Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 74/2006, 6-7 September, 2006
Editorial
WHEN WILL BUBA BE RELEASED?
The politics of intimidation is nothing new in Gambian politics. Governors,
Chiefs and Security Forces more often than not use their position and
authority to intimidate political opponents, particularly the most active and vocal
ones. The expectation is that once they are broken and become submissive the
rest of the opponents would tend to withdraw into their shells or mask their
true political feelings.
Needless to say, to accept such a tendency is to undermine the foundation of
free and fair elections. The freeness and fairness of an election is
determined not only by the voting process but by the pre-election activities and
processes as well. These activities and processes include registration, access
to the media, the conduct of security and state officials, civic and voter
education and most importantly the independence, impartiality and fairness of
the body responsible for the conduct of elections.
Hence before an election can be described as free and fair one must not fear
being arrested or sacked from one’s job just because of what he/she has
stated or done so long as it has been done within the precinct of the law. What
has Buba Sanyang done to deserve the ordeal he is now facing? The NIA is yet to
explain anything. Information reaching FOROYAA suggests that Buba Sanyang
has done nothing but has been effective in drumming up support for NADD
including the filling of nomination forms.
His continued detention without charge or trial for up to 12 days now is
unlawful and totally against the letter and spirit of the Constitution which
states that any person who is arrested and detained should be brought before a
court of law to answer to charges or be released. Gambia belongs to all of us
and the politics of intimidation has no peace in this day and age. Let the
people be allowed to make their choice freely without fear or intimidation.
OVER SIX THOUSAND REFUGEES IN BULLOCK AND NDEMBAN
The military onslaught on Cassamance has transformed Ndemban and Bullock
into a Sanctuary for refugees. It is purported that over six thousand refugees
have fled from their villages and sought refuge in Ndemban and Bullock.
When this reporter visited the two villages over the weekend, he found
refugees in every compound in the two villages. The brother of the Alkalo of
Bullock Modou Lamin Bojang said refugees from Cassamance cross the border on a
daily basis, noting that they are yet to receive support from anybody or
institution. He said most of the refugees who came to their village are now staying
with their extended family members who are struggling very hard to meet their
needs. He said that on Friday and Saturday, the Red Cross and CCF recorded
the names of the refugees in the village. Mr. Bojang further informed Foroyaa
that the refugees are from the following village: Tambui, Kuram, Eloli,
Gibara Jiral, Kabekel, Pukeli, Barajess, Mulumpu and Sesanah. Mr. Bakary Sanyang a
refugee from Sesanah said he came with his three wives and four children,
noting that he has not brought food or clothing. He said he was at the farm
when the insurgents went to their village and ordered everybody to vacate the
village. He said he has not got time to pack their belongings. Sainey Sanneh of
Pukeli said he and his two wives, and six children boarded a horse cart,
noting that they brought just a few clothes. He indicated that they could not
bring along their goats and sheep. Saikou Badjie of Kuram said his village has
been turned into a rebel camp and that all the inhabitants have fled from the
area. He said they were not allowed to bring along their animals.
He indicated that Tambui Gibara has also been turned into a rebel camp.
When this reporter asked the refugees to tell him who the protagonists are,
they said the forces of Salifu Sarjo and those loyal to Alexandra Gibba are
fighting, while the Senegalese Soldiers are fighting with both factions. One
refugee told this reporter that the Senegalese forces mistrust people they see
around the border, noting that such people are sometimes accused of being
informants of the rebels. He said sometimes their villages are raided, and in
such operations, the youths are often arrested or killed.
They said the youths are sometimes accused of taking part in the rebellion.
They said the arbitrary arrests carried by the Senegalese Army has forced
many youths to run to The Gambia because they fear that they would be killed.
Press Release from IEC
It has come to the attention of the Independent Electoral Commission that
certain unscrupulous persons have been presenting themselves to registered
voters as IEC officials and demanding their voter cards from them with the
pretext that the IEC needs the cards.
The IEC hereby wishes to notify all registered voters that it has not
authorized any person to collect their cards, and that registered voters should not
under any circumstance surrender their cards to any person. Anybody
attempting to collect electors’ cards from their rightful holders must be immediately
reported to the Police.
As the official campaign period is now open, the IEC wishes to inform all
political party candidates and supporters at the regional and constituency
levels that they must seek permit from the IEC office in their Administrative
Area before holding any political meeting or rally. This is to ensure that the
campaign itineraries of Presidential candidates are not interrupted by
campaigns organised by local committees and support groups.
It is imperative that any party sub-group or committee wishing to hold a
rally must apply to the IEC office. Such application, which must indicate the
date, place, and time they wish to hold the rally or meeting, must reach the
IEC at least 48 hours before the date and time of holding the rally. Any
political rally or procession that is not authorized by the IEC during this
official campaign period is illegal.
RED CROSS MEMBER KILLED BY MINE IN CASAMANCE
By Baboucarr Ceesay
A regional delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),
Mrs. Fournier, died on Friday 1st September 2006, by accident. Her service
vehicle ran on a mine between the village of Tendine and Leufeu, in the district
of Sindian.
The accident took place around 12.00 pm where delegates, in company of two
of her colleagues, went into the zone to attend a meeting of the displaced
population and returned to the fold to enquire about their needs for possible
support to bring to them, indicated a source close to the international NGO.
The source indicated that two colleagues of Mrs. Fournier had contusions on the
level of the face and their driver, a Senegalese, had fractures on the level
of the front arm lever and leg. The casualties as well as the body of the
deceased were evacuated to the regional hospital of Ziguinchor. The accident
took place at a time when the district of Sindian witnessed a recrudescence of
violence with bloody confrontations since several months with the factions of
MFDC. Sources disclosed that the national army of Senegal is now spread in
some parts of the district to standby.
“NADD SHALL RESTORE RULE OF LAW”
SAYS HALIFA
Fabakary B. Ceesay
As the Presidential Election approaches very fast, The National Alliance for
Democracy and Development (NADD), held a mass political rally at Bakau on
Saturday, 2nd September 2006.
Shortly before mounting the podium, the NADD flag bearer, honorable Halifa
Sallah spoke to this reporter and indicate to him that, NADD is the party
which will fight against impunity. Mr. Sallah noted that the present Government
has no respect for the constitution and the rule of law and that they are
governing by impunity. He said that a NADD government will eradicate both
political and economic impunity. He pointed out that the present government is
killing Public Corperations like GPTC, by taking money from them any time they
want to commemorate July 22nd celebrations and other events.
“This is how they are killing the Public Corperations.”
Mr. Sallah said that under a NADD government, there will be a Department of
State for Human Rights and Justice and that they will be separated from the
office of the Attorney General. We are going to have a commission on human
rights as an overseas office just like the office of the Ombudsman, where
people can go and report or make complaints’, he emphasised. The NADD flag bearer
asserted that there will be a media commission that will be regulated by
journalists themselves, to set their own standards of their profession. “This
commission will not be an administrative court.” Mr. Sallah noted that a NADD
government will have a commission for the women and children 25 rights
issues. He emphasised that a NADD government will create institutions that will
address any form of human rights abuse. Halifa also added that under the
electoral process IEC summons the security to be under it’s jurisdiction and that
they can allocate the security forces to political parties. “But I have not
seen that happened at the moment and we have not been called to say that has
happened, as such we are providing our own security” he concluded.
NADD HOLDS RALLY AT BUNDUNG
By Abdoulie Dibba
The National Alliance for Democracy and Development, (NADD), held a mass
political rally at Bundung a few hours after the nomination of their
Presidential Candidate, for the September 22nd Presidential Elections. Addressing the
audience, the Members of the Executive Committee of NADD, told the audience
that NADD is here to stay; that the APRC’s twelve-year rule has brought no
improvement to the lives of The Gambian people; that has brought, instead, an
avalanche of hardship, fear and a blatant violation of the Constitution and the
rule of Law. The Executive Committee Members present at the meeting told the
audience that they (the people) are their own liberators through their
votes. They told the people that it is their votes, which determine their
opportunities in life, that if they vote for a person who respects the rule of laws;
one who has clear ideas have the principles and programme to develop the
productive base of the economy, then they (the people) would live in Peace,
liberty and Dignity. The executive members said if voters voted otherwise, then
the status quo will continue. On his part, the NADD Presidential Candidate
Halifa Sallah, told the audience that the country has charged as from today,
after his nomination. He said he is ready to give his life to ensure that the
NADD supporters and sympathizers no longer live in fear nor threaten with
impunity. He told the audience that The Gambian people are a sovereign people,
which mean that all organs of government must derive their authority from the
people. This, he said, is precisely the reason why voters elect a President
and entrust him with the responsibility of levying taxes and managing the
wealth of the country. Halifa told the audience that the President is also the
head of the police, the Army and the NIA. He told the audience that the police,
the Army and the NIA are required to perform their functions in accordance
with the constitution and other laws of The Gambia. This, he said, is not the
case in The Gambia. Instead he said the police and the NIA operate according
to the dictates of the President. Halifa told the audience that the
constitution, which is the supreme law of the land which Jammeh swore to defend
without fear or favour, has stated categorically that no one shall be subjected to
arbitrary arrest or detention; that no one shall be deprived of his or her
liberty except on such grounds, and in accordance with such procedures, as is
established by law. Halifa told the audience that the constitution states very
clearly that any person who is arrested or detained, shall be informed as
soon as is reasonably practicable and in any case, within three hours, in a
language that he or she understands the reasons of his or her arrest or
detention. He told the audience that section 19 subsection 3 (b) asserted that “Any
person who is arrested or detained upon reasonable suspicion of his or her
having committed or being about to commit a criminal offence under the laws of
The Gambia and who is not released, shall be brought without undue delay before
a court and in any event within seventy- two hours.” Halifa told the
audience that the police and the NIA because of the fear of the whip of the
President whose pronouncement is regarded as the law by the police and the NIA should
not respect these constitutional provisions. Halifa told the audience that
that is why people are detained for one or two months, three months without
being brought before a court of law in total violation of the constitution of
the Republic of The Gambia. This, he said is one of the reasons why the APRC
Government needs to be voted out and replaced by a Government that would
respect the constitution and other laws of The Gambia see next issue on the
Economic.
MONEY DEALER SENTENCED
By Modou Jonga
Framang Saho a Gambian national and residing of Sukuta was on Thursday 24th
August 2006 arraigned in court, charged with being in possession of faked
money contrary to section 325(A) of the Criminal Code.
When the charge sheet was read to him the accused pleaded guilty to the
preferred charge. The accused was subsequently convicted and sentenced to three
years in prison with no option of a fine by Magistrate E.F Mbye.
The accused was said to be in possession of a huge amount of faked money
sometime in the month of June 2006 at Jiboro village, Western Division. ASP
Tijan Badjie represented the Inspector General of Police.
FARATO IMAMSHIP TRIAL
POLICE OFFICER TESTIFIES
By Modou Jonga & Yaya Dampha
The assault trial involving the Imam of Farato village Samba Bah (the
complainant) and Kembo Saho (the defendant) continued on Tuesday 5th September at
the Brikama Magistrate Court.
Kemo Saho (the defendant) was charged with assaulting the complainant with a
cutlass and the bail that was granted to him was revoked, after he
re-assaulted the same complainant. Lawyer Borry Touray represented the accused person
(Kemo Saho).
Testifying in a packed courtroom, Mr. Bubacarr Jammeh, a Police Officer at
the Brikama Police Station, said he recognised both the defendant and the
complainant. He further said that he met with Kemo Saho (the defendant) at the
Brikama Police Station with a cutlass. He said the defendant informed him (the
witness) that he has a dispute with the complainant (Samba Bah).
According to the second witness, he asked the defendant about the whereabout
of the complainant, but the defendant said he could not tell. He said the
defendant was informed that the complainant was admitted at the Brikama Health
Centre. He said the said cutlass was taken from the defendant. He said the
defendant was cautioned and the cutlass was kept.
The complainant, according to the second prosecution witness, was taken to
the Health Centre by the Police and they (the Police) were informed at the
said Health Centre that Samba Bah would be referred to RVTH. Later the
complainant was discharged and a medical certificate was issued and addressed to the
Inspector General of Police.
He said the defendant was put in detention and a statement was obtained from
the complainant by the Police when he was at the Health Centre. The said
cutlass was shown to the prosecution witness and he said he recognised it. The
cutlass was tendered in court and was marked as an exhibit without objection
from the defense counsel. The medical certificate of the complainant, too, was
tendered in court and marked as an exhibit with no objection from the
defense counsel. During cross-examination, by counsel Borry Touray, the witness
said he was not an investigator in the case and did only prepare a file on the
assault case and not a report. When asked whether he knew that Samba Bah (the
complainant) was also charged with assault, the second prosecution witness
stated that he was not aware of the complainant being charged for assault, but
further stated that he was aware that the defendant (Kemo Saho) was charged
with assaulting the complainant.
Borry Touray put it to the prosecution witness that on 6th October 2006, his
client was assaulted by the complainant. Touray asked the witness whether he
noticed anything showing assault on the defendant when he came to the
station, the witness replied in the negative. At that juncture, Lawyer Touray told
the witness that he is not a truthful witness since he has failed to
acknowledge the assault on his client. Touray further asked the witness whether he is
the author of his client’s statement, the witness replied in the positive.
At this juncture, the defendant’s statement was read by the witness and it was
later admitted in evidence despite objection from the prosecutor. When asked
by the defense counsel whether he was not told by the defendant at the
station that the said cutlass he brought to the station belonged to the
complainant (Samba Bah), the witness replied in the negative. The matter was adjourned
to 14 September 2006 for continuation.
NADD ON PROVINCIAL TOUR
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) began it’s
provincial tour yesterday.
Rapturous applause greeted Halifa Sallah and his supporters at Kerewan on
Monday.
The NADD entourage which arrived at Kerewan late in the night was received
by enthusiastic youths.
Lamin Fatty, a youth asked his fellow compatriots to vote for Halifa Sallah.
He dwelt on the contributions made by Sallah at the National Assembly. He
said Halifa has never been a farmer, but he (Sallah) is a proponent of farmers’
rights. He said President Jammeh’s government has ostracized the youths, and
that is why the youths are risking their lives in the Mediterranean Sea. He
assured the youths that a NADD government will make life better for the
emerging generation.
The youths of Salikenne walked several kilometers to meet Halifa on his way
from Kerewan. The youths wanted to lift the vehicle that Halifa boarded, but
they were restrained from lifting it. Halifa who arrived at Salikenne at
2.30am, was greeted by the sound of drums and songs. Sallah is expected to have a
meeting at Salikenne today.
GPU ORGANISES ELECTION COVERAGE TRAINING
By Fabakary B. Ceesay & Amie Sanneh
The President of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Mr. Madi M.K. Ceesay has
indicated that Gambian Journalists have in many ways contributed to good
governance in The Gambia, by reporting issues that impact on the citizenry.
Mr. Ceesay made these remarks at the opening of a three day training
workshop on election coverage, at the Mansea Hotel, on Monday, 21st August 2006. In
his key note address, Mr. Ceesay said the challenge of objectivity,
impartiality and balance in journalism is faced daily by journalists, but that there
is no test of professionalism greater than those posed in the heat and
pressure of a bitterly fought political election. “That is why The Gambia Press
Union in collaboration with her partners decided to train journalist in order
to equip them for the challenges that lie ahead. Mr. Ceesay noted that
elections are also a test of political commitment to democracy; that it is a time
when the impulse to manipulate the media and to control information is
strongest among parties and political leaders running for office. He narrated that
journalists must also provide access to the media so that Citizen’s voice can
be heard above the noise of the political debate. He also asserted that there
is need to strengthen the capacity of journalists so that they can give
objective reporting. ‘ This capacity can be built through training that will
enable them to identify the pitfalls and to enforce professional guidelines and
rules, which will help them to put al sides of an argument forward, “he said.
According to him it will help the Journalist to know the Laws and regulations
that should restrain political interest groups from exercising undue
influence.
.” The exercise of free journalism is an essential part of any credible
democracy and journalist must have access to accurate, timely and informed facts
and opinions,” he said. He asserted that the press, especially the public
media, suffers from manipulation which comes in many forms. “The greatest threat
to press freedom is often not in forms of direct control but rather in the
creation of an atmosphere in the exercise of journalism whereby self
censorship by journalists and editors prevail,” the GPU president asserted. Going
further, Mr. Ceesay said, the press needs to be free from coercion from
governmental, political or economic control during the electoral process in order to
ensure that people are well informed in a bid to make informed choices,” he
said. Mr. Ceesay concluded that the training workshop will provide professional
assistance to journalists and media organizations to meet the challenge of
political and social change.
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