In a message dated 7/22/2001 10:51:30 AM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> Tombong
> That is good news indeed and it is well overdue. I hope President Jammeh
> would consider doing something on the other issues discussed by concerned
> Gambians.
> As a goodwill gesture he should release detainned Gambians who have been
> held incommunicado for a while now and give them their democratic rights to
> defend themselves. he has to prove to the Gambian masses both at home and
> abroad that he is going to make the coming elections as democratic and free
> for all.
>

Malang,

I echoe the same sentiments. I hope Jammeh will go further than just lifting
the ban on political parties and politicians which should never have happened
in a supposedly democratic country he said he came to power to put back in
order, and do more to show that he is truely pursuing the path to democracy
by releasing all political prisoners or charging them and allowing them to
have open trials, and doing away with terrorizing the Gambian people in
various forms, from roughing up journalists to threatening anyone who dares
to criticize this regime in any form.

 Let him show the World that this is not just another window dressing for the
sake of the upcoming elections, designed to mesmerize the simple minded
amongst us.  who are easily impressed by a shiny new building or empty
gestures. There is a lot more this president has to do to, and some of it
involves investigating mysterious dissappearances of Gambians to unsolved and
uninvestigated murders involving people in his government with possible
suspects right in their midst.
There are a lot of pending issues that a truely democratic and sincere
government does not leave hanging or attempt to cover up by instituting
decrees to indemnify themselves.
Jammeh has lifted the ban on political parties as an election time maneuvre
to fool the international community, but he has also come up with yet new
ones to indemnify himself and his associates from any wrong doing , and
innocent, well meaning and competent  leaders who are only in the business of
serving the people and safeguarding their rights do not have a need to
manipulate the laws of the land to safeguard themselves from prosecution.
They must know that there is cause for such thoughts based on their actions,
otherwise there would not be a need for this manipulation. Lifting the ban on
politicians and political parties was long overdue, but we are not fooled by
the cosmetics. There is a lot more that needs to be addressed here, and let
jammeh know that the Gambian people are waiting for all of that.

Jabou Joh

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