Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 52/2007, 7 – 8 May 2007
Editorial
Setting The Pace By Dropping The Knives
By dropping the knives that they used to slice female genitals, 18
circumcisers have set the pace for others to give up the practice and follow suit.
The 18 circumcisers solemnly declared to the Gambia, in particular, and the
whole world, in general, that they have stopped the practice of FGM in their
communities and promised never to involve themselves in it again. They further
declared in public that they will take leadership and responsibility in
promoting and protecting the best interest of the girl child.
This is no mean achievement, given that FGM is a practice deeply embedded in
our culture.
The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights of women in
Africa is against FGM. This Protocol was signed by the Gambian Government
and last year it was ratified by the National Assembly.
Article 5 of the Protocol states:
Elimination of Harmful Practices
State parties shall prohibit and condemn all forms of harmful practices
which negatively affect the human rights of women and which are contrary to
recognised international standards.
State Parties shall take all necessary legislative and other measures to
eliminate such practices including
(a) creation of public awareness in all aspects of society regarding
harmful practices through information, formal and informal education and
outreach programmes;
(b) Prohibit, through legislative measures backed by sanctions, of
all forms of Female Genital Mutilation, scarification, medicalisation and
para-medicalisation of Female Genital Mutilation and all other practices in order
to eradicate them;
(c) Provision of necessary support to victims of harmful practices
through services such as health services, legal and judicial support, emotional
and psychological counselling as well as vocational training to make them
self supporting;
(d) Protection of women who are at risk of being subjected to harmful
practices of all forms of violence, abuse and intolerance.
It is evident from the citation that the government is morally and legally
obliged to play proactive role in the protection of women against FGM.
Organisations such as GAMCOTRAP, BAFROW, APGWA, SIMMA and others fighting
harmful traditional practices need their full support.
NAMS PAY LAST RESPECTS
TO BELINDA BIDWELL
By Annia Gaye
National Assembly Members on Friday bade farewell, and paid their last
respects, to the late Hon. Belinda Bidwell, the Former Speaker of the National
Assembly. The late Hon. Bidwell was the first Gambian woman to serve as Speaker
of the National Assembly. During her tenure she had witnessed the construction
and completion of the National Assembly Annex. She endeavoured to ensure
professionalism and staff development in the work of the National Assembly
Service.
Hon. Bidwell was remembered for her motherly qualities in caring for and
embracing all the members of National Assembly, regardless of partisan leanings.
She had always been saying “One must always have the interest of the nation
first before making any decision that would impact on the lives of people.”
Hon. Bidwell was fondly called “Ma” by her parliamentary colleagues. The
Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay, expressed her
profound sorrow about the death of Belinda Bidwell and described her as a true
servant of the country who has served the nation with dedication and
commitment.
She noted that Bidwell, during her tenure as speaker, conducted the affairs
of the House without fear or favour. She further noted that Bidwell was an
initiator whose ideas and good leadership qualities have enabled the National
Assembly to embark upon a number of useful programmes. She said the late
former Speaker dedicated her whole life to the service of humanity and that many
people have benefited from her generosity, especially the young ones. She
described the late Mrs. Bidwell as a diligent, good housewife, mother, servant of
the country and, indeed, woman of her words. She concluded by saluting
Honourable Bidwell on behalf of the National Assembly, Gambian people, Ecowas,
Commonwealth and other parliamentarians around the world. “Let your faith in God
go with you and may your soul rest in perfect peace,” she concluded.
Hon. Sulayman Joof, the NAM for Serrekunda West, described Hon. Belinda
Bidwell as a woman who proved successful during her tenure as the first woman
Speaker of the National Assembly. He said “Belinda is gone but she will never be
forgotten in our minds.” He prayed that her soul rest in perfect peace. The
NAM for Foni Jarrol, Hon. Borry S. Colley, also paid tribute to the former
Speaker. He said that Hon. Bidwell was a role model.
Kofi Green Harris, a Former National Assembly Member, also described Hon.
Bidwell as a Christian, who demonstrated her faith in God and in giving out
charity to the needy. He also saluted her for her respect for everybody.
The farewell was attended by family members, the Vice President, Secretaries
of State, members of the National Assembly, members of the Diplomatic and
Consular Corps, family members and other sympathizers.
CIRCUMCISERS DROP THEIR KNIVES
GAMCOTRAP And Partners Celebrate Declaration
5 May 2007 At The Independence Stadium
By Amie Sillah & Annia Gaye
At a colourful ceremony on 5 May 2007, GAMCOTRAP, with local and
international partners, celebrated the dropping of knives by eighteen circumcisers
across the length and breadth of The Gambia.
GAMCOTRAP, a Women’s Rights NGO, promotes women’s social, political,
economic and cultural rights. Its also focuses on sexual and reproductive health
rights. The organisation creates awareness on traditional practices and aims at
the presentation of beneficial practices as well as the elimination of
harmful traditional practices that are inimical to the wellbeing of women and
children, particularly the girl-child.
Among the objectives the organisation uphold are:
(1) To carry out research into traditional practices that affects the
sexual and reproductive health of women and girl children in The Gambia.
(2) To identify and promote traditional practices that improve the
status of girl children and women.
(3) To create awareness on the effects of harmful traditional
practices on the health of girl-children and women, in particular, FGM, nutritional
taboos, child/early marriages and wife inheritance etc.
Dr. Isatou Touray, Executive Director GAMCOTRAP, spoke about their
organisation.
She said it was a great challenge to open discussion on jealously guarded
secrets about FGM which was wrongly associated with religion, thus making the
debate more sensitive for women’s rights activists to engage. She continued, “
However, with effective social mobilization, tact and frankness, the topic
is now subjected to debate amongst different sectors of society. It is no
longer a taboo.” She congratulated their donors, Save the Children, Sweden based,
in Dakar. She said they used the Rights Based Approach (RBA) in addressing
traditional practices, women’s rights and gender based violence.
She listed the target group they have trained. National Assembly members,
religious and cultural leaders, women groups, circumcisers, herbalists and
journalists, among other critical targets.
She congratulated the Gambia government for creating the enabling
environment by signing the CRC, CEDAW, AU Women Protocol and the drafting of the
current Women Bill, where civil society organisations are calling for law reforms
concerning women’s rights.
Dr. Isatou Touray appealed, through Dr. Tamsir Mbowe, SoS for Health and
Social Welfare representing the Vice President, for the enactment of a law to
protect the gains already achieved concerning harmful traditional practices.
WHO country representative, Dr. Nestor Shivute made a statement.
He explained about FGM or Female Circumcision. “It comprises all procedures
involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other
injury to the female sexual organs, whether for cultural, religious or other
non-therapeutic reasons.” He tabulated the long term complications ranging
from obstruction, haemorrhage (bleeding) virginal fistula (hole), sexual pain,
etc.
He said an estimated 100 – 400 million women and girls especially in Africa
undergo some form of genital cutting. A further 2 million girls, the majority
of whom are in Africa, are at risk annually to undergo the operation. Dr.
Shivute said FGM is recognised as a form of violence against women.
He commended GAMCOTRAP, government and the partners for making the
celebration possible.
Dr. Tamsir Mbowe, SoS Health and Social Welfare deputized for the Vice
President and SoS Women Affairs.
He said the day marked a very important aspect of our continuous assessment
of the socio-cultural institution of female circumcision; that it’s a mark of
increasing maturity to subject the values and taboo surrounding this
institution; that our indigenous culture has been held in high esteem in some
quarters but that the surgical aspects of circumcision have been attributed to be
causal factors of some health hazards. “The decision to abandon the surgical
aspect is commendable”, he said. He said the decision to abandon the practice
should not extend to the denigration of the education, traditional wisdom and
knowledge identified with the process of socialization. He said “we all want
good health, the absence of ailments and no willful damaging harm to any of
our organs”.
However, let us not throw away the baby with the birth water.”
He congratulated GAMCOTRAP for not only the promotion of a democratic
culture but also for the development orientation of their work, indicated by
piloting with the concerned circumcisers on alternative employment opportunities.
He also commended GAMCOTRAP’s linkage with relevant institutions and partners
in and outside the country.
He assured them of government’s continuous support.
Mrs. Ame David, Programme coordinator of Save the Children- Sweden,
representative from Dakar, a GAMCOTRAP donor partner, made a statement. She
congratulated GAMCOTRAP, national and international partners, Gambia government and
everybody for making the celebration possible.
Part two of the programme dealt with the swearing in ceremony.
A general statement for appeal to stop FGM was made by Olimatou Sissoho from
the Greater Banjul area and Tuti Njie from the provinces. Ms. Fatou Bojang
made a general statement on behalf of the circumcisers.
Certificates were awarded to Ex-circumcisers and village heads who assisted
in the struggle for the eradication of the practice..
Present were diplomats, government representatives, journalists, activists,
women groups and people from different walks of life.
Mrs. Amie Bojang Sissoho, programme coordinator GAMCOTRAP, gave the vote of
thanks.
MODOU GAYE APPOINTED DIG
Modou Gaye of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) and ASP Essa
Badjie (alias Jesus) of the Gambia Police Force have been recently promoted.
Modou Gaye is appointed as Deputy Inspector General of Police.
Gaye was a member of the Drug Squad before the NDEA was established by an
Act of Parliament. ASP Badjie who is promoted to the rank of Commissioner, is
now the Crime Management Coordinator of the Police. He was the officer
commanding Kanifing Division before his promotion. ASP Famara Jobarteh, the Police
Spokesperson has confirmed the promotions of the duo.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
THE WRITING ON THE WALLS!!
WAS IT NOTICED?
With Suwaibou Touray
We have been focusing on politics in The Gambia. We have analyzed the
political history from pre-independence to post independence. We have stopped where
we analyzed Gambia’s economic situation in 1978/79. Let us continue from
where we had stopped.
The peace that Gambians always boast about appeared to become quite fragile
in 1980. Under the 1971 Illegal Society’s Act, the Government had banned The
Gambia Socialist Revolutionary Party of Gibril George (alias Pengu George),
The Gambia Workers Union and MOJA-G for a period of 10 years
The reasons for this action were not very clear, but going by the records
and newspaper reports, one could easily deduce the motivation behind the action.
The writing was indeed on the walls, in the form of graffiti in Banjul and
Serrekunda, as well as, provincial towns, like Basse, etc. But it appeared
that either the bureaucrats refused to read them or that by their nature of
their personal circumstances, as they were always traveling in cars, they could
not read them. The Newspapers could not publish such slogans written on walls
because they feared to be charged with libel.
However, The Gambia Outlook newspaper tried to inform the authorities
intelligently of the danger facing the country at the time. It said “there is no
smoke without fire” this simply means that with all the burning and thievery and
other clandestine activities, something of a very serious political
undertaking must be in the offing.
The outlook infact went to hit the nail on the head. It continued to report
that; “when the youths of this country say that they are determined to ruin
Jawara’s Government economically, it should not be treated lightly.” The
editor warned; “that it has come to the time when the press which is more or less
the articulate opposition in bringing to the notice of Government what it
should know, should do so without bias or fear”. The editor did not stop there,
he went on, “the sum total of the conversations in the country today is
that, since the appropriate actions that should be taken against the men in
authority, in so far as dereliction of duty is concerned financially, then the
underling would do their utmost in diverting to their own use public funds, not
mindful of its bitter and hazardous consequences” the editor concluded.
One would have thought that the authorities would take heed of this wise
warning but since African governments, in general, do not have regard for
journalists, especially independent or critical journalism, they simply discard
such information as rubbish and throw it into the trash can.
Interestingly enough, in an adjournment debate in the House of
Representatives, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Trade, Mr. M. C. Cham dubbed the
editor of The Gambia Outlook, Mr. M.B Jones, as irresponsible. According to
the paper itself, their editor and the local press were castigated and
classified as not worthy of the sheets of paper on which their editions were made.
According to the Outlook, The Gambia Press Union sent two delegates to meet
the Minister of Finance for him to elucidate his point of contention with the
Press. In that meeting, it was reported that Cham said he was specifically
referring to The Gambia Outlook. Many suspected then that the minister might
have been concerned about the recent report on the “writing on the wall” but
he instead mentioned or cited the 1978 report on the Government messengers’
petition letter to the president asking him to increase their salaries as
recommended by the Waller’s Report. The messengers told the president that
everything has been increased whilst the highest paid messenger received D100 only.
They then wrote, “we are begging our great leaders to look upon the pitiful
case of the least paid workers of the civil service and do something to help
your poor humble servants.”
The ten year ban on these organisations must have commenced from 1980 to
1990, meaning that they would not be operating as legal organisations for this
period.
According to my finding, the MOJA-G and others, but most especially the
MOJA, saw this action as a violation of their human and people’s rights. At the
time, the African Heads of State had just ratified covenants on civil,
political, economic and cultural rights, but that implementing these rights was not
an easy task. The MOJA-G argued that The Gambia government at the time was
propagating the idea that the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights was
Headquartered in Banjul because Gambia was the champion of Human and people’
s rights. They asked why The Gambia was depriving them of what they called
their legitimate right to assemble freely and, to express and even to act in
defence of their human rights as can be said of all other peoples. They also
asserted that the OAU Charter on Human and People’s rights and the United
Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 and covenants on civil
political and other rights have guaranteed them enough to operate their organisations
without interference as long as they operate according to law. Has this ban
forced these organisations to also operate underground was the question many
had to ask.
According to the Outlook the “writing on the walls” was no longer “Boys
game.” He linked the practice to that of the Irish insurgents who embarrassed
the British authorities by writing embarrassing slogans on walls. The first
thing that happened which showed that the writing was indeed that of adults was
when the news started to circulate that the president’s yacht “Mansa Kilaaba”
was burned to ashes. The questions that many asked were; was it done
because the expensive boat was named after the president’s village “Barajally?”
Why was it burned? Who was behind it? What is all these about? And so on. As I
wrote, the Government under such situations could either over-react or
under-react. Any of the two had their implications. At the time The Gambia
Government decided to under-react. They did not make it an official news. And so when
the police could not have any lead, the announcement had to be made over
Radio Gambia giving an award of D5000,a lot of money at the time as a handsome
reward to anyone who would furnish it with information leading to the arrest
and successful prosecution of anyone connected with the burning of the state
yacht, Barajally; which the announcement said, the police had identified as
arson. This was the first time it was acknowledged that certain people have
been resorting to under hand and clandestine methods to provoke Government.
The police were desperate to find the culprits and so they searched many
premises. According to Newspaper reports, a controversial warrant issued by one
A. B. A Gaye and Mr. Mboge was used to search Mr. Adboulie M’boge’s house
and this premise lived a senior magistrate whose house was also searched. All
on the strength of that purported warrant. But the Bar Association later
called a press conference and protested that the warrant was not a genuine one and
called on the authorities to stop it.
See next issue for more happenings in the 80s.
MRC SHOWCASE AT 60
By Madiba Singhateh
Thursday 4 May marked 60 years of the existence of the Medical Research
Council (MRC) in The Gambia. As part of events marking the celebration, three
new clinical services were opened. They include a Haematology laboratory at the
MRC grounds in Fajara named after Professor Hilton Whittle of MRC The
Gambia, an emeritus scientist, who has worked at the unit since 1980.
Professor Tumani Corrah, the Unit’s Director, in his speech at the ceremony
expounded on the role his institution is playing in fighting diseases in the
tropics.
He said MRC was established in The Gambia in 1947 and it remains the United
Kingdom’s largest investment in medical research in the tropics. He said MRC
employs over 750 people from more than 20 different countries, including The
Gambia.
Mr. Corrah added that their success in The Gambia is built on a true and
dynamic partnership with the Department of State for Health. .
He said the Hepatitis B and Heamophillus influenza Type B vaccines followed
successful trials of vaccines in The Gambia and it contributed towards
making The Gambia’s EPI programme one of the best in Africa. He mentioned that
they are happy to complement the Government’s efforts in providing health care
for the nation at Fajara, and their clinical facilities include well-equipped
clinical laboratories, ultra sound scanning X-ray endoscopy facilities.
The Chief Executive Officer of MRC UK Professor Colin Blakemore threw light
on the importance of MRC and the role they play in the development of The
Gambia. The British High Commissioner Mr. Phil Jinkinson, OBE said the funding
from the UK government currently stands at 10 million pounds per year. He
said this funding has provided the long term stability needed to support the
necessary infrastructure and the ability to retain excellent scientists from
all over the world. Mr. Jinkinson added that 30 different nationalities work at
MRC The Gambia, including 750 Gambians.
He said over the past years, the MRC Gambia unit has contributed over 350
million dalasi to the Gambian economy through local salaries and local
purchases of goods and services within the country. He also said it invested a
further 15 million dalasi in staff training across the board at all levels and in a
variety of disciplines and unit work. He also talked about welcoming of
student attachments at MRC from the University Medical School of Science.
He said since the Heamophillus influenzae type B vaccine was introduced, the
number of cases has dropped from over 200 to zero per 100,000 babies under a
year old and from 60 to zero cases per 100,000 or children younger than five.
Jinkinson said the clinic laboratories at MRC provide diagnostic services
including haematology, biochemistry, vaccine and microbiology, X-ray, OPD and
ward patients as well as for patients recruited in clinical vaccine trials.
He said his government is pleased to support the ongoing work of MRC.
U.S. AMBASSADOR SPEAKS
On Press Freedom Day And The Women of Courage Award
Amie Sillah Reporting
Ambassador Stafford quoted a recent statement by US Secretary of State,
Condoleezza Rice. “There is no more important pillar of democracy than a free and
active press, in fact, our founding father, Thomas Jefferson, called it the “
Fourth Estate” and by that he meant that without a free and active press the
people could not be certain that their views would be known to their leader
and that their leader’s view would be known to them.”
The Ambassador underscored the words of the U.S Secretary of State for the
importance of a free, lively, and responsible press that informs and educates
the public, and holds its leaders accountable. He stressed that the notion of
accountability is crucial in all democratic societies; that is, in
democracies, the government is accountable to the people for its actions.
The press, he said, and the media institutions in general, have a major role
to play in this regard. He went on, “Citizens in democracies expect to be
informed about decisions their governments make on their behalf, and the press
facilitates this” right to know “by serving as a watchdog over governments,
helping citizens to hold government accountable, and questioning its
policies. Democratic governments permit the press to fulfill its oversight role by
giving journalists access to senior officials for interviews, by issuing public
documents about government decision, and by avoiding censorship.”
He continued, “the press, for its part, must act responsibly. Through
professional associations, independent press councils, and “ombudsmen,” in house
critics who hear complaints from readers, the press responds to complaints of
its own excesses and renders itself accountable.” He said in a democracy, the
public is called upon to make choices and decision. That in order for the
public to trust the press, journalists must provide factual reporting based on
trustworthy sources and information. “False and biased reporting,
sensationalism, plagiarism are all counter productive for the development and
strengthening of a free press” He said.
He concluded the issue on World Press Freedom Day by assuring The Gambia
Government, as well as, its citizens and media institutions, that they can count
on the support of the U.S Government and the U.S Embassy.
The second event was the belated celebration of International Women’s Day
which is observed on March 8 of every year. The ambassador dilated that in
2007, Secretary of State Rice, decided that the U. S Government should give
special recognition annually to women throughout the world who have shown
exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women’s rights and advancement.
She announced an annual award for international women of courage and asked U.
S Embassies to submit candidates for the award.
Ms. Hannah Forster, a Gambian woman of substance, was the chosen among the
multitude for 2007. The ambassador continued to pay a tribute on Hannah. “She
is a tireless and eloquent Champion of women’s rights and human rights
generally in The Gambia and throughout the region.” He said since his arrival to
The Gambia some three years ago he has been impressed by Hannah’s dedication,
activism, courage, unswerving commitment to promoting the advancement, the
equality, the dignity of women. He gave some examples such as her advocacy on
the AU women protocol, FGM, capacity building of women rights organisations;
that Hannah is always at the forefront of national and regional efforts to
bring about reform and change for women, he concluded.
Statement By Mrs. Forster, Executive Director ACDHRS
Hannah displayed great humility in receiving the honour on behalf of the
Gambian women, in particular, and African women, in general. She gave a history
of the human rights struggle in Africa, the struggle to occupy the positions
of decision making for men and not to talk about women, the challenges, the
constraints and the way forward. She dilated on the AU women protocol as a
widely used instrument to struggle for women rights in Africa. Now the next
hurdle since the AU women protocol has come into force is to make more states
ratify and to make those who ratify to domesticate it into their state laws to
benefit women and children in their countries. “The road is rough and thorny
but with God’s grace and steadfastness God will see us through,” she said.
She called for women solidarity and networking. “We should unite on our
commonality to ensure we gain our rights and achieve peace, progress and prosperity
and we should forge partnership with men and boys who care. We have our
differences but that does not mean we are enemies. We have to learn to agree to
disagree and finally to create a common ground to carve our destiny.” She urged
women to fight the Pull Her Down (PHD) syndrome and come together, pull our
strengths to fight and achieve a common cause despite our specificities,
differences and divergences.
Hannah thanked the U.S Government and U.S ambassador for having confidence
in her and the principles she stands and works for. She promised to do her
best to serve humankind. Before she read her statement, she asked the audience
to stand for a minute’s silence in honour of the victims of the shooting at
Virginia Tech. Present were staff of the US Embassy, Journalists, Gender
Activists, Diplomats, members of the legal Profession, Staff of ACDHRS, Hannah’s
friends and well wishers.
Commentary
As a gender activists, a sister and a friend I wish Hannah many more
prestigious awards, good health, prosperity, steadfastness and courage to continue
the struggle for ever. She is a role model.
BIOGAS DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCED IN GAMBIAN COMMUNITY
By Annia Gaye
The Department of State for Agriculture in collaboration with the World Bank
has organised a one day national workshop on large scale country-wide,
Biogas Development in The Gambia with the theme “prospects and challenges of
country wide adoption of biogas technology at household level” The one day
workshop was held on the 26th April 2007 at the Corinthian Atlantic Hotel in Banjul.
The workshop was organised in order to demonstrate the viability and the
possible framework for a prospective biogas project. It has been stated that
Biogas is a renewable cooking energy source that is friendly to the environment
and to the livestock-owning rural households.
Delivering his opening remarks, the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Hon.
Kanja Sanneh said the time has come for humankind to join hands to stop the
degradation of the natural environment that can only lead to irreversible
consequences and serve natural diseases. He stated that more than 80% of
Gambians on average use half a kilo of fuel wood to cook a meal in the day. He
further stated that it is not a surprise that the forests are fast disappearing.
Consequently, he said, Gambians are spending higher sums on fuel wood, or much
more time to collect it than it used to be done ten years ago. He noted that
at this moment people are not paying only unaffordable prices for their
cooking fuel but are also facing a bleak future as the current destructive trends
continue unabated. Hon Kanja Sanneh further noted that the workshop proposes
solutions that are intended to reduce dependence on fuel wood for cooking
energy demands through the use of biogas renewable energy. He emphasised that
the development of biogas receive full support from the Government and its
propagation and said it is in tune with the Government’s stated policy of
encouraging development and adoption of renewable energy resources in the country.
He expressed his pleasure on the commendable and pioneering initiative that
peri-urban project (PSIP) has embarked on at Banjulunding to develop a
successful pilot household biogas plant which is now being expanded to additional 20
biogas plants, making it the first village in The Gambia to own such plants.
He observed that biogas can be extensively developed in The Gambia in
meeting the increased demand for cooking energy. This, he said, will help in
conserving the rapidly diminishing forest.
Lamin A.O Sanyang, the Project Co-ordinator, periurban project, said biogas
focuses mainly on women’s living in our community. He said biogas
intervention is one area which can help women to minimize the collecting of firewood and
reduce smoke in our environment. He noted that Biogas is wanted in the whole
country. The World Bank Mission Leader, Haddy J. Sey, stated that their
objective is to promote social development in the environment, as they have seen,
through research, a massive deforestation in The Gambia. She said biogas is
one of the best intellectual initiatives to be done in The Gambia.
Shuva Sharma a mission member outlined the objective of biogas, which he
said needs to be achieved as it leads to awareness about biogas. Other speakers
included Dr. Amadou Sowe, the Permanent Secretary for Agriculture. A
documentary on biogas was presented by Shuva Sharma.
KANYIBA KANYI SEEKS FREEDOM TODAY
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Reliable sources have it that a writ of habeas corpus filed on behalf of
Kanyiba Kanyi, a CCF employee, is expected to be heard in the High Court today.
In short, the applicant is asking for an order requiring Kanyiba to be brought
before a judge to decide whether he is being held lawfully.
According to family sources, Mr. Kanyi a purported member of the United
Democratic Party (UDP) was picked up from his home at Bonto, Kombo East, Western
Region on 18 September, 2006, few days before the September 2006 presidential
election.
Today’s application is the second of its kind that Kanyiba’s lawyer, Mr.
Ousainou Darboe, has been making on his continuous detention and that of Ousman
Rambo Jatta, a UDP Councillor for Bakau who has also spent several months in
custody.
The lawyer has informed Foroyaa that Kanyi is in the custody of the National
Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Kanyi has not been seen or heard from by his family since his arrest last
year.
“We do not know where he is kept since he was arrested last year. His wife
gave birth to a baby boy a month ago, but he is still unaware of it,” said
someone close to him
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