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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Momodou |
Posted - 05 Jun 2017 : 09:04:33
One dead, six injured in Kanilai demo
By Nelson Manneh, Kanilai, 3 June 2017
Foroyaa: June 4, 2017
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/15912
 Seven people sustained injuries from live bullets on Friday 2nd June 2017 while protesting against the stationing of soldiers in and around Kanilai.
Two of the injured seven, all civilians, were in critical condition and were rushed to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul where they were admitted. One of the two in critical condition, Arona Jatta, could not make it and died shortly after admission. The other five with minor injuries were admitted at Bwiam Hospital less than 10 kilometres from Kanilai.
Buba Jammeh is critically ill at EFSTH; the other five with minor injuries are Amadou Jammeh, Ebou Tamba, Musa Badgie, Bakary Sanyang and Manga.
Kanilai, located in Foni Kansala West Coast Region, is the home town of former President Jammeh.
Eyewitnesses say that protestors moved from the car park and headed for the Kanfenda junction on the highway which is three kilometres away from Kanilai. However, as they moved the ECOMIG troops stationed less than a kilometre from Kanilai blocked their passage and ordered them not to go further. But according to eyewitnesses, the protestors kept moving towards them; the troops now fired bullets into the air but the protestors continued to move towards the troops. The troops now fired on the tarred road and the protestors believe that it is the deflected bullets fired by the troops that hit the six victims.
After the shooting the protestors returned to Kanilai and protested before the Gambian troops at ex-president Jammeh’s premises. They finally returned to the village where they held a meeting and listened to the advice of the alkalo to calm down especially since they had made their voice heard.
The protestors believe that the ECOMIG forces were called and misinformed that they had rebels possessing guns in their midst.
Protestors told Foroyaa that the reason for their protest is that they don’t want to see any military personnel stationed in Kanilai, be they Gambian or ECOMIG Soldiers. They opined that Kanilai is a village like any other ordinary village and should be left alone like other villages because Ex-president Jammeh is no more there.
Mr. Malamin Bojang a relative to Ex-President Jammeh said that they have not been at ease with the troops stationed at Kanilai since Jammeh left Kanilai.
He complained about the destruction of ex-president Jammeh’s properties; that his pictures at the entrance have been torn and all the flowers and the Bahamas meadow have been left to die.
Mr. Bojang said now they want all the soldiers to leave and they are ready of take care of Jammehs properties till he comes back home as he (Jammeh) said he will be back home very soon.
Madam Mariama Tamba a woman in her early eighties said they are really suffering in Kanilai. She said everybody hates Kanilai and the satellite villages.
“Many people are saying that we were enjoying with Jammeh so we have to suffer together with him. If Jammeh has done something wrong I don’t think that it is right for all the community of Kanilai to suffer. We are Gambians like any other person,” she lamented
 Madam Tamba said it is believed that some rebels are in their midst in Kanilai.
“That is why during the protest they called on the ECOMIC soldiers to intervene. The ECOMIC soldiers came and started to shoot with live bullets without asking, which led to our children being wounded. Our children are taken to the hospital, we don’t know whether they will survive or die,” she noted.
The Alkalo of Kanilai said he has been receiving many complaints about the way his people are treated, that is why they decided to hold a demonstration, to show the whole Gambia that they are not happy with the way they are treating them.
“We want them to go home we will take up the responsibility of taking care of his [ex-president Jammeh’s] properties till he comes back home by God’s grace,” he asserted.
The commander who is in charge of the Gambian troops in Kanilai declined to comment. He said all he knows is that he is not a resident of Kanilai and that he is there for a mission. He added that he simply saw them protesting but doesn’t know what they are protesting for.
During the protest the ECOMIG commander was no around and the soldiers around declined to comment.
The protesters burnt tires on the high way and chanted, “We don’t need any soldier here,” “Let Kanilai be left alone like other villages.”
The women in the midst of the protestors were each seen holding a calabash, some putting them on their heads; and when the ECOMIG soldiers asked them to go their response was they will never go.
The Gambia Armed Force (GAF) Public Relation Officer (PRO) said he is aware of the incident. He said the shooting of live bullets was done by the ECOMIG soldiers, which led to the injuries of the civilians, two of whom are seriously injured and are admitted at the Edward Francis Teaching Hospital. Foroyaa later learnt that one of these two has died.
On the following day, 3 June, tension was high at Kanilai. The youths were seen wielding cutlasses and there was often push and pull between them and the security forces. PIU were in riot gears including gas masks and truncheons and were effecting arrests including from the home of the deceased Arona Jatta. The military patrolled the streets.
But there was an attempt to ease the tension. National Assembly member, Amul Nyassi appealed for calm, compliance with the law and acceptance of changes that have taken place.
Related Topic: To APRC Agitators in Foni: Gambia Does Not Belong
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| 5 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Momodou |
Posted - 13 Jun 2017 : 13:20:59
Kanilai protest should not be seen as threat, says Halifa Sallah
By Rose Zahra Gomez
The Point: Tuesday, June 13, 2017
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/kanilai-protest-should-not-be-seen-as-threat-says-halifa-sallah
 Halifa Sallah, a senior member of the coalition and National Assembly member for Serekunda constituency, has said that the recent protest in Kanilai village which was quelled by the military should not have been seen as a threat.
“They [protesters] should not have been seen as threat but part of the Gambian population,” he said at a press conference on Sunday at the PDOIS building in Churchill’s Town.
The conference was in reaction to a protest in Kanilai on 2 June 2017 when dozens of youth from in and around the village took to the streets near the military camps in Kanilai demanding the withdrawal of ECOMIG soldiers from the vicinity of the village.
Hon. Sallah said the Gambian people should understand the role of ECOMIG and know that the forces are in the country to defend the sovereignty of The Gambia and its people.
“It is not to take part in an ethnic strife or political infighting,” he said “The people should understand that the ECOMIG forces came into The Gambia to enhance the unity among the people.”
The veteran politician said it is important for the military forces stationed in Kanilai and other places to be given orientation to ensure that they are guided by republican and democratic values and the spirit of caring for others.
On the other hand, he said, the communities should also be able to accept that the security forces protect life just as doctors do.
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| Momodou |
Posted - 08 Jun 2017 : 12:40:39
Alleged Kanilai protesters granted court bail
The Point: Thursday, June 08, 2017
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/alleged-kanilai-protesters-granted-court-bail
The alleged demonstrators from Kanilai, who were charged by the police prosecutors at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court, were granted court bail.
On Monday, 13 were charged which includes Ebou Benteng Sanyang, Ansu Jatta, Anthony Jammeh, Lamin Kujabi, Sambujang Badgie, Kaddy Badgie, Momodou Jeng Jallow, Awa Badgie, Ebrima Jammeh, Baboucarr Tamba, Assan Badgie, Cham Jarju and Saikou Omar Sanneh.
However, six more were charged on Tuesday and they are Modou Lamin Manga, Bakary Jatta, Ansu Sanneh, Ansu Jarju, Nfamara Jarju and Modou Tamba.
All are charged with five counts of criminal offences of unlawful assembly, incitement of violence, prohibition of conduct, riot and conspiracy to commit misdemeanour.
They all denied the charges and they were granted court bail of D500,000 with one Gambian surety.
The matter was adjourned until 20 June 2017.
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| Momodou |
Posted - 08 Jun 2017 : 11:59:31
ARRESTS IN FONI Following Friday’s demo
By Mustapha Jallow
Foroyaa: June 7, 2017
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/15932
On 3 June, in the midst of tension, PIU officers were in riot gears including gas masks and truncheons and were effecting arrests. Some of them were armed with rifle. They could also be seen chasing some youths. An arrest was also effected from the home of the deceased Haruna Jatta.
A list of arrestees provided by the villagers included the following who were held at a fire rescue station in Kanilai before being transported to Bwiam: Anthony B. Jammeh, Babucarr Tamba, Pa Jammeh, Alh. Betten Sanyang, Assan Badjie, Hama Badjie, Mamajang Jallow, Saidu Manga. Pa Sanyang and Jatou Badjie.
The Minister of the Interior, Mr Mai Fatty said in his statement that a total of 22 have been arrested in connection to the Kanilai incident.
While at Kanilai on 3 June the military could be seen patrolling the streets. The youths were seen wielding cutlasses and there was often push and pull between them and the security forces.
Inspector Foday Conta, the police spokesperson indicated that the arrests included females. When further asked he said “as for reasons we would not disclose their names or places of detention but what I can say is they are in our custody.” When asked whether they have been charged, he said they could be charged.
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| Momodou |
Posted - 08 Jun 2017 : 11:58:08
Hon. Amul Nyassi appeals for peace in Kanilai
By Mustapha Jallow
Foroyaa: June 7, 2017
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/15930
In an attempt to calm down the situation Hon. Amul Nyassi, National Assembly Member addressed a community meeting in Kanilai on Saturday 2017, passionately calling for peace and tranquility.
‘‘Do not take the law into your hands, we are one Gambia, people come and go. So let’s take change in good faith. President Jammeh has done a lot of development for his country but he is gone and someone has come, why can’t we respect the laws of our land and work for the interest of our nation?’’ he asked.
He said that the maintenance of peace in this country of ours is a joint responsibility and is incumbent on every Gambian citizen, adding that people should be seen working to promoting peace as it is only in peace and tranquility that you can have development that has been realized through the leadership of the former government.
‘‘That’s why I keep advocating for peace without fear, and no amount of threat will make me reframe from what I am trying to say and that’s what I was advocating for in Kanilai but unfortunately I saw trucks and pickup vehicles with PIU officers who are fully armed conducting arrests and as a result my efforts are to some extent nullified. Without peace we are nowhere and the saddest thing is that while we were gathered and offering our condolences to the family of the late Haruna Jatta we were suddenly dispersed by PIU officers and youths started running,’’ he said.
‘‘You can hear me addressing the community of Kanilai, that I’m blaming them. If they elected me as their representative at the National Assembly they should see me as the link between them and government. If such things are happening in the community and I’m not put in the picture and they want to take matters on themselves without my knowledge I really blame them for that, which the people of Kanilai accepted,’’ he told Foroyaa.
Hon. Nyassi explained that during the protest when villagers got nearer to the ECOMIG forces then the forces opened fire on villagers and he saw about 6 of them seriously injured by bullets, adding that unfortunately one of them passed away on the following day at EFSH in Banjul. ‘‘The injuries are serious and not minor, you cannot call minor and you cannot say it is rubber-bullets. We have seen a sample of the bullets that were used to open fire”.
In conclusion he urged the people of Kanilai and the general public not to pursue any form of violence but to advocate for dialogue.
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| Momodou |
Posted - 05 Jun 2017 : 15:13:21
Kanilai protest ‘will not be accepted’: Prexy Barrow
By Sanna Camara
The Point: Monday, June 05, 2017
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/kanilai-protest-will-not-be-accepted-prexy-barrow
President Adama Barrow has warned that the kind of protest that took place in Kanilai, the village of former president Yahya Jammeh, would not be tolerated from any community or group from anywhere in The Gambia.
The Gambian leader was reacting to a violent protest in Kanilai on Friday when dozens of youth from in and around the village took to the streets near the military camps in Kanilai demanding the withdrawal of ECOMIG soldiers from the vicinity of the village.
In his reaction through a Facebook post from Liberia, where he was attending the ECOWAS Summit, Barrow said he would promote democracy, freedom and rule of law and encourage reconciliation in The Gambia.
“But I will not accept violence, lack of respect for authority, and the rule of law,” he said, adding that Gambians have decided a change of government on the 1st December 2016.
“I call on all to join my government and promote democracy, freedom and rule of law. Let us focus on our reform agenda and build a foundation where democracy and development will thrive and citizens live in dignity and respect for rule of law.”
One died, 22 arrested
In a televised statement yesterday, Interior Minister Mai Ahmad Fatty condemned the protest, calling it an act of provocation against members of the security forces.
According to him, security reports revealed that some members of the protesters were armed with traditional weapons and one of their demands was the removal of security personnel from the Kanilai area.
“Unfortunately, during the tense standoff between the group of armed demonstrators and members of the security forces deployed in the area [Kanilai], two members of the group and one ECOMIG soldiers were wounded resulting in the regrettable death on 3 June of the demonstrators at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul,” he said.
Meanwhile, the minister confirmed the arrest of 22 protesters.
“There were 22 people arrested from the incident while the village head of Kanilai and others went into hiding but efforts are on the way to find them,” he said.
Fatty pointed out that President Barrow had convened an emergency security meeting with the security chiefs to address the circumstances prevailing in the country particularly the Kanilai incident.
He said the presence of the ECOMIG soldiers in The Gambia was caused by the former president when he refused to step down and hand over power peacefully after he was voted out of office on December 1 presidential election.
He noted that the Constitution of The Gambia guarantees the rights for peaceful protest or freedom of assembly or association but it must be exercised within the confines of the law.
“You either abide by the law or you will be consumed by the law,” the tough-talking interior minister said.
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