Dear Koto Omar,
I am in solidarity with the patriotic forces of the former GAMSU. On April 10th and 11th, a crime was committed. The criminals are still loose in the streets of Banjul and elsewhere.
It gladdens my heart that every year considerate Gambians like your humble self mourn these gone students -students who were only armed with pens, pencils and books. On a side note, I congratulate the GPU executive for their vibrancy in this year's commemoration of the fallen heroes.
May the Lord accord them all with the highest heaven. Amen!
Forward with justice & peace!
Down with hypocrisy & arrogance!!!
Yero
There is no god but Allah (SWT) and Muhammad (SAW) is His messenger. Fear and Worship only Allah alone!
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Subject: [>-<] 11TH ANNUAL COMMEMORATION: April 10th/11th 2000.
Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2011 16:10:30 +0000
Compatriots and friends of The Gambia:
Eleven years ago on this day, Gambian students under the leadership of The Gambia Students' Union(GAMSU), took to the streets to demonstrate against police intransigence to take before the law courts elements of the security forces in the country, who were involved in rape and murder. In two days of action which took place in many urban centres throughout the country, The Gambia government's forces of repression murdered twelve protesting students, plus an unknown four year old girl and Mr Omar Barrow, who was a radio journalist and a volunteer of The Gambia Red Cross Society.
The government of president Yaya Jammeh who as commander-in-chief of the security forces gave a shoot to kill order to them, responded by sponsoring an infamous piece of legislation, which provides protection for the soldiers who were involved in the massacre. The totality of the attitude and reaction of the Jammeh dictatorship since then, can be best described as remorseless arrogance. They have consistently refused to accept responsibility for the massacre and deliberately fail to render assistance to the students who have sustained serious injuries as a result of brutal police repression.
Once again to the combatants of April 10th/11th I extend my very humble condolences. I also urge all to join us in prayer for the souls of our fallen comrades, and other victims. Be rest assured that as your leader, notwithstanding the circumstances, the rest of my life is dedicated to the struggle for justice as regard the injustices committed against us. As in accordance with the mantra of the student movement, there shall be no surrender in this regard.
It is however interesting to note that some cowards are hiding behind online newspaper editors to criticise the decision which led to my leaving The Gambia to continue the struggle from abroad, as the leader of the student movement at the time. The general public is hereby informed that such criticisms are malicious and motivated by the selfish grievances of the persons concerned. You are all hereby further informed that in 2001 and before the expiry of my term in 2002, The Central Executive of GAMSU had an extra-ordinary meeting in the Senegalese capital Dakar, and that after thorough review, all the actions taken by the leadership including the president were unanimously endorsed. Furthermore, it was felt after scrutiny of the facts, that the situation was not safe for my return to The Gambia, and that if possible, I should move out of Senegal and away from The Gambia for security reasons.
Compatriots and friends of The Gambia, we thank you for your solidarity and moral support all these years. We however urged you not to allow yourselves to be misled by our individual and collective detractors. We are very willing to supply the relevant information pertaining to any area which may look grey to you. We accept fair criticisms and are very willing to engage in public discourse to shed more light on our legitimate grievances; course of actions; and consequences at both individual and collective levels. It should however be noted that since this struggle is ongoing, there are some questions which cannot be answered due to the security needs of our brothers on the ground in The Gambia.
In conclusion, as the sun rises and falls on these days, we pray that the glory of the lord shines on the souls of our fallen comrades in heaven; and give the rest of us requisite fortitude to carry on this struggle to its natural conclusion and victory, ameen!
Omar Joof,
Exiled former prexy, GAMSU.