Gambian Foreign Minister Meets UK High Commissioner, EU Ambassador
The High Commissioner of the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Sharon Wardle and the European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, His Excellency, Attila Lajos, Tuesday April 10, 2018 held discussions with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ousainou Darboe, in his office in Banjul.
The UK High Commissioner discussed with the Hon Minister preparations for the fast approaching Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting inLondon, UK and the various events that are of significance including round table on Zimbabwe, sharing of The Gambia’s experience on the control of plastic bags and what appears to be modern slavery in Libya.
The discussion with the European Union Ambassador centered on the forthcoming donor conference in May as well as best practice on migration.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Communication unit
April 10 and 11 Massacre and the year 2000 Report That Never Got Released
It has been eighteen years since Gambian students were massacred by the paramilitary. This incident is still fresh in the minds of many. Most people have forgotten however, that a commission was set up in the aftermath of the event, to investigate, and make recommendations.
This could be, because the details of the report have never been published. Fatu Network has a copy of the report and we will be breaking it down for you.
The team was headed by Hon Justice Felix Larty, with Mr. Abdul R Cole serving as his secretary. Mr Joseph Wowo and Almami Taal were the two legal counsels attached. It had as members, Mr. Joseph Joof, Rev. Titus Pratt, Mr. JMB Abraham, Mr Bai Ndongo Faal, Aja Ndeye Kumba Sosseh, Alhaji Mommodou Ousman Njie, Alhaji Ousman Jand Mr. Kebba B Sarr.
The team’s main task was to assess and quantify the material loss incurred as a result of the disturbances, make recommendations as to how to avoid a recurrence of such a breakdown. They were also tasked to find out whether any individuals or groups were responsible for the events, identify them and advise accordingly.
Their recommendation, and what has happened since then, will surprise you greatly.
Interview With IEC Chairman On Level Of Preparedness Ahead Of Thursday’s Elections (Video)
How prepared is IEC ahead of the most contested elections in new Gambia?
In the video below, The Fatu Network’s Omar Wally had an exclusive interview with The Chairman of Independent Electoral Commission Alieu Momarr Njai.
Meanwhile, 409 candidates will contest the 120 available area council seats across the country.
Two candidates, Sainey Jarjue of Kusamai ward and Tumani Trawalley of Kachang ward respectively have been duly elected unopposed since no one else was nominated in their respective wards at the close of the nominations.
What Would Be President’s Barrow Message to Gambians in UK?
As President Barrow leaves for the United Kingdom this weekend, it has been announced that he would be meeting the Gambian diaspora in London. We wonder what his message will be, this time. It can be recalled that the speech he made in Turkey was not well received, as it was seen to be divisive. The gaffe which ensued at the parade with his Turkish counterpart did not make matters any easy for him either.
The Gambian High Commission in the UK has announced that the President will be meeting the Gambian community in London, on Friday 20th April, 2018. He is in the UK to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting which is slated for the 16th to the 20th of April.
He will be spending five hours with them at the Royal Institution, Mayfair. It remains to be seen whether the audience will be from a cross section of Gambians, or a selected party sympathizers.
The Fatu Network will keep you posted on events in the UK.
In One Week, Army Reports Death of Second Soldier!
Navy Soldier Dies At Pool
Information reaching the Fatu Network has confirmed the tragic death of one Lance Corporal Muhammed Lamin Jammeh, a Navy soldier who died in a pool during a swimming exercise, military sources say.
According to sources the unfortunate incident took place on Monday, 9 April 2018 at the Joint Officers Mess in Kotu.
The Gambia Armed Forces (GAF) Spokesperson, Major Lamin K Sanyang has confirmed the report, saying the late Corporal Jammeh met his untimely death after collapsing in the pool during military exercise.
The late Corporal Jammeh was laid to rest on the same day at his native village of Bwiam in the Foni Kansala District.
Meanwhile, the incident would be the second death report of soldiers within two weeks.
Breaking News: IMF Deploys Observer Team to Banjul. Cause for Concern?
BANJUL, The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has deployed a team of observers to monitor the country’s financial activities.
According to reliable sources, the team would be assessing key areas of the country’s revenue sectors such as the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Ports Authority among others.
One senior government official has informed the Fatu Network that the team would not asses the entire revenue authority but would focus only on selected areas.
“They will assess special areas,” he said.
The IMF team would spend 15 days in the country to complete the assessment exercise. They would prepare reports for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and copy it to the Gambia Government.
Writer Laments Lack Of Medical Equipment At Soma Hospital
Dear Editor,
What the minister said about some Gambian doctors is very true in my observation. I believe that some do steal drugs from hospitals and open pharmacies in town.
I went to the Soma hospital on Monday, what I saw on the ground is really shocking. There is a huge lack of medical equipment and supplies.
Once you enter the wards, all you see is broken beds etc…There are about 3 pharmacies in soma and they are all owned by workers at the hospital. When you go to the hospital, there is no medication, all they do is to refer you to the pharmacies.
About the three photos enclosed, the first one is located on the trans Gambia highway just after GNPC. The other one is located at Behind the soma Gamtel branch and the last one is located just after the soma police station.
Concerned Citizen
What The People Say: Reactions To Billboards Erected By The Police (Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB8NrBZxcuE
What The People Say: Arrest And Alleged Torture of A UTG Law Student By Police (Video)
Following the arrest of Alieu Gaku, the UTG student, for taking pictures of the police, our cameras were on the scene and held interviews with the alleged victims.
Alieu complained of severe police manhandling and threats. He claimed to have been physically assaulted, in the car, and at the station.He alleged that the police threatened to plant evidence on him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9yqKQtZPWs
Alieu Bah, frontman for Occupy Westfield, on his part, claimed that on hearing the news, he rushed to the station to verify what really transpired. He also lamented disregard for the rights of the citizens, on the part of the police.
According to him, he was actually involved in a physical tussle at the station.
The Police chief promised a thorough investigation into the matter.
President Bio in Dakar With An Entourage Of Only 8 People
By Kemo Cham
Sierra Leone’s new president, Julius Maada Bio, appears determined to prove his critics wrong.
On his first official foreign visit to Dakar, Senegal, Bio chose to take along only eight people as part of his entourage.
That’s a far cry from what was seen under his predecessor.
The move on Tuesday has prompted commendations from ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
This followed the release of several executive directives between Monday and Tuesday geared towards cutting down on extravagant government spending.
Bio campaigned on the promise of revamping the country’s decrepit education system. He notably promised to provide free primary education.
The question has always been: where will the money to attain this enormous dream come from.Apparently we are now seeing the answer to that.
On Monday, State House issued an executive order forbidding all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from hosting workshops, conferences and seminars in hotels and instead to convene them within their premises to save cost.
Before departing Freetown on Tuesday, the presidency released further executive directives ordering MDAs to implement a total of eight orders, bordering on duty and tax exemptions, management of government’s accounts, and suspension of timber export.
#SoFarSoGood
The Gambian Child-An Endangered Species: April 10&11 2000
‘We’re all alone
We feel so insecure inside
Cos no one cares
We need some help
We need it more than ever before
And we’ve found no one’”
On Friday, May 5, some of my friends and I went to visit the victims of the April 10 and 11 student demonstrations still admitted at the Royal Victoria Hospital. What I saw and felt are what forced me to really analyze my situation as a young Gambian living in The Gambia. On that visit, I was able to imagine the feelings of the South African people who witnessed the Sharpeville Massacres.
The status of the young Gambian, according to my own level of thinking, is what I want to share with you. I beg you to forgive me if you feel in any way offended by this article for it was written with no intention of hurting anyone’s feelings.
Looking at our economy and amount of natural resources at our disposal, we clearly see why we are classified as one of the poorest nations on earth. The huge debts we owe the developed countries is such that for the rest of time we will never succeed in repaying them. Every Gambian already owes millions even before you are born. Although we are a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, we continue to be plagued by disease, hunger and malnutrition. The cost of education is so expensive that despite the philanthropic assistance we receive, there are still many young people who cannot get the basic education to which they have a right. Our main cash crop, groundnuts, which so many farmers rely on for their livelihood, is fast losing its value. Paying school fees is becoming increasingly difficult. I dare not talk of electricity for few people even know what that is.
With all these hardships facing us, what then, does the Gambian child have? Don’t we have the right to be loved, the right to be cared for, the right to live in an environment with at least the minimum hope of survival even in poverty? Until recently, I thought that we were doing OK. With a young head of state and a leadership who tried to convince us that the welfare of young people is their top priority, who could ask for more? This was manifested in the 1996 elections when youths who never before cared to get a voter’s card were seen out there campaigning and making long queues to cast their vote. Thus, we all went into the Second Republic with very high hopes. “In the abundance of sunlight, none can tell who is bright, but on a very dark night, none can hide even the faintest light.” The dark nights of April 10 and 11 and those which led to them exposed to many Gambians, WHO REALLY CARES FOR US.
Who cares for us?
The president?
Any fair individual must commend his statement on the demonstrations when he returned from Cuba. He did not support either the students or the government. He promised investigations leaving no stone unturned. The one-week of mourning is also commended. Exactly what is expected of a leader. I hope however, that the promise will be carried out and all those responsible brought to justice.
On the other hand, how can the death of Abacha in Nigeria be so important to warrant a break from the OAU Summit when the death of 12 young Gambians is not significant enough to deserve a break from a G77 Summit?
Why was there not even a statement from his office on the alleged murder of a student by security forces? Was he letting the law take its course or was it sheer negligence?
Since all Gambians saw where the shooting came from, why has no one been arrested? Does he not know who ordered the shooting or is he letting the investigations provide more evidence? Hopefully, we will know when the investigations are over.
I must say that we are interested not only in who killed those who died but also in who injured those in hospital. Those who tortured the students are also our concern.
The Vice president and Secretary of State for Women’s Affairs?
She did a lot of talking about caring for women and children before she became secretary of state and this earned her a lot of respect. Her speech on April 10, which accused the students of being responsible for the trouble by trying to demonstrate peacefully, mourned the damage of property and tried to defend those who, at point blank range, brutally tortured, shot, injured and murdered the students showed to all Gambians what kind of a woman she really is. She also tried to deceive Gambians into believing that the demonstrators killed each other. Definitely not our idea of a vice president.
The secretary of State for Interior, The Army Chief of Staff and Security Forces?
The SoS for Interior and the Army Chief of Staff are the ones who went to talk to the students at GTTI. They “tried” to solve the problem through dialogue. They both deserve some commendation for their efforts.
How come after they left with the student leaders to meet with the vice president the security forces came in to violently disperse the students? Did they order the Paramilitary to do so or were the Para just being disobedient? Are the Para so unruly to disobey orders or was that just a part of the plot? Was there any meeting even scheduled with the vice president?
Why do they both still maintain that the demonstrators shot each other when we all saw what happened? Are the people holding such key positions in our country so weak that they are afraid to speak the truth? If so, what hope do we, young Gambians, have of being responsible and honest adults? What kind of administration are we going to inherit?
Our men in uniform are the ones we should trust to protect and defend us in our greatest times of need. They are our own brothers and sisters. When they are not in uniform we talk, eat and sleep in the same houses with them, sometimes even when they are in uniform. They swear to defend us when we are in danger. If these people that we so heavily rely on are bent on torturing and intimidating us, what will we be left with? If they go further to shoot and kill us when we pose no danger, I ask, “What has become of our society?” I would expect a soldier to disobey orders and risk being court marshalled if he was asked to shoot at a poor defenseless and unarmed criminal let alone a student whose only crime is crying out to be heard. The last thing we needed was a revisit of the Sharpeville Massacre in Soweto. And, coming from our own brothers only made it more gruesome and painful to even think about. Just why we deserve it I can never tell.
Anyone who is brave enough to shoot or order the shooting of defenseless and unarmed students should be man enough to say that you did so. Otherwise, you remain less than a coward. Let the real men come out and say what they did and why they did it.
The thought that our system of administration is so incompetent that they cannot handle a bunch of demonstrating students just adds to the horror of the young Gambian. The problem was one which could have easily been resolved without any confrontation if only we had trained, educated, caring and respectable people in the administration who know what is expected of them – The protection of human life and property. We are scared to imagine what would happen if a more serious situation should arise. God forbid.
The department of state for Education, teachers and school principals?
This is the department we thought would stand up and address the concerns of students no matter how petty they seemed. To stand and defend students at all costs. This position should be handled by a responsible and honest adult, but the most important virtue for the position holder should be one who cares about young people. One who is merciful and caring. Mrs Jatta clearly lacks these qualities. Her attitude to Barry’s and Binta’s cases and then her attempts to justify the use of live ammunition clearly shows how heartless and cold-blooded she is. We thank God she does not have a gun. Our teachers and principals are also trusted to stand by students and to give them their due attention and to be examples from whom we should learn to stand by the truth in all circumstances. How many schools have we seen the security forces go into and torture students and, in some cases, teachers? Yet no teacher or school principal has stood up to say what happened in their schools. Instead they have drafted a Code of Conduct for schools which is nothing but dictatorial, inconsiderate and more importantly contradicts, in some cases, the constitution of The Gambia.
The Attorney General, Department of State for Justice and other legal practitioners?
These are the people who took oath to see that justice will prevail without fear or favor, affection or ill will. They stood by and silently watched. Ebrima Barry and the raped girl (Binta) had no money so no one was ready to stand for them. When students who stood for them were murdered, tortured and illegally detained, still nothing. Mrs. (Awa Ceesay) Sabally and Mr. Tambedou really stood out and gave young Gambians hope of survival when they pledged to stand up for our brothers and sisters. Only that they could have done something about the torture and rape cases and maybe it wouldn’t get to this.
The Opposition parties and National Assembly members?
Most of the National Assembly members just want to receive the D8000 at the end of the month and gain cheap popularity. Some also want to abuse their status to engage in criminal activities. They stood silently by and watched the horror. Are these bright examples to follow?
The UDP and former President Jawara: Union of Disgruntled People who want to assume power at all costs. They were silent on April 10 and 11 and only made noise with the intention of making people more furious instead of reconciliation.
The NRP: A bunch of clowns who want to gain cheap popularity. Waited, like the UDP, till after the trouble and made a few idle remarks.
PDOIS; even though their intended policies sound crazy, they deserve a lot of credit. Their party leaders were seen at West Field junction talking to students, trying to calm them down on April 10 when things were at their toughest. They take the trouble investigating and reporting all issues of National Interest with no bias. The problem is, can this small group alone save us?
The Media?
The television we all know is monopolized so I will not even discuss them. The radio and print media must be commended for doing a good job in information dissemination. Radio 1 FM is exceptional. However, since the secretary of state for Interior denied knowledge of any torture of students by security forces I was expecting the press to come up with pictures and interviews of students who were tortured and injured. I learnt that a girl at Bakoteh High had to be hospitalized because of the torture. Investigate the matter and tell us what really happened. As we saw in Sierra Leone, the international media never takes interest in any African country until the country is in a total mess. We therefore pray to God that they never take interest in our beloved Gambia.
The international Community, Youth Groups and NGOs?
The UN Security Council, I feel, only pretends to care about African countries. Branches like UNICEF try a bit, but what are they going to say or do about the code of conduct for schools, which, clearly contradicts everything that is in The Convention on the Rights of the Child to which The Gambia is a signatory?
The members of the diplomatic corps and foreign government representatives who reside in the Gambia and saw what happened are standing silently by because they’d rather compromise the truth than jeopardize diplomatic relations. The only exception is the EU Representative who immediately called for investigations. Just the kind of diplomat we need. I would rather have no friends than friends who won’t speak the truth.
And where are those numerous youth organizations and NGOs who claim to be responsible for young people? Is it all just big talk only to hide when the going gets tough? The young people recognize and will remember who their true friends are.
Seeing what each and every one of the above mentioned parties stands for, I believe that IF A SPADE MUST BE CALLED A SPADE, then we the young Gambians must be called what we really are… AN ENDANGERED SPECIES.
End.
…………………………………………………………………………………..
Article first published in The Daily Observer Newspaper in May, 2000.
Jammeh promised investigations and justice. For obvious reasons, he lied.
Do we dare renew hope that the administration of Barrow PORG will finally revisit this tragic chapter of our history? The appointment of Dr. Baba Jallow to head the TRRC is encouraging.
Many of the officials referred to in this article are still alive and around.
The surviving victims and their families continue to wait for justice. The families of the dearly departed continue to wait for justice. It is long overdue.
…………………………………………
Officials holding positions mentioned in the Article at the time
President – Yahya Jammeh
Vice President – Isatou Njie Saidy
SoS for Interior – Ousman Badgie
Army Chief of Staff – Colonel Baboucarr Jatta
SoS for Education – Ann Therese Ndong Jatta
Attorney General – Pap Cheyassin Secka
UDP party leader – Lawyer Ousainou Darboe
NRP – Hamat NK Bah
PDOIS – Halifa Sallah / Sedia Jatta
EU Rep
Radio 1 FM proprietor maybe – George Christensen
By Sana Sarr
“10/11 April 2000 was perhaps the darkest chapter of the 22 year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh”. Justice Ministry
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE ON THE 18TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION OF THE 10/11 APRIL 2000 SCHOOL KILLINGS
The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of The Gambia today joins thousands of Gambians and families of the victims in commemorating the 18th anniversary of the killing of unarmed school children in The Gambia.
10/11 April 2000 was perhaps the darkest chapter of the 22 year rule of former President Yahya Jammeh. In broad daylight, gunmen shot and killed numerous unarmed school children who were exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly by protesting the manner of investigations into crimes allegedly committed against two of their colleagues. The reaction by the security forces at the time to these peaceful protests was disproportionate and callous. Several survivors of the incident have been maimed for life while others have lived a life of exile in genuine fear of harm to them and their families by Government agents.
The Ministry of Justice stands in solidarity with the victims and their families in condemnation of this senseless and heinous crime against innocent school children.
The Ministry re-iterates the commitment of the new Government to establish the whole TRUTH about the circumstances that led to the death of the unarmed students. We are confident that, inter alia, the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission shall provide a unique opportunity to establish the truth about the many unanswered questions still surrounding this unfortunate incident. We remain hopeful that appropriate lessons will be drawn in order to prevent recurrence of such egregious crimes in this country again.
“We Want Justice” – April 10 Victim
Abdoukarim Jammeh, one of April 10–11 student victims has called on the Barrow Administration to support them after suffering in silence for over two decades.
Jammeh who limps and uses a crutch said he was shot on his left knee and the bullet went through his knee cap on the 10 April 2000. He added that he was admitted at the then Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul.
“I’m still suffering from the pain when I sit for a long time,” Abdoukarim Jammeh said.
Jammeh said the incident caused the death of 14 students while leaving several others on wheelchairs and crutches.
“We want justice for the victims and families of the victims,” Jammeh asserted.
“We want treatment, education and jobs,” he added.
Abdoukarim expressed concerns over the slow nature of things, saying the new government has made several promises but still nothing seems to be done.
“The Turkish Embassy has offered us free visas and medical treatment but the government cannot still provide air tickets for more than a year now,” The April 10 Victim said.
“We want them to know that we have been suffering for 18 years,” he added.
Jammeh concluded by praying for the victims who died in the incident and wished the survivors a speedy recovery.
It could be recalled that April 10/11 incident came after security forces under former dictator Jammeh took up guns and shot unarmed and defenseless students protesting for the demise of one Ebrima Barry, a student who was forced to eat cement at the Brikama Fire Service. A school girl was also allegedly raped by some members of the security forces at the stadium during the same time.
Commonwealth expresses concern over Daily Observer closure
The Commonwealth fact-finding mission that had earlier visited The Gambia has expressed concern over the closure of The Daily Observer.
When The Gambia applied to re-join the commonwealth, the bloc sent in a team of eminent individuals “to provide an assessment of the country’s suitability for re-admission, and the support that the Commonwealth family of member nations, intergovernmental organisations, and accredited organisations should provide to The Gambia in the event of its re-entry.
The objective of such an assessment would be to ensure that The Gambia can be assisted to establish a more enduring democracy, adherence to constitutional values and good governance, and thus become a worthy member of The Commonwealth.”
Ahead of the official release of the report on Gambia during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London later this month, The Standard was privy to the report and one of the concerns highlighted by the team is the closure of a one-time Gambia’s most widely read daily newspaper.
The reported stated: “One note of concern is the closure of the Observer newspaper, raised with us by a number of people we spoke to. The paper was targeted by the Barrow government as part of its freezing of Yahya Jammeh’s assets, a move described to us as ‘unnecessary, ‘vindictive and petty.’ The Information Minister assured us his ministry was working to have the newspaper reopened and we hope this can happen swiftly.”
However, according to the Commonwealth report, the new government has provided a relatively freer media environment for journalists as opposed to the Jammeh regime.
It added: “Since the transition, space for a free media has significantly increased. Most media companies that had been closed under the Jammeh System have reopened, including Citizen and Taranga radio stations……
There are now 20 private radio stations operating, and four daily and one weekly newspaper. Although the Fatou radio station and Freedom newspaper were both described to us as critical, an analysis of their online content supports the view that there is widely accepted that there is ongoing self-censorship by domestic media in The Gambia. A positive development would be the expansion of investigative journalism, and an access to information law.”
The team also revealed a chat with the information minister Demba Jawo regarding the protracted freedom of information law and ridding the constitution of all draconian media laws that have stifled journalists for over two decades.
“To further protect the environment for the media, the Information Ministry is working to reform media laws to remove the prospect of journalists facing charges of Sedition, Libel, and Treason, and to ensure Gambians have access to a free and fair media. There is also a draft Freedom of Information Act.
“The proposed legal reforms should be pursued swiftly to reinforce this. Training of the security forces human rights and how to interact with the media will be important to fully move away from the Jammeh System, and the government should be more open and transparent with the press. However, the media, and the its increasing space and freedom to operate in are among the most obvious achievements in Gambia since the change of government,” the reported added.
The Commission was led by Nyameko Barney Pityana, former Chair of the South African Human Rights Commission. The other Commissioners were Zeinab Badawi, broadcaster and Chair of the Royal African Society, and Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, former chair of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission. The Commissioners were supported by David White, Director of the London Office of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.
Source: Standard Newspaper
Police Say Gas Station Armed Robber Suspect Still At Large
The gunman who allegedly robbed Jah Oil Brikama Petrol Station at the roundabout leading to Kembujeh is still at large, police spokesperson say.
Superintendent David Kujabi informed the Fatu Network about the relentless efforts that they are doing to track down the alleged armed robber.
“He is not yet appended,” Police Spokesman Kujabi said.
“There is joint effort by The Gambia Police and The Armed Forces to apprehend him,” he added.
The gunman attacked the offices of Jah Oil Petrol station on broad daylight and went away with huge amount of money. He is on the run with an AK47 rifle.
HELLO MR PRESIDENT… The Police Anti-Corruption Drive…
Recently, billboards aimed at combatting corruption have been seen in various places in the country. This is said to be a culmination of efforts between the Community Policing Unit and the Gambia Police Force Planning Unit. This is a commendable act as it highlights the willingness – at least at the administrative level – of the Gambia Police Force to combat corruption. Indeed, this is a good move which can bear fruits if everyone – the police and society at large – take ownership of it and work earnestly for the ultimate good of the nation.
However, Mr President, I think the priority is a little misplaced here. True, we want to fight corruption at all its levels, but we certainly need to put certain measures in place for it to be as fruitful as we wish. A policeman/woman receiving five hundred/one thousand dalasis is definitely a form of corruption but that is at the lowest rung of the ladder. The fight has to be holistic. It is not only about the police officers but also about that civilian who sees giving a bribe to the officer as the fastest way to solve his/her problem.
In order to combat corruption, and indeed reduce the number of crimes being committed in various locations in the country, certain measures need to be taken at all levels of society. The sight of a police officer ready and willing to enforce the law will certainly serve as a deterrent to some nefarious actions by members of the public and thus impact positively on the security level of the country.
It is however true that if the people do not have the required confidence in the police, their presence will not be as effective as it should be. The image of the police in the minds of the masses has to change. The people must be made to understand that the police are here to serve us and not to harass or intimidate us. This is not something that can be achieved by rhetoric alone but by implementing the following suggestions as well.
The first suggestion I have for the improvement of the image of our gallant police officers is to increase their emulgents. It is obvious that if you pay someone less than $100 a month s/he will be susceptible to taking bribes, especially considering the high cost of living in the country. Sometimes, one may come across exceptionally honest, sincere and dedicated wo/men who will stick to their principles but we all know that it is not always easy to come across such people. Being a police officer does not take away the human instincts and thus they, like all others, are prone to fall prey to certain vices. Increasing their pay will not do away with this entirely, but at least it can reduce the urge.
Another thing that needs to be looked into is the issue of equipment. The police need to be given all the equipment they require to do their work properly. These include proper and professional training and incentives. They need vehicles, petrol and all the other tools an officer needs to be effective. Without these, one can hardly blame an officer for not risking his/her life in crisis situations.
We need to focus a little more on the use of modern technology to combat crime. We need to put in place a very effective and professional surveillance system which will see cameras in strategic locations to ensure that even if the police are not everywhere, they will have the ability to view the goings-on in these places.
We must support our police force to do the work we have entrusted them with. It is a collective responsibility, and everyone must play his/her role in it. This country belongs to us all and if it is good, it is good for all. If something goes wrong, we all suffer the consequences. Nonetheless, as the Chief Servant of the nation, you must take the lead on all these issues. For instance, you must address the nation on the security level. People need to be reassured that their government can – and is willing – to tackle crime and make them safe.
Have a Good Day Mr President…
Tha Scribbler Bah
A Concerned Citizen
Alieu Bah of Occupy Westfield Also Alleges Police Harassment
Following the arrest and manhandling of Alieu Gaku, a university student, for taking pictures of the Police, news spread, and among the activists who converged at the Police Station was Alieu Bah of Occupy Westfield.
At the station, while talking to the arrested youth, he complained of police threatening him too, that if he wouldn’t step out of the station, there’ll be repercussions. He refused and a push and pull ensued between him and a cop.
He spoke of a meeting he had with the IGP, who he claims want to have a model police form. “What I found out today was, this is far from reality. No citizen in this country deserves to be harassed by the police who are supposed to be the guardians of the law.”
Other witnesses at the scene also complained of similar treatment at the hands of the Police.
He however claimed that the Operations Commander has assured him of a full investigation.
Mighty Scandal Brewing At the Police Force: Accusation of Torture and Intent to Falsify Evidence
Fatu Network broke the story yesterday, of the UTG student arrested by the Police for filming them. We caught up with Alieu Gaku and what he said will drive chills up your spine. It brings memories of the NIA days and their clandestine ways.
According to Alieu, he was coming from work, when he saw the police arresting some youths. He decided to take pictures, and that was when the police jumped on him and flung him in their truck. He was handcuffed and slapped while he was on his way to the station.
“On the way, one of the police officers made it clear to me that they are going to set me up, because they know very well they don’t have a case against me.” He also complained of further threats the police made against him, even at the station. He accused the police of trying to plant false evidence on him.
When our reporters got to the Serrekunda Police Station, Alieu’s mother, his colleagues at the UTG and Alieu Bah of #Occupy Westfield had already encamped at the scene. Alieu Bah also complained of police harassment.
The operation commander of the police calmed the agitated students and activists, and promised a full investigation into the matter. We’ll keep you posted.
What The People Say: Voters Speak To TFN’s Omar Wally (Video)
Polls have open in local government elections in The Gambia. The voting process is going smoothly but voter turnout in some polling stations at the capital, Banjul is low.
The Fatu Network spoke to voters and candidates at soldier town ward in Banjul.