BY PA NDERRY M'BAI
Gambia's firebrand and leading politican Lamin Waa Juwara, has condemned
the arrest of his colleagues messrs Hamat Bah, Omar Amadou Jallow (OJ) and
Halifa Sallah, describing it as "part of the ongoing intimidation campaign
meted out to the opposition by the repressive Jammeh government."
The three oppositon leaders were arrested late Tuesday evening amdist an
arrest waarant issued by the Department of State For the Interior. The
Interior press release which was read on Gambia Radio and Television
Services, informed Gambians about the arrest of Hamat Bah and OJ Jallow.
The release said one of the wanted politicians Halifa Sallah was at large
and appealed to Gambians who have information regarding the whereabouts of
Sallah to contact the police. The release also warns the Gambian public
to desist from harbouring the NADD coordinator Halifa, who was wanted by
the police.
While piecing this breaking news story together, news reached us that
Halifa had been arrested. "Mr.Sallah was not in hiding as suggested by
the Interior press release"said sources close to NADD. Our sources
disputed the government claims that Sallah was in hiding. They accused the
Jammeh government of propaganda campaign. They said Halifa was going on
his normal life up to the time of his arrest. "There is no grain of truth
about the government's claims. This is another black mailing tactics.
How can Halifa of all Halifa to go on hiding? This is a joke. This
government should stop the lies and deception campaign."said a source
close to NADD.
Speaking on the line to Banjul, leader of the opposition National
Democratic Action Movement Party NDAM'S Lamin Waa Juwara, said no amount
of death threats or intimidation will shake the NADD leadership. "We put
our lives on the line to bail Gambians from the Jammeh dictatorship. We
are ready for anything to bring democratic change in The Gambia. Gambians
want change and change is inevitable."said Waa Juwara, who is widely
known as the Niamina Dankuku lion.
Mbarodi said the Jammeh government had been striving on threats,
intimdation and manuplation over the years, but insisted that Gambians
will not be cowed by Yahya's bully and intimidation tactics. "The entire
country is laughing at them. Gambians cannot be cowed by such arrests. We
are resolute and will not be intimidated by Jammeh."said Mr.Juwara.
While calling Gambians to remain calm, Waa Juwara said NADD will do
whatever it takes to restore democratic culture in the West African
country. He charged that under Jammeh, Gambians had witnessed worst human
rights abuses in history, ranging from arrest, torture and persecution.
MrJuwara who had been arrested and jailed over dozen times called for the
immediate and unconditional release of his colleagues. " We are demanding
for the immediate and unconditional release of Hamat, OJ and Halifa. They
committed no cime, as far as I'm concerned. This is a government that is
bent on harassing Gambians. We will not be intimidated." he said.
Waa also called on the international community to join them in condemning
the arrest of his colleagues. He accuses the Jammeh government of
having total disregard for the constitution and the rule of law. "I'm
not afraid to be arrested. I'm ready for anything, as far restoring
democracy is concerned. The entire country is laughing at them. Arresting
of opposition officials, is not new in our body politics. We are
determined to engage this government."he vowed.
Mr.Juwara also said the opposition still stood by its rebuttal and
condemnation of Jammeh's irresponsible allegations that the opposition
were bent on formenting trouble between The Gambia and neighbouring
Senegal. "The Gambia/ Senegal border crisis is not our own making and we
condemn Jammeh's allegations in the strongest terms. We expect this
government to apologise to use and not to arrest the opposition. If their
intention is to scare us, they will woesfully fail. We are ready for
anything. Arrest will not move us."said Mbarodi, while lambating Jammeh
and his government for its hostile relations towards the opposition.
Waa Juwara reminded Gambians that the road to Gambia's liberty is not
going to be an easy ride and urged NADD supporters and sympathisers to put
all hands on deck to rescue our country from the Jammeh dictatorship.
"The road to Gambia's freedom is not going to be easy Pa Nderry. However,
we will get over it. Gambians are determined for change and nothing is
going to stop the wind of change. Gambians want to see Jammeh go and come
the next elections, they will effect change."said Mbarodi.
Waa Juwara said the government should be concerned about how to crack down
the killer(s) of veteran journalist Deyda Hydara and not to arrest the
opposition. Waa also said despite the naming of the Independent
Newspaper arsonists, this government is not keen at bringing the arsonists
to book. "Those behind the burning of the Independent were named in the
National Assembly, up to the time, I'm talking to you, this government had
not demonstrated any seriousness to bring these culprits to justice."
Up to the time of going to press, Hamat, OJ and Halifa were held in
custody. The state is yet to press any charges against them. Observers
say the government is worried by the strong following the new oppositon
coalition NADD is commanding in the country. Just last week, Gambia's
President Yahya Jammeh vowed to kill some opposition officials, some whom
he accused of trying to endanger relationship between The Gambian and
Senegal. The President who was addressing religious leaders at the state
house in Banjul, also unveiled his plans to give "Salibo" or gift to the
opposition, which according to Jammeh "they will never forget in their
lives." The arrest of these three prominent opposition figures, is seen
as the begining of Jammeh's 2006 election intimidation campaign.
Just recently this paper reported about classified information it received
suggesting that Jammeh was on the verge of framing the opposition. The
arrest of Hamat, OJ and Halifa had confirmed truthfulness of such
classified reports.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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