OJ Challenges Jammeh Over Resolution 1343



The Independent (Banjul)

June 25, 2001
Posted to the web June 25, 2001

Banjul, the Gambia

Omar Jallow alias (OJ), former Agriculture Minister in the deposed PPP
government and a strong critic of the government has challenged President
Jammeh to come forth with what he called a position statement regarding
Security Council Resolution 1343, which banned APRC stalwart Baba Jobe who
is also a top government official on blood diamond and gun running
allegations.

OJ said the president should make a pronouncement on the issue to protect
the integrity, respect and sovereignty of The Gambia. He told The
Independent during an interview Friday that The Gambia is noted for
respecting international law, which should cause President Jammeh to waste
no time in taking a position or making a policy statement on Security
Council Resolution 1343 - an issue which he said is of great concern to all
Gambians.

He said that it is sad and unfortunate that those entrusted with the
responsibility of not only emancipating the people but giving them
socio-economic development are engaged in blood diamond deals and gun
trafficking in order to finance rebellions in African societies. He noted
that the Security Council is not an ordinary body and that its resolutions
have been effective. He said the APRC's rejection of the resolution is
uncalled for and added that the Security Council has no vested interest or
ulterior designs for The Gambia to oppose the government. He stressed that
no one should try to down play the resolution and that the systematic
violation of human rights, encouraging mayhem in Sierra Leone and Liberia
disheartened for some money-making ventures is sinister and inimical to the
development of humanity.

OJ, who also expressed concerned over the visit of Liberia's President
Charles Taylor immediately after the resolution, outlined that the report
was explicit. He added that mentioning the New Millennium Airlines is an
"indirect accusation to the owner of the aircraft." He stressed that the
question now is whether or not the carrier is used to transport arms and
blood diamonds, a question he believes Gambians have a right to ask.

Regarding the forthcoming presidential and National Assembly elections, OJ
said that it is now the responsibility of the opposition leaders to make
their recommendations to the IEC and all stakeholders including the
international community to give chance to a level political field. He
emphasised that if such issues are not taken care of and rectified the best
way is to "boycott the elections totally". Asked whether that will not give
easy chance to the regime to stay longer in power, OJ intimated that
sometimes boycotts were more effective than going to elections which are not
properly conducted to give credibility to a government. He noted that a
national boycott is necessary when election processes are flawed adding that
in such situations civil actions such as peaceful demonstrations,
disobedient campaigns and other actions will put pressure on the government
to address their concerns. He said that the APRC does not own the country.
He stressed that the unnecessary amendments to the constitution, especially
the ones on the IEC and the Indemnity Act indicate clearly the intentions of
the APRC. He said that the regime is now attacking the IEC because of the
electoral body's uncompromising stance.


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