*Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue*

*Issue No. 25/2005, 3-5 April, 2006*

* *
*EDITORIAL*

*WHERE ARE MADI CEESAY AND MUSA SAIDYKHAN?*

Foroyaa gathered that Madi Ceesay and Musa Saidykhan were detained at the
police headquarters. However, the lawyer of *The Independent* Newspaper is
yet to have access to them. This is a matter of concern. It is very
difficult to establish whether they are under the charge of the NIA or the
police. The family members of the detainees are very concerned. It has been
reported by people who have been under detention that breakfast and dinner
are rare for people who are detained; that if family members are not allowed
to provide food, one can suffer from illness because of mosquitoes and poor
nutrition. Family members want to visit the two but are reported to be
denied access.

The law says that, not later than three hours after detention, a person
should be informed of the reasons for his arrest and the right to consult a
legal practitioner. He should also be brought before a court within 72
hours. Madi and Musa have been in detention for more than 72 hours. They
should be released on bail or taken to court. It is unlawful and
unconstitutional to keep them in custody for more than 72 hours without
court appearance. Foroyaa calls on the media fraternity to come together to
prevail on the Executive to look into the detention of Madi and Musa. This
is the significance of providing freedom of association and expression in
the constitution.

The Gambia Press Union came into being to protect the interest of media
practitioners. Madi Ceesay is the President and Musa Saidykhan the Secretary
General of the Gambia Press Union. If both are under detention without any
information being received regarding their detention, the media fraternity
or sorority should come together to have a position on the matter.


INDEPENDENT DUO STILL HELD

The managing director and the editor-in-chief of the Independent Newspaper,
Madi Ceesay and Musa Saidykhan respectively, are still under custody.
Efforts to get the security forces to state the reason for their arrest and
detention have proved futile.

Our information is that they had been held at the Banjul Police station
until Friday when they were taken away by the NIA to an unknown destination.
Musa Saidykhan was arrested on Monday 27th March, 2006, while Madi Ceesay
was arrested on Tuesday 28th March 2006; Reports have it that up till
Friday, the duo had not been charged or interrogated that had no access to
their families not even their lawyer. The constitution requires the arrestor
to inform the arrestee of his or her right to access a lawyer and be told of
his or her reason for his or her arrest.

The constitution also requires a detainee to be brought before a court of
law within 72 hours or be released with or without condition.



*BAR CAUTIONS EXECUTIVE*
*By Fabakary B. Ceesay*

The President of the Gambia Bar Association, Mr. Musa Bittaye, has called on
the executive to come up with the cases of all the arrested individuals. Mr.
Bittaye made these remarks at his office when he was contacted by this paper
on how the Bar will handle the arrest of Lawyer Antouman Gaye, who was
arrested on Monday 27th March 2006 at the High Court. Mr. Bittaye noted that
there is a constitutional procedure as regards the rights of the arrested
people and that the Executive should respect those rights. Regarding the
detention of Lawyer Antouman Gaye, Mr. Bittaye said the Bar has been in
touch with the Executive. He noted that they did not yet know why he had
been arrested and that they were making efforts to find out. He indicated
that it is only when they know why he is arrested that they will be in a
positi9on to know what to do.

He pointed out that unlike how in the previous instant when Mr. Gaye was
jailed by Justice Paul, the case was on judiciality. He noted that they knew
why he was sent to jail and they did not agree with it legally.


STATE DEFIES COURT ORDER *By Bubacarr K. Sowe*

The state has defied the High Court order to re-instate Pa Sallah Jeng as
Mayor of Banjul.

Meanwhile, the state on Thursday filed a fresh criminal case at the High
Court before Justice S. Monageng. Details of the charges were not revealed
to him.

Mayor Jeng was suspended from office as elected Mayor of Banjul in 2005,
while he was subjected to an enquiry, which later cleared him from any wrong
doing. Jeng then filed a case at the High Court challenging his suspension,
claiming the act to be unconstitutional and unlawful. At the end of the
case, the trial judge, Justice Belgore, upheld that Jeng's removal from
office by the Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands was indeed
unconstitutional and therefore ordered for his reinstatement.

Apparently, the filing of a criminal case against Mr. Jeng has indicated
that the state is not satisfied with Justice Belgore's ruling, which favours
Mr. Jeng.


MORE ARRESTS AND DETENTIONS

*By Yaya Dampha*

Confirmed reports reaching this paper indicate that two members of the
National Assembly, in the persons of Hon. Demba Dem, Member for Niani
Constituency in CRD and Hon. Omar Barrow Camara, Member for Kantora
Constituency in URD, were arrested by the security officers on Wednesday.
According to our sources, Hon. Demba Dem was arrested outside the national
assembly building after attending to a national assembly committee meeting
whilst Hon. Omar Barrow Camara was arrested in the provinces and brought to
Banjul on the same day. In another development, Mr. Ebou Waggeh, a former
GRTS announcer, was also arrested by the security forces.

Also the Senegalease marabout, Alhagie Cherno Barry of Bogal, who was named
by one of the coup plotter as his marabout, had his nephew arrested and his
Pajero car, which is said to be donated to him by President Jammeh himself,
was also said to have been seized by the Mansakonko Police. The seized
Pajero was escorted to Banjul by PIU personnel from Soma.


THE ARMY SWELLS ITS RANKS

*By Yaya Dampha and Adam S. Sallah*

On Friday 31st March, 2006 two hundred and ninety three young soldiers
including eight females who were recruited into The Gambia National Army,
had their passing out parade at the July 22nd Square in Banjul, after an
intensive six months training. The passing out Parade was witnessed by
President Yahya Jammeh, President of the Republic of The Gambia, who is also
the commander in Chief of the army, the Vice President, Secretaries of State
and other dignitaries.

A colourful march pass was led by Captain Ousman Badjie and eight other
detachment commanders.

In his keynote address to the intakes, the President and commander in-Chief
of the Armed Forces, commended the newly trained soldiers for a successful
training and welcomed them among the rank and file of the army. He also
commended the parents of the young soldiers for allowing their sons and
daughters to join the army in order to secure our country. He highlighted on
the importance of national security in line with his government's vision
2020; that the political social, economic cultural and military position
that are necessary guarantee our national's sovereignty, advancement and
peace and stability must not be compromised. He said The Gambia Armed Forces
is not only aimed at providing security but also at creating job
opportunities for our young Gambians. President Jammeh commended the rank
and file of the army for their loyalty and reminded the officer corps that
they cannot even take over a house much more a country without the fullest
participation of the junior soldiers. He said the few officers and
non-commissioned that officers who attempted to take over the country by
force, on the 21st March 2006, are not aware of this reality.

On the AU summit, the President said The Gambia, in the coming months, will
host this historic gathering in Banjul. The Commander in-Chief said that the
Gambia National army has disciplined and dedicated soldiers who have served
in many international missions since 1990 and that during this time, it is
only once that a soldier was killed by a bullet in Liberia and another one
in Sudan, who was killed in a road accident. President Jammeh boasted that
his soldiers will never again die because of enemy fire and that no nation
should under rate "our soldiers." He commended the Turkish army training
teams and the Turkish government for being true friends to the Gambia in all
her developmental programmes.

The passing out celebration also witnessed military displays like a tug of
war, skills display under pressure and crowd control. The best recruit, the
best shot and the fittest soldiers were also awarded prizes.


NIA DIAMOND CASE

*Fabakary B. Ceesay*

The protracted legal battle involving the six ex-officers of the National
Intelligence Agency and the state continued at the Kanifing Magistrate Court
on Wednesday before Magistrate Sanyang.

The prosecution witness, Dr. Muhamed Zanoon Alamin, continued his testimony
on the matter. Dr. Muhamed Zanoon Alamin was asked by Defence Counsel,
Jorbateh, to indicate the type of business he is doing. Dr. Alamin told the
court that he imports oil and milk powder and that his warehouse is located
near TK Motors. He noted that he has all the necessary documents for the
business, and the business is operating under the umbrella of GEECOZ
International, and that it is registered with The Gambia Government. When
asked whether he made a statement at the NIA Office or at the Police
Station, he said he made a statement at the Tourism Development Area army
checkpoint and at the NIA headquarters. He further stated that the
statements were written on his behalf, and he acknowledged and signed it. He
said that he will be able to identify the statements. The statements were
given to him, which he said are photocopies, but that they bear his
signature. Dr. Alamin's statements did not indicate whether they were taken
at this juncture, lawyer Jorbateh put it to the witness that he said in his
evidence in chief that eight diamonds were taken from the two Germans, while
the statements state seven diamonds. Dr. Alamin asserted that he was saying
what the two German told him, that they were robbed off eight pieces and
205,000 dollars; he said that he, Dr. Alamin, had never seen the diamonds.
The counsel reminded him that in the first statement, there is no indication
of the amount 200, 000 dollars but only 5,600 dollars. He was asked to read
line four of the statement on page three, which says 5,600 dollars, and all
the money". Dr. Alamin said the statement "all the money," could include the
200,000 dollars. the case is adjourned to 13th April.





*NADD's FLAG BEARER ON DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT*

Addressing supporters at a rally in Sukuta, the NADD flag bearer, Hon.
Halifa Sallah, told the audience that the issue of Democracy and Development
are life and death issues.  He told the audience that without development,
there must be poverty and death and that without liberty and proper
management of the political life of the Country, respect for the rule of law
and good governance, there can be no democracy.  He told the audience that
the wealth of the Country comes from them.  He said this year, 2006; there
is projected revenue of D3.8 billion.  He told the audience that this
revenue comes from them in the form of tax.  He explained to them that for
all the goods that are imported into the Country, the importer pays duty and
in turn adds what he/she pays as duty on top of the price of the goods,
which s/he passes onto the people, i.e. the consumers who buy the
goods.  Halifa
told the audience that this year alone, government would derive D9 million
from passports and D35 million on Alien ID cards.

He told them that all the taxes are increasing.  He cited license and road
tax for fourteen (14) passengers as D1, 750 in 2005 while this year 2006, it
has been increased to D2, 350.  He told the audience that the same thing
goes on with ID cards.  He said any one who seeks for ID cards, puts
something in the National Coffers.  Halifa told the audience that this
wealth belongs to the people.  He said that Gambian people cannot meet
everyday to contribute money and work out plans to build hospitals, roads,
schools, and other public services which all of us need on a daily basis.
"This is why," he said, "it becomes necessary to have representatives."  He
told them that what brought Presidential election was because the President
is elected to be the custodian of the national wealth; that he creates
departments of state, appoints secretaries of State to be in charge of
departments of state to address the social, political and economic needs of
the citizenry.

Halifa told the people that every year; the Secretaries of State prepare
their departmental budgets, which are put in an appropriate bill, which is
taken to the National Assembly for approval.  He told them that if approved
by the National Assembly, the President is empowered to levy taxes on the
people for the raising of the required revenue projected.  Halifa explained
that very recently, the President has indicated that he spent D24 million on
the people he took to Mecca for the pilgrim this year.  Halifa told the
audience that if one looks at most departments of state, one would discover
that their annual allocations are far less than D24 million.  "This," he
said, "means that the President has more money than most departments of
state."  Halifa told the audience that the national wealth can be invested
in the productive base to generate economic growth or mismanaged.

He said in the case of the APRC, the public and private sectors investment
is relatively insignificant in bringing about economic boom.  He said that
is precisely the reason why the Country is in deficit year in and year out.
He said in 2005, the Government had a financial deficit of D855 million and
had to take loans to finance the deficit.  He said this is precisely the
reason why the National debt is increasing to the tune of D22 billion.  He
said any development that the Government wants to embark on, they must take
loans.  He cited the Kombo Coastal Road as a loan from Kuwait and Arab Bank;
Gambia Television as a loan from Libya; Kerewan road as a loan from Taiwan;
Bwiam Hospital as a loan from Libya etc.  The NADD flag bearer told the
audience that any infrastructure built in this Country is funded from a
loan.  Halifa told the people that the loans however have to be paid.  He
pointed out that the payments of these loans are the very cause of the
suffering of the people.  He told the audience that in 2005, the Government
utilized D1.4 billion for debt servicing and that this year too; an amount
of D1.5 billion has to be utilized for the same purpose.

Halifa told the audience that if one subtracts D1.5 billion from a total
revenue of D3.8 billion, how can one increase salaries, equip the farmers
and the schools and put drugs in our hospitals?


GPDP MOBILISER CRITISES COUP *By Annia B. Gaye*

Mr. Kemo Ceesay, the National Mobilizer of the Gambia Party for Democracy
and Progress, in addressing a rally at Bundung, described coup d'etat as a
source of violence in a country. He said The Gambia is a peaceful country
and we don't need coup d'etat.

He elaborated on the poor supply of electricity in The Gambia and asked,
"When shall we have regular electricity supply in our country?" He asserted
that Gambians are misled in every election to believe that the electricity
will be regular. He urged Gambians not to listen to those who fool them but
to Henry Gomez who has come to help all Gambians. He called on the president
to tell the people that he cannot develop the country since it is not a sin
to say the truth. Let him handover to those who can have sympathy for
children and elders.

He talked about how goods are expensive on the market and described the
horrible conditions of the roads. He asserted that so long as the APRC
regime is in power, there will never be good roads in this country; that
schools are many but there are no good teachers. He emphasised that
hospitals are also available but there are no drugs and that poor people are
suffering. Mr. Ceesay assured Gambians that visa would be available when
they win this coming election. He promised that if GPDP comes to power,
media practitioners would be given full freedom of expression and respect in
this country, as journalists need to be given full respect.



*TRADE UNION LEADERS CONDEMN THE ATTEMPTED COUP*

*By Annia Gaye & Adam Sallah*

The Secretary General of Gambia Workers' Union, Mr. Pa Modou K.B. Faal, on
behalf of the Executive Bureau and all the affiliated trade union
organisations, as well as the entire working class movement in The Gambia,
said they joined other civil society and pro democracy organisations in
categorically condemning the recently foiled coup d'etat to usurp power
through the barrel of the gun, just to eliminate the democratic structures
of the Gambian nation.  Mr. Faal made this remarks in an interview with
Foroyaa at the trade union house of the Gambia Workers' Confederation at
Banjul on the attempted coup d'etat which took place on the 21st of March
2006, by some officers of The Gambia Armed Forces, headed by Colonel Ndure
Cham.

Mr. Faal explained that as watch dogs, they will sacrifice to defend their
nation, their democratic values as well as protect the peaceful atmosphere
prevailing in the Country.  He further explained that peace must be the
guiding principle in all our relations and that any relationship built on
unequal terms will need exploitation; that anywhere there is exploitation
there will be no peace and that where there is no peace there will not only
be destruction, but also under development.  Mr. Faal stated that their only
request on the way forward is to appeal to the SOS for communication to
immediately setup a platform for dialogue with media houses and reconcile
with them, since they also contribute immensely to nation building.

He stressed that they should allow the creation of a private National
Television so that what was telecast on the 27th March 2005 would not have
created the out going confusion to "who is who, who said what, and who does
what."

Mr. Faal concluded by wishing for a casting democratic and peaceful
existence for the country and her people and condemned autocratic military
rule in Africa.  Mr. Faal praised good governance, which according to him is
characterized by participatory democratic principles.


TEACHER STABBED TO DEATH *By Fabakary B. Ceesay and Annia Gaye*

One Ello Jamanka, a grade six teacher at the New Jeshwang Lower Basic
School, was on Friday evening 24th April 2006 stabbed by one ex-Oustass or
Arabic teacher of the said school.

According to an insider of the school, the "Outass," Mr. Panneh, was said to
have a confrontation with Mr. Jamanka. He accused Jamanka of having an
affair with his wife, which led to their divorced. "Outass" Panneh was once
said to have threatened Mr. Jamanka, including the Vice Principal of the
said school that led to his immediate transfer to St Thereses's Lower Basic
Scholl. "Outass' Panneh who is said to be mentally unbalance, was staying in
the same compound with the victim and used to share basins of food together.
According to the tenants, on Thursday evening, "Outass" Panneh was said to
be complaining that he heard that Mr. Jamanka was in the process of marrying
his ex-wife. "He said that he will kill one of them before they get
married," says a next door neighbour. The ex-wife was said to be visiting a
relative in Senegal. According to the neighbour, "Outass" Panneh was very
depressed about the idea of his-ex-wife marrying the man he once accused of
having an affair with her. Then on Friday 24th March 2006, while Mr. Jamanka
was in the process of brewing "attaya," he was attacked by the "Outass" with
a knife, who stabbed him on the side of his ribs. Our Jamanka then ran into
the street and was followed by the "Outass" but eventually collapsed on the
way. It was indicated that the "Outass" came and sat on him and stabbed him
several times all over his body, until he died; that the neighbours
immediately alerted the Tallinding Police who came and arrested the suspect.
Both the suspect and the victim were escorted to the Tallinding Police
Station but were later transferred them to Serrekunda Police Station. When
contacted, the Police PRO ASP Aziz Y. Bojang, confirmed the story and said
that the suspect is currently held at the Criminal Investigation Department
(CID) and is helping them in their investigations. The deceased was taken to
the RVTH for postmortem.

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