Gambian Government Denies Media Reports that Soldiers Invade

…Govt’ Accuses Wal Fajr of Spreading False News!!!!

Following a Freedom Newspaper lead story, in which we reported that The Gambian army pursued suspected witches into neighboring Senegal, the Government today issued a terse statement accusing Wad Fajr radio of broadcasting what it calls  false and malicious reports about The Gambia and her people. The Government rejected such media reports. It calls on the Senegambian media-most importantly Wad Fajr to desist from such negative reportage of Gambian news. Below is the full text of the Government press release.

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The Government of the Republic of The Gambia’s attention has been drawn to the recent unfounded pronouncement by a media organization of a neighbouring country (Wad Fajr) to the effect that some members of The Gambia Armed Forces illegally entered and operated in the territory of that country. The Government of the Republic of The Gambia firmly and strongly condemns and refutes without hesitation such an unwarranted allegation.

In light of such repeated, unethical and unprofessional conduct by Wal Fajr, the Government of the Republic of the Gambia wishes to express its continued commitment and willingness to uphold and strengthen the bonds of friendly relations that exist between the brotherly peoples of the Republics of The Gambia and Senegal on the basis of mutual respect of each other’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

It is in light of this spirit that the Government of the Republic of the Gambia would like to call on the Senegambian media in general and Wal Fajr in particular to desist from such acts and urge them to support the propagation of the culture of peaceful coexistence, amity and stability which has been positively ingrained in the Senegambia region.

Below is the Freedom story which provoked the Government reaction. Please read on...

Breaking News:Senegal Detains Gambian Soldiers/Witch Hunters!!!! Senegal Detains Gambian Soldiers/Witch Hunters!!!! …Gambian Military Crossed Border In pursuit Of Witches Senegal has detained Gambian security officers, who crossed The Gambia/Senegalese border during a hot chase of  fleeing suspected witches, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal.  The Gambian soldiers forcefully entered the Senegalese border village of Darselameh, where they tried to capture  fleeing suspected witches, sources said. One of the suspected witches was identified as Bully Badjie, a local drummer from Sintet.  A drama immediately ensued between The Gambian  soldiers and residents of Darselameh, who insisted that the fleeing Sintet refugees would not move an inch. The villagers then tried to detain The Gambian military, after accusing them of invading their territorial sovereignty.  There was a total pandemonium in the area, as The Gambian soldiers tried to escape from lawful custody. The soldiers were later handed to the Senegalese Gendarmerie for further processing. The Senegalese Gendarmerie were alerted, who responded by officially detaining The Gambian military including the witch hunters. The soldiers were warned to desist from such illegal invasion or risked being jailed in Casamance. The detainees were later released, but were warned not to pursue fleeing suspected witches into Casamance. Darselameh is situated in Casamance. It is ten miles away from Sintet. Solo Bojang, a personnel of Paramilitary was among the detainees.  Mr. Bojang is the President’s uncle. He and other paramilitary officers, including soldiers have been assigned to help clean Foni, and other localities of witches.  Meanwhile, residents of Foni Kampasa, Kambusema, and Sintet are fleeing to neighboring Senegalese border village of Darselameh. The villagers said they fear of being abducted by the witch hunters. Sources reaching this paper say General Tamba’s own Aunty was recently abducted by the witch doctors. So far, five people have died in the hands of the witch hunters, dozen others languishing in hospitals. The detainees were forced to drink poisonous liquids by their captives. The President Yahya Jammeh has assigned the witch hunters to arrest suspected witches in the country. During the process, many suspected witches have died. They could not withstand the drugs given to them by their captives. Meanwhile, concerned villagers are appealing to the United Nations to help investigate the human rights atrocities perpetrated by The Gambian military and the witch hunters. They also want to see an end to the culture of violence in the country.

Posted on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 (Archive on Wednesday, May 27, 2009) Posted by PNMBAI  Contributed by PNMBAI Breaking News:Witch Hunters Abducted General Tamba’s Aunt Sheri Tamba!!!! Witch Hunters Abducted General Tamba’s Aunt Sheri Tamba!!!! ….GRTS’S Principal Producer’s  Family And Others Detained By Witch Hunters Kebba Dibba, General Tamba And Others Outraged By The Activities Of The Witch Hunters Witch hunters accompanied by armed military men are creating anxiety, and worry in Foni, as they arrested the Aunt of Gambia’s Army Chief General Lang  Tombong  Tamba, the Freedom Newspaper can reveal.  Sheri Tamba, an asthmatic patient, was trying to flee to neighboring Senegal, when armed soldiers intercepted her. The ailing Aunty of the Chief of Staff, was manhandled and taken to Kanilai, the President’s home village, where she was forced to drink concoctions.  She suffered from kidney and stomach pain, sources said. The witch hunters also never spared the family of The Gambia Radio and Television Services Principal Producer Kebba Dibba. Mr. Dibba had his entire family in Sintet arrested and taken to Kanilai, sources informed the Freedom Newspaper. The suspected witches complained about the mistreatment they suffered in the hands of their captives. They warn that  some of the detainees are likely die of complications, thanks to the concoctions given to them by the witch hunters.  A source residing in the area said “Kasel Sambou and his entire family were also arrested.  Nabi Darboe was unconscious for days after drinking their concoctions. Sheri Tamba, an Aunt of Army Chief of Staff, Lang Tombong Tamba was caught on the outskirt of the village trying to escape. She is Asthmatic, and her condition is still alarming. Those who were gathered to pray for the deceased who passed away recently were not spared. All loaded in the trucks for Kanilai.” An eyewitness in Sintet reports that uniform men were stationed in strategic locations on the outskirts of the village,  before the witch hunters entered the village. Prior to their visits, continued our sources, people in Sintet were told that the witch hunters would be visiting Bondali.  Bondali is a neighboring village. To their surprise, said our sources, the entire village of Bondali was deserted so they proceeded to Sintet. Some of the people in Sintet arrested were only trying to escape through the bushes. Meanwhile, Fear engulfed the entire country,  as the witch-hunters continue to intimidate, harass, torture innocent Gambians- especially those residing in the Kombos and Fonis. Foni residents are flocking to    Casamance during the day and return at the sunset with fear of being the next victims. Some of the residents resorted to seeking temporary refugee status in Casamance, pending the return of normalcy in the area. Uniformed men crossed Gambian border to Dassilami on southern part of Sintet to arrest Bully Badjie. This angered the villagers, who confronted the uniformed men for explanation, sources said. Two men were detained for 3 hours. Within an hour of their release, Senegalese Gendarmerie troops arrived in Dassilami, upon hearing that Gambian forces entered their territory unlawfully, sources hinted. “They have since then positioned checkpoints along the frontiers of Gambian boarder. Many people expressed fear this could lead to civil war or at it’s best a coup de’tat.” Said a resident of the area.  Lamin (last name withheld) says the only solution is for the military to step in and save the country. I am not calling for another military government, but a civilian government elected as soon as this madman is out of office. One senior NIA officer (name withheld) says Yahya is testing the loyalty of the Chief of Staff. He ‘got be careful’ in the light of recent developments,” he warns.   “We cannot continue to watch our parents being humiliated, and tortured under our nose and not do anything about that.  What is going on is “unacceptable” says Manlafi. “Yahya Jammeh started this madness in Kanilai long time ago. He was not stopped, and he then proceeded to our offices harassing civilians by cutting peoples’ charms or jujus off. What is Lawyer Darboe, National Assembly, Inspector General of police, Army Chief of Staff, NIA Director General doing or saying about this? Quit your positions if you cannot serve, and live with dignity!!!!” said the NIA agent.