The Gambian government made an awful deal with Africa50 for the Senegambia Bridge. I checked the money details again, and Finance Minister Seedy Keita lost our country over $100 million. President Barrow's team gave away our bridge to Africa50 for 25 years. They called this bad idea an "asset recycling" plan. Our country gets $100 million once, and then Africa50 runs everything for 25 years.
This payment shortchanges us badly. The bridge's value comes from future income it makes during its life, which comes from drivers paying tolls when they cross. From 2019 to 2023, about 530,000 vehicles used the bridge yearly, ranging from small motorcycles to big trucks. The bridge earned around 327 million dalasi each year.
Africa50 hired...
The Banjul court just sent a guy to jail for a failed bank heist in Ballanghar. On Wednesday, a judge locked up Amadou Bah until the big court decides what happens next. His buddies ran away before cops could grab them. These three missing dudes are Saidou Sowe, Mamadou Bah, and Def Sowe. Another friend named Yerro, died before facing justice. Every person involved came from Senegal.
The police brought major firepower to court. They sent Commissioner Sanneh, Deputy Commissioner Jarju, ASP Sarr, Corporal Bojang, and Inspector Saidykhan. Jarju asked the judge to bump this case up to the high court because robbers can spend life behind bars. He mentioned some fancy law numbers when talking to the judge.
Judge Krubally agreed right away...
The court in Banjul sent Ebou Secka's murder case to a higher court on Tuesday. Secka faces charges for killing taxi driver Ebrima Ceesay, who lived in Wellingara. This serious case needs special handling at the High Court's criminal division, according to officials. The judge agreed with what prosecutors asked for during the brief hearing.
Deputy Commissioner Malang Jarju spoke for the government and requested two things. First, he wanted Secka's case moved up to the Special Criminal Court. Second, he asked that Secka stay locked up at Mile 2 prison until his next court date. The judge said yes to both requests right away without delay.
The law says murder breaks Section 187 of the Criminal Code. Court papers claim Secka planned when...
Alagie Dicko faced Principal Magistrate Krubally at Banjul court on fraud charges. The case claims he tricked Ousainey Mahanera out of $170,000 between 2021 and 2024. Dicko supposedly promised to help Arabic schools, support orphans, build gardens, and create water sources for communities across The Gambia.
When asked about the charges, Dicko admitted his guilt. The prosecutor, ASP Sarr, told the judge that police investigators had not finished their work yet. He explained that they brought Dicko to court after keeping him locked up for nearly seven days, mainly to protect his legal rights as a defendant.
ASP Sarr asked the judge for more time, saying they would bring all evidence details at the next court date. Magistrate Krubally...
Buba Tamba works as a scientific officer at the Drug Law Enforcement Agency of The Gambia. On Wednesday, he spoke in court about the case of 52 missing cocaine blocks. Three court officials face charges for these missing drug exhibits from Kanifing Magistrates' Court. Tamba told Judge Sarah Aryee he knew former court official Ridwan Othman from when his boss asked him to check on the missing cocaine.
Tamba went to the court where Othman gave him 52 blocks. He picked three blocks randomly for testing but found unclear results during his first tests. His boss later told him to take samples from all 52 blocks for complete testing at agency headquarters. Seven blocks tested positive as real cocaine. The other 45 blocks tested negative...
The Gambian government signed a terrible bridge deal with Africa50 that should make us all angry. Looking at the math again, I can tell you Finance Minister Seedy Keita lost our country more than 100 million dollars. President Barrow's team gave away the Senegambia Bridge to Africa50 for 25 years. They wrongly called this an "asset recycling" plan. The government will get a one-time payment of $100 million. Africa50 then takes over bridge operations for a quarter century.
The $100 million payment severely undervalues what the bridge is worth. The bridge should be priced based on how much money it can make during its life. Bridge income comes from the tolls paid by vehicles crossing it. Between 2019 and 2023, about 530,000 vehicles used...
The United Front just picked April 27th for The Gambia's yearly marathon, happening for the sixth straight year. They call it the Africell-Banjul marathon, and it's coming up fast on that Sunday.
Many athletes from The Gambia and other countries will run different distances. You can choose the full 42 kilometers, half that distance, or shorter 10K and 5K races. Both men and women compete separately in each race type.
Athletes with disabilities participate in their special 4-kilometer event. Regular people who enjoy fitness can join a casual health walk instead. The main event everyone watches is the 42-kilometer race where runners battle for a big $5000 prize.
Last year, two runners from Kenya dominated the competition. Dennis...
The Gambian government has failed to fix voting rules, betraying everyone who died fighting for democracy. This broken promise hurts those who gave their lives for freedom. It also harms Gambians living abroad who continue to deal with political problems back home.
Changing election systems matters deeply as a way to honor brave citizens like Solo Sandeng. Many UDP party members died or suffered injuries when standing up for fair elections. These heroes believed every vote should count equally. The government keeps using marble instead of modern ballots, disrespecting what these people fought for.
Leaders in power and opposition groups both ignore serious election problems. People supporting opposition candidates often fail to see how...
Gambia made voting a basic right in its 1997 Constitution. Yet, people keep asking if Gambians living abroad should cast ballots. Letting citizens overseas vote would strengthen democracy, include more people, and bring the nation closer together. But can this actually happen before the 2026 elections?
The country faces big problems making this work. I want to look at both why overseas voting matters and what stands in the way. Then, I'll suggest ways to create a system that includes Gambians everywhere. Many Gambians live in America, Britain, and across Europe. They send money home, invest in businesses, and share knowledge. Their impact on national growth equals that of people who stayed. Giving them voting rights recognizes their...
