Gambia lacks human rights, transparency& accountability and sexually exploits girls-UNICEF report

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

Ever since The Gambia Echo broke news of the high profile expulsion of UNICEF’s Country Representative, Ms. Min Whee Kang, barely two weeks ago, Gambians and several readers of this paper have been sending us a barrage of emails asking for the rationale behind the envoy’s expulsion. 

Min Whee Kang, Yaya Jammeh

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Breaking News

GNA Deputy Chief, Gen Drammeh sacked?

As Ismaila Sambou goes to Dakar, Gibou Joof, Tehran

--Also, Cpt. Baba Jallow sacked; Cpt. Saikou Jallow sacked & arrested

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

As President Yahya Jammeh’s madness metastasizes, the political reverberations of his rash actions particularly, the daily sackings and hiring of officials, continue to pummel the beleaguered West African nation of The Gambia forcing many to wonder if the mini-nation too, is not headed to cataclysmic gloom.

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The Gambia: Freedom of Expression on Trial

The Gambia: IBAHRI Issues Report on the Trial Observation of the Criminal

Prosecution of Seven Journalists in Banjul

Today, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) released a trial observation report, The Gambia: Freedom of Expression on Trial, which raises concerns with respect to the Gambia’s compliance with fair trial standards and the application of criminal law to seven journalists who legitimately and peacefully exercised their right to freedom of expression.

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Commentary

Niger/Africa

:The limits of Tandja’s stupidity

By Kofi Akosah-Sarpong

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Breaking News

Gambia's Jammeh axes justice minister, appoints cousin

Fri Feb 26, 7:51 AM

BANJUL (AFP) - Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has fired his justice minister and replaced her with his cousin in the second cabinet shake-up in three weeks, government sources said Friday.

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Breaking News  

M. L. Jaseha Kujabie, Haruna Jammeh and Ms. Mason Jammeh allegedly killed by Jammeh Gov’t.

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

Ever since their high profile arrest and detention almost five years ago, there has been a combustible combination of rumours and innuendoes as to their exact whereabouts and what crimes, Jaseha Kujabie and Haruna Jammeh; once powerful presidential operatives, may have committed to warrant their incommunicado detention. That was then and this is now and today, The Gambia Echo reveals that the duo that once wielded enormous political gravitas, have been brutally murdered and their story is a chilling reminder of the utterly criminal character of the Yahya Jammeh regime.

Afang Ibilis viciously looks on

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British woman exposes Gambia’s wanting judicial process

Dear Sirs,

Firstly, congratulations on 45 years of Independence and respect for those who believe in and try to uphold the rule of law - it seems in spite of many local difficulties. The World Wide Web is astounding and confusing but news can really travel fast nowadays and the Gambian newspapers can be read all over the world.

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Breaking News

Millions wasted as Jammeh issues ultimatum to demolish old Yundum buildings

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

Highly placed sources at the Ministry for Local Government and Lands, reveal that a memo from State House decreed by President Jammeh, had instructed for the immediate demolition of all buildings, structures or fences built at Old Yundum village bearing proximity to the so-called army reserved land.

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Breaking News

Rogue Diplomat J.T. Kujabie demoted, Ayo Sidibeh new Washington DCM.

--Nancy Njie allegedly consults female marabout

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

Our most trusted and most competent State House operative, Kissy Kissy Mansa, reports that Mrs. Fatoumata Ayo Sidibeh, formerly of the Finance Ministry, has been named as Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) to Washington’s ill-fated Gambian Embassy. She replaces, Ebrima J T Kujabie who until his meteoric rise as Charge d’Affaires just recently, was an unknown political quantity lacking in substance, education and candour. The rogue

Madam Jaljali, Alhagi Chachai, Zeinab Jammeh

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Analysis

Gambians endure another embarrassment

By D. A. Jawo, Banjul The Gambia

Once again, Gambians have been dealt another devastating embarrassment, with the recent expulsion of the UNICEF Country Representative in The Gambia, Ms Min Whee Kang, no doubt without any tangible reason or justification. This is yet another diplomatic blunder, which has now become a hallmark of the Yahya Jammeh regime.

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Sergeant Lisa Fatty of GFS Dies

The Beyai ,  Fatty  and Ceesay family of Fulladu Tabanani, The Fatty, Kassama  and Bayo family of Fulladu Faraba CRR., regret to announce the sudden death of their loving and caring wife, mother, daughter and sister; Mrs. Lisa Fatty Beyai. She passed away early Thursday morning February 18, at the RVTH Banjul.

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Letter Writer reacts to lawyers’ conference

--Blames Fafa M’bai & Pap Secka for dishonesty, aiding and abetting tyrant Jammeh

Dear Editor,
 
Usefulness or Uselessness of Gambian Lawyers
 
I read over and over statements made during the Gambia Bar Association conference, Friday 29 January 2010 with more suspicion than ever before. Unfortunately, I must admit that there is something going very wrong in our country. I was shocked that many people used the conference as a platform to promote their acquaintances and other people they know in one way or the other.

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Radio France Internationale Interviews Echo Editor

Earlier this morning, Ms. Genevieve Roberts, a journalist with Radio France Internationale interviewed The Gambia Echo’s Ebrima G. Sankareh on the Gambia’s 45^th independence anniversary. The program airs in the next 25 minutes and readers interested can listen to the

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OPINION

Gambia at 45: is she growing up?  

By: Jeggan Grey-Johnson

From the clanging of the bell at Ballanghar, by Edward Francis Small, to the lowering of the Union Jack in 1965, after 300 hundred years of British colonial rule, when a Republic deemed improbable was born, this nation’s journey has always been about a search for an identity- one of peaceful and quiet existence.

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Independence Day Message by Mr. Ousainou Darboe, 18th February 2010

My fellow Gambians,

This is the forty-fifth independence celebration.  Nearly half of the present citizenry were not born when The Gambia became independent; for these Gambians comparison is not possible between then and now. Independence entailed installing a government led by our own kith and kin as administrators and political leaders.  The yearning then, as it is now, was to move from the underdevelopment and poverty to a steady improvement in the lot of the average Gambian. 

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Amnesty, 11 others, say Gambia violates human & political rights

--Gruesome tales of torture, executions, and disappearances reported  

"Amnesty International reported on the harsh conditions of detention in Mile Two Central Prison which amounts to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment and is aware of at least 20 people who have died in Mile Two Central Prison since 2005. No investigations have been carried out by the authorities to determine the cause of death…"

Yaya Jammeh Kills, Marie Saine shamelessly lies 

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UN publishes damning report on Gambia’s human rights violations

--Shameless Firdaus Lies

By Ebrima G Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

Despite numerous enquiries on The Gambia government’s reported violations of human and political rights, including disappearances, incommunicado detentions, excessive force and summary executions of political dissidents, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that the Jammeh government does not answer to any questions. This damning indictment of the utterly criminal character of the Jammeh government was unveiled in the presence of his shameless Attorney General, Marie Saine Firdaus

Yaya Jammeh & Marie Saine, Twins of evil and deception

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Hakilo sends message to all Gambians

Mr. Editor, please allow me space in my call to Gambians for the rescue of the Motherland. My message is to all and sundry.

Military

The Military's role as (I understood) defined by the Constitution is to defend Gambia and its national interest from external attack(s) or aggression(s). They are also mandated to help the police and other security sectors to contain any strife that may arise internally where the police and collaborated agents cannot solve readily. Whilst we are yet to see any participation of them in former mandate as there are no current eminent signs of external attempts for

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Breaking News

President Jammeh Expels UNICEF Rep.

--Names Alieu Ngum, US Ambassador

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

Unimpeachable sources reaching The Gambia Echo’s newsroom report that Gambia’s autocratic leader, Yahya Jammeh, has declared UNICEF’s Country Representative to The Gambia, Ms. Min Whee Kang, Persona non grata (PNG) and in a terse statement, instructed her to leave within 24hours.

Min Whee Kang, Yaya Jammeh, Alieu Ngum

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Commentary

The Tormentation of Jerry Rawlings

By Kofi Akosah-Sarpong

Ever since President John Atta Mills came to power a year ago, the founder of his ruling National Democratic Party (NDC), ex-President Jerry Rawlings, has been either insulting, threatening or undermining him consistently. It reveals Rawlings’ unpeacefulness, weak moral foundation, and a man drenched in self-destruction. This has come

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Hakilo Proposes United Opposition, Oks Coup D’etat but…

Dear Able Editor,

Please accord me some space in my contribution towards a better Gambia. I apply short-hand method in writing my articles as time is costly both for me, the able editors and indeed the (consumers) readers.  I write articles on breaks from work, at closure before going home, and at home after a long day's work.  I inevitably do make mistakes in writing as you do realise some times, especially the able editors at forefront of this aspect of nation building.

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Jeggan could have done better

Mr Editor,

Please allow me space to respond to Jeggan Grey-Johnson’s article of 9^th February 2010 which was published in your well established medium under the heading; ‘‘Agenda 2011; The Opposition Leaders Must Do the Right Thing.’’

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Obituary: Alhaji Edrissa Manjang of Yundum passes away

It is with the most profound sadness that we share the passing away of our father, grandfather, great-grand father, uncle, great uncle, great-grand uncle; Alhaji Edrissa Manjang who passed away early this morning (13th February 2010) at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Banjul, The Gambia.

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Open letter to Gambian opposition parties

I wish to commend you all for your efforts in promoting a democratic culture in Gambia amid unbelievable obstacles and extremely oppressive conditions. You continue to do yeoman's work and open yourself to commendation and gratuitous disdain and all manner of insult. You will take comfort in the appreciation of gratuitous disdain and insult not as justifiable yield of your public posture, rather as indiscernible waywardness from vortex's entropy.

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Hakilo says Jammeh is deceptive criminal

Dear Editor,

 I would be most grateful if allowed space to give my humble opinion in this analysis on political events in Gambia. I am concerned and do follow issues affecting my only-home as Gambian.

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Hakilo claries further; says time is limited

Dear Editor,

Please allow me to clarify an issue or two to Mr Haruna Darboe in his response I just picked at Senegambianews site to my former piece. Haruna has indeed confirmed my thoughts of where he was coming from and why. However, I want to assure him that I harbour no grudge or ill-will at any opposition leaders or his person. I must tell him the wrangling I said, was between

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Gambia: Contours of a Roadmap II

By Haruna Darboe

As we all know, events such as this are not easy to manage or complete successfully. I will share with you some of the considerations of the budget and suggest where Diaspora Gambians or friends of Gambia who are interested in the life of Gambia can assist. From what we have been informed by the UDP, (we have not received any solicitation or budget from NADD or GMC yet), the total budget for their congress comes to approx. $25,000.00

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Breaking News

Nigerians, other Africans languish in Gambian Secrets Jails; reports This Day

By: Damilola Oyedele

 10 February 2010

Abuja — Amnesty International and Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) have disclosed that some Nigerians and other Africans are being held without trials in secret maximum security cells in Gambia.

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Haruna Darboe Clarifies issues with Hakilo

By Haruna Darboe, Global Democracy Project, Atlanta, GA

As much I think it to be listless banter, I must share some ideas with Mr. Hakilo. I would appreciate your time and space and I will endeavour to do this efficiently and without opening the door of endless chatter. I will use Mr. Hakilo's notes to that end.

[Mr. able Editor,

Again I request for some space from you to clarify some of the issues Mr. Haruna Darboe seem to misconstrue on my person as he analysed my late article on suggesting for a possible solution to rescue beloved Gambia.

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Gambia’s twice Attorney General, Mr. Fafa E. M'bai, CRG:

“We are called to leadership the enduring responsibility of lawyers”

Addressing The Gambia Bar Association conference at the Kairaba Beach Hotel on Friday 29th January 2010 in what The Point newspaper describes as a powerful speech eliciting standing ovation, Gambian lawyer and twice, former Attorney General  & Minister of Justice, Fafa Edrissa M’bai, CRG, invoked legal luminaries, past and present to show the “enduring responsibilities of lawyers” as advocates for unfettered freedoms, democracy and the rule of law. Below is the full text of Mr. M’bai’s speech, courtesy of The Point Newspaper, Wednesday, 10 February, 2010 Edition.

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Hakilo unravels

“Thorny Political Issues in Gambia”

Mr Editor,

Can I please give some insight on some thorny issues which seemed to be bases of differences amongst the political elite in Gambia especially, the opposition? The biggest opposition party in Gambia today, UDP enjoyed strong support and was a strong challenge to the current ruling dictatorship once. UDP was formed at the first election against the ruling Junta when most former political parties were banned with Mr. Ousainou Darboe

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Hakilo clarifies, says Haruna Darboe’s deductions, flawed

--Calls Yahya Jammeh “tyrannical bandit”  

Mr. able Editor,

Again I request for some space from you to clarify some of the issues Mr. Haruna Darboe seem to misconstrue on my person as he analysed my late article on suggesting for a possible solution to rescue beloved Gambia. I would first of all make it abundantly clear to Mr. Darboe and whoever might think so, that I DO NOT HARBOUR any interest for political office for he may as well have insinuated so.

Afang Ibilis, Gambia's tyrannical bandit

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Commentary

Gambia: Contours for  Roadmap-Part I

By: Haruna  Darboe, Global Democracy Project, Atlanta, GA

Like most other vortices, sustenance comes from within in-situ entropy. Tempers will flare, erstwhile scheming is neutralized, and garden variety crimes from within the vortex proper are suctioned out through the bottom. I have reviewed some of the ideas purveyed as panacea for Gambia's salvation or at least for Yahya's removal. I will review these ideas here and offer some guidance.

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Hakilo calls for opposition unity; reveals Jammeh’s secrets

Mr Editor,

Please allow me to make this plea to the Gambian opposition who seem to be entrenched in individual gains than they actually portray themselves in pretence. And yet deceive themselves that, we do believe them. I want to make it clear to the opposition that every mature Gambian can see through their greed by taking us for a ride in their so-called arguments that they are the future and indeed genuine to be voted for. Yet the line between them and

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 Analysis

Agenda 2011:Opposition Parties Must Unite

By Jeggan Grey-Johnson

If doing the same thing over and expecting a different result tantamount to insanity, then election year 2011 will be a turning point for The Gambia and its opposition parties.  If they proceed to repeat fundamental mistakes of the previous three election cycles, over a period of 15 years, by splintering, then they would prove to all and sundry that they are all insane.  And insanity, according to the 1997 Constitution, disqualifies persons from standing for office.  If they however, decide to do the right thing and unite, as

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Gambian letter writer reacts to Echo story, accuses Jammeh of money laundering

Dear Editor,

Please spare me some space to add few facts on the state of the Gambian economy with regard to the D25, 000,000.00 Yaya Jammeh shamelessly demanded from Gambia Ports Authority. The state of the Gambian economy is worst than we can predict and not comparable to the state where Yaya-The Pirate, took over from the previous regime. He first started with the defunct Gambia Public Transport Cooperation, GPTC, and brought them down.

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Breaking News

Ambassador Gibril Joof in car crash

Chauffeur suffers dislocation of shoulder

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

According to highly placed sources at State House, His Excellency Gibril Joof, The Gambia’s Ambassador to the Republic of Senegal was involved in a car crash on the road to Touba, Senegal. Joof, who was named US-Ambassador designate last week, is said to be in good spirit at the Ambassador’s residence in Pointe E, Dakar. The envoy was reportedly shaken and complaints of a headache and pains around the waist.

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Gambian letter writer accuses President Jammeh of terrorism

Mr Editor,

 Please spare me some space to contribute to the debate about rescuing our beloved Gambia from the current murderous-bandit who falsely prides about calling himself, President, in the person of Yaya Jammeh.With current events unfolding, I would say; Sub-regional Terrorism: The recent developments of rebels’ resurgence in Cassamance are quite disturbing. As it would be difficult to make the MFDC rebels to lay down arms and adhere to

Gambian dictator Yahya Jammeh and General Tamba during the good days

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Bombshell

President Jammeh solicits D25M from GPA

--Threats of devastating consequences linger

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

After shamelessly destroying The Gambia’s once vibrant telecommunications giant, Gamtel and the Social Security & Housing Finance Corporation among numerous others, Gambia’s autocratic leader, Yahya Jammeh, who came to power promising to fix corruption, has now extended his greed to The Gambia Ports Authority (GPA). According

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Saffie Jarjue says “No mercy for sacked ministers”

Dear Gambian Editors,

I read with interest all the arguments about the sacked ministers of: Works and Infrastructure Lamin Bojang; Fisheries and National Assembly, Antouman Saho; and Tourism and Culture, Ms. Nancy Njie. Firstly, it is important to reveal that these are the same cowards just like our so-called military officials hiding in the West that helped entrenched Jammeh in power and continued suppressing the masses. Since his appointment, Lamin Bojang had done nothing to improve the infrastructure of the country.

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More Breaking News

Jammeh sacks four Ministers, creates new ministry, fills vacant cabinet seats

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

Having confirmed our previous reports about the high profile sacking of Gambian cabinet ministers in the progressing madness of President Yahya Jammeh, we can now confirm the following: President Yahya Jammeh takes over as Works and Infrastructure Minister, Mr. Pierre Tamba, former Ambassador to Cuba, is the new Local

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Breaking News

US Ambassador designate, Bajo, replaces Fisheries Minister, Saho

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

The Gambia Echo has now confirmed beyond a shadow of doubt that the high profile sacking of four ministers this morning is factual and has just learned that, US Ambassador designate, Lamin Kaba Bajo is new Fisheries Minister.

Antouman Saho, out, Lamin Bajo in

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BOMBSHELL

President Jammeh sacks 4 Ministers:

Nancy Njie, Ismaila Sambou, Antouman Saho & Lamin Bojang

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

Unimpeachable sources close to the Gambian presidency, report of a high profile sacking of up to four Cabinet Ministers among them, the most powerful so-called Presidential madam, Nancy Seedy Njie. Reveals our most competent sources, Tourism Minister, Nancy Njie, Local Government Minister, Ismaila Sambou, Fisheries Minister, Antouman Saho and Works and Infrastructure Minister, Lamin Bojang have all been sacked this morning 

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The University of Edinburgh              

News Release

Issued: 5 February, 2010

Aid needed now to help developing nations build for the future

Developing countries need aid now to enable then to cope with the future effects of climate change, according to new research. The study shows that financial help is urgently needed now so developing countries can prepare for potential climate change disasters.

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Analysis

A decade of rise in thinking

By Kofi Akosah-Sarpong

“When events are coming they cast their shadow.” – Thucydides, Greek thinker

“Only a fool learns from his mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.” – Otto von Bismarck, Prussian German statesman and aristocrat

“A generational thinker is one who is able to sew seeds for the future…” – Mensah Otabil, General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church, Ghana

Either from the perspectives of Thucydides, Otabil or Bismarck, the decade that just ended saw remarkable rise in thinking by Ghanaian elites about their progress, more critically from within their cultural values up to the global prosperity ideals.

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Rebel paranoia, a sign of time

Dear Editor,

As a man born and raised in a border village in Western Gambia, I have always found it very plausible the notion that the Government of the Gambia is supporting and sustaining the rebels across the border in Senegal. Most or all of these highly outrageous allegations have been spread by individuals who live in cities or towns away from the borders and consider any citing of a combatant or ex-combatant as a significant evidence of harboring and supporting the rebellion across the border.

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Letter to the Editor

Gambia, No Problem: Anything Goes
 
Dear Editor,
 
I am Gambian who has resided outside of the country for over two decades but I stay in touch with the happenings through the online media outlets and go home every other year to visit with family and friends and December was my latest visit there. While returning for my holidays was full of fun, the daily realities before Gambians is staggering to say the least, the have-nots are the real victims and nothing is done to help them.

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President Jammeh fails to attend AU Summit

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

Despite the usually monotonous public announcements that Gambian dictator, Yahya Jammeh was to attend the African Union Summit meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, the cowardly tyrant  who has so much blood in his hands has chosen to go under his bed at State House. Both Radio Gambia and national TV had announced that Jammeh was leaving Banjul International Airport, Thursday morning, to attend the annual AU Summit but a senior officer in the President’s office told The Gambia Echo only moments ago, that the dictator has botched.

Afang Ibilis gives thousands of dollars to this American girl

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