BY PA NDERRY M'BAI



United Democratic Leader Ousainou Darboe, has joined Lamin Waa Juwara,  in
condemning the arrest of his colleagues,  who are currently held by police
on alleged subversive activities.  Darboe, speaking to the Voice Of
America Daybreak Africa Program presenter and producer James Butty,
vehemently rebuffed such allegations brought against Hamat Bah, OJ Jallow
and Halifa Sallah by the state.  Darboe charged that the arrest of the
three politicians was yet another  attempt by the Jammeh dictatorship  to
oppress the opposition.

UDP LEADER ON
VOA

Sounding concerned about the current state of affairs, the UDP leader said
the arrest of Bah, Jallow and Sallah was part of Jammeh's intimidation
campaign designed for the country's pending 2006 Presidential elections.
Mr.Darboe said they will not be cowed by such intimidation.  The UDP
leader also said no charges had been proffered against his colleagues,
arguing that it is incumbent upon the state to prove their bogus
accusations.  Darboe also denied Jammeh's claims that the opposition
wanted to endanger Gambia's relationship with Senegal.

The UDP leader  told the VOA that the country's democracy is going
backwards and that there was no indications that this government will heed
to the rule of law and democracy. He asked the African Union to reconsider
its decision to  host its meeting in Banjul next year.  In view of the
growing rule of law crisis, Darboe said the African commission should
seriously revisit its decision of hosting the said meeting in Banjul.

The former UDP flag bearer said they believed in the rule of law and will
do everything in their means challenge the illegal detention of NADD
officials.  Darboe, said the Jammeh government is hell bent on undermining
freedom and basic rights of Gambians.

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