Author: Yusef Taylor

Yusef Taylor, commonly known as Flex Dan is an editor and practising journalist based in the Gambia with a keen interest in human rights, the economy and good governance among many others. He continues to break news on the economy, human rights violations and is highly engaged in security sector reforms, constitutional reform and the transition of the Gambia from dictatorship to a democracy, the NewGambia. Yusef has been working with Gainako as a media practitioner from 2015 to date. He has a degree in Civil Engineering with 5 years of Design Consultancy experience.

By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission’s (TRRC’s) Essa Faal held the first regular press conference to update the public of the latest developments on the TRRC. During the Press Conference he dominated his exchange with the press and even managed to send a warning message to future witnesses. In his statement he stated that ‘We know that some witnesses who have been summoned or subpoenaed to testify are currently working with lawyer in preparation for their testimony.’ In a followup question Gainako’s Flex Dan asked ‘you mentioned that there are witnesses who have started getting legal…

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By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Introduction As a member of the media my role is not to interfere in the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) but to highlight information which may be of interest to the commission. I hereby send this communique identifying supporting evidence submitted to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) by former President Sir. Dawda K. Jawara. Sir Dawda K. Jawara took The Gambian state to the ACHPR seeking for judgment and according to the document titled ‘147/95 – 149/96: Sir Dawda K. Jawara / Gambia (The)’ there at least three pieces of evidence…

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By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT, reporting by Ciz JJ A group of Christians donated some books to the Gambian Law Faculty at the Office of the Chief Justice today, Wednesday 17th April 2019. The donations courtesy of Rev. John Loum, were received by the Attorney General Hassan B. Jallow at around midday. The donation was courtesy of Dr. Rev. John Loum with input from the Jesuit University St. Louis. The donations were facilitated by Ministry of Justice’s Amine S Ceesay. The presentation was attended by the Director General of the Law Faculty and members of the Judiciary which included Aminatta Saho…

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By Adama Makasuba, edited by Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT The remains of seven soldiers killed on 11th November, 1994 have been unearthed at Yundum Army Barracks by the Investigation team of the Truth Reconciliation and Reparation Commission on Wednesday, 17th April 2019. This revelation was preceded by almost two weeks of excavation by the TRRC’s Investigative team. The remains found at the mass grave includes, skeletons, disintegrated skull, rings, under wears and ropes believed to have been tied round the hands of the victims. Witnesses, who testified before the commission said the victims were tied with their hands behind and taken…

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By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Today at the ‘Sustaining Peace through Governance’ round table diplomatic meeting the lights went off at Kairaba Beach Hotel for a couple of minutes. Soon after the lights came on the Minister of Justice, Hon. Baa Tambedou made a joke that the black out was intentional and it shows that ‘Energy is very important for us to see the National Development Plan’. The Hon. Minister then proceeded to change the program by announcing that the media must leave so all stakeholders will be allowed to express themselves freely. I then interjected to the surprise of many…

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By Ciz JJ, edited by Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Context Gainako received information from a couple on the costs of obtaining marriage certificates in The Gambia. In an attempt to verify this information Gainako’s Ciz JJ contacted an official at the Registry’s Office by the name of Sukunda Mendy. Ciz JJ – I received some information on the cost of getting a marriage certificate at the Registry’s Office from a friend who is about to get married and wanted to confirm with your office prior to publishing. Is it true that to obtain a marriage certificate one needs to get; A…

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By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT News that Gambian Afropop Musician, Jizzle has signed a one year music distribution deal with Universal Music has been making the rounds on social media. Gainako’s Flex Dan got in touch with the rising star’s manager, Mr. Abou Busso for an interview to shed light on this ground breaking development. Flex Dan: I first learnt of the distribution deal from a Facebook post by Yuva Abdoulie Fula earlier this week, what is his affiliation to Jizzle’s team? Mr Abou Busso: He is the one who does the distribution for us [Jizzle Music]. FD: Is this the…

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By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Having recently returned home to The Gambia I have visited the National Assembly seeking for information and advocating for the repeal of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill. In my brief encounter with the Gambian Parliament I have observed that it speaks the language of The Gambian people when being closely watched. However, turn your back on them for a second and they’re busy reversing all the good work they have done in your presence. This article aims to present examples where the National Assembly went wrong and to encourage the most important arm of government to speak…

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By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT Gambia Bureau of Statistics, GBoS commenced a two day training for Journalists on the use of statistics at SeneGambia Beach Hotel. According to the GBoS Facebook page the training is being conducted ‘with assistance from the European Union’. The training ‘aims to build capacity of Journalists in getting information out of data and using it to back their stories’. The two day training which commenced today will conclude tomorrow 3rd April 2019. The first day training was conducted by Lamin L. Dibba, Principal Statistician at GBoS. Gainako Online Newspaper sent two media practitioners to the two…

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By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT: Dated 20th March 2019 The issue of Nominated National Assembly members is one which has raised allot of eyebrows especially in the wake of the recent replacement of one nominated member. Currently the constitution allows the President to nominate up to 5 National Assembly members which include the Speaker of the House. “(i) Composition of the National Assembly: it’s currently made up of 53 elected members and 5 other members nominated by the President.” – CRC Issues Document, 8 In my layman understanding this contradicts the principles of ‘Separation of Powers’ as such vested powers allow…

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