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The Editor-In-Chief of The Voice Newspaper, Musa Sheriff, has been charged with \"false publication and broadcasting\" after he reported to the police this morning. He is detained.

Sheriff, who was interrogated last Thursday (Sept. 26) over a September 23rd story which claims President Barrow has chosen a successor as part of an exit plan, was asked to report to the police today (Monday). He was arrested and detained upon arrival at the Police Headquarters in Banjul. 

The deputy editor of The Voice, Momodou Justice Darboe, who was also interrogated last Thursday, was arrested, detained and charged with false publication and broadcasting. He was released on bail on Saturday (Sept. 28). 

The Gambian President, Adama Barrow, had earlier threatened a [civil] defamation suit against The Voice Newspaper, according to reports quoting his lawyer on Sept. 25, before the police intervened and turned the matter into a criminal case.

\"We maintain that the journalists have not violated any laws and urge the police to respect the right to press freedom and freedom of expression as provided for by the Gambian constitution and regional and international human rights laws that the Gambia subscribes to,\" GPU President Muhammed S. Bah, said.

The “False Publication and Broadcasting” law, which is recommended for repeal by the ECOWAS Court of Justice in 2018, Gambia’s Truth Commission in 2021, and a government media law revied committee in 2018, is found in Section 181A of the Criminal Code. It is one of the laws used most against journalists during the country’s 22-year dictatorship.

Journalists could face up to a minimum one-year imprisonment and a fine of up to D250, 000 (over $3,644) for publishing anything that the government considers “false news”.

\"The Gambia Press Union (GPU) condemns the arrest of of both journalists and urge the police to immediately release Musa Sheriff and to drop all charges against him and Momodou Justice Darboe,\" GPU Secretary General, Modou S. Joof, said. \"We urge the police to stop the harrassment and intimidation of the journalists and allow them to freely go about their busines - which includes hopding the government and public officials to account.\"

We urge the Gambia government to expedite the much needed reforms on media laws in order to protect journalists from unnecessary harassment and intimidation, and also to end impunity for crimes against journalists and media houses.

As part of their efforts to enhance the education of girl children, Shine Lights In Girls Education with support from their German counterparts on Sunday made a presentation of school materials to 72 girls across four regions in the Gambia, namely: Kanifing Municipality, West Coast Region, Lower River Region, and Central River Region.

The ceremony which was held at the Governor\

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) condemns in the strongest terms the arrest of Momodou Justice Darboe, the Deputy Editor of The Voice Newspaper over a September 23rd story which claims President Barrow has chosen a successor as part of an exit plan.

Darboe and Musa Sheriff Hydara, the paper’s Editor-In-Chief, were called for questioning at the Police Headquarters in Banjul on Thursday September 26 and grilled separately for more than two hours, just a day after President Adama Barrow threatened the newspaper with a defamation suit. 

The story in question, reviewed by the GPU, does not carry any defamatory statements. It upholds the principles of balance and fairness in news reporting as provided for in the Cherno Jollow Charter of Ethics for Journalists (the code of conduct for Gambian journalists) and had provided space to two senior officials of the President’s party, the National People’s Party, to reply to the claims. The paper also carried a story on September 24 in which the ruling party’s administrative secretary denied claims that the President Barrow has settled for a business tycoon as his successor.

Musa Sheriff was released on bail late Thursday evening and asked to report to the police on Friday September 27. The police also requested that he hands over his newspaper’s registration documents. Meanwhile, Darboe, who authored the story, was charged with “False Publication and Broadcasting” and detained overnight.

According to the police, the news story “allegedly contains misleading information intended to cause public alarm.” However, the GPU found nothing alarming about the report, and the Newspaper’s Editor-In-Chief has rejected the allegations after President Adama Barrow instructed his lawyers to issue an ultimatum that The Voice Newspaper “retract the article within 24 hours” and provide a “befitting apology to the president” or face a defamation suit.  

“As professionals, we approached this story with the highest consideration of ethics and principles of journalism by contacting the mouthpiece and the deputy spokesman of the NPP, who were both quoted in the article,” Musa Sheriff said. 

The “False Publication and Broadcasting” law, which is recommended for repeal by the ECOWAS Court of Justice in 2018, Gambia’s Truth Commission in 2021, and a government media law revied committee in 2018, is found in Section 181A of the Criminal Code. It is one of the laws used most against journalists during the country’s 22-year dictatorship. 

Journalists could face up to a minimum one-year imprisonment and a fine of up to D250, 000 (over $3,644) for publishing anything that the government considers “false news”. A lack of knowledge that the information was false is not a defence, unless it is proven that adequate measures were taken to verify the accuracy of the information. In this case, the newspaper took adequate measures to verify the information with ruling party officials, and have not violated any law.

The GPU consider the threat of legal action as unnecessary and a threat to press freedom, and we call on President Adama Barrow to uphold his promises of press freedom, and demonstrate tolerance for freedom of expression. We urge him to drop the idea of a suit against The Voice Newspaper immediately. 

“The GPU condemns these intimidating tactics employed by the Barrow government using the police as was the norm during the dictatorship,” GPU Secretary General, Modou S. Joof, said. “We also condemn the harassment of The Voice Newspaper staff who have done no wrong, and urge the police to drop all charges against Justice Darboe and release him from custody immediately,” Joof said. 

We note that actions of the president and the Inspector General of Police run contrary to constitutional provisions such as Section 25(a) of the 1997 Constitution which provides that “every person shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression which shall include freedom of the press and the media”. 

This freedom of the press is further strengthened by various international legal instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Article 19 of the ICCPR provides that: “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice. 

“The GPU urges the President and the Inspector General of Police to reflect on these human rights guarantees under the constitution, and the country’s transitional justice objectives which aim at, among other things, ending attacks on freedom of the press and the media,” GPU President, Muhammed S. Bah, said.

“The GPU also calls on President Barrow to give due consideration and observance to the recommendations of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) as they relate to the independence of the media including freedom of expression,” Bah said.

We note with concerns the Gambia government’s failure to fully implement TRRC recommendations relating to ending attacks on the media, media law reforms and ending impunity as Gambian journalists and media houses continue to suffer physical attacks and verbal threats – the later including from the president himself.

The ongoing Bell Football Tournament is approaching its climax as the Black Star FC and Tungina FC won semifinal matches.

Alfusainey Sillah of Tungina FC scored the lone goal of the first semifinal match between Tungina FC and NEMA FC in the 12th minute of the game. NEMA FC was unfortunate to equalize, and the match ended 1-0 in favor of Tungina FC.

The second encounter was between Black Star FC and Sitako Academy.

There were no goals during the full-time but the Back Star FC qualified for the finals following a 5-5 penalty shout-out.

Therefore, Tungina FC and Sitako Academy will lock horns at the finals at a date yet to be determined.

NEMA FC and Sitako Academy were the best losers of the tournament

A cross-section of the community of Kombo East witnessed the semifinals amidst an ambiance from spectators.

 All matches were played at the Kuloro Football Grounds on Tuesday the 24th of September,2024.

The Gambia Environmental Alliance (GEA) commended the recent decision by the 

Government of The Gambia to uphold the protection of Abuko Nature Reserve, as 

confirmed in a clarification from the Ministry of Lands, Regional Government, and 

Religious Affairs. The government has made it clear that no part of the reserve will be 

de-reserved for any development project, demonstrating a strong commitment to 

environmental preservation.

“We applaud the government\

The trial of alleged jungler Micheal Sang Correa originally scheduled to start on Monday, September 16th, 2024, in the US Court District Court in Denver, Colorado, in the U.S.A. has been postponed after one of the requests made by Correa’s lawyer to the court was approved.

Last week, Michael Correa’s lawyers explained to the court that they intended to present testimony from two witnesses that will show that he (Correa) was forced to commit the acts of torture he is accused of carrying out. However, according to Correa, Jeng and Hydara refused to travel to the United States to testify unless the U.S. government provided them with immunity from prosecution. The United States declined to offer them immunity. 

Correa then asked the judge to dismiss the case against him, arguing that the government was not helping these witnesses to attend. On September 10, the court denied the request to dismiss the charges against him. 

Correa then asked the court to delay the trial to allow his lawyer to travel to The Gambia to record the witnesses\

It was a stiff encounter at the Kuloro Football Grounds as Jolakunda clashed with NEMA at 3 pm.

The full ninety minutes was goalless but NEMA managed to book their ticket to the semi-finals following their win over Jolakunda in a 5-5 penalty shout-out.

Meanwhile, the 5 pm encounter was between Bonto Koto and Sitako Academy.

The players failed to capitalize on their goal opportunities during the full ninety minutes.

Sitako Academy scored more goals in the 5-5 penalty shout-out thereby emerging as the win.

Last week, Black Star and Tungina United won their first match of the tournament.

The Semifinals for the tournament are slated for next week Tuesday the 24th of September at Kuloro Football Grounds

On this International Day of Democracy, the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS) reaffirms its commitment to promoting democratic values and human rights across the continent. However, we express deep concern over the widespread violations of human rights that continue to undermine democratic principles.

Civil liberties are increasingly under threat, with significant crackdowns on freedom of assembly, association, opinion and expression. Many organizations that advocate for human rights face dissolution, while numerous activists are detained for exercising their fundamental rights. This suppression of dissent creates an environment where fear prevails over open discourse and civic engagement.

The situation is exacerbated by ongoing incidents of torture and arbitrary arrests in some countries including some North African countries, which highlight a troubling disregard for the rule of law. Vulnerable populations, including migrants, often face discrimination and violence, further complicating the landscape of human rights. The lack of effective frameworks to protect these individuals underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms.

Discrimination based on race, ethnicity, and gender remains pervasive, particularly affecting women’s rights and participation in society. Policies that impose restrictions on women, such as requiring male guardianship for travel, exemplify systemic barriers that hinder equality and justice.

Unconstitutional coups and electoral-related violence have surged in Africa, undermining democratic governance and stability across the continent. Recent years have seen a troubling increase in military takeovers, often fueled by manipulated electoral processes and widespread public discontent with incumbent leaders who evade term limits, leading to a cycle of instability and unrest.

Moreover, the erosion of judicial independence poses a significant challenge to accountability and the protection of human rights. Increased executive interference in judicial processes undermines the integrity of legal systems, leading to the prosecution of civilians in military courts and the targeting of human rights defenders.

The ACDHRS calls for immediate action to address these pressing issues. It is imperative to protect civil liberties, combat discrimination, and ensure accountability for human rights violations. Engaging with civil society and recognizing the vital role of human rights defenders is essential for fostering a culture of democracy.

As we observe this day, we urge all stakeholders to commit to implementing international human rights obligations and to work collaboratively towards a more just, equitable, and democratic future for all. Together, we can build a society where human rights are respected, and democracy thrives.

The first encounter was between Black Star and Bonto Kuta on Tuesday the 10th of September at 3 pm.

Both teams displayed their soccer skills overwhelmingly, battling the rainfall.

Unluckily for Bonto Kuta, they lost the match.

The game ended 1-0 in favor of the Black Star Football Club.

Meanwhile Tungina United won their first match of the tournament against Kaira-Kunda which was played at 5 pm.

Both enthusiastic fans cheered the players during both matches. Players manifested utmost interest in the tournament and rainsfall wasn’t an obstacle.

Last week, The Chief of Kombo East, Bakary Sanyang presided over the unveiling of the Bell Bottling Company’s juice drinks, the draw for the tournament as well as the presentation of Footballs, cups, and T-shirts to the eight participating teams(Jola Kunda, NEMA, Sitako, Bonto Koto, Bonto Kuta, Black Star, Tungina and Kaira Kunda.)

The tournament continues next Tuesday the 17th of September at Kuloro.

Over the past years, It has become customary of the police to insult, harass and above all to act indecent against civilians in the country.

Few days ago, I was at a public institution in a nearby restaurant. I saw security officers from the Gambia Police Force (GPF) having a seminar. They gathered in droves, including the IGP and the top rank-and-files of the police force.

At my vantage point, I heard one officer yelling to a waiter, telling him why he is frequently passing without serving him food. The officer was not properly seated in the right place where food was served. An old adage says, a starving man will forgo his self-interest only to get food.

Another officer came into the restaurant, and rudely asked for milk. Then another one also bumped in with an incongruent tone of emotion, telling waiters to quickly serve the IG without any delay. 

The modus operandi of the police towards civilians, bring to my recollection the police brutality under the ruthless hands of the exiled former President Yahya Jammeh.

Over the past years, the relationship between the security officers, and civilians has been strife. The ‘sembocratic’ nature of their approaches has sparked a series of counter discursive strategies calling for proper reforming of the Armed Forces. All these concerted efforts still remain unanswered at the borders of inquiry.

During the transition period, the introduction of the security sector reform process was welcomed news across the political sandy bank of the country. 

Overlooking the different opinions on the actualization of the reform process, some comments are unreasonable to fudge responses. It shows how emotions vanquish sensibility. 

As the debate and aversions seep into the reforming of the GPF, you can also see how partisanship blunts our feelings. Police must be disciplined forces, and harmonize their relationship with civilians to be able to develop as a nation. 

  Mr. Omar Conteh the Advocacy Communication officer of RAID-The Gambia, spoke of his organization’s commitment to launch a vigorous campaign against the consumption of Trans Fatty Acid Foods. He called on the Gambian government to formulate a policy framework to protect the population.

Mr. Konteh made this appeal while delivering their findings on The Gambia’s Trans-Fatty Acid Foods landscape. The forum brought together members of the Association of Health Journalists in The Gambia.

He noted that some of the Trans-Fatty Acid Foods landscape findings included a lack of specific policy and regulatory framework. Existing policies such as the Non-Communicable Disease Policy, National Nutrition Policy, and Food Safety Policy do not adequately address Trans-Fatty Acid Foods.

Sally Jarju, The President of the Association of Health Journalists, encouraged his colleagues to take the initiative seriously and report on the issues in their various media houses. He assured RAID-The Gambia that his association is fully supportive of the initiative.

“We are fully supportive because the issue of health is not just about reporting, but we are also a part of it. We are Gambians and we consume what others consume,” Jarju said.

Mr. Momodou Gassama, the Health Education Specialist at the WHO Banjul Office, highlighted the risk factors associated with the consumption of Trans-Fatty Acid Foods, noting that it kills more than 500,000 people yearly globally, which means someone dies every second.

“Trans-fat is produced industrially by partial hydrogenation of any liquid oils, in most cases vegetable oil, but also occurs naturally in meat and dairy products from ruminant animals. For a healthy diet, the recommended intake of Trans-Fatty Acid Foods is less than 1% of the total energy.”

While officially opening the forum, Mr. Sefo Singhateh of the Non-Communicable Disease Control Unit of the Ministry of Health, asserted that TFA is deadly in both developed and developing countries, hence the need for a collaborative effort to curb the effect.

“They are a risk factor for Cardiovascular disease. It is our collective effort to make sure we eliminate Trans-Fatty Acid Foods from the supply market” Singhateh said.

    Team Outpost 

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliaments on Thursday, 29th August 2024, convened a National Youth Dialogue at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo.

The delocalized meeting of the joint committee on Trade, Customs and free movement and social affairs, Gender Women empowerment and persons with disabilities and Legal Affairs and Human rights, Political affairs, peace, Security and African peer review mechanism (APRM), which was themed: \"Parliament\

Team Outpost 

On August 28, 2024, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament held its first-ever Free movement in action meeting at the Amdalie Karang border with officials and security personnel. This landmark event aimed to better understand the realities of implementing the protocol for the free movement of people, goods, and services.

The fourth day of this significant engagement saw a focused discussion between border officials and security personnel from both sides of the Amdalie and Karang borders between The Gambia and Senegal. This cross-border convergence provided ECOWAS Parliament with a unique opportunity to engage local communities and stakeholders on the importance of the free movement protocol within the ECOWAS region, addressing both challenges and opportunities.

Senator Melville Snow Jnr of Liberia, Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament\