Supreme Islamic Council statement poses danger to national cohesion

DA Jawo

By D. A. Jawo

Demba Ali Jawo, Former president of Gambia Press Union and veteran Gambian journalist has reacted tensely to the Gambia Supreme Islamic council recent statement branding one of the oldest religious sects in The Gambia as ‘non- Muslim’
In a piece written by Mr. Jawo on his social networking site facebook, which The Justice blog deem necessary to reproduce verbatim for the benefit of our readers.
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As the Gambia gears up to celebrate its golden jubilee of independence, rather than realizing advancement in our social cohesion as a nation, we seem to be retrogressing in several aspects.
For instance, just last week, we saw a derogatory statement issued by the Supreme Islamic Council, declaring the Ahmadiya Muslim Jammat as non-Muslims.
It is indeed quite hard for any reasonable being to comprehend what prompted the Council to issue such a divisive statement, 50 years after the Gambia became an independent nation and more than 70 years since the Ahmadis were established in the country. Who gave this unrepresentative clique of talibes the authority to determine who is a Muslim or even to act as guardians of religious purity in the country?
The Gambia is a secular state and as such, the Constitution guarantees everyone the freedom to practice their religion the way they feel or even not to belong to any religious persuasion, as long as they do not infringe on the rights of other citizens. It is clearly stipulated in Section 25 of the Constitution that “Every person shall have the right (b) Freedom of thought, conscience and belief, which shall include academic freedom; (c) Freedom to practice any religion and to manifest such practice;…..”
Therefore, this decision by the Supreme Islamic Council is not only retrogressive but it is also a threat to national cohesion. We all know that the Council is not only a creation of the state, but it also tends to reflect the views of the authorities. Therefore, it is very likely that the authorities are either complicit to the decision or they are ignoring its possible repercussions. However, as guardians of the secularity of the state and welfare of all Gambians and non-Gambians living in our midst, it is the duty of the state to prevent such irresponsible statements that have the potential to create friction within the society, especially by a body created and natured by the state. Obviously, allowing such an unrepresentative group like the Supreme Islamic Council to make such derogatory remarks against the Ahmadis does not auger well for maintenance of peace and national cohesion.
It is quite a well-known fact that the Ahmadiya Muslim Jammat had contributed and continues to contribute quite significantly to the wellbeing of Gambians in various areas; including education and health. They have several educational facilities in the country as wealth as health facilities which are giving invaluable service to Gambians of all religious persuasions.
However, one would wonder what the socalled “true” Muslims, who have been in this country since time immemorial, have been contributing to the social advancement of lives of ordinary Gambians, apart from merely organising numerous social events in which these talibes collect as much money as they can from their poor congregations. There is therefore no doubt that if the people were given the opportunity to choose between the two groups, they would no doubt tend to choose the Ahmadis for being much more beneficial to their daily needs.

International Community urged to act on Gambia deteriorating Human rights Situation

Fatou Jagne with her Team

By Sainey MK Marenah, Editor Justice Blog

Dakar, Senegal

Over a dozen Human rights groups in Dakar has urged the international community including United Nations and African Union to immediately act to halt the deteriorating human rights situation in Gambia following the foiled 30 December coup attempt in the tiny West African state.

The call was made today in The Senegalese city of Dakar by Article 19, Amnesty International among other international right groups saying that over dozen people were arrested, detained without charges in unknown location within the territorial confinement of The Gambia.

At a news conference convened by Article 19 West Africa regional office based in Dakar, The group that has already petition African Union through African Commission on Human and Peoples Right (ACHPR) based in Banjul are calling on international pressure on the Government of Gambia to either release or take the detainees to court as stipulated by the Gambian constitution.

Madam Jagne

“We, civil society organizations based in Senegal, would like to draw your attention to the serious human rights situation in the Gambia since the attempted coup which took place on the night of 29 to 30 December 2014 and was followed by arrests all-out military and civilian relatives of alleged coup plotters. Since taking power 22 July 1994 by President Yahya Jammeh, the Republic of The Gambia, host of the African Commission on Human and Peoples perpetuates authoritarianism, intolerance and serious violations of human rights…. Indeed, in 1994, accession year of President Jammeh, following a {coup, until today, the fundamental rights and freedoms are still flouted in total impunity. This sad fact alone is sufficient to explain the immeasurable number of Attempts to real or imaginary coups lived in twenty (20) years until that of {December 30, 2014.).” the right groups said in a petition sent to ACHPR.
The group further said: “We deplore this crisis and reaffirm our opposition to any seizure of power through undemocratic ways and our commitment {political alternation which is a foundation of the democratic system only guarantees stability and peace. Indeed, following the abortive coup, security forces carried out dozens of arrests of women, men, civilians and soldiers and go door to door to stop the families and relatives of the people who are supposed to have taken part. We are now more than ever concerned about the illegal and indiscriminate reprisals against Gambian citizens in this climate of terror and intimidation prevailing in the Gambia.”

Speaking in an interview with Justice Blog shortly after the news conference, Fatou Jagne, director Article 19, West Africa decried the continue violation of human rights in Gambia.

“In the Gambia there is lack of justice and legal mechanism to protect people, and we are very concern about the total violation of the constitution. There is also a continue climate of fear instituted by the state. The family has no access to their love ones and there exist no legal protection for the detainees to be brought before justice. We are calling on state to take them to court for impartial trial. We are concern  about families arrested including women. These are serious concern to us. We are also concern that no official information is coming out…to tell people the whereabouts of the detainees. People are living in fear and nobody knows who is next…we calling on international to put pressure on Gambia for these detainees to be brought to court. The human rights situation is seriously deteriorating in Gambia.”

For his part, Seedy Gassama, Amnesty International Senegal director also deplored the current human rights situation in Gambia saying the international community should act to prevent the state from committing further impunity and violation.

“Gambia should stop abusing her citizen’s rights and promote democracy and human rights.” He said.

François Patuel, West Africa Team - Campaigner Amnesty International, West and Central Africa Regional Office described the situation in Gambia ‘unacceptable’.

“We are extremely concern about the current situation of Human rights violations unfolding in Gambia. We are calling for investigations in the aftermath of the failed coup and this needs to be done in conjunction with African commission on human and people’s rights and United Nation to guarantee the impartiality of the investigation.” He said.

US Navy committed to protect West African waters against Maritime security threats, As Senegal, US complete joint maritime operation

By Sainey MK Marenah, Editor Justice Blog

The United States Navy commander for Africa Partnership Station Mission, Commander Mathew Fleming has told journalists at news conference in Senegalese capital Dakar that The United States is committed to work with partners in West Africa in protecting nations against maritime security threats.

Commander Fleming was speaking at the end of the successive Africa maritime Law enforcement Partnership (AMLEP) operation with Senegal and Cabo Verdean maritime security forces.

Operations were conducted from joint high-speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), Senegalese ships and maritime patrol craft, a Portuguese maritime patrol craft, a P-3C Orion from Patrol Squadron 4, and several maritime agencies from Cabo Verde and Senegal.

The efforts of each participating unit led to an overall increase in interoperability and capability to detect and respond to potential illicit activity that threatens freedom and security in the global commons.
 “The U.S. Navy is always eager to improve interoperability with regional partners in order to leverage a Global Network of Navies, which is the synthesis of like-minded navies pooling resources to achieve common goals.”

“The lessons learned and the relationships established over the last few weeks will prove invaluable. We not only learned a lot about one another; we learned how to work together. We specifically focused on improving detection, boarding, and law enforcement activities in order to better combat ongoing and future illicit activity.”

“Our embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment personnel, along with the Senegalese and Cabo Verdean maritime enforcement teams, were able to successfully patrol and then enforce maritime law in the surrounding territorial waters.” Says  Cmdr. Matthew Flemming, Africa Partnership Station mission commander

According to US Navy officials, AMLEP is the operational phase of Africa Partnership Station, the international theater security cooperation initiative which seeks to enhance African maritime forces’ capacity to conduct maritime security operations through a continuum of activities.

APS is the mechanism by which international maritime forces — the Global Network of Navies — share professional skills, knowledge and experience to enhance collective efforts to combat sea-borne illicit activity.During the two successive AMLEP operations two combined maritime operation centers (MOCs), one in Cabo Verde and one in Senegal, served to sustain a common operational picture and tactically directed participating units to deter potential illicit activity.

Maritime security forces from both Cabo Verde and Senegal embarked Spearhead respectively, forming a combined law enforcement boarding team with U.S. Coast Guard counterparts.

The combined boarding team on Spearhead and teams on other ships completed four boardings which resulted in the enforcement of Partner Nation maritime laws.

Senegalese, Portuguese, and U.S. military maritime patrol flights covered more than 11,000 square nautical miles.

Spearhead, a high-speed ferry capable of traveling at speeds up to 35 knots provides a forward-presence for emergent intra-theater transport needs and a platform to work with partner nations in maritime security.

Spearhead, a 338-foot-long aluminum catamaran with a 20,000 square-foot mission bay area, can be reconfigured to allow it to adapt to a wide-range of operations and missions. Potential missions include carrying containerized portable hospitals for disaster relief to transporting tanks and troops.

Spearhead is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support the international collaborative capacity-building program Africa Partnership Station.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

He said: “ The U.S. Navy is always eager to improve partner nation interoperability in order to leverage a Global Network of Navies, which is the synthesis of like-minded navies pooling resources to achieve common goals. The lessons learned and the relationships established over the last few weeks will prove invaluable. We not only learned a lot about one another; we learned how to work together. We specifically focused on improving detection, boarding, and law enforcement activities in order to better combat ongoing and future illicit activity. Our embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment personnel, along with the Senegalese and Cabo Verdean maritime enforcement teams, were able to successfully patrol and then enforce maritime law in the surrounding territorial waters.

He quoted their Chief of Naval Operations as saying:  “Where there is lawlessness, we must be present.” Established and tested partnerships will help us overcome the challenges that threaten freedom and security in the global commons. Now in its third year, operations like AMLEP aid us in this endeavor. AMLEP has proven to be helpful in collectively increasing safety and stability, and deterring illegal activities in the region.”

He said: “ The past few weeks have truly been an investment in our collective mission effectiveness. The U.S. will continue to invest in this region. It is imperative that we continue to share our ideas and provide innovative solutions to common problems.”

Meanwhile, officials of Senegal Navy and Marine commended the US Government for the partnership while assuring them the knowledge gain during training will be put into good use.

for more images on the US- Senegal Navies in action, click the link below. https://www.flickr.com/photos/cne-cna-c6f/with/16213104268/

Another Assault on Press Freedom in The Gambia As The Mirror Newspaper Ransacked

Journalist Seedy Bojang is the Publisher and Editor Mirrow Newspaper

Barely Less than two weeks after The Standard Newspaper Editor (assistant), Saikou Jammeh was subjected to unnecessary screening and questioning in the hands of the Gambia’s most feared National Intelligence Agency agents at a state a statesponsored event, news report from Gambia indicate that the offices of the The Mirror Newspaper was ransacked by unidentified men.
It seems the assault on press in The Gambia is showing no sign of abating either by state or non-state actors.

Photo Credit: Gambia Affair. Front View of the Mirror Newspaper

The Gambia News website, Gambia affairs reported and quote the Publisher and Editor of weekly news bulletins, The Mirror as saying that the unidentified persons used heavy metal to break the office door.
 “They’ve left the office after several unsuccessful attempts to unlock computers in the newsroom. No equipment was stolen by the attackers.” Gambia Affairs further quoted Mr. Bojang as saying.
The reasons for ransacking The Mirror newspaper is still unknown at the time penning this story but sources enunciated that Editor Bojang has already report the matter to Brusubi Police station few meters away from where The Mirror is situated for investigations.
Gambia Affairs reported that the paper was registered with the Attorney General Chambers in May 2012 and started operations in May 2013. It is the first and only bilingual paper with French and Spanish.
Editor’s Note
We at Justice Blog condemn the ransacking of the offices of The Mirror Newspaper in our strongest term, and therefore call on the police to bring the culprits to book. We renew our call more democratic space to accommodate freedom of the media and freedom of speech.