Issue No. 8/2005, 31 Jan-2 March, 2005

Editorial

CAN A ONE PARTY STATE BE ESTABLISHED IN THE GAMBIA

Prior to the referendum on the constitution of the second republic many delegations visited the then chairperson of the A.F.P.R.C to suggest that a one party state be established. Some even campaigned for "No Elections" so that the country would have a life President. Those who advocated for such ideas were out of touch with the realities of the continent and the country. Consequently, the process left them behind. Gambia proceeded to establish a second republican constitution which was followed by limited multiparty elections because of the ban imposed on the ex-ruling party and its parliamentary opposition. After the 1997 National Assembly Elections people hardly heard about the concept of a one party state and a life president. Infact the attempt by the government to limit the lifespan of the IEC failed because of constitutional safeguards requiring a referendum. It is therefore very strange that rumours are being spread of the aim to establish a one party state or a life
 president. We hope Gambians in particular and all concerned persons would not allow themselves to be engaged in futile speculations. Foroyaa is here to clarify as many issues as possible. For the information of the reader section 100 of the constitution is an entrenched clause. It cannot be changed without a referendum. Section 100 states categorically that "The legislative power of the Gambia shall be exercised by Bills passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the president." It adds that "(2) The National Assembly shall not pass a bill (a) to establish a one party state (b) to establish any religion as a state religion;" There is no room for speculation. The National Assembly cannot pass a bill to establish a one party state. Needless to say, in order to amend this provision there must be a referendum.

Finally, any government which even has it as its aim to establish a one party state would be the most isolated government in Africa. Gambians should therefore occupy themselves with discussion regarding the policies and programmes of the APRC and compare them with those of its opponents in other to prepare themselves to make an informed choice of leadership. This is the demand of our time.

HOW FAR?

How far has the government gone with the Recommendations of the non-governmental media to stem impunity? On the 26th of January, representatives of the non-governmental media met the SoS for the Interior to find out. Below is the Press Release issued by the GPU on the matter.

The President of The Gambia Press Union, Mr. Demba A. Jawo, was on. 24 January, 2005, at the head of a delegation which called on the Secretary of State for the Interior and Religious Affairs, Mr. Samba Bah, to follow up on a request to the authorities for "urgent intervention to end impunity." The request, which was addressed to the SoS and to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Landing Badjie, was delivered on 22 December following the solemn procession made by journalists aggrieved by the assassination of Deyda Hydara, co-proprietor of The Point newspaper, by unknown assailants.

Among other things, the submission asked for the following:

"1. Let the President set up a commission of inquiry to find out why

the Police are unable to conduct investigation and bring the culprits to justice and to urgently seek international assistance if the nation lacks the capacity to carry out the task.

"2. Take immediate action to arrest and charge those accused of the arson attacks against The Independent newspaper or give the nation the evidence why they are not culpable.

"3. Give an immediate order for an end to the utilization of vehicles

without number plates to carry out security duties.

"4. Set up a mobile patrol team with mobile phone numbers that are

accessible to the public so that they can be reached at any time of the night."

Accompanied by Swaebou Conateh, Editor Publisher of the News and Report weekly magazine and Sam Sarr, a member of the Editorial Board of Foroyaa newspaper, both members of the steering committee established to coordinate activities after Deyda’s assassination, Jawo told the SoS in the presence of the IGP and Mr. Yaya Sireh Jallow, the Permanent Secretary, Department of State for the Interior and Religious Affairs, that the purpose of the visit was to follow up on developments since the letter’s submission.

He intimated that the visit was not to be seen as a one off affair, but a strategy adopted to be in regular dialogue with the authorities on such problems affecting journalists and their practice in the country.

The SoS apologised for the fact that he was not in the country to receive in person the letter submitted at the end of the journalists’ procession. He agreed that dialogue was important and said the doors of his department of state were always open to members of the delegation.

He assured that a reply had already been sent to the original submission since 4 January 2005 (see attached copy) and said the concerns raised therein were forwarded to higher authorities. The SoS then spoke about the points noted above saying that the call for a commission of inquiry could not be dealt with by his department of state since the setting up of commissions was beyond his office.

With regard to the investigations, he said these were still on-going and included the latest move which was to arrange for the police to travel to Dakar in order to interview the two secretarial staff of The Point who happened to be the only living witnesses to the murder of Mr. Hydara. He said the police could not have gone earlier because they had to handle the matter through the Senegalese authorities and the Senegalese Journalists

Union, whose President had travelled soon after the two members of staff were admitted in hospital.

With regard to the other unresolved cases affecting journalists, the SoS said they took place before he came to office.

On the request for international assistance to be sought if the police lacked the capacity to bring the investigations to an end, the SoS argued that; "We have the capacity, what we lack are the resources." In that respect, he said 60% of police stations were without a vehicle. He said their concern now was to have vehicles for patrol duties, that they were working hard on that and before long they would have the vehicles.

The Inspector General of Police also spoke of the heightened level of cooperation between the President of the Press Union and his office. He said Mr. Jawo had become his focal point and he had personally been bringing him up to date on the progress of the investigations.

Even though there was no public disclosure about the action taken against those members of the State Guard accused of complicity in the burning of The Independent printing press, but the IGP said he was personally involved in the investigation and they examined those who were named and they found no burns on their bodies. He however admitted that there was no expert examination done to determine whether they had burns or not. He however said the weapon left at the scene had too many finger prints to be of any use to the investigations.

With regard to Deyda’s case, the IGP said the bullets recovered from his body have been sent for analysis. He then updated members of the delegation on some aspects of the investigation. He reported on the steps being taken by his office to acquire vehicles from donors adding that after Deyda’s murder, those at the Police Intervention Unit, which was close by had to go on foot to the scene of the crime due to their lack of a vehicle.

The IGP indicated that as far as the use of vehicles without number plates was concerned, he had written to all service heads about it and instructions were given to the police to start parking and to take to court all those caught with vehicles without number plates. He cited recent cases concerning some prominent individuals. He said the Customs were also requested not to release any imported vehicles unless they were provided with license plates.

In the discussions about the night patrol, reference was made to the police emergency number, 112 dialing of which the IGP said takes one to the nearest police station. He however deplored the fact that some people had used the facility from Telecentres to heap abuse on the police to the extent that the system was being rendered useless especially in Serekunda, Kotu and Brikama. He appealed for more responsible use of the number by the general public and the SoS also stressed the need for the police not to be deterred by the abusive use of the number because of its importance in reporting real cases of crime or disaster.

For improved communications, the IGP reported on the progress being made in developing a radio network for all their police stations and added that consideration was being given to providing a special telephone line for journalists in distress. He underscored the fact that whatever affected the press tendered to have both a national and an international dimension.

The Permanent Secretary commended the journalists for the visit and the IGP for his detailed report on the situation. He said their problem was more of capacity and scarcity of resources but the commitment and will was there on the part of everybody. "If you have information, share it with us. Government’s goal is to make our society crime free," he added.

In conclusion, SoS Bah stressed that "This case is of concern to all of us and we want to see it resolved as soon as possible."

WHO WILL WIN THE WAR?

As Locust Swarm the Skies of Kiang and Jarra

By Tombong Jadama & Sarjo M. Camara

On the 16th January 2005, swarms of locusts invaded LRD starting from Sankandi in Kiang to Si Kunda in Jarra. According to the Divisional Agricultural Officer Mr. Famara S. Badjie these swarms started arriving since the 16th and were not much, but that from the 20th to 25th January 2004 the pests were coming in their millions. He said that his team of Agricultural Officers is working very closely together in order to avoid large-scale destructions.

Mr. Badjie said the Extension Workers and the villagers collect farmer brigades using motorised sprayers to fight the invading swarms. He added that the combined forces of these two parties was still inadequate to control the invasion and that they had to invite the aircraft for aerial spraying to control the situation; that the farmers still feel threatened and are panic stricken by the looming prospect of a more destructive or devastating invasion.

Mr. Badjie said that many communities were using vehicle tyres, which they burn to produce smoke but that the smoke only scatters the locusts.

One Extension Worker was found advising the communities about the inefficiency of the method of burning tyres, which he said only produces smoke that would help scatter the locusts. He said this scattering does not help them to know where the pests are going to base.

When this reporter went round the surrounding villages he found many swarms in the vicinity and that the only means of protection by villagers was to set fire on the grass or burn old tyres. However, for two days, i.e. Wednesday 26th and 27th Soma became a base of the locusts. Nothing much could be done by those on the ground who had to call for aerial spraying.

The presence of these ravaging and destructive pests is a real cause for concern to the farming community who fear potential threat to the next rainy season.

These locusts are the brown ones, which are the worst in terms of destroying vegetation and crops as it had the capacity to lay eggs and multiply in multitudes.

It could be recalled that some months ago the Department of State for Agriculture had started a campaign aimed at tackling and eradicating the locust invasion but the efforts still prove inadequate to contain the problem. The Department of State appeared to have underestimated the gravity of the problem believing that by aerial spraying the menace could be controlled. Programmes were shown on TV on the state of preparedness of the DoSA with FAO set for spraying the pests. With this spraying the people thought that the locusts could be eradicated but to their disappointment the pests were still not cleared and are increasing in their numbers. The Permanent Secretary for the Department of Agriculture, Mrs. Fatou Jasseh-Kuyate interviewed said they are making all efforts to eventually do away with the locusts; that this is a regional problem affecting some countries in the sub-region. Mrs. Jasseh-Kuyateh said that if the locusts could not find food in Senegal our northern neighbour then
 they will drift south to the Gambia as a natural choice.

Speaking to FOROYAA in a telephone interview, Mr Secka, the country coordinator of Food and Agricultural Organisation responsible for the fight against locust, said the most ideal tool to fight these locusts is the aerial spraying; that this is because some of the locusts swarms fly at high altitude and this makes it difficult for the teams of trained farmers brigades to reach them from the ground. Mr. Secka said that another problem is with the vehicles, which cannot reach certain areas in the bush.

He confirmed that there are enough chemicals at their disposal to fight against these locusts. He finally said that where locusts are seen in swarms and they cannot be controlled, the groups can contact the aircraft for spraying.

Editor’s Note: Two questions still remain unanswered. Who will win the war? The Locusts or the People? In other wrds, will the locusts be eradicated or do we expect a greater invasion next season of sooner? secondly, can each ation in the affected region go it alone or is regional cooperation a necessity.



Credit Buying of Groundnut in Disguise

Tombong Jadama

Farmers in the Upper River Division, North and South banks are complaining of credit buying. According to some of the farmers whom this reporter spoke to, when you come with your nuts you are either told to pack it until money comes or you weigh it and be given a receipt to keep until cash is available. They explained that it is better to bring the nuts to the seccos than to leave it at home, which is not safe. Some secco managers when contacted told this reporter that they are in a difficult and horrible situation due to lack of cash. According to them the vehicles they hire to evacuate the nuts to the Depots do sometimes ask them to pay D250 per tonne; that some of these transports sometimes take two or more days before they reach their destination to be unloaded.

In the north of the URD their problem is transportation of nuts to the depots. According to some secco managers they received cash only twice since the trade season started. One secco manager even told this reporter that he use tractor to transport his nut to the Basse North Depot. He also mentioned the long distance from around Wuli Brif to Kerewan Bodala Depot with the bad condition of the road. This reporter also visited some depots whose managers were not at their stations. According to one private operator they have difficulty in getting their monies; that when they take their full truck load of groundnuts to depots and after weighing they would be given receipt which they would send it to Banjul for verification; that this takes time before they cash and get money from the nearest banks. Some seccos are even telling farmers that on Friday January 28th they will receive money but whether this will be possible is yet to be seen. However, FOROYAA will find out and let the public
 know the fate of farmers and the mode of operation of the groundnut trade season.

POLICE CLAMP DOWN ON NUMBERLESS VEHICLES

By Surakata Danso

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Landing Badjie, on Thursday the 30th day of January 2005 has informed the FOROYAA that his office has written to the heads of all security out fits in the country, on the issue of the use of vehicles without number plates by members of the Security Force. The IGP made the disclosure in his office and said that the letter had indicated that as from the 31st January the Police would not compromise on the use of such vehicles either by members of the Security Forces of this country or any member of the civil society.

He further said that his office had also written to the director general of customs and excise that from henceforth no imported vehicle should be released from the port unless it is tested and issued a number. That this will help in the use of vehicles without number plates. On the issue of vehicles that use GD, the IGP said all such vehicles should be off the road by 6 pm in the evenings. The IGP further expressed his undoubted confidence that with the support of the general public and the cooperation of all the different units of the Security Forces, the police will be able to give this nation the best of security to lives and property. Mr. Badjie, went on to give the issue of the armed robbers as an example which he said had been a headache to the people of URD and some parts of the Gambia; that the issue is now brought under control with the support of the people in URD and his counterparts in Senegal. The Inspector General solicits the cooperation of the Security Forces against
 the use of vehicles without number plates. However, some Junior Traffic Officers of the Gambia Police Force who prefer to remain anonymous expressed doubts as to whether the Senior Military Personnel will comply. The group gave an example of a recent incident involving a captain of the State Guard unit and a Junior Traffic Officer over the issue of having regards for Police Stop Post.

A LETTER TO THE NATION

THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE GUN

Evil Doers Are Evil Dreaders

By Baboucarr Ceesay

The year 2004 has witnessed a lot of trials and tribulations for The Gambia. The citizenry faced a tough economic situation that leave many living below the bread line stranded while the bourgeoisie enjoy the lion share of the national cake.

Besides, recorded are several arbitrary arrests, detention without trial, letters of death threat addressed to divergent people just to silence the voice of the people and to muzzle the freedom of _expression of the Gambian people, eloquent and sincere religious leaders are seen as threat to the regime’s monopoly of power.

Interestingly enough, the media which is the forth estate in any democratic state is a big target for elimination. Its functionaries – journalists are laid in ambush. This is evident through the introduction of the Media Commission Act, arson attack on the Independent Newspaper, the Jamburr residence of Ebrima Sillah, a BBC Correspondent, letter of death threat to the President of the Gambia Press Union, Mr. Demba A. Jawo and the killing of Deyda Hydara, a renowned, dynamic and experienced journalist.

The Gambia should be among the most experienced nations of the world now because it falls among nations who know what bad leadership is all about. Experience is the father of wisdom. A shortsighted leader cannot liberate his/her people. He lives flamboyantly at the expense of the masses and leaves no stone unturned to stifle any medium of enlightenment of the people. This is why positive thinkers say, "if you want to fully enslave a people and control them, you deprive them of information." This is the backward strategy of the Jammeh regime. He is the Alpha and Omega. We all heard in his New Year eve interview with GRTS, uttering a very embarrassing speech saying that he had no adviser because they are crooks and liars. Imagine a President thinking like a tabularasa in this 21st century. It is autocrats who do not listen to the citizens. Gambian people should not allow erring any more for they have seen the result of tyranny. As the saying goes, "a man who is his own lawyer has a
 fool for his client".The Gambian people are not fools. They should know that we have a President who pretends to be omniscient. Therefore they shall not allow history to repeat itself.

It is our business. Let’s talk about it with faith for everybody’s business is nobody’s business. The propagation of a new democracy for the Gambia should be participatory and based on collective responsibility. It is high time for the people to be well informed choosers and not beggars. Beggars cannot be choosers. It is clear that the year 2004 has elapsed leaving the Gambia at a democratic crossroad. "The Gambia No Problem" has never been a slogan that best portrays our beloved homeland.

Go abroad you’ll hear news from home. I was in Senegal but whenever I get the news from The Gambia I get flabbergasted and nostalgic for leaving my motherland. That compels me to avail myself even for short vacations. Home is home though it is never too homely.

Jammeh, I caution you to tint the colour of your power hunger with the water of human conscience. The days of miracle are past. What we need is to be progressive and not retrogressive. You have been a ruler for a long time now. I know that he who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount, but you have no choice despite that the nearer the bone, the sweeter the meat. I know you may not heed. May be because of cowardice. I want to tell you that cowards may die many times before their death. Your cowardice could be noticed by your being metaphysical in thinking as a young President.

It has been said many times by people who underrate the capacity of Gambians that ‘Gambian s are cowards’. If there are coward Gambians there are many who are also courageous in whatever they do in a just cause. How many people are sacked, detained, tortured, imprisoned, threatened, insulted, killed in cold blood for fighting for a just cause.

We shall not lay down the pen for it is mightier than the gun. Truth shames the devil. We shall sing it over and over till the cock of justice crow signaling us that there is no hanky-panky on the face of this earth. You cannot be hanged if you are born to be drowned. The terrorist cannot kill all journalists. We shall prove to the whole world how mighty the pen is and indeed how mighty it can still be. Conflict does not mean the absence of war only. Frankly speaking, The Gambia is in conflict and it shall halt or the nation will perish.

Needless to say, if the Gambian people should behave like the regime there will not be this little peace and fragile tranquility we have today. To share my heart with the Gambian journalist and the entire nation including our President, to give the devil its due to share this New Year prose with me.

Read on……….

At the National Assembly

FOROYAA maintains that with knowledgeable National Assembly Members, coupled with a responsive and accountable executive, the people would truly become sovereign. The people need to know how their representatives are performing.

This column is reserved for National Assembly Proceedings and Interviews with National Assembly Members.

NAMs ON THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE

"POVERTY IS ON THE INCREASE! THERE IS NEED TO REDRESS IT!" SAYS HALIFA

The Minority Leader and Member for Serrekunda Central said that these miscellaneous need to be audited because he cannot understand how people could spend outside of their budgetary allocation until it becomes debts. Halifa said that the auditing of these accounts is necessary so that they can know whether these are really justifiable expenses based on real accounting principles as well as auditing principle or something that has been wasted by other people who need to be surcharged to pay the loss.

On Poverty

Halifa said out that if one looks at the breadbasket nowadays, one will discover that poverty is in the increase. He indicated that a loaf of bread cost D4.00, one egg D4.00 and so on; that this means that the lowest breakfast for one person will cost D10.00; that for a month this will be D300.00; that this has consumed the salary of those receiving less than D600.00 a month; that clearly if one looks at this situation, one will discover that poverty is on the increase and that it needs to be addressed.

On her part, the National Assembly member for Wuli East, Hon. Duta Kamaso argued that it is the fundamental human rights of everybody to have food which brings about good health, and also education which brings about productivity. She then called on the Secretary of State for Agriculture to work hand in glove with the farming community because, according to her, they have a vast wealth of experience in farming. She pointed out that the management of the tractors needs to be looked into because, according to her, it is sad for someone to be in Banjul and then determine how the tractors are to used by the farming community; that the Department of State for Agriculture should try to encourage the farming community.

She argued that the tourism industry is going down the drain and the only substitute is the Agriculture sector.

On Education, the NAM said that there are schools in Wuli East where teachers spread mats under trees to conduct classes. She stressed that if people can sacrifice to that level then they deserve to be compensated.

On road construction, she said that the road that stretched from Basse – Badala to Passamas needs urgent attention; that the road stretch is in a terrible condition which makes motoring on the road impossible.

On communication, Hon. Kamaso indicated that her people are in dire need of communication facilities particularly regarding armed robbers.

On Health, she said that there is only one small health center in her constituency which is under the Bamako Initiative which means the people are taking charge of their health. She argued that if the people are taking charge of their own health, then government should also do something for the people.

Concluding, Hon. Duta Kamaso called on the authority of Kanifing Municipal Council to solve the problem of Serrekunda Car Park. She said that the market women are really suffering due to moves of the KMC.

In his contribution to the adjournment debate, the National Assembly for Banjul Central, Hon. Kofi Greene Harris pointed out that the Hon. Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs indicated in paragraph 157 of his budget speech: "Let me conclude by reassuring the nation that this government will continue to do everything in its powers to uplift Gambians from poverty." And that, "the government calls on all Gambians at home and in the Diaspora, to own the Development Agenda of this country." Hon. Harris said that the Hon. SoS went on to indicate that if we all work together in the supreme interest of the country, together we can shall succeed. He said that he saw this statement as a motto for 2005; that selfish interest should always take secondary place.

THE OUTCRY OF THE KUJABI’S

By Surakata Danso

The family members of Abdoulie Kujabi former NIA Chief, Mustapha Kujabi or James a former Assistant Protocol Officer, Office of the President and Ansumana Kujabi in the Greater Banjul Area and in Dobong of Foni Kansala are worried over the continued detention of the three brothers for over a period of two weeks without being granted bail or tried as required by the Constitution and other laws. The concerned family members made this complaint to this reporter during a recent trip last weekend to the Foni Kansala District. A family member explained that the three brothers who were arrested on the 10th and 11th January 2005 have not been accorded bail or trial to this day; that James, who is detained at the NIA is the only one who has had access to family members since his arrest but that for Abdoulie Kujabi, who is at Mile 2 Prisons and the Ansumana, at the Jangjanbureh Provincial prison,they are not allowed visits or access to family. The distraught family members call on the state to
 allow them to see their relatives in order to know their state of health and reasons for being detained and to make arrangements for bail.

Three Trial cases withdrawn

By Pateh Baldeh

The trial of the Kafuta 15 who were arrested in the last Kafuta ward area council by elections last year, has been withdrawn at the Brikama Magistrate Court. Among those standing trial was Mr. Saikou Janko, the former A.P.R.C Youth leader in Kombo East.

In another development the case of the Jambanjelly youths who were also arrested following clash between the people of this village and members of the security forces over the removal of a bore hole which resulted to their detention at the Mile 2 central prisons has also been withdrawn from hearing. The case which involved Joseph Gaye has also been withdrawn according to the court clerk. However, reasons for the withdrawal of these cases were not advanced.



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