See the following newspaper article. We thank Ousainou Darboe for asking the
right questions that should be in the minds of all decent Gambians. It goes
without saying that the commission of inquiry looking into the massacre of
our children on April 10 and 11 did a disservice to the Gambian public.
Justice delayed is justice denied. The commission succeeded at nothing but
delaying the day when irrefutable proof will come in to show that Yaya
ordered the massacre of our children. The commission did not even make a
false attempt to answer the most important question. They never contemplated
calling Yaya as a witness. I do not remember the Interior minister being
forced to say who gave him orders. The moron was allowed to hide behind some
spurious 'national security' arguments in order not to answer pertinent
questions. Was the vice president or the army chief asked to explain what
the authorities did to avert this tragic event? Instead the chief justice
placed the burden on the students and in effect said that the children
should not have demonstrated against a tyrannical government that sanctioned
the torture and murder and rape of two of their own. We commend UDP for
declaring their lack of confidence in the commission's bogus and insensitive
report. A campaign should be mounted to force the AG to get the ball rolling
on the prosecution of this matter in regular criminal courts. The opposition
should not allow the AG to hand pick a prosecutor like the moron that is
handling the Ebrima Barry case. If the APRC supporters can show solidarity
to a sell-out like Lai Conteh and force Yaya to reinstate him, surely the
opposition can mobilize their bases and force the courts to bring the
culprits of the April massacre to justice.
KB


____________________________________________________________________

'WHO ORDERED THE SHOOTING?'
Darboe still demands after April 10th commission report
Ousainou Darboe the United Democratic Party leader has insisted that the
Commission set up to look into the April unrest has fallen short of
investigating and revealing the names of those who gave the orders to shoot
among the crowd of student demonstrators.
While addressing a UDP rally in Brikama Mr. Darboe said the only thing
Gambians wanted are the facts, revealing those responsible for the order to
mow down the students 15 of whom died after sustaining gunshots. 'People are
interested to know who actually ordered the shooting of the students' he
told thousands of his supporters as the UDP marked its fourth anniversary.
Mr. Darboe said the Commission has failed in it duty to reveal 'hidden
truth' about where the fatal orders came from. 'In a court of law, one must
win but the Commission headed by the Chief Justice has failed to establish
the truth to Gambians and as such it deserved a no confidence vote so' he
maintained. Mr. Darboe argued that the security forces and the students
should not share the blame for the orgy of death that followed when members
of security forces opened fire on student demonstrators.
'How can both parties be blamed? he wondered. Mr. Darboe said the month of
September has always been bad for his party, bringing with it trepidation
for its members. He said in September 1996, Kemeseng Jammeh and other party
stalwarts were 'bundled' to Jangjangbureh Prisons. He also said that it was
in the same month that the army commander ordered his men to obstruct a UDP
meeting in Kerewan. Darboe alleged that on at the same time FRI Jammeh had
also ordered their elimination in Baddibu.
He explained that it was in September that 'a gang of bandits led by Captain
Yankuba Touray ambushed my supporters at Denton Bridge'. According to him
many among his supporters were seriously beaten some of whom died as a
result. He cited Wassa Janneh, Lamin Waa Juwara, Yusupha Cham, Sarjo
Kunjang, Shyngle Nyassi and Dembo Arra Sanneh as victims of NIA and police
torture. He said the seven UDP strongmen were held for days at the Mobile
Traffic Unit without access to their lawyers. However, he said torture
arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention and intimidation are 'nothing new to
the UDP'.
On the Media Commission bill Mr. Darboe said if voted into power, he would
establish a commission according to the wishes of all Gambians to ensure the
free flow of information. He also promised that press intimidation and
harassment will end following a change of leadership. The UDP leader advised
his supporters to be law-abiding and desist from activities that might
disrupt the country's stability. 'In due course we shall succeed' he told
them.
Speaking at the anniversary rally Femi Peters the party's campaign manager
said despite the party's success in overcoming 'different hurdles' of
oppression suppression and hardship, its members will continue to 'fight
bravely' for the realisation of the UDP's objectives. The party he said is
ever prepared to face the prospects of detentions, arbitrary arrests,
unlawful dismissal of party supporters, kidnapping, torture threats and
harassment.
Lamin Waa Juwara, its propaganda secretary said Baba Jobe and 'his notorious
gang' are now engaged in the 'politics of inducement' which he said is
better then massacring innocent civilians. Mr. Juwara however condemned what
he called President Jammeh's 'ambiguity' over his innocence following
accusations of corruption. The controversial UDP official claimed that 'the
President's descendants will enjoy his wealth which he stole from the tax
payers coffers.'
Mr. Juwara said it is ridiculous to talk about the rights of children 'when
in the exercise of their constitutional rights Gambian children were
butchered'. aA group of 32 youths from Kanifing South led by Lamin Njie
announced their 'cross-carpet' to the UDP. The Benetali Women's group of
Brikama, which comprises Mr. Juwara's daughters, also 'colourfully'
decorated party leader Ousainou Darboe.

Independent


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