The Gambian people and Senegalese people are one of the same tribe, same food, same language same culture same physical features, the people of these two nations have a relationship which is in direct solidarity for each other’s predicament. However, the Senegalo- Gambian governmental apparatus coexist in an inverse relationship. The gains of Senegalese government is the loses of the Gambian government and vice versa. Continuation of the prevailing status quo on the ground of the Gambia will always favor Senegal at the loses of Gambians and Gambian as a whole, the obvious conclusion here is Gambia under…
Author: Gainako
By Mathew K Jallow It looks like the plot in a masterpiece Agatha Christie novel, or a scene scripted for a Hollywood movie; imagine a CIA abduction of Edward Snowden from the heart of Moscow; only this one is real and far smaller in political impact. Yet, it does not diminish the gravity of the degeneration of the Gambia’s human rights abuses into the unnerving, apocalyptic state that has gripped the nation in recent times. To begin with, Gambia is a country that has not known peace over the last two decades; the arrests, detentions and incarcerations, which have…
Dismissed, expelled, and incredibly, absolutely no reason advanced. And this the – rumoured, and later confirmed – plight of Hon. Chief Justice Ali Nawaz Chowhan on 12 May 2015. Weeks earlier, the rumour mills were churning out the summary dismissal of Justice Edrissa Fafa M’bai, a Judge of the High Court, now reportedly resurrected and leapfrogged ahead of serving senior Justices to the presidency of The Gambia Court of Appeal. And weeks before that, it was Justice Penda Dibba, also rumoured to be unceremoniously shown the exit as a Judge of the High Court. Her dismissal remains unannounced,…
Jammeh’s Bad-mouthing at Citizens –A Cause for Continued Concern By Yero Jallow “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me” (Martin Niemoller, 1892-1984). The eloquent Pastor Martin Niemoller challenged world Citizens, the German leaders and the…
By Mathew K Jallow The term Founding Father conjures up images of the American Revolution, and applying it to Sir Dawda K. Jawara, has always felt like a stretch for me. Yet, the realism and enigma of Sir Dawda is articulated in the pioneering spirit with which he so ably led the Gambia into the age of political independence. Sir Dawda Jawara was molded in a cast, which almost defied definition. The embodiment of a conglomeration of three cultures wrapped into one person, Sir Dawda, out of social expediency developed a redeeming neutral identity that combined his Wollof cultural…
Statement by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice on LGBT Rights Tomorrow, the international community will mark the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. This day and every day, the United States stands in solidarity with members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and all those around the world who work to advance the unassailable principle that LGBT rights are human rights. The recent unconscionable comments by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh underscore why we must continue to seek a world in which no one lives in fear of violence or persecution because of who they are…
Friends of Banka Manneh in Atlanta have launched a fundraising to help him as he faces a legal battle that threatens the very stability of his family. As he stood with us over the years by taking a lead in confronting issues within our community, this effort was launched as requested by the community at large, to stand with him during this difficult period. This is a local initiative by a broad section of Atlantans to support their local Son, who over the years has been a pillar in the Atlanta community, never missing an opportunity to be in…
Fr CDS Kinteh, Yankuba Touray, Momodou Sabally, Baba Jobe (All mandinkas helped Jammeh be who he is) There are three things among others that I will never be embarrassed or apologetic for – My FAITH. MY RACE. MY TRIBE. These composed my identity and I can’t run away from them. To disparage me by attacking them amounts to disrespecting and insulting my being. When that happens, I cannot reserve any degree of love or respect for you. It does not make me a Bigot, a Racist or Tribalist. Your identity is Your Pride. I’m not going to…
BUJUMBURA, May 15 (Reuters) – Burundian forces arrested the leader of a failed coup on Friday, President Pierre Nkurunziza’s spokesman said, but anti-Nkurunziza protesters said they would return to the streets, setting the stage for more clashes. Major General Godefroid Niyombare was captured two days after announcing Nkurunziza had been overthrown, presidential spokesman Gervais Abayeho said. “He has been arrested. He didn’t surrender,” Abayeho told Reuters. Earlier, Abayeho had said three other generals had been arrested but Niyombare was still on the run. Asked what would happen to the plotters, Abayeho said it was up to the justice system:…
Burundi Gets It Right, Next In Line …. By Yero Jallow “Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you’re a man, you take it” –Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz). Oh well, a citizenry rising up with the backing of its military has ousted the Burundian leader, Pierre Nkurunziza. BBC reported that Nkurunziza has been denied entry to Bujumbura, Burundi’s Capital City. While the move is hailed, and I personally support a citizen/military intervention to liberate oppressed citizens in the hands of unyielding tyrants, the Burundian military must quickly return the…