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Roots Online Media, Banjul (2026)

23/08/2026

Gambia Karate Team Makes History with Four Medals at UFAK Championship in Guinea

The Gambia Karate Federation (GKF) National Team has recorded a landmark achievement at the 6th UFAK Western Africa 1 Karate Championship, securing three gold medals and one silver medal at the regional championship in Conakry, Guinea.

The impressive medal haul came from the four Gambian athletes who represented the country at the championship under the guidance of National Coach Mbaye Nyang, with every member of the team returning with a medal.

In Men’s Kata, Edrisa Jallow emerged champion in the Senior category, while Alieu Conteh secured gold in the Cadet category to give The Gambia two gold medals in Kata.

The team continued its strong performance in Kumite, where Fatou Nyang claimed gold in the Female 55kg category. Emmanuel Mendy added a silver medal in the Male 71kg category, completing the team's four-medal haul.

National Kumite Coach Mbaye Nyang described the performance as a remarkable achievement and one of the most significant results in the history of Gambian karate.
“This victory is monumental and probably the first of its kind in the history of karate in our country. To bring four athletes to an international championship of this magnitude and have every single one of them return with a medal, including three golds, shows the continent that Gambian karate has arrived,” Coach Nyang said.
He attributed the success to the athletes' commitment and preparation, adding that “The dedication these fighters showed in camp paid off on the mat today.”

GKF Vice President Muhammed Jagana congratulated Edrisa Jallow, Alieu Conteh, Fatou Nyang and Emmanuel Mendy, as well as Coach Nyang, the technical team, affiliated clubs and all stakeholders whose collective efforts contributed to the team's success.
Jagana described the results as a reflection of the athletes' commitment, preparation, determination and competitive spirit, while recognising the important contribution of the coaches, technical team and clubs in preparing the athletes for the championship.

He said the achievement represents a proud moment for Gambian karate and marks another important step in the Federation's efforts to position the country competitively on the regional and international karate stage.

The achievement in Conakry builds on The Gambia's recent success at the Senegal Open, where Gambian karate athletes returned with eight medals.

The latest performance further demonstrates the growing competitiveness of Gambian karate at the regional level and provides renewed momentum for the Federation's ongoing efforts to strengthen athlete development, coaching, officiating and technical capacity.

The Gambia Karate Federation extends its congratulations to the medal-winning athletes, their coaches and clubs, and appreciates all partners and stakeholders who supported the delegation's participation in the championship.

22/08/2026

Gambian Karate Secures First UFAK Judges Badge

The Gambia Karate Federation (GKF) is pleased to announce a significant milestone in the development of karate officiating in The Gambia, following the successful acquisition of the country's first UFAK Judges Badge by Muhammed Jabbi.

Jabbi secured the qualification after successfully completing the Union of African Karate Federations (UFAK) examination being conducted in Conakry, Guinea, alongside the 6th UFAK Western Africa 1 Karate Championship.

He is part of a six-member Gambian officials' delegation participating in the regional championship and its associated technical activities. His successful examination represents an important step forward in the Federation's efforts to strengthen the technical capacity of Gambian karate officials and increase their participation in regional and international programmes.

Speaking after receiving the qualification, Jabbi dedicated the achievement to the Gambia Karate Federation for facilitating the preparation and creating the opportunity for Gambian referees and officials to participate in the UFAK programme.

He acknowledged that obtaining such a qualification requires significant preparation, technical knowledge, resources and logistical commitment, including considerable personal sacrifice.

The Chairman of the Gambia Referee Commission, Eliman Njie, congratulated Jabbi on the achievement and assured him of the Commission's continued technical support as he advances his officiating career and contributes to the development of karate in The Gambia.

GKF Technical Director, Sensei Pateh Jobe, described the achievement as a historic milestone for Gambian karate.
“This is the first of its kind in the history of karate in The Gambia, and we are very proud of this achievement,” Jobe said.

He noted that the qualification is a positive indication that the Federation's efforts to strengthen technical capacity and increase Gambian participation in regional karate activities are beginning to produce tangible results.

According to Jobe, the development of qualified officials is an important component of the Federation's technical development agenda.
“Our vision is to see Gambian athletes, coaches and officials continuously improve their technical capacity and participate meaningfully at regional and international level. This achievement is a positive signal that we are moving in that direction.”

The Gambia Karate Federation congratulates Muhammed Jabbi on this historic achievement and commends the Referee Commission, technical leadership and all stakeholders who contributed to his development.

18/08/2026

Good evening, Gambia and everyone tuning in around the globe! Welcome to The Eyeball Show, where we shine a light on power and tackle the questions that often go unasked.

I am your host, Ousman A. Marong, and tonight, we’re focusing on the political landscape.

So, what’s the CHANGE Coalition all about? And what’s APeX’s role in this whole scenario?

Let’s rewind to 2023—why did APeX initiate this process? What led to the parties agreeing on a 2-week extension, and what key issues are still hanging in the balance in that draft agreement? Most importantly, what can we expect during these upcoming two weeks of talks?

Joining me at the table is Demba Ali Jawo, a seasoned journalist, former Information Minister, and now the Outreach Lead for APeX.

We’re here to break it all down for you—no complicated jargon, no spin, just the facts, some analysis, and we want to hear from you. What changes do YOU think should be made to this agreement?

You’re watching The Eyeball Show, where we don’t shy away from tough topics. We zoom in and keep our eyes wide open.

18/08/2026

False! New Gambian CJ will not receive lifetime monthly pension after serving for 3 years

17/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Sunday 16 August 2026

Parties to the CHANGE Coalition Agree Two-Week Extension to Address Some Unresolved Matters

Following extensive discussions today, the political stakeholders comprising APP Sobeyaa, GFA, Tabax Rewmi, and UDP, have agreed to revise the progression timetable. This will give them a two weeks window for informal bilateral discussions to review and resolve the remaining draft Coalition Agreement issues.

As bilateral negotiations with other political stakeholders is permissible, UDP’s recently unveiled alliance is acknowledged. Furthermore, during today’s Council meeting, UDP affirmed their commitment to the shared objective of a broad-based and inclusive coalition which is mutually beneficial to all, including their alliance associates and the general public.

The political stakeholders also agreed to reconvene on Sunday, 30 August 2026, with a view to conclude and wrap up the APeX negotiations process.

Recognising the need for a timely resolution and progress, the political stakeholders have affirmed and endeavoured to explore all reasonable consultative avenues over the next two weeks to achieve the shared objective of progressing to the next substantive phase of these negotiations which APeX initiated in January 2025.

On behalf of the parties to CHANGE 2026, we wish to place on record that the public interest in these negotiations is acknowledged and fully understood. Therefore, we appreciate the patience, understanding, and continued support of the Gambian people while the few remaining issues are being resolved.

It is worthy of note to add that, the APeX Initiative first engaged the political stakeholders in early 2025 after prior preparatory work which commenced in April 2023. Therefore, whilst acknowledging the departure of NUP who wish to chart a different path, we appreciate the hard work all, including the political stakeholders have vested in the process.

THE END

Signed: For CHANGE 2026

Dr. Jaye Ceesay Krubally, APeX Chairperson | Mr. Demba Ali Jawo, APeX Outreach Lead.

15/08/2026

Roots Online Media GM Represents Gambia at Women Empowerment Seminar in China

Mam Jarra Camara, the General Manager of Roots Online Media and a news presenter at Vibes FM Radio, is currently in China for a seminar focused on Women Entrepreneurs’ Education and Empowerment for Africa

Camara is joining fellow African media and business leaders to explore ways to uplift women entrepreneurs across the continent. She leads Roots Online Media (ROM), an online platform dedicated to delivering news and information to rural communities in rural Gambia.

With a background in rural radio, Camara previously worked as the Assistant General Manager (AGM) at the defunct Niumi FM radio in Essau, where she produced and edited the station’s Riverside News program before it was sold off.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, graduating Cum Laude. During her time at university, she interned as a reporter with QTV and was later nominated for the GPU Awards for Excellence in Journalism.

Since taking the helm at Roots Online Media, Camara has been committed to broadening access to information for audiences beyond urban areas. Congratulations to Ms. Camara, and keep it up.

14/08/2026

Gambia Karate Team Set for 6th Western Africa 1 Championship

The Gambia Karate Federation (GKF) national team and a strong contingent of technical officials will depart Banjul to represent the country at the 6th Edition of the Karate Championships of Western Africa 1, organised under the Union of African Karate Federations (UFAK) in Conakry, Guinea, from 17 to 23 August 2026.

The championship will bring together athletes and officials from across the Western Africa 1 zone, providing Gambian competitors with an important platform to gain regional exposure and test their skills against some of the region's leading karate athletes.

The Gambian team will compete in both Kata and Kumite, combining emerging talent with experienced competitors. The athletes will be led by National Kumite Coach Mbaye Nyang, who will oversee their preparation, competition strategy and technical guidance throughout the championship.

In Male Kata, The Gambia will be represented by Edrisa Jallow in the Senior category and Alieu Conteh at Cadet level.

The Kumite team comprises Emmanuel Mendy, competing in the Senior Male 71kg category, and Fatou Nyang, competing in the Cadet Female 55kg category.

The participation of the Gambian delegation is being supported in part by the Gambia National Olympic Committee (GNOC).

GKF Vice President Muhammed Jagana said the championship provides an important opportunity for Gambian athletes to gain high-level regional exposure and further develop their competitive experience. He said the Federation hopes to build on the team's recent performance at the Senegal Open, where Gambian athletes returned with an impressive haul of eight medals.

Alongside the athletes, the GKF will be represented by a team of technical officials led by Technical Director Sensei Pateh Jobe.
The Federation's Referees' Chairman, Sensei Eliman Njie, will lead the Gambian officiating contingent, comprising Sheikh Ceesay, Modou Faye, Muhammed Jabbie, Alfusainey Jaguraga, Khadim Khan and Serigne Lowe.

The participation of the officials is expected to provide an important opportunity for further professional development. In addition to performing their official duties during the championship, the referees are expected to undergo UFAK theoretical and practical examinations in both Kata and Kumite to assess their knowledge and application of regional and international officiating standards.

Technical Director Sensei Pateh Jobe said the participation of the officials is equally important to the development of Gambian karate. “We are not going to Conakry only to compete. Our officials are also going to learn, officiate and be assessed. The UFAK examinations will give our referees an opportunity to measure themselves against regional standards and identify areas where further development is needed,” Jobe said.

The Gambia Karate Federation says the Conakry championship represents more than a competitive outing, providing an opportunity to strengthen athlete development, improve officiating capacity and deepen The Gambia's engagement within the regional karate community.

The Federation has wished the athletes, referees, coaches and officials a successful championship and urged the delegation to represent The Gambia with discipline, professionalism, determination and sportsmanship.

12/08/2026

ADD Leader Stands Up for UDP Alliance, Warns Against 'Barrow-Style' Leadership

By Ousman A. Marong

Mr. Malick Camara, the head of the Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) party, has made it clear that his partnership with the United Democratic Party (UDP) doesn’t mean he’s giving up his independence or that of the ADD.

"My alliance with the UDP doesn’t mean I’m handing myself or the ADD over to them, saying, ‘Here I am, do whatever you want with me.’ That’s just not who I am. That’s why, when we started forming this coalition, I had no desire to lead it," he explained.

Camara shared these thoughts during a Current Affairs segment on Vibes FM, hosted by Ousman A. Marong.

On the Need for a Coalition

"Without a strong coalition, no political party can hope to unseat President Barrow. That’s crystal clear, and even the UDP understands that. The only way we, as the Gambian opposition, can defeat President Adama Barrow is by coming together in a solid coalition. Haven’t you heard the president say that if the opposition is serious, they should challenge him through their individual parties?" he pointed out.

The ADD leader emphasized that the president is well aware that a coalition would make it much easier to defeat him.

"We can only unseat President Barrow through coalition-building, not as enemies, but as opponents. Two terms are enough for him, and that’s why it’s crucial for us to unite and remove him from the highest office in the country," he added.

On Aligning with UDP

"I or we didn’t surrender to the UDP. We chose to align with them because we recognize they are the largest political party in the country. Leaders of the Gambian opposition need to come together, agree on aligning with the UDP, and work towards a solid understanding. This way, we can secure victory for The Gambia, and it won’t just be about the UDP," he asserted.

On Term Limits

Camara stated that President Barrow should embrace

Camara expressed that President Barrow should really consider adopting term limits, noting that most African countries are already on board with this idea.

"In West Africa, it's just The Gambia and Guinea Bissau that seem to be ignoring the importance of term limits."

When it comes to his political stance, Camara emphasized that his focus is solely on The Gambia.

"My politics are all about putting The Gambia first, nothing else. If I were driven by greed and deception, President Barrow would have welcomed me at the Statehouse with a tempting brown envelope. And what could you, the Gambians, do about it? You'd just be talking, but in the end, there wouldn't be much you could do to change the situation."

He went on to say, "I prefer to team up with a strong political party and persuade others to join us, rather than taking a different route. We will align with the UDP, but we worry they might end up acting like President Barrow."

Camara illustrated his point with an analogy: "A cat's approach changes when it's trying to catch a rat. When a cat is on the hunt, its movements are different compared to when it has already caught its prey.

We urge the UDP not to follow in President Barrow's footsteps. They shouldn't just listen now and then, only to get into power and start making decisions on their own, ignoring those who contributed to their rise."

12/08/2026

Boat Carrying Europe-Bound Migrants Sets Sail from Essau in the Early Morning

By Ousman A. Marong

In the early hours of Tuesday 11th August, 2026, a boat filled with migrants, heading for Spain, left the shores of Essau in the North Bank Region.

A local source shared that one passenger handed over fifty-two thousand dalasi (D52,000), to the boat owner, who is suspected to be a smuggler, to help his brother make the journey to Spain.

“I went down to the riverside in Essau, and I can tell you that the boat looks solid. I’m hopeful they’ll make it safely,” the source stated.

As of now, authorities have not released any official comments regarding the boat's departure.

The perilous migration routes across the Atlantic continue to pose significant dangers, with Gambian officials and international partners consistently highlighting the risks involved.

Phot: This is not the original picture of the boat that departed from Essau. This picture is culled from the Al-Jazera website.

11/08/2026

Good afternoon, Gambia. You’re tuned into The Eyeball Show on Vibes FM radio 106.1, and I’m your host, Ousman A. Marong. Today, we’re diving into a hot topic that’s been buzzing around town.

Joining me in the studio is Mr Malick Camara, the Leader of the Alliance for Democracy and Development, or ADD for short.

Mr Camara made quite a splash when ADD was first registered. In a candid interview with The Standard, he made it clear: “ADD is not venturing into politics leaning or kneeling on somebody else. We are here to stand on our own.” He also emphasised that ADD had no intentions of teaming up with the NPP or any opposition party.

Fast forward to 2025, he promised that his party wouldn’t align with any political group. Yet here we are in 2026, and ADD has decided to join forces with the UDP.

So, on today’s episode of The Eyeball Show, we’re tackling the burning question: What prompted Mr Camara to join the UDP after his strong commitment in 2025? What has shifted in the landscape that led to this decision?

We’ll hear his perspective, discuss what this means for ADD’s goals, the upcoming 2026 presidential election, and for Gambians who are eager for change at the polls.

Listeners, stay tuned because the lines will be open soon for your questions and comments.

Mr Camara, it’s a pleasure to have you on The Eyeball Show.

The show is tomorrow and you do not want to miss it.

Roots Online Media

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