Gambia In Terror Suspect Rendition Row
By Sulayman Makalo
The Gambia is alleged to have been involved in transferring terror suspects to countries where they risk torture.
According to a report published by Amnesty International (AI) last week, CIA flights used UK airfields to refuel just hours after transferring detainees to countries where they risk torture. The published information indicated that UK agents were implicated in the rendition of two UK residents from The Gambia to Afghanistan and Guantánamo Bay.
Bisher al-Rawi, 37, an Iraqi who has lived in England since 1985, was detained in The Gambia three years ago with Jamil al-Banna, a Jordanian who was granted refugee status in England in 2000. They were seized in The Gambia in 2002 while on a business trip. British security and intelligence officers held them for three days before being released but the officers then tipped off the Americans about their whereabouts. The CIA later flew to Afghanistan and then to Cuba in March 2003.
The two businessmen have always maintained that British agents were complicit in their abduction in The Gambian capital Banjul. They said they were flying to The Gambia to help set up a peanut processing plant.
AI Regional Programmes Senior Director Claudio Cordone said, "Instead of ducking its responsibilities, the UK Government must launch an immediate, thorough and independent investigation into mounting evidence that its territory has been used to assist in unlawfully transporting detainees to countries where they may face ‘disappearance,’ torture or other ill-treatment. They cannot distance themselves so easily from a policy based on kidnap and unlawful transfer. In 2002, UK agents were implicated in the rendition of two UK residents from The Gambia to Afghanistan and then to Guantánamo Bay."
Mr. Cordone said the international law prohibits UK or any other state including The Gambia to aid or abet in sending people to other countries where they face torture or disappearance.
Amnesty International’s information concerns a Gulf Stream V Turbo Jet, which was then registered as N379P. According to reports, the between 2001 and 2005, the jet made at least 78 stopovers at UK airports while en route to or from destinations such as Baku, Dubai, Cyprus, Karachi, Qatar, Riyadh, Tashkent, and Warsaw.
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"Gov’t Can Expose Deyda’s Killers"
By Sana Camara
An executive member of the Foundation for Legal Aid Research and Empowerment (FLARE), Madi Jobarteh sees no reason why The Gambia Government cannot expose Deyda’s killers.
In a solidarity message at the international conference at Kairaba Beach Hotel, Mr. Jobarteh believes that The Gambia Government has the means and capacity to expose Deyda’s killers since it has on many occasions detected alleged military coups before they were hatched. He stated that the onus now lies with The Gambia Government because "The Gambian public and civil society organisations on their part have demonstrated goodwill in giving the government the required time and patience to investigate and unearth the perpetrators behind all the heinous acts meted out to journalists."
"It is needless to say that when a government or an organisation is dominated by mediocrities, who are inclined more towards corruption and self -aggrandizement, naturally such a government cannot allow the free expression of opinions and the press," he frankly stated, believing that such an organisation does not wish to see its incompetence and corrupt tendencies exposed.
Mr. Jobarteh added that freedom of speech and press have a direct correlation to the political and economic stability and development of any country. "Freedom of the press reflects a decent and tolerant political culture, and a lack of it consequently implies political oppression."
He said FLARE holds the view that the empowerment of the people is the only way to bring about transformation of a society by the people in the interest of the people. "Empowerment of the people cannot be achieved behind the back of information and enlightenment, of which the press is the primary vehicle. Thus it is FLARE’s view that any attack against the press is an attack against the people’s ability to be empowered in order to determine their own destiny. It is in the context of this fact that FLARE is greatly concerned about the future of The Gambia, and therefore calls for an unconditional stop to any form of suppression of the press."
Mr. Jobarteh urged the civil society organizations in the country to take advantage of the situation to intensify the struggle for democracy and good governance in the country. According to him, history has demonstrated that it is always groups and associations, and not single individuals that have brought about positive change in a society. "The Gambia is no exception, and the sooner the civil society organizations realize this fact the better for all of us," he said.
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Gambians Protest In New York
By Emuran Saidy
The Movement for Democracy and Development in The Gambia (MDD) New York Chapter on Friday staged a protest at The Gambia Permanent Mission to the United Nations, expressing their dismay at the illegal and unjustifiable arrest and detention of NADD executive members.
The three leaders - Hon. Halifa Sallah, Omar Jallow and Hamat Bah who were arraigned in court with different charges. The arrest and detention came after NADD leaders swiftly responded to a statement made by President Jammeh on November 3rd during a meeting with religious leaders at State House.
Demanding the unconditional release of NADD leaders, enquire into the brutal killing of Mr. Deyda Hydara and Ousman Koro Ceesay, the massacre of 14 student demonstrators and a journalist on April 10 and 11. The demonstrators also called for an end to the brutal mistreatment on members of the media and civil societies.
At the Mission, MDD members were denied access to enter. Although staff there could be heard talking on telephone, yet they refused to open the door for MDD leaders to enter, let alone deliver the letter. MDD New York President, Saihou Mballow waited with the crowd for 15 minutes to no avail, prompting them to slide the letter under the door.
Mr. Mballow, who spoke to our reporter, said the demonstration was very important since it gave the United Nations a glimpse of the despotic government of Yahya Jammeh. "We have started people’s attention, they are reading our placards. So they are aware of the problems Gambians are facing," he said.
The MDD Secretary General, Demba Sanyang was confident that Jammeh must go in 2006. "Gambians are sick and tired of Jammeh’s actions. But they are not intimidated at all," he said. "We are ready to die at any cost to make sure that the Gambian people are free from Jammeh’s dictatorship. Gambians deserve every right to freedom of speech and association."
Mr. Sanyang said if the government refuses to respect the rights of citizens, then people would be forced to go for mass uprising, which overthrow governments in other countries.
He said they have written to the US State Department and other organisations to pile pressure on The Gambia Government to bring Deyda’s killers to book. "We believe that the government has a hand in Deyda’s assassination, which is why they are mute over the issue."
The demonstrators also marched to the UN building where they delivered a petition, cataloguing human rights violations in The Gambia to Kofi. "After 11 years of Jammeh’s misrule, The Gambia faces huge challenges to restore respect for human rights and the rule of law," the letter states.
The letter contained the continuous and persistent harassment, suppression and oppression being carried out by the APRC government. It also contained illegal clampdown on opposition and press officers in the country. "President Jammeh’s intention is to cling on to power forever, plunder the country’s resources without being challenged as well as force opposition to melt into inaction."
The letter asked the UN to restore respect for human rights and rule of law in The Gambia. It asked for the unconditional release of the three NADD leaders as well as open judicial inquiry into Deyda’s assassination.
At the end of the demonstration, Mr. Mballow thanked people for turning in large numbers.
Demba Sanyang said, "They get scared and my name always send them into nervous breakdown. People at the Gambian Mission never want to see me around their offices. Anytime they see me, they close their doors because I speak the truth which they never wanted to hear." He said he hated the Jammeh regime because "They have no respect for human rights, the rule of law and democracy."
A Gambia in New York, Lamin Taal said the political situation in the Gambia is very bad, which is why people should join hands to boot out Jammeh come 2006. "All Gambians must unite and expose the undemocratic regime of Jammeh to the rest of the world."
Several Gambians, including the Managing Editor of The Independent, Alagie Yorro Jallow, former Commissioner of North Bank, Rtd. Captain Amadou Suwareh, Mr. Wassa Janneh, among other people, attended.
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Editorial: Our Sinking Credentials
Once again our country’s international image has been soiled following the authorities’ refusal for international delegates to visit the site where the country’s true son was brutally gunned down by evil forces who are still at large.
What have they gained from the obstruction, except succeeding in raising people’s suspicion that they are responsible, which was why they are behaving that way. They also succeeded in uplifting anger and trauma being faced by Deyda Hydara’s family, friends and professional colleagues.
For some people, the move was a clear sign of guilt because nobody expected them to deny people from visiting the site where the unfortunate event occurred. But some people said our government is living in a world of desperation and resorted to doing desperate actions. These assumptions are not far from the truth.
Going by the government’s reaction to the killing, it is apparent that the so-called investigations into the callous killing will bear fruit. This is because every tactic was made by some of our senior authorities to close the Deyda chapter because they feel discontented any time the issue gets international dimension. The fact that as journalists, we know for certain that such people might have disrupted the international conference from kicking if they were ordered to do so.
The saddest of all is that our junior officers were deployed at the scene without telling them the reasons for their presence. They were only asked to get mad on people without questioning. These are the same people who have been used to brutalize, maim or kill innocent citizens for demanding their God-given rights. This is unacceptable in a healthy democracy.
Gambian journalists were happy that their colleagues from the international media had a hint of the atrocious situation their colleagues have been living in. They could not swallow their words about the frustration Gambian journalists are living in.
While we thank our outside brothers for their solidarity and support, we equally register our profound disappointment over a particular local media outlet’s failure to publish a single story on the conference. A mere wearing of Hydara’s ticket in this institution nearly cost a staff his job.
We very well concur with Hamat Bah that if you cannot tell the truth, please don’t attempt to say it. If we call ourselves ambassadors of truth, we must defend the truth no matter whose ox is gored.
We also condemn the mistreatment meted out to our female colleague. Sadly, her own newspaper refused to report the incident, which is shocking. Does this mean that the baton-wielding police were right to mistreat a journalist until she fainted? Is this the type of legacy we want to leave for our children? As professionals, it is our duty to tell the stories of everybody, including ourselves without being biased. In that we will maintain our professional integrity. That is why journalists are seen as noble people.
However, those who slant or bend the ethics of journalism would always be badly judged by posterity.
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In Defence of Press Freedom - GPU-UK
The Gambia Press Union/United Kingdom Branch joints its parent body (The Gambia Press Union), the entire media fraternity, human rights defenders and all those concerned with the protection of fundamental freedoms, justice and the rule of law, in commemorating this fateful day when, unidentified gunmen callously took away from our midst renowned journalist, Deyda Hydara.
We the Gambian journalists resident in the United Kingdom feel privileged to be associated with this timely occasion. We are fully aware of the hostile atmosphere in which our colleagues try to go about carrying out their legitimate duty of informing and educating the general public, thus making the agenda for this conference so fitting.
During the last decades, arrests, intimidation, harassment, physical beatings, imprisonment and forced deportation of foreign journalists have been the unfortunate daily experience of journalists in The Gambia. To try to catalogue the list of abuse against Gambian journalist in the last decade would mean keeping the delegates listening all day and night. As a result, our focus will be the most tarrying tactics being employed in recent years to muzzle press freedom by those in position of trust -the callous murder of journalists with impunity!
We would first of all like to use this occasion to re-iterate our call on the international community, law-abiding governments, human right groups and members of the media fraternity to make formal representation to continue to apply much needed pressure on the government of The Gambia to take the investigation into the assassination of veteran journalist, Deyda Hydara more seriously.
Exactly a year ago, on December 16th 2004, the Co-proprietor and Managing Editor of The Point Newspaper, Deyda Hydara was assassinated while driving home two members of his staff, following the celebration of the paper’s existence. At the time of the incident, the two female staff - Nyasarang Jobe and Ida Jagne-Joof- sustained various degrees of injury as a direct consequence of the bullets that were sprayed on his moving car.
The cowardly murder of Mr. Hydara, who was also the Reporters Without Borders Banjul correspondent, has been widely condemned nationally and internationally. The initial reaction of the government of The Gambia was to pretend that the murder of Mr. Hydara was nothing more than a routine criminal activity .It was only after intense pressure from journalists, journalist organizations, human right groups and others concerned with justice that the government started to take seriously the calls for an immediate investigation into this ghastly crime.
The case, as expected was initially being investigated by the police, but for some suspicious reasons, the matter was reassigned to he National Intelligence Agency (NIA). The NIA on April 29th 2005 released a supposedly "Confidential Report" purporting to acquaint The Gambia government and other interested parties with the outcome so far of the investigations. The so-called confidential report, which can be best be read as a smear campaign geared towards maligning the good name of Hydara, his family and colleagues, was replete with conspitatorial insinuations, hypotheses and trivia on Mr. Hydara’ s alleged private life that was totally irrelevant to the issue of unmasking the individuals or groups that wanted to see him dead.
The report merely chafes the surface of the relevant leads it alludes to but conveniently and deliberately failed to pursue such leads. For instance, the report stated that Mr. Hydara "was a journalist who used his pen to indiscriminately attack or pass judgement on individuals, groups, government, private and public enterprises." The report went further to state that "Mr. Hydara recklessly provoked the aforementioned persons and bodies "persistently in spite of all warnings and threats of legal action from the aggrieved parties."
As to why the late Hydara "recklessly provoked" the government and its leaders, we are instructed in the so-called report that "since the National Media Commission Bill, he (Mr. Hydara) had relentlessly and persistently criticized the government and also attempted to challenge the Bill in court though to no avail. Since July Revolution 1994, Deyda had been launching direct unprecedented attacks on the person of president Jammeh in Good Morning Mr. President.
The report also accused Hydara of using The Bite to haul unpleasant remarks on the government of The Gambia for the institution of laws and other steps taken by government to control the press from abuse of its freedom of expression, which he described as draconian measures put in place to muzzle free press.
Despite expending of energy on other potential suspects and their wherewithal to carry out the gruesome murder of Deyda Hydara, the report was conveniently incurious on the government and its leaders outlined motives in wanting to silence the critical voice of Mr. Hydara.
It is exactly one year since the killing of Mr. Hydara and eight months since the release of the so-called NIA confidential report -no one has yet been brought to justice while the NIA seem to have laid the matter to rest.
On the commemoration of the fateful day of December 16 the UK Branch of GPU joins our parent body and all those interested in justice in calling upon The Gambia to request the services of interested international investigators who have the knowledge and know-how to investigate Hydara’ s case and bring the perpetrators to justice. Consider the purposes of illustration, the bullets retrieved from his body. A forensic examination of the bullets is all that was needed to identify the weapons being used, which in turn could lead to clues -that can be building block for unmasking the killers or their sponsors. The NIA report merely mentions the bullets but fails to give forensic evidence.
To continue with the charade that is the NIA investigation would not only be a serious mockery of the memory of a man who deserves much better from the country he dearly loved and has given so much, it would also reinforce to believe that nothing ever comes out of wilful and cowardly attacks on journalists in The Gambia.
Signed
Alieu Badara Sowe.
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GTB Counts Blessings
Barely three years in business in the country, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, Ayo Richards boasts of counting many blessings.
At a recent lunch the bank organised for press officers, Mr. Richards disclosed that among the bank’s many success stories include its telephone banking, provision of leadership on corporate governance and catalyst in marketing.
Mr. Richards expressed GTB’s commitment to social responsibility. In that light, he said, the bank supported street signs, the University of The Gambia, RVTH and schools. "We’ll continue to do a lot," he said, adding that the bank is proud of supporting every sector of the economy. "It is the only bank that finance groundnut purchase in the country last season."
He said the bank boasts of its staff who are the greatest and priced assets. Mr. Richards added that the bank does everything possible to retain, train and motivate them. "In the past, our bank conducted formal and informal training and it also had a training outfit last year," he said.
Guaranty Trust Bank, according to the managing director, is a bank that runs on ethical policies. "We are bold and confident about ourselves," he said, adding that the bank has bolstered its IT system and have the innovation to push ahead.
Mr. Richards disclosed for the convenience of its customers, GTB would next year introduce new products such as master card, automatic teller machines, and debit cards. "With a master card, you don’t need to have a foreign account because you can access your money anywhere in the world," he assured.
Asked why the bank operates only in Commonwealth West Africa - Nigeria, The Gambia, Sierra-Leone and Ghana, Mr. Richards said this was done after taking into consideration common languages and cultures. He promised that the bank would expand to other African countries because the bank is fastening its belts ahead of the Eco’s introduction. "We will move to Basse but we are cautious in the way we move. In the next three weeks to come, GTB will open its Brikama Branch. Already we have branches in Banjul and Churchill’s Town," he said.
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Gamworks - A Tool To Fight Poverty
The Director General of the Gambian Agency for the Management of Public Works (Gamworks), Ebrima Cham has said that the agency is a tool to fight poverty.
Describing Gamworks as an independent, non-governmental and non-profit making institution providing essential public infrastructure and services, Mr. Cham said the agency has an objective to serve the public interest, create employment and build local capacity in the construction and public sector works. Speaking during a lunch the agency organised for the press, Mr. Cham said the activities of the agency include the management and implementation of development projects, through construction of public infrastructure promotion and training for small and medium enterprises. "It also include sensitisation, implementation of social development projects, creation of employment and provision of other services for its partners," he said.
Gamworks director added that the agency intervenes in either as a Project Implementation Agency (PIA) or as a Delegated Management Contractor (DMC). He outlined the agency’s structure and catalogued some of the projects currently being implemented as PIAs, which include the Poverty Alleviation and Capacity Building Project (PACABP) and the Second Public Works Projects. As a DMC, he said the agency is currently implementing six delegated management contracts with Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) within various departments of State. "They include the provision of facilities in the areas of education, health, community skills, trade and the Office of the President. The total cost for the entire DMCs is to the tune of 28, 000, 000 Dollars.
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Campama Receives Gift
By Pa Modou Secka
The Gambia Methodist Laymen’s Association (GMLA), recently conducted its annual Christmas visitation and distribution of gifts to the Campama Psychiatric Unit in Banjul.
The distributed items include milk, bread, sugar, drinks, biscuits and tea.
Presenting the gift, the president of the association, Ernest Aubee said the annual Christmas visitation and distribution of gift has been undergoing for the past 20 years. He said Christmas festivity is a time of good will, joy and peace. "We need to share the little we have with the unhealthy, needy and the poor," he said, commending the staff of the Unit for their endeavour towards curing and helping mentally ill patients.
In receiving the items on behalf of the Psychiatric Unit, Dr. Dawda Samba described the gift as timely. He thanked GMLA for their untiring support being rendered to the Unit. "The donated items will facilitate and help to free the mine of the patients," he said, indicating that GMLA are partners who contribute to the health, social and moral well being of the mentally ill patients.
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Another Magazine In The Offing
By Lamin Njie
The President of Media for Peace and Conservation (MEPCON), Momodou Kanteh has said that his organisation intends to come up with a quarterly magazine that would cover comprehensive issues on the environment and conservation in The Gambia.
This, according to him, conforms to the dictates of developmental journalism with emphasis on strong media participation on issues of national and community development. "Developmental journalism demands that journalists focus on the development of a better framework of existence for the people by promoting peace and conservation as well as participating in socio-economic programmes that will improve the lives of men, women and children," he said. He added that the magazine would not be for sale. "It will be distributed to libraries, embassies, government departments, schools, tourists and shareholders in the tourism industry."
MEPCON is a registered non-profit organisation of journalists who are very much concerned with and have passion for the environment, wild life protection as well as peace.
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Copyright Protection Needs More Resources
By Buya Jammeh
The Attorney General and Secretary of State for Justice, Sheikh Tijan Hydara has said that more resources need to be allocated for copyright protection.
This, according to him would enable creativity to continue, bringing economic benefits to The Gambian people. He was addressing a three-day national workshop, jointly organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture and the World International Property Organisation (WIPO), aimed at sensitizing stakeholders about copyright and its implications on The Gambian right holders, at the Corinthia Atlantic Hotel.
Mr. Hydara told participants that they should be committed to the enforcement of strong intellectual property laws by strengthening the administration of copyright systems. He said The Gambian Copyright Act 2004, meets the basic requirement for developing a strong and effective copyright system, which adheres to international conventions, such as Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). According to him, this would ensure intellectual property right enforcement and provide penalties that will deter future infringements.
The programme officer of WIPO, Neema Nyerere-Drago said copyright is face with immense challenges, which perils rights of creators. This, according to her has necessitated the revision and redrafting of existing legislation to guarantee the rights of owners.
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The Theatre Of Hajj
by Ahmed B Saidybah
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahma Tullah, My dear Muslim brothers and sister, Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and therefore of significance to every Muslim/Muslimah who is able financially, spiritually and physically.
Below we have the Theatre Of Hajj.
What does Hajj mean? The essence of Hajj is, man’s evolution toward Allah. It is a symbolic demonstration of the philosophy of Creation of Adam. To further illustrate this, it may be stated that the performance of Hajj is a simultaneous show of many things; it is a "show of creation", a "show of history", a "show of unity", a "show of the Islamic ideology" and a show of the Ummah.
The following conditions prevail in this "show". Allah is the transcendent stage manager. The theme portrayed is the actions of the people involved. Adam, Ibrahim, Hajar, and Satan are the main characters. The scenes are Masjid-ul Haram, the Haram area, Masa, Arafat, Mashars and Mina. Important symbols to take note off in this show are the Kaaba, Safa, Marwa, day, night, sunshine, sunset, idols and ritual of sacrifice. The clothing and make up are Ihram, Halgh and Taqseer. Lastly, the player of the roles in this "show" is only one; and that is YOU!
Regardless of whether you are a man or a woman, young or old, black or white, you are the main feature of the performance. The role of Adam, Ibrahim and Hajar in the confrontation of Satan with Allah is played by you. As a result, you, individually, are the hero of the "show".
Annually, Muslims from all over the world are encouraged to participate in this great "show" (Hajj). Everyone is considered equal. No discrimination on the basis of race, gender, or social status is made. In accordance to the teachings of Islam, "All are one and one is all".
Hajj imbeds in us the Quranic concept "whosoever kills a human being other than (in punishment) for manslaughter or causing corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all humanity, and whoso saved the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all humanity." [5:32] As soon as the pilgrim enters the state of Ihram (the mental and physical readiness to begin the Hajj) any form of harm to human or animal life is forbidden.
Yet the enemies of Islam continue to deliberately wage a campaign against Islam. They attack it by denying that Islam recognizes the human being as an individual endowed with special rights and values.
If we limit the concept of Hajj to the status of merely a duty we have missed the show. As Ali Ibn Abi Talib said: If Islam is a lamb fur-coat, it is put on inside out.
Living on a day-to-day basis, the person lacks direction. His aim is only to live. What exists is a dead spirit in a living body. However, the Hajj experience alters this unhealthy condition!
Once you decide to perform Hajj and take the necessary steps, you are on the road to the actualisation of Hajj. Before going to Hajj you reside in your home calm and reposed. Upon entering the state of mind for Hajj, you arise and move away from your routine environment.
Hajj is the antithesis of aimlessness. It is the rebellion against a damned fate guided by evil forces. The fulfilment of Hajj will enable you to escape from the complex network of puzzles. This revolutionary act will reveal to you the clear horizon and freeway for migration to eternity toward the Almighty Allah. Adapted from a section of the book "Hajj" by Dr. Ali Shariati.
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Children And Moral Decadence
by David Thoronka
Moral decadence in our era is an increasing problem.
It needs urgent attention because its consequences are catastrophic. They transcend political, economic, health and social domain. In all this, it is the children who suffer most.
The two school of taught, modern and conservative moralist has pondered upon this subject repeatedly. They have brainstormed, streamline, outline and strategies mechanisms to curtail the tempo of the moral erosion in our societies. This moral erosion is likened to the fierce battle ragging on between virtues and vices. Thus everyday unfolds new terrors and honours of this invisible battle. This is demonstrated in the way people are acting vile and adopting cannibal style.
Our children need to be protected from bad moral practices. But for this campaign to be successful, they need to take the lead in defending themselves from moral decadence simply because their attitude will determine whether they are prone to abuse, exploitation and violation.
Moral decadence is hard to tackle, as they are not easily detected. It can be perceived as the negligence or abandonment of society’s moral values, cherished customs and beautiful usages, which are threatened with extinction. In our case, the treat of destruction of moral fabric is so impending that urgent measures are need to be taken to rescue the future of young and innocent generation. The children are virtues, trapped between the cross fire of the battle between morality and immorality.
Modern moralist perceives morals as dynamic, which evolves rapidly to embrace new emerging realities. They argue that evolution of morals is not sudden and visible but is constantly in motion. And for people to live peacefully and happily, they should be allowed to choose the lifestyle they wish to adopt. This affords them the opportunity to exploit their inherent rights and liberty. They resect the clause "moral decay." They believe that morality is incorruptible and the only way it can pass on is by evolution to give room for better morals to emerge.
Conservative moralist, on their part staunchly criticised modern moralist. They see societal values as cherished treasures, which people find hard to part with. If that is the case, then it rebuts the presumption of the modernist who claim that values are constantly and rapidly evolving. The immoral upsurge in our society should be solely blamed on modern moralists. They are accused of creating a society where all morals will be perceived as acceptable, which will eliminate the difference between morality and immorality. If this is achieved then there will be no distinction between right and wrong, good and evil. What a world it will be if this happens?
When there is moral sanity the population live in peace, love and harmony. When people abide by the moral decency left by their ancestors, then society will experience progress, development and prosperity. If society lost its moral sanity, it will experience the negative sides of immorality as we see on the beach.
However, we will endeavour to examine certain fundamental morals, which are threatened. Chastity was once considered with sacred respect. A girl was expected to chest until she gets married. But this is no the case. Under age girls lost their innocence and some are proud of it. The issue of boyfriend and girlfriend amongst teenagers have compounded the problem.
Discipline and decent dressing are other basic morals, which have been seriously affected by modern moralist ideologies. Today clothing, which adults were not contemplating to wear, is what children are putting on. Short, see through, transparent and revealing dresses have come to fashion. Such indecent and immodest dresses create an opportunity for a child to be sexually abused exploited or isolated.
Children no longer use certain etiquettes such as ‘thank you’ ‘forgive me’ or am sorry, when something good is done or when somebody is offended. Polite vocabulary such a please or excuse me are almost eroded from their minds. For us to protect the moral public of our nation, the children should take the lead. They should not be porous to all modern theories for some are self-destructive which will in turn be destructive to the nation.
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Omar Sey Repeats History
by Namory Trawally
The incumbent President of Gambia Football Association (GFA), Alhagie Omar Sey last Monday recorded his name in the history book for being the second head of FA to voluntarily retire after his term of office ends.
Mr. Sey had toed along the same line with Alagie O.B. Conateh (fisco) who did the same some years back. Despite being nominated by Banjul teams last Saturday, Mr. Sey made an open withdrawal from the race, much to the consternation of football pundits and fans.
Most people had expected Mr. Sey who had been the Interim President since November 2004, to ride for another term of office but he decided to go for the opposite.
At a press conference at the GFA Secretariat, Mr Sey declared his support for the man who would have been his potential contender. In his own words, Mr. Sey said, "I am fully supporting Mr. Seedy Kinteh’s candidature and I called on all football fans, including those who nominated me to support Seedy for the betterment of football in The Gambia." Mr. Sey believed that elections in football bring about factions and that he would not be part of the causes of factions in Gambian football.
"Soccer is a unifying factor and a clear example was the U- 17 championship in Banjul," he said, defending his withdrawal from the race. The withdrawal has given automatic qualification to Seedy Kinteh to be declared GFA President come December 31st. Kinteh would be running solo for the post.
Gambia To host WAFU Congress
The West African Football Union (WAFU) has agreed to hold its congress in The Gambia next year. The proposed congress which is scheduled for early May, is supposed to be punctuated with a youth tournament.
The said tournament will be competed by the three U-17 teams that qualified for the World Championship in Peru – The Gambia, Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire. The fourth team would be determined before the tournament.
According to FA officials, the Banjul tournament is expected to be held before May 10, as FIFA would not allow any competition during the world cup finals in Germany. Through GFA, WAFU executive members have appealed to President Jammeh to stage a trophy for the Banjul tournament.
This was delivered by the Secretary General of WAFU, Aka Malan who recently visited the country to inform football authorities that The Gambia has been chosen for the congress of the sub-regional football body.
During the visit, Mr. Malan had held series of meetings with GFA President. The two discuss the congress agenda and other matters concerning WAFU. WAFU is today holding a preparatory meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso as a way of harmonizing its relations with member countries.
The WAFU Secretary General also informed GFA members that the days for the postponed four-nation finals scheduled to take place in Nigeria as part of activities marking the 30th anniversary of ECOWAS were yet to be chosen. The Gambia, Cote D’ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria are the finalists of the ECOWAS tournament.
CAF Approves Assistance To GFA
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has recently approved the budget submitted by the Gambia Football Association for the development of its newly inaugurated school of excellent.
According to GFA President Alhagie Omar Sey, the recent visit of Mr Slim Aloulou, CAF executive committee member, on December 08th, 2005 was to assess the level of school of the excellent before CAF approved the proposal. Mr. Sey added that CAF was impressed with the proposal and has agreed to give one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to the Gambia Football Association.
He added that the money would be used to develop the GFA school of excellence housed at the National Technical Training Centre in Old Yundum.
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Teams Reject Prizes In Sanchaba
By Pa Modou Secka
After they accused the organising committee of being bias, the finalists of the 2005 Sanchaba Nawettan have rejected their prizes.
The Coaches of Torro FC and Ruku-bi FC refused to receive the winners and runners up prizes amounting to three thousand five hundred and two thousand five hundred Dalasis respectively.
The coach of Ruku-bi, Ndeneh Njie, they were expecting to receive more than what they were given because the registration fees collected by the committee equaled to D30, 000.
Njie said being the runner-up team, they should have been given at least D10, 000.
Coach Njie became so furious that he threw away what he called pittance he had received from the Secretary General of the area’s sports development committee. Ruku-bi coach threatened to mount campaign for football boycott among teams in the area next year.
The head coach of Torro FC, Omar Njie also expressed anger and urged the organizers to work towards fulfilling the commitment of the teams. He threatened to sell the trophy if the committee fails to give them more money.
Our reporter contacted the Secretary General of Sanchaba Committee, Yusupha Cham said the committee was right in its decision because that were the amounts they agreed upon before the tournament commenced. He said the money collected from the registration of the teams was used to pay match officials and the security personnel.
"I call on teams to be patient and register for the next year’s nawettan competition," he said.
Meanwhile, Torro FC claimed the area’s 2005 nawettan trophy after beating Ruku –bi FC at a final. A total of 20 teams took part in the championship.
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What People Say About The Budget
By Habibu Ceesay
The Independent has conducted a vox pop on Gambians’ reaction to the 2005/6 budget presented by the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, Mousa Bala Gaye at the National Assembly.
Most people generally described the budget as the most expensive and biting throughout the The Gambia’s 40 years of nationhood because instead of alleviating poverty, the government makes life unbearable for ordinary Gambians.
Baboucarr Sillah, a businessman said, "We had expected the government to reduce customs duties so that more Gambians would be able to import goods with ease. This will help us peg reasonable prices. With the increase, the prices of goods would definitely shoot up. We are not happy with the sharp increase in customs duties, especially on cigarette. This is very serious."
Ousman Tambidou, a car importer said, "This year’s budget was meant to exploit the poor Gambians instead of uplifting their standard of living. Imagine, we pay D19, 000 for car tax at Customs but this was increased to D20, 000. How can we operate a business in this type of condition?"
Alhagie Ba Sarr, driver said, "I call on The Gambia Government to critically review this year’s budget. By that they would know how they succeed in creating economic problems for the citizens. Drivers totally condemned the budget because it does not favour us at all. The government has decided to increase both fuel and road taxes."
Musa Secka, a civil servant said, "The government has fail to address the salary increase and high rocketing of prices of commodities. But it went ahead to increase tax and duties. We were thinking of that the budget would prioritise salary increase but that was never the case. It is unfortunate that we spend all our salaries on buying food and transportation. We therefore urged the government to review the budget."
Ebrima Joof, a farmer said, "The government fail to increase the price of groundnut so that farmers can realise the benefit of their sweat. But they decided to increase taxes and cost of fuel. How can a poor farmer survive in this type of economic hardship? Ours is a situation in which the government ignore farmers, let alone improve their standard of living."
Malick Mboob, a driver said, "This year’s budget is bad for drivers because the government has increased license, road tax and fuel prices without addressing the price of transport fare. Was this a calculated move for drivers to abandon their profession because it would be hard to realise anything in our profession? With this presence situation, car owners must be told to increase the salaries of drivers. Otherwise drivers would not reap the benefit of their work."
Saffie Bah, a vendor said, "Now Gambians should know that it is time to change. We need a change for our life because we have a government that fail to address poverty issues in a country where people live from hand to mouth. The situation has aggravated poverty instead of alleviating it. I want all my female partners to wake up from their slumber and realise that the future of our sons and daughters are important. This type of budget does not shape bright future of our young ones. Let’s change because time has come for us to change."
Aja Saidy, a housewife said, "We cannot make good life from this type of budget. Our husbands are tilling day in, day out, yet they still remain poor. We want to know whether the government is cheating us or we are not working hard."
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Communication – Integral Part Of Development
By Alieu Darboe
The deputy director of ActionAid The Gambia (AATG), Mr. Lamin Barrow has emphasized the importance of information and communication, as they are integral part of every development process.
He was speaking at Brikama Community Radio Station (FMB) while presenting a generator, air-conditioner and a Universal Power Supply to the station last week. Mr. Barrow said AATG’s has been operational in all parts of the country with a vision to provide and development projects for the people, especially women and children. He said it is part of their mandate to help community radio stations, which would in turn promote the welfare of the radio and the community. This, he added, would help them access relevant information so that they know what is happening around them.
Mr Barrow challenged media professionals to always make information affordable to the public on time. He urged the staff of FMB to fully utilise the materials, which would encourage AATG to provide further assistance to the institution.
The AATG Manager for Information, Communication and Technology, Mr. Yankuba Cham said his institution prioritise timely delivery of relevant information to the public. He said this was the reason for the donation. Mr. Cham said the generator would address the station’s electricity needs.
The manageress of FMB, Aja Jarra Sanneh-Barry thanked AATG for the gesture, assuring that the materials would be put to good use. She said since her station aims to provide relevant information to the public on issues such as health, women’s development, education, children’s welfare, environment, amongst others, the donated items would no doubt bolster their activities.
The Assistant Commissioner for Western Division, Mrs. Sainabou Faal also reiterated similar sentiments. She thanked AATG for complementing government’s development efforts.
The donated materials were valued at D116, 575. Action Aid donated similar materials to Kerewan and Farafenni community stations. Several dignitaries were present at the ceremony. Sifai Jobarteh of Kaira Band provided entertainment for the gathering.
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Joyeux Noël !
by Mohamed Mboyo Ey’ekula
L’année 2005 touche à sa fin. Mais, avant de nous tourner le dos, cette année, qui a vu défiler événements tragiques comme réjouissants, nous fait un dernier clin d’oeil. Un clin d’œil qui luit de tout éclat : la Nativité ou Noël. Festivité qui précède le Nouvel An d’une semaine. Festivité que l’on ne peut dissocier des fêtes de fin d’année. Car, c’est un trait d’union entre l’année qui s’achève et celle qui pointe à l’horizon.
Noël? L’événement peut passer pour banal. Mais, non, c’ est un événement capital pour l’humanité ! Noël, en somme, consacre la naissance du Christ, Jésus, le fils de Dieu. Sauveur de l’humanité.
Jésus, pour les chrétiens, Insa chez les musulmans, est un lien pour les religions monothéistes. Si les chrétiens le divinisent, ‘’ Emmanuel’’ c’est-à-dire Dieu avec nous, les musulmans l’honorent comme un prophète majeur : la parole de Dieu.
Mais, Noël, c’est surtout la fête de l’Enfant Jésus. La fête de tous petits, des enfants en général. Occasion rêvée pour être cajolés par leurs parents et, aussi, pour des cadeaux. Avec le père Noël bien entendu.
Au plan exégétique, Noël symbolise le salut pour l’humanité. ‘’Dieu a tant aimé le monde qu’Il a livré Son fils unique pour le salut de tous’’, la Bible le souligne. Aussi, Noël, bien que festive, s’inscrit d’abord dans le cadre de la communion avec Dieu, notre Créateur. Le Sauveur qui vient vers nous pour expier nos péchés. ‘’Voici l’agneau de Dieu qui ôte les péchés du monde’’, diront les prêtres en célébrant la Sainte Scène, Noël est une fête sainte. Célébrons-la avec piété !
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‘’RIPPED APART’’
PROMOLIVRE ratisse large
Awa Dieng, journaliste et productrice de l’émission PROMOLIVRE, était à l’honneur le lundi 19 décembre 2005. Pour un coup d’essai, elle a réussi un coup de maître. RIPPED APART’’, roman-fiction du capitaine Lamin K Saine, que PROMOLIVRE lançait à l’Alliance Franco-Gambienne, a mis tout le monde d’accord. Les nombreuses personnalités, les journalistes et le public qui ont fait le déplacement, ont été enthousiasmés.
‘’ C’est une grande soirée. Cette séance valait le déplacement’’, ces propos tenus par Madame Mbodj, de l’Ambassade du Sénégal, sont un lieu commun pour tous ceux qui ont fait le déplacement. ‘’ C’est une œuvre d’une grande facture littéraire. Il fallait absolument vivre cette occasion’’, renchérit M François Morel, Chargé d’Affaires de l’Ambassade de France. ‘’ C’est une vraie réussite. Cette soirée nous a permis de rompre d’avec la situation d’incurie qui prévaut dans le secteur culturel. J’espère que cela surtoutva donner le branle à une activité culturelle intense pour le plus grand bien du pays’’, relève pour sa part Abdoulie JOHN, journaliste gambien, correspondant de l’Agence Chine nouvelle et du journal Le Quotidien (Sénégal).
Au delà de ces commentaires, il faut reconnaître le travail abbatu par Baboucar Cham, directeur de City Limits, Jean Michell Kaufmann, directeur de l’Alliance Franco-gambienne, mais, aussi et surtout, la contribution non négligeable de l’Ambassade de France en Gambie, de la Coopération française. Les journalistes, ont, par leur présence massive, donné un cachet particulier à l’événement. Awa Dieng et ses deux médiathécaires, Murtala Touray et Angèle Badiane, peuvent se frotter les mains.
Le point d’orgue de cette soirée littéraire a , surtout, été les débats qui ont suivi la présentation de ‘’RIPPED APART’’. Car, ils ont permis au public de mieux pénétrer l’univers de ce romanqui, à bien des égards, reflète la réalité quotidienne de bon nombre de pays africains. Car, les tribulations du sergent GAIRA, nous entraînent dans l’horreur d’un continent pris dans l’engrenage des foyers de tension. Avec leur cortège de malheurs et d’événements macabres. Mais dans une perspective optimiste, l’auteur, en mettant en scène les relations amoureuses qui vont se tisser entre le personnage central et EDNA, démontre que, en dépit des situations de guerre, l’espoir reste inextinguible.
Cette note d’espoir n’est pas sans rappeler l’esprit d’abnégation dont font montre les peuples africains qui, bien que confrontés à toutes sortes de situations déshumanisantes, persévèrent et font de l’amour un point d’honneur. Il est vrai que le tribalisme, l’une des tares indexées par l’auteur, divise encore. Mais, l’amour, lui, soude et uni autour de l’essentiel : le devenir du continent noir. Un continent où, en plein deuxième millénaire, vivre est encore un exercice périlleux. La liberté d’expression n’est pas une valeur sur laquelle se fonde la res-publica, la famine et la débrouillardise dominent et, surtout, le sous-développement rampant est un fardeau qui freine tout progrès.
Mais, passé cette seule note positive, l’horreur ressurgit. L’auteur peint une Afrique où tuer sans scrupule, ne gêne pas. Même si c’est son propre frère que l’on élimine, juste pour se frayer une place au soleil. Une Afrique où la corruption, l’arbitraire, l’impunité, la cruauté et la barbarie règnent. C’est que le continent a fait de l’assassinat des journalistes un loisir. Les arrestations arbitraires sont une chose de plus banale. La tyrannie, qui complète le tableau, est un met dont raffole nos leaders. Tout ceci, dans l’indifférence d’une communauté internationale qui, parfois aide à empirer la situation, lorsque ses intérêts commandent. ‘’C’est pourquoi, soutient l’auteur, J’ai décrié la dictature et,aussi, la duplicité de la communauté internationale’’. Peut-on dire mieux ?
Après les débats qui ont ponctué cette manifestation, la première du genre, et la note de remerciements de Jean Michel Kaufman, la soirée a pris fin par le cocktail offert par les organisateurs au nombreux public qui avait pris d’assaut l’AFG dès les premières heures de la soirée.
Mohamed Mboyo Ey’ekula
Le coup de pouce de ENDA
L’Ong tiers-mondiste, ENDA TIERS MONDE, basée à Dakar, est le prinicpal soutien de PROMOLIVRE. Maître d’œuvre de cette initiative, Enda Tiers Monde, qui a été créée en 1972, est présente dans 14 pays d’Afrique, 5 d’Amérique Latine et 2 d’Asie.
Ses principaux bailleurs sont les Nations Unies et l’Union Européenne. Elle reçoit également des fonds provenant de bon nombre de mouvements associatifs disséminés dans le monde.
L’objectif visé, à travers cette initiative de promotion du livre, est de favoriser l’expansion de la lecture au travers des ouvrages qui ouvrent les esprits dans le sens du savoir et du progrès. Même si la précarité ambiante semble rendre cette tâche titanesque, il reste que c’est avec de telles actions que non seulement un public féru de lecture se crée, mais aussi se perpétue dans le temps.
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Le MRC en croisade contre le tabac
by Salif Sawadogo
Le syndicat de travailleurs du Medical Research Council, MRC, a lancé une action d’envergure nationale contre le tabac. Le coup d’envoi a été donné le 20 décembre dernier.
Quelques cinq millions d’individus à travers le monde décèdent à cause du tabac. Situation qui fait qu’aujourd’hui la lutte contre le tabagisme est devenue un vrai casse-tête pour l’OMS. Et, c’est donc, dans cette optique que s’inscrit l’action initiée par des agents du MRC.
‘’Le problème du tabac ne se limite pas seulement aux fumeurs. Car, des millions de personnes, notamment les enfants, y sont chaque jour exposées’’, fait observer Pa Lamin Beyai, représentant de l’OMS en Gambie. Selon lui, cette situation est liée à ‘’ la puissance de grandes firmes du tabac, surtout dans les pays en voie de développement’’.
Pour le docteur Corah, directeur du MRC, ‘’seules des mesures sévères et strictes peuvent venir à bout du fléau’’. Et, comme pour paraphraser son directeur dans le sens de l’action, la toute nouvelle structure mise en place par les agents du MRC, a pris la résolution ferme d’interdire le tabac au sein de l’espace MRC à partir de janvier 2006. ‘’ Cette mesure n’est pas en porte à faux avec les lois du pays’’, précise le Dr Corah pour qui, la complexité de la situation réside ‘’ dans la difficulté à sensibiliser les populations qui voient toujours dans ces compagnies de la mort des humanitaires du fait de nombreuses activités qu’elles sponsorisent dans les pays en voie de développement’’.
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Référendum décisif pour l’avenir de la RD Congo
by Didier Kebongo et A. Obul’Okwess
(Syfia RD Congo) Premier scrutin démocratique depuis 40 ans en RD Congo, le référendum sur la Constitution, du 18 décembre, devrait ouvrir la voie aux élections prévues d’ici juin 2006. Un tournant décisif pour cet immense pays malmené par 10 ans de conflits. À quelques jours du vote, les appels en faveur du "oui" se multiplient.
Plus de 24 millions de Congolais sont appelés à se prononcer le dimanche 18 décembre sur le projet de constitution adopté par le Parlement de la République démocratique du Congo en mai 2005. Ce référendum représente un tournant décisif pour ce pays qui vit sous un gouvernement de transition depuis la fin de la guerre et la signature des accords de paix de Sun City (Afrique du Sud), en décembre 2002.
Cette première étape du processus électoral est aussi une gageure pour la Commission électorale indépendante (CEI), chargée d’organiser d’ici juin 2006 les premières élections démocratiques, libres et indépendantes du pays depuis 40 ans. En six mois, elle a dû enrôler et enregistrer 24,5 millions d’électeurs dans un pays continent, grand comme quatre fois la France ou quatre-vingts fois la Belgique, sans routes ni infrastructures. Pari réussi, même si le nombre d’électeurs enregistrés n’atteint pas les 28 à 30 millions initialement prévus.
Le "oui" pour avancer À quelques jours du vote, la mobilisation pour une participation massive des Congolais est forte. La campagne électorale démarrée le 2 décembre bat son plein. Dans les médias, les appels en faveur de l’approbation du projet de constitution sont majoritaires. Ils émanent des composantes politiques ou de la société civile actuellement au pouvoir. Le président Joseph Kabila lui-même a convié les Congolais à "voter massivement pour le ‘oui’". Lors d’une conférence de presse, le 12 décembre, Monseigneur Monsengwo Pasinya, l’influent président de la conférence épiscopale de la RDC, a été clair : "La participation au référendum constitutionnel est pour chaque citoyen et citoyenne un devoir moral, dont le résultat peut faire progresser ou reculer notre nation." Tous brandissent la menace de voir l’actuelle période de transition, qui accuse déjà plusieurs mois de retard, être indéfiniment prolongée en cas de rejet de la constitution. Le fragile processus de paix pourrait alors être mis à mal.
La communauté internationale qui suit de très près ce scrutin n’est pas en reste. "S’il n’y a pas de constitution, il n’y aura pas d’élections", a averti Aldo Ajello, l’envoyé spécial de l’Union européenne pour la région des Grands Lacs. Principal bailleur de fonds des élections en RDC, l’Europe maintient, tout comme le Comité international d’accompagnement de la transition, composé des représentants des cinq pays membres permanents du Conseil de sécurité, une pression constante sur le gouvernement de Kinshasa pour qu’il respecte le calendrier qui doit conduire aux élections.
Le "non" a aussi ses partisans actifs dans les médias. Comme la Convention pour la démocratie et la République (CDR) d’André Alain Atundu Liongo qui estime que "ce texte est taillé à la mesure des ambitions du leadership national actuel. Il est dominé par le souci de la préservation des intérêts mutuels".
Voter même sans connaître la Constitution Le texte qui sera soumis au référendum prévoit un État unitaire fortement décentralisé, qui devrait accorder des larges pouvoirs aux provinces dont le nombre passerait de 11 à 26. Il instaure un régime semi-présidentiel : le président, élu au suffrage universel direct (majorité absolue des voix), nomme dans les rangs du parti majoritaire au Parlement un Premier ministre qui sera responsable devant la Chambre. L’une des grandes nouveautés de cette Constitution est l’instauration du principe de la parité homme femme, notamment au Parlement, au Sénat et au gouvernement.
Mais la plupart des électeurs congolais ne connaissent pas la future loi fondamentale sur laquelle ils doivent se prononcer. Très peu l’ont lue, dans un pays où, selon le PNUD, 35 % des adultes sont analphabètes. La CEI a édité 450 000 exemplaires du projet de Constitution et 500 000 exemplaires du "Petit guide de vulgarisation" pour les Ong et associations qui expliquent le contenu du texte à la population. Rares sont donc les citoyens qui l’ont eu entre les mains, surtout dans les milieux ruraux où vit la majorité de la population.
Quoi qu’il en soit pour beaucoup, hommes politiques ou hommes de la rue, l’important est d’aller de l’avant pour faire avancer le processus électoral. Le taux de participation des électeurs, l’organisation du scrutin et la proclamation des résultats sont autant d’éléments attendus pour juger de la crédibilité des élections à venir.
Cent soixante et un observateurs internationaux accrédités vont suivre les opérations de vote. Les partis politiques ont eux aussi désigné des témoins qui seront déployés dans les 40 000 bureaux de vote éparpillés sur l’ensemble du pays. Les résultats du scrutin seront connus une semaine plus tard, le 26 décembre.
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Présidence de la GFA
Sey se retire de la course
by Namory Trawally
Président sortant de la GFA, Alhagie Omar Sey, a finalement jeté l’éponge pour éviter la déculottée. En tout cas, les différentes associations convoquées en assemblée générale ce samedi 31 décembre 2005, s’étaient résolument engagées à lui infliger une bonne correction.
S’adressant aux journalistes, le présiden sortantde GFA, a laissé entendre qu’il se rangeait avec la majorité et, par conséquent, se désistait pour Seedy Kinteh, le super favori de cette élection, ceci, a t-il soutenu, ‘’ pour le bien du football gambien’’.
Du coup Seedy Kinteh, actuellement premier vice-président, se voit propulser au poste de président de la Fédé faute d’adversaire. Son ex-rival, va même plus loin. ‘’ Si j’ai décidé de retirer ma candidature, c’est surtout pour éviter les divisions qu’occasionnent les élections dans les milieux sportifs et qui, très souvent, jouent contre le développement du sport dans le pays’’. Aussi, souligne t-il, ‘’ J’ai été appelé pour servir, j’ai répondu présent pendant un an et, maintenant, je remets le pouvoir à ceux qui me l’ont confié’’.
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