By Abdoulie Lowe

1. Electoral reforms- The establishment of an Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for a level playing field is crucial. Once confirmed by the National Assembly, the President can’t terminate the services of the chairman of the IEC. The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied by anyone based on tribe or party affiliation. The right to vote must be guaranteed for everyone- including those in the Diaspora- who will be at least 18 years of age by the date of the next elections. ALL Political parties will be given equal access to state media and be protected by the security forces during campaigns.

 
2. Presidential Term Limits- The age limit in the 1997 Constitution will be removed and replaced with a presidential term limit. A new law must be enacted to set the presidential term limit to a maximum of two 5 year terms. This will help steer the country in new direction every 5 or 10 years and to make sure the country is not static.

 
3. Freedom of Speech, Religion, and the press- This include allowing the opposition unrestricted access to GRTS and other media houses. This will also guarantee the right of citizens to assemble and protest to express their grievances and to petition the government to effect meaningful changes. Permits will only be required if a public address system will be used; otherwise, the police department needs to be notified of the date, time, and place the protest will take place in order for them to provide security and to maintain law and order. This notification can be done through telephone, email, or in writing.

 
4. Protection from Arbitrary arrests- No more arrests contingent solely upon one man’s discretion. No arrests without a warrant or court order. No unreasonable search and/or arrest warrants shall be issued. No detention passed the 72 hours limit stipulated by the constitution. And there’ll no more continuous detentions without being charged with a crime. A reasonable bail must be set and bail granted for a bail-able offense. Everyone’s right to a speedy, free, and fair trial will be guaranteed and preserved. Any violations of these basic constitutional rights will resort to financial compensations levied on whoever authorized the arrests and subsequent detentions.

 
5. Balance of power- President must be stripped off his unlimited powers to hire and fire at will. In addition to the National Assembly, a Supreme Court must be established as the Third Branch of Government in order to stop the rampant abuse of power by the executive branch.

 
6. Decentralization of power. It is obvious that power is highly concentrated in one hand; therefore, desegregation of power is paramount. We need every Gambian institution to be independent and sacred of any type of interference from another institution, especially the executive branch. The president can’t no longer terminate the services of local government employees such as mayors and Alkalos. Alkalos should be empowered to mediate and settle minor disputes in the villages and towns. And, if the dispute is major or they can’t broker a swift and lasting solution, then Commissioners will come to help settle the conflict. And if the commissioner in whose jurisdictions the conflict happens can’t resolve the issue, then it shall be forwarded to the judicial system for a free, fair, and swift resolution.

 
7. Reformation of the Armed and Security Forces- Turn it into an independent institution that will educate, discipline, and enhance the workforce.

 
8. Truth and Reconciliation Commission- Every atrocity committed against the Gambian people must be investigated and the responsible parties held accountable.

 
9. Protection of inalienable human rights- life, liberty, and private property. The establishment of tough laws to protect private property is paramount. Private property shall not be taken or demolished without just reason or compensation. Absolutely no torture, corporal punishment, coercion, duress, or degrading punishment or maltreatment of anyone, even those suspected of committing a crime. Torture is inhumane and must be eradicated at all costs.

 
10. Supreme Court- The Supreme court judges must be appointed to a lifetime tenure. Once confirmed, Supreme Court judges can’t be terminated by anyone without due process of the law and found guilty of gross misconduct and/or convicted of a felonious crime. The Supreme Court of The Gambia will comprise of scrupulous Gambian citizens with the right education (law degree), experience, wisdom, temperament, levelheadedness, independent-mindedness, and moral virtues to act reasonably and interpret our constitution and other relevant laws with prudence and precision.

I hereby endorse Fatoumatta K. Jawara UDP candidate for Talinding Kunjang constituency for National Assembly Member. Indeed Fatoumatta shall be counted among the gallant freedom fighters of the Gambia who were prepared to pay the ultimate price to realize the freedom of the Gambia from the clutches of tyranny. A fearless fighter who has dedicated her life to democratic struggle, Fatoumatta’s story is an example and an inspiration to Gambians particularly to young Gambian women that indeed both men and women have a duty to national liberation.

 
In spite of the brutality of the APRC regime, Fatoumatta stood up to defy fear and subjugation but to stand up shoulder to shoulder with comrades to demand democracy and freedom in the Gambia. When we remember those heroes and patriots Solo Sandeng, Solo Koroma and Lang Marong, we shall also recall along with them the glorious name of Fatoumatta Jawara, as the band of comrades who said enough was enough. They confronted the dictatorship face to face on that fateful day of 14 April 2016 thus opening the floodgates of national freedom on December 1.

 
I have never met Fatoumatta and I do not know her personally. But from my background check on her, I have gathered from reliable sources that she is a very determined, focused and fearless woman. Fatoumatta is a hard working wife and mother. She is humble, progressive and determined.

 
I have no doubts that Fatoumatta is a responsible citizen on whom Gambians can rely that she will defend the sacred democratic values for which she and her comrades fought. I hereby endorse Fatoumatta Jawara and to urge voters of Bundungka Kunda that in this amazon of freedom, Gambia shall be proud to put her in the house of the people, the National Assembly.

God Bless The Gambia.

Is someone spinning the narrative or covering up for a system unable to find its right footing? The surrogates are dishing the blame on each other’s political leaders, the diaspora is blaming the rainbow government, and Gambians at home are accusing the diaspora of attempting to remote control President Barrow and his Cabinet. Each is claiming ownership of the truth. Unfortunately, everyone cannot be right. So who is manipulating the truth?

Lets take a quick look at the most talked about tribal issue currently dominating the Gambian online discourse as a case in point. Many are rubbishing its ugly head’s presence in our mid by referencing how they are inter-related with our diverse people. I opted to use diverse people instead of tribe not only because that is how our national anthem revered us but its invocation of tolerance, acceptance and recognition of our cultural variety and beauty. Providently, Gambia has never registered a tribal conflict or cleansing but is that in itself a validation of its non-existence? I had, like most are claiming, private conversations with some of the renown activists who recently returned from gracing President Barrow’ inauguration and confirmed the lurking presence of tribal tension in the Gambia.

We also heard reports were a Jola vendor was harassed by a Mandinka lad and many came to her rescue by demonstrating to the attacker that Gambia belongs to all Gambians. If those who nipped the callous attack on the bud chose to pretend it wasn’t a tribal attack what would have been the consequences? Similar incidents were also reported and settled by the Coalition Mediation Committee. The recent attached on UDP militants by APRC also has an underlining tribal tone smeared all over it. Furthermore, by virtue of us just talking about its existence indicates an element of it presence. How about the disturbing audios circulating among us issuing callous tribal proliferation? So how can one honestly say there is no tribal issue fermenting in the Gambia?

 
The most fitting thing to do given the factual reality of our elephant in the cupboard is how do we efface or contain it. Instead of enlivening the proverbial ostrich, we should face our demon head on by initiating civic education programmes targeting our youth force who are the most vulnerable. With the right sensitisation programmes in forms of audio and visual shows, the issue will be eradicated rather than denying its existence. The denial corner is nothing but a gross disservice to country. Honest communications breeds appreciation and positive results.

 
Peace, security and stability are the pillars on which good governance and sustainable development are built. Unfortunately, the current indicators are creeping insecurity. The intermittent arm robberies in our boarder villages, murders and grievous bodily harms on our people are disheartening. Manjai Kunda and some parts of Bundung are degenerating into “No Go” areas as people are robbed and mobbed by criminal gangs. If the trend goes unchecked, the areas will become nurseries for breeding criminals in our backyards.

Another worrying fashion is how Gambian women are defacing one another over men. Some have been reported as pouring acid on their co-wives whereas others thought hot oil does the work better on the carefully chiselled stunning features of their co-wives. A few conclude, if they can’t have the “Prince” no one else will. As a result, they attempt to lure him into eternal sleep. Such barbaric headlines on our local newspapers are unsettling. Many are already accentuating that such vile acts were rarely visible during the monster’s era. So why are they resurfacing now when we are supposedly to be bashing in our new found freedom? No one is suggesting for the government to use unlawful means to arrest the situation but make suspects deservingly pay for their crimes.

 
Now that Mr President is back from his nationwide tour, we hope you will soon convene a cabinet meeting to address some of the salient issues such as security, electricity, water and appointment of a vice president. With that, have a blessed weekend.

Sulayman Jeng
Birmingham, UK

The persisting electrical and water shortage problem in the country worries and bewilders the masses who felt they have been betrayed by the APRC government who sow the seed of this discomfort. However, even though it is too early to blame the new government, we feel priority should be given to NAWEC in order to address the electricity and water shortage problems the country is faced with, Gambia now deserved a standard and uninterrupted water and electricity supply.

 
The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) are tasked with the responsibility to provide clean water and stable electricity supply throughout the country, unfortunately for the citizens, NAWEC has failed in these basic responsibilities making it a farfetched reality for Gambians. They keep singing flimsy excuses to our ears, most often than not they say: their power stations especially the one in Kotu and other centers around the country has a break down, but the multi-million dollar question is when will this breakdown of power stations stop for us to have a continuous stable electricity supply?

 
Furthermore, we must take note of the fact that unsteady electricity doesn’t only cause dissatisfaction to the denizens of the country but also cause harm and low production in the working-sector of the country. The unstable electricity supply has led to several destructions in our communities which is evident to everyone. This destruction has led to the burning of luxurious structures and materials of people such as houses, televisions, fridges, etc.

Also, the unavailability of electricity has led to less working time, what I mean in this is that the number of time the working-class should have spent working is curtailed by the unavailability and instability of electricity supply, this leads to inactivity without work for almost the whole day. This has a negative impact on the country because it drives off foreign investors and can also lead the state to a low revenue earning country which may destabilized our very own economy.

 
However, when there is a will there is a way – it is high time for the government to take a step and look at this issue thoroughly simply because it lies in the hearts of the Gambian people who went to the polls on December 1st to vote for change that will touch on all aspects, be it social, political or economical. Henceforth, power resides in the hands of the people since they were the very ones who elected the government; therefore, the government has no right but to be subservient and committed to the call and interest of its people.

To sum up, all that the Gambian people are yearning and crying for is a better and stable water andelectricity supply to make life convenient and comfortable for all thereby improving the living standard of the people and enhancing productivity and development in the country.

By: Muhammed Lamin Ceesay, Law Student.

Without doubt Amie Sillah is one of the leading and most dedicated Gambians in the struggle for democracy and human rights and in particular the rights and dignity of girls and women. For many years, Amie has championed the rights of Gambians and women as a journalist and an activist with unshakeable courage and stone determination.

 
I have known Amie Sillah for the past 20 years as a consistent freedom fighter. We have shared several forums in the fight for human rights, Africa unity and democracy in the Gambia, and in all these engagements she has struck me as a liberated woman of substance and dignity. Her Foroyaa column on women has become a signature feature of the newspaper that has served many individuals to better understand the issues and conditions of women in our society. With this column many have been emboldened to stand up for their rights. Amie is indeed one of leading doyens of women’s rights.

 
Amie has stood on numerous platforms at home and abroad to defend human rights and good governance in the Gambia and Africa. She has stood in solidarity with the ordinary man and woman in the Gambia, Africa and the world and continues to stand up and speak up for social justice, equality and freedom.
Amie Sillah is the one and only loving wife of another giant of freedom Sam Sarr of PDOIS and Foroyaa newspaper. She is a responsible mother, a determined fighter and a principled activist who understands policy and development inside out. I have no doubts that Amie will be a National Assembly member who shall remain honest and loyal to the supreme interests of the Gambia.

 
I hereby endorse Amie Sillah for National Assembly Member for Bundungka Kunda under a PDOIS ticket. I can assure voters of Bundungka Kunda constituency that with Amie they can rest assured that she will fulfill her duty to ensure that democracy and good governance prevail in the Gambia. She will ensure that the necessary checks are applied to ensure that the Executive governs and delivers according to the rule of law as specified in our constitution.
Amie has been consistent and constant in her mission for national liberation!

God Bless The Gambia.

By Madi Jobarteh

In 1909, an American journalist called Joseph Pulitzer exposed a fraudulent payment of $40 million by the United States to the French Panama Canal Company. Immediately the US Government took him to court charging him for criminal libel against Pres. Theodore Roosevelt and the banker J.P. Morgan, among others. But Mr. Pulitzer refused to retreat and his newspaper ‘The World’ persisted in its investigation until the courts eventually dismissed the case. Pulitzer was applauded for a crucial victory on behalf of freedom of the press. Five years earlier, while making a proposal for a school of journalism, this is what he said about the role of the media in America in 1904.

 
“Our Republic and its press will rise or fall together. An able, disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue without which popular government is a sham and a mockery. A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself. The power to mould the future of the Republic will be in the hands of the journalists of future generations.”

 
In 1912, one year after Pulitzer’s death, the Columbia School of Journalism was founded. In 1917 the Pulitzer Prize was founded as one of the most prestigious media and literary awards in the world until today. Since then most of the awards in journalism go to exposure of corruption and abuse of power than to any other subject. No doubt the role and contribution of the media in building and defending democracy in the United States has been exemplary.

 
Fast forward to 100 years later in 2004 in the Gambia, the year Deyda Hydara (1946 – 2004) was murdered. A few days before his assassination, the late Deyda said in an interview with the Independent newspaper that,

 
“Journalism is a profession with its rules and one cannot be a journalist and flout its basic principles. What’s more, the fundamental law of this land guarantees that we make sure that government is accountable to the people for things it does in their name. Here again we didn’t draft the Constitution, which got inspiration from the covenants and other international laid down rules about freedom of expression. Meaning that even if the Constitution failed to empower us to do so we could rely on these instruments that The Gambia as a nation ratified.”

 
What Joseph Pulitzer and Deyda Hydara were saying here in their respective societies and times is that ultimately it is the media that make or break a democracy. Both men were not only absolutely clear about this fact, but they went further to put it into practice by ensuring that they expose corruption, abuse of power and stand up for the defense of human rights and the rule of law. This is why Pulitzer was charged and Deyda was assassinated by those in power who are hell-bent on abusing their power at the detriment of society.

 
Therefore at the dawn of this era of democracy coming hard on the heels of 22 years of dictatorship the Gambian journalist and media must ask themselves what is their role in this new dispensation? Are they going to live to the high ideals of Joseph Pulitzer and Deyda Hydara or will they become the propagandists and sensationalists who are in the business of journalism just for self-aggrandizement? Will they rise up to defend the ideals of democracy and good governance or will they succumb to the powers that be just to perpetuate abuse of power?

 
Already the Gambia Constitution has given a special role to the media in Section 207 subsection 3, which states that,

 
“The press and other information media shall at all times, be free to uphold the principles, provisions and objectives of this Constitution, and the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people of The Gambia.”

 
Section 208 went further to specify the role of the public media that,
“All state owned newspapers, journals, radio and television shall afford fair opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views and dissenting opinion.”

 
These constitutional provisions clearly show that indeed the people of the Gambia as expressed in this supreme law of the republic intend to have journalists and media who perform like how Joseph Pulitzer and Deyda Hydara performed. Our constitution has placed a solemn duty on the hands of journalists to build and defend democracy in the Gambia.

 
When you pick up any of our newspapers, one sees that message inscribed on the front page that indeed they wish to be like Joseph Pulitzer and Deyda Hydara. For example, this is what you find on the front page of the ‘News and Report Magazine’, “All what is in the public domain: All that is of legitimate public interest.” The Point says on their front page ‘For Freedom and Democracy’. Foroyaa says ‘Educating the People’ with the unforgettable Foroyaa Quote, “Know yourselves. Know your country and know the world then you shall be the architect of your own destiny”. The Daily Observer says, “Forward with the Gambia” on their front page.

 
But for 22 years the media was severely suppressed and hunted down in this country. Many media houses have been burnt down or closed. Many journalists were forced to flee or abandon the trade, while many faced incarcerations and even death. Despite this painful persecution, Gambian journalists indeed held the fort, never relenting. Those who stayed put continued to face the wrath of the tyranny. Those who relocated set up new and many more media houses to continue the fight for democracy. Therefore today more than ever before should be a new beginning for our media houses and journalists in the fight for democracy in the Gambia.

 
Let our media obtain inspiration from our founding fathers especially Edward Francis Small (1891 – 1958) who also became a journalist in his activism for freedom and democracy in the Gambia in the 1920s. It was his media activism that laid the foundations of our independence many decades later. His newspaper ‘The Gambia Outlook and Senegambian Reporter’ used to petition the British Government demanding representative institutions so much so that the colonial office described him as a “self-appointed champion of non-existing grievances felt by an imaginary body of citizens…he seems to find agitation irresistible.” He was particularly known for popularizing the slogan, ‘No taxation without representation’ in calling for the creation of representative institutions and empowerment of the people.
We also had William Dixon Colley (1913 – 2001) was a co-founder of the Gambia Press Union in 1978. Being a staunch defender of free press and against censorship, he once said, “If what one is saying is right and one strongly believes it is, one should go on saying it up to one’s grave.”

 
As founder and editor of Africa Nyaato newspaper, which later became The Nation newspaper, Dixon Colley consistently exposed inefficiency and corruption inside government for which one of such articles entitled ‘Till Doomsday’ landed him in court for seditious publication. His quest for truth, freedom and good governance was uncompromising as he expressed in these words, “we try to be radical and pin down government on its policies”.

 
The story of Sanna Manneh and his newspaper, The Torch represents one of the major highlights of the role and contribution of the media in the promotion of good governance in the Gambia. On 6th October 1988, The Torch published an article, ‘Cabinet Reshuffle Inevitable’ accusing four government ministers of corruption with the then Gambia Cooperative Union in dubious rice dealings, and suggested their sacking. Three of the ministers – Saihou Sabally, Minister of Agriculture, Landing Jallow Sonko, Minister of Local Government and Lands and Dr. Lamin Saho, Minister of Information and Tourism – took the matter to court and Manneh, popularly known as Tiks was charged with libel.

 
Following a court case from November 1988 to April 1989, Tiks was acquitted on the first and third counts and cautioned and discharged on the second. Foroyaa, which provided verbatim coverage of the proceedings, a practice it continues in such cases up to today, described the trial as a “landmark in Gambian political, legal and press history”. While The Torch newspaper did not eventually survive the financial costs of the trial as it closed down a year later, however the issue demonstrated the role and contribution of the media in the fight against corruption by holding the government to account.

 
From these individuals, let our journalists of today therefore not only report about official events such an inaugurations and opening ceremonies. But more importantly let them investigate and report on the issues and concerns of our citizens and communities to bring them out to the open for the government to know. Let our journalists conduct analysis of the events, decisions, actions and policies of the government to give our people a better perspective of the status quo. Let our media give space to our ordinary citizens as well as the experts to voice out alternative views on issues and trends. Above all let our journalists follow the money to combat corruption and abuse of power. We need to know how the government is managing public resources and if such management is fulfilling the needs of our people. It is when the journalists undertake these exercises then will we therefore witness the flourishing of democracy and the rise of the republic.

 
I would therefore dedicate this piece to the Gambian media community for the gallant and steadfast role they have played since the days of colonialism into the first and second republics. To the young journalists, to remind them that they are in a glorious and courageous profession. The traditions of that profession have already been defined and carved out by giants like Edward Francis Small in the 1920s, William Dixon-Colley in the 1960s, Sanna Manneh in the 1980s and finally Deyda Hydara in the 2000s to today. Hence there is enough to inspire and encourage. What is required is to add to that glory by standing firm in the building and defense of democracy in the Gambia.
Our Republic and its Press will Rise or Fall Together!

God Bless The Gambia.

By now you have had first hand experience of the farmers and grassroots pressing needs. Even though, the demands varied from one village to the other, one or two featured prominently in most places: water, electricity and good road networks. It was reassuring to hear that your government has entered a contract with the Chinese to the Basse-Pasamass road and other provincial road networks. Perhaps, I have missed your take on the request for regular and affordable electricity supply. Many are asserting NAWEC generators are old and not fit to be displayed in a meseum while others are resting the annoying power and water cuts on lack of fuel to run the bedridden generators. Whatever the reason, it is an open irrefutable secret that some NAWEC staff enjoy uninterrupted supply of water and electricity free of charge. Mr President please don’t tell me you are not aware of it. Yes, the co-operation has in the past struggled to recovery dues government owes to it but does that excuse the poor management and services? What is your government doing to arrest this deplorable situation?

Aha, Uncle Sidi Sanneh raised a pertinent question: “Can you afford to throw the baby with the bath water?” I don’t think any sane person would enjoy that act more especially a loving and caring parent. My only inference here is how Uncle Sidi felt your government is treating those who stood by and fought with you when the dictator manifested ownership of the Gambia and his unwillingness to handover power. Of course, no particular person or group of people can single handedly claim ownership of the victory against the repressive Jammeh regime except if that person is harvesting apples on an orange tree. Many in the diaspora felt marginalised particularly when they see people who were cosy with the dictator wine and dine with you as if there was no yesterday. Many of those who feel betrayed actually aren’t scavenging for posting but appreciation and recognition. Others a simple “Thank you” is enough which you did whereas a few just want their opinions sought in certain aspects they hold dear in their hearts. I guess that isn’t much to ask for. Naturally whatever is successful will surely have an owner. In other words, some of these cosy with you now claiming closeness and loyalty to you while they were standing afar watching you with disgust when you needed allies most.

The Jammeh farms and zoo in Kanilai. Has your government thought of what to do with them? It would be a disservice to Gambians if the farms, zoo and infrastructure in Kanilai are left to crumble in ruin. I heard the Minister of Agriculture intimating that some of the farms unlawfully acquired by the dictator will be returned to their rightful owners. Bravo. I believe the government and people of the Gambia can benefit greatly if those assets are properly managed by the state. The zoo, for instance, is a good fund generator through tourism and the farms. The can equally be outlets for employment. The buildings can be either used as University campus and/or science lab for agriculture. Kanilai is a gold mine if properly managed.

Hon Omar Jallow said he has no asset to declare because he has given all to his children. He further asserted he never wanted a bank account after his previous was frozen and now one of his children is designated authority for his salaried account. I find that dodgy and a cover up for illegal accumulated wealth. This rekindled the urgent need for the President and his cabinet to come clean in declaring their worth for accountability and transparency. Who knows how many cheques have past under diner and lunch tables. Are they cashed in sibling’s accounts to erase any tracks?

Sulayman Jeng
Birmingham, UK