Published in FOROYAA of 24 - 28 June 1999.


PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE OPPOSITION

No To Thuggery

A press conference was convened  on Monday, 21 June 1999 by the opposition
parties - National Reconciliation Party (NRP), United Democratic Part (NRP)
and the People's Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism
(PDOIS).

The members of the opposition acknowledged that they do have fundamental
differences, but that in combatting the operation of thugs outside the ambit
of  law, they are capable of taking concerted action.

The opposition explained that they considered themselves to be governments
out of office+ADs- that they have as much responsibility in ensuring good
governance in this country as the government of the day.

It was made clear that they consider it to be their responsibility to ensure
the building of a society which is free from any threat+ADs- that where such
threats exist it is the responsibility of every member of society to ensure
that the threat is reversed.

It was indicated that after the disappearance of Shyngle Nyassi, the UDP
decided to meet their colleagues in the opposition to discuss about the
situation which prevails in the country+ADs- that other opposition parties were
also making preparation to promote some form of joint action to deal with
the abduction of Shyngle Nyassi.

They indicated that the manner in which Shyngle Nyassi was abducted in the
middle of the night posed a threat and a feeling of insecurity+ADs- that the
opposition decided to take a stand against such threat by issuing a
declaration which called for Nyassi's release and the prosecution of his
abductors.

It was indicated that before the press conference they discovered that
Shyngle Nyassi had been released+ADs- that this has made the declaration a bit
outdated but the fact that his abductors are still at large makes it still
essential.

They indicated that the abduction of Shyngle Nyassi was not based on any law
or procedure+ADs- that it is criminal and does undermine the image of the
country+ADs- that such an image ought to be obliterated.
In a question and answer session, the representatives of the various
opposition parties emphasized the need to take concerted action to prevent
thuggery and ensure a political climate free from threat.

They showed their resolve to combat thuggery. They gave assurance that
concerted action will be maintained to ensure that justice prevails.

The press conference ended up with the signing of the declaration by the
following:

For NRP: Hamat Bah, Musa Njadoe and Buray Jawo+ADs-

For UDP: Ousainou Darboe, Kemeseng Jammeh and Lamin Juwara+ADs-

For PDOIS: Sam Sarr, Sidia Jatta and Halifa Sallah.
The Declaration reads:

JOINT  DECLARATION OF OPPOSITION  PARTIES ON THE CRIMINAL ABDUCTION OF
SHYNGLE NYASSI

The criminal abduction of Shyngle Nyassi and his continuous detention with
impunity, despite the order of a court, press releases by the UDP, petitions
by PDOIS,  expression of disquiet by the NRP and the conveying of a demarche
by the European Union for his release, has compelled the opposition parties
in The Gambia to engage in mutual consultation in order to take a common
position on this issue irrespective of ideological and other differences in
political or tactical positions.

Taking into consideration that democracy and peaceful co-existence of
political parties are inconceivable without the protection of law for the
liberty and security of each person+ADs-

Bearing in mind that the most elementary responsibility of a government is
to establish an impartial, efficient and effective law enforcement agency
which is well equipped to protect the lives, liberties, security and
property of all persons+ADs-

Being shocked by the lack of initiative of the government in ensuring that
no stone is left unturned in tracing  Shyngle Nyassi's abductors, effect his
release and bring them to justice with immediacy+ADs-

Acknowledging the fact that a broad consultative exercise is necessary among
political parties, in particular, and all peace loving persons, in general,
to exert influence on the government to obliterate the existence of groups
that operate outside of the ambit of  law which could give rise to national
discord and national disintegration+ADs-

Being fully convinced that justice has been imperilled, common sense
dishonoured and good governance derailed by the lack of responsiveness to
the demands for Shyngle Nyassi's release+ADs-

Being fully conscious that the consequences of silence in the face of
deliberate negation of the inherent rights and freedom of a person is to
play into the hands of social mischief+ADs-

We, the undersigned, representing our respective political parties have been
mandated to denounce the criminal abduction of Shyngle Nyassi in the most
unequivocal of terms and further call for the immediate intervention of the
responsible arms of the State to ensure his release from unlawful detention
and the prosecution of his abductors.

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