A recent turn around in macroeconomic policy implementation, particularly through end–2004, IMF said, has helped to improve the basic primary fiscal surplus, reduce inflation, stabilize the exchange rate, and rebuild international reserves. "The relatively high interest rates necessary to reverse the macroeconomic deterioration have, however, placed a heavy burden on domestic debt service and on credit markets."

IMF added that a weakening in policies in policies during the first quarter of 2005 has led to a substantial increase in net government debt and excessive growth in monetary aggregates. "Also, a decision to license a monopoly quasi-public enterprise to market and process groundnuts has had a severe adverse impact on processed groundnut exports on account of delays in raising the finances to purchase what was a

bumper harvest."

The IMF’s Executive Board said that the main medium-term challenge for The Gambia is to make a decisive break from "stop-go policies" and embark on a "comprehensive economic program."

"This should include steps to accelerate privatization, improve the investment climate, and strengthen public expenditure management, governance, and accountability." To address the recent fiscal slippage, according to the Board, The Gambian authorities could implement ceilings on discretionary expenditure, improve cash management, enforce the public enterprises’ repayment of government loans, and phase out petroleum product subsidies, while bearing in mind the social implications. The Board further recommended improved tax administration to strengthen revenues and a phase out of tax exemptions to broaden the tax base.

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African Editors Fear for Colleague’s Life

While everyone was beginning to celebrate a positive change of attitude by President Jammeh towards his opponents, once again things seem to have suddenly taken another turn for the worse.

During his address to the Muslim elders on Koriteh Day at State House, Jammeh used the occasion to blame some opposition members for fermenting the border crisis between The Gambia and Senegal. He accused them of mixing him with President Abdoulaye Wade, which he said caused the problem instead of the ferry tariff increase. He said that precipitated the crisis.

It is untimely for President Jammeh to renew his tirades against his opponents. Although he was not specific about how he was going to deal with people he had accused of fermenting the crisis, but from the tone of his speech, it seems he is ready for a headlong confrontation. Quite worrying to many Gambians is his statement that some people would not live to witness the next elections. Such brutal remarks should not have been uttered by a head of state.

It is quite a well-known fact that a lot of bizarre things have been happening in this country in the past few years. Therefore, in the event that one of the opposition leaders, for example becomes a victim of a bizarre incident like what happened to Lawyer Ousman Sillah in December 2003 or the late Deyda Hydara one year later, both of which are still unresolved, it would be quite hard to convince anyone that it has no connection with those threats. As head of state, we expect President Jammeh to always carefully weigh the possible implications of his remarks as they can in turn hunt him or his government.

At a time everyone is grateful for the border impasse to rest in peace, it is certainly untimely for Jammeh to look for scapegoats or what led to the problem. It is extremely necessary for us to be wary of upsetting the delicate truce we had signed with our sister country, Senegal. Now that the two heads of state have discussed the issue and arrived at an amicable understanding, it would be much better to allow things to move ahead and avoid a repetition than do anything that could cause some more problems for us in the future.

We may not be privy to President Jammeh’s evidence that opposition members fermented the border crisis, but we are advising him to handle the issue with care. He said he does not care about what the international community says or does but we care because The Gambia is not an island that can afford to ignore what the world says or does. As we are expecting to host the African Union summit as well as conduct presidential elections next year, it is important for our government to busy itself with repairing its international credentials and avoid the opposite. A government that is intolerant of opposition cannot expect to be treated with respect among the comity of nations.

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Halifa Sallah, COORDINATOR

For: The NADD Executive Committee

Mr. President, four characteristics are indispensable if a person is to qualify to be classified among a world leadership that is fit to govern a Nation in the 21st century, that is, clarity, honesty, magnanimity and humility.

Mr. President, when the mind is barren of knowledge, the heart devoid of mercy, and the personality starved of humility and the attitude stripped of honesty, a person in position of public trust must become arrogant, greedy, power hungry, pompous and revengeful. Such a person will not hesitate to kill for power and die for power. Under such a leadership, might must become right, the rule of law must become subservient to the rule of might and a culture of impunity must reign supreme over the culture of rights and justice.

This is why the wisdom of the ages deems it incontrovertible that hunger for power corrupts and obsession with power corrupts absolutely.

At the opening of the meeting the Chairperson of the occasion conveyed that their visit was customary and symbolic; that such visits to leaders at the helm of state affairs started 95 years ago. In short, it provides an opportune moment for elders to state their concerns regarding the relation between Government and the Governed and further accords them the opportunity to offer words of advice to promote sensitivity and responsiveness to the vital concerns of the people

.

It is amazing to the NADD Leadership, as it must be to every decent human being in The Gambia who heard your message, that you would transform such a solemn occasion into a platform to try to threaten, denigrate, castigate and ridicule the Opposition despite the religious leaders’ passionate appeal for sincere efforts by ruling party and opposition to deal with any matter of immense National concern in a concerted manner.

Your disrespectful and revengeful posture constitutes a betrayal of the expectations of your peace loving visitors, a violation of your oath of office not to act with "ill-will" and an affront to any sense of political decency your comments had infact outraged all Gambians and non Gambians alike who expect a higher standard of practice in governance from a person occupying the highest office in the land.

Mr. President, I am requested by the NADD Executive Committee to catalogue the relevant portions of your speech which are fallacious in content and further signify a total disregard for the letter and spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding prepared under the auspices of the Commonwealth, represented by General Abdousalam Abubakar, which the representatives of all parties including your ruling party, helped to draft but which your National Executive Committee have so far failed to sign. This is what is delaying its coming into effect.

First and foremost you claimed that the Opposition met in New York and drew the conclusion that they can neither win an election in The Gambia or orchestrate a coup d’etat; That they resolved that the only way to depose you is to provoke a war situation between Gambia and Senegal in order to destabilize and uproot your government.

You alleged that the Opposition sent E-mails, faxes, reports and copies of government documents to the Senegalese authorities in order to generate and fan hostility between the Senegalese government and your regime.

That the Opposition fabricated stories that most of the forces sent by Gambia to Sudan are from the MFDC rebels; that such rebels serve as State Guards; that they even stated that Salif Sarjo, a leader of MFDC was poisoned by you and taken to a doctor to be killed in 2003; that their lies became evident when Salif Sarjo spoke on radio in 2005. You added that the Senegalese forces were deployed at Selety near the border with Gambia while Gambian soldiers were busy playing football; that the alleged lies of the opposition almost brought about a war which you averted only because you exercised restraint. You claimed that even after making peace recently the opposition met to conclude that it will not last. All these statements were designed to give the impression that the Opposition harboured bad faith.

You made it categorically clear that such Opposition members and their collaborators do not deserve to witness the 2006 elections. You threatened a reign of terror on the opposition and their alleged collaborators in government after the Ramadan.

You also strayed into the differences between Muslim’s regarding the date for holding Eid prayers. You stated categorically that those who hold their prayers after the date approved by the Supreme Islamic Council will not see the light of the day.

Many threats, including death threats were issued during your speech that could give you the image of a brutal dictator who is ready to arrest, detain, maim and kill those who disagree with him.

Mr. President, during this era of democratization in our sub-region many would have thought that you will honour the goodwill mission of the Commonwealth and concentrate on making peace with the Opposition by signing the Memorandum of Understanding and thus prepare the ground for a peaceful, free and fair presidential election in 2006.

We wish to assert with all the emphasis we can muster that your allegation against the Opposition are fabrications. They are based on fiction and not facts. Consequently, they cannot stand the test of truth and commonsense.

Mr. President, the commitment of the Opposition to free and fair election is corroborated by the following indisputable facts.

First and foremost, we in the Opposition have agreed to sign the Memorandum of Understanding binding political parties in The Gambia to International Standards of best practice in democratic political conduct in a multiparty system which is characterized by adherence to truth, fair play, tolerance and submission to the popular will when expressed by the ballot.

It is in fact your party which has shown little commitment to such practices by procrastinating or delaying its signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.

In the same vein, just before the recent by elections, the Opposition parties went to court to ensure that there is strict adherence to the electoral laws so that only people whose names appear on the registers of voters would be allowed to vote. Your party advocated for those whose names are not found in the register of voters to be allowed to vote. Who then is actually afraid of free and fair elections, the Opposition or your?

Furthermore, since the Opposition Alliance emerged we have participated in 10 by elections. The facts reveal that we are also leading in popular votes.

In the light of such development, which person with commonsense could be made to believe that the Opposition parties met in New York to draw the conclusion that we cannot win an election and that we can only take over the helm of state by promoting war between Gambia and Senegal. This is utter fabrication. No such meeting took place anywhere on the face of the globe.

Mr President, we must therefore state in no uncertain terms that in making such a statement you are putting the office of president in disrepute, thus justifying the grounds for impeachment, as is the norm in any civilized democratic state.

In our view, the office of the president is too high to be a source of unintelligent fabrications.

In this respect you owe the Gambian people concrete evidence to back your assertions or extend your apology to the NADD Executive.

We give you five working days to provide the evidence regarding the alleged meeting or apologize, failing which we have no option but to hold a press conference to denounce you and call for your resignation or impeachment. Bear with us as we move to the second point.

Mr. President, you also claim that the Opposition met recently to declare that your recent agreement with Senegal will not last. This is utter fabrication. In fact, every careful analyst will not fail to observe that no member of the NADD Executive has issued any comment on the issue in the press. This is due to an executive decision to promote alternative policies as befits an alternative government and not simply comment on your initiative.

Hence, instead of being prophets of doom who spend our energies to denounce you for wasting the precious resources and time of the Gambian people and create immense hardship by being adamant in maintaining the increase in ferry tariffs in the name of defending National Sovereignty and territorial integrity only to acknowledge later that you have erred by violating Article 6 of the Agreement on Road Transport of October 2004, between Gambia and Senegal.

However, instead of castigating you for your display of mediocrity and incompetence in matters of foreign policy we did a detailed analysis to find out the source of your shortcomings, with the view to find a way forward in promoting a privileged relation between Gambia and Senegal that would be informed by the doctrine of two states one people.

His very words read:

Consultations have been going on since the beginning of the problem with the Department of State for Foreign Affairs playing a lead role. This process is on going with the hope that Senegal would reopen its borders and all related problems resolved."

Here your Secretary of State is attributing the border closure to the rise in ferry tariffs. Your government officials have vehemently maintained that the rise in ferry tariffs was irreversible because it was an act of national sovereignty.

The Executive Committee of NADD therefore concluded that the foreign policy failure of your government arises from naked incompetence or lack of a comprehensive foreign policy blue print to guide your relation with Senegal in particular and other states in the sub-region like Guinea Bissau. This is what is responsible for your 180 degrees twist in foreign policy between 5^{th October 2005 when the secretary of state answered the question at the National Assembly and 21st October 2005 when you visited Senegal.}

It goes without saying that the Executive Committee of NADD did not stop at identifying the shortcomings of your government we proceeded to examine the ingredients required to develop foreign policy options for a country.

In our view, it is important to take note of the idiosyncrasies of the leadership in each country in our sub-region to determine whether they are prone to domination or cooperation.

Secondly, it is necessary to look at the interest of each country in our sub-region as regards The Gambia, to determine whether such interests are based on the collective interest of the two peoples or the interest of few groups in any given country. Thirdly, it is necessary to determine the principles of the ruling parties in each country to determine whether a given party is committed to the principles of the African Union in general and democratic principles at home. Such analysis would have enabled a genuinely democratic government in The Gambia to determine the foreign policy options of your government towards Senegal in particular and other countries in our sub-region in general.

The lack of coherence in your foreign policy with Senegal is attributable mainly to your claim that you have no advisers. This claim implies that you have no policy think tank. Hence your officials are likely to recommend what pleases you. Hence instead of controlling circumstances you are controlled by them. This is the dilemma of your government.

Mr. President, compared to the myopic attitude you attribute to the Opposition as being mere prophets of doom, the NADD leadership had gone as far as to assert that in our relation with Senegal we must be guided by the principles of African Unity and the goals and Programmes of African Integration. This vision goes beyond the concept of relying on sovereign national interest as the determinant of external relation to advocate for the principle of collective sovereignty.

This vision will help us to map out all the sovereign interest of the two countries and then determined how they could be assimilated into the collective interests of the two peoples. This is the way to make the doctrine of two states one people a reality. In order to forge ahead the NADD Executive sees the need to build the people to people ties of the two countries. This envisages the establishment of relation between the National Assembles, media, trade unions, women federations, youth federations, farmers\ groups, professional associations, sport federations, chambers of commerce, and the intellectual community. It does call for the negation of policies like alien identity cards for the Senegalese.

It is therefore abundantly clear that you have no evidence to prove that we met just to express our hope for renewed conflict between the two countries.

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Norwegian Scam Leads To Gambia

By Sulayman Makalo

The trail of a 50 million (NOK) Norwegian Krona equivalent to 7.66 million US Dollars from the Norwegian Cash Service (NOKAS) robbery in Stavanger, last year, have led Norwegian investigators to storm The Gambia.

Sources said the two figures from Oslo’s criminal underworld met in The Gambia in the autumn of 2004. And according to Norway’s Aftenposten News, the said meeting had convinced Norwegian police and Interpol to follow the case. The reports also indicated that a newspaper, Stavanger Aftenblad had earlier reported that investigators dug up part of a property in The Gambia, looking for the missing money.

Police Grilled For Professional Betrayal

Two Stand Trial For Impersonation

Boy Seeks Help To Pursue Education

The accolade include 30 certificates, 5 gold, 8 silver and 3 bronze medals. Gamtel emerged 8th in the last May Day sports competition. The Gambia National Olympic Committee gave the awards to Gamtel for their staggering performance during the workers’ event.

Bumsterism - A Worldwide Phenomenon

Ahmed Siadybah

Sufyan Ibn Abdullah, May Allah be pleased with him, said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam, which I cannot ask anyone else besides you." He said: "Say: ‘I believe in Allah’ and then be steadfast (upon that)." [Sahih Muslim]

The Hadith is proof that the servant is obligated, after having Iman (faith) in Allah, to persevere and be steadfast upon obeying Him by performing the obligatory acts and avoiding the prohibited ones. This is achieved by following the Straight Path, which is the firm Religion without drifting away from it, to the right or to the left.

If the Muslim lives through Ramadan and spent his days in fasting and his nights in prayer and he accustomed himself to doing acts of good, then he must continue to remain upon this obedience to Allah at all times. This is the true state of the slave, for indeed, the Lord of the months is One and He is ever watchful and witnessing over his servants at all times.

Indeed, steadfastness after Ramadan and the rectification of one’s statements and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained benefit from the month of Ramadan and striven in obedience. They are tokens of reception and signs of success.

Furthermore, the deeds of a servant do not come to an end with the end of a month and the beginning of another, rather they continue and extend until he reaches death. Allah says: {And worship your Lord until the certainty (death) comes to you}. (AI-Hijr: 99)

If the fasting of Ramadan comes to an end, then indeed the voluntary fasting is still prescribed throughout the entire year. If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan comes to an end, then indeed, the entire year is a time for performing the night prayer. And if the Zakat-ul-Fitr comes to an end, then there is still the Zakah that is obligatory as well as the voluntary charity that lasts the whole year. This goes the same for reciting the Qur’an and pondering over its meaning as well as every other righteous deed that is sought, for they can be done at all times. From the many bounties that Allah has bestowed upon his servants is that He has placed for them many different types of righteous acts and provided many means for doing good deeds. Therefore, the ardour and zeal of the Muslim must be constant and he must continue to remain in the service of his Lord.

It is unfortunate to find that some people perform worship by doing different types of righteous deeds during Ramadan. They guard strictly upon their five daily prayers in the Masjid, they recite the Qur’an a lot and they give in charity from their wealth. But when Ramadan comes to an end, they grow lazy in their worship. Rather, sometimes they even abandon the obligations, both generally, such as praying in congregation, and specifically, such as praying the Fajr prayer.

And they commit forbidden acts such as sleeping over the time of prayers, indulging in places of foolishness and entertainment, and mingling in parks, especially on the day of Eid. Obtaining help from these evils is only through the graceof Allah. Thus, they demolish what they have constructed and destroy what they have established. This is an indication of deprivation and a sign of perdition. We ask Allah for His safeguarding and protection.

Indeed, this type of people take the example of turning in repentance and ceasing from committing evil deeds as something specific and restricted to the month of Ramadan. And they stop doing these (good) acts when the month stops. Thus, it is as if they have abandoned sinning for the sake of Ramadan, and not out of fear of Allah. How evil are these people who do not know Allah, except in Ramadan!

Truly, the success that Allah grants His servant lies in the fasting of Ramadan. His assisting him to do that is a great favour, thus the calls for the servant to be grateful to his Lord. This understanding can be found in the statement of Allah after completing the favour of the month of fasting: {(He wants that you) must complete the same number of days, and that you must magnify Allah (by saying Allahu Akbar) for having guided you, so that you may be grateful to Him}. (AI-Baqarah: 185)

The one who is grateful for having fasted, will remain upon that condition and continue to perform righteous deeds.

Verily, the true way of the Muslim is that of one who praises and thanks his Lord for giving him the ability to fast and make Qiyam. His condition after Ramadan is better than it was before Ramadan. He is more receptive to obey, desiring to do good deeds and quick to enforce the obligatory acts. This is because he has gained benefit from this prominent institute of learning. It is that of one who fears for having his fast not accepted, for indeed Allah only accepts from those who fear Him.

The righteous predecessors would struggle to complete and perfect their deeds, hoping afterwards, that it would be accepted and fearing that it would be rejected. From the reports of Ali, "Be more concerned with having your deeds accepted than the deed itself. Did you not hear Allah say: {Verily Allah, only accepts those from those who fear Him. (i.e. possess Taqwa)}. [AI-Ma’idah: 27]

A’ishah said: "I asked the Messenger of Allah concerning the ayah: ‘And the one who are given what they are given and their hearts tremble with fear.’ Are they the ones who drink alcohol and steal?" He said: "No, O daughter of As-Siddiq. Rather, they are the ones who fast and pray and give in charity yet fear that it won’t be accepted from them. They are the ones who rush to do good deeds and they are the first to do them." [Sahih Sunan At-Tirmidhi 3/79-80]. So be warned and again be warned of turning backward after having attained guidance of going astray after persevering. And ask Allah to provide you with duration in doing righteous deeds and continuity in performing good acts. And ask Allah that He grant you a good end, so that He may accept our Ramadan from us.

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By David Thoronka

This practice is also an opportunity for children to visit family members but that aspect is fading out. This money haunting our children popularly known as ‘salibo’ is not a new thing. It is a practice that has been handed down to them by their elders. Thus they do not see anything wrong with it. This write up is an attempt to point out the dangers attached to the salibo syndrone.

The idea of our children going around to solicit money from family, friends, relatives and acquaintances is not bad per se. In a child friendly environment, this practice can be viewed as a sign of love, unity and trustworthiness. It shows that children are not under any threat of abuse, exploitation or mishap.

However in present times, the idea of our children going out to seek salibo should be questioned. Our society has and is still playing host to so many child abusers and exploiters. These child predators are everywhere and around the clock they are finding opportunity to unleash their evil intention on innocent children. The advent of salibo period could be their appropriate time to strike. During such occasions, the children have drifted away from the watchful and protective eyes of their parents or guardians. They are mostly on their own out in the streets. In an atmosphere of vulnerability, children could be abused or exploited. When abused, they refuse to complain either because they are afraid of being punished or restricted from going out for another salibo.

Another danger that accompanies the salibo syndrome is the occurrence of unfortunate incidents. Children are allowed to go out without adult supervision. As children love to explore new things, mostly they sway from their normal route and go missing. The display on the national television of missing children during this period is an attested fact. We are blessed in our society as once children are found they are taken to the television or reported at radio stations. But in some societies, sooner a child is reported missing it is likely the/she will never be found. So it is high time we start correcting these mistakes before they degenerate.

Nonetheless, the dangers that befriends the salibo syndrome could be curtailed. Parents have to play key role in this campaign. We have seen elsewhere where parents take their children out during holidays. They go to resorts, beaches, funfair centers, parks, ice-cream parlours, and more places where children can have fun under the supervision of parents or guardians.

However, it is the opposite in our setting. Only few parents take their children out. There is a need for a change of attitude then all other things will fall in place. Parents should start taking the lead in making their children happy. When last have you spent quality time with your child? For example go to the beach, visit relatives in the village, visit a historical heritage, or even the beach? During such period children learn more from their parents and create a bond of trust between the two parties. Children become conversant in sharing their fears and problems with their parents. But this is not always the case, as children prefer discussing their problems with peers who can hardly give them proper advice. Holiday could be the best time to talk and push our children to share their thoughts with us. So parents have a responsibility in salvaging the problematic situation posed by salibo syndrome.

Action needs to be taken to halt this practice. Some parents do not even know where their children go to ask for salibo, what they do there and to whom they have gone to. These are all questions that we as responsible parents and guardians should start contemplating.

Let us begin to budget for their spending whenever we realize that the period of salibo is at hand. In today’s world, nothing goes for nothing.

Imagine a fifteen-year-old girl going to ask for salibo to a man who is a bachelor. That man might be tempted to seduce that child into wrecking her life. It is always said that a word for the wise is quite sufficient.

Let us protect our children.

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The British High Commission are pleased to announce the visit of HMS Westminster to the Gambia from Friday 11 November until Monday 14 November.

HMS Westminster is a Type 23 Frigate who has recently participated in a multi-national training exercise in Senegal. The ship is here on a Rest and Recreational visit. The ship, the second to bear the name HMS Westminster, was launched in 1992 and was commissioned into service in 1994, she has a crew of 184.

The Commanding Officer is Commander A Betton, MA. The Ship’s visit will further strengthen the friendly bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and The Gambia, especially in the area of military co-operation.

Unfortunately due to the Rest and Recreational nature of the visit, the ship will not be open to the public. The crew are however hosting several parties of schoolchildren. Members of the Ship’ s company are also expected to attend local Remembrance Day services and to participate in various sporting and community activities.

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by Namory Trawally

The award ceremony, which took a form of fund-raising show with Senegalese mbalakh star, Fallou Dieng and local rap groups, attracted thousand of sports lovers across the country. Conferred were the following U-17 players: Ebrima Sohna, Momodou Ceesay, Abdoulie Njie, Babucar Suso, Pa Modou Jagne, Abdoulie Mansally, Alhagie Amadou Ngum, George Cole and Pierre Gomez. Included in the award list were the physiotherapist and equipment manager of the U-17 team, Pa Matarr Ndow and Sheriffo Suso respectively. Each of them received a medal and certificate.

The zone awarded individual awards to Ebrima, Sohna, Momodou Ceesay, Abdoulie Njie and Pierre Gomez for promotion they have given to their area.

Meanwhile, 14 other veteran players and sports administrators who contributed to the development of the zone were also awarded certificates of reorganization and appreciation. They are Ya Sainey Jobateh, late Dodou Secka, Lamin Owens, Joseph Bakury, Ebrima Jobe alias Mbat, Badou Jasseh, Abdoulie Faal alias Gainde park, Babucarr Jarjue alias Banana Jarjue, late Pa Kasory, Secka Jobe, Alhagie Biri Biri Njie, Harriet Owens, Alhagie Njie VP and the American Basket ball player Jerrod Mustaf.

The awards were presented by SoS Samba Faal and Neneh Macdoll-Gaye, Omar Ndow Gamtel Managing Director, Francis Gomez KMC Deputy Mayor and Amadou Scattered Janneh.

Organised by the Upper Niumi Sports Committee, the soccer competition was competed by five villages in the district.

After months of intensive competitions, Mass Sosseh of Kerr Mama and Wallidan of Fass Saho are ready to battle it out in this grand final. Mass Sosseh of Kerr Mama, the defending champions, made it to the final after beating Kerr Chebo 3-2 in the semis while Wallidan of Fass Saho tamed Kerr Demba 3-0.

The Sunday final will obviously be a revenge for Wallidan, for they lost to Mass Sosseh 2-1 in the group stage. However, having a match at home has made Mass Sosseh favourites.

Meanwhile, according to an official of the organising committee, Ba Dodou Jallow, the winner goes home with a glittering trophy and a cash prize of D5, 000 while the runner-up receives a consolation prize of D3, 000.

The sponsor of the tournament, Samba Faal who is expected to grace the occasion alongside important dignitaries in the likes of SoS Yankuba and National Sports officials, is billed to take the kick-off.

At last, the 2005 Super Nawettan championship kicked off at the Independence Stadium in Bakau last Wednesday.

The eight GFA recognized zones are taking part in the championship. They are divided into two groups of four teams. Group A comprises of the defending champions Bakau, Gurjur, Banjul and Serrekunda East while Group B encompasses Serrekunda West, Sukuta, Brikama and Lamin.

The competition’s cost is being footed by the national football association and the overall champion goes home with D25, 000 while the runner-up D18, 000. Each competing team receives D4, 000 and D6, 000 as preparation costs and consolation prizes respectively.

Below are the fixtures.

1 09/11/05 BAKAU vs. BANJUL

2 10/11/05 GUNJUR vs. S/K EAST

GROUP B.

3 11/11/05 S/KWEST vs. BRIKAMA

4 12/11/05 SUKUTA vs. LAMIN

5 13/11/05 BAKAU vs. S/KEAST

6 14/11/05 GUNJUR vs. BANJUL

7 15/11/05 LAMIN vs. BRIKAMA

8 16/11/05 SUKUTA vs. S/K WEST

9 17/11/05 S/K EAST vs. BANJUL

10 18/11/05 GUNJUR vs. BAKAU

11 19/11/05 S/K WEST vs. LAMIN

12 20/11/05 SUKUTA vs. BRIKAMA

13 22/11/05 WINNER A vs. RUNNER B

14 23/11/05 WINNER B vs. RUNNER A

15 27/11/05 WINNER 13 vs. WINNER 14

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In a touching speech on the occasion, Jallow dedicated the international award to "a great journalistic leader and mentor, Deyda Hydara who was brutally gunned down by suspected state security agents," he said, faulting investigators for their failure to provide clues of the killing. "No one was brought to book and The Independent arsons still remain unsolved."

The first Gambian winner of this prestigious award saluted brave journalists in the world – journalists who risk their lives to defend the rights of people. "I especially salute my late colleague Deyda Hydara and co-plaintiff in challenging the controversial National Media Commission before the Gambian Supreme Court," he said, believing that Deyda’s cold-blooded murder might have been linked to his uncompromising stance on tactics to muzzle free press in The Gambia.

Jallow added, "I humbly stand here to accept this award on behalf of all journalists who have fought and continue to fight and struggle to inform, educate and agitate against the injustices of repressive and autocratic regimes," he said, commending the journalists and organisations in Canada for assisting him. "Your workshops, motivation and inspiration have broadened my skills and catapulted me to this level of prominence and recognition. It has fostered my ability to speak out against the repression of free speech. My mission is clear. As a journalist, I must continue to expose, agitate and eradicate those who seek to destroy the God-given right to freedom of expression and press."

He said The Gambia government enacted what he called "disdainful acts" purposely to impose sedition and libel charges on any journalist as well as sentence them to a minimum of three years inhumane imprisonment. "In addition, the newspaper proprietors must post a bond of almost $20,000 Dollars."

Mr. Jallow recounted the troubles he had endured during his career. This ranges from arrests, detentions, two arson attacks on his paper’s office and death threats hanging over his head. "The second arson resulted in the attempted murder of my staff and the burning of a newly acquired printing press," he said, accusing the arsonists of killing Hydara. "The highest contempt is to negate the life of a human being, which is a gross and most repulsive violation of human rights. What right does a government have in separating a husband from his wife, a father from his children, a friend from his loved ones, a colleague from his professional community through sheer brutality and malice?" he asked.

Jallow said attacks on media were prelude to the vile attacks on other illustrious members of Gambian society. "Ironically, the failure to awaken public contempt and denunciation of such acts of brutality has opened a window of opportunity for those with contempt to unleash their hatred on other journalistic members of the media. They consider us as safe targets for their barbaric acts. Why should journalists be held criminally accountable for giving the people the avenue to exercise their freedom of expression?" he asked, arguing that Sections 25 and 207 of Gambian Constitution guaranteed the citizens right to freedom of speech and press and independence of media. How can such guarantees be real when arsonists and murderers roam about freely to carry out their contemptuous atrocities against the media?"

He said since all avenues to ensure protection of journalists has failed, it is therefore prudent to draw massive public condemnation of all aggressive official measures so that enemies of free press face justice. "For assistance in promoting this public outcry for Gambian journalistic freedom, I thank WAN and CJFE for their nomination and recognition of my contribution in solidifying a free press in The Gambia and Africa at large," he noted, adding that the award would further strengthen his beliefs that press is either free or it ceases to be called press. "Freedom of thought and the right to information are a fundamental human rights," he said, adding that it is his wish to continue the battle for journalistic freedom wherever he is.

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