Culled from BBC's webpage

Gambian police are still detaining the country's main opposition leader,
Ousainou Darboe, following clashes last weekend between opposition
supporters and members of the ruling party.



We do not want the culture of violence to be introduced into the politics of
this country

Opposition leader Ousainou Darboe
Police in the Gambian town of Basse (about 400 km east of the capital,
Banjul) have been holding Mr Darboe and his supporters since Sunday.

The police said a supporter of the ruling Alliance for Patriotic
Reorientation and Construction, APRC, party was killed during the clash on
Saturday and several others were injured.

Since the re-introduction of multi-party democracy in the Gambia in 1996
(after four years of military rule) the country has seen a sustained
campaign of violence and intimidation, aimed specially at the opposition
parties.

Elections are expected to be held in November.

A police official said they were investigating the incident and the
circumstances surrounding the death.

Mr Darboe, who leads the United Democratic Party, UDP, said he and his
supporters had been attacked by government supporters in the Jimira district
when they stopped to dismantle a roadblock.

He said his attackers were driving a government vehicle.

'Protective custody'

Initially the police said they had taken Mr Darboe and his supporters into
the Basse police station for their own protection but his supporters now say
that he is being held against his will.

The deputy leader of the UDP, Yaya Jallow, said that the detainees were not
allowed to take a bath or change their clothes, three days into their
detention.

He said the UDP leader was not allowed to make or receive calls.

Mr Jallow also said that they had been served with a cautionary statement on
the suspected murder of the ruling party activist.

Violence and intimidation

The UDP leader had previously said his party did not want the culture of
violence to enter Gambian politics.

"For 30 years the Gambia has been known for its peaceful character," he
said.

But he added that the UDP would defend itself if necessary.


Mori

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