Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 013/2007, 2-4 January,  2007
Editorial
DR. MBOWE, IS THERE A CURE FOR HIV/AIDS OR NOT?
The  government of the Gambia has established the National AIDS Secretariat. 
The  President of the Republic is the chairperson of the committee responsible 
for  exercising control and direction of the secretariat. 
The World Bank  initially gave US$ 15 million to the government to establish 
a National  programme to control HIV/AIDS in 2001 for a period of 4 years.
The primary  focus of the secretariat had been to conduct sensitisation 
programmes to educate  the Gambia people that HIV/AIDS has no cure; that people 
should abstain or  conduct safe sex to prevent HIV/AIDS infection.
Furthermore, the public has  been informed that those living with HIV/AIDS 
should be protected from  discrimination that their lives may be prolonged by 
good nutrition, solidarity  and tolerance of the public, effective treatment of 
opportunistic infections,  clean environment and relaxation.
What is not clear from Dr. Mbowe’s review  of CD4 counts is whether he is 
implying that the opportunistic infections are  being treated to prolong the 
lives of those infected or that the infection is  actually being cured. There is 
no mention of blood test to confirm that any of  the patients is free from the 
infection. 
To avoid confusion, it is necessary  for Dr. Mbowe to come out clearly to 
explain whether the treatment of HIV.AIDS  patients are designed to cure them or 
to help them to live with HIV/AIDS in a  better manner. This is the burning 
issue of the day. Dr. Mbowe needs to call a  press conference to clarify matters 
so that the sensitisation efforts of NAS  will not go in vain. 

MASS ARRESTS IN BADIBOU
By Yaya Dampha
The  defeated UDP candidate in Lower Baddibou, Mr. Kebba F. Singhateh and 
(15)  fifteen of his supporters were arrested on Saturday by officials of the 
Police  Intervention Unit,(PIU).
According to Mr. Lamin Buna Singhateh [ a brother to  the defeated candidate 
], one Miss Jamba Barrow (a cousin to Hon. Suku  Singhateh) had a brawl with 
Mr. Faburama Singhateh at the market and it ended in  a physical fight. He said 
that later in the day, one Lamin Singhateh came and  found the UDP candidate’
s son brewing China Green tea (Attaya) and assaulted  him; that an MP (name 
witheld) later called the police who came and arrested  Kebba F. Singhateh, 
Lamin Singhateh, Ebrima Dambelly, Omar Ceesay, Faburama  Singhateh, Alhagie Ngum, 
Jololi Barrow, Mafafu Saho, Lang Jumbo Singhateh,  Faburama Gasama, Bubacarr 
Singhateh, Ousman Suso, Burama Jaliba, Buramanding  Singhateh, Buranding Danso 
and Dembo Makalo. Nine of the arrestees are detained  at Farafenni Police 
Station while the other six are detained at Kerewan Police  Station.
The family members have raised concern over the arrest and detention  of 
their loved ones and called on the authorities to release them. 
However,  sources close to Farafenni Police confirmed the arrest of the nine  
people.
When contacted, Police Relations Officer (PRO) Aziz Bojang said when  
complaints were made to the police they had to arrest those suspected and that  it is 
only the court that can prove guilt. He said if somebody lodges a  complaint 
with the police, they (the police) have to proceed to effect the  arrest of 
those alleged to have committed the offence, but that this does not  mean that 
the police are siding with the party that complained.  
Superintendent Bojang however did not say anything as to why the Lower  
Badibou UDP candidate and his supporters are still being detained for over six  
days which is beyond the required constitutional duration of 72 hours or three  
days. 

GROUNDNUT TRADE IN LIMBO
By Yaya Dampha
The groundnut trade  season is in limbo as farmers throughout the country 
complained of lack of  buying centers.
When Foroyaa got the information, this reporter went round  the country to 
interview farmers. It was discovered that the buying centres are  not functional 
this year.
According to farmers in the Lower River Region,  they were told that they 
should take their nuts to the Tendaba GGC depot for  sale. When this reporter 
visited Tendaba, he was told that there is cash with  the depot managers 
throughout the country, but they were told not buy below five  tons of groundnut.
In some parts of the CRR the farmers interviewed said they  are not able to 
sell their nuts because the only buying center is in Kudang  Tenda and Kuntaur 
depot which are far from their places. A farmer said he has  only three tons 
for sale, but he could not sell it because it is below the  recommended five 
tons that the depots are accepting.
Many farmers said they  have to combine their nuts in order to have the 
recommended five tons quantity  for sale.
In U.R.R, the farmers are faced with the same problems but the  situation 
there is better than all the other places, because the farmers in  U.R.R have an 
association and private buyers go to villages to buy nuts. However  they 
registered their disappointment over the government’s failure to buy their  nuts.
In the N.B.R the only buying centre is Barra. The farmers complained  that 
the buying centre in Barra is not strategically located, as it is far from  
their villages. The farmers there said they have resorted to selling their nuts  
in the weekly markets (lumos). 

SERGEANT BUBA MENDY STILL  DETAINED
Sergeant Buba Mendy of The Gambia Armed Forces is still detained at  the 
maximum security wing of the Mile Two Central Prison, a source informed this  
paper.
Mendy was arrested and detained shortly after the alleged coup plot  led by 
Colonel Ndure Cham was purportedly quelled by The Gambia Armed Forces. A  
source close to Mendy’s family said the latter is kept incommunicado. The source  
went on to say that the family was allowed access to him only once, and since  
then, they have not been allowed to see him. The source said the members of 
his  family are not aware of any charge against him.
According to reports, the  wife of the latter was pregnant at the time of his 
arrest. . The source further  indicated that the continued detention of Mendy 
has affected his family,  including his wife. 

RAMBO JATTA DETAINED AT FATOTO POLICE STATION
Mr.  Ousman Rambo Jatta, the councillor for Bakau Ward, who was arrested 
since August  2006 and detained in various Police Stations in the country, is now 
detained at  Fatoto.
Jatta is reported to have spent some weeks in Fatoto Police Station.  He is 
said to have been transferred to Fatoto after he spent three months at  Sare 
Ngai Police Station. He was earlier detained at Sibanor, Gunjur, Kotu,  Jareng 
and Mile Two Prison. He is reported to have been accused of attempting to  act 
in a violent manner at an IEC registration centre in Bakau. He was charged  
and arraigned in court, but the state has failed to produce him in court. It is  
reported that Jatta is physically healthy.

Reporters without Borders  issues its 2007 
annual press freedom survey
The survey, published on 1  February, reports on press freedom in 98 
countries and includes the main  violations of journalists’ rights in 2006 and 
regional aspects of media and  Internet freedom.
The report (in English, French, Spanish and Arabic) can be  read at 
www.rsf.org and downloaded in its entirety or by region.
“The report  lists the worst violations in repressive countries, including 
major culprits  North Korea, Eritrea, Cuba and Turkmenistan, but also looks at 
democracies,  where progress needs to be made too,” the organisation says.
“A disturbingly  record number of journalists and media workers were killed 
or thrown in prison  around the world in 2006 and we are already concerned 
about 2007, as six  journalists and four media assistants have been killed in 
January alone,” the  report’s introduction says.
“But beyond these figures is the alarming lack of  interest (and sometimes 
even failure) by democratic countries in defending the  values they are supposed 
to incarnate.”
“Almost everyone believes in human  rights these days but amid the silences 
and behaviour on all sides, we wonder  who now has the necessary moral 
authority to make a principled stand in favour  of these freedoms.”
Media workers in the Middle East were once again the  victims of the region’s 
chronic instability.  65 journalists and media  assistants were killed in 
Iraq and kidnappings were more frequent there and in  the Palestinian 
Territories. Despite repeated promises, the region’s governments  have not introduced 
significantly greater democracy.
In Latin America, the  murder of nearly a dozen journalists in Mexico with 
virtual impunity, the  continued imprisonment of more than a score in Cuba and 
the deteriorating  situation in Bolivia (nevertheless the best-ranked country 
of the South in the  Reporters Without Borders annual press freedom index) are 
all signals to the  international community to be very vigilant.
Press freedom violations in Asia  peaked with 16 media workers killed, at 
least 328 arrested, 517 physically  attacked or threatened and 478 media outlets 
censored in 2006. Censorship is  very widespread and complete freedom to speak 
and write is rare in Asia.
Many  African governments, especially those in the Horn of Africa, distrust 
media  workers. The killers of journalists are also not being punished in 
Gambia and  Burkina Faso.
Dictatorships also seem to be tightening their grip on the  Internet and at 
least 60 people are in prison for posting criticism of the  government online. 
China, the leading offender, is being copied by Vietnam,  Syria, Tunisia, 
Libya and Iran and more and more bloggers and cyber-dissidents  are in jail. 
The survey, published on 1 February, reports on press freedom  in 98 
countries and includes the main violations of journalists’ rights in 2006  and 
regional aspects of media and Internet freedom.
“Almost everyone believes  in human rights these days but amid the silences 
and behaviour on all sides, we  wonder who now has the necessary moral 
authority to make a principled stand in  favour of these freedoms.”
Dictatorships also seem to be tightening their  grip on the Internet and at 
least 60 people are in prison for posting criticism  of the government online. 
China, the leading offender, is being copied by  Vietnam, Syria, Tunisia, 
Libya and Iran and more and more bloggers and  cyber-dissidents are in jail.

TRIAL OF OLD YUNDUM RESIDENTS
By Modou  Jonga
The trial involving Mustapha Jadama and 16 other accused persons was on  
Wednesday 31st January, 2007 adjourned to 6th February due to the absence of the  
police prosecutor.
The accused persons who were present in court, pleaded not  guilty to the 
criminal charge preferred against them. They are arraigned in  court for acting 
without legal authority in a manner that is calculated to lead  to incitement 
of violence, destruction or damage to property.
The case which  has been in court for over one month, has so far heard the 
testimonies of three  prosecution witnesses. All three are officers of the 
Police Intervention Unit  who are attached to the Brikama Police Station. 

TREASON TRIAL  DEFERRED
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
The treason trial involving Tamsir Jasseh,  Alieu Jobe, Omar Faal Keita and 
Demba Dem could not proceed at the High Court on  Wednesday due to the illness 
of one of the accused persons.
Emmanuel  Fagbenle, director of public prosecution submitted that Demba Dem 
was taken to  hospital. At this juncture, Fagbenle applied for an adjournment 
of the hearing.  Defence lawyer Lamin Jobarteh told the trial judge, Justice 
Yeboah that he does  not know the state of his client. Jobarteh also said that 
he only came to  understand that very day that Dem was taken to the accident 
and emergency unit  at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) in Banjul.
Justice Yeboah  adjourned the trial to the 7th of February. Dem and others 
are standing trial  for their role in the alleged March 21st foiled coup d’etat.

APRC  SUPPORTER ACQUITTED AND DISCHARGED
By Modou Jonga
Alimamo Gibba, a  supporter of the APRC and a resident of Pirang Village in 
the Kombo East was on  Wednesday 31st January 2007, acquitted and discharged on 
an assault charge. He  was acquitted after the prosecution failed to adduce 
sufficient evidence.
The  judgment was delivered by Magistrate E.F M’bai at the Brikama Magistrate’
s  court. Mr. Gibba is alleged to have assaulted one Oley Touray (a supporter 
of  the United Democratic Party) with a stone on the 15th May 2006 at Pirang 
Village  in the Western Region.
Three prosecution witnesses have testified on the said  assault case. They 
included the complainant, Oley Touray, Lamin R. Darboe and  Sergeant Bunja 
Darboe of the Brikama Police Station. Mr. Gibba entered his  defence on 19th 
December 2006.
The case has dragged for more than two months  at the said court.

IEC ON KEMESENG’S RESIGNATION
The IEC has reacted  to a story published in one of the local newspapers. The 
story is centered on  the resignation of Kemeseng Jammeh from NADD. Below is 
the press release issued  by the IEC.
“The INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION has learnt with utter  dismay the insin
uations made by the Clerk of the National Assembly on the matter  relating to 
the resignation from NADD of the former NAM for Jarra West, Kemeseng  Jammeh.
In accordance with Section 91 subsection 1 (d) of the Constitution of  the 
Republic of the Gambia (1997), Kemeseng Jammeh ceased to be a member of the  
National Assembly because he resigned from NADD. Through a copy of the letter to  
NADD dated 1st January 2007, prior to the nomination of candidates for the  
National Assembly Elections, the IEC was informed of his resignation from  NADD.
Section 91 subsection 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of the  Gambia 
(1997) stipulates that “the Clerk of the National Assembly shall inform  the 
INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION of any vacancy among the members of the  
National Assembly.”
One can therefore deduce from the aforementioned that the  onus for the 
giving of information on the occurrence of a vacancy lies under the  ambit of the 
Clerk of the National Assembly and not the INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL  COMMISSION. 
Kemeseng Jammeh should have notified the National  Assembly.”

“MY VICTORY WAS A LANDSLIDE” SAYS SULAYMAN JOOF
By Amie  Sanneh
The APRC elected representative for Serrekunda West, Sulayman Joof,  has 
described his victory as a landslide, noting that he scored 69 percent of  the 
votes cast.
In an interview with Foroyaa at his residence, he expressed  concern towards 
the development of his constituency.
Commenting on his plans  for the constituency, Sulayman Joof noted that he 
will continue to raise issues  that concern his constituency at the National 
Assembly to ensure that there is  improvement in the life of his people.
Honourable Joof also promised his  constituents that their will be an 
extension and provision of clean water  supply, quality road network, skill centres 
and the empowerment of women.
He  also complained about the low voter turnout and said it is his concern.
“We  will start to educate the electorate to come out and vote as they did 
during the  presidential elections,” he said.
Mr. Joof said it is a serious matter,  because for some people, once they 
have voted in the presidential elections and  saw how the results went, they do 
not bother anymore, because to them, they feel  that they know the results 
already.
“Another reason that might have led to  the low voter turn out is voter 
apathy as people may feel tired to vote because  they have voted just four months 
ago,” said Joof.
He also explained that some  voters may think that the National Assembly 
Elections are not important and as a  result would not bother to vote.
These are the very ones who would make  demands to their parliamentarians”.
The Serrekunda West NAM expressed  happiness for his re-election, describing 
it as an honour. He thanked his  supporters and urged them to continue to 
rally behind the APRC party.

AT  THE COURT MARTIAL WO2 JABANG CROSS EXAMINED
By Fabakary B. Ceesay & Annia  Gaye
Warrant officer second class, Nfally Jabang of the Gambia Armed Forces,  was 
cross examined by defense counsel Lamin S. Camara, at the court martial at  
Yundum barracks on Thursday 1st February 2007.
Defense counsel, Lamin S.  Camara, asked the witness, when was the video 
cassette recorded and whether it  was recorded during the course of their 
investigations. WO2 Jabang replied that  the tape was recorded on the 26th March 2006 
and that it was recorded during the  course of their investigation. He said 
that Captain Wassa Camara made the  request for the accused persons to appear on 
TV, but was quick to say that the  request was not made in writing. He said 
the recording was made in the presence  of two police officers, Lamin Cham and 
Abdoulie Sowe, the two independent  witnesses, Babou Loum and Tijan Bojang and 
the three (3) GRTS crew, Modou  Sanyang, Director, one Alieu and their 
assistant. WO2 Jabang admitted that he  was not present when the recording was done 
but that he made the arrangements  for the recording. Jabang indicated that 
since he was not inside when the  recording was taking place, he did not know 
what had transpired there. Counsel  Camara asked him, whether he had seen the 
accused persons when they were taken  to the NIA and how many of them he saw, 
Jabang responded that, he saw them and  that they were six (6) in number; 
namely, Captain Bunja Darboe, Captain Camara,  Captain Yaya Darboe, captain Wassa 
Camara Tamsir Jasseh and their Marabout (five  names were mentioned). Mr. Jabang 
denied picking up the accused persons from the  Mile Two to the NIA complex, 
adding that he did not know what happened at mile  two prison. Camara asked 
him whether he noticed that Captain Bunja Darboe’s hand  was broken and he 
replied in the negative. He added that he never knew that  Captain Bunja Darboe’s 
hand was broken. “I’m putting it to you that Captain  Darboe’s hand was 
broken. When exhibit M (video tape) was made, I’m also putting  it to you that none 
of the accused persons has made a request to speak to the  general public,: 
Jabang replied , “It was requested by Captain Wassa Camara to  Sowe and that it 
was brought to the panel that the accused wanted to appeal to  the public on 
TV.” Counsel Camara asked whether the accused were cautioned and  whether the 
cautionary words were put on the video tape. He said that, the  accused were 
cautioned by Lamin Cham and Abdoulie Sowe but that it was not on  video tape. 
WO2 Jabang indicated that the accused persons were cautioned before  they were 
taken for recording. Camara asked, under who’s authority was the video  tape 
shown on TV, he replied that it was under the panel’s authority. Camara  asked 
whether he entered the recording in his diary of action. WO2 Jabang said,  “It 
is contained in the police diary.” “I’m putting it to you that it is not  
correct that it was contained in the police diary,” says Camara. Wo2 Jabang  
replied “Well if you wish, but it is correct that it is there in the police  diary.
” Sitting continues on the 8th February, 2007.

UDP CANDIDATE AND  SUPPORTERS GRANTED BAIL
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Mahamadou Saibo Sagnia, the  UDP candidate for Basse constituency in the 
recent parliamentary elections and  nine of his supporters were on Monday granted 
bail by Justice Monageng of the  Banjul High Court. Justice Monageng has urged 
each of the accused persons to  sign a bond of D8000 and to provide a Gambian 
Surety.
Mr. Sagnia and his  co-accused who are on trial at the Basse Magistrate’s 
Court were charged with  unlawful assembly and conduct conducive to the breach of 
peace. Four of them are  facing an extra charge of common assault.
The prosecutor is Corporal Juldeh  Camara and the trial Magistrate is Amadou 
Baldeh. The accused persons were  represented at the High Court by Neneh Cham.
The accused persons are suppose  to appear at the Basse Magistrate’s Court on 
the 8th February 2007.
Ousainou  Darboe, The UDP leader has confirmed the release of the ten accused 
persons, who  were remanded. 

FORMER PRESIDENT SIR DAWDA JAWARA LEAVES FOR  NIGERIA
By Amie Sanneh
The former President of the first Republic of The  Gambia, Sir Dawda Kairaba 
Jawara, on Wednesday evening left for Nigeria to head  an ECOWAS delegation on 
a fact finding mission on the electoral process in  Nigeria due this year.
Shortly before his departure, Sir Dawda told  journalists at a press briefing 
held at the Banjul International Airport VIP  lounge that his main task will 
be to meet stakeholders across Nigeria such as  the executive, Judiciary, 
legislature, media and the civil society.
He said  as a former president of this country he feels honoured and proud, 
not only of  himself but also The Gambia to head the ECOWAS delegation which is 
commissioned  to explore and investigate on the situation in Nigeria in the 
run-up to their  forthcoming presidential election. Responding to questions, 
Mr. Jawara described  his mission as significant, noting that it will enable 
ECOWAS to have an idea on  the situation of the election in Nigeria. Sir Dawada 
revealed that Nigeria has a  population of 75 million people and 50 million 
managed to be registered.  
After completing their mission he said they hope to report to ECOWAS and  
give them what transpired on the ground and also give advice.
Mr. Jawara  hoped that the report will enable all those concern to conduct an 
election which  can be regarded as free and fair. He stressed the need for 
elections to be  conducted in a free and fair manner.
He also emphasised the need for good  governance in Africa, noting that the 
media has an important role to play in  maintaining good governance and to 
ensure fairness in any election  process.
Also speaking at the press briefing Nuru Jobe, head of finance and  
operations at the ECOWAS Bureau in Banjul, described Sir Dawda’s mission as a  heavy 
burden bestowed on him. He said he is hopeful that with Sir Dawda’s  experience, 
he will live up to expectation and make the flag flying high.
Mr.  Jobe indicated that it is a challenging task, given Nigeria’s realities. 
He  added that ECOWAS came up with this Protocol and it will have a positive 
impact  towards the promotion of good governance and democracy.
Mr. Jobe expressed  his hope that upon the completion of this mission, the 
election process in  Nigeria will be 90 percent free from hitches. He also said 
that shortcomings  will be included in the report to serve as lessons to be 
improved upon in  future.

WHAT WAS SUSAN WAFA OGOO DOING AT SIBANOR VILLAGE
The people  of Sibanor Village were stunned by the unceremonious visit of SOS 
Susan Wafa  Ogoo on Wednesday 24th January. At around 8:10pm four cars with 
registration  numbers BJL 4464 D, BJL 8012D, C W D 1 and BJL 6888 D stopped at 
Faburey Kunda  and from them came out the Secretary of State, the Commissioner 
Western Division  and a few other people whose identity could not be 
confirmed. When this reporter  was informed of the SoS’s presence in the village, he 
tried to enquire from the  people what precipitated the Sos’s visit to the 
village at that time. Some of  the women and young men who said they had a meeting 
with the SoS said she made  it to the village to persuade them to vote for 
the APRC candidate Ebrima Janko  Sanyang not for his sake but for the sake of 
the APRC and its leadership. One of  the young men who spoke to me emphasised 
that there is no amount of persuasion  that would make them shift their 
allegiance. Both men and women who spoke to  this reporter vowed they would not yield 
to any inducement, saying simply they  could not withstand the malign and 
insults metted to village elders by the  incumbent and his supporters. 
Two Arrested
On a separate development, two  people were arrested by a mob of youths who 
threaten to beat them mercilessly  but with the timely intervention of the IEC 
Assistant Returning Officer, the two  men were taken to the Sibanor Police 
Station. When the Assistant Returning  Officer, Mr. Babucarr Samba was contacted 
the following day he highlighted the  reasons for the arrest of the two 
people. “I was on my way to the primary school  to check the placing of the ballot 
boxes and grounding of all flags as required  by IEC when my attention was 
called. I was told that the two people were from  Foni Kansala District and were 
caught canvassing for votes when it was cooling  off day, a day when all 
political activities were to cease” He said he then  escorted the two men to the 
police station where he gave his statement to the  NIA operative at Sibanor, Mr. 
Tamba, and also the police in his own hand writing  and left.  When I asked 
him if the two were still in detention, he said he  understood they had been 
released. The Station Officer at Sibanor was contacted  but he declined to 
comment, saying the Police PRO is the right person to be  contacted. However, 
frantic efforts were made to reach the PRO but to no  avail.

DR HENRY CARROL ON TAMBA FOFANA’S DETENTION
By Abdoulie Dibba
Dr.  Henry Carrol, the Solicitor General, has informed this reporter that he 
does not  know why Tamba Fofana is still detained by the authorities.
Dr. Carrol made  this statement during an interview with this reporter on 
Thursday. The Solicitor  General confirmed that the court has made an order for 
Tamba to be released from  custody, but he could not explain why Fofana is yet 
to be released by the  authorities. He (Carrol) asked this reporter to contact 
the arresting authority  and find out whether the bail conditions have been 
met. This reporter has learnt  that the bail conditions have been met, but 
Fofana continues to languish in  detention.
Fofana is the head teacher at the Kudang Lower Basic School. He  was arrested 
a week before the presidential election.  

Correction!!!
Results for National Assembly Elections for Niamina  East as published in 
Foroyaa Issue No. 11/07 (29-30January) are 2586 votes for  Foday Jallow of APRC 
and 2401 votes for Ebrima L.S. Marenah the independent  candidate instead of 
2554 votes and 2041 votes, respectively, as reported  before.
 

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