By Mathew K Jallow Suddenly, it has taken center stage in the political discourse, to assume the dominant role in yet another historic “presidential” election cycle. In previous elections, the issue came up almost as an afterthought, and typically, the response was, as always, arrogant disregard. This year seems a little different though, due to the politicians’ level of fixation with the issue, and the inordinate amount of time invested in elevating it as the deal-breaker in next year’s electoral cycle. It seems the politicians have finally found a way to force the regime’s hand…
Author: Gainako
By Ebrima Manneh Under the first republic, Gambians enjoyed and exercised their freedom. They exercised dissent and were not afraid to criticize the government on the issues that impacted their daily lives. They were confident that such criticism will not get them killed or land them in jail. The people enjoyed the liberty of worshiping according to their belief systems because the government embraced and tolerated it. It may not have been a perfect system, but there was rule of law, balance of power and a broad and effective representation from all parts of our society. The first republic…
By Fatou Jaw Manneh “A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim” –Maya Angelou. I was growing up in my native land, The Gambia, I never heard of anything called International Woman or Women’s Day. I am Muslim, and going by tradition and religion, and as the norm in the area I come from, the woman’s role is mainly to be a stay-at-home mum and wife, taking care of husband and children, the gardens. My Mum used to advise me that a high school education was good enough for a housewife.…
Ronald J Brockmeyer, who is accused of fixing traffic tickets for himself and associates, was a driving force behind using fines and fees to generate revenue. The judge in Ferguson, Missouri, who is accused of fixing traffic tickets for himself and colleagues while inflicting a punishing regime of fines and fees on the city’s residents, also owes more than $170,000 in unpaid taxes. Ronald J Brockmeyer, whose court allegedly jailed impoverished defendants unable to pay fines of a few hundred dollars, has a string of outstanding debts to the US government dating back to 2007, according to tax…
By Baba Galleh Jallow Hashtag Momla Rekati was flabbergasted. He was totally flummoxed and besides himself with a combination of rage, worry and confusion that threatened to blow his pear-shaped head into a thousand small pieces. For a long time he gazed at his latest depiction as Mr. Anonymous. No eyes, no nose, no mouth, no ears and no face! The blankness made him feel as if he did not exist; as if he was merely an invisible presence that could neither see, nor talk or hear. Several times, he reached up and touched his face and pinched his…
By Sarjo Bayang Without needing to think hard or far, the truth is right under your nose. For more than 20 years Yaya Jammeh keeps recycling assorted brands of deception. Certainly were Jammeh not one big fool to think he is able to escape scrutiny by curiously attentive observers then majority of Gambians can be counted bigger fools in their own rights in believing his imaginary development talks. From independence to republic status there are no leaps in the economic advancement of Gambia indicating a nation relying on tourism and peanut sale can become superpower overnight. Even after knowing…
4TH March 2015 This is to convey for public notice that PDOIS has held no meeting with CORDEG. The Central Committee is investigating the source of the misrepresentation of the party and would issue a public statement on the matter in due course. Halifa Sallah
Meets with UPD, PPP Leaders and PDOIS Representative Hon. Ousainou Darbo, Hon. Omar Jallow (OJ) and Malik Kah of PDOIS’s European Chapter, met on 23 February 2015 with CORDEG executive members to discuss important matters relating to the scheduled 2016 elections. The meeting lasted one hour and thirty minutes and brainstormed on the following pertinent issues. Electoral reforms, the political party leaders emphasised the imperative for a root and branch reform of Gambia’s electoral system in order to create a level playing field and to guarantee the credibility of any polls prior to the next Presidential and National Assembly elections…
The Gambia Consultative Council, in order to meet past and new challenges, has revamped its executive. In light of the recent resignation of a high profile member, Mr. Falai Baldeh, and the aborted effort to restore democracy and the rule of law in Gambia, the executive decided, after prolonged consultations, among members, to realign and revamp its executive, to effectively stand to the challenging test of the Gambia’s struggle for political change. In light of this, the decision to involve and defer important, key decision-making, to a younger generation of both men and women, was unanimously agreed upon. Consequently,…
It was yet another episode for Seattle Gambians who are emerging to make Seattle Washington “A No Go Zone” for Gambian dictator and his enablers. This time was a confrontation with African American comedian, dancer and actor Ben Vereen during his preview launching of the “the Kunta Kinteh Island movie at the Seattle Arts Museum Saturday night february 28th. The Seattle Gambian activists on a short notice prepared some literature and flyers to attend the event in down town Seattle. They came in, paid $45 tickets at the door, joined the crowd to listen to all the speeches by some famous…