Gambian politician, Waa Juwara, is ‘keeping it cool’

Waa Juwara was arrested on several occasions and tortured (Photo Slide: Kibaaro News)

The leader of the opposition National Democratic Action Movement (NDAM), Mr Waa Juwara is no longer sure if he is an opposition. 

He has worked with the Jammeh-led Government as an opposition since 2009 when he became governor of Lower River Region and later Minister of Local Government and Lands.

On the eve of President Jammeh’s 19^th Anniversary of the July 22 Coup, Juwara told The Voice: “We will be able to keep it cool and be able to contribute in one way or the other to make sure that Gambia is still intact.”

“That is why we talk about development, you cannot talk about development in actual fact when there is no peace and stability which we have enjoyed for a good measure,” he said on Sunday, July 21. 

The Gambia: MFWA calls for ‘end to repression’

July 22 is marked by human rights organizations and civil society groups globally as “Gambia Day of Action”

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has called for an end to what it considers “19 years of repression and impunity in The Gambia” and urges internet users to “Take action now”.

It reiterated The Gambia Government’s refusal to comply with two human rights judgements delivered against it by the regional community Court of Justice (the ECOWAS Court) since 2010.

The MFWA statement issued to co-inside with the 19^th Coup Anniversary of President Yahya Jammeh on July 22, stated: “In The Gambia today, critical media reportage is literally outlawed, while other rights violations continue to be perpetrated by the government with gross impunity”.

The Gambia to go into export domain in 2017

RICE as a staple food in Gambia is mainly imported from Asia (Photo credit: Facts and Details)

Homosexual promoting powers will fail miserably: Pres. Jammeh

Mr Jammeh had vowed to lockup homosexuals in “different cells”(Photo Credit: SEYLLOU/AFP)

Gambia’s foreign policy is premised on maintenance of global peace

President Jammeh (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

The Gambia’s foreign policy agenda is premised principally on the pursuit of and maintenance of global peace, security and the respect of each country’s sovereignty, Yahya Jammeh said on Sunday.

Speaking on the eve of his July 22 Coup Anniversary, 19 years on, the Gambian President said the maintenance of rapid and sustainable development depends on peace and security both at home and abroad.

“Our domestic policies will continue to be supported by a robust sustainable development agenda that will be backed by zero tolerance for crime, drugs, violence, ungodly and anti human satanic values such as homosexuality,” he said in an address to the nation.

Groups call for improved human rights in Gambia

As “Freedom Day” in the Gambia is marked on July 22 by human rights groups across the world, Amnesty International, the Campaign for Human Rights in the Gambia (CHRG) and Coalition for Change – The Gambia (CCG) have expressed serious concerns about the “dire human rights situation in the country”.

The organizations called on the Gambian authorities to end their repression of journalists and human rights defenders and urged the international community to strengthen their efforts to improve the human rights situation in the Gambia.

Jammeh gives priority to ‘pay and pension reform’

President Jammeh (Photo Credit: SEYLLOU/AFP)

In the months ahead, due priority will be given to the proposed “pay and pension reform”, President Yahya Jammeh announced on Sunday.

Speaking on the eve of his July22 Coup Anniversary, 19 years on, he added: “… and the implementation of civil service revolving loan scheme.”

The scheme is aimed at boosting staff morale and improving on retention strategies, according to Jammeh, who seized power in a bloodless military coup on July 22, 1994.

STATEMENT:

Speech by President Yahya Jammeh on the 19th Anniversary of the 22nd July 'Revolution'

President Yahya Jammeh (Photo Credit: SEYLLOU/AFP)

Fellow Gambians

Distinguished Friends, Africans and the rest of Humanity

I salute you all in Islam, Assallamu Alaikum Wa Rah Ma Tu Lahi Wa Barakatuhu

As we celebrate this day marking the 19^th anniversary of the great 22^nd July Revolution, I am overwhelmed with great joy and deep gratitude to the Almighty Allah for his infinite blessings upon this great country throughout the past nineteen years. Thanks to Allah’s guidance, blessings and protection, today we have a lot to rejoice for and celebrate the fruits of our 19 years journey through turbulent waters and stormy weather. Thanks to the Almighty Allah, the Gambian women and youth and our gallant Armed and Security forces together with Government, have succeeded in building a modern, peaceful and stable country in the most volatile and crisis ridden region of Africa.