And Don’t Make Yahya Jammeh Smile from Guinea
(JollofNews) – In May 2016, a Jammeh’s soothsayer edition sub-capped, “Is the End Near?” stated, Yahya shall fall from directions he least espies…” And what was the direction Jammeh least espied? ELECTIONS! Not just Jammeh, but almost the whole world never thought Jammeh would fall through an election.
That eschatological edition was a no-brainer! It was common sense! But this write-up isn’t about Jammeh. It is an admonition for those with eyes to see or minds not destitute of honesty. The etiology of Africa’s problems incubates more in our own actions than most extrinsic factors. In absolute spite of national priorities such as economic prophylaxis, the vanguard of Jammeh’s successors are trading in individualism, selfishness, egoism, etc.
Halifa Sallah
When you won the Serrekunda East seat in the night of January 17th 2002, we went to the PDOIS bureau and found you in your usual dull grey shirt and pants, settled on a wooden bench, calm and measured.
We interviewed you while Amie Sillah was in another room. When asked what she was doing, a PDOIS staff retorted, “She’s sleeping.” You laughed with us and wisely added, in Mandinka, “Tell her, that today isn’t a day for sleeping.” Next we proceeded to Fabakary Tombong Jatta’s house in Tallinding. He too won. More results were being announced and my crew traversed the greater Banjul area, interviewing the night’s victors.
Next, Mr. Halifa, I had to go to the National Assembly to cover the swearing-in of all the NAMs. M.B Wadda (Allaah’s mercy on his soul) was Speaker. The House bloated as many people had no place to sit. Such seatless included Jammeh’s last information minister Sheriff Bojang. He had left the Daily Observer then. He came over and I gestured other media personnel to create room for him as he thrust his pelvis in that inconvenience. Then, came further chaos as there was some constitutional missteps regarding proper procedure of the task at hand. Mr. Halifa, you brought the House’s attention to it and hell broke loose.
Then Baba Jobe (Allaah’s mercy on his soul) rose to throw in his few cents. Speaker Wadda could be heard interjecting, “Sit down. Who gave you the floor?” Dust finally settled and each NAM took turn to register an oath. As soon as Halifa pronounced after the Ghanaian Chief Justice Felix Lartey, “I Halifa Sallah,” someone in the packed house exclaimed, “Ndeyysaan!” Although I’ve always respected Halifa, it has taken me almost fourteen years to fully appraise that passionate “Ndeyysaan” to his homage.
I’ve already written before how different folks in America extolled this same Halifa as soon as they figured I’m Gambian. This, Mr. Halifa, isn’t any cheerleading for you. Please don’t let it exorcise the integrity from you. Thus, if there is a way to mend your differences with Darboe, Mai Fatty, and the UDP, please kindly do so just for Gambia’s prosperity.
Ousainou Darboe
Darboe! Please listen to a son. In August 2001, you invited me to the YMCA talks–the first ever opposition coalition meeting of such import in our history. When I arrived, Sheriff Dibba (Allaah’s mercy on his soul) had already left. Sheriff later ushered us into his Gloucester residence to duely remonstrate.
Mr. Darboe, Sheriff said it was a “backstabbing” deal that made you the coalition flag-bearer for the 2001 elections. I’m using his diction. Deyda Hydara (Allaah’s mercy on his soul) was sitting next to me as I posed questions to Sheriff Dibba. He added “Why would PPP rush to choose Darboe” as soon as the flag-bearer question was raised? Sheriff lamented, as he blamed O.J Jallow. I was caught between cross-fires. O.J used to call me “son.” S.M Dibba used to call me “son.” Later, Mr. Darboe, you invited us to your Pipeline residence for a talk.
The 2001 YMCA talks faltered and the coalition thawed due to a schism over leadership. Jammeh wasn’t too brutal then, since people could say, “Tony Daabaa Jipohh,” and he did nothing. Solo Sandeng would have survived a protest in 2001 than 2016. If I write more about your temperament, shallow minds might think I have personal scores to settle.
But I write for Gambia and Africa. I’m not interested in any political office in The Gambia. It hurts me when I see iPhone 7 or Galaxy Edge while we are still stuck with Dabandingo 1 or Murubaa 1. No one is asking us to re-invent the wheel, split the atom, or send Gambians to space. The world sees us as Africans either unable to guarantee peaceful transfer of power, or yet prepare for our children a bun of some economic solvency.
Mr. Darboe, in 2001 in O.J’s Pipeline house, you came and found O.J and I in a crucial interview. You summoned O.J to his chambers and asked him to stop the interview. Out of respect, O.J did as you said. Today, your actions have chased that O.J away from you. I left Gambia less than a year later to a land where I have never met a single human celebrating neither your mind, nor its integrity. Not even Gambians. But I have met Americans that revere a Halifa Sallah. Why? Not only because of the man’s mind, but his integrity and selflessness.
Halifa was still in the coalition when he was not picked for the presidency. You wouldn’t have born an iota of integrity and humility to do the same, Mr. Darboe. You always demonstrate that pig-headed obsession with power and leadership! And now Allaah brought someone unheard of, with very little skills, or even the ability to scarcely express himself, to be your president. Like it or not.
This is how Allaah works, Mr. Darboe. (Please read about the Children of Israel in the Qur’aan when they asked Allaah to appoint a king for them and he chose Saul).
Remember NADD? You ruined it, like you ruined the 2001 coalition. Is it that when ever a strong coalition was in the manufacture, all Jammeh had to do was to relax and benefit from the Ousainou Darboe factor? The answer to this rhetorical question is buoyed on your ordeal at Mile II. Needless to say you’d have destroyed the 2016 coalition too if not for incarceration, the coalition that escaped your destruction is finally destroyed once you came out. If Gambians can’t see you’ve been a serious bottle-neck to unity, I seriously have to burn my Gambian passport. Seven parties united in your absence. As soon as you came out, everything fell apart. There is an an explicit common denominator in your history, Mr. Darboe.
I and many writers did warn Jammeh years ago. He never hearken to our simple observations. Today, Jammeh is melancholically remorseful. Your actions have embolden remnants of the APRC leadership and I see our country on a dangerous trajectory. The slightest chance of empowering APRC or Jammeh enablers should be considered a nuclear sacrilege.
However time-pressed, I will continue to write the soothsayer series each time I see a leader as venal as egoist, Insha Allaah. I don’t write for recognition or fame–one of the reasons no one has seen my photos. I care less about those. I write because I care about Gambia!
By Gambiano
Impatience is not virtuous. It is easy to find fault, but as we all know, very challenging to articulate solutions. This government is realistically 40 to 60 days old, and we are already laying blame and forecasting cataclysmic implosion. There is a power vacuum, and politicians by their very nature will grab power and take over where, you know who left off. Of course deals will be made, some will win and some will loose. Officials will impress and others will disappoint, but what about us THE PEOPLE. We bear a responsibility to advise and pass along our ideas of nation building. Can you stop complaining about lack of water, electricity, health care and employment. Tell your leaders in very loud and clear voice how to improve the electricity company, the water company,the schools and any other areas you feel comfortable or competent in. Gambia will survive and thrive with or without the political elite. The sons and daughters of Gambia, her biggest investment will ensure that. Frankly I cannot take one more nonsensical syntax from some self proclaimed Gambian expert. If you love our country, then show us the way forward, we don’t need lessons in self destruction, we are still recovering from that.
God Bless The Gambia
Dr. Isatou Sarr,
Thank you. My name is Gambiano, accolades abridged. But if forced, I use the tiltle, “Donkey Driver 5.1” or “Falibayilaa 5.1.” Consequently, my only title in this sojourn is “Gambiano, The Falibayilaa.” Perhaps with impulse, or rather acute chutzpah did you put, “Frankly I cannot take one more nonsensical syntax from some self proclaimed Gambian expert.”
With the keenest of entreaty do I draw your cognitive torch to a very simple search here. And I fervently trust it shouldn’t take you eons. With that politely put, please do tell me where in my piece I even faintly infer that I’m an expert, Gambian, or otherwise!
Further, you processed that “If you love our country, then show us the way forward, we don’t need lessons in self destruction….” Unless if you’ve not been following my installments here and other fora, but I had long since published a vignette of a micro economic blueprint, veneered on another Jammeh’s Soothsayer fragment years ago. That without, even this very article precipitating your response is showing “us the way forward.” I’m not an expert because I don’t know much. “All I know is that I know nothing,” if I can borrow from Socrates.
At the apex of the farrago, you, with perhaps such a rush of adrenaline began to sermon, “impatience is not virtuous.” Of course, you didn’t find any dissertation against the current government’s performance, right? Tell me where I evaluated policy, or anything perfunctory, please. They’re fighting, and I, making a clarion call for a resumption of bearing receive a rather glib response with abandon.
But do please get your endocrine glands regularly serviced because I haven’t even started criticizing policy yet. In case you bear a different thought-processing, I humbly remind you that those who invented the device you’re using to write here usually start criticizing their leaders even before they assume office. Ask Trump or any current Western leader. You tell me if that time frame is proportionate to “40 to 60 days old.” But I’m not surprised because African leaders are “Mansas” and “Boorrs” whose images outweigh their contributions to celebrated history.
Please think again, Sister. I never stop doing so.
Asalaamu Alaikum!
Noted. I actually enjoyed reading your piece and I thank you for it. But what was that veiled reference to my endocrine glands. How are you sure it is not an exuberant exocrine response to your observation and I was simply salivating for more discuss from an informed insider. Or are you sexist? Disagreements between Darboe and Sallah are expected and will not destabilize this young government, some believe that the balance of influence in actually in the best interest of the nation. You must at least consider that your piece may have unintended negative consequences on the psyche of these politicians and foster real or imagined antagonism. That won’t help resolve differences if in fact that is your intent or interest. Lastly we can all agree, now that we no longer have to deal with that bloated capricious sadist all hands must be on deck towards national healing and reconciliation. Thank you Sir.
God Bless The Gambia
Dr. Sarr,
My Sister, thank you. We disagree to agree. I love Gambians that think. When I have time, I’ll reproduce my economic blueprint I mentioned. If I write more, I’ll annul my deeds. Allaah knows what I’ve been doing for Gambians without announcing my self. I usually don’t talk the work, but mostly work the talk. It bothers me that other humans are sending man to the moon and keenly inventive with modern marvels. We in Africa can’t even pave or cement our muddy streets? I lose appetite over these thoughts, my sister. We need to come off our high horses and confront the core of our problems.
Well said but sadly the very point to be put forward according to you ‘tell your leaders how to…….. electricity, water, education……. ‘ have not been stated in your piece either! While you advice others against complaining the lack of water, electricity ……., I was interested to read how you would suggest/advice the new government to go about it but unfortunately your piece appears to be one of complain, correct me if I miss read how put it.
Bambo, Dr Sarr is right, we Gambians should try and start giving ideas to the government on how to develop the nation. I believe most of you have brilliant ideas, so bring them to the table for discussion.
Bambo you have not misread anything, you’re on point! Gambiano has made very good observations and his analyses are on point. Notwithstanding that the Barrow administration has been in office for only a short period, prudence dictates that our leaders are reminded of follies they may be engaged in and to reform their ways for the good of the country. That does not have to wait for a long sojourn in government to materialize. Great many of us Gambians and non-Gambians have tremendous respect and admiration for Halifa and the sage advice given by Gambiano for Halifa to reach out to Darboe in the interest of peace and unity should be seriously considered. My only concern is: will the bloated Darboe reciprocate in humility?
Bambo. I agree with you. Read my suggestions such as 1. Light up Gambia 2. Health care for Gambia 3. Job creation in Gambia to name a few. I also agree with Sulayman that we must constantly remind our leaders to be mindful and be vigilant in doing the people’s work. I actually like Gambiano’s sentiment of Halifa and his/ her idea and advice to the new administration. My point is directed to the readership to be forthcoming with their criticisms but also be proactive in positive advice. One thing I am sure about, is that we all love Gambia.
Gambiano, am really struggling to comprehend the intent of this article. Is it an opinion, an open letter to Ousainou, an expose’ on Ousainou or an attempt to reconcile Halifa/PDOIS and Ousainou/UDP? All that i can say is that you may have just missed a great opportunity here to bring these two men together because it seems that you knew both men very well and therefore you may know what makes each one of them tick. I say this because you may have just sent Ousainou further away from Halifa with this article. If Ousainou is temperamental as you alluded to in your article, then painting him as a villain would not possibly help if the aim is to get him to accept a gesture of goodwill and friendship from Halifa. I think Dr Sarr is right, there is a power vacuum in the Gambia resulting in a lot of political posturing, but let’s allow the dust to settle and the chips to fall where they may. APRC may have some victories this election but that would not mean it’s resurrection, because once the atrocities committed by Jammeh start coming to light many people would not want to be associated with APRC. Besides, a new political glass may emerge by next presidential elections or at the very least PDOIS will be able to get their message across to the youths. Let us not despair so soon.
Buba,
Thank you. This article is a troubled resort at the eleventh hour. That’s why I never asked Darboe to be the ice-breaker and extend a hand to Halifa. But I’ve asked Halifa to do so just for the sake of Gambia. You know they say, “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.”
The power vacuum isn’t imposed by God. It’s created by mortals thanks to too much red-herring and ego gladiatoring. I don’t think Ousainou needs my psychotherapy. Nor do I need to be economical with over-due truth.
Gambiano, i do not expect you to be ever economical with the truth, my only concern is about the timing of this article and the impact it can have on an already fragile and emotionally charged situation. I have no issue with the content of the article, but i would rather you publish it after the national assembly elections as it is distracting you and all of us from controlling the narrative vis a vis the brutal atrocities committed by Jammeh and his cohort. It would have been more beneficial to Gambia and Gambians if the eloquent and robust arguments and counter arguments most of you have put forward here was used to expose Jammeh’s crimes, both human rights and economic and to explain to Gambians why we should stay away from APRC. Gambiano, you will agree with me that no matter how wide the gap between Halifa/PDOIS and Ousainou/UDP may be, it will still be much narrower than the gap between them and Jammeh/APRC. A greater majority of articles critiquing the utterances and actions of the coalition published by Jollofnews are written by the supporters of the coalition. That’s a clear demonstration of the caliber of people supporting the coalition, patriotic progressive thinking Gambians who aren’t afraid to make the government they support accountable to the people. This is quite a contrast to Jammeh/APRC supporters who stood by and applaud their cult leader as he destroys the soul of the nation. People, all of whom seem to have developed retrograde amnesia of the past 22yrs. Please guys let’s divert our attention back to Jammeh and the APRC for now and resolve our differences after the elections. Thank you all.
Could it be that by creating the coalition the signatories intended there to be a power vacuum.?
Are most of us thinking too hard, why this situation exists?
Patience or impatience/
I agree with Buba and Dr Sarr/ But with reservations.
Jammeh and the bad boy’s are for The Law to sort out/
Government need to produce some new policies commensurate with modern up to date thinking.
The world is moving at such a pace. The policies of 20 years ago thought and written at a different time, will surely need revisiting often when they don’t work.
I agree with Dr Sarr’s current agenda and I am sure the people of Gambia want to see real change that leaves them with a bright future/
We will know more after the NA Elections.
I liked this article BTW accounting 20 years ago… has nothing changed?
Buba, “the intent of this article” is a HATCHET JOB on Lawyer Oussainou Darboe.
I would advise JOLLOFNEWS editors to think carefully before publishing such one-sided and clearly libelous and defamatory DIATRIBE.
Lawyer Lamin Darbo of Leicester is in a better position than me to advice on matters legal, but here is this month’s TWITTER Libel Judgement at the Royal Courts of Justice here in London http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/QB/2017/433.html&query=katie+hopkins
Publisher’s must take responsibility for what is published in their name – if the author remains nameless like “Gambiano”. When we attacked Karafi in Gambia for paying wotkers D60 a day, and my reporters would not put their name on the piece, I put my name – and I was held responsible, as it should be.
If Lawyer Darboe and the UDP were to sue on this piece, it is JOLLOFNEWS who will be held responsible under the laws of defamation. And it is JOLLOFNEWS who will have to prove that all the ABUSE directed at Lawyer Darboe is true – “in the public interest” won’t help because it is clearly partisan, malicious and anonymous.
I do plan to do a piece on “Anonymity and Freedom of the Press”, but until then God Bless.
Dida,
Please sue me, or at least incite Darboe to do so. You’ll never change your whoring propensity. Please go threaten the uninformed, Mr. harlot! You sold your loins to Jammeh till he cast you out in an exorcism. Jobless and desperate at the time, you tried to lobby by serenading both Jammeh and some of his cognates.
If anyone has to be censored, it should be a non-Gambian who thinks it’s his business to be in our business. Ethiopia currently has a mess. Write articles about that. You still bear that monolithic venom since I straightened you out before. By God, you’ll not cease to prostitute your soul.
Please Jollofnews, I’ll bear the brunt of any lawsuit against you. Let me go to hell if I fail in this. My country was ruined for 22 years. And there are still serious indications of another governance mishap, and a whoring Ethiopian thinks he can play the “sue-him or sue them card” to scare or silence dissent while he cheer-leads for those he thinks might give him offers just like Jammeh did.
Dida, please go ahead and “Halake” with your corruptible ways. If you choose to act like a product of incest, Mr. Halake, please feel free to do so. Gambia still has sons ready to die for truth. One more thing, I’m not for vainglory that’s why I don’t facebook, tweet, etc. But you’ve forgotten that People now have youtube channels, facebook followerships, etc. How about telling Darboe to sue facebook or youtube? This is the information age, Mr. harlot!!! Please sue me, I implore!!!
Gambiano
You are not what you want us to believe. You are just as petty as petty cash box. Why this unnecessary peddling of insults when all what we all want is a better Gambia for our children. It appeared to me that you are just a child provoked by a school yard slight. Come down brother.
Natty Dread:
“Gambiano, You are not what you want us to believe. You are just as petty as petty cash box.”
ABSOLUTELY Natty! When we all attacked Sheriff Bojang on the “Solo Sandeng and Lawyer Darboe STARTED IT!” BBC statement, Gambiano junmped up to attack me and DEFEND Sheriff Bojang! Today he EXPOSES himself by writing above that he worked with Sheriff Bojang in Parliament in 2001!
Gambiano’s backward looking piece is, by far, the most unethical pieces I came across recently.
The piece is basically a chorus of praise for Sallah. Interestingly this praising is so willed that, by the author, it be accompanied by a disparaging attack on the character of another person- receiving end being Darboe!
I think Darboe’s troubles are basically these:
1. Udp came to being with the banning of PPP/NCP. After the revocation of banning, ppp and ncp expected UDP to cease to exist. However times have passed and the UDP proved formidable and the traditional parties couldn’t recover from the disbanding. Who to blame? Darboe of course.
2. Jammeh has use the national resource for the last 20 years to paint the UDP as Mandinka party and in so doing sowed the image of a nationalistic, ethnic resurgent movement headed by Darboe. Pa Nderry and Gambiano and likes all agree with Jammeh on this narrative. No doubt if Darboe disagree with Halifa or O.J, the emotionality quickly broils into ethnic animosity. But since Jammeh had made ethnic speech totally odd, the likes of Gambiano want to be politically correct and now filling the pages with “egoist”, “ power drunk” “selfish” to connote a deep sense frustration with the ethnic setup in the Gambia –that, in their eyes, enables such one-sided electoral imbalance.
3. To be or not to be! This is the big question? Will UDP finally consume NCP and PPP for good? Will pdois become the junior party again as in the Jawara era? Will Halifa win his seat and become speaker of the NA? How relevant will O.J. without the protection of the “coalition”? All these unknowns are being presented as the making of Darboe and the UDP. If they agreed to the coalition ticket for the NA ticket, such uncertainty would have been silenced for the time being. But no one seems to really respect UDP as an established party but almost everyone acknowledges their electoral prowess. Hence the predicament!
It is against this backdrop that people call themselves Gambiano or whatever to hide behind these names to insult people. In essences, out of fear for the democratic decision that will be made at the polls on the 6th of April.
Kinteh,
Where in my article did I insult anyone? You see, we Africans won’t stop playing the “He/she insulted me” nonsense when ever we can’t handle truth–one of the biggest reasons iPhone 12 or something much marvelous will be out while we struggle to improve “Dabandingo 1” or “Fantingo 1.” You’re lucky I can’t reply to everyone in detail owing to time.
Kinteh (Kemo): “Gambiano’s backward looking piece is, by far, the most unethical pieces I came across recently.”
100% correct Kinteh. Jollofnews take note.
“dr” Isatou Sarr
What nonsensical time frame can we give to an inept and incompetent bitty coalition government. From it’s stem, this government body was never workable and those who prophecised their inminent disintegration have already been proven right.
Why didn’t the world give Donald Trump the benefit-of-doubt time to prove himself capable of running a nation? Simply because he started woefully. Exactly the same with your half-educated Barrow, a puppet and imp at the helm of matters in an on-going nation, that had already found her path to progress with President Jammeh.
Didn’t they sign an MOU and released a three-year plan for government? When are they embarking on such blueprint-toilet waste? After they corrupt the parliamenatry electoral process?
Only Senegal benefitted from the 3 months of this incompetent government. Barrow’s benefactor government which he visited and dished out our money and asked his wife to go to waste our resources.
Babu Soli
What you are saying is misleading and utterly false. Dr. Sarr was clear in her analysis of the predicament we found ourselves in as a nation and as a people.We all need to play our parts as patriotic citizens to support and give guidance to this government rather than castigating and prophecising doom. Dr. Sarr only had an issue like myself with the so called Gambian experts like yourself Babu Soli and your village idiot friend Sidi Bojang who made an art form of criticism of this government without any input as to how to make things better. If you guys think that you know better than this government,then why not go home and take the reins of government. I know you wouldn’t do that as only the brave wants to deal with the nitty gritty of Gambian or African politics.
How can you compare the political reality of Trump to our own? i wonder! A smooth transition of power from a democratically elected leader(Obama) to another(Trump) as compared to a chaotic transition of power from a despot(Yahya) to a democratically elected leader(Barrow). This alone show the bankruptcy of your argument Babu.
Do your donkey work for your masters and let we patriotic Gambians deal with the mess we inherited from a brutal dictator who destroyed our country,plundered our wealth,raped our women folk, imprisoned our innocent sons and daughters and even tortured some innocent ones to death. how can you complain about Barrow’s wife wasting our resources when Jammeh’s gold digging BITCH was doing worst for over 15 years and what did any of you said during those days? Nothing.
I think Kinteh pours some very cool water over this difference of “opinion”
The electorate have proven savvy enough to flex there democratic muscles/
As Dr Sarr says so eloquently
It is the electorate that matter/we will one day hold our government to better account.
Let them be the judge by casting there moral and ethical vote on the past the present and there future.
It must also be the “viewer” to agree or disagree with what the Mighty pen has written.
True or False.
For far too long The Gambian has been afraid.
We are not afraid. I am not afraid. But then again the online media have never been afraid. Hence the flagship of freedom and free speech never died.
It transferred to a desert island for a while until normal service was resumed.
Just because “Napoleon” was banished to the island of Elba does not mean he will never return.?
The media keeps a watchful eye on that horizon.
Mike, I like how you brought Napolean up. In high school, a very popular WAEC question used to read: “Coalition tend to disintegrate when the common enemy is removed. Discuss.” We studied Europe since 1815, with the Councils of Verona, Aix La Chapelles, Trouppeau, etc. Those who don’t learn from bad history often repeat it.
Jammeh or his influence is the Napoleon in our case. Waterloo ended Napoleon I, but Napoleon Bonaparte III came later, with almost a Jammeh ego.
Yes Gambiano, just a small scratch and you show your true self! Displays your level of idiocy. Lawyer Darboe, Mai Fatty and others are not yours or Jammeh’s intellectual equal. They are upstanding educated professionals. You and Pa Mbai are barking up the wrong tree with your rants. But Pa Mbai at least has some respect because he does not hide under anonymity. You are a coward to hide yourself – and I think Gambian online media would be best advised to reject anonymous articles and opinion.
The truth is very dangerous at times we have learned. Sometimes its better let it be food for thought, let it provoke your thoughts so you can take or make better decisions rather than blowing trumpets.
No way do I pose to be the judge but the truth as mentioned earlier could be destructive if misused or misinterpreted.
It seems enough to put one at ease when the facts are digested to guide you.And being in need is the best moment for innovations.
I find Dida’s piece most unfortunate. Are you really serious about Ousainou suing Gambiano and/or Jollof News and expect to win? As a former journalist or supposed one? There is absolutely nothing defamatory about Gambiano’s article, which simply expresses and analyses an encounter with Halifa and Ousainou outlining his assessment of the two men. Gambiano has responded to Dida most appropriately and I need not say further. We Gambians will continue to debate to agree to disagree and to agree to disagree, but with the sole aim of preserving and promoting what we consider to be in the best interest of our country and our people. We will do so without fear or any aberration of our conscience. We just must do so with respect and decorum without degenerating into insults and frivolities.
Sulayman,
Can you imagine a former press official hallucinating to censor dissent or free speech? He’s doing this to get offers from Darboe and Co. He said Darboe and Mai Fatty “are upstanding educated professionals.” Now, let everyone be the judge: While serving Jammeh, could Dida Halake dream of telling him that, Ousainou Darboe and Mai Fatty “are upstanding educated professionals.”? Of all these past years, now is the time see that, Darboe and Mai “are upstanding educated professionals.”?
Tomorrow he’ll cheer-lead for Mickey Mouse in order to get an offer if ever Mickey Mouse occupies a position of power in The Gambia. I wished I had time for him.
“PIG-HEADED OBSESSION WITH POWER AND LEADERSHIP! And now Allah brought someone unheard of, WITH VERY LITTLE SKILLS, or EVEN THE ABILITY TO SCARCELY EXPRESS HIMSELF, to be your president” are totally unnecessary, if you have had a constructive argument for your thesis and not out for a rather unethical point scoring at the expense of someone else. I have made a case to unmask the true motives behind your accusations. Which by the way, is so obvious for all to see through the lines.
If you posture yourself as a respectable commentator cum journalist, then I expect some professionalism. Otherwise yes I accept your choice of words as another harangue from another disillusioned analyst.
Kinteh,
“PIG-HEADED OBSESSION WITH POWER AND LEADERSHIP!
My brother, please talk to your heart. The heart never lies. To you, the above expression is an “insult”, right? It’s not my fault if you fail to metabolize figurative English. All that phrase did was to qualify the kind of obsession Darboe has with leading.
For example, I have a pig-headed obsession with making it to Jannah, or lifting Africa out of poverty. Does that mean I’m a pig?
Natty Dread,
That’s the argument of numbed people: “we found you doing it so if we do, there is no wrongdoing”. What a silly and uneducated analogue. You have said that in three months, yet we haven’t seen any improvement on the good bit President Jammeh left.
We will continue to pray doom for an inept and incompetent regime until it’s flushed out of power. How can we wish well for evil and selfish people without any tangible plans and programmes? How can we wish well for inefficient people whose only wish is to rein, revenge and ruin?
If I were the sole electorate, this bitty,wasteful and inept administration would be in the gutters by now.
I only hope the electorate send them packing in April. I hate them and want to see them fail flat! The Gambian masses are always at heart, they are the ones feeling the brunt of stagnation and ineptitude of your useless administration led by a half-educated Argos watchman. To hell with playing our parts with a bunch of incompetent,corrupt and selfish elements.
.
Babu Soli
Lets shred each other to pieces then. Lets peddle insults, innuendos and scoring cheap political points. False propaganda and hatred will never build a great nation,nor will it bring about any tangible progress or development. Putting one’s head in the sand and failing to acknowledge the progress made so far is foolhardy and dishonest at best. There is freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention in the Gambia now,and made possible by this government. Your assertion that we haven’t seen any improvement on the good bit left by Jammeh is false and misleading.
You are no electorate Babu, so carry on with your pettiness and hatred and enjoy the new freedom accorded to you by this government without fear of being buried alive in some waste land as had happened aplenty during the despotic rule of your hero.
As always the people’s word is the final word;
Case dismissed !!!
Gambiano;
We could not have won at Waterloo without the German’s taking to the field of battle late in the day against The French.
In two bloody world wars we sided with the French against Nazi Germany;
Freedom and Democracy was the ultimate prize for all;
Now Brexit is full on and who should be the first to dig our grave…Yes The German’s and The French.
History is the great school master of who not to show your back too.
The online media will not be intimidated or threatened…Bravo !!! Jollof News and Pa Mbai.
I would like to speak more plainly but the editor would wipe my working class vernacular. Sleep well my friend.
Mike,
Great reminders from you! Only that some people hardly learn from such history. I tell Gambians how we need to value history and inventiveness.
At my work in The Gambia, we had a British lady who lived in Gambia for ever. She complained how most of us weren’t using our brains. And she would add, “no wonder all of you want to go to Europe, but it’s not going to be possible because all of you are stupid.”
While some might see such as insulting, I understood Margaret’s frustrations. Look at how Africans use mentation.
Gambiano…Bro, I wish you had chosen your words with much care (no disrespect) because your unwise choice of words has allowed the discussion to be shifted from the issues you raised, to the alleged “motives” behind it, and this is unfortunate, for you have made some good observations.
Many have resigned themselves to dealing with the realities of the political situation on the ground today, but that should not stop us from wanting to know what created it, in the first place. In fact, it is our duty and rights to demand to know why the alliance disintegrated in the way it did, because not only has a lot of efforts and resources gone into it, but in the answer(s) may lie hints that could be vital for understanding or anticipating what the nature of future relationships between our political players may be ?
It is worth noting that the emergence of a single coalition presidential candidate was the result of a lot of efforts, good will, confidence and trust and a healthy democratic and governance environment, necessary for any level of development, is inconceivable if the partners and main political players don’t have trust or confidence in each other.
Obviously, there are a lot of unfair criticism against our politicians, particularly Ousainou Darboe and Halifa Sallah, most of which is the result of sheer ignorance and intolerance, but intimations of a correlation between Darboe and alliance building efforts or rather, failure of same efforts, cannot be simply dismissed as hate, fear of being swallowed by UDP, fear of PDOIS being a junior partner, a lack of respect for the UDP or what other nonsense one can conjure up.
The simple, straightforward and unambiguous fact is that the UDP was unable to move away from its intransigent demands to certain political entitlements whilst Darboe was present and in charge, which incidentally, was the major stumbling block to the coalition efforts.
It was only during Barrow’s ceremonial leadership of the UDP (as Darboe was still the official leader) that we saw the adoption of a flexible position, which led to the alliance and eventual success at the polls, a feat that has eluded the opposition for FOUR consecutive elections, much of which explored opposition coalition, without success and coincidentally, with Darboe in charge throughout this period. Unfortunately, we have seen the UDP, once again, reverting to its intransingence as soon as Darboe came back on the scene, and levelling this criticism against Darboe, based on the circumstantial and hard evidence, is not hatred or fear.
Coincidence or not, this is the plain fact and it is up to defenders of Darboe to show that this is all mere coincidence, rather than an indication of Ousainou Darboe being the main problem for our joint efforts.
Bax,
“The simple, straightforward and unambiguous fact is that the UDP was unable to move away from its intransigent demands to certain political entitlements whilst Darboe was present and in charge, which incidentally, was the major stumbling block to the coalition efforts.”
This is the seminal message to drive home. The phrase, “pig-headed obsession” isn’t impudent of a lexicon. I’ve explained it above in response to one Kemo. I know in our culture, pigs are abhored. But the figurative expression was an adjectival subordinate qualification, describing the kind of “intransigence” Darboe has always had with power pursuing. I’d have written more if not for time factor.
Always a pleasure to read from Bax.
Our pretensions today, that we should forget the past and all that have been advocated for, and allow democracy to flourish because all is now supposedly well with our democracy, even before we have achieved a single reform after Jammeh’s departure, is symptomatic of the hypocrisy and dishonesty that has dogged Gambia’s politics since political contest was introduced amongst us. It is simply mind boggling to see that the blind loyalty we have queried in APRC supporters for Jammeh’s malgovernance, are now being defended in the UDP supporters by pundits and analysts of Gambian politics. Is it any surprise that whilst we avoided violence during both the Presidential Elections and its aftermath, it has now reared its ugly head between APRC and UDP, yet again ? Would this have happened, if we had remained as a single opposition unit, as in the Presidential, guided by the same calm heads that got us through those tense and difficult moments ?
Why aren’t we asking questions about the failure of the so-called prudent, sensible, feasible, realistic tactical alliance ?
Did the UDP, the main advocate of this strategy, think it through thoroughly ? Did it think it was acceptable to its coalition partners and Gambians as a whole, that it can demand and refuse to waiver, on controlling the two-thirds majority in the NA, in a pre-election alliance pact ? What rights has the UDP got to demand that its candidates be presented and supported in 36 out of 53 constituencies in any tactical alliance, and blatantly refusing to even entertain any discussions on this ridiculous and selfish position ? When did they achieve such a feat in their history ? Why aren’t we asking these questions ? What are we afraid of ? If this is not true, let the UDP or its supporters come out and tell us what the truth is? We want to know.
The Constitution mandates the President to tour the country, which he has embarked on, but it is only he that is authorised to identify the team to accompany him. Public officials who are in his team would still be at work, even if they are not in their offices in Banjul. All who are not in his team will be guilty of absence without leave, if they don’t turn up for work, and Gambians should not condone such practices.
However, we are informed by public media that Public officials, including Cabinet Ministers, who are not in President Barrow’s entourage, are also on the campaign trail with their NA candidates. And yet, nothing from Gambians. No outrage at what is impunity, misconduct and theft of public funds, because any who pick up their pay checks for work not done would have stolen from us. We CANNOT go on like this Gambia. We just cannot afford it.
Perhaps, Gambians will begin to appreciate the wisdom and commitment to adhere to good governance by PDOIS politicians, by declining cabinet positions or any positions paid by the public treasury. Lots of respect to those humble, committed and selfless servants to our dear country.
Bax,
PDOIS values humility, deep intellection, pragmatic economic solutions, etc. Unfortunately, a category of Gambians with very disturbed cognitive skills scarcely respond to the PDOIS paradigms. They’d rather continue with the “Benechin-cooking”, pomp and fanfare politics inherent of our Gambian culture.
Do you ever stand in front of the mirror and see tears rolling because you’ve realized that a solution to, perhaps, our poverty, hunger, and muddy streets lies in making someone understand that 2+2 isn’t 10? But that person violently keeps arguing that 2+2 is sacrosanctly 10, no further explanation or dialogue! And worse, that person isn’t interested in learning, let alone finding solutions. This is the problem PDOIS has been facing since I was a child.
Please look at whatever device you’re using to type here. Think of the kind of brain that put it together! You think it’s benechin-cooking politics that produced the reason why you and I are out of Gambia, looking for greener pasture? Wollaahi we have the greenest pastures in Africa–only that we don’t want to understand or agree that 2+2 isn’t 10.
I totally agree with Gambiano, if Darboe was not sent to jail there will surely be no coalition to uproot Jammeh. No one can compare Halifa with Darboe. Halifa started enlightening Gambians long before Darboe came into the Gambian political space. Nonetheless I think both should work together for the sole benefit of the nation. I hope they will reconcile as the new president preaches reconciliation during his tour, which was believed to be fanning support for the UDP at the expense of other coalition parties. Gambia needs a unifying leader to move forward.
I do not subscribe to charges of Tribalism and tribal politics against the UDP. I think the UDP is one of the most diverse parties in the country and it is simply slanderous for anyone to claim that it pursues a policy of tribal politics. Those who use its appointments to justify their claims and make the case for the composition of cabinet or the civil service to reflect tribal diversity are the ones who advocate tribal politics. Positions should be filled on the basis of competence and most qualified; not what tribe one belongs to.
We can query the suitability and competence of President Barrow’s appointees, but not on tribal lines. I totally and emphatically reject that sort of thinking.
I do think that when we look at the messages on social media from those who support, claim support or align themselves with our political parties, we will notice a very disturbing trend of what is definitely tribal politics amongst the UDP militants, including people who are either in various leadership positions or very close to them. Because when political support is solicited on the basis of tribe and tribe alone, then we will be justified to attribute tribal politics to the people who do this, and it is very sad and dangerous but the truth is, there are prominent people associated with the UDP, who indulge in this type of politics for the UDP.
I do not hold the UDP responsible for this, nor do I hold that it reflects their position, but I think they have not done enough to stamp this out and distance themselves from it, particularly when well known UDP activists are involved.
One such message which was posted on YouTube but quickly removed soon after (as I haven’t seen it since) was by none other than Fatou Jaw Manneh herself, a doyen of the struggle in the diaspora.
This was a message left for Mandinka Women. I was shocked at the opening remarks in that video calling on Mandinka Women not to abandon Ousainou Darboe; claiming that being Mandinka means trusting in each other. (Mandinka Yaa Mu Laanyo yaa le’tti ). I was so disgusted by those few lines that I had to quit the video. And there are many on our public airwaves that will use the same approach to canvass for votes…(“Mandinkolu nga ke’tteng; Mandinkolu n’kanaa sung nyinn naa..”: Meaning Mandinkas should do this;Mandinkas should not accept this). I haven’t seen this amongst any other groups in the fora or media that I follow.
This is very dangerous especially given the situation we face today. It certainly is not bridging the divisions we inherited from the APRC and definitely not reassuring enough to those who view the UDP in certain light, rightly or wrongly.
UDP needs to do more to curb this abuse of their name and party by over zealous members, supporters and fans.
Bax, my in-law, I take your word for it when you say this:
“One such message which was posted on YouTube but quickly removed soon after (as I haven’t seen it since) was by none other than Fatou Jaw Manneh herself, a doyen of the struggle in the diaspora. This was a message left for Mandinka Women. I was shocked at the opening remarks in that video calling on Mandinka Women not to abandon Ousainou Darboe; claiming that being Mandinka means trusting in each other. (Mandinka Yaa Mu Laanyo yaa le’tti )”.
BUT, BAX, YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION: “How can such a message come from someone of the stature and integrity of Fatou Jaw Manneh?”
To my mind, it can only be explained by the current VICIOUS anti-Mandinka out-pouring on the ONLINE media (of which Gambiano’s piece is just the latest).
Malcolm X was once challenged on HIS “racism” (Black Nationalism). Malcolm’s reply was: “My racism is created by White Racism”.
The current vicious anti-Mandikanism, started by Yahya Jammeh himself and being continued by the the Gambian online media led by Pa Nderry Mbai, will inevitably make some Mandinka adopt a group mentality to support and defend themselves … which is just commonsense.
Character Assassination is a very unsafe foundation of any debate; Tribalism is a desperate dark corner, to hide, when all around are losing there heads.
The core issue was the alleged break up of the coalition and why or who would wish this condition. I do not think it is the gambian people.
The winners and losers. Surely as doctor Sarr has suggested is, all that matters is the people. Words chosen is not the issue. Tribalism and its supporters are online desperado’s fearful of losing an argument that was badly positioned anyway.
As a viewer of many years, these conflicts of political opinion are as old as the Party leaders.
We look forward to the light that may be shed after the NA elections.
We look forward to those employed to bring real change, to do there jobs/
I do not see any partizan online opinion holding much sway over those struggling for there next meal. They have become accustomed to fending for themselves or by fleeing to other nations assets..That on another day they despise. African governments are expensive and deliver promises and few sound policies. Thats a fact.
May your chosen party leader go with you.
Gambiano;
The British may struggle for a while as Europe delivers its worst for us. But we will again be an independent force surrounded by perilous seas.
What really worries me is ordinary people will become isolationists and view Europeans with contempt.
Our future is now back in our hands. Historically we have inner strength and capacity to out run and out fox any anti democratic force.
As we now take back from Europe the right to deport/// It is imperative that Your foreign secretary Lawyer Darboe seeks urgent assurances for Gambian’s in The United Kingdom. Legal or otherwise.
God bless You /
Mike,
Excellent historical reminders and well-observed modern geopolitics. You know, I felt bad seeing Cameron tensed while delivering his speech. And then came the unforgotten proclamation, and I paraphrase, “…I tender my resignation…”
An african leader wouldn’t have resigned. Ecomig would have to force him out. But I do sense your message. The world will miss an E.U without U.K. The sun used not to set on the British Empire. Now that empire pokes at an isolation. I don’t know, but let’s see if the empire can survive the storm. I do see how the non-anglo Saxons might view the U.K as a spoilt brat. But at the end of the day, the people’s choice matters. Let’s pray there isn’t going to be a new Chartism in England.
As a child, I benefitted immensely from donations of books from Ranfurley Library in England. They really helped Gambia National Library. This was in the 90s. I still miss those days.
Gambiano, i do not expect you to be ever economical with the truth, my only concern is about the timing of this article and the impact it can have on an already fragile and emotionally charged situation. I have no issue with the content of the article, but i would rather you publish it after the national assembly elections as it is distracting you and all of us from controlling the narrative vis a vis the brutal atrocities committed by Jammeh and his cohort. It would have been more beneficial to Gambia and Gambians if the eloquent and robust arguments and counter arguments most of you have put forward here was used to expose Jammeh’s crimes, both human rights and economic and to explain to Gambians why we should stay away from APRC. Gambiano, you will agree with me that no matter how wide the gap between Halifa/PDOIS and Ousainou/UDP may be, it will still be much narrower than the gap between them and Jammeh/APRC. A greater majority of articles critiquing the utterances and actions of the coalition published by Jollofnews are written by the supporters of the coalition. That’s a clear demonstration of the caliber of people supporting the coalition, patriotic progressive thinking Gambians who aren’t afraid to make the government they support accountable to the people. This is quite a contrast to Jammeh/APRC supporters who stood by and applaud their cult leader as he destroys the soul of the nation. People, all of whom seem to have developed retrograde amnesia of the past 22yrs. Please guys let’s divert our attention back to Jammeh and the APRC for now and resolve our differences after the elections. Thank you all.
Buba,
My brother, thank you, and your observations well-noted. As far as timeliness is concerned, the damage was already done before this article came out. You and I both dislike the rift between camps. Waiting till NA elections could be tantamount to sitting on the fence. That’s why I’ll risk insults and alienation. Unless our leaders change their attitudes, Africa will always trail behind. And that hurts me a lot, brother.
Gambiano;
The Brexit referendum was to placate Cameron’s tory backbench Euro Sceptics, lead by Boris Johnson; Johnson may have wielded the brexit knife on Cameron; But as history once said “The one who wields the knife never wears the crown”
Johnson failed miserably in the leadership contest.
Oh! Dear !!! lol
Where Cameron failed was that in the vote it should have read All nations of the UK have to vote to leave or the result can not take effect.
I liked “Call me Dave” we have had far worse Prime Ministers.
But the press finally brought him down and Osborn,,, and would have brought Johnson down too ,, but he was luckily on the winning brexit team.
After early reservations about May/ am kinda changing my mind. Thank God we have one strong party left in Britain that can{ with the considerable help of the civil service} Head butt and show the british bum if the worst case scenario happens.
Mike,
Your humor is awesome! Tell me, what do you think of comparing “Call me Dave” to Blair? And do you think George Galloway would make a good PM?
Yes the UDP should do more to sensitize supporters to restraint themselves. The composition of the udp ranks itself is diverse. My bone of contention is that self-proclaimed neutral arbiters like Gambiano, are even the source of the motivation for someone with a Mandinka ethnic background to go into group thinking and vote for a party just bcus that party was tagged a”mandinka party”. The situation reminds me of PS. Njie of UP (first indigenous minister before the viting right was extended to the provinces). In a rather infamous interview with Berkeley Rice, he allowed himself the following faux pas “He’s (Jawara) a rascal – low born, low bred. You see, the PPP are all Mandinka people, and Mandinkas only understand money, meat and groundnuts. They are lazy. Character and honor is meaningless to them.” (Rice p.338, Enter Gambia). Of course i am not being unforgiving or sort of vengeful bearing in mind that i grew up in Banjul.
But these are parallels. The 1958-early 1960s gave gambia a political vacuum as the british prepare to leave. Then and now as we are witnessing, the elites are at times frustrated with the level of education of the people. And sometimes this frustration can only be explained by throwing a whole group into one pot. I question myself many times: where PS Njie to become prime minister and subsequently president, would he still hold the same views? Probably not because he also was a man of his times. The parallel today is that no party leader except jammeh of course, should allow himself sleepwalk into this so called mandinka homogeneity. Because such does not exist. And tagging a party as mandinka just because some unruly supporters made youtube videps or whattsapp audios is irresponsible.
Kemo,
O Kemo! O kemo! My article has anything about tribe? Or it’s written in Farsi? Please show the world where I mentioned anything about tribe!!!! I’m waiting! I’m a mixed Gambian, myself. But even if not, I’ve written lengthy articles against tribalism years ago, especially during the Gambia online media war.
Perhaps I need to open a radio station and minister to Gambians like yourself very directly. My fingers risk getting osteoarthritic with typing to drive home simple messages.
“PS. Njie of UP (first indigenous minister before the voting right was extended to the provinces). In a rather infamous interview with Berkeley Rice, he allowed himself the following faux pas “He’s (Jawara) a rascal – low born, low bred. You see, the PPP are all Mandinka people, and Mandinkas only understand money, meat and groundnuts. They are lazy. Character and honor is meaningless to them.” (Rice p.338, Enter Gambia).”
Yes, I saw that too Kinteh, and I burst out laughing – for the irony was that “low-born, low-bred” Jawara became President. I quoted this to Nyang Njie at the Le Parisian in 2008 when Nyang Njie rather pompously entoned that “The Elite Are Born to Rule”!! (I saw him on FACEBOOK last week 2017 – wearing a three-piece suit and a bow-tie in Banjul!! God Bless Halifa’s cheap Kaftan!)
Bax, i do not think declining cabinet or other taxpayer paid positions demonstrates wisdom or commitment to adhere to good governance. If every Gambian follows PDOIS’s example how will the state function? If PDOIS’s presidential candidate wins the next presidential elections will they still reject cabinet positions and other taxpayer paid positions? Or will they be OK with it then because the president is from PDOIS? I have absolutely no doubt that Ousainou Darboe is stubborn, one could even say difficult to deal with but Halifa Sallah is equally stubborn. The difference between this two men is how their stubbornness is manifested. The executive committees of UDP and PDOIS should relegate both men to back and let Sidia and Ebou Manneh handle all discussions between the two parties. I quite agree that UDP’s position on this forthcoming elections has caused a lot of damage to the coalition. It would be right to describe UDP’s actions as selfish and a disservice to the Gambian electorate who voted for the coalition. However it is not UDP who first acted selfishly, it was PDOIS that first put party interest before national. PDOIS’s actions were subtle and definitely not for material gain but in the party’s moral interest which could also be described as a disservice to the same electorate. By declining to take up any paid positions purely based on party principle, PDOIS has denied the Gambia and Gambians the services of the great pool of talent at it’s disposal. I doubt it if all those who voted for the coalition because of Halifa and PDOIS would have done so if they were told in advance that no one from PDOIS will be working in the government. I can understand Halifa and Sidia not taking up cabinet positions but i still find it difficult to comprehend why no one else. Hopefully Bax you will enlighten me. Having the right people on the right on the ground to implement government policy is very important. PDOIS could have been a bit more flexible like D A Jawo did. And he has been brilliant so far.
Buba,
Firstly, there are hundreds, if not thousands of Gambians, who could fill Cabinet positions and assist the President to implement his/her policies, but are not interested in seeking direct mandate from the people. So the President, being the one mandated to manage the resources of the nation, can appoint his Cabinet, whether PDOIS accepts to serve or not, just as he has done, to execute his duties and this (PDOIS’ absence) would have little or no impact on his government’s performance. I hope we can agree on that.
Secondly, the coalition is made up of different parties, with different political and economic agenda, policies and strategies, but share a common reform agenda, which can only be carried out in the National Assembly. The President Adama Barrow, being a former executive member of the UDP, subscribes to the UDP’s political ideology of “Free Market” oriented Economics (as the other alliance partners) whilst PDOIS’ is the only party that subscribes to “Socialist oriented Economics”.
One could say that the only area of commonality between PDOIS and President Barrow, as well as the other coalition partners, can only be found in the National Assembly, as that is where their common reform agenda will be carried out.
So it makes a lot of sense, to me, for President Barrow to work with those Cabinet Members, who share the same “Free Market” oriented ideology, in the Executive, whilst PDOIS can work with him in the National Assembly where they share the same common reform agenda.
My in-law Bax: UDP’s “Free Market Economics” v. PDOIS “Socialist Orientated Economics”.
But you know, it might be possible to combine BOTH – as with UK’s and Sweden’s Welfare State & National Health Service built on the proceeds of the “Free Market”.
Of course, it is a big IF whether we can do it in the “Third World”, because as Ngugi’s great interview shows, Europe built its Welfare State by robbing, and continuing to rob, other socities (See Ngugi’s Interview at Sambagate.com). The other point is that the UDP is a member of Socialist International – so they may turn out to be a Social Democratic party too, emphasising a “social” economic programme. Have a nice week-end.
Good observations, but I have reservations about Socialist International. The NED has very long arms and subverting leftists is a favourite past time . Enjoy your weekend.
Will PDOIS be OK to serve in a Cabinet of a PDOIS President ? Absolutely, because he/she would have received our mandate to implement their socialist policies and social reform agenda, including the accumulation, investment, creation and distribution of our national sovereign wealth.
PDOIS, as far as I know, does not subscribe to the capitalist mode of wealth distribution, where position, rather than work done, determines remuneration.
Also, they could implement their commitment to separation of state from party, which has never been the case in The Gambia. So it will not be contradictory or a source of conflict when PDOIS Members accept Cabinet positions in a PDOIS led (Gambia) Government.
Lastly, unless you hold the view that the National Assembly is not a place of service to the Gambian People, I don’t know how you could justify your claim that PDOIS’ failure to accept cabinet positions is a loss of talent to the country.
No Buba, of the three arms of the Government, the National Assembly is the most important, as it is the overseer of everything dealing with governance, and given the mediocrity in that house, I think the best service that PDOIS can offer the nation, under the current circumstances, is in the National Assembly.
The quality that some of their candidates can bring into that august house will be invaluable and priceless.
Don’t let anybody deceive you about PDOIS’ advocacy for independent alliance candidates being motivated by party interest. PDOIS cannot push it’s party interest in the House unless it controls the two thirds majority required and even during the first meeting to discuss modalities for tactical alliance, PDOIS did not request anything that would get it that majority and they were willing to reduce their requests to reach compromise.
I will tell you that I can put my neck on the line and claim that PDOIS couldn’t care less whether they have 20 or 10 NAMs, as long as the agreed reform agenda is pursued and achieved. We know what happened. Let’s watch and follow keenly. May be we will know why it happened.
Bax, just like you said PDOIS can bring invaluable quality to the national assembly. And i agree that the national assembly is important, however if the implementation of bills on the ground is not conducted properly then their impact on the lives of Gambians will be minimal.
Gambiano; are you wanting an interview for your proposed radio station? hahaha
Dida Halake would be much more interesting than me. Dida used to phone me all the time; I found his vision and presence awesome. He don’t call me anymore. Maybe its because I changed my number.
BTW he like’s to call me Jungle George.
I suppose am too old to be called Tarzan?
I must send my leopard skin to the dry cleaners.
aerrr or a arrho ahhhh o arhha/cough cough, Tarzan calling.
Mike,
Lol! You’re seriously funny. But yes, maybe I should conduct an interview with you about your Gambia adventure (or experience, if I may use that) as well as your world view. I used to admire Dida’s writings until he started selling himself for job offers in such a cheap way. Trust me, I know he loves to live in Gambia. But there’s something called “integrity” that should have counselled him agaisnt prostituting his mentation to the Jammeh regime, and now the Darboe camp. He will do the same if Mickey Mouse assumes power in our motherland. I’ll have no bone to pick with him if he responds to reaon for honesty, truth, righteousness, justice, etc.
Now he’s saying that Darboe and Mai Fatty are high intellectuals. He’s forgotten he said almost the same about Jammeh, “One thing I know is that he’s a very intelligent man,” (Dida Halake on Jammeh, years ago, and I paraphrased). Today, he’s singing praises saying such “Jammeh intelligence” he once extolled is no match for Darboe and Mai Fatty’s. “Lawyer Darboe, Mai Fatty and others are not yours or Jammeh’s intellectual equal…” (Halake, 2017). But I don’t want to spend any time on Dida again, unless if he repents. If he hasn’t read “A Man For All Seasons”, I sincerely recommend he does. He’ll see that he’s like Lord Cromwell, Richrad Rich, etc., “jackals with sharp teeth”, scavenging for King Henry’s left-overs as well as the flesh of the righteous, while there’re still men like Sir Thomas More, Lady Alice, Margaret, etc.
I am related to Henry the 8th { 48th cousin removed}
Sir Richard Scales lead the protection from Cromwell’s forces on London Bridge for three bloody days. For which we were stripped of our lands and titles and caste as beggars into the street.
I am a royalist.
I have had 4 wives and working on the 5th…My ancestor had 6 wives…the last was Katherine Parr
I can see her castle from my bedroom window. She was a Kendalian. just like me. Stay Blessed
Thankfully not one of my wives lost her head; Only screwed me in the divorce courts lol !!!
Such is the melody of modern life Xx
Mike,
Wow! I’m learning a lot from you. If I visit England, there are places I really need to see, including, perhaps the ones the battles took place. Talking to you reminds me of my childhood days of reading and writing British English. Now I’m stuck with American spelling, parlance, etc., and Microsoft Word isn’t helping me retain my British style.
I remember in 2002, during class, a girl told me, “We speak American here,” and I responded, There’s no language, ever, called “American.” There’s English, period! England has a colorful history. You guys started the industrial revolution in 1880, heralding all that we bask in within the frontiers of technology today.
And Dan Brown made me curious when he inserted in The Davinci Code, “In London, is interred a Pope…”, a veiled reference to the tomb of Alexander Pope where a hidden history of Catholicism and a pedigree in proof of Jesus’s lineage, he claimed lies.
Gambiano, sounds like Mike Scales is giving you a mighty orgasim. Lol.
Grim reaper,
Hahahahahaha! OMG! call it a literary “orgasm.” Mike reminds me of a British national I used to work with in The Gambia–wise, yet seriously humble.
I visit Flodden field in Northumberland often;
King James of Scotland crossed the english border and camped on top of a hill. The english snook up behind and in front lead by a 73 year old duke.
The Scotts had 20,000 men the english just 10,000
The Scotts made the fatal error of leaving the high ground and were sliding down the muddy slope into a small stream.
The english had long lances the Scotts short axe like weapons.
They were caught in a phalanx caused by the pressure of the wet slope. and there own men eager to push forward.
10,000 Scots were massacred The English lost a few hundred.
There is a small church by the field where King James was brought/ while outside the burial mound of the dead is 30 metres high.
Its an awesome place where the viewer can still see the Battlefield and how the victory was gained.
I go to the church to pray. It is close to the abbey on Holy Island, where I also pray in St Mary’s church next to the statue of St Aiden.
Both church’s are holy shrines Very peaceful and calm.
Mike,
So, how do most Scots fare when they visit England? I used to play soccer here with a Scottish student and his accent is as funny as his personality. He was quite unique among the Americans.
I love Scotland and the Scottish/ Most of my memories of work and play in Scotland are happy one’s.
The memorial site at Bannockburn is a “must See”
On that occasion A Scottish army of 5,000 with 500 hundred archers, defeated an English force of 17,000 with heavy horse. They were forced into a bottleneck across the burn {river} and slaughtered as they were crushed into a bend in the river. The archers cut them down with a tremendous loss of life. In my small market town, the Scot’s came early one morning. About 600 rushed to the church for protection. The Scots burned it down. There is still one wall standing that was witness to that day. The church is rebuilt and I visit it often to sit and think.
There are many Scots here in England. Even the Scots have different accents. You can tell a Glasgow accent very easily.
Mike,
What about River Thames? Is it in London or somewhere close? And Tintern Abbey? River Wye? I want to stand on the Wye and remember William Wordsworth. Or visit the moors to think of his leech garderer!
Then, I’ll love to peep into the secrets of Western civilization and its technological contributions to modernity from, perhaps senior citizens far older–who witnessed the last days before jumbo jets entered the commercial scene. Perhaps someone born before 1924.
Bax, with all due respect i think you are under estimating the true capital worth of PDOIS at this crucial time in the Gambia. The constitutional reform debacle has shown that for all to see. Most of the bills that will be presented to the national assembly will come from the executive, not from the members. PDOIS’s input at the formulating stage of those bills is highly needed to avoid a repeat of the section 62 amendment bill. That error could have been avoided if Halifa was part of the executive because he would have spotted it thus saving the government an embarrassing U-turn. You have articulated the reason for PDOIS staying out of the executive very well but i am sure you know deep down it lacks substance. It is as weak as UDP’s reasoning for wanting a tactical alliance. Bax, you and i know that the national assembly can only pass bills but their implementation and effectiveness is the executive’s responsibility. Therefore it vital to have the right people on the ground to make those bills functional. PDOIS’s decision to work with Barrow only in the legislature, well intentioned as it may be, is flawed because it is like leaving your new born baby with your wife saying because you cannot breast feed the child, you will wait till the child starts school then teach them Maths, English and Geography as you are a qualified teacher. Ignoring the fact that there’s a lot you can do to help your wife nurture that child from birth to school going age. The formative period of any venture is crucial because it usually determines the outcome of the venture at the summative stage. Neither free market nor socialist ideology can work for the Gambia on it’s own. We should take the best of both and create our own economic reality. This is what China did to turn their economy around. They took the best bits of capitalism and mixed it with communism. And this is the reason why am disappointed with PDOIS. Bax, think we can agree that if PDOIS should occupy the presidency in the next 3 yrs or 5 yrs they will not abandon free market economy, but will instead merge it with their brand of socialism. So why not we start that now?
Buba, I think you and I can agree to disagree on how we perceive political actions or events on the ground and gauge their relevance to the transition process. For me, I see the NA as the best place of service that PDOIS can provide under current circumstances, but you hold a different view and you are entitled to it. That’s the beauty of a free society.
I just want to respond to a couple of issues.
1. About bills originating from the Executive. This is what we are used to and perhaps the reason why we take it for granted that bills must always originate from the Executive, but this is not the case. Individual NAMs can table bills in the NA, called Private Members Bill, to be debated and passed as law. This has actually happened in the past.
2. Even if bills are going to originate from the Executive, won’t they (the executive) need a strong team in the NA, during debates for the motion, to pass the bills or do we just want the coalition to use its majority ( if they control NA) to “bull doze” bills into law. I don’t think that’s the change we voted for. We want to see lively, powerful and convincing debates in the next house; not another rubber stamping one.
3. The amendment debacles: We can still continue to assume, if we want, that the Executive did not receive advice before that bill was presented before parliament, but we shouldn’t think that our assumption is the whole truth. Soon after nomination, Halifa spoke to journalists and the same issue was raised. His response, “Why are you indicting Halifa when the President hasn’t indicted him ?” He asked whether the President has expressed any dissatisfaction with his (Halifa’s) service, as adviser. We can all draw our inferences from that reaction and I will share mine with you.
My view is this:
1. Either Halifa was aware of the bill before it came to the NA, gave his advice to the President, but it was either rejected or ignored by Mai Fatty (who is at the center of all these mishaps) or;
2. He (Halifa) wasn’t aware of the bill ( as a non cabinet member) until it was put before NA.
Why do I hold the first view ? We must understand that the Justice Minister is the constitutionally mandated adviser to the president on any legal matters and that ministry has the expertise to give the right guidance, if they had been consulted.
The justice Minister had to go public to take responsibility for that fiasco, but he publicly remonstrated with the Interior Minister for another fiasco and refused to take responsibility, though like the first one, the issue at the center, was his Ministry’s responsibility.
The question is, why would the Justice Minister publicly remonstrate with the Interior Minister for the 2nd fiasco, when he took personal responsibility for the 1st one ? My answer is that he has had enough of Mai Fatty’s amateurism in government and wasn’t going to take any more responsibility for this.
So, it is possible and most likely, that if Halifa was aware of the bill, he would have given his advice, which was rejected or ignored by Mai Fatty. After all, he has already “sacked” Halifa from the coalition altogether and “banished” him back to PDOIS.
Is it possible that Halifa was not aware of the bill until it came before the NA ? Yes, that is possible, because the bill originated from the Executive and Halifa is not a member of the Executive.
Moreover, as I already pointed out, Mai Fatty, who wields a lot of influence and seems to have the president’s ear, has already “sacked” Halifa from the coalition. So why would he be informed about matters in cabinet? Aren’t they (cabinet members) all sworn to official secrecy?
But here’s what’s even more compelling circumstantial evidence to lend credence to the view that Halifa wasn’t aware of the bill until it became public knowledge.
We all know how Halifa would take to the media, through public statements from PDOIS, not only to remonstrate with Jammeh (and Jawara before him) when he does things that don’t follow the law, but also point out the right lawful way. If Halifa can do that with his opponents, can anyone believe that he will leave the government that he helped to bring into being, go on and repeat the same errors, if he was aware of it?
Really, it will be cynical of anyone to make such claims, unless they have hard facts to back it.
It is true that the NA is the arm of government that is charged with passing bills into law, whilst executive has the duty to implement laws passed, but the NA is not only restricted to passing laws alone. It is also the great overseer and has the duty to ensure that these laws are followed and implemented, and where they have concerns, they can summon officials before their select committees to demand answers and insist on compliance. They even have the power to initiate the removal of a president (I’m not sure about ministers) through impeachment proceedings, if he/she is found to be lacking .
Whilst a cabinet minister can only exercise direction, control and supervision over his/her ministry alone, a NAM can do so over the entire government. Hence, between the two, I will submit that more competent people are needed in the NA than cabinet, because cabinet ministers have technocrats in their ministries, who are either specialists or highly qualified in their various fields, to advice the minister on policies, but NAMs have to do the job by themselves. So we need the PDOIS people there, working as the legislative arm of the coalition government.
Finally Buba, I entirely agree with you that we need the best of both worlds (Free Market & Socialist concepts) to change our fortunes, and though I don’t speak for PDOIS, I think this is what they are advocating. As far as I can see from their statements, PDOIS recognises the role of the private sector as the engine of growth, but unlike the rest, they are not relying on Foreign Direct Investment to be the spur of the private sector. Their committed aim is to use public funds (social wealth) to invest and develop the productive sector, to create employment and wealth that will enhance house hold incomes, which in turn, will generate more economic activities.
For example, in women gardening or horticulture, the state would use social funds to create the environment for modern horticulture, develop storage and transport facilities, find markets and/or establish processing plants to generate income for the women, through cooperative ventures.
These will be replicated in communities across the country, in whatever area they are more suited (horticulture, animal husbandry, bee keeping & other trades) to create that private sector which we need but lack, because of extreme poverty.
So, you have elements of free market, where people individually or jointly own their businesses and means of production and elements of socialism, where social wealth is used to provide the environment for mass participation in the country’s economic life, which is restricted due to lack of capital.
Added to that is the massive reduction, if not total elimination, of waste of state resources on unnecessary activities that consume millions annually. So I think, under a PDOIS Government, we will have the best of both worlds.
Thank you for the exchanges.
Sorry to disappoint you, my in-law, but “lack of capital” means IMF – and you know what that means! Just see what they have and are doing to Greece. Depressing.
I know, but we can’t abandon the IMF. We may need to revisit our relationship with them, though this will unlikely achieve anything of significance unless we can have the rest of Africa on board, which is much easier said than done.
IMF is only doing what it has to do, to maximise returns on its shareholders’ investments.
It is we who must understand that foreign capital is good, but it must never be the engine of national growth, because when it does, it controls the country and her people’s livelihoods, and any people whose livelihoods is controlled by foreign interests cannot call themselves INDEPENDENT.
Bax, i always enjoy your exchanges. They are always enlightening and measured. I am an independent so i like to play the devil’s advocate sometimes by asking thought provoking questions. And you have always stood your ground well even if we have to occasionally agree to disagree on some points. Which is what democracy is all about. ax, am a pragmatist that’s why i get annoyed with PDOIS even though i fully respect their decision, i want us and can’t see why we cannot have the best of both worlds now. Don’t ask me to be patient lol!!
“I came upon a host of golden Daffodils”
I live only 5 minutes from Wordsworth’s fine house.
..and only a 10 minute ferry ride from Beatrix Potter’s house. Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck.
,,and only one minute from Postman Pats original Post Office;
Its Springtime here I drove amongst a cloud of daffodils today to take tea by the lake.
Mike,
Are you serious? That close to Wordsworth house?
I live in God’s country/ stunning views mountains lakes, forests. water falls… Moo cows and lots of sheep Baa Baa Baa !!!
Its the lambing season/ spring when all is renewed.
Except this morning The local council came and cut down three magnificent Oak Trees/ outside my front window/ stupid moo’s
I thought they needed a permit for that? and local debate////Ah well ??? I suppose it’s better than Landmines ? and secret’ secluded’ cemeteries/ The river Thames runs through London…400 miles away/ I can recommend The Tower of London torture chambers. A thousand ways to inflict pain.
History !!! A time when my ancestor ‘ol Henry hung 20,000 rebels from Pontefract to Carlisle. Including kids as young as 5 years old.
Hope the States is treating you fine ?
I almost never create responses, however i did a few searching and wound up here Gambia: Please Don’t
Trigger President Barrow’s Soothsayer. And I actually do have some questions for you if it’s allright.
Is it just me or does it look like a few of the remarks come across as if they are coming from brain dead individuals?
😛 And, if you are posting on additional sites, I
would like to follow everything new you have to post.
Would you make a list of all of all your social sites like your twitter feed, Facebook
page or linkedin profile?
Jerry Skinner,
I’m not sure I understand your request. But yes, there are of course, remarks that “come across as if they are coming from brain dead individuals?” If you specify with examples, perhaps Jollofnews may respond to you. I hope that caters well to your concern.