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Team Outpost  Muhammed S. Bah President of the Gambia Press Union, (GPU) has urged the government of President of Adama Barrow through the Sheriff of the High Court to reconsider the eviction notices to over 950 landlords and property owners in Farato, requiring them to vacate their properties by June 13, 2024. “I urge President Barrow and Minister Hamat Bah to intervene swiftly and ensure that the interests of the majority are protected,” he urged.  The court decision stated that the land belongs to the Alkalo of Bafuloto. In his regular Facebook activism Muhammed S. Bah, said these homeowners, who legally purchased their land from Manor Properties, have built homes and invested their life savings into these properties.  The impending evictions, he said, threaten to render thousands of Gambians homeless, “creating a scenario ripe for conflict and instability.” He added: “The government must act to mediate this dispute and find a solution that prevents mass homelessness a...

By Sheriff Saidykhan  The National Nutrition Agency (NANA) in collaboration with the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) has on Tuesday concluded five days capacity building Training of Trainers (ToT), on the use of Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) on Life Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) in Foni, Bwiam The objective of the taining participants will develop the skills to apply Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC), and the Inter Personell Communication (IPC) effectively in their work. Serign Faye, veteran broadcaster one of the task force officers applauded the organisers for the training. saying they have facilitated a conducive learning environ for all the participants. Antoine Mendy, of CRS thanked NANA for successfully conducting the training. Aziz Ceesay, Director of SBCC at NANA expressed delight and extended gratitude to the partners for their unflinching support to NANA, geared towards improving the nutritional status of the country. Mutarr Seckan, Cad...

Team Outpost  National Nutrition Agency (NANA) in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop (CRS) has on Friday kick-off five days capacity building Training of Trainers (ToT) on Large Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) in Foni, Bwiam. The training brought together nutritionists, stakeholders and experts to brainstorm on the need for the revival of food fortification in the country. During the training participants will develop the skills to apply Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC), and the Inter Personell Communication (IPC) effectively in their work. Ousman Dem, Program Manager, Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) said the training is vital as it will equip participants on food fortification knowledge and skills. Adama Jallow, of Point Newspaper said the training will enable him to acquire requisite knowledge on food fortification. “I will be equiped with an additional knowledge for better improvement.” he said. The training on the...

Team Outpost  Gambia Women are Free to Choose, (GWA-FC) a pro female circumcision advocacy group have reiterated its support of the Women's Amendment Bill 2003, which seeks to further amend the Women's Act 2010 by repealing sections 32A “Prohibition of Female Circumcision” and 32B Accomplices to Female Circumcision. “Our organization echoes the vast majority of grassroots women in The Gambia who upholds female circumcision as a religious expression and a cultural right. In the next few weeks we will finalize and submit a detailed position paper with important references to legal, medical, social, anthropological, human right and sex/gender studies. This press release summarizes our position paper and highlights some key reasons we strongly urge the National Assembly to pass the Women's Amendment Bill 2003.” the release urged.  The release added that, female and male circumcision are complementary and interdependent cultural practices that predate Islam.  “The majority of ...

Team Outpost  Madi MK Ceesay, national assembly member for Serrekunda West, and onetime victim of Jammeh era, has said that justice is inevitable and inescapable for criminals to hide.  In a telephone interview with this medium, Madi Ceesay expressed delight and extended gratitude to the Swiss Federal Court verdict on the 20 years jail term sentencing of Ousman Sonko. “This goes to tell perpetrators that, days are gone now when you can trample on people's right and think you can go scot free. No hiding in the world. Nowhere to hide. Anywhere you go to you will face justice.” he argued. The Switz Federal Court found Ousman Sonko guilty of aiding and abetting the former regime, on rights violations committed under the ruthless hands of Yahya Jammeh. Ousman Sonko is also obliged to compensate the victims, money amounting to 20 million Dalasis. And also after his sentencing, Sonko will be expelled from switz and ban for 12 years not to enter switz.  After having testified dur...

By Alagie Saidy-Barrow  At the height of his powers, there were very few people in The Gambia with more influence and power than Ousman Sonko. Ousman Sonko and his interior ministry, along with the NIA now called SIS, were at the forefront of the APRC government’s abuse of Gambians. They killed and raped Gambians, and no one ever held them to account.  Ousman Sonko, like many with residual power from Yaya Jammeh, was untouchable. He was Yaya Jammeh’s eyes and ears. Ousman could do whatever he wanted in The Gambia and didn’t have to worry about anyone coming after him. Ousman Sonko never learned that power is transient. That power belongs to man but only temporarily. And many other Gambians, like Ousman Sonko, are yet to learn this bitter lesson. Once in power or close to those in power, we easily forget the transience of power. That is why you still hear worrisome phrases like “it is orders from the top.”  Ousman Sonko, like everyone who has ever been close to Yaya Jammeh...

        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...