The Condescension of Self-Serving Megalomaniacs

By Mathew K. Jallow, Associate Editor

For the better part of last week, I found myself deluged with, and pondering about a lot of pressing issues that demand my attention, but when I finally made up my mind, I decided to stick with the pernicious stories of two social renegades implicated in two separate, but characteristically similar incidences that caught my attention and infuriated me

Associate Editor Mathew K. Jallow

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Seneca Turner’s Thoughts upon revisiting Hip Hop:A rejoinder beyond either/or thinking

By Professor Floyd W. Hayes, III**

If (Black) music can be seen to be the result of certain attitudes, certain specific ways of thinking about the world (and only ultimately about the ways in which music can be made), then the basic hypothesis of this book is understood.  The (Blacks’) music changed as (they) changed, reflecting shifting attitudes or (and this is equally important) consistent attitudes within changed contexts.  (Amiri Baraka) LeRoi Jones, Blues People.

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COMMENTARY

Speaker FJC’s impartiality questioned

By D. A. Jawo

Like all Gambians concerned about the deteriorating human rights and governance situation in the country, I have been following the raging debate between the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Speaker of the Gambian National Assembly, Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay (FJC) regarding whether or not a UDP parliamentarian has been suspended by her for using “abusive” language against members of the Executive.

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MFWA Reacts to Gambian Government’s Stance On Chief Ebrima Manneh’s Disappearanc

April 22, 2009

Chief Ebrimah Manneh a reporter of the Banjul-based ‘Daily Observer’ newspaper has been held incommunicado since his arrest on July 7, 2006 by the agents of National Intelligence Agency (NIA). In April 2007, the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) brought an action at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice against the Government of the Republic of The Gambia for and on behalf of Chief Ebrima Manneh, for the violation of his fundamental human rights of freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention,

Yahya Jammeh, Chief Manneh & Justice Minister Saine Firdaus 

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RSf Tells ECOWAS’s Dr. Chambers ‘Talk to Yahya Jammeh over Chief Manneh’s Case’

 By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

The Paris–based press freedom watchdog, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has added its voice to the mounting pressure on President Yahya Jammeh’s authoritarian regime over its recalcitrance in the case of missing Gambian journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh. In a letter addressed to Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), RSF urges him to intercede on behalf journalist, Chief Ebrima Manneh

Dr.Chambers, Chief Manneh & Dictator Jammeh 

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Breaking News

Six Senior US Senators tell Jammeh to immediately release Chief Manneh

By Ebrima G. Sankareh, Editor-In-Chief

In an unprecedented level of Congressional outrage over the disappearance of Gambian journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh, six senior United States Senators today, sent out a strongly worded letter of condemnation to Gambia’s retromingent Head of State, Yahya Jammeh asking him to immediately release the missing journalist. The six Senators are Illinois’ Senior Senator and Assistant Majority Leader Richard J. Durbin, Senator Russ Feingold, Chairman

Sen.R. Durbin, Sen. R. Feingold, Sen. R. Casey

Sen. P. Murray, Sen. J. Liberman & Sen.T. Kennedy

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United Democratic Party Condemns Suspension of Hon. Babanding Daffeh from Gambia’s National Assembly

In a strongly worded press statement, the Secretariat of the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) under the stewardship of veteran human rights lawyer, Ousainu M.N Darboe has condemned the suspension of the Hon. Babanding Daffeh from the Gambian Parliament by Speaker Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay. The high profile suspension comes in the wake of heated parliamentary debates in the often politically rancorous National Assembly last week when, Hon. Daffeh rose to question and comment on some of the Gambian dictator, Yahya Jammeh’s outrageous policies which, apparently ignited the flames. Below is the UDP’s terse statement.

UDP's Leader Lawyer Ousainu Darboe

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Breaking News: Private Jet Crashes in The Gambia

By Ebrima G. Sankareh

Unimpeachable sources reaching The Gambia Echo say a light engine aircraft crashed at the Banjul International Airport earlier this afternoon after two of its wheels malfunctioned during take off. The private jet, a light engine aircraft, allegedly belonging to one Middle Eastern business tycoon, Trophy Mori encountered trouble on two wheels as it took off at about 1:30 pm local Gambian time.

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Manneh family angrily reacts to Gambia Gov’t’s. Disclaimer over missing journalist-Calls Justice Minister Saine-Firdaus ‘Shameless Liar’

Barely two weeks ago, The Gambia’s veiled Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mrs. Marie Saine-Firdaus told the West African state’s National Assembly that contrary to allegations that her government was holding missing Gambian journalist, Chief Ebrima Manneh, the regime was neither holding nor knew the whereabouts of the missing journalist. In Attorney General Saine-Firdaus’ rather bedazzling utterances before Parliament, she also blamed the

Yahya Jammeh, Chief Manneh & Justice Minister Saine Firdaus 

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ANALYSIS

The Gambia’s Selfish Elite Class:The true story of greed for power, position & materialism under Yahya Jammeh’s battle command

By Abdoukarim Sanneh, London, UK

After almost 15 years in power it is really unimaginable how a quarter baked semi-literate soldier turned civilian has been able to sophistically manipulate our elite class. It used to make many surprised and angry, but if you look at the traits and character of the petty bourgeoisie in the context of a class struggle, it is easy to connect the dots.

President Jammeh's Government- classic Rat Race

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COMMENTARY 

The Gambia: another misplaced priority

By D. A. Jawo

One of the major topics under discussions in The Gambia today, apart from the bizarre and stone-age “government policy to screen witches” is no doubt, the dishing out of millions of Dalasis to the players and officials of the Under-17 squad who recently won the African Under-17 trophy played in Algeria. Of course, all Gambians and friends of The Gambia were elated when the boys clinched the cup for the second time; a feat only achieved by two of Africa’s giant footballing nations of Nigeria and Ghana.

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Professor Abdoulaye Saine’s Latest Book, The Paradox of Third-Wave Democratization in Africa

According to eminent political scientist, Julius E. Nyang’oro of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Professor Abdoulaye Saine’s book is “The most comprehensive study of Gambian politics to date, its analysis of the causes of military intervention in 1994 and the subsequent transition to civilian rule provides a basis for a comparative critical

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My Review of Dr Saine's latest book

Dear All,

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ANALYSIS

The Gambia- Jailed British Couple, Corrupt Judiciary, Hellish Prison Conditions, Deaths and Disappearances

By Abdoukarim Sanneh, London, UK

In 2007 it was only in the NGO forum of the Commonwealth Summit in Kampala, Uganda that an issue of The Gambia was mentioned. In the Heads of State summit not much was noticed about The Gambia and yet today, The Gambia is a serious violator of the principles of the Harare Declaration, which bind the Commonwealth, as a family of nations, to uphold the rule of law, human rights and democracy.

David and Fiona Fulton far right with adopted Gambian daughter

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Overcoming Our Collective Apathy is the Answer; not Political ‘Heroes or Saviors.’

By Mathew K Jallow, Associate Editor 

July 22^nd, has come and gone fifteen times. Scores of Gambians have died and atrocities of unimaginable gravity have occurred. All the while, endemic corruption has developed and became entrenched to a level we could not even imagine. Today, not a single day goes by without Jammeh’s actions portending bad signs for our people. Over the years, Yahya Jammeh

Associate Editor Mathew K. Jallow

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CPJ Says Jammeh Gov’t. Must Account for Missing Journalist, Chief Ebrima Manneh

COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS
330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001 USA Phone: (212) 465-1004 Fax: (212) 465-9568 Web: www.cpj.org

New York, April 14, 2009—Gambian authorities must authoritatively account for the whereabouts, health, and legal status of journalist “Chief” Ebrimah Manneh, who was taken into government custody by security agents in July 2006, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. Authorities, who have held Manneh in secret locations since the arrest, have provided conflicting and incomplete accounts this month regarding his status.

Yahya Jammeh, Chief Manneh & Justice Minister Saine Firdaus 

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Breaking News

AFP Says ‘Missing Gambian journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh is Dead’

Gambian journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh, who has been missing for nearly three years, is no longer alive, a senior police source at Gambia's notorious Mile Two prison told AFP Monday.

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ANALYSIS

Guinea Bissau- Classic Prototype
of a Militarized Regime in Terror


By Lt. Colonel Samsudeen Sarr (Rtd.)

May I begin by candidly stating that I am still devastated by the graphic sight of the Internet video showing the remains of the late president of Guinea Bissau, Joao Bernado Vieira, commonly called Nino, and the gruesome manner in which he was killed. My first hint of his mutilation in the hands of his assailants came from Fredrick Forsyth, the legendary author of the famous books, The Day of The Jackal and The Dogs of War who was in Bissau at the time

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The Ghosts of April 2000- Echo Editorial

By Mathew K Jallow, Associate Editor

For us, it was the day of infamy. A day forever etched in our long memories. On that day nine years ago today, 16 young lives were cut short by gunfire. But this was not the Congo; and not even Liberia. It was The Gambia. It was a side of The Gambian that we had never before seen. On that fateful day so long ago, The Gambia lost its innocence at the hands of its own military and security forces. 

VP Njie-Saidy & Jammeh Gambia's Twins of Evil, ordered massacre

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Gambians Remember April 10-11, 2000, Student Massacre  

In remembrance of the April 10 and 11 massacres of innocent Gambian students by President Yahya Jammeh’s authoritarian regime, the New York headquartered Movement for Democracy and Development under the stewardship of veteran politician and human rights crusader, Saihou Mballow sends out the press statement below to help galvanize support for the victims and rekindle the crusade to bring the utterly criminal regime of President Yahya Jammeh to book. Read on:

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Press Release

The National Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in The Gambia (NMRDG)

The National Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in The Gambia (NMRDG) is pleased to inform all Gambians and friends of The Gambia around the world that the civil and human rights organization has recently opened its new bank account. As a reminder, NMRDG is the brainchild of Gambians across the U.S and U.K, of respectable standing in society, who having watched our country descend into chaos over all these years, have decided to come together to try and find solutions to our country’s problems.

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Chief Ebrima Manneh's Saga and the Criminal Lies of Justice Minister, Mrs. Marie Saine-Firdaus

By Mathew K Jallow, Associate Editor

It was a whirlwind of incredulity; joy and jubilation one moment, and anger and sorrow the next. Yet it was another moment of the never-ending Gambian story; unpredictable, unexplainable and unfathomable. No sooner had news about Daily Observer journalist, Chief Ebrima Manneh’s disappearance began to occupy the minds of Gambians and cast a shadow of disbelief over our country, than the international news flash brought hope back into our aching hearts.

Gambia's Atty. General Saine Firdaus, an expert in political deception

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Prosecution witness dealt fatal blow to state’s case against Pap Saine, says ‘Saine’s citizenship claims are authentic &factual’

By Njie Khakatarr in Banjul & Ebrima G. Sankareh, Raleigh, NC

In what can be aptly characterised as a fatal blow to The Gambia Government’s witch-hunting trial of The Point newspaper’s Managing Editor, Mr. Pap Saine, the second prosecution witness in the ongoing false declaration charges against the urbane Saine, medical officer, Mr. Dawda Leigh, earlier this afternoon (Wednesday 8 April 2009), confirmed that “the defense’s citizenship claims were authentic and factual.”

Urbane Editor Pap Babucarr Saine, Gambian!!

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Minority Leader challenges Gambia Gov’t. on Chief Manneh’s disappearance

By Pateh Kinteh in Banjul

Hon. Momodou L.K.Sanneh, Minority Leader of The Gambia National Assembly, representing the Kiang West Constituency in the Lower River Region has once more requested the stance of the state on the issue surrounding the disappearance of Gambian journalist, Chief Ebrima B Manneh, a pro-government Daily Observer newspaper reporter, who was picked up from his office on July 7 2006 and whose whereabouts have not been established to date.

Gambian journalist, Chief E. Manneh

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Breaking News

'GPA-USA'- New Association of Gambian Journalists Established

Press Release

The Gambia Press Association-USA (GPA-USA)

We are extremely pleased to introduce The Gambia Press Association (GPA), USA.  The association was founded by veterans and up and coming Gambians journalists committed to the ideals of a free press and the maintenance of professional ethics in journalism. As we all know, The Gambia is going through another rough and challenging time, as fellow citizens are routinely harassed, arrested and detained without legal grounds, and forced by roving bands of armed military personnel and APRC thugs to consume harmful drug concoctions.

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By Dudu Saidy

No sooner had we published damning allegations by Gambian journalist Abdou Karim Sanneh that his former colleague in the defunct Movement of Justice in Africa-Gambia (MOJA-G), now Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh was complicit in drug trafficking in the West African sub-region and equally addicted to hard drugs than an apparently angry ex-Gambian soldier came to the scene buttressing the withering allegations. culpable in the coup drama and threatens to unseat  

Gambian leader, Yahya Jammeh has alleged mental problems

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Journalist  Alleges 'Jammeh involvement in drug trafficking'- says Gambian Leader is a Drug addict

By Abdou Karim Sanneh, London UK

The recent press statement by Amnesty International which was published in the international media outlets of the BBC, CNN, Reuters, Washington Post, Associated Press, UK’s Guardian, Independent, Daily Mail etc about the madness of Yahya Jammeh and his witchcraft crusade is a living testimony to the everyday realities of The Gambia under the regime of this butcher.

Gambian leader, Yahya Jammeh has alleged mental problems

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The Rants and Raves of "Watchman"

By Mathew K. Jallow, Associate Editor

Like you, we were inundated with emails and phone calls, most displeased with the tone of what they determine a prolix spat, some glad that your underwhelming gladiator entry into this raucous needed to be stopped in its tracks, and still others questioning the very inutility of a spat that has served to distract from serious national matters.

The Watchman in the UK

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How President Joao Bernardo Vieira was mutilated

By EBRIMA G. SANKAREH, Editor-in-Chief

Following the brutal murder of Guinea Bissau’s long serving authoritarian president, Joao Bernardo Vieira last February, The Gambia Echo published some images of the macabre murder scene to show how those who live by the sword ultimately perish by the sword. For those who have been keenly following developments in Africa, the slain Guinean president’s atrocities pale in comparison to Gambian leader Mr.Yahya Jammeh’s wholesale murder of innocent Gambians, be they civilian or military.

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Mathew K. Jallow Replies Watchman 

Dear Watchman,

I too have a lot to say in response to your rambling tirade of contemptible gibber, but I will defer to my brother Sankareh; for I could not have said it any better than he did. But, having just read your pusillanimous piece in the Freedom, I decided not to carve in to the temptation to respond you any more than Sankareh has so effectively done. But, I take issue with your tactless braggadocio, followed this week by a pretentious posturing that exposes

The Watchman on a path of self destruction 

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The Gambia Echo In Dialogue with The Hon. Watchman

Messrs. Jallow & Sankareh,

Your publication is hugely essential to presenting a hybrid, non-homogeneous, media intent on enabling the debate over the democratic future of The Gambia among other issues. While I disagree vehemently with the course of action for the GPU that has been recommended by Mr. Jallow, there is an iota of hope in my "naive" disposition that the issue can be resolved to the benefit of all. I am anonymous and carry no heft. I also don't, as the adage goes, have a dog in this fight but hear me out as I outline a few humble suggestions.

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Senegalese local elections: some lessons for Gambians

By D. A. Jawo, Banjul The Gambia

The Senegalese ruling party; the Democratic Party of Senegal (PDS) and its partners in Coalition Sopi 2009 have been caught with their pants down during the just-ended local government elections in which they lost heavily to the opposition. It really came as a big shock to Coalition Sopi when they lost virtually all the major towns including Dakar the capital, Kaolack, St. Louis, Fatick, Louga, Podor, and of course Thies, even though the winner of that place, Idrissa Seck had already indicated his intention to return to the PDS which he left to form his Rewmi party after he was sacked as Prime Minister.

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