Britain ends help for junta in Gambia

THREE months after a coup overthrew Africa's longest surviving democratic government, Britain finally ended military and police co-operation with Gambia's ruling junta, though it stopped short of cutting off aid.

Gambia is a test case for Britain's policy of promoting good government and democracy in Africa. So far the gang of junior officers who seized this tiny country almost by accident on 22 July have shown no sign of feeling pressurised by Britain. Yesterday's British response, co- ordinated with a similar reaction from the European Union, came more than two weeks after the deadline the military rulers had given themselves to announce a timetable to restore the country to civilian rule.

Western policy was yesterday attacked by Herman Cohen, who was US assistant secretary of state for African affairs under President Bush. 'This has to be dealt with severely. Just cutting off aid sends the wrong signal,' Mr Cohen said. 'It sends the signal that military regimes can get away with it. This deserves a resolution at the United Nations calling the regime illegal and calling for the restoration of democracy. I feel this is the equivalent of Haiti. A truly democratic government was overthrown.'

Other commentators point out that if the military can sieze control of a small country like Gambia, which has long and close ties with Britain, what influence can Britain hope to exercise elsewhere in Africa?

Sir Dawda Jawara, Gambia's president from 1970, said yesterday that further measures should be taken to restore democracy. Gambia's new leaders have imprisoned tens of senior army officers and policemen. Exiles claim that many have disappeared and some may have died. The government has also outlawed what it describes as 'sex tourism' and long hair.

The Foreign Office is withdrawing two policemen working in Gambia and will allow no more Gambians on British military training courses (though those already on the courses will not be sent home). Other British officials working with the Gambian government will be withdrawn. The pounds 2.5m aid package for Gambia will be 'reviewed on a case by case basis', the Foreign Office said. It urged the regime to restore democracy quickly.

The failure of Western countries to support democracies in Africa is adding to a growing disillusionment with democratic systems there. Three years ago Africa was bubbling with democratic parties knocking over military regimes and one-party states. Now more and more Africans are taking refuge in ethnically based groups or in Islamic fundamentalism.