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Momodou
Denmark
11828 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 12:27:21
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Bissau poll candidate shot dead
Armed men have killed a minister and candidate in Guinea Bissau's presidential elections.
Baciro Dabo was said to be asleep next to his wife when men in uniform burst into his house at 0400 local time (and GMT) and shot him several times.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8084525.stm
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 14:13:27
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What a pity,G.Bissau is a very nice country with pleasant hard working people but no structure to government at all,I am not surprised at this news.I fully expect that there will be more incidents before the Presidential election day of 28th June 2009. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 05 Jun 2009 14:19:55 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11828 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2009 : 20:36:40
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Bissau army kills 'coup-plotters'
The security forces in Guinea-Bissau have shot dead at least four people, including two senior politicians they accused of plotting a coup.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8084525.stm |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2009 : 12:10:33
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| Basiru Dabo was a politician and a radio journalist who was very charismatic and pleasant to talk to, I met him several times in Bissau and found him such a wonderful person.This news is indeed a very sad one for me as I can safely say that he was a friend who assisted me during my visits in Bissau Guinea, a very close ally of Nino Vierra the former president .This is a strange twist in the developments on the political landscape of that country, I hope that this will not lead to further turmoil in the country as it is already being seen as a troubled state which some liken to a failed state status.That country is so poor and has become highly profiled as a drug infested one which gives it a very bad name in the international fora.It is about time that the country puts its act together before it descends to total anarchy, which can have a ripple effect on the sub region one way or the other . |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jun 2009 : 18:05:08
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| Kaan.The problem is structure, there just isn't any of any sort,your words are very true when you say "It is about time that the country puts its act together before it descends to total anarchy, which can have a ripple effect on the sub region one way or the other ." I cannot imagine how progress of any sort can be achieved in constructing a model of any kind.Ecowas is perhaps the best vehicle to achieve anything Capo Verde is a member and has ties with G.Bissau but G. Bassau itself is not a member probably because of its lack of structure.Maybe ECOWAS countries could try to do something,but there again I feel that any movement by ECOWAS members would be seen by G. Bissau as being internal interferrence and not be accepted by those who hold the power in that country.I would like ideas on how or if G. Bissau could be "helped" as it appears to me that help is needed by the people of that country,what form that should take I cannot imagine |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 06 Jun 2009 18:06:35 |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2009 : 01:26:49
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| I do not know how the ECOWAS can be of help in this case, their mandate would be a specially tasking one if they can get any such mandate and they would need to be very tough and thorough on the ground . That way they would weed out the undesirable elements from the security forces who it seems are currently running the show albeit seemingly acting as if they are having clean hands ; only coming on the scene to eliminate any prospective candidate they do not like or beating them up as was allegedly done in the past. The country is up for a rough ride and this does not bode well for the sub region, making the ECOWAS role very crucial at this juncture.My problem with this though is that this body may not be strong enough to tackle the problem as required; they were successful in Liberia , but that was not without problems as the upheaval echoed and spilled over to Sierra Leone and even Guinea Conakry was affected in immediate aftermath of the Liberian imbroglio. There was a ripple effect which some opinion leaders said affected and eventually led to the Gambia coup , there was a minor coup attempt by the former ECOMOG returnees ; to wit our Gambian contingent , but it was dubbed as a demonstration by others, an opinion I do not share. |
Edited by - kaanibaa on 07 Jun 2009 01:30:08 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2009 : 12:47:59
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Kaan.
As you know I hate politics .In this topic that I have entered which is about a country with no structure at all, there are no political parties only individuals and friends of those individuals,the details are not known by me, I suspect very few people know,what you write is completely accurate,my point is that so far as I know there is no other organisation in west africa which comprises of so many countries who speak to one another and reach a decision as what must be done to try and solve a situation that has developed in west africa.Therefore a sub region talking structure exists,many countries will be unwilling to put forward their thoughts for fear of upsetting other member countries. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 07 Jun 2009 12:49:07 |
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jun 2009 : 21:07:02
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| That is a valid stand point . The down side of the suggestion is the possibility of not getting any useful input from the supposed group as recent history has shown them to be more of a talking shop than a problem solving forum. The leaders get to the summits with varying agenda , and end up soiling the paper , coming out with resolutions that are worth less than the paper on which they are written. High on dogma but low on essence. You see most leaders in that region have skeletons in their closets and believe that talking about problems in other countries would lead to others discussing their own problems/issues. This makes them; I suggest ,to come up with halfhearted resolutions which do very little to solve the problems on the ground. certainly it is a base from which good action can spring but this needs concerted efforts which I daresay is mostly wanting. Let us wait and see what they would come up with as it is definitely time that they do something about Guinea Bissau before thing fall apart.There is an African proverb which talks about some digging a hole whiles others bury it , a mighty confusion ensues as nothing gets done in the end. |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2009 : 00:22:14
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| Kaan.Again I agree with you,but if not ECOWAS Who? there is no one else and even if its just talk that would be something,however what I will say is that there is good progress for infrastucture in G. Bissau,Gambia to G .Bissau via Senegal was last year having a VERY VERY good roadbridge built,near Ingore to cross the river,it would have cost a LOT of money,how can such an impoverished country afford such a bridge? |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2009 : 19:51:44
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That; my dear is another good question but if you had the experience of waiting to cross the two rivers before getting to Bissau then , perhaps you will understand the need. That need would far out weigh the cost involved. At times we spend several hours waiting to cross the first bridge and even spend the night at motels; where the ferries breakdown. At times you have to make long detours along dangerous sandy or gravel roads again to cross over in Farim by ferry.The country needed that bridge and it is a development that they cannot do without if they want to move the country forward. As to whether or how they can afford the costs involved I can suggest donor assistance or lenders such as African Development Bank and the Kuwaiti fund being sources for funds.The big question though is that without a stable government such funding might not be forthcoming and so developments would stagnate.I believe that for any country to develop to the full it must have a good road network in addition to other structural developments which ease the movement of its people and goods . That was a major problem for Bissau Guinea and so I commend that development even it costs so much money.
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jun 2009 : 21:05:48
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I have had the experience of crossing those rivers and the delays that occour on a regular basis,and I have spent the night in soldiers quarters sleeping on the floor!
I agree with what you have written,but my question is,WHO is paying for the bridge? as the country has no money,so a loan is out of the question,and PROBABLY help from international organisations,why? no government structure in place, to get a loan for instance, from the IMF I understand that some conditions have to be fullfilled,the bridge is excellent no doubt about that it will be of great advantage to the people.
I expect that there are more wise heads who read Bantaba in Cyberspace who COULD give a more accurate picture of the country as it is at present.You and I only know what is published on the internet.I certainly do not have any other information.Its been pleasant having a discussion with you Kaan.I wish others would have participated,Even MOE for instance as he/she always appears to be siding with the opposition. There again everyone who reads this topic could totally agree with what we have said!. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jun 2009 : 11:24:57
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Surely the President hasn't been reading our postings on Bantaba in Cyberspace,or has H.E. ?
This from the D.O.
Below we reproduce the full text of the release:
His Excellency the President of the Republic of The Gambia, Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya AJJ Jammeh, in his drive for peace and stability in the sub-region, in Africa, and indeed in the whole world, has invited the political party leaders of the sister Republic of Guinea Bissau, to a Consultative Meeting prior to the 28th June residential elections, scheduled in that country.
The meeting will take place at the Kairaba Beach Hotel today, Thursday the 11th June 2009, at 10:00am.
Author: DO
Link.http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/president-jammeh-invites-bissau-party-leaders
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 12 Jun 2009 18:35:18 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jun 2009 : 15:45:40
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IF H.E. is not reading Bantaba in Cyberspace someone is look at this editorial in the D.O. at last some one is taking a bit of involvement instead lf leaving it all to the people in power of a confused country,good luck with making the election and country peaceful again,
This from the D.O.
Link.http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/in-pursuit-of-peace
Editorial
The peace and stability of nations somehow depends on the political leadership. The more efficient the political leadership in executing their mandate, the more capable they become in terms of bringing the citizens together to work in unison and harmony for the interest of all.
This is precisely why nations that are blessed with a leadership that operates on the principles of democracy and good governance engage their counterparts in ensuring that they create a system of government in their respective countries which will operate on the principles and dictates of democracy and good governance, so that their countries can attain growth and progress. This clearly explains President Jammeh’s keen interest in the development of an effective political system that can produce a government of the people in our sister republic of Guinea Bissau.
Just some few years ago, ahead of presidential elections in Guinea Bissau, President Jammeh invited all the political parties of that country to Banjul to settle their differences so that they could set up a peaceful election process that would ensure the election of the people’s choice.
The Gambian leader did not do this in isolation; every stakeholder in the day-to-day running of the affairs of state, including all the political parties in The Gambia, were invited to the reconciliation table. Such a move did not only manifest the high sense of political maturity The Gambia has attained, but also it served as a perfect pointer to the strong commitment of President Jammeh in building a peaceful and progressive Africa. Most importantly, that Banjul-Bissau political party talks actually paid dividend, as the country witnessed one of the most freely conducted elections in its political history.
But after the assassination of President Vieira, elections are again due in that troubled country, and all indications are that the political atmosphere there is becoming volatile. The recent reported killing of a presidential aspirant is a measure of the hot political temperature in Guinea Bissau. Therefore, the invitation by President Jammeh of the political leaders in that country to return to the negotiation table so as to carve a new beginning is another invaluable chance to set the country on a sane footing.
We do hope that through their political leaders, the people of Guinea Bissau will seize this opportunity to put an end to their past differences and collectively work towards building a Guinea Bissau of the people, as envisaged by President Jammeh, whose line of thinking is no different from the great African heroes like Amilcar Cabral, Guinea Bissau’sam independence hero.
Author: DO
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jun 2009 : 20:57:39
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A little more info. on the meeting,this from The Point.
Link:http://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/article/guinea-bissau-political-heavyweights-meet-in-banjul
June 12, 2009
The Vice-President, Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, has called on the presidential candidates in the forthcoming Guinea-Bissau Presidential election to respect the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed on 6th November 2008.
Vice-President Njie-Saidy made this remark yesterday at a meeting held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Kololi, where representatives of political parties and presidential candidates of the Republic of Guinea Presidential candidates met to discuss about the situation in Guinea-Bissau and the June 28th 2009 elections.
The meeting was held in Banjul on the invitation of President Jammeh. In attendance were Momodou Yaya Jallow of the New Democratic Party (PND), representative of the Party for Social Renewal (PRS), Jquaishla Da Costa and Maria Rosa who represented her husband, the former interim President, from 2003 to 2005, Henrique Peirera Rosa, who is an independent candidate. They both spoke at the meeting.
Vice President Njie-Saidy asserted that President Jammeh is always very concerned about the situation in Guinea-Bissau. As she put it, it was not the first time to hold such a meeting here.
“We should all be concerned about the instability, the state of democracy and human rights in Guinea-Bissau. If we believe that we are a global family, one global world, instability in any part of the world should be a concern for all,” she remarked.
She further stated that all religious leaders and the National Assembly Members of Guinea-Bissau have a role to play. She noted that “they are part of the solution as they are part of the problem”.
“Please respect the voice of the people, the outcome of the election because the people would decide in the final analysis,” she added
She also challenged the Guinea-Bissau electoral commission to ensure that a free and fair election take place, urging all and sundry to give their blessings to the success of the forthcoming elections, in particular the international community.
The preamble of the MOU states:
“We, the leaders of the governing party, being the governing party in Guinea Bissau, and other parties, registered by the Comisao National Electoral (National Electoral Commission) for the purpose of contesting election, do hereby agree to put the past behind us, and in the higher interest of Guinea Bissau, to work constructively towards national reconciliation and the consolidation of democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and good governance in Guinea Bissau.”
Other speakers at the occasion included Mr. Ousaman Sonko, Minister of Interior, Ismaila Sambou, Minister of Local Government and Lands, Mustapha Carayol, Chairman of the Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission, Ambassador Fall of Senegal, among others.
Author: Abba Gibba
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jun 2009 : 21:25:33
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12th June 2009
A Snippet from the address of The Vice-President, Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy:
(full link see above posting)
She further stated that all religious leaders and the National Assembly Members of Guinea-Bissau have a role to play. She noted that “they are part of the solution as they are part of the problem”.
Seems a little odd to use these words if you are trying to get a solution between different factions.There again what do I know?,it's politics. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jun 2009 : 12:11:22
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“Love one another and restore peace and order in Guinea-Bissau.”
link from the D.O.
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/i-am-proud-to-be-an-african-president-jammeh
Link to the D.O.http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/gambia-has-no-colonial-interest-in-guinea-bissau
Snippet:
Dr Omar Touray, minister of Foreign Affairs and Gambians Abroad, has made clear The Gambia’s role in Guinea Bissau, saying that the former has no colonial interest in the later.
“Our concern,” he said, “is to make sure that Guinea Bissau stops the impunity and gain everlasting peace, stability and security”. Dr Touray made these remarks last Thursday, during the consultative meeting
Although I have no interest in politics,this talk at least appears to be trying to give stability and peace to G. Bissau,I am sorry that this topic appears to be of so little interest to fellow bantabarians.But Hey........ I am not Gambian within the inner circle of bantaba in cyberspace so probably I should not be surprised that unrest that is going on in a nearby country is considered as " nothing to do with me" |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 15 Jun 2009 12:22:09 |
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