Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 79/2006, 18-19 September, 2006
Editorial
THE DAY OF RECKONING
22 September 2006 is just round the corner. The series of battles for the
minds of the masses will soon come to an end. The owners of this country will
soon decide the fate of this country.
This is why it is clearly spelt out in section 1 (2) of the Constitution
that “The sovereignty of the Gambia resides in the people of The Gambia from
whom all organs of government derive their authority and in whose name and for
whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are to be exercised in
accordance with this constitution.”
One way of deriving authority from the people is through genuine and
periodic elections.
This is why section 26 of the constitution makes it a fundamental right for
every citizen to vote and stand for elections at genuine and periodic
elections.
Such a right may be exercised in many different ways. The unenlightened
citizen may vote on the basis of ethnic origin, nepotism, religion, regionalism
or any other sentiment. On the other hand the enlightened citizen votes on the
basis of selecting the best representative.
The interesting development in this year’s Presidential election campaign,
unlike the previous two, is that not much euphoria has developed from
sentiments. Rather the show of solidarity for all those who wish to make an informed
choice seems to be growing. Will the people vote on the basis of sentiments
or informed choice? We will know on Friday.
SECURITY AGENTS URGED TO KEEP AWAY FROM POLITICS
By Amie Sanneh
Ousainou Darboe has called on the country’s security agents to desist from
partaking in politics.
He made this call on Saturday at a rally held at Kudang. He said service men
and women are expected to put on the Gambian flag as badges and not the
colour of any political party.
He said the security agents have sworn to defend the country and abide by
the rule of law, stating that it is totally unacceptable for them to involve in
politics.
He added that they are not supposed to involve themselves in politics, but
they can vote for any party of their choice.
He said that they can only join politics when they discharge from the
service. Darboe also urged civil servants to act wisely in politics noting that
governments come and go but civil servants stay.
“NADD ACCEPTED COUNTRY WIDE,”
SAYS HALIFA
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Halifa Sallah, the flag bearer of the National Alliance for Democracy and
Development (NADD) has said that NADD has been accepted in all the regions, all
ethnic groups, and both men and women of the population, throughout the
country.
Honorable Sallah made these remarks in Brikama in an interview with
reporters, as he was welcomed by thousands of his party supporters, amid singing
drumming and dancing, following a successful tour of the country for ten (10)
days. Mr. Sallah indicated that NADD’s message was accepted by the youth and
women populations of the country, who intend to change the destiny of this
country for good. “There is no doubt that they constitute the majority of this
country,” Mr. Sallah said. He pointed out that NADD has a strong foundation and
a strong message for change. He noted that they have been telling the
electorate that NADD has a five-year programme and shall transform the country
democratically and establish democratic institutions that respect fundamental
rights and freedoms.
According to Mr. Sallah, they also informed the people that NADD’s programme
intends to create a foundation where the flag bearer will not stand for
another election after the five years. Halifa narrated that the real advantage
for the country with a NADD government is the constitution will be reformed to
empower the people and ensure legal reform by opening up the media for civic
education so that The Gambian people can really value their citizenship and
ensure financial discipline. “The people have accepted this foundation and we
believe that the country needs this programme,” he said.
The NADD flag bearer concluded that NADD has been accepted and received
everywhere and that people are cross-carpeting from Jammeh’s side to support
NADD. “We have a stronger foundation among the people than any other party in
this country at the moment,” Mr. Sallah concluded.
PRESS STATEMENT
BY OMAR JALLOW OF NADD
As we count down to the general election in a few days time, I like to first
of all reiterate my last press statement of Friday 1st September in which I
pledged my continuing and resolute support to the National Alliance for
Democracy and Development (NADD), its principles and its objectives. I continue to
subscribe to the rainson d’etre for the creation of NADD and I strongly
believe that it remains the only credible force in Gambia’s current political
landscape that can deliver our country from its present predicaments.
I also like to once again declare my unwavering support for the presidential
candidate for NADD, Hon. Halifa Sallah, the Chairman of the Alliance,
Landing Jallow Sonko and each and every member of his most able executive
committee, the Youth Militant Forum, the women’s wing of the Alliance and the entire
membership who have all worked tirelessly over the years to build a very
progressive modern organization.
Personally, I am very proud to be part of this very forward-looking
institution and I am truly honored to have contributed to its many successes so far.
NADD represents the future in Gambian politics and I urge every Gambian voter
to cast their vote in support of the National Alliance for Democracy and
Development (NADD), in the forthcoming presidential election; because a vote for
NADD is a vote for integrity, progressive leadership and genuine democratic
values.
I was elected to the executive committee of NADD at its inception and I
remain a member of the same executive committee. Unfortunately as some of you may
have learnt, I recently had to be admitted to the Westfield Clinic in The
Gambia following a rapid deterioration of my health. I was subsequently flown
to London on the advice of doctors who treated me at the Westfield Clinic in
The Gambia, my family, friends and colleagues; after medical prognosis raised
some concerns for my long term health and wellbeing. Consequently, my
contribution to the current campaigning is restricted by distance and what my
recovering health permits.
Notwithstanding, the distance, I am in constant and daily touch with my
colleagues on the campaign trail and I am abreast of every development as it
happens from my health retreat here in the UK. I continue to rally our support
base by telephoning voters and local leaders in the various constituencies,
right across the country.
Those who follow my political activities and education since the military
coup of 1994 would by now have been convinced of my single minded determination
to challenge this government’s shameful record on governance and human
rights, and my unshakable motivation to speak out against an established culture
of impunity; an endemic corruption within the despotic AFPRC/APRC government.
I will continue to challenge, condemn and, where necessary, speak out against
the government of the day, whenever they violate out collective or
individual human rights, ignore or defy the national constitution and commit acts of
violence and treachery against The Gambian people.
Between 1994 to date, Gambians have witnessed the 20 separate incidents of
my illegal incarceration, by the AFPRC/APRC government, sometimes along with
my colleagues, most times alone. During these frequent prison spells I have
been tortured and my human rights violated. Members of my family and my friends
continue to be victims of constant harassment and victimization in the hands
of this government.
Incidentally, I have also since 1994 been approached on several occasions
with monetary inducements and the promise of any government position that takes
my fancy, to join the AFPRC/APRC government. I refused each and every time.
My motivation for being in politics has never been for material gains or
position for position sake. I have always nurtured a genuine desire to do the
right thing on behalf of the people that entrusted me with their confidence and
mandated me to represent them.
I want to assure my friends, colleagues and supporters that I remain
committed to the course for the total emancipation of The Gambian people. I signed
the MOU that established NADD and I remain steadfast, as a matter of principle
to uphold my signed declaration of commitment to the organization, but also
because I strongly believe in the efficacy of the Alliance to promote
democracy the rule of law and economic progress for all Gambians.
In ending this press release, I also wish to reassure all concerned
well-wishers; those who visited me at the Westfield hospital, those who sent envoys
and message of goodwill; supporters of NADD; everyone who telephoned, emailed
or visited me in the United Kingdom and the wider community, that I continue
to make gradual but steady progress in my recovery and the medical outlook is
now very good. I look forward to a time (very soon), when I will return to
continue the struggle to liberate The Gambia from the clutches of tyranny and
despotism.
I extend my deepest appreciation and gratitude to everyone who has supported
me through this trying time and I remain your dedicated servant in the
public interest.
Should anyone want to contact me urgently, I can be reached on ++44(0)
7731647980.
FARMERS IN URD CRY FOUL
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The farmers URD have strongly attacked the government for its failure to
purchase their groundnuts. They described this year’s season as the worst they
have ever encountered.
These sentiments were expressed at a mass NADD rally held at a village in
URD last Sunday. An old farmer said that, the majority of them are yet to
receive their monies since they sold their nuts in December. He said that most of
them have sold their livestock to make ends meet. Another farmer, who
appeared very agitated, stated that there were more than two hundred (200) bags of
groundnuts in the village warehouses, which according to him has not yet been
paid for. He pointed out that, he cannot even estimate the amount in dalasis.
He emphasized skepticism over the future of farmers in the country if the
APRC wins the election. He called on fellow farmers to vote the APRC out to put
in power a government that can alleviate their plight. Addressing the
farmers, Honorable Sidia Jatta told them not to complain because they have the
power to change the system. He assured them that power resides in them and that
they have the mandate to vote any government in or out. Mr. Jatta impressed on
the people of Dampha Kunda, that the president is their servant who is
mandated by them to work in their interest and well being. “If your servant
refuses to work in accordance with you wish you have the mandate to sack him and
employ another person,” he emphasized. He noted that, as human beings, they
should not allow to be ridden like draught animals to their death.
“Your servants are riding on your backs and you are blaming God,” he told
the crowd. Jatta added that farmers are contributing to the D3, 000,000.00 of
the yearly budget. He advised them to vote wisely when casting their votes.
KEMO SAHO DENIED BAIL
By Modou Jonga
The bail application for the release of Kemo Saho has been rejected by the
Brikama Magistrate Court on Thursday 14th September 2006. Kemo Saho is accused
of assaulting the Imam of Farato. The application was made by Lawyer Lamin
Mboge who held brief for Borry Touray (Counsel for the accused). In moving the
application, Mboge, cited Section 99(1) of the Criminal Code, noting that
the accused has spent almost over six weeks in custody and is a devout
believer, being a family head and a bread winner of his family. He noted that Ramadan
is fast approaching. Counsel Mboge further stated that the accused has
expressed his regret over the incident that led to the revocation of the bail that
was granted to him. He also pointed out that the accused has vowed to keep
the peace. He said the continuous remand of the accused, has transgressed upon
the accused person’s family.
The bail application was objected to by the Prosecutor, 492 Badjie stated
that he feared that it is unsafe to grant bail to the accused, whom he said has
shown disrespect to the court. Badjie said the revocation of his bail is not
the initiative of the prosecution but the making of the accused. The
prosecutor further urged the court to reject the application made by Lawyer Mboge.
After listening to both sides, the trial Magistrate upheld the objection
made by the prosecutor.
DARBOE RESOLVE TO ADDRESS THE PLIGHT OF THE YOUTH
By Amie Sanneh
Ousainou Darboe, the leader of the UDP/NRP/GPDP alliance has said that he is
resolved to address the plight of youths in this country if he is elected by
the people. Addressing hundreds of supporters in Bansang on Thursday
evening, Darboe revealed that they will establish a Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme
(YES) to address the plight of youths in the country if they are voted into
office.
This scheme he said, will help the youths to develop skills and become self
reliant. He spoke of the National Youth Service Scheme and the Youth
Development Enterprise, which he said have failed as a result of incomprehensive
programmes. He called on the youths to vote for him: He told the youths that they
will regret it if they vote for the ruling APRC Party.
Darboe also spoke of his plans to improve the health, education and
agricultural sectors. He expressed concern over the issue of alien cards and said
that if he is voted in, alien cases will be a thing of the past.
He also said if they win, they will encourage investment in the provinces up
to Koina in a bid to improve the livelihood of the people living there.
Madi Bah who spoke earlier lamented over the deplorable condition of their
hospital. He urged the people to vote for Darboe inorder for them to “Move out
of their problems.” Sheikh Ceesay who also spoke at the meeting, said Darboe
wants to develop the country. He told the people to vote for Darboe if they
want to live in a peaceful, prosperous and democratic atmosphere.
Ndondi Baldeh, Lamin Keita, Numukunda Ceesay and Mali Baldeh also spoke at
the meeting and expressed allegiance to the UDP/NRP/GPDP alliance. Several
people announced their defection from the ruling the APRC party to the UDP.
“NADD IS THE TRUTH;
THEREFORE CLING ON TO THE ROPE OF TRUTH THAT NEVER BREAKS.”
Dear Editor,
Please allow me space in your widely read paper.
Yes it is in the scriptures that mankind was admonished thus: “oh you who
believe, be firm in justice as witnesses for God, even in cases against
yourself; your parents or relatives and whether it be against the rich or poor. For
God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts of your hearts, lest you
survive, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice verily God is
well acquainted with all that you do”. Elsewhere it is stated: “O you who
believe standout firmly for God as witnesses for fair dealing and let not the
hatred of others make you survive to wrong doing and depart from justice. That
is next to piety, and fear God for God is well acquainted with all that you
do”. After reading or hearing and knowing these admonitions what could
prevent one from recognizing the truth and standing by it at all cost.
It is only the truth that can ensure us liberty, dignity, peace and
prosperity. To cling on to falsehood only brings hardship, insecurity, ignorance,
disease, and object poverty upon the people. These have been the experience of
The Gambian people over the past twelve years under Yahya Jammeh. Even
though he has sworn to preside over the affairs of the country in accordance with
the will of the people without fear or favour, affection or ill will, we
have all been witnesses to the constant violations of that will (the
constitution) and the reduction of the citizens into slaves in their own country. The
constitutional and human rights of the citizens are being violated daily. No
one is spared, not the religious leaders or media practitioners; not the
soldiers, the Police or the National Intelligence Agency officers; not the
Alkalos, chiefs, commissioner, mayors, National Assembly Members, commissioners of
the Independent Electoral Commission, marabouts or even Jammeh’s own close
associates. In fact his close associates are the worst affected in the end.
On the economic sphere, the lives of the people are deplorable. The cost of
living is getting higher and higher on a daily basis. Consequently the
earning capacity of the people is stagnant for some and falling for most people. No
employment is created for the hundreds of thousands of youths leaving our
schools. As a result of mismanagement of the economy. Jammeh’s regime is now
indebted to the tune of twenty two billion dalasis from three billion dalasis
in 1994 resulting to the payment of one thousand, five hundred million dalasis
(D1500, 000,000.00) from our budget yearly for servicing those loans, loans
that were taken to create white elephant projects meant to blind the people
to the economic hardship they are faced with and the constant violation of
their constitutional and human rights. Instead of investing into the productive
sector to create wealth and jobs for the youths who are being driven by
frustration at home to die in the Mediterranean Sea loans are taken massively to
finance such white elephant projects. Despite all the hardship and
dehumanization brought upon The Gambian people, President Jammeh is making every effort
to perpetuate himself in power by all means even against the will of the
majority of people. He has been habitually removing the members of the IEC
unconstitutionally in order to render it partial and dependent. The public media is
transformed into a propaganda tool for Jammeh and his party. The independent
media is muzzled. He has used the numerical strength of his party to empower
him to dissolve the National Assembly at his whims. The constitutional
provision, which ensured that nobody becomes the President of this country without
the support of at least 50% of the electoral, has been removed. Everything
has been done by him to block all peaceful and constitutional means, thereby
making resort to violent means inevitable. This is a clear manifestation that
Jammeh has betrayed the aspirations of The Gambian people.
These are some of the reasons why Gambians at home and abroad called upon
the opposition parties in the country to come together for the sake of
rekindling the hope of the people; to put an end to the self-perpetuating rule of
Yahya Jammeh and put in its place a government that will empower them and end
their long suffering; for the sake of our farmers who could not enjoy the
fruits of their labour after enduring hardship upon hardship with crude tools; for
the sake of our youths who, because of lack of employment at home have to
risk their lives to try to cross the ocean to get to Europe for greener
pastures; to enable to escape from the poverty destitution and isolation in which
the Jammeh regime has dumped them. The opposition parties in The Gambia then,
NDAM, PPP, NRP, PDOIS and UDP responded to this clarion call by signing a
Memorandum of Understanding, which established the National Alliance for
Democracy and Development, NADD. In the Memorandum of Understanding they agreed to
undertake a five-year transition programme during which they are to carryout
institutional and constitutional reforms in order to ensure an open democratic
society based on the promotion of national unity, freedom, peace, prosperity.
Such a programme will ensure the development of the productive base,
redistribution on the basis of equity, employment and general welfare as well as
foster African regional integration. Gambians welcome this development
everywhere. There was hope once again that the future of our motherland is going to be
bright. This hope was redoubled when NADD scored a resounding success at the
by-elections, which took place after the registration of NADD. There was no
doubt in the minds of the people that their long suffering is coming to an
end. In the Memorandum of Understanding the five political parties agreed that
the selection of the candidate of the Alliance for the Presidential, National
Assembly and Council elections should be done on the basis of consensus;
provided that in the event of an impasse selection shall be done by holding a
primary election restricted to party delegates on the basis of equal number of
delegates, comprising the Chairman, Chairwoman and youth leader of each party
from each village ward in each constituency. They also agreed that the
President of the republic under the Alliance should serve for a five-year term of
office only. He/she should vacate his or her seat at the end of his or her
term and should neither seek nor support the candidature of any other person
for the ensuring Presidential election. They also agreed to put in place a
constitutional provision that would limit the number of terms a person could
occupy the office of President of the republic, two terms, to be precise.
Just few months to Presidential election, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe took
everybody by surprise by resigning from NADD and justifying his action by alleging
that there was hatred and distrust within NADD, which he could not explain,
even after he was challenged to do so. He later informed the people through a
BBC interview that he resigned from NADD because he could not leave his
party, UDP for any other party, even though it was common knowledge that UDP was
part of NADD when he tendered his resignation. All efforts by Gambians at home
and abroad to persuade Mr. Darboe to amend his action went in vein. His
action only serves the interest of President Jammeh and his APRC regime, not The
Gambian people. It was speculated by some people that he did what he did
because he was not selected as the flagbearer. But the fact of the matter is that
Mr. Darboe left NADD well before the selection of the flagbearer. Secondly in
an interview with Malick Jones over GRTS radio, Mr. Darboe has categorically
stated that it was not because of leadership that he resigned from NADD. He
said if he wanted to be the leader of NADD, he would have asked the NADD
executive to go for a primary election as indicated in their MOU. According to
him he would have won the primary. But he said he was not interested in
leadership that was why he did no do that. One may now ask what made Ousainou Darboe
to leave NADD, if it was not meant to give Yahya Jammeh the opportunity to
stay on. Since he has not given any genuine reason to The Gambian people for
his action, he could only be seen as a betrayer of the aspirations of the
people. Therefore, Mr. Darboe and Yayha Jammeh are not different. In my opinion
they are one and the same. If the people really want change, they must give
their backs to both of them and give all their support to NADD. This is the
truth that never breaks, for it is only righteousness that can safe us. NADD is
the guarantee for the future of our motherland. May God safe and bless our
land.
By a concerned citizen
HALIFA REACTS LETTER TO THE IEC
Attached under the cover of the Memorandum is a copy of my response to a
Daily Observer front page article dated on Monday 18th September 2006 which
distorts the essence of a statement I made upon my return from a nationwide
campaign tour.
I hope you will ensure that the Daily Observer publishes the content in the
front page of its next issue.
Yours in the service of the nation.
Halifa Sallah
NADD Presidential Candidate
A REPLY TO THE DAILY OBSERVER CAPTION
“HALIFA URGES ELECTORATE TO DECIDE”
The article published in your newspaper on Monday 18 September 2006 entitled
Halifa urges electorate to decide is not only erroneous but is calculated to
mislead the electorate to give favour to the APRC. I have always made it
categorically clear, throughout my campaign, that the APRC regime has been
guilty of mismanagement of public revenue and the income of public corporations
and has stifled the investment potential and the income earning capacity of the
farmers, thus creating a heavily indebted poor country that can only
guarantee abject poverty to its citizenry. I have left no stone unturned to prove
that the development projects are a by-product of loans that cannot be repaid,
thus undermining the sustainability of the development of the country.
On the other hand, I have shown that the APRC’s violation of fundamental
rights and freedoms is a fetter to the liberty of our people, an affront to
sovereignty of the owners of the country and has deprived the country of the
opportunity for debt cancellation and genuine aid to address the question of
poverty.
In this respect, I have called on The Gambian people to show the APRC regime
a red card for being unfit to govern.
Halifa Sallah
NADD Presidential Candidate
ASPIRANT MIGRANTS CONVICTED
The Brikama Magistrate Court has yesterday convicted and fined fourteen
Senegalese nationals for entering The Gambia without permit or legal authority.
The fourteen aspirant migrants, who wanted to use The Gambia as a transit
point to the Canary Island, were intercepted on 2nd September at Kartong. They
were arraigned in court on a later date and they pleaded guilty to the charge
of entering The Gambia without legal authority. The proceeding was then
adjourned to yesterday.
At yesterday’s hearing, police prosecutor, Tijan Badjie, said the police
received information on 2nd September that some youths have assembled at
Kartong. Tijan Badjie said they (the police) were informed that the youths were
preparing to board a vessel that was bound for the Canary Island.
The prosecutor said a group of police and immigration officers were
dispatched to Kartong where accused persons were found. Badjie told the court that
the accused persons were interrogated and it was discovered that the youths are
aliens, and are without valid permit to enter the country. He said they were
at that juncture arrested and taken to the PIU headquarters in Kanifing
where they were all cautioned and charged.
The counsel for the accused persons, Lamin K. Mboge said the narration of
the prosecutor is correct. He, however, urged the court to tamper justice with
mercy. He noted that it is apparent on the charge sheet that most of the
accused persons are youths from Senegal, pointing out that accused number 12,
Bakery Ndong, is a minor. He said it is an offence to enter The Gambia without a
permit, but the intention of the accused persons is not to remain in The
Gambia, but in search of greener pasture. After citing the Immigration Act,
Lawyer Mboge urged the court to impose a fine that is reasonable and payable in
the circumstances of the case. He told the court to order the repatriation of
the convicts to Senegal.
In his judgment, Magistrate Mbye said he has listened to the strong plea
made by Lawyer Mboge on behalf of his clients. He said the aspirant migrants are
youths who want to pursue a brighter future, but they have broken the laws
of The Gambia. He went further to say that The Gambia will always welcome
citizens from the four corners of the world as long as they have valid permit to
enter the country. He said it is not relevant that the convicts do not intend
to say in the country.
The Magistrate ordered each of the convicts to pay a fine of D2000 each in
default to serve a jail term of one year. The court further ordered that after
paying the fine or serving the jail term, the convicts should be repatriated
to Senegal.
An application submitted by the defense counsel for the court to review its
decision, was denied by the court.
APRC HOLD MEETING
By Annia Gaye
The APRC government has plans to put in place an agriculture investment
bank and a clothing factory if it is voted in to office , said Yankuba Touray ,
the Secretary of State for Agriculture cum National Mobiliser for the ruling
APRC.
Yankuba Touray made this disclosure yesterday at an APRC meeting held at
Basori. Touray told the meeting that the proposed agriculture investment bank
will provide loans to farmers. He further told the meeting that the APRC
government has already procured 105 tractors for the farmers. He said the tractors
will arrive in the country soon. According to Touray the said tractors will
be given to farmers on loan basis. Touray pointed out that they also have
plans to put in place a mango processing factory. He said if the aforesaid
projects are implemented, it will provide jobs for many of young people and will
boost the economy of this country.
He called on the electorate to vote for President Jammeh because he has
initiated a lot of projects for the people of The Gambia.
For his part, President Jammeh told the electorate at Basori that he will
not give them rice and sugar for the Ramadan, if they fail to vote for him. He
was however quick to tell them that he will provide water supply, roads and
electricity to the whole country if he is elected by the people.
HAMAT BAH BRIMS WITH CONFIDENCE
By Amie Sanneh
Hamat Bah has expressed optimism that the UDP alliance will win the 2006
Presidential election. Speaking to hundreds of supporters who welcomed the UDP
convoy at Chakunda while it was on its way to Bansang, on Thursday evening, he
said their struggle is the beginning of a process of removing Jammeh from
power come September 22nd. He said the process of regime change which is their
slogan started on the nomination day, and no one can stop it. He pointed out
that they are not going to compromise with anybody if they win the election.
He said civil servants who behave unprofessionally will account for their
deeds. He said civil servants who are working professionally will be maintained.
He said they are out to rescue The Gambia. He said they want to develop the
Gambia. He said they are aware of the problems their supporters are facing
countrywide. He said those who victimize their supporters will account for their
deeds if they win the election.
He however urged their supporters to be law abiding. He said Gambians are
ready for change, noting Ousainou Darboe will emerge victorious in the
forthcoming Presidential election.
YANKUBA ON APRC’S PLAN
By Annia Gaye
Addressing a mass political rally held at Gunjur recently, the National
Mobiliser for the APRC and SoS for Agriculture, Yankuba Touray said Gunjur will
be provided with pipe borne water in the next 5 years.
He said 2 million dollars has been put aside for the country’s Water
Project. He told the electorate that the whole of Gunjur will be electrified if they
vote for Jammeh. He said President Jammeh has procured 500 tractors, which
he said will be given to the farmers on loan basis. He said the tractors will
be in the Gambia in October. He noted that 25000 hectares of rice will be
cultivated by farmers in the next five years.
Regarding transportation, Touray indicating that railways will be provided
for the entire country. He called on the people of Gunjur to vote for Jammeh.
In his turn, President Jammeh said those who want electricity should give
their names to the Chairman of the Village Development Committee for onward
transmission to NAWEC. He said he will transform the whole country into a city.
He said anybody who gives his Ramadan sugar and rice to an opposition
sympathizer will be jailed. He said the opposition will nor benefit from his
projects.
Issue No. 80/2006, 20- 21 September, 2006
Editorial
TOWARDS PEACEFUL ELECTION
Election is a means through which the masses express their will and
determine the fate of country. Since the whole nation cannot meet at a given place to
decide on matters affecting the country, the people have power to select
their representatives and remove them from office.
In short, elected representatives act as trustees at the service of the
people for a given period – five years in our case. At the end of that period the
elected representative renders account and if the citizens are satisfied
with his/her performance they will return him/her to office. Otherwise, they
will replace him with another who can serve them better.
Since an elected representative is a servant of the people he/she should
remain in power so long as his/her service is needed by the people. One need not
force one self to stay in power. This can serve as a source of instability.
All politicians should be committed to free and fair elections. Let the
people decide freely how they want the country to be run. There is no need for
arm twisting, no need for threats and blackmail.
In this way elections become a simple matter which enable the people to make
their decision and for such decision to be respected. This is the best way
to preserve peace and democracy. It is the way forward for all those who
cherish these ideals.
HALIFA LASHES AT GRTS & NIA DG
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Halifa Sallah, Presidential candidate for NADD has indicated that the
Director General of GRTS and the NIA are “guilty of professional misconduct” by
putting Buba Sanyang before the press while investigations are in progress.
Speaking to journalists and election observers on Wednesday at the NADD
headquarters in Churchill’s Town, Mr. Sallah said: “The GRTS Director and the
Director General of NIA, are guilty of professional misconduct. They are
conducting an investigation according to them. Buba Sanyang is on bail, they have
no authority to go before the press giving the impression that the young man
is guilty of a crime.”
Sallah added that the GRTS broadcast on Tuesday evening that Buba Sanyang
has confessed that he impersonated as an IEC agent during the nomination, is a
clear indication that the GRTS and the NIA have ulterior motive geared
towards tarnishing his image as a Presidential candidate in the September 22nd
polls.
“What they have done is prejudicial to the rights of Buba Sanyang to a fair
hearing in a law court, to the presumption of innocence until proven or
pleaded guilty. And you plead before a court and not GRTS or NIA,” he said.
The NADD Presidential Candidate also said that it is prejudicial to the
right of a Presidential Candidate whose image should not be tarnished in any
form. “And what they have done is an attempt to damage the image of the NADD
Candidacy.”
Mr. Sallah went on to say that this is a clear indication that the ruling
party is unfit to govern and no amount of intimidation or trickery will block
their (NADD) way.
“This is their last atom of intimidation, and all the fan fare in the
streets do not reflect what is on the ground. This time we are vigorous,” he said.
Sallah has also accused the Daily Observer newspaper of professional bias
when reporting on him. He said that even the National Assembly proceedings are
not fairly covered by the Daily Observer.
On the Inter Party Committee, Sallah said that it has totally become
dysfunctional in this election period. The minority leader of the National Assembly
also said that the misconduct of the GRTS, Daily Observer and the NIA is an
indictment on the IEC.
Resist Change & Be Caged
By Modou Nyang
Honourable Halifa Sallah the Presidential candidate of the National Alliance
for Democracy and Development (NADD) in tomorrows Presidential polls, has
indicated that if the Gambian people vote for his party (NADD) and Yaya Jammeh
says that he will not leave office, the United Nations and the African Union
will together come to the Gambia, pick him and cage him as Charles Taylor is
presently.
In an apparent response to Jammeh’s often reported campaign statement that
even if people do not vote for him he will continue to be president, Halifa
told an enthusiastic crowd in the Nuimis and Jokadu constituencies, over the
weekend, that if they vote in NADD to power, the responsibility of removing
Jammeh from office will be shouldered by him.
“Just do your part and I will take care of the rest” he retorted. “If
Jammeh is voted out and he says that he will not leave, the UN and AU will pick
him from here and take him to where Charles Taylor is, and I hope that he will
not put him shelf in such a mess,” Sallah indicated.
Elaborating further, Halifa said: “Taylor was more powerful than Jammeh and
that he fought a bitter war before he was voted in as President of Liberia
but because he violated international law he is now in jail at the Hague, in
the Netherlands. “ I hope that he (Jammeh) will not want to be in such a
situation and that he will prefer to leave and live as a former head of state.
Continuing with their campaign in the Kombos for the remaining days of the
campaign period as part of the NADD campaign body which has now been divided
into nine teams to be based in the different regions of the country. The Kombo
team was received by scores of jubilant supporters in Jambanjelly, Sanyang
and Sukuta. Speaking in Sukuta, Halifa who leads the campaign team for the
Kombos and the Greater Banjul area, strongly refuted allegations by Ousainou
Darboe of the UDP that voting for NADD means aiding the APRPC. Halifa said that
throughout his country wide tour he did not talk about Ousainou Darboe. “I
did not talk about him throughout our country wide tour but if he is now
equating voting for NADD with aiding the APRC, he must be very dishonest,” Sallah
stressed. Continuing further Halifa indicated that in fact NADD helped the UDP
by giving it a new lease of life politically. He said this is so because
when they (the UDP) boycott the last National Assembly elections they claimed
that the electoral system in the country is fraudulent because they won the
presidential elections but were denied their victory by the APRC.
“I personally went to Jarra to talk to the people to convince them which
eventually led to the election of Kemeseng Jammeh under the banner of the UDP.”
The people were in total despair since they were made to believe that
elections are fruitless.
Dilating on how the NADD entourage was received during its country wide
tour, Halifa indicated that in Fass Omar Saho he could not even disembark from
his vehicle due to the large turn out of people who were waiting to receive
them. “The same thing happened in Jakaba, Diabugu, Taibatu, Brikamaba and other
places where the UDP were not well received. This is a clear indication that
NADD is well accepted by the Gambian people.
Rounding up his party’s program in contrast to that of the APRC, Halifa said
that if voted in to office, NADD will stay for only five years during which
period; all bad laws like the indemnity act will be repealed and replaced
with good ones. Implement a sound economic policy to create jobs and raise the
earning capacity of civil servants and the people in general. “Instead of
investing (D345) three hundred and forty five million in the purchase and
refurbishment of a hotel (Ocean Bay), we would rather use the amount to purchase the
produce of the farmers sell it and use part of the profit to subsidize the
cost of fertilizer to make it affordable to farmers.” We will establish
factories to process the farm produce of the country which in turn will create jobs.
UDP ALIANCE SOMA RALLY
By Amie Sanneh
As the political parties in the country gear up for the September 22nd
Presidential elections, UDP/NRP/GPDP visited Jarra Soma with hundreds of people in
attendance at their meeting. The people welcomed them from Karantaba to the
heart of Soma, where meeting was held.
Addressing the gathering, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, the flag bearer of the
UDP/NRP/GPDP Alliance advised the people to be careful within the few days left
before the elections. He said this is the time that people will come around
and knock at their doors at night. Lawyer Darboe remarked that those people
will start giving out rice, sugar and money, saying that the Ramadan is coming
and they can have those gifts and give them their votes. He pointed out that
those people do not know how they, (the rural people) were living yesterday;
whether they have been eating or not. He said the reason why they are doing
this is because of the election and added that those people will be following
their own interest and not those of Gambians. The UDP/NRP/GPDP flag bearer
revealed that the budget allocated for the health sector is not sufficient;
that this is why the country is facing all these difficulties. He said a disease
which disturbs people most should be of more concern to a government to take
the necessary preventive approach than treatment. He revealed that if voted
into office of President, they will have a primary health care system. He
also said that every country should have an emergency fund kept aside in case of
any emergency, so as to be able to protect the citizenry.
On the Agricultural Sector Darboe said that they will build cold stores
where women will be able keep their goods for two or three months, without having
them rotten. He said they will also make arrangements for them to be able to
sell their farm produce at the international level. Lawyer Darboe noted that
if they want their gardens to benefit them, they should vote for the “grand
alliance” as they call their party. He said they are not only going to
concentrate on groundnuts alone but that they will also bring in other crops. He
said they will help the people for the betterment of the country.
He revealed that if they were at the helm, of power Soma would have been a
city.
THE GAMBIA OWES D22 BILLION
SAYS HALIFA SALLAH
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The flag bearer of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development, Hon.
Halifa Sallah has told the electorate country wide that, The Gambia’s loan
stands at D22, 000,000,000.00.
Addressing the electorate during his country wide tour, Honourable Sallah
informed the people that, this year the government is supposed to pay the
creditors an amount of D1, 500,000,000.00, noting that each Gambian including
babies, owes D22, 000.00 as to personal share to the loan. He also told them that
this year the taxpayers will contribute about D3, 600,000 000.00 as the
country’s budget.
He pointed out that, most of the country’s infrastructural developments are
financed from loan borrowed from foreign internal organizations and foreign
countries. Honorable Sallah asserted that, the Bwiam Hospital and the
Television Station were built from loans borrowed from Libya; the Esse-Kerewan road
and the Bridge were loans from Taiwan and the Kombo Coastal Road from The
Islamic Bank and OPEC. He noted that a country cannot depend on loans for
development; that they are not investing the loans wisely and that is why they are
not generating income for the servicing of the loan.
He also told the people that such loans should be invested in the
Agricultural sector, Transport services, and Water and Electricity Services inorder to
have more investment and provide job opportunities for the people.
“This is why we have hospitals without medicine, schools without adequate
stationery and GPTC without buses,” he said. Honorable Sallah also lamented on
the employment opportunities for the hundred and seventy thousand students
who will graduate in the next ten (10) years. “Documents from government
Quarters indicate that, this year, there will be zero growth.
YOUTHS URGED TO VOTE FOR APRC
Addressing a rally at Bundung-Serrekunda on Thursday, the SoS for
communication, Hon Neneh Macdouall Gaye, has urged the youths of the country to vote
for the APRC Government in the 22nd Presidential elections indicating that the
President is the only one who can rule the country in peace and development.
SoS Gaye stated that the President initiated many development projects for
the country ranging from university education with scholarships to students
who can’t afford to pay and other major developments. He noted that a Silicon
Valley project would soon be brought to provide employment for the youths.
Yankuba Touray the party’s national mobiliser and SoS for Agriculture, in
addressing the rally, told the youths to vote for APRC, noting that the APRC is
the only party, that can develop the country, saying that the opposition is
only looking for leadership but cannot develop the country. He urged the youths
to wake up from their slumber and follow the APRC government. He promised
Gambian that a drug factory of 1.5m Euro, would be put in place in the next five
years where 600 different drugs would be produced. He stated that, with
this factory, The Gambia would be able to supply many African countries like
Senegal, Guinea and others. He said their would be a word competition at
Serrekunda Central and any word who wins will be provided with free water supply.
He called on the people of Serrekunda Central to vote for the APRC.
LAMIN FATTY’S TRIAL DRAGS
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The ongoing trial of Lamin Fatty, a Journalist with the shuttered
Independent newspaper, was on Tuesday adjourned to the 27th day of September 2006, due
to the magistrate’s absence.
The sitting which was expected to be heard from the third prosecuting
witness, was adjourned to a previous date, also due the absence of the witness.
Fatty, who was charged with false publication, pleaded not guilty. Before
being charged with the offence, he was detained at the NIA for sixty-two days,
together with his managing editor and editor in chief, who were later
released. His paper, “The Independent,” had been closed down by the state since
April this year.
COMMONWEALTH OBSERVERS OUTLINE IT’S PROGRAMMES
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, chairman of the Commonwealth observer group for the
22nd September presidential election, has announced that his team will be
deployed around the country on Wednesday to witness the election and counting
process as in all the seven administrative areas.
Addressing a press conference on Monday at the Kairaba Hotel, Dr. Salim
said: “On Wednesday, we will deploy around the country. After we have witnessed
the end of the campaign, the election day, the counting and the release of
much of the results as we can see, we will re-assemble in Banjul to compile our
report which we will complete and sign here, prior to our departure on the
29th of September, 2006.”
He added that the report will be submitted to the Commonwealth
Secretary-General who will inturn forward it to the Government of The Gambia, the IEC, the
political parties participating in the election and to all Commonwealth
governments.
“The report will subsequently be made publicly available here, in The Gambia
and throughout the Commonwealth, in printed form and on the website of the
Commonwealth Secretariat,’ Salim said.
He stated that they have been mandated to observe some relevant aspects of
the organisation and conduct of the elections.
“We will consider all the factors impinging on the credibility of the
electoral process as a whole. Our two key tasks are to determine, in our judgment,
whether the conditions exist for a free expression of will by the electors,
and if the results of the elections reflect the wishes of the people,” he
stressed
Dr. Salim also said that even in advanced countries if they find out
anything that is detrimental to the whole electoral process they will surely point
it out.
“If we find something or some actions which are detrimental to the whole
electoral process, we will talk about it. We are here to give an objective
assessment. We know that elections normally are not perfect. Even in the most
advanced countries we have difficulties in the electoral process. But we want to
see that basic condition exists for the people of The Gambia to exercise
their rights,” Dr. Salim posited.
MURDER TRIAL ADJOURNED AGAIN
By Modou Jonga
The murder trail involving Kate Afori and others was re-adjourned to 2nd
October 2006 by the Brikama Magistrates Court. In his application for
adjournment, the prosecutor, ASP Tijan Badjie, said forensic investigation by the joint
Gambian Police and the visiting British Police into the murder of Mr.
Willion West is not completed.
Kate Afori is accused of killing her husband in Sanyang in June with a
pestle while the latter was asleep. The widow, Mrs. Kate Afori West, pleaded
guilty to the preferred murder charge against him while the three other Nigerian
nationals, Favour Akponegbeta Abokou, Idriss Masade and David Bathran pleaded
not guilty to the murder charge preferred against them.
THIS ELECTION WILL DETERMING YOUR FUTURE DARBOE TELLS GAMBIANS
By Amie Sanneh
Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, the UDP/NRP/GPDP alliance leader, has told Gambians
that the upcoming election will determine how they want to live in the next
five years.
Addressing hundreds of people at the Brikama praying grounds, Darboe said
Gambians have to make major decisions. The major decision he said will
determine whether Gambians want to live in a democratic state, an environment which
will have power concentrated in the hands of an individual, or to live in a
secure country which will also cater for their welfare.
Lawyer Darboe noted that Gambians cannot afford to make a mistake by voting
for President Jammeh for another five years which will destroy the farming in
the country.
He said UDP/NRP/GPDP government, will liberate Gambians and will not become
idealist people.
Darboe told Gambian youths to reject false promises that are always given to
them at the time of every election and encouraged them to vote for the
UDP/NRP/GPDP alliance.
He however urged the youths to comport themselves and remain the
distinguished ambassors of peace that they have ever been.
Darboe revealed that throughout the trip his entourage did not face any
problem on the way until when they came to Foni, where supporters of APRC where
stoning their convoy and that one of his supporters was stabbed in the neck.
He however urged his supporters to avoid such conflicts throughout the
election period.
Speaking earlier, Hamat Bah, an executive member of the UDP/NRP/GPDP
alliance said Gambians will never regret voting for Darboe as President. He said
Gambians will enjoy democracy, liberty and would not be disappointed. “Gambians
need a government under the UDP alliance which will restore democracy,
liberty, dignity and make sure that they feel proud of The Gambia,” he said.
Mr. Bah however expressed optimism that they will win the election due to
the support people have given to them throughout the campaign period which he
has never seen before.
He, however, commended all Gambians for the support they have given to them
noting that it is a clear demonstration that on the 22nd of September there
will be a change of government.
UDP/NRP/GPDP supporters on Wednesday marched with the convoy from the
Brikama College to the Africell junction where they held their last meeting for the
campaign in preparation of the September 22 Presidential elections.
IMPERSONATION CASE CONTINUES
By Modou Jonga
Muhamed Musa Jallow, who was a victim of impersonation on Thursday 14
September testifies before Magistrate Mbye. The alleged impersonators, namely
Ebrima Jallow, Hatab Sanneh, Pateh Taal, Pa Jali Njie Lamin Jatta and Momodou
Lamin Camara were said to defraud the shopkeeper at the Brikama Market, by posing
themselves as CID and health officers and had in their possession a handcuff
and a fake identity card.
The bail of the alleged impersonators was revoked by the court in the
previous sitting. Testifying in court, Muhamed Musa Jallow, the second prosecution
witness, said the accused persons came to his shop and demanded cigarettes
and a cash amount of D2000 from him. The witness said, the accused persons
accepted to be given D500 after which they left his shop. The witness further
stated that after receiving the information that the accused persons were
arrested, he went to the Brikama Police Station where he explained his encounter
with the accused persons. He said while at the station he was asked by the
Police to identify the accused persons while they were paraded. The trial was
adjourned to the 28th September 2006. ASP Tijan Badjie was the prosecutor.
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