April 10/11 student massacre: survivor renews call for justice

Photo: Abdou Karim Jammeh Testifying Before the TRRC

By Ousman A. Marong

As tomorrow marks twenty years of Gambia’s student massacre of April 10 and 11, 2000, Abdou Karim Jammeh, a survivor has renewed his call on the government to properly investigate and bring the alleged shooters to book and justice.

Abdou Karim Jammeh who was attending junior secondary school at the time of the incident was shot in his knee on when students took to the streets to demonstrate against the raping of a teenage girl and alleged murder of Ebrima Barry.

Mr. Jammeh was speaking to News Bite Gambia from Turkey where he and few victims are currently undergoing medical treatment.

“I feel very bad seeing our shooter walking freely in the streets while we endure the pain and the suffering. We are calling on the authorities to act as quickly as possible in order to ensure that our shooters are brought to book,” he said.

He said the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubacarr Tambadou’s remark gave them (victim) hope and confidence.

Abdou Karim who refused to remain silent recalled that minister Tambadou told the victims last year that justice should prevail for the victims and families of the student massacre.

He further stated that the minister said they (government) will try by all means know who gave the order for the shooting and killing of those protesting students and that justice will be served.

“We hope that justice will take it course, as we  are engaging the TRRC and hopefully our shooters together with their evil dictator will be brought to book,” the outspoken survivor echoed.

He described April 10/11, 2000 massacre as the darkest day in the history of the Gambia, adding that these were the security officers who should have protected them but decided to shoot and killed some of their colleagues in brought daylight.

April 10/11, 2000 was the student demonstration was triggered by the human rights abuse of students.

A female teenage student was allegedly raped and one Ebrima Barry, a student in Brikama, West Coast Region was beaten by members of Gambia Fire and Rescue Service followed by his death.

Students’ demand for justice for their two colleagues resulted in killing more than a dozen of them and maiming many.

Victims and their families are still living in pain and the government of former president Yayha Jammeh that was accused of ordering for the shooting of student protesters denied the allegation.

A commission of inquiry was established and concluded that the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) also known as Paramilitary was responsible for the shooting including many deaths.

Even though the inquiry found these security officers culpable, former president Yayah Jammeh indemnified them through his then dominated National Assembly.

Muslim Cleric Warns Gambians Against Politizing COVID-19

Photo: Imam Sheriff Mamina Hydar

By Ousman A. Marong

Sheriff Mamina Hydara (Arhubai) president of the Association the Grandchildren of the Prophet (AGP) has warned Gambians against politizing the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is not a political issue or meant to score political points. It is not a joke nor is it an individual thing. It is a thing of the common problem. If you asked someone to wash his or her hand what comes to his or her mind is food. There is no ending to washing hand and it is high time we do something before it is too late,” he warned.

The Islamic cleric said his only worries are the aftereffect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the citizenry.

He made this revelation yesterday in an interview with NEWS BITE GAMBIA in his Bundung residence.

“The virus is already here, but its effect and the disturbance to follow the pandemic is that we (Gambians) should be cautious about it. It has arrived and there is nothing we could do about it. What we should be thinking about now is the aftereffect of the virus. The world's superpowers are today crying talk less of small countries with their vulnerable citizens,” echoed the Islamic leader.

He said the Gambia is at the mercy of the world adding that we entirely depend on begging the west for survival.

“The world superpower are today in disarray, what do you expect from the smaller countries who have nothing and are entirely begging the west for survival. What about if those you are begging for help also become bankrupt. What will you do? This is why I said we must be each other’s keepers,” he remarked.

The religionist concluded that Gambians should surrender themselves before God and asked for his mercy, saying that would be the only way out.

Photo: New Badala Estate.

TAF Africa Global Launches New Estate

By Ousman A. Marong

TAF Africa Global, the leading Estate developer across the sub-region has today Friday 10 January 2020 launched its new Dalaba Real Estate.

The Dalaba housing Estate is the newest launched by TAF Africa Global in their bit to build ten thousand (10,000) houses in the Gambia over the next 10-years.

“We plan to construct one thousand (1000) houses every year in order to meet this target,” said Mustapha Njie, CEO, TAF Africa Global.

According to him the reason why TAF Africa Global came with the project is to make an affordable house for every Gambian.

He made the revelations at the launching of their new build Dalaba Housing Estate along the Sukuta Jabang Highway.

The Dalaba housing Estate is a beautiful gated community strategically located along with the newly constructed Sukuta, Jabang Highway.

It is 10 minutes drives from the Senegambia strip and 15 minutes’ drive from the Banjul International Airport.

“If we build one thousand houses means we have created 25 percent on youths and unemployment,” he said.

He outlined that Africa is facing a growing meltdown of an affordable housing crisis with a total number of 52 million housing deficit while urging key drivers to dwell in supporting Real Estate developers.

In her part, Mariama Ndure representing the Minister of Lands and Regional Government lauded TAF Africa Global in their contribution in complementing government effort.

“I have been reliably informed that since the launching of the project in June 2018 consumption activities around the area have surged which will definitely help fast-track develop the area. The government of the Gambia will continue to create the enabling environment for ease of doing business,” she remarked.

This she said is, without doubt, complementing government efforts. She advised the occupants of the new Dalaba Estate to keep the place in good condition.

Gambia: Dozens Hospitalized In Brikama, Others Arrested After Police Fired Tear Gas On Peaceful Protesters

PHOTO: Red Cross Volunteers (Photo Credit Modou Jeng Member Red Cross)

By Ousman A. Marong
A total of fifty (50) people have been hospitalized at the Brikama Health Center and at the country’s main referral hospital, the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) respectively.
The incident occurred when the anti-riot police fired tear gas at peaceful protesters who were demanding better service delivery from the Brikama Area Council.
The protest for “#OCCUPYBAC” saw a lane race between security officers and the organizers into a resolution but to no avail. The police have rejected the application for a permit from “#OCCUPYBAC” team to hold the protest.
As early as 8:00 O’clock Wednesday morning peaceful protesters gathered near the Brikama market chanting with placards ‘BAC must deliver’. The Anti-riot police came and fired tear gas to disperse the protesters, resulting in many injuries, with some others hospitalized. Also, a student of the University of The Gambia Amadou Ceesay was arrested but later released.