Hi Buharry, Thank you for being articulate as always and making life easier for some. As *i always say you only talk when it is necessary and very clearly unlike me. * When legitimate questions are asked and the contradictions are pointed at to these so-called enlightened critics, rather than dealing with substance of what is being ask, suddenly you are attacking or attempting to stifle debate. They start cowering with their tails between their legs screaming, "i have the right to scrutinise politicians", "you cannot silence me"," i will never be ur personal investigator" and the never ending spurious nonesense and haughty delusional talk of being attacked (*I ENJOY USING HIGH SOUNDING WORDS YOU* *KNOW*). From the inception even before Brother Demba reiterated the blatant contradiction of the constitution babble and court issue by our friend, people were flagging him of the obvious. But halas, no we the 'fanatics' are so stupid and steeped in our worship of our '*Serigne'* that by merely using and exercising the same right of enquiry and be informed we are trying to shut people up. This is the highest form of delusion and deceit and what is even more amazing it is coming from people posturing as highly immersed in the teachings of Islam and hadith who keep reminding us of our religious duties. One wonders if they'd comprehended properly the verses and quotations they keep reminding us of perhaps they will stop throwing filth at us. Anyway as i have said before unless i am delisted from this list of *'which i do not give a hoot' *especially given the propensity and penchant of certain list managers of pretending to act fairly, *i will throw back any filth, insinuation, lies in the manner and words i deem fit and appropriate. Momodou Olly Mboge* *Unrepentant PDOIS fanatic and Halifa disciple even if he rejects me* On Fri, Apr 17, 2009 at 2:02 AM, Momodou Buharry Gassama < [log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hi Suntou! > Thanks again for your time and efforts. I think you misunderstand me. > I would never ask you to be my personal investigator. I simply asked > you to share the comments that made you change your mind regarding > Halifa's motives and intentions. If you cannot or will not, I > understand and respect that. If the "political under tone in "being a > sacrificial lamb"" is what qualifies Halifa's words and actions as > deceitful, we definitely have "different view points". To put the > "sacrificial lamb" issue in its proper perspective, here is part of > the > Foroyaa article where it was mentioned: > > "Halifa Sallah, former NADD presidential candidate and Foroyaa > Editorial Board member, told supporters and sympathisers at the > Brikama > Magistrates Court, that he is willing to become a sacrificial lamb to > ensure the liberty and dignity of the people. He made this remark at > the close of his first appearance in court since he was arrested on > Sunday 8 March, 2009. > > "I am ready to suffer for others not to suffer, but what is going on > must come to a stop,? he told his audience. He told them that there is > no need for them to despair. He asked them to go home, but they need > not worry that he could not possibly meet the conditions of the bail > granted. He indicated that he was looking for their strength and not > their weakness. He stressed to them that they needed to be strong. > > These words evidently touched the audience and the grim faces soon > became bright. > > Shortly after the adjournment of the case he was whisked to the Remand > Wing of Mile Two Prison." > > I wonder how you would view the following statements: > > Malcolm X: "It is a time for martyrs now, and if I am to be one, it > will be for the cause of brotherhood" or "This is why I say it?s the > ballot or the bullet. It?s liberty or it?s death." > > Nelson Mandela: "There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many > of > us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again > and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires." > > Patrice Lumumba: "No brutality, mistreatment, or torture has ever > forced me to ask for grace, for I prefer to die with my head high, my > faith steadfast, and my confidence profound in the destiny of my > country, rather than to live in submission and scorn of sacred > principles" > > These statements portray a willingness to die for one's principles. I > don't think they are different from Halifa's statement that he is > ready > to die for the cause of the Gambian people. Would you think that the > people quoted from were trying to score political points just because > they indicated a willingness to die for their beliefs? If not, why > should Halifa's indicate such? > > Regarding taking the authorities to court and gaining compensation for > the victims, are you sure this is why Halifa started his > investigations? Did you read anywhere that he was embarking on the > investigations to get compensation for anyone? What I read from > Foroyaa > before Halifa was arrested stated: > > "Following several reports of the activities of so-called witchcraft > hunters accompanied by armed uniformed men and so-called green boys > and > girls, Halifa decided to visit the affected villages to find out what > had happened. He went to Makumbaya on Saturday and was able to get the > testimonies of the victims of the so-called witchcraft hunters. Halifa > told this reporter that the matter was serious and indicated that he > was going to write to the President about the matter and to get Human > Rights and other concerned organisations to go to these villages and > see things for themselves. The victims complained of being forced to > drink concoctions and to make ?confessions?. They also complained of > all sorts of ailments after taking the concoction and having been > subjected to beatings. > > The former member of the Pan African Parliament and Minority Leader of > the National Assembly is also a member of the Editorial Board of > Foroyaa. " > > I believe the question you should be asking following Halifa's > investigation is whether he succeeded in getting the attention of both > the President and the human rights and other concerned organisations > as > he stated those as his goals. Expecting him to get compensation for > victims when he did not state that among his goals is imposing your > goal on him. Is that fair? > > Another point regarding Halifa suing the authorities to get > compensation for the victims has already been made by Demba. Why would > you want Halifa to engage in a futile endeavour and waste his time > taking the authorities to court when you noted that "Halifa made noise > about the remote control Gambian constitution loud enough. > He defended his action by quoting various sections of the Gambian > constitution, a document he knows about inside out. Halifa knows too > well > also that document is serving one man and one man only, Yahya Jammeh > the > current Gambian head of state. Since many Gambians know for a fact that > document is not protecting their human rights for a number reasons one > wonders if there was any need for Halifa to labour over > constitutionality > this fragrant government encounter with innocent citizens." You note > that the Constitution serves only Yaya Jammeh and you want Halifa to > take him to court based on the document that serves only him? Do you > see the futility of taking the authorities to court according to your > reasoning? > > Suntou, like Malcolm stated: > ? if you have no critics you'll likely have no success". > > I hope the criticism you level against Halifa will help him grow and > be successful. I however hope that it will be genuine criticism based > on what he did wrong. I leave you with quotes from the UDP press > release after Halifa was arrested and the solidarity they showed > without insinuating ulterior motives. Thank you and have a good night. > Buharry. > > "The arrest of Mr. Halifa Sallah, spokesperson for the National > Alliance for Democracy and Development and a member of the Editorial > Board of Foroyaa newspaper, and his subsequent arraignment before a > magistrates' court in Brikama, are a naked misuse of power to arrest > and bring the criminal to justice. > > > > The United Democratic Party condemns in no uncertain terms Mr. > Sallah's > arrest for the reasons revealed to us in the media. His arrest is > nothing but an affront to democracy and the right of every Gambian to > receive information on the ordeal, if any, the victims of the > witchcraft hunters went through. > > The United Democratic Party is concerned that Mr. Sallah has been > indirectly denied bail because the conditions of bail imposed by the > court are so onerous that it amounts to a complete denial of bail. It > is regrettable however, that the administration of criminal justice in > The Gambia is being exposed to ridicule and suspicion by the > imposition > of bail conditions such as the surety being the rank of a retired > Inspector General or Brigadier General. > > The United Democratic Party, with other individuals and organizations > that firmly believe in the free and unimpeded flow of information, > stand in solidarity with Mr. Sallah in this trying times for justice > and rule of law. > > The United Democratic Party does not only call for Mr. Sallah's bail > conditions to be reviewed, but replaced with conditions that will > augur > well for his fair trial." > > > > ----Original Message---- > From: [log in to unmask] > Date: 2009-04-16 23:19 > To: "Momodou Buharry Gassama"<[log in to unmask]> > Subj: Re: The Halifa Factor, what next? > > Brother Buharry, > It is your duty to embark on a personal analysis of all of Halifa's > speech. With respect, i cannot serve as your personal investigator. If > you disagree with the issues raised, I am more than happy to see that > as two brothers having different view points. I did mention the > political under tone in "being a sacrificial lamb" convey, that alone > is highly political. Again, you fail to touched on the fact that, i as > an ordinary Gambian expected Halifa a career politician to make good > vantage point with the facts he gathered. and also to tell the public > what he intend to do next with the hope that, the sacrificial lamb > phrase will be utilise to the max. > Now, Buharry, I know that, the case against halifa still stands. The > expectation is that, the facts he gathered if any should be utilise > appropriately in gaining compensation for the victims. You would have > notice that, some commentators pick up on that and start saying, i > expected their man to do all the dangerous job. > Is there any thing wrong is asking what next after the imprisonment? > The way i show and understand Halifa's views may not necessarily be > the > same way you Buharry will understand it. So as matter of fact, i will > not tell which comment or comments in general made me change my mind, > since i acknowledge that his action was brave, then the question > followed, why? It is for you to make up your mind, i cannot assist you > on that journey am afraid. On a personal note: I have watch Halifa on > some occasions whilst at the Pan-African parliament in an African TV > station (BEN) regularly. I have listen to him in person and also on > tape. I am not ignorant of Halifa or his political ideas. > thanks > suntou > > --- On Thu, 16/4/09, Momodou Buharry Gassama <[log in to unmask]> > wrote: > > From: Momodou Buharry Gassama <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: The Halifa Factor, what next? > To: [log in to unmask] > Date: Thursday, 16 April, 2009, 9:42 PM > > Hi Suntou! > Thank you for taking the time to reply to my enquiry. From what you > wrote, your praise of Halifa was based on initial reports of his > arrest. You then changed your position after "evaluating all his > comments pre and post his release". If it is not too much trouble, can > you share the comments that you base your change of heart on? I ask > for > such because despite the material therein contained, you do not seem > convinced that Halifa did sacrifice his freedom and wellbeing for > selfish reasons driven by ulterior motives. I base this assessment on > your statement that you "have no doubt that, there is a likelihood of > political point scoring." If you were certain that he was doing that, > you would have written that you have no doubt that there was political > point scoring. Your uncertainty was emphasised by your use of the word > "likelihood". > > You wrote: > "the fact that he utilise the media more than the other leaders > doesn't > make him the only opposition leader to have spoken on the subject or > even did personal enquiry of the people affected." > > Did anyone say that he is the only leader to have spoken on the > subject? If the other opposition leaders made enquiries and visited > the > affected and kept quiet about it, how do we know what they did? > Suntou, > I think you fail to realise that Halifa is not only a politician but a > journalist, scholar (sociologist) etc. When he reported on and > investigated the issue of the witches, he was acting not only in his > capacity as a politician but also as a journalist and sociologist. OJ > spoke about the witch hunt. The UDP issued a press release about the > issue. As political institutions and leaders, those who spoke out did > so because of their responsibility to the people. The UDP and OJ do > not > own newspapers but went out to other news outlets. How come you did > not > say that Darboe was trying to score political points by the UDP's > press > release? How come you didn't say that OJ was trying to score political > points by talking about the issue on Freedom Newspaper? How come of > all > the people and parties who spoke out, Halifa is the only one trying to > score political points? > > You wrote: > "Halifa as a politician knows how to use the media to his advantage, > thus feeding the frenzy and hysteria that always surrounds him from > the > few key drum beat party followers that feed on his every word." > > The UDP issued a press release on this and other issues. OJ did and > does the same. Hamat does the same. Henry and others do the same. Are > they using the media to their disadvantage? Don't you think that they > know the benefits of going to the media about the issues they want to > highlight? How come there is a hidden motive when Halifa does it? If > the advantages of going to the media are so great for Halifa, > how come as you wrote in a piece that he could not even win his > constituency? > > You continued: > "This is not bad in itself, but on serious matters like this, > political > point scoring are not what is appropriate." > > You stated earlier that there is a "likelihood" of political point > scoring denoting uncertainty. Here you wrote that "on serious matters > like this, political point scoring are not what is appropriate" > denoting certainty that Halifa is indeed engaging in what you accuse > him of. Which one is it? > > Suntou, I don't think any of the PDOIS sympathisers including myself, > who have commented on your piece have tried to forbid you or in any > tried to censor your right to analyse Halifa's words and actions. As a > politician and public figure, Halifa knows that he is going to be > analysed and criticised. That is not the issue here. The issue is the > fallacious conclusions you jumped to stating that Halifa is engaging > in > deceit. That is the problem people have. Unless you are privy to > material other people on the list are not to, I find it very difficult > to understand how you can conclude from what you read of the public > statements and newspaper articles Halifa wrote that he was trying to > score political points. I hope you understand Suntou that no one is > trying to curtail your right to put to task Halifa, who is a > politician > aiming to run your country. I hope you also understand that people are > exercising their right to put you to task when you insinuate > dishonesty > and deceit regarding Halifa. You wrote that "leaving politicians and > their comments go unchecked is dangerous". This means that people have > a right and responsibility to scrutinise the actions of their leaders. > You scrutinise the words and actions of Halifa. Do you think Muhammad > Drammeh has a right or duty to question Darboe's actions? Should he > jump to conclusions regarding those actions just as you have jumped to > conclusions regarding Halifa? > > You wrote: "I did not write the piece Buharry to make any one wary of > Halifa" but if Halifa puts his life and freedom on the line for the > interests of the Gambian people and you insinuate that he was > deceitful > in doing so, that his actions were a calculated move to score > political > points and boost his image, I find it very difficult to see how you > are > not trying to make people become wary of him. If you feed and shelter > a > poor and homeless orphan and I go around and say that you are doing so > just so people can say you are a good person, am I not asking people > to > be wary of your motives and actions? Thanks and have a good night. > Buharry. > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > ----Original Message---- > From: [log in to unmask] > Date: 2009-04-16 17:49 > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Subj: Re: The Halifa Factor, what next? > > Buharry, Thanks for the enquiry. As you rightly said, i did mention > that He stood up to bully. But you have to remember, that statement > was > based on the initial news stories conveying the manners of his arrest. > After evaluating all his comments pre and post his release, I have no > doubt that, there is a likelihood of political point scoring. > Again. if you read my comments properly, you would identify my giving > credit to the man for some issues and hoping that, the noise that his > arrest generated wasn't going to die down with the soundbites. > I have seen few postings in praise of the bravery and gallantry of > Halifa, i did not dispute all of that. But the fact that he utilise > the > media more than the other leaders doesn't make him the only opposition > leader to have spoken on the subject or even did personal enquiry of > the people affected. > Halifa as a politician knows how to use the media to his advantage, > thus feeding the frenzy and hysteria that always surrounds him from > the > few key drum beat party followers that feed on his every word. This is > not bad in itself, but on serious matters like this, political point > scoring are not what is appropriate. > I did not write the piece Buharry to make any one wary of Halifa, but > leaving politicians and their comments go unchecked is dangerous. Yes, > i know also, some will use every corner to try twist the message in my > piece in an attempt to discredit the analysis, but again, that is > expected in political dialogue. I am questioning Halifa the politician > Buharry, i hope you see it from that angle, just like the politicians > in Sweden and England are question for their motives. I know the usual > suspects will continue to come out until they feel, they have > exonerate > the man. But the fact remains, Halifa will always be scrutinise just > like other politicians. > Thanks > suntou > > --- On Thu, 16/4/09, Momodou Buharry Gassama <[log in to unmask]> > wrote: > > From: Momodou Buharry Gassama <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: The Halifa Factor, what next? > To: [log in to unmask] > Date: Thursday, 16 April, 2009, 12:18 AM > > Hi Suntou! > I remember you praising Halifa for "standing up to the bully" after > concurring with Modou Mboge in an earlier post that "the community > leaders, the women leaders, political leaders etc are all mute but a > few. The silence is killing." You even went further stating: "Modou, > you asked a legitimate question, but what about the hundreds of > Gambians reading you here in the Gambia L forum? If the elders back > home are mute, one can argue that, may be they are afraid to offend > the > system IE Yahya. But what about the capable brothers and sisters in > the > G-L and G-Post? If they can be quiet in matters likes this, what do > you > think will happen when they go to the Gambia?" That is why I have > trouble reconciling those positions with your latest position on > Halifa's stance insinuating that he had ulterior motives in "standing > up to the bully" after all but a few of the leaders and Diasporans > kept > quiet. Do you see the contradictions? First, all but few of the > leaders > and others who should speak out against what was going on kept quiet > and thus failed in their responsibilities. Then Halifa spoke and took > a > move that landed him at Mile Two and you praised him for "standing up > to the bully". Now you claim that he had ulterior motives for > "standing > up to the bully". Can you please help me understand how you came to > your conclusion? What do you base your insinuations on? I want to keep > an open mind and maybe even re-evaluate my position on Halifa should > you be able to throw some light on your claim that he had ulterior > motives for doing what he did. Thanks. > Buharry. > P.S. > Please find the posts I quoted from below. > D.S. > ------------------ > From: SUNTOU TOURAY [[log in to unmask]] > Date: 2009-03-11 23:18 > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Cc: > Subject: Re: Halifa charged > DESPERADO. The end is here. Bravo Halifa for standing up to the bully. > Suntou > > ------------------------------------------------------- > From: SUNTOU TOURAY [[log in to unmask]] > Date: 2009-03-10 16:42 > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Cc: > Subject: Re: Halifa Sallah Arrested By Sam Sarr on 09-03-09 > > Modou, an intersting statement: "Where are the elders of the country, > the religious leaders, the community leaders, the women leaders, > political leaders etc are all mute but a few. The silence is killing." > M Mboge. > > Modou, you asked a legitimate question, but what about the hundreds of > Gambians reading you here in the Gambia L forum? If the elders back > home are mute, one can argue that, may be they are afraid to offend > the > system IE Yahya. But what about the capable brothers and sisters in > the > G-L and G-Post? If they can be quiet in matters likes this, what do > you > think will happen when they go to the Gambia? they will simply be > quiet > also. reverse psychology. > Some may hide behind 'I don't time and what have you'. It is bogus, > we > all make time for things that matters to us. and in this freedom news > paper and Gambia echo era, many of us read the news. how do we do > that? > on the net. Modou you are right, the silence is killing. and for sure, > Yahya marvel at the fact only a few write about his crimes. this is a > moral boost for him. > In U.K alone, i heard that more than 15 to 20 ex-military officers > claimed asylum here. among this folks are former lieutenants and > captains. They knew what is wrong with our army and how yaya use the > army to get his way around. Apart from Alhagi kanteh and Binneh > Minteh, > which one do hear say anything? Lets us pray, But God/Allah require us > to speak against injustice and suppression. We are the elders > tomorrow, > the elders now are quiet and many among us are quiet today even those > whose immediate families have been harmed. Is this how the western > society works? be silent over bad happenings, they speak out, even > against children rights, women's rights, rapes, theft, murders, let > alone politics. many speak but have no interest in holding political > positions. let decency dictate. > suntou > > --------------------------------------- > > ----Original Message---- > From: [log in to unmask] > Date: 2009-04-15 23:41 > To: <[log in to unmask]> > Subj: Re: The Halifa Factor, what next? > > Jabou, not to bore anyone, i see Halifa as a politician, if you see > him > as something else, that is up to you. I cannot control your thought > processes neither can't you control mine. > So please, cut the deceit talk. this is political discussion, if > anyone > let it boil his/her blood, then you need to start seriously thinking > about future topics on Halifa as a politician. > This is no deceit folks, this is an opinion. it doesn't matter if > anyone insult, that is expected in political exchanges. > Deceit, that is a game of politicians especially those that have been > in it for twenty year plus. As you said, "Gambians are waking up" we > all hope so. You said some good things in our last exchanges, and some > erroneous postings, i analyse them on face value. If i am the usual > suspect in the Halifa questioning, then you guys are the usual > defenders of the man. I see the usual names coming forward, what does > that tell us? > What is Halifa's future plans IE in politics? he did mentioned that, > if > he loose his Serrekunda seat, he was going to venture in Academia, i > feel that, he can do both. thus allowing us to analyse his political > career from Magi Eleg to Voice of the future and presently foroyaa, > PDOIS and the defunct NADD. It is good opportunity to know the work of > politicians. Obama too is coming under scrutiny, that is the spirit. > Haruna has maintain his stance all along, that is defend what should > be > defended and question what need questioning. If that means, ENVY AND > JEALOUSY, Jealousy of what? > suntou > > --- On Wed, 15/4/09, Jabou Joh <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > From: Jabou Joh <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: The Halifa Factor, what next? > To: [log in to unmask] > Date: Wednesday, 15 April, 2009, 4:27 PM > > > Haruna, > > I know you and those of like mind are proving yourselves to be masters > in the art to twisting good intentions into bad ones, or at least you > are giving it all you can, but let me re-iterate that what i found > amazing is your warped view regarding Halifa's intentiones and nothing > else.You know you cannot and will never be allowed to put words into > my mouth, especially disingenous ones. > Away with malicious deceit, especially when it is intended for those > who do not deserve it and you know I am all for justice and fairness. > I have called Suntou out before on his mission of deciet and malice > against Halifa that he thinks he can disguise as civil discourse and > he > flatly denied it but here we go again. > Jabou Joh > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [log in to unmask] > To: [log in to unmask] > Sent: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 8:30 am > Subject: Re: The Halifa Factor, what next? > > > > Evian, > > You're a beautiful man. Thank you also for copying what Jabou had > shared about my notes. I will take the opportunity to address that for > Laye and Jabou here. > > Date: Tuesday, 14 April, 2009, 7:50 PM > Jabou shared: > [Haruna wrote:"It was when the onerous exercise threatened PDOIS > electoral fortunes that Halifa engaged in fact-finding, the numerous > rep orts and eye-witness accounts of it not-withstanding." Wow!. Truly > amazing.] > Jabou Joh. > > Jabou, I'm glad you appreciate the above fact as "Truly amazing". > The > response was as onerous as the original crime. This world is full of > mirages. In Halifa's case there is a confluence of mirages: One of > conscience and the other of interest-peddling. The conscience part > however triumphs over the interest-peddling part. > > [In a message dated 4/15/2009 8:15:38 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > [log in to unmask] writes: > > > > > Jabou, Please excuse my grand dad for when the Tiger is in the Woods,] > > Evian I want you to know Tiger had already gone home when Suntou > shared > his Oped and the vultures began to descend on him. For no friggin > reason. Trying to shut the man up. > > [he loses some of his reasoning faculties.] Evian. > Do you really think yours truly skips a beat Evian? You jettison your > own Grand-dad for PDOISard bantanbilly? Mbeemi, Achu! Atay watiladeh? > Dang-Kutoo le bentehma. bahna! > > [Moreover, grand dad just cannot bring himself to give any due credit > to Halifa.] Evian. > Do y ou ever read or understand my notes on Halifa?? They are always > chock-full of praise for Halifa's selfless efforts and circumspect and > sobriety for the clueless PDOISdrones. They want to sweep us all up in > their cluelessness. I am not a witch. > > [Why? Am yet to fully comprehend.] Evian. > I gathered as much. You, like most other PDOISards will never be > satisfied until I begin to worship Halifa for nought. It's in your > bloods. Its not your fault that's why I never get upset with a > PDOISard. E-bukay Taw. Alla La kaybaaroo Lom wolbayti. > Ekoloobaliyaata, > Ebuka-keybaa bunyaa! Ila Makkamol fanang mang Timma. Na Fitiyaye deng > fitiyaye so. Na Lebintiman dem. Ndasimma Nke Nta Hayinni!!! > > [Bailo] > How are you getting along in your new home? I hope great. Look forward > to hearing you more often. You know your former employer is > international should you not decide to change careers. Personally I > think you are exceptionally well suited for that line of work. It > screams out from your notes here and we are all proud of you. > > Haruna. > > --- On Tue, 14/4/09, Jabou Joh <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > > From: Jabou Joh <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: The Halifa Factor, what next? > To: [log in to unmask] > Date: Tuesday, 14 April, 2009, 7:50 PM > > > Haruna wrote: > > "It was when the onerous exercise threatened PDOIS electoral fortunes > that Halifa engaged in fact-finding, the numerous reports and eye- > witness accounts of it not-withstanding." > > Wow!. Truely amazing. > Jabou Joh > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [log in to unmask] > To: [log in to unmask] > Sent: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 9:21 am > Subject: Re: The Halifa Factor, what next? > > > > Laye, Good to hear you again. > > Allow me to chime in for a minute. > > I totally understand your sentiments vis-a-vis Halifa Sallah and I > share some of those sentiments. I also understand Suntou's oped and I > share some of his views. I am of equal opportunity grace. What I see > is > that we risk taking this conversation to the sentimental and > ecumenical > realm as is usually the case when we speak about Halifa, a man who > aspires to lead Gambia through the political party PDOIS. I advise > that > we bear on sobriety. > > I take Suntou's oped as a fact-finding query given the fact that > Gambians have a cynical view of politic king. Perhaps Suntou can yield > greater perspective on politics in this query. He is not to be > dismissed for sentimental reasons however. It is natural for a > PDOISard > to be up in arms when=2 0their party leader is questioned but consider > that with the requisite temerity and discernments, the questioning, > even if disdainful, can strengthen the leader as well as improve our > lot as a people. > > I commend Halifa for embarking on a fact-finding mission into the > witch- > hunting saga as a human being. Witch-hunting is the veritable insult > to > our collective consciences and acumen, especially one sanctioned by > Yahya, whose faculties are not readily discernible. You have posited, > and appropriately, that the onus of fact-finding in such egregious > matter is not the reserve of Halifa alone; to wit: "Halifa Sallah is > not and should not be the only person of dignified conscience amongst > the leaders or those who claim to be opposition leaders in Gambia. > What > he has done and gone through demonstrates to all and sundry that you, > I > and every human Gambian must not stand aside and look while your > fellow > Gambian and human is being humiliated in the most degrading manner." > Laye, you will therefore agree with Suntou that all Gambians have been > equally incensed by the saga, but that Halifa being the leader of > PDOIS > had wished to capitalize on common disdain to yield PDOIS greater > fortune. I am reminded that there are others in PDOIS like Sam, Sidia, > Amadou, Samba, Suleyman, who could have embarked on the same fact- > finding, but were they to have been arrested, they do not stand an > equal chance of relief as Halifa had. To whom much is given, much more > is expected. ;You will see that Halifa himself has shared in his > defense of the erroneous charges levelled against him by an uncouth > and > clueless prosecutor, that he derived his rights from our common > constitution and the fact that he is a leader of a political party. > Any > journalist can embark on the fact-finding mission and by dint > of Halifa's association with the PDOIS party organ Foroyaa, he has > added umph! These are some of the reasons you feel comfortable in > comparing > Halifa to Gambia's other politicians who in your own words and > disdainfully "claim to be opposition leaders in Gambia." You know > what > happens to journalists who embark on fact-finding missions including > Foroyaa journalists. Politics therefore was a major factor in both > enabling Halifa to embark on a fact-finding mission. Were he not > leader > of PDOIS, proprietor of Foroyaa, a respectable contributor to the pan- > African parliament, he may have or may not have entertained the risks > associated with fact-finding in Gambia. > > The broader picture therefore is that even though many Gambians are > incensed with the witch-hunting grafignette, our political leaders, > opposition or incumbent, are the ones most empowered to prosecute our > collective disdains and anxieties. This means that politics is our > legislative life. Whether Halifa engaged with ulterior=2 0political > motives or not, is therefore immaterial to me. However, ordinary > citizens are free to query his motives as much as they are free to > express repulsion at Yahya's motives and pantomime. It is in the > explanation and general disposition of PDOIS and Halifa that will > yield > attenuated fortunes. > > It is unwise to compare Halifa to our other opposition political > leaders from both a human standpoint and from a colegial view. That I > think will be the height of conceit and an insult to our collective > intelligence. And it unfortunately furthers the strictly political > motive of Halifa and PDOIS. You will realize that we did not get to > the > point of Yahya embarking on repulsive witch-hunting exercises in a > vacuum. Life is ever so dynamic. Yahya was enabled somehow and I > suppose that has escaped us. That is the schematics of politics that > erodes most future and "pure" goodwill. > > What Suntou is trying to figure out, is whether there is salvage value > in the preliminary steps taken by Halifa and whether Halifa can be > instrumental in yielding that salvage value for commoner good. I > submit > that the best way to achieve that is by all of us enabling our other > political leaders in APRC, UDP/NRP (NDP), PPP, GPP, and GDP to > coordinate the prosecution of our legislative life as Gambians. The > days of bunker politics are waning and there are signs everywhere for > the astute. We did not see any amalgam of forces by our political > leaders when20Taf-Taf Yahya bereft of Gardens stole Brufut Lands and > dispossessed Brufutians, nor did we see the same when Halfdiens were > unscrupulously dispossessed of their homes in the name of port > expansion.=2 0Witch-hunting and circumstance is tantalizing and a > gross > violation of human rights. But so are the myriad precursor trespasses > that enabled it. You will realize that Halifa is not easily amenable to > coordination of effort with other opposition parties. Glaring. The > witch-hunting fact-finding could yield more tangible results if it > were > actively coordinated. But PDOIS is on a mission that does not seem to > be common relief. It was when the onerous exercise threatened PDOIS > electoral fortunes that Halifa engaged in fact-finding, the numerous > reports and eye-witness accounts of it not-withstanding. Halifa's > initial statements on the saga betrays ignorance to warrant a fact- > finding. > > That is all for now. - Haruna. Allez-y!! > > > > > In a message dated 4/14/2009 3:43:39 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > [log in to unmask] writes: > Suntu: > > Halifa Sallah is not and should not be the only person of dignified > conscience amongst the leaders or those who claim to be opposition > leaders in Gambia. What20he has done and gone through demonstrates to > all and sundry that you, I and every human Gambian must not stand > aside and look while your fellow Gambian and human is being humiliated > in the most degrading manner.=2 0We should be thankful that we know in > Halifa, ONE Gambian that will stand up to the brutalities of the > regime and would rather die or languish in jail than to sit and see > his fellow beings dehumanized in broad day light. To insinuate that > Halifa was looking for personal or political gain in the exercise of > liberating his conscience and dignifying the value of human life, > smirks of debilitating ignorance and an insult to his and our > conscience...God forbid! > > -Laye > > On Tue, Apr 14, 2009 at 4:08 AM, <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > An interesting oped to ponder Suntou. Discerner-in-Chief!!! I think > Yahya > > shot himself in the foot. And I'm worried about our two bad left- > eyes. New > > Kambians!!!! Haruna. You pamplemousse!!! > > > > In a message dated 4/13/2009 6:29:40 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > > [log in to unmask] writes: > > > > Monday, 13 April 2009 > > > > Halifa Factor In Gambia's Witch Hunt debacle > > > > By Suntou Touray > > With the dust almost settled even though facts about the Gambiaââ?¬â > ?¢s witch > > hunting episode may all not be known, there=2 0is occasion to > reflect > over the > > whole encounter. Men dressed in red raided settlements in search of > witches. > > They captured people of decent background and made them consume > lethal > > concoctions in the name of ridding them off witch craft spirits. > Some > of the > > captives died. Large numbers still remain in biting pains, mostly > deep in > > their stomach. > > Former Serrekunda East parliamentary member and sociologist Halifa > Sallah > > was last month arrested and detained at mile 2 prisons for over a > week. This > > was due to his decision to visit two villages over a witch hunting > > incidence. Halifa after his release commented that he went on a fact > finding > > mission to the two villages. More accurately put he tried to proof > whether > > the witch hunting story was actually true or false. > > Halifa was arrested afterward because the government felt that, he > as > an > > ordinary citizen of the Gambia who seeking to impersonate the work > of > the > > police or state security agents. > > No doubt Halifa by all regards played brave by what he did. Why he > did so > > remains a question on wet lips. > > Some people considered it a genuine move by Halifa to prove what > others > > thought a mere rumour. To others Halifa was in a publicity campaign > for > > himself and certainly scored political points whether he preferred > using > > that or not. > > From what came out of the encounter Halifa made us all to know th at > the > > witch hunting story is real and the actions are sanctioned by Gambia > > government. > > What next after knowing the true story still a valid question for > curious > > onlookers. Will there be any lawsuit against the government for the > unlawful > > conduct o f humiliating and harassing innocent Gambians? > > The witch hunting episode ended up projecting Halifaââ?¬â?¢s > political profile at > > higher levels. He was a victim of arbitrary arrest but that by itself > > arrested the tormenting witch hunt at least until matters settled > over > > Halifaââ?¬â?¢s own arrest and brief detention. The whole saga > eventually shifted > > from the witch hunting focusing on Halifa. That earned him a high > profile > > victim of the unjust government crime of witch hunting. > > Halifa made noise about the remote control Gambian constitution loud > enough. > > He defended his action by quoting various sections of the Gambian > > constitution, a document he knows about inside out. Halifa knows too > well > > also that document is serving one man and one man only, Yahya Jammeh > the > > current Gambian head of state. Since many Gambians know for a fact > that > > document is not protecting their human rights for a number reasons > one > > wonders if there was any need for Halifa to labour over > constitutionality > > this fragrant government encounter with innocent citizens. > > The gains of Halifaââ?¬â?¢s intervention can double20if he was to > help the victims > > pursue claims of damage resulting from such inhuman treatment. The > victims > > deserve good compensation. > > The good efforts of Halifa placed him beyond the single position of > flag > > bearer PDOIS /NADD to the lofty point of standing tall for Gambian > people in > >20times of need. This is enough wakeup call for Gambians over length > and > > breadth of the country to resist the advances of witch hunters. > Halifa can > > draft a comprehensive law suit against the government as seen truly > standing > > up for the people. The point of departure would be the constitution, > a book > > fully in Halifaââ?¬â?¢s firm grips. Impeachment proceedings against > > the president > > can be initiated, thus demonstrating severity human rights > violations. > > The law suits may not bear quicker results but to make the > government > pay > > victims. Through that citizens will go long way in exposing the > severity of > > state organized crimes. > > We await Halifaââ?¬â?¢s future actions concerning the witch hunting > > debacle. > > Halifaââ?¬â?¢s political profile is undoubtedly boosted. Other > gains > exceed > > individual political scores. Yahya should not have arrested Halifa > in > the > > first place. The only reason one would think he ordered his arrest > was to > > cause wider divide among the ranks of the opposition. > > Halifaââ?¬â?¢s followers have a talking point- our only saviour > they > would say.20He > > emerged hero of the hour. His arrest has potential to change > something. > > 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-lTocontact > the > > List Management, please send an e-mail to: > > [log in to unmask] > > > > ________________________________ > > The Average US Credit Score is 692. See Yours in Just > 2 Easy Steps! > > > Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤à > ?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã > ?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã > ?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤ 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-lTo > contact > the > > List Management, please send an e-mail to: > > [log in to unmask] > > > Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã? > ¤Ã?¤Ã? >  > ¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤ > > Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤=C > 2Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? >  > ¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? >  > ¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤ > To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the > Gambia- > L Web interface > at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.htmlToSearchin 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] > Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤à > ?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? >  > ¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤à > ?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã > ?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã?¤Ã? > ¤Ã > ?¤ > > > The Average US Credit Score is 692. 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