done them; I am going to organize elections; let Gambians go find those interested to run; come and run and let the Gambian people to choose; and he retreats; and I think that would be the best think that would happen to the Gambia in the 21^st century,” he said.

“I am sure Barrow going beyond the five years will do more harm to the Gambian democracy than good. And as a citizen, it is my right to raise these issues that I think can harm the Gambia. I don’t see anything good in Barrow going beyond the five years. For the three years, it is debatable. If he cannot do all what he wants to do in three years, let him consult with the coalition partners. But after five years, I think for the benefit; for the supreme national interest; for the benefit of Gambia’s democracy; Barrow should not run because if he runs; he wouldn’t do himself a favor; he wouldn’t do the Gambians a favor, and he wouldn’t do anybody a favor,” he warned.

“If Barrow stays beyond the five years, then there is no new Gambia; then there was no transition. It was just kind of continuation; there is no change; it is a continuation; that is from Jawara’s thirty years; to Jammeh’s twenty-two years; to Barrow’s fifteen or twenty years. So, for me, it doesn’t make any sense. That’s is why it is important for Barrow to self-reflect and understand why he was elected as flag bearer; and then look into the future and know that the best think he could do is not to run again in the next Presidential elections,” Dr. Ceesay told me.

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: BARROW’S PROLONGED STAY IN POWER COULD USHER ANOTHER MILITARY DICTATORSHIP IN THE GAMBIA-DR. ISMAILA CEESAY WARNS! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

A major prison break has taken place in the impoverished nation of the Gambia, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal. Over twenty (20) prisoners at the Remand Wing of the Jeshwang prison have broken jail and are currently on the run. Some of the prisoner escapees were jailed for different offenses. They are currently at large.

“Currently, dozens of security operatives are dispatched for a massive manhunt for the worst jail break in Gambian history,” said our security source, who wished to remain anonymous.

There has been increased in crimes since President Adama Barrow assumed the mantle of leadership in the country. Armed robberies, pickpocketing, and street fight are common occurrences in the Gambia.

This is a developing story. We will keep you posted with developments as new information comes in.

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: MAJOR JAIL BREAK REPORTED IN GAMBIA; OVER 20 PRISONERS ESCAPED AT JESHWANG PRISON! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

The Gambian government said it had ordered blood bags from neighboring Senegal, which are due to arrive in Banjul today Monday, to help resolve the country’s blood shortage crisis. The revelation was made by Momodou Lamin Jammeh, the Spokesman of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul. Mr. Jammeh was reacting to news stories published by the Freedom Newspaper over the weekend reporting about a massive shortage blood bags at the nation’s main referral hospital. Similar shortage of blood bags was reported in Government hospitals around the country.

“We have placed an order. The orders are delayed, but they will arrive on Monday, according to the Chief Pharmacist; they will arrive on Monday. But we have a small quantity of stock that we are using now,” Mr. Jammeh remarked.

Blood bags are used to support patients in need of blood before or after surgeries. As a result, the government had to place an emergency order to purchase blood bags from Senegal.

“The situation is unfortunate, but we are working tirelessly to solve the problem. The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Central Medical Stores is doing their best to getting these blood bags on Monday. As we speak, they are already shipped, and they are on their way coming. We have an emergency order from Senegal,” he added.

Jammeh said some of the blood bags they have in stock are expired. Hence, they decided not to use it for health reasons. He says the blood bag shortage is impacting on patient care at the hospital.

“We have a stock of blood bags, but their expiry date is this week; so, we decided not to use them. We have placed an order. We had a small quantity of blood bags that we are using in the hospital now. But hopefully, on Monday, the problem will be solved,” said the Hospital Spokesperson.

“Of course, it will slow down our operations because blood is a very important component in our services. It will affect our services,” he added.

The Gambian Resident Doctors Association have been calling for a total revamping of the country’s health sector. For example, they said some of the basic medical supplies that should facilitate their work, are not available in the hospitals. The doctors recently even had to embark on a sit-down strike to showcase their grievances.

President Adama Barrow responded in kind in a recent Cabinet reshuffle by firing the Health Minister Saffie Lowe Ceesay and her Permanent Secretary.

Notwithstanding, according to one Gambian medical doctor, the situation is getting from bad to worse. The doctor said patients, who have been scheduled to undergo surgeries had to take the risk or simply have to go without blood, as bags are not available.

Meanwhile, a consignment of medical drug supplies has arrived at the Port of Banjul. The drugs were ordered in 2017, according to one Gambian doctor. He said the four containers are still sitting at the port and have not been cleared by the government for distribution.

Written By Pa Nderry M’Bai

Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com

Tel: 919-749-6319

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: SENEGAL BAILS OUT GAMBIA AMID BLOOD BAG SHORTAGE CRISIS; AS GOV’T ORDERS BLOOD BAGS FROM SENEGAL! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

A Gambian Hospital worker said she was harassed and allegedly threatened by Pa Modou Bojang, a Gambian “journalist”, who allegedly told her that he will make sure that she is fired from her job because he (Pa Modou Bojang) claimed that he works for Ousainou Darboe, the leader of the United Democratic Party, and Gambia’s Vice President. Yamundow Saine, a Record Clerk at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital made the revelation on Tuesday during an interview with Freedom Radio Gambia.

Pa Modou Bojang had an altercation with Ms. Saine some weeks ago over the issue of patient service delivery at the hospital. Bojang recorded a video of the encounter he had with the Record Clerk and posted it on Facebook.

Ms. Saine said Bojang failed to include the threatening messages he allegedly communicated to her during the altercation. She said she found Bojang loosely grumbling at the hospital. She minded her business.

According to Ms. Saine, Bojang was with one Nyimasata at the time. She found Nyimasata sitting at the office of the Hospital’s Public Relations officer Momodou Lamin Jammeh. Jammeh even enquired through her about Nyimas’s medical report and she told him that Nyima’s application was being processed.

“Nyimasata was at the hospital to apply for a medical Board Report. She lives in Norway, but she overstayed during her trip to the Gambia. She needed doctors to write a report for her,” she said.

“I don’t know Pa Modou Bojang. I have never met him in my life. He started verbally attacking me, when the issue of Nyima’s medical report came up. He insulted me; rained all kind of verbal attacks against my person. He told me that we don’t know our job. He also told me that he works for Ousainou Darboe and the UDP. He said he will ensure that I am fired from my job,” she added.

Yamundow Saine was taken aback by Pa Modou’s temperamental behavior. She was not a stranger to Nyimasata because she was in touch with Nyima prior to her visit to the hospital.

“I maintained my composure, but Pa Modou persistently taunted me. He kept telling me that he works for Ousainou Darboe and the UDP. He said he will get me fired. He recorded the conversation he had with me; though he edited the nasty insults and threats he communicated against me. It reached a point that I told him, that I don’t care if he posts the video he was recording at the time. He twisted my statement and claimed that I told him, that I don’t care about my job. I am a victim of stalking and harassment. I was harassed by Pa Modou Bojang in the presence of Momodou Lamin Jammeh, the hospital PRO and Ramutulie Jabbie, another staffer of the hospital. Both Jammeh and Jabbie can bear me witness about what I am telling you,” she said.

Ms. Saine has been working at the ESFTH since 2012. She has an excellent work record. She told me, that almost everyone at the hospital can attest to the fact that she has been supportive and caring to the patients referred to the hospital for medical attention.

“Patient care is our motto here. I have never been disrespectful to any patient. I always ensured that they are properly looked after. I had to call you to set the record straight because Pa Modou is out to disparage my character. If I walk through the streets; board public transport; people will point at me, to say; that is the hospital worker, who had an altercation with Pa Modou. I felt like I need to share my own side of the story so that people can understand what actually transpired,” she said.

“I am becoming increasingly concerned about the way some people represent me. That video posted by Pa Modou on social media was a blackmail to impinge on my reputation,” she added.

Ms. Saine said she deemed it imperative to clear the air in the interest of transparency. She even had to consult with her bosses before placing the call to Freedom Radio to debunk Pa Modou’s pack of lies.

She said she was approached by a police officer, who was on a visit at the hospital to enquire if she was Yamundow Saine. She responded in the affirmative. She said the officer told her that she doesn’t deserve the way Pa Modou treated her. The officer was dressed in a white shirt uniform.

“I was told by my Aunty that my Uncle Dodou, is a close friend of Ousainou Darboe. If need be, I want to meet Mr. Darboe to explain myself. I have been working in this hospital since 2012 without having problem with anyone,” she said.

Pa Modou Bojang was contacted for comment via his Facebook page. He is yet to respond to our request for comment.

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: PA MODOU BOJANG TOLD ME THAT HE WORKS FOR OUSAINOU DARBOE AND THE UDP, AND HE WILL MAKE SURE THAT I AM FIRED-HOSPITAL RECORD CLERK appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

A leading Gambian Human Rights Lawyer and also the President of the newly set up Gambian Law Society Lamin K Mboge, has warned that if President Adama Barrow decides to disregard the three-year transition period he agreed with his Coalition partners to stay in office for five years, he (President Barrow) will be committing a civilian coup d’etat, which according to Lawyer Mboge, could derail Gambia’s new-found democracy, peace, stability and socio-economic development.

“We are not talking about the legality of his appointments or his terminations or whatever he does in his office within the three years; that is constitutional, but if his mandate goes beyond the three years, I am telling you, it would amount to usurpation of power; that is a coup; civilian coup d’etat; that is what we are going to experience in The Gambia, and we don’t want that kind of scenario to happen in The Gambia. We are going through a transition; going through a democracy that we are grooming; we don’t want anybody to spoil that,” Mr. Mboge told Freedom Radio Gambia during an exclusive interview.

“The implication of Barrow prolonging his stay in office is that; it will upset the political movement in the country and more so, to say, the socio-economic advancement of the country, because I am sure that it will lead to a lot of political upheaval. And that political activities and upheavals will affect the socio-economic activities of the country,” he added.

Mr. Mboge is a former Gambian magistrate. He studied law in Nigeria. He is one of the country’s finest lawyers.

Mr. Mboge said he has lost faith in President Barrow’s ability in steering the affairs of the nation. He said the country is not moving towards the right direction under Barrow’s leadership. He cited the rising crime rate; abject poverty, the current economic stagnation coupled with the hopelessness of The Gambian citizenry.

Mboge said if he is hired to take Barrow to court he will do it  just for the sake of restraining The Gambian leader from perpetuating himself in power.

“If I have the instructions today, tomorrow I am ready to go to court. That’s is my job and I will do it without any hesitation,” he said, adding that he is not ruling out the possibilities of he himself suing the President if Gambians didn’t come forward to restraint Barrow from not prolonging his stay in power.

When asked why he is interested in the Coalition government three year transition Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), lawyer Mboge said: “Because this is touching on The Gambia. We are molding a democracy that is just beginning; our former democracy has been shattered and battered by the former regime; and now we are building a new democracy; another person will not be allowed to shatter that democracy; it is like a new baby that is being born; and you want to slaughter it even before it starts crawling; and that is what we are not going to allow to happen in the Gambia again,”  he told me.

President Adama Barrow came to power in December of 2016 after defeating Gambia’s longtime dictator Yahya Jammeh. Barrow and his Coalition partners committed themselves to a three-year transition period before ascending to the Presidency. He campaigned on a three-year agenda to win the hearts and minds of the Gambian electorate.

But Mr. Barrow is apparently reneging from that agreement. He has consistently stated during his meet the farmers tour that he is going to stay in office for five years as stipulated by the constitution.

“At the time that they were making the agreement they were aware that the constitution gave for five years for Presidential elections. But the agreement that they have signed disregarded that constitutional provision. And this is written in black and white: That is disregarding of constitutional provisions aiming at protecting the citizenry. So, the drafters of the agreement knew at the time that the constitution gave five-year term limit, but this was disregarded by the drafters,” Lawyer Mboge contended.

“The President Adama Barrow, as an Independent candidate signed. He said I have offered myself, as an Independent candidate, who will serve for only three years at the end of the broad base and inclusive Coalition government.  An agreement, we call it an agreement; and the purpose and intent of that agreement is to have a legally binding; otherwise they will not put it into writings. And number two, it would be endorsed by the drafters. So, it is not only a verbal agreement, but a written agreement. And that agreement is capable of being enforced. It can be enforced through the law courts,” the Niamina Dankunku born lawyer remarked.

Mboge maintains that Barrow has no reason or legal justification to backout from the three-year agreement he reached with his colleagues. He warns that any attempt on the side of Barrow to disregard that agreement should be resisted by the people of this country.

“If the President decides to stay anything against what he himself has signed; it is up to the citizenry to take legal action. In fact, in this case, I can say it is not only the parties that we have in the country, but any individual, who is affected by the pronouncement to extend that three years to five years, have a locus standi to go to court to challenge it because that agreement is binding and enforceable; and it will be enforced,” he said.

“I am sorry I have to say it in Wollof so that people can understand. President Barrow “ Dafa Taka Bobpam” meaning he has tied himself.  When you sign an agreement, you tie yourself, and in this situation nobody can break it; nobody. He is the only one, who can free himself,” he added.

When we put it to Mr. Mboge that the constitution of The Gambia supersedes any agreement reached by the then opposition, he remarked: “The constitution is made by the Gambian people; we have to be aware of that. The agreement that he has signed together with all other political parties, are equally representing the Gambian people. The argument that the constitution supersedes, that argument I don’t agree because an agreement is binding on all those who endorsed it; all those who signed it and that binds the President himself.”

“It is because of the agreement why he is there; is because of that agreement he has endorsed himself. Nobody forces him to sign it. And he was aware, like all others that the constitutional term limit is five years, but the reason they reduce it to three years is to form a transitional government; a transitional government is not bound by the constitutional term limit of five years. The agreement is for them to create an avenue whereby they will be able to end the dictatorship and the suffering that The Gambian people have been experiencing,” he added.

It would be recalled that Vice President Ousainou Darboe, who is also the leader of the United Democratic Party, has threatened to sue the Coalition government if President Barrow should resign from the Presidency at the end of the three-year transition period. Darboe contends that Barrow has been elected to serve for five years and not three years.

But Lawyer Mboge disagrees. He said one of the reasons why Barrow is obsessed with prolonging his rule is because of such flawed legal advises.

“Well, I beg to differ with him because at the time that Mr. Barrow was signing that agreement he was aware that the constitutional term limit is five years; so, why did he agree to serve for a period of three years? It is because of a purpose. You see, in interpreting any agreement, you have to look at the intent and purpose of the agreement,” he noted.

Mboge added that Ousainou Darboe was not around when the opposition signed the MOU. Darboe was serving jail time  in Jammeh’s mosquito infected mile two jailhouse at the material time.

“I think he is getting some differing opinions; different opinion about what he has signed. If other people say the constitutional supersedes the agreement that he has signed; I don’t agree, and I beg to differ in respect to any differing opinion because I think that is a misleading advice,” Mr. Mboge posited.

Written By Pa Nderry M’Bai

Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com

Tel: 919-749-6319

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: ADAMA BARROW WILL BE COMMITTING A CIVILIAN COUP D’ETAT IF HE PROLONGS HIS RULE BEYOND THREE YEARS-LAWYER MBOGE; AS LAWYER MBOGE VOWS TO SUE BARROW IN COURT IF… appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

The Leader of The Gambia Democratic Congress Party (GDC) was introduced to the Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, by an unnamed Gambian lady, so that Mama Kandeh can solicit financial support from the Nigerian business magnate. It is not clear if Kandeh had succeeded in getting financial assistance from Mr. Dangote, but according to Yusupha Jaiteh, the former Deputy Party Leader of the GDC, he (Jaiteh) was privy to the behind the scene machinations to have Kandeh introduce to Dangote. Mr. Jaiteh made the revelations during an interview with Freedom Radio Gambia on Tuesday.

“There was this Gambian lady, who helped us to get a lot of contacts from various places; various Heads of state within the region. It was this lady, who introduced Mama Kandeh to Dangote, the Nigerian billionaire. I cannot mention her name for privacy reasons. She used to be a member of the GDC. She helped Mama Kandeh to have access to Dangote,” Jaiteh said.

Mr. Jaiteh resigned from the GDC this past week together with seven other top officials of the party. Jaiteh cited what he called Mama Kandeh’s poor leadership and lack of transparency as the leader of the GDC. He accused Kandeh of transforming the GDC as his personal property—alleging that Kandeh virtually controls the party’s finances and all the structures within the GDC. Jaiteh also alleges being sidelined by Kandeh, even though he is Kandeh’s Deputy.

According to Mr. Jaiteh, Kandeh allegedly shunned and isolated the lady, who introduced him to Dangote, as soon as he got the billionaire’s contact details. He said Kandeh wouldn’t entertain questions as to whether he met Dangote; or whether he was able to secure funds from Dangote.

“I was asked by the lady to find out from Mama Kandeh, whether he was able to secure funding from Dangote. When I conveyed the lady’s message to him, Kandeh went mad at me. His response was very hostile. He told me, to go tell the lady that if she wants to beg Dangote money, she should pursue it on her own. He was reluctant to share any information about Dangote,” Jaiteh said.

“I told him, Sir, it is very unethical for you to react to me this way. I also told him, that it would have been nice for him, to tell the lady, the outcome of the meeting he had with Dangote. But shunning her like this, it is absurd. It was wrong for Mama to encourage her to ask Dangote what transpired. I couldn’t get any information from him. I was his Deputy, but he refused to share information with me,” he added.

Mama Kandeh, has been hailed in the country for his philanthropic activities. He has dug boreholes for rural communities; construct three bridges; and donated money to communities. He has never disclosed the source of his funding.

Mr. Jaiteh told Freedom Radio Gambia that as far as GDC’s finances were concerned he was completely kept out of the loop. He said he has in the past confronted Kandeh to be transparent about his source of funding and the party’s finances, but Kandeh wouldn’t listen to him.

“I have no clue about the GDC finances. Mama Kandeh deeps from his pocket to sponsor party activities. We have a treasurer at the GDC, but that position is just a symbolic position. The Treasurer has no clue about what obtains at the GDC when it comes to finances. I remember having an argument; a bitter argument with Mama Kandeh, when he raised the issue of the treasurer. I told him that it was disingenuous on his part to raise the issue of funds and accountability, when he Kandeh is not open to the Executive about the party’s funds and its source. We nearly fought. We were separated by some GDC members,” he said.

“I wouldn’t know if Dangote gave him money or not because my position as GDC Deputy leader was just a symbolic position. I was completely sidelined. The lady, who introduced him to Dangote has left the GDC. She left because of Mama Kandeh’s attitude. The party has lost so many great people; once they come in, they hardly stay in the party. Mama Kandeh is a control freak. He has his hands into everything. I was virtually redundant when I was at the GDC,” he added.

Jaiteh also said Hamidou of Jah Oil, once donated fuel to the GDC party. He is not sure as to whether Hamidou, has extended financial help to the party, but to the best of his recollection he remembered receiving fuel that was donated to the party by Hamidou.

“Hamidou donated us fifty liters of fuel while we were on tour. I appreciated his assistance. We all benefited from the fuel Hamidou donated to us. While in Bansang, I remember receiving ten liters of fuel. He also loaned the party fuel in one occasion,” he said.

Jaiteh went on a tirade exposing what he called Kandeh’s leadership deficiency. He recalled one of his Nigerian friends in the Gambia, telling him that Kandeh was not a Presidential material.

“A Nigerian friend of mine; a Nigerian politician, who campaigned for a lot of Presidents in Africa; this is someone, who observed our campaigns; the elections and everything. He came to my house and he told me, Mr. Jaiteh; my brother, I am always spending my time here; having lunch with you sometimes, but there is one thing that I want to tell you, if you want to waste your time; stay with this man (Mama Kandeh); if you don’t want to waste your time, move on. I said why? I was very angry when he made the remarks; He said, because he is a Presidential maker, but he is not a President. He will never be one,” Jaiteh recounted.

Jaiteh was initially upset with his Nigerian friend, but he said at the end of the day, the Nigerian man was right about what he told him about Kandeh. He said Kandeh only cares about his himself and not his colleagues at the GDC. He claimed that many GDC officials are silently suffering in pain because of Kandeh’s alleged dictatorial leadership. He said those who are okay with Kandeh’s leadership are the ones running around him like a servant. He said any conscious GDC member or leader will not condone Kandeh’s lack of leadership transparency and accountability.

Mr. Kandeh has called on his supporters to accept the resignation of Yusupha Jaiteh and seven others from the GDC. He said people have the right to join and leave the GDC. Kandeh was heard telling his supporters in a Whatsapp message that he is not going to respond to some of the claims being made by Jaiteh on the media. Though, he cautioned him to avoid making unsubstantiated allegations.

Written By Pa Nderry M’Bai

Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com

Tel: 919-749-6319

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: MAMA KANDEH WILL NOT TELL US WHETHER THE NIGERIAN BILLIONAIRE DANGOTE HAS GIVEN HIM MONEY FOR THE GDC PARTY OR NOT-YUSUPHA JAITEH appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

On the appointment of Alagie Barrow: A Note to Baba Galleh Jallow

Dear Baba,

I salute you as my ‘koto’ both in culture and intellectual prowess. You have been a lighthouse for many of us for decades in terms of intellectual pursuit and literary adventure.

I still remember you for your many essays and stories in the Daily Observer especially in the scintillating debates you used to have with your sparring partner Mr. Brains whom, you claimed, boasted about his ability to write a thousand books with eyes wide-shut. Among your many feats was your heroic berating of Honourable Halifa Sallah as you defended the then young lieutenant Yahya Jammeh and his AFRPC in your classic essay “The Gambia an Egg on the Rocks”.

With all this glorious pedigree and your fight (later) against Yahya Jammeh and his government you earned my respect even though I didn’t agree with you all the time. You always had a certain sense of principle even if I didn’t agree with you I still respected that.

So I was indeed shocked that you accepted the position of Executive Secretary of the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC). Yes I was shocked because your sense of principle should have guided you to not play such a critical role in a truth and reconciliation process concerning the past regime. This, because we all know how you hated Yahya Jammeh and his government. And we know how you fought against that government and how you suffered as well; so you are a victim of the past regime without a doubt. How then can a victim occupy such a sensitive position in a truth and remedial process?

I never made much noise about it because it looks like a whole nation is sleeping while our fragile truth and reconciliation process is heading for the rocks.

With all this background Baba, one would have thought that you would be extra sensitive to making wrong and biased decision in your controversial role as executive secretary of the TRRC.

Therefore news of the appointment of (your alleged personal friend) Alhagie Barrow sent shockwaves to people who care about the plight of the alleged victims of the past government. How can you appoint Alhagie Barrow as Director of Research and Investigation for the TRRC? Alhagie Barrow who took up arms to attack the Jammeh government is now going to lead the processes of investigation against some of the very people who fought to foil his attack on  the Jammeh government!

Oh Baba, you really need to revisit this decision. I make this appeal bearing in mind the need for Gambians to have a proper and impeccable process in our bid to establish the truth about the past and foster national reconciliation. Appointing conflicted persons like Alhagie Barrow is actually going to help the alleged perpetrators of rights violations because they can always argue that the process of establishing the truth was flawed from the get go.

Baba, don’t you have any sympathy/empathy for the victims who have been yearning for truth/justice and closure for years? Why should your personal interests swamp the interest of a whole nation yearning for truth and closure?

My brother, you threatened President Barrow with your resignation if he didn’t take corrective measures on the Faraba incident; you didn’t need to do that because President Barrow was going to do the right thing anyway. So now will you wait for him to threaten you before you correct your this monumental error? Or are you taking our news President for granted knowing that he doesn’t want to hurt a fly?

Just for the sake of clarity, Baba, I am not against your friend getting a job in New Gambia. We want to open a new page and allow all able hands to play a role in nation building. So feel free to use your connections and get a job for Mr. Barrow; he is just simply not fit and proper to lead a research and investigation process into the affairs of a man and system that he hated so much that he took up arms to annihilate them.

Baba, We are going through a transition that has already witnessed so many errors; so we have been blaming the politicians and some have now started asserting that we need intellectuals in the driver’s seat. And you of all people Baba, you have started steering our delicate ship (as delicate as an egg) toward the rocks.

I hope you will reconsider your decision on such a massively erroneous appointment? Otherwise, we shall sit down one day, look you in the face and spurt out a disappointment and frustration of Shakespearean proportion: ‘et tu Baba?’

Regards
Momodou Sabally
Former S.G, Presidential Affairs Minister

The post On the appointment of Alagie Barrow: A Note to Baba Galleh Jallow appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

President Adama Barrow has been exposed beyond redemption by the Leader of Gambia’s Democratic Congress Party Mama Kandeh. The rookie Gambian President, has been accused of trafficking misleading information to the public. Kandeh, who was applauded by his supporters said, Barrow’s recent claims of his government planning to construct a multi-million dollar bridge between Banjul and Barra ferry crossing, was a propaganda to mislead the Gambian people. He accused The Gambian leader of deliberately misrepresenting the facts on the ground about the said project. Kandeh said, the Banjul/Barra bridge, was  an existing project pioneered by the former Jammeh regime. 

The GDC leader, addressing thousands of supporters in Foni, during a weekend political rally, said, he has the documents of the said project in the trunk of his car, and he wouldn’t mind sharing it with The Gambian public. Mr. Kandeh told his supporters that some of the bridges recently constructed up country were projects initiated by the former APRC government under the leadership of Yahya Jammeh. He said President Barrow’s government hasn’t initiated any meaningful project since they were voted into office in December of 2016.

President Adama Barrow announced the construction of a bridge between Banjul and Barra during his recently concluded tour. He said such a bridge will enhance transportation and cross border trade between Senegal and The Gambia. Though, Barrow didn’t disclose the source of the bridge funding.

Per documents obtained by the Freedom Newspaper, it was on December 12^th 2013, that the former Jammeh regime reached a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chinese company called China road and Bridge Corporation to construct railways, roads, bridges and port for The Gambia.  Dredging of the entrance channel to the Banjul Seaport; Power and water generation expansion project (Coal power plant and 132 KV transmission); Construction of buildings ( Conference City and Hospitals) were also part of the project.

Kebba Satou Touray, Gambia’s former Finance and Economic Affairs Minister and Bala Garba Jahumpa, Ministers of Transports, Works, Infrastructure and National Assembly matters signed on behalf of The Gambian government, while Zhao Tongshun, signed on behalf of the President of China Road and Bridge Corporation.

Below is the Banjul/Barra bridge documents. Please read on….

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: THE PROPOSED BANJUL/BARRA BRIDGE WAS JAMMEH’S PROJECT AND NOT ADAMA BARROW-MAMA KANDEH; AS KANDEH ACCUSES BARROW OF TRAFFICKING MISLEADING INFORMATION! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission said there are no plans to organize early elections in the Gambia. The IEC said it is yet to receive a notice from the Barrow government to convene elections. President Adama Barrow’s Coalition government campaigned for a three-year transition period to defeat dictator Yahya Jammeh in Gambia’s 2016 elections. Barrow told the opposition during his recent meet the farmers tour that elections will be held in 2021, opposed to the three-year transition period he and his colleagues campaigned for to get elected.

For now, all hopes for an early election to be held in The Gambia, have been dashed away. President Adama Barrow said any Gambian, who is interested in vying for the Presidency, should brace up for the 2021 Presidential elections. He told his supporters during a recent meet the farmers tour that he was elected to serve for five years and not three years, as agreed by the Coalition government.

Alieu Mamar Njai is the Chairman of Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission. He told Freedom Newspaper in an interview that to the best of his knowledge, he is not aware of any plans by the government to convene early elections.

“As far as we are concerned, the law states that elections are held every five years, even though I understand that there was this understanding between the coalition parties that they will have a transition period of three years. But as far as we are concerned, there is no change so far elections are concerned. If we want to have it next year, we are ready,” Njie said

President Barrow, in his annual meet the press weekly interviews said, the constitution of The Gambia, supersedes any agreement reached by the Coalition government. He told reporters that he was elected to rule The Gambia for five years and he is obliged to serve his mandate.

“The three years will expire in December 2019. It is a long way yet between now and then. So, it is up to them to decide whether they are going to have it at that time or not. But as far as we are concerned we are ever ready,” IEC Chairman Njie remarked.

Mr. Njai added that elections in The Gambia are funded by the government in collaboration with the UNDP. Njai also said he has no record of the opposition Memorandum of Understanding, in which they agreed to stay in office for three years. He also says the government is yet to provide them funds to organize elections.

According to Mr. Njai, the IEC is working on extending franchise to Gambians in the diaspora. He said if all plans workout well, Gambian citizens living overseas, should be able to vote in the next Presidential elections.

President Adama Barrow is coming under fire for reneging from his promise to handover power at the end of the three-year transition period agreed by the Coalition government.

Barrow granted numerous interviews shortly after he was elected into office. In one of the interviews he had with the Associated Press Barrow said: “ I am not a politician naturally. I am a businessman. I want to head the transitional period. Parties will contest elections. I will not be part of that. I will just conduct the elections. Anybody who wins, we will handover power. I will live as a private citizen and continue my business.”

The Coalition government is in disarray. Some key members of the Coalition government have parted company with President Barrow. Barrow fired Agriculture Minister Omar Amadou Jallow (OJ), former Interior Mai Fatty, and Vice President Fatoumatta Jallow Tambajang.

Ms. Tambajang was the Chairperson of the Coalition government. She resigned from that post after she was fired by Barrow some weeks ago. She was praised for being instrumental in bringing the opposition together to form an alliance to defeat dictator Yahya Jammeh in the past elections.

The President of Gambia’s Law Society Lawyer Lamin Mboge told this medium in an earlier interview that if Barrow decides to prolong his stay in office, he will be committing a civilian coup d’état.

“ We are not talking about the legality of his appointments or his terminations or whatever he does in his office within the three years; that is constitutional, but if his mandate goes beyond the three years, I am telling you, it would amount to usurpation of power; that is a coup; civilian coup d’état,” Mboge said.

Mboge notes that the three-year MOU agreed by the opposition, is legally binding on the President. He warns that any attempt on the side of Barrow to prolong his stay in office, it will retard Gambia’s democracy.

“He was aware, like all others that the constitutional term limit is five years, but the reason they reduce it to three years is to form a transitional government; a transitional government is not bound by the constitutional term limit of five years. The agreement is for them to create an avenue whereby they will be able to end the dictatorship and the suffering that The Gambian people have been experiencing,” he added.

Lawyer Mboge is leading a campaign for President Barrow to be taken to court for his pronouncement that he intends to stay in office until 2021. He says he is more than committed to represent any group of citizens interested in suing the President.

Mama Kandeh, the Leader of the opposition Gambia Democratic Congress Party (GDC), speaking during a weekend political rally in Foni, called on President Barrow to honor the three year transition period he agreed with his Coalition partners. Kandeh said Barrow will be doing himself a big favor, if he honors the agreement, adding that the rookie President, has no clue as to how to steer the affairs of the impoverished West African nation. He told his supporters that The Gambia is currently stagnant when it comes to development. He said Barrow lacks what it takes to run the country. He also accused Barrow of betraying his Coalition partners by firing them.

Written By Pa Nderry M’Bai

Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com

Tel: 919-749-6319

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: NO EARLY ELECTIONS FOR GAMBIA- GAMBIA’S ELECTION CHAIRMAN DECLARES! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

The Executive Secretary of Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparation Commission Baba Galleh Jallow said folks jailed by the United States Justice System, will not be denied employment at the TRC, because in his own words: “ Well, that criminal history is American criminal history. It is not a Gambian criminal history. He was not convicted in The Gambia. Alhagie is not a serial murderer. And Gambian laws are not American laws. American laws are not Gambian laws. You want us to be ruled and administered by American laws in the Gambia?”

Mr. Jallow has defended the appointment of Alagie Barrow, who was recently hired to head the TRC’s Research and Investigation Department. Barrow was jailed in 2016 together with four Gambian naturalized US Citizens by a Federal court in the United States on treason charges. He was part of a failed coup, which left three of the mutineers dead, and one captured. The incident happened in December of 2014. Dictator Yahya Jammeh was out of town when the attack occurred.

Speaking in an interview with Freedom Newspaper, Dr. Baba Galleh Jallow, admitted that Barrow is his friend, but he denied favoring him during the interview process.

“ The interview panel is consisting of four people and there is myself; there is a representative of the International Center for Transitional Justice, who is working here under transitional justice team; there is a lawyer; and there is my assistance. So, a lot of the people we interviewed are known to me, and I see no reason why I shouldn’t interview him if he applies for a job,” Jallow remarked.

Dr. Jallow spent many years in exile in the United States. His Newspaper, the Independent was fire bombarded by dictator Jammeh’s agents before it was shut down by the state.

Dr. Jallow suffered persecution under Jammeh’s rule. Both him and his parents were threatened with possible deportation to Guinea Conakry, as the exiled Gambian dictator uses his Immigration agents to investigate their Gambian Citizenship. The investigations were later aborted.

One of the people named in the State House attack Banka Manneh, spent six months in jail. Prior to serving time in Federal Facility for his involvement in the failed coup, Manneh appeared on Freedom Radio, in the aftermath of the attack threatening that if the coup is not executed by their collaborators in The Gambia,  he was going to expose their names. Over 60 members of Gambia’s Armed Forces were reported to have been complicit in the coup.

Dr. Jallow said Barrow’s appointment will not impact on the credibility of the Commission. He said Barrow will instead enhance the credibility of the Commission—given what he called his rich educational background and past military career.

“We are not interested in what happened as far as their conspiracy with others is concerned. We did our checks; we did our study; we recognized according to The Gambian Constitution, that Barrow did not commit a crime because every citizen, has a right to remove a Government that does not respect their Constitution. So, as far as we are concerned, Barrow did not commit any crime and he is the best candidate for the job,” he said.

Jallow said Mr. Barrow’s past felony record in the US, was not a concern to the TRC. He said The Gambia, has its own laws and as far as he is concerned, Barrow acted in line with the Constitution to wage an armed attack against the former Gambian government.

“I am not legitimizing anything. I think their actions were within the confines of The Gambian Constitution. And the right to insurrection is in every Constitution and if a Government is abrogating the Constitution of that country, their citizens have a right to rise up in arms if necessary. That is what happened in the American revolution; it happens in South Africa; it happens in the French revolution. I am not legitimizing anything. We called for applications; he was one of the applicants; he stood out and we employed him,” Dr. Jallow told me.

“Let people say what they want. I am not biased; my consent is clear; I am not fearing people accusing me, of being corrupt because I am not; I have never been; they know it. I am not trying to reconcile anything. I am done, and I am going to do what I think is right for the Commission and people have their opinions and they can express their opinions freely,” he added.

Former Secretary General and Presidential Affairs Minister Momodou Sabally, is among those opposed to the appointment Alagie Barrow. Sabally contends that Barrow’s past criminal history, disqualifies him to be hired at the TRC. He also said Barrow might resort to targeting folks, he is aggrieved with in the former administration—given his involvement in the December 30^th failed coup.

Mr. Sabally said both Baba Galleh Jallow and Alagie Barrow are not fit to serve in the TRC—given their past history with the previous regime. He told Freedom Radio Gambia, that Dr. Jallow, was exiled by the dictator, and therefore, it would be wronged for Jallow to be part of any investigations to hold Jammeh accountable for his alleged crimes.

“Well, that is his opinion; that is not my opinion and that of course is known to everyone before I was appointed.  You were a victim; Bishop Desmond Tutu, was a victim of the Apartheid regime; Nelson Mandela was a victim of the Apartheid regime and they did not recuse themselves from their roles as President and Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa, for that reason. Mr. Sabally knows me very well and he has a right to his opinion and I respect it. And I am not going to resign just because he said, I should,” Dr. Jallow concluded.

Written By Pa Nderry M’Bai

Email: panderrymbai@gmail.com

Tel: 919-749-6319

The post GAMBIA: THE GAMBIAN CONSTITUTION GAVE ALAGIE BARROW, THE RIGHT TO PICK UP ARMS TO OVERTHROW JAMMEH’S GOV’T; AMERICAN LAWS DO NOT APPLY IN GAMBIA-TRC’S BABA GALLEH JALLOW! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

President Adama Barrow nearly lost his composure on Tuesday, when a question arises at a news conference, where reporter Lamin Njie of the Paradise TV, asked him his reaction on Dr. Ismaila Ceesay’s, recent criticism of the President on the Freedom Newspaper, branding Mr. Barrow, as a clueless leader, who lacks the intellectual pedigree to rule the impoverished West African nation. A raging President Barrow couldn’t hide his anger towards Dr. Ceesay. He spent almost four minutes throwing jab at the UTG Political Science Professor. Barrow was not only temperamental in his response, but he could be seen sweating on the podium. His orderly had to come to his rescue to hand him some napkin to clear the sweat on his face. 

“ I don’t want to talk about personality, but Dr. Ismaila Ceesay, has been a critic. But I asked this question and I am still waiting for an answer. There was a very bad system here and a lot of people lost their lives and a lot of people were jailed. People were afraid to come out and challenge the system. And when our leader Ousainou Darboe was arrested, we opened up and application; we advertised for the leadership position. Where were these people? You know how many people? Three,” Barrow said.

Mr. Barrow doesn’t think Dr. Ceesay, has the moral authority to question his leadership qualities—given what he called Ceesay’s decision to remain mute when the country was going through a full blown dictatorship. He said the UDP fought a lone, while the intellectuals were busy pursuing their own selfish agendas.

“ There were intellectuals, who were in the system and they fold their hands. They become beggars and they are not innovative. They could not create anything for themselves. Yes, I was a high school graduate, but I was not able to create something for myself. I was able to create employment for Gambians and I was successful. I contributed more than Dr. Ceesay towards this change,” Barrow added.

Mr. Barrow also credited himself for ushering the political change that sent Jammeh packing. He said he uses his own funds to finance UDP political activities, including the Fass Njaga Choi political standoff. He claimed to have spent close to two million dalasis in the past elections just to fund the opposition.

“It is very easy to sit at a corner and criticize. They want cheap popularity. Today, it is because we have been able to stand up against Yahya Jammeh, until we are able to make the change that is why some of them have the platform to go and sit down at a corner and criticize. Where were they when we needed them? When I talk about this I become irritated. I lose my temper. Where was he?” Barrow asked.

Mr. Barrow said he and his colleagues at the UDP had to put their lives on the line to take on dictator Jammeh. He said the likes of Dr. Ceesay are today enjoying the glory of UDP’s struggle to emancipate The Gambia and her people from Jammeh’s autocratic rule.

“It was difficult at the time. I was a matter of now or never. It was a matter of life and death. Now, the platform is open for everybody. They can talk. One thing they cannot take from me, I am the one who make this change. Nobody will tell you I sponsor Adama Barrow; nobody,” Barrow claimed. 

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: DR. ISMAILA CEESAY WANTS CHEAP POPULARITY-A RAGING PRESIDENT BARROW TELLS GAMBIANS appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Momodou Hydara, a former official of the feared and brutal National Intelligence Agency (NIA), now renamed as the State Intelligence Services  (SIS) is on the radar of the United States FEDS, this medium has been informed. Hydara, who lives in Alaska, has been named in alleged torture of detainees at the NIA, during dictator Jammeh’s rule.

In 2006, Hydara served as an acting Director General of the NIA, before he was fired. He played a leading role in the investigations of the March 2006, Ndure Cham foiled coup.

Some of the officers, who were charged with treason, had testified before a military Court Martial, where they gave chilling testimonies about Hydara’s alleged supervision of the torture sessions at the NIA, during the interrogations. One of those officers was former Army Captain Pierre John Mendy, the former Commander of the Fajara barracks.

Hydara was reinstated into the agency in 2008; this time around as a Deputy Director General. He later had a fallout with dictator Jammeh and resettled in the United States. The State of Alaska was his new home.

Hydara was married to Fatou Njie, the former Protocol officer for First Lady Zeinab Souma Jammeh. But the couple had since divorced, according to sources familiar with the story.

Hydara’s uncle Dr. Momodou Lamin Sidat Jobe, is Gambia’s Ambassador to France. His mum is a sister to Dr. Jobe.

The US Feds have started interviewing Mr. Hydara’s former victims of persecution. One of those recently interviewed by the FEDS is Demba Dem, a former APRC National Assembly Member. Mr. Dem lives in Holland. He was detained in the wake of the failed 2006 March coup. Dem was reportedly tortured while being detained at the NIA.

Mr. Hydara’s name came up during the interview Mr. Dem had with the FEDS, sources familiar with the story, told the Freedom Newspaper. Dem even showed the US Federal agents marks of torture on his back; he suffered during his detention at the NIA, our sources added.

It is not clear if Momodou Hydara is under deportation, but sources said he is under the radar of the US authorities. Below is an article published by the Foroyaa Newspaper in February of 2007, exposing the torture some of the officers endured while being detained at the NIA.

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AT THE COURT MARTIAL: “I WAS ELECTROCUTED, KICKED, BEATEN”- CAPTAIN MENDY

By Fabakary B. Ceesay

Captain Pierre John Mendy, the’ ex-Commanding Officer (CO) of the Fajara Barracks, had revealed to the Court Martial that he was electrocuted, kicked and mercilessly beaten by officers at the NIA Headquarters. Captain Mendy made these revelations at the Court Martial on Thursday 15th February 2007.

Captain Mendy said when he was taken to the NIA for questioning on the 23rd March 2006, he told the panelists that he knew nothing about the alleged coup plot. He said, “For one hour they were questioning me and I was answering them. They told me, this is not what we want. If you don’t tell us what we want, we will get the hell out of you,” he said. Captain Mendy noted that at that time, there were five (5) soldiers standing at his back. “One gave me a nasty slap. I told Hydara, if you are about to kill me, then kill me, I don’t know anything about this.” Mendy said Hydara told him to say that somebody told him about it. He said Hydara also asked him to write that somebody informed him about it and added that he then paused for five to ten minutes and told Hydara that he cannot understand being asked to write about something that he was not part and parcel of and knew nothing about. He also said that Hydara again asked him to just write something and that they will use him as a witness. “I consented that RSM Alpha Bah told me”. He added that Hydara said, “Ok Lamin Cham, go with him and take his statement”. Mendy indicated that while he was in the room with Lamin Cham and with two other soldiers standing at his back, he asked Lamin Cham that there was no independent witness with them in the conference hall. He said that Cham told him to excuse him and went away for two minutes. “When he came back, he said the independent witness will come later,” he said. He said he was later taken back to mile two prisons. “While I was disembarking from the vehicle, Lance Corporal Malick Jatta struck me with the rifle on my head again”, he explained. He said Jatta insulted him and later added, “Today mosquitoes will bite you. I also told him prison belongs to nobody,” he stressed. He said he sustained a wound on his head. He indicated that he reported the matter to Lieutenant Colley, that Malick Jatta was beating him. He indicated that Colley promised him that he will tell the guards to stop the beating or he will change the escort team. He said that he appealed to Lieutenant Colley to call the medic to attend to him, which was later granted and he was dressed with two plasters on his head.

At this juncture, his Counsel, Lamin S. Camara, asked him to show the court the wound on his head, which was inspected by the panel. He said on the 25th March 2006, at around 5pm, he was taken to the NIA Headquarters. “I met one Mr. Bojang, alias Binladen, who told me ‘Captain Mendy welcome’ explained Mendy .” He told me that I was there for the independent witness to sign my cautionary statement dated the 23rd March 2006. Later the gentleman came into the office and Bojang told him ‘don’t come here to make mistakes, you made mistakes in the statement of Captain Abdoukarim Jah’,said Mendy.He added “I asked Bojang what mistakes are that and he told me Captain Jah’s cautionary statement was taken on the 22nd and he wrote 25th March 2006”. He said that he was told by Bojang that his statement will be backdated to 23rd, when it was signed on the 25th March 2006.

Going further, Captain Mendy explained that he was taken to the NIA complex again on the 29th March 2006. He said that whilst there Momodou Hydara of the NIA stood up and said, “Captain Mendy, now we want you to tell us all what has transpired between you and Colonel Ndure Cham. I told him, nothing transpired between us. One Baba Saho, an NIA Officer, asked me whether am fit to live in the next minute. I told him yes, am a human being, if these mosquitoes can live, what about me” narrated capt.Mendy.He continued “Then Hydara said, lets electrocute him, but Baba said, lets give him to the soldiers to beat him mercilessly. I was then taken downstairs behind the building in handcuffs. I was instructed to sit down on the ground, blind folded and beaten. I was later taken back to mile two without writing any statement. On that day I was not electrocuted,” added Mendy.

Captain Mendy narrated that on 10th April 2006, at the early morning hours at around 12:30 am to 1:00am, he was taken back to NIA headquarters. “This time I was only taken behind the building where I was instructed by Corporal Sana Manjang to sit down. He was later joined by Malick Jatta, Corporal Nuha Badjie and Michael Jabang. After a while, WO1 Tumbul Tamba came walking on his toes. He switched off the veranda light. Nuha Badjie put a plastic bag over my head. Corporal Manjang told me, you have to tell us all what Ndure Cham told you or else we get your dead body out of this place. I told him I know nothing and Ndure Cham has never told me anything. Then I was electrocuted on my left hand and I started yelling. Malick Jatta was using his combat boots on my skin, and also kicking me on my back.

After they used six (6) plastic bags over my head, of which I tore one by one up to six, Nuha Badjie announced that there was only one plastic bag left. Manjang told me to measure my length on the ground after which they started beating me again mercilessly. Sticks, electric wires and boots started raining on my back. After a while, Musa Jammeh came and asked, “Hey! Hey! What is going on here?” I told him they were torturing me. He instructed them to stop and take me back to mile”. Captain Pierre John Mendy is standing trial at the Court Martial for concealment of treason prior to the alleged March 21st abortive coup last year.

Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
No. 020/2007, 19-20 February, 2007

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The Gambian government has been engaged in secret negotiations to facilitate the return of the exiled Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh. Mr. Jammeh is living in exile in Equatorial Guinea. His mom Fatou Asombi Bojang, recently died in exile in Equatorial Guinea. Her remains were interred in Bunjina, in Foni. An envoy of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, accompanied Asombi’s body to Banjul.

On August 13^th, a delegation led by Gambia’s Foreign Minister Momodou Tangara, visited Equatorial Guinea, where they met with dictator Obiang on arrival. Gambia’s spy chief Ousman Sowe was part of the delegation.

“Honourable Tangara was in Malabo as a Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of The Gambia, His Excellency, President Adama Barrow. The visit was meant to further strengthen the already cordial bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and peoples. The visit accorded officials the opportunity to explore ways of strengthening and widening cooperation between the two countries,” Gambia’s Foreign Ministry stated in a press release issued on Thursday.

But sources familiar with the mission said, the talks dictator Obiang had with The Gambian delegation partly centered on the possibilities of dictator Jammeh returning to The Gambia as a private citizen. The delegation also conveyed President Barrow’s condolences to the exiled Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh for the recent demise of his mum Asombi Bojang.

Mr. Jammeh went into exile in January of 2017. This followed, local and international pressure for Jammeh to relinquish power amid a month long political impasse.

Jammeh conceded defeat in the December 2^nd, 2016 Presidential elections after the Independent Electoral Commission Chairman Alieu Mamar Njai declared Adama Barrow, a barely unknown Real Estate rent collector. Jammeh later rescinded his decision—which eventually led to an impasse between his government and the newly elected Coalition government.

According to sources, President Adama Barrow has extended an open invitation to Jammeh’s APRC party to join him to help work towards the development of the impoverished West African nation. The likes of Seedy Njie, a former Jammeh Information Minister and Party senior surrogate, has since rallied support for Barrrow.

Momodou Tangara, who led the delegation to Equatorial Guinea, used to be Jammeh’s Foreign Minister. He also onetime served as Education Minister and Gambia’s Ambassador to the United Nations. Another member of the delegation Ousman Sowe, who is the current head of the SIS, previously served as Director of Operations at the widely feared NIA during Jammeh’s rule.

“If all plans workout well, Yahya Jammeh will return to The Gambia one day as a private citizen. President Adama Barrow is on a political expediency.  He wants to annex Jammeh’s APRC to his camp. He is working tirelessly to consolidate himself to power. He is always talking to President Obiang. Jammeh is also talking to Barrow’s camp. Jammeh’s homecoming is going to surprise Gambians,” said our source.

An official of the Foreign Ministry, has denied having knowledge about any secret talks between The Gambian delegation and President Obiang about Jammeh’s possible return to the country–be it in the short term or long term.

Foreign Minister Tangara has been crisscrossing through the region, following his appointment to replace Ousainou Darboe, who has been elevated to the portfolio of Vice President. He first visited Senegal, where he met President Macky Sall. He also visited Morocco, Mauritania, and of recent Equatorial Guinea.

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: PRESIDENT ADAMA BARROW IS SECRETLY NEGOTIATING FOR JAMMEH’S RETURN TO THE GAMBIA WITH DICTATOR OBIANG! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

Re: The Gambia Government Clarifies the D11, 250,000 Gift to Gambian Pilgrims

Following widespread reports and unsubstantiated claims that President Adama Barrow gave D11, 250,000 (Eleven Million, Two Hundred & Fifty Thousand Dalasis) to Gambian pilgrims on Hajj in Saudi Arabia, The Gambia Government wishes to clarify the nature and circumstances of the said story as it is now trending on social media for all the wrong reasons.

It can be recalled that in June this year, President Barrow accompanied by a high-powered delegation, visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to renew his government’s excellent bilateral cooperation and the Saudi and Gambian peoples’ long-standing historic ties. During that memorable visit, some generous and anonymous Saudi philanthropists promised the Gambian President that they were going to generously consider their Gambian Muslim brethren during this year’s pilgrimage.

Consistent with the spirit of the Hajj and the Muslim feast of Id al Adha, and aware of the associated expenses, a member of those anonymous benefactors, generously fulfilled the promised package to President Barrow and presented to The Gambia’s Saudi ambassador, His Excellency Omar Gibril Sallah, the sum of D11, 250,000 for onward transmission to the Gambian Head of State.

Once President Barrow received news of the good gesture, he immediately instructed Ambassador Sallah to work with members of The Gambia Hajj Commission and the President’s Religious Adviser, Hon. Dembo Bojang, to fairly disburse the entire funds among all Gambian pilgrims without delay.

Acting on the President’s directives, Ambassador Sallah and designated officials rationed the entire gift package among the various airlines involved in the transportation of Gambian pilgrims to the Saudi Kingdom who then shared the charity among the intended beneficiaries.

Once news of the pleasant surprise reached the Gambian pilgrims, they unanimously expressed their profound appreciations to President Barrow and his anonymous benefactor for the charity given at the most arduous hour of their spiritual journey. Pilgrim after pilgrim commended both the President and benefactor for the generosity, foresight and understanding. Pilgrims also and prayed that the Almighty Allah continues to shepherd and protect him, President Barrow, the First Family, members of his government and the Gambian people.

In a conversation with our correspondent, The Gambian Head of State returned thanks to Allah and thanked the people and Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their benevolence and unwavering commitment to fulfill Allah’s wish especially, during such auspicious occasions as the Hajj and the upcoming feast of Eid Al-Adha. The President specifically prays for the anonymous Saudi benefactor to enjoy continuous good health, longevity and Allah’s wisdom to continue to be at the service of God and humanity.

Accordingly, Gambians are reminded that despite claims to the contrary, President Barrow does not have the luxury of giving out presidential largesse as was customary in the past. Evidently, President Adama Barrow stands out as a committed democratic reformer who wants to leave a legacy anchored in international norms and values of transparency, accountability and constitutional due process where all citizens are treated as equals.

There is therefore, neither moral nor ethical equivalence between President Adama Barrow and his predecessor who looted millions while the Gambian people lived in abject poverty and misery.

Recently, because of the worrisome revelations by the Janneh Commission on the scale of gross financial impropriety at The Central Bank of The Gambia, the Barrow Government working in solidarity with the National Assembly, enacted a new landmark legislation that will end fiscal indiscipline, deter corruption and reckless spending by corrupt government officials and their surrogates.

The post Gambia: The Gambia Government Clarifies the D11, 250,000 Gift to Gambian Pilgrims appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

The Gambian government said the eleven million, two hundred and fifty thousand dalasis (D11, 250,000,) which was earlier reported by state media, to have been donated to The Gambian pilgrims by President Adama Barrow, and it generated a heated reaction on social media, came from some unnamed anonymous Saudi philanthropists. The government wouldn’t disclose the names of the so called Saudi philanthropists, but Government Spokesperson Ebrima G Sankareh, in a statement today said the President met with donors during a visit to Saudi Arabia this year.  “It can be recalled that in June this year, President Barrow accompanied by a high-powered delegation, visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to renew his government’s excellent bilateral cooperation and the Saudi and Gambian peoples’ long-standing historic ties. During that memorable visit, some generous and anonymous Saudi philanthropists promised the Gambian President that they were going to generously consider their Gambian Muslim brethren during this year’s pilgrimage,” said a statement issued by the government Spokesperson Ebrima G Sankareh.

“Consistent with the spirit of the Hajj and the Muslim feast of Id al Adha, and aware of the associated expenses, a member of those anonymous benefactors, generously fulfilled the promised package to President Barrow and presented to The Gambia’s Saudi ambassador, His Excellency Omar Gibril Sallah, the sum of D11, 250,000 for onward transmission to the Gambian Head of State,” Sankareh added.

According to Mr. Sankareh, President Barrow then instructed his Ambassador to Saudi Arabi Omar OG Sallah to work with his Hajj Commission and Religious Adviser Dembo Bojang for the funds to be shared among the pilgrims.

“Once President Barrow received news of the good gesture, he immediately instructed Ambassador Sallah to work with members of The Gambia Hajj Commission and the President’s Religious Adviser, Hon. Dembo Bojang, to fairly disburse the entire funds among all Gambian pilgrims without delay,” Sankareh remarked.

“Acting on the President’s directives, Ambassador Sallah and designated officials rationed the entire gift package among the various airlines involved in the transportation of Gambian pilgrims to the Saudi Kingdom who then shared the charity among the intended beneficiaries,” he added.

President Barrow made similar donation of 58 vehicles to members of Gambia’s National Assembly last year without disclosing the source of the funding. His government has been accused of not being transparent to Gambians.

Below is the full text of the Government statement on the matter.

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Re: The Gambia Government Clarifies the D11, 250,000 Gift to Gambian Pilgrims

Following widespread reports and unsubstantiated claims that President Adama Barrow gave D11, 250,000 (Eleven Million, Two Hundred & Fifty Thousand Dalasis) to Gambian pilgrims on Hajj in Saudi Arabia, The Gambia Government wishes to clarify the nature and circumstances of the said story as it is now trending on social media for all the wrong reasons.

It can be recalled that in June this year, President Barrow accompanied by a high-powered delegation, visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to renew his government’s excellent bilateral cooperation and the Saudi and Gambian peoples’ long-standing historic ties. During that memorable visit, some generous and anonymous Saudi philanthropists promised the Gambian President that they were going to generously consider their Gambian Muslim brethren during this year’s pilgrimage.

Consistent with the spirit of the Hajj and the Muslim feast of Id al Adha, and aware of the associated expenses, a member of those anonymous benefactors, generously fulfilled the promised package to President Barrow and presented to The Gambia’s Saudi ambassador, His Excellency Omar Gibril Sallah, the sum of D11, 250,000 for onward transmission to the Gambian Head of State.

Once President Barrow received news of the good gesture, he immediately instructed Ambassador Sallah to work with members of The Gambia Hajj Commission and the President’s Religious Adviser, Hon. Dembo Bojang, to fairly disburse the entire funds among all Gambian pilgrims without delay.

Acting on the President’s directives, Ambassador Sallah and designated officials rationed the entire gift package among the various airlines involved in the transportation of Gambian pilgrims to the Saudi Kingdom who then shared the charity among the intended beneficiaries.

Once news of the pleasant surprise reached the Gambian pilgrims, they unanimously expressed their profound appreciations to President Barrow and his anonymous benefactor for the charity given at the most arduous hour of their spiritual journey. Pilgrim after pilgrim commended both the President and benefactor for the generosity, foresight and understanding. Pilgrims also and prayed that the Almighty Allah continues to shepherd and protect him, President Barrow, the First Family, members of his government and the Gambian people.

In a conversation with our correspondent, The Gambian Head of State returned thanks to Allah and thanked the people and Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their benevolence and unwavering commitment to fulfill Allah’s wish especially, during such auspicious occasions as the Hajj and the upcoming feast of Eid Al-Adha. The President specifically prays for the anonymous Saudi benefactor to enjoy continuous good health, longevity and Allah’s wisdom to continue to be at the service of God and humanity.

Accordingly, Gambians are reminded that despite claims to the contrary, President Barrow does not have the luxury of giving out presidential largesse as was customary in the past. Evidently, President Adama Barrow stands out as a committed democratic reformer who wants to leave a legacy anchored in international norms and values of transparency, accountability and constitutional due process where all citizens are treated as equals.

There is therefore, neither moral nor ethical equivalence between President Adama Barrow and his predecessor who looted millions while the Gambian people lived in abject poverty and misery.

Recently, because of the worrisome revelations by the Janneh Commission on the scale of gross financial impropriety at The Central Bank of The Gambia, the Barrow Government working in solidarity with the National Assembly, enacted a new landmark legislation that will end fiscal indiscipline, deter corruption and reckless spending by corrupt government officials and their surrogates.

The post GAMBIA: ANONYMOUS SAUDI PHILANTHROPISTS DONATED THE D11, 250,00 TO THE GAMBIAN PILGRIMS-GOV’T SPOKESMAN SANKAREH REVEALS appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.

The Barrow State House has differed an announcement it intended to make regarding plans by the Equatorial Guinea dictator Obiang to invest in The Gambia, this medium can reveal. This followed, a recent Freedom Newspaper lead story exposing the impending announcement by the government.

It is not clear what must have occasioned the government’s decision to differ the announcement on Obiang’s planned investments in the impoverished West African country. But sources said prior to the Freedom Newspaper story, plans were afoot to issue a press release to inform Gambians about Obiang’s interest in investing in the country.

Equatorial Guinea has been blessed with oil and gas. Obiang has ruled the Spanish speaking country for over 40 years.

President Adama Barrow recently delegated his Foreign Minister Momodou Tangara to meet with Obiang. Tangara was accompanied by Gambia’s spy Chief Ousman Sowe.

The post GAMBIA: BREAKING NEWS: GAMBIA GOV’T DIFFERS ANNOUNCEMENT ON DICTATOR OBIANG’S PLANNED INVESTMENTS IN THE GAMBIA! appeared first on Freedom Newspaper.