PRESIDENT JAWARA
SPEAKS OF NEGOTIATION; WHILE COUP LEADERS SPEAK OF RULING COUNCIL
The
focus on politics’ column has the objective to help readers to recall the
significant political events of the past. In the last edition, we have commenced
the narration of events leading to the military take over of the helm of
affairs of the GambianState.
In the
last edition, we have stopped where we said “With the airport, Ferries and
Telecommunication Systems fully secured, an announcement could be heard by 6.pm
over radio one that the army had taken over power.
Let us continue from where we
stopped.
CONFUSION
BEFORE THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE SECOND DAY OF THE COUP
Confusion
however abound at this stage because of the interview Sir Dawda had with the BBC
but many who were observing the situation had no doubt that the army had indeed
taken over power. The Foroyaa made a clarification that prior to the
announcement that the army had taken over, the US Embassy had issued a press
release indicating that the United States Naval ship, the USS La Moure County
was to visit the Gambia from Thursday 21st July 1994 to Sunday 24th July 1994.
The paper
wrote that it was also stated among other things that “the US Marine Corps
would provide small unit tactical training, basic amphibious
training and small
arms weapons demonstrations”. This it said was announced over the air. The
paper opined that hence when soldiers started seizing government transports and
taking petrol from petrol stations without giving cash, many people believed
that they were engaged in a military exercise. This was why the paper said many
could not understand the motive behind the movement of troops during the
initial stages.
According
to this paper, the material reality behind the shadows became clearer by 2pm as soldiers moved about with fist
raised in the air in victory salutes and as some shook hands and congratulated
each other. It said the message which followed over Radio One FM by an unarmed
soldier by about 6pm made it absolutely clear, that the army has taken over
power.
A COUPSTATEMENT READ OVER RADIO ONE FM
BY AN UNARMED SOLDIER.
“Fellow
Gambians, fellow country men, the Patriotic Armed Forces of the Gambia are in full control over the
destiny of this great nation and there has been no bloodshed. For the security
of the general public, you are to remain in your houses. I hereby announced a
curfew which will be in place from 7pm to 7am till further notice. The PPP regime
is hereby dissolved; all former ministers are to report to the nearest police
station for their own protection. The constitution is suspended, all political
parties are banned. The airport, seaport and all borders are closed for entry
and exit.
These
actions are not directed against any foreign government and all foreign
nationals in The Gambia are advised to remain at home for their own
safety.&
nbsp; An armed Forces provisional ruling council is hereby instituted
and its members will be announced later. This supreme sacrifice was
necessitated because of the rampart corruption and the retrogressive nature of
the country under the PPP regime for the past three decades. Henceforth a new
dawn of progress, freedom, democracy and accountability will be the order of
government, any malicious attempt to counter this patriotic move of the Armed
Forces will be mercilessly crushed.
Long live
the Gambia!
Long live
the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling council.
And
so by Saturday, 23 July 1994, a four man Armed Forces
Provisional Ruling Council was constituted. Radio Gambia which was
off the air the whole of
Friday 22 July commenced broadcasting again and the announcement of the names
of the 4 members of the ruling council was as follows;
Lt: Yaya
Jammeh
Lt:
Sadibou Hydara
Lt: Sanna
B. Sabally
Lt: Edward
Singhateh
PRESIDENT
JAWARA’S REACTION
According
to Foroyaa, the BBC spoke to President Jawara while on a US Navy, the USS La
Moure County and asked him what his reaction was to the coup.
President
Jawara indicated that, “My initial reaction was t
o encourage the security
chiefs to open an early dialogue with the insurgents in order to determine
their grievances. In the meantime the police force and the presidential Guards
moved to take necessary precaution to guarantee the safety of citizens and to
remain calm.
For the
international community, especially our friends and neighbours, to take note of
these worrisome developments taking place in our country. And I call on the
officers and the men of the army to lay down their arms and work for early
solution to enable normalcy to fully return to our dear country.
Q: Do you
know why the coup plotters overthrow you?
Answer:
They complained about level of salary, because all public servants receive
their salaries regularly but in the case of the army, they had sizeable
increases twice in recent years. Things have increased above the average
Gambians. They voiced grievances against corruption and what else. Bad food at
the Barracks and so on. As the president and commander in chief, I am open to
discussion. I have discussed these grievances with them and made it known to
them.
0A
Q: Is this a political take over
of the Gambia?
Answer: Well things have not developed to
that stage yet but it looks like a coup but one could not say every thing is
finalised now.
Q: Have
you heard reports of any violence in Banjul?
Answer: No
I’ve not heard any report of serious violence.
Q: Do
you think the whole army was against you or just few who went to Liberia?
Answer: Well, I hope so
Q: Are
you depressed?
Answer: No I am not depressed. I am not
depressed at all. I was elected as president democratically at several times in
free and fair elections. I’m doing my job for the interest of the country. I
would like to continue to work because I think it is in the interest of my
country. If any thing should happen I will not be depressed and I’m not
depressed.
However,
by Saturday 23rd July, 1994, Lieutenant Yaya
Jammeh was said to have been proclaimed as the head of the Ruling Council and
he gave the following speech and clarified among other things that it was
indeed very important at the moment to inform every individual within20the
country about what was happening and why.
“A
peaceful take over from the PPP regime took place yesterday, 22nd July, 1994. The PPP Regime has been over
thrown and Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council headed by Lt Yaya A.J.J
Jammeh has been instituted”.
‘The
reasons for the take over are basically that the PPP regime is supposed to be
democratic and accountable but this was never the case as there has never been
an Independent Electoral Commission. There was rampant and outrageous
corruption to the scale that the nation’s coffers were looted by few
individuals who for the three decades made so that they remained at the top.
Misuse of public funds and embezzlement of the state machinery for private ends
was the order of the day’.
’The
majority of Gambians are poorer today than they were in 1965 and only a few
Gambians obviously at the top at all times, live flamboyant lifestyles and have
every thing at the detriment of the majority”.
“This
action is taken to rescue the dear motherland from the strangle grip of a
corrupt and undemocratic system and not against any foreign country. The Gambia will as from now strengthen and
honour her international obligations under the new regime and will actively
participate in all international forums including the United Nations, the OAU,
the Commonwealth
of Nations
and ECOWAS”.
“This regime
is only transitional and as soon as feasible, a transition to democratic and
incorruptible rule will be conducted. This regime will at all times maintain a
liberal free economic system and will open the doors to international bonafide
investors”.
“To Our
Gambian compatriots both at home and abroad, we
assure you that you do not need
to have fears of reprisals, vengeance or witch hunts for any reasons
whatsoever. This new government will institute measures to ensure public
accountability, welfare, equal distribution of the national cake, transparency
and a just system for all”.
As for
President Jawara, Foroyaa added that it was indicated that he had been granted
asylum by Senegal; that all the interviews from the
diplomatic missions tend to confirm that the coup d’etat had succeeded.
On Sunday
24th July, 1994, the 3rd day of the coup, Lt. Yaya AJJ Jammeh, The head of the
ruling council indicated the following to clarify how accountability was to be
promoted and what sort of government the council would create.
In an
interview he said “A new government is be instituted mainly for civilians,
democracy will be in place and we will welcome all contributions from all
corners of the country to make so that everything is done in the right way, and
transparency and accountability will be the order of the day, and we want press
and international community, including Gambians, to criticize us where we go
wrong. We are not here for praises. We are not here to enrich ourselves. We are
here to set up a system that is not corruptible”.
According
to Foroyaa at this stage, much effort was being made to try to mobilize the
civilians who are deemed to be off high moral repute to join the provisional
council.
By Sunday
24th, July 1994, the 4th day of the coup, the PDOIS made their position clear
on the current political situation”.
See
next edition as we move steadily in the narration of events during the post
coup period.
Get instant access to the latest & most popular FREE games while you browse with the Games Toolbar - Download Now!
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]