The Daily Observer's editorial having ran out of ideas decided to published the hacked contents of Panderry Mbai's contact list. Apart from the fact that the list was obtained through a criminal act (hacking), publishing the names and contact information of individuals and calling them informers could be libelous. How did the Daily Observers editorial maintain that these people are the sources behind the freedom newspapers stories? The lack of judgement displayed by the editorial is turning into a nightmare for certain people whose only crime is that they happen to know Panderry.The police couldn't help themselves. They have release the following press release:
These people are not serious. Panderry was the victim of cyber vandalism. He never wrote what they are attributing to him. The observer editorial knew this. However for reasons best known to them, they decided to publish the names of innocent citizens. The police having nothing important to do decided to use the same tainted information to scare innocent people. Talk about a police state...literally.
The Gambia Police Force has called on those whose names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses were published as informers to Pa Nderry Mbai, the publisher of the online newspaper, Freedom Newspaper, to report to the nearest police station within 24 hours.
According to a release issued by the police yesterday, failure to comply with this directive will result in immediate arrest and prosecution.The release concludes by soliciting the cooperation of the general public. Below we reproduce the full text of the release:
1. Following Pa Nderry Mbai’s declaration on Tuesday 23rd May, 2006 that he has decided to stop producing his on- line Freedom News Paper, and subsequent revelation of his sources of information, the general public is hereby informed that the Security Services are in possession of the full list of persons who continuously supplied him (Pa Nderry) with information, which he used to castigate and vilify the democratically-elected government of His Excellency, President Dr Alhaji Yahya AJJ Jammeh.
2. Consequently, all those whose names, addresses, telephone numbers and E-mail addresses appear in the said list and published in the Daily Observer News paper edition of Thursday 25th May 2006, are hereby urged to report to the nearest police station within twenty- four hours.
3. Failure to comply will result in immediate arrest and prosecution.
4. The cooperation of the general public is highly solicited.
These people are not serious. Panderry was the victim of cyber vandalism. He never wrote what they are attributing to him. The observer editorial knew this. However for reasons best known to them, they decided to publish the names of innocent citizens. The police having nothing important to do decided to use the same tainted information to scare innocent people. Talk about a police state...literally.
We've got so many people hurt in the political mudslinging that happened and continued after UDP/NRP withdrew from NADD. Egos were bruised along the way. So what? Politics is not for the faint of heart and all the opposition figures in the Gambia knew that all along.
The initial NADD project failed for a variety of reasons. We could either sit here and debate ad inifinitum who is at fault or we could put our heads together to fight another day. The later approach is what Dr. Saine took in a speech he gave in Louisville at a NADD fund raiser. The premise after all is that it is never too late to do the right thing in order to positively impact the future. I hope the opposition leaders and their supporters on the ground will yield to reason and come together for the benefit of all. There is no guarantee that together they will win in october, but there is strenght in unity.
Here is Dr. Saine's speech:
How did we get ourselves into this Mess; the Opposition’s Political impasse: Which Way Forward?
By Abdoulaye Saine
Hamilton, OH, USA
The forthcoming presidential election of 2006 is a defining factor in the politics of The Gambia, bearing the promise of a choice of regime to ordinary Gambians for a new democratic dispensation under the leadership of a reconfigured new alliance between the NADD and UDP/NRP.
NADD was established on 17 January by five major opposition parties, which to this purpose signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in preparation for the October 2006 presidential polls. This was partly in response to the 2003 changes in the national constitution to a first-past-the-post presidential election process in place of the second run-off election option. Clearly, this electoral change favors the APRC presidential candidate, Yahya Jammeh. Also, growing political pressure from Diaspora Gambians in the United States, Europe and, in particular, Britain, beginning in 2003, perhaps earlier, contributed to the formation of NADD and its overseas official launching in Atlanta, Georgia in July 2005. A lot is at stake in the forthcoming October presidential elections; this against a backdrop of growing tension between the ruling APRC party, opposition political parties and political leaders.
The Commonwealth-initiated inter-party dialogue by the former Nigerian military ruler General Abdul Salami Abubakar did not produce the desired result of political reconciliation. The objective, among other things, was to get the APRC and the opposition parties to sign an MoU that would ensure regular consultation amongst them under the auspices of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). It was hoped misunderstanding amongst different party supporters would be minimized, and in doing so, reduce the prospects for political violence during the presidential campaigns and elections of 2006. This was not to be as relations between the government and the NADD continued to worsen, in spite of Jammeh’s call for political reconciliation.
In July 2005, the NADD was dealt a severe blow when the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the ruling APRC and expelled from the National Assembly, Hamat Bah, Kemesseng Jammeh, Sidia Jatta and Halifa Sallah, all NADD executive members. The ruling party contended and the Supreme Court agreed that the four opposition leaders could not belong to the NADD, (a registered party) while simultaneously retaining their previous party affiliations and seats in the National Assembly. In the subsequent by-elections held on 29 September, all the NADD opposition leaders, except Hamat Bah, regained their National Assembly seats. Bah lost his seat amidst allegations of vote-rigging and intimidation. The NADD sued in the Supreme Court contesting Hamat’s defeat.
On the eve of the by-elections, the NADD scored a major victory against the IEC (and by extension, the APRC government) for its decision to allow voters to only show an ID, rather than a voter’s card to cast their ballot. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the NADD, in spite of the fact that the courts as well as the IEC are generally perceived as supporters of the ruling APRC government. Despite the NADD’s political gains, however, its fragile alliance, ongoing internal power struggles and selection difficulties over a presidential candidate, lead to its unravelling. In January 2006, Ousainou Darboe, an executive member of NADD and leader of the UDP, resigned amidst his allegations of “mistrust, “insincerity,” and “hate” within the NADD’s executive. The NADD’s Chairman, Alhaji Assan Musa Camara, and a handful of PPP executive NADD members, including Musa Drammeh, resigned shortly thereafter and threw their weight behind the UDP. Meanwhile, Jammeh continued his control and use of the National NIA to repress the opposition.
A case in point occurred on 15 November, when the NIA arrested three NADD executive members following their criticism of the APRC government and President Jammeh himself. The three, (Omar Jallow (a.k.a. OJ), Halifa Sallah, the NADD’s Coordinator and National Assembly member, and Hamat Bah accused Jammeh of political intolerance, corruption and mismanagement. The trio further challenged Jammeh to provide evidence that the opposition sought to foment discord/war between The Gambia and Senegal over Senegal’s border closure. The two-month border closure (August-October 2005) resulted from President Jammeh’s unilateral fee increase for trucks at ferry crossings into Casamance. It took the personal and diplomatic initiatives of President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria to resolve the border conflict at a meeting on 21 October in Dakar between the two heads of state. It also took the combined efforts of international and domestic human rights organizations and activists to get the three NADD executive members released. By the time they were set free on 13 December 2005, however, the NADD had been dealt a significant setback as selection of a presidential candidate was further delayed.
In addition, the daily interrogation of the three at NIA headquarters and their appearance in court used up what little funds the NADD had to launch it’s eagerly anticipated rally to announce its flag-bearer.
Thus, while the formation of the NADD as well as growing international and domestic pressures on President Jammeh bode well for future democracy and security, a lot remained to be done before the October presidential polls. In addition to the issue of a standard-bearer for the opposition, the lack of a level playing field, a non-partisan and reconfigured IEC to allow for NADD representation, franchise for Gambians living abroad and the presence of international observers remained issues to be addressed. Financial support from the Diaspora to foot NADD’s election bill also grew bleaker the longer its executive took to select its candidate. Amidst this political impasse and challenges, Darboe resigned from the NADD executive.
Darboe’s resignation in January 2006, contrary to the pronouncements he made in Chicago in September 2005, following the July visit of some NADD executive members in the US, was another blow against NADD. It was also a disappointment to those who had worked tirelessly for a united front against Jammeh in preparation for 2006. For those who supported Darboe, however, the UDP leader had exhausted all options and was, in the end, left with no alternatives.
It seems Darboe’s unwillingness to accept a process that could have lead to the selection of Omar Jallow as the NADD’s presidential candidate, was the primary reason for his resignation. It also appeared, however, that Darboe had legitimate concerns about his political colleagues in addition to the legal basis on which the alliance was built. In the latter case, he was vindicated by the July Supreme Court Decision that expelled the sitting National Assembly members.
Also, the political fallout between Darboe and Waa Juwara spilled-over into and further muddied the waters within NADD. Yet, it seems that if Darboe had any prior indication that the selection process would have favoured him, it is probable that he would have remained in the NADD, in spite of his initial misgivings. Amidst the clamour, a UDP/NRP alliance was beginning to crystallize and shortly after the NADD announced Halifa Sallah as its presidential candidate.
The UDP/NRP alliance, however, appeared to have already stolen its thunder and NADD risked being rendered politically irrelevant. However, this was not to be as the NADD’s political rallies that were held in Brikama, Sukuta as well as this evening’s gala in Louisville and yesterday’s in Atlanta attracted considerable support.
For the ruling APRC and other sceptics alike, however, the split within the NADD had been predicted; an alliance of self- interested politicians, with divergent political views, interests and strategies, they argued, could never set aside their differences to help build and sustain an alliance. The split within the NADD emboldened the APRC, President Jammeh and his group of political pundits who seized the opportunity to further discredit Darboe, OJ and the other politicians. To Jammeh and his propagandists, the choice to the Gambian people was clear because the disintegration of NADD, which only a few months ago posed a major threat to his rule, made the presidential election outcome a foregone conclusion. Then the 21 March, 2006, alleged foiled coup and its theatrical aftermath gripped the country.
The events of 21 March undoubtedly shook Jammeh’s confidence to the core. Apparently spearheaded by the military brass of the Gambia National Army (GNA), the alleged foiled coup was the culmination of The Gambia’s deepening political, economic and social crises under President Yahya Jammeh. It also, without doubt, exposed the internal cleavages within the army as well as the APRC’s dwindling support. More important, the alleged foiled coup highlighted the APRC’s inability to reverse the country’s rapid descent into the ranks of “failed states.”
The coup revealed yet another crisis, however. This time, it is a crisis of confidence in the political process and disappointment over the splintering of the NADD. To the alleged military brass and their civilian conspirators, the split within the NADD ended what little hope there was to dislodge Jammeh in the forthcoming October 2006 presidential elections.
Where do we go from here?
For many Gambians, however, not all hope is lost. A UDP/NRP alliance and Halifa Sallah’s selection as the NADD’s presidential candidate sparked renewed hope for a new and stronger alliance. The Kombo-East by-election results suggested that the UDP/ NRP alliance alone cannot defeat Jammeh in October, even though the UDP/NRP appear to have supported their claim- that outside the ruling APRC, they are the majority party. And for the NADD, the prospects of victory in October appear bleaker. Together, however, a UDP/NRP and a NADD alliance could have won the Kombo-East seat. Thus, the two entities desperately need each other.
It appears that a carefully renegotiated new alliance between NADD and the UDP/NRP could spell victory in October’s presidential elections. Against this political reality Gambians opposed to Jammeh’s continued rule demand that UDP/NRP and the NADD to immediately begin talks in order to revisit/amend the MoU. Political leaders must also promptly reconcile their political and personal differences.
Clearly, the Darboe resignation and the alleged foiled coup, gave rise to a period of soul searching among Gambians every where regarding the future of The Gambia. It led to intense debate and discussion of various strategies and options that could serve as a foundation upon which a new alliance could be built between the two existing UDP/NRP and NADD political entities. From that dialogue and discussion by a politically diverse constituency of Gambians emerged the following proposals:
(1) Establish a UDP/NRP and NADD Alliance to contest the October Presidential
elections;
(2) Select Ousainou Darboe or Halifa Sallah as its flag bearer;
(3) Establish a Sallah/Darboe or a Darboe/Sallah ticket;
(4) Upon victory, establish a government of National Unity with proportional
representation in cabinet of all constituent parties; (It may not be unwise to agree,
upfront, on the distribution of cabinet positions to avoid individual interpretation of
“Proportional representation”);
(5) The incumbent president and other political-party leaders can, if they wish, contest subsequent presidential elections; and,
(6) Establish two technical committees to iron-out the details, which when signed would
be binding to all the parties. (Technical committees should be clearly spelt out prior
to the re-signing of the revised/amended MoU).
The primary benefit of a Darboe/Sallah or a Sallah/Darboe ticket is the appeal it is likely to have on a larger voting constituency and reduce individual political vulnerabilities. In turn, this would positively showcase their collective strengths. A Sallah/ Darboe or a Darboe/Sallah ticket would also enable the new alliance to strategize, pool resources and effectively mount a campaign for the October presidential elections.
A speedy conclusion to these negotiations by June 30, 2006 is crucial because Jammeh and the APRC have been dealt a severe blow by the alleged foiled coup and, therefore, remain vulnerable, politically. Despite this fact, however, victory even with a new alliance is not assured and is daunting. Yet, this opportunity must be seized immediately. Furthermore, renegotiating a new alliance is going to require caution and tact as well as thoughtful strategies to reintroduce the new alliance to the electorate. Expected APRC criticism and accusations of “disunity” and “opportunism” within the new coalition, must be countered with strong and compelling arguments.
In conclusion, despite the political differences that divide the opposition, we must not loose sight of the common interest that we share- peacefully and democratically removing Jammeh, not a coup d’etat. All political leaders and parties, together, must begin a new chapter to engender healing and reconciliation amongst themselves and their supporters in The Gambia and Diaspora. This is the way forward and the only way to victory in October.
The initial NADD project failed for a variety of reasons. We could either sit here and debate ad inifinitum who is at fault or we could put our heads together to fight another day. The later approach is what Dr. Saine took in a speech he gave in Louisville at a NADD fund raiser. The premise after all is that it is never too late to do the right thing in order to positively impact the future. I hope the opposition leaders and their supporters on the ground will yield to reason and come together for the benefit of all. There is no guarantee that together they will win in october, but there is strenght in unity.
Here is Dr. Saine's speech:
How did we get ourselves into this Mess; the Opposition’s Political impasse: Which Way Forward?
By Abdoulaye Saine
Hamilton, OH, USA
The forthcoming presidential election of 2006 is a defining factor in the politics of The Gambia, bearing the promise of a choice of regime to ordinary Gambians for a new democratic dispensation under the leadership of a reconfigured new alliance between the NADD and UDP/NRP.
NADD was established on 17 January by five major opposition parties, which to this purpose signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in preparation for the October 2006 presidential polls. This was partly in response to the 2003 changes in the national constitution to a first-past-the-post presidential election process in place of the second run-off election option. Clearly, this electoral change favors the APRC presidential candidate, Yahya Jammeh. Also, growing political pressure from Diaspora Gambians in the United States, Europe and, in particular, Britain, beginning in 2003, perhaps earlier, contributed to the formation of NADD and its overseas official launching in Atlanta, Georgia in July 2005. A lot is at stake in the forthcoming October presidential elections; this against a backdrop of growing tension between the ruling APRC party, opposition political parties and political leaders.
The Commonwealth-initiated inter-party dialogue by the former Nigerian military ruler General Abdul Salami Abubakar did not produce the desired result of political reconciliation. The objective, among other things, was to get the APRC and the opposition parties to sign an MoU that would ensure regular consultation amongst them under the auspices of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). It was hoped misunderstanding amongst different party supporters would be minimized, and in doing so, reduce the prospects for political violence during the presidential campaigns and elections of 2006. This was not to be as relations between the government and the NADD continued to worsen, in spite of Jammeh’s call for political reconciliation.
In July 2005, the NADD was dealt a severe blow when the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the ruling APRC and expelled from the National Assembly, Hamat Bah, Kemesseng Jammeh, Sidia Jatta and Halifa Sallah, all NADD executive members. The ruling party contended and the Supreme Court agreed that the four opposition leaders could not belong to the NADD, (a registered party) while simultaneously retaining their previous party affiliations and seats in the National Assembly. In the subsequent by-elections held on 29 September, all the NADD opposition leaders, except Hamat Bah, regained their National Assembly seats. Bah lost his seat amidst allegations of vote-rigging and intimidation. The NADD sued in the Supreme Court contesting Hamat’s defeat.
On the eve of the by-elections, the NADD scored a major victory against the IEC (and by extension, the APRC government) for its decision to allow voters to only show an ID, rather than a voter’s card to cast their ballot. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the NADD, in spite of the fact that the courts as well as the IEC are generally perceived as supporters of the ruling APRC government. Despite the NADD’s political gains, however, its fragile alliance, ongoing internal power struggles and selection difficulties over a presidential candidate, lead to its unravelling. In January 2006, Ousainou Darboe, an executive member of NADD and leader of the UDP, resigned amidst his allegations of “mistrust, “insincerity,” and “hate” within the NADD’s executive. The NADD’s Chairman, Alhaji Assan Musa Camara, and a handful of PPP executive NADD members, including Musa Drammeh, resigned shortly thereafter and threw their weight behind the UDP. Meanwhile, Jammeh continued his control and use of the National NIA to repress the opposition.
A case in point occurred on 15 November, when the NIA arrested three NADD executive members following their criticism of the APRC government and President Jammeh himself. The three, (Omar Jallow (a.k.a. OJ), Halifa Sallah, the NADD’s Coordinator and National Assembly member, and Hamat Bah accused Jammeh of political intolerance, corruption and mismanagement. The trio further challenged Jammeh to provide evidence that the opposition sought to foment discord/war between The Gambia and Senegal over Senegal’s border closure. The two-month border closure (August-October 2005) resulted from President Jammeh’s unilateral fee increase for trucks at ferry crossings into Casamance. It took the personal and diplomatic initiatives of President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria to resolve the border conflict at a meeting on 21 October in Dakar between the two heads of state. It also took the combined efforts of international and domestic human rights organizations and activists to get the three NADD executive members released. By the time they were set free on 13 December 2005, however, the NADD had been dealt a significant setback as selection of a presidential candidate was further delayed.
In addition, the daily interrogation of the three at NIA headquarters and their appearance in court used up what little funds the NADD had to launch it’s eagerly anticipated rally to announce its flag-bearer.
Thus, while the formation of the NADD as well as growing international and domestic pressures on President Jammeh bode well for future democracy and security, a lot remained to be done before the October presidential polls. In addition to the issue of a standard-bearer for the opposition, the lack of a level playing field, a non-partisan and reconfigured IEC to allow for NADD representation, franchise for Gambians living abroad and the presence of international observers remained issues to be addressed. Financial support from the Diaspora to foot NADD’s election bill also grew bleaker the longer its executive took to select its candidate. Amidst this political impasse and challenges, Darboe resigned from the NADD executive.
Darboe’s resignation in January 2006, contrary to the pronouncements he made in Chicago in September 2005, following the July visit of some NADD executive members in the US, was another blow against NADD. It was also a disappointment to those who had worked tirelessly for a united front against Jammeh in preparation for 2006. For those who supported Darboe, however, the UDP leader had exhausted all options and was, in the end, left with no alternatives.
It seems Darboe’s unwillingness to accept a process that could have lead to the selection of Omar Jallow as the NADD’s presidential candidate, was the primary reason for his resignation. It also appeared, however, that Darboe had legitimate concerns about his political colleagues in addition to the legal basis on which the alliance was built. In the latter case, he was vindicated by the July Supreme Court Decision that expelled the sitting National Assembly members.
Also, the political fallout between Darboe and Waa Juwara spilled-over into and further muddied the waters within NADD. Yet, it seems that if Darboe had any prior indication that the selection process would have favoured him, it is probable that he would have remained in the NADD, in spite of his initial misgivings. Amidst the clamour, a UDP/NRP alliance was beginning to crystallize and shortly after the NADD announced Halifa Sallah as its presidential candidate.
The UDP/NRP alliance, however, appeared to have already stolen its thunder and NADD risked being rendered politically irrelevant. However, this was not to be as the NADD’s political rallies that were held in Brikama, Sukuta as well as this evening’s gala in Louisville and yesterday’s in Atlanta attracted considerable support.
For the ruling APRC and other sceptics alike, however, the split within the NADD had been predicted; an alliance of self- interested politicians, with divergent political views, interests and strategies, they argued, could never set aside their differences to help build and sustain an alliance. The split within the NADD emboldened the APRC, President Jammeh and his group of political pundits who seized the opportunity to further discredit Darboe, OJ and the other politicians. To Jammeh and his propagandists, the choice to the Gambian people was clear because the disintegration of NADD, which only a few months ago posed a major threat to his rule, made the presidential election outcome a foregone conclusion. Then the 21 March, 2006, alleged foiled coup and its theatrical aftermath gripped the country.
The events of 21 March undoubtedly shook Jammeh’s confidence to the core. Apparently spearheaded by the military brass of the Gambia National Army (GNA), the alleged foiled coup was the culmination of The Gambia’s deepening political, economic and social crises under President Yahya Jammeh. It also, without doubt, exposed the internal cleavages within the army as well as the APRC’s dwindling support. More important, the alleged foiled coup highlighted the APRC’s inability to reverse the country’s rapid descent into the ranks of “failed states.”
The coup revealed yet another crisis, however. This time, it is a crisis of confidence in the political process and disappointment over the splintering of the NADD. To the alleged military brass and their civilian conspirators, the split within the NADD ended what little hope there was to dislodge Jammeh in the forthcoming October 2006 presidential elections.
Where do we go from here?
For many Gambians, however, not all hope is lost. A UDP/NRP alliance and Halifa Sallah’s selection as the NADD’s presidential candidate sparked renewed hope for a new and stronger alliance. The Kombo-East by-election results suggested that the UDP/ NRP alliance alone cannot defeat Jammeh in October, even though the UDP/NRP appear to have supported their claim- that outside the ruling APRC, they are the majority party. And for the NADD, the prospects of victory in October appear bleaker. Together, however, a UDP/NRP and a NADD alliance could have won the Kombo-East seat. Thus, the two entities desperately need each other.
It appears that a carefully renegotiated new alliance between NADD and the UDP/NRP could spell victory in October’s presidential elections. Against this political reality Gambians opposed to Jammeh’s continued rule demand that UDP/NRP and the NADD to immediately begin talks in order to revisit/amend the MoU. Political leaders must also promptly reconcile their political and personal differences.
Clearly, the Darboe resignation and the alleged foiled coup, gave rise to a period of soul searching among Gambians every where regarding the future of The Gambia. It led to intense debate and discussion of various strategies and options that could serve as a foundation upon which a new alliance could be built between the two existing UDP/NRP and NADD political entities. From that dialogue and discussion by a politically diverse constituency of Gambians emerged the following proposals:
(1) Establish a UDP/NRP and NADD Alliance to contest the October Presidential
elections;
(2) Select Ousainou Darboe or Halifa Sallah as its flag bearer;
(3) Establish a Sallah/Darboe or a Darboe/Sallah ticket;
(4) Upon victory, establish a government of National Unity with proportional
representation in cabinet of all constituent parties; (It may not be unwise to agree,
upfront, on the distribution of cabinet positions to avoid individual interpretation of
“Proportional representation”);
(5) The incumbent president and other political-party leaders can, if they wish, contest subsequent presidential elections; and,
(6) Establish two technical committees to iron-out the details, which when signed would
be binding to all the parties. (Technical committees should be clearly spelt out prior
to the re-signing of the revised/amended MoU).
The primary benefit of a Darboe/Sallah or a Sallah/Darboe ticket is the appeal it is likely to have on a larger voting constituency and reduce individual political vulnerabilities. In turn, this would positively showcase their collective strengths. A Sallah/ Darboe or a Darboe/Sallah ticket would also enable the new alliance to strategize, pool resources and effectively mount a campaign for the October presidential elections.
A speedy conclusion to these negotiations by June 30, 2006 is crucial because Jammeh and the APRC have been dealt a severe blow by the alleged foiled coup and, therefore, remain vulnerable, politically. Despite this fact, however, victory even with a new alliance is not assured and is daunting. Yet, this opportunity must be seized immediately. Furthermore, renegotiating a new alliance is going to require caution and tact as well as thoughtful strategies to reintroduce the new alliance to the electorate. Expected APRC criticism and accusations of “disunity” and “opportunism” within the new coalition, must be countered with strong and compelling arguments.
In conclusion, despite the political differences that divide the opposition, we must not loose sight of the common interest that we share- peacefully and democratically removing Jammeh, not a coup d’etat. All political leaders and parties, together, must begin a new chapter to engender healing and reconciliation amongst themselves and their supporters in The Gambia and Diaspora. This is the way forward and the only way to victory in October.
I've found the spectacle of whining executives upset that critics like me are not interested in seriously talking about their achievements to be rather hilarious. Aside from the obvious - don't spit in my face and then ask me to seriously consider the aesthetics of the experience - as I was treated during the Salieu Jeng episode, it isn't as if the executives generally go out of their way to inform their membership of what is transpiring behind the scenes. If they communicate effectively, then they wouldn’t have to worry about me divulging the treachery of Tijan Ceesay and the subsequent fund raising drought they claimed came as a result of that post. That is the price paid for group think and unnecessary secrecy.
My relationship with Michigambia is not adversarial but critical. Even though I value the friendships of a few associates than the Gambian association, I will always give the devil his/her due. Case in point is this offensive that the executive undertook to lay claim to the medical supplies shipped to the Gambia from the treacherous claws of sycophants like Tijan Ceesay. The best defense is a good offense and to that end executives of Michigan should be commended for taking the initiative in laying claim to the efforts of their members by getting this press release to be published in the Point newspaper putting tricksters on notice that they will not be robbed of their dues.
Reading through the press release, this passage jumped at me:
On behalf of the Gambian embassy caught my attention. I couldn’t fathom why it was on their behalf rather than that of Michigambia. Then I had a jolt of memory that this post of mine was in fact accurate in describing how Michigambia nearly lost control of these items. Frantic phone calls were made to reclaim ownership and the executive should be commended for standing up to a sycophant before he gobble up the venture and reap the fruits of Michigambia’s labor.
My relationship with Michigambia is not adversarial but critical. Even though I value the friendships of a few associates than the Gambian association, I will always give the devil his/her due. Case in point is this offensive that the executive undertook to lay claim to the medical supplies shipped to the Gambia from the treacherous claws of sycophants like Tijan Ceesay. The best defense is a good offense and to that end executives of Michigan should be commended for taking the initiative in laying claim to the efforts of their members by getting this press release to be published in the Point newspaper putting tricksters on notice that they will not be robbed of their dues.
Gambia Association of Michigan Secures $28 M Medical Supplies for Gambia…. Click here to read the rest of the press release.
Friday 19th May 2006
The Gambia Association of Michigan has recently secured D28 Million worth of medical supplies and equipment from World Medical Relief, Inc., a charity organization in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Half of the medical supplies, which filled a 40ft container, has been shipped to The Gambia since 24 April 2006. These medical supplies and equipment are intended to benefit hospitals in The Gambia including Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul, Sulayman Junkung General Hospital in Bwiam, Western Division, AFPRC Hospital in Farafenni, North Bank Division and Bansang Hospital in Central River Division
Reading through the press release, this passage jumped at me:
Mr Jah also thanked Mr Tijan Masanneh Ceesay for all his support and timely responses to all his correspondences and facilitating the shipment on behalf of the Gambian Embassy in Washington DC.
On behalf of the Gambian embassy caught my attention. I couldn’t fathom why it was on their behalf rather than that of Michigambia. Then I had a jolt of memory that this post of mine was in fact accurate in describing how Michigambia nearly lost control of these items. Frantic phone calls were made to reclaim ownership and the executive should be commended for standing up to a sycophant before he gobble up the venture and reap the fruits of Michigambia’s labor.
The Kombo East by-election as predicted here has been won by the ruling APRC. It doesn't take a psychic to predict that one. The final vote tally was:
Jung Conteh (APRC) 3,365
Lamin Darbo (UDP/NRP) 2,814
Momodou Lamin Touray (NADD) 1,109
The results manifest what most of us loudmouths have been saying for quite some time, that the opposition divided as they are today will be drawing from the same pool of supporters albeit the bigger slice. The same fate awaits them at the presidential polls come October.
The reactions of the opposition figures to the election results are so telling. Lamin Waa Juwara, who never misses a chance to run his mouth at UDP/NRP alliance didn't disappoint this time either. Here is what he told the point:
I will like to think that every member of the opposition learned a lesson, but not if you subscribe to what Juwara has to say. In his demagoguery, he passed that lesson on to the UDP/NRP alliance. Everything is jolly with NADD huh? Juwara is smart enough to know that you can only bluff your opponent from a vantage point of strength. The results don't bode well for NADD. The UDP/NRP alliance has twice as much support as NADD and trailed the ruling party by a few hundred votes. That counts for something. No?
Waa and other NADD supporters keep calling on the UDP/NRP alliance to come back to NADD. What you never heard them say is for NADD to join the alliance. What is so hard about that? If unity is all they want, then joining a much bigger group is the way to go.
In his reaction to the election results, Ousainou Darbo is reported as saying the following:
What is Mr. Darbo smoking? Defeat for the APRC? In what sense? Is this some kind of twisted logic taught at law schools? But I guess he is just trying to massage the pain of defeat that the opposition clearly suffered. A win is a win is a win...capice.
However, Mr. Darbo did come around to acknowledging what critics of a divided opposition have been saying all along when he said the following:
I hope these guys get pragmatic and soon. They've already realized that they needed each other to win in October. It will take a pragmatic attitude on the part of all concerned to come together for a country. Obtuse adherence to Ideology and ego has only gotten us so far.
Jung Conteh (APRC) 3,365
Lamin Darbo (UDP/NRP) 2,814
Momodou Lamin Touray (NADD) 1,109
The results manifest what most of us loudmouths have been saying for quite some time, that the opposition divided as they are today will be drawing from the same pool of supporters albeit the bigger slice. The same fate awaits them at the presidential polls come October.
The reactions of the opposition figures to the election results are so telling. Lamin Waa Juwara, who never misses a chance to run his mouth at UDP/NRP alliance didn't disappoint this time either. Here is what he told the point:
An executive member of the opposition National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) has said the pull-out of the UDP and the NRP from the alliance led to their defeat in the 14 May by-election in Kombo East.
Mr Waa Juwara, who was speaking to The Point yesterday in a telephone conversation, said the defeat will teach the United Democratic Pary (UDP) and the National Reconciliation Party (NRP) that NADD is the only solution or answer to countering whatever scheme the ruling APRC party may employ in any elections.
“The UDP/NRP alliance has learnt a lesson that they alone cannot do it,” Juwara said, adding that unity is strength and power...point
I will like to think that every member of the opposition learned a lesson, but not if you subscribe to what Juwara has to say. In his demagoguery, he passed that lesson on to the UDP/NRP alliance. Everything is jolly with NADD huh? Juwara is smart enough to know that you can only bluff your opponent from a vantage point of strength. The results don't bode well for NADD. The UDP/NRP alliance has twice as much support as NADD and trailed the ruling party by a few hundred votes. That counts for something. No?
Waa and other NADD supporters keep calling on the UDP/NRP alliance to come back to NADD. What you never heard them say is for NADD to join the alliance. What is so hard about that? If unity is all they want, then joining a much bigger group is the way to go.
In his reaction to the election results, Ousainou Darbo is reported as saying the following:
Lawyer Ousainou Darboe, leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) yesterday said the 14 May Kombo East by-election was a defeat for the ruling APRC party, as the majority of the voters in the constituency voted against the APRC...point
What is Mr. Darbo smoking? Defeat for the APRC? In what sense? Is this some kind of twisted logic taught at law schools? But I guess he is just trying to massage the pain of defeat that the opposition clearly suffered. A win is a win is a win...capice.
However, Mr. Darbo did come around to acknowledging what critics of a divided opposition have been saying all along when he said the following:
However, when it was put to him that some people are of the belief that the opposition could not win the election because they are divided, Mr Darboe said “it is an argument that one cannot brush aside”.
I hope these guys get pragmatic and soon. They've already realized that they needed each other to win in October. It will take a pragmatic attitude on the part of all concerned to come together for a country. Obtuse adherence to Ideology and ego has only gotten us so far.
Click on the document to enlarge and read.
Reproduced above is a letter sent to Michigambia by the Gambia Embassy. This blog post is a follow up to the post I made here . Michigambia finally get an acknowledgement of their efforts and the allegations that they may have been conned by the embassy proved false. I think it is incumbent on me to let my readers know of this development. The letter is dated April 24th, 2006, eight days before I wrote my post and Michigambia got a fax copy from the embassy on May 9th, 2006. The events that transpired between the publication of my post and the receipt of the fax letter makes me wonder if my post may have awakened some executives members to demand a letter from the embassy to this effect. But I digress.
Reproduced above is a letter sent to Michigambia by the Gambia Embassy. This blog post is a follow up to the post I made here . Michigambia finally get an acknowledgement of their efforts and the allegations that they may have been conned by the embassy proved false. I think it is incumbent on me to let my readers know of this development. The letter is dated April 24th, 2006, eight days before I wrote my post and Michigambia got a fax copy from the embassy on May 9th, 2006. The events that transpired between the publication of my post and the receipt of the fax letter makes me wonder if my post may have awakened some executives members to demand a letter from the embassy to this effect. But I digress.
I still stand behind the other issues raised in the post, vis-a-vis, the deletion of Cherno Baba's Corner, and the fact that the Government will milk this donation for political purposes. Since Michigambia is a non-political entity and want to donate directly to hospitals why is the shipment been sent to the office of the president? Inquiring minds will like to know.
Was Michigambia Conned By the Gambia Embassy?
7 comments Posted by ousman ceesay at Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Last January, I was treated like a skunk at a party, for having the audacity in forwarding Salieu Jeng’s infamous post at Allgambian website to the Michi-Gambia mailing list. What bothered me then is not only the censorship allegation made in the post but also the notion that it is made at the behest of some unnamed Gambian officials. Alieu Nyassi in a fit of rage responded thus: “Anyone who wants to write anything can do so and they can post it on any website or create their own. GAM will not be utilized to carry anyone's political message”. Our resident Sherlock Holmes in the person of Ramou decided to do the detective work and came out with the culprit when she asserts: “taking a look at the sender, it is from Ousman Ceesay to samba Johm. These are people who live here with us”. Libeling Samba and I as the two pricks without cojones behind the prank. And not to be left behind in addition to the pomposity that belies comprehension Sirra chimes in to let us know who is the boss. Those were the days.
But time someone once opined is the great arbiter. I have no way of substantiating Salieu Jengs comment that an unnamed official is behind the shenanigans, but one thing is clear for all to see: Cherno Baba’s corner at Michi-Gambia has been deleted at about the same time that the Gambia Embassy offered to help in shipping the medical equipment secured by Michigambia to the Gambia. Coincidence? Maybe. But the timing stinks to high heaven.
To add insult to injury, the talk making the grapevine has it that the executive of Michigambia had transferred the ownership of the medical equipment to the embassy to facilitate shipping. But the unintended consequence of this action is that the Michigambia executive has since been double-cross, conned (or whatever adjective you can come up with) by representatives of our own government. The Gambia embassy is not only claiming ownership for shipping purposes, I am told, but they are claiming to be the facilitators of the whole venture. The representative in the person Tijan Ceesay alias ‘Eku Boppa’ has already arrived in Banjul waiting to present the shipment to dear leader (Yahya Jammeh) on behalf of the Gambia Embassy. Which conjures up another issue: the non-partisan mantra of Michigambia. The executive told us that the shipment will be sent directly to three designated hospitals as soon as they clear customs. However, with the Gambia embassy taking credit for the efforts of Gambians in Michigan, that non-partisan stance they (the executive) belabor so much about and went as far as pulling Cherno Baba’s articles for is well just that … wishful thinking. The government in this election year will squeeze as much political goodwill as they possibly could from the efforts of a non-partisan entity.
I have trouble believing the executive of Michigambia could be so obtuse as to allow themselves be outwitted by the likes of Tijan Ceesay. But the way events are unfolding, he might have pull a fast one on our able executives who never forget to remind us of their duties when they wrote: “Whatever the case may be, we are assuring you that whenever we meet as an executive the interest of the association and the community as a whole is our utmost concern and there is no doubt in our sincerity in serving the Michigan Gambian Community as an executive.”
Don’t forget that “interest of the association” is the operational word here. If what is been rumored turns out to be true ( at this moment, I have no reason to believe otherwise), what interest is it to Michigambia as an entity that someone is taking credit for the fruits of their labor? Time one more time will be the final arbiter.
But time someone once opined is the great arbiter. I have no way of substantiating Salieu Jengs comment that an unnamed official is behind the shenanigans, but one thing is clear for all to see: Cherno Baba’s corner at Michi-Gambia has been deleted at about the same time that the Gambia Embassy offered to help in shipping the medical equipment secured by Michigambia to the Gambia. Coincidence? Maybe. But the timing stinks to high heaven.
To add insult to injury, the talk making the grapevine has it that the executive of Michigambia had transferred the ownership of the medical equipment to the embassy to facilitate shipping. But the unintended consequence of this action is that the Michigambia executive has since been double-cross, conned (or whatever adjective you can come up with) by representatives of our own government. The Gambia embassy is not only claiming ownership for shipping purposes, I am told, but they are claiming to be the facilitators of the whole venture. The representative in the person Tijan Ceesay alias ‘Eku Boppa’ has already arrived in Banjul waiting to present the shipment to dear leader (Yahya Jammeh) on behalf of the Gambia Embassy. Which conjures up another issue: the non-partisan mantra of Michigambia. The executive told us that the shipment will be sent directly to three designated hospitals as soon as they clear customs. However, with the Gambia embassy taking credit for the efforts of Gambians in Michigan, that non-partisan stance they (the executive) belabor so much about and went as far as pulling Cherno Baba’s articles for is well just that … wishful thinking. The government in this election year will squeeze as much political goodwill as they possibly could from the efforts of a non-partisan entity.
I have trouble believing the executive of Michigambia could be so obtuse as to allow themselves be outwitted by the likes of Tijan Ceesay. But the way events are unfolding, he might have pull a fast one on our able executives who never forget to remind us of their duties when they wrote: “Whatever the case may be, we are assuring you that whenever we meet as an executive the interest of the association and the community as a whole is our utmost concern and there is no doubt in our sincerity in serving the Michigan Gambian Community as an executive.”
Don’t forget that “interest of the association” is the operational word here. If what is been rumored turns out to be true ( at this moment, I have no reason to believe otherwise), what interest is it to Michigambia as an entity that someone is taking credit for the fruits of their labor? Time one more time will be the final arbiter.
Copied below is a diary posted on Daily Kos by Michigan's own John Conyers. I have always been an admirer of Conyers for his steadfast and no nonsense approach to holding Bush and his administration accountable. Imagine what he could do to hold this administration accountable if he has the chairmanship of the judiciary committee come 2007:
Here is what he diared at DKos:
All I can say is more power to ya and I salute you sir.
Here is what he diared at DKos:
As some of you may be aware, according to the President and Congressional Republicans, a bill does not have to pass both the Senate and the House to become a law. Forget your sixth grade civics lesson, forget the book they give you when you visit Congress - "How Our Laws Are Made," and forget Schoolhouse Rock. These are checks and balances, Republican-style.
As the Washington Post reported last month, as the Republican budget bill struggled to make its way through Congress at the end of last year and beginning of this year (the bill cuts critical programs such as student loans and Medicaid funding), the House and Senate passed different versions of it. House Republicans did not want to
make Republicans in marginal districts vote on the bill again, so they simply certified that the Senate bill was the same as the House bill and sent it to the President. The President, despite warnings that the bill did not represent the consensus of the House and Senate, simply shrugged and signed the bill anyway. Now, the Administration is implementing it as though it was the law of the land.
Several public interest groups have sought to stop some parts of the bill
from being implemented, under the theory that the bill is unconstitutional. However, getting into the weeds a bit, they have lacked the ability to stop the entire bill. To seek this recourse, the person bringing the suit must have what is called "standing," that is they must show they were injured or deprived of some right. Because the budget bill covers so many areas of the law, it is difficult for one person to show they were harmed by the entire bill. Thus, many of these groups have only sought to stop part of it.
After consulting with some of the foremost constitutional experts in the nation, I determined that one group of people are injured by the entire bill: Members of the House. We were deprived of our right to vote on a bill that is now being treated as the law of the land.So, I am going to court. With many of my Democratic Colleagues (list appended at the bottom of this diary), I plan to file suit tomorrow in federal
district court in Detroit against the President, members of the Cabinet and other federal officers seeking to have a simple truth confirmed: a bill not passed by the House and Senate is not a law, even if the President signs it. As such, the Budget bill cannot be treated as the law of the land.
As many of you know, I have become increasingly alarmed at the erosion of our constitutional form of government. Whether through the Patriot Act, the President's Secret Domestic Spying program, or election irregularities and disenfranchisement, our fundamental freedoms are being taken away. Nothing to me is more stark than this, however. If a President does not need one House of Congress to pass a law, what's next?
The following is a list of co-plaintiffs on this lawsuit. I would note that I did not invite every Member of the House to join in the suit, and I am certain many, many more Members would have joined if asked. However, this was not possible for various arcane legal reasons.
The other plaintiffs include Rep. John Dingell, Ranking Member on the Energy and Commerce Committee; Rep. Charles B. Rangel, Ranking Member on the Ways and Means Committee; Rep. George Miller, Ranking Member on the Education and Workforce Committee; Rep. James L. Oberstar, Ranking Member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; Rep. Barney Frank, RankingMember on the Financial Services Committee; Rep. Collin C. Peterson, Ranking Member on
the Agriculture Committee; Rep. Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member on the Homeland Security Committee; Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, Ranking Member on the Rules Committee; Rep. Fortney "Pete" Stark, Ranking Member on the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee; Rep. Sherrod Brown, Representing Ohio's 13th
District.
All I can say is more power to ya and I salute you sir.
I believe this point newspaper editorial captures what most observers of Gambian politics have feared all along. With a divided opposition the APRC stands to win in any given election. The opposition camp will be vying for votes from the same slice of the electorate and even though that slice left intact might be bigger than the APRC's support base, a two-way split will surely guarantee a victory for the ruling party. Here is the points editorial:
It is deja vu all over again. When you think these fellows (opposition leaders) are not obtuse, egomaniacs, and will eventually get along for the sake of sanity, they go ahead and pull a stupid thing like what the point is reporting. Despondency has started setting into my optimistic psyche. I am beginning to get what people have been saying all along...that the split is irreversible and that we should prepare for another half a decade of Yahya's moronic behavior. Yeah go ahead and gloat because I happened to be a slow learner.
The opposition as a divided house
Thursday 27th April 2006
The selection of candidates for the Kombo East bye elections by both the NADD and the UDP/NRP coalition is an apparent indication that the split of the opposition coalition is as good as irreversible. While it is now more than two months since the split, but there were some people amongst the opposition who were still with the hope that their difference could be patched and the two factions can be brought back together.
However, with the decision to contest the bye election under separate tickets, then it is hard to see how such an objective can be achieved.This is yet another indication of that the opposition is not united and it is hard for anyone to contemplate how they can fare better under such a situation against the financial might of the APRC in any contest.Of course it is possible for anyone of the parties to win the bye elections, but it is certainly not going to be a good indicator of what is in store for them in the forthcoming presidential elections in October or the National Assembly elections in January.
When NADD was launched in May 2005 with a lot of fanfare, many supporters of the opposition were happy that they had finally found the formula to oust the APRC from power. However, when the split occurred about two months ago, many of those people felt quite despondent and let down that some of them decided to take a “holiday” like what Sheriff Dibba did in 1994 when the AFPRC seized power.
It is deja vu all over again. When you think these fellows (opposition leaders) are not obtuse, egomaniacs, and will eventually get along for the sake of sanity, they go ahead and pull a stupid thing like what the point is reporting. Despondency has started setting into my optimistic psyche. I am beginning to get what people have been saying all along...that the split is irreversible and that we should prepare for another half a decade of Yahya's moronic behavior. Yeah go ahead and gloat because I happened to be a slow learner.
I've finally come to the sad and ugly conclusion that every single leader of the ruling APRC party is captive to fear and motivated by the evil caprices of greed. The end result, unfortunately for the Gambia is the obscene accumulation of wealth by a small coterie of cronies, criminals, and murderers that constitute Yahya Jammeh’s government and criminal empire.
Funny, isn't it, how times have changed? Once upon a time, Muslims considered avarice a sin. They will rather go to an early grave than bear false witness. In today’s Gambia, grown men and women, religious and other opinion leaders do not hesitate for a second in serving as an agent and in some cases witnesses to the cruelty of an ignorant dictator without lifting a finger or saying a word. Ansu Machine (the renowned warrior) will be rolling over in his grave watching Gambians bled to ruin as Yahya and his cronies feed their insatiable greed while religious leaders with prayer beads cower in fear. Whatever happened to the belief that God is the final arbiter that they (religious leaders) keep preaching from the pulpit?
And of course, there's the literal blood, Gambians summarily executed by this government since 1994. There are so many victims and no perpetrators brought to justice. What else do we expect? The culprits of these heinous crimes are in charge of the government. They pardon their own crimes, thereby becoming the judge, the jury and the executioner.
Lying, conniving in the service of money and been cowardly when the interest of the country is at stake has become the trademark of every single leader of the APRC party. They help in bamboozling an agrarian, poor and illiterate population in voting against their own interest. They coerced and punish those that see their evil ways and refuse to oblige. How, one might ask do you put a wrench into this monkey’s wheel? Well for starters opposition politicians in this election year need to come together and form a common front. I know that is a common cliché, but we have to keep harking on it until they listen. A significant ingredient of representative democracy is the leader listening to the electorate and as such demands for opposition unity should be a consistent clarion call of all that seeks to see a peaceful end to Yahya Jammeh’s tyranny.
Lying, conniving in the service of money and been cowardly when the interest of the country is at stake has become the trademark of every single leader of the APRC party. They help in bamboozling an agrarian, poor and illiterate population in voting against their own interest. They coerced and punish those that see their evil ways and refuse to oblige. How, one might ask do you put a wrench into this monkey’s wheel? Well for starters opposition politicians in this election year need to come together and form a common front. I know that is a common cliché, but we have to keep harking on it until they listen. A significant ingredient of representative democracy is the leader listening to the electorate and as such demands for opposition unity should be a consistent clarion call of all that seeks to see a peaceful end to Yahya Jammeh’s tyranny.
Second, they need to ask Gambians what will make them put a leader and a party in charge of the government when all their actions and deeds undermine and arguably abolishes that very institution. They need to drive home the fact that Yahya Jammeh and his APRC use government to further their evil and greed at the detriment of the nation.
Furthermore, they need to point to the obvious fact that Yahya Jammeh has become a master at outsourcing blame. He castigates Gambian youth and calls them lazy without taking responsibility for the miserable economic environment that his policies wrought. The economic failure that is caused by his inept leadership is shifted to the victims. It is their (the youth’s) fault that reliable electricity and other infrastructure needed for economic development are virtually non-existent in the Gambia. Yahya Jammeh and his APRC can be summed up as devoted to lying to, stealing from and killing Gambians.
Opposition leaders need to take heed. Quit whining about your petty differences and close ranks. It's time to talk straight to the Gambian people and ask them to make sacrifices for the future of a nation. The Nepalese opposition just pulled a great feat and there is no reason to believe that Gambians couldn’t do the same.
Gambians are bleeding from excessive taxation. They are bleeding from the debt burden that is incurred in their name and siphoned off to overseas banks in some of the greatest corruption debacles that have occurred since independence. But what does the ruling party members of the National assembly do? Give the dictator more powers as if he needed more. The only time these groups of people have their priorities straight always involve lining their own pockets.
Readers of this blog are used to my continuous and relentless rants against the tyranny and dictatorial rule of Yahya Jammeh. The Gambia is a police state and the commanding officer of the state happens to be a state unto himself. Critics might contend that there are other branches of government that could curtail this extreme executive power. But the rubber stamp "people's representatives" that is the Gambia national assembly have decided to abdicate their roles and give Yahya Jammeh the power to fire them even though they were hired by the people to work for the people. They've decided by their vote in amending the constitution that they are not worthy of the trust and power bestowed on them by the electorate. By now you are wondering what is irking him so much. Well here is the story that got my blood boiling:
Is Secretary Hydara out of his fucking mind? What public interest is served by giving the executive such outrageous powers? Why is intelligent folks like Hydara so evil? why do they use their intellect to further subjugate our people? Evidently, he hasn't learned much from the humiliation Fafa Mbye suffered at the hands of this moron. Fafa ...a very intelligent lawyer by any standards promulgated some of the most draconian decrees for the AFRC as justice minister and ended up getting his assets confiscated under those same decrees after falling out with Yahya. The same fate awaits Hydara. The most outrageous thing about Hydara's later stunt is that he used a cowered and semi-literate group of politicians to change a significant provision of the Gambia Constitution, thereby and in the process bestowing monarchical powers in the hands of a full-blown dictator...Yahya Jammeh. Will he use it? You betcha and soon.
But come to think of it, the national assembly members ( opposition been the exception) has been doing crapshoot for their constituents. They are a bunch of no good, freeloading leeches feeding on the Gambian taxpayer. They have been doing what Yahya demand they do all along. Passing bills, amending the constitution to suit 'Tony Daba". Now the chicken has come home to roost. After getting them to change the law of the land to his liking, Yahya has decided that he doesn't even need the bogus semblance of checks and balances that the national assembly portrays. The obliging 'people's representatives' gladly gave dear leader the power he is had all long ... the power to fire them as well and at will. What a cowardly act by a bunch of selfish people.
Jammeh Empowered to Dissolve National Assembly at Will
Monday 24th April 2006
By Abba A S Gibba
A president in The Gambia can now dissolve the National Assembly “anytime
he or she deems it necessary”.This was made possible after members of the National Assembly approved on Thursday the proposed amendment to section 96 of the Constitution of The Gambia.
“The amendment to section 96 of the constitution is that notwithstanding the provision of subsection (1), the President may, in the public interest, declare that a general election of all members of the National Assembly shall be held on such date as he or she shall determine,” the Secretary of State for Justice, Sheikh Tijan Hydara, said at the National Assembly.
The proposed amendment to Section 96 of the Constitution states: “Notwithstanding the provision of Subsection (1), the President may, in the public interest, declare by order published in the Gazette, that a general election of all members of the National Assembly shall be held on such date as he or she shall determine.
Secy Hydara said there is however a clause in the proposed amendment that states that “the President shall not exercise his or her power under this subsection if the time for a general election of all the members of the National Assembly under subsection (1) is less than eighteen months.”In moving the motion, Hon. Hydara said the amendment is in the public interest of the nation. “It is only in the public interest of The Gambia that established institutions of government should be overhauled to give it a new momentum, a new sense of direction, a new lease of life, or to re-position it to meet other greater challenges, he added.
However, when the motion was moved for the approval of the amendment, it provoked a bitter argument between the political divide in the National Assembly. It was nonetheless put to a vote and the results were as follows: the yes vote was 29, the no vote was 3, the absentees were 17, and 1 person abstained.
Is Secretary Hydara out of his fucking mind? What public interest is served by giving the executive such outrageous powers? Why is intelligent folks like Hydara so evil? why do they use their intellect to further subjugate our people? Evidently, he hasn't learned much from the humiliation Fafa Mbye suffered at the hands of this moron. Fafa ...a very intelligent lawyer by any standards promulgated some of the most draconian decrees for the AFRC as justice minister and ended up getting his assets confiscated under those same decrees after falling out with Yahya. The same fate awaits Hydara. The most outrageous thing about Hydara's later stunt is that he used a cowered and semi-literate group of politicians to change a significant provision of the Gambia Constitution, thereby and in the process bestowing monarchical powers in the hands of a full-blown dictator...Yahya Jammeh. Will he use it? You betcha and soon.
But come to think of it, the national assembly members ( opposition been the exception) has been doing crapshoot for their constituents. They are a bunch of no good, freeloading leeches feeding on the Gambian taxpayer. They have been doing what Yahya demand they do all along. Passing bills, amending the constitution to suit 'Tony Daba". Now the chicken has come home to roost. After getting them to change the law of the land to his liking, Yahya has decided that he doesn't even need the bogus semblance of checks and balances that the national assembly portrays. The obliging 'people's representatives' gladly gave dear leader the power he is had all long ... the power to fire them as well and at will. What a cowardly act by a bunch of selfish people.
Opposition leaders/figures in the Gambia think that by keeping their mouths shut or releasing vague condemnation of a coup cooked up by Yahya Jammeh and his hired goons will earn them some brownie points. Furthermore letting Gambians see the debacle that is Yahya Jammeh’s rule in all its glory will earn them dramatic gains come October. But alas no. They are sadly mistaken. The dictator smell fear and is going for the jugular starting with that coerced ten thousand solidarity march.
The corrosive cynics in Gambian opposition land keep whispering in the ears of our purported opposition figures to take the high road and not get into an altercation with what one Gambian commentator going by the pseudonym “ bulfalleh” called a “Doof” (meaning psychotic or crazy person). He espouses that taking a strong stance will only earn them the wrath of the moron that is Yahya Jammeh. So they (the opposition) release press statements but generally remain silent about gross human rights abuses dealt with the alleged coup plotters that continue to this day. Instead of calling for the constitutional rights against self-incrimination of the alleged coup plotters while they are paraded on national television incriminating themselves under duress, our learned opposition parties send out press releases condemning an event they have no evidence even happened.
What is responsible for such a lackluster performance amongst a group of people vying to bring democracy and the rule of law to the Gambia? Why are they silent and not demanding that the government respect the rights of defendants? Fear, someone told me is the culprit. What else? Because these guys (opposition leaders) are savvy enough to know that silence in a political scene doesn’t motivate your supporters. Gambians understand long ago that Yahya doesn’t know crap about governance, but what they have not seen is the backbone from the opposition camp. Every time they have a chance at scoring a touchdown, (using a football metaphor), they punt the ball.
Meanwhile, Yahya sensing the fear continues to ruthlessly imprison and torture people at mile two prisons. Disappearances and rumors of summary executions of Gambians continue to dominate our society since the announcement of the alleged coup, reminiscent of the November 1994 event. This would have been the shining moment for a credible opposition force. Demanding the treatment of Gambians humanely no matter the grievousness of their alleged crime should be the mantra of the opposition not joining a press release galore castigating an event the circumstances of which is dubious at best.
We have an opposition leadership that is scared of offending the government and by extension never inspires or motivates their supporters. Yahya Jammeh knows this and that is why he does what he does. Recent events in Nepal show that a committed and steadfast opposition leadership can make a monarch shake in his boots and reverse his callousness just by inspiring and motivating a population that is tired of been victimized. But Gambian opposition leaders are simply for lack of a better metaphor afraid. And that has to change and soon for the sake of our country.
The corrosive cynics in Gambian opposition land keep whispering in the ears of our purported opposition figures to take the high road and not get into an altercation with what one Gambian commentator going by the pseudonym “ bulfalleh” called a “Doof” (meaning psychotic or crazy person). He espouses that taking a strong stance will only earn them the wrath of the moron that is Yahya Jammeh. So they (the opposition) release press statements but generally remain silent about gross human rights abuses dealt with the alleged coup plotters that continue to this day. Instead of calling for the constitutional rights against self-incrimination of the alleged coup plotters while they are paraded on national television incriminating themselves under duress, our learned opposition parties send out press releases condemning an event they have no evidence even happened.
What is responsible for such a lackluster performance amongst a group of people vying to bring democracy and the rule of law to the Gambia? Why are they silent and not demanding that the government respect the rights of defendants? Fear, someone told me is the culprit. What else? Because these guys (opposition leaders) are savvy enough to know that silence in a political scene doesn’t motivate your supporters. Gambians understand long ago that Yahya doesn’t know crap about governance, but what they have not seen is the backbone from the opposition camp. Every time they have a chance at scoring a touchdown, (using a football metaphor), they punt the ball.
Meanwhile, Yahya sensing the fear continues to ruthlessly imprison and torture people at mile two prisons. Disappearances and rumors of summary executions of Gambians continue to dominate our society since the announcement of the alleged coup, reminiscent of the November 1994 event. This would have been the shining moment for a credible opposition force. Demanding the treatment of Gambians humanely no matter the grievousness of their alleged crime should be the mantra of the opposition not joining a press release galore castigating an event the circumstances of which is dubious at best.
We have an opposition leadership that is scared of offending the government and by extension never inspires or motivates their supporters. Yahya Jammeh knows this and that is why he does what he does. Recent events in Nepal show that a committed and steadfast opposition leadership can make a monarch shake in his boots and reverse his callousness just by inspiring and motivating a population that is tired of been victimized. But Gambian opposition leaders are simply for lack of a better metaphor afraid. And that has to change and soon for the sake of our country.
This is what it has come to. The bamboozlement that this guy pull on Gambians is beyond me. I mean what the heck is that man thinking? What is going through his mind as he squat there while the emperor perform his idea of mystic healing. At a certain point we will just have to face the fact that many members of our society are just gullible. Check out the rest of the photos here
Talking of gullibility, what in God's name has gotten into Sherriff Mustapha Dibba? How low will Dibba stoop? The cowardly behavior of the man lately is a new trait. Maybe I am a bad judge of character. But I am of the belief until lately that it takes someone with cojones to oppose Dawda Jawara at the zenith of his power and abandon along the way your own power and prestige. But that was exactly what Sheriff Dibba did and most of my native Badibu stood with their native son and take a hit for it when it comes to development. Badibu still has the same feeder roads that were built during the colonial days. Most of these is due to their opposition to the PPP and by extension the APRC governments until Sheriff Dibba jump ship and join the later, swaying along the way many of his supporters to vote for the APRC.
Politics is a blood sport and one can even forgive Sheriff Dibba for aligning with the APRC, but apologizing to a moron for infringing on your freedom without cause is cowardice. That is the peeve I have with Mr. Dibba. He is free to align/associate himself with any legal political arrangement, but he is abetting and condoning an atmosphere of lawlessness by actions like this:
The former Speaker of the national assembly, Mr. Sherrif Mustapha Dibba paid a courtesy call on President Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh at State House today. Mr. Dibba, who was speaker of the assembly until a week and a half ago when he was removed for alleged involvement in the failed March 21st.Coup attempt went to State House to pay his allegiance to President Jammeh. During an emotional meeting in the cabinet room, Mr. Dibba thanked the president for the opportunity to have served as Speaker of National Assembly. He also pledged his allegiance to President Jammeh and the ruling APRC Party. Mr. Dibba also made it clear that he will fully support President Jammeh during the coming months when the campaign heats up. He also thanked the president for his visionary leadership and commended the great work he has undertaken since taking the realm of power.
The kind of fear Yahya Jammeh instil in grown men is beyond comprehension. Yep you read it right. He locked Dibba up for taking part in a bogus coup that never happened, took his job from him and what did he get in return? An apology off-course...
Audio of "alleged coup plotters" Confessions
0 comments Posted by ousman ceesay at Thursday, April 13, 2006
Raki Web has the GRTS audio transcripts of the "alleged coup plotters" confessing to their roles in the alleged plot. The incoherent nature of their confessions is mind buckling. Listening to the audio I can hear a voice in the background supplying names. Somebody is coaching them to say what they say.
Click here to listen to the audio.
Click here to listen to the audio.
NAA to launch Washington-Banjul-Accra
2 comments Posted by ousman ceesay at Thursday, April 13, 2006North American Airlines, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of World Air Holdings, Inc. WLDA, will inaugurate weekly scheduled service linking Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to Banjul, The Gambia and Accra, Ghana beginning June 4, 2006, pending approval from The Gambian government. This new service will operate non-stop to Banjul and continue to Accra.
North American is the only U.S. airline serving Africa with scheduled service currently operating non-stop between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Accra.
"There is significant demand in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C., area for direct flights to Africa, and North American's Boeing 767-300ER service will greatly reduce flying time between BWI and the cities of Banjul and Accra in West Africa," said Jeff MacKinney, president of World Air Holdings, Inc., at a news conference today at BWI to announce the new service. "Customers also will appreciate our new Business Class service with all-leather seating, 55-inch seat pitch, 135-degree recline and 100 hours of on-demand, in-flight entertainment.
"Maryland Lt. Governor Michael S. Steele said, "The State of Maryland thanks North American Airlines for providing this new scheduled air service from BWI Marshall to West Africa. It will create new opportunities and advance the exchange of goods, services, and ideas. The airline's weekly flight will foster economic and cultural exchange between the State of Maryland and the countries of West Africa."With the launch of Baltimore/Washington service June 4 and an additional flight at JFK beginning June 3, North American will have a total of three weekly, direct flights between the United States and West Africa."We are extremely grateful for the support we have received from the Maryland Aviation Administration and the State of Maryland, which have committed to jointly promote this new service with North American through marketing efforts," MacKinney said. "We look forward to providing this important link that many customers want between the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area and West Africa."The flight schedule effective June 4 will be: ....GhanaWeb
BWI to Banjul/Accra -Depart BWI - 11:55 p.m. Sunday -Arrive Banjul - 12:15 p.m. Monday
Depart Banjul - 1:15 p.m. Monday - Arrive Accra - 4:30 p.m.
MondayAccra/Banjul to BWI -Depart Accra - 11:30 a.m. Sunday - Arrive Banjul - 2:45 p.m.
SundayDepart Banjul - 4:15 p.m. Sunday - Arrive BWI - 8:45 p.m.
Sunday
I hope their services will not be as bad as Ghana airways. This is a profitable route and as long as they treat their customers right, most of the people taking the european route to get to Gambia will opt for this much shorter route. Heck I will be one of their customers sometime this year if their service is any good.
Our little King George has his pep rally intruded by a patriot today. I don't think George Bush is stupid. I think the man is arrogant ... you know the type that don't have a clue the struggles that other people go through on a daily basis. If you have daddy and his friends propping you up at every turn, without any repercusions, that is how you turn out. Life becomes a long joy ride for you.
I have a hero somewhere in North Carolina today. His name is Harry Taylor. Below is a transcript of the comments he made to bush. Watching and listening the video, I caught myself saying: yeah beyatch how you like it? The transcripts are courtesy of Thinkprogress :
I have a hero somewhere in North Carolina today. His name is Harry Taylor. Below is a transcript of the comments he made to bush. Watching and listening the video, I caught myself saying: yeah beyatch how you like it? The transcripts are courtesy of Thinkprogress :
Q: You never stop talking about freedom, and I appreciate that. But while I listen to you talk about freedom, I see you assert your right to tap my telephone, to arrest me and hold me without charges, to try to preclude me from breathing clean air and drinking clean water and eating safe food. If I were a woman, you’d like to restrict my opportunity to make a choice and decision about whether I can abort a pregnancy on my own behalf. You are
–
THE PRESIDENT: I’m not your favorite guy. Go ahead. (Laughter and applause.) Go on, what’s your question?
Q: Okay, I don’t have a question. What I wanted to say to you is that I — in
my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by my
leadership in Washington, including the presidency, by the Senate, and
–
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: No, wait a sec — let him speak.
Q: And I would hope — I feel like despite your rhetoric, that compassion and
common sense have been left far behind during your administration, and I would
hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of
yourself inside yourself. And I also want to say I really appreciate the courtesy of allowing me to speak what I’m saying to you right now. That is part of what this country is about.
THE PRESIDENT: It is, yes. (Applause.)
Q: And I know that this doesn’t come welcome to most of the people in this room, but I do appreciate that.
THE PRESIDENT: Appreciate –
Q: I don’t have a question, but I just wanted to make that comment to you.
THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate it, thank you. Let me
Q: Can I ask a question?
THE PRESIDENT: I’m going to start off with what you first said, if you don’t mind, you said that I tap your phones — I think that’s what you said. You tapped your phone — I tapped your phones. Yes. No, that’s right. Yes, no, let me finish.I’d like to
describe that decision I made about protecting this country. You can come to whatever conclusion you want. The conclusion is
I’m not going to apologize for what I did on the terrorist surveillance program, and
I’ll tell you why. We were accused in Washington, D.C. of not connecting the dots, that we didn’t do everything we could to protect you or others from the attack. And
so I called in the people responsible for helping to protect the American people and the homeland. I said, is there anything more we could do.
And there — out of this national — NSA came the recommendation that it would make sense for us to listen to a call outside the country, inside the country from al Qaeda or suspected al Qaeda in order to have real-time information from which to possibly prevent an attack. I thought that made sense, so long as itwas constitutional.
Now, you may not agree with the constitutional assessment given to me by lawyers — and we’ve got plenty of them in Washington — but they made this assessment that it was constitutional for me to make that decision.
I then, sir, took that decision to members of the United States Congress from both political parties and briefed them on the decision that was made in order to protect
the American people. And so members of both parties, both chambers, were fully aware of a program intended to know whether or not al Qaeda was calling in or calling out of the country. It seems like — to make sense, if we’re at war, we ought to be using tools necessary within the Constitution, on a very limited basis, a program that’s reviewed constantly to protect us.
Now, you and I have a different — of agreement on what is needed to be protected. But you said, would I apologize for that? The answer — answer is, absolutely not. (Applause.)
Here is a video of the exchange...Crooks and Liars
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