The article was culled from Burning Issues (FOROYAA) Publication

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The April 10th and 11th and The London Meeting

Some people are spreading the information that people who attended the
London briefing of a British MP were there because of their concern for the
Gambian youths who were murdered on 10th and 11th April 2000. FOROYAA must
again reiterate that it witnessed what happened on 10th and 11th April. The
editorial board considers any attempt by any political figure to utilise the
criminal butchery of the young people as political bargaining chip as
callous insensitive and criminal act.  FOROYAA's stand in battling the
culture of impunity in matters of justice is well known. The students acted
without any motivation from any political party.

Very recently, a student was expelled from Gambia College. The student
leaders became mediators with the administration. When there was an impasse
the student leaders consulted the student body who agreed to have a sit down
strike until their fellow student was readmitted. The student leaders went
back to inform the administration of their plans to have sit in strike, the
administration threatened the intervention of the security forces. The
student leadership consulted the student body again who indicated that they
would agree to go and sit at home until the problem was resolved since they
did not need any violence. Finally, they agreed to solve the problem. The
students did not need any counselling from any one. They are empowered. They
know that no policemen can save them not to talk about an MP in London. A
new Gambian student is emerging who cannot be used as a tool by anyone on
earth.

During the early political days some politicians used to take their phones
and pretended to be calling the applause of their supporters. Now we have
politicians claiming that they have solved the human right problem by
attending a meeting in London. While there is nothing wrong with Gambians in
exile abroad in making a case to put pressure for greater democratisation in
the Gambia, it is an act of desperate folly for Gambian political leaders to
go all the way to London just to take part in a briefing session with a
British Parliamentarian and his colleagues.

This is an election year. Gambians abroad can best bring about change by
recognising the growing maturity of Gambian people and their commitment to
take their destiny into their own hands and give resources to the political
parties of their choice.
As for Gambia students, we must say as Lumumba has said that it is your duty
to defend the sovereignty of the people. You must be the embodiment of
awareness, dignity and self-confidence that know no domination or servility.
You must not be any body's tool or fool you must  ensure that the future of
the Gambia is determined by your enlightened and free choice.

To the detractors, let us say that FOROYAA's stand on the April 10th and
11th incidents is quite clear. Sidia was present where the action was taking
place. We opened a hot line to receive and give information. FOROYAA
reporters witnessed the killings. FOROYAA reporters were among the first to
testify before the Coroner to confirm the use of life bullets. No other
journalist of any paper gave evidence.

Parents of the dead children still contact  us for one reason or another. We
hope that political opportunists will at least not try to capitalise on this
issue for cheap political points.
The murder of the students is a heinous crime. They were above party
politics. They should be the concern of all human beings.
All decent Gambians should ensure concerted effort to see that justice is
done or have the regime exposed and isolated

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