As soldiers replaced police officers at every junction stretching from the Churchill Town Junction near the petrol station to the airport in rapid succession many people using the route began to ask: “What is going on? What is Going on?” The Foroyaa Office became the place of inquiry for many people. They also told us what they saw as they made enquiries. The soldiers were heavily armed. They did not only take position on the main road, they also moved inside Ibo Town.
Some claimed that they have heard over the air that the Gambia Armed forces will hold a training exercise. They speculated that the maneuvres may be part of the programme. Other started to mention the names of the military officers who live in the area and started to speculate that they were after them.

A new Gambia would have to emerge with a new juridical instrument that would guarantee the supremacy of the people over their public trustees. That juridical instrument would have to be prepared, debated and voted for in a referendum to become the Constitution of the Third Republic.

Mr. Assan Martin, a human rights lawyer has informed Foroyaa that he has come across a prisoner at Mile 2 Prison, who has been in custody for 13 years without any charges preferred against him.

Mr. Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme, the founder and Director of Programs of the human rights organisation called “ Africa in Democracy and Good Governance (ADG)” who was taken to the Banjul Magistrates’ Court on Monday 8th March and remanded by the Court, will appear in court today, Wednesday 10th March, to answer to the one count criminal charge of giving false information to a public officer.

Family members of Modou Gaye, the former Deputy Inspector General of Police have revealed their concern over his long incommunicado detention. A family member who spoke to Foroyaa said the family has tried all efforts to reach Mr. Gaye and to know why he was arrested but to no avail.

The training of trainers on International Humanitarian Laws organised by the International Committee of Red Cross for members of the Armed Forces ended on Friday 5th of March 2010 at the Joint Officers’ Mess in Kotu.

When the case was called yesterday at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court Inspector Fadera announced his appearance for the IGP while Borry Touray announced his appearance for the residents of Giboro. It could be recalled that Chief Inspector Famara Sanneh testified in the case and was to be cross-examined by the counsels for the accused persons.

Introduction
Omar and Sadia were ardent lovers. They all come from humble or poor family backgrounds. Sadia lost her mother at infancy and lived with her dad, a pensioner who is now selling ice cream. Omar, an orphan, is a neighbour who lived all alone and works in a motel. Sadia is a very serious and determined young woman who has just completed her grade 12 exams. She has an average pass but is unable to proceed to tertiary education due to lack of sponsorship. Omar showed interest to marry her. He wanted to sponsor her education but his salary could not afford it. She found a job at a nearby town resort but had to stop the job to go to the village to be able to nurse her sick and old father. Pa Ansumana refused to remarry after the death of Sadia’s mother. The villagers have been gossiping about this lack of interest in another wife which they attributed to the ‘jealousy and evil spirit’ of Maimuna, his late wife. Pa Ansumana was not entertaining any discussing from anyone on the issue of marrying another wife. He adored his young daughter.
Emily is a rich girl from the city. She adored Sadia and adopted her as a secondary school ‘God daughter’. She is few years older than Sadia. Sadia is attractive and pleasant. She found Sadia her first job when she could no longer attend tertiary education. Emily proceeded to attend a commercial tertiary institution. She now works as a Banker. She continued her friendship with Sadia as well as assistance to her poor family. Pa Ansu regarded Emily as her own daughter and accepted her wholeheartedly into his family. In fact, she is the only person he approves to be Sadia’s friend. Pa Ansu raised his daughter to be chaste. He is suspicious of ‘wayward’ friends who may distract his daughter and corrupt her life.
Pa Ansu got an accident, while riding his old bicycle and badly hurt his leg. The wound got infected. The need for medical attention prompted Sadia to come to the town to seek for Emily’s help.
She met her worst nightmare. What was it? How did the incident turn her life upside down? Read to find out.

The Way Forward
The attainment of the right to Self Determination and Independence constitutes the making of a people and a nation. A Republic takes a people to a higher level and makes them sovereign. History has taught us in 1965 that the making of a people and Nation ought to be a conscious act, otherwise the rights declared by statutes shall remain empty words on paper. In short, in 1965 the Gambian people moved one step closer to becoming a sovereign people who owed no allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state. They at least, attained the right to be consulted through a referendum to establish whether they wanted to move to the status of a Republic which would affirm their sovereignty or remain a constitutional Monarchy under the British Crown.

International Women’s Day
After the 1999-2009 Policy for the Advancement of Women, What Next?

8 March every is International Women’s Day. The UN has established special days for special groups because of the need for Humankind to become focus in addressing world problems. The problems of women are problems of men and children. These problems cannot be separated from each other. The declaration is therefore designed to give focus and emphasis to each part of a common problem so that its solution will enhance the creation of a just order which could guarantee liberty, dignity and prosperity to all.