SABALLY FINALLY GOES HOME

 

Momodou Sabally

The Standard-Two days after he was granted bail by a high court judge, Momodou Sabally, the former secretary general and minister of presidential affairs has finally been released from Mile 2 Central Prison last evening.

Earlier yesterday his lawyer, Antouman Gaye, confirmed  to The Standard . “Yes, he is [still] in custody because we are still trying to fulfill the bail conditions.”  

Sabally, 40, was granted bail on Tuesday, four months and three weeks after he was arrested for allegedly causing economic loss to the state.

He was to be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond in the sum of D1.5 million with one surety for the like amount to the satisfaction of the court.

Rural poverty in The Gambia

Rural women deserve more than simple recognition 

The most vulnerable groups in the rural parts of The Gambia are women, children and the elderly, as well as ethnic minorities who live in remote areas. The majority of these women continue to play a subservient role. Despite being the hardest hit, they contribute to the well-being of their families and the development of rural economies. 

And despite their efforts in providing food for their family, they have little or no say in the way the family spends its income. Women form more than 50 percent of the Gambian population and yet they are the poorest. 

Like women all over the world, most Gambian women must work as a matter of economic necessity, combining motherhood and child care with labour in the fields, or working as household domestic, market vendors and traders. 

The Gambia remains predominantly agricultural. The increasing migration of rural male labourers to urban areas has sharply extended the feminisation of rural labour and agriculture. Subsistence farming is largely a female activity owing to the historical migration of men to the towns. This is a trend that is still going on. Like in many of the world's poorer countries, these women play a vital role in the rural economy. They are involved in crop production and livestock care, provide food and water for their families, and carry out other activities to diversify their families' livelihood. 

Zeid criticizes harsh legal amendment, violence and arrests targeting gay men and lesbians in The Gambia

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Thursday criticized a recent amendment to the Criminal Code of The Gambia that creates a broad and vague offence of "aggravated homosexuality" punishable by He also expressed alarm at reports of a wave of arbitrary arrests and detention of individuals perceived to be homosexual in The Gambia.

The amendment to the Criminal Code was approved by the National Assembly earlier this year and signed into law by the President on 9 October 2014. It targets, among others, so-called "serial offenders" (meaning individuals with a previous conviction for homosexuality), persons living with HIV, and consensual same-sex partners of persons with disabilities – all of whom could be imprisoned for life. The new law replicates a section of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act denounced by the former High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Secretary-General and the African Commission Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.

“This law violates fundamental human rights – among them the right to privacy, to freedom from discrimination and freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention. It adds to the stigma and abuses that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people already face in The Gambia,” High Commissioner Zeid said.

The Gambia: UN human rights team prevented from completing torture and killing investigations

The United Nations Special Rapporteurs Christof Heyns and Juan Méndez have been prevented from completing a torture and killing investigation during the first visit ever to The Gambia by experts of the independent fact-finding mechanism of the Human Rights Council Special Procedures.

The two UN human rights experts carried out an official mission* to the country to examine the current level of protection of the right to life in law and in practice, and assess the situation and identify challenges regarding torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in The Gambia, among other things. 

In a remarkable and encouraging step, the Gambian Government invited the two UN Special Rapporteurs earlier this year to conduct a joint visit from 3 to 7 November 2014.

Unfortunately, and despite a written agreement accepting the Terms of Reference of the two mandates, once the investigators arrived, the Government denied them access to certain sections of the first prison the two mandate holders attempted to visit. They offered instead a guided tour to parts of the prison, informing that under no circumstances would they be allowed to visit the Security Wing, where inter alia the death row prisoners are held.

Journalist imprisoned after criticizing president

CPJ-A journalist in Sierra Leone has been imprisoned after criticizing President Ernest Bai Koroma's handling of the Ebola outbreak, according to news reports and local journalists. David Tam Baryoh was arrested on Monday.

Baryoh, host of the popular weekly "Monologue" radio program aired on the independent Citizen FM, was arrested in his office by police who did not have a warrant, according to news reports and local journalists. Baryoh was initially detained overnight at the Police Criminal Investigation headquarters in the capital, Freetown, where he met briefly with his lawyer, local journalists told CPJ. He was not allowed to see his wife.
Local journalists said they believed Baryoh's arrest to be in connection with the November 1 "Monologue" show, which was taken off the air during its live broadcast, Kelvin Lewis, president of Sierra Leone's Association of Journalists, told CPJ. In that show, Baryoh interviewed an opposition party spokesman who criticized Koroma and his government's handling of the Ebola outbreak, local journalists said. Baryoh and the party spokesman also criticized Koroma's intention to run for a third term in office, according to news reports. During the program, Baryoh also interviewed Vice-President Samuel Sam-Sumana, whose relationship with Koroma has soured, according to local press reports.

GAMCOTRAP joins one billion rising revolution

Febraury 14 globally, is Valentine day; a day when lovers renew their love, commitment but women and men in The Gambia have been rising together with the rest of the world to end violence against women, thanks to GAMCOTRAP.

GAMCOTRAP, a women’s right NGO, who have over the years been very active and effective in the promotion of women and children’s rights, particularly those relate to female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and other discriminatory practices joined the global energy to strike, dance and rise against Violence against women calling for an end to FGM, early marriage and other gender discriminatory practices affecting women and men in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

V-day is founded by Eve Ensler, a journalist and writer for 15 years and is celebrated on Valentine’s Day globally to bring focus to all forms of violence such as rape, early marriage, battering, Female Genital Mutilation, amongst others and to contribute to the global efforts to end these atrocities in every country and community.

In preparation of the One Billion Rising 2015, GAMCOTRAP held a press briefing to update the public on rising to end violence against women in the Gambia. The executive director of GAMCOTRAP, Dr Isatou Touray said:

 “We rise, we dance, we demand for justice but we now want to change in perceptions and attitudes to dismantle patriarchy and change institutions to take responsibility to end violence against women. We have the responsibility to protect women and girls from all forms of harmful traditional practices, be it female genital mutilation, early and forced marriages, and break the silence over sexual abuse in the home, school, office or any other public place

In attempts to contain Ebola, Liberia censors its press

      Security forces guard a checkpoint in an area of Monrovia that was in
 quarantine for several days as part of government efforts to try to contain Ebola
 in Liberia. (Reuters

With the Ebola epidemic predicted to get worse, the Liberian government has taken action to silence news outlets critical of its handling of the health crisis which, according to Liberia's Information Ministry, has claimed more than 1,000 lives in the country since March.

Publishers have been harassed and forced to cease printing, and journalists were initially not exempt from a curfew, making it difficult for them to work, according to the Press Union of Liberia (PUL).

During this challenging time, the action by authorities is serving only to strengthen "the distrust" between the government and the media, PUL stated in a letter to Justice Minister Christiana Tah on September 4. In the letter, union president Abdullai Kamara cited several accounts of harassment and intimidation, including cases involving Women Voices, FrontPageAfrica, and the National Chronicle, which have all come under pressure in recent weeks.

Anti-FGM Crusaders to Penetrate Deep into NRR

Dr Touray

Residents of North Bank Region will have their share of the intensifying sensitisation campaign that seeks to eliminate the deep-rooted cultural practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia.

Gamcotrap, a women’s rights advocacy is targeting one hundred and eighteen communities in Upper Badibou and Sabach Sanjal Districts. The three year project is funded by the UNFPA/Gambia Government Country Programme 2012 – 2016 entitled: “Accelerating the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the Gambia”.   

In a press released Gamcotrap said they have visited the region before and the governor of the Region, Mr. Lamin Quin Jammeh was briefed by the executive director of GAMCOTRAP. ‘Dr. Isatou Touray informed him of the project objectives which aim at raising awareness and empowering communities to end FGM and protect their girls and women. The governor welcomed the GAMCOTRAP team to his region and stated his support to end FGM”

According to the released, governor Jammeh said the eradication of FGM is part of the development process and should be a concern to everyone, urging GAMCOTRAP not to relent in the progress being made. “FGM, early marriage and women’s rights are three important issues that people should be concern about. “We are together in spirit and we are with you in your efforts to protect the girl children from FGM.” He said.

Gamcotrap stated: “One hundred and fifty (150) Community and Women leaders have been the target of the launching the GAMCOTRAP grassroots FGM activities in Upper Badibou and Sabach Sanjal.”

According to Dr Touray it was a privilege to launch the project in three different venues: Illiassa and Farafenni in the Upper Badibou district and Ngayen Sanjal in the Sabach Sanjal district. 

Gambia Government postpones UN experts visit

The United Nations Special Rapporteurs on torture, Juan E. Méndez, and summary, extrajudicial and arbitrary executions, Mr. Christof Heyns, today expressed their deep disappointment with the unilateral decision taken by the Government of The Gambia to postpone their country visit, scheduled to start today and take place until 18 August 2014.

In a news release issued by United Nations Human Right the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that: “We find it extremely worrying that a major undertaking dealing with issues such as unlawful killings and torture can be cancelled without explanation, just as it is about to start.”

The experts said, “The Government’s decision to postpone our visit casts doubt on The Gambia's willingness to engage with the United Nations' special procedures and to respond to the legitimate expectations of the human rights constituency in Gambian civil society.

SABALLY IN COURT, REMANDED AT NIA

Author: Binta A Bah, standard.gm

After being detained for over a month, Momodou Sabally was yesterday afternoon arraigned before the high court in Banjul.

State prosecutors have slammed one count of economic crime and two counts of abuse of office charges against the former secretary general and minister for presidential affairs, all relating to a Youth Career Development Programme organised by one Mariama Sillah in May 2014.

Mr Sabally, 40, is accused of causing economic loss to SSHFC in the amount of D402,500 by unduly influencing SSHFC to fund the programme without the recourse to due process. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, his request to be released on bail was denied by Justice Abdullahi Mikailu who ordered him to be remanded at the National Intelligence Agency after the prosecution said the investigations into his matter were ongoing.

 “I want an order to leave the accused in the custody of the NIA owing to the fact that the investigation in relation to the accused person is ongoing. We want the court to give an order to this effect,” the director of public prosecution told the court.  

Mr Sabally who was not represented by a lawyer told the court: “I have been detained for five weeks during which I cooperated with the investigators… I have a wife and children.

GAMCOTRAP Engages with the Lived Realities of Rural Women

resume on October 14 for hearing.

Nine hundred women and religious leaders in the Upper River, Central River and Lower River Regions are targeted to increase awareness on the lived realities of rural women within the context of QIWAMAH AND WILAYAH.   The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP), funded by The Tides Foundation, through the New Field Foundation will build the capacity of a critical mass of male and female religious leaders, women leaders and women of reproductive age in the rural areas to foster exchange of experience and mutual support of women’s rights and justice within their communities.  This is within the context of the project entitled "Increasing Awareness and Documentation of Women's Rights Issues on the Life Stories on Qiwamah and Wilayah in Three Districts of Rural Gambia."  The project is specifically targeting 450 religious scholars and 450 women.

In 2012, GAMCOTRAP as a member of MUSAWAH, a global movement to promote Equality and Justice in the Muslim family undertook a research project on the lived realities of thirteen Gambian women within the context of QIWAMAH and WILAYAH (QIWI).  While QIWAMAH and WILAYAH are contextualized as legal responsibilities of men providing protection and upkeep of the family, the data collected from the lived realities of the women revealed different narratives.

The data collected, revealed how women struggled in their daily lives to survive and support their families irrespective of whether the husband is alive or dead, or whether he is around or travelled or whether divorced or inherited. This is irrespective of geographical location, educational background, age or status. The high illiteracy rate among women, the prevalent rate of violence on women, and the strong adherence of deep-rooted culture and traditional practices exacerbate the problem. These coupled with women’s limited knowledge about their rights in their religion all have negative impact on women’s health and livelihood.

This is the main aim of the project sharing experiences and providing evidences of how QIWI concepts actually acts out or manifest for Muslim women in the Gambia.  The voices of the thirteen (13) respondents have been developed into a video documentary and a booklet funded by New Field Foundation.  These will be used as resource materials to raise the awareness of women, religious and Islamic scholars to effect change.  The resource materials will be widely disseminated for people to appreciate what women experience. It will also serve as resource material for feminist analysis within the framework of Islam and Human Rights of women. 

Source: GAMCOTRAP

Dr. Touray Tour of US Colleges and Universities

 

Dr. Touray

It is with appreciation that Gambian academics, an expert in gender and leading activist in the fight to end FGM and other forms of violence against women, Dr. Isatou Touray has been invited on a tour in the United States giving lectures to hundreds of students at Juniata College and Washington and Jefferson College. The invitation which was made by Professor Buba Misawa and Professor Emil Nagengast was honoured by Dr Touray.  The tour gave her the opportunity to share the work of her organization in the campaign to end FGM.  The partnership has been going and it gives students from the United States and other parts of the world to visit GAMCOTRAP and learn more about cultural practices in the context of sexuality and reproductive health and rights.

Meanwhile Dr. Touray participated at the V-Day Coordinators strategic planning meeting in Italy in preparation for the 2015 global One Billion Rising against Gender Based Violence. The outcome of the meeting is focussing on a ‘Revolution’ all over the world.

IAC Re-born in Style

The Inter Africa Committee on Traditional practice – IAC held its 8^th General Assembly in Burkina Faso in April 2014. 

Students from USA and UK visit GAMCOTRAP

Dr Toury

The work of GAMCOTRAP continues to generate attention both within and outside the Gambia. Students alongside their professors from Juniata College and Texas A&M University in the US visited GAMCOTRAP on the 23^rd and 26^th respectively. The aim of the visits is to know the work of the organization, its challenges and the successes made over the years.  Executive Director of GAMCOTRAP

Dr. Isatou Touray, welcomed the visiting students and their professors and said that the doors of her organization is open to everyone irrespective race or nationality. This invitation resulted to GAMCOTRAP hosting of several interns around the world. She emphasized the need for more collaborative efforts both locally and internationally in the fight against FGM and other harmful traditional practices. The students were briefed on the work of GAMCOTRAP and strategies being used that resulted to tremendous achievement of 4 public declarations during which 128 ex-circumcisers supported by 900 communities have dropped the knife to end FGM.

Add caption

The discussions are characterized by a presentation on the effects of FGM followed by questions and answers in a very interactive way. The visitors were overwhelmed with the ongoing advocacy at the grassroots and declared that they too have a role to play because women’s rights are human rights. 

ECOWAS court rules Gambia failed to investigate journalist murder.

Abuja, Nigeria, June 10, 2014-The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes today's ruling by a West African regional court, which found that the Gambian government failed to conduct a meaningful investigation into the murder of journalist Deyda Hydara. The ruling is the first ECOWAS case relating to the murder of a Gambian journalist. 

Hydara, the founder of the independent newspaper The Point , was shot dead by unidentified assailants as he drove home from his office in the capital, Banjul, on December 16, 2004. Hydara, a regular critic of President Yahya Jammeh's harsh policies, had received multiple death threats in the months leading up to his death. His murder remains unsolved. 

Lawyer Seeks Bail for ex-Finance Minister

Mambury Njie

By Binta A Bah

Lawyer Lamin S Camara has seek for the release of former Minister of Finance and Secretary General, Mambury Njie on bail yesterday at the High Court in Banjul.

The affidavit in support of bail sworned by the accused wife urged the court to use it ‘discretion’ and warrant the accused bail.

“The applicant has been on bail before in connection with these charges by both the Banjul Magistrate Court and the High Court,” Camara submitted.

Njie, Ex- Minister is standing trial on two counts of economic crime and neglect of duty.

He is accused of recklessly causing the Gambia Government loss, by failing to advise government on matters pertaining to mining operations of Carnegie Minerals Gambia Limited between 2001 and 2006 while he was the Secretary General and head of Civil Servant.

Lawyer Lamin Camara

Allegations he strongly denied.

“The applicant won’t interfere with investigation. He has no prior criminal record and most importantly he will not jump bail because his travelling documents are with the NIA” He said.

Editor Jobe’s Lawyer Wants Court to Subpoena Doctor

The High court in Banjul will issue a subpoena to the doctor who treated the former editor-in-chief of the Daily Observer newspaper to testify as defense witness.
The doctor’s name was not mentioned when the case resumes onbut he is expected to come from the department of surgery, hospital management board at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital.
Alhajie Jobe is standing trial on a five-count charge of an act with seditious intention, seditious publication, and possession of seditious publication, giving false information to public servant, and reckless and negligent act. His co-accused, Mbye Bittay is facing a single count of making preparation to do act with seditious intention.  
Both accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. Jobe’s counsel, S Gaye said “He is a very crucial witness” referring to the doctor to be subpoenaed when the judge, Justice Emmanuel Ahmadi asked him: “Why not close the case”. “The witness is a doctor and he treated the accused,” Gaye said

GAMCOTRAP CPA Condemn the Abduction of Nigerian Girls

L-R: National Coordinator, Child Protection Alliance, Njundu Drammeh, Ambassador Esther John 

Audu and Executive Director Of GAMCOTRAP Dr. Isatou Touray

Nearly a month since more than 200 hundred girls were abducted in Nigeria, GAMCOTRAP and Child protection alliance (CPA), have condemn the act of Boko Haram, a Islamist militias based in the country.

GAMCOTRAP, a women’s right NGO working in the area of girls/women and CPA said in a joint statement “we condemn this atrocity.”

Boko haram attacked and captured 200 plus Nigerian girls in April, action that have been condemn from all corners of the world.

 “We express our deepest sympathy to the families of these girls and the entire Nigerian nation for this unholy, unacceptable and disgraceful act,” the release stated. “We call on the whole world to Rise Up against these atrocities.”

Despite condemnation, the leader of Boko Haram said he I will sell the girls.

“This is a serious bridge of the principles to which Islam is founded upon. Islam respects the dignity of the person, especially women, and is clearly stipulated in the holy Koran in various verses underscoring the respect and dignity of the woman.”

Ex-Finance Minister MAMBURY NJIE Remanded

 The high court in Banjul has remanded former Finance and Economic Affairs Minister and ex-diplomat, Mr. Mambury Njie, two weeks after he was re-arrested.

His remand came after he pleaded not guilty to two counts of economic crime and neglect of duty this morning before Justice Abdallah.

Njie has been accused of recklessly causing the Gambia Government loss, by failing to advise government on matters pertaining to mining operations of Carnegie Minerals Gambia Limited between 2001 and 2006 while he was the Secretary General and head of Civil Servant.

Gambia Government called on to investigate Deyda Hydara's murder

Photo credit: Haddija Jawara

Nine years on since journalist Deydara was killed, the Gambia Press Union (GPU), has calledl on the Gambia government to do justice in the murder of journalist Deyda Hydara killed in the line of duty.

 Late Deyda Hydara,  was the managing editor and co-proprietor of The Point newspaper, who was murdered on 16th December 2004. on his paper’s anniversary day. Gambian authorities has never brought the assassins to book

 ‘We call on the Gambia government to properly investigate and brought out assassins of Deyda Hydara,” Jibairu Janneh, executive director of the union said. “Our position still stands the same.”

Janneh was speaking on world press freedom day, a day used to remember colleagues who have been victimize for just speaking out the truth.

World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on 3 May to remind countries and people all around the world, that freedom of the press and freedom of speech and expression are fundamental human rights.

This day is often held to remember many journalists who have died or faced jail in order to bring news to the public.

Photo credit: Haddija Jawara

The government has also been called to do justice in the disappearance of Ebrima ‘chief ’Manneh, who went missing since 2007. Alarmingly, Gambian authorities cannot account for Manneh's whereabouts, and over the years have given evasive and inconsistent responses to regional and international inquiries.

This year’s theme for this day, as declared by the UN, is “Media Freedom for a Better Future: Shaping the post-2015 Development Agenda”.

Done in different styles in other parts of the world, The Gambia celebrates it at the Tango office in a form of symposium with panelists who made presentations in different topics.

‘We Want Fair Representation in Parliament’ Says Ex-Lawmaker

 The Gambia has though made some notable improvements in promoting gender equity in recent times, nonetheless, the reality remains that majority of Gambian women continue to play a subservient role in voting for and not standing up to be voted for.

“There is a significant number of women holding key leadership positions; but there is a need for participation in decision making to change the discriminatory practices that continue to marginalize women and increase their poverty and subordination” Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang the first women who was elected into the parliament during the first republic.

Despite locals laws that call for women participation in politics in the society, women are still under represented in the political field as only few individuals are benefitting.

“There is a significant number of women holding key leadership positions; but there is a need for participation in decision making to change the discriminatory practices that continue to marginalize women and increase their poverty and subordination” Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang the first women who was elected into the parliament during the first republic.

Despite locals laws that call for women participation in politics in the society, women are still under represented in the political field as only few individuals are benefitting.

“There is need for us to take charge of our destiny,’ she said stressing the low participation of women in the parliament. “We want a fair representation in parliament and not two or three” she said

She was speaking at a workshop organised by GAMCOTRAP  at  Nematoulie Lodge in Brikama West Coast region 17 March 2014 . The workshop brought together women leaders from different political parties, political partners, youth and the media.

The project, ‘Promoting Effective Participation of Women in Governance and Leadership Positions’ seeks to enhance awareness and consciousness about the need for women’s participation in governance and decision making processes in the Greater Banjul Area.

Organized by GAMCOTRAP, It also aims to engage the media to build public confidence in the election of women in political positions. It is funded by National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang

The gender inequality in the society according to Nyimasata Sanneh-Bojang limits the participation of women in politics, which poses a threat in the socio-economy development of the country. “Women don’t have that confident to participate because of perceived roles of women continue to be marginalize in the political sphere.”

Political Hypocrisy

“This is not party affairs but to empower women on their political rights to be voted in key positions,” said Dr Isatou Touray, Executive director of GAMCOTRAP.

“Women participation in the political sphere will shape the lives of women, the struggle to ensure the equality and equal opportunity for women. We cannot have change if we don’t have effective women in parliament.” She said

Out of the 54 parliamentarian in the National Assembly only 4 are women and this according to Dr Touray will only make little impact on the lives of Gambian women. “Numbers matters,” she said. ‘Saying that we have many women in government positions is not enough but also making decision of their own for the benefits of all women.”

She noted, “Awareness on the importance of women’s participation in the democratic process to promote the participation of women in governance and leadership can break the chain of male dominance in participating in the administrative life of our country and not reducing to mere political propaganda tools.”

In 2008 she said, Open Society Initiative in West Africa (OSIWA) supported GAMCOTRAP to create awareness on women’s political participation and leadership from a gender perspective.

“The outcome of the sensitization activities resulted to participation of more women in their various political parties.It created a very good momentum throughout the country, where women were motivated to compete at the Local Government Level and 15 out of 20 aspirants won the elective positions” Dr Touray said

Ghana ALERT: Radio station attacked for defying censorship orders

Angry youth numbering about 30 on February 17, 2014, stormed the premises of Gift FM a privately owned radio station at Dormaa Ahenkro - a town in the Brong Ahafo region.

The action of the youth followed a news item aired on an alleged banishment of one Fred Yeboah, by the Dormaa traditional council.

Kwabena Boahene, station manager of Gift FM told the MFWA, the chief of Dormaa, Osagyefo Oseadeyo Nana Agyeman Badu (II) at a gathering on February 17, announced the banishment of Yeboah who is the general manager of the Presbyterian Hospital in the town. The chief then cautioned media men present at the gathering not to carry any news item on the banishment.

Reasons for the action of the chief were not disclosed and remain unknown.

“Because we defied the chief’s orders, the youth attacked us and caused extensive damage to our property and even wanted to set fire to the station with a gallon of petrol they came along with.”, Boahene said.