First things first: The National Assembly is the embodiment of our collective sovereignty, power and voice! We cannot and must not allow anyone to violate, ridicule or weaken our National Assembly. Let us defend and strengthen our representatives!
The sacking of a sitting National Assembly Member by the President of the Republic indeed tantamount to a coup since it is an act where an organ of the State has been denied its independence, integrity and security.
The act of removing Hon. Ya Kumba Jaiteh clearly manifest that the President can as well sack the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker and appoint in their place a person of his choice. When the President can have such power and audacity it means therefore the independence and security of the National Assembly has been damaged hence a direct threat to the sovereignty and democratic governance of the Gambia.
Democratic governance is a political system in which institutions function based on democratic norms, processes and standards that restrain power, ensure transparency and accountability, combat corruption, ensure effective service delivery and create opportunities.
Democratic governance in a republic like the Gambia is based on the idea that sovereignty of the country resides in the people and all organs of the State derive their legitimacy from the people and perform their functions on behalf of and for the welfare of the people as espoused in Section 1 subsection 2 of the Gambia Constitution.
Democratic governance therefore is a system where power is restrained so that no one person or institution is left unchecked or all-powerful but that all institutions submit themselves to the rule of law and not allowed to encroach on other institutions thereby undermine the function and responsibility of that institution. This is what is the rationale behind the idea of the rule of law and checks and balances system as espoused in the Constitution.
Of all the institutions that bear responsibility to check each and every other public institution is the National Assembly which is the apex State organ. In multiple places of our Constitution, the National Assembly plays the role of oversight and decision making for various purposes such as approval for appointments or removal of various public officers, approval of budget allocations or distribution of resources and ensuring the effective, transparent and responsive management of those resources as well as the protection of human rights among others.
In terms of the Executive, the National Assembly has even a greater role and responsibility to ensure that the Executive is checked since the Executive is the main State organ responsible for the direct management of national wealth, provision of public goods and services and protection of human rights.
It is the Executive that has all the tools, weapons and institutions of force and violence such as the military, intelligence, police, prisons and customs. Hence more than any other institution it is the Executive that is practically in charge of the lives and future of each and every Gambian.
Therefore, when that Executive is left unchecked or given too much power then the rights, properties and lives each and every Gambian is at great risk! Remember Yaya Jammeh!
The National Assembly checks the Executive and the Executive is answerable to the National Assembly. Period!
To now have the head of that Executive having the power or ability to determine who can be a National Assembly Member specially to determine who can be the Speaker is in itself a direct threat to the rights and lives of Gambians.
This means in effect the President can now determine who and how the National Assembly can check him or not. It is a practice that undermines the sovereignty of Gambians since if the President can appoint and remove National Assembly Members it means therefore the President has more power than the power of all Gambians combined.
Therefore, fellow Gambians, let us not just focus on the fact that the very idea of Nominated Members is undemocratic and therefore this issue does not matter. Yes, I agree, and I wish in the new constitution this monarchical colonial practice will be removed. But until then the authority to nominate individuals into our National Assembly by the President is in the Constitution.
But just because the President can nominate individuals into the house it does not mean he owns or controls or can remove them as he wishes. Those Nominated Members are full-fledged members of the National Assembly and therefore their removal cannot be done by the President as per the Constitution.
Secondly let us also not only focus on the fact that our NAMs have indeed failed to stand up to effectively check the Executive since they took office in April 2017. Yes, most of them received vehicles from the President without question and the President even bribed some NAMs with money, not to mention the dubious transfer of millions of dalasi into the First Lady’s bank account!
Just because the National Assembly failed once and many times before it does not mean we should not stand up to defend the National Assembly and our democracy and sovereignty anytime it comes under threat.
Thirdly let us not make this issue just another partisan affair. Whether you like or dislike UDP or PDOIS or GDC or any other party or politician, let us rise above such partisan consideration and realise the urgent national duty we face on this issue.
The Gambia as a whole is more important than our individual parties and loved politicians. Let us realise that what is at stake is the very soul, future and sovereignty of Gambians.
Pres. Adama Barrow and his Cabinet and their advisors should have known more than anyone that indeed the practice of the President removing a Nominated Member is an undemocratic and unconstitutional malpractice that should not have been contemplated in the first place.
When we voted out the Dictatorship in 2016 it was precisely to put a stop to these kinds of dictatorial tendencies. Two years after citizens brought democracy to the Gambia, we must not allow any elected politician or government to violate that democracy ever again!
All Gambians must therefore stand up against this illegal removal of Hon. Ya Kumba Jaiteh as a Member of the National Assembly and demand that Pres. Barrow completely refrains from acts that injure our democracy, good governance and sovereignty.
Adama Barrow is not an absolute king or coloniser of the Gambia and therefore he has no authority by law to flout democratic norms and the Constitution.
I am ready to join any Gambian to go to the Supreme Court to challenge this most unconstitutional act. I urge the political parties to stand up and take this matter to court. I call on the Speaker and all NAMs to go to court and refuse to entertain this undemocratic and unconstitutional misconduct by the President.
Let us not fail ourselves once more as we did for 22 years. Since Independence we have failed to create a robust democratic governance environment simply because of our indifference, partisanship and selfishness where we take fundamental issues for granted.
Let us disagree with each other on all issues but when it comes to our very collective sovereignty and the protection of democracy let us see eye to eye and stand together against any attempt by any person or institution that threatens us.
For the Gambia Our Homeland.
Here my opinion is that UDP, as the majority Party in Parlaiment, must shoulder the responsibility and resist Barrow’s move to enforce a nominee on the NA. The seat is already occupied and there is no law allowing him power to remove the incumbent.
For the first time I am vehemently against Madi`s assertions regarding his critics against Pres Barrow on the removal a nominated MP. Please Madi do not make a mountain out of a mould,as it is obvious that nominations were not sent from the skies but from the highest office of the land and that is the President.For the simple reason that there is no clause in the Constitution supporting the President to his removal of Ya Kumba Jaiteh cannot be an excuse for any defense in her favour. The hand that tied the knot can untie the same if it no longer serves the interest it was tied for.If elected MPs could be removed by their respective electorates,why on earth the President who nominates lacks the power to remove such as he did to nominate a parliamentarian? This is simple logic Madi and a cheap win at the courts by the State. Everything is echoing Democracy,and even the trees and their leaves sing democracy,but what type of a Democracy are you people trying to put across that exist nowhere in the world. Please defend what all can proudly support but not a case that may brew instability.
Checks and balances exist in Democracies. If you are following recent developments, the federal reserve chairman in the USA was nominated By the president. Now openly the president want him to go. But he has no authority to fire him. That is the protection embeded to protect the freedom and integrity of the post. The same goes for the NA.
And I want to know what Kind of instability you are alluding to? peace is not about the Absence of conflicts. Peace is only guaranteed when laws and constitutional norms are followed. The president is not above the law. his attempt to remove Hon. Jaiteh must be countered and that now before he transform himself into reincarnated Jammeh.
And what is that ‘interest’ that the knot is not serving for Barrow anymore?
Who do you think is/are the sucking idiots?
Where did he land the arrogance and ignorance to keep his mouth shut after revoking the nomination of an NAM that he nominated. I guess he didn’t mistake the Hon. NAM for his house maid..
Where did he learned ..
Quote: “Therefore, fellow Gambians, let us not just focus on the fact that the very idea of Nominated Members is undemocratic and therefore this issue does not matter. Yes, I agree, and I wish in the new constitution this monarchical colonial practice will be removed. But until then the authority to nominate individuals into our National Assembly by the President is in the Constitution.”
Observation:
1. You don’t defend what you acknowledge to be wrong and “undemocratic.” You fight to end it. We should NOT tolerate the presence of “Nominated Members” into the National Assembly. It undermines the independence of the Institution.
2. Elected Members of the NA represent constituencies whose interest they must look after and to whom they must report back for regular evaluations. The constituents can also recall their NAM before the end of his/her term of office, if they are not satisfied with his/her work. (an ACT is required to lay out the grounds of recall and procedures to be followed by IEC).
3. Given that Elected Members are put into the NA by their constituents, whose interest they must serve, and who can also terminate their employment through the power to recall, isn’t it logical to assume that Nominated Members should serve the interest of the Executive, who should also be able to terminate their services, given that it (Executive) is the appointing authority? Are we suggesting that whereas Elected Members can be removed by their constituents for poor performance, no authority can remove nominated members for poor performance? That would indeed br extraordinary.
4. What about Section 231(1) & (5)?:
“231: 1.Where any power is conferred by this Constitution to make any proclamation, order, regulation, rule or pass any resolution or give any direction or make any declaration or designation, it shall be deemed to include the power, exercisable in like manner and subject to like conditions if any, to amend or revoke the same.”
“5.Without prejudice to the provisions of section 167, but subject to the other provisions of this Constitution, the power to make any appointment to a public officer includes the power to dismiss any person so appointed.”
Where the President is empowered to nominate members to the NA, and in the absence of anhy clear provision for removal for poor performance, shouldn’t it deemed that such powers include the power to terminate such nominations?
That is a subjective view. Narrow interpretation of section 231 & 5, would give the president monarchical powers. Where no clarity is provided in any written law, means that due process must prevail. And a due process entails legislating a law to make such vagueness clear. You don’t go around intimidating office holders with dismissal through executive orders or “medieval” tools like “if I make you , I have the right to break/extinct you”.
And I remind you that barrow was elected to institute decorum and due process towards the institutions of the state. And using force of the president’s office to trash the institutions of the land is not in anybody’s interest.
It is abundantly clear to me that a consensus exists among opponents of UDP that the party deserves this “disciplinary actions” by the president and they should just help barrow destroy the party. After that , as GDC is planning, go after the weakest person- the president.
But I forwarn against rejoicing prematurely.
1. This is not an interpretation. Just an observation whether the President could rely on those powers. (231(1 & 5).
2. I agree, we don’t want the President intimidating officials or exercising powers that are undemocratic and incompatible with democratic rule, even if found in the Constitution, but that is what we have got, thanks to the UDP, as Adama Barrow was their Presidential candidate put forward to contest the flag bearer position by them.
3. President Barrow was also encouraged to abandon the Coalition Agreement by non other than Mr Ousainou Darboe, when he threatened to sue anyone who dared hold Barrow to the Coalition 3 Year Term. It’s the consequence of that unwise pronouncement that we are dealing with today.
4. I have told you before that the party of the nominated member doesn’t matter to me. I would have the same things if the nominated member was from another party or had no party at all. There is no consensus amongst UDP opponents to help Barrow destroy the party. Some of the staunchest supporters of Barrow are UDP members, even if the party tries to disown them.
5. As far as I am concerned, what is undemocratic and underminds the INDEPENDENCE of our National Assembly should neither be defended, nor fought for. And I don’t care how they get booted out of the NA. I just don’t want to see them their and President Barrow is WRONG to exercise the power to nominate. That section should have been amended and the provision thrown out of our constitution.
I have heard Fanding Taal (UDP spokesman) blame Coalition 2016 for the situation we are faced with. According to him, there would not have been an independent President if the smaller parties had recognised the power of the UDP and accepted to rally behind it in a UDP led Coalition. He said this is the universal norm wherever coalitions are formed, i.e., the bigger party leads the smaller ones.
My view on that is this:
Firstly, if we are to apportion blame, then the UDP deserves the greater blame for failing the simple task of selecting a leader who is fit for the job being sought. Barrow is certainly not fit for the job of President and Gambians will be entitled to ask, whether a party that cannot get the simple things RIGHT, can be trusted with the complex things, like reviving a failing economy.
Secondly, if we apply the so called “universal norm” of coalition building, often claimed by UDP supporters, to what we may also call the “universal norm” of political leadership, I wonder if these people will agree that Barrow should lead the UDP, as the universal norm seems to indicate that incumbent heads of states also head their political parties.
So Barrow, being a UDP Member, should naturally be the leader of the UDP, by virtue of his position as head of state. Wonder how many defenders of the universal norm claim in coalition building will agree to that?
Bax, remember that Papa Njie, new PPP leader, was an erstwhile UDP man who felt disillusioned by the Party. So he searched happiness and glory elsewhere. Which is his citizenship rights. The same goes for Gitteh and Faabu Sanneh and any other UDP member who is not willing to accept democratically reached decisions like the the primary outcome for KMC or the congress position distributions.
And barrow had ceased to be a member of the UDP after accepting the flagbearership of the coalition. He himself acknowledged his status as an independent president and there is also no legal role for him UDP as per the latest executive names submitted to the IEC.
But a question for you: why do these people adamantly want to be seen as UDP members even though they don’t accept the direction of the party? Is it not prudent for them to form a new party – albeit note late and maybe in the making- and win the incumbent (with incumbency advantages) to lead their splinter party?
Bax,you have come to the verdict on this case before it even reaches the law courts. Very cheap victory by the State.Let Ya Kumba go ahead as she has already filed an injunction.
What verdict?
Very interesting how you all predict the outcome of the court’s verdict. And for you Baldeh, I sense a feeling that because Hassan Jallow is the chief justice, you are tending to think he will rule in favour of Barrow (to support the so-called the Fula fraternity). If my suspicion is correct, then your implied assumption is a very dangerous route and the implications are far-reaching.
And if your prediction, based on your implicit assumption of ethnic favouritism on the part of the chief justice, were to be vindicated and perceived by the wider Gambian public as ethnic favouritism, then that represent a very dangerous precedent.
We don’t know who will win the next elections and it is my position that put in place strong institutions that are independent of one another and are capable making independent decisions irrespective of ethnic, political considerations. The Chief Justice has now the chance to prove his independence. We are closely watching.
What is there to point to Omar Baldeh’s ethnicity? His name, surname or both? He did not allude to any such thing as far as I can see. What is your suspicion on his ethnicity based on? Should the Chief Justice’s ruling side with Adama, will that mean he is biased based on ethnic considerations? UDP supporters and militants play the same game of political sectionalism just as Yaya did in his days.
Too many question at one go. Am just baffled.
One is bound to wonder why the UDP uses the primary methods to select its mayoral candidates but they have been rejecting the same method for choosing a coalition presidential candidate for close to two decades.
Ousainou says UDP NAMs will be ion parliament to support Adama’s development agenda (whatever that is), still nobody is seeing how they doing that.
I mean the united Democratic Party is just full of contradictions. I can’t figure out their pendulum nature. Swinging always for the next cheap populist opportunity.
Mwalimu,
I am not speculating on Mr. Baldeh’s ethnicity. But reading between the lines and his explicit Assertion that “YOU HAVE COME TO THE VERDICT ON THIS CASE BEFORE IT EVEN REACHES THE LAW COURTS. VERY CHEAP VICTORY BY THE STATE”, gives me no other suspicion than his presumption that the state (here meaning Barrow), will get a pre-determined victory over Hon. Jaiteh’s injunction.
Indeed if that were the case, then his presumption must be either backed by a self-fulfilling prophecy or a concrete pointer to some form of fraternity championing the interest of a recent prop up idea. Lately, politician from GDC (which is entirely a Fula Kafo) and NRP, have become the loyal stalwarts supporting Barrow in his arbitrariness and defend him against onslaught by the so-called tribalist Mandinka opposition.
I am inclined to understand Baldeh’s latest presumptuous assertion as furtherance of a mentality that seem to believe that since the president has Hassan Jallow as CJ, any attempt to challenge him at the courts will be a futile undertaking. Simply because there is an understanding that the Fula community is called upon to protect the president. I would say that is a dangerous precedence setting.
Thank you very much Mwalimu,as I have already confirmed the emotional reactions of some of these UDP militants. No wonder,Kemo is always on tribal lines but I refer him to today`s Standard News paper of the 7th March 2019 on page 7. Bax`s points where enough to predict the outcome of this particular case but Dr. Henry Carol has not only explicitly exhausted the legality of Ya Kumba`s removal as MP but has asked all Madi Jobarteh,Alagi Yero Jallow and Salieu Taal to “eat the humble pie “(admit defeat),and openly apologize to his Excellency President Adama Barrow for wrongly accusing him of violating our cherished and beloved 1997 Constitution.
Tribalism has never been an issue in our political party choices until when the UDP outrageously felt that only a Mandingka should be their flag bearer.
Well UDP has chosen Barrow to be their flagbearer. Who, apparently is being celebrated as Gambia’s first president from the Fula community. I have absolutely nothing against that joy and I infact celebrate it as a testimony that UDP is all-inclusive. And importantly every Gambian is entitled to that seat.
But now tell me, since its inception, has NRP and GDC ever selected a candidate for office outside their close-knit communal fraternity?
Oh common! Just give it up Kemo. You are too good for such cheap propaganda. You know the political culture in The Gambia is one person, usually a man, leads a political party until the grave calls. Why would you want to put an ethnic marker on that simply observable cultural phenomenon? I equally dispute some of the not-so-factual assertions of Omar Baldeh.
Dawda Jawara, Sheriff Dibba, Yaya Jammeh, Ousainou Darboe, Henry Gomez etc, all in one way or the other are ENTITLED to always lead their parties in presidential elections. Why? It’s always because of no threat to their incumbency or they are holding the check books by virtue of “contacts” and or the power that comes with their position.
It’s got very little to do with ethnicity. If at all.
Kinteh (Kemo),
Assumptions and suspicions are just what they are. Assumptions and suspicions! They are not established facts.
Don’t you think you are reading too much into names and surnames and the rainbow of political positions that keep on emerging and fading away as new realities unfold, everyday of the week?
Political parties that do not have ISSUES at the heart of their existence will always have to find a (new) narrative for relevance. The paranoia that “fulas” are bonding together to prop up Adama is gone a bit too far. Suppose that’s the case, what’s is the difference to UDP and Ousainou (alii nga mandinka ya faasaa)?
Those who live in a glass house should not be throwing stones.
Well since you have the right to call out udp and Darboe for allegedly following the mantra “alii nga Mandinka ya faasaa”, then it is equally important to call out the “explicit announcements” by NRP & GDC politicians in all airwaves in the media to prop up Adama just because he is supposedly following an agenda for Fula primacy in Gambian politics and leadership.
I am not naïve. I know that GDC politicians posturing in defence of Barrow is a mere smokescreen clouding the true intention of getting to power themselves. But it is also important to inform and enlighten the general public on the deliberate gimmicks being played.
For UDP, this awareness is very important so that people like Barrow, Gitteh, Faabu Sanneh, Dou Sannoh etc don’t go out there fooling the supporter base.
Hello Gambians and Gambia:
Caveat. The Gambian public and Stakeholders in the Gambia and Outside need to be very aware of the prevailing false narratives of mostly Party Politics and Ethnic Group Politics. Most of the Narratives are wrapped in blankets knitted with plattitudes of “Human Rights” and Self-serving Constitutional arguments or debates, but more accurately should be described as Sololoques for Public consumption. Misinformation and naked attempt to misstate Facts and Truth to benefit the writer’s Party and Ethnic group affliation is the traded Subterfuge of Mirrows and Smokescreens. These “talking-heads” are usually Silent and not interested in those who are Victimized when the victim is of the perceived Opposition or not of the Ethnic group and or Party the writer is affiliated with. There are members of these Party who are of the same Ethnic group as the Predominant ethnic group in the SAID Party who have been in the Former President Jammeh’s Government, who held very high and sensitive positions and yet they have not been arrested nor fired from the current Regime. Examples are CDS Masaneh Kinteh and Former President Jammeh’s chief of Police Yankuba Sonko. Until all Gambians are treated with the same yardstick with reference to their Culpability and role they played in the former Regime, the TRRC’s “R” for Reconciliation will be a mockry and remain a mockry of the whole endeavor of the TRRC. The Gambian Citizens and Stakeholders must demand and insist Equal Treatment and Access to the Levers and or Scales of Justice with “lady justice” not “Peeping” to see who deserves to be judged worthy of Due Process under the Law.
With the above in mind, the current hyperbolic writings and allegations against President Adama Barrow’s removal or firing of a National Assembly Member he Nominated to the National Assembly as being Unconstitutional is nothing but naked Party Politics and Ethnic group Politics at its Worst. It is at its Worst because the same Party Militants are aggressively advocating and naming non Ethinic and non Party members of their Party to be fired from the current government. Such a repugnant, insidious, cynical, hypocritical, narratives should be confronted and fought against by all decent Gambians.
LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS. OF SEPARATION OF POWERS AND CHECKS AND BALANCE:
Clearly, there seems to be a lot of of gaps in the understanding of the Separation of Powers that American Democratic Dispensation built in. It is called Checks and Balances. Yes, American Federal judges are appointed by the President in power. That is, if, when and where a vacancy exists. However, and this is the significant difference between the American reality and our nightmare in Africa and Gambia as an example. American Nominated judges must be Confirmed by the relevant Committee (The Judiciary Committee) or entire Senate as in when a judge is Nominated to the Supreme Court. If a President’s Nominee is not Confirmed by the designated Committee or by the Senate, the judge is not Seated, his Nomination is rejected, it is null and void. The significance of the Confirmation Process is to allow the People’s Representatives not just the President’s Executive Power to be applied without the Checks and Balance Provision of the Separation of Powers activate and working in the interest of the People. Through the Confirmation Process, the American people, the Voters are through their Representatives, having their “Say” on the character, qualification, and in case of a judge, the temperament of the Jurist or judge being Nominated. Did such a Confirmation Process take place in the Nominated NAMS? No such thing took place in the Nomination of the individual. Instead of spending time and energy trying to justify an obvious Repugnant Act that the Ruling Parties use to inflate and or undemocratically create a false majority in Parliament or in Gambia’s case, the National Assembly, this act that Adama Barrow has the authority and potentially the power to exercise should be exponged, removed from the Gambian Constitution and all relevant Provisions. Unfortunately, until that is done, Presidents in Gambia and elsewhere where such Repugnant Provisions are embedded in their Constitution would be granted the power to Nominate without Legislative Oversight or Confirmation Process and thus, the open door for Presidents to fire or remove the individual they Nominated. Adama Barrow has not violated any existing Provision in the Gambian Constitution of 1997. Where there is no explicit Constitutional provision prohibiting the President from firing or removing an individual from a position he or she is Nominated to by the President, no reasonable and informed Court should allow itself to be dragged into a “Broad” and Unmitigated interpretation of the Gambian Constitution. Where there is no Provision as in the case at hand, the norm is a “Narrow” interpretation of the Constitution and leave it to the “Law Making Body” in Gambias case the National Assembly to come up with Legislation that would then be submitted to the Public for Ratification and Adoption into the Constitution. Let the NAMS perform their Due Diligence of Oversight and Law Making Responsibilities. However, the Gambian Citizens and Voters must demand that the Three Branches, the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislative Branches deliver their assigned, designated and proscribed duties and responsibilities the Voters, the Gambians and Gambia Deserve. Not a manufactured Party Politics and Ethnic group Politics such as the one at hand. Gambia is more than the Sum Total of One Tribe, One Region, or Party.
Sidi , you are repeating yourself. No substance in the latest write up. Clear is that barrow has assumed the Jammeh the terrible rule book. We will stand up to it. Call it whatever you want. From day one of barrow govt , I have always called out against arbitrariness. Some of you are blinded by party consideration and have decided , in your eyes, to choose the least of the 2 “devils” a la GDC Dr. Sabally and Kandeh.
But In so doing be mindful of setting precedence and the likelihoods of change of govt and leaders. If Barrow is supported now to act as he likes just as Jammeh was encouraged to threaten Gambian people of a particular ethnicity with “extinction”, how would it be easy to restrain future govts policies and actions against other sections of the country? That was my particular worry during Jammeh years!
And today it is my not my wish outcome that many people consider people of Jammeh’s ethnicity as complicit in Jammeh’s horrors or at least they did not publicly and emphatically joined forces to cut short Jammeh.
And today, it seems to me we are on a similar pathway!
So far the admitted killers during President Jammeh’s administration have been identified more as those of the UDP’s Ethinic group more than any other Ethinic group. Examples are Kangi, Touray, Sabally and others. FYI: I have never been and still not a member of any Gambian Political Party. I am not tethered to any Ethinic or Political Interest, just a simple Gambian Citizen who grew up in a community where Gambians are Gambians not Aku, Fula, Jolla, Mandingka, Manjago, Serahule, Serereh or Wolof. However, following the Coup of 1994 by the mostly Mandingka Soldiers and Yaya Jammeh, and Jammeh being elected the leader of the Junta, tribalist ugly head pupped up among those who saw themselves as the entitled tribe to rule Gambians and not as they said in Mandingka during those days and probably now too, “Hanni Jola” Mansaya, Hanni”. Currently the same narratives are thrown out and about Adama Barrow but in more subtle and indirect manner. This time, it is camouflaged as “legitimacy” and lack of “gratitude” supposedly because Adama Barrow owes his Presidency to the UDP. Never mind that Adama Barrow owes his Presidency to the United Coalition of Seven Partys plus the UDP Party assisted by Mama Kandeh’s Party that broke away from the APRC of Jammeh’s ruling Party which guaranteed a United Coalition Parties Win of the 2016 Presidential Elections. However, immediately following the election, UDP’S Ousainou Darbo went on a singing and dancing celebration in Mandingka language saying, “Ousainou Darbo Ye Bangko Taa” meaning Ousainou Darbo has taken the Nation. That was the first salvo fired at the United Coalition Parties that came together to defeat President Yaya Jammeh at the 2016 Presidential Elections. The Coalition Parties succeeded in uniting to successfully challenge Jammeh’s APRC Party, because Ousainou Darbo was in jail at that time. If Ousainou Darbo was free and directly involved in the negotiations with the other Seven Partys of the Coalition Parties, the “Spoiler” would have managed to be as unreadable and inflexible as he has always been and the results would be the same as always, failure for the Coalition Parties to Unite as one, thus guaranteeing former President Yaya Jammeh winning the 2016 Presidential Elections. The UPD under Ousainou Darbo then turned their attention to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), that Legitimized the United Coalition Parties as a United Coalition Party. Ousainou Darbo and UDP Party assaulted the MOU’s legitimacy from any and all angles, at any Press Conference, Meetings, and or Avenue available to them as a means to destroy the United Coalition Party and thus, have a One Party Politics and Ethnic group Politics of “Winner Take All”. Former opposition Party members of the APRC were attacked by UDP Militants and Surrogates with Impunity. Interior Minister Mai Fatty let the Police loose on mostly the Jollas and mostly in the predominantly Jolla regions of Foni especially, those of the former President Jammeh’s Kanillai area but not limited to that area only. Women and children arrested and thrown in jail under the Order of Mai Fatty for merely expressing themselves and their Political affiliation and views. Unarmed protesters and or demonstrators were Opened fired on by ECOMOG FORCES in Kanillai killing one and several of them wounded. Yet, it was the victims who were arrested and thrown in jail by the Mai Fatty version of Law and Order. Remember the Busumballa-Farato Incident? Let me remind you. This was the incident where UDP PARTY MEMBERS went on a rampage burning and destroying Public and Private Property with Impunity. APRC PARTY MEMBERS on their way to or from a Rally were attacked by UDP PARTY MILITANTS AND SUPPORTERS in Brikama area. Again, with Impunity. When Mai Fatty was removed from his position as Minister of the Interior, the same vitriolic narratives were thrown out and about by the same UDP PARTY MILITANTS AND SUPPORTERS claiming the end of Democracy and Freedom in the “New Gambia”. Meanwhile, the assaults, arrests and detention of Jollas and a few others on frivolous and drummed up charges continued unabated while Culprits like CDS Masaneh Kinteh and Former President Jammeh’s Police Chief Yankuba Sonko were either left unmolested and or awarded high level positions in the “New Gambia”. I am of the opinion that most Gambians would agree nor consent to the Proposition that the Coalition Parties, the MOU and the “New Gambia” is for Party and Ethnic Group Politics like the one being practiced by UDP Militants and Surrogates. We as Gambians Deserve Better than what we currently have under Ousainou Darbo and the UDP Party Government camouflaged as a Coalition Party Government. Gambia is more than the Sum Total of One Tribe One Region and Party. If I offended anyone, it is not my intention, but only telling it as it is. If we don’t learn from the past, we are likely, infact destined to repeat our mistakes.
“I am not tethered to any Ethinic or Political Interest, just a simple Gambian Citizen who grew up in a community where Gambians are Gambians not Aku, Fula, Jolla, Mandingka, Manjago, Serahule, Serereh or Wolof”.
THAT GOES FOR ALL OF US INCLUDING MYSELF.
” However, following the Coup of 1994 by the mostly Mandingka Soldiers and Yaya Jammeh, and Jammeh being elected the leader of the Junta, tribalist ugly head pupped up among those who saw themselves as the entitled tribe to rule Gambians and not as they said in Mandingka during those days and probably now too, “Hanni Jola” Mansaya, Hanni”.
FIRST, Jammeh was not “elected”. According to accounts emerging, he and Sana Sabally at gun Point imposed themselves on the Group of soldiers. So that farfetched claim that Jammeh was elected as chairman is erroneous.
SECONDLY, was “Hanni Jola” Mansaya, Hanni” a justification to get rid of these “mandingka tribalist soldiers” By killing them coldblood on 11. November and tanning it as deads during combat?
Some of your wordings betray your contempt for a section of our Society and I am afraid to note that is Jammeh legacy.
Hello Gambians, be aware! We are still travelling through a creepy valley. There, hovers the eagles by day and lurks demons by night!
What about the peeping balaclava-clad killer-squads, and the peeping out-laws from nowhere, who got all the guts to be telling people in the public transports and market places, “watch what you are saying or end up fed upon by vultures”? I never thought earlier, Gambia could get that terrible. But, it did anyway. So, getting over that trauma takes citizens of integrity, those with clear ideas and a good amount of pragmatism but not those power hungry, self obsessed and heartless opportunists, who careless step on heads as long as they get on going for their selfish wants at the expense of Gambians.
Gambia’s democracy and rule of law must be restored and refined to excellence, after a coup of a gang of thugs we thought were soldiers, which saw the country go through a 22 year long nightmare for Gambian citizens and residents. When they took the country hostage, first they arrested ministers, senior civil servants and probably some private citizens too. They also tortured, humiliated and even incarcerated some. Then, they set up a commission of inquiries where equally, many faced the worst embarrassments as sure. That was the Algali commission, where I guess justice has not peeped but prevailed, to at least the joy of a considerable some across sections of our societies. People have been investigated and prosecuted, properties seized and sent to prison. Years later on, many such properties became occupied by people who obviously didn’t buy them, occupants who were strange even to residents of those neighborhoods. The crimes that were committed by the terrible horrible junta and cohorts yet were not the worst, as they would kickoff soon, with shedding blood and dipping the hands of naive and dumb people in it also, along their way of murder, torture, looting and nepotism.
Therefore TRRC today, I think, is suppose to frame well around the atrocities committed by Jammeh and his band of vagabonds from 1994 – 2017.
Mr. Barrow who apparently is in a cloning process must have to be democratically and constitutionally aborted as soon as possible.
Where the problem lies for the Gambia now in my view is, having those democratic and constitutional like minds, with the required integrities, education and exposure in their walks of life, converge to the course restoring a serious democracy and the rule of law in the Gambia. In my view, now is the occasion that Gambians should rise up to, to teach future generations the formidability of public duty and office and the inviolability of the life and health of Gambian citizens and residents.
People like @Sidi who are doing everything day in and out trying to forge out a self serving narrative of the 22 year long nightmare of Gambians, are people more hazardous than cyanide filled canisters being exploded around the communities and neighborhoods. Sidi, you are stupid in the way you tried to twist the narratives around in a very clumsily way, saying the tribe that makes up UDP were the murderers of the beastly regime. What is then the tribe that make up the UDP or any other political parties in the Gambia for that matter? Oh, in fact didn’t you realise that you were implying that Yaya and his cohorts, knew exactly what they were doing when they put Alagi Kanyi on the military payroll to be in the lead in murders of Gambians. That is indeed the truth and there was no way you could have twisted that fact around with your kind of silly writings. Look!, we don’t care what tribe perpetrators belong to as far as the pay for the crimes they committed at Jammeh’s nod, appreciation and approval. Be greedy, low self esteemed and shameless in your maneuvers but be rest assured you won’t be able to derail the course of justice that seems to be delayed. This truth and reparation process is an occasions to rise to in setting the future straight for our generations to come. Part of this truth and reparations process is to have masterminders, field murderers and their mouthpieces pay very very dearly for the crimes they committed. Do you think promising Jammeh – ‘everything will be alright’, will save you foul beings from the grill? Idiot!
I hope the higher learners and future generations of the country have s much better and meaningful education than you and the likes of Seedy Njie Momodou Sabally ( Dr. Sh**), just to mention a few. You know why people like yourself are still getting your prats sticking around in the public space..? Because you are half educated, unskilled, opportunistic and too lazy to do some farming. You guys would have really got yourselves the good if you bow out and go farming. Then you could have been waiting for a possible appearance at the commission like nobles. But then, how can figures who symbolize the ills of our society have such an honorable point of gesture?
Simmer down before you burn yourself. Maybe insults are all you have to offer. Too bad. Try some civility. You may like it. May be not..
In fact how did you get to determining the ethnic belongings of Gambians if you are not a dumb sleepy sloth?
Stupid!
Simmer down before you burn yourself with the vitriolic insults. May be that is all your can offer…
It has to Simmer because it already been long boiling! I’m right indeed when I said you’re a lazy sloth because, you were capable of reading only insults in my writings. You said the word ‘insult’ and perhaps your definitions of that word too are self-serving. Just keep posting trash like such and think you are not insulting the intelligence of Gambians. You like to be having that store of insult and fire to burn but evidently that is not going be again. A good number of Gambians I think, prefer more decent types than your lot in the nations affairs.
Burn Burn Burn …. Isn’t it the kind of clique in which you dwelled and reigned? I’m imagining right now, what a mistake it would to be to the Gambia and the world, to make you president and defence minister of a country with extra-high quality-firepower. Please don’t burn me because we both are about Gambia.
Bourne,control your temper as Sidi narrates facts and only facts in all his postings.Your attacks against Sidi are vague and lack justifications.What happened in the twenty-two years rule of ex-President Jammeh could be worse if the trend of anger harbored by your kind are supported by the rule of an ethnicity political party. The truth is that,Gambians are vigilant and a majority of them can passive how each of the registered political parties dispense governance to The Gambians. This is why it shall be suicidal for The Gambia to let Adama Barrow step down at this premature hour.
@Omar, you missed to properly read what @Sidi wrote.
Be aware; it takes a rising ‘temper.ature’ to get ‘burn’. And by the way, both you and Sidi seem to have missed the era of bad temperament and tribalism at their best. Please kindly fight shy of associating me with party politics or the unconsciousness of tribalism, where the art of hypocrisy could be mastered. Even if I may vote for a particular party that happens to win the presidential election, doesn’t mean I have to suck everything that that government does or say because I have not actually fell in love with a particular party, but in reality with what is being done with pubic resources by a given government in power. Can’t you see in real functioning democracies that, the larger part of the electorate are not partisan?
To me, your comment above is pointless and baseless but do I really care .. It is evident you’ve missed all the aggression in Sidi’s comment and that is no surprise because that is what you and Sidi militancy would call – militancy!!! As a private citizen, I felt it a duty, and of course a privileges to be here with the intention to draw citizens’ attention to what changes have taken place in their general welfare during a certain party’s term/s in office. Do people in the Gambia need to care a stinking bit about ethnicity?
Should the mainstream man and woman be so tied to parties making militants and partisans?
The electorate becoming all militants and partisans is the horrible guide to entrenching leaders in power. Arrogance, making a good part of the Gambian Psyche, one rather be burned than say sorry: ‘I lied or sorry as was shortsighted. I would very much appreciate it if you succeed to convince yourself that – you got it all wrong about me. I refuse to be that superficial kind of citizen who can be yoked to political militancy and the ethnical hellscape of the Gambia.
@ Omar Baldeh, this line argument implicitly caricaturing the Mandinkas as “angry” and with all power be prevented from holding executive power, is a Jammeh indoctrination and it started “hidden” prior to the coup in 1994 and came prominently to the surface when jammeh felt save enough to openly show/utter his contempt.
The fringes, political and military, seem to believe in that doctrine. It seems you’re entirely engulfed in it. As I have commented many times, majorities everywhere by default or wilfulness, loom large and can be seen as a threat. In Gambia’s case, I don’t think that is a problem because no particular ethnic group make up 50 % of the population.
Therefore, it is against sustainability of peace ad progress if you encourage the illusion “THIS IS WHY IT SHALL BE SUICIDAL FOR THE GAMBIA TO LET ADAMA BARROW STEP DOWN AT THIS PREMATURE HOUR”.
Then my question: when would be right for Barrow to leave the presidency and which circumstances? I don’t want to speculate on your motives!
Indeed, what would be absolutely “suicidal” would be to let buffoons at the helm have their way with riding on the publicity that comes with incumbency, free media coverage and further assume that they can willingly insult our collective intelligence by attempting to cling onto power!
A grassroots movement supported by D25 donations and a local and Diaspora resolve will go a long way in bringing out the VOTE come this 2020!
My advice to all sincere and progressive Gambians is to believe that they can be agents of change by speaking out loudly against mediocrity and COMING OUT TO VOTE the idiots out!!
Y’all can keep adding the NYAMBASSOLU to your talking points until you get the rude awakening!
What’s PREMATURE about a clueless buffoon stepping down to make way for better stock??
Another insult to our intelligence?
Bourne’s got a point in “go farm for a living”!
I just wish people will banish tribe and ethnicity from our political discussions, because there is simply no place for it. Jammeh was wrong to vilify a whole tribe for the threats he perceived on his power by members of a certain “tribe”, and anyone who associates Jammeh’s “tribe” with his madness is also wrong to do so.
What is equally wrong and potentially dangerous, is this subtle appeal to tribal loyalties by people who pretend to fight the menace, but wish to benefit from it by constantly keeping it in the public discourse. This is a game that is all too obvious. The purpose is to gain sympathies and loyalties of tribesmen by feigning victimhood, which can be a very powerful tool of control.
And in politics, that can translate into votes and the unthinking defence of “self”, as people identify themselves to be one with the politician(s) from same ethnic group. This is a dangerous and slippery road to take and we must expose it wherever we encounter it.
I absolutely agree with Bax’s assessmemt that,
“What is equally wrong and potentially dangerous, is this subtle appeal to tribal loyalties by people who pretend to fight the menace, but wish to benefit from it by constantly keeping it in the public discourse. This is a game that is all too obvious. The purpose is to gain sympathies and loyalties of tribesmen by feigning victimhood, which can be a very powerful tool of control”.
Bax, the flip side of the issue is that I see ALL sycophants, leeches, freeloaders and ANYONE that subscribes to ethnic strife as being in the game explicitly for their own benefit and nothing else.
Their aims have never been for the benefit of the nation but in the bare attempt to conceal their true intentions, they will engage in fake wholesale prayer, bandy long Tasbiyas around on top of endless and worthless social media stints.
Invariably, when they land, Chupengo/Chupelu, Andy and his savvy group of observers find them exactly where they expected them to land. I will break it down in Serankhulu or Poularr for Bax the next time around.
There’s a Wollof Ndongo adage that goes, Halleli Mboyo, Haarr Ko Cha Taatu Ndaa Li. How apt for our circumstances Kemo?
Don’t worry about this one Bourne as Nying Kumo Kebaa Yaa Ta Baakeh Leh Deh! Smile.
“Halleli Mboyo, Haarr Ko Cha Taatu Ndaa Li, Halleli Mboyo ….
Nying Kumo Kebaa Yaa Ta Baakeh Leh Deh, Nying Kumo keba …”
Andrew Pjalo, help the Dindingolu/ Halleiyi/ Sokkaabe know. They must not be left in their snore. My good old Caribbean friend would say: “dem time yah too serious man”
Been a while I didn’t hear from you neither @Samba. By the way, good to be here at a very crucial point in time.
Bourne, you can count on me lurking in the shadows.
Shoukaabebeng? So you’re an all rounder too?
Good to be a Kang Moye Laa so Wisainou, Haadama, Mwalimu and Kemo cannot Korma Kuma you. Not even the Sidi Bojang Domorr Laa Baa (Bojang Kunda Nkolu). Smile as we’ve become one online family.
Wonna Nong Mwalimu?
Daff Maa Tongor Tang Yii. Big smile!
Darn right @Andrew! +’beng’ makes the plural.
Ko dung tiggi, Andy.
Meneng foff ko gooto.
Difference in opinions but still I believe one big Kambiya/Afrikkan family.
@Andrew and @Bax, you can all throw jabs at me and serve me off as a “diehard tribalist” posturing for my selfish interest. In political discourse, as well as in social discourse, we should be able to talk about our differences and consequences of actions and utterances by political and religious actors on the psyche and perception of the people and how the people react to seemingly dangers to what they might perceive as their “own existence” cultural & language wise.
An open discussion about how we feel ethnically and how we perceive our fellow citizens is a crucial way forward. As I already noted here on Jollof, 1981 coup d’etat, the July 22 1994 takeover and the 11. November massacre had one enduring similarities.
In my assessment, the 1st was an attempt to regain control over the gov’t from the “Jawara-Banjul” conspiracy. The 2nd successful takeover was again a case against Jawara and the “entitled” mafia siphoning the country’s wealth on the back of the provincial poor. The 3rd, was a manifestation of a cooperation across ethnic gone terribly wrong. We heard from Babu Soli that 11. Nov massacre had to happen because Mandinka “soldiers” could not accept a Jola president. And honestly, the kukoi experience, the July 22nd take and the 11. November counter coup has left its devastating effects on the psychology of cooperation across ethnic-sections in our country.
Dismissing this reality is like dismissing racism in Brazil. I prefer an open discussion, admittedly difficult it is, to process the wounds and silence. We have reinstate trust on this front and it will not be rehearsed if we go about talking at cross-purposes.
Omar Baldeh’s supposedly fear that Barrow should not leave is testimony of my above observation. In 1991, the same fear was uttered when Jawara supposedly wanted to leave office. It was also the same fear why former NAM Abdoulie Saine pleaded in the NA to make Gambia a Kingdom and make Jammeh the King. His argument was that when we have a King, then the position of prime minister can rotate among the many tribes and regions at “Jammeh’s wise discretion”.
Kinteh(Kemo), I honestly was not thinking about you when I made that comment, though it came after your reaction to a contributor, but your comment above has changed that completely. I cannot believe what I have just read from you. May I ask you Kinteh(Kemo), which group(s) in our country “perceive their own existence, cultural and language wise, to be in danger?”
And how do you (and those who share your views) propose that these groups address the perceived threats to their “cultural and language” existence?
We should be open in our discussions about any issues that affect us as a people, and God knows there are tons of such issues, but what must NEVER, EVER do, is to premise our discussions on how we ethnically feel and perceive our fellow citizens. That cannot be the way forward for a country in the 21st century, but rather, it is a journey backwards into the medieval, “jahiliya” ages of ignorance and barbarity.
Our discussions should, instead, ALWAYS be premised on how we feel and perceive each other as Gambians and citizens of the Republic of The Gambia.
Ethnicity and its manifestations should not occupy our public spaces, except when they strengthen, not fragment, our bonds as sons and daughters of our Motherland. That is the way forward.
In political discourse, as well as in social discourse, we should be able to talk about our differences and consequences of actions and utterances by political and religious actors on the psyche and perception of the people and how the people react to seemingly dangers to what they might perceive as their “own existence” cultural & language wise.
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MUMBO JUMBO pure and simple.
Is it a surprise that you are shedding, slowly but surely, your mask and revealing the true colors of your ethnocentric political ideology? No! Basically, your utterances are a typical UDP pitch to the electorate. You and your party by extension, stoke fear to win votes and continue riding on the back of the poor, feeding them with colorful illusions. Yaya has brutalized all ethnic groups with words and deeds. He is a psychopath for God’s sake. What I am trying to tell you is this: there is neither factual no empirical evidence to support the Mandinka-Fula-Jola-blablabla you and your party are peddling around.
UDP is a party that has mastered the art of opportunistically exploiting ethnic and religious diversity to drive home its sectional politics. That’s shameful and below standard.
For this issue, I challenge you to a public debate on the fallacy of the narrative you are spreading around. Choose your place, your time and your platform. Mwalimu will answer to your call. Or should I do the choosing?
Do the choosing -albeit I do not know how you want to excecute that due to our geogrhapical distances. But genuinely I would be happy to face you about the above. I am sincerely interested in the social trust (social capital) and to me a frank discussion and opening about our fears and worries about one another is indispensable to creating the political culture we aspire.
I believe technology should be able to take care of any distance.
I will pick up from here by finding a serious platform (media outlet) and a moderator who is capable and willing to organize the logistics for the encounter. Will communicate this to you, hopefully in the next few days.
You will get an email address here, you sent a message to the said email and then we are good to go.
In the mean time, what’s this fear and worries you are talking about, exactly?
Trust me, am not lampooning on you, I only suspect you have been fed a lot of false assumptions and you swallowed these to a point of choking on paranoia.
@Mwalimu, as an economic degree holder, I have read extensively on social capital (the cost of transaction within an economic zone) see Francis Fukuyama’s Book TRUST. The central pillar is that any economic zone, if it should be viable, must reduce the cost of transaction in the economy as low as possible so that it is not a “factor of Production”. Basically that means that we can transact in goods and services quickly with a hand-shake or a simple contract enough to facilitate the transaction. And that no other consideration (prejudice or distrust as results of perceived wrongs) impinge negatively on the outcome of this transaction. That also goes to the public sector and the management of collective resources.
Now such jargons must also be applicable to practical situations if they are to be relevant. I mingle unhindered within all social circles of Gambia. Across ethnics, across well-off and non-haves, among western educated and traditionally educated and among gender. My observation is that we must really face the problem of perceived wrongs adequately. Fears of domination and resentment are prevalent. Is it ignorance or political manufacturing?
Fact is Jammeh (as president representing the country as a whole) has cultivated the resentments to a very dangerous level. And with the change of leadership, new fears of a Mandinka resurgency is omnipresence in Gambian community discourse.
In my local Gambia association, this situation has encouraged us to vote for non-Mandinkas to be our president for a second time in row. Because some of us felt that having a member with obvious Mandinka profile president in this crucial times could shift the perceived balance of influence and alienate members from other ethno-linguistic groups. Of course our president is not an accidental one and deserved the role based on merits. Nevertheless we are lucky that our voting members saw and voted this way. Despite the whatsapp and facebook thunders, we are able to keep our forum very all-Gambian oriented.
Fazit: we should not dismiss the problem. We should face the problem and check ways to handle it and in so doing be creative.
PS. this is not my political personae writing. This is my Personae as an individual citizen.
Ok Kemo (Kinteh),
One could see and hear that you really care about your people and your country. That’s truly commendable, gachii ngaalaama. Hats off!
I have just gone over a summary of the book you recommended. Am bound to ask myself about the applicability of its theoretical premise in the Gambian and Afrikkan context. And more specifically, it’s relatability in the discourse of ethnicity vis-a-vis Gambian politics.
Nevertheless, as you readily welcome going public with this topic, so shall it be.
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The danger in over topicalizing ethnic issues as identity markers based entirely on languages and cultural practices is to overshadow the national project, which is crucial for Gambia in this particular epoch. Having an informed dialogue is not the problem in my view. But most people ignorantly go on to fuel unnecessary tensions that has the potential to erode peace and our communal cohesion. That’s the kind of politics I observe within the United Democratic Party. And that should not be allowed to pass easily.
UDP is not fueling tensions. I think the fundamental differences we have is that I blame Jammeh. If you have a president whose sole preoccupation is to remain ruler for ever, then inevitably he sees enemies everywhere. And since it’s inception, Jammeh left no occassion without Branding UDP as tribalist, ethnocentrics etc,. For 22 years that left it’s mark.
Yes, Jammeh tried to portray the UDP as a Mandinka Tribal Party, but UDP not did not help itself and isn’t as innocent as you want to make us believe here. UDP had openly appealed to tribal support in its politics, especially in the early days.
And it was not just Jammeh that was saying this. Independent, international observers of Gambian politics have also noticed and commented on this UDP appeal to tribe for support. It’s always been there.
Yaya Jammeh is no more. The coalition front that won the 2016 presidential election had a unifying slogan: One Gambia, One Nation, One People. You could feel the spirit of unity and fraternity amongst Gambians of all shades of backgrounds before Fatoumatta Tambajang was carried by emotions to utter words that lead to Yaya reneging on his words to peacefully handover power through an orderly transition process.
One after the other, we witnessed people like Ousainou actively going out to sabotage the very effort that saved him and many other political prisoners from eminent death.
If the United Democratic Party would be a responsive body, it would come out with a strong message to distance itself in both words and deeds from the accusations levied against it that it has an ethnocentric political ideology to bank on for votes. It has never done this because that will spell its ultimate demise.
When Ousainou was in jail, there were signs that the UDP was about to transform itself into an issue-based political entity. Its core was speaking with one voice and there was no squabbling in the public.
Today, Adama is at log aheads with his “political Godfather” because of power struggles. A power struggle that has potential spillover effects for the peace and stability of the country. Will that be of Jammeh’s doing?
Mark you, Kinteh(Kemo) doesn’t think there is a struggle within for power.
Indeed Mwalimu, Yaya Jammeh is no more! So why can’t we move ahead and look towards the next steps, a road map as it were and what we could collectively do to usher in a prosperous society?
Your good self and Bax have done adequate justice to this discourse. So I needn’t add more.
However, the issue that I’ve had with Kemo’s positions over time is that he generally doesn’t draw upon the proper and applicable perspectives in this new dispensation. As a result, flip flopping becomes commonplace.
The word, perspectives, keeps coming up in my commentary on account of the fact that no amount of academic credentials match the importance of proper and applicable perspectives in the quest to find The Gambia’s rightful place in a new world of emerging economies.
The subject of an economic degree doesn’t hold much substance in this argument. One may hold a tertiary degree but may neither be well read or bring perspectives of value to leadership that needs all the help.
Ever heard the Krio adage, E Go School But E No Learn Book?
And I’m not pointing a finger here but would certainly advise Kemo to tamp down the full throated support for a UDP that’s anything but. A stance that invariably leads to shooting oneself in the foot or, in kind humor, a foot in the mouth.
Gentlemen, I have tried to separate my individual citizenry personae from the political personae in order to redirect the discussion to our social cohesion. Apparently futile. So I will reset back to the political personae on this Topic. (Maybe when I meet @Mwalimu one on one we can talk about TRUST – why it is a crucial element in nation state and why Africa is still grappling with exploit due to misunderstandings within our midst a result arbitrary border drawings by colonial powers and the failure by successive African countries (except perhaps Senegal) to research and study pre-colonial realities of our sub-region. For example in many Gambian communities a big myth exist about the BATTLE OF KANSALA or the impact of Foday Dumbuya in the Kombos that could be laid to rest through research and enlightenment).
Andrew, Jammeh’s past is a very recent past. Why are we having TRRC in the first place? Do you support the Establishment of TRRC? If you yes, could you elaborate on the rationale FOR ESTABLISHING A COMMISSION TO UNEARTH 22 YEARS of a nations recent past?
…..misunderstandings within our midst a result [of] arbitrary border drawings by colonial powers and the failure by successive African countries (except perhaps Senegal) to research and study pre-colonial realities of our sub-region.
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How has Senegal researched and studied the precolonial realities of the sub-region? And what is the myth about the battle of Kansala?
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Kemo(Kinteh), I personally like your demeanor that comes out through your writings. You are a dogged debater who holds his ground with dignity and respect. By the same token, again my personal subjective observation, you muddy the water too much for anyone to wade along with you. For example, when you say Jammeh’s past is a very recent past. That’s very true. And no one is arguing against dealing with Jammeh’s past. It cannot however continue to be the epicenter of the present national discourse. Yaya himself is not anymore at the helm of our national affairs. That means this PAST is now confined to history to be learned from, studied and understood. It should however NOT dictate the present. This is the crux of the matter.
NB: I have started exploring ways and means of organizing our debate. Will keep you in the loop.
Kemo,as this hot debate calms down,we are simply reminded that our collective wish is to live in a peaceful,Democratic and prosperous Gambia.I count none among the contributors in this marathon debate as an opportunist or political sycophant,but as comrades concerned about the bright future of The Gambia.As Bax and Mwamilu commented,I wish to buttress their points to the reason why many who fear that UDP,for a long time classified as a tribal Party may take advantage to retaliate against their long time rivals and opponents of the APRC if they maintain Ousainou as flag bearer.Otherwise every bona fide Gambian has the right to be President. I don`t think any Gambian would like the various Commissions instituted in the present Republic to be repeated by any other that succeeds.May ALLAH guide and protect us all from all evils.
Mwalimu, I would urge you to put off the debate (combat as in Senegal) for now as I am not sure that the debate will yield much value other than heartache. Not sure that it’d yield any converts either.
Instead, I would urge the well spoken Kemo to take the stage at UDP rallies for the object of selling UDP’s road map to the Gambian public. Why don’t we hear from the likes of Kemo at UDP rallies?
In my view, UDP may just self destruct as a large segment of the membership and professed die-hard supporters are in the game for only one thing, NAFAA period!!
Unfortunately, Barrow and his cabal are now sitting atop of what’s perceived as the National Cake and working fervently to edge out the UDP. And they may very well succeed at that before the ship of state runs aground.
So it follows that the UDP gets increasingly agitated at being edged out of the FUURAYRAY/NJIIRO that’s going on at the state house by the Haadama “BULUNDAA”.
The debacle that the UDP finds itself is that the party has not been able to muster any resources to speak of since it’s inception. Here’s the self inflicted wound that Barrow and his cheap shots have found and will keep pounding on. Meanwhile, the CHONG CHONGO as Bajaw would say takes center stage at the UDP in clear manifestation of weak leadership.
Revamp the party structure I would say to add to your credibility or show “meaningful attempts to defend and uphold democratic governance”. Take a cue from PDOIS!
What’s so difficult about a change in leadership structure if it brings dividends to the party??
you don’t want to answer my question about TRRC.
@Mwalimu,
First, said perhaps Senegal is advanced in terms of reseach and enlightened interms of processing pre-colonial and colonial ramifications than other countries in the sub region. My observation is based on the political and societal consensus evident in the country and continued to be maintained and that no violent takeover of the country took place while all around it, countries experienced this fate. Albeit someone pointed out that this characterisation only applies to Northern Senegal and Southern Senegal is an “occupation”.
No matter the viewpoint, I think Senegal was endowed with more knowledgeable and far sighted people in the likes of Senghore and Cheikh Anta Diop etc at independence than the Gambia.
Another stabilizing factor is that there exist in Senegal – at least in the northern part- a cultural consensus between the different ethno-cultural groups that dominate this area. This advantage remain out of reach for both Guineas ( no consensus between the different ethnolinguistic groups) and a situation actually facing Gambia since Jammeh’s ascend to power (confronted with an uncooperative ethnic group) or as some might allude to since Jawara’s ascend to power ( pushing aside PS Njie thanks to provincial votes).
On the above I would like to Know your (and all contributors) perspective.
@Omar,
indeed we all want peace. But peace is not the absence of arm conflict. My worry is that we are increasingly becoming a Guinea Conakry type country – practically living next to one another but not with another.
And I fundamentally disagree that UDP is the root cause of this problem. UDP supported the first female Mayor of the capital city. It has put- up the youngest Mayor to manage the populous urban centre of the country. The party has all the hallmarks of a democratic dispensation. And I have never heard of the Party leader uttering derogatory language against political opponents.
So while I can understand the apprehension and reluctance betrayed in your statement “reason why many who fear that UDP, for a long time classified as a tribal Party may take advantage to retaliate against their longtime rivals and opponents of the APRC if they maintain Ousainou as flag bearer”, I don’t think this apprehension and fear is a reason to undermine the democratic trajectory of the country. Just for your info the official line of UDP is that Barrow complete the constitutional stipulated 5 years.
It is your citizenship right to voice your rejection of Darboe and by extension UDP. We should let the voters (including you and me) decide the final say on who they want as president. Is that not fair enough?
@Omar Baldeh,
or you don’t trust the good judgement of the voting populace? if so please Elaborate on that. I would be very glad to have some insights.
The water just got muddier for me.
Kemo (Kinteh), you said perhaps and that’s the deciding term for me. I will say Senegal just like all post colonial Afrikkan states has done nothing different to all the rest of these economically unviable countries. Just because it has produce intellectuals like Sedat Senghore and Cheikh Anta does not mean it has digested or dealt with its pre-slavery/slavery/precolonial/colonial realities. If we have to take Senegal under the microscope, it will become abundantly clear that its historical realities are not separable from those of The Gambia, entirely.
Gambia also has produced many enlightened personalities who we seem to convieniently forget. And not all of them are dead. Lenry Peters, Bijou Peters, Halifa Sallah, Professor Sulayman Nyang (the man who studied Ali Mazrui in and out), etc. They have written books and essays, developed critical theories, lived among their compatriots humbly.
In both countries, awareness and consciousness are slow phenomena just like in all Afrikkan countries. This is because of competing socio-political realities such as capitalism, established religions, neocolonial violence, you name it.
Senegal has a much more developed physical infrastructure than Gambia, but so does Nigeria than Senegal. Anecdotal evidence points to other factors than political and cultural enlightenment.
@Andy: if anything, we will be able to learn from the debate what works and what does not work. So I think it’s worth a try.
True Mwalimu. We can always learn a thing or two. Good or bad.
You seem to pessimistic about the outcome. Grins
Why?
Experience is the best point of reference. An optimist at that.
However, I believe that I’m mostly a pragmatist and a good judge of character. Smile.
Kemo,every leadership comes with it`s ideologies and doctrines so is Ousainou Darboe`s leadership of the UDP.Ousainou is no doubt a hero and has made good history in The Gambian archives,but remember he was the biggest opposition party head during the 22 year rule of Yahya and had struggled a lot to unseat him(Yahya).Ousainou and many of his militants suffered and some even died in the hands of vicious service surrogates of the former regime.A lot of evil has befallen many UDP supporters during the long years confrontations against dictatorship.Then Kemo this is enough reason to conclude that an offended lion shall ambush his perpetrator one day or an other.While we are at a healing period and trying to forge ahead for reconciliation between the offended and offenders,it is prudent that we restrain the offended until the dust of war clears. We suggest that UDP come up with a successor who is already the President until his tenure constitutionally ends so that the commissions,and the NDP is fully implemented,then Barrow hands over to a new prominent flag bearer to succeed.There the UDP shall be the household name where Darboe`s name shall be the founding father for historic narratives.
Omar, Thank you for your insights. Although the Argument against Darboe as portrayed sounds flimsy to me, it helps me understand the motives behind People like you arguing for Darboe to retire and let Barrow continue.
My Answer here is that I don’t see any Anger in Darboe to Warrant UDP to disqualify him from Standing for election. In the Scenario that UDP nominate him again as flagbearer, I hope that you agree with me that the Gambian voters should be the ones to decide, in a free and fair election, that they want someone else. If that is Barrow under a new Party or Halifa or Mama Kandeh etc, the people’s verdict will be accepted. So easy is that.
I have no political science knowledge though, but I don’t hear politicians talk around like that on modern politics’ platforms – Ideologies and Doctrines!? Who really care if they are not about simple political agendas and manifests? What ‘ideologies’ and ‘doctrines’ rubbish is it?
Ideologies and doctrines?? Y’all can’t disagree with me that the above terminologies stink of cowardly blazing guns, incarceration and torture. Both are a means of oppression and brainwashing people.
Prevention is better than healing! Smother the smoulder!
@Sidi and his likes must not be left unnoticed with their dangerous agendas, pointing fingers at political parties, characterizing them as ethnocentrist or tribalist, when they themselves could be genuinely pointed at an characterized as the latter at their best. If the party he alleged are tribalist, then how did culprits and victims of the 22 years brutality found themselves from cross all sections of the Gambian society; irrespective of tribe, religion, gender, etc. etc.? Would Jammeh have had won any elections if only people he considers to be his tribesmen were to vote for him? Clearly, certain people are dangerous distractors whose intentions are none other than exhausting efforts that are meant to restoring democracy and the true sense of rule of law. Now such people are the same ones who would advance the notion that the surge in crime rates in the country are a lack of dictatorship. God of his mercy!
As long as @Sidi and his likes demonstrate to have failed in delving through their own sets of thinkings to be able to put right over wrong, we cannot pretend we are on the way to a healing process but rather, helping plant spikey and sharp objects on the way that would cut and open fresh new wounds.
Opportunism, greed, wickedness, sycophancy and cronyism etc., are fixedly @Sidi’s choice of strands every time he is out to weave up his trash. People like him are not healers but contemptuous mongers of suspicion and disunity. What I fear about most in the Gambia are its citizen with ‘tribally cankered’ thinking capacities.