http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_709000/709845.stm
Protests have been taking place in several parts of the Gambia against the
deaths of 12 people on Monday during clashes between police and students.
<<...>>
It's unbelievable that my son died in such a manner ... running away from
the atrocities and bullets in Sierra Leone only to die by the bullet in the
Gambia <<...>>
Sierra Leonean refugee parent James Carroll
"It has so far been established that 12 people died and 28 were admitted to
the Royal Victoria Hospital, out of which 15 are students and 13
non-students," a statement from President Yahya Jammeh's office said.
The government statement also blamed some non-students for the violence.
"There is no doubt that the crisis was incited by the Gambia Students Union
(Gamsu) and aggravated by some bad elements and bandits who took advantage
of the situation, disguising themselves as students and encouraging the
crowd of so-called demonstrators to the damage," the statement said.
Uneasy calm
In the capital Banjul on Tuesday, there was an uneasy calm as soldiers in
pick-up vehicles patrolled the streets to maintain order.
Many worried and grieving parents and relatives gathered around the city's
mortuary for news about their missing or dead children.
<<...>>
President Jammeh is away in Cuba, attending the G77 summit
One man who lost a son was a Sierra Leonean refugee, James Carroll.
"We managed to avoid all the bullets during the fighting in Sierra Leone
only for my son to be killed by a bullet here in the Gambia," he lamented.
In the provinces, away from Banjul and nearby Serekunda, student violence
continued as many angry youths reportedly went on the rampage, burning
government vehicles and buildings in anger at Monday's killings.
Violent protests
The deaths occurred as students went on a demonstration to protest against
last month's alleged torture and murder of one of their colleagues by fire
fighters.
The peaceful march in the capital Banjul then degenerated into violence.
Some accounts allege that the students ransacked private property,
vandalised vehicles and government buildings and set fire to police
buildings.
Police are believed to have fired live ammunition on the demonstrators.
Those killed included a Red Cross volunteer, Omar Barrow, who was shot as
protesters sought refuge in the Red Cross compound.
Schools closed down
A large number of arrests have been made and the government has announced
the indefinite closure of all schools and colleges.
Those arrested included about 30 high school students who are alleged to
have burnt down an office of the national telephone company, Gamtel in the
east of the country.
Parents have been told to keep their students at home until further notice,
and the Gambia's security forces were put on maximum alert.
The unrest is taking place in the absence of the President Jammeh, who is
currently in Cuba for the G77 summit.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_708000/708863.stm
The government of Gambia says security forces are on maximum alert following
a day of violent student protests in and around the capital, Banjul, in
which at least six people were killed.
A statement said the situation was calm and the authorities were in complete
control.
The protests began as a march against alleged police mistreatment of
students but suddenly degenerated into violent clashes in the capital,
Banjul, between the security forces and young people.
Red Cross officials in Gambia said volunteer worker, Umar Barrow, was shot
by armed police who had entered the headquarters of the charity.
The officials said Mr Barrow was wearing Red Cross insignia when he was shot
and that they had protested to the authorities about the behaviour of the
security forces.
The circumstances surrounding the other deaths are less clear, but medical
personnel said many people have bullet wounds. At least one police officer
was badly injured.
Rape protest
The student demonstrations began with protests about the alleged rape of a
woman student and the alleged torture of a young man by the security forces.
Students announced plans for the demonstration at the weekend, claiming that
the Gambian Government had not responded adequately to the events.
According to witness reports, students set tyres alight, ransacked
government offices and burned vehicles. A police station, post office and
buildings belonging to state television and the independent electoral
commission were badly damaged.
The authorities have now ordered all schools and colleges to close, and said
that armed soldiers will ensure order on the streets.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
