*Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue*

*Issue No. 14/2006, 23-26 February, 2006*
**
*Editorial*
**

*JAMMEH, JAWARA, NADD AND OTHER PARTIES AND THE VISITING KING*

First, the Gambian people witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding between the governing party and the opposition.

A Code of Conduct was agreed upon and broadcast for all to understand in
their respective languages.

Secondly, people saw the former Minister for the Interior, Lamin Kiti
Jabang, on TV indicating appreciation and readiness for periodic
consultation with President Jammeh. Then it was Mr. Hassan Musa Camara's
turn, who made it clear that he was responding to an invitation extended by
the State House as approved by his partners in NADD.

Thirdly, Ex-President Jawara was mentioned in President Jammeh's speech and
slots shown of his presence it the July 22nd Square in Banjul.

Many people are expecting that the case of the mergers would be next in line
in the reconciliation process.

One question that kept coming is why the NADD leadership and those of other
opposition parties did not feature on TV during the celebration? Would they
not have been embarrassed had President Jammeh declared his landslide
victory in the 2006 elections?

One advice we wish to give President Jammeh is to minimize the promotion of
partisan interest during state functions. This will encourage more people to
participate in state functions without risking embarrassment in one way or
the other. Furthermore, Gambians are witnessing what the life of a king
entails.

Apart from Limousines, which President Jammeh has brought for the visiting
Heads of State during the AU summit, the king is said to have brought
everything he needed to survive on. All the traffic to Coconut Residence
where he was housed was diverted and maximum security had to be guaranteed
by closing routes he travelled on to traffic.

It is unique to host a king and many Heads of State. The limousine and all
that goes with it confirms that such hosting will not be a cheap enterprise.
Morocco of course is not part of the Africa Union. Hence the King's visit is
not expected very soon.

Notwithstanding this, if the security provided to the king is to go by
Gambians should begin to prepare themselves for the presence of the African
Heads of State. The government should begin to strategize on how this is to
be handled and prepare the people for all eventualities.

At the end of the day Gambians must sit to assess the advantages and
disadvantages.

Foroyaa is open to share your opinion.


Kemeseng Rebuts SoS Jahumpa's Claims

Kemeseng Jammeh, the National Assembly Member for Jarra West has rebutted
SOS Jahumpa's claim that NADD has split due to its leaders greed for power.
Mr. Jahumpa cast aspersions on the integrity of NADD's leaders at a meeting
that was recently held in Jappineh. In the meeting, Jahumpa alleged that
there will be a by election in Jarra West because Kemeseng Jammeh and
Ousainou Darboe have quit NADD.

However, the claim did not go unchallenged. In an interview with this
reporter, Kemeseng Jammeh, said the claim made by Jahumpa does not hold
water.

In proving his assertion, Jammeh said after the Supreme Court declared their
seats vacant, he together with Hamat Bah, Halifa Sallah and Sedia Jatta
contested the by elections on a NADD ticket.

Jammeh said he is a member of the Executive committee of NADD and that he
does not belong to any other party.

Mr. Jammeh continued to refute SOS Jahumpa's words and further indicated
that Mr. Jahumpa ran out of words and was treading on grounds that were not
the least clear to him. Mr. Jammeh indicated that since Mr. Jahumpa was part
of a ministerial delegation touring the country, he had the opportunity to
inform the country on the state of the groundnut marketing season, instead
of dwelling on issues that is not the least clear to him.

In a separate development, it was announced over GRTS Radio that over sixty
supporters of the opposition have defected to the APRC in Jarra. Foroyaa got
in touch with Mr. Saikou Kinteh, a prominent NADD figure, who indicated that
no defection has been reported in his village and the other villages he
visited; the ministerial delegation did not even pass through his village,
not to talk of stopping over. He finally concluded that people should not
take them (Jahumpa and GRTS Radio announcement) seriously.


Interview With Halifa Sallah

Foroyaa: Can you give us a brief analysis of the type of government, which
existed in the Gambia in 1965, and the quality of our Independence since
then?

Halifa: The Gambia went through eight distinct evolutionary stages. The
first stage is the precolonial period when states and communities became
linked either by cooperation or confrontation and finally merged into a
single territory when the colonialists came up with their blue print on how
to impose their sovereignty on the territory now known as The Gambia in
1902. The struggles ranged from 1850-1901.

The second phase is the early postcolonial period, which lasted up to 1920
when colonialism was consolidated. Inhabitants of the territory identified
as the Gambia became British subjects and citizens of the United Kingdom and
Colonies. At this point, there was no sovereign Gambia territory occupied by
a sovereign Gambian people. Gambia was under the sovereign authority of the
British Crown and those born in the Gambia were British subjects and not
Gambians, as we know them today.

The third phase started from 1920-1930, which marked the period of struggle
for the right to self-determination and representation at the local levels.
This culminated with the introduction of the elective principle to fill
seats in the Bathurst Urban District Council and Board of Health.

The fourth phase stretched form 1930-1947 when the struggle for an elected
majority in the Urban District Council, which started with the appointed
members constituting the majority, and for the elective principle to be
introduced in filling seats in the Legislative Council whose members were
appointed. They also struggled for African representation in the Executive
Council. It was in 1946 that the law provided for an elected majority in the
Council for Banjul, then Bathurst. One seat was provided in the Legislative
Council to be filled by 1947. The first person to be elected in the
Legislative Council was Mr. Edward Francis Small.

The fifth phase ranged from 1947-1960 during which the struggle for an
increased number of elected members in the Legislative Council and the
emergence of multi party politics to fill the seats. This culminated in the
introduction of universal suffrage in 1960 when all those who were citizens
of the colony and had attained the age of 21 years could vote. A House of
Representatives was created in 1960 with 21 seats for elected members and
eight seats for District Chiefs. 12 members were to be elected from the
protectorate and 7 members from the colony proper, that is, Bathurst and
Kombo Saint Mary.

The sixth period is one that ranged from 1960-1965 when the battle for
self-determination was linked to demand for internal self-government, which
culminated in to the appointment of a Premier and later upgraded to a Prime
Minister and the declaration of independence in 1965.

Foroyaa: Can we say Gambia became independent in 1965?

Halifa: It depends on whether we see internal self-government as
independence or sovereign existence as independence. The debate is an open
one. My view is that the attainment of internal self-government is just one
phase of the struggle for independence to attain sovereign existence in the
final phase of the political struggle for independence.

Foroyaa: Can you explain what you mean in simple terms?

Halifa: In 1965, Gambians were given the power to elect those who were to
govern their country at the level of the Legislature and Cabinet. This is
why many concluded that we had attained independence.

However if one looks at the constitutional powers vested in her majority
under the 1965 Independence Constitution one would understand that
sovereignty still resided in Her Majesty. For example section 32 of the 1965
Constitution stated, "There shall be a Parliament which shall consist of her
Majesty and House of Representatives." The 1965 Constitution further stated
that "the executive authority of the Gambia is vested her majesty" It adds
that "Subject to the provisions of this Constitution the executive authority
of the Gambia may be exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the Governor
General, either directly or through officers subordinate to him."

Section 63 added, "There shall be a Prime Minster who shall be appointed by
the Governor General."

Section 66 further stated that "the functions of the Cabinet shall be to
advise the Governor General in the Government to the Gambia and the Cabinet
shall be collectively responsible to Parliament for any advice given to the
Governor General by or under the general authority of the Cabinet."

Section 70 indicated that "The Prime Minister shall keep the Governor
General fully informed concerning the general conduct of the Government of
the Gambia and shall furnish the Governor General with such information as
he may request with respect to any particular matter relating to the
Government of the Gambia."

Foroyaa: Could the Governor General do anything against the wishes of the
Prime Minister?

Halifa: What confirms that sovereignty resided in Her Majesty is the power
given to the Governor General to refuse an advice given by the Prime
Minister under section 60. It stated that the Governor General may at any
time prorogue or dissolve Parliament. Subsection (4) reads: "In the exercise
of his powers to dissolve Parliament, the Governor General shall act in
accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister provided that if the Prime
Minister advises a dissolution and the Governor General considers that the
Government of The Gambia can be carried on without a dissolution, and that a
dissolution would not be in the interest of the Gambia, he may refuse to
dissolve Parliament."

The sovereignty of the country was still limited in 1965.

Foroyaa: Was anything done about this?

Halifa: Of course, a referendum was held to question whether the Gambia
people wanted to move to a Republic under which Her Majesty's executive
power would disappear. The referendum did not get the two-thirds majority
required.

The referendum to become a republic took place in April 1970. Hence on the
24th April Gambia had a Republican Constitution and became a sovereign
Republic.

 Hence the seventh phase of our political evolution took place between
1965-1970. This culminated with the founding of the first republic in 1970.

Chapter 1 of the 1970 constitution stated that "The Gambia is a sovereign
republic"

Unlike the 1965 Constitution, which vested executive power in Her Majesty,
the 1970 constitution vested executive power in President.  Section 59
further confirmed that no one could be a Member of Parliament who owes
allegiance to any foreign power or state. It reads, among other things, that
"No person shall be qualified to be nominated for elections or appointed as
a voting member of the House of Representatives if at the date of his/her
nomination for elections he or she is by virtue of his (her) own act under
any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to any foreign
power or state."

It is therefore clear that sovereign status was achieved by the Gambia in
1970.

The coup d'etat of 22nd July 1994 put an end to the life of the First
Republic. From 1994 to 1997 sovereignty resided in the Armed Forces
Provisional Ruling Council. The Gambia ceased to be a Republic with a
government that derived its authority from the will of the people. The
transition culminated in constitutional reform. One of the major
recommendations I made in my Memorandum to the Constitutional Review
Commission is to improve on Chapter 1 of the 1970 Constitution. It simply
stated that The Gambia is a sovereign republic but it did not indicate what
sovereignty meant and in whom it actually resided.

Foroyaa: Has the 1997 constitution addressed this issue?

Halifa: The eighth distinct period in our political evolution is from 1994
to 1997, when the second Republic came into being.

Chapter 1, section 2 did declare that The Gambia is a sovereign Republic.
However subsection (2) further adds that "The sovereignty of the Gambia
resides in the people of the Gambia from whom all organs of government
derive their authority and in whose name and for whose welfare and
prosperity the powers of government are to be exercised"

It is abundantly clear that republican status means that power belongs to
the people and that government representatives are mere trustees of the
power of the people. They should exercise the power enlisted to them to
promote the liberty, dignity and prosperity of the people

Foroyaa: Do you wish to draw any lesson regarding the commemoration of the
41st anniversary?

Halifa: The commemoration should remind every Gambia that he or she is an
equal shareholder of the common property we call The Gambia. All political
leaders in power or waiting to be alternatives should also recognize that
elected political leaders are mere trustees of the power of the people. They
must be ready to utilize the power entrusted to them to promote the liberty,
dignity and prosperity of the people and the battle for 21st century Africa
is a battle for the dignity of the human person, democracy and development.
If the commemoration reminds us of our duty to our generation, our children
and our children's children, then it is worth the while. Foroyaa: Now, let
us proceed to NADD. Have you selected a flag bearer as promised?

Halifa: The agenda was two fold - NADD's integrity and the selection of a
flag bearer. The Executive Committee members comprising those who were
originally representing the various parties were present. The discussion
regarding NADD's integrity centred on four fundamental issues, that is:

(a) Can a party be a member of NADD while promoting its individual interest
at the expense of NADD?

(b) Can a party remain a member of NADD while criticizing other member
parties of NADD on a party political platform?

(c) Can a party remain a member of NADD while declaring an alliance with
another party in parallel to NADD?

(d) Can a party remain a member of NADD while endorsing the candidature of
another party other than the flag bearer of NADD?

These issues were discussed thoroughly. Suggestion was given for an
adjournment for further consultation by a party before final decisions are
taken. The issue of flag bearer is to be dealt with in a conducive manner by
the next meeting, which should take place by the end of the week.

Foroyaa: Will the public not accuse you of dragging your feet?

Halifa: There are many accusations and counter accusations. What is
important is to differentiate those who are arguing for the sake of the
national interest and those who are doing so for personal or partisan
interest. In my view, to be a flag bearer of NADD should not be any person's
personal goal or ambition. The position should be seen as a duty to be
performed by anyone who is called upon to assume it. Those who truly love
this country should be advising the leaders to avoid any wrangling and
discuss soberly to convince each other of what can enable us to achieve what
NADD envisages. All those who spread evil remarks against others should be
seen not to have the interest of NADD or the country at heart. This is my
view.

Foroyaa: Can we get more information regarding the wrangling you are talking
about?






Body of An Infant Uncovered *By Fabakary B. Ceesay*

A corpse of a baby boy was found abandoned on Monday 20th February 2006 at
around 8:30am on the road behind the Tallinding Medina Cemetery. The woman,
whose children discovered the body, told this paper that she was washing
clothes outside when her children informed her that there was a baby lying
near the fence of the Cemetery.  "I went there and saw a baby wrapped in a
black cloth lying on the corner of the road", she said.  Another member of
the community said she saw a black cloth that seems to contain some thing
lying near the road, but that she never thought that it was a baby that was
dumped.  According to the woman, she believes that the child must have been
born in the early hours of Sunday and then abandoned in the morning.  "This
is very serious.  I don't know the condition that must have forced the
mother to dump her baby after carrying it in her womb up to this time", she
lamented.  The Alkalo, Alhagie Ebou Badjie and Lamin K Saidy a youth leader,
expressed shock over the incident and called on the Police to take all
measures to bring the culprit to book.   "We don't want our younger sisters
to emulate this behaviour" she remarked.  Some people said that they
believed the suspect is not a member of the community.  There was a crowd of
onlookers when the Police and Health personnels came to the scene to
evacuate the body.  The Health Officer

 Kura Joof said that they couldn't tell the age of the baby, until they make
a test on the body.




Alkaloship Tussle In Kafuta

*By Bubacarr K. Sowe*

An Alkaloship tussel in Kafuta has divided the people of the village into
two camps.

The rancour for the position of Alkalo between Sulayman Bojang and Solly
Bojang  a brother to the deceased Alkalo, has created a bitter rivalry
amongst the people

A letter signed by the erstwhile Commissioner of Western Division, Abdou
Badjie, confirmed the appointment of Sulayman Bojang as the Alkalo of the
village. The letter which is dated 7th December 2005 reads, "I am directed
to write and appoint you (Sulayman Bojang) as Alkalo of Kafuta village with
immediate effect. You can also collect the stamp and other village materials
from the erstwhile Alkalo, as soon as possible."

However, Solly Bojang, is insisting that he is the Alkalo of Kafuta, noting
that his appointment came as a result of the death of his brother (the then
Alkalo).

Solly posited that he was appointed to the prestigious position by the
National Assembly Members who were present at the funeral of his late
brother. Solly lamented that the crisis has divided the village into two
camps, one camp in solidarity with him and the other camp to Sulayman
Bojang.

Alkaloship and Chieftancy positions are a major source of bitter tussles
among villagers especially when the immediate occupant of the office passes
away.




AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HON. NDEY NJIE ON THE BUDGET

The National Assembly Member for Lower Saloum, Hon. Ndey Njie, indicated in
her contribution to the budget speech that they should thank the Secretary
of State for presenting a frank and honest budget. She said the budget has
portrayed the exact image of the status quo of this nation financially. Ndey
pointed out that she would first of all expressed her disappointment of
leaving out 51 percent of the population of this country without being
mentioned on any sentence or budgetary allocation for this year, and that is
the women. She indicated that she made this remark because the secretary of
State has clearly stated that the budget is out for poverty reduction and
that if one look's at poverty in this country and want to give it a human
face, it has the face of a woman. She pointed out that the women folk of
this country constituted 51 percent of the population according to the 2003
population census. She said "I think that there should infact be one
budgetary line or a sentence that would spell out the intention that the
Government has for the women folk of this country as they are the poorest
group in this country."

*On salary*

Hon. Njie indicated that she would also express her disappointment on
salary, which she dwelt on in the last adjournment debate. She said; "We are
a family in this country; we stay and live together; we exchange ideas and
feel the needs of each other in this country." She argued that few days ago,
she was chatting with some staff in the National Assembly and some of them
showed her their salary slips; that in the National Assembly it is assumed
that even if salaries cannot be increased across the board for every working
person in this country, then let it be increased for the low income earners,
so that at least they can have three or two meals a day, which is humane.
She said. "I am still expressing this concern on behalf of those who are
being paid sums that could not even enable them to buy a bag of rice in a
month, and hope, the Secretary of state for Finance would take note of that
and look for ways and means of addressing the situation even if it is
possible before the salary review commission."  She also said she believes
that the Secretary of State would be in a better position to explain to the
august body, the set backs that hindered this country, as a result of which
the country has been suspended from PRGF. She said this fund has been
helping the country a lot especially for those from the rural areas who have
benefited from the HIPC development scheme. Hon. Njie pointed out that she
does not know what would happen to the development projects like the
construction of feeder roads, the digging of wells, the support for
Education and Health. "So I want the Secretary of State to explain to us
what set backs are depriving us from accessing those funds and I hope that
there would be measures to get those funds back to this country because we
really need it." She said

*On Education*

Hon. Njie indicated that under the Fast Track Initiative, the Secretary of
State indicated that 138 classrooms were built together with 5 Teachers
quarters, 5 Multipurpose laboratories, and 57 classrooms across all the
regions from the Fast Track Initiative (FTI), and European Union Funds. She
said that this is laudable, but that it is not all that we need; that we
need to look at other aspects now! And that is the retention of qualify
teachers and the quality and relevance of Education as well; that there is
no doubt that every year, we have a lot of graduates from the Gambia College
and the University, but that at the end of the day, they leave for greener
pastures. Attrition rate! All of them give away their jobs as we have in
this National Assembly a lot of ran-away teachers because their salaries
cannot sustain them. They would go anywhere they can have better paid jobs
and then abandon their profession in the schools just as the Hon. Member for
Wuli West, Hon. Sidia Jatta, has just lamented. If we are to make some
comparison between the products of Grade Nine and the primary six in the
early 70s and 80s, you find out that there is big gap between them. A big
gap because we no longer have the quality and relevance we used to have in
our schools during those years. In as much as we are building more schools,
training more teachers, I think if there was a good incentive for the
teachers, to retain them in the profession, improve the quality of the
learning and teaching materials in our schools, it was going to serve us
better." She concluded.

*On Health*

Hon. Ndey Njie indicated that; "If we come to health, in as much as HIV/AIDS
is deemed" a pandemic worldwide, we should look at the real situation of our
country. I think Malaria is much of a killer disease than HIV/AIDS. In the
estimates of the Hon. Secretary of State, there is no mention of Malaria and
I think it should be a cause for concern for Gambians. We have seen what
happened during the rainy seasons. Day in a day out, children and women are
dying especially pregnant women. I commend the government for upgrading
minor and major health centres right across the country. This is really
laudable, but then, upgrading them should not be the end of the story. You
hardly go to a health centre where you are not given a prescription paper to
go outside to buy those drugs. How many poor people in our society are able
to provide the cost of those drugs at private pharmacies? Very few of them!
These are really a cause for concern for all Gambians," she concluded



*Women Should not enter in to Politics of Insults...*

*Interview With Amie Sillah*



*Part (1)*

In this interview she spoke of politics in the Gambia, women and the
recently signed MOU between the ruling APRC party and the opposition parties
in the Gambia etc read to find out.

Foroyaa: What are your impressions of Gambian women in politics as at now?

Aunty Amie: It is very positive now compared to our time when it was unheard
of and you have few women in the first republic, and during the Colonial era
women were nominated but not elected until in the first republic when the
PPP selected Nyimasata Sanneh Bojang to contest on its ticket. She contested
and won and she is the first woman Parliamentarian who contested and won in
Gambian history. In the second republic we have more progress. Because many
women are now enlightened and empowered through education. And five women
surfaced in the last parliamentary elections in 2002.

Foroyaa: Did you contest in the first republic and on which ticket.

Aunty Amie: I contested in the first republic under the PDOIS Party ticket.

Foroyaa: Were you successful.

Aunty Amie: No, I even lost my deposit.

Foroyaa: Did this made you discouraged?

Aunty Amie: No, because once you are a role model and in the struggle you
have to start from a difficult point and that is educating the people. Any
way politics in the Gambia is difficult especially when you are in the
opposition and for a woman in particular; it is only daring women who
undergo the challenge.

Foroyaa: How challenging is it being an opposition in the Gambia and Africa
as a whole?

Aunty Amie: It is really not easy, it is difficult especially for a woman.
It needs real courage and commitment to serve the people. If not you will
quit the race.

Foroyaa: Some people do say politics is dirty do you share the same view?

Aunty Amie: Yes politics of insult, character assassination, inducement etc
is dirty but politics of issues is really decent and rewarding. To me
politics should not divide people it should unite and build friendship
between us.

Foroyaa: You are a married woman?

Aunty Amie: Yes.

Foroyaa: Did this disturb you as a politician?

Aunty Amie: No it did not. My husband is very supportive and infact when my
batteries are dull he is the one who use to help me charge them by giving me
more courage and also my party gave me inspiration.

Foroyaa: When will you quit politics?

Aunty Amie: When there is social Justice, gender equality and social
inclusion when that happens women would be free, poor people would be free
and discrimination would be eradicated and we would have a free world and
one will live for all and all will live for one and we will all live in a
peaceful and prosperous world.

Foroyaa: Others say that you are well off because you are a teacher, a
health officer, a journalist, an activist etc, that you should not be in
politics what is your reaction to this?

Aunty Amie: Politics is not a career.  It is a matter of serving the people.
Yes it is true that I travel worldwide and am offered good Jobs from which I
can make money. But I never accept them.  Sometimes when I travel abroad
some women use to ask me who is the force behind me.  I said I am grateful
to my husband; he really gives me all the support I need. He is my other
half. We always share and do things together.

Foroyaa: Why do you choose to be a politician?

Aunty Amie: It is my late brother who recently passed away who inspired me
into politics. That is why I am really bereaved because definitely he was my
first mentor. He is Ebou Sillah but known as Comrade. He inspired me to be
in politics. Also I was a rights fighter because I hate injustice.   When I
was going to school I use to fight for peoples' rights up to the extend of
being punished. I also use to discuss about African heroes such as Nkrumah,
Lumumba, Cabral, Sekou Touray, Mandela etc with my brother.  I don't want to
live a Luxurious life when the majority of my people are suffering due to
lack of basic needs and don't know how to fight for their rights. I want to
work for my people so that when I die I will be remembered. Because if you
live for something you die for something, then it is your body that goes but
you will be remembered forever and this is what my sister has done (Satang
Jobateh). This is why she would be remembered for ever.

Foroyaa: Why is it difficult to be an opposition in the Gambia and Africa at
large?

Aunty Amie: Because an opposition is prosecuted and is talking to you out of
experience.  In the First Republic I was detained together with my husband
(Sam Sarr) and Halifa Sallah for seven months. I was to go for my master's
degree in public health but it was forfeited and we were also dismissed from
our Jobs. For 7 months we were held but they did not have a case against us
but we lost our jobs and gratuity.  It means we have to start from scratch.
It was really not easy. We started the Foroyaa Newspaper and our school. The
Newspaper prospered as well as the school. We have children all over the
world who have graduated from our school. It is not money but the indelible
ink that we are printing on the sands of time. But it is not easy to be in
the opposition for a woman and a man but is worst when you are a woman
because you are discriminated on gender as well as being an opposition. So
you should really be focused, convicted, to be able to give your input;
that's why when you are getting into politics you should not be socially
distracted if you do you will be easily discourage. This is why in PDOIS if
you are elected under its ticket you have to take part of your allowance and
give it to your constituency to assist your people. For me if I am elected
to be member of the National Assembly I will continue to be a teacher and
also help women. As I speak to you I am in a non partisan organization call
WODD. My ambition is to get funds and help women get empowered politically
and economically. I believe that when more women come into politics with
conviction not as careerists they would serve well.   Women have compassion
and if they bring that compassion into politics it will become humane. There
is no need to quarrel, fight or malice over politics. It should be about
issues.

Foroyaa: What do you have to say about the recently signed MOU between the
ruling APRC party and the opposition parties?

Aunty Amie: I am really happy about the MOU and I believe if we go by its
contents really Gambian politics will be excellent and this was what we in
PDOIS have been envisaging for years. It should be the duty of the leaders
to enlighten the people of its contents. We are pleased that the National
Media did translate the contents into the local languages but that's not
enough still we should enlighten the people at our political meetings.
People say politics is bad because of what people make it, but politics,
which has to come and serve the people, should not be dirty.

Foroyaa: How would you rate the participation of Gambian women into politics
compared to other countries in the sub region?

Aunty Amie: In the Gambia I can say women participation is 100 percent
because in election more women vote than men but what is lacking is
representation in decision making. They participate to elect and select
people but are not represented at the governing levels.

Foroyaa: With all the education and enlightenment you gave women what are
your expectations in the 2006 Presidential election?

Aunty Amie: I expect a good turn out of women and we want them not to allow
anyone to use them as political pawns; let them vote, base on issues and
programmes and not on sentiments, tribe or religion. These parochial
considerations cause violence and it is in violence that women are raped by
their sons, babies are raped, and women are brutalized. This is one Gambia
and one boat. We don't want this boat to sink. Let political parties present
their programmes to people who would decide who they think can bring
meaningful development to them. Gambia is unique. There is tolerance in
religion. We should praise God for that and our culture and the way we are
trained. We should never allow this to disappear. I also wish to thank our
brother, our colleague he is a real Pan Africanist, President Obasanjo. We
have solved our problem in a mature way. Both Nkrumah and Lumumba encouraged
Africans to solve their problems maturely.  He came and helped us work it
out amicably. People are spending billions on wars which should be spent on
prevention.  I am congratulating President Obasanjo, we are grateful to him
and also President Jammeh and the Opposition parties for coming on board.
The contents of the MOU should not only be on paper but should be written on
our conscience and in our practice so that Gambia will become an example to
other African countries.

Foroyaa: How did you feel when you heard that for the first time in African
history a woman has been elected as a President?

Aunty Amie: I was very happy. I meet her in 2000 in New York.  I was in a
group where she was a discussant.   She is really strong and vocal and our
group was to discuss on women and politics. We all gave our experiences but
she is really a nice woman.

Foroyaa: Which of your experiences did you tell your colleagues?

Aunty Amie: I told them how my husband supported me and that we were
imprisoned together with other colleagues for seven months.  My baby who was
10 months old was left with my mum. Mama E as she is fondly called gave her
experience in and out of prison under Samuel K. Doe.  She explained to us
that if you do not want to go to prisons don't enter African politics. Mama
E said she would run for only one term as 'Madiba' Nelson Mandela.  We
believe her and took her word.  We expect her to bring compassion and
magnanimity into Liberian politics.

Foroyaa: What advice do you have for women as we enter into the 2006
Presidential election?

Aunty Amie: Thank you very much brother this is a very important question
but as I said on the NADD platform that we are women and we are the mothers
and Gambia is known as the Smiling Coast. It is referred to as the smallest
but I said we are the greatest. Because we have no tribal or religious wars,
yes we talk, we argue but still we have religious tolerance and that our
Gambia will continue to be the Smiling Coast. As women we should not enter
into politics of insults, character assassination, etc. I am appealing to
all Gambian women to ensure that the peace that we cherish is maintained by
voting for an informed choice.

Foroyaa: What is your last word for the political leaders regarding the MOU?

Aunty Amie: Just as Halifa, President Jammeh and President Obasanjo have
said the MOU should not only be on paper it should be a reality.   It should
be written in our conscience and our practices then history will absolve us.
History has its pen and is writing and we will be accountable for whatever
we do. Therefore all parties should safeguard their words since they all
said they are committed to the principles of the MOU.

Foroyaa: Thank you Aunty for giving us your time.

Aunty Amie: Is a pleasure and you are always welcome, any day, any time.

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