Gambia Makes Big Gains in US Gov’t’s Governance Scorecard

The Gambia’s governance and democratic transformance process has been recognized by the United States government. This is indicated in its Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) scorecard for the Fiscal year 2021. The MCC scorecard was presented to the Vice President Dr Isatou Touray through the US Embassy on Friday, November 13th. At its quarterly meeting in December 2018, the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation Board of Directors reselected The Gambia for continued threshold programme development focused on policy and institutional reform to spur economic growth and reduce poverty. The Board also directed MCC to explore regional investment opportunities in the Gambia and other compact partners in West Africa. MCC was created in 2004 as a new and different model of development assistance – one focused on reducing poverty through economic growth. Built on the lessons of decades of development experience, MCC provides time-limited grants to developing countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights, as evaluated on its scorecard. The programme takes a business-like approach, with bedrock commitments to data, accountability, and evidence-based decisions. During the briefing which took the form of a virtual meeting, the MCC Threshold Department’s Managing Director, James Gerard, started by indicating the impressive performance of the Gambia in key MCC indicators. He affirmed that The Gambia has passed the assessment test for governance, democratic rights and economic freedom. He further revealed that The Gambia is doing well in their indicators especially on control of corruption and rule of law, as both rated at 92% on the scorecard, and that the country has secured 12 green out of 20; which means it has shortcomings in 8 critical areas. Mr. Gerard informed that this information has been gathered by the Freedom House and that it encourages the government of The Gambia to do more to enable it retain the greens on the scorecard and change the red to green as indication for good governance that translate to improving the wellbeing of its people. He noted that the scorecard will be available to the public as it provides information regarding numerous indicators relating to democratic activities, economic freedom and public resources. Reacting to the information about Gambia’s good performance on the MCC scorecard, Vice President Dr Isatou Touray said she was overwhelmed and happy to note that Gambia has gone this far in fulfilling its democratic obligations. She thanked the ambassador of the US to The Gambia, and the MCC team for the good work they have been doing in The Gambia and extends President Barrow’s good will message to the American people. Vice President Touray went on to assure the MCC team that The Gambia will work hard to ensure that there are improvements in areas where they have shortcomings or where they under-performed. She noted that the scores are great achievements for the government of The Gambia and all Gambians at large. The Gambia’s governance and democratic transformance process has been recognized by the United States government. This is indicated in its Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) scorecard for the Fiscal year 2021. The MCC scorecard was presented to the Vice President Dr Isatou Touray through the US Embassy on Friday, November 13th. At its quarterly meeting in December 2018, the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation Board of Directors reselected The Gambia for continued threshold programme development focused on policy and institutional reform to spur economic growth and reduce poverty. The Board also directed MCC to explore regional investment opportunities in the Gambia and other compact partners in West Africa. MCC was created in 2004 as a new and different model of development assistance – one focused on reducing poverty through economic growth. Built on the lessons of decades of development experience, MCC provides time-limited grants to developing countries that meet rigorous standards for good governance, from fighting corruption to respecting democratic rights, as evaluated on its scorecard. The programme takes a business-like approach, with bedrock commitments to data, accountability, and evidence-based decisions. During the briefing which took the form of a virtual meeting, the MCC Threshold Department’s Managing Director, James Gerard, started by indicating the impressive performance of the Gambia in key MCC indicators. He affirmed that The Gambia has passed the assessment test for governance, democratic rights and economic freedom. He further revealed that The Gambia is doing well in their indicators especially on control of corruption and rule of law, as both rated at 92% on the scorecard, and that the country has secured 12 green out of 20; which means it has shortcomings in 8 critical areas. Mr. Gerard informed that this information has been gathered by the Freedom House and that it encourages the government of The Gambia to do more to enable it retain the greens on the scorecard and change the red to green as indication for good governance that translate to improving the wellbeing of its people. He noted that the scorecard will be available to the public as it provides information regarding numerous indicators relating to democratic activities, economic freedom and public resources. Reacting to the information about Gambia’s good performance on the MCC scorecard, Vice President Dr Isatou Touray said she was overwhelmed and happy to note that Gambia has gone this far in fulfilling its democratic obligations. She thanked the ambassador of the US to The Gambia, and the MCC team for the good work they have been doing in The Gambia and extends President Barrow’s good will message to the American people. Vice President Touray went on to assure the MCC team that The Gambia will work hard to ensure that there are improvements in areas where they have shortcomings or where they under-performed. She noted that the scores are great achievements for the government of The Gambia and all Gambians at large. The Vice President went on to acknowledge the efforts made by Gambians and the government of President Barrow for making the worthwhile gains. This she said is possible despite difficult circumstances, and past experience of tyranny and maladministration. The US ambassador to The Gambia, Shelly Seaver, also acknowledged the efforts of the government of The Gambia in making this tremendous achievement and pledged to continue the support they have been providing to the government and people of The Gambia The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finance Ministry, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, the Director of Department of Strategic Policy and Delivery, and the Gambian ambassador to the United States. Prepared by Sarjo M. Camara Assistant Information Officer, Office of the Vice President The Vice President went on to acknowledge the efforts made by Gambians and the government of President Barrow for making the worthwhile gains. This she said is possible despite difficult circumstances, and past experience of tyranny and maladministration. The US ambassador to The Gambia, Shelly Seaver, also acknowledged the efforts of the government of The Gambia in making this tremendous achievement and pledged to continue the support they have been providing to the government and people of The Gambia The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finance Ministry, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, the Director of Department of Strategic Policy and Delivery, and the Gambian ambassador to the United States. Prepared by Sarjo M. Camara Assistant Information Officer, Office of the Vice President

       

President Adama Barrow presided over the swearing-in of Hon. Seedy Keita as the new Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment.

Here is an excerpt of his statement during the ceremony.

”Honourable Keita’s appointment is prompted by his track record as a professional with a wealth of knowledge, experience and exposure, both nationally and internationally.

It is expected that all these will contribute immensely to the on-going reform and transformation of the important sector he will now lead.

It is a critical sector for development, as it has to create and maintain the necessary platforms for public-private sector interface and productivity. I congratulate Honourable Keita on his appointment and wish him success.

This is an era of transition that calls for change in the nation. We know, however, that instituting change is never an easy task. It is bound to be resisted, but with the right approach, right policies, relevant knowledge and experience, creative thinking and bringing out the best in the people and our institutions, we can succeed and transform the country positively. 

I am confident that the appointment of Honourable Keita will add value to the great work that has been going on to enhance trade and industrial development, as well as creating employment and promoting regional integration for economic growth.” president Barrow concluded. Mr. Keita took the oath of office and secrecy precided over by the minister of justice Mr. Dawda Jallow.

Illegal Arrests: Falana Asks Judges To Conduct Monthly Visits To Police Stations, Detention Centers

Human Rights Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has appealed to judges and chief magistrates to conduct a monthly inspection of all police stations and detention centres across the country.

Falana who disclosed this in a letter which was dated November 12, 2020, said visiting Judges and Chief Magistrates are empowered to order the release of detainees, or grant them bail or direct that they be arraigned in court.

He notes that if all detention facilities in the country are regularly inspected by Judges and Chief Magistrates as stipulated by the law Nigerian citizens “will no longer be subjected to illegal arrest and detention by the Police and other security agencies.”

 

 

Read the full statement below…

Section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 requires Chief Judges of the Federal High Court, Federal Capital Territory High Court and State High Courts to designate Judges and Chief Magistrates to conduct monthly visitation and inspection of all police stations and other detention facilities in all the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

In spite of the Directive of the National Judicial Council the provision of the law was not complied with by many Judicial Authorities. Hence, the incessant arrest, detention and torture of poor citizens by the Police and other security agencies have since become the order of the day.

However, the newly enacted Nigeria Police Act, 2020 has imposed a duty on all Chief Magistrates and Judges to conduct monthly visitation and inspection of all police stations and other detention facilities within their territorial jurisdiction other than Correctional Centres.  Specifically, section 70 of the Act provides as follows:

“70 (1) The Chief Magistrate, or where there is no chief magistrate within the police division, any magistrate designated by the Chief Judge for that purpose, shall at least every month, conduct an inspection of police stations or other places of detention within his territorial jurisdiction other than the prison.

(2) During a visit, the magistrate may;

(a) call for, and inspect, the record of arrests;

(b) direct the arraignment of suspect;

(c) where bail has been refused, grant bail to any suspect, where appropriate, if the offence for which the suspect is held is within the jurisdiction of the magistrate.

(3) An officer in charge of a police station or an official in charge of any agency authorized to make an arrest shall make available to the visiting chief magistrate or designated magistrate exercising his powers under subsection (1):

(a) the full record of arrest and record of bail;

(b) applications and decisions on bail made within the period; and

(c) any other facility the magistrate requires to exercise his power under that subsection.

(4) With respect to other Federal Government agencies authorized to make arrests, the High Court have jurisdiction shall visit such detention facilities for the purpose provided in this section.

(5) Where there is the default by an officer in charge of a police station or an official in charge of an agency authorized to make an arrest to comply with the provisions of subsection (3), the default shall be treated as misconduct and shall be dealt with in accordance with the relevant police regulations under this Act, or under any other disciplinary procedure prescribed by any provision regulating the conduct of the officer or official of the agency.”

From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that the visiting Judges and Chief Magistrates are empowered to order the release of detainees, or grant them bail or direct that they be arraigned in court.

No doubt, the provision of section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and Nigeria Police Act, 2020 have confirmed the intention of both the Legislative and Executive arms of the Federal Government to ensure that the fundamental right of every citizen to personal liberty is not infringed upon or abridged by law enforcement officers contrary to the procedure permitted by law.  It is now left for the Judiciary to activate and implement the provisions of the law in order to end the incessant arrest and prolonged detention of the Nigerian people without any further delay.

We are of the strong view that if all detention facilities in the country are henceforth regularly inspected by Judges and Chief Magistrates as stipulated by the law the people of Nigeria will no longer be subjected to illegal arrest and detention by the Police and other security agencies.

In particular, there will be no basis for #endsars and any similar campaign either now or in future. We are therefore compelled to call on Judges and Chief Magistrates to carry out their duties under section 70 of the Police Act.

However, to achieve the objective of the law we appeal to the respective Chief Judges to supervise the Visiting Judges and Chief Magistrates in the discharge of their statutory duties. Where there is no Chief Magistrate within the police division, the Chief Judge should designate a Magistrate for the purpose in accordance with section 70 (1) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.

We equally call on the members of the Human Rights Community including the Nigerian Bar Association to assign their accredited representatives to accompany the Judges and Chief Magistrates during the monthly inspection of police stations and other detention facilities in Nigeria.

Femi Falana SAN

Interim Chair,

Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond

(ASCAB)

Belarus: Peaceful protester held by police after beating dies in hospital

Responding to the death of peaceful protester Raman Bandarenka, an artist severely beaten by masked men then taken into police custody in Minsk, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Marie Struthers, said:

“The authorities in Belarus continue to rule by terror, targeting dissenting voices with violence and imprisonment. They must immediately launch a prompt, thorough, impartial and independent investigation into Raman Bandarenka’s killing and bring the perpetrators to account in fair trials. Instead, the authorities are trying to deflect responsibility by alleging that Raman Bandarenka was beaten by ‘concerned citizens.’

“There is little if any doubt that he was beaten by security force officers, like hundreds of other peaceful protesters that have been attacked simply for raising their voices. Instead of taking him to hospital, police arrested him and took him into custody. It is unclear what happened while he was in custody, but he died in hospital the next day.

There is little if any doubt that he was beaten by security force officers, like hundreds of other peaceful protesters that have been attacked simply for raising their voices

Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia

“It is time to put an end to this reign of terror and unmask all those responsible for committing these crimes. If that does not happen, it means security forces under the command of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka continue to deploy the most horrific tactics of repression – merciless torture and even killings – against their own people.”  

Background

Raman Bandarenka, a 31-year-old artist and resident of Belarus’ capital Minsk, died in hospital on the evening of 12 November. According to media reports, unidentified masked men came to his neighborhood to remove protest flags and ribbons. They beat him after a verbal confrontation. Police then took him away in a van.

Several hours later, Raman Bandarenka was transferred unconscious to hospital with head injuries and a collapsed lung. Surgeons were unable to save him. Minsk police spokeswoman Volha Chamadanava described the incident as “a fight”, adding that sometimes “concerned citizens are trying to restore order.” The authorities have consistently referred to peaceful protests in Belarus as “war” and “conflict” orchestrated from abroad.

Over the past months, the Belarusian authorities have unleashed gangs of masked men in plain clothes who violently attack peaceful protesters. They are widely believed (and often confirmed) to be security officers. None have been officially identified or prosecuted