(JollofNews) – Barely 24 hours after an investigative journalist was subjected to an ‘assault’ by ECOMIG forces, the Secretary General of Gambia Press Union (GPU) Saikou Jammeh has expressed dismay about the incident that has left many people flabbergasted.
“This is unacceptable. This is not something that we expect in New Gambia,” said Saikou Jammeh who made it clear that the country’s media body will get to the bottom of this problem.
The GPU scribe made these remarks on Thursday as journalists gathered at Djembeh Hotel, Kololi, to observe the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI).
Fabakary Ceesay, an investigative journalists with the local Foroyaa Newspaper, had a
fracas with some elements of the ECOMIG forces at Kairaba Beach Hotel while President Adama Barrow was presiding over the opening ceremony of the 61st Ordianry Sesson of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and celebrations marking the 30th anniversary
of the organisation.
Cessay told JollofNews that he was not aware that the Gambian leader will grace the occasion. He then added that when he reached the hotel, President Barrow was already in the confrence hall.
Despite efforts he made appealing on security forces to grant him access, some of them acted in a way that resulted in tension.
Subsequently, exchanges of blows ensued leaving him with finger injuries.
Information Minister Demba Ali Jawo used the platform of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI) to react about the incident.
“I am sorry to hear that he ended up having injuries,” he said.
Minister Jawo seized the opportunity to remind journalists on the need to observe protocol. He then advised journalists covering presidential functions to do their utmost best to be at the program as early as
possible.
“Finance Minister Amadou Sanneh came late, and he was not allowed to get in,” he added.
OMG !!!! I am so surprised that Demba did not take the opportunity to chastise both parties. The incident is almost the same as the Kanilai incident, though this time no one got shot and killed. I don’t understand why Ecowas forces were policing this occasion ? Surely this was just an ordinary public policing matter. Just who are the coalition members afraid of ? Mr Sanneh, please turn up on time. You are an embarrassment sir !.
chaos abounds anywhere and everywhere in the minds and actions of this ungodly coalition.
It you are late for an event go home rather than provoking and confronting armed security personnel on duty. Democracy does not mean we are above the law and should not respect authority.Sorry for your injuries but blame yourself not Ecomig even in the UK USA and other advanced democracies they will never joke with security of their head of state.
Michael do u think the British Security Forces will let any one in the PM is seated or HRM.These Jammeh era journalist must change their mind set we are in a democracy not a dictorship Gambians will no longer buy their cry baby stories as facts are easily accessible to us all.
If Ecomig did not take a firm action in the Kanilai protest we would have been in chaos now.
Again Michael refer to Nothern Ireland what happens when protesters attached British Armed Forces during their various marches.
Michael do u think the British Security Forces will let any one in if
the PM is seated or HRM.These Jammeh era journalist must change their mind set we are in a democracy not a dictorship Gambians will no longer buy their cry baby stories as facts are easily accessible to us all.
If Ecomig did not take a firm action in the Kanilai protest we would have been in chaos now.
Again Michael refer to Nothern Ireland what happens when protesters attached British Armed Forces during their various marches.
This is the importance of punctuality.Report on time for work,sorry though for the misunderstanding.
There is a danger of missing important clues for what could create bigger problems in future, if we look at this incident from just one dimension. Looking at the incident from the angle of the journalist, I think many will be justified to conclude that he has not done himself any favours, especially in his reaction to being denied entry. It certainly is not clever to physically engage an armed soldier, when he is part of the president’s security detail at a state function. Viewed from this angle, I will agree with the views @ Ebs.
Bax, I think the Press Union should try and work with the Press office at the Presidents office and Security/Protocol officers to sensitize Journalists not only about protocol but also the potential security implications of not following protocol in VIP protection. Am sure most of you will remember when a Journalist threw his shoe at Fmr President Bush in Iraq. Imagine if that shoe had contained explosives? That Journalist nearly got himself killed. We Gambians must not confuse Yahya Jammeh’s few gang of torturers with the rest of the hardworking security personnel in the country.
There is another dimension to this story and the very last statement probably provides us with a vital clue. It reads: ” “Finance Minister Amadou Sanneh came late, and he was not allowed to get in,” he added.”
Now, there is no excusing a state minister arriving late at a function graced by the president, but whatever excuses he may have (legitimate or not), I cannot see any reasons, and certainly no justifications, for such a high ranking official to be denied entry to attend this event, regardless of at what point he arrived. The journalist may be viewed as a security threat and one who may have breached protocol, but not a state minister.
Personally, my view is that denying our Finance Minister right of access to the venue, constitutes a show of disrespect, not only to the minister, but the institution he represents and the whole country, and I hope we don’t just brush such an occurrence under the carpet, because there could be more here than meets the eye.
And when we reflect our minds on incidents involving ECOMIG and Gambians, it becomes clear that a particular contingent within the ECOMIG Force is almost always involved, and that’s Senegal. Whether it was the shootout with Gambian soldiers at Jammeh’s residence in Kaninlai, or the Kaninlai demonstration and death of Haruna Jatta, the unwarranted harassment of villagers in Foni or indeed, this latest incident, the Senegalese contingent is at the centre, hence the question has to be asked: what’s going on with the Senegalese (ECOMIG) contingent? Are we being treated with contempt by our neighbours?
Bax stop pointing fingers to ECOMIG Senegalies Forces and issued of Haruna Jatta whom was not even a Gambian involved in wrongful protest against the securities. I got the news of his dead was well celebrated in his native land Senegal Casamance Marsasu.
“Nameless”, whatever Haruna’s nationality, he was killed on Gambian soil and the ECOMIG contingent involved was the Senegalese. That’s the point I was making, rather than pointing a finger of blame. That bullet which killed him could have hit anyone in that crowd. His nationality, if he wasn’t Gambian, could not have made his killing any more lawful than it was.
I think the Finance minister Sanneh issue could have to do with protocol & proceedings in general rather than contempt…
Unless something genuinely excusable divulge to cause Mr Sanneh’s late coming to the event, he should be addressed (by president) to remember he’s a public servant; in services of the public; & below par standards can’t (mustn’t) be entertained from a person with his responsibility entrusted; public service require dedication with determination to identify & eleminate short comings…
The security of state functions can’t, shouldn’t & mustn’t be laxed for anyone out of the circle requirements necessary; particularly when & where president & other national & international dignitaries are in grace…
Bajaw…The minister’s lateness is not the issue for me, because it is a matter that we can only speculate on. And if he has no genuine reasons for being late, then both the President and his party leader (as he is in a coalition) need to remind him of his responsibilities.
My concern here is the fact that a state minister was denied entry to a function which he was meant to attend. The minister would have been on the guest list; he would have been known to security and he would have had his own security escort with him, as all ministers have Police escorts.
Where is the security concerns in his case? He should not even be questioned, never mind intercepted. Protocol demands that as soon as they saw his vehicle and verified that it was the Finance Minister, they should step aside and let him proceed. To intercept the minister is a contemptuous show of disrespect for his office and the institution he represents. It is also a contemptuous show of disrespect to the Gambia Police Force, to disregard the presence of an officer from the force as a security clearance for the minister, if their concerns was security of the President.
I cannot see it any other way Bajaw and I am absolutely certain if this incident occurred in Senegal, the soldier will not dare intercept their Finance Minister. He will be complimenting him/her with a salute, instead.
Bax, from point of protocol it would make more sense to let in the Journalist than the Minister for the simple fact that the Minister would normally be seated at the front whilst the Journalist could easily slip in at the back and cause little disruption and attention.
I see & view it from different perspective Bax, where nobody, especially the state minister should be allowed late into a function where security is of paramount importance, & where not only the president & ministers but other regional & international dignitaries are in grace amongst the peasantry public…
World issues, if any, have shown there’s too much sophistication in security breaches nowadays & nothing should (must) be left to chance & rule out for sake of a state minister running late for whatsoever reasons; when the president as higher authority, supposed to be the last to arrive for function to begin has got in already…
I might not be able to speculate what may obtain in Senegal internally but I will assume any state minister anywhere else, running late to function when the particular minister isn’t the highest person of authority to grace the occasion should stay away & be auditable for the short coming…
While I can also speculate that ECOMIG forces not comprising Senegal alone but consists of other countries in subregion would obtain international standard security procedures on the ground that’s been applied in this case as reported…
There seems some gaps between security corresponding between the state minister’s & the event control teams…
We can hope for remedial lessons learnt from this for harmonious societal advancements…
Security? Yes, I agree, but I think the situation in The Gambia is over exaggerated. For God’s sake, we are not at war or in a war situation. The Gambia is a relatively peaceful country by many, many standards.
It is said that even Friday Jummah Prayers suffer wherever President Barrow decides to offer the prayers. Worshippers will be denied entry into the mosque, once the president entered, and none will be allowed to move until he leaves. If this is true, then we have to ask: Why the need for this level of harassment just to secure the president?
If President Barrow feels this threatened and insecure with Gambians, then I think he should step aside.
Public office is about sacrifice and if one isn’t prepared to sacrifice for his/her citizens to live a dignified life, then he/she should not seek public office, in my view.
I stand by my comments. By all the reactions by my fellow opinionates, one can only conclude there was no pre organisation. In Europe, the bodyguards would have been suited and well briefed on the protocol. {low profile} The delegates would have been wearing official entry badges and their names listed for certification and identity. Press badges would have been prominent and issued strictly to Name Or media Organisation, Person, Rank,Identity photo, Status and Seated. Soldiers would have been alert and mingling with the public and not standing at the door except to conduct body searches with metal detectors.
Any late comers would have been policed through protocol and escorted to there allocated seats or positions. I again ask why soldiers and not Police ? and who was ultimately responsible for the operation. It was a shambles.
Yes Bax I do note that in this case their may have been grounds to suggest the Journalist and his reaction and explanation was perhaps a little over the top. Myself I thing reporters should report the news and not seek to be the news.
Mike, stop talking balderdash, no one will be allowed into a venue here once the Queen takes her seat. Who do you think you are kidding?? One is not even allowed to talk to the Queen if she didn’t speak to you first let alone interrupt her. I have told you before to stop making wild pronouncements about Europe because most of us live here and know the reality on the ground.
These so called uneducated stupid journalists are usually the cause of many conflicts. Look here. He is trying to play the victim role. He is lucky he is not dead by fighting the security personnel of the president of the Gambia.
Am I reading that he didn’t even knew the president was there. What an idiot. Why did he come late and tried to force his way in. What an idiot.
Michael Scale, I always do respect you but today that is all gone. If you don’t know any security protocol then shut the hell up.
ECOMIG soldiers are highly disciplined. Far better than the British soldiers. I support them to kill anyone who tries to endanger their lives. Self defence.
Buba. I think I would broadly agree with you; Except there is a different conceptual, and spiritual position between a Hereditary Monarch and a elected temporary President, who has virtually no qualifications relevant to his/her position, other than a minority and easily overturned vote. Her Majesty The Queen of England, Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland and several overseas nations/ territories, was well educated and groomed from childhood to serve the people for a lifetime.
I think the majority opinion would be from home and around the world is that she has been extremely successful and of great benefit through her service. Does anyone know Adama Barrows pedigree for leadership, his training, his education, his Constitutional knowledge and the depth his experience to make a success of his temporary position as a Transitional 3 year or less Head of Nation ?
You will note that there have been several attempts on the lives of the Royal Family and the regret at the murder of Lord Mountbatten of Burma by terrorists. However, The Royal family frequently expose themselves to open danger and maintain connection with the people. Why President Barrow wants to surround himself with ecowas soldiers who are heavily armed does say very little for his confidence and availability to set an example of fearlessness and security amongst the very people he serves. But of course Jammeh was the same. My first view of him was flying by The Atlantic Hotel at 60 MPH supported openly by several Jeep mounted heavy machine guns. Meanwhile I have walked freely without fear around Westfield and elsewhere in Gambia at 3 am…without a care in the world.The only fear I ever encountered was from Yellow taxi drivers stampeding for my 50 dalasis taxi fare.
But this is only an opinion, I respect yours.
There doesn’t appear to be many Presidents around the World where controversy does not follow in there foot paths. So lets us say Thanks to God for term limits.
Mike, what you said about Barrow can be said about any President around the World, but that does not mean they should not be protected. One can asked what qualifies, Ronald Reagan, Bush Jr, Clinton, Obama and Trump to be Presidents of USA considering that all these men have very little foreign relations experience, which you will agree is important because USA is one of the most powerful countries in the world. President Barrow’s close protection is provided by Gambians, ECOMIG only provides perimeter protection. This will end as soon as the training of our own presidential guards is completed. Mike you and I are not high value targets therefore we can freely walk around town without a care in the world. President Barrow is not afraid of Gambians but he has to listen to security experts when they advice him, unlike Jammeh who micromanages his security detail. You can’t dispute that there could be some Jammeh loyalists who would not waste a second given the opportunity to kill Barrow. Can you imagine what the consequences of that will be for the Gambia?? For the fact that his security detail is reduced to a fraction of Jammeh’s is a demonstration of the fact that he wants to be accessible. Mike after the Grenfell Tower inferno the Prime Minister went there and did not meet with any of the victims because of “security reasons”. Although the Queen did went there and met with the victims. There, I agree with you Mike, she has exposed herself to danger which was very well appreciated by everyone.
I think the relativity of peace isn’t necessarily relative to the non combat & physical peasantry displacement situation it takes more than that for current security arrangements & reasons due to world events lately & our Gambia situation specifically…
Our security apparatus have been infiltrated & manipulated under the kanilai fiefdom to serve one evil soul in design for self catering entrenchment of the evil syndola devil without any room for dissent & criticism or strife & destruction of the community…
World & regional security implications aside, there’s the unquantifiable infinity of arms & ammunition stashed to the mfdc rebels & criminals under the kanilai family farm ‘building materials’ schemes disguises for 22+ years to consider; innocent lives being blown by landmines in peaceful Gambia; GNA personnel mandatory to allegence Gambia public as the employer showing allegence to the kanilaibil mansa…
The uninvoiced & uninventoried GNA ammunition too stashed away to rebel criminals yet to be dislodged safe; & the list goes on…
I wish too the situation could rehabilitate back to when we could all peep old boy Jawara at arms lengths & even exchange banter as been documented but shall we remember 9 months back there were a devil on hijack at the helm with hatch plan on purpose…
The president’s attempt to prayer at ‘various mosques’ I assume are in efforts to bond with communities & learn some issues & concerns firsthand…
Community leaders & state information should see to awareness dissemination for all to digest the security operations for effective compliances…
With divulging events of the world & our very own recent Gambian experience, I believe any president from now on must listen to security advice accordingly to experts advice…
Yes of course…we remember the children and citizens who were mowed down by the Jammeh merciless convoys’ only slowing down to scatter biscuits. Not one prosecution for manslaughter. Not one prosecution for the loss of life and injuries at Kanalai. Or for the young lady shot in the back of the head in a taxi.
We need to see an end to impunity. This my soldiers are better than your soldiers is a bit childish. All should be subject to strict rules and discipline. Just because they carry guns and wear fatigues..doesn’t mean they have a licence to kill.