"No, I Will not Inherit Anyone's Enemy"

By Alagi Yorro Jallow Fatoumatta: In a world where divisive politics and hatred threaten to tear societies apart, it is crucial to stand firm against the forces that seek to sow discord. The Gambia, a nation rich in cultural diversity and heritage, faces challenges that could undermine its unity and progress. This article addresses the toxic elements that jeopardize our nation's future and emphasizes the importance of rejecting inherited enmities and embracing a spirit of cooperation and understanding. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." This powerful message from his 1957 speech in Montgomery, Alabama, serves as a reminder that love and understanding are the only antidotes to hatred and division Fatoumatta: No, I will not inherit anyone's enemy. If Gambia were to perish, which we do not wish for, it would be due to hatred, hypocrisy, tribalism, toxic divisive politics of populism and identity politics, “Hasidiya” and “Sohorr,” and alternative truths—destroyed by spiteful hearts and deceitful speech. People who despise others without reason and seek to enlist you in their campaign of hate. But they should know this: I will never take on someone else's enemy. Never! These individuals, consumed by bitterness and hostility, trapped in resentment and wrongdoing, are found everywhere: places of worship, homes, workplaces, in the media (especially social media), on talk shows, call-in programs, and in academia. They detest their country, its leaders, and all that is good; they likely even despise themselves. Recently, I discussed on this platform how Gambians have conflated bias, discrimination, contempt, prejudice, and hate without sympathy when addressing issues of ethnic-tribal chauvinism and Islamist populism. I stand by every word in that article, with no apologies. The incident caused quite a stir and was quite revealing. Some individuals we regard as 'men of God' are just ordinary men, prone to the same weaknesses as anyone else. However, God's standard remains steadfast, bearing this seal: God knows those who are truly His. And there are those men of God who disguise themselves as democrats and patriots. What then am I addressing? The haters, the manipulators, and tribal bigots who desire for you to adopt their hatred. Those filled with antipathy and hostility towards others, seeking to enlist you into their ranks. And when you resist, the accusations multiply: you've sold your soul to the Devil, your god is your appetite (and mine is indeed substantial!). Your cravings have blinded you to reason. And so forth. What is my response to all this? I refuse to take on your adversaries. I echo a famous musician's words I can’t remember her name: “I can't kill myself I can't kill myself Allow me to enjoy life In this life, I can't kill myself Fatoumatta, I can't kill myself”. Indeed, if I start to hate anyone at this stage in my life, it's akin to self-destruction. I would be ingesting poison. Hatred is toxic, and consuming it won't harm your neighbor, only yourself. Occasionally, a politician who masquerades as a self-proclaimed activist and a tribal bigot who supports the opposition and other politicians, who supports the opposition and hates other people's political choices and shares political affiliations and tribal heritage, attempted to contact and engage me in tribal toxic politics. Failing to reach me, he reached out to my friend, a close friend from my province and also a member of the former pro-democracy activism leadership during the struggle for resistance to authoritarianism and struggle for democracy and free press. What was the message, relayed to me later by my friend? "All you Fulas are backing the Adama Barrow government..." Truly? A Fula-led government. Such a hateful sentiment! A malevolent mind. Because President Barrow is of mixed heritage, a Mandinka father and a Fula mother, and two of his wives are Fula and his uncles Sarahules and grown-up in Banjul in a Wolof community, the president represents the Gambia national identity, they claim the government is Fula-dominated. Is it wrong for a man to be true to his ethnicity? The initial cabinet formed by President Barrow in 2017 was a representation of Gambia's national character, with the Mandinka being the majority among the ethnic groups.

Fatoumatta: I have always maintained that God has distributed all ethnicities and religions in nearly equal proportions across the country, and no single ethnicity or faith can negate the existence of another. We must coexist and work together to improve our nation. During my over thirty years of diligent observation of Gambian politics under President Barrow’s rule in eight years, I have never detected any signs of ethnic or religious prejudice. Mandinka is the dominant tribe and no government cannot be formed with a fair representation of the Mandinka ethic. This has been the norm for decades until despot Yahya Jammeh personalized power and exploited ethnic politics for his political survival. Nevertheless, the government has always embodied the Gambian spirit, obliging the President to serve all Gambians, regardless of ethnicity or faith. Therefore, I must bear the brunt of those who misunderstand. I cannot sacrifice my well-being. Allow me some indulgence. It has reached a point where my words are twisted by detractors. They misrepresent them, add a negative spin. When I say 'A', they claim I said 'B, C, and D'. Their goal? To incite animosity and scorn against me. I simply laugh and dismiss their pettiness. They fail to realize that on the Day of Judgment, every thoughtless utterance, including malicious online tirades, will be accounted for. That Day of Reckoning is inevitable... For those who expect me to adopt their animosity towards President Barrow due to his ethnic or religious background, I have news. He was, is, and will continue to be my President. My support for his administration during his first and second terms is not the reason. Although I could have accepted a prestigious position, I choose not to, despite the honor in serving one's country. But President Barrow will always be my President, any day. Thus, attempts to enlist me among his adversaries are in vain. No, I refuse to take on anyone's enmity.

I extend my gratitude to all individuals of goodwill who have made a positive impact on the world. I hold no ill will towards anyone and stand firmly by my words and actions. If we are not vigilant, hatred could be the downfall of the Gambia, and the involvement of religious and political leaders in such negativity is alarming. Relying on resentment is futile. Unfortunately, Gambia's political leadership is displaying such resentment towards a man whose only intention is to serve and dedicate himself to the nation. While the Gambia has yet to make significant strides in security, economic recovery, and anti-corruption efforts, there is hope that he will be inspired to address these pressing social issues. I affirm my choice and my right to my chosen path. As Martin Luther King Jr. also wisely noted, "Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it." This sentiment resonates deeply as we confront the toxic elements that threaten our nation's unity. As Shakespeare said, if you hate me, I will always be on your mind; if you love me, I will forever be in your heart. Fatoumatta: In conclusion, the path to a prosperous and united Gambia lies in rejecting hatred and embracing a spirit of unity and cooperation. By refusing to inherit enmities and standing firm against divisive forces, we can build a nation that thrives on mutual respect and understanding. Let us work together to create a brighter future for all Gambians, where every individual is valued and every voice is heard. As William Shakespeare aptly put it, "Love me or hate me, both are in my favor." This quote underscores the idea that whether we are loved or hated, we remain in the thoughts of others. It is a reminder that our actions and choices will always leave an impact, and it is up to us to choose love and unity over hatred and division.

Ebrima Baldeh: A Talented Journalist Who Missed an Opportunity for Critical Inquiry

By Alagi Yorro Jallow As a journalism lecturer and former journalist, I feel it is essential to highlight that Ebrima Baldeh deserves far greater recognition for his outstanding interview with Gambians in the public sphere, especially considering the challenges he faced. That said, I was disappointed with his recent interview featuring former Gendarmerie Sergeant and Yahya Jammeh-appointed ambassador, Essa Boker Sey. Unfortunately, it came across more as a public relations strategy than a rigorous journalistic examination. Baldeh needed to investigate Sey's past as an enabler of Jammeh and understand why he has shifted to a role as a critic advocating for term limits, especially considering that his former boss systematically dismantled the 1997 constitution to eliminate such limits. This situation raises an important question: Why did Sey remain silent about constitutionalism during his time as ambassador and protest against Yahya Jammeh, or resign his job to protest against removing the term limit clause in the constitution, only to begin advocating for term limits now that he is no longer in office and with elections approaching next year? Where is consistency and principle?

Regrettably, the interview felt like a superficial PR exercise aimed at polishing former Ambassador Sey's image, focusing primarily on his role at the OIC secretariat rather than scrutinizing his complicity with dictatorship. I expected Baldeh to conduct thorough research on his guest's past actions during Yahya Jammeh's oppressive regime. Sey's statements and postings on the Gambia L listserv before the advent of Facebook were not only controversial but actively supported a dictator. Baldeh had a responsibility to delve deeper into Sey’s history as an enabler of Jammeh. Ebrima Baldeh is undoubtedly a skilled journalist and a prolific writer with significant gravitas. His previous inquiries have been pointed, direct, and genuinely in the public interest. Colleagues like Alieu Ceesay and Sultan Jammeh posed follow-up questions that were incisive, probing, and impactful. Their delivery exhibited professionalism and authority, projecting confidence, knowledge, and preparation. While their exceptional interviewing skills allowed them to navigate away from pre-submitted questions seamlessly, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed that Baldeh failed to fully expose the evident weaknesses in Sey’s mental and intellectual faculties, which Sey has worked diligently to conceal. Fatoumatta: Ebrima Baldeh’s interview should serve as a blueprint for engaging with carefully curated and reclusive individuals like Essa Boker Sey. This is especially true when compared to the disgraceful public relations spectacles produced by some social media talk show hosts. However, throughout the interview, it was disheartening to witness weak, unchallenging questions that left obvious follow-up prompts neglected, resulting in a dialogue that left viewers confused and unsatisfied. Baldeh had a unique opportunity to push for accountability, and it is disappointing that it was not fully realized.

Police Arrested 2 Men And Recovered The Gun

The police responded to a suspected shooting incident in Hanover, Serrekunda, on February 19, 2025, following reports of an individual seen with a rifle on a building. A search led to the recovery of a single-barrel gun license in the bedroom

of Ebou Drammeh, 61, who was arrested for investigation. Further inquiries revealed that his nephew, Muhammadou Kebbeh, had concealed the firearm. Investigators later recovered the firearm along with 14 live rounds and one empty shell casing at the scene. Drammeh admitted to shooting Omar Badjie, also known as “Utaka,” in the thigh after an ongoing dispute. He alleged that Badjie frequently provoked him by spraying insecticide near his window while he was resting, which he claimed was harmful to his health. On the day of the incident, Drammeh stated that he had no option but to fire his single-barrel gun (Kartuss) in response.

Badjie is currently receiving treatment at Ndemban Hospital, while Drammeh has been cautioned and detained. Meanwhile, Muhammadou Kebbeh has been arrested and detained for concealing evidence after removing the firearm and remaining ammunition from the scene. The police urge the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station or call 9968885.

GAF Loss 2 Senior Non-commissioned Officers

The Gambia Armed Forces loss two senior non commission officers in one day. The cold hand of death have taken wo1 Nfansu Fofana and Sergeant Salifu Barrow on 18 of February. Both soldiers served over 30 years in the army. The Chief of Defence Staff Gambia Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mamat OA Cham, the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Ousman Gomez, Commander Gambia National Army, Brigadier General Sait Njie, Commander Gambia Navy, Commodore Sambou Barrow, Commander Republican National Guards, Brigadier General Yaya Drammeh, General Officers’, Soldiers and Ratings of the Gambia Armed Forces regret to announce the sudden death of two of their members in the persons of W01 Fofana Nfansu and Staff Sergeant Barrow Salifu. The two gallant soldiers passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Whilst W01 Fofana Nfansu was laid to rest the same day at his family house in Yundum, Staff Sergeant Barrow Salifu will be laid to rest on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at his family house in Kuloro. This sad news is extended to the President and Commander- in- Chief of the armed forces, His Excellency Adama Barrow and his entire Cabinet. It is also extended to the Honourable Minister of Defence and his staff at the ministry, to the families and friends of the deceased soldiers as well as loved ones both in the Gambia and abroad. Until their demise, W01 Fofana Nfansu was on posting at the Gambia Armed Forces Training School as chief cook and Staff Sergeant Barrow Salifu was on posting at The Gambia Armed Forces Supply and Transport as a driver. We pray for Allah’s infinite mercy and grant them the highest Jannah, Ameen.

Four Suspected Armed Robbers Remanded In Central Prison

The four alleged armed robbers connected with United Bureau, United Vegetable Oil Company, Access Bank, and El-Hella Company were arraigned by police prosecution before Magistrate Krubally. The accused persons are Ansumana Jarju, Abdoulie Jallow, Losseni Diabate, and Omar Secka, charged with nine (9) counts of robbery with violence, conspiracy to commit a felony, and possession of firearms without authority. Commissioner Sanneh and DCP M. Jarju represented the Inspector General of Police, while the accused persons were unrepresented.

Before the charge sheet was read, Commissioner Sanneh made an application under Section 62 of the Criminal Procedure Code and legal notice number 3 of 2019. "My worship, before the charges are read to the accused persons, we have an application under Section 62 of the CPC and legal notice number 3 of 2019 for the matter to be transferred to the special criminal court,” Commissioner Sanneh stated. Commission Sanneh further submitted that the offence the accused persons are charged with is robbery with violence, which is a capital offence, and the punishment attracts life imprisonment, which the magistrate court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the case. Relying on Section 208A of the CPC, Commissioner Sanneh requested that the accused be remanded at Mile Central Prison pending the hearing of the matter before the High Court.

In his ruling, Magistrate Krubally agreed that the court lacked the jurisdiction to proceed with the trial due to the serious nature of the charges against the four accused. He granted the application to transfer the case to the special criminal court, which has appropriate jurisdiction, under Section 62(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code. Additionally, Magistrate Krubally ordered the remand of all accused persons to state central prison pending hearings at the High Court under Section 208(A) of the Criminal Procedure Code. The police prosecution charged them with nine counts of criminal offences. Count one charged Ansumana Jarju with Robbery with violence contrary to section 273(2) of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleged that on June 29, 2021, at United Bureau, Senegambia, Ansumana Jarju, armed with a cutlass, violently robbed Binta Bah and forcefully took a total of D42,200. The amount consisted of D1,200 in cash, three laptops valued at D23,000, a Samsung S9+ valued at D17,000, and a simple phone. In count two, Ansumana Jarju, Abdoulie Jallow, and Losseni Diabate were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code. They accused them that on December 31, 2024, at United Vegetable Oil Company, Denton Bridge, the three conspired to rob the company. Count three charges Ansumana Jarju, Abdoulie Jallow, and Losseni Diabate with robbery with violence, also contrary to Section 273(2) of the Criminal Code. The prosecution again alleges that on December 31, 2024, at United Vegetable Oil Company, Denton Bridge, the accused, armed with cutlasses, violently robbed the company staff, stealing D400,000. In count four, Ansumana Jarju, Abdoulie Jallow, Losseni Diabate, and Omar Secka were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code. The allegation states that on January 22, 2025, at Access Bank, Brusubi, the four conspired to rob the bank. Count five charges Ansumana Jarju, Abdoulie Jallow, Losseni Diabate, and Omar Secka with robbery with violence, contrary to Section 273(2) of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleges that on January 22, 2025, at Access Bank, Brusubi, they violently robbed the Access Bank staff of D1,500,000 while armed with pistols. In count six, Ansumana Jarju, Abdoulie Jallow, Losseni Diabate, and Omar Secka were charged with possession of firearms without authority, contrary to Section 8 of the Arms and Ammunition Act. The prosecution states that on January 22, 2025, at Access Bank, Brusubi, they possessed two unknown pistols along with thirteen (13) rounds of ammunition without a license from the Inspector General of Police. Count seven charges Abdoulie Jallow and Losseni Diabate with conspiracy to commit a felony, contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleges that on February 8, 2025, at the EL-HELLA Shop in Banjul, Abdoulie Jallow and Losseni Diabate conspired to commit a felony by planning to rob the shop. Count Eight charges Abdoulie Jallow and Losseni Diabate for robbery with violence, contrary to Section 273(2) of the Criminal Code. The prosecution alleged that on February 8, 2025, at EL-HELLA Shop in Banjul, while armed with pistols, the two violently robbed Muhammed Seedy Hydara and Ebrima Hydara of one million, two hundred and forty-five thousand Dalasis (D1,245,000) and 1,650 property belonging to Muhammed Seedy Hydara. In the final count, Abdoulie Jallow and Losseni Diabate are again charged with possession of firearms without authority, contrary to Section 8, punishable under Section 25(2)(a) of the Arms and Ammunition Act. The prosecution alleges that on February 8 2025, at EL-HELLA Shop in Banjul, the two unlawfully possessed two unidentified pistols and thirteen without a license from the Inspector General of Police. source Kexx Sanneh Follow Everyone Top Fans @highlight

POLICE LEADERSHIP STRATEGIZES TO STRENGTHEN NATIONAL SECURITY

The Gambia Police Force convened a high-level meeting of Regional Commissioners and their operations teams at the Police Headquarters on Thursday, February 13, to enhance patrols and police visibility nationwide.

AIG Pateh Jallow, Head of Police Operations, speaking on behalf of Inspector General of Police Seedy M. Touray, addressed rising crime rates and emphasized urgent action to strengthen security. He reaffirmed the GPF’s capacity and readiness to tackle these challenges, urging officers to work as a team and remain committed to the patrols as a key crime prevention measure.

The meeting, attended by all Regional Commissioners and their operations teams, focused on enhancing security operations and improving policing efforts across the country.