LamToro News

07/12/2025

Col. Omar B. Bojang Appointed As Defence Attaché At The Gambia Embassy In China

By Assan Sallah.
Colonel Omar B. Bojang, the outgoing Deputy National Security Adviser has been appointed as the new Defence Attaché at the Gambia Embassy in China, LamToro News has learnt.
Col. Bojang replaces Lt. General Ousman Bargie, a former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces (GAF, 2012 -2017) who served as Defence Attache at the Gambian Embassy in China. Bargie and his family returned to the Gambia about two weeks ago.
The Office of the National Security Adviser had on Friday organised a send off party for Colonel Bojang as he prepares for his new assignment in China. Colonel Omar B. Bojang is a.....Click the link to read the rest
https://lamtoronews.com/.../col-omar-b-bojang-appointed.../

06/12/2025

EX-SOLDIER ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED MURDER

The police have arrested Sulayman Saidykhan, a 26-year-old native of Bakary Sambouya, an ex-soldier for allegedly murdering Fatou Sambou, 40 -year-old resident of Kembujeh Madina.

According to the police, the suspect has a previous criminal conviction and was found in possession of the deceased’s mobile phone.

"The suspect has been cautioned, charged, and detained, while investigations remain active to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident," a statement from the Gambia Police Force indicated.

Source: GPF

06/12/2025

Finance Minister Seedy Keita Must Resign After Karpower Scandal.

By Alagi Yorro Jallow
Fatoumatta: When a Finance Minister communicates one thing to the National Assembly while the Turkish Embassy states another, public trust erodes. Seedy Keita claimed that World Bank funds would be used to settle Karpowership's arrears, yet the Embassy confirmed that payments had already been made months earlier. These contradictions at the core of government are not mere mistakes; they represent breaches of public trust. In democracies, misleading lawmakers is a serious offense. Resignation should not be considered merely; it is a form of accountability. The truth may take time to surface, but it inevitably arrives. When it does, credibility must accompany it, or leadership must step aside.
The recent turmoil surrounding Finance Minister Seedy Keita's comments on Karpowership payments exposes a critical disconnect between government communication and public accountability. The Contradiction On December 4, Minister Keita addressed the National Assembly, claiming that a portion of the expanded $45 million World Bank package would be allocated to settle arrears owed to Karpowership.
However, the Turkish Embassy swiftly countered this assertion, clarifying that all arrears had already been settled in June and July 2025 and that "no new payment is expected." This stark contradiction raises significant questions about whether lawmakers, and by extension the Gambian public, were misled.
In response, the Ministry of Finance released a follow-up statement, maintaining that there was no discrepancy. They asserted that the government had made advance payments to Karpowership earlier in the year, and that the World Bank package would reimburse the state for those arrears. While this clarification may be technically valid, the initial misinformation had already sown seeds of doubt and significantly eroded public confidence in official communications. This is not a minor oversight; it is a grave breach of public trust. Accuracy in financial reporting is the bedrock of effective governance.
Fatoumatta: When ministers deliver figures to lawmakers, they are not merely conveying technical details; they are shaping national policy and influencing public perception. Discrepancies between government statements and those from foreign entities not only undermine credibility but also foster cynicism and weaken the pillars of democratic oversight. In parliamentary democracies, misleading lawmakers is a serious offense, and ministers are expected to adhere to the highest standards of truthfulness. When conflicting statements reach Parliament, the questions of resignation or dismissal become inescapable. A minister who misinforms Parliament intentionally or unintentionally strikes at the very core of governance integrity. Calls for resignation or dismissal are not merely punitive measures; they are essential steps toward restoring trust. This process affirms that accountability is paramount, that truth holds value, and that public office must be a realm governed by principles rather than convenience.
Fatoumatta: This scandal underscores a critical truth: transparency is non-negotiable in public finance. Citizens deserve unambiguous information, not contradictory statements. Lawmakers deserve reliable facts, not shifting narratives. Moreover, partners like the World Bank deserve consistency, not confusion.
An African proverb reminds us: "The truth may stroll, but it always arrives." In this instance, the truth arrived through the Turkish Embassy, revealing the fragility of government messaging. The contradictory statements made by the Finance Minister regarding Karpowership payments represent far more than a simple misunderstanding—they are a breach of public trust.
Fatoumatta: For Gambian democracy to flourish, public officials must prioritize accuracy as a fundamental principle. The lesson is unmistakable: credibility is cultivated through consistency, and accountability must demand resignation when trust is compromised.

06/12/2025

Finance Minister Seedy Keita Must Resign After Karpower Scandal

By Alagi Yorro Jallow
Fatoumatta: When a Finance Minister communicates one thing to the National Assembly while the Turkish Embassy states another, public trust erodes. Seedy Keita claimed that World Bank funds would be used to settle Karpowership's arrears, yet the Embassy confirmed that payments had already been made months earlier. These contradictions at the core of government are not mere mistakes; they represent breaches of public trust. In democracies, misleading lawmakers is a serious offense. Resignation should not be considered merely; it is a form of accountability. The truth may take time to surface, but it inevitably arrives. When it does, credibility must accompany it, or leadership must step aside.
The recent turmoil surrounding Finance Minister Seedy Keita's comments on Karpowership payments exposes a critical disconnect between government communication and public accountability. The Contradiction On December 4, Minister Keita addressed the National Assembly, claiming that a portion of the expanded $45 million World Bank package would be allocated to settle arrears owed to Karpowership.
However, the Turkish Embassy swiftly countered this assertion, clarifying that all arrears had already been settled in June and July 2025 and that "no new payment is expected." This stark contradiction raises significant questions about whether lawmakers, and by extension the Gambian public, were misled.
In response, the Ministry of Finance released a follow-up statement, maintaining that there was no discrepancy. They asserted that the government had made advance payments to Karpowership earlier in the year, and that the World Bank package would reimburse the state for those arrears. While this clarification may be technically valid, the initial misinformation had already sown seeds of doubt and significantly eroded public confidence in official communications. This is not a minor oversight; it is a grave breach of public trust. Accuracy in financial reporting is the bedrock of effective governance.
Fatoumatta: When ministers deliver figures to lawmakers, they are not merely conveying technical details; they are shaping national policy and influencing public perception. Discrepancies between government statements and those from foreign entities not only undermine credibility but also foster cynicism and weaken the pillars of democratic oversight. In parliamentary democracies, misleading lawmakers is a serious offense, and ministers are expected to adhere to the highest standards of truthfulness. When conflicting statements reach Parliament, the questions of resignation or dismissal become inescapable. A minister who misinforms Parliament intentionally or unintentionally strikes at the very core of governance integrity. Calls for resignation or dismissal are not merely punitive measures; they are essential steps toward restoring trust. This process affirms that accountability is paramount, that truth holds value, and that public office must be a realm governed by principles rather than convenience.
Fatoumatta: This scandal underscores a critical truth: transparency is non-negotiable in public finance. Citizens deserve unambiguous information, not contradictory statements. Lawmakers deserve reliable facts, not shifting narratives. Moreover, partners like the World Bank deserve consistency, not confusion.
An African proverb reminds us: "The truth may stroll, but it always arrives." In this instance, the truth arrived through the Turkish Embassy, revealing the fragility of government messaging. The contradictory statements made by the Finance Minister regarding Karpowership payments represent far more than a simple misunderstanding—they are a breach of public trust.
Fatoumatta: For Gambian democracy to flourish, public officials must prioritize accuracy as a fundamental principle. The lesson is unmistakable: credibility is cultivated through consistency, and accountability must demand resignation when trust is compromised.

06/12/2025

06/12/2025

Journalism’s Duty: Neutrality in Interviews, Principle in Opinion

By Alagi Yorro Jallow.
Fatoumatta: The role of journalism has always been twofold: to inform and to interpret. Yet these functions must remain distinct. When a journalist interviews a guest, the expectation is neutrality. When a journalist writes an opinion piece, the expectation is subjectivity. Confusing the two undermines the very foundation of public trust.
In interviews, the journalist is not the story. The guest is. The journalist’s task is to probe, clarify, and hold accountable—without inserting personal bias. This requires discipline: asking tough questions respectfully, pressing for clarity, and exposing contradictions through facts rather than commentary. Neutrality is not passivity; it is strength. It allows the audience to hear the guest’s words unfiltered, while still being guided by the journalist’s persistence.
This principle is the cornerstone of ethical journalism. A neutral interview ensures that the public receives information without distortion. It protects journalism from becoming propaganda or punditry disguised as reporting.
The Rise of Opinion Journalism:
Opinion journalism has its place. Columns, editorials, op eds, and punditry thrive on subjective viewpoints. They are designed to persuade, interpret, and provoke debate. But they are clearly separated from factual reporting—often housed in dedicated “Opinion” sections. This separation is ethical, not cosmetic. It ensures that audiences can distinguish between fact and interpretation, between reporting and advocacy.
The danger arises when journalists blur these boundaries. When opinion creeps into interviews, the audience is left unsure whether they are hearing facts or commentary. The journalist risks becoming a performer rather than a reporter, and credibility suffers.
Here lies the moral parallel: courage in journalism is asking the hard question; principle is refusing to compromise neutrality while doing so. Courage without principle can devolve into grandstanding. Principle ensures that courage serves the public, not the journalist’s ego.
Just as in civic life we distinguish between courage and principle—between opportunism and legacy—so too must we distinguish between reporting and opinion. A journalist who maintains neutrality in interviews builds trust. A journalist who injects personal views risks eroding them.
An African proverb teaches: “The one who tells the story must not add salt to the truth.” In interviews, the journalist must resist the temptation to season facts with personal opinion. In opinion pieces, the journalist may add salt, pepper, and spice—but only when the dish is clearly labeled as commentary.
The lesson is clear: journalism must protect its boundaries. Interviews must remain factual, respectful, and neutral. Opinion must remain separate, persuasive, and transparent. When these lines are blurred, the public loses trust, and journalism loses its soul.
The ideal for news interviews is a non-opinionated, factual, and respectful exchange, even while asking challenging and persistent questions to hold guests accountable. Opinion journalism has its rightful place, but it must never masquerade as reporting. Neutrality in interviews is not a weakness—it is the highest principle of the profession.

06/12/2025

𝐌𝐎𝐅𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚

𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐥, 𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad received a significant support of modern communication equipment from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in The Gambia, marking another milestone in the longstanding partnership between the two countries.

The equipment comprising of conference microphones, printers, tablets, conference cameras, smart whiteboards, green screens, ERMS scanners, tool kits, a teleprompter, laptops, desktops, an advanced projector, sound systems, and large-format Canon printers, among other essential equipment, which was officially handed over by Mr. Zhao Shangsen, Deputy Head of Mission, and received by the Permanent Secretary II of the Ministry, Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe.

In her address, Permanent Secretary Jobe expressed profound appreciation to the Government and People of the People’s Republic of China for the generous and timely contribution. She underscored that the equipment will significantly strengthen the Ministry’s Communication Unit, enhance public diplomacy, and improve the management and dissemination of information at both national and international levels.

Read more➡️ https://mofa.gov.gm/𝐌𝐨𝐅𝐀-𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬-𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦/

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

06/12/2025

Legacy Is Built on Principle, Not Opportunism.

By Alagi Yorro Jallow
Fatoumatta: The best moment in the life of a human being is not applause, nor the fleeting intoxication of popularity. It is the moment of impact, the moment when one’s actions carve a legacy that endures beyond the noise of politics. Legacy is not measured by bail celebrations or partisan chants; it is measured by principle, by the courage to stand firm when power demands compromise.
Today, some celebrate Bory Touray as a hero after his release on bail. But heroism is not reclaimed through opportunism. Touray was once a respected magistrate, earning admiration much like Magistrate Dr. Lamin J. Darbo. Both men showed courage in the face of executive interference. Yet courage without principle is incomplete.
Dr. Darbo, in the Brikama case involving Imam Karamo Touray, refused to alter his judicial decision under executive pressure. He resigned rather than betray his conscience, preserving his dignity and leaving behind a legacy of principle. His act was not just courage—it was moral conviction.
Bory Touray, by contrast, was dismissed twice by Yahya Jammeh’s regime—first in 1996 after acquitting Pa Sallah Jagne and others, and again in 2000 after ruling that his court lacked jurisdiction in the Basse incident involving 24 UDP members. These dismissals were not resignations of principle; they were forced exits. Courage was shown in his rulings, but principle was absent in his response. Instead of resigning to uphold dignity, he accepted dismissal, leaving his legacy fractured.
History reminds us that true legacy is built on principle. Courage is the act of defiance in the moment; principle is the refusal to compromise even when defiance costs you everything. Courage without principle is like a flame that burns brightly but quickly fades. Principle is the fire that endures, warming generations long after the flame is gone.
Imam Karamo Touray stood firm in Brikama, refusing to bend to political intimidation, embodying moral courage in the religious sphere. Lawyers and journalists who chose exile rather than compromise showed that principle sometimes demands sacrifice. Civil servants who resigned rather than rubber-stamp injustice left behind reputations that outlasted their careers. These figures remind us that legacy is not about surviving in office—it is about leaving office with dignity intact.
Opportunism seeks relevance through noise. Principle seeks relevance through silence and sacrifice. Opportunism is celebrated in rallies; principle is remembered in history. Opportunism dies with the crowd; principle endures in the conscience of a nation.
When Gambians celebrate opportunists as heroes, they diminish the value of true ones. When they elevate courage without principle, they confuse defiance with dignity.
An African proverb teaches: “A brave man dies once, but a coward dies many times.” Dr. Lamin J. Darbo chose to die with dignity, resigning rather than bending the knee. Bory Touray chose to die many times, was dismissed twice, and is now seeking relevance through political opportunism.
The lesson is clear: legacy is not built on temporary defiance but on enduring principle. A magistrate who resigns to protect the sanctity of justice leaves behind a moral inheritance. A magistrate who is dismissed without standing on principle leaves behind only fragments of courage.
Gambians must learn to distinguish between courage and principle, between opportunism and legacy. The celebration of false heroes diminishes the value of true ones. The best moment of life is to make an impact, and impact is measured not by noise but by principle.

Photo credit: VOD

05/12/2025

Walf Fajr Tv Journalist Pape Sané Arrested Over 'False Remarks' In Sanna Manjang's Case

A Senegalese journalist Pape Sané, a staff of Walf Fajr is arrested over 'false remarks ' he made in the case of Gambia "jungler" Sanna Manjang. Pape Sanè is currently detained at the Colobane Police Station.

According to Seneweb, Pape Sané had stated that the Gambian fugitive, who was arrested in Senegal, had been questioned about his relations with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko.

The journalist is now suspected of spreading false news. According to Seneweb sources, Pape Sané could be prosecuted on other charges.

Source: Seneweb

05/12/2025

Human Rights Are Not Optional: The Case of Sanna Manjang
By Alagi Yorro Jallow
Fatoumatta: The denial of immediate access to legal counsel for remand prisoner Sanna Manjang at Mile 2 Prison is more than a bureaucratic delay—it is a constitutional violation. Section 24 of the 1997 Constitution guarantees every accused person the right to a lawyer of their choosing. Yet a lawyer seeking to represent Manjang was told to seek approval from the National Security Advisor, a requirement that has no basis in law. This is not “procedure”; it is obstruction.
Presumption of Innocence:
Fatoumatta: Human rights are not privileges granted at the convenience of the state. The presumption of innocence is the cornerstone of justice. Regardless of the severity of the allegations against Manjang, he is entitled to a fair trial, legal representation, and humane treatment. To deny him these rights is to weaken the very foundation of our justice system.
The Cowardice of Gambian Lawyers:
Fatoumatta: Equally disturbing is the lawyer’s anonymity. Fear of social media backlash should not deter legal professionals from defending unpopular clients. Courage is the essence of advocacy. Charles Taylor, accused of crimes against humanity, was represented by lawyers who did not hide their identities. They understood that defending a client is not endorsing their actions; it is upholding the principle that justice must be fair, even for the vilified.
A lawyer who wishes to represent Manjang but hides behind anonymity reinforces the culture of fear and intimidation. Lawyers must be champions of rights, not cautious spectators. To deny representation out of fear is to betray the profession’s moral duty.
The Director General of Prisons assured that Manjang would have access to his lawyer “by Monday.” Yet justice delayed is justice denied. The prison service must not act as a gatekeeper to constitutional rights. The requirement of NSA approval sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that political considerations override legal guarantees.
The Moral Lesson
An African proverb teaches: “The truth may walk slowly, but it will never stop.” The truth here is simple: denying Sanna Manjang his rights weakens the justice system itself. Protecting his rights does not absolve him of alleged crimes—it protects the integrity of the law.
Fatoumatta: Lawyers must be courageous. Institutions must respect the Constitution. Citizens must demand that even the most unpopular defendants are treated with dignity. For if rights can be denied to one, they can be denied to all.

05/12/2025

Editor’s Note:

By Alagi Yorro Jallow.

Fatoumatta: This reflection is a preview of my larger civic commentary on the 2025 Budget Speech. In the full essay, I go beyond the numbers to expose contradictions, highlight the failures of economists and journalists, and propose reforms to make budgets meaningful for ordinary Gambians.
The Finance Minister’s 2025 Budget Speech announced D47.4 billion in spending, salary increases, and pension reforms. Yet numbers alone do not feed the nation. Budgets are moral documents; they reveal what the government values.
Journalists cannot be blamed for failing to decode GDP growth or debt ratios. Economists must step forward to translate these figures into human terms: inflation is the rising price of rice, debt is the burden on unemployed youth, and salary increments are dignity for teachers.
The way forward is collaboration. Economists must simplify, journalists must tell the stories, and citizens must demand accountability. Without this partnership, budgets remain theatre grand speeches masking fragile realities.
As the proverb says: “Wisdom is like fire; people take it from others.” Economists hold the fire, journalists carry the flame, and citizens must warm themselves by its light. Stay tuned for the complete commentary—where numbers meet truth, and truth meets justice.