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On behalf of the Secretary General- Party Leader and the National Executive Committee of the United Democratic Party, we congratulate  PASTEF on the massive legislative mandate given by the Senegalese voters.  It is a resounding endorsement of the PASTEF platform and testament to the desire of the Senegalese people to chart a new path forward.  This movement has inspired hope in young people, not only in Senegal, but across the region and The Gambia, much of whose young people express admiration for what they see in Senegal.  We draw inspiration from their persistent determination and perseverance against the forces of state capture as much as has been true for Gambians in our struggle against tyranny and self-perpetuating rule.  Through its struggle in preserving the integrity of the Senegalese constitution, PASTEF has assured the supremacy of the Senegalese constitution and in the process ushered in a democratic leadership that is patriotic, measured and inspi...

  The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria is calling on media and relevant stakeholders to work in greater partnership to create a safe and enabling environment for journalists to operate. IPC is making the call today as journalists, other media professionals and freedom of expression groups mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists with the theme: Safety of Journalists in Crises and Emergencies. IPC regrets that the safety of journalists during crises and emergencies in the country remain unguaranteed as evidenced by attacks on the media and journalists during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests and previous ones such as #EndSars. IPC is particularly worried that the perpetrators of the worsening spate of attacks are rarely brought to justice hence the regime of impunity for crimes against journalists continue to reign while the country also continues to rank high among countries where press freedom and freedom of expression are consta...

  CPJ is honored to present its 2024 International Press Freedom Award to Nigerien journalist Samira Sabou. Samira Sabou is one of Niger’s most prominent investigative journalists, who publishes mainly on her Facebook page and is the president of the Association of Bloggers for Active Citizenship (ABCA), an organization that advocates for freedom of expression and the rights of women and youth. Previously, she worked as a consultant for the Croissance Actualité Afrique (C2A) newspaper, directed the Economic and Social Development Information Magazine (MIDES) news website, and reported with the state-owned National Office of Publishing and Press (ONEP). Throughout her prestigious career, Sabou has been arrested, detained, and subjected to years of legal harassment because of her reporting on governance issues. In response to the various legal proceedings brought against her, she stopped working for the media and only publishes on her social media accounts. In July 2023, the Nigerien...

Mr. President, the Coalition of Progressive Gambians is once again very disappointed by your recent speech during the opening of your party's political bureau in Brikama. Mr. President, it's important to note that such rhetorics are very divisive and dangerous especially at a time when Gambians are faced with unprecedented economic hardship and challenges. Our expectations at these hard times are the way forward for a sinking economy, widespread corruption, unemployment, drugs and illegal migration which claims a lot of young lives. It is the responsibility of your government to make proposals and plans to mitigate these problems. We are not against the inauguration of your party's political bureau, but expected to hear what your leadership through your party can do to better the lives of the Gambians whose votes gave you the executive powers to lead and become President. Mr. President we believe history is always a learning point and the past should teach you and those aro...

On behalf of the general membership of the United Democratic Party and indeed all decent Gambians, the National Executive of the United Democratic Party (UDP) condemns in the strongest possible terms, the unwarranted and distasteful vitriol uttered by the President of the Republic of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, against the Party Leader and Secretary General of the UDP, His Excellency ANM Ousainou Darboe. On Saturday, July 27, 2024, while inaugurating a political party bureau in Brikama, the President stated to a cheering audience that he will remain President until Mr. Ousainou Darboe’s death. Here is a translated version of the essence of his statement, which he made in Mandinka. "I will take an oath today that I will remain as president until Ousainou Darboe dies. Until such time that he is dead, I will remain president. That is the contract I have signed. When his death is announced, and I attend his funeral, then I will be fulfilled as president, and I can step aside." – Ad...

  Release   Gambian Women Are Free to Choose is publishing this press release – our fourth this year – to bring to the attention of the Gambian public, the Gambian authorities including the Ministry of Interior, as well as the ECOWAS Representative, Sierra Leone Embassy, U.S. Embassy, other diplomatic missions, local and international NGOs, CSOs, and importantly Gambian and international journalists, recent threats against my person, Dr. Fuambai Sia Nyoko Ahmadu, Founder and Executive Director of Gambian Women are Free to Choose (GWAFC). On July 15, 2024 at around 9am, myself, my personal assistant, Fuambai Jallow, and a colleague from Australia, were verbally harassed in full public view by anti-FGM activist, Ms. Jaha Dukureh, in front of the gates of the National Assembly. Ms. Dukureh was yelling at us and at the riot police guarding the gates instructing the latter to not let me in, screaming “she is not a Gambian, do not let her in, she doesn't belong here!”. In the early ...

  Release   The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the general public that the process for testing returned went smoothly. The outcome of the screening resulted to three individuals tested positive for COVID-19. However, they are all symptomatic and advice to adhere to public health measures as given below:  Maintain social distancing and wear masks always and should report to the nearest health facility if the need arises. Regularly wearing masks that fully cover their nose and mouth. Ensuring that their hands are clean when they are to put on and remove their mask. Avoid poorly ventilated or crowded places. Opening windows to improve ventilation indoors. Washing their hands regularly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer. Reduce exposure to high risk environment (e.g, crowded indoor gatherings. The Ministry of Health will continue to provide support and guidance to those affected, ensuring that all necessary precautions are taken to safeguard the community.

  The Essau District Hospital in collaboration with the Ghanaian Ecomig soldiers and media support from Niumi FM, would on Friday 14 June, 2024 join hands together to commemorate World Blood Donor Day 2024. Officials of the Essau District Hospital (EDH), is calling on the staff and presenters of Niumi FM, together with the general public particularly the suburbs of Barra, Mayamba, Kanuma, Sami, etc to show up in their large numbers to participate in the blood donation to save life.

        GPU Welcomes Sentencing of Ousman Sonko Over Torture of Journalists  (Banjul, 15 May, 2024) - The Gambia Press Union (GPU) welcomes today’s verdict and sentencing of former Interior Minister Ousman Sonko in Switzerland to a 20-year prison term for crimes against humanity.  The Swiss Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona found Sonko guilty of multiple counts of “intentional homicide, torture and false imprisonment, as well as crimes against humanity”, on Wednesday.  Sonko, who earlier denied the charges, was sentenced to a 20-year jail term (minus approximately 7 years already served in custody). He will also be expelled from Switzerland. The Court found Ousman Sonko guilty of the killing of a perceived political opponent in 2000; of torture and illegal detention in connection with a coup plot in March 2006; of the killing of a politician in 2011 and of deprivations of liberty as well as acts of torture - including one killing - of peaceful demon...

  Fellow Gambians, at home and abroad,  Friends and Residents of The Gambia, Once again, we devote thanks and praise to Allah for living to witness another Eid-ul-Fitr.  With this gift of life and other Divine mercies in mind, the moment should encourage us to remember and pray for the sick and seek Allah's forgiveness and mercy for those we lost during the year.  Because Eid-ul-Fitr brings joy and renewed faith, it is an occasion to express gratitude for completing the spiritual duty of fasting during the Holy month of Ramadan. In various ways, Ramadan comes with spiritual and moral lessons for our general wellbeing. It is a period that reminds us of our duty to support the less privileged, while legally enjoying the bounties bestowed upon us.  This includes those struck by calamities, such as hunger, unrest, and natural disasters.  Fellow Citizens,  As we prepare to feast tomorrow, we must not forget that there are many ongoing conflicts and wars in ...

  Amid the growing debate over FGM/C, the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council Renewed Its Support And Issued A Declaration On The Ruling On Female Circumcision In Islam. Below reads the full release. Release “The Gambia Supreme Islamic Council (GSIC) is pleased to issue a fatwa to all Muslims in  The Gambia regarding the legality of female circumcision. In this regard, the GSIC would  like to clarify that female circumcision is not a merely inherited custom as falsely claimed  by those who are clueless about Islamic law. Rather, it is one of the virtues of Islam and  among the Sunnah practices dictated by the Messenger of Allah, Peace be Upon Him, who  said: “Five practices are characteristics of the Fitra,” of which he mentioned circumcision. The legitimacy of female circumcision has been proven in several established hadiths on  the authority of the Prophet; peace be upon him. Therefore, Muslim jurists agreed on its  legality. Some jurists have even ...

    Release Over 100 leading figures led by members of The Elders and the Future of Life Institute, have issued an open letter calling on world leaders to take a bold new approach to address ‘catastrophic’ risks to humanity. The letter states that ‘long-view leadership’ is needed to tackle the ongoing impact and escalating risks of the climate and nature crisis, pandemics, nuclear weapons, and ungoverned AI. It also illustrates that millions of lives and livelihoods are already impacted by these threats and world leaders’ inaction and failure to cooperate will drive humanity toward ‘greater catastrophe’.  The Elders, including Mary Robinson, Ban Ki-moon, Graça Machel, Juan Manuel Santos, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, together with the president of the Future of Life Institute, Max Tegmark, have been joined by former leaders, Nobel Laureates, scientific experts, youth activists, business leaders, philanthropists and influential figures from across public life to urge decision-mak...

  The Gambia Press Union (GPU) is calling on the Gambia Police Force (GPF) to drop all charges against Madi Jobarteh, one of the country’s leading human rights activists. Madi is charged with “seditious intention”, “false publication and broadcasting”, and “incitement to violence” following his arrest, detention and subsequent release on police bail last month. The charges are believed to have stemmed from unspecified social media comments he made last month in reaction to the arbitrary arrests and detention of an online media talk show host whose rights were violated by the police, and a series of comments by President Adama Barrow directed at media houses, activists and the opposition that were seen to threaten press freedom, freedom of expression, and Gambia’s fledgling democracy. He has yet to appear in court, and his bail has been extended to 23rd November, 2023. The police are also holding onto his mobile phone since his arrest on 9th October following reports of surveillance...

Release       The United Democratic Party condemns in strongest possible terms the outrageous allegations that the Government Spokesman made during his interview with ‘Coffee Time with Peter Gomez’ on 14th September2023. In his interview he falsely alleged that the suspect in this heinous crime is associated with the UDP and that suspect is an employee of the Brikama Area Council which the Brikama Area Council has publicly rebutted. UDP believes that it is reckless and dangerous for the Government Spokesman to comment on an ongoing criminal investigation because this may lead him to make false and or misleading statements that will complicate the work of law enforcement officers Secondly the Inspector General of Police has the legal mandate to brief the public, if necessary, on any ongoing investigation without compromising sources and methods or divulging sensitive or classified information to the public.  In this regard UDP urges the IGP to call on Government offic...

  PRESS RELEASE The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice 5 July 2023, issued a landmark decision in the case of the enforced disappearance of Saul Ndow during the regime of former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh.  The ECOWAS Court found that the Republic of The Gambia violated the right to life and failed to investigate and prosecute those responsible in a timely manner. The ECOWAS Court also called on the Gambian Government to implement the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) and ordered to submit, within six (6) months of notification of its decision, a report, among others, on the status of the TRRC recommendations. With legal support from the Institute of Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), Nana-Jo Ndow, assisted by The African Network against Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances (ANEKED), had been pushing for the Republic of The Gambia to take up its responsibilities for the...

          Omar Ceesay, Transport Union President By Sheriff Saidykhan The Gambia Transport Union (GTU) has said in its recent press release that the transport fares will be increase from all the official routes across the country effective Friday, 20th January 2023.  Below reads the full statements: “The General Transport Union wishes to inform the public that, following a series of consultations with the government through the Ministry of Transport Works and Infrastructure and relevant stakeholders has reached an agreement to increase the Transport fares for all the official routes across the country effective 20th January 2023.  The General Transport Union wishes to further inform all its members, commercial drivers, and commercial vehicle owners that, an agreement has been made between the Union, Government and other stakeholders in connection to the implementation of the routes licensing scheme within the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Reg...

  ECOWAS CONDEMNS COUP PLOT IN THE GAMBIA The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has received with utter dismay and shock the news of an attempted coup in the Gambia.  ECOWAS Commission strongly condemns the attempt to overthrow the democratically elected government of the Gambia and underscores ECOWAS total rejection of all unconstitutional change of government in any member State. ECOWAS Commission salutes the leadership and personnel of the Gambia security services for their adherence to their constitutional role and for foiling this illegal plot. ECOWAS Commission stands firmly by the democratically elected government of the Gambia and once again reiterates its total condemnation of the attempted coup plot. Abuja, 21 December 2022

Modou Sowe The Gambian environmentalist and Executive Director of the Gambia Association for Nature and Biodiversity Modou Sowe has been fired 10 days after he left for COP 15 Part 2 in Canada. The decision was made in a Board Meeting and announced in a Press Conference by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors.  According to the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of GANB Mrs Fatou Jallow, the decision was made at a Board Meeting. Speaking to the press, Mrs Jallow said this is one of the most difficult decisions of the institution because Modou is irreplaceable, however, the decision is made to protect the institution’s reputation as its funds and partners are not happy with the present role of the Executive Director in protecting the Monkey Park at Bijilo.  We have engaged him in dialogues to desist away from such activities but his commitment to the protection of nature is beyond our control, however, we as an institution need to protect our source of funding for susta...

  Yahya Sonko      OUR AFRICAN HEAD OF STATES SHOULD START TO BLAME EUROPEAN UNION INSTEAD OF THEIR CITIZENS WHO ARE TAKING IRREGULAR MIGRATION TO LOOK FOR BASIC HUMAN NEEDS .  Reports from survivors relayed to IOM indicate that at least 252 people died during alleged forced expulsions by European authorities, also known as pushbacks, since 2021.Beyond a structural failure to provide adequate safe pathways, Missing Migrants Project records show that many of the deaths on migratory routes to destination countries in Europe could have been prevented by prompt and effective assistance to migrants in distress. As a Gambian German base migration activist, I am calling on my Government and other African heads to emulate Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo who in 2018 has expressed deep concerns over the cold-hearted treatment of African migrants in Europe.Ghanaian President did not mince words when he criticised the inhumane and abusive treatment of African...