Over 150 Gambian Migrants Due home Tomorrow

Over one Hundred and fifty Migrants will return  to Banjul  tomorrow  from Tripoli at around 4 Pm. according to information from the ministry of foreign affairs, international cooperation and Gambian abroad signed by Saikou Ceesay, stated that, this development came on the heels of request made by migrants to be voluntarily repatriated to their native Gambia.  It could recall that, on  4 of April this month 2017 a total of 169 migrants voluntarily returned home. According to the story of  my  colleague Modou Lamin Jammeh stated that,  the returnees  were involve both citizens of The Gambia and Senegal. They also include men and women who were escorted by officials of the International Operation for Migration (IOM).In an interview with the Migrants, Sanna Camara, a native of Talinding, said he left The Gambia since last year, noting that he encountered series of difficulties on his journey. “On my way going, I was illegally arrested, jailed and seriously beaten by unknown armed men in Libya,” he explained.

According to him, he wasn’t forced to return back to home, saying he instead demanded for deportation due to stress, torture and humiliation he was encountering. “Prior to my going, I was working around Jerma Beach, at Senegambia, as a juice seller, which was at least earning me some money to take care of myself.
Fatou Bojang, a native of Bansang and a farmer, disclosed that she embarked on the journey some months ago, and spent two months in prison and one month at the United Nation’s Camp in Libya, waiting to be returned to The Gambia. “We have suffered a lot; you will be beaten daily in prison when you haven’t done anything wrong,” she said.

The Gambia welcomes UNCTAD’s recommendations to improve the investment climate

The Gambia government has welcomes UNCTAD’s recommendations to improve the investment climate in the Gambia, this was disclosed recently during a validation workshop held at a local hotel in Senegambia, by the  Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment in partnership with the Gambia Investment and expert promotion Agency (GIEPA) and the United Nation Conference on trade and development (UNCTAD) The objective of the is to present the main finding and recommendations of the draft Investment Policy Review (IRP) of the Gambia , it’s also meant to provide an opportunity for a detailed discussion on the implementation of the recommendation considering the importance of this undertaking Naffie Barry, Permanent Secretary of the Gambia's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment, Speaking the opening  , The report, prepared at the Government's request, presents action-oriented commendations to improve the Gambia's legal framework for investment, as well as its approach to promoting foreign investment in the country. While recognizing that the environment in the Gambia is generally open to investment, the report highlights that the country's potential remains largely untapped. Improving the environment, the report says, requires clearer provisions and more effective implementation for the laws governing business in the country, and strengthened capacities for government institutions, especially for the task of putting in place a prioritized and focused investment promotion strategy. “The IPR is timely and the new Government requires visibility to attract new investments,” said Naffie Barry, Permanent Secretary of the Gambia's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment, adding that the ministry is determined to implement the IPR's recommendations to address the supply-side constraints that hinder economic activity in the country. During the presentation, Chantal Dupasquier, Chief of UNCTAD's Investment Policy Review Section, emphasized the role that foreign direct investment (FDI) can play in helping the Gambia achieve its development objectives if appropriate policies are put in place to foster a vibrant private sector. “Clarity, stability and predictability are key words for investors”, Ms.Dupasquier said. Other policy challenges include further streamlining the process to formally register a business, reforming tax laws, improving access to land, and addressing constraints that impede trade. The report also discusses issues related to the labour market, competition policy and law, and access to justice -- critical areas where reforms could improve the business environment. UNCTAD´s Investment Policy Reviews provide an objective evaluation of a country´s legal, regulatory and institutional framework for attracting increased foreign direct investment, as well as recommendation how to maximize the benefits from it. To date, UNCTAD has completed over 45 IPRs in developing countries and countries whose economies are in transition. It has supported many of them in their reform processes with technical assistance activities.

  stakeholder urges   to  Put the nation interest above all

The special representative of the UN secretary General for west Africa and the Sahel , Mohamed Ibn Chamber, has He urged all Gambian stakeholders to put the nation interest above all other considerations as they move ahead with the national reform agenda, responding to the legitimate expectation of the Gambia citizens

Mr chamber, made this remarks on Saturday during a press conference at the NU Building in Cape point Bakau  “To all my interlocutors , I have reiterated the commitment of the office of the united nation for west Africa and the sahel (UNOWAS) and of the international community at large- to continue supporting the Gambia in consolidating democracy and promoting sustainable development for the benefit of its people.”

  He applauded Gambian political parties and candidates for their active participation in these historic election, as well as the Independence Electoral Commission for its efforts in ensuring the people’s right to elect their compatriots who will have the mandates to represent them in the national assembly. 

 “I have just concluded a two days visit to the Gambia , during which I had the opportunity to meet with the independent Electoral omission , election observation mission deployed by the ECOWAS, a Africa union and European union , as well as representative of civil society organization and united nation entities , and  I also received by the President HE Adama Barrow” .

  He stated the purpose of his  visit  was to congratulate the people and government of the Gambia for the peaceful , inclusive, and well as organzing legislative election of 6 April  2017.

. “ I wholeheartedly commended the progress achieved  by the Gambians with the conduct of these elections , which confirm the country’s steady march toward sustained peace, democracy and stability “ he concluded

The Gambia Parliamentary Election is free and faire

The Chief Observer of European Union Election Mission to the Gambia National Assembly Election Miroslav  poche , has described the recently parliamentary  election  as free and faire  and free from violent and the people witnessed a peaceful and engaging campaign where the freedom of assembly and association were respected and candidates convey their message freely to the electorate ,he acknowledged that, the presidential’s   nationwide tour had an impact on the campaign. verbal attempts to polarise  the electorate on basis of ethnicity  and the handing out of goods and financial aid, were also observer by EU election observer mission .

  Miroslav poche made the statement at press conference hall, on Saturday at a local hotel in cape point Bakau , lamented that, the December 2016 presidential election paved the way for democratic transition, whiles these election re-established political freedom.

He hailed  the current independence electoral commission ,  poche , said the IEC enjoys broad trust in its independence , it has numerous responsibilities , includes the registration of political parties , voter registration , voter education,  conduct of elections yet it does not command its own budget, which could hamper its independence , but  the IEC met key operation deadlines and fulfilled its mandates despaired budgetary and time constraints .

Delighting on the constitution which articulated a respect for democracy and includes a guarantee of genuine periodic election, he said during the previous regime, the legal system was severely compromised and the rules of law was undermined by a progregressive erosion of the independence of judiciary, the supreme court has exclusive jurisdiction to determine the validity of election to the National Assembly but has not sat for two years and has currently just one member.  During this electoral process prevailing laws have been applied and interpreted in line with intention to protect human rights.

 He added the delimitation of constituencies does not take into account the principal of equal distribution of the electorate amongst the constituencies, falling far short of ensuring the equality of the vote. Representation of the electorate is highly unequal , the most extreme examples are Janjanbureh with just 1,980 votes , compared to Serrekunda  with 46, 502 votes each electing a single National Assembly representative

 In her part, Jean Lambert, head of the Delegation, stated that, during the observation they witness high level of respect  for the procedures by all participant, “ we were especially impressed by the  good

Collaboration between the polling staff and the representative of the political parties, the low-key presence and collaborative attitude of police greatly benefited the process “ she said

“ we found the traditional Gambia election procedure clear and efficient , beside being voter friendly, it allow for fast and transparent counting process, we would like to encourage the IEC to explore ways to include the Diaspora into the electoral system “

 She added that during the election process they observer some polling officers taking note of the gender of the voters however, whiles we noticed a significant number of women taking part in the vote, we regret that there were only twenty women running, of whom just three elected, we also observed very few people with disability taking part in the vote although the ones we saw were duly assisted, we trust that, the IEC will take further measures to improve accessibility.

NA has important role to play in a critical period of transition

Jean lambert, chair of the European Parliamentary Election observer delegation for the legislative election in the Gambia, has said the National Assembly now has an important role to play in a critical period of transition and we express our willingness to enhance dialogue and contribute to its strengthen

 She was speaking on Saturday during a press conference at  cape point  in Bakau , were she heighted her delegation support  to capacities the news elected member of the national assembly , “ The European Parliament delegation will strongly recommend that we offer capacity building to new Gambia parliament, whos role will be highly important to consolidate the democratic process in the Gambia .”

She called on the new elected national assembly member to work up to their expectation , “ let me congratulate , on the behalf of the European Parliament delegation the newly elected member of parliament , now you can use the momentum created by the people of the Gambia to deliver the democratic change they have voted for”  she stated

 She acknowledged that, the parliament’s new place in the overall balance of power needs to be better understood by voters in view of lower turnout compared to the presidential election.

Gov’t explains stance on Casamance Gov’t explains stance on Casamance

Following widespread rumours on the new Gambia government’s alleged position on Casamance, the government over weekend issued a statement explaining The Gambia’s position on the matter. Below is the full statement.
“The government of The Gambia under the leadership of His Excellency President Adama Barrow wishes to reassure the Gambian people of its commitment to peace in the Gambia, the sub-region, especially the southern Senegal region of Casamance and the world over.
“It is in this light that President Barrow being a true believer in the value of peace and peaceful neighbourliness during his recent visit to Senegal offered to his brother President Macky Sall and the people of Senegal his personal commitment and the willingness of his government to support the sisterly republic of Senegal in finding a lasting solution to the over-three-decade-old conflict in the Casamance region of southern Senegal.
“President Barrow and his government believe that sustainable and positive peace in the Casamance is in the common interest of all people, both governments and the entire sub-region.
“The Gambia government therefore considers it as a common moral duty to work together with Senegal and indeed all foreign countries for the stability of our region so that our citizenry can pursue their daily lives in peace and to enable government to bring about much needed development.
“Therefore on the Casamance issue, again the position of The Gambia government is to sincerely and in good faith adopt and pursue a friendly and impartial stance in the search for a durable solution to this conflict. This is the pledge, plea and prayer of The Gambia government.
“However, in recent days the Gambia government has noted with concern, that many debates and discussions in various quarters across the Gambia and abroad on the position of The Gambia government on the Casamance situation has been misconstrued.
“This is amidst speculations that the Gambian territory will be used as launching pad by Senegalese ECOMIG troops to carry out attacks on MFDC bases in the Casamance with others going further to assert that Gambian soldiers will participate in the event of military attack on the MFDC.
“Such rumours have apparently placed great pains on Gambian communities living along the Foni/Casamance border who are apprehensive over the consequences of an outbreak of hostilities between Senegalese military and MFDC.
“This statement seeks to assure these affected communities in particular and the Gambian populace in general, that whereas The Gambia government has committed itself to supporting the Senegalese government find durable peace in the Casamance, The Gambia is neither considering placing troops on Casamance soil nor offering the use of its territory as a launching pad for any attack on the MFDC.
“The affected communities, citizens of The Gambia and all people living in The Gambia are hence advised to go about their normal business in peace and contentment.
“That said, The Gambia government wishes to categorically state that The Gambia will not also on the other hand allow the use of its territory by any person or groups of armed or unarmed individuals to destabilise or incite violence in the Casamance or any other part of the world.”