By Yusef Taylor @FlexDan_YT on Twitter The 58th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights has commenced with the traditional Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) Forum and the 32nd African Human Rights Book Fair. The NGOs forum which took place at the Paradise Suites Hotel on April 3rd is scheduled to conclude on April 5th. This event attracts human rights organisations across the continent to discuss pressing human rights issues, with key focus on torture, abuse of power by leaders, detention without trial, violence against women and many other human rights violations across the African Continent. Below is the…
Author: Yusef Taylor
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 on Twitter On Saturday 26th November the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) held a rally at Sukuta, Kombo North, in the so called “no go area” for Gambian Opposition. From 1965 to 1994, PPP was the dominant ruling party until a military Junta led by Yahya Jammeh overthrew the previous President Sir. Dawda Kairaba Jawara. Soon after the illegal coup of a democratically elected government, the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) came into power and banned the PPP from Political activity. Fast forward two decades of tyranny and dictatorship, the PPP is now revived with a…
By Yusef Taylor (Flex) The family of Ebrima Ceesay are appealing to the general public for information to help trace their loved one who has been missing since 28th November 2015. The family are currently searching for their loved one and will reward anybody who provides information leading to his safe return up to $1,000 (D39,580 Gambian Dalasis). Ebrima is 39 years old and is 5 feet 8 inches tall, slim but a strongly built young man who speaks fluent English, Wollof and Creole. Ebrima was last seen in the morning of November 28th, 2015 wearing a blue T-shirt and…
Date: Saturday 20th February London, UK – UK Gambian activists will gather to hold public protests commemorating The Gambia’s 51st Independence anniversary at the Trafalgar Square in London. Participants will converge at Trafalgar square by 12 mid-day and proceed to 10 Downing Street, where a petition will be delivered to the British Prime Minister’s office. This is a call for all Gambians, sympathizers of the country and human rights organisations to turn out in their numbers to participate and keep the pressure on Yahya Jammeh’s APRC Regime. 2016 is an important year for all Gambians and a genuine opportunity for…
By Sanna Camara and Yusef Taylor Despite facing deaths and kidnappings by rebels, dozens of Gambian youths have been reportedly stranded in the Sahara desert on their journey to Europe. They have to pay their way out, source confirmed. At least 1,000 African migrants leave every week from Agadez to cross the Sahara to Libya, sources have said this week. But many lose their monies to bandits, trafficking and smuggling groups as well as rebels and are left stranded in the desert countries. Reports say over fifty Gambians are among those being held at Mauritania/Algeria border by rebels, who demand…
By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT On 24th November, the world woke up to news that The Gambia will ban female genital mutilation (FGM). Gambia’s President Yahyah Jammeh made the pronouncement for an FGM ban during his political rally at his home village, Kanilai. According to International newspaper, The Guardian “Jammeh said the ban would come into effect immediately, though it was not clear when the government would draft legislation to enforce it”. In typical Presidential directive style, Jammeh announced the long awaited ban with threats, arrogantly proclaiming that “he, therefore, warned parents, chiefs, Alkalolou and female circumcision practitioners to shun the…
By Yusef Taylor, @FlexDan_YT The Gambia hosts the 57th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (The Commission) at Kairaba Beach Hotel, from 4th to 18th November. The Commission was preceded by the NGO forum and the 31st African Human Rights Book Fair which was held from October 31st to November 2nd. By the end of November the Gambia was bustling with representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from the African Continent. Starting from the fourth preceding sessions will focus on; State reporting guidelines and a preparation update on the celebration of…
Written by Yusef Taylor and edited by Sanna Camara On 22nd September 2015, the Africa Europe Development Platform (AEDP) held the Europe and Africa Post 2015 – Migration, Diasporas, and Development policy meeting in London to discuss the role of the African diaspora in the post- 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During the panel discussions on ‘Safeguarding the human rights of women and girls: building on best practice and maximising impact – Diaspora’s role in safeguarding the human rights of women and girls’, Akinyi Roselyn Walender, the Director of Women’s Leadership (Cordaid) in the Netherlands stated that currently we have an interesting…
Yusef Taylor reporting from London, United Kingdom The Interim Executive Director, Africa-Europe Development Platform (AEDP) has argued that the Diaspora has a massive opportunity “to play the role of a broker” between the European and the African Unions to ensure that policies needed to implement development initiatives progress. Chairing a policy seminar in London this week themed “Europe and Africa Post 2015 – Migration, Diasporas, and Development”, Mr. Gibril Faal said since the Diaspora lives abroad; “they have vested interest in both regions and could be able to play the role of mediator between the two regional bodies.” According to…
Context This is an invitation to all concerned Human Rights activist, Organisations and Individuals to a Human Rights Symposium in the UK scheduled for the 25th of July in London. Proceedings will begin at 12:00 hrs at the Athlone Hall, Athlone Street, Kentish Town, London NW5 4LN. The main purpose of the symposium is to highlight the deteriorating human rights situation and the imminent death penalty expansion. On the 30th of June the Gambia’s National Assembly passed a bill to marginalise 99% of Gambians and promote a single Party system. Next on the National Assembly’s sight is the expansion of…