Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 61/2007, 28 – 29 May 2007
Editorial
AFRICAN LIBERATION DAY
The Sovereignty of the people is in view
May 25 has been set aside by the liberation committee of the OAU as African
Liberation Day. By the end of 1960 only 17 countries on the African continent
were independent. Today only the SAHRAWI DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC on the
continent is under the colonial domination of Morocco. Needless to say all countries
in Africa in particular and the world in general should take concerted action
to put an end to the last bastion of colonialism on the continent and
complete the first phase of the decolonisation process. This should be one of the
fundamental resolutions of the AU Summit in Accra, Ghana in June 2007.
50 years after Nkrumah declared that the independence of Ghana was
meaningless unless it was linked to the TOTAL liberation of the whole continent Africa
can claim to have succeeded in its decolonisation agenda. The second phase
of national liberation which should witness the total economic, social,
political and cultural emancipation of the African people is at hand.
Hence, as the leaders meet in Ghana to promote the unification of the
continent they should mutually remind each other that this is inconceivable without
the establishment of a government in each country which recognises and
respects the sovereignty of the people. The heads of state should therefore go to
Ghana to set standards of best practice in democratic governance and
transparency and accountability in economic management of states which should be
adhered to by any government which aims to be incorporated in the new union.
Those who refuse to adhere to such standards should be isolated by both the
people and governments of the continent and the international community at large.
This is the only way an Africa of the people and for the people can be a
reality in our life time. History is again in the making. The progressive leaders
will adhere to the standards while the reactionary ones will continue to
oppress the people and would eventually serve as the last obstacles to the total
emancipation of the people like the apartheid regime. All countries and
governments can have a new start. If they fail to take opportunity of the new
situation they will surely end up in the dustbin of history.
Re - Groundnut Trade Plummets
An article in Issue No. 60/2007 of FOROYAA entitled “Groundnut Trade Plummets
” has attracted the following response from the Gambia Groundnut Corporation
(GGC):
We refer to the article captioned “Groundnut Trade Plummets” in the Foroyaa
Issue No. 60/2007 of 25 — 27 May 2007. In the said article, your reporter,
Mr. Yaya Dampha stated and we quote “In the season that has just ended that
is, 2006/2007 according to the Managing Director of GGC, his institution bought
only one hundred and fifteen (115) metric tonnes of groundnuts. He said this
was the total purchases but he did not say the amount of money involved,”
end of quote.
We wish to state quite clearly that Mr. Dampha did not request for a formal
interview with the General Manager of Gambia Groundnut Corporation Ltd (GGC)
as such. He (Mr. Dampha) came to GGC and wanted to see the General Manager,
the title by which the Chief Executive of GGC is known. Thinking that he was
following up on payments for advertisements, he was referred to the Finance
Manager. Mr. Dampha returned to say that he was asked to see General Manager
for the information he needed and was consequently ushered into the General
Manager’s office. In the presence of a visitor, the only question Mr. (Dampha)
asked the General Manager was, “How many tonnes did GGC buy this year?” He
was told that GGC purchased 7,015 (seven thousand and fifteen) tonnes. There
were no follow-up questions and he just walked out of the office. At the time
Mr. Dampha walked into the General Manager’s office, he was carrying neither a
pen nor a notebook and consequently did not record what he was told. One
would have thought that if Mr. Dampha intended to publish the information given
to him or anything on the groundnut marketing, he should have carried out
proper research into the issue by conducting interviews professionally with the
relevant stakeholders in the groundnut industry.
We are definitely disappointed with this deliberate attempt to misinform the
public by quoting GGC as having provided some of the figures. We therefore
request for this rejoinder to be published in the same front page as the
original article.
It is very disheartening to read through the said article. None of the
figures stated therein is correct and we wonder where Mr. Dampha obtained them
from. Are they the imagination and fabrication of Mr. Dampha for reasons known
to him alone.
We take this opportunity to refer Foroyaa. Mr. Dampha and readers who wish
to know more about the 2006/07 groundnut-marketing season to an interview
professionally conducted and published in The Gambia Daily Volume 1 No. 17 of
16th May 2007.
Administrative Officer
GGC
Editor’s Comment
We will not follow the administrative secretary in the polemics of what
constitutes a professionally produced and published article. That would lead us
to focus so much on the forest as to lose sight of the individual tree which
is the subject of concern in HIS rejoinder. The basic point he wishes to
clarify is that the GGC bought 7015 tones of groundnuts during the last season
instead of the 115 tones as claimed by Mr. Dampha. When Mr. Dampha was asked to
comment on the GGC letter he said the following:
When I went to GGC the administrator was not present. When I gave the
notice to his Secretary indicating that I wanted to interview him on the number
of tonnes they bought this past season the Secretary came to tell me that the
Managing Director said that I should get in touch with one Mr. Njai. When I
got to Mr. Njai and asked him my question he said he had to get a green light
from the General Manager himself before he talks to me.
I decided to go back to (Mr. Colley) the General Manager and gave him that
message since Mr. Njai was reluctant to contact him. The General Manager asked
what my questions were: I told him we just wanted to know how many tonnes of
groundnuts his institution bought in the past season. According to what I
could recall he replied that the GGC bought 115 tonnes only and not 7,015
tonnes as mentioned in the rejoinder. If the figure is wrong the administrator
should clarify issues without making other allegations. I am of the view that
neither the General Manager nor my humble self had any interest in distorting
the facts.
Our editorial policy is that reporters do not have the last word. Every
report submitted by a reporter and published is amenable to a validation exercise
by readers. Foroyaa is committed to the principle of publishing the truth in
good faith, in the public interest. The basic challenge of the paper is how
to maintain the current concept of granting reporters the latitude of having
their articles published with little interference without sacrificing
credibility and quality. It is through feedbacks like yours, especially if they are
done to help us to improve our performance, which enables us to separate the
wheat from the chaff. The golden rule of the paper is that it is the duty of
reporters to inform the public and to misinform those same people amounts to
gross irresponsibility. We however find consolation in the willingness to
subject the paper and its reporters to the same scrutiny and criticism as it
subjects others. Please accept the assurance of our renewed commitment to
publish the truth without fear or favour, affection or ill will in accordance with
the best dictates of conscience and the public interest.
SHERIFF MINTEH’S DEATH RIOTER CONVICTED
By Fabakary B. Ceesay
One Yaye Rose Camara of London Corner was brought before Principal
Magistrate Moses Richards of Kanifing Magistrates Court on Friday 25 May. She was
charged with unlawful assembly in a manner that can cause civil unrest. She was
not represented by a lawyer. When the charge was read she pleaded guilty. At
the same time she denied that she and others assembled to march towards the
Police Station to burn it. She told the court that they were only showing their
anger and emotions in the way Sheriff Minteh lost his life. She was convicted
on her plea of guilty and sentenced to a fine of D2, 500 (two thousand five
hundred dalasis) or in default to imprisonment for a term of six months.
According to the police prosecutor 1748 First Class Constable Mballow, in
the early hours of 9 May at Serrekunda London Corner, a group of people
assembled themselves to attack the Serrekunda Police Station with intent to burn it.
He said that the incident was provoked by the alleged killing of Sheriff
Minteh by a police volunteer during a pursuit by the police task force in
Serrekunda. He noted that the police urged the crowd to disperse so that they could
do their investigation into the matter.
Mballow indicated that between 7:00am and 9:00am on the following day, the
people regrouped and marched towards the Serrekunda Police Station with fire
and wearing red head bands. He narrated that some who were arrested confessed
to the police that it was the accused (Yaye Camara) who bought the red cloth
for them to use as bands and asked them to march towards the police station.
Prosecutor Mballow noted that the accused person remained at large even
though the police were looking for her since 9 May. He said that she was arrested
on 21 May, but that she was not allowed police bail up to that day. Mballow
said a cautionary statement and a voluntary statement were obtained from her.
They were tendered in court and admitted in evidence as Exhibits A and B. In
her plea of mitigation she pleaded to the court to temper justice with mercy
on her. She said that her act was unlawful and she would never repeat it.
When delivering the judgment, Magistrate Richards said that her act is not
only inimical to the breach of peace in the society but in the whole country.
He said that she pleaded guilty without wasting the court’s time and based on
that he would not send her to jail but fine her. He therefore fined her the
sum of D2,500 in default to serve six months in prison. He added that the
punishment is a punitive one to deter others from doing the same act.
GAMBIAN GROUNDNUT REJECTED AT WORLD MARKET
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The presence of aflo-toxin in The Gambian groundnut has resulted to its
rejection at the world market, said Mr. Lamin Dampha, of the Department of State
for Trade, Industry and Employment.
Mr. Dampha made this revelation on Thursday, May 24, at the Baobab Holiday
Resort while presenting a paper at a workshop organised by the National Youth
Association for Food Security (NAYAFS) on the Economic Partnership Agreements
(EPAs) of the European Union and the Africa, Caribbean, Pacific (EU/ACP)
countries. Aflo-toxin is a harmful substance that affects the liver and causes
liver cancer known as Hepatitis B.
Dampha said that the processing of groundnuts from the field to the store
needs to be looked at. He added that the period of keeping nuts at the depots
has trippled, and the level of aflo-toxin has not been controlled.
Dampha emphasized that a lot of effort to control it is needed, adding that
a close collaboration with the Department of State for Agriculture is looking
at the issue. Answering a question from a participant at the gathering on
the impact of the rejected groundnut on the Gambian economy, Dampha said that,
that needs to be studied, noting that the problem surrounding the groundnut
trade is having a serious impact on the economies of the rural dwellers.
An agriculturalist present at the forum said the mixing of late and early
varieties of nuts by cultivators results in the harvesting of unripe nuts which
are moist, and later on become mouldy thus attracting aflo-toxin.
IFJ CONGRESS IN MOSCOW
The Sixteenth Congress of the International Federation of Journalists will
take place in Moscow from May 28 to June 2, 2007. This Congress, the Largest
representative gathering of journalists in the world, is held every three
years.
The theme for this year’s event is “Making News for Democracy: Building
Trust in Quality Journalism”, and will include a core programme of events
including sessions on
• Journalism and Inter-Cultural Dialogue in the Face of Terrorism
and Intolerance
• Global Media and the fight for decent work
• What Future for Journalism?
In addition, to the above a special one-day conference prior to the opening
of the Congress, will be held on May 28, 2007 Challenging Impunity: the
Global Campaign for Justice in Journalism when, an International Commission of
Inquiry into Impunity in the Killing of Journalists in Russia will be launched.
The total attendance will be around 1,000, including delegates, invited
guests and observers, and participants from Russia and the CIS countries. There
will be numerous side events and cultural activities which have a daily theme
attached to each region-Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East.
In addition, the Russian Union of Journalists is offering all delegates and
guests a three-day river trip to the Old Russian city of Nizhniy Novgorod.
This would involve a full cultural programme.
The Gambia Press Union as a member of the IFJ is represented by its
president, Madi M.K. Ceesay.
YOUTH O/AU MARKS AFRICA LIBERATION DAY
By Baboucarr Ceesay
As part of the events marking Africa Liberation Day, Youth O/AU - Gambia
Chapter organised a symposium at the Alliance Franco-Gambienne on Friday 25, May
2007. The central theme of the day was “How liberated is Africa after two
hundred years of the abolition of slave trade.”
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Daniel Cardos, the chairperson of the ceremony
said Africa Liberation Day is a very significant day for Africa and its
citizens. He said among other things that, that is why they were very selective
as far as the panelists are concerned, whom he said are erudite intellectuals
to give the audience food for thought.
Mr. Momodou Max Jallow, the Chairperson of the Organising Committee called
on young people to be patriotic to their country and continent, Africa.
Dr, Siga Jagne of the Pro-Poor Advocacy Group and a gender activist dwelt on
the need to promote and nurture our good African values as a people if
liberation is to have a meaning.
She questioned how many of us read, write or even speak our native languages
today. She said these are crucial factors which need to be critically looked
at as part of our identity as Africans. She said colonialism has not gone,
it is still here. Dr. Jagne said that these are some of the realities that are
keeping us from not being liberated.
However, she said, despite all what happened, Africans are still a happy
people.
She reminded the audience of times when our country, The Gambia, was
producing most of the food stuff like rice which we are importing today. She went
further to ask; why The Gambia is still not an exporting country. But was quick
to add that though our leaders are doing their best, may be their hands are
still tied.
Mme Victoria Blackey (Ndella), Administrative Assistant, University of The
Gambia, emphasised that it is Africans who can liberate themselves and no one
else.
Dr. Saja Taal, Managing Director, Daily Observer, in his remarks indicated
that ideology is seen as a disgrace and many people are scared of ideology.
He said he sees himself as a universal being; first a human being, then an
African and then a Gambian. He opined that there should be a self
consciousness of seeing oneself as a universal being. He added that freedom lies in the
human mind and not the mentality of being black African because there are
white Africans. He further mentioned that it is the minds that ought to be free,
because minds can be in chains – locked. “We must not compromise ourselves,”
Dr. Taal said.
After mentioning Nelson Mandela, Nkrumah and other heroes and their
contributions to the lives of the African people as well as happenings in parts of
the African continent, he asked: “What about our youths in the ghettoes of
Serrekunda? What are we doing about that?”
Mr. Facuru Muhammed Sillah, Coordinator of Youth O/AU – Gambia Chapter also
harped on the significant roles of Nkrumah, Sekou Toure and other African
liberators who pioneered the independence of their countries. Facuru quoted
Sekou Toure as saying he preferred being free in poverty to being a slave in
riches.
Rongo, the musician, had attracted the attention of the audience earlier by
entering the hall singing his Pan-Africanist song.
Rapper Joe also read a redemption-like lyric with Africanist stanzas.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Pa Malick Ceesay, Executive Secretary, National
Youth Council reiterated that our culture and language, as a people, are
indispensable parts of our liberation process. Ceesay said conventional education
should not lead to the demise of valuable aspects of our cultural identities.
The ceremony ended with prayers followed by the national anthem of The
Gambia.
CONSTITUTION OF THE GAMBIA PRESS UNION
1. PREAMBLE
Cognisant of the rapid changes and transformation taking place in our
society, socially, politically and Economically,
Aware of the pivotal role that the media is expected to play in such a
process,
It has been deemed necessary to revise the constitution of the Gambia Press
Union in order to reflect those Important changes.
1. NAME
The name shall remain the GAMBIA PRESS UNION, henceforth referred to as the
UNION.
2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The Union shall:
Be purely a professional and non-political organisation concerned with
matters affecting journalism and all aspects of the mass media, although not
unconcerned with the political and socio-economic needs and aspirations of the
society in general.
Defend the freedom of the press and professional independence in journalism.
Promote unity and understanding amongst journalists and other media workers
through collective bargaining and the provision of welfare schemes.
Safeguard the freedom of the press and protect the rights, liberties and
welfare of journalists and other media workers.
Develop the prestige and enhance the social role of journalists and other
media workers, as well as endeavour at all times to maintain the standards of
the profession.
Uphold the freedom of the collection and dissemination of information, the
right to opinion and fair comment.
Forge closer collaboration with other journalist orgnisations and media
institutions both in The Gambia and abroad.
Encourage budding journalists and others interested in the profession.
Seek training facilities and opportunities for members, both locally and
abroad, as well as seek to enhance the professional competence of members
through various other means necessary.
Promote solidarity amongst journalists and others in the profession.
3. MEMBERSHIP
(a) Membership of the Union shall be open to all practicing
journalists and other media workers in The Gambia.
(b) There shall exist the following category of membership:
(i) Full
(ii) Associate
(iii) Affiliate
(a) Full membership shall be extended to full time Gambian
Journalists and
other media workers, both in The Gambia and abroad.
(b) Associate membership shall he extended to others concerned with
the
mass media; including Gambia-based foreign journalists, public relations
officers and students of Journalism.
(c) Affiliate membership shall be extended to Gambia-based
organizations
and other bodies connected with the mass media; and they shall have only
one vote.
4. ORGANS AND FUNCTIONS
(a) The organs of the Union shall comprise the general membership and
the Executive Committee, as well as any other ad hoc body that may be
created.
(b) Both the general membership and the Executive Committee shall have
powers to establish ad hoc committees and to co-opt outsiders on an advisory
capacity as and when necessary.
5. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
(a) The general membership shall comprise members of the categories
and ranks. It shall be the highest decision making body of the Union.
6. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(a) The Executive Committee shall comprise the following:
(i) President
(ii) Two Vice Presidents
(iii) Secretary General
(iv) Two Assistant Secretaries
(v) Treasurer
(vi) Two co-opted members (one of whom must be a female)
(b) The Executive Committee shall be elected from fully paid up members
during the triennial congress, and unless elected members leave their posts under
any circumstances, they shall hold office for three years
(c) The Executive Committee shall be the main organ for implementing
Union plans and decisions and its members shall in their respective
capacities be individually and collectively responsible to the general membership for
carrying out the running of the Union.
(d) All former Chairpersons/Presidents of the Union as well as proprietors
of media houses who are members of the Union shall be co-opted as advisers of
the Executive Committee.
7. OFFICIALS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
(a) The President and in his/her absence the first and second Vice
Presidents respectively shall Chair all meetings and other functions of the Union, In
their absence, the function shall Be performed by such person that members
may determine.
(i) The President shall not serve more than two three-year terms.
(b) The Secretary General, and in his/her absence, any of the two
assistant secretaries shall be responsible for recording minutes of meetings as
well as responsible for general correspondence of the Union.
(c) The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the Union’s accounts and
all monies due shall be payable to him/her. He/she shall be required to
submit an annual statement of account to the Annual General Meeting as well as lay
the audited accounts before the Triennial Congress for scrutiny.
d) There shall be an Administrator of the Secretariat who shall be
an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee. He/she shall be responsible
for the day-to-day administration of the Secretariat under the direct
supervision of the President and he/she shall be held accountable for all the assets
and properties of the Union.
He/she shall submit a monthly report on the status of the Secretariat at
every general meeting.
(e) No proprietor or part owner of a media house or organ of news
shall be eligible for election to any position in the Executive Committee.
8. MEETINGS
(a) There shall be an Annual General Meeting of the Union at the
beginning of each
calendar year and an ordinary general meeting on the first Saturday of each
month.
(b) The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the convening of
both the Annual General Meetings and the monthly meetings, as well as all
other meetings of the Union.
(c) The Executive Committee shall also meet as and when necessary. It
shall also convene an extra-ordinary general meeting as and when necessary,
or at the request of not less than a simple majority of the general
membership.
(d) The Annual General Meeting shall receive and examine reports by
the President and the Secretary General on the activities of the Union during
the year under review, while the Treasurer shall present a statement of
account. The AGM would also consider and adopt an annual action plan prepared by
the Executive Committee, as well as consider and adopt resolutions and decide
on any amendments to the Constitution.
(e) The AGM shall also consider and adopt the subsequent year’s budget
prepared by the Treasurer in consultation with the Executive Committee.
9. QUORUM
(a) One third of the general membership shall form a quorum in any
properly constituted general meeting of the Union, and all decisions taken in
such a meeting shall be binding on the Union.
10. DECISIONS
(a) All decisions of the Union shall be taken by consensus or by a
simple majority of the members in attendance in a properly constituted meeting.
Voting on any issue shall be by show of hand and the President shall have a
casting vote, which shall be used only in the event of a tie.
11. FUNDS
(a) The Union shall derive its funds from either or all of the
following sources:
(i) Membership subscriptions
(ii) Donations and contributions
(iii) Sale of publications
(iv) And through other fund raising activities sanctioned by the general
membership.
(b) All individual members of all categories shall pay a membership
registration fee on admission as well as monthly subscription fees as
determined from time to time by the general membership.
(c) Affiliate member organisations shall pay membership registration
fees upon admission and annual subscription fees due and payable at the
beginning of each calendar year.
(d) All monies collected by the Treasurer shall be payable into the
Union’s bank account, unless otherwise determined by the general membership.
(e) The President, Treasurer and one member of the advisory body shall
be the signatories to the Union’s bank account.
(f) No money shall be withdrawn from the account unless it shall be
authorized by the general membership, except in cases of emergency when the President
or in his/her absence, the First Vice President can authorize such
withdrawals and thereafter refer the matter to the general membership for
consideration and endorsement.
12. DISCIPLINE
(a) Any member who is accused of gross professional misconduct or financial
misappropriation involving Union funds shall have his/her membership
suspended by a simple majority of members in attendance in a properly constituted
general meeting. The matter shall then be referred to a special disciplinary
committee selected for the purpose, which shall consider the matter and
recommend any further action to be taken against such a member.
(b) Constant failure by a member to pay his/her dues as well as abide
by the Union’s Constitutional provisions shall be deemed to be lack of
interest and may result in withdrawal of membership without notice.
(c) Any member subjected to disciplinary measures shall reserve the
right to petition the Executive Committee for a review who shall be obliged to
table the matter in a subsequent general meeting for consideration.
13. AMENDMENTS
(a) The whole or any part of this Constitution shall be subject to
amendment by a simple majority of members in attendance in any properly
constituted AGM.
(b) All proposals for amendment of the Constitution shall be done in
writing by fully paid up members and forwarded to the Secretary General at
least one week prior to the AGM.
14. DISSOLUTION
In the event that the Union is to be dissolved, all its assets and
properties shall be given to a media organization in this country with similar aims
and objectives.
DONE IN BANJUL ON THIS 15TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2001
The Freedom of the Press Act
The right to publish a newspaper without having the contents monitored in
advance by any government agency is one example of freedom of the press. The
Freedom of the Press Act serves to safeguard freedom of speech in printed form.
It gives all individuals a fundamental right to express their opinions and
disseminate them without prior censorship. The right of free access to
official documents is also enshrined in the Freedom of the Press Act. This means
that anyone is entitled to contact a public authority or agency in Sweden and
request access to an official document, such as a decision it has made. An
individual who makes such a request does not need to give his name or specify the
purpose of his request.
Another principle contained in the Freedom of the Press Act is the freedom
to communicate information. According to this principle, all persons in Sweden
are entitled to communicate to the press information that they consider
important and necessary to make public. The publisher of the material is not
entitled to reveal the source if the individual in question wishes to remain
anonymous. It is a punishable offence for anyone, for example the head of a
public agency, to try to find out who has leaked information to the media.
Sweden’s first Freedom of the Press Act was introduced as early as 1766.
See next issue for further details.
36 BLACK BEAUTY CONTESTANTS HONOURED
By Sarjo Camara-Singhateh
The United States Ambassador to The Gambia, Mr. Joseph D. Stafford hosted a
colourful reception in honour of Ms. Black USA contestants on Saturday, May
26, 2007 between the hours of 19.00 to 21.00 hours at his residence.
Addressing the contestants, Ambassador Stafford described them as
Ambassadors of Peace and determined “queens”. He said, he was impressed with the way
and manner the “queens” were received by the Gambian people.
He said it is a land mark history between the US and the Gambia. He said
this described the strong historical, social and cultural relationship between
the Gambia and United States.
Speaking on behalf of the delegates, Ms. Kerin Arrington described the “
queens” as beautiful, talented and intelligent. She said the beauty pageant is
not meant to make participants celebrities, but they are here to link the
Gambia and the United States. She emphasised that the arrival of the queens on
this trip to The Gambia is a mark of history.
The reception could be described as an interactive one. The Ambassador’s
residence was decorated with all the flags of the states within the United
States and the Gambian flag fluttered as well. The reception was opened by the
national anthems of The Gambia and United States.
U – 20 Team Final Selection 6 in 5 Out
By Modou Nyang
The final selection for the U – 20 have been made with six new players
making the team and five others facing the axe.
Most notable among the absentees from Coach Bonu Johnson’s 22 man selection,
is team Captain Ken Malamin Jammeh who is dropped because of injury. Fringe
players Habib Kunta, Demba Sanyang and Sarja Leigh also lead the exit door
together with Pierre Gomez falling out of favour for the team’s Fifa U – 20
World Cup party.
Kebba Bah, Paul Jatta, Ebrima Jatta and Abdourahman Dampha gained entry into
the team together with Abdou Jatta and goalkeeper Suruwa Bojang.
They will join the other players who were part of the team during the
African Youth Championship in Congo earlier this year. Coach Peter Bonu Johnson is
supposed to travel with a team of 22 players including 3 goalkeepers to the
Fifa U – 20 World Cup holding in Canada.
The team is expected to leave for the UK for a three week training camp and
then move to the US before their final destination in Toronto, Canada. They
will play Mexico in their first game on July 2nd.
Controversial Goal Gift Wallidan
By Modou Nyang
A 43rd minute controversial goal by Amadou Gaye earned Wallidan a vital win
against Sait Matty at the Serrekunda East grounds on Sunday.
The leggy Wallidan striker broke through and slipped the ball under the
keeper into the bottom post of the Sait Matty goal just as the first half was
about to end. The goal sent the Sait Matty bench wild as they protested to the
linesman for not ruling Gaye offside.
Elsewhere Hawks continued their poor form as they threw a 2 goal advantage
to level with division 1 strugglers Seaview FC at the Serrekunda West grounds.
Seaview cancelled one goal in each half to register a remarkable comeback
against the FA Cup holders.
And on Saturday Gamtel drew one all with Steve Biko at the Independence
Stadium in Bakau and Real de Banjul inflicted a one goal defeat to Armed Forces
deepening further the woes of the Soldiers. The match between Bakau United and
Ports Authority did not proceed.
2nd Division Week Six Roundup
By Modou Nyang
In week six of the GFA second division matches on Friday, Interior FC drew 2
all against Tallinding United whilst Samger and Kaira Silo fired blanks.
Brikama United hammered Jambanjelly FC 3-0. Serrekunda East FC knocked Ham Ham
3-1 and Nema United picked up their first win by edging past Young Africans by
a lone goal.
The game between Ham Ham and Serrekunda East witnessed a tough battle at the
Serrekunda West grounds. Serrekunda East took the lead in the 11th minute
when Ham Ham keeper Dam Jaye failed to handle properly allowing the ball to
slip into his net. Ham Ham came back into the game when Pa Omar Nyang scored
from the penalty spot as they fought to avoid defeat in their own ground.
But the Easterners forced their way back into the lead in the 67th minute
through a penalty when Ham Ham’s Alagie Baker was adjudged to have handled the
ball. Assan Njie made no mistake as he sent Dam Jaye flying in the wrong
side. And as Ham Ham struggle to get back into the game central defender Assan
Njie gifted Modou Worry Jallow in the 84th minute to seal the day for
Serrekunda East.
JARRA CENTRAL, JARRA EAST GET NEW CHIEFS
By Yaya Dampha
The people of Jarra Central have a new chief in the person of Mr. Momodou L.
Ceesay, the APRC candidate in the last National Assembly elections.
Mr. Momodou L. Ceesay was appointed Chief of the District on Friday 25 May
2007. He received his appointment letter when he was invited by the Regional
Governor, Mr. Momodou Soma Jobe, to a meeting in Jappineh. His predecessor
Alhagie Haruna Sabally who is yet to receive his letter of retirement was
elected Chief since the first Republic when he defeated Mr. Sheik Burama Dampha in
1978. He succeeded Seyfo Bakary Dampha of Jappineh. When contacted, the
Governor of LRR said Mr. Sabally is retired because of old age. He said at the
time of his retirement, Haruna was the oldest chief in the country. Governor
Jobe noted that up till Saturday 26 May, Haruna could not be given his letter
because he is not yet seen. Sources close to Haruna say he has travelled.
In another development Mr. Ansumana Kanagie who works at the Department of
Technical Services in Mansakonko is appointed Head Chief of Jarra East. He has
succeeded Mr. Alhagie Fafanding Darboe of Jarra Pakaliba who has been the
Chief for Jarra East since the first Republic.
Mr. Kanagie got his letter of appointment on Friday through the Governor of
LRR. It was the same day that Mr. Darboe got his retirement letter. When
contacted the Governor LRR, Momodou Soma Jobe, confirmed the appointment of Mr.
Kanagie. He said this happened because Fafanding Darboe has been having poor
health for the past two years.
COMIUM JOINS THE TELECOMMUNICATION ARENA
COMIUM Gambia Ltd was on Saturday 26 May inaugurated by the President of the
Republic. In his speech, President Jammeh indicated that in a bid to promote
Telecommunications Technology, Gamtel and Gamcel have already embarked on a
new wireless communications programme aimed at promoting easy access to
digital facilities as well or the enhancement of the International Gateway VSAT
facilities. The President indicated that he is informed that COMIUM Gambia Ltd
will provides access to new and innovative mobile services with high quality
coverage, affordable and accessible services to Gambians for both local and
international calls.
He also said that COMIUM will also introduce services such as GPRS which
will give customers the opportunity to send e-mails and instant messages on
their phones and provide services such as multimedia messaging (MMS) to allow
customers to send voice pictures and video over the network with ring back
tones, and ringing tones.
On her part, the Secretary of State for Communications and Information
Technology Mrs. Neneh Macdouall-Gaye indicated that the launching of this GSM
operator is another milestone in the communications sector that complements the
efforts and policy objective of her Department of State in a bid to implement
the National Information and Communication Infrastructure Policy.
SoS Gaye said that COMIUM was granted a cellular licence in May 2006 to
provide mobile and internet services, and that having a third GSM operator will
give more choices to customers and encourage competition which has great
benefit such as costs reduction, better service delivery and innovative ideas.
On his part, the Managing Director of COMIUM Mr. Amer Atwi said COMIUM will
offer Gambians the widest range of value-added services, the most efficient
and the highest quality coverage The Gambia has ever experienced. He said they
will be the first to provide coverage to the entire country.
Mr. Atwi said entering a new market is always a challenge and they have
already enjoyed good challenges. He said increased competition means more choices
and therefore higher standards of service.
The inauguration ceremony was characterized by dancing and drumming. It was
colourful event.
TWO DROWN AS BOAT CAPSIZES
By Musa Barrow
Reports coming from Wuli indicate that two youths from the Village of Jah
Kunda drowned after the boat which was ferrying them capsized.
Kalley Danjo and Kawu Danjo, who come from the same family, died on
Wednesday 16th May 20 at Limban-mbulu river crossing point and were laid to rest on
the same day.
The Danjo brothers left their home early that morning apparently on the
search for “palm rope” which is used for tightening the roof of thatched huts
and other domestic purposes.
Reports further indicate that when the two brothers reached the river
crossing point, they attempted to cross by using a locally made canoe, and it was
this venture that claimed their lives.
Kalley Danjo who is the elder of the two and believed to be in his early 30s
is survived by two children and a wife. He has also been described as a
person who was highly respected by his colleagues and elders.
Kawn is said to be in his 20’s.
Several attempts have been made by Foroyaa speak to the police PRO on this
case, he but could not shed light on the matter.
FOCUS ON POLITICS
1981 POLITICAL CRISIS
JAWARA HELICOPTERED TO BANJUL, DID HE LEARN NEW LESSONS?
With Suwaibou Touray
We have been focusing on politics in general. This motivates us to analyse
the trend of politics from the pre-colonial to post colonial era. We have
started reviewing the happenings of July 30th 1981 crisis which we said was a
crisis of monumental proportions. In the last issue, we have stopped where we
said the estimated number of casualties stood at hundreds dead and many more
wounded. Let us continue from where we have stopped.
Gambians abroad particularly the educated elites in Britain demonstrated
after two days of the crisis against the intervention of Senegal in what they
called the internal affairs of The Gambia.
According to BBC reports, Gambians staged a protest procession at The Gambia
High Commission in London demanding for the immediate withdrawal of
Senegalese troops from The Gambian soil.
Kukoi who had once aspired to be a priest must have been shocked after
realising the number of people killed and wounded as well as the destruction of
property. This must have motivated his mind not to carry out his threats to
kill his hostages. He also did not order any killing of top bureaucrats.
According to Foroyaa, even though Kukoi and his men were in control of the Pipeline
area for days, their feeling was that he might have had good intentions but
wrong ideas.
However speculation had it that Kukoi had eliminated the two Senegalese
combatants, he had earlier captured. At this stage, Kukoi who felt the battle had
been lost, left the as the radio announcement continued, at a time when a
lot of his combatants were still armed waiting for further instructions. Many
also believed Kukoi’s insinuation when he continued to call on the world
socialist community to help in arresting the Senegalese aggression. In so doing,
Guinea Bissau was constantly mentioned as the closest socialist country that
was expected to send troops. It became clearer as hours passed by and Kukoi’s
voice steadily receded into oblivion that their intervention was a dream.
Little did they know that Kukoi had infact gone for good. He had gone when his
combatants such as Mustapha Danso and others were in hiding. They had to
retire from the woods. Mustapha Danso who was already sentenced to death but was
yet to be hanged was one such person who was released from prison to fight. He
was later executed by firing squad according to a radio announcement.
With the airport, the Bakau Barracks, radio Gambia and Banjul secured, and
the Senegalese tanks stationed at Denton Bridge near the baobab trees with
their turrets pointing at each direction, Sir Dawda could also finally come from
Senegal.
According to The Gambia Outlook, Sir Dawda was introduced to the pilots of
the Senegalese Air force by President Abdou Diouf before he boarded a
helicopter to Banjul. He was met by the then Vice President, Mr. Assan Musa Camara
plus some dignitaries, escorted by Senegalese troops.
According to The Gambia Outlook, nobody believed that Jawara had entered the
country. The PPP was said to have organised a private meeting at their
bureau which Jawara attended, amid heavy Senegalese troop presence.
What Next?
The first thing Jawara must logically do was to consolidate his position
after the uprising. This can only be done when there is no remaining threat or
remnants of resistance. Immediately, people began to see machinery in
operation. In Brikama, Chief Sanjally Bojang, Mr. Dembo Jatta, a cabinet Minister and
other PPP militants could be seen with Senegalese soldiers engaged in house
to house searches. It amazed many people to see especially them to engage in
such a rigorous search considering the pronouncements they had earlier on
made during the heat of the struggle. Many young people who simply moved on the
streets attempting to pass through Senegalese troops check points as if
nothing out of the ordinary happened got themselves arrested on mere suspicion.
The searches and arrests continued unabated in all the towns across the country
and even in remote villages.
According to The Gambia Outlook, many Field Force personnel were rounded up,
tied up, huddled together like sardines in tin and only in their underpants
and dumped together at both the Bakau Depot and several police stations. At
the Police Headquarters in Banjul, the cells were said to be overcrowded with
detainees, some were said to have suffocated to death.
The second thing that was done to consolidate the president’s grip was to
establish a state of emergency. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice,
Honourable M.L Saho swiftly convened an emergency parliament to ratify the
Emergency Powers Act which was unanimously carried by the house.
Immediately after the meeting it was announced that two members of the house
were absent, Mr. S.M Dibba and Mr. Gibou Jagne, all of the main opposition
NCP party. They were arrested. It was also announced that a Mr. Mbye was also
said to be in detention in connection with similar offences. This was what
effectively laid to rest the rumour of the NCP leaders’ arrest and detention.
Mr. Cheyassin Secka NLP leader was also arrested and detained, which was said
not to be in connection with the crisis.
With the state of emergency imposed throughout the country, Gambians had
most of their normal freedoms curtailed. Anybody could be arrested under any
pretext. In less than two weeks after the battle dust had settled, over 1000
people had been arrested and detained. The foreign media criticized the
Government for the terrible conditions of detainees but M.L Saho; the Attorney
General dismissed outside reports and said it was made by a few misguided
individuals in some foreign countries.
With the swelling of detainees in detention centres, the BBC criticized the
government for disallowing detainees to seek for legal counsels. At this
stage, the detainees had reached over a thousand people. Many opposition elements
described it as revenge or vendetta against them to cow them.
According to records, Jawara himself was so overwhelmed with the number of
detainees and therefore had to comment. He said the condition of detainees was
made difficult because of their number. He then allowed lawyers to go to the
detention centres to make their services available to detainees. What Jawara
may not have known was that his militants and so many other people who
wanted to be close to him made it their duty to report all those who were
supporting the opposition. This was why people like Muhamadou Jobarteh, detainee No
721 and more than twenty other NCP supporters of Brifu in the Wuli District
were arrested. Alhagi Tobaye Touray of Fatoto detainee No. 814 was arrested.
Some elders were said to have died during the detention. These reports could not
have been mentioned by the papers during the state of emergency for fear of
arrest. The situation was made so chaotic that the president ordered for
quick preliminary scrutiny of cases and people who were in no way culpable could
be released to reduce the swelling of the detention centres. By about the
17th of August 1981, the president had released over 91 detainees who were not
found in any way connected to the uprising but were reported by people who
considered them enemies.
The period had been succinctly captured by Sam Jones when he said, “Terror
reigned in the hearts of many, fear of victimization, fear of intimidation,
fear of losing the rights and privileges enshrined in the rules of democracy
and so on reigned.”
After a while, many were trying to relax their minds; that Jawara would not
after all listen to opportunists who were advocating for “an eye for an eye”
, “tooth for a tooth” principle. But by the 27th August, Sir Dawda’s axe
fell on the following people; Chief Sanjally Bojang of Kombo Central District
was dismissed. The reasons were not elaborated but many felt that his express
support for the rebels or denunciation of Jawara’s regime was what led to his
putsch. Mr. Dembo Jatta the then Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and
Culture also lost his portfolio for what the Outlook called, “Yielding to the
intimidating tactics of the revolutionaries.” Mr H.O Semega Janneh also had his
job terminated on 9 September as Minister of Information and Tourism and
replaced with Mr. B.B Darboe, the Member of Parliament of Kiang West. No reasons
were advanced.
Observers at the scene were of the view that the crisis must have taught a
lesson to the president; that the slogan that one should not mind one’s
enemies, but one’s so-called best friends is a misconception. According to Mr Sam
Jones, “Sir Dawda by now knows that his enemies know nothing about him as much
as his friends do.”
See next issues as the country struggles to put behind the crisis
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