Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 75/2006, 8-10 September, 2006
Editorial
GRTS AND THE 2006 ELECTIONS
The media, including the state media, has a very important role to play in
the development of society. In any election the electorate have to vote for the
candidate of their choice. Needless to say, an electorate cannot make an
informed choice unless they have access to information.
This is where the role of the media becomes significant. Information from
all political quarters needs to be disseminated to the people. The ideas,
policies, and programmes of all political contenders must be known by the people
if they are to make an informed choice. Biased reporting and distortions must
be avoided at all cost if justice is to be done to the electorate.
The state media is a property of the people and as a state institution it is
improper to afford “different treatment to different persons attributable
wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, colour, gender,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin,
property, birth or other status whereby persons of one such description are
subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another such
description are not made subject, or are accorded privileges or advantages which are
not accorded to persons of another such description.” (Emphasis ours).
This is why it is made imperative in section 208 of the constitution that “
All state owned newspapers, journals, radio and television shall afford fair
opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views and
dissenting opinion.”
No one can deny the fact that GRTS (both radio and television) has undergone
transformation this week by persisting in affording fair opportunities and
for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinions. It covers all
three political contestants daily in its news reports. Each contestant is
also afforded 10 minutes daily for party political broadcast and 30 minutes
daily for highlights of political activities. GRTS has gone further to create
the facility for the enlightenment of the voter by conducting a voter education
programme involving the Independent Electoral Commission and the National
Council for Civic Education. IEC songs in voter education by various Gambian
artists are also broadcast by GRTS. One should not also forget the short plays
depicting the voter refusing to sell his or her voter’s card.
To conclude, we wish to say bravo to GRTS. You need encouragement to
continue the good work you have started. Don’t allow yourselves to be used as
propaganda tools.
FARMERS IN BADDIBOU COMPLAIN AS SOME ARE STILL UNPAID
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The flag bearer of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development
(NADD), Halifa Sallah, has received complains from farmers at Baddibou.
At Salikenne Farmers informed Sallah that they are still owed by groundnut
buyers. A farmer at Njaba Kunda said he was shocked when he heard SoS Touray
say that it is not a right for government to buy groundnut from farmers. A
farmer in his late sixties (60) mounted the podium at Conteh Kunda. He told the
NADD flag bearer that most of the farmers were living in a state of fear. He
said they were in the past afraid to voice out their demand at political
platforms because they fear that they will arrested. The old man who was wearing
rags, emphasized that he is yet to received his money amounting to D7, 500.
He said this money is in respect of the groundnut he sold on credit. He was
also mention at the Sarra Kunda rally that a native of the said village is yet
to be paid D15000.00, being money owed to him by groundnut operators.
In his response to farmers, Halifa Sallah, assured the farmers that a
government led by NADD will ensure that farmers will determine the price of their
groundnut. He said the world market price for groundnut is D31, 000 while the
local price is pegged at D7500.00 by the government. He said this is
exploitation of the farmers. He told the gathering that a government led by NADD will
restore self esteem amongst the farmers. He concluded that a government
under his leadership will make sure that farmers are not intimidated.
BUBA SANYANG RELEASED
By Sarjo Camara Singateh
Reliable sources have informed this paper that Buba Sanyang, a supporter of
the National Alliance for Democracy and Development, was released on the 5th
of September 2006.
Buba Sanyang was arrested by officials of the NIA two days before the
nomination of Halifa Sallah, the Presidential Candidate for NADD. The arrest of
Buba had been a subject of subsequent interviews rallies organized by NADD.
Halifa Sallah had indicated that the law had not been complied in the arrest and
detention of Buba Sanyang in that he had been held for more than 72 hours.
He considered the detention of Buba to be geared to undermining his campaign
and intimidating his supporters. He also intimated that the Elections Decree
empowers the IEC to take charge of prosecution of election offenders.
The young militant had spent 12 days in detention without appearing in
court. Members of Buba’s family have confirmed that he has been released by the
NIA.
NDONDI NJIE RELEASED
By Yaya Dampha
The former Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Ndondi
Njie, who was arrested by the Security Agents and detained at the National
Intelligence Agency for more than one month, was released on Tuesday, 5th September
2006. Mr. Njie was arrested shortly after the completion of the
supplementary registration exercise. Shortly before his arrest, the President of the
Republic, Yaya Jammeh, told the nation that the IEC mismanaged “his money”,
which was given to them. He did not however say how much money he gave to the
IEC.
When this reporter visited the home of Mr. Njie, he was met by a young man
who told him that Mr. Njie was not at home. He however, confirmed that his
boss was released.
JAMMEH ON SCHOLARSHIPS PACKAGE FOR CRD
President Yahya Jammeh yesterday launched the second phase of the Jammeh
Foundation for Peace scholarship. The package is meant for 55 students in 16
Basic Cycle schools in Central River Division.
Speaking at the launching ceremony at the JanJanbureh Upper Basic School,
President Jammeh said the JFP scholarship package has no political connection.
He said it was initiated to bail out students who could not pay their school
fees. He said the number of beneficiaries is small, but by next year, the
number will be increased to 200 students. “I also want you to know that I am not
campaigning for votes,” he stated.
For her part, Fatou Lamin Faye, Secretary of State for Education, said the
Foundation is non-discriminatory. She said the Foundation is resolved to help
needy students. Other speakers at the launching included Juka Jabang, MDI
Director, and Yankuba Touray, SOS for Agriculture.
THE NEED FOR REVOLUTIONARY PAN-AFRIKANISM IN AFRICA By Gibairu Janneh
The people of Africa who are scattered in our 113 countries acquire the same
capacities, values, and dignities as any other human beings. They cherish
liberty, justice, development and peace just like any other people. Just like
all societies and people, African people have in great measure, contributed and
are contributing to the advancement of civilisation and humanity. However
Africa of today is engulfed in tragedy of mental, economic, political and
social exploitation and oppression to the point that out lot has become to
constitute the wretched of the earth. But we are aware of the fact that no condition
is permanent more so if human beings are prepared to consciously improve
their conditions.
The tragedy of not only Africa but the whole world is the emergence of
capitalism, which grace birth to slavery, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism and
imperialism. Capitalism therefore is the basic for ignorance, poverty,
oppression and exploitation of man by man and the insecurity that surrounded the
globe today. Thus African people being one of hardest hit by capitalism
inevitably have to unite for the distraction of capitalism and the building of
socialism which will ensure our liberty, dignity and prosperity.
Pan-Africanism therefore is the results of the trials and tribulations of
Africans in their struggle for freedom, equality, self-determination and
prosperity. We are conscious of the fact that as a result of our experiences in
slavery and colonialisms, Africans have been deprived of their culture and
identity and human dignity and worth. These unfortunate conditions further
culminated into decadence and degeneration, which have ever since characterised our
communities. Leading to our alienation from our very own self and anything
African. This really transformed the African both at home and abroad into a
mass of poor, oppressed, miserable, ignorant and extremely backward and divided
people of the world. It has put the African at the mercy of both nature and
other people of the world, including an African minority of collaborators and
stooges who continue up to this day to exploit the African continent and her
people at tremendous cost to our lives liberty and development.
Pan-Africanism recognises that all black people whether born in India,
Russia, England, America, Haiti, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya or Gambia are
Africans and they all belong to the African nation. We all share the same reality.
We suffer the same conditions. We have the same destiny. We need to organise
and unite if we want to reverse that undesirable condition in which we are so
that we will be the controllers of our destiny and resources.
Pan-Africanism recognises that where there is no struggle there is no
progress. It recognises that where there is oppression there is resistance. It
recognises that where there is poverty and ignorance there is no dignity and
prosperity. It recognises that where there is no equality and respect for rights
there is no liberty and peace. Pan-Africanism upholds these to be self-evident
truths and the pursuit of which are ideals that form the comestone of the
struggle for we are vindicated by history that only unity in the permanent
reality. Africans therefore owe a debt to their generation and the ones yet
unborn and the only way to settle that debt to the society is to strive towards
true Pan-Africanism.
NO CREDIT BUYING UNDER UDP/NRP/GPDP GOVERNMENT
The leaders of the UDP/NRP/GPDP Coalition, Ousainou Darboe and Hamat Bah
have promised the people of Essau, Fass Njaga Choi and Ndungu Kebbeh that if
Lawyer Ousainou Darboe is elected as president in the forthcoming presidential
election there will be no more credit buying of groundnuts.
Continuing their nationwide campaign, they said that whatever groundnut they
take from the farmers will be paid for by cash and not on credit basis.
Speaking to party supporters at Fass Lower Nuimi, Hamat Bah said that their
regime would be different from the APRC who takes the groundnuts of the farmers on
credit. He opined that the APRC government does not have sympathy for the
poor since civil servants are paid regularly. But when they have to buy the
nuts of the farmers they start saying that cash is not available. Mr. Bah said
that farmers suffer from hardship because they have to buy medicine, pay
school fees and shoulder other responsibilities while the government fails to
provide their monies.
Mr. Darboe, on his part, said since Mr. Yaya Jammeh was voted in as
president in 2001 the prices of goods have raised, for example onions and rice which
Gambia and Senegal import from the same source is cheaper in Senegal.
He said nothing has been done by the government to make life easier for the
people. He asserted that the country is in a hunger zone, pointing out that
many people cannot afford three square meals a day. He emphasized that
President Jammeh always makes promises that he does not fulfill. He said that people
should be ready to change position when they realize that what they were
pursuing is not good. He said that people should vote for him.
GOVERNMENT TO REJUVENATE GPMB
Yankuba Touray, the Secretary of State for Agriculture-cum-National
Mobiliser of the APRC Party, has said that the government has laid down plans to
rejuvenate the defunct Gambia Produce Marketing Board (GPMB).
SOS Touray made this disclosure on the day five of President Jammeh’s ‘
Dialogue with the People Tour’ in Kuntaur on Tuesday. He said the rejuvenation of
the GPMB is as a result of President Yahya Jammeh’s resolve to boost
agriculture in the country. He assured farmers that those who are yet to receive
payments for their groundnuts will be paid no matter what happens. He said the
APRC government will move heaven and earth to make sure that the agricultural
sector is developed.
“Government is committed to expedite the development of agriculture. That is
why President Jammeh is bringing 500 tractors as well as introducing the
Agriculture Development Fund. All these are for farmers,” he said. He urged
farmers to vote for President Jammeh for their development and progress. He urged
the youths to learn skills.
BRIAN PETERS’ CASE
The civil suit involving one Mr. Brian Peters, the plaintiff, and Baba
Keita, the defendant, has suffered another set back. When the case was called, the
counsel for the plaintiff, Miss Drammeh announced her presence, but the
counsel for the defendant was not present. The defendant, Baba Keita, told the
court that his former lawyer, Ousainou Darboe has withdrawn from the case. He
said Darboe would communicate to Mrs. Chongan to step in for him. Mr. Keita
said that Mrs. Chongan has traveled.
Magistrate Jammeh advised Mr. Keita to tell his counsel to submit a written
document to indicate that she has traveled. “We want a fair hearing for both
sides,” said Magistrate Jammeh.
Magistrate Jammeh gave an ultimatum of two weeks for the counsel of the
defendant to respond. The counsel for the plaintiff, Miss Drammeh stated that as
far as Mr. Darboe has withdrawn from the case, he should not interfere with
the case. She asked how could Mrs. Chongan travel without informing the court.
The case was before Magistrate Amina Saho and it was later transferred to
Magistrate Jammeh. The case is adjourned to the 13th of September 2006.
ALLEGED NIA INPERSONATOR IN COURT
On Tuesday, 6th September 2006, Magistrate Moses Richards of the Bundung
Magistrates’ Court presided over an alleged impersonation case. In his
testimony, CPL1095 Alieu Sowe said that the accused, Mr. Ebrima AK Camara, and one
Madirr Sowe, on the 26th of July 2006, introduced themselves as members of the
National Intelligence Agency. According to CID officer Sowe, Mr. Camara
entered into the Station Officer’s office, while his counterpart, Mr. Sowe, was
waiting in another room.
He stated that Mr. Camara had a lengthy discussion with the Station Officer.
CID officer Mr. Sowe said at first when they came, they said they were sent
by their superiors at the NIA to come and investigate the affairs of a
certain amount of money, which was found at Westfield Junction and brought to the
CID office.
He said the duo later left the office quickly at a time when one female
officer observed them. Mr. Sowe said they contacted one Mr. Tamba, an NIA
officer, who later confirmed to them that, these people were sent by them. The NIA
later sent some men to come and arrest Mr. Camara and it was proven at the
NIA office that he was acting as an impersonator. After one week, he was
brought back to the Bundung CID office and that was the time the CID office
decided to take the matter to court.
Mr. Ebrima A.K Camara, the accused, however contradicted the testimony of
the CID officer. He pleaded not guilty and was asked to bring 1 or 2 of his
witnesses. He mentioned in court that the CID Office impounded his vehicle.
The Magistrate told Mr. Camara that nothing will be said until the case is
finished as he, Mr. Camara, was trying to entice the officers by offering them
his vehicle. The case was adjourned to the 12th September 2006, for Mr. Camara
’s witnesses to testify.
ALLEDGED CHILD ABDUCTOR FREED
By Yaya Bajo
Sheriffo Mballow who was last mouth accused of abducting a five year old
teenage girl on Tuesday, September 5th 2006, was acquitted by Magistrate Moses
Richards of the Bundung Magistrate Court, upon the prosecution’s own
application. According to the prosecution’s application, the charge sheet against the
accused person has been dropped base on the fact that he was wrongly
identified by the victim.
The counsel for the defendant, Lawyer Gomez, said it is sacrosanct that his
client’s constitutional rights have been grossly violated. He added that the
defendant’s right ought to be protected by the constitution and that it is
sad that it has been violated under no just circumstances.
Magistrate Richards in discharging the accused person urged the Security
forces to investigate matters diligently before effecting arrests. He therefore
accordingly discharged and acquitted the defendant.
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