The night has been long,
The wound has been deep,
The pit has been dark,
And the walls have been steep.


Under a dead blue sky on a distant beach,
I was dragged by my braids just beyond your reach.
Your hands were tied, your mouth was bound,
You couldn't even call out my name.
You were helpless and so was I,
But unfortunately throughout history
You've worn a badge of shame.

In a span of 15 years, the AFPRC-APRC continues to rule with complete disregard for law and against the peaceful aspirations of the vast majority of Gambians. The rule of force resulting in murder, unrivaled corruption and an escalating uncertainty for a decent life has been the order of the day in Gambia.

 
As a Man United fan, am still reeling from the disappointment of the football
season’s finale, so my motivation for putting together this piece is to rise up to the challenge thrown by my good brother and friend (a Chelsea fan-Habib Pom Jeng).  He somehow used mild sarcasm to provoke a swift action to a long overdue annual premiership football review.  On that note, this report though objective is also subjective.

As if to argue that His Excellency, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh (the Professor) is entitled to some leeway in governmental lawlessness, they interpose the physical symbols of development – coastal roads, GRTS, Airport, the University - to excuse the persistent human rights violations long a fixture on the Gambian public landscape. Ordinary Gambians travel this road, and so do non-Gambians who frequent the online community to irritate the advocates of public accountability under the rule of law. In the latter cases, we are dealing more with indifference to suffering rooted in ignorance on the one hand, and fantasy on the other. As irritating as this category of ostensible supporter, they are thankfully in no position to do actual harm to the Professor’s political critics. 

Mathew K. Jallow Pic: Freedom

Sir, you may have by now been made aware of the latest mass arrest of journalists in The Gambia. This letter of protest, drawing attention to this gross human rights violation in our country, is one of several, addressed to various regional and international organs and copied to your Excellency, over the past few years. Gambians are now comforted by the fact our regional brothers and sisters and the international community have begun taking positions in support of Gambians in their plight. This is indeed a new day to be proud of in Africa. In our region, Media Foundation of West Africa (MFWA) has been the leading advocate in the effort to demand accountability and bring Gambia’s plight to the forefront of regional and international consciousness. And at the international level too, Amnesty International (AI) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) among a slew of others, continue to make a case against the abuses in The Gambia, and to bring this awareness to European and the U.S audiences. In the U.S, six powerful Democratic Senators, headed by the indomitable Edward Kennedy, MA; and including Richard (Dick) Durbin, IL; and Russ Fiengold, WI, among others, have taken up our cause and written to Yahya Jammeh expressing their concerns over the disappearance of Daily Observer journalist Mr. Ebrima Chief Manneh. This is more that we could ever hope for. 

By Samba Baldeh Madison, WI 

 Part II…

The Senegalese police force and custom officers were professional as far as my experience; it was a little different with the Gambia police force but almost the same with the military and custom and border protection. I thought by now the “Atayaa” brewing in the offices and speaking vernacular and accepting bribes/tips in the offices was of the past! This is not the case and I was sincerely surprise because I though the fact that every Gambian at home at least is afraid of yahya Jammeh, you will think they will do the right thing. I went to a few offices where I found people either brewing “atayaa” or grouped chatting. This may not have been a problem if they would attend to business when there is a customer, but they will still continue their idleness unless if you look like and NIA or some one that know Yahya Jammeh. If I knew him that way or some one close to him, I would have made sure those officers were punished. What I experienced in the offices was just a tip of the caper/crime… It was vividly clear at almost all the police check points that the officers were not there to enforce traffic rules but collect money from poor drivers while the rich and influential will just slow down and get a salute. At the military check points; it was more business like but you will still see the lack of clear understanding of their job descriptions. At all the military check points I was asked only three questions: Where are you from; where are you going and what is in the boot/trunk of the car??? All of these with a frowned face. Guess what happen when you answer “nothing” to the latter? Or say “you can take this and buy atayaa”?