Beran, thanks for this forward. You just made my day. This is markedly different from the garbage Gassama wanted to peddle here. Yaya is finished. On a lighter note though, I hope people realize that after all me and Hamjatta are NOT dictators and the Opposition back home are NOT listening to us. They took a different slogan from the one Hamjatta and I wanted. But you know what? It’s all good. Let’s just get rid of the vermin. KB >From: Beran jeng <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: FWD:As "Jammeh Jipoh" Becomes New Opposition Slogan Euphoric > Crowd Greets Coalit >Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2001 10:47:20 -0400 > >As "Jammeh Jipoh" Becomes New Opposition Slogan Euphoric Crowd Greets >Coalition Launch > > > > >The Independent (Banjul) > >August 20, 2001 >Posted to the web August 20, 2001 > >Banjul, the Gambia > >What has been described as hundreds of thousands of people converged at >Brikama Saturday to witness the launching of the opposition coalition in >preparation for the October elections. > >Supporters of the various opposition groups could be heard chanting Jammeh >Jipoh meaning down with Jammeh as frantic drumming and dancing resonated >all >around the town, which five years ago witnessed the launching of the United >Democratic Party. There were also scenes of complete traffic snarl-ups as >horn-blaring cars filled with supporters lumbered along the Banjul Brikama >highway soon after the rally. The general mood was one of euphoria as >politicians at the rally expressed confidence in the coalition's chances of >bringing an end to what has been variously described as Gambia's recent >years of darkness. > >During the rally the Secretary General of the United Democratic Party who >is >the endorsed leader of the coalition Ousainou Darboe accused the APRC >administration of bringing only death, torture, misery, economic collapse, >diplomatic isolation and deep discord in the fabric of Gambian society. Mr. >Darboe catalogued seven years of what he called APRC misrule, which he said >is responsible for a drastic fall in the Gambian economy and the "hand to >mouth" existence of Gambians. He said a worsening human rights situation >had >meant that Gambians are being left to live under intimidation and death. >"Six years ago when the UDP was formed one Dodou Tailor, Kebuteh Jaiteh, >Sedia Sanyang all met their deaths in the struggle against the Jammeh >regime, which does not respect human rights as demonstrated on April 10 and >11 when they murdered in cold blood school children" he charged. > >Mr. Darboe said that notwithstanding the APRC government's unenviable >record >in office its politicians would as he put it bombard Gambians with >relentless propaganda and misinformation on the radio and television in the >coming weeks. He said it would be a time to witness no end to the APRC's >money-dishing on the one hand and intimidation on the other. "The APRC >would >promise Gambians everything on this earth which they will never fulfill" he >noted. > >On the health sector Mr. Darboe said the country has the highest mortality >rate in the sub-region, adding that The Gambia lack doctors who understand >our concerns. He promised that any coalition government elected into office >would give priority to this sector. > >He promised that every Gambian would enjoy the full and equal protection of >the law. "As a matter of priority we will embark on a review of the >constitution and all provisions inimical to democracy will be repealed" he >indicated. He also spoke of constitutional reforms, which will include a >two >year term limit for the presidency" > >He also said the local government administration including legislation will >be reviewed to allow for a genuine evolution of power in the local >authority. > >Omar Jallow alias OJ the steering committee chairman of the PPP said he >believes that a new era of Gambian politics has dawned, spelling the end of >President Jammeh's administration. He indicated that the coalition is out >to >eradicate as he put it the politics of force, killing, insults, separation >of family members and relatives. He said he could reckon the return of >power >to the people. He also believes that if the coalition holds similar rallies >in Bakau, Serrekunda and Barra "President Jammeh will be talking something >else different from politics". He also disclosed that shortly before coming >to the meeting he spoke with ex-president Jawara who he said extended >greetings to the Gambian people. OJ also told the rally that when the ex >Gambian leader secured his land which was seized following the takeover >none >of President Jammeh's cabinet members were born. OJ argued that the >ex-president's property was seized without any reasons despite him >acquiring >it legally. He also said that the objective of the coalition under Darboe's >leadership is to ensure that by October 18 the Gambian people will be free >of tyrannical and dictatorial rule > >Assan Musa Camara seen as the coalition's father and chairman expressed >pride in being associated with the other political figures in spite of his >advanced age. He recounted how Decree 89, which he referred to as obnoxious >was imposed on them, denying them the right to participate in politics. He >said the decree was only lifted after much pressure was exerted on the >government from within and outside the country. He disclosed that the >lifting of the ban. He said the unbanned parties came together because it >was impossible for them to be restructured in a short time after their >supporters joined the APRC, NRP, UDP and PDOIS. He said enemies of the >coalition are saying it is a failure. " I don't share their view" he said, >assuring the militants that it is a "wonderful success" and urged everybody >to join the coalition. He brought forward a new slogan for the coalition, >which he used for his former party the GPP. As he declared Jammeh Jipoh, an >approving uproar ensued interrupting the rally for almost ten minutes. > >The organizing secretary of the UDP Lamin Waa Juwara in a brief statement >said on October 18 all those on self-exile abroad will return and those >going will never come back. "This is not because we will exile them but due >to the horrible and terrible politics they played on the Gambian people" he >charged. Some wise people of the APRC he claimed have started packing up >and >almost on the run. However he urged them to stay since the coalition regime >he said would be different from the APRC as respecters of human rights and >the rule of law. He also revealed that before the rally Bakary Dabo a >former >vice president called to indicate his support for the coalition and vowed >to >come to the country just before the October election. > >Other speakers were the minority leader in the National Assembly Kemeseng >Jammeh, Lamin Kiti Jabang, Alhajie Yaya Ceesay, Dembo Jatta all former >ministers, Aja Jambanding Drammeh and Aji Safi Ndow former PPP yai compins. > > >-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > >_________________________________________________________________ >Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L >Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html >You may also send subscription requests to >[log in to unmask] >if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your >full name and e-mail address. >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------