Gambia-L:

This is another e-mail from one of my sources in the Gambia.

Ebrima Ceesay
Birmingham, UK
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Hello Ebrima:

The UDP's reaction to Mr Sam Sarr's interview came quicker than I
anticipated. His (Sam's) claim that the oil concession was offered to "an
individual" rather than the "State" makes it all the more urgent, according
to Ousainou Darboe, to set up the Parliamentary Committee because of the
serious legal issues.

Why would Government designate its officials to sign on behalf of a private
individual and then foot the bill from public coffers? The Obasanjo
government's interest in the affair has also grown keener as a result of Sam
Sarr's latest story which only complicates matters for those involved.

Will he (Sam) be escorted again to The Daily Observer offices to recant,
once again? By the way, yesterday's Focus on Africa report on the
allegations by the Senegalese President that the frequent visits to Libya by
the Gambian President and officials of Guinea-Bissau is actually to request
for arms to fuel the Cassamance conflict was a severe blow to the principal
actors in this process, mainly Yaya Jammeh and Dr Sedat Jobe.

They recovered sufficiently from the shock only yesterday to react to
Senegalese allegations. The new Senegalese government itself has now decided
to seize the diplomatic initiative and set the agenda from now on, (on the
Cassamance conflict).

The Gambia is being plunged deeper into a conflict by this Yaya Jammeh
Government, the outcome of which will spell further disaster for the Gambian
people.

It was the people of LRD who openly defied the security forces; now it is
the URD's turn. They have declared that from now on, they will no longer
tolerate the repressive tactics of the NIA. They are prepared to die in
defense of their rights as Gambians. People will no longer put up with the
Jammeh repression. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

As promised, here are some anecdotes in connection with yesterday's "million
Mum march". I was really generous with the figures I provided in terms of
the number of people that attended it, but all the same. The transport which
went to the NBD to collect women came back with only 11 people (eleven
persons including some school children).

The MacCarthy Square was empty by 5:00 pm for an event which was to last
into the early hours of the evening. The majority of those who took part
were school children who are increasingly being used and abused in these
government-sponsored events to bulster the attendance.

This practise MUST stop.  Good week-end to you, the members of "L". For your
information, The Gambia "tunes in" to the L for the other side of the story.
Keep it up. Next week, I'll be in Kanilai and expect a briefing afterwards!

Thanks!

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