Radio Gambia yesterday announced that President Jammeh had granted pardon to five Senegalese officials who were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 18 months, by the Kanifing Magistrate Court, on Wednesday 16 May 2007.

The five were convicted on charges of unlawful possession of firearms and unlawfully entering Gambia without lawful permit.

According to the announcement, the five were handed over to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Madam Mariam Mohammed, who in turn handed them over to the Senegalese High Commissioner, Mr. Faal.

At the handing over ceremony at the Department of State for Foreign Affairs, the Foreign Affairs Secretary of State, Mr. Bala Jahumpa, was quoted as saying the President has a big heart; noting that their release is due to the friendly relationship between The Gambia and Senegal in the pursuit of African Unity.

According to the radio, Interior Secretary of State Sonko described the pardon as a show of good neighbourliness between the two countries, noting that it was taken in the best interest of the two countries. He also called him a Pan Africanist.

Madam Mariam Mohammed, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corp, is reported to have said: It is not easy to forgive ..(But the President) found it in his heart to forgive.

The Senegalese High Commissioner, Mr. Faal, is said to have thanked the President for the gesture.

To pardon the five Senegalese after their imprisonment is a step in the right direction. Lest President Jammeh has forgotten, we wish to remind him that more than a dozen of his countrymen are still being detained without trial.

The constitution which he has sworn to defend forbids the continuous detention of these people. We call on him to find a place in his heart to release them.

Furthermore, as a Pan Africanist, the president should ensure that security forces show tolerance to Africans from other states.