SCHOOL PRINCIPAL 'FORESEES' FEMALE PRESIDENT FOR GAMBIA

12/03/2015 12:10:00By Ebrima Jallow

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The principal of St. Peters Technical Secondary School in Lamin has challenged Gambian women to brave local politics and contest political positions.

Father David Jimoh Jarju, also a development expert, said he could foresee that a woman would one day be president of The Gambia. He, however, said he could not predict the exact time a woman would lead the country. 

“The sex does not matter much with me, as long as that person is able to deliver and move the country forward,” he exclusively told The Standard on the sidelines of a forum making World Women's Day held at his school. 

He added: “I am sure [having a female president] is a possibility. I see some women who are quite capable. Obviously, you have the vice president who has been so stable for so many years. I foresee it, but the timing is something I cannot predict.”

The school master said empowering women would contribute to the development of the country. He noted that women should have increased participation in political decision-making positions. 

“The person who feels it knows better,” he said, adding: “Some of us will keep guessing, but if the women themselves are in key decision-making positions, they will be able to decide for the good of women themselves.

“The way men see things is sometimes different from the way women see things. Sometimes you may look at things in a straight line; they may look at it in a round way.”

Jarju, however, urged the womenfolk to stop standing in the way of women who dare to challenge men in politics. 

He said: “Women talk and talk and talk, but when it comes to action, they can be their own enemies. A woman can get up and say I want to contest election. Her fellow women would tell her all what is negative about her, and she can be a bit discouraged. 

“So, it is left for the women to come out themselves. If they come forward, I think they will be chosen. Let them stop talking and dancing and do something. They have to be brave to stand for positions. The possibilities are there.

“If politics is meant for the good of society, anybody going in, a man or woman, should know that you are going there to give your service for the common good, not necessarily for a big name, not necessarily to be recognised in society or status.”

Jarjue warned against filling positions with women just for the sake of gender considerations. He said positions should match holders' competencies. 

“I would want to think that whereas in the process of choosing people, there are cultural and social factors, also you have to pick up somebody who is capable. . I don't believe in just balancing the male female equation for the sake of it. We must have capable men and women.”

Source www.http://standard.gm/

PDOIS Reacts To CORDEG’s Statement

Lawyer Ousainou Darboe of UDP, Dr. Abdoulaye Saine of CORDEG and Halifa Sallah of PDOIS! 

PDOIS’ REACTION TO CORDEG’S PRESS RELEASE

Halifa Sallah
For the Central Committee 11th March 2015

The Gambia is at a crossroads. The party in power has demonstrated its total incapacity to free the people from impunity and poverty. However, its administration cannot end peacefully unless a process is put in place which would enable the vast majority of people, who do not want impunity or poverty to vote for change.The combined opposition in the Gambia has never had 50 percent of the vote. Hence the task of bringing about change is not one of simply unifying opposition supporters. That would not suffice. Change would only come when the vast majority of people, irrespective of party affiliation, are drawn by a process they have faith and confidence in, to vote for change. Those who want change should have open minds to listen to all views, consider all shades of opinions and subscribe to what they have discerned, in their own mature judgment, to be workable at each given moment, as dictated by reality, times and circumstances. PDOIS has respect for every sovereign Gambian and the exercise of right to freedom of association to promote any democratic cause as one deems fit. We have no qualms with CORDEG. What then is the point at issue?

When Dr Saine communicated with the Secretary General of PDOIS to express the desire to hold a discussion some months ago he was told that PDOIS was engaged in a village to village tour to exchange opinion with the people in order to know what they want and what they think of PDOIS’ programme on how to end impunity and poverty.

He was told that unless we complete this exercise the party would not be able to engage in any dialogue on the political situation in the Gambia. There was no ambiguity in our position. It was as plain as noon day. The meeting of 23rd February was news to us which we gathered after it happened. Nobody informed us of such a meeting.

The point At Issue
ON 1 March 2015 CORDEG issued a Press Release indicating that its executive members met “with UPD, PPP Leaders and PDOIS Representative.

The Press Release added: “Hon. Ousainou Darbo, Hon. Omar Jallow (OJ) and Malik Kah of PDOIS’s European Chapter, met on 23 February 2015 with CORDEG executive members to discuss important matters relating to the scheduled 2016 elections.”

PDOIS has since clarified that it had no meeting with CORDEG. We have conducted our investigation and are satisfied that all PDOIS members are fully in agreement that no PDOIS member could represent the party in any negotiation without a mandate from the Central Committee. We have put our house in order and could assure everyone that such development would never arise again. For the avoidance of doubt it needs to be reiterated that Malick Kah had no mandate to represent PDOIS and did not represent PDOIS at the meeting. Hence CORDEG should adjust its records and its Press Release by expunging PDOIS from the pact it formed with the two party leaders. PDOIS upholds the principle of unanimity in decision making. Even the members of the Central Committee, the Secretary General included cannot issue any statement without vetting by each member of the Central Committee. This is why all take ownership of decisions. The PDOIS branches are fully conversant with the principle of unanimity and that of subsidiarity when it comes to the functions and relations of party organs.

That however is not the end of the matter . According to CORDEG “The meeting lasted one hour and thirty minutes and brainstormed on the following pertinent issues:”

On Electoral Reform

“1.      Electoral reforms, the political party leaders emphasised the imperative for a root and branch reform of Gambia’s electoral system in order to create a level playing field and to guarantee the credibility of any polls prior to the next Presidential and National Assembly elections in 2016/17. CORDEG has agreed to jointly design a comprehensive advocacy strategy to address the deadlock that ensued since the opposition parties tabled a set of reform demands to both the government and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in 2012.”

PDOIS’ OPINION
The Press Release conveys in black and white that the two leaders have reached an agreement with CORDEG to jointly design a comprehensive advocacy strategy to address the deadlock that ensued since the opposition parties tabled a set of reform demands to both the government and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in 2012.
Suffice it to say, If the two opposition party leaders had indeed entered into a venture with CORDEG to jointly design a comprehensive advocacy strategy to address a dead lock on electoral reform as mentioned in the release, then their act would constitute a breach of confidentiality.

Since , CORDEG issued its Press Release none of the Opposition party leaders mentioned had issued any clarification on the wrong notion given to the public by CORDEG which cannot be allowed to shape public opinion. Hence we take it that they have exercised their sovereign right to take their own stand on advocacy for electoral reform in collaboration with CORDEG.
In that vein,we are compelled to point out that, before the meeting of the 23rd and the issuing of the Press Release by CORDEG, six opposition parties did expend high grade intelligence, energy, money and time, for months, in order to collectively produce a high grade comprehensive programmatic document on constitutional and electoral reform and did go further to agree to meet on 7th March 2015 to set the date for signature as well as, to formulate an advocacy strategy geared towards propelling and accelerating our common initiative to fruition. We had agreed not to discuss any subject matter on electoral reform until we dispatch the document to the relevant stakeholders.
This is why CORDEG’s Press Release motivated PDOIS to address the following letter to our colleagues:

6,March 2015
P/OPPFECR/(1)

Dear Colleagues

The Central Committee of PDOIS has reviewed a Press Release issued by an organization called CORDEG ,which gives the impression that some Party leaders have discussed with CORDEG ,what we have been discussing for months and have gone as far as to assign CORDEG the responsibility of doing advocacy for electoral reform for the opposition, which is precisely a main agenda in our discussion scheduled for Saturday, 7th March 2015.

The Press Release indicated among other things that three parties were involved in a meeting with CORDEG. Since then PDOIS has dissociated itself from such an event. However, we have noticed that other party leaders mentioned have not done the same. We have tried to reach Mr Darboe by phone to request for postponement of the meeting scheduled for Saturday, 7th March 2015 until we get clarity on statements issued in CORDEG’s Press Release. In this regard , we have no option but to request for a postponement in writing.

For your information, the Press Release from CORDEG reads:

Press Release 01 March 2015 CORDEG meet with UPD, PPP Leaders and PDOIS Representative Hon. Ousainou Darbo, Hon. Omar Jallow (OJ) and Malik Kah of PDOIS’s European Chapter, met on 23 February 2015 with CORDEG executive members to discuss important matters relating to the
scheduled 2016 elections. The meeting lasted one hour and thirty minutes and brainstormed on the following pertinent issues.

1.      Electoral reforms, the political party leaders emphasised the imperative for a root and branch reform of Gambia’s electoral system in order to create a level playing field and to guarantee the credibility of any polls prior to the next Presidential and National Assembly elections in 2016/17. CORDEG has agreed to jointly design a comprehensive advocacy strategy to address the deadlock that ensued since the opposition parties tabled a set of reform demands to both
the government and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in 2012.”
(Our emphasis)

2.    United Front, there was also consensus around the vital need for a united front, to include all opposition parties, to contest the 2016 elections. CORDEG has been tasked by the opposition party leaders present, to make concrete proposals to all the opposition parties, on building a tactical and strategic alliance between opposition parties and we have agreed to do so in the next couple of weeks, following consultations with the wider Diaspora. All participants at the meeting agreed that a united front is crucial, in order to maximise the chances of the opposition to defeat the incumbent. A united front of the political opposition will also encourage the building of unity between and among the Diaspora opposition organisations. CORDEG has a series of planned meetings to engage with other Diaspora organisations in the coming weeks, in order to widen participation in the process and to strengthen unity around our common aspiration for democratic revival in the Gambia. A united front will allow every willing stakeholder to take an active part in the decisions leading to the building of a united front for 2016 and beyond. CORDEG aims to build an inclusive platform to achieve wider participation by the Diaspora.

3.    Fundraising, the meeting also discussed the important matter of raising funds, to effectively address the chronic shortage of resources that has held back the ideas, activities and actions that can make meaningful impact in our struggle to restore democracy in the Gambia. The meeting agreed that with all the will in the world, and even following electoral reforms, a united front will fail, unless substantial funds and other forms of resources are mobilised to support and sustain the struggle. CORDEG will be submitting fundraising and other resource mobilisation proposals to stakeholders
for their consideration and possible adoption, following a comprehensive needs assessment that will include both the Diaspora and all the opposition parties.

4.    Unity Summit; CORDEG proposed to host a London summit of all stakeholders in the summer of 2015. The meeting believes that such a summit of Gambia’s opposition leaders, in partnership with other strategic stakeholders, could agree to a united front by signing-off on the proposals for a tactical and strategic electoral alliance, as well as a Compact with the Gambian Diaspora to support, promote and provide funds for a sustained campaign against the Jammeh regime.

Further meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks and months which we envisage will include other opposition party and Diaspora leaders. In the service of the Gambian people  James Bahoum Directorate Legal Affairs Directorate Media and Communication (interim Colleagues could observe that the first item discussed touched on electoral reform. The Press Release indicates that they have discussed about reform and have agreed to jointly design an advocacy strategy with CORDEG.
PDOIS is of the opinion that the efforts we have collectively made to formulate and advocate for an opposition party driven electoral reform agenda is being derailed, when we have already worked out all the modalities to make it possible. Saturday was set aside to plan when to give our final approval to the proposals and adopt the advocacy strategies necessary to pursue them to fruition. We are convinced that once our initiative is seen to be externally driven as portrayed by CORDEG in its Press Release we would have lost the battle before we even start.

The Central Committee of PDOIS is requesting for a postponement of the meeting so that it could engage in consultation with all concerned stakeholders in order to find ways of preventing our initiatives from being seen to be dictated by groups based outside the country. We will issue a statement in response to the CORDEG Press Release and may mention how far we have gone with the negotiation on electoral reform to confirm the genuineness of the unalloyed initiative of the collective opposition in the Gambia.

Please take note that any day on or after Saturday, 14th March 2015 would be ideal for us.

Halifa Sallah
For the Central Committee

DARBO’S MESSAGE ON THE LETTER-7TH MARCH 2015

Mr Touray provided me this number through which I can send this short message.

I note that you intend to issue a statement on the CORDEG Press Release on behalf of PDOIS which i believe is perfectly in order only as it relates to PDOIS representation at the meeting.

I request you not mention how far we have gone with the negotiations on the electoral reform. Any statement on this should be made by all parties that have been attending the meetings and not by PDOIS alone whatever its views may be on the “meeting.”

Darbo

While we respect Mr Darboe’s observations ,the PDOIS leadership would be disregarding national interest to consider itself bound by the principle of confidentiality which had circumscribed the two months negotiation of six opposition parties aimed at preparing a comprehensive programmatic document for constitutional and electoral reform, when the atmosphere necessary for the new initiative to sprout has been clouded by a new utopian agenda, which is similar to what derailed a similar initiative in 2013 , which PDOIS chose not to make an issue of public debate , at the time, to avoid being accused of trying to derail a viable Diaspora initiative. History will not pardon us if we repeat the same mistake.

Hence we will not hesitate to tell the whole world that a comprehensive programmatic document on electoral and constitutional reform has been prepared and is ready for signature. At least, we can say this much and not go into the details. This is the first point.

Secondly, we have decided to put our advocacy strategy in the public domain to distance ourselves from the agreement of the two leaders with CORDEG.

PDOIS’ POSITION ON ADVOCACY STRATEGY

Obviously, the authority to amend the constitution and electoral laws to ensure Electoral and Constitutional reform resides in the executive and the National Assembly. Only Cabinet and National Assembly members could introduce bill for constitutional and electoral reform. Hence PDOIS would recommend that proposals of the opposition be lodged with Cabinet and The National Assembly whose members are responsible of bringing bills to the National Assembly for their enactment into law.

KEY PARTNERS
Key partners are the International, multinational, continental and regional bodies that had played a role in monitoring elections or providing financial, technical, material or logistical support to the Independent Electoral Commission.

Hence copies of the proposals should be lodged with the UN, The AU , ECOWAS and The EU as the main partners as well as the Commonwealth as a matter of courtesy, Jesse Jackson who accepted to be a mediator and our neighbors, to promote good neighbourliness.

GOOD WILL AMBASSADORS OF THE OPPOSITION

PDOIS would propose that the two people who were given the responsibility to put together and table the proposals for adoption be appointed as good will ambassadors of the opposition since they are best equipped to explain and defend the content. They should be assigned the responsibility of delivering the proposals to all the stake holders without relying on any intermediary and hold press conferences where ever they go, to highlight the proposals of the opposition.
They should be made to subscribe to a code of conduct which would confine their terms of reference to the mere submission of documents to stakeholders and explaining the content of the proposals to the media without straying into any partisan or propagandist escapades in promotion of a political party or political ambition.

FUNDING

All parties should select one individual to represent them in a financial committee aimed at costing each trip in order to prepare a budget for the delivery of the proposals to the respective stakeholders . The total cost of the initiative and all pledges in kind by way of air tickets, economy class and hotel accommodation or cash for the same purpose, shall be published for public notice .The sum to be raised shall be restricted to the budget and once it is raised the fund raising exercise would cease. Monies received shall be accounted for by each of the party representatives in the financial committee and lodged in a bank. Credible financial measures shall be put in place to ensure public disclosure of funds received and used. The account established shall be audited and then published for public notice. Nobody other than the committee set up by the political parties will have the mandate to raise funds for the advocacy exercise.

Once all the proposals are delivered the mandate of the goodwill ambassadors would cease and political parties would continue their party advocacy activities on their own party platforms to sensitise the public on the content of our proposals and the progress made to further its realisation. This is PDOIS’ stand on the advocacy strategy for electoral reform. The content is for all the stakeholders to make public.

ON UNITED FRONT

According to the Press Release “2United Front, there was also consensus around the vital need for a united front, to include all opposition parties, to contest the 2016 elections. CORDEG has been tasked by the opposition party leaders present, to make concrete proposals to all the opposition parties, on building a tactical and strategic alliance between opposition parties and we have agreed to do so in the next couple of weeks, following consultations with the wider Diaspora.”

CORDEG proposed to host a London summit of all stakeholders in the summer of 2015. The meeting believes that such a summit of Gambia’s opposition leaders, in partnership with other strategic stakeholders, could agree to a united front by signing-off on the proposals for a tactical and strategic electoral alliance, as well as a Compact with the Gambian Diaspora to support, promote and provide funds for a sustained campaign against the Jammeh regime”

PDOIS ‘ OPINION ON A UNITED FRONT

It is interesting that CORDEG has been tasked to formulate and make proposals on how to form strategic alliance and convene a meeting in UK in the Summer. We would have thought that the parties would tell CORDEG what they need to do on the ground to make a United Front viable.
PDOIS has made it very clear that if Gambians do not want to engage in a political expedition which would lead them into the political marsh only to drown them into the sea of disappointment, they should move away from the top down approach to alliance building which has failed since 2006. We need to adopt the bottom up approach.
PDOIS has said that the surest way for change is for the political parties to spend their days and nights among the people so that they would build a support base which is larger than that of the ruling party and continue to work for electoral reform to restore the second round of voting among other reforms, which may or may not be realised .
It is the masses who are to bring about change. Hence their mobilisation and organisation to vote for change is what is of strategic significance. This is the decisive factor. Electoral reform is of tactical significance. Its effectuation or otherwise, may enhance or pose obstacles to electoral success. However, when the masses are determined no force on earth could stand on their way.
PDOIS has observed that if there is electoral reform and the second round of voting is restored, the opposition would not need to decide on a single candidate, the people would do that for them by depriving the incumbent of victory in the first round. The opposition leader with the highest or second highest number of votes could then be supported by all those who want change, as has happened in Senegal.
On the other hand if there is no electoral reform these strong opposition parties who combined would have attracted more than 50 percent support base among the electorate, could meet and select a candidate to face the incumbent.
Hence PDOIS’proposal is for members and supporters of political parties to lend a hand to the grassroots activities of their parties. These parties should proceed to prepare their primaries and select their candidates so that the public would know them.
This is what will get us closer to change. What we need are Gambians who are convinced that the parties they support are worth supporting.
Just imagine if 1000 Gambians give 1000 dollars each to the party they believe is worth supporting. The party would have a million dollars in its coffers to finance its campaign. This is 47 Million dalasis. Any party which cannot make a difference with such a sum should have its leaders exposed by its members and sent to the cleaners.

Hence we should go beyond Obama’s slogan that ‘we can’. We cannot make a difference until we become resolved. We must make a difference. “We must” is the slogan for our times and circumstances. Hence, make your choice of party that is worth supporting and do so to make a difference. Support what is worth supporting and make a difference! That is the clarion call.

On the Role of The Diaspora

Gambia has many knowledgeable and experienced daughters and sons in the Diaspora, academics, professionals in all fields ,technicians and seasoned workers.

Any party which could lead the country to build a middle income country would need their participation. In 2005 and 2006 remittances were considered to be the second largest source of foreign exchange amounting to 1.7 billion in 2005 and 1.8 Million in 2006. The Disapora is too important to be ignored, either by the government or by the opposition.

PDOIS has informed the Diaspora what it could do to take its legitimate stake in shaping the destiny of our homeland but no one appears to be listening.

Let us take this opportunity to conclude by reiterating our position again. We have said that the Diaspora should hold sovereign national conferences and prepare Diaspora based programmes for enfranchisement so that they could vote like all nationals living outside their countries, advocate respect for human rights in the country and promote electoral reform on their own Diaspora platform.

The sovereign national conferences could elect representatives who could also meet to select working groups based on competences. This would enable party members and supporters in the Diaspora to work in the working groups set up in their areas and serve both the Diaspora and their parties without any conflict of mandate.

The Diaspora should be able to send goodwill ambassadors to the Gambia to meet the ruling party, the opposition, civil society, The IEC and The Media and produce reports which could inform the opinions of all stakeholders. If the IEC says that money is the obstacle to the enfranchisement of the Diaspora, funds could be tapped to make that realisable.

In the same vein, if a United Front candidate becomes necessary the Diaspora could finance a Caravan where all the party and Independent Presidential Candidates could be given a platform in all the administrative areas and the level of public approval assessed before negotiation.

We could go on and on. We hope the Diaspora would reflect on this fundamental truth that power only concedes to superior power. No state could be changed without either superior military power or superior people’s power. There is no third road other than that of adventurism. Those who do not wish to kill their way to power should have faith in the people. No body can go against the people and win. We hope the Diaspora would listen.

We are not against any initiative. However, we have mapped our own programme. We intend to finish our village to village tour, hold our congress to adopt a manifesto, hold a primary to select a presidential candidate who will have the duty to issue a statement on every thing the current executive says or does and put those statements side by side with that of the executive for distribution to all schools in the country to promote informed choice.

When the executive is holding a jamboree in one part of the country we would be holding our sensitization concerts with progressive songs and drama.

Hence those who support PDOIS should be focused on its programme. This is the way forward.

THE END
source.www.kaironews.com

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Ya Binta Jarju finally laid to rest

By Sailu Bah
Ya Binta Jarju, the 27 year old lady, who was shot dead by a personnel  of the ‘Joint Security Forces’ on Saturday night, has been finally
laid to rest yesterday, 9 March, 2015 at the Old Jeshwang Cemetery.
A large crowd of grieving relatives from the Gambia and the Casamance region of Senegal, friends, co-workers, Red Cross volunteers andneighbours converged at the Banjul mortuary in the morning and later
escorted the corpse to the Independence Drive Mosque before finally
taking it to its final resting place for burial around 4.30 pm.
Speaking to this reporter, a tearful Awa Jarju, the younger sister of
the late Ya Binta Jarju, said it is their breadwinner who is taken
away from them.
She described her late elder sister as very supportive and irreplaceable.
“After the death of our father last year, it was YA Binta who assumed
the responsibility of supporting the family. She was the breadwinner
of the family who was taking care of everything including feeding,
rent, school fees and other basic necessities. We have really lost our
support,” said the sobbing younger sister.
Ya Awa explained that their mother, Fatou Badjie, is a widow, who
engages in petty trade at the Banjul Market to assist Ya Binta in
covering some of the needs of the family with the little she earns
from it.
She said the late Ya Binta was the eldest child in a family of 6
siblings (two girls and four boys).
Explaining how they came to learn about this tragic incident, Ya Awa
said Ya Binta left home at around 6pm on that fateful day to attend a
social event at Manjai Kunda. “At around 8pm I called her to enquire
where she was and she told me that she’ll be coming home soon. Later
that evening around midnight, I received a call on my phone from
another number with a man’s voice asking me to come to Kotu as my
sister was in trouble,” she said.
She said she was very confused at the time as she did not know what
trouble her sister might have been involved.
“It never came to my thought that my sister was dead. I left Banjul in
a haste and rushed to Kotu  where the incident occurred. Upon arriving
at the scene, I was shocked and could not believe seeing my sister in
that state in the taxi vehicle. From there I escorted the body to the
main hospital in Banjul,” she explained.
Ya Awa said: We are asking for justice to be done on this untimely
death of Ya Binta.”
Relatives,  friends, co-workers and neighbours of the late Ya Binta
have all described her as a friendly, hardworking and determined young
lady whose death is a lost not only to her family but to many.
Pa Badjie, her cousin from Bakoteh, Jalika Jarju, her aunt, and
Ismaila Jarju, her father’s elder brother, have also expressed their
deep sense of lost and acknowledged that a big void has been created
in the family.
Red Cross members were present in the funeral as she was said to have
been a very active volunteer, serving as one of the school
coordinators.
Many people also came to express condolence to the bereaved family at
their residence at 14 Old Perseverance Street in Banjul.
Courtsy of www.foroyaa.gm

Fatal Shooting: Who Is At Fault?

The Late Ya Binta Jarju/Standard Newspaper Image!

The fatal shooting of a woman has brought back fears and memories of insecurity in The Gambia. A professional security force in any given country will do everything humanely possible to safe lives even during wild chase. If the Joint Security Task Force members are not blood-hungry, they could have spared the precious life of Ya Binta Jarju.

The death comes at a time when Gambians and their government are reeling with fears of violent attacks. Gambian security forces are in a haste to shoot, knowing fully they will get away with their crimes. Even security forces have not been spared in this brutality. One senior security officer had his helmet blown away by a bullet fired by a soldier at a checkpoint. His only crime was to move to the side of the road. The said soldier (name withheld for security reasons) was scared to lodge a complaint, fearing a backlash. He thanked God for sparing his life.

Kairo News is still trying get to the bottom of a story that has left a lot of open holes. The key question that is left to be unanswered is why the taxi driver failed to stop. Is there anything in the car he was trying to hide where security forces have become instruments of brutality.

In this statement published below, the police mouthpiece provided an explanation of how and why the fatal shooting took place. ASP David Kujabi, whose version of the story is culled from Standard Newspaper, needs to be carefully scrutinised.

“On Saturday 7th March between 11:00 to 11:45pm, personnel of the Joint Security Task Force were mounting a routine night vehicle check-point at Manjai Kunda. Vehicles that came by were flagged, checked and allowed to move on. However, a taxi with registration number, ‘BJL 7039 G’ came by and upon reaching the check-point, the driver sped off refusing to stop. A warning shot was fired but the driver kept on driving at top speed.

“This being a sure suspicious behaviour, the security officers boarded their patrol vehicle and pursued the fleeing driver. A second warning shot was again fired but the driver again failed to take heed and instead led the officers on a wild chase. They eventually overtook the taxi and braked in front of it as if to force it to a stop but the driver swerved, took a quick turn and drove through a narrow road nearby. The officers then shot at the car in order to force it to a stop but the bullet instead hit a lady who was sitting at the backseat of the taxi leading to her death.

“This unfortunate tragic incident is regrettable but it must be noted that the security forces of The Gambia will not be complacent in ensuring the security of this nation and its people and this happening not long after the December terror attack meant that all necessary means had to be employed to stem a recurrence. The general public is therefore warned to respect these check-points and cooperate with the security forces as they are meant to ensure their own security.”

Ends

“Operation Bulldozer” On The Balance

By Ebou Gaye

There is so much controversy surrounding the operation launched recently by President Jammeh. This contentious operation, dubbed “Operation Bulldozer”, gives our security forces the green light to shoot “armed criminals” right away and mount an investigation or ask questions later. Pros see the edict as a timely initiative and thus welcome it heartily, praising its promulgator, whereas cons view it as a dangerous, imprudent and unwarranted move.

As we all know, the security situation in The Gambia is worrisome, characterized by mysterious killings, disappearances, arson attacks and the like, many of which are unresolved. Hence, it is indisputable that concerted, earnest, undaunted and unflinching efforts should be made to remedy the situation as a matter of urgency for the betterment of all the people residing in the country, irrespective of whether they are citizens or foreigners. Security forces are duty-bound to play a pivotal role in this regard, and civilians are obliged to co-operate fully or lend helping hands to the best of their ability.

However, the method to be used in the crusade against criminals should be designed tactfully and cautiously in accordance with the principles of democracy and human rights so that it can yield dividends. A rash decision such as licensing security forces to shoot those regarded as armed criminals straight away might prove to be counterproductive. It has negative ramifications in that it can complicate matters or aggravate the situation.

Many people voice concern about the issue questioning whether our authorities are genuinely interested in weeding out criminals or reducing crime rate through the operation as they want to make us believe. Some raise objection over it arguing that there might be an ulterior motive in it and that it can be abused or used as a pretext to intimidate or eliminate opponents or perceived enemies. Can this be ruled out, given the frequent persecution of politicians and journalists in the form of arbitrary arrest and detention, incarceration and torture, coupled with the unresolved killings and disappearances under mysterious circumstance we have witnessed? With “Operation Bulldozer”, both criminals and the innocent can fall victim of shooting which may inflict serious injury on them, or even cause their death. How will we resolve the matter reasonably or satisfactorily if an innocent person is mistaken for an armed criminal and hence shot dead, or killed deliberately (with the knowledge that he is not an armed criminal) based on President Jammeh’s injunction? Will it be possible to bring the person back to life or compensate his/her loved ones in any way? Are we going to kill, imprison or fine the killer? In case he is jailed, will that do any good to the victim whose death could have been avoided in the absence of “Operation Bulldozer”? Will that conciliate, console, appease or pacify his loved ones? Will material or monetary compensation be enough to repair the damage? Should the killer or culprit be allowed to go scot-free based on the fact that he had acted on the order of his president? Undoubtedly, that would increase the anger of human rights defenders and the family members and friends of his victim. It will infuriate and enrage all those who love peace and justice. According to the operation, all armed criminals deserve gunshot or death, regardless of the type of arm they have in possession and the crime they have committed. Hence, it disregards the fact that the severity of a penalty should be determined taking into account the nature or gravity of the crime committed. Additionally, the operation presumes that all those suspected of being armed criminals are culpable. Thus, it runs counter to the principle that everybody is innocent in the eyes of the law until proven guilty. In other words, the operation precludes presumption of innocence before the establishment of guilt when dealing with people taken for armed criminals, which is unjust.

Evidently, the launching of “Operation Bulldozer” is a cause for great concern. The operation is prejudicial and irrational. Therefore, it should be reviewed or abandoned forthwith. Although I detest armed criminals and quite agree with the idea of taking drastic measures against them or handing out a very heavy penalty to them, I do not subscribe to the idea of shooting suspects or people regarded as armed criminals without ado. I recommend using teargas, spray, or rubber bullets- in some cases- to weaken those suspected of being dangerous criminals, effect arrest and then try and sentence them accordingly. We should bear in mind that life is precious and that taking lives is no fun.

On a final note, I urge those involved in the operation to make it a point of duty and work indefatigably to track down and bring to book the criminals responsible for the innumerable mysterious deaths, disappearances and arson attacks that have taken place in our country if they really mean business and want to be taken seriously. If they fail in this respect, they should be bulldozed outright like the “armed criminals” they claim they seek to crack down on under the aegis of “Operation Bulldozer”. The fact that most of those cases have remained unresolved for too long arouses suspicion in many quarters. It is interpreted as reluctance to take necessary action on the part of the authorities concerned- and most likely rightly. Sparing the perpetrators of such heinous crimes will lend credence to the suspicion of foul play. Besides, it will be seen as chasing the small fish while ignoring the big ones.

NB: This article was first published on 3 June 2012.

Ends

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Gambian Lady’s Fatal Shooting Sparks Outrage

The killing of Red Cross volunteer Ya Binta Jarju by security forces has sparked public outcry after it was revealed that security forces randomly fired in a taxi that ‘refused to stop’ at a checkpoint.

“National security should serve as a priority to protect lives and not take lives,” said in a Facebook post opposition leader Mai Ahmad Fatty of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC).

Ya Binta Jarju was killed Saturday night by security forces at a checkpoint in Kotu, located 8 km from Banjul. Security forces claimed that the taxi she boarded refused to stop at a checkpoint. The incident comes at a time when authorities have taken steps to tighten security in the country following the December 30 abortive putsch attempt.

A joint task force comprising units of the army, the police and other enforcement agencies has been mandated to set up numerous checkpoints across the country.

“In The Gambia, the State means one man and national security represents the security of one man and his family. Notwithstanding the circumstances, the security forces should have acted with sufficient prudence and professionalism so as to avert the fatal shooting of young Red Cross volunteer, late Ya Binta Jarju,” GMC’s Fatty said.

As impunity has become the order of the day in Gambia, Mai Ahmad Fatty warned that this matter shall not be swept under the carpet. “The Gambia will never forget this, and no matter how long it takes, our citizens shall secure firm justice against all those who torture, kill or victimize our people.”

Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) official Lamin Gassama told this that Ya Binta Jarju’s untimely tragic death is a very big loss not only to her friends, associates and family but also deeply to the Banjul branch of the Gambia Red Cross where she served all her life as a young promising girl.

Reacting to a statement made in local media by Gambia Police spokesperson incriminating the taxi drivert, Lamin Gassama described it as very shocking. “Comments made by ASP David Kujabi, PRO of the Gambia Police Force is indeed shocking and shameful in my personal opinion speaking as an individual,” said Gassama.

He then added that warning shots goes into the air, failure to comply should target the rear wheels of the moving object for it to stop rather than blatantly shooting the vehicle by the security forces.

“I expected the PRO of the police force to say that the shooters are in police custody helping them in their investigation and not putting blames on innocent souls which only validates their lack of credibility.”

When asked whether that Gambia Red Cross Society will take the matter up with the police, Gassama has this to say: “Gambia Red Cross Society can console with the family, but cannot in anyway take the matter to any level with the authorities as she was not at the time of her death
engaged in any mission for the GRCS.”

To many analysts, the tragic incident that resulted in a loss of life this weekend is not a surprise as President Yahya Jammeh gave carte blanche to security forces to kill.

In a comment posted on his Facebook wall, Gambian blogger Pata Saidykhan re-echoed utterance made in 2012 by President Jammeh urging security personnel to ‘shoot first and ask questions later’ when dealing with armed robbers.

“When a President tells ill-trained, paranoid armed men to ‘shoot first and ask questions later’, everybody becomes an object of target practice, and any killing by the men in uniform would be ‘justified’ by the State,” said Pata Saidykhan.

Written by Abdoulie JOHN

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Brave Darsilame Alkalo Question Jurisdiction Of SIC

The Gambia is now officially a country where grey old men are persecuted for not committing any crimes and the youths standby and watch, enjoying their smart devices and arguing over sports passionately. Where is the faultline in our country’s bitter cross-road?

Young men under the command and control of President Jammeh hunt and persecute religious figures and nothing comes out of it. Young men under the directives of President Jammeh and his security, beat and torture older men and go to sleep happy, what has become of the Gambia, the smiling coast? Imam Baba Leigh was tortured, Imam Bakawsu Fofana was tortured, Oustass Ismaila Manjang was tortured, Alhaiba Hydara was tortured, Sherrif Samsideen Hydara is now in exile, Sherrif Muhideen Hydara is currently persecuted, Buyeh Touray currently persecuted, Bakawsu now is exile, Imam Baba Leigh now in exile, the list goes on.

In the interim, the embattled Alkalo of Darsilame Sangajor questions the powers of Gambia Supreme Islamic Council. In his defence during Tuesday’s court proceedings, Alkalo Buyeh asks whether, the Supreme Islamic Council now have the power to make laws and enforce it on Muslims. President Jammeh is muddling the difference between the law and mere unbinding utterances. The President is treading on dangerous waters.

Below is the Full coverage:

Darsilameh Sangajor Alkalo Buyeh Touray yesterday told the court that he was not aware that Imam Fatty and the Supreme Islamic Council had the power to make laws in The Gambia.

Alkalo Touray was continuing his defence testimony in the conspiracy and disobedience to lawful order case involving him and the Caliph General of Darsilameh Sangajor, Muhideen Hydara, before Magistrate Omar Cham of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court.

When the case was called, Chief Sub-inspector E Sarr announced his appearance for the IGP while senior defence counsel AB Gaye announced his appearance for the accused persons together with senior counsel Darboe and LK Mboge.

Senior Counsel AB Gaye told the court that the matter was for continuation of defence and they were ready to proceed.

Continuing his evidence-in-chief, the 2nd accused, Buyeh Touray, said he was not aware that Imam Fatty and the Supreme Islamic Council “have any power to make laws in The Gambia that people should pray on a particular day”.

He said he was not also aware of any law in The Gambia, “which stipulates a day that people should perform Idul Fitr”.

He said the Islamic religion states that people should pray Idul Fitr after citing the moon and in their case they cited the moon on Monday and prayed on Tuesday.

Further testifying, Buyeh Touray said he knew the badge messenger sent to them by the chief, named Seedy Gibba.

He said the badge messenger came with a message from the chief telling him that the chief said he heard that the people of Darsilameh Sangajor did not pray on Monday, and he (Buyeh) should accompanied him to the imam of the village to tell him that they should not pray on Tuesday.

They went to the imam, Malaine Hydara (who is now deceased) and the late imam referred them to Talibeh Hydara, he said.

The late Imam apart from being an imam in the village is also a Sherrif and a marabout, and when Malaine was alive, the Caliph General of Darsilameh was Muhideen Hydara.

They went to see Talibeh as directed by the late Imam Malaine, and Seedy related the message from the chief to Talibeh, he added.

Talibeh then told him that he heard Imam Fatty over the radio saying those in the provinces were excluded from it, he further told the court.

Talibeh then asked the badge messenger to give him the chief’s number, but the messenger told him that he did not have the chief’s phone number.

Talibeh said he wanted to call the chief as he heard Imam Fatty over the radio saying that “those in the provinces are excluded from it, and they are in the provinces”.

He said Seedy told them that he would find out if they were involved or not, so that they could know.

The badge messenger did not return to tell them if they were included or not, the alkalo Touray told the court.

He said they waited from 10 to 11am the next day, which was when they went to pray Idul Fitr, adding that if they had not prayed on Tuesday, they would not be able to perform their religious rites.

He said he did not hear any announcement on the radio made by Imam Fatty regarding Idul Fitr.

He said that when they prayed on Tuesday, they prayed to God and not to Imam Fatty.

He said that when it comes to the issue of religion in Darsilameh Sangajor, the imam is the head of the religion, adding that the imam at that time was Malaine Hydara, who is now deceased.

The case continues today.

Source: The Point

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