Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue Issue No. 73/2006, 4-5 September, 2006 Editorial Impunity! Impunity! Impunity! When Will It End? Arrests and detention without trial are now a common phenomenon in this country. People are arrested and kept for days, weeks or even months before they are released. Hardly are charges proferred against them. They are quite often simply arrested, detained and released. Most of such detainees are held at the NIA headquarters or at Mile II Prisons. The constitution requires that an arrested person held in detention be taken to court within 72 hours or be released with or without condition. The facts are to the contrary. Duta Kamaso, a former MP, has been held in the custody of the NIA for more than three months now, Sergeant Buba E.B Jammeh of the state guard, for more than three months, Malick Mboob a media practitioner for more than two months, Mr. Ndondi Njie, former IEC Chairman for more than three weeks and Buba Sanyang a NADD supporter who had filled 17 nomination forms for more than one week. The whereabouts of Chief Manneh of the Daily Observer is not known thought it is believed that he is kept at Mile 2 Prisons. Other arrestees include Nuru Secka, Buba Manneh and Sergeant Buba Mendy. The list goes on and on. What the regime hopes to gain by detaining persons in gross violation of the constitution when elections are just round the corner is difficult to understand. Such detention without trial can be easily seen as a means of silencing or demobilizing opponents of the regime. Needless to say, Section 24 of the constitution makes it abundantly clear that every arrested person must be presumed innocent until he/she is proven or pleads guilty. Thus these detainees, unless they are released, will be denied their right to vote contrary to Section 26 of the constitution which is a fundamental right. International observers should take note of this since it infringes on the freeness and fairness of elections. OJ Clarifies By Abdoulie G. Gibba Omar Amadou Jallow (alias O J), has given a vivid picture of why he was absent during the nomination of Halifa Sallah as the presidential candidate for the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD). Jallow’s statement came on the heels of speculation that he has abandoned NADD. He said he was stricken by illness and was hospitalized. Jallow pointed out that he still supports Halifa Sallah as the candidate of NADD. OJ made these statements on Friday 1st September at his residence in Pipeline during an interview with this reporter. OJ indicated that NADD is a unifying factor and has the solution to the ills created by the APRC during its twelve years of misrule. He pointed out that in the Memorandum of Understanding establishing NADD which he is a signatory, it is stipulated that NADD would put in place constitutional and legal instruments as well as democratic institutions and practices covering all areas of state administration and management so as to put an end to self perpetuating rule which is the characteristic of the APRC rule. OJ said NADD is committed to create an economic environment that will ensure the development of the productive base of the economy and maximize economic growth, employment and general welfare of the youth and women. This OJ said, is necessary to put an end to the suffering of the Gambian people. He asserted that the interview Halifa granted to the journalists after the nomination showed the supremacy of the NADD candidate over the two candidates. OJ pointed out that the interview showed that Halifa Sallah possesses all the qualities of the type of leader the Gambia needs under these circumstances. He finally called on all Gambians at home and abroad regardless of tribe, religion, political affiliation or place of origin to give their total support to Halifa Sallah the NADD presidential candidate. NAWEC Officials Arraigned In Court BAIL APPLICATION DENIED By Bubacarr K. Sowe Abdoulie Jobe, executive director of the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC), alongside Tijan Bahoum, the company’s distribution manager, were on Friday arraigned before the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on two counts of the Economic Crimes, contrary to section 5 (f) of the Economic Crime Degree of 1994, Decree Number 16 and punishable under section 6. According to the particulars of offence on count one, Abdoulie Jobe and Tijan Bahoum as directors of NAWEC, between the months of January and August 2006, in a manner detrimental to the economy or welfare of the people of the Gambia, intentionally failed or omitted to install and connect to the national grid, two new caterpillar power generators acquired from the USA. Count two states that Merssr Jobe and Bahoum, as directors of NAWEC, by willful act or omission, disrupted electricity power supply to the Banjul and Kanifing Municipal Council area in a manner detrimental to the economy of the Gambia and to the welfare of the people of the Gambia. Both accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges. They applied for bail and complained that they have no access to their lawyers since their arrest on Saturday, 26th of August 2006. The police prosecutor objected to their bail application, noting that their release may interfere or affect the ongoing investigations. Presiding magistrate I.I. Mboto ruled that the court cannot grant them bail because investigations are not completed. She said that the prosecutor should expedite the investigations so that the accused persons can be granted bail. The magistrate also said that the accused should have access to their lawyers and families. The trial is adjourned to 14th September 2006, for hearing. MAL-ADMINSTRATION AT THE GPTC By Abdou Yanka Gambia Public Transport Corporation’s managing director has accused by his staff of unfair treatment. According to the staff, the managing director who is on an eight-day leave, paid himself his four years leave arrears even though GPTC has abolished payment of leave arrears since many years ago. “The MD took eight days leave and came back to join the APRC campaign team. He is alledged to have bought 600metres of the APRC ashobi at the cost of D25, 000 and that fifty-three female staff were each given six meters and one hundred dalasis for sewing, while the male staffs were given 3 meters and a hundred dalasis for sewing. Also the staffs were forced to put on the “ashobi” and attend the APRC nomination last week,” said an aggrieved staff. The money spent on the APRC ashobi is said to have come from the funds generated from the buses plying the Banjul-Dakar route. The staff alleged that all this was done by the management while the staff’s salaries are not yet paid. In another development, the GPTC MD is alleged to have put up a proposal to sell the GPTC’s turning point at Bakoteh, behind the Elf petrol station, where the present car park is located. The said proposal is said to have been approved by the GPTC board members and is now waiting for interested buyers. The MD, who is on leave, has handed over responsibilities to Mr. Kebba Demba as the acting managing director. When contacted, Mr. Kebba Demba told our reporter that he cannot comment on the issue since his boss who was with him at the time has asked him not to speak to the press. NEW MUNYAGEN ALKALO SPEAKS The newly appointed Alkalo of Manyagen asserted that as the appointed Alkalo of the village, he is calling on all residents of Manyagen to be law biding and to be paying their rates and taxes on time. Waka Jobe, the newly appointed Alkalo of Manyagen made these remarks in an interview with this reporter at his home town in Manyagen. Regarding the crisis prior to his appointment, Waka told this reporter that the crisis is now resolved, adding that it was as a result of denying the people their birthright, by giving it to another person. Waka asserted that his appointment letter came together with the letter of termination of the acting Alkalo, Tamsir Ngum Jassey. “Now that an Alkalo is appointed, taking into consideration the traditional line of inheritance, we should all come together and work for the interest of the Village,” said Waka. Waka asserted that he harbors no ill feeling against anyone, be it the chief of the district, Jim Fatma Jobe, Tamsir Ngum Jassey or any other resident of the Village. Waka promised that he would preside over the affairs of Manyagen in consultation with the residents of Manyagen, the Chief, as well as the Governor of the division. Readers would recall that at one time after the death of the former Alkalo, Alhaji Lamin Jobe, an Alkaloship crisis developed at the village as published by Foroyaa. However, the crisis deepened when the chief of the area appointed acting Alkalo, outside the family of the Late Alkalo who are said to be original settlers of the village. The crisis was finally resolved when the Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands appointed Waka Jobe, the eldest son of the late Alkalo as the newly appointed Alkalo of Manyagen. Attempts to reach the chief and the ex-acting Alkalo proved futile as this reporter was informed that the chief was in Banjul. CUSTOMERS IN KERR KATIM OWE GAMTEL D 42, 000 Responding to a question raised by the National Assembly Member for Niamina West, Hon. Ahmat S Sallah, the Secretary of State for Local Government and Lands, Ismaila Sambou, deputizing for the Secretary of State for Communications, Information Technology, indicated that out of the 20 lines credit in Kerr Katim, only fourteen (14) were taken up by customers in the village, and the remaining six are yet to be taken by customers. SoS Sambou said that only one line is working, two have been faulty for about two weeks, and ten are currently disconnected for the non-payment of bills. Even though Gamtel heavily subsidizes rural telecommunications deployment, the institution still expects beneficiaries to contribute to the maintence of these networks. As of now, SoS Sambou said, only three customers owe Gamtel less than D300 (three hundred dalasis). The rest, he said, owe Gamtel more than D42, 600 00 (forty-two thousand six hundred dalasis) including a telecentre that owes more than D10, 00.00 (ten thousand dalasis). SECURITY SERVICES DENY ALLEGATIONS OF IMPARTIALITY Bubacarr K. Sowe & Yaya Dampha Colonel Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defense Staff has denied allegations that the armed and security services are impartial in the discharge of their duties. Colonel Tamba made this denial on Wednesday at a press conference jointly organized by the police, army and the intelligence services at the Police headquarters in Banjul. “We have noted with grave concern, allegations in some quarters accusing the Armed and Security Services of impartiality in the discharge of our national security duties,” Tamba said. “These allegations are unfounded and baseless, unfortunately however, the allegations come at a time when the security services are doing everything possible to ensure a violence free election campaign.” Col Tamba said that these allegations are calculated to thwart public attention from the main issues, and to promote discord between the armed and security services and the public. He said: “Our position is very clear; national security is paramount and we shall never compromise it. I would therefore urge those who are bent on this practice to desist from it or face the consequences.” On the detention of Buba Sanyang, a militant of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD), the NIA Director General, Harry Sambou said that they are mandated to look into any crime in the country. “The NIA is mandated by Decree 45 to look into any crime in this country, especially security related matters. And for that matter, anybody who comes to the attention of the NIA will ofcourse, under due course of law be invited. We do not have any personal bone to pick with anybody,” Mr. Sambou remarked. Ousman Sonko, Inspector General of Police declared that the security services are well prepared to avert any conflict that may arise during the elections period. IEC REQUESTS FOR MORE FUNDING By Bubacarr K. Sowe Mustapha Carayol, the chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission has appealed to the donor community to come up with the funding balance of one million dollars, for the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections. Mr. Carayol made this announcement at a news conference on Wednesday, 30th August 2006, at the IEC office along Kairaba Avenue. “Prior to the electoral cycle, the IEC, through the Gambia government, sought for assistance,” he said. He further said that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is coordinating the basket fund set up by the donors with a total package of $1.5 million, managed by the Project Management Unit (PMU) of the UNDP. “There is a shortfall of almost $1 million. The commission is calling upon the donor community to come up with the balance. The government of the Gambia has also committed itself to providing funds for the IEC of 120 million dalasis,” he said, adding: “This is for the period from 2005 to 2008, when we would have finished with all the elections, infrastructural development and capacity building.” The funds are provided in a quarterly allocation, based on activities, according to Carayol. BOTH COMPLAINANT AND ACCUSED CHARGED By Modou Jonga Abdoulie Bojang, a 25-year-old Gambian residing in Lamin village, pleaded guilty to unlawful assault. He was charged with assaulting one Ahmed Jallow (the complainant) with scissors on his ribs, thereby causing grievous bodily harm to him. According to the charge sheet on the 18th June 2006, at Lamin village both the complainant and the accused are neighbours and there is no erected fence between their compounds. The assault happened when the complainant held torchlight and shed the beam of the torch to the accused person’s compound to which, the accused reacted and as a result quarrel erupted between the complainant and accuse and eventually a fight ensued between the duos. The accused person had a scissors in his possession at the time. After the assault, according to the particulars, the matter was later reported to Yundum Police Station, henceforth, the accused was arrested, cautioned and charged while the complainant was taken to Banjulunding Health Centre and was referred to the RVTH where he was treated, issued with medical certificate and discharged. The medical certificate of the complainant was tendered in court by the prosecutor 413 Sanyang and marked as exhibit despite the objection from the accused person. The accused was convicted and discharged by the presiding Magistrate E.F. Mbai who ordered him to pay a fine of D5000 (five thousand dalasis) in default he will serve 18 months in prison and a further fine of D1000 (one thousand dalasis) as compensation to the complainant in default he will serve 6 months in prison consecutively. Meanwhile, in the same courtroom, the complainant, Ahmed Jallow also residing in Lamin village was arraigned and charged with assaulting the accused person Abdoulie Bojang on 18th June with a stick in the eye, thereby causing bodily harm. The complainant however pleaded not guilty to the preferred assault charge against him, but he was granted bail in the sum of D5000 (five thousand) with a Gambian surety and an ID card. DETAINED MALIAN ACQUITTED AND DISCHARGED The criminal trial of a Malian doctor, which was set for judgment, proceeded at Basse Magistrates’ Court on 24 August 2006. In delivering his Judgment, the presiding magistrate, Mr. Tony Baldeh, said the following: “The accused Dr. Amadou Traore was charged with the offence of being in possession of fire arms without a valid license contrary to Regulation 43 (1) of the Arms & Ammunition Act”. He pleaded not guilty. The prosecution called 2 witnesses to proof their case. The first prosecution witness was Pa Jibril Nyang, a police officer attached to Bakadaji Police Station, who told the court that he recalled on the 13th November 2004 when he was at Sare Bojo Lumo. While there, he, together with one fire service officer, went on patrol on board a police vehicle with registration number GPF4. He said they went to Busura, a village not far from Sare Bojo where they saw four men resting under a tree. According to PWL, he and Samba Sabally walked towards the four men and demanded for their ID cards, which they could not produce. He said that was the time he asked the four men to put on their bicycles on board the vehicle to be taken to Bakadaji Police Station. However, while the vehicle was in motion, the four men jumped out of the vehicle and ran away leaving their bicycles and their bags on board the vehicle. PWL said he stopped the vehicle and they conducted a search on their belongings and saw an AK47 rifle, 30 bullets and a crew-bar. He said he also found in the bag an original Senegalese ID card and photocopy picture. He said he was sometime later called to Basse Police Station for identification parade where he was able to identify the accused as the one whose photocopied picture was retrieved from the bag. PW2 was Samba Sabally a fire officer attached to Basse fire Station who told the court that he did not know the accused in person but he knew Pa Jibril Nyang, the PW1. He said on that particular day he met up with PW1 at Sare Mansong village checkpoint. He said PW1 told him that he had information that there are four suspected thieves at Busura village. He said without any hesitation he joined PW1 and they drove to Busura inorder to arrest the four suspects. According to PW2, on arrival they found the suspects resting under a tree and demanded their ID cards. But according to PW2 only one of them was able to produce an ID card. He said the suspects were later arrested and placed on board a police vehicle GPF4 and they drove off to Bakadaji Police. In this evidence PW2 said on the way to Bakadji, the four men jumped out of the vehicle and ran away. He said they chased them but could not catch them. He said they were able to recover from the suspects an AK47 rifle with 30 bullets, 4 pedal bicycles, crew-bar and a national ID card belonging to one Malian bearing the name Krubally. In his defense, the accused, Dr. Amadou Traore, told this court that on 7th December 2004, he received a telephone call from Wellingara gendarmerie that he, Dr. Traore, should report there because he was wanted by some police officers. He said he appealed to them to give him 10 to 15 days as he was at the time having some people for treatment and his request was granted. On the 22nd December 2004 he reported himself at the Wellingara gendarmerie. He said the gendarmes informed him that the police in Basse brought a Senegalese ID card with his address on it. According to Dr. Traore he asked the commander as to what the problem was all about. He said the commander said he did not know anything, but everything would be cleared at Basse Police Station. He said on arrival at Basse, one of the senior police officers asked his juniors to take him to a particular house. He said he asked for what reason and the senior police officer gave him a sharp slap and he was forcefully taken to the said house, stripped naked and was severely beaten up. He said he was later asked about the rebels in The Gambia to which he said he knows nothing about. Dr. Traore said at the time he was having two million five hundred and thirty-five CFA on him, a Nokia mobile phone which were taken by the said senior police officers. He also alleged that he was seriously tortured. The court said: “After a careful study of the evidences of both the prosecution and defense, the court finds the evidence of the two prosecution witnesses very interesting. It could be recalled that both Nyang and Samba Sabally PW1 and 2 made it very clear that, on that day they don’t know the accused nor can they identify the accused among the four suspects who ran away. PW2 Sabally said the accuser’s Malian ID card was left behind and this is why he was arrested. During cross examination the accused put it to the second prosecution witness that the document found was an address and not an ID card. It could also be recalled that in his defense Dr. Traore said as a doctor he gives out his complimentary cards to many people within the ECOWAS member states. However, this court believes that the accused is not a criminal. Because firstly, the accused could have run away out of Senegal when he was called by the Welligara gendarmeries; secondly, he was given 15 days to report himself and; thirdly it could be recalled that in his defense, the accused told this court that sometime after his handing over to The Gambian authorities, the Senegalese authorities came to Basse and informed the police at Basse that he, the accused was innocent. And again he told this court that the CID Officer Dumbuya did advise the police commissioner that he should not be charged in the first place. The court strongly believes in the stories because the prosecution did not refute these claims in his cross-examination concerning the document found; it is not an ID Card but a complimentary card or address. The court found the evidence of the prosecution to link the accused to the weapon found and crime committed as very weak for the fact that the accused has denied the alleged offense from day one despite the torture inflicted on him.” In his ruling the presiding magistrate, Tony Baldeh, highlighted that based on the totality of the evidence presented before the court, there is every indication that the prosecution has failed to proof their case beyond all reasonable doubt. He therefore acquitted and discharged the accused, Dr. Amadou Traore; and urged the confiscation of the AK47 machine gun with 30 bullets and the crew bar to the state. It could be recalled that Dr. Amadou Traore was arrested and detained since on the 22nd December 2004, for alleged in possession of firearms, without a valid license contrary to regulation 43(1) of the Arms and Ammunition act. IMPERSONATORS’ BAIL REVOKED Modou Jonga The Brikama Magistrates’ Court on Thursday revoked the bail that was granted to six alleged impersonators. The alleged impersonators were granted bail on 17th August 2006, but the court revoked its decision following the absence of one of the alleged impersonators, Lamin Jatta. The alleged impersonators are charged with posing as CID and health officers with intent to defraud, thereby obtaining goods from shops at the Brikama Market by false pretence. A handcuff and an identity card were said to be in their possession. The prosecutor is Asp Tijan Badjie. Magistrate Mbye of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court has revoked the bail he granted to six alleged impersonators. “TRADE UNIONS AND POLITICS” BY PA MODOU K.B. FAAL EXECUTIVE SECRETARY GENERAL GWC Trade Unions and Politics as foreseen by The Gambia Workers Confederation What is the appropriate political role of TRADE UNIONS in promoting Democracy and in achieving Social Transformation along Democratic lines? What I wish to contribute here is the thinking of the Democratic Organization of African Workers Trade Union (DOAWTU) as a Region of The World Confederation of Labor of which The Gambia Workers’ Confederation is an affiliate, and along these lines in order to help illuminate their way in Gambia’s quest for appropriate solutions. Perhaps the uniqueness of The GWC/DOAWTU as a Trade Union Organization rests not only in its character as a Mass and Democratic Workers’ Organization, but more so in its assertions of Trade Union Independence and Autonomy and its practice of Workers’ solidarity as the basis for its-self-determined mission to help Transform Gambian-African Society into a Democratic and Progressive one. As we continue to mould our Trade Union Character and carry out our mission in society, we in the GWC/DOAWTU are at the same time engaged in the process of Transforming ourselves in a Trade Union-Social Movement: a Trade Union Movement moving beyond the narrow confines of Collective-Bargaining: A Trade Union Movement linked in solidarity with other sectors and groups, entering into a dialogue with them in the search for concrete solutions to common day-to-day problems; a Trade Union Movement whose every day actions add to the building blocks of a continuing Social Transformation towards a Democratic Society of Peace, Justice, Progress and Prosperity. Our actions to transform ourselves as a Trade Union Movement require our Political Involvement in struggles to widen Democratic Space in our Nations and Continent as much as these struggles are premised on our Mission to build a better society for ourselves. For indeed, the process of our own Trade Union renewal and our Commitment to Social Transformation require crystallizing the Political dimensions of our Role as a Trade Union Social Movement. In fact, the GWC/DOAWTU has defined its political Role. Our “Declaration of Organizational WILL and INTENT,” laid down these Roles as: • CRITIQUE of the concepts, values and principles that Rationalize and define Policy at all levels • CREATOR and PROPONENT of policy alternatives and options more Expressive of Human Dignity and Freedom • ORGANIZER of a countervailing force to balance the mal-distribution of Power at various levels • EDUCATOR of Workers in their Civic, Political, Trade Union and Human Rights • DEFENDER AND INVIGILATOR of Human Rights, of a free and Independent Unionism, and of International covenants, Standards and other such instruments that Protect Workers “DIGNITY AND FREEDOM” We neither claim that these roles are so all encompassing that these need no other refinement nor that we have become so dogmatic that we do not admit to contrary views. The validity of our Policies in Labor Movement not exempting those that delimit the political dimensions of our Trade Union Movement, must be continually tested and assessed at national and regional levels, and correspondingly adjusted to extent realities and the requirements of our actions. It is why the standard reflections of our political role in our own National context is as necessary as ever. THE EXPERIENCES and reflections of our affiliates in other countries on the same theme may also shed light to the current discussions in The Gambia, Interesting debate have issued on those Resolutions; Whether or not Trade Unions should out rightly and Openly Support a POLITICAL PARTY or a COALITION OF PARTIES Vying for State Power, especially so, if the platform of that Party or Coalition is similar to that of the Trade Union. - Whether or not Trade Unions should form their own political party and through that Party ascend to Government Power and from that Vantage point implement their own programme and Vision of Society. - Whether or not prominent Leaders of Trade Unions should aspire for Elective National Office, Either on their own or involving their Trade Unions in supporting their candidacies. We must say, at the outset that the debate is still on going and to-date, our impression is that the issues — and there are many as they are complicated — have not yet been laid to rest. Neither is the debate merely academic. The issues are constantly debated upon by active and militant Trade Unions who have taken sides as well as those still determining their proper and appropriate Political roles, and between both. We THINK that one must go through the same process, a process of reflecting while in the thick of the Fight, making our Reflections guide ones actions and analyzing the results of ones actions in-order to refine ones’ reflections. And in so doing, one must consider some fundamental principle whose validity have repeatedly been tested and found effective. The PRIME of these PRINCIPLES is TRADE UNION INDEPENDENCE AND AUTONOMY. Unions are, by nature, political organisations. They contest for power at the same time that they serve to check and balance other power centres and forces in society. Their primary purpose is to defend and promote the social and economic Interest of Workers in Society. Their everyday function, however, over laps with the political field, as the full realization of the Unions’ aim and purpose depends to a great extent on their political arrangement of society. The Vocation of unions is not to ascend to government; this is properly the function of political parties. The principles of Trade Union Independence and Autonomy assert that under any political arrangement it must be possible that Unions may choose to support political parties and their programmes or government and its policies or to - Withdraw their support when they think it is no longer in their interest to do so. The principles have been tested by time. In many circumstances especially in developing countries where democratic tradition has not yet taken root and democratic institution have not been fully developed, the Partisan involvement of unions, especially, in political combat has often led to the subversion of their Independence and autonomy, converting them into Labour arms of political parties or transmission belts of government politics. Further, the precepts of Democracy, particularly those referring to the rule of the majority, governance by persuasion and deliberation, checks and balances, require the existence of independent competing and several power centres in order for Democracy to be effectively exercised and for it to become dynamic. Unions are one of the independent power centres which must check and balance other power centres so that Democracy will work in the interest of all, if their independence and autonomy are hobbled by Law or by their own actions, they will be less effective in promoting and defending Democracy, under which Environment they drive their strength, sustenance and growth. A SECOND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE IS SOLIDARITY The building of a better society calls for concerted effort of all peoples and of all Social Sectors to bring this about. Isolated from other Sectors, Union have the tendency to, and infact they often, become, Sectional in their demands and actions. They defend and promote their vested interest exclusively and apart from other Sectors. This kind of Unionism promotes divergence rather than Convergence, polarization and Fragmentation rather than Unity; Conflict rather than Cooperation; all of which contribute to the disintegration of the social fabric. One example should suffice to illustrate this point: WAGES. Traditional trade Unions consider increased wages as the panacea for all workers’ ills. The reality of Social life is, however, more complex such that the level of wages is determined by, as well as having its impact on, IN VESTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, INFLATION, FOREIGH INDEBTEDNESS, BUDGET DEFICITS, and a host of other macro-economic valuables. The level of wages cannot be resolved apart from these other considerations, and thus the need for inter-sectorial dialogue and compromises. While Trade Union Independence is a right, its corresponding responsibility is solidarity. We have affirmed in our documents that solidarity is “SHARING what one is and what one has”. Let us live by this affirmation, we can do no less. The concept and practice of SOLIDARITY is especially effective in empowering the marginalized sectors of society. It is proving to be an ever better alternative to partisan political combat which often has destructive and dimisive results, in that a solidarity that empowers the marginalized, can become the very basis of social cooperation in later efforts to reconstruct Society or attain more progress and prosperity. THESE TWO PRINCIPLES have been the basis for our Trade Union Action since our birth. Our concept of Trade Unionism has in fact been refined by our practice of Independence, Autonomy and Solidarity. In the process it has happened, that the more we assert these principles, the more we realize the need for widening the political dimensions of our Trade Union Action. In the course of our history, we have turned away from acting as a reactive Trade Union to a more purposive one. Not only are we engaged in the struggle to defend and promote our own interest in society. We are likewise preparing and have in fact begun to convert ourselves as a Trade Union — Social Movement with a mission to transform our societies into better places to live in for ourselves, for our families and for other peoples as well. FOR IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, as we enter into dialogue with other sectors and with fellow workers of variant persuasions, we must continue to develop, refine and advocate our own Political, Economic, Social, and Trade Union Agenda, on which basis we will cooperate with others to recast society in the mould of our common dreams and aspirations. This is what we mean when we assert our independence and autonomy and act in solidarity with other sectors of society who are in the same situation as we are. MUNICIPAL GUARDS ACCUSED OF SEIZING VOTERS’ CARDS Fabakary B. Ceesay The security service of the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) were on Thursday, 31st August 2006, alleged to have been asking vendors in the Serrekunda market to handover their voters’ cards to them. An eye witness to this alleged malpractice informed Foroyaa that the KMC police were going round the market and asking people, mostly women, to handover their voters’ cards. According to sources, they were told that their cards will be returned to them shortly before the elections. Sources added that the vendors were told that opposition elements were on the campaign to collect voters’ cards from people and even asking children to steal their parent’s voters’ cards so that they will not vote for Jammeh. However, when this reporter visited the market, he discovered from women vendors that the KMC police were on the ground asking them to give them their voters’ cards for safekeeping. A woman, who claimed to be from Sukuta, said that she was approached by two KMC officers who demanded to see her voter’s card. According to her, she told them that she did not come with her card. She was advised by the officers to bring it the following day. “I don’t know why they asked me to bring my voter’s card. If it is for safety reasons, I can keep it in my house!” She said. A vegetable seller at the former garage pointed out that, she will never give her card to anybody; that because she heard on the radio that the IEC is warning people not to give or sell their cards to anybody. An old woman in her 60s said she had promised to bring her voters’ card the following day. She told this reporter that the KMC police are the authority in the market and that she feels unsecured by failing to bring her card to them. Another woman noted that she had seen three women handing out their voter’s cards to the KMC police. This reporter visited the municipal office in the market, but found the office almost empty. Only two officers were present in the office. When this reporter contacted the KMC spokesperson, PRO Kalifa Sanyang to confirm the credibility of the allegation, he told the reporter to meet him at his office the following day, Friday. Unfortunately, this reporter spent two hours at the KMC premises but the KMC PRO was no where to be found. APRC SUPPORTER IN COURT By Modou Jonga Alimamo Gibba, a supporter and resident of Pirang village, in the Western Division was on Thursday 31st August 2006, arraigned before the Brikama Magistrates’ Court. He is charged for assaulting one Oli Touray. According to the particulars of assault, on the 15th May 2006, the complainant (Oley Touray) while in the compound of Lamin R. Darboe was hit by a stone allegedly thrown by the accused person, Alimamo Gibba, thereby injuring the complaint. A medical report was tended in court and marked as exhibit, despite objection by the accused person. In his narration, the complaint said, after she was hit by a stone, she suddenly saw a vehicle from which the accused person disembarked from. She said the matter was then reported to the police. Testifying as the first prosecution witness Lamin R. Darboe, The UDP candidate in the Kombo East by-election, said he was at home on the morning of Monday 15th May 2006, after the by-election result were declared. He said while in his compound a double-cabin vehicle parked at his gate. He said in it were youths armed with stones playing a musical set. The youths, according to Mr. Darboe, were jubilating 5 metres away from his gate. Testifying further, Mr. Darboe said he saw the accused person, Alimamo Gibba, on board the same vehicle and they (the youths in the vehicle) started insulting them and his supporters wanted to confront them but he asked them to calm down. He said Oli Touray was hit by a stone from the accused person and as result she was injured on her forehead. Mr. Darboe said later he called the police to come and keep the peace. He said the police came and they were taken to the Mandinaba Police Station where a statement was given by the complainant. RSF ON GAMBIAN JOURNALISM Lack of press freedom and access to information means “free and fair” presidential election is impossible As the campaign for the 22 September presidential election got under way in The Gambia, Reporters Without Borders said repeated attacks on the press and free expression meant the polling would be neither free nor fair. “On the one hand, you have journalists with their hands tied because they fear the intelligence services,” the organisation said. “On the other, you have a government that controls the public media and cracks down hard on the independent media, despite the laws and treaties it has signed. This is why we already know these elections will not be fair.” Reporters Without Borders added: “There is no need to cite the persecution of opposition party members. The situation of press freedom and public access to information is so catastrophic that it alone suffices to disqualify these elections. There is no way the international community will be able to say that the 22 September elections were democratic.” Gambia’s privately-owned media have been hit hard during President Yahya Jammeh’s two terms and are now in the grip of fear. Death threats, surveillance, nighttime arrests, arbitrary detention and mistreatment constitute the daily lot of journalists who do not sing the government’s praises. Any journalists or their relatives who dare to complain about this situation to international organisations find themselves the target of intimidation by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). Under these circumstances, more and more Gambian journalists are going into exile. 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