Deportation Rumor Is Misinformation By Media _ Dr. Isatou Touray

The Gambia’s Vice President, Dr. Isatou Touray, has dispelled what she called misinformation carried by the media that the government signed deportation deal with Swiss authorities. Madam Touray made this remark on Friday afternoon, 12th February, 2021 when the Switzerland Vice President visited her. With regard to her visit to Swiss, VP Touray said: “My visit also triggered some misinformation at the time I went there. I can remember the media carried so much information saying that we went to sign ‘deportation’ of Gambians. It is not true and I want to dispel it here. It has nothing to do with deportation. Migration is broader than deportation and that was not what we went there for, and is not an issue.” She added: “Migration is a development matter and it is not about deportation alone, it deals with development of issues in terms of how we deal with our country and other countries.” Nonetheless, VP Touray said the visit was a very important one for the country, saying it marked the beginning of a strong partnership and trust between the two countries. She said they were there to sign two important agreements; one of them was migration matters and the other was air space agreement. “We also had other discussions with regards to bilateral and multilateral issues and to reconsider as a partner because Swiss is already known for its democracy, human rights, and process in development,” she said. Madam Touray added that Swiss is a small country coming out of a difficult situation and they need to look for partners that they can learn from, share best practices and also move together to make the world a better place. Iqnatio Cassis, Vice President of Switzerland, said his propose of meeting The Gambia’s Vice President is in regards to a meeting they had in Bern, where a Gambian delegation went to Swiss to sign an agreement and they decided to meet again in order to operationalize their Sub- Saharan Africa Strategy for Swiss for the next four years. “We started our trip by North Africa and went up to Mali, Senegal and we decided to have a stop here. We already discussed most of the issues in Bern last month to find operational ways in order to strengthen our relationships,” he highlighted. Among the issues they discussed, Cassis said, were bilateral operation in peace and security, human rights, detention- where they will visit the prisons to look at the conditions of the center of the population, and water management. He said water is a very important source of richness for The Gambia which needs capacity building in many ways in order to make it work out to give value addition to the country. Commenting on remittances, Swiss VP said because of Covid-19 remittances is decreasing. He thanked Gambia’s Vice President for welcoming the Swiss delegation to the Gambia

The TRRC Needs A Service Expert

have watched some key witnesses gave their testimonies at the TRRC with Lead Counsel Fatal. Admittedly some of Faal’s questions only required a “Yes” or “No” answer. However, some of the witnesses dive into an elaborative swim inviting sharky questions in their unnecessary paddle to safe shores. This got we wondering. Is the witness seat hot? Do they come prepared for a confrontation with Essa Faal? Are they intimidated by him? Or is it just Gambian to be elaborative? Sometimes I find Essa Faal overtowering but a witness worth his or her salt will be composed, focused and precise unless you have something to keep in a closet. The SIS as an Intelligence Agency has a significant role in collecting drug related information particularly exportation, importation, distribution and consumption in and outside the Gambia. They can assist in drug related investigation but should not be involved in the arrest and prosecution of drug cases. Essa Faal,s lack of functional security services experience sometimes affects his interaction with Security Offices. Their code of conduct and operations differs significantly from the civil servants. As such, it will be helpful to get a seasoned ex officer to help in questioning some of his witnesses.

IEC Clarifies Voter Registration Postponement

15 hours ago Yaya Dampha ALIEU MOMAR NJIE IS NOT DEAD About 30... - Gambian Talents Promotion | Facebook IEC CLEARS AIR ON POSTPONEMENT OF GENRAL VOTER REGISTRATION The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has issued a statement indicating the reason behind the postponement of the commencement of the General Registration of Voters which was slated on the 14th of January to 26th of February 2021. It is stated in the statement that IEC has been hindered by the lack of clearance from the GPPA which is required before the release of funds by the Ministry of Finance. The electoral body further stated that failure in obtaining clearance from GPPA posted some logistical challenges relating to the procurement of materials and equipment needed for the successful conduct of the Voter Registration.However, IEC, in a statement signed bythe commission,s chairman Alieu Momarr Njai, assured Gambians that the delay in conducting the Voters Registration Exercise would not affect the electoral calendar as there is still room to conduct the exercise on time according to the released. It could be recalled earlier in October 2020, GPPA warned that IEC’s plan to go against its advice to contract a Canadian Company with the supply of electoral materials and issuance of voters cards will be ‘illegal’ and a complete disregard of the procurement act.However, the Electoral Commission contracted this year’s voter registration and supply of election materials to Electoral Service International (ESI) despite the GPPA’s refusal to approve the proposal. ESI was competing with Dermalog, a German company, Ekemp, a Chinese company, and Smart business group, a Gambian company’.

President Barrow Receives Commonwealth Secretary General

Foreign Minister Dr. Tangara receives Commonwealth Secretary General Her Excellency The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland Q.C. Banjul, 7th December 2020: The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, on Monday 7th December 2020 received the Secretary General of Commonwealth, Her Excellency The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland Q.C. in his office in Banjul. In welcoming the Commonwealth Secretary General, Foreign Minister Dr. Tangara commended her and the delegation for the visit to The Gambia. Minister Tangara informed her that The Government of The Gambia is committed to continue working closely with the Commonwealth to spur socio – economic development for The Gambia and all member states. He said partnership in the areas of Health, Judiciary and Education are crucial to the development Blueprint of the Government and extend his appreciation for the technical assistance by the Commonwealth in the areas of Human right, Rule of law, Good Governance, Education and Health. For her part, Her Excellency The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland Q.C. said her delegation is in Banjul to share with The Gambia opportunities crafted together for the country to tap and utilise. She expressed Commonwealth’s readiness to work with the Government of The Gambia in ensuring a better future for the youth and collaborate in the areas of Climate Change, Good Governance, and Rule of law and Financial Accountability. She used the opportunity to thank Foreign Minister Tangara for the accurate information he provided about the great achievements and initiatives taken by the Government during the past two years. In attendance was the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Saffie Sankareh – Farage and other staff of the Ministry. It could be recalled that The Gambia formally rejoined The Commonwealth on 8th February 2018 following the unilateral withdrawal of the country by the erstwhile President Yahya Jammeh. President Barrow this afternoon received the Commonwealth Secretary General Rt. Patricia Scotland at the Governor’s residence in Kerewan, North Bank Region. According to Secretary General Scotland, the President made several commitments in relation to adhering to the Commonwealth Charter, Values, and other issues of difficulty in The Gambia when his government decided to rejoin the organisation of former British Colonies. While expressing her impression about the progress the government has made, SG Patricia said she met with several government Ministers that are determined to make a difference and deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. She particularly commended the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare on the issue of addressing domestic and sexual violence and advancing the rights of women and girls in the country to ensure their full participation. “We know that if any country is to be healthy and wealthy, we have to look after all our people and 50 per cent of our people are female, so taking advantage of the assets, the talents, the energy of our women and girls is going to be critically important for The Gambia.

Allow President Barrow, s Father To Rest in Peace

Of Darboe's Distateful Personal Politics Why the UDP leader needs to sanitise his rhetoric and leave President Barrow's father to rest in peace   By Yaya Dampha (Sweden)   I see it as a civic duty to respond to the unpleasant and ungentlemanly remarks by a veteran 72-year-old politician in the person of Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, the leader of the opposition United Democratic Party. Mr. Darboe's statement that "President Barrow did not inherit anything from his father" symbolises bad taste, which depicts the character of a man full of anger, rage and hot temper. This is the man who had throughout preached against politics of mudslinging, character assassination or insult during the Jammeh dictatorship. I used to admire Darboe's cool and collected approach to dealing with looming political conflicts. That is why his new line of politics has worried me, to call spade a spade and not a rake.

It is worthy to note that political parties that are devoid of ideological grounds or basis will have nothing to offer to the masses. Members of such political parties resort to talking about their opponents' personal and private lives. Even the parents of their opponents are not allowed to live in peace. Instead of championing issue-based politics or politics of development, these parties will campaign along tribal lines, with its members touting sentiments like 'ali Kari fasa', 'ali Kari la julo jo' (delo len jugal) or 'Kari batata bankola kula'.   Instead of selling his party's programmes and policies to the or what he intends to do for them if he is given the responsibility to manage our meagre tax revenue, the doyen Lawyer politician chose to blow his own trumpet. Maverick politicians are like gifted salespeople who must master the art of sales pitching. Wise politicians allow others to tell their story, especially with regard to their sacrifices. Statements like "I suffered and sacrificed a lot during the Jammeh era" is simply laughable. Who hasn't suffered? Even unborn innocent babies and their mothers are not spared by a regime whose leader sacrificed babies for rituals. Every Gambian tasted their own bitter pills or played their own part and sacrificed without expecting any personal rewards or benefits. All they care about was to free their once Sweet Country from a Mad Dog. Any attempt to defeat Mr. Jammeh was tantamount to solemn national duty.   Truth be told loudly and clearly, President Adama Barrow’s father (Mamudou Barrow) was not a politician. Mamudou's name only came to the public limelight when his son defeated Yahya Jammeh. He was not under any obligation to give his inheritance to Adama Barrow to develop The Gambia. Where has that happened in the world? Mr. Darboe’s remarks corroborate the fact that he endorses the insults and arrogance being peddled by the UDP supporters. How can insult be a crime in a village where elders okay the use of vulgar language? I have now believed that use of vulgar language is an accepted standard of normalcy within the UDP. If you see a child insulting and abusing others in the streets one should know that child learns that behaviour from home.  After more than half a century of self-rule, one might believe that politics of insult, violence, castigation and tribalism should have no place in our modern day Gambian politics.  A 72-year-old man should have been a good Role Model for the younger generations and not the other way around.   It is true that Lawyer Darboe used to get under the skin of former President Jammeh, although in a more responsible manner many a time. But what Darboe needs to understand is that President Barrow is not Yahya Jammeh who can easily be provoked to arrest or suppress his political adversaries. Such tactics are relics of the bygone era. Democracy requires politics of issues and not of personal attacks. It elevates arguments and instils principle of mutual respect and tolerance. It is not the state or the governing party alone that should uphold principles and dictates of democracy. The opposition parties vying for power should also respect the same very principles of democracy. Lawyer Darboe has failed the principle of fair play, mutual respect and upholding sacrosanct traditional values of limiting one's remarks to one’s opponent and not to their parents or relatives. It would have been an explosive affair if such unpleasant remarks were uttered by President Barrow. Our lousy media would have drummed it up and labelled it a threat, yet a clear provocation and punch below the belt is instigated by a veteran politician and the outrage is minimal, which in itself is alarming. Distasteful political remarks or innuendos are not what the world expects of Gambians to practice in a post-dictatorship era. We cannot build a Better Gambia in the absence of restraiing our utterances and allow our democracy to flourish. In essence, let us police ourselves and live in Peace rather than in pieces.  Ends

President Barrow Receives Commonwealth Secretary General

Foreign Minister Dr. Tangara receives Commonwealth Secretary General Her Excellency The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland Q.C. Banjul, 7th December 2020: The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, on Monday 7th December 2020 received the Secretary General of Commonwealth, Her Excellency The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland Q.C. in his office in Banjul. In welcoming the Commonwealth Secretary General, Foreign Minister Dr. Tangara commended her and the delegation for the visit to The Gambia. Minister Tangara informed her that The Government of The Gambia is committed to continue working closely with the Commonwealth to spur socio - economic development for The Gambia and all member states. He said partnership in the areas of Health, Judiciary and Education are crucial to the development Blueprint of the Government and extend his appreciation for the technical assistance by the Commonwealth in the areas of Human right, Rule of law, Good Governance, Education and Health. For her part, Her Excellency The Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland Q.C. said her delegation is in Banjul to share with The Gambia opportunities crafted together for the country to tap and utilise. She expressed Commonwealth’s readiness to work with the Government of The Gambia in ensuring a better future for the youth and collaborate in the areas of Climate Change, Good Governance, and Rule of law and Financial Accountability. She used the opportunity to thank Foreign Minister Tangara for the accurate information he provided about the great achievements and initiatives taken by the Government during the past two years. In attendance was the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Saffie Sankareh – Farage and other staff of the Ministry. It could be recalled that The Gambia formally rejoined The Commonwealth on 8th February 2018 following the unilateral withdrawal of the country by the erstwhile President Yahya Jammeh. President Barrow this afternoon received the Commonwealth Secretary General Rt. Patricia Scotland at the Governor's residence in Kerewan, North Bank Region. According to Secretary General Scotland, the President made several commitments in relation to adhering to the Commonwealth Charter, Values, and other issues of difficulty in The Gambia when his government decided to rejoin the organisation of former British Colonies. While expressing her impression about the progress the government has made, SG Patricia said she met with several government Ministers that are determined to make a difference and deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. She particularly commended the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare on the issue of addressing domestic and sexual violence and advancing the rights of women and girls in the country to ensure their full participation. “We know that if any country is to be healthy and wealthy, we have to look after all our people and 50 per cent of our people are female, so taking advantage of the assets, the talents, the energy of our women and girls is going to be critically important for The Gambia.”