Some good observations from people on the ground. However, I was a bit
puzzled by your articulation of the students' demands ...
"They want to know whether live bullets were utilised which led to the death
of students. They want a fair and speedy trial in connection with Ebrima
Barry's case. They want a commission of enquiry to know what actually
happened."
.....I thought it was abundantly clear from eyewitness accounts that live
bullets were used. True, we need a proper forum to bring this out in the
open. But I would not stay neutral and give the perpetrators of these acts
benefit of the doubt. I think the main question is who was responsible for
giving out orders to shoot and kill school children..... Aren't people also
demanding to know what transpired between the Govt. negotiators and the
students ....lastly, to get the ball rolling, have people started taking up
the Attorney General on his promise and giving him names of people who can
serve as prosecutors when these criminals who shot and ordered the shooting
of our children are brought to trial.
>From: foroyaa <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: On The Way Forward (Attn. Hamjatta)
>Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 15:28:47 +0100
>
>Hamjatta,
>
>The points you raised in your memorandum of 16 April have been noted. Feel
>free to send me personal mails to raise any question for further
>clarification. This is a time to share. All views need to be taken on
>board.
>
>It is, however, necessary to explain certain things to you that may enable
>you to understand our position better.
>
>You would agree with me that in order to be the guardians of our own
>destiny, we must address the exigencies of the passing moment and the
>demands of the emerging future. We have a responsibility to address both
>demands. This is precisely the reason why we operate at both levels. We do
>take measures to address concerns that are of immediate consideration, and
>we do operate at the level of a political party aimed at ensuring the
>complete transformation of the society.
>
>The students demonstration was beyond partisan politics and it gave birth
>to
>a coalition of students who are moved and bound by their outrage for the
>killing of Ebrima Barry and the raping of Binta Manneh. The delay in the
>criminal justice system led them to take action in unison. In that respect,
>they put the criminal justice system on trial. Their lack of faith in the
>system is what compelled them to call for a demonstration in order to give
>sharp focus to the issue so that its negligence will be inconceivable. The
>students were, therefore, struggling for standards and values. They were
>willing to give their lives for those standards and values. They were
>determined to have a voice and be heard. They were determined to be seen.
>They were not willing to compromise their position. The authorities who
>were
>dealing with them did not realise how far the students were ready to ensure
>that they were not ignored.
>
>What we have been doing is simply to explain this reality.
>All Gambians now know that the right to peaceful demonstrate is a
>democratic
>right which should be respected. That failure to recognise such rights can
>lead to national upheaval. This national upheaval did take place as the
>authorities tried to restrict the demands of the students.
>
>Now, we are confronted with the demands arising from the catastrophe.
>Students are arrested and they need to be released. Some are tortured and
>they redress. Properties are destroyed and there is need for
>reconstruction.
>
>People have been demanding for a public enquiry. They want
>to know whether live bullets were utilised which led to the death of
>students. They want a fair and speedy trial in connection with Ebrima
>Barry's case. They want a commission of enquiry to know what actually
>happened. These are their demands.
>
>It is left to the government to ignore these demands or address them. It is
>not for us to indicate whether we are sure that this time anything would be
>different. It is for us to amplify the immediate demands of the people.
>Whether the response of the Attorney General is simply meant to be a mere
>bait to shift attentions from what is really wrong with the country and
>that
>the investigations would be half-hearted or not, is left to their practice.
>
>What is abundantly clear is that the will of the people has been asserted
>and a government ignores that will at its own peril; no government can
>ignore the people's concerns with impunity when the people are determined
>to
>matter.
>
>You have mentioned the strategic objective of not only demanding for
>justice
>in dealing with this particular incident, but to ensure a change of
>leadership. Of course you know that we also operate an opposition party in
>order to address
>the demands of the emerging future; that is the demand for total political
>change. As far as we are concerned, even if the demands of the passing
>moments are addressed, that does not negate the major demands of the people
>for economic prosperity and fullest empowerment.
>
>Hence, we are committed to amplifying the demands of the moment and giving
>suggestions regarding the means to address them, as well as the total
>transformation of the society.
>
>What we have been trying to do is to explain that this is not a law and
>order issue, opposition and ruling party; it is a struggle to expand the
>democratic space. It is a refusal to live the old way and a demand for a
>new
>way. No government, which is refuses to acknowledge this, can govern this
>country in peace. This is the fundamental lesson that should be gathered.
>
>Suffice it to say, it is the duty of the opposition parties to express
>these
>demands of the people clearly and offer them a political alternative. The
>party in office also has its prerogative to do whatever it desires to try
>to
>address the concerns of the people.
>
>What is important is for the standards required for addressing the
>grievances of the moment to be set and weigh practice against the
>standards.
>I hope our position is clear.
>
>As for the question of a coalition, this is a tactical instrument.
>Political
>parties, whether in Senegal or Gambia, can establish coalitions. That is
>also dictated by circumstances. Your suggestion is noted.
>
>Keep in touch.
>
>
>Greetings.
>
>Halifa Sallah.
>
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