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Why is Yaya Jammeh always seeking self-recognition through violence

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As this conviction of UDP party executives whom were merely asking the return of the death body of their colleague —Solo Sandeng and the gruesome violence against Gambians by Yaya Jammeh leaps into the international spotlight, Yaya Jammeh will try by all means to distract Gambians with tall tales of confusion the unsuspecting population to divert their attention from the ultimate miscarriage of justice handed by an unconstrained Nigerian Mercenary Judge. At the onset of this political trial, it was clear that Yaya Jammeh was overeager to jail them for 3 years by over criminalization of what at worst should be treated as political dialog. After all, everything was redressed by Yaya Jammeh, a conspiracy theorist at best to earn a “guilty mind” bogus conviction of UDP executives. This unjust conviction is a pretty clear situation that Yaya Jammeh just wants to please his evil ego and hear that: Ousainou Darboe is locked in a small cell and suffering for opposing his injustice.

 

 

Yaya Jammeh gambles on provocations each time because he feels that Gambians fear him so much that their reactions won’t elicit strong response or that even if Gambians does respond, and he pushes forward opportunistic individuals to stare divisions among us in order to diminish the effectiveness of the response. Days after the events of April 14th and 16th, he ran to his home town “Kanilai” close to Senegalese border of Cassamance but returned thumping his chest after he sense that Gambians did not rally together as one nation. So he ceased on that opportunity go after the few who stood up against his injustice. Every Gambian is at risk now because APRC regime is allowed to set a precedence to charge almost anything as a crime under this brutal APRC regime. Yaya Jammeh clearly pose a serious threat to both freedom and peace of Gambians. For years now, Gambians and those concerned about his terrible human-rights violations, so far tried unsuccessfully to reason with Yaya Jammeh in an effort to temper down on his unchecked aggression against the citizens. He continues thumping his chest with brutal rampage on the innocent citizens and also trying hard to increase political inequality to distract Gambians on their mounting problems as a result of his policies.

 

 

As human beings, it’s natural that we may not see eye to eye on catalyzing events but there comes occasions when it becomes necessary for people to dissolve their political opportunism in the midst of humanitarian need and national tragic events to assume unity with fellow citizens. Under APRC regime, this expectation is left unfulfilled in any giving opportunity because Yaya Jammeh divisiveness and his loss of self-respect against Gambian citizens. Gambian culture values humility and kindness, but Yaya Jammeh abandon these traits as he is always seeking self-recognition through violence. He shamefully entertains himself bizarrely by taking victory of Gambians tragedy, engaging in schoolyard insults of Gambians and his divisive grandstanding. He is always imposing anything on us without our consent, taken captive of his feared opponents, constrained our fellow citizens, depriving us in many cases, altering our cultures fundamentally whatsoever, constantly waging war against certain tribes, and destroyed the lives of our people. Nevertheless, everywhere one turns, all news you get is unprecedented levels and serious violations of Gambians namely; jailing, disgracing, firing, suffering, feeding Gambian population with forbidden meat and human sacrifice for him to maintain power through fear or he is busy putting Gambia thoroughly in disgrace.

 

 

Yaya Jammeh — always at his stubborn best, a very ill-disciplined morally deranged showman who always puts himself at the center of attention and is willing to put up with a lot of scandals, disapproval of Gambians, using force, injustice and fear in order to stay in power. The good he does is always of partisan nature or unrecognizable due to the spirit it was conducted. He clearly hoped that his tall tales of confusion the unsuspecting population with banning child marriage, government employees whom he is accusing of corruption and malfeasance in their agencies would divert attention from the issues of the day. He is his own enemy and does a pretty good job of persuading many Gambians that the APRC leadership is dysfunctional. Gambians are bewildered and struggling to understand why Yaya Jammeh remains intolerant of the UDP party and Ousainou Darboe in particular. Yaya Jammeh and his perilous APRC regime has nothing to offer but a taker from Gambians, now has turned to active persecution, violence against Gambians and exploiting off the good will of Gambians to milk the country dry. Some Gambians are just too polite and some are still comfortably satisfied to coddle with Yaya Jammeh when any opportunity or chance available to redeem themselves. Most Gambians, have tried for the most part to stay out of the politics so as they say, but the rebellion of Yaya Jammeh has no boundaries and now — they see the drastic significant erosion in whatever rights they use to have. Few who are lucky have fled the country, and those who remain expect growing challenges, given the periodic waves of violence of Yaya Jammeh, including kidnapping, assassinations and home demolitions.

 

 

He is always eager to exploit our differences with frothy rhetoric, lie about the source of our problems and this is something that Gambia as a whole nation is learning to its sorrow. With ignorance of all these basic moral facts, he thus failed to establish close relations with Gambians which could have help him learned as much as he could. it is very difficult to point out to an event whereas he acts substantively presidential, or he elevates himself above petty obsolete issues to the whole Gambian nation since he had made Gambia dependent on his will alone. Yaya Jammeh has made it clear that he is not ready to reconcile his fractured relationship with Gambians. Determined to stay in power, Yaya Jammeh thinks the only way he can do it is to make life as inconvenient as it can for as many Gambians and blame it on our difference. The few usual voices of his supporters hardened by a corrosive cynicism thought — he comes up from the bottom and understands life there but he demonstrates the opposite to us that he does not care about ordinary Gambians except for using them. They are always making an excuse for his blunders and working tirelessly to impede our efforts. Yaya Jammeh’s highly politicized — overly aggressive agenda on ordinary Gambians through compulsion combined with the cultural deconstruction of our society Is a clear example that Gambians are in increasing need of relief from APRC regime. Yaya Jammeh record is evidence that he failed and that Gambia needs a new leader to stop the bleeding of its citizens. Gambians need to come together because we are all sick with disappointment of Yaya Jammeh’s inexcusable disregard for human life. This man needs to go away.

 

By Habib (A Concerned Gambian)

‘Fanta Jawara convicted for not defending herself’

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by Alhagie Jobe

 

Dictator Yahya Jammeh’s hired mercenary judge at the Special Criminal Court has indicated in her judgment in the United Democratic Party members case that US citizen of Gambian origin, Fanta Darboe Jawara is convicted ‘because she refused to defend herself although there is no evidence against her’.

 

Justice Eunice Odada made the disclosure Wednesday, July 20 while delivering judgment in the case against opposition UDP leader Ousainou Darboe and 19 senior party member and supporters in which only one accused person was acquitted and discharged. Fanta and the rest are all sentenced to three years in prison.

 

“Fanta Darboe as a nurse could have defended herself and refused therefore I do not believe her. The 19 except Yahya Bah are convicted. Fanta Darboe is convicted because she refused to defend although no evidence against her” she highlighted.

 

Judgement

 

Fanta Darboe Jawara was arrested since April 16th along with Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and others and charged with seven counts of unlawful assembly, riot, incitement of violence, riotously interfering with traffic, holding a procession without a license, disobeying an order to disperse from an unlawful procession and conspiracy. The other accused persons were Ousainou Darboe, Kemeseng Jammeh, Femi Peters, Lamin Dibba, Lamin Jatta, Yaya Bah, Babucarr Camara, Fakebba Colley, Ismaila Ceesay, Momodou Fatty, Dodou Ceesay, Samba Kinteh, Mamudou Manneh, Nfamara Kuyateh, Lamin Njie, Jukuna Suso, Momodou L.K. Sanneh, Yaya Jammeh and Masanneh Lalo Jawla.

 

Justice Dada who denied the accused persons a chance to mitigate added: “The accused refused to participate therefore, it’s my view that they have no basis to participate and they will not be allowed to speak on the issue of sentencing”.

 

The state was represented by Director of Public Prosecution Hadi Saleh Barkum while the accused persons where defended by a team led by Senior Counsel A.A.B. Gaye along with A.N Bensouda, Hawa Sisay-Sabally, SM Tambadou, B.S. Touray, OMM Njie, Mary A. Samba, Rachel Y. Mendy, Neneh Cham, Musa Bachilly, Abdoulie Sissoho, Yasin Senghore, Hajum Gaye, M. Touray, Sagar Jahateh, and Dayoh Small stood in for the accused persons in the over three-month long trial.

 

Recast

Fanta Darboe Jawara of Frederick, Maryland, a wife and mother of two daughters ages 12 and 17, arrived in The Gambia to visit her family but was arrested for being in the right place, the city market, at the wrong time. She was arrested on Saturday, April 16th and imprisoned at the Mile II Central Prison in The Gambia as an onlooker during a protest for the release of Gambian political activist and opposition member Solo Sandeng, arrested on April 14th for leading a peaceful protest at Westfield calling for electoral reforms. He was arrested along with a dozen opposition members and was later pronounced dead after being tortured by state agents. The others sustained severe injuries and are now facing trial. Fanta Darboe Jawara, along with other bystanders were arrested as a result.

 

Press statement: UDP’s REACTION TO THE POLITICAL VERDICT IN THE COURT

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We condemn the predictable and utterly unjust judgement delivered by justice Dada in Banjul today July 20 at the behest and dictation of Yahya JAMMEH the presiding tyrant of The Gambia.

 
The verdict, the charges, the trial process, the conduct of the security services, the attorney general, and prosecutors all reflect a corrupt and discredited effort to arrest, torture and persecute innocent citizens.

 
The government overtly and covertly conspired within its agencies to violate the constitution, facilitated the subornation of perjury by coaching witnesses to deliberately lie in court under oath, consistently denied all the accused due process and actively blocked lawyers from effectively serving the defendants in the pursuit of justice.

 
This wasn’t a trial. It was a farce and an attempt by the criminal regime of Yahya JAMMEH to thumb its nose at The Gambian people in particular and the wider international community who are adamant that the government fully account for its murderous conduct surrounding the peaceful events of April 14th and 16th.

 
Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and his courageous colleagues who have shed their blood to free our country from tyranny are not cowered by the threats and violence of a discredited regime. They will endure whatever comes their way in their justified pursuit of the freedom and justice they know our people deserve.

 

Consequently, they ask every citizen and friend of The Gambia to not be deterred by the cruel and unjust conduct of this regime. Remain singularly focused on the fight for freedom, democracy and rule of law for its absence which is not lost on any Gambia is a mortal threat to the welfare of all and sundry.
Let us stand together and fight for the very life of ur country to forestall large scale conflict that unchecked oppression eventually leads to. Do not be distracted or feel helpless in this long, difficult and necessary battle.

 
Tyrants have always succumbed to the will of a determined people and our Gambia is unlikely to be an exception to this universal truth. Do not be distraught . Stay strong, stay united in purpose and do not deviate from battle for freedom.

Opposition leader Ousainou Darboe & members of his executive jailed for 3 years

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By Alhagie Jobe

 

A judge at the Special Criminal Court in The Gambia today, July 20, sentenced the country’s leading opposition leader Ousainou Darboe of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and 19 other party officials and supporters to three years imprisonment.

 

Nigerian machinery judge Justice Eunice Dada delivered the verdict Wednesday in a highly secured and crowded court room in the capital Banjul and sentenced Mr Darboe and 18 others to serve 3 years in prison consecutively and freed one Yahya Bah, who was said to be the driver of one of the accused person, Momodou Sanneh.

 

JUDGE

 

The 20 accused persons are Ousainou Darboe, Kemeseng Jammeh, Femi Peters, Lamin Dibba, Lamin Jatta, Yaya Bah, Babucarr Camara, Fakebba Colley, Ismaila Ceesay, Momodou Fatty, Dodou Ceesay, Samba Kinteh, Mamudou Manneh, Nfamara Kuyateh, Fanta Darboe, Lamin Njie, Jukuna Suso, Momodou L.K. Sanneh, Yaya Jammeh and Masanneh Lalo Jawla.

 

Mr Darboe and Co were arrested since April 16th and charged with seven counts of unlawful assembly, riot, incitement of violence, riotously interfering with traffic, holding a procession without a license, disobeying an order to disperse from an unlawful procession and conspiracy.

 

After several hours of reading her verdict, Justice Dada said she found the accused person guilty of all counts charged except count 3 (incitement of violence) saying the state represented by DPP, Hadi Saleh Barkum did not prove that charge beyond reasonable doubt. Meanwhile, she found the accused persons guilty in all other counts and convicted them to each three years imprisonment. She also denied the accused persons the chance to offer a plea of mitigation saying Darboe will use the opportunity to make a speech.

 

The defense team was led by Senior Counsel A.A.B. Gaye along with A.N Bensouda, Hawa Sisay-Sabally, SM Tambadou, B.S. Touray, OMM Njie, Mary A. Samba, Rachel Y. Mendy, Neneh Cham, Musa Bachilly, Abdoulie Sissoho, Yasin Senghore, Hajum Gaye, M. Touray, Sagar Jahateh, and Dayoh Small all stood in for the accused persons in the over three-month long trial.

 

After today’s verdict, Mr Darboe and Co. who showed no sign of disappointment, stood inside the court room and sang the Gambia’s National Anthem.

 

Recall

Mr Darboe and Co. were arrested since April 16 in Serrekunda, during a peaceful demonstration calling for the release, dead or alive of party members who were arrested on April 14 in Westfield for demanding justice and electoral reforms.

The April 14 protest was led by UDP’s Solo Sandeng who is alleged to have died during torture under state custody and the others were also detained incommunicado for weeks before been produced before the courts, for they were equally tortured and suffering pains and under critical condition.

 

His death prompted another demonstration on April 16th led by the party’s leader Ousainou Darboe and top executive members who were also arrested at the spot, detained at the state central prison of Mile II and currently undergoing trial. Mr Darboe and Co have since been arrested, charged and detained in remand custody at the state central prison of Mile II.

 

The UDP has since issued a statement condemning the excessive use of force against the peaceful, unarmed and defenseless protesters and alert the international community of the escalating political situation in the country. The UDP insisted that Gambian people will remain steadfast in their fight for freedom, justice and democracy using all the lawful means available to them.

 

 

Electoral reform

Among the new electoral law is anyone who wants to register a political party or run as presidential candidate has to pay GMD500, 000, amounting to US$11,870 or £8,240, which the opposition and critics says is simply aimed at undermining pluralism in the economically-stagnant country and way of weakening the effectiveness of the opposition. The government, however, said the law was necessary to ensure parties are well organized.

 

Gambians head to the polls in December 2016 in which current president Yahya Jammeh is seeking for a fifth term.

 

UDP urges party militants to expect the worse from mercenary judge over Darboe and Co’s case

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Press Statement By The United Democratic Party (UDP) On The Impending Judgement In The Political Trial Of The UDP Leader and His Senior Executives

 

In the next few hours, Gambians and indeed the world at large would know the fate of the great leader of our party Lawyer Ousainou Darboe now popularly dubbed Gambia’s Nelson Mandala and his senior executive after having gone through a sham legal process in the name of a trial designed to definitively jail them.

 

Lawyer Darboe and his group of patriots came out in the streets on 16th Aprils 2016 to peacefully demand answers from the authorities about the death in custody of UDP youth leader Solo Sandeng who together with a group of young people were arrested 14th April after they displayed banners demanding electoral reforms.

 

From the highhanded manner in which state security personnel handled Mr Darboe’s peaceful protest to the way the trial was being conducted all pointed to a deliberate tactic of vengeful ploy to not only put the UDP officials behind bars but to definitively cripple the party.

 

We are urging all party militants to expect the worst from a judge who from the very start of this political persecution in the court has shown an unmistakable bais by ignoring the fundamental standards characteristic of a free and fair trial. The persecuted UDP officials had taken the ultimate decision when their lawyers withdrew from the case to refuse taking part in the trial process in order not to legitimise an already skewed case.

 

The international community is hereby informed of yet another ample evidence of arrogant belligerence by the Gambia government to refuse to abide by acceptable standards pinned on rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights.

 

The Gambia continues to regress into the unstoppable slide of chaos designed chiefly by a dictatorship bent on pursuing its agenda of autocratic rule. The courts which were the last beacon of hope for the ordinary people have now been morphed into this wider pervasive infrastructure of misrule where political cases are decided not in the courts but at the Office of the President.

 

But this is not by coincidence. Rather it is part of the wider strategies by the government to continue to deny Gambians their inalienable rights.

 

Whatever the outcome of the case, the UDP is determined as ever before to continue the cause for democratic change in the Gambia.

 

Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and his co accused have chosen jail for our collective freedom. What they have started should be continued and vigorously for that matter. This is not the time for self-pity. It is not the time for political gerrymandering.

 

This is time for us to show that Gambia and the plight of Gambians matters to us. We should redouble our efforts in freeing this once peaceful, beautiful country called the Gambia from the clutches of a merciless tyranny.

Can Jammeh Rig this Elections?

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Another interesting topic of debate on Gambian political issues is the possibility of Jammeh rigging the Dec elections with some people going as far as to claim that the elections have in fact already been rigged. This blog post is my take on this issue.

 

 

It is an open secret that electoral irregularities/malpractices have indeed been taking place in the Gambia and we all know how these malpractices were carried out such as the abuse and monopolization of state resources; the manipulation of the security forces and civil servants; and the calculated use of inducement and coercion by the incumbent against our vulnerable citizenry.

 

 

However, to give praise where praise is due, there is one aspect of our electoral system that is worthy of commendation and this is the process of on the spot counting of votes. As a result of this transparent and foolproof factor, the hard and uncomfortable truth is that out of the votes casted in the previous presidential elections, 72% did indeed voted for Jammeh. Whatever may have been done to “convince” these people to vote for Jammeh (I was not one of them by the way as I was in the Darfur Region of Sudan doing disarmament, demobilization and re-integration of armed groups), must have taken place before the voting and not during the counting process or afterwards.

 

 

Based on my conviction that the majority of Gambians have reached there culmination point with the APRC regime, I believe that no amount of coercion or inducements will make them to vote for Jammeh this year. Even if Jammeh were to personally accompany each Gambian into the voting booths with a briefcase or money or a gun pointed on their heads, the majority of the Gambians will not vote for him on 01 Dec.

 

 

Now, to respond to the question of whether Jammeh can rig this year’s elections especially after the people have voted, I can think of only on way in which he can do that. That is for him to eliminate the on the spot counting clause and then to pass a new law that all the ballot boxes are to be taken to his bunkers in Kanilai for him to personally count the votes. I am sure that not even the soldiers will help him to count because like the majority of Gambians, the majority of our soldiers are also yearning for a new Commander-in-Chief.

 

 

In conclusion, although there has been no electoral reforms, I do hope that ECOWAS will not boycott Gambia’s 2016 elections as they did in 2011 because in spite of the lack of a level political field, Gambians are determined to vote Jammeh out and we will therefore need more international election observers than ever before to witness this historical democratic and peaceful process. Long live the Republic of The Gambia.

 
Author Gano
Posted on July 18, 2016

28 Gov’t officials granted bail, asked to surrender travel documents

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Information reaching this network has confirmed that the 28 senior government officials dismissed, arrested and detained including permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries and directors accused by state with neglect of official duties and abuse of office are all granted bail by the lower court in Banjul, Monday, July 18 following a ruling on a bail application file by their Attorney Lamin LS Camara.

 

They were bail for D250,000 with two Gambian sureties, were also asked to surrender their travel documents to authorities and to report to The Police Headquarters every Monday.

 
The accused persons are Abdoulie Jallow, Kaiding Sambou, Bernard Mendy, Cherno Njie, Yira Jammeh, Abdoulie T.B. Jarra, Aminata Semega Janneh, Aussainou Jorbarteh, Abdoulie Jallow, Fafa Sanneh, Cherno Omar Barry, Abdoulie K.M. Jallow, Abdoulie Jallow, Lamin Camara, Lamin Sanyang, Tijan Jeng, Fatou Matta Bah, Momodou Saidyleigh, Aja Fatou Gaye, Habib T.B. Jarra, Lamin Sisey, Naffie Barry, Famara Darboe, Roheyatou Kah and Sanna Gassama.

 
They were accused of neglecting their duties to engage the services of qualified mechanics or engineers to assess and diagnose the conditions of vehicles under their purview, leading to the wrong identification of vehicles for auction, between the year 2014 and 2016 in Banjul and diverse places, while serving as permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, chief drivers and drivers of their various government ministries and departments.

 
State prosecutors further accused them of abusing their offices, between the year 2014 and 2016 in Banjul and diverse places, by identifying the wrong vehicles for auction while serving as permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, directors, principal assistant secretaries, chief drivers and drivers of their various government ministries and departments.
The officials denied any wrongdoing when they previously appeared before a magistrate.

Dictator Yahya Jammeh absent from AU Summit in Rwanda

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By Alhagie Jobe

 

Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh is absent from attending the ongoing 27th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Governments Summit at the Rwandan capital, Kigali.

 

Neither President Jammeh, nor a representative is attending the summit on behalf of The Gambia as indicated in this official group photo, as the space marked for The Gambia in front row right, (Between where Ugandan President Museveni is standing and Liberian President Johnson Sireleaf) is empty. It is not clear why Jammeh decided to leave Gambians in the dark and failing to attend or send a representative to such a very crucial continental engagement.

 

Gambia empty stand

 

The theme of the two-day summit is; “2016: African Year of Human Rights, with particular focus on the Rights of Women”, but African leaders are largely expected to discuss a wide range of topics particularly peace and security, in the wake of a deadly violence that erupted in South Sudan between forces royal to two rivaling political camps.

 

Mr Jammeh who has since had several disagreement with regional and continental bodies does not only frequently absent himself from the African Union Summits but also ECOWAS summits, the recent of which was held in the Senegalese capital at a moment when The Gambia and Senegal where in a border crisis and poor relations. He publicly branded sub-regional bodies like ECOWAS, as a western-controlled body especially when they boycotted to observe the last Presidential elections in The Gambia.

 

Many believed Mr Jammeh is also careful of frequently traveling outside of The Gambia for he is afraid of a military takeover. Most of the past attempted coups against Mr Jammeh’s regime in The Gambia took place in his absence, the latest of which was the December 2014 failed takeover.

 

 

 

 

African e-Passport launched

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By Alhagie Jobe

 

The much awaited African e-passport has finally been launched this Sunday at the 27th Ordinary Session of African Heads of States and Government summit in the Rwandan capital, Kigali.

 

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The outgoing Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma announced the launch and presented the first two e-passports to rotating AU chairperson Idriss Deby, President of the Republic of Chad, and President of Rwanda Paul Kagame at the opening ceremony of the 27th ordinary session of the AU Heads of States.

 

The theme of the two-day summit is; “2016: African Year of Human Rights, with particular focus on the Rights of Women”, but African leaders are largely expected to discuss a wide range of topics particularly peace and security, in the wake of a deadly violence that erupted in South Sudan between forces royal to two rivaling political camps.

 

According to AU, the first group of beneficiaries of the e-passport will include AU heads of state and government; ministers of foreign affairs; and permanent representatives of AU member states based at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

 

Speaking at the launch and delivering her last address as AU chairperson, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma said even though the initial plan was to issue the passports to Heads of State, Foreign Affairs Ministers and top diplomats, the African Union had been overwhelmed by calls from many who want to share in the privilege of holding African passports. She appealed that nations should accept the challenge to issue the African passports to their respective nationals within their own processes.

 

She spoke about the successes the Commission has chalked among others championing the rights of women, the launch of the African passport and championing youth involvement in the continent’s journey into the future.

 

She said four years ago, when the leadership of the Commissioin was elected, they were given the honour and responsibility to serve the African Union and give their best to Africa.

 

 

“This responsibility has taken us to the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, where on 25 May 2013, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of OAU & AU. We deliberated on the Africa we have and the Africa we want. Two years later, after listening to African citizens sharing their aspirations, we adopted Agenda 2063, our 50 year development framework” she highlighted.

 

Dr Zuma challenged the next commission to focus on achieving all indicators towards the Agenda 2063 dream that had been set.

 

Who are the majority voters in Gambia?

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By Lamin Gano

 

An interesting point being currently debated on Gambian political issues is which group of voters are the majority in the country. This blog is my reflection on this important topic.

 

 

In all of our four previous elections (I can’t remember the rest as I was a minor), there were broadly two voting groups in The Gambia: those who voted for Jammeh and those who voted for the opposition. And as we all know in the previous presidential elections, 72% voted for Jammeh and 28% for the combined opposition.

 

 

My analysis is that for this year’s presidential elections, there will be three voting groups in The Gambia. The first group is the traditionally hardcore opposition group (28%) who has never voted for Jammeh and will never vote for him; the second group is the hard core APRC loyalist who would vote for Jammeh at all cost come rain, shine, tsunamis or tornadoes; and the new third group is the cross-carpeting or break-away former supporters of the APRC who are so disillusioned and fed-up with Jammeh that they are determined not to vote for him this year.

 

 

My assessment is that not more than 30% (out of the 72% of the APRC support base) will vote for Jammeh this year which means that there is at least 42% of former APRC votes out there for the grabs. In this regard, the majority voting group in this year’s elections is neither the hardcore APRC (30%) nor the traditional opposition block (28%) but the run-aways APRC former stalwarts (42%). And no one should underestimate the influence and significance of this group who are also the pillars of our security and civil services who are the engine of the country.

 

 

In a recent interview, Mama Kandeh said that he is not a threat to the traditional opposition parties as he is not targeting their votes but instead he is going after the APRC voters. In my opinion, while it is possible that the 42% of APRC cross-carpeters may all affiliate themselves with just one opposition party such as the GDC, there is also a possibility that they could spread their loyalties and votes across the various parties. This is the main reason why I am still advocating for a coalition to ensure that this possibility does not arise which could give Jammeh a narrow victory base on the simple majority clause in our perverted electoral laws.

 

 

Another reason why it is also important to form an opposition alliance is that there is still a rare possibility that Jammeh may smell the rat here and quickly re-introduce the second round of voting by restoring the clause that a candidate will need more than 50% of the votes to win. Forming a coalition will serve as a preemptive strike against this possibility.

 

 

In conclusion, I fervently hope and pray that common sense and justice will prevail in the courts next week for the release of the entire UDP leadership and supporters. I also pray that our opposition leaders will see the wisdom and rationale of political unity so that Gambia will achieve a peaceful political transition this year. Long live the Republic of The Gambia, long live the peace, security and peaceful co-existence among our people!!!

Gambia to legislate against child and forced marriage on July 21

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By Alhagie Jobe

 

Gambia’s National Assembly has been instructed by The Executive to called for an extra-ordinary session on July 21, 2016, to legislate and pass into law the child and forced marriage ban and amend the Children’s Act 2005, The Fatu Network has confirmed.

 

The passing into law of the child and force marriage motion is expected to be tabled by Justice Minister Mama Fatima Singhateh a day before the celebration of Yahya Jammeh’s July 22nd take over anniversary.

 

President Jammeh on July 6th, 2016, during his traditional interface with Muslim elders on Eid Ul-Fitr celebration at the end of Ramadan, announced the ban on child and forced marriages for girls below 18 years, threatening 20 years jail term for those who breach the law.

 

“As from today child marriage below 18 years is illegal in The Gambia. It must be tabled before the National Assembly and then we work on the Act before July 22nd” Jammeh declared, and tasked the Ministers of the Interior, Local Government and the Information to work on the motion and as well disseminate the information.

 

 

Dictator Jammeh then warned parents and Imams who perform the ceremonies saying stiff penalties and disciplinary measures will be taken against parents and husbands of victims. He said child marriage has over the years exposed victims to so many diseases that affect their health and that the practice must be stopped immediately. “If you want to know whether what I am saying is true or not, try it tomorrow and see,” he warned.

 

 

To start implementing the ban which has not yet been passed by the National Assembly into law, Dictator Jammeh has since ordered social workers, governors, chiefs, alkalolu and the police to report suspected cases of child marriages in their various areas. He also warned that anyone who knows that such is practiced in his/her area and do not report that matter to the relevant authorities would be dealt with accordingly.

 

FGM ban

 

In December last year, Mr Jammeh also outlawed female genital mutilation (FGM), with a prison sentence of up to three years for those that ignored the ban. He said the practice had no place in Islam or in modern society. Three-quarters of women in the mostly Muslim country have had the procedure, according to Unicef.

 

 

Is Mama Kandeh Genuine?

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By Lamin Gano

 

When I first learnt that a new political party call the GDC has been registered in the Gambia, I was both curious about this party and surprised that throughout my 16 years of servanthood in the Second Republic, I had never met or heard of its leader, Mama Kandeh.

 

 

So as a blogger who is passionate about peace, security and conflict resolution and an advocate for democracy/elections, rule of law, limited presidential term limits and a peaceful political transition in The Gambia, I embarked on a fact finding mission about this party and its leader.

 

 

I began my research on a wrong footing by asking on Facebook: Who is Mama Kandeh? I received only sarcasms, insults, and unsubstantiated allegations against Kandeh from my Facebook friends. So next, I turned directly to people I know on the ground including some civil servants and former colleagues in the security sector. They were much more helpful and the information I gathered combined with my little experience while working in the system form the basis of this blog post.

 

 

The most common accusation against the GDC is that the party is created/funded by Jammeh and that Mama Kandeh is fake a politician who has come with the only intention of legitimizing Jammeh by causing more division and disunity among the opposition parties so as to prevent a coalition and thereby paving the way for Jammeh’s victory. A question worthy of asking is that why would Jammeh chose a little Fulani shepherd from Jimara to legitimize his 22 year regime?

 

 

Have we forgotten that Jammeh came to power illegitimately by overthrowing one of the best democracies and a champion of human rights in Africa? That he rules in illegitimacy by violating almost every sacrosanct provision of our laws and constitution? That he had the audacity to tell the United Nations and Amnesty International to go to hell when they challenged him for illegally violating the rights and abusing the freedoms of the members of the country’s biggest opposition party? And that he even had the guts to tell Gambians to go to hell with their votes because the jinns will come down and vote for him if we didn’t?

 

 

Why would such a person sponsor a political party when there are already seven parties in that small country of ours which are as divided as the United States Republicans? Jammeh would rather prefer the opposition to boycott the elections altogether thereby making him unopposed than to create/fund pseudo parties. He does not need any legitimacy from anyone or any party and not the least from Kandeh or the GDC.

 

 

Another allegation against Kandeh is that his previous association with the APRC as a Member of Parliament makes him complicit to the atrocities committed by Jammeh and therefore tarnishes his integrity and legitimacy to run for president. This accusation is not only unfair but it is totally malicious, shallow and devoid of substance. By now, almost everyone in the world knows that most of the Gambian officials who resign, are dismissed or are falsely prosecuted and detained are the ones who refuse to tow Jammeh’s line. I firmly stand by a previous claim that 99% of our security service personnel and civil servants are patriotic, God fearing and peace loving people who are working in the second republic out of love for country and devotion to family. It is only less than 1% who have gone out of the way to aid and abet Jammeh in his follies.

 

 

Based on my research findings, Mama Kandeh was expelled from the APRC because he was one of those noble public servants who stood for justice, truth and the interest of the people of the Gambia instead of showing blind loyalty to Jammeh. Therefore, he is as genuine and credible as Dr. Sedat Jobe, Fatoumata Tambajang and the thousands of former Gambia Government Officials who lost their jobs due to their integrity, devotion to Gambians and fear of God instead of fear of Jammeh.

 

 

In conclusion therefore, the GDC party is not only as credible and well-intentioned to remove Jammeh from power as all the other opposition parties, it poses an existential threat to the APRC Party. Long live the Republic of The Gambia, long live our peace, security and cordial co-existence.

Police instructed Magistrate to not grant bail to Cherno Marena and Co

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Shortly after receiving directives from The Office to not grant bail to former Solicitor general, Cherno Marena and the rest of the board members of The Gambia National Petroleum Company, the police are reported to have held a meeting at The Police Headquarters in Banjul instructing the magistrate presiding over the case to not grant bail to the accused persons.

 

Sira Wally Ndow Njie, former Petroleum Minister, Cherno Marena, former Solicitor General, Momodou O.S Badgie, former GNPC managing director, Muntaga Momodou Sallah, former permanent secretary at the ministry of petroleum, Fafa Sanyang, former permanent secretary at the ministry of petroleum, Seedy Kanyi, a member of The GNPC board of directors, Nuha Touray, civil servant, Louie Moses, civil servant, Momodou Taal, board member and Edrissa Mass Jobe, board member are all facing economic crimes charges at The Banjul Magistrate Court.

 

Count 1Count 2Final count

 

Count 5

All ten were arrested and detained last month after The Office of The President announced that it has discovered one of the most serious economic crimes in government during the past 22 years of the second republic.

 

The accused persons who were all arraigned before the court today were represented by Ida Drammeh, I Richards, Loubna Farage, Hawa Sisay Sabally, Janet Sallah Njie, Badou Conteh, R.Y. Mendy, Lamin S Camara and Abdoulie Sissoho who applied bail on their behalf. According to sources, police objected to bail stating that the accused persons are flight risk and also if granted bail they will interfere with the witnesses. This objection by ASP Manga came after the magistrate presiding over the case, Omar Cham was invited to the police headquarters where he was instructed to not grant bail. Principal Magistrate Cham was at the briefing with Police Commissioner Touray and ASP Manga who both instructed him to not grant bail saying that dictator Jammeh has special interest in the case.

 

The case is now adjourned to Wednesday, July 13 for hearing where the Magistrate will make a decision whether to grant them bail or not. Sources say they are not likely to be granted bail because of the executive directive and also for the fact that the Magistrate has a preconceived mind that he has no jurisdiction to hear counts 4 and 5 of the charges which are all economic crimes.

 

Now that The State is exposed, it will be interesting to see what they will come up with in tomorrow’s bail hearing. We will keep you all posted.

 

 

Navy Officer Detained Incommunicado For Over 180 days

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Yunusa Suso, head of The Gambia Navy’s discipline office and minor operations was arrested on April 3, by the Military Police and is held incommunicado with his whereabouts still unknown.

 

Yunusa 1

 

Yunusa, a second lieutenant in The Navy is a native of Brikama, West Coast Region. He is said to be a very honest officers who always stands for the truth. As breadwinner of his family, sources say Yunusa takes care of his aged mum and the rest of the family, he was recently in The United States where he took part in one of the military cooperation programs sponsored by The US Department of Defense through The Government of The Gambia.

 

yunusa 2

 

Meanwhile, The Fatu Network is working with sources on the whereabouts of a man who many believe his only crime is because he is a Mandinka. We will keep you all posted.

UN reiterates call on Gambia to conduct independent investigation into April 14 & 16 events

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By Alhagie Jobe

 

The United Nations has once again reiterate its call on the Gambia government to conduct an independent investigation to shed light on the events of  April 14 and 16, including allegations of torture and deaths of detainees while in State custody.

 

The call was made on Tuesday before the UN Security Council by Muhamed Ibn Chambers, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel during the presentation of the Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). The report covers the period from 1 January to 30 June 2016 and provides an overview of developments and trends in The Gambia and other West African nations and the Sahel. It also outlines the activities of UNOWAS and the progress made in the implementation of the United Nations integrated strategy for the Sahel.

 

On April 14th, opposition members demanding electoral reforms were arrested and detained. One of them, Solo Sandeng was tortured to death which prompted the party leader and executive to get to the streets peacefully on April 16th, demanding Sandeng’s body be produced, dead or alive. They were also rounded up by police and currently detained at the state Central Prison of Mile II undergoing trial.

 

Ibn Chambers also urged the government of The Gambia to follow due process in the prosecution of those detained. “I encourage the Gambian authorities to allow their citizens to exercise their freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in the country’s Constitution” Chambers noted adding “I am encouraged by the resumption of political dialogue through the reactivated inter-party committee and urge the government to create a conducive environment that will allow for peaceful, credible and transparent elections in December.

 

He then reported that the Independent Electoral Commission has conducted a supplementary voter registration exercise from 14 January to 12 March followed by a protest on 14 and 16 April, by members of the opposition calling for electoral reforms and were violently suppressed by police and security forces.

 

“Several people, including the leader of the opposition United Democratic Party, Ousainou Darboe, were detained. There were subsequent reports that some detainees, who have not been seen since the time of their arrest are been killed in State custody. To address these developments and other contentious issues relating to the elections, an inter-party committee held its first meeting on 20 April, after having been dormant for 10 years. Representatives of the United Nations, the European Union and the United States of America were present as observers. At the meeting, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to establish an ad hoc committee for dialogue, with the participation of civil society and security authorities, to address political tensions” he reported to the 7735th meeting of the UN Security Council.

 

UNOWAS

The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWA) is headed by Muhamed Ibn Chambers. The UN Security Council on 23rd December 2013, extended the mandate of the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) to until 31 December 2016 and requested the UN Secretary General to submit a report every six months on the implementation of its mandate. Following the UN Chief’s letter to the Council dated 14 January 2016 on the strategic review of the Office of his Special Envoy for the Sahel, the Council requested him, on 28 January 2016, to proceed with the merger of the two offices into the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and asked him to be providing updates on the implementation of the mandate of UNOWAS.

 

IS THE APRC PARTY COLLAPSING?

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In a recent interview, Honourable Mama Kandeh made the comments that the APRC party is collapsing and one of his executive members took this assertion even further by claiming that the APRC Party is in fact already broken/shattered. As a bona-fide servant of the Second Republic and a close associate of the APRC party for 16 years until 2013, I totally agree with Kandeh’s assertion that the APRC Party is indeed collapsing (although it has not yet shattered). And to buttress this point, I hereby predict that out of the 72% who voted for Jammeh in 2011, not more than 30% will vote for him in Dec!!!

 

 

Those who are skeptical of elections and advocating for boycott will ask: What has changed between 2011 and 2016 or how will the 2016 presidential elections be different from those of 2011? The answer is dozens of things have changed or gotten worse since 2011 including the following just to mention a few:

 

 

Jammeh has threatened to wipe out more than 30% of the population (Mandinkas) if re-elected into office.
Jammeh has promised to make living a hell for more than 20% of the population (Fulas).
Jammeh has discriminated, marginalized and alienated about 10% of our citizens (Christians).
Jammeh has unilaterally cut-off the entire country from the Common-Wealth.
Jammeh has blatantly violated the rights and freedoms of our biggest opposition party.
Jammeh unilaterally executed nine prisoners without following the due process of law.
Jammeh has completely personalized the State and claimed ownership of each and every sector of the country.
Jammeh is the judge, jury and executioner in all judicial matters of the country.
Jammeh has totally suppressed the freedom of the press.
Jammeh interferes in all the fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizenry.
Jammeh has disrespected, embarrassed and insulted all our venerable religious leaders while imprisoning others.
Jammeh has disrespected, embarrassed and insulted our womenfolk while imprisoning some and subjecting them to inhumane and degrading treatment. Not even babies are spared as they accompany their mothers into prison in order to suckle.
Based on these and many other self-destroying actions and statements by Jammeh over the years, I am highly convinced that more than 40% of the former loyalist and voters of the APRC are completely disillusioned and fed up with Jammeh and will not vote for him come December.

 

 

While some Gambians are debating whether or not to boycott the elections, the disillusioned 40 per-centers of the APRC Camp (including my humble self) have absolutely no doubt that there would be elections in Dec and therefore, the question we are asking ourselves is: Which one of the opposition parties or candidates would we vote for since our APRC Party is clearly collapsing?

 

 

In a previous article, I said that the majority of Gambians who are illiterate, politically uninformed and financially un-independent vote on reasons other than the quality of party leaders or their manifestos. However, most of the people in this group of disillusioned APRC supporters are educated, politically informed and holding jobs either as civil servants or security personnel. Therefore, a question that is worthy of asking is that what is the factor/factors that would determine the voting pattern of this important group of cross-carpeting APRC 40 per-centers?

 

 

In my opinion, there is one and only one factor that would determine the voting pattern of this group. With families to feed, school fees to pay, medical and other bills to worry about, I believe that the most important thing for this group is the security and continuity of their jobs. It is this concern for the well-beings of their families and fear of losing their jobs that is why civil servants/security personnel come out in their numbers to attend Jammeh’s rallies/events but keep away from the activities of the opposition parties.

 

 

Furthermore, we all know that political change in African countries usually comes with drastic changes, uncertainties and disruptions that affects the safety, security and well-being of people (especially those associated with the former regime). It is because of this fear of change, disruption and uncertainty that is why civil servants/security personnel usually stick to the devil they know than the angel they don’t. In this regard, I believe with total certainty that this group of fed up/frustrated APRC 40 per-centers would not hesitate to give their votes to whichever of the opposition candidate who can guarantee the security and continuity of their jobs.

 

 

The Gambia needs a new president like Paul Kagame who will come to build but not to dismantle; like Nelson Mandela to reconcile but not to punish; like Ghandhi to show mercy and not revenge. Someone who would set up Commissions of Reform instead of Commissions of Inquiry; someone who would strengthen our peace/security and not to aggravate the fear and oppression that Gambians have been subjected to for two decades by Jammeh.

 

 

If any of our opposition leaders can convince and win the hearts, minds and trust of this group of 40% APRC run-aways, then Yahya Jammeh’s has shot himself on the foot with his simple majority electoral law because this candidate will easily grab the 42% of the APRC votes leaving Jammeh with only 30%!!! Just imagine what the results would be if this candidate is identified and all the opposition parties rally behind him/her? That means 70% for the opposition and 30% for Jammeh!!!

 

 

In conclusion, I do hope and pray that the illegal and politically motivated trial and detention of the UDP leadership would immediately come to an end and that our all our opposition leaders would come together and agree on a single candidate to take on Jammeh in Dec.

 

 

A question that I would like to ask my readers is that if you were a civil servant or a security personnel, which one of the opposition candidates would you vote for based on the trust that your life, job and family will not be disrupted?
Author Gano
Posted on July 11, 2016

GYU Bids Omar Bah Farewell

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The Gambia Youth for Unity (GYU) wishes to inform the general public that Chairperson, Mr Omar Bah, has resigned from his position as Chairman and member of GYU effective July 8th, 2016. In his resignation letter, Mr Bah cited “academic, professional, and family schedule” as his reasons for stepping down.

 

 

The GYU executive and general membership wishes to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly extend our gratitude and appreciation to Mr Bah for his service and dedication to GYU and to the Gambia at large during his tenure.

 

 

Mr Omar Bah led the GYU team from its inception in March 2015 through his resignation on the 8th day of July in 2016. Under Mr Bah’s leadership, GYU established a firm and grounded foundation. His lasting legacy will be his unwavering diligence and determination in working towards fostering unity among Gambian diaspora organizations in order to effectively fight the dictatorship and restore democracy and rule of law in The Gambia.

 

 

We are honored to have been on this journey with Mr Bah and we wish him much success in all his future endeavors.

 

 

Please be advised that GYU’s Vice Chairperson, Mr Fabakary B. Ceesay and Gender Director, Dr Jaye Krubally will now serve as interim Chairperson and Vice Chairperson respectively, assuming all roles and responsibilities hereafter until GYU elects its new executive in the upcoming GYU elections.

 

 

For further updates, please check our Facebook page, Gambia Youth for Unity and/or visit us at www.gambiayouthforunity.org

 

 

Sincerely,
Modou Nyang
Spokesperson- GYU
For GYU Executive Team

Inside Dictator Yahya Jammeh’s Aircrafts

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According to credible reports, dictator Yahya Jammeh’s aircrafts have recently been having endless  electrical problems, one of them was flown back to Banjul on June 24, after it went through major maintenance in France. The old Boeing 727, 100 was prepared to transport The First Lady, Zineb Yahya Jammeh and her entourage to Saudi Arabia for ‘Umrah’. Due to technical problems, the flight could not take off the ground which prompted the dictator to dismiss and detained five senior officials from both The Civil Aviation Authority and The Gambia International Airlines blaming them for not properly maintaing his aircrafts. The First Lady later chartered a flight from The United Arab Emirates at the tune of $300, 000 to travel to Saudi.

 

Below is what is inside Jammeh’s aircrafts.

 

Jammeh Plane 2

This Boeing 767 100 has 23 seats and accommodates four cabin crew members. It has a bedroom with a queen size bed and a restroom. It also has a wardrobe where the dictator’s bedsheets are kept. There is a VIP area in there too with very expensive grey furniture for The First Family. The VIP area has five seats reserved  for his security detail and his doctor, there you also have his entrance, and the cockpit accommodates the captain, first officer and two engineers ( Flight engineer and ground engineer). There seats at the back of the aircraft too, eight of which are reserved for junior members of his security detail, there are two extra restrooms too, the one situated up in the front near the cockpit is for VIP and the one at the back is for his security detail.

 

Jammeh Green Plane

Above is Jammeh’s Ilyushin 62. According to google search, Ilyushin 62 is a soviet long-range narrow body jet airliner conceived in 1960 by Ilyushin. Dictator Jammeh’s Ilyushin can accommodate up to 56 passengers, like the Boeing 767 100, the Ilyushin also has a bedroom with two separate beds and a rest room. The flight has five cabin crews members, four Gambians and a Russian lady who is said to be the wife of the captain. The cockpit has six people, four Russians and two from Uzbekistan. The flight also has a kitchen and two extra toilets.

 

More information will follow about dictator Jammeh’s old aircrafts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Ambassador to UN Samantha Power calls for the release of Fanta Jawara

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By Alhagie Jobe

Samantha Power, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations has called on The Gambia government to release Fanta Darboe Jawara, a US citizen languishing in Gambia’s notorious jailed for nearly 3 months.

 

Power, a mother and human rights defender made the call through a tweet sent on Friday. She tweeted: ‘#Gambia shld release Fanta Jawara, American jailed for nearly 3 mo in severe crcdown on peaceful protesters #FreeFanta’.

 

Tweets

 

A US citizen of Gambian native, Fanta Darboe Jawara of Frederick, Maryland, a wife and mother of two daughters ages 12 and 17, arrived in The Gambia to visit her family but was arrested for being in the right place, the city market, at the wrong time. She was arrested on Saturday, April 16 and imprisoned at the Mile II Central Prison in The Gambia as an onlooker during a protest for the release of Gambian political activist and opposition member Solo Sandeng.

 

Solo Sandeng was arrested on April 14th for leading a peaceful protest at Westfield calling for electoral reforms ahead of the December polls.He was arrested along with a dozen opposition members and was later pronounced dead after being tortured by state agents. The others sustained severe injuries and are now facing trial. Fanta Darboe Jawara, along with other bystanders were arrested as a result.

 

Rights Groups and the International community have since denounced the arrest of Fanta Jawara and all other political detainees saying protesting is completely legal in the Gambia according to the law, meaning they committed no crime and were arrested and detained for an unjust cause.

 

 

 

 

 

United Democratic Party Leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe’s EID Message

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Fellow citizens and friends of The Gambia, as Muslims in the country and those around the world celebrate Eidul Fitr today, I send you sincere greetings and profound appreciation on my humble behalf and that of my compatriots languishing in illegal detention as hostages of an unjust and cruel regime.

 
As a routine tradition being the leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), I have over the years been dedicatedly sending out EID messages to you my fellow citizens in the comfort of my family, friends and loved ones. This year however, for circumstances beyond me but for which I have no regrets over, I am conditioned to send you EID greetings from the dungeons of my prison cell.

 

 

The past 30 days of the Holy month of Ramadan has been an immense source of divine fulfillment both for me and the rest of my compatriots who endured tests and challenges as we went through an important commandment of the Muslim faith. First we were denied access to the Holy Quran, the reading of which in the just concluded Holy month bestows great reward. Then our captors up-scaled the toughen prison regime by denying us access to the mosque making it impossible to take part in congressional prayers.

 
In the later part of Ramadan, we were also denied homemade food contrary to prison rules and regulations.

 
However, notwithstanding all these injustices my compatriots and I have endured as well as the rest of our youth supporters who are being incarcerated for gracing our court cases, we still remain resolute and committed in our firm resolve that The Gambia as a country deserves better.

 
The past three months have offered me in particular, a profound opportunity to live and come to terms with the tragedy of state sanctioned lawlessness where many young people are still languishing in jail. Some have spent years in remand on trumped-up charges. Others continue to spend more than necessary, their precocious youthful years under an offensive, exploitative prison system not knowing when their cases will be heard.

 
These are what I called the forgotten youthful resources of our country. I urge that while you go about celebrating this important day to also remember that a section of our society….your brothers and your sisters are wasting in Mile II Prisons. The alleged crime for most of them, is at worst, a misdemeanor.
Indeed we have fulfilled an important part of our pledge to Allah, our Creator to keep fast. Despite our challenging condition, we have prayed for the progress and prosperity of The Gambia. We prayed for our hero, Ebrima Solo Sanding for a peaceful, eternal rest and for Allah to reward him the highest Janna. I urge you also to continue to pray for him and the rest of our departed souls.

 
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my two lovely wives for amassing unshakable faith in this trying time. You continue to be a great source of inspiration to the rest of the family. You have proven to be worthy role models standing firm and tall in the face of unbridle tyranny and harassment. I am happy and grateful to have you in my life.

 
For my compatriots enduring prison life with me, I want to assure you of my continued comradery until we finally defeat this brutal dictatorship that has become a bane on the conscience of good Gambians. I am particularly grateful to Mr Femi Peters for his commitment to “project Gambia.” Being Christian, Uncle Femi as we fondly called him, has been showing compassion towards his Muslim compatriots in prison during the entire Holy month of Ramadan. He is a true embodiment of what Gambians are known for…..a people of love and care that transcend religious and tribal affiliations.
I would like to thank the executive of the UDP under the leadership of Aja Yam Secka, the deputy party leader and Hon Dembo Bojang, the National President of the Party. Together with the rest of the executive and party supporters, you have steered the affair of the UDP party in a manner that only deserves praise and commendation. You have proved that the UDP can weather any condition even in the absence of key party leaders.

 
For the diaspora both supporters and non-supporters of the UDP, be rest assured of my profound gratitude to you for all your support in raising the profile of our unjust incarceration and persecution. We are aware of your every efforts including briefing sessions with the international community, your congressmen and women, your members of parliament and your petitions as well as your advocacies on the online radios and other important platforms. On behalf of my compatriots, I want to deeply thank you for your support. You have risen in solidarity to vindicate the basic principle that we the Gambian people categorically reject dictatorship and tyranny and will insist on getting the freedom and democracy worthy of our people.

 
I also thank the international community for standing shoulder to shoulder with the oppressed people of The Gambia. We acknowledge with great sense of humility your numerous protest diplomatic notes to The Gambia government and your total rejection of the coercive and cosmetic democratic system in the Gambia.

 
We thank all of you for standing up and do your part to help this critical battle for the very soul and direction of our country. Together we stand as a diverse but indivisible people where our patience, endurance and faith continue to be tested by the machinations and barbarism of a regime shamelessly determined to abuse our collective rights.

 
With your continuous help fellow Gambians and friends of The Gambia, I can assure you that the moral rectitude of our cause will by the grace of God help us reclaim our country and with it our dignity which the dictator has trampled on for too long. I urge all citizens to be steadfast, law abiding and fully engaged in this journey to make our Gambia free, democratic and safe for all its citizens.

 
EID Mubarak to you all.
Lawyer Darboe
Party Leader and Secretary General
United Democratic Party – The Gambia

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