Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has fired four key ministers and appointed four others, according to the state-owned media. - Lamin Bojang, Minister of Works, Construction and Infrastructure, Antouman Saho, Minister of Fisheries and Water Resources, Ismaila Sambou, Minister of Local Government and Land and Nancy Njie, Minister of Tourism and Culture were all relieved of their duties last Thursday. Dr. Mamadou Tangara has been appointed Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, and Alhagie A. Cham had the Minister for Information and Communication Infrastructure. Lamin Kaba Bajo has been appointed the minister of Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Mat…

The deputy chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Fatou Bensouda has revealed she will pay a visit to Guinea Conakry somewhere this month to investigate the recent civilian massacre allegedly perpetuated by the Junta. - Speaking to AfricaNews Bensouda said the ICC is keen to take action on the bloodbath but must be there in advance to gather enough evidence. “There is an intrinsic link between justice and peace,” she said, “by putting an end to impunity for the perpetrators of most serious crimes, the court can and will contribute to the prevention of such crimes, thus having a deterrent effect.” The resource-rich West African state …

- The deputy Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Hague has warned that if states fail to prosecute worst criminals, the International Criminal Court will intervene to prosecute. Mrs. Fatou Bensouda said anybody responsible for wreaking serious crimes against humanity in whatever form must face the law, noting impunity is no longer an option. She said it is against this backdrop that Sudanese leader Omar El Bashir is indicted and several others including Joseph Kony are facing trial for committing crimes against humanity. Speaking on the theme “International Criminal Justice in the 21st Century” at the end of the Bar week held at Kairaba Beac…

- Mr. Cherno Jallow, a Queen’s Counsel at the British Virgin Island believed that kind of tax that The Gambia levy on businesses can scare-away serious investors. Speaking at the event of the Bar Week under the theme: legal practice in the Gambia: opportunities for growth and development, Mr. Jallow said foreign investors want to invest where tax policies are realistic and reliable. however, he said, “a jurisdiction that regularly changes its tax policies and laws especially when changes are not subjected to prior public consultation and debate risks shutting its doors to serious and high net worth investors. He added: “when you over burden businesses with high…

- The traditional head of Jalambang village, Western region was on Thursday sentenced to a fine of D1, 000. 00, in default serve one year in jail. Alkali [title of a village head] Alhagie Njobo Bah, 90, was convicted of ‘criminal trespass’ on a plot owned by The Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh. He was also ordered by the court to pay compensation of D10, 000.00 to President Jammeh or serve one year in jail. The old-man has unlawfully entered a piece of land measuring 1000 by 500 meters at the village, which was given to President Jammeh by Mr. Kebba Wuday Bojang, a residence, the Director of Public Prosecution told the court. Richard Chenge further said Mr. Bah took poss…

- The family of a Gambian journalist who was missing since 2006 has today received from PEN International, a sum of D44, 000, for the welfare of his family. Chief Ebrima Manneh, a senior reporter with The Daily Observer, a pro-government newspaper was allegedly whisked-away by plain-cloth security agents of The Gambia at his office on 7th July 2006. His where-about, since is not known and the government refutes allegation of detaining him. The donated money, under the trust of the Gambia Press Union, was handed over to the Manneh Family today. A senior executive member said part of the money would be used to pay tuition fees of his brothers and sisters, whose welfare was on him, u…

- Senegalese nationals resident in The Gambia will no longer pay aliens’ card says a joint communiqué signed by The Gambian President Yahya Jammeh and President Abdoulie Wade of Senegal. This decision is arrived at when the Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade made a two-day working visit to The Gambia, upon President Jammeh’s invitation. In a joint communiqué both leaders also agreed to build a bridge over the river Gambia, but to be managed by The Gambia. Jammeh and Wade further agreed to “work constructively” towards reviving the Senegalo-Gambian permanent secretariat. A Consultative Commission, according to the communiqué is to be convened, to be headed by t…

- Senegalese President Abdoulie Wade arrived in The Gambia for a two day working visit after reports of strained relations between the two countries. The Senegalese leader was received at the Banjul International Airport at 10:00 in the morning by Gambian President Yahya, and his delegation including vice president, service chiefs, Speaker of the Parliament among other dignitaries, and traditional rulers among other dignitaries. According to the state radio, President Wade is offered an unparallel reception upon arrival at the airport amid cultural display before the two leaders left for Coco ocean hotel, where Wade lodges. The reason for Wade’s for visit is not made clear…

Gambia civil servants are to receive a salary increment of 20% this year, President Yahya Jammeh announced on the eve of the year 2010. He said the salary adjustment applies to all categories of civil servants, but urged them to work hard saying some civil servants are "very lazy." - President Jammeh’s pledge came just days after the country’s parliamentarians expressed concern about the plight of civil servants. The prices of basic commodities including sugar, rice, oil among others continue to hike over the last 10 years, whilst the salaries of civil servants remain low. The legislators say the wage of civil servant cannot keep up with their commitments especially …

- Parliamentarians in The Gambia slammed as “unfair” and un-objective the recent reports on the press on the budget for 2010. The Gambia’s finance minister Mr. Abdou Kolley recently has presented a total appropriation bill of over 3 billion dalasis, but not without hot debate among members causing a rare division even among members of the ruling party. The debate came hard on the heels when the minister announced 5 percent tax levy on rice import, which he said was waived during the food crises. Some national documents including passport, license and road tax for private vehicle owners have also increased almost 100 percent. This development some legislators argued is…

- Parliamentarians in The Gambia slammed as “unfair” and un-objective the recent reports on the press on the budget for 2010. The Gambia’s finance minister Mr. Abdou Kolley recently has presented a total appropriation bill of over 3 billion dalasis, but not without hot debate among members causing a rare division even among members of the ruling party. The debate came hard on the heels when the minister announced 5 percent tax levy on rice import, which he said was waived during the food crises. Some national documents including passport, license and road tax for private vehicle owners have also increased almost 100 percent. This development some legislators argued is…