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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Jan 2023 : 12:22:28
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Finally! Fly Away Solo to Heaven!
By Madi Jobarteh
One of our great and noble National Martyrs Solo Sandeng will now have the rest he so deserves. His funeral is set for Tuesday 10 January starting at the Never Again Memorial Arch in Banjul at 9am and his burial taking place at Dippa Kunda cemetery at 2pm.
Solo did not choose to die like he did but he indeed gave his life for a cause which is our freedom. He made the ultimate sacrifice the moment he decided to stand up to protest the tyranny in the country.
We cannot reclaim his life but we can make him live in our hearts and minds forever as a source of inspiration, as a milestone and a guidance for freedom and democracy, as a mark of self esteem and as a source of patriotism. Solo lives forever!
Therefore, if we are not going to be ungrateful bunch of hypocrites, we must all stand up to ensure that freedom, justice and equality reign forever on the face of The Gambia. It is for us to stand up to defend democracy and human rights everyday of our lives. It is for us to make sure that dictatorship, abuse of human rights and disregard of the rule of law never rise up their ugly heads ever again on this land.
To be grateful to, and to honour Solo is to stand up and speak out for ’Never Again’ to injustice, corruption, abuse of office and misrule in this country, The Gambia!
Martyrs Don’t Die. They live forever because of the cause they stood for! Long life Solo Sandeng. Teach your children about Solo Sandeng and all of our Martyrs.
May Allah continue to grant your gentle soul eternal rest in Janatul Firdawsi. Amen.
Forward Ever. Backward Never.
For The Gambia Our Homeland
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2023 : 15:33:14
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jan 2023 : 19:42:47
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Standing in Solidarity with Solo Sandeng and Martyrs
By Madi Jobarteh
Tomorrow we will stand in solidarity with Solo Sandeng and Fallen Compatriots.
We will stand at the funeral tomorrow at the Never Again Arch with our placards to celebrate, honour and demand the legacy of Solo and his fellow Martyrs.
We demand legal and institutional reforms in line with established democratic and human standards. We demand a new Elections Act, a new Public Order Act, a new Criminal Code and new media laws. Above all, we demand a new constitution to usher in a total system change!
This was the cause that Solo Sandeng, Lang Marong, Solo Koroma, Lamin Ndambu Dibba, Ebrima Ceesay and FaKebba Colley protested for and died for.
These Beloved Martyrs did not stand up and die just to get a funeral. They stood up for a cause for democracy for a better Gambia.
Come and demand system change 7 years after the April 14 protest. Bring your banner, poster, placard to uphold and live the legacy of Solo Sandeng
Solo Sandeng lives. Martyrs never die. They live forever in the hearts and minds of the people of conscience and patriotism.
Never Again Arch. Tomorrow Tuesday January 10 @9.30am.
Solo Lives. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2023 : 14:07:32
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SOLO SANDENG GETS HERO’S FAREWELL
The Standard: January 11, 2023
By Lamin Cham & Alagie Manneh
https://standard.gm/solo-sandeng-gets-heros-farewell/
A massive cross-section of Gambians yesterday bade farewell to slain opposition activist, Solo Sandeng, six years after his brutal murder at the hands of state agents under the tyrannical regime of exiled dictator Yahya Jammeh.
Sandeng’s only crime was holding a peaceful protest asking for electoral reforms. Protest of any sort was taboo under Jammeh who responded by unleashing a brutal terror torturing Sandeng to death and gravely injuring many others.
The martyr’s body was exhumed from a desolated corner of the secret police’s compound in Tanji and went through a court process which ended in life sentence for the head of the notorious NIA and four others, prompting way for the slain activist’s remans to get a befitting burial.
The Gambia government staged a state funeral yesterday at the now renamed Never Again Arch where politicians, government officials and family paid tribute to the hero of the nation.
In a rivetingly moving tribute, Alagie Mustapha Darboe, a representative of the Sandeng family, said since his demise, the family of Sandeng remained neglected by the state. “He died for the cause of this government, yet no one came to his family’s rescue since his killing,” he alleged, shaming many of Sandengs’ now powerful former colleagues.
Muhammed Sandeng, son of Solo, said although his father epitomises peace, tolerance, and sacrifice for a greater cause, his legacy is yet to be honoured.
“In our loss, a country found an opportune moment to unite towards a new beginning, towards a progressive nation through the selfless and true actions of a man who was fully conscious of the gruesome consequences that may befall him despite the frightening realities of coming in contact with the callous and brutal nature of that dictatorship. Solo Sandeng decided to give his life up for a greater good,” young Muhammed said.
He added that the nation must reflect on how far it has come towards achieving the true meaning of the values that led to the sacrifice of his father and colleagues. “Are you happy that after seven years we are here respecting the legacy of Solo Sandeng without the electoral reforms that he died for?” he asked.
In his eulogy, the secretary general and party leader of the UDP, Ousainu Darboe, described Mr Sandeng as an ordinary citizen who achieved an extraordinary outcome for The Gambia through selfless devotion to principles he believed in. “Those principles were anchored in his firm belief that democracy was the best form of self-government for all who valued freedom,” Mr Darboe said.
He said that Mr Sandeng, like many other Gambians who lived under the tyranny of Jammeh, was conscious and aware of the death, torture, and disappearances that were the hallmark of that cruel regime. “But he was never the one to be cowered. He believed that the price of freedom requires sacrifice, and he possessed the courage to face the dangers that stood between what obtained and what he aspired for. Solo believed, as long as there exists a Gambia, there must be Gambians ready and willing to fight for its freedom.”
Mr Darboe said Sandeng died in the battle for freedom and democracy, and that it is “our duty to hold his legacy and that of others who fell in the battle for a better Gambia.”
“The best way to honour the sacrifice of the fallen is to live up to the principles of freedom and democracy for which they paid the ultimate price. Naming monuments after them, and giving national funerals to Solo is of symbolic and optic value, but legislating good electoral laws, and more importantly, by demonstrable conduct, manifesting the core principles of freedom and democracy he advocated and believed in would be a more befitting tribute to him,” Darboe concluded.
The ceremony at the Arch was followed by prayers at the Dippa Kunda mosque and burial attended by a massive crowd, including religious and pollical leaders and diplomats.
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2023 : 14:11:26
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Activist deplores gov’t’s failure to uphold Sandeng’s legacy
The Standard: January 11, 2023
By Omar Bah
https://standard.gm/activist-deplores-govts-failure-to-uphold-sandengs-legacy/
A prominent Gambian human rights and pro-democracy activist has accused the Barrow government of betraying Solo Sandeng’s legacy.
Mr Sandeng, who died in NIA custody in 2016, is remembered as a martyr for the cause of democracy in The Gambia. He was arrested alongside other members of UDP after they protested for electoral reforms in April 2016.
In June 2022, the High Court sentenced to death former NIA director general Yankuba Badjie and 4 other officers for murdering the activist, while a doctor who prepared his death certificate was sentenced to 10 years for forgery.
Yesterday, the government spearheaded a state funeral for him at the July 22 Square in Banjul.
But, according to activist Pa Samba Jow, Solo’s sacrifice was not for him to be accorded a state funeral but electoral reforms which the Barrow administration has failed to achieve.
“Sandeng was the true epitome of patriotism. He stood for what was right at a very difficult time in our country. When many chose to be indifferent, Solo remained resolute for a more democratic Gambia, one where fundamental rights are respected and protected. Unfortunately, those who benefited most from his sacrifices, have since chosen political expediency over genuine reforms. The laws that made his brutal murder possible remain in our books, with no desire by this government to expunge them,” he told The Standard.
Mr Jow said the electoral reform Mr Sandeng aspired for remains elusive.
“The end to the self-perpetuating rule that he called for is being resisted by Barrow and his government. Those who cheered on the tyrant drafted the ridiculous electoral laws and excused his murder, now occupy the highest offices in our country.
Unless, the very ideals that Solo gave up his life for are realized, we haven’t begun to honour and celebrate him,” he said.
Renaming of Youth Monument
Mr Jow said the Mayor of KM, Talib Bensouda, should rename the West Field Youth Monument to The Solo Sandeng Square, just as he should name the Jimpex Road, April 10/11 Way.
“We must start to genuinely and properly celebrate heroes for standing up for this country when it was most inconvenient to do so,” he said.
Homage
Paying his last respect, opposition UDP campaign manager, Momodou Sabally, commented: “At the time of his brutal killing, who would have thought that Solo Sandeng would be honoured right here at Arch 22 (now baptized “Never Again”). It is the folly of men in power to try to silence the voices of truth. Surely any attempt to suppress and oppress, creates a boomerang much louder than the original voice. This is the eternal truth preached by the sages of old. The spirit lives on.
“Indeed when the haters of the truth attacked Prophet Idriss (Enoch), their hatred and relentless efforts to mute him and the truth only led to a boomerang best narrated by verses 56-57 of Surah Maryam:
“And mentioned in the Book, Idr?s. Indeed, he was a truthful one and a prophet, and We raised him to an exalted station,” he added.
For his part, renowned Islamic preacher and orator, Sheikh Hamma Jaiteh, described Solo Sandeng as “The Tiger, the Leopard and the Jaguar”.
“The wheel of Gambian history was rusted and halted when the indomitable Tiger was captured and imprisoned illegally by the forces of brutality, his tragic but honourable heroic death is the spark which ignited the flames of revolutionary zeal and political veracity. He is the catalyst for positive but non-violent social and political changes and an accomplished fighter against corruption and depravity,” Jaiteh said.
He added that Mr Sandeng is “a paragon of virtue, an epitome of righteousness and an icon of revolutionary tenacity”.
“The entire universe is paying homage to Solo Sandeng, the Tiger of the jungle of justice and political rationality. History will forever present his gallantry and bravery to the present generation and will accurately narrate his peerless valour to posterity,” he stated.
He said Solo’s image will continue to inspire the good souls of society but will be haunting the sinful souls of the wicked ones to eternity
“Solo Sandeng, may Allah forgive all your sins, overlook your shortcomings and multiply your reward for your relentless struggle for the liberation of humanity. May your family be strengthened with endurance, faith and confidence to be proud of your sacrifice in order to preserve your legacy,” he concluded. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jan 2023 : 17:11:53
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President Barrow simply does not care!!
By Coach-Pasamba Jow
The conspicuous absence of President Adama Barrow at Ebrima Solo Sendeng’s funeral is quite telling, but I am not surprised.
Barrow, since becoming President has shown little or no concern for Jammeh’s victims. His only meeting with the victims was to save face, because his guest, the German President had intended to visit the Victims’ Center, thus forcing his handlers to quickly arrange one for him.
At the said meeting, when victims complained, it was reported by some attendees that the President claimed he too was a victim, because his “ friend”, Solo Sendeng was killed by the regime.
When Femi Peters died in January of 2018, while serving as Ambassador to Sierra Leone, President Barrow did not attend his funeral.
On October 7, 2021, exactly eight years after Shyngle Nyassi died, President Barrow found it convenient to visit Jammeh’s family in the name of “ reconciliation”. Mr. Nyassi died in New York in 2013 while on a trip with Adama Barrow, who escorted his body back to The Gambia. We all know the many brutal tortures that Jammeh and his henchmen meted on Shyngle, tortures that contributed to his health issues and subsequent death, but to Barrow, political expediency trumps anything else.
Solo was the President’s colleague. They served in the same executive for years, and definitely with everything about Solo’s jovial character, they must have been friends. The President’s claim to victimhood was through his “friend” Solo. It is also an irrefutable fact that without April 14, there wouldn’t have been a need for April 16th. And if neither of these two events happened, Adama Barrow wouldn’t have been the UDP’s candidate for president. Therefore, it is safe to argue that Barrow’s accidental candidacy and eventual Presidency is a result of Solo Sendeng. Common decency would have required the President to attend the funeral and pay homage to a man who died in the cause of struggle for freedom.
The President has surrounded himself with those who cheered Solo’s killing. Of course, we do not expect those people to advise him on honoring the victims of their former Master. But how much longer must we continue to blame his “ advisers”? The advisers didn’t appoint themselves. Barrow was quite satisfied with their characters to appoint them as his most loyal advisers.
The simple truth is, President Adama Barrow doesn’t care. When have you ever heard the President say anything about Jammeh’s victims, if not from a prepared text at a formal gathering?
The struggle continues and Solo’s legacy will continue to grow irrespective of Adama Barrow. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
Posted - 12 Jan 2023 : 12:37:36
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Justice Minister describes Solo as man who “stood against dictatorship”
The Point: Jan 11, 2023
By: Jankey Ceesay
https://thepoint.gm/africa/gambia/headlines/justice-minister-describes-solo-as-man-who-stood-against-dictatorship
Hon. Dawda Jallow, the minister for Justice speaking at the official funeral and tribute service of late Ebrima Solo Sandeng, described him as a man who “stood against dictatorship.”
“A man who paid ultimate price in fighting for the cause he genuinely believed in. He has left an indelible mark in the political history of this country.” the Minister said.
Solo Sandeng led a peaceful protest for electoral reforms in April 2016 and was arrested but died in detention after his arrest by agents of the defunct National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
His remains were exhumed in March 2017. Saikou Omar Jeng, the director of Operations at the NIA led the police to Solo’s grave at Tanji village in the West Coast Region.
The State yesterday held a funeral service at the Never Again Arch, formerly July 22nd Arch.
The funeral commenced with a procession from the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital Mortuary to the Never Again Arch led by The Gambia Police Band and a tribute service held in his honour.
This followed the display of the coffin of Mr. Sandeng for public view.
“Solo was committed to making a difference in people’s lives. He volunteered his services to the development of the community and the nation at large,” Justice Minister said.
“It’s indeed heartwarming for Solo Sandeng’s family and the country that we have attained justice for him.”
“We wish to reiterate that his legacy will continue to live on in the history of our democratic transition as a nation.”
"Six years after his martyrdom, a grateful nation joins his family today not only to mourn his tragic loss and pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace and Allah grant him Jannatul Firdaus but also to celebrate his well lived life, said UDP leader Ousainu Darboe, who delivered an eulogy at the service.
"To those of us who knew and worked with Solo in the long drawn out battle to defeat the brutal regime of Yahya Jammeh, his memory is etched into our hearts for the rest of our lives."
"Solo was an ordinary citizen who achieved an extraordinary outcome for our nation through selfless devotion to the principles he believed in."
“Those principles were anchored in his strong belief that democracy was the best form of self government for all who valued freedom."
“Solo Sandeng epitomises a national hero for Gambians. And for us as his children and his wife, he was a father who dearly loved us and who would not have done anything to lose us,” Muhammed Sandeng, the eldest son said at the funeral service.
“We lost our beloved father, our breadwinner, our consoler and our source of inspiration and of course a role model.” |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Finally! Fly Away Solo to Heaven!
