Dear Friends,
On behalf of GPU-USA, I wish to declare our unflinching and unconditional support of the statement issued by the Gambia Press Union, Banjul, regarding Jammeh's cynical remarks about murdered Gambian veteran journalist Deyda Hydara.
In a recent ranting on the issue of Mr. Hydara's murder, Jammeh cynically said that those who want to know who murdered Deyda should go ask Deyda. This uncharitable and uncouth statement is further testimony that Jammeh has become so intoxicated with power that he can no longer tell day from night.
Regarding investigations into Deyda's brutal murder, the GPU-USA's position is that Jammeh should be held personally responsible unless and until evidence to the contrary is revealed.
Thank you.
Baba G. Jallow
Secretary General, GPU-USA
Monday 15 June 2009
The coup plotter
part II
After carefully patching up Lt Sanneh's wounds, the medical officer started throwing insults to his patience, whom he accused of being very ungrateful.
"H.E. promoted you people and made you what you are today but you young boys have betrayed him. You want to overthrow. Do you think we will allow you young boys to succeed," the man said.
Lt Sanneh started to protest his innocent and that the medical officer should call his superiors so that he could explain to them, but was told to shut up.
Sometime around mid-day, Lt Sanneh's cell was opened again. This time, five heavily armed entered and escorted out into the back of a waiting military pick-up. More soldiers jumped into the back of the pick-up and as it headed towards Banjul, one soldier wearing a balaclava placed his foot on his temple while the others started kicking and insulting him.
When they got to the Mile Two Prisons, the prison gates were immediately opened and the vehicle passed through. When it stopped, five men carried him to a prison section he recognized immediately as the maximum security wing. Thinking that he was about to be executed, he said a silent prayer. A prison warden open the door of a dark cell and Lt Sanneh was thrown in and the door was bolted.
xxxxxx
Around 2pm that afternoon, a rumors of another coup started spreading fast like wild bush fire across the Greater Banjul Area.
At Eight O'clock that night, families gathered around their television sets to watch the GRTS news......
Good evening and welcome to the news, I am Neneh MacDoull-Gaye presenting. Soldiers of the Gambian National Army this morning foiled a coup plot organized by some elements of the Gambia National Army led by State House commander Lt Landing Sanneh and Lt Almamo Manneh, a Logistic Officer at State House.
As the pictures of the two Lieutenants were displayed, the newsreader continued....Lt Almamo Manneh was killed on the Banjul-Serrekunda Highway. Lt Manneh was on his way to Banjul on the early hours of this morning to mobilize some support when his car was intercepted on the way by a group of soldiers. He refused to surrender and open fired at the soldiers who were sent to arrest him. There was a shootout in the process of which he lost his life.
Lt Sanneh on the other hand, the newsreader said, refused to come out of his house when the soldiers when to arrest him. He refused to surrender and started shooting at the soldiers. When the soldiers insisted to carry out their orders, Lt Sanneh threw an explosion at them. The soldiers returned fire and in the process, he sustained some injuries which are said to be not life threatening. He is currently helping the authorities in their investigation.
The Department of State for Defense wishes to inform the general public that the situation is under control and there is no need for panic.
xxxxx
Minutes after the arrest of Lt Sanneh and the killing of Lt Manneh, many soldiers believed to be close associates of the two men were arrested while at work or in their homes.
The following morning around 9, Lt Landing Sanneh was pick-up from his Mile Two cell where he spent a sleepless night on the concrete floor. He was driven under heavy escort to the NIA headquarters in Banjul for question.
With handcuffs on his hands, he was ushered into an interrogation room where he was met by team of interrogators from the NIA, military Intelligence and police. Among the men, he recognized Inspector Aziz Bojang of the police force and Pierre Mendy of the National Army.
His interrogators began by asking him about his involvement in a coup plot and what role he played. When he told them that he had no knowledge of a coup, the interrogators said he was lying. They promised to help him if he cooperate with them by giving them the information they need. A piece of paper was given to him to write a cautionary statement. His request for a lawyer was flatly turned down.
Still in handcuffs, Lt Sanneh managed to write a short statement in which he strongly denied taking part in a coup plot. His interrogators described the statement he wrote as rubbish and threw it in the bin.
They played a micro-cassette tape for him which they said was recorded during a clandestine meeting he had with some soldiers regarding the coup. Although the voice of the tape was not clear, his interrogators said it was him detailing the plan of the coup.
Lt Sanneh quickly denied taking part in such a meeting and that the voice in the tape was not his. Again his interrogators said he was lying.
By 2pm, his interrogators went for lunch. Before they left, they told him to make up his mind and say the truth or else they would deal with him. They reminded him that they have been very gentle with him because they knew each other since their days in the barracks.
When they returned, their mood changed. They became hostile. And when he wrote the same statement denying any involving in a coup, the NIA director-general, Muniru Darboe told him cooperate with the interrogators and save himself from suffering.
That evening, Mr Darboe was schedule to have a meeting with the President in Kanilai. President Jammeh who was expected to make a televised statement was residing in Kanilai at the time as his offices in Banjul were being renovated.
Realizing that Lt Sanneh was refusing to cooperate, some of the his interrogators pulled out their pistols and threatened to kill him. They told him that they would kill him like a dog and no one would say anything to them.
When he told them that he don't know what to write as he knew nothing about the coup, his interrogators said they have all the information about the coup. The information they said was passed to them by Lt Sanneh's deputy commander at State House, Ousman Sonko. Sonko was said to have been among the ring leaders of the coup but later changed his mind.
His interrogators told him that hence he claim to knowing about the coup, he should write down their version of the coup plot. This was dictated to him by Inspector Aziz Bojang. Writing down was being dictated his interrogators told him was the only thing that will keep him alive.
When he finished writing what was being dictated, the interrogators asked him to sign it. When he refused they got mad and started torturing him. One of the men pushed the pistol into his mouth, and threatened to blow his brain.
Realising that his interrogators were serious with their threats, Lt Sanneh agreed to sign the statement. A man sitting in the waiting room was brought to be an independent witness. With his hands shaking, he appended his signature at the bottom of the paper and told the interrogators that the weakness of a man is not in his hands but in his mind.
With the results he wanted held firmly in his hands, Muniru Darboe, took the front seat of his car, which his driver started immediately. They were on their way to Kanilai.
In Kanilai, President Jammeh was briefed about how the men's planned to execute the coup and how it would have resulted in many deaths and destructions. With anger, he addressed the Gambian people.
After carefully patching up Lt Sanneh's wounds, the medical officer started throwing insults to his patience, whom he accused of being very ungrateful.
"H.E. promoted you people and made you what you are today but you young boys have betrayed him. You want to overthrow. Do you think we will allow you young boys to succeed," the man said.
Lt Sanneh started to protest his innocent and that the medical officer should call his superiors so that he could explain to them, but was told to shut up.
Sometime around mid-day, Lt Sanneh's cell was opened again. This time, five heavily armed entered and escorted out into the back of a waiting military pick-up. More soldiers jumped into the back of the pick-up and as it headed towards Banjul, one soldier wearing a balaclava placed his foot on his temple while the others started kicking and insulting him.
When they got to the Mile Two Prisons, the prison gates were immediately opened and the vehicle passed through. When it stopped, five men carried him to a prison section he recognized immediately as the maximum security wing. Thinking that he was about to be executed, he said a silent prayer. A prison warden open the door of a dark cell and Lt Sanneh was thrown in and the door was bolted.
xxxxxx
Around 2pm that afternoon, a rumors of another coup started spreading fast like wild bush fire across the Greater Banjul Area.
At Eight O'clock that night, families gathered around their television sets to watch the GRTS news......
Good evening and welcome to the news, I am Neneh MacDoull-Gaye presenting. Soldiers of the Gambian National Army this morning foiled a coup plot organized by some elements of the Gambia National Army led by State House commander Lt Landing Sanneh and Lt Almamo Manneh, a Logistic Officer at State House.
As the pictures of the two Lieutenants were displayed, the newsreader continued....Lt Almamo Manneh was killed on the Banjul-Serrekunda Highway. Lt Manneh was on his way to Banjul on the early hours of this morning to mobilize some support when his car was intercepted on the way by a group of soldiers. He refused to surrender and open fired at the soldiers who were sent to arrest him. There was a shootout in the process of which he lost his life.
Lt Sanneh on the other hand, the newsreader said, refused to come out of his house when the soldiers when to arrest him. He refused to surrender and started shooting at the soldiers. When the soldiers insisted to carry out their orders, Lt Sanneh threw an explosion at them. The soldiers returned fire and in the process, he sustained some injuries which are said to be not life threatening. He is currently helping the authorities in their investigation.
The Department of State for Defense wishes to inform the general public that the situation is under control and there is no need for panic.
xxxxx
Minutes after the arrest of Lt Sanneh and the killing of Lt Manneh, many soldiers believed to be close associates of the two men were arrested while at work or in their homes.
The following morning around 9, Lt Landing Sanneh was pick-up from his Mile Two cell where he spent a sleepless night on the concrete floor. He was driven under heavy escort to the NIA headquarters in Banjul for question.
With handcuffs on his hands, he was ushered into an interrogation room where he was met by team of interrogators from the NIA, military Intelligence and police. Among the men, he recognized Inspector Aziz Bojang of the police force and Pierre Mendy of the National Army.
His interrogators began by asking him about his involvement in a coup plot and what role he played. When he told them that he had no knowledge of a coup, the interrogators said he was lying. They promised to help him if he cooperate with them by giving them the information they need. A piece of paper was given to him to write a cautionary statement. His request for a lawyer was flatly turned down.
Still in handcuffs, Lt Sanneh managed to write a short statement in which he strongly denied taking part in a coup plot. His interrogators described the statement he wrote as rubbish and threw it in the bin.
They played a micro-cassette tape for him which they said was recorded during a clandestine meeting he had with some soldiers regarding the coup. Although the voice of the tape was not clear, his interrogators said it was him detailing the plan of the coup.
Lt Sanneh quickly denied taking part in such a meeting and that the voice in the tape was not his. Again his interrogators said he was lying.
By 2pm, his interrogators went for lunch. Before they left, they told him to make up his mind and say the truth or else they would deal with him. They reminded him that they have been very gentle with him because they knew each other since their days in the barracks.
When they returned, their mood changed. They became hostile. And when he wrote the same statement denying any involving in a coup, the NIA director-general, Muniru Darboe told him cooperate with the interrogators and save himself from suffering.
That evening, Mr Darboe was schedule to have a meeting with the President in Kanilai. President Jammeh who was expected to make a televised statement was residing in Kanilai at the time as his offices in Banjul were being renovated.
Realizing that Lt Sanneh was refusing to cooperate, some of the his interrogators pulled out their pistols and threatened to kill him. They told him that they would kill him like a dog and no one would say anything to them.
When he told them that he don't know what to write as he knew nothing about the coup, his interrogators said they have all the information about the coup. The information they said was passed to them by Lt Sanneh's deputy commander at State House, Ousman Sonko. Sonko was said to have been among the ring leaders of the coup but later changed his mind.
His interrogators told him that hence he claim to knowing about the coup, he should write down their version of the coup plot. This was dictated to him by Inspector Aziz Bojang. Writing down was being dictated his interrogators told him was the only thing that will keep him alive.
When he finished writing what was being dictated, the interrogators asked him to sign it. When he refused they got mad and started torturing him. One of the men pushed the pistol into his mouth, and threatened to blow his brain.
Realising that his interrogators were serious with their threats, Lt Sanneh agreed to sign the statement. A man sitting in the waiting room was brought to be an independent witness. With his hands shaking, he appended his signature at the bottom of the paper and told the interrogators that the weakness of a man is not in his hands but in his mind.
With the results he wanted held firmly in his hands, Muniru Darboe, took the front seat of his car, which his driver started immediately. They were on their way to Kanilai.
In Kanilai, President Jammeh was briefed about how the men's planned to execute the coup and how it would have resulted in many deaths and destructions. With anger, he addressed the Gambian people.
GPU-USA FUNDRAISING FOR CHIEF EBRIMA MANNEH
Dear Friends,
The Gamnbia-Press Union USA Branch has embarked on a fund raising exercise to help the family of disappeared Gambian journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh.
Because Chief Manneh was the main bread winner for his parents, wife, siblings and other members of his extended family, the family has fallen into very hard times since Manneh's arrest and disapearance almost two years ago. We understand that some of the children in the family have drooped out of school because the family can no longer afford to pay their school fees.
Most urgently, we understand that the Manneh family is in need of food and other assistance to keep it going during these difficult times.
Beacuse of the urgency of the situation, GPU-USA is immediately sending the family $500 to help alleviate their current suffering. We are working on getting hold of the leadership of our parent body back home through whom we will get the funds to Chief Manneh's family.
Meanwhile, we have also embarked on a fund-raising exercise to further help the Manneh family in the coming weeks and months.
In this connection, we are asking all Gambians and friends of The Gambia to please help us raise more money to get more help to Chief Manneh's family in these difficult times.
Checks for whatever amount you are able to contribute should be written/made out to GPU-USA Treasurer Joseph Sambou and mailed directly to him at 8046 South Kimbark Avenue, Chicago, IL 60619.
REMEMEBR, NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL TO HELP OUT. Please send out your contributions to Mr. Sambou preferably within the next week.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Signed on behalf of the GPU-USA
Baba Galleh Jallow
Secretary General
The Gamnbia-Press Union USA Branch has embarked on a fund raising exercise to help the family of disappeared Gambian journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh.
Because Chief Manneh was the main bread winner for his parents, wife, siblings and other members of his extended family, the family has fallen into very hard times since Manneh's arrest and disapearance almost two years ago. We understand that some of the children in the family have drooped out of school because the family can no longer afford to pay their school fees.
Most urgently, we understand that the Manneh family is in need of food and other assistance to keep it going during these difficult times.
Beacuse of the urgency of the situation, GPU-USA is immediately sending the family $500 to help alleviate their current suffering. We are working on getting hold of the leadership of our parent body back home through whom we will get the funds to Chief Manneh's family.
Meanwhile, we have also embarked on a fund-raising exercise to further help the Manneh family in the coming weeks and months.
In this connection, we are asking all Gambians and friends of The Gambia to please help us raise more money to get more help to Chief Manneh's family in these difficult times.
Checks for whatever amount you are able to contribute should be written/made out to GPU-USA Treasurer Joseph Sambou and mailed directly to him at 8046 South Kimbark Avenue, Chicago, IL 60619.
REMEMEBR, NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL TO HELP OUT. Please send out your contributions to Mr. Sambou preferably within the next week.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Signed on behalf of the GPU-USA
Baba Galleh Jallow
Secretary General
Halifa Concern with Gambia's Political Climate
Courtesy of Foroyaa
Halifa Sallah, a prominent political figure and the current Director of People’s Centre for Social Science, Research, Civic Awareness and Community Initiative held a press conference on 11th June 2009 at the People’s Centre in Churchill’s Town.
The press conference is in connection to the present Governance situation in the Gambia. Mr. Sallah expressed his opinion that there exists a vacuum in the Governance structure which he believes each responsible citizen has a duty to fill.
He said that the country is demanding for an alternative voice so that not only one voice is heard, that is, the voice of the government. He said he is taking the personal responsibility to ensure that this alternative voice is heard loud and clear.
Mr. Sallah said that from now onwards he will be dilating on civil, political, economic, social and cultural issues which are relevant to the people and propose alternative policies. He said that the Media cannot serve as the opponent of the government; that the media’s primary responsibility is to be transparent and ensure that the Government is held accountable to the public.
Mr. Sallah indicated that he will restrict himself to some core issues of governance in this Press Conference because of the current relation between the Executive, the legislature and The Judiciary. He recalled that the Executive has recently exercised authority which led to the removal of the Chief Justice and The Speaker of the National Assembly. He said that he was not concerned about personalities but would like the public to focus on the principles involved.
He observed that good governance comes through checks and balances, between the arms of the state, the judiciary, legislature and executive. He opined that when those checks and balances are no longer effective, one can legitimately say there is crisis of governance. Mr Sallah emphasized that there is need to give diverse perspectives on the decisions emanating from the office of the executive.
He said that the Preamble of the Constitution, though not a part of the Constitution, does reflect its spirit. He said that the Preamble promised that “The functions of the arms of the Government (state) have been clearly defined, their independence amply secured with adequate checks and balances to ensure that they work harmoniously together toward our common good.”
He said that the separation of powers which the preamble implies is contradicted by the removal of the Chief Justice and the Speaker.
Mr Sallah proceeded to examine the removal of the Chief Justice. He said that The Chief Justice is the head of The Judiciary. If he is removed all judges could also be removed. He argued that Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. He questioned how the public could have confidence that judges will function with independence and impartiality if they have no security of tenure. He claimed that section 141 guarantees Judges security of tenure up to the age of 70 years when they have to vacate their office.
First and foremost, he said, section 167 of the constitution forbids any authority from forcing a judge to retire from public service.
Secondly, Sallah argued that section 141 subsection (3) of the Constitution adds that Judges may only be removed from office for inability to carry out their function either because of infirmity or misconduct. He said that no executive can arbitrarily charge and find a judge infirm or guilty of misconduct. There is need to conduct investigation to establish allegation of infirmity or misconduct. He said that such investigation is provided for under section 141 subsection (5) of the Constitution which calls for the setting up of a tribunal by the National Assembly chaired by a person who has held high judicial to investigate any allegation of infirmity or misconduct by the national assembly.
Sallah indicated that even though section 141 subsection (2)(c) did say that the president may terminate the appointment of a judge of a superior court in consultation with the judicial service commission it would be absurd for the president to do so without relying on the grounds of infirmity and misconduct, allegations which have to be investigated by a competent adjudicating authority for confirmation. Sallah added that the Chief Justice is the Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission which the President has to consult to terminate the service of the very Chief Justice. Sallah therefore concluded that the only way a Chief Justice may be removed from office in a transparent manner is through the setting up of a tribunal by the National Assembly. He said hat if this is done by the executive it only nullifies the separation of powers and makes the Judiciary to be totally under the control of the executive.
He called on the bar association to take the matter to the supreme court for interpretation.
He promised that he will heighten the debate so that public opinion will become sensitive to the concerns he has expressed regarding threats to the security of tenure of judges of superior courts.
On the office of Speaker, Mr. Sallah said that section 93 of the Constitution makes it a requirement for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to be elected from the nominated members of the National Assembly. He added that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker may be removed from office by a vote of not less than two thirds of the members of the National assembly. He said that contrary to the thinking of many the President has no power to appoint or remove a Speaker or Deputy Speaker from office. Halifa explained that the President is aware of the provision that if a Speaker or Deputy Speaker is no longer a member of the National Assembly he or she automatically ceases to be Speaker or Deputy Speaker. Consequently, he has been relying on section 231 subsection (5) of the Constitution to remove nominated members from their seats in the National Assembly which reads:
“Without prejudice to the provision of section 167, but subject to other provision of this constitution, the power to make any appointment to a public office includes the power to dismiss any person so appointed.”
Halifa indicated that in other provisions of the Constitution it is made clear that National Assembly members are not members of the public service. He quoted section 166 subsection (4) thus:
“In this constitution, an office in the public service does not include the offices of President, Vice President, Speaker or Deputy Speaker, Secretary of State or a member of the National Assembly.”
Halifa concluded that after the President and Vice President, it is the Speaker who should assume office if the two offices are vacant. Halifa said that this is not an ordinary position and care should be taken before appointments are made of nominated members. The nominated members should have security of tenure and should only leave office as provided for National Assembly members under section 91 of the Constitution.
Mr. Sallah finally dilated on the President’s recent tour of the Provinces and the retention of many Ministries without appointment of Ministers. He said that in a recent interview with Kebba Dibba the President gave the impression that he took his personal initiative to go on tour; that he also gave the impression that he is required to go at least once a year. Mr Sallah indicated that the President’s tour of the Provinces is not a personal initiative but a constitutional and official tour.
He said section 222 paragraph 15 makes it a requirement for the President to undergo a tour in order to familiarize himself or herself with current conditions and the effects of government policies. He said his tour is not supposed to be financed by the president or the local councils but is provided for in the budget approved by the National Assembly.
He said the tour is not personal and that is why it is financed from the National budget to the tune of D1.5 million dalasis for 2009. He opined that the tour should not be utilized as a political campaign tool but should be centered on national issues because it is financed by the public fund.
Halifa also told the reporters that the President is given the power to appoint Ministers with professional competence and experience to exercise direction and control over Ministries. He lamented the numerous Ministries without Ministers. He said that if the President cannot have any competent person within the rank of the APRC or in the Gambia as a whole then one should consider the government to be inflicted with the crisis of governance.
He said the radio and the television should present divergent views and not allow one voice to stand since the state media is financed by the public.
Halifa Sallah, a prominent political figure and the current Director of People’s Centre for Social Science, Research, Civic Awareness and Community Initiative held a press conference on 11th June 2009 at the People’s Centre in Churchill’s Town.
The press conference is in connection to the present Governance situation in the Gambia. Mr. Sallah expressed his opinion that there exists a vacuum in the Governance structure which he believes each responsible citizen has a duty to fill.
He said that the country is demanding for an alternative voice so that not only one voice is heard, that is, the voice of the government. He said he is taking the personal responsibility to ensure that this alternative voice is heard loud and clear.
Mr. Sallah said that from now onwards he will be dilating on civil, political, economic, social and cultural issues which are relevant to the people and propose alternative policies. He said that the Media cannot serve as the opponent of the government; that the media’s primary responsibility is to be transparent and ensure that the Government is held accountable to the public.
Mr. Sallah indicated that he will restrict himself to some core issues of governance in this Press Conference because of the current relation between the Executive, the legislature and The Judiciary. He recalled that the Executive has recently exercised authority which led to the removal of the Chief Justice and The Speaker of the National Assembly. He said that he was not concerned about personalities but would like the public to focus on the principles involved.
He observed that good governance comes through checks and balances, between the arms of the state, the judiciary, legislature and executive. He opined that when those checks and balances are no longer effective, one can legitimately say there is crisis of governance. Mr Sallah emphasized that there is need to give diverse perspectives on the decisions emanating from the office of the executive.
He said that the Preamble of the Constitution, though not a part of the Constitution, does reflect its spirit. He said that the Preamble promised that “The functions of the arms of the Government (state) have been clearly defined, their independence amply secured with adequate checks and balances to ensure that they work harmoniously together toward our common good.”
He said that the separation of powers which the preamble implies is contradicted by the removal of the Chief Justice and the Speaker.
Mr Sallah proceeded to examine the removal of the Chief Justice. He said that The Chief Justice is the head of The Judiciary. If he is removed all judges could also be removed. He argued that Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. He questioned how the public could have confidence that judges will function with independence and impartiality if they have no security of tenure. He claimed that section 141 guarantees Judges security of tenure up to the age of 70 years when they have to vacate their office.
First and foremost, he said, section 167 of the constitution forbids any authority from forcing a judge to retire from public service.
Secondly, Sallah argued that section 141 subsection (3) of the Constitution adds that Judges may only be removed from office for inability to carry out their function either because of infirmity or misconduct. He said that no executive can arbitrarily charge and find a judge infirm or guilty of misconduct. There is need to conduct investigation to establish allegation of infirmity or misconduct. He said that such investigation is provided for under section 141 subsection (5) of the Constitution which calls for the setting up of a tribunal by the National Assembly chaired by a person who has held high judicial to investigate any allegation of infirmity or misconduct by the national assembly.
Sallah indicated that even though section 141 subsection (2)(c) did say that the president may terminate the appointment of a judge of a superior court in consultation with the judicial service commission it would be absurd for the president to do so without relying on the grounds of infirmity and misconduct, allegations which have to be investigated by a competent adjudicating authority for confirmation. Sallah added that the Chief Justice is the Chairperson of the Judicial Service Commission which the President has to consult to terminate the service of the very Chief Justice. Sallah therefore concluded that the only way a Chief Justice may be removed from office in a transparent manner is through the setting up of a tribunal by the National Assembly. He said hat if this is done by the executive it only nullifies the separation of powers and makes the Judiciary to be totally under the control of the executive.
He called on the bar association to take the matter to the supreme court for interpretation.
He promised that he will heighten the debate so that public opinion will become sensitive to the concerns he has expressed regarding threats to the security of tenure of judges of superior courts.
On the office of Speaker, Mr. Sallah said that section 93 of the Constitution makes it a requirement for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to be elected from the nominated members of the National Assembly. He added that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker may be removed from office by a vote of not less than two thirds of the members of the National assembly. He said that contrary to the thinking of many the President has no power to appoint or remove a Speaker or Deputy Speaker from office. Halifa explained that the President is aware of the provision that if a Speaker or Deputy Speaker is no longer a member of the National Assembly he or she automatically ceases to be Speaker or Deputy Speaker. Consequently, he has been relying on section 231 subsection (5) of the Constitution to remove nominated members from their seats in the National Assembly which reads:
“Without prejudice to the provision of section 167, but subject to other provision of this constitution, the power to make any appointment to a public office includes the power to dismiss any person so appointed.”
Halifa indicated that in other provisions of the Constitution it is made clear that National Assembly members are not members of the public service. He quoted section 166 subsection (4) thus:
“In this constitution, an office in the public service does not include the offices of President, Vice President, Speaker or Deputy Speaker, Secretary of State or a member of the National Assembly.”
Halifa concluded that after the President and Vice President, it is the Speaker who should assume office if the two offices are vacant. Halifa said that this is not an ordinary position and care should be taken before appointments are made of nominated members. The nominated members should have security of tenure and should only leave office as provided for National Assembly members under section 91 of the Constitution.
Mr. Sallah finally dilated on the President’s recent tour of the Provinces and the retention of many Ministries without appointment of Ministers. He said that in a recent interview with Kebba Dibba the President gave the impression that he took his personal initiative to go on tour; that he also gave the impression that he is required to go at least once a year. Mr Sallah indicated that the President’s tour of the Provinces is not a personal initiative but a constitutional and official tour.
He said section 222 paragraph 15 makes it a requirement for the President to undergo a tour in order to familiarize himself or herself with current conditions and the effects of government policies. He said his tour is not supposed to be financed by the president or the local councils but is provided for in the budget approved by the National Assembly.
He said the tour is not personal and that is why it is financed from the National budget to the tune of D1.5 million dalasis for 2009. He opined that the tour should not be utilized as a political campaign tool but should be centered on national issues because it is financed by the public fund.
Halifa also told the reporters that the President is given the power to appoint Ministers with professional competence and experience to exercise direction and control over Ministries. He lamented the numerous Ministries without Ministers. He said that if the President cannot have any competent person within the rank of the APRC or in the Gambia as a whole then one should consider the government to be inflicted with the crisis of governance.
He said the radio and the television should present divergent views and not allow one voice to stand since the state media is financed by the public.
Dalasi & Butut: Bills Improve; Note Dips
Trading on the floor of the money market of the Central Bank of the Gambia witnessed improvements in the 91-Day and 182-Day Bills although the 1-Year Note dropped by 7 basis points from a previous level of 15.70 per cent and is currently quoted at 15.63 per cent.
The 91-Day Bill was up by 15 basis points to 12.93 per cent. The Bill was previously quoted at 12.78 per cent. The 182-Day Bill was quoted at 13.99 per cent following an 8 basis-point increase from 13.91 per cent last week.
The 91-Day S/S Bill inched up by 2 basis points from 12.36 per cent to a week close of 12.38 per cent.
Dalasi Still Unimpressive
The Gambia’s local currency exhibited a mixed performance on the interbank market but weakened on the parallel market this week. On the interbank market, the Dalasi was stable at D26.65 against the US Dollar but appreciated by 25 bututs against the Pound to D43.
The local currency however depreciated by D1.25 and D7.50 to close at D38.50 and D275 against the Euro and the CFA Francs respectively.
On the parallel market, the Dalasi depreciated by 18 bututs against the Dollar to D26.93 and was down by D1 against the Pound to close at D42. The local currency also dropped 75 bututs against the Euro to D36.75 and depreciated by D10 against the CFA Francs to close the week at D270.
The international currency market saw the US Dollar register a loss against the Pound while remaining unchanged against the Euro and improving against the Japanese Yen. The dollar was up by 2.44 per cent against the Pound and was quoted at $1.64 but was fixed at $1.40 against the Euro. The dollar however posted a 1.20 per cent gain against the Yen; with the Yen exchanging hands with the Dollar at Y98.18.
Dalasi Inter-Bank Mid Exchange Rates
USD 26.65
UKP 43.00
Euro 38.50
CFA 275.00
Dalasi Forex Bureau Mid Exchange Rates
USD 26.93
UKP 42.00
Euro 36.75
CFA 270.00
The 91-Day Bill was up by 15 basis points to 12.93 per cent. The Bill was previously quoted at 12.78 per cent. The 182-Day Bill was quoted at 13.99 per cent following an 8 basis-point increase from 13.91 per cent last week.
The 91-Day S/S Bill inched up by 2 basis points from 12.36 per cent to a week close of 12.38 per cent.
Dalasi Still Unimpressive
The Gambia’s local currency exhibited a mixed performance on the interbank market but weakened on the parallel market this week. On the interbank market, the Dalasi was stable at D26.65 against the US Dollar but appreciated by 25 bututs against the Pound to D43.
The local currency however depreciated by D1.25 and D7.50 to close at D38.50 and D275 against the Euro and the CFA Francs respectively.
On the parallel market, the Dalasi depreciated by 18 bututs against the Dollar to D26.93 and was down by D1 against the Pound to close at D42. The local currency also dropped 75 bututs against the Euro to D36.75 and depreciated by D10 against the CFA Francs to close the week at D270.
The international currency market saw the US Dollar register a loss against the Pound while remaining unchanged against the Euro and improving against the Japanese Yen. The dollar was up by 2.44 per cent against the Pound and was quoted at $1.64 but was fixed at $1.40 against the Euro. The dollar however posted a 1.20 per cent gain against the Yen; with the Yen exchanging hands with the Dollar at Y98.18.
Dalasi Inter-Bank Mid Exchange Rates
USD 26.65
UKP 43.00
Euro 38.50
CFA 275.00
Dalasi Forex Bureau Mid Exchange Rates
USD 26.93
UKP 42.00
Euro 36.75
CFA 270.00
GPU Frowns at Jammeh
The Gambia Press Union wishes to express its shock and disappointment over the inappropriateness of the provocative statement of the head of state, President Jammeh, on GRTS, Tuesday night in relation to the death of veteran Gambian journalist, the late Deyda Hydara.
It is rather unfortunate and the Union is indeed saddened that the second time the head of state has so chosen to discuss the death of Deyda Hydara; he again, has dwelt on the issue of character assassination and ridicule.
We find it most unfortunate that the champion for the promotion of Gambian and African culture, traditional norms and values, and someone, who claims to have total respect for religion in particular, Islam, President Jammeh finds it appropriate to ridicule and to speak ill of the dead. Such behavior and countenance is most unreligious, un-cultural and certainly discredits traditional African norms and values!
The Union need not remind President Jammeh that it is difficult to presume that the Gambia Government is concerned over the death of Deyda Hydara unless and until the Gambia Government and its relevant security institutions are seen to be determined and resolved to seriously commit themselves in a professional manner to embark on investigating the events that led to the death of our dear colleague and brother.
We also wish to bring to the attention of the head of state that the Government of The Gambia and its relevant Security Apparatus’ have the primary responsibility to ensure the protection of each and every Gambian life and therefore the murder of any Gambian should be an issue of paramount concern and curbing such a menace a priority. Mere statements and or speculations and ridicule re: the events leading to the death of Deyda Hydara cannot and will not be accepted as exoneration of the Gambia Government, neither by the Union, international journalist associations, the Hydara family or other interested parties.
The death of any Gambian, more so one who was most vocal on issues of human rights, freedom of expression and the development of the country in general, even if it meant clashing with the powers that be, can only be deemed suspicious until such a time that the state can logically, reasonably, factually and forensically, and within the shortest possible period prove otherwise.
We demand an investigation of fact and forensics spearheaded by the Gambia Government. Should the relevant government institutions not have the resources or wherewithal to carry on with the investigations, we at the Gambia Press Union think it is time that you publicly admit that and invite other states and international policing and security institutions such as Interpol, who already have a desk at the Police Headquarters to take over the investigations.
It is almost certain that the trail has gone cold in the past Four and a half years but the main pieces of the puzzle being the bullets which were or should have been retrieved during post mortem and the post mortem report will certainly go a long way in aiding the continuation and or recommencement of the investigations. Motives and related issues can wait for a later date! Right now our preoccupation is that the perpetrators of this murder most foul be brought to book.
Mr. President the venom with which you spoke about the websites with a picture of the slain journalist and the slogan “Who Killed Deyda Hydara” is alarming. We are very much aware that the issue be kept alive and until such a time that his killers are brought to book, this slogan and its accompanying image will remain on the website of the Union and that even then, we will coin a statement fitting to forever haunt the perpetrators of this heinous crime!
The killing of Deyda Hydara, if nothing else, has only strengthened the resolve of true journalists to remain steadfast, truthful and committed to speaking in defense of the weak and the vulnerable.
On a second note, we are quite surprised that you claim there is Freedom of Expression in The Gambia. Mr. President, we beg to differ, the legal environment in particular the Newspaper Amendment Act 2004, the Criminal Code Amendment Act 2004, the Newspaper Registration Act and the recently passed Communications Bill 2009 make it practically impossible to practice efficiently as a journalist and yet remain within the ambits of the law.
The laws notwithstanding, the disappearance of Chief Ebrima Manneh, the continued prolonging of unnecessary court cases of journalists and media practitioners, arbitrary arrests and detention, harassment of Gambian journalists especially the episodes of 2006 leave a lot to be desired re: the state of freedom of expression in The Gambia.
We therefore call on the Gambia Government to respect, promote and defend the rights of journalists, notably by bringing an immediate end to the unnecessary and continued embarrassment and harassment of journalists; to create the enabling environment for the development and full participation of the independent media, the fourth estate, by repealing the current media laws which criminalize media offences amongst a host of other detrimental issues and to pass new and progressive media related laws such as Freedom of Information and Access to Information Acts which amongst other provisions guarantee freedom of the media as stipulated in the regional and international treaties such as Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which your Government is signatory.
We also propose, in good faith that your Government seriously look at strategies geared towards engaging and collaborating with the independent media to enhance and strengthen independent media participation and to enable the expansion of the space for divergent views and healthy debate.
It is rather unfortunate and the Union is indeed saddened that the second time the head of state has so chosen to discuss the death of Deyda Hydara; he again, has dwelt on the issue of character assassination and ridicule.
We find it most unfortunate that the champion for the promotion of Gambian and African culture, traditional norms and values, and someone, who claims to have total respect for religion in particular, Islam, President Jammeh finds it appropriate to ridicule and to speak ill of the dead. Such behavior and countenance is most unreligious, un-cultural and certainly discredits traditional African norms and values!
The Union need not remind President Jammeh that it is difficult to presume that the Gambia Government is concerned over the death of Deyda Hydara unless and until the Gambia Government and its relevant security institutions are seen to be determined and resolved to seriously commit themselves in a professional manner to embark on investigating the events that led to the death of our dear colleague and brother.
We also wish to bring to the attention of the head of state that the Government of The Gambia and its relevant Security Apparatus’ have the primary responsibility to ensure the protection of each and every Gambian life and therefore the murder of any Gambian should be an issue of paramount concern and curbing such a menace a priority. Mere statements and or speculations and ridicule re: the events leading to the death of Deyda Hydara cannot and will not be accepted as exoneration of the Gambia Government, neither by the Union, international journalist associations, the Hydara family or other interested parties.
The death of any Gambian, more so one who was most vocal on issues of human rights, freedom of expression and the development of the country in general, even if it meant clashing with the powers that be, can only be deemed suspicious until such a time that the state can logically, reasonably, factually and forensically, and within the shortest possible period prove otherwise.
We demand an investigation of fact and forensics spearheaded by the Gambia Government. Should the relevant government institutions not have the resources or wherewithal to carry on with the investigations, we at the Gambia Press Union think it is time that you publicly admit that and invite other states and international policing and security institutions such as Interpol, who already have a desk at the Police Headquarters to take over the investigations.
It is almost certain that the trail has gone cold in the past Four and a half years but the main pieces of the puzzle being the bullets which were or should have been retrieved during post mortem and the post mortem report will certainly go a long way in aiding the continuation and or recommencement of the investigations. Motives and related issues can wait for a later date! Right now our preoccupation is that the perpetrators of this murder most foul be brought to book.
Mr. President the venom with which you spoke about the websites with a picture of the slain journalist and the slogan “Who Killed Deyda Hydara” is alarming. We are very much aware that the issue be kept alive and until such a time that his killers are brought to book, this slogan and its accompanying image will remain on the website of the Union and that even then, we will coin a statement fitting to forever haunt the perpetrators of this heinous crime!
The killing of Deyda Hydara, if nothing else, has only strengthened the resolve of true journalists to remain steadfast, truthful and committed to speaking in defense of the weak and the vulnerable.
On a second note, we are quite surprised that you claim there is Freedom of Expression in The Gambia. Mr. President, we beg to differ, the legal environment in particular the Newspaper Amendment Act 2004, the Criminal Code Amendment Act 2004, the Newspaper Registration Act and the recently passed Communications Bill 2009 make it practically impossible to practice efficiently as a journalist and yet remain within the ambits of the law.
The laws notwithstanding, the disappearance of Chief Ebrima Manneh, the continued prolonging of unnecessary court cases of journalists and media practitioners, arbitrary arrests and detention, harassment of Gambian journalists especially the episodes of 2006 leave a lot to be desired re: the state of freedom of expression in The Gambia.
We therefore call on the Gambia Government to respect, promote and defend the rights of journalists, notably by bringing an immediate end to the unnecessary and continued embarrassment and harassment of journalists; to create the enabling environment for the development and full participation of the independent media, the fourth estate, by repealing the current media laws which criminalize media offences amongst a host of other detrimental issues and to pass new and progressive media related laws such as Freedom of Information and Access to Information Acts which amongst other provisions guarantee freedom of the media as stipulated in the regional and international treaties such as Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which your Government is signatory.
We also propose, in good faith that your Government seriously look at strategies geared towards engaging and collaborating with the independent media to enhance and strengthen independent media participation and to enable the expansion of the space for divergent views and healthy debate.
Wednesday 10 June 2009
The coup plotter
part 1
Like Paul Sheldon in Stephen King's book, Misery, State House Commander, Lieutenant Landing Sanneh woke up in a filthy cell. He though he was in a dream and the man he saw lying on the concrete floor was someone else.
The man Lt Sanneh saw in his dream had no shirt or trousers on. He was not even wearing a pair of Sankung Sillah slippers. He was wearing only a small boxer half of which was stuck in his bum lining. The man's face look familiar, no in fact they look alike. They have the same nose, mouth, dark eyes, hair cut and body figure.
Lt Sanneh was woken by the sound of heavy footsteps.Whoever the giant was, was showing no mercy to the poor earth he was walking on. The sound of more footsteps and heavy laughter of men and women could be heard somewhere outside. Their laughter were sharp and loud like people celebrating a jackpot winning.
As he slowly opened his tired eyes, his body was greeted with terrible pain that made he moan. The pain was down below somewhere on his groin. The pain was horrible. It was as if a wicked soul hunter had cut him open and stuffed red burning charcoal into his body.
With his heart beating between 100 to 150 times a minute, he realised that the man he saw in the dream was not only his lookalike. It was himself. He tried sitting up but could not. His hands were cuffed, by whom he don't know.
He began asking himself so many questions but his mind was as blank. It was as blank as an A-4 paper and could not come up with any answer.
What happened to him? he don't know. How did he get here? he don't know that either. It was hard to think. If only those idiots who woke him up from his sleep would help or give him the gaddem answers he so badly needed.
As he tried to sit up again, Lt Sanneh felt something wet. He slowly turned his head and his eyes saw a pool of something dark where he was lying. It was blood. His boxer was shoaking wet not with water but blood. His own blood. He tried to drag himself away from the pool of blood but the pain got worse.
He could not see the wounds which were killing him and could not remember how he got them. He shouted out for help but no help came.
Moments later, he hear some footsteps then the sound of a key on the door of his cell. The cell was open and there stood a man with a First Aid box.
"Who are you?" he shouted at the man, but the man just ignored him. The man shot him a long angry look and said slowly:" You should thank your god that you are still alive."
"We should have killed you. I would have left you to rot if I have the power. Thanks to our weak chief. He is a very weak man," the man replied and started patching his bleeding wound up.
Lt Sanneh gave the man a second and better look and he immediately recognised him as a medical officer at the Yundum Military Camp.
.
It was then that he remembered everything. Everything that happened.
x x x x
It was around 4am on January 21, 2000. He had been in bed for not less than two hours because he stayed up till late watching Nigerian movies at his Mile Seven residence with some relatives. Since going to bed, Lt Sanneh had tried hard to go to sleep but couldn't.
The past few nights were horrible. He always woke up with nightmares about his young nephew he accidentally killed while reversing his car. He was hunted by the horrible images of the accident.
Today though, as he lied in bed staring at the ceiling, he heard some footsteps, then a knock at his door. Not sure who was knocking at the door at that ungodly hour and what they may possible want, he ignored them.
"Whoever the person is," he told himself "must wait until in the morning." As he laid in bed, he heard the footstep disappearing the way they came. When he peeped through his bedroom widow, he saw two men walking in the dark. He could swear that he overheard them saying: "He is inside."
Taking the men to be thieves, who broke into some neighbouring houses weeks ago, Lt Sanneh rang the night duty officer at the Denton Bridge, which was guarded by his State Guard boys and requested a patrol team to visit the area and see if they can catch the thieves.
As he replaced the phone receiver, Lt Sanneh was sure he heard a car engine.Within seconds, he heard people jumping out of the car even before its engine was gunned down. He heard some men running round the back of the house and others to the front. And then he heard someone issuing orders.
"Lets do anything we can to get him either dead or alive," and then they started shooting. They were shooting directly at the house.
The sound of gun shots and bullets mercilessly shattering his glass windows sent him diving to the floor. He don't know who the people shooting at his house were and why they were trying to kill him. Not only him but everyone in the house.
As the bullets started hitting the sitting room, bedrooms and blasting away anything on their way, Lt Sanneh had to think fast. Think fast how to safe his family. He crawled on his chest like a pregnant lizard to his children's bedroom and shoved them under the bed. "Get under your beds," he shouted out to his terrified wife and relatives.
Paw paw paw, pum, paw paw paw paw pum, the shooting continued both in the front and back section of the house. It was like a Silvester Stallone movie. Every moving Shadow was shot at. To add to his fear that attackers were definitely trying to wipe out everyone in the house, he heard a loud explosion at the back of the house which shook the house. Perhaps it was a grenade, only God knows.
Like Paul Sheldon in the book, Misery, Lt Sanneh convinced himself that he had to do something to stop his entire family from being wiped out. Reaching his dressing table, he grabbed his loaded service pistol and crawled to the rear exit of the house.
Seeing that there were only a few armed men at the back, he convinced himself that if he act quickly, he could make it out of the house before the attackers know. As he tried to quietly open the door, the armed men who looked as if they were high on cannabis, turned their guns to the door and started spraying bullets.
With the pistol in one hand, Lt Sanneh pushed the door open and raised his hands in surrender. But the gun men paid no attention. A bullet missed his chest but two landed on his groin and heap sending him crashing on the floor in agony. As he landed on the ground, the armed men quickly surrounded him and aimed their guns at him.
"Halt, halt," he shouted at the top of his voice. The shooting stopped and the armed men gleefully took away his pistol and cuffed his hands on his back.
"Where are your weapons?" someone asked.
"I only have my service pistol," Lt Sanneh replied.
The man he immediately recognise as senior officer of the National Army took the pistol from one of the attackers and ordered to search the house. Minutes later, the men returned with nothing. Satisfied, the commanded tapped Lt Sanneh on the shoulder playfully and ordered his triumph men to take him to the car.
Without any explanation, Lt Sanneh was dumped in the back of the heavily armed pick-up which turned right on the Bakau-Banjul road. At Sting Corner, the pick-up turned right again, this time towards Kanifing. Reaching Westfield Junction, the pick-up stopped. No one said anything.
Lying in the back of the pick up, Lt Sanneh could hear the unit commander talking on the phone. He heard him say gleefully to the person on other end of the phone: " We got him."
As the unit commander continued on the phone, Lt Sanneh's body started getting cold. His injured leg was hurting like hell and bleeding profusely. When the commander finished his phone conversation and came to take a second look at him as if to reconfirm that it was truly him, Lt Sanneh asked for help.
"Don't worry about your leg," the man replied calmly, "We are going to kill you. We have already killed your friend, Almamo Manneh and you are the only one left. Remember to say your last prayers."
Overtaken with fear, Lt Sanneh began to shake. And as the pick-up speeds away on the pot-holed roads towards the Yundum Army Barracks, Lt Sanneh injured leg was bleeding profusely. He started feeling dizzy then he saw darkness which swallowed him as fast as it came.
To be continued
Note: Lt Sanneh was a former State House military commander, who was arrested and jailed in 2001 for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government of the Gambia. The article is part of his testimony before a military tribunal headed by Vincent Jatta and presided over by Justice Okoi Itam at the Yundum Military Barracks.
Like Paul Sheldon in Stephen King's book, Misery, State House Commander, Lieutenant Landing Sanneh woke up in a filthy cell. He though he was in a dream and the man he saw lying on the concrete floor was someone else.
The man Lt Sanneh saw in his dream had no shirt or trousers on. He was not even wearing a pair of Sankung Sillah slippers. He was wearing only a small boxer half of which was stuck in his bum lining. The man's face look familiar, no in fact they look alike. They have the same nose, mouth, dark eyes, hair cut and body figure.
Lt Sanneh was woken by the sound of heavy footsteps.Whoever the giant was, was showing no mercy to the poor earth he was walking on. The sound of more footsteps and heavy laughter of men and women could be heard somewhere outside. Their laughter were sharp and loud like people celebrating a jackpot winning.
As he slowly opened his tired eyes, his body was greeted with terrible pain that made he moan. The pain was down below somewhere on his groin. The pain was horrible. It was as if a wicked soul hunter had cut him open and stuffed red burning charcoal into his body.
With his heart beating between 100 to 150 times a minute, he realised that the man he saw in the dream was not only his lookalike. It was himself. He tried sitting up but could not. His hands were cuffed, by whom he don't know.
He began asking himself so many questions but his mind was as blank. It was as blank as an A-4 paper and could not come up with any answer.
What happened to him? he don't know. How did he get here? he don't know that either. It was hard to think. If only those idiots who woke him up from his sleep would help or give him the gaddem answers he so badly needed.
As he tried to sit up again, Lt Sanneh felt something wet. He slowly turned his head and his eyes saw a pool of something dark where he was lying. It was blood. His boxer was shoaking wet not with water but blood. His own blood. He tried to drag himself away from the pool of blood but the pain got worse.
He could not see the wounds which were killing him and could not remember how he got them. He shouted out for help but no help came.
Moments later, he hear some footsteps then the sound of a key on the door of his cell. The cell was open and there stood a man with a First Aid box.
"Who are you?" he shouted at the man, but the man just ignored him. The man shot him a long angry look and said slowly:" You should thank your god that you are still alive."
"We should have killed you. I would have left you to rot if I have the power. Thanks to our weak chief. He is a very weak man," the man replied and started patching his bleeding wound up.
Lt Sanneh gave the man a second and better look and he immediately recognised him as a medical officer at the Yundum Military Camp.
.
It was then that he remembered everything. Everything that happened.
x x x x
It was around 4am on January 21, 2000. He had been in bed for not less than two hours because he stayed up till late watching Nigerian movies at his Mile Seven residence with some relatives. Since going to bed, Lt Sanneh had tried hard to go to sleep but couldn't.
The past few nights were horrible. He always woke up with nightmares about his young nephew he accidentally killed while reversing his car. He was hunted by the horrible images of the accident.
Today though, as he lied in bed staring at the ceiling, he heard some footsteps, then a knock at his door. Not sure who was knocking at the door at that ungodly hour and what they may possible want, he ignored them.
"Whoever the person is," he told himself "must wait until in the morning." As he laid in bed, he heard the footstep disappearing the way they came. When he peeped through his bedroom widow, he saw two men walking in the dark. He could swear that he overheard them saying: "He is inside."
Taking the men to be thieves, who broke into some neighbouring houses weeks ago, Lt Sanneh rang the night duty officer at the Denton Bridge, which was guarded by his State Guard boys and requested a patrol team to visit the area and see if they can catch the thieves.
As he replaced the phone receiver, Lt Sanneh was sure he heard a car engine.Within seconds, he heard people jumping out of the car even before its engine was gunned down. He heard some men running round the back of the house and others to the front. And then he heard someone issuing orders.
"Lets do anything we can to get him either dead or alive," and then they started shooting. They were shooting directly at the house.
The sound of gun shots and bullets mercilessly shattering his glass windows sent him diving to the floor. He don't know who the people shooting at his house were and why they were trying to kill him. Not only him but everyone in the house.
As the bullets started hitting the sitting room, bedrooms and blasting away anything on their way, Lt Sanneh had to think fast. Think fast how to safe his family. He crawled on his chest like a pregnant lizard to his children's bedroom and shoved them under the bed. "Get under your beds," he shouted out to his terrified wife and relatives.
Paw paw paw, pum, paw paw paw paw pum, the shooting continued both in the front and back section of the house. It was like a Silvester Stallone movie. Every moving Shadow was shot at. To add to his fear that attackers were definitely trying to wipe out everyone in the house, he heard a loud explosion at the back of the house which shook the house. Perhaps it was a grenade, only God knows.
Like Paul Sheldon in the book, Misery, Lt Sanneh convinced himself that he had to do something to stop his entire family from being wiped out. Reaching his dressing table, he grabbed his loaded service pistol and crawled to the rear exit of the house.
Seeing that there were only a few armed men at the back, he convinced himself that if he act quickly, he could make it out of the house before the attackers know. As he tried to quietly open the door, the armed men who looked as if they were high on cannabis, turned their guns to the door and started spraying bullets.
With the pistol in one hand, Lt Sanneh pushed the door open and raised his hands in surrender. But the gun men paid no attention. A bullet missed his chest but two landed on his groin and heap sending him crashing on the floor in agony. As he landed on the ground, the armed men quickly surrounded him and aimed their guns at him.
"Halt, halt," he shouted at the top of his voice. The shooting stopped and the armed men gleefully took away his pistol and cuffed his hands on his back.
"Where are your weapons?" someone asked.
"I only have my service pistol," Lt Sanneh replied.
The man he immediately recognise as senior officer of the National Army took the pistol from one of the attackers and ordered to search the house. Minutes later, the men returned with nothing. Satisfied, the commanded tapped Lt Sanneh on the shoulder playfully and ordered his triumph men to take him to the car.
Without any explanation, Lt Sanneh was dumped in the back of the heavily armed pick-up which turned right on the Bakau-Banjul road. At Sting Corner, the pick-up turned right again, this time towards Kanifing. Reaching Westfield Junction, the pick-up stopped. No one said anything.
Lying in the back of the pick up, Lt Sanneh could hear the unit commander talking on the phone. He heard him say gleefully to the person on other end of the phone: " We got him."
As the unit commander continued on the phone, Lt Sanneh's body started getting cold. His injured leg was hurting like hell and bleeding profusely. When the commander finished his phone conversation and came to take a second look at him as if to reconfirm that it was truly him, Lt Sanneh asked for help.
"Don't worry about your leg," the man replied calmly, "We are going to kill you. We have already killed your friend, Almamo Manneh and you are the only one left. Remember to say your last prayers."
Overtaken with fear, Lt Sanneh began to shake. And as the pick-up speeds away on the pot-holed roads towards the Yundum Army Barracks, Lt Sanneh injured leg was bleeding profusely. He started feeling dizzy then he saw darkness which swallowed him as fast as it came.
To be continued
Note: Lt Sanneh was a former State House military commander, who was arrested and jailed in 2001 for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government of the Gambia. The article is part of his testimony before a military tribunal headed by Vincent Jatta and presided over by Justice Okoi Itam at the Yundum Military Barracks.
Hurricane Jammeh
Once again, the Quadrangle in Banjul was badly struck by another hurricane Jammeh, which for a moment, left almost everyone in the country shaken.
As if last week's removal of Yankuba Touray was not bad enough, Jammeh's electric broom swept off key figures of his regime once thought to be untouchable. Among them, Bala Gaye, secretary of state for Finance, Abdou Karim Savage, chief justice and Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay, speaker of the National Assembly.
As always, hurricane Jammeh sent no warning before it struck its victims and there is no one to give an explanation to the public. I felt sorry for the victims of the hurricane and more sorry to my friend or lets say my 'aunty', Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay.
These people as Jammeh always does, were badly used, turned into public enemies then sent packing to an angry and unsympathetic public. But will the Gambian people learn a big lesson from the treatment of this people, who were once elevated into the seventh heaven and did everything for Jammeh? I don't think so.
It must have struck my aunty like a thunderbolt when she received her marching orders, but no matter what the circumstances resulting in her removal are, she should hold her head high.
Love or loathe her, the woman was a loyalists. She was APRC true and true. She joined the AFPRC/APRC regime as a great supporter of its leader and was remove with the same-if not higher respect and admiration for her party leader.
I have had the opportunity to meet FJC as she is better known by the Gambian media on many occasion both official and private and even though I disagree with some of her views, yet I have nothing but respect for her.
She may not be the sharpest woman in the country, but she always knew what she was doing. She was committed to the APRC regime and have done everything she could to promote the cause of the party both at home and abroad. She loves President Jammeh, a love that runs deep in her veins and was never shy to show it.
Jammeh was too dear to her and she once confessed in a newspaper interview that she is willing to serve Jammeh in any capacity even as an office cleaner.
Despite Jammeh's appalling human rights record and the disgraceful way and manner in which he is governing the country, FJC regards him as the best man for the country and dislikes everyone who criticises him.
Unlike many senior figures in her party, FJC was never afraid to take on Jammeh's opponents, especially the opposition. Her blind support of President Jammeh and the APRC have sometimes made her a national hate figure and if positions are allocated to people based on their loyalty to their leaders, FJC should have been vice-president.
I know that she will be getting a lot of stick from many people in the coming days and weeks taking into consideration the way and manner in which she conducted herself during her short-stint as speaker of the National Assembly. Her record was terrible. She was partisan and have shamelessly used the house to strengthen the hands dictatorship in the country.
Despite her appalling record, am still finding it hard to come heavy on her for whatever she did or said during her tenure in the house. She was just doing what a large majority of Gambians are doing in their respective jobs at home. Serving Jammeh first and the Gambia second.
Our country is sinking because of sycophants like her and the future of my children, your children and that of every young Gambian is being ruined because of people like her. They don't have any conscience. What a shame.
FJC's removal as speaker will have an enormous impact on her life and her future. But whatever happens, I have no feeling that the lady will abandon the APRC nor linger in wilderness for long. She will stick with Jammeh and will continue to champion the cause of the APRC. People like her are much much better inside the field than on the side lines. She will bounce back maybe at an ambassadorial level, who knows.
With Jammeh, everything is possible.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sometime last week, I received an email from a Gambian police officer, currently serving with the UN mission in Darfur, Sudan. His email was in response to an article I wrote sometime ago entitled From Where I Stand.
The officer wrote: "I have been reading your articles since when you were working for The Independent Newspaper and the Daily Observer. Your article on AllGambia Newspaper was touching and as Gambians I will advise you to be strong and be determined. Nobody can hurt you, the only person who can hurt you is yourself. Keep it up. I love reading your writings."
Encouraging words Mr Officer. Thanks.
As if last week's removal of Yankuba Touray was not bad enough, Jammeh's electric broom swept off key figures of his regime once thought to be untouchable. Among them, Bala Gaye, secretary of state for Finance, Abdou Karim Savage, chief justice and Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay, speaker of the National Assembly.
As always, hurricane Jammeh sent no warning before it struck its victims and there is no one to give an explanation to the public. I felt sorry for the victims of the hurricane and more sorry to my friend or lets say my 'aunty', Fatoumata Jahumpa-Ceesay.
These people as Jammeh always does, were badly used, turned into public enemies then sent packing to an angry and unsympathetic public. But will the Gambian people learn a big lesson from the treatment of this people, who were once elevated into the seventh heaven and did everything for Jammeh? I don't think so.
It must have struck my aunty like a thunderbolt when she received her marching orders, but no matter what the circumstances resulting in her removal are, she should hold her head high.
Love or loathe her, the woman was a loyalists. She was APRC true and true. She joined the AFPRC/APRC regime as a great supporter of its leader and was remove with the same-if not higher respect and admiration for her party leader.
I have had the opportunity to meet FJC as she is better known by the Gambian media on many occasion both official and private and even though I disagree with some of her views, yet I have nothing but respect for her.
She may not be the sharpest woman in the country, but she always knew what she was doing. She was committed to the APRC regime and have done everything she could to promote the cause of the party both at home and abroad. She loves President Jammeh, a love that runs deep in her veins and was never shy to show it.
Jammeh was too dear to her and she once confessed in a newspaper interview that she is willing to serve Jammeh in any capacity even as an office cleaner.
Despite Jammeh's appalling human rights record and the disgraceful way and manner in which he is governing the country, FJC regards him as the best man for the country and dislikes everyone who criticises him.
Unlike many senior figures in her party, FJC was never afraid to take on Jammeh's opponents, especially the opposition. Her blind support of President Jammeh and the APRC have sometimes made her a national hate figure and if positions are allocated to people based on their loyalty to their leaders, FJC should have been vice-president.
I know that she will be getting a lot of stick from many people in the coming days and weeks taking into consideration the way and manner in which she conducted herself during her short-stint as speaker of the National Assembly. Her record was terrible. She was partisan and have shamelessly used the house to strengthen the hands dictatorship in the country.
Despite her appalling record, am still finding it hard to come heavy on her for whatever she did or said during her tenure in the house. She was just doing what a large majority of Gambians are doing in their respective jobs at home. Serving Jammeh first and the Gambia second.
Our country is sinking because of sycophants like her and the future of my children, your children and that of every young Gambian is being ruined because of people like her. They don't have any conscience. What a shame.
FJC's removal as speaker will have an enormous impact on her life and her future. But whatever happens, I have no feeling that the lady will abandon the APRC nor linger in wilderness for long. She will stick with Jammeh and will continue to champion the cause of the APRC. People like her are much much better inside the field than on the side lines. She will bounce back maybe at an ambassadorial level, who knows.
With Jammeh, everything is possible.
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Sometime last week, I received an email from a Gambian police officer, currently serving with the UN mission in Darfur, Sudan. His email was in response to an article I wrote sometime ago entitled From Where I Stand.
The officer wrote: "I have been reading your articles since when you were working for The Independent Newspaper and the Daily Observer. Your article on AllGambia Newspaper was touching and as Gambians I will advise you to be strong and be determined. Nobody can hurt you, the only person who can hurt you is yourself. Keep it up. I love reading your writings."
Encouraging words Mr Officer. Thanks.
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