Over Twelve Persons Arrested With Suspected Cannabis Sativa

The Drug Law Enforcement Agency – The Gambia (DLEAG) said they have recently arrested thirteen people with suspected cannabis sativa and other prohibited drugs. Ousman Saidyba, the Spokesperson of the DLEA-G said 25-year-old Lamin Manga of Kanfenda in Foni and 41-year-old Alfusainey Sanneh of Burom, also in Foni, were arrested by Agents of Sibanor DLEAG station on the outskirt of Bunoborr village with five bundles and one wrap of suspected cannabis sativa that was concealed in cement papers and placed inside a camouflage bag while riding a blue motorcycle with no registration number. He said another 18-year-old Alpha Ceesay of Kaif village in Kiang and a conductor, were arrested by Agents of Banjul DLEA-G station at Half Die, with three wraps of suspected ‘Kush’ which was concealed in white papers. “24-year-old HabibouNjie of SinchuAlagie village got arrested by agents of Bundung DLEA-G Station with fourteen wraps of suspected cannabis sativa, which was concealed in white papers and placed inside a small black bag. 20-year-old Abdourahman Jallow of Sukuta also got arrested by agents of Bundung DLEA-G station with twenty-four wraps of suspected ‘Kush’ which was concealed in an old newspaper and placed inside a medical sachet respectively,” he said. Saidyba said agents of the Banjul DLEA-G unit arrested 41-year-old Matarr Njie of Banjul with five packs and five wraps of suspected cannabis sativa which was concealed in black packs. He said agents of Sifoe DLEA-G station arrested Phillip Mustapha Gomez at the Gunjur beach with three sachets of suspected cannabis ruderalis (skunk) which was concealed in medical sachets. “George Dianko, a resident of Kololi was arrested at Mile II Central Prisons with suspected cannabis ruderalis (skunk). The suspected illicit drug was found in his possession and concealed in a transparent plastic bag respectively,” he said. Saidyba said agents of Sifoe DLEA-G station in Gunjur also arrested 28-year-old Lamin Cham of Sukuta with thirteen pieces of cannabis ruderalis (skunk) which were concealed in foil paper, white paper, and nylon bag respectively. “48-year-old Ebrima Sanka of LatriKunda Sabiji; 44-year-old ModouSanyang of Sinchu Alagie and 43-year-old Adama Sidibeh, a herbalist and resident of Wellingara, were all arrested by agents of Brusubi DLEA-G station in Brufut’s Taf Estate with twenty bundles of suspected cannabis sativa concealed in cement paper and placed in an empty rice bag inside a black BMW X5 with registration number: BJL 5638 S,” he reported. He said Alagie Sillah, a resident of Nemakunku was arrested by agents of Manjai DLEA-G station with twenty wraps of suspected cannabis sativa concealed in white paper and a transparent nylon bag respectively. Accordingly, Saidybah said all the suspects are currently in custody while further investigations continue on their cases

Gambia Press Union Welcome Conviction Of Ousman Sonko

(Banjul, 15 May, 2024) – The Gambia Press Union (GPU) welcomes today’s verdict and sentencing of former Interior Minister Ousman Sonko in Switzerland to a 20-year prison term for crimes against humanity. The Swiss Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona found Sonko guilty of multiple counts of “intentional homicide, torture and false imprisonment, as well as crimes against humanity”, on Wednesday. Sonko, who earlier denied the charges, was sentenced to a 20-year jail term (minus approximately 7 years already served in custody). He will also be expelled from Switzerland. The Court found Ousman Sonko guilty of the killing of a perceived political opponent in 2000; of torture and illegal detention in connection with a coup plot in March 2006; of the killing of a politician in 2011 and of deprivations of liberty as well as acts of torture – including one killing – of peaceful demonstrators in 2016.

He has been ordered to pay compensation to the plaintiffs according to the prejudices suffered. “During Sonko’s tenure as minister, some of the worst crimes were committed against journalists, including the torture of former journalist Madi Ceesay, and Musa Saidykhan – both working for The Independent Newspaper back in 2006 – over the paper’s reporting of a coup attempt,” GPU Secretary General, Modou S. Joof, said. “Today’s verdict, strongly reflects our wishes and aspirations for justice for dictatorship-era crimes committed against Gambian journalists, and all other victims of grave human rights violations.” Sonko’s conviction and sentencing comes almost six months after Bai Lowe, a former death squad member under ex-dictator Yahya Jammeh, was sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the murder of journalist Deyda Hydara. The Higher Regional Court of Celle, a northern town in Germany, found Lowe guilty on all charges of crimes against humanity on Nov., 30, 2023, and sentenced him to life imprisonment for the assassination of Deyda Hydara in 2004, the murder of a former soldier in 2006, and the attempted assassination of a lawyer. “These universal jurisdiction cases that have now been concluded in Germany and Switzerland and expected to begin in the USA with the trial of a former death squad member, Michael Sang Correa, have brought a lot of hope for justice for victims of crimes against humanity,” GPU President, Muhammed S. Bah, said. “With steps being taken to establish a tribunal to try Jammeh-era crimes locally, we urge the Gambia government to expedite the process of seeking justice for journalists and all other victims of gross human rights violations suffered during Jammeh’s 22-year dictatorship.” Demba Ali Jawo, who was President of the Gambia Press Union when Ceesay and Saidykhan were arrested and tortured, said: “Indeed, most Gambians, particularly victims of the Yahya Jammeh regime, have welcomed the verdict of the Swiss court, sentencing former Interior Minister Ousman Sonko to 20 years imprisonment.” “We hope this would serve as a lesson to both serving and future public officials that justice would be served to those who violate the rights of the people, no matter how long it may take,” said Jawo, who is currently the Chairman of the National Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations. “However, some people wish that he should be repatriated to The Gambia to serve his sentence in the same harsh prison conditions that their victims had endured here.”

Forensic Expert Testifies in PIU Shooting

Francis Jatta, a forensic expert working in the Criminal Records Office of the Gambia Police Force (GPF), is the latest witness to testify in the police shooting case involving Ousainou Bojang and his sister, Amie Bojang. The forensic officer detailed that his department is responsible for maintaining records of convicted criminals, conducting crime scene investigations and analyzing evidence such as fingerprints. The prosecution alleged that on 12 September 2023 while at the Sukuta traffic lights, Ousainou Bojang, shot three police personnel with a gun, resulting in the death of two leaving the other with life-threatening injuries. Ousainou denied the allegations in court.

Ousainou Bojang, a resident of Brufut, is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, committing a terrorist act, and assault causing grievous bodily harm. His sister, Amie Bojang, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Officer Jatta said he recognised Ousainou Bojang after having met him once. He added that he does not know Amie Bojang. The witness said on the 13th of September 2023 upon arrival at work, he was instructed to set up a team to visit a crime scene at the Sukuta-Jabang traffics light. The team was constituted and he was part of it. He testified that it was headed by Ebrima Kanyi and the other members Tunan Bass Manga and Edrisa Jarju. The witness said the team worked together with officers from the Anti-Crime Unit and those from the Brikama Police Stations (Salia Gaye and Yaya Bojang). He added that Police Commissioners Pateh Bah, Fakebba Darboe, Thomas Aki Gomez and Pateh Jallow were also found at the scene. Upon reaching the scene, Jatta explained that they conducted interviews to gather information about the incident. Two empty bullet cases were discovered by the Anti-Crime police at the location and the area was secured by setting up a perimeter to prevent unauthorized access. The witness said they conducted searches in the area and took photographs. He added that they were informed about a nearby vehicle that was parked where they found another empty bullet casing. They followed the route taken by the accused person and continued the search to a junction to the petrol station’s first junction on the right and at the edge of the junction they discovered a live round near a junction in Sukuta. Their search continued along a footpath at the first junction, hoping to find the murder weapon, but to no avail. The witness testified that the team returned to Banjul after the search. He said the ballistic evidence gathered was forwarded to the Gambia National Army for ballistic examination because the police lack ballistic examination equipment. The army was to do an analysis. At this point, the case was adjourned till today for continuation of the hearing.

Former Jammeh Minister Ousman Sonko Sentence To 20 Years In Prison

Former Gambian minister of Interior Captain Ousman Sonko who have been standing trial on human rights violations including murder and rape during the dictatorial rule of Yahya Jammeh becomes the second Gambian tried and convicted abroad for crimes they committed in The Gambia. Switzerland's Federal Criminal Court on Wednesday ruled that former Gambian Interior Minister Ousman Sonko was guilty of crimes against humanity committed while in several positions of authority from 2000 to 2016. Trial International said on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that Sonko had been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Ousman was initially arrested and detained in Sweden where he filed asylum in 2015. He was later denied asylum by the Swedish and deported to Spain where he first landed after leaving the Gambia. Sonko managed to traveled to Swiss where he filed asylum for the second time. He was later arrested there and detained until Trial International file a case against him for muder, torture, rape and muder.

Sonko had denied all charges during the trial. He is the most senior official ever to be tried in Europe using universal jurisdiction that allows the most serious crimes to be prosecuted anywhere. What was Sonko accused of? Sonko, 55, was accused by Swiss prosecutors of carrying out a number of serious offenses, including murder, torture and rape, between 2000 and 2016 under the regime of former Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh. He was said to have committed the crimes first within the army, then as inspector general of the police and finally as the interior minister from 2006 to 2016. A number of civil parties testified during the trial.

His lawyers had argued that Sonko should not be tried for crimes against humanity because the alleged offenses were isolated acts for which he had borne no reponsibility. They said the offenses were rather committed by the National Intelligence Agency and the Junglers paramilitary group, over neither of which he had authority or control, according to the lawyers.

The former interior minister, who was sacked from The Gambia's government in 2016, has been in Swiss custody since he was arrested in January 2017 after applying for asylum. Jammeh ruled The Gambia in authoritarian manner from 1994 to 2016. He went into exile in Equatorial Guinea in January 2017. It could be recalled that The Federal court of Germany had earlier on tried and Sgt. Bai Low to life in prison for the Muder journalist Deyda Hydara and others.

Dr. Manta Drammeh Tumbs Up Successful OIC Hosting

By Prof. Alhagi Manta Drammeh Despite postponing the Summit for at least on two occasions, the Gambia has finally hosted this international forum of politicians, policymakers, scholars and business community from the Muslim Ummah and other observer countries. The Gambia made it. It is historic and memorable.

As a Gambian and part of the OIC’s International Islamic Fiqh Academy delegation, I felt proud that the Gambia was able to host such a grand Summit, despite the size and resources. Many people were wondering whether it would take place or not. Finally, it happened. Others were wondering what kind of country was going to host it and what kind of treatment were they going to have.

Putting politics aside, I believe that the Gambian people and the Government should be congratulated on the successful organisation of the Summit. I think many of the delegates spoke of their satisfaction with the organisation and commended the Gambians for their hospitality and humanity. The Gambia is the Smiling Coast of Africa. That culture of hospitality has to be developed and nurtured in generations to come. One felt the sense of security from the airport to the kairaba Conference Centre and around the hotels where the delegates stayed during the Summit. One also observed the amount of training that went into creating efficient liaison and protocol officers for the Summit. I met some of my own former students who recognised me, as I taught them remotely greeting me and welcoming me. I really felt proud and satisfied to see those young men and women excel in their career trajectories.

Having said that lessons can be learnt for future conferences and Summits at different levels. More learning is needed in management and coordination. Speakers of Arabic language could be increase as they know the culture and civilisation of the Arab world. What is Next?

As the Banjul-OIC Summit ended on a peaceful note, let now look forward. The summit has put the Gambia on the world map particularly in the Arab world. Some would confuse Gambia with Zambia. Diplomatically, the Gambia can be instrumental in resolving pending issues among them the Palestinian-Israel question and the Sudanese crisis. The Gambia is known for its quiet diplomacy based on dialogue and engagement. This goes back to the era of Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawar who played a key role in binging about peace between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1980s.

It is a great privilege that the Gambia is assuming the chairmanship of OIC for the next three years. This means that the Gambian President would be the spokesperson of the Muslim Ummah for the next three years. Economically, the Gambia can lobby for investment projects in terms of health and agricultural. The Gambia can secure scholarships for its students from OIC member countries. In addition, the Gambia is on a good footing to seek assistance from technologically developed OIC member countries to help the Gambia develop its technological and scientific base. The Gambia could be promoted as a safe tourist destination. Finally, we urge the Government of the Gambia to seize this opportunity to build on the success of the organisation of OIC summit, despite there are lessons to be learnt for the future. This opportunity should not be politicised but all the Gambians should see themselves in it and be a part of it..

Sulayman Camara Addresses False Media Reports/Hateful Rhetorics

As the Media and Communication Secretary of the NPP, I address the recent surge of misinformation and baseless allegations circulating in various quarters regarding the performance of our esteemed Party Leader and President of the Republic, His Excellency President Barrow.

It has come to our attention that certain individuals, driven by ulterior motives and devoid of factual basis, have resorted to peddling blatant lies and engaging in idle bickering aimed at undermining the accomplishments of our government. Such attempts to discredit the successes of President Barrow and the NPP administration are not only misguided but also detrimental to the progress and stability of our nation. First and foremost, let it be unequivocally clear that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit hosted by The Gambia under the leadership of President Barrow was a resounding success. Any claims suggesting otherwise are nothing more than malicious fabrications intended to sow seeds of doubt and confusion among the populace. The OIC Summit served as a platform for constructive dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding among member states, further solidifying The Gambia's position on the global stage.

Furthermore, attributing the increase in commodity prices to the government's negligence is not only disingenuous but also a gross misrepresentation of reality. The rise in commodity prices is a global phenomenon influenced by various factors beyond the control of any single government. It is irresponsible to assign blame where none is due and to spread falsehoods for political gain. As for those individuals who propagate hateful rhetoric calling for President Barrow to step down, let it be known that such calls will fall on deaf ears. President Barrow was duly elected by the people of The Gambia to lead our nation, and he remains steadfast in his commitment to fulfilling his mandate. He will not be swayed by the empty rhetoric of those who seek to divide our nation for their own selfish interests. In fact, President Barrow is poised to embark on an industrial tour next week, during which he will inaugurate five new hospitals in different parts of the country. Additionally, he will visit various industries across the nation, reaffirming his dedication to promoting economic development and improving the welfare of all Gambians. These tangible actions speak volumes about President Barrow's commitment to substance politics and his unwavering focus on delivering real results for the Gambian people.

In conclusion, let me reiterate that President Barrow and the NPP administration are here to stay, undeterred by the misguided attempts of detractors to derail our progress. We urge all Gambians to see through the veil of misinformation and stand united in support of our government's efforts to build a better future for our beloved nation.