Exclusive Interview with Pa-Ousman Darboe

GON: Hello Mr. Darboe! Briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Darboe: My name is Ousman Darboe, known as Pa. I was born in Bureng Village in the 70's and attended Tahir High High School in Mansakonko, where I graduated in 1995. Shortly after my high school graduation, I taught in various Primary schools in the country breifly before I joined National Agricultural Researce Institute (NARI) in 1997. My service was terminated at NARI in 1999-00 together with twenty-six others as the institute was then suffering from financial crises.

In February 2000, I joined the Daily Observer as a freelance reporter and later a staff reporter. In 2002, I resigned from Observer together with the entire editorial board as the then Managing Director Buba Baldeh and the board were interfering with the editorial policies of the paper by trying to handcuff us from publishing articles from the oppositions. I then joined the Independent Newspaper so as to continue my career as a journalist. I suffered series of arrest and detentions by the NIA for speaking my mind. At the Independent, I enjoyed working with the likes of Alagie Yorro Jallow and Abdoulie Sey. I was again called at the Observer with some of my ex-colleauges when Sheriff Bojang Sr, was re-appointed as the Managing Director so as to revive the paper's integrity which it had lost during the tenure of Mr. Baldeh.

I also obtained Diploma in Management Studies and a higher Certificate in Journalism in Lagos, Nigeria, funded by Guaranty Trust Bank.

GON: It is now life outside home. How are you coping with your new place with your family?

Darboe: Well, we are really doing well here in USA and working hard to make ends' meet. I know life is really not easy here too but thanks to Allah, Almighty that I now live here happily with my family. I can tell you that I really missed my aging Dad, a retired head master. As a son of chalk, I still write for some papers in New York, as writing is part of my life and I cannot do without it.

GON: For sure, you missed your friends and co-workers, so far, how is life in exile like?

Darboe: Yes, I do miss some of my friends and relatives but that is something destined by God and I can do nothing about it as life must go on. On the other hand, I do not see myself as a person living in exile but rather here for a mission, a mission to improve my skills and knowledge to become a better person in this world and the hereafter. I know there is no place like home and I hope and pray that we all return home safely someday when our country will again be freed from the self imposed leader.

GON: To start with, you were an editor with the pro government Newspaper, the Daily Observer. Tell us a little about your work prior to your departure.

Darboe: Well as an editor of the paper, I and some allied editors were responsible for the day to day running of the paper but we were not totally independent as it should be. In other words, we were not allowed to work freely as expected of a media house whose sole interest is to publish articles objectively, accurately and without malice, fear or favour. It was really a difficult time for me and the staff at the Observer during the reign of Dr. Saja Taal, who saw some of us as sympathisers to the opposition. He would continously threaten us of arrest, sacrifies and even dead spirituals. I can vividly remember he once said to me "If you dare challeng my authorities, belief me I will fight you spiritually. I will buy seven candles, light them one after the other with the recitations of suratul Yassin seven times and by the time am through with you, you will be dried like a dead tree".

He will often tells us "before anyone sacrifice me, I will sacrifice you first. The bastardiasation of the Taal's family is unacceptable. I was fired by President Jammeh twice and I will not allow it to happen again". So you could imagine how things were with us. It was really frustrating.

GON: What led to your departure?

Darboe: Well, it was one Wednesday when I received a telephone call from one of my former colleagues in Dakar, Senegal that there was a big opportunity for me in Dakar only if I could travel to be there before Friday. I asked him to hint me of this opportunity which he refused, saying just come, you will not regret it. I was very confused as I was then assigned by Dida Halake to cover President's activities in Kanilai. I and my friend had to convince Dida so that he could allow me to travel to Dakar with the pretext that I will be back in the Gambia on that very Friday so that I will not be late for the coverage in Kanilai.
It was upon my arrival in Dakar that I knew that I should testify in the case of Chief Manneh against the Gambian Government. At first, I refused to their demands as I was thinking of my wife and the twins whom I love dearly. This meeting took about two hours before I agreed and I was promised that my young family will unite with me in Ghana after my testimony in the ECOWAS court in Abuja, Nigeria. This was a tough decision to make but later I put at the back of my mine that what happened to Chief Manneh could happen to me too and that after all I am a journalist. I then went with Yaya Dampha to Nigeria to testify as it is only our testimony that could make the case to proceed.

While in Ghana, I came across a publication in Freedom Newspaper and Allgambian that I was sacked which they failed to verify. I also read in Freedom written by Pa Nderry that my mother came from Dankunku and that he once called me while I was in Gambia and that I was rude on him over the phone. To set the records straight, Pa Nderry actually called me one day while I was in Gambia and I asked him who gave him my number, and he said am I not your friend Mr Darboe. I then told him please I don't want you to call me any more. He later used his medium to attack my personality and that of my family. I have nothing against him or any other person, all that I know is that my mother came from Berending, Nuimi and not Dankunku as Pa wrongly reported. I was never ever sacked or suspended at the Observer, I only left the Observer unceremoniously to go and testify in Chief Manneh's case period.

GON: What is the life of a journalist like in the Gambia?

Darboe: The life of journalists back home is terrible. Journalists are working under a stigent condition as the climate is not condutive for them. They live in the state of fear and hardship as people are not willing to talk to the press or media practitioners. Everyone is keeping on a lip silence and if you say you are a journalist, they regard you as an enemy of the government and unpartiotic. Journalists are branded as the bad son's of Africa, liars and above all illigitimate son's of Africa, which is far from the truth.

We are all aware that journalists are the watch dogs of the society, who are bent on informing, educating and entertaining the masses. Journalism in the Gambia is totally different from the modern day society, as the government is bent to muzzle the press and want the media practitioners to be starved to death. Journalism is a very noble profession and how would the world look like without journalists? We are partners in develoment and not enemies.

GON: You followed the trial of the GPU-Gambia executive members together with Uncle Sam of Foroyaa and Uncle Pap Saine of the Point Newspaper. What comments do you have?

Darboe: I think that was an unfornate situation that our colleagues  faced in our motherland. That trial and the charges preffered against them lacks merit and it only tantamount to gross miscondut of a country that is said to be a democratic government. It was all meant to close media houses in the country and the setting of a government press union. The government violated the rights and freedom of these people according to the constitution of the country. The constitution gives right to freedom of expression, movement, association and religion, therefore for Jammeh and his government to deny these people this right is the violation of the law to which they swore to.

GON: The Daily Observer is now shun and despised by a lot of its former employees. What is contributing to that? Who can we call an owner of the Daily Observer, Yaya Jammeh or Amadou Samba?

Darboe: (Laugh!)...legally, it is owned by Amadou Samba, but not withstanding we have been constantly informed by both Buba Baldeh and Dr. Taal that the paper is owned by President Jammeh. Both men said the paper is only meant to promote the propaganda tools or ideas of Jammeh and the APRC. In one of our meetings with Dr Taal, he warned us that if anyone has a different motive of working with the Observer and not in the interest of Jammeh and the government, you should either resign or otherwise dance to the tune of the music. He always tells us that he is a member and supporter of Jammeh and the APRC which I believe is his political right but that should not have interfered in the work of journalists or a media house, the voice of the voiceless. So based on this I can say that Jammeh owns Observer.

GON: What is the relation of the paper with the APRC propaganda machinery?

Darboe: Well there is a mutual relationship between the two. Is like a father and son unless other wise. Anything about APRC is regarded as a top priority of the Observer and no one can change that.

GON: What relationship is between the Daily Observer and the GPU-Gambia?

Darboe: Actually the relationship prior to my unofficial departure was very cordial and the GPU executive was very much aware of Dr Taal's ambition. However, I later read on the Observer during the reign of Dida Halake, who also tried to create a faction for the GPU but could not succeed. So I can't tell you whether the relationship is now in good shape or not.

GON: It was also reported that the APRC Government plotted to neutralize the GPU using the Observer staffers. What is the true story?

Darboe: Yes that is something true. When I used to work with Observer Dr Saja Taal has been instigating us to go and attend the meetings in other to give us the opportunity to contest positions. He even at one time paid all our subsidies at the time of Madi Ceesay as he had an alterior motive. This, he said will work effectively and the new proposed GPU will get the full support of President Jammeh. He further revealed to us that this was the same strategy that he and the folks like Neneh MacCdual-Gaye, Fatoumata Jahumpa- Ceesay and others used to form NAPSA , so as to distabilise GAMSU. We all have witnessed the rise and fall of GAMSU and now there is no GAMSU in place. Dr Taal at that time branded the members of the GPU as opposition supporters who are bent on to discredit Jammeh's government. He used to define GPU as Gambias Political Union comprising of UDP, NDAM and PDOIS.

GON: Do you regret working for the Daily Observer?

Darboe: Oh no, I've nothing to regret. I was only trying to contribute my part to the socio-economic development of my country. Observer is a newspaper which I can clearly state that 80% of Gambian journalists have all gone through, so I have no regret at all.

GON: What is the Daily Observer's structural setup like?

Darboe: The Observer structure clearly states itself. As I said the Observer is pro-government institution and the mouth piece of the APRC government. You either accept it as it is or call it a quit. I know some of its staffers are only there to make ends' meet but in heart they are not APRC supporters. The editorial policy is to advocate Jammeh's revolutionary ideas and assure the masses that Jammeh is the best leader for the Gambia.

GON: The Daily Observer's former editor, Mr. Dida Halake, is now back to his home in UK. What was his real issue with the Government? What kind of a person was he?

Darboe: Well I think that question can be best answered by Halake. I was not in Gambia at the time he was sacked or dismissed. I can't talk about him as I worked with him on a short period of time, probally two weeks. As that, all I can say is that he succumbs to Jammeh's ideologies.

GON: It is also not news that you knew the disappeared journalist Chief E-Manneh. What kind of person was he?

Darboe: Chief is a very nice man and he is harmless. His case was an unfortunate circumstance. I worked with Chief for about eight years and he was also my junior at Pakalinding Secondary School. I knew him for a very long time. At the time of his arrest he was constructing a house for his family which was at the finishing touch and was preparing to marry to one girl from Yundum. The girl works with Civil Aviation and they had been visiting me on several occasions. Chief is a humble and friendly person and does not want any trouble. He is a crime-free person who is very caring, respectful and sincere. I missed him a lot and hope to reunite with him in the near future.

GON: You testified to the ECOWAS court about Chief E. Manneh. Can you share with us your own assertion?

Darboe: Well Gainako, as I said I together with some of my ex-colleagues at Observer witnessed the arrest of Chief but I was the only one who was called to testify because of the fact that I spoke at the first year disappearance remembrance ceremony of Manneh at Allaince Franco-Gambienne.

I informed the court that he was arrested by the agents of the Gambian security who acted on the orders of the NIA and Police bosses based on the report made by Dr. Sajar Taal. I further testified that it was Dr.Taal who reported Chief to Captain Lamin Saine, one of the Directors of the NIA, leading to Manneh's arrest. I have constantly been monitoring or investigating his arrest through my security connection. I first visited Sibanor police station when I got information from a senior police officer that Manneh was undergoing detentions there. My trip was spornsored by Dr Taal. He said to me "please Mr Darboe help me to find Chief. Whenever I think of this boy I can't sleep as if I am seeing his ghost". Dr. Taal really regretted reporting Manneh as he never thought he could get into so much trouble with the NIA.

I also told the court that on July 30th 2006, Manneh was picked up from Mile 2 central prison by late Tumbul Tamba and Lt.Omar Colley, the Laison Officer between the NIA and Mile 2 Prison, to the NIA for further questioning and had never return to the prison.

I further informed the court that he was detained at various police stations in the Gambia with Ousman Rambo Jatta who was finally released unconditionally. I was sad to read the version of Marie Firdause, the minister of Justice that Chief was never arrested by the government. She should be accounted for lying as a public officer and should be indicted for conspiracy to commit felony. If she said Chief was not arrested by the security, why is it that the security officers failed to appear and testify before the court? I can assure you that where ever am call to testify in Chief's case any where, I am more than willing to go.

GON: What was the verdict rendered by the ECOWAS court and how did they arrive at such?

Darboe: The court ordered The Jammeh adminstratiion to produce Manneh and release him unconditionally and to further compensate him $100,000.00. The court arrived at this verdict based on my testimony and that of Yaya Dampha and Professor Karikari. Prof. Karikari is a man of honor, dignity, respect and above all a philanthropist who cares for the welfare of all journalists, regardless of where the person comes from.

GON: What role is Professor Karikari of the Media Foundation for West Africa playing towards the Chief Manneh case?

Darboe: The Media Foundation with Prof. Karikari initiated the legal action against the Gambian government for their continuous and illegal detention of Chief Manneh. They were also responsible for the payment of the legal counsel during the trial which attracted lot of attention from the Nigerian Media. I can say all that they are interested in was to see that justice is seen to be done in Chief Manneh's case. The Media Foundation is a very vibrant institution who wants to make sure that journalists work in a very condusive climate. I also knew that without the Media Fouindation nothing much could be done in the case of Manneh.

GON: Do you remember any of those that arrested this young man?

Darboe: Yes, Gainako, he was arrested by two security officers and one of them was formerly working with the interpol but was later deployed to Bakau Police station. He is one Coporal Sey and I and him used to call each other "General". He lives in Bakau Kachically. Unfortunately, I don't know the name of the other man. All that I knew was that he is an NIA officer and I can recognize or identify him very well. Sey was the man who was assigned to arrest Omar Bah too.

GON: Some revelations were made on Freedom newspaper by one Kemo Cham who recently exiled himself to Senegal that implicated Dr. Saja Taal, Momodou Sanyang of GRTS, and some current top editors of the Daily Observer on the arrest and subsequent disappearance of Chief E. Manneh. What is the true circumstance of partake in this matter?

Darboe: Yes that is something true. Both Sanyang and Taal played a leading role in the arrest of Chief Manneh but I think Dr.Taal played more pivotal role than Sanyang. It was Taal who reported Manneh to the security agents. I know that a meeting was held in Sanyang's office at the GRTS and those present were Taal, Sanyang and Ousman Sonko, Interior Minister and Chief, Taal was also present. When Chief was missing for more than two months, Dr. Taal then said he believed that Ousman Sonko might have bought a ticket for Manneh to leave the country and go into exile. Dr. Taal further pointed out that since Chief is a close friend to Sonko they might have entered an agreement so as to abscond Manneh. I then knew that Dr Taal was now disturbed by Manneh's arrest.

GON: Yaya Dampha, a former investigative reporter of Foroyaa, and a contributor to Gainako, said he last saw Chief E. Manneh in a Fatoto Police station. Any comments?

Darboe: Yes, he told the court that he saw Manneh between the hours of 2-3pm at Fatoto police station shortly after Manneh was served with his lunch. He said he then waived at Chief but in return he Dampha was waived by the escourting police officer.I know this was also published in the Foroyaa edition of December that year and that publication was tendered and marked as an exibit before the court.

GON: What do you think might have happened to Chief Manneh, do you think he is still alive or do you feel the worst has happened to him?

Darboe: I don't know what has happened to Manneh. All I know is that the authorities in Banjul are responsible for his disappearance and they should be held accountable for his whereabout. In fact, my fear is that Manneh may have been killed because the telephone number of the former Director of the NIA Daba Marenah was found on Manneh's cell phone records.  As you may remember Daaba Marenah and many other security officers also disappeared after they were acused of plotting to overthrow the government. I don't want to believe this is the fate of Chief Manneh but I have my worst fears.

GON: This is new information coming from a close friend of Manneh, did anybody knew about this before or did you tell anybody about this?

Darboe: No, I never told anyone about this, it has always been my fear and I never wanted to believe it but the longer Manneh is not seen the more my fears get closer to reality. I hope am wrong and I look forward to reuniting with Chief. I love him and I know his family and friends all love him dearly. He is innocent and he wouldn't harm an ant.

GON: Do you have any last words you would want to share with our readers?

Darboe: I just want to say, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you. As I said, I will do anything to help bring closure to Chief Manneh's case. I thank all those who stood up and continue to stand up to see justice rendered on Chief's behalf.  His family deserves to know what happened to him.

GON: Thank you Mr. Darboe for taking the time to speak to us. We know this is a difficult issue to talk about.  May God bless you and your family.

Darboe: Thank you. May God bless you too.