UP TO 7 P.M. OUSAINOU DARBOE WAS STILL AT BASSE POLICE STATION
Reports reaching our office indicated that between 16 and 18 June 2000
tension built up as the UDP proceeded to hold meetings in various villages
in the Upper River Division.
The details of the crisis are still being put together. Our reporters are
sent to review all claims from source. However, part of the picture that we
are getting reveals the following information.
According to information received from UDP supporters, they moved to
Gambissara to hold a meeting only to be told that a vehicle had gone there
with four people to tell them that UDP would not hold a meeting there
because they did not have a permit; that when the UDP arrived, they did not
find any preparation for the meeting; that they informed the villagers that
the information was wrong; that they had a permit. They reportedly held
their meeting.
It was indicated that as they moved towards Numuyel they met the vehicle
they suspected to be carrying the people they accused of undermining their
meetings. They are reported to have asked the people in the vehicle why they
were following them everywhere and undermining their meetings; that the
exchanges led to confrontation.
According to APRC sources, the vehicle was going from village to village to
explain an assistance programme; that UDP transport caught up with their
vehicle between Numuyel and Gambissara, blocked their vehicle, interrogated
APRC supporters and attacked four of their supporters; that some ran into
the bush and the driver of the vehicle, Musa Krubally, was injured; that the
matter was reported at the police station without any arrest being made.
THE EVENTS OF 17 JUNE 2000
According to reports filed from Basse, the UDP claimed that after going
across the Chamoi Bridge towards Kulari, huge stones were found on the road;
that as they stopped to remove the huge stones, some people lying in armed
bush made an attack; that in the struggle the UDP advanced party arrested
four people who were taken to Basse Police Station and that one was declared
dead.
According to other sources, a very aggressive fight developed between the
UDP and APRC supporters leading to the death of Alieu Njie, the driver of
the APRC vehicle and the burning of the vehicle; that there were many
injuries from both sides. Some of the victims are said to have reported at
Basse Police Station.
DEVELOPMENTS ON 18 JUNE 2000
Information reached our office that the Youth Action Group of the APRC had
mobilised people to go to Basse. We further received information that the
UDP members who were on tour decided to ask for security escort to move from
Kulari to Basse when information reached them that their permit had been
revoked. Soldiers were sent to provide them escort to Basse. Up to 7 p.m.,
over 50 people were at the Basse Police Station waiting for armed escort to
Banjul.
In the mean time, Alieu Njie's body has been transferred to Banjul for
post-mortem. We are following the situation for further information.
Meanwhile, PDOIS has cancelled its trip to Wuli and Kantora to explain,
among other things, the state of the Wuli fund which was established through
deductions from Sidia Jatta's parliamentary income in order to be able to
monitor the crisis and contain all the negative repercussions.
PDOIS has announced that it will begin consultation with the spokespersons
of political parties, human rights organisations, the Independent Electoral
Commission to ensure that an environment exists conducive for free and fair
elections.
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