President Jammeh:

As you return home, you will be greeted by the blood, grief and sadness
of Gambians and all peace loving people around the world, because of
the  massacre of some 18 people, including Omar Barrow, a journalist.
This slaughter of defenseless people was callous and reflects the
depravity of a military force bent on maintaing "law and order" in the
face of chaos, and unbridled military brutality Gambians are subjected
to daily.

When you came to power in 1994 you raised the expectations of ordinary
Gambians for a better life, promised democracy, accountability,
transparency, and human rights.  In the course of six years, you, and
your security forces have killed, and maimed Gambians in your reckless
effort to hold on to power.  In fact, by all indicators, Gambians are
worse of today than they were six years ago, despite what Isatou
Njie-Saidy, your vice-president, said to the nation.  Clearly, this is
not the Isatou Njie I knew at Armitage High School and a colleague at
Brikama Junior Secondary school.  Your rule has been an abomination, and
in the end, brought nothing but pain and grief to our people and nation.
You have lost all credibility and moral standing in the country and
international community, not that you enjoyed much of these, at any
rate.

* You must release the bodies to their families for proper burial.

* Release all those still held in custody.

* Train security officers in crowd/ demonstration management.

* Train officers to respect the fundamental rights of people.

* Allow for an independent investigation of the 10 April Massacre.

* Halt the harassment of students and citizens.

* Apologize to the nation and families of the slain.

* Financially compensate the families of the slain.

* Provide the wounded with free medical care at home or overseas
if       medically determined.

* Also compensate the wounded, and finally,

* Let the truth be told about the Massacre.

Abdoulaye Saine
Oxford, OH USA

No justice, no peace!

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