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Veteran radio journalist George Christensen dies

The entire Gambia media fraternity is shattered by the sudden death of veteran radio journalist George Christensen.

 

Mr Christensen who was proprietor of former Radio 1 FM, the first independent FM station in The Gambia, died in Dakar Friday evening. He is reported to have collapsed and died at the Leopold Sedar Senghore International Airport in Dakar where he was waiting for his flight to Banjul.

 

Commonly known as Uncle George, Mr Christensen who is an experienced and seasoned broadcaster since 1974, trained some of the finest journalists in and outside the country.

 

A doyen of Gambian journalism, he is described by many as not only a mentor but a teacher and a critique who was always giving candid opinion on the profession.

 

Radio 1 FM was a private radio station in The Gambia which played music and emphasized issues relating to political and economic development as well as basic civic education programs. The broadcasting station served the west coast of the country which is mostly the Kombo (KSMD) area. It was transmitting its signals on a broadcast frequency of 102.1 FM. The 1994 coup that brought the current President Yahya Jammeh to power was announced on this radio.

Arrest

Among first victims of the current government’s infringement on freedom of speech and the press, Mr Christensen was on October 23rd, 2001, arrested and taken to the NIA headquarters in Banjul. He was released a few hours later after being questioned about his radio station’s financial situation.

Radio attack

On August 10, 2001 during ungodly hours, some disgruntled and still unidentified group, probably acting on orders took it upon themselves to attack and burn down Radio One FM station.

 

A protective proprietor like a mother hen, Mr Christensen staunchly defended his ‘chicks’ and faced the assailants physically and sustained burns on his body. He was applauded by all for standing strong not to see his ‘brain-child’ go up in smoke without raising a finger. He shook off the arson attackers and took photos of the incident. The then Independent Newspaper published the pictures on its August 14, 2001 edition.

 

He was hospitalized for days. Shortly after that, one of his staff, Alieu Bah who earlier received a letter threatening his life had his house set on fire while he and his family were asleep. Neighbours helped put the fire before it caused serious damage.

 

Alhagie Jobe, Dakar

 

 

Dictator Jammeh’s last hustle on trial

Yahya Jammeh is the most polarizing figure in Gambia. In his speech Wednesday evening at Talinding— a town in Gambia, he spoke of tribalism and ethnic prejudice. The credibility gap between his words and deeds yawns wider. As divisive as he is, the current leader of Gambia has simply exacerbated a trend towards disunity that he has been developing for years. He continues — a record-setting pace of tribalism, divisiveness and mistrust for 22 years straight. Arm with the arrogance of power, Yahya Jammeh has grown particularly contemptuous and adventurous about destroying the bonds of trust and traditions of Gambia. For example, Yahya Jammeh’s regard for the majority tribe has been on a nosedive for the past 20 years. His popularity at home is fed by similar effrontery. Gambians should carefully consider the future direction of the Gambia under the stewardship of APRC regime. He is trying to burden Gambians with collective nationalism guilt by lecturing about Pan-Africanism, tribalism and the sin of the past colonial rulers. We categorically reject all these phenomena.

 

 

If Yahya Jammeh continues to serves as president. Gambians should begin by asking a key questions. Why is this man bombarding us with ethnic prejudice, tribalism, especially pan Africanism, on his tour and what does this philosophy means? He likes to talk about the worst examples of other peoples’ behavior 400 years ago but applies them to us now. Yahya Jammeh wants to rule Gambia with his 1970s mentality but wants himself and his family to enjoy all the benefits modern world. Not surprisingly, take a look at his family’s lifestyle compared with ordinary Gambians under his rule. He promised Gambians development but delivered disappointment and stagnation in the 1970 era. Our nations pocketbooks— have been thinning for so long because of his flamboyant and expensive lifestyle putting heavy strains on Gambia. His family owns the best — mansions, fleet of cars (phantoms, hummers, bimmers) and a bank account healthier than the nations savings. His home village have seen more development and is much cleaner than the capital. Our villages are still running two-wheel donkey carts for all purposes. Our hospital without proper medication.

 

 

A competent president would know that shared values like love of country, not Pan-Africanism resentment, to enables Gambia and Gambians to achieve their developmental goals. We understand the world is a global village but charity begins at home. The first responsibility of Yahya Jammeh and his regime is the perilous task to serve the Gambian people, not his— bank account, not his lust of “African Trademark” and dividing our society with tribal prejudice. Yahya Jammeh’s Pan-Africanism have other notions — a continued reliance on a policy of open-handedness of our nation coffers and judiciary to other citizens in hopes of attracting fame in history books. This is obvious nonsense. His mind control initiative— was first undertaken in a 1995 interview with a Senegalese medium. Mr. Jammeh explained his view of our “Legayocrasy” — one that goes well beyond the typical penchant for developing a nation and includes— a drastic revolutionary change. Apparently, that wasn’t radical enough for Mr. Jammeh.

 

 

He preaches about Gambia’s tribal color blindness and equality as cornerstone— that made us different from other nations to win the hearts and minds of people. Jammeh did unnecessarily politicize the government’s civil servants. He will dish out degrees— famous 89 which favored an unprecedented expansion of the powers of his government back then. Mr. Jammeh wants a government to have a bias in favor of an entire class of individuals. People with qualifications are increasingly frustrated of being hampered by internal tribal politics of hiring and nepotism. Yahya Jammeh in election time will speak so strongly about tribalism but kept Gambians in the dark about staffing decisions and hiring’s that aren’t being made on merits. A lot of his tribes’ men landed top jobs without necessary qualifications just to divide Gambians. This is wrong. We are all Gambians and love each other. Social engineering of the nation’s service men has been one of Yahya Jammeh’s goals in his quest to transform Gambia, and that means— playing with soldiers and ordinary citizens heads. By now we heard many related stories of military services about how superiors wanted to promote a qualified personnel because of their skills matched the job, but they were turned down by regime.

 

 

The colorblind tribal society in Gambia is no more under this regime. Yahya Jammeh has successfully divide Gambian communities, families and popular towns such as Bakau— Banjul — and Birikama using job positions to constantly put people at each’s others throat. No one has done more to work to cause inherent friction among the various ethnicities in Gambia than Yahya Jammeh and handful of his henchmen of this APRC regime. He and handful of rotten people, secretly spread— a message of in tolerance and differences among his tribesmen. During the PPP government, there were accusations that hiring decisions were based on who you know rather than what you know. With the APRC regime, Jammeh backhandedly gave us a pervasive culture of nepotism and tribal favoritism. The appalling pattern of workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, rampant retaliation— is mind boggling. This is the reason why the government isn’t operating to its fullest potential. People whom were drivers, orderly’s, watch men now assumed mayoral posts, parliamentarian jobs, ambassadors and ministerial jobs etc.

 

 

There is no evidence that Mr. Yahya Jammeh has been seeking any consensus to change his ways. Gambia is one of the most overworked nations. He senses an opportunity to put additional pressure on a diminished and overworked Gambians. For 22- years, you have everything and we have nothing to show for. The Gambian people should ponder whether this model governance is the one we need to adopt at this juncture in our history as a country. Its seams we all looked the other way for 22 years. Gambians now want a vibrant government that will help fast track developmental goals. We don’t like the APRC model of cozy relationships and sweetheart deals when it comes to contractors or grantees, and the same holds true for pulling strings to benefit a particular tribe and friends. What makes us exceptional is — there isn’t tribal grave yard or tribal market in the Gambia. We are one people and Yahya Jammeh is the bad man. We are proud of all our different cultures. Gambians will soon come together to repent, repair and reinvent their wrong doings to society after you are long gone. So Yaya Jammeh, you keep your tribalism and Pan Africanism. A leader at his best — lifts the spirits of people but our eyes have seen a lot of bad examples from you.

 

I will leave you with one verse of the Quran to ponder upon. Surat rum verse 22: And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed, in that are signs for those of knowledge.

Ramadan Mubaka

By Habib (A Concerned Gambian)

ECOWAS summit in Dakar to focus on regional issues

West African leaders are meeting in the Senegalese Capital, Dakar on Saturday, June 4 to discuss regional issues of urgency particularly peace and security, pre and post election violence in member states and The Gambia-Senegal border issue.

 

 

 

The 49 Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will also see the swearing in of the new President of the ECOWAS Commission, Marcel A. de SOUZA. He assumed duties since April 8th, 2016 after a handing over ceremony at the Commission headquarters in Abuja. Souza, a super economist and bureaucrat from Benin took over from Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo of Burkina Faso.

 

 

 

The summit will also see the election of a new chairman of the Commission as current holder Senegalese President Macky Sall’s term has ended and he has announced that he will not renew his mandate. The summit will therefore elect a new chairman, before setting the date and venue of the forthcoming 50 Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.

 

 

 

Besides the inauguration of the head of the executive organ, West African leaders will discuss several issues including the review of the Memorandum on the Status of negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between West Africa and the European Union, as well as the signed Memorandum of understanding (MOU) between ECOWAS and Turkey.

 

 

 

Leaders will also adopt the reports of the 76th Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and the 36th ordinary session of the Mediation and Security Council of the regional organization held recently.

 

 

 

The Heads of State and Governments will also discuss the memorandum on the submission of applications for nationals of Member States to open positions in regional or international bodies and adopt the interim report 2016 by the ECOWAS Commission president.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, the opening ceremony of the summit at the King Fahad Hotel will be marked by series of speeches, including a welcoming statement by host president of Senegal Macky Sall.

 

 

 

The new ECOWAS Commission President Marcel A. de Souza, and his counterpart from the African Union, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, as well as the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, will also address the summit.

 

By Alhagie Jobe

 

 

Luntang Jaiteh back as Alkalo of Bakau

 

Former Alkalo of Bakau, Luntang Jaiteh has been reinstated to his old position following dictator Jammeh’s meeting in the popular opposition coastal strong hold. The move is seen by many as dictator Jammeh’s decisive schemes to further drive a wedge among peaceful residents who have been living peacefully but are now deeply divided because of the dictator’s continue interference in appointing and dismissing traditional authorities.

 

It is unsurprising that as The Gambia is gearing towards the 2016 elections, many of the traditional rulers who are seen to be doing the dictator’s bidding are randomly removed and replaced with familiar old guards who have also received the wimps of the dictators frequent sackings.

 

 

Luntang Jaiteh has been Alkalo of Bakau long before the 1994 military take over but was later removed in mid 2000 on allegations that he was too closed to former PPP mates. He was replaced by a rather unknown political asset, Dodou Bojang whose only appealing to the dictator was that he was in charge of the popular Katchikally crocodile pole which dictator wanted to use for his regular superstitious sacrifices. Unfortunately for the dictator, he could not get what he was looking for from the good people of Bakau, thus the removal of the traditional ruler and his replacement by Luntang Jaiteh.

 

It could be recalled that following the dissolution of all APRC party structures within the Bakau constituency in December last year, dictator Jammeh appointed Luntang as the chairman of the new constituency executive committee which he is still serving.

 

 

 

GDC denied permit to hold maiden rally

The newly registered political party of Mamma Kandeh has been denied a permit to hold its first political rally which is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Buffer Zone. A letter from the office of the inspector general of police stated that permit could not be granted at this time. This is not the first time that a political party is denied a permit to hold a rally, it has happened to almost all the political parties as part of Jammeh’s plans to keep Gambians uninformed about the political situation of the country.

Below we produce a copy of the announcement from the GDC about the cancellation.

 

3rd June, 2016

Radio Announcement in Mandinka, Wollof and fula

The Gambia Democratic Congress (GDC) would like to inform its supporters and the general public that its maiden rally scheduled for Saturday 4th June 2016 at the Bufa Zone has been cancelled. The cancellation was due to the denial of a permit to hold a rally by the Office of the Inspector General of Police. The rally was intended to publicly introduce GDC and its party leader to the Gambian electorates

GDC executive and its entire membership and supporters are disappointed with the Police decision to refuse issuing a permit to hold a rally. GDC urges all its supporters to remain calm while working towards our next public appearance.

‘Yahya Jammeh should attend Dakar Summit out of respect for ECOWAS’ President Sall

Following the shaky relations between The Gambia and Senegal which was heightened by the recent border impasse, Senegal’s President Macky Sall has said he is still not sure if Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh will attend the 49th  summit of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS which is due to take place on Saturday, June 4 2016 in Dakar, Senegal.

 

The African leaders are currently gathering in the Senegalese capital, Dakr for the summit to discuss regional issues key amongst which is the issue of adoption of new measures against terrorism, regional peace and security, election violence, election of new chairman of the commission as well as the Gambia-Senegal border crisis.

President Sall told the French-based RFI Radio during an interview on Thursday in Paris that Gambia’s President Jammeh should attend the summit as it is a sub-regional issue and not a Senegal issue.

 

“Even if he has disagreements with the president of Senegal, it is still his responsibility as President of the Islamic Republic of The Gambia to respect the sub-regional bloc, ECOWAS and to attend the summit. If he does not come, it’s also his right but I think certainly that if he comes, we will have more time to talk as we did in Istanbul, Turkey during the recent OIC summit in April 2016” Sall said.

 

He said as neighbours, problems are inevitable but always important for the two leaders sometimes to sit  face-to-face and make frank talks and trash things out especially on occasions like the ECOWAS Summit.

 

Over the years, the two countries have suffered from fractured relationship with Gambia’s President Jammeh always blame as the cause of the problems.

Four months ago, Jammeh unilaterally increased the tariff on Senegalese vehicles crossing into The Gambia to an exorbitant amount. It led to the boycott of the Senegalese transport unions and the closure of the borders for almost three months.

 

On May 15, negotiations were held in Dakar, though there was no concession reach on the several points demanded by Senegal before its side of the border was open. There was no official communiqué as to what was agreed but few days after the negotiation, both countries opened their borders.

 

By Alhagie Jobe

 

 

 

 

Senegal: Karim Wade could be released from prison by end of year

 

By our Dakar correspondent, Alhaji Jobe

 

The President of Senegal, Macky Sall has said that it is very possible that Karim Wade will be released before end of 2016. “Even though many people are demanding for the release of Karim, it has to be done according to the laws of the land” Macky said.

 

President Sall made the revelation during an interview with French-based RFI Radio on Thursday, June 2 in Paris prior to a meeting with French President Francois Hollande as part of his state visit in the country.

 

“The release of Karim is definitely possible but if it’s going to happen, it can only take effect around end of the year. The process has to be done the right way” he said.

 

Three people convicted with Karim Wade, Bibo Bourgi, Samba Diasse and Papa Mamadou Pouye were released on Wednesday bringing speculations that Karim Wade’s release is also imminent.

Currently the flag bearer and presidential candidate of  his father Abdoulie Wade’s PDS Party, Karim was detained since April 2013, accused of illegally amassing about $1.4bn and illegal enrichment during his father’s 12-year rule. On March 23, 2015, a court in Senegal sentenced him to six years in prison for corruption, though cleared off some charges, he was also fined $230m (£150m).

 

Karim was senior minister in his father’s government and was also in charge of major infrastructure and energy projects which gave him the name “Minister of the earth and the sky”. His arrest came after the government of Macky Sall came in vowing to tackle corruption.

 

National dialogue

Last week, President Sall convened a national dialogue which brought together opposition leaders, religious leader and civil society organizations to discuss issues of national interest following his government’s victory in the March referendum which cleared the way to give more powers to the parliament as well the creation of a statue for the opposition leaders.

 

Despite the boycott by some political parties, to the surprise of many, the opposition Senegalese Democratic Party of former President Abdoulaye Wade who’s son and flag bearer is in jail attended the dialogue. The representative of the Wade’s opposition party, PDS, Oumar Sarr called for the release of political prisoners saying the dialogue cannot be meaningful if political opponents are in jail and Karim Wade has already served half his jail term.

 

President Sall said the issue is not about serving half of a jail term. He said the release of Karim Wade is now a prerogative on the president as enshrined in the constitution and when the time comes, it will surely happened. “Therefore, it’s not the issue of serving half his jail term or not. I expect a solution by the end of the year” Sall said.

 

According to President Sall, there is nothing that has change in his relations with the opposition especially former President Abdoulaye Wade and members of his party especially after Karim Wade was jailed. He said he has respect for all his opponents even though many of them confront him with all types of personal attacks. He revealed a surprise call he made to former President Abdoulaye Wade during his 90 birthday anniversary on May 29. Despite their political differences, he commended former President Wade for being very democratic and a matured politician who handles difficult situations with utmost  diplomacy.

ICC’s Controversial assessment of The Gambian situation

Yahya Jammeh’s actions behind closed doors and public indifference as a pious “Muslim” to the continued persecution and murder of Gambians is a scandal of enormous proportions. Exploiting Islam and executive power of presidency to deceive Gambians is nothing new for Mr. Yahya Jammeh. All of these contradictions of the president are of his own makings and trying to preserve an exalted image of himself won’t work anymore. When Gambians cried for electoral reform, Mr. Jammeh answered with unrestrained violence. Perhaps most notable is that, the abuse of political prisoners is no secret for the master of inhumanity. Yahya Jammeh’s abuses of Gambians, taken together with his steady stream of death threats against Gambian’s and recent threats of war to neighboring countries in an interview with newspaper, signals — the crisis that could soon spread beyond the Gambia.

 

 

Unfortunately, though, ICC’s shuttered-eye approach may soon be no longer tolerable. Despite the current ICC prosecutors position that it is not time to make a statement yet. It inevitably leads to stalemate at best, or worse. This is the problem when everything about the Gambia through the eyes of the world bodies are reduced to politics. Honesty and loyalty are both virtues, but the political selfishness of an individual can put them at odds. Most important, however, so long as these kinds of statements are pronounced by powerful bodies, Yahya will continue to gather strength to continue his actions to further the cause of human rights violations.

 

 

Yahya Jammeh — The masters of spreading doubts have succeeded putting the world bodies against each other literally. But Mrs. Bensouda hurts own her image among Gambians by refusing to acknowledge as a Gambian that, Yahya Jammeh has — ties to rebels in Cassamance, however vague and obscure, and engage in war crimes there as well as human rights violation in Gambian. Given all of that, we recall when Yahya Jammeh gave you an ORG award. The ICC has one eye opened to recognize the genocide in other countries, but the other eye remains closed to the threat that Yahya Jammeh poses on Gambians. This kind of wishy-washy statements explains why the regime has used the gross negligence of human life as standard to prosecute citizens. No one in their right mind wants to be tied to a president who promises prosperity and delivers malaise.

 

 

Yahya Jammeh’s commitment to silencing Gambians through violence seems to be escalating, if incrementally. The regime is not particularly forthcoming with details of all the murders they have committed from November 11th 1995 to 2016. Many of service men and civilians whom are privy to — murders, rapes, extermination, babies buried alive, infants and virgins fed to crocodiles are neutered by an understandable fear of Yaya Jammeh going after their families — when they speak out. Nonetheless, Gambians, we have to start documenting all the atrocities of the regime and victims should come forward to expose the regime’s brutalities. Yahya Jammeh seems to have basic problems with Gambians. He likes to control all the narratives and everything. Unbeknownst to the novice commander in chief, he feels that he should always have the last word in everything. He doesn’t like— when people disagree with him about treatment of fellow Gambians; he resists listening to public concerns, and he seems to think he should be free to reshape the country to suit his vision.

 

 

The question everyone will want answered, of course, is: Does the ICC’s prosecutor believe it is better to place Gambia at greater risk than take the chance of offending Yahya Jammeh? Genocide— is a crime that has to do something with human rights too. Likewise, torture, rape, and war crimes. Yahya Jammeh is still determined to systematically persecute the country’s majority tribe because of fear of losing elections— a human rights debacle that can be described as genocide. Thousands more have fled Gambia by risking their lives at high seas, risking their lives with criminal syndicates who traffic them and force them into servitude.

 

 

Once more, the International Criminal Court should not turn a blind on Gambia but redouble its efforts to identify and prosecute perpetrators of crimes against the Gambian people, along with Yahya Jammeh who is determined— to the destruction of our heritage. Gambia is a nation where the absence of democracy and gross violations of human rights have already led to the ultimate collective war crime. Hence the ICC — simply cannot afford to continue to avert its gaze from Mr. Yahya Jammeh’s violent and arbitrary rule. Starting a criminal investigation into APRC regime is not about payback of you being fired by the regime before; it is about ensuring that human right abuses and ethnic cleansing never happens again and the ICC regains — its moral credibility to rebuke torture by other governments. No Gambian should feel that their GOD given human rights come second to other citizens of a foreign country. Gambian lives matter too even if the crimes haven’t reach your door steps.

By Habib (A Concerned Gambian)

The Gambia: Jammeh endorses impunity

By D. A. Jawo

 

Once again, most Gambians and friends of the Gambia were no doubt quite embarrassed by the type of undiplomatic language President Yahya Jammeh is alleged to have used against no less a personality than the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon and a reputable human rights organization like Amnesty International.

 
During a recent interview with Jeune Afrique weekly magazine regarding their calls for an independent investigation into the alleged deaths of opposition members in police custody, President Jammeh was quoted saying; “Ban Ki-moon and Amnesty International can go to hell. Who are they to demand that” he conducts an investigation into the deaths in custody.

 
In an apparent confirmation of the death of at least one opposition member in custody, he said; “I don’t see the point. People die in custody or during interrogations, it is really common. This time, there is only one dead and they want investigations? I will not. No one can tell me what to do in my country.”
It is indeed quite hard for any reasonable being to justify the torturing to death of peaceful demonstrators, let alone the head of state who has an obligation to protect all Gambians regardless of their political affiliation. However, the very fact that he has confirmed the death of UDP activist Solo Sandeng in custody during interrogation, everyone expected him to not only publicly condemn it but to also promise an immediate investigation to identify those responsible for such a heinous act. No one in his/her right frame of mind would have expected him to react in such an undiplomatic manner as well as say; “I don’t see the point” of investigating the death in police custody because “People die in custody or during interrogations”.

 
This is by all accounts the most irresponsible statement any head of state has ever been quoted making.
The fact that he also went on to say; “This time, there is only one dead….” gives the impression that there had been more such deaths in the past. That of course reminds Gambians of the still unclear circumstances of the ‘disappearances’ of the former NIA Director General, Daba Marenah and four other detainees during the aftermath of the 2006 alleged coup attempt. We were told by the regime that the detainees ‘escaped’ while they were being transferred to Janjanbureh prison, which explanation hardly anyone ever believed. A press release issued at the time said they ‘escaped’ when the vehicle they were being transported was involved in an ‘accident’, and yet there has never been any disclosure of the registration number of the vehicle involved, where the ‘accident’ happened or even an eyewitness account of the ‘accident’. No doubt most people treated it as the fairy tale that it actually sounded like.
There has also been several other unexplained ‘disappearances’ and deaths in custody since the coming into power of the AFPRC/APRC regime about 22 years ago. Yet, hardly anyone has ever been apprehended for those violations of personal liberty, thus confirming this regime’s impunity credentials.
Therefore, President Jammeh’s refusal to carry out investigations into the deaths of opposition activists in custody is yet another carte blanche to his security thugs to continue to torture innocent Gambians to death with impunity.

 
It is indeed a shame that while all these naked human rights violations against innocent Gambians are going on, both the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) are keeping mute as if everything is fine. Gambians are even more disappointed with ECOWAS when it is considered that President Macky Sall of Senegal, who knows to his fingertips the situation in the Gambia, is the current chairman of the regional bloc.

 
Therefore, in view of the apparent failure of the regional blocs and the United Nations to take any action, one would wonder to whom innocent Gambians can now turn to for help against the continuous harassment, including arbitrary arrests, imprisonment, torture and ‘disappearance’, they are being subjected by the regime’s thugs.

Gambia: Crackdown and brutal repression in run up to elections – Amnesty International

Authorities in Gambia must free dozens of political prisoners and end the brutal crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly ahead of elections later this year or face suspension from the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS), Amnesty International said in a new report published today.

 

 

Dangerous to Dissent: human rights under threat in Gambia, launched two days before ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government meet in Dakar and six months before Gambia’s presidential elections, outlines the brutal repression of opposition demonstrations in April and May 2016. Dozens of peaceful protesters and bystanders were beaten by police and arrested and 51 people, including the leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and several members of the executive, are awaiting trial. At least 36 more people remain detained without charge and one man Solo Sandeng, the UDP National Organising Secretary, died in custody after having been tortured.

 

 

“Gambia’s elections are just six months away and yet opposition members are arrested and beaten, journalists are muzzled, and civil society muted,” said Alioune Tine, Amnesty International Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

 

 

“Gambia has a long and brutal history of repression of critical voices, and demonstrators such as Solo Sandeng have paid a high price for peaceful protest.”

 

 

Nogoi Njie, a businesswoman arrested on 14 April and currently detained, described in an affidavit filed at the High Court how she herself was tortured at the NIA. She explained how she was beaten with hose pipes and batons by men clothed in black hoods and black gloves while water was poured over her.

 

 

Gambia’s elections are just six months away and yet opposition members are arrested and beaten, journalists are muzzled, and civil society muted
Alioune Tine, Amnesty International Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
No thorough, impartial, independent and transparent investigation into Sandeng’s death has taken place, despite appeals by the United Nations, ECOWAS, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, European Union and United States.

 

 

On 29 May President Jammeh told magazine Jeune Afrique that “People die in custody or during interrogations, it’s really common. This time, there is only one dead and they want investigations? No one can tell me what to do in my country.”

 

 

Other recent cases highlighted in the report include the death in custody in February 2016 of union leader Sheriff Dibba, the arrest in October 2015 and enforced disappearance of Imam Sawaneh after he submitted a petition to the President, and the arrest and trial of independent journalist Alhagie Ceesay in July 2015 for sharing a photo on Whatsapp.

 

 

The report outlines patterns of violations since the last Presidential elections in November 2011, which ECOWAS refused to monitor due to “intimidation, an unacceptable level of control of the electronic media by the party in power, the lack of neutrality of state and para-statal institutions, and an opposition and electorate cowed by repression and intimidation.”

 

 

Since that time new laws have been introduced to further restrict the right to freedom of expression, such as laws repressing online dissent, and three media outlets have been closed on five different occasions. Dozens of journalists have fled the country because of persecution. Gambian authorities have long used the Public Order Act to prohibit gatherings of opposition parties, although a period of relaxation between April 2015 and April 2016 was observed before the most recent crackdown.

 

 

Political opponents have also been arrested and tortured, including three members of the UDP imprisoned since 2013. Civil society organizations, human rights defenders and even government officials who are perceived to dissent have been arbitrarily arrested and harassed, while the widespread practice and perception of surveillance adds to a climate of fear in which the majority of people dare not openly speak out against the government.

 

 

A civil society activist told Amnesty International: “You don’t feel safe anywhere, even in your home. You don’t trust even your maids or drivers. You can pay someone $10 and they will give information. In public spaces you don’t speak about sensitive things or in public transport. You are trying to protect yourself and your family and want to keep safe.”

 

 

The report documents how Gambia’s National Intelligence Agency (NIA) regularly prints out telephone records of people without any judicial authorisation or oversight, and maintains a system of informants, to report on the activities of those under surveillance.

 

 

“You don’t feel safe anywhere, even in your home. You don’t trust even your maids or drivers”
civil society activist
A journalist in exile told Amnesty International: “You don’t know who is going to report you. You don’t know who is behind you. You don’t know who is paid by the NIA to be an informant.”

 

 

Amnesty International calls on the international community to consider stronger measures if Gambia does not make significant progress towards meeting its human rights obligations under international law. In particular, Amnesty International is calling ECOWAS – whose leaders meet for a Summit on 4 June in Dakar – to take action to ensure that its own rules are respected and fully observed.

 

 

In addition to a Commission of Inquiry into the recent repression of opposition protests, Amnesty International is calling for ECOWAS to consider the possible suspension of Gambia if no progress on human rights is made. Amnesty International’s report highlights how Gambia is in contravention of its treaties it has signed as a member of regional body ECOWAS.

 

 

These include its failure to effectively implement and observe ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which demands full respect for the right to freedom of expression, and its refusal to implement three legally-binding judgements by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice relating to the torture of journalist Musa Saidykhan, the enforced disappearance of journalist Ebrima Manneh, and failure to investigate the murder of journalist Deyda Heydara.

 

 

“If ECOWAS is serious about being a community of states that respect and promote the human rights of their people, it can no longer remain silent as one of its members so flagrantly disregards its treaty obligations”, said Alioune Tine.

 

 

“ECOWAS should speak out on the deplorable situation in the country and engage with the Gambian authorities to secure the release of political prisoners, the repeal of repressive laws and to ensure judgements of the regional Court are fully enforced. If the Gambian government refuses to comply, ECOWAS should consider suspension until Gambia’s obligations are met.

 

 

Background

In December 2016, Gambia holds Presidential elections amid serious concerns about the ability of opposition leaders, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society organizations and voters to express themselves freely and without fear of reprisal.

 

 

ECOWAS refused to monitor 2011 Presidential election due to “intimidation, an unacceptable level of control of the electronic media by the party in power, the lack of neutrality of state and para-statal institutions, and an opposition and electorate cowed by repression and intimidation.”

 

 

According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), President Jammeh won the 2011 election with 72% of the votes with Lawyer Ousainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party (UDP) coming second with 17% of the votes. The voter turnout was 83%.

 

 

If ECOWAS is serious about being a community of states that respect and promote the human rights of their people, it can no longer remain silent as one of its members so flagrantly disregards its treaty obligations

 
Alioune Tine, Amnesty International Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
Between January 2015 and May 2016, Amnesty International researchers interviewed 127 individuals, including victims and eyewitnesses of human rights violations, relatives of victims, UN and INGO representatives, diplomats, lawyers, human rights defenders, representatives of civil society organizations, journalists, opposition members, academics, former members of security forces and sources from telecommunications companies.

 

 

Relevant desk research was also undertaken, such as review of media reports, UN and civil society reports, court documents and video footage. Amnesty International wrote to the President of Gambia on 2 May 2016, copying relevant government Ministries, requesting an official response to the concerns raised in this report. No response was received despite repeated follow up.

Yaya Jammeh’s missing messages

 

Growing up in Gambia during the pre-1994 days, we cling to our faith and have strong morals. Anyone who holds a position of leadership must [have] fear of GOD, impeccable integrity, empathy for those serve beneath them, honesty built on forthrightness and dispensation of their duties with decorum. In short, this helped to lay the groundwork for the decent respectable people of society and multicultural progressivism which lead to a color-blind tribal society. Leadership positions were — exclusively based on ability and talent in mostly cases. This is not the care today. Yes, there were few cases of rotten people driven by favoritism and capitalist exploitation. Today, they are the so called elites acting infallible and appointed themselves as leaders of society. This contributed to — one of the reasons why we are further away from being a genuine meritocracy.

 

 

Our parents and the Gambia society instilled in us the attributes of self— reliance, entrepreneurship and personal responsibility. These are our greatest strengths and has always been found in one another. Hmm, I know the esteem readers are now connecting the dots wondering where Yaya Jammeh was when society was giving them away free. Well! he was around playing the victimology card and missed all those three attributes. I respect his personal struggles growing up— because he didn’t choose his parents in life. Now, non-Gambians will understand the secret why Gambians prosper in any part of the world within short period of time. That is the spirit that has always sustained. Those values were core to our upbringing. Instead learning those attributes in later parts of his life, Yaya Jammeh largely turned his back on them and with that. He has rejected the self-empowerment and prosperity that comes with it to build Gambia society today. No wonder why he led Gambia with check book diplomacy, economic plantation, heavy taxation of it citizens, blaming British and claims every event of disaster which struck far remote areas of the world as a Gambian problem. Pure laziness.

 

 

The same problem now affects our society too. Today in Gambia, it is hard to imagine the intense level of tribal hatred, moral abomination, and institutionalized discrimination faced by the population on a daily basis. This is so wrong and despicable. Job discrimination is common. Its effects continue to plague our society. Our once beloved Gambia is led by people obsessed with identity politics. leadership is now plagued with stories of his rampant adultery and serial, life-long womanizing revolted even some of his closest associates. Violence on Gambians, mass kidnapping by regime and killings of unarmed Solo Sandeng by Yaya Jammeh’s thugs have caused alarm, torturing of women, jailing of the opposition revived the nation’s conversation about Gambia today under the leadership of Yaya Jammeh— stood in stark contrast with our values.

 

 

The Gambians once more called on Yaya Jammeh to consigned again to the guiding principles of caring, empathy, neighborliness, love for one another which are the moral pillars of our nation and society. He instead continues to send them to the dustbin of history. His cohorts now employed a similar philosophy. They can play downplay the effects of harsh words or actions of Yaya Jammeh to our society as much as they wish. But to do that would ignore the real and deadly effects of such rhetoric to our children. In spite of all horrors, marching in support of Yaya Jammeh is something entirely different and wholly un-Gambian. Their message isn’t a solution to violence meted to the opposition by Yaya Jammeh but — an appeal to the anger that perpetuates the cycle of hatred. If this stands unpunished by us not turning our backs on this regime, it will set a dangerous precedent in Gambia. We have to do something about our moral standards, our fragile democracy had barely finished a long and contentious struggle that tested it founding ideals.

 

 

We need to break free from rigid ideology of— tribalism and together grab hold of this opportunity to let Yaya Jammeh go away for us to bridge our partisan divides and deliver change for the Gambia people. These are the messages missing in Yaya Jammeh’s speeches.

 

By Habib ( A Concern Gambian)

The Consequence of Paying the Price of Liberty with a Thin Skin

 

After years of cash buyouts, backstage passes, scaring tactics, municipal council lobbying arm extended to vulnerable opposition members, the regime have been taking care of political business by —purchasing vast influence on Gambian population despite its failure to deliver for Gambians. Having failed on all measures to deliver for it citizens — good medical care for senior citizens, good education system for kids, industrialization to create employment for young growing population, business friendly environment, vibrant government, the APRC is trying another end run, seeking and employing tactics that will avoid public scrutiny.

 

 

Gambia now under APRC stewardship is a coin/cash —operated country where the regime inserts the nation’s and municipal council dalasis — at musicians, some religious leaders, community elders and some elite to sing their praises by peddling their failed ideological divisive driven agendas. Today, nobody is in tune with APRC than some of our once respected elders of communities. They return favors protecting the regime at all cost by silencing everyone who expresses their thoughts or concerns against the regime and discouraging robust speeches challenging the regime. These are now the regime’s citizen foot soldiers, misanthropes and blinded grass-roots supporters. Such collusive activities by the regime foot soldiers in our midst — on internet sites, in our communities, in our families, in schools, offices, taxi pools as the list goes on …… use every inappropriate opportunity to wield the regimes broad powers of on the innocent Gambians. Their actions provide a familiar clear trail— revealing the revolving door between them and the regime.

 

 

This is a highly orchestrated effort by the regime to cling on to power with divisive means. To avoid scrutiny and evade nightmare of the Gambian people some religious leaders use certain holy scripts which totally refers to a point in history. Community foot soldiers plant drugs in opponent’s cars or homes. Certain NIA agents threaten the citizens in the country and diasporian Gambians with bombardment of threats from the regime — of sexual and other physical violence, hateful language and, in some cases, racist tribal rhetoric and accusations of unpatriotic bad sons of the nation.

 

 

Some Gambians — many intellectuals, other people with high technical skills, and educators whom the nation needs so badly for its development, get so deeply troubled and stay away from their rightful duties of shared sacrifice confronting falsehood by the level of vitriol — exposed over internets — and in our country. Each time an intellectual steps forwards to contribute their quota on Gambia, the regime floats sensational stories about them, even when those stories turn out to be riddled with factual errors and laced with baldly deceptive rhetoric into our online radio mediums to discredit them. We all know examples but still it is not an excuse for them not to contribute their talents in helping to save our country from clutches of dictatorship. The other issue is accountability with any smidgen dealings done in the name of Gambia especially when money is involved. Over online media must be properly informed on schedule meetings to avoid the media doing their job by prying out information later.

 

 

The world now knows Gambia has a leader who abuse, insult, belittle and exploit Gambian citizens through — fear, killings, arbitrary arrest to silence the majority. Once upon a time, Yaya Jammeh vowed to Gambia those sorts of people mentioned earlier would have no place in his administration. Transparency would put an end to business as usual in Gambia. The world is very familiar with is attitude: He will regard diasporian and online news as lairs who no one should believe, but at the same breath admits —he orders execution of certain acts against citizens.

 

 

Make no mistake about taking Gambians for granted: We are not deterred by all these forces against us. We will not be silenced with threats from regime or its friends, not today, not tomorrow and not ever. We are confident the native sons and daughters of our country — understand the malicious intent of these few misanthropes: to use fear, killings, dishonor and shame to silence and control us. We value our women who are raped and we shall marry them with dignity. We stand with those who are wrongly jailed in horrible conditions and we shall return respect. We join men that led solidary calls and fell short in American prisons. We stand among angles to make Janazah salaah for those whom we lost at high seas through back way journey. For our Politicians and April 14th-16th protesters, we stand in solidarity and salute your sacrifice. Don’t allow the hateful voices of a few intimidate you into silence or inaction. We all need a little thick skin and unite for this common good to free our country.

By Habib (A Concerned Gambian)

SHOCKING: 3 men charged for saying “The Gambia Government Kidnapped Solo Sandeng”

 

The three men Ebrima Keita, Musa Fofana and Alasana Jallow who were kept under police custody have been granted bail by the Bundung Magistrate court Monday morning, May 30, 2016.

 

The three are charged with seditious intent and inciting violence after allegedly saying that The Gambia has reached a boiling point and that The Government has kidnapped Solo Sandeng to threaten the citizens to stay away from protests.  The three were also quoted in court as saying that all members of the opposition parties should come together and organize a big protest.

 
Ebrima Keita, Musa Fofana and Alasana Jallow were each bailed for D50, 000, 00 with 2 sureties and are prohibited from taking part in future protests pending the outcome of their case.

 
In granting bail to the accused, the magistrate said that the three men have a right to a bail by virtue of the 1997 constitution since the charges are bailable offenses. He went on to say that the accused persons are private citizens who caused no economic loses to the country.

 
The second count the three are facing is inciting violence for allegedly saying that all opposition sympathizers should come together and organize a mass demonstration which will make it difficult for the security forces to handle.

IF JAMMEH CAN ORDER MURDER AND RAPE, WHY IS HIS FAMILY SAFE?

The best among you are not those who do not miss their five daily prayers or frequent churches every week BUT watch innocent, defenseless people get oppressed and murdered and endorse it even tacitly. Jammeh’s misappropriation of our state resources, overstay, rudeness are bearable but appointing himself as God’s deputy on earth taking lives at will has to stop. The Gambia has been an oppressed nation for the longest, but blatant killing and murder by the oppressor earns no condemnation from a supposedly religious people.

 

 

You do not have to be invested in our politics to see the sad, urgent developments that have our country impregnated with explosive potential chaos. We can scream about how religious and tight-knitted we are as a people but we’re not God’s favorite country or people, and are not any better than the countries that went this path to destruction before us. We earned the right to meet force with force.

 

 

JAMMEH SAID:

“I don’t see the point. People die in custody or during interrogations, it’s really common. This time, there is only one dead and they want investigations?, I will not. No one can tell me what to do in my country.”

Yaya did not only confirm Solo Sandeng’s death but reiterated his lack of care and concern for Gambian lives especially that ‘this time there is only one dead’. Well, when someone dies in state custody thorough and expeditious investigations are launched to establish cause of death to rule out or ascertain any foul play. This hasn’t been the case. No admission of death nor the dead body given to the family for befitting burial. This lack of empathy or remorse is evidence of the level of respect Yaya has for you, me, our families. But we are the enemies of the country we’re all born in and have everything we love in? We are the violent ones?

 

 

It’s no secret that Yaya has no iota of regards for any regional or international bodies because he is confident that they’re not going to do anything serious that would affect his presidency. No sanctions or travel band of any kind worries this idiot who is richer and wealthier than his country. This is our fight and it is apparent that before you have any serious international intervention of any sort, things have to get worse or at equal severity with countries like Myanmar, Syria, etc.

 

 

Gambia unfortunately but deservedly will have to stand for herself against the barbarity if the state and leadership are the perpetrators of this sadness. We would not love to take lives but we have to kill in defense of self, family and nation. We’re getting there. This isn’t acceptable and we can’t say it can’t be helped. Instructing to have an already beaten woman to be raped is sadistic, and whoever has the guts to even think that should be murdered.

 

 

The arrest of Solo Sandeng, his brutal torture and subsequent murder; the arrest, torture and sexual assault of the women arrested with him whom from their sworn affidavits left no room for speculation that rape is a standard weapon of torture by our state agents sanctioned by the president; and the arrest of our elderly, frail parents and senior citizens in Ousainou Darboe, Femi Peters, Kemeseng Jammeh, Lamin Dibba among others, and the use of unnecessary excessive force to the point of beating and to bloody them in the process by fatherless security officers born to unfaithful mothers of street prostitutes – are enough for Gambians to fend for themselves. We have to meet force with force, which I’m aware cannot be if we go one-to-one with the state that has all the weapons and machinery at their disposal. However, we can take on the state and still prevail.

 

 
Every Gambian has a family or friend in our security outfits. Darboe, Femi, Solo, Nogoi, Fatoumatta Jawara, Daba Marena, Deyda Hydara, Chief Manneh, and all who got killed, torture and detained in the 22 years of Jammeh’s brutal regime, have someone in the Army, NIA, Paramilitary and Police. How do you live your lives knowing that your mothers, wives, sisters and daughters were undressed, beaten and asked to be gang raped by your coworkers for Yaya Jammeh? How? So I struggle to understand why are these people watching criminals torture and kill their relatives and do or say nothing about it. It’s no secret that those who murdered Gambians and put hands on Darboe, his people and those before them are in your midst. You know who did what and where. You are not able to defend your parents, stop these heartless criminal nor are you able quit your job in protest to name and shame them. You go home, cry alone and go right back to work with them the next day. Your lives are a waste and you will die unhappy and guilty.

 

 

Revenge and Avenge! Hurt and Kill Jammeh’s agents of terror and oppression in retaliation for what’s been unlawful killings of your people. Attack in revenge, those who give such orders and their families. Make them live in similar perpetual fear that has you dread nightfall. If you cannot in a face-to-face combat, use any weapon to kill Yaya, his children and mother, and anybody who stands in your way in defending and protecting your family. You know where Asombie Bojang lives. You know where Muhammed goes to school. Attack and kill them. You do not have to do that for country, but yourself and family. If Yaya thinks he has monopoly over killing, he’s right because you let him. On suspicion of target or harassment by Jammeh loyalists you either join in wrecking havoc on your own people to prove loyalty OR threw away your uniforms and run for your lives leaving your families at his mercy. Cowards! That’s what you are. For 22 years there’s never been any attempt on the lives of any of his family or property in a country where he chooses who lives and dies, while you put your lives on the line for him and family before he turns around and murder you. What do you think your parents and family think of you?

Pata PJ

PJ Saidykhan

Galloping pace of waste putting heavy strains on Gambia

Yahya Jammeh never falls short to make Gambia suffer a tsunami of bad publicity. In a broader sense, Jallow Kanilai’s does not need help for bad publicity because —his conduct in numerous controversies always attract increasingly fierce criticism. In another worrisome sign, his cavalier attitudes and mere words are mostly full of thorns Orientals whenever he has a microphone in front of him. Asombi’s baby—a curse of Gambia arrived in The State house having never gotten the lecture on the facts of life. It’s business as usual in highest office in Gambia occupied by Yaya Jammeh where frittering away of the nation’s resources and his love of African Trade Mark are good sport. His recent recordings reveal an enduring culture of impunity and arrogance as he slams — UN chief Ban Ki-moon and Amnesty International for demanding an investigation into the death of solo sandeng. He is graduate of the “See No Evil” in what I do School of thought.

 

 

In looking back on the past, we must not forget —before taking control of Gambia, Yahya Jammeh vowed it was time of unique destiny and opportunity for our nation and he intends to lead the most honest, most open, and most ethical Government in history— a nation dedicated to building the best possible life for our people — built not on vain hopes and good intentions, but on solid, realistic foundations. Yahya Jammeh turned away from all those promises. Among the highlights of the fruit of the APRC so called July 22nd revolution in Gambia far better than the 400 years of British rule — a favorite tactic of Yahya Jammeh; the looting kartong village sand mines, staggering inequality, our sisters sold as domestic slaves in Arab countries, Central Bank and other public enterprises as tempting pot of money, 22 years of — Waves of power outages, mysterious dead’s, skyrocketing basic food commodity prices, regime kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, deadly backway journey and the list goes on — and — on. This is a far cry from the transparency promised by Yahya Jammeh.

 

 

However, with dozens of multimillion dollar assets throughout the world at his disposal and various of his close bodies are filthy rich now along with his family members — some under investigation for corruption, APRC regime clearly values political power over clean government. This is something worth bearing in mind. The essential issues in Yahya Jammeh’s widening regime’s scandal have always been his judgment and his imperious belief that the government’s rules don’t apply to him and his family. Deservedly so. Under Yahya Jammeh’s stewardship, The Gambia coup-installed government has been not just politicized, but radicalized. On issue after issue, he has tried to redefine everything on his own image —without clear thought of consequence thereafter and sometimes in clear defiance intent. If there’s one thing APRC regime is good at, it’s the coming up of weird and expensive schemes of partying or celebrations at the expense of Gambian tax payers. They preside over a weak economy and a government riven by corruption, waste, fraud and abuse.

 

 

The government operation process in this country has never been so unseemly. Cumulatively, corruption thrives in a big way in government offices. Everything about APRC regime involves arm twisting, backroom deals, special privileges for Jammeh family and his buddies —potentially criminal agreements became a normal way of doing business. Most of the regimes business dealings are held in close door secret meetings, buddy—buddy robbing shoulders kind of a thing and family affairs trumps the nations interest. Secrecy that hides Government business activities from the public itself should be anathema in a constitutional republic. For instance, the residence of kartong village were rightfully concerned about illegal sand mining activities of Yahya Jammeh and his family. They end up jailed at prisons by the regime—later released after mounting pressure on the regime. But APRC immune officials or close bodies of the president use the system for their own business interest and easily to abuse anyone they dislike. They often pursue secret grudges of witch hunting with exorbitant taxation to the little guys with small business, stalls, meals on wheels’ peddlers and poor women selling at markets or road side—while holding hostage both business and a person’s livelihood.

 

 

And, to be technical about it, if the man at the top wanted it to be different, the stonewalling of Gambian people development would have ended years ago. Our sisters are lied to —about work and sold as domestic slaves in other countries. Furthermore, each time a Gambian brethren fell in hands of law in foreign land, they are happy to dispatch immigration personals to expedite their deportation process. That is reprehensible and especially hypocritical coming from the man who promised the most open administration in history and have Gambian interest at heart. That’s why it is more than a little irksome when the president lectures about fearing GOD and society depends on the unvarnished truth whiles he is laying broken glasses on Gambians pathway on everything. He and his administration hasn’t walked its talk. And up to a point the regime is not dedicated to building the best possible life for our people, to overcoming injustice, expanding a level plain field opportunity every Gambian regardless of political or tribal affiliation.

 

 

Additionally, Yahya Jammeh though has successfully institutionalized subsidies for Gambia neighbors and created dependence on Gambian government handouts rather than self-reliance through their own governments. Having exported part of Gambians wealth to its neighbors as a fake pan African, they are forced into bill-collecting from Gambia’s coffers. This has also produced resentment among the native Gambian population — wholly predictable. The growing Cassamance and other foreign numbers in Gambia include some with ties, however nebulous, to rebel activities is very worrisome. Gambians are weary of the spiraling political and tribal chaos. Many are biding their time doing what they can in this difficult fight, hoping to fast-forward to the next government amid hopes that Gambia can eventually restore its democracy and repair its international image.

 

By Habib (A Concerned Gambian)

Jammeh’s presidential plane in Kuala Lumpur airport as his gold digger wife goes on a wild shopping spree

The Fatu Network has confirmed with utmost authority that The Gambia’s shopaholic First Lady, Zineb Yahya Jammeh is currently in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on what is said to be a wild shopping spree. Madame Jammeh is said to have been in Malaysia for almost a week.

 

Our sources took the photo of the fight after they saw it parked at the airport for a few days now. “This is so wrong, how can the first lady use the state aircraft for her personal errands” the sources asked.

 

Of course, whats new under the Gambian skies, this after all is the woman who has an insatiable taste for expensive jewelry, clothes and clothes and Malaysia is one place that offers such.

 

With the current dire economic situation of The Gambia, many find it disturbing that The First Lady continues to embark on such wasteful trips at a time when more than 75% of the population live on less than a dollar a day.

 

By all standards, The Jammeh’s particularly gold digger Zineb have continued to show utmost disregard to the plight of the average Gambian who are living under their intolerable harsh economic conditions, thanks to the mismanagement at the highest propotion and wasteful spending. No doubt The Jammeh’s are clinging on to power for no good cause to The Gambia but to continually line their pockets from The Gambian loots that they so wishfully spend on trips like this one that the First Lady is embarking on.

 

The Fatu Network is contacting its network of activist sources in Malaysia to stalk the First Lady wherever she goes to provide us with photos and details of whatever move she is doing there. We are also currently verifying her detail contacts to know if this trip is also another money laundering one that she has always been embarking on for Dictator Jammeh.

 

This is to let The First Lday know that she can run, but she can’t hide from us.

Unity march underway for Gambians in the diaspora

Below we produce a press statement from the organizers:

 

On Sunday May 29, 2016, a group of concerned Gambians will hold a unity gathering at

The White House, Lafayette Park-Southeast Quadrant
16th street, Washington DC.
12:00pm – 3:00pm

 

 

PURPOSE OF THIS GATHERING: Is to Unite all Gambians (Political Groups,
Advocacy and Activist Groups, Religious Groups, Grassroots
Organizations, Individual Citizens, etc..) at a Cohesive and Massive March that will serve as a “Call-To-Action” for All Gambians to work together to resolve the Imminent Gambian situation. Standing in solidarity with the peaceful demonstrations and efforts that are currently under way against Gambia’s brutal dictatorship.

 

 

This event comes 53 years after Africans gathered to mark the progress against the African liberation movement and Africa’s determination to fight oppression and foreign domination. The significance of this event lends credence to the fact that Gambians will be sadly gathering to carry the same fight not against foreign domination and oppression, but against its hateful son, Yahya Jammeh who has resorted to a 22 year long aggressive and murderous campaign against his own people.

 

 

Therefore, the unity gathering event has been symbolically organized to coincide with this year’s annual African Liberation Day festivities that will take place in the DC area. Gambians and friends of the Gambia are hereby all encouraged to attend.

Signed,

http://[email protected]

 

‘After beating me up in a dark room, more than ten men were asked to rape me’ Fatoumata Jawara narrates ordeal at The NIA

The Gambia’s horrific human rights records is once again on the spotlight as Fatoumata Jawara a 26 year old mother of three explains how she was brutally tortured while in detention. Fatoumata was arrested with a group of youth activists in April after they took to the streets demanding for electoral reforms. The degrading physical treatment she experienced in detention, came in the form of stripping her naked and asking more than ten men to rape her. According to an affidavit filed in court by her lawyers, the men stopped after she told them to kill her after raping her for she knows no other man except her husband. Below we produce her full statement.

 

Fatu 1Fatu 2Fatu3Fatu 4

GRTS staff in critical condition after serious car accident

 

Fatoumata ceesay, news anchor at The Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) is said to be in a critical condition at the emergency unit of The Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital in Banjul. Fatoumatta was involved in a serious car accident earlier this week around Kiang, in the lower river region of The Gambia.

 

She was part of the press corp who accompanied dictator Yahya Jammeh on his constitutional sanctioned dialogue with the people tour. The accident which involved Jammeh’s presidential convoy happened after one of the drivers lose control and crashed his vehicle due to over speeding.

 

This is not the first time such fatal accidents occur involving the presidential convoy, the minister for works and infrastructure, Bala Garba Jahumpha was involved in one in 2014 around Basse, upper river region. He was evacuated for overseas treatment after the main hospital in Banjul did a referral for him to be treated outside the country due to lack of trained medical doctors.

 

The question on everyone’s lips now is why Fatoumata is not accorded the same opportunity as her condition is more critical and life threatening.

 

We are monitoring the situation and will keep you posted.

APRC Semantics: Is Yaya Jammeh wining the information war inside the Gambia

 

At the outset of his presidency, Yaya Jammeh enjoyed a brief flurry of enthusiasm among Gambians but it suddenly began to decline precipitously when the citizens learned about his envious politicized and tribal -based “justice” along with his social re-engineering agenda, which — among other things — attempts to seed everything with values antithetical to the Gambian tradition. Perhaps most perniciously, as soon as Yaya Jammeh’s reason for taking over the country fell apart, he picked up his pen (Daily Observer) and microphone (State Media GRTS) — and began to distort what he had done and why he did it until today. He continues to think the Gambians are merely impatient with his failed promises rather than scared by his executive actions and deception — though misinformation. He’s wrong on all counts.

 

 

He is out there to cherry-picking facts to yield a desired effect on misinforming our citizens. They have their own semantics. For example, a “Nationalism” has become the “unpatriotic.” The APRC coming into existence through “Coup detat” is now concealed as a “July 22 revolution”. “Gambian Diasporian” instead become mislabeled as “Negative internet sites or Bad citizens”. In keeping with the use of the APRC Party’s semantics, I am opposed to the “Regime’s treatment of women” means you oppose “Gender-equality”.

 

 

As a culturally illiterate at heart, he took a stab at his ideological grudge and skewered the Gambian economy instead. He understands that mere bluff and intense psychological propaganda often succeeds to succumb peace loving Gambians — particularly if the bluff is big enough. His agenda was quickly fully unmasked along with his intensely ideological tribal grudges — though he often denies it but It’s a telling symbol of Yaya Jammeh’s dysfunctional leadership. He continues to hamstrung Gambian in every step of the way as an obstructionist. He ensures most Gambians are not informed at all or completely misinformed, and their lack of political education. He is very astute in revising his political vernacular in order to suit his politically deceptive purposes.

 

 

He seemed absolutely tone-deaf but he is out there trying to misinformed the public about his love for Gambian women to shadow the brutality he instructed on the likes of brave Fatoumata Jawara and Ndogoi njie and stunning rebuking Gambian man — whom he deprived of jobs in every facet of the economy to make them look worthless. Then, in the next breath- he is secretly mollycoddling his tortures, giving them stolen homes and sheep to feast on. He continues to flail around like he is loved by the people at the same time foisting plans to eliminate all opposed to his regime.

 

 

He employed remarkable audacity — as infallible human being with white kaftans and large heart. Well after his coup, those who once enjoyed a sterling reputation among honorable public servants were humiliated and their properties confiscated with no evidence of corruption. He made so many families suffer and has so much blood on his hands. His government is setting The Gambia on an inevitable path to permanent debtor status whiles he becomes filthy rich. Politicians, solders, journalist, and his former colleagues started dying mysteriously. He quickly resorted to using deceptive tactics to misinform Gambians, held the Islamic religion hostage to cloud mind of Gambians, stonewalled every investigation which exonerate the PPP regime and blend himself with certain community elites.

 

 

He uses our judiciary to abuse Gambians, our service men whom are paid by tax payers — to harm us with brute force, our freedoms — to create gender wars, our delicate tolerances among each other — to divide us, our passionate love for each other — to create envy among us, our endlessly accommodating culture — to cause tribal suspicion, our religion — to create deep divisions within societies and more importantly, our respect of human rights as weakness.

 

 

To refuse to examine those truths mentioned above increases the difficulty of dealing with the reality of Gambia today. The promised economic reforms have reformed nothing. Trust me, Yaya Jammeh knows this very well and see the issues dangling right before his eyes during his brief stopover at the presidential tour. Remote sea waters in the world have witnessed record numbers of Gambians risking their lives to reach freedom. Clearly, any push for an informed electorate or citizenship rights has been overshadowed by immense amounts of misinformation by the regime.

 

 

We can no longer permit “all talk, no action”. This is a new era of responsibility. Citizens who hold Gambia very dear to their heart are still digging Gambia out from the misinformation Yaya Jammeh and his regime continuously spread. It’s a very painful and hard fight because they are now manifested in our public monuments – example “Marcatty square” renamed as July 22nd square, he reduces our countries independence day celebration to nothing and our history books are all being distorted. The debt outlook we own to our beloved country is increasingly bleak but we are Gambians and we shall overcome. It further obscures the urgent necessity for us Gambians to seek our own solutions to the threat in our midst.

 

 

Political misinformation in Gambia is rampant. Appropriate action on shared civic education is times a headache. It’s no longer news that diasporian vaunted outreach to some with political aspirations or certain oppressed people has been a bust at times. We heard it all — why don’t you folks come here and join the fight. Indeed, that is very cheap to say. It is time for our fellow citizens to step forward as leaders of their generations and inspire the beginning of a new age of participation freeing Gambia again. Without the presence of a more informed citizen—Gambian will continue to crumble under the leadership of Yaya Jammeh due to its inability to represent the needs of its people. By putting pressure on the regime and inspiring all Gambians to get involve about our countries affairs, we can all prevent the continuous breakdown of the foundation of our country. Democracy will flourish in our beloved Gambia and citizens will experience the advantages of enlightened citizens, better leaders will be elected, better laws will be implemented and Gambians will prosper.

By Habib (A Concerned Gambian)

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