Is it a sign of a maturing Leader or is he playing a game of Chess! We didn’t hear any request of forgiveness to Gambians or admittance of fault in the turbulent 21 years in power. Where is the humility, some serious mistakes were done.
Remove Roadblocks to Multi-party democracy, eliminate fear and threats to Gambians.
In the ill-fated July 22 celebration, marking 21 years since the military overthrow of Sir Dawda’s government. Dictatorship and brute force punctuated the political landscape of our small impoverish country.
Yet, the architect of that state of affairs, stood straight with a puff up chest and proclaimed: “I forgive all my critics based in America, the U.K and other parts of Europe, because they have been lying against me and that has not stopped the unprecedented development since 22 July 1994. They have lied against me for 21 years and during that time, they couldn’t come back home. Today I forgive them, but their family members will be held responsible if they break the goodwill gesture”. Gambian President Jammeh
One may ask, what is it that, Gambian dissidents are actually fighting against? Does President Jammeh actually realises that, there cannot be any negotiation or bargaining with fundamental human rights, the rule of law, free and fair elections, self-perpetuation in power, operating a security state, rule by fear and intimidation, arbitrary arrest and detention without trials, bias Judgements, stifling of the economic and financial institution and free market.
Does President Jammeh realise that, in the 21st century, Gambians want dignity, and above all, fairness in the public space with a functioning institution that are de-tribalised and operating without Executive interference? Merely declaring his critics are pardon is not an issue.
People are not calling for being pardon; they are calling for a democratic system of governance with values and ethics that are enshrined in international norms of public administration. In such regards, no President go out pardoning people, the Independent Judiciary with competent and capable Judges and Magistrates arbitrate in matters of law and order.
Just last week, the Gambian national assembly passed a bill which will, in essence, make the Gambia a one-party state. Yet today, in the anniversary of the birth of our political stagnation and oppression, President Jammeh is not opening up the public space, but further entrenching his powers by assuming the status of ‘god’ displaying his ‘benevolence and mercy’ to all.
We want change for everyone; we want an end to oppression and suppression in the public space. We want level playing field in the political landscape, we want the free media to flourish, we want the public broadcaster to be fair to all players, we want equal access to state amenities. We don’t want favours or forgiveness for committing no crimes at all.
Free Amadou Sanneh, release Kanyiba Kanyi, release Chief Manneh, release all political prisoners. Refocus the attention of the NIA on criminals and drug dealers, not on opposition politicians and journalist. We urge Yahya Jammeh to change for good and step down voluntarily and peacefully before the 2016 Presidential elections. If he can do that, then he will give peace a chance in the Gambia. No veiled threats and covert blanket forgiveness shrouded in layers of traps and possible abductions will give the impression that he is a changed man.
“A leopard rarely changes his spot.” President Jammeh cannot govern without threats and unnecessary arrest and intimidations, 21 years is far too long to change now. By Friday, all political prisoners should be released.
Even a masquerading so-called “leopard spot” doesn’t withstand ‘shaka Zulu’s determination to liberation; Gambians WILL ensure to restore democracy back in country; no doubt about that, no matter how, or long it takes necessary…
This kanilai one is Bra-Wolf-Hyena raised & headquartered in kanilai, masquerading in arms & banditry, held country to ransom for past 21 years, & counting…
The oppressive electoral reform bill, hopefully, will usher the collective opposition together, to unifying center grounds, to garner strength, END tyranny…
Time to chase out kanilai-goose, & reclaim the motherland from two decades of tyrannical oppression on innocent Gambian populace…
There will be democracy in Gambia sooner, with the continuation & step up of efforts against oppressive manipulations of affairs of state which if not checked, can lead to strife, God forbid….
God helps & bless the collective endeavour to salvage Gambia: Ameen.
” What is The Gambian Political Struggle About…? ”
This is a very good, very thought provoking and very timely question, as dictator Jammeh marks 21 years in “power”…
I think every individual or group that see themselves as activists in this struggle for political change in The Gambia, need to ask this question and, where possible, provide honest answers for themselves…
Personally, I believe The Gambia’s Political Struggle is about ending exploitation of the.masses by a few, in whatever name that might be: colonialism, democracy, dictatorship etc….
It is about creating a system of government that recognises the power of the citizens as the legitimate basis for leadership, not only through election results, but through every act/action in government;
It is about creating a political culture and system that respects and jealously guards the rights of the citizens and residents to freely participate in the political affairs of the country without fear of reprisals;
It is about creating and nurturing a political culture and consciousness that has no appetite for sycophancy, abuse, impunity, tribalism, nepotism, regionalism,corruption, arrogance and all other negative attributes of political or public office;
It is about granting every citizen and resident their rightful due in the wealth and resources that we own or create, through an equitable and fair wealth distribution system…and.many more that enlarge the freedoms and rights to a meaningful and worthy life for all who live in The Gambia..
Admittedly, whilst The Gambia’s Political Struggle is about some.of the things I’ve opined in.my earlier posting, one cannot escape the fact that it has two phases today: A short term and a long term (phase..)
The short term struggle is the.ending of.the historical mistake that brought about Jammeh’s dictatorship…
Although there is no shortage of efforts to achieve this, we have failed largely due to a.number of factors that have continued to hinder all efforts, and.as a.result, the dictatorship has continued to thrive for 21 years now…
Prominent among these factors is the political culture on the.ground, which makes the political situation almost hopeless for achieving change through the political process…
Adding to this situation is the inability of the political parties to agree on.a common format to form an all party alliance to challenge the APRC and the.mass voter apathy, which is not helped by the anti election campaign of some online media..
To be continued….
A lot has been said and written about the reasons for the failure of the opposition to form a united front but few have provided tangible proof for their positions or opinions, and I do not wish to reawaken that “Frankenstein Monster”…
But as we approach another election cycle, I can only hope that some form.of alliance will be formed to challenge the APRC at all levels…
The recent amendments that hiked the deposits for candidates at all.levels, if passed into law, will almost certainly “condemn” the opposition to alliances or single/joint candidates, due to the colossal amounts that will be required to contest at all levels…I am not sure any single opposition party can be able to shoulder such a burden, even with outside support..
In that regard, these amendments, if passed into law, may be.a blessing in disguise and the saying, “To shoot oneself in the foot”, may be coming into play here…In effect, the APRC may be shooting themselves in the foot…
Other factors that continue to hinder progress towards achieving change in The Gambia is the diaspora component and these include, but not limited to…..:
(1) The underutilised resources of the diaspora and the uncoordinated, disorganised and disjointed efforts which has failed to produce much results ;
(2) The seemingly endless bickering, infighting, accusations, mistrust,constant resignations, media bashing of the various persons in leadership positions and a general lack of direction for the struggle ;
(3) The subtle dismissal of the opposition parties and other groups on the ground, as the leading players in this struggle and the arrogation of such a role and position to the diaspora or certain diaspora groups and individuals;
(4) The complete reliance on the International community and Agencies to put pressure on the regime to achieve change, rather than, and at the expense of, the opposition and home based groups…
No doubt, the help of the International community is essential but without the right reciprocating input on the ground, not much will be achieved and the last 20 years has more than.proven that…
More over, recent revelations that the FBI may have tipped off the authorities in Banjul about the 30th December incident should be enough to make any activist wary of international support…
We must always remind ourselves that International politics is murky and interest driven, and unless a country threatens the interest of the hegemonic powers, no serious efforts can be expected for regime change…
The Gambia, under Yaya Jammeh, may be an unpleasant country to deal with but does not threaten the hegemony of the global powers in the slightest sense: not economically, not financially or militarily…
On the contrary, despite all his loud mouthed anti West rhetoric, he has collaborated very well with the Bush administration during the rendition programme and he continues to collaborate with EU countries to repatriate or deport Gambian migrants…
The US and Europe see him as a strategic ally, even if he needs to be condemned now and again…After all, they have dealt with, and are dealing with, regimes far worse than Jammeh’s all over the globe..
Finally, our short term goals can be achieved if we recognise the pivotal and leading role that the opposition and home based groups should play…
Our role should be to complement their efforts in every possible way…We.must never seek to lead the opposition or relegate them to the “back seat” in this struggle because that will not work…
Definitely, not through the democratic process, which is the most desirable change for many Gambians because it is the least chaotic…
Bax, “you have blamed failure to end dictatorship in The Gambia among which is inability to form all party alliances and the mass voter apathy which is not helped by anti-election campaign by some online media ”
Bax , can you please tell us which online media is campaigning against election in The Gambia apart from individual expressing their view online ?
I think you have a problem with diaspora having a different and divergent positions . You are consistently on the record criticizing the diaspora groups without naming names of trying to incite violence , tribalism and now you claimed that some online media are campainging against election . Here is what you said on the topic ” irresponsible sale of tribalism in The Gambia in April 8, 2015″
Bax” those who want meaningful change will know that it will come eventually but through a gradual and well managed process … Others though don’t care what sort of change comes ., they just want it now , today , tomorrow , next week regardless of how and at what cost , and the loudest of these lot can be found in the diaspora .. It is this group that use trick in the book to advance their cause .., and the use of tribal card is one such trick . The aim being to stir up conflict between communities ( not necessarily against jolas) so that law and order can break down , and that they think will lead to Jammeh’s removal ., it may very well lead to Jammeh’s removal but what will be the consequences for such a change ? They don’t seem to care “.
Do you not realize we have different approach all aim at one common objective that is to remove the idiot from power ? Why do you have problem with diaspora when they are the key players in this struggle and without diaspora Gambia will be in worst trouble economically , politically and legally . Sometime you speak like Fabakary tombong Jatta . You really need to make your position clear . I would like to know which group is inciting tribal card , violence and no election . I am sure even the method you are advocating , there is no guarantee that there will be no violence . How sure are you to indicate that change is coming gradual and managed after 21 years of dictatorship ?
“Bax , can you please tell us which online media is campaigning against election in The Gambia apart from individual expressing their view online ?”
Comment….What are you actually trying to proof ? An individual hosting a radio phone-in show may be expressing his/her views,but when the tone is consistently against elections,then that qualifies as a campaign against elections…The opposition has been repeatedly accused of “legitimising” the regime by taking part in elections..They have been urged to abandon elections and take to the streets to depose Jammeh…They have been branded cowards for not taking to the streets..You tell me whether that is a campaign “FOR” or “AGAINST” elections…If you are current with Gambian issues,you should not have difficulty to identify the particular online radio…
“I think you have a problem with diaspora having a different and divergent positions .”
Comment: This is a figment of your imagination and what you have quoted only showed that I have my opinion on how some individuals in the diaspora wish to see change in The Gambia…It does not proof that I have a problem with anyone….Use of tribe to achieve or score political points is common knowledge and even you Maxs are on record for blaming what you called “Jola hegemony” for the situation in The Gambia….Whatever your motives,the blaming of an entire tribe for the wrongs of a member has the potential to create animosity against the tribe…
“Why do you have problem with diaspora when they are the key players in this struggle and without diaspora Gambia will be in worst trouble economically , politically and legally ”
Comment : I do not have a problem with the diaspora but I have a problem with your claim that “the diaspora are the key players in this struggle and without diaspora Gambia will be in worst trouble economically,politically and legally”…I will wait for you to substantiate this claim…
“You really need to make your position clear .”
Comment: Yet again,you are making insinuations about my position because I hold views different from you…I am not bothered one bit about how you perceive me but I find this attitude a bit childish…You need to “grow up”. I have told you a “million times” that I oppose Jammeh’s leadership style but I am not a senseless opponent who advocates for a tit for tat approach…I think we are better than that..
” I am sure even the method you are advocating , there is no guarantee that there will be no violence .”
Comment : You need to differentiate between ADVOCATING for violence and being the VICTIM of violence….I am against ADVOCATING for violence but I am not naive to understand that even the most peaceful approach can attract violence,especially from a person like Yaya Jammeh…In that case,you become a VICTIM of violence,with all the enshrined rights under the law,both local and international, rather than the ADVOCATOR of violence..
“How sure are you to indicate that change is coming gradual and managed after 21 years of dictatorship ?”
Comment : I am an optimist and I have confidence in The Gambian people and believe that they will effect change when they are ready….Let no one fool you,they are the KEY PLAYERS in this struggle…And that is why between the diaspora groups and the opposition,the latter must be the leading players because they are closer to the key players : THE GAMBIAN PEOPLE ON THE GROUND..
Bax , you never answer any of my question . You do not engage in straight talk to answer my question rather you have given lengthy unrelated explanation . Example a simple question of ” which online media is campaigning against election in The Gambia ” , was never answer directly and this was direct question . But as usual this is where I found your communication very ambiguity , unspecific and inconcise .
Bax , whatever your position is in this struggle , people will determine that by your actions and words . We have seem individuals like momodou njai , Neneh macdoulll , Sam sarr who all claimed to be part of struggle but they are Jammeh’s apologist . Currently momodou njai is acting in that capacity . So I do not accused you but I am giving you benefit of doubt to make your position clear . That is not childish but it is way to know what is your real position. From a very reliable source, Jammeh is always online distracting people and he has used different false names to engage people.
Again , I have never Blame entire jola tribe for the wrong of one member. Your that assertion is false and dishonest . What I stated was there is jola hegemony based on power of their influence as a result of occupying majority top leadership positions in the country and I went further to indicate they were also number one victims in the process . Please go back and read extensively and analyze my statements .
Bax , I think you just need to do simple explanation to make your points and when trying to make allegation , please give evidence or example . I still want to know which online radio is campainging against election and which group is inciting violence , and tribalism . Just give names . Thanks
It seems our call on Jammeh to ease up is falling on deaf ears. Perhaps he wish to end up like Samuel Doe or Gaddafi. That he shall get God willing. The event will take him by surprise. The angry mob shall not spare him or his family. It is in his hands to go immediately peacefully or wait for the worst.