UDP Statement Regarding the July 22nd Celebrations

Assalamu alaikum, the below statement is published here by permission of the UDP, New York branch.

United Democratic Party (UDP)  C/O P. O. Box 500
  Bronx, NY 10453
 
udp_nyc@yahoo.com
  
  July 22nd, 2007
  
  Statement issued by the (UDP) on the July 22nd celebrations:
  
  Gambian People, the international Community and all Democratic and Human Rights Organizations worldwide are here by call upon to condemn in the strongest
terms the (APRC) Government for celebrating the July 22 1994 Coup D’etat, the day some junior corrupt soldiers led by Yahya Jammeh decided to challenge
the legitimate position of the Gambian people, and overthrew the democratically elected civilian Government of Sir Dawda Jawara. This is why the regime
takes it upon itself to celebrate and commemorate this dark historic occasion every year in spite of the fact that the majority of Gambians remain totally
opposed to the idea.
  
  Majority of Gambians, who over the years have painfully learnt the better significance of this violent and illegal change, celebrating this occasion
is not only a waste of their tax revenue but is a cruel reminder of the period of illegal arrests, detentions, torture, unfair trials and a general insecurity
of life and property. It is also a reminder of low corruption can be legalized and justified under a Military dictatorship. President Yahya Jammeh and
his cohorts have, beyond the comprehensive of the average Gambian, acquired properties, built enormous cash deposits and engage in dubious business dealings
within a record time.
  
  The record speaks for itself, the same band of arrogant and greedy soldiers turned civilian politicians have over the 13 year period of military take
over, mismanaged the Gambian economy, continues to violate constitutionality by rigging elections and oppressed the Gambian people by perverting the rule
of law. The legacy of the APRC regime, which in effect is nothing more than a pseudo-democracy and a dictatorship, is geared more towards human rights
violation and disregard for constitution order. It is obvious that the Gambian people finally realized that they have been betrayed by a handful of soldiers
and some selfish civilians who were never loyal to the nation but all the time being guided by selfishness and greed.
  
  The APRC regime is still very hostile to democracy, the press, good governance and human rights.
  
  Genuine pro-democratic activists continue to be denied their constitutional rights of freedom. Two United Democratic Party (UDP) members Mr. Dudou Kassa
Jatta and Kaniba Kani were arrested a year ago, detained up to date incommunicado without being charge or brought before a court of law. 
  
  The propaganda machinery of this government is to chant peace and stability aloud while it is committed to chaos and anarchy.
  
  President Yahya Jammeh and his regime have a lot explain to the Gambian people on actions that can be those of a tyrannical dictatorship. He has blood
in his hands for allegedly:
  
    1. Killings of 50 African immigrants including 44 Ghanaians under unexplained circumstances two years ago;
    2. Killing of a former Finance minister Koro Ousaman Ceesay;
    3. Killing of 14 peaceful unarmed student demonstrators;
    4. Killing of a prominent Gambian journalist Dehda Hydara;
    5. Killings of 5 top security personnel including the former director (NIA) Mr. Daba Mareneh;
    6. Killing of a (UDP) female supporter Sarjo Kunjang Sanneh.
  
  When these four young lieutenants headed Yahya Jammeh seized power on that fateful Friday July 22, 1994 they claimed they were soldiers with difference,
meaning they were going to rule within a short period of time and return to barracks but it has never been the case. Today it is abundantly clear that
these four junior soldiers were hungry for power, out to destroy the democratic institutions of the country, abuse the rights and freedom of the people,
by so doing deprived the Gambian citizens the rights to freedom of speech and freedom of the press/information. The objectives of the Arm Forces Provisional
Ruling Council (AFPRC) Junta turned civilian (APRC) Government is therefore to cling on to power at all cost, plunder the country’s resources without being
challenged by any element force opposition to melt into inaction.
  
  The world community, this is what is being celebrated. The progressive Organizations including all those who stand for democracy, justice and human rights
are urged to boycott these shameful celebrations which are a disgrace and a betrayal of the Gambian people.
  
  Down with coup D’etats
  Down with Dictatorship
  Down with Terrorism
  
  Long live The Gambia
  Long live Democracy
  Long live the United Democratic Party
  
  SIGNED/stamped:
  
  Saihou Mballow
  For the Executive Committee
  United Democratic Party (UDP)
  NEW YORK CITY, U.S.A. Chapter
  
  Cc:
  State Department
  U.N. Security Council
  EU ministers of Foreign Affairs
  Commonwealth
  Ghana Embassy
  China Embassy
  Taiwan Embassy
  Amnesty International
  Human Rights Watch
  Human Rights Institutions
  Gambian news papers
  Media Houses