The ongoing trial of Darsilami Sangajor Caliph Sheikh Sheriff Muhideen Hydara represents one of the most nauseating inflictions of unnecessary and totally unjust harassment of innocent persons by Yahya Jammeh’s Bully State. Over the past several months, the elderly man of God is being forced to attend a series of court proceedings to answer charges of disobeying Yahya Jammeh’s order that all Muslims perform the annual Eid-Ul Fitr prayers on a day he designated for the purpose. Historically, Muslim communities performed the prayers on the day they felt comfortable that they had seen the new moon. This often means fasting an extra day or cutting the fast a day early. Either way, it has always been a matter of choice and Muslim communities followed their Imams and Sheikhs on the issue.

That Yahya Jammeh arrogated to himself the power to determine when Muslims should perform the prayers demonstrates his insufferable hubris and his total disregard for the dignity of the Gambian people. That he should proceed to prosecute an elderly man in such ill health that he is unable to stand during court sessions demonstrates both his total disregard for African and Gambian norms of civility and respect for the elderly and his extreme feelings of emptiness and insecurity he tries so much to hide behind the façade of large boubous, holding strange objects and persistent swearing, swaggering and uttering bullish threats. Yahya Jammeh feels that by praying on a day of his choosing, the elderly Sheikh is challenging his personal authority and in effect, placing God above him. And while the Sheikh is not necessarily challenging Jammeh’s authority, he has repeatedly said in court that as a follower of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, he prays only to Allah, an unambiguous message that he is beholden to a power greater than Yahya Jammeh’s.

There is no shortage of evidence to show that Yahya Jammeh’s government is a classical archetype of the Bully State, which is always headed by a bully who, by the very nature of the bully, is always an unconscionable coward. Bullies pick on those weaker than themselves because they are in perpetual need of convincing themselves of their power. Yahya Jammeh habitually picks upon and inflicts punishment on people simply because he can do so. Seeing people reel under his sadistic blows gives him a fleeting, momentary sense of security that evaporates as soon as it happens, causing him to sink back into his feelings of insecurity and emptiness. Thus the bully is always looking around for a head to knock, for a weaker being to beat up as a form of self-affirmation. Journalists and political leaders, ordinary persons, women, children and now the most revered elders of Gambian society have been victims of Jammeh’s shameless bullying. Two other Imams he has bullied in the recent past are Imam Baba Leigh and Imam Ba Kawsu Fofana, both currently in exile from The Gambia.

 But the case of Sheikh Muhideen Hydara has brought Jammeh to the lowest depths of shamelessness and lack of any shred of conscience or dignity. That he could continue riding his luxury cars, sleeping on his luxury beds, enjoying all the luxuries of his office as president of The Gambia and still authorize and watch quietly as his agents harass an elderly and respected religious leader of Sheikh Muhideen’s status speaks to the uncomfortable truth that Jammeh is both not human and mentally ill. For only the inhuman and mentally ill can engage in such a despicable act. Sheikh Muhideen has not broken any law of The Gambia. The word of the president can never assume the status of law. The elderly Sheikh has no interest in politics or in challenging the authority of Yahya Jammeh. And he worships no God but Allah. Being in the twilight of his life, Sheikh Muhideen’s only preoccupation is pleasing his lord and passing on to the afterlife as a beloved of God.

Why then should Yahya Jammeh keep harassing this elderly man if not for the fact that he (Jammeh) is of the devil’s party? Does Yahya Jammeh imagine that God will be pleased with his bullying of this poor, elderly man of God? Clearly, his bullying of this elderly man of God suggests that Yahya Jammeh does not care what God thinks of him. The bullying of Sheikh Muhideen violates all the tenets of Islamic piety and Gambian culture. The imam’s age alone is reason enough to spare him the brutal power of an entire state. The Sheikh has better things to do than to be dragged to court every now and then and asked silly questions over disobeying the word of the president on a matter that the president has no business meddling in. One hopes that those prosecuting the Sheikh on behalf of the Bully Head of State will follow their own consciences and quickly bring this nauseating circus of a trial by dismissing the bogus charges brought against the elderly Sheikh and allowing him to return home and spend the rest of his days in peace. It is certain that both the prosecutors and presiding magistrates know that Jammeh is the guilty party in this case. Only fear prevents them from doing the right thing and dismissing this bogus case for lack of any merit whatsoever. Please stop bullying Sheikh Muhideen Hydara. May God remain by his side and punish those who would bully him for no reason.

Borry Bojang, The Operations Director at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is languishing in incommunicado detention at the dreaded NIA Headquarters for at least two months now. Borry was the assistant to the then NIA Operations Director Louie Gomez, who has been elevated to the deputy director general position few months ago. According to sources nestled within the corridors of power, Borry is said to have been raised by the President Yahya Jammeh’s own mother Aja Asombie Bojang and he incurred the wrath of the Dictator days after the arrest of the December 30 State House attackers.

Borry is being accused of giving orders for the unshackling of Captain Buba Sanneh (convicted recently for treason related offences by a kangaroo court martial) who was put in cuffs during investigations of the failed coup attempt on the seat of the presidency in Banjul.

His order was said to have resulted to the apparent escape attempt by Captain Sanneh from NIA custody.  Capt Sanneh reportedly smashed down a window at the NIA reception, yanked himself out and fled the headquarters. A frantic search by security forces ensued, and the captain was rearrested and later severely torture throughout the night.

News of his escape attempt reached Dictator Jammeh’s desk, and as a true measure of his vindictive character, he gave directives for Borry Bojang to be arrested and detained. Since then, Borry has been held in incommunicado detention and has not been charged neither allowed access to family members or a lawyer.

Sources said Borry is a relative of Aja Asombie Bojang and had lived in the Kotu residence of the president until recently. He did not pay rent or bills, according to sources. The detained Borry Bojang is alleged to have first hand information about the two missing US citizens Alhaji Mamoud Ceesay and Ebou Jobe. The two men disappeared in The Gambia during a visit intended to start a business there. They left behind their wives and young children in the United States.

Capt Buba Sanneh was among the recently convicted military officers by the secret Court Martial set up by Dictator Jammeh. He was discharged from the Gambia Armed Forces, slammed with a life sentence, three twenty year on three different counts, and a twenty year sentence. He is currently jailed at the Mile II Central Prison together with his co-accused.

Prior to his dismissal following his conviction at the recently concluded secret court martial, Captain Sanneh was dismissed from the Gambia Armed Forces in 2013 after The First Lady’s lap top went missing at the State House. He was brought back a few months later and had served as logistics officer at State House until his arrest in January 2015 for his alleged involvement in the foiled December 30th 2014 coup attempt.

In what seems like yet another disastrous public policy blunder, huge piles of refuse are said to be ubiquitous in markets and other public places all around The Gambia as we pen this report – the result of the recent ill-advised Presidential Directive yanking tax collection duties from the Municipalities and Area Councils and handing them to the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA).

As this paper reported a week ago, this transfer of tax collection responsibility has left the Municipalities and Area Councils with no funds to run their day-to-day operational needs like buying fuel for dump trucks, Cash-Power for electricity, etc.  The reason for that is; the new chain of command they have to go through in order to tap into the tax funds is so confusing and also fraught with all kinds of bureaucratic huddles.

Under the new arrangement, all taxes collected by the GRA from markets, rental shops/stalls, trade licenses, compound rates, land transfer fees among others throughout The Gambia are paid into an account at the Central Bank to which only the President, Yaya Jammeh has full access and control.  In order for the Municipalities and Area Councils to have access to the funds, they have to go through Yaya Jammeh himself which is posing all kinds of problems especially in light of the fact that he is mostly inaccessible.  As one unhappy source put it “GRA is only collecting the funds, they do not have access to it. They cannot provide funds to Area Councils and Municipalities.  All requests for funds will be sent to the Office of The President”.

The situation is understandably causing a lot of distress among market vendors of Kanifing Municipal Council where according to sources; heaps of trash could be seen all over the Serekunda Market.  The same sources stressed that the vendors have launched series of complains with the authorities there, all of which fell on deaf ears.  Apart from the odor, their main concern at this point is the health hazards associated with this indifference to their welfare.  The Point Newspaper in Gambia, last week quoted a market vendor who said “We want the relevant authorities to help us remove these heaps of refuse, as vendors are also entitled to a healthy environment,”

 Meanwhile in the greater Banjul area, many shops are reported to have closed their doors for now because customers are avoiding their areas completely.  Sources Faturadio contacted hinted that The Mayor of The Banjul City Council, Abdoulie Bah wanted to challenge the Gambia Government on the issue, but Yankuba Kolley, Mayor of The KMC advised him not to because the matter was an order from Yaya Jammeh himself, and since he (Yaya) doesn’t like to take advise from anyone, doing so could land him (Abdoulie Bah) in trouble.

 True to form, the authorities continue to ignore the pleas from the general public but notices continue to come from The GRA through local newspapers further advising all and sundry to visit the nearest GRA Tax Office to make their tax payments, urging the public to cooperate with the Authority since they are; as they put it “collecting revenue for national development”.

 Health experts Faturadio reached out to have expressed fears of disease outbreak in the country if this situation is not addressed.

It is a war that has sapped the wills of so many, and forced the escape, to freedom, of so many others. It is an undefined war that is also fought in the minds, and which has tested the will and challenged the depths of a nation’s commitment to itself. And it is a war without borders; but with frontiers that extend as far as the imagination.There is nothing a human-being cherishes more than liberty and the mental and intellectual freedom, which occupy its space. But the last two decades have been extremely challenging for Gambians on so many levels; not the least of which is the frequency with which they have died; often through military executions, but more often through state sanctioned murders.

The harrowing story of a Gambian who under cover of darkness had escaped to an obscure border village in Casamance and made the treacherous journey to freedom in Dakar, Senegal, partly tell Gambia’s cruel story.

The walk through the perilous forest, which spreads infinitely in all directions, was brutal and as scary as anything he faced back home, but accustomed, as he was, to leaving his protection to his religious beliefs, he resigned his fate to a higher power. Several years ago, Gambians and non-Gambians who faced the wrath of a vulnerable and paranoid regime were mostly blacklisted based on tribe and political affiliation, but Gambia has since morphed into a gigantic prison camp, where no one is safe, and everyone is vulnerable to abduction and forced disappearance.

The Gambian military regime, determined to cling on to power, despite popular rejection, has created a situation of permanent chaos and crisis in Gambia, which has allowed the executions, mysterious deaths, broad daylight shooting deaths, the forced disappearances and the fleeing of Gambians from their own country. Both, politically and economically, the Gambia’s situation has become completely untenable and the desire for regime change, both necessary and inevitable.

Historically, even the most genocidal regimes of Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot and Idi Amin Dada, had their share of cheerleaders and enablers, comprising the self-interested, the gullible, the desensitized and the plain old disinterested and cruel. And like all fhe regimes, which ended up in flames, the Gambia’s military regime, rather than learn from the lessons of history, has chosen to deliberately ignore the perils of its chicanery and political tyranny. But the regime’s history of executions, murders and forced disappearances of Gambians, notwithstanding, few Gambians have dared to challenge the distressed nation by being supportive of a deadly regime at the expence of citizens’ deaths and forced disappearances.

It is a widely unpopular position that regime supporters justify with arguments of maintaining peace and security in a country where peace and security have not existed in two decades. This way for regime supporters to rationalize the Gambian situation is both confounding and unbelievable, considering that beneath the surface tranquility in Gambia, the embers of civil strife burn furiously, and the desire for revenge and regime change are the driving forces behind diaspora’s tireless efforts. For if there is one thing that is universal among Gambians, it is their desire to once again live in a country where the lost characters of peace and human dignity are the hallmarks of government.

The dumbest and most insane arguments Gambians have heard from regime supporters, over the past two decades, is the campaign to seek ‘amnesty’ for the Gambian diaspora who continue to fight to end the bloody carnage and political mayhem in their country. The lessons of our culture and religious heritage dictate Gambians to seek forgiveness for their own errors; consequently seeking amnesty from Yahya Jammeh, is not unlike asking the murderer of our nephews, fathers, uncles, sisters, mothers, neighbors and fellow citizens, to forgive us for the henious crimes he continues to commit. The fact that Yahya Jammeh passed an Indemnity Bill in the National Assembly nearly a decade ago is proof of where he thinks blame for Gambia’s massive crimes lie. More importantly, Yahya Jammeh has killed more Gambians since he forced his regime’s indemnification by the National Assembly, prompting questions whether he desired to end the carnage in Gambia in the first place. As it turned out, not even the reconciliation that Yahya Jammeh himself masterminded and funded five years ago could stop his execution, murder and abduction of more Gambians. But despite Yahya Jammeh’s history of reversals and especially the enormity of his crimes against Gambians, the binary effects of self-interest and delusion, continue to bury some Gambians under a heap of an impossible fantasy

In recognition of the imminent threat to the Gambian economy, the IMF last week 2nd April 2015 issued a press release approving a bailout for Gambia. The release stated that “The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today approved emergency financial assistance under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) in the amount equivalent to SDR7.775 million (about US$10.8 million) for The Gambia to enable the authorities to meet their urgent balance of payment and fiscal needs”. The Fund also stated that “In addition, the Board was informed about the IMF Managing Director’s approval of a one-year staff-monitored program to guide policy implementation”.

This following President Jammeh’s claims in February this year during the 50th independence celebrations that Gambia will be food self sufficient in 2016 and thus there will be no importation of rice into Gambia in 2016 and come 2015 Gambia will become an economic superpower. Observers see this latest bailout as the IMF further enabling Jammeh to continue to mismanage public funds and oppress Gambians while entrenching his dismal tyrannical regime.

 The release further stated that the “The envisaged adjustment and structural reforms, if properly implemented, would contribute significantly to addressing The Gambia’s present difficulties and achieving the targets envisaged in the Programme for Accelerated Growth and Employment. Such measures should also help lower domestic interest rates and thus alleviate medium-term spending pressures associated with the currently very high level of domestic interest costs. In light of the large fiscal cost of poor performing public enterprises in 2014, the authorities should promptly identify contingency plans to protect budgetary outcomes in 2015 from unexpected shocks. They should also meet their external debt obligations in a timely manner. Further measures, beyond those incorporated in the 2015 budget, are also required to undertake a deeper restructuring of the budget and public enterprises to put the medium-term fiscal position on a sound footing”.

 Based on the above release from IMF and the danger faced by the Gambian economy, many expected both fiscal prudence and somber measures by the Jammeh government to ensure spending is curtailed to essentials, especailly as the dalasi fell against major world currencies, tourism down 60% and domestic and external debt continues to rise to dangerous levels. Many were therefore surprised when reports from Senegal indicated that following his victory against Balla Gaye during Sunday’s (5 April 2015) much anticipated wrestling match, Senegalese wrestler Eumeu Sene has been invited by President Jammeh and expected in Banjul on Thursday to celebrate his victory. This after it was also reported that Jammeh provided transport and money to many Gambian supporters of Sene to travel to Senegal and support him. Following his victory Sene himself said that, he spoke to Jammeh on the phone and he assure him that “he will never loose a match as long Jammeh is supporting him”.

 Funding agencies like IMF despite stringent measures, are coming under increased criticism for their perceived support of dictators in Africa, who use funds like Jammeh does to host lavish musical jamborees, acquire houses like his $3.5 million mansion in USA, invite International artist with all the associate cost and continue to mismanage the economy while the average Gambian lives under $1 per day and the Gambian economy needing a bailout to survive.

“We are deeply concerned about the death sentences apparently imposed last week by a military tribunal in Gambia against three people accused of participating in an attempted coup last December. Three people were reportedly also sentenced to life imprisonment during the same trial, which was held in secret, despite provisions in Gambia’s Constitution and Armed Forces Law stating that proceedings should be held in public.

Serious concerns have also been raised about the fairness of the judicial proceedings, particularly in relation to the provision of adequate legal representation, which is also guaranteed under the Constitution. We hope that the six detainees will be allowed to appeal, as is their right, and we call upon the Gambian Government to maintain its moratorium on the use of the death penalty.”

The Gambia National TV few hours ago announced the conviction of six military personnel who were charged with the December 30 attacks on State House. They are as follows:

Death sentences imposed on soldiers accused of participating in December’s attempted coup d’état in Gambia are a cruel violation of the right to life and the right to a fair trial, Amnesty International said today.

A military court handed down death sentences to three soldiers and sentences of life imprisonment to three others following a trial on Monday 30 March 2015. The trial was held in secret; media and independent observers were barred from observing the proceedings.

Gambia’s justice system is deeply flawed and we have concerns about the fairness of the trial, given that it was held in secret

Stephen Cockburn, Amnesty International Deputy Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

“Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception. The death penalty is a violation of the right to life and the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. Many countries in West Africa are moving away from the use of death penalty and it is disappointing that the Gambia has not followed this trend.”

Reports from the country indicate that the soldiers may have been convicted of treason, conspiracy, mutiny and assisting the enemy. The last executions in Gambia were carried out in 2012, when nine prisoners (eight men and one woman) were executed by firing squad.

 In September 2012 President Jammeh announced a “conditional” moratorium on executions, which would be “automatically lifted” if crime rates increased. In March 2015, during a review by a United Nations (UN) human rights body, Gambia rejected recommendations by other states to maintain the moratorium on executions and abolish the death penalty.

 The death sentences imposed on Monday are the latest in a series of regressive actions by the Gambian authorities in relation to human rights. In January, at least 30 family members of people alleged to have taken part in the coup attempt were detained without charge or access to their lawyers or families. Some have since been released but many remain in incommunicado detention three months on. In November 2014 United Nations officials investigating reports of torture were prevented from visiting the country’s main prison.

 Amnesty International is calling for the death sentences to be commuted to terms of imprisonment, pending a re-trial which meets internationally accepted fair trial standards and does not include the possibility of a death sentence.

BANJUL, March 31 (Reuters) – Six soldiers were convicted in Gambia for their role in a failed attempt to oust President Yahya Jammeh late last year and were sentenced to either death or life in prison, security sources and family members of the accused said on Tuesday.

First things first! CONGRATULATIONS to honorable Omar A. Jallow and the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for a very successful rally celebrating the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary. It was not only fitting considering it was the Party that led us to independence, but very timely and necessary. With all its weaknesses, it’s long overdue for the PPP to defend its record against all the smear campaign, the mudslinging by Yaya and the APRC. Time and time again, OJ has consistently done that with high velocity and degree of vehemence.

What we’ve heard from the rally in Brikama was the fiery, brave, committed and unapologetic politician taking the battle to the doorsteps of the dictatorship. Challenging and exposing the regime in a fashion so uncharacteristic of an opposition shackled in a poisonous den. He asked about the the president’s riches, the illegal arrests and disappearances. ‘Go tell him I said it!’, he roared. He challenged them, pitching their record against Jammeh’s and came out on top! That’s what was expected!

But what’s even more salivating was the aggressiveness and boldness of a top opposition figure that Gambians longed for, to continue the demystification crusade against a coward who is preying on a very innocent, peace-loving people. A people whom over the years have been terrorized and almost rescind to fate that the chains are unbreakable. Layer by layer, Yaya bark’s gets peeled. OJ galvanized Gambians. He has reawakened the hope that the Gambia is only a few brave politicians like him away from salvation. It was impossible for anyone to not be proud and happy for the PPP and their interim leader for their latest assault.

Just like any other time that our Struggle Train gained momentum, there’s always a mechanical failure to take the steam out of it. The fault is always a self-inflicted one. OUR OPPOSITION PARTIES again! UDP, NRP, PDOIS all stayed away. GMC didn’t get an invite which Hon Fatty made clear. And from OJ’s radio interview with FatuRadio’s Mamalinguere, I sensed a baffled man who was still bewildered by the unexplained absence of his comrades. That’s gotta be lonely but Mr Jallow wasn’t deterred.

Although there’s not been a formal reason advanced by those invited for their absence yet, does not lessen the bitter taste of disappointment. We expected a show of solidarity from ALL parties for what the occasion was. So we await. I hope we’ll be given answers. Until then, I’ll remain ashamed, disappointed and hurt the realization that we’re indeed far from the top of the hill than we thought. That a serious look, diagnosis of what must have been the deep tetanus wound that remains incurable. A serious disappointment of course for UDP’s absence and the silence is deafening. They’ve been the longest allies going into all previous elections. So it begs a tangible official reason for staying away. Gambians deserve one.

It scares me that we’ve not even started talks of political union to go into the coming elections under one flag bearer, but that potential marriage is heading for a divorce before they walk the aisles. In a normal marriage, counseling would have been a must. This isn’t an exception if we’re to retain the slim hope of a serious fight against the incumbent. Our political parties are not oblivious to this fact but the diaspora should be battle-ready as partners to do all we could to summon them to the table even if that means rolling the dice. It’s worth the try.

This is why I’ve always asked that we be partisan but still be cautious not to be overly partisan if our goal is to forge a United Party Alliance. Considering the history these parties have, if we openly take partisan positions from the jump, we’re bound to dig holes for ourselves as every party would come out swinging to avoid being buried. The diaspora Will make and/or break what we have at stake. We’re a very significant constituency even when we’re disenfranchised. It’s best we impartially maneuver thru the barbed wire in pursuit of political unity than face them head-on wearing party colors. That might work for the fringes and the insignificant voices like me. But those who already command the respect and notoriety of being able to get the folks on the table must tread lightly. That by no way means avoiding the truth.

But what do I know?! This malaria must have gotten to me. 🙂

Good Morning And Peace To The Planet!

In a dramatic twist on Thursday March 19th 2015, Minnesota Federal Magistrate, Becky R. Thorson of St. Paul, granted Banka Manneh conditional bail.

Mr. Manneh, a household name in both the U.S and the Gambia, has been on the FBI investigation list since after the December 30th alleged coup in the tiny West African impoverished country, the Gambia.

The event followed loss of lives and trial of alleged conspirators both in the U.S and the Gambia. Those charged in the U.S are charged for violating the U.S Neutrality Act,
a law that forbids launching from the U.S to forcefully dislodge a foreign Government thoughtfully “friendly” to the U.S. Perhaps to what charges, are similar to what charges
were laid on the trio –Texas businessman Cherno Njie, Minnesota Air Force U.S veteran Papa Faal, and the Tennessee U.S Military veteran Alhagie Saidy Barrow. After months of investigation,
the FBI finally raided Banka’s home late last week, and summoned him to appear in court, to answer to pending charges against him.

In layman language, Banka is charged with “aiding and abetting” in the December 30th alleged coup. But Banka is an activist, a sincere Gambian comrade whose simplicity and companionship is celebrated in all corners.
Banka is a loaded with a spirit to help oppressed Gambians and lift the nation from dictatorship to democracy. From her highness chambers, Magistrate Thorson found Banka legible for both self-bail and public defendant (lawyer),
after reviewing his alleged involvement and financial income earning respectively. The Federal Prosecution pressed on having Banka restricted on internet and computer access. At that point, a defiant Banka Manneh took the stage
to put it to both the magistrate judge and the prosecution that he needs the computer in doing his job. The magistrate considered Banka’s request to use the computer for work and conditionally Okayed Banka to be allowed
to use computer for work activities. Banka’s next hearing is slated for Thursday March 26th 2015, in which case he is expected to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.

It is expected that Banka will plead not guilty on the charges against him. Within the time, Banka has been advised to surrender his passport, to not do any international travels, and appear in court as and when needed.What many activists are furious about is where the FBI are heading with their investigations. What do they really want? What are they looking for? What interest do they have in this case that it is giving them sleepless nights? People understand about the U.S neutrality law, but agreeably, any
investigations, and bringing of alleged conspirators to court needs to be done respectively according to the stipulated law. In the case of Banka, the U.S Government and the FBI has been greatly criticized in many Gambian
quarters in the manner and nature they raided his home. Banka is a family man and raiding his home with two dozen FBI agents at around 5am, may not necessarily be against the law, but poses serious questions over its motive.
An organization like the FBI is expected to maintain its respect and relationship to have cooperation from communities.

The U.S and FBI are well equipped with all resources, therefore a case like this, needs to be investigated from the root cause and the very element provoking citizens to try act in the way allegedly acted on December 30th 2014.
The U.S and FBE do not want to go down in history as having to sympathize, aid, and abet a tyrannical regime as destructive as that of Gambia’s current dictatorship, under the worst of world rulers, Yaya Jammeh.
Yes, the FBI has a job to do and no one is saying they don’t, but Gambians too have a job to do, to liberate themselves and their citizens from the clutches of tyranny. The Obama administration must not be taught history,
when our pioneer fathers liberated the United States from its colonial master, Great Britain, under treasonable conditions. A law must be reflective of time and current events. A law must represent the interest of those
it is written for. A law is unfavorable if it victimizes citizens rather than uplifting them. It is really a shame for a nation as powerful as America to position itself in such a funny situation. Regardless of the daunting
frustration having to deal with the nagging trials, it was clearly a victory today for believers of justice. It was important to see Banka go home to his family and to be able to continue work. The judge didn’t make any
mistake as it is the right thing to do. To those that believe in freedom, equality, and justice, everything that happens is an inspiration. The Minnesota Civil Society group extends its appreciation for the sincere solidarity
from Gambians the world over and their friends.

Reports reaching us have confirmed that The Ministry of Lands and Regional Government has sent a Presidential directive to all Area Councils and Municipalities informing them that effective March 1, instead of these bodies, the payment of compound taxes and rates will be made to the Gambia Revenue Authority. The directive also informs them of an impending audit to be conducted into all past collections. The issue is said to have brought a lot trepidation and confusion among municipality and area council staffs, especially Yankuba Kolley, The Mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council. Yankuba is said to have benefitted a lot from the compound rates money over the years. The fact that there is a Presidential directive to audit the municipalities is therefore of great concern to their staff.

Is it a sign of the times; perhaps even a new paradigm shift, or just an ephemeral indulgence in rare political maturity? In the coming weeks and months, two very conflicting and contradictory events will likely occur, one of which may redefine Africa’s political direction for generations to come. Africa has, for long, been haunted by a stigma of a mostly true, but also of a somewhat embellished nature. But all that is about to change, as what looks like a political maverick, but certainly a trendsetter, emerges from the vast African continent to break away from the age-old stain and unflattering characterization of a continent. The assumption that President Macky Sall stands shoulder above the rest of Africa’s power-hungry leaders is bearing out in a rather dramatic way. In what looks like a truly Mandelasque fashion, President Macky Sall plans to amend the Senegalese constitution in order to retrench his and future presidential terms by two years.

 This is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of political courage in a continent renowned more for its imperial, life-time rulers, than by their humility and political sagacity. When all is said and done, President Macky Sall would have reduced his term in office by four years, proving the coming of age of Senegal’s democratic experiment. President Sall’s political initiative is hardly surprising, considering that Senegal, rather than Ghana or Nigeria, is Africa’s most politically and culturally conscious, boasting a slew of preeminent world-class scholars, authors, academics and a rare tribal homogeneity found nowhere else on the African continent. The correlation between Senegal’s political and culture awareness and its broad-mindedness, sophistication and tolerance are borne out by events leading up to Senegal’s last presidential election. Senegal has over time been challenged by political circumstances, but each time, has come out stronger and more committed to its democratic tradition.

 In a continent plagued by a history of brutal dictatorships, political repression and blood-letting, President Sall’s bold proposal to reduce the presidential term in office underscores his deeply held beliefs in the transitory nature of political power. In a statement that put African dictators to shame, President Sall completely rejects the erroneous notion of political power “as a means to an end.” in reference to African leaders who insist on ruling, despite mass popular discontent. The emergence of Senegal as Africa’s premiere democracy is cemented in President Sall’s deference to the tenets of democracy as highlighted in the way the Senegalese president demeans Africa’s dictators stuck in primitive, medieval mindsets. The constitutional changes envisaged by the Senegalese leader have the potential to reverberate all across Africa and shake the crumbling foundations of dictatorships that still precariously cling to power against popular will. This glowing reflection ought to not be seen as the canonization or blanket endorsement of President Sall, whose Gambia policies are incoherent, inconsistent and seem to lack the most basic understanding of the implications of Gambia’s political instability, despite the presence of thousands of Gambians in Dakar, forced to flee their country. In the present political world, the UN recognized “responsibility to protect, r2p” such as Tanzania’s intervention to oust General Idi Amin from power in Uganda trumps the UN Clause of “non-interference” in the internal affairs of other countries. The UN R2P norm states unambiguously that “sovereignty is not an absolute right, and that states forfeit aspects of their sovereignty when they fail to protect their populations from mass atrocity crimes and human rights violations.” In a period in history when democracy and the rule of law are spreading, Africa still struggles to overcome the recalcitrance of political dinosaurs invested in the ugly politics of division, corruption and violence.

But as Senegalese President Macky Sall continues to make Senegal an exception the political power greed, it behooves him to make the spread of democracy across the border into Gambia, Senegal’s policy objective. As it now stands, Senegal’s internal politics and the fact of geography have made the use any necessary means, including military force, to restore democracy and rule of law in Gambia, impossible. In light of the limitations imposed on Gambians willing and able to force political change in Gambia, the need for Senegal to accommodate the policy of “responsibility to protect,” is both a moral obligation and a political necessity. With the Gambia constantly shifting from chaos to crisis, social and economic considerations in both countries come into play in the broader political narrative as to the kinds of relations Senegal ought to foster between the sister countries. But as President Sall seeks to shorten his term in office, across the border, Gambia’s Yahya Jammeh seeks to extend his term in office to more than half a century. The glaring political difference between Senegal and Gambia is not lost on Gambians who, in a decisive majority, want political change. The tyranny of the Jola minority imposed by Yahya Jammeh, is a recipe for civil strife, in the event of political change, and the continuation of this tribal bigotry, rather than make the problem of state imposed tribalism go away, will deepen the hostility and rage Gambians now feel. For Gambians, who seek political change, see Senegal, rather than Yahya Jammeh and his military support, as standing in the way of regime change in their country. The deprivation of Gambians of the ability to accumulate international support to restore democracy and the rule of law in their country is a major stumbling block in the effort to force political change in Gambia. And as President Macky Sall seeks to shorten his term in office, across the border, Gambians are preparing for a showdown to bar Yahya Jammeh from contesting presidential elections in 2016. In this effort, Senegal has a crucial role to play to help end the murders, executions, mass incarceration and fleeing of Gambians from their country.

He claimed to be a different kind of soldier and promised not to hang on to power, and never to install a dictatorship. Who said that power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely?

The Gambia is celebrating her 50th anniversary of attaining national sovereignty. This independence, far from being celebrated with joy and harmony, is taking place at a time when the country is bruised, divided and darkened by the persecutions of the past 20 years that have spared no one. Military officers, mothers, judges, lawyers, ministers, imams, members of parliament, journalists, the political opposition, businessmen, have all in turn suffered the woes of the regime: physical and psychological violence, imprisonment, confiscation of goods and travel documents, forced disappearances, murder and hundreds of exiles. It is hardly an admirable story.

For the past twenty years Gambia has lived under a system of terror orchestrated by President Yahya Jammeh and his political police.

INFORMATION DEFICIENCY

In a country where no one is safe, where anything can lead to arbitrary arrest, a mandatory sentence, or even to death, enforced disappearance, extreme prudence becomes the order of the day. It is a country where the press is suppressed; the radio stations are forced to be a mere distraction, and to broadcast apolitical news in order to draw away the population from the real issues in the country. All the local radio stations broadcasting from Banjul have no right to carry news broadcasts, to allow the people to talk, much less criticize the regime.

They are all obliged to liaise with the State radio in order to transmit and amplify the sterile news, the propaganda of the supreme leader. This state of affairs justifies the auto-censorship that characterizes the Gambian media.

The internet is under watch and foreign based news sites critical of the regime are blocked. Only a few curious people dare to defy the bans by discretely browsing banned websites in order to get news bits and thereby share the perspectives of Gambians who are overseas. Unfortunately, this information does not get to the masses who are still preoccupied with their security and daily survival.

Yes, this is how Gambians inside the country learn about their country in 2015! Most of the people do not know what is really happening in their own country. The blackout and the lockdown of the information system have allowed the regime to stay in power, to operate in secret and to commit extremely atrocious massive human rights violations.

There are also subterranean practices aimed at letting the people know that the whole country is under telephone surveillance. This trick has so paralyzed the whole population that, without trying to find out much, have opted for prudence by avoiding issues that are political or could be perceived as such.

DESCENT TO HELL

From the moment it seized power, the Jammeh regime opted for repression. They then suspended the Constitution in order to rule by decrees, and this gave him all the powers. He learnt from his close ally, Nigeria’s General Sani Abacha, going even as far as copying the repressive decrees that the latter used to oppress his people and his opponents. Those decrees allowed compromised Nigerian judges to legitimize the execution of writer and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, that led to the death of Moshood Abiola in prison, to shut down the press and to pursue the human rights militants.

Banjul, having understood quite well the use to which such decrees could be put, did not hesitate to ask for the help of mercenary jurists to help it lock down the system and to rule without separation of powers, in terror and brutality.

The 1994 to 1996 transition allowed President Jammeh to consolidate his grip on power and to create a vacuum around him. Some of his allies from the beginning have been eliminated in the intervening years, while the lucky ones have been pushed aside. The initial proposal by the constituent body for a limit to presidential terms was rejected by the lord of Banjul and his cohort of “revolutionaries.” He claimed to be a different kind of soldier, and promised not to hang on to power, and never to install a dictatorship. But he ended up taking the country hostage. Who said that power corrupts and that absolute power corrupts absolutely?

Progressively, the regime attacked the elite and forced it into exile and thus ensured it has no say on how the country is run. The Gambia lost more than a third of its qualified manpower. What a waste for a country that needs to develop! The modus operandi is classical: dismissal, social and political quarantine, economic asphyxiation, vicious condemnations, judicial intimidations and physical attacks. That is how the regime has established itself while alienating the opposition and all dissenting voices that that could perturb its mission of building a subjugated country.

In the 2000s, sensing the resistance of the people through the score of the opponents, especially in the 2001 elections, the regime accelerated reforms in order to block all avenues that could possibly lead to a change through the ballot box, and slowed down the process of decentralization of local collectivities that aimed to give more autonomy to the people in local affairs.

All that was done on the back of a subdued population and was legitimized by multiple changes to the Constitution in the most obscure of conditions. All the institutions, be they religious, local, legislative or judicial, are under the grip of the regime. During this time, the project of a State Party was concocted through the intervention of the palace jurists. They started by changing the rules of the game and limiting the role of the people in the choice of mostly their local leaders. They reinforced the retrogressive laws in order to muzzle all the possibilities of independent expression.

The people who are in the areas favorable to the opposition were shamefully deprived of the programs of the State in order to punish them. The message is clear and the president constantly talks about it to remind people that development will be limited only to the areas that vote for him.

In April 2000, during a peaceful demonstration by students who were protesting the abuses of the police force against their classmates, a dozen of them were killed by bullets, others injured, tortured and imprisoned. The trial that followed this incident was a real test. The judges who dared to ask for the release of the imprisoned students and to look into the cases of the other victims paid the price for their audacity.

Since then the so-called free students’ organization was dissolved. The university is under heightened surveillance and the head of state himself is now its president. One can understand quite well the distress experienced by the teachers in teaching their classes with the respect f or academic freedom

Between 2004 and 2009, journalists and the people have gone through years of violence and anguish with no one being held to account: the murder of Deyda Hydara, the disappearance of Ebrima Manneh, the arrests and torture of journalists, the pillaging and liquidation of organs of the press. There is also the campaign against witchcraft with its dose of humiliation and deaths, with some people being forced to drink potions. Again, there was the discovery of the remedy for AIDS and other sicknesses. This discovery is a disaster and the descent into hell for those living with HIV. And the list continues.

The year 2012 was one of revelation of the nature of the rash brutality perpetrated by the Gambian regime with the arbitrary and extrajudicial execution of nine prisoners in inhuman conditions that shocked the whole world. But that act was only a tip of the iceberg. How many people have disappeared? What became of the 44 Ghanaians executed, the purge in the army, the numerous people including civilians killed while in detention, etc.?

WHY THIS TROUBLING SILENCE ON THE GAMBIA?

History has a way of repeating itself but human beings learn the hard way. May be the International Criminal Court or a Truth Commission could one day beam the light on these atrocities.

To those who were killed, those who disappeared, those whose freedom was denied, to families who were prevented from burying their loved ones in their homeland, to the exiles who are forced to live precariously, to all the victims of 20 years of repression, celebrating 50 years of independence makes absolutely no sense in these conditions in which freedom is daily trampled.

* Fatou Diagne is the West African Director of the global freedom of expression campaign group, Article 19.

This article was translated from French for Pambazuka News by Uchenna Osigwe

Recently, The Gambian First Lady, Zineb Zuma’s public relations machine has been bombarding Gambians with photo opportunities that show her interacting/mingling with the Gambian people. Since 1999 when The President Yaya Jammeh married Zineb, The First Lady according to many Gambians has not done anything worthy of notice in Gambia. “This woman does not respect Gambians because her husband does not respect his people. If Zineb Zuma is genuinely interested in the welfare of Gambians, we challenge her to tell her husband to stop harassing and intimidating our people” a source said. Many observers say that Zineb’s “change in attitude” towards Gambians manifested by photos on social media and videos of her visits to grassroots groups has more to do with trying to attract funding from International institutions to fund her various shopping trips and businesses overseas.

We can all recall with some apprehension that during his speech to mark the Gambia’s Golden Jubilee celebrations on 18^th February, President Yahya Jammeh reiterated his vision to transform the Gambia into an economic super power which will surpass such economic giants like Dubai, Singapore and Qatar by 2025.

 However, even with a cursory glance at the Gambian economy and the prevailing untenable governance and social environment, to hear such a statement in the presence of some foreign heads of state and representatives of the international community was indeed an embarrassment to many Gambians who were in attendance at the Independence Stadium as well as many others wherever they may be. It is quite hard for anyone to imagine what actually compels President Jammeh to be making such untenable pronouncements when the realities on the ground are almost quite the opposite.

Indeed anyone who knows the Gambia, lives there or has been there quite recently would tend to agree with one opposition militant who aptly described such a pledge as the ‘Joke of the Century’. In addition to the poor governance environment resulting in the entire population being treated like hostages by a system which allows them very little freedom to speak their minds, there is hardly anything to indicate that the Gambia can ever get out of among the very bottom of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of the world in the next 100 years. Therefore, rather than becoming an economic super power, with the way things are moving, if the situation is not reversed, it is instead very likely to become a failed state in the not too distant future.

 Even though one can tend to compare President Jammeh’s autocratic rule to that of the first Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew which helped to transform that city-state into one of the richest nations in the world, but not only are the two situations completely different in almost every aspect, but we are also living in a completely different era and circumstances. In 1965 when Singapore seceded from Malaysia and became an independent nation, the world was then not the global village that it is today and there was nothing like the internet and social media as we have today.

 Therefore, while Prime Minister Lee succeeded to some degree in shielding his people from what was happening in the outside world which weakened their scope and ability to agitate against his tyrannical rule, but he also had the will and the resolve to provide the most basic social amenities and economic opportunities to them. He also no doubt never engaged in any domestic business to compete and disadvantage the local business community but he instead empowered and encouraged them to compete with their counterparts in the sub-region.

 However, such qualities can hardly be attributed to President Jammeh who not only is engaged in all types of business, competing directly with the local business community, but at the same time, his regime also seems to be trying to shield the people of the Gambia from what happens in the outside world by completely monopolizing the public media. The regime is also doing everything possible to gag the independent media and compel them to either put up or shut up, using high-handed tactics, including harassment and intimidation of journalists and arbitrary closure of their media houses to try and compel them to tow the line.

 While the Jammeh regime has no doubt registered some successes in gagging the media and the people’s freedom of expression, but with the advent of social media, there is very little that it can do to prevent Gambians from accessing relevant information both from within and outside the country. This is no doubt the reason why there is a multiplicity of Gambian-owned online media whose sole objective is to fill the void for credible news and information for and about the Gambia left by the lack of a free press in the country. Despite all attempts by the regime to block those online media outlets and the intimidation of those who attempt to patronize them, they are still serving their purpose of informing the information-hungry Gambians, both at home and abroad.

 It is indeed hard to see how the Gambia can be transformed into an economic super power within the time limit set by President Jammeh when its economy is crumbling, mainly due to lack of investor confidence, and its most basic facilities fast deteriorating. Of course with the poor governance environment, arbitrariness and the almost total lack of respect for the rule of law, it is hard to see how any serious investor would risk putting his/her resources in such an environment. It is therefore not a surprise that even the very few foreign businesses that had established in the country are now beginning to pull out rather than consolidate.

 This is apparently because they have not been able to compete with President Jammeh’s numerous business ventures as they are subjected to heavy taxation and other bureaucratic hurdles to which his own business interests are not subjected to, while at the same time, he gets ‘free labour’ from both the security forces and ordinary Gambians who are compelled by circumstances to work for him.

 At the same time, even the very personal security of the investors is not fully guaranteed and there had been recent examples of both foreign and local business owners being subjected to arbitrary arrests and detentions, with some of them even being arbitrarily deported without the matter passing through the normal judicial system.

 Even the very fact that the Jammeh regime recently prevented UN Special Rapporteurs against torture and extra-judicial executions from access to some parts of the Mile Two Central Prison in Banjul as well as its failure to attend the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on the Gambia in Geneva on the 26^th March during the session of the UN Human Rights Council, are clear indications of the regime’s lack of respect for its international obligations. Such action will no doubt help push the Gambia further into isolation and consolidate its present unenviable position of being the pariah state of the sub-region and eventually become irrelevant to international power politics.

 We can all recall that the Gambia used to host correspondents of the major foreign news media such as the BBC, VOA, SABC etc, and it was relatively well covered on the international news scene, but nowadays, they have all been chased out and the Gambia is hardly mentioned by them. As a result, the present situation in the country can quite easily be comparable to North Korea where only the Great Leader counts and everyone else is irrelevant.

 Therefore, as long as President Jammeh carries on with his rantings against the Gambia’s main development partners and his regime continues with its systematic arbitrary arrests and incommunicado detentions, its harassments and persecutions of perceived gays and lesbians as well as the intimidation and harassment of critics and opponents of the regime, most of it being done outside the ambit of the law, it is hard to see how this country can realize any meaningful development, let alone becoming an economic super power.

Reports reaching Fatu Radio Network has confirmed that students at the University of The Gambia (UTG), Wednesday appeared ready for a protest over the newly introduced academic performance grading system, which came into effect a few weeks ago.