Mr Camara.
Thanks again this forward is true evidence what an APARTHIED system
Gambians are experiencing on thier own door steps.Gambians have all
rights to walk on their beaches as in any tourish destinations around the
world.However we should not allow criminals around tourist areas but
that has nothing to deny Gambian youths to enjoy our beaches.We had
tourish guides before with good effects but never soldiers beating up
people like slaves.Folks there's some thing wrong with the system in the
Gambia let's hopeYahya Jammeh with crew resigns and put the country
into better hands specially the tourish sector.
For justice
Fye Niama.
----- Original Message -----
From: Momodou Camara <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 2:43 PM
Subject: Mail from a concerned visitor
> The following mail was sent to me with a request to send it to the L.
>
> -----------------------------
> Anyone who has traveled in a third world country knows that hustlers (young
> men selling souvenirs, offering tours, ...) can be a problem sometimes. In
> an attempt to eliminate such nuisances, the Gambian government has given
> the army a free hand to 'clean' tourist zones. This happens in such a
> brutal way that I see myself obliged to react against it.
>
> Every morning soldiers pick up dozens of young men found in and around the
> tourist areas. The soldiers take the young men to their barracks, shave
> their hair and beat them with sticks. At nighttime they throw them back on
> the street. I have been travelling a lot in Africa, but never have I been
> confronted with such systematic use of violence on every day people.
>
> Last December I spent 2 weeks with friends in Serrekunda. One of them,
> Musa, works in tourism. Everyday he goes out fishing on the beach, hoping
> tourists will hire one of his fishing lines. One day he came home with his
> entire body swollen and full of open wounds. Soldiers had picked him up and
> beaten him all day with metal sticks. A few days later he introduced me to
> a friend who had received the same treatment and was left unable to use his
> arm.
>
> These razzias are very random and any youth who happens to be near a hotel
> at the time of a razzia can be a victim. Another friend, who has no
> connection with tourism, was picked up while waiting in front of the post
> office (which happens to be in front of a hotel). Fortunately he has a cell
> phone and his family could free him before the beating started.
>
> This mail is being spread in Belgium, Holland, Germany and the US. Copies
> have been sent to tour operators, media and the Gambian Government. Please
> pass it on to as many people as you can. The Gambian government depends
> heavily on tourism. Any effect on tourism may put an end to this systematic
> use of random violence.
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
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>
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