The government has unleasched hordes of thugs on innocent citizens following
the polls. As of this writing, Lawyer Darboe's home has become a transit
venue to severely injured people savagely assaulted by government agents.
From there they are being transferred to private clinics at Kololi and other
places. Meanwhile the government has steadfastly refused to take to the
airwaves to ask their vigilantes to stop attacking political opponents. The
Coalition leadership has specifically tried to reach officials to urge them
to step up to their fiduciary responsibility to safeguard life and property
to no avail. The spate of sanctioned violence has been persistent and nation
wide. Dr Boro  Susso, a childhood friend of Lawyer Darboe was ambushed
yesterday while driving and he barely escaped with his life. Apparently the
assailants intended to attack Mr Darboe who frequently rides in Dr Susso's
car. There have also been abductions, arson attacks and in the provinces
poisoning of livestock of opposition supporters. One farmer lost several
pregnant cattle in one such attack. A specific attempt was made to contact
the interior Secretary to urge him to deploy police and maintain law order.
He has refused to take calls and has made no public statements either
condemning the attacks or urging cessation.
       The government is actively stoking the very dangerous fires of civil
strife by sanctioning thugs to attack innocent citizens. Gambia today is a
highly polarized society highly susceptible to outburst of violence. That is
why the responsible leadership of the opposition have gone on local private
radio and newspapers to tell their supporters to accept the verdict of the
Gambian people and forge ahead with their normal activities and refrain from
any demonstration of violence. The government  must take definitive and
public steps to safeguard the lives of all the citizens if it is to avoid an
uncontrollable conflagration. No one can afford civil strife in our country.
By the same token innocent people cannot be sitting ducks to hordes of thugs
under the auspices of the government pillaging and attempting to kill people
for no reason. It is vile and intolerable. The opposition has conceded an
election but has not in the process forfeited their rights to life, liberty
and protection of the law. Unless the state intercedes swiftly and
demonstrate a zero tolerance for violence, they are courting disaster.
        We urge all Gambians to be very cognizant of the dangers inherent in
this apparent atmosphere of lawlessness being precipitated by the government.
Efforts would commence as early as tomorrow morning to inform US government
officials and other friends of the Gambia about this grave post election
development. They would be reminded of the persistent murderous instincts of
this government and urged to withhold any possible review of policy until the
Jammeh regime demonstrates over an extended period a firm adherence to the
rule of law and respect for lives and property of every Gambian. We should
not allow murderers and thugs to cloak themselves in the guise of democracy
while continuing their Satanic ways on their own people.
Karamba

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