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            By Sheriff Saidykhan  Following the recently called off protests by disgruntled commuters and passengers using the ferry services from Banjul to Barra, the Coalition of Progressive Gambians (COPG) have condemned the arrest of protesters.  “We wish to convey our solidarity with the people affected and those who wanted to express their civic rights and also condemn the move by the security forces to arrest those who came to protest without ill will but to express their rights and voice out their problem,” the release said The group reminded the powers that be; of the ‘NEVER AGAIN’ slogan, saying the country will not be plunge back to oppressive rule. “We want to remind the government, the National Assembly and security forces that when Gambians pronounced NEVER AGAIN and pursued change, they wanted to realize a reliable system change. Gambians never expected to slide back into the oppressive and brutal regime that led this country for two decades,” according to the release. T

Team Outpost  Kairaba Conversation and Leadership Organization (KairCLO) has on Wednesday held a daylong national symposium on waste management, marking the centenary year of the late Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara. The event held at Ocean Bay Hotel, Cape point Bakau brother together civil society organizations and people from different walks of life, to mitigate strategies towards combatting the effects of environmental degradation, with the THEME “Waste Management and Transformation Opportunities in the Gambia”.  Speaking at the gathering, Dr. Sidat Yaffa, Deputy Vice Chancellor UTG and Director of WASCAL Gambia Thanked KairCLO for the initiative, saying the late Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara envisioned the Banjul Declaration towards conserving the flora and fauna of the environment. “Sir Dawda had a vision decades ago to protect the flora and fauna of the environment” he said. Boubou Hallow, representing the Minister for environment said waste is dump at the informal dumpsite, adding that they

By Sheriff Saidykhan  President Basirou Diomaye Faye has promised to strengthen the existing bilateral relations between Gambia and Senegal. He made these remarks on Saturday during his first state visit to Gambia.  “I will continue to strengthen the bilateral relations between Gambia and Senegal. The two countries continue to live harmoniously as one. The people of these two countries continue to live in peace, without any segregation or division,” he said  He said Gambia and Senegal are one nation, despite the colonial enclave of the British and the French.  He further expressed delight and extended gratitude for meeting his counterpart President Adama Barrow. “We are very delighted for your warm welcome meeting you as a friend and a partner’’ said Diomaye Faye. The two heads of states discussed range of issues including: security, defence, trade and several other matters.  Fraternity and solidarity, he said, is a Pan-African project envisioned by his government for the development o

                                By Sheriff Saidykhan  Enhancing Africa’s Response to Transnational Organised Crime (ENACT) in partnership with the European Union (EU) has on Wednesday called on member states of the African Commission to take urgent action in combatting Transnational Organised Crime across the continent. The event held at Kairaba Hotel, brought together human rights lawyers and people from different walks of life to devise strategies towards combatting transnational organised crime. Dr. Feyi Ogunade, Enact Regional Coordinator highlighted key concepts to understanding the human rights systems in Africa. Speaking at the gathering, the EU Representative Mr. Raphael Brigandi said the Enact project is committed to strengthening Africa’s capacity to combat Transnational Organised Crime  He said Enact accomplishes this goal by creating awareness, producing evidence -based knowledge, building skills and providing technical expertise to government's and regional institution

                                            Political Commentator  Diagnoses The UDP Controversy!              By Alagie Saidy-Barrow  If you are familiar with Game Theory in any of the social sciences, then you may have heard about the “prisoner’s dilemma”. The prisoner’s dilemma is a “concept” in game theory that provides a “foundation” on why two or more rational individuals or organisations, etc., would choose to cooperate or compete against one another. In its simplified form, the prisoner’s dilemma refers to two individuals, let’s say in this case, Kenbugul and Terrenna, who are both in remand at Mile Two, charged with kidnapping a Badibunka.  If Kenbugul and Terrenna both refuse to cooperate with Police Prosecutor Ceesay Chopsa, then Kenbugul and Terrenna will only serve ONE YEAR EACH in Mile Two for the lesser charge of “hanging out” with a Badibunka, which is a simple misdemeanour in Kiang. However, if Kenbugul betrays Terrenna and cooperates with Prosecutor Ceesay Chopsa, the

By Sheriff Saidykhan  Passengers crossing from Banjul to Barra route have lamented their growing frustration over the closure of the ferries. On Friday, the Kanilai ferry had experienced engine failure near the turning buoy en route to the Barra lander. Due to the severe weather conditions, the ferry was unable to reach the lander and eventually drifted towards the beach.  Lamin Jammeh, a frequent traveller from Banjul to the Barra route expressed his frustration, saying it will delay the transportation of goods and services. This he added will hinder the socio-economic development of the country. “As a frequent traveller of Banjul Barra ferry crossing, it will be very stressful to see the closure of the Ferry service, it's the fastest way one can use when going to North Bank compared to using the south Bank. The closure of the Ferry service will delay the transportation of good and service from and to the urban center this will seriously hinder the socio- economic development of t

  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 various parts of the world, le