Gainako Newspaper

..............GPU - USA:
A SIMPLE CALL FOR UNITY MISCONSTRUED
By Demba Baldeh, Co-editor and Political Analyst ................June 29th, 2007

Gainako has followed closely the debate emanating from Pa Samba Jow's opinion entitled
"travesty of justice or betrayal" published by many Gambian online newspapers including our
very own Gainako online newspaper.

Our editorial board was taken by surprise when what we read to be a simple call for unity of all Gambian journalists against
the Jammeh regime's continuous crack down on the media, and journalist for simply exercising their constitutional right to
freedom of expression was misunderstood as a direct attack on Gambian journalists residing outside the Gambia.

We were surprise because after all the criticism we fire at Jammeh and his regime on a daily basis, one would assume that
we can take the slightest of self criticism from our colleagues for simply failing to united with one voice to fight against the
regime's efforts to suppress our God given right to inform our people.

It could also be fully remembered that the online newspapers were the most critical of the Gambian opposition parties
when they squandered a lifetime opportunity to unite against Jammeh and the APRC. Have we forgotten the many
editorials and contributions from our readership condemning every Tom dick and Harry for not taken the stand against
oppression? What about the recent uproar over former military officers for one time being a part of Jammeh's regime only
to take refuge in another country acting innocent? Did we all of a sudden forget about the common saying "those who live
in glass houses should not throw stones"? When did our journalistic skins become so thin?

These questions are fundamental for us as professional Journalists or practicing Journalists to address if we are to fully
realize the effect of our cause that we strive to fight day and night. As professionals who dedicate ourselves to informing the
public and putting a check on public officials, we must be prepared to withstand more criticism of our possible
shortcomings in our daily activities.

Pa Samba's statement "What is however perplexing is the insouciance of the Gambian journalists in the Diaspora towards
the plight of our colleagues back home" is a strong statement that should weigh heavily on any Gambian concerned about
the plight of our colleagues in the Gambia.

The brutal murder in cold blood of our dear brother Deyda Hydara and numerous other arsons on media houses in the
Gambia should be a cause for concern for all Journalists. The recent conviction of Journalist Lamin Fatty, the arrest and
trial of our sister and colleague in the Diaspora F. J. Manneh is enough evidence for all Gambian journalists to put aside our
differences and fight for our lives. What about the torture of our brother Journalist Omar Bah now editor of Freedom
Newspaper and many other innocent journalists for simply exercising their freedom of expression?

Enough is enough. It is time we mobilize ourselves no matter what to form strong organizations to fight for what is rightfully
our right to protect ourselves against any injustices. This is not about Pa Samba Jow; Ebrima Sankareh, Pa Nderry, D. A
Jawo or Yero Jallow etc. This is about us, and the future of the institution of Journalism in the Gambia. It is about the right
to freedom of expression and our peoples' constitutional right to be informed.

Regardless of whether we rally behind Gambia Press Union USA/UK/Gambia or you name it, we need to put our pride
behind us and fight a collective cause. No press union or any form of union ever belongs to a single individual. It is the
people who make it or break it. It is therefore a baseless excuse for us to sit back and point fingers at each other for failing
ourselves.

We at Gainako call for the unconditional revival of the Gambia Press Union (USA) or the formation of a new Press Union
that will protect the interest of Gambian journalists in every part of the world. We owe it to ourselves and to future
generations to create a viable union that will not only stand to fight against media oppression, but one that will leave no
stone unturned to support our brothers and sisters in whatever way we can. Every one of us is a leader in our own way,
and therefore, we only need to lead ourselves to what is in the best interest of all of us.

A NEW METHOD TO FIGHT AGAINST
......AFRICAN DICTATORSHIP
............... By Demba Baldeh, Editor & Political Commentator.............Posted June 25th, 2007

No More Save Harbor for African Dictators:

A new era confronts Africa and Africans to explore new ways to combat our poverty and injustices
that has plague our continent and people for several decades. This new era demands that our
generation critically take a hard look at how and what Africa and the world are doing to address our
most fundamental social, economic, and political problems.

I am convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that one of the most significant pillars of our problems in Africa is FAILURE
in LEADERSHIP. African leaders for generations have drastically failed our people and continent. This massive failure can
largely be attributed to the save heaven opportunities created for brutal dictators who misrule our nations. These
opportunities are created in a rather strategic way by indirectly aiding and abiding our heartless leaders by granting them
save retreat after they systematically robbed our nations’ coffers. Brutal dictators who violate our peoples’ fundamental
human rights, cause massive human genocide and unimaginable hardship on our people should never under any
circumstances be able to live a free and lavish lives in the West or any country at the expense of our people.

A NEW TREATY AGAINST CORRUPT AFRICAN LEADERS

The African Union and the United Nations should adopt a new treaty and sign an agreement to extradite any dictator to
his/her home country to face charges of economic and war crimes committed during their tenure. In this treaty, there
should be provisions to confiscate any assets and bank accounts that belong to any leader and return the money to their
home country. There should also be provisions to stipulate that the AU reserves the right to intervene and restore any
democratic government that is over thrown by that nation’s military.

South Africa; Nigeria, and Senegal among others should play a leading role in enforcing this treaty. There should also be
other clauses in this treaty that will sanction any government that is seen to not be serving the interest of its people by
perpetuating itself into power. It should be a requirement that all African countries sign this kind of treaty to make it
effective. The treaty should also clearly stipulate that term limits are must for our leaders.

Considering the history of the failure of the OAU, one can reasonably argue that the organization alone cannot be
successful in this endeavor. However, there are several viable options that can be implemented for this organization
to turn around and serve the very purpose of its existence. The establishment of a bilateral relationship between the UN
and the AU should be encouraged so the organization can serve as a sister organization to the UN representing the interest
of Africa. UN and EU funds budgeted towards African affairs can be channeled through the AU with full supervision from
the UN and the European Union. This new strategy will empower Africans to address our own problems with the help of
the world body.

It must be admitted that only Africans can solve our own problems. Regardless of all the funds the EU, United States, and
UN are contributing into African affairs, without our involvement the efforts will be fruitless. We should now put the blame
game to rest, look in the mirror and reflect on what we see. Do we see ourselves as victims of colonialism and
enslavement, or are we victims of our own selfish and lazy attitudes? The later is what I always see when I think about the
potentials we have as a continent and people.

CHARLES TAYLOR OF LIBERIA A LESSONS TO OTHERS

The demand from the elected leader of Liberia to extradite the former Liberian President Charles Tailor to face trial should
send a clear message to all current and future African leaders. It should serve as an example that there is no more save
heaven for African dictators who failed to be accountable to our people. Charles Taylor, who for decades presides over
genocide and brutal killings in Liberia and the sub region, is now extradited and facing trial for his role in the war crimes in
Sierra Leone and his own country. He should be taught a lesson that it is not only unacceptable to dehumanize a people,
but also a crime to destabilize country and engineer instability in the region.

The out going Nigerian President Obasanjo without hesitation acted responsibly and handed over the former dictator to
UN war crimes tribal for him to face trial for the thousands of Liberian and Freetonian lives lost during his reign. Charles
Taylor’s assets and bank accounts should also be confiscated and the funds returned to the Liberian people. This example
should be a tip of the ice berg for all African leaders.

For several decades unpatriotic African leaders have drained our Nations’ wealth and open up huge bank accounts in
foreign countries. The host countries of these reserves have benefited tremendously from our looted wealth to build their
own economies. We should rightfully demand the return of this wealth to our nations’ coffers either in the form of grants
and or technical aid. In fact, one can rightfully argue that the most recent debt write off for some African countries is giving
back what belongs to us. Regardless of what you name it, these resources were looted in broad day light from our
already empty coffers.

Furthermore, the African Union in collaboration with the UN should demand from the West that any leader who absconds
with wealth to their nations should be apprehended and returned to stand trial. This new method will systematically
discourage African leaders from looting their nations’ coffers knowing fully well that they will have no where to hide. The
idea that you can kill thousands of people, destabilize regions, loot millions of dollars and live free to enjoy the fortune in
another land must be a thing of the past. This new method to fight corruption and dictatorship in Africa without a doubt will
yield immediate results and prevent further looting of African resources. There must be an absolute zero tolerance for any
form of corruption from any African leader. Our leaders must take responsibility for Africa’s problems and be proactive in
defending the basic fundamental human rights of our citizens.

The new slogan for Africa should be “Zero tolerance for corruption, human rights abuses, suppression of press
freedom and ZERO Military coups on the continent.” Any violation of these pillars should be met with fierce
consequences including removal from power by force and prosecution. This is the only way Africa and Africans can see
light at the end of the tunnel.

“Be the change you want to see in the world” Gandhi

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