Gambia News: Five Military Men Missing for Nine Months

Daily News - Five military men have been missing for nine months. They are being detained at the State Central Prison of Mille 2 in Banjul; reliable sources informed The Daily News.
The missing military men are identified as: Warrant Officer (WO2) Bai Lowe, Staff Sergeant Abdoulie Jallow, Lance Corporal Sang Mendy, Lance Corporal Antony Mendy and ex-lance Corporal Abdoulie Sarr.
They were arrested since July 8, 2010 at the military post in President Jammeh’s native village of Kanilai, our sources revealed. 
The Daily News could not confirm the reason for their arrest.  And family members of the detained soldiers said, for nine months, they have not been in touch with their loved ones and could not trace their whereabouts.
“We have no idea why they have been arrested and we do not know where they are being held in custody,” a relative to one of the detained military officers whose identity is hidden for security reasons told The Daily News.
 The Daily News had earlier in February, contacted the military spokesperson to confirm the story. But he, instead, asked for more details such as the names of the detainees, before he could comment on the story.
This was done and when he was contacted on Saturday 16 April, the army spokesman Bojang asked this reporter to meet him at the army headquarters in Banjul.

Author: Saikou Ceesay

Gambia News :Gambia's dictator spurns Ouattara as Ivory Coast president

Expatica  -The Gambian government said Saturday it would not recognise Alassane Ouattara as president of Ivory Coast following the ousting of his rival Laurent Gbagbo with the help of UN and French forces.

"The Gambia government would not recognise any president, including president Ouattara, or government in Africa that has been imposed by forces outside the African continent for whatever reason," a statement said.

"We know what those governments and presidents stand for in Africa as they loot African resources on behalf of the powers that brought them to power", the statement from the office of President Yahya Jammeh added.

The statement, which was also carried by state broadcaster GRTS, called for "an impartial and comprehensive investigation into all the atrocities carried out in Ivory Coast by a team of honest and decent Allah-fearing people."

"Alassane Ouattara and his forces cannot go scot-free and blame everything on President Laurent Gbagbo, who according to the Ivorian constitution is the legitimate president of Ivory Coast", it said.

Forces loyal to both sides have been accused of massacres in recent weeks as Ouattara, recognised as president by the United Nations and the African Union following a disputed vote in November, fought to take power.

"As far as we are concerned, the only solution to avert a long drawn-out civil war with all its attendance consequences in Ivory Coast is to reorganise presidential elections in the shortest possible time," the Gambian government said.

"In the meantime, an interim government of national unity should be formed without Alassane Ouattara as he also has a lot to answer for," it said.

"One thing that is very clear to all Africans today is that the plot to re-colonise Africa is very real and we most stand up to it."

Banjul called on the UN to ensure the safety, protection, and well being of Gbagbo, "the constitutionally legal president of Ivory Coast", and set him free.

"He cannot be tried while Alassane Ouattara, the internationally selected president of Ivory Coast, goes scot free after massacring thousands of civilians just to be president", the statement said.

Events in Ivory Coast "have vindicated us in our earlier assertion that Western neocolonialist-sponsored agents in Africa that owe allegiance only to themselves and their Western masters are ready to walk on thousands of dead bodies for the Presidency," it charged.

Gambia News:Gambia's minister of trade Abdou Salam Secka resigns

 FOCUS News Agency -Banjul. Gambia's minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment has resigned from his position three weeks after he was appointed, becoming the second minister to tender his resignation in President Yahya Jammeh's 17-year rule, AFP reported.
Abdou Salam Secka, who was appointed on March 20, resigned on "personal and professional grounds", state media GRTS reported Thursday evening.
State media also reported that Jammeh has accepted Secka's resignation in "good faith", while announcing further that sacked minister of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment Abdou Colley has been reinstated at the same position.
Secka could not be reached for comment.

GAMBIA: ACCOUNTS FROM VICTIMS OF APRIL 10 AND 11 SHOOTINGS - A MOTHER REMEMBERS HER SON

Anguish still grips Abdou Karim Jammeh as he grapples with the reality of disability
Abdou Karim could not finish his education and is unemployed. He is still using crutches. 11 years after his fatal shooting, he is still grappling with the memory of what happened. No Government or NGO programme had been officially initiated to address problems of his kind. People had come from abroad to interview him and promised him some form of assistance. After receiving token assistance, they eventually disappeared without trace. This reporter spoke to Abdou Karim to sound his views 11 years after the shooting.
Flashing back on April 10th 2000, Abdou Karim Jammeh, who then was a grade 9 student, attending Sheikh Mass Kah Junior Secondary School, said he was on his way to sit to an exam.
He explained that on that day he waited for a vehicle to take him to school, but could not get one.
Fearing that he might miss his paper, Abdou Karim then decided to walk from Churchill Town to Westfield .
“When I arrived at Westfield , I realised that there was chaos and while I ran I fell down and could not pick myself up,” he reflected.
Abdou Karim said he felt excruciating pain but still tried hard to get up but just could not. It was at this time that the blood convinced him that he has sustained a gun shot.
Lying on the ground in despondency, Jammeh said he then saw two men in a vehicle, who picked him up and took him to RVTH. To cut a long story short, he said he was admitted for four months before he was released with a disability which could not be managed in the Gambia. After years of suffering without getting overseas treatment a concerned tourist from the UK arranged for him to get treatment in Germany. The first operation has been done and is left with the second operation. According to him this has reduced his pain but has not reduced his poverty. He said that some good people at the Atlantic Hotel had given him opportunity to work seasonally in the past but that he was left out this past Tourist season. He depends entirely on charity to pay his house rent, pay transport to go for physiotherapy and meet his daily needs.
He described April 10th 2000 as the darkest day in his life as it was turned upside down.
“This day heralded my transformation from being an able bodied young man to a physically impaired person, “he said
“My education came to an abrupt end because the gun shot wound I sustained on my knee would not heal quickly. The knee became stiff. It is only the intervention of my friend last year which has enabled me to cope better. Without the effort you people are making to make my problem known every year I would die of heart disease because of frustration. I did nothing to be shot and no one has accepted responsibility for shooting me and provide redress. Many Gambians abroad used to come to ask about my problem but no one contacted me now. I have been completely forgotten,” lamented Abdou Karim
“Since some of us suffered severe wounds, we could have felt that we have been adequately compensated if we received the necessary medical treatment. The wounds inflicted on some of us brought our education to an abrupt end. Compensation could have been given in order to enable those interested to continue their study to do so. Those families who lost loved ones can also be compensated, “Abdou Karim said.
According to him, victims of this tragic event are peace loving Gambians. “We are not enemies of the State. We love everybody in The Gambia,” the 30 year old victim declared. “No amount of money can make me get back what I lost on April 10th,” he emphasized.

A MOTHER NURSING THE MEMORY OF A BELOVETH SON
According to the mother her 18 year old son was shot dead on the 10th or 11h April 2000.
“Although no amount of money can replace the life of my son, it is better to console me than leave me in the wilderness, “ the mother lamented in a rather shaky voice.
She said since her son passed away eleven years ago, the Vice President visited her with a delegation and was given D2,300 (Two thousand three hundred dalasi). She went on to say, because of the visit “some of my friends and family members thought that I received compensation from Government. But I keep on telling them that I did not receive monetary compensation from them.”
Reflecting on April 10th 2010, the mother who was a single parent, said on the day in question she left her 18 year-old son sleeping; that before she left for work to Banjul, she gave a shop-keeper money to give to her son when he woke up.
She said that after she left home, she later received a phone call informing her that his son was shot.
“When I heard that my son was shot, I thought he was hit by a rubber bullet, because I never imagined that security officers could have used life bullets against innocent children, “she added.
News of the shooting of her son came to her as a thunderbolt from the blue and it led her to start a vigorous search to find her son.
“Upon hearing that he was shot, I went to almost all the health facilities in the Greater Banjul area with a view to finding him,” she explained.
She said her efforts to find her son on the very day of the incident turned futile.
It was the following day that she set her eye on the body of the child at the mortuary in Banjul.
She described the moment she set her eye on the corpse as the most shocking and terrible episode of her life.
“I could not believe it, because 24 hours ago I left him sleeping on a bed. However, 24 hours later I found him lying in a mortuary soulless,” she expressed.
The mother described the bond between her and the son as very strong.
According to her, the son did not just show concern over the well being of his family, but he was also a leader whose skills won him many friends among the young boys in his neighbourhood.
“My son was the captain of the football team of the neighbourhood. When they played he would bring his share of money and give it to me, “she remembered.
“I am not very particular about monetary compensation. What I need most is to be consoled regularly for the loss.”

EDITOR´S NOTE
Some people prefer to put unpleasant memories under the carpet. Foroyaa considers every happening as a book of life that we should draw lessons from in order to shape a better future. Such tragedies should never be allowed to happen again and the victims should be supported to facilitate the healing of the wounds, physical or social.


Source:foroyaa.gm

Gambia News: Rights Activist -Jammeh is a ‘brutal dictator who wants to cling to power by all means’

Edwin Nebolisa

Sentenced to six months in prison after falling foul of Gambia’s Jammeh government, democracy and human rights activist Edwin Nebolisa talks to Pan-African Visions’ Ajong Mbapndah about his ordeal


Jailing and deporting Edwin Nebolisa may not be the good riddance of a nuisance as the Government of President Yaya Jammeh thought. Far from keeping quiet, the prison ordeal described by Nebolisa as inhuman has greatly fortified him in his crusade for democracy, human rights and good governance in Africa. It is this crusade that led him to create the civil society organisation Africa in Democracy and Good Governance with Head Quarters in the Gambia.

The activities of his organisation and the outspokenness of Nebolisa landed him in the bad books of the Jammeh government and the result was a six month prison sentence “for providing false information to a public official in March 2010. Jailed in September of last year, Mr Nebolisa was released in January 2011 and deported from The Gambia to his native Nigeria.

As gruelling as the prison experience may have been, Mr Nebolisa tells Pan-African Visions’ Ajong Mbapndah that he feels stronger than ever and what he went through only justifies the need for Africans to be more engaged in the struggle to entrench democracy and better respect for human rights across the continent. The determination of Nebolisa is clearly seen when asked about the assessment of human rights in the continent and the future of Africa in governance and democracy. Nebolisa says much still has to be done.

President Yaya Jammeh, who many do not know besides the fact that he claims to cure HIV/AIDS and frequently changes his names, is described by Nebolisa as a brutal dictator who wants to cling to power by all means. The Judiciary yields to the dictates of Jammeh Nebolisa says and free and fair trials are inexistent when it comes to political issues.

PAN-AFRICAN VISIONS: Mr. Nebolisa you recently got released from prison in Gambia, so why were you imprisoned in the first place?

EDWIN NEBOLISA: I was accused of giving false information to the office of the president, that African Democracy organisation and Good Governance (ADGG) is a non governmental organisation and seeks the nomination of Ms. Mariama Jammeh daughter of the president as ADGG/WWSF Geneva general ambassador, known same to be false. It was later amended to giving false information to a public officer. This was exactly how their charge sheet read.

PAN-AFRICAN VISIONS: Prior to your imprisonment had you had any issues with the authorities in Gambia?

EDWIN NEBOLISA: Yes indeed, 2009 was the worst year for me and my organisation in the Gambia; prior to my imprisonment I had suffered a series of arrests and detentions without trial by the notorious national intelligence agency. This was also due to my interviews with various local and international medias, including the BBC Network Africa on series about the Gambia, ADG press releases and petitioning of various government departments for grave human rights violations; and of course our biannual magazine which had been critical of the government human rights records. In September 2009, Jammeh promised to cut off the head of all human rights activists if they did not leave the country.

PAN-AFRICAN VISIONS: So how was the judicial process, did you have a lawyer, can you describe the trial process for us, was there anything in it you considered fair?

EDWIN NEBOLISA: In the first place we must understand that the Gambia is an authoritarian state with a democratic setting only in theory. In today’s Gambia, everything revolves around one person, President Jammeh. The ruling party, government institutions and all the fundamentals of the state revolve around him alone with hardly any distinction between them. Jammeh systemically neutralized the powers of the judiciary and parliament thereby rendering them ineffective. He frequently sacks judges, other judicial workers and at times even parliamentarians within his ruling APRC without due process of the law. My charge was trump up and thus I do not expect any fair process because there are no independent judiciary/judges, though I had one of the best lawyers in the Gambia that absolutely had no meaning. In the Gambia unlike anywhere else in the world, the judges are the real prosecutors, before the trial they will first find you guilty. This is even more worst with the Nigerian mercenaries that Jammeh imported into the Gambia to carry out his dirty work of using the court to silenced his critics in the event he is unable to abduct and assassinate them without public knowledge.

Getting a Nigerian as a chief justice of the Gambia and a host of Nigerian Judges, Magistrates and State Counsel was a very important and strategic move by the tyrant Yaya Jammeh.

- First, it will help to shut the eyes and mouth of the Nigerian government because they will see it as a great honour and thereby shutting their eyes and mouth in the face of egregious crimes against humanity even when it involves her citizens;
- Secondly, it helps Jammeh to seek for increased financial aid and more support in technical assistance from the Federal Government at the expense of the Nigerian tax payers’ money;
- And thirdly, these are the only people that can carry out Jammeh’s dirty works without conscience at the expense of their career and reputation just for some few tokens of the dollar.

PAN-AFRICAN VISIONS: How were the prison conditions, where you tortured were there a lot of political prisoners that in the jails?

EDWIN NEBOLISA: It was a terrible place, in fact, one can sum it up as a deliberate slaughter house; it also made me to appreciate some certain things, during my incarceration I had the opportunity to speak with some officers and older inmates who gave me terrifying informations about the way the prison is been operated and how people are silently killed with their foods being poisoned or injected; and there is no coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of death before burial. The prison is over crowded coupled with lack of medication and poor feeding which can also be attributed to one of the reasons for a high death rate that frequently occurs. I was tortured mentally, I was denied access to my visitors which was a gross violation of my rights and it contravenes the prison codes.

PAN-AFRICAN VISIONS: So one of the precursors to your woes was writing a letter asking President Jammeh to make his daughter a good will Ambassador of the Africa in Democracy and Good Governance NGO you head. Why did you do that and what is it the President’s daughter did to deserve the honour?

EDWIN NEBOLISA: You know there is a popular adage that says ‘when you want to kill a dog, you now give the dog a bad name in order for you to be able to kill it’, there is this annual event of world day for the prevention of child abuse and violence against children in synergy with the international year of the child which was initiated by Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF – Geneva) since the year 2000, which ADG became a partner only in 2007. The programme encourages local initiatives. So, our 2009 initiative was to create greater awareness which was a huge success.

It was a committee that was set up that nominates all the personalities which includes the daughter of the president. The reason behind her nomination was that each year she took some gifts to the SOS Children’s village which was clearly stated in the letter that we wrote to her; moreover, we did not write any letter to the president or his office as they claimed, rather we wrote to Mariama herself in-care of her mother, Zainab.

Before the celebration of the week long programme in question, there was series of electronic and print media adverts; we were given a march-past permit by the Inspector General of Police, the march-past was led by the Army band which service we paid for; one of the recipients of the award was ASP Yamundow Jagne-Joof, the officer-in-charge of the child welfare unit at the police headquarter. The programme was covered and aired by the Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) which is a state owned and the only television service in the country, various media also covered and published it. If all these things took place, so where is the false information and who is that person that it was given to, that never appeared in court?

They knew quite alright that there was nothing against me that was the reason they never tendered the said letter as evidence against me in court.

PAN-AFRICAN VISIONS: What kind of leader would you say President Jammeh is, little is heard about him apart from claims that he can cure HIV/AIDS and not much is known either about Gambia, how will you describe the country?

EDWIN NEBOLISA: Jammeh is a brutal dictator who wants cling to power by any means necessary even if it means to wipe away Gambians, this is one man that controls all three arms of government, he is gradually grabbing all the lands in the Gambia; systematically using his people as mordern day slaves by making them labour in his farms without recourse to salaries or allowance.

His claim of curing HIV/AIDS and other diseases are all false.

PAN-AFRICAN VISIONS: The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights is based in Gambia In the face of what you have been through, are there any other avenues you are seeking to get redress?

EDWIN NEBOLISA: Yes, I intend to challenge it before the Ecowas Court of Justice sitting in the Nigerian Capital, Abuja. The African Commission are sluggish and the method of their procedures so frustrating; their decisions are not binding and in most cases not respected.

PAN-AFRICAN VISIONS: Did human rights groups like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch come to your defence?

EDWIN NEBOLISA: The rapid responds by human rights families was overwhelming. Amnesty International, Frontline Defenders, Media Foundation for West Africa, IFEX, Elomah, Civicus, Lokarri, Foroyya Newspaper, BBC News, Radio France International and a whole lots of others that am unable to mention here. Their hard campaigns and petitions is the very reason why am alive today, because it is just like me being thrown into the lion’s deen and you know what that means.

PAN-AFRICAN VISIONS: How does this sordid experience affect your sustained work in human rights and democracy?

EDWIN NEBOLISA: It does not affect me personally because it help to raise my moral and credentials but rather it hampers the work of the organisation, for us to be on our feet again, it needs a lot of finances and time.

PAN-AFRICAN VISIONS: What is your assessment of democracy and human rights in the continent and what next for Africa in Governance and Democracy?

EDWIN NEBOLISA: Available evidence indicates that many of the new democratic regimes remain fragile and some of the euphoria of the early 1990s had evaporated. By the beginning of the twenty-first century, the authoritarianism and statism of the early post-independence years was in retreat, and, where it persisted, was vigorously contested in a context in which democratic aspirations were firmly implanted in popular consciousness and the pluralization of associational life was an integral part of the political landscape. It was indeed a mark of the changed times that, whereas previously development had been regarded as a prerequisite of democracy, now democracy is seen as indispensable for development.

The challenges confronting Africa's democratic experiments are many and complex and include entrenching constitutionalism and the reconstruction of the postcolonial state; ensuring that the armed forces are permanently kept out of politics, instituting structures for the effective management of natural resources; promoting sustainable development and political stability; nurturing effective leadership, and safeguarding human rights and the rule of law.

In Africa, as elsewhere, democratic government and respect for human rights are closely linked. Democracy is the best means the world has produced to protect and advance human rights, based on individual freedom and dignity. In turn, respect for human rights is the only means by which a democracy can sustain the individual freedom and dignity that enables it to endure.

Despite some improvements in some parts of the continent, Africa remains the site of very serious human rights problems. For example, in Sudan, the armed conflict in Darfur continues amidst the international arrest warrant issued for President Omar El Bashir and the dismal human rights situation shows no signs of improvement. Both government and rebels commit horrendous abuses. In Somalia, the civil war continues unabated and the human rights situation goes on deteriorating; the civilian population has been the ultimate victim, and more recently the political unrest in North Africa. The ousting of democratically elected presidents and intention to change the constitution for a third bid by some leaders is tantamount to constitutional coup d’état that is eating the continent like cankerworms. Only a handful of countries that hold the regular multi-party elections in Africa are rated as free, and in line with international and regional standards.

In addition, most of the countries in Africa operate ‘semi-authoritarian regimes’ because they have the facade of democracy; that is, they have political systems, they have all the institutions of democratic political systems, they have elected parliaments, and they hold regular elections. They have nominally independent judiciaries. They have constitutions that are by and large completely acceptable as democratic institutions--but there are, at the same time, very serious problems in the functioning of the democratic system. Semi-authoritarian regimes are very good at holding multi-party elections while at the same time making sure that the core power of the government is never going to be affected. In other words, they are going to hold elections, but they are not--the regime is not going to lose those elections. Semi-authoritarian regimes intimidate voters, as it happened in Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya and Zimbabwe. Semi-authoritarian regimes manipulate state institutions for self-ends—governments don’t respect the laws, and don’t work through institutions. Semi-authoritarian regimes amend constitutions anytime they want.

Semi-authoritarian regimes will not introduce fully participatory, competitive elections that may result in their loss of power, and some are even unsure of how far they really want to go toward political pluralism in their countries. African politics in generally speaking is a matter of personality, not programs. For example, during the Obasanjo administration the prevailing idea was that the president was the father of the nation, the big man, or Kabiyesi, which means king, that is, no one dared question his authority.

A strong and effective democratic process should be able to establish a functioning administrative structure; and address the issue of how leaders are chosen; the issue of how different institutions relate to each other; the issues of how officials should act, for example, how the judiciary should act, the independence of the judiciary from other branches of government, and the problem of how the decisions that are taken by these democratic institutions can be implemented.

To move Africa forward, emerging democratic governments would have to confront a legacy of poverty, illiteracy, militarization, and underdevelopment produced by incompetent or corrupt governments. The syndrome of personal dictatorships and the winner-take-all practice as we continue to witness would need to be addressed, and there must be full respect for human rights; constitutional government and the rule of law; transparency in the wielding of power, and accountability of those who exercise power.

The basic rule of the democracy game is that the winners do not forever dislodge the losers. It is important for the consolidation of democracy that losers believe in the system and think that they can get back into the game. African governments must create an enabling environment in which traditions and values of the constitution will be able to take root and where rights and duties are set out. In this process, the separation of powers must be facilitated. Government must allow institutions to work and must allow citizens to exercise their rights, to live in accordance with their religious beliefs and cultural values, without interference. The legal order must be based on human rights, societal awareness of the instrumental and intrinsic values of democracy, a competent state, and a culture of tolerance.

Democracy requires that those who have authority use it for the public good; a democratic system of government begins by recognizing that all members of society are equal. People should have equal say and equal participation in the affairs of government and decision making in society, because, in the final analysis, government exists to serve the people; the people do not exist to serve government. In other words, governments must enhance individual rights and not stifle their existence. Repressive laws on many African countries’ statute books against personal liberty and habeas corpus must be removed from the statute books.

In most African countries, a tremendous amount of information does not circulate beyond a small portion of the urban population, owing to illiteracy, language barriers, and costs. Because the individual ignorance of personal rights and understanding of what democracy means has encouraged authoritarianism in Africa, political education at the grass roots is necessary. If a genuine democracy is to become a reality in Africa, the participation of the masses has to be sought by politicians, and not bought by manipulators. Politicians should try to understand what the masses know, because they sometimes lack the ability to articulate their interests and grievances. However, politicians also should be educated about human rights and respect for the constitution. Education is crucial to the development of a culture of tolerance, which, it is hoped, would contribute immensely to the creation of an enabling environment for democracy.
We must therefore encourage citizens to learn the habits of civil disobedience on a massive scale, rather than taking up arms and ammunitions. We must encourage people to go out and demonstrate peacefully, to show their opinion regarding issues, because eliminating the culture of fear is crucial to our democratic growth.

Mr. Nebolisa, thanks for talking to Pan-African Visions.

EDWIN NEBOLISA: The pleasure is mine.



Source:PAMBAZUKA NEWS


This article first appeared on Pan-African Visions

Gambia News:Gambia and Libya, what Yahya Jammeh is hiding! Must read.

By Essa Bokarr Sy

The axis of three countries revolving around conflict of interet: Senegal, Gambia and Libya, what  Yahya Jammeh is hiding!

We have just heard about a Yahya Jammeh  transporting Senegalese in to Dakar from Libya but there is never a gesture by Yahya without any strings or price attached!  Never will that happen in  life. In that case I will dismantle  everything he tries to push. Why block this aspect from the sub-critical regime in Banjul? Because it feeds on the  diet of snakes! The approach that was taken by Yahya and his disciples on this case, covers another portion that serves as a trap! He may not succeed as long as I’m here watching his hypocritical  actions in earnest.
To better understand the thinking of President Jammeh  we will address this issue by asking the following questions. … Therefore provide answers with references through professional judgments. Our sources are worthy some of them are  coming from Libya, America and England.

First: Who is Musa Kusa for the regime for  Yahya Jammeh?

Musa Kasa is the former Director of Intelligence  Services of the regime of Al Muamar Qadaffi. He is now the minister of Foreign Affairs of Libya. This guy has very close links with the Jammeh regime through the contacts  which were established Baba Jobe. Baba is currently jailed in  Mile Two because Jammeh does not want him to reveal the secrets between Banjul and Tripoli. As soon as Jammeh took power assistance from the Western world was cut off. So it is Baba Jobe, who pledged his allegiance to the despot therefore connected some dots between Jammeh and Qadaffi through his close confidant  Musa Kasa.  Baba Jobe grew up in Libya therefore was a good friend of Kasa for obvious reasons.  To start with, Jammeh  received

$300,000.00 in cash which was handed to Captain Jallow and Baba Jobe at Musa Kusa’s residence in Libya(1995). Jammeh who was afraid of the regime of Dakar suddenly took the opportunity thus  was eager to be armed  by Libya. First he had received catalogs from Kasa so that he  could determine what he wanted as weapons. That is how he began  receiving heavy arms from Tripoli. It was well before Tehran’s side of the story came in along these same lines.  During the first meeting  Kasa expressed deep concerns regarding the future of the Jammeh regime. Libya was just not comfortable vis-à-vis the regime’s survival because in their minds Jammeh looked more like the Sierra Leonean rebels than a serious head of state. Haven’t they proven right? Of course yes! Lest we forget about the drugs and other scandalous issues which have been surrounding Jammeh’s image for the past 17 years!

 Who is Mukhataar Ghanass for Jammeh?

Mukhtaar was the director of MATABA training center, being a place where  the mercenaries who were fighting in Liberia and other countries like Cote D’Ivoire now were trained. This gentleman is the person who had established links between Jammeh and Charles Taylor in Liberia during the war. Then President Jammeh and Captain Jallow used international satelite  cellular sets when communicating to other parties outside of The Gambia especially when him(Jammeh) wanted to escape being heard(eaves dropping and the like). Jallow can reconfirm this. There was a direct line between Jammeh and Charles Taylor. Taylor was at the time in the bush as he did not prefer  being located or traced localized by wiretapping that was underway. That is  exactly why Taylor was a guest of honor of President Jammeh in 1995. I was personally attached to the delegation of Charles Taylor by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a protocol. During this visit Taylor offered Jammeh to use his own aircraft to effect a short visit to Guinea Bissau. Well, these comings and goings of Yaya Jammeh were simply meant  to fortify his regime against Dakar during the era of President Diouf. On the other side he got closer to General Ansumana Manneh and Sadio adding these two and their loyalists to  mercenaries from Liberia. Much of these mercenaries were from Gambia. Charles Taylor’s Ambassador to Tripoli was a Gambian.

The latter made a lot of things easier for President Jammeh within the circle of Qadaffi ‘s regime in Libya. President Jammeh therefore  was doing everything he could imagine  to  fortify himself against the Senegalese army. That is, in case the latter wanted to  destabilize his regime. President Jammeh will never defend the contrary or say he did not  benefit from  Libyan aid  thus help him  deal with a possible attack on his regime from Dakar. In the same vein he organized himself to nourish the rebellion in Casamance.

Yahya Jammeh with the help of Libya also created a movement referred to as ‘July 22nd movement’, this movement is the Achilles heel of the NIA. (National Intelligence Agency).

And some agents of this organization OPERATE at the  Dakar International airport while at the same time the others are found within the circle of the MFDC.

President Jammeh has lied about the issue of the “LOKERBIE-PANAM AIRLINE ”
In a  very bitter speech  against the regime of  Qadaffi  President Yahya Jammeh lied,saying  that it was him who convinced Qadaffi to reimburse the victims of Pan Am Airlines. The President of Gambia  is a liar at higher level! He never organized a meeting on this fact nor did he begin to solve this problem. The case was settled by  Musa Kusa himself during a trip in  England in collaboration with officials or elements of security services from one  western country (I will not divulge the names for security reasons that are against Yahya in person). Yahya Jammeh on his part said that  Libya’s Ambassador to the UN should have been insulting what he calls the “whites” His Excellency  Dhorda was in New York (between 1997-1999) as the  emissary of Libya while the Gambia was a non-permanent member at security council. Today it is the same person who returns around telling us lies about this. I have been at the united nations for that matter I am more informed than Jammeh on this dossier so I will not let people likeYahya Jammeh,  mislead Gambian and Senegalese on a subject so important and delicate like this one!
Before ending this message I will ask the Senegalese GOVERNMENT  the following questions.
Yahya Jammeh insulted  Qadaffi two weeks ago, when Dakar did not do the same thing. However in all that he sneaked into Libya then  loaded a plane with Senegalese and Gambians without any incident? While Qadaffi is still angry with him? How can he do that without enjoying the special relations which exists  between him and his former friend Musa Kusa? We must dig into this thing! We are there in the event that you want to know more about the above points referenced here above! Never ever avoid verifying anything being done or said by Yahya Jammeh because he fabricates stories and he can be manipulative for very dangerous reasons!
Even if the whole world was to support him on anything I would still re-verify before jumping into his bandwagon. Dakar will one day see why I never support Yahya’s actions.

Source:Hellogambia.com

Gambia News:Detention without Trial, Disappearances without Trace

FOROYAA -The Gambia -Foroyaa continues to monitor the long detention without trial and the disappearances without trace of Gambian citizens. Many of these family heads were said to have been picked up by men in plain clothes. According to some families, they are yet to establish the whereabouts of their loved ones since they were whisked away some years ago.
Mrs. Masireh (Marcie) Jammeh, Mr. Harunah Jammeh, Corporal Alfusainey Jammeh, a Prison warden, all natives of Kanilai in Foni in the Western Region of the Gambia and Mr. Jasarja (Sarja) Kujabi, a native of Foni Dobong, went missing since 14 July 2005.
The family of Masireh and Haruna Jammeh said their family heads were taken away in their presence and since then they have not set their eyes on them or heard of their whereabouts. Jasarja Kujabie’s family said he was arrested on his farm and was escorted to his home to change his farming clothes and was later taken away. The family said they have done all what they could do to get information about him but to no avail.
The family of Prison warden, Corporal Alfusainey Jammeh said he was stationed as guard at the compound of the Director General of The Gambia Prisons Service, Mr. David Colley for some time. They said he was called to report to Police Headquarters in Banjul, but he never returned home. The family said he later called to inform them that he was being detained, but did not give any reason for his detention.
The ex- District Chief of Foni Kansala, Alhagie Momodou Lamin Nyassi and his two close friends, Alhagie Buba Sanyang (alias Bubai Sanyang) and Ndongo Mboob, all natives of Foni Bwiam, went missing on the same day. Their families said the three friends were picked up by men in plain clothes on board a numberless white pickup vehicle on the evening of 4 April 2006, as the trio was seeing each other off after a visit from the house of Sanyang. The families said since then they have never heard or traced their whereabouts, even though they tried all avenues accessible to them.
Journalist Ebrima Manneh (alias Chief Manneh), a State House reporter for the Daily Observer Newspaper went missing since 7th July 2006. His family said he left for work on that day and never returned home. The father said he approached all the concerned authorities and influential personalities within the country for them to intervene to help in the search of his son, but his efforts did not yield any fruits. He said he had visited all the known prisons and numerous police stations across the country in search of his lost son but the authorities never allowed him access to the installations.
His colleagues at work said he was picked up by a man in plain clothes. They said he was later seen on board a white car heading towards Banjul and never returned to work.
The Media Foundation of West Africa (MFWA) took the matter to the Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja for The Gambia government to release him. The Gambian authorities never appeared before the Court even though the Court made it known that they were served with summon of the suit against them. After a long legal debate without Gambian government appearing in any sitting, the ECOWAS Court delivered judgment and asked the Banjul authorities to release him and to also compensate him an amount of US 100,000. Eight months after the Court’s order the Government made an official comment that Journalist Manneh had never been in their custody. Since then the matter was left like that.
Mr. Kanyiba Kanyi, an employee of the Christian Children Fund (CCF) said to be an opposition sympathizer, went missing since 18th September 2006. His family said he was arrested by men in plain clothes on board a cab at his house in Bonto village in Kombo East, while they looked on. They said his junior brother was later arrested on the same evening and detained over night at the Serious Crime Unit at Police Headquarters in Banjul.
His family said they took Lawyer Ousainou Darboe who filed a “Habeas Corpus” at the High Court for the state to produce him but to no avail. They said the matter has been in court for almost four years and no progress is forthcoming. They added that they do not even know where the case stands as at now. The family said they are completely devastated.
Major Wally Nyang of The Gambia Armed Forces is said to be in detention at the Mile II Central Prison since early March 2010. His family said he was arrested at his house at the Yundum Barracks shortly after he closed from work.
Mr. Abdoulie Njie and Alieu Lowe, both residents of Fagi Kunda are being detained at the Mile II prison since 27 March 2006. The duo were arrested in connection with the 21 March 2006 abortive coup plot. Their families said they have never heard charges preferred against them since their arrest. The family said they are allowed to visit them some times, but not at all times.
Mr. Ebou Jarju, a former Steward at State House, who was first arrested on 20 March 2008, in the presence of his family and held at Banjul Police station up to 11 January 2009, when he was released without any charges, only to be re-arrested a week later is still in custody. His family said he is currently being held at the Mile II Central Prison. They said they could not have access to him since then. The family said he was last seen two weeks ago at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital under the escort of Prison officers. They said he appeared drained.

Gambia:The cruel primitiveness of Yahya Jammeh's psychopathological idiosyncrasies

By Mathew K Jallow

In George Orwell's Animal Farm, the two main characters, Napoleon and Squealer, ostracized Napoleon's partner Snowball and drove him from the farm by making false allegation of impropriety and economic sabotage against him. The duo then proceeded to consolidate their power and enrich themselves; looting, raping and imposing an unbearable tyranny over the rest of the animal kingdom. Animal Farm's storied narrative may not necessarily have a moral lesson, but it is a timeless melodrama symbolizing the nature of human greed and man's capacity for evil deeds.

This tragic Orwellian characterization of his times may be a work of fiction which could easily have been written by William Shakespeare six centuries earlier or crafted into a tragic theatre play by Sophocles twenty-three centuries ago, but the substance of the story is predictably relevant in our times. If the harrowing rancor that bedeviled the relationship between the governing Napoleon and Squealer duo and the governed kingdom animals spells the genius of Orwell, perhaps it is worth adding the gift of clairvoyance to his deserved collection of accomplishments and accolades.

Animal Farm captures the human features that spell out the moral bankruptcy characteristic of the Machiavellian school of thought; the acquisition and retention of absolute power, wealth and privilege at any cost, which is symptomatic of dictatorships throughout history. One would think Animal Farm was written with today's rulers in mind, for its narrative suddenly comes alive again in the stories of tyranny and dictatorship so prevalent on our African continent. Close to home, the Animal Farm story when superimposed on our troubled past decade and half history will showcase a compelling narrative of boundless lunacy, jaw-dropping greed and out-of-this-world cruelty. And each day that passes, Animal Farm's main evil character Napoleon, looks more like a Napoleon of a different era and of a different time, yet alive and well in The Gambia; Yahya Jammeh.

The horror stories, known and unknown, of our recent past history under Jammeh's burdensome and unbearable tyranny, bear that out. Like dictators past, Yahya Jammeh has embrace Niccolo Machiavelli theories and lessons in leadership, lock, stock and barrel, unedited and without moral reservation. Jammeh's continues to adapt so creatively to the times, not for the better, but for the worst; never deviating from the core Machiavellian doctrine, which has defined his sixteen-year long reign of terror. The executions and murders of innocent citizens and non-citizens alike, may account for the greatest stains on the regime's unflattering resume, but other bizarre behaviors that have courted public attention and deservedly so, point to a level of desperation that has compelled Jammeh to outdo himself in the severity of the agents and mechanisms of terror that he employs to secure compliance from a servile people.

In a society malleable to psychological manipulation, Yahya Jammeh's attempts to use of mysticism and mystification of himself, has resulted in his declaration of possessing supernatural powers that enable him to perform cures of terminal diseases; a public declaration that left the scientific world and prestigious medical research institutions around the globe gasping with dizzying incredulity. The effects of his herbal "cures" and devil worship on the vulnerable and desperately sick is yet unknown, but that has not stopped Yahya Jammeh giving false hopes to the poor and desperately sick. But if this alone is not strange enough, the witch-hunting exercise around the country two years ago, made the Salem, Massachusetts witch-hunting in 1692 almost look like a child's play.

The desperation of the target population; the old and weak, created such a sense of despondency around the country, some people were willing to cut Yahya Jammeh life short to save the country of his monstrous and demonic behavior, even if meant losing their own lives in the process. But Yahya Jammeh who is habituated to creating social disruptions that have far-reaching psychological impacts that are often severely traumatic to his victims, has again graduated to a new dimension of craziness that is leaving many families worried if not downright scared that their loved ones may fall victim to Yahya Jammeh's over handed and over-bearing behavior.

Three weeks ago, Yahya Jammeh's regime arrested and detained some family members of politician Mai Fatty, and last week, a former young Gambian military officer exiled in Senegal, Musa Drammeh, bore the brunt of Jammeh's cruel vengeance when his family was arrested and detained without cause. This is a new departure from the norm for Yahya Jammeh, and it is bound to cause consternation in the minds of Gambians vulnerable to abuse and intimidation by the Jammeh regime. Gambians must raise their voices and refuse to be silenced any longer, and if the cases of Musa Drammeh and Mai Fatty's families are anything to go by, we once again might be in for a long dark, night. But one thing is certain, Yahya Jammeh's bizarre behaviors and maltreatment of innocent Gambians is the cruel epitome of the primitiveness of his psychopathological idiosyncrasies.

This demented new chapter thrust before our discriminating consciences, must concern us all greatly. And as the famous and timeless German poetry quote goes: At first they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me ~ Pastor Martin Niemöller, 1946.

Gambia News :Independent Journalists Denied Entry at National Assembly

Journalists from independent press have been denied entry by state security agents to cover the State Opening of the National Assembly on Friday by President Yahya Jammeh despite having official accreditation.  
Reporters from Foroyaa, Today, The Point, Marketplace (Magazine), News and Report (Magazine), The Voice, and The Daily News private newspapers, frustratingly stood at the door to the National Assembly for about an hour before they were allowed-in by frown-faced security agents after the newly appointed press director at State House, Fatou Camara pleaded with them.
In very strong terms, Gambian president Yahya Jammeh recently dispelled reports that his government is restricting independent press to access official information. However, Friday’s incident could be said to lay bare Jammeh administration’s unwillingness to open doors to the private press.  
Mr Lamin Jahateh of Marketplace briefly explains here how it all happened:
“Go away; we don’t need the private press here. Go!” a female security agent barked at us. She shut her eyes at us as we pulled-out and put on view the accreditations given to us by the National Assembly to cover the ceremony.
To our surprise, a reporter from Daily Observer, a pro-government newspaper, came and met us standing. As soon as he told the security agents: “I am from Daily Observer,” they ushered him in a full escort. He entered through the door used by dignitaries.
After standing under the sun in frustration for almost thirty minutes, we then approached Fatou Camara, the newly appointed Director of Press and Public Relations at Office of the President and explained the situation to her.  “Ok, let me come,” Fatou told us.
We beamed in anticipation that very soon we will enter. But Fatou never returned up until a Foroyaa newspaper, Abubacarr Saidykhan, went to find out whether the DPPR will come or she has forgotten us. 
About ten to fifteen minutes later, Saidykhan then appeared with a glimmer of hope: “Follow me,” he told us in a strong voice, accompanied by gesticulation. As we followed Abubacarr, we met Fatou Camara pleading with the NIA officers at the door for them to allow us in.  One of them then nodded his head in acceptance that we can enter. “But you said seven, so only seven of them will enter,” one of them firmly told Fatou Camara. This is how we entered, thanks to Fatou Camara.  We spent almost an hour standing outside before we were allowed to enter. The president was more than mid-way into his speech by the time we entered.”

Source:dailynews.gm

GAMBIA NEWS: PROSECUTION WITNESSES TESTIFY IN IRAN ARMS DEAL CASE

By Innocent Anaba, Lagos
On Monday trial commenced before a Federal High Court, in Lagos, of an Iranian and Nigerian, who is being prosecuted by the Nigerian Government for alleged illegal importation of arms into Nigeria from Iran, as a former suspect, Mr. Muhammed Tukur, was called as prosecution witness.
The witness, a clearing agent, who testified at the resumed hearing in the matter, told the court that he and the accused persons had tried to clear the 13 containers at the Nigeria port, before they were discovered to contain arms and ammunition by security agents.
Azim Aghajani, an Iranian, and Alli Abass Jega, a Nigerian, are facing a fresh four- count of illegal importation of arms and ammunition into the country (Nigeria), comprising bombs, grenades, rockets among others.
The accused according to the charge, were alleged to have imported ‘without license’ 13 container loads of firearms and ammunition into Nigeria from Iran contrary to S1. (14)of the Firearms Act, Cap MI7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
Tukur, who testified in court, said he was misled into collaborating with the accused, adding that it was Jega, who introduced him to Aghajani sometimes in July 2010 and co-opted him into the deal to assist in the clearing of the 13-containers of firearms and ammunition after it was already brought into Nigeria.
Tukur, who had described Jega as “a brother and friend,” said he was made to believe that the containers contained building materials which were to be trasported to The Gambia and that he and Aghajnai went to pay the shipping charges of the sum of N1. 2 million at the Fanu Terminal before the containers were moved to Apapa Wharf, Lagos, Nigeria. 
According to him, the money was brought by Aghajani, who also gave him his business card during their talk. 
The said business card was tendered in evidence by the prosecution and admitted by the court.
Tukur added, ”I was on the ground on the day when the State Security Service, SSS, operatives came to examine the containers. I was present as Jega’s representative when the containers were found to contain arms. I was arrested immediately. That was the first time I knew the containers contained arms and not building materials as I was earlier told. That was how I became a suspect at a stage in this matter” 
Mr. Ewuola Ayomipo, second prosecution witness, told the court that SSS obtained evidence that there was e-mail communication between Jega and Aghajani. According to Ayomipo, an SSS officer, he obtained both the e-mail address and the passwords of the accused ‘voluntarily’ from them while they were being interrogated by the SSS.
He also told the court that he gained access into their e-mail accounts and discovered that there were communications between them. At that point, a printed copy of the said message was tendered by the prosecution and admitted as exhibit. 
Mr. Alamina Legg-Jack, a Deputy Controller of Customs, told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Nigeria, on Tuesday, at the resumed trial of an Iranian and Nigerian, who are being prosecuted for alleged illegal importation of arms into the country, that representatives of the United Nations and the United States government were allowed by the Nigerian government to inspect the arms illegally shipped into Nigeria from Iran.
Legg-Jack, the 4th prosecution witness, told the court that one of the 13 containers was half-opened before he got to the scene at the examination Bay at the Apapa Port, while the remaining 12 were opened in his presence.
An Iranian, Azim Aghajani, and a Nigerian, Alli Abass Jega, are both standing trial before Justice Okechukwu Okeke.
He also said the containers were re-sealed by the customs and the operatives of the State Security Services, SSS, before they were transferred to the depot of the Nigerian Navy for safe keeping.
According to him, while the containers were still with the Navy, he was invited on two occasions to supervise the inspection of the arms and ammunition with the first occasion being when a team of United Nations, which came to inspect the weapons.
He said that the second time he was invited to supervise the inspection of the arms and ammunition was when a representative of the United States government came for inspection of the seized weapon.
He said, “I was in the office on October 26, 2010 when the Area Commander of Customs sent me a letter that a cargo had arrived for our inspection. I sent a team of my men to the scene. Later they telephoned me when they opened the first container and discovered arms and ammunition. I called the Area Commander on phone and told him of the discovery of my men.
“I left immediately for the Examination Bay; upon getting there, the examination of the first containers was still in progress. I saw some of the crates removed from the first container on the ground. They contained arms and ammunition. The remaining 12 containers were opened and examined in my presence, the first row of crates in each of the containers contained marble stones, while all the remaining contents were full of arms and ammunition such as mortars, rockets and hand grenades.’
“After the inspection, the containers were re-sealed and were being watched by men of the customs and operatives of the SSS, until December 4, 2010 when they were transferred to the depot of the Nigerian Navy,” he added.
The matter has been adjourned till April 13, and 14, 2011 for continuation of hearing. 



Source:foroyaa.gm

Gambia News: GMC Faces another Political Blockade from Jammeh Government

Gambia Moral Congress (GMC) party has been denied a permit by the police to hold a political rally, the party youth league leader confirmed. 
GMC’s National Youth League is scheduled to stage a mass political rally today in Sanchaba, but its members have been moving forth and back from the offices of the Police IG in Banjul  to the Police Commissioner in KMC and then to Yundum police. 
The Public Order Act of The Gambia requires political parties to apply for permit from permit from the police inorder to use public address systems – loudspeakers – in their rallies. 
However, opposition parties are being denied permit by the police. For instance, Mr Femi Peters of United Democratic Party was last year arrested, detained, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to one year mandatory jail term after his party held a political rally without permit. The police denied his party permit. 
Meanwhile, the denial of permit to GMC, the latest political party, could be described as yet another political blockade for the party. 
Mai Fatty, GMC leader’s parent were recently arrested and detained by Basse police after some supporters put up the party’s flags in his home village.


Source:dailynews.gm

Gambia News:Where is Youssef Ezzidine? No Answer Yet!

There is no answer yet to the whereabouts of Youssef Ezzidine, who was convicted of treason and sentenced to death together with seven others on 15 July, 2010. All eight of them appealed their conviction and sentence, but Ezzidine has failed to appear at the hearing of the appeal for the fifth consecutive time. 
During President Jammeh’s meeting with media heads on Wednesday 16 March 2011, he asserted that public servants are free to give information to satisfy the public interest. In the Editorial of Foroyaa 18-20 March 2011 it was indicated that the Managing Editor of Foroyaa will visit the Ministry of the Interior on Monday to find out why Youssef Ezzidine is not appearing in court like the others who are in the same appeal case.
The Managing Editor did visit the Ministry on Monday but was told upon enquiry at the reception that the permanent secretary had travelled. He then asked for the Minister of the Interior but he was told that he was at a workshop. Thereafter he asked for the Deputy Permanent Secretary but was told that the DPS was at a workshop. He wanted to leave a message with the secretary but was told by the lady at the reception that she too had gone to the workshop. Finally, he wanted to leave a message with the lady at the reception but she advised him to return on the following day.
On the following day, the Managing Editor called the Deputy Permanent Secretary and explained to her that he had been there the day before and since the Permanent Secretary had travelled he would like to find out from her about the non-appearance of Youssef Ezzidine in court. The DPS asked the Managing Editor to go over to the Ministry and when the Managing Editor asked when he can do the DPS told him he could come next Friday, when the Permanent Secretary would have returned.
This is how matters stand regarding the Ezzidine issue. We will keep our readers informed about developments. 


Source:foroyaa.gm

Gambia News: Jammeh to news media: I set limits on press freedom

By Mohamed Keita/CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator

Last week, Gambian President Yahya Jammeh participated in a rare meeting with select members of the West African nation's press corps. Jammeh spoke in favor of access to public information. He announced that he would allow The Standard newspaper to resume publication, five months after the National Intelligence Agency forced its editor, Sheriff Bojang, to halt production. But the president largely lashed out at the Gambian private press and critics of his repressive media policies in the meeting, a tense session that was broadcast on state television. Jammeh, a former army captain who seized power in a 1994 coup, spoke in a harsh and contemptuous tone as he addressed media owners invited to the State House in the capital, Banjul.

"If anybody thinks that this is a mere public relations stunt, you're mistaken," Jammeh told journalists and a few officials present. "What you perceive as a reality is not reality," he said, chastising journalists for portraying the image that "Yahya Jammeh is a monster, he's a dictator, he's a killer, that Gambia is not a place for journalists.'" He insisted that he was not hostile to the press. "You think I'm stupid? I don't like the press, I don't like the freedom of press and I allow newspapers? I want to tell you that we're not your enemies," he said. "You have to a positive role to play in national development, peace, and stability."

The president was quick to narrow the scope of press freedom. "If you're interested in development, you want peace and stability, then you don't have anything to fear from me." But press freedom has limits, Jammeh said, and it is he who sets those limits. "One freedom I will never give you is the freedom, the liberty to write whatever you want that you know is not true. There is press freedom, but there's no freedom to lie."  

He added: "If I have to close any newspaper because you have violated the laws, I will close it. ... I will not billahi wallahi, sacrifice the interests, the peace and stability and well-being of the Gambian people at the altar of freedom of expression, or freedom of press, or freedom of movement or freedom of whatever."

At times, Jammeh appeared to contradict himself. "Sensationalism in journalism will not be accepted. Tell me one country where there's no law on libel," he said before declaring, "There's no section that criminalizes speech. I don't know where you got that from but as far as I am concerned, there's no law that says that you can be taken to court and charged with a criminal offense for speech." At least two of the journalists present--Pap Seine and Sam Sarr--could attest to the presence and use of such laws: They were jailed on criminal sedition charges in connection with a 2009 press release critical of Jammeh's comments on the unsolved murder of editor Deyda Hydara.

Again last week, Jammeh disputed any government responsibility in the Hydara case, as well as in the case of Ebrima "Chief" Manneh, a reporter who disappeared after being arrested in 2007. "I will not kill anyone outside of the law," he said. "You see, if I have to cut the heads of 10,000 people to save 1 million, I will do so with happiness, but on the condition that they have been sentenced by a court of law." He went on to repeat: "We will not kill anyone clandestinely." 

Yet Jammeh referenced Manneh's case as a "death," and suggested the journalist might have disappeared after attempting to illegally migrate to Europe or America. The statement implied knowledge of Manneh's fate that has not been disclosed publicly and that runs contrary to his administration's repeated public statements. In a letter to Jammeh on Monday, CPJ called on the president to clarify his reference to Manneh's "death" and fully disclose the government's knowledge of the case.

"In all previous public comments, administration officials have consistently denied any knowledge of Manneh's detention, whereabouts, or legal status," CPJ's letter said. "Those comments were made despite sightings of Manneh in government custody after his 2007 arrest. Government denials were also issued in response to a June 2008 ruling by the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States, which found sufficient evidence to conclude Gambian authorities had improperly detained Manneh."

Jammeh had some words of warning for the assembled journalists, accusing some of being "mouthpiece of opposition parties." His words apparently chilled initial press coverage of the meeting; all the leading newspapers omitted the president's comments on the Hydara and Manneh cases.