*Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue*
Issue No.39/2006, 22-24 May, 2006 * * *Editorial*

*OPPOSITION UNITY** ***
The Clarion Call of The Masses

The results of the Kombo East by election have shaken the whole political
foundation of the country. Uncertainty has gripped the APRC camp as it has
failed to win an absolute majority in a constituency they had control over
for the past nine years. They realise that they were able to cling on to the
seat only because of the wrong tactics and division of the opposition. This
is the key development that should be noted.

On the other hand, the opposition also received a warning from the people.
Even though they received the majority of the popular vote the people are
alarmed by the consequences of disunity. The voter apathy is also a cause
for concern among the ranks of the opposition. To put an end to the division
of the opposition the people have been calling for NADD and UDP/NRP Alliance
to sit down and come to terms.

It is important for the people to speak to the NADD and UDP/NRP leadership
from a position of strength so that they are obeyed. First and foremost,
those who claim that they will burn their cards if the two alliances fail to
cooperate should know that they are playing into the hands of the APRC. No
Gambian should ever threaten to be voiceless and powerless if those they are
to entrust with their power are not united. In short, the voters card is the
power and voice of the Gambian. So burning the card is to destroy one's
right to have a say on how the country is to be managed.

Furthermore, the poor Gambians do not have the power of money or status to
influence the situation in the Gambia in their interest. They have their
vote and capacity to organise to bring about change. The Yahya Jammehs,
Ousainou Darboes and Halifa Sallahs come and go. They enjoy status in
society. Burning our voters' cards will not deprive them of status. Hence
only an unenlightened Gambian will destroy his/her own power because of the
failure of others to behave as he/she wishes.

Before NADD was formed the supporters of the various parties in the URD
formed an inter-party committee and sent word that they did not want any
single party to go and campaign in their area; that they would support any
candidate that was collectively selected. Does this status quo still remain?
Has this spirit of alliance among supporters not been destroyed by the pull
out of UDP and NRP?

How is this spirit to be restored? Can Halifa or Ousainou earn the
confidence of all the supporters of the opposition and supporters of the
APRC or will it require the selection of a new compromise candidate?

What is necessary now is not only to call for unity but to make concrete
proposals on how such unity is to be effected. Can Halifa Sallah abandon
NADD and join the UDP/NRP Alliance as some UDP/NRP members are calling for
and still retain his seat in the National Assembly? Will the members of the
UDP/NRP Alliance be willing to become part of NADD again and renegotiate the
terms of candidature? Will NADD and UDP/NRP Alliance form another loose
alliance and select a flag bearer for such a loose alliance? If such an
alliance were to be formed what would be the programme for such an alliance?
Will it be the same NADD programme? Will the candidate stand in the name of
such an alliance when the constitution states that only a registered party
can sponsor a candidate to an election? Foroyaa is willing to publish the
views of all those who have concrete proposals to give. However, the people
should bear in mind that they are the final decision makers. They should
follow all the programmes and positions of the different political forces,
support them if they unite and oppose any one of them that fails to give
convincing explanation for its own activities. It is either the unity of the
leaders or unity of their grass root supporters around a force that is
capable of bringing about change for the better.

* *
FARMERS PAID A QUARTER *By Surakata Danso*

Reports reaching *FOROYAA*, which have been confirmed by the Federation of
Agricultural Cooperatives (FACS) indicate that the government has so far
made a total payment of 12 million dalasis out of the total sum of
D48,487,500 (forty-eight million, four hundred and eighty-seven thousand
five hundred dalasis) that the FACS owed the farmers.

Our information is that payment of the 12 million dalasis was made in two
instalments. The first instalment of 7 million dalasis was made two weeks
ago while the second instalment of 5 million dalasis was made on 18th May,
2006.

We have no clear information as to when and how the balance D36,487,500
representing three quarters of the money owed by FACS to the farmers will be
paid. However in an earlier statement to a local newspaper the Secretary of
State for Agriculture, had promised that all monies owed to farmers would be
paid before the end of April 2006. When, after the end of April 2006, the
government was criticised by FOROYAA for making unfulfilled promises, he
noted that plans were under the way to settle the farmers.

* *


WHERE IS MERCHELE BADJIE?

*By Yaya Dampha*

Reports reaching this paper have it that the Manager of St Joseph's Family
Farm in Bwiam, Mr. Merchele Badjie, has been arrested by security forces for
allegedly aiding and abetting insurgents from Cassamance.

Sources have it that Mr. Badjie was arrested in April by some security
forces from Kanilai. According to our sources prior to his arrest, Mr.
Badjie was coordinating a cross border project, which covers part of the
Senegalese province of Casamance.

According to people close to him, Mr. Badjie's arrest was spurred by the
fact that he aided some insurgents who sustained gunshot wounds during
clashes with the Senegalese Armed Forces.

The separatists, according to our sources, phoned Mr. Badjie who went to
Casamance and evacuated them, and later took them to Sulayman Junkung Jammeh
Hospital in Bwiam for treatment. The four injured rebels were said to have
been later referred to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul. Our
sources added that the authorities in Cassamance (Senegal) came to report
the matter to The Gambian authorities that Merchele was aiding and abetting
the rebels.

When this reporter visited the project site in Bwiam, the workers confirmed
the arrest of their boss and said he was not released. They said they don't
know his whereabout. However, many people in Bwiam who spoke to our reporter
did not deny the claim that Mr. Badjie took the project vehicle to bring the
injured separatists to the hospital in Bwiam. According to them, he has been
offering humanitarian services to the Senegalese separatists. A source told
our reporter that there was an instance when the rebels wanted to lay down
their arms due to the intervention of Mr. Badjie. The source said Mr.
Badjie's objectives were aimed at initiating projects for the people of
Cassamance so that they would stop the fighting.

Efforts to speak to the Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Aziz Bojang,
proved futile. Further attempts to speak to the National Intelligence Agents
(NIA) who are said to be involved in his alledged arrest and detention
proved futile.

Readers could recall that *Foroyaa* published on its issue. No. 32/2006 that
four men with gunshot wounds were taken from the Sulayman Junkung Jammeh
Hospital to the RVTH in Banjul for treatment and were admitted in the
Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for treatment. The Police were initially informed
that the men were involved in a car accident, but when they visited the
hospital, they discovered that the four men were suffering from gunshot
wounds.




JUSTICE JANNEH ADDRESSES JUDICIAL STAFF

*By Lamin Fatty*

A two week middle management training for the registrars and law enforcement
officers ended at the Paradise Suites Hotel in Kololi. The training was
funded by DFID under the Legal Capacity Building Project (LCBP) in
collaboration with the Gambian judiciary.

In his remarks, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Gibou Semega Janneh said the
training is part of an on-going judicial capacity building drive. According
to Mr. Janneh six weeks ago, Judges, magistrates and top judicial officers,
had a three day seminar which he said focused on topical and pertinent areas
in the judicial system. He said that was followed by another three-day
training seminar for all registrars, registry and court clerks. He said that
was aimed at revising, updating and validating a draft manual for records,
registry and court procedures. He pointed out that if judges and magistrates
are foundations in the judicial system, then the registrars and the
enforcement agents are the pillars, noting that they manage court registries
and key processes of the court, and also render vital support service to the
entire judicial process. He said the trainees are critical links in the
justice delivery chain, stating that the efficiency and effectiveness of
courts, by and large depends on the aforesaid officers.

The head of the training team, Dr. Sasi .S. Ndure, said the training was a
big challenge, as well as a source of great pride and contentment for him
and his training team. According to Dr. Ndure, they were charged with the
responsibility of building capacities of the trainees so that the output
derived from the knowledge and skills acquired over the two-week training
period, will enable them to perform their functions effectively and
efficiently. He stressed that it is generally argued that capacity building
should follow a systematic and programmatic approach, as well as a
result-oriented approach for sustainability. He said that was the approach
they adopted during the training, stating that the process involved
designing the training programme and developing the course materials and
methodologies for the acquisition of skills, knowledge and attitudes that
were job-specific. He said they also provided guidance to the trainees to
enable them to channel and focus their energies into better and more
organised ways of thinking about a subject or a set of issues that are
job-related or both, "and to a large extent communicate, analyse
information, interpreter concrete issues and details, and relate them to
real-life experiences."

In her closing remarks, the acting British High Commissioner said the
ten-day training course for registrars and bailiffs of the judiciary is one
of a number of trainings being financed by DFID as part of the Legal
Capacity Building Programme. She said the British Government through DFID is
contributing nearly one million pounds on grant terms to support the legal
sector over a 3 year period. According to her, the main purpose of the
training is to improve the accessibility, impartiality and efficiency in The
Gambian judicial system. She pointed out that the training has covered an
ambitions agenda, which ranged from issues of ethical behaviour to practical
management, leadership and organisational skills. She said the importance of
registry and enforcement units to a well functioning judiciary cannot be
over-emphasised.



* *
ALIENATION

*ALIENATION:* It means to isolate or to separate from and it is a word that
concerns Africans more than anybody else in the whole world.

In Africa one can dearly see the drastic affects of alienation, a by-product
of capitalism. Africans are being colonised and assimilated so much that
they look down on their culture or their ancestors while uncritically
adopting the Western way of life. Africans have their own culture or way of
life suitable to Africa as well as the people of Africa.

What makes matters worse is that all the resources that Africa is endowed
with go out to foreigners as exports. The gains from these exports are also
invested or spent on foreign cultural products as imports. In this sense,
Africans help in the enrichment of these industrial proprietors. Africans
help to feed these industrial proprietors with their resources, both natural
and human.

Africans have to appreciate and make very good use of their endowments,
rather than allow Westerners to enrich themselves with them at their
expense. The dependence on foreign imports in virtually every aspect of
life, including key areas such as agricultural and cultural sectors is
weakening not only their economic prosperity but also their sense of self
confidence.

Nowadays, Africans are just like those talked about in holy books, who were
always awaiting for "manna salwa" from heaven. Considering the billions of
dollars siphoned from Africa annually, one can see that Africans are more of
consumers than producers. Africans are under mental slavery and nobody but
ourselves can free our mind. Culture is something that can neither be
exported nor imported but it is to be institutionalised according to the
realities of that particular society. This imitation of foreign life style
will take us nowhere and is unnecessary.

Africa has been and is being robbed of it's wealth and resources since the
advent of Europeans and the beginning of slavery. Not only were human beings
taken away from Africa, but also other natural resources like gold and
diamonds and many other mineral resources. Independence is Africa is a sham.
Ever since the end of Colonialism, Africans are becoming more alienated and
dependent on foreign industrial cultural by-products. The exploitations
became so severely felt that there exist the rural and urban drifts. All
that Africans give away as exports in exchange for foreign industrial
products can be used to develop the productive base of their economy such as
agriculture and fisheries in order to reduce hunger and to eradicate
poverty. The local industries have to be protected.

*A concerned citizen.*

* *

* *
GNTCA MEMBERS MARCH TO STATE HOUSE

*By Surakata Danso*

Dejected members of The Gambia National Transport Controllers Association
recently embarked on a demonstration. The aggrieved members of the aforesaid
association marched to State House after they were barred from attending
their congress by officials of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU).

Our reporter who witnessed the confrontation between the drivers and
security officers at the Atlantic Hotel, heard the PIU officials telling the
dejected drivers that they have been ordered to bar them from attending the
congress because they are not invited.

Senior police and military officers, National Assembly Members, businessmen
and some trade unionists were present at the scene. A senior state guard
official was present at scene.

The affected drivers did tell the PIU officers that they are the original
members of the aforesaid association. Angered by the decision of the PIU
officers, the drivers organised themselves and marched to State House to
lodge their complaint to the President. The drivers said they wanted to tell
the President that the security forces have been and are still meddling into
their internal affairs.

On arrival at the State House gate, some of the drivers could be heard
advising their colleagues to be fearless and should not run away. As the
noise intensified, a senior state guard officer who was seen talking to the
angry drivers at the Atlantic Hotel arrived at the scene to talk to the
angry drivers who demanded to see the President.

Captain Njie, the head of the State Guard unit, ordered his men to lead the
crowd into the July 22 Square. He (Captain Njie) went into the State House
and later emerged to meet with the drivers at the July 22 Square.

Alieu Ngum, who was elected, filed coordinator by the 2001 congress
delegates, Alieu Willan, an executive member, Alhaji Filijeh Nyassi (Former
Vice President of the association between 1993-2000), Mr. Sabally of the
Tipper Garage, and one Demba, an executive member from the Brikama branch
spoke on behalf of the angry drivers. Their speeches were recorded on tape
by the security officers.

The drivers claimed that,

(1) The congress is illegal due to the expiry of the term of office of the
executive since 14th April 2006.

(2) That their denial to attend the congress by the members of the
association and some officers of the security forces is a ploy to maintain
the unwarranted executive and to cover the mismanagement carried out by the
executive over the years.

(3) They questioned the powers of the executive in expelling members of the
association who are Gambians from garages and replacing them with
foreigners.

(4) They also questioned the powers of the executive in refusing the demands
of the general members.

(5) That it is the interim committee, which should have conducted the
auditing of their five year, term and proceed to hold a congress.

6) That the President, as the father of the nation, should look into the
matter and address it.

Captain Njie later advised the crowd to keep the peace by going home before
the matter is addressed. He finally advised them to write to the President
and attached all copies of correspondences they ever wrote on the matter.

When this reporter contacted Alieu Ngum who was assigned to write the
letter, he had confirmed that the letter as requested had been written to
the President and had attached several correspondences to it as reference.
He said they are only waiting for the President's response.

*FOROYAA* will endeavour to interview members of the current executive of
GNTCA to get their views on the issue.**

* *
FAMILY MEMBERS VISIT SGT. BUBA MENDY

*By Fabakary B. Ceesay*

Sergeant Buba Mendy of The Gambia National Army who is currently
incarcerated at the Maximum Security Wing of the Mile Two Central Prison is
said to be presently weak.

According to reliable sources, the family went to Mile Two Prison on Monday,
but the officers at the said prison gave them a short time to have access to
Buba Mendy. The source further pointed out that Mendy is yet to be charged.
According to the source the family found, Mendy is in a poor state of health
and his physical condition is worrying.

It could be recalled that Sergeant Mendy was arrested and detained after the
March 21 coup plot that was foiled by some members of the Gambia Armed
Forces.

* *

*PEST OUTBREAK AFFECTS NUTS*

*By Bubacarr K. Sowe*

An outbreak of pests in Kiang West has left a large chunk of groundnut seeds
infested. The pests entered the nuts through the shells to eat the nuts and
leave a remnant of yellowish powder inside.

Victims of the outbreak explained that they have been using pesticide to
control the situation.  Another method of controlling the pests which is
widely used is putting the seeds into barrels or gallons for preservation.
This widely used method according to them will prevent the nuts from the
pests.

A farmer who spoke to this reporter said: "These are bad insects. You will
not know the damage if you don't check your seeds regularly. Most of our
seeds for the next farming season are destroyed. If half of our seeds were
bought, the damage would have been minimal."

* *

*IMMIGRATION ISSUES WARNING*

*By Fabakary Ceesay*

The Public Relations Officer of the Immigration Department, Cadet ASP Lamin
Jatta, has warned immigration officials to desist from demanding money from
foreigners before they issue laise passé.

The immigration spokesperson said any officer caught doing such malpractices
will be dealt with according to the laws of the land. ASP Jatta made this
warning in the wake of allegations levelled against his institution by
foreigners.

Information reaching this paper have it that immigration and police officers
on Tuesday demanded fifty dalasis from each of the passengers who were
travelling on board a "gellegelle" vehicle. According to our source,
foreigners who were returning to Cassamance, were urged to disembark from
their vehicle. It is purported that the officers asked the said foreigners
to produce their laise passé. According to our source, those who failed to
produce their laise passé were asked to pay fifty dalasis each.

One of the affected foreigners said those who refused to pay the said
amount, were taken to Brikama Police Station. The source further indicated
that they were detained and later released even though they did not pay
anything.

The source has it that they were travelling to Katack (a village close to
Kartong).

The Police spokesperson Aziz Bojang said, "it is the responsibility of the
immigration officers, so if  they allow the police to interfere with their
work, it is their fault. We don't issue laise passez."

* *

*GAMBIA SOCIAL FORUM LAUNCHED*

*By Amie Sanneh and Annia Gaye*

The Vice President of the Republic of The Gambia, Isatou Njie Saidy,
recently presided over the launching ceremony of The Gambia Social Forum
(Gamsof), which was held at the Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.

The main principle of Gamsof is the provision of a platform or forum for
institutionalised consultations and dialogue between the state and non-state
actors to ensure the establishment, evolution and operation of healthy and
strategic development relationships which can assist in economic and social
development, side by side with cultural and environmental preservation thus
ensuring equilibrium.

In her launching statement, the Vice President said: "This approach to
development calls for more relationships between diverse institution at the
different scales of operations levels of social organisation and relative
power."

Underscoring the importance of The Gambia Social Forum, the Vice President
pointed out that it will help the civil society to effectively participate
in public policy design and implementation with government on existing and
emerging social issues of concern to the people. She added that such
critical and organised structures will lead to innovative, coherent and
integrated approaches to tackle the challenges of sustainable development.

Vice President Njie Saidy described civil society organisations, NGOs and
CBOs as important partners towards the development of the country.

She said civil society structures and platforms must be efficient,
transparent and accountable, without which, she said, their ability and
legitimacy to influence others become questionable. She said civil society
bodies should efficiently and transparently manage resources entrusted to
them for the benefit of the poor. This, she remarked, requires strengthening
the technical and institutional capacities of civil society organisations
including CBOs and NGOs.

The Vice President also condemned the use of any overt or covert activities
by any group against the state or government on platforms or structures of
Gamsof, noting that it should be beyond partisan posturing.

She assured them of the government's commitment, noting that they are always
willing and ready to support civil society and the NGO community through the
strengthening of appropriate institutional, legal and administrative
frameworks.

* *

*ECOWAS ORGANISE WORKSHOP ON COMMUNICATION*

*By Annia Gaye*

The Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Defence, Mr.
Mustapha Jobe, has underscored the importance of Ecowas Regional Information
and Exchange System (ERIES) in the sub-region, which is designed to
facilitate contact between member states and the Ecowas secretariat. Mr.
Jobe made the following remarks at a two day workshop organised by Ecowas.

He also deliberated on the key challenge of the workshop, which is to review
the status of ERIES in each member states and to find ways of harmonising
procedures on its usage. He stated that government of the United States of
America will support the integration process of ERIES in West Africa and in
the sub-region. He said the government of the Gambia is willing to support
all efforts in this direction. He urged participants to actively participate
in the deliberations in order to make concrete suggestions.

Speaking at the workshop, the Director of Early Warning System and
Observation and Monitoring Centre, Col. Kone Yoro, informed the participants
that the workshop is the first of its kind to be held in the sub-region.  He
urged participants to come up with useful recommendations that would benefit
all Ecowas member states.

The workshop was attended by Participants from Mali, Guinea, Senegal, The
Gambia, and Togo. SAA WAR EUROPE, a non-government organization based in
America, Also sent in their participants to the workshop.

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