Author: Yusef Taylor

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Final year University student Kebba Secka was killed in early July 2019 after he was stabbed by Police Officer Lamin Trawally near Palma Rima Junction. According to witnesses Kebba, fondly called Daddy Boston, was chilling with his friends when he was attacked by Lamin Trawally and an alleged second assailant. At a press briefing organised by the Justice Ministry on September 14th 2019, Gainako’s Flex Dan questioned Hon. Abubacarr Tambedu, the Justice Minister, if it “would it be fair to say that the Public’s concern is that the [Government’s] focus is on the burning of properties…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT According to fuel prices published by Atlas Energy Ltd, both petrol and diesel prices have declined by one Gambian Dalasi from August to September 2019. The latest September 2019 prices for fuel per liter are as follows; petrol 52.81 Dalasis and diesel 52.38 Dalasis. According to Gainako’s 2019 Fuel Prices Data, the price of fuel peaked in June and was at its lowest in January for both petrol and diesel. To date the Gambia’s 2019 average price of fuel is 51.37 Dalasis for petrol and 53.09 Dalasis for diesel. It can be seen from the chart…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Popular rapper/ activist Ali “Killa Ace” Cham told Gainako that after reporting to Talingding Police Station on Wednesday 21st August 2019, he received instructions to report to the Anti-Crime Unit (ACU) Headquarters in Bijilo this morning at 8:30 am. Speaking to an executive member of SK Boka Loho, a Serrekunda market association, Hadim Samateh, confirmed that he was also invited to report to the ACU this morning at the same time. This has caused much concern from detainees who were arrested on Saturday 17th August 2019. In addition to the concerns of the detainees, Hadim Samateh…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Popular rapper / activist Ali “Killa Ace” Cham was released Monday 19th August 2019 at around 4pm with no charge after being detained since Saturday afternoon. During his detention he was charged by Police Officers at Talingding Police station with willful damage. The Gambian Hip Hop star is well known for his activism against former President Jammeh and more recently Police brutality. “They came with two pickup trucks” On Sunday 18th August, in the evening many were concerned that the “Go Gotta Go” Raptivist was being singled out when news of his transfer from Kairaba Police…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Yesterday Gainako’s Flex Dan reported that outspoken Gambian rapper / activist Ali “Killa Ace” Cham and dozen others including the brother of now late Ousman Darboe were arrested by Gambia’s Anti Crime Unit (ACU). Today after visiting Killa Ace and another brother of now late Ousman Darboe at Kairaba Police station among others we have just received news that Killa Ace is being transferred to Police Headquarters in Banjul. Police PRO Speaks Earlier this afternoon a source sent an exclusive interview with Police PRO, Lamin Njie who confirmed that “they are being arrested and investigated on…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT On 17th August 2019 the Gambia Anti Crime Unit conducted raids in Serrekunda Market which resulted in the arrest of dozens of youths, mostly males in connection to last months protest. It can be recalled that during last months protest which started at Serrekunda, the house of Gorgi Mboob, (head of Anti Crime Unit) was burnt down by rioters. Last months protest erupted after the death of a market vendor, Ousman Darboe, a Sierra Leonean national, who friends and relatives say was allegedly tortured at the Anti Crime Unit. Speaking to an executive member of the…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Since publishing two articles on fuel increases for June and July this year, Gainako’s Flex Dan has finally obtained a complete set of fuel prices in The Gambia for 2019. According to data from Atlas Energy Ltd fuel prices have increased again this August after declining only once this year from June to July. To ensure uniformity of data sources Fuel prices quoted in these series have all been obtained from Atlas Energy Ltd who Africa Outlook say have “obtained a 30 percent market share in just three years”. In previous Fuel price publications it was…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Context On Tuesday 30th July 2019, the Gambia National Assembly ratified a $93 Million USD financing agreement with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). The speech read out by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Hon. Mamboury Njie highlighted that The Gambia requires “significant investment in infrastructure and other social amenities in the country … for the successful hosting of the 2022 OIC summit in The Gambia”. According to the 2019 Budget Speech authored by the current Finance Minister “currently our public debt to GDP is about 88 percent, highlighting an unsustainable trajectory. This requires…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Context Yusupha Njie, a family representative of Kebba Secka, killed by Police Officers on 7th July 2019 made startling revelations at Team Gom Sa Bopa’s press conference on Police brutality. Mr. Njie was adamant that two suspects were involved in his brother Kebba’s death. He believes there is a cover up on the identity of the second suspect. A press release from the Gambian Police stated that Kebba Secka was stabbed with a knife by Police Officer Lamin Trawally, at Palma Rima Junction. Responding to questions if the authorities have extended condolences since Kebba’s death, Yusupha…

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Press Conference On Monday 29th July 2019, Gambian youth movement Team Gom Sa Bopa which translates into believe in yourself held a press conference and announced to the press and the onwatching public that security agents from the recently renamed Secret Intelligence Services were present in the crowd. The movement held a press conference on police brutality and #OccupyBAC (Brikama Area Council) protest which sparked civil unrest in the Gambia in various areas such as Serrekunda Market, Bijilo and Brikama. At least two people have been allegedly killed by security officials namely Kebba ‘Daddy Boston’ Secka…