Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 14/2008, 1 – 3 February2008
Editorial
THEFACTS BEHIND THE DEBT RELIEF OF THE PARISCLUB
The Paris Club comprises 19 Creditor Governments, namely,Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,Ireland, Italy, Japan,
the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden,Switzerland, the United Kingdom
and the United States.
Thesecountries have formed a group comprising financial officials who meet
every sixweeks at the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance, and Industry in
Paris and is chaired by asenior official of the French Treasury.
The clubdeveloped as countries moved towards Independenceand countries in
the North tried to shield themselves from unilateral debtcancellation by
countries in the south. The members of the club developedstrong links with the IMF
and the World Bank which establish performancecriteria for debtors and then
give recommendations for debt restructuring, debtrelief and debt cancellation.
The Gambia hassatisfied the conditions established by the IMF after falling
behind by threeyears. The IMF and the World Bank recommended for Gambiato be
offered debt relief by the Parisclub.
This iswhy the SoS for Finance and Economic Affairs led a delegation to
negotiate withrepresentatives from the following creditor countries, namely,
Austria, Belgium,Denmark, France, Germany,Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, and the
United Kingdom. We are informed bythe Department of state for Finance that
the stock of debt owed to the ParisClub creditor countries amount to 40
million dollars, which is approximately800 million Dalasi. If this is compared to a
22, 000 million Dalasi total debtthen one would realise that one is dealing
with a small fraction of Gambia’s debt.
It goeswithout saying that, the Department could best help the people to
understandthe significance of the debt relief by issuing a press release
indicating thecategories of the stocks of debt owed by the country and the sum
attributableto each category. This should then be followed by the cumulative
stock of debtand the value of each relief package.
In termsof the Parisclub, we are dealing with debts owed to governments and
not the private sector.The fundamental lesson to learn from this is that the
governments of the southare grossly indebted to the governments of the North.
Let us consider Nigeria alone.It had to pay all its debts in 2006 which
amounted to 30 billion dollars. Thisshows the amount of wealth governments are
reaping through debts and interestpayments as economic players, while some
naïve African intellectuals are scheminghow to distance African governments from
productive ventures which could earnthem income other than tax revenue.
Furthermore,the Department of state indicated two types of relief which had
been granted.According to them, 11.6 million dollars out of the 40 million
has beencancelled. This is equivalent to the sum of money the Gambia had topay
to GGC/Alimenta as compensation for the seizure of their business
The secondrelief is the cancellation of all loans signed and disbursed form
the ParisClub Creditors before July 1986.
Thirdly,some countries like Austriahave offered to cancel 86 per cent of
debt servicing flows and retain 14 percent. France excludes theLoans to Gamtel
and GRTS, Belgiumand Netherlandsalso exclude some loans.
The sumthat should have gone to the Paris Club Creditor Countries will now
go toalleviate poverty.
It istherefore necessary for Government to establish a special poverty
alleviation accountat the Central bank where such moneys shall be paid and the
public beconstantly informed how the money is spent to alleviate poverty.
JUDGMENT ON CHIEF MANNEH’S CASE DEFERRED
TheCommunity Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African
States(ECOWAS) has adjourned the case of Chief Ebrima Manneh of Daily
Observernewspaper, till March 13, 2008, according to a press release issued by theMedia
Foundation of West Africa yesterday. Judgment on the case was scheduledfor
yesterday, 31 January, 2007.
Theadjournment is to enable the courtsummon the two personnel of the
National Intelligence Agency (NIA), whoallegedly arrested Manneh on July 7, 2006 at
the Daily Observer premises, totestify. On November 26, 2007, a witness told
the court that he witnessed thearrest of the journalist by the 2 officers.
The courtalso said it needed time to translate new evidence it had received
fromManneh’s counsel into the French language.
MediaFoundation for West Africa (MFWA) is asking the sub-regional court to
compelthe government of President Yahya Jammeh to produce Manneh and to answer
forhis arrest and subsequent disappearance.
Thegovernment has denied arresting Manneh. The government has consistently
failedto appear before the court.
Manneh had“disappeared” since July 2006.
The MFWAis a regional independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization
based in Accra. It was founded in1997 to defend and promote the rights and
freedom of the media and all forms ofexpression.
Market In Terrible State
AsPublic Latrines Leak
By Saikou Cessay
Marketvendors and residents at Latrikunda Market expressed their
disatisfaction overthe terrible leakage of public latrines which according to them
resulted toinconvenience for both residents and passers-by. The Latrikunda
villagedevelopment committee and the market chairman, Modou Lamin Colley, said
theawful odour from the toilets and the leakage of faeces in the area is a public
healthconcern for those residing around the market. He disclosed that the
matter wasreported to the Cleansing Services unit of Kanifing Municipal Council
(KMC),where he was further directed to meet with the Kanifing Municipal
Council Chiefexecutive, Abdoulie Sanyang. He said his efforts to ensure that the
problem issolved turned futile as KMC refused to address the situation. He
described thesituation as causing general outrage and then called on KMC to
intervene as theduties and taxes collected from them should be earmarked to
address issuesaffecting the market. He concluded that the situation at the market
isterrible.
Speakingto this reporter, Isatou Dampha and Alhagie Sallah, all market
vendors,complained that everyday the Kanifing Municipal Council collects tax
(duty)from each vendor; that they also charge vendors to pay money based on
theamount of goods they have. She said especially during the rainy season
theynormally close their shops due to the terrible leaking and flooding oflatrines.
FatouColley, another market vendor, said she usually closes her business
during therainy season. “We can neither sell nor walk around the area during the
rains,”said Fatou Colley. She further complained that they are disturbed by
bad odourfrom the leaking latrines, adding that it hinders their livelihood
as thebusiness serves as a source of income for them.
Anothershop owner, Muhammad M. Kebbeh, also explained the constraints he
isencountering and described it as terrible, adding that he sometimes found
hisshop filled with faeces from the leaking latrines. He said that they
usuallystay at home until it is dry. He revealed that the KMC officials were
informedabout the situation but they did not respond. He said what they lost in
theirbusiness cannot be recovered by the Council.
DembaBaldeh, a restaurant owner near the market said they have stopped
serving mealsbecause of the continuous leakage of latrines and distasteful odour
in the area,which stops them from operating their businesses. He said they
always keeptheir doors close due to the persistent odour from the public
latrines.
Thisreporter made efforts to speak to the KMC Public Relations Officer, Pa
KalifaSanyang, to comment on the issue but tono avail.
D11.64Million Debt Cancelled
TheParis-Club Creditor Countries Cancelled U S 11.64 Million Of US $40
MillionOwed To Them As Their Share Of The Debt Relief Granted The Gambia Within
TheFramework Of The Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, a
pressrelease issued by the Department of State for Finance indicates. According
tothe release, following the Declaration by the Boards of the IMF and the
WorldBank, in December, 2007, that The Gambia reached its Completion Point under
theEnhanced Heavily Indebted Poor countries (HIPC) Initiative and became
eligiblefor debt relief under the scheme and the Multilateral Debt Relief
Initiative(MDRI ), The Gambia Government and representatives of the Governments
ofAustria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway
andThe United Kingdom referred to as “Participating Paris Club creditor countries”
met on 24 January, 2008 in order to finalize cancellation of the Paris Club’
sshare of the debt relief within the framework of the enhanced HIPC
initiative,as calculated in the Completion point report.
Therelease confirmed as follows:
1) Thestock of debt due to Paris Club creditor by the Republic of The Gambia
wasestimated to be around U$$ 40 million as of 1‘ December 2007. In order
tocontribute to restore the debt sustainability of the Republic of The
Gambia,participating Paris-Club creditor countries decided to cancel U$$
11.64million, [On all loans signed and disbursed from their group of creditorsbefore
July, 1986] in its entirety and part of the post-cut off date debt-,(i.e. loans
signed and disbursed after the cut-off date July, 1986) were also,cancelled
and forgiven. Bilateral agreements with the affected Paris Club
creditorcountries are to be signed by end June 2008 to operationalise this Paris Club
Agreement.In the agreements concluded, Austria will provide Naple’s Terms treatment
bycancelling 86% of debt servicing flow and the remaining 14% to be paid on
duedates. However, Franceexcludes loans to Gamtel and GRTS from its debt
relief treatment and therecently signed Loans for the Global Maritime Disaster
and Safety SystemProject from Belgium and theGreater Banjul Water Supply Project
from ING, Netherlands are also excluded fromdebt relief treatment.
2) The Republic of The Gambia is committed to allocate theresources freed by
this debt treatment to priority areas identified in thecountry’s poverty
reduction strategy. The authorities of the Republic of The Gambiaare committed
also to seek comparable treatment from all their other externalcreditors.”
TheGambian delegation was led by the Secretary of State for Finance and
EconomicAffairs.
Arrests in Dibba Kunda
By Abdoulie Dibba
Informationreaching this paper has it that ten people, who claim to be
supporters of theIndependent candidate of Sanjal Ward in the 2008 council
elections, werearrested on Saturday and Sunday by the Farafenni Police.
Accordingto our source, the arrestees are all residents of Dibba Kunda, a
village inSabach Sanjal constituency. The arrestees include, Ali Ndow,
Baboucarr Ceesay,Jim Chune, Jim Jobe 1, Jim Jobe 2, Adama Sowe, Malick Ceesay, Alhagi
Jobe, AliMbye and Biran Mbye.
Thesource indicated that Ali Ndow was arrested on Saturday and spent the
night indetention. The rest, according to my source were arrested on Sunday and
grantedbail on the same day at 11pm.
Talkingto the arrestees, they informed this reporter that they are
supporters of theindependent candidate during the local government elections but the
police areyet to inform them why they were arrested.
Accordingto them, though they are not in custody, the traveling expenses
involved whilereporting on bail is a big burden on them. They informed this
reporter thatwhen they were bailed on Sunday, the Farafenni Police asked them to
report onMonday and that when they reported on Monday, they were asked to
report on Wednesday;that when they reported on Wednesday they were again asked
to report today,Friday. This, they said is a big burden on them, especially
taking intoconsideration that they are poor farmers who have no monthly income.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Divorce oraDestruction
Part6
With Amie Sillah
UncleJoe Intervenes
Uncle Joewas called to come and prevailed upon Reuben to put sense into him.
But Reubenstill remains adamant. Uncle Joe said. “Is it really true that you
ask your momto leave her matrimonial home?” “Yes Uncle. I did not mince my
words when Isaid so. I have no regrets. I want this woman out of the house
and out of mylife.” Anita was mad with her brother. “You are getting
impossible. How can youdisown and hate your mom with a passion? You know you cannot
drive mom from hermatrimonial home. It is unheard of.” Emma chorused. “Mom
will not go anywhere.This is her home.” Reuben jumped from his seat. “Shut up
before I break youneck!” “Break it let me see!” Emma talked back at his
brother. Reuben chargedat him Ani parted them. Uncle Joe intervened. “Shouting
would not solve thisproblem. We have to be sober. We are all friends not enemies.
” Uncle Joeadvised. “If I have choices I would not have chosen this woman
as a mother. Yes!I mean it.” Mom cried her heart out. “Let me go! I am no
longer wanted. Let mego.” “No! You are not going anywhere. This is your
matrimonial home.” The twosiblings insisted. Uncle Joe was too soft to solve the
contradiction. Heinvited his paternal uncles to impress upon Reuben to let his
mom be. Theuncles came.
TheUncles Intervene
Thepaternal uncles came. A meeting was convened. Reuben was asked to rescind
hisdecision to banish his mom from her matrimonial home. Reuben remained
adamant.The uncles forced him to recind the decision to let his mom go. “This
isunheard of. Your dad left your mom in his house despite all
theircontradiction. Who are you as a son to do otherwise? Your mom will stay. Youhave to
accept it.” “I disagree! I disagree!” “It is your business. We don’tcare. We
impress it upon you to accept our decision. Your mom stays at hermatrimonial
home until she dies. That is our decision.” The siblings chorused.Reuben was
isolated. He went out. Emma brought in mom’s luggage from the verandah.
ReubenMakes Life Difficult for Mom
Reubendecided to harass mom. “ Woman, Since you refused to leave my dad’s
compound,I’ll make life very hard for you. You made your bed so you have to lie
on it.You are longer welcome.” Reuben took all the car keys from her and
instructedMusa, never to carry her anywhere. Do whatever you like to do but no
moreprivileges for you in this house.” Musa was bewildered. He just stared.
Thevicious cycle continued unabated.
Ani’sContradiction With Emma
Emma is aspoilt brat. He has no respect for his elders. He ate and messed
the diningwithout clearing it up. Ani became furious. She met him at the
verandah anddragged him by his collar. “Who do you think you are this spoilt brat?
Who willclear your mess? Mom spoils you.” Then she hit him. As she tried to
enter thehouse Emma picked the verandah ceiling brown and hit her down
unconscious.
ReubenEnters
Reubenentered in time and screamed. Mom came out shocked. She gave Emma some
slaps.Ani was rushed to hospital and admitted at an Emergency war. Reuben
called thepolice to come to his home, as the contradiction heightened.
ReubenComes Back
Reubencame back and found mom and Emma seated at the verandah. He charged
towardsEmma to discipline him.
EmmaGoes For a Knife
Emma cameout with a kitchen knife and charged towards Reuben; who gave him
his back. Ashe turned to face Emma, he stabbed him in the heart and Reuben
fell down deadinfront of his mom and brother. Mom screamed and fainted. Emma got
panicked. Hedid not bargain for this.
ThePolice Arrives
Thepolice came and witnessed everything. The knife was retrieved and
Emmaarrested. Mom was rushed to the hospital.
TheTrial
The trialbegan. It was straight forward. Six months after the murder Emma
Johnson wastried and found guilty of murdering his elder brother Dr. Reuben
Johnson. Hewas sentenced to death by firing. At that fateful day, mom fell down
death asthe judge pronounced the verdict. Emmanuel Johnson was just a
teenager 18 yearsold. It was a pathetic situation for the Johnson family. Dad died
out of heartcomplains inflicted by his wife’s vindictive venture. Mom refused
to forgive orforget. After dad’s demise Reuben continued the same vindictive
venture. Herefused to forgive or forget mom’s maltreatment of dad. This
heightened thefamily feud. Emma took mom’s side. He challenged Reuben and murdered
him incold blood.
The lawtried and found Emma guilty of 1st class degree murder. He has to die
in histeens without a wife or a child. The same thing goes for Reuben. He
diedwithout a wife or a child. Mom lost his two sons in a row. What has her
policyof vengeance brought to her? Destruction! Divorce is undesirable but if
stayingtogether destroys a family then divorce becomes a better option. We have
toforgive and forget after all we are all mortals. To err is human and to
forgiveis divine.
UTGSUand University Of East London Hold Seminaron Special Education Needs
By Gibairu Janneh
TheUniversity of The Gambia Student’s Union in partnership with students
from theUniversity of East London, on Wednesday, held a one day seminar on the
theme SupportingChildren with Special Educational Needs.
Addressingthe participants, Mr. Yaya Faal, an education student in the UT
toldparticipants that in the Gambiadisabled children were not enrolled in the
main stream schools. He saidsuperstitious beliefs encourage families to
shelter and feed those afflictedwith severe mental disorders separately and
associate them with devils and witchcraft,as well as perceive them as unproductive,
reluctant, and incapable of learningand, in some cases, are considered as bad
spell on the family. Mr Faal furthercited a survey, conducted by UNICEF in
2000, that has shown that disabledchildren are always at a disadvantage in the
mainstream schools. He said thatthe report has shown that there are no
criteria for enrollment in themainstream schools and more often than not the deaf
and blind are not enrolled.He said the report, however, states that 3.8% of
the disabled children in themainstream schools complain of harassment and
discrimination, 36.5% nevercomplain, 53.3% rarely complain and 6% did not answer
the question. 45.6% ofthem never had their parents visit them in school,
41.4% occasionally visitthem. 84.29% of these disabled children are always
punctual in school and 73.3%register good academic performance.
On theissue of child / teacher communication, Mr. Faal said the UNICEF
report revealsthat 87.19% of the teachers understand the children, 78.3% of the
childrenunderstand the teacher and that 12% of the teachers do not understand
thechildren and 21. 7% of the children do not understand the teacher. Mr.
YahyaFaal concluded that in order to improve the conditions of the special needs
ineducation, there should first be willingness on the part of the parents
toeducate them, more teachers should be trained to have broader knowledge
insociology, psychology, etc. so as to better understand the needs of thechildren
and better handle them in mainstream schools. He emphasized that thereshould
be more partnership between government and sister organizations through the
Department of State forHigher Education in enhancing the development of
special education inmainstream schools in the areas of training, provision of
materials such asbrails, printers etc and spotting children with special education
needs incommunities and subsequently enrolled them in school.
For hispart, Mr. Halifa Sallah said the greatest challenge of society is the
searchfor a refined terminology to define different groups of people
withdisabilities. He said every human being has special needs and no human being
isdisabled but rather the society makes people disabled. Mr. Sallah said
sincepeople cannot walk on the river and therefore used boats to cross, it is in
thesame way a wheelchair user uses the wheel chair since he cannot walk on
theground, noting that it is humanity that has failed its citizenry and not
thepeople’s lack of capacity. He said the question to ask ourselves is
whetherpeople with special needs are people? He then pointed out that if they arepeople,
then society must see them as people with entitlements. He said everyperson
has right to enjoy human personality and the disabled person is noexemption.
He cited section 31 of the constitution states that the right of thedisabled
and handicapped to human dignity shall be recognised by the state andsociety.
Thedisabled person shall be entitled to protection against exploitation and
toprotection against discrimination in particular as regards access to
healthservices, education and employment and this clause is further empowered
bysection 216 of the same constitution which states that, “the state shall
pursuepolicies to protect the rights and freedoms of the disabled, the aged and
othervulnerable members of society and to ensure that such persons are provided
justand equitable social opportunities”.
Mr.Sallah said what is important today is that the society needs education
to beable to address mattersof special needs. He said there should be sound
social policies so that thedifferent needs of society can be addressed. Halifa
insisted that what isrequired is to conduct a thorough research into the
various categories ofdisables that would show the full reality of the problem and
not the scatteredsurveys that may not identify all the constraints. He
challenged the UTGstudents to be ready to do such a research because, as he said,
it is the roleof a university, to produce knowledge for society.
Mr.Sallah also challenged the students to, among other things, see life as
avision and a mission and to have purpose in life, otherwise, he advised,
theywould come to see their work as an impossible task.
Mrs.Carolyn Siberfield, the lecturer accompanying the students on the field
trip,on her part, said among other things that the problems highlighted by
the twospeakers are cross cutting issues. She said it may be conceived by some
thatsince The Gambia is a developing country, and that UK, a developed one,
may have solved the problem of people withspecial educational needs. She
asserted that; that is not necessarily the case.Mrs. Siberfield reiterated that
what Halifa said is true that people whoactually made policies relating the
special education needs do not necessarilyknow everything and this is why
teachers who are in the university should carryout research which policy makers
would base their polices on. She said she issure that both the UEL and UTG
students learnt a lot from each other as well asfrom the three speakers.
Speakingon behalf of the visiting students Mrs. Heather Cornwell one of four
studentsstudying Special Education Needs thanked the UTG students and
thestudent’s union from the UTG education department for making the seminar
asuccess. She said the participants should endeavour to put into practice whatthey
have learned. She expressed delight over the occasion and hope that moreevents
will unfold in the near future.
UELField Trippers End Programs, A Unique Educational Process
By Suwaibou Touray
Ninestudents and one lecturer from the Universityof East London have
recently concludedtheir field trip programs throughout the length and breath of the
Gambia.The students have visited several educational institutions in the
country. Theyhave visited Sutukoba Nursery School, Sutukoba Lower Basic
Cycle,Wellingara Lower Basic Cycle in the Wuli East District, Bakadaji Lower Basic
Cycle,Brikama Nursery School, Simma Vocational TrainingCenter, GADHOH’s female
wing for theDeaf and Hard of Hearing at Kanifing and finally had a seminar
with theDepartment of Education students at the University of The Gambia.
Throughouttheir trip, the students have contributed immensely to schools
visited, notonly the provision of essential learning materials such as books,
pencils,crayons, drawing and painting materials, chalks etc, but also in
exchangingideas with teachers and having lessons with children.
The UELstudents, who had organized a musical show with a famous and talented
musicianrelated to one of the students back home, raised a substantial sum
of moneywhich they donated to schools in both cash and educational materials.
They alsodonated footballs to youth groups and schools
Thelecturer accompanying the students, Mrs. Carolyn, expressed delight at
the endof the tour and expressed that the field trippers definitely learnt lots
ofthings, which ordinary tourists may not know about the Gambia.
Sheexpressed hope that they would again visit the Gambia next year.
Mr.Suwaibou Touray, the Vice Chairperson of the GAM-WORLD EDUCATION LINK,
theorganization that organizes all the programs for the field trippers
expressedhis delight on the way and manner the whole thing was conducted. He said
thisyear’s trip was a complete success and students had close and
fruitfulexchanges with children and teachers. He opined that UEL students may havetaken
their material contribution for granted but that the Gambian teachers,students
and the general population know how helpful these materials would beto their
children. He said they, therefore, immensely appreciate this
uniquecontribution to the development of education in the country. He finally thankedthe UEL
for not only contributing to education but also to ECO-Tourism which,he said,
encourages the trickling down of the benefits of tourism to the grassroots
and rural communities.
UDP 7Discharged
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
The sevensupporters of the United Democratic Party from Bakau, who were
spotted at theKanifing Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 29 January, were arraigned
on Wednesday30, before principal Magistrate Buba Jawo. However, their case did
not proceedand eventually they were discharged by the court.
Theseven, Ebrima Jatta, Mariama Fatty, Jai Bojang, Fakebba Bojang, Menteng
Bojang,Sirreh Bojang and Jalika Bojang, all from the same family were charged
withprohibition of conduct which is conducive to breach of peace under
section 9 ofthe Public Order Act. The trial Magistrate, Buba Jawo held that the
charge wasvague and ambiguous. Jawo held that if the charge sheet is not clear
theMagistrate has the right to strike it out, because it will not help
toadjudicate justice.
Theprosecutor Sergeant 870 Touray, then applied for a withdrawal of the
charge forthem to put their house in order. Magistrate Jawo, therefore citing
sections 12and 13 of Criminal Procedure Code discharged all the seven accused
persons.
It couldbe recalled that the seven accused persons were arrested in Bakau on
Friday 25and Saturday 26 January, respectively, after the councillorship
electionvictory of Ousman Rambo Jatta, which resulted to a violent
confrontationbetween opposing supporters.
CasamanceNine Quiz Police Detective
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The trialof the nine alleged Casamance insurgents has proceeded on Wednesday
with thecross-examination of the prosecution witness, police detective
Amadou Sanyang.
The ninemen are on trial at Banjul Magistrates Court for purportedly
planning attackson Senegal,spying and unlawful possession of Gambian national
identity documents.
Asked bythe first accused person, Sedat Jarju, if he was present when he was
beingarrested, detective Sanyang said he was not present.
Sedatasked if he was part the investigative panel when he was brought there
twice,Sanyang answered “Yes,” but he could not tell what time. The first
accusedasked the witness how many days he spent in a cell before appearing
before thepanel, and the witness responded, “I don’t know.”
Answeringquestions from the second accused person, Ebrima Colley, Detective
Sanyang saidhe was not present when Ebrima was being arrested but he was at
theinvestigation panel and it was Salif Nyang who recorded Ebrima’s statement.
Thesecond accused also asked the prosecution witness what he was asked at
thepanel Sanyang said “Your nationality, your occupation and why you were in
TheGambia.”
Ebrimaclaimed that he had never seen Sanyang until he appeared in court but
thewitness maintained that he was part of the panel.
Alsocross-examining the prosecution witness was the third accused person
NuhaJammeh who asked him for the period between the time of his arrest and that
ofhis colleagues, but Sanyang said, “I don’t know.”
Nuhaenquired whether the items recovered by the investigators were from him
or not,and Sanyang responded that he did not know because he was not present
when theywere being arrested.
Nuhaasked Sanyang why he did not mention the name of Salif Sarjo who is the
causeof their arrest, Sanyang said he did not know it was Salif Sarjo that
causedtheir arrested.
The thirdaccused person asked the witness who is to maintain the group of
five in TheGambia, and he said it was the Senegalese government who gave them
money.
Nuhainsisted that the group of five is created by the witness in court and
it doesnot exist, but Sanyang denied that.
Thefourth accused person Lamin Sambou asked Sanyang if he knows whether
heappeared before the panel and on which day, the witness said he was at thepanel
but he could not remember the date. Lamin put it to him that it was
SalifNyang who took his statement and Sanyang was not there. Sanyang responded thathe
was at the panel but not when statements were being obtained. The
fifthaccused person, Ansumana Jarju did not cross-examine the witness.
TamsirBadjie, the sixth accused person asked Sanyang if he had seen the
pictures ofthe State House allegedly recovered from them and he said “yes.”
Tamsiralso asked if those items recovered were from an individual or from
the group,Sanyang said he did not know. He asked the witness if he was at the
NIA beforeor after their arrest and Sanyang answered that it was after their
arrest.
Sanyangadded that he was then told about the accused persons and later on
learnt that theywere nine men.
JosephJatta, the seventh accused person also did not conduct
cross-examination.
AbdouSalam Jammeh, the eighth accused person asked Sanyang if he was at the
panel inthe morning or evening, and he said he was there at midday onwards.
Abdouclaimed that, at night, he used to be taken from the police
headquarters to theNIA office for interrogation but Sanyang said he is not aware.
Abdoualso told the witness that there used to be other men (Momodou Jola
Badjie andLamin Jarju) from Salif Sarjo’s faction who were at the investigative
panel,again Sanyang said it is not true.
Theprosecution witness replied that he appeared three times at the panel.
Finally,Wuyeh Jarju the ninth accused person asked Sanyang how many
statements heobtained from him and he said “Only one.” Wuyeh asked whether the rebel
grouphe belongs to is on the statement, Sanyang said “No,” adding that he
do notremember the group as well.
Note: See Attachment for the Local Government Election Results
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