Gainako Newspaper

Foroyaa: Today, 24 April is Republican Day. Do you have anything to say?

Halifa: The absence of any commemoration confirms that we are yet to have
a government which truly want the people to treasure their sovereignty. There
can be no Republic without a sovereign people. A Republican state is the highest
form of a Democratic state. A Republican State is one where sovereignty resides
in the people. This is why Chapter 1 subsection (2) of the Constitution states
categorically that

“The sovereignty of The Gambia resides in the people of the Gambia from whom all organs of
government derive their authority and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the power
of government are to be exercised in accordance with this constitution.”

This provision is the bedrock of a Republican Constitution. It should be memorized by every Gambian
if they are to be mature citizens of a Republic.

Hence as we commemorate 24 April each Gambian should ask himself or herself this question. “ Does
the sovereignty of the country reside in me? Is the authority of the government derived from my
consent in addition to the consent of the majority of my fellow compatriots? Is the authority derived
from us by those who manage our affairs being exercised to promote our liberty, prosperity and
general welfare? These are the questions that all citizens should act on, on Republican day. If the
answers to the question are in the positive then one should celebrate the birth of such a Republic. If the
answers are in the negative then one should know that one lives in a Republic only in name and should
strive to bring changes to make Republican existence a reality. This is my message to the Nation on
this august day which every government which treasures the sovereignty of the people must transform
into a public holiday to enable marches and speeches to take place to remind the people that power
belongs to them.

Foroyaa: Mr. Juwara has written a letter indicating the withdrawal of NDAM from NADD. What is
your reaction?

Halifa: That does not need a reaction. It requires acceptance of the position of a sovereign person
and sovereign political entity. Association is a matter of choice. Each person has freedom of
Association. Each party has freedom of Association. I respect his view and the position of his party.

Foroyaa: This does not make you change your view on Juwara?

Halifa: Those who have followed the history of Gambian politics would know that Juwara has gone
through very trying times. He has been ostracized for his positions and beliefs. I had my opinions of
many political personalities in the Gambia until I fought my own misgivings to accept to be a
Coordinator of an opposition alliance. I must say that even though things did not materialize as
expected I have come out of the process knowing how to build positive relationships with any person.
I’m compelled by historical circumstances to work with.

In my view, Juwara is heading towards his mid sixties and above. The age limit of being a Presidential
candidate is 65. He has witnessed the difficulties of trying to change a government without adequate
financial and moral support from those who are quick to preach doom and gloom. I sympathize with
any move he takes and hope that the sacrifices he had made to the point of enduring broken hands
and imprisonment will not have been endured in vain. Very few people have gone through the ordeal
he experienced. I wish him a dignified and honourable existence out of the NADD compact.

Foroyaa: What is the future of NADD?

Halifa: The grassroots membership especially the women are displaying overwhelming resilience. It is
necessity which gave birth to NADD. Apparently, necessity is keeping it on track. The grassroots
base is calling for more activities. I am sure the leadership will soon meet to chart a way forward. The
future is bright for NADD.

....................GAMBIA
Is Police PRO Jorbateh Incompetent or In Denial?
...................... Courtesy of Foroyaa Newspaper ........April 26th, 2007

BRIKAMABA POLICE OFFICERS DETAINED
....................................................................By Yaya Dampha

Reports have it that last week the police officers at Brikama Police Station in Central River Region
were arrested and taken straight to Janjangbureh Prison, where they are currently detained. The
officers are laid to eight in number and they include the station officer.

According to the reports, the police officers arrested one man from Senegal in relation to cattle theft
but that the suspect escaped from custody. Station Officer Sowe is said to have been arrested at
Janjangbureh while Lance Corporal Mballow is said to have been arrested at his home village,
Fulabantang where he is the Alkalo.

When this reporter visited Brikamaba Police Station last Wednesday, he found that a unit of
paramilitary officers have now taken over the station. When Police Public Relations Officer was
contacted he said he was not aware of anything like that. We will contact the Public Relations Officer
again for police confirmation of the report.

CHIEF MANNEH'S WHEREABOUTS NOT KNOWN

Chief Ebrima Manneh, a journalist working with the Daily Observer, was arrested by the two agents
of the National Intelligence Agency at his work place early July 2006. He was since been detained at
the NIA headquarters in Banjul before being transferred to Gunjur, Sare Ngai and Fatoto Police
Stations.

When this reporter last saw him it was in Fatoto in January 2007. However this time this reporter went
to all these stations but could not establish his whereabouts. Sources at Fatoto have it that Mr.
Manneh was transferred to an unknown destination sometime in February. Many believe that he is
taken to a station in Kombo. Others say the NIA collected him and took him to Banjul.

When contacted, the police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Jobarteh said he did know anything about
Chief Manneh.

MASTER TAMBA DETAINED AT FATOTO

Mr. Tamba Fofana, the headmaster of Kudang Lower Basic School, who was arrested on 16
September 2006 (8 months ago) by Inspector Omar Jawo of Bansang Police Station, is being
detained at Fatoto. Mr. Fofana who has been detained at several other police stations was brought to
Fatoto from Sare Ngai Police Station where he has spent about five months.

When this reporter visited the station he saw Master Tamba in cell and called him "uncle." Mr.
Tamba's face looked pale and bony. According to sources, Mr. Tamba was brought there when
Foroyaa published that he was at Sare Ngai. He was taken to Fatoto over a month ago.

When contacted Mrs. Fofana said since her husband's arrest she was given information that her
husband was there and that he was sick. She said the police came and told her that she should leave
the station since the person she saw was not Tamba Fofana. It is said that medicaments and food she
gave to the Police were returned to her even though she asked them to give the foods to any other
person(s) they might have with them.

Readers could recall that in December last year the high court in Banjul gave orders for the release of
Master Tamba Fofana on bail. The state has since then not honoured this court order.
Master Tamba and many people have been under detention for over the (72) seventy-two hours
required by the constitution of The Gambia.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Jobarteh said he does not know
anything about Master Tamba. This reporter further told him about the high court order of last
December for Tamba to be released on bail; the PRO said he did not know about that too.

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