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Editorial:The Gambia a Nation in Crisis-Blood thirsty Jammeh announces his plan to kill!!!
The Gambia a Nation in Crisis-Jammeh's plans to kill before the elections exposed!!!
The United Nations and Civilized Nations should step in before the Gambia is in total turmoil

EDITORIAL

The Gambia is a nation in crisis. The impoverished West African country is experiencing political and economic uncertainties. Gripped by growing insecurity, the country is also witnessing a full blown dictatorship. Despite his unpopularity, President Yahya Jammeh is hell bent on clinging onto power. As the situation appears, it is not yet clear if Jammeh will leave office peacefully or violently. Jammeh is on record for having said that if it will take him to kill 1.5 million Gambians, almost the country's population to keep his government going he will do it. He repeated his call recently, while vowing to kill opposition supporters bent on disturbing the peace in the country's looming elections scheduled for September 22 ND. Jammeh, a blood thirsty dictator is poised to fulfil his promise. He enjoys killing and maiming Gambians. The United Nations and other civilized nations should step in before the Gambia, will be reduced into turmoil. The Gambia is far from being stable as bandit by the government and its agents. It is a country in crisis. Freedom is under attack in that country. From January to now junior, senior army officers, civilians, politicians and journalists have been languishing in jail without speedy trial. Gambia's jail houses is now becoming the homes for the oppressed and weak.

Pa Nderry M'Bai, Freedom Newspaper, Managing Editor cum Publisher

Jammeh's oppression against our people will be greeted with big opposition in days to come. Our people cannot continue to live in civilized slavery. We must break the chain of slavery come what may. The days of using Jammeh secret police to torture and kill Gambians at his torture Chambers will soon be history. Our country's freedom cannot be attained under silver platter, but it will come God willing slowly and surely. Already, some of us spearheading for the Freedom train to dock on our ports are paying for the price. We want to see a democratic change of government. We are using the might of our pens to expose the current atrocities taking place in the country. Despite being away from home, we are shaking Jammeh's government. While we put our lives on the line to promote freedom, we are facing the receiving end. The killing of journalist Deyda Hydara, the arson attack on the Independent Newspaper, hacking of the Freedom Newspaper,the arrest and torture of the Freedom Newspaper subscribers are classical examples of the government's hostility towards dissent.

Soldiers who refuses to be used for Jammeh's killing spree and intimidation of Gambians are usually branded as sympathizers of the opposition. The lucky ones are charged with treason, while out of the lot were summarily executed. From 1994 to date, hundreds of Gambians had perished from the hands of Jammeh's killers. The more they killed, the more they become eager to take more lives.

As the country heads for the polls, scores of army officers, former intelligence chiefs and some civilians are currently languishing in prison on treason charges. Some of the detainees were rendered handicapped due to the torture they suffered from the hands of Jammeh's hit men. Interestingly, Jammeh uses some female soldiers to join his torturers to deal with the detainees. This information was revealed by one of the state house insiders. The rule of law is infringed with impunity. No justice for the poor and the underprivileged. In today's Gambia, it is only Yahya Jammeh and his henchmen who are enjoying. They can walk into the Central Bank and the National treasury and collect millions of dalasis without being questioned. Such monies are usually not accounted for. Civil Servants who want to observe ethical standards are usually given the sack. Jammeh succeeded in politicizing the entire civil service, including local security agencies in his government. You either support him or you are out. He has reached a level where people no longer want him, but Jammeh is still pushing too hard to remain at the state house. Perhaps, when the popular will for change comes, he will leave dishonorably. That day APRC supporters will disown Jammeh in the open. Many people chanting his praises today, will insult Jammeh's mum in their private bed rooms. All what they want is his money.

Jammeh always wants to demonstrate to Gambians that he is not afraid. He stands on his car raising his hands at his cheering supporters. This picture we published online is a typical example. He nearly got hurt in the country's controversial 1996 elections at West Field when a stampede emerged between his supporters and the opposition. Stones started raining in the area. This was the day when I saw armed state guards opening live bullets at opposition supporters and passers by. People ran "helter skelter" to save their lives. A pregnant woman was killed on the spot, while dozens of others were hospitalized. Jammeh quickly got seated into his car and left the scene of the crime. Jammeh was heard on this day in question insulting opposition supporters. It was Jammeh who provoked the opposition with his insults. But he got he what he wanted anyway. He was chased by the angry mob despite his heavy security.

As the campaign trial is about to start, President Jammeh and his supporters should be law abiding. These unnecessary provocations could lead to national upheaval. The government should respect the law and avoid inciting its supporters to break the law. Gambians are peace loving people, but the type of politics of violence Jammeh wants to introduce cannot be accepted. He tried on many occasions to use innocent kids to provoke the opposition. It happens in Foni in the last elections. Some kids were sent to disrupt the PDOIS rally in that region. If Halifa Sallah, Sedia and Unlce Sam were not seasoned politicians, Foni would have been in flames. But as usual, they asked their supporters not to respond to the APRC agent provocateurs.

Jammeh should bear in mind that the country's peace and stability should be nurtured if he means well for our country. Trying to borrow a violence leaflet book from the Ivorian leader will not help the Gambian situation. Our country is too small for a war zone. Jammeh should not pride himself as a killer. He will live to regret his atrocities when the wind of change blew him out of the state house. That day is fast approaching. Gambia's crisis need to be stopped before it reaches a full blown crisis.

The editor can be reached at the following addresses:editor@freedomnewspaper.com or panderry_mbai@yahoo.com If you know that it is happening or is about to happen,please contact us. The Freedom Newspaper is your leading and most authoritative source of news. We have the required professionals to serve you round the clock.

Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 (Archive on Tuesday, August 15, 2006)
Posted by PNMBAI Contributed by PNMBAI

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