Bissau Politician Outraged Over African Union
Says Journalists are the watchdogs
by Momodou Gassama
Jose Abdoulie Mane, a representative of the Guinea Bissau Alliance Socialize de Guinee party (ASG) in The Gambia, revealed unimpressive tendencies of African governments in the political evolution of their countries, while continue to blossom under the banner of the African Union.
In an exclusive with The Independent, Mane reasoned that the Africa Union has failed to live up to expectations, revealing tales of unimpressive performances of top ranking officials of most African governments, who resort to flamboyant lifestyles at the expense of the taxpayers, while the masses continue to languish in the hands of the bullies.
He said the attitudes of most of these opportunists are not the least satisfactory, as they continue to drive expensive cars, and sit in air-conditioned offices, while the standard of living of the average paupers deteriorate on a daily basis.
The Bissau politician in comparison, further reasoned that the European Community (EC) started with a membership of 15 countries and now increased to 25 countries, while Africa remained in the doldrums, cautioning the rationality of the African Union and Ecowas.
He further argued that most African countries are mesmerized by blindness, corruption and flamboyance of unscrupulous civil servants, who are merely interested in enriching themselves, overnight at the expense of the suffering populace, with most families surviving on a dollar.
When asked on the measures to be taken by the African Presidents, Mr. Mane, said the responsibility squarely rest on the shoulders of the African people, who are the architects of their destiny, and not individual presidents.
Mane indicated that it is a pity that most African Heads of States are guarded like chickens’ mother or newly born babies, as a result of which they would not be able to know what actually happens in the length and breadth of their various countries.
Digressing off into the role of media, he said journalists are the watchdogs of the society, which makes them to nose into every issue of the day to bring spotlight on accountability and public negligence.
He further heaped praises on the whole cadre of journalism, who strive to report events, despite all the huddles and misunderstanding surrounding the role of the media in the socioeconomic development of the society, since truth is deep in the eyes. "Before the advent of the white men, Africans had their own journalists, the local Jalibas who used to transmit information from generations to generations", he concluded.
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Nigga One In Hot Soup
by Dawda Faye
The notorious Musa Joof, alias Nigga 1, who was one time arrested in connection with the arson attack on The Independent’s Eagle Printing Press, was on the 1st February, 2005, arraigned before magistrate Gaye Sowe of the Kanifing Magistrate’s court for being in possession of firearms, contrary to the laws of The Gambia.
According to the charge sheet, on the 7th March, 2004, along Kairaba Avenue he was found in possession of life ammunition, with the following specifications: 6-9NM Caliber ammunition; 3-word 02 Caliber, and1pistol magazine.
Standing before the court, Musa Joof, the accused, pleaded not guilty to the charges but admitted that the firearms were indeed found in his car and not on him.
Magistrate Gaye Sowe granted the accused bail in the sum of D4000 with Gambian sureties.
It could be recalled that Musa Joof (Nigga 1) was earlier arrested by the police as one of the suspects for the arson attack on the Eagle Printing Press, although this was held by many to be scapegoat to the actual occurrence.
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As the coalition set to conquer the regime
Hon. Hamat Bah Thrives For Probity
by Neneh Faal & Sana Camara
As the coalition set to conquer the regime, after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, signaling the alliance’s decisiveness to end decade of President Jammeh’s ascension to power and the APRC political hegemony, Hon. Hamat Bah, the National Assembly Member for Upper Saloum and the leader of the National Reconciliation Party (NRP), strived to look into acts of banditry and terrorism in The Gambia that has taken the toll in recent years.
While disapprovingly denouncing the regime, the NRP leader said his party would try to influence the alliance to establish a truth commission in order to investigate November 11th 1994 in which many Gambian soldiers were slaughtered like beasts, the murder of Ousman Koro Ceesay on the 23rd June 1995, the massacre of student demonstrators on April 10 and 11 2000, among other wooly acts of terrorism.
He further catalogued series of attacks on the lives and properties of individuals, namely the assassination attempt on lawyer Ousman Sillah, the arson attack on Radio 1FM, The Independent newspaper, the home of Fabakary Tombong Jatta and Ebrima Sillah; the murder of a UDP militant in 2001 and the vicious assassinations of Deyda Hydara on 16th December 2004.
Hon. Hamat Bah, made this assurance at the opening ceremony marking the signing of the MOU for the establishment of the alliance of opposition parties, where he indicated that history has taught mankind lessons through which we can draw experiences, coupled with the fact that the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) was not created out of anger or lust for power.
The party, he declared strives for unity, harmony and national reconciliation among Gambian people transcending ethnical, religious, racial, and political affiliation.
Earlier on, Hon Bah, said the party has vowed to accept the idea of an alliance of the opposition in our beloved country, since it is widely held to serve as an alternative method of removing the incumbent from power, noting that unification of the opposition parties is indeed a necessity for strengthening the wings of democracy. "Our party is convinced that if the alliance succeeds it would be capable of creating a secured society where people can participate either directly or indirectly in every aspects of national development without fear of intimidation or harassment", he added.
He further indicated that Gambians are more than ever readier to yearn for The Gambia devoid of tribalism, provocation, character assassination and impunity. "We are fighting for a Gambia that would be endowed with a leadership sensitive to the plight of the people; a leadership that would manifest total respect for human and peoples rights; good governance, the right to freedom of expression and of the press; and divergent views as enshrined in our constitution. And more so, respect for the legislature and the judiciary. A leadership that would preserve and depoliticise our traditional institutions as to strength national unity", he pointed out.
"We shall not rest until we have put in place a government that would manage our meager resources effectively, efficiently and fairly for the benefit of all. We want a Gambia that would pursue effective fiscal policies and a Gambia that would be a production center for the sub-region. We would endeavour to build a kind of Gambia as described in our MOU but we would not hesitate to break ranks with a coalition that would oust a leadership only to pursue policies and seek to exterminate a particular ethnic group or create dominance on other ethnic groups by use of state power, or pursue policies that would be counter productive", he matter-of-factly stated.
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Editorial: Welcome to the AU, but……
We should all say Hallelujah and many thanks to Allah the Almighty for instilling in the minds of the African leaders to choose The Gambia as the venue for the next African Union summit in July 2006.
In addition to the numerous other benefits we stand to gain from such a summit, it is also likely to lead to some improvement in the governance environment. If not for anything else, at least for the government to impress the African leaders and the international community that the AFPRC government deserves some respectability.
Indeed, being chosen to host the next AU summit is a great honour for this country and no doubt for President Jammeh and his regime. However, it is also a great challenge to them as well. Therefore, everyone is waiting to see how they are going to handle it. As yet, they should understand that it is just an intention on the part of the AU to hold the next summit here but there are certain minimum conditions that the government must meet before it becomes a reality. Gone is the era when African leaders used to hold their summit in any country and ignore gross violations of human rights and other basic issues. We can remember the OAU was once even hosted by Idi Amin of Uganda while his hands were stained with the blood of innocent Ugandans. Certainly the AU has come a long way from that era and we do not expect present day African leaders to brush aside such basic human rights issues.
Even though The Gambia is not a signatory to the NEPAD Peer Review Mechanism (PRM) which allows the leaders to criticize each other, but we still expect the African leaders to monitor what is going on in this country and no doubt they would not hesitate to be concerned with it.
Now that The Gambia has been given one year six months to prepare for the summit that gives the government enough time to do a lot of things. Indeed there are a lot of things that we need to put in order, if we are not to suffer the same fate that befell us during the last Ecowas summit in Ghana when President Jammeh failed in his attempt to become chairman of the regional body. It is quite possible that he failed to get the position because he did not meet certain basic criteria.
Therefore, it is quite a big challenge to President Jammeh and his government to ensure that they meet the most basic criteria befitting the honour of hosting such an important body like the AU. Among the criteria that they would no doubt be expected to meet would be to try and improve on the governance environment. One way of doing that would be to engage the opposition in a dialogue rather than continue to treat them as saboteurs and trouble makers. There is also the need to improve the government’s treatment of the independent media and accept journalists as legitimate partners in developments rather as the "illegitimate sons of Africa" who deserve to be sent "six feet deep". It is also necessary for the government to respect the provisions of the constitution by opening up the public media to divergent views as well as stop the arbitrary arrests and illegal detentions of opponents and dissenters.
The other issues that the government needs to address include the epileptic electricity and water supply, environmental sanitation and no doubt the chaotic public transport system within the Greater Banjul Area, among many other concerns.
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What Makes Human Beings Tick
by Baba Galleh Jallow
According to the German philosopher Fri- edrich Nietzsche (pronounced Nichi), human beings are fundamentally different not only in their personalities and their perceptions of what is good or desirable, or the value of what is good or desirable, but also in the intensity of their desire to exercise power over it, to possess it.
Nietzsche believes that man’s most fundamental instinct is the will to power, the desire to influence or control other men in one way or the other. Everything in life, Nietzsche argues in his classic, Beyond Good and Evil, is determined by this will to power. "A living thing," he says "desires above all to vent its strength – life as such is the will to power."
In Beyond Good and Evil, Nietzsche argues that men differ in the intensity of their will to power. For example, he says, even in their wielding of power over women, men are different. One man may be more easily satisfied with his power over a woman than another. The stronger the will to power in man, the more intense his desire to possess a woman. Among the three men in an example he gives, the one with the strongest will to power is only satisfied that he possesses the woman when he is certain that she knows and loves everything about him, good and bad. He is prepared to bare his soul and show the woman the ugliest parts of his nature and is satisfied only if after seeing these ugly parts, the woman still loves him. Nietzsche would further argue that in loving the man, the woman is also motivated by the same will to power. She submits to his power because in submitting, she exercises a degree of control over the man. So, Nietzsche argues, even love is an expression of the human will to power.
Another man "with a more refined possession," Nietzsche proceeds, "is irritated and dissatisfied at the idea that it is a mask of him which rules the hearts of the people." He will thus not only let himself be known by the people he exercises power over, but will endeavor to know himself. Thus, the will to power is not only directed at other people, but also at oneself. In striving for knowledge, growth and self-preservation, Nietzsche argues, man exercises his will to power over himself in order to render himself more capable of exercising it over others. He who does not exercise power over himself cannot effectively exercise it over others. Many are the men who, giving themselves completely to the dictates of greed and selfishness, have an illusion of power over others, not knowing that in reality, it is their bullying that makes people succumb to their power, not any actual possession of power themselves.
Nietzsche argues that even charity is an expression of the will to power. Altruism, he suggests, does not exist. People are charitable because they want to possess or impress the beneficiaries of their charity, according to Nietzsche. They want the person helped to be "profoundly grateful, faithful and submissive to them in return for all the help he had received." Nietzsche argues that in being grateful, faithful and submissive, the person helped - or the beggar - is also motivated by the will to power, the desire to exercise some influence over, or make a favorable impression upon his benefactor. According to Nietzsche, expressing gratitude and praise are both demonstrations of the will to power. In singing a person’s praise, the praise singer shows that he is in a position to see and appreciate praiseworthy qualities and would therefore expect some degree of recognition for his foresight in return.
Nietzsche further argues in Beyond Good and Evil that even parents feel a will to power over their children. Both mother and father feel somehow that their child belongs to them and would love to make it "something similar to themselves." As with the parent, so with the teacher who desires to inculcate his values in his students, while the students in turn, listen and learn in order to make a favorable impression on the teacher. The same applies to the priest who wants to "possess" his congregation who, in turn, attend mass and contribute to the church’s coffers, thereby making the priest dependent on them.
Philosophers too, according to Nietzsche, are motivated by the will to power. In all their works, they are motivated by a desire to shape the world in their own images. They are, Nietzsche writes in Beyond Good and Evil, "no better than cunning pleaders for their prejudices" who "seek to make all existence…after your own image." Nietzsche describes philosophy as "the most spiritual will to power." He describes psychology as "the development-theory of the will to power" and physics as seeking to "picture the unexceptional and unconditional aspects of will to power." In making promises to the people, Nietzsche argues, politicians are engaged in exploitation which, he says "is a consequence of the will to power, which is after all the will of life."
For Nietzsche, therefore, the will to power is the very essence of the world, and of life. As he puts it in Beyond Good and Evil, "our entire instinctual life" can be explained "as the development and ramification of one basic form of will – as will to power;" and if "the world, seen from within" were "described and defined according to its intelligible character – it would be ‘will to power’ and nothing else." The very spirit of mankind, he argues, is nothing but the will to power: "That commanding something which the people calls ‘spirit’ wants to be master within itself and around itself and to feel itself master." The will to power, therefore, according to Nietzsche, is the very essence of life.
Which is why builders of nations must be mindful of trusting too much in the inherent goodness and honesty of humankind. If nation builders must entrust power to an individual, however much they believe in the integrity of that individual, they must make sure that sufficient and effective mechanisms are in place to check that person’s will to power, the propensity to develop a sweet tooth for power and forget who one was yesterday and what promises and pledges one has made in the past. This was recognized by the Founding Fathers of the American nation and the builders of all the progressive nations of the world. Which is why no single individual in these nations is able to appropriate for himself what belongs to all for any extended period of time. For while Nietzsche may have been mistaken in some of his claims, his proposition that human beings are generally motivated in all their actions by some form of self-interest and the will to power cannot be dismissed out of hand. Take time to think this over.
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UTG Club Holds Launching Symposium
by Lamin LK Bojang
The Development Students’ Association (DESA) of the University of The Gambia recently held a launching symposium at the Faulty Ground in Kanifing.
The chairperson of the occasion, Mr. Jadama, and member of the administrative staff of UOTG dwelled on the importance of development association in the University.
The president of the association, Omar Kanteh gave an historical background of the association, noting that it started germinating 6 months ago with an aim to organise debates, link with outsiders, and make useful researches.
Mr. Bora Mboge of GRTS delivered on the topic "the role of the media in national building." He stated that media helps to reunite people by making reference to the 1981 coup and the Amirca Cabra Football Tournament, which he said has brought people together to create national unity. "The media services as the watchdog of the society. It informs people on current issues affecting them", he said, quoting a Mandinka proverb, which can be translated as "if you know where you come from, then you would know where to go."
The Major of KMC, Mr. Abdoulie Conteh talked on the topic "the Decentralisation Policy in the municipality in which he said development issues arises from the grassroots through ward representatives.
Mr. Matarr Drammeh Director/Technical adviser of the Great Alliance Insurance Company (GAIC) and council member, delivered the launching speech. For him people tend to misuse the word development, noting that the mind needs to be developed. "Trade promote good governance and it is an important source to development.", he outlined. Others speaker included Mr. Ansumana Dibba.
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Alliance Francaise Holds Artistic Exhibition
by Momodou Gassama
Fortnight Painting Exhibition on the theme "Peace and Solidarity" was recently held at the Alliance Franco Gambienne, along Kairaba Avenue.
Mr. Mor Faye, one of the organisers, said the rationale behind the exhibition is to eradicate the prevalence of illiteracy, insecurity and violence.
"I would advise my fellow artists to have faith and work harder before they could achieve anything in life. Let them put money aside and work for good", he said.
He explained how Islamic scholars could transform their old method of teachings into sophisticated form of artistic works, citing the use of computers in arts.
Mr. Faye who hailed from Pikine, Dakar said he had an aspiration to become an artist since from his formative days in primary school when he used to draw for his teachers in class.
Mr. Faye obtained his GCE (O’ levels) certificate in Dakar St Michel College from 1983- 1987 and proceeded to the National University Institute of Technology.
Present at the ceremony were the High Commissioner of Senegal in The Gambia, Mrs. Susan Wafa Ogah, SoS for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Eric Boulanger of Gambega and a high powered delegation from Dakar among several dignitaries.
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SSHFC Orients Media Practitioners
by Alieu and Njonji
The Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation (SSHFC) last week held one day sensitisation workshop for media practitioners in the country at its conference room.
The workshop aims to sensitise and update media practitioners about the work of the corporation and to better equip them to handle stories affecting the corporation.
In his opening remarks, Mambury Njie, Managing Director of SSFC said it has now become a tradition to the corporation to do the training programme, while Mr. Gabriel D. Mendy,
SSHFC’s Senior Fund Manager talked on the federated pension fund, describing it as a trust for the beneficiaries. Others speakers included Mr. Raymond Njie, the Public Affairs Manager of the corporation.
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Rt. Bon Baroness Valerie Amos Visits The Gambia
The Rt. Hon Baroness Valerie Amos, Leader of the House of Lords and President of the Council of the United Kingdom, arrived in The Gambia on Friday evening, 4 February 2005, for a one-day working visit.
The purpose of her mission is to reaffirm UK’s commitment to Africa during UK’s presidencies of the G-8 and the EU this year .She will also inform The Gambia government authorities of the work of the Africa Commission, an initiative of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and seek their views on this very important issue.
Prime Minister Blair has called on the international community to renew efforts to systematically tackle and comprehensively deal with the problems of poverty and deprivation in Africa, and global climate change. He had said that these two issues of Africa’s plight and climate change would be the priorities for the G-8, which Britain chairs this year, and the European Union during the British presidency in the second half of this year. Mr. Blair has further advocated for aid to the continent to be doubled and 100% debt relief given to the most highly indebted nations. He declared that the world couldn’t confront the endemic perpetual crisis of African poverty on any basis other than a partnership between African governments and those of the developed world.
During her stay in The Gambia, Baroness Amos will meet with the Vice-President, H. E. Mrs. Isatou Njie-Saidy; the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs; Finance and Economic Affairs; Trade, Industry and Employment; and Education.
Baroness Amos was born in Guyana and studied at the Universities of Warwick, Birmingham and East Anglia, all in the United Kingdom.
In recognition of her work on equality and social justice, she was awarded an Honorary Professorship at the Thames Valley University in 1995. After working in Equal Opportunities, Training and Management Services in local government in the London boroughs of Lambeth, Camden and Hackney, she became Chief Executive of the Equal Opportunities Commission from 1989 to 1994. She co-founded the Amos Fraser Bernard in 1995 and was also an adviser to the South African Government on public service reform, human rights and employment equity. Baroness Amos was a co-opted member of the Select Committee on European Communities Sub-Committee F (Social Affairs, Education and Home Affairs) 1997-8.
She was appointed a Government Whip in the House of Lords from 1998 to 2001. In addition to her role as a Spokesperson on International Development, she also spoke on Social Security and Women’s Issues. She was created a life peer in August 1997.
Baroness Amos was made Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2001. She became Cabinet Minister responsible for International Development in May 2003 before becoming Leader of the House of Lords and President of the Council in October 2003.
Baroness Amos is also a member of a number of organisations and charities in the UK. She leaves The Gambia on Saturday evening, 5th February.
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Talk All Leave None
with Khadija
Unregistered Vehicles
The Police it seems have mounted pressure on unregistered vehicles plying our streets. Good. But will this measure continue? There is a saying, which goes "Charity begins at home". True. But most of the unregistered vehicles plying our streets belong to the State. Especially those used by our security forces.
Vehicles belonging to the state do not have to go through the various process private and commercial vehicles go through for license purpose. So it is not a problem for them to go unregistered.
Motorist arrested are charged to court and are fined. What of government drivers who drive unregistered vehicles. The law is for everyone.
Sexual Harassment
This topic is making headway in this country, and news is spreading around about a draft bill, which is about to be submitted to cabinet very soon, for onward transmission to the National Assembly for enactment. These ideas are all foreign to us, as we have our own taboos, traditions and cultures. The western world is different because we as Muslims know and observed with what the Holy Book says. The Holy Book on the other hand says that a Muslim husband can have four wives if he can afford it.
If there is going to be a law on this topic it should go hand in hand with out cultures and values, and not western ideas to be imposed on us.
If for example a teacher should impregnate a schoolgirl, it is a very serious offence and the culprit should face the full force of the law. But with our society, family relation will want to play an important role for the matter not to proceed to the courts.
On the other hand most of these schoolgirls and school leavers, because they are money conscious, are the ones attracting men by the manner in which they dress. So where is the sexual harassment. Because our young girls need money they are prepared to do and go any length. There is no conscious love in this country; they are only looking for money.
Women Empowerment
Sine 1994, women of this country have been enjoying certain benefits under the slogan of Women Empowerment, and at the same time calling for equal rights (50-50). They have even introduced a new system of surnames when they get married. That is a compound surname, where they keep their maiden surname and add the surname of their husbands.
Many facilities have been opened to them; they are now part of the nominated members in the National Assembly, Directors, Permanent Secretaries and even acting as Ambassadors. But only one avenue is out of their reach. That is an elected member of the National Assembly, Is high time the various political parties should give priority to women and put them up for nominations to contest the next National Assembly elections or as a Presidential Candidate. We have seen women Presidents in other parts of the world and some of them are doing better than men; why not The Gambia.
Forgiveness In Islam
As practising Muslims the art of forgiveness to our fellow human beings, should be a matter of priority in our public relations. Suspects can be arrested and detained for interrogation, and even the law stipulates a time period before the suspects or accused are arraigned before a court of law – 72 hours. The law is for everyone that is why our constitution has a section on human rights, arbitrary arrests and detentions.
To arrest someone and detain him for more than 72 hours is a violation of that person’s rights, especially when he has not committed a crime. If that individual is not strong enough to engage the services of a lawyer to fight his or her case, that person is a loser. In fact anybody unlawfully detained should be compensated.
As a democratic state most of these things should be taken into consideration, as the headquarters of the African Commission for Human Rights and Human Rights Studies is housed here in The Gambia.
What A Joke?
Four Journalists were recently returning home from a reception hoisted by the British High Commission, Fajara. After the merriment - eating and drinking whilst they were on their way home, the driver of the car also a journalist, then said" Can someone look behind, maybe there is a taxi without a number plate following us". No sooner that he said so the others in the car started laughing.
Then one said are: you afraid to die? You only die once
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Ask For Anything
by G. Goree-Ndiaye
#F At the start of every year we often resort to formulating wishes and invoking divine providence to help us chart the way in what may well seem a hazy future. This year God is not waiting for you to ask, He is taking the first steps. He is saying to you what He said to king Solomon. Do you believe it?
After Solomon succeeded his father David as king, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." (1 Kings 3:5) Solomon had just been enrobed as king and was taking his first steps when this offer fell literally on his laps. Any of us would have asked for the world but Solomon didn’t. Listen to Solomon’s approach to this open-ended request in comparison to what many of us would have demanded. "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. Now, O lord my God. You have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (1 Kings 3:6-9)
Total reliance
How many times have we designed our own schemes, plans and projects and then expect God to endorse it - as an afterthought? King Solomon put God in charge, his spiritual upbringing taught him that when we walk hand in hand with God He will supply all the resources we need to get things going. Solomon claimed that he was a child but his behaviour was far from childish. He did not go to seek counsel elsewhere, he referred to the best counsellor available on earth and he was strengthened. God ordered his steps and gave him directions how to rule the people of Israel.
Solomon had the ability to assess the situation and to first humble himself before God and submit himself to the one whose wisdom surpasses all. His rule became subject from the onset, to divine influence. He became dependent on God’s guidance.
Isn’t that the way to go? Humankind has limitations; God is Infinite – All-Knowing, All-Powerful, and Ever-Present. It is God that sets up kings and puts authorities over us; it is therefore proper to begin with Him, to involve him in all that we do. The Bible teaches that if we put God first, everything else will follow. (Matthew 6:33)
It’s all very well to make a wish or to pray for something specific; but it is also important that we do not ask amiss. Remember how Herodias used her daughter to settle scores with the prophet John the Baptist – because the latter had stood firm for the truth. How many of us today would pray for the elimination of an adversary. Revenge is a matter for God. (Romans 10:19) Our Lord Jesus taught us to love those who do not love us; otherwise what is the point, don’t the pagans do the same? (Matthew 5:47)
Let’s take a leaf from king Solomon’s book, he who considered first things first. He could have asked for power to rule the world and to conquer his enemies. But he wanted to honour God for the choice he had made of him. No one can deny that we each need wisdom to govern even our households and lead our communities not to talk of ruling a whole nation. "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be." (1st Kings 3:10-12) Be sure that king Solomon had not bargained for this. He certainly must have been taken aback and overwhelmed by this show of largesse from God who gives so generously – without holding back anything.
God can surprise you if you choose to rely on Him entirely for everything; your wellbeing, your sustenance, your health, your purse, your future. For He is our all in all.
"Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for – both riches and honour – so that in your lifetime you will have no equals among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." (1st Kings 3:13-14) To this day none has equalled king Solomon in riches and in wisdom in the whole wide world. He is in a category all by himself all because he put first things first.
In the course 2005, put God at the head of all your enterprises and he will make a way for you where there is no way. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:6)
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Discrimination Against Women
by Fatou Badjie
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the principle of the inadmissibility of discrimination and proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and right and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, including distinction based on sex.
Hence discrimination against women can be defined as "any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field".
Discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity, is an obstacle to the participation of women, on equal terms with men in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the family, and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity.
Also, the strengthening of international peace and security, the relaxation of international tension, mutual cooperation among all States irrespective of their social and economic systems, general and complete disarmament, in particular nuclear disarmament under strict and effective international control, the affirmation of the principles of justice, equality and mutual benefit in relations among countries and the realisation of the right of peoples under alien and colonial domination and foreign occupation to self-determination and independence, as well as respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, will promote social progress and development and as consequence will contribute to the attainment of full equality between men and women.
In contrast with the above facts, we have heard or witnessed various forms of discrimination against women either at home or at work especially within the African continent, despite the intensive workshops and documents provided on discrimination and violence against women. It is therefore of great significant to pinpoint some of the articles highlighted in the convention on the Elimination Of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Article 7 of the convention states that States parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right to vote in all elections and public referenda and to be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies, to participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation thereof and to hold public office and perform all public functions at all levels of government.
Article 8 points out that States parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure to women, on equal terms with men without any discrimination, the opportunity to represent their governments at the international level and to participate in the work of international organisations.
In article 9, State parties shall grant women equal rights with men to acquire, change or retain their nationality. They shall ensure in particular that neither marriage to an alien nor change or nationality by the husband during marriage shall automatically change the nationality of the wife, render her stateless or force upon her the nationality of the husband.
"State parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in order to ensure to them equal rights with men in the field of education and in particular to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women: the same opportunities to be benefited from scholarships and other study grants," states article 10.
Article 11 mentions that State parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of employment in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, the same rights in particular: the right to work as an inalienable right of all human beings, the right to the same employment opportunities, including the application of the same criteria for selection in matters of employment, the right to free choice of profession and employment, the right to promotion, job security and all benefits and conditions of service and the right to receive vocational training and retraining, including apprenticeships, advanced vocational training and recurrent training.
Emphasising the equality of men and women before the law, article 15 states that State parties shall accord to men and women the same rights with regard to the law relating to the movement of persons and the freedom to choose their residence and domicile.
Article 16 talks of the issue of marriage. States parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all matters relating to marriage and family relations and in particular shall ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women: the same right to enter into marriage; the same right freely to choose a spouse and to enter into marriage only with their free and full consent; the same rights and responsibilities during marriage and at its dissolution and the same personal rights as husband and wife, including the right to choose a family name, a profession and an occupation.
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Terrorists change strategies to avoid Algeria’s Crackdown
Algeria’s crackdown on terrorist gangs such as the salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC) and the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) have won international praise. In recent weeks the government has continued to strike a number of blows killing and seizing a number of terrorists. If that is the good news, however the bad news is that the terrorists are changing strategies in attempts to outwit and outlast the government’s security and anti-terrorist organizations.
A recent, vote of confidence from the international Community on Algeria’s war on terror came from a statement made at the inauguration of the African Union Terrorism Research and Studies Center that Algeria was in the forefront of the war on terror. During a news conference, a counterterrorism coordinator called Algeria "an important partner" in the war on terror whose "continuous cooperation" was considered "invaluable" The new center, he said, would enable Algeria and its partners throughout Africa to enhance their positions in fighting terrorism through exchange of information". Praise was given to the Sahel initiative, which is aimed at helping the Sahel region countries to secure their borders against terrorism and crimina1ity. .
Further praise for Algeria’s war on terror came during the two-day international anti-terrorism colloquium in Brussels. Titled "Legal Regulation in the Fight Against International Terrorism and the Harmonization of National Legislation," the colloquium was attended by representatives of 36 countries. Invited to the meeting by his Belgian and Russian counterparts, Abdelkader Bensalah, the president of Algeria’s National Council (Senate), was asked to address the gathering on its first day, October 26, Bensalah called for an even bigger international conference on the prevention and fight against terrorism under the aegis of the United Nations. He said that Algeria had hoped and prayed for such a conference "for 10 long years.
One of the biggest blows Algeria has struck against terrorists took place recently in early October, when combined security forces killed Abou Hichem, a leading terrorist, during a huge search operation south of the city of Batna. Hichem became the 12th terrorist slain in the Batna region this year.
Other terrorists killed by units of the National Peoples Army in the last few weeks included two in the town of Tizi Rached on October 8, another in the community of Tazrout on October 22 and two more in the village of Ouled Nacer on October 23. The two-killed.in Tizi Rached were in a car and noticed that they were being followed, they tried unsuccessfully to fly.
The terrorist, who-died in Tazrout was passing through the town when he ran into an army ambush. He was carrying a Kalashnikov-type automatic weapon. The two slain in Ouled Nacer were part of a terrorist group that engaged in a skirmish with the army lasting more than an hour. The others managed to escape.
The arrest and confession of a terrorist in the town of Kadiria, in Bouira Province, triggered a raid by a mobile unit of the town’s Judicial Police on October l5. That raid led to the capture of 25 terrorists and the discovery of homemade bombs the group was apparently planning to use during attacks in the holy month of Ramadan. More arrests are expected. (9, 10).
The pressure has escalated to the point that two emirs, or leaders, of the GSPC in the Collo region reportedly want to turn themselves in along with six of their followers. The two are known as emir Kaakaa and emir Ikrima. According to what the government calls "reliable sources," the GSPC leadership in Collo has met, put a price on the heads of the two would-be deserters and had dispatched a group of 20 terrorists to liquidate them.
Unfortunately, not all terrorists want to surrender. Instead they have begun to change their tactics and strategy to avoid being killed or captured while they continue to carry out their terror. Many terrorists now avoid cities and towns. Instead, they hide out in the most inaccessible mountainous regions of the country. They appear suddenly to carry out their acts of terror and then disappear back into the mountains.
The strategy in Algiers is different. So many cells of GSPC have been eliminated in Algiers or its suburbs that it has turned to compartmentalization to protect itself. New cells have replaced those rolled up by the government and are part of a network in which none of the cells knows anything about the others. This avoids risk of a leak by a terrorist in one cell leading to any other cells. Only the zonal emir, Abdelhamid Saadaoui, also known as Abou El Heythem Yahia, the GSPC leader in charge of the greater Algiers region (Kaybylie, Boumerdes and Algiers), knows all the groups, all the cell leaders and the objectives and missions they have been charged with.
This type of strategy is dangerously effective —all the more so since the GSPC goes out of its way to recruit young people with no police records or records with the General Intelligence Agency and with "blank" legal antecedents. Whereas the police and, the Department of Research and Security process reams of information on a daily basis, no trace of these new GSPC members or their cells turns up. Even so, the GSPC in Algier, had better not relax. The police presence assigned to this challenge, including the tight surveillance in the capital city, are an expression of the seriousness that the government is devoting to this nearly invisible peril.
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Sports Journalists Call On SoS Faal
by Namory Trawally
Members of the Gambia Sports Journalist Association (GSJA) on Thursday made a courtesy call to the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports Samba Faal in his office in Banjul.
The delegation headed by the association’s president Namory Trawally briefed SoS Faal on their plans for the forthcoming CAF U-17 Football Tournament to be hosted by The Gambia.
Speaking at the meeting Gambia sports journalist association president Namory Trawally said his association has plans of making the CAF U-17 championship one of the best in Africa in term of publicity.
He added that, they are working on plans of producing a daily sports paper during the two weeks competitions and also seek airtime on all radios and television daily for reviews and previews of the matches. Mr. Trawally informed SoS Faal of the need to have some members of the association copted among both the Media and the Accreditation sub-committees. Those copted will be the focus point of the association to have first-hand information.
He revealed that some foreign journalist are presently searching information from his association on the preparations but they cannot give them any because they do not known what is happening at the local organising committee.
"We need the support of all stakeholders to make the championship the best ever held in Africa", said Namory Trawally.
Another member of the association, Pa Modou Faal of Sud FM Sen.Radio indicated that they are very glad with SoS Faal, for being the first Secretary of State to recognise the efforts made by sports journalists and awarded them medals after the July Peace Tournament.
He further pointed out that the association would do every thing possible to see the tournament be a success.
Lamin MS Jaiteh of GRTS Radio informed SoS Faal of the need to have a media center with technology facilities to make the job easier for both national and international journalists.
Mr. Jaiteh continued that the proposed GFA website can be given to the sports journalists association. The association will be updating it and a percentage from the advertisement will be given to the association. Lamin Jaiteh pledged to share his experience of the last U-17 tournament held in Mbaban, Swaziland where he was among the Gambian delegation.
The first vice-president of the Gambia sports journalist association, Pa Modou Faal of GRTS Television said they is a need for the association to have seats in the accreditation sub-committee as that domain has been always a problem in any international events staged in The Gambia and the last July Peace Tournament was a good example.
He added that the association has good plans but their accounts are in the red. He thus applied on SoS Faal to extend their appeal to President Jammeh as chief patron of Gambian football.
Receiving the delegation, SoS Samba Faal said that he was very impressed with the work of the sports journalists association and their move toward the CAF U-17 tournament. He added his office will support the association on their drive to make U-17 tournament a success.
He pointed out that as the chairman of the national organising committee of CAF U-17, he will contact Bora Mboge to copt some members of the association in the Media committee as well as the Accreditation committee.
SoS Faal also proposed that the association should nominate somebody in the protocol committee. He, however, advised the association to make the same courtesy call on the Director General of GRTS Alhagie Bora Mboge.
SoS Faal reassured the association of his office full support and called on them to consult with him on any matter and at any time.
The other members of the delegation were Yusupha Cham of The Point, Isatou Secka Saidy of Brikama FMB, and Gibril Jassey of Effective Communication.
Big Guns Make It To Banjul 2005
All the big names in Africa football have booked their tickets for the CAF U-17 championships to be host by The Gambia, come May this year. That was the outcome of the qualifiers of the championship held all over Africa.
Seven teams booked their tickets and would join the host Gambia for the championship.
The list of qualified teams is headed by Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. The other teams that made it to Banjul championship are Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Mali.
Looking for the championship, it is certain that the tournament would not be easy. Mali and Burkina Faso are two countries that have always, a good youth team, they went as far as the world youth championship. Burkina Faso once eliminated The Gambia in 2001 championship, in the last stage of the qualifiers. After loosing in Ouagadougou 1 – 0, The Gambia U-17 beat Burkina Faso 1 – 0 in Banjul but finally lost on penalty kicks.
For Mali, The Gambia defeated them on the way to Mbaban with a 3 – 0 victory in Banjul. Nigeria and Ghana have the best African youth team in Africa. South Africa the best team in the July 22nd peace tournament held in Banjul last year would be ready to forget their humiliation against The Gambia in the Semi final 3 – 0.
The big absents in Banjul championships would be Sierra Leone, Guinea Conakry and Egypt.
Meanwhile, in other development Tanzania was last Friday disqualified from the championship by the confederation of African Football (CAF) for using over aged player.
According to reports, the player in question was registered with CAF with two different birthdays. He was born in 1983 and later 1988.
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Three Gambian Golfers In Dakar Championship
by Njonji Drammeh
The three Gambian professional golfers, Fakebba Drammeh (Tiger Wood) Alhagie Drammeh and Bakary Touray left Banjul last Wednesday for Dakar, Senegal to participate in the annual Golf tournament sponsored by SN Brussels Airline which is a biannual event.
The tournament, which kicked off over the weekend would be competed by some top golfers in the sub-region. Speaking to Independent Sports before their departure, Fakebba Drammeh, the Gambia’s number one golfer said, after claiming the Gambian open championship in 2004 and later taking part in the Euro pro-tour qualifier in which he got admission to the Euro pro-tour, the Dakar championship would be another big challenge for him.
He added that with the support of all Gambians he is sure of coming home successful.
Fakebba Drammeh revealed that his dream now is to play in the tour of Euro like other golf pros.
Also speaking to Independent Sports, Alhagie Drammeh said that the Dakar tournament would be a good exposure for them in the game of golf.
He stressed that in recent time not many Gambians are playing golf apart from the professionals. He, however, revealed that they are working very hand in collaboration with the National Sports Council (NSC) in order to decentralise the game of golf to the rural areas.
He indicated that some of their constraints are transport and lack of sponsorship.
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GMA 10th Annual Sports Wrap Up
by David Thoronka
Despite the closure of the Independence Stadium for renovation for the soon coming Under 17 championship, and the subsequent postponement of all inter-house sporting events scheduled to take place during this period, the Gambia Methodist Academy (GMA) went on to celebrate their 10th inter house annual sport anniversary.
The anniversary celebration was organised in a grand style at the Serrekunda West Mini Stadium with four houses contesting: Clarke house-yellow, Pratt house-blue, Roach house-green, and Starford house-red. While out of the tracks the spectators continued to shout and cheer their athletes. It remained a different tale on the pitch and track as athletes strive to break old records and set new ones.
One such athlete is Terrick Bright of Pratt house that took 1st position in the 1,500 meters finishing with 4minutes 3seconds. In the 200m senior boys Abubacarr Dibba of Starford house finished 1st in 17seconds.
Meanwhile in the female category Fatou Kinteh Jeng of Pratt came 1st in the time of 18seconds. Sukai Cox with 12 seconds. 400meters junior boys, Hassan Sabally of Starford took 1st in 15second and Fatoumatta Darboe also of the same house took 1st with 16 seconds. In the senior category, Musa Baldeh, Roach house took 1st with 15 seconds while Constance Lewis of Clarke house finished top 16 seconds in the female category. And in the music and chair Reglotte Decker of Pratt house took first while Alfred Calvalho also of Pratt for the boys emerged the winner.
Speaking to Independent Sport during the celebration the vice principal of the school, Mrs. Hannah Harding said that the sport could have been excellent if they had used the national stadium. She said despite the deficiencies at the mini stadium in terms of equipment, they were able to make use of what is available. She applauded the comportment of the students in accepting the decisions of the officials in controversial events. She revealed that they have potential athletes who can be recruited into top athletic clubs if they are identified and given the proper training.
Moreover at the track the athletes continue to toil to make their houses emerge the winner and to make personal fame for themselves. Pratt house subsequently emerged, the champion of the 10th annual Inter-house sporting competition of GMA with more than 96points. Closely followed by Starford house with 87points, Roach house 85points.
It all ended up at the Serrekunda mini stadium under the intense heat of the midday sun with Pratt house taking the championship.
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SFG Donates Sporting Gears To NBD Schools
by Alieu Darboe
School For The Gambia (SFG) a charitable Gambian-British NGO last weekend donated sporting gears to schools in Farafenni and surrounding.
In a chat with Independent Sports, Musa Sanyang SFG country representative noted that the objective of the donation was to promote sports in the country as well as groom young talented players especially in the provinces.
According to Mr. Sanyang it is only sports that can bring people together for peace and unity, noting the importance to take part in the development of sports in schools. He continued that it is the responsibility of youths to be more committed in sporting disciplines highlighting his organisation’s readiness and willingness to promote sports in schools and in the country at large. He said SFG’s main objective is to help in the development of both education and sports in Gambian schools at all times.
The donated items included footballs, socks, rounder balls, jerseys, shoe and other sporting gears. The beneficiaries are Mauritania lower basic school Farafenni, Farafenni senior secondary, Farafenni lower basic school, Farafenni middle, Yallalba lower basic school, Duntumakang lower basic school and other schools across the provinces.
It could be recalled that last September the organisation donated sporting gears to the respective schools and teams in Farafenni
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Methodist Supplicates For God’s Blessing
by Ahmed Carayol
The Methodist Church of The Gambia in a letter addressed to President Jammeh at the end of their 165th Synod has prayed and assured him of its consistency to supplicate God’s blessing and mercy for the President, the government of The Gambia, and all those in the position of office.
The letter signed by Rev. Norman Grigg, Chairman and General Superintendent and Rev. Mrs. Matilda Savage-Mendy, Secretary of the Methodist Synod assured the President of its willingness to continue praying for those in the position of power and influence to be blessed with the political clout to deliver to the people of The Gambia.
The letter, which was dispatched to the President on the last day of the synod held at the Bethel Church in Banjul, coinciding with the National Cleaning Day, stated "here, where Christians and Muslims live in harmony and peace, respecting each other’s traditions and beliefs and working together, we are privileged to play our part with all Gambians in serving the common good. For very many years our church has had a particular interest in the areas of education, health and agriculture and at this year’s Synod we shall be hearing reports on our schools, our clinics and our Agricultural Programme (MMAP) as well as the reports from the Methodist Circuits throughout the country. We shall resolve to improve our facilities, services and witness in order to maintain what is fundamental in our doctrines, which state that we should love our God and our neighbours as ourselves".
In this resolve, the letter indicates that "we shall be eager to continue working closely wherever possible with all those who work to serve the community. Also at this Synod we shall be welcoming Ecumenical representatives and the presence of the Bishop of The Gambia and the Bishop of Banjul, which will demonstrate the fact that we work closely with Christians of different traditions and that we are mindful of our place as partners in the Universal Christian Church".
However, it further emphasised that the fact that the team Leader for the World Church Office in London will be here to represent the British Methodist Conference, lot will be realised to move the church nearer to the autonomy, with its own Conference, Constitution and Discipline, noting that the church is aiming to train more Gambian ministers who will play an important role in leadership as it journeys towards independence from the British Conference.
The Synod was attended by over a hundred representatives from the Methodist Church in The Gambia and received reports from all the Mission’s churches and projects. It was resolved to ensure continuing resources for Methodist schools, the agricultural project and the medical work, which has long been a major contribution from the Methodist Church to the residents of The Gambia.
The Synod also received three new candidates to train and ordained Methodist Ministers: Mr. Gabriel Allen, Mr. Rodney Prom and Mr. Malanding Mendy. The Gambian church is currently part of the British Methodist Conference and hoping to go autonomous within the next few years.
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In Zahara’s Saloum theft case
Police Officers Accused Of Negligence
by Buya Jammeh
Lawyer Lamin Jobateh, the counsel for Mamie Anna Sock and Juliana Joof in the ongoing Zahra’s Saloum trial has accused police officers at the Kairaba Police Station for being negligent.
Lawyer Jobarteh, who was cross-examining two detective police officers last Wednesday questioned how could police mount investigation into cases without recording all the activities relating to such investigations.
He further indicated that it is not normal to do investigations without keeping proper records of findings to be accounted by the police.
However, on further cross-examination by lawyer Jobarteh, Salifa Nyang who reappeared before magistrate Richards admitted that they are indeed blamable for carrying out investigation without keeping proper accounts of records.
Mr. Nyang who represented the station, confirmed that the names of Mamie Anna Sock and Juliana Joof were not recorded in the station diary. Another police officer who identified himself as Lance Corporal 963 Corr attached to the Kairaba Police CID Unit, said on the day in question he was assigned to investigate the case involving Ndey Korka who was arrested by the Kairaba Police.
Mr. Corr said during their investigation Ndey Korka confessed to the police that she and Aji Kumba Ndure went to Zaharas Saloum and stole a brief case containing money and jewelries, following which Aji Kumba Ndure was arrested.
Corporal Corr further revealed that the two accused persons revealed that they were sent by Mamie Anna Sock and Juliana Joof. He Mamie Anna and Juliana were later arrested and during interrogation Juliana surrendered about D12000 given to him by one Ndey Korka for school fees, who confessed that the money belongs to her husband. Mr. Corr said some household items were recorded from the house of the four accused persons upon which statement were obtained from all the accused persons.
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The Gambia To Hosts AU Summit
At the recently concluded Fourth Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit held in Abuja, the Assembly of Head of State decided that The Gambia will host the July 2006 African Union Summit.
The resolution outlining this decision recalls the previous decision of the Summit in July 2004 on the convening of two ordinary sessions of the Assembly each year and that the January session’s of the Assembly shall henceforth be held in the last week in January at the Headquarters of the Union, during which the Chairperson of the Assembly shall be elected.
The Assembly further decided that the January Session could be convened, on an exceptional basis outside the headquarters, by decision of the Assembly upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers which comprises of all Foreign Ministers of the Member States of the African Union.
However, such hosting shall not be linked to the Chairmanship of the Union.
The term of office of the Current Chairperson and the Bureau of the Assembly was extended from July 2005 to January 2006.
This decision of the African Union is reaffirmation of the confidence of the African Heads of State in the leadership of President Yahya A. J. J. Jammeh and the capacity to organize a successful Summit.
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Don. Sidi Morro Sanneh, represented the President at the Summit.
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Gambians Qualify On Biomedical Science
by Ousman Baldeh
The Medical Research Council (MRC), an international organisation funded by the UK taxpayers, last Thursday held another graduation ceremony for fifteen students, who have successfully completed two years part time diploma training programme on biomedical sciences at the MRC complex.
Speaking at the occasion, MRC’s Laboratory Manager and the Diploma course coordinator Ignatius Baldeh, said the event is a clear proof of the fact that MRC is a reliable government partner in ensuring an efficient health delivery system in The Gambia.
The event, he stated is also a testimony that such training programmes will enhance and accelerate the national health targets as enshrined in vision 2020, noting that they work hard to support scientists and allow students to concentrate on researches.
As anticipated, after the graduation of the first batch in 2003, he said "a transparent career structure for young aspiring scientists has now been completed and any school leaver who joins the unit can see on the card an attractive training programme that the unit is now offering at the complex".
The Lab Manager, however, specially heaped praises on the efforts of one of the graduates, who have successfully accomplished the task, noting that he (Hamoro Camara) started working with the (MRC) since September 1982 and did not miss out anything on the selection criteria.
He finally added "I would like to recognise the efforts of our RUTH colleagues and to urge government through Nellie and Dr Ousman Nyan to help them put the skills and knowledge acquired during the course into practice by providing modern technologies on research as well as diagnostic tools in at least the central laboratory"
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