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NADD'S Halifa Sallah decry the looming electoral crisis-CHAOS IN THE SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION
Friday, July 21, 2006 (693 reads)
CHAOS IN THE SYSTEM OF REGISTRATION
Halifa Writes To IEC
It
has been conveyed to me that the following personnel of the IEC are
under arrest at the Yundum Police Station i.e. Amie Jarju, Momodou Jaw
and Baba Drammeh. I visited the Registration centre at Sinchu Baliya on Saturday 15th
July 2006 because of reports I received from our agents that security
forces were called by APRC Party members to appear without consultation
with the registering officers.I noticed that upon my arrival the security personnel were withdrawn and the crowd dispersed. Before
my departure the only people left at the centre were the registration
team, the agents and the claimants. The exercise was reported to have
gone smoothly on that day.However on Sunday 16th
July 2006, I received report of a confrontation between the registering
officers and a group of APRC stalwarts allegedly led by Mr. Aziz Tamba. I
was cautioned to expect the dismissal of Mr. Ndondi Njie and the
detention of the registration team because of pronouncements or threats
made by some APRC stalwarts, to that effect. Hence when I
heard that the members of the team are under detention because of
allegations of registration malpractices it became clear to me that the
very Independence of the IEC is under attack. 
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ZIMBABWE:Two journalists detained, later released after paying fines!!!
Friday, July 21, 2006 (124 reads)
Reporters Without Borders
Press Release
20 July 2006
----------------------------------------
ZIMBABWE
Two reporters arrested while covering Harare
demonstration
Reporters Without Borders today condemned
the arrests of Ndamu Sandu of the independent weekly The
Standard and freelancer Godwin Mangudya while covering a
demonstration by about 70 people yesterday in Harare to demand better
municipal services and to protest against a city council decision
raising the price of water by 1,000 per cent.
Seventeen members of the Combined Harare Residents Association, which
organised the protest, were also detained by the police."We demand the immediate release of the detained journalists and
demonstrators, Reporters Without Borders said. In 2001, the government
adopted the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act
(AIPPA), allowing it to legally gag the press. Today, two journalists
are being held without justification and without being allowed visits
by their lawyers. We firmly condemn these practices and point out that
President Robert Mugabe is on our list of the world's 38 leading
press freedom predators."
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BURKINA FASO: CPJ condemns dropped charges in Zongo case
Friday, July 21, 2006 (138 reads)
BURKINA
FASO: CPJ condemns dropped charges in
Zongo case
New York, July 20, 2006—The Committee to Protect
Journalists is outraged by the decision of a judge in Burkina Faso to drop
charges against the only suspect in the 1998 murder of a journalist probing
criminal allegations against the president’s family.
Prosecutors said yesterday an examining magistrate had
granted their request to drop the case against a member of the presidential
guard indicted in the killing of Norbert Zongo, editor of the weekly
L’Indépendant in the capital Ouagadougou.
They said examining magistrate Wenceslas Ilboudo had dismissed charges against
Warrant Officer Marcel Kafando, a member of the Presidential Guard Regiment,
for lack of evidence. An independent commission of inquiry concluded in May
1999 that Kafando was one of six “serious suspects” in the murder.
“It is alarming that despite an independent commission
and eight years of investigation, the authorities have dropped the
indictment,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. “If the Zongo
case is shelved, it will send a terrible signal of impunity to the killers of
journalists, and Zongo’s murder will continue to cast a shadow over the
country’s independent press.”
The bullet-ridden bodies of Zongo and three other men were
found in Zongo’s burned-out vehicle on December 13, 1998, some 50 miles
(80 kilometers) outside Ouagadougou.
Before his death, Zongo was investigating allegations that François Compaoré,
brother and special advisor to President Blaise Compaoré, took part in the
January 1998 torture and killing of his driver, David Ouedraogo. The chauffeur
was suspected of stealing 20 million CFA francs (then US$27,000) from Compaoré.
Kafando was charged with Zongo’s murder in 2001.
However, prosecutors asked for the charge to be dropped after their main
witness expressed doubts in May 2006 about his previous testimony, according to
news reports.
Press freedom and human rights activists expressed outrage
at the decision, while the lawyer for Zongo’s family, Benewendé Sankara,
said he would appeal. Sankara told CPJ he thought the decision meant that
“the judicial system is not independent in this country.”
“We are in shock, everyone is astonished and
angry,” Liermé Somé, editor of L’Indépendant told CPJ. “For
the last eight years, not a week has gone by without us writing about this
case. It is absolutely vital that light be shed on it.”
CPJ is a New York–based,
independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom
worldwide. For more information, visit www.cpj.org.
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As the Presidential elections get closer Gambian farmers still not paid for their sold nuts-NRP'S Hamat Bah unveils-As he accuses Jammeh of neglecting farmers!!!
Thursday, July 20, 2006 (287 reads)
As
Presidential elections get closer Gambian farmers still not paid for
their sold nuts-NRP'S Hamat Bah unveils-Bah paint tales of
hopelessness,frustrations,hunger and uncertainty gripping Gambian
farmers!!!
By Pa Nderry M'Bai
  National
Reconciliation Party leader Hamat Bah, has unveiled that Gambian
farmers are currently living in misery and hopelessness, as they are
yet to be paid for their sold nuts. Bah who just concluded a US tour, was
speaking with the Gambia Post Radio in an exclusive interview. The
vocal politician who recently forged an alliance with Gambia's biggest
opposition group, the United Democratic Party says farmers who sold
their produce since last year December are yet to be paid for their
hard earned produce.Mr.Bah, who appeared confident while on Gambia Post
online radio and television charged that the Jammeh government could
not provide seed nuts for the suffering farming community, most of whom
he said are finding live very difficult these days.According to
the former Upper Saloum Parliamentarian, there is no indication as of
now to suggest that these farmers will get seed nuts this time around,
as the government is yet to meet their farming needs. Bah,a onetime
Presidential aspirant for the NRP party said most farmers can hardly
afford three square meal a day. He lambasted the government for the
current plight the Gambian farmers had found themselves.
Bah takes issue with Jammeh-as he decry farmers plight
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Breaking News:Detained IEC officials released-Aziz Tamba says electoral officials should listen to him!!!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 (457 reads)
The three staffers of the Independent Electoral Commission,Amie
Jarju,Modou Jaw and Bamba Drammeh, who were arrested and detained by
the NIA, following a row at the Sinchu voter registration allegedly
caused by Aziz Tamba, a close relative of Gambia's President Yahya
Jammeh, has been released on Wednesday, the Freedom Newspaper can
authoritatively report. The three who were held since on
Monday were released without any charges brought against them. It is
not yet clear if they were still on the payroll of the IEC, but what is
clear is that the two were harassed by the NIA and Aziz Tamba. Tamba is
not an official of the Gambian government, but he openly threatened
public servants and opponents with sack and imprisonment.
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Editorial:Gambia,12 years no development,no peace-Jammeh's July 22ND "rebellion" brought nightmares and failures!!!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 (419 reads)
Editorial:Gambia,12 years no development,no peace-
Jammeh's July 22ND "rebellion" brought nightmares and failure!!!
EDITORIAL
In
few days time, the Ruling Alliance For Patriotic , Reorientation and
Construction Party (APRC) under the leadership of Gambia's iron hand
dictator President Yahya Jammeh will celebrate its failed 12 years rule.Surprisingly,nothing much is heard about this year's July 22ND
anniversary. It appears that the celebrations will be a low key affair,
as Jammeh is on his last days in office. The regime has nothing to
celebrate as a matter of fact. It should use this year's failed
revolution to prepare for the safe departure of Jammeh, as change of
political leadership is certain and inevitable.Gambians will
live to remember Jammeh's so called revolution which no doubt brought
economic and political uncertainties in the impoverished West African
country.
Pa Nderry M'Bai,Freedom Newspaper,Managing
Editor/Cum publisher-Editor M'Bai predicts gloomy
Gambia under Jammeh's watch!!!
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EVENTS BEHIND THE CURTAIN: THE SECOND GAMBIAN REPUBLIC
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 (445 reads)
EVENTS BEHIND THE CURTAIN: THE SECOND GAMBIAN REPUBLIC
BY BINNEH S MINTEH
STAFF WRITER
Since the coup that
brought the current regime to power in 1994, many were hopeful that it
was a positive and constructive change that will shape the destiny of
the smiling coast of West Africa (The Gambia)
and her beautiful people. Citizens took to the streets and mass rallies
in support of the tiny “soldiers with a difference”. Former President
Jawara’s days as not only one of the best African leaders, but world
leader ended in a betray by the whole country, including some of his
close confidants. To my wide readership, it does not exclude even this
writer because it all happen during my hay days as a young lieutenant
who contributed to the coup in one way or the other. Although
indirectly involved because could not help it, I do acknowledge the
fact that it was one big crime ever committed against my dearest
motherland. Like many other Gambians we are all learning from that
mistake and shall ever live to regret that unfortunate situation.
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OJ Jallow Common Wealth Expert for Presidential election in Seychelles
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 (315 reads)
Commonwealth Experts for Seychelles Presidential Election 19 July 2006 Commonwealth
experts appointed by Secretary-General Don McKinnon to be present for
the Presidential Election in the Seychelles will begin work on
Thursday, 20 July 2006. The experts are: Mr O J Jallow
Acting Secretary-General & Party
Leader, People's Progress Party
The Gambia Ms Linnette
Vassell
Community development & gender specialist &
Chair, Women's Resource Centre
Jamaica Mr Mooroogessen Veerasamy PDSM
Principal Electoral Officer
Mauritius
The Team will be assisted by two members of staff from the Commonwealth Secretariat, Mr Martin Kasirye and Ms Sabhita Raju.The
experts will be briefed by the Electoral Commissioner, representatives
of political parties, civil society organisations, Commonwealth
diplomats and other election observers. They will observe preparations
for the Presidential Election; the polling, counting and results
processes; and the overall electoral environment. The
decision to send the Commonwealth Expert Team follows an invitation
from the Electoral Commissioner. The Secretary-General sent members of
staff for the 2001 Presidential Election. A Commonwealth Observer Group
was present for the Presidential and National Assembly Elections
(organised jointly with the Organisation Internationale de la
Francophonie) in March 1998. Observer Groups were also sent to the
Presidential and National Assembly Elections of July 1993 and to both
the Elections to the Constitutional Commission and the Referendum on
the draft Constitution in 1992. Note to Editors Members
of the Expert Team will remain in the Seychelles until 5 August 2006.
Their report will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General,
who will in turn send it to the Government of the Seychelles, the
Electoral Commissioner, the political parties and all Commonwealth
governments. The report will then be made public. Members of the Expert
Team have been invited in their individual capacities and the views
they express regarding the elections will be their own and not those
either of their respective Governments or of the Commonwealth
Secretariat. For media enquiries please contact Martin Kasirye on +248
559574. Sent by:- Abdoukarim Sanneh Contact Information General:
Commonwealth Secretariat,
Marlborough House, Pall Mall,
London SW1Y 5HX, UK
Phone: +44 (0)20 7747 6500
Fax: +44 (0)20 7930 0827
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Anger at Gambia poll head sacking-Halfa Sallah says Chairman's sacking will create more uncertainty!!!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 (384 reads)
SOURCE:BBC NETWORK AFRICA
Anger at Gambia poll head sacking
President Jammeh took power in a coup and won elections in 2001
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The Gambia's opposition has criticised the government's decision to sack the independent electoral commission head.
No reason has been given for the dismissal, weeks before elections.
Opposition leader Halifa Sallah told the BBC that the
move confirmed what he called the commission's lack of independence and
impartiality.
Tension has been rising ahead of September's polls in which President Yahya Jammeh is seeking to extend his 12 years in power.
The sacking of Ndondi Njai comes in the wake of heavy
criticism of the election process by the opposition National Alliance
for Democracy and Development (Nadd).
But Nadd leader Mr Sallah said the president should not
have the power to intervene in the electoral commission "and remove
them at will".
"Clearly it is creating more uncertainty and at this
particular stage we believe the electoral officers will become more
frightened," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
"This clearly undermines the spirit of the independence and impartiality of the independent electoral commission."
President Jammeh seized power in a 1994 coup and won a second term in 2001.
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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO -Radio reporter imprisoned in Bandundu province at governor's behest
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 (258 reads)
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
-
Radio reporter imprisoned in Bandundu province
at governor's behest
Reporters Without Borders today condemned
another case of a provincial official abusing his authority to have a
journalist arrested, this time in the western province of Bandundu
where Olivier Komfie Mabwava, the local correspondent of
Digital Congo FM, a privately-owned Kinshasa radio station that
supports President Joseph Kabila, was arrested at the governor's
behest."Mabwava is the third radio journalist in a month to fall victim to
the anger of local officials," the press freedom organisation said.
"As the elections get nearer, the authorities seem to be getting
more touchy about journalists who dare to use their right to freedom
of _expression and information. Mabwava is being held illegally. He
must be freed at once, without any charges being brought against
him."
 
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