Thursday 30 June 2011

Speeding car kills 8 students in NBR accident

 By Sainey M.K.Marenah, Managing Blogger
At least eight persons have been confirmed dead and three hospitalized in a serious accident, when a 20-seater Mercedez Benz passenger bus veered into a crowd of students last Friday, on their way from school in Conteh Kunda in the North Bank Region.
The victims include three young girls, Awa Secka, Mariama Secka, Ndey Kodou Cham and five boys, Ebrima Secka, Omar Secka, Basiru Secka, Badou Secka and Sulayman Bittaye all students of Conteh Kunda Sukuto Lower Basic School in  Illiasa District of  NBR.
Reports said the accident happened between the villages of Conteh Kunda Sukoto and Conteh Kunda Neegi.
Three other students are currently hospitalised at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) in Banjul.
The police public relations officer, ASP Yerro Mballow, told reporters that the incident happened when the students were coming from school, trekking back home.
According to him, the police are still investigating the root cause of the accident because, as he puts it, the driver, Ebou Njie, was driving on the right side of the road while the students were trekking on the left side when he crashed in them, killing eight of them on the spot.
Mballow stated that the driver was arrested on the spot, when he tried to escape, by some officers of the fire and ambulance services who were onboard the said vehicle.
“The driver is currently helping the police in their investigations,” Mballow added.
He said the vehicle, bearing registration number BJL 8385 G, was said to be heading towards Farafenni.
ASP Mballow went on to advise drivers to observe and respect the speed limit on roads, especially in settlement areas.

Wednesday 29 June 2011

Head of the Executive Committee of the INC-Libya Mahmoud Jibril meets with the ICC Prosecutor

ICC Chief Prosecutor greeted So Called Libyan Rebel Leader Jibril
Today, 29 June 2011, the Head of the Executive Council of the Interim National Council (INC) in Libya, Mr Mahmoud Jibril met with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Mr Luis Moreno-Ocampo in The Hague.
Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo welcomed Mr Jibril and used the opportunity to reiterate the responsibility of Libyan authorities in implementing Resolution 1970 and the arrest warrants issued by ICC judges against Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi for crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Libya since 15 February 2011.
The Prosecutor explained to Mr Jibril the independent and purely legal nature of his Office’s work and analyses. He discussed the ongoing investigations and indicated that the next phase of the investigation will concern the allegations of war crimes that might have been committed by the parties to the conflict, of attacks against sub-Saharian Africans wrongly perceived as mercenaries and of mass rapes.
Mr Jibril reaffirmed the INC’s position: “Libya should take the lead in anything related to Libya and on Libyan soil”, he said. On the conflict in general, he added, “we discussed the issue of national reconciliation after this ordeal and tragedy is over as well as compensation for victims of killings and rape.”
The ICC Prosecutor and Mr Jibril agreed on the need to put an end to the impunity of the most responsible perpetrators of the alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Libya, regardless of their position or political camp.

Statement by ICC Prosecutor on decision by Pre-Trial Chamber I to issue three warrants of arrest for Muammar Gaddafi, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdulla Al-Senussi

ICC Chief Prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocumpo
Just 4 months ago, the world requested justice for crimes committed in Libya and the UN Security Council unanimously asked for the intervention of the International Criminal Court. Yesterday, the Court delivered its first decision, it issued arrest warrants against Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al Senussi for shooting civilians on the streets and persecuting alleged dissidents in their homes as crimes against humanity. The Judges considered that they have to be arrested to prevent them from using their powers to continue the commission of crimes.
Today, it is time for arrest. Let me clarify who should arrest them and how they can do it.
Libya has the primary responsibility to implement the arrest warrants. Libya is not a State Party of the Rome Statute, but it is a member of the United Nations since 1955. Libya has to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1970, which specifically called on Libya to ‘cooperate fully with and provide any necessary assistance to the Court and the Prosecutor.’
The Court will notify the Libyan government based in Tripoli of its decision. Gaddafi’s inner circle is the first option: they can be part of the problem and be prosecuted, or they can be part of the solution, work together with the other Libyans and stop the crimes.
Second option, the Interim National Council has expressed its will to implement the arrest warrants. Justice Minister Mohamed Al Alagi is here, and Prime Minister Mahmoud Gibril is coming tomorrow. They will explain their plans as soon they are ready.
International forces operating under UN Security Council Resolution 1973 have no specific mandate to implement arrest warrants, and the Court is not asking for that.
More than ever there is an urgent need for negotiations. But negotiations have to respect UN Security Council Resolution 1970 to do justice in Libya and the Court’s decision that Gaddafi, his son Saif and Al Sanussi should be arrested.
There are two clear legal limits. Gaddafi cannot retain power to keep attacking his victims. If Gaddafi travels to a State Party of the Rome Statute, he should be arrested.
The Office of the Prosecutor will continue investigating new crimes regarding the situation in Libya since 15 February 2011, in particular allegations of rapes and efforts to cover up the crimes; we will eventually add new charges to the same case.
Source: Office of the Prosecutor

‘Ex-IGP Badjie torture allegations not proven’

Lt Colonel Secka, Ex-IGP Badjie, Major Manneh

News- Banjul, The Gambia
By Sainey M.K. Marenah. Managing Blogger

The allegation of torture to obtain his cautionary statement at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) made by former police chief Ensa Badjie has not been proven beyond a shadow of doubt, Justice Emmanuel Amadi of the high court in Banjul ruled yesterday.
Ensa Badjie had earlier told the court, in the main trial, that he was seriously tortured during the process of obtaining his statements at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), allegations which prompted the court to order a trial within a trial to ascertain the truth.
He is facing trial under a 51-count indictment alongside two top military officers, namely Major Kuluteh Manneh, former commander of the military police, and Lt Colonel Mam Matarr Secka, former head of the military police.
They were arraigned at the High Court on several charges, including conspiracy to commit a felony, obtaining money by false pretence, economic crime, obtaining goods by false pretence, official corruption, sedition, abuse of office, among others, and have all denied the charges.
In his ruling, Justice Emmanuel Amadi said there is not enough proof to say that the accused person was tortured while his statement was being obtained at the National Intelligence Agency.
He subsequently admitted and marked the said statement under question as a prosecution exhibit.
The mini-trial otherwise called voire dire came to an end after 11 months of trial all geared towards ascertain the said allegations, and the court ruled that the element of torture was not proven.
Shortly after the ruling, the deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, S.H. Barkun, called his next witness, Ballo K. Jobe, a police officer attached to Police headquarters in Banjul, to testify in the main trial.
He told the court that he obtained a voluntary statement from the 1st accused person wherein the charges were read to him, which the accused denied, adding that it was obtained in the presence of an independent witness who signed, and the accused also signed the statement.
The witness recognised the said statement in court, and the prosecutor applied to tender the statement, which was also admitted and marked as a prosecution exhibit without any objection from the defence counsel.
Under cross-examination by defense counsel B.S. Touray, the witness told the superior court that he was enlisted into the Gambia Police Force in 1989.
“Who constituted the panel at the NIA conference?” B.S. Touray asked the witness, and in reply Jobe said: “I was informed by the IGP to join the panel.”
He admitted that the panel was given terms of reference, when counsel posed another question to him.
He also admitted that the 1st accused had a confrontation with Sillaba Samateh, who was the first prosecution witness, at the NIA conference hall, but could not recall when the confrontation took place.
“Who was present?” asked the defence counsel, and in reply he said: “All the panel members including Omar Cham, the panel head.”
Justice Amadi, before adjourning the case till 1st July 2011, expressed his disappointment with the slow pace of the trial, while challenging both parties that he would be hearing the case on a daily basis starting from 1st July 2011.
Justice Amadi said the mini-trial has lasted for 11 months, which he said is not good because he wants to get off the case as soon as possible.

Tuesday 28 June 2011

APRC task-force chairman hits back at Shyngle Nyassi

 By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger

 The chairman of the newly-created Task-force Committee of the ruling APRC party, ahead of the 24th November presidential polls, has reacted to comments made recently by Shyngle Nyassi, National Organising Secretary of the opposition UDP.
Nyassi told this reporter that the ruling APRC has lost confidence in its National Mobiliser, KMC Mayor Yankuba Colley, and as a result formed a task-force committee to mobilize support for President Yahya Jammeh.
Jerreh Jatta, who called our office and requested for an interview to react to Nyassi’s comments, said yesterday that the task-force committee was formed to further strengthen the APRC party’s mobilization, and that all the activities of the committee have been done with the support of the National Mobiliser.
“We receive directives from the National Mobiliser on what to do, because he is part and parcel of those that give directives on our plans and objectives.
“This is just propaganda. We are in consultation with Colley, and he is directing us on all our plans. Even our activities are endorsed by him and the party’s high command,” Jatta told this reporter.
According to him, the aim of the task-force committee is to increase the winning percentage of the APRC party, come 24th November.
He said the idea of setting up the task force committee was conceived by party militants and the National Mobilzer as part of strategies in re-electing President Jammeh with at least 90-98% of the votes cast in the forthcoming elections.
“We organise activities through civic education, and sensitise people about the forthcoming elections and the importance of voter registration, because this is all about politics,” Jatta added.
A strong stalwart of the APRC, Jatta noted that one cannot win elections without voters voting.
He also stated that the task force committee is purely APRC and works closely with the National Mobiliser, whose advice and blessings, he said, led to the setting up of the task -force committee.
He noted that since its formation in April, the committee has embarked on activities including sensitization in the Kombos.
In Jatta’s view, incumbent President Jammeh has already won the forthcoming presidential elections. He stated that the task force is just there to increase his winning percentage.
“He won by 67% last election, but we want him to win this time around with 90-98%. We are out to increase the percentage,” he added
On whether the opposition camp in the country poses any threat to President Jammeh, Jatta said the opposition is not the question, even if they come together to form an alliance.
“Gambians have witnessed massive transformation, both economically and infrastructure-wise under President Jammeh, who has delivered beyond expectations,” he further stated.
For him, the APRC has no competitors in the political field as there is no credible opposition in the country.

No political party has nominated me for president - Halifa Sallah

 By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger
Halifa Sallah: 'My Intention are Clear'
Halifa Sallah, spokesperson of the opposition Peoples Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), has said that no political party has nominated him to be its presidential candidate ahead of the 24th November presidential polls.
Mr Sallah is stressing that what he has been advocating for is the selection of one candidate to stand for the opposition against the incumbent in order to increase chances of victory, and give The Gambia a new start.
Sallah was speaking in response to our last Friday story captioned “IEC Announces Nomination, Campaign Dates” in which we indicated, quoting political party sources, that he (Sallah) would be running for the presidency for a second time in a row.
In his response, which is carried below verbatim, Halifa Sallah stated that instead of making predictions of victory by the APRC, because of alleged opposition disunity, people should spend time enlightening the Gambian people about why no personality should be allowed to preside over the affairs of a country for two decades.
What follows is the full text of Halifa’s reaction:
You have conveyed to me that Henry Gomez has asked that Darboe, Hamat and my very self should give way for a new generation of presidential candidates to contest. I have told you that I argue with facts and figures, and not with opinions.
What compelled me to respond is the report in your paper last Friday referring to sources indicating that I will be a PDOIS Presidential candidate for the second time.
It is worth noting that no party has nominated me to be its presidential candidate. Needless to say, what I have been advocating for is the selection of one candidate to stand for the opposition against the incumbent in order to increase chances of victory, and give Gambia a new start by ensuring a democratic transition that would last only for one term.
It is proposed that the candidate be elected through a primary by all those who want democratic change.
I hope Mr Gomez who wants a fresh candidate would encourage a candidate who is better suited to win the support of the electorate to advocate for Agenda 2011, and start his or her campaign right away for the ticket of the opposition.
Finally, I wish to make it clear that no individual in PDOIS can unilaterally declare that he or she shall be a presidential candidate. The reason for this is simple.
Chapter 22 of the Constitution of PDOIS reads: Transitional Provisions
“The Committee established to ensure the registration of PDOIS shall constitute the Central Committee of the Party up to 11 December, 1997. A Congress shall be held on 11 December, 1997 to put the transition to an end and ensure the selection of officers according to the provisions of the Constitution. These transitional provisions shall cease to be in force upon the holding of the First Congress of the Party in 1997.
For the 1996 Presidential Election, the candidate for such election shall be the person proposed by the Central Committee and endorsed by 51% of the registered members as signified by being signatories to the nomination papers.
Subsequently, presidential candidates shall be chosen through primaries held in each administrative area. The person who receives the highest number of votes cast by the members in the various administrative areas shall be the Party’s presidential candidate.
The candidates for the 1996 National Assembly election shall be the persons proposed by the Central Committee after consultation with members of the Party, and endorsed by a majority of members in a given constituency.
Subsequently, candidates for National Assembly elections shall be determined by the members in each constituency in consultation with members of the Central Committee.
The Central Committee shall progressively work to sensitize capable women so as to facilitate gender, regional and ethnic balance in the Central Committee by 11th December, 1997 if it has not already been attained.”
PDOIS is a democratic party. It is not centralised under a party leader who could announce his or her candidature without the holding of primaries.
Hence before I could be a Presidential Candidate for PDOIS, I must win the votes of the members of PDOIS in each administrative area at a primary. Since such a primary has not taken place, no one could claim to be a PDOIS presidential candidate.
Finally, I would like people to know that I am not participating in elections because of any personal ambition to be an MP or President.
People would recall that even though I was the custodian of PDOIS during the final coup period, in defiance of the ban on political parties and political activities, and had earlier been offered a Ministerial post by the AFPRC government, which I declined, I did not become a Presidential candidate for PDOIS in the 1996 elections.
It goes without saying that even though I was offered a Ministerial post for the second time after 1997, I did not stand as presidential candidate in 2001.
It goes without saying that if I were to be a part of any alliance led by another person, that person would not be able to offer me any post I could not get under the Jammeh administration.
I am therefore only interested in witnessing the inauguration of that type of democratic government that will provide a five-year transition to assure the Gambian people greater liberty, and enlarged prosperity.
Instead of making predictions of victory by the APRC because of alleged opposition disunity, people should spend time enlightening the Gambian people about why no personality should be allowed to preside over the affairs of a country for two decades.
 They should vote to promote their liberty and prosperity.
The advantage that Senegal has over The Gambia is that no one supports a political leader on the basis of tribe. Today the current President of Senegal cannot rely on tribe to stay in office, and no other opposition leader could rely on tribe to seek political office.
The Gambia should emulate this, and pursue leadership based on merit. This is the only way forward. Those who merit being selected should rise up, and be counted.

Monday 27 June 2011

IEC announces nomination, campaign dates for 2011 polls

 By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger
Jammeh, Bah, Darboe and Sallah ready for polls
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) yesterday announced that it would conduct the nomination of candidates for the forthcoming presidential election on Thursday 10th November 2011, and that campaigning will commence on Saturday 12th November 2011 and end on Tuesday 22nd November 2011.
The announcement, which was made at a press conference held at the IEC head office in Kanifing, has come as politicians in the country engage in debates ahead of the polls, slated for 24th November 2011.
The commission also announced at the press conference that the provisional number of registered voters is 837, 029 (Eight Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Twenty Nine) people, showing a massive shift since the last elections’ figures, which was 670,336 registered voters.
Analyst said the presidential election, which will see incumbent President Yahya Jammeh seeking a fourth term of office, will bring together what seems like a fragmented opposition, whose members, they say, have no other option but to unite in order to pose a threat to the ruling APRC.
Meanwhile, political party sources have said three opposition parties plan to take part in the presidential election. They are Halifa Sallah of the Peoples Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), who will be running for the second time, Ousainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party (UDP), running for the fourth time, and Hamat Bah of the National Reconciliation Party, who is also running for the third time.
President Jammeh, 46, has won three consecutive past elections. In 1996, he polled 220,011 (55.7%); in 2001 he polled 242,302 votes (52.96%); and, in 2006, he swept the polls winning 67.33% of the total votes cast.
He has vowed not to engage in any election campaigning, promising that the elections would be free and fair.
 “Gambians are very grateful people, and they are development-oriented. We are going to teach the opposition a lesson – for all the oppositions in Africa that oppose progressive development-oriented governments.
“This will be the final forty days charity for opposition in this country. I have been swearing and, of course, there will be areas that do not want development – they can vote for the opposition – that’s their problem,” Jammeh said last week when the first family got registered at State House.
Speaking at the press conference attended by politicians, civil society, UN and EU officials and members of the press, Mustapha Carayol, Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission,  registered what he said was the Commission’s gratitude to the Gambia government for entirely and exclusively funding the general voter registration exercise.
While also commending all stakeholders in the electoral process for a job well done, Chairman Carayol acknowledged the fact that all was not rosy during the general voter registration exercise, noting that the Commission encountered problems with some of the generators and other equipment.
According to him, after the first week of registration, matching was done on the server in order to search for double registration. He revealed that six cases were found out and the names of the suspected double registered voters were sent to the police, adding that as at the press conference, only one has been arrested so far.
He appealed to all those who by intent or accident registered twice to honorably surrender one of the cards, failure to do so the law will take its course.
“Surrender your cards before it is too late, for the law will surely take its course if one is found wanting,” he warned.
The IEC boss further revealed that a laptop which was being used at the Dippakunda mosque registration centre was stolen, and it is yet to be found.
He added that the IEC staff also had their own share of hostility meted out to them as members of the registration team assigned at the Old Jeshwang Lower Basic School registration centre were attacked, the security personnel wounded and a laptop destroyed beyond repairs.
Carayol also stated that the provisional list of voters will be printed and pasted at all registration centres countrywide for public viewing, for a period of ten days.
This, he went on, is to enable the general public to thoroughly scrutinize the list for correct spelling of names, omitted names and to check for names of individuals that have been registered, but should not have had their names entered in the register.
Noting that the Chief Justice has already appointed a magistrate for all the administrative areas, Carayol said the revising courts will be operational for 60 (sixty) days.
Shortly after the press conference, this reporter caught up with some key opposition leaders for their reaction to the development.
Halifa Sallah, Secretary General of the opposition PDOIS, said the IEC has indicated the importance of individual Gambians registering as voters, and ensuring also that those who are not qualified to register should not.
“A revising court is to come into being, and all Gambians should focus on is the revising courts, so that those who are not qualified to vote will have their names expunged from the register,” he said.
According to Sallah, the exercise was a very useful one, calling on the press to emphasize on that, so that as we move to the revising court, we will be able to clear whatever is there in the register that is not supposed to be there.
Sallah told journalists that what is essential now is to see whether the list of voters contained names who genuinely should vote, and whether it contains names who should not vote.
“That is the next process, and until we assess that process and it is complete, then we cannot really substantively indicate what the state of the register is,” he added.
He stated that his party is now analyzing what it so far got from its registration agents, to see whether the number of Gambians who registered are sufficient enough to overcome those people who are unqualified to register.
“If that is the case, then you will be able to have genuine elections,” Sallah stated.
He expressed the need for constant consultation between the IEC and the different political parties, noting that as long as that continues, political parties will continue to have confidence in the IEC as an independent institution.
Also speaking to this correspondent was Samba Gajigo, First Administrative Secretary at the ruling APRC bureau, who said “in my candid opinion, the general registration of voters went on very well.”
According to him, from all the information that his party received, the exercise went on well, and that people came out in their large numbers.
“I have a feeling that come the 24th November polls, Gambians will vote massively for the APRC,” Gajigo stated.
He told this reporter that the voter registration exercise went on freely and fairly.
Hamat Bah, leader of the opposition National Reconciliation Party, also told this reporter that some of the irregularities noted in the exercise were committed by Gambians themselves, and not the IEC.
“As custodians of the law, Gambians cannot blame the IEC for bringing foreigners to register, because they all know that this is a crime,” Bah said.
Noting that his party will file complaints at the revising courts, the NRP leader said what will happen at the courts will be the final score for his party.
According to Hamat Bah, it is the right of every Gambian to go and report complaints at the revising court, adding that comments by President Jammeh that the opposition will be taught a lesson come the November polls do not bother them.
He reiterated his earlier statement that he is not going to join any alliance with any party, noting that the NRP has a bright future to win the November polls, because it has the backing of the youths, and that it will create employment opportunities for them.
Meanwhile, Momodou Sarr, liaison officer responsible for elections at the UDP bureau, declined to comment when contacted, saying that he is a junior officer and his party leader will be the right person to answer our questions.

GPU elects new executive

President- Elect Touray
The Gambia Press Union (GPU) yesterday elected a new executive to steer the affairs of the union for the next three years, in a triennial congress held at the Gambia Multi-Media Training Institute (GTMI). 
The congress, which followed a two-day capacity building workshop held at the same venue, brought about the election of the following into the new executive: Bai Emil Touray of Foroyaa newspaper (President), Baboucarr Ceesay of The Daily News newspaper (1st Vice President), Amie Sanneh of Foroyaa (2nd Vice President), Gibairu Janneh of the Daily Observer (Secretary General), Madi Njie (1st Assistant Secretary General), Lamin Njie (2nd Assistant Secretary General), Haddija Jawara (Treasurer), Sarjo Camara-Singhateh of Foroyaa (co-opted member) and Saihou Ceesay of Daily News (co-opted member).
The elections into the new executive saw GPU former secretary-general Bai Emil Touray of Foroyaa newspaper taking charge as the new president, while Gibairu Janneh and  Haddija Jawara were elected unopposed as secretary general and treasurer, respectively.
Mr Touray, the newly elected president of the Union, has replaced Ndey Tapha Sosseh, former president of the Union, who served three years at the helm of affairs.
The new executive is, among other things, expected to pilot the affairs of the GPU for the next three years by actively defending and protecting the welfare of Gambian journalists.
The GPU, established in 1978 by some great Gambian journalists including the late Deyda Hydara, co-founder of The Point newspaper, today has a membership of over 100.
In a statement read on her behalf at the opening of the three-day congress, Ms Ndey Tapha Sosseh, former president of the GPU, said the theme for the congress was not chosen by accident but was instead a deep reflection of the executive in mapping out the way forward and to actually put in place a blueprint that will enable the incoming executive to act from the onset in a precise, targeted and result-oriented manner, thereby enabling the Union and its various structures to provide better, more meaningful support to its members and the Gambian media fraternity.
Meanwhile, details of the status report by the former president and the financial report and statement of account for the past three years will be carried in our subsequent editions.
Sources: www.thepoint.com

Thursday 23 June 2011

17th AU summit begins today

The assembly of heads of state and government of the African Union (AU) gets under way today from 23 June to Friday 1 July 2011 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
This 17th AU Summit is being held under the theme: “Accelerating Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development”, and will officially kick off today with the 22nd ordinary session of the permanent representatives committee (PRC).
Several African leaders are expected to attend the Malabo Summit.
In the meantime, prior to their meeting in Malabo, the ambassadors who form the PRC have already started deliberating the agenda of the summit at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In Malabo, the ambassadors will for two days (23-24 June) share views on a number of issues, including consideration of the report of the PRC sub-committees such as the report of the advisory sub-committee on administrative, budgetary and financial matters on the draft budget for 2012 and on the status of implementation of the new AU staff regulations and rules, among others.
The PRC will further exchange views on specific reports, including the report of the sub-committee on structures; activities on multilateral cooperation; refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons in Africa; economic and trade matters; and the report on the NEPAD Agency. They will consider the working documents and draft decisions in preparation for the 19th ordinary session of the Executive Council.
According to the reports monitored from the AU headquarters, the 19th ordinary session of the Executive Council will be held from 26 to 28 June in Malabo.
The ministers of External Affairs or other ministers or authorities designated by the governments of member states will exchange views on the different reports of the ministerial meetings organised by the AU Commission during the last six months.
They will consider the activity report of the Commission; the recommendations of the PRC on the implementation of previous decisions of the Executive Council and the Assembly; the report of the ministerial committee on candidatures; the progress report on the work of the ministerial panel on the election of members of the Commission in January 2012, among others.
The Executive Council will proceed to the election of one member of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL) and five (5) members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
The ministers will consider the reports of other AU organs such as the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), the AU Advisory Board on Corruption, the AU Commission on International Law (AUCIL), and the report of the president of the General Assembly of ECOSOCC. They will also discuss items proposed by member states.
During the summit, the heads of state are expected to adopt the decisions and recommendations of the 19th ordinary session of the Executive Council as well as the Declarations of the Summit. They will also agree on the date and venue for the 18th ordinary session of the Assembly of the Union.
Observers say other than the main theme of the summit, Africa leaders will also discuss the crisis in Libya, Southern Sudan, and other parts of the continent.

Tourism Minister tables Gambia 2011 Tourism Board Bill

Tourism Minister Mass Jobe
The Minister of Tourism and Culture, Fatou Mas Jobe-Njie, on Tuesday presented a bill before deputies at the National Assembly entitled an Act to repeal the Gambian Tourism Authority Act and to replace it with a new entity called “The Gambian Tourism Board Bill 2011 (GTB 2011 bill).
The new bill shall stipulate the rules and regulations for the coordination, administration and marketing of tourism in The Gambia and related matters.
In presenting the new bill, Minister Jobe-Njie said tourism is now the most important industry in terms of employment creation and generation of foreign exchange apart from the agriculture sector.
It contributes more to GDP with a proportion of about 18 %, she noted.
However, she lamented that over the past few years this percentage has been gradually decreasing reflecting a general decline in the overall performance of the tourism industry.
“When the GTA was incorporated in 2001 it has a much clear focus on marketing, and conducted its activities more successfully in the early days,” she said.
Greater responsibility has been given to the authority for further developments, capacity building and industrial regulations, to point out where little money is spent on marketing activity, and less than 60 % of the budget is applied to marketing and promotion of destinations.
“In order to reverse the negative trends highlighted above, it is necessary for strong efforts to be made to increase tourism visitation, upgrade the product to attract higher spending tourists and ultimately attract more individual travellers through the expansion of scheduled air traffic to The Gambia,” she highlighted.
According to Minister Jobe-Njie, the best way to achieve this is by implementing the recommendations of the tourism development master plan of 2006 and the Gambia Tourism Authority institutional review of 2008.
“Moreover it is generally recognised that if tourism is to develop in a sustainable manner, a more appropriate regulatory and marketing institute is required and this can only be provided by the Gambia Government,” she said.
“The Gambia Government fondly believes that there should be a more focus, robust and research oriented institution that would provide clear direction and sustainable policymaking, human and financial support and most importantly seek responsibility for the international marketing and promotion of The Gambia.”
The bill is in line with the best practice in change management, Hon. Jobe said, adding that her ministry is with the conviction that the reform will ultimately increase tourism visitation and add value to The Gambia’s tourism product.
On air access, the tourism minister said Condor Airline will start flying to The Gambia with effect from 1 November 2011.
“Condor Airline was flying to The Gambia some years ago but they seize operations about four years ago,” she said.
“We are able to win the hearts and minds of the Condor executives to come to The Gambia and start operations, through a joint marketing campaign whereby The Gambia was asked to contribute 50,000 euros, because that is the trend, and marketing The Gambia outside is quite expensive and we need nothing less than 3 million dollars per annum to sell the destination aggressively.”
With the participation of stakeholders, they were able to raise the 50,000 euros requested for by Condor Airline, she said, adding that all the hotels “stand to benefit” from the deal.
The bill was seconded by Honourables Kalifa Jammeh, Mama Kandeh, and Foday Jimani Manka, members for Bakau, Jimara and Janjangbureh respectively.
Members of the Assembly welcomed the GTB 2011bill.
Deputies also considered and approved the motion on the setting up of the Gambian Scout Association Parliamentary Network and the mover for the said motion was the Honourable Nominated Member Seedy Njie.
Sources: www.thepoint.gm

UDP: Mayor Colley’s comments ‘unfounded’

UDP Nyassi
Mayor Colley
The National Organising Secretary of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) has described as “unfounded” and “baseless”, comments by Yankuba Colley, who is the National Mobiliser of the ruling APRC, that Gambians have abandoned the opposition.
“Yankuba Colley should immediately resign as national mobiliser of the APRC, because even the party has lost confidence in him,” Nyassi, a long time critic of the APRC regime, said in an interview with this paper yesterday.
According to him, Colley should resign in the interest of the APRC party and of the Gambian people because, as he put it, the APRC has left him behind and formed a task-force committee ahead of the forthcoming presidential elections.
“In fact, it is because of his inefficiency that the APRC formed a so-called task-force committee to make sure that the party wins the next presidential elections,” Nyassi declared.
Nyassi said he read with surprise the comments made by Yankuba Colley that Gambians have abandoned the opposition in this country.
“These comments are baseless and unfounded,” he said, adding that instead of the opposition, it is the APRC that Gambians have abandoned.
The UDP strongman further told this reporter that, despite having Colley as a national mobiliser, the ruling APRC is still not comfortable with Colley and are now using regional governors, chiefs and the task-force committee.
In his view, the APRC has no structures on the ground across the country, as the party only uses regional offices during its tours.
“The APRC is a scattered party, and that is why they don’t depend on their area chairmen and committees, but instead, they use government machinery. And, surprisingly enough it is a fact that regional governors are leading campaigns in their regions,” he told this reporter.
Nyassi added that as far as the UDP is concerned, they have good structures and that is why the party was able to conduct the general voter registration all over the country.
“We cannot do that if we don’t have structures in place. So such propaganda will not move us.
“As I am speaking to you, we are planning to open a political bureau in KMC, and our regional bureaus in Basse, Bansang and Soma are all operating and functioning,” Nyassi also a former propaganda secretary of the UDP added.
He further stated that a party without structures will not convene a congress, which he said the UDP did at Jarra Soma in the Lower River Region. He noted that even in KMC, the UDP has divisional coordinating committees that are functional.
Commenting on the just-concluded voter registration exercise, Nyassi said they were initially hoping that the registration will be well organized and go as planned, but to their surprise they saw what was unbelievable.
“The IEC told us at a press conference that there was going to be 200 registration centers all over the country, but to our surprise the Chairman of the Commission opened a new registration centre at State House in the last days of the exercise,” he said.
He stated that the exercise “lacks credibility” because “the IEC has spoilt everything.”
“We don’t have trust in them anymore, because the IEC Chairman created a new registration centre without notifying other political parties and stakeholders. This thing has never happened in this country, and it is really unbelievable,” Nyassi asserted.
Nyassi revealed that his party is currently busy preparing ahead of the presidential polls, drawing its action plan for the presidential election, noting that the outcome of the general voter registration exercise will tell whether the IEC can conduct free and fair elections.
He commended his party loyalists for a job well done during the voter registration exercise.

Wednesday 22 June 2011

UNICEF, YPM observe Day of the African Child call for children’s protection

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the Young People in the Media on Saturday remembered and honored those children who were killed while participating in an uprising in Soweto, South Africa, in 1976 in protest against the inferior quality of their education, and to demand their right to be taught in their own language.
The remembrance, done in the form of a symposium on child rights and issues and a poetry competition, was part of celebrations marking the International Day of the African Child, celebrated on 16th of June each year.
It was held at Unique FM radio station along Garba Jahumpa Road in Bakau New Town.The day was set aside by the Organization of African Unity now the African Union to remember those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976.
Hundreds of young boys and girls were shot to death; and in the two weeks of protest that followed, more than a hundred people were killed and more than a thousand were injured.
The day has since served to highlight issues affecting the lives of children and young people around the world.
This year’s theme: “Altogether for Urgent Action in Favour of Street Children” aims to explore the situation of children living and working in the streets, examining their health, education, and protection situation.
Addressing school children shortly after a marchpast from the Post Office junction along
Kairaba Avenue
to Unique FM, where speeches were delivered, was the UNICEF country representative to The Gambia, Mrs. Aichatou Diawara Flambert.
Kairaba Avenue
to Unique FM, where speeches were delivered, was the UNICEF country representative to The Gambia, Mrs. Aichatou Diawara Flambert.
She reminded the gathering that the day allows governments, policy makers, and other principal actors in development, to examine the achievements and gaps made over the past year in securing good health, education, equality, and security for all African children.
In addition, she explained, it creates avenues for all stakeholders to monitor the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights of the Child, CRC, and CEDAW; as well as evaluate achievements made so far in attaining the MDG targets specific to young people and children.
According to her, the day also placed great emphasis on different current issues relating to, and affecting young people living in Africa through an identified theme.
Sheriff Gomez, minister of Youth and Sports, in his statement, underscored the Gambia government’s commitment to the advancement of the cause of children and young people, whom he described as the bedrock of any meaningful development.
He stated that government has domesticated, signed and ratified numerous international instruments in support of children, including the International Convention on Rights of Children.
Abdou Jatta, former President of the Young People in the Media (YPM), who deputized for Ms Fatou Camara, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of YPM, told the gathering that an estimated 30 million street children live in Africa.
He stated that the 2011 observance of this day seeks to contribute to widespread awareness of the dangers street children face, promote the taking of urgent steps to protect them and determine strategies for providing effective child protection and care.
Sheikh Lewis, Director, Centre for Street Children and Child Trafficking Studies, and Fallou Sowe, Deputy Director, Department of Social Welfare, both spoke at the ceremony before making presentations on street children in The Gambia.
Other speakers included Kaddijatou Fofana, President of the Young People in the Media.
The ceremony was graced by the former Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Fatoumatta Jahumpa-Ceesay, and officials from UNICEF Banjul office, among others.

Interview: face to face with prolific Gambian writer Momodou Sabally

Hello and a warm welcome this special interview with no other person than Mr Momodou Sabally, the young and dedicated Director of Budget at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs and author of three books.
There is no denying that in the history of any country, successive generations must have individuals who serve as pillars of society, talk of the country, and of course some extraordinary men and women who provide inspiration to young upcoming and promising nationals of the state. Momodou Sabally belongs to this phylum of people in today’s Gambia.
Of course some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness trusted upon them but for this man, Momodou Sabally, a shining example in today’s Gambia, he has achieved greatness.
He is a man whose vision and mission for this country makes him stands out as a key stakeholder in the socio-economic development of this country.
Please sit back, relax and enjoy reading:
The Point: Can you please tell us a bit about yourself?
Sabally: I am Momodou Sabally. I was born in Banjul in the mid 70s and grew up in Lamin village, Kombo North. I attended St Peter’s High School for my O’ levels then to Gambia High School for my advance level, then matriculated to the Gambia’s first University Extension Programme, which started in 1995, where I was a student leader and graduated with first batch of students.
I have since worked at the Central Bank of the Gambia as Research Economist from 1999-2009 and now working as Director of Budget at Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs. From my professional work, I also do a lot of writing, which is my passion.  I published my first book “Janki Jollof” memoirs of the Gambia’s first University Program in 2005, followed by “Instant Success - Ten Keys to Personal Success” which was published in the US in 2006. I also published “Secrets of the World Champions” which is a self help book based on the success lessons from the world of Basketball. This was also published in the US in 2007. Since then, I continue to explore my passion in writing, especially writing inspirational materials to help young people to live their best lives.
The Point: Looking at your age and considering the number of books you authored, what really motivates you to embark on the journey of writing being an economist by profession?
Sabally: Yes what motivates me is that I know I had a passion for writing with some talents. I want to make sure that by the time I leave this world, I would have exploited all my potentials and make sure that anything I feel I can do, I try to invest my time to the best of my ability. Also as a young man, I benefited a lot from investments by the Government of the Gambia in terms of my education and fulfillment of my potentials. I also believe that I have a responsibility to share what I know and whatever little skills I have.
When it is time to write, I don’t joke. I sacrifice all those pleasures and leisure to make sure that I take my writing seriously because as you said, I work as a professional economist and that means I have limited time to write but if you look at it properly, we all have 24 hours a day. If you spend eight hours at work, eight hours sleeping and taking care of other things, you have another eight hours free. The choice depends on how you use that time. For me, I use this time to read and write.
The Point: You authored your first book “Jangi Jollof”, a memoir of the Gambia’s first University Programme. What inspired you most in writing this book?
Sabally: This book was my experience as a student in the country’s first university. What inspired me to write ‘Janki Jollof’ is that there was a novel project taken up by the Gambia government in partnership with their Canadian counterparts, which as far as I am concern, I have never seen or known in this world.
It became a very positive impact on national development and we went through it as pioneer students and I thought this historical moment was to be documented from the perceptive of students. In addition to documenting it as historical moment to write our stories, my story in particular was to inspire other young Gambians to go through higher education to be able to fulfill their own potentials to contribute better towards national development.
My second book is “Instant Success” and what inspired me again is that I have been reading inspirational and motivational literature for the past fifteen years. I think I have learnt a lot and it has helped me a lot too to be whom I am today. It is good to share knowledge or write a book and the funny thing is that this book has helped me and continued to help me.
Despite being the author, whenever I read “Instant Success” I got inspired. So I wrote it for young people of the Gambia to teach them that they can exploit their passion, talents and potentials to become successful people in the world.
The Point: Are you grateful to anyone in the course of your writing?
Sabally:  I am grateful to many people mainly my parents, and also my experience at the University Programme but I think I was born with the gift of writing. I owe this too mainly to education. During my stint at Saint Augustine under the leadership of Ann Therese Ndong Jatta, that time English Language was mandatory and if you speak local Language, you are sent out. My stay at the University also helped me in my writings. I am particularly grateful to President Jammeh, who in his magnanimity launched my first book though he did not come in person but sent the Vice President Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy to grace the occasion. That was a source of inspiration to keep me pushing the pen.
The Point: In anything one does, there must be challenges. What are your challenges in publishing your books?
Sabally: I have encountered tremendous challenges in writing and publishing my books and I am sure my fellow writers will share this experience. The publishing industry is virtually non existence here in the Gambia. You invest your own resources to publish a book, it is difficult really. The other challenge is the poor reading culture in the Gambia and the fact that people don’t buy books. So if you print Thousands of copies, people tend that you give it to them free of charge, which can be very disheartening. For example my first book, I printed about 1000 copies and could not sell more than 300 copies. I still have some remaining copies unsold six years after it was published. It is because of the inspiration and perseverance that keeps me writing not the monetary aspect of it.
The Point: with this tread you keeping writing?
Sabally: that is the persistence and perseverance that everybody needs whether you are writer or belong to another field, the failure is part of the game. If you give up at the first setback it means you are noting look at all these great writer or achievers in any field there first attempt  has always meet some resistance or some failure but it has to be persistent. If love something you are doing nothing will stop you from that especially if you feels that there is need and what you are doing will effects change in the lives of the peoples.
The Point: so it means you don’t engaged in published books for monetary gains?
Sabally: not necessarily make no mistake, I would like to make millions of money if I can but that not the main motivation, the main motivation is to explore my talent and contribute to help people. I want the money but if not coming that will not stop me from writing or publishing my books because I love what I am doing.
The Point: How can reading improve academic performance in the Gambia in your own perceptive?
Sabally: Reading can improve not only academic but our social and cultural lives, which is the most important way of improving our lives. In any culture, reading is important. I cannot over emphasize the importance of reading. It is through readings that one can develop personally and even spiritually. As a Muslim, the first verse of the Holy Quran is ‘Iqra’ meaning read in Islam.
The Point: Are you married?
Sabally: Laugh. Yes, I am happily married to Janiaba Tida Sarr and we have three boys.
The Point: Do you have plans to publish another book?
Sabally: Yes. My fourth book is ready for publication and the title is “The pursuit of Billisdon”, which is coming out in July. Meanwhile, I will release another booklet, which I hope will be a motivational guide for young people.
The Point: Many thanks Mr. Sabally for granting us this interview despite you busy schedules.
Sabally: You welcome Sainey, you also such a good interviewer.
Blogger's Note 
this interview first appear on the Point and Conducted by the Managing blogger who also works as Senior Staff writer with Point Newspaper in the Gambia.

Sanna Dahaba is new PS Office of the President

By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger
 Confirmed reports reaching this paper have it that Sanna Dahaba, project coordinator of the just phased-out Legal Capacity Building Project (LCBP) funded by UK’s Department for International Development (DfID), has been appointed as the new Permanent Secretary at the Office of the President. His appointment took effect last Friday 17th June.
Dahaba, who previously worked with the European Development Fund on decentralization and governance issues, has also worked closely with communities in identifying development needs and prepared project proposals and budgets for technical support to community-based projects. 
With a wide range of knowledge on project management, Dahaba holds a Master’s degree in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford, the UK.
He also served as Principal of Yorkshire College in the U.K. responsible for the day-to-day management of the college. His work at the college, among others, involved planning and implementing all academic programmes.
When contacted, Sanna Dahaba confirmed his appointment to this reporter, while commending President Yahya Jammeh for the trust and confidence he has in him, noting that he would strive to live up to expectations.

Dr Scattred Janneh, others appear at High Court

By Sainey M.K. Marenah, Managing Blogger 
 Dr. Janneh
Ex-Information minister Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, and three others, charged last week with treason, sedition and conspiracy, yesterday appeared at the Special Criminal Court of the High Court in Banjul.
Dr. Janneh, who was arrested since 7th June 2011, was arraigned alongside Michel C. Ucheh Thomas, Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow before Justice J.E. Ikpala.
However, the accused persons could not take their pleas as the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mikailu Abdullahi, told the court that the state has just received the case file from the Banjul Magistrates’ Court.
DPP Abdullahi also told the court that the charges preferred against the accused persons at the magistrates’ court were holding charges, and that investigations into the matter are ongoing.
While requesting for an adjournment to 5th July, he said there was assurance from the Commissioner of Prosecutions at police headquarters that the case file would be ready in two weeks time.
Lawyer Lamin S. Camara, who represented Dr. Janneh, in response told the court that he did not hear the DPP say when the substantial charges would be filed against his client, since the charges at the lower court were holding charges.
Camara applied before the judge for him to be allowed access to his client at the Mile 2 Central Prisons.
In granting the prosecution’s request, Justice Ikpala told them to make sure that it expedites its investigations and bring in a proper case file, as it is the constitutional rights of the accused persons to know the charges against them.
He subsequently adjourned the hearing till 5th July 2011.
The three other accused persons are yet to secure legal counsel.           
Reader would recall that charges were preferred against the accused persons at the lower court in Banjul. The particulars of offence on count one indicated that the four accused persons on or about the month of May 2011 in Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in The Gambia, conspired among themselves to effect to carry out an enterprise with force with the intent to usurp the executive powers of the state.
On count two, the first accused, Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh, will stand trial for treason contrary to Section 35 (1) (c) of the Criminal Code Cap 10:01 Volume III Laws of The Gambia 2009.
The particulars stated that Dr Amadou Scattred Janneh on or about the month of May 2011 in Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in The Gambia, distributed T-Shirts bearing ‘Coalition for Change The Gambia, End to Dictatorship Now’ with intent to usurp the executive powers of the state.
According to the particulars of offence on count three, the accused person on or about the month of May 2011 in Kairaba Avenue and diverse places in The Gambia, distributed T-Shirts bearing ‘Coalition for Change The Gambia, End to Dictatorship Now’ with intent to incite the inhabitants of The Gambia to attempt to procure alteration otherwise by lawful means any matter in The Gambia as established by law.