Being remanded in one of the worst prisons on earth would not deter Gambian opposition leader from writing a letter expressing gratitude to people for standing firm during this trying times. Lawyer Ousainou Darboe’s letter, published in full below, also extended birthday wishes to Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, The Gambia’s first President. Sir Dawda turned 92 on May 16th.
Fellow citizens, friends of The Gambia, I send you sincere greetings and profound appreciation on my humble behalf and that of my compatriots languishing in illegal detention as hostages of an unjust and cruel regime.
From here within the borders of our beloved country and in the great cities of the civilized world, you have risen in solidarity to vindicate the basic principle that we the Gambian people categorically reject dictatorship and tyranny and will insist on getting the freedom and democracy worthy of our people.
We thank all of you who value the blood and tears of our fellow citizens to prompt you to stand up and do your part to help this critical battle for the very soul and direction of our country. Together as we stand as a diverse but indivisible people, our patience, endurance and faith would be tested by the machinations and barbarism of a regime drenched in our collective blood. With your continuous help, I can assure you that the moral rectitude of our cause will by the grace of God help us reclaim our country and with it our dignity which the dictator has trampled on for too long.
I urge all citizens to be steadfast, law abiding and fully engaged in this journey to make our Gambia free, democratic and safe for all its citizens.
Finally I extend warm birthday greetings to Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, founding father of our modern Republic. Patriot and the consummate gentleman who exemplifies what is best in our people in integrity, compassion and fidelity to the rule of law. With his compatriots, he birthed, nursed and led an improbable nation to take its place in the global family as a respected and beloved member in good standing .
We thank him for the foundations he laid, for the personal example set as a leader who was honorable and worthy of the good people whose mandate he freely and fairly sought .
We pray for Allah to bless him and reward him abundantly for the grace and compassion he continuous to show our nation and its people.
Thank you and May God bless us all.
Lawyer Ousainu Darboe
Party Leader and Secretary General
United Democratic Party
Ends
Much shorter but no less worthy of Dr Martin Luther King’s inspirational “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”. May God keep Lawyer Darboe and friends safe.
Incredible. True, honest and decent human being who spend all his life to defend the truth, justice and human rights. May God continue to protect you and your entire executive and all the peaceful protesters for your selfless sacrifice, stand up for justice and truth. A man of impeccable character who put country first before his personal interest. God is with you and this is why it is reflected in your Personal life. If you are lawyer Darboe’s children or family or supporters please celebrate his life daily and know that he always stand up to defend the poor and disadvantaged members of our society. If he wanted he would been in his house and forget about his fellow comrades but he said no that offer from tyrant and his gang of criminals.
We are grateful for your sacrifice and love for the country. The best leaders are known in the time of crisis and your leadership has been demonstrated daily for the world to see.
God bless and protect all of you.
Thank you.
Inshallah we shall continue to fight at all levels both inside and outside the Gambia until VICTORY comes to our people. Be rest assured dear venerable Leader that your passion and bravery for peace and justice will be fulfilled sooner than later. Each day is a bad day for Yaya Jammeh and his thugs. Each day Gambia is coming closer to the END of dictatorship.
We shall never let you and your inmates comrades down. We will leave no stone unturned to make sure your sacrifices are worthwhile. We will get Jammeh right where he illegally sent you at best and at worst where he sent our beloved dear comrade Solo Sandeng. We promise and we shall deliver soon Inshallah.
May Allah bring light and guidance and illuminate your confinement place as He did to his Prophet in a glaring fire turned cold and refreshing. Amen!