>From: "Amie Sillah" <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue >Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 19:51:15 +0000 > > > >Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue > >Issue No. 76/2006, 11-12 September, 2006 > > > >Editorial > >The Public Service and Political Activities > >Many employees of the public service are now actively engaged in >campaigning for the APRC contrary to the requirement of the constitution as >is evident in the leading article published in this edition of FOROYAA. >Some NGOs that are supposed to serve the people irrespective of their >political inclination are also involved in the campaign. > >According to paragraph 13 of Section 222 of the Constitution “A person >holding an office in a public service or any disciplined force shall not – > >(a) allow his or her political inclinations to interfere with the discharge >of his or her official duties; > >(b) be a member of, or take part in any association of persons which might >prevent him or her from impartially discharging his or her duties; or > >(c) take part in any activities which cast doubt on his or her capacity to >deal impartially with matters or issues which are the concern of his or her >public office or which interfere with the performance of his or her public >duties.” > >The report published in this edition exposes the use of vehicles owned by >parastatals and NGOs, the pasting of photographs on these vehicles and >official premises, the wearing of APRC caps, T-Shirts and other apparels. > >This is a clear violation of the constitution and against the letter and >spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding between political parties. It >impinges of the credibility of the election. > >On the other hand, after days of objective and balanced reporting and >display of professionalism in fulfillment of its constitutional and legal >obligation GRTS seems to be losing its steps and sliding backwards. In the >past three days it has been carrying two or three news reports for Yahya >Jammeh (the APRC presidential candidates) but only one news report for each >of the other presidential candidates. Moreover, the civic and voter >education programme has not been broadcast for the past three days now. >Why? > >The IEC and election observers should take note. > > > >NGOs AND PUBLIC OFFICERS CAMPAIGN FOR APRC > >By Fabakary B. Ceesay > >As the campaign for the presidential election approaches fast, both the >public and private sectors have been dragged into the campaign for the >ruling APRC. At Farafenni, this reporter saw an ADB Nissan patrol vehicle >with registration number ADB 360TA with the photo of President Jammeh >pasted at the front and the occupants dressed in APRC colours, with the >slogan “Vote for Jammeh”. A double cabin registration number NAWEC 27 with >an APRC flag and a photo of Jammeh pasted on the windscreen was also seen. >A “Girls Education” Project vehicle was also spotted with the occupants >dressed in APRC party colours. At the Gamtel branch office in Farafenni, >most of the staff, were dressed in APRC T-Shirts and using pens with APRC >symbols. However, this >reporter also saw many vehicles with their number plates covered to hide >their true registration numbers. At the Kuntaur Area Council office, a big >photo of Jammeh was pasted at the veranda of the main office with the >slogan, “Vote for Jammeh and Progress”. Many of their staff also dressed in >APRC T-Shirts and used pens with APRC slogans. > >When this reporter arrived at the Lamin Koto ferry crossing point, he saw >GPA staffs who were manning the ferry dressed in APRC colours and T-shirts. >This reporter asked them why they were putting on APRC T-shirts while at >work. Their response was: “We are good citizens.” A big picture of Jammeh >could be seen pasted on the ferry. At the Farafenni GPTC depot, an APRC >flag could be seen fluttering at the front gate. > > > >In Bansang I saw a GIA vehicle registration number GIA 17 loaded with APRC >fans waving APRC flags. I also saw prison officers putting on green attire >using a P.A system fixed on a vehicle singing the song entitled “Afinjang”. >At the ferry terminal in Basse Yaya Jammeh’s photo is pasted everywhere and >the staff are putting on APRC caps at the immigration station. I also saw >Jammeh’s photo pasted everywhere there and an immigration officer sitting >outside putting on APRC cap. At the Basse Area Council an APRC flag >fluttered at the gate. I also saw a GIA vehicle with Registration Number >GIA 10. Yaya Jammeh’s photo could be seen on the wind screen of the >vehicle. At the army barracks in Basse, soldiers on guard were putting on >APRC T-shirts and >caps. In NAWEC on 10th September I saw a NAWEC double cabin pick up >registration number NAWEC 49 with Yaya Jammeh’s photo exhibited on the wind >screen and the staff on board putting on APRC caps. > >Meanwhile Surakata Danso filed in the following report: > >FAJARA MILITARY BARRACKS, PIU AND PRISON TURN INTO A POLITICAL ARM OF THE >APRC > >Fajara Military Camp, which serves as the headquarters of the State Guards, >the only unit of the army that is given limited Police duties, has turned >into a political arm of the APRC. This was confirmed by this reporter as an >eyewitness on Friday 1st Sept 2006. > >The officials of the Police Intervention Unit (the paramilitary) have >joined the political fray by displaying a poster with the inscription “Vote >for Jammeh”. The poster was displayed at the PIU gate barely three days >after the nomination of the presidential aspirants. The poster bears the >photograph of President Jammeh. An APRC flag was also displayed at the gate >of Mile Two Central Prison. > > > >NADD RECEIVES TUMULTUOUS WELCOME IN SANJAL > >By Fabakary B. Ceesay > >The people of Sanjal, Sarra Kunda, Ngain and Dibba Kunda in the Sabah >Sanjal Constituency have vowed to vote massively for the NADD candidate in >the forthcoming Presidential election to behold 22nd September. > >Addressing party supporters at different villages, Halifa Sallah told the >electorate to be aware of their rights. He advised them not to allow >anybody to intimidate them. Halifa said that a human being should not allow >himself and herself to be ridden like an animal until he dies. He said that >any human being, who does not know his worth, dignity and rights his >country, will never know his worth and dignity in the world. He pointed out >that the people are the power base of the country and power resides in them >(the people). He assured them that NADD shall empower the people by >restoring the rights that they have lost during the APRC rule. > >At Sarra kunda, two hundred (200) youths who called themselves “democracy” >vowed to vote massively for the NADD flagbearer. The youths named their >football tournament (Nawettan) after the NADD flag bearer. Speaking on >behalf of them, Bunja Sabally said, that they have suffered under the >present regime. He noted that they are lack of job opportunities. He asked >how the people can return to farming when the government cannot buy their >groundnuts. At Ngain, the youths displayed their support for the NADD party >and vowed to vote Jammeh out, who they said does not represent the interest >the youths. A youth leader at Dibba Kunda, Musa Jallow, paraded two hundred >and sixty people who defected from the APRC to NADD. Hundreds of people at >Kubejah Ngabo >and Sunchu came out to welcome the NADD entourage on their way to the >meeting spots. The NADD convey was escorted to Sanjal constituency by >people from the area. > > > >STANDARD CHARTERED BANK BRANCH MANAGER CHARGED > >By Yaya Bajo > >A Manager at the Standard Chartered Bank’s SeneGambia branch, Isaac John, >was brought before principal Magistrate Moses Richards, of the Bundung >Magistrate Court, last Friday and charged for stealing the sum of D6, 289, >170.44 (six million, two hundreds and eight-nine thousand, one hundred and >seventy dalasis, forty-four bututs) from the coffers of the aforesaid bank. >When the charge sheet was read to the accused in English, he pleaded not >guilty. > >The accused person, Issac John, narrated that he was arrested by the Police >and was later granted bail. He added that he was asked by the Police to be >reporting regularly at the Police Station which he had been doing until >last Tuesday, September 5th 2006, when his bail was revoked, based on the >fact that he was interfering with Police investigations. According to >Police Prosecutor Touray, the bail granted to the accused was revoked >because he was believed to have been tampering with the investigations. > >Borry Touray, Counsel for the defendant, told the court that there was no >evidence in court that his client was going to interfere with the Police >investigations. He added that his client was innocent as he alone cannot >steal such a huge amount of money without conspiring with any other person. >He expressed doubt that such an amount of money cannot be stolen from a >reputable bank like the Standard Chartered Bank, without going through the >computer system. > >Magistrate Richards stated that the crime which the accused was charged >with was not treasonable; that therefore his offence is bailable. He >therefore granted the accused person bail for D2.5 million together with >two Gambian sureties, one of whom must have a landed property within the >Kanifing Municipality. He added that both of them should deposit their >identity cards with the Police. He further urged the accused person not to >tamper with Police investigations. “An allegation has been made and you >have the right to defend yourself diligently,” he advised the accused >person. > > > >JOURNALISTS DRAW GUIDELINES FOR ELECTION REPORTING > >By Bubacarr K. Sowe & Amie Sanneh > >Twenty-five journalists form the Public and Private Media, on Tuesday >adopted a code of conduct aimed at guiding journalists on how to report >ethically and professionally, in the forthcoming presidential, >parliamentarian and local government elections. The two day brainstorming >session was organized by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), at >that Gambia Pastoral Institute along the Kairaba Avenue > >Dr. Henry D.R. Carrol, Acting Solicitor General, told participants that >they have a pivotal role to play in election reporting and that as >responsible journalists; they must always report objectively and >accurately, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. > >“It is an obvious fact, that free, vibrant and responsible journalism, is >indeed a corner stone of or an integral part of any functional democracy. >In the same vein, irresponsible journalism or “gutter, journalism” “is >overtly illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional,” Dr. Carrol said. > >Mr. Madi Ceesay, President of the Gambian Press Union, advice colleagues >that there should be a clear separation between facts and comments. “News >reporting should reflect the facts as honestly perceived by journalists,” >he said. > >Mr.Malleh Sallah of the I.E.C remarked that journalists should make sure >that information given out to the public is correct. He also said that no >election result should be published or broadcast before the IEC >announcement. > >Below is the full text of the code of conduct. > > > >CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ELECTION REPORTING > >1. Journalists and Media Practitioners report accurately without bias. > >2. Journalists and Media Practitioners should not suppress essential >information that does not pose a threat to national security. > >3. Journalists and Media Practitioners should avoid using language or >expressing sentiments that may further discrimination or violence on any >grounds, including race, six, sexual orientation, language, religion, >political or other opinions, and national or social origins. > >4. Journalists and Media Practitioners must Endeavour to uphold the ethics >of the profession and must never reveal to any politician, the content of >any news item before it is published. > >5. Journalists and Media Practitioners should regard the following as grave >professional offences. > >· Plagiarism. > >·Malicious misrepresentation. > >· Calumny, slander, libel or unfounded accusations. > >· Acceptance of a bribe in any form in consideration of either publication >or Suppression. > >6. Journalists and Media Practitioners must educate the public on the >policies and programmes of the various political parities in a manner >easily understood. > >7. Journalists and Media Practitioners should promote democratic values >such as the rule of law, accountability and good governance. > >8. Political Parities should e given equal air time, space and treatment in >our print and electronic media houses during elections. > >9. Journalists and Media Practitioners must always endeavor to uphold their >social responsibilities and should protect national interest against >individual interest. > >10. The media should continuously educate and sensitise the public on the >Memorandum of understanding (MOU) sign by different political parities the >EOWAS and the Independent Electronic Commission (IEC). > >11. The media should serve as watchdogs to ensure that stakeholders respect >and uphold the Memorandum of understanding (MOU). > >12. Journalists and Media Practitioners should endeavor to access relevant >materials in order to provide the public with adequate information on their >Civic Right and duties. > >13. Journalists must ensure that anything that violates the constitution is >not published or broadcast. > >14. During campaign or election period, journalists must not wear any >campaign material of any political parity. > > > >NADD CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS > >By Fabakary B. Ceesay > >The Chairman of the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD), >Mr. Landing Jallow Sonko, has explained to the electorate the reasons of >the formation of NADD and the withdrawal of UDP and NRP from the alliance. > >Addressing a mass rally at Sanjal Sarra Kunda, Mr. Sonko said that NADD was >formed by Five (5) parties, namely, PDOIS, UDP, NDAM, PPP and NRP. He said >that all political parties were of the view that one party cannot remove >the Jammeh administration from office due to the amendment to Section 48 of >the Constitution which states that the candidate must have 50% of the votes >cast at an election in order to win. He said the new amendment states that >a person who has the highest number of votes will be the winner of an >election. He said the formation of NADD was since endorsed by all the >parties and Gambians abroad. He said the inception of NADD, they have gone >through by-elections and they won in Wuli West, Jarra, and >Serrekunda Central. He pointed out that Darboe left NADD at a time a >flagbearer was to be selected. Darboe tendered his letter of resignation >and complained that there was dishonesty and human frailties. The NADD >Chairman, asserted that the Executives then decided to make decision for >Darboe to lead but should leave office after five (5) years, but he >refused. He pointed out that, the Executive of NADD also advised Darboe >that both Halifa and him can pull out for a new aspirant candidate, but >Darboe again refused. > >He noted that, NADD is a party of parties and that it has come to salvage >The Gambia from the wicked hands of the Jammeh regime. He also told the >electorate to vote massively for NADD come 22nd September polls. He assured >the farmers that their groundnuts will be purchased by the NADD government. >Also speaking at the rally, Kebba Cham, the NADD area Chairman, called on >the people of Sarra Kunda, not to vote for the party that will promote >violence and intimidation. “If APRC is voted into office again, many bona >fide citizens will go exile.” > > > > > >LAWYER DARBOE UNVEILS PLANS > >By Amie Sanneh > >Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, the flagbearer of the UDP/NRP/GPDP Alliance has >unveiled his plans. Speaking to supporters at a meeting held in Sabakh >Sanjal, Lawyer Darboe revealed that if he is voted in as President, he will >appoint Hamat Bah as his Vice President and Henry Gomez as Senior Minister. >He pointed out that his alliance can develop the country noting, they have >contacts with experienced people abroad who can move the country forward. > >Hamat Bah who earlier spoke at the meeting said Sabach Sanjal will never be >left out on their development agenda, if they win the election. > >Mr. Bah added that under their regime nobody will suffer and they will have >all what they are supposed to have. > >He urged them to rally behind them. The Chairman of the area, Saidou Ann, >said they will always rally behind the UDP/NRP/GPDP noting that they can >solve their problems. > >Gamo Gaye and Biran Sey who spoke at the meeting expressed similar >sentiments. They complained that their groundnuts have not been bought by >the Government. They said, rather, the Government bought them on credit >which they said is really affecting their lives. > > > > > >DON’T SELL YOUR VOTES > >Hamat tells supporters > >By Amie Sanneh > >Hamat Bah, on Friday night, at a meeting held in Kaur, has strictly warned >his supporters not to sell their votes to any political party. To do so, he >noted, means that they are selling their dignity and power. > >Mr. Bah said now that Ramadan is approaching vote buyers have ample >opportunities. He said, they will give out rice, sugar or money in exchange >for the votes. > >He encouraged the people to vote out the Jammeh Government by the ballot >box. He asked residents to vote for them in order for them to change the >country and develop Kaur as it is supposed to be. > >He pointed out that they do not have problems with any tribe and urged them >to vote for them during the September 22 polls. > >Ousainou Darboe who also spoke at the meeting told his supporters that if >they are voted in they will develop Kaur to the admiration of all. He >promised that if voted in, they would not misuse or mismanage public funds >but will rather utilise it for the benefit of the nation. Lawyer Darboe >said they will fight against corruption and can remove it from the country. >Job opportunities, he said, will be provided to the people. > >He noted that Gambians are now ready to remove President Jammeh from power. >A meeting was held in Ndowen, also. > > > >PRESIDENT JAMMEH HOLDS MEETING > >President Yahya Jammeh has told party supporters at Sabbah Sanjal that >neither Coup d’etat nor election will remove him from power. Jammeh made >this statement at a meeting held at Sabbah Sanjal on Monday. > >“It is only God who can change my government. As the President of this >country, I have measured up to expectations’, Jammeh remarked. > >“I am not on a Political tour, but rather on a dialogue with the people”, >Jammeh noted. > >Omar Bah and Ousainou Sallah who claimed to be the Coordinators of the >opposition United Democratic Party and the National Reconciliation Party in >the area, informed the meeting of their defection to the ruling APRC >Party. They informed the meeting that their defection to the APRC is >triggered by the developments undertaken by the Jammeh administration. > >The Secretary of State for Agriculture cum National Mobiliser of the ruling >APRC Party, Yankuba Touray, told party supporters that their party is the >only party that stands for the development of the country. > >For his part, the National Assembly member of the area, Kebba Lang Camara, >said the defection of the two bigwigs to the APRC is a plus to their party >[APRC]. He said he can say that there are no opposition sympathizers in >Sabbah now. > > > > > >ADA ON VIOLENCE FREE ELECTIONS > >By Isatou Bittaye > >The Alliance for Democracy in African (ADA) held a forum to sensitise the >public about the importance of elections and the need for conducting a >violence-free election. The sensitisation took place on Thursday, >7th September, 2006, in Tallinding. The conference brought together a cross >section of the forum was “Conducting Violence Free Election.” Speaking on >the occasion, Mr. Momodou Gassama of the National Council of Civic >Education (NCCE) urged voters to avoid politics of insults and castigation. >He said elections are meant to >provide voters options to choose from. Mr. Gassama implored a bid to >convince one another. He further cautioned people not to wear party symbols >or colours on Election Day. “Cast your votes and go home. Wait for the IEC >to announce the results,” he remarked. He urged the electorate to desist >from over excitement when their party of choice opponent. > >A development consultant, Lamin Ceesay, called for tolerance amongst >voters. He said belonging to different parties does not make voters >enemies. Mr. Ceesay underscored the importance of the press in contributing >to violence-free elections and urged them to report objectively. > >In another development, the Chairperson of the Association, Mrs. Haddy >Badjie, spoke on the need for violence free elections. She said elections >should not bring about enmity within the society. She urged participants to >vote objectively and desist from insulting one and other. She added that >The Gambian community is one and election should not separate them. > > > >ASPIRING MIGRANTS SUE AGENT > >By Yaya Bajo > >Ebrima Ceesay, an agent for over a hundred people who were trying to reach >Spain through the Canary Islands by a makeshift boat, was dragged into >court last Friday by four of those aspirant migrants, claiming a sum of >D40,000 each, paid to him as being the price for the journey to Spain. The >migrants sued the agent following their unfortunate return without finding >their way to the Canary Islands, after spending eleven days in the ocean, >searching for the route to Spain without success. > >According to the would be immigrants, they demanded their monies upon their >return but the defendant, Ebrima Ceesay, refused to surrender their monies >to them. Lawyer Mboge, Counsel for the defendant submitted that the >defendant cannot be blamed for their (migrants) miserable voyage because he >(Ceesay) had performed the contract. “My lordship, there was performance on >the side of my client and the intending migrants were unable to find their >way and had to return,” he further submitted. > >In his intervention, Magistrate Moses Richards of the Bundung Magistrate >Court, ruled that the matter depends on the terms of the contract agreed >upon by both parties. He added that he did not want to bring the case into >its legal aspect as it does not have any policy that binds it because it is >new in The Gambia. “It has no legal binding. It is just like people who >entered into fraudulent visa application processes,” he maintained. “Anyway >for this case, I believed there was performance because they (the >complainants) have boarded the boat and set sail by spending two weeks on >the waters and later returned. He further stated that the defendant >had discharged the obligation of the contract, but that he was quick to >sternly warn the defendant to desist from such clandestine business, >because it is illegal. > >Magistrate Richards further stated that the law cannot pursue the defendant >if he had earlier on disclosed to the complainants that he was only acting >as an agent. He went on to say that if the defendants failed to disclose >his position as agent to the complainants he would be liable. > >The case was adjourned to 13th September 2006 for hearing. >Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger Download today >it's FREE! > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤