CPJ’s annual prison census 2009:

In Sub-Saharan Africa , 9 out of 10 detained without charge


New York, December 8, 2009—On December 1, a total of 25 journalists were imprisoned in Sub-Saharan Africa in retaliation for their journalism, and nearly 90 percent of these journalists were detained without charges in secret detention facilities, according to an annual census of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). Countries as wide ranging as Eritrea , Iran , and the United States were on the list of nations who had imprisoned journalists without charge.


With at least 19 journalists behind bars, Eritrea by far leads the list of shame of African nations that imprison journalists. Eritrea holds this dubious distinction since 2001when the authorities abruptly closed the private press by arresting at least ten editors without charge or trial. The Eritrean government has refused to confirm if the detainees are still alive, even when unconfirmed online reports suggest that three journalists have died in detention. CPJ continues to list these journalists on its 2009 census as a means of holding the government responsible for their fates. In early 2009, the government arrested at least six more journalists from state media suspected of having provided information to news Web sites based outside the country.

Eritrea’s neighbor, Ethiopia ranked second among African nations with journalists in jail. Four journalists were held in Ethiopian prisons, including two Eritrean journalists who are detained in secret locations without any formal charges or legal proceedings since late 2006. The Gambia , with its incommunicado detention of reporter Ebrima Chief Manneh since July 2006, and Cameroon , which has imprisoned the editor of a newspaper since September 2008, completes the list of imprisoned journalists for Sub-Saharan Africa.



Worldwide, a total of 136 reporters, editors, and photojournalists were behind bars, an increase of 11 from the 2008 tally. The survey also found that freelancers now make up nearly 45 percent of all journalists jailed across the globe.



China continued to be the world’s worst jailer of journalists, a dishonor it has held for 11 consecutive years. Iran , Cuba , Eritrea , and Burma round out the top five jailers from among the 26 nations that imprison journalists. Each nation has persistently placed among the world’s worst in detaining journalists.



At least 60 freelance journalists are behind bars worldwide, nearly double the number from just three years ago. CPJ research shows the number of jailed freelancers has grown along with two trends: The Internet has enabled individual journalists to publish on their own, and some news organizations, watchful of costs, rely increasingly on freelancers rather than staffers for international coverage. Freelance journalists are especially vulnerable to imprisonment because they often do not have the legal and monetary support that news organizations can provide to staffers.



“The days when journalists went off on dangerous assignments knowing they had the full institutional weight of their media organizations behind them are receding into history,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon . “Today, journalists on the front lines are increasingly working independently. The rise of online journalism has opened the door to a new generation of reporters, but it also means they are vulnerable.”



The number of online journalists in prison continued a decade-long rise, CPJ’s census found. At least 68 bloggers, Web-based reporters, and online editors are imprisoned, constituting half of all journalists now in jail. Print reporters, editors, and photographers make up the next largest professional category, with 51 cases in 2009. Television and radio journalists and documentary filmmakers constitute the rest.



The number of journalists imprisoned in China has dropped over the past several years, but with 24 still behind bars the nation remains the world’s worst jailer of the press. Of those in jail in China , 22 are freelancers. The imprisoned include Dhondup Wangchen, a documentary filmmaker who was detained in 2008 after recording footage in Tibet and sending it to colleagues overseas. A 25-minute film titled “Jigdrel” (Leaving Fear Behind), produced from the footage, features ordinary Tibetans talking about their lives under Chinese rule. Officials in Xining , Qinghai province, charged the filmmaker with inciting separatism.



Most of those imprisoned in Iran , the world’s second-worst jailer, were swept up in the government’s post-election crackdown on dissent and the news media. Of those, about half are online journalists. They include Fariba Pajooh, a freelance reporter for online, newspaper, and radio outlets. Radio France International reported that she was charged with “propagating against the regime” and pressured to make a false confession.



“Not long ago, Iran boasted a vigorous and vital press community,” CPJ’s Simon added. “When the government cracked down on the print media, journalists migrated online and fueled the rise of the Farsi blogosphere. Today, many of Iran ’s best journalists are in jail or in exile, and the public debate has been squelched alongside the pro-democracy movement.”



Cuba , the third-worst jailer, is holding 22 writers and editors in prison, all but two of whom were rounded up in Fidel Castro’s massive 2003 crackdown on the independent press. Many have seen their health deteriorate in inhumane and unsanitary prisons. The detainees include Normando Hernández González, who suffers from cardiovascular ailments and knee problems so severe that even standing is difficult. Hernández González was moved to a prison hospital in late October.


With Eritrea as the world’s fourth-worst jailer, Burma is the fifth with nine journalists behind bars. Those in custody include the video-journalist known publicly as “T,” who reported news for the Oslo-based media organization Democratic Voice of Burma and who helped film an award-winning international documentary, “Orphans of the Burmese Cyclone.” Journalism is so dangerous in Burma , one of the world’s most censored countries, that undercover reporters such as “T” are a crucial conduit to the world.



The Eurasian nations of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan placed sixth and seventh on CPJ’s dishonor roll. Uzbekistan is holding seven journalists, among them Dilmurod Saiid, a freelancer who exposed government agricultural abuses. Azerbaijan is jailing six reporters and editors, including investigative journalist Eynulla Fatullayev, a 2009 CPJ International Press Freedom Awardee. A seventh Azerbaijani journalist, Novruzali Mamedov died in state custody in August, after authorities denied him adequate medical care.


Here are other trends and details that emerged in CPJ's analysis:

· About 47 percent of journalists in the census are jailed under antistate charges such as sedition, divulging state secrets, and acting against national interests, CPJ found. Many of them are being held by the Chinese, Iranian, and Cuban governments.

· In about 12 percent of cases, governments have used a variety of charges unrelated to journalism to retaliate against critical writers, editors, and photojournalists. Such charges range from regulatory violations to drug possession. In the cases included in this census, CPJ has determined that the charges were most likely lodged in reprisal for the journalist's work.

· Violations of censorship rules, the next most common charge, are applied in about 5 percent of cases. Charges of criminal defamation, reporting “false” news, and engaging in ethnic or religious “insult” constitute the other charges filed against journalists in the census.

· Internet and print journalists make up the bulk of the census. Radio journalists compose the next largest professional category, accounting for 7 percent of cases. Television journalists and documentary filmmakers each account for 3 percent.

· The worldwide tally of 136 reflects a 9 percent increase over 2008 and represents the third-highest number recorded by CPJ in the past decade. (The decade high came in 2002, when CPJ recorded 139 journalists in jail.)

· The United States , which is holding freelance photographer Ibrahim Jassam without charge in Iraq , made CPJ’s list of countries jailing journalists for the sixth consecutive year. During this period, U.S. military authorities have jailed numerous journalists in Iraq —some for days, others for months at a time—without charge or due process. U.S. authorities appear to be using this tactic less frequently over the past two years.

CPJ believes that journalists should not be imprisoned for doing their jobs. The organization has sent letters expressing its serious concerns to each country that has imprisoned a journalist. Over the past year, CPJ advocacy helped lead to the release of at least 45 imprisoned journalists.

CPJ's list is a snapshot of those incarcerated at midnight on December 1, 2009. It does not include the many journalists imprisoned and released throughout the year; accounts of those cases can be found at www.cpj.org. Journalists remain on CPJ's list until the organization determines with reasonable certainty that they have been released or have died in custody.

Journalists who either disappear or are abducted by nonstate entities, including criminal gangs, rebels, or militant groups, are not included on the imprisoned list. Their cases are classified as “missing” or “abducted.”

Mickey the Mike Mouse

By Baba Galleh Jallow

Mickey the mike mouse was certain he had discovered a new song, a song that would not only raise his standards, but would also assure him an elevated place over and above the musical giants of our little town. And so walking gingerly to his mike at every single moment, Mickey the mike mouse would loudly sing and gingerly rock away to the melodious tunes of his newfound song. And did the birds all fly away!!

Mickey the mike mouse was certain that he had the best voice in our little town, that he knew the best songs, and that he knew best how to sing the best songs and get the best ratings in our very own best of all possible little towns. So each morning he sprang up from his hole in the ground and peered outside to see if it was still dark. If it was, Mickey the mike mouse would sadly withdraw his little head and snuggle back up inside, eyes wide awake, waiting for the slightest glimmer of light so that he could majestically issue forth and sing a song or say something that would the sleeping world’s attention strongly catch.

Mickey the mike mouse had no doubts that his voice was the very best there was in our little town. For him, such so-called famous musicians like Bopa the head and Wahal the talk, or even the wildly popular Daa the mouth or Nopa the hear were nothing but noise boxes who did not think before they sang and pretended to be wise and endowed with so-called wisdom which they purported to share with our less endowed common townsfolk. He, Mickey the mike mouse, was the real thing. He was the giant of mountainous proportions and his singing was the envy of the sailing clouds and the very lullabies that sent the night owl to sleep. He, unlike Bopa, Wahal, Daa and Nopa, did not sing of ordinary things that lay bare before the eyes of men, but of those sublime messages that dazzled the mind’s eye and left an awakening feeling in the hearts and souls of our common townsfolk who could be heard to loudly say hail, Mickey the mike mouse has done it again!!

Sometimes, Mickey the mike mouse did not even need to sing in his real voice. He was too much of a great and beloved bard to worry about his songs not been liked whether he sang in his real voice or not. He was certain beyond doubt that our common townsfolk would still squeal with delight, vigorously nod their heads and tap their happy little feet at the very sound of his voice – real or not. And so often times, he would scurry to his mike and merely squeak and squeak, making a point of squeaking so loud that the leaves in the nearby trees danced with joy and the tiny ants on the ground hurried to and fro, helter-skelter, straining their tiny little ears to catch every single bit of squeak that escaped the enlightened bowels of our singing mouse. Some of our common townsfolk would squat and loudly wail, and let the tears freely flow down their happy cheeks, while the cynical ones would simply stick some sponge in their ears and say wow, what a song Mickey the mouse is singing in his other voice again!! Thus feeling supremely encouraged, Mickey the mike mouse would raise the tempo of his other voice and squeak so loud that the clouds shifted and the waters of the distant oceans shook a little. Some of our common townsfolk would shut their doors and loudly cry while others would say no, I will not miss a line of this mighty squeak, and stay right there to let the squeak hit them with its mighty force and sink through every pore in their hairy skins.

Thus having sang in his other voice, Mickey the mike mouse would return to his normal voice and strike another tune. He would sometimes sing of the tomato who thought he was a peanut and tried to break his shell, or the famous chicken who thought he was a lion and spent the whole day crowing, thinking that he was roaring. At some other times, Mickey the mike mouse would gallantly sing of the ancient rock that, insisting that he was a fish, jumped right into the lake and promptly drowned, never to be seen again. He would sing of the mosquito who thought he was a giant and challenged the elephant to a wrestling contest, with the unfortunate result that he lost his waist and had to forever crawl on the ground and live on moisture.

When he was particularly in the mood, Mickey the mouse mike would bring out his ancient drum, and wearing his rock solid gloves, would loudly bang away and sing the well known song of the arrogant river who decided to flow upwards rather than down, and who found himself splashing rudely back to earth and losing his waters. Such was the spectacular talent of our famous Mickey the mike mouse who sang so hard that he started losing some of his whiskers to his windpipes. As a fitting tribute to his excellent service to their beloved musical tendencies, some of our common townsfolk started calling Mickey the mike mouse Mochat, a name that made him sing even louder and lose even more of his whiskers. But what cares? He was Mickey the mike mouse of loud squeak fame!

GPU-USA Elects New Executive

The Gambia Press Union, United States Branch (GPU-USA) has elected a new executive committee to steer the affairs of the Union for the next two years. The term of the current executive expires on December 31st, 2009.

Former PRO and Gainako editor Demba Baldeh was elected Secretary General to replace Baba Galleh Jallow; Bubacar Ceesay of AllGambian replaces Fatou Jaw Manneh as Deputy Secretary General; Cherno Baba Jallow replaces Demba Baldeh as Public Relations Officer; Lamin Jatta replaces Joe Sambou as Treasurer; Pa Samba Jow replaces Lamin Jatta as Auditor; and Modou Nyang replaces Emuran Saidy as Social Affairs Secretary. Haruna Darbo and Christine Sukuna who showed up to offer their moral support, were nominated and accepted honorary membership of the new executive. Both Mr. Darbo and Ms Sukuna had earlier been invited and graciously accepted associate membership of the GPU-USA. Outgoing secretary general Baba Galleh Jallow was also nominated an honorary member of the new executive. The elections were held at a well-attended conference call meeting on Sunday, November 8, 2009.

Prior to the elections both new and old members expressed sentiments regarding the nature and work of the GPU-USA. Outgoing secretary general Baba Galleh Jallow said he was not seeking re-election in order to aid the fight against the myth of the indispensability of leaders. “Everyone can be replaced,” he said, adding that he was absolutely certain that the GPU-USA has members perfectly capable of running the affairs of the Union. He thanked outgoing members of the executive and assured the new executive that they all would continue offering their support and participating actively in the affairs of GPU-USA.

The new executive will formally take over the affairs of the Union with effect from January 1, 2010.

Signed on behalf of the GPU-USA,

Demba Baldeh, Outgoing PRO

Baba Galleh Jallow, Outgoing Secretary General

Gambian still faces heavy debt burden

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by Mr. David Dunn visited Banjul October 23–November 5 to assess performance at end-September for the sixth and final review of The Gambia’s three-year program under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). The mission met with the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Abdou Kolley, and the Governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia, Momodou Bamba Saho, as well other senior members of government and representatives of the National Assembly, private sector, development partners, and civil society.

At the conclusion of the visit, the mission issued the following statement:

“The Gambian economy has performed better in 2009 than was previously projected, mainly because of a second consecutive year of strong growth in agriculture. Tourism, however, has been hard hit by the global economic crisis and a sharp drop-off in remittances from the Gambian diaspora has weakened residential construction.

The IMF mission expects real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to be about 4 ½-5 percent in 2009, up from its previous projection of about 3 ½ percent. Looking ahead, real GDP growth is projected to rise slightly in 2010, based on a partial recovery in tourism and remittances. Given the uncertainty of weather conditions for agriculture and prevailing weakness in some countries with economic linkages to The Gambia, there are still downside risks to the outlook for 2010. Inflation, which has already fallen considerably in 2009, is expected to remain low.

“Performance under the PRGF-supported program has been generally positive. All end-September quantitative performance criteria were met, except for the fiscal target, which was missed due to large spending overruns in the second quarter of the year. Targets on official international reserves and the central bank’s net domestic assets were achieved with comfortable margins. Implementation of structural benchmarks was good, although there were modest delays.

“The Gambian government still faces a heavy debt burden. Interest on government debt is expected to consume nearly 20 percent of government revenues in 2009, mostly in interest on domestic debt. In contrast to a slight reduction in domestic debt that was planned for in the 2009 budget, the spending overruns led to more debt and increased pressure on interest rates.

“The mission welcomes the Gambian authorities’ intention to take corrective actions for the missed end-September performance criterion, notably by preparing a budget for 2010 that will lower government’s domestic debt slightly, ease pressure on treasury bill yields, and generate savings from lower interest payments. On this basis, the IMF’s Executive Board could consider the sixth review of the PRGF in early 2010.”

Outrage at Jammeh's death threat

An online petition has been launched in protest at the Gambian president's threat to kill human rights workers.

President Yahya Jammeh told state TV earlier this week he would kill anybody who wanted to "destabilise" The Gambia.

"If you are affiliated with any human rights group, be rest assure that your security is not guaranteed... we are ready to kill saboteurs," he said.

The campaign by a coalition of pressure groups wants the African Union's human rights commission HQ moved from Gambia.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu from the the Open Society Institute, one of the bodies behind the petition, said Mr Jammeh's comments were "beyond the pale".


"The people of Gambia have been under siege for the past year or two. We've got an obligation to speak up," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.

The headquarters of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights is in the Gambian capital, Banjul.

The Open Society, along with the African Court Coalition, is now campaigning to have the offices moved to a different country.

Their aim is to secure as many signatures as possible from non-governmental organisations involved in the work of the AU's human rights commission before 28 September, when the petition will be forwarded to the African Union.

Their petition quotes Mr Jammeh's speech, which was made before he went to the UN General Assembly in New York.

"I will kill anyone who wants to destabilise this country," he said.

"If you think that you can collaborate with so-called human rights defenders, and get away with it, you must be living in a dream world. I will kill you, and nothing will come out of it."

The petition says Mr Jammeh's declaration "leads us to fear for the safety, security, and lives of ourselves and our colleagues".

Mr Jammeh came to power in a coup in 1994 and has won three multi-party elections since then.

But amid claims of plots to oust him, journalists have been harassed and dozens of people have been arrested and unlawfully detained, human rights groups say.

Gambia's pitiful political class

By Umaru Fofana
BBC Focus on Africa magazine


Welcome to The Gambia, the land of "His Excellency President Professor Alhaji Dr AJJ Jammeh", a sign at airport tells visitors to the West African nation.

It is a country where the ubiquitous display of a photograph of one man relegates the North Korean leader to the backburner.

Children sing his praises; women dance to his name; men adore him - mostly willy-nilly. I would guess, of every three billboards in the capital Banjul, at least two have President Yahya Jammeh's photograph on them.

His name has to be in the newspapers lest an editor is tagged "anti-Jammeh".

His image is almost always on the state-owned Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) for much of the news bulletin.

One day it shows the country's armed forces working on his farm as he gazes on benignly. The day before it was civil servants doing the same thing. The next it will be some group or other - there as an act of loyalty. And on and on and on, GRTS reports.

Petty squabbles

All this publicity prompted one opposition spokesman to tell me wryly that the president is the "most popular" person in the country.

"It poses a lot of problems for us," he said.

That is an understatement. Like elsewhere on the continent, opposition parties in The Gambia are beset with problems besides that of being out of power.

The fact that the country has known only two regimes - some would say hegemonies - since becoming independent from the UK in 1965 seems to have blinded the opposition to the fact that their own "democratic credentials are as tattered and torn as the current military strongman-turned-civilian president", according to one Gambian journalist, who did not wish to be named.

The problem is that with the president's authoritarian presence lauding over a nation mired in poverty, you would think the opposition would overcome any petty squabbles to focus on a common enemy.

In fact, many of the leaders of the five opposition political parties in the country can barely stand to hear each other's names.

Crucially, many Gambians say these parties are guilty of the very thing they often accuse the governing Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) of being: Undemocratic and lacking transparency.

Oxygen starved

Many do not even have headquarters, and where they do the structure is barely standing upright.

Granted, though, they are operating in less-than-ideal circumstances.

The government is stifling criticism by trying to cut off the oxygen for some of these parties. The United Democratic Party (UDP), for example, is banned from holding public rallies.

But that is no consolation for many ordinary citizens.

"My greatest concern is what happens after President Jammeh leaves or is removed from office," said a school teacher, who did not want to give his name.

He lashed out at the president calling him "a despot".

But said there was no alternative to Mr Jammeh's rule as opposition parties are not offering anything viable and lack the democratic torch to brighten his country's future.

This is a common view. One civil servant asked: "When was the last time any political party held any credible and transparent national delegates' conference to subject themselves to the democratic will of their members?"

The UDP came second in 2006 polls, and is thus the official opposition, but last held a conference in 2000. Some critics even dispute that date, saying the meeting was anything but a convention. The UDP say that they are not even sure when they will hold the next one.

Most glaringly perhaps, the party has had only one leader since it was founded in 1996.



Its spokesman and campaign manager since its birth, Femi Peters, said Oussainou Darboe has been at the helm for so long because he is "the fittest person" and shows no compunction in saying so, adding: "If we find somebody credible enough to replace him, we shall replace him."

Without a delegates' conference in the near future, this will not happen anytime soon.

Mr Darboe himself was out of the country on vacation during my visit and refused to comment via email.

Reacting to all this, a journalist I met who is not a supporter of President Jammeh simply shook his head.

It seems The Gambia does not follow the precedent of its near-neighbour.

In Sierra Leone the tendency is that anyone who leads a party to a defeat at the polls immediately ceases to be its leader. In contrast, in The Gambia there seems to be no such limit imposed either by a party's internal constitution or its electoral fate.

Halifa Sallah, once the most vocal and courageous critic of the current regime, is sadly another case in point.

He is probably as right as he is complicit when he says Gambians have lost hope in all their politicians.

Mr Sallah has been secretary-general of the opposition People's Democratic Organisation for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) since its establishment in 1987.

When asked about internal democracy - or the lack of it - within his party, he deviates into a history lesson, and then gets all philosophical.
Unconvincing

Defending his long stay at the top echelon of the PDOIS, the former presidential candidate told me that his party was "in transition" from 1987 to 1994 when the military coup happened which banned all political parties.

Timeline
Once the ban was lifted in 1996, he said his PDOIS functioned up to 2001 when they formed an alliance with four other political parties under the National Alliance for Democracy and Development (NADD) - but this was an alliance that collapsed pretty much before it started.

But Mr Sallah is still the PDOIS secretary-general 22 years on. He concedes the point but is quick to add that his party "operates on [the system of] collective leadership. Individuals who are in authority do not have individual powers… [because] there is no individual-centred leadership in the party," he said, sounding as unconvinced as he looks embarrassed.

With a governing party respected only by its die-hard supporters, Gambians and most diplomats in the country believe that opposition parties should show a greater level of democracy within to send a strong message to those in power.

But perhaps Gambians are all-too-familiar with a statement by their first leader, Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, who after nearly 30 years in power, announced he was stepping down.

This did not stop him returning to the fray shortly thereafter saying that his People's Progressive Party had been prevailed upon by the people to let him stay.

Not long afterwards he was overthrown in Mr Jammeh's bloodless and initially popular coup.

Yet it seems Sir Dawda's words are those many Gambian politicians are still espousing.

Jammeh's address to the UN Assembly

I would like first of all to thank Almighty Allah for granting us yet another opportunity of the gathering of world leaders. My delegation would want to thank President Obama and the Government and people of the United States of America, and the leadership of the United Nations for the warm welcome and the facilities placed at our disposal since our arrival.

Mr. President,
Permit me to felicitate H.E. Father Miguel D’Escoto Brockman for his inspiring leadership and for
conducting well the affairs of the 63rd Session. By the same token, I extend warm felicitations to Dr. Ali Treki, on his election to lead this important 64th Session. He has the full support of my delegation. Our special thanks go to H.E Ban Ki Moon the UN Secretary-General for his stewardship, and the commitment he has manifested to the welfare of humanity, particularly of Africa.

Mr. President,
The theme “Effective responses to global crises: strengthening multilaterialism and dialogue among civilizations for international peace, security and development” adopted for this year’s Session, is indeed apt and relevant and demands that all nations big or small must adopt multilateralism and dialogue in fostering international partnership, and on all matters of common concern to global peace and development.

Mr. President,
The complexities of today’s world are such that no nation can successfully confront alone. Some issues cannot even be resolved by regional groupings acting independently. Much can be achieved only when we all collaborate and work together within the framework of multilateralism, based on mutual understanding and respect but above all sincerity, strong commitment, universal justice under the same rule of law and equity.

Mr. President,
Our global body, the United Nations, has indeed adopted countless resolutions, which if implemented to the letter would have made this world a better place for all mankind and indeed other creatures of our planet.
Unfortunately, there are some member states of the United Nations who block well meaning resolutions necessary for the maintenance of world peace and even question or disregard resolutions passed by this august body with impunity. As long as this continues to be the order of the day, the United Nations will remain united by name only; unable to achieve, in full, the fundamental objectives for which it was established. Urgent reforms are therefore needed in the modus operandi of the United Nations to ensure that this impunity is abolished and the principle of equality among nation states irrespective of their geopolitical size, location, or economic circumstances, race or religion are safeguarded. Double standards have no place in the United Nations.

Mr. President,
There cannot be peace and security in the absence of justice for all. There cannot be justice in the face of abject poverty characterized by hunger and starvation, disease, and lack of basic social services as a result of exploitation. There cannot be justice if there is merciless exploitation, suppression and criminal invasions of sovereign states. There cannot be peace if there is no development as a result of marginalization, injustice and racism.

Mr. President,
Unfortunately, injustice, racism, merciless exploitation and marginalization of especially the Developing nations by the Developed nations are the order of the Day. Africa and Africans are the poorest of the poor despite the fact that the African continent is the richest in terms of Mineral and other Natural resources! This is the sad fact that despite the African continent being the source of 90% of the precious Minerals, gemstones and strategic raw materials for the industrialized north we the Africans are the poorest of the poor!

Mr. President, it is no fault of ours if we the Africans are poor today. This situation is brought about by the perennial locust invasion and their permanent presence in Africa. They devour 90% of our useful African resources ranging from Agricultural to Mineral, Flora and Fauna resources.

These locusts are present in all African resource rich countries today. This devastating permanent locust invasion is exacerbated by another destructive phenomenon, permanent drought which is affecting all African countries without exception.

Mr. President,
We cannot do anything about these two deadly scourges in the African Continent because in the case of the locusts, they are protected by a one-sided international treaty that has been imposed on all the third World countries and not only Africa. For the drought, it is even worse as no irrigation system in Africa can eradicate it.

Mr. President,
The locusts I am talking about are the Western Multi National companies that exploit our Natural
resources as well as agricultural produce taking 95% of their financial value and leave us the owners of these resources with only 5% or less at most. Is it not interesting that with regards to mining of African mineral resources only four African countries receive more than 3% royalty from these Multi National Mining Companies? The rest receive only 3% royalty or even less. In the case of petroleum exploitation, few countries receive above 15% royalty etc.

There is nothing African Countries can do about this because these locusts have absolute monopoly of the Technologies being used in these extractive industries. The treaty that makes it impossible for us to do anything about it is called GLOBALISATION which means the EXPLOITATION of poor third world countries’ resources by the Rich First World Countries. With regards to the drought which is the debt burden, very few rich countries have cancelled the debt owed to them by third world countries.

This excruciating debt burden consumes 80% of the 5-3% left by the Multi-national Companies.
Our Agricultural produce like tea, coffee, cocoa etc are bought at prices fixed by the buyers in most cases at an average price of not more than one US Dollar per kilo whilst the same produce are being sold at
more than fifteen US Dollars per kilo when processed. So for every kilogram of our agricultural produce worth fifteen Dollars at the international western market we get only one Dollar! How can Africa develop and emerge out of this abject poverty. African resources have been continuously looted from the 11th century to date. Everything in Africa that the locusts could set eyes on are looted uptil today. Even dead bodies have not been spared by the locusts. Graves were and are being desecrated and human bodies called mummies have been stolen from Africa.

In such a situation where even Africans in their graves are not spared by these locusts on the rampage, who in his correct state of mind expects us to be rich and developed in Africa. In Africa, RIP on a tombstone which normally means Rest In Peace has never been respected. RIP – means Respected If Poor, that is the body in the tomb was not buried with any precious jewelry.

The UN must come to the rescue of Africa otherwise we Africans stand ready to liberate ourselves from this eternal bondage at any cost. As from now the AU would work towards ensuring that African Nations and our Farmers get their rightful share of our God- given natural and agricultural resources. We will no longer accept less than 65% royalty for our natural resources.

We the Africans have been suffering for too long at the hands of the Westerners and we will put an end to this. It is African sweat, blood, tears and natural resources that have built the North throughout almost five centuries of merciless and racist exploitation uptil today.

Enough is enough. Instead of being respected, we are being called all sorts of names and given all sorts of titles, Dictators, Corrupt Leaders, Failed States and even Rogue States. We the new Generation of African Leaders would put an end to these humiliating, degrading and racist
treatment by any means necessary. The world will not live in peace and security as long as this
dehumanizing and racist status quo continue to prevail with regards to the continent of Africa and
Africans. We have been forced to endure this for far too long and now we are going to put an end to it as we have ended Apartheid in South Africa; by force if need be. We will defend our humanity, our dignity, our resources, our interests and our culture as from now.

Mr. President,
HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis are killer diseases. While I would like to reiterate my delegation’s support for the work of the Global Fund to fighting these diseases, I wish to call for concerted efforts at resource mobilisation to support international research on traditional medicine and alternative diseases treatment programmes. These traditional systems are in most instances more cost-effective, yet abandoned for the sorts of criticisms that come from multinationals who feel threatened that certain traditional breakthroughs would be detrimental to their corporate existence and interests.

These multinationals value their monetary gains more than human life. They should not be allowed to hold humanity to ransom. Their insatiable appetite for massive wealth at any cost has pushed them to the point of blindness and insensitivity to human suffering and loss of human life in the developing world especially in Africa.

On international peace and security, my delegation again calls for more honest and stronger international cooperation and dialogue in addressing conflict prevention, peaceful resolution and respect of others cultural values, norms and ways of life. We must respect the fact that humanity is created to be diverse as planet Earth has different regions, each having diverse climatic and ecosystems. Therefore there is bound to be diversity in the colours of our skin diversity in the way we live and differences in our beliefs.

Diverse as we may, we are part and parcel of the one human Family created by the one and only GOD Allah. If we accept this principle that we are all human beings equal before the Only God that created us, and, that differences in religion and skin colour do not make one less human than others then we will all live in perfect peace and harmony in this global village called the World.

The problem is that some play God and believe that by virtue of the colour of their skin, they are better than the rest of humanity and therefore should dictate to them how they should live and how they should worship God. They impose their value systems on the rest of humanity. This unacceptable dictatorship is the source of all the world’s major conflicts and a contributing factor to the persistent threat to world peace.

Racism is on the rise, extreme hate mongers are increasing in numbers and ranks and, instead of
condemning them as criminals and terrorists, they are called the far right, neo Nazis or supremacists and tolerated and even encouraged by the same powers who would happily bomb them back to the stone age if they were Muslim, black African or Asian.

As long as this status quo does not change, peace and security would continue to be an elusive dream as people; rich or poor, Muslim or non Muslim, black or Asian are bound to defend their human dignity at any price. My delegation therefore calls for a united front against this dictatorship of a few over the rest of humanity. And in the interest of our collective security, the United Nations should see to the total elimination of racism and hate in all its forms whatever it takes, so that we can bequeath to generations of humanity yet unborn, a very peaceful and prosperous world devoid of destitution, exploitation and marginalization.

Mr. President,
In this context, my delegation would like to see a speedy resolution of the plight of the Palestinians. We call on the state of Israel to accept and respect the two-state solution that the international community has so clearly articulated without preconditions. We also urge the UN Security Council to ensure that its resolutions are respected by all states and enforced to the letter and spirit of the UN and not allow certain states a choice of not only ignoring these resolutions but violating them with impunity, while other states face drastic and devastating military action if such resolutions are passed against them and they so much as ask for clarification. The State of Israel has ignored and violated all UN Resolutions and conventions with regards to the Israeli Palestinian conflict with not only impunity but with the support and protection of certain powers of the world whilst other countries have paid a very high price for merely not complying fully with a security council resolution. The UN Security Council should stop this unfortunate double standards. The UN must not be turned into an Animal Farm.

Mr. President,
Secondly, there is also the lingering issue of the Republic of China (Taiwan). My delegation holds the position that Taiwan should be invited to participate in all the meetings and activities of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) amongst others. Taiwan has a legitimate right to full membership of all UN Specialised agencies since even NGOs have either full membership or observer status to these UN
Agencies. Taiwan with 23 million people, a democratic state is still being denied this fundamental human right that the UN is supposed to uphold and protect in the first place. My delegation also hereby calls on the UN to urge the United States of America to immediately and unconditionally lift the embargo on Cuba in accordance with the wishes of more than 98% of the membership of this August Body. This trade
embargo continues to hurt Cuban Women and children. The Cuban children that are born into these extreme hardships have committed no crime. The punishment of women and children because of political difference is a very serious violation of children’s rights.

Thirdly, my delegation renews its full support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco, and on the question of the Moroccan Sahara, we remain convinced that the proposal of the Moroccan Government to grant substantive autonomy to the Saharan Region on the basis of the negotiations initiated by the Security Council, and conducted and agreed by the Parties would lead to a lasting and peaceful resolution of the conflict. Mr. President,

Finally, my delegation has been following keenly but with deep dismay, the protracted negotiations and a seeming connivance to prevent the reform of the Security Council. Africa would like to see to this Reform undertaken and a balanced representation of the Continents in the Security Council. My delegation therefore urges the President of the General Assembly to exert more effort on the issue within the term of this 64th General Assembly, and ensure that the continent of Africa has at least two permanent seats at the Security Council with full veto powers or else any resolution passed by the Security Council will not be binding on Africa or any AU Member State by the end of 2010. Africa, a continent ten times the size of
Europe does not have a single permanent seat at the Security Council whilst Europe has more than one permanent seat.

Africa has been subjected to discrimination, marginalization, exploitation and humiliation for a very long time. We the Africans are no longer going to accept this status quo. We will put an end to this very soon.
I wish you all a successful 64th Session.

Gambia admits to failed age tests

By Jenny Horrocks
BBC Sport

The Gambia won the African Under-17 Championship in Algeria
The president of the Gambia FA, Seedy Kinteh, has admitted some players who helped win the African Under-17 Championship have failed age tests.

A total of 51 Gambian youngsters underwent MRI scans in Senegal to help determine their ages ahead of the upcoming Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria.

"Very few of the players failed the test," Kinteh insisted.

When asked if any of those who had failed the test had played at the African Under-17 Championship in Algeria he replied: "Yes, I'd need to check, but it can't be more than two or three."

Following the tests a squad of 28 players was named for a training camp that begins in the UK on Friday.

Football's world governing body, Fifa, has advised teams to be prepared for random age-tests at the Under-17 World Cup.

Hosts Nigeria have also carried out the scans on their squad and the football association president Sani Lulu says they are using the scans to help guide them on the make-up of their squad for next month's tournament.

Rantings of an Angry Despot – Part Two

By Baba Galleh Jallow

Some of you so-called journalists and critics think that you can open your mouths in my own personal country and try to criticize me. You think that you can come here and try to talk about so-called human right or so-called rule of law. What do you mean human right? What do you mean rule of law? Have you ever seen any so–called law trying to rule? You must be crazy if you think so and I will not let that happen in my country.

You think that you can open your big mouths and say Jumus does not respect human right or rule of so-called law. If you think so then you must be very stupid and you have your mouths in the wrong places. Because I am going to warn you – anybody that tries to talk about human right or try to bring disorder or tell people to question my power and authority – I tell you that I will kill you till you are dead. You say you are so-called human right. Well, if you are human right you should stuff your human right in your dirty pocket and keep your mouth shut. Because I will not tolerate anyone coming here and trying to be human right or so-called law of rule.

The other day I showed my compassion and forgave some criminals who were already found guilty of crime. Those criminals tried to tell me what to say or what not to say in my own personal country. For that reason they were found guilty of treason and sedition and sent to prison. And because some people fell on their knees and begged me, and because I was a man of compassion, I forgave them and they were free to go home. Then what did some of you big mouths do? You opened your big mouths and you said Jumus is afraid that’s why he released those people. If I was afraid how could I not deal with them because they were already in prison? How can I be afraid of a small bunch of criminals?

You think that you have a right to open your big mouths and say anything about me because you think I am afraid of those stupid so-called human right organizations or whatever they call themselves. If they think they are human right why don’t they come here and face me and try to tell me that nonsense? If they think they are human right who made them human right? They just get up one day and they say they are human right human right my foot. What human right? Haa? If they are human right they should stay in their own countries and make their stupid noises there. I do not need any so-called human right in my country. In fact, from now on – and I mean from this very moment – I will personally kill anyone found listening to those so-called human right organizations or even thinking of them. From now on all those so-called human right organizations are banned in this country. I forbid any of them to look at my country, talk about my country, or even think about my country, not to say write about my country. If they think they are human right they should go to their own countries and talk about their nonsense human right. And I want to warn all people in my country. Anyone caught even thinking about human right will be killed immediately. If you don’t like it you can all go to hell. And all of you so called human right activists or activities or whatever you call yourself can go to hell.

Sometimes I listen to the radio and I hear some of you so-called journalists or human right activists trying to tell me what I can or cannot do in my own personal country. You go to the West and hide behind the radio or so-called computer and think that you can cause disorder in my own personal country. You think that you can hide out there in the bush and try to tell my own personal people what they should think or what they should feel. If you think you are brave why not come here and face me and try to tell me your nonsense. Ballayy Ballayy Ballayy, if you do that you will know who I am. I will make sure that all of you are dead within one second. Even within one quarter of a second. So if you think you are brave come and face Jumus. You will then know who Jumus is. Ballayy Ballayy Ballayy.

Jammeh threatens to kill troublemakers

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh on Monday warned that anyone who sought to "destabilise" the tiny west African nation would be killed.

"If you want to destabilise this country and bring trouble and suffering to my people, I will make sure that you are dead," Jammeh told state television.

He added that cooperating with human rights groups was no guarantee of protection.

"Those who want to collaborate and listen to those so-called human rights campaigners and think that they will be defended by them are fooling themselves," said the president, who has held power in Gambia for 15 years.

Jammeh also issued a direct warning to human rights groups, which have criticised the Gambian head of state's iron-fisted rule, not to interfere in the country's affairs.

"What I want to make very clear to everybody and those so-called human rights campaigners is that I will never allow anyone to destabilise this country," the president said.

"If you are a troublemaker, keep away from the country," he warned.

Jammeh, who has ruled since taking power in a bloodless coup in 1994, has been repeatedly attacked by human rights campaigners for his repressive attitude particularly towards the media.

He came under fire earlier this month from press watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which urged Jammeh to "loosen the vice" on the media after six journalists who criticised him were jailed.

The journalists -- one woman and five men -- spent just under a month in prison after publishing comments critical of Jammeh.

They were originally given two-year jail sentences but were freed two weeks ago after receiving a presidential pardon.

Despite freeing the journalists, Jammeh has kept up pressure on the media by warning journalists they could still be prosecuted for being "disrespectful".

RSF places Gambia 137th out of 173 countries in its press freedom ranking.

Green Economy Coalition urges G20 to match rhetoric with action

Press Release

A new coalition of international business, trade unions, research and environmental organisations is calling on the G20 nations to follow through on their pledges to accelerate the transition to a green economy and secure a visionary global deal on climate change, in an open letter published today.

The Green Economy Coalition is hosted by the International Institute for Environment and Development. Its letter warns that G20 nations are failing to match their rhetoric with action, are delaying the transition to sustainable development and are promoting climate change through their subsidies for fossil fuel production and consumption.

It calls on G20 nations to honour aid commitments and provide new funds to enable developing nations to shift to sustainable development pathways.

The Green Economy Coalition will be focusing on the policy changes needed to transform the global economy into one that is clean, green and equitable. It will grow to include about 20 core members in addition to associate members that join specific activities.

In this case, the letter has been signed by heads of Consumers International, the Inspire Foundation for Business and Society, International Trade Union Confederation, WWF International, International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Global Reporting Initiative, Ecologic Institute, Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD, Bellagio Forum for Sustainable Development, IISD-Europe, the Centre for Human Ecology and the UN Environment Programme’s Green Economy Initiative.

“The Green Economy Coalition promotes equitable and resilient economies which provide a better quality of life for all, within the ecological limits of one planet,” says Sally Jeanrenaud of IIED. “We have a unique opportunity today refocus the world economy by investing in green sectors for a fairer and more sustainable future.”

Dalasi & Butut:Dalasi Sends Mixed Signals

The Gambia’s local currency posted mixed signals on the interbank and depreciated against its major trade counterparts on the parallel market this week. On the interbank market, the Dalasi was unchanged at D26.65 against the Dollar but depreciated by 80 bututs against the Pound to close at D44.40.

Against the Euro, the local currency gained 25 bututs and was quoted at D37.75 but lost ground against the CFA Francs by D2.50 to close the week at D285. On the parallel market, the local currency depreciated by 2 bututs against the Dollar and lost 50 bututs to the Pound to close at D26.90 and D44.00 respectively.

The Dalasi was also re-rated downwards by 1 butut against the Euro to D39 and lost D3.50 to the CFA Francs to close this week at D280. The US Dollar appreciated against the Pound but depreciated against the Euro and the Japanese Yen on the international currency market this week.

The greenback was up by 0.04 per cent against the Pound to $1.63 but was down by
0.01 per cent against the Euro to close at $1.47. The Dollar also depreciated by 0.1 per cent against the Yen and exchanged hands with the Yen at $91.13.


Dalasi Interbank Mid Exchange Rates

$ 26.65
£ 44.40
€ 37.75
CFA 285.00


Parallel Mid Exchange Rates

$ 26.90
£ 44.00
€ 39.00
CFA 280.00

Money Market Updates

91-Day Bills Drop Points: Both the 91-Day Bill and its Sukuk Al-Salam counterpart lost points following the end of this week’s trading. While the 182-Day Bill and the 1-Year Note improved, the 91-Day Bill was down by 7 basis points
from its previous level of 10.14 per cent to 10.07 per cent following an undersubscription of 67 per cent.

The 91-Day Sukuk Al-Salam Bill also lost 14 basis points of its last week rate of 10.71 per cent and was quoted at 10.57 per cent this week, after being oversubscribed by 60 per cent.

The 182-Day Bill posted a gain of 29 basis points and was undersubscribed by 76 per cent. The Half-Year Bill which was quoted at 11.45 per cent last week closed this week at a higher rate of 11.74 per cent. The longer dated arm of the market also witnessed a 69 basis point appreciation in the level of the 1-Year Note after an
undersubscription of 46 per cent. The Note was quoted at 14.75 per cent this
week but was previously quoted at 14.06 per cent.

Gambia Seeks Amendment of ECOWAS Court Powers‏

The ECOWAS Commission has called a meeting of Government Experts of the 15 Member States in Abuja, Nigeria from 28 September to 3 October 2009 to discuss proposals from the Gambia to amend the provisions concerning the jurisdiction of and access to ECOWAS Court of Justice under the Protocol creating the Court. The Gambia's request for an amendment is accompanied by a draft Supplementary Act (amending instrument) prepared by the Government of the Gambia.

The Gambia seeks an amendment of Articles 9(4) on jurisdiction of and 10(d) on access to the Court. In particular, they request five specific amendments:

(a) that with respect to human rights cases, the Court should only have jurisdiction in respect of international instruments ratified by the respondent country;
(b) also in human rights cases, the ECOWAS Court's jurisdiction should be made subject to the exhaustion of domestic remedies;
(c) cases should only be admissible if instituted not later than 12 months after the exhaustion of local remedies;
(d) cases should not be anonymous; and
(e) the court should not hear cases that are before other international mechanisms of settlement.

Leading scientists urge leaders to go further to tackle climate change

Press release
Forty of the world’s leading climate scientists have signed an open letter demanding global leaders take bolder action against climate change (see full list below)

The joint statement – initiated by WWF and endorsed by recognised climate luminaries such as Sir John Houghton, former chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – calls for industrialised countries to make a commitment, at the UN Climate summit in Copenhagen , to cut carbon emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020.

Saleemul Huq, one of the signatories, IPCC author and Senior Fellow in the Climate Change Group at the International Institute for Environment and Development, said: “The scientific evidence now indicates that even a rise in temperature of 2°C will entail considerable hardships for poor and vulnerable people around the world, especially those living on low-lying islands and coasts.

“So a 40% reduction in emissions is the very least required to provide a better chance of avoiding devastation for these countries and communities.”

WWF’s Head of Climate Change, Keith Allott, says: “As the UK government rallies the EU to step up to the mark ahead of Copenhagen, it’s time for Gordon Brown and other world leaders to turn words into action.”

Dr Dave Reay, another of the signatories, IPCC contributor and Senior Lecturer in Carbon Management, Edinburgh University , said: "The scientific evidence of climate change from around the world is providing a clear and urgent call for action.

“If we are to be successful in preventing the worst impacts of climate change then world leaders from the industrialised nations must commit to reducing emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2020. The meeting in Copenhagen later this year is hugely important in putting the world on a path that leads us away from dangerous climate change."

The WWF say key meetings that will shape the global climate deal take place in coming weeks, including the UN General Assembly in New York and the G20 Heads of State meeting in Pittsburgh .

Campaigners say it is vital that the politicians attending take note of such timely advice from the world’s scientific community.

The scientists’ statement on 40% emissions reduction target for developed countries follows…

Copenhagen climate targets must be more ambitious
At the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen this December, world leaders have the opportunity to agree a historic global climate deal. To avoid dangerous climate change, the deal must be based on the most up-to-date scientific understanding of the emissions reductions required, with obligations divided equitably between developed and developing countries. This means that developed countries must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020.

Copenhagen represents our best chance to avert the worst impacts of climate change on people, species and ecosystems. More than 120 countries, including the members of the G8, the EU, and key emerging economies such as China , South Africa and Mexico , agree that the rise in global temperature must stay well below 2°C. Beyond this point climate impacts will be more severe, with the risk of crossing ‘tipping points’ with dangerous and irreversible effects.

To stand a good chance of achieving this goal, the last Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report (2007) recommended that developed countries should reduce emissions by 25-40% on 1990 levels by 2020. Yet more recent evidence shows that only reductions at the top end of this range will be sufficient to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Developed countries have so far committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by only 10-16% by 2020, a level dangerously inconsistent with their commitment to the 2°C target. The latest scientific evidence clearly shows that these countries must increase their ambition and reduce emissions by 40% by 2020 to maintain a credible ambition of avoiding dangerous climate change.

Rather too late

The release of my colleagues Pap Saine, Sam Sarr, Ebrima Sawaneh, Pa Modou Faal, Emil Touray and Sarata Jabbi-Dibba from the notorious Mile Two Prison is indeed good news. But it came rather too late and cannot be seriously seen as a Ramadan gesture.

Ramadan started ages ago and if the release of these journalists was indeed because of the spirit of Ramadan, then they should have been released ages ago. And if Jammeh is indeed serious in being merciful, he should extend it to the GPU president, Ndey Tapha Sosseh and other journalists currently languishing in foreign countries.
These journalists are currently away from their homes and loved ones not because they committed any capital offence, but simply because of their work as the eyes and mouth piece of the Gambian people.

Until then, I will always see the release of the journalists as another PR attempt by Jammeh to rebuild his battered and bruised image. From the arrest to the conviction of these journalists, the whole civilised world was outraged. Press organisations and governments around the world expressed their disgust at Justice Emmanuel Fagbenle's verdict which they see as a persecution rather than prosecution and another step by the government to keep the Gambian people in a perpetual state of darkness and passive subjugation.

The pressure was mounting everyday and it went to a point where it was nearly choking Jammeh and he could do nothing but to release the journalists.

Releasing the journalists is a welcome development but it cannot repair the damage their arrest and prosecution has done on the personal image of Jammeh and the Gambia. The image of the Gambia which was previously called a beacon of peace and hope is badly tainted. The Gambia is now seen as a country where fear rules.

Secondly, if Jammeh wants us to take him seriously, then he have to do more. For the past many years, Jammeh has shown to the Gambian people that he is a leader who cannot to be trusted. He keeps approbating and reprobating at the same time. And like the HULK, the slightest criticism makes him raise the ceiling. He gets so pumped up anger that the first orders he gives to the NIA or State Guards is arrest him, kill him, let him never see the sun again etc.

Therefore, the release of these journalists will be meaningless if they are going to be arrested, tortured, killed or charged for sedition tomorrow or the day after for publishing a story or article which upsets Jammeh.

The Gambian media does not need favours, cosmetic mercy, gifts or call it whatever from Jammeh or anyone. What we need from Jammeh is for him to use his influence and ask the National Assembly to repeal all those draconian legislations that are seriously inhibiting the work of local journalists. We also want him as president to repeal the various military decrees such as Decree 70/71 which he passed during the transition period.

Jammeh have to tell the NIA to stop focusing their work on the activities of journalists. We are not dissidents or a threat to the peace and tranquility of the Gambia. The NIA should instead see the media as allies in national development. The NIA have more to gain by working closely with the media.

Again if Jammeh wants us to take him seriously as a merciful and compassionate man, he have to order the immediate and unconditional release of Journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh, if he is indeed alive, and compensate him fully for the untold sufferings he is currently going through. Chief Manneh have not committed any crime. He is an innocent bloke who cannot even hurt a fly.

Chief Manneh's father is crying himself everyday to sleep… The last time he saw his son was in the morning of July 11, 2006 when he left for work. In this blessed and holy month of Ramadan, while parents rejoice and break their fast with their children, Chief Manneh's seventy something year-old father is left with a broken heart wondering whether his son is alive or death.

Further, if Jammeh wants us to believe that he is a merciful person, let him and his government do more to find the killers of Deyda Hydara. As a loving husband and father, Deyda's wife and kids are missing him everyday and would like to know who actually pulled the trigger on him and why.

If the Gambian security officers are indeed unable to find the killers of Deyda, then Jammeh should heed calls from the Gambia Press Union and other organisations for international investigators to help. We are sure that with the help of institutions like the Scotland Yard, and with the help of modern scientific equipment, Deyda's murderers will be behind bars very soon or at least the question we have been asking since 16 December, 2004 will be answered.

For comments, write to papak196@yahoo.co.uk

Gambia's consumer price drops

Latest Figures released by the Gambia Bureau of Statistics point to a contraction in prices of domestic food and services as depicted by the national consumer price basket.

Consumer Price Inflation for the month of August 2009 contracted by 110 basis points from 4.1 per cent at the end of July 2009 to 3 per cent at the end of August.

The national price pointer peaked at the end of December 2008 and began the year at 7per cent. The index then took a nose dive; dropping to 6.3 per cent at the end of April 2009 and dropping further to 5.9 per cent at the end of May 2009 to close June 2009 at 5.4 per cent.

Incidentally, the decline was spurred by massive drops in the food components of the basket. Food prices dropped from 6.89 per cent at the end of August 2008 to 2.79 per cent at the end of August 2009.

On a month-on-month (m/m) basis, food prices shrank from 1.84 per cent at the end of July 2009 to 0.34 per cent at the end of August 2009. Nonfood prices increased in a y/y basis but reduced on a m/m basis.

The Non-food component of the basket was up by 3.18 per cent at the end of August 2009; comparing unfavourably with an increase of 2.62 per cent at the end of August last year. On a m/m basis, non-food prices scaled down by 0.7 per cent at the end of August 2009 which compares well with a rather high increase of 0.075 per cent at the end of July 2009.

The Gambia’s economy boasts of one of the lowest inflation rates in Anglophone West Africa. The current rate of 3 per cent compares favourably with a rate of 5 per cent in Liberia and 4.5 per cent in Sierra Leone; with CPI’s for Ghana and Nigeria at 11.1per cent and 19.65 per cent respectively.

OUTLOOK: CPI to Rise…

So far, the declines in domestic prices has been largely attributable to the pass through effect a gradual declines in commodity prices on the international stage, coupled with good fiscal discipline by the central bank of the Gambia.However, we do not see the national price pointer pointing southwards in the coming months.

The commencement of the planting season in September 2009 will lead to scanty shortages in locally cultivated foodstuffs and trigger increases in food prices. The season is also likely to see a surge in imports of food stuffs and a growth in the import bill. Also, the start of the tourist season would also contribute significantly to CPI’s inability to remain pointed downwards in the coming months.

The tourist season will spur a demand for goods and services and impact negatively on both the food and non food components of the basket; particularly, the hotels and restaurants item which has taken a downturn since April 2009. We also expect the CPI to be affected by remittances as consumption expenditure inflates during the
festive seasons. We remain bearish about September’s CPI and expect it to inch upwards; paving the way for a gradual ascendancy of the national price pointer in the coming months.

Climate Policy could threaten democratic freedoms, warns NGO

Press release

In an open letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon published on their new website today, the second International Day of Democracy, UK-based non-governmental organisation the Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development (FDSD) warn that unless governments step up immediate efforts to tackle climate change, the result could be significant incursions into future democratic freedoms.



As the UN and supporting organisations around the world celebrate democracy today, they know that there are some formidable environmental and natural resource challenges just around the corner—and that climate change is the biggest of them all.



FDSD Director Halina Ward says:

“There is a real risk that as the decision-making implications of huge social challenges like climate change begin to bite, politicians will be tempted to tighten the reins on our democratic rights and limit our access to public decision-making on difficult issues”.



“We need politicians to take really tough steps to tackle issues like climate change, but they have to find ways of doing so with public buy-in, support and active involvement. And the longer they wait to take decisive action, the more likely it is that our democratic freedoms could suffer as the cost of preventing the worst outcomes of climate change increases”.



“We are calling on the UN to encourage its members to reflect deeply on how they can make democracy work to deliver effective actions on climate change. It’s no longer just a question of policy measures and institutions – democracy itself will have to adapt.”



Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development Chair John Elkington adds:

“Climate change is coming at our societies at an underestimated and accelerating rate—outpacing the capacity of democratic systems to respond. If democracies are to retain a commitment to inclusive decision-making, they must innovate fast.”

“The key question, as in times of war, is how to take the necessary decisions when they so often cut across the short-term interests of industries and citizens. That is where leadership—and vision—come in. And the challenge is made harder by the fact that the centre of gravity of the global economy is shifting towards Asia , where greenhouse emissions are rising fastest—and where the institutions of democracy are often weakest.”

Dalasi & Butut: Dalasi Stays Flat Against Greenback

The Dalasi continues to exhibit a mixed performance against its major trade currencies on both the interbank and parallel markets. On the interbank market this week, the local currency was unchanged at D26.65 against the dollar but was down by 50 bututs against the Pound and was quoted at D43.60.

Against the Euro, the Dalasi depreciated by 5 bututs to close at D38 and was fixed at D282.50 against the CFA Francs. On the parallel market, the Dalasi was stable at D26.88 and depreciated by 37 bututs against the Pound to close the week at D43.50.

The local currency was also stable against the Euro at D38 and posted a D2.50 depreciation against the CFA Francs to close the week at D276.50.

Trading on the international currency market saw the US Dollar lose value against
the Euro and the Pound while strengthening against the Japanese Yen. The greenback was down by 0.05 per cent against the Pound to close at $1.67 and depreciated by 0.03 per cent against the Euro to close the week at $1.46. The US Dollar exchanged hands with the Yen at $91.03 following a gain of 2.71 per cent.

Dalasi Interbank Mid Exchange Rates

Dollar 26.65
Pound 43.60
Euro 38.00
CFA 282.50


Parallel Mid Exchange Rates

Dollar 26.88
Euro 43.50
Euro 38.00
CFA 276.50

Currency Market Updates

Bills Improve: Trading on the floor of the money market of the Central Bank of the Gambia saw improvements in traded instruments except for the 91-Day Sukuk Al-Salam Bill which was fixed at its previous rate of 10.71 per cent.

The 91-Day Bill was up by 7 basis points and was quoted at 10.14 per cent following an undersubscription of 21.52 per cent. The 182-Day Bill also gained 40 basis points from its previously quoted rate 11.40 per cent to close this week at 11.45 per cent. Towards the longer arm of the market, the 1-Year Note climbed up by 83 basis points from 13.23 per cent and was quoted at 14.06 per cent following the end of this week’s auction.

Ramadan Special:Virtues of Ramadan

by Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kaandhawi

Salman (RA) reports that " On the last day of Shabaan, Rasulullah (SAW) addressed us and said, 'O people there comes over to you a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a 1000 months. It is a month in which Allah has made fating compulsory by day. And has made sunnah the Taraaweeh (Nafilo as in Mandika) by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any virtuous deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had perform fardh in any other time. And whoever performs a fardh shall be blessed with the reward of 70 faraa-idh in any other time.

This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for true patience is paradise. It is the month of sympathy with one's fellowmen. It is the month wherein a true believer's sustenance is increased. Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast (at sunset), for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and emancipation from the fire of hell, and for such feeder shall be the same reward as the one who who fasted (who he fed) without that person's reward being decreased in the least."

Thereupon we said, "O Messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can give a fasting person to break his fast." Rasulullah (SAW) replied, "Allah grants the same reward to one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date, or drink of water or a sip of milk."

"This is a month, the first of which brings Allah's mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of hell. Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants in this month, Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of hell. And in this month, four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there is no diety to worship except Allah (i.e. recite the Kalimah Laa Ilaaha Illallah) and make must Istighfaar (beg Allah's forgiveness with Astaghfirulaah). And as for those without which you cannot do, you should beg of Allah enterance into paradise and ask refuge in Him from hell."

"And whoever gave a person who fasted water to drink, Allah shall grant that giver to drink from My fountain, such a drink whereafter that person shall never again feel thirsty until he enters paradise."

Abu Hurayrah (RA) relates that Rasulullah (SAW) said "My ummah were given five things for Ramadan which were not given to anyone except them. For them the smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more sweater to Allah than the fragrant smell of musk. On their behalf, the fish in the sea seek forgiveness for the fasting persons until the break their fast. Allah prepares and decorates a special garden in paradise everyday and then says (to it), "The time is near when the faithful servants shall cast aside the great trials of the world and come to you." In this month (for them) evil-minded Shaytaan is chained so as not to reach unto those evils to which they normally reach during other months besides Ramadan. On the last night of Ramadan they are forgiven."

The Sahaabah (RA) thereupon enquired, "O messenger of Allah, is that last night Laylatul Qadr? Rasulullah (SAW) replied, "No. But it is only right that a servant should be given his reward on having complete his service."

Ubaadah bin Saamit (RA) reported that Rasulullah (SAW) one day said when Ramadan had drawn near, "Ramadan, the month of blessing has come to you, wherein Allah turns towards you and sends down to you His special mercy, forgives faults, accept prayers, looks at your competitions for the greatest good and boasts to His angels about you. So show Allah your righteousness from yourselves. For verily the most pitable and unfortunate one is the one who is deprived of Allah's mercy in this month."

Abu Saed Khudri relates that Rasulullah (SAW) said, "Everyday and night in Ramadan Allah sets free a great number of souls from hell. And every Muslim during everyday abd night there is a time when duaa is certainly accepted.

Please remember me in your duas.

To be continued

More media organisations decries jailing of GPU Six

The Media-for-Democracy in Nigeria group (MFD), comprising Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER), Independent Journalism Centre (IJC) and the International Press Centre (IPC), hereby decries the jailing of six Gambia journalists on August 6, 2009.

The affected journalists including three officials of the Gambia Press Union (GPU), Sarata Jabbi Dibba (Vice President); Emil Touray (Secretary General) and Pa Modou Fall (Treasurer); as well as The Point Newspaper's Pap Saine (Publisher); Ebou Sawaneh (Editor) and Sam Sarr, Editor of Foroyaa newspaper were all sentenced to a two year jail term and fined USD10,000 each for alleged sedition and defamation by a High Court.

The MFD calls on Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua to show leadership as the Chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by intervening in the matter to secure a reversal of this unwholesome judgment particularly in the light of the fact that a Nigerian judge has been used to perpetrate this travesty of justice.

We call on West African, African and international human and civil rights movements not to spare any effort towards ensuring that the unwelcome jdugment is reversed as it constitutes unacceptable affront on press freedom in the country. We surely cannot keep silent in the face of this grave injustice and assault on the union and journalistic rights of the jailed colleagues.

It is indeed worrisome and certainly provocative that the alleged sedition and defamation arose from the jailed journalists' persistent demand on Gambian President Yahya Jammeh to account for the gunning to death of Deyda Hydara on December 16, 2004. The killers of Hydra, former publisher of the Point and well-known critic of President Jammeh's government, are yet to be apprehended five years on. The MFD demands the unconditional release of the six journalists.

President Jammeh should realise that neither their imprisonment nor other forms of assault on the media in the Gambia will stop the international media community from demanding that his government accounts for the killing of Hydara by finding the killers.