Former Guinean Head of State Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

Guinea's former military ruler Moussa "Dadis" Camara fled into exile after he survived an assassination attempt several months after the 2009 massacre. / Photo: AA A Guinea court on Wednesday sentenced former junta leader Moussa "Dadis" Camara to 20 years in prison after finding him guilty of crimes against humanity in the 2009 stadium massacre by the military that killed at least 157 people and left dozens of women raped. Guinea's Criminal Court convicted Camara and seven other high-ranking officials on Wednesday after a prolonged trial on charges of murder, kidnapping and rape that were reclassified as "crimes against humanity". Four other accused were acquitted. More than 100 survivors and victims' relatives testified in the trial that started in November 2022, more than a decade after the massacre and under pressure from families and activists demanding justice. 'Uncontrolled' elements

The demonstrators at the stadium in September 2009 were protesting Camara's plans to run for president when soldiers opened fire on them and raped dozens of women. The then-military leader had staged a coup the previous year. The junta at the time said "uncontrolled" elements of the army carried out the rapes and killings. But Camara's top aides were at the stadium and did nothing to stop the massacre, a Human Rights Watch report said. Many of those killed at the stadium protest were shot, crushed or knifed to death while some of the women were dragged out from hiding and gang-raped by uniformed men over several days, witnesses said. Many could not flee the gunfire after Camara's presidential guard surrounded the stadium and blocked the exits, survivors said. 'Asleep' It took several days before the families of the victims were allowed to come and collect the bodies, they said during the trial. Many, though, never found the bodies of their relatives. Camara fled into exile after he survived an assassination attempt several months after the massacre but returned to Guinea more than a decade later. "If I'm here before you it's because of my patriotism, otherwise I would not have agreed to come," he said on his first day in court to face trial in 2022, adding that he was asleep as the massacre unfolded. While in jail late last year, Camara was released by gunmen who stormed the country's main prison but was back in custody hours later as his lawyer said he had been kidnapped. TRT AFRiKA

No Case submission in alleged PIU Shooting

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), yesterday informed the court presided over by Justice E. Jaiteh that the State intended to call another witness but decided to close its case in a trial against Ousainou Bojang and co. A.M. Yusuf said PW14 should have been called but unfortunately, he was indisposed. The court, however, ruled for the closure of the prosecution’s case in that regard. Defence Counsel Lamin J. Darboe meanwhile informed the court that they would be filing a no-case submission and requested for a month period to apply. However, Lawyer Lamin Mboge for the second accused, Amie Bojang, associated himself with the submission of Lawyer L.J. Darboe to file a no-case submission. Mboge further informed the court that the second accused was a nursing mother, recalling that the defence had filed a motion for a bail application on her behalf one year ago during the last vacation.He asked the court to consider for him to move the application. DPP A.M. Yusuf objected to the application, saying that it was their submission that the bail application had been overtaken by events and the prosecution had already closed their case. The DPP added that the second accused has indicated her intention to file a no-case submission and urged the court to demise the application for her bail. Lawyer L. Mboge described A.M. Yusuf’s argument as lack of base in law, adding that the bail could be requested anytime in the trial, citing Section 99 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Lawyer Mboge said the liberty of the accused was paramount and the court had to consider that. He also informed the court that the 2nd accused, Amie Bojang has 7 children, and the youngest was one year and six months old. The presiding judge then gave 30 days for both defence counsels to file their no-case submission and 30 days for DPP A.M. Yusuf, to reply. The case was adjourned until 2 October 2024

Dead Body Found In A Bag In Basse

A corpse of a woman was found wrapped in a bag in Basse on Tuesday, 30th July 2024. The police have arrested a suspect in connection with the incident. Sources said after the body was seen wrapped in the bag by people going to work, the police were contacted and they came to the crime scene. The police then evacuated the body to Basse hospital. “She was known as Isatou, but I do not know her surname and she used to stay at ‘Kerr Mike Bar’,” a source told foroyaa. The body was transferred to Banjul for postmortem. Foroyaa contacted the police public relation officer Assistant Superintendent Modou Musa Sisawo. He confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect. “The police in Basse got report in the early hours of Tuesday, 30 July 2024. Following the discovery of a body lying in the streets of Basse, the police responded promptly and transported the body to Basse District Hospital for an initial medical examination. Meanwhile, the police have arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged murder. An investigation into the circumstances has begun, and a suspect has already been taken into custody,” PRO Sisawo confirmed. Police PRO assured that the public will be kept informed about the progress of the investigation.

Defence Lawyer Referred for Disciplinary Action

Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh of the Banjul High Court has asked the General Legal Council to take disciplinary action tagainst Lawyer Sagarr C.T Twum for going against her orders in open court. The Judge passed an order, but the Lawyer also stood her ground in what could be best regarded as a protest. Senior Counsel Twum requested something, which was refused by the court. She sat down and refused to continue with the case. Senior Lawyer Sagarr Twum, who was previously known as Sagarr C.T. Jahata is representing Kumba Sinyan. Kumba is standing trial on a single count of murder for allegedly killing her boyfriend at the Friendship Hostel by cutting his stomach using a razor blade. She denied the charge. She is giving marathon evidence in defence for some days now. On Tuesday, when the case was called, Lawyer Sagarr C.T Twum applied for Kumba’s phone that was already tendered in court to be given to her to continue with her testimony. This was granted by the court as there was no objection by the prosecution.

Kumba mentioned a particular taxi driver she called after the incident in an attempt to get a transport. Kumba mentioned the name and called out the phone number. The driver was one Babucarrr Mbye. The presiding judge, Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh requested the phone and pointed out that the name in the phone was stored differently from the name Kumba mentioned. Kumba Sinyan said she stored it as a Babucarr Taxi, referring to Babucarr Mbye. Lawyer Sagarr C.T Twum further asked the accused (Kumba Sinyan) if she mentioned one Ramou Sarr. State counsel M. Sanyang objected that the accused did not mention any Ramou Sarr in her previous testimony Counsel Twum stated that the accused mentioned Ramou Sarr in her testimony when she was talking about Demba Bah, a receptionist. She added that Demba Bah also talked about Ramou Sarr in his testimony when he previously appeared in court. After going through the records Justice Jobarteh highlighted that Ramou was mentioned by Kumba. Kumba provided Ramou’s Qcell and Africell numbers. The name was stored as Ramsim Kobbo. Kumba said she wants to call Ramou, Awa Faal and Mainuna Njie as witnesses in her case. The Judge intervened that the contact numbers of the mentioned people should be provided for the court’s record. Lawyer Sagarr submitted that the numbers can’t be given in an open court in the presence of people. She indicated that this is why she made a statement for the benefit of her client: “When I came this morning, I approached the court and the prosecution for the numbers and names to be given in private, but it was not accepted. So, that is why we have to do it this way.” Lawyer Sagarr later asked Kumba to provide the names and numbers of the people she would like to call as her witnesses. Kumba Sinyan indicated that she would like to call Ramou Sarr, Awa Faal, and Maimuna Njie. Justice Jobarteh requested for the number of Awa Faal, but defence Lawyer Sagarr stated that they already have the details of Awa Faal. The Judge stated the court does not have the number. The Judge held that since the question is for the accused to provide the names and number in an open court, the answer should be given in open court. She added that the number should be stated in open court or the question should be withdrawn by the defence counsel, Sagarr Twum. Lawyer Sagarr C.T Twum contended that the number cannot be called as it is in open court. She stated those are private details that cannot be called in court for everyone to hear. She sought adjournment so that she could go back and advise herself on the way forward in the case. She claimed that Kumba’s right was at stake and being violated. State counsel M. Sanyang objected to the application of the defence for an adjournment. She argued that the defence had the whole time to prepare for their defence. She submitted that the defence opened their defence on the 26th of June, which was a month ago.

Counsel M. Sanyang further submitted that the iPhone of Kumba was given to the defence 3 times after claiming that they needed the phone as evidence in their case. She stated that the defence Lawyer had time to go through the phone and prepare for their case. She added that the phone was tendered in evidence by the defence with no objections. She sighted that the defence approach as a tactic to delay the progress of the case. She urged the court to reject the application to adjourn the case. The presiding Judge, Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh, rejected the application for an adjournment and ordered the question to be answered or withdrawn. Lawyer Sagarr C.T Twum, in reply, said she would not proceed and also advised Kumba not to answer any of the questions since she has a right to remain silent. The court stood down the matter for ten minutes. On resumption, the Judge said she had overruled the application of the defence for an adjournment and ordered for the question to be answered. However, defence Lawyer Sagarr C.T Twum, in an open court, declined to proceed and maintained her position that she needed the adjournment. Justice Sidi K. Jobarteh said she found that action to be disrespectful. The Judge wanted to close the defence case, but she further advised herself that the accused does not need to suffer for her council’s actions. She indicated that she will refer the case to the General Legal Council for disciplinary actions to be taken. The case was adjourned to Thursday, 24 October 2024 for continuation.

Sami Communities To Work with Jah Oil To Improve Rice Production and productivity

The communities of various villages in Sami District Central River Region CRR North has expressed firmed commitment to work closely with the Chief Executive Officer Mr. Hamidou Jah at the Bayaba Rice Field to improve rice production and productivity in the Gambia. Speaking on behalf of Sami communities, the village Alkali Bayaba Bayaba Mr. Dura Bah first and fore=most commend the CEO Jah oil company Mr. Hamidou Jah for bring this massive development to their doorstep. He said more importantly the Gambian leader President Adama Barrow for creating the conducive environment for the private sector to invest their resources in rural Gambia. He disclosed that since the intervention of Hamidou Jah to develop the Bayaba Rice field his communities have been benefiting a lot of opportunity to support their family . He added that since then Jah has been creating employment opportunities for not the people of Bayaba Village but other part of Sami district. Therefore, we are grateful to welcome CEO Jah oil company to Bayaba village. He cited that Jah CEO has been giving support to the community of Bayaba since in 2016 with Borehole.

He also explained that over the Years Sami Karantaba was totally forgotten by Government to provide so many facilities for the people of the district, but today under the leadership of president Adama Barrow and CEO Jah oil company, I can proudly say that People of Sami district ae blessed to have access to proper road . clean drinking water , rice field and plans are underway to have a standard health care center among others. We acknowledged and appreciate CEO Jah oil company for his foresight to invest heavily in changing the livelihood of the people of Sami through rice production. He said the objective is to ensure enough rice production is realize and to Cutdown the impartation of rice into the Gambia. Also speaking Lady councilor for Njalal Ward Madam Kumba Camara said today was her first visit to Bayaba Rice field cleared by CEO Jah oil company, she described as visit as a amazing for the fact that it was very impressive to see such a rapid massive transformative development made by Hamidou Jah. She said doing for his such heavy investment in rice production will greatly help the women of the district. She appreciates Hamidou Jah timely intervention in rice production in Sami Karantaba.

She added that the decision of CEO Jah oil company to go back to the land in rice field production in Sami Karantaba was a very welcome development for the people of Sami District. This is what is expected from a patriotic Gambians to invest heavily into this country in a bid to address the welfare of the women. She also commended the CEO and the entire Jah oil company staff for the love that they have for this country. She added that this rice field will go a long way in addressing the plight of the rural farmers. We have no doubt that this rice field will create a lot of youth’s employment in the region. We must commend and appreciate this development initiatives gear toward improving the livelihood of the people of Sami district. We must work and give CEO all the support he needs to operate effectively and efficiently to improve rice production in Sami District. She seized the opportunity to called on the women and youths to show more commitment to work with the CEO Jah Oil company in Bayaba Rice field. We need more of Hamidou jah in this country who have a great vision to improve the livelihood of the less privilege in this country. We called on the government under the leadership of president Adama Barrow to give the CEO Hamidou Jah all the support to realized his dream in Rice production.

Njalal community commits to Work with Jah Agricultural Project The Community of Njalal Village in Sami district Central River Region has promised strongly to work hand in glove with Jah Agricultural farm in Bayaba . Mr. Saidou Ghano the Alkali of Njalal made this remarked recently in an exclusive interview with this reporter at Jah Agricultural rice field in Bayaba . He went on to described Jah Agricultural project as vital to the people of Not only Bayaba but to the entire people of Sami district. He said considering the number of youths working in this project to earn a better living , show that the community of Bayaba and it catchment area should put all hands on deck to ensure the success of this project in Bayaba. He seized the opportunity to commend the CEO Jah oil company Mr. Hamidou Jah for his ambitious and foresight in bringing this vital project to their doorstep. He cited that the people of Sami have been yenning for over decades but to no avail. Therefore, we expressed appreciation to the government of the day under the leadership of president Adama Barrow for creating the conducive environment for the private sector like Hamidou Jah to invest heavily in Sami district. He stated that all this development is gear toward uplifting the welfare of the people of Sami through engaging into cultivation of rice production. We applaud Hamidou Jah for taking up this giant step in Bayaba Rice field now called Jah Rice field project. He added that this is the first of it kind for the people of Bayaba to have access to such a huge Agricultural project . We the villagers of Njalal promised to work with this project to enable Mr. Hamidou Jah realize his dreams in rice production.

GRA, Senegalese Customs 10th Bilateral Meetings Kicks Off

The 10th Bilateral Meeting between The Gambia Revenue Authority and Senegalese Customs Administration commenced with a warm exchange of greetings between the Director Generals of the two organizations. Distinguished representatives from various Ministries and Agencies of both The Gambia and Senegal were present, including officials from the Ministries of Finance and Trade, Port Authority, Transport Union, Chambers of Commerce, the Gambia High Commission in Dakar, and the Senegalo-Gambia Secretariat. Dr. Mbaye Njie, the Director General of Senegalese Customs, extended a warm welcome to the Gambian delegates, highlighting the long-standing friendship between the two nations. He reiterated his commitment to upholding the bilateral agreements between the two countries.

In his address, Commissioner General Yankuba Darboe emphasized the need for both administrations to intensify their efforts in combating illicit trade and smuggling. He stressed the importance of maintaining vigilance along porous borders through regular patrols, in addition to adhering to approved trade routes. CG Darboe encouraged officials to actively participate in bilateral discussions, sharing their experiences and challenges to generate actionable recommendations. He assured full support for the implementation of any recommendations arising from the meeting.

Furthermore, CG Darboe highlighted how the implementation of SIGMAT could enhance cross-border trade management, strengthening the Senegambian cooperation in trade and facilitating the free movement of goods and people while bolstering national security. The two Director Generals concluded the opening session by expressing gratitude to the governments of The Gambia and Senegal, as well as to all participants for their contributions and commitment to enhancing the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.