UDP issued a permit, standoff over

By Sailu Bah The United Democratic Party (UDP) has finally been issued with a permit by the Gambia Police Force (GPF) yesterday, Monday, 20 April, 2015 to use a public address system during their planned 10 days nationwide tour of the country.After spending four days in Fass Njaga Choi in the Lower Nuimi district of the North Bank Region (NBR) in an apparent stand-off with the security forces, the UDP convoy finally left for Upper Nuimi and the Badibous to continue with the rest of the tour which is scheduled to end on 26th April 2015. Visiting Fass Njaga Choi yesterday morning to see what is on the ground, this reporter was told that Mr. Lamin Dibba, the UDP Campaign Manager, had left for Banjul to receive the permit from the police at their headquarters. It was later communicated to the leadership on the ground that the permit was received around 5pm. The Campaign Manager later returned with the permit around 7pm and the delegation left Fass to go to Bantanding Wollof in Jokadu. The party militants have confirmed that they will be spending the night in Badibu Salikenni before proceeding to their next scheduled destinations in the morning. Ousainou Darboe, the UDP party leader, said he wished this stand off will not happen again to any political party in the country as it has caused negative publicity. He said it is unfortunate that this stand-off is happening at a time an NGO Forum on human rights is meeting in The Gambia ahead of the 56th Ordinary Session of African Commission for Human and People’s Right which is attended by participants from across Africa. The militants anxiously waited for the outcome after the Campaign Manager left for Banjul and there was jubilation when news was heard that the permit was issued, as militants started to pack their things to prepare for the journey to their next destination. Hon. Samba Jallow of the NRP, who is also the Minority Leader of the National Assembly, appeared at the scene and indicated that he was there to show solidarity. The UDP convoy finally left Fass Njaga Choi around 7pm. It was earlier reported in this medium that the UDP convoy was intercepted by joint security forces of the police at Fass Njaga Choi on Thursday 16 April 2015, around 6pm, when the UDP was supposed to have a meeting in the village.]]>