The much talked about Raleigh Conference is now history. The analysis; the debates, disagreements, the optimism and skepticism will continue in different directions sometimes heated and other times embraced. Raleigh to us was yet another opportunity, another chapter in the history of our country for citizens to gather; exchange ideas, share a meal and stories that many of our citizens have and continue to endure in the last two decades. The Raleigh conference could not have come at the worst time in the history of our country. Almost every Gambian is in agreement in one way or another that what…
Author: Gainako
By Lamin Sabally, Minneapolis, Minnesota HERE ARE RECENT HILARIOUSLY FUNNY BUT TRUE GIBES BETWEEN KIANKAS AND BADIBUKAS. Some years ago, I beautifully wrote an opinion article touhing on the long-established importance of joking relations between and among different regions, tribes and clans in the Gambia and attempted to neatly portray its entrenched exceptional significance in bolstering the unshakable cohesiveness of Senegambians. The Kal or Sanawuya/ Dankuto as known in the Wolof and Mandinka dialects respectively, is a documented national-cherished treasure, and its continuous relevance in the maintenance and fortification of peace, stability and co-existence in Senegambia is infinitely rewarding. The…
“The Gambia’s problem, in a nutshell, is that we have a ruthless dictator sitting tight at the helm of our polity. He has demonstrated his unwillingness to climb down calmly, instead exhibiting behavior that would require all of us to muster the courage to send him crashing down from the peak.”
Last week it made headline news in a number of papers that Hamat Bah has accepted my invitation to a debate. In fact, it is reported that he has even said that I am fond of inviting other politicians to a debate who often decline the invitation but that he, Hamat, has been invited for the first time and has accepted. I want your readers to note that this impression Hamat is trying to make signifies a classic case of twisting facts and scenarios to divert the attention of the people from the central points raised in my letter to him which…
Speech of the leader of the Democratic Alliance Party, Sheikh Sidia Bayo sent to the National Conference in North Carolina, the United States Here is a moment of truth and history for the liberation of our country, the Gambia, to put an end to 19 years of tyranny and militarized republic. Words are a powerful weapon, thank you to all Gambians media who do a great job to put the dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh in the light, these heroes are the heart of our struggle, they call Pa Nderry, Seedy Ceesay, Alhagie Mustapha Faye, Bamba Mass, Musa Saydikhan, Oussainou Baye…
“The Role and Responsibility of The Gambia Government in Promoting and Protecting Freedom of Expression and Media Within the Framework of National Development” under the theme: Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in all Media” After three centuries of modern society, the newspaper (that has now grown into the generic umbrella of media) has had an intrinsic role to play in the functions of government. While the right to freely express criticism of government and governors has become a cornerstone of press freedom, civilised society has, through those centuries, endeavoured to negotiate the parameters within which each could carry…
The Raleigh Conference attended by Gambians from every corner of the world has successfully concluded with a new binding resolution expressing grave concerns on the political and human rights situation in the Gambia. The delegation which for the first time saw prominent former members of the ruling PPP, current opposition leaders, civil society leaders, the media and many young Gambian activists went through a long two day conference to discuss and pave a new way forward in finding a lasting solution to the political oppression in the Gambia. The conference which began with heated discussions and challenges as expected in…
By D. A. Jawo Gambians have long been subjected to all sorts of rumors and allegations about the maltreatment of detainees in the hands of our security forces, with stories of both physical and mental torture being frequently administered on detainees, mostly to elicit information as well as humiliate them. However, for the simple fact that very few Gambians were willing to talk about whatever they went through in detention, it was not possible to know the truth from the speculations. There has always been a tendency among Gambians, largely out of fear of retribution, to keep mute over whatever ordeal…
First day of the two day Raleigh conference in North Carolina took off earnestly in the early hours of Saturday morning. Without wasting time delegates dived right into the discussion tackling the first agenda on an ambitious full day list of issues. The first was discussion on the issue of constant violations of Human rights; absence of good governance and rule of law in the Gambia… the panelist among them Dr. Amadou Janneh; Prominent lawyer and leader of the UDP Alhagie Ousainou Darboe and Ousainou Mbenga, were to discuss specific prescriptions to address these challenges and usher in real changes..
Gambian from all over the world will converge at Raleigh North Caroline this weekend May 17th through May 19th. The conference is a call to conscience for every Gambian who is able to make it to come together and discuss the political and governing status of our beloved Gambia. By now almost every Gambian have come to their senses that our country is on the wrong path of history. History has thought us that it is the responsibility of citizenry to stand up and demand good governance, rule of law and respect for the dignity and freedom of every citizen.…