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GPU Raises Concerns Over Defamation Suits against The Voice & The Alkamba Times

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  The Gambia Press Union (GPU) is deeply concerned by the country’s press freedom situation after the Gambian president and his environment minister decided to sue two newspapers for defamation. President Adama Barrow’s suit against The Voice, a privately-owned daily newspaper, stems from a September 23rd story which claims President Barrow has chosen a successor as part of an exit plan. The case was called before the Kanifing High Court today (October 25, 2024) before it was adjourned till November 22, 2024 and Musa Sheriff, the Editor-In-Chief, and The Voice newspaper given 30 days within which to file their defence. Similarly, the Minister of Environment, Rohey John Manjang, has filed a defamation suit against reporter Kebba Ansu Manneh and The Alkamba Times claiming damages of up to D50 million ($725, 479 at today’s exchange rate). The case will be mentioned at the High Court in Banjul on November 12, 2024. The Environment Minister’s suit against the reporter and the online news pl

YJAG concludes capacity building training for press club members

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  The Young Journalists Association of the Gambia(YJAG) on Sunday 20 October , 2024 concluded a two-day basic journalism training for press club members at St Michael's Junior and Senior Secondary school in Njongon village in the lower Niumi North Bank Region.  The training that gathers over fifty (50) students, was considered the first and most successful training received by the students at St Michael's Junior and Senior Secondary school press.  The first day of the training, students were taken through basic news writing, reporting, terminologies in journalism, among others. They were given class exercise in order to guage their understanding on the topics presented to them. At the climax of the training, YJAG executive members were invited at the Niumi FM to discuss about the importance of the training  and other activities of The Young Journalists Association of the Gambia.  The final day of the training, students were presented with topics such as; interviews, news presen

‘Industrial Scale’ Foreign Disinformation Campaigns Fuel Anger, Confusion

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Dai Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping wave during the welcoming ceremony of an economic summit. Disinformation campaigns seeking to manipulate African information systems have increased nearly fourfold since 2022. That is according to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS), which linked disinformation campaigns to increased violence, support for coups, expanded anti-Western rhetoric and the spread of confusion about health care. These campaigns also work to erode confidence in traditional media sources. Nearly 60% of disinformation campaigns in Africa are linked to countries outside the continent. The efforts, aided by emerging technology, are mostly driven by Russia, although China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also push false narratives as they seek to spread their influence. Such contrived narratives are flourishing as Africa now has more than 400 million active social media users and 600 million internet users. Of t

Black Star FC wins the Bell Football Tournament for second time.

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It was a tough display of soccer Maneuvers on the field as Tungina United locked horns with Black Star FC of Pirang. Black Star capitalized on early chances to score. Musa Jarju netted both the first and the second goal of the match in the first half of the encounter. Tungina United fought vigorously but could not neutralize. Eventually, the match ended 2-0 in favor of the Black Star FC of Pirang. The kickoff was taken by the Alkalo of Kuloro Mr Siaka Saidy who advised the players to accept the outcome of the match in good faith.” In every game, there must be a winner and a loser. The tournament is meant to enhance peace ” Mr. Kebba Barry, the first chairperson of the Kuloro and Tungina Sports Committee made similar sentiments. This is the second edition of the Bell Bottling Company’s Football Tournament in Kuloro following a successful one last year The winners, Black Star FC went with a trophy and cash prize of D10,000 while the losers, Tungina United got D5,000. The chief of Kombo E

Speaker Jatta elected as President for CPA Africa Region

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The Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly, Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has been elected as the President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region, during the recently concluded CPA Africa Region Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Arusha, Tanzania. The election of Hon. Jatta is in recognition of his leadership qualities and his commitment to fostering parliamentary democracy on the African continent. The CPA promotes democratic governance, good parliamentary practices, and inter-parliamentary cooperation among member states. The Africa Region of the CPA is instrumental in addressing key challenges facing parliaments across the continent, and under Hon. Jatta’s leadership, it is expected to continue driving initiatives that strengthen legislative institutions and governance. In his acceptance speech, Hon. Jatta expressed deep gratitude to the CPA Africa delegates for the confidence they have placed in him, and he reaffirmed his dedication to upholding the CPA’s va

7 KEI workers electrocuted to death

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The Barra Police On Wednesday, October 9th 2024 received a report of an incident at Kerr Gallo involving seven worker from KEI construction company who have believe to died from an electric shock, while working on or erecting an electric pole. The police are currently investigating to ascertain the circumstances leading to this tragic event.  This is a developing story. 

Cisse steps down as Senegal Head Coach after nine and half years

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Aliou Cisse has stepped down from his position as Senegal's head coach after nine and a half years in charge of the Teranga Lions. Cisse, 48, led Senegal to their first continental title, winning the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and even though his previous contract ended in August, he remained in charge for Senegal’s two 2025 Afcon qualifiers last month, a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso and a 1-0 victory over Burundi. Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) wanted Cisse’s deal to be renewed but the sports ministry, under Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s new government, decided to end his long tenure just nine days before the next round of qualifiers. The timing of the move comes as a surprise as Cisse had already called for a press conference on Friday to announce his squad for this month’s double-header against Malawi. Cisse, who won 35 caps for Senegal as a player, took charge in March 2015. He helped establish the Teranga Lions as Africa’s top-ranked side for over four years. Their Nations Cup t

Gov’t urged to drop charges against journalists

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Amnesty international, have urged the government of President Adama Barrow to drop all charges against journalists Musa Sheriff and Momodou Darboe. The human rights watchdog wrote on x formerly Twitter. “We are concerned about the continuous use of vague criminal legal provisions to stifle freedom of expression, and call on the government to drop all charges against the journalists Musa Sheriff and Momodou Darboe, and to release Musa Sheriff.” according to the release. On 30 September Musa Sheriff, a journalist of The Voice Newspaper was detained and charged with false publication and broadcasting for an article discussing president Barrow’s potential pick as a successor. His colleague Momodou Darboe received the same charge.

Voice Newspaper Editor Charged with False Publication, Detained

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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 vio

Shine Lights In Girls Education presents school materials to 72 girls.

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     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's Office in Brikama is the fifth edition of the annual gift which began in 2019 with only six girls. Presiding over the ceremony, the president of the organization, Mr Ebrima Fadera emphasized the need for the beneficiaries to perform satisfactorily in school noting that girls could drop out of the sponsorship package if they're for poor academic performance. " It is not our responsibility for girls to learn, that is the responsibility of parents" He added that the Organisation is donating school materials to empower girls but parents have a role to make good use of the opportunity to ensu

GPU Condemns Arrest and Detention of Journalist Momodou Justice Darboe, Threats from President

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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 23 rd 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 ruli

Tungina FC and Black Star FC qualify for the Bell Football Tournament Finals

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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.

GEA Commends Gov’t for Preserving Abuko Nature Reserve

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  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's stance on safeguarding this crucial ecological site.  Abuko Nature Reserve plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity, regulating the  local climate, and serving as a key floodplain. The decision to keep the reserve intact  aligns with The Gambia's national conservation laws and international environmental  commitments.” the release said. GEA called on the government to take all necessary step in restoring Abuko Nature  Reserve to its full vitality.  “We recommend the following. Rehabilitation of the Reserve: Invest

Trial of Micheal Sang Correa in The U.S.A. Postponed

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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 t

Bell Football Tournament begins in Kuloro

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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.

ECOWAS Parliament Convened Youth Peace Dialogue In The Gambia

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     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's role in the implementation of the protocol on the free movement of persons, rights of residence and establishment in the ECOWAS region." The youth dialogue tagged amalgamating youth forks under one umbrella for peace and nation-building within the ECOWAS member countries. On her part, Veronica Kadie Sesay, co-chair from Freetown who doubles as the Chairwoman of the Committee on Social Affairs, Gender and Women empowerment, said the number of migrants d

ECOWAS Parliament Holds Free Movement in Action - Interactive Session at the Karang-Amdalai Border

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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's Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security, and African Peer Review Mechanism, led the engagement. He em

AOHJ President Attends Editors Roundtable Training

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Team Outpost  Sally Jarju, the President of Association of Health Journalists (AOHJ) is attending a two day's workshop for media executives and science/health journalists in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 19-20th August 2024.  The training is powered by the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC.) The event is in alignment with its strategic communication objectives for 2024, to conduct regional engagements with member states and key stakeholders to increase their knowledge and identify their role in implementing the agency's five years strategic plan. Under the theme: Building a Strong and Effective Media Engagement Partnership for Africa CDC, the editors roundtable engagement aims to provide the media executives with first-hand information and indepth-knowledge about Africa CDC’s mandate, its strategic vision (2023-2027), and the New Public Health Order among others.  The event will endeavor to establish concrete partnership and commitment with media executi

Fatou Bensouda receives ‘Diplomatic Excellence Award’

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 Fatou Bensouda, Gambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, was honored by the Asia One Europe-Africa Business and Social Forum with the Diplomatic Excellence Award. This award was presented to Heads of Diplomatic Missions who have shown exceptional dedication to serving their countries and fostering better diplomatic relations with other nations. The award recognizes the recipients' teamwork, positive bilateral and multilateral relationships, and their efforts in commercial and personal interactions while carrying out their diplomatic duties.

Gambia ends Olympics without medal

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By Cherno Omar Bob  The Gambia ended the Paris 2024 Olyympic Games without any of its 7 athletes winning a medal. The Gambia was represented by 3 athletes in athletics, 2 swimmers, 1 judoka and 1 taekwondo.  Alasan Ann was the last athlete to take to the stage on Saturday 10th August 2024 and lost 2-0 to Croatian Ivan Sapina in his Men +80kg round of sixteen at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The fight for Ann who was making his maiden Olympic appearance for The Gambia took place at Grand Palaise, Paris. The two-time medalist in the men’s 87 kg event at the World Taekwondo Championships and two-time medalist, including gold, in his event at the European Taekwondo Championships beat Ann in round two. Ann is the first Gambian taekwondo athlete to qualified to the Olympic Games. The 23-year-old secured his qualification as one of 16 Africans who secured a Paris 2024 quota spots at the 2024 African Taekwondo Olympic Qualification Tournament in Dakar. Ann reached the final of the African qual