"We’re Not Dead" - Independent Editor Declares
by Sana Camara & Lamin Njie
Printing censorship has forced The Gambia’s bi-weekly newspaper, The Independent from circulation for one full month, but according to the paper’s editor-in-chief, Musa Saidykhan, this development does not mean that enemies of press freedom and expression have achieved their aim of silencing the paper forever.
"We’re not dead, the month’s break was just a transition. Of course, like the public, we are concerned about the printing censorship imposed on our paper by powers that-be. If the embargo is geared towards cowering us to compromise our editorial principles, then those behind it have failed woefully. We want to assure the public that The Independent of 1999 is still in existence. The only difference is the change of editors; the news quality and editorial policy remain in tact and no amount of fear, intimidation or threat can make us bend the ethics of our noble profession," editor Saidykhan vehemently said.
He said they have done everything humanely possible to get The Independent printed in The Gambia to no avail. "We wanted to travel to Dakar to print the paper but as responsible and law-abiding citizens, we decided to contact our lawyer who told us how the government has gone extra mile to frustrate printing beyond The Gambia. Before we print outside, we need to go through so many unnecessary administrative costs, bottlenecks and bureaucracies. We also fear that even if we have the legal status, the security officers could be instructed to confiscate the papers at the border. So we still continue our search in the market and forget about printing outside the borders."
He said due to public demand, they decided to print the paper on A4. "We have learnt a lot of bitter lessons, some of them were beyond human imagination. One such is that a certain halfhearted media executive wanted to print for us when pushed to the wall but later wanted to meddle in our editorial policy. He said he would print for us provided we avoided stories on vigilantism and Sana Sabally because our past publications on them are highly seditious. He was asked to either print for us or close his mouth. The chicken-hearted executive later bowed down and agreed to print for us. As soon as he knew that we were coming up with 22 pages, jealousy and envy engulfed him. He asked his printers to ignore our paper thus destroying our plates. He refused to put on his generator to print our paper."
"My message to the public, in particular, our esteemed readers and clients is that we are highly spirited and committed to our motto: truth is our principle. "We are trying to sort out few things, and once God answers our prayers, The Independent will come out thrice a week or even daily.
Senegalese government’s refusal to subvent Le Soleil forced the paper to stop printing for years. The paper later bounced back with invigorating muscles."
The paper’s marketing manager, Alimatou Jarra-Jallow reacted thus: "It has never been our intention to change our style, but the circumstances are beyond our control. We cannot force printers to print for us because they were gripped with fear. Perhaps they thought their machines could be burnt just like ours. But I want to assure the public, especially our esteemed readers and clients that the present style is temporal, we can remedy the situation any moment," she said.
Mrs. Jarra-Jallow added that she was impressed about the high level of confidence the public has reposed on the paper. "Although we have not been coming, but advertisements and public pressures keep coming on a daily basis. As a matter of fact, we thought it prudent to come out on A4 size. In 1995, The Point was forced to print on A4 after they were denied access to Government printer. We will still produce quality public service."
She assured the paper’s advertisers that they would continue to get well-design adverts. "Being printed on A4 does not mean we will reduce circulation. The Independent newspaper is here to stay whether our enemies like it or not. Let them say whatever they want to say, we believe the Almighty God will fight for us."
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Alagi Yorro Speaks
by Momodou Gassama
The managing editor of The Independent newspaper, Alagi Yorro Jallow has blamed The Gambia government for condoning the persecution of private media in the country.
In an interview with the Commonwealth Journalists Association newsletter, Jallow cited the brutal murder of Deyda Hydara, the managing editor of The Point. He said the police investigation is yet to yield results, which is rather frustrating. "Their investigations lead nowhere and no prosecution took place against assassins," he said.
He added that the unexplained violent crimes against the privately owned media, arson and general distrust in the country have plagued the fourth estate. "Deyda Hydara and I were like brothers. You can imagine how I felt when I learned he had been assassinated. No one could have predicted that he would be gunned down because he was a journalist. I was told I would have been killed too if I had been in The Gambia. Murder is in their game plan, they will murder anyone who opposes their agenda," he charged. "People are more guarded in what they say and write. Families of journalists and printing staff are pressing them to look for other jobs."
Mr. Jallow said he has been under constant pressure from his close associates to quit journalism but "I am not going to be silenced. Although the brutal murder of Deyda Hydara has rang bell that journalists in The Gambia not to sleep in peace, but we will leave no stone unturned in pursuing the murderers of Deyda Hydara."
Few days before his death, the slain editor was a leading critic of the Newspaper Amendment Act, which increased the newspaper bond to D500, 000.
The director general of the World Association of Newspapers, WAN, Mr. Timothy Balding has blamed The Gambia government for its failure to track down the murderers of Hydara. Instead, they are bent on sending sinister message.
Officials of Commonwealth Journalists Association also scolded The Gambia government for passing excessive bonds as well as criminalizing libel.
Alagi Yorro Jallow who was among thousands of journalists at the WAN Congress, presented a paper on The Gambia’s horrible media atmosphere.
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NADD Will Be Well-Funded, Coordinator Confirms
by Habibu Ceesay
The coordinator of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development, NADD, Halifa Sallah is upbeat that the newly launched opposition coalition will be well-funded by people he called "lovers of democracy and what it means in a civilized society."
Mr. Sallah made the expose to our reporter in an interview at the People’s Resource Centre in Serekunda. He said NADD would be funded by democratic conscious people who love the people of The Gambia. In Halifa’s view, helping NADD achieve its political aims is far from wasting resources. "You are helping Gambians to free themselves to get out of the monarchical rule imposed on the people by the APRC regime."
However, he revealed that each of the five political parties that form NADD is duty-bound to contribute its quota in supporting the coalition financially. "But this does not mean that only political parties are contributing. "If every Gambian can gives out even a one dalasi to NADD, it will be appreciated. And any Gambian who contributes in funding NADD is doing it for the sake of The Gambia. He/she is not doing it for any individual," he said.
Halifa, also a parliamentarian for Serekunda Central, asked all Gambians, especially those living abroad to support NADD realise its objective of dislodging the APRC from power as well as eradicate abject poverty caused by the present government.
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Dismay at government-orchestrated campaign to smear slain journalist
Reporters Without Borders voiced "revulsion" today at a government-orchestrated campaign to smear murdered journalist Deyda Hydara, particularly in a newly released report by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on its ongoing investigation into his death, which is full of gratuitous detail about his private life and absurd theories about the motives for the murder.
"Do we have to remind the NIA that Deyda Hydara was the victim and not the suspect in last December’s fatal ambush?" the press freedom organisation asked.
"His family and friends have already suffered enough and should not have to put up with the government’s attempts to divert attention."
Reporters Without Borders continued: "This smear campaign based on trashy police procedures will not succeed in covering up the negligence of the investigators. The NIA has just demonstrated its ineptitude by publishing this collection of malicious gossip in the hope of soiling the memory of a respected journalist slain six months ago by gunmen who are still at large."
The organisation added: "Until now, we were just amazed at the torpor and fumbling of the government investigators. But now we are convinced that they have decided to never reveal the truth and are prepared to stoop to anything to get their way."
In an interview published on 3 June in the pro-government Daily Observer, interior minister Babucarr Jatta described the Hydara case as "a national issue" and dismissed as "premature" the calls made by Reporters Without Borders and Hydara’s partner, Pap Saine, for foreign police to assist the investigation.
Gambia’s police and security agents must complete their own enquiries, he said.
The same day, the NIA sent copies of a 23-page report on the state of its investigation to all of the news media in the capital. Reporters Without Borders has obtained a copy. It is a compilation of all the information obtained by the police and the NIA on "the shooting incident resulting in the death of Mr. Deyda Hydara."
The report points out that the NIA took over the investigation on 8 February, after the police inspector general drafted "an interim report which was found to be inadequate and gave no substantial lead." Although stamped "confidential," the entire 23-page report was published yesterday in the Daily Observer at the government’s behest.
In the chapter on "findings," the NIA report says Hydara’s newspaper, The Point, became famous for its "virulent unguarded attacks on all and sundry in the present government, prominent Gambians, public institutions, private enterprises, individual businessmen and groups, international organizations, security agents, and international figures, etc."
It said Hydara was "invited" several times to meetings with the security services "to be cautioned and advised to set records straight, particularly whenever he had erred and was way off the path upholding the canons and ethics of journalism profession."
The report then goes into detail about strictly personal aspects of Hydara’s life that have no bearing on the murder. In its conclusions, it says that the most likely motive for the murder was either personal revenge, especially by a jealous husband, or a desire to cover up "financial misappropriation" by his partner and childhood friend, Pap Saine.
The co-founder and editor of The Point, an independent newspaper that appears three times a week, and the correspondent of Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Reporters Without Borders, Hydara was gunned down behind the wheel of his car as he was driving two employees home late at night on 16 December. He was an outspoken critic of two laws curbing press freedom that were passed by the national assembly on the eve of his murder.
Reporters Without Borders made two fact-finding visits to Gambia, in December and April, partly to support his family and his newspaper, but also in attempt to advance an investigation that was going nowhere. The organisation was able to reconstruct how Hydara spent his last day and it identified a number of leads and hypotheses which any serious investigators ought to have pursued.
In particular, the organisation discovered that his murder, which was carried out by professionals, followed the pattern of a series of attacks against journalists and other figures who had upset the authorities. The circumstances, the method of operation, the recurring use of cars with no licence plates and preceding death threats were similar in every case. Hydara’s murder matches the pattern of many press freedom violations in recent years in Gambia and in all of these cases, the NIA has been identified as the perpetrator or leading suspect.
By piecing together information in the accounts provided by different sources, Reporters Without Borders also discovered that Hydara was under surveillance by the security services and was still being watched just minutes before he was murdered a few hundred metres from a police barracks.
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Sexual Abuse And Exploitation Of Children - A Nefarious Act
by David Thoronka
The sexual abuse and exploitation of children is a callous and satanic behavior perpetrated by doomed humans. This dehumanizing attitude is an expression of these individuals selfish desire to destroy the future mothers and the future leaders in general.
If it is a retrogressive practice, then the question is raised as to why someone, sane and conscious, would want to harm, humiliate or rub the precious chastity of young girls.
Frankly speaking, virginity of is invaluable. In a traditional and religious context, virginity is very valuable to the young girl and her future husband. It earns her respect and dignity in the eyes of her husband and the latter’s family.
However, the sensible reason for these child sexual predators to wreak their havoc on innocent and defenseless girls is to satisfy their selfish sexual desire. heretic sexual urge which only produce an indelible trait of pain, sadness, indignation, self-rejection and self-condemnation on its victims.
To localize these detractors in the country we must uncover the problems beneath the veil of our society.
UNICEF and the Government of The Gambia conducted a research that revealed that the phenomenon of sexual abuse and exploitation of children is indeed occurring in the country, both explicitly and implicitly. The Child Protection Alliance (CPA), the official representative of ECPAT in The Gambia and Terre des Hommes-Netherlands at the end of 2002 conducted a research titled, ‘The Smiling Coast’. From this research it became apparent that child sex tourism exists in The Gambia. People are aware of the phenomenon, however others are entirely ignorant of this issue. In cases where awareness does exist, knowledge on the genuine impact of child sexual abuse on the actual lives of children, as well as on the society itself is often lacking, the report indicated.
Furthermore, it became evident from the findings that child sexual abuse can occur within the family unit, perpetrated by a parent, half parent, sibling or other relatives. People outside of the family unit, i.e. friends, neighbours, childcare persons, teachers, or even a stranger, can also perpetrate it.
Moreover, the effect of prolong sexual abuse on the victim is very devastating. Usually, the victim develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness and an abnormal or distorted view of sex. The child may even become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults and on the extreme become suicidal. In addition, children who have been sexually abused have difficulty relating to others except on sexual terms. Other victims become child abusers themselves, or turn to prostitution or even have other serious problems when they reach adulthood.
At this juncture, taking the abuse into consideration, we know that there is an urgent need to enhance the skills of social workers in responding to cases of child abuse and exploitation. But such consciousness needs to be broadened to cover every strata of society to widely disseminate information.
It is as a result of this backdrop that the Child Protection Alliance in collaboration with UNICEF and DOSE recently organised a four-day training of trainers workshop on sexual abuse and exploitation.
The main goal of the training was to equip professionals in the social working sector with the relevant skills, knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding child sexual abuse and exploitation. The skills acquired from this training will permit participants to effectively train their colleagues on issues surrounding sexual abuse and more importantly how to respond to cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
The forum was also useful in that it shaped participants’ thorough understanding of issues relating to sexual abuse and the commercial sexual exploitation of children including, trafficking, pornography and prostitution.
The session also dealt with the impact sexual abuse and exploitation has on children. Furthermore, in line with the national plan of action, concrete strategies and action plans for all stakeholders to combat this scourge were discussed.
Consequently, the outcome of the forum witnessed the training of twenty-four social workers on child sexual abuse and exploitation.
At the closing ceremony a statement was delivered on behalf of the Director of Social Welfare, Mrs. Fatou Sisay. The statement revealed that government has acknowledged this practice and has since considered it a national priority. "The issue is complex and it is through collaborative effort that we can overcome this problem", the source said.
The statement further read that promoting the rights of children, and protecting them from every form of abuse are indeed daunting responsibilities but certainly by no means unachievable. The sexual abuse and exploitation of children, especially in the Tourism industry, is now a national issue and some people contend that The Gambia, is now regarded by some unscrupulous tourists as a sex destination. These forms of abuse, which are gross violations of the fundamental rights of children, dehumanize children, and make them commercial and sexual objects, the source continued.
"There is a lot to be done as long as there is a child who is sexually abused. We can do it if we a committed. At least, we owe to the children of and in The Gambia. This is the legacy or footprint that the children want you to leave behind," the statement concludes.
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Caring For The Elderly
The year 2001 saw Africa make positive achievements in the ageing issue. The endorsement of the then OAU, Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing in December 2001 was a step towards the development of national policies on ageing by the then OAU member states.
That year (2001) ended with positive progress being made in promoting ageing issues in Africa. The then OAU intergovernmental conference on ageing that took place in Nairobi, Kenya between the 3rd and 6th of December 2001 was a significant landmark in the history of old people in the Africa.
During the conference that reviewed the draft Policy Framework and Plan of Action on Ageing, Africa also drafted its common position as the continent’s input to the Second World Assembly on Ageing that was later held in Madrid, Spain (April 2002).
As the world marks the 25th anniversary of the first International Plan Action on Ageing this year, I set out to investigate the flight of the aged group in The Gambia. The first place I called was the "Home for the Elderly" in Bakoteh run by the Department of State for Social Welfare.
During the course of my investigation, I could not help but recognized the fact that the enormous increase in the number of older people in the continent comes at a time when Africa is grappling with series of other challenges and dwindling resources to meet them. Though I must not fail to commend the effort of the Department of State for Social Welfare for the work they are doing in Bakoteh at the "Home for the Elderly", I must also emphasis the need for the African governments to address chronic poverty faced by older people, brought about by new liberal macro- and micro- economic measures, as well as social change.
African governments must ensure that the rights of older people are protected by appropriate legislation. There must be inclusion of the older people in development, review and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated national policy, which meets their need. There should be provision of training on ageing issues for family and health care workers. The implementation of education programs on the needs of older people in emergency and relief intervention during disaster must be put in place.
There is need to strengthen legal instruments to protect the rights of the elderly within the family. Also to provide access to safe, durable and affordable shelter. Governments must also realize that the elderly have voices, they want to be heard and most importantly to be understood. There should be strategy that seeks to address the social-cultural, economic and demographic realities of the 21st century, with particular attention to the needs and perspectives of the elderly people.
African Governments must seek the opportunity to develop a common position on ageing. This will form the continent’s Plan of Action and will ensure that the need and concern of old people are catered for and recognize African tradition and social values. The Plan of Action must underscore the centrality of the family in the care, support and welfare of older people. It must also recognize that family structures are increasingly under pressure from changing social and economic forces, and can no longer be solely relied on for support.
African Governments must extend their anti-poverty programs to be reviewed to support traditional support structures and reflect the specific needs of the elderly people. The role that the family and community play in supporting its elderly people within the family must be properly addressed by the various African Governments. Governments and community leaders must underscores the need to promote the rights of older persons and address negative attitudes that encourage their abuse, discrimination and alienation.
There is need to advance health and well being into old age and a call for health promotion and well-being throughout life. Governments ensure unrestricted and equitable access to health care services and call for the recognition and standardization of the use of traditional medicine. There is need to develop and review policies and programs on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, and recognize the role of the older people in the care of the sick and orphans Also it is imperative to recognize the importance of active involvement of all stakeholders in addressing issues affecting the elderly people.
There is an indication that a lot needs to be done to ensure that the voices of older people in Africa are heard. It is the hope and wish of the elderly that the African Governments come up with a resolution that will make substantial contributions to improving their lives in the continent. It is also their hope that the Governments of Africa will represent the voices of older people, and thereafter commit resources to the action plan that will improve their lives and condition.
James Edonzie (free lance journalist)
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SAYINGS OF ALl IBN ABI TALIB (A.S.)
by Ibrahim Kromah
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Sustainer of the world, and peace be upon the chief of Prophets and Messengers and his pure and chaste progeny.
It is an undeniable fact that after the holy Prophet (SAW) Imam Ali (A.S) is the most knowledgeable, wise and intellectual personality to have existed on the face of the earth. He inherited the divine knowledge and wisdom from the messenger of Allah (SAW) and the Holy prophet himself declared him to be the Gate of his Knowledge and the Door of his Wisdom. These are traditions well known for their authenticity by all renowned and reputable scholars as well commentators and traditionalists.
Imam Ali (A.S) has left remarkable and outstanding as well as instructive intellectual works necessary for our guidance in our journey to perfection towards Allah the Almighty. His works were recorded, preserved and treasured as an authentic and reliable source to understanding the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W). Also his works illuminated a light of brilliance through which the soul of the Truth seeker will see the inner guidance inherent in the personage of the Imam (A.S). A true manifestation of his high spiritual consciousness and sense of direction led him (A.S) to establish his divine knowledge in all domains of human and societal existence.
However, words and pens are incapable to convey the merits, virtues and explain the lofty position of Imam Ali (A.S) with regards to his relationship with Allah, the Holy Prophet, the Holy Qur’ an, the Prophetic Sunnah, his family and the society. On this note I will take the opportunity by Allah’s permission to transmit some of the sayings of this illustrious personality of Islam and will be able to reform and reconstruct our lives in accordance to the teachings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet -the embodiment of Allah’s will and guidance for humanity.
SAYING
Imam Ali (A.S) said: Do not turn your knowledge into ignorance or your conviction into doubt. When you gain knowledge act (upon it) and when you acquire conviction proceed (on its basis).
EXPOSITION
Knowledge and conviction require that they should be acted upon. If they are not acted upon they cannot be called knowledge and conviction. Consequently if a man says he knows the dangers that exist in a particular path but he adopts that very path for his journey instead of the path that has no dangers then who can say that this man had not full certainty about the dangers of that path because the consequence of such certainty should have been that he would have avoided going on that path. Similarly the person who has belief in resurrection and revival of life or in chastisement and reward cannot be overpowered by those things of this world that make a man neglectful so as to disregard the next life nor can he fall short of good actions for fear of chastisement and evil consequences.
SAYING
Imam Ali (A.S) said: Most of the deficiency of intelligence occurs due to the flash of greed.
EXPOSITION
When a man falls into greed and avarice, he gets entangled in evils like bribery, theft misappropriation usury and other immoral acts of this type while the mind is so dazzled with the brilliance of the evil desires that it fails to see the ill effects and consequences of those bad deeds and to prevent him from them or awaken him from his slumber of unmindfulness. Nevertheless when he prepares to depart from this world and finds that whatever he had amassed was for this world only and that he cannot take it with him, then alone his eyes are opened up.
SAYING
Imam Ali (A.S) said: A man’s vanity for himself is the enemy of his intelligence.
EXPOSITION
It means that just as an envious person cannot appreciate any good in him whom he envies, similarly vanity cannot tolerate the emergence of intelligence or the prominence of good qualities as a result of which the envious person remains devoid of those qualities which are deemed to be good by human intellect.
SAYING
Imam Ali (A. S) said: As intelligence increases speech decreases.
EXPOSITION
Talkativeness is the result of diffused thinking while diffusion of thought is the result of the unripeness of wisdom. When wisdom attains perfection and understanding ripens, one’s mind and thoughts get balanced and wisdom acquires power and control over the tongue as on other parts of the body as a result of which the tongue does not act without thinking or outside the dictates of wisdom. Obviously the utterance after thinking would be short and free from extras. As man’s intelligence increases, his speaking decreases and he does not speak save at the opportune moment.
SAYING
Imam Ali (A.S) said: The consequence of fear is disappointment, and that of bashfulness frustration. Opportunity passes away like the cloud. Therefore make use of good opportunities.
EXPOSITION
However bad a thing may be regarded among the people and however it may be looked down upon if it is not really bad then to feel bashful about it is quite foolish, because it would often cause deprival from things, which are the source of successes and achievements of this as well as the next world.
For example, if a man fears lest people may regard him ignorant and therefore feels bashful in asking an important and necessary issue then this misplaced bashfulness would result in his deprival of knowledge. Therefore no sane person would feel bashful in making enquiries. Thus an old man who was learning despite old age was asked whether he did not feel ashamed of learning in old age and he replied: "I do not feel shame for ignorance during old age, then how can I feel shame for learning in old age". Of course to feel shame in doing things which are really bad and mischievous is the essence of humanity and nobility; for instance those immoral acts which are bad according to religion, intelligence and ethics. In any case the first kind of bashfulness is bad and the second one is good. In this connection the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) saying is that: "Bashfulness is of two kinds: bashfulness of intelligence and bashfulness of foolishness. The bashfulness of intelligence is knowledge where as bashfulness of foolishness and ignorance".
I hopefully pray that these few sayings of Amir -ul- Momineen Ali Ibn Abi Talib ( A.S ), the third infallible and first holy Imam of the Holy Prophet’s household (S.A.W), will be of immense benefit to you and I do hope by Allah’s will to continue furnishing you with the jewels of knowledge and wisdom of the Chief of the pious.
Wa Salaam.
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Freedom Of Expression
by Pa Modou Secka
At a symposium marking the World Press Freedom Day organised by Gambia Press Union at Alliance Franco-Gambienne on May 3rd, a sociologist and politician, Halifa Sallah presented a paper on Freedom of Expression and Security of an Individual in the Gambian context. The main highlight of the programme was the launching of a fitting memory in honour of the slain newspaper editor, Deyda Hydara. We reproduce the full text of Mr. Sallah’s presentation.
When the eye of justice is in tears, who will rise to provide the rest.
Deyda Hydara is not here, but he is speaking to us with the voice of silence, and that is the voice of the oppressed. That is why some call the oppressed the voiceless.
A human being becomes voiceless only when he/she is oppressed, deprived of the rights to freedom of expression. You can become so by the might of tyrant, or by the bullet. And that is why Deyda is talking to us with the voice of silence, and that is the silence we need to eradicate. It does not belong to the 21st century because this is the era of the people, not the era for Tyrants.
Some people often say that well before we fight for human rights, it is better to fight for the stomach. I always emphasize, that one cannot know the value of rights until you know the word ‘human being’.
If you know the word ‘human being’, you will know that rights are embodiments of the very being of the human being, that food is not only for the stomach, but also for the mind, for the heart. It is for the consent, for the personality.
The food for the human mind is Knowledge. The food for the human heart is Truth, the food for the human consent is Justice and the food for the human personality is Dignity. Rob the human being of truth, knowledge, dignity and justice then you will have a beast who has no feeling for her fellow human being, who will feed on the flesh of her fellow human being and that is why freedom of expression is so fundamental.
We can separate personal security from freedom of expression. In fact, it is the action of the personal security which gives the rights to struggle for freedom of expression.
Follow the history of The Gambia, what is slave? A person without rights. The slave sees a child of his being sold into captivity but he cannot protest. She is a wife being violated, beaten, sexually abused but cannot say a word.
The slave has no voice. He/she must accept oppressions without protest and throughout the history of human kind, people were oppressed by being deprived their rights to protest against their oppressors. They could only speak with the voice of silence. There eyes will be bulge and red. Their veins will appear like snakes on their heads. They will be there suffering inside, dying inside, knowing that justice should come from somewhere, but could not expressed themselves.
Ultimately, human beings realised that if you do not protest, you will not be able to have any from of freedom of association to fight against your oppression. Slaves, oppressed everywhere had to communicate to be able to build up their strength, their authority and come together to exercise that right of freedom of association in order to liberate themselves.
You cannot liberate the mind, without knowledge and you cannot have knowledge without the freedom of expression. It is that right to disseminate information that is indispensable to the liberation of the human.
Once freedom was achieved, liberation was achieved against tyrant in many parts of the world. Human kind showed the need to transform this leading reality into abstraction, into rights, into conventions, into constitutions, into laws which we should all observe to ensure that we live a life of human beings, in dignity on this earth.
Personal security is inconsolable without the defence of the rights to freedom of expression.
Injustice is being perpetrated. It needs to be exposed, it needs to be fought. A person who goes to court, but he/she is afraid to speak cannot have justice. That is why, the development of human society creates the basis of an independent tribunal where the person ability is not subjected to any bias. And you come before that court as a person accused not a guilty person, feeling free to express yourself, to give your evidence to defend yourself. Freedom of expression is at threat. It is not just one element, it embodies the whole being of the human society and the whole essence of human society and the whole essence of a just society.
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Wrestlers Warm Up for S. Madi Combat
Shyben A Madi Arena at the Independence Stadium will be the scene of the second international wrestling combat staged in memory of the late business tycoon, Shyben A Madi.
The combat is the second edition of the jamboree which attract a fierce competition among wrestling champions in the Senegambia region.
This year’s two-day event which kicks off on June 11th will feature ten international wrestling champions.
In the words of Paul Gomez, a member of the organising team, this year’s competition will be colourful, as they have done their utmost best in organising the event. "Yekini No. 2 of Dakar is poised to retain his championship title. The competition is sponsored entirely by Shyben A. Madi & Sons Company Ltd."
Gomez said the competing wrestlers each will be given D3, 000 to prepare for the event.
"The winner goes home with D20, 000 while the second and third D15, 000 and D10, 000 respectively," he disclosed, adding that the wrestling festival will be punctuated by cultural displays.
Among the invited guest to grace the event include the SoS for Youth & Sports, Samba Faal.
It could be recalled that the last year’s championship witnessed a tough encounter between Gambian and Senegalese wrestlers. But a Senegalese wrestling star, Yekini No. 2 carried the victory trophy home. However, this year’s event will be exciting as Gambian wrestlers do not want the trophy to return to Senegal.
GNOC Retains Entire Bureau
Mr. A B Dandeh Njie President, Ms Beatrice Allen 1st Vice President, Mr. Fred Lloyd Evans 2nd vice President, Mr. Abdoulie M Touray Secretary, Mr. Louis Sarkis Treasurer. Other Bureau members include: Jammeh Bojang, Abou AB Njie, Mary Samba Christensen, Geoffrey Renner, and Ebou Joof. The committee is mandated to identify a female representative to complete the Bureau. Fatou Bom Bensouda the former vice president of the committee was identified as honorary patroness of the GNOC. Ms Allen was the acting 1st vice president in the previous bureau.
In his report, Alh. Abou Dandeh Njie highlighted the major achievements and success recorded by GNOC, especially in sports development in The Gambia. He added that the IOC/Olympic Solidarity deserves commendation and appreciation from Gambians for their generous contribution to the national efforts especially their contributions of D600,000 in hiring the services of an outstanding Ghanaian coach for the National U-17 Squad through the GNOC. "The GNOC will continue to explore all avenues with Olympic Solidarity to seek assistance and funding for our national programmes," he indicated.
However, Mr. Njie took the opportunity to buttress on his candidature in contesting for the Association of National Olympic Committees in African (ANOCA) Presidency, which will be held in Accra Ghana on the 16th – 18th June 2005.
He commended the Gambian sporting fraternity for their support in this venture stating that his candidature has the full support of the Head of State Alhaji Dr Yaya AJJ Jammeh, Samba Faal SoS for Youth & Sports and Religious Affairs, Omar Sallah NSC Chairman. Mr. Njie added that he believes that with these people’s unflinching support, together they will bring the leadership of African Sports to The Gambia.
Abdoulie Touray, in presenting the Secretary General’s report stated among others that the year 2004, which is under review, was an Olympic year. "In spite of their severe preparation for the Games, the GNOC successfully completed a full and comprehensive programme of activities" he said.
On his part Treasurer Louis Sarkis in his financial report said the total income realized by the committee in 2003 amounts to D5, 527,689.00 while for 2004 the income was D5, 134,028.00, which represented a decrease of more than D400.000.
The expenditure in 2003, Mr. Sarkis saidD4,199,248.00 were spend while in 2004 D5, 847,113.00 was spend, which is an increment compared to 2003 connected to the Gambians participation in the Olympic Games in Athens.
The Governor’s Trophy
The Central Bank of the Gambia in collaboration with the commercial banks is organising the Governor’s Trophy, a football tournament to be held from June 10th to July 16th, 2005 at the Independence Stadium, Bakau. The tournament is a friendly encounter with four awards at stake namely: Champions; Runners-up; Most Disciplined Team and Leading Goal Scorer. These trophies will be competed for by the seven licensed banks - Standard Chartered Bank; Trust Bank; International Bank for Commerce; Arab-Gambia Islamic Bank; First International Bank; Guarantee Trust Bank and International Commercial Bank and the Central Bank.
The objective of the tournament is to strengthen the already existing cordial relationship between the Central Bank and the commercial banks. It will also bring the commercial banks together thereby creating fruitful environment of fair competition through the sharing of information as in the proposed Credit Bureau.
The opening ceremony of the Governor’s Trophy will therefore take place on Friday, June 10, 2005 at 16:30 pm at the Second-field of the Independence Stadium, Bakau. The Governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia, Honourable Famara L. Jatta will take the Kick-off at 17:00 pm.
The general public and all those in the financial sector are invited to the 9 games. The Governor’s Trophy is a social event and is FREE OF CHARGE.
1FREE FREE FREE
M4 Fixtures for the inter-bank Governor’s trophy 2005
MATCH DATE TIME
1 Central Bank vs First Int’l Bank 10/06/05 5.00PM
2 Trust vs G. Trust Bank 11/06/05 5.00PM
3 Standard Bank vs Arab Islamic Bank 12/06/05 5.00PM
4 Int’l Bank For Comm vs Int’l Bank 17/06/05 5.00PM
5 Trust Bank vs First Int’l Bank 18/06/05 5.00PM
6 Central Bank vs G. Trust Bank 19/06/05 5.00PM
7 Int’l Bank For Comm’ vs Arab Islamic Bank 24/06/05 5.00PM
8 Standard Bank vs Int’l Comm’l Bank 25/06/05 5.00PM
9 Central Bank vs Trust Bank 26/06/05 5.00PM
10 G.Trust Bank vs. First Int’l Bank 01/07/05 5.00PM
11 Int’l Comm’l Bank vs Arab Islamic Bank 02/07/05 5.00PM
12 Standard Bank vs Int’l Bank For Comm’ Bank 03/07/05 5.00PM
SEMI FINALS
13 1 GROUP A vs 2 GROUP B 09/07/05 5.00PM
14 1 GROUP B VS 2 GROUP A 10/07/05 5.00PM
FINALS
15 WINNER 13 VS WINNER 14 16/07/05 5.00PM
TEAMS AND GROUPINGS
GROUP A GROUPB
Int’l Comm’l Bank vs Central Bank
Arab Islamic Bank vs Trust Bank
Standard Chartered Bank vs First Int’l Bank
Int’l Bank For Comm’ G. vs Trust Bank
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"Jammeh Doesn’t Value Journalists’ Life"
A senior reporter of The Independent, Mr. Sulayman Makalo has described the signing into law of the Criminal Code Amendment and Newspaper Acts 2004 by President Yahya Jammeh just days after the brutal cold-blooded assassination of a leading newspaper editor, Deyda Hydara is enough manifestation that Gambian leader has no regard for the life of journalists.
Presenting a paper on the horrible atmosphere journalists operate in The Gambia during the 25th training course of young African journalists at the Armoured Forces House in Cairo, Egypt, Mr Makalo said in a clear case of hypocrisy, the Jammeh government has outlined its intention to enforce media censorship by enacting the two amendments. He said despite all the hue and cry by local media practitioners and international press watchdogs, President Jammeh assented to the Acts days after the assassination of Deyda Hydara. "It sounds funny for Jammeh to append his signatures on such repressive laws, after all he calls himself a true lover and believer of peace. These laws have been put in place purposely to finally kill press freedom and democracy. It definitely came at a bad time because we thought after Deyda’s callous murder the President would have rescinded his decisions. It was not a surprise for those who know the trend of events in The Gambia since Jammeh came to power in 1994. It is unfortunate that Gambians have a regime that is fond of blowing hot and cold and incapable of shedding its anti-media identity despite claims by its officials. Throughout its nine year-civilian rule, The Gambia government deliberately shut its doors from the private media. Apart from holding a single press conference during the two-year military rule, Jammeh has not been talking to private journalists in The Gambia. Ironically, it takes few days for foreign journalists, especially those from Africa Week to see Jammeh. Perhaps, some of these people are doing image building or public relation functions for our government," Makalo added, stressing that despite all odds, Gambian journalists are highly ethical and responsible.
Mr. Makalo was also a guest of a life radio programme at the Cairo University where he was asked who should be blamed for the assassination of Deyda. "In a real democracy, it is the onus of a government to protect the life and property of her citizens. If somebody can be brutally assassinated in cold-blood in the cover of darkness and nothing comes out of it, the people will obviously blame the regime in power. It took Gambian security 48 hours to track down murder suspects of an NIA driver who was found dead in the bush. How can a leading journalist figure be gunned down less than 100 metres away from the Police Intervention Camp and it is six months now, the killers have not been arrested? he asked, causing widespread shrug among panellists from other African and Arab countries.
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Over 20 Boats Destroyed In Gunjur, 2 Confirmed Dead
by Momodou Gassama
Apart from destroying over 20 fishing boats, engines and nets in Gunjur, sources confirmed that two fishermen also lost their lives in the storm.
The two casualties who were believed to be Senegalese met their death when they attempted to rescue the boats and its contents. Two other fishermen were reported to have sustained injuries as a result of the incident. "They were rushed to Gunjur HealthCenter but were later referred to RVTH," confirmed a source.
"The fishermen were just 75 meters off the coast when the incident occurred," said a source. "Incidentally, the storm forced the boats to anchor on rocks, thus destroying the boats and nets.
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