Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 73/2006, 4-5 September, 2006
Editorial
Impunity! Impunity! Impunity!
When Will It End?
Arrests and detention without trial are now a common phenomenon in this
country. People are arrested and kept for days, weeks or even months before they
are released. Hardly are charges proferred against them. They are quite often
simply arrested, detained and released. Most of such detainees are held at
the NIA headquarters or at Mile II Prisons.
The constitution requires that an arrested person held in detention be taken
to court within 72 hours or be released with or without condition. The facts
are to the contrary. Duta Kamaso, a former MP, has been held in the custody
of the NIA for more than three months now, Sergeant Buba E.B Jammeh of the
state guard, for more than three months, Malick Mboob a media practitioner for
more than two months, Mr. Ndondi Njie, former IEC Chairman for more than
three weeks and Buba Sanyang a NADD supporter who had filled 17 nomination forms
for more than one week. The whereabouts of Chief Manneh of the Daily Observer
is not known thought it is believed that he is kept at Mile 2 Prisons. Other
arrestees include Nuru Secka, Buba Manneh and Sergeant Buba Mendy.
The list goes on and on. What the regime hopes to gain by detaining persons
in gross violation of the constitution when elections are just round the
corner is difficult to understand. Such detention without trial can be easily
seen as a means of silencing or demobilizing opponents of the regime.
Needless to say, Section 24 of the constitution makes it abundantly clear
that every arrested person must be presumed innocent until he/she is proven or
pleads guilty. Thus these detainees, unless they are released, will be denied
their right to vote contrary to Section 26 of the constitution which is a
fundamental right.
International observers should take note of this since it infringes on the
freeness and fairness of elections.
OJ Clarifies
By Abdoulie G. Gibba
Omar Amadou Jallow (alias O J), has given a vivid picture of why he was
absent during the nomination of Halifa Sallah as the presidential candidate for
the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD).
Jallow’s statement came on the heels of speculation that he has abandoned
NADD. He said he was stricken by illness and was hospitalized. Jallow pointed
out that he still supports Halifa Sallah as the candidate of NADD. OJ made
these statements on Friday 1st September at his residence in Pipeline during an
interview with this reporter. OJ indicated that NADD is a unifying factor and
has the solution to the ills created by the APRC during its twelve years of
misrule. He pointed out that in the Memorandum of Understanding establishing
NADD which he is a signatory, it is stipulated that NADD would put in place
constitutional and legal instruments as well as democratic institutions and
practices covering all areas of state administration and management so as to
put an end to self perpetuating rule which is the characteristic of the APRC
rule. OJ said NADD is committed to create an economic environment that will
ensure the development of the productive base of the economy and maximize
economic growth, employment and general welfare of the youth and women.
This OJ said, is necessary to put an end to the suffering of the Gambian
people. He asserted that the interview Halifa granted to the journalists after
the nomination showed the supremacy of the NADD candidate over the two
candidates. OJ pointed out that the interview showed that Halifa Sallah possesses
all the qualities of the type of leader the Gambia needs under these
circumstances.
He finally called on all Gambians at home and abroad regardless of tribe,
religion, political affiliation or place of origin to give their total support
to Halifa Sallah the NADD presidential candidate.
NAWEC Officials Arraigned In Court
BAIL APPLICATION DENIED
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Abdoulie Jobe, executive director of the National Water and Electricity
Company (NAWEC), alongside Tijan Bahoum, the company’s distribution manager, were
on Friday arraigned before the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on two counts of
the Economic Crimes, contrary to section 5 (f) of the Economic Crime Degree of
1994, Decree Number 16 and punishable under section 6.
According to the particulars of offence on count one, Abdoulie Jobe and
Tijan Bahoum as directors of NAWEC, between the months of January and August
2006, in a manner detrimental to the economy or welfare of the people of the
Gambia, intentionally failed or omitted to install and connect to the national
grid, two new caterpillar power generators acquired from the USA.
Count two states that Merssr Jobe and Bahoum, as directors of NAWEC, by
willful act or omission, disrupted electricity power supply to the Banjul and
Kanifing Municipal Council area in a manner detrimental to the economy of the
Gambia and to the welfare of the people of the Gambia.
Both accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges. They applied for
bail and complained that they have no access to their lawyers since their
arrest on Saturday, 26th of August 2006. The police prosecutor objected to
their bail application, noting that their release may interfere or affect the
ongoing investigations.
Presiding magistrate I.I. Mboto ruled that the court cannot grant them bail
because investigations are not completed. She said that the prosecutor should
expedite the investigations so that the accused persons can be granted bail.
The magistrate also said that the accused should have access to their
lawyers and families.
The trial is adjourned to 14th September 2006, for hearing.
MAL-ADMINSTRATION AT THE GPTC
By Abdou Yanka
Gambia Public Transport Corporation’s managing director has accused by his
staff of unfair treatment. According to the staff, the managing director who
is on an eight-day leave, paid himself his four years leave arrears even
though GPTC has abolished payment of leave arrears since many years ago.
“The MD took eight days leave and came back to join the APRC campaign team.
He is alledged to have bought 600metres of the APRC ashobi at the cost of
D25, 000 and that fifty-three female staff were each given six meters and one
hundred dalasis for sewing, while the male staffs were given 3 meters and a
hundred dalasis for sewing. Also the staffs were forced to put on the “ashobi”
and attend the APRC nomination last week,” said an aggrieved staff.
The money spent on the APRC ashobi is said to have come from the funds
generated from the buses plying the Banjul-Dakar route. The staff alleged that
all this was done by the management while the staff’s salaries are not yet paid.
In another development, the GPTC MD is alleged to have put up a proposal to
sell the GPTC’s turning point at Bakoteh, behind the Elf petrol station,
where the present car park is located. The said proposal is said to have been
approved by the GPTC board members and is now waiting for interested buyers.
The MD, who is on leave, has handed over responsibilities to Mr. Kebba Demba
as the acting managing director.
When contacted, Mr. Kebba Demba told our reporter that he cannot comment on
the issue since his boss who was with him at the time has asked him not to
speak to the press.
NEW MUNYAGEN ALKALO SPEAKS
The newly appointed Alkalo of Manyagen asserted that as the appointed Alkalo
of the village, he is calling on all residents of Manyagen to be law biding
and to be paying their rates and taxes on time. Waka Jobe, the newly
appointed Alkalo of Manyagen made these remarks in an interview with this reporter at
his home town in Manyagen. Regarding the crisis prior to his appointment,
Waka told this reporter that the crisis is now resolved, adding that it was as
a result of denying the people their birthright, by giving it to another
person. Waka asserted that his appointment letter came together with the letter
of termination of the acting Alkalo, Tamsir Ngum Jassey. “Now that an Alkalo
is appointed, taking into consideration the traditional line of inheritance,
we should all come together and work for the interest of the Village,” said
Waka. Waka asserted that he harbors no ill feeling against anyone, be it the
chief of the district, Jim Fatma Jobe, Tamsir Ngum Jassey or any other resident
of the Village. Waka promised that he would preside over the affairs of
Manyagen in consultation with the residents of Manyagen, the Chief, as well as
the Governor of the division.
Readers would recall that at one time after the death of the former Alkalo,
Alhaji Lamin Jobe, an Alkaloship crisis developed at the village as published
by Foroyaa. However, the crisis deepened when the chief of the area
appointed acting Alkalo, outside the family of the Late Alkalo who are said to be
original settlers of the village. The crisis was finally resolved when the
Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands appointed Waka Jobe, the eldest
son of the late Alkalo as the newly appointed Alkalo of Manyagen. Attempts to
reach the chief and the ex-acting Alkalo proved futile as this reporter was
informed that the chief was in Banjul.
CUSTOMERS IN KERR KATIM OWE GAMTEL D 42, 000
Responding to a question raised by the National Assembly Member for Niamina
West, Hon. Ahmat S Sallah, the Secretary of State for Local Government and
Lands, Ismaila Sambou, deputizing for the Secretary of State for Communications,
Information Technology, indicated that out of the 20 lines credit in Kerr
Katim, only fourteen (14) were taken up by customers in the village, and the
remaining six are yet to be taken by customers. SoS Sambou said that only one
line is working, two have been faulty for about two weeks, and ten are
currently disconnected for the non-payment of bills. Even though Gamtel heavily
subsidizes rural telecommunications deployment, the institution still expects
beneficiaries to contribute to the maintence of these networks. As of now,
SoS Sambou said, only three customers owe Gamtel less than D300 (three hundred
dalasis). The rest, he said, owe Gamtel more than D42, 600 00 (forty-two
thousand six hundred dalasis) including a telecentre that owes more than D10,
00.00 (ten thousand dalasis).
SECURITY SERVICES DENY ALLEGATIONS OF IMPARTIALITY
Bubacarr K. Sowe & Yaya Dampha
Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defense Staff has denied allegations
that the armed and security services are impartial in the discharge of their
duties.
Colonel Tamba made this denial on Wednesday at a press conference jointly
organized by the police, army and the intelligence services at the Police
headquarters in Banjul. “We have noted with grave concern, allegations in some
quarters accusing the Armed and Security Services of impartiality in the
discharge of our national security duties,” Tamba said. “These allegations are
unfounded and baseless, unfortunately however, the allegations come at a time
when the security services are doing everything possible to ensure a violence
free election campaign.”
Col Tamba said that these allegations are calculated to thwart public
attention from the main issues, and to promote discord between the armed and
security services and the public.
He said: “Our position is very clear; national security is paramount and we
shall never compromise it. I would therefore urge those who are bent on this
practice to desist from it or face the consequences.”
On the detention of Buba Sanyang, a militant of the National Alliance for
Democracy and Development (NADD), the NIA Director General, Harry Sambou said
that they are mandated to look into any crime in the country.
“The NIA is mandated by Decree 45 to look into any crime in this country,
especially security related matters. And for that matter, anybody who comes to
the attention of the NIA will ofcourse, under due course of law be invited.
We do not have any personal bone to pick with anybody,” Mr. Sambou remarked.
Ousman Sonko, Inspector General of Police declared that the security
services are well prepared to avert any conflict that may arise during the elections
period.
IEC REQUESTS FOR MORE FUNDING
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Mustapha Carayol, the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission has
appealed to the donor community to come up with the funding balance of one
million dollars, for the presidential, parliamentary and local government
elections.
Mr. Carayol made this announcement at a news conference on Wednesday, 30th
August 2006, at the IEC office along Kairaba Avenue.
“Prior to the electoral cycle, the IEC, through the Gambia government,
sought for assistance,” he said.
He further said that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is
coordinating the basket fund set up by the donors with a total package of $1.5
million, managed by the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the UNDP.
“There is a shortfall of almost $1 million. The commission is calling upon
the donor community to come up with the balance. The government of the Gambia
has also committed itself to providing funds for the IEC of 120 million
dalasis,” he said, adding: “This is for the period from 2005 to 2008, when we
would have finished with all the elections, infrastructural development and
capacity building.” The funds are provided in a quarterly allocation, based on
activities, according to Carayol.
BOTH COMPLAINANT AND ACCUSED CHARGED
By Modou Jonga
Abdoulie Bojang, a 25-year-old Gambian residing in Lamin village, pleaded
guilty to unlawful assault. He was charged with assaulting one Ahmed Jallow (the
complainant) with scissors on his ribs, thereby causing grievous bodily harm
to him.
According to the charge sheet on the 18th June 2006, at Lamin village both
the complainant and the accused are neighbours and there is no erected fence
between their compounds. The assault happened when the complainant held
torchlight and shed the beam of the torch to the accused person’s compound to
which, the accused reacted and as a result quarrel erupted between the complainant
and accuse and eventually a fight ensued between the duos. The accused
person had a scissors in his possession at the time.
After the assault, according to the particulars, the matter was later
reported to Yundum Police Station, henceforth, the accused was arrested, cautioned
and charged while the complainant was taken to Banjulunding Health Centre and
was referred to the RVTH where he was treated, issued with medical
certificate and discharged.
The medical certificate of the complainant was tendered in court by the
prosecutor 413 Sanyang and marked as exhibit despite the objection from the
accused person. The accused was convicted and discharged by the presiding
Magistrate E.F. Mbai who ordered him to pay a fine of D5000 (five thousand dalasis)
in default he will serve 18 months in prison and a further fine of D1000 (one
thousand dalasis) as compensation to the complainant in default he will serve
6 months in prison consecutively.
Meanwhile, in the same courtroom, the complainant, Ahmed Jallow also
residing in Lamin village was arraigned and charged with assaulting the accused
person Abdoulie Bojang on 18th June with a stick in the eye, thereby causing
bodily harm. The complainant however pleaded not guilty to the preferred assault
charge against him, but he was granted bail in the sum of D5000 (five
thousand) with a Gambian surety and an ID card.
DETAINED MALIAN ACQUITTED AND DISCHARGED
The criminal trial of a Malian doctor, which was set for judgment, proceeded
at Basse Magistrates’ Court on 24 August 2006. In delivering his Judgment,
the presiding magistrate, Mr. Tony Baldeh, said the following: “The accused
Dr. Amadou Traore was charged with the offence of being in possession of fire
arms without a valid license contrary to Regulation 43 (1) of the Arms &
Ammunition Act”. He pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution called 2 witnesses to proof their case. The first
prosecution witness was Pa Jibril Nyang, a police officer attached to Bakadaji Police
Station, who told the court that he recalled on the 13th November 2004 when he
was at Sare Bojo Lumo. While there, he, together with one fire service
officer, went on patrol on board a police vehicle with registration number GPF4.
He said they went to Busura, a village not far from Sare Bojo where they saw
four men resting under a tree. According to PWL, he and Samba Sabally walked
towards the four men and demanded for their ID cards, which they could not
produce. He said that was the time he asked the four men to put on their
bicycles on board the vehicle to be taken to Bakadaji Police Station. However, while
the vehicle was in motion, the four men jumped out of the vehicle and ran
away leaving their bicycles and their bags on board the vehicle. PWL said he
stopped the vehicle and they conducted a search on their belongings and saw an
AK47 rifle, 30 bullets and a crew-bar. He said he also found in the bag an
original Senegalese ID card and photocopy picture. He said he was sometime
later called to Basse Police Station for identification parade where he was able
to identify the accused as the one whose photocopied picture was retrieved
from the bag. PW2 was Samba Sabally a fire officer attached to Basse fire
Station who told the court that he did not know the accused in person but he knew
Pa Jibril Nyang, the PW1. He said on that particular day he met up with PW1
at Sare Mansong village checkpoint. He said PW1 told him that he had
information that there are four suspected thieves at Busura village. He said without
any hesitation he joined PW1 and they drove to Busura inorder to arrest the
four suspects. According to PW2, on arrival they found the suspects resting
under a tree and demanded their ID cards. But according to PW2 only one of them
was able to produce an ID card. He said the suspects were later arrested and
placed on board a police vehicle GPF4 and they drove off to Bakadaji Police.
In this evidence PW2 said on the way to Bakadji, the four men jumped out of
the vehicle and ran away. He said they chased them but could not catch them.
He said they were able to recover from the suspects an AK47 rifle with 30
bullets, 4 pedal bicycles, crew-bar and a national ID card belonging to one
Malian bearing the name Krubally. In his defense, the accused, Dr. Amadou Traore,
told this court that on 7th December 2004, he received a telephone call from
Wellingara gendarmerie that he, Dr. Traore, should report there because he
was wanted by some police officers. He said he appealed to them to give him 10
to 15 days as he was at the time having some people for treatment and his
request was granted. On the 22nd December 2004 he reported himself at the
Wellingara gendarmerie. He said the gendarmes informed him that the police in Basse
brought a Senegalese ID card with his address on it. According to Dr. Traore
he asked the commander as to what the problem was all about. He said the
commander said he did not know anything, but everything would be cleared at
Basse Police Station. He said on arrival at Basse, one of the senior police
officers asked his juniors to take him to a particular house. He said he asked for
what reason and the senior police officer gave him a sharp slap and he was
forcefully taken to the said house, stripped naked and was severely beaten up.
He said he was later asked about the rebels in The Gambia to which he said he
knows nothing about. Dr. Traore said at the time he was having two million
five hundred and thirty-five CFA on him, a Nokia mobile phone which were taken
by the said senior police officers. He also alleged that he was seriously
tortured.
The court said: “After a careful study of the evidences of both the
prosecution and defense, the court finds the evidence of the two prosecution
witnesses very interesting. It could be recalled that both Nyang and Samba Sabally
PW1 and 2 made it very clear that, on that day they don’t know the accused nor
can they identify the accused among the four suspects who ran away. PW2
Sabally said the accuser’s Malian ID card was left behind and this is why he was
arrested. During cross examination the accused put it to the second
prosecution witness that the document found was an address and not an ID card. It could
also be recalled that in his defense Dr. Traore said as a doctor he gives
out his complimentary cards to many people within the ECOWAS member states.
However, this court believes that the accused is not a criminal. Because
firstly, the accused could have run away out of Senegal when he was called by the
Welligara gendarmeries; secondly, he was given 15 days to report himself and;
thirdly it could be recalled that in his defense, the accused told this court
that sometime after his handing over to The Gambian authorities, the
Senegalese authorities came to Basse and informed the police at Basse that he, the
accused was innocent. And again he told this court that the CID Officer Dumbuya
did advise the police commissioner that he should not be charged in the
first place. The court strongly believes in the stories because the prosecution
did not refute these claims in his cross-examination concerning the document
found; it is not an ID Card but a complimentary card or address. The court
found the evidence of the prosecution to link the accused to the weapon found and
crime committed as very weak for the fact that the accused has denied the
alleged offense from day one despite the torture inflicted on him.”
In his ruling the presiding magistrate, Tony Baldeh, highlighted that based
on the totality of the evidence presented before the court, there is every
indication that the prosecution has failed to proof their case beyond all
reasonable doubt. He therefore acquitted and discharged the accused, Dr. Amadou
Traore; and urged the confiscation of the AK47 machine gun with 30 bullets and
the crew bar to the state.
It could be recalled that Dr. Amadou Traore was arrested and detained since
on the 22nd December 2004, for alleged in possession of firearms, without a
valid license contrary to regulation 43(1) of the Arms and Ammunition act.
IMPERSONATORS’ BAIL REVOKED
Modou Jonga
The Brikama Magistrates’ Court on Thursday revoked the bail that was granted
to six alleged impersonators.
The alleged impersonators were granted bail on 17th August 2006, but the
court revoked its decision following the absence of one of the alleged
impersonators, Lamin Jatta.
The alleged impersonators are charged with posing as CID and health officers
with intent to defraud, thereby obtaining goods from shops at the Brikama
Market by false pretence. A handcuff and an identity card were said to be in
their possession. The prosecutor is Asp Tijan Badjie.
Magistrate Mbye of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court has revoked the bail he
granted to six alleged impersonators.
“TRADE UNIONS AND POLITICS”
BY PA MODOU K.B. FAAL EXECUTIVE SECRETARY GENERAL GWC
Trade Unions and Politics as foreseen by The Gambia Workers Confederation
What is the appropriate political role of TRADE UNIONS in promoting
Democracy and in achieving Social Transformation along Democratic lines?
What I wish to contribute here is the thinking of the Democratic
Organization of African Workers Trade Union (DOAWTU) as a Region of The World
Confederation of Labor of which The Gambia Workers’ Confederation is an affiliate, and
along these lines in order to help illuminate their way in Gambia’s quest for
appropriate solutions.
Perhaps the uniqueness of The GWC/DOAWTU as a Trade Union Organization rests
not only in its character as a Mass and Democratic Workers’ Organization,
but more so in its assertions of Trade Union Independence and Autonomy and its
practice of Workers’ solidarity as the basis for its-self-determined mission
to help Transform Gambian-African Society into a Democratic and Progressive
one.
As we continue to mould our Trade Union Character and carry out our mission
in society, we in the GWC/DOAWTU are at the same time engaged in the process
of Transforming ourselves in a Trade Union-Social Movement: a Trade Union
Movement moving beyond the narrow confines of Collective-Bargaining:
A Trade Union Movement linked in solidarity with other sectors and groups,
entering into a dialogue with them in the search for concrete solutions to
common day-to-day problems; a Trade Union Movement whose every day actions add
to the building blocks of a continuing Social Transformation towards a
Democratic Society of Peace, Justice, Progress and Prosperity.
Our actions to transform ourselves as a Trade Union Movement require our
Political Involvement in struggles to widen Democratic Space in our Nations and
Continent as much as these struggles are premised on our Mission to build a
better society for ourselves. For indeed, the process of our own Trade Union
renewal and our Commitment to Social Transformation require crystallizing the
Political dimensions of our Role as a Trade Union Social Movement.
In fact, the GWC/DOAWTU has defined its political Role. Our “Declaration of
Organizational WILL and INTENT,” laid down these Roles as:
• CRITIQUE of the concepts, values and principles that Rationalize and
define Policy at all levels
• CREATOR and PROPONENT of policy alternatives and options more Expressive
of Human Dignity and Freedom
• ORGANIZER of a countervailing force to balance the mal-distribution of
Power at various levels
• EDUCATOR of Workers in their Civic, Political, Trade Union and Human
Rights
• DEFENDER AND INVIGILATOR of Human Rights, of a free and Independent
Unionism, and of International covenants, Standards and other such instruments
that Protect Workers “DIGNITY AND FREEDOM”
We neither claim that these roles are so all encompassing that these need no
other refinement nor that we have become so dogmatic that we do not admit to
contrary views.
The validity of our Policies in Labor Movement not exempting those that
delimit the political dimensions of our Trade Union Movement, must be continually
tested and assessed at national and regional levels, and correspondingly
adjusted to extent realities and the requirements of our actions.
It is why the standard reflections of our political role in our own National
context is as necessary as ever.
THE EXPERIENCES and reflections of our affiliates in other countries on the
same theme may also shed light to the current discussions in The Gambia,
Interesting debate have issued on those Resolutions;
Whether or not Trade Unions should out rightly and Openly Support a
POLITICAL PARTY or a COALITION OF PARTIES Vying for State Power, especially so, if
the platform of that Party or Coalition is similar to that of the Trade Union.
- Whether or not Trade Unions should form their own political party and
through that Party ascend to Government Power and from that Vantage point
implement their own programme and Vision of Society.
- Whether or not prominent Leaders of Trade Unions should aspire for
Elective National Office, Either on their own or involving their Trade Unions in
supporting their candidacies.
We must say, at the outset that the debate is still on going and to-date,
our impression is that the issues — and there are many as they are complicated —
have not yet been laid to rest.
Neither is the debate merely academic. The issues are constantly debated
upon by active and militant Trade Unions who have taken sides as well as those
still determining their proper and appropriate Political roles, and between
both.
We THINK that one must go through the same process, a process of reflecting
while in the thick of the Fight, making our Reflections guide ones actions
and analyzing the results of ones actions in-order to refine ones’ reflections.
And in so doing, one must consider some fundamental principle whose validity
have repeatedly been tested and found effective.
The PRIME of these PRINCIPLES is TRADE UNION INDEPENDENCE AND AUTONOMY.
Unions are, by nature, political organisations. They contest for power at the
same time that they serve to check and balance other power centres and forces in
society. Their primary purpose is to defend and promote the social and
economic Interest of Workers in Society. Their everyday function, however, over
laps with the political field, as the full realization of the Unions’ aim and
purpose depends to a great extent on their political arrangement of society.
The Vocation of unions is not to ascend to government; this is properly the
function of political parties.
The principles of Trade Union Independence and Autonomy assert that under
any
political arrangement it must be possible that Unions may choose to support
political parties and their programmes or government and its policies or to
- Withdraw their support when they think it is no longer in their
interest to do so.
The principles have been tested by time. In many circumstances especially in
developing countries where democratic tradition has not yet taken root and
democratic institution have not been fully developed, the Partisan
involvement of
unions, especially, in political combat has often led to the subversion of
their
Independence and autonomy, converting them into Labour arms of political
parties or transmission belts of government politics.
Further, the precepts of Democracy, particularly those referring to the rule
of the majority, governance by persuasion and deliberation, checks and
balances, require the existence of independent competing and several power
centres in order for Democracy to be effectively exercised and for it to become
dynamic.
Unions are one of the independent power centres which must check and balance
other power centres so that Democracy will work in the interest of all, if
their independence and autonomy are hobbled by Law or by their own actions,
they will be less effective in promoting and defending Democracy, under which
Environment they drive their strength, sustenance and growth.
A SECOND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE IS SOLIDARITY
The building of a better society calls for concerted effort of all peoples
and of all Social Sectors to bring this about.
Isolated from other Sectors, Union have the tendency to, and infact they
often, become, Sectional in their demands and actions. They defend and promote
their vested interest exclusively and apart from other Sectors.
This kind of Unionism promotes divergence rather than Convergence,
polarization and Fragmentation rather than Unity; Conflict rather than Cooperation;
all of which contribute to the disintegration of the social fabric.
One example should suffice to illustrate this point:
WAGES. Traditional trade Unions consider increased wages as the panacea for
all workers’ ills.
The reality of Social life is, however, more complex such that the level of
wages is determined by, as well as having its impact on, IN VESTMENT,
EMPLOYMENT, INFLATION, FOREIGH INDEBTEDNESS, BUDGET DEFICITS, and a host of other
macro-economic valuables. The level of wages cannot be resolved apart from
these other considerations, and thus the need for inter-sectorial dialogue and
compromises.
While Trade Union Independence is a right, its corresponding responsibility
is solidarity. We have affirmed in our documents that solidarity is “SHARING
what one is and what one has”. Let us live by this affirmation, we can do no
less.
The concept and practice of SOLIDARITY is especially effective in empowering
the marginalized sectors of society.
It is proving to be an ever better alternative to partisan political combat
which
often has destructive and dimisive results, in that a solidarity that
empowers the
marginalized, can become the very basis of social cooperation in later
efforts to
reconstruct Society or attain more progress and prosperity.
THESE TWO PRINCIPLES have been the basis for our Trade Union Action since
our birth.
Our concept of Trade Unionism has in fact been refined by our practice of
Independence, Autonomy and Solidarity. In the process it has happened, that the
more we assert these principles, the more we realize the need for widening
the political dimensions of our Trade Union Action.
In the course of our history, we have turned away from acting as a reactive
Trade Union to a more purposive one.
Not only are we engaged in the struggle to defend and promote our own
interest in society. We are likewise preparing and have in fact begun to convert
ourselves as a Trade Union — Social Movement with a mission to transform our
societies into better places to live in for ourselves, for our families and for
other peoples as well.
FOR IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, as we enter into dialogue with other sectors and
with fellow workers of variant persuasions, we must continue to develop,
refine and advocate our own Political, Economic, Social, and Trade Union Agenda,
on which basis we will cooperate with others to recast society in the mould
of our common dreams and aspirations.
This is what we mean when we assert our independence and autonomy and act in
solidarity with other sectors of society who are in the same situation as we
are.
MUNICIPAL GUARDS ACCUSED OF SEIZING VOTERS’ CARDS
Fabakary B. Ceesay
The security service of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) were on
Thursday, 31st August 2006, alleged to have been asking vendors in the Serrekunda
market to handover their voters’ cards to them. An eye witness to this alleged
malpractice informed Foroyaa that the KMC police were going round the market
and asking people, mostly women, to handover their voters’ cards. According
to sources, they were told that their cards will be returned to them shortly
before the elections. Sources added that the vendors were told that opposition
elements were on the campaign to collect voters’ cards from people and even
asking children to steal their parent’s voters’ cards so that they will not
vote for Jammeh. However, when this reporter visited the market, he
discovered from women vendors that the KMC police were on the ground asking them to
give them their voters’ cards for safekeeping. A woman, who claimed to be from
Sukuta, said that she was approached by two KMC officers who demanded to see
her voter’s card. According to her, she told them that she did not come with
her card. She was advised by the officers to bring it the following day. “I
don’t know why they asked me to bring my voter’s card. If it is for safety
reasons, I can keep it in my house!” She said. A vegetable seller at the former
garage pointed out that, she will never give her card to anybody; that
because she heard on the radio that the IEC is warning people not to give or sell
their cards to anybody. An old woman in her 60s said she had promised to bring
her voters’ card the following day. She told this reporter that the KMC
police are the authority in the market and that she feels unsecured by failing to
bring her card to them. Another woman noted that she had seen three women
handing out their voter’s cards to the KMC police. This reporter visited the
municipal office in the market, but found the office almost empty. Only two
officers were present in the office. When this reporter contacted the KMC
spokesperson, PRO Kalifa Sanyang to confirm the credibility of the allegation, he
told the reporter to meet him at his office the following day, Friday.
Unfortunately, this reporter spent two hours at the KMC premises but the KMC PRO was
no where to be found.
APRC SUPPORTER IN COURT
By Modou Jonga
Alimamo Gibba, a supporter and resident of Pirang village, in the Western
Division was on Thursday 31st August 2006, arraigned before the Brikama
Magistrates’ Court. He is charged for assaulting one Oli Touray.
According to the particulars of assault, on the 15th May 2006, the
complainant (Oley Touray) while in the compound of Lamin R. Darboe was hit by a stone
allegedly thrown by the accused person, Alimamo Gibba, thereby injuring the
complaint. A medical report was tended in court and marked as exhibit,
despite objection by the accused person. In his narration, the complaint said,
after she was hit by a stone, she suddenly saw a vehicle from which the accused
person disembarked from. She said the matter was then reported to the police.
Testifying as the first prosecution witness Lamin R. Darboe, The UDP
candidate in the Kombo East by-election, said he was at home on the morning of
Monday 15th May 2006, after the by-election result were declared. He said while in
his compound a double-cabin vehicle parked at his gate. He said in it were
youths armed with stones playing a musical set. The youths, according to Mr.
Darboe, were jubilating 5 metres away from his gate.
Testifying further, Mr. Darboe said he saw the accused person, Alimamo
Gibba, on board the same vehicle and they (the youths in the vehicle) started
insulting them and his supporters wanted to confront them but he asked them to
calm down. He said Oli Touray was hit by a stone from the accused person and as
result she was injured on her forehead. Mr. Darboe said later he called the
police to come and keep the peace. He said the police came and they were
taken to the Mandinaba Police Station where a statement was given by the
complainant.
RSF ON GAMBIAN JOURNALISM
Lack of press freedom and access to information means “free and fair”
presidential election is impossible
As the campaign for the 22 September presidential election got under way in
The Gambia, Reporters Without Borders said repeated attacks on the press and
free expression meant the polling would be neither free nor fair.
“On the one hand, you have journalists with their hands tied because they
fear the intelligence services,” the organisation said. “On the other, you
have a government that controls the public media and cracks down hard on the
independent media, despite the laws and treaties it has signed. This is why we
already know these elections will not be fair.”
Reporters Without Borders added: “There is no need to cite the persecution
of opposition party members. The situation of press freedom and public access
to information is so catastrophic that it alone suffices to disqualify these
elections. There is no way the international community will be able to say
that the 22 September elections were democratic.”
Gambia’s privately-owned media have been hit hard during President Yahya
Jammeh’s two terms and are now in the grip of fear. Death threats, surveillance,
nighttime arrests, arbitrary detention and mistreatment constitute the daily
lot of journalists who do not sing the government’s praises.
Any journalists or their relatives who dare to complain about this situation
to international organisations find themselves the target of intimidation by
the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). Under these circumstances, more and
more Gambian journalists are going into exile.
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