Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue Issue No. 32/2007, 16 – 18 March 2007 Editorial MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL, CAN YOU INVESTIGATE? THE PEOPLE OF SANDU ARE WAITING Many people in Sandu have been anxiously waiting for the outcome of the case of the chief of Sandu who has been taken to Basse Police Station after accused of causing willful damage to the property of one Saikou Jawara. The transport, a car with registration number BJL 62240D is still parked pending the outcome of the envisaged court case. One Foday Sanyang and Mawdo Sisawo were in the transport. Any observer who examines the transport would realise that those in it could have suffered severe injuries if luck was not on their side. The victims, as well as members of the Independent Electoral Commission, have already made their statements. Some people have already been saying, “There is no justice in the country and nothing will come out of this.” Mr. Attorney General, is there justice in the country? Is it guiding the action of law enforcement agencies? Do people have to resort to private suits to get justice or will the state take the bull by the horn and allow just retribution to accompany willful transgressions. Mr. Attorney General, if proper investigation is not done and appropriate charges preferred, many people in Sandu will lose faith in the justice system in this country. This is what gives rise to complaints to international human rights organisations and international exposures. Some people in the Executive would then accuse those who expose such wrongs as being unpatriotic. The time to act is now. Failure to act will give strength to impunity. Nobody has a right to take the law into one’s hand. None other than the members of the judiciary have powers to judge. This is why we are urging for the due process of law to be adhered to in this case. Otherwise the victims should seek redress through civil suit to combat impunity. Foroyaa will keep the people of Sandu, in particular, and all those who are opposed to impunity informed of developments. MARKET VENDORS TO BE EVICTED By Modou Jonga According to sources close to the Brikama Area Council, some market vendors behind the GPTC depot will soon be evicted and relocated. The area currently occupied by the vendors is to be developed into a cold store for the vendors. The proposed store is a project conceived by the Department of State for Fisheries and is to be constructed by a Taiwanese Company and it will be managed by the Brikama Area Council. Many of the vendors, businessmen and women who spoke to this reporter have confirmed that they were informed of the plan to evict them, but they lamented that this will have a negative effect on their businesses. When contacted, the Public Relation Officer, PRO, of the Brikama Area Council, Mr. Serigne Modou Joof, confirmed that the vendors will be relocated. Mr. Joof clarified that the said land is not sold to any company, but it is a project to improve the Brikama Market. Mr. Joof said Brikama Area Council does not have the capacity to single handedly develop the Brikama Market. He said that if a portion of land in the market is needed by the BAC, vendors will be evicted to pave way for meaningful projects. The BAC Public Relation Officer said that the relocation will be coordinated by the Council. PRO Joof has said that the vendors will not be compensated. ADJOURNMENT DEBATE If You Cannot Maintain A College Campus, How Will You Maintain A University Campus? Asks Sidia Jatta The President of the Republic, speaking in Kanilai indicated that in the next five years Gambia will witness a development that will surprise everyone. At the National Assembly MPs gathered that a new assembly complex will be built. However, at the Gambia College where those who are to help develop our human resources, students, are waiting for their fate. During the adjournment debate, Sidia Jatta told the august body that the plight of the students at the Gambia College warrants consideration. He informed the house that campus life at Gambia college has always contributed to the development of many prominent Gambians; that campus life is vital for an educational institution of that standard. He informed the National Assembly that government has intention to put an end to campus life at the Gambia College and push the students to rent in Brikama. He questioned the rationale. He mentioned that if the government cannot maintain campus life at Gambia College, the oldest tertiary institution, how can it convince anyone that it can maintain a university campus? Editor’s Note This is the challenge of the Secretary of state for tertiary education and the new National Assembly committee on Education. They should conduct a joint investigation of Sidia’s allegations and issue a public notice on what efforts they are making to ameliorate the situation. If they fail to provide a conducive environment for students who are going to be our teachers, then no one can take their promises of making Gambia an economic superpower seriously. No country can become an economic superpower without human resource development. Nobody can develop human resources without providing conducive learning environment. Needless to say, the key factor in learning is to have motivated and well trained teachers. Eyes are now on the executive and the assembly. Foroyaa will tell what the developments are. DETECTIVE RE-APPEARS IN VOIR DIRE By Bubacarr K. Sowe Lamin Cham, a police detective, attached to the major crime unit of the Gambia Police Force, on Wednesday re-appeared at the High Court for cross examination in the voir dire of Tamsir Jasseh, Omar Faal Keita and Demba Dem. During cross examination with defence Counsel Lamin Jobarteh, Cham said that no statement was taken from the 7th and 8th accused persons (Omar Faal Keita and Demba Dem) at the Banjul Police Station in connection to the March 2006 foiled coup plot. Cham also told the court that the police officers obtained voluntary statements from the 7th and 8th accused persons at the State Central Prison in Mile II when the major crime unit was moved there. He stated that nowhere in the statement is it indicated that they were obtained at the police headquarters in Banjul. Cham denied knowing the movements of the accused persons, saying that he only investigated into the matter. The detective added that he only met the suspects at the Major Crime unit allocated to them at Mile II. He also said that the 7th and 8th accused persons were brought before the panel of investigators. Cham insisted that he is a very truthful witness to the court and that he has said all what he knows in court. The trial continues next week. BRITON JAILED FOR CONTEMPT By Fabakary B. Ceesay and Bubacarr K. Sowe Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh of the Kanifing Magistrate Court on Tuesday 13th March 2007, sentenced a Briton to one month in jail with hard labour for contempt of court. Micheal Rossel Vante, was sentenced for lack of morals and respect for the court and towards the bench. Mr. Vante is standing trial for defrauding one Baboucarr Dicko. He has pleaded guilty. He has so far spent 4 months in jail. When he appeared in court on the aforesaid mentioned date, Magistrate Jammeh informed him that the complainant has informed the court that he intends to withdraw the case. He also informed him that he wants to set him free. Magistrate Jammeh said, “I think your 4 months in Mile Two will make your ears open, desist from defrauding people by telling them that you will take them to Europe when you don’t work for the Visa industry, and I learned that you are also involved in a similar case in Bundung, try and stay away from trouble.” Mike said, “I doubt the evidence against me in this case because there was no witness to say that I defrauded people. I don’t ask people to give me money to take them to Europe, but everybody keeps on asking me to take them to Europe, even these people,” pointing his finger at the lawyers. At this stage, lawyer Badou Conteh stood up and addressed the court, saying, “My lord, we have all studied in England, including yourself, we all know how to behave in court. We all know how accused persons behave in court in England. This man cannot come here and disrespect our court, I think you have to teach him a lesson.” In delivering his ruling, Magistrate Jammeh told Mr. Rossel that as far as he has no respect for the court, he will send him to Mile Two with hard labour for him to learn the repercusions for the lack of respect. Jammeh added, “In view of the circumstances that surrounds this case and more so your behaviour towards the bench, I’m sending you to a mandatory jail term of one month with hard labour.” GLOBAL ENERGY ENGINEER ARRAIGNED IN COURT By Modou Jonga Miko Berben, a 46 year old Dutch Engineer at the Global Energy Company Ltd, was arraigned before the Brikama Magistrate Court. The Dutch Engineer is charged with stealing contrary to section 252 of the Criminal code. The accused is alleged to have stolen three generators sometime last year at Kanilai and Bugine villages, respectively. in the Western Region. The three generators which are valued at D1,665,000.00 are said to be the property of the Kanilai Farm Ltd. The accused who pleaded not guilty to the preferred charge was granted bail on 7th February, 2007 in the sum of two million dalasi (D2,000,000). On Wednesday 14th March, the prosecutors, namely ASP Jammeh, CSP Dibba and 629 Saine, applied for an adjournment to enable them advise themselves on the case. The application was granted by Magistrate E.F M’bai. The case is adjourned to Wednesday 28th March for continuation. “PROSECUTE ACCORDINGLY” MAGISTRATE URGED PROSECUTORS By Modou Jonga Magistrate Edrissa Fafa M’bai of the Brikama Magistrate Court has urged prosecutors to be extra committed to proving their cases beyond reasonable doubt. Magistrate M’bai made these remarks on Wednesday 14th March, 2007, following the adjournment of an alleged false information trial involving one Momodou Alieu Jallow and the state. The said case was adjourned due to the absence of the prosecutor, who was said to be on an official AU peace keeping mission examination. It is easy to arraigned accused persons in court but it is difficult to prosecute them, Magistrate M’bai remarked Magistrate M’bai thus urged prosecutors not to prosecute accused persons who are under police investigation pending the completion of investigation, as this could mar and subsequently delay court proceedings. According to Magistrate M’bai, an accused is innocent in the eye of the law before proven guilty. Magistrate M’bai further stressed that mentioning fresh cases and not proceeding with cases to the ultimate point of prosecuting only leads to subsequent adjournments. The said Magistrate M’bai has earlier on expressed his views to prosecutors in his court who, at times, fail to proceed with cases and prove them beyond reasonable doubts. He further decried the re-arresting of discharged accused persons by the police. This, he said is as a result of the prosecutor’s dissatisfaction of the said discharge. AZIZ TAMBA AND CO TRIAL POLICE OFFICER TESTIFIES By Fabakary B. Ceesay & Bubacarr K. Sowe Corporal Amadou Camara, a police officer attached to the serious crime unit at the police headquarters in Banjul, has testified in the ongoing criminal trial of the former APRC deputy mobiliser and two others at the Kanifing Magistrate Court. Officer Camara told the court that he met one of the accused persons, Famara Colley and had a dialogue with him and later cautioned him. He said that he also obtained a voluntary statement from him, but the cautionary statement was made in the English Language and that the accused person has put his signature in the statement. The cautionary statement was tendered and marked as exhibit (D). Mr. Camara said that he asked Mr. Colley to say all that he knew about the whole thing. He said that Colley told him that he was brought to the company through the help of Aziz Tamba and Mustapha Bojang without any appointment letter. He added that Colley told him that he was given the responsibility of the Kanifing Warehouse. Corporal Camara said that Famara told him that at the time of his appointment to the Kanifing Warehouse, there was a consignment of rice taken to that warehouse, adding that some trucks were loaded with rice for other outlets. He said that Famara told him that he does not know whether those rice trucks reached the said outlets, because he did not escort the trucks. Corporal Camara indicated that Colley told him that the monies received from the rice proceeds are kept in his office or normally at the bank. Camara said that Colley told him that Aziz Tamba normally comes to him and ask for money claiming that it was the request of the president. He said that Famara told him that when he (Famara) requested for a written document from Aziz to back his claims, Aziz would say, “am in a haste until I come back.” Corporal Camara said that Famara Colley also told him that sometimes Aziz used to bring a written document but not always. Camara concluded that Famara told him that he (Famara) was not aware of any missing monies at the company. During cross examination by the accused persons Mr. Famara Colley put it to the witness that he told the witness that anytime Aziz Tamba and Mustapha Bojang co me to request for money, he ask them to sign but that they sometimes signed and sometimes they do not. The witness replied that it was true that Colley told him that he used to ask Aziz and Mustapha to sign to indicate that they have received the money. Mustapha Bojang also put it to him that he (Camara) was not the one who recorded his statements, Camara replied in the positive. For Aziz, he told the witness since he was not the officer who recorded his statement; he has no questions for him. Famara Colley, Mustapha Bojang and Aziz Tamba are standing trial for allegedly stealing 19,589, 779, 34 dalasis being employees of Kanilai Family Farm between 2005 and 2006. They all pleaded not guilty. The presiding Magistrate is Pa Harry Jammeh of the Kanifing Magistrate Court. The case has been assigned to a new prosecutor OC Ebrima Dibba, the then prosecutor was 1748 Momodou Kinteh. Hearing continues. UN FORUM ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Amie Sillah Reporting The 51th Commission on The State of Women and Girls was held in New york from February 26th to March 9th 2007. This year’s theme is “The Elimination of all forms of Discrimination and Violence Against the Girl Child.” The Commission on The Status of Women was established in 1946 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Resolution II (2) with the objective of promoting the principle that men and women shall have equal rights. The Commission recommends and reports to ECOSOC on the promotion of women’s rights in the political, economic, civil, social and educational fields and also addresses problems affecting women that require immediate attention. The Expert Group Meeting addressed four issues related to the Girl Child: (a) protection of girls; (b) girls in especially vulnerable situations, (c) empowerment of girls; (d) and institutional arrangements to accelerate the elimination of discrimination and violence against the girl child. The recommendations include: (a) Empowering girls to realize their human rights; (b) Creation of safe and supportive girl friendly spaces and environments; (c) Building girls’ social assets; (d) Provision of education, information and skills building for girls; (e) Empowerment of female teachers to serve as role models and mentors; (f) Provision of Alternative education for those living in difficult circumstances; (g) Engaging men and boys as allies in questioning traditional and discriminatory gender socialization. The overarching conclusion: To adopt an integrated and rights based approach for the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, including ratification of international instruments. Also to increase support and funding to gender responsive research to identify groups of girls at high risk of discrimination and violence, using a life-cycle approach. This years International Women’s Day Focus on Ending Impunity For Violence against Women and Girls. The Gambian delegation comprised of 6 participants, 2 represented African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies in the persons of Mrs. Mrs. Amie Sillah Sarr and Mrs. Yvette Phillot; Action Aid The Gambia represented by Mrs. Haddijatou Jallow Baldeh and Mrs. Agnes Kalleh Campbell; The Gambia Government was represented by Mrs. Yamundow Jagne Jobe and Ms Maria Dacosta. Four of the participants were sponsored by Action Aid, The Gambia. A participant was sponsored by UNDP and another by ACDHRS. FOCUS ON POLITICS WERE THE PEOPLE’S EXPECTATIONS MET? With Suwaibou Touray We have been narrating the political history of the first Republic. We have stopped where Mr. D.K. Jawara got rid of many chiefs who refused to support them in the 1959 to 1962 elections. Let us pick up from where we stopped. The year 1973 had been a difficult one Sir Dawda had a medical operation in London which was shrouded in secrecy, but when he returned to the Gambia on 23rd June 1973, he received a tumultuous welcome from the people. Many opposition politicians competed as to who would join the P.P.P first, until there was hardly any thing left of the United Party (U.P.) There was an out-cry from the general public, who then gave support to the U.P. People in Banjul condemned them from left and right. For example, in 1973, a Mr. Sename who was a popular figure in the U.P. and represented Banjul Central, won his seat in 1966, and was returned but according to the “Progressive” Newspaper, at the time, this M.P had what the paper described as the largest rostrum in the land available to him; that as a back bencher in the opposition, this enhanced his position as agitator for public good all the more. But according to the “Progressive” 1o and behold his dynamism, if not this genuine interest in the public cause, seemed to have deserted him.” What was worse, the paper said, “was his stand on public issues became lukewarm, if not down right hypocritical, and the U.P had been utterly disappointed with him,” The paper stated. So as you can see, at the time, some people felt that Sename had betrayed the UP when the life of parliament of which he was a member ended only to joined the P.P.P. On the other hand “others were convinced that his switch to the PPP was a manifestation of sheer opportunism and not something that sprang from a genuine motive,” said the progressive. The people refused to return him in the following election which he lost to Mr. J.R Forster. Since then, Gambians became disgusted with cross-carpeters and branded them all as selfish and opportunistic, but Foday Minteh and a few others like Gibou Jagne struggled in the U.P. Because of the vacuum created by the inactivity of the U.P. as the majority opposition party in the Gambia, a number of independent candidates sprang into the 1972 elections and made surprises. All of them put together polled over 21,000 votes but the independents who had no close connection later complained bitterly of the lack of fairness and freeness of the elections. They alleged that the elections were rigged in the sense that campaign period was too short; that Government monopolized the media; that voters cards were suppressed and or bought; that chiefs and civil servants played a decisive role; that storage and transportation of ballot boxes were unsatisfactory; that intimidation was rife; that registers were unsatisfactory and so on and so forth. Mr. M. E Jallow was part of these independent candidates who were not linked to any party at the time. Many however anticipated that the independents might come together to register a formidable political movement. Many also thought that since Mr. Dibba was expelled but later joined the PPP when he was Minister of Finance, and a Yusupha Samba and Lamin Mboge were all expelled but went back to the party, it was also possible for the independents to either join or form their own party. Many however went to the PPP but Mr. M.E Jallow instead continued with his union activities. Even though Mr. P.S. Njie maintained his seat, he at one stage refused to attend sittings of the Parliament and the PPP majority decided to amend section 66 (1) (g) of the constitution against absenteeism,” that if he is absent from two consecutive meetings of the house without having obtained before the terminations of either meeting, from the speaker, permission to be or to remain absent there from, and any person vacating his seat under the provisions of this paragraph shall not be qualified to be nominated for election to the house of representatives or appointed as a voting member or a nominated member during the period commencing with his vacating his seat and ending with the first dissolution of parliament thereafter. Mr. P.S Njie who appeared not to have noticed what was going on later explained to the people when he was confronted by them. He said his reason for being absent from the house was because of the fact that he could do very little as a lonely voice because as he complained. Whatever he had done in the past, in or outside of parliament was blocked without members giving due consideration to the merits. He then called on Gambians to support the U. P. and move the country as everybody wants it irrespective of ethnic origins. His exit however effectively wiped the U.P of the political scene. The prediction of public opinion however was that it would take some serious hard work before the PPP organisation could be beaten. By 1973, life was not all well with the ordinary Gambian. The Gambia workers’ union continued their militancy by continuing their strikes for better pay. For example there was a strike meant for the pay increase of night watchmen and another one for the dock workers. The price of rice, Gambia’s staple food was going up not steadily but drastically. It was increased from D30.75 (Thirty dalasis seventy five bututs) to D43.05 (Forty three dalasis five bututs). This was a time when the average house-hold earner earned D75 a month. Sugar too was increased from D25 to D45. Many Newspapers wrote stories of people sleeping on the floors of the then Royal Victoria Hospital. Because of these and many things people applauded the mechanism of the price control unit and its work. Farmers also complained about the price of groundnuts which was D230. 40 per ton for decorticated nuts. The Cooperative Union and the Gambia Produce Marketing Board (GPMB) were doing well, but then the re-evaluation of the dalasi in terms of Pound Sterling and the high price of rice had to be tackled. At this stage, Mr. Lamin Saho and Dr. Momodou S.K. Manneh arrived newly as graduates and were seen to be very critical of the P.P.P. administration. They used what the “Progressive Newspaper” called bombastic of the queen’s language. Many young people followed them to hear what they had to say. It did not take long for them to be absorbed into the P.P.P.’s magnet. THE BUTUT SCANDAL Within this period or shortly before this period, a brother of Mr. S. M. Dibba, one Kutubo Dibba, was said to have been caught with a lot of Gambian Butut coins with S. M’s Public vehicle in Senegal. The coins were said to have been used for earrings etc. which the scandal said was being sold in Senegal. The pressure of public opinion was so intense that it could not be ignored; Mr. Dibba had to resign which he did. Nothing clear was explained to the people, but it eventually cost Mr. Dibba his cabinet post. He was later reinstated as ambassador Extraordinary and plenipotentiary with special responsibilities on the European Economic Community. But his reinstatement to such a high position of international importance beat the imagination of many an intellect not to talk of critics. What was the motive? Was Jawara afraid of losing Dibba? Many critics afterwards considered him weak and inconsistent. Before July 1974, rumours were already rife that Jawara was going to reshuffle his cabinet and on Wednesday 10th July 1974, the President reshuffled his cabinet, as follows: 1. Hon. A.D Camara, Vice President and Minister for Local Government, Land and Mines. 2. Alh the Hon. Yahya Ceesay, Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources 3. Alh the Hon. Kalilu Singhateh, Minister of Health, Labour and Social Welfare. 4. Alh the Hon. A. B. Njie, Minister of External Affairs. 5. Alh the Hon. I.M. Garba-Jahumpa, Minister of Finance. 6. Alh the Hon. M.L Saho, Attorney General. 7. Alh the Hon. Sir A.S. Jack, Minister of Works and Communications. 8. Alh Hon. M.C Cham, Minister of Education Youth and Sports. 9. Hon. B.L. K Sagnia, Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Tourism. 10. Hon. S. M Dibba, Minister of Economic Planning and Development. 11. Hon. K. N. Leigh, Minister of State at the President’s Office. See next issue for more on the emergence of the NCP. US CONSULAR CHRIS ZIMMER SPEAKS TO THE PRESS By Sarjo Camara-Singhateh & Amie Sanneh The Consular at the United States Embassy, Mr. Chris Zimmer, held a media tour of the Gambian Press on the 14th of March 2007. Mr. Chris Zimmer said the reason for this tour is to inform the public that visa application has now been switched to online electronic application which applicants can use to apply by visiting the Embassy’s website on www. Usembassybanjul.gm. He stated that the following are required: passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival in the US; completed application form D5-156 and form D5-157; one passport size photograph, size 5*5cm, full face with a light background preferably (white); a receipt for the non-refundable visa application fee of US$100 paid in Gambian Dalasis at Standard Chartered Bank. He said the additional requirements for suggested documents are listed by visa type on the reverse side. “The suggested documents are often useful to show that applicants have strong ties to The Gambia that would compel them to return home after a temporary stay in the US,” he said. He said other documents required by visa type that non-Gambians must present are Gambian residency documents at the time of interview. Those applicants must bring expired passport for review. He said in most cases, the consular office can make a decision on eligibility for a non-immigrant visa at the time of interview in a few cases, however, applicants might be requested to return with additional document before a final decision can be made. He said once the Consular Office reaches a final decision, one of the following would be communicated to the applicant: (a) You qualify for a visa and are asked to return the next day to collect your passport and visa. (b) You do not qualify and you receive a letter that explains the reason for your ineligibility for a visa and your passport is returned; you may always reapply for a visa at a later date. Mr. Zimmer said that in 2005-2006 about 6036 applications applied for a US visa but only 2737 succeeded. He said about 33 people were caught using faked identities in the past year. He said the most popular destination for visa applicants are New York, Maryland, Seattle, Atlanta, Detroit and. He said the records they have on students are as follows: in 2002, 1056 visa issued; 667 students lost or abandoned their students status; 349 students still in school’ 55 students completed a course of study and only 6 students who they verify returned to The Gambia. The Consular spoke on numerous fraud cases which he said, he is working closely with the immigration and the police to halt. He further stated that some women do obtain visa on other grounds while in the real fact they just go to deliver their children in the US which is not acceptable. He said other frauds include marriage fraud, inappropriate business activities, concealing American children or family members, to name a few. Mr. Zimmer urged Gambian parents with American children to educate their children. He said many a time a child of 17 years does thump print their forms/passports without the ability to sign, which he said is very ridiculous. In response to the question from the press the consular said, his office is here to facilitate easy travelling of American citizens, and for Gambians who have good reason to travel or to go and read skills that cannot be easily found in The Gambia. He urged Gambians with US Citizenship to register them to the Embassy. He said his office gives two types of passport to US Citizens that is the Emergency passport and the National passport. He said the Emergency passport is for Repatriation Child Abduction, Warden Messages, arrests, deaths and evacuation. The consular further stated that the non-refundable fees are used to facilitate all the expenses of the Consular Department and its programmes. The Visa Assistant, Ms. Mary Rose Gomez, did a demonstration on how to fill the visa application on line, to the press. ************************************** AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com. To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask]