Swiss charge Gambia ex-minister with crimes against humanity
April 18, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Swiss prosecutors said Tuesday they have charged a former interior minister of Gambia with crimes against humanity for his alleged role in years of repression by the west African country's security forces against opponents of its longtime dictator.
Dead man found in wheel of jet flown from Gambia to England
December 21, 2022 GMTSERREKUNDA, Gambia (AP) — A dead man was found in the wheel bay of an airplane that flew from Gambia to Britain, Gambian authorities said this week.
The unidentified body of a black male was found on a jet operated by TUI Airways — a British charter airline — that had flown from Gambia's capital of Banjul to London's Gatwick airport, Ebrima G.
Gambian lawmakers urge compensation for children’s deaths
October 26, 2022 GMTBANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Gambian lawmakers on Wednesday urged compensation for the families of 70 children who authorities believe may have died after taking a contaminated cough syrup imported from India.
Gambia urgently recalls syrups blamed for 66 child deaths
October 6, 2022 GMTBANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Gambia has launched an urgent door-to-door campaign to remove cough and cold syrups blamed for the deaths of more than 60 children from kidney injury in the tiny West African country.
UN court rejects Myanmar claims, will hear Rohingya case
July 22, 2022 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Judges at the United Nations’ highest court on Friday dismissed preliminary objections by Myanmar to a case alleging the Southeast Asian nation is responsible for genocide against the Rohingya ethnic minority.
Gambia court sentences ex-spy chief to death for murder
July 14, 2022 GMTMBOUR, Senegal (AP) — A Gambian court has sentenced a former spy chief and four others to death Wednesday after finding them guilty of the 2016 murder of a political activist.
Former director general of the defunct National Intelligence Agency, Yankuba Badjie, was convicted along with the other ex-intelligence officials for the murder of Ebrima Solo Sandeng.
Gambia to investigate fugitive ex-dictator Jammeh for abuses
May 25, 2022 GMTDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Gambia’s government is setting up a special prosecutor's office to investigate for severe human rights violations and potentially charge former dictator Yahya Jammeh, who fled into exile in 2017 after 22 years in power.
Growing African mangrove forests aim to combat climate woes
May 6, 2022 GMTMOMBASA, Kenya (AP) — In a bid to protect coastal communities from climate change and encourage investment, African nations are increasingly turning to mangrove restoration projects, with Mozambique becoming the latest addition to the growing list of countries with large scale mangrove initiatives.
Alleged ex-member of Gambian special unit tried in Germany
April 25, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — A Gambian man went on trial in Germany on Monday for his alleged role in the killing of government critics in the West African country over 15 years ago.
The 46-year-old suspect, who has been identified only as Bai L.
Germany charges Gambian over ‘death squad’ killings
March 3, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — German prosecutors say they have charged a Gambian man with crimes against humanity for his role in the killing of government critics in the West African country more than a decade ago.
Gambia urges UN court to continue Rohingya genocide case
February 23, 2022 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Lawyers for Gambia on Wednesday urged the United Nations' top court to throw out Myanmar's legal bid to end a case accusing the Southeast Asian nation of genocide against the country's Rohingya minority.
UN court hearings set to resume into Rohingya genocide case
February 20, 2022 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An international case accusing Myanmar of genocide against the Rohingya ethnic minority returns to the United Nations' highest court Monday amid questions over whether the country's military rulers should even be allowed to represent the Southeast Asian nation.
Egypt objects to referee picked for African Cup semifinal
February 2, 2022 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Egypt has filed a complaint with the African soccer confederation against the appointment of a Gambian referee for the Pharaohs’ game against Cameroon in the African Cup of Nations semifinals on Thursday.
Host Cameroon, surprise Burkina Faso into African Cup semis
January 29, 2022 GMTDOUALA, Cameroon (AP) — Cameroon marched on at the African Cup of Nations on Saturday with a brace by striker Karl Toko Ekambi sending the tournament host into the semifinals with a 2-0 win over Gambia.
Cameroon blames stadium deaths on ‘massive’ influx of fans
January 29, 2022 GMTYAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Cameroon authorities have blamed a deadly stadium crush at the African Cup of Nations soccer tournament on a “massive” influx of ticketless fans who arrived late to a game involving the host team and tried to force their way in to avoid security checks and COVID-19 screening.
Egypt, Eq. Guinea win shootouts to make African Cup quarters
January 26, 2022 GMTDOUALA, Cameroon (AP) — Mohamed Salah buried the decisive penalty as Egypt beat Ivory Coast 5-4 in a shootout to reach the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations on Wednesday.
Equatorial Guinea followed suit to beat Mali 6-5 on penalties, but in a far more chaotic shootout.
9 Senegal soldiers missing in Gambia after clash with rebels
January 26, 2022 GMTDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Nine Senegalese soldiers in the regional West African force in Gambia are missing following clashes with rebels, the Senegalese army announced Wednesday.
The clash between the Senegalese troops and the rebels took place south of Bwiam in Gambia near the border with Senegal, said the statement.
Deadly stampede overshadows Cameroon’s African Cup progress
January 24, 2022 GMTYAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Cameroon's progress at the African Cup of Nations was overshadowed by a stampede outside the stadium that killed at least six people during the host nation's victory over Comoros on Monday.
African Cup: Defending champ Algeria out, Comoros advances
January 20, 2022 GMTDOUALA, Cameroon (AP) — Defending champion Algeria was dumped out of the African Cup of Nations in the group stage on Thursday with a 3-1 loss to an Ivory Coast team that was rampant at times and announced itself as a contender for the title in Cameroon.
Bronx-raised Cardi B offers to pay fire victim burial costs
January 19, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Cardi B has offered to pay the burial costs for all 17 people killed in a fire that ripped through a New York City high-rise.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced Wednesday that the Grammy-winning rapper had offered the financial relief for victims of the fire in the Bronx, where she grew up.
Communal funeral planned Sunday for Bronx fire victims
January 14, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — A communal funeral for victims of New York City's deadliest fire in decades has been planned for Sunday, a week after the the blaze in the Bronx high-rise.
The service is to be held at the Islamic Cultural Center in the Bronx, said Imam Musa Kabba of Masjid-Ur-Rahmah, the mosque where some of the victims' families have been gathering to grieve.
Families prepare to lay to rest victims lost in Bronx fire
January 13, 2022 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Prayers and the compelling need to bury the dead filled a Bronx mosque Wednesday, as a bereaved community began saying goodbye to those lost in New York City’s most devastating fire in decades.
Algeria-Gambia African Cup warmup canceled because of virus
January 1, 2022 GMTAn African Cup of Nations warmup game between defending champion Algeria and Gambia was called off hours before kick-off in Qatar on Saturday after several Gambia soccer players tested positive for the coronavirus.
Gambia commission recommends ex-dictator Jammeh face trial
December 25, 2021 GMTBANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Gambia's former dictator, Yahya Jammeh, should face prosecution for murder, torture and sexual violence, according to a new report by a truth, reconciliation and reparations commission established after he fled into exile five years ago.
German prosecutors accuse soccer player of faking name, age
December 6, 2021 GMTHAMBURG, Germany (AP) — A professional soccer player from Gambia has been charged with using a false identity to breach German immigration law.
German prosecutors said Monday that Bakery Jatta, a Gambian forward who signed for Hamburg in 2016, is actually named Bakary Daffeh and is two-and-a-half years older than his stated age of 23.
Gambia President Barrow wins re-election in post-Jammeh vote
December 5, 2021 GMTBANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Gambia’s President Adama Barrow has secured his re-election with a comfortable margin over his opposition in a vote that set the bar for a new chapter in the small West African nation’s democracy.
Gambia counts marble votes in 1st post-Jammeh election
December 4, 2021 GMTBANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Election officials started counting marble votes Saturday in Gambia after the polls closed in the country's first presidential election in decades that does not include former dictator Yahya Jammeh, a milestone seen as a test of democracy in the West African country.
Gambia will head to polls in 1st post-Jammeh election
December 3, 2021 GMTBANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Gambians are set to vote Saturday in a historic election, one that for the first time will not have former dictator Yahya Jammeh appearing on the ballot.
While the 2016 elections that removed Jammeh from power after 22 years saw Gambians go from fear to elation, many are still not satisfied with the progress the nation has made and want certainty that the new leaders will bring the tiny West African nation of about 2 million, dependent on tourism, toward peace and justice.
Gambia investigators urge justice for abuses under Jammeh
November 25, 2021 GMTBANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Investigators with Gambia’s Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission delivered a final report to the president Thursday, identifying and recommending prosecution for those most responsible for crimes and human rights abuses committed during the 22-year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh.
Evacuation flights for migrants start again in Libya
October 22, 2021 GMTCAIRO (AP) — The United Nations said on Friday that it has resumed humanitarian evacuation flights for migrants stranded in Libya after authorities suspended them for several months. The announcement comes after a massive crackdown on migrants by Libyan security forces.
Gambian Toufah Jallow tells of surviving rape by dictator
October 17, 2021 GMTDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Toufah Jallow’s name resonates deeply in Gambia as one of the few women who has taken a public stand against sexual assault in the small West African state.
She gained fame at the age of 18 when she won a university scholarship in a national talent competition for young women.
US wins seat on UN rights council in uncontested election
October 14, 2021 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United States won a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council that former president Donald Trump denounced and quit, joining 17 other nations elected in uncontested votes Thursday that were criticized for guaranteeing spots to countries with abysmal rights records.
Women left behind: Gender gap emerges in Africa’s vaccines
October 14, 2021 GMTSARE GIBEL, Gambia (AP) — The health outreach workers who drove past Lama Mballow’s village with a megaphone handed out T-shirts emblazoned with the words: “I GOT MY COVID-19 VACCINE!”
By then, the women in Sare Gibel had heard the rumors on social media: The vaccines could make your blood stop or cause you to miscarry.
Report: Most nations fall far short in plans to curb warming
September 15, 2021 GMTNearly every nation is coming up short — most of them far short — in their efforts to fight climate change, and the world is unlikely to hold warming to the internationally agreed-upon limit, according to a new scientific report.
African Cup: Egypt, Ghana qualify; Gambia, Comoros to debut
March 25, 2021 GMTCAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Egypt and Ghana qualified for the African Cup of Nations on Thursday and were joined by Comoros and Gambia, who will make surprising debuts at next year's tournament...
Tens of thousands attend Senegal pilgrimage despite COVID-19
October 6, 2020 GMTTOUBA, Senegal (AP) — Tens of thousands of Muslims descended upon Senegal's holy city this week for the annual Grand Magal pilgrimage, a tradition in West Africa that some fear could become a super-spreader event for COVID-19...
Gambian man charged in US with torturing 2006 coup planners
June 11, 2020 GMTDENVER (AP) — A Gambian man has been indicted in Colorado on federal charges that he tortured planners of a failed 2006 presidential coup when he was a member of a special armed unit that reported directly to the dictator of the African nation, prosecutors said Thursday.
Nobel winner’s army defense blasted in Myanmar genocide case
December 12, 2019 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Lawyers seeking to halt what they allege is ongoing genocide in Myanmar slammed leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s defense of her country’s armed forces, saying Thursday that the Nobel Peace Prize winner and former pro-democracy icon chose to ignore “unspeakable” crimes targeting Muslim civilians...
As 58 migrants drown off Africa, a call to stop smugglers
December 5, 2019 GMTNOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania (AP) — The drowning of at least 58 migrants in the Atlantic Ocean off Mauritania sent despair through tiny Gambia on Thursday while some demanded a crackdown on human traffickers after one of this year’s deadliest disasters among young Africans trying to reach Europe...
UN says 58 migrants dead as boat capsizes off Mauritania
December 4, 2019 GMTDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — At least 58 people are dead after a boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized in the Atlantic Ocean off the West African nation of Mauritania, the U...
Gambia truth hearings grip nation as past atrocities emerge
November 13, 2019 GMTBANJUL, Gambia (AP) — The confessions stop people short in Gambia’s sunbaked streets, drawing crowds to radios crackling with accounts of atrocities that are only now coming to light...
Myanmar accused at UN court of genocide against Rohingya
November 11, 2019 GMTTHE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Myanmar was accused Monday of genocide at the U.N.'s highest court for its campaign against the country's Rohingya Muslim minority, as lawyers asked the International Court of Justice to urgently order measures "to stop Myanmar's genocidal conduct immediately...
The Latest: British PM questions Thomas Cook bosses’ pay
September 23, 2019 GMTLONDON (AP) — The Latest on the collapse of British tour company Thomas Cook (all times local):
US surgeons remove 6-pound tumor from Gambian girl’s mouth
March 9, 2017 GMTNEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Twelve-year-old Janet Sylva of Gambia wants to be a doctor when she grows up, she says with a broad grin — one that surgeons in New York gave back to her after removing from her mouth one of the largest tumors they'd ever seen.
Activists cheer exit of Gambia leader, an anti-gay ‘icon’
February 3, 2017 GMTABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — In August 2014, Jamu Camara was at home with her girlfriend in the Gambian resort town of Kololi when police arrived for a surprise raid, taking both women in for questioning...
In a new Gambia, the prison doors begin to swing open
January 24, 2017 GMTBANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Gambian soldiers picked up Tijan Barrow, beat him with their guns and threw him into a cell at the notorious National Intelligence Agency prison...
Gambia’s defeated leader leaves country, ends standoff
January 22, 2017 GMTBANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh and his family headed into political exile Saturday night, ending a 22-year reign of fear and a post-election political standoff that threatened to provoke a regional military intervention when he clung to power.
AP INTERVIEW: New Gambia leader to set up truth commission
January 21, 2017 GMTDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Gambia's new president Adama Barrow said Saturday that he will launch a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the alleged human rights abuses of Yahya Jammeh's 22-year regime...
Gambia’s defeated leader agrees to cede power, leave
January 21, 2017 GMTBANJUL, Gambia (AP) — Gambia's defeated leader Yahya Jammeh announced early Saturday he has decided to relinquish power, after hours of last-ditch talks with regional leaders and the threat by a regional military force to make him leave...
No word from Jammeh as midnight deadline arrives in Gambia
January 19, 2017 GMTDAKAR, Senegal (AP) — After more than two decades in power, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh faced the prospect of a military intervention by regional forces, as the man who once pledged to rule the West African nation for a billion years clung to power...