Gainako Newspaper

" The duty of Europeans powers to effect corrections for wrongs they committed in the past does not absolve
Africans of their own responsibility to their continent. We Africans -- particularly those in the Diaspora -- as
we prepare for the pomp, pageantry and partying of the Washington, D.C. ALD gathering (and, indeed, other
venues), must also use the occasion to reflect on the future of our continent and how to make it better."

In 1994, a South African photo journalist went to cover the famine in Sudan. Unbeknownst to him
at the time, one of his pictures will shocked the world's collective conscience. The photo, which won
Kevin Carter a Pulitzer Prize in 1994, showed the scrawny, forlorn, figure of a famine victim -- a
child at that! -- As she trudged hard to get to a United Nations relief camp. The image of the
emaciated child crippled by hunger, in a crouched position and attempting to crawl, while a vulture
threateningly lingers in the background with interest, was jarring in poignancy. The unfortunate
picture brought home to a largely oblivious world (then, as now with the Dafur genocide), the gravity
of the food shortage in Sudan. If anything was to shame global conscience into acting to alleviate the
famine, it was that photograph.

Much like that predator bird, European colonialists gathered around a table in what historians now
call Berlin Conference in the latter part of the 19th century to prey upon a vastly wealthy, if highly
vulnerable continent of Africa. Unlike the sinister vulture, however, the colonialist couldn't wait for
their chosen prey to expire before they helped themselves. On the contrary, they sought a way to
expedite the demise of Africa so as to facilitate their planned scavenging. In their "Scramble for
Africa", they successfully landed a near-fatal, if not deadly blow, to an ailing continent.

At the 1884 conference in Berlin, Germany, the continent was arbitrarily sliced and diced, with
European self-interest solely as the principal consideration. With scant regard for "the dark
continent's" inhabitants, their culture, heritage and livelihood, the Westerner recklessly raped,
plundered and partitioned the land -- and in so doing, decisively changed it's history and
developmental trajectory by sowing the seeds of discord. The Europeans drove a wedge between
the natives through their widely employed instrument of "divide and conquer" and other similarly
ingenious means. Those unfortunate seeds have since grown into fruits of devastation -- political
instability, unending wars and violence, genocide, apartheid, widespread civil and social strife,
poverty and underdevelopment, economic slavery and dependency, degradation, disease, debt --
the list goes on.

Not only was Africa partitioned by Europeans like vultures on a carcass, her most meaty parts --
the mineral and other natural resources -- were pillaged and siphoned away with callous and criminal
disregard for the continent's children yet unborn.

Africa's disfigured geographic and political landscape continues to bear evidence to the self-serving
occupier's recklessness and excesses. The North vs. South conflict in Sudan, which currently plays
out as genocide in Darfur, is one glaring example. A similar divide exists in Africa's most populous
country, Nigeria, where a predominantly Muslim North is pitted against a mainly Christian South.
Intermittent clashes have often turned deadly. European border demarcations typically cut across
tribal lines, leaving people of common ethnicity split across randomly created geographic and
political entities. The Biafran war in Nigeria (1967-1970) for instance, started when Igbo people
tried to secede, having felt marginalized in the new British-created patchwork of people that is
Nigeria.

Divide and conquer was not exclusive to the British, nor was it prevalent only in colonies such as
Nigeria. In Francophone Africa, the colonizer created a two-tiered social hierarchy by granting
French citizenship and, of subsequently, preferential treatment to urban city dwellers; while those in
the hinterlands remained native citizens. This elitist system which privileged some (usually the
minority), over others (usually the majority) naturally created social divisions and fostered discontent
with lasting and deadly consequence. The Tutsi-Hutu conflict in Central Africa, that lead to the
tragedy and carnage of the Rwandan genocide in the mid-nineties, is one example amongst many of
this.

In the wake of these numerous and immeasurable evils of the European occupation, a cadre of
native African heroes emerged. These proud sons of Africa sought not only to halt the wrongs and
injustices of colonial subjugation but also, to reverse the damage and destruction caused by the
partitioning of Africa. Leaders such as Nkrumah, Kenyatta, Nyerere and Senghore fought
relentlessly for freedom and independence, as they urged unity and brotherhood among Africans.
They heralded a new era of promise and hope.

Seventy-five years after the Berlin Conference, newly independent African states organized their
own gathering in Accra, Ghana. Held on April 15, 1958, the Conference of Independent African
States brought together -- for the first time -- Pan-African leaders and anti-colonialists from Liberia,
Ghana, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Ethiopia, The United Arab Republic (modern day Egypt and
parts of Syria). By the time of this conference, Nkrumah had already invoked Africa's common
destiny when his country's attained independence from Britain on March 6, 1957. " The
independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of the
African continent," he said.

In the five years that followed Ghana's independence, more African countries followed suit. The
break in ties may not have been all that clean. However, it represented a significant first step with
great promise. By May 1963, when thirty-two newly independent African nations met in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia to form the Organization of African Unity, two-thirds of Africa was free from
colonial rule. On this date, the original Africa Freedom Day of April 15, 1958, was replaced with
African Liberation Day (ALD), hence the annual commemoration of the day on May 25.

While fingers of blame cannot rightfully be pointed to the present generation of Westerners for the
sins of colonialism and slavery, it is undeniable that they have benefited immensely from the wrongful
acts of their forefathers. Naturally, some still choose to bury their heads in the sand, much like
Holocaust deniers do. However, a growing number of Europeans of goodwill have soul-searched
and undergone a crisis of conscience over the sad history of exploitation, slavery and colonialism
perpetrated against Africans. Many have acknowledged the wrongs of the past and toyed with
various Possible remedies. In March, the BBC reported that demonstrators wearing yokes and
chains trekked 250 miles from Hull to London's Westminster to demand an apology for their
country's role in slavery and colonialism.

While demands for financial reparations are touchy, and a little unrealistic frankly, Africans can
rightfully expect more than just an apology from former colonial powers. It certainly is not too much
to ask of erstwhile European colonialists, who have wrought so much misery and havoc to the
continent, to own up to the past and immediately halt their current neo-colonialist posture towards
their former colonies. Such behavior amounts to double victimization.

Europeans powers can show good faith in three ways that would give Africa the crucial jump-start it
badly needs. For a start, they should unsaddle the African continent of her debilitating debt, as
organizations such as Jubilee 2000 have called for -- and individuals such as rock star Bono are
lobbying for. Secondly, they ought to craft fairer terms of trade with Africa. Africa's exports such as
cocoa, coffee and mineral resources which are largely consumed in their economies must not only be
ethically and legally obtained (read: Stop the blood diamonds), they should also be justly priced and
purchased. Thirdly, more needed foreign aid must be granted to African countries. Contrary to
popular misconception, foreign aid applied properly in Africa, will not perpetuate dependency --
rather, it will help an already downtrodden continent rebound from it position of under privilege and
competitive disadvantage in the global economy; a status quo for which colonialism, and it's lingering
legacy, is largely to blame.

The duty of Europeans powers to effect corrections for wrongs they committed in the past does not
absolve Africans of their own responsibility to their continent. We Africans -- particularly those in
the Diaspora -- as we prepare for the pomp, pageantry and partying of the Washington, D.C. ALD
gathering (and, indeed, other venues), must also use the occasion to reflect on the future of our
continent and how to make it better. It will serve us well to bear in mind the raison d'être of this day.
While we revel in reuniting with old friends, and the delight in lively parties, we would do well to ask
some tough questions, too; questions both of our selves, and of the state of affairs on the continent
today. Are we living up to the ideas and ideals of our fallen freedom fighters? What does
independence mean for Africa? Have we truly achieved independence and freedom? If not, why not
and how can it be done? How about the numerous challenges we face? What can we do,
individually and collectively, to tackle Africa's innumerable problems? As Gandhi famously said (and
I paraphrase): Be the change that you seek.

While we commemorate African Liberation Day, let us ease a tad on the celebration and ponder, for
a moment, some of these questions. It is the least we can do. If we fail to, we will be betraying the
hopes and dreams of our liberation warriors and their selfless sacrifices. That will be a sin for which
we cannot be forgiven for, unlike descendants of European colonialists who now have a chance to
atone for their forefather's wrongs by opening a new page with Africa.

See for yourself the picture described in the opening paragraph at http://www.huaren.com/UnitedNations/photo-1.htm

Sheriff
North Carolina, USA

...In Loving Memory of Sintet’s Imam Ratib;
...Rest in Peace Karan-Saihou Drammeh
.................................................By Yero Jallow................Posted May 23rd, 2007

Though time is inevitable but death is no friend. I write to mourn a dear
elder, a dear friend and a mentor, Alj. Karan-Saikou Drammeh. He was
the Imam-Ratib of Sintet, Foni Jarrol, western Divison, The Gambia..

He met his untimely death last Tuesday May 15th 2007 while journeying from Banjul, back to
Sintet, a journey purposely for the Sintet annual “Gamoo” that took place on Saturday May 19th
2007. It is sad however he didn’t live to witness the Gamoo he was preparing for, not knowing it
was to be in memory of his late soul.

Among the men of time, Karan-Saihou Drammeh. He preached Islam with fear of God, and
mentored people to do good and stay away from evil. Fluent in Arabic and English, he inherited the
Imam ship from his late father famously called Drammeh. The late Imam was one of those diverse
and compassionate people of time who recognized all people. His love and respect for the younger
ones had no bounds. An Imam that dinned with the poor, sick and the needy; spoke against
injustices and preached peace, love and harmony; and practiced true Islam to the best as can be
seen by the eye and mind.

While piecing this story, I cannot help my tears flowing from my eyes, rolling with heat on my two
cheeks. I recalled my last dinner with him in Minnesota some time last year when he visited me. To
me, he was not just an Imam, but a close friend to my late parent also. With his glittering face,
trimmed beard and moustache, he is capable of illuminating a room with his smile and laughter. This
joke that he shared about former president Leopold Senghore of Senegal I will never forget.

While the news of his death took me to breaking point, I also accepted faith as ruled by God,
Almighty. In Hal Pular, the scholars say “Allah watta koh bonnih, konoh nah wada koh
yurmihnih”. This interprets that God doesn’t do bad, but He does emphatic things.

I ask God Almighty to rest my honorable late Imam in perfect peace. Amen. Now that you
preceded us, we are sure to join you some day. If by chance, you see Nabi Muhammad (SAW)
and all the good disciples (RA); the grandparents and mothers; the uncles, aunties, sisters and
brothers, kindly extend.

...BOMBSHELL AT FREEDOM
..A Rejoinder to Editor Jambang's Story
.......................By Lt. Col. Samsudeen M Sarr (rtd)...............Posted May 22nd, 2007

Dear Editor

I must tip my hat for Mr. Jambang for being a man of principles and someone with conscience by
distancing himself from what was too ugly about this Lamaranian fiasco in particular. I know it is one
of the reasons he has given for quitting the Freedom Paper. This is the special quality in humans that
separate us from the rest of the animal kingdom. Understanding that there is a God or a supreme
being that monitors our activities whether performed in public or private, for our interest or against,
favorable to our desires or not have always been a cornerstone in what guide both our conscious
and unconscious behaviors. Where we essentially choose to stand in the wake of a dilemma is what
divides the good humans from the bad ones.

When I first read Lamarana's silly story about me, I made it clear to the Freedom editors that I was
not going to dignify the message because some thing about it stank high way to heavens. I thought
such outrageous allegations forwarded not for constructive debate but, at best, to assassinate my
character required a real name and personality behind it. But instead of courageously standing by
what I think should have been the principal paradigm for conscientious journalism they took the
ungodly decision of jumping into the quicksand. This is what they came up with after I merely asked
them who Lamarana was:

Dear Lt. Col Sarr we are writing to inform you that we at the Freedom Newspaper have received a piece
from a certain Lamarana Jallow who have leveled some serious allegations against you on your alleged
role in the trial by media of the Farrafenni attackers and your alleged torture to death of Yahya
Drammeh. He also alleged that you acted in utter insubordination by physically fighting with your senior,
Baboucarr Jatta, and that your charge file is still open. Please read the piece on our homepage and
possibly respond. You are also free not to clear the air for the benefit of the Gambian people who
deserve to be told what they have to know.

You are also informed that the Freedom Newspaper has launched an investigation into the activities of
top military officers who have either collaborated with the murderous regime of Yahya Jammeh or
served at top positions as you did. You and Sana Sabally are both included. It beats our imagination that
in your write-ups, you deliberately or unintentionally avoided mentioning anything negative of Yahya
Jammeh. And you very well know that Yahya is the master of all murderers in our beloved country and
you worked with him at a top rank during the time most of these heinous crimes were committed. Do
you wish to tell us that Gambians are interested only in the crimes Sana Sabally committed. If you think
so, you, Sana and others will be disappointed on the day of reckoning. We cannot just focus on the
crimes of only one officer and ignore the ones that were committed while you were in full participation
and could either avert them or refuse to commit them (if you really did).

We at the Freedom Newspaper hold the belief that both you and Sana are holding Gambians with
contempt by failing to speak on some pertinent issues that you blatantly choose to ignore. You cannot tell
us you did not commit any crime in allegedly torturing detainees to death and subjecting people to trial
by the media and yet physically beating up your boss. You cannot tell Gambians that you have nothing to
elucidate on that. In the same vein, Sana Sabally cannot tell us that he did not play a leading role in the
assassination of soldiers on November 11, 1994, yet he also chose to avoid any mention of these in his
endless ranting. You in particular chose not to mention the Jammeh side of the murder of innocent
Gambians. You said in some of your right-ups that the Jammeh coup was wrong yet you seriously served
that same tyrannical ignoramus in the person of Yahya Jammeh during which time he had committed a
lot of crimes against humanity. Are you telling us that only the crimes committed by Sana are crimes
because you were directly a victim! of his?

For your information, the Gambia people feel insulted when both of you are avoiding what they want to
know about most. We at the Freedom Newspaper will continue to investigate and expose the criminal
activities of both Jammeh and his accomplices - no exception. The allegations leveled against you are
serious - the ball is in your court! We rest our case.

Awaiting your response,
Freedom Newspaper editorial board

Reading such statements from the editors of the Freedom told a lot about where they stand on
Lamarana's articles. My decision to refrain from replying to their threatening statement didn't mean I
hadn't had anything to say to them. I simply thought it was a bit over the top for them to entertain the
ridiculous notion that Gambia would one day provide them with the ideal jurisdiction in a court of
law to present evidence gathered against me from their so-called investigation. I think that was
somehow delusional in every respect of the adjective. I am not good at forecasting what Gambia
holds for the Gambians in the future and I don't have a crystal ball to try it either; but what I am
absolutely sure of is that Gambia today is governed by President Yaya Jammeh where those
freedom editors-the judges and jury- like me dare not go now and claim any part of our rights to live
there much more contemplate the commissioning of courts to try GNA military officers culpable of
human rights abuses. We are all entitled to different kinds of hallucination even if realizing them may
never happen in our lifetimes.

Anyway, they even went as far as admonishing me for not saying bad things lately to Jammeh as if
Lamarana the unknown had published any statement in the past critical of the Jammeh government.
Is this not a classic failure of not realizing that by the paradox of their statement they had involuntarily
exposed their guilt of sleeping with Lamarana? With all honesty, I was hundred percent convinced
that Lamarana was a part and parcel of that secret cocoon sheltering the Freedom paper editors'
obsessed with trying to discredit me for their own hidden reasons. Using the name Lamarana Jallow
was certainly not necessary and definitely seemed to have hurt their scheme more than build it. I'm
therefore glad that the godly ones like Mr. Jambang who has proven to me more qualified for the
position of a fair judge on my trial rendezvous could see through the filth and quit in preference to
staying and getting contaminated.

I am afraid the only downside about Mr. Jambang's situation would be the upcoming artillery of
smear campaign they might direct on him to discredit his honorable image. I only hope they wouldn't
say that his mother and my uncle share the same father and mother. We shouldn't underestimate how
far these guys could go before the eyes of god to change the position of the goal post in order to tidy
up their mess.

Just take a look at what they wrote after I tried to coax them into playing it a little cleaner because
Chongan, a gentleman I call a dear friend was becoming a casualty of the dubious Lamarana tirade:

Editors note:
The views of the author does not represent the position of the Freedom Newspaper. This paper cannot
be held liable for the contents of the author's piece. His views are his views. Opinions expressed by
private contributors do not necessarily reflect the position of the Freedom Newspaper. Thanks for your
attention.

Are these guys for real? Or do they take the time to read what they write? But I think this is one of
the drawbacks of playing the art of deception.

Reading that statement reminded me of a phrase by one reader seriously angered by a writer whom
he felt had really underestimated his intelligence. I had felt the same way after reviewing everything
surrounding this Lamarana garbage. I am however glad that Mr. Jambang has come out to stand by
the truth at a time when he could have followed the shady crowd and may never have been
discovered or blamed for it; his actions whether he knows it or not has placed his character among
the exemplary ones known among good people. I once again commend him for his courage and
candor.

As the former commander of the Gambia national Army, I will continue to make myself available for
any discussable subject forwarded by genuine critics even if I don't know who they are or where
they come from. But if any person tries to provoke me into an unnecessary confrontation, without
any regards for human decency or respect for each other but choose to flout the sacred principles
associated with God or conscience, then that person may as well count me out as a contender.

Things that Gambians wish to know about me would soon be out in a book due for publication in
the USA in June. It is my autobiography but entitled "Coup D'etat By The Gambia National
Army", July 22nd 1994. The book is about my entire life before, during and after my military career.
It is comprehensive and very informative and would be available in all major bookstores including
Barnes and Nobles.

I thank you all at the Gainako Newspaper. Your work stands admirable to all Gambians in and out
of the country. Keep it up.

Lt. Col. Samsudeen M. Sarr

....BOMBSHELL AT FREEDOM
.....Associate Editor, Jambang Quits
.............................................................Posted May 22nd, 2007

Dear Comrades:

I, Yankuba Jambang wish to inform my colleagues in the media and the readership
of Gambian online news outlets that I have decided, on principles, to quit as the
associate editor of Freedom newspaper.com with immediate effect for the following
reason(s):

-Journalism is a responsible reporting and maintaining ethics; informing the public with credible news
and not otherwise - this does not obtain at freedomnewspaper.com any more.

-Freedom newspaper's editor, Pa Ndery has resorted to the practice of censoring my observations
on the stories he published without deciphering the truth from fiction, checking the language and
making necessary corrections with view to avoiding unforeseen libel, defamatory and slanderous law
suits. The most recent such incredible stories were the Daily Observer "insider's" ignoramus attack
on Dr. Saga Taal and the fictitious Lamarana Jallows's incoherent diatribes on Col. Sam Sarr. I
believe a grade 6 student in The Gambia would be able to connect the dots on that "disinformation"
from Lamarana. And, much to my chargrin, the associate editor of the paper, Muhammed Jawara
has decided to be Lamarana's defense attorney with an even immature argument. A porous matter in
a perforated container cannot be solid!

When Lamarana wrote: "BB was one of those working with Sam on Jawara's comeback" and again
said:"BB was posed to replace Jammeh if his plan materializes", one is bound to ask questions
because the statements are contradictory.But editor Jawara with no journalistic background
whatsoever thought the story was fit for publication!

On the coup statement, my argument was why would Sam Sarr subject Mr. Conateh for writing a
statement when he (Sam) has the talents to do more than that. What Pa Ndery and Jawara failed to
understand is that, be it Yahya Jammeh, Sana Sabally or Edward can each write statement on the
coup. They had planned for it and each of these people had attended highly prestigious high schools
in the Gambia and were good students academically. I said this because I have seen records;
Edward at St. Augustine's where I too, did my A' levels, as for Sana Sabally I used his note books
from Armitage when I was sitting for my O' levels years ago. If Pa Ndery and Jawara are able to
write good statements why can't Jammeh and his men who graduated in late 1970s when standard in
schools were far better than in our days? What Jawara and cannot appreciate is the fact that though
these people(Jammeh and co) may have not held any high public office, they have been involved in
the system since early 1980s when Jawara might have been a toodler. Let them; Pa and Jawara, tell
the public why Sam Sarr would leave Jai Saidy, former president Jawara's press sectary for Mr.
Conateh? Why would he leave Ebrima K. Sarr, former parliamentary secretary who used to write
poetry for DK Jawara for M. Conateh?The story forwarded by Lamarana lacks merit due to
inconsistencies and therefore unfit for publication.

I am out of the paper, period. Pa Ndery even went to an extent of posting my second piece on
Lamarana only to remove it in minutes because he did not feel confortable with it without contacting
me. Well, editor Jawara's is hanging up there because it's pleasing to his ears.

Yankuba Jambang
Minneapolis, Minnesota

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