Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 013/2007, 2-4 January,  2007

Editorial

DR. MBOWE, IS THERE A CURE FOR HIV/AIDS OR NOT?
The government of the  Gambia has established the National AIDS Secretariat. 
The President of the  Republic is the chairperson of the committee responsible 
for exercising control  and direction of the secretariat. 
The World Bank initially gave US$ 15  million to the government to establish 
a National programme to control HIV/AIDS  in 2001 for a period of 4 years.
The primary focus of the secretariat had  been to conduct sensitisation 
programmes to educate the Gambia people that  HIV/AIDS has no cure; that people 
should abstain or conduct safe sex to prevent  HIV/AIDS infection.
Furthermore, the public has been informed that those  living with HIV/AIDS 
should be protected from discrimination that their lives  may be prolonged by 
good nutrition, solidarity and tolerance of the public,  effective treatment of 
opportunistic infections, clean environment and  relaxation.
What is not clear from Dr. Mbowe’s review of CD4 counts is  whether he is 
implying that the opportunistic infections are being treated to  prolong the 
lives of those infected or that the infection is actually being  cured. There is 
no mention of blood test to confirm that any of the patients is  free from the 
infection. 
To avoid confusion, it is necessary for Dr. Mbowe  to come out clearly to 
explain whether the treatment of HIV.AIDS patients are  designed to cure them or 
to help them to live with HIV/AIDS in a better manner.  This is the burning 
issue of the day. Dr. Mbowe needs to call a press conference  to clarify matters 
so that the sensitisation efforts of NAS will not go in  vain. 

MASS ARRESTS IN BADIBOU
By Yaya Dampha
The  defeated UDP candidate in Lower Baddibou, Mr. Kebba F. Singhateh and 
(15)  fifteen of his supporters were arrested on Saturday by officials of the 
Police  Intervention Unit,(PIU).
According to Mr. Lamin Buna Singhateh [ a brother to  the defeated candidate 
], one Miss Jamba Barrow (a cousin to Hon. Suku  Singhateh) had a brawl with 
Mr. Faburama Singhateh at the market and it ended in  a physical fight. He said 
that later in the day, one Lamin Singhateh came and  found the UDP candidate’
s son brewing China Green tea (Attaya) and assaulted  him; that an MP (name 
witheld) later called the police who came and arrested  Kebba F. Singhateh, 
Lamin Singhateh, Ebrima Dambelly, Omar Ceesay, Faburama  Singhateh, Alhagie Ngum, 
Jololi Barrow, Mafafu Saho, Lang Jumbo Singhateh,  Faburama Gasama, Bubacarr 
Singhateh, Ousman Suso, Burama Jaliba, Buramanding  Singhateh, Buranding Danso 
and Dembo Makalo. Nine of the arrestees are detained  at Farafenni Police 
Station while the other six are detained at Kerewan Police  Station.
The family members have raised concern over the arrest and detention  of 
their loved ones and called on the authorities to release them. 
However,  sources close to Farafenni Police confirmed the arrest of the nine  
people.
When contacted, Police Relations Officer (PRO) Aziz Bojang said when  
complaints were made to the police they had to arrest those suspected and that  it is 
only the court that can prove guilt. He said if somebody lodges a  complaint 
with the police, they (the police) have to proceed to effect the  arrest of 
those alleged to have committed the offence, but that this does not  mean that 
the police are siding with the party that complained.  
Superintendent Bojang however did not say anything as to why the Lower  
Badibou UDP candidate and his supporters are still being detained for over six  
days which is beyond the required constitutional duration of 72 hours or three  
days. 

GROUNDNUT TRADE IN LIMBO
By Yaya Dampha
The groundnut  trade season is in limbo as farmers throughout the country 
complained of lack of  buying centers.
When Foroyaa got the information, this reporter went round  the country to 
interview farmers. It was discovered that the buying centres are  not functional 
this year.
According to farmers in the Lower River Region,  they were told that they 
should take their nuts to the Tendaba GGC depot for  sale. When this reporter 
visited Tendaba, he was told that there is cash with  the depot managers 
throughout the country, but they were told not buy below five  tons of groundnut.
In some parts of the CRR the farmers interviewed said they  are not able to 
sell their nuts because the only buying center is in Kudang  Tenda and Kuntaur 
depot which are far from their places. A farmer said he has  only three tons 
for sale, but he could not sell it because it is below the  recommended five 
tons that the depots are accepting.
Many farmers said they  have to combine their nuts in order to have the 
recommended five tons quantity  for sale.
In U.R.R, the farmers are faced with the same problems but the  situation 
there is better than all the other places, because the farmers in  U.R.R have an 
association and private buyers go to villages to buy nuts. However  they 
registered their disappointment over the government’s failure to buy their  nuts.
In the N.B.R the only buying centre is Barra. The farmers complained  that 
the buying centre in Barra is not strategically located, as it is far from  
their villages. The farmers there said they have resorted to selling their nuts  
in the weekly markets (lumos). 

SERGEANT BUBA MENDY STILL  DETAINED
Sergeant Buba Mendy of The Gambia Armed Forces is still detained at  the ma
ximum security wing of the Mile Two Central Prison, a source informed this  
paper.
Mendy was arrested and detained shortly after the alleged coup plot  led by 
Colonel Ndure Cham was purportedly quelled by The Gambia Armed Forces. A  
source close to Mendy’s family said the latter is kept incommunicado. The source  
went on to say that the family was allowed access to him only once, and since  
then, they have not been allowed to see him. The source said the members of 
his  family are not aware of any charge against him.
According to reports, the  wife of the latter was pregnant at the time of his 
arrest. . The source further  indicated that the continued detention of Mendy 
has affected his family,  including his wife. 

RAMBO JATTA DETAINED AT FATOTO POLICE  STATION
Mr. Ousman Rambo Jatta, the councillor for Bakau Ward, who was  arrested 
since August 2006 and detained in various Police Stations in the  country, is now 
detained at Fatoto.
Jatta is reported to have spent some  weeks in Fatoto Police Station. He is 
said to have been transferred to Fatoto  after he spent three months at Sare 
Ngai Police Station. He was earlier detained  at Sibanor, Gunjur, Kotu, Jareng 
and Mile Two Prison. He is reported to have  been accused of attempting to act 
in a violent manner at an IEC registration  centre in Bakau. He was charged 
and arraigned in court, but the state has failed  to produce him in court. It is 
reported that Jatta is physically  healthy.

Reporters without Borders issues its 2007 
annual press  freedom survey
The survey, published on 1 February, reports on press freedom  in 98 
countries and includes the main violations of journalists’ rights in 2006  and 
regional aspects of media and Internet freedom.
The report (in English,  French, Spanish and Arabic) can be read at 
www.rsf.org and downloaded in its  entirety or by region.
“The report lists the worst violations in repressive  countries, including 
major culprits North Korea, Eritrea, Cuba and Turkmenistan,  but also looks at 
democracies, where progress needs to be made too,” the  organisation says.
“A disturbingly record number of journalists and media  workers were killed 
or thrown in prison around the world in 2006 and we are  already concerned 
about 2007, as six journalists and four media assistants have  been killed in 
January alone,” the report’s introduction says.
“But beyond  these figures is the alarming lack of interest (and sometimes 
even failure) by  democratic countries in defending the values they are supposed 
to  incarnate.”
“Almost everyone believes in human rights these days but amid the  silences 
and behaviour on all sides, we wonder who now has the necessary moral  
authority to make a principled stand in favour of these freedoms.”
Media  workers in the Middle East were once again the victims of the region’s 
chronic  instability.  65 journalists and media assistants were killed in 
Iraq and  kidnappings were more frequent there and in the Palestinian 
Territories. Despite  repeated promises, the region’s governments have not introduced 
significantly  greater democracy.
In Latin America, the murder of nearly a dozen journalists  in Mexico with 
virtual impunity, the continued imprisonment of more than a score  in Cuba and 
the deteriorating situation in Bolivia (nevertheless the best-ranked  country 
of the South in the Reporters Without Borders annual press freedom  index) are 
all signals to the international community to be very  vigilant.
Press freedom violations in Asia peaked with 16 media workers  killed, at 
least 328 arrested, 517 physically attacked or threatened and 478  media outlets 
censored in 2006. Censorship is very widespread and complete  freedom to speak 
and write is rare in Asia.
Many African governments,  especially those in the Horn of Africa, distrust 
media workers. The killers of  journalists are also not being punished in 
Gambia and Burkina  Faso.
Dictatorships also seem to be tightening their grip on the Internet and  at 
least 60 people are in prison for posting criticism of the government online.  
China, the leading offender, is being copied by Vietnam, Syria, Tunisia, Libya 
 and Iran and more and more bloggers and cyber-dissidents are in jail. 
The  survey, published on 1 February, reports on press freedom in 98 
countries and  includes the main violations of journalists’ rights in 2006 and 
regional aspects  of media and Internet freedom.
“Almost everyone believes in human rights  these days but amid the silences 
and behaviour on all sides, we wonder who now  has the necessary moral 
authority to make a principled stand in favour of these  freedoms.”
Dictatorships also seem to be tightening their grip on the  Internet and at 
least 60 people are in prison for posting criticism of the  government online. 
China, the leading offender, is being copied by Vietnam,  Syria, Tunisia, 
Libya and Iran and more and more bloggers and cyber-dissidents  are in jail.

TRIAL OF OLD YUNDUM RESIDENTS
By Modou Jonga
The  trial involving Mustapha Jadama and 16 other accused persons was on 
Wednesday  31st January, 2007 adjourned to 6th February due to the absence of the 
police  prosecutor.
The accused persons who were present in court, pleaded not guilty  to the 
criminal charge preferred against them. They are arraigned in court for  acting 
without legal authority in a manner that is calculated to lead to  incitement 
of violence, destruction or damage to property.
The case which has  been in court for over one month, has so far heard the 
testimonies of three  prosecution witnesses. All three are officers of the 
Police Intervention Unit  who are attached to the Brikama Police Station. 

TREASON TRIAL  DEFERRED
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The treason trial involving Tamsir Jasseh,  Alieu Jobe, Omar Faal Keita and 
Demba Dem could not proceed at the High Court on  Wednesday due to the illness 
of one of the accused persons.
Emmanuel  Fagbenle, director of public prosecution submitted that Demba Dem 
was taken to  hospital. At this juncture, Fagbenle applied for an adjournment 
of the hearing.  Defence lawyer Lamin Jobarteh told the trial judge, Justice 
Yeboah that he does  not know the state of his client. Jobarteh also said that 
he only came to  understand that very day that Dem was taken to the accident 
and emergency unit  at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) in Banjul.
Justice Yeboah  adjourned the trial to the 7th of February. Dem and others 
are standing trial  for their role in the alleged March 21st foiled coup d’etat.

APRC  SUPPORTER ACQUITTED AND DISCHARGED

By Modou Jonga
Alimamo Gibba,  a supporter of the APRC and a resident of Pirang Village in 
the Kombo East was  on Wednesday 31st January 2007, acquitted and discharged on 
an assault charge.  He was acquitted after the prosecution failed to adduce 
sufficient  evidence.
The judgment was delivered by Magistrate E.F M’bai at the Brikama  Magistrate’
s court. Mr. Gibba is alleged to have assaulted one Oley Touray (a  supporter 
of the United Democratic Party) with a stone on the 15th May 2006 at  Pirang 
Village in the Western Region.
Three prosecution witnesses have  testified on the said assault case. They 
included the complainant, Oley Touray,  Lamin R. Darboe and Sergeant Bunja 
Darboe of the Brikama Police Station. Mr.  Gibba entered his defence on 19th 
December 2006.
The case has dragged for  more than two months at the said court.

IEC ON KEMESENG’S  RESIGNATION
The IEC has reacted to a story published in one of the local  newspapers. The 
story is centered on the resignation of Kemeseng Jammeh from  NADD. Below is 
the press release issued by the IEC.
“The INDEPENDENT  ELECTORAL COMMISSION has learnt with utter dismay the 
insinuations made by the  Clerk of the National Assembly on the matter relating to 
the resignation from  NADD of the former NAM for Jarra West, Kemeseng Jammeh.
In accordance with  Section 91 subsection 1 (d) of the Constitution of the 
Republic of the Gambia  (1997), Kemeseng Jammeh ceased to be a member of the 
National Assembly because  he resigned from NADD. Through a copy of the letter to 
NADD dated 1st January  2007, prior to the nomination of candidates for the 
National Assembly Elections,  the IEC was informed of his resignation from NADD.
Section 91 subsection 3 of  the Constitution of the Republic of the Gambia 
(1997) stipulates that “the Clerk  of the National Assembly shall inform the 
INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION of  any vacancy among the members of the 
National Assembly.”
One can therefore  deduce from the aforementioned that the onus for the 
giving of information on  the occurrence of a vacancy lies under the ambit of the 
Clerk of the National  Assembly and not the INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION. 
Kemeseng Jammeh should  have notified the National Assembly.”

“MY VICTORY WAS A LANDSLIDE”  SAYS SULAYMAN JOOF
By Amie Sanneh
The APRC elected representative for  Serrekunda West, Sulayman Joof, has 
described his victory as a landslide, noting  that he scored 69 percent of the 
votes cast.
In an interview with Foroyaa at  his residence, he expressed concern towards 
the development of his  constituency.
Commenting on his plans for the constituency, Sulayman Joof  noted that he 
will continue to raise issues that concern his constituency at the  National 
Assembly to ensure that there is improvement in the life of his  people.
Honourable Joof also promised his constituents that their will be an  
extension and provision of clean water supply, quality road network, skill  centres 
and the empowerment of women.
He also complained about the low voter  turnout and said it is his concern.
“We will start to educate the electorate  to come out and vote as they did 
during the presidential elections,” he  said.
Mr. Joof said it is a serious matter, because for some people, once  they 
have voted in the presidential elections and saw how the results went, they  do 
not bother anymore, because to them, they feel that they know the results  
already.
“Another reason that might have led to the low voter turn out is  voter 
apathy as people may feel tired to vote because they have voted just four  months 
ago,” said Joof.
He also explained that some voters may think that the  National Assembly 
Elections are not important and as a result would not bother  to vote.
These are the very ones who would make demands to their  parliamentarians”.
The Serrekunda West NAM expressed happiness for his  re-election, describing 
it as an honour. He thanked his supporters and urged  them to continue to 
rally behind the APRC party.

AT THE COURT  MARTIAL WO2 JABANG CROSS EXAMINED
By Fabakary B. Ceesay & Annia  Gaye
Warrant officer second class, Nfally Jabang of the Gambia Armed Forces,  was 
cross examined by defense counsel Lamin S. Camara, at the court martial at  
Yundum barracks on Thursday 1st February 2007.
Defense counsel, Lamin S.  Camara, asked the witness, when was the video 
cassette recorded and whether it  was recorded during the course of their i
nvestigations. WO2 Jabang replied that  the tape was recorded on the 26th March 2006 
and that it was recorded during the  course of their investigation. He said 
that Captain Wassa Camara made the  request for the accused persons to appear on 
TV, but was quick to say that the  request was not made in writing. He said 
the recording was made in the presence  of two police officers, Lamin Cham and 
Abdoulie Sowe, the two independent  witnesses, Babou Loum and Tijan Bojang and 
the three (3) GRTS crew, Modou  Sanyang, Director, one Alieu and their 
assistant. WO2 Jabang admitted that he  was not present when the recording was done 
but that he made the arrangements  for the recording. Jabang indicated that 
since he was not inside when the  recording was taking place, he did not know 
what had transpired there. Counsel  Camara asked him, whether he had seen the 
accused persons when they were taken  to the NIA and how many of them he saw, 
Jabang responded that, he saw them and  that they were six (6) in number; 
namely, Captain Bunja Darboe, Captain Camara,  Captain Yaya Darboe, captain Wassa 
Camara Tamsir Jasseh and their Marabout (five  names were mentioned). Mr. Jabang 
denied picking up the accused persons from the  Mile Two to the NIA complex, 
adding that he did not know what happened at mile  two prison. Camara asked 
him whether he noticed that Captain Bunja Darboe’s hand  was broken and he 
replied in the negative. He added that he never knew that  Captain Bunja Darboe’s 
hand was broken. “I’m putting it to you that Captain  Darboe’s hand was 
broken. When exhibit M (video tape) was made, I’m also putting  it to you that none 
of the accused persons has made a request to speak to the  general public,: 
Jabang replied , “It was requested by Captain Wassa Camara to  Sowe and that it 
was brought to the panel that the accused wanted to appeal to  the public on 
TV.” Counsel Camara asked whether the accused were cautioned and  whether the 
cautionary words were put on the video tape. He said that, the  accused were 
cautioned by Lamin Cham and Abdoulie Sowe but that it was not on  video tape. 
WO2 Jabang indicated that the accused persons were cautioned before  they were 
taken for recording. Camara asked, under who’s authority was the video  tape 
shown on TV, he replied that it was under the panel’s authority. Camara  asked 
whether he entered the recording in his diary of action. WO2 Jabang said,  “It 
is contained in the police diary.” “I’m putting it to you that it is not  
correct that it was contained in the police diary,” says Camara. Wo2 Jabang  
replied “Well if you wish, but it is correct that it is there in the police  diary.
” Sitting continues on the 8th February, 2007.

UDP CANDIDATE  AND SUPPORTERS GRANTED BAIL
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Mahamadou Saibo Sagnia,  the UDP candidate for Basse constituency in the 
recent parliamentary elections  and nine of his supporters were on Monday granted 
bail by Justice Monageng of  the Banjul High Court. Justice Monageng has urged 
each of the accused persons to  sign a bond of D8000 and to provide a Gambian 
Surety.
Mr. Sagnia and his  co-accused who are on trial at the Basse Magistrate’s 
Court were charged with  unlawful assembly and conduct conducive to the breach of 
peace. Four of them are  facing an extra charge of common assault.
The prosecutor is Corporal Juldeh  Camara and the trial Magistrate is Amadou 
Baldeh. The accused persons were  represented at the High Court by Neneh Cham.
The accused persons are suppose  to appear at the Basse Magistrate’s Court on 
the 8th February 2007.
Ousainou  Darboe, The UDP leader has confirmed the release of the ten accused 
persons, who  were remanded. 

FORMER PRESIDENT SIR DAWDA JAWARA LEAVES FOR  NIGERIA
By Amie Sanneh
The former President of the first Republic of The  Gambia, Sir Dawda Kairaba 
Jawara, on Wednesday evening left for Nigeria to head  an ECOWAS delegation on 
a fact finding mission on the electoral process in  Nigeria due this year.
Shortly before his departure, Sir Dawda told  journalists at a press briefing 
held at the Banjul International Airport VIP  lounge that his main task will 
be to meet stakeholders across Nigeria such as  the executive, Judiciary, 
legislature, media and the civil society.
He said  as a former president of this country he feels honoured and proud, 
not only of  himself but also The Gambia to head the ECOWAS delegation which is 
commissioned  to explore and investigate on the situation in Nigeria in the 
run-up to their  forthcoming presidential election. Responding to questions, 
Mr. Jawara described  his mission as significant, noting that it will enable 
ECOWAS to have an idea on  the situation of the election in Nigeria. Sir Dawada 
revealed that Nigeria has a  population of 75 million people and 50 million 
managed to be registered.  
After completing their mission he said they hope to report to ECOWAS and  
give them what transpired on the ground and also give advice.
Mr. Jawara  hoped that the report will enable all those concern to conduct an 
election which  can be regarded as free and fair. He stressed the need for 
elections to be  conducted in a free and fair manner.
He also emphasised the need for good  governance in Africa, noting that the 
media has an important role to play in  maintaining good governance and to 
ensure fairness in any election  process.
Also speaking at the press briefing Nuru Jobe, head of finance and  
operations at the ECOWAS Bureau in Banjul, described Sir Dawda’s mission as a  heavy 
burden bestowed on him. He said he is hopeful that with Sir Dawda’s  experience, 
he will live up to expectation and make the flag flying high.
Mr.  Jobe indicated that it is a challenging task, given Nigeria’s realities. 
He  added that ECOWAS came up with this Protocol and it will have a positive 
impact  towards the promotion of good governance and democracy.
Mr. Jobe expressed  his hope that upon the completion of this mission, the 
election process in  Nigeria will be 90 percent free from hitches. He also said 
that shortcomings  will be included in the report to serve as lessons to be 
improved upon in  future.

WHAT WAS SUSAN WAFA OGOO DOING AT SIBANOR VILLAGE
The  people of Sibanor Village were stunned by the unceremonious visit of SOS 
Susan  Wafa Ogoo on Wednesday 24th January. At around 8:10pm four cars with  
registration numbers BJL 4464 D, BJL 8012D, C W D 1 and BJL 6888 D stopped at  
Faburey Kunda and from them came out the Secretary of State, the Commissioner 
 Western Division and a few other people whose identity could not be 
confirmed.  When this reporter was informed of the SoS’s presence in the village, he 
tried  to enquire from the people what precipitated the Sos’s visit to the 
village at  that time. Some of the women and young men who said they had a meeting 
with the  SoS said she made it to the village to persuade them to vote for 
the APRC  candidate Ebrima Janko Sanyang not for his sake but for the sake of 
the APRC and  its leadership. One of the young men who spoke to me emphasised 
that there is no  amount of persuasion that would make them shift their 
allegiance. Both men and  women who spoke to this reporter vowed they would not yield 
to any inducement,  saying simply they could not withstand the malign and 
insults metted to village  elders by the incumbent and his supporters. 
Two Arrested
On a separate  development, two people were arrested by a mob of youths who 
threaten to beat  them mercilessly but with the timely intervention of the IEC 
Assistant Returning  Officer, the two men were taken to the Sibanor Police 
Station. When the  Assistant Returning Officer, Mr. Babucarr Samba was contacted 
the following day  he highlighted the reasons for the arrest of the two 
people. “I was on my way to  the primary school to check the placing of the ballot 
boxes and grounding of all  flags as required by IEC when my attention was 
called. I was told that the two  people were from Foni Kansala District and were 
caught canvassing for votes when  it was cooling off day, a day when all 
political activities were to cease” He  said he then escorted the two men to the 
police station where he gave his  statement to the NIA operative at Sibanor, Mr. 
Tamba, and also the police in his  own hand writing and left.  When I asked 
him if the two were still in  detention, he said he understood they had been 
released. The Station Officer at  Sibanor was contacted but he declined to 
comment, saying the Police PRO is the  right person to be contacted. However, 
frantic efforts were made to reach the  PRO but to no avail.

DR HENRY CARROL ON TAMBA FOFANA’S  DETENTION
By Abdoulie Dibba
Dr. Henry Carrol, the Solicitor General, has  informed this reporter that he 
does not know why Tamba Fofana is still detained  by the authorities.
Dr. Carrol made this statement during an interview with  this reporter on 
Thursday. The Solicitor General confirmed that the court has  made an order for 
Tamba to be released from custody, but he could not explain  why Fofana is yet 
to be released by the authorities. He (Carrol) asked this  reporter to contact 
the arresting authority and find out whether the bail  conditions have been 
met. This reporter has learnt that the bail conditions have  been met, but 
Fofana continues to languish in detention.
Fofana is the head  teacher at the Kudang Lower Basic School. He was arrested 
a week before the  presidential election. 

Correction!!!
Results for National  Assembly Elections for Niamina East as published in 
Foroyaa Issue No. 11/07  (29-30January) are 2586 votes for Foday Jallow of APRC 
and 2401 votes for Ebrima  L.S. Marenah the independent candidate instead of 
2554 votes and 2041 votes,  respectively, as reported before.

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