New York, August 25, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about the safety of three journalists and their driver who were abducted by an unknown armed group two days ago.

Somali photojournalist Abdifatah Mohamed Elmi and two foreign freelance journalists, Canadian Amanda Lindhout and Australian Nigel Brennan, along with a driver identified only as Mahad, were kidnapped along the

The National Union of Somali Journalists said they believed the abducted group was being held in the northeastern village of Suqa Holaha on August 24 but local journalists and a relative of Elmi received a tip that they have moved since to Jowhar, a town 50 miles (90 kilometers) north of Mogadishu .

The reasons for the abduction are still unclear. Local journalists told CPJ that it appeared to have been to be a well-planned operation using three vehicles.

“ Somalia continues to be the most dangerous place for local and foreign journalists in Africa ,” said CPJ’s Africa Program Coordinator , Tom Rhodes . “CPJ calls on both the Transitional Government and the Islamic Courts Union to adhere to their public statements to do everything possible to ensure the safe release of these media workers.”

According to local reports, Mogadishu ’s interim mayor, Mohamed Osman Ali, condemned the abduction and is investigating. Government military spokesman Dahir Mohamed claimed that suspected members of the insurgent Islamic Courts Union—a coalition of Islamic courts fighting the transitional government—that make up the Lower Shabelle Administration are behind the kidnapping, local journalists said. The transitional government and the Islamic Courts Union have been fighting a civil war since December 2006, when the current government wrested power from the Islamic Union. The union’s spokesman, Sheikh Abdirahim Isse Adow, told Reuters that they were not behind the abduction and would “do all that is possible to save them.”

According to HornAfrik journalist Abdullahi Hasan Suleiman, the three were abducted upon their return visit from a refugee camp in Celasha Biyaha, roughly 12 miles (20 kilometers) north of Mogadishu .

In a separate incident the previous day, police arrested journalist Ahmed Jeylani of Radio Voice of Holy Koran in the Bondhere district of Mogadishu. Police detained the journalist overnight without charges and released him without stating the reason behind his arrest, the National Union of Somali Journalists told CPJ.

The violence in Somalia has taken a heavy toll on journalists: Seven Somali journalists were killed because of their work in 2007—the world’s second-highest count behind Iraq . More than 50 others have fled Mogadishu , according to CPJ research. Two were killed earlier this year in separate incidents.

 Freedom is possible only in a democratic political system in which governments are accountable to their own people, the rule of law prevails, and freedom of expression, association and belief are guaranteed. This can only be achievable where freedom of the press is found. Read this report to know whether you are in a country that allows the freedom of the press in order to enjoy the above.

Out of 195 countries and territories in the world assessed, 74 countries (38 per cent) were rated Free, 58 (30 percent) were rated Partly Free, and 63 (32 percent) were rated Not Free. This shows a global picture of the situation of freedom of the press in world. This represented a modest improvement over the 2005 assessment in which: 73 Free countries, 54 Partly Free, and 67 Not Free countries. However the findings of the 2006 represents a negative shift from the survey results of five years ago, which was the last recent high point of press freedom.

Read to know where your country or region falls in terms of how free your media is or how suppressed it is. This is an authentic survey conducted by Freedom House, a reputable international media NGO, based in New Yoke the USA.

Mali tops Africa as one of the countries with a FREE media status; she is followed by Ghana, Mouritius, South Africa, Cape Verde, Benin, Namibia, and Sao Tome & Principe. They are among 74 countries with similar records. The world list is toped by Finland and Iceland with 9 points each. These countries were followed by Belgium, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

 The Gambia is once again rated as NOT FREE, among 21 other Sub-Saharan states which included states like Burundi, Angola, Chad, and Liberia. These countries are among other 63 countries worldwide, in a total of 195 countries in the world where a survey is conducted. The Gambia stands number 77 out of the 195 states that do not have a free press.

The Gambia like others who where rated NOT FREE, has a hostile media environment, we have seen in the past crackdown on journalists and in some cases mediums have been closed down without court orders. Journalists have been detained beyond the 72 hours limits and in most of those cases there were no charges against those detained journalists.

Apart from the above cases cited, there is this unfinished case of the killing of Deyda Hydara. 

The legal environment for the Gambia is one yet to be desire. The two laws that are in place is no way that can guarantee us a place in a FREE MEDIA state, and these are the Newspaper Amendment Act of 2004, and the Newspaper Registration Act of 2004. These laws need to be taken out of our books of laws if we are to make any head way for a FREE MEDIA state.

 According to the ratings by Freedom House Gambia score a total of 77 points, 24 for the legal environment, 33 for political environment, and 20 for economic environment. This placed her 77 out of 195 countries. The Gambia’s status has been one of NOT FREE since 2002. with 66, in 2002, 65 in 2003, 63 in 2004, 72 in 2005, 73 in 2006 and 77 in 2007.

The five worst –rated countries continue to be Burma, Cuba, Libya, North Korea, and Turkmenistan., in these states independence, media are either non inexistence or barely able to operate, the press acts as a mouthpiece of the governing regime, and citizen’s access to unbiased information is severely changed from 2005-6, reflecting an extreme level of repression and stagnation of the media.

How ever on the contrast, Western Europe continue to boast the highest level of press freedom world wide; in 2006, 24 countries(96 percent) were rated FREE and 1 (4 percent) was rated Partly Free, and there were no NOT FREE in the region.

In the Sub- Saharan Africa, overall 8 countries (17 percent) were rated Free, 19 (39 per cent) were rated Partly Free, and 21 (44 per cent) remained Not Free. Press freedom conditions continued to be dire in Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, and Zimbabwe, where authoritarian governments use legal pressure, imprisonment, and other forms of harassments to sharply curtail the ability of independent media outlets to report freely. All three countries continue to rank in the bottom 10 performers worldwide.

 In the Americas, 17 countries (48 percent) were Free, 16 (46 percent) were rated Partly Free, and 2 (6 percent) were rated Not Free in 2006. Just under half the countries in the region have media that remain classified as Free, although this includes the Caribbean, whose countries generally have very open media environments, offsetting the les rosy picture in Central and South America.

The Asia –Pacific region as a whole exhibited a relatively high level of press freedom, with 16 countries (40 percent) rated Free, 10 (25 percent) Partly Free, and 14 (35 percent) rated Not Free.

Central and Eastern Europe / Former Soviet Union, for the combined CEE/FSU region 8 countries (28 percent) out of a new total of 28 countries, after Montenegro’s independence- remain classified as Free.  10 (36 percent) are rated Partly Free, and 10 (36 percent) are classified as Not Free

Middle East and North Africa region continued to show the lowest regional rating , with just 1 country (5percent) rated Free, 2 (11 percent) rated Partly Free, and 16 (84 percent) rated Not Free in 2006.During the year the average region wide score declined , as did the average score in the political subcategory.

These conclusions are reached through an examination of the level of press freedom in each country which currently comprises 23 methodology questions divided into three broad categories: the legal environment, the political environment, and economic environment. For each methodology question, a lower number of points are allotted for a freer situation, while a higher number of points are allotted for a less free environment.

The legal environment category encompasses an examination of both the laws and regulations that could influence media content and the government’s inclination to use these laws and legal institutions to restrict the media’s ability to operate. An assessment of a positive impacts of legal   and constitutional guarantees for freedom of expression; the potential negative aspects of security legislations, the penal code, and other criminal statutes; penalties for libel and defamation; the existence  of an ability to use freedom of information legislation; independence of the judiciary and of official media regulatory bodies ; registration requirements for both media outlets and journalists; and the ability of journalists’ groups to operate freely.

Under the political environment category, in order for the Freedom House global surveyors to reach   a conclusion an evaluation to a degree of political control over the content of news media is established first. Issues to be examined include the editorial independence of both state owned and privately owned media; access to information and sources; official censorship; and self censorship; the vibrancy of the media and the diversity of the new available; the ability of both foreign and local reporters to cover the news freely and without harassment; and the intimidation of journalists   by the state or other actors, including arbitrary detention and imprisonment, violent assaults, and other threats.

The third and the final category is the economic environment. This category examines the economic environment for the media. It includes the structure of media ownership; transparency and concentration of ownership; the cost of establishing media as well as of production and distribution; selective withholding of advertising or subsidies by state or other actors; impacts of corruption and bribery on content; and the extent to which the economic situation in the a country impacts the development and sustainability of the media.

We will bring you detail reports on each country under the three categories: FREE, PARTLT FREE and NOT FREE.

Monday 18 August 2008, at the Kanifing magistrate court, Fatou Jaw Manneh a Gambian journalist who have being standing trail for the past one year five months was fond guilty on four counts. On count one she was fined D80,000 or one year imprisonment, on count two she was fined D70,000 or one year imprisonment, on count three she was fined D40,000 or one year imprisonment, and on count four she was fined D60,000 or one year imprisonment. The fines totaled to D250,000 Gambian currencies, this is equivalent to $15,000.

In a packed full court the magistrate in delivering his judgment said one thing is obvious,and that is in the manner and circumstances the acts are committed is one of a deliberate act, and above all it was a calculated act by the accuse. He said the accused was never on the grounds and do not know what is on the ground she just picked her pen and decided to write things that comes to her mind.

Magistrate Jawo said he is convinced beyond all doubts that the prosecution has proven their case beyond reasonable doubts , he stressed that beyond reasonable doubt dose not mean beyond all doubts. And he is convinced that the prosecution has done that. He told the court that he has not seen any contradiction by the prosecution witnesses on all the counts. He told the court that the prosecution called three witnesses.

The articles in questionposted on Freedom newspaper web site bearing her names were confirmed to be her own. All of which indicated that President Jammeh debunk our hopes and that he is a thorn in the flesh, he lacks direction, and that Gambians are in dare need of an alternative, She also indicated in her articles that President Jammeh is a bundle of terror. She said that there is a need to speak out. Magistrate Jawo told the court that the articleswere all seditious.

Counsel for the accuse Lamin Jorbateh rose up to plea on behalf of the accused. He said his client has being going to court for one year five months now. He told the magistrate that she is a banker in the USA and is pursuing a degree course which she already lost two academic years all due the on going case. He told the court that the accuse is a young woman with two children who are to maintained by her with a custodian sentence that will not only affect the accused but the kids as well.

He told the court that the accused came here bereaved as she lost her father. The ordeal she has under gone now is enough a punishment. He urged the magistrate to tamper justice with mercy. He said his client is a first time offender.

Here are and on the full charges: She first appeared before the courts on 3 April 2006. On count one she is alleged that she acted with seditious intention contrary to section 52(1) (a) of the Criminal Code.Count two, states that , publication ofseditious words contrary to section 52 (1) (c) of the Criminal Code The third cont states publication of false news with the intendsto cause fear and alarm to the Gambia Public, contrary to section 59 (1) of the Criminal Code.

The particulars of the offence indicated that Fatou Jaw Manneh, between January and March 2007, with seditious intention, granted an interview contained in a publicationdated 23 October 2005, consisting of the following words to which is indicated . BETRAYAL Jammeh is tearing our beloved country into shreds he debunked our hopes and became a thorn into every issue that is related to progress in the Gambia, be it social, political or economical. Worst of all, he is a bundle of terror. There is a need to speak out. If you lookaround the Gambia particularly at the condition people are living in, you will see what I mean, that Gambian are desperatelyin need of an alternative to this egoistic, frosty imam of APRCtive. Jammeh is full of energy but very negative energy and he totally lacks direction, what he needs is to come clear to the Gambian people and say that he has failed us all miserably, that he will be doing every thing to revitalized his promises to the Gambian people, excuse his ten years of office, rather than forcing us to recognize the developments that do not exist..

Here is a verbatim report of an American Senator Durbin who is calling for release of our Gambian journalist Chief Ebrima Manneh who has been missing for two years now. Senator has not only limited to the case of Manneh but many others in the world. Here goes the call.

   Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, America has long been a champion and source of hope around the world for those suffering human rights violations--those holed up in dictators' prisons, those fighting for press and political freedoms, those bravely standing up to tyranny or injustice.

   Many of those who have suffered, such as Vaclav Havel and Nelson Mandela, or continue to suffer this fate, such as Aung San Suu Kyi, are well-known to us. Sadly, for each one of them, there are many other, lesser known heroes being detained or harassed all over the world simply for wanting basic human freedoms.

   Through our annual human rights reporting at the State Department, our diplomacy, and steady public pressure on basic human rights, the U.S. has traditionally been a source of hope for those being illegally detained or persecuted.

   We should never forget what this kind of attention and pressure can accomplish and what kind of strength it provides for those being detained.

   Take for example, Ngawang Sangdrol, a Tibetan nun who was detained and tortured for peacefully expressing her belief in Tibetan independence. She was freed after 12 years of imprisonment following immense public pressure. After her release she said,

   I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support ..... I am deeply touched to learn that many individuals, organizations, and governments.......have worked towards my release. It is very clear to me that I have been released and allowed to come out to the free world for medical treatment and to enjoy my freedom because of international concern.

   Or Gurbandurdy Durdykuliev, a political activist from Turkmenistan who in 2004 was seized and forced into a psychiatric hospital by the country's ruling dictator. His crime--requesting permission for a peaceful political rally.

   He was released a few years later, just 10 days after 54 members of Congress sent a letter to the Turkmen Government about his case.

   We should listen and act upon the appeal made by Aung San Suu Kyi, who has remained under house arrest in Burma for most of the last 19 years:

   Those fortunate enough to live in societies where they are entitled to full political rights can reach out to help the less fortunate in other parts of our troubled planet....... Please use your liberty to promote ours.

   I realize we must also work to address our own recent shortcomings by unequivocally renouncing torture and by closing the detention facility in Guantanamo--and we will continue to work toward ending these shameful legacies.

   At the same time, we must continue to speak out in support of those imprisoned for advocating basic freedoms around the world.

   Many of us on both sides of the aisle have been arguing that America's strength resonates not only from its military power but from the power of its ideas and inspiration, the power of its values and hope, the power of its generosity and diplomacy--its smart power.

   Sadly, I worry that a measure of this leadership, of this inspiration, and of this uniquely American hope has been lost in recent years.

   Accordingly, today I want focus the Senate's attention on a tragic story from the small west African Nation of The Gambia.

   Chief Ebrima Manneh was a reporter for the Gambian newspaper, the Daily Observer. He was allegedly detained in July 2006 by plainclothes police officers thought to have been from the Gambian National Intelligence Agency after he tried to republish a BBC report critical of President Yahya Jammeh.

   He has been held incommunicado, without charge or trial, for two long years. Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience and has called for his immediate release.

   I agree.

   Recent reports suggest he is being held at the Fatoto Police Station in eastern Gambia. In July 2007, he was also reportedly escorted by the members of the Gambian Police Intervention Unit to the Royal Victoria hospital in the capital for high blood pressure treatment.

   Despite repeated attempts by Manneh's father and fellow journalists, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, to seek information on Mr. Manneh, the Gambian Government continues to deny any involvement in his arrest or knowledge of his whereabouts.

   My direct request to the Gambian Embassy here in Washington has also been met with shameful silence.

   Last month in Nigeria, the Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States declared the arrest and detention of Mr. Manneh illegal and ordered Gambian officials to release him immediately.

   And yet the Gambian Government ignored this court's ruling as well--even though this court has jurisdiction for human rights cases in the Gambia.

   Is the Gambian Government so afraid of one of its own reporters that it cannot even acknowledge his detention?

   I say to President Jammeh: Release this reporter. Let him return to his family.

   Sadly, Mr. Manneh's case is not alone in The Gambia. In December 2004, a critic of President Jammeh, and press freedom advocate, Deyda Hydara, was shot and killed. His murder has yet to be solved or investigated.

   The government has also enacted laws muzzling the press and imposing mandatory prison sentences for media owners if convicted of publishing defamatory or seditious material--all part of a larger deterioration of basic freedoms in The Gambia. 

 Madam President, the United States needs to be a forceful advocate for these kinds of blatant human rights abuses. Doing so is not only the right thing to do, but it is the smart thing to do in terms of our engagement abroad and in demonstrating our American values.

   I yield the floor.

The Gambia has a high population of 63,000 orphans, the causes of which are due to several factors ranging from poverty and other preventable diseases, like HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria. Reliable reports indicated that 44 million in 34 developing countries are likely to lose a parent in the next years to come thus leaving them to become orphans.

Ummul Qura Foundation a charitable organization started its operations some 14 years ago in the Gambia. As   part of its activities of sponsoring orphans, the Ummul Qura Foundation for Islamic Studies and Research began its second Islamic studies course on August the 2^nd 2008 at its headquarters in Faji kunda in the KMC municipality. A total of 150 orphans are participating in a one month long summer classes.

 This shows that apart from helping the orphans with clothing and money they are also into offering some other form of social services by educating the orphans, said Abubacarr Mohammed Loum chairman of the occasion and vice president of the project.

Speaking at the start of the course Sheikh Mohammed Jonga the course director   indicated that the course is sponsored by the orphans committee of Sheikh Eid Bin Muhammad Al-Thani Charity Association, a charitable organization, based in the Gulf state of Qatar. He said a similar course is done in sixteen other countries in Africa, Asia and Europe simultaneously, and 27 Islamic organizations of which his organization is one of them are conducting the courses. A total of up 3700 orphans altogether are benefiting from such a course worldwide .Jonga told the gathering.

The President of the Foundation Alhagie Mustapha Cham said the foundation is currently sporting 205 orphans. This number rose over the last 14 years from 35 orphans to 205 today. He informed the meeting that, they still have more than 200 applicants who are yet to be sponsored.  Cham said we are not only in the business of giving out hand out but also trying to educate these orphans in their religion.

Ms Fanta Sisay director of Social Welfare who is also the guest speaker inform the gathering that The Gambia has up to 63,000 orphans. She implore the foundation to do more in also sensitizing the donors who are only concern with children whose father are dead but the ones whose mother’s too die need assistance. She calls on the religious leaders and elders of our communities to help in preaching our children to have respect for our religion and cultures as our homes are getting out of orders.

Other speakers included The President of the Gambia Supreme Islamic council Alhagie Cherno banding Drammeh and his vice Dr. Jah, all of who call for discipline and respect for our culture and religion.

                                                                                                        Mariama Ceesay

The communities of Kotu South were on Thursday 31 July blessed with a D240, 000 worth of a public pump. This community has for several years been yeaning for such a project until the arrival of the couple Mr. and Mrs.  Diana Malick Susso sometimes last year. The philanthropies saw the need and quickly came to the help of the community. The project was handed over to the community in a grand meeting.

The deputy mayor of the Kanifing municipality, Mr. Yusupha Sanyang who deputized for the Lord Mayor of Kanifing Mr. Yankuba Kolley said development is vital and cannot go behind good health and water is a pre-requisite. It is an ardent belief of them at the municipality that the entire municipality should have access to clean and portable water. He therefore thanks the couple for sinking a borehole in the municipality. He said they are equally thankful to the Mayor of Banjul Mr. Samba Faal who is a community member of Kotu for all the support they got from him.

Mr. Jaiteh the ward councilor of the kotu South ward in his remark call on the members of the community to take ownership of the project. He also urged them to take full charge of the upkeep of the pump. Jaiteh said the idea to providing the community with this borehole was conceived at a time when there was acute water shortage around the neighborhood some time last year. This is a community that constantly faces difficulties in getting water, especially the women folk. This was what prompted Mr. and Susso to initiate modalities in raising funds in Netherlands with the view to alleviating the plight of the women and to create an environment were the people would access clean and portable water.

The councilor went on to say this noble gesture by the couple is worthy of commendation and it is in line with the Millennium Development Goals and the Gambia’s Poverty Reduction Paper ( PRSP ) which is continuously  being spear headed by our stead fast and visionary leader His Excellency Alagi Dr.Yaya AJJ Jammeh president of the Gambia.

At this juncture the councilor crave the indulgence  of the gathering to congratulate and thank the donors  Mr. and Mrs. Susso , and in the same vein to thank through the donors the people of Northern Ireland who contributed to this  noble project.     

Mrs.  Susso told the  meeting that when she bought a house at kotu  South she dug  a borehole in her compound , which attracted many people of the community fetching water from her compound. That was a clear indication to her of the water shortage that the people in the community are facing, this she said is what compelled her to do some thing about it.

When she returns home she decided to bank on a fund raising venture. She then invited her friends to a dinner where they were able to raise some money. She also told the meeting that her daughter’s school also raised some amount all of which came to a total of Two hundred and forty thousand dalasi (D240, 000) and that is what sank us this borehole.

Speaking on behalf of the women group, call BAHAA YAI SOCIETY, Aji Amie Gaye who is the Deputy Yai Compin, expressed their gratitude to the couple for coming to their help. Water she said is a very essential component of human needs, helping in that regard is well cherished. She ask for the couple to help with a skills training center, where the women can improve or learn new skills and become self reliance.

WAJA’s objective is to build the capacity of its membership in this part of our continent, said Alpha Sall the project Coordinator of the West Africa Journalists Association WAJA, in an exclusive interview with Media Agenda’s Mariama Ceesay.Sall was in Banjul from the 28-31 July 2008 conducting training for 30 Gambian journalists in skills improvement workshop in collaboration with The Gambia Press Union (GPU).

He told the MA, that WAJA signed a four project with the ACBF some one year ago and the project is in full blossom implementing its plans of action which is basically training journalists in the region. We are aiming at training journalist of all cadre, be it investigative, sport, health and all others specialties of journalism. Association did discover that there some of our members who are weak in other disciplines of our profession so the need for such a project.

Asked how many countries have the project conducted training of this kind, Sall said we have conducted training in eight countries namely: Senegal, Sierra Leone, Niger, Burkina Faso, Bissau, The Gambia and Liberia. As you may know we are 15 countries so we are only half way. We will be in Banjul again in October of this year, for a regional workshop and at that work shop we hope to give award of excellence to deserving candidates. 

In brief remarks at the closing of the Gambia’s workshop, Coordinator Sall encourage the participants to make good use of the knowledge gained at the workshop and said he was impressed that the Gambia is one of the best in female representation at the WAJA workshops so far.

Madi M.K. Ceesay former president of GPU and current director of Media Agenda who officiated over the closing ceremony told participants that they should work hard to become journalists worth their salts. He call on them to do all what it takes one to become journalist rather than join the lists as most of our critics will say. To do that one has to read and read every thing that you can lay your hands on.

As reporters he told them that their duty is to collect information, put it in order, and deliver it to the reader with accuracy, clarity, simplicity. He concluded by extending the thankfulness of the Gambia Press Union to WAJA as a regional body for their far sightedness. He ended congratulating the participants for what he describe this wonderful achievement.

 A four day training workshop is under way at the Tango Resource Center in Fajara.M.section from 28- 30 July 2008. The training is organized by Gambia Press Union with support from WAJA- and African Capacity Building Foundation ACBF, the workshop is aimed at training 30 journalists to have skills in other to report accurately.

 In her welcoming remarks the president of the GPU Ndye Tapha Sosseh, expressed delight that the theme happens to dwell on an issue of great concern to the union. The union has continually sought to improve on the capacities of various cadres of media practitioners and this is but another step in that direction.

As we all know too well the world of journalism evolves on a daily basis and the only way to keep abreast is to engage in continuous career and skill improvement activities.

She said the G.P.U is well aware that the average Gambian journalist can ill afford to personally finance such a training .She said the workshop is a unique opportunity for participants, most of whom are mid-career journalists to not only learn new things but share experience.

She urged journalists to adhere to ethics and professional standards specially in specialized and sensitive reporting, to proactively seek stories of national interest and to continue to use various media out let’s to educate on issues such as the reporting on children, access to information, human rights and gender.

Deputizing for the SoS of Information Mrs. Fatima Badgie, Mr. Abdou Karim Sonko, deputy permanent secretary, thank the Gambia Press Union for taking this laudable initiative in organizing such an important training workshop which we all know, this country really needs more of this. He said with the information revolution characterized by an emerging information society, the role of journalists has become pertinent and ever more crucial for the socio-economic development of the Gambia. Mr. Sonko went on to say the duty of the journalist is one of seeking the truth and providing a fair, comprehensive and balanced account of events and issues.

He urged the journalists from all works of media specialties should strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility. According to him, this training would be physically rewarding, for it will better prepare the participants to face the challenges and work towards the attainment of such credibility and to enhance greater understanding of the intricacies involved in journalism as a profession.

Sonko said his department has recognized the existence of this significant knowledge gap in journalism practice in the Gambia, therefore the department of state fully supports such initiatives. As a matter of fact, the University of the Gambia is currently considering the introduction of journalism courses.Other speakers include Mr.Alpha Sall, WAJA representative who also express similar sentiments.    

Detention without trial is still persisting in the Gambia. The people whose names are listed below are still in detention and the state is yet to prefer charges against many of them. This is up to the 1 of June 2008. Courtesy FOROYAA Newspaper 30 May- 1 June 2008.

Journalist Ebrima Manneh a senior journalist with the pro-government paper, Daily Obersaver News paper, was arrested by the state security agents since 7 July 2006 at his office in Bakau.He is still at large.

Kanyiba Kanyi, a staff of the Christian Children Fund (CCF) was arrested since 18 September 2006, at his home at Bonto, Kombo East, in Western Region. His lawyer had field a suit in the High court in 2006 against the Inspector General of Police, Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Attorney General asking the court to compel them to produce him. The state continued denying having him under their custody. The issue is still being battled in court.

Momodou Limin Nyassi, a former chief of Foni Kansala,

Buba Sanyang and Ndongo Mboob, all resident and natives of Foni Bwiam, are reported to have been arrested since April 2006. Family sources said they could not establish their whereabouts.

Haruna Jammeh and Jasaga Kujabie, all from Foni Kanilai are said to be in detention since 2005.

Alfusainey Jammeh a prison warden and a native of Kanilai in Foni, is also said to be in detention since 2006.

Alieu Lowe, a resident of Fagikunda, arrested in connection to the 21 March 2006 coup plot, is still said to be detained in Mile Two Prison.

Abdoulie Njie a civilian, arrested shortly after the 21 Mach 2006 abortive coup plot, is believe to be detained at Mile Two Prison.

Marabout Hamadi Sowe was arrested and charge with treason in connection to the March 21, 2006, failed coup plot. In late 2006, the state announces its intention to withdraw charges against him, but it never materialized. His trial is now expected to commence again in June.

Sergeant Sam Kambai, of The Gambia National Army is said to be in detention since 2006, at Mile Two Prison.

Alexandra Gibba, a former spokesperson for the MFDC rebel movement in cassamance in shountern Senegal was not too long ago seen in the company of MFDC rebel, who were later charge and convicted, but he is yet to be charge.

Keebba Secka, a National Intelligence Agency operative, who was arrested on or about 14 of May 2007, is still in detention at Mile Two Prison.

Ebou Jarju, a cook at State House, arrested on March 2008, is alleged to be detained at Police Head Quarters in Banjul.Jarjue was said to have been pick up by men in a white pickup vehicle, after he was order to vacate the State premises he was occupying with his family.

Banta Kaira and Dodou Jobe, both businessmen, was arrested since 28 April 2008. It is believed that both men are detained in Mile Two Prison.

Former Crime Management Coordinator, Police Commissioner, Burma Dibba and Former Serious Crime Commander, Assistant Superintendent of police Ebrima Kunji Jammeh, were both arrested on 30 April 2008, and are still in detention at Mile Two Prison.

Mr. Bakary Gassama, the Financial Director of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) who was arrested in mid May 2008, is still in detention. All most all these people are kept in-communicado. Their Families and love ones lamented that they could not establish their place of detention, even though they have made frantic efforts to locate them. Their families also lamented that they are not aware of any charges against them. They are still languishing in detention.         

As we look forward to the end of the rainy season in the country, heavy rain falls is being a curse for concern during the past weeks. Residents of Dippakunda, Manjai and Ebotown were once again victims of the heavy rain fall due to the areas bad topography and landscape.

 Inhabitants from these areas continue to suffer from this natural disaster, some have their compounds flooded whiles others have their fences and houses collapsing. It has cause a lot of damage to the inhabitants.

 Speaking to this reporter, Modou Jallow of Dippakunda described the tragedy as a natural phenomenon which cannot be stop by any human being, he went on to say that this area of Dippakunda is not suitable for  habitation because the soil has high water holding capacity which is more suitable for the production of rice. On sounding people’s opinion on the year’s rain fall, a woman who identified herself as Fatoumatta Drammeh a vendor at the Serrekunda market, said this year’s rainfall is causing much havoc than good. She went on to say that, the area is very close to the Bakoteh dumpsite and a lot of diseases can be contracted from the stagnant water.

 A shopkeeper at Dippakunda chupe town said ‘’ the last two rains of 20 and 21 July, 2008, respectively causes a lot of damages to his shop, the wind was very strong, and  that  it took away  his corrugated roof which cost him a lot of money to repair ‘’ James Gomez  a taxi driver who normally transports people’s goods and from Westfield to Sukuta village said he started plying the road some five years ago ,but the rains this year are very heavy coupled with the poor  status of the road made  transportation very difficult.

Speaking to this reporter, a compound owner in a settlement near by called Manjai kunda also said the last two rains has caused a lot damage to his house which he built some five years back and most of his livestock have contracted diseases, they are dying gradually’’.The drainage in these areas is very poor, no passage for the water to pass through.

 A farmer at Ebou Town described this year’s rainfall as excessive and plentiful which can endanger their production. Because the running water washes away the topmost part of the soil which is the most fertile part of the soil thereby causing erosion and depletion of soil nutrients and minerals? He said some people have started evacuating as water continues to flood their compounds causing loss of properties.

A metro logiest; predict that this years rainfall will be more than last years. Preventive measures should be taken into consideration by both government and the civilian population and come up with a possible solution to remedy the situation as quickly as it is possible, since some of these victims affected are low income earners with a large family to take care.  The communities are appealing to NGOs, government of the Gambia and philanthropist to come to their rescue through the National Disaster Relief Fund.