>From: "Amie Sillah" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
>Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 19:51:15 +0000
>
>
>
>Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
>
>Issue No. 76/2006, 11-12 September, 2006
>
> 
>
>Editorial
>
>The Public Service and Political Activities
>
>Many employees of the public service are now actively engaged in 
>campaigning for the APRC contrary to the requirement of the constitution as 
>is evident in the leading article published in this edition of FOROYAA. 
>Some NGOs that are supposed to serve the people irrespective of their 
>political inclination are also involved in the campaign.
>
>According to paragraph 13 of Section 222 of the Constitution “A person 
>holding an office in a public service or any disciplined force shall not –
>
>(a) allow his or her political inclinations to interfere with the discharge 
>of his or her official duties;
>
>(b) be a member of, or take part in any association of persons which might 
>prevent him or her from impartially discharging his or her duties; or
>
>(c) take part in any activities which cast doubt on his or her capacity to 
>deal impartially with matters or issues which are the concern of his or her 
>public office or which interfere with the performance of his or her public 
>duties.”
>
>The report published in this edition exposes the use of vehicles owned by 
>parastatals and NGOs, the pasting of photographs on these vehicles and 
>official premises, the wearing of APRC caps, T-Shirts and other apparels.
>
>This is a clear violation of the constitution and against the letter and 
>spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding between political parties. It 
>impinges of the credibility of the election.
>
>On the other hand, after days of objective and balanced reporting and 
>display of professionalism in fulfillment of its constitutional and legal 
>obligation GRTS seems to be losing its steps and sliding backwards. In the 
>past three days it has been carrying two or three news reports for Yahya 
>Jammeh (the APRC presidential candidates) but only one news report for each 
>of the other presidential candidates. Moreover, the civic and voter 
>education programme has not been broadcast for the past three days now. 
>Why?
>
>The IEC and election observers should take note.
>
> 
>
>NGOs AND PUBLIC OFFICERS CAMPAIGN FOR APRC
>
>By Fabakary B. Ceesay
>
>As the campaign for the presidential election approaches fast, both the 
>public and private sectors have been dragged into the campaign for the 
>ruling APRC. At Farafenni, this reporter saw an ADB Nissan patrol vehicle 
>with registration number ADB 360TA with the photo of President Jammeh 
>pasted at the front and the occupants dressed in APRC colours, with the 
>slogan “Vote for Jammeh”. A double cabin registration number NAWEC 27 with 
>an APRC flag and a photo of Jammeh pasted on the windscreen was also seen. 
>A “Girls Education” Project vehicle was also spotted with the occupants 
>dressed in APRC party colours. At the Gamtel branch office in Farafenni, 
>most of the staff, were dressed in APRC T-Shirts and using pens with APRC 
>symbols. However, this
>reporter also saw many vehicles with their number plates covered to hide 
>their true registration numbers. At the Kuntaur Area Council office, a big 
>photo of Jammeh was pasted at the veranda of the main office with the 
>slogan, “Vote for Jammeh and Progress”. Many of their staff also dressed in 
>APRC T-Shirts and used pens with APRC slogans.
>
>When this reporter arrived at the Lamin Koto ferry crossing point, he saw 
>GPA staffs who were manning the ferry dressed in APRC colours and T-shirts. 
>This reporter asked them why they were putting on APRC T-shirts while at 
>work. Their response was: “We are good citizens.” A big picture of Jammeh 
>could be seen pasted on the ferry. At the Farafenni GPTC depot, an APRC 
>flag could be seen fluttering at the front gate.
>
> 
>
>In Bansang I saw a GIA vehicle registration number GIA 17 loaded with APRC 
>fans waving APRC flags. I also saw prison officers putting on green attire 
>using a P.A system fixed on a vehicle singing the song entitled “Afinjang”. 
>At the ferry terminal in Basse Yaya Jammeh’s photo is pasted everywhere and 
>the staff are putting on APRC caps at the immigration station. I also saw 
>Jammeh’s photo pasted everywhere there and an immigration officer sitting 
>outside putting on APRC cap. At the Basse Area Council an APRC flag 
>fluttered at the gate. I also saw a GIA vehicle with Registration Number 
>GIA 10. Yaya Jammeh’s photo could be seen on the wind screen of the 
>vehicle. At the army barracks in Basse, soldiers on guard were putting on 
>APRC T-shirts and
>caps. In NAWEC on 10th September I saw a NAWEC double cabin pick up 
>registration number NAWEC 49 with Yaya Jammeh’s photo exhibited on the wind 
>screen and the staff on board putting on APRC caps.
>
>Meanwhile Surakata Danso filed in the following report:
>
>FAJARA MILITARY BARRACKS, PIU AND PRISON TURN INTO A POLITICAL ARM OF THE 
>APRC
>
>Fajara Military Camp, which serves as the headquarters of the State Guards, 
>the only unit of the army that is given limited Police duties, has turned 
>into a political arm of the APRC. This was confirmed by this reporter as an 
>eyewitness on Friday 1st Sept 2006.
>
>The officials of the Police Intervention Unit (the paramilitary) have 
>joined the political fray by displaying a poster with the inscription “Vote 
>for Jammeh”. The poster was displayed at the PIU gate barely three days 
>after the nomination of the presidential aspirants. The poster bears the 
>photograph of President Jammeh. An APRC flag was also displayed at the gate 
>of Mile Two Central Prison.
>
> 
>
>NADD RECEIVES TUMULTUOUS WELCOME IN SANJAL
>
>By Fabakary B. Ceesay
>
>The people of Sanjal, Sarra Kunda, Ngain and Dibba Kunda in the Sabah 
>Sanjal Constituency have vowed to vote massively for the NADD candidate in 
>the forthcoming Presidential election to behold 22nd September.
>
>Addressing party supporters at different villages, Halifa Sallah told the 
>electorate to be aware of their rights. He advised them not to allow 
>anybody to intimidate them. Halifa said that a human being should not allow 
>himself and herself to be ridden like an animal until he dies. He said that 
>any human being, who does not know his worth, dignity and rights his 
>country, will never know his worth and dignity in the world. He pointed out 
>that the people are the power base of the country and power resides in them 
>(the people). He assured them that NADD shall empower the people by 
>restoring the rights that they have lost during the APRC rule.
>
>At Sarra kunda, two hundred (200) youths who called themselves “democracy” 
>vowed to vote massively for the NADD flagbearer. The youths named their 
>football tournament (Nawettan) after the NADD flag bearer. Speaking on 
>behalf of them, Bunja Sabally said, that they have suffered under the 
>present regime. He noted that they are lack of job opportunities. He asked 
>how the people can return to farming when the government cannot buy their 
>groundnuts. At Ngain, the youths displayed their support for the NADD party 
>and vowed to vote Jammeh out, who they said does not represent the interest 
>the youths. A youth leader at Dibba Kunda, Musa Jallow, paraded two hundred 
>and sixty people who defected from the APRC to NADD. Hundreds of people at 
>Kubejah Ngabo
>and Sunchu came out to welcome the NADD entourage on their way to the 
>meeting spots. The NADD convey was escorted to Sanjal constituency by 
>people from the area.
>
> 
>
>STANDARD CHARTERED BANK BRANCH MANAGER CHARGED
>
>By Yaya Bajo
>
>A  Manager at the Standard Chartered Bank’s SeneGambia branch, Isaac John, 
>was brought before principal Magistrate Moses Richards, of the Bundung 
>Magistrate Court, last Friday and charged for stealing the sum of D6, 289, 
>170.44 (six million, two hundreds and eight-nine thousand, one hundred and 
>seventy dalasis, forty-four bututs) from the coffers of the aforesaid bank. 
>When the charge sheet was read to the accused in English, he pleaded not 
>guilty.
>
>The accused person, Issac John, narrated that he was arrested by the Police 
>and was later granted bail. He added that he was asked by the Police to be 
>reporting regularly at the Police Station which he had been doing until 
>last Tuesday, September 5th 2006, when his bail was revoked, based on the 
>fact that he was interfering with Police investigations. According to 
>Police Prosecutor Touray, the bail granted to the accused was revoked 
>because he was believed to have been tampering with the investigations.
>
>Borry Touray, Counsel for the defendant, told the court that there was no 
>evidence in court that his client was going to interfere with the Police 
>investigations. He added that his client was innocent as he alone cannot 
>steal such a huge amount of money without conspiring with any other person. 
>He expressed doubt that such an amount of money cannot be stolen from a 
>reputable bank like the Standard Chartered Bank, without going through the 
>computer system.
>
>Magistrate Richards stated that the crime which the accused was charged 
>with was not treasonable; that therefore his offence is bailable. He 
>therefore granted the accused person bail for D2.5 million together with 
>two Gambian sureties, one of whom must have a landed property within the 
>Kanifing Municipality. He added that both of them should deposit their 
>identity cards with the Police. He further urged the accused person not to 
>tamper with Police investigations. “An allegation has been made and you 
>have the right to defend yourself diligently,” he advised the accused 
>person.
>
> 
>
>JOURNALISTS DRAW GUIDELINES FOR ELECTION REPORTING
>
>By Bubacarr K. Sowe & Amie Sanneh
>
>Twenty-five journalists form the Public and Private Media, on Tuesday 
>adopted a code of conduct aimed at guiding journalists on how to report 
>ethically and professionally, in the forthcoming presidential, 
>parliamentarian and local government elections. The two day brainstorming 
>session was organized by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), at 
>that Gambia Pastoral Institute along the Kairaba Avenue
>
>Dr. Henry D.R. Carrol, Acting Solicitor General, told participants that 
>they have a pivotal role to play in election reporting and that as 
>responsible journalists; they must always report objectively and 
>accurately, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
>
>“It is an obvious fact, that free, vibrant and responsible journalism, is 
>indeed a corner stone of or an integral part of any functional democracy. 
>In the same vein, irresponsible journalism or “gutter, journalism” “is 
>overtly illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional,” Dr. Carrol said.
>
>Mr. Madi Ceesay, President of the Gambian Press Union, advice colleagues 
>that there should be a clear separation between facts and comments. “News 
>reporting should reflect the facts as honestly perceived by journalists,” 
>he said.
>
>Mr.Malleh Sallah of the I.E.C remarked that journalists should make sure 
>that information given out to the public is correct. He also said that no 
>election result should be published or broadcast before the IEC 
>announcement.
>
>Below is the full text of the code of conduct.
>
> 
>
>CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ELECTION REPORTING
>
>1. Journalists and Media Practitioners report accurately without bias.
>
>2. Journalists and Media Practitioners should not suppress essential 
>information that does not pose a threat to national security.
>
>3. Journalists and Media Practitioners should avoid using language or 
>expressing sentiments that may further discrimination or violence on any 
>grounds, including race, six, sexual orientation, language, religion, 
>political or other opinions, and national or social origins.
>
>4. Journalists and Media Practitioners must Endeavour to uphold the ethics 
>of the profession and must never reveal to any politician, the content of 
>any news item before it is published.
>
>5. Journalists and Media Practitioners should regard the following as grave 
>professional offences.
>
>· Plagiarism.
>
>·Malicious misrepresentation.
>
>· Calumny, slander, libel or unfounded accusations.
>
>· Acceptance of a bribe in any form in consideration of either publication 
>or Suppression.
>
>6. Journalists and Media Practitioners must educate the public on the 
>policies and programmes of the various political parities in a manner 
>easily understood.
>
>7. Journalists and Media Practitioners should promote democratic values 
>such as the rule of law, accountability and good governance.
>
>8. Political Parities should e given equal air time, space and treatment in 
>our print and electronic media houses during elections.
>
>9. Journalists and Media Practitioners must always endeavor to uphold their 
>social responsibilities and should protect national interest against 
>individual interest.
>
>10. The media should continuously educate and sensitise the public on the 
>Memorandum of understanding (MOU) sign by different political parities the 
>EOWAS and the Independent Electronic Commission (IEC).
>
>11. The media should serve as watchdogs to ensure that stakeholders respect 
>and uphold the Memorandum of understanding (MOU).
>
>12. Journalists and Media Practitioners should endeavor to access relevant 
>materials in order to provide the public with adequate information on their 
>Civic Right and duties.
>
>13. Journalists must ensure that anything that violates the constitution is 
>not published or broadcast.
>
>14. During campaign or election period, journalists must not wear any 
>campaign material of any political parity.
>
> 
>
>NADD CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS
>
>By Fabakary B. Ceesay
>
>The Chairman of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD), 
>Mr. Landing Jallow Sonko, has explained to the electorate the reasons of 
>the formation of NADD and the withdrawal of UDP and NRP from the alliance.
>
>Addressing a mass rally at Sanjal Sarra Kunda, Mr. Sonko said that NADD was 
>formed by Five (5) parties, namely, PDOIS, UDP, NDAM, PPP and NRP. He said 
>that all political parties were of the view that one party cannot remove 
>the Jammeh administration from office due to the amendment to Section 48 of 
>the Constitution which states that the candidate must have 50% of the votes 
>cast at an election in order to win. He said the new amendment states that 
>a person who has the highest number of votes will be the winner of an 
>election. He said the formation of NADD was since endorsed by all the 
>parties and Gambians abroad. He said the inception of NADD, they have gone 
>through by-elections and they won in Wuli West, Jarra, and
>Serrekunda Central. He pointed out that Darboe left NADD at a time a 
>flagbearer was to be selected. Darboe tendered his letter of resignation 
>and complained that there was dishonesty and human frailties. The NADD 
>Chairman, asserted that the Executives then decided to make decision for 
>Darboe to lead but should leave office after five (5) years, but he 
>refused. He pointed out that, the Executive of NADD also advised Darboe 
>that both Halifa and him can pull out for a new aspirant candidate, but 
>Darboe again refused.
>
>He noted that, NADD is a party of parties and that it has come to salvage 
>The Gambia from the wicked hands of the Jammeh regime. He also told the 
>electorate to vote massively for NADD come 22nd September polls. He assured 
>the farmers that their groundnuts will be purchased by the NADD government. 
>Also speaking at the rally, Kebba Cham, the NADD area Chairman, called on 
>the people of Sarra Kunda, not to vote for the party that will promote 
>violence and intimidation. “If APRC is voted into office again, many bona 
>fide citizens will go exile.”
>
> 
>
> 
>
>LAWYER DARBOE UNVEILS PLANS
>
>By Amie Sanneh
>
>Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, the flagbearer of the UDP/NRP/GPDP Alliance has 
>unveiled his plans. Speaking to supporters at a meeting held in Sabakh 
>Sanjal, Lawyer Darboe revealed that if he is voted in as President, he will 
>appoint Hamat Bah as his Vice President and Henry Gomez as Senior Minister. 
>He pointed out that his alliance can develop the country noting, they have 
>contacts with experienced people abroad who can move the country forward.
>
>Hamat Bah who earlier spoke at the meeting said Sabach Sanjal will never be 
>left out on their development agenda, if they win the election.
>
>Mr. Bah added that under their regime nobody will suffer and they will have 
>all what they are supposed to have.
>
>He urged them to rally behind them. The Chairman of the area, Saidou Ann, 
>said they will always rally behind the UDP/NRP/GPDP noting that they can 
>solve their problems.
>
>Gamo Gaye and Biran Sey who spoke at the meeting expressed similar 
>sentiments. They complained that their groundnuts have not been bought by 
>the Government.  They said, rather, the Government bought them on credit 
>which they said is really affecting their lives.
>
> 
>
> 
>
>DON’T SELL YOUR VOTES
>
>Hamat tells supporters
>
>By Amie Sanneh
>
>Hamat Bah, on Friday night, at a meeting held in Kaur, has strictly warned 
>his supporters not to sell their votes to any political party. To do so, he 
>noted, means that they are selling their dignity and power.
>
>Mr. Bah said now that Ramadan is approaching vote buyers have ample 
>opportunities. He said, they will give out rice, sugar or money in exchange 
>for the votes.
>
>He encouraged the people to vote out the Jammeh Government by the ballot 
>box. He asked residents to vote for them in order for them to change the 
>country and develop Kaur as it is supposed to be.
>
>He pointed out that they do not have problems with any tribe and urged them 
>to vote for them during the September 22 polls.
>
>Ousainou Darboe who also spoke at the meeting told his supporters that if 
>they are voted in they will develop Kaur to the admiration of all. He 
>promised that if voted in, they would not misuse or mismanage public funds 
>but will rather utilise it for the benefit of the nation. Lawyer Darboe 
>said they will fight against corruption and can remove it from the country. 
>Job opportunities, he said, will be provided to the people.
>
>He noted that Gambians are now ready to remove President Jammeh from power. 
>A meeting was held in Ndowen, also.
>
> 
>
>PRESIDENT JAMMEH HOLDS MEETING
>
>President Yahya Jammeh has told party supporters at Sabbah Sanjal that 
>neither Coup d’etat nor election will remove him from power.  Jammeh made 
>this statement at a meeting held at Sabbah Sanjal on Monday.
>
>“It is only God who can change my government.  As the President of this 
>country, I have measured up to expectations’, Jammeh remarked.
>
>“I am not on   a Political tour, but rather on a dialogue with the people”, 
>Jammeh noted.
>
>Omar Bah and Ousainou Sallah who claimed to be the Coordinators of the 
>opposition United Democratic Party and the National Reconciliation Party in 
>the area, informed the meeting of their defection to the ruling APRC 
>Party.  They informed the meeting that their defection to the APRC is 
>triggered by the developments undertaken by the Jammeh administration.
>
>The Secretary of State for Agriculture cum National Mobiliser of the ruling 
>APRC Party, Yankuba Touray, told party supporters that their party is the 
>only party that stands for the development of the country.
>
>For his part, the National Assembly member of the area, Kebba Lang Camara, 
>said the defection of the two bigwigs to the APRC is a plus to their party 
>[APRC].  He said he can say that there are no opposition sympathizers in 
>Sabbah now.
>
> 
>
> 
>
>ADA ON VIOLENCE FREE ELECTIONS
>
>By Isatou Bittaye
>
>The Alliance for Democracy in African (ADA) held a forum to sensitise the 
>public about the importance of elections and the need for conducting a 
>violence-free election. The sensitisation took place on Thursday, 
>7th September, 2006, in Tallinding. The conference brought together a cross 
>section of the forum was “Conducting Violence Free Election.” Speaking on 
>the occasion, Mr. Momodou Gassama of the National Council of Civic 
>Education (NCCE) urged voters to avoid politics of insults and castigation. 
>He said elections are meant to
>provide voters options to choose from. Mr. Gassama implored a bid to 
>convince one another. He further cautioned people not to wear party symbols 
>or colours on Election Day. “Cast your votes and go home. Wait for the IEC 
>to announce the results,” he remarked. He urged the electorate to desist 
>from over excitement when their party of choice opponent.
>
>A development consultant, Lamin Ceesay, called for tolerance amongst 
>voters. He said belonging to different parties does not make voters 
>enemies. Mr. Ceesay underscored the importance of the press in contributing 
>to violence-free elections and urged them to report objectively.
>
>In another development, the Chairperson of the Association, Mrs. Haddy 
>Badjie, spoke on the need for violence free elections. She said elections 
>should not bring about enmity within the society. She urged participants to 
>vote objectively and desist from insulting one and other. She added that 
>The Gambian community is one and election should not separate them.
>
> 
>
>ASPIRING MIGRANTS SUE AGENT
>
>By Yaya Bajo
>
>Ebrima Ceesay, an agent for over a hundred people who were trying to reach 
>Spain through the Canary Islands by a makeshift boat, was dragged into 
>court last Friday by four of those aspirant migrants, claiming a sum of 
>D40,000 each, paid to him as being the price for the journey to Spain. The 
>migrants sued the agent following their unfortunate return without finding 
>their way to the Canary Islands, after spending eleven days in the ocean, 
>searching for the route to Spain without success.
>
>According to the would be immigrants, they demanded their monies upon their 
>return but the defendant, Ebrima Ceesay, refused to surrender their monies 
>to them. Lawyer Mboge, Counsel for the defendant submitted that the 
>defendant cannot be blamed for their (migrants) miserable voyage because he 
>(Ceesay) had performed the contract. “My lordship, there was performance on 
>the side of my client and the intending migrants were unable to find their 
>way and had to return,” he further submitted.
>
>In his intervention, Magistrate Moses Richards of the Bundung Magistrate 
>Court, ruled that the matter depends on the terms of the contract agreed 
>upon by both parties. He added that he did not want to bring the case into 
>its legal aspect as it does not have any policy that binds it because it is 
>new in The Gambia. “It has no legal binding. It is just like people who 
>entered into fraudulent visa application processes,” he maintained. “Anyway 
>for this case, I believed there was performance because they (the 
>complainants) have boarded the boat and set sail by spending two weeks on 
>the waters and later returned. He further stated that the defendant
>had discharged the obligation of the contract, but that he was quick to 
>sternly warn the defendant to desist from such clandestine business, 
>because it is illegal.
>
>Magistrate Richards further stated that the law cannot pursue the defendant 
>if he had earlier on disclosed to the complainants that he was only acting 
>as an agent. He went on to say that if the defendants failed to disclose 
>his position as agent to the complainants he would be liable.
>
>The case was adjourned to 13th September 2006 for hearing.
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