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Momodou
Denmark
11512 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Jun 2021 : 21:58:49
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GAMBIA-L Digest 8
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Re: Follow up response to Prof Ndongo
by onjie@gemini.nlu.edu
2) Rules of the game ...
by Katim S. Touray <touray@hope.soils.wisc.edu>
3) Re: Rules of the game ...
by ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu>
4) Responses to the Senegambian Debate
by Oumar Ndongo <ondongo@benfranklin.hnet.uci.edu>
5) Forwarded mail from Malanding Jaiteh
by Katim S. Touray <touray@hope.soils.wisc.edu>
6) The Senegambia debate ...
by Katim S. Touray <touray@hope.soils.wisc.edu>
7) Re: Recruitment
by Sireh@aol.com
8) Warrant for Jawara
by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
9) Re: The Senegambia debate ...
by "Roddie L. Cole" <rcole@ced.berkeley.edu>
10) Re: Rules of the game ...
by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
11) CENSORSHIP . . . DANGEROUS SLIPPERY SLOPE. . .
by <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US>
12) Re: Recruitment
by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
13) Re: CENSORSHIP . . . DANGEROUS SLIPPERY SLOPE. . .
by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
14) WELCOME . . .
by <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US>
15) Re: WELCOME . . .
by Yaya Jallow <yj0001@jove.acs.unt.edu>
16) Re: WELCOME . . .
by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
17) west_gambia_80039894999.html
by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
18) 96C20023.html
by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
19) re: CENSORSHIP . . . DANGEROUS SLIPPERY SLOPE. . .
by SHAFTR@ucipm.ucdavis.edu
20) Re: WELCOME . . .
by Yaya Jallow <yj0001@jove.acs.unt.edu>
21) Re: west_gambia_80039894999.html
by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
22) best.html
by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
23) Re: CENSORSHIP . . . DANGEROUS SLIPPERY SLOPE. . .
by "Roddie L. Cole" <rcole@ced.berkeley.edu>
24) Re: CENSORSHIP . . . DANGEROUS S
by <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US>
25) 96C21038.html
by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
26) Forwarded message of Omar Njie
by "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
27) Re: Run or not to run
by Yaya Jallow <yj0001@jove.acs.unt.edu>
28) SKIN BLEACHING . . .
by <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US>
29) CONGRESS-IMMIGRATION_WRAP.
by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
30) error messages
by ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu>
31) Re: error messages
by Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sun, 17 Mar 96 23:24:17 WET
From: onjie@gemini.nlu.edu
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Follow up response to Prof Ndongo
Message-ID: <9603172324.AA22905@ gemini.nlu.edu >
Fellow brothers and sisters:
I agree with Tony and Roddie's advice of not engaging on an ethnic debate and flaming
war of words. One cannot totally dismiss the fact that ethnicity had a hand in the
dissolution of the confederation. I always argue that the confederation benefited only a
small chunk of Senegalese and Gambians. Most people form Gambia and Senegal never
realized any benefits form the union and this included people from all tribes.
To Tony and Roddie: I'm a serere and I can also speak the language. I will be more than
happy to teach you. .))
Omar.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 17 Mar 96 22:14:23 CST
From: Katim S. Touray <touray@hope.soils.wisc.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Rules of the game ...
Message-ID: <9603180414.AA07099@hope.soils.wisc.edu>
Hi folks,
i've just finished reading the postings sent in regarding Oumar Ndongos'
thoughts on the former Senegambia confederation. interesting stuff.
my focus though, at least for this, mail is the issue of how we
implement a key component of our lists' Charter, i can call it that. if
you recall, the welcome message that i drafted and sent to the list
specifically stated:
"Subscribers will be expected, and required to maintain a mature, and
responsible tone in the contributions they send to the list. Political
partisanship is definetly out. Further, slandering and libelling of people
will not be tolerated, and will result in immediate and permanent loss of
subscription."
unfortunately, the welcome message did not go further to stipulate how
to deal with incidents that it said would not be tolerated. as the
person responsible for drafting the message, i take full
responsibility for the oversight.
a consequence of that oversight was the debate we had last week, regarding
appropriate language, and its' use on other people. for the benefit of
those who joined the list *after* the debate transpired, let me bring you
up to speed (and i do apologize for bothering you with the details).
the incident was started when a subscriber to the list, in response to
a contribution about an employee of the AFPRC-led government in The
Gambia, called that employee a name that i thought was unfair (in the
sense that the person referred to, not being a subscriber would not
be able to respond), uncalled for, and language that had no place in
our discussions. the upshot was that the subscriber who used what i
thought was an offfending word replied to my objection saying that it
was he at least had a right to insult people who had offended him
gravely.
a couple of people wrote to say that we all should drop the matter
and get on with more important issues of debating other issues that
were being talked about. put simply, the call was to brush the
matter under the carpet.
like i said earlier, please accept my apologies for bringing up the
topic again, making myself sound like i'm playing the devils'
advocate. this is not the case. rather, i believe it is very
important that we deal with some of these issues (and there'll be
more of them) fairly, squarely, and with dispatch. anything less
would, in my opinion, mean compromising the quality and level-
headedness of discussions on this list.
further, i would like to say that the major advantage of e-mail based
discussions, anonymity, which promotes a level of honesty and
completeness in expressing one's opinions that would otherwise be
unattained, is also the major problem with the medium. that is,
the same reason that makes me my true feelings just because i'm
using e-mail, could also make me say nasty things i wouldn't say in
your presence. i think we forget sometimes that since we don't
know *everyone* on the list, we do not know who is older, and who
is younger than us. at least not necessarily. the point here is
that i would advice all of us to use caution and respect in our
choice of words on the list. not out of fear or anything, but out
of respect for the sensitivities of other subscribers.
having said that, let me propose a series of measures and rules we
can use, not to guard against the eventuality of the use of
offending language on the list, but to have set, and on-the-
record guidelines that will be there when we need them, as i'm
sure we will.
first, let me say that the following is but a draft, and if
anyone wants to add, or substract anything, let me know.
so, here we go:
-------------------- Start of GAMBIA-L RULES ---------------------------
PROPOSED RULES FOR DEALING WITH UNACCEPTABLE
BEHAVIOR/LANGUAGE ON GAMBIA-L
PREAMBLE:
The set of rules spelt out here are meant to promote a healthy
and responsible exchange of ideas on and about The Gambia, using
Gambia-l as a medium. The reputation of the mailing list, and it's
subscribers is a function of both individual and collective
behavior on the list, and proper use of language. In order to
ensure the continued existence of a healthy atmosphere for the
exchange of ideas, and dialogue, and in a manner that reflects
well on the subscribers of the list, a collective approach to
dealing with disciplinary issues will be adopted.
THE RULES:
1. Gambia-l shall not be used to further the political or
or other aspirations of any one person, or group of people, or
political party.
2. Gambia-l shall not be used by any subscriber or subscribers
to wage a campaign against any political party, organization,
individual or individuals.
3. Gambia-l shall not allow the propagation of rumors or other
unfounded allegations. Any person forwarding information of
dubious credentials to the list must explicitly say so.
4. Gambia-l shall encourage the dissemination of information and
ideas that will be of benefit to Gambians, The Gambia as a nation,
and humanity at large.
5. Gambia-l shall seek to actively help in any way possible, in
the transfer of technology in general, and information technology
in particular, to The Gambia in particular, and Africa in general.
6. Use of language considered extreme, insulting, or offensive
would not be tolerated on Gambia-l. The determination of what
language constitutes is unacceptable (extreme, insulting, or
offensive) shall be done, in a manner spelt out by the
procedures for censorship, and disciplinary action (listed
below).
7. Expulsions from the list are final, and revocable only with
the concurrence of the majority of subscribers.
8. Membership to the list is open to all who apply.
9. These rules are not retroactive.
10. All decisions will be based on a simple majority of votes
casted by subscribers.
11. All subscribers are eligible to vote, and each subscriber
has one vote.
12. No proxy votes are allowed.
13. All votes will be cast from e-mail addresses used to subscribe
to the list.
14. Expelled subscribers can apply to rejoin the list six months
after their expulsion.
15. A decision to re-admit expelled subscribers will be based on
votes cast by list subscribers, using the procedures and rules
stipulated for expelling subscribers.
PROCEDURES FOR INITIATING A MOTION TO EXPEL A SUBSCRIBER:
The following procedure shall be used to set in motion the
process to expel a subscriber or subscribers.
1. Any subscriber or subscribers can issue an objection to a
behavior or offensive use of language on the list. such an
objection will herein after be called a 'censor'.
2. A subscriber can censor another subscriber or other
subscribers by sending mail to the list stating the objection,
and referring to the offending posting (by date, and time, or
any other means to ascertain the identity of the offending
posting).
3. The censored subscriber must apologize within 5 working
days of being censored, or have the censor count toward the
total required to force a vote on his or her expulsion from
the list.
4. If a subscriber apologizes after a censor, the censor is
dropped from his or her record.
5. Each subscriber is allowed a maximum of three chances in
a calendar year to delete a censor from their record.
6. To guard agains against intolerance of mistakes and slips of tongue,
three censors are required to force a vote on expelling the offending
subscriber.
7. After three censors, the responsible subscription manager shall
notify the list, within five working days, of a call for votes on
the expulsion of the offending subscriber.
8. The rules for voting are spelled out in the list Rules, above.
9. The procedures for voting are as spelt out in the Voting
Procedures section, below.
VOTING PROCEDURES:
1. Each subscriber will send one vote by e-mail to a the
list.
2. The vote will consist of either one of three words in the body
of the mail. These words are: Yes, No, Abstain.
3. A 'Yes' vote will indicate a vote to expell the censored subscriber
from the list, or reinstate an expelled susbcriber.
4. A 'No' vote will indicate a vote to retain the censored subscriber from
the list, or reject reinstating an expelled subscriber.
5. An 'Abstain' vote is effectively neutral.
6. All votes will be tallied by a subscription manager designated by the
list owners.
7. The tallied votes, will be published, within five working dates on the
list using the following format:
Final Vote Count On the Motion to Expel: Subscriber Name
Yes No Abstain
------------- ---------------- ------------------
Subscriber1 Subscriber1 Subscriber1
Subscriber2 Subscriber2 Subscriber2
. . .
. . .
. . .
SubscriberN SubscriberN SubscriberN
------------- ---------------- ------------------
Total
============= ================ ===================
In the above template, Subscriber1, Subscriber2, etc. would be replaced by the
real names of list subscribers who voted. This way, any subscriber whose vote
was wrongly tallied can request a recount.
8. Requests for recount will be accepted up to five working days after the
votes counts are published. In the event of a recount, the clock will be
reset, that is, another five working days will be allowed to accept
requests for a recount.
9. A maximum of two recounts of votes will be permitted.
10. The censored subscriber or subscriber applying to rejoin the list will be
officially notified by the list owner of the results of vote.
11. If a simple majority of votes call for expulsion, the censored subscriber
will be expelled within five working days, or sooner, if the list owners so
choose.
12. The decision on an application by an expelled subscriber to rejoin the list
will be effective immediately when the votes are finalized, and a subscription
manager can then resubscribe the applicant to the list.
13. A copy of the expulsion notice to expelled subscribers will be sent to
the list.
------------------------------ End of GAMBIA-L RULES ------------------------
whew!!.
i'm outa here. have a great week everyone!
Katim
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 16:24:52 -0500 (EST)
From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Rules of the game ...
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.960318152614.11727C-100000@namaste.cc.columbia.edu>
Hi fellas,
I think Katim has come up with a smart idea. I however have
the following objections.
Before my objections, I think we should have an official
tabulator. A person who would count votes, ask people to vote on an
issue, and coordinate the "consensus". If we do not have such a person,
we will be endlessly debating endless issues. I would suggest one of
the new members . For example the person might ask us to vote on each
rule and then compile the accepted rules into the "cyberconsititution".
Try and imagine the alternative: each rule being objected to by a
different person! Choas, indecision.
Now for my objections:
1. Rule #8 " Membership to the list is open to all who apply."
This would compel us to give membership to people who would bombard us
with commercial messages and chain letters targeting emigre mailing
lists i.e. ("cheap calling plans, airtickets,etc). A lot of mailing
lists have this problem. Prospective memebrs should send us a letter
stating why they want to join and how we/they will benefit from their
membership. Just like Oumar did.
2. " . A subscriber can censor another subscriber or other >
subscribers by sending mail to the list stating the objection, > and
referring to the offending posting (by date, and time, or > any other
means to ascertain the identity of the offending > posting)." . This
has a great potential as a tool against "unpopular" members. Why should
**one** guy have the ability to censure another person ? I can just put
censure on all the people with whom I do not agree ! At the very least
a member should just be able to send to the tabulator a formal request
stating that he/she wants a motion to be put to the membership for a
vote. The passage of this motion would constitute a censure against a
member. Of course the request would be accompanied with reasons as to
why the motion for censure. If a majority votes for the motion, the
member would then be formally censured.
I am also worried about the danger of *appearing* to moderate
speech. This would have an effect of stifling speech and creating a
tense and apprenhensive environment: things that we deplore daily re
the AFPRC . While it would be ideal for members to be conscious of the
tone of their writings, we should not put any requirements on them.
I before we move on to any other business, we should resolve
the rules and we should start by having a tabulator (Oumar is the only
active member who does not have a formal function: if it is not a
burden, Oumar, I respectfully suggest that you shoulder this duty).
The tabulator would coordinate this debate/voting and all subsequent
like events.
Let's keep it rolling,
-Abdou.
/*
ps. Subscription managers:
Can you please add Yaya Jallow to the list. I have asked him
to send his intro. I hope he will send it tomorrow.
His email address is : yj0001@jove.acs.unt.edu
*/
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 14:34:03 -0800 (PST)
From: Oumar Ndongo <ondongo@benfranklin.hnet.uci.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Responses to the Senegambian Debate
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960318124151.16046A-100000@benfranklin.hnet.uci.edu>
Dear friends,
Thank you for your positive remarks. Thank you also for your
contributions with regard to the " AKU" issue.More than anything else i
see your contributions as genuinely honest seeking to clarify a point i
completely misread. How much of these misrepresentations we make goes into
shaping our beliefs and conducts? More important, how many objective
arguments were there when our officials decided to pull back?Any way,
thank you for clarifying this point to me.I find all the contributions
seriously gratifying.
This being said, i'd like to make a point after the dichotomy
Roddie saw in my appreciation of political issues and the dependence on
France. I want also to address a point as regards Katim's latest posting.
Roddie,I am glad to learn that you are a cousin., a Serrer.You
are right to say that i ground my views on popular culture just because i
am convinced that the world in which people live , relax in and have fun
in has a lot to teach us about ourselves.Your are also right to see a
dichotomy between that strong nationalist movement in the 80s and
problems as the one you mentioned(monetary dependence on France).I think
that movement resulted in a general conference called in 1981 on
Education and Training.A diagnosis of our educational system was made and
a cultural charter was also outlined for education to pursue goals in
accordance with our identified objectives among other things to replace
French with a national language. Which language to choose as a language
for instruction is still an issue,15 years after.However, two languages ,
as i personally see them ,underwent significant changes. One is French as
after it was no longer view as the language of the colonial master to
become a language of world communication, devoid of its cultural biases,
at least people no longer seemed to pay attention to that.The second is
Wolof.In our system, Wolof, Pulaar,Serrer, Soninke, Joola and Mandinka
are in equality, all national languages among 28 different languages
identified in Senegal.If by decree ,the government says that Wolof is the
national language of Senegal,you will have immediately riots in the
country.However Wolof is gaining ground substancially by being spoken by
71% when only 30% claim to be members of the ethnic group.But what is
interesting is that Wolof is disappearing as an ethnic group to become an
urban culture as opposed to the rural one.What i want to show is a sort
of status quo we have come to even if forces are at work to make things
happen this way or the other.Our dependence on France seems to come out
of realism.CFA was a strong currency even if this rested on illusions
which did not see that countries had no friends but
interests.Moreover,neighboring countries which tried were deluged with
problems(Mauritania, Mali, the Gambia, Guinea). Then i think there was no
real attempt to build a separate currency. Today, with devaluation that
movement exists but to cover a larger area,West Africa, for example. I
think in Senegal the idea that our countries are very small to be viable
as markets or finance centers is pretty much shared by many analysts.
Coming to Katim's rules,I agree with him, courtesy and moderate
language must be maintained as guiding principles.We are not discussing
to serve private interests. We speak because we think that what we say
can serve our countries.We are also intellectuals interpreting our
communities and actions of people who had contributed to their progress or
backwardness .We have to be critical if we want to be different and bring
in significant changes. Being critical does not mean doing without
decency and respect as Katim requires it.I may not understand Katim's
motivations,but i think if there were too many rules ,people would no
longer
say what they want to say for fear of suspension.I Think we are all
adults and can filter information we receive.We come to a consensus on
certain problems but
it must also be open to those who could feel different.Those voices which
at times will sound different will constitute the spice of our list.But
they don't have to compromise what the list is here for.If we succeed,by
persuasion,in making those who felt bitter differnt, we have achieved a
great deal.
Thanks
Oumar\Senegal.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 96 19:45:34 CST
From: Katim S. Touray <touray@hope.soils.wisc.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Forwarded mail from Malanding Jaiteh
Message-ID: <9603190145.AA07714@hope.soils.wisc.edu>
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Subject: Error Condition Re: RE: Rules of the game ...
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From: msjaiteh@oak.mtu.edu.mtu.edu (Malanding S. Jaiteh)
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: RE: Rules of the game ...
Cc: msjaiteh@mtu.edu
Reply-To: msjaiteh@mtu.edu
Date: Sun, 17 Mar 96 22:39:49 EST
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X-Mailer: PC-NFS Mailer
Katim, thanks for the good work. I just hope that we do not
get bogged down on regulating one another. Certainly, the
list needs to maintain credibility and non-partiship but i
believe that individual members are the ones who should be
reponsible for what they say. They should show restraint in
their criticisms of others. My fear is that by assuming a
regulatory role the list is indirectorily taking up
responsibility for what people say.
What if after a particular message passed (i would not say
approved but could mean that) and a particular party or
political movement finds it offensive, would the list
"stand-by" the subscription or would the subscriber remain
the responsible person?
In my view regulations would only institutionalize the
list. I believe it should not be seen as a club. Its only a
stage. We could remind speakers what may be offensive to us
and others who may not be present but we should not assume
regulatory role. That may give an impression of a club
which we are not.
This is only a personal view but i would be glad to hear
from others.
malanding
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 96 21:13:15 CST
From: Katim S. Touray <touray@hope.soils.wisc.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: The Senegambia debate ...
Message-ID: <9603190313.AA08241@hope.soils.wisc.edu>
Hi folks,
thanks for your ideas and suggestions regarding my proposals for
some rules for our list. i will, in the course, of the week put
together a reply to try to address some of the issues raised. for
now though, i'd like to turn my attention to some issues Oumar
touched on in is original posting on recent Senegambian relations.
to recap, i'll be quoting from the posting, so pardon the length
of the posting.
first off, a number of people have written to elaborate and even
throw new light on the role of Akus in the demise of the Senegambian
confederation. i won't dwell on that, since these contributors have
done as good a job on the issue as i ever could have hoped to.
what i find lack though, is a perspective on the nationalist sentiments
of Gambians. irrespective of whether you are dealing with a Wollof,
Jola, Serrer, or whatever, never forget that there is something called
a nationlistic sentiment in all of us. ofcourse, it's more deeply rooted
in some than in others. for those who take it seriously, like i consider
myself, my attitude to the Senegambian confederation has nothing to do
with my ethnicity. i'm Gambian, period. this means, that the dilution of
The Gambia's sovereignity the, even under the pretext of sub-regional unity,
of a people ethnically one, just won't fly.
i'm a Saloum Saloum, with close ties to Senegal, like every Gambian i know.
matter of fact, my Wollof background makes me sound Senegalese to a lot of
Gambians, and my anglophone education, and residency amongst the Banjul
Wollofs makes me sound to all Senegalese Gambian. and my nationalism has
always made me seeth at being quoted a price in CFA francs whenever i shopped
at the Trans-Gambia ferry crossing. the point i'm trying to make is that
if anyone was to use personal relationships, and historical ties as a reason
for strengthening, or initiating a Senegambi, it's me.
as i've mentioned time and time again on the this list, i absolutely have no
desire to follow the path of African unity. Cooperation yes, unity no.
further, i think this idea of The Gambia, Senegal, or any other African
country being unviable just because they are too small just won't wash. this
position plays directly into the hands of those who would like us to believe
that our problems, and poverty has all to do with our being disadvantaged right
from the get-go, rather than the products of irresponsible government, and
clear-thinking leadership.
the next issue, i'd like to touch on is Oumar's criticism of educational
policy in The Gambia. he said:
> If there are mistakes which i see in the Gambian approach to problems ,i
> will put them in four areas which Gambians neglected in their nation
> building process:
> -No higher education institutions, a blunder.Development needs people to
> think.
> -lack of initiatives in the administration except in tourism and trade
> which are sectors which wrecked the country and made it
> extraverted.
> -lack of armed forces:they are an important body in an organized
> state.
> -development of local languages.As working on American culture ,i see
> today that West Africa is of no great interest to the Americans, they are
> going to East or Southern Africa where languages are developed in
> addition to their colonial patrimony.
let's take these issues, briefly, one by one. while it is fair to
criticize the lack of higher educational institutions in The Gambia,
we must also acknowledge the fact that most African countries that at
Independence had universities everybody could envy have done no better
than The Gambia. look at Makere Univ. of Uganda, Sierra Leones' Fourah
Bay College, and Senegal's former Cite Universite. All these instutions,
and their products i may add, have essentially betrayed the aspirations of
the people the were supposed to serve. the fact of the matter is that most
of these African universities have mostly produced a crop of unemployed
graduates, with impeccable command of French or English (take your pick),
with an attitude, and tastes that have absolutely no relevance to the tasks
of nation building.
compare the African experience with that of the emerging South Asian
economic tigers. one major difference in educational policy in these
regions is that while Africa embarked on prestigious white-elephant
projects, the Asians concentrated on building a solid foundation for
their economic take-off: working on the work ethic, universal primary
education, the national languages (as in the case of Indonesia i believe),
building an entrepreneural class, and finally, working on a bureacratic
structure geared to fire the economic engine, and keep it on the right
track. i'm sure we all know a lot of Asians we speak and write better
English, or French than. but the British won't buy their computer disk
drives from us, the Americans won't buy their boomboxes from us, neither
would the French buy their cameras or cars from us. see, education alone
is not the answer. it's more like, what kind, and to what use was it put?
the second issue Oumar raised was the lack of a vibrant administrative
initiatives except in the tourism sector. in order not to dwell too much
on this, let me say that it derives from the poor-quality leadership we had.
in other words, the reason we had no dynamic and proactive educational
policy militated against formulating economic policies that promoted
enterprise and the entreneural spirit. when all is said and done, we
needed, and still need, a leadership that knows how the world works.
with regards to the need for an army, i would say that we should have a
cost-benefit analysis of the issue. in other words, we should have an
army whose cost is commensurate with the value what is being defended. thus,
an army in a Gambia with a per capita income of $350 (US) would cost less
than an army in a Gambia with a per capita income of $25,000 (close your
eyes and imagine the latter). ofcourse, we can say no matter how poor we
are, we should always spend a minimum percentage of our GNP on national
defense. call it the intercept, as it were, of the defense expenditure
national income curve. another way to look at it is as the minimum price
of our pride as a nation. the flip side is to impose a ceiling on the
proportion of the national income we spend on defense. without a ceiling
you can imagine national defense going up infinitely, and indefinetly with
the GNP. while it might sound like i'm belaboring the issue, please remember
that the very same debate continues to rage the world over. we might as
well start thinking about it now.
the issue of defense spending takes on not only economic implications, but
also social and moral ones, in our generally dirt-poor economies. questions
such as how many bags of rice, or fertilizer is an armored personnel carrier
(that's going to be used to put down a people united, and pissed off) is a
question often worth asking in Africa.
finally, Oumar raised the issue of the development of local languages. this
is a very interesting one. i've always maintained that what we need is a
clean sheet of paper, and a pencil. then we start listing item, by item,
what we want in the mind and mentality of, say, a Gambian, or a Senegalese.
after writing up our list, as you would before you go shopping, we would then
start defining what needs to be done (by the education system, the mass media,
parents, the cultural ambience, etc) to ensure that we raise offsprings who
are solidly rooted in their identity. as is immediately obvious, language, and
it's nurturing is just one aspect of this battle.
let me say at this point, that Senegal, with all her pride in the propagation
of the idea of Negritude, culture, and tradition, is essentially now losing
the struggle to Hollywood, and MTV. what's happened to Senegalese popular
culture, as well as The Gambia's in the last five to ten years is the almost
complete trading-in of an afffininity for France, and things French (to
a lesser extent, Britain for The Gambia), with a mentalite Americana that's
left every warm-blooded creater in Senegal living for America. a friend told
me that just being from the US is 'meyeh-bu-njeh-ka' (the first dowry payment
in Senegal). so, there you have it.
hey, i gotta go. obviously, i've muddied the waters, so i'll step back
and let you guys have a go at the issues raised.
have a great week everyone.
bye,
Katim
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 00:53:08 -0500
From: Sireh@aol.com
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Recruitment
Message-ID: <960319005307_355540778@emout08.mail.aol.com>
Hi Lang:
I can see you are a very busy cyber recruter. I am looking forward to
hearing from Sankung who will probably be our first active member in Gambia.
Peace!
Sarjo
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 09:42:54 -0500 (EST)
From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Warrant for Jawara
Message-ID: <01I2IO7BGZYA0003JG@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US>
Return-path: <>
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 23:38:25 -0500 (EST)
From: PMDF Mail Server <postmaster@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
Subject: Undeliverable mail: local delivery failure
To: AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us
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in%ajanneh@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US; Mon, 18 Mar 1996 23:38:16 -0500 (EST)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 23:38:16 -0500 (EST)
From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
Subject: 96C18087.html
To: in%ajanneh@pstcc.cc.tn.us
Message-id: <01I2I33G7IOY00018S@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US>
Organization: Pellissippi State Technical Community College
MIME-version: 1.0
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Panafrican News Agency
News Stories | Environment | Economics | Science and Health | Sports |
Africa Press Review
18 MAR 96 - GAMBIA-JUDICIARY
COURT ISSUES ARREST WARRANT FOR FORMER GAMBIAN PRESIDENT
BANJUL, Gambia (PANA) - The Banjul magistrate's court in The Gambia
has issued arrest warrants for ousted President Dawda Jawara and
business associate Jamil Sayeed Mohammed, the country's news agency
reported Monday.
It said both men are charged with stealing public funds and Jawara,
additionally, with abuse of office.
The charge is that between 1984 and 1986 Jawara -- leader in this tiny
West African State for 29 years until his overthrow July 22 1994 --
gave directives, contrary to the advice of the attorney general, that
the Gambia government enter into a contract with Cevil Trading Inc.,
to lift and sell crude oil given to Gambia the government by Nigeria.
Through its Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigeria made
17.39 million barrels of crude available to Gambia. The oil was to be
sold at spot market prices for balance of payment support.
Cevil Trading and Gambia agreed that each would keep 50 percent of the
sales. A commission of enquiry into the deal, ordered by the military
government in Banjul, reported that Cevil lifted 9.6 million barrels
and sold it for 2.9 million dollars. It paid to the Gambia government,
1.48 million dollars
But Cevil's records, obtained by the commission, show that in a
similar deal with the government of Sierra Leone Cevil lifted four
million barrels of oil and paid Freetown 10.6 million dollars,
representing 50 percent of its sale.
With this discovery, the military government in Banjul feels that
Cevil shortchanged the Gambia.
Gambia should have earned some some 41.14 million dollars for the sale
of 17.39 million barrels of crude. The charge said that Jawara
approved the deal for personal gain and that his action caused the
government to lose this money.
The charges were brought recently before presiding magistrate
Christopher Onyia by the director of public prosecutions, Justice
Akamba.
Jawara is exiled in Britain after fleeing the coup and Mohammed, a
Sierra Leonean, lives outside the Gambia.
Akamba said that both men had been served with the charges and summons
by telefacimile and registered mail but had failed to appear.
Therefore, Akamba said he was applying for a bench warrant which is an
order by the magistrate for the accused to appear and stand trial.
Police are now empowered to arrest both men on sight and bring them
before the Banjul magistrates' court. Meanwhile, the case was
adjourned for an indefinate period.
_________________________________________________________________
AFRICA NEWS Online The NandO Times
--Boundary (ID Ovj0Y4FtKo/gcvpgDHyVTQ)--
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 07:08:45 -0800 (PST)
From: "Roddie L. Cole" <rcole@ced.berkeley.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: The Senegambia debate ...
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.90.960319065822.8749A-100000@chabot.ced.berkeley.edu>
Your strong nationalistic tendency seems to be driven by pure nostalgia
with zero underpining rationale. I'm sure there must be some good in
your attachment to an entity that owes its existence to the signature of
a British coloniser (no doubt well schooled in Harrow and Oxford as to how
best to deal with the African heathens) and to the effectiveness of
British gun boats than to any aspect of the
region's economic and social history. I can imagine British and
French town planners and geographers debating where exactly the boundary
line between Senegal and Gambia should be: to reflect their not our
interests. And to think that such arbitrary decisions taken on our
behalf: political imperialsim at its most glaring; should now determine
our loyalties, our affiliations, our history ...
Like I said, there must be some good, I just
cant figure out what that "good" is.
Even as I write, I can imagine the falklanders and the Hong Kongers
asserting how different they are from their respectibe regions because
they were lucky enough to host representatives of the British empire for
a few years.
Go Katim.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 09:51:04 -0500 (EST)
From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: Rules of the game ...
Message-ID: <01I2IOI7FEJM0003JG@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US>
Hello everyone!
I assume most of us share Katim's concerns about flames and the inappropriate
use of language on the list. His proposed rules are also quite thoughtful.
However, I do not see any need for elaborate rules to govern discourse on
the list. Let there be a common understanding and the expectation that
adults will behave as adults. We also have to be willing to tolerate
ideas and comments that we do not necessarily share. Enforcing the rules
could be very cumbersome and divisive.
Finally, I believe the rules may have a chilling effect on debate thereby
demeaning the value of participation.
PEACE!
Amadou
PS: Yaya Jallow added as requested by Abdou.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 96 12:15:25 CST
From: <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US>
To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: CENSORSHIP . . . DANGEROUS SLIPPERY SLOPE. . .
Message-ID: <9603191815.AA25217@mx5.u.washington.edu>
Katim:
Where one adopts measures that defend, reward, and even
exalt murders at the expense of their victims, he ceases to be
a devil's advocate and becomes a devil's instrument.
There is such a thing as tyranny of the majority and I am in
the unenviable position of alerting this group that we teeter
of its brink. No one has a monopoly on morality. I require
no greater standard of decency and civility of anyone than is
constitutionally permissible. Grant you there is no Gambia-
l Constitution to speak of but no universal standard of
conduct forbids my choice of words here, to wit , calling
Tombong an *******. I do not retreat from my position; he
remains to me an *******, an opportunist, and (here's a new
one) a jerk. This is view.
My vocabulary is no more limited than yours. For every
harsh word, I am quite capable of a more gentle substitute.
But my words are my choice, not yours.
We now consider "censorship" to require "caution and
respect" of subscribers. The so-called proposed rules run so
foul and obscene to reasonable thought that I am inclined
to dismiss them without further comment. Let it suffice to
say I think they are dangerous rubbish, and somewhat patronizing.
If my words offend you, I believe your computer is equiped
with a "delete" key. Erase my postings, on arrival. That is your
choice.
Morro.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 11:28:04 -0800 (PST)
From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Recruitment
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91l.960319111404.27512A-100000@saul6.u.washington.edu>
Concerning our members based in The Gambia, we have never heard from any
of them in which I believe everybody is looking forward to.
I have seen documentation in the UW libraries the
list of countries with internet access and the year the service was
acquired. The Gambia was listed as having access in 1995. I am beginning
to wonder whether we indeed have the access or might be attributed to the
reluctance of our members from there to be involved in the discussion in
this forum ? The list of countries included many African countries. I
know for a fact that Sierra Leone, Senegal and South Africa have email
access because I have seen and received messages from those countries.
Off course, I am not saying that the rest of the continent does not have
the access.
So, if The Gambia based members have seen this message, please
write to the list. We will love to hear from you.
Thanks
Tony
========================================================================
Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu
Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice
100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax
University of Washington
Box 353200
Seattle, Wa.98195-3200
=========================================================================
On Tue, 19 Mar 1996 Sireh@aol.com wrote:
> Hi Lang:
>
> I can see you are a very busy cyber recruter. I am looking forward to
> hearing from Sankung who will probably be our first active member in Gambia.
>
>
> Peace!
>
> Sarjo
>
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 11:34:08 -0800 (PST)
From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: CENSORSHIP . . . DANGEROUS SLIPPERY SLOPE. . .
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91l.960319113322.27512C-100000@saul6.u.washington.edu>
Folks, let's cool it down please.
Thanks
Tony
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 96 14:34:55 CST
From: <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: WELCOME . . .
Message-ID: <9603192035.AA07053@mx4.u.washington.edu>
Gambia-l:
I have been somewhat tied-up. But let me extend my welcome to all new
members, especially those in The Gambia. Welcome to Thunderdome . . .
Morro.
NOTE:
Substitute "murders" in the first paragaph of my last posting with
"murderers".
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 17:51:35 -0600 (CST)
From: Yaya Jallow <yj0001@jove.acs.unt.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: WELCOME . . .
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960319173524.10530A-100000@jove.acs.unt.edu>
Hullo Fellas,
I just I got on the Gambia mailing list yesterday (March 18), and
I can't tell you how delighted I am.
For starters my name is Yaya Jallow, I am from Basse but I have
lived most of my teenage life in Banjul and Serrehkunda. I came to the so
called land of opportunity in spring '95. I was living in Canada for the
last couple of years. I am pursueing an MBA in international marketing
here in North Texas. It gives me a pleasure to get to comunicate with all of
you Gambian brothers and sisters and I hope this medium will provide all
of us the opportunity to discuss issues of great importance to us.
Take care guys. ON JARAMA!
Yaya
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 17:21:06 -0800 (PST)
From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: WELCOME . . .
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91l.960319171648.20620B-100000@saul6.u.washington.edu>
I want to take this opportunity to also welcome Yaya Jallow to Gambia-l.
I have a question for Yaya. Were you the same Yaya Jallow from Basse who
attended St Augustine's High School in the mid 60's to early 70's. I used
to know a Yaya Jallow who fit that description and I believed used to
live at Dobson or Blanc Street. I attended St Augustine's about that same
time.
Thanks
Tony
========================================================================
Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu
Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice
100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax
University of Washington
Box 353200
Seattle, Wa.98195-3200
=========================================================================
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 22:04:43 -0500 (EST)
From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: west_gambia_80039894999.html
Message-ID: <01I2JE4SS3K2000G2I@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US>
The Africa Church Information Service, Post Office Box 14205, Nairobi,
Kenya.
Tel: (254-2) 442215. Fax: (254-2) 445847.
------------------------------------------------
GAMBIA
Junta Leader Announces Elections For June
All Africa Press Service - January 5, 1996
Banjul - Gambian junta leader Captain Yahya Jameh has announced that
presidential and general elections will be held next June to restore
normal constitutional democracy in this West African country.
In his New Year's message broadcast on the night of December 31, Jameh
said that the voting will be preceded by local council polls in May
and that the Commonwealth would back Gambia in the electoral process.
The three elections will be supervised by an independent commission
recently set up by the military regime, which plans to return to
barracks after 23 months in power, Jameh said.
The military ousted civilian president Sr. Dawda Jawara in a coup in
July 1994, prompting international donors, led by former colonial
power Britain, to condemn the coup and suspend financial assistance.
Jameh presented an optimistic account of the achievements of his
regime, speaking of progress in education, transport, energy
production and television.
He said that tourists were flocking back after the "disaster of 1994".
This year, Gambia expects to host some 70,000 tourists, as in 1992 and
1993.
The Head of State also declared that Nigerian and Cuban doctors would
take over from Chinese medical workers, who withdrew their cooperation
after Gambia recognised Taiwan in July last year. Beijing considers
Taiwan to be part of China.
The presidential announcement came only three days after Captain Sana
Babally, former vice-president of the tiny West African state of
Gambia was jailed for nine years by a court martial here, after being
accused of having plotted against President Jameh.
Sabally was said to have headed two attempted coups -- the first in
November 1994 and the second in January 1995.
Jameh, who is chairman of the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council,
seized power in a bloodless coup on July 22, 1994 after toppling Dawda
Jawara, who is in exile in Britain.
Sabally, the vice-chairman of the Council, was accused of having
participated in the January 1995 plot involving a Captain Sadibu
Hydara, former Interior Minister who has since died in prison.
Meanwhile, the military government is claiming more than US dollars 11
million from Jawara for alleged fraud in an oil deal.
In a statement published here on January 3, Jameh's government said it
accepted the findings of a commission of inquiry into the deal set up
in October 1994 under a Nigerian judge.
The inquiry dealt with financial transactions linked to the supply of
17.3 million barrels of oil supplied by Nigeria as aid to Gambia
between 1984 and 1988.
Jawara, former Planning Minister Momodou Manneh, and a businessman of
Lebanese origin, Jamil Said Mohamed, are accused of conspiring to
resell the oil and pocket the proceeds.
The oil should have brought in US dollars 42 million to Gambia's
treasury, but only 2.6 million was actually paid in, a reliable source
said.
The statement said the government was demanding that Saidi Mohamed, a
Sierra Leonean national, pay more than US dollars48 million to
Nigerian national oil company.
Former Sierra Leonean vice-president Abdulai Conteh, who was said to
have facilitated the deal, was arrested last October and expelled from
Gambia, where he had lived for several years.
Copyright 1996 All Africa Press Service. Copyright 1996 Africa News
Service. Distributed via Africa News Online. All rights reserved. May
not be redistributed, posted to any other location, published or used
for broadcast without prior written authorization from Africa News
Service.
------------------------------------------------
WEST | NEWS CENTRAL
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 13:03:15 -0500 (EST)
From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: 96C20023.html
Message-ID: <01I2K9HUYVTU000IM6@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US>
Panafrican News Agency
News Stories | Environment | Economics | Science and Health | Sports |
Africa Press Review
20 MAR 96 - SCIENCE & HEALTH BULLETIN: GAMBIA-BLEACHING
GAMBIA'S BAN ON SKIN-BLEACHING GETS BOOST
BANJUL, Gambia (PANA) - World Health Organization (WHO) Regional
Director for Africa Dr Ebrahim Samba has endorsed the ban imposed by
the Gambian military government on skin-bleaching. Addressing a news
conference in Banjul on March 16, Samba, who is Gambian and once
served as his country's medical director, described the decision as "a
very good move." Capt. Yahya Jammeh's Armed Forces Provisional Ruling
Council has effective January 1996 banned skin-bleaching, which was
gaining increased popularity among women in this tiny West African
state with a population of about one million people.
Samba said that he had, in his capacity as director of medical
services, spoken out against the practice and had seen people suffer
and die as a result of skin bleaching. According to the Gambia News
Agency (GAMNA), the regional director described the government's
action as not so much an act of banning but a step towards the
"protection of our sisters, mothers and wives" from harm. Skin
bleaching "is a very dangerous practice", Samba said at a news
conference held at the WHO office in Banjul. The WHO Regional Director
was in Banjul to review preparations for a forthcoming roundtable
between Gambian health authorities and donors to be held in August.
Four WHO consultants have been in Banjul since the beginning of March
working with Gambian officials on the proposed donors' conference.
Samba arrived in the Gambian capital from Dakar, Senegal, where he
insisted, during another news conference, on the need for African
countries to effectively fund their own health requirements instead of
waiting for donors.
_________________________________________________________________
AFRICA NEWS Online The NandO Times
------------------------------
Date: 20 Mar 96 10:23:53 PST
From: SHAFTR@ucipm.ucdavis.edu
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: re: CENSORSHIP . . . DANGEROUS SLIPPERY SLOPE. . .
Message-ID: <9603201822.AA07237@mx5.u.washington.edu>
Morro,
I admire your tenacity but we definitely don't need
to prolong this issue of the inappropriate characterization
of this fella called Tombong. Chill out bro.!
For those of us concerned about spying (the issue of
Christopher comes to mind), we should be more worried about
the silke silence of the Banjul subcribers like Nyada. The
fact they [D/he has not even introduced himself needs to be
investigated. It would seem to me that if there is any treat,
it is likely to come from that end [D. Easy now!
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 15:08:20 -0600 (CST)
From: Yaya Jallow <yj0001@jove.acs.unt.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: WELCOME . . .
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960320150108.10985A-100000@jove.acs.unt.edu>
A.Loum,
This is in response to your question. The Yaya you are asking
about is a cousin of mine. He is now living in Sweden.
Bye and thanks for the welcome.
Yaya
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 15:59:57 -0800 (PST)
From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: west_gambia_80039894999.html
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91l.960320152639.24815B-100000@saul6.u.washington.edu>
Amadou, thanks for forwarding the information on the timetable of the
elections. The mystery has still not been solved. Will Yaya Jammeh run or
stand in the elections for the Presidency ? In the videotaped interview
with two Senegalese journalist last year, he was very evasive when that
question was posed. He insisted that will only happen if the people want
him to contest but did not specify the exact nature of how the peoples'
desire would be relayed to him inorder to make a decision. So, I was
wondering whether that would have to be done " a la Jawara 1992 style".
If you remember, prior to that general election, Jawara made an
announcement to not seek reelection for the Presidency. According to
reports, that was followed by a massive public outcry from
elders and staunch supporters like Kelepha Samba and Karma Badjie,
kneeling down, crying and begging him reverse his decision. This
ultimately led him to a change of heart, resulting in his candidacy for
reelection. So, I am wondering whether it will take such a facade
for Yaya Jammeh to declare his true intentions.
My instincts tell me that he really wants to contest the
elections but does not want to admit it. Does anybody have any thoughts
on that ?
Thanks
Tony
========================================================================
Anthony W Loum tloum@u.washington.edu
Supervisor, Business Administration Library 206-543-4360 voice
100 Balmer Hall 206-685-9392 fax
University of Washington
Box 353200
Seattle, Wa.98195-3200
=========================================================================
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 20:20:17 -0500 (EST)
From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: best.html
Message-ID: <01I2KOROCS1U000179@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US>
------------------------------------------------
"The Press is Critical To Democracy"
KENNETH BEST -- DEPORTED EDITOR
Interview with Africa News Service -- November 1994
Kenneth Best's career is a testament to the problems and progress of
press freedom in Africa. A former head of the Nairobi-based All
African Press Service, which is affiliated with the All African
Conference of Churches, Best operated Liberia's most respected
newspaper, defying government attacks, until he was forced out of
business by the destruction of his office and printing press in the
mid-1980s. When civil war made re-opening the paper impossible, he
moved to the Gambia, where he set up that country's first daily, until
he was deported by the military regime in Banjul in October 1994.
ANS: Tell us about your life in the past month, what you've been
through.
KB: We've had quite a difficult experience or series of difficult
experiences, beginning first with a visit I received one Monday
morning from the immigration director, summoning me to his office for
some questioning.
That morning, on the front page, two MPs were challenging the military
leader, Mr. Jammeh, on a particular issue. We had an editorial where,
as usual, we were pressing for the military to come up with a credible
timetable to democratic civilian rule. And on the back page, we had a
story of a German diplomat visiting in Dakar who had said in an
interview with our reporter that the military should defend, not rule.
That was the particular thing that seemed to have angered the military
establishment in the country.
They kept me there for a whole day asking all kinds of questions. I
had to write a statement and then I was taken to the Immigration
Office where I also had to write a statement. And finally they
released me at 5:30 in the evening.
I was accompanied back to my home by an Immigration agent as well as a
Labor Officer. The mission was to find out all the foreigners I had
working for me and what was their status.
That was followed by Immigration and Labor as well as Social Security
and Customs people checking into all of my books. They were surprised
to find that we had just done our audit and the audit had been
conducted by a reputable accountant, Panel K. Foster, an international
auditing firm that anyone who wants to cheat doesn't go to. And most
of our records were in order.
We had a few refugees working with us from Liberia and also from
Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Some of these were professional people. Some
of them were just casual workers but we thought we were making a
contribution to society by employing these refugees. They are not
allowed to work under immigration law, they told me, but they never
showed us the law.
Following that, the reporter who had written the story about the
German diplomat was picked up by plain clothes men who did not
properly identify themselves. He spent a whole day at the police
station. They wanted him to name a police informer who had given him
the story, and of course he refused to do it. After about 6:00 or 7:00
they released him.
The following Friday, we published a story, saying construction
companies were laying off hundreds of people because there was no
work, reflecting the malaise which had begun to set in following the
coup. Apparently, the government didn't like that, so I was summoned
and they took me far into the countryside, to an unknown destination,
near the Senegalese border.
After two days. an official told me that they had instructions to take
me back to my residence. The man told me, "Mr. Best, from now on you
have to be very careful what you publish in your newspaper." But he
didn't explain. It turned out that they had already signed my
deportation order, but they rescinded it because of intense political
and diplomatic pressure.
Two weeks later, on a Sunday morning, I found the same Immigration
jeep at my gate. The Immigration man, with a sheepish look on his
face, said to me, " I came to take you with me, I want you to go with
me back to your office to find out whether you have any foreigners
there. "I said, "There are no foreigners there. The office doesn't
open until 10:00," but he said he wanted to make sure.
When we got in the jeep, he took me to the airport and turned me over
to another officer. Fortunately for me, my sister-in-law, who works
for the UN Developmental Program, had a UN jeep to take her and my
wife with her to the airport, and the two of them were sitting in the
car inside the airport area waiting to see what would happen to me.
I spied the jeep, waved to them and they threw kisses back. I had on
only my T- shirt. But my wife, who knew what going to happen to me,
brought my jacket with her. As we passed the jeep, she called out to
the senior officer who was in front and said, "Could I please be
allowed to give him his jacket?" and he said, "Is there any money in
it?" He checked for money and there was no money in it. He took the
jacket and handed it to me.
ANS: And what transpired when you got to Monrovia?
KB: I was surprised. The deputy foreign minister was there to greet me
with a whole contingent of the press as well as a group of family
members and friends. It was a rousing reception. The following morning
people welcomed me on the streets and said, "We're glad you're back
and now we think we can have "The Observer" again." The void "The
Observer" left when we were forced to stop publishing on the 2nd July
1990 has never been filled, they told me.
ANS: What has happened with "The Observer" in Gambia?
KB: The chaps we left behind are courageous and determined to keep the
paper going. The paper comes out everyday and it's forthright.
ANS: I've heard that people weren't very encouraging when you went to
Gambia to start the paper.
KB: When I got there they told us that Gambians were not ready for
this. They said the country was 80% illiterate, so who'd read the
paper, that 10-to-20 people read [each copy] in The Gambia, so who
would buy it, and that the government talks about commitment to press
freedom but they don't mean it. I said to them, "Any freedom that you
have and don't use, you never know if you really have it or not. You
have to test it."
ANS: We've seen the growth of an independent press all over Africa.
KB: Yes, it is a growing phenomenon, thanks to the developing
awareness of the African public to public issues and to the growth of
the democracy movements. I think that what has been happening in
southern Africa, particularly South Africa, in the past three years
has made a tremendous impact, and the collapse of communism and the
emergence of one superpower also encouraged the democratic movements
throughout the continent.
People are always interested in expressing themselves. In The Gambia,
people were not used to it. But "The Observer" changed all that.
Suddenly everything was being discussed in the papers. That won us
many friends, but also powerful enemies. You have to be socially
responsible. If something would hurt the society by publishing it more
than it would help it, you have to take a second look at it. In that
context, we tried to put into the paper those things that would
elevate the society and not things that will bring it down.
The press is a critical vehicle in the quest of greater democracy and
human rights. Without it, tyrants have a field day. I think it's
significant that you people have as your first amendment of your
constitution the guarantee of freedom of the press. That is the saving
grace of your democracy.
ANS: After what you've been through, why do you persist? Why are you
even thinking of re-starting your paper in Liberia?
KB: I come from a journalism family. My uncle, who went to jail two or
three times, started writing in his 20s, and until he died in 1986, he
was still struggling to save Liberia. Our continent is in a grievous
and pervasive crisis. Many people, including many Africans, have given
up on Africa. But we are aware that other parts of the world went
through crises, tragedy and destruction. Europe. Your own country. You
had a civil war, but that wasn't the end of the world, thank God. I'm
an eternal optimist.
------------------------------------------------
JOURNALIST DEPORTED FROM THE GAMBIA
A Compilation of News Stories from The Daily Observer (Banjul) --
October 1994
In October 1994 Kenneth Y. Best, the founder and managing director of
the "Observer" newspaper in Banjul, The Gambia was deported to
Monrovia, Liberia, by the Gambian Immigration authorities. Radio
Gambia, quoting a press release from the Immigration Department, said
Best was deported, among other things, because of some taxes he or his
company owed the Government. The radio announcement also claimed that
Best's company had been reported for employing foreigners who do not
either have residential or work permits or both. And as a result of
this, Best was deported as "an undesirable alien".
Two months earlier, Best had been summoned by the Minister of Interior
to explain his comments in an article carried in the US-based
"Independent" newspaper. Best was quoted as having said, among other
things, that the military in Africa do not have a track record of
fulfilling their promises. "They make grandiose promises when they
come to power but nothing is achieved," the "Independent" quoted Best.
The controversial "they", Best insisted, did not refer to the Armed
Forces Provisional Ruling Council.
Best said the American journalist who came to interview him had
touched on a lot of issues. "In as much as I made some negative
comments about the nature of the military in Africa, I also said some
positive things about the AFPRC, but unfortunately the journalist did
not use them," Best explained. But, Mr. Best added, that it was no
surprise to him because he should have known better since Western
journalists, in most cases, only look for the negative things; they
are not normally interested in the positive side.
The Observer office and staff were subjected to a rash of summons,
arrests, detentions, visitations by Customs Officials, Immigration,
Social Security and Labour officers. They also received many calls
from the authorities expressing reservations about certain stories
carried in the newspaper and placement of stories involving AFPRC ,
Best was arrested in the early morning by Immigration officers at the
gate of his residence and was driven directly to the Banjul
International Airport where he was made to board an ADC carrier bound
for Monrovia.
Best arrived safely in Monrovia where he was shocked by the "large
turn-out" that came to welcome him at the airport. As courageous as
ever, Mr. Best, fondly called Bishop by the Observer staff, because of
versatility in theology, sent a message to the newspaper staff that
the paper was no longer his property, but instead it belongs to the
people Best came to The Gambia in 1990 and started the paper, the
first ever daily newspaper in The Gambia, in 1992. He holds a B.A.
degree in English and Political Science and a Master's degree in
journalism from Columbia University in the USA. He has spent over 30
years in journalism and was at one time Deputy Minister of Information
in Liberia, his native country.
Copyright 1995. All rights reserved. May not be redistributed, posted
to any other location, published or used for broadcast without written
authorization.
AFRICA NEWS | Arts, Culture & Entertainment | Interviews &Profiles
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 1996 03:36:16 -0800 (PST)
From: "Roddie L. Cole" <rcole@ced.berkeley.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: CENSORSHIP . . . DANGEROUS SLIPPERY SLOPE. . .
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.90.960321032233.9131A-100000@chabot.ced.berkeley.edu>
Morro's last contribution seemed to equate Katim's call for use of
appropriate diction (however that is defined) with tolerance for
the military regime. Surely that is unfair. The guy (Katim) was not
arguing that we should not call "murder, treason, mayhem, and whatnot"
as we see it. However, asserting that the regime may have partaken of
murder is a hypothesis that may be proven (or disproved) through the
legal process. Applying the "A" word, we will agree,
is speculation/description that can neither be
objectively established nor definitively refuted. It is purely emotional.
Let us resort to insults only when logical thought fails.
Roddie.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 96 09:19:16 CST
From: <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: CENSORSHIP . . . DANGEROUS S
Message-ID: <9603211525.AA22589@mx3.u.washington.edu>
Roddie:
Sure Roddie, my characterizations of the AFPRC are emotional. But they are
also "opinion". As such they ought to be protected in any forum of
civilized discourse. More experienced "free" societies, protect vehement,
caustic and unusually sharp attacks on public officials.
My observation is that Roddie, Africa/Gambia is so diverse, that free speech
ought to be the quintessence of our freedoms. Everybody must be permitted
to pitch-in their two cents. You see, when peaceful expression is curtailed,
violent expression is inevitable.
We have all characterized the AFPRC one way or the other. Few of our
characterizations are legally proven facts, including the charge that
the July 1994 coup is a violation of The Gambian constitution. It is
YOUR view (& I agree) that it is a violation of the Gambian Constitution.
Let's get off this track. If we succeed in censoring people in the manner
proposed here, why, I am certain we will fall one by one.
The purpose of free speech is to convince. If my characterizations of persons
or events are particularly faulty, it hurts me more because it diminishes me
in the eyes of my colleagues. But the right to hurt myself ought to remain
mine. . . Pardon me for the lesson in free speech . . .
necessary.
Morro.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 1996 10:23:00 -0500 (EST)
From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: 96C21038.html
Message-ID: <01I2LI7HUIAA0006JE@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US>
Panafrican News Agency
News Stories | Environment | Economics | Science and Health | Sports |
Africa Press Review
21 MAR 96 - COTE D'IVOIRE-MARRIAGE
PEASANT DEMANDS TO MARRY TWO SISTERS
BOUAFLE, Cote D'Ivoire (PANA) - A peasant in the central Ivorian
village of Pangban has demanded that the judiciary allow him to marry
two sisters of a man suspected of killing five of his children.
Francois N'Dry NGuessan, 51, lodged a complaint against his employee
Koffi Kokoza, a farm worker, for killing his children "through
witchcraft" last year.
In the dock, N'Dry Nguessan, a father of six, demanded that, in
compensation, the court grant him the right to marry two of the
defendant's sisters so as "to procreate and replace his five
children", who recently died of an unspecified illness.
In its ruling, the Bouafle court condemned Koffi Kokoza, who pleaded
guilty to the charges, to five years in jail and a fine of 100,000 cfa
(about USD 200).
In his village and the neighbouring localities, the defendant, aged
over fifty, is known to possess a "magic belt" with the power of
causing death after a few days of illness.
Kokoza wears the belt round his waist, according to residents in
Pangba, Kouamekro and Sokrogbo.
Kokoza became suspect after healing and saving his employer's sixth
child. He was accused by a local witchdoctor contacted by the bereaved
family.
Denounced as responsible for N'Dry Nguessa's misfortune, he fled for
his native village of Kouamekro. But he was later arrested.
After each murder, the sorcerer went back to Abidjan where his master
and supplier of the lethal talisman lives to "wash his belt" in a
specific ritual, according to residents of Pangba and neighbouring
areas.
_________________________________________________________________
AFRICA NEWS Online The NandO Times
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 1996 13:02:55 -0800 (PST)
From: "A. Loum" <tloum@u.washington.edu>
To: Gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Forwarded message of Omar Njie
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.92a.960321125556.18045A-100000@saul5.u.washington.edu>
Tony:
I agree with you. If Jammeh does not want to contest for the presidental
elections, then
why is he going around campaigning? He tells people that he has no
intentionin running
but yet what he says and does never support his commitment to returning to
barracks or tothe farm.
I'm happy that skin bleaching is banned in the Gambia. Just as Dr. Samba
stated, our
sisters, wives, and mothers are hooked up with that unfortunate fad. I
always was bad for health reasons although I was unable to back up my
claim.
Omar.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 1996 17:20:10 -0600 (CST)
From: Yaya Jallow <yj0001@jove.acs.unt.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Cc: The Gambia and Related Issues Mailing List <gambia-l@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: Run or not to run
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960321171207.15405A-100000@jove.acs.unt.edu>
Some of you raised the issue of Jammeh contentesting for the coming
presidential election. Wouldn't the revised constitution set an age
requirement like Sirraleone? If so I would think that Mr. Jammeh may not
pass the age limit. This is simply a guess on my part.
But notwithstanding, if Jammek decides to go back to barracks, I hope
we do not see a Rawlings phenomena occuring. Just a thought.
Yay
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 96 17:45:04 CST
From: <JDG.L.LANGE.LWCLK@CO.HENNEPIN.MN.US>
To: GAMBIA-L@U.WASHINGTON.EDU
Subject: SKIN BLEACHING . . .
Message-ID: <9603212344.AA24277@mx3.u.washington.edu>
Gambia-l:
First, I think measures of illegitimate governments are illegitimate.
(As it goes, fruits of a poisonous tree are poisonous . . .). But
ultimately, I do not believe it is such a great idea to "ban" skin
bleaching for two other reasons. (1) I think it is a matter of personal
choice, and (2) there is great potential for abuse.
A legitimate government may regulate some personal behavior for
health and safety reasons. I suppose one could argue that skin
bleaching is of particular health and safety risks. But I tend to think
that bleaching is a symptom of a much deeper problem . . . the
African's apparently lack of pride in himself including his skin
color. Pride cannot be legislated. It would seem to me that the
best way for the state to command pride in ourselves is to plot
a course of action that makes the African the envy not the pity of
the world--how about a United States of Africa with attendant
economic prosperity and political stability? Bleaching breeds no
crime; ultimately, it comes down to a person deciding he does not
like the color of his skin. I suppose that ticks off a lot of Black
people. May be rightly so--I mean I am a little hurt by the fact that
someone hates the color I share so much that he is willing to
chemically rub it off--but I don't believe the appropriate remedy is
to ban an act that is essentially of no danger to anyone else. If
skin bleaching is banned, should forms of
plastic surgery--like nose jobs, or other surgical/medical
procedures designed to effect cosmetic results be also banned?
The most government should do (if anything) is to ban particularly
unsafe or unhealthy PROCEDURE(S) used to achieve desired skin
color changes, not the skin bleaching itself. Skin color change can
be achieved in many ways. It is done here in the United States
without the same drastic/horrible results we see back home--e.g.
Michael Jackson. (I am NOT saying that Michael Jackson looks
good; I am saying he achieved his color change without ripping his
raw skin off, though his motivation (hate of himself in my view)
remains the same as the poor African's.
Now consider this, a wealthy person bleaches his skin in a manner
akin to Michael Jackson's. A poor person also bleaches but suffers
horrible disfigurement. First, it would be easier to determine that
the poor person bleached and/or that the results are more
repugnant. In the wealthy persons case, detection is harder and the
results may seem less repugnant. Thus I would not exactly
conclude that we are treating rich and poor alike here.
Also, imagine how this law will be enforced. Do we now monitor shades
of color to guarantee that no person is bleaching? Imagine how
easily people can be hauled into court and dragged through
expensive legal battles. Even if these people are found not guilty,
image the invasion of privacy this sort of charge will engender.
THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT I THINK SKIN BLEACHING IS
A GOOD THING. I JUST WILL NOT PRY UNDER PEOPLES
CLOTHES TO STOP IT.
morro.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 1996 09:30:01 -0500 (EST)
From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: CONGRESS-IMMIGRATION_WRAP.
Message-ID: <01I2MUN5C2UQ000GXG@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US>
DATE=3/21/96
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-194680
TITLE=CONGRESS-IMMIGRATION WRAP (S)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CONGRESS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS PASSED A BILL THAT
INCLUDES STRONG MEASURES TO CURB ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. THE VOTE
WAS 333 TO 87. BUT AS V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, MEMBERS
REJECTED AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
TEXT: THE BILL INCLUDES MORE MONEY TO HIRE THOUSANDS OF NEW
BORDER GUARDS ...AND STRONGER PENALTIES FOR DOCUMENT FRAUD AND
IMMIGRANT SMUGGLING.
BUT CHANGES IN THE LEGAL IMMIGRATION SYSTEM WERE REJECTED.
MEMBERS VOTED DOWN A PROVISION TO CUT THE NUMBER OF LEGAL
IMMIGRANTS ...AND THEY THREW OUT LANGUAGE THAT WOULD SET NEW
PRIORITIES FOR IMMIGRANT VISAS.
A MAJORITY SHARED THE VIEWS OF DEMOCRAT RICHARD NEAL OF
MASSACHUSETTS.
/// NEAL ACT ///
OUR GOAL HERE SHOULD BE TO SEPARATE LEGAL FROM ILLEGAL
IMMIGRATION. LEGAL IMMIGRATION SERVES THIS NATION VERY
WELL.
/// END ACT ///
THE ACTION TAKEN BY THE HOUSE MAY PREVENT A PRESIDENTIAL VETO.
PRESIDENT CLINTON ENDORSED THE PARTS OF THE BILL DEALING WITH
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. BUT HE SAID THE CUTS IN LEGAL IMMIGRATION
WERE TOO HARSH. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/GKT/LWM
21-Mar-96 8:21 PM EST (0121 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
..
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 1996 15:14:18 -0500 (EST)
From: ABDOU <at137@columbia.edu>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: error messages
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.960322150511.27585D-100000@ciao.cc.columbia.edu>
Hi folks,
This is actually more for the subcription managers. We are
getting error messages for Gabriel Ndow and Omar Njie. For Omar, his
system adds the server as part of the address. So each time he logs in,
bingo, he has a new address. You fellows can either include all the
servers at NLU or ask him to abstain from using more than a set amount of
addresses. If you want to add all his addresses, just add the socrates
and bacchus servers in addition to the previous ones. He would now have
four addresses. His university has more servers so aI will tell you
which ones to add. So for now add: onjie@bacchus.nlu.edu
and onjie@socrates.nlu.edu .
For Gabriel, his server is totally down today. That may have to
do with the error messages.
Bye for now,
-ABdou.
*******************************************************************************
A. TOURAY.
(718)904-0215.
MY URL ON THE WWW= http://www.cc.columbia.edu/~at137
A FINITE IN A LAND OF INFINITY.
SEEKING BUT THE REACHABLE.
I WANDER AND I WONDER.
ALL RESPITE IS FINAL.
*******************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 23 Mar 1996 13:19:36 -0500 (EST)
From: Amadou Scattred Janneh <AJANNEH@pstcc.cc.tn.us>
To: gambia-l@u.washington.edu
Subject: Re: error messages
Message-ID: <01I2OGY57TFO000N81@PSTCC6.PSTCC.CC.TN.US>
Omar's addresses added as per Abdou's instructions!
Amadou
------------------------------
End of GAMBIA-L Digest 8
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gambia-l: LOG9603E - Digest 8
