Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 004/2007, 3-4 January, 2007
Editorial
SEPERATION OF POWERS IEC AND THE ARREST OF A CANDIDATE
The news that the UDP candidate for Bakau is under arrest few days after his
nomination has raised the question of the role of the IEC in matters of
security during the period for the holding of elections.
It is common sense that the IEC should protect all candidates to ensure free
and fair elections. In order to do so, the IEC should implement the
provision of Section 129 (1) of the Elections Decree. It reads: “The Inspector
General of Police shall, on the request of the Commission, assign to the Commission
such number of police officers as the Commission may require during the
period of registration of voters and the conduct of election.”
In our view, once a candidate is nominated he or she should be under the
protection of the IEC. No arrest of the candidate should take place without
consultation with the IEC. The IEC must be given tangible evidence to justify
arrest.
It is therefore necessary for the country to turn a new page. Detention
without trial for more than 72 hours is unacceptable. It is unconstitutional. The
more fundamental rights and freedom are trampled under foot the more the
rule of law is also negated. We hope the IEC will do its best to protect
candidates and their agents. This is the only way to guarantee that there is free
and fair election.
INADEQUATE RESOURCES HAMPER REFUSE COLLECTION
By Bubacar .K Sowe
Lack of resources at the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) is hampering the
regular collection of refuse around the municipality, said its Chief Executive
Officer (CEO), Ebrima Jobarteh, on Monday.
Mr. Jobarteh told Foroyaa that they use to have adequate fleet that
collected refuse from house to house, but due to the break down of some of their
vehicles, it is proving difficult. He said despite the constraints and meager
resources, they are making a lot of efforts.
“We do hire vehicles and shovels to clear the dumps from house to house,”
he said. Jobarteh indicated that they do not have the financial resources to
regularly replace vehicles, despite the fact that a large share of their
budget goes to the Cleansing Department.
“It is the second biggest consuming area, taking 24% of the recurrent budget
of 2006; and probably it may be more than that this year. We intend to
purchase some second-hand vehicles and equipment,” he revealed.
According to him, the 24% of the budget allocated for the Cleansing
Department represent D10,455,000 being cost for fuel, lubricants, spare parts and man
power. He also said that it is difficult to clean the area, noting the area
has a population of 322,410 people with a growth rate of 3.52 percent per
annum.
However, Foroyaa discovered that the access roots to the Serrekunda Market
were filled with left out cartoons, plastic bags, papers and other items
creating piles of refuse in the area.
IEC NEWS CONFERENCE
103 CANDIDATES TO CONTEST FOR NA ELECTIONS
By Baboucarr Ceesay & Amie Sanneh
Mr. Alhaji Mustapha L. Carayol, the IEC Chairman, said the Commission
concluded a transfer and replacement of voters’ cards exercise from 14th to 29th
December 2006. He made this statement in a press conference organised to inform
journalists about the IEC’s preparedness for the national assembly Elections.
Referring to the statistics of the recently concluded replacement and
transfer of voters’ cards, he stated that 573 cards were transferred and 672
replaced in the various regional offices. He stated further that 24 cards have been
transferred and 47 replaced in Banjul, Kanifing 87 transfers and 110
replacements, Brikama 109 transfers and 109 replacements, Kerewan 78 transfers and
74 replacements, Mansakonko 78 transfers and 56 replacements, Janjangbureh 84
transfers and 127 replacements, Basse 113 transfers and 149 replacements.
Mr. Carayol added that all qualified candidates for the elections have been
duly nominated in their regional offices; that the APRC is contesting in all
the 48 constituencies, UDP in 29 constituencies, NRP in 8 constituencies and
NADD put up candidates in 5 constituencies and there are 13 independent
candidates. He mentioned that 103 candidates are contesting for the forthcoming
National Assembly Elections.
The official campaign period for the National Assembly Elections, he said,
will run from Wednesday 10th January 2007 to Tuesday, 23rd January 2007. He
said considering the large number of candidates, GRTS will be unable to mount
live coverage of rallies and meetings due to limited capacity and time. Two
five minute political broadcasts will be carried for each of the contesting
candidates throughout the campaign period.
“The Media Monitoring Unit of the IEC is being set up to monitor the public
and private media during the campaign period and the conduct of the polls on
Election Day,” Carayol posited.
He said the IEC has gone on a massive voter education campaign throughout
the country in collaboration with the National Council for Civic Education
(NCCE), the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, The Gambia National Youth
Parliament and Youth Ambassadors for Peace.
He insinuated that radio and television talk shows, radio and television
election messages, election songs, video clips, face-to-face community meetings,
drama and school outreach programmes include the strategies used in their
ongoing effective and essential voter education campaign.
He pointed out that a training of trainers for polling staff for the conduct
of the National Assembly Elections is slated for Saturday 13th and Sunday
14th January 2007 and the decentralised training of polling staff which will be
facilitated by the regional officers is slated for Saturday 20th and Sunday
21st January 2007. He stated that most of the polling staff who participated
in the conduct of the September 2006 Presidential Election have been called
back to participate in the training and this guarantees the efficiency of the
polling staff. Polling and Counting Agents and security personnel will form
part of the team that will be trained at both levels of the training.
He underscored the point that a good number of applications from both
domestic and international observers are being received by the IEC and are being
processed for accreditation by the Independent Electoral Commission. He
expressed their hope to have a great number of domestic observers because a great
number of them have been trained across the country by the Coalition of Civil
Society Organisations.
For the logistics, he said all election materials are currently at the IEC
regional offices ready for deployment to the villages and polling stations.
Because some constituencies are not being contested, Chairman Carayol said,
930 polling stations and 43 counting centres will be closed in the National
Assembly Elections. He stated that the IEC has worked relentlessly to take
care of the problems that were encountered during the September 2006
Presidential Election. He said that the Commission will contact more Polling Assistants
who will help direct voters to their appropriate polling stations; that the
commission will also hire more vehicles which will be added to those to be
commandeered from government to ensure the timely collection of the ballot drums
and polling personnel from the polling stations to the various counting
centres.
In accordance with Section 5 sub section 2 of the 1996 Elections Decree, he
said, the commission has appointed Mr. Seedy Jobe as Returning Officer for
Banjul Administrative Area, Mr. Abdullah Jeng for Kanifing Administrative Area,
Mr. Malleh Sallah for Brikama Administrative Area, Mr. Gibril Jallow for
Kerewan Administrative Area, Mr. Robert Anthony for Mansakonko Administrative
Area, Mrs. Sara Grey-Johnson for Janjangbureh Administrative Area and Mr. Alieu
Mommar Njai for Basse Administrative Area.
Reminding the general public the date for the National Assembly Elections
slated for Thursday 25th January 2007, the IEC Chairman said polling start at
7am and closes at 4pm.
Alhaji Mustapha L. Carayol Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission,
announced in accordance with Section 53 subsection 1 (a) of Decree 78 of
1996 that the following under mentioned persons as nominated unopposed are
therefore duly elected to serve as Members of the National Assembly of the
Republic of The Gambia.
The unopposed candidates are: Bintanding Jarju APRC Candidate Foni Berefet
Constituency, Sherrif Abba Sanyang APRC Candidate Foni Kansala Constituency,
Alhaji Matarr Kujabi APRC Candidate Foni Bondali Constituency, Borry L.S.B
Kolley APRC Candidate Foni Jarrol Constituency, Saikou Suso Kantora APRC
Candidate Kantora Constituency.
Questions were invited from the party representatives and the press.
Mr. Momodou Lamin Touray, representative for NADD asked what measures the
would IEC take in situations where a party uses public transports for
campaigning while other parties use “Gele-Gele” and so on as mean of transport during
the campaign period. In response, Chairman Carayol promised that the
Commission would address such problems and they would have series of meetings in
matters relating to such practices.
Responding to Daily Observer’s Ousman Darboe’s question about the IEC’s
position on the arrests of voters on queues like what happened in Upper Saloum
Constituency during the September 2005 by elections, Malleh Sallah, the Vice
Chairman of IEC, said that they were never aware of such with their ten years
experience in conducting elections in The Gambia. He called on people to be
reporting such cases to the IEC.
Finally, Mr. Baboucarr Ceesay of Foroyaa asked about the measures that IEC
would take in cases where a party waits until the eleventh hour of the
campaign period to misuse the state media just to castigate an opponent.
Mr. Kawsu Ceesay, the Chief Electoral Officer of IEC confessed having
understood what the Foroyaa reporter said and pointed out that in fact the last day
should be a free day when no campaign should be held and assured that they
cannot tolerate such practices from any side.
MORE TESTIMONIES AT THE COURT MARTIAL
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The General Court Martial hearing on the treason trial of those accused of
involvement in the March 21st coup plot on Saturday heard from three more
witness.
Detective Boto Keita informed the court in a cross examination that the
first accused, Captain Bunja Darboe, appeared before a panel on the 21st, 26th
and 29th of March, 2006. Mr. Keita said he took a cautionary statement from the
accused person in the presence of an independent witness. On how many
cautionary and voluntary statements he took from him and when, he said he could not
remember, but he could remember that he took two voluntary statements.
He said apart from Captain Darboe, he took voluntary statements from the
fifth accused, Captain Abdoukarim Jah, the seventh accused Lieutenant M.A Bah,
and the eight accused Corporal Samba Bah. On Captain Darboe’s request to speak
to a lawyer, Keita said he did not deny refuse him that, but said that
Darboe could have done it for himself while in custody. Responding to a question
on a statement taken on the 22nd of March, Keita said the date of the
independent witness is 25th of March.
Detective Keita further told the court that the statement taken from Captain
Abdoukarim Jah was taken on the 19th of April, 2006 and it was not dated by
an independent witness. The statement he said was written by the suspect
himself (Jah). Mr. Keita narrated that he took two voluntary statements from
Lieutenant M.A Bah, but could not recall where and when he took them. He also
said he obtained two voluntary statements from Corporal Samba Bah. He added that
Corporal Bah spoke to him in English in the presence of an independent
witness at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) headquarters.
When it was put to him by the defence that the statements obtained from
Captain Darboe, Captain Jah and Corporal Bah were involuntary, Keita maintained
they were voluntary. On when the accused persons accessed their families and
lawyers, as they were in his custody, Keita said he did not remember. He also
said he did not remember when they were arraigned in court and whether it was
a court order which gave them the green light for them to access their
families and lawyers.
Keita identified a video cassette discovered from Modou Sanyang at the NIA,
and acknowledged his presence there. He said he was not present when a radio
cassette was discovered by Detective Abdoulie Sowe. He also testified that he
was present when a micro recorder was discovered but was not there when its
tape was found.
Also testifying at the Court Martial, Lamin Colley, a technician at the
Gamtel Earth Station in Abuko, said he was called by a guard commander, Corporal
Ajuma Camara, on the 20th of March informing him that a soldier wanted to
speak to Mr. Njie, the Earth Station’s Director of International Operations. Mr.
Colley said one of the guards escorted the soldier, Captain Wassa Camara, to
his (Colley’s) office and he called Mr. Njie for him. He added that they
spoke briefly over the phone. He said on the following day, the 21st of March,
Corporal Ajuma Camara told him that his boss (Captain Wassa Camara) had come
to see Mr. Njie again. Mr. Colley testified that he called Mr. Njie and handed
the phone to Captain Camara, but only heard Camara saying Njie is to bring
something for him. Colley also identified Captain Camara in court, who he said
during his visits wore civilian dress.
During cross examination by the defence, Colley said before the 20th of
March, he never met or knew Captain Camara. He also said after that, he never saw
him physically, apart from his appearance on the television. He added “I do
not know the reason why Captain Camara wanted to talk to Mr. Njie.
“Testifying in court Ousman Njie, the Gamtel Earth Station Director of
International Operations, said the station is the major gate way of voice, data
and video. Mr. Njie said on March 20th, 2006, while on an official assignment to
Senegal, he had a call from someone who introduced himself as Wassa Camara.
Njie added that the man who was calling from the earth station said he wanted
to see him; Njie said he told him to wait till he returned the following
day. Njie informed the court that while on his way back he had a call from the
same man, but told him to wait till the following day, again, since it was
late. He narrated that he was told by the man that he is supposed to bring
something for him from Ebrima Fatty’s sister in Bakau. Njie said he told his
caller that he did not know Ebrima Fatty and he was therefore talking to a wrong
person.
UDP CANDIDATE FOR BAKAU IN DETENTION
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Nfamara S. Bojang, the candidate of the United Democratic Party candidate
for the Bakau constituency is in detention since Sunday, a family source told
FOROYAA.
Mr. Bojang’s arrest happened a day after his nomination on Saturday to
contest the Bakau seat in the January 25th National Assembly Election. According
to his brother, Landing Bojang, the UDP candidate left his home around two O’
clock to go to Sukuta for a family discussion. Landing said that since then
nothing has been heard from him.
The wife, Adama Touray, told Foroyaa she had a phone call on Sunday from a
lady informing her of the arrest of her husband. She said she was told that
Mr. Bojang is at the Yundum Police Station, but her efforts to locate him there
bore no fruit. Dudu Kassa Jaata, a relative to Mr. Bojang expressed concern,
stressing that he is a winning candidate.
The UDP leader, Ousainou Darboe, said he is disappointed and his attempt to
see the Inspector General of Police on Monday proved futile.
The Police Spokesperson, Superintendent Aziz Bojang, told Foroyaa on Tuesday
he is not aware of the arrest.
The Chief Electoral Officer at the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC),
Kawsu Ceesay, said the arrest of the UDP candidate has nothing to do with the
elections. He said they understand it is a pending case with the Police.
Asked whether the IEC will seek his release till the end of the election period,
Mr. Ceesay said if the arrest is politically motivated, they can but if it is
not, they have nothing to do with it.
PEACE CORP’S RAPE CASE DRAGS
By Modou Jonga
A rape case involving a Peace Corp volunteer, the complainant (name
withheld), and one Abdoulie Badjie (the accused), was on Monday 8th January, 2007,
deferred to the 15th January, 2007.
The case was adjourned due to the absence of the presiding Magistrate E.F M’
bai. The accused who pleaded not guilty to the charge is alleged to have
carnal knowledge of the complainant against her will at Sintet village in the
Foni Jarrol District last year.
The court has heard the testimonies of two prosecution witnesses including
the complainant. The Police prosecutor is ASP Badjie.
FORMER PRINCIPAL’S CASE RE-ADJOURNED
By Modou Jonga
The trial involving Mr. William Forster, a former Principal at Forster
Academy in Brikama, was adjourned to Wednesday 17th January 2007 by the Brikama
Magistrate Court. The case was adjourned due to the absence of the presiding
Magistrate, E.F M’bai.
The accused, Mr. William Forster, is standing trial at the said Magistrate
Court on charges of willfully damaging property, being the wind screen of a
vehicle.
The accused, who pleaded not guilty, is alleged to have committed the said
offence at the main carpark in Brikama. The defence counsel for the accused is
Sydney Riley.
TRIAL OF 17 ACCUSED PERSONS ADJOURNED
By Modou Jonga
The trial involving Mustapha Jadama and 16 other accused persons was, on
Monday, 8th January, 2007, adjourned to Monday 22nd January 2007, due to the
absence of the presiding Magistrate, E.F. M’bai.
The seventeen accused persons who pleaded not guilty to their charge are
standing trial at the Brikama Magistrate Court on a charge of acting without
lawful excuse in a manner that is calculated to lead to incitement of violence,
destruction or damage to property.
This alleged act which violates Section 59 (b) of the Criminal Code, is said
to have happened on the 1st December, last year at Old Yundum and Sinchu
Alagie in the Kombo North.
The court has so far heard the testimonies of three officers of the Police
Intervention Unit attached to the Brikama Police Station. They are Babucarr
Cham, Kebba Bah and Babucarr Touray. The Police prosecutor is 629 Saine of the
Tujereng Police Station.
MAGISTRATE RICHARDS SENTENCES DRIVER
By Yaya Bajo
Principal Magistrate Moses Richards of the Bundung Magistrate Court recently
sentenced one Ensa Saidy to a fine of D2500 or in default to serve twelve
months imprisonments plus D5000 as compensation to one Ebou Bah or in default
to serve another 12months in prison.
According to the fact sheet which was read by the prosecutor, 1042 Kujabi,
the fatal accident occurred on 5th December 2005 along the Senegambia Highway.
He said the defendant’s vehicle with registration number BJL 9732B was
coming towards the Senegambia main junction while driving without due care and
attention collided with an approaching motor cyclist, thereby causing an
accident. 1042 Kujabi further narrated that the motorcyclist was later identified as
one Ebou Bah, an MRC field worker. He said the victim sustained severe
injury and was later taken to the RVTH where he was admitted. Kujabi added that
the defendant was summoned to the Kairaba Police Station where a statement was
obtained from him and he was served with a warning later. A medical
certificate which was issued and dated 5th October 2006 was tendered and marked
exhibits A.
The defendant noted in his plea of mitigation that the act was not
intentional and he had always shown solidarity with the victim and his family. After
his plea of mitigation Magistrate Richards sentenced him to a fine of D2500,
in default to serve 12 months in prison plus D5000 as compensation, in default
to serve another 12 months prison term.
FODAY BAH’S TRIAL RE-ADJOURNED
By Modou Jonga
The trial involving Foday Bah, a UDP supporter, and the state, was on Monday
8th January 2007, adjourned to Monday 15th January 2007 due to the absence
of the presiding Magistrate E.F. M’bai.
Mr. Bah, a resident of Sinchu Alagie village in the Kombo North, is
standing trial at the Brikama Magistrate court for alleged violating section 91 (9)
of the Electoral Decree during the past presidential election campaign.
Readers might recall that the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and
was granted bail by the Banjul High Court on the 17th of October 2006. However
he was not duely released on bail contrary to the court order. He was only
released after some days. Infact, the accused despite being granted bail, did
not appear before the Bikama Magistrate court on the 26th of October and on
the 31st October 2006. The said trial could not proceed during the past two
settings as the file of the case is said to be at the Attorney General’s
Chambers for legal advice and as such was not received by the prosecution.
HALIFA ON THE MDGs
WE ARE MOVING FAR AWAY FROM ACHIEVEING IT!!!
The Minority Leader and Member for Serrekunda Central Hon. Halifa Sallah
asserted that the Government is moving far away from achieving the Millenniums
Development Goals due to the fact that the productive base of the economy is
not expanding. Halifa made this assertion while making his contribution to the
debate on the 2007 budget speech delivered by the Secretary of State for
Finance and Economic Affairs at the National Assembly which went thus:
“Hon. Speaker, we are told by the Secretary of State for Finance at page one
paragraph two of his budget speech that “the overarching policy objective of
the Gambia Government Gambia Government is to substantially reduce poverty
and achieve all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, as well as
the goals of vision 2020.” Hon. Speaker, when one look at the strategic
objective, one would ask the following questions:
i) What is the stage of poverty in this country
ii) What visible things are been done to eradicate it?
iii) What are the Millennium Development Goals?
iv) What is its face in our current economic deposition?
v) What has been achieved so far to move us closer to the
fundamental objective of vision
2020? Hon. Speaker, the Millennium Development Goals emerged from the UN
Millennium Summit of September 2000. Their aim to give action to the eradication
of poverty and the promotion of sustainable development. Chief among the
objective Hon. Speaker, is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. First, by
reducing by half the proportion of the people living on less than one dollar a
day and reduce by half, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger. These
strategic objectives Hon. Speaker, could only be attain if there is a rise
in income or the lowering of the cost of living. What is happening in The
Gambia Hon. Speaker is that there is no rise in income and there is no lowering
of the cost of living and that is why 69% of the population are living on less
than one dollar a day. So I do not see any evidence that we are moving
towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. what is interesting
Hon. Speaker is that looking at the estimates, in particular what drivers,
messengers and cleaners receive, one would discovered that they earn less than
D600 to D700 per month which is less than one dollar a day. So, if government
cannot free its servants from poverty, how can it free The Gambian population
from poverty? A declaration would have to be made on that score.
Hon. Speaker, if one also look at the Joint Industrial Council which is
responsible for determining the wages of technicians, one would discover that the
minimum wage for most of the technicians is less than one dollar a day. I
would expect that this National Assembly would urge the government that the low
salaries and minimum wages must be increased in 2007 to more than one dollar
a day as a sign of commitment towards meeting the fundamental objective of
the Millennium Development Goals. If that is not done, than there would be a
lot of declarations without action to back the declarations.
Hon. Speaker, looking at the other provision for achieving the Millennium
Development Goals, one would discovered that it talks about achieving universal
primary education; ensuring that all boys and girls complete the full course
of primary education; promote gender disparity in primary and secondary
education; preferably by 2005 and at all cost by 2015. Hon. Speaker, what needs
to be given focus is the type of system that exists, because sometimes if we
lose sight of the existing system, we believe we are achieving something when
we are moving far away from it. What obtains in The Gambia Hon. Speaker, is
that we have an educational system of double shift and multiple grade teaching
and the fundamental questions we need to asked are:
i) Have we done any evaluation to see the impact of such a system?
ii) What type of quality education is it providing?
iii) What are it limitations?
Hon. Speaker, sometimes we play the game of numbers and lose essence. We
lose sight of the individual tree because we focus on the forest, but it is the
individual tree that is important because if we allow that individual tree to
be cut one by one at the end of the day we will lose the forest. So Hon.
Speaker, it is important that we focus on the system and focus not only on the
issue of access but affordability and quality as well. Hon. Speaker, if one
looks at the different levels of the educational system, one would discover
that it is evolving like a pyramid. The educational system provides for 185,000
children in the Lower Basic, 67,000 in the Upper Basic and 27,000 in Senior
Secondary Schools. This is a pyramid so if you talk about access, equality
between boys and girls, yes you may have a number of boys and girls equal but
what about the vast majority of children being deprived of that higher level of
education.
Hon. Speaker, it is significant that we focus on the evolution of the
educational system not only on general access at the primary level, but as the
person goes up and up, then the person must be able to have access to quality
education at the higher level. And what is also important Hon. Speaker, is that
we are being told that 88% of the institutions providing Senior Secondary
education are private; either being subsidised or non-subsidised. About 46%
subsidised and 42% non-subsidised if my memory serves me right.
So Hon. Speaker, we are talking about private institutions providing this
education and they are charging on the basis of cost recovery. Education should
be a right but where it is based on cost recovery, either government
subsidizing the process and lower the cost of education or otherwise, many people
who are poor would be excluded from access. Where cost deprives people from
access Hon. Speaker, we cannot consider education to be open to all nor can we
say that the sky is the limit for those people. Hon. Speaker, if one looks at
the Millennium Development Goals, one would discover that that its objective
under health is to ensure affordability and access to essential drugs. But,
Hon. Speaker, looking at the issue of health, you would discover that the
Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs has mentioned the Bamako
Initiative. The essence of the Bamako Initiative is cost recovery and that is
why many people cannot afford drugs. If go to the Royal Victoria Teaching
Hospital (RVTH) at the moment Hon. Speaker, you would discover that brain scanning
is D1000 (one thousand dalasis). Just to scan the brain! There is a lady
almost in comma that I visited at RVTH and the relative could not afford to
provide that D1000 (one thousand dalasis) and they literally had to become
beggars for that amount to be provided. I do not call that health for all and I do
not call that ways and means of moving closer and closer to the Millennium
Development Goals where it talked about government in association with
pharmaceutical, ensured the affordability and access to essential drugs. That is one
of the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals.
If one looks at Vision 2020 Hon. Speaker, one would discover that it talks
about Gambia becoming a middle income country; a country where the economy
would be export oriented, and jobs would be created, and that most of the people
will become enlightened under a democratic society which will assure them
prosperity and general wellbeing. But clearly Hon. Speaker, if we look at the
situation, we would discover that The Gambia is not achieving that export
oriented economy that is envisaged in Vision 2020. Hon. Speaker, we are being
told by the Secretary of State that exports have amounted to D3 billion, D2.6
billion of which is coming from re-exports. So clearly Hon. Speaker, we are not
producing, we are re-exporting and that is why we are not generating
employment.
Hon. Speaker, we are also being told that in terms of Government’s earnings
which enable us to build our accounts, we have trade and remittances
amounting to D1.8 billion and D1.8 billion respectively. So essentially Hon.
Speaker, it is not the productive base that is generating the level of growth of
foreign exchange that is in the country that is ensuring stability of The Gambia
currency. I think we should bear that in mind! We are talking about
sustainable development and not just any form of development. So essentially Hon.
Speaker, we are not achieving the vision that is assured to us under the 2020
vision. And therefore, Hon. Speaker, I frankly feel that we must accept the
seriousness of the situation that the economy is in and then try to come up with
strategic objectives of how to deal with it!!!
AMADOU CORA ARRESTED
By Amie Sanneh
Reports have it that businessmen who hail’s from Tambasangsang, Tumana
constituency was arrested in Basse six days ago. He was first transferred to
Bansang Police Station and later to Kuntaur Police Station. Up to the time of
going to press yesterday Mr. Cora was still held at Kuntaur Police Station.
The wife of the said Amadou Cora, Tappa Krubally who spoke to Foroyaa, said
that she is in a state of shock and also worried over the arrest of her
husband.
She told this reporter that the arrest took place when they went tot heir
village (Tambasangsang) to spend the Tobaski there.
Mrs. Cora narrated that the day her husband was arrested, in the evening he
came home and started explaining to her an encounter he (the husband) has
with one woman in Basse while on his way home.
She said the husband told her that one woman who was in a vehicle insulted
his mother while he was riding his motorbike. She added that her husband then
stopped his motorbike and asked the woman why she was insulting him; that the
woman retorted that it was her husband who first insulted her mother’s name;
that it was then that the husband decided to leave the woman there and
continued his journey. Mrs. Cora said that on that fateful night whilst she was in
the house and the husband was sitting outside chatting with friends, some
unknown officials came and took the husband away.
On why the husband was arrested, Mrs. Cora said she does not know the reason.
Since the arrest Mrs. Cora added, she and her family members are really
worried and could hardly eat meals.
Mrs. Cora however begged for her husband’s release, noting that he had not
done anything wrong to be arrested.
Mr. Cora was however on Tuesday taken to the Brikama-Ba Police Station.
When the Police Spokesperson, Aziz Bojang was contacted to comment on the
arrest, he told this reporter that he is not aware of such arrest.
Issue No. 005/2007, 12-14 January, 2006
Editorial
THE CHANGING FACE OF POLITICS IN THE GAMBIA
During the 2002 National Assembly Elections, the UDP boycotted the
elections, NRP put up 10 candidates and PDOIS put up 5. There was only one Independent
candidate. Voting took place in only 15 constituencies, 33 went unopposed.
Despite the campaign for people to boycott the elections NRP won one seat out
of 10 and PDOIS won 2 seats out of five. The APRC therefore had a majority of
45 against the 3 seats held by PDOIS and NRP.
In this National Assembly election there is no boycott. The UDP promised to
put up 48 candidates but ended up with 29. The NRP came up with 8 candidates.
The NADD put 5 candidates and developed a tactical alliance with 8
independent candidates. Four candidates who formed a tactical line with NADD either
arrived late for nomination or withdrew to give a chance to another independent
candidate.
Only five seats remain uncontested. This means that elections will take
place in 43 constituencies.
In many places the opposition did not clash. Serrekunda Central appears to
be an exception
The tactical line proposed is for the opposition to put up one candidate in
every constituency against an APRC candidate.
In Serrekunda Central the seat is held by the opposition. However, another
opposition candidate is contesting under the UDP.
What is however interesting is that now people see a candidate as becoming
more important than the party tag. This has given rise to an increase in the
number of Independent candidates as well as the selection of many new APRC
candidates after a long selection process.
The results will shake the foundation of Gambian politics. Success of the
independent candidates is likely to motivate many people especially women to
build confidence to participate as candidates. Needless to say, the competition
for candidature is likely to become more intense with all the political
parties.
It is difficult to predict the results. However, one can easily see the
trend towards greater participation by aspirants as candidates within and outside
parties. The disappearance of people like Dembo Bojang from the scene and
the appearance of relatively young candidates confirm that the face of Gambian
politics is likely to change forever after the declaration of the results.
LAWYER DENTON AND COLONEL TAMBA TESTIFY
By Bubacarr K Sowe
Mariama Denton, a legal practitioner and Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba, the
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) of the Gambia Armed Forces on Wednesday testified
in the treason trial involving Tamsir Jasseh, Alieu Jobe, Omar Keita (Faal)
and Demba Dem.
Denton told the court that while at her home in Churchill’s Town on the 23rd
of March, 2006, Tamsir Jasseh came to her house; that she asked Mr. Jasseh
where he was coming from, and Jasseh answered that he went to Jiboro to drop
Colonel Ndure Cham, the ex-CDS. Denton said she told Mr. Jasseh to see the
authorities, since Colonel Cham is wanted.
In a cross examination by defence counsel, Lamin S. Camara, Denton said she
does not know where Jiboro is, but noted it is in the Western Division of the
Gambia.
Also testifying in court, Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba said on the 21st of
March, at about 16:30 hours, while at his home after closing from work, he was
called over the phone by one Corporal Mbye.
Tamba said that Corporal Mbye suggested to him to cancel his travelling,
noting that he had an urgent information for him. Colonel Tamba added that he
was then informed by Corporal Mbye that the former CDS, Colonel Ndure Cham was
planning to over throw the elected government of President Yahya Jammeh.
According to Colonel Tamba, Corporal Mbye said he was in Ndure Cham’s Office,
where he informed him of the planned coup and was later referred by Cham to
Captain Bunja Darboe’s office, as Cham left for a National Security Council
meeting.
Tamba said that Mbye was again told by Darboe that they want to topple the
government and would need his support, which Mbye disagreed to. Tamba
testified that Mbye told him he was invited by Ndure Cham to his house for further
discussion, where he recorded the meeting through a tape recorder given to him
by Colonel Tamba. He added that they listened to the cassette at his
residence at Mile 7 with Lieutenant Lamin Badjie.
Tamba also said that he then informed the then Inspector General of Police;
Ousman Sonko, The Commanding Officer of the State Guards; Serigne Modou Njie
and Commander of the Military Training School; Captain Ousman Badjie, who all
listened to the tape.
The Army Chief added that he then ordered the arrest of Captain Darboe and
all others involved, after which he instituted an investigation panel.
The panel he said comprised of the armed forces, the police and the
intelligence agency. He recalled some of them in court as;
Momodou Hydara, Demba Sowe, Malamin Ceesay, Nfanding Jabang, Boto Keita,
Yusupha Faye, Ousman Bojang, Malick Ceesay, Lamin Tambajang, Abdoulie Sowe,
Lamin Ndure and others he could not remember in court.
He indicated that the panel comprised of thirteen (13) members, who
submitted a report at the end of their findings.
Cross-examination was brief as the defence requested for an adjournment to
prepare for it. Defence Counsel asked him what rank he had, and he answered “
Colonel.”
UDP CANDIDATE ARRAIGNED IN COURT
By Modou Jonga
The UDP candidate aspiring for the Bakau seat in the forthcoming National
Assembly Election, Mr. Nfamara S. Bojang, was on Wednesday 10th January 2007
arraigned at the Brikama Magistrate Court.
Mr. Bojang, who pleaded not guilty to two criminal charges preferred against
him, was nominated on Saturday 6th January 2007.
On count one, Mr. Bojang (the accused) is charged with conspiracy to commit
a felony contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code. He is alleged to have
conspired with one Abubacarr Sawo in the month of January 2005 at Bwiam
village in the Western Region.
On count two, Mr. Bojang is charged with being in possession of forged
currency notes contrary to Section 334 of the Criminal Code. He is alleged to have
been in possession of the currency notes on 23rd January 2005 at the Coastal
Road in the Western Region. He is alleged to have been found without Lawful
authority in possession of D4, 550.00 forged Gambian notes knowing the sum to
be forged.
Mr. Bojang was granted bail in the sum of D20,000 (Twenty thousand dalasi)
by a Gambian surety. The case is adjourned till Wednesday 17th January.
CHIEF MANNEH DETAINED AT FATOTO POLICE STATION
Chief Ebrima Manneh of the Daily Observer Company is detained at Fatoto
Police Station.
Chief Manneh (a journalist) was arrested on 7th July 2006 at his place of
work. He has since then been detained at various Police Stations.
Shortly after his arrest, Manneh was detained at the NIA Headquarters. He
was later detained at Mile Two Central Prison, Kartong Police Station, Sibanor
Police Station, Kuntaur Police Station and finally at Fatoto Police Station.
He has spent three months and three weeks at Fatoto Police Station. The
authorities are yet to disclose Chief Manneh’s place of detention despite the fact
that his family members have moved heaven and earth to establish his
whereabouts.
Master Tamba Fofana of Kudang Lower Basic School is detained at Sare-Ngai
Police Station. Master Tamba has been detained at various Police Stations such
as Bansang, Kartong, Sibanor and Sare-Ngai. Both Chief Manneh and Master
Tamba have not been charged.
KANILAI FARM EMPLOYEE ADMITS STEALING
OVER D1 MILLION
By Yaya Bajo
An employee at the Kanilai Farm Ltd, Mustapha Bojang, was brought before
Principal Magistrate, Moses Ricahards, of the Bundung Magistrate Court last
Wednesday and charged for stealing the sum of 1,093,965.00 (one million, ninety
three thousand, nine hundred and sixty five dalasi) from the coffers of the
above named farm. When the charge sheet was read to the accused and translated
in a language he claimed to understand, he pleaded guilty.
According to the fact sheet, the alleged offence was committed in 2006 at
diverse places in the Kanifing Municiality while the accused person was
managing the business of the Kanilai Farm Company ltd. The accused who was not
represented at the time of the hearing, applied for a bail, but his application
was rejected based on the prosecutions submission that he may tamper with the
ongoing investigation if he is granted bail. The prosecutor 1748 Mballow
submitted that the prosecution had received a tip off on Wednesday 10th January
(morning) that the accused is contemplating to interfere with the investigation.
Mustapha Bojang (accused) replied that his conduct has shown no evidence
that he is going to interfere with the investigation if he is granted bail. He
added that he had earlier handed over all the farm’s documents to the
necessary authorities and that he is not going anywhere because he is a family man
with several children. In his intervention, presiding Magistrate Moses Richards
stated that bail is a constitutional right for the accused, and the offence
for which he is charged is bailable. He further noted that it is his duty to
protect the work of the prosecution. He therefore ruled: “I will refuse bail
for now in order to allow time for the prosecution to finish with their
investigations. The accused is therefore remanded in custody until 24th January
2007 when the case shall resume for hearing”.
WHAT DO THEY HOPE TO ACHIEVE?
Is it quality enhancement or quality elimination?
I cannot really fathom the reason that must have motivated the United
Democratic Party (UDP) to put up a candidate to contest the Serrekunda Central
National Assembly seat. However, before I proceed, let me state that I
acknowledge the inalienable right of any individual who wishes and satisfies all the
constitutional requirements of nationality, age, residency, voter eligibility,
etc., to vie for this office of representation, more so, a registered
political party to sponsor a candidate. My concern, therefore, is in no way
negating this right. It does not preclude the right of the UDP to put up a candidate
in any constituency. It is only trying to find a solution to the puzzle as
posed in the questions that captioned this article.
As the country was emerging from a presidential election that was
characterised by widespread voter apathy and again bracing itself for a looming
National Assembly elections impregnated with uncertainties, the NADD presidential
contestant and minority leader, Halifa Sallah, announced his party’s resolve to
employ a tactical alliance with other opposition parties and independent
aspirants. The objective, as he said, was to ensure a Non-APRC majority in the
National Assembly. This would have allowed the combined opposition and
independents to agree on sponsoring and supporting only one candidate against the
APRC in every constituency based on the assessed competence, charisma and
optimal chances of the person or the party. The NADD further cited examples that
in such a scenario they would ensure that the constituencies of Kemeseng
Jammeh, Hamat Bah, Dembo Bojang, to name a few, would not be rivaled by the
opposition considering the non-rubberstamp role these people will be expected to
play in the National Assembly when elected.
This move was very much welcomed with enthusiasm and optimism by all those
who care to see democracy and rule of law prevail in The Gambia. These include
both the opposition and the APRC supporters, as well as concerned
non-nationals who all believe that a critical National Assembly is what will make the
country move forward by putting a check to the excesses in governance and
which cannot be done by an APRC dominated rubber-stamp legislature. A critical
non-APRC majority in the Assembly augurs well for democracy and good governance.
For the rational opposition, the voters have already made the big mistake by
electing President Jammeh for another five years of misrule, mismanagement
and impunity. However, the conviction is that the absolutism and excesses of
the APRC regime can be put to a leash when the voters elect people who are
critical and resolved to make the National Assembly an effective and robust
oversight institution as prescribed by the constitution of the second republic.
Hence the interest and support for the opposition to be one block this time
round. As for these APRC supporters they believe in the separation of powers.
They are happy that President Jammeh has been re-elected. However, they would
want him to deliver and which they believe can only materialize when there
exist a strong Assembly of non-praise singing, non-flattering and non-self
seeking deputies who will guide the executive to serve the people. For these
people, they are ready to support any candidate who is more credible than the
APRC one in order to serve this purpose.
Why then did the UDP and NRP not reciprocate by declaring the constituencies
of the likes of Halifa Sallah, Sidia Jatta, etc. non-contestable for their
parties, given the well pronounced caliber and quality of representation of
these NAMs in the National Assembly? Although the UDP has not put up candidates
in the constituencies of Sidia Jatta and two other NADD candidates. Whether
what was responsible for this has been the inability to scout a candidate or
considerations based on sentiments is left for the reader to conjecture.
Anyway, I have gathered from sources, earlier on, that scouting was being done by
them, but as to whether it bored nought, I don’t know. The question still
remains; Why Serrekunda Central? What is the motive of the UDP in contesting
this particular seat given the important role that Halifa is playing in the
Assembly? Is there candidate more competent? Can that UDP win the seat? Is the
mission’ UDP cannot win but Halifa will not be allowed to win either’? Can
this move be claimed as good faith? All these are questions that beg for honest
answers.
Notwithstanding, I believe the UDP should not have contested the Serrekunda
Central seat and should have embraced the NADD’s call and engage in a
tactical alliance. This would have paid more dividend for them both in terms of
credibility and chances of winning seats. I think the Presidential election
should have been a lesson for them. For them to still harbour the illusion that
they can succeed by going it alone, especially given the present political
context in The Gambia, is self-deluding. The 2006 Presidential election is a case
in point. Where is the ‘majority’ that was bandied about by the UDP that
made them to pull out of the NADD conglomerate with the illusion that they will
win the election without the others. This is the ‘majority’ that one of my
sisters often refers to as “majority ming mang nafa soto” or “majority bu
amul barkeh”, meaning a so called strength that is not potent or lacks blessing.
The 2006 presidential poll is now history and what is left is to draw the
necessary lessons for the future. As for me, the NADD political project was the
best arrangement that suited our circumstances, as it was designed to herald
in a new order that will establish a truly democratic space for everyone. It
would have gone to enable every Gambian to be recognised or sanctified as
sovereign. Unfortunately, the prospects for the attainment of these lofty and
necessary goals were aborted mid-way by the clash of two differing and opposing
desires. It later became very clear that two strains constituted the NADD
leadership. One group was interested and committed to the cause of removing the
APRC regime and replacing it with a democratic dispensation where the
empowerment of the people, the rule of law, constitutionality, economic, political
and a predictably stable and social accountability order is in place or
prevail. The other group was only interested in a change of regime where the
status quo will be maintained with absolute power vested in a privileged
executive which is sustained by a non-politically enlightened, divided and
dis-empowered electorate. Hence it was the existence of and struggle between these two
irreconcilable interests that led to the eventual break-up of NADD which
shattered many peoples hopes for a new and democratic Gambia to be midwived by a
United Opposition Front.
The repercussions were: widespread voter apathy, President Jammeh re-elected
with a narrow escape, the two opposition presidential candidates from the
socalled ‘majority’ and socalled ‘minority’ parties both losing the election.
Infact, when one reviews the results with circumspection, one will not fail
to discover that President Jammeh is far from being popular and has just
narrowly escaped due to the opposition disunity which led to the large-scale
voter apathy. Again, the number of registered voters who did not vote are more
than those who cast their votes for Jammeh. Can one call this popularity?
Indeed, it is even the UDP that emerged to be the sole loser because of its
shrinking ‘fortunes’ or support in terms of votes. The UDP lost nearly 30% of its
votes whilst the combined UDP/NRP 40%. This is how much the disunity costs
the UDP/NRP.
Now, whether this will be repeated is left to the electorate. However what
is certain is that a critical National Assembly is very crucial in ensuring
that The Gambia continues to exist as a fledging democracy. This however cannot
be realized if the voters allow the APRC to again command a majority in the
Assembly. Again quoting my sister’s words of wisdom “Don’t give the person
the meat and also the knife, lest he cut a pound of flesh from a part of your
body that will send you straight to your grave.” Since President Jammeh is
mandated to serve for 5 years, a critical National Assembly composed of
competent, dignified, selfless and determined members should also be elected to
serve as an efficient oversight institution to prevent excesses, misrule impunity
and mismanagement by the executive.
Long Live The Gambian People
Long Live Democracy
Long Live The Gambia
O. S
A Concern Citizen
HALIFA ON THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
By Abdoulie G. Dibba
In his contribution to the budget speech, the minority leader and member for
Serrekunda Central, Honourable Halifa Sallah, asserted that the existence of
the of the financial institutions in the country has not impacted on the
export, employment and the eradication of poverty. The rest of the speech runs
as thus:
Honourable Speaker, we are told by the Secretary of State for Finance and
Economic Affairs at paragraph 6 of his budget speech that :prudent Fiscal
Policy needs to be complemented with strong monetary policies. He went on to say
that “the Central Bank will continue its reforms to guarantee price
stability, maintain a viable external position at the same time, promote a sound and
flexible financial system.
‘Honourable Speaker, if one looks at the issue of the financial
institutions, one would discover that the banks are actually engaged in providing credit,
but the credit they are providing to the private sector is very limited.
This fact, Honourable Speaker, could be seen under paragraph 20 where the
Secretary of State indicated that “the Net Domestic Asset of the banking system
rose to D3’4 billion at end of September, 2006 or 16.2 percent reflecting a
strong domestic credit growth during the 9 months ending September 2006. Domestic
Credit increased to D4.2 billion or 20.0 percent, of which credit to the
private sector grew by 27.1 percent to D2.2 billion at end of September 2006".
But… under paragraph 21, it indicates that “a sectoral analysis of the
distribution of commercial banks credit revealed that 23.3 percent of the total
loans went to the distributive trade sector. Loans and advances to the
agricultural sector captured 19.9 percent, whilst personal loans accounted for 17.6
percent of outstanding credit.
‘Honourable Speaker, if one look at the bottom of paragraph 21, one would
discover the government aspect, indicating that “the banking system’s net
claims on government increased to D1.3 billion or 66.1 percent, largely
reflecting government’s resource to bank financing of deficit.” There is absolutely
no doubt, Honourable Speaker, that as long as government does not maintain a
surplus and it goes to the banking sector to be able to get credit to meet its
deficit, then the private sector will be clapped out from getting the type
of resources that it needs for investment. Honourable speaker, it is also very
clear that if the banking system does not invest in the production base and
that if the interest rate remains as they are, then the productive base will
not be impacted on, and in that sense, we will not be able to export more and
in that case, the export will not be able to give us the type of foreign
exchange that we need to be able to maintain the type of system that we are
talking about as far as the monetary system is concern. It is my conviction that
what is helping us is exactly what is stated in paragraph 22 of the budget
speech and that is, we have sustainable inflows of foreign currencies through
remittances, the travel trade which consequently helped the dalasi to be
stabilized. Honourable Speaker, we also have a lot of re-export trade taking place
which also means that we would inject more foreign exchange into the
national economy. So, one can expect that as long as that proceed, we would be able
to maintain the stability of our currency. But Honourable Speaker, the
situation that we must bear in mind is that the remittance cannot be linked to
sustainable development, we cannot also say that the re-export trade can be
linked to sustainable development, we cannot also say that the travel trade can be
linked to sustainable development. This is so Honourable Speaker because
these are factors that we cannot completely control. Honourable Speaker, I must
say that the best investment that Gambia can make is investing in good
governance. As long as there is stability in the country, these processes can
continue and as a result, we can benefit immensely from the foreign exchange that
come into the economy, thus helping us to maintain our accounts outside and
at the same time help us to stabilize our currency. It must also be emphasised
here Honourable Speaker that my focus therefore is that we need to still
work on development of the productive base of the economy in order to move
towards sustainable development, otherwise, we would just be maintaining a very
fragile economy which can sustain us as long as the situation of stability
exists in the country. Honourable Speaker, I then move on to the other
institutions of accumulation because investment must rely on the institution of
accumulation and we have seen that in the banking sector than the other sectors,
industries, manufacturing and other basis of employment generating.
Honourable speaker, we are told that macro finance institutions have emerged
in the country but if one looks at these macro finance institutions,
Honourable Speaker, one would discover that the level of capitalization of these
institutions are so limited that when they give assistant, it must be for a very
short period or at a high interest rate that is not affordable by the poor.
Honourable Speaker, we are told that the Visacas, as well as the other
macro-savings credit institutions exist to be able to help the poor. They are
suppose to be 62 village savings and credit institutions and 53 savings and
credit associations called VISACAS. If you look at the level of resource
accumulation for the Gambia Women Financial Association, we are talking about D18.1
million being part of its loan portfolio and you go to SDF, we are talking
about D41 million being provided to 1,566 groups. Honourable speaker, we need to
look at these institutions again, do a study and see the type of loan they are
giving, the type of recovery that they are attaining and the type of social
impact they are having in improving income or livelihood. It is not enough
only to mention that this institution exist and that they have provided this
amount of money. It is necessary for us to know the social impact.
Honourable Speaker, such a report would enable as to know whether these
institutions are impacting on poverty or not’.
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