Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 13/2008, 30 – 31 January 2008
Editorial
19,441 VOTERS IN BANJUL AND 4640 VOTES FOR APRC: 124,000 IN KM AND 19,073
VOTES FOR APRC
IS THE APRC PROUD OF THE RESULTS?
The results of the Local government elections should send alarm signals to
all supporters of the ruling party. This is a quasi referendum for a party in
government. The lesson the opposition should learn is simple and clear. They
are yet to put their house in order to merit the confidence and trust of the
people. They are not in office and have another four years to listen to the
will of the people. It is the APRC which has the mandate to govern. Hence, if
the people can turn their back at it and refuse to vote just a year after the
National Assembly elections, it members should be worried instead of
jubilating.
Nothing can erode the integrity of an electoral system more than the
candidate of a ruling party winning an election with 200 votes and the opponent
having a lesser figure Let us refer to such results in Banjul and KMC:
Banjul Kanifing Admin Area
Electorate 19,441 128,451
Ballot Cast 5,707 27,485
% Turnout 29.4% 21.4%
In our view, this should be a period of contemplation for the APRC rather
than a pompous display of political prowess. The President can restore
confidence in the system by his party engaging in constitutional, electoral and local
government reforms. By 2011 he would have been in office for 17 years. What
ever a leader cannot do in 17 years cannot be done again. The APRC regime
should promote the establishment of a term limit and the holding of a free and
fair election where its current leader will only serve as an umpire executive
to encourage the Gambian people to look for an alternative. This is one way
forward to put an end to voter apathy.
D Day For Chief Manneh
Judgment in the case of the “disappeared” journalist, Chief Ebrima Manneh,
is expected to be delivered tomorrow 31 January, by The Community Court of
the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The Media Foundation
for West Africa has filed a suit in this court demanding the release of Chief
Manneh, a reporter for the Daily Observer newspaper. Chief Manneh’s lawyer,
Femi Falana, is a Nigerian human rights lawyer and President of the West African
Bar Association (WABA).
The Court on November 26, heard testimonies from three witnesses, one of
whom testified that he witnessed the arrest of Chief Manneh by personnel of the
National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on July 7, 2006 at the Daily Observer
premises. Another witness testified that he saw Chief Manneh in December 2006 at
Fatoto Police Station in Gambia’s easternmost town, about 500 kilometres from
the capital, Banjul.
The Gambia government has failed to appear before the court to answer to
these allegations, on all three occasions, even though the court confirmed that
it was duly served with the hearing notice through its High Commission in
Abuja, Nigeria. The case, therefore, proceeded without representation by the
Gambia government and judgment will be delivered tomorrow.
Risk Allowances of Nurses Unpaid Since September
By Lamin Fatty
Nurses employed by the state have continued to complain to this reporter
that their risk allowance meant to stem the attrition rate of nurses in the
state sector, has not been paid since September 2007. According to a senior
nursing officer in Basse, who claimed to be speaking on behalf of the said nurses,
the risk allowance for the nurses in the state sector was a result of the
concern over the high attrition of nurses in the state sector, which he said is
the highest among all the government departments. The spokesperson explained
that once a high attrition rate was acknowledged in the sector, a risk
allowance was created. But, he added, since September, 2007 they have not been paid
any risk allowance.
He stressed that the cost of living is generally high, especially for those
living in the rural areas such as the teachers and nurses whose salary scale,
he said, does not commensurate with the type of work and the condition under
which they work. He stated that nurses working in the rural areas are worse
off than nurses in the urban centres. He pointed out that they are
sacrificing a lot but cannot continue to sacrifice until they fail their families,
stating that this is the reason why nurses are leaving for greener pastures. He
said they are therefore calling upon the authorities to do their best to solve
their problems, otherwise they may be compelled to go on strike in the
future which, according to him, would have a lot of negative consequences.
When contacted for his opinion on the matter, the Regional Health Officer,
Mr. Saikouna Sanyang, declined to comment and referred this reporter to the
Director of Planning. When contacted, the Director of Planning also referred
this reporter to the Chief Nursing Officer, stating it is not his domain.
The Chief Nursing Officer at the health department, Mr. Ismaila Njie, was
contacted. He confirmed the report to Foroyaa in a telephone interview. He
pointed out that the nurses’ risk allowances had always been given to the nurses
for a long time by the government until September 2007. Mr. Njie described
the new allowance as a baby which is growing and needs time. He, however, urged
the nurses to be patient, indicating that they are just waiting for money
raised from treasury bills. He said whenever they receive it their allowance
will be given to them.
ESSAU ARRESTEES DEMAND TO KNOW
REASON FOR ARREST
The arrestees in Essau in the North Bank Region, who were released on bail
on Monday by the Barra Police, have been demanding to know the reasons for
their arrest and detention. Speaking to this reporter within the vicinity of the
police station, few minutes after being released, Fatou Sonko, Sima Sonko,
Joy Koka Sonko and Sally Jawara all said that though they out on bail, the
police are yet to inform them the reason of their arrest and detention since
Saturday.
According to the arrestees, the Station Officer went to their respective
homes on Saturday, picked them up and only informed them when they reached the
station that they were engaged in activities that are contrary to the law of
the land. According to the arrestees, the Station Officer failed to inform
them what activities they were engaged in. They concluded by saying that their
relatives have finally bailed them by signing a bail bond in the sum of
D50,000.
7 UDP SUPPORTERS IN COURT
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
Seven supporters of the United Democratic Party from Bakau were seen at the
Kanifing Magistrates Court premises on Tuesday, 29 January, apparently to
answer to charges. But their case was not mentioned before any magistrate.
According to the seven, Ebrima Jatta, Mariama Fatty, Jai Bojang, Fakebba
Bojang, Menteng Bojang, Sirreh Bojang and Jalika Bojang they were not aware of
any charges that they are purported to stand trial for. They said they only
went to report to the police station regarding their bail condition when they
were asked to board a police vehicle and whisked away to court.
It could be recalled that, Ebrima Jatta, Mariama Fatty and Jai Bojang were
arrested on Friday, 25 January, 2008 in Bakau after the victory of Councillor
Ousman Rambo Jatta, which was marred by violence between UDP and APRC
supporters on election night. Fakebba Bojang, Menteng Bojang, Sirreh Bojang and
Jalika Bojang were said to have been arrested on the following day in connection
to the same incident. They are expected to appear in court today.
Lawyer Ousainou Darboe is expected to defend them. He was also spotted in
court.
Security Officials, Civilians Charged With Stealing Government Vehicle
Remanded in Custody
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Two security officials and a civilian are currently remanded at the State
Central Prison at Mile Two, following their appearance in court on Monday,
January 28, on charges relating to a stolen government motor vehicle.
Lieutenant Bakary Camara of the State Guard, Assistant Superintendent of
Police Manlafi Sanyang and Momodou Lamin Sonko, proprietor of Boto Construction
Company all pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and stealing.
The particulars of the alleged offences show that the men conspired and
stole a motor vehicle with the registration number BJL 4063B, being property of
The Gambia government. On the third court, which is on economic crimes, the
accused persons did not take their plea because the court does not have the
jurisdiction to try such an offence.
The Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act provides under section 3: “Whenever
any charge has been brought against any person of an offence not triable by a
subordinate court, the Magistrate may, subject to section 99, remand that
person into custody until such time that the matter is mentioned in the High
Court.”
Consequently, Lt. Camara, ASP Sanyang and Mr. Sonko were all remanded in
custody by Magistrate Kayode Olajubutu of the Banjul Magistrates’ Court pending
their arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction.
ARE THE ELECTION RESULTS A SIGN OF POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR OR REJECTION OF THE
APRC?
The 2008 Local Government Elections is now history. What is left is for us
to analyse the facts and figures. Those who want to cover up the hidden facts
behind the results simply concentrate on indicating that the APRC won 101
seats; Independent candidates, 8 seats; UDP, 3 seats; NADD, 1 seat; and NRP, 1
seat. One of the newspapers put it this way: “APRC trounces the opposition.”
The objective reality indicates that neither the APRC nor the opposition
deserves to jubilate. The facts reveal a total rejection of both APRC and the
opposition. The only legitimate conclusion to draw is that the Gambia’s
democratic system has failed beyond repairs and needs to be overhauled and replaced
by a more credible system.
What is our proof?
The statistics connected to the mayoral elections in Banjul reveal that out
of a total of 19,441 voters for Banjul only 4,640 persons voted for the APRC
and only 1067 persons voted for the UDP. Those who turned out to vote
represented 29.4 percent of the total number of registered voters.
In the same vein, the Kanifing Municipality has 128, 451 registered voters.
However, the APRC managed to get only 19,073 votes while the UDP managed to
attract only 8,479 votes. 21 percent of the electorate turned out to vote.
Over 100,000 of the 124000 registered voters did not turn up to vote.
In short, Serrekunda Central constituency alone has over 30,000 voters.
Hence the votes of The APRC and UDP combined do not exceed the total number of
votes for one constituency.
Suffice it to say that the IEC and the National Council for Civic Education
took concerted efforts to carry out voter education through theatre, songs,
mobile announcements and community sensitization programmes. The electronic
media was utilised by them to spread the message regarding the elections. The
president even informed the Gambian people of the discovery of Uranium and
other minerals and made a passionate appeal for the electorate to participate in
the elections. A public holiday was declared to enable people to vote. The
UDP and the APRC mayoral candidates and their supporters had visible coverage
on TV. In short, everyone was aware of the elections and had enough time to
make up his/her mind as to who to vote for.
The fact that they refused to vote is a clear indication that the country is
in a state of political transformation and each party needs to assess its
standing among the people in order to determine whether it has a future or not.
For example, the NADD supporters in WULI insisted on putting up candidates.
Sidia Jatta holds the National Assembly seat for Wuli West. We therefore,
made an assessment whether the seat is still safe for him or not. The election
results for the two wards in Wuli West reveal that NADD still has the upper
hand in Wuli West. Out of the 5230 persons who voted in the two Wards in Wuli
West NADD had 2822 votes while APRC had 2408 votes. The UDP hold seats in
Kiang West, Kiang Central , Jarra Central and Sami. In Kiang West, the combined
votes of the APRC in the two wards are 1917 votes, while the combined votes of
the UDP are 1486 votes. The UDP would have to redouble its efforts to retain
the seat.
In Kiang Central, elections took place only in one ward and the other went
unopposed. Out of the 1121 voters who participated in the Kwinella ward
elections 655 voted for the APRC while 466 voters voted for the UDP. This
constituency also requires further effort to be retained by the UDP. Both seats in
Jarra Central were uncontested. The UDP needs to explain why this was the case
in a constituency where it has a National Assembly seat.
In Sami, out of the voters who cast their votes voted for the APRC and voted
for the UDP. The UDP needs to work harder to retain the seat.
The NRP has no National Assembly seat. Hence the gaining of one council seat
gives it electoral legitimacy.
Over all, it is the APRC which has the other seats in the National assembly
except one which was won by an independent candidate which became the biggest
loser. In short, not only has the APRC’s votes declined drastically, as one
moves from the presidential to the national assembly and then to local
government elections, but Independent Candidates are further encroaching on the
seats it held in the past. 8 independent candidates have won seats while the
APRC won elections where it had 293 votes and the UDP had less than a hundred
votes, such as in a ward in Banjul which has 1264 voters. This trend was
repeated in many wards.
This confirms that in a country with a failed democratic system the
opposition must develop strategies on how to concentrate protest votes on one side to
defeat the ruling party.
The opposition parties had the opportunity to establish a strategic alliance
to effect system change and establish a genuine democratic society which
would do away with voter apathy but they failed to do so. They had a second
opportunity during the National Assembly elections to forge a tactical alliance
in order to secure the majority of seats in the National Assembly and prevent
bad laws from being enacted but they failed to do so, as manifested by the
putting up of some candidates by the opposition in the strongholds of other
opposition parties, instead of asking their supporters to vote for the
opposition candidates. However, once the damage has been done, the opposition parties
should have now realised that in the face of laws which negate the autonomy
of councils and ensure their subjection under the might of the executive, the
best option to mobilize protest votes was to support genuine independent
candidates, throughout the country, to take over most seats and teach the
executive a lesson and then call for electoral and Local government reform.
As we head towards the future, Gambia is in need of a party and a
presidential Candidate who can heel the wounds of the nation and mobilize the people as
one force for genuine democratic transformation of the country. It is the
duty of political parties and those yet to emerge to transform into what the
people want. It is the duty of any genuine patriot to stand and be counted. It
is the duty of the Gambian people to identify the genuine parties and
patriots and give them their support so that a society where the people will know
no fear, intimidation, humiliation, dictation, impunity, indignities and
poverty will emerge.
Is Anyone Listening To The Cries Of Gambian Journalists?
The Media Foundation for West Africa has published a book entitled
Violations of Press Freedom by the Government of President Yahya Jammeh from
1994-2006.
The numerous photos include the photo of the late Deyda Hydara, managing
editor and co-proprietor of The Point, murdered by shooting on December 16, 2004
but the authors of the book are not convinced that the government has taken
the investigation seriously. The book publishes photographs of scars on the
bodies of alleged torture victims they claim to have suffered in the hands of
the government security agents. The photo of Musa Saidykhan, editor of The
Independent newspaper, who alleges torture and is now living in exile. The
book also highlights photos of the arson attack on the Independent Printing
Press and a photograph of The Independent.
Several photos of the president himself are shown in the book, for example,
where he was threatening to deal with journalists who misquote him.
The book captures Jammeh’s threatening words such as, “Journalists are the
illegitimate sons of Africa, citizens should not buy newspapers so that
journalists can starve to death.” “The media is just a dead and rotten horse, I
am not against them.” “If I have to hang somebody, I will hang him and go to
sleep using the laws.’’ “I know there are opposition journalists among you,
but whoever misquotes me, I will deal with you.” The book lists down a good
number of journalists who have been arrested and detained before being
released. The list includes names like Kenneth Y. Best, former editor and proprietor
of the Observer newspaper, who was subsequently deported, Ebrima Sankareh,
Point Journalist, Jay Saidy, associate editor of the Point, Deyda Hydara of
The Point, Alieu Badara Sowe, Ebrima Ernest, Pap Saine, Baboucar Sankanu,
Chikeluba Kenechuku, a Nigerian, Ansumana Badgie, Alagi Yorro Jallow of The
Independent, Muhammed Ellicot Seade, editor of Daily Observer, and so on.
Women In Gambian History
By Hassoum Ceessy
Fabakary B. Ceesay
Mr. Hassoum Ceesay, a notable historian, has just published a book titled “
Gambian Women: An introductory history, a ground breaking work on the role of
women in Gambian history from 1000 years to the present.”
What makes this book unique among publications on Gambia’s history is that
it focuses on women in the historical annals of the country. The book explores
the role of women in all aspects of the Gambia’s past in the economic,
political and social domains. It also profiles the lifetime of some of these women
who made their mark in history. They are mostly ordinary women, who by
virtue of perseverance and hard work, were able to achieve success in their
callings.
The author explains that the book is a pioneer work on Gambian women’s
history, which gives women their rightful place in the evolution of the country.
It is suitable for students of history and gender studies as well. Among the
Gambian women profiled in the book are Hannah Augusta Jawara, the first woman
to contest elections in The Gambia, Rosamond Fowlis, a pioneer educationist,
Louise Njie, a minister in the first republic, Dr. Florence Mahoney, Isatou
Njie Saidy and many others. Other chapters explore, in great detail, the
history of girls education in The Gambia since 1921, women in Gambian politics,
women associations in The Gambia before independence, the role of women in
wars fought in the Gambia during the colonial period and much more. The book is
thoroughly researched, with end notes, a bibliography and epilogues. It is a
major contribution to Gambian historiography.
In a brief interview with this reporter, at his office on Monday, 28
January, Mr. Ceesay explained that Gambian historians have a role to play in
national development by researching on and writing authentic Gambian history, which
puts Gambians at the centre of historical events and not at the periphery.
This will motivate Gambians to work harder and be patriotic. “We historians are
the custodians of our nation’s memory, this is an onerous task which we must
work to accomplish,” said Ceesay.
He concluded by thanking the management of Timbooktoo and Juka Jabang for
their support as well as Fodeh Baldeh and Nana Grey Johnson for sharing with
him the joy of writing history.
RESULTS OF MAYORSHIP ELECTION
ADMINISTRATIVE AREA Electorate Ballot
% APRC % UDP % Invalid
& WARDS
Cast Turnout APRC UDP votes
BANJUL ADMIN AREA
BANJUL SOUTH
JALLOF TOWN WARD 1,264 376
29.7% 293 77.9% 83
22.1% 376 0 100%
HALH DIE WARD 2,277
526 23.1% 472 89.7% 54 10.3%
526 0 100%
PORTUGESE TOWN WARD 2,060 517
25.1% 422 81.62% 95 18.38% 517 0
100%
BANJUL NORTH
BOX BAR WARD 884
353 39.9% 314 89.0% 39 11.0%
353 0 100%
CAMPAMA WARD 2,606 856
32.8% 694 81.1% 162 18.9% 856
0 100%
CRAB ISLAND WARD 1,981 620
31.3% 511 82.4% 109 17.6% 620
0 100%
BANJUL CENTRAL
NEW TOWN WEST WARD 4,143 1,243
30.0% 901 72.49% 342 27.51% 1243 0
100%
NEW TOWN EAST WARD 1,912 577
30.2% 471 81.6% 106 18.4% 577
0 100%
SOLDIER TOWN WARD 2314 639
27.6% 562 87.9% 77 12.1% 639
0 100%
TOTAL BANJUL 19,441 5,707
29.4% 4,640 81.30% 1,067 18.70%
5707 0 100%
KANIFING ADMIN AREA
BAKAU
BAKAU NEWTOWN/ FAJARA WARD 6,402 1,426 22.3%
878 61.57% 548 38.43% 1426 0
100%
OLD BAKAU / CAPE POINT WARD 8,124 3,144 38.7%
1 ,272 40.46% 1,872 59.54% 3144 0
100%
SERREKUNDA WEST
BAKOTEH WARD 4,168 626
15.0% 522 83.39% 104 16.61% 626
0 100%
DIPPA KUNDA WARD 7,545 1,346
17.8 784 58.25% 562 41.75% 1346
0 100%
KOLOLI WARD 2,926
464 15.9% 393 84.70% 71 15.30%
464 0 100%
LATRIKUNDA YIRINGANYA WARD 8,973 1,668 18.6%
1,081 64.81% 587 35.19% 1668 0
100%
MANJAI KUNDA/KOTU WARD 4,625 1,269
27.4% 918 72.34% 351 27.66% 1269 0
100%
SERREKUNDA EAST
ABUKO WARD 3,181
997 31.3% 838 84.05% 159 15.95%
997 0 100%
FAJIKUNDA WARD 10,421 1,821
17.5% 1,574 86.44% 247 13.56%
1821 0 100%
LATRIKUNDA SABIJI WARD 5,363 1,000
18.6% 808 80.80% 192 19.20% 1000 0
100%
TALLINDING WARD 13,665 2,945
21.6% 2,073 70.39% 872 29.61%
2945 0 100%
SERREKUNDA CENTRAL
BUNDUNG BOREHOLE/BANTABA WARD 13,653 2,661 19.5% 1,784
67.04% 877 32.96% 2661 0
100%
BUNDUNG SIX JUNCTION /MURITANI WARD 7,289 1,574 21.6%
1,278 81.19% 296 18.81% 1574 0
100%
SEREKUNDA/LONDON CORNER WARD 9,885 1,598 16.2% 1,154
72.22% 444 27.78% 1598 0
100%
JESHWANG
KANIFING WARD 2,749 500
18.2% 354 70.80% 146 29.20%
500 0 100%
NEW JESHWANG/ EBO TOWN WARD 13,752 2,907 21.1% 2,143
73.72% 764 26.28% 2907 0
100%
OLD JESHWANG WARD 5,730 1,539
26.9% 1,219 79.21% 320 20.79% 1539 0
100%
KANIFING TOTAL 128,451 27,485 21.4% 19,073
69.39% 8,412 30.61% 27485
0 100%
GRAND TOTAL 147,892 33,192 22.4% 23,713
71.44% 9,479 28.56% 33192 0 100%
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Divorce or Destruction
Part5
With Amie Sillah
Few Days Later
Dad was admitted at the intensive care unit and put on oxygen. Mom never
visited him. She became nonchalant to the dismay of her elder children Reuben
and Anita who saw mom as a monster. Emma supported mom’s stand. “It’s a tit
for tat game. I don’t blame mom. Dad pushed her to the wall.” Ani shouted at
him.” Shut up stupid boy! What do you know? Don’t you know mom is putting all
of us under a curse! It is not right. Mom calls herself a practicing
Christian. Why should she treat dad as thrash in front of his family? She should have
divorce him. That would have been better than this mess she has put the
family in. Moreover, dad is dying why should mom not forgive and forget. God
forgives us our trespasses. We should forgive those who trespasses against us.”
Emma hissed and went away. Anita was very angry with mom. She confronted her. “
You are a senior nursing officer, your husband lie dying in the intensive
care unit of the general hospital, what would you tell your colleagues? That
you left your dying husband of 45 years of marriage unattended? Mom! God! You
are mean!” “I don’t care! Say whatever you like. I laugh last and obviously
the loudest. Go and attend to him. Is he not your dear dad?” Mom went to her
car.
Reuben Comes In
Emma came out and asked for dad. “How is dad?” He became scared. Mom also
asked. “How is your father?” Reuben dropped down his bag and cried. “He is
dead! Are you happy now? That’s want you wanted. You have psychologically
tortured him to death. Now you are happy.” Reuben entered the house. The children
sobbed bitterly. They were shattered and scared to death. Mom was equally
shocked. It was an irony. He wanted him humiliated and tortured but not to die.
She was not bargaining for that. She wanted him suffered but not to die.
Reuben became hard with his mom. He disowned her. He saw her as a living monster.
He confronted his mom. “From hence worth woman, I disown you! You are no
longer my mother. You are a beast! I hate you.” His words were harsh and
vindictive. Ani did not like the way he addressed mom. She intervened. “Don’t say
that Reuben. She is your mom. Don’t make the mistake she did by scorning dad.
Don’t scorn her.” She advised. “Nonsense! You were here. You have seen how
she treated dad. Don’t be a pacifist. She said tit for tat. I’ll employ the
same policy on her, period!” Mom was shattered. “Oh I am finished! My own son
disowns me! I gave birth to you and you hate me this much? I am finished!”
Mom rolled on the ground and cried her heart out.” “I warned you mom but you
would not listen. You created the vicious circle. Dad warned you. You
remember! Our family is now cursed. Reuben scorns you as you have scorned dad. You
made you bed so you must lie on it mom.” Reuben became hysterical. “God will
punish you woman till death. Dad dies a heart broken.” Reuben yelled. He made
an emotional outburst. “Rejoice now! Rejoice!” He yelled. “You have won! I
hope you are happy now.”
At The Village
Arrangements were concluded at the village to bring dad’s corpse for burial.
Reuben was praised for his assumed leadership role by their uncles.
Mom Begs For A Favour
Mom asked her in laws to beg Reuben to allow her to mourn her husband by
wearing the black mourning cloth. Reuben made an outburst. “No! She will not
mourn my dad. She hated him with a passion. Her maltreatment killed my dad. It
will be a mockery of justice to allow her mourn the man she murdered by her
wickedness” Mom cried and begged her in-laws to intervene.
His Uncles Disagree
His uncles disagree with Reuben. The eldest spoke. “You have no right
Reuben. You have no right to intervene in your parents’ marriage. They brought you
into the world not vice versa. Custom demands your mom mourns her husband in
her husband’s home. You are only a son. You can’t disallow it.” Reuben
refused to bugle in. He emphasized his reasons for disallowing his mom’s request.
Anita begged him to see reason but he still remained adamant. Emma became
piss off. “Reuben! Why are you proving impossible? You cannot refuse mom’s
request. Custom and tradition demand she mourns her husband. Who are you to
refuse such a request? “Emma challenged. “Shut up stupid boy! Or I get the hell
out of you!” Reuben got up to hit him. The elders intervened. “Stop it
children! Stop it! You have to pull yourselves together. Your dad is not yet
buried. Take it easy with yourselves.” Uncle Pierre begged. Mom was shock with
disbelief. Her family is in discord because of her revenge policy. Reuben, her
eldest child has now hated her with a passion and has turned against her.
At Home
Reuben took out his mom’s luggage and threw it outside. Emma protested. “It
is wrong Reuben! You cannot drive out mom from her matrimonial home. It is
undone. It is against culture and tradition and also against her human rights.”
“Nonsense! What have you done when she violated dad’s human rights?
Nonsense! This woman is no longer welcome in my house. Dad has willed it to me. She
is unwelcome. God will judge you woman packed and leave! When you die. I’ll
come and bury your corpse.” Emma and Ani protested. “She is going nowhere.
How can you be so wicked Reuben to treat your mom as thrash.” His siblings
protested. Reuben gave a deaf ear.
NADD Councillor/APRC Candidate Speaks Out
By Lamin Fatty
Mr. Saibeh Juwara, the newly elected councillor in the Sutukonding ward, in
the Wuli West for NADD, has said that his first duty as the councillor is to
contribute to the ongoing unification of the entire Wuli. He made these
remarks shortly after being declared winner of the recent councillorship election
in an interview with this reporter. While commending his electors for a job
well done, he regarded his current position as a challenge that he is ready to
face and will live up to expectation.
Mr. Juwara, who is a trained development worker, said he is ready to work
with all the communities in his ward, irrespective of their political
affiliation and noting that no development can take place without collective
collaboration, peace and unity. He pointed out that he will work with the people of
his ward to bring about development. He called on his defeated opponent to join
him to serve the people.
For his part the defeated APRC candidate in the same ward, Mr. Takai Suwai,
said his defeat is destined by God which should be accepted in good faith. He
stated that his main aim and objective is to ensure the development of the
entire Wuli and his ward, in particular. He pointed out that he will work with
anybody, including the elected councilor, if their aims and objectives
correspond. He thanked the people in his ward for their efforts and urged them to
continue working towards the development of their ward.
Mr. Juwara was seen being escorted by his supporters as they approached a
larger crowd waiting at the main junctions of Taibatou.
Sheriff Minteh’s Murder Trial Adjourned Again
By Saikou Ceesay
The protracted trial of Dodou Janneh, alias Dudu Boy, for the murder Sheriff
Minteh, did not proceed on Tuesday, 29 January at the Bundung Magistrates
Court. The trial Magistrate, Kumba Sillah Camara, was absent but later called
to inform the court that she was sick, and had therefore requested for an
adjournment on the matters before her. Both parties were in court for the case to
progress. The case has been adjourned on several occasions for varied
reasons. It is now scheduled to resume on Tuesday, 5 February, 2008 for the fifth
prosecution witness to testify.
The Accused, Dodou Janneh, a police officer, is on trial for allegedly
having stabbed Sheriff Minteh to death, while on night patrol.
Since the inception of the trial four witnesses have so far testified. The
fifth witness is due to testify.
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