The head of the ECOWAS Election Observer Mission to the recently held National Assembly election Hon. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, praised the conduct of the polls calling them “peaceful and credible.”Dr. Chambas was at the State House to brief His Excellency, President Adama Barrow of his mission’s observation and findings during the elections. Dr. Chambas described The Gambia as a good example to the rest of the sub-region in the conduct of elections, stating; “The Gambia should be proud of itself”, for maintaining a reputation as a peaceful people, a peaceful country who have delivered a peaceful and credible election.
Continue Reading >>H.E President Adama Barrow’s Congratulatory Remarks on the National Assembly Elections Fellow Gambians,After weeks of intense political activities in the country, I am happy to congratulate all Gambians on the successful and peaceful conclusion of the National Assembly elections held on 9th April 2022. Exercising their rights in what was clearly very keenly contested legislative elections, Gambians made their choice of National Assembly representatives from an unprecedented number of candidates from political parties to Independent candidates. On behalf of my government and family, and on my own behalf, I express deep gratitude to all the peace-loving Gambians who contributed to this historic achievement. With warm sentiments, I also congratulate the Independent Electoral Commission, the security services, political parties, Observers, the media and all other stakeholders for the roles they played throughout the electoral process. The election of diverse political party representatives and independent candidates from different backgrounds is an indication of a vibrant democracy. Yet again, Gambians have fulfilled a vital constitutional mandate in an amicable manner, thus demonstrating that our democracy is thriving. It was another test of the credibility and viability of our institutions and the mechanisms and processes we are strongly determined to safeguard and strengthen. To our credit, as Gambians, we have got over the event with remarkable success. Fellow Gambians, during the political campaigns leading to the 2021 Presidential election and the recently concluded National Assembly elections, the citizens of this nation loudly expressed and showed their passion for efficient public services that would improve their lives and livelihoods. They have demonstrated the desire for stability, sustained good governance, and infrastructural development to boost the performance of all sectors. It is clear that our people wish to maintain an environment that is peaceful, stable, and secure enough for all citizens, which is one of the top priorities of my government. These aspirations can be achieved much faster if we work as a united force. In doing so, we need to be service-oriented and committed to the betterment of the people, strive to advance and strengthen our democracy, and observe the principles of peace and justice for all. These are essential elements for good governance and progress, which we cannot ignore. Ladies and gentlemen, based on party affiliation and trust for some independent candidates, Gambians have duly elected their representatives; none-the-less, we expect all the successful candidates to work together as a legislative body to promote and serve the national interest. At this point, I must congratulate all the successful candidates on their victories, and call on the remaining contestants to join forces with us and work in the best interest of the nation. The fact that you were eligible to contest is an achievement in itself. So, bravo to everyone! In a democracy, we must embrace diversity, and it is significant that, as a country, the Legislature works independently; however, it has to be in partnership with the Executive and the Judiciary to ensure that, jointly, we serve and fulfil the development aspirations of our citizens, within a just environment. Ladies and gentlemen, I expect all Gambians and non-Gambians alike to realise that these are challenging times. This is a period when global politics and instability continue to impact negatively on our local context. We must be ready, therefore, to take up the challenge of working harder, re-dedicating ourselves to duty, and committing enough time and resources to serve the nation, both in the public and private sectors. We are blessed with a youthful population and should explore and utilise its potential to the fullest. I will not conclude without emphasising the need for us to continue to nurture our democracy, protect all rights, and respect the freedom of association and speech, as required by law. As mature and cultured people, we must realise that, once elections end, we are duty-bound to unite and serve the country as one people. Whenever we exercise our political rights and compete in national elections, we do so as actors with different viewpoints, and not as enemies. It is now time to put behind us the divisive politics and hate speeches that seem to divide the nation. This is the time to re-energise ourselves for nation building so that every citizen becomes a winner. To reassure everyone, regardless of the results of the elections, the affairs of the entire country and the welfare of every citizen and resident here will remain central in my concerns and focus. Hand in hand, let us all move on.I pray for the continued peace, progress, prosperity, and security of our people. Long live The Gambia! I thank you for your attention.
Continue Reading >>Gambians have voted in a new legislature, thirty-three of them for the first time. NPP won 18 seats, UDP 15, NRP 4, PDOIS 2, and APRC 2. An unprecedented 12 seats are independent candidates. GDC, GMC, CA, and NUP did not win any seats. Out of the 19 women candidates, only three were elected
Continue Reading >>Gambians are voting to elect national assembly members of the 6th legislature five months after the Presidential elections. An unprecedented Two hundred and forty-six candidates are vying for fifty-three seats in the National Assembly. Eighty of them are independent candidates. Polls opened at 8 am and are expected to close at 5 pm. Reports across the country indicate that voting is peaceful but voter turnout is low compared to the presidential elections. President Adama Cast his ballot at the McCarthy Square in the Banjul Central constituency. He called on eligible Gambians to turn up to the polling stations and vote peacefully.
Continue Reading >>The Independent Electoral Commission on Wednesday conducted a briefing for election observer groups accredited to observe the National Assembly elections on Saturday. The briefing held in Bijilo discussed the modalities and preparedness of the election officials to conduct a hitch-free election. In his statement, the Chairman of IEC Alieu Momarr Njai, gave a rundown of the nomination process recording 251 candidates contesting the April 9 polls. Chairman Njie further informed the observers that measures are in place to ensure smooth, free, and credible elections. The Deputy inspector general of police Inspector Momodou Sowe gave an analysis of the current security.
Continue Reading >>The Center for Policy, Research, and Strategic Studies CEPRASS in partnership with the national endowment for democracy on Wednesday convened a day's opinion sharing session. The study on the country’s post-presidential election was shared with journalists, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. The forum was held in Bakau. Speaking at the gathering CEPRASS executive director Lamin Dampha gave a background of the project and said opinion polls are useful in making decisions on critical issues. The president of Gambia Press Union Muhammed MS Bah dilated on the importance of media in the dissemination of results on opinion polls.The polls can be accessed on the CEPRASS website: www.ceprass.gm
Continue Reading >>The IEC Regional Office in Banjul has received nominations bids from seven aspiring candidates for the April 9th National Assembly elections. Three aspirants from PDOIS, three from UDP and one from PPP have successfully submitted nomination papers to the IEC IN Banjul on Thursday. They include Ousman Sillah of PDOIS for Banjul North who is seeking a second term in office. Baboucarr Mboge and Mansour Foon of PDOIS are vying for the parliamentary seats in Banjul Central and South respectively. Muhammed Ndow of the PPP is also contesting for the Banjul Central seat. Thursday's nominations process ended with the United Democratic Party (UDP). The party has chosen Momodou Cherno Jallow for Banjul Central, Momodou Lamin B. Bah for Banjul North and Yaya Kuyateh for Banjul South. Similar engagements are also taking place in all the other administrative regions.
Continue Reading >>The Independent Electoral Commission officials at Brikama have rejected the nomination of Momodou sabally for the Busumbala constituency. This is the first time an aspiring candidate’s nomination is rejected on the spot in the run-up to the 2022 parliamentary elections. The IEC rejected Sabally’s nomination citing section 90 (1) (e) of Gambia’s 1997 Constitution. It states that “A person found guilty of abuse of office, corruption, or any offense connected with public elections by a court or anyone found by a report of a commission of inquiry to be incompetent to hold public office because of having acquired assets unlawfully or defrauded the State would also be disqualified”It could be recalled that the Janneh Commission indicted Mr. Sabally for aiding and abetting the theft of D14, 686,500 in relation to Carnegie Mineral accounts.
Continue Reading >>Five National People's Party and one independent aspiring candidate filed nomination bids on day five of nominations in Kanifing Municipality. NPP's Amadou S. Leigh is vying for the Serrekunda constituency, Assan Dampha for Bakau and a former parliamentarian for LK Sabiji Saikou Marong who is seeking re-election submitted necessary documents to IEC officials in Serrekunda. The fifth day of nominations also saw NPP aspiring candidates Fatoumatta K. Jawara of Talinding, Mustapha Lowe of Serrekunda West constituency, and one independent candidate, Ansu Camara of Serrekunda East had their credentials accepted by the Independent Electoral Commission's returning officers in Serrekunda. Another independent candidate Ibrahim Savage was asked to return on Friday after failing to present some major documents.The documents are pending scrutiny after which IEC's Joseph Colley says the aspirants will be given their acceptance letter by Thursday if all their documents are intact after the verification.Speaking to the press after submitting their credentials, all the candidates say they will win in April parliamentary elections.
Continue Reading >>The Leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) Mai Ahmed Fatty has presented his nomination papers to the Independent Electoral Commission in Basse Mansajang in URR. Mr. Fatty is contesting for the Wuli West National Assembly seat. He told waiting journalists that he is the choice of the people. Ebrima Conteh of the GMC also presented his documents for Wuli East Constituency. Mr. Conteh said was contesting because the people of his constituency were neglected for so many years. He promised to bring development to his constituency if given the chance. Meanwhile, IEC officials handed over an acceptance receipt to Hon Alhagie H.Sowe of The Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC).
Continue Reading >>Only one aspiring candidate from the lower Saloum Constituency appeared before election officials in the central river region on nomination day one. The All people's Party's Ebou K. Gaye arrived at the regional Independent electoral office to present his credentials for the April 6th National assembly elections. Gaye's nomination papers were quickly accepted, allowing IEC officials to vet his credentials pending a public scrutiny. APRC and ANRD party were also expected to present Nomination bids but the two parties didn't file any candidate in the Central River Region.After presenting his documents, Gaye told waiting journalists that he is the right candidate to represent Lower Saloum Constituency. He claimed to have the will and capacity needed for the job.
Continue Reading >>President Barrow Wednesday hosts his Spanish counterpart, His Excellency Mr Pedro Sanchez Perez Castejon President of The Government of Spain, for a State Visit. The visit marks an important occasion as the two States signed two significant memoranda of understanding on Circular Migration and Security Cooperation. The two agreements are crucial for facilitating legal migration and ensuring stability and security.The Circular Migration agreement is expected to enable Gambians to legally migrate to Spain to work in industries to tackle labour shortages in Spain. On the other hand, the Security Cooperation Agreement aims to enhance cooperation in addressing security challenges, through the exchange of information and intelligence to combat organised crime and other security threats.By addressing key areas such as migration and security, both nations aim to unlock new opportunities for mutual benefit, enhancing their partnership.The State visit highlights the strengthening of ties between The Gambia and Spain, focusing on bilateral development.The state visit to The Gambia marks a milestone in the relationship between the two countries. The outcomes of this visit are anticipated to drive further progress in strengthening the partnership between The Gambia and Spain.
Continue Reading >>Gina Mariam Bass Bittaye, The Gambia's most decorated athlete, narrowly missed qualifying for the Women's 200m finals, marking the end of her 2024 Paris Olympics journey. Even though she ran her season best of 22.66 seconds, that was not enough as she finished 4th in the Women's 200m semifinals.Gina had previously won gold in the Women's 100m and 200m at the 2024 African Games, as well as gold in the Women's 100m at the 2024 African Senior Athletics Championship.Although she reached the semifinals in both the Women's 100m and 200m at the Paris Olympics, she fell short of making it to the finals.This was Gina's third consecutive appearance at the Olympics.
Continue Reading >>The Gambia sent a record number of athletes (seven) for the first time such a number represents the Gambia in an Olympic event. This is the Gambia's biggest representation in the Olympics history.
Continue Reading >>The Gambia National Team coach Johnathan McKinstry has unveiled a 24-man squad ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.In what will be their quest for a third AFCON appearance, The Gambia will first take on Comoros on September 4th, before playing against Tunisia on September 8th. All the two matches will take place in Morocco as both the national stadiums of both The Gambia and Comoros are banned by CAF for failing to meet the required standards.
Continue Reading >>For many young people, in the Upper River Region, business is the only way out, while others rely on farming to earn a living, but that is not the case for one young lady. Kaddy Sawaneh decided to take on a totally different calling as she moved to become a professional football referee. Growing up as a kid, Kaddy Sawaneh said she developed a passion for the trade after seeing referees officiating games. "I admire it a lot when I see assistant referees running on the touchlines and raising flags."That encounter shaped her passion for the game, and she has since started pursuing refereeing as a career. A former sprint athlete at Tahir and Mahaad Senior Secondary Schools, sports have long been part of Kaddy's life. After completing her schooling at Mahaad, she ventured into refereeing in 2021, and fast forward to the 2024 season, she started officiating in the Gambia Football Federation Second Division League, after completing many tests including intense fitness routines. "After my schooling, I told my mum since it's difficult to have employment. I would like to do refereeing, but that comes with insults. She advised me to stay patient and look at my future." Kaddy said."So, I joined the West Coast Region Referees Association. We were given a course, cooper test, and training.""A day before the Cooper test, I vomited at the training ground because I didn't know how to run it. Many thought I would fail the fitness test, but when we went for the fitness (cooper) test, I completed it." She added.Kaddy's mother, Sunkarr Bah, said she is not bothered by the insults her daughter is concerned about. "When she told me about the insults, I told her to stay calm and respectful. Since they are not coming to my house to insult me, I'm not even aware. She should not even be bothered to respond or have problems with anyone, Sunkarr said.Maintaining a clear balance between her social life and her greatest passion is never a problem for the young referee.Every day, the young lady said she would do all her chores on time before heading out to the field for routine training with her colleagues and is committed to the training as in a real game situation. From training to real game situations, Kaddy is usually included on a male panel for tougher games, including finals, She follows game action with keen interest. A great pace and eye for detail are required, but she gives her best to avoid missing anything. The passionate lady is gradually going on to become a true success story in female refereeing across the regions. Kaddy became the first female to be included on a panel for a Regional Third-Division final when she served as an assistant referee in a mouthwatering clash between Garawol and Sabi at the Basse mini stadium on June 29, 2024, where she demonstrated a great understanding of the game and a high level of confidence in a highly attended final that ended 2 - 1 to Garawol. "I brought her to the Upper River Region so she can inspire many females. As of now, we have four ladies who ventured into refereeing in URR because of Kaddy." Alagie Mendy a referee said."Anytime I play with her, she is always above the level. I've been receiving a lot of positive comments about her performances. That means she is on track to becoming great." Alagie stated.Officiating in environments highly dominated by men will require courage, which is manifested by her, as she continues to play games across the Lower and Upper River Region.Even in situations where there is no security, the young Kaddy will still muster the courage to officiate. When attempts are made to attack her, she says she is never intimidated as she always stays focused on the game. "It's risky, but it builds your confidence as a budding referee." She said.Kaddy knows being a referee, especially in a male-dominated setting, is tough, but officiating football matches is what she has now chosen as a dream. "I wouldn't allow the threats and insults to stand between me and my dream. I want to be remembered like Papa Gassama and others." Kaddy said. Born and raised in the Lower River Region settlement of Pakalinding, the young female referee is from a family that is clearly behind her decision to pursue refereeing as a career. Both the mother, Sunkarr Bah and the father Wuyeh Sawaneh, said they cannot financially support their daughter to pursue her dream of becoming an international referee, but they are constantly encouraging and praying for her while calling on people to support her in any way possible. "If you are not from a strong family, you can only appeal for support. If I can have people to support my daughter to achieve her dreams, I will be grateful." Sunkarr Bah said. The young assistant referee is the "only hope of her family," and she said she believes that someday, she will use refereeing to change the lives of her family and community. "I'm a poor lady who depends on refereeing to support my family. My mother works as an office janitor. Since I started refereeing, I've been helping them, especially this year, I bought two bags of rice for my mother. I would like to do more by the time I achieve my dreams." The passionate young referee said.For now, the focus of the young referee is to continue developing while eying the international FIFA and CAF refereeing badges.
Continue Reading >>Gambian swimmer Aminata Nia Maria Barrow missed a semi-final spot in women's 100m breaststroke as she came out 4th in heat one.The swimmer covered the distance at a timing of 1:15:12, which was not good enough to earn her a pole position.This was a debut for Aminata in the Olympics, and she made history by becoming the first-ever female swimmer to represent The Gambia at the Olympic Games.Other Gambian athletes like Judoka Faye Njie will compete on Monday, 29 August, in the men's 73kg fight.
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