Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues Issue No. 147, 14 – 16 December 2007 Editorial Deyda’s Culprits Still Not Brought To Justice The murderer(s) who shot Deyda Hydara in cold blood are yet to be arrested and brought to justice. Three years have passed and no announcement has been made that the culprits have been found and arrested. It was recommended that a commission of inquiry be instituted but this has not been done. It was also recommended that assistance be sought from outside in the investigation. This was not done. The big question as to who killed Deyda Hydara is yet to be answered. After the interim report which was made on 29 April 2005 , recommending further investigation no statement has been made since then. The conduct of the government differs from one that is determined and keen to pursue the death of a son of this soil, who has contributed his quota in the development of this nation. Nonetheless, even though the body of Deyda was interned three years ago his spirit still lives on. Deyda has now become a symbol of the struggle against impunity, supression of freedom of expression and justice. He died standing firm on what he believed and has won the respect of all lovers of freedom and justice. May he continue to rest in peace. Foroyaa has started asking the security forces for the state of the investigation on the shooting incident which lead to the death of Deyda Hydara. We will share with our readers whatever we get from the security forces. Needless to say, we mustn’t forget that Deyda Hydara was survived by a family who are interested in knowing who killed their husband and father and wish those people to be arrested and brought to justice. The government has to conduct itself in a way that is convincing to the public that it has interest in pursuing the murderers of Deyda Hydara. 3rd Anniversary Of Deyda’s Death IN MEMORY OF DEYDA HYDARA Deyda Hydara was a founder member (1991), managing editor and co proprietor of The Point newspaper. He was a former Chairman of The Gambia Press Union and ex treasurer of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA). GAMBIA PRESS UNION December 16, 2007 marks three years since unknown assassins gunned down the late Deyda Hydara, a journalist of great professional ability, as he returned home from work on a day, which was also the 13th anniversary of the founding of his newspaper, The Point. Today, as everyday, the Gambia Press Union (GPU) wishes to call the public’s attention to the fact that the perpetrators of this heinous crime have not yet been brought to book. If it could happen to Deyda Hydara, it could happen to anyone of us. The GPU also wishes to express its utmost disappointment that the state departments responsible for the protection of life and property in this country have to date woefully failed to find the culprits. Instead, a National Intelligence Agency (NIA) “Confidential Report” meant to tarnish and belittle the person of Deyda Hydara was released to the press on 29 April 2005 to the utter dismay of his family, friends, and colleagues and loved ones. An issue of concern for the GPU is the apparent failure of the authorities to show commitment in investigating atrocities against the private media and journalists. Regrettably, we are obliged to draw the attention of the Gambia Government to the fact that many of our colleagues have lost faith and confidence in the ability of the security forces and the government to put an end to IMPUNITY. We have observed a similar trend in our society at large. Such a scenario is inimical to peace and security and poses a threat to media practitioners. We do sincerely hope that this time around, no stone will be left unturned to trace the perpetrators of this dastardly act; and pave the way for an end to impunity and the restoration of public confidence especially of the private media. We wish to honour the memory of Deyda Hydara and to register our stance against the overt or covert condoning of any form of impunity by our government. We believe that, as buttressed by provisions in our 1997 Constitution and by United Nations Conventions on Human Rights, The African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Commonwealth Principles and Declarations, to all of which our government solemnly subscribes, every Gambian has the right to life and liberty and also that, all people in this country must, without discrimination and distinction, be accorded the equal protection of the law at all times, including when they engaged in the expression of views and opinions on burning issues of the day which affect them and their fellow citizens. This notwithstanding, the Private Press is faced with draconian laws such as the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2005 and a hostile operating environment. The Press in The Gambia is faced with: Repeated arrests and detention of journalists Disappearance of journalists Dragging Court cases Deportation of foreign journalists Physical assault on journalists Closing down of media houses including Citizen FM, SUD FM and The Independent Newspaper. Arson attacks on media houses e.g. Radio 1 FM and the Independent Newspaper; And on individual journalists such as Ebrima Sillah, BBC stringer and Alieu Bah’s houses and, the assassination of Deyda Hydara, Co-Proprietor, Co-Founder and Editor of the Point Newspaper We therefore take this opportunity to call on the government of The Gambia to engage meaningfully with the media by: (i) providing an enabling environment that promotes freedom of expression, (ii) stopping the unwarranted arrest, deportation and detention of journalists, (iii) reopening all media houses and allowing them to operate without fear of reprisals, (iv) stepping up efforts into investigations on all pending cases relating to the assault on journalists particularly the murder of Deyda Hydara. We wish to point out that democracy cannot prevail and development remains unattainable without the participation of an independent, free and pluralistic press. The media has a crucial role to play in the good governance of democratic societies, by ensuring transparency and accountability, promoting participation and the rule of law, and contributing to the fight against poverty. We wish to remind the government that the Fourth Estate is a partner in development. The media can bring about behaviour change and social mobilization for effective and sustainable development through the dissemination of information that is crucial for the life and development of communities. To those who brutally murdered Deyda Hydara, you have failed miserably in your evil design to silence the voice of truth. Your criminal act has in fact turned his voice into a universal voice of truth and a universal voice of condemnation of evil and injustice. We rejoice in the fact that Deyda Hydara will always be remembered as a courageous, steadfast and committed journalist, one who ascribed to the singular pursuit of truth, justice, transparency and accountability. He died a hero and a martyr to the cause of a free press for The Gambia. Today, Deyda Hydara stands taller than he was during his lifetime; he towers like a giant over the heads of his brutal murderers and he continues to strike at the root of the evil that took his life. The GPU Executive The Assassination of Deyda Hydara - Three Years On By D. A. Jawo, Former GPU Chairman It is three years since our colleague Deyda Hydara was killed by yet unknown assassin(s), and up to now, there appears to be no clue as to who was responsible for that dastardly act and why, and there also appears be no further investigation into the matter. As far as we are aware, apart from the “Confidential” report released by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in April 2005, which instead of give us any clue as to who may have killed him and why, tried instead to blame his “ recklessness” as being responsible for his killing. Indeed, even for such a bulky report, there was complete silence on a number of vital forensic issues, such as what happened to the bullets recovered from his body and whether any efforts were made to try and trace their origin. Since there are available forensic means to trace the origin of a used bullet, the type of gun used, its date of manufacture, its maker and supplier, and even the shop it was purchased from and who the licensed custodian was, one would therefore wonder why the report stated nothing on that matter. Secondly, it was observed that the report also conveniently failed to mention the autopsy report, of which we understand even the Hydara family has never obtained a copy, despite several attempts. It is indeed quite hard to understand why our security agencies have not shown any inclination to investigate this murder with the urgency and seriousness it deserves, as if they are not interested in getting to the truth. They have not only disregarded all the calls by the Gambia Press Union and other media rights groups to invite more experienced investigators to help them, but there is no indication that investigations into the matter are still going on. Therefore, as the situation is at present, it is hard to see Deyda’s killers being ever brought to book. There is however no doubt that no matter how long it may take for justice to be seen to be done on the issue, it will forever remain fresh in the minds of most Gambians, particularly those of the media fraternity. We will forever regard him as a colleague who was killed because of what he had been writing; until such time that evidence to the contrary is produced. Deyda Hydara Remembered By Madi M.K.Ceesay -President of GPU December 16 will be three solid years since Deyda was shot and killed by unknown assailants. The media fraternity, family members and loved ones deeply regret the circumstances surrounding the death of Deyda. “We the colleagues will only be consoled if the killers of Hydara were brought to book, though we preferred having him alive than dead”. Yes the crime has been committed, though it could have been averted if all was well. However since the killers were not stopped until they carried out their heinous act, it is only proper and fair that the law takes its course. The onus is upon government to make sure the killers are brought to book. Since December 16 2004 when our colleague was killed, the journalists, under the organization of the Gambia Press Union, which Hydara himself served at one time as the Chairman, which position is now called President, felt insecure and are asking who will be the next victim. Hydara did not only stop at serving the Gambia as Chairman of GPU but was the Treasurer of West African Journalist Association (WAJA). This goes to tell how Deyda contributed to the socio economical development of not only Gambia but the sub-region as a whole. It is only in the good name of the Gambia and its government that all efforts are made to bring the killers to book. The Gambia’s press freedom records is down and that is not in the interest of anybody in or out of the country. The killing of Hydara and the closure of media outlets without a court order, for example, The Independent newspaper, the Citizen FM and The Citizen newspaper and that of SUD FM are all contributing factors to the poor press freedom records of our dear country. Journalists like any other class of people are not and cannot be above the laws of the country. If they act against the law, the law should be applied as required. Equally if they step on others rights let the law be applied. This has always being the position of us as individuals or as an organized group at the Gambia Press Union. But on the other hand if others also violate our rights the law should be applied. It is in this light that we are also calling on the government to do whatever it will take them in bringing those who killed Deyda Hydara some three years ago to book. I am of the belief that if the files of Deyda are not closed by now some improvement would have taken place. I therefore call on the relevant authorities to reactivate investigations into the killing of Deyda. I pray that his killers are brought to book in the soonest possible time. And to his family and colleagues I say keep up the courage. Lady Alleges Receiving Expired Injection At Poly-Clinic By Amie Sanneh Ndey Jallow a resident of Bakau has shown Foroyaa some vials of expired chloroquine which were given to her when she received her medication from the poly-clinic in Banjul . Ndey said she was sick and on Monday 19th November 2007 and went to the poly-clinic in Banjul for examination and treatment. She said she was taken to the lab and tested positive for malaria. The Doctor then prescribed chloroquine injection for her. She said she was given one dose of injection of the expired drug. She was given the remaining vials to be take every six hours. She said upon reaching home, her husband checked her drugs and discovered that the vials of cholroquine, which were given to his wife, have already expired since July. Foroyaa then visited the poly-clinic to confirm the allegation. The head of polyclinic said he cannot say anything and directed this reporter to the RVTH PRO and the principal pharmacist. When the PRO Baboucarr Ngum was visited, he said he did not know anything about the expired injection and noted that the chief pharmacist should be contacted. Mr. Ngum addressed the patient who was present. He told her that she should have reported the matter to the poly-clinic or to the police rather than to Foroyaa PRO Ngum referred Foroyaa to the chief pharmacist, Dr. Marena. Dr. Marena pointed out that she could not and is not authorized to give information to journalists. He said they have a PRO and that the reporter should report back to him, noting that the PRO is their mouthpiece and his role is to give out information to the public. The permanent Secretary of state for health was also contacted to comment on the issue but said that it is the responsibility of RVTH to comment. The Chief Executive Officer of RVTH, Dr. Mariatou Jallow was also contacted on several phone calls but was not reachable and Foroyaa then visited her at her office on Wednesday but was told by the acting secretary that she (CEO) was at a meeting and promised to get back to us. Foroyaa will publish the views of the hospital as soon as they are accessible. NAMS RATIFY ACP-EU REVISED AGREEMENT WITH SKEPTISM By Bubacarr K. Sowe The Revised Partnership Agreement between the African Carribean, Pacific (ACP) countries and the European Union (EU) has been ratified by the National Assembly on Wednesday, December 12, amidst concerns raised by some of the deputies while debating on the agreement. This Agreement signed on June 23, 2000 in Cotonou, and revised in Luxembourg on June 25, 2005 has a projected lifespan of twenty years and to be reviewed every five years with this revision being the first. The Agreement, commonly called the Cotonou Agreement, succeeded the ACP-EU earlier Agreements of Lome and Cotonou. Musa Gibril Balla Gaye, the Secretary of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, who put the agreement before the National Assembly, said the objective of the first revision was to ensure the responsiveness of the Partnership Agreement to evolving global environment. Mr. Gaye assured that the revision has not changed the core pillars of the Partnership Agreement, adding that it will continue to focus on objectives of poverty reduction, sustainable development and the progressive integration of the ACP states into the global market. “The revision recognises the Millennium Development Goals, the principal target for development as set out by the United Nations Conference to guide ACP-EU Cooperation,” said the Finance Secretary of State. He said the agreement has a political dimension which has been enlarged to include security issues and collaboration in the fight against terrorism. “Financial and technical assistance in the area of cooperation to counter the proliferation of weapons of Mass Destruction is also agreed,” he added. The Secretary of State also said the European Commission (EC) will put in place specific instruments for financing different sectors from those intended for he financing of the ACP-EU Cooperation. On the deepening of the participatory process, Mr. Gaye said the provisions have included facilitating access of non-state actors and local government authorities to indicative programme resources under a strategy to be approved by the commission on the ACP states concerned. He explained that the result of the revision included development strategies such as inclusion of the Millennium Development Goals in the preamble of the partnership agreement, re-affirming the partnership commitment to the goal. Promotion of the fight against poverty related disease, the protection of sexual and reproductive health and lives of women are some of the areas agreed on according to the Secretary of State. Mr. Gaye continued to say that the promotion of the participation of young people in public life and on ACP-EC Cooperation was also agreed upon, including the promotion of traditional knowledge as part of economic development. SoS Gaye said: “The revised implementation and management procedures include; strengthening the strategic role of the National Authorising Officer for the European Development Fund.” He said for the tenth European Development Fund (EDF) financial resources, an indicative amount of twenty-two billon six hundred and eight-six million Euros had been earmarked for the period 200 to 200. The ratification of the revised agreement has not been done since its revision in 2005 and The Gambia was only having up the end of this month to do so. Netty Baldeh the National Assembly Member for Tumana who seconded the motion called on his fellows to ratify the agreement without which The Gambia would not access the tenth European Development Fund? Mr. Baldeh said that relationship between the EU and donor agencies is based on a “Master-servant relationship” but this agreement is on equal partnership with the EU, and needs a swift ratification. Contributing to the debate, the member for Foni Jarrol, Borry Colley, said one of the targets in the MDGs-Cooperating with pharmaceutical companies in the provision of access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries has not been met. The Foni Jarrol NAM expressed fear over the next phase of signing the ACP-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPAs) by the end of this year, stressing that integration of regional groupings such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) should be the priority at the moment. “The drafting of the agreement should be in the best interest of the Gambia. These are some of the things I want the SoS to look at ” said Colley Honourable Colley decried the possible dismantling of customs duty and the lack of value added products, which, he said, would have a severe impact on the economy. He linked his argument to the present day scenario where most of the local poultry farmers and business people have collapsed as a result of the surge of cheap chicken products into The Gambian market. Colley also said the liberalization of the services sector and the protection of sensitive products are crucial matters that need attention. He added that the EU and developing countries of the ACP cannot compete in a market on an equal basis, “They are just like someone in the sky and we are on the ground.” Cherno Cham the member for Lower Niumi said the leadership should be cautioned and to consider the interest of Africa. Honourable Cham said the only way to development is the provision of industrial development in order to be equal partners with the EU. He said the initial agreement ratified by the National Assembly before he became a deputy should not have been ratified, noting that this one too they have no choice but to ratify it since it is given a certificate of urgency. At this point, the Speaker, Fatoumata Jahumpha Ceesay ordered Mr. Cham to sit down, stressing that member should not debate on anything about a certificate of emergency which she said is not what is on the floor. “Let us not go to an agenda that we are not dealing with. What we are dealing with is a motion to ratify the revised Cotonou Agreement between African, Carribbean and Pacific countries and the European Union. That is what is on the floor,” stressed the Speaker. As the Lower Niumi NAM resumed his contribution, he apologised and advised his colleagues to go through the paper for improvement before taking his seat. Sidia Jatta of Wuli West wondered what is in the Agreement for a country like the Gambia, particularly when there is emphasis on development, fight against terrorism and fight against weapons of mass destructions, the conditionalities of democracy and the rule of law. Honourable Jatta said: ‘These things make me angry, particularly when they come from people (European who are partly, if not mainly, responsible for the poverty of this continent Africa. The continent has become poor mainly because of their colonial gerrymandering. And if these people now come and tell me they are going to develop the African continent, my country the Gambia, where it has taken them for hundreds of years without a serious institute of learning, and the same people now tell me that they are very much interested in developing this country to reduce poverty and even to eradicated it.’ He said that The Gambia in Africa cannot stand alone like an island but added that ‘independence means the capacity to learn to stand on your feet’. Mr. Jatta said developing countries really need help but that should be secondary. ‘We the emerging nations from colonization and colonial education came in to a very monstrous world. Monstrous world because those who colonised us knew after independence that there needs to be a new type of relationship and since they are good at planning they timed for the emerging nations which are coming into this monstrous system of theirs generated economically by them’, the Wuli West NAM argued. He explained that the new generation of African politicians had a tremendous work to do which they could not do and those who came after them must carry forward that struggle. Mr. Jatta said he doubted how the EU will help fit the ACP countries into the global economy when here in the Gambia, for instance, selling groundnut to the EU market is becoming hard every now and then. He said the developing world do not only need to improve its production capacity but to add value to its products, so that those countries can also compete fairly in the market. ‘We need to export and our exports need to be more than what we import, then we can have a better economy. Then we have value for our money. If you look at our import items we are importing a lot of food. We don’t need to import food in this county if we plan better to produce what we want. Mr. Jatta said what angers him is that Europe and America are ‘ armed to the teeth’ and they don’t want others to be armed, adding that they preach anti-terrorism when they did condone and connive with those who de-stabilised progressive regimes in Africa in the 1960s. The minority leader and member for Kiang West, Momodou Sanneh, who was brief in his contribution, asked if the EU could be in an equal partnership with African countries. Honourable Sanneh said after hundreds of years of colonialism, the Europeans left little behind and which they want to get again.He also said that regional organizations like Ecowas need to be strengthen and empowered rather than going for arrangements like this one. Abdoulie Saine of Banjul South argued that the manufacturing sector of the poor countries needs to be built up in order for them to compete the Europeans and that ECOWAS needs to move ahead as one bloc rather than being divided into zones with little impact globally. Babanding Daffeh of Kiang Central said economically no African country could be compared to the poorest country in the European Union, which is a clear manifestation of the inequality between the two continents. AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY GOOD ROADS ARE INDISPENSABLE TO DEVELOPMENT In his contribution to the ratification of the loan agreement between the Republic of The Gambia and the Islamic Development Bank amounting to US$7.705 million, a loan meant for the construction of the Westfield- Sukuta road Project, Sidia reminded his colleagues about the importance of good roads. Sidia pointed out that roads have both social and economic values and that this particular road, the West-Field-Sukuta stretch, has tremendous social value in addition to its economic values. He indicated that the stretch between Westfield-Sukuta, if reconstructed, would go a long way in minimizing the heavy burden that is now on the Westfield-Brikama highway. He said that at around 6pm upwards one gets trapped in a jam for hours, but that if the Westfield-Sukuta road is properly re-constructed, one will either have the choice to take that road or go through the Brikama highway. That is why, he noted, the reconstruction of this road is crucial to the people of Serrekunda and the whole of the area. Sidia also suggested for the need to have a new economic approach towards road construction in this country. He opined that it is better to build a very expensive and solid road than ones that are poorly built and are not going to last long. Sidia expressed delight that the Secretary of State for Finance alluded to such a thing. He noted that if one considers the Brikama highway, one would be surprised to discover that the bend at Old Yundum is being reconstructed. This move, he said, gives the impression that the when road was previously being constructed, the whole topography of the area was not properly studied and taken into account; that the bend of the road was slanted and that when you have an accident there, the vehicle will roll over and over. “I’m sure this is what they must have realised to see the need to re-shape it and that is why I will make reference to paragraph 5.01 article 5.” He pointed out that article 5.01 indicates, among other things, that “to execute the project and to conduct its operational affairs through the executing agency with due diligence and efficiency in accordance with sound financial engineering and sound engineering and economic practices.” Sidia emphasised that he would want that to be taken into serious consideration in this particular road, which he said is dear to all. He argued that he is saying this because he understood that the newly constructed stretch between Kerewan and Farafenni is being complained about already and it is not even a year old. He noted that roads are so expensive that when they are made, they should last longer, otherwise, they could not allow their SOS to always go round asking for loans to construct roads. Sidia emphasised that their fundamental objective and focus should be that this country becomes self-sufficient in order to be able to derive funds to construct roads. “That is more sustainable!” He asserted. “Democracy in a Republic means the sovereignty of the people”- Halifa By Fabakary B. Ceesay Halifa Sallah has said that an open society is built through the transformation of information into knowledge and knowledge into culture. He expressed reservation regarding comments made by a European Parliamentarian and some delegates that democracy is a process which countries in Africa are likely to move towards on a gradual basis. Halifa emphasised that Democracy is a phenomenon that has concrete characteristics which are universal in application. He indicated that what takes different forms according to the particularity of countries are the mechanisms employed to consolidate democracy. He called on the delegates to distinguish the essence of democracy and the mechanisms designed to consolidate it. He went on to explain what he meant by asserting that democracy in a sovereign republic means sovereignty of the people; that democracy exists where people control power and where it is exercised by representatives in their interest and through their consent. He said that this truth is universal. Halifa was addressing a regional conference organised by Open Society Initiative for West Africa, in Dakar, on Monday 3 December. Mr. Sallah also presented a document on ‘The Electoral Landscape in West Africa-Actors and Interactions’. The following is the introduction to his paper: 1. Introduction Elections are not simply about political parties and leaders in their principal sense. They are about the exercise of power by the people. Elections are instruments of democratic governance. Hence they should not be ends in themselves but means through which a people exercise direction and control over the affairs of a State. It, therefore, stands to reason that a discourse on the West African electoral landscape should amount to a survey on how the people in West Africa exercise direction and control over the manner of governance of their countries. Where elections are taking place periodically, one should interrogate who is actually exercising power, how it is exercised and in whose interest. This will determine whether elections are serving the purpose for which they are intended in a democratic society or are mere rituals, which are performed periodically to enable those who govern to give a cloak of legitimacy to their misrule and pay lip service to government by popular consent. In short, elections presuppose the ownership of power by the people and accord mandate, consent or authorisation to exercise such power by chosen representatives to promote the common interest. Elections are the fore instruments for the assertion of the sovereignty of the people. It is the instrument of last resort, in a check and balance system, aimed at curbing abuse of authority, lack of accountability, transparency and probity; total disregard for fundamental rights and the rule of law; untrammelled display of absolutism and impunity or putting an end to bad governance or misrule, in a peaceful manner. It is therefore important to underscore that elections occupy a high grade and upper most position in the hierarchy of the instruments of democratic governance. This also underscores the importance of this conference. Elections and democracy are irretrievably linked. Elections and democracy first emerged during the struggle between rulers for supremacy. It was first used by rulers of antiquity as a tool for expanding the circle of loyalists who would be interested in the consolidation of their power base. This constituted the first phase in the evolution of Democratic institutions and the electoral processes which underpin their existence. However the evolution of Electoral systems took a second phase as a by-product of the struggle between rulers and their subjects. This struggle first started in a peaceful manner with the issuing of petitions aimed at the establishment of juridical guards and fences to check or restrain the absolutism and impunity of rulers. These peaceful acts of issuing petitions ultimately led to the violent act of revolutions to overthrow monarchs who paid a deaf ear to the demands of the people and the consolidation of democracy and elections as principles and mechanism for the peaceful administration of states. This paper seeks to show that the evolution of democracy and elections on the West African landscape has followed the same historical trend. It provides epistemological evidence to show how French colonial Governments granted limited franchise and to privileged urban settlements in the colonies with the aim of assimilating the elites in the colonies into their system of governance so as to prolong their colonial domination. It further indicates how the British colonial administration created consultative mechanisms in the form of executive and legislative councils which had advisory functions to involve local elites living in major urban settlements in the operation of the colonial administration to facilitate reform and make colonialism acceptable. This paper provides evidence to confirm that it was the resistance of the colonial administration to the demands for substantive democratic participation and the application of the elective principle in creating representative institutions in the colonies which gave rise to petitions and revolutions to put an end to colonial rule and thus gave birth to Universal suffrage, Democracy and Republican existence. The paper will indicate how resistance to the enlargement of the power of the people and the denial of their sovereign right to determine their manner of government, through periodic and genuine elections and democratic participation after formal independence had been granted, gave rise to instability and revolutions. This paper, therefore, hypothesises that the consolidation of the sovereignty of the people, the creation of the atmosphere for the holding free and fair elections and ensuring the democratic participation in managing the affairs of any state is a barometer for its stability and sustainable development. Conversely, the negation of the sovereignty of the people; the violation of fundamental rights, the obstruction of free and fair elections and democratic participation is a barometer for instability and revolution. It concludes by providing adequate epistemological evidence to prove that if West Africa seeks to enjoy political stability and sustainable development, its electoral landscape must be enveloped by the canopy of genuine periodic elections which would give rise to the undiluted choice of the people based on unalloyed national interest and must further ensure their full participation in the administrative life of their societies as the depository of the sovereignty of Nations. Food Crises Monitoring Prevention Training On The Way By Amie Sanneh The permanent Secretary Department of State for Fisheries and Water Resources, Lamin Nyabally, has said that preventing food crises cannot be done effectively without adequate and accurate data or information. He said food security is a niche in which people do not line in hunger or fear of starvation. He added that food security exists when all the people have sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Mr. Nyabally was speaking at the opening of a weeklong sensitisation-training workshop on Food Crises Monitoring Prevention in the Gambia, from 10 to 14 December, 2007, at the Paradise Suites Hotel. The PS for water resources further remarked that food security is synonymous to national security. He noted that studies conducted under the ‘Medium Term Plan for Development in the context of vision 2020’ in 2005 indicate that 47 percent of the population live below the poverty line and 30 percent below food poverty line. This statistics, he said, is of great concern to government and all hands must be on deck in addressing them. ‘Since the attainment of food self-sufficiency and food security in the sub region including the Gambia is a sine qua non for sustainable development, the need for timely, effective and accurate early warning and food crises management systems cannot be over-emphasized. Mr. Nyabally posited that in a region where food production and the majority of livelihoods depend on rainfall, the need for the monitoring of their food production base is necessary. Speaking earlier, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Permanent Secretary for CCONACILSS, said the training will enhance the creation of a network in the region to better coordinate joint efforts and actions to pre-empt food crises in the region. He said that at the end of the program participants are expected to continue training themselves further with instruments that are going to be given to them. Amie Jarra chaired the program. Gambians In UK Donate Over 16,000 Insecticide Treated Bed Nets By Bubacarr K. Sowe & Saikou Ceesay The Gambia United Society-UK, a charitable organisation in the United Kingdom, on Tuesday, donated 16,600 insecticide treated bed nets to organisations involved in the crusade against malaria. The charity, with a membership of about five hundred Gambians and friends of The Gambia based in the UK, was represented by its spokesman, Saikou Jaiteh, at the handing over ceremony held at the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) warehouse in Kanifing. The beneficiaries that received the treated bed-nets are The Association of Youths Against Malaria (TAYAM) with 4200 nets, Smile Gambia with 5700 nets and the Gambian Red Cross Society with 6700 nets. “You have to sacrifice in what you are doing and help others,” said Mr. Jaiteh, adding that even if they saved one life, their objective is realised. Adama Jagne-Sonko, Deputy Director of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), said the nets would go a long way in consolidating the fight against malaria. The acting Project Director of Tayam said his association has targeted seventeen villages in the Lower River Region, with pregnant women, children and disabled people being the recipients of Tayam’s share of the donation. Ebrima Balla Joof of CRS said The Gambians in the UK have shown a good stand and urged them to continue doing the good job not only in the area of malaria control but also other killer diseases in the country. Ambassador Signs $40,000 Projects With Communities By Annia B. Gaye The Ambassador of the United States of America in Banjul in partnership with local communities on Wednesday 12 December signed a $40,000 contract with ten communities in The Gambia, in a ceremony held at the Embassy on Kairaba Avenue. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Janko Fofana, Programme Coordinator, noted that the ambassador’s self-help programme is an ongoing project with the embassy in which they select projects from the communities to sponsor. He further noted that the projects are community initiated, which are sustainable and geared towards improving the lives of the people in The Gambia. He stated that the projects include school fencing, construction of hand pump wells, and power tillers. He said they are here to create human contacts between the US and the Gambia. He urged the beneficiaries to work together inorder to be one and to achieve what they want for the future. He concluded by expressing his hope that the projects would successfully be concluded. Representatives of the beneficiaries with the US Charge d’Affaires, Brian Bachman, signed the contract documents. The ten beneficiaries include the National Environment Agency, Kanifing Municipality; Kuntair VDC in Jokadu, NBR; Panneh Ba in Lower Baddibu, NBR; Kerr Pateh in Central Baddibu, NBR; Sohm Village in Kombo East, WR; Dongoroba Lower Basic School in LRR; Kudang Village in Niamina East, LRR; Panchang Madifana in Upper Saloum, CRR and Koba Kunda Village in Fulladu East, URR. The projects for women rice farmers include cereal bank construction and provision of milling machines. Mr. Bachman said that they would provide a similar amount of $40,000 to fund projects under the democracy and human rights funds. He challenged communities who benefited from the projects to see the projects as theirs and participate fully in its implementation. The Charge d’Affaires of the US embassy stressed the importance of the projects. “Ownership is important and you are the owners of the project, we are just helping you with funds based on your request for assistance with the embassy,” he concluded. FOCUS ON POLITICS With Suwaibou Touray AFRICA’S HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE HEADQUARTERED IN BANJUL; Putting Jawara’s Record Under Scrutiny In the last edition of Focus, we have narrated the un-official information reported by several Newspapers relating to Sir Dawda’s surreptitious meetings with the opposition NCP party leader, Sheriff Mustapha Dibba both in Sussex, England, and in State House, Banjul. We have stopped at where we commented that after the death of the late Sheriff Sisay, Minister of Finance, President Jawara defied all criticisms and appointed Saikou Sulayman Sabally as Finance Minister. This baffled many people, which prompted them to ask, “How could someone who was accused of corruption and proven to be corrupt in a court of law, be appointed a cabinet minister, let alone, be elevated to take charge of a country’s treasury? We commented that even Jawara’s closest allies could not understand his rationale for appointing people to positions of responsibility anymore. Let us continue from where we stopped. Does Senegal/Mauritania crisis Influence The Gambia? By about May 1989, a crisis erupted between Senegal and Mauritania where the people of both countries living near the border engaged in serious fights. The crisis could not be ignored by either state. According to the Nation newspaper, the situation should not be ignored by the Gambia, but Sir Dawda, who was the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States , ECOWAS, has travelled away from the troubles, which many thought was an economic crisis. The Nation did not see it proper for him to travel away from the crisis, because as they wrote, he was dealing with matters that were irrelevant to the economic situation he left behind. The Nation observed that the crisis between Senegal and Mauritania was leading to sectarianism that was spreading out from the centre of commercial activities, such as Banjul, to the rural areas with the slogan “strangers get out of here”. This crisis was followed by another minor contradiction between the Senegalese soldiers and the Police at Brikama, when the Senegalese soldiers surrounded their station to free their arrested colleague. This occurred on 17 April 1989 and was an incident that contributed in reducing the euphoria that surrounded the Senegambia confederation. The euphoria was slowly dying down due, mainly, to the intensive campaign launched by the PDOIS and the Foroyaa that was promoting for dissolution because of its bureaucratic set up and the lack of equality between the two countries. SeneGambia Confederation Shaky, As Soldiers Surround Police Station Tension was on the rise, not only within the populace, but also within the security forces of both countries. While the Senegal/ Mauritania clash was being reported, the Confederal army based in Brikama had a contradiction, which led to the seizure of the Brikama Police Station. The force, which was under the command of the Senegalese, surrounded the station to free or rescue their colleague, who was arrested by the police for suspicion of possessing the marijuana drug. The day in question witnessed the severe manhandling of the Police officers by the soldiers who forcibly freed their colleague. This had sparked a lot of speculations, considering the bloody clashes between Senegal and Mauritania that was sparked off by a minor border incident. It was being speculated that a similar thing could also happen here, if Gambians continued to be molested and humiliated by non-Gambians in their own country. The sentiments were expressing feelings of bitterness as the Gambians realized that the Senegalese soldiers were what the Nation described as a defacto occupying force in the country. The Nation maintained that the Senegalese never had the mandate from the Gambian masses be in the country; that it was only from the political authorities and that therefore the limit to which Gambians could be pushed around ought to be made clear to them. Despite the bitter truth, the Nation postulated, the people were prepared to accommodate them only if they had to respect our norms and values and right as a distinct nation. The Nation predicted a gloomy future for the Senegalo-Gambian relationship should the Senegalese refuse to accept Gambia as a nation and choose to disobey its laws and to behave arrogantly like an occupying army. The Nation reported the incident that occurred between Mauritania and Senegal and said it sparked narrow nationalist feelings and was exploited by criminal elements and that both Senegaese and Mauritanian authorities cast a blind eye to the situation until it exploded into a violent inter-communal conflict resulting to deaths and displacement of thousands of nationals of the two countries and the desruction of millions of Dalasi worth of properties. Many felt that Jawara, as chair of the West African Economic Community, was in the best position to mediate in the conflict and rather than doing just that he instead sent delegates to visit and sympathize with the belligerents. Foroyaa on the hand commented that a government, which cannot rely on its forces to maintain internal security, was not an independent government. According to Foroyaa many governments exist,which have so mismanaged their economies that they could no longer provide jobs to the vast majority of people, thus allowing the armed forces to be the major employer. Foroyaa said the low earnings of many of the soldiers and the tough life which goes with military life inject much frustration in such young people. Foroyaa argued that some of these governments take these young people abroad to honour their military agreements; that some do die leaving poor families without proper support; that some find themselves in situations where they are not welcomed. These situations, Foroyaa stressed, make the young soldiers feel alienated and frustrated which lead them to commit atrocities whenever they become desperate. To address their frustrations, many become alcoholics, drug addicts and followers of prostitutes. Foroyaa explained that a great amount of destruction is being done to young people by governments, which are not sensitive to the needs and aspirations of the people. Foroyaa also concluded that it is important that when soldiers find themselves in another country, they should try to conduct themselves in a way that would not win them hatred; that they should know that the foreign country is not their own and should respect the people they meet and never allow themselves to trample on the dignity of such people. Foroyaa played down the narrow nationalist sentiments and asserted the fact that only the Gambian people could make the Gambia stable and only the Senegalese people could make Senegal stable. The president, at the time, was invited to inaugurate the Headquarters of the commission of Human and People’s Rights, located at Kairaba Avenue in Banjul. This commission is a culmination of several years of negotiations by the OAU, resulting in the adoption of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, called the Banjul Charter. Banjul had been chosen as the headquarters of the commission because President Jawara has manouvered to make a name for himself, internationally, as a champion of human rights. However, this international image of his does not seem to reflect on every aspect of the internal politics of his regime. Jawara’s Democracy On The Spot Light The Nation wrote that even though it was true that the Gambia was a multi-party state, what was a plain was that, whilst the ruling PPP was given unrestricted leverage to operate, the opposition parties had a lot of hurdles placed on their way. They also observed that, whilst the PPP could hold meetings anywhere at anytime and got unrestricted access to the government media, such as radio Gambia, the opposition needed police permits to hold meetings and to pay announcements on the radio for their meetings and even such radio announcements were not automatic as they must be approved by the minister of information before the public radio could announce them. The Nation equally observed that whilst the PPP meetings and activities were fully covered by Radio Gambia and the government press, it was taboo to report anything said or done by the opposition, except when a member of the opposition crosses over to the PPP, in which case, it was usually announced for about a week. The Nation which puts a spot light on Jawara’s ‘human rights’ record observed that during elections, the PPP was not only given unrestricted access to the radio and the print press, but their candidates and agents were also given free use of government vehicles and other state resouirces to conduct their campaign. The opposition on the other hand, the Nation observed, were permitted to use the Radio only for few minutes of airtime and only on the very last day of the campaign; that even this inadequate airtime is sometimes denied to some opposition parties, such as the PDOIS, during the last general election because president Jawara said they did not have a member in the House of Representatives. The Nation stressed that that was quite ridiculous, since no party was supposed to have members in it after its closure. Such incidents, as well as the treatment meted out to the civil servants who were being hounded out of their jobs merely for being suspected of sympathizing with the opposition, are not uncommon, the Nation wrote. How about the phoney elections of Chiefs and village heads (Alkalolu) where only compound owners, who are men, were entitled to vote, whilst the majority, including the women and the property-less youths were denied the opportunity to determine who should be their leaders. The Editor wondered whether anyone could classify such a situation as being compatible with Human Rights and Democracy. The Editor asserted that these and a host of examples were all clear manifestations that the internal politics of the PPP regime did not reflect the international human rights image of the Gambia that Jawara is portraying. The paper then asked whether the Banjul based Commission would be bold enough to point out such human rights violations by the regime. See next edition as we go closer to narrate events of the late 1989. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY With Amie Sillah Victim Of Circumstances ‘AiGaaf’ Part 4 Mum at Her Office Ebrima bought a car for Fatima. Mum checked the papers and detected a lot of money spent. She enquired. Ebrima told her the fact. “I disapprove! Why should you buy your wife a car? She does not need it. There are already three cars in the family.” Mom argued. “Which three cars? Are available? The three cars are yours. Hojah’s and mine. How can Fatim use any of them? Yes, she needs a car to collect Baby Mariam and to go on some household errands. You have already grounded her as a housewife. Is that not enough punishment? “Ebrima argued.” I cared less! You have to be deducted what you owe the company. We will deduct fifty percent’. “No Mom! You can’t. How do you expect me to survive?” “Do I care! It must be done period!” Mom roared. Ebrima broke down and emotionally appealed to his mom. “Why mom? Why? Why do you hate me so? Your only son? My wife does nothing to you. You profess to be a Muslim who have performed all her five pillars of Islam and yet you decide to treat a helpless orphan with scorn and despise. Mom! Please accept my wife if you love me as your only son!” He stooped before his mom. Her heart melted and she raised him up and embraced him. They both shed emotional tears between mom and son. The Truce Mom became exceptionally nice to Fatima. It was too good, to be true. Fatima treaded cautiously. Mom Joins The Couple Fatima, Baby Mariam and Ebrima were having their lunch at the dining room. Mom came to join them. Fatima was surprised. She started to leave. Mom begged her to stay. “Stay! I’ve come to join you. I am sorry. I apologize for my rude behaviour towards you. You are a nice girl. My son loves and adores you. Your misfortunes are not your fault but Allah’s making. Take heart, , from henceforth I’ll be the mom you lost. I appreciate all your efforts since you entered my house. “Mom started to talk about her family. Her late husband and E’ s childhood days. She told Fatima Ebrima’s childhood history. His strong and weak points. She laughed over it and wanted Fatima to share in the fun. She was timid. “I’ll not eat you up, relax!” Ebrima started to leave. Fatima’s uncertainty intensified. “Cool down girl! She is mom. She’ll not eat you up. You can scream if she wants to.” EB teased his wife. “You are in safe hands. I am Aja Yam, your mother-in-law!” Mom tried to calm her nerves. Hojah Is Surprised Hojah came down the stairs and found mom chatting jovially with Fatima. She is the devil advocate. She does not want to give Fatima any peace in their house. She frown her face at mom’s changed attitude. She alerted mom. “ Mom! Can I see you a second?” She became impatient. Mom understood her and said. “I ’ll join you in a second. Be patient!” She spent some more minutes just to reassure Fatima that she has changed. She then excused herself and left to answer to Hojah. Changed Attitude Fatima exclaimed as she shut her bedroom door and locked it behind her. She embraced EB and said. “Congratulations. My heart! Happy wedding anniversary!” EB did not get it at first. He checked the calendar. Fatima took it away from him. “It’s a metaphor! Can’t you get it? I mean mom’s attitude. Is it for real!” EB confirmed. “How did it happened?” Fatima asked. “I emotionally broke down at her feet and appealed to her conscience; let’s see what happens. My only fear is Hojah. She can change her back. But before then let’s enjoy our little peace”. The couples enjoyed each other’s warmth which was denied to them for a long time. They over slept in each other’s arms. Mum With Hojah The serpent scolded mom. “Has she bewitched you? Why the attitude changes? She is “Aigaaf”. She came to destroy our family. Her spell will not catch me. My skin is too thick”. “Don’t say that. I am on “Maslaha” (diplomacy). I want my son back. I can only do so by being nice to his bride”. “I don’t care mom! Get me out of your game. I’ll never accept Fatima. I hate her with a passion. She have stolen my only brother’s heart”. Hojah was adamant. Eating Out As a sign of Reconciliation, the family went out to eat in an exotic restaurant. Hojah kept to herself and refused to mingle with the rest of the family. EB tried to enter jokes with her but she rebuffed him. Mom tried her best to be on top throughout the evening. She urged the rest of the family to ignore Hojah. She retired early into the car to avoid EB and Fatima. Fatima held her guard and enjoyed the evening. Hojah refused her hand of friendship. Asks For Lift Fatima was to collect Baby Mariam from school. Hojah was going out with her car. Fatima asked for a lift to collect Baby Mariam from school. She rushed and past her. She refused to stop and pick her up. Fatima was embarrassed. She went act to get a cab. She was frustrated. She scolded Abdou their gateman out of frustration. FIRE DESTROYS FOODSTUFFS AT DAMPHA KUNDA By Musa Barrow A devastating fire had engulfed farm products Dampha Kunda villagers in the Tumana District, Upper River Region last week resulting in the destruction of foodstuffs belonging to villagers according to reports emanating from that village. The fire incident was reported to have occurred during the night between the villages of Dampha Kunda and Chamoi. Apparently, no one knows what really triggered the fire. The villagers were said to be in their compounds when they suddenly saw fire in the outskirts of their villages. As these villagers rushed to put off the fire, they realised that their farm products, which were not yet transported home, were on fire. The products left to dry included groundnuts, maize and corn. According to our source, the intervention of fire fighters called from Basse and the villagers could not stop the fire which was apparently fueled by dried grasses thereby rapidly extending its territory. The ravaging fire was said to have raged throughout that night and was put under control on the subsequent day. They victims who lost their foodstuffs to the fire included Alhagie Sanusi Jabby and Sunkary Jabby. The above-mentioned two have had their entire corn produce burnt down. Mr. Demba Jaiteh a maize farmer also lost his entire maize produce to the fire. Two women Manyima Conteh and Pulo Jabby had their groundnut heaps reduced to ashes. Reacting to this outbreak through a telephone conversation the husband of Pulo Jabby, a victim Mr. Alasana Ceesay said the burning down of his wife’s groundnuts came as a lethal blow to his entire family. He added that it would have adverse impact on his family, as their very survival is threatened. He continued by saying that the sheer force of this fire is unprecedented, as nothing like it had ever occurred in the past. Ceesay finally appealed to all for assistance to the victims. COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LAMENT PAYMENT OF DUES AT GARAGES By Fabakary B. Ceesay Commercial (Van) drivers plying between Banjul and Serekunda have complained bitterly against what they called ‘a cheating system’ meted on them at the Banjul and Serekunda garages. According to some of the drivers, they are asked to pay D10 dalasis to the ‘ chef de garages’ on each of their trips. They lamented that they are never given any ticket for what they are paying. They pointed out that the ‘chef de garages’ are employing harsh methods to compel them to pay for their demands. They complained that the boys of the ‘chef de garages’ will block the road and forcefully ask them to pay the money; that when they ask for the reasons for paying the amount demanded, they would not get any tangible response; that the only response they would get from them is `that is not your business’. The drivers explained that on many occasions, drivers would engage in a brawl with the money collectors. Most of the drivers pointed accusing fingers to the police and the Gambia National Transport Control Authority (GNTCA). They alleged that the two are in collaboration with the ‘chef de garages’ to collect monies from them. They also questioned the significance of paying such amounts to the `chef de garages ’ when their vehicles don’t spend the nights at the garage for safe keeping. They alleged that the monies are shared among the `chef de garages’ and old and pensioned drivers. The police spokesperson, Inspector Sulayman Secka, brushed aside the allegations against the police. He said the police have no hand in the affairs of drivers and ‘chef de garages’. He maintained that they are not aware of this sitution and are not a party to it. Inspector Secka opined that it might be that the initiative was taken by the ‘chef de garages’. When contacted the president of GNTCA, Mr. Mumini Sey, said it is an obligation on every commercial vehicle to pay dues to the garage when drivers load their passengers. He said that this is part of the garage rules. He denied his organisation’s involvement in the affairs. Mr. Sey also denied the allegation that his organisation takes monies collected from drivers. He indicated that he understands that monies collected from drivers are kept in an account; that they also contribute in constructing a toilet at the Banj ul garage. Mr. Say denies that the ‘chef de garage’ are entirely depending on the subventions given to them. He said it is not compulsory for vehicle owners who do not load at the garage to pay the amount. He maintained that the transport union has no hand in the affairs of the ‘chef de garages’ and the way they conduct their affairs in the garages. BCC Owed D126,675 In Rates Arrears By Bubacarr K. Sowe Banjul City Council (BCC) is owed about D126,675 by compound owners in rates arrears, the Secretary of State for Local Government, Lands and Religious Affairs told the National Assembly recently. He said this while answering a question from the National Assembly Member for Banjul South, Baboucarr Nyang, who wanted to know the amount of the outstanding debts owed to the BCC by rate defaulters On the compensation package payment following the compulsory acquisition of landed properties of the Gambia Port Authority in pursuit of its expansion project, SoS Ismaila Sambou said “As part of the Banjul Port expansion project, a total of 34 compounds in Half ­Die have been acquired by The Gambia Ports Authority for which compensation will be paid.” He also promised that the BCC will continue to pursue the payment of these amounts. SHERIFF MINTEH’S MURDER TRIAL ADJOURNED By Saikou Ceesay The protracted trial of Dodou Janneh, alais Dudu boy, for the murder of Sheriff Minteh could not proceed on Tuesday 12 December at the Bundung Magistrates ’ Court as the accused person was not in court. Magistrate Kumba Sillah Camara said that it is the duty of the police prosecutor to ensure that the accused person is brought before the court. She further stated that despite the efforts the court had made, it couldn’t proceed with the case with the absence of the accused person. Prosecutor Samateh represented the IGP. The case is to resume on Tuesday 18 December 2007. **************************************See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) 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]