The Gambia’s former Ambassador has called for caution on fears provoked by a United States presidential hopeful Donald Trump who is on target to win the Republican Party nomination.
“To be honest with you, I see Trump as the reflection of public opinion and saying things during campaigns does not mean the candidate will do the same thing in the Oval Office,” Essa Bokarr Sey told this reporter during an online interview.
Mr. Sey, who is based in the United States, served as a Gambian diplomat in Taipei, Paris and Washington.
Inflammatory rhetoric has become the hallmark of Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign igniting fears across America and beyond. All eyes are on the billionaire who has vowed to make “America great again and build walls” to contain illegal immigration in a county whose strength relies on immigration.
Far from succumbing to widespread fears about the Republican Party candidate, The Gambia’s ex-plenipotentiary said he does not see Trump as a bad man. “Sometimes it is better for one to speak your mind and be misunderstood. This could provide an opportunity for dialogue,” Ambassador Sey said.
Sey noted that Trump is making deliberate pronouncement in order to provoke crude conversations within households.
“After all, no one can say all those who support Trump are not smart. Yes most of them are well informed. I think many may fear or disagree with Trump but there are those who agree with him also.”
Ambassador Sey said Trump should be given the benefit of the doubt not on what he said but on his record. “I would rather judge Trump based on what he has done during his tenure – that is if he is elected to the top job. I don’t want to judge him based on speeches he delivers or hypothesis from other parties.”
When asked about Trump’s attacks on Muslims, Ambassador Sey has this to say: “Although what he said about Muslims may not be welcomed by many, on the other hand, let us Muslims also ask ourselves who made it easy for such criticisms?”
Gambians continue to hold their breath about the ultimate outcome of US Presidential elections. Despite harsh criticism and widespread fears, it is up to the American people to successfully put a Democrat or Republican in White House orbit…
Written by Abdoulie JOHN
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