Senegalese President Basirou Diomaye D Faye Visits The Gambia

His Excellency Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal, accompanied by senior officials of his Government, undertook his maiden working visit to the Republic of The Gambia on Saturday, 20th April 2024. He was received at the Banjul International Airport by His Excellency Mr. Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of The Gambia with the senior members of the Government of the Republic of The Gambia.

This visit is one of the first His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye’s overseas since his inauguration, greatly denotes the profound and deeply cemented fraternal ties between The Gambia and Senegal. It further symbolizes the strong and shared desire of the two Heads of State in the furtherance of the spirit of camaraderie and the affinity for mutually beneficial collaboration between the Governments and peoples of the two countries.

The two Heads of State held a consultative meeting to review the status of the historic bilateral relations between The Gambia and Senegal and in this regard reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the established Presidential Council aimed at raising to a strategic level, the cooperation between the two countries. His Excellency President Adama Barrow congratulated President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye for his resounding election victory and his inauguration as the 5th Head of State of the Republic of Senegal and wished him great success in the implementation of the progressive programmes of his recently constituted government.

His Excellency President Adama Barrow also thanked His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye for undertaking his second overseas visit as the President of Senegal to The Gambia and characterized it as a visible demonstration of the longstanding fraternal ties that exist between The Gambia and Senegal. The two Heads of State expressed great satisfaction with the status of the bilateral relationship between The Gambia and Senegal and collectively buttressed the unique bonds between the two countries due to being inextricably linked by history, geography, culture, common development aspirations, etc and commended the diverse efforts being made to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in many sectors. The two Leaders reaffirmed the firm commitment of their governments to continue to work together to advance the excellent bilateral relations that happily exist between the two sister Republics and in this regard agreed to intensify consultations between the authorities of the two governments to implement the Agreements signed on security, defence, forestry and wildlife management, trade, air travel, education, and the judiciary. The two Heads of State also discussed issues and developments at regional, continental and global levels and agreed to continue consultations and cooperation on issues of shared interest. The two Leaders recognized the two countries’ contributions to peace, security and development through the Economc Community of the West Africa(ECOWAS), the African Union Organisation (AUO, the United Nations Organisation(UN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), etc. His Excellency President Adama Barrow renewed his invitation to His President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye for the 15th OIC Summit to be held on 4th and 5th May 2024 in Banjul and thanked the Government and people of Senegal for the support provided to ensure successful hosting of the Summit

His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye expressed his heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency President Adama BARROW and the Government and people of The Gambia for the warm and fraternal welcome as well as the tremendous hospitality accorded to him and his delegation and congratulated His Excellency President Barrow in advance for the hosting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation(OIC) Summit. His Excellency Mr.Bassirou Diomaye Faye expressed appreciation and acceptance to attend the summit in Banjul. The two Heads of State agreed to have regular consultations on issues of mutual interest and to have the next Session of the Senegalo-Gambian Presidential Council in Dakar, Republic of Senegal at dates to be decided later. His Excellency Dr. Mamadou Tangara Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad Her Excellency Yassine Fall Minister of African Integration and Foreign Affairs Photo credit: Saul Touray, Office of the President

Minister Ebrima Sillah Updates On Bertil/OIC Projects

Works Minister gives updates on Bertil and OIC 50km road projects. The Minister for Transport, Works and Infrastructure Honorable Ebrima Sillah affirms that the Bertil Harding Highway will be ready in time as part of Gambia's preparedness for the hosting of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Summit, which will kick off in May 2024 in The Gambia. In an interview, Minister Sillah expressed delight with the progress of construction works on the Bertil Herding Highway and the OIC 50km roads project being implemented in key strategic locations within the Greater Banjul Area. "Our plan has always been that from the Airport junction to Senegambia should be completely ready and that is on course. The second layer of asphalt is already being laid, and the railings are being fitted. What is left now is to do the road furniture, and I’m happy to say that most of the things needed are here in the country," he said

Minister Sillah is confident that the Airport junction to Senegambia will be done in time to host the event. He is optimistic that the road from Senegambia to Sting Corner will also be completed and the overpass bridge that is being built at Kairaba Avenue will also be ready before the summit. Asked whether the roads will be accessible to the public during the meeting? Honorable Sillah said his Ministry’s responsibility is to ensure that the road works are completed on time, adding that its accessibility to the public during the summit will be determined by the Ministry of Interior. “It’s up to the Ministry of Interior and other security agencies to determine whether or not the road will be accessible to the public. However the other secondary roads will be readily available,” he assured. Giving an update on the status of the fifty kilometers (50km) roads, Honorable Sillah said the Wullinkangma to Ghana Town is ready, in Kanifing, the road from Kairaba Avenue which passes through the National Environment Agency all the way through to Old Jeshwang around Gambia Technical Training Institute foundry is ready as well as the road from the Serrekunda General Hospital to the Bertil Harding Highway is also completely asphalted. “The Bundung road is also making a significant progress. All of the roads we are currently constructing will come with solar powered street lights, and other roads safety measures. The roads, when completed, will enhance the smooth and safe movement of people, goods and services. The Gambia is hosting the 15th edition of the OIC from the 4-5th May 2024 with several heads of State and representatives expected to grace the conference, he noted.

Hon.Ebrima Sillah Clarifies Whatson Gambia’s False Report

Dear What’s On Gambia, Your story claiming to be from an insider of the Gambia Ferry Services that the planned trip to the Netherlands for the procurement of two new ferries from Damen Shipping Company was halted because of my unavailability to travel is totally false. For your information, I have not travelled outside of The Gambia since January this year. I have always been in the country. The truth of the matter is that the General Manager and two seasoned engineers of the Ferry Services, the MD of the GPA and I were to travel to the Netherlands in mid April to negotiate the process of buying an additional new green solar powered ferry but the trip has been rescheduled to the end of April to attend to the urgent repair works of Kunta Kinteh Ferry and to finalize the Port Concession negotiations. The contract signing of another brand new solar powered ferry which is a grant from the African Development Bank (AfDB) is expected to take place in Banjul this coming week after receiving their “no objection to the procurement process.” It has to be noted that because government is procuring two brand new ferries to be built from scratch means that even if the contract is signed today, the ferries will be built through a phased period of 16 months. Your source reported as if traveling to the Netherlands to sign the contract will get the ferries delivered the same day. No!!! That is totally misleading. The truth is that this Government has learnt critical lessons from the previous government’s buying of ferries. Thus this government is buying brand new purposely built ferries that are agile and specific to our conditions. These new ferries will use clean solar energy instead of heavy fuel that will definitely cut cost. Finally for your information, no Minister of Transport has been more resolute about the situation of the ferries than me. Two months after being appointed, I instructed the purchase of new engines for the entire fleet to assure safety and reliability of service. The reason Kunta Kinteh is docked for maintenance today is thanks to that effort as those new engines have now arrived in the country and are being fixed on Kunta. Similarly, the Management of GPA and Ferry Services have scheduled a complete overhaul of the Kanilai Ferry once maintenance works on Kunta Kinteh are completed shortly. Once again I remind What’s On Gambia that our doors are opened for any clarifications. Ebrima Sillah Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure ~~~~~~ Thank you, Honorable for the clarification. For The Gambia, our homeland.

Amie Aided Ousainou Bojang Escape After Killing 2 Cops

Amie Bojang Facilitated Ousainou's Escape Via C Class Benz to Jiboro. Amie Bojang Facilitated Ousainou's Escape Via C Class Benz to Jiboro. In the murder case of Ousainou Bojang and his sister, Detective Ebou Sowe, the sixth witness (PW6), continued his testimony in the main trial after the voir-dire trial which suspended the main trial.

The Director of Public Prosecution A.M Yusuf lead the witness, Detective Sowe, in his evidence-in-chief. A.M. Yusuf asked Detective Sowe to recount the statements obtained from Ousainou Bojang on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of September. Detective Sowe informed the court that Ousainou Bojang confessed his escape route out of Gambia, in which his sister Amie Bojang the second accused facilitated his exit by providing a C Class Benz vehicle that took him from their residence in Brufut to Jiboro via the Transgambia road.

Sowe further revealed that before heading to Senegal, Ousainou said he gave a bag containing his Senegalese Passport and non-Gambian ID Card to his sister, also admitted her providing the vehicle and a motorcycle (locally known as Jakarta) for his (Ousainou) escape. Detective Sowe upon getting the information Amie Bojang (second accused) was subsequently arrested based on Ousainou's statement. Still testifying Detective Sowe said after interrogation with Amie Bojang (second accused) led investigators to the recovery of the bag left by Ousainou. On the following day, the second accused led investigators to taxi driver Abdoulie Drammeh, who confirmed transporting Ousainou to the Gambian border in Jiboro. The Jakarta driver, Buba Manneh, also confirmed driving Ousainou to Senegal. Furthermore, Detective Sowe said the investigation continues and empty bullet cases were found at the crime scene and sent for ballistic examination. Detective Sowe added that later, a disassembled pistol was found in an empty land, linked to a witness, Lamin Fofana, who said he saw people chasing someone wearing a kaftan, he wrestled the man down, and the man hit him with an object. Then the man continued running. He tried to chase the man, and the man threw an object at him and the object landed on the fence. After a short pursuit, he came to check the said object only for him to realize that it was a pistol. He then picked up the pieces walked into the empty land and threw it to the empty land where the investigators found the pistol. Detective Sowe said the pistol was picked by the forensic team, a Witness statement was obtained from the man (Lamin Fofana) and a ballistic request was also sent to the defence headquarters for ballistic examinations. Detective Sowe informed the court that during the investigation, the said report was received, the document was reviewed and precisely in paragraph 9 of the said document, it confirms that the empty bullet cases, that were recovered at the crime scene were fired by the pistol recovered. Defence counsel objected to quoting the ballistic report, the presiding Judge allowed Detective Sowe to continue his testimony. A.M. Yusuf, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) questioned Detective Sowe to state where the bag recovered from the 2nd accused during the investigation was, in response Detective Sowe said the bag is with the AG Chambers. When asked if he could identify the bag and its contents, Detective Sowe affirmed that he could do so based on the colour of the bag and the documents bearing the name of the 1st accused. Detective Sowe also informed the court of the existence of post-mortem reports for the deceased police officers, Pateh M. Jallow and Sang J. Gomez, which were also sent to the AG Chambers. He expressed his ability to identify the reports, saying each report contained the name of the deceased and was copied to the Inspector General of Police. Furthermore, Sowe said items recovered from the 1st accused's residence, are shoes, a kaftan, and a bucket, which were sent to the AG Chambers as well. When asked if he could identify the items Detective Sowe stated that he could identify these items based on their colors and packaging. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought to tender the post-mortem reports into evidence. However, objections were raised by defence counsels, arguing that Detective Sowe was not the appropriate person to present the reports as he lacked expertise and wasn't involved in the examinations conducted. Despite the objections, the DPP argued that the admissibility of the documents did not necessitate that only the authors could tender them. He cited sections 45 of the Evidence Act and 136 of the CPC to support his position that such documents could be tendered through a police officer like Detective Sowe. Justice Jaiteh intervened and expressed concerns regarding the fairness of cross-examining Detective Sowe on the documents since he was not the author of the reports. Justice Jaiteh acknowledging the importance of the documents, Justice Jaiteh decided to return them to the prosecution rather than outright rejecting them to uphold principles of justice and fairness and allow the medical doctor to tender the document. The case was adjourned until March 25, 2024. @followers @highlight Follow In the murder case of Ousainou Bojang and his sister, Detective Ebou Sowe, the sixth witness (PW6), continued his testimony in the main trial after the voir-dire trial which suspended the main trial. The Director of Public Prosecution A.M Yusuf lead the witness, Detective Sowe, in his evidence-in-chief. A.M. Yusuf asked Detective Sowe to recount the statements obtained from Ousainou Bojang on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of September. Detective Sowe informed the court that Ousainou Bojang confessed his escape route out of Gambia, in which his sister Amie Bojang the second accused facilitated his exit by providing a C Class Benz vehicle that took him from their residence in Brufut to Jiboro via the Transgambia road. Sowe further revealed that before heading to Senegal, Ousainou said he gave a bag containing his Senegalese Passport and non-Gambian ID Card to his sister, also admitted her providing the vehicle and a motorcycle (locally known as Jakarta) for his (Ousainou) escape. Detective Sowe upon getting the information Amie Bojang (second accused) was subsequently arrested based on Ousainou's statement. Still testifying Detective Sowe said after interrogation with Amie Bojang (second accused) led investigators to the recovery of the bag left by Ousainou. On the following day, the second accused led investigators to taxi driver Abdoulie Drammeh, who confirmed transporting Ousainou to the Gambian border in Jiboro. The Jakarta driver, Buba Manneh, also confirmed driving Ousainou to Senegal. Furthermore, Detective Sowe said the investigation continues and empty bullet cases were found at the crime scene and sent for ballistic examination. Detective Sowe added that later, a disassembled pistol was found in an empty land, linked to a witness, Lamin Fofana, who said he saw people chasing someone wearing a kaftan, he wrestled the man down, and the man hit him with an object. Then the man continued running. He tried to chase the man, and the man threw an object at him and the object landed on the fence. After a short pursuit, he came to check the said object only for him to realize that it was a pistol. He then picked up the pieces walked into the empty land and threw it to the empty land where the investigators found the pistol. Detective Sowe said the pistol was picked by the forensic team, a Witness statement was obtained from the man (Lamin Fofana) and a ballistic request was also sent to the defence headquarters for ballistic examinations. Detective Sowe informed the court that during the investigation, the said report was received, the document was reviewed and precisely in paragraph 9 of the said document, it confirms that the empty bullet cases, that were recovered at the crime scene were fired by the pistol recovered. Defence counsel objected to quoting the ballistic report, the presiding Judge allowed Detective Sowe to continue his testimony. A.M. Yusuf, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) questioned Detective Sowe to state where the bag recovered from the 2nd accused during the investigation was, in response Detective Sowe said the bag is with the AG Chambers. When asked if he could identify the bag and its contents, Detective Sowe affirmed that he could do so based on the colour of the bag and the documents bearing the name of the 1st accused. Detective Sowe also informed the court of the existence of post-mortem reports for the deceased police officers, Pateh M. Jallow and Sang J. Gomez, which were also sent to the AG Chambers. He expressed his ability to identify the reports, saying each report contained the name of the deceased and was copied to the Inspector General of Police. Furthermore, Sowe said items recovered from the 1st accused's residence, are shoes, a kaftan, and a bucket, which were sent to the AG Chambers as well. When asked if he could identify the items Detective Sowe stated that he could identify these items based on their colors and packaging. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought to tender the post-mortem reports into evidence. However, objections were raised by defence counsels, arguing that Detective Sowe was not the appropriate person to present the reports as he lacked expertise and wasn't involved in the examinations conducted. Despite the objections, the DPP argued that the admissibility of the documents did not necessitate that only the authors could tender them. He cited sections 45 of the Evidence Act and 136 of the CPC to support his position that such documents could be tendered through a police officer like Detective Sowe. Justice Jaiteh intervened and expressed concerns regarding the fairness of cross-examining Detective Sowe on the documents since he was not the author of the reports. Justice Jaiteh acknowledging the importance of the documents, Justice Jaiteh decided to return them to the prosecution rather than outright rejecting them to uphold principles of justice and fairness and allow the medical doctor to tender the document. The case was adjourned until March 25, 2024 source kexx sanneh

Gambia Police Arrested Man With Assault Rifles

Sanchaba Sulay Jobe police on Thursday arrested a 53-year-old man who had illegally possessed three rifles.

The arrest of Ebrima Njai followed a tip-off the police received from a junior soldier of the Gambia National Army. Acting with patriotic and loyalist spirit, the patriotic officer [Name withheld] walked to the police station to lodge complaint on Mr. Njai's illegal possession of AK 47 rifle and two D2 rifles.

The police shifly acted on the soldier's lead by deploying a team of officers to the residence of Ebrima Njai. The three guns were confiscated in Mr. Njai's residence leading to his arrest and subsequent dettention.

Mr. Njai was escorted to the Sanchaba Sulay Jobe police station and has since been helping investigators with investigations of how, when and why he is in possession of the illegal rifles. The rifles are believed to have been smuggled from the Gambia National Army armory. When contacted the police Public Relatios Officer (PRO) Binta Njie confirmed the arrest of Ebrima Njai with three riffles. PRO Njie said the police are currently investiating the matter. She call on the general public to stay calm and not be panic. `´´The public should report suspected activities and desist from harbouring criminals or concealing criminal activities in their communities said the police public Relations officer Njie`` Jarranews sources said the weapons could form part of the weapons that went missing during the political impasse in 2016 to January 2017. During the period, loyalists of the former Gambia President Yahya Jammeh loyalist soldiers were reported to have distributed weapons to unknown persons

GAMTEL FIBRE CABLES CUTS IN THE PROVINCES

Gambia Telecommunication Company GAMTEL is yet faced with series of fibre cable cuts in the provinces. According to Ms Theresi Gomez the deputy Public Relations Officer (PRO) her company is face regular cable cuts in the recent past resulting in interruption service to their esteem customers.

Speaking to Jarranews on the line from Banjul DPRO Gomez said " we have fibre cut between Iliassa - Farafennie in the North Bank Region and another one Uper River Religion between Fatoto - Bajakunda repestively. These two sites were both cut by Nawec in the process erecting electricity poles"

Gomez commended the Managing Director of GAMTEL Mr Lamin A Tunkara and the entire management for their timely intervention in restoring services to their customers anytime they face with such challenges. Theresi Gomez reasured the customers of restoration of services since the Basse and Farafennie regional team are working restlessly to restore the cable as soon as possible.