The Peoples Republic of China and African countries have developed warm enduring ties. The ties between China and African countries go back to the 1950s when shortly after the proclamation of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949, Chinese leaders of that era, namely Chairman Mao Tse Tung and Prime Minister Zhou en-Lai declared their intent to establish links of friendship and solidarity with newly independent African countries. Thus in 1964, when Premier Zhou visited 10 African countries, he outlined the five principles that would guide China’s relations with African countries. The most important of the principles outlined by Premier…
Author: Gainako
By D. A. Jawo There are all indications that the Gambia is drifting towards a very dangerous path, while those in authority are only looking at one direction; which is to continue to subject President Yahya Jammeh’s opponents to all sorts of humiliation and degrading treatment, including torturing some to death, but without considering the possible negative consequences such actions could lead to. Looking at various video clips posted on social media about the reactions to the perceived brutalities meted out to peaceful opposition demonstrators and the ongoing trial of Ousainou Darboe and virtually the entire executive of the United…
It has been over two weeks since the political uprising in Gambia. Throughout the last two years we have been daunted with claims that our political leaders will stand up and lead the people: Youth and political activists have led a practical demand for electoral reform by staging a protest. They have been met with brutal force and death; one of the leaders of the opposition UDP rallied his people and demanded justice, he too along with his leadership have been arrested, paraded in court and incarcerated. We have waited for two weeks for other political leaders to show solidarity…
By Sheriff Kora There is no tragedy greater than the citizens of a nation resigning their citizenship due to the lack of faith in their own abilities to change their political condition. This is the unfortunate reality in The Gambia — a country clutched in the hands an autocratic regime with less regard for human rights or the rule of law. Whilst the greater part of the West Africa region is embracing the democratic ideals of freedom of expression, assembly, free and fair elections, and transparency, Gambians are confronted by a state of misrule and intolerance to any opposition and political dissent.…
The wave of protest to show solidarity with victims of the recent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators in Gambia has reached the shores of Scandinavia where the waves finally hit the city of Oslo yesterday evening Friday 29th April at 4:30pm. After attending the normal Friday prayers and listening to a strong sermon from an eloquent Imam who touched on holding fast to the truth in this world come what may, concerned Gambians and friends of the Gambia marched out to the Younstorget open Plaza Downtown Oslo to protest against recent happenings in the Gambia. Despite the short notice given ,…
The Killing of Solo Sandeng and his Colleagues will have severe consequences for President Jammeh as EU may boycott Gambia`s December election. One of UK`s longest serving Member of European Parliament and former senior vice president of the Parliament Rt Hon David martin has said that European Union may not send and election observation mission to the Gambia to observe the December Presidential election as The European Union cannot endorse an election which has no prospect of being fair,free,inclusive and peaceful. “I highly doubt there will be an European Union Mission to observe the election unless there is a dramatic change in the political situation. The EU…
As the saying goes, the best way to expose the weaknesses of bullies is to stand up to them. For 21 plus years Yahya Jammeh leader of the small West African State of the Gambia and his clique of mediocre have held the Gambian people hostage. The President and his few notorious securities have intimidated Gambians from every sector of society. No Gambian citizen being it politicians; religious leaders, Journalists, public servants, private independent citizens, artists, students, activists, members of parliament, business men/women, security personnel and even diplomats dare say a word in opposition to the incompetence of the…
West Africa Review © ISSN: 1525-4488 Issue 15 (2009) WALKING THE LINE OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE: THE CASE OF GAMBIAN GOVERNMENT AND MORAL INTEGRITY Nkemdilim Amelia Izuako* Abstract The article narrates what transpired after Justice Izuako gave a minority judgment in Gambia, rejecting the State’s argument and challenging its attempt to use the judiciary to stifle political opponents. The government retaliated by levelling charges of professional incompetence and misconduct against her,and terminating her services. Her 2005 dissenting judgment on the sedition case immediately follows. Keywords: sedition, gambia, judiciary, judicial independence It is one thing to pontificate on the virtues of judicial…
By Mathew K Jallow As an inter-party round-table discussion panel gets underway at the IEC, a significant element is missing; Ousainou Darboe, UDP party leader; Gambia’s largest opposition. No one knows what the Inter-party discussions are about yet, what is clear is that with leaders of the main opposition illegally held in detention for exercising their constitutional rights, it is not the time to discuss any issue around the 2016 elections. But, if the discussions center on the unconditional freedom of UDP party leader, Ousainou Darboe and other UDP officials in detention, the topic is right, but the meeting is…