An Open Letter: Dr. Susan E. Rice, U. S. Ambassador to The United Nations (designate)
By MATHEW K. JALLOW, Associate Editor
DR. SUSAN E. RICE
Dr. Susan E. Rice
U.S. Ambassador Designate to the United Nations
C/O President-Elect Barack Obama Transition Headquarters
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Dr. Susan E. Rice:
To begin with, we hope that you find time to read and digest the information contained in this letter. First, we wish to congratulate you on your recent nomination as United States Ambassador to The United Nations. During the presidential campaign, there was hope and expectation among those of us who have followed your career over the past decade and half, that Mr. Barack Obama will eventually nominate you as Secretary of State in his future cabinet. However, there is no doubt that your nomination to this auspicious U.N. ambassadorship can be your grooming as an inevitable Secretary of State candidate in a future democratic administration. Now though, the next eight years will offer both challenges and opportunities to your new administration, and with the goodwill of the world behind you, your new administration has a unique opportunity to achieve great things for America and the world. All around the world, there is hope and optimism that President Obama’s administration will come out on the other side of the next eight years, having changed the world and made it a lot better place for mankind. We are hopeful that your personal gift of wisdom, tenacity and pursuit of justice and fairness will guide your work at the United Nations through the next eight years.
The purpose of writing, however, is not to praise-sing you and Mr. Obama, but rather, to bring to your attention an issue of significant importance to the people of The Gambia. As you may already be aware, in 1994, a band of military officers took over the government in The Gambia. The group of six officers soon moved to appoint one among them to head the new interim military regime until fresh, free and fair democratic election were held at some future date. Today, more than fourteen years later, that military junta, under Yahya Jammeh, has negated on the promises made to the Gambian people, and instead, having tasted power, Mr. Jammeh has proceeded to reinvent himself into a cruel Machiavellian character. His determination to entrench this power is matched only by his penchant for brutality, and equally important; he has effectively dismantled and suppressed all the civil society institutions that subscribe to the principles, ideals and vision of a truly democratic Gambia. While the United Nations and world attention was focused on the Middle East, and The African Union as impotent as it has ever been, The Gambia morphed from an experimental but fledging democracy into its current status as a brutal dictatorship. The Gambia’s pristine landscape is now scarred by the ugly scourge of scores of individual and dozens of mass graves, and the resting places of the murder victims of the regime, can tell some horrendous stories of brutal death by summary executions, tortures, forced disappearances, and atrocities the like of which our country has never known.
Before proceedings further on the issue of The Gambia, it is important to interject a little about the general view of Africa with regard to development and human rights. We are aware that until now, U.S. foreign policy has largely been excruciatingly flawed; defined more by American self-interest than by the moral obligations that come with American global influence, and nowhere is this policy of indifference as glaringly apparent as in Africa. The genocides in Rwanda and Sudan, the conflicts in Liberia and Sierra Leone and the ongoing tragedy in the Democratic Republic of Congo are only the latest in a long list spanning back six decades, when U.S governments were complicit in atrocities in Africa. This is not an attempt to embarrass the government that you will represent at The United Nations, but rather, it is only designed to bring the neglect of Africa’s past and its ongoing conflicts into proper historical perspective. Of course, we cannot tell you what you do not already know about Africa, and your work at The Brookings Institute, speaks to your particular in-depth knowledge of global issues around socio-economic development and human and civil rights. Your well thought out and articulated concept of “humanitarian intervention,” leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind the direction that you would wish to steer U.S. policy over the next decade. We, in Africa, cannot speak for any other region of the world, but with respect to Sub-Saharan Africa, we hope that your new administration will proactively pursue policies and agendas, which promote development and the institutionalization of democracy that we in Africa so desperately need. Today, after nearly sixty years of political independence, there is no excuse, whatsoever, why the world’s richest continent still remains its poorest. Africa, thanks to its politicians and bureaucrats is by choice consumed by greed, selfishness, chronic and endemic corruption, poor governance, nepotism, tribalism, lack of knowledge and vision, poor planning and a host of other failures. As long as African “rulers” continue to embrace a shortsighted culture that perpetuates poor political and governance systems, any hope for economic development and prosperity will never progress beyond our imagination. But, for the vast majority of the suffering people of this vast, rich and beautiful continent, held captive to the capricious machinations of dictators and uncaring bureaucrats, change cannot come sooner.
Now, coming back to The Gambia, we wish to emphasize that our obligation to impress on you the dire situation our country is facing, is a true representation of the facts on the ground. For the first time since The Gambia gained independence in 1965, the people of our country are fleeing our homeland to seek sanctuary in Western Europe, United States and other African capitals. Gambia, which until recently was the only safe haven for refugees escaping regional conflicts dating back to the Nigeria and Biafra Civil War in the 1970s, is today the latest country to experience the hemorrhaging of it professionals to western countries, and this exodus of intellect is ensuring the stagnation of development in our country. The highly educated professionals, who choose to stay, are constantly harassed, hired and fired over and over again, arrested and jailed or dragged through the Kangaroo Courts, which the regime has used effectively to subdue and intimidate the population into compliance. The litany of bad policies and decisions made by the regime include the institutionalization of tribalism, which as you may know, is behind most if not all of the wars and conflicts in Africa. When 7% or 112,000 people, the total population of Yahya Jammeh’s Jola tribe in our country, rules over 93% or 1,488,000 the total population of the rest of our tribes, situations like Rwanda become inevitable as a result of the pent-up anger and rage that can develop in the hearts of the oppressed. We certainly do not want our country to go continue down that route or degenerate into a Rwanda type situation. It may surprise you to know that no long ago; Senator Richard (Dick) Durbin of Illinois gave a very passionate speech on the floor of the United States Senate in which he lamented the gross human rights abuses in The Gambia. To give you an idea of what is really happening in our country; the two lists below tell a clear and convincing story of summary executions, arrests and detentions without probable cause, forced disappearances, incarcerations over the legal limit without the benefit of due process and intimidation of the population. The two lists below are self-explanatory.
List 1
Since coming to power in 1994, the military regime of Yahya Jammeh has committed far too many atrocities against the people of our country. At this moment, Jammeh’s regime is being investigated for the summary executions of 55 Ghanaians and 4 other national of ECOWAS member states, namely: Togo, Senegal, and Guinea. Recently, information has surfaced accusing the Jammeh regime of slaughtering 10 Nigerians in the Gambia. And, just two months ago, Amnesty International released a damning report on The Gambia, a testament to the egregious conduct of the regime in The Gambia.
Murdered Civilians
Ousman Koro Ceesay: former Finance Minister
Deyda Hydara: proprietor, The Point Newspaper
Sidia Sanyang: died from National Intelligence Agency torture injuries
Omar Barrow: Journalist, gunned down
Lamin Sanneh: died from prison torture
Ousman Ceesay: Opposition party supporter
Sarjo Kunjang Sanneh: beaten to death
Ousman Cessay: murdered at Tallinding Market area
Saja Kujabi: Dobong Village
Haruna Jammeh: Kanilai Village
Yaya Jammeh: Kartong Village
Students Massacred April 2000
Baboucarr Badjie: Tallinding Arabic School
Wuyeai Foday Mansareh: Anglican Institute
Momodou Lamin Chune: Latri Kunda Jr. Sec. School
Momodou Lamin Njie: GTTI
Claesco Pierra: New Jeswang Secondary School
Karamo Barrow: ICE High School
Reginald Carrol: Student
Lamin A. Bojang: Nusrat Senior Secondary School
Ousman Sabally: Brikamaba
Sainey Nyabally: Brikamaba
Ousman Sembene: Student
Ebrima Barry: Student
Bakary Njie: Student
Bamba Jobarteh: Armitage High School
Abdoulai Sanyang: Student
Extrajudicial executions: Military/Security Officers
Daba Marena: former Director National Intelligence Agency
Staff Sergeant Malafi Corr: Gambia National Army
Sergeant Major Alpha Bah: Gambia National Army
Lieut. Ebou Lowe: Gambia National Army
Lieut. Alieu Ceesay: Gambia National Army
Sgt. Fafa Nyang: Executed brutally
Lieut. Basiru Barrow: Gambia National Army
Captain Sadibou Hydara: Gambia National Army
Lieut. Almamo Manneh: Gambia National Army
Lieut. Abdoulie Dot Faal: Gambia National Army
Lieut. Bakary Manneh: Gambia National Army
Lieut. Buba Jammeh: Gambia National Army
Lieut. Momodou Lamin Darboe: Gambia National Army
Cadet Officer Sillah: Gambia National Army
Lieut. Basirou Camara: Gambia National Army
Corpl. Mendy: Gambia National Army
Lieut. Gibril Saye: Gambia National Army
Sergeant Dumbuya: Gambia National Army
Leut. Biran Saye: Gambia National Army
Mysterious Deaths: Military/Security Officers
Captain Tumbul Tamba: Gambia National Army (died mysteriously)
Captain Musa Jammeh: Gambian National Army (died mysteriously)
Colonel Vincent Jatta: Army Commander (died mysteriously)
Lieut. Solomon Jammeh: Gambia National Army (died mysteriously)
Pa M. Jallow: former Director NIA (died mysteriously)
Inspector Manlafi Sanyang: Gambia Police Force
Boye Bah: (Ex-GNA) died under mysterious circumstances
Missing Gambians
Ebrima (Chief) Manneh: (Daily Observer) arrested in 7 July 2006
Kanyiba Kanyi: (Christian Children’s Fund) arrested in September 2006
Haruna Jammeh: arrested in 2005
Marcie Jammeh arrested in 2005
Alfusainey Jammeh: Kanilai arrested in 2005
Momodou Lamin Nyassi: (ex-Foni Chief)
Ndongo M’boob: (Bwiam) arrested in 2006
Buba Sanyang: (Bwiam) arrested in 2006
Alieu Lowe: (Fagi Kunda Student) arrested in March 2006,
Sgt. Sam Kambai: (Gambia National Army) arrested in 2006
Bakary Gassama: (N.I.A) arrested in 2007
Kebba Secka: (N.I.A) arrested in 2007
Ebrima Dibba: (Gambia National Army) arrested in May 2008,
Ebrima Kunchi Jammeh: (Gambia National Army) arrested in May 2008
Julanky Marenah: (Julakay Enterprise) arrested in July 2008.
Demba Jallow: (Veterinary Department) arrested 2008
Landing Sanneh: (States House Guard) tortured, jailed for 29 years
Survived Attempted Murders: Fled The Gambia
Ousman Sillah: Attorney (in U.S.A)
Mai Fatty: Attorney (in Senegal)
Other Tortured Political Prisoners
Alhagie Kebbeh: nearly killed in brutal beating, now disabled
Wassa Janneh: (UDP politician) tortured and detained for political reasons
Marian Denton: (Human Rights Attorney/Lawyer) jailed, tortured and released
Ousman Rambo Jatta: (UDP) jailed for more than a year; released
Tamba Fofana: (teacher) jailed for more than a year, released and unemployed
Foreign National Massacred In The Gambia
55 Ghanaian Nationals
2 Senegalese Nationals
1 Guinean National
1 Togolese National
Foreign Nationals Suspected Massacred
10 Nigerian Nationals
List 2
This is a partial list of Gambians arrested from March 21, 2006 - March 2007. The list is not complete, however, it is important to know that some on this list are known to have been summarily executed by military firing squads, while other have vanished; some for many years, and their fates are not yet known. Many of the others have been freed from prison and fired from their jobs, while the rest, sentenced to very long prison terms, are languishing in inarguably Africa’s worst prison, Mile II. Some of those incarcerated at this notorious prison have died as a result of neglect, lack of proper medical care, poor food and diseases. It is important to note that the regime uses arrests and detention as a way to intimidate and subdue political dissent.
RSM Alpha Bah
Major Ebrima Bah
Lt Momodou Alieu Bah
Captain Samba Bah
Corporal Samba Bah
Tijan Bahoum: Power Supply Director NAWEC
Kemo Balajo: ex-National Intelligence Agency
Foday Barry: ex-NIA; director of Intelligence
Ourani Barry: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Major Sainey Bayo
Lamin Bojang: Medical Research Council
Ebrima Camara: ex-police officer
Omar Barru Camara: ex-MP APRC
Captain Wassa Camara
2nd Lt Alieu Ceesay
Lamin Ceesay: Politician
Madi Ceesay: President, Gambia Press Union
Awa Darboe Cham: wife of alleged coup leader Ndure Cham
Lamin Cham: ex-Daily Observer, BBC correspondent
Lamin Cham: Politician
Momat Cham: former minister
Momodou Cadi Cham: former politician
Superintendent Abdoulie Colley: ex-police officer
Retired Colonel Abdoulie Conteh: former KMC Mayor
Staff Sergeant Malafi Corr
Captain Bunja Darboe
Lamin R. Darboe: Politician
Lamin Saiba Darboe
Captain Yaya Darboe
Adama Deen: former Managing Director Gambia Ports Authority
Demba Dem: ex-MP APRC
Momodou Demba: Politician
Mariam Denton: Human Rights Lawyer
Raif Diab: Businessman
Ramzia Diab: former nominated MP, APRC
Musa Dibba: ex-NIA Director of Finance
Sheriff Mustapha Dibba: ex-Assembly Speaker
Baba Drammeh: ex-Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC) officer
Omar Faal: Marabout
Pa Modou Faal: journalist, Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS)
Ansumana Fadera: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Jerreh Fatty: Politician
Lamin Fatty: journalist, The Independent newspaper
Mariama Fatty: Politician
Kebba Faye: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Tamba Fofana: Head Master
Abdou Gafar: journalist, Daily Express newspaper
Lamin Gassama: Security Manager, Banjul International Airport
Antouman Gaye: Lawyer
Pa Njie Guirigara: General Manager, VM
Sarane Hydara: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Captain Abdoulkarim Jah
Karamo Jaiteh: former Managing Director, Gambia Roads Authority
Suruwa Jaiteh: former Permanent Secretary
Captain YNA Jallow
Staff Sergeant Buba Jammeh
Captain Famara Jammeh
Haruna Jammeh
Kebbaringo Jammeh: Council
Marcel Jammeh
Lance Corporal Babou Janha
Amie Jarju
Cherno Ndure Jarju: Politician
Manlafi Jarju: ex-Minister
Lamin Jarsey: Politician
Tamsir Jassey: ex-Deputy Inspector General Police, Director of Immigration
Dudu Kassa Jatta: Politician
Ousman Rambo Jatta: Councilor
Colonel Vincent Jatta: ex-Chief of Defense Staff
Momodou Jaw: ex-IEC officer
Abdoulie Kanaji Jawla: MP, APRC
Baboucarr Jobarteh: ex-Protocol Officer
Maimuna Jobarteh: Politician
Abdou Jobe: Managing Director, NAWEC
Alieu Jobe: ex-Accountant General
Duta Kamaso: ex-MP, APRC
Kanyiba Kanyi: Politician
Lamin Keita: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Nato Keita: Politician
Abdoulie Kujabi: ex-Director General, NIA
Jasaji Kujabi
Dr. Badara Loum: ex-Permanent Secretary
Lt Ebou Lowe
Mustapha Lowe: College student
Bamba Manneh: ex-NIA operative
Chief Ebrima B. Manneh: journalist, Daily Observer newspaper
Fatou Jaw Manneh: journalist
Kebba Yorro Manneh: Politician
Daba Marena: ex-Director General, NIA
Malick M’boob: ex-Daily Observer, RVTH
Musa M’boob: ex-Inspector General of Police/Director of Immigration
Sulayman Sait M’boob: ex-Minister, IEC Commissioner
Sergeant Buba Mendy
Captain Pierre Mendy
Omar Ndow: former Managing Director of Gamtel/Gamcel
Ndondi S.Z. Njie: former Chairman of IEC
Alhagie Nyabally: ex-President, Gambia Student Union
Alassan Nyassi
Balla Nyassi
Private Alagie Nying: Gambia National Army
Sam Obi: Daily Express, RFI correspondent
Baba Saho: ex-NIA director, External Security
Musa Saidykhan: former Editor-In-Chief, The Independent newspaper
Betrand Sambou
Dodou Sanneh: former journalist, GRTS
Ebrima Sillah Sanneh: ex-IEC officer
Lamin Sanneh: former Permanent Secretary
Sergeant Abdoulie Sanyang
2nd Lt Pharing Sanyang: Gambia National Army
Commander MB Sarr: Gambia National Army
Lt M. Savage: Gambia National Army
Ebou Secka: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Ngorr Secka: ex-Deputy Director General, NIA
Nourou Secka: ex-NIA operative
Momodou Senghore: ex-Senior Civil Servant
Ousman Sey: Marabout
Musa Sheriff: journalist, Gambia News & Report magazine
Amie Sillah: journalist, women activist
Alieu Singhateh: ex-NIA operative
Kebba Singhateh: Politician
Modou Sonko: journalist, Daily Observer newspaper
Private Ebrima Sonko
Juldeh Sowe: journalist, The Independent newspaper
Issac Success: journalist, Daily Express newspaper
Azziz Tamba: Politician
Ebou Waggeh
Your Sincerely,
**Mathew K. Jallow.
To: Susan E. Rice, U.S. Nominee, United Nations General Assembly
CC: Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General, United Nations
President, The African Union
M. I. Chambass, ECOWAS Executice Secretary
The British Ambassador, United Nations
Chinese Ambassador, United Nations
The President of The Republic of Senegal
President, The Republic of South African
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
The Senegalese Representative, United Nations
The Guinea Bissau Representative, United Nations
President, The European Union
U.S. Ambassador, Republic of The Gambia
British High Commissioner, Republic of The Gambia
Senator Richard Durbin, U S Congress
Chinese Ambassador, Republic of Senegal
Gambian Representative, United Nations
Gambian Ambassador, United States
Amnesty International
The World Bank
The I.M.F
**M**Mathew K. Jallow holds a Bachelors degree in Business Management and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin. A former teacher, social critic, human rights crusader and reputable journalist with years of professional expertise in rural and community development , Mathew K. Jallow is the founder of Gambia's reputable The Association of Non-governmental Organizations. His Masters thesis (African Bureaucracy and The Barriers to Democracy) can be obtained by writing to:editor@thegambiaecho.com