Haruna
Are you ready to tackle both the issue of "self-determination", and what, in your view, is the "PDOIS propaganda machine" simultaneously?
Malanding may not harass you over anything PDOIS, but he got you cornered on self-determination.
Lemme know how you propose to fight on two fronts in real time.
LJDarbo
--- On Tue, 27/1/09, Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Haruna Darbo <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Foroyaa: Narration: Post Coup Period.
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Tuesday, 27 January, 2009, 4:11 PM
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Oh brother! If it aint the PDOIS propaganda machine milling chaff. Haruna.
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:40:59 -0500
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Foroyaa: Narration: Post Coup Period.
To: [log in to unmask]
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Narration of events during the post coup period.
Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 010/2009, 26-27 January, 2009
FOCUS ON POLITICS
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 Gambian State.
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 COUP STATEMENT 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.
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