PHOTO: Fatou Fatty (Photo Credit TRRC Media Team)

Coercive Consumption of Hallucinogenic Concoction: Daughter Narrates Dead Mother’s Past Agony

By Ousman A. Marong

                     
Fatou Fatty, a daughter one of the victims of former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh’s witch hunting exercise has explained in detail the anguish of her late mother until her demise.

Fatou appeared before the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) during their community hearings about the inhuman treatment meted out to innocent people in 2009 when hallucinogenic concoction was given to many in the name of hunting for witches and wizards in the country.

The purported witch hunters were said to have come from Guinea Conakry.

The witness told the commission that her mother, Nyima Koteh alias Bouy Koteh who died around the age 80 like many others were abducted and given the concoction by the self-claimed witch hunters.

She further explained that one of her mother’s friends, Adama Bojang came to her (mother) and informed her about an ongoing meeting that both of them should go together.

She said her mother accepted to join her friend because they were told that visitors came to have a meeting with the community not knowing the supposed visitors were the so-called witch hunters.

She told the TRRC that they found people drumming and dancing at the village
bantaba (square).

“I went to the meeting ground but I found them drumming, dancing and my arrival coincided with my mother boarding a vehicle,” she said.

She said she saw men in military uniform armed with guns and some dressed in all red that went round in the community and abducts people
she said those who resist abduction were forced to comply.
She said: “The people that were abducted were the ones dancing and they were told that they were going to cure them.”

She said these people were made to dance against their will, adding that the abducted people were all elderly.
Fatou Fatty said some of them were forced to come to the village square while others came voluntarily.

“They told us they were witch hunters,” she said, adding the numerous people she saw on the bus were all from Jambur village.”

She said before her mother was abducted and given the concoction, she was healthy and goes to the garden by herself but after drinking the concoction, she began having health complications.

“When she returned, I saw wounds on her mouth with a broken tooth. She came home dizzy. Until her demise, she was never the same. Even if she wanted to go the bathroom she would fall,” she said.

She said her late mother became weak and object frequently fell from her hands as she could not hold them firm.

“Sometimes the things she used to say are incomprehensible because she could no longer speak clearly,” she said.
She said her Nyima was not able to communicate to any of her children because of her situation then.

She said no more than three days after she was forced to drink the concoction, her mother was hospitalized at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul for a month.

“She did not improve until she died. She did not even open her eyes until she died,” she said.

PHOTO: President Barrow

It Is Hypocritical For Me to Be Describe as a Lame President- Barrow tells the Sheriff’s

By Ousman A. Marong

The president of the Republic of The Gambia, Adama Barrow has referred to some Gambians as hypocritical in describing him as a lame president.

"I am not a lame president. I became the president of this country through the prayers from the sheriff’s. Before I became president there was a funeral in my home village in Mamkamang-Kunda and there was this Sheriff in attendance; who happened to offer us prayers and identifies a certain amount of charities to us to be taking out. We gave out the identified charities and within 6 years’ time I become the president of the country,” he explained.

He made the disclosure on Friday 8^th November, 2019 during his meeting with a cross-section of Sheriff’s from Ecowas.

“It is hypocritical for Gambians to describe me as a lame president. I am not a lame president. People went to an extent labeling me as a president. some even said I am afraid to talk to my own people. If I were afraid how able am I talking to the masses in canvassing them to vote for during my campaign,” he quizzed.

He retorted that there cannot be two presidents in the country, adding that there is only one legitimate president in the county and that is him.

“I know the oppositions are after my seat, but whosoever is interested in succeeding me should wait tell 2021 presidential election. The country at this crucial time needs more prayers as we face growing political rifts,” he remarked.

In his part, Buneneh Sadi Hydara in his opening remarks said their visit to the country is part of efforts to offer “National Prayers” to the country and the needy. He urged President Barrow to be more proactive in leadership.

“You are the president today and tomorrow. Ignored all opposition talks and concentrate on your good works,” he advised.

 

He revealed that there are bad elements within the borders with all ears waiting for trouble to occur where they will sneak in to do whatsoever bad they wanted.

“I demand from you to appoint me as your defense minister. Mr. President if you happen to appoint me as your Defense Minister I will make sure I safeguard the peace and stability of the country. If I am appointed as defense minister I will correct many wrongdoings, in which I will punish, jail, and imprison many bad people,” he said.

  

Sheikh Ibn Saida Hydara, on the other hand, requests a diplomatic passport from President Barrow, which he said will help ease their traveling as Sheriff's.

Musa Drammeh, Minister of Local Government and Lands, described the visit as timely.

He thanked the Sheriff’s in their efforts in ensuring here is peace and stability in the country.

He further described President Barrow as a man of peace.

“President Barrow is a man with luck simply because normally it is the people who will go after the Sheriff's, but here we are witnessing the Sheriff’s meeting the president by themselves and praying for him," he said.

PHOTO: Mustapha Ceesay (Credit culled from his Facebook)

Former IGP Promotes Officers Based On Their Loyalty to Former President Jammeh – Says Mustapha Ceesay

By Ousman A. Marong

Mustapha Ceesay former Administrative Officer of the Gambia Police Force (GPF) has allegedly told the Truth Commission that former Inspector-General of police Ensa Badjie alias Jesus promote police officers based on their loyalty to former president Yahya Jammeh.

Testifying before the Commission in Dunes Hotel, via Skype from his UK base, Ceesay informed the Commission that former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ensa Badjie informed them (police officers) that their promotion was to done be based on their loyalty to former president Yahya Jammeh.

He said Mr. Badjie made the pronouncement at Kanilai during harvest to former President Jammeh’s farm.

“During the harvesting condoms were been distributed amongst security officers. I felt offended and asked myself to as why would a president called us to harvest on his farm and condoms are been distributed. I went straight into the mosque and put all the mikes on and started preaching,” he explained.

He named names such as Modou Sowe, Aziz Bojang, Ousman Cham, and Ousman Sonko amongst others to be those present during the harvest to former president Jammeh’s farm.

He said prior to the witch-hunt, former IGP Ensa Badjie was present at the parade held at the police headquarters in Banjul.

“He (Ensa Badje) was present at the parade ground prior to the witch-hunt and he made the announcement before us that there will be a witch-hunting exercise to be conducted at the police headquarters and any police officer who refused to be obliged will be sacked off their job. The witch-hunters were dressed in complete red. Their leader had a big mirror and in the middle of the mirror there are small cowries surrounding all over his body,” he remarked.

The witness recalled seeing Solo Bojang former State House officer in the midst of witch-hunters accompanying them.

He alleged that the witch-hunters were using state vehicles with security officers to accompany them in carrying out their duties.

He further alleged that former IGP Ensa Badjie conducted the parade and informed them (the officers) that former president Jammeh had ordered witch doctors to effect search on officers. He added that Ensa Badjie told them whosoever was identified as witch or wizard will die or something will happen.

"Ensa Badjie told us that each security officers were to swear Allegiance to former president Jammeh. He said some officers were going to be identified and whosever failed to oblige will face the consequences," said the witness.

He informed the Commission that Ensa Badjie was the one who slaughtered the cock while FRI Jammeh slaughtered the goat. 

“The witch-hunters went away with a bottle of the concoction which was buried in the premises of the police headquarters,” he asserted.

 The witness said he was informed by one of his colleagues who went to Baba Jobe’s compound and confirmed that the July 22^nd boys were torturing old women.

“They saw them beating them and pouring water on them telling them “Atoll mu buwaleelati” meaning they were witches. They were not only beating them but pouring water on them,” he said.

He said when he visited his grandmother in Kiang Kantong-Kunda, he saw her running from the back attempting to climb over the fence.

“I rushed to her and announced myself to her. She was trembling and she was 85 at the time. I was told that the neighbors were threatening her that Yahya Jammeh’s witch – hunters will come for her. My grandmother told me she prefers to die than to drink their concussion and be labeled as a witch. She said she has lived her life in the most dignified way and she has never been labeled as a witch and therefore, she preferred to die than been called a witch,” said Mr.Ceesay.

He said he was told by an official at the Ministry of Finance that his aunty was raped multiple times by the green boys after drinking the concussion.

"Official from the Ministry of Finance informed me that my father had a kidney problem as a result of the concussion. One Sergeant Jahateh, a PIU officer was beaten severely after he attempted to defend his father from taking the concussion," he said.

He said some of the abductees were taken to Kanilai. He gave detailed testimony as to what he was told happened in other communities in Foni, Kombo and Nuimi areas as a result of the invasion of  Yahya Jammeh’s witch-hunting exercise.

Former IGP Led Witch Hunters to the Police Headquarters - Former CDO Tells TRRC

PHOTO: Abdou Colley

By Ousman A. Marong

Abdou Colley former, Chief Disciplinary Officer (CDO) of the Gambia Police Force (GPS) has told the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparation Commission (TRRC) that former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ensa Badjie led the team of witch-hunters to the police headquarters in Banjul.

According to him in the early morning of March 2009 he falls in his men and prepared them well, and they both dispersed and went into their various offices.

“Upon reaching our office we (the staff) saw a group of marabouts who were dressed in red, red uniform with their animal horns, mirrors, and cowries appearing before us. They were accompanied by former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ensa Badjie alias Jesus. They started searching the four corners of the buildings at the police headquarters in Banjul with their horns, mirror, and cowries. I was searched and nothing was found on me,” he explained.

He made the revelation at Dunes Hotel, testifying before the Commission.

“Former IGP Ensa Badjie alias Jesus ordered me to blow the horn during the searching at the police headquarters and I did,” he remarked.

He recalled former State House officer in the person of Solo Bojang to be part of the security officers who were accompanying the witch-hunters.

He revealed that the witch-hunters were rounding the four corners of the buildings of the police headquarters as if they were searching for something.

The witch-hunting was the state kidnap of over one thousand (1,000) villagers across the country in pass purge of witchcraft.

The witch-hunters were reported to have arrived in The Gambia from Guinea in the early years of March 2009, following the death of former president Yahya Jammeh's aunt.

He (Yahya Jammeh) was said to believe that witchcraft was used to kill her aunt.

“The witch-hunters pointed their horns, mirror, and cowries at Yahya Darboe, Mustapha Ceesay, Kumba Dampha, and selected them as witch and wizards,” he asserted.

He said the witch-hunters slaughter a goat together with a cock and dug a hole under a palm tree and buried them in the ditch.

“After burying them the marabout’s who were dressed in red, red asked the identified witches and wizards to report to them,” he said.

He alleged that former IGP Ensa Badjie alias Jesus ordered that the identified witch and wizards be taking to Kotu.

“Yahya Dorboe refused to go and nothing came out of it. Mustapha Ceesay was later transferred to Fatoto police station. His transferred might have some connection in his identification as a wizard," he opined.

Young Gambian woman killed in Stockholm

PHOTO: The Late Ndella Jack.

By Ousman A. Marong

Information reaching News Bite states that one Ndella Jack, a Gambian residing in Stockholm, Sweden has been shot to death today by unknown gunmen.

However, police investigators express suspicion that Ndella’s killers have missed her husband who might be their target.

“No reason has been advanced as to the reasons for the killing of Ndella or her husband being the suspected target by the killers,” a source said.

Sources further stated that the gunmen are still at large and investigations are said to be ongoing by the Swedish police. 

Pro Gambia Association Urge President Barrow to Maintain Peace In The Gambia

PHOTO: Members of Pro Gambia Association (Photo Credit Nelson Manneh)

By Ousman A. Marong

The president of Pro-Gambia Association, Momodou Bah has called on President Adama Barrow to do everything possible to ensure the prevalence of peace and stability in the country.
He reminded the Gambian leader that the security of the citizens is in his hands.
Bah was speaking at a recent press conference at Sinchu Baliya in connection with the 3 years coalition agreement which has dominated the country’s political burning issues of the day.
President Barrow who defeated former President Yahya Jammeh in the December 1, 2016 presidential election as an independent candidate had agreed to serve as transitional president for 3 years to consolidate democracy and create a level playing field for parties to contest elections.
It could be recalled that the agreement was reached following the formation of Coalition 2016 comprising seven political parties and an independent, Dr. Isatou Touray who is the current Vice President.
“We don’t know and we cannot say he will be here for three years or five years. That is not our problem. Our problem or concerned is let him do what is in the best interest of the country. This is what we were asking for, and we will continue the work we are doing and we will engage the political parties and civil society involved in promoting peace in the country,” he stated.
He reminded the president to do his level best to make sure that peace and stability are maintained in this country.
He said the security of each person in the country is in the hands of the president, urging him to ensure that both Gambians and non-Gambians are safe.
Bah said it is common knowledge that something is brewing, which he likened to the situation in the 2016 election when everybody was afraid that there is going to be chaos in the country.
He added that his association stood their ground to make sure that they participated in making sure the election was peaceful, free and fairs.
He further said they were able to observe the elections and went everywhere to make sure that they preach peace, stating which was why they gained the recognition of the Independent Electoral Commission.
He continued: “We have seen demonstrations and violent conduct between the citizenry. We are not saying that the government is wrong or right or some sections of the citizens is right or wrong, but we are calling for a form of negotiation. This is why we urge people to come together as President Adama Barrow and Coalition 2016 stakeholders promised a 3-year and that was what people voted for.
He recalled that President Barrow reiterated the 3-year transition term at the end of which he will step down as widely published in the media.
He intimated that when they see any sign that indicates or make them believe that the president is not going to step down after 3 years then there is a problem, adding that is a refusal to honor a promise that he should honor.
“We are not an association or a group that would force him to honor his promise, but can work with him to do what is in the best interest of the country,” said Pro-Gambia Association’s president.
He observed that there are other groups that are not happy with the situation and ready to take to the streets to express their grievances.
Shedding light on his association’s major concern, Bah said there are other people who are ill-intentioned and waiting for the situations to create chaos which they are resolute to prevent, citing situations in Libya, Sudan and other countries.
He showed their interest and preparedness to engage political leaders, security forces, civil society, religious leaders in order to maintain peace and stability in the country, recalling the significant role they played during the political impasse that marred the 2016 presidential election.
He explained that Pro-Gambia Association is not a pro-opposition or pro-government but Pro-Gambia that sponsored their own members.

Africell Recons ST as Global Brand Ambassador

PHOTO: ST Da Gambia Dream Photo Credit (Facebook Timeline)

By Ousman A. Marong

Africell the country’s leading GSM Telecom Company has on Friday 9th August 2019 put pen to paper with Gambia’s famous artiste ST alias Brikama boyo or ‘Saluto’.

The artist ticked pen to paper on Friday 9^th August, 2018 with the Telecom giant Africell in Brikama Berewuleng in Kombo North District of West Coast Region (WCR).

In a communiqué signed on Friday, Africell recons ST as their global brand Ambassador.

Representing Africell in the signing ceremony between the artiste and the Company was Musa Sise Communication Officer at Africell, who revealed that the Company (Africell) chooses ST due to his outstanding performance amongst the lot.

“This initiative came since 2001 in which the artiste proved himself by leads,” he remarked.

He revealed that the artiste show synonymous with Africell adding that becomes in many years ago and would remain there for eternity, he asserted.

“We (Africell) Knows what it takes because of the artiste in the person of ST has the guts and we (at Africell) have the resources,” Sise argued.

In his part, The Gambian Dream ST Brikama Boyo said he is delighted to be chosen by Africell as their Global Brand Ambassador. He promised to work for hand in glove with the Company; hoping to do more in music.

"If I was doing 10 percent in music I would now increase it to 100 percent;" said ST.

Brikama Boyo (also called ST Da Gambian Dream) who was named the artist of the year in 2015 Music Award was last Friday putting pen on paper in a disclosed deal with Africell.

It could be recalled that the artiste was involved in wife battering resulting in her miscarriage on allegations of cheating on the wife with another woman.

However in a question and answer session Africell's Communication Officer Musa Sise defended the artist well by directing journalists as the type of questions to ask or not.

"Please direct your questions regarding the signing ceremony no personal questions would be allowed;” Sise argued.

News Bite’s Ousman A. Marong put it to Mr. Sise whether remote controlling journalists as a type of questions to ask or not; was not purely the aim of censoring journalists?

"Good question; but it's just simple logic image you're interested in knowing my name and I declined you. You see we should not get into people's private lives; "he noted.

News Bite further asked if the tool kit ceremony was only meant targeting ST as the only musician.

"We are not only targeting ST per say. We have other artists in the pipeline such as Humanity band; Sister Sally; etc.; “said Waggan.

Asked about the amount signed between the artist and the Company Mr. Sise answered in the affirmative saying “that is a secret between the artist and the Company.”