ECOWAS, AU and UN Mission In Banjul

             President of ECOWAS Commission Marcel Alain de Souza 

The Gambia government has had its throat held for not protecting the rights of citizens, in particular, the freedom of expression, assembly and political participation. A joint mission involving ECOWAS, AU and UN mission that recently traveled to Banjul, wants the belligerent Gambian government to follow the due process of the law with regard to the judicial proceedings of events on April 14th and 16th events.

Find below the full text of the joint mission’s report:

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) recently undertook a joint mission to Banjul.

The Mission was led by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Marcel Alain de Souza; the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Dr. Aisha Laraba Abdullahi; and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas. The Mission also included the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights through its Regional Representative for West Africa.

The Joint Mission aimed at developing an understanding of the viewpoints and perspectives of Gambian stakeholders on political and other developments affecting The Gambia ahead of the presidential election due to take place in December 2016; assessing compliance with regional and sub-regional standards on elections, democracy, human rights and governance, including the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; and exploring options to further support dialogue among Gambian stakeholders with a view to promoting consensus on critical issues in order to contribute to inclusive, credible, participatory and peaceful elections in The Gambia.

The Joint Mission consulted widely with Cabinet members. The delegation also interacted with the Chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission, representatives of the ruling majority and opposition parties, religious leaders and representatives of civil society organizations. The Joint Mission also met with Gambia’s diplomatic partners including Ambassadors from ECOWAS countries, the Head of the European Union Delegation, the British and US Ambassadors, and the Spanish Charge d’Affaires.

The Mission appealed for credible and inclusive elections in an atmosphere of peace and tolerance throughout the electoral process. The Mission noted progress in the preparations towards the elections and welcomed all stakeholders’ commitment to the holding of peaceful elections. The Mission commended Gambian stakeholders for the reinstatement of the Inter Party Committee, which may serve as an effective platform for the resolution of contentious issues ahead of, and during the electoral process. In particular, the Mission urged political parties to work together to create consensus around electoral laws and enhance outreach to increase the participation of youth and women. The Mission encouraged the establishment of an Elections Situation Room, which is best practice in many African countries.

In regard to ongoing judicial proceedings and in particular to the events on 14 and 16 April 2016, the Mission evoked international and regional standards according to which the State has the duty to protect the rights of its citizens, in particular, the freedom of expression, assembly and political participation. The Mission reiterated calls for a credible and independent investigation, and urged the Government of The Gambia to allow due process of law.

The Mission also welcomed the announcement by His Excellency the President during the State Opening of the National Assembly, and looks forward to the establishment of the proposed National Human Rights Commission.

The Joint Mission expresses the wish that The Gambia will emulate the ongoing trend of peaceful and inclusive elections across West Africa, as a precondition to confront challenges of development, in line with the aspirations by the Gambian people.

On the border issue, the delegation appealed to the two countries to continue the dialogue underway, and in particular, to convene the bi-lateral meeting scheduled for the middle of May with a view to arriving at a mutually agreed solution.

United in the vision to contribute to a better future for the peoples of Africa, ECOWAS, the AU, and the UN re-affirm their continuing commitment to supporting the Government and the people of The Gambia in their quest to realize the universal Sustainable Development Goals.

Ends

UN Officials Finally Inspects Gambian Prisons

The embattled Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has swallowed his pride and allowed United Nations officials access to the Gambia’s Mile 2 Central Prisons located in the outskirts of the capital Banjul.

In November2014, the Gambia denied the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, and the Special Rapporteur on torture, Juan Méndez, access to detention centres where prisoners are believed to be at high risk of torture. The blocked visit happened few weeks after the West African naion was heavily criticised for its appalling human rights record during its Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations. Right activists thought the denial was done to hide dirty linen.

The puzzle that remains unsolved is why President Jammeh is allowing the UN Inspectors access to Mile 2 this time. Gambians will have to struggle with speculation until we get to the bottom of the story.

“UN prison inspectors this morning visited Mile 2 Central Prisons early this morning,” said a prison source who begged for cover. The source would not go into details of where exactly the inspectors visited.

The visit coincides with the incarceration of opposition United Democratic Party leadership and others for protesting against the government’s excessive use of force. They also demanded for electoral reforms before the December 2016 presidential elections.

Ends

source www.kaironews.com

"Nobody Is Forcing OJ To Take To The Street" He Promised It

               

By Pata Saidykhan

I got the chance to listen to #OJ Jallow’s interview on Gainako. Here is my take: GAAARRBBBAAAGGGEEE! GARBAGE. And here is why: Nobody is forcing OJ to take to the streets. HE promised it. OJ was single-handedly the only opposition party leader to have promoted and promised peaceful procession/protest. When Darboe was sternly refusing to ‘lead others’ children in the streets to be massacred’, OJ was trumpeting around making him look like weak, spineless leader. In one interview, he said ‘I think they claim they are the biggest opposition party, let them call and we will answer.’ WELL… after more than two weeks of political crisis with their compatriot and his colleagues in detention, OJ was nowhere to be found and/heard except on some Interparty BS.

I am NOT asking OJ to be reckless and irresponsible, and I will be silly to question his commitment. But like they do to all politicians, they hold your feet to the fire when push comes to shove and your words do not match your actions. OJ was the most accessible to the diaspora and our radios. He was the one person we all celebrate for keeping us in the loop about any developments the opposition parties register or are about to meet, but today He does not want the enemy to know their plans/secrets? He is a politician. That is the fact. We are not asking for details. We want to see, know that something was going on. Is that a tough ask?

About his daughter Neneh? Welp! In a serious and normal political climate, she would have cost her dad a political fortune . Her tone and utterances right after her father hung up the phone was a dead giveaway to OJ’s possible mindset during this period: ‘Dad, this is everybody’s fight. If they all do not, you will not!’ She has a right to her opinion and voice as a Gambian on Gambian matters, but Mr Jallow should and would pay for the damage (if any) she must have caused.

This tribulation is and will be a testament to our political times. Clouts will dwindle and others lit. This is and must not be a UDP fight but from my silly and perhaps inaccurate observation, it is becoming theirs to lose. Politically. Perhaps had any of the other leaders been arrested, Darboe would have been wearing their shoes and not come out in protest. The thing is, we would now never know. Therefore, thus far, HE IS WALKING THE WALK. I still do belief though, that this is the common man’s revolution and will be won by them. The affluent and political leadership may help but may not be necessary.

GAMBIANS, do go out in numbers to support and show solidarity at the courts. These detainees being persecuted for their conscience would need it.

UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY (UDP) PRESS RELEASE

UDP Puts Forward Its Demands

in Politics — by Musa Saidykhan — May 4, 2016

       

The woman managing the state-sponsored crisis of the Gambia’s main opposition United Democratic Party has issued a press statement listing the party’s uncompromising demands. Mariam Secka’s demands include unconditional release of all detainees, and that investigation be launched on the reported death of Solo Sandeng and brutal torture of detainees.

Read below the UDP’s Press Release in detail:

UNITED DEMOCRATIC PARTY (UDP)
PRESS RELEASE
The Executive Committee of United Democratic Party (UDP) wishes to inform the general public and the International Community, of its total condemnation on the high handedness of peaceful marches on Thursday 14th and Saturday16th April 2016 at West field and Kairaba Avenue respectively by the state security officials. The party further condemns the subsequent arrest, detention and torture of some of the party officials, members and other peaceful marchers.

On the 14th April 2016, a group of concerned Gambians demanding genuine electoral reform to open up the country to conducting credible, free and fair elections, were arrested and whisked away to an unknown destination by the officials of the Gambia’s Police Intervention Unit. They were reportedly subjected to severe torture. As a result, one of them Ebrima Solo Sandeng, the UDP National Organizing Secretary was reported to have died from the torture inflicted on him.

News of Ebrima Solo Sandeng’s death was as shocking as it was unbearable, compelling the leadership of the UDP to a peaceful march demanding that the authorities release him dead or alive, as well as the unconditional release of all the other detainees. On Saturday April 16th 2016 the executive of the United Democratic Party were also arrested and have been in enforced state detention since.
On Wednesday 20th April 2016 after more than 72 hours in detention, eighteen people were brought before a judge and charged with varying trumped up offences including conspiracy to riot and conducting a march without a permit etc. However seven of those arrested are yet to be produced in court; In essence, they still remain unaccounted for. They include: Ebrima Solo Sandeng, Nogoie Njie, Fatoumata Jawara, Fatou Camara, Modou Ngum, Kafu Bayo and Ebrima Jabang.

For those arrested on 16th April 2016 which include the UDP Leader Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and his executive, Nineteen (19) remain in custody while thirteen (13) have been released on bail. On Thursday 28th April 2016, the state produced one more person before the court who was also jointly charged alongside the UDP leader and his executive.

The Gambia government continues to flout the high court orders for the detainees to be allowed family visits, food from the families, access to lawyers and other rights and privilege under the prison rule to change of clothes. The UDP condemns in strongest possible terms the inhumane manner in which the detainees are being treated.

The UDP still remains deeply concern about the whereabouts of one of its supporters, Dembo S. Darboe (Touray Darboe). He is from Kafuta village Kombo East and was picked up by plain cloth security officers on Saturday evening 16th April 2016 in the same village on his way from the mosque. His whereabouts are still not known.

The United Democratic Party noted with great concern, the actions and conduct of security forces for not only preventing and denying its members and other concern citizens from exercising their constitutional rights, but has gone to the extent of inflicting brutal and inhumane treatments on them.

The UDP expresses her total condemnation of the apparent bias of the security forces for breaking up its peaceful march while allowing the militants and members of the ruling APRC Party to conduct series of pro-government demonstrations in the past.
The UDP recognizes the concerns of the International Community and is grateful to the solidarity from civil society groups, Gambians and friends of The Gambia at home and abroad in this difficult moment.
The UDP will continue to remain steadfast in demanding for freedom, justice, rule of law and democracy in The Gambia. We continue to stand firm in the collective efforts to liberate our beloved country from the clutches of this tyrannical regime.

We salute the uncompromised support and solidarity of the party’s militants, youths and women in particular.

The UDP unreservedly demand:

1. That our party Leader and Secretary General Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and all other political detainees be immediately and unconditionally released;
2. That the torture and reported death of Ebrima Solo Sandeng be fully investigated and the culprits are brought to book;
3. That the severe torture of other detainees be also fully investigated and the culprits brought to book;
4. That the security force put a total stop to the excessive use of force in denying and preventing the citizens from exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful demonstration;
5. That the security of our party officials and members be guaranteed.

Mariam B. Secka
Deputy Secretary General and Deputy Party Leader

Ends

Is Jammeh Blinking To Pressure? As The Missing Persons Resurfaces

   

The nationally and internationally puss ups on the government of the Gambia to produce all those arrested is paying dividents as the almost all except Ebrima Solo Sandeng were to produced and brought before the high court in Banjul. The   United Nations and the African Union and all other human rights organizations  have called on the government of the Gambia to investigate the alleged killing of Solo Sandeng  and unconditionally free the others from detentions.

The Gambia government did not pay much heed to that call rather charges were brought against them and are standing trials at the Banjul Higt Court.

  Kafu Bayo, Ebrima Jabang, Fatou camara, Fatoumatta jawara, Nogoi Njie  Kalilu  Jojo Saidykhan and modou Ngum were all brought to court today .These were people who were missing since the arrest of the peaceful demonstrators on 14 April 2016. They are all charged for conspiracy amongst other related offences.

 The legal  parties adopted their briefs today with regards to  amended charge sheet of conspiracy and additional lists of seven accused persons.Those produce today were for the past twenty days feared death. However, mantawra sources said these men and women were tortured and sustained injures. The state was all along buying time to heal their wounds before bringing them to public view. 

News Flash; Modou Ngum, Fatou Camara, Jawara and Njie Brought to Court

              

As the pressure on the government of the Gambia continues to mount on with  the women folk progressing on the Kalama revolution the security forces blinked. Report from the high court in Banjul have it that the three  women and one man who were all along unacounted for since their arrest have shown up today at the high court building in Banjul. The resurfaced protestors are Fatoumatta Jawara, Nokoi Njie, Fatou Camara and Modou Ngum.
The pressure is paying off. We are following the information that today the State has produce: Nokoi Njie, Fatou Camara, Modou Ngum and Fatoumata Jawara. 

We are monitoring the situation and confirmthe vericity of this information form our sources on the ground and keep you posted.
Well done ground people. Lawyer Darboe stepping on the street demonstrate that if you stand up for your people the state have no option but to make sure they are alive and produce. More pressure. We need Solo Sandeng out. Keep to your guns. Torture and tyranny have to end. Fear have to end. We are human beings and we must never fear a tyrant.

President Jammeh Crosses The Red Line

The Chief Imam of Detroit Islamic Center has called on Gambians to “invest their energy, time and resources in liberating their country from tyranny.” In his weekly Mandinka sermon on Kairo Radio, Imam Momodou Ceesay said it was about time that Gambians defended themselves from President Yahya Jammeh who “is worse than Fir’awn [the most tyrannical Pharaoh of Egypt]. “Despite all his wickedness and arrogance, Fir’awn had killed male babies but protected females.”

Read below translated script of Imam Ceesay’s full sermon.

Translation by Musa Saidykhan

I am your brother Imam Ceesay talking to you about what has become a very urgent issue. This address has come at a time when our motherland the Gambia is going through a very terrifying moment. The Gambia is at a difficult moment. I am speaking out because Allah says whoever believes in Him must tell the truth. Whatever is being we say must be based on truth. Truth is the ultimate winner which is why our Holy Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] emerged victorious over his enemies. Allah makes plain truth tellers victorious and forgive their sins. Whoever has his sins forgiven, obviously becomes a winner. This is why I come out today to give my own perspective of the Gambia’s crisis. Who am I to remain silent when I see our elders, women and youths are protesting against excessive force being used against innocent and defenceless citizens? I believe it is now incumbent on every concerned Gambian to speak out their mind on what is happening in the country. Our country is going through hell because we have a leader who does not care about human respect and human dignity. He is a very smart and petty leader who masters the art of setting people up, spin doctoring, distracting and leading people astray. He does all these to keep the crown and spread his leadership tentacles.

How Yahya Jammeh fooled Gambians
When Yahya Jammeh first came to power in 1994, people laughed at him thinking he is a fool. We all thought the same person who coup d’etat Jawara was still the one leading us. While we were laughing and underestimating his capabilities, Yahya Jammeh was busy retooling his treacherous craft. Before we know he had changed it was too late. It was then we knew he was not the man who promised heaven and earth. We wonder whether he was the same Yahya Jammeh who sat on TV describing former PPP officials as “cruel people who do not throw even their bones to dogs.”

It was too late for us to know this leader is more treacherous, cunning and cruel than any of us. He is not a typical Gambian. A typical Gambian is not known for being hard-hearted. An ordinary Gambian is full of patience, compassion, sympathy and kindness. That is the kind of attitude our parents inculcate in us. And instead of being appreciative of the people who allowed him to rule them, this cruel leader started defining Gambians. He described us as “weak and lazy people” who do not want to work or strive hard. His first preoccupation was to divide Gambians into groups. That is the true character of any bad leaders. That was what Fir’awn [Pharaoh], one of the most tyrannical rules in human history, did to his subjects. Yahya Jammeh divided and split us into tribes. Like Fir’awn, President Jammeh’s goal is to stay in power forever. He became close to prominent people from different tribes. These unsuspecting people have been used and abused to do his bidding before he destroyed them when he had accomplished his mission. In the end, the only person who remains triumphant is Yahya Jammeh. He did the same to Baba Jobe [former APRC Majority Leader of Parliament who died mysteriously in state custody], Sheriff Dibba [former Speaker of Parliament who died after security officers tortured him] and others who helped him. Yahya Jammeh is doing the same tricks to even members of his own tribe. Every Gambian has tasted his cruelty, bitterness and arrogance. He hasn’t spared anyone – not even the people who are close to him in the name of loyalty. They too have had their share of the ruthlessness. Yahya Jammeh has an obsession to control everything, including our lives and narratives.

Jammeh’s killing without boundary
President Jammeh has killed all types of Gambians: our fathers, husbands, youths and children. And of late, he started killing even our wives, sisters and daughters. That means he is worse than Fir’awn who with all his wickedness, had never done that. God told Muhammad in the Qur’an thus “you know Pharaoh was a cruel leader who killed sons of Israel but he did well to protect girls.” It is a big loss and sympathy for parents who had their children killed by a person who swore to protect them. A good Muslim should honour and fulfill his promise but Yahya Jammeh doesn’t.

In fact, Prophet Muhammad preached against the killing of women and children during jihad war. He even advised jihadists to spare vulnerable members of the society for killing. Women, children and old people fall in this category. But this Yahya Jammeh does not spare these people either. This is simply too disturbing.

Gambia’s Sacrificial Lambs
Some people have sacrificed their lives to put a stop to Yahya Jammeh’s madness. This is what Solo Sandeng, Fatoumata Jawara and co did. This is what Ousainou Darboe and others did. All these people put their lives on the firing line for the liberation of Gambians. We have heard Ousainou Darboe when he expressed readiness to die for Gambians. He has spreaded his chest for bullets to enter—bullets Jammeh is running away from. This is so stressful and disturbing. But this manifestation is an important milestone in the history of the Gambia under Yahya Jammeh and his team of crook enablers; crooks like Ousman Sonko, who behaves like Pharoah’s right hand master chief security Hamana, Saul Badjie and their helpers will reap what the sow. These are the killers who shamed and degraded human beings, Allah’s most precious commodity. When you touch human being, you must be ready for war with Allah and His Angels.

These peaceful protesters had no weapon with them; all we saw in their hands were the Gambian flag and banners. Other than that they expressed their anger in words. What is wrong with that?

But we have seen Jammeh’s worthless security officer threw these peaceful elderly protesters inside cars like cola nut baskets; we have seen it on the media how they were mistreated. Most people were scared these arrested people would be made to disappear on the pretext they were not arrested. But thank God cameras beamed on them.

Killers are our own people
Ironically, these heartless security officers carrying out Jammeh’s acts of treachery come from our homes. They are our own brothers, sons and sisters. They kill and torture us just to satisfy one person’s soul desire; the one who decides to keep his wife and kids to escape from the Gambia’s hardship. If he thinks the country is heaven, why would his family stay at home?

Yahya Jammeh the ignorant preacher
We have seen the same president preach people on television to fear Allah and worship Him. Does this president forget he has tortured and killed so many innocent people? Jammeh has committed and continues to commit sinful acts. He angers Allah by destroying innocent lives, worshiping idols and disobeying his parents. This president verily knows what he is doing is not right, but he does not fear Allah. This is why I had earlier warned Gambians to be careful of this master trickster; it has taken us so many years before we discover his plots and tricks.

President Jammeh is a leader who wants to control religious narrative, scholars and imams. When he wanted to achieve his goals he started speaking for Islam. He is doing this because he is positioning himself to be an Amir [Spiritual leader of an Islamic State]. He locked up Imams to scare them from quoting the Qur’an and Sunnah truthfully. Then he can control pulpits just like how he controls all arms of the government. In that case Yahya Jammeh will decide what Imams and religious scholars will preach in pulpits and conference. An extension of his dictatorship. We will not sit idle and allow an ignorant person to interpret the Qur’an for us. By Allah’s wishes that will never happen in the Gambia.

Come out of your closets
It is time for Gambians to come out of their closet and throw fear away. Stop hiding because it will not solve your problems. Stand firm against tyranny. This is true for every Gambian, especially those people working at the United Nations, NGOs and businesspeople who are busy amassing wealth. Your country needs your help. You must not leave your country to disintegrate. If you do history will not be kind to you. This is a shame on you. Do not hide; go and bail out your country you will not have it back if it eludes from your hands.

Of Janmeh’s killer machines
Let Jammeh’s killer machines know that they should be loyal to their country more than a selfish individual leader. He is not an Amir or a Muslim leader. He occupied that office through constitution that has been agreed by Gambians. It is the same constitution that guarantees his removal from office when he violates it. Yes, he is a leader but like any other Gambian, he is not above the constitution. It is your own sin if you kill for him. He will lead you to hell fire. Allah says in the Qur’an: “Don’t they know they will wake up on a day of fear, a day when a human being can’t do anything.” You must not therefore do anything other than what the constitution says. Whatever you do will be prosecuted by Allah. That is the truth. And remember that whatever you do will be waiting for you in the next world. Whatever you do will earn you sin even if you are following somebody’s orders.

Gambia belongs to all
I want our security officers to understand that they too have a stake in the Gambia. The country belongs to all of us, which why they should remain careful in whatever they do. All Gambians, including the ones you are killing for Yahya Jammeh, are your everything. They are your brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, uncles. These are the people you attend the same religious institutions, ceremonies, or shop with. These Gambians are your neighbours. Your kids attend the same schools with their kids. So you cannot escape from them in a new Gambia. You should think of the future.

Jammeh’s chief crook
The likes of Ousman Sonko [minister of interior] is an engine of Yahya Janmeh’s killing spree. Here is an evil man who does not wish anything good for Gambians, the man who is always raising his threatening fingers. In fact, before this crisis erupted, Ousman Sonko said on national television that they have orders to kill any suspect. The likes of Ousman Sonko keep feeding on instilling fear in Gambians. He is like Fir’awn’s Hamana. He is among those who kill for Jammeh. This Ousman Sonko never says anything good. Sonko and his group arrested our people only to fulfill their planned intention. arrest our people and kill three of them. They were arrested to be killed because that is what they intended. These innocent peaceful protesters were not arrested; they were killed as if they are non-humans.

Innocent blood is not spilt in vain
Clearly, innocent blood is never spilt in vain. Something has to be done. It has always been like that. The fight to liberate motherland has began. I want all of you to stand firm and maintain perseverance. You have to be patient and strong, even though there will be bumps along the way. Avoid fitna among yourselves. No win comes without a price but Allah is always with the oppressed people. There will be light at the end of tunnel.

Be wary of spies
My message to Gambians, particularly diaspora those in the diaspora is to be mindful of people whose goal is cause split within your ranks. Some of them are Jammeh’s spies who want to create bad blood and confusion among you.

Cues from Prophet Muhammad
We should learn from Prophet Muhammad who was told by Allah to advise his followers to stand firm and avoid quarrel during trying times otherwise their power will diminish. You should be careful of fitna. All of you here and home should be united until normalcy returns home. Always maintain truth and avoid luring people into fitna and pull out. And these soldiers you called on everyday, expecting them to take over from Jammeh, are not worth anything. Please stop trumpeting such calls because these soldiers will not give back the country; they are a bunch of cruel people who are not trained to help human beings; they were trained to hate and kill people without guns. Everyone of them is scared of President Jammeh that is why they run away when they see him. They are killers who must not be counted on. Are they not the ones who lured people to Banjul only to kill them? The military is full of lazy and foolish people; people who toil hard at Janmeh’s farms, herd his cattle and sell his produce. How can those who cannot fight their fight bail you out?

It is time for all Gambians to unite in their determination to get rid of their cancer. They should stop calling military to bail them out. You are better than them because you work hard to earn money for yourselves and your families. Unlike these military officers, you toil for your parent and not for Yahya Jammeh. You are helping your parents and the country; you don’t steal either; it is the president who steals, spreads lies and kills humans. He even sits on television and brag about it.

Why I can’t remain silent
One of my friends advised me to be careful of these people [referring to those in the struggle against Jammeh dictatorship] because they talk a lot but they always hide. But I have come out to speak about Ousainou Darboe and others who stake their lives for the cause of Allah. If those people can do it no one should be left behind. Vomit out your fears; stop hiding. Go and bail out your country. Those who can go home should while those who cannot should contribute their resources to the noble cause. You have to do something to get your country from the killers and selfish hypocrites. Allah tells Muhammad and Muslims to bail out their country with their lives and resources.

Caution for online media
This message is for those in the media radios: our Kairo, Kibaaro, Freedom, Fatu Radio, Jonlof, Hello Gambia and others. You have all been doing great job. And I pray for your success. But I want you to be very careful while executing your noble job. Open your eyes and watch out messengers of hate, distraction and division. Their only mission is to join your radio program to derail any progress being made or about to be made. Many people are also in the habit of splitting people with their tongue, washing away all the good deeds of the diaspora. Most of these radio speakers have a mission to split and derail noble efforts. We have seen how noble associations have be n shattered on the media. Distinguished people have had their reputation soiled. Some of these people want to mix people together. If you do the right thing we will become upper hand. Freedom of expression comes with responsibility. You must not allow anyone to tear us down in the name of freedom of expression.

Days of hiding are over
Anyone who hides, never wants to come forward to be part of this important national discourse will not have a place in a New Gambia.

Fight must continue; we should not reach to a point in which people start blaming the oppressed people. Every fight has ups and downs. Ousainou and co are better than Yahya because he will never change. He is like a serpent who injects venom in people, hide and plan to prey on the next victim.

Opposition solidarity
All politicians in the country should strive to unite today. During tough times people should come together. What we used to hear from Omar Jallow was that no one would divide the opposition but it looks like that is happening. We have not heard anyone coming out to talk to youths. Come out and talk to them. They need you today more than any other day. Helping President Jammeh will not aid you anything; tell youths what is happening otherwise they will not listen to you any more. Yahya Jammeh is not trustworthy and sincere. If he has been, he will not have any problem with his friends: Baba Jobe, Sheriff Dibba, Waa Juwara and many others. He will never change because everything has to be in his terms; he does not honour any paper he has signed. Even those who sign the papers for him are not guaranteed security. No one has the powers; even those who sign don’t know what will happen to them. My brothers and sisters, I have come to spread my thoughts and tell you what I have about our Gambia. History is in the making, no one will be counted if you don’t speak out now.

Clerics get into the ring
I also have special message to my brother scholars. You have to learn from Prophet Muhammad that it is incumbent on us to fight evil with our hands, then our mouths and hate it with our hearts. The last option portrays our weakness. The one who is killing you, imprisoning and tormenting you is calling on you to attend national prayers sessions. He is asking you to go to mosque and pray for his individual benefit. The president who imprisons and threatens you on national television saying he was going to kill and that whoever pleaded with him would face severe consequences. How many imams did he imprison, beat or exile? Yahya Jammeh is a hypocrite who mixes people. If you hand over yourselves to the cruel leader, you will bear the brunt. No one will sympathise with you.

Let’s defeat disunity
As Gambians, we belong to one family, which is why I appeal to all of you to defeat anything that divides us. Let us break tribalism which only shatters us. Thank God people have united in action and words. Even if it takes us 20 years to bring down a brutal tyrant, which I believe will not happen, we will surely liberate our country. The liberation process can only be derailed when you betray Allah’s promise.

I want to close the sermon with the prayers Prophet Musa invoked against Pharaoh. I will pray that Allah end this ruthlessness, wickedness and arrogance soon.

Our Lord! You have bestowed on Yahya Jammeh extra-ordinary powers
The powers he uses to degrade and destroy innocent Gambians at will
He imprisons, banishes and kills Gambians to satisfy his heart desire

Our Lord! Yahya Jammeh makes every Gambian powerless
He controls the country and its resources to his advantage

Our Lord! Destroy Yahya Jammeh’s powers and his crown
Make the brutal tyrant powerless and shameful
Instill fear in his heart so he could not sleep
Create bad blood between him and his soldiers
So Gambian people can get back their freedom
So that Gambians return to their home without fear
So that our young men return and marry our girls
Who will then give birth to good sons and daughters

Oh Lord, you have the power to make anyone the leader
You also have the power to destroy any leader
Destroy Yahya Jammeh and his killing machine
Give back power to Gambians

Ends

They Are Prisoners Of conscience"Release Them"

                                     

  

An Amnesty International official says members of the Gambian opposition arrested last month by President Yahya Jammeh’s government are prisoners of conscience and should be released because they were simply expressing their political opinion as guaranteed under the Gambian constitution.

This came after Gambian authorities over the weekend charged the 38 people arrested last month, including main opposition leader Ousaniou Darboe of the United Democratic Party (UDP), with conspiracy to commit a felony.

They had previously been charged with unlawful assembly, rioting and incitement to violence after they held a protest demanding political reforms and against the death of UDP official Solo Sandeng in custody.

Amnesty calls for release of opposition members
  

Stephen Cockburn, deputy regional director for Amnesty International in West and Central Africa, also said the Gambian government would be wise to heed international calls for the release of the opposition members especially as Gambia is scheduled to have elections later this year.

“The Gambian constitution protects freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, including peaceful protest. And international law makes clear that there should be no criminalization of people who’ve been taking part in peaceful protest, even if there had not been authorization granted. And so for us, these are prisoners of conscience; these are people who have expressed their political opinion and they have been arrested and charged and they should be released,” he said.

Death of opposition official in custody         

Cockburn says the death in police custody of Solo Sandeng, also must be investigated. Sandeng, the UDP’s National Organizing Secretary, had allegedly been tortured to death while in police detention.

“Beyond that, there’s also very, very serious allegations made against the Gambian authorities in terms of the violence they used against the protesters and the violence they used once they were in prison. We know of one Solo Sandeng who died in custody, and there must be an investigation of his violation of human rights,” Cockburn said.

Gambia’s information minister Sheriff Bojan told VOA he knows nothing about anyone being killed in police custody. But he said opposition leader Darboe and his “cohorts” broke Gambian law by holding a demonstration without permission from the police. 

“Mr. Darboe is veteran lawyer and he’s quite informed that in Gambia just like in every other country there is something called the Public Order Act which forbids procession, street protests, meetings, and so forth without first seeking and being granted permission by the police. But he and his cohorts decided to completely flout that law, and in Gambia, just like in any other country, their acts and reactions; there are causes and effects.

President Jammeh, who seized power in 1984, is regularly accused of rights abuses and of running Gambia with an iron fist.

Amnesty accuses Jammeh government of rights abuses

Amnesty in its 2015 annual report accused Jammeh’s government of enforced disappearances, torture, ill-treatment, custodian deaths and a flawed criminal justice system. 

Cockburn said Amnesty has many questions about the fairness of any trial of the opposition members.

“I think there be a lot of questions raised about the fairness of any trial. There are a lot of problems in Gambia around politically motivated trials, about lawyers and families having access to people being charged and the use of torture in prison which of course can make people leap to confession they will tend to use. So I think we will have major questions about the fairness of any trial that is as politically sensitive as this one,” Cockburn said.

Case put off

The court adjourned the case against the 38 opposition members and leader Ousaniou Darboe until May 5 and did not rule on bail applications.

Lawyers for the detained opposition members have reportedly told the court that the opposition activists had been denied adequate food, access to medical attention and family visits.

New election

Gambians will go to the polls in December this year to elect a new president.

Cockburn said Amnesty International hopes that the Jammeh government will focus on the coming presidential election.

“I think what we very much hope is that the Gambian authorities will step back from the situation.  In a year that elections could be held in six or seven months or so, there needs to be national dialogue between the political parties, of trust and confidence, and an environment where people can express their views and assemble peacefully. And I think what would be important to try to build that confidence,  would be to release the protesters and launch an investigation into the death in custody of one of them,” Cockburn said. 

Cockburn said Amnesty has expressed its concerns to the Gambian government. He also said the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States, and the European Union, have all called for the release of the opposition members and an investigation into the death of Solo Sanden

Jammeh "Waanyarta"; AS His Kanilai Escape Route Identified

             Entrance of Yahya Jammeh’s Kanilai Villa!

Kanilai [birthplace of President Yahya Jammeh’s hamlet] is a major transit center for drug smuggling, fornication and flurry of fanfare. The hamlet is set aside for Mr. Jammeh’s planned escape route out of the country. Jammeh is a coward who should be hunted down and captured before it is too late.

In Kanilai, Jammeh lives in secret underground bungalow. This particular place is the hiding ground for the president whenever there is chaos or he feels insecure. This bungalow is near the mosque in Kanilai. This mosque is painted green and white.

Here is the description of how to get to the said bungalow.

Upon entering the main entrance heading to the rest of the White House or State House in Kanilai, there is a main gate guarded by soldiers from the top named the tower guards. After crossing this gate, you will be looking at two routes on the left and right separated by a lion statue in the middle. Before this there is a public square on the right hand side of the road where festivals and programs take place. The road on the right side is where Building Four is located. Building Four is the main hideout for the Dictator. It is located on left side of the road on the right road from the lion’s statue. Opposite Building Four is the Protocol House. There is another military checkpoint at the main entrance of Building Four. It is called Building Four but it is like a whole community with different sections of offices and houses. The Building is huge and has another guard house like that of the state house in Banjul. Upon entrance on the left, there is a car parking lot or garage. Opposite to this are located offices meant for official purposes.

There is also a mosque in Building Four located after the parking lot on the right. The mosque is also opposite the houses of soldiers who live in Kanilai. The mosque is painted in green and white colors like most buildings in Kanilai. Building Four is a very interesting compound. Adjacent to the mosque in Building Four is a house which is the underground, which is the main hideout of the Dictator Jammeh. This main underground hideout is painted black and white inside. There is getaway with red small car inside this underground. The gate of the underground is located in the kitchen which has white tiles as ground floor tiles. This is how Dictator Jammeh has planned his escape route. Very few of Jammeh’s closed protection officer are fully aware of this underground house in Building Four. Only the likes of King Papa and Saul Badjie have clear understanding of the underground.

Dictator Jammeh should know that we are aware of the security measures and plans he has put in place if worst comes to worst. Unlike Banjul, President Jammeh always feels comfortable in Kanilai where he does not doubt his security. What he fails to understand is that Kanilai lies close to the Senegal border. It is also the best place to launch any successful military strike because of its long distance from densely population areas. This expose is a warning to Dictator Jammeh that he can run but he can never hide from Gambians. We know your exit strategy but you will surely be captured soon. As I write this piece, I can bet that the coward Dictator who is not brave enough to admit killings of innocent Gambians, is hiding in this underground. You have been busted once again. If you don’t like it burst in flames.

Max

Ends

source www.kaironews.com

EU Lawmaker Alerts Consequences In Gambia’s Opposition Killings

Hon Martin, second from left after Dr. Janneh

The killing of Solo Sandeng and his colleagues peaceful protesters is seriously taken by the European Union high-ranking lawmaker who insisted there would be severe consequences for the Gambia government. As a result, the EU may boycott the country’s December 1st general elections.

The bloc had unfinished brouhaha with the Gambia government over gross violations of human rights. Instead of addressing its shortfalls, the Jammeh government decided to launch a smear campaign against the EU, misinforming Gambians that the bloc wanted to impose gay rights on a predominantly Muslim nation.

Already, the EU sounded the bell that it may not observe the Gambia’s election, which has the potential of being everything but free, fair, inclusive and peaceful.

“I highly doubt there will be an European Union Mission to observe the election unless there is a dramatic change in the political situation,” Rt. Hon. David Martin, one of the longest UK serving EU parliament member. “The EU cannot endorse an election which has no prospect of being fair, free, inclusive and peaceful,” said Martin who headed several EU Election Observation Missions to countries in Africa and Middle East.

The former Vice President of European Parliament was responding to the concerns of the Glasgow based Campaign for Human Rights In The Gambia (CHRG-UK), following the killing of peaceful protestors calling for electoral reform in The Gambia and the subsequent arrests of the leader of the United Democratic Party, officials and others.

Mr Martin, a member of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, also warned that the death of political activist Solo Sandeng and his colleagues in state custody and the continues human rights abuses committed by the Gambia government against its citizens will have severe consequences for President Jammeh and his government.

“The death of political activists in state custody adds to the long list of human rights abuses committed by the Gambia government against its citizens and such violations have severe consequences. I am concern that these recent arrests are only the beginning of a new repressive campaign against opponents ahead of the December Presidential elections. I support the calls of the United States and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to release the detained prisoners and conduct a through and transparent investigation into the death of Mr Sandeng and his colleagues. The recent crackdown by the Gambia government against opposition figures and human rights activists is a disturbing reversion.”

He pointed out he will seek the support of parliamentary colleagues in the European Parliament from the 28 member states through a parliamentary resolution about the situation in The Gambia.

Alieu Ceesay of the Campaign for Human Rights in The Gambia UK said CHRG will continue to work with European Union in defence of fundamental human rights in The Gambia and thankful to David Martin for his continues support. “The people of the Gambia are been held on their throat by a very vicious dictatorship, president Jammeh and his security forces will be held accountable for the crimes they continue to commit against the Gambian people. These crimes will not go unpunished the long arm of international justice will caught up with those involve and CHRG will continue to push for punitive measures.”

Ends