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    NEWS  Detained Gambian Opposition Leaders Released on Bail  By Bubacarr Ceesay

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December 13, 2005
 NADD officials in Banjul confirmed today that all three detained political leaders, Messrs Hon. Halifah Sallah, Omar Amadou Jallow, and Hamat Bah have been released on bail, pending another hearing this Thursday, December 15. The trio was arrested on November 15, 2005 by the Gambian authorities amidst tense political atmosphere. Messrs Sallah and Jallow were charged with sedition, while Mr. Bah was charged with illegal possession of government documents.

Jubilant Mood

Speaking to AllGambian Sam Sarr of the Foroyaa Newspaper, and an executive member of the new opposition coalition National Alliance for Democracy and Development, said the trio appeared in good health and high spirit. Mr. Sarr said many opposition supporters gathered at the court house in Banjul to await and welcome the release of their leaders. "Our supporters later gathered at the party headquarters to greet and meet the trio. They were all extremely happy in welcoming the three leaders." he noted.

 Controversial Judge

According to Mr. Sarr, Thursday's hearing in the Gambia Appeal Court will be a review on who will be presiding over the trial of the opposition leaders. The trio had earlier refused to take plead in the court of a controversial judge, Justice Paul, who is currently under boycott by the Gambia Bar Association amid charges of a corruption scandal.

Justice Paul is also said to have some bitterness with one of the defendants, Hamat Bah, who spearheaded the revelations in the National Assembly that lead to the corruption scandal that is now haunting on the controversial judge. Meanwhile NADD officials maintained that Justice Paul is simply unacceptable to them as he is a judge of "doubtable impartiality".

 Growing Party Militant Pressure

The opposition is planning on a rally this Saturday, December 17, after filing for a permit for a second time, as they have been denied one last weekend by the inspector general of police on grounds of security concerns. The officials are hopeful permit will be granted this time round and there is chance for an announcement of the party leader. Meanwhile, there is growing pressure amongst party supporters at home and abroad, mounting on the opposition coalition to name a standard-bearer, as supporters worried that the coalition is playing right into the game plan of the Gambian president, whom they charged is extremely jittery about the surging popularity of NADD and will do whatever it takes to demoralize their leaders.

Sam Sarr maintained that the rest of NADD executive have been moving ahead with their agenda despite the jailing of the other three executive members. He said only that they have been denied permit last weekend but they had planned on going ahead with the naming of the standard-bearer even in the absence of the detained trio.


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