Mr. President did thou gave the shot to kill order?

by PK Jarju

Mr. President, following the publication of my last article, someone claiming to be a member of your Armed forces sent me an email claiming that you gave the shot to kill orders to your security officers on April 10 and 11 2000.

According to the officer, you regarded the demonstration as a challenge to your leadership and that the students were been used by certain tribalist opposition elements who were aggrieved with the fact that they had a Jola as president.

Mr. President, after much reflection, I was left with no choice but to agree with what the guy said. On April 10 2000, just after the Bundung Police Station was set ablaze by the students, some armed soldiers patrolling the Bundungka Kunda area came to our house looking for students.

Fortunately for us, they were Jolas with heavy Casamance accent. For these soldiers, the demonstration was not about the alleged murder of Ebrima Barry by officers of the Brikama Fire an Ambulance Services or the rape of the teenage student from Brikamaba. To them it was a demonstration against a Jola regime. And with the anger and determination in them, I was over a 110 per cent sure that they are willing to pull the trigger on any student they came across. They were not trying to protect the civilian population. They were only killing innocent people trying to seek justice to protect you, Mr. president. Yes, they were in a state of war against a student body who they regarded as rebels.

Thank God I was a Jola who could speak kasumai, karesibu, katisindai etc. Even though I was wearing my former school trouser, the soldiers never touched me. But a Sarahuli friend returning from the market, who was not even in uniform was not lucky. He was bundled into a military truck fully loaded with students and the soldiers on board could be seen flexing their muscles on them.

Don't get me wrong, am not trying to play the tribal card here. Am just trying to put one and one together.

Mr. President, any mature political leadership would be ashamed of the manner in which the security officers reacted to the demonstration. It was an act of brutality that has no place in any civilize society. Murder was foreign to the Gambia, a country where people almost know each other. You and your government must be ashame with the way and manner in which you handle the April 10 and 11 incident. Shame on you! Again shame on you!


Mr. President, the demands on the basis of which the students went out to demonstrate eight years ago, merely constituted a request for justice. April 10 and 11 2000 were indeed days during which Gambian students took to the streets to protest against rape and murder, with a clear call for justice to be done. Rape and murder are not only repugnant in the eyes of all faiths, but laws in all civilized jurisdictions prescribe stringent punitive measures against them.


Similarly, all our national cultures in the Gambia denounce them in the strongest possible terms. As a result, one should easily understand the reasoning which led to the decision to peacefully demonstrate against these heinous crimes against the two students.


About two years ago, Omar Joof, exile leader of Gamsu said in an interview with me that: "At the time of the demonstrations, we thought that all civilized and law abiding persons would support us. The criticisms that were subsequently levelled against us by some members of the ruling cabal in Banjul and Kanilai, were therefore great sources of surprise to us. But all their criticisms against us have since proven futile, and they had to effect a shift in strategy by directing their energies at making a deal which has since resulted in an infamous reconciliation.
"Once more we totally reject the so-called reconciliation on the basis that it failed to discuss and resolve the relevant issues at stake. Issues such as the conditions of the victims of the incidents and the loss and pain of their parents would be key to any meaningful reconciliation. After many years, it is now obvious that the political leadership in The Gambia is too arrogant to accept its blatant errors as a prelude to resolving the issues that divide us. There have been other horrendous blunders since which have created a pattern of acts of brutality on the side of the ruling A(F)PRC and its cohorts whenever conflict scenarios appear in The Gambia."

Mr. President, it is still beyond any human imagination that a government that portrays itself as having the interest of its citizenry at heart is still denying justice to the victims of April 10 and 11 2000. Your government still regard victims of the incident as enemies who got what they deserved. That is why Gambians are no longer allowed to talk about the incident. Talking about April 10 and 11 is now a taboo and anyone who talks about the incident is regarded as an enemy of the Gambia. How rediculus is that? I would be right to say that enemies of the Gambia in this instance is you and your government. Your hands are dripping with the blood of young Gambians. Young Gambians full of dreams and aspirations.


Mr. President, I again, I call on your government to repeal the Indemnity Act of 2000. The Act continues to be a fetter to national reconciliation. It has failed to make the Gambia safe. Instead it has created a Gambia with home grown terrorists, who now fire bomb newspaper premises, kill, torture and kidnapped opponents and critics of your regime with impunity. Gambians are now at their mercy. But you got to remember that the perpetrators of these crimes will never go unpunished. Those named in the Commission of Inquiry report as being responsible for the murder of these innocent Gambians can still be tried under international law even though they have been shamlessly given an amnesty by you and your government.


Mr. President, if you were not touched by testimony of the victim's parents and Pathologist Sorhegui Rafael's report in my last piece, take a look at Dr Sam's report. It reduces me and many others who fear Allah, who trembles and cry when we recite Qur'anic verses regarding the Day of Judgement to tears. Though you were a soldier trained to shot and kill without showing any mercy, I still believe that someone like you who prays more than a hundred times a day will have the heart and courage to allow justice to take its full course.

Read on.

Testimony of Dr Omar Sam, pathologist at the RVH:
Dr Sam said he conducted 8 autopsies on April 11 and another one on April 22 relating to Ousman Sabally at Kerewan Samba Sireh, CRD. This he said, was as a result of the request from the Coroner. He added that not all bodies have been identified; that there is still one body which is not yet identified.He told the Coroner that he conducted autopsy on Momodou Lamin Njie; Calisco Priera; Karamo Barrow; Reginald Carrol; Omar Barrow; Momodou Lamin Chune; Lamin A. Bojang and Ousman Sabally. He performed the following tests on the deceased persons: X-rays, blood test, urine test, external examination, systematic internal examination and special test. He told the Coroner that he undertook all four stages.Upon the request of the Coroner, he went on to explain his findings as follows:

1. MOMODOU LAMIN NJIE:
X-Ray showed fracture of the right ribs. External examination showed that he was 145 centimetres tall.
First wound: Collar bone.
Second wound: Ribs
Internal Examination: Amputation of the left pulmonary artillery.
He attributed the cause of death to massive haemorrhage from the perforating wounds of the left lung, injury to the aorta from a gun shot and penetration through two rib cages.

He said further that from experience these wounds can only be caused by gun shots; that it is only a modern weapon that can cause this and that the extent of tissue damage including dislodged fractures can only be caused by a high velocity weapon.

Asked whether there is any basic difference between rubber bullets and live bullets, he said that rubber bullets cause minimal abrasion; that live bullets damage soft tissues. He said further that in this case, it was only a high power and high velocity live bullet which caused the multiple wounds.
QUESTION: So, the cause of death is a live bullet?
ANSWER: Yes.
CROSS EXAMINATION
Kitimo Njie, uncle of Momodou Lamin Njie, asked why parents were not allowed to see the bodies before autopsy. In response, Dr Sam said that this was a forensic postmortem requested by the Inspector General of Police [Rex King], with the authorisation of the Coroner and not a medical postmortem for which they would have been directly responsible.


2. CALISCO PRIERA:
According to Dr Sam, his body shows fractures at the cage rib at the back. External examination shows that he was a male teenager; that two external wounds were evident. One at the region of the cage rib at the back and the other at the front rib.

Cause of death was rupture of the heart and massive haemorrhage due to gun shot wounds in the thorax.Calisco's mother, Mrs Ann Marie Therese Ndey-Sonko asked whether it was a live bullet that killed her son. The Coroner indicated that was what the conclusion of the doctor.


3. KARAMO BARROW:
According to Dr Sam, Karamo, the X-Ray showed fractured rib; that two fresh wounds were identified on the chest.Cause of death: Penetrating chest wound with perforation of right lung and massive haemorrhage due to gun shots.

Asked by the Coroner why are the bullets not lodged in the body, Dr Sam said it was because of the high velocity of the bullets, but that there is a case of a lodged bullet.Bassirou Barrow, father of the deceased said he wanted to know whether a live bullet or a rubber bullet killed his son. In response, the pathologist said that the features he had seen are characteristics of live bullets.

4. REGINALD CARROL:
Dr Sam told the Coroner that the X-Ray was unfortunately poor; that he identified two wounds on the chest - one on the right mid chest and the other at the left lower chest.Cause of death: Massive haemorrhage from perforating wounds of right lung, heart, liver and stomach as a result of gun shot wounds.

The Coroner enquired about wounding agents. Dr Sam said that the wounding agent is a high velocity single bullet; that the entry was from back to the front.He also indicated that some aspect of bleeding was controlled through earlier surgery.

The Coroner asked whether it would have been possible to save his life. Dr Sam said that the facilities are not available at the RVH. He finally indicated that the characteristics are the result of live bullets.

5. OMAR BARROW:
Dr Sam said that the X-Ray was difficult to print, but that it did not affect the examination; that four wounds were found on him - two on the right upper arm and two on the chest.
Cause of death: Massive haemorrhage from injury of heart, lung and major blood vessels in the right arm and chest.The Coroner asked what the cause of the fatal injury is. Dr Sam said that the entry is the cause of a live bullet.

6. MOMODOU LAMIN CHUNE:
Dr Sam disclosed that Momodou Lamin Chune had a wound on the chest which he identified. He indicated that there was a tear in the right artery. The doctor showed the bullet from the body of the deceased which was tendered as exhibit. He further indicated that the penetration of the bullet measured 20-25 mm.

7. LAMIN A. BOJANG:
Dr Sam said he could identify a grazing of 55mm in the skull of Lamin Bojang; that there was a fracture in his skull which measures 320 x 120mm.

Mr Abdoulie Bojang, father of the deceased asked the doctor whether there was any attempt for a surgical operation on his son. Dr Sam said that he was not aware since the death of Lamin was a sudden one.

8. OUSMAN SABALLY:
Dr Sam said two wounds were identified in the chest - on the right 70mm and the other side 65mm in the chest cavity. He further said that there was a tear in the right diaphragm.

9. THE UNIDENTIFIED BODY:
Dr Sam indicated that he personally did the identification of the body before the postmortem took place He further indicated that the body was 1.4 metres in length and that there was a wound on the thigh which measured 40X25mm; that it was 100mm above the knee.

He said at the time, the postmortem had to be done due to the following reasons: refrigeration problems; that people who lost their children were waiting impatiently; that the IGP requested for the body to be postmortem because of the need for death certificate.

Dr Sam finally submitted that the victim died because of the injuries due to the massive haemorrhage. He said the victim might have been in a sitting or lying posture. He said the wound could only be caused by a high velocity live bullet.

In my next piece, I will reproduce a report by the Gambia Student Union (Gamsu) into the murder of Ebrima Barry as well as the pathologist report on the body.Until, I say Assalamalaikum.
For comments write to Papak196@yahoo.co.uk. U can also read my blog www.pkjarju.blogspot.com

Still Crying for Mama

This week, I decided to take a break from politics, to pay tribute to the most instrumental woman in my life -- my mom. Mama was my best friend and she was a million times better than diamond, gold and silver and may Allah the most merciful shower His mercy on her soul. Amen.

I decided to write this piece after a chat with a friend in The Gambia, whose dad is terminally ill. I want to point out that like most journalists, I hate writing about myself and am not seeking sympathy from anyone. Instead, I want my readers to understand how sad it is to have a loved one dying from a disease that you cannot cure.

January 27th, marks the third year since mama departed this world after a brief illness. It all started in November 2004 and like all village boys, I went to my peaceful village (name withheld) to spend the Muslim feast of Korite with Mama and other family members. I love life in the village which enables me to chill away from the hectic and ever busy journalism life.

Everyone home loves to see me and the kids would normally run to welcome me at the gate like I use to do when I was a kid. But on that day, everything was quiet and the kids who love playing football in the compound where all sitting on the veranda. All were in a sad mood and did not even run to welcome me.

"Something must be terribly wrong," I told myself. As I got to the veranda I was told by one of the kids that Mama was not feeling well. I busted into her room without even knocking at the door, where I found Mama lying on her settee. Our eyes met and she tried to assure me that the illness was not serious. "Its only tummy pain and the doctor assured me that everything will be fine if I continue taking the medication," she said with a reassuring smile on her face.

Despite taking the medications, I realized that Mama's conditions were not getting better. She eats less and complained of pain below the chest. With the help of my sisters, we took Mama to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul, where she was examined and prescribed with some tablets. The doctors told us that her conditions were not life threatening and that it was better for us to take her home.

Two weeks later, Mama's condition continued to deteriorate. Some relatives who visited her from the village suggested that we take her to my ancestral home in Casamance for local treatment. Looking at Mama's situation, I strongly dismissed the suggestion and took Mama to the Westfield Clinic, where she was admitted immediately. The doctors there did a fantastic job and by the following morning Mama's condition began to improve. And by the third day, she could eat and walk in and out of the ward without help. Two days later, she was discharged. With our hearts full of hope, we took Mama home.

However, a few days later, things took a dramatic u-turn. Mama's pain kicked up again. She could not walk to the bathroom or even sit up. We again took her to the Westfield Clinic, where she was admitted. Dr Peters, who is in charged of the hospital, took the responsibility to conduct a thorough medical examination on Mama. Some minutes later, the examination was done and Mama was wheeled back to the ward.

Dr Peters later invited me and my sisters, who were with me into his office where he told us the unpleasant truth. " Ehem! he cleared his throat. I have done the examination and am very sorry to say that your mum has a tumor on her liver. The disease is at an advance state and has damaged a large part of her liver. The treatment is not available in the country. It is only available overseas and even with that, there is still a big problem. Flying her abroad is expensive and secondly there is a shortage of human organ donors......She has a few weeks to live am sorry, and I would suggest that if there is any money, it will be better to keep it. At the moment all I can do now is to remove a fluid like substance which is dripping from the liver....."

I felt like a death sentence was pronounced on me. With tears, I stormed out of Dr Peters' office and cried like a baby. My sisters later joined me outside and consoled me. As I was the youngest in the family, my sisters tried as much as they could not to cry. "Be a man," one of them said. "If you who is the man is crying, how do you expect we the women to do," the other one added.

With shame, I quickly composed myself and agreed with their decision that we must on no occasion broke the news to Mama. According to them, breaking the news will only make matters worst to her. Some minutes later, I went back to the ward and found Mama lying on her bed. I tried to assure her that she would make a swift recovery, but I was betrayed by my weakness. Mama could tell when am telling lies since I was a kid. And as I tried to explain to her that she would be discharge within three days, Mama looked at me and smiled.

"It is OK my son, she said.”You don't have to hide the truth from me. I am a Muslim and I believe the Qur'anic teaching that every soul that tastes life must taste death. I know that I will die soon but I don't know whether it is today or tomorrow. But even if I die today, I am happy that Allah has blessed me a loving family. So please continue to love and care for each other as both of you were fed from my breasts" she added.

I tried to assure her that she was not going to die, but the more I tried, the harder it was for me to control my tears. We were later joined by my sisters who also tried as much as they could to convince her that everything was going to be alright.

We kept Mama at the hospital for over a week where she was given pain killers and other medicines to ease the pain. During that time, I visited her in the mornings before going to work at the Daily Observer. In the evenings, I would take an hour break from work to visit her and in most cases I do found my sisters and other relatives there, who give support and comfort to her. I must say that Ndey Tapha Sosseh, who was my Editor-in-Chief at the time, was very helpful. She would in most occasions do half of my work while I was away at the hospital. Her successor, Momodou Sanyang (Sanyang Ba), was also helpful. They never complained when I made silly mistakes at work. They were very understanding and I say thank you all.

As days turns into weeks, Mama's health started to go from bad to worst. She started finding it difficult to speak, eat or drink. Dr Peters, who was so caring to her, decided to discharge her on the ground that there was nothing much he could do to reverse the situation.

With a heavy heart, we took Mama home and began counting the hours. This was the most painful period in my life. I found it difficult to concentrate at work or sleep at night. I shiver anytime a family member calls my cell phone.

Then the final hour came. It was on a Monday. I woke up early as usual and said my prayers before going to see how Mama was doing. Mama was then staying with one of my sisters, who lived opposit from me. I found Mama lying on her bed. She was on a vegetative state and could not even eat solid food. My aunty, who was nursing her told me that Mama had a good sleep. I stood beside her bed for God knows how many minutes and wondered how can life be so cruel. With a heavy heart, I said bye to Mama and left for work.

At a round 10:30 while editing the opinion page of the Daily Observer on a computer called DaCosta, my cell phone rang. It was my sister. "Pa, am sorry to say this but you got to come home. Mama has just departed this world," she said. The whole computer room went dark. All the compositors who were busy typing scrips for the next day's Observer edition stopped all what they were doing. I could feel their sharp eyes on me. It was terrible. Tears started pouring down from my eyes but I quickly wiped them.

"PK lahlah?" Sainabou Fofanah, our chief layout editor asked.All I could say to her was suma yai. The compositors all expressed their condolence to me. I have to state here that the ladies in the computer room (Mariama Danjo, Betty Quacco, Marie Gomez, Aji Sagar Mbye, Nyima Marong, Mariatou Faal, Jainaba Baldeh and Yasin Faal) are among the best people I have ever worked with. We were like a family and the working atmosphere was very friendly.

As the news began to sink, I informed Andrew DaCosta, Observer's deputy managing director, who led a delegation of the company's staff to sympathise with my family.

At home, I found the compound crowded with sympathisers. The required Muslim bath for the death was already conducted on Mama. With tears running down my cheeks, I knelt beside her head and prayed for Allah, the most merciful, to shower His Mercy on her and blessed her in His heaven.

A few hours later we drove Mama to the village where she was laid to rest. Hundreds of mourners attended her funeral many of whom spoke well of her. The local Imam could not hold his tears when he was praising Mama for the good work she did to the community more so to the our mosque.

Yes, that was Mama's character. She have always put others first. She was more than a friend to me. She was there for me when Daddy wants to flex his muscles on me for being naughty. She struggle to raise me and my sisters single handedly when daddy died and did all sort of jobs to feed and pay our tuition fees. She never abdicated her responsibilities as a parent and has encouraged us to be God fearing, respectful, tolerant, caring to others, and to be responsible.
Rest in peace Mama.