Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 88/2006, 12-15 October,  2006

Editorial

GRTS UNDER FOCUS

Those who followed Every Mbye’s programme on TV would not fail to realize  
that they are campaigning for the APRC for the coming National Assembly  
elections. The GRTS management should meet to develop standards for their  programmes.
Political parties should be able to buy slots and talk about  their party 
programmes. National programmes however should be free from any  biasness. 
Section 208 of the Constitution states that “All state owned  newspapers, 
journals, radios and television shall afford fair opportunities and  facilities 
for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting  opinions.”
FOROYAA therefore calls on the opposition to request for Every  Mbye’s 
invitation to this television programme so that they can explain whether  having a 
house of representative without an opposition is to the best interest  of the 
country and whether those who are not in the APRC are unpatriotic.
The  Gambian people need programmes that promote national unity irrespective 
of  diversity. The programme should enlighten instead of mislead the  people.
People must begin to digest the fact that the wrong that is not said  and 
known about a country can never be corrected for the public  good.

SPAIN OFFERS 6 MILION EUROS TO CURB ILLEGAL MIGRATION
By  Bubacarr K Sowe

The Spanish government has offered a grant of six million Euros to the  
Gambia for the development of its manpower the foreign Affairs Department  revealed 
on Tuesday.
This development arose on Monday, after the signing of a  memorandum of 
understanding between the Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel  Morapinos and his 
Gambian Counterpart Lamin Kaba Bajo.
In an interview with  Foroyaa on Tuesday, William Joof Permanent Secretary at 
the Foreign Affairs  Department said that the agreement is a general 
framework relating to technical  assistance in the field of manpower, agriculture and 
the control of illegal  migration. 
Mr. Joof said that the six million Euros grant will be used in  the creation 
for skills centers, training for young people and provision of  employment. “
The Gambia will act as a responsible sovereign state, ensuring that  her 
territory is not used by people who exploit innocent young people who end up  
drowning in seas and putting their families in dispel,” he said.
The  agreement, he said makes provision for mechanisms that will make 
Gambians  migrate legally and work legally in Spain. 


CONFESSION OF DEJECTED RETURNEES
By Fabakary B. Ceesay

Three Gambians in their mid-twenties have narrated their ordeal during  their 
unsuccessful adventure to the Canary Island, a Spanish territory, in their  
bid to fulfil their age old dream of nestling in Europe. They made no bones  
about their nightmarish experience that their risky venture had landed them  in.
The trio, who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity after they  
chucked up the idea of going to Europe on a make shift boat, informed this  
reporter that they were surprised by the way they missed their route to Spain.  
They revealed that after they boarded the boat on an Island near Kafunting,  
Casamance, they sailed for twelve good days and nights without a glimpse of the  
Canary Islands. They noted that the captain of the boat had missed the route 
and  they were heading to an unknown destination.
“We sailed for seven days  without a glimpse of any ship plying between 
Europe and Africa. We ran out of  food and our water supply was exhausted and we 
were left with just one gallon of  fuel,” they lamented. They also narrated how 
12 Senegalese mates who could not  withstand the hunger, thirst and effect of 
drinking salty water passed away on  board. The bodies of the dead they said, 
were thrown overboard.
The journey  without destination in a mighty ocean did come to an end after 
the bewildered  youths, surrounded by water and the sky, experienced nightmares 
on board their  make shift boat. They immediately decided to make the return 
journey. They said  that on their way back, they spotted a fishing trawler 
whose crew helped them  with food and water. They also said that the captain of 
the trawler informed the  Moroccan navy about them. They added that the 
Moroccans received them and  escorted them to the Island of Dahlar, 40 kilometres 
from the coast of Southern  Morocco.
They also complained of being manhandled by Moroccan authorities.  They said, 
“We were handed over to the Senegalese Embassy, which helped to  repatriate 
us to Dakar by a Royal Air Morocco flight.”
It is amazing that the  experience has not deterred the youth of still 
dreaming to go to  Europe.


DUTA KAMASO, MALICK MBOOB RELEASED

Former Parliamentarian of Wuli East Constituency, Madam Duta Kamaso, and  the 
former Communications Officer at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital, Mr.  
Malick Mboob, have been released from the National Intelligence Agency, where  
they were detained for more than six months. Sources say that the duo were  
released from custody on Monday, 9th October 2006. The source said they were  
released unconditionally.
When this reporter visited the home of the former  Wuli East Parliamentarian, 
he was met by a young man who confirmed to him that  their loved one was at 
long last freed and was at home. On her physical health  condition, Duta is 
said to have recovered a bit but a family source said they  have to take her to a 
doctor for more check up.
The family members of the  former RVTH Communications Officer, Mr. Malick 
Mboob, also confirmed his release  and said: “Malick looks physically fit.” He 
is said to be in a good condition of  health.


MARKET VENDORS DEMAND FOR SERVICE
By Modou Jonga

The Brikama Market Vendors close to a deplorable dumpsite in the old  garage, 
on Monday 9th October 2006, threatened to curtail paying their dues to  the 
Brikama Area Council. This startling revelation was made by the vendors, in  
the presence of this reporter at the council premises. This move of the vendors  
was to take effect yesterday pending the complete relocation of the said  
decaying dumpsite, according to the vendors which included men and women. The  
did not carry out their threat.
Readers would recall that the dissatisfaction  of the concerned vendors over 
the current deplorable state of the dumpsite was  highlighted in an earlier 
publication of ‘Foroyaa.’ There were angry exchanges  between the vendors and 
the council officials. 
“It is being manifested  undoubtedly to us by the council that they are only 
interested in collecting our  taxes and not providing services to the vendors,”
 lamented some vendors.  Meanwhile, fighting ensued, between the protesting 
vendors and personnel of the  council’s cleansing service. This happened soon 
after a vendor bitterly  complained about the inefficiency of the cleansing 
service and eventually  branded them useless and unreliable. The supervisor of 
the council’s cleansing  services confronted the vendor and as a result, fought 
him. However, the  fighting was short lived due to the intervention of the 
council’s security, who  escorted the angry vendors out of the council’s 
premises.  


EDITOR’S OBSERVATION
LAWYER GOMEZ DEFENDS MOMODOU  JAGNE’S INTEGRITY AND REPUTATION

Mr. Edu Gomez has conveyed the objections raised by Mr. Jagne Managing  
Director GPTC to an article published in the Foroyaa Newspaper  entitled
“MAL-ADMINISTRATION AT THE GPTC”. According to him a newspaper  should bear 
in mind in paramount principle of verification and balanced  publication.”
Foroyaa agrees with him: Foroyaa has sent Mr. Yahya Dampha to  Mr. Jagne to 
enable him to refute whatever allegations are made in a letter  addressed to 
Foroyaa by some of his staff. However he could not be seen. Foroyaa  will send 
Mr. Dampha to interview Mr. Jagne on Wednesday to be published on  Friday. We 
will forward a copy of this publication to him to serve as notice for  the 
interview.


ALLEGED ATTACK BY REBELS IN BINJONA
By  Jaluma Vierra – Bissau Correspondent

Recently there has been an alleged attack on the village of Binjona, in the  
southern region of Senegal by gunmen. 
According to residents of this village  who spoke to this reporter, the 
gunmen came late at night and opened fire. They  also explained that there gunmen 
attacked places such as a petrol station and  took with them 3,000,000 CFA.
People who spoke to this reporter also said  there was a military vehicle 
which was set on fire by these gunmen.
This  recent attack has made many people in the area to be left with no 
option but to  flee the area. They told this reporter that it is a common 
phenomenon in the  area as they are sometimes attacked on the way to refugee camps by 
unknown  people who ask them to either surrender their money or risk loosing 
their  lives.
It would be remembered that few months ago there was heavy fighting  between 
rebels in the Casamance region and the army in Guinea Bissau. This has  caused 
those rebels who were loyal to Salif Sarjo to move away from the  
Senegalese-Guinean border.
Reports also continue to indicate that rebels are  now getting closer to the 
Gambian border.
Recently it has also been reported  that the Senegalese army was engaged in 
fierce fighting with these rebels in the  bush. The information this received 
indicates that many people have in fact left  their homes and properties to 
flee for their lives.


MAN  24 KILLED IN A ROAD ACCIDENT
By Modou Jonga

Tijan Jallow, a 24 year old Guinean national and a gravel miner in Brikama  
Wellingara, passed away on Monday 9th October 2006, after he was knocked down 
by  a speeding vehicle.
This tragic event happened on the Banjul-Soma highway  around 5pm, when the 
late Tijan was crossing the road from prayers. The vehicle  is said to be a “
gelegele” vehicle.
The late Tijan according to eye witnesses  died instantly on the spot after 
being knocked at the Brikama Kabafita-Misera  border. Readers would recall 
that, this is the second happening of such nature  within a spate of a week after 
the death of a four year old in similar  circumstances.
Speaking to this reporter, Samba Bah, a relative to the late  Tijan, 
expressed shock and grief over the tragic death of his fellow countrymen.  The body of 
the late Guinean was taken to Brikama Health Centre and later  referred to 
the RVTH, where he was officially pronounced dead. The late Tijan  was described 
by his fellow miners as a devout Muslim and a contented person.  Meanwhile, 
the driver involved in the tragic accident is said to have been  arrested and 
is helping the Police in their investigation.
The remains of the  late Tijan were expected to be interned at the 
Brikama/Kabafita/Wellingara  cemetery on Monday.

DEMBA DEM IS STILL AN MP

Following the arrest of Demba Dem, National Assembly Member for Niani  
constituency in connection to the allege abortive coup of 21st March 2006,  people 
have been asking whether Hon. Demba Dem is still a National Assembly  Member. 
Well according to section 91,(1) of the constitution, a member of the  National 
assembly shall vacate his or her seat in the National  Assembly:
a)         On the  dissolution of the National  Assembly;
b)         Subject to  subsection (2), if any circumstances arise which, if 
he or she were not a  member, would cause him or her to be disqualified for 
election as a member or  nominated as a member;
c)         If  he or she resigns his or her office as a  member;
d)         If he or she  ceases to be a member of the political party of 
which he or she was a member at  the time of his or her  election;
e)         If, without the  permission in writing of the speaker or 
reasonable cause, he or she is absent  for ten or more sittings of the National 
Assembly during any period that the  National Assembly is in session and continues to 
 meet.
f)          According to  Section 90(1); “No person is qualified for election 
as a member of the National  Assembly if he or she 
g)         Is  under sentence of death imposed on him or her by any court, or 
is serving, or  within five years of his or her nomination for election, 
completed serving a  sentence of imprisonment for a term exceeding six months, 
imposed on him or her  by a court. It is evident that  no court has imposed any 
sentence on Hon.  Dem and that he is not serving any sentence. All that  can be 
said at the  moment is that Hon. Demba Dem is charged for treason and 
according to Section  24(3) of the constitution, “Every person who is charged with a 
criminal  offence:
a)         Shall be presumed  innocent until he or she is proven or has 
pleaded guilty.” Going by this  constitutional provision, Hon. Demba Dem is as 
innocent as any other citizen.  What is putting him under custody is the fact that 
he is charged for a capital  offence which is unbailable.  
Unlike Ramzia Diab, Dawda Bah and Duta  Kamaso who were expelled by their 
party, Demba Dem has not been expelled and has  not been sentenced by any court 
of law. Demba Dem therefore is still a duly  elected National Assembly member 
from a legal point of view.


REPORTER’S CASE ADJOURNED AS MAGISTRATE FROWNS AT PROSECUTORS
By  Fabakary B Ceesay

The ongoing criminal case involving The Independent Newspaper’s reporter,  
Lamin Fatty, has yet again been adjourned, due to the absence of the third (3rd) 
 prosecution witness. The case was called at Kanifing Magistrate Court on 
Monday  9th October 2006.
Representing the IGP, the prosecution witness could not  appear in court 
because he was out of the jurisdiction. The witness is said to  have traveled to 
the United Kingdom (UK). Defense counsel Lamin Camara submitted  that, the case 
has been dragging in court for a longtime now. Principal  Magistrate Kebba 
Sanyang of the Kanifing Magistrate Court, told the prosecutor  that this would 
be the last time he would allow an adjournment. “If the  prosecution witness 
does not appear in the next sitting, I will not only  discharge the defendant 
but will acquit him,” he emphasized. At this point the  Magistrate adjourned the 
case till 25th October 2006. It could be recalled that,  Lamin Fatty is 
standing trial for publishing false information. He was arrested  and detained for 
sixty two (62) days before being released and dragged to court.  


MAGISTRATE SANYANG FURIOUS OVER COUNCILLOR’S CASE
By  Fabakary B. Ceesay

Principal Magistrate, Kebba Sanyang of the Kanifing Magistrate Court, has  
expressed concern over the prosecutor’s failure to produce councilor Ousman  
Jatta (Rambo) before his court. The defense council, Ousainou Darboe, indicated  
that, his client was not in court due to his detention. “The accused has been 
in  Police custody for a long period, and reliable sources told me that he is  
detained at the Gunjur Police Station.” The prosecuting officer, Inspector  
Bojang, noted that he has made efforts to inform the Director of Prosecution  
about the court’s order to produce the accuse in court. “We are definitely 
eager  for this case to be finished” Inspector Bojang said.
However, Magistrate  Sanyang, emphasised that he will allow the case but if 
the prosecutor fails to  bring Mr. Jatta in the next sitting, he will have no 
option but to strike out  the case. “If the prosecution fails to produce the 
accused at the next  adjournment date, I will strike out the case as I did to 
other matters, and this  case is no exception he said. The case is adjourned to 
16th October  2006.


FARATO IMAMSHIP TRIAL CONTINUES
By Modou Jonga

The Farato Imamship trial involving the complainant, Samba Bah and the  
accused, Kemo Saho, resumed at the Brikama Magistrates Court on Monday 9th  October 
2006, presided over by Magistrate E.F Mbye. The Police Prosecutor was  492 
Badjie.
The trial continued with the testimony of the complainant, Samba  Bah. The 
complainant said that on the 6th October 2005, at around 4:30 am, he  went to 
the mosque to call for prayer and later returned home to wake his  people; that 
on his way back to the Mosque to lead prayers, he saw the accused  hiding by a 
tree just by the mosque.
Testifying further the complainant said,  when he was about to enter the 
mosque, a torch light was beamed on him by the  accused from behind; that as he 
turned to enquire who it was, the accused raised  a cutlass and chopped him on 
the hand; that at that juncture, he was handling a  stick which he often uses 
in the night against cats and dogs and wanted to hit  the accused but couldn’t, 
because his was unable as a result of the chopping on  his hand; that the 
accused left at a time when he fell down, but later got up to  go home; that upon 
reaching home he knocked on the door of his son Ebrima Bah,  to whom he 
narrated what transpired and told his son that he was attacked by the  accused; 
that people in his compound wanted to go the accused’s home to revenge  but were 
restrained by Ebrima Bah.
According to the complainant, he was  brought to the Brikama Health Centre 
via the Brikama Police Station by his son.  At the time of the assault, he wore 
a white cloth. The said blood stained cloth  was tendered and marked as 
exhibit in court without objection from the defense  counsel. The complainant said, 
he is the chosen Imam of the said mosque and said  well before the said 
assault, the accused had stopped attending prayers at the  said mosque.
During cross examination of the complainant by the counsel for  the accused, 
Lawyer Borry Touray put it, to the complainant, that, he once  refused to pray 
behind the accused. He answered in the negative. Throughout that  cross 
examination, the complainant stated, that he is the chosen Imam of the  mosque in 
dispute and constantly denied flaming sentiments of tribalism by  saying that 
he will not prayer behind a Mandinka Imam.
According to the  complainant, he hailed from Upper Niumi and settled at 
Farato in 1944 but denied  that he had committed murder in Niumi before he settled 
in Farato, which  manifests his violent history. The case was adjourned till 
Thursday 19th October  2006
 

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