United Democratic Party (UDP)
C/O P. O. Box 500
Bronx, NY 10453
[log in to unmask]
July 22nd, 2008
Statement issued by the (UDP) on the July 22nd celebrations:
Gambian People, the international Community and all Democratic and Human Rights Organizations worldwide are hereby called upon to condemn in the strongest terms the (APRC) Government for celebrating the July 22 1994 Coup D’etat, the day some junior undisciplined, non commissioned officers of the Gambian national army led by Yahya Jammeh decided to challenge the legitimate and constitutionally elected Government of the Gambian people. This is why the regime takes it upon itself to celebrate and commemorate this dark historic occasion every year in spite of the fact that the majority of Gambians remain totally opposed to the idea.
For the majority of Gambians, who over the years have painfully learnt the bitter experience of this violent and illegal change, celebrating this occasion is not only a waste of their tax revenue but is a cruel reminder of the period of illegal arrests, detentions, torture, unfair trials and a general insecurity of life and property. It is also a reminder of how corruption can be legalized and justified under a Military dictatorship. President Yahya Jammeh and his cohorts have, beyond the comprehension of the average Gambian, acquired properties, built enormous cash deposits and engaged in dubious business dealings within a record time.
The record speaks for itself, the same gang of arrogant and greedy soldiers headed by Yahya A. J Jammeh who have transformed themselves to civilian politicians supported by the military have over the 14 year period mismanaged and looted the Gambian economy. They continue to violate constitution, rig elections to oppress the Gambian people by perverting the rule of law. The legacy of the APRC regime, which in effect is nothing more than a pseudo-democracy and a dictatorship, is geared more towards Human Rights violation and disregard for constitutional order. It is obvious that the Gambian people have finally realized that they have been betrayed by a handful of soldiers and some selfish civilians who were never loyal to the nation but all the time were being guided by selfishness and greed.
The APRC regime is still very hostile to democracy, the press freedom, good governance, human rights and the rule of law. A testimony of this is the recent summary dismissal of two high Court judges Mr. B. Y. Camara and Haddy Roche without due process.
Media houses like the independent newspaper have been closed. Citizen FM Radio and newspaper were closed and never reopened until the death of the proprietor and director Mr. Babucarrr Gaye. Journalists like Dehda Hydara have been murdered and to date there has not been any conclusive investigation by the APRC Government. The act of murder can only be attributed to the gang of APRC terrorists better known as the “green boys”. Media houses have been burnt down and journalists and other media personnel attacked, wounded or severely beaten. The arson attacked on the house of BBC correspondent Ebrima Sillah, Radio 1 FM, and the Independent newspaper have all contributed to killing of press freedom in the Gambia. The latest of such actions being the detention of Yaya Dampha, the narrow escape of Momodou Justice Darboe, and the arrest and detention of Chief Ebrima Manneh. Even pro-government journalists like Malick Jones, and president Jammeh’s own press
secretary Mr. Sait Ceesay and Deda Halake could not escape undue arrest and detention. The financial bond imposed on newspaper editors liable to be charged with libel is more of a ban on the right to publish facts about the APRC regime and censorship of the press than a regulatory act of “irresponsible journalism”
As already indicated in this statement, on the political front the opposition activists continue to be subjected to harassment in every form. Genuine pro-democratic activists continue to be denied their constitutional rights and freedom. Two United Democratic Party (UDP) members Mr. Dudou Kassa Jatta detained for two years without charge has since been released because of local and international pressure while Kaniba Kani is still under detention and being held incommunicado without being charged or brought before a court of law.
The propaganda machinery of this government is to chant peace and stability aloud while it is committed to chaos and anarchy.
President Yahya Jammeh and his regime have a lot to explain to the Gambian people on actions that can be those of a tyrannical dictatorship. The UDP is putting up a challenge to President Yahya Jammeh and his government about the mysterious disappearance of Kaniba Kani who was arrested by the former notorious SOS for the Interior Babucarr Jatta since 2006. Despite several court orders to produce or release Kaniba Kani, President Yahya Jammeh with the advice Babucarr Jatta and his successors treat these high court orders with contempt by persistently defying with impunity the high court rulings. This has shown the whole world that here is a government that does not respect the rule of law.
PRESIDENT Yahya Jammeh has blood in his hands for allegedly:
1. Killings of 50 African immigrants including 44 Ghanaians under unexplained circumstances three years ago;
2. Killing of a former Secretary of State for Finance Ousaman Koro Ceesay;
3. Killing of 14 peaceful unarmed student demonstrators;
4. Killing of a prominent Gambian journalist Dehda Hydara;
5. Killings of 5 top security personnel including the former director of (NIA) Mr. Daba Mareneh;
6. The death of a female (UDP) female supporter Sarjo Kunjang Sanneh as result of violent torture.
7. The arrest and disappearance of Kaniba Kani
8. The torture and eventual death of Dudou Sanneh of the youth wing, a crime committed by a former secretary of State of then junta Capt. Lamin Kaba Bajo on behalf of President Yahya Jammeh.
9. The violent shooting and maiming of Human Rights Lawyer Ousman Sillah who has to flee the country to save his life.
10. The murder of the Red Cross personnel Omar Barrow shot at by state guard on April 10 and the summary execution of a (UDP) youth youth Momodou Ceesay by State Guards during a UDP, rally in Tallinding in 2001.
Today it is abundantly clear that President Yahya Jammeh and cohorts were only hungry for power, were out to destroy the democratic institutions of the country, abuse the rights and freedom of the people, and by so doing deprive the Gambian citizens the rights to freedom and democracy. The objectives of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) Junta turned civilian (APRC) Government is therefore to cling on to power at all cost, plunder the country’s resources without being challenged by any opposing force within the country.
We are therefore informing the world community, that this is what is being celebrated. All progressive Organizations including all those who stand for democracy, justice and human rights are urged to boycott these shameful celebrations of 22 July which is nothing more than a disgrace and a betrayal of the Gambian people.
Down with coup D’etats
Down with Dictatorship
Down with Terrorism
Long live The Gambia
Long live Democracy
Long live the United Democratic Party
Signed/stamped:
Saihou Mballow
For the Executive Committee
United Democratic Party (UDP)
NEW YORK CITY, U.S.A. Chapter
Cc:
State Department
U.N. Security Council
British Embassy
Commonwealth
Ghana Embassy
China Embassy
France Embassy
Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Institutions
Media Foundation for West Africa
CPJ
Radio France International
Gambian news papers
Media Houses
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html
To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
|
