Comrades:

This is an encouraging news set forth by the opposition.  It is indeed a
courageous move.  I hope their unconditional classic action against the
dictator will not be undermined.

Cheers to the leaders of these parties.  May your efforts pave the way for
a free and Democratic Gambia.  May your willingness to join together in
time of need not be tarnish by any rotten element.  I salute.

Aphid,

Comrade Mohammed Laminae Jesse-Cone


> [Original Message]
> From: Momodou Camara <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 12/25/00 8:14:29 AM
> Subject: FWD:Opposition Parties Sue Govt for Sacking Electoral Boss
>
> culled from http://allafrica.com/gambia
> *******************************************
> Opposition Parties Sue Govt for Sacking Electoral Boss
>
> Panafrican News Agency
>
> December 24, 2000
>
> By Paschal Eze
> Banjul, Gambia
>
> Gambia's three main opposition parties, the United Democratic Party, the
> National Reconciliation Party and the Peoples Democratic Organisation for
> Independence and Socialism, have jointly sued the Banjul government for
sacking
> Bishop Johnson as Electoral Commission Chairman.
>
> They described the dismissal as unconstitutional, and are praying a Banjul
> Court to reinstate Johnson and Saja Fatty, who were both sacked by
President
> Yayah Jammeh for undisclosed reasons.
>
> No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.
>
> Fatma Baldeh, the only female member of the erstwhile Electoral
Commission, has
> meanwhile, resigned in apparent protest against the dismissals.
>
> Swearing in the new Chairman Gariel Roberts and other members of the
> Commission, Jammeh urged them to be neutral at all times.
>
> "I would not call you independent if at all times you give support to the
APRC
> (the ruling party)," the Gambian leader said.
>
> Political observers however, say the new electoral boss is unlikely to
enjoy
> the confidence and co-operation of the opposition parties.
>
> Critics even claim his appointment is part of a ploy by the ruling party
to
> remain in power.
>
> But reacting to opposition criticism of the move, the Department of State
for
> Justice said Saturday that Jammeh has the constitutional mandate to remove
> Johnson.
>
> "It is our considered view that the removal of the IEC chairman by the
> President under Section 42 (6)(a) of the 1997 Constitution is lawful and
> constitutional," the Department said in a statement.
>
> It dismissed media suggestion calling the act unconstitutional, as a wrong
> interpretation of Sections of the Constitution.
>
> The statement quoted the law as saying that "the President may remove a
member
> of the commission for inability to perform functions of his or her office
> because of infirmity of mind or body or from any other cause. He may also
> remove a member if a circumstance arises that would have disqualified him
or
> her from appointment to the commission."
>
> Misconduct is another reason for which the President may terminate the
> appointment of a Commission member.
>
> In addition, the statement said, the President might have sensitive
information
> of national security dimension about a member of the Commission "which he
> cannot even share with his cabinet, much less the general public."
>
> Ousainou Darboe, leader of the main opposition United Democratic Party
claimed
> at a press conference in Banjul that Roberts manipulated the 1996 election
> results in favour of the ruling APRC.
>
> He said his party has no confidence in Roberts based on his attitude as
head of
> the Provisional Independent Electoral Commission in 1996.
>
> The opposition leader also accused Jammeh of creating a situation where he
> could fill the electoral Commission with loyalists of his party ahead of
the
> 2001 presidential election.
>
> *******************************************************
>    http://home3.inet.tele.dk/mcamara
>
> **"Start by doing what's necessary, then what's
>  possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible"***
>
>
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