Roots Online Media

02/06/2026

Former Wuli West MP Sidia Jatta argues that the loss of language contributes to a sense of inferiority among Africans and undermines their independence

By Ousman A. Marong

Former Wuli West MP Sidia Jatta has spoken out against the prevalence of foreign languages in Africa, claiming that these imposed language policies were crafted by the West to instil a sense of inferiority and keep Africans feeling "lazy and backwards."

Jatta shared his thoughts during a Current Affairs radio program on Vibes FM, hosted by Ousman A. Marong.

He emphasized the importance of language in shaping identity, stating that language is what truly makes us human. Forcing Africans to abandon their native tongues in favour of colonial languages, he argued, is akin to stripping away their humanity. “If someone comes to you and demands that you give up what is rightfully yours—your language—by compelling you to speak theirs, then they have effectively devalued and destroyed your own,” he remarked.

Jatta raised an important question about why African nations don’t embrace their indigenous languages in official settings, especially when so many other countries around the globe communicate in their native tongues. “In the world, aside from Africa, other nations speak their own languages. So why aren’t African countries doing the same?”

He connected the suppression of local languages to colonial education methods that shamed students for using their native dialects. “There are over two thousand languages, and the West aimed to undermine us by instilling an inferiority complex, making us feel less than one another. Remember back in the day when a student spoke their vernacular in class? They were made to wear a symbol of shame. That was the first step in making us feel inferior to each other.”

The former lawmaker pointed out that these tactics were intentional efforts to push Africans towards adopting foreign languages. He argued that such strategies have played a significant role in Africa’s underdevelopment. “These methods from the West have made us appear lazy and backward as Africans.”

Jatta also linked the idea of linguistic independence to genuine political freedom. “Independence means freedom,” he stated, “but how can you truly be free if you’re speaking someone else’s language?”

To illustrate his argument, he provided some figures, suggesting that language barriers create skewed power dynamics. “If we break it down, in a group of 100 people, about 80 are speaking English. So, among those 100, the 80 percent who don’t speak English are the ones who own the country, while the minority who do speak English are working for them. How can you work for me if I don’t understand your language, and I’m the one providing for you?”

“Just look at your National Assembly Members. What language do they use in parliament? Obviously, it’s English. Who put them in those positions? It’s clear that what they’re discussing in the house is not accessible to the majority.”

01/06/2026

GhanCoy10 Marks Eid al-Adha with Food Donations to Barra, Mayamba

By Ousman A. Marong

On Tuesday, April 26, 2026, the Ghanaian Military Contingent ECOMIG Ghana Company 10, part of the ECOWAS Mission to The Gambia, made a generous donation of various food items to the mosque committees in Barra and Mayamba in celebration of Eid al-Adha.

The donation ceremony took place in the villages of Barra and Mayamba, located in the Lower Niumi District of the North Bank Region. Officials from GhanCoy10 presented bags of rice, vegetable oil, water, soft drinks, praying mats, ablution kettles, and even a ram to mark the occasion of Tobaski.

Lieutenant Colonel Bavoke took a moment to congratulate the Muslim community in Barra and Mayamba for their successful celebration of Tabaski. He expressed gratitude to all Gambians, especially the residents of these villages, for their warm hospitality and cooperation with the Ghanaian troops.

"We are truly honoured to be here with you for this Eid celebration. My team and I are here to present a ram along with some assorted items. This gesture symbolizes our commitment as ECOWAS and Ghana, not just to peace and security, but also to nurturing unity among us," Lt. Col. Bavoke shared.

Waka Cham, the Imam of Barra, emphasized that the donation from the Ghanaian Contingent was made on behalf of Islam, rather than as individual acts. "We, the people of Barra, want you to know that this is for Islam, not just for the people of Barra. This is a significant gesture, especially for our mosque. It has been delivered at the right time," he remarked.

Suwaibou Senghore, speaking on behalf of the Imam of Mayamba, expressed gratitude to GhanaCoy10 for their thoughtful donation to the village.

Alhassana Bah, the Alkalo of Mayamba Village, shared his feelings of humility and relief at the visit from the Ghanaian Contingent. "The Ghanaian Contingent has made history by being the first military organization to come to Mayamba Village and offer such a donation. Our village is over a hundred years old, and this is a remarkable moment for us. There weren’t any military companies involved in this at all. We truly appreciate this effort; it’s a great example of military civil cooperation. Having served in the army myself, I can tell you that many of our current soldiers went to Ghana for warfare training. I used to be a fiancé and welfare officer," he wrapped up.

29/05/2026

Enough is Enough — Mr. President, The Gambia Demands Light Now

Editorial

Mr. President, The Gambia is in the dark, and our patience has run out. Our homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses are suffering under an electricity supply that feels more like a part-time job than a reliable service. This isn’t governance; it’s a national crisis. You need to take action now before it’s too late.

The narrative just doesn’t add up anymore. In just 72 hours, we’ve gone from “technical fault” to “international shortage.” Who are we supposed to trust? These contradictions aren’t just confusing; they suggest that the truth is being managed rather than communicated.

We urge you to set up an independent panel to investigate NAWEC. The terms should be straightforward: uncover why our national utility is resorting to power rationing as if it were a military schedule. Audit everything—generation, transmission, fuel procurement, management, and all power purchase agreements. Then, present the findings to the Gambian people.

We’ve heard from a credible source within NAWEC who warns that this crisis isn’t going away anytime soon. The allegation is serious: that the Senegalese government has taken control of 95% of NAWEC’s power supply, effectively choking off the energy that The Gambia receives. If this is true, it’s not just a utility issue; it’s a matter of sovereignty, national security, and basic human dignity. The panel must investigate this claim thoroughly and without bias.

And let’s be clear: the provinces are not exempt from this struggle. Here in provincial Gambia, the power supply is erratic, unreliable, and devastating. Tailors can’t sew. Welders can’t work. Cold storage facilities are losing stock every day. This pain is felt nationwide, and our response must be equally national.

Mr. President, press releases won’t power operating rooms. Sympathy won’t charge our phones. We need megawatts, not meetings. We need accountability, not empty apologies.

If the State won’t act, then the people must. To every Gambian who’s fed up with excuses, tired of sweating through sleepless nights, and watching your businesses crumble in the dark: it’s time to make your voice heard. Take to the streets!

To all the Gambians out there who are fed up with excuses, tired of sweating through the night, are you fed up with watching your business suffer in the dark? It's time to make your voice heard! Get out there—peacefully, lawfully, and unmistakably. Let the demand for electricity ring out so loudly that it can't be ignored, from the State House all the way to NAWEC headquarters.

The Gambia can't move forward while it's in the dark. Mr. President, the power to change this is in your hands. Flip the switch!

29/05/2026

The General Next Door — Maj Gen Ousman Gomez and the Measure of a Man

Some officers earn respect simply because of the stars on their shoulders. Then there’s Maj Gen Ousman Gomez of the Gambia Armed Forces, who earns respect through the life he leads when he’s not in uniform.

I first got to know him not as a general, but as a neighbour. On Coastal Road, his home was right across from my uncle’s. In that neighbourhood, titles don’t mean much if your character can’t withstand daily scrutiny. Maj Gen Gomez passed that test every single day.

What stands out about him is his honesty. He doesn’t sugarcoat the truth to fit the situation. Whether he’s briefing troops or chatting with elders on our street, he speaks plainly. That integrity is what earns him the trust of soldiers and the belief of civilians.

He’s down-to-earth in a way that puts you at ease. His rank has never created a barrier. You’d see him checking in on the elderly after heavy rains, participating in community clean-ups, or mediating disputes among youths with the same calm demeanour he brings to the barracks. The man in uniform is the same one who would pull up a plastic chair under the mango tree and ask how your family is doing.

Humility isn’t just an act for him — it’s a way of life. Despite all his service to the nation, Maj Gen Gomez carries himself without any sense of superiority. In our Coastal Road neighbourhood, he’s held in high regard not because he demands it, but because he truly deserves it. Children greet him with ease, mothers talk to him without hesitation, and his peers speak of him with pride.

His service to The Gambia speaks volumes: discipline, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to duty. But it’s the way he embodies that service — without any showiness or ego — that sets him apart.

The Gambia Armed Forces has produced many outstanding officers, but Maj Gen Ousman Gomez is a leader who has never forgotten his roots or the people he serves. For his honesty, humility, and dedicated service to this nation, he stands tall in the barracks and even taller on Coastal Road.

We salute you, Sir. The uniform brings respect, but you bring something.

Tom, I salute you, sir.
Ousman A. Marong.

27/05/2026

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Lamin Fatty, Ibrahima Gaye, Ousman Cham, Saikou Ceesay

26/05/2026

BREAKING: Ousmane Sonko has officially been elected President of the National Assembly of Senegal.

In an extraordinary plenary session held on May 26, 2026, lawmakers first reinstated Sonko as a member of parliament before swiftly electing him to lead the Assembly.

The move was pushed through by the ruling Pastef coalition, which controls 130 of the 165 parliamentary seats.

But the political drama behind the vote was intense.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye reportedly made a last-minute attempt to halt the process by referring the matter to the Constitutional Council. The court declined to intervene, ruling that the issue fell under the Assembly’s internal procedures.

Opposition parties immediately condemned the move as an institutional power grab, while several constitutional experts questioned whether Sonko’s reinstatement complied with Article 54 of the Constitution.

None of it stopped the outcome.

Just four days after being dismissed as Prime Minister by President Faye, Sonko has returned at the center of power — now as Speaker of Parliament.

This is an unprecedented political comeback in Senegalese history and could fundamentally reshape the balance of power between the presidency, parliament and the ruling Pastef movement itself.

Source The Inspirational ARK

26/05/2026

10 Years On, EFF Ties Its Struggle to African Liberation Day

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) celebrated a decade since its inception on May 25 with a rally for African Liberation Day, linking its local fight for land and economic freedom to broader struggles across the continent.

As supporters donned their iconic red berets and filled the streets, the EFF made a bold statement for its 10th anniversary: “Our struggle is Africa’s struggle.”

Since its founding in July 2013, the EFF took the opportunity of the 2026 African Liberation Day to reflect on its ten years of influence in South African politics, from shaking up Parliament to advocating for land expropriation, all while positioning itself as a pan-African movement as the next election cycle approaches.

23/05/2026

23/05/2026

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

Brikama is ready to shine. The Brikama Sports Committee proudly presents the most anticipated Sports Award ceremony of the year.

Awards Night & Dinner 2026
📅 Saturday, 20th June 2026
📍 Boxbar Mini Stadium, Brikama

One night. One stage. Legends recognized. Heroes Born.

Like never before, Join us for an unforgettable evening of glory, glamour, and greatness as we celebrate the athletes, teams, and leaders who have defined sporting excellence across Brikama and The Gambia.

On the night:
⚽ Football | 🏀 Basketball | 🏐 Volleyball | 🏃 Athletics | 🌟Community Champions 🎶 Live Entertainment | 🎤 Distinguished Guests | 🤝 Professional Networking

You don’t want to miss this. Do you?
📷 Brikama Sports Committee

21/05/2026

Development expert Njie throws his hat into the Brikama Sports Committee race

Development practitioner and youth advocate Lamin Njie has declared his candidacy for the presidency of the Brikama Sports Committee (BSC), unveiling a Six-Point Agenda aimed at overhauling football governance in the region.

Njie, who holds a Master of Science in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies from the University of The Gambia, has held leadership roles at the National Human Rights Commission, Future In Our Hands (FIOHTG), and the Gambia Centre for Victims of Human Rights Violations, where he managed budgets, coordinated projects, and led advocacy campaigns.

His agenda centres on financial transparency, inclusive governance, partnerships, capacity building, infrastructural development, and constitutional reform.

On finances, Njie has pledged to introduce a Financial Management Policy for BSC, complete with quarterly reporting and independent audits. He says his governance model will give clubs and stakeholders a direct role in decision-making, drawing on his background in civic education and participatory planning.

Njie also plans to court local businesses, government agencies, and international football academies as sponsors and partners to fund tournaments and upgrade facilities. As a former lecturer, he has committed to training coaches, referees, and administrators in governance, financial literacy, and technical skills.

On infrastructure, Njie says his project planning experience equips him to deliver a comprehensive upgrade of Brikama’s sports facilities. He has also proposed a review of the BSC Constitution to introduce audit mechanisms, grievance procedures, and anti-corruption clauses.