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Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 20:33:56 +0000
From: Musa Jawara <[log in to unmask]>
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To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>, "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: July 22/ APRC ambush UDP millitants in Basse
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Dear Musa,
I thought I should brief you with the clash of the UDP and "July 22
militants" in Basse as the BBC report was too sketchy for an overview.
Since, you mentioned Karamba to me before and I could definitely
visualize his stance -I will copy him as well.

I can see it being reported by Kutubo, but the details are as follows: -

The Sarahulley communities in the URD catchment area especially the big
villages (Gambisara, BajaKunda etc.) requested that Darbo and his party
must pay them a visit as the their previous tour did not allow them to
show total allegiance to the UDP. They even offered to sponsor the costs
involved in terms of  transportation etc., which they did I understand.
There was a big surprise waiting for the UDP as a very strong and
influential APRC stalwart was to defect at the gathering in Gambisara.

This was known to the APRC militants in Basse as they tried to reverse
the trends to no avail and so decided to show their true colours
violence. Under the guidance and directives of the APRC national
president Banta Tunkara and the assistant commissioner Modou Sama Jobe
(Baba Jobe's brother) the so called defunct but rather active 22 July
movement was immediately mobilized and put on course to maim the UDP
leaders at all cost. God being so great they were overpowered and some
captured and taken to the police station in Basse.

Yesterday, they regrouped at chamoi bridge and attacked again as the
procession were coming from another rally in Bajakunda. This time around
as faith would direct they only succeeded in smashing the windscreen of
the party leader Darbo. Three of them were captured and dealt with
severely. The vehicle they were travelling in, got completely burnt ( it
was found to be full of weapons machetes, knives, stones etc.) the
driver of the vehicle lost his life in the process.

Today they decided to take positions at the Bridge again with some
deadly intentions this time around. Baba Jobe mobilized a team from the
coast and under his command they are looming for the worst. The army
camp commander at the Basse barracks and the police had to go and give
cover to the UDP team in Baja Kunda. The situation is at this stage. Sam
Sillah is heading for Basse and has categorically stated that if the
state cannot control things he will intervene to protect his party from
the thugs.

Radio 1 FM has announced the incident which has alerted both the US and
UK ambassadors. They have got in touch with Yaya and expressed their
concern over the safety of the UDP party stalwarts and militants on
tour. They have made it known to him that their security and safety is
basically his responsibility.

Radio Gambia is just announcing the incident. The only thing they said
was that Alieu Njie died and that UDP's permit to hold rallies in URD
haas been revoked and that those responsible Alieu Njie's death will
face the law.

For your information they are at it again with regards to manipulating
the grass root set up and community tranquility. Four nincompoops, Kebba
Ceesay (NIA director), Nai Ceesay (SOS Local Gov.), Ousman Badjie (SOS
Interior) and Imam Abdoulie Fatty of State house mosque, came to
Farafenni two weeks ago on a fact finding mission that the head chief of
Upper Baddibu Mattar Gaye is a UDP sympathizer and supporter. They spent
the weekend and upon their return, Mattar was sacked/retired to be
replaced by no other than Sambujang Jagne (the divisional APRC chairman,
former July 22nd chairman and formally PPP chairman). This happens to be
blessing in disguise as the man is an outcast already. There are more
divisions to follow due to this new development in Farefenni.

Thanks.

Musa.

PS: I have just got a call and the situation is very tense with the UDP
team at the moment. They have all taken refuge at the Basse police
station as Baba Jobe with 7 vehicles fully armed with people is lying in
wait for them. A military escort was promised for the team to return to
Banjul, but that seem to be abandoned as of now. I will send you an
update soon.