Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue

Issue No. 37/2006, 15-17 May, 2006

*Editorial*

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*

THE "LAND OF HUMAN RIGHTS" IS CRYING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

*The Gambia houses the African Commission on Human and People's Rights and
the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies, two very
important human rights institutions on the Africa continent, which gives it
the image of the "land of human rights"*

*The conduct of the executive on human rights does not give the country that
image.*

*Just as the executive have been vibrant in condemning the coupists for the
unconstitutional and undemocratic behaviour, they have to show much greater
respect for and commitment to the constitution. *

*NGOs and other concerned individuals are not criticizing the government for
simply arresting suspected coupists as the Attorney General and Secretary of
State for Justice would like us to believe. The point is our democratic
constitution does not permit detention without trial. It therefore speaks
loud and clear in section 19 that a detainee should be brought to trial or
released within seventy two hours. This is what the Attorney General as the
principal adviser of the government should ensure is embraced by the head of
state since he has taken oath to defend the constitution and to treat all
and sundry without fear or favour, affection or ill will. *

*The Attorney General has the daunting task to ensure that members of the
security forces digest and pursue this and other fundamental rights.  The
Attorney General would have impressed his audience by acknowledging their
pitfalls and promising to improve the human rights records. It makes no
sense to try to defend a poor human rights record of the government.*

*Can he deny that some detainees are still being held up to six weeks now
without being taken to court contrary? Where are Lawyer Denton, Nyabally and
other civilians? Why are they held? Lawyer Denton had to go to court to
secure access to counsel and the court order was dishonoured for a while.
Nyabally's family are in distress because they don't know what their loved
one has done and he still has no access to legal counsel after weeks of
detention. After weeks of detention of The Independent management and a
reporter only the reporter was charged with a misdemeanor. How do these
developments make the "democratization process irreversible"?*

*Where are Vincent Jatta, Buba Mendy, Ngorr Secka, Balajo and others? Have
they not been held for weeks?*

*The democratization process is not limited to the conduct of free and fair
elections. It encompasses good constitutional behaviour.*

*As Attorney General he can contribute greatly to the democratization
process by helping the executive to adhere to the constitution.*



*Alleged Coupists In Court*

*By Surakata Danso ***

The alleged coup plotters were on Wednesday arraigned before Justice Monagen
of the Banjul High Court. Family members and friends who were enthusiastic
to see their relatives came to court in the morning and waited for the
prison wardens to bring the detainees.  They were brought to the court yard
on board two trucks under heavy security escort by soldiers, prison officers
and the Police Intervention Unit personnel, some of whom were armed to the
teeth. As soon as they disembarked from the vehicle, they were escorted to
Justice Monagen's Courtroom. However, before the arrival of the Judge, the
spectators were asked to go to another court, the change of venue was
spurred by the number of people who came to witness the proceedings.

When the case was called, the following names were called as the accused
persons;

Capt. Bunja Darboe , Capt. Yaya Darboe,Tamsir Jasseh, Capt. Abdourahman Jah,
Capt. Wassa Camara,Capt. Pierre Mendy, Lt. Momodou .A. Bah, 2nd Lt. Pharing
Sanyang, Cpl. Babou Janha, Samba Bah, Alhagy Nying, Hamadi Sowe, Mustapha
Lowe, Omar Faal,  Alieu Jobe, Demba Dem, MP for Niani.

From an eye witness's account, only the former Army PRO Captain Bunja Darboe
had a noticeable physical health problem.  He had his left hand wrapped in
plaster of paris (POP). It was clear that the rest of the accused persons
did not have legal representation due to lack of access to family members,
as claimed by Captains Bunja Darboe and Wassa Camara, who spoke on behalf of
the other accused persons.  Captain Bunja Darboe, Captain Pierre Mendy, and
Captain Abdourahman Jah, were represented by Lawyer Lamin Camara, Alieu
Jobe, the former Accountant General was represented by Borry Touray and
finally the second and the fifteenth accused persons were represented by
Sainabou Wadda.

The Judge made the following ruling:

(1)        That each of the accused persons should identify the names of
family members who will visit them, and give those names to the prison
authorities

(2)        to allow counsels of the accused persons to have access to their
clients.

(3)        on the presence of the accused persons in court, Justice Monagen
indicated that she is constrained to make an order banning the armed
security men inside the court. She said granting such an order will be like
interfering with the functions of other organs. She said she believed that
the security personal are professionals.



*Kombo East Results*

In the Kombo East by-election, Mr Jung Conteh, the APRC sponsored candidate
was declared elected by the Independent Electoral Commission. The IEC
results show that Mr Jung Conteh polled 3665 votes, Lamin Darboe of UDP/NRP
polled 2814 votes and Modou Lamin Touray of NADD 1109 votes.  The statistics
reveals that since the total number of registered voters in the Constituency
is 13,475 only 54% of the registered voters voted, which indicates a low
voter turn out.



WHERE IS SGT BUBA MENDY?

Reports reaching this paper have it that Sergeant Buba Mendy of the Gambia
National Army is presently incarcerated at the maximum security wing of the
Mile Two Central Prison.

According to reports, Sergeant Mendy was arrested several weeks ago and
taken to Mile Two Prison. However, the source could not go further to
clarify whether Mendy is charged or not. Attempts to reach the Director
General of prison, David Colley, for clarification bore nought.

In a separate development, most of the detainees were last week visited by
their family members. It is purported that lawyer Ousainou Darboe and Rachel
Mendy had access to Mariam Denton.



*PAUL COMMISSION REPORT UNDER ATTACK*

The Anti-Corruption Commission Report, otherwise called the Paul Commission
Report on Wednesday 10th May 2006, came under serious attack by a Gambian
Lawyer and former Attorney General and SoS for Justice, Pap Cheyasin Secka.
Mr. Secka called the report malicious, excessive and bias. Making his
submission at the High Court in Banjul, the former Attorney General and SoS
for Justice told the court that the commission was a Presidential one set up
by a legal notice in 2004. He said that the said legal notice spelt out the
number of commissions, the number of witnesses to be called, the period to
be convened by their investigation and finally their term, which was open to
extension, if the commissioners made request for more time.

Mr. Secka opined that he had termed the report of the commission as bias,
malicious excessive because first and foremost, the members of the
commission were mandated by the legal not. He indicated that he was
appointed AG, and SoS Justice from 30th March 2000 to January 2001.  He then
questioned how the commission could have the mandate to enquire about his
assets and properties that were obtained during the period of his practice
as a private citizen.  Secondly, Mr. Secka indicated that 300 public
officers were listed to have appeared before the commission but that finally
only 135 witnesses were selected to appear before them.  Lawyer Secka called
the Commission of the 165 witnesses as bias.

Mr. Secka alleged that Justice Paul had gone to the extent of interfering
with his internal family life.  To prove this, Counsel Secka submitted that
Justice Paul had on occasions invited his former wife and his eldest son and
instigated them against him.  He exhibited some documents to prove his
assertions.  He finally urged that the court should set aside the decision
of the Commission as they were not done in good faith.  In their response
the State maintained that the actions of the Commission were in line with
the law, while citing decree No.11 of 1994 and section 204 of the 1997
constitution.



*CHIEF JUSTICE SAVAGE ADDRESSES JUDICIAL STAFF** ***

*By Lamin Fatty*

The chief Justice of The Gambia, Abdou Karim Savage has told the Registrars
and the enforcement officers that the Judiciary has a collective
responsibility that needs to be shared and should be shared with everybody.
Mr. Savage made these remarks recently at the Paradise Suit Hotel, where he
was opening a two-week middle management training course organised for
registrars and enforcement officers of the Judiciary. According to the Chief
Justice, the Judiciary has a big responsibility, which must be shared,
collectively by Judges, Magistrates, top judicial officers and legal
practioners on both sides of the spectrum. The work environment is visibly
changing for the better with the help of Donors like DFID, World Bank, UNDP,
and UNICEF who are actively providing meaningful support and assistance in
various areas of the Judiciary. He said all these initiatives are all being
taken to enhance the administration of Justice in The Gambia; to expedite
proceedings and cases in the court and to introduce efficiency and
effectiveness in the work of the courts generally. He finally urged them to
take the training seriously because it is one thing to be trained and
another one to make best use of the training. He pointed out that the court
registrars especially those of superior courts, and enforcement agents also
share the same responsibility. He stated that registrars are at the front
line, managing court registries and the enforcement process with direct
responsibility for court files, records and exhibits. He said they
facilitate the process for the various Judges and magistrates and serve as a
very vital link in the Justice delivery system. He therefore told them that
they have crucial roles to play, stating that if their duties and functions
are not property performed, it will lead to inefficiency and inordinate
delays. He highlighted that the Judicial Service Commission has over the
past months improved.



*INFORMATION BLACK-OUT LOOMS OVER URD*

*By Musa Barrow*

As far as the dissemination of information in Upper River Division is
concerned, Radio Basse is indispensable. This is due to the fact that most
radio sets in the area cannot receive clear signals from the main Station in
Mile 7 from Upper River Division. Therefore tuning to Radio Basse is the
only alternative for people to receive clear signals from GRTS Radio.

On the other hand access to Newspaper in most parts of Upper River Division
is not just daunting, but the vast majority of people cannot read them
because they are unlettered.

However, reliable sources from Upper River Division have indicated that
Radio Basse which is the main source of information for the entire Division
and parts of Central River Division is currently off the air.

Sources have, however, informed Foroyaa that acute power shortage is to
blame for the disruption of Radio Basse's functioning.



*CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS AT THE GAMBIA COLLEGE*

*By Modou Jonga*

The student Unions of The Gambia's oldest tertiary institution are at
present witnessing a serious constitutional crisis. This impasse is between
the students main union and the sub-unions, comprising the School of
Education and Agriculture, which has the largest membership in the main
union.

Reports have it that the constitutional crisis surfaces as a result of a
constitutional review committee initiated by both the main union and the
three sub-unions, Public Health, Nursing and Education and Agriculture, to
make amendments to irrelevant clauses of functions between the respective
sub-unions and the main union.

Foroyaa has been informed that the constitutional rift began when the
Constitutional Review Committee recommended among other the shifting of the
three most financially important portfolios which are: Nutrition,
Accommodation and Health from the authority of the Sub-union comprising of
Students from the school of Education and Agriculture to the authority of
the Main Union. It is stated that these were under the absolute control of
the sub-union since its inception.

In reacting to the shifting of the three vital portfolios from under his
union to the main-union, the President of the affected sub-union Abdou K.
Touray described the constitutional crisis in these words, "This shifting of
portfolios is not only a manifestation of jealousy of the financial
capabilities of my union, but also of greed on the part of the entire
Executive of the Main-Union."

Meanwhile, Omar Darboe, the President of the Main Union said the
Constitutional Review Committee membership was based on proportional
representation of all the schools in the college to promote and enhance the
spirit of democracy and therefore its recommendations should be implemented
in good faith.

When contacted, the principal of The Gambia College, Mr. Badou A. Senghore,
strongly declined to comment on the purported constitutional rift. The Head
of the School of Education, Gambia College, Madam Isatou Ndow, admitted
being aware of the constitutional rift but declined to commend further. "I
please really don't like talking to the press," she said.

According to the President of the Main-Union and the affected sub-union, The
Gambia College administration has intervened, by setting up a fifteen member
committee compromising three representatives from each of the schools. Under
the College and three other representatives from the College administration
tasked with the responsibility of establishing one formidable students union
to be recognised by the College administration and those outside, thereby
dissolving the three existing sub-union and the parent body.

The President of the Public Health Students' Sub-Union, Muhammed Waggeh,
declined to comment. However, information received by this reporter has it
that the sub-union comprising of students in both the School of Education
and Agriculture have officially withdrawn its membership from the Main
Union.



*INFERNO RAVAGES PROVISION SHOP*

*By Fabakary B. Ceesay*

A provisions shop in Lamin, along the Brikama Highway, was on late Monday
night, ravaged by an inferno. According to the shop owner, Saloum Faal, a
Mauritanian National, the fire started at around 2:00 hrs, when he and two
of his colleagues were sleeping in the bed room. He said that they were
awakened by heavy smoke and heat and they managed to make their exit through
the window. Mr. Faal cannot actually tell what started the fire. He
estimated his loses to almost two hundred thousand dalasis (D200, 000) in
goods and twenty five thousand dalasis in cash. Mr. Faal said that, the shop
had 100 bags of rice, 30 containers of 20 litre and about 25 containers of
10 litre vegetable cooking oil, cooking ingredients in cartons, different
kinds of soft drinks in crates and two freezers. It also included different
kinds of cartons of cigarettes, packets of different kinds of sweets, bags
of onion and potato, including 15 six kilos and 20 three kilo gas bottles.
The fire was so huge that it also destroyed the nearest Telecenter and a
living room belonging to an old man. The loses in the telecenter are three
refrigerators and a Nokia Cellular phone, but the old man lost his bicycle,
all his clothes, some household items and five bags of cement.



*$7.2 MILLION EARMARKED FOR*

*WESTFIELD – SUKUTA ROAD*

*By Sarjo Camara Singhateh*

The Director General of GAMWORKS has disclosed that is agency is working
hard to meet the concern raised by the commuters on the Westfield- Sukuta
Road.

Mr. Cham said the Agency continues to attach maximum importance to this
dilapidated yet economically viable and socially beneficial road network. He
said the funding arrangements will be concluded as soon as possible for
implementation in 2006.

He stated that the selection process of the consultant is at an advance
stage.

He pointed out that a request for co-financing was submitted to the Islamic
Development Bank for an additional amount of US $4.6 million amounting to a
total project cost of US $7.2 million.

"Our information is that the funding has been secured and we hope to engage
the Department of State for Finance and Economic Affairs (DOSFEA) and Gambia
Promotion for Free Zone Agency (GIPFZA) in the modalities for
implementation.



*ABDOU F.M. BADJIE RE-APPOINTED COMMISSIONER*

*By Fabakary B. Ceesay*

Abdou F.M. Badjie, the former Commissioner of Western Division, who was
sacked from his position in mid February, has been re-instated. Abdou F.M.
Badjie was sacked and later appointed as the Gambia's Ambassador to the
People's Republic of China on Taiwan.  But his appointment as Ambassador
never materialized.  The revoking of his appointment as Ambassador was
announced last week as Mr. Badjie was said to have been prepared to book his
ticket and that of his family members for Taiwan.  However, his former
successor, Edward Seckan was transferred to replace Batata Juwara as the
Commissioner of the North Bank Division in Kerewan.

Batata Juwara has now been transferred to the Department of External
Affairs.  He is appointed Director of protocols.  In another development,
the Chief of Kombo South, Borry Darboe, has been sacked last Friday.  Sources
informed this reporter that his sacking was due to his unwilliness to
participate fully in the Kombo East by-elections.  He was replaced by
Sheriff .S.M. Janneh.

Foroyaa made several attempts to conform the sacking of Borry Darboe and the
reasons behind his sacking.  The Permanent Secretary at the Local Government
referred this reporter to the newly appointed Commissioner of Western
Division, Abdou F.M. Badjie.  Efforts to talk to Mr. Badjie proved futile as
he was said to be very busy and engaged in the Kombo East by-election.



*GAMBIAN CATHOLICS GET A NEW BISHOP*

*By George Sambou*

On Sunday, the 14th of May, 2006, thousands of Christian, mainly Catholics,
converged at the Independence Stadium in Bakau to witness the ordination of
a new Bishop. The occasion was presided over by the out-going Bishop, Bishop
Michael J. Clearly. The new Bishop, Bishop Robert Patrick Ellison CSSP,
joined the priesthood on the 6th of July 1969.

In delivering his message, the newly ordinated Bishop said his motto is
"Your Kingdom Come" which he said he has chosen from the Lord's Prayer.
According to him the church does not actually include all Men and that even
at times, it may appear as a tiny flock, which he said is however a sure
seed of unity, hope and salvation for the whole human family. According to
him the quotation fits the local church in The Gambia like a glove.

Bishop Ellison later thanked the Head of State through the Vice President
and other members of the Government for the warm welcome, which he said
already, exist between the Government and the church. He also pointed out
that he is looking forward to an ongoing spirit of collaboration among both
parties for the wel-being of the entire Gambian nation and indeed for all
people of good will.

In his remarks, Father Tony Gabisy thanked Bishop Michael J Clearly for a
job well done and wished him a happy retirement. He welcomes the new Bishop
who he said would lead and they would follow. Mr. Gabisy concluded by
thanking all and Sundry especially the social committee for making the
programme a success.



*People must Change*

*(Part 1)***

*By  Lamin Sanyang, Brikama Nyambai*

The fact of the matter is people must change for the better. After all, it
is the people who select the leadership that should be responsible for their
affairs. If they should change for the better that will be good for the
country's development process

The lack of good governance, the bad leadership, the skyrocketing of prices
in the market, the deplorable condition of living and all other vices that
we are suffering from everyday could never change by themselves. We should
change them for the common god. Things will never change unless we change
our attitudes.

We are all living witnesses to the nature of things that are happening in
the country. It is not the same Gambia that we used to know. Things are not
the way they used to be. The moral fibre of society is at stake. There is no
control in the society; people are behaving like animals or less than
animals in the Amazon jungle. The nature of some of the things happening is
so shameful that it cannot be even mentioned. What am I talking about?

Most of us have rejected our sense of values and tied to imitate the way of
life of other people. We reject our intelligence. We reject our faith. We
reject our culture. We reject ourselves.

We are very good at imitating. We can watch something and start to imitate
at the same time. We are good at that. Whether it is good or bad is not
given a thought. Can you imagine the behaviour of our young boys in the
streets? It shows you clearly that something is wrong. Take a move to the
streets and you would realize how people are trying to reject themselves.

The watching of certain movies in our homes had done harm to our innocent
children. Unfortunately for us, we will bring up our little innocent
children in very negative environments that destroy their sense of shame. We
would not teach them good virtues. The only thing that we are concerned with
is their feeding, clothing and so on, but we pay no attention teaching them
moral values.

These movies are brainwashing our innocent children especially the young
girls. Too many of them are talking about love in the streets even before
they reach maturity. They think that those movies have something special to
offer. You find most of them are messed up in that collaboration.

Imagine how many of them have lost their innocence through those movies? How
many marriages have been broken? How many wives are cheating on their
husbands? How many husbands are cheating on their wives? All because of
these movies.

Nowadays, many parents feel either unable or unwilling to control their
children. Some of them fear that when they open their mouths to advise their
children they will cut off the little allowances that they use to give them.
For instance, suppose your son drinks alcohol but because he buys a bag of
rice for you, you are afraid to advise him, fearing he might stop buying the
bag of rice for you. Or your daughter may bring all kinds of men at home but
because she gives you some money, you are afraid to tell her the truth,
fearing that she might stop giving you the small amount.

On the other hand, some parents are living in disguise thinking their
children shouldn't be punished for their wrong doings. In this way, they
pretend to be more civilized or westernized by leaving their children to do
anything that comes to their minds. They call all that child rights. They
claim to be 'loving' and 'caring' for the children. They are the ones that
would sit with their kids in the big parlour watching romantic movies. They
would tell you, they are small kids; they would change when they grow older.
How can a bad seed grow to be a good plant? This is insanity. They are
blindly and proudly following the west.

Those who think that if they change the leadership that will solve the
problem are mistaken. Let them change the leadership and see what will
happen. It is the overall attitude of society that determines or produces
the type of leadership that deserves to take the affairs of those people
based on their own attitudes. As human beings, we don't need to pretend.

The leaders must change their attitudes. The politicians must change. The
people holding key positions in the government must change. The authorities
must change. They must provide sound leadership and not tail behind the
people.

The people who are trying to take short cuts to get rich through unlawful
ways must change. It is everybody's responsibility to take the right steps
that are necessary to bring any meaningful change in this country. We must
enjoin the right and forbid the wrong. A society that does not enjoin the
right and forbid the wrong, which they commit, will degenerate.

We must change our attitude in the way we treat each other. May the Lord
guide and save our souls. With enlightenment and proper guidance people will
change.





*NADD IS THE TRUTH AND THE ONLY SOLUTION*

*(Part 2)***

*By F. T Baddibou***

The President said in his address to the Nation during their so called ten
thousand man march against coups d'etat in Africa, that he does not share
the same view with the organizers of the march and those present. To the
dismay of the people he expressed his support for coups that he said are
geared towards saving a country from the brink of catastrophe and went
further to state that he can be overthrown by force of arms if he betrays
the interest of the Nation. He informed the people that he is not going to
hand over their country unless he is finished with whatever he wanted to do,
which he said will take him at least another thirty years. Jammeh must have
forgotten that the position he held as a President is one of trust. When he
stood before the Nation with the Holy Quran in his right hand and swore that
he would administer the country according to the Constitution, which is the
will of the people without fear, or favour, affection or ill will, the
people have that trust in him that he would do exactly what he swore to do.
They could never have imagined that he would do otherwise as that would
tantamount to the betrayal of the people.

It is clearly stated in the constitution that The Gambia is a Sovereign
Republic; that "the sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the people of The
Gambia from whom all organs of Government derive their authority and in
whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of government are
to be exercised in accordance with the Constitution." The President is now
telling the people that power belongs to him and he hands over to the people
whenever he wishes. One wonders what must have happened to his slogan "power
to the people" which he has been shouting from roof tops when he took over
twelve years ago, or has he buried that six feet deep once he tasted the
sweet (toxin) of power?

The constitution says that a member of the Independent Electoral Commission
may be removed from office for inability to perform the functions of his or
her office arising from infirmity of mind or body or from any other cause,
if any circumstances arise which would have disqualified him or her from
appointment to the commission, or for misconduct. But that before removing a
member, the Chief Justice shall appoint a tribunal of three judges of a
superior court to enquire into the matter and report the facts; that a
member of the commission shall be entitled to appear and be legally
represented before the tribunal. Is that how the President has conducted
himself. The Constitution states that any person who is arrested or detained
upon reasonable suspicion of his or her having committed, or being about to
commit a criminal offence under the laws of The Gambia, and if not released,
he or she shall be brought without undue delay before a court and in any
event, within seventy-two hours. It goes further to state that if any person
arrested or detained as mentioned above is not tried within a reasonable
time, then without prejudice to any further proceedings which may be brought
against him or her, he or she shall be released either unconditionally or
upon reasonable condition including, in particular, such conditions as are
reasonably necessary to ensure that he or she appears at a later date for
trial or proceedings prelimary to trial. In violation of the Constitution,
the President is allowing people to be arrested and detained for weeks and
months without o appearing before a court. The Constitution states that a
Member of the National Assembly shall vacant his or her seat in the National
Assembly on the dissolution of the National Assembly; if any circumstances
arises that, if he or she were not a member, would cause him or her to be
disqualified for election as a member; if he or she resigns his or her
office as a member; if he or she ceases to be a member of the political
party of which he or she was a member at the time of his or her election; if
having been elected a member as an independent candidate and he or she joins
a political party; if, being a member representing a single seat
constituency, he or she is recalled by the electorate of the constituency in
accordance with an act of the National Assembly; if without the permission
in  writing of the Speaker or reasonable cause, he or she is absent from ten
or more sittings of the National Assembly during any period that the
National Assembly is in session and continues to meet. The President is
saying that because he nominates people to the National Assembly, he could
remove those people anytime he wish in contravention of the constitution.
The constitutional and human rights of the people were violated and every
aspect of their lives is becoming more and more difficult. One may now ask
if these actions are not a betrayal of the people.

The people are the sovereign owners of the country. They are the owners of
power, which they can entrust to any person, or group of people whom they
think could exercise it to promote their welfare and prosperity. If they
felt betrayed by them, there was no need to resort to arms to remove them.
They have their votes which are their voices and power, which are more
effective and powerful than guns and bullets. They could use their votes to
remove and replace them with others who are trustworthy.

NADD is saying that it's President is going to stay for only one five year
term, and at the end of his term, he/she shall step down and shall not side
with any party or support the candidature of any individual. There shall be
a constitutional arrangement under the Alliance, which will limit the number
of terms, a person can occupy the Office of President of the Republic to
only two. The NADD President will not and cannot act as a lord over the
people and hold the country hostage. Whatever he does must be done in
partnership with the other members of the Executive and in accordance with
the rule of law. He cannot make any decision of his own regarding the
administration of Government and the country. All decisions must be reached
through consensus. Under the NADD Government all retrogressive laws made by
the APRC Government such as the Indemnity Act which gave the President the
power to pardon security officers who killed students will be replaced with
more progressive ones. The people will have the power to elect their
representatives at all levels of society. Their representatives shall be
accountable to them for all their actions. They shall be their servants. The
public media shall be utilized to enlighten the people about their rights
and duties as citizens of a sovereign state and they shall be assisted to
master the science of state administration to make them the architects of
their own destiny. The future that NADD envisages for our dear motherland is
as bright as the midday sun. Just play your part by voting it into office
come the elections and confine the APRC to the waste bin of history. Let
unity, Democracy and Development prevail. The truth has come and falsehood
must vanish. Falsehood is too weak to withstand truth.





*GHANAIANS IN SEACRH OF RELATIVES*

Family members of four Ghanaians who are alleged to have been arrested by
the security forces of The Gambia had filed an application before the High
Court on the following that they are be produced and released.

The four are alleged to have been arrested since 2005.  When the case was
called, Mr. Musa Bittaye stood up for the applicants while the state was
represented by Mr. Fagbanle and Marie Saine.  The trial judge Justice
Monagen asked the State Counsel and the applicants to go and ascertain the
place of custody from the security forces and who is responsible for them
before she would make any ruling.

The counsels for the applicants and the defence left the court room while
the case was stood down.  But up to closing time the case did not proceed.

Upon enquiry I was later informed by the counsel for the applicants that
after the detainees were produced by the Police they were deported.

According to him, they were taken to the Senegalese border village of Karang
where they were handed over to officials of The Ghanaian Embassy in Dakar.



GAMBIAN SELECTED WAJA'S NO. 2 MAN

*By Sarjo Camara Singhateh *

During the just ended congress organised by the West African Journalist'
Association WAJA, the President of The Gambia Press Union, Madi MK Ceesay,
has been elected as the Vice President of the Association According to Madi
Ceesay, the presidency was retained by the President of the Malian
Journalists' Association in the persons of Ebrima Famakary Coulibally, who
was re-elected into office by the Association, to serve his second term of
office.

According to the GPU proxy, the group visited the President GBagbo, Ivorian
President promised the participants that he will never put a journalist in
jail during his tenure of office as President of The Ivory Coast.

Mr. Ceesay expressed his sincere appreciation to the Ivorian Government, and
singled out the Ivorian Minister for Communication as a very conscious and
informed woman. He said Madame Martine Coffi-studer was working with them
tirelessly. Madi said the Minister was with them during their symposium held
during the Press Freedom Day celebration and during their visit to the
President.

Mr. Ceesay stated that in a war-torn country like Ivory Coast, the
Government was able to give, the journalists full accommodation with a mini
clinic attached and the Secretariat Staff were paid by the Government.

He said that during the celebration of World Press Freedom Day he gave a
speech on the topic "The State of the Media in Your Country."

His paper dealt with issues such as the repressive laws, the newspaper bond,
the clamp down on newspapers as the realities of the situation in The
Gambia.

Mr. Ceesay said the union heads will meet in Mali in a short period of time
for the disbursement of the $1.5 million grant to WAJA. He pointed out that
both the Financial and Activity report were presented to the participants.



*LAMINFATTY CHARGED*

Lamin Fatty of the *Independent* who was arrested on April, 2006 and has
since been detained for most part of the time at the National Intelligence
Agency (NIA) headquarters has been charged with publishing false
information.

It is not known whether Lamin will appear in court today to answer to
charges.

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