"Nigerians resident in the Gambia on Friday joined their compatriots around the world to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of their country's independence. Ms Esther John Audu, the Nigerian High Commissioner in The Gambia, in a speech described the day as 'very significant' in that it reminds Nigerians of when the y were left to stand on their own as a nation. She said: 'It was a challenge ... since then, we have been going through our kind of turbulence, teething problems and all that, and today we are where we are.'
The chief Nigerian diplomat in The Gambia highlighted the numerous achievements registered by her country over the past half a century.
Ms Audu said the Federal Government of Nigeria had achieved tremendous socio-economic and political developments and advancement over the past 50 years, underscoring that improvements had been made in many sectors like health, education, inf r astructure and agriculture among others.
'The type of roads we had at that time is not what we have today. Most of the roads that are being built today are dual carriage roads. I was a witness to the building of the Murtala Muhammed Bridge and the third Mainland Bridge. These are infrastructures that were never there before,' she said.
The High Commissioner also enumerated gains in the economic sector indicating that the country produces and manufactures items that are needed by her citizens.
She said The Gambia had remained one of Nigeria's closest allies in the sub-region and this was reflected by the high level of contact between the two countries.
She added that over the years business and investment activities have increased considerably between the two countries and these have contributed to better understanding between Banjul and Abuja."
http://www.gambianow.com/news/General/-Nigerians-in-Gambia-mark-Golden-Jubilee.html
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lundi 17 janvier 2011
"Gambia News : Detention Without Trial or Disappearance Without Trace"
"We have now entered the tenth month of the year 2010 and some Gambian families still continue to puzzle over the continuous detention and disappearance of their family heads and love ones who were picked up by State Security Agents years ago on board numberless vehicles.
Mrs. Masireh (Marcie) Jammeh, Mr Haruna Jammeh, are both from Kanilai. The family of Masireh and Haruna Jammeh said their family heads were taken away on 14th July 2005 by known State Security Agents in their presence and since then they never set their eyes on them or heard of their whereabouts.
Mr. Jasarja( Sarja) Kujabi, a native of Foni Dobong went missing since in the summer of 2005.. Jasarja's family said he was arrested by three NIA agents (whom they know) while he was working on his farm. They said that he was escorted to his home to change his farming clothes and was later taken away. The family said they have moved heaven and earth with a view to getting information about him, but to no avail. The family of Prison warden, Corporal Alfusainey Jammeh said he was stationed as guard at the compound of the former Director General of The Gambia Prisons Service Mr. David Colley for some time. They said he was called to report to Police Headquarters in Banjul. The family said he later called to inform them that he was detained, but did not give any reason for his detention. Alfusainey is detained at the maximum security wing at Mile Two Prison.
The ex- District Chief of Foni Kansala, Alagie Momodou Lamin Nyassi and his two close associates, Alagie Buba Sanyang (alias Bubai Sanyang) and Ndongo Mboob, all natives of Foni Bwiam, went missing on the same day. Their families said the three friends were picked up by men in plain clothes on board a numberless white pickup vehicle on the evening of 4 April 2006 as the trio was just from visiting each other. The families said since then they have never heard of or traced their whereabouts, even though they tried all avenues accessible to them.
Journalist Ebrima Manneh (alias Chief Manneh), a State House reporter for the Daily Observer newspaper went missing since 7th July 2006. His family said he left for work on that day and never return home. The father said he approached the authorities and influential personalities within the country for them to intervene to help in the search of his son but his efforts did not yield any fruits. He said he has visited all the known prisons and almost all the police stations across the country in search of his lost son but the authorities never allowed him access to some of security installations.
His colleagues at work said he was picked up by a man in plain clothes believed to be an NIA agent from Bakau Police Station. They said he was later seen on board a white car from Bakau police heading towards Banjul and never return to work.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) took the matter to the Regional Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja for The Gambia government to release him. The Gambian authorities never appeared before the Court even though the Court made it known that they were served with summon of the suit filed against them. The Gambia government failed to appear in any of the sittings, and the panel of judges ruled in favour of the plaintiff and asked the Banjul authorities to release Journalist Manneh and compensate him an amount of US 100,000. The Gambia government kept mute about the matter until after eight months, and then they made an official comment that journalist Manneh has never been in their custody.
Mr. Kanyiba Kanyi, an employee of the Christian Children Fund (CCF) believed to be an opposition sympathizer, went missing since 18th September 2006. His family said he was arrested by men in plain clothes on board a cab at his house in Bonto village in Kombo East while they looked on. They said his junior brother was also later arrested on the same evening and detained over night at the Serious Crime Unit at Police Headquarters in Banjul.
His family said they took Lawyer Ousainou Darboe who filed a "Habeas Corpus" at the High Court for the State to produce him but to no avail. They said the matter has been in Court for almost four years and nothing progressive is coming forth. They added that they do not even know where the case stands as at now. Mr. Abdoulie Njie and Alieu Lowe, both residents of Fagi Kunda were arrested since after the 21 march 2006 abortive coup plot. Their families said they are currently detained at the Mile Two Central prison. Their families said they never heard of any charges against them. They said they are allowed to access them.
Mr. Ebou Jarju, a former Steward at State House, who was first arrested on 20th March 2008, in the presence of his family was held at Banjul Police station up to 11 January 2009, when he was released without any charges only to be re-arrested a week later. His family said he is currently held at the Mile Two Central Prison. They said they could not have access to him since then.
"
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Detention-Without-Trial-or-Disappearance-Without-Trace.html
Mrs. Masireh (Marcie) Jammeh, Mr Haruna Jammeh, are both from Kanilai. The family of Masireh and Haruna Jammeh said their family heads were taken away on 14th July 2005 by known State Security Agents in their presence and since then they never set their eyes on them or heard of their whereabouts.
Mr. Jasarja( Sarja) Kujabi, a native of Foni Dobong went missing since in the summer of 2005.. Jasarja's family said he was arrested by three NIA agents (whom they know) while he was working on his farm. They said that he was escorted to his home to change his farming clothes and was later taken away. The family said they have moved heaven and earth with a view to getting information about him, but to no avail. The family of Prison warden, Corporal Alfusainey Jammeh said he was stationed as guard at the compound of the former Director General of The Gambia Prisons Service Mr. David Colley for some time. They said he was called to report to Police Headquarters in Banjul. The family said he later called to inform them that he was detained, but did not give any reason for his detention. Alfusainey is detained at the maximum security wing at Mile Two Prison.
The ex- District Chief of Foni Kansala, Alagie Momodou Lamin Nyassi and his two close associates, Alagie Buba Sanyang (alias Bubai Sanyang) and Ndongo Mboob, all natives of Foni Bwiam, went missing on the same day. Their families said the three friends were picked up by men in plain clothes on board a numberless white pickup vehicle on the evening of 4 April 2006 as the trio was just from visiting each other. The families said since then they have never heard of or traced their whereabouts, even though they tried all avenues accessible to them.
Journalist Ebrima Manneh (alias Chief Manneh), a State House reporter for the Daily Observer newspaper went missing since 7th July 2006. His family said he left for work on that day and never return home. The father said he approached the authorities and influential personalities within the country for them to intervene to help in the search of his son but his efforts did not yield any fruits. He said he has visited all the known prisons and almost all the police stations across the country in search of his lost son but the authorities never allowed him access to some of security installations.
His colleagues at work said he was picked up by a man in plain clothes believed to be an NIA agent from Bakau Police Station. They said he was later seen on board a white car from Bakau police heading towards Banjul and never return to work.
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) took the matter to the Regional Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Abuja for The Gambia government to release him. The Gambian authorities never appeared before the Court even though the Court made it known that they were served with summon of the suit filed against them. The Gambia government failed to appear in any of the sittings, and the panel of judges ruled in favour of the plaintiff and asked the Banjul authorities to release Journalist Manneh and compensate him an amount of US 100,000. The Gambia government kept mute about the matter until after eight months, and then they made an official comment that journalist Manneh has never been in their custody.
Mr. Kanyiba Kanyi, an employee of the Christian Children Fund (CCF) believed to be an opposition sympathizer, went missing since 18th September 2006. His family said he was arrested by men in plain clothes on board a cab at his house in Bonto village in Kombo East while they looked on. They said his junior brother was also later arrested on the same evening and detained over night at the Serious Crime Unit at Police Headquarters in Banjul.
His family said they took Lawyer Ousainou Darboe who filed a "Habeas Corpus" at the High Court for the State to produce him but to no avail. They said the matter has been in Court for almost four years and nothing progressive is coming forth. They added that they do not even know where the case stands as at now. Mr. Abdoulie Njie and Alieu Lowe, both residents of Fagi Kunda were arrested since after the 21 march 2006 abortive coup plot. Their families said they are currently detained at the Mile Two Central prison. Their families said they never heard of any charges against them. They said they are allowed to access them.
Mr. Ebou Jarju, a former Steward at State House, who was first arrested on 20th March 2008, in the presence of his family was held at Banjul Police station up to 11 January 2009, when he was released without any charges only to be re-arrested a week later. His family said he is currently held at the Mile Two Central Prison. They said they could not have access to him since then.
"
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Detention-Without-Trial-or-Disappearance-Without-Trace.html
"Gambia News : Gambian president takes 21 year old Alima Sallah as second wife"
"Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has taken a 21-year-old diplomat's daughter as a second wife, following months of speculation about a potential new marriage, the presidency said on Sunday.
The Muslim leader of the small west African country, who is 45, has two children with his other wife, Zineb Yahya Jammeh.
Jammeh married Zineb, a Moroccan, in 1999 following a divorce from his first wife.
Jammeh's new wife, Gambian national Alima Sallah, will be formally known as Lady Alima Yahya Jammeh.
"She is not to be addressed as the First Lady because according to protocol, there can only be one First Lady, and in this case, that is Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh," the presidency said in a statement.
Jammeh has ruled Gambia for 16 years, and plans to seek a fourth term in 2011 presidential elections.
"
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Gambian-president-takes-21-year-old-Alima-Sallah-as-second-wife.html
The Muslim leader of the small west African country, who is 45, has two children with his other wife, Zineb Yahya Jammeh.
Jammeh married Zineb, a Moroccan, in 1999 following a divorce from his first wife.
Jammeh's new wife, Gambian national Alima Sallah, will be formally known as Lady Alima Yahya Jammeh.
"She is not to be addressed as the First Lady because according to protocol, there can only be one First Lady, and in this case, that is Madam Zineb Yahya Jammeh," the presidency said in a statement.
Jammeh has ruled Gambia for 16 years, and plans to seek a fourth term in 2011 presidential elections.
"
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Gambian-president-takes-21-year-old-Alima-Sallah-as-second-wife.html
"Gambia News : 'Grenade' explodes in yundum, kills a 10 year old boy"
"Residents of New Yundum in Kombo North, Western Region were on Tuesday evening thrown into panic when a suspected grenade device exploded in the hands of a 10-year-old boy (name withheld), resulting to his instant death.
This sad incident happened at around 5PM.
Narrating the incident to this reporter who arrived at the scene shortly after the explosion, Yassin Trawalley, the mother of the deceased said he was on his way from school -St Peters Primary School in Lamin, when he found and picked up the said device that looked like a bottle. She said the boy's elder sister told her [the mother] that she saw the device with the boy, but thought it was a normal small bottle and made no attempt to take it from him.
According to the mother, when the little boy arrived at home, she served him his lunch and later asked him to go and attend his normal evening Arabic classes. She continued: "So when he returned from the Arabic classes, I heard him talking and I asked him whether they have closed and he replied in the affirmative. I then asked him to go and take bath. In the process of him preparing to get to the bath room to take bath, I heard an explosion. I then rushed out of my house and saw the body scattered into pieces."
The sound of the explosion could be heard almost a kilometre away.
Some of the security officers who later visited the scene could not say exactly what the exploded device was. Some suggested it was a grenade while others said it was a bomb. Meanwhile, the recovered parts of the body have been taken to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul.
"
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Grenade-explodes-in-yundum-kills-a-10-year-old-boy.html
This sad incident happened at around 5PM.
Narrating the incident to this reporter who arrived at the scene shortly after the explosion, Yassin Trawalley, the mother of the deceased said he was on his way from school -St Peters Primary School in Lamin, when he found and picked up the said device that looked like a bottle. She said the boy's elder sister told her [the mother] that she saw the device with the boy, but thought it was a normal small bottle and made no attempt to take it from him.
According to the mother, when the little boy arrived at home, she served him his lunch and later asked him to go and attend his normal evening Arabic classes. She continued: "So when he returned from the Arabic classes, I heard him talking and I asked him whether they have closed and he replied in the affirmative. I then asked him to go and take bath. In the process of him preparing to get to the bath room to take bath, I heard an explosion. I then rushed out of my house and saw the body scattered into pieces."
The sound of the explosion could be heard almost a kilometre away.
Some of the security officers who later visited the scene could not say exactly what the exploded device was. Some suggested it was a grenade while others said it was a bomb. Meanwhile, the recovered parts of the body have been taken to the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul.
"
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Grenade-explodes-in-yundum-kills-a-10-year-old-boy.html
"Gambia News : Gambia's state prosecutors undergo training to enhance performance"
"Gambia's Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Edward Anthony Gomez, has said that no society can move properly forward without justice because justice delivery was of paramount importance in nation building.
'The legal profession requires continuous learning and the law also changes to keep abreast with the society,' he told a cross section of state prosecutors at the opening of a training workshop, organized by the Legal Capacity Building Programme (LCBP) Phase 2 with funding from the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DfID).
According to Justice Gomez, the training, on Monday is Banjul, the Gambian capital, is meant to enhance and improve the knowledge of state counsels as their profession requires continuous learning.
He hailed the efforts of the LCBP and the DfID as good partners with the Ministry of Justice, stressing that the prosecutors should be able to improve on their performance after the workshop.
'Make the best use of the training you are getting toay,' Gomez also told the prosecutors, adding that 'with such trainings giants strides have been made and will continue to be made in Gambia's justice delivery system.'
Sanna Dahaba, the project co-ordinator of the LCBP Phase 2, said the training was very important to the Gambian judiciary as the trainees were deeply involved in the profession.
Dahaba pledged that the LCBP would continue to do more to meet the demands of the Justice ministry.
The training brought together senior state counsels, the Chief Justice as a resource person, and the Solicitor General and Legal Secretary."
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Gambias-state-prosecutors-undergo-training-to-enhance-performanc.html
'The legal profession requires continuous learning and the law also changes to keep abreast with the society,' he told a cross section of state prosecutors at the opening of a training workshop, organized by the Legal Capacity Building Programme (LCBP) Phase 2 with funding from the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DfID).
According to Justice Gomez, the training, on Monday is Banjul, the Gambian capital, is meant to enhance and improve the knowledge of state counsels as their profession requires continuous learning.
He hailed the efforts of the LCBP and the DfID as good partners with the Ministry of Justice, stressing that the prosecutors should be able to improve on their performance after the workshop.
'Make the best use of the training you are getting toay,' Gomez also told the prosecutors, adding that 'with such trainings giants strides have been made and will continue to be made in Gambia's justice delivery system.'
Sanna Dahaba, the project co-ordinator of the LCBP Phase 2, said the training was very important to the Gambian judiciary as the trainees were deeply involved in the profession.
Dahaba pledged that the LCBP would continue to do more to meet the demands of the Justice ministry.
The training brought together senior state counsels, the Chief Justice as a resource person, and the Solicitor General and Legal Secretary."
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Gambias-state-prosecutors-undergo-training-to-enhance-performanc.html
"Gambia News : Carnegie minerals dragged to Court"
"
One Alagie Kutubo Jakali Touray has dragged Carnegie Minerals Gambia Limited before Magistrate FL Drammeh of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court claiming the sum of US$5,500 being arrears of rent outstanding from 15th December 2009.
The plaintiff has also claimed possession interest at the rate of 15% per annum and profits at the rate of US$458 per month from 15th December 2009 and costs.
Touray claimed that he is and was at all material times a businessman and the defendant was a company carrying out the business of mining of minerals and other raw materials.
He further stated in his claim that by a tenancy agreement dated 27th October 2006, he agreed to let out his property at 54 Kairaba Avenueto the defendant for a yearly tenancy from 15th December 2006 at a yearly rent of US$5,500 payable in advance.
to the defendant for a yearly tenancy from 15th December 2006 at a yearly rent of US$5,500 payable in advance.
The particulars of claim of the plaintiff further indicated that the defendant was under an investigation by the government and it has ceased all operations and, eventually, its business was closed down.
Touray also stated in his claim that the defendant has failed and or refused to pay the rent due and has also failed to give up vacant possession of the property, which is presently locked. He further claimed that as at the date, the rent outstanding is US$5,500 and the defendant still has the keys to the property.
The defendant was not present in court, while the plaintiff was represented by his counsel."
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Carnegie-minerals-dragged-to-Court.html
One Alagie Kutubo Jakali Touray has dragged Carnegie Minerals Gambia Limited before Magistrate FL Drammeh of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court claiming the sum of US$5,500 being arrears of rent outstanding from 15th December 2009.
The plaintiff has also claimed possession interest at the rate of 15% per annum and profits at the rate of US$458 per month from 15th December 2009 and costs.
Touray claimed that he is and was at all material times a businessman and the defendant was a company carrying out the business of mining of minerals and other raw materials.
He further stated in his claim that by a tenancy agreement dated 27th October 2006, he agreed to let out his property at 54 Kairaba Avenueto the defendant for a yearly tenancy from 15th December 2006 at a yearly rent of US$5,500 payable in advance.
to the defendant for a yearly tenancy from 15th December 2006 at a yearly rent of US$5,500 payable in advance.
The particulars of claim of the plaintiff further indicated that the defendant was under an investigation by the government and it has ceased all operations and, eventually, its business was closed down.
Touray also stated in his claim that the defendant has failed and or refused to pay the rent due and has also failed to give up vacant possession of the property, which is presently locked. He further claimed that as at the date, the rent outstanding is US$5,500 and the defendant still has the keys to the property.
The defendant was not present in court, while the plaintiff was represented by his counsel."
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Carnegie-minerals-dragged-to-Court.html
"Gambia News : Jammeh 'award' coverage reflects chill in Gambian press"
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gambia
"President Jammeh bags 4 awards," trumpeted a September 17 headline of the Daily Observer, a pro-government newspaper in the Gambia, a West African nation whose idyllic façade as "the smiling coast of Africa" is maintained in part by President Yahyah Jammeh's brutal repression of the independent press.
Under the headline, Observer reported that "two of the awards with an accompanying letter came from the president of the United States of America, Barrack [sic] Obama, who commended the Gambian leader for the accolade, and also commended him 'for helping to address the most pressing needs' in his community." The Gambia State House's website similarly reported: "In a letter accompanying his two awards, the U.S. President Barrack [sic] Obama described President Jammeh as an inspirational leader and thanked him for his exemplary dedication, determination, and perseverance for the development of the Gambia as well as the advancement of humanity at large." The story quickly spread over the Internet, reaching the circulation of the widely read, Washington, D.C.-based news aggregator AllAfrica.
The claims are false. Regarding "your query asking for confirmation of Gambian reporting on the Gambian president receiving awards and a letter from President Obama," White House National Security Council spokesman Bob Jensen wrote in an e-mail to CPJ: "Those reports are incorrect. The Gambian president did not receive what the media reports are claiming."
In fact, among the four announced awards, only one from the United States was undeniably real: a Nebraska Admiralship or award denoting Jammeh as an honorary admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. A tongue-in-cheek distinction from the Midwestern, landlocked state, "an 'admiralship' in the fictitious 'Navy' of Nebraska is meant to be a ceremonial acknowledgment of Nebraskans who have shown outstanding citizenship," noted Nebraska governor's office spokeswoman Jen Rae Hein in a statement to CPJ. "We regret that this individual has attempted to embellish a certificate for a Nebraska admiralship, claiming that it was a high honor bestowed upon him by the governor, when to the best of our knowledge, this person has no relationship with or ties to Nebraska." The spokeswoman further noted that the Nebraska governor's office routinely processes thousands of admiralship requests annually.
The Gambian State House website reported that three of the awards, including the Nebraska admiralship, were presented to President Jammeh in Banjul by an unnamed official from a Palermo, Sicily-based organization called the International Parliament for Safety and Peace. Its website states that it was founded in 1975 by an archbishop of the Cypriot Orthodox Church. The international parliament has been reportedly accused of providing credentials to educational institutions otherwise not accredited in their own nations, and of selling membership, titles and other distinctions for fees.
The fourth stated honor was an "Honorary Vocational Bachelor's Degree" bestowed upon Jammeh by the "Printers and Publishers Guild of Northern Germany," according to the Daily Observer. German authorities told CPJ they found no record of any such award; extensive Internet searches in English and German revealed no such guild or other organization with a similar name.
Speaking to CPJ on condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisals, a formerDaily Observer staffer, who worked at the newspaper in recent years, expressed no surprise at the credulous reporting of the awards. "If [the story] wasn't out in the paper, someone would be in Mile 2 [prison] today--the managing director or the editor." The person described a newsroom of fear: "You're terrified. Nobody wants to go that prison." One Observer reporter who may have suffered this fate is "Chief" Ebrima Manneh who has disappeared in government custody since National Intelligence Agency officialsseized him at the Observer office in July 2007. Despite repeated calls from U.S. senators, journalists, activists and a West African human rights court ruling, Gambian authorities have continued to deny their detention of Manneh. Former colleagues said Manneh was arrested after printing a critical BBC article about Jammeh.
Daily Observer columns consistently flatter Jammeh and refer to him as "His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh" in a cacophony of honorifics reminiscent of late Ugandan military ruler Idi Amin whose formal introduction was a recitation: "His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshall Al Hadj Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC., Lord of all the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda."
Yet it was not always so. The Daily Observer was once the standard-bearer of independent journalism in the Gambia. Launched in 1992 by Liberian editor Kenneth Best, the Observer was Gambia's first daily newspaper and was once its largest circulation publication. Best, who arrived in Gambia as a refugee following the burning of the offices of his original Liberian Observer during civil war in Liberia, told CPJ the paper started with a circulation of 3,000 and peaked with a certain July 1994 edition that sold up to 30,000 copies. "'Army coup in Gambia' was the headline," he recalled. "It was the first successful coup, and we told the whole story. We interviewed all the five lieutenants who staged coups."
One of those lieutenants was then known simply as Yahya Jammeh. "We sold 10,000 copies in 15 minutes," Best said. However, as Observer began scrutinizing the junta's handling of transition to civilian rule, the newspaper became a target of government repression. Barely three months after taking office, Jammeh's junta deported Best, who later sold the Observer to private businessman Amadou Samba.
That the handful of Gambian private newspapers has not challenged Jammeh's questionable award claims is indicative of the chill of self-censorship that has fallen on continental Africa's smallest republic. This is the result of years of repression, including a series of unsolved arson attacks on media outlets, the unsolved assassination of leading editor Deyda Hydara, ongoing arrests and Jammeh's periodic threats to the media.
Source : Frank Smyth with Mohamed Keita/CPJ Staff"
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Jammeh-award-coverage-reflects-chill-in-Gambian-press.html
gambia
"President Jammeh bags 4 awards," trumpeted a September 17 headline of the Daily Observer, a pro-government newspaper in the Gambia, a West African nation whose idyllic façade as "the smiling coast of Africa" is maintained in part by President Yahyah Jammeh's brutal repression of the independent press.
Under the headline, Observer reported that "two of the awards with an accompanying letter came from the president of the United States of America, Barrack [sic] Obama, who commended the Gambian leader for the accolade, and also commended him 'for helping to address the most pressing needs' in his community." The Gambia State House's website similarly reported: "In a letter accompanying his two awards, the U.S. President Barrack [sic] Obama described President Jammeh as an inspirational leader and thanked him for his exemplary dedication, determination, and perseverance for the development of the Gambia as well as the advancement of humanity at large." The story quickly spread over the Internet, reaching the circulation of the widely read, Washington, D.C.-based news aggregator AllAfrica.
The claims are false. Regarding "your query asking for confirmation of Gambian reporting on the Gambian president receiving awards and a letter from President Obama," White House National Security Council spokesman Bob Jensen wrote in an e-mail to CPJ: "Those reports are incorrect. The Gambian president did not receive what the media reports are claiming."
In fact, among the four announced awards, only one from the United States was undeniably real: a Nebraska Admiralship or award denoting Jammeh as an honorary admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. A tongue-in-cheek distinction from the Midwestern, landlocked state, "an 'admiralship' in the fictitious 'Navy' of Nebraska is meant to be a ceremonial acknowledgment of Nebraskans who have shown outstanding citizenship," noted Nebraska governor's office spokeswoman Jen Rae Hein in a statement to CPJ. "We regret that this individual has attempted to embellish a certificate for a Nebraska admiralship, claiming that it was a high honor bestowed upon him by the governor, when to the best of our knowledge, this person has no relationship with or ties to Nebraska." The spokeswoman further noted that the Nebraska governor's office routinely processes thousands of admiralship requests annually.
The Gambian State House website reported that three of the awards, including the Nebraska admiralship, were presented to President Jammeh in Banjul by an unnamed official from a Palermo, Sicily-based organization called the International Parliament for Safety and Peace. Its website states that it was founded in 1975 by an archbishop of the Cypriot Orthodox Church. The international parliament has been reportedly accused of providing credentials to educational institutions otherwise not accredited in their own nations, and of selling membership, titles and other distinctions for fees.
The fourth stated honor was an "Honorary Vocational Bachelor's Degree" bestowed upon Jammeh by the "Printers and Publishers Guild of Northern Germany," according to the Daily Observer. German authorities told CPJ they found no record of any such award; extensive Internet searches in English and German revealed no such guild or other organization with a similar name.
Speaking to CPJ on condition of anonymity for fear of government reprisals, a formerDaily Observer staffer, who worked at the newspaper in recent years, expressed no surprise at the credulous reporting of the awards. "If [the story] wasn't out in the paper, someone would be in Mile 2 [prison] today--the managing director or the editor." The person described a newsroom of fear: "You're terrified. Nobody wants to go that prison." One Observer reporter who may have suffered this fate is "Chief" Ebrima Manneh who has disappeared in government custody since National Intelligence Agency officialsseized him at the Observer office in July 2007. Despite repeated calls from U.S. senators, journalists, activists and a West African human rights court ruling, Gambian authorities have continued to deny their detention of Manneh. Former colleagues said Manneh was arrested after printing a critical BBC article about Jammeh.
Daily Observer columns consistently flatter Jammeh and refer to him as "His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh" in a cacophony of honorifics reminiscent of late Ugandan military ruler Idi Amin whose formal introduction was a recitation: "His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshall Al Hadj Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC., Lord of all the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda."
Yet it was not always so. The Daily Observer was once the standard-bearer of independent journalism in the Gambia. Launched in 1992 by Liberian editor Kenneth Best, the Observer was Gambia's first daily newspaper and was once its largest circulation publication. Best, who arrived in Gambia as a refugee following the burning of the offices of his original Liberian Observer during civil war in Liberia, told CPJ the paper started with a circulation of 3,000 and peaked with a certain July 1994 edition that sold up to 30,000 copies. "'Army coup in Gambia' was the headline," he recalled. "It was the first successful coup, and we told the whole story. We interviewed all the five lieutenants who staged coups."
One of those lieutenants was then known simply as Yahya Jammeh. "We sold 10,000 copies in 15 minutes," Best said. However, as Observer began scrutinizing the junta's handling of transition to civilian rule, the newspaper became a target of government repression. Barely three months after taking office, Jammeh's junta deported Best, who later sold the Observer to private businessman Amadou Samba.
That the handful of Gambian private newspapers has not challenged Jammeh's questionable award claims is indicative of the chill of self-censorship that has fallen on continental Africa's smallest republic. This is the result of years of repression, including a series of unsolved arson attacks on media outlets, the unsolved assassination of leading editor Deyda Hydara, ongoing arrests and Jammeh's periodic threats to the media.
Source : Frank Smyth with Mohamed Keita/CPJ Staff"
http://www.gambianow.com/news/News/Jammeh-award-coverage-reflects-chill-in-Gambian-press.html
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