EDITORIAL
DAKAR REJECTS JAMMEH'S RAMADAN GOOD WILL GESTURE
Octoger 5, 2005
It appears that the root cause of the Senegal/border crisis is yet to be
addressed. The Gambia Ports Authority press release announcing the
reduction of ferry tariffs is nothing but a joke. The GPA woefully failed
to address the issues at hand, instead it tried to hide behind Ramadan to
fake Gambians and the world at large.

The Gambia/Senegal border impasse is more than ferry tariffs. What the
Senegalese transporters are complaining about is the exorbitant taxes
imposed on truckers transporting goods from Casamance to Dakar. Taxes
amounting D1,000 and D1,500 are levelled against Senegalese truckers each
day by Ports staffers stationed in various crossing points across The
Gambia. The issue of D5, D10 or D4 fares as they called it is secondary.
The Senegalese are not that much concerned about the said fares. Their
main contention is the exorbitant taxes imposed on their truckers, which
is yet to be addressed by the GPA.

We at The ALLGAMBIAN are with the believe that the border crisis still
remained unresolved. The GPA should be honest enough to tell Gambians and
the world at large about the root causes of this problem rather than
trying to play with the intelligence of Gambians. Hear them in this
statement "The release reminded foreign vehicles paying in CFA francs that
the exchange rate for CFA 5,000 is now pegged at D240." What a lie. The
Senegalese are paying more than the said sum and we have evidence to prove
this if disputed by GPA. We want to remind the GPA that lies and deception
will not address this serious state of affairs, which is having an adverse
effect on our fragile economy.

What is interesting about the GPA'S statement is that, there is no word
hinting about the outcome of the Nigeria border talks spearheaded by
President Obasanjo. There is also no word indicating that the said meeting
was successful. Why the rush GPA? Did the Senegalese transporters agreed
to your fares reduction? Or was this announcement an order from Jammeh?
Whatever reasons GPA, the ball is in your court. The Senegalese are clear
with their position on this looming border impasse.

Their demand for exorbitant taxes to be reduced is still hanging in the
air. Their demand for corrupt Customs and Ports officials to stop
extorting bribes from them was not mention in your press release. This
apparent failure on your side to tackle these pressing state of affairs
seem to suggest that the harassment of Senegalese transporters and
passengers will continue to go unabated.

Meanwhile, Dakar has reacted to your Ramadan so called good will gesture.
RFM radio monitored says transporters in Casamance and Dakar have rejected
The Gambia ferry fare reduction. They say even where as The Gambia offered
them free passage they will not accept it. Read our today's lead story for
such details.

We are convinced that both parties will likely go back to the drawing
board, as there is nothing new in the GPA press release. It is full of
deception and cover up moves.

Yes, if you want you call us unpatriotic Gambians. If telling the truth
tantamount to be unpatriotic then we will be more than happy to be branded
as such. We will continue to tell the truth, no matter whose ass is
gutted. The Gambia belongs to all of us and we cannot afford to watch by
and allow Yahya and his criminal government to ruein our country. It is
time for Gambians to say no Jammeh's ill conceived economic and political
policies which is costing our country dearly. We must stop Jammeh's
madness.

We have always argued that Jammeh is a coward and GPA 'S so called press
release had confirmed such assertions. Why the past bluffs that you will
not reduce tariffs only to subdue to Senegal who have rejected this
"cheap" offer? What happened to your past rantings that The Gambia is a
"super power" and will wipe out any nation who wants to undermine our
sovereignty? Why the sudden change of heart? Jammeh you are nothing but a
coward. Gambians will send you packing sooner or later. You are not the
right person to preside over the affairs of our country.



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