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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 16 Jul 2018 : 00:33:24
AT THE FARABA BANTA COMMISSION: VDC Chairperson Appears
BY KEBBA MAMBURAY
Foroyaa: July 13, 2018
The Commission of Inquiry set by the President of the Republic Adama Barrow to inquire into the Faraba Banta incident, yesterday July 12th 2018, received as witness, the VDC Chairperson of Faraba Banta, to testify before the Commission about the incident.
Alhagie Sanyang the VDC Chairperson testified that prior to the incident, there was a day when the national assembly select committee on the environment summoned a meeting to discuss the impact of the sand mining industry, as well as concerns raised by the community; that it was put to the Committee that sand mining will suffocate the cultivation of rice and can cause erosion of their community; that this particular meeting was done in the absence of the Alkalo, the Chief and Governor of the Region.
According to Sanyang, before the conclusion of the meeting, the committee told them that they will call on Julakay and the Geology department, to have their side of story regarding sand mining in the area; that all other things will be inclusive. Sanyang refuted the allegations that Julakay had an agreement with them regarding the donation of D100, 000. 00; that the NA Select Committee on the environment, visited the village and the villagers including the VDC and some council of elders who gathered at the Bantaba to receive them; that this was done in the absence of both the Alkalo and Chief, even though the Chief was in the village at that material time. Sanyang said after the committee was received, the villagers escorted them to the vicinity of the mining site and the ponds of water caused by previous mining, where an eight year old boy lost his life; that three days after the meeting with the NA Select Committee, they (VDC) received a call from the president of the Select Committee Saikou Touray to inform them that they met Julakay and advised him on the sand mining operations but that Julakay responded it was only the Geology Department who can tell him to stop, because they are the one who issued him a license; that it was the following Monday June 10th 2018, that Julakay started mining activities.
Sanyang said he called Lawyer Borry S. Touray and informed him too that Julakay has started mining but the Borry asked him to take pictures of the vehicles and their registration numbers.
Sanyang said it was on the 18th June 2018 that he received a call at work from one of his brothers, that there was a riot between villagers and PIU officers and Bakary kujabi and Ismaila Bah were shot; that he could have been a victim if he was there on the scene; that he called the National Assembly Member for Bundung and informed him what he was told on telephone by his brother; that he went to Faraba with some National Assembly Members, to the scene of the incident and they were shown the spot where Bakary and Ismaila were shot; that he later saw the offices of Julakay vandalized and trucks burnt.
Sanyang said he went with the delegation of the National Assembly members to the Brikama police were they were told some of the rioters where arrested and taken to; that after a long day with the National Assembly members, he went home and was told that the PIU asked for him; that his veranda floor tiles were smashed and destroyed as they left. Sanyang said after the incident, he heard that Jung, Jamba and Bakary Saidykhan including the Alkalo’s household furniture, were set ablaze; that the next day, the visited the injured with VDC members and met the president who told them to see the Secretary at the office of the president Habib Drammeh; that it was Drammeh who broke the news to them that the president will set up a Commission to look into the matter.
Sanyang testified that after the incident on the 20th June 2018, the director of press and public relations at the office of the president Amie Bojang Sissoho came to the village and informed them that the president will visit Faraba; that the president’s visit fell on the 22nd of June 2018 and that during his meeting with villagers, the Alkalo, Chief and Governor of the Region, were not present; that prior to the incident, the Chief summoned a meeting and told them that he brought an MOU from Julakay for the Chairperson of the VDC to sign, who declined the action without the consent of the villagers.
http://foroyaa.gm/at-the-faraba-banta-commission-vdc-chairperson-appears/
====================================================
Here is the Report of the Daily News Newspaper,
====================================================
By: Almamo Kamaso July 13, 2018
Alhagie Sanyang, the Chairman of Faraba Village Development Committee (VDC) yesterday addressed the commission of inquiry looking into Faraba deadly incident.
Testifying before the commission headed by Emmanuel Joof, Mr. Sanyang said that heB was not sure if Julakey was given directives by the National Assembly Select Committee on Environment to stop mining or not. However, he told the commission that the villagers had the feeling that directives were not respected and in his opinion that was the push factor.
The VDC Chair was reminded on his previous statement when he said he had spoken to the member for Bundukakunda Constituency who told him that the National Assembly members would ask the geology department, the licensing authority to write to JulaKey to stop the mining operations at least for a while. Sanyang was also told by the commission that the villagers told its members that it was the VDC who informed them that members of the National Assembly were the ones who asked Julakey to stop mining. But he denied that the VDC ever told the villagers such a claim saying the message was just on the social media.
Sanyang further told the commission that following the visit of the parliamentarians in Faraba and shortly before their departure, they told the villagers that they would get back to them after meeting other stakeholders but up to the time of the deadly clashes, the MPs never got back to them.
According to him, almost 70% of the villagers are disgruntled over the issue of the Alikali (village head) not resident in Faraba and that applies to himself as well. He complained that the fact that he was not residing in Faraba and only goes there from time to time has affected the smooth running of the village. He says villagers have to travel sometimes to Brikama if there is a need for him to stamp any document for them.
When asked if the Alikalo was working somewhere else, he confirmed that he is a civil servant. Sanyang was quizzed if it is okay for him as the VDC chair to be resident in Bundung but not okay for the Alikalo to be resident in Brikama. He replied saying that their positions are different.
On the issue of sand mining, Chairman Sanyang said because of the level of destruction of mining activities on the village ecology, they had to relocate the first site to another place some ten years ago. At that site, he revealed, mining is done locally and for every trip they collected D300 which used to go to the VDC for community services. Asked if the new site would also not be destroyed if the villagers continued to mine locally? He replied “no” since that is not a sophisticated way of mining. He agrees that the VDC fully supervises the operations of the local miners and they go from time to time to see how he mining site is doing. Sanyang concurs with the commissioners that the working relationships between the VDC and the Alkalo could have been much better that it was at the time of the clashes.
http://dailynewsgm.com/faraba-vdc-chair-addresses-commission/ |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 20 Oct 2018 : 15:44:51
October 19, 2018
The significance of establishing a commission of inquiry is to allow an independent view of a situation to guide policy decisions. The public is still very much interested in knowing the facts gathered by the Faraba Banta Commission and its recommendations. We therefore hope that this will be provided as soon as possible to quench the public thirst for information.
http://foroyaa.gm/when-will-the-faraba-banta-commission-of-inquiry-report-be-published/ |
| Momodou |
Posted - 21 Sep 2018 : 19:44:16
Justice minister tables D150, 000 remuneration for 5 Faraba commissioners
The Point: Friday, September 21, 2018
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/justice-minister-tables-d150-000-remuneration-for-5-faraba-commissioners
Gambia’s Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou Tuesday tabled a motion before the legislators at the National Assembly in Banjul for the awarding of 150, 000 dalasis remuneration to each of the five members of the Faraba sand mine incident.
Mr. Tambadou tabled the motion before the deputies during their second debate on President Adama Barrow’s State of the Nation address.
In June, the community of Faraba clashed with the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) in protest against the presence of a construction company in the village called Julakay, who claimed he was issued licence to mine sand at the village. Three people were reportedly killed in the incident and several others, including PIU officers sustained injuries in the mishap.
President Adama Barrow later visited the community and held a meeting there. He also visited the hospitalised victims at the country’s major teaching hospital in the capital, Banjul where he condemned the killings, saying it is against everything that “we” fought for, as a nation.
Author: Amadou Jallow |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 19 Sep 2018 : 15:52:14
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
The preliminary reviews of the report of the presidential investigation into the Faraba Banta upheaval that claimed lives have indicated a catalog of errors, The Standard reports on Tuesday.
According to officials, the report submitted to the president also points outs cases of culpable shooting and property destruction.
According to Justice Minister Abubacarr Tambadou, they ranged from lack of consultation, mistrust to lack of coordination among all stakeholders.
Tambadou was speaking at State House while the report was presented by the panel to President Adama Barrow. Mr. Tambadou said the report touches on very fundamental issues about the role and responsibilities of government departments such as the National Environment Agency, and other institutions including the National Assembly Select Committee on Environment.
Mr. Tambadou affirmed that he was confident that the report will set light on a number of burning issues and point the way to a more stable Gambia, given that the mandate of the commission included making recommendations on preventing the reoccurrence of similar incidents in other parts of the country.
“I can assure you that the president will review and publish this report in due course with a statement of action taken in accordance with the 1997 Constitution,” Minister Tambadou was quoted as saying by The Standard.
President Adama Barrow said the very existence of the commission demonstrates his government’s commitment to follow the required procedures to ensure justice prevails, as he received the said report.
He thus thanked the commissioners for a good job.
Emmanuel Daniel Joof, the head of the panel recalled that their mandate was to investigate the circumstances that led to the standoff between the villagers and the PIU, causes of death and injuries, who ordered the shooting, who carried out the shooting, those responsible for the destruction of properties and also provide recommendation to prevent any reoccurrence.
Mr. Joof further revealed that the report submitted to the president also indicates cases of culpabilities of shooting, destruction of properties, issues of licensing and recommendations for prosecution.
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/faraba-report-indicates-culpable-shooting-destruction |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 18 Sep 2018 : 21:46:49
September 18 2018 By Omar Bah
The Minister of Justice, Abubacarr Tambadou has said that preliminary reviews of the report of the presidential investigation into the bloody Faraba Banta riots, have indicated a catalog of errors ranging from lack of consultation, mistrust to lack of coordination among all stakeholders.
The minister, who was speaking at State House during the presentation of the panel’s report to President Adama Barrow, also said the report touches on very fundamental issues about the role and responsibilities of government departments such as the National Environment Agency, and other institutions including the National Assembly select committee on the environment.
Tambadou said he is confident that the report will set light on a number of burning issues and point the way to a more stable Gambia, given that the mandate of the commission included making recommendations on preventing the reoccurrence of similar incidents in other parts of the country.
“I can assure you that the president will review and publish this report in due course with a statement of action taken in accordance with the 1997 Constitution,” Minister Tambadou assured.
Receiving the report, President Adama Barrow said the very existence of the commission demonstrates his government’s commitment to follow the required procedures to ensure justice prevails.
The President thanked the commissioners for a good job.
The head of the panel, Emmanuel Daniel Joof recalled that their mandate was to investigate the circumstances that led to the standoff between the villagers and the PIU, causes of death and injuries, who ordered the shooting, who carried out the shooting, those responsible for the destruction of properties and also provide recommendation to prevent any reoccurrence.
Mr Joof further revealed that the report submitted to the president also indicates cases of culpabilities of shooting, destruction of properties, issues of licensing and recommendations for prosecution.
The Independent Commission of Inquiry set up on July 1 consisted of Emmanuel Daniel Joof, Neneh MC Cham, Abdoulie Colley, Omar Cham and Yusupha Jallow, as Commissioners and Charles Njai as secretary, to investigate the tragic events that took place in Faraba Banta on June 18 leading to the death of three civilians.
http://standard.gm/site/2018/09/18/faraba-report-shows-gross-errors-by-institutions/ |
| Momodou |
Posted - 18 Sep 2018 : 11:14:18
State House
By Sana Camara
President renews commitment to rule of law as he receives report on Faraba Banta
His Excellency, President Adama Barrow in receiving the report from the Commission of Enquiry into the Faraba Banta Incident, has renewed the commitment of his government to upholding and applying laws of the land. President Barrow said his government has responsibility to follow the required procedures to ensure that justice prevails.
The President also used the opportunity to commend the Chairperson of the Commission, Mr Emmanuel Joof and his team for their dedication to serve the country when it was needed most. He reiterated that the country is undergoing an important journey through which its resolve for democracy, good governance, human rights and national development, would be continuously tested.
“The fact that the Commission took all the necessary procedures to get the facts and came to a conclusion, provides the basis for us to establish the truth about what led to such an unfortunate incident that resulted in the loss of lives, injuries and damage to properties,” President Barrow said.
In the process of following such procedures, one cannot lose sight of the importance of establishing accurate facts and the truth in all circumstances in order to progress peacefully. He said it was in that context that he took the decision to commission an inquiry into the Faraba Banta incident, urging all to reconcile and work together as a nation, and consolidate peace, progress and national development.
“My government will review the report and take the appropriate actions as recommended by the Commission, without fear or favour, all geared towards ensuring that a peaceful society is maintained,” he said.
The report, which was arrived at after series of processes was compiled by the Commission after two months of inquiry work. Their mandate was to investigate the event that took place in Faraba Banta on the 18th of June, 2018, leading to the loss of lives and many injuries of civilians and large scale destruction of properties. The specific tasks was to investigate and report on five areas.
1. The circumstances that led to the standoff between the village of Faraba Banta and the Police Intervention Unit.
2. The circumstances that led to the death and injuries
3. To decipher who may have ordered the shooting, who may have carried out the shootings, who were responsible for the destruction of properties
4. Provide recommendations to prevent the recurrence of the event in Faraba Banta and in other parts of the country.
5. Recommendations in improving Police duties and Police crowd control. |
| Momodou |
Posted - 17 Sep 2018 : 20:22:59
#StateHouseToday
His Excellency, President Adama Barrow on Monday received the findings-report of the Faraba Banta Commission, which was constituted to investigate the circumstances that led to violence in the community few months ago.
On receiving the report, the President said our resolve to good governance, democracy and human rights would continue to be tested. However, he stressed that “we cannot lose sight of the importance of establishing accurate facts and the truth in all circumstances in order to progress peacefully”.
President Barrow concluded that government will review the report and take the appropriate actions as recommended by the Commission, without fear or favour. |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 14 Sep 2018 : 23:02:33
Friday, September 14, 2018
President Adama Barrow will receive the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Faraba Banta incident. The Commission, led by a renowned human rights lawyer, Mr Emmanuel Joof, has successfully completed its mandate of investigating the circumstances surrounding the shootings in Faraba, according to a media release from State House.
Accredited journalists interested in covering the events are kindly urged to confirm attendance by Sunday, 4:00 p.m.
In the same vein, the public is hereby informed that His Excellency, Adama Barrow, President of the Republic will on Monday 17th September 2018, preside over the swear-in ceremony of the members of the Lands Commission at the State House in Banjul. Similarly, the recently appointed deputy secretary to Cabinet will also take the prescribed oaths of Office, Secrecy and Allegiance on the same day.
Source: Picture: President Barrow & commission Members
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/faraba-commission-to-present-findings-to-barrow |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 13 Sep 2018 : 14:23:16
By Nelson Manneh
Mr. Darboe in an interview with this reporter at his home in Faraba Banta, on Tuesday the 11 September 2018 narrated the difficulties, pain and suffering he has been undergoing.
He said he faced a lot of difficulties in Dakar Senegal during his medical treatment.
He said that the money given to him to pay his medical bills was not enough and there was no body to come to his aid, adding that he used the money given to him by close relatives to pay some of his bills and buy crutches that he used for working and those receipts are with him.
“Life is very difficult in Dakar. I made a request from the authorities to help me with some money when I was in Dakar but I could not get any positive respond even feeding was a problem,” he said.
Mr. Darboe added that upon his return to The Gambia he informed the authorities that he was back home and was going to join his poor family.
“I pleaded for financial support as I am from a poor family; my mother is a widow and one of my younger brothers was also injured during the incident. We are no more working we depend one relatives and my wife,” he said.
Mr. Darboe called on the authorities to help them with basic needs, especially food. He said that he is surprise that since he came back from Senegal almost a month ago nobody from the government went to visit him in order to know his condition.
Meanwhile this reporter proceeded to the residents of Pa Sulayman Jammeh who was also injured during the incident but got his treatment at the EFSTH in Banjul. Pa Jammeh said he is getting better now.
Pa Jammeh said he can now move around and do some basic things like sewing fishing nets as he is a fisherman.
“My worry is the outcome of this year’s rainy season. I am a farmer and I depend on the proceeds of my labour,” he said.
Pa Jammeh added that according to their culture they don’t beg from people despite what the conditions may be. That this is why he is keeping quiet but life is very difficult with him especially during this rainy season.
“I give my fishing nets to people who want to use it and tell them that when they come back they can give me some fish that I will use for the day’s soup,” he said.
September 12, 2018
Mr. Abubacarr Darboie also revealed that he should be going back to Dakar for medical checkup today, Wednesday 12 September 2018. He was at first hospitalized at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul and was later referred to the Principal Hospital in Dakar for medical treatment.
Pa Jammeh thanked Turo Darboe for his support towards his treatment. That Turo Darboe supported them financially when they were admitted at the hospital. He said part of that money given to him by Turo Darboe was used it to buy medicine when he was released.
http://foroyaa.gm/faraba-banta-victim-narrates-his-woes/ |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 06 Sep 2018 : 12:24:45
September 5, 2018
The Faraba Banta Commission of Inquiry headed by Commissioner Emmanuel Joof, has issued a press release informing the general public, that the Commission has concluded its work on Monday 27th August 2018 and the report containing their findings and recommendations, has been printed and will be officially handed over to the President, which announcement will come from the Office of the President.
It could be recalled that President Adama Barrow instituted an Independent Commission of Inquiry on 1st July 2018 and appointed Emmanuel Daniel Joof, Neneh MC Cham, Abdoulie Colley, Omar Cham and Yusupha Jallow, as Commissioners and Charles Njai as Secretary to the Commission, to investigate the tragic events that took place in Faraba Banta on 18th June 2018, leading to the loss of lives of three civilians, and injuring several others including Police Intervention Unit (PIU) personnel. The setting up of the Commission is to provide recommendations in order to avoid future occurrence of such events in the country and to recommend ways of improving Police duties on crowd control.
According to the Press Release, the Commission conducted sittings at the Atlantic Hotel in Banjul and visited the scene of the horrendous event in Faraba Banta. The Commission also conducted field visits to Sanyang and Gunjur respectively. A total of eighty five witnesses testified before the Commission, and members of civil society organizations and individuals, were also interviewed and consulted. The Commission summoned Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) and QTV, to provide DVD and CD video footages of the incident, recorded in Faraba Banta on that fateful day of 18th June 2018, to assist them with their fact finding.
The Commission expressed profound thanks to the people of Faraba Banta, who cooperated with them by voluntarily appearing to give their testimonies of the events that led to the stand-off, and an account of what happened on that fateful day.
“Our gratitude also goes to the people of Sanyang and Gunjur, who welcomed the Commission during its field visits and had frank discussions regarding environmental, land, and other contentious issues affecting their communities and livelihoods,” the release concludes.
http://foroyaa.gm/faraba-banta-commission-to-hand-over-report-to-president/ |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 17 Aug 2018 : 00:54:57
By: Kebba AF Touray August 16, 2018
Momodou Sarr, in his testimony before the Faraba Banta Commission on Tuesday, 14 August, outlined the steps and conditions to be met by an investor, before the issuing of a licence. These steps and conditions, which include seeking the wishes and concerns of the communities are included in his evidence which are stipulated below.
Mr Sarr, the former Executive Director of National Environment Agency (NEA) said there are certain projects that are obliged to conduct Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and these include major roads, agriculture, bridges, factories, housing estates, industrial complexes and mining by a consultant.
He narrated that in the case of mining, the first step is to discuss with the Geology Department on the plans and site of the miner, upon which the department issues a screening form, which is filed with the developer after which it is sent to the Program Officer of the NEA, and based on the content of the form, they would determine that the particular developer or project needs EIA, especially for mining which is taken to the Executive Director. He added that a Working Group at the NEA meets and questions the developer on issues such as the mechanism the developer would use in levelling the ground, when too much is extracted, whether a land is communal or private and mitigation of environmental impact. He added that from the answers they [the working group] draw a Terms of Reference, which is sent to the Geology Department and then to the developer through a consultant.
He said the consultant is required to seek the wishes and concerns of the communities, which is answered in a report and the consultant is demanded to attach the CV of the consultant to the report for qualification purpose and the draft report is sent to the communities and NEA, which is required to announce over the radio to enable interested people to access and know the content of the report.
He added that consultation is a requirement included in the TOR, there are question that must be answered by consultation and it is not possible to sign an MOU without consulting the communities and by extension listing the contact details, names and pictures of those that have attended the meeting, prior to the issuing of licence. He said when all the requirements are met; the report is now approved by the Secretariat of EIA at the NEA and the Chairman of NEA. He said the Chairman also scrutinises the report and authorises the Officer in Charge [EIA] to write to the Geology and Developer indicating that the EIA report has been approved.
He said the approved report also contains conditions, among them the construction of access roads and the timely payment of royalties to the communities (which is collected by the Area Council at a negotiable price, with the communities, the Area Council and the NEA having their shares from the royalties, mitigating grievances among others).
He said that the project can now start, which is monitored by NEA, Geology and Area Council. He also said that Geology now writes to the Miner that he has been granted to mine in his area of interest after meeting the requirements, but does not have the right to grant any mining rights without the NEA and that the role of the NEA in the dialogue is to support the communities to ensure that they don’t lose their benefits of the mining, because they are pivotal in the matter, as well as monitoring the mining processes and averting any complications. He said approval is either denial or approval on conditions, but the working group can disapprove the proposal if it feels that the impacts are numerous and cannot be mitigated.
He clarified that everybody in the community should be consulted and should be reflected in a document entitled Focal Group Meeting Report. He said a situation whereby the NEA is not proactive can lead to reoccurrence of the Faraba Banta incident and the communities are at liberty to petition to the President and highlight that they were not consented. He also stated that the MOU cannot be signed by the Alkalo alone and the licenses can be issued on conditions and the area should be mapped out clearly prior the start of the activity.
He stressed that the country has adequate mining laws but only need reinforcement and that mining is illegal when it is commercialized and recommended the use of laterite mud dust as bricks in lieu of sand mining as they are durable and stronger than sand blocks.
He also clarified that the EIA can be reviewed to confirm whether the procedures are followed and if the process is not done properly, the license can be reviewed and cancelled if necessary.
http://foroyaa.gm/faraba-commission-expert-witness-outlines-requirements-for-issue-of-licences/ |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 16 Aug 2018 : 16:10:33
By Tabora Bojang August 16, 2018
The former executive director of the National Environment Agency, Momodou B Sarr has told the Faraba commission of inquiry that Environmental Impact Assessment of The Julakay Group could be reviewed to confirm whether the procedures are followed and if the process is not done properly, its license can be cancelled if necessary.
Sarr, who is now a private consultant served as the NEA boss for a decade before stepping down in 2013, was invited to provide his expert view on critical environmental issues, impacts and recommendations to the commission as it continues probe into the bloody June 18 mining unrest that claimed lives of three individuals in Faraba.
He said an MoU cannot be signed by the Alkalo alone and the licenses can be issued on conditions, saying the area should be mapped out clearly since there are certain projects that are obliged to conduct EIA which include major roads, industrial complexes and mining by a consultant prior to the start of any activity.
He stressed that the country has adequate mining laws but only needs reinforcements as he recommends use of laterite mud dust as bricks in lieu of sand mining, stressing that they are more durable and stronger than sand blocks.
He said in the case of mining, the first step is to discuss with the Geology Department on the plans and site of the mine, upon which the department issues a screening form, which is sent to the NEA, and based on the content of the form, they would determine whether the project needs EIA.
He said the consultant is required to seek the wishes and concerns of the communities, which is answered in a report sent to the communities and that consultation is a requirement owing in the TOR.
He said it is not possible to sign an MOU without consulting the communities and by extension list the contact details, names and pictures of those that have attended the meeting, prior to the issuing of license.
He said when all the requirements are met the secretariat of EIA at the NEA and the chairman of NEA now approve the report. He said the chairman also scrutinizes the report and authorizes the Officer in Charge [EIA] to write to the Geology and Developer indicating that the EIA report has been approved.
He said the approved report also contains conditions among them the access roads be constructed, timely payment of royalties to the communities which is collected by the Area Council and the price is negotiable, saying the communities, the Area Council therein and the NEA have their share from the royalties, mitigating grievances among others and the project starts, which is monitored by NEA, Geology and Area Council.
http://standard.gm/site/2018/08/16/julakay-license-could-be-revoked-if/
|
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 16 Aug 2018 : 15:49:07
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Inspector Ba Foday Njie, an officer with the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) on Monday 13 August, testified at the Faraba Commission that he did not give orders to any PIU officer to shoot during the Faraba incident.
He said during the confrontation, he did not see any resident that was injured during the scene.
“I was the one leading the reinforcement platoon; we did not shoot neither did we kill any villager. We only used our gun gases and batons to engage the angry youths”.
“I did not hear any gun shot from the reinforcement team, but I heard that some of the villagers were injured during confrontation.”
Inspector Njie added that he did not enter the village to witness what had happened there, but he was with the reinforcement team at a place around the village near a mango tree.
He said his reinforcement team did not have access to the scene due to the tension of the angry youths.
He said on their way to Faraba, his boss called him not to use the main road that enters Faraba before they might be attacked by the villagers.
Njie said he even discovered that the access road was covered with stones as road block by the angry youths.
Officer Njie said he told his truck driver to stop the vehicle and he ordered his men who were the reinforcement team to form a security formation.
He said that was the time his comrade by the name Bala Musa Fatty called him on telephone to see their conditions. Njie said that he told Bala Musa Fatty that the angry youths had started stoning them.
Inspector Njie said that was the time he ordered his men to fire gas guns so that the angry youths can retreat.
He added that many of his men sustained injuries during the confrontation. Officer Njie further explained that his reinforcement that came to support their comrades did not conduct any arrest but he said that the first team did the arrest.
Inspector Njie was the platoon reinforcement commander who led his men to Faraba. He testified that he was not aware who signed for the AK 47’s given to them by the Armoury Man.
He said on the 18th of June 2018, during the Faraba incident they were alerted at the PIU Kanifing Headquarters where they were assembled on a parade with a platoon that comprises both men and women of the Police Intervention Unit.
Inspector Njie said that it was his boss Spt. Saine who informed them that they should be in Faraba for reinforcement.
Inspector Njie said they were assigned by his police boss Spt. Manneh for his team to be in Faraba in order to relieve other platoons who were on guard post at the Faraba mining site.
He said that they spent three days on guard duties before the incident happened on the 18 June.
He also added that they were first given orders by Spt. Manneh that his team should be at the Faraba mining site for them to be on standby in order to prevent activities that will obstruct the mining activities of Julakay.
He said during guard post in Faraba, they were armed with gas guns, AK47s, helmets and gas breathing apparatus.
He said his boss told him that there was an argument between the villagers of Faraba and one Jualakay, a businessman who does sand mining.
Author: Mamour M. Mbenga & Fatoumatta Samateh
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/i-only-ordered-piu-officers-to-use-tear-gas |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 16 Aug 2018 : 15:45:58
Thursday, August 16, 2018
Famara I.B.L. Jarju an elder at Faraba Bantang, told the Faraba Commission on Monday, August 13, that the residents of Faraba threatened to kill him and burn his house.
According to Mr. Jarju, who is widely called Boyo Jarju, member of the Council of Elders testified before the Commission that he nearly lost his life during the Faraba incident.
“I was with my family inside my compound when I heard a noise from outside the compound, then I saw a group of youngsters comprising both boys and girls; shouting that they would kill me and burn my house including my motorbike.’’
Mr. Jarju said he could clearly hear the insults from the angry youths who were walking towards his house, which he said was not far from the mining site.
He further stated that the Faraba people believed he gave Julakay a passage through his garden, which he agreed to but said he did so because they had a mutual agreement with Jualakay.
According to Jarju, he said Julakay came to the village with cola nuts and an additional sum of D15,000 and made an agreement with the residents’ elders to pay one hundred thousand dalasis every three months. He further stated that Julakay claimed that the government had issued him a legal licence to operate the mining site.
He said, however, that the VDC and Council of Elders later had a disagreement because they could not fathom how the alkalo could give the go ahead to Jualakay to do sand mining without the consent of the villagers.
He said the Council of Elders requested him to revoke the passage he gave to Julakay because things did not work out well among themselves.
Jarju said he refused to comply because Julakay had already paid him and he accepted his payment based on the agreement he had with village elders.
He said that the residents had a grudge against him, saying they (villagers) thought he was supporting Julakay’s interest. Mr. Jarju mentioned one youngman whose name remained anonymous throughout the sittings, claiming the young man threatened to kill him and burn his house.
He concluded that his house and that of his brother were both destroyed and vandalised.
Author: Mamour M. Mbenga & Fatoumatta Samateh
Source: Picture: Faraba Commission
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/faraba-resident-receives-death-threats |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 15 Aug 2018 : 21:12:45
By; Kebba AF Touray August 14, 2018
Two PIU personnel told the Faraba Banta Commission yesterday 13 August that the PIU personnel that were sent to Faraba Banta were armed with AK 47 rifles. This Commission is charged to probe into the circumstances surrounding the 18th June 2018 Faraba Banta incident.
In his testimony, Inspector Ba Foday Njie of the Kanifing PIU said his platoon were armed with rubber cops, guard shields, batons, 3 gas guns, helmets and 2 AK 47 rifles given to two of his officers, whose name he said he could not recall. He said he led the platoon from Kanifing to Faraba. He further said they were at the village on guard for three days prior to the actual date on standby, to ensure that mining was done unhindered but on the D day they were sent by their Superintendent for reinforcement.
He added that while at Pirang village on his way to Faraba Banta, he received a call form ASP Balla Musa Fatty who asked him of his whereabouts and when he responded that he was at Pirang going to Faraba, ASP Musa told him to hurry up. He said he then asked his driver to speed up because he felt that Musa was in trouble. He added that ASP Fatty made a second call and this time he (the witness) told ASP Musa Fatty that he was already in Faraba Banta; that ASP Fatty then advised him to use the access road constructed by Julakay to avoid being attacked by the villagers and he did as instructed.
He said he then ordered his men to come down and make formations. He said the group begun engaging them and he told ASP Musa that he will try to engage the group to allow them access their truck. He said the group started stoning them from about 20 metres and he ordered the use of gas gun to retreat the group, which he said was successful. He testified that no arrest was effected by his platoon and could neither see any officer carrying a rifle nor an injured villager. He further said he was together with O/C Babucarr Cham on standby in the area to see the reaction of the villagers, but have not seen any reaction from the villagers and they got an order to go back to Brikama.
The other PIU personnel to testify, SGT Samba Ndong was the third witness. He told the Commission that on 18 June he was at the PIU in Kanifing and they were ordered to go to Faraba and were armed with AK 47 and live rounds with the serial number 1602895 and they had shields and batons, smoke guns and rifle. According to him ASP Fatty made a proclamation that it was not right for the villagers to gather there and should disperse failure of which necessary actions will be taken, to which the villagers failed to pay heed and they used tear gas to disperse them.
Nfamara IBL Jarjue, the second witness of the day also testified that on the 18th June he was in his house in Faraba Banta between the hours of 8 and 9 in the morning and saw a crowd comprising youth, males and females who were going towards the mining site and insulted him and were threatening to kill him, burn his motorbike and house. He said he advised his family to leave the street and get inside the house. He said his family left and went to his sister’s house and he also escaped through the back door with his motorbike and while he was going he saw a group who chased him with stones, sticks and catapults.
He said he left for Ndemban and was there for 4 days; then he moved to Nyoro Jataba where he decided to do farming and came back to Brikama to see his family and find out the outcome of the attack. He told the Commission that the youth burnt and destroyed his house, removing his corrugated roof, windows and doors. He stated that the villagers agreed for Jualakay to mine in Faraba and should fulfill the agreement set with him.
At this stage he tendered the list of destroyed items and was shown some pictures of burnt houses and he identified picture CE 14N as his burnt house and were admitted and marked as exhibit CE 42.
http://foroyaa.gm/piu-units-sent-to-faraba-were-armed-with-ak-47-rifles/ |
| toubab1020 |
Posted - 11 Aug 2018 : 18:40:13
Here is a report from The Daily news about the appearance of " Buba Sanyang, the Permanent Secretary (PS) at Ministry of Lands and Regional Government on 6th August appeared before the commission looking into Faraba bloody clashes." a bit late but it differs in some respects to the article posted by the Point on August 8th.:
http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/vdc-requested-julakay-licence-to-be-revoked
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By Madi M.K. Ceesay -
August 10, 2018
By: Neneh Galleh Barry
Buba Sanyang, the Permanent Secretary (PS) at Ministry of Lands and Regional Government on 6th August appeared before the commission looking into Faraba bloody clashes.
Testifying before the commission, Sanyang said he received a letter from the Village Development Committee (VDC) of Faraba on 3rd January 2017 requesting for intervention regarding the mining license issued to Julakay. Then he said he called a meeting with his team members and they had two areas of intervention: dealing with the local governance between the VDC and the Alkalo as well as Julakay’s entry to other lands.
Sanyang went on to narrate that on 9th January 2018, he convened a general meeting to which stake holders were invited to attend. Among those in attendance, he continued, were: the Director General of Geology Department, CEO of Brikama Area Council, Chief of Kombo East, Alkalo of Faraba Banta, Chairperson of VDC, Governor of West Coast Region, former IGP and himself.
During the deliberations of the meeting, he said he came to realize that the VDC had distrust in the Alkalo who later explained that Julakay had informed him that he got a license to mine but was asked to meet and discuss with the villagers. According to Sanyang, they advised members of the VDC to discuss with the alkalo so that they could come to terms as a way forward regarding the controversy over sand mining. He added that they also discussed about the allocated place for Julakay to mind but it was alleged by the VDC that Julakay was entering private properties as well as the village football field for the new access road to the sand quarry. As a result, he said they concluded that they would send a technical team to visit the site and one of the reasons which was to compare the sand availability regarding the 3.4 hectares allocated to Julakay and secondly to observe whether Julakay was entering the private properties including the football field.
He added that during the meeting, he instructed one Mr. Jawo who represented Julakay to ask the company to stop operation until they verify but they were told at the meeting that Julakay had not started working then. Sanyang further testified that the technical team went to the field and after the visit they were told to report back on what they had observed at the field but then the VDC and the Alkalo told them that they were not aware of the visit and the team however, was asked to go back to the field with the Alkalo and the VDC.
Before the second visit to the site, Sanyang said he received a letter from the police inviting him to a meeting. During that meeting with the police, Sanyang said he told the Faraba VDC members that they were under his ministry and if the VDC had anything to complain about, they should go to him and he further advised them not to be a source of physical barrier or hinder Julakay from continuing his operations.
http://dailynewsgm.com/lands-ps-faces-faraba-commission/ |
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