Demba Kunda Residents Take GRTS to Task



The Independent (Banjul)

August 20, 2001
Posted to the web August 20, 2001

Banjul, the Gambia

The residents of Demba Kunda, a village in the Upper River Division have
reacted to reports broadcast by Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS)
Radio suggesting that 210 UDP supporters from the village recently defected
to the ruling APRC.

Representatives of the villagers, who approached The Independent, described
the report as unfounded and based on political propaganda, without any "iota
of truth". They explained that since the alleged defection of the UDP
militants and supporters was announced by the GRTS radio station in Basse in
the beginning of this month, they confronted the station's personnel and
told them to make a rectification of the story as it was "totally baseless
and unjustifiable."

The Demba Kunda residents said some of the GRTS personnel later told them
that due to the fact that it was a state institution, they were "afraid to
carry any rejoinder."

They remarked that they later felt it was quite unfair to them as nobody
believed the story or announcement, and therefore they found it appropriate
that their concern is taken to the private press for clarification. They
reaffirmed their loyalty to the UDP whatever comes, they will ever remain in
support of the party despite such propaganda campaign against it. They also
predicted that the UDP would sweep the polls in the area as they are
prepared to massively vote for the opposition. They claimed that they have
suffered enough and need to regain their "pride and dignity."

A senior GRTS staff, when contacted, noted that he could not do anything
about the issue as the announcement has already been made. He added that the
Demba Kunda residents also have a right to express their concern about the
issue and that as a matter of fact he could not do anything about it.

When contacted for comments regarding the claims, the UDP leader Lawyer
Ousainou Darboe, stressed that the "APRC is fond of such rubbish claims,"
and because the opposition do not have access to the state media they
continued to misinform the masses. Darboe also added, "they are liars so it
does not bother us at all."


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