Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 024/2007, Feb 28 – March 1, 2007
Editorial
WILL GRTS CONTINUE THE TREND?
FOCUS ON EDUCATION
Many Gambians are turning to satellite TV because of the type of programmes
that are featured by the GRTS management. However those who were fortunate to
watch their TV on Tuesday evening were happy to listen to the discussion
between a panel of educationalists and the general public regarding the
strategies that are necessary to address the drop in the quality of education and the
performance of students. This is what a state media house is meant for. It
is meant to educate, inform, entertain and advocate for standards of best
practice. The Gambia has developed a culture of artistic expression that is
remarkable. Many people find it very easy to express themselves or perform drama.
The songs, drama and other means of expression that have been adopted to
combat HIV/AIDS confirm that the country has a reservoir of talent that has been
waiting for progressive producers to tap and utilize for the common good.
Public services are meant for the public. Section 26 of the Constitution
states that “Every citizen of the Gambia of full age and capacity shall have the
right without unreasonable restriction to have access, on general terms of
equality to public service in the Gambia.”
Access to quality education, health, information and other services are
fundamental rights. What is important is for the Radio and TV to serve as
instruments for the public to express their opinions on the quality of services so
that the policy makers will be informed accordingly.
GRTS needs to make a break and move more towards a non partisan approach to
media management. It should be the mouth piece of every Gambian or non
Gambian who wishes to contribute positively to the development of this nation and
her people.
This is the way forward.
HALIFA SALLAH ON THE 2007 WOMEN PARLIAMENTRIANS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
GENDER, NATION BUILDING AND THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTS HELD IN KIGALI RWANDA
22-23 FEBRUARY 2007
Foroyaa: Halifa, how did you get to be invited to such a conference since
you are neither a woman nor a parliamentarian at the moment?
Halifa: When I received the invitation from the senators from Rwanda, I
thought that they had assumed that I was still a member of the Pan African
Parliament. I had to write back to them to say that I was no longer a
Parliamentarian. They were not only shocked but they insisted that they would like to
invite me in my personal capacity to be a resource person and rapporteur. For
your information I have been on this mission with some of the members of the Pan
African Parliament from Rwanda. The other members in the Pan African
Parliament from Rwanda have also held me in high esteem. In addition, WEDA an
association of European Parliamentarians for Africa, had invited me a year ago to
give a lecture in Nairobi where I met some Senators from Rwanda who were very
impressed with my analysis of what happened in Congo, Rwanda and Burundi
which led to the assassination of prominent leaders in the region, like Lumumba,
at independence. I told them then that Rwanda and Burundi had the option of
being unified by one language to build a federation that could have been an
example of African unity, if Lumumba has his way in Congo. Anyway since the
Rwandese Parliamentarians wanted to chart a new way forward, they decided to
invite people they felt could make contributions in enabling them to carve a new
destiny.
Foroyaa: Were you the only one from The Gambia?
Halifa: Clearly, when it comes to the issue of genocide, war crimes and
crimes against humanity one cannot exclude the International Criminal Court. The
Deputy Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court, Mrs. Fatou
Bensouda, chaired a session on gender based violence, an obstacle to
development. The presence of the country was indeed felt in shaping the common destiny
of the African people.
Foroyaa: Was the conference of any significance?
Halifa: This is the first international conference I have attended where one
sensed that no one was paying lip service to the struggle for human dignity
and worth. Status and post became less significant. People listened and
absorbed the constructive things that one had to offer. One delegate from UK had
to assert that, even though, they from developed countries are usually invited
to Africa to teach, but the conference had taught them that they are also in
Africa to learn. This summed up the comprehensive nature of the debate that
took place. When the president of the Africa Development Bank began to sound
like Patrice Lumumba on a National platform, it became evident to me that a
new spirit of Pan Africanism is dawning. One could see that even Madam Cherie
Blair, the wife of the Prime Minister of Britain, who was a panelist was
moved. She occasionally turned and nodded her head to lend support to some of the
views.
Foroyaa: Where did the delegates come from?
Halifa: According to the president of the Senate of Rwanda, Dr. Vincent
Birutu, delegates came from as far as the Cook Islands and as near as Burundi. In
his welcoming address, he noted the presence of the President of Liberia,
President of Rwanda and wife, the President of the Pan African Parliament, the
wife of the Prime Minister of Britain Madam Cherie Blair, the Speaker of the
National Assembly of Burundi, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of
Rwanda, the President of the African Development Bank, delegates representing
sister parliaments, the World Bank, UNDP, UNIFEM, UN HABITAT, the World Trade
Organisation, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador
Jendayi Frazer, Representatives of International Organisations, the diplomatic
corps and International Organisations accredited to Rwanda and individual
invitees like my very self.
Foroyaa: Why did they invite President Johnson Sirleaf. Is it because she is
the first woman President in Africa?
Halifa: It was more than that. In his introduction, the President of the
Senate said that “Mrs. Johnson Sirleaf was jailed for opposing the oppressive
regime of Samuel Doe, that she spent years in exile and served in senior
positions in the World Bank, CITI Bank and UNDP.
That she has a number of publications.
1. Disaster to Development
2. The Outlook for Commercial Lending to Sub-Saharan Africa
That she coauthored “War, Women and Peace. Apparently, this is why she was
invited.
Foroyaa: Who financed the Conference?
Halifa: According to the President of the Senate, invaluable support had
been given by DFID, UNDP, Women Waging Peace, ADB, the Swedish Embassy, UNIFEM,
UNFPA, the government of Rwanda and others.
Foroyaa: Who financed your going?
Halifa: Those of us who were special guests were housed at the Serene Hotel
and our tickets and expenses were paid by the government of Rwanda and the
support agencies.
Foroyaa: What was your role?
Halifa: I was both a resource person and rapporteur for the Theme “Gender
and Socio Economic Empowerment”. Because of my experience in the Pan African
Parliament I had enough facts to help the conference to be more concrete in our
analysis and resolutions. I was given more opportunity than all delegates to
speak on every theme.
Foroyaa: How did they react to your contributions?
Halifa: I guess I will be receiving more invitations going by the number of
people who approached me to take my contact numbers.
Foroyaa: Can you sum up your contributions
Halifa: First and foremost it is best for Foroyaa to publish the statements
made by President Johnson Sirleaf and President Kagame to enable readers to
know what was said directly from their mouths I am writing a pamphlet on all
the themes which can be serialize by Foroyaa I want to dedicate the book to
the women of Rwanda who inspired me so much that I will forever remain
steadfast in working for the total emancipation of the African people from tyranny
and poverty so that we can live in collective liberty and prosperity.
See the statements in the next issue.
AT THE COURT MARTIAL
“I Was Hammered, Stabbed And Fixed To Electric Wire”- 2nd Lieutenant Sanyang
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Second Lieutenant Pharing Sanyang of The Gambia Armed Forces, who is
standing trial for his alleged involvement in the March 21st 2006 abortive coup plot
against the government of The Gambia, has informed the court that he was
subjected to serious torture before his statement was obtained. Continuing his
testimony, second Lt Sanyang indicated that while he was in the vehicle with
Lance Corporal Malick Jatta, Corporal Ismaila Jammeh and Private Alieu Jeng,
he was mal-treated by Malick Jatta. “Malick Jatta told me, yesterday was your
day but today is my day. I asked him, how can you talk to me like that? He
told me he would show me what he was going to do next. He tore off my uniform
and started putting off his cigarette on my left shoulder. The cigarette
burned my skin and I still have the scars,” Sanyang lamented. He said that
Corporal Ismaila Jammeh intervened and told Malick Jatta, ‘How can you talk to him
like this?’ Malick responded by saying, ‘This is an order that I received.’
Corporal Jammeh told him that ‘All orders are received but not all orders are
executed,’ he stressed.
Sanyang said that on the way to the NIA Headquarters, Malick Jatta started
hitting him with his pistol on his head. He said he sustained about four (4)
injuries and blood was oozing from the wounds into his eyes and dripping down
on to his uniform. He said that at the NIA, while he was asked to disembark
from the vehicle, Malick Jatta attempted to clear off his legs from the ground
and that he was quick to jump and avoid his kick. He noted that when Malick
missed him on his attempt, he fell on the ground. He said that Malick became
very angry and pulled a small size hammer from under the seat of the vehicle.
“He hit me at my left jaw and a tooth was broken, as I spat on the ground,
broken pieces of my tooth fell out on the ground,” he emphasised. Sanyang
pointed out that he was later taken to the back of the main building and was
instructed to kneel down but he said he refused, saying: “My subordinates cannot
order me to kneel down on the ground.” He indicated that Malick Jatta told
him that orders are no more his, but that it was him (Jatta) who was in charge.
“Then he attempted to slap me but I blocked him with my hands and he
repeated the attempts three times, all of which I blocked,” said Pharing. Lt Sanyang
narrated that Malick Jatta then pulled out a knife and attempted to stab him
on his face, but he blocked that also. He said that the struggle between him
and Jatta continued until the handcuffs on him became very tight and his
muscles became weak. “I could not block his attempts with strength and I
sustained severe injuries from stabbing at my left and right hand.” I was bleeding
from the hand and blood was coming from my head and my mouth started to swell.
I was in a severe pain,” Sanyang stressed. He said that Malick Jatta
continued striking him with the bayonet until he lost balance and fell on the
ground. “While I was struggling to get up, Malick Jatta gave me a blow at the back
of my head and I fell down again. At that point Corporal Ismaila Jammeh and
Private Alieu Jeng came and picked me up and there they took me before the
panel,” said Sanyang. Lt Sanyang said that he was semi conscious at the time he
reached the panel. He said Momodou Hydara of the National Intelligence Agency
(NIA) was asking him questions but that he could not understand the
questions. He said that Hydara then ordered him to be taken to Mile Two Prisons until
he was conscious enough to answer their question. He said that at that point
Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba arrived and when he saw him in that terrible
condition, Tamba asked him, “Who did this to you?” I told him it was the
soldiers who were treating me like this. Tamba said, “How can the boys do this when
we are on the investigations” Sanyang said. Pharing said that Captain Alagie
Martin came later and Colonel Tamba ordered him to go back to State House and
bring other soldiers to escort him to Mile Two Prisons. He said he was later
escorted back to Mile Two Prison by Captain Martin, WO2 Armando Jatta,
Sergeant Pa Omar Jah and Lance Corporal Bakary Sonko.
Going further, Second Lieutenant Pharing Sanyang said that he was again
taken before the panel for investigators on the alleged coup plot at the NIA
headquarters. He said Captain Musa Jammeh (then Lieutenant), alias Maliya Mungu,
came in and said, “Hey commando, what are you doing here? I asked him are you
not the one who arrested me and now you are asking me what I am doing here?
Then he told me, finally you are in my trap,” said Sanyang. Lt Sanyang
indicated that Hydara asked him about the alleged coup plot, but he insisted that
he did not know anything about it until when Captain Famara Jammeh informed
him and they also informed their commander, Major Njie. He said that Hydara
insisted that he (Sanyang) knew something about the coup and that he was part of
it. He said that Hydara told him that they were already told by others about
his involvement. “I asked him “How can I be part of a coup that is plotted
against the government and I went to receive the president at the airport and
I was also responsible for the airport security and I was fully armed and
equipped? If I was part of it, I would have carried it out because I have the
troops at my disposal at the airport,” Sanyang stressed. Sanyang posited that
Hydara insisted that he should accept that he was part of it and should write
a statement that he was part of it. “I insisted and he (Hydara) brought a
bunch of papers and told me that those papers contained the information about
the people who were arrested before me.” He said that WO2 Nfally Jabang said, “
Hey look you are not here for a joke, you must accept that you are part of
it.” He said that there was a push and pull between him and Jabang and Hydara
gave him a blank paper and that he wrote a statement, but the panel was not
satisfied with the content of it. “Then Musa Jammeh who was standing behind
me, said this man is hard hearted, if he is not forced, he will not write a
statement to accept that he is part of it,” he explained. He indicated that
Captain Musa Jammeh told him that if he did not write a statement to say that he
knew something about it and was part of the coup, they were going to deal
with him. He said he was later taken to another room and was ordered to write
another statement but that he insisted that they should bring the other
statement for him to copy from that. He said that Lamin Cham insisted that he should
write a separate statement. He noted that Cham then went to the panelist and
informed them that he (Sanyang) was not cooperating to write a new one. He
indicated that Lamin Cham and Musa Jammeh came and told him that if he failed
to write that time, they would show him how to write it. He said that he also
insisted that his first statement should be brought or he would not write a
new one. “Musa Jammeh brought two electric wires, black and red and told me
that if I did not write a statement to indicate that I was part of the coup,
they would fix me to the electric wires,” he said, Sanyang pointed out that he
thought that Musa was just threatening him and that he further insisted on
not writing. “Musa then placed the wires on my right hand and plastered them,
and asked, ‘Are you going to write or not? and I still insisted. He then put
the wires in the electric socket and put it on and I started screaming. It
was too painful because the current was burning my hand. While I was screaming,
Captain Martin came in and they switched off the current. Martin told me to
accept to write a statement just to save my life. I told Martin, what I wrote
is what I know and if I wrote something else that means I would be lying.
Then Musa switched on the current again and I started to scream again. Just to
save my life, I agreed to write and I wrote lies based on the statements of
the arrested people before me. I wrote the statement under a forceful order
and terrible condition and I was feeling terrible pain”, Pharing said.
SENEGALESE HIGH COMMISSIONER ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
The Senegalese High Commissioner to the Gambia, Momodou Fall, has informed
journalists that President Abdoulaye Wade has polled 4533 votes out of the
total number of 6500 votes cast by the Senegalese electorate in the Gambia.
Fall made this statement at a press conference held at his residence in
Banjul. Briefing journalists, Fall said the elections were organised by the state
and supervised by “Commission Electorale Nationale Autonome” (CENA). He
said the High Commissioner is mandated to reveal the provisional results. He
noted that there is an amendment to the Senegalese Constitution in 1992, and
this is why the Senegalese Supreme Court is no longer responsible for the
validation of election results. He said it is the constitutional council that is
responsible for the validation of election results. He noted that it is the
constitutional council that will validate the results of the Presidential
elections. He noted that the Senegalese Constitution allows Senegalese living
abroad to vote in elections.
According to him, the elections were held in a peaceful atmosphere. He said
the Gambia government gave them authority to hold elections in the country.
“The government has to grant us permission to hold elections in the Gambia.
The government provided us with security. The elections were held in 17
polling centres, (in 70 polling stations). Six thousand and five hundred people
voted in the Gambia, and out of this number, 4533 people voted for Abdoulaye
Wade. This figure represents about 70% of the total number of votes cast.
Abdoulaye Wade won in 68 polling stations. Tanor Jeng won in 2 polling stations,
he remarked.
He said no incidence was reported throughout the elections. He said
Abdoulaye Wade did not win in any of the polling stations in the Gambia in the year
2000. He said all the actors have agreed that the elections were transparent.
WANEP DECLARES SENEGALESE ELECTION FREE AND FAIR
The West Africa Network of Peace Building (WANEP) Gambia has declared the
recently concluded Senegalese presidential elections as free, fair and
transparent. This is contained in a preliminary report it issued on 25th February in
which it states: “Following our observations in a number of polling stations,
and our assessment of the general environment and the media reports we have
monitored, we have reached the conclusion that the 25th February 2007
Presidential Elections in Senegal were free, fair and transparent.”
According to the statement, the final results of the election reflect the
true wish of the people. “We wish to also urge the people and the leaders and
political parties as well as the civil society of Senegal to continue to
nurture a solid democratic culture and human rights in order to ensure sustainable
peace and development,” the report concluded.
The report also expressed concerns, particularly the late start of the
elections. It noted that in order to avoid the need to extend the voting period,
it is important to ensure that polling starts at the stated time.
The report talks about many voters who have not received their voters’ cards
on time, and some even up to the final moments of the closing of polls. It
described this to be grossly unfair and undemocratic as it denied citizens the
right and ability to exercise their civic responsibilities.
It went on to note that the voting process was also slow which they found to
be attributable to the fact that there were many candidates and the process
of voting was complex. In a way it requires some form of literacy or intense
voter education. WANEP thus recommends that the voting process be reviewed in
order to make it less complex and easy to understand so as to make the
process smooth.
West Africa Network for Peace building (WANEP) Gambia is a chapter of the
sub-regional organisation aimed at promoting peace, human rights and good
governance and sustainable development.
ALLEGED MURDER CASE TO BE HEARD AT HIGH COURT
One Modou Bojang of Bundungka Kunda is facing an alleged murder charge
contrary to section 187 of the criminal code cap 10 vol. 111 laws of The Gambia.
It is alleged that on the 12th day of November, 2006 at Bundungka Kunda,
Kanifing Municipality, the accused, Mr. Modou Bojang, hit one Momodou Lamin
Bojang with a hacker which resulted to his death.
The Magistrate asked the accused, Modou Bojang, whether he was aware of it.
Mr. Bojang nodded and replied “Yes, the dead man was my father, Modou Lamin
Bojang. I cannot say I am not guilty. I was just from a mental asylum at
Campama. I came just some days and this happened.”
The Magistrate ordered for the accused person to be remanded until his
appearance at the high court due to the nature of his case.
The accused was complained of ill health and said he needed some psychiatric
medicines. “I want to go, my head is fucking me,” he retorted.
“ARREST OF DISABLED PERSONS UNGODLY”
Says NUDY President
By Yaya Dampha
Mr. Ebrima Dibbassey, the President of the National Union of Disabled
Youths, condemned the arrest and detention of disabled people by the Police. In an
exclusive interview at his office in Churchill Town on Thursday, Mr. Dibbassy
told this reporter that what is happening these days is alien to Gambian
culture and is ungodly.
Mr. Dibbassy said the Africa we knew was very disabled-friendly. He said
since the Police started their arrest of disabled people, various disabled
unions have discussed the matter and went to Police Stations to find out why the
arrests. He said the matter is being handled at national level. According to
him, Mr. Cora the national president of disabled people is handling the
matter. He said here in The Gambia, every day people walk into compounds and beg.
He said the idea of arresting the disabled should be discouraged as it would
not stop people from begging even if thousands are sent to jail for begging.
He called on the government to create avenues for the disabled because none
of them likes begging. He said Africell and Gamcel have started engaging some
of the disabled by giving them phone cards and lines to sell. He said if
government encourages such schemes, including credit unions, begging on the
streets will be history on the part of the disabled.
The NUDY president advised the Police to stop the arrest and that those who
are arrested and released should not be asked to be reporting to the Police.
He said those beggars are begging for their daily survival. He cited
instances when some disabled were arrested and detained for a whole day without food
until they started begging the Police for food.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
THE ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE, BUMPY
The road to independence was bumpy precisely because the political parties
which emerged in the 60s to lead this country were not based on sound
political principles. It was like most of them simply took opportunity of the
situation and formed parties without actually getting prepared for the challenges of
national emancipation and development.
This was the time when the Gambia needed very committed and genuine leaders
to propel the country forward not only for the political aspect but also to
diagnose the impact of colonial rule as well as the possible solution to the
socio-economic realities left behind by the colonialists. This was the vacuum
to be filled.
By 1960s there was a proliferation of political parties for struggle for
power. Many of these parties were based in Bathurst or in the colony area, but
one party eventually emerged purportedly to represent the protectorate area.
It may interest the reader to have a look at the parties that emerged to
replace the colonialist.
POLITICAL PARITIES DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Apart from the party formed by Pa Francis Small to advance the cause of
Gambian Independence and Democracy, the first party was the Democratic Party
founded by Rev. J.C Faye in 1951. J.C Faye had been a member of Bathurst Town
Council and had a long association with the colonial government as a nominated
member of the legislative council since 1947. He was also elected as the first
member for Bathurst in the 1951 elections.
THE MUSLIM CONGRESS
The 2nd party to be formed was the Muslim Congress under the leadership of
I. M. Garba Jahumpa. It came into being as a result of a fusion of the
Bathurst Young Muslim Society with a number of similar organisations in the Kombos
and protectorate. The Muslim Congress was designed to link religious
affiliation with political activity. Jahumpa too was a member of the Bathurst Town
Council since 1942 and was elected to the legislative council as the second
member for Bathurst in the 1951 elections.
THE UNITED PARTY
The third party, United Party, was formed as an outgrowth of the 1951
elections when Mr. P.S Njie in 1948 came back after his law studies in Britain.
Sponsored by prominent Bathurst elders, he contested the 1951 election and lost
to Rev Faye and Garba Jahumpa on individual basis. The U.P was formed in 1952
which paved the way for the party’s victory at the elections to the
legislative council in 1954 at the head of the poll.
THE GAMBIA PEOPLE’S PARTY
The G.P.P. also based in Bathurst emerged in the 1954 elections and was
founded by St. Clair Joof. The party was short-lived, for Joof lost the 1954
elections and died after wards.
THE P.P.P
The Protectorate People’s Party, P.P.P, was formed in 1959 by people who
originated from the provinces, but residing in the colony area, since franchise
was extended to the protectorates by the 1960 constitution. Mr. Dawda Jawara
eventually took the position of leadership. Jawara was a trained veterinarian
who resigned his post as head of department in the colonial administration,
and eventually took the position of premier after the 1962 general elections
when he defeated U.P’s P.S Njie.
The 1965 constitution gave internal self-government. Section 32 of the 1965
constitution states that “there shall be a parliament which shall consist of
her majesty and House of Representatives”. It was also the duty of the
governor General to appoint a constituency Boundaries commission to determine the
boundaries of constituencies. The other short-coming of the 1965 constitution
showed clearly that the Gambia could not attain independence at the time as
quoted from the 1965 constitution itself “the executive authority of the
Gambia is vested in her majesty.” It further gave powers to the Governor General
to exercise executive authority on behalf of her majesty the queen of England
directly or indirectly.
Further more section 63 of the 1965 constitution also stated that “there
shall be a prime minister who shall be appointed by the Governor General.
As you can see, there are many sections that went to show that the Gambia
had not attended full independence from the British crown. For example, section
70 indicated” that “The Prime Minister shall keep the Governor General
fully informed concerning the general conduct of the government of The Gambia and
shall furnish the Governor General with such information as he may request
with respect to any particular matter relating to the Government of Gambia”.
According to Section 60, “The Governor General may at times prorogue or
dissolve parliament. “Subsection (4) reads “In the exercise of his powers to
dissolve Parliament, the Governor General shall act in accordance with the
advice of the Prime Minister provided that if the Prime Minister advises a
dissolution and the Governor General considers that the Government of The Gambia can
be carried on without a dissolution and that a dissolution would not be in
the interest of The Gambia, he may refuse to dissolve parliament.”
At this stage the British were supposedly grooming the new Gambian
government on the modus operandi of the Elizabethan system of government since Ian
Macleod was skeptical as to whether The Gambia could go it alone and become a
viable state.
WADE BRIMS WITH CONFIDENCE
OFFICIAL RESULTS PENDING
By Baboucarr Ceesay in Dakar
After casting his vote at point E, Dakar, Wade swaggered that there will be
no second round. He said “I am optimistic and I think that I will win in the
first round. I think so because there is a great mobilization being done. I
hope that I will register success”. Wade made these remarks in the presence
of his son, Karim, and his wife, Viviane, as journalists from the national and
international press jostled for photos and words from the tired looking
candidate of Sopi 2007. He wore a grand boubou (light blue), the colour of the
Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS).
His supporters applauded him and chanted ‘Gorgui! Gorgui!’ (the old man, in
wollof).
Some voters in Ngorr and Ouakam complained of being bared from voting
despite holding valid voters’ cards. They said they were barred because their names
were not found in the voters’ list. They said that they were
disenfranchised.
Some polling stations in Dakar opened later than the prescribed time for the
closure of polling (6pm). The electoral officers allowed the voters to
continue voting. The huge voter turn out was responsible for the extension of the
voting period.
Votes were counted on the spot and so far the provisional result reveals
that Abdoulaye Wade scored more votes than the rest of the candidates in Dakar
Plateau, Pikine, Mbao, Parcelles Assainies and the interior part of the
country such as Kolda, Ziguinchor, Saint-Louis and the surroundings.
However, information transmitted from Italy to Dakar reveals that Wade has
the upper hand in the polls. In Brescia, the first 3 polling stations whose
results reached Senegal showed that Wade is leading with 866 votes out of the
1167 votes cast, out of 1787 registered voters, followed by Idrissa Seck who
polled 144 votes, and the socialist candidate, Ousmane Tanor Dieng who got 57
votes. Reports, however, have it that Wade won in Turin, Bergamo, Bologna,
Vicenza and Milan, always followed by Idrissa Seck and Ousmane Tanor Dieng.
In Bambay out of 75,435 registered voters, 50,895 cast their votes, out of
which Abdoulaye Wade polled 33,000 votes, Abdoulaye Bathily 862, Mamadou
Lamine Diallo 280, Robert Sagna 294, Cheikh Bamba Dieye 201, Mam Adama Geuye 147,
Talla Sylla 153, Idrissa Seck 9031, Ousman Tanor Dieng 4111, Louis Jacques
Senghor 136, Moustapha Niasse 1127, Modou Dia 74, Landing Savane 1222, Alioune
Petit Mbaye 102 and Dodou Ndoye 153 votes.
According to the provisional results of the twelve areas Bambay, Diourbel,
Gossas, Kolda, Linguerre, Ranerou, Kael, Matam, St. Louis, Kedougou, Oussouye
and Ziguinchor, Wade has defeated his opponents throughout, leading with or
securing 61.06% of the votes and is followed by the following candidates,
Ousman Tanor Dieng with 10.25%, Idrissa Seck 9.62% Robert Sagna 6.06% and
Mustapha Niasse 5.49%.
In a related development, sources close to the electoral commission said the
final results for the Sunday 25th February, 2007 would be released
officially not later than Friday 30th February 2007.
Supporters of Wade were seen in the city of Dakar with their Sopi T-shirts
as if they are rehearsing for jubilation.
Landing Savane congratulated Wade and said he accepted the results while
Talla Sylla said he did not dispute the results. Abdoulaye Bathiley, on his
part, stated that the result of the election is not a reflection of the state of
mind of the Senegalese people and did not show the real weight of his
Coalition Jubanti Senegal.
REPATRIATED MIGRANTS DISCHARGED
By Modou Jonga
Three repatriated Gambian migrants were on Tuesday 27th February, 2007
discharged by Magistrate E. F M’bai. The trio 7th accused (Sanusi Suwareh), 21st
accused (Yankuba Manneh) and the 30th accused (Bakary Ngum) are part of thirty
repatriated migrants from Spain.
The trio were standing trial along side others at the Brikama Magistrate
Court for alleged malicious damage to the property of the Gambia Civil Aviation
Authority, at the Banjul International Airport on 28th October 2006. The trio
who are in their mid twenties had previously pleaded not guilty to the
preferred charge.
In discharging the three accused persons, the presiding Magistrate lamented
that despite the court’s issuance of two separate arrest warrants for the
accused persons not present in court, the police had done nothing to effect the
said arrests. Thus, the Magistrate accordingly discharged the three accused
persons.
However, the three discharged persons were prevented by police officers
attached to Brikama Police Station from leaving the court’s premises. The trio
were further ordered on board a vehicle which headed for the police station.
33 SENEGALESE ASPIRING MIGRANTS SENTENCED
By Yaya Bajo & Sarjo Camara-Singhateh
Magistrate Amina Saho of the Bundung Magistrates’ Court sentenced
thirty-three (33) Senegalese aspiring migrants last Monday to a term of imprisonment of
one month and ordered their immediate deportation to Senegal after
completion of their term of imprisonment. The migrants who all pleaded guilty were
charged with offences under section 6 of the Immigration Act.
According to the fact sheet narrated by prosecutor 453 Touray, on the 22nd
day of February 2007, The Gambia Police Force and the NIA received a tip-off
at 3am that some foreign nationals gathered at Bakau Beach with intention to
board a canoe which would transport them far into the sea where they would
board another vessel for Barra. He added that at Barra they were supposed to
board a bigger vessel which would eventually ferry them to the Canary Islands. “
As a result, the officers rushed to the site and the accused persons together
with the canoe owner, crew and the captain were all arrested,” he explained.
The prosecutor added that the police at Barra were informed about the saga
and they also went to Barra beach where they picked up some Senegalese
nationals who were suspected to have wanted to board the vessel to Spain.
453 Touray revealed that the agent himself escaped. Sgt Touray added that
during interrogation they stated that some of them had paid D27, 000 D35, 000
and 500,000 CFA to the agent. Touray added that eight (8) Senegalese ID cards,
two (2) voters’ cards, one (1) visiting pass and 1 certificate of
declaration of a lost ID card were retrieved from the intending migrants.
Lawyers Lamin Mboge and Edu Gomez, who served as counsels on humanitarian
grounds, in their plea of mitigation on behalf of the accused persons, asked
the court to temper justice with mercy. Lawyer Gomez noted that there is a need
to look at the offence in its social economic concept. “The idea of
migrating for greener pastures is a global phenomenon and their aim to make it is for
the sake of ameliorating the lives of their relatives behind;” he said.
The presiding magistrate ruled that the court has taken congnisance of their
economic hardship and double jeopardy. However, she said this should be done
through the correct procedure as prescribed by the law. She therefore
accordingly sentenced each to one month imprison and upon completion of their jail
term, be deported back to Senegal. She further stated that it is the opinion
of the court that whatever is done should be in accordance with the law; that
they should not risk their lives and resources for greener pastures, which
could result to drowning in the high seas. She stated that the court has taken
the judicial stand that Gambia is becoming an illegal transit point for many
Africans, especially the Senegalese.
She finally said that they cannot be left scot-free but that the punishment
will be a deterrent for others who may want to follow suit.
The alleged Canoe owners, Musa Faal and 3 others, are to appear in court
tomorrow to face the charge of conveying persons by water for hire in unsafe or
over loaded vessel, contrary to section 225 of the Criminal Code.
AZIZ TAMBA’S COLLEAGUE’S GRANTED BAIL
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Famara Colley and Mustapha Bojang, who were standing trial at the Kanifing
Magistrate Court alongside Aziz Tamba, were on Monday 26th February 2007,
granted bail by Magistrate Pa Harry Jammeh.
The duo, were said to have been in detention since January 2007. Magistrate
Jammeh ruled that the two, Famara Colley and Mustapha Bojang were granted
bail under the condition to provide two Gambian sureties with landed properties
within the Greater Banjul Area. He told Aziz, “as for you, there is nothing I
can do for you, because you are already a convict, but for the others they
can be bailed if they can fulfill the bail conditions.” It could be recalled
that, Aziz Tamba, the former APRC assistant youth mobiliser has been convicted
by a different court and is serving eleven (11) years of imprisonment. He is
currently standing trial alongside Famara Colley and Mustapha Bojang for
jointly stealing D19, 589,779.34 as employees of the Kanilai Family Farm between
2005-2006. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
SENEGALESE OFFICERS WANT LEGAL REPRESENTATION
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Five Senegalese customs officers, who were standing trial at Kanifing
Magistrate Court for alleged possession of fire arms in The Gambia without
authority has on Monday 26th February 2006 appealed to their embassy to help and
provide them with a counsel to defend their case as they are yet to have a
representation at court.
Speaking on their behalf, Alieu Cham told Magistrate Jammeh to help
facilitate the accused to have access to their embassy so that they can solicit for a
lawyer. Magistrate Jammeh told them that he was not in a position to do that
for them but their embassy should know about them, since their case was
being covered by the press. He told them, “at the last sitting, some of your
colleagues came to the court, and I think there was one who is from your embassy.”
He asked them whether they were not visited by their embassy officials at
their detention centre. They replied that they were only visited once when
they were at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) by officials of the embassy.
Two of the accused persons also complained of pain they have been
experiencing. Magistrate Jammeh promised them that he will order the Director of
Prisons to provide them with a medical doctor for a check up. Alieu Cham, Sering
Ngum, Pap Drammeh, Saidou Cham and Pap Jobe all Senegalese customs officers
were caught in The Gambian territorial waters by The Gambia Navy officers
leading to their arrest.
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