Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 82/2006, 27-28 September, 2006
Editorial
A UNITED FRONT CAN DEFEAT JAMMEH
In an interview with the BBC, when the interviewer suggested to Mr. Ousainou
Darboe, who led the UDP/NRP/GPDP Alliance, that he did not make an impact
because the opposition was fragmented, he remarked:
“That would have been a valid statement if the NADD had also polled a
considerable number of votes, but that is not the case. I have always maintained
that a united front is meaningless without a level playing field. However
united we would have been the result would have been the same thing.”
The fact of the matter is that politics is not simple arithmetic but a
complexity of social reality. Mr. Hamat Bah thought that by adding the number that
voted for him to the number that voted for Mr. Darboe their candidate would
need only 5% of the vote to win. But what happened? In the 2001 presidential
election the UDP candidate polled 149,448 votes while the NRP candidate
polled 35, 671 votes, giving a total of 185, 119 votes. In 2006 the UDP/NRP/GPDP
alliance polled 104,808 votes, a drop of 80, 311 votes. This cannot be
explained by simple arithmetic.
The fact of the matter is that whether or not the opposition was united
having one candidate was a decisive factor in the election. When the opposition
was united President and his regime were alarmed and the APRC was fragile with
a good number of stalwarts sitting on the fence.
The masses were happy because the days of a new era was anticipated to be
just round the corner. But their hopes were soon shattered and aspirations
dashed when the UDP and NRP withdrew from NADD. Many opposition supporters
decided to withdraw their support for their parties or to even support the ruling
APRC.
The results show voter apathy. Only 58% of the registered voters voted in
2006 unlike 90% in 2001. Yahya Jammeh increased his votes from 242, 302 in 2001
to 264, 404 in 2006. In 2001 Hamat Bah polled 3, 054 votes in Upper Saloum
in 2001 when Yahya polled 2, 881 votes. But in 2006 Yahya Jammeh polled 4, 102
votes while Hamat Bah polled 2, 663 votes even though the UDP votes were
added. The point is even though the NRP membership could support the union of
NRP and UDP they may not support UDP leading NRP. In short Yahya Jammeh won not
because of the strength of the APRC but because of the weakness of the
opposition due to their disunity.
Mr. Yankuba Touray once said that the APRC wins by strategy and tactics.
This means that even though they do not have popular support they win by
manipulating the local government structure, state media, intimidation, incumbency
etc, etc. Yahya Jammeh approach is to show that he is invincible. (“No one can
remove me from power either by coup or by election.”) The masses believe in
power and must be convinced that the force they support is more powerful or
as powerful as Jammeh before they give their support.
That was why a united front was a key element in the last election. The talk
of small or insignificant party had engineered the disunity of the
opposition. It will continue to engineer the disunity so long as some continue to
maintain this stance.
It is wrong to say that no matter how “united we would have been the result
would have been the same thing.” When an invincible force faces Yahya Jammeh,
he will soon become a thing of the past.
CASAMANCE CRISIS HINDERS TRADE
By Modou Jonga
The recent crisis in The Senegalese region of Casamance has seriously
hindered the economic activities of Senegalese and Gambians who depend on the cross
border trade in firewood, timber and charcoal to make ends meet.
Speaking to this report, Manneh Camara, (a woman) said she has D25, 000.00
(twenty-five thousand dalasis) worth of charcoal and firewood in the Casamance
forest, which she could not bring in due to the recent crisis.
The economic activities of the people dealing in timber and charcoal have
haulted, said Morro Jouray, a resident of Kafuta Village. He said they stopped
going to the bush because all their compatriots (the middle men) have
migrated from their villages due to the recent fighting. According to Mr. Touray,
the trade in both timber and Charcoal has drastically declined, and as a result
the price of timber has soared from D20, 000.00 (twenty thousand dalasis)
per truck load before the start of the crisis to D22, 000.00 (twenty-two
thousand dalasis). Mr. Touray told me that he has seven truckloads of timber, which
are yet to be transported from Casamance to Kafuta due to the crisis. We
have stopped business because the Senegalese Soldiers are said to be stationed
there. From the early stages of the crisis, this reporter was informed that a
statement purportedly calling on the residents of border villages to desist
from doing business in, or, going to Casamance for was issued.
Alfusainey Bah, also a businessman dealing in charcoal across the border was
said to have had his bicycle seized by the rebels loyal to Salifu Sarjo.
Some timber dealers in Sohm were said to have been brutalised by the said rebels
before the intervention of the Senegalese Soldiers, because they were found
stealing charcoal from Casamance forest.
A warning note was issued to various villages namely Kafuta, Sohm, and
Bullock asking residents to stop doing business in the Casamance until further
notice. “Currently, there is a decline in the supply of both charcoal and timber
from the region,” emphasised a businesswoman.
POLITICAL PARTIES URGED TO RESPECT MOU
By Bubacarr K. Sowe and Fabakary B. Ceesay
The Commonwealth Observer group has urged political parties to adhere to the
spirit and letter of the Commonwealth brokered Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU).
In an interim statement by Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, the group’s Chairperson
said that the understanding created an atmosphere conducive for the
strengthening of the democratic process in the country.
“significantly, all the political parties that have met with us declared
their recognition of, and support for, the MOU. It is, nonetheless, a fact that
the MOU has not been adhered to. It is our considered judgment that whatever
the outcome of the election, in the interest of stability, understanding and
cooperation, the political parties should endeavour to adhere to the spirit
and letter of the MOU,” Dr. Salim indicated.
He also said that they were impressed by the enthusiasm with which The
Gambian people exercised their democratic rights.
“The secrecy of the ballot was assured. Security Officers were present at
most polling stations and were not intrusive,” Salim said.
He said that the timing the of the President’s “Dialogue with the People
Tour” and the open demonstration of support by public officers for a particular
party, especially those in the security services, have the potential of
affecting the level of the playing field. “These as well as other manifestations
of abuse of incumbency will be considered and form a part of our overall
judgment on the entire process,” he stated.
KAFUTA VDC CRISIS DEEPENS
By Modou Jonga
Ten vital sponsored projects including the Kafuta village market the village
skill center, the pipe borne water and the community forest project, have
failed due to the inefficiency of the old executive of the of the old Kafuta
VDC, lamented Faye Demba, the Vice Chairman of the new Village Development
Committee.
When asked by this reporter to comment on the allegation against the
executive of the old VDC, that they have rented the Kafuta Village Skill’s Center to
Kharafi, Mr. Demba said he cannot verify whether the skill center is rented
to Kharafi, but that he knows that Kharafi is occupying the said skill
center. He said the materials in the skill center have been transferred to the
village seed store, noting the activities of the village that are to be conducted
in the skill centre have been affected. The Vice Chairman of the new VDC
also scolded the old VDC for not submitting a single report on their activities
to the village for two decades.
Speaking further, Mr. Demba, said the village did call many meetings in
order to put the old VDC on the right track, but the old VDC repeatedly failed to
honour such calls. A letter from the old VDC (allegedly from the Chairman,
Jallow Colley) to the village Alkalo inturn advised the old VDC to cease
operation of the affairs of the VDC.
Consequently after numerous calls to attend meetings organized by the
village failed, the old VDC Executive was replaced by the Executive of the new VDC.
Efforts by this reporter to talk to both the Secretary and the Vice Chairman
of the former VDC proved futile, as they were said to be out of the village.
Meanwhile, Jallow Colley, when contacted by this reporter, refused to talk
to this reporter. He said he had previously said all that he ought to have
said to a reporter of the said paper.
Vice Chairman Demba said a warning letter will be sent to the old VDC, and
if they fail to comply, a legal action will be initiated against them. The
action, Demba said, will be executed after the Presidential election.
THE STATE OF FORT BULLEN
The National Centre for Arts and Culture has received a grant of US $21,000
from the United States Fund for Cultural Preservation. The funding agreement
for the one-year project was signed with the United States Ambassador to The
Gambia Mr. John 0. Stafford at his office on Monday 18th September 2006.
The United States Fund for Cultural Preservation is an initiative of the
United States Government which is designed to assist less well-endowed countries
conserve and develop their cultural heritage.
This particular grant is meant to facilitate the implementation of
conservation and interpretation works at Fort Bullen, Barra, and the Six-Gun Battery
in State House, Banjul. Both sites were inscribed in the Unesco World Heritage
List in 2003 as part of the James Island inscription which includes other
sites of relevance to the European occupation. The significance of Fort Bullen
and the Six-Gun Battery is that they are the only known European structures
in the sub-region specifically built to stop the trade in slaves, as distinct
from perpetuating the trade, which the other European forts represent..
The works to be implemented with the grant funds include:
-Restoration of the Sea Defence at Fort Bullen
-The development of a site museum at Fort Bullen
-The conversion of a Guardhouse into a souvenir shop
-Consolidation of parapet walls and walks at the Six-Gun Battery and Fort
Bullen, respectively.
The project is to be implemented with technical assistance from the
Department of Technical Services, DOS Works and Infrastructure, and the
Africa 2009 Programme for the Conservation of Immovable Cultural
Heritage in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Chairperson and members of the Board of the NCAC would like to take this
opportunity to thank the United States Government through its Ambassador for
the laudable gesture, as well as give the assurance that the project will be
judiciously expedited in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
grant agreement. Apart from conserving the sites and boosting their tourism
potentials, the project is designed to empower the people of Barra and its
environs to take advantage of the presence of this unique heritage and provide them
with income-generating opportunities.
KIANG WEST NAM CRIES FOUL
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Kalifa Kambi, The National Assembly Member for Kiang West Constituency has
asserted that he has been deceived by the electorate in his constituency, the
only area where his party conceded defeat to the opposition.
Speaking to Foroyaa shortly after the counting of the ballot tokens on
Saturday morning in Njoro Jattaba, the APRC Parliamentarian said even though they
have made significant improvement in an opposition strong hole, the
impression he had from his people was that they would vote for APRC.
On whether he will stand in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, Mr.
Kambi said: “Time will be the judge.” He described the polling as peaceful, and
said the credit goes to every body.
However, out of 9,153 voters in Kiang West only 5,352 cast their votes
representing 58.47% of which 2,057 votes (38.43%) went to the incumbent, Yaya
Jammeh, 3,133(58.54%) for Ousainou Darboe and 162 votes (3.03) went to Halifa
Sallah, and there were three invalid votes.
Momodou Sanneh, a polling agent for the UDP expressed that there was high
voter apathy, noting that most of the registered voters in Kiang West reside in
the Kombos and could not go to Kiang to vote.
An agent for NADD, Yaya Darboe, described the counting process as
satisfactory, noting that the transportation of the electorate have been a major factor
for their defeat.
CIVIL SOCIETY OBSERVERS IMPRESSED, BUT…
By Bubacarr K. Sowe and Fabakary B. Ceesay
The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) and the Coalition of Domestic
Civil Society Organizations have described the Presidential Election as “
generally peaceful,” even though there were isolated cases of disturbances in the
voting process, which were resolved by the polling officers.
Giving an interim observer report on the elections at a press conference on
Sunday at the Paradise Hotel in Kololi, Dr. Oumar Ndongo said the conduct of
Electoral Commission and Polling Officers at the polling stations is
commendable.
“Many of them were professional, courteous, polite and friendly to voters
and facilitated the process smoothly. The IEC also deployed a team of monitors
that were visibly present on the streets monitoring the process and
addressing issues as they arose,” Dr. Ndongo said.
He added that voting materials and polling station manpower and equipment
were sufficient, and they, as observers, did not observe any case of shortages
of polling materials on polling day. Notwithstanding, the civil society
organizations have laid emphasis on few issues that need to be addressed in
subsequent elections. Below are the points WACSOF raised:
1. A number of polling stations were located in the open or under
trees. The open places provided no shelter or respite from the vagaries of the
weather to both the electorate and the Polling Officers. The rams that lasted
over two hours in some places across the country forced a number of polling
stations to relocate temporarily and in some cases permanently without proper
notice to the electorate. Some such polling stations were relocated to
private residences and hotels, which were inappropriate for voting. This may have
disenfranchised some voters.
2. It was observed that some polling stations were located in places of
worship. It is usually advisable to locate polling stations in neutral places
that would not arouse religious or other sentiments that would deter some of the
electorate from going to exercise their franchise.
3. Civil Society observers feel that the information about the
extension of the closing time for the polls was not communicated in a timely and
proper manner to the polling officers and voters. It is likely therefore that
some voters were disenfranchised in the process.
4. Arrangements made to convey election materials, officials and
party agents from the polling stations to the constituency counting centres were
inadequate. Upon close of polls, many of them had to wait for over six hours
to be conveyed from the polling stations to the counting centres.
Invariably, this led to a delay in the beginning of the vote counting process with the
attendant effects of fatigue and sleep on both the officials, party agents
and observers.
5. Civil Society observed a visible presence of large numbers of
people in military fatigue in a number of polling stations across the country.
The presence of these persons was a source of intimidation for many voters who
registered their complaints in no uncertain terms to our observers.
6. Civil Society did not observe campaign posters of any of the
other candidates apart from those of the APRC candidate. This raises issues about
the fairness of the process and whether or not a level playing field was
observed for all candidates.
While commending the IEC for the release of the official results. Civil
Society appeals to the three candidates, the leadership of the political parties
and their supporters to ensure a continuation of the peaceful atmosphere
under which the election has been conducted. WACSOF and the Civil Society
Coalition-The Gambia shall remain engaged in support of the democratic process in
The Gambia and wishes all Gambians well.
KAFUTA VILLAGERS PROTEST
By Modou Jonga
Thirteen elders from Kafuta, including men and women, on Thursday 14th
September 2006 went to the Western Division Governor’s Office to lodge their
disapproval of the Alkaloship of Basolli Bojang.
The elders claimed they were backed by 84% of the village populace.
Speaking to this reporter at the Governor’s office, Janko Kassama (the Imam
of Kafuta) said they have come to the Governor Abdou Fm Badjie to express
their disapproval of the Alkaloship of Basolli Bojang. According to the Imam,
they were told by the Governor that he was not in position to have a
discussion with them, as he was on his way to the Airport, to bid farewell to the
visiting Sudanese President Omar El Bashir, but promised to discuss with them
after the Presidential election.
Narrating the circumstance surrounding the Alkaloship crisis, the group’s
spokesman, Janko Kassama, said the palaver started during the forty (40) day
charity of their late Alkalo Sulayman Bojang, when the district Chief Basiru
Jarju, asked the elder’ opinion regarding village Alkaloship vacancy. He said
it was at this programme that the village elders, in the presence of women
and youth, lamented that Kata Bojang was chosen to lead the village, as he was
said to be the unifying force in the village.
After the villagers made their decision known to the district Chief, the
latter in turn informed the Governor about the villagers’ decision to choose
Kata Bojang. According to the spokesman, they were told by the district Chief
that the Governor has resented their decision and has instead recommended
Basolli Bojang to be Alkalo.
The village delegation has refused the claim that their chosen Alkalo, Kata
Bojang, is an opposition supporter. They however told this reporter that the
villagers will never recognize the Alkaloship of Basolli Bojang whom they
regard as a hand picked Alkalo by the Governor. “A part from Kata no one would
be accepted by the village” said the village Imam.
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