Sierra Leone: NPPA Boss Woos IPAM Students

July 28, 2019

Chief Executive of the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), Ibrahim Brima Swaray

At an annual general Seminar of the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), the Chief Executive of the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), Ibrahim Brima Swaray, spoke of Foreign Direct Investment in Sierra Leone.

Standing on all existing policies he mentioned, “There is no country that can attract foreign investors if the models listed below are not seriously controlled and by achieving them also the government of that particular day is termed as a successful government.

Accountability
Transparency
Responsiveness
Equity
Effectiveness
Respect for rule of Law
People’s participation
Solid and cogent Orientation.

‘Demystifying them one after the other, the CEO stated boldly that the government collects our monies and later provides goods and services for the citizens which he posed the rhetorical question to all students. Have we ever thought of the many reasons why we have spoken so much about FDI and it does not reflect in the economy,’ he asked.

He added that the NPPA does not buy for the government, but rather ensures that the money given for a particular purpose is met within the ambit of the rules of the NPPA. He pointed glaringly that the NPPA and the anti-corruption are working closely as the NPPA is on the preventive side of corruption whereas; the ACC is on the enactment side of corruption. The NPPA ensures that there is value for money.

“I took over office where procurement officers just buy at any price they feel,” he stated. He added that over the months, the NPPA has saved the government a huge sum by advising them on buying goods that are not of economic benefit which will be a liability to the government, because of his level of transparency he has established price norms in which there is uniformity among MDAs in the Procurement process.

In his exact words, there has been no room for competition and improvement which he swiftly spoke on the reason why many MDAs do Procurement without allowing due processes all in the name of corruption which they coin as urgency that is one of the many reasons for the dwindling of the then NPPA.

He added that many governments have played their parts and gone and that the sitting dispensation and that the NEW DIRECTION because of these fabulous projects in not so many days from now Sierra Leone will officially open the DIRECTORATE OF ELECTRONICS and GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT which will accommodate all procurement activities to be done using electronics to enhance the confidence of the people, to enhance donors trust and to enhance confidence by Foreign Investors.

This session which many called not just educative, but motivational because of the CEO’s speech on behalf of NPPA which he climaxed by saying, “I did not leave the shores of Sierra Leone to acquire education elsewhere all I have now I owe it to IPAM and therefore if you think you are small then you will not start, believe in yourself and move away from your comfort Zone”.

The students busted into spontaneous ovation for a masterpiece presentation of the CEO of NPPA.

MMCET Sierra Leone Principal Talks Tough On SU Presidency

July 28, 2019

The three presidential candidates with the winner (right)

Anthony During of the Special Camp, who scored 629 votes, was on Friday 26^th July 2019 was duly elected Federal President of the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (MMCET) Polytechnic Students’ Union (SU) Executive for the 2019/2020 academic year.

The runner-up, Ahmed Sesay of the Students Inclusive Movement (SIM) polled 244 votes while Fatmata Kamara of the Liberty Camp secured 377. The three presidential candidates are all qualifying year Bachelor in Education students.

The entire process was widely acclaimed as a novelty due to its orderliness, peaceful, transparent, accountable and credible nature.

The acting Principal of the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (MMCET) Polytechnic, Dr. Philip John Kanu credited the Ministry of Higher and Technical Education, lecturers, staff, students, the police force and the college’s security for the peaceful, transparent and accountable conduct of this year’s elections which he attributed to the collective efforts of all stakeholders reminding students that acquiring quality education should be their topmost priority for which his administration would force them to become responsible citizens.

The major decision taken by the college administration that was applauded by all stakeholders was that all students should vacate the campus immediately after voting and listen to AYV and Star Radio for the election results.

Dr. Kanu also revealed that his administration examined the causes for last year’s botched elections that resulted to violence and destruction of college property, the reason they consulted all stakeholders this year as well as the three presidential candidates to take decisions underscoring that all external factors such as past students, lecturers and staff, that influenced past elections, were removed in addition to firmly warning them to stay out of the entire process revealing that campaigns and manifestoes were conducted and declared in the open to the satisfaction of all parties, underscored that his administration provided all the support to adequately prepare the presidential candidates and commended the management of AYV and Star television stations for the opportunity given to the presidential candidates to debate and campaign through their stations.

Dr. Philip John Kanu also revealed that this is the second Students’ Union election conducted since his appointment a year ago and clarified that he is not interested in any of the candidates but the one who would seek the best interest of students recalling his days as President of the National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS) and disclosed that some students who were arrested last week during the campaign period have been suspended indefinitely until the matter is thoroughly investigated intimating that the culprits were shown the CCTV footage of their disorderly behavior but stressed that not all students are bad as 99.9% are very good, the reason the bad ones will be weeded out.

He further informed that the three presidential candidates “are all matured and solid”, that they slept in the same place on the eve of the elections, ate breakfast and lunch, voted and even travelled together in the same vehicle to the two other campuses of Congo Cross and Brookfields on election day accompanied by the Warden of Students to demonstrate peace, tolerance and non-violence to their supporters affirming that this is the turning point in the history of the college and frowned at the use of the word camps but groups to which the various candidates belong.

According to the Acting Principal, the responsible Chairmen of the presidential candidates handed over the students who were involved in skirmishes and commended all for their unflinching support to the conduct of the credible elections.

The Regional Police Commander West, Acting Inspector General of Police Thomas Mustapha Lahai said the three campuses of the polytechnic were peaceful which he attributed to through planning to curb indiscipline that has the potential to undermine development affirming that there was police presence before, during and after the elections reiterating that police presence was very visible all over the three campuses.

All the representatives/observers of the presidential candidates asserted that they are satisfied with the electoral process revealing that there were 600 eligible voters for the governorship election and 500 for the presidency but clarified that only fully paid up students were qualified to vote and must present their identity cards.

Sierra Leone: NATCOM Holds Commonwealth CTO

July 28, 2019

Director- General NATCOM, Maxwell Massaquoi

Sierra Leone’s National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) will host the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO) conference on the theme “Broadband for Inclusive Digital Transformation” on the 30^th July to 2^nd August 2019 at the Bintumani International Conference Centre Freetown.

The event is expected to attract Heads of Telecoms Regulators, Private Sector Investors, the Media and Civil Society Organizations, to engage with local policy makers and enhance developmental opportunities that can be harnessed through the use of ICT.

The conference will focus on the following thematic areas: Rural Connectivity, Analogue to Digital Broadcasting, Big data, Youth and ICT, Data protection, Broadband and Infrastructure sharing. Experts will discuss and share their experiences on how to improve internet connectivity and broad access to quality ICT services.

According to the Director-General of NATCOM, Maxwell Massaquoi, hosting the international conference of such magnitude is quite essential, pointing at ICT being prioritized by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio as part of his governance agenda.

“We are proud as a nation and a regulator to host this international conference and hope to share our experiences with our friends across the world all in the spirit of exploring partnerships to solve our common challenges in providing effective and efficient ICT solutions to build our respective countries,” the DG stated.

The DG further stated that the event will showcase investment opportunities as well as address some of the ICT challenges the country is experiencing, especially in the area of the provision of rural broad band connectivity.

A member of NATCOM Event Management Committee, Hannah Bangura said all necessary arrangements have been put in place to host this international conference. She further lauded the collaborative effort and support given to NATCOM by other MDAs and mobile phone operators to promote this international event.

“We are excited to receive over fifty international delegates and to use the conference as a platform to market our beautiful country, Sierra Leone,” Mrs Bangura concluded.

The CTO is the largest and oldest Commonwealth membership organization committed to using information and communication technologies (ICTs) appropriately and effectively for development (ICT4D). The CTO seeks to work collaboratively with other Commonwealth bodies to build mutually beneficial synergies in the interests of its members. The CTO has a key role to play in leading ICT4D initiatives across the Commonwealth, and it is committed to working together with other Commonwealth entities to reduce overlap and replication of activities.

The CTO is an organization that is renowned for its involvement in providing ICT support to countries in the Commonwealth nations. Sierra Leone through NATCOM in 2013 benefitted with support from CTO, five multi-Purpose ICT centres in the towns of Kambia, Pujehun, Makeni, Mile 91 and Lungi.

President Weah Honors Sierra Leone President Bio

July 28, 2019

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has been conferred as one of the highest honors in Liberia by His Excellency President George M. Weah Sr.

On Friday 26th July 2019, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has been conferred as one of the highest honors in Liberia by His Excellency President George M. Weah Sr. during the official commemoration of his country’s 172^nd Independence Anniversary, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, Montserrado County, Monrovia.

Reading the citation for the conferment of the honour, the Chief of Protocol of the Republic of Liberia, Jervis A. Witherspoon paid glowing tribute to His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for his democratic credential as the former military Head of State who laid the foundation for peace and the return of multi-party democracy in Sierra Leone in the late nineties.

“His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio presided over the conduct of the first democratic elections in Sierra Leone in nearly three decades. He voluntarily handed-over power to the democratically elected Government of the late President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and initiated the Sierra Leone Civil War Peace Settlement. He is also the first former military Head of State to be democratically elected as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone,” the citation stated.

The Chief of Protocol also spoke about His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s efforts in peacekeeping in Liberia as part of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG). His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s peacekeeping mission in the early nineties in Liberia through ECOMOG demonstrated the love and commitment he has for the country and people of Liberia.

Mr. Witherspoon also catalogued His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s humanitarian efforts in Sierra Leone through the Maada and Fatima Bio Foundation. He singled out the Foundation’s work during the Ebola outbreak in supporting victims. Over the years, the Foundation has also supported victims and families affected by natural disasters such as the flooding and mudslide.

During the citation, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio was also praised for his tremendous achievements over the last one year in championing human capital development, demonstrating political will in the fight against corruption, restoring fiscal credibility to Sierra Leone among others. He has also shown great leadership at the African Union as Chairman of the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government for the reform of the United Nations.

After reading the citation by the Chief of Protocol, His Excellency President George M. Weah, Sr. conferred on His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio the honour of Knight Grand Cordon, Most Venerable Order of the Pioneers (KGC – MVOP). Amidst the ovation from Liberians at the Sports Complex, His Excellency President George M. Weah decorated his colleague and brother, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio with the insignia of the honour as he was flanked by his wife, Her Excellency the First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio.

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the First Lady and other members of his entourage returned to Sierra Leone after the official commemoration of 172nd Independence Anniversary.

Five Heads of State from Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria graced the 172^nd Independence Anniversary celebration in Monrovia.

In separate engagements, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio held private meetings with his host colleague, His Excellency President George M. Weah, Sr. and the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.

As a President who uses every travel abroad to attract investors to Sierra Leone, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio also held a private meeting with a Qatari investment group which expressed interest to invest in Sierra Leone.

The streets of Monrovia were decorated with the Liberian flags and pictures of the visiting Heads of State ahead of the official commemoration of 172^nd Independence Anniversary celebration on Friday, 26^th July 2019.

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio and Her Excellency Fatima Bio were accompanied to Monrovia by a delegation including the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Dr Priscilla Schwartz, State Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Fatmata Edna Kargbo and Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi.

Newfield Sierra Leone Starts $30.5M Mining Business in Tongo

July 28, 2019

Newfield Resources has announced a positive Final Investment Decision (FID) for its flagship Tongo Diamond Mine development in Sierra Leone, Western Africa.

The company also announced the issuance of $30.5m worth of bonds to commence development at Tongo.

To fund the development of the mine, the company has signed binding agreements to issue two tranches of unlisted, unsecured corporate bonds.

Tranche A, which will raise $20m, to be drawn down on a quarterly basis, with first draw-down expected by the end of September this year. Under Tranche B, A$4.5m ($3.14m) has been received, with residual bonds to be issued on draw-down of the remaining funds over the second half of this year.

Construction on the Tongo mine with underground portal blasting is expected to commence in next few weeks, while the first diamonds are expected within a year of initial portal blast.

Newfield Resources Executive Director, Karl Smithson said: “We are delighted to have agreed a funding package that allows us to commence construction of the company’s flagship Tongo Diamond Mine Development.

“We will now move to commence development activities at Tongo following the positive Final Investment Decision made by the Newfield Board. This will start with completion of the box cut excavation and first blasts for underground portal and decline development.

“Consistent with the recently completed Tongo FEED Study development timeline we expect to be mining first diamonds within 12 months of initial portal blasting,” he said.

Last March, Newfield signed an agreement to acquire the entire issued and to-be-issued share capital of Stellar Diamonds for £7.74m.

Newfield owns gold projects in Western Australia along with Sierra Leone’s advanced diamond project, comprising four exploration licences spread over an area of 780.9km².

Sierra Leone NP-SL Continues to Weather Storms Gallantly

July 28, 2019

Sierra Leone’s leading and longest serving oil marketing company, the National Petroleum (NP) SL Limited continues to weather the storm gallantly as it endeavours to give optimum satisfaction to millions of customers across the country.

Recent research done by various media houses indicates that based on viability and sustainability tests on oil marketing companies in Sierra Leone, it was found that the operations of the National Petroleum – Sierra Leone makes it the most viable and sustainable oil marketing company; apart from it being an internationally approved service deliverer.

It is on record that NP is a company worth its salt and the company has received many awards; the latest being: “Best Company of the Year” that was received on 6^th July 2019 during the National Business Award 2018/2019 held at the prestigious Bintumani Hotel.

The research included tests on the standard and quality of the National Petroleum-SL products which customers say they have never had cause to grumble about.

It should be noted that customer care is one key element to the success of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL).

Another most important feature of NP-SL is its smart cards which customers can use to make transactions very easily and conveniently.

The public’s recognition of the invaluable contributions of NP both to its numerous customers across the country and to national development has seen it bag meritorious awards from different national and international organisations.

NP-SL is well anchored in neighbouring Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where it operates as a truly multinational Sierra Leone company.

Since its establishment, NP has been meaningfully contributing to economic growth through payment of taxes and rolling out meaningful interventions in the discharge of Corporate Social Responsibility that are transforming lives and improving communities.

The company always ensured that petroleum products are always available, thereby preventing shortages that could create shocks in many quarters. The level of confidence which overseas business partners have reposed in the company has made it possible for it to enter into payment agreements thereby keeping the demand and supply chain open and running.

NP-SL by giving preference to employing Sierra Leoneans is a clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy. Utilizing local talents make it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through training courses that could be applicable in other places.

In addition, the company sells the best cooking gas that is available in hundreds of outlets across the country, thereby contributing to creating cleaner environments, thus aiding the work of EPA.

In this digital age, moving away from the traditional way of transacting business has now become the norm.

It should also be mentioned that NP-SL is on record for being the only indigenous company which is paying very dividends to government thereby making the NP-SL one of the best privately-owned companies in Sierra Leone worth its salt.

Sierra Leone: Youth Minister Nabs FBC Robbers

July 26, 2019

Investigations have revealed that the Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura and other stakeholders raided the FBC community after engaging the youths at the car wash who denied being part of an act of attacking female student (s) from the university after their examinations.

They promised the Minister that they will do everything possible to bring the culprits to book as they have been falsely accused.

On Wednesday 24^th July, 2019, immediately after work, the Minister mobilized his team, including a lecturer at the university Mr. Teddy Foday Musa to join hands with the youths of the car wash to raid the perpetrators of last week’s incident.

During the search, one of them was caught and has been taken to the FBC Police Post for further interrogation.

The Hon. Minister further addressed the community people to bring out those who did the act to the said students within the next few hours; otherwise, government will take action against them for illegally occupying the land of the university.

“The University is your landlord and you can’t hurt your landlord, so for all to be in peace in this community, bring out the culprits or else we will call the police to raid the entire community. Two hours later the ring leader known as Chucks was produced by the community people to the police.

It is clear that over the years, students at Fourah Bay College (FBC) have been plagued with unfortunate attacks from robbers within the mountain communities surrounding FBC.

The recent of these attacks on students happened a few days ago which led to the stabbing of a year 3 female student and all fingers are pointing at the youth at the Berry Street Car Wash Centre under construction by the Ministry of Youth Affairs. Owing to growing concerns and the quest to see that students at FBC live in an academic environment that is conducive, more so at a time that 2nd semester examinations are ongoing.

It can be recalled that as a result of the increase in unemployment on the part of the youth of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Youth Affairs has taken steps to empower young people who are engaged in car washing as a means of making them self-reliant.

According to the Chairman of the Berry Street Car Wash Mr Savage, he said that: “the Youth Minister is one that is on record to be the only minister for years who has made more than 8 visits at our car wash within a year and has always told us to believe in his leadership and the government of President Bio. So for anyone to do an unfortunate incident and the whole world is accusing us even though we are innocent, we won’t sit and fold arms, but will join hands with the security forces to arrest and prosecute perpetrators”.

He further assured the Minister and the University of their full cooperation and promised to join the police to provide security in the college for the safety of the students.

Africa’s Foreign Exchange Crisis… Liberia & Sierra Leone Face Severe Dollar Shortage

July 25, 2019

Just like the Leone, Liberia’s currency continues to decline in value against the United States Dollar, despite efforts by the former and this government to stabilize them.

In Liberia, the International Monetary Fund says the depreciation is due to factors like excessive borrowing, the use of foreign currency to pay for imported goods and services, currency speculation, high interest rate and inflation.

The Liberia Central Bank reports that between 2016 and 2019, it has used US $600M to fight the decline of the Liberian currency exchange rate.

The payment is comprised of $381M from the 25% of remittances withheld, $105M from the sales of T-bonds and the $119M withdrawals from the “Specific Accumulated Rainy-Day Money”. Yet, the depreciation continues, and it is now L$201 to US $1, from L$62 to US $1 in 2006.

The decline is due to many factors, including, but not limited to excessive borrowing by Liberian administrations, the demand to use foreign currency to pay for imported goods and services, speculation, high interest rate, inflation, etc., according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). If Liberia produces rice, for example, merchants will use local currency to buy rice for sales, thereby, improving the value of the country’s exchange rate.

Exchange rate is the value of one currency when measured against the currency of a foreign country. Currency exchange rate usually moves up and down, and the frequency is not good for any government and/or for investors.

Financial experts recommend that a government should develop economic tools to increase/decrease the local currency or increase/decrease the foreign currency in order to balance the exchange rate.

If a government wants to increase the value of the local currency, it will reduce the local currency by using foreign currency to buy up the excess local currency. Alternatively, it can reduce the value of the local currency, by printing new banknotes, of course not to replace the old banknotes.

It is not difficult to print new banknotes and increase the local currency (which too can cause inflation – too much money chasing too few goods), but it is difficult to generate/raise foreign currency to buy up the excess local currency.

Liberia has generated cash from three sources: (1) withheld 25% of foreign remittance, (2) money withdrawn from the Net International Foreign Exchange Reserves, and (3) money received from the sales of T-Bonds.

But having on hand US $600M during the three years, why did the government fail to improve the value of the Liberian currency?

Additionally, if the government used the $600M to buy the excess Liberian banknotes, where are the old banknotes the government purchased?

Better yet, why did the government print new banknotes in 2016, 2017 and 2018, if the country had excess local currency, which was depreciating the country’s exchange rate?

Did the government use the US $600M to reduce the local currency since there is excess, which is depreciating the exchange rate?

The method the government used to improve the Liberian currency exchange rate indicates why Liberia has excess currency, which is depreciating its exchange rate. Sierra Leone can learn from this!

Sierra Leone: First Lady Returns with a Bang!

July 25, 2019

First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio on a working vacation

President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio went on a working vacation with their family and they visited the UK, Kenya and the UAE.

This is the first official holiday the President and his family have taken since he assumed office last year.

The President in his usual work approach, used the opportunity to meet with President Kenyatta, to discuss how Sierra Leone can achieve the success Kenya has achieved in tourism in East Africa.

The Ministry of Tourism will be following up on this discussion, and making positive strides in learning how to adopt the winning strategy to Sierra Leone. The President and his family visited a few wide life reserves in Kenya.

In preparation of the EXPO 2020 Dubai, H. E. Fatima Maada Bio, went on a tour of the site, where she visited the Sierra Leone Pavilion. The EXPO will be the largest event to the held in the Arab world. Sierra Leone has the great opportunity of having its pavilion next to that of UAE.

The First Lady had earlier met with H.E. Reem Al Hashimy (Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Director General of EXPO 2020, to appreciate the great support they are giving to Sierra Leone, and on Sunday 21^st July, she met with her Deputy, where Her Excellency Fatima Bio signed the approval for the interior design of the amazing concept for the Sierra Leone pavilion.

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, is the Commissioner General representing Sierra Leone. She says Sierra Leone must not only actively participate to showcase our rich vibrant culture, but have a set target of minimum investment that must be brought back to Sierra Leone.

This is because, ‘we are committed to development and previous EXPOs have not brought anything tangible for the country, but the EXPO 2020 will be a game changer for Sierra Leone,’ she said, adding that ‘this is because we have a stable and forward thinking government, and we are working with the various ministries and private business, to have one of the best representation of Sierra Leone in the history of EXPOs. Expo 2020 is Dubai’s long term investment in the future of the country will boost its economy by USD 33.4 billion. Sierra Leone is poised to also get in on the action.

Gambian Police Accused of Killing Sierra Leonean Businessman

July 25, 2019

A Sierra Leonean businessman, identified as Ousman Darboe has died in Serrekunda – The Gambia, after he was released on bail by The Gambian Police following his arrest and detention for suspected possession of stolen property.

According to The Gambian News Network – Kerr Fatou, dozens of young people gathered at the Serrekunda Police Station to protest against the death of Ousman Darboe, who they claimed was severely beaten by the police anti-crime unit.

Darboe, a shop owner at the Black Market was reportedly arrested by the police anti-crime unit about 13 days ago and released last Friday.

On Tuesday, he was reportedly called back to the anti-crime unit in Bijilo and while there, his friends received a call from him that he was not feeling well.

Darboe’s friend who identified himself as Muhammed, told Kerr Fatou News that Darboe is an asthma patient.

When Muhammed and his friends got to him, he was already suffering and they took him to Medicare Clinic in Brububi.

He passed away on Tuesday at 9: 30 according to Muhammed. His friends from the Black Market gathered at the police station near the Serrekunda market demanding justice for Darboe.

They claimed he was tortured and kept in police custody for 9 days without charge.

Muhammed told Kerr Fatou that the accusation against Ousman who owns a store at the Black Market was that he bought stolen goods from someone.

Ousman has been in the Gambia for 20 years, and now leaves behind two young children and his Gambian wife, said Muhammed.

His remains are currently at the Serrekunda Hospital mortuary.

Meanwhile, an angry mob has burnt down the compound of Gorgi Mboob – commander of the anti-crime unit, for the alleged role of his officers in the killing of Darboe.

Prior to the incident, the police had issued a press release “calling on the youth to observe calm and restraint”.

They claimed Darboe’s name “came up during investigations into a Breaking and Stealing incident that occurred at Kerr Serign on 14th July 2019”.

“Suspects in the said case confessed selling items stolen from the Kerr Serign incident to Ousman Darboe,” said the police.

“Investigators visited his shop at Serrekunda market where a Flat Screen television, part of the stolen items was recovered in his possession.”

According to the police, Darboe was arrested on 12th July and charged with receiving stolen properties contrary to the laws of the Gambia.

Then on Monday the 15th of July, he was granted bail but he kept on reporting on bail.

The police confirmed that Darboe during his detention was said to be an Asthma patient as shown by medical papers tendered by his family which prompted his bail.

“The Inspector General’s Office assures the public that it will continue a probe into the death of Ousman Darboe and the outcome will be duly communicated to ascertain the cause of death,” said a statement from the police.

This is the second incident of death allegedly caused by Gambian police in less than a month. About two months ago, a University student call Kebba Secka was allegedly stabbed to death by a police officer who is currently charged with murder.

In Sierra Leone there are calls for President Bio and his wife Fatima Bio who is also a Gambia national to press on the Gambian government to ascertain the cause of death of the Sierra Leonean national, so that justice can be expedited.

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