The Gambia Archives - New Mail Nigeria https://newmail-ng.com/tag/the-gambia/ Hottest and Latest Updates of News in Nigeria. Re-defining the essence of News in Nigeria Tue, 23 Jan 2024 20:15:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 https://newmail-ng.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-newmail-logo-32x32.png The Gambia Archives - New Mail Nigeria https://newmail-ng.com/tag/the-gambia/ 32 32 Cameroon through after thriller against The Gambia, to meet Nigeria in Afcon last 16 https://newmail-ng.com/cameroon-through-after-thriller-against-the-gambia-to-meet-nigeria-in-afcon-last-16/ Tue, 23 Jan 2024 20:15:21 +0000 https://newmail-ng.com/?p=172018 Cameroon came from behind with two late goals to reach the last 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, beating The Gambia in a thriller to knock their opponents out of the tournament. The five-time champions secured second place in Group C on goals scored. Rigobert Song’s side will next face Nigeria at Abidjan’s […]

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Cameroon came from behind with two late goals to reach the last 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, beating The Gambia in a thriller to knock their opponents out of the tournament.

The five-time champions secured second place in Group C on goals scored.

Rigobert Song’s side will next face Nigeria at Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium on Saturday (20:00 GMT).

The Scorpions looked to have dashed Cameroon’s hopes with a 91st-minute goal, but it was ruled out for handball.

Guinea’s 2-0 defeat to group winners Senegal allowed Cameroon to move above them in the final table, although the Syli National will advance as one of the four best third-placed teams at the end of the group stage.

The Gambia failed to take a point from their campaign, but the world’s 126th-ranked team—the lowest in the competition—was on course for a huge upset when Ebrima Colley curled them ahead for the first time from a tight angle with less than six minutes of normal time remaining.

Victory for Tom Saintfiet’s spirited squad would have put them in contention to go through among the third-placed teams and knocked Cameroon out, only for James Gomez to turn the ball beyond his own goalkeeper, Baboucarr Gaye when the centre-back lunged in to attempt to intercept Enzo Tchato’s cross.

Having been on the brink of elimination, Cameroon climbed into second spot when Christopher Wooh rose to head a corner beyond Gaye’s dive and into the far corner of the net.

The abundance of late drama took another twist when Muhammed Sanneh – one of five changes made by Saintfiet – turned in a cross for a goal that was disallowed for handball by a VAR check.

There had been hints of drama to come during a promising start by the underdogs, who are 80 places below Cameroon in Fifa’s rankings and reached the quarterfinals on their debut in 2021.

Cameroon head coach Song dropped Andre Onana in the most high-profile of four alterations to his starting line-up, restoring the Manchester United goalkeeper’s cousin, Fabrice Ondoa, in his place.

Ondoa was soon called into action, beating Ali Sowe’s angled strike away at his near post as part of an end-to-end first half in which the West African nation had the better chances.

Only a timely block by Jacob Mendy prevented Cameroon forward Karl Toko Ekambi from firing in a close-range shot on the turn, and Ondoa plunged on the recalled Yankuba Minteh’s effort when he was left unmarked at the far post to plant a header towards goal from Musa Barrow’s corner.

A spell of persistent Gambia pressure ended with Ondoa appearing to plead with his teammates to raise their defensive game, but Cameroon only noticeably improved after the break.

After Indomitable Lions forward Georges-Kevin Nkoudou hammered a shot against the crossbar five minutes into the second period, Toko-Ekambi headed Nkoudou’s searching delivery six minutes later to break the deadlock.

The Gambia, however, soon levelled as Ablie Jallow arrived unmarked in the box to deftly volley in from Alieu Fadera’s cross.

Toko-Ekambi rattled the crossbar with a fizzing effort before Colley’s strike sent shockwaves around the Stade de la Paix, starting the sequence of three goals in six minutes to settle Cameroon’s destiny in extraordinary fashion.

Meanwhile, the Cameroonian side will meet Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Saturday in the last 16 stage.

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West Africa battling slow economic growth but outlook remains positive – AfDB https://newmail-ng.com/west-africa-battling-slow-economic-growth-but-outlook-remains-positive-afdb/ Thu, 10 Aug 2023 03:51:10 +0000 https://newmail-ng.com/?p=156050 The African Development Bank (AfDB) says West Africa experienced slower economic growth over the past year except for Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, and Niger. This is contained in the development finance institution’s recently-released 2023 West Africa Economic Outlook report. AfDB said the report titled ‘Mobilising Private Sector Financing for Climate and Green Growth in […]

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The African Development Bank (AfDB) says West Africa experienced slower economic growth over the past year except for Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Mali, and Niger.

This is contained in the development finance institution’s recently-released 2023 West Africa Economic Outlook report.

AfDB said the report titled ‘Mobilising Private Sector Financing for Climate and Green Growth in West Africa’ assessed the economic performance of 15 West African countries.

The countries include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

The report noted that West Africa’s average gross domestic product decelerated to 3.8% in 2022 from 4.4% in 2021, implying that the growth recovery from the 2020 downturn had slowed.

It attributed decelerating growth to, among other factors, such successive shocks as the resurgence of Covid-19 in China, a major trade partner for the region’s countries.

It also said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also spurred inflationary pressures on the cost of food, fuel and fertiliser in many West African countries.

The report further revealed that advanced economies have also tightened monetary policy, which has heightened aversion to risk globally and increased exchange rate pressures.

Still, it said, the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth outlook is positive, and projected to pick up slightly, hitting 3.9 percent in 2023 and 4.2 percent in 2024.

The report said that adapting to climate change and the depletion of the region’s natural resources presented an opening for businesses and governments to embrace sustainable and green growth.

According to the report, “West Africa has enormous potential to achieve green growth, green industrialization being the most obvious pathway.”

“The rationale for green growth across the region is quite comprehensive: climate change impacts and risks, natural capital depletion, poverty, and food insecurity, as well as limited employment creation and many capital-intensive enclaves.”

Speaking during the launch of the report, Kevin Urama, AfDB chief economist and vice president for economic governance and knowledge management, said that multiple challenges had led to rising interest rates and were compounding debt service payments to African countries.

He explained that these included climate change, inflation driven by higher prices of energy, commodities, and disruption of supply chains, as well as the tightening of monetary policy in the United States and Europe.

Urama added that greater effort will be needed in Africa to mobilise domestic resources and private sector financing to help countries achieve climate and green growth transitions.

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Falana petitions African rights commission over death sentence of Kano singer https://newmail-ng.com/falana-petitions-african-rights-commission-over-death-sentence-of-kano-singer/ Mon, 14 Sep 2020 03:47:13 +0000 https://newmail-ng.com/?p=126699 Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has petitioned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in The Gambia over the death sentence handed down to Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a musician in Kano state. Sharif-Aminu was sentenced to death in August after a Shari’a court in Kano found him guilty of committing blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad in […]

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Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has petitioned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in The Gambia over the death sentence handed down to Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a musician in Kano state.

Sharif-Aminu was sentenced to death in August after a Shari’a court in Kano found him guilty of committing blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad in a song.

The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria asked the Kano state government to execute the court judgment — despite an outcry.

In the petition dated September 8, Falana asked the commission to urge the Nigerian authorities “to stop the irreparable damage that would be caused to the petitioner and his charter rights”.

The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said despite its commitment to the charter, the Nigerian authorities continue to violate the fair trial of the musician which puts him at risk of “imminent execution”.

“According to our information, on August 10, the Upper Sharia Court sitting in Kano, Kano State convicted Sharif Yahaya Sharif of blasphemy and sentenced him to death by hanging. The request for a certified true copy of the judgment of the Court was also not granted on time,” the lawyer said.

“When the petitioner informed the Court that he could not afford and secure the services of a Lawyer to defend him, the Court ordered the Legal Aid Council to assign him a Lawyer so that the petitioner could enjoy access to legal representation. However, the order was disobeyed by the Legal Aid Council. The Legal Aid Council is the body established by law to provide legal support to indigent citizens especially in cases involving death penalty.

“An appeal at the Kano State High Court against the conviction and death sentence imposed on the petitioner has been filed, but we submit that the petitioner will not enjoy a fair hearing, as he continues to face imminent execution by hanging.”

Falana said by denying Sharif-Aminu fair trial, the commission should find Nigeria wanting for violating seven articles of the charter.

“By virtue of the decision to execute the petitioner, find that Nigeria has violated his right to life under Article 4 of the African Charter, and the resolutions on moratorium on executions adopted by both the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the UN General Assembly,” he said.

“Find that Nigeria has deliberately and wilfully disregarded the request by the African Commission to the effect that African countries, including Nigeria that still retain the death penalty should fully comply with their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and guarantee to every person accused of crimes for which capital punishment is applicable, fair trial standards, including access to legal representation.”

The lawyer, who listed measures to ensure that Sharif-Aminu gets a fair trial, urged the commission to ask the Nigerian authorities to “faithfully and fully implement resolutions on moratorium on executions” adopted by the African body and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“Provisional Measure No. 1: Immediately remove the petitioner from imminent execution or any risk of execution, and fully accord the petitioner his fair trial and other human rights, pending this Commission’s decision. Unless the African Commission urgently intervenes in this case, there is a risk of irreversible denial of the petitioner’s rights, which in turn will render nugatory the resolutions on moratorium on executions by the African Commission and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly,” he said.

“Provisional Measure No. 2: Give assurances that the petitioner facing imminent execution will not be executed.”

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U.S. bars ex-Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, family https://newmail-ng.com/u-s-bars-ex-gambian-president-yahya-jammeh-family/ Tue, 11 Dec 2018 04:25:17 +0000 http://newmail-ng.com/?p=95173 The United States has barred former President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia and his immediate family from the country. U.S. Department of State, in a statement on ‘Public Designation of The Gambia’s Yahya Jammeh,’ said the ex-president was sanctioned over “his involvement in significant corruption.” “The Department is publicly designating former president of The Gambia, […]

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The United States has barred former President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia and his immediate family from the country.

U.S. Department of State, in a statement on ‘Public Designation of The Gambia’s Yahya Jammeh,’ said the ex-president was sanctioned over “his involvement in significant corruption.”

“The Department is publicly designating former president of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, under the terms of Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2018, due to his involvement in significant corruption.

“Section 7031(c) provides that, in cases where the Secretary of State has credible information that foreign government officials have been involved in significant corruption or a gross violation of human rights, those individuals and their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States.

“The law requires the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate such officials and their immediate family members.

“In addition to the designation of Yahya Jammeh, the Department is also publicly designating Jammeh’s spouse, Zineb Yahya Jammeh, his daughter, Mariam Jammeh, and his son, Muhammad Yahya Jammeh,” the statement read.

The United States is committed to combating corruption, increasing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and promoting good governance globally, according to the statement.

“The United States stands with the government of The Gambia, its people, and civil society in support of The Gambia’s transition towards greater transparency, accountability, and democratic governance, for the benefit of all Gambians,” the statement read.

Jammeh was defeated by current President Adama Barrow, who won the December 2016 presidential election with 43.34 per cent of the vote.

Jammeh’s tenure ended on Jan. 19, 2017, the same day that Barrow was expected to be sworn in as his successor, but he initially accepted the result, and later reneged.

Barrow was forced to flee to neighbouring Senegal, where he was inaugurated at the Gambian embassy on Jan. 19 2017.

The U.S. had warned the embattled Jammeh that he was losing opportunities to peacefully handover to then president-elect Barrow and avoid the consequences of his actions.

“President Jammeh is losing opportunities to respect the will of the Gambian people and to peacefully hand over power to the president-elect, which is supposed to happen on Thursday.

“Doing so would allow him to leave office with his head held high and to protect the Gambian people from potential chaos.

“Failure to do so will put his legacy – and, more importantly, the Gambia – in peril, and we have been clear about this,” the U.S. had said.

The United Nations, the African Union and ECOWAS had said that Jammeh would cease to be recognised as Gambian President from the date he was expected to handover, which the U.S. also supported.

Jammeh was eventually forced to leave The Gambia and go into exile on January 21, while Barrow returned to the Gambia on January 26.

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Gambia’s Jammeh ‘stole $50m’, assets frozen https://newmail-ng.com/gambias-jammeh-stole-50m-assets-frozen/ Tue, 23 May 2017 09:41:54 +0000 http://newmail-ng.com/?p=64233 The Gambia’s longtime former ruler Yahya Jammeh stole at least $50-million from the state, the country’s justice minister said Monday, in the first major anti-corruption move by the country’s new president. It is the first time the new government of the small west African nations has put a figure to the amount it believes Jammeh […]

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The Gambia’s longtime former ruler Yahya Jammeh stole at least $50-million from the state, the country’s justice minister said Monday, in the first major anti-corruption move by the country’s new president.

It is the first time the new government of the small west African nations has put a figure to the amount it believes Jammeh plundered from state coffers before leaving for exile in Equatorial Guinea in January after 22 years in power.

“President Yahya Jammeh personally or under his instructions directed the unlawful withdrawal of at least $50 million,” said Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou, describing withdrawals from The Gambia’s central bank and linked with state-owned Gamtel between 2013 and 2017.

“We have today obtained a court order freezing or placing a temporary hold on the known assets in the country of former President Yahya Jammeh and companies directly associated with him,” Tambadou added.

The court order concerns 88 bank accounts in Jammeh’s name or those of his associates, Tambadou told journalists, along with 14 companies linked with the former strongman.

Jammeh ran everything from bakeries to farms during his tenure and was regularly accused of taking over successful businesses for his own gain.

Monday’s order was designed to prevent Jammeh “liquidating or dissipating assets,” the minister added, confirming the order applied only to the former leader’s assets in The Gambia.

Last Tuesday Gambian police said three cousins of the former president would face theft charges after selling off his cattle, raising suspicions that his contacts still in the country were under scrutiny.

“These discoveries are just a tip of the iceberg,” Tambadou told a press conference. Interior Minister Mai Fatty accused Jammeh of taking $11 million after leaving in January, adding he also took luxury cars piled onto a Chadian cargo plane, but the claim was not backed up by the rest of the cabinet.

The Gambia’s longtime opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) won an absolute majority in parliamentary elections in April, easily defeating Jammeh’s party which has been cast into the electoral wilderness by his departure.

That came after the stunning ouster of Jammeh by President Adama Barrow in a December presidential election, a result which the defeated leader fought for weeks until the threat of a regional military intervention.

Meanwhile, police continue to investigate dozens of forced disappearances under Jammeh’s rule, with victims clamouring for justice.

The Gambia’s National Assembly was long derided for acting as a rubber stamp for Jammeh’s decisions, but hopes are high for a revitalised chamber with a raft of fresh faces elected.

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Why I stepped down as The Gambian president – Yahya Jammeh https://newmail-ng.com/why-i-stepped-down-as-the-gambian-president-yahya-jammeh/ Sat, 21 Jan 2017 17:42:38 +0000 http://newmail-ng.com/?p=57031 The former President of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, has made a nationwide broadcast to the Gambian people, explaining why he decided to relinquish power and wishing the country well as it turns a new political corner. Jammeh, who ruled the country with an iron hand for 22 years, gave the explanation on Saturday morning in […]

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The former President of The Gambia, Yahya Jammeh, has made a nationwide broadcast to the Gambian people, explaining why he decided to relinquish power and wishing the country well as it turns a new political corner.

Jammeh, who ruled the country with an iron hand for 22 years, gave the explanation on Saturday morning in a speech broadcast on the state-owned Gambian Radio and Television Service (GRTS).

In the speech, Jammeh said he did his best for his country, and decided to give up power because of his commitment to the security and peace of The Gambia.

He said be believed in the importance of dialogue and was particualrly pleased that the political impasse that gripped the country since December 2016 did not lead to any loss of life.

The former President did not however indicate what he planned to do going forward and whether he would continue to play any role in the politics of the tiny West African nation.

“My first preoccupation as president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and a patriot is to protect at every instance and in every circumstance the lives of Gambians. And this is a duty I hold sacrosanct.

“I have always strived for peace and security of our nation and Africa. During this entire time that Allah Subhuana Wa Ta Allah in his infinite wisdom has permitted me to exercise power, and throughout the time that the sovereign people of The Gambia have put their confidence in me, my primary preoccupation has been to uphold the dignity of our people and the sovereignty of this great nation,” he said.

James said that as a result of all the numerous sacrifices that “we and those before us have made as a nation, The Gambia has affirmed its desire to deepen its own future and destiny. This is a cause I have always been ready to defend, and even with my life. All the actions we have taken towards building this nation up to this point have distinguished us among the community of nations and given us a pride of place in history.

All this while, Jammeh said that as a muslim and a patriot, I believe it is not necessary that a single drop of blood be shed.

“Since the beginning of this political impasse that our dear nation is going through, I promise before Allah Subhuana Wa Ta Allah and the entire nation that all the issues we currently face would be resolved peacefully.

“I am indeed thankful to Allah Subhuana Wa Ta Allah that up till now, not a single casualty has been registered. I believe in the importance of dialogue and in the capacity of Africans to resolve among themselves all the challenges in the way towards democracy, economic and social development.

“It is as a result of this that I have decided to, in good conscience, relinquish the mantle of leadership of this great nation with infinite gratitude to all Gambians – women, children, youth and men – and friends of the Gambia who have supported me for 22 years in the building of a modern Gambia. Above all, the independence of the free and proud people of the Gambia, and I will always, together with you, defend this independence that we so dearly fought for and worked for.

“Our decision today was not dictated by anything else but by the supreme interest of you, the Gambian people and our dear country. Taking into consideration, my prayer and desire that peace and security continue to reign in the Gambia. At a time when we are witnessing trouble and wars in other parts of Africa and the world, the peace and security of the Gambia is our collective heritage which we must jealously guard and defend.

“I am proud and honoured to have served our country, The Gambia. While thanking all of you, men women and children, members of the armed and security services, humble citizens and all those who have supported me or were against me during this period,

“I implore them all to put the supreme interest of our nation, The Gambia, above all partisan interests, and endeavour to work together as one nation to continue to preserve the highly cherished achievement of the country, its sovereignty, peace, stability and integrity as well as the economic achievements realised during these years.

“I pray that the Gambia continues to be united and prosperous for the welfare of each and everyone of us and be the pride of all.

“I subject myself only to the judgment of Allah Subhuana Wa Ta Allah whose judgment is above and beyond man, time and history. Allah Subhuana Wa Ta Allah is the only guarantor of peace and justice.

“Finally, I am truly and sincerely proud to have been of service to you and our noble nation. I wish to thank each and everyone of the security forces, members of government, present and past, my party militants, and most importantly, you the Gambian people, and National Assembly members, past and present, for the confidence vested in me and your loyal support.

“I pray that Allah Subhuana Wa Ta Allah continues to light and guide our path and to shine his light and blessing on our great and beautiful country.

“I wish to take this opportunity to thank my mother, my wife and children for all their prayers and support throughout the past 22 years.
I thank you all, and may Allah Subhuana Wa Ta Allah continues to bless our motherland.”

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Senegalese troops enter The Gambia as Barrow sworn in https://newmail-ng.com/senegalese-troops-enter-the-gambia-as-barrow-sworn-in/ Fri, 20 Jan 2017 06:35:57 +0000 http://newmail-ng.com/?p=56951 Senegalese troops entered The Gambia on Thursday in support of its new President Adama Barrow, who took office demanding loyalty from his own armed forces in a tense standoff with his defeated rival. Barrow was sworn in at The Gambia’s embassy in Dakar, although longtime leader Yahya Jammeh has refused to step down despite international […]

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Senegalese troops entered The Gambia on Thursday in support of its new President Adama Barrow, who took office demanding loyalty from his own armed forces in a tense standoff with his defeated rival.

Barrow was sworn in at The Gambia’s embassy in Dakar, although longtime leader Yahya Jammeh has refused to step down despite international pressure following his December election loss.

Celebrations erupted in the Gambian capital, which has been on edge over the crisis in the former British colony in west Africa.

Dressed all in white, 51-year-old Barrow waved to crowds at the ceremony that anointed him, seeking to end the 22-year rule of Jammeh, who has not been seen but is believed to be still in Banjul.

“This is a victory of the Gambian nation. Our flag will now fly high among those of the most democratic nations of the world,” he said.

Shortly after the inauguration, the UN Security Council unanimously backed efforts by the regional bloc ECOWAS to force Jammeh to hand over power, without formally authorising military action.

“I command the chief of defence staff and officers of high command to demonstrate their loyalty to me as commander in chief without any delay,” Barrow said at his inauguration.

“I command all members of the armed forces to remain in their barracks, those found wanting or in possession of firearms without my order will be considered rebels.”

Britain was among foreign powers to congratulate the new president.

Barrow, an opposition coalition candidate, defeated Jammeh, who had ruled the former British colony since taking power in a coup in 1994, in a surprise election win on December 1.

Troops from Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria readied for a possible intervention against Jammeh, whose mandate expired at midnight Wednesday.

A Senegalese army spokesman confirmed his country’s troops had crossed the border, after Nigerian jets overflew The Gambia.

Shops had stayed shuttered and streets were quiet in and around the capital Banjul before the inauguration. Tour operators had continued to evacuate hundreds more tourists from the tiny country’s popular beach resorts.

But Barrow supporters on Thursday evening took to the streets of Banjul, where soldiers were seen but did not intervene.

“For the last 22 years we were living under a state of dictatorship,” Corra Kah said in a suburb of Banjul as he watched the inauguration. “Now we are free”.

In off the cuff remarks, army chief Ousman Badjie insisted his soldiers would not get involved in a “political dispute” or prevent foreign forces from entering the west African nation.

Barrow, a real-estate agent turned politician, flew to Senegal on January 15 after weeks of rising tension over Jammeh’s stance.

The incumbent initially acknowledged Barrow as the victor but later rejected the result.

He then attempted to block Barrow’s inauguration with a court ruling and by declaring a state of emergency this week.

A senior member of Barrow’s opposition coalition, Isatou Touray, welcomed the army chief’s declaration.

“That’s a very positive outlook from him, given that Jammeh’s regime is done,” Touray told AFP.

“We don’t have to risk the lives of innocent citizens.”

In remarks at a hotel restaurant late Wednesday, Badjie said he loved his men and would not risk their lives in a “stupid fight,” witnesses said.

Arriving back from The Gambia at Manchester airport in England, several passengers could be seen comforting a Gambian national and UK resident who had tried unsuccessfully to get his family out.

Ebrima Jajne described the situation as “really scary for everybody… because this president (Jammeh) doesn’t want to step down and people are fleeing.”

Tourist Ralph Newton said local residents had done what they could to reassure visitors, despite the threat to themselves.

“All the locals were just worried… They said it’s a bad time for us but you’ll be alright… It’ll be us they come for, if they come for anybody.”

After 11th-hour talks in Banjul, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz held a meeting with Barrow also attended by Senegal’s President Macky Sall, the private RFM radio station reported.

It was not clear whether the Mauritanian leader had secured a deal or made an asylum offer to Jammeh.

The last-minute intervention came after several unsuccessful attempts at diplomacy by the 15-nation Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS).

Mauritania is not part of ECOWAS and diplomats have previously reached out to the conservative desert nation in hopes of brokering a deal with Jammeh.

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Botswana emerges first country to cut ties with Jammeh https://newmail-ng.com/botswana-emerges-first-country-to-cut-ties-with-jammeh/ Thu, 19 Jan 2017 14:13:13 +0000 http://newmail-ng.com/?p=56919 Botswana has become the first African country to announce that it no longer recognises Yahya Jammeh as president of The Gambia. The southern African made its position known in a statement issued on Thursday. It also called on the international community to mount pressure on Jammeh to step down. “Following Mr. Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to […]

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Botswana has become the first African country to announce that it no longer recognises Yahya Jammeh as president of The Gambia.

The southern African made its position known in a statement issued on Thursday. It also called on the international community to mount pressure on Jammeh to step down.

“Following Mr. Yahya Jammeh’s refusal to hand over power to the President-elect Adama Barrow, in accordance with the expressed will of the Gambian people, the Government of Botswana announces that it will no longer recognise Mr. Jammeh as the President of Gambia, together with his Government.

“This decision which takes effect immediately is consistent with Botswana’s position as articulated through the Press Release of 16th December 2016.

“Mr. Jammeh’s decision not to respect the will of the Gambian people undermines the ongoing efforts to consolidate democracy and good governance in The Gambia and Africa as a whole. This is also in direct contravention of the spirit and aspirations of the African Union Constitutive Act.

“The Government of Botswana therefore continues to appeal to the international community to do all within its power to exert pressure on Mr. Jammeh to hand over power in order to ensure a smooth transition.”

Jammeh initially accepted the result of the election, but later made a U-turn, citing alleged irregularities.

Attempts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to make him accept the will of the people did not yield the desired result.

Senegal gave Jammeh up until midnight of Wednesday to end his 22-year rule, but he called the bluff of the neighbouring country, where Barrow is to be sworn in at 4pm on Thursday.

The incoming president disclosed this on Twitter.

You are all welcome to my inauguration today 4pm at The #Gambian embassy in #Dakar.

— Adama Barrow (@BarrowOfficial1) January 19, 2017

Barrow left his country amid the political crisis. He was to take the oath of office on Gambian soil, but the 90-day state of emergency declared by his rival made it impossible.

Barrow enjoys the support of continental leaders.

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Buhari not a democrat, lacks moral rights to intervene in The Gambia – Fayose https://newmail-ng.com/buhari-not-a-democrat-lacks-moral-rights-to-intervene-in-the-gambia-fayose/ Wed, 14 Dec 2016 10:31:03 +0000 http://newmail-ng.com/?p=55479 Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s involvement in the meeting with President Yahya Jammeh to persuade him to concede defeat as an aberration, saying; “A man like Buhari under whose free, fair and credible elections no longer exist lacks moral rights to preach obedience to democratic principles to anyone.” The governor […]

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Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s involvement in the meeting with President Yahya Jammeh to persuade him to concede defeat as an aberration, saying; “A
man like Buhari under whose free, fair and credible elections no longer exist lacks moral rights to preach obedience to democratic principles to anyone.”

The governor said great Africans like former President Goodluck Jonathan, President John Mahama of Ghana and others who have lost elections and conceded defeat were in the best position to intervene
in Gambia and not someone like Buhari, who lost election three times and never conceded defeat.

According to his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose wondered what President Buhari, whose government is desperately moving Nigeria from a multi-party democracy to a one party State, would have told President Jammeh in Gambia Tuesday,

He said “with what happened in Rivers State last weekend, it is certain that votes of Nigerians will no longer be allowed to count as the APC cabal in the Presidential villa has now assumed the roles of
INEC, allocating votes to their party and using security agents to force their will on the people.”

Governor Fayose asked; “Did President Buhari face Jammeh and advised him to accept defeat the way he (Buhari) conceded defeat in 2003, 2007 and 2011 when violence was instigated and several people, including Youth Corp members were killed? Or did Buhari lecture Jammeh to take to democracy at gunpoint, which is now the norm in Nigeria?

“How can Buhari, who has destroyed the legacy of free, fair and credible elections that was handed over to him, be the one to prevail on someone else to adhere to democratic principles?”

He said Buhari should first remove the timber in his eyes before attempting to remove the toothpicks in other peoples’ eyes, describing the President as a physician who cannot heal himself but trying to
heal others.

The governor said even though President Jammeh behaved dishonourably by reneging on his initial promise to accept defeat, involvement of President Buhari in the meeting to persuade him to step down was the height of hypocrisy.

The governor said that Nigerians are now more concerned with how to take back their country like the Gambians have done.

“Nigerians are worried about the possibility of Buhari behaving like Jammeh in 2019 after he must have been defeated and that the international community may need a high-powered delegation to pilot his rampaging bull out of Nigerians chinashop,” he said.

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Nigeria, The Gambia sign MoU to promote trade, investment among women https://newmail-ng.com/nigeria-the-gambia-sign-mou-to-promote-trade-investment-among-women/ Thu, 12 Mar 2015 14:25:46 +0000 http://newmail-ng.com/new/?p=22151 Nigeria and The Gambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote trade, investment and best practice among women, the aged and people living with disabilities from both countries. The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina and Vice-President of The Gambia, Isatou Njie-Saidy, signed the document on behalf of their […]

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Nigeria and The Gambia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote trade, investment and best practice among women, the aged and people living with disabilities from both countries.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina and Vice-President of The Gambia, Isatou Njie-Saidy, signed the document on behalf of their countries on Wednesday in New York.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the UN Commission on Status of Women, tagged Beijing +20, which was 20 years after the Beijing Women Conference of 1995 took place in the Chinese capital.

The Understanding seeks to empower women, children, the disabled and the elderly in both countries, as well as promote increased trade among women in the two countries.

The Gambia vice president, who is also the country’s Minister of Women Affairs, expressed satisfaction that the efforts of both countries had come to fruition and promised to begin action in her country on the terms of the agreement.

She said “we went through a lot of reviews, discussions, changes here and there but thank God today we have signed the MoU. It is a good move; it will strengthen ties between Nigeria and The Gambia, although we always had good relationship.

“We want to ensure the welfare of women in The Gambia and their counterparts in Nigeria, as well as the most vulnerable, and children.”

She said there were many Nigerian women doing business in The Gambia, especially those from Yoruba and Hausa tribes and that some of them had been in that country for generations.

“Indeed the people of Africa have been moving and trading among themselves even without government involvement; but we now want government to be involved so that it will improve interactions.

“We’re looking at social issues, education, health, violence against women, and the economic empowerment of women, as well as women in business.

“In Gambia, more than half of the farmers are women, especially those in rice cultivation, but they’re going into all other areas and we can learn from each other, when it comes to women, children, the elderly and disabled, we can share lessons.”

“I thank the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the cooperation that we have shared. We’ve always seen Nigeria as big brother and I can assure you that following this agreement today, we will work head-on on the programmes.”

“We have challenges of trade, especially at the borders but there is no country that doesn’t have challenges even in the developed world.”

Responding, Maina commended President Goodluck Jonathan for giving women voice in his government.

“I want to thank my President, Goodluck Jonathan, who is gender-friendly and made the signing of this MoU possible to help women, the aged, people with disabilities and the government and people of The Gambia, led by President Yahya Jameh.

“This MoU has taken a long time; we’ve met two or three times on the issue. Both countries have come a long way and the accord will further enhance our friendship and strengthen our relationship.

“President Jameh of The Gambia made a powerful and supportive statement during Nigeria’s centenary celebration last year and we look up to you too, big or small a brother is a brother.

“We wanted a bilateral relationship where our women will exchange best practices, have bilateral trades, and this MoU will help us in that regard.

“This is an opportunity God has given us to help our women and may God bless the two countries, and the region with everlasting peace.”

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