Issue No. 2/2005, 6-9 December, 2004

EDITORIAL

EX-CHIEF OF STAFF, VINCENT JATTA AND THE SECURITY SITUATION

FOROYAA mentioned its difficulty in tracing the Ex-Chief of Staff, Vincent Jatta and went as far as to mention the ridiculous rumour that he may have been deported just to leave room for government to tell its own story. In short, section 13 subsection 4 of the constitution states categorically that, "Nothing in this or any other law shall be construed as depriving, or authorizing any person or authority to deprive, any citizen of The Gambia by birth or descent of his or her citizenship of The Gambia whether on account of such citizen holding citizenship or nationality of some other country or for any other cause." This issue of deportation is therefore inconceivable. What is of concern is the relation of the government and Lt. Colonel Jatta. His removal from the office of Chief of Staff and his discharge from the army occurred abruptly. It leaves many questions unanswered and speculations are rife.

FOROYAA has approached the Permanent Secretary for Defence to know whether there are some problems but to no avail. Somebody needs to tell Vincent’s family where he is. This is urgent because of the recent happenings. This is not designed to create alarm. It is designed to abide by the principle of sending early warning signals to prevent rumours or tragedies from happening. FOROYAA will intensify its investigation and tell the public the true state of things. An Ex-Chief of Staff is too important a personality to disappear from public view without a trace.

Furthermore, the presence of armed robbers in Banjul confirms the state of insecurity and the need to implement the mobile patrol scheme in the urban area. There is no doubt that if one or two watchpersons have mobile phones and the numbers of mobile patrol units many people who want to engage in unlawful actions would be deterred from doing so.

The government needs to consider this suggestion from the Gambia Press Union with urgency. Arsonists, murderers and robbers often take some time patrolling before they commit their dastardly acts. If mobile patrol units exist they would be alerted before they commit their atrocities.

THE TRADE DEFICIT WIDENS TO D4.2 BILLION

By Abdoulie Dibba

In his 2005 budget speech, the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, Hon. Musa Bala Gibril Gaye failed tO mention the state of our import as well as export value in the budget. In reacting to this, the Minority Leader and member for Serrekunda Central, Hon. Halifa Sallah pointed out that the Secretary of State indicated in paragraph 51 of his budget speech that, "By end 2003, imports are valued to reach D4.0 billion whilst exports stand at D93.7 million giving a trade deficit of D3.9 billion." But then in his 2005 budget, Halifa said that the Secretary of State did not indicate how much we earned from our exports, as well as how much we spent on our imports. Halifa pointed out that in the absence of imports and exports, it would be very difficult to assess whether we are moving forward to be an export-oriented economy and would want the SoS to give more information in that regard. In response, SoS Bala Gaye pointed out that in their drive to reduce the budget so that
 it could be delivered in one hour or one hour thirty minutes, they forgot to include the trade figures. He indicated that total imports as at end December 2004, is valued to reach D4, 873, 000, 000 (Four billion, eight hundred and seventy three thousand million dalasis) whilst export is valued at D674, 000, 000 (Six hundred and seventy four million dalasis) giving a negative trade balance (trade deficit) of D4, 199, 000, 000 (Four billion, one hundred and ninety nine dalasis).

ABBEY DIAMACOUNE HARPS ON TRUTH AND JUSTICE

By Emil Touray

Returns from Ziguinchorr

Abbey Diamacoune Senghore has posited that the social and economic development of Cassamance can only take place within the framework of peace. He however said that the fundamental basis of that peace must be truth and justice.

The head of the MFDC high command who had survived what his brother, Bertrand Senghore described as a palace coup, made this statement at the signing of a peace accord between his movement and the Senegalese government held on Thursday at the Place de la Governance in Ziguinchorr.

Abbey Senghore expressed the view that the peace agreement should be followed by negotiations, which in his view will contain all the issues that have to be treated.

Abbey Senghore made a vivid explanation of the history of the conflict that devastated villages and lives in the Cassamance and the various attempts made by the protagonists to bring the war to an end. Diamacoune, a former separatist who had over the years struggled for an independent homeland for the people of Cassamance region, averred that the 4th of April 1928, the 4th of April 1937 and the 4th of April 1956 are dates on which Cassamance celebrated events of historic significance.

President Wade who was flanked on arrival at the Place de la Governance by plain clothes security officers, concurred with Abbey Diamacoune’s averment that the agreement reached by the two parties should be followed by negotiations regarding the implementation process.

As regards the reconstruction of Cassamance, President Wade announced an eight billion CFA Francs package aimed at helping the wounded, the displaced persons, diverse victims of the twenty two year conflict, the combatants and their families, and to embark on rebuilding infrastructure throughout the Cassamance region.

President Wade indicated that he would ask his Prime Minister to take all the necessary measures to that effect. He further went on to reveal the creation of a national agency for the development of the Cassamance. According to him, citizens of Cassamance would be involved in designing socio-economic development programmes for implementation in the Cassamance region.

However, President Wade admonished that in the quest to establish peace, the road to be taken will be long. He contended that while there is need for courage to make the war, there is still need for greater courage to make peace. He therefore urged Senegalese everywhere to come together for the promotion of a prosperous and united Senegal reconciled with itself.

To conclude, he paid homage to the MFDC leader and all the combatants of the MFDC for their courageous move towards peace. He particularly thanked Diamacoune Senghore for his efforts and steadfastness and for his convictions, whilst thanking the courageous people of Cassamance for their invaluable part in bringing about peace in the region.

President Wade also made a brief summary of the history of the conflict, the efforts made by his predecessors to bring about peace, the agreements reached and the failures of those agreements. He also affirmed his commitment to the current agreement.

The signing of the peace accord was greeted with approval from all quarters. Most of the Cassamance refugees based in The Gambia have already left for Cassamance. Some of them were present at the signing ceremony.

Our reporter, who was on the ground, made attempts to interview some of the combatants but his efforts bore nought due to the fact that the commanders were reluctant to grant interviews and barred their subordinates from doing so.

People displayed banners portraying their strongest disgust for what they describe as a senseless war. Thousands of people attended the signing ceremony and hailed President Wade and MFDC’s resolve to end the separatist war that besieged Cassamance for more than two decades.

ARMED ROBBERS INVADED ALBERT MARKET

IS NATIONAL SECURITY NOT UNDER QUESTION?

By Surakata Danso

Armed robbers reported to be numbering around 20 invaded the main market of the capital city of Banjul in the early hours of Sunday morning between 2.30 am and 3.30 am. According to eyewitnesses who are watchmen the market in the market and also victims of the ordeal the attackers came from the direction of the Atlantic Ocean and in a motorised boat. They said that immediately these men disembarked from their boat they scattered and started seizing the watchmen at gunpoint; that all of them were ordered to put their hands at their backs and then they were tied by the attackers with wires and made to lie on their stomachs with faces on the ground. The watchmen that this reporter talked to said that they were subjected to this humiliating and horrible ordeal; that while they were tied in that position some of the men stayed behind to watch them started walking on their backs, while the others broke into the walls of the two shops belonging to Alhagie Muhammed Tunkara and Bubacarr
 Tunkara; that the attackers after taking what they were able to carry left them in that situation and headed with their boat towards the Atlantic Ocean. On the type of outfit that was put on by the armed robbers, the watchmen said that they were dressed in black and masked. They said that the security forces later arrived at the scene and untied them.

The brothers called on the state to introduce a security watch around the market at night and were supported by the other shop owners and other vendors who were at the scene. They argued that since the watchmen are not allowed to arm, the security forces should support them with regular patrols.

HALIFA ON THE NEWSPAPER AMENDMENT ACT

Part 3

Foroyaa: You indicated that the Newspaper Act is a Colonial Law, which was enacted since 1944, are you implying that it should be scraped?

Halifa: Laws are made for a purpose. My major point is that even the Colonial Law is more progressive than the amendment proposed by the Government and supported by some members of the National Assembly. In my view, we should move forward not backwards.

Foroyaa: Can you throw light on what should be done with the Newspaper Act and the proposed Amendments?

Halifa: All Colonial Laws should be brought into conformity with the Constitution. The amendment is neither in conformity with the Constitution nor in line with the principles of justice. Some of the provisions are unconstitutional and others draconian.

Foroyaa: Can you give a single and concise example of what is unconstitutional and what is draconian?

Halifa: I can repeat myself for the sake of clarity. Section 25, Subsection (1a) of the Constitution states that "Every person shall have the right to: (a) freedom of speech and _expression which shall include other media". Clause 9 Paragraph (2) of the amendment reads: "No Newspaper or broadcasting station shall, after Fourteen days of the coming into force of this Subsection, be printed, published or operated, as the case may be, without the bond of Five Hundred Thousand Dalasis having been given and executed with the Registrar General".

This means that without access to a bond valued at D500,000, one will not be able to run a newspaper.

The Constitution says that freedoms should only be qualified by laws that are reasonably justifiable in a democratic society. The reason given by the Secretary of State for Information Communication and Technology is that the bond is necessary just in case a journalist is convicted of libel and other crimes. Clearly, doctors, lawyers, armed soldiers and so both are also capable of abusing their professional duties. However, no one ask them to execute bonds before they practice their profession. Moreover, the Newspaper Act excludes the State Media.

The law is therefore selective and discriminatory.

Needless to say, the law is not only an unreasonable and unjustifiable obstruction to the executive of the freedom of press enshrined in Section 25 of the Constitution, it also seeks to ban Newspapers, which have met the obligation under the old law from operating unless they comply with the amendment.

Section 100 of the Constitution, Subsection (2) states that "The National Assembly shall not pass a bill to deprive any person retroactively of vested or acquired rights".

The Colonialist did not have a Constitution to guide them but they were mindful of the principle of equity. This is why Section 14 of the old law exempted any Newspaper regulatory printed and published in The Gambia prior to the first day of January 1943.

Interestingly enough the government under a Republic has no respect for basic principles of equity in law making.

Foroyaa: Why did you allege that some of the provisions are draconian?

Halifa: One must know the purpose of the law in order to gauge the validity of the penalties. The provision of the Newspaper Act established by the Colonialists was designed to ensure accountability of the proprietor, editors and publishers of Newspapers. Just as one registers to get a birth certificate an affidavit was required containing the name of the Newspaper and the names and residence of the proprietor, printer, publisher and editor.

Secondly, signed copies of the Newspaper were to be delivered to the Registrar General in order to enable the courts to authenticate the true copy of the newspaper in case of court action. Newspapers were also required to carry the numbers of the proprietor and publisher on every issue to ensure accountability. This is the purpose of the Newspaper Act. All the other provisions are unnecessary.

It is therefore draconian to impose a fine of D500,000 for publishing a newspaper without executing a bond. It is also draconian to impose a penalty of between D50,000 to D250, 000 for failing to submit a signed copy of a newspaper to the Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Information. They simply amend laws without reviewing essence. The purpose of amendments is to remove the deadwood in the law and make them more progressive. In this respect they have failed.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR MESSAGES 2005

Below are the Christmas Message of the Bishop of Banjul, the Right Reverend Michael J. Cleary that was delivered on the 24th December 2004 and the New Year Message of Bishop Solomon Tilewa Johnson, the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese, delivered on New Year’s Eve.

Bishop Cleary’s Christmas message:

The wonder of this holy night, the story of Bethelehem, the experiences we have of the past Christmases - from childhood on make Christmas one of the most special events of the year. We know well the story of God becoming man - who doesn’t.

But in this fast-moving technological age the story has its difficulties. The story of Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem, looking for accommodation-stable-shepherds angels choirs-all these belong to the picture. The problem comes with the interpretation of the story and it is this that is important. What does God want to tell us by his Son becoming man?

The prophet Isaiah tells us most about the coming of the Messiah. He will relieve the burdens of the oppressed and exploited will destroy war turn swords into ploughshares. Will be called "Prince of Peace" etc.

At this point many moderns don’t feel happy. Nice words but where is the reality?

If he is the "Prince of Peace", where is the peace? Everyone is talking about it but we are surrounded by war, cruelty, and inhumanity.

God is forgotten by most - or is thought of as far away and having little to do with everyday life. There is little peace, light and joy for most people.

And so it is easy for modern man to suspect that Jesus is not the Messiah - or if He is, He has failed. In either case God appears powerless in the face of misery and injustice. We are helpless but God appears helpless also - or not to care.

But, in spite of this uneasiness, something about the Christmas message still interests and fascinates us and urges us to ask ourselves if we have missed something. The message is clear - "Glory to God on high and peace to men". The birth of Christ brings glory to God and peace to men. But where is the reality?

And now to the point where we miss out. Jesus came to bring peace, but it is not His intention to force it upon us. True, we can do nothing without Him, but He chooses to do nothing without us. His intention is clear. Is it our intention to cooperate with Him?

This is the point of Paul’s message to Titu’s - "The grace of God has appeared offering salvation to all men". Christ’s coming is an offer to save us from ourselves, from inhumanity, war, selfishness, and lack of concern for the oppressed and neglected. Paul

goes further: "It was He who came To cleanse for Himself a people of His own,

eager to do what is right. That is the point! Are we a people eager to do what is right, eager to do His will, eager to cooperate with Him in bringing about peace?

Sadly the peace of this Christmas has been sullied and spoiled by the criminal, horrific murder of a distinguished Gambian journalist. A murder , which, judging by reports on international radio and press, has brought this country into disrepute. And this has happened in our so-called democracy where there is supposed to be freedom of press and freedom of speech.

This is not the first time that radio stations or communications centres have been attacked. And we have yet to see action taken against these criminals and perpetrators of murder. Justice must not just be done but seen to be done. Bringing these murderous thugs to justice is long overdue. Who will be next on the death list? Who? Ask not for whom the bell tolls - it tolls for thee. Remember - for evil to triumph, it is sufficient that good people do nothing. By your silence do not condone evil.

Stand up and be counted! Show your revulsion of what is happening in your country and cooperate in helping to bring those murderous thugs to justice.

If we have too little peace this Christmas, it is because many have missed a vital point in the story of Bethlehem viz - that Jesus came to bring peace, but we must cooperate with him. We all want and love peace, but Jesus did not say "blessed are the peace-lovers" but "blessed are the peace-makers". The message is clear.

We are all brothers and sisters, children of the same Heavenly Father. We are meant to live as such. If I am not at peace with someone let me be reconciled with my brother. Let me go and begin at home, in my own house, compound, community and country.

In wishing you and your families and friends a very happy Christmas, I pray that you will always hear ringing in your ears the words of Our Divine Master: "Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called children of God".

May God bless you all and give you peace and joy this Christmas.

Michael J. Cleary, Bishop of Banjul



Bishop Johnson’s New Year’s message:

Dear Reader,

As we enter another year, we are filled with good and worthy intentions to lead better lives. Let us commend these intentions to God, in prayer, for Him to guide according to His will. Let us pray for the strength and resolve to live as God would want us to.

We cannot live out our lives in isolation. Everything we do, in some way, impacts on the lives of other people. This impact could be the result of a direct action on another person. Major problems in society, at all levels, are often the result of the sin of selfishness. A disregard for our neighbour can have far-reaching effects: ranging from disunity within a community, to civil conflict within a nation.

During the early part of his earthly ministry, Jesus preached a sermon on right living. This sermon is usually known as the "Sermon on the Mount". Before stating qualities that are required for a peaceful society, such as forgiveness and not judging others, Jesus said to the crowd who had gathered to listen to him,

"You are the salt of the earth ....... You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5" 13 & 14 abridged)

SALT has qualities of purity, disinfectant and flavour. LIGHT illumines the darkness. The effects of both permeate their whole environment. It cannot be denied that there is moral decay and darkness in our world. Manifestations of this state of affairs include gross inequalities in the well-being of the world’s people, and conflict (in families, communities, nations and worldwide). We are called by God to counteract moral decay by living our lives according to His will. As "salt", the example of good moral standards should permeate society with a cleansing effect. Although we aim for high moral standards, that does not mean that our lives have to be boring. It is still possible to have fun and "flavour" in our lives.

In his commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, John Stott observes that "God has established certain institutions in his common grace, which curb our selfish tendencies and prevent society from slipping into anarchy. Chief among these are the state (with its authority to frame and enforce laws) and the home (including marriage and family life)". Society is affected when there is dysfunction in either of these institutions. The violent killing of Deyda Hydara is the latest in a spate of unresolved murders and mind-numbing atrocities that has afflicted our communities. Our peoples have been stunned beyond belief and the peace and tranquility that we love and cherish and for which our society is famous is gradually being eroded. We all to the last man demand unreservedly that the authorities responsible for our security do all in their power to track down the perpetrators of evil in our midst. Let us resolve to pray for God’s blessing and guidance for the State and family life. We must
 also always remember that we all as individuals carry a major responsibility to live in a way that will promote true peace and harmony within our society.

To be "salt" in our community can have a cleansing and purifying effect - something that most people would like to aim for. Many people are more nervous at being "light". This could be for various reasons. Maybe there is a fear of what the reaction will be if we are seen as trying to promote peace and truth by the way we live. To stand by good principles and high moral standards can be seen as a threat to those who live otherwise. The light of truth can be seen as a threat by those who would prefer the truth to remain hidden. Otherwise there may be a kind of modesty that holds us back. However, this is a false modesty, because it prevents us revealing God’s will in our lives. It is important to remember that we do not aim for high standards for our own glorification, but to the glory of God. Jesus said, "let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5: 16).

When we seek to glorify God (rather than ourselves) by our actions, we cannot go wrong. With this in mind, we can recall some words of one of our greatest African brothers - Nelson Mandela. During the inaugural speech, when he was elected President of South Africa, after the first free elections in that country, he said:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually who are you not to be?

"You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel secure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

"It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our light shine we unconsciously give light to other people to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear our presence automatically liberates others."

As we enter the New Year of 2005, it is my prayer that we may all, under God, seek the way of truth, justice and peace. May we be "salt" and "light" in our communities. May we allow our light to shine on others, and empower them to do the same. May our lights shine to the glory of God.

May the year of 2005 see an increase in justice and peace in our world. May this year be filled with the blessings of joy and peace for you all.

Rt. Rev. Dr. S. Tilewa Johnson, Bishop Of Gambia And Dean Of The Province Of West Africa





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