Gambia-l.
The following is today's Observer news on Quantum Nets website (www.qanet.gm).
I look forward to FOROYAA's version of the events.
Momodou Camara
The Daily Observer Published 04/11/00
10 DEAD IN STUDENTS DEMO
At least ten people are reported to have died following clashes between
demonstrating students and armed police and soldiers yesterday.
Students from schools in Serrekunda, Banjul, Brikama and Bakau, went out on the
streets to protest against what they said was the 'slow pace' of justice in the
prosecution of the Brikama fire officers who were alleged to have caused the
death of student Ebrima Barry, and an unidentified uniformed officer alleged to
have raped the 13-year-old Brikama-ba school girl.
Among the dead in yesterday's clashes was Red cross volunteer, Omar Barrow, who
is also the editor of Sud FM Radio, Banjul.Last week, students under the aegis
of Gambia Students Union (Gamsu) sent messages to schools in the Greater Banjul
Area informing of the strike. Messages on posters were also pinned up in
schools and along streets in Serrekunda.
Alerted about the strike, the department of state for the Interior Sunday
issued a press release warning students against staging a strike and stressed
that no attempt to disrupt the peace will be allowed.
Sources at Interior said the executive members of Gamsu were invited to a
meeting where they were briefed on government's efforts to speedily prosecute
the alleged errant officers.
However, at about 8am Monday, students carrying white banners with slogans,
"Justice for Ebrima Barry", "We rather die than injustice", "Respect the future
leaders", "Redeploy Brikama fire officers" and chanting, "We are hot, very,
very hot!", "We want freedom and justice!", began gathering at GTTI where they
were to begin the supposedly "peaceful" demonstration.
A contingent of paramilitary officers arrived at the scene and cautioned the
students to call off the strike. They refused to comply. A short while later,
armed forces chief of staff, Babucarr Jatta, and army commander, Lt Col Momodou
Badjie, arrived and urged the students to remain calm.
The students began throwing stones when the paramilitary officers barred their
way. The officers reacted by firing shots into the air. There was pandemonium
as some of the students ran amok while others did mock battle with the armed
officers.
The paramilitary officers regrouped at the mobile traffic unit as the students
in disparate groups advanced towards the Westfield junction, setting up road
blocks and setting vehicle tyres on fire.
At the Westfield junction, Col Jatta and Interior secretary, Ousman Badjie,
tried to calm the students without success.
The students vandalised the Westfield Gamtel office, burning the building and
smashing to smithreens the computers and furniture.
They continued on the stoning spree along Kairaba Avenue breaking shop glasses
and setting ablaze vehicles. The students were joined by street boys and shops
and stalls were looted.
The Gamtel Serrekunda Exchange, Gambia Television offices and the adjoining
Serrekunda Post Office were attacked. The post office was vandalised without
restraint as windows were smashed, post boxes opened and parcels looted. Gamtel
coin phone booths were not spared as well as the Daily Observer offices.
At about 9.18am the Churchill's Town Fire and Ambulance Services compound was
attacked and two fire machines, one bearing the number plate, G3A 4214 were
burnt.
The Bundung police station was burnt as well as part of the Serrekunda police station where inmates were freed.Kotu police and fire station were attacked. Sources in Brikama said the fire engines were attacked and the pol
ice station gutted to the ground. Armed personnel were said to have been redeployed in the town.
The mobile traffic headquarters was also attacked, windscreens of vehicles smashed, including one police siren car and three motorbikes.The students jeered at the deputy inspector general of police and Baba Jobe when they
tried to calm them. The students seized DIG Badjie's cap but returned it to him later.
The president of Gamsu, Omar Joof, and some of his executive members had to flee on board a pick-up vehicle in a hail of stones after he tried to address the students.
Some of the students seized police shields, helmets and uniforms, wearing them.Our reporter, Ben Gomez, said he saw a student pick up a gun dropped by a fleeing paramilitary officer and wanted to open fire but there was n
o cartridge.
The paramilitary officers were said to have been barricaded in a building where they ran for safety for about 20 minutes as thick smoke from burning tyres oozed on them.The officers then opened fire and according to our r
eporter, three students wearing black and white uniforms fell down and were motionless.
At the Serrekunda Post Office, Col Jatta, who was making frantic efforts to douse the flames of violence was accosted by the students who escorted him on foot along Kairaba Avenue to the paramilitary base in Kanifing wher
e he was rescued. The students were forced to retreat under rounds of gunfire lasting 20 minutes.
By last evening, Red Cross officials said at least 10 people have died and many injured including a three year-old-boy. Most of the injured were admitted at the RVH intensive care unit.
Armed soldiers were patrolling the streets yesterday.The violence, damage to property and loss of life have been roundly condemned by many people who appealed to the security forces to ensure that Monday's encore is not r
epeated.
Omar Barrow Killed
Omar Barrow, a Red Cross volunteer and the editor at Sud FM radio station, Banjul, was shot to death during the student demonstration yesterday.
In a press release issued last evening, Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS), explained: "Mr Omar Barrow died at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Banjul after all efforts to save his life. Omar Barrow was shot within the premis
es of GRCS whilst rendering humanitarian services during the student
demonstration of Monday, April 10, 2000. At the time of the gunshot, Mr Omar
Barrow was wearing a clearly marked protective Red Cross emblem, that is, a Red
Cross bib and helmet, which is in line with the international code of conduct
in relief operations and in conformity with the Geneva Conventions.
Mr Omar Barrow is a member of the GRCS emergency response team and the resource
development committee. Mr Barrow, a very active and dedicated Red Cross
volunteer, died in the line of duty.
The entire membership of the Gambia Red Cross Society will observe a week of
mourning for the late Omar Barrow, effective April 10, 2000, all in ceremonial
uniforms or Red Cross T-shirts."
The Red Cross said it extends condolences to the family and friends of Omar
Barrow.The late Omar Barrow is survived by a wife and a seven-month-old baby
girl.
Region 1, 2 schools closed
Following yesterday's bloody clashes involving students and armed police and
soldiers, Office of the President has ordered the immediate closure of all
schools and tertiary institutions in Banjul, Kanifing municipal area and
Western Division.
A press release to the effect, issued yesterday afternoon read:"This morning
some students in regions 1 and 2, under the leadership and guidance of the
Gambia Student's Union, went into rampage causing obstructions to traffic and
disrupting school mock exams that were in progress.
It is further known that certain students forced their way into some schools
and dragged their colleagues to join them in this unwarranted and unruly
behaviour.
Number of casualties and the level of damage to property are currently under
investigation.Government has therefore decided that all schools and tertiary
institutions in regions 1 and 2 be closed with immediate effect, until further
notice.
All parents are hereby advised to keep their children at home and to await
further instructions from the department of state for Education.The security
services will be on full alert and patrol to ensure the safety of lives and
property.
The general public and all visitors to The Gambia are assured that the
government will not compromise the security and stability of the country under
any circumstances. The situation is completely under control and all are
advised to go about their normal business as usual.
Everyone is urged to fully cooperate with the security services and to report
any criminal act and banditry to the nearest police station."Contact numbers
are: 224914, 992237, 994326, 993833.
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