Yahya Jammeh tasks Nigerian govt

By Kemo Cham
President Yahya Jammeh has described Nigeria’s role on the African continent as ‘‘indispensable,’’ calling on its leadership to endeavor not to lose that status. The Gambian leader who showered praises on what is Africa’s most populous nation, pointed to Nigeria’s role in ending some of the most brutal wars the world has ever witnessed – the Sierra Leone and Liberian civil wars – as exemplary. Jammeh, speaking to a Nigerian delegation headed by the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister Chief Ojo Maduekwe, described as remarkable and instrumental the role played by Nigeria in the liberation and development of the continent. ‘‘It is amazing that today very few countries recognize the pivotal role that Nigeria and her citizens have played in the political liberation and socio-economic development of Africa,’’ he stated. But the Gambian leader was cognizant of the fact that being the giant it undoubtedly is Nigeria must have to tackle domestic issues if it must remain the regional giant it is. The decades’ long Niger Delta crisis in the South of the country served as a point of reference for Jammeh, warning that it could serve as a limiting factor for Nigeria as an authority on the continent.
It is a strange phenomenon that Yahya Jammeh who has always held on the believe that Gambia is ‘giant’ is openly admitting another country’s supperiority over his country. ‘‘The troubles in the Niger Delta could be used as a means to destabilize a country that has always been at the forefront of Africa’s identity, integrity and development,’’ he said.
Nigeria’s role in Gambia:
But it is not only at the frontline that Nigeria’s effort is recognized. Even though Gambia has never experienced the kind of instability the likes of Liberia or Sierra Leone went through to warrant the military intervention many know the African giant for, Gambians have had a fair share of the role Nigeria plays on the continent. Today, for instance, the Chief Justice of the Gambia is Nigerian, just one of many serving in the Gambian judiciary as judges and magistrates. But crtitics would argue that President Yahya Jammeh and his ruling APRC party gains more in this Gambia/Nigeria relation than the country as a nation. This arguement appears especially valid in the face of perpetual complaints of one-sidedness by the attitude of what are best known in Gambian circles as ‘mercenary judges’ who would do all they can to ensure safety of their position.  This is remniscent of the extrajudicial killing that the Nigerian military is known for in Sierra Leone and Liberia, where its sons and daughters sacrificed their lives to halt some of the most brutal of civil wars the world have ever seen.  There are a number of Nigerians serving in the medical sector in Gambia, just as much as there are in the education sector and a host of other areas of expertise. President Yahya Jammeh though, is appreciative of these roles they play in his country. ‘‘In whatever form we cannot repay Nigeria for what they have done for us,’’ he told the Nigerian Foreign Minister in his office in Banjul.
Christmas bomber:
Even events surrounding the so-called Christmas bombing featured in Yahya Jammeh’s discussion. He called it ‘‘unfortunate,’’ pointing out that out of seventy million Nigerian Muslims only one person who spent just about nine years of his life in Nigeria and the rest outside the country decided to do something that would have been catastrophic for humanity and a blow to ‘‘our brother, President Barrack Obama.’’ This, Jammeh added, has put the country [Nigeria] in a humiliating situation. He noted that Abdul Mutallab, the young Nigerian bomber, is the first African to be misled by ‘‘criminals who are using the Holy religion of Islam to embark on inhumane crusades..’’
Urging a closer cooperation between the two country’s respective institutions involved in counter-terrorism activities, the Gambian leader added his voice on the global call for a common stance to fight against terror.
Jammeh who rarely address foreign nationals without preaching the need for continental unity kept to that tradition.
‘‘Our strength is in our unity, and if we unite we should be able to defend ourselves, defend our farmers and protect our natural resources,’’ he said.
Chief Ojo Maduekwe, in response to the Gambian leader, described as inspirational and courageous the words of the Gambian president. He said it was especially significant that they were coming at a time when his country was going through very difficult times.
‘‘I have never heard of any leader whether in Africa or beyond who speak so passionately about Nigeria,’’ Chief Maduekwe said.