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Momodou
Denmark
11645 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Nov 2016 : 21:17:52
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UN ENVOY CALLS ON GAMBIA TO HOLD CREDIBLE, TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS
By Saikou Suwareh Jabai
Foroyaa: November 11, 2016
http://www.foroyaa.gm/archives/12812#more-12812
 The Special Representative of the United Nationa Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr. Muhamed Ibn Chambas,dr-muhamed-ibn-chambas calls on the Gambia Government to ensure the holding of a credible and transparent presidential election on 1 December and stressed the importance of a level playing field as a key precondition.
He reminded the Government of its obligations stemming from the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance as well as the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance.
The UN envoy said this at a press conference on Thursday, 10 November, 2016 as he is currently in Gambia holding a series of meetings with all the stakeholders.
“We also encouraged the political parties and all electoral stakeholders to work together and to address all disagreements through peaceful means and dialogue with a view to ensuring the conduct of inclusive, credible and peaceful election,” he said.
Dr. Chambas reiterated the calls by the UN and other partners on the Government to conduct an independent investigation into the deaths in custody of Ebrima Solo Krummah and Solo Sandeng. He further entreated the government to release the thirty protestors involved in the April demonstrations, as well as the fourteen others who are in pre-trial detention following the May demonstration.
Details of this news conference will come in our next edition.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11645 Posts |
Posted - 14 Nov 2016 : 21:40:44
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SECURITY OFFICERS, AVOID PUBLIC DISPLAY OF LOYALTY – UN Envoy
By Saikou Suwareh Jabai
Foroyaa: November 14, 2016
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for West Africa and Sahel, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, has dr-chambasstrongly enjoined security services to, at all times, avoid public display of loyalty to any political party ahead of the much-awaited presidential election slated for 1st December, 2016.
He reminded the security forces of their duty to provide security for the electoral process, including the protection of all candidates and voters. The UN Representative urged the police and other security services to discharge their noble responsibilities in a diligent, impartial, professional and strictly apolitical manner.
Dr. Chambas stressed the primordial role of a strong, independent and professional Electoral Commission. He added: “I welcome the (IEC) Chairman’s commitment to “uphold electoral integrity” and the principles of “electoral democracy, ethical conduct, accuracy and transparency”.
He pointed out that political parties and the presidential candidates have a responsibility to defend not only the interests of their own party and supporters, but also to safeguard the unity of the whole nation.
“I urge all political parties to make use of the existing mechanisms, like the Inter-Party Committee, to engage in meaningful dialogue as a means to resolve disputes peacefully and in the spirit of cooperation. It is regrettable that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, defining best practices and guidelines for a peaceful and fair campaign period scheduled for 8 November was called off,” said Dr. Chambas, while calling for a rescheduling of the signing ceremony without further delay.
He said healthy and strong civil society organisations have a very important oversight role to play in each society, and especially so, during the electoral period, in particular through voter education and electoral observation. He therefore called on the Gambian Civil Society Organizations, religious and traditional leaders, women and youth organizations, as well as other stakeholders to stay actively involved and to contribute to safeguarding the principles of an open, transparent and peaceful electoral process.
He encouraged the political parties and all electoral stakeholders to work together and to address all disagreements through peaceful means and dialogue, with a view to ensuring the conduct of inclusive, credible and peaceful election.
The UN Envoy renewed the commitment of the United Nations to accompany the people of The Gambia throughout the elections of 2016 and beyond. He finally called on all Gambians to commit individually and collectively, to working towards a successful 2016 presidential election.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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UN ENVOY CALLS ON GAMBIA TO HOLD CREDIBLE, TRANSP
