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Former President Yahya Jammeh's waiter Ebou Jarju, yesterday testified before the TRRC on his arrest, unlawful detention and Jammeh's wrong doing, while revealed that he (Jammeh) had over 40 'Ataya' girls. Witness clarified that is only ladies who do the brewing and they used to be with Jammeh inside the house for a long duration for pleàsure during night. He saiď among those Ataya girls, they where from the NIA, PIU, Immigration and soldiers. He added they were more 40 girls. The Kombo Dasilamin born said he was trained as waiter and been employed at state house in 2001, to work at Jammeh's resident. He said he was always accompanied with an orderly during the time of executing his job. He added that the procedure was to make sure that the President's food was safe. He revealed that Jammeh doesn't receive water from Gambian and he only drinks French mineral waters. He said what Jammeh says outside and what he does at state house is ...

During today’s press briefing of the Monitory Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the Central Bank of The Gambia, the governor Bakary K Jammeh revealed that the Gambia’s stock of domestic (local) debt has increased to 32.86 billion in February 2020 from 31.86 billion in December 2019.   He added that stock of treasury and Sukuk-Al Salaam bills decreased by 1.4% to D19.1 billion during the period under review. “The yields on the 91 day, 182-day, and 364-day treasury bills increased from 2.24%, 4.98%, and 7.39% at the end December 2019 to 3.96%, 5.20% and 8.50% respectively in February 2020.” On the domestic economic outlook, focusing on the real sector, the governor indicated that the Gambia economy is estimated to have grown by 6.5% in 2018, driven largely by the services sector. He however added that growth is projected at 6.0% in 2019 and 6.2% in 2020 due mainly to the strong growth in the services sector, in particular tourism, trade, fi...

The secretary general and party leader of United Democratic Party (UDP) Lawyer Ousainou Darboe has on Saturday disclosed that the city of Banjul is sinking and the central government have a big responsibility to gentrify the city. The veteran politician made the pronouncement at a rally held in Banjul, while emphasizing that Banjul is sinking and need assistance; describing it as the only city that doesn’t have a cinema, supermarket or other social amenities. “There were supermarkets and cinemas when I was going to school in Banjul but there is none now.   To reform Banjul, is not only the responsibility of the council but the central government has a big responsibility.” He affirmed that UDP would work with Banjul City Council, in order to reform and restructure Banjul. Rohey Malick Lowe, the Mayoress of Banjul called for the togetherness of Banjulians; adding they can fall a mountain by doing so. On her campaig...

Imam Muhammad Lamin Touray, the President of Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) who today testified before the Truth commission, labelled the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jammat as none Muslims. "We don't have power to ban them but if we have that power, we will not allow them. We cannot have Ahmaddise and Muslims in one umbrella, that's impossible. One can either be a Muslim or Ahmadise." Lead counsel Essa Faal told him that there is no one in the country who can ban a religion body or Sect because is not granted by the Constitution. On whether the Ahmaddise can join the SIC, Imam Touray indicated that; "Ahmadise can be only welcome to the council, if they are ready to accept our rules and regulations. if the laws of the country allows Ahmaddise to join th council, then that is a sabotage to the Muslims." Imam testified that the Ahmaddise are none Muslims and they cannot join a muslim's organizations. He added that the Ahmaddise can have the...

The President of the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) Imam Muhammad Lamin Touray, has today testified before the TRRC and revealed that its council has no power to ban people from preaching, Sects and force people to pray the same day with them. He testified the roles of the SIC and its pronouncements by some of its members and ban on individuals and the action it has taken to affect certain religions and sect. The lead counsel Essa Faal put it to him that the Constitution of The Gambia provides freedom for people to worship the religion of their choice, saying during Jammeh's era, many religious and individuals' rights were violated. He added that the commission is not set to criticise religion but to investigate the violations on religious practices and they are doing that according to the law. Touray confirmed that it is not the mandate of the council to forced people to fast and pray. He continued that the council was not established by Act of parliament. He sa...

DATE: 18 TH FEBRUARY 2020 VENUE: McCarthy Square Your Excellency, the Vice President, Your Excellencies, First Lady Fatou Bah-Barrow and Madam Sarjo Mballow- Barrow Former Vice Presidents present, Honourable Speaker, My Lord, the Chief Justice, Honourable Members of Cabinet and the National Assembly, Lord Mayors of Banjul and Kanifing Municipalities, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls The Gambia clocks fifty-five years today as an Independent Sovereign State responsible for managing its affairs without any external interference. Celebrating the anniversary of this historic event should trigger thoughts to guide us redefine our individual roles as citizens of this nation in order to situate and reposition our motherland better on the global stage. As this is our National Day, it is a moment to unite and deliberate on national issues, and not on partisan conflicts and interests. As true sons and daughters of Th...

Former President Yahya Jammeh's Imam Abdoulie Fatty has today appeared before the TRRC on grounds that he was adversely mentioned by several witnesses that he triggered  their arrest, unlawful detention and torture as well, said former president Yahya Jammeh gave the Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) the power to ban scholars from preaching. However, prior to his testimony, he was reluctant to swear by the Quaran and there was a little argument between him and Lead Counsel, Essa Mbaye Faal until Chairman Dr. Lamin J Sise intervened and told him that he was the 204 witness since the proceedings started and nothing will make the commission to change it procedures. At this juncture, he complied and swore to the Quaran. Thereafter, Faal told him that he is expected to testify his relationship with Yahya Jammeh, his relationship with the Ahmadis, statement he uttered against Ba Kawsu Fofana, Dr. Dumbuya and Omar Fofana, the arrest of Sheriff Muhideen Hydara, they will also loo...

The President of The Gambia Transport Union Omar Ceesay has revealed that The Gambia will February 19 effect ban of all Senegalese commercial vehicles to enter Gambia. This decision came after so many confrontation with the two country's transport unions. However, it was reported four day back that Senegalese authorities manhandled Star TV's cameraman at Karang for covering the negotiations between the two union.  The meeting was for the Senegal to allow Gambian buses to enter the city of Dakar, after Senegalese bold step to stop Gambian buses in their territory.  However, the Senegal's decision came after many Senegalese drivers envy the Gambian buses, saying they have taken their passengers, which caused them difficulties in their earnings. Meanwhile, it can be recalled that the past years, Senegalese drivers have been working within the Gambia's soils without any restrictions. 

The Secretary General and party leader of Gambia Democratic Party (GDC) Mamma Kandeh has today revealed at a rally held in Fula Bantang that President Adama Barrow is a GDC member. The politician clarified that the GDC party is for all Gambians and Barrow is one of them. "GDC has no boarder and on our developments plans, we don't look whether a particular person have supported us or not. If I am elected, I will serve as a leader of all and will also work for the interest of everyone." He called on Gambians to open their eyes to know who is ready to develop the country or fooling them. He added that he had the request from the people of Fulladu with regards to their rice filed, saying the rice field can serve the whole of Africa, if there is support. He promised to support and called for empowerment of the people of Faladu to cultivate their rice filed. "The vegetable we use in hotels are imported from Senegal. Can't we empower our own people to work o...

The Amir of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jammat (Sect) Baba Trawally, has yesterday testified before the TRRC and alleged former president Yahya Jammeh's Imam Abdoulie Fatty for castigating their sect since 1997. The Salikaneh born said Fatty's Friday sermon in 1997, suggested for them to be gathered at Mc Carthy Squad to convert as Muslims or be killed. "It was then we wrote a letter addressed to the president in June 23, 1997. We told him that The Gambia have been living in absolute peace and harmony and Ahmadiyya have enjoyed that but Imam Fatty wanted to distroy it as he keep calling us none Muslims." Amir said they were assured by the government that The Gambia was circular state and the government will safeguards the religious tolerance. He added that they further told them that the sermon of Fatty is no way represented the policy of the government; adding that he is just looked as any other Imam. The sect that have been in existence since ...

The Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Lamin Samateh in a press briefing, called to The Gambians to stay vigilance and report any suspected person with the symptoms of the novel corona-virus. The briefing was held at the resident of representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) office in Kuto. Dr. said his ministry is on alert and looking on the point of entries, with the support of their partners WHO. He added that lot of training are ongoing to know more about the virus, how to detect it and protect themselves. He told the press that a health emergency team was launched on today to put on necessary measures. “We have started screening at the airport by using a very sensitize camera that easily detect somebody’s temperature for a far distance. Anyone detected for having some of the symptoms, we will keep the person for 14 days and check whether is he/she get the virus.” The WHO rep Dr. Desta A Tiruneh , in a presentation explained that the coronaviru...