Government Exposed As Sonko Exonerates Superant Fronteres Over Ambulance Donation

 

 

Karamo Sonko Of UDP

 By Ousman A. Marong

 

The United Democratic Party's Regional Executive Member for Lower Niumi District, Mr Karamo Sonko, has confirmed the ambulance among its fleet of medical items was donated by the Superant Frontieres, a Spanish Charitable Foundation, through his partnership and not that of the government.

Sonko has further accused the government of President Adama Barrow of using the donated ambulances to score political points and also to canvas votes ahead of the 2026 presidential elections.

The UDP candidate for the Essau Ward made the exposure over the weekend during a Current Affairs radio program on Niumi FM radio called the Eyeball Show, anchored by Ousman A. Marong and Mam Jarra Camara.

The opposition United Democratic Party, UDP's Karamo Sonko, narrated how the donation and partnership came about.

He said the donation came from Buba Jammeh, a family member who is the Gambian representative of the Spanish Charitable Foundation (Superant Frontieres).

“Buba Jammeh is a family member who wishes to support my candidacy and party politics. Upon my defeat to Michele Mendy during the local government elections, I still want to live up to my campaign promise, which is to plough back to society. Mr. Jammeh, ask me what I think should be done for the Essau District Hospital. I told him I wanted his support through Superant Fronteres to donate medical supplies and an ambulance to the Essau District Hospital,” he narrated.

It could be recalled that in November of 2024, the government of the Gambia, through the Ministry of Health (MoH), is said to have secured a donation of essential medical supplies with an ambulance through a partnership with their Gambian, NGO, was made possible to donate to the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), and the Essau District Hospital, respectively.

According to Karamo Sonko, the government's claim of securing a partnership deal with Associacia Superant Fronteres, a Spanish Charitable Foundation to donate to the said hospitals was through his gesture and not the other way around.

He narrated how the donation and partnership came about, conjugating it to Buba Jammeh, a family member who is the Gambian representative of the Spanish Charitable Foundation (Superant Frontieres).

“Buba Jammeh is a family member who wishes to support my candidacy and party politics. Upon my defeat to Michele Mendy during the local government elections, I still want to live up to my campaign promise, which is to plough back to society. Mr. Jammeh, ask me what I think should be done for the Essau District Hospital. I told him I wanted his support through Superant Fronteres to donate medical supplies and an ambulance to the Essau District Hospital. My partners, upon agreeing to give support to the Essau District Hospital, have shipped the medical supplies in containers and shipped them to the Gambia, except for the ambulance, which came via land and was stocked in Morocco. Officials at the Morocco border held the ambulance because they said people took them from Spain to Africa in the name of donation and later sold them. The involvement of government in this was when the ambulance was stranded in Morocco and they were to prepare us a border crossing clearance document to indicate that the said ambulance was indeed meant for hospital donation and nothing more,” he narrated.

He thanked Bakary Sanneh, the OIC at the Essau District Hospital, for guiding and providing them (the donors) with what kind of support the hospital needed.

He continued: “They (the government), believe that my intention and wish to donate to the hospital with an ambulance was impossible. They were not taking us seriously,” he said.

Sonko challenged anyone to provide proof indicating that the donation was through a government partnership and not his.

He said: “It would be mind-boggling for one to think to suggest that the donated materials came through government. If that were so, why was no single government representative present during the handing-over ceremony at the Essau District Hospital? This should tell you they (the government), have nothing to do with the donation.”

The philanthropist cum politician compounded his chest and bravely stated what he has done for the people of the North Bank Region, NBR, the government of President Adama Barrow hasn't done a quarter of it.

Sonko, who lost against Michael Mendy in the local government elections asked the people of the North Bank Region particularly, Barra, Essau, Mayamba, etc to give their back to President Adama Barrow, and his NPP, party saying he had nothing to offer to the people of NBR, and that he is taking them a ride.

“Let me tell you one secret in politics and that is the regions or towns that always prove their loyalty to any ruling government are always the regions or towns that the government give its back to in terms of development. Why do you think your radio station was not part of the media houses that benefited from the D40 million Dalasi government's good image media contract? It's simple and it's just that your media house is stationed in rural Gambia and Niumi (Essau), a region that the president gave his back to,” he concluded.

West Africa Fights Back: Organised Crime Takes Aim At Human Trafficking

 

 

Photo: Members Of TOC.

 

 By Ousman A. Marong

 

The Transnational Organised Crime (TOC), West Africa in collaboration with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights(ACHPR), together with the CSO groups working on human rights, UNODC, IOM, OHCHR, Interpol, Academics and researchers specializing in TOC, human rights and related fields with funding from the European Union (EU), is poised to take step in combatting Human Trafficking, armed conflicts fueled by illicit trafficking, extrajudicial killings, force labour and other forms of exploration that constitute grave violation of human dignity.

 

Transnational Organised Crime (TOC) poses a significant threat to human rights across Africa, undermining governance, security and development. However, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) is playing a critical role in promoting and protecting human rights in the face of these threats.

The meeting was held on Friday, 13th March 2025 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo. The convergence brought together human rights lawyers, CSOs, migration experts and people from different sectors to devise strategies towards combatting TOC causes.

Dr Feyi Ogunade, Regional Coordinator, Transnational Organised Crime, TOC, said the converging was meant to examine how the African Commission can combat and address Transnational Organised Crime.

“It is always my belief that TOC causes can be addressed. We did not do much on Transnational Organised Crime. We primarily focus on human rights issues, which are the promotion and protection of civil, political and social rights. There are other obligations that the African Commission can address, and that's Transnational Organised Crimes. When you look at the interface at the conference on human rights and TOC, you see so many violations of human rights and TOCs. A typical example is human trafficking, smuggling in person from the time people are being smuggled till they enter the boats from Libya to the Mediterranean Sea. Thousand and thousands of would-be migrants or smugglers have lost their lives. More people have died in the Shara desert,” said Dr Feyi Ogunade, regional coordinator of Transnational Organised Crime.

 

In her part, Enya Braun, EU Programme Manager on Governance Cooperation (PMGC), said Transnational Organised Crimes know no borders, and its impact reaches societies threatening governance, security and the fundamental rights of people across the world.

 

She continued: “The European Union (EU) has now recognised the urgency of addressing Transnational Organised Crime not only as a security challenge but also as a way of human rights concerns. TOC undermine the rule of law, enables corruption and weakens state institutions, leaving communities vulnerable and deprived of basic protection.”

Background Of Transnational Organised Crime (TOC).

Transnational Organised Crime (TOC) in Africa manifests in various forms, including human trafficking, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and cybercrime. These criminal activities traverse national borders, necessitating a coordinated and multifaceted response. The ACHPR, established by the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, is mandated to promote and protect human rights, interpret the African Charter and ensure its implementation. Strengthening the ACHPR's capacity to address TOC is crucial to safeguarding human rights and promoting justice.

Expert Weighs In: Can West Africa Defeat Transnational Organised Crime?

Photo: Members of TOC
Photo Credit (Pa Modou Cham)

By Mam Jarra Camara 

Enhancing Africa's Response to Transnational Organised Crime (TOC), on Friday 14 March 2025, challenged the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, ACHPR, together with the CSO groups, UNODC, IOM, OHCHR, Interpol, Academics and researchers specializing in TOC causes with funding from the European Union (EU), on West Africa's Transnational Organised Crime struggle. 

The event was held at the Sir Dawda Kaira, Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo, and brought together human rights lawyers, migration personifiers and people from different walks of life pinning strategies towards combatting Transnational Organised Crimes (TOC). 

Dr. Feyi Ogunade, regional coordinator of Transnational Organised Crime, TOC, expresses concerns and believes that the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), could do more in tackling human rights violations related to TOCs. 

He said that even though there are mechanisms under the ACHPR to address other human rights violations, there is still a need for more advocacy on TOC and its related causes of human rights violations, thus needing to be fortified.

“I have worked for the ACHPR as its legal expert for many, many years and even with that, I strongly believe that TOC causes can be addressed and that the ACHPR can do more in addressing TOCs. ACHPR has for a long time been focusing on addressing other human rights issues, such as the promotion of civil, political and social rights, while limited focus is put on human rights violations related to TOCs. When you look at the interface at the conference on human rights and TOC, you see so many violations of human rights and TOCs. A typical example is human trafficking and smuggling. All types of rights are being violated from the time people are being smuggled till they enter the boats from Niger to Libya down to the Mediterranean Sea,” he said.

He concluded by emphasizing the need for CSO's Collaboration with the ACHPR, saying it's crucial in Safeguarding human rights and promoting justice for TOC victims. 

The gathering was in attendance with magistrate Hassan Jallow, who retorted that the Gambia back in the day was not known, with numerous murder causes linking the increase in murder cases to TOCs.

“All these cases are by-products of TOCs. We at the courts will do our utmost best in making sure that perpetrators who are brought before us answer to the crimes they have committed.” 

Enya Braun, the European Union (EU) Program Manager on Governance Cooperation (PMGC), reiterated the EU’s commitment and support to the ACHPR in promoting human rights and tackling TOC-related human rights violations. 

“The EU had long recognized the urgency of addressing TOC not only as a security challenge but also as a human rights concern. TOCs fuel Human trafficking and undermine the rule of law. It also enables corruption and weakens state institutions, leaving communities vulnerable and deprived of basic protections. EU remains committed to supporting African-led initiatives in addressing Transnational organized crimes and its consequences.”