Mr. Sanneh, thank you very much for the updates. I was so distraught
yesterday, seeing Guei trying to drag his country into the abyss and putting
people's lives in jeopardy. I do not mean to sound selfish, but I have to
point out that I was very concern for the lives of the Gambians working in
Abidjan. Some of our finest minds are there. We thank God for the safety of
the Gambians living in Ivory Coast. We continue to pray that you remain safe
during these trying times in Ivory Coast. We congratulate the Ivorian people
for standing up to Guei. We hope that reports that the coward has fled to
Cotonou are true. Left to the vermin alone, he would have turned Abidjan to
a war zone. Reports say that his security forces fired live ammunition at
protesters including women and children. All that callousness just to
perpetuate a dictator in power. A dictator who stole power in the first
place. It is the arrogance of these thugs that I cannot stand. They
intimidate people, use brute force to steal power, and then behave as if it
is their birth right to stay in power. Well, the Ivorian people have shown
Guei where power really lies. I hope Ghagbo will act like a true democrat
and call for fresh elections where all the parties will be allowed to
contest. This is another wake up call for Gambians. Like we keep saying,
when push comes to shove, these cowards run away. Yaya is a worst coward
than Guei. Yaya has less support in the Gambian army than Guei had in the
Ivorian army. Do not let Yaya rob you in an election and then intimidate you
to accept the outcome of the elections. It is not just elections. Whenever
Yaya breaks the law (as in the case of the massacre of our children on April
10 and 11), he has to be challenged by the people. The massacre of our
children is more heinous than robbing elections. The moment Yaya ordered his
forces to kill our children, he forfeited his right to live, let alone rule
our country. The opposition and their supporters should mobilize and remove
Yaya from office and try him like any common criminal.
KB


>From: Sidi M Sanneh <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Laurent Gbagbo is new President of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
>Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 13:07:05 GMT
>
>Speaking on natioanl radio and television, Laurent Gbago has declared that
>the wishes of the people of Cote d'Ivoire have been carried out by
>recognising the results of the election of 22nd October, at the insistence
>of the people.  He has re-installed the Chairman and members of the
>National
>Electoral Commission  dismissed yesterday by Guei with the mandate to
>proceed with the finalisation of the vote tally for ratification by the
>Supreme Court.  He congratulated and expressed his gratitude to the
>Commission for being steadfast in carrying out their constitutional duties
>with impartiality. Following the finalisation of the vote count and
>ratification, Gbagbo is expected to take the oath of office in the next day
>or two.  His only significant pronouncement was the need to re-visit the
>Constitution which has been one of the source of friction and disunity
>amongst Ivorians.  He has also promised to form a Government of National
>Unity to help heel the deep wound inflicted on the population of Cote
>d'Ivoire over the years.  Afterall, light may be at the end of the tunnel
>for this beautiful country full of great promise.
>Sidi Sanneh
>_________________________________________________________________________
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