Daddy Sang,
Just a reminder: The late Eku Mahoney was the
Commander of the Riot Squad then. He read his inaudible "riot act" but every
stayed put and then All Hell broke loose. For most of us it more like a "flow".
The "Agogo" season was over and we were bored
At the fore-front were also people like Junkunda
Daffeh, Saul and Charles Jarra, Alassan Sarr, Bai-Mass Taal, Saga Taal and
Momodou Sedat Jobe . Yes, the very Dr. Saga Taal who is today the Secretary
General of Jammeh and Sedat-Jobe. In Aku the saying for these kind of people is:
"Oya, fine boy turn makalo". It was Momodou Sedat Jobe who translated Senghore's
speech in the "Kent Street Vous" journal that caused all that uproar. Today, he
is the foreign secretary of one of the most despotic regimes.
Prince
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, April 16, 2000 9:29
PM
Subject: Re: [Re: UPDATE]
kuts <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
Mr
Saidy,
You might not know this but there was a similar
demonstration in 1971 in
which all the schools in Banjul and environs
participitated. The police
were unable to control us,they had to call for
help from the Field
Force,who were able to control the situation after
several hours!!I can't
remember any serious injuries ,there were certainly
no fatalities!! The
"Deporians" were illitirate but they were definately
not
PHILISTINES!!
KUTS
I participated in that demonstration,
it began opposit Gambia High School and
it was staged to protest
President Senghore's speech in which he accused the
Gambia of causing
Senegal's economic woes. Senghore was on a stste visit to
the Gambia and
the demonstration was lead by Crispin Grey Johnson, Koro Sallah
and some
members of the "Kent Street Vous" along with Lena Manga then on
holidays
from the U.S; I was not arrested but my friend Pa Joof of fame Soto
Koto
Vous was; yes kuts your're right the field force were called in but
nobody
got killed either. It seems to me though illiterate, the field
force
understood freedom of speech better than these "sheep in wool
clothing" i.e
thugs mascarading as soldiers. Tombong you might want to
visit the achives to
that demonstration, you might learn a thing or two
about civil disobediance
and how to deal with it.
Daddy
Sang
----- Original Message -----
From: alfusainey bah <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent:
Sunday, April 16, 2000 9:36 AM
Subject: Re: UPDATE
> hey
Tombong,
> It is very sad that you are using this tragic accassion to
tell us about
the
> "good things" that Jammeh did for the youths of
the Gambia. What a shame.
> I have a question that has been lingering in
me since i read press
releases
> from the defence secretary. If the
students had guns with life ammunitions
> with them, how come there was
no security personnel among the dead?
> God Bless and Peace Be Upon
All.
> Alasana Bah
>
> >From: TOMBONG SAIDY <[log in to unmask]>
>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
> ><[log in to unmask]>
>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>Subject: UPDATE
> >Date: Sat, 15 Apr 2000 01:16:16 PDT
>
>
> >Gambia-l,
> >
> >As I promised, I would
provide information on the ground, after which I
> >will
>
>give my analysis of the whole situation.
> >
> >NUMBER
OF DECEASED
> >
> >According to the authorities at RVH, the
first patients were received at
> >around 11:00 A.M. on Monday, 10
April 2000. There was a total of 96
> >patients
> >seen and
all were treated accordingly with a total admission of 28 from
>
>Greater Banjul area and 3 from Essau making a total 0f 31. 11 have
been
> >discharged leaving a balance of 20. With regards to the
Central Division
> >area (Bansang Hospital) there were seven reported
cases.
> >
> >The total number of death recorded in RVH were
11 and one reported from
> >Bansang Hospital giving a total death
toll of 12. So far 11 bodies were
> >identified including the one
from Bansang. There is still one
unidentified
> >body at the RVH,
that of a young male teenager.
> >
> >DECEASED
REGISTERED
> >
> >#
NAME
AGE PROF.
ADD/SCH. NATLTY
> >
>
>1. Gibi
Njie -
Student Nusrat
Gambian
> >2. Karamo Barrow
24 Student ICE
H.S Gambian
>
>3. Mohamed L. Chune
15 Student LK
School Gambian
>
>4. Lamin A Bojang
19 Student
Nusrat Gambian
>
>5. Ousman
Sabally Student
Brikamaba Gambian
>
>6. Omar Barrow 25
Journalist Latrikunda
Gambian
> >7. Ablie
Sajaw 3 Child N.
Jeshwang Prsume Gambian
>
>8. Bubacar Badgie
10 Student
Talingding ---------------
>
>9. Calisco Prera
20 Civilian N. Jeshwang Not Gambian
>
>10. Reginald Carrol
25 Student 7 Grand St.
Sierra Leonean
> >11. Wuyeh Mansally
19 Student
Talingding Senegalese
>
>12.
Unidentified
Teenager
> >
> >Contrary to Ebrima Ceesay's source, the
bodies are being released as
> >relatives claim them. There are not
decomposing bodies and there was no
> >order from President Jammeh or
any one else for the bodies to be kept
until
> >the President's
return. Ebrima's source also claimed that there are "14
> >confirmed
dead in the mortuary" and this is not true. Ebrima, could you
>
>please asked your source or any body else to come up with the names
of
the
> >remaining two death bodies.
> >
>
>PATIENTS ADMITTED IN RVH
> >
>
>NAME
PROFESSION
ADDRESS/SCHOOL
> >
> >1. Allasan
Suwareh
Student
Banjul Academy
> >2. Musa
Sembeh 3 yrs old
child Serrekunda
>
>3. Yusupha Mbye
Student
Pipeline Comprehensive
> >4. Francis
Correa
Businessman
Serrekunda
> >5. Pa Demba Camara
Civilian
Kanifing
> >6. Seeday
Jobe
Civilian
Senegalese
> >7. Bakary Singateh
Civilian
Latrikunda Sabiji
> >8. Ousman Jobarteh
Student
Sepps
> >9. Sering Ceesay
Civilian non Gambian Mbolgou (Near Kaur)
> >10.
Yankuba Darboe Fire
Officer
Bakau Station
> >11. Pa Ansu Jarjue
Student
Forsters (Nema Kunku)
> >12. Lamin
Touray Civilian, ex GHS Brufut
(now residing at
> >
>
>
New Jeshwang)
> >13. Momodou Ceesay
Trader
Dippakunda
> >14. Bakary
Njie
Student
Pipeline Comprehensive
> >15. Wuyeh
Fatty Arabic
Student
Talinding
> >16. Baba
Suwareh
Student
Crab Island/ Ebo Town
> >17. John
Gomez
Student
GTTI / Ebo Town
> >18. Omar
Sosseh
Student St. A.H.S/ New Primet
St
> >19. Sulayman Krubally
Student
GTTI/Sancha-Sulay Jobe
> >20. Sana
Bojang
Civilian
New Jeshwang
> >21. Haddy
Camara
Student
Ebeneezer High School
> >22. Sainabou Camara
Student
Bakoteh High School
> >23. Abdou Karim Janneh
Student
Sheikh Mass Kah
> >24. Francis
Mendy
Student St. Agustine's H.
School
> >25. Alasan Jammeh
Civilian
Talingding
> >26. Momodou Lamin Magassi Guard Comm's Office
Brikama
> >27. Oumie
Jagne
Civilian
Kanifing
> >28. Amie
Jagne
Civilian
Kanifing
> >29. Baboucarr Bahoum
Student
Essau High School
> >30. S.
Senghore
Student
Essau High School
> >31. Modou
Joof
Student
Essau High School
> >
> >REPORTED CASES SEEN IN KMC &
WD
> >
> >Serrekunda Health
Centre
79 Cases
> >Brikama Health
Centre
31 Cases
> >Fagi-Kunda Health
Centre
8 Cases
> >Bakau Health
Centre
10 Cases
> >
>
>TOTAL
128 Cases
> >
> >The above were treated and
released.
> >
> >
> >PRESS RELEASE
>
>
> >As Attorney General and Secretary of State for Justice, it is
my
> >constitutional duty to balance two equally valid, but often
competing,
> >principles:
> >
> >i. the need to
ensure that anyone who breaks the law is called to answer
>
>for
> >it;
> >
> >ii. and that in so doing the
accused person must be accorded a fair
> >hearing.
>
>
> >The latter means that the accused can only be arrested and
later
convicted
> >if there is sufficient evidence to warrant
it.
> >
> >The sad events of the last few days deserve a
response from the
Department
> >of State for Justice in line with
the dual constitutional role outlined
> >above.
> >
>
>In line with the Government's commitment to the principles
of
transparency
> >and accountability, and having regard to the
fact that justice must not
> >only
> >be done, but it must
be seen to be done, I have invoked my powers under
> >section 11(1)
of the Coroner's Act, Cap 7.04, and an application is
>
>simultaneously being lodged with the Chief Justice to order that
an
inquest
> >be held touching on the death of any persons as a
result of the events of
> >the 10th and 11th April 2000.
>
>
> >The purpose of the inquest is, of course, to establish
whether or not an
> >offence has been committed by any person, known
or unknown.
> >
> >As for the case of Ebrima Barry
(deceased), an information will be filed
in
> >the course of next
week.
> >
> >In view of the fact that the credibility of our
criminal justice system
is
> >itself on trial, the Attorney
General will take the unusual step of
> >appointing a Public
Prosecutor under section 65 of the Criminal Procedure
> >Code. The
Gambia Bar Association, the family of the deceased, friends of
>
>justice (at home or abroad) are invited to suggest names of
lawyers,
(both
> >at home and abroad) who can satisfactorily
conduct the prosecution of the
> >alleged murders of Ebrima
Barry.
> >
> >The Attorney General's Chambers will provide
logical support; but will
> >otherwise do nothing to divert or
influence the prosecutor.
> >
> >The State will, however
only be responsible for meeting the cost of local
a
>
>prosecutor.
> >
> >As for the case of Binta, the
Attorney General's Chambers is handicapped
by
> >the absence of
identification of the alleged culprits.
> >
> >
>
>Alhaji Cheyassin O. Secka
> >Attorney General & Secretary of
State
> >For Justice
> >
> >Attorney General's
Chambers &
> >Department of State for Justice
> >Maummar
Ghadaffi Avenue
> >Banjul
> >
> >13 April,
2000
> >
> >
> >
> >Above are the facts
from official sources, however I have my take on this
> >whole issue.
Since my arrival, I have consulted and spoken to both sides
of
>
>the fence and believe me there are a lot of blame to go around.
>
>
> >April 10th 2000 is one of the darkest day in the history of
The Gambia,
> >surpassed only by the events of July 31st, 1981 - the
KUKOI FIASCO. I
join
> >all members of the list to express my
sympathy and condolence to the
> >families, friend, and loved ones of
the bereaved. This is a sad event
that
> >could have been avoided
both by the Security and the Students.
> >
> >The Gambia is
a democratic country and the students have the
constitutional
>
>right to demonstrate peacefully. However, in every democracy there
are
laws
> >and all demonstrators must seek or obtain some form of
permit from a
given
> >authority, usually the local police. GAMSU
never applied for a permit
> >according to the authorities. The
Department of State for the Interior
sent
> >a press release on
Friday April 7, 2000 to all media houses including
GRTS
>
>claiming that they have received information on a potential strike
being
> >organised by the Student Union (GAMSU). They warned students
to seek
> >permission and that the security will not take any
unauthorised
> >demonstration lightly (I do not have the press
release in front of me, so
I
> >am paraphrasing) . The student
could have simply applied for a permit,
and
> >they would have
been given the permit. On Saturday April 8 and Sunday
April
> >9,
some members of the GAMSU Executive met with some Secretaries
of
States
> >and discussed the whole matter. There was an
agreement for GAMSU
Executive
> >to meet with the Vice President
at 9:30 A.M on Monday April 10 since the
> >President will not in the
country. They demanded an escort for the
> >Executive
>
>from the GTTI to StateHouse.
> >
> >On Monday morning,
the Army Chief of Staff and the Secretary of State for
> >the
Interior went to GTTI for further discuss with the student and to
>
>escort
> >them to Banjul for the agreed meeting with the Vice
President. It was
> >during
> >this time that things started
to get out of hand. Apparently some GAMSU
> >Executives were
reluctant to go to the said meeting for various reasons.
> >
>
>While the Chief of Staff and Secretary of State Badgie were
negotiating,
> >some GAMSU Members started forcing students from
school buses into GTTI.
> >The
> >Police Intervention Unit
came with batons and shields and all hell broke
> >loose. I believe
the security should and could have contained things and
> >this would
have limited the damaged done. The demonstrations were
emanating
>
>from different fronts and in most places the demonstrators out
numbered
the
> >police and the Intervention Unit. While commotion
ensued at GTTI,
students
> >began attacking Kotu Police and Fire
Station, Bundung Police, Brikama
> >Police, Fagikunda Gamtel, West
Field Gamtel, Standard Bank and everything
> >within their reach that
is identified with Government. However, the
> >majority
>
>of the students wanted a peaceful demonstration, but some
non-students
> >seized the opportunity brought by the chaotic
situation to loot, destroy
> >private and public properties, banks
etc.
> >
> >The army came after a lot of destruction has
already taken place.
Soldiers
> >came armed, however when the
police stations were being destroyed,
> >prisoners
> >were
released in the process, especially at the Serrekunda Police and the
>
>armouries broken in to. The police carry very few arms and
individuals,
> >mostly criminal elements and civilians took them. As
a matter of fact
some
> >civilians have been apprehended with arms
and they are under custody.
> >
> >Live bullets were used
and this resulted in the number of deaths and
> >injuries. There are
all kings of claims and counter claims about who
stated
> >the
shooting and who was carrying live bullets. The Secretary of Sate for
>
>the Interior denied the fact that the armed forces used live bullets.
The
> >Commission of Enquiry that will be set up to investigate this
event will
> >verify this. However, the strange thing about this
whole matter is that
not
> >single security official was reported
shot while a lot of unarmed
students
> >were shot and brutally
killed. The security has a lot explaining to do.
> >
> >The
attacking of the Standard Bank at West Field, International Bank of
>
>Commerce in Serrekunda, the looting of shops and supermarkets were
>
>generally
> >done by criminal elements who join the demonstration
for their own ends.
A
> >lot of foreigners and non-students were
reported to be part of this whole
> >fiasco.
> >
>
>Radio 1 FM, Sud FM and even GRTS Radio did not help the situation
with
> >their
> >phone-in programmes. Instead they added
fuel to the fire and their action
> >has caused more havoc than good.
In such a chaotic situation, having a
> >phone
> >in
programme for every side to be venting their anger was not a
good
idea.
> >All sorts of things, insults, misinformation, you
named it were being
said
> >over the air and that was why they
were all ordered to stop the phone-in
> >programmes by the security.
This was a justified action by the security.
> >
> >The
students had a justified reason to demonstrate, however it
went
beyond
> >their control when other non-students joined in.
The security was ill
> >prepared and overwhelmed and as a result they
too over reacted.
> >
> >
> >The President is
saddened and mad about the whole incident both the
>
>handling
> >of it by the security forces and the manner GAMSU
went about it. The
> >critics
> >could say any thing about
President Jammeh, however he has done more for
> >Gambian youths than
any leader ever did, from the colonial masters to
> >Jawara. The
President practically formed GAMSU. He encouraged them by
>
>providing funds for their various activities such as their rounds
around
> >the
> >country to recruit and sensitise the
students; he bought them computers
for
> >their office; gave them
a super VHS camera, ordered a new Toyota van
> >(coaster) for them,
and his is helping them to have their own telecentres
> >(2) so that
they will have a permanent flow of revenue. These are just a
>
>few
> >of the things he did for GAMSU. The President has built
schools, a
> >University and many other tertiary institutions
since he came to power.
> >Gambian youths have more access to
education now than any other time in
the
> >history of The Gambia.
To call him names and suggest otherwise is very
> >unfair.
>
>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>PEACE
> >
> >Tombong
> >
> >
>
>
> >
>
>______________________________________________________
> >Get
Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>
>
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