Indigenous Rights and Ethical AI Key to Africa’s Sustainable Future – Dr Dampha

By JarraNews Staff Writer

Banjul, 9 August 2025 The Executive Director of the Pan-African Centre for Cultures and Languages, Dr Lang Fafa Dampha, has urged urgent action to protect Indigenous languages, cultures, and rights, calling them essential to Africa’s and the world’s sustainability. Speaking on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, themed “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures”, Dr Dampha described Indigenous communities as “custodians of cultures and languages that carry the keys to sustainable living.” He noted they comprise up to 500 million people globally, occupying 22% of the Earth’s land and representing most of the planet’s 7,000 languages and 5,000 cultures. He warned of growing threats, including land dispossession, economic exclusion, and the erosion of heritage. “Every time a language dies, we lose a way of seeing the world,” he said. On artificial intelligence, Dr Dampha highlighted its potential to revitalise endangered languages and connect Indigenous youth, but cautioned against risks such as misrepresentation, cultural appropriation, and environmental damage from AI infrastructure. The Centre’s strategy rests on three pillars: Cultural and linguistic rights – supporting communities to preserve and pass on their heritage. Data sovereignty and ethical innovation – ensuring control over cultural and linguistic data. Inclusive participation – involving Indigenous peoples in decisions on land, climate, technology, and development. Dr Dampha stressed that traditional knowledge can restore ecosystems, guide sustainable consumption, and strengthen social cohesion. He called for governments and partners to go beyond symbolic gestures by funding initiatives, enforcing protections, and amplifying Indigenous voices. “In defending Indigenous rights, we defend justice; in safeguarding Indigenous languages, we preserve humanity’s wisdom,” he concluded.

Editorial: Stop the Nonsense — Barrow’s Gambia is Not Jammeh’s Gambia

Some voices — many of them loud only because they can now speak without fear — are peddling the absurd notion that President Adama Barrow’s leadership is no different from Yahya Jammeh’s 22-year reign of terror. This is not just wrong; it is shameless, insulting, and a betrayal of truth. Let’s be clear: under Yahya Jammeh, The Gambia was a prison without walls. Fear was the currency of governance. Journalists were abducted, tortured, and sometimes killed. Political opponents vanished into thin air. The courts bent to the will of one man. The press was muzzled, the people silenced. Speaking your mind could cost you your freedom — or your life.

Today, under President Barrow, Gambians live in a country where no one fears expressing an opinion — not in the market, not on the radio, not on Facebook. The judiciary operates independently. Journalists publish freely. The flow of information is open and uncensored. The police are not instruments of political vengeance.

Ironically, many of those now shouting the loudest in criticism — including some in the diaspora who were silent as church mice during Jammeh’s brutality — are only able to do so because this government tolerates and protects their right to speak. They could never have dared utter a fraction of their current criticisms under Jammeh without paying a heavy personal price. The difference between the two eras is not subtle. It is night and day. Jammeh ruled with a fist of iron and the shadow of fear; Barrow presides over a climate of freedom, tolerance, and openness. Under Jammeh: fear ruled, voices were silenced, journalists jailed, opponents disappeared. Speaking your mind could cost your life. Under Barrow: freedom of speech, independent courts, free press, open criticism — even from those who hid in silence during Jammeh’s brutality. If you think they’re the same, try saying today’s criticisms back in 2005 under Jammeh… and imagine how long you’d stay free. Freedom is here. Respect it. Defend it.

Pistol, Live Rounds Seized at Amdalai Border

By JarraNews Staff Writer

Amdalai, The Gambia — Security officers at the Amdalai Border Post have intercepted a Senegalese national carrying a pistol and twelve live rounds during routine screening. The incident occurred on Tuesday, 5th August 2025, when operatives of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency, The Gambia (DLEAG), stopped 49-year-old Papa Dethialao Thiam as he travelled from Cassamance through The Gambia to Dakar, Senegal.

Following the interception, Mr. Thiam was handed over to Amdalai Border Police for further checks. During questioning, he produced a valid Senegalese firearm licence and claimed to be employed by the Senegalese Ministry of Interior. In accordance with existing security cooperation between the Gambia Police Force and the Senegalese National Police, and after consultations with Senegalese authorities, the suspect was transferred to Senegal for further investigation. Police officials have reiterated their commitment to safeguarding national borders and maintaining public safety, urging citizens to remain alert and report any suspicious activities. ---

Gambia Armed Forces Denounces Vulture Slaughter by Personnel

Banjul, 8 August 2025 — The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) has issued a strong condemnation following the shocking discovery that one of its personnel, Lance Corporal Jallow Alieu, was allegedly involved in the mass killing of vultures for ritualistic purposes. The act, reportedly carried out in collaboration with a civilian, Mr. Ebrima Khan, has provoked national outrage and raised serious concerns about wildlife protection.

Both suspects are currently in custody—Lance Corporal Jallow under the Military Police, and Mr. Khan under Police detention—as investigations intensify. According to preliminary findings, the pair are accused of deliberately hunting vultures and harvesting their heads, reportedly for use in ritual activities. The Armed Forces swiftly disassociated itself from the act, labeling it “unlawful, disgraceful, and a grave violation” of both national and international wildlife protection laws.

“This heinous act runs counter to the core values of the Gambia Armed Forces,” a statement from the military read. “We are a disciplined and professional institution that holds its members to the highest standards, in uniform and beyond.” The military emphasized its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, declaring zero tolerance for any conduct that undermines biodiversity or contravenes The Gambia’s Wildlife Conservation Act and Animal Welfare Law. The Chief of Defence Staff and the High Command have vowed that justice will prevail, and that all individuals found culpable will face the full weight of military and civil law.

“The GAF is fully cooperating with environmental and law enforcement agencies to ensure a comprehensive investigation,” said Acting Public Relations Officer Captain Kemo Kanuteh. “We remain committed to upholding our duty not just to national security, but to the preservation of The Gambia’s natural heritage.” The Armed Forces have called on the public to remain vigilant and continue working alongside authorities to protect endangered species and preserve the nation’s fragile ecosystems. By JarraNews Staff Writer

Shock in Dobong: Soldiers Arrested for Vulture Killings

By JarraNews Staff Writer

Dobong, Gambia — Two serving members of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) were arrested on Thursday in Dobong village, Foni Kansala District, after villagers reportedly caught them in the act of harvesting the heads of dead vultures—an act suspected to be linked to ritual practices.

Eyewitnesses say the suspects, both stationed at Yundum Barracks, were found with vulture carcasses which had been mutilated to remove the heads. Villagers apprehended the men on the spot and handed them over to officers at the Bwiam Police Station. The disturbing discovery has sparked public outrage and renewed demands for tougher penalties against wildlife crimes, particularly the illegal killing of vultures, which play a vital role in the ecosystem by disposing of animal remains. Confirming the arrest, GAF spokesperson Captain Malick Kanuteh told JarraNews that the individuals are indeed active members of the armed forces. "The arrested soldiers will be transferred to Yundum Barracks where they will be detained. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in line with military regulations," he stated.

It remains uncertain whether the suspects will be prosecuted under military or civil law. As service members, they are governed by both legal frameworks, and the decision will likely depend on the outcome of ongoing investigations and guidance from the Office of the Attorney General. In the meantime, human rights advocates and wildlife protection groups have strongly condemned the act, describing it as both illegal and morally troubling. Conservationists warn that vulture populations in The Gambia are already under threat, and continued killings could have serious public health consequences. Formal charges have not yet been filed, but pressure is mounting for authorities to send a clear message through legal action.

Africa’s Fight for Sovereignty: From Colonial Rule to Modern Resistance

By Lang Fafa Dampha

Africa’s long and complex journey through foreign domination reveals a striking paradox: the very systems meant to erase African sovereignty have often sparked powerful resistance movements, shaping the continent’s continuing struggle for self-determination. This article traces how African resistance to foreign control—beginning with the transatlantic slave trade, through colonial rule, and into the current era of neo-colonial dependency—has been a consistent force pushing for liberation, unity and authentic sovereignty. Three Pillars of Sovereignty At the heart of African nationalism lies a broader view of sovereignty that goes beyond independence flags and constitutions. It includes: Material Sovereignty: Colonialism robbed Africans of land, labour, and resources. European powers expropriated about 90 million hectares of land, shifting economies to serve European needs. This legacy of dependence continues, as many post-colonial states struggle to reclaim control over their natural wealth. Epistemic Sovereignty: Colonisers suppressed African languages, traditions, and systems of knowledge. Thinkers like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o and Amílcar Cabral highlighted the importance of cultural revival in the liberation struggle. African nationalism today continues to push for indigenous education and intellectual autonomy. Governance Sovereignty: European-imposed borders and administrative systems fractured Africa politically. Despite independence, 68% of African states retained colonial boundaries. Visionaries like Kwame Nkrumah promoted pan-Africanism as a path to real unity and sovereignty. Colonialism's Lasting Structures Colonialism was more than political domination—it reshaped African society, economics and knowledge. It institutionalised inequality through: Land Seizures: In settler colonies, such as Kenya and Algeria, up to 90% of fertile land was seized by Europeans. Economic Extraction: Infrastructure was built to export African raw materials, not develop local economies. France, for instance, extracted 45% of West Africa’s GDP in the late 1930s. Legal and Cultural Displacement: African governance systems were replaced with foreign laws, marginalising indigenous systems and leaders. Even post-independence, many African states remained trapped in colonial-era legal, economic and institutional frameworks. As theorist Aníbal Quijano argued, colonial power survives through “coloniality”—the continued dominance of Western systems in education, governance, and global relations. Resistance is Ongoing African resistance has evolved—from early uprisings like the Ashanti Wars and Mau Mau rebellion, to modern movements challenging global institutions. Today’s forms of resistance include Afro-feminism, digital pan-Africanism, and economic self-reliance campaigns. What’s clear is that African nationalism has never been static. It is not a relic of the past, but a dynamic force reshaping the present and future. In resisting both colonial and neo-colonial domination, Africans continue to assert their right to define their own identities, economies, and political destinies. Conclusion Rather than depicting Africa as a passive victim of external forces, this analysis highlights the continent’s deep-rooted tradition of resistance and self-assertion. African nationalism, in its evolving forms, remains a key vehicle for political dignity, cultural revival, and economic justice. As long as global systems continue to reproduce the legacies of empire, Africa’s fight for true sovereignty remains unfinished—but far from defeated.