Gambia-L:

Why does the Gambia Government ENJOY telling unending LIES? Or better yet,
why does the Gambia Government keep under-estimating our collective
intelligence - thinking that we are fools?

Just look at the Daily Observer lead story - on the Ebou Taal saga - which
Tombong Saidy posted to the L, and which story quoted a statement from the
Foreign Ministry, in connection with the Ebou Taal story.

First of all, I have to say that I do know - very well - two of Ebou Taal's
sons and, as such, I am definitely at pain to comment on the subject.

In fact, I have to add that in November 1995, when I visited the Ivory
Coast, where Mr Ebou Taal was then working for the African Development Bank,
I had spoken to him on the phone. And, among other things, he had mentioned
how he was "enjoying" my radio reports over the BBC, adding also that he
knew my Dad very well.

In fact, if I remember well, he added that my late Dad did teach him at
school. And, being the gentleman/nice Dad he is, he invited me for a lunch
at his Abidjan home which, unfortunately, I couldn't attend, because of a
very busy schedule at the time.

Anyway, Gambia L, one thing I can safely say - just based on that telephone
conversation - is that it was very clear to me that Ebou Taal is/was
well-read and sober. I found him to be intelligent, very articulate for that
matter, warm and, of course, receptive!! And, needless to say, he has a
very, very good command of the English language, just like the late Charles
Jow of WAEC.

So, sincerely speaking, and just for the record, I have to nothing against
Ebou Taal and his family. By the way, I got a private e-mail from Fatou
Taal, one of his daughters, in which she (Fatou Taal) was
insulting/castigating me. In fact, I'll forward the e-mail to the L, after I
finishing this piece!

Anyway, having said that, I have to say that it was indeed a BLATANT LIE for
the government to have said, through the Daily Observer, that Ebou Taal was
"never convicted for embezzlement."

Just for the record, and nothing else except to expose the Jammeh regime as
a bunch of liars, I did go through the "Gambia archives" here at the
University of Birmingham and discovered that Ebou Taal was indeed convicted,
in connection with the "External Aid Commission" in the aftermath of the
1981 coup.

Yes, at the end of his trial, the court could only find him guilty of
"stealing" a minimal sum of D3000 (dalasis). But the truth of the matter is
that he, Ebou Taal, was CONVICTED and jailed in that regard.

So, let the Jammeh Government stop telling lies that Ebou Taal was never
convicted for embezzlement. Who are they fooling? The record shows that Taal
was indeed convicted for embezzlement or "stealing"! Whichever word you want
to use! I honestly regret raising this issue publicly on the L, but had no
choice except to set the record straight!

Gambia L, I have to say that because of this Gambian struggle, I am losing
ALL my friends and, certainly, this would now include Ebou Taal and his
immediate family. But I am convinced that at someday, people will look back
and say: "Oh! Oh! on the whole, Ebrima was right! He wasn't an 'enemy' at
all. He just did what he did for the sake of his love for his country."

Anyway, the e-mail below, as usual, came from one of my sources in the
Gambia.

Ebrima Ceesay
Birmingham, UK

_____________________________________________________________________


Hello Ebrima,

The Daily Observer has retracted its lead story of Sunday concerning Ebou
Taal. Tombong Saidy has in fact posted the whole story to the L. The Daily
Observer's editors say the story contains several factual errors. Among
others, they said:

1. Contrary to the report, Mr. Ebou Taal has not travelled to the
United Kingdom recently.

2. Mr. Ebou Taal has not been declared persona non grata by the
British authorities.

3. Mr. Ebou Taal has never been convicted for embezzlement.

4. Mr. Ebou Taal was ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to
Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde and Guinea Conakry and not consul general.

The Department of State for Foreign affairs, in turn, expressed dismay and
indignation at the report. All said, it should be noted that although Mr
Taal could not have been declared persona non grata while he has not set
foot in the UK, he however does run the risk of being declared such should
he venture to visit the United Kingdom.

And, in fact, his appointment as Ambassador-designate to the Court of St
James (UK) has been withdrawn by the Gambia Government at the request of Her
Majesty's Government since March of this year, for reasons best known to
all.

For the sake of his family and friends and indeed for the sake of the
credibility of Gambian diplomacy, Mr. Taal should just retire quietly and
graciously to salvage his honour and those who love him dearly.

A man who has enjoyed the best of times, and endured the worst of times,
during his long and sometimes turbulent career should know when to call it a
day. No one should tell him now that he has no place in the Government of
Yahya Jamus Junkung Jammeh. He is smart enough to read between the lines.


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