EDITORIAL
THE ALLEGED WEEKEND KILLINGS IN THE GAMBIA A WORRISOME DEVELOPMENT -GOD SAVE
US FROM THE BORDER STAND OFF
September 15, 2005
The headline was "Two left dead, six others critically injured following
shooting incident in The Gambia." A very worrying news item. A Senegalese
prominent Newspaper, Lesoleil reported on Tuesday that the killings were
provoked by a demonstration calling for a reduction of ferry tariffs in The
Gambia. What's going on in tiny Gambia? Why these alleged killings and
maiming?

We at the ALLGAMBIAN are patriotic citizens of The Gambia and cannot afford
to censor such a breaking news item carried by a foreign Newspaper. We owe
it to The people of the impoverished Nation to inform them about what's
going in their country. Be it good, sad or bad news as they called it, we
must report it. The Senegalese shooting incident story, is in the public
interest and Gambia's public reserves the right to know the truth
surrounding such reports.

Knowing how paranoid President Jammeh and his government are, they will
frown at such news items. They will go all out to cite "National Security
matters" to prevent the local press from reporting or commenting on such
news items in their daily editorials. This is a disturbing news item, which
should be reported by any newspaper, which worth its salt.

We at the ALLGAMBIAN are demanding an independent and impartial
investigations into the alleged incident. Gambians want to know what's going
on in their country. This culture of killings should be stopped. We are not
"chickens" or animals to be slaughtered or gunned down by trigger happy
uniform men. This madness must be stopped.

We have said it time and time that the border impasse should be handled with
maturity and high sense of responsibility by both countries. The Gambia
stands to loose more economically if the crisis continues unabated. We must
start to accept such realities and move on. The current administration
should not deny anybody attempting or contemplating to organise a show down
action on this crisis. It is healthy to witness such demonstrations. It will
confirm to Senegal and the rest of the world that as Gambians, we do care
about the said month long border dispute.

Our relationship with Senegal, is not today. It is a long story, which
cannot be discussed in one editorial. We shared so many things in common.
You can hardly find a Gambian family who doesn't have Senegalese family ties
or connections -the same thing applies to Senegalese as well. Therefore, we
should be each others brother's keeper.

The mere fact that the Senegalese media, is reporting such an alleged
shooting incident goes to show that they really cared for The Gambia and her
people. We should read their story with an open mind and avoid making
erroneous insinuations or judgments. This is not the time we should shift
blames to our neighbours. This is not the time we should issue accusation
against our neighbours. We must accept the problem we are faced with and
find a lasting solution to the current crisis.

Knowing how responsible and principled the Senegalese media are, they will
not just run stories for the shake of "hear say." They are too matured and
responsible to indulge in such kind of journalism. We salute them for
nurturing and promoting free press on the African continent. Journalists
should report news without any fear.

The Lesoleil also reported that "The Gambian population in the following
towns that are bordering with Senegal -Bansang, Brikama, Soma, Basse, etc
had postponed their own side of the demonstration in observance of The
Zambia/Senegal football match, that took place on September 3, 2005. They
have promised to remain in solidarity with the demonstrators until all
tariffs are normalised." the paper intimated."

This is indeed a cause for concern. Yahya Jammeh and his government should
learn to be tolerant. Our constitution permits peaceful demonstrations and
who is Yahya to deprive Gambians for their constitutional guaranteed rights?
Look, lets take to the streets anytime we feel like doing. Our opposition,
civil society and human rights groups should break the silence. If Yahya is
not willing to tackle the border crisis with seriousness, we should show him
that we do care for the well-being of our country. This is the time for
patriotism. We must rescue The Gambia from such maladministration.

The Jammeh administration don't seem to care about the interest of Gambians.
Their failure to address the border crisis once and for all is a glaring
example of their non committal to peace. Peace cannot go in the absence of
reconciliation. One of the parties involved in the dispute must accept
responsibility. Sending delegations to Senegal on day to day bases will not
solve the problem. The bottom line here is that tariffs must go down before
any negotiations. As the situation appears, the Senegal/Gambia border crisis
remained unchanged. The Banjul delegation led by Musa Balla Gaye, returned
home without any definitive decision on the current stand off.

We at the ALLGAMBIAN are vindicated once again. Our readers will recalled
that we ran a news story, recently in which we reported that the border
stand off remained unresolved. We went as far as quoting the Senegalese
Foreign Affairs Minister Cheikh Tijan Gadio, who blamed the Gambian
authorities for "not respecting the regulations governing transportation and
the free movement of persons or goods between the two countries."

We want to inform all and sundry that The ALLGAMBIAN online Newspaper is
here to report the naked truth at all times. We don't care whose ass is
gutted, but we will continue to report the truth.

We will continue to keep Gambians posted about the border impasse. Our heart
bleeds for The Gambia. Few individuals are directing the state of affairs to
the detriment of our dear country. The Gambia deserves a better treatment.
We should normalise relationship with Senegal, without delay. God save The
Gambia.

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