Gainako Newspaper

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.....................................Compatriots and friends of The Gambia:
As we commemorate the deaths of our valiant brothers and friends at the hands of the evil forces of
the cowardly A(F)PRC regime seven years ago, we solicit your prayers for the departed and those
who have been maimed for the rest of their days. We salute the perseverance of the parents and family
members of those who were brutally murdered by stoogies of The Jammeh Estate in an act of State
Terrorism, and ardently hope that some day not too far in the future, the colossal loss they have made
with all of us, will be recognized in the most appropriate manner. The arrogant and insensitive attitude
of Yaya Jammeh and his stoogies to the pain they inflicted on all persons of conscience on April
10th/11th 2000, is unacceptable. They shall not be forgiven untill they show remorse and accept
responsibility for their heinous and barbaric acts on us.

At this juncture, its obvious to all that The Jammeh regime has failed in all its attempts to discredit the
student leadership and movement which organized the demonstrations of April 10th/11th 2000. They
live in perpetual fear of a progressive student movement in The Gambia because the regime's
outrageous policies and actions puts it at odds with anyone progressive. Their policy of putting a
wedge between secondary school students and students of tertiary institutions through the formation of
the infamous National Patriotic Student Association(NAPSA), is one indication of their fears. Another
can be found in their hesitations and blunders in developing a campus for The University of The
Gambia. Years ago, the foundation stone for the chancery of the university was laid at the Brikama
campus of The Gambia College. The Gambia College has enough land at Brikama on which a
university Campus can be built without affecting its development plans. But out of fear for student
power which came about since the student demonstrations, The Jammeh regime plans to build the
university campus at Faraba more than fifty kilometres outside the capital Banjul. Lack of social
services and amenities at Faraba, coupled with a bad road network and expensive fares, makes the
plan an absolute nonsense. A university campus beyond Brikama, inview of the distribution and
locations of social services and enterprises of relevance to a university, would not be economically
viable. It would be even less attractive to foreign students whose enrolment at the university would add
impetus to its economic viability.

We are aware of the nomination to memebership of The National Assembly of a leader of the infamous
NAPSA. The point is , NAPSA being a surrogate organization of The Jammeh Estate, makes one
doubtful as to whether a person who shares its ideals can effectively represent all Gambian students.
We are not the least impressed, as this is just another stooge added to a National Assembly of all
"Yea-yea" men and ladies, but for a very few. Gambian students more than anything else need trained
and highly motivated teachers; enough classrooms and libraries with modern books; and a reliable
national school bus service!

In conclusion therefore, we urge the Jammeh regime to stop playing the hypocrite between Gambian
students; concentrate on improving its education policy and construct a compus of The University of
The Gambia where it would be most viable. They are making fools of themselves by thinking that
taking the university all the way to Faraba would pre-empt student protests for ever. The facts indicate
that Faraba is ideal for things bigger, more violent and national in scope. Students are mostly creative
and its just a matter of time before they break out of any schackles that may be used to restrain them.

Finally, we urge all Gambians and friends of The Gambia to remember the plights of the victims of
April10th/11th 2000. They urgently need your magnanimous assistance. We avail ourselves of this
opportunity to call for the formation of an April 10th/11th 2000 victims support fund. This is well
overdue, and we hope you will rally around in your thousands. We thank you all for your support, and
hope for your prayers these days in particular.

God bless you all.
Omar Joof,
Exiled prexy,
Gambia Students' Union
(GAMSU).

..............EXTRA TOUCH WITH
........AMIE DIBBA & FREAKY JOE
....................................................By Yero Jallow, Staff writer...................Posted April 8th, 2007

Yester evening, April 7th 2007 was an entertainment show in St. Paul,
Minnesota from two Gambian music youngsters; Amie Dibba, 2006/07 crowned
Miss Gambia USA beauty queen and Singateh aka Freaky Joe, 24. The event was
facilitated by DJ Lamin Jagne alias Blaise who works at African Broadcasting TV
Network and a SeneGambian music promoter.

Speaking to Gainako before the commencement of the program, the young talented
Amie Dibba, age 21, indicated that she was there to perform and perform well.
When quizzed what the future holds, she whispered “I have a lot of plans. If I
succeed, the Gambia will see. I am calling for support.” Further quizzed as to
what message she has for Gambians on such a day, she said “I have two messages
for Gambians. One, the youths are the future so pay attention to them. Two,
the Gambia is a beautiful place and be proud of where you from.”

When Freaky was approached for comments after the program, an energetic Freaky
indicated to this paper that he will leave for the Gambia before July 2007. In
a touching wording Freaky noted “Where ever I perform, I start with the
Gambia’s National Anthem.”, a combination album with Kora superstar, Jaliba
Kuyateh. “This”, he added “is for me to remind all Gambians not to forget
where they come from.”

In attendance, Freaky’s personal manager and president of Gambian Talents, Mr.
Pa Ousman Joof, all full of energy and anxiety presided over the stage, promoting
one of Gambia’s youngest DJs, Sheik Ndong aka “Chatty-Atlanta.” Mr. Joof was
a little harsh on people he described as “pirates” to the music industry, which he said
“People only buy few originals to make more copies thereby affecting the markets of
musicians.”

On a promotional tour, Freaky, his personal manager and renowned DJ, Chatty- Atlanta will be visiting
at least three other states to promote the new album titled “For ever in love” to be launched in Atlanta
on May 19th 2007.

Gracing the occasion was Mr.Lang Dibba and Mr. Dawdo Sowe, former and current president of the
Gambian Association in Minnesota respectively. The dance show described “very successful” attracted
a lot of people in the neighboring cities and states.

....A PUSH FOR UNITY:
................................ (PART TWO)
...........................................................By Yero Jallow...................Posted April 7th, 2007

The dream now is that the 'Force' to unite Gambia and her friends will be named
United Gambia Association, UGAMA. The birth of this association will be the
day that all representatives from the different political divide sit under one roof to
discuss the way forward for the Gambia. Such an association will include all other
associations at home and abroad at will.

Before long, a venue for the conference will be named based on a lot of factors, especially
'affordability' and 'cost.' Consultations with the different political figures commenced, and people have
been cooperative and encouraging. While we will distinguish strictly between what is 'confidential' and
'public', we don't have any doubt that "Hope is on the way"( J.Kerry, US Senator), and that we will
update Gambians with what they need to know about registered 'progresses' and 'failures' at any given
time. We don't have the answers to all the questions right now.

Our technical Team at Gainako is looking at all the modalities of giving such conference life coverage
on that day. Fatou Jaw's arrest didn't distract the agenda, only that we were forced to pause to allow
the people to breathe fresh air and regain their momentum. In fact, her arrest helps to show we need to
unite under one umbrella.

We've been engaging some people as to who will be our possible panelists. We were able to identify at
least twenty people, among them engineers, lawyers, politicians, et cetera. The composition of the
selection will be of special attraction to all Gambians. Such a list will be made available to the public
once they honor the invitation.

With regards to the committee to oversee the movement after the birth of the unity, we suggest those
that are willing to sacrifice to forward their names without delay. Don't wait to be called. The Gambia
belongs to all of us.

Sincerely,
Yero,
(On behalf of UGAMA.)

Note: Please forward any suggestions or comments to this email ugambia@gmail.com

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