(JollofNews) – Residents of Foni have rubbished allegations that they were armed with single barrel guns and machetes during Friday’s fatal clash in Kanilai with officers of the Senegal led military intervention force in the Gambia.
The residents who took to the streets to protest against the heavy military presence in their community said none of them was armed with even a stone when they were shot at by the military.
The Gambia’s Interior minister, Mai Ahmad Fatty, has accused the resident some of whom he said were from Casamance of taking traditional weapons to the demonstration and engaging in provocative acts against members of the security forces in the area.
He added that the protesters had failed to secure a permit from the Inspector General of Police to organise their protest contrary to the laws of the Gambia and had set fire to tyres, obstructed traffic and caused commotion in the area.
But a spokesman for the youths, David Kujabi, who was also at the demonstrations said the ministers allegations are completely unfounded.
“The whole of Foni gathered in Kanilai to mount a peaceful demonstration and to bring to the attention of the authorities some of the harassments, threats and intimidation we are receiving from the regional soldiers posted in the area,” he said.
“The soldiers are residing in the bushes where the locals graze their cattle and they would detain and sometimes punish us whenever we go to collect our cattle or collect firewood. The security situation here has become volatile since the deployment of the regional soldiers. Some of the teachers posted to the village have failed to take up their posts and many parents have stopped sending their children due to the security situation.”
Mr Kujabi said it was out of concerns for their safety and wellbeing that they decided to take to the streets with only their banners some of which read ” A call for concern. Foni should not be left out or intimidated for any Reason. I love Foni, I love Gambia and Despite our political stand and differences, we are a people of the Gambia and should be treated as one!!”
He added: “While on our way to the main highway, we were stopped by the Ecomig soldiers who started shooting at us. Some of the soldiers who were standing fired in the air while those who were on their knees fired straight at us.”
One of the demonstrators, Haruna Jatta, 54, died of his injuries a few hours later while six others sustained various injuries.
“I want to make it clear that we went out to demonstrate peacefully and were not armed with even a stone, he said.
“We never expected things to turn out the way they did. All we wanted was to express our concerns peacefully.We don’t hate the military because a large percentage of youths from Foni are in the military but what we are saying is that the militarisation of the area is a threat to our community and wellbeing.”
Where have I heard all this before ? Mai Fatty of whom I have the greatest respect should explain his version of events with proof: The evidence from Mr Kujabi seems compelling.
Mike Scales
Mai Fatty gave his part of the story verbally so does Mr.Kujabi, but Mr.Kujabi’s evidence seems more compelling to you. Another double standard of the Englishmen. What evidence did he produced except to show an individual with a banner? How can you based your judgement by just that picture?
You know what Mike Scales, Foni is the only place in the Gambia where innocent people are being blown into pieces by land mines. Who planted those landmines? The Senegalese soldiers have the right to defend themselves and its unfortunate that somebody lost his life, but the fact of the matter is that the people of Foni are not prepared to accept the new reality. The new reality is that our nation will never again be a breeding ground for injustices, lawlessness and one region enjoying all the trappings of the wealth that belong to all. Free electricity, free running water and subsidized merchandise will not be the norm as it had been under the despotic rule of Yahya Jammeh. The people of Foni have a choice to make, agree to disagree based on policy of fairness, fraternity and political affiliations, but not based on tribe. And unless they are prepared to involve themselves in the new dispensation as true patriotic Gambians rather than mischief making then i see scenarios like what happened in Kanilai repeating itself over and over.
God bless our beloved nation.
It’s true Mr. Fatty should explain his version of the events with proof and you need to buy you a trip off to Equitorial Guinea to eat some cabbage-grown hairy caterpillars. Some 5star food will do you good. You needs some days off!
Again loss of life was unwarranted, a consequence of overreaction. The exact account of events must be laid on the table and the Senegalese soldiers responsible face justice – if the circumstances in which the use of live rounds were to be found inappropriate.
Having said that, the agitary nature and the belligerent behaviour of the people of Kanilai and by large Foni’s Jammeh sympathizers towards the new govt and ecomig, clearly led to this unfortunate incident. There was a lot of bragging and showcasing of bravery in Foni the past weeks and I think we all see this clash coming. For evidently there appears to be a need for contest of will or trial of strength on the part of Foni’s jammeh sympathisers. They cannot hold the country hostage or at ransom. They must accept the verdict of the people and let the law takes course on the issue of jammeh’s assets. The state cannot give in!
Other parts of the country have endured Jammeh’s 22-years repressive rule with candour and due respect for state security apparatus. Even when a tribe was insulted by Jammeh, people remained calm and waited for the ballot box to vent their anger. We demand a commitment to the democratic state from all parts of country. Questioning the legitimacy of ecomig troops in the country is everyone’s right but most be submitted through the democratic channels. Foni has 5 MP’S and chiefs etc, who are people’s representatives for such cases. They should not confront the ecomig troops!
Jack; Love for humanity must never take a holiday?
I mean, you take a holiday, not “love for humanity”
I think after reading the report on Foroyaa, taking account of views including from a member of Mr Jammeh’s family, the Alkalo and other community leaders; the views expressed within the writer’s concerns on this page are realistic. This may be a situation that has not yet reached an amicable solution or indeed anyway near a final solution. Do I think shooting live rounds at unarmed civilians will assist a solution ?
Hell No !
Maybe an englishman who sees both sides without prejudice is unhelpful. But I would suggest Gambians are still Gambians no matter where they reside, here! their! or wherever. In a tolerant society all are equal. There can be no room for second rate citizens. Or indeed !!! those who would seek to undermine the majority view expressed by the will of the people. I cannot share any historical view infested by tribal affiliations simply because I am a democrat who does not harbour any ill will to anybody. My views are guided only by your views and my intention is to express them in my own way. If I have ever erred in my views, then you have erred in your views>>> Pray forgive my tresspasses. As I forgive yours.
I think Mike Scales’ was already made up. Two sides both gave different versions but you believe one side 100% with no evidence. Since when do ppl tell on themselves? You expect anybody in Kanilai including the Alkalo to say ” yes we were armed and threatened ECOMIG”. Of course they will deny it. If we based every decision on whether people denied what they are accused of then no one will be guilty of anything.
The impunity of April 10 th 2000 and its terrible aftermath has many similarities to the shootings in Kanalai; The authorities on both occasions said both sets of protesters were bearing arms of some description. We hope the difference to the latest loss of life will be accompanied by a full independent investigation, with recommendations. Jollof News has fairly represented both sides of the story. The comments vary. Mine are impartial. Yours are what you would wish to conclude; The debate on this subject is a very lively one with opinion pieces coming thick and fast.
As the Barrow government is still with wet paint, how it handles this crisis will determine its values and its principals. There has been a preventable loss of life for which democratic government must address. May I once again offer my condolences to all those who have suffered by flying bullets.
Jack; my next holiday is at The Royal Preston Infirmary for yet another appointment with an African surgeon’s knife: Hope he is a friendly one. Love you too.
You’ll be alright scales, history shows African surgeons are the best.
GR; I agree the last one at Manchester Royal Infirmary saved my life;
My condolences goes to the family of the deceased. But to put things right why didn’t demonstrators go to president Barrow at Kiraba hotel and demonstrate there. It has always been said that it’s not how you say things but the way you them.I don’t believe that story even if they are unarmed if they appeared violent to soliders and not obbaying orders the soliders are there to keep peace under anycircumstance even it requires using their weapons. However,using a life bullet on peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable if that was case. But I want all of us Gambians as one nation one people to erase tribalism and focus on our new democracy .It is a shame to die for a call that can never be answered. The people of Foni should understand that Yay Jammed is done and he will never, ever be the president of the Gambia again. I have some Yola friends,and back in my school days the majorities of my teachers were Jolas until the presidency of Yaya Jammeh the Jolas were the most peaceful tribe in the Gambia but why now violent. The religious leaders and the chiefs should come out and stop any attempt to undermine peace in that region or else the regional troops will do just what their mission is.
A historical football game is attracting the minds of many Gambians and the results of this game no one can predict… Mandikas vs jolas and Mai Fatty is the commentator, Adama Borrow as referee and Tambedou will analye to the spectators at the end game
Deadly creepy analysis in itself.
A football match…..??
You are accused of carrying arms: No one believes you because you are unlucky to live where you do; May God forgive them.
Be rest assured, the knife of the African surgeon, at The Preston Royal Infirmary is not an arm. It shall be the magic to on you.
I wish you all the best of health.
…magic touch on you.
I really don’t want to be talking about knives just now : But I do thank you for your concern and good wishes Jack; The Op has been cancelled due to improving blood supply; Should be ready for that holiday in Gambia by September; Inshallah.
God Bless you my friend;