There is so much I want to say to friends, colleagues and students who share my shock and alarm at our fledgling democracy. I wish I could say, it will be fine; our emergent democracy is not strong, and our institutions will constrain whatever abuses of power President Adama Barrow might commit.
I wish I could say President Barrow is not as bigoted, sexist, impulsive, narcissistic and unbalanced as he often appeared in some of his actions, his behaviors and policies will not be as extreme as we feared. But the truth is that we don’t know any of this, and I have no confidence in any of this kind of political leadership.
Throughout the past two years and more, I have worried about Gambian politics in a way I never worried in African politics before. But I have worried about Ousainou Darboe in a way I never worried about any previous serious presidential contender or a political godfather. Certainly, no politician has campaigned in such authoritarian and demagogic tones, exploiting prejudice and fear in the quest for personal power. However, the truth is that we don’t know how long it will it take for President Adama Barrow and Ousainou Darboe to continue to be engaged in political somersault and political embroideries as it is already evident in some of the utterances and actions it has taken.
Again, journalism is crucial to democracy and I believe there is no better time to show the Gambian people the type of original journalism and cut the rise of media distortion, bias, fake news and misinformation that we have witnessed since President Barrow assumed the presidency. Democracy is characterized by the existence of legal rights among the citizens of a given sovereign state. The people are the sole source of political power which they should exercise either directly or through representatives, but the principle of legitimacy is always bound up with the will of the people. Where do the media, a de facto power that was initially national but has now become global -fit into this conception of democratic legitimacy.
What principles guide journalists’ responsibilities? Where do they stand with regards to the rule of law? These are fundamental questions that need to be adequately answered if they are to fulfill their mandate to the society. How do they analyze future conflicts between the institutional powers by which the constitution has organized the consultation of the will of the people and the reality of media power which claims to be voice of the voiceless?
Therefore, for all intents and purposes, I fear for the health and safety of our democracy. I fear for people in our society who are vulnerable and different. I fear for the rule of law. But the antidote to fear and horror is not withdrawal. Neither can it merely be righteous indignation. We need to understand why many people who are not bigots voted for President Barrow.
President Barrow needs to understand why so many people voted for him which made him triumph over a well-entrenched dictator like Yahya Jammeh. We need to summon courage in the face of what will likely be abuse of power accompanied by threats and intimidation of opponents. And we need to never lose faith in our democracy and its core values. I hope I am wrong, and I think I could be wrong, but I fear the next two years could test our democracy to a degree we have not seen in 54 years. We must rise to the challenge.
The challenge is to ensure that sanity prevails and the institutions responsible for maintaining effective checks and balances are working, as envisaged.
Let’s understand and accept that the President has powers to appoint and remove the VP and ministers into/out of Cabinet. He has exercised those powers to reshuffle his cabinet and so be it. Life goes on.
Be best assured Alagi Yero,that good governance and the rule of law prevails forever in The Gambia,because I have seen a tolerant and advice seeking President in Adama Barrow.I can predict that a competent successor continues even better when his term ends.All the governance Institutions are operating with high degree of efficiency in the dispensation of good governance,and the rule of law.Democracy is tested and we shall from now on enjoy swimming in it`s sweet waters;have no doubt about that Alagi.
Gambia …, probably she did crawled an inch of crap with her democracy but however, it is clear they don’t have a wee bit an idea where the country’s unemployment rate stands. A country where leaderships never care a damn about gutters, dust, hunger, poverty and corruption.
Shouldn’t it drive you crazy hearing those folks crying foul over mental shackles (Gambians/Africans) are chained in by others from afar, though they can’t even have leaders and politicians who think beyond ethnic and tribal lines. Leaderships who can’t even scout for creative minds of their citizenry, process and preserve for themselves their agricultural products or, improve and diversify their every own nutritional and culinary preferences?
I see red when I think about the fact that after two major global wars, Gambia/Africa is still using the same artisanal back-bowing farming implements when half the West that was flattened by both wars, got their lives today, literally digitalized in just a little over 70 years after the last major war. Everything one may consider infrastructure in the Gambia and many African countries dilapidates over short periods of time rather than improve, getting rehabilitated or maintained. You see dump sites radiating stank right in the heart of communities. Mind you become home bound because there is a Rainwater Road Blocks right from your gate to everywhere. Regardless of all the self imposed mental backwardness of our leadership, some dare look faraway towards somewhere to point their blames at.
When institutions start to function, no doubt we should be able to see it indicated in public environs and exactly in the livelihood of citizens. Political and economic theories can’t feed a nation but the creativity and productivity of its human capital. It is the states/government’s duty to set the human capital’s creativeness and productiveness in march but of course, not when they are silly with uselessness, greed and corruption.
It’s all about PERSPECTIVE Bourne. We are all talking about the same problem, but from different perspectives.
It’s like looking at different sides of the same coin: when you look at the “tail” side of the coin, you see a different picture from another who looks at the “head” side of the same coin.
You’re looking at the problem from the perspective of LEADERSHIP failure and that’s absolutely right. Our leaders have failed us, just as we have failed ourselves, because we allow them to lead and do what they do.
Others acknowledge the leadership failures, as you clearly pointed out, but also look at the problem from a much wider perspective and that’s where others come into the equation.
It is a FACT that there is history behind our story and we CANNOT truly solve our problems, if we don’t understand this history, why it happened, the context within which it happened and how all of it is tied together to create the world we live in today.
And that’s why others “from afar” are mentioned because what we have today, is what has been bequeathed to us by others “from afar” at independence, with only minuscule cosmic changes.
It’s not working because it was NEVER meant to work for us.
Bax, I call nothing history and all sorts. I simply borrow the term; Creativity versus Inferiority.
I bet it will all be over if we start making things by ourselves that are essential to our daily livelihoods; mechanical, electronic; digital or nonmechanical appliances. It doesn’t take languages, doctrines or ideologies to make creative people but making available a platform that brings
together and puts to task people with rare talents. How could that be done? I don’t know but those with resources management expertize should know how. I’m sure wonders will happen if citizens know that their inventions and innovations will sum to efforts bringing Gambians out of the slums but of course, if it will bring their own lives out first.
Bax, this is not a joke! This is the time to start identifying and inspiring special talents so that they would crack their brains for a pay. We have to have a focus now and that is ourselves. One needs not spend all the years of his/her life learning a degree about adversaries you think you already know but to be clever with, and cautious of, the perceived adversaries.
Alagie Yoro, is surely the type of intellectual we rather should do away with.
His analysis border on grandstanding a ka “ Gambia pen”. What is clear is that Barrow Has the support of people whose sole interest is to prevent UDP at all cost even if it means dictatorship and those whose minds are clouded by the mere existence of UDP party. Alagi Yorro seems to be in the later.
Come on…..Kemo,I am with Bourne this time whose postings are nonpartisan but educative in correspondence with Bax. You seem to be sensitive to some of the critical political analyses of Alagi Yoro,but you have to understand that he (Alagi) just made a brief comparison of the duo and they are Pres.Adama Barrow and Mr.Ousainou Darboe in the arena of politics.Dictatorship is over and shall never be allowed to show it`s ugly head again.The Gambian people are just tolerant but not stupid and can perceive or read signals ahead of leadership danger,to reunite and avert such on time.Let us take our time,as I am proud to witness enthusiastic young scholars of your type in numbers when twenty years ago there was high shortage of human resource capital to manage our diverse Institutions.Rome was not built in a day;and here in Africa we are still under a grip by those Western Institutions like the IMF,World Bank and other powers vesting interest to exploit us by all means.I admit that the world is a global village and the powerful nations are at cold war to win influence over the third world countries,there it needs as much highly educated people as possible to face the challenge and threat of underdevelopment and poverty.Enlightenment is incessantly creeping in,day in day out and we shall reach there one fine day as a united people.
Omar, for me Yoro’s latest writings are beginning to sound/look like that of Momodou Sabally self-declared Gambian Pen. It is almost additively Anti-Darboe to the point ridiculousness and doesn’t score any point at all. Even when it is clear that Darboe is not anymore calling the shots, Yorro comes back with tales of Darboe’s hand in everything. –Barrow coined the word godfather!
As I have mentioned above, Barrow is now the sole captain. There will vigorous campaign on the part of UDP anchored on law. Times when every malfunction of the govt is placed at udp’s doorstep is over. Barrow or surrogates must now come out and steer the way. Therefore, I hope Mr. Yorro concentrate his energy in helping Barrow to deliver instead of shifting blame to Darboe. That would be nor formula for success.
Democracy requires that even those we disagree with be accorded space and means to express their views, so long said views do not cause any direct harm and are in conformity with the law. Doing away with an intellectual because his views are unpalatable to a few will be tantamount to suppression of a very fundamental right enshrined in the constitution of The Gambia. Besides, wasn’t such a freedom what we all yearned for under the killer regime of Yaya?
If Yaya suppresses our freedoms to express our opinions because he felt threatened by any sort of dissenting view and the UDP does feel threatened by those on to its case are “enemies/haters”and should be done away with, what will be the difference between the green and the yellow?
Political parties and political figures who can’t handle the HEAT of the rigors of pluralistic democracy, should just quietly leave the space. That’s their prerogative. We did not boot out a dictator and a totalitarian to have anyone tell Gambians who dares to say what, when and how.
I have penned an opinion piece for The Gambia Times, warning the director of the NIA/SIS against demonizing journalists, social media activist and social media spaces. https://www.thegambiatimes.com/silence-them-before-they-grow/
Such utterance as his, have a danger to them because they are basically meant to censor freedom of thought. But for what and for whom are such utterances made should make us all suspicious and extra vigilant.
On the part of the clueless and unbelievably corrupt government of Adama, it beats the imagination why they (he and his political godnemesis) feel it was urgent to remove the age limit in the constitution but conveniently ignore the repressive media act unamended or totally scratched from the books. Ousainou is slick when it comes to scrambling for power and control. Unfortunately though, he does not have a vision beyond the here and now that Gambians should trust him to lead us.
I am not in the position of power to pose a threat to freedom of expression nor is it my intention. My intention in “do away with such intellectuals” is meant to say “don’t take him seriously” and lose respect for an analysis that is no more neutral nor enlightening but full of prejudice and contortion of facts. The other day he was gently asking Barrow to withdraw the revocation of Nomination (Hon. Kumba Jaiteh) and the other day he was coming hard on Darboe with all sort of names and contortions of facts.
Again in my opinion Alagi Yoro Jallow is a partisan. He should act like such and therefore help people who share his politics to excel in politics. But putting himself forward as respectable neutral opinion make is ridiculous and he knows it!
Who could be that [We] and who could be that [Those] for this matter?
Who accords and who to be accorded? Are the former and latter even necessary questions to ask?
Political party leaders better start going campaigns that enlighten supporters about the half mindedness and backwardness in tribalism and ethnocentrism. In that task, they don’t have to specifically target other ethnic or tribal groups that they do not consider themselves to belong but indeed the very ethnic or tribal group they consider themselves to belong to. If political party leaderships succeed in that task, then naturally, people will constructively understand their political purposes as citizens, far beyond ethnic and tribally driven agendas. How can we get over the hazardous ethnical and tribal obsessions, pointing fingers at each other, when we are in our individuals, each and everyone, rotten in our hearts as individual masters of the horrible art. When ethnicity and tribalism hinders a country’s political evolution, that’s a clear indication
of how dormant and mentally/physically unskilled and unproductive its people are. The more you point fingers at others in your capacity as an individual, group or society, the more others too point fingers at you – regardless of being a majority, minority etc. I guess everyone of us was awarded their ethnic and tribal masters degree from home and that’s where we have to fight it first as a priority. Creepy and self-serving narratives only puts fuel to the fire of it. I couldn’t help but boldly stipulate the stinking vocabularies here in my comment, exactly as it is creepily knitted in between the lines of others here in this forum.
May God heal the sicknesses in our hearts and souls.
Here’s my beef with Kemo. He’s shown over time that he’s been tasked with representing the party platform/voice on this and other media even if the position reflects sycophancy.
While I do believe that Kemo CAN be above sycophant behavior, he willingly chooses to toot the UDP horn at every opportunity irrespective of the notoriety and consequences that he may bring upon himself. He may very well be subscribing to the Gambian notion that academic credentials amount to elitism and a sense of entitlement. Isn’t this exactly the misplaced notion that the rank and file of the UDP proclaim on the ground in The Gambia.
Ntolu Mang Karang, Barri Karang Naalu Mang Dang Feng Nna!
Kemo, most undertakings in the modern world come with the Science/theory and the Art. So it is a test of good leadership to offer a good mix of both in order to attain the desired results. That’s if they’ll do their homework to pass the test!
My message to the UDP apparatchik comes in Manding. The words Londo, Ferro and Munafango are pointers that I’d like to offer Kemo and his ilk for the thought of the month while they grapple with the Wisainou-Haadama feud so they can find where each of the foregoing words fit in the delicate mix.
I am no stranger to The Gambia and I’m coming away with the conviction that Kemo and a large segment of the UDP don’t quite understand the lay of the land in The Gambia. Just as his “elders” in the party haven’t quite paved a clear path yet after all these years. Having listened to the Almameh Taal interview on West Coast radio, I came away saying, E Mang Banko Nunkundi Folo.
It is exactly the UDP that bears that sense of entitlement that makes the party believe that they can keep riding on the Manding platform for free. But, for how long?
I’m still waiting for the Manding Julo!
Ntolu Mang Karang, Barri Karang Naalu Mang Dang Feng Nna!
I think there is a philosophical meaning to this phrase. I don’t subscribe to the verbatim meaning of it But I Subscribe to the philosophical Credo that simplicity is modesty. Education is good and intellectualism is good but we should not act as if we are better than the cattle herders in savanna. They also can teach us– if not more about life than vice versa.
I assume Andy alluded to “Ntolu Mang Karang, Barri Karang Naalu Mang Dang Feng Nna!” to highlight the dangers of ethnocentric politics and classism in a country still struggling to assert its true identity politically, economically and culturally.
The philosophical connotation this beautiful Mandinka kang sentence bears is lost on me.
KK, could you help?
I think it alludes to the question. Is a mere academic credential better than craftsmanship (Carpenter, mason, farmer) ? not only Gambia, modern countries are also grappling with the problem of big margin of School leavers with only academic qualifications.
So the Phrase reminded me about this problem.
KK, you are also partisan and it could be the case that many consider you to be an intellectual in your own right. Shouldn’t people take your message seriously because of your political affiliation?
For God’s sake Alagi is not in the business of reporting news or writing news articles. He writes his opinions and analyze issues from his personal vantage point, either subjectively or objectively as the case may be.
If Alagi suffers from Ousainou phobia, it’s because Ousainou puts himself in a domain where phobias and philias are normal hazards. Ousainou or his political surrogates will have to challenge him on facts and truths, leave the domain or live with the hazards.
I have challenged Alagi on points here on many occasions and once he responded with brutish fury. That does not make me loose my cool, because I was only interested in a decent exchange. He first thought I was on the offensive. The moment he realized the contrary to holds water, he opened up to me.
Be up to the task of challenging him on points and facts instead of wishing he will disappear from the media landscape.
Andrew, I don’t see any entitlement to manding within UDP. I think people are realistic enough to understand that manding is a historical chapter that can be reflected upon and serve as sources of wisdom and background. But contemporary society is far from the realities of that historical chapter. Today we are intermixed and intermarried to a point of blurred boundaries. What remains is our ethnolingustical heritage. This is good to preserve but not as tool to differentiate.
Jammeh started the distinction using the state pulpit. Any reasonable opposition to him was brandmarked tribalism while behind the scene he was practicing exactly what he was preaching against on National podium.
UDP refuses to accept or be intimidated by a Jammeh concocted narrative.
@ Mwalimu, yes I am partisan. That is why I am not giving the impression that I am standing on a moral high ground. I am clear about my political leanings within the framework of the National State and abiding by the maxim that my fellow citizens have a fundamental right to differ with me on everything except the preservation of our country.
Thus, I am not refuting Alagi’s right to partisanship but arguing that he climb down from the moral pulpit.
“I think people are realistic enough to understand that manding is a historical chapter that can be reflected upon and serve as sources of wisdom and background. But contemporary society is far from the realities of that historical chapter. Today we are intermixed and intermarried to a point of blurred boundaries”.
_______________________
Manding is not the only kingdom with a glorious and proud past. Fuladu, Jollof, Foni etc have all at one time or the other being at the pinnacle of their existence in terms of high culture and intricate traditions. These evolutions came to an abrupt end with the encroachment of the scavengers (the Arabs and the Caucasians) on an alleged mission so spread Islam and Christianity respectively.
So ethnolinguistic belongings, borders and boundaries became blurred first through a shared common tragedy. That’s the lesson our progeny should be taught about till thy kingdom come.
Today, the nation state is what bind all our people together irrespective of language, culture, gender, class or any other superficial identity marker.
These cultures, languages, traditions, norms etc should be preserved but also be flexible enough to accommodate new realities.
____________________
I think Alagi touches some very sensible nerves of the UDP and you can’t be friends with him. lol
That’s also ok, I guess.
yep thats ok. This is a national Platform for serious national issues not a Teeriya Kafo for personal affections!
Alagi Yoro,
Why bother to game a wild lion? One day it will chop off you hands when hungry.
What do you know about Barrow’s social and educational backgrounds before your nefatous UDP recommended him for the presidential position? A hustler who was thrown out of Germán y for drug peddling, refused British migrant status after years o f serving as an Argos watchman turned an Estate intermediary/agent. He was not an estate dealer. He never had his own estate business. Instead, he was a commercial agent for estate dealers. That’s why he revenged by sacking the Old Yundum Alkalo, only a month into his presidency, who refused him a land deal during his time as an agent.
Barrow was never screened for such a responsible job. That’s why he behaves irresponsibly and undemocratically.
Is there democracy in the Gambia. With all the atrocities commited/being commited in Faraba Banta, Busumbala, Farato, Gunjur, MankamangKunda(against APRC)…..what democracy can you refer to?
When people are hungry and destituye, when the state lacks the most elemental amenities, when corruption and nepotism flourish, there is no democracy.
Democracy is far beyond speaking freely amidst acute poverty and corruption.
There is NO reason why this USELESS administration should continue beyond three years.
@Babu, the Point newspaper just reported that journalistic Chief manneh died in 2008 in Police custody. Jammeh and gang continued to tell us that they didn’t knew about Manneh’s whereabouts. As far as I know, Manneh’s father ( in very old age) is still roaming wide and far looking for his son!
How can reconciliation happen in the Gambia?
Kinteh (Kemo),
I am not against any investigation to bring sanity. But investigation that is clearly devoid of bias, partiality and vengeance. Look at the composition of the TRRC. Some “Commissioners” were involved in a bloody attempt to overthrow President Jammeh. In any sane mind, such personalities can never deliver justice fairly, thus rendering them unqualified from the initial stage. Hiring them for this job is an irresponsible manifestation by the authorities who hire, to show their outright desire for vengeance. So, the TRRC is discredited.
Why don’t we want to probe into the Kukoi Samba Sanyang July 1981 revolt? Look, those who resist any form of probe into that insane bloody revolt alluding that the Senegalese forces were ordered because there was breakdown of law and order, maybe right. But two months after controlling the revolt why the mass arrests of innocent NCP supporters, including Sherrif M. Dibba, their incarceration in makeshift jails at the Bakau depot under very deplorable conditions, where innocent internees were tortured (some to death) by the invading Senegalese forces, some raped…… What about the case of those who suffocated in the Banjul jail?
Look, Kemo I hate selective justice. The American system and norm!!! I hate it. To reconcile, we don’t have to leave a single stone unturned. They are all Gambian cases, aren’t they?
I am not saying the 1981 deaths should not be accounted for. But of all the world, Yaya Jammeh was President 22 years. Why hadn’t he instituted a TRRC like probe into the happenings of the 1981 kukoi attempt on power? Can you please elaborate on this simple question? Why do you demand a probe into a 1981 crisis now ?
Kinteh (Kemo),
One can easily read the simple reason of not constituting a TRRC to investigate the 1981 revolt.
It was to reconcile the people, bury the hatchet and move forward. That way, President Jammeh achieved a lot and brought President Jawara back, accorded him and family the highest honour. That’s the real reconciliation.
No genocide or ethnic cleansing ever took place in the Gambia to warrant a silly, resources wasting TRRC. We have more pressing problems than a TRRC.
Well Jammeh had the intent and the will to plunge the country into genocidic chaos. He stated in Talinding in front of the whole country his readiness to eradicate an entire ethnic population. Common on Babu, Jammeh’s reconciliations was only when it suits his overall goal of remaining in power.
That so-called reconciliation gesture is no excuse not to probe 1981 attempted takeover.
Jawara and his family are not Gambia. If you and Jammeh believed wrong had taken place in 1981, then it is his constitutional duty to shed light on it.
I don’t buy your excuse ! And no sincere Gambian would!
Kinteh (Kemo)
Which ethnic group did Jammeh speak or eradicating? The Mandinkas I presume. Look Kinteh, if we want to speak the truth, remembering our first night in the tomb as believers in The Almighty’s kingdom, then we’ll all agree that the most hostile, degrading and vituperative language in opposition to President Jammeh came from the Mandinkas, learned and no-learned, in the country and in the diaspora.
The dirtiest opposition to Jammeh’s government from day one was perpetrated/orchestered by the Mandinkas. That’s the hard fact. I have never learnt such irresponsibly and infuriating opposition in politics. And none of you, including Darboe, Barrow, Sidia, Halifa and Hamat Bah ever condemned such insullences. Only some Christian clerics and Muslim leaders close to Jammeh raised their voices. But today, we are hearing condemnations of those who use foul languages at Barrow and Darboe.
Jammeh took his decision not to probe into the 1981 atrocities commited by the invading Senegalese forces. That was his decision. What I am/will fighting/fight for is an investigation into the most brutal institutional killing of our innocent civilian people at the Bakau depot and Banjul police station at the aftermath of the July 1981 revolt.
I am not giving any excuse for what Jammeh did, all I’m interested in is the prevalence of the truth against any mean and selective justice.
Gambians don’t know how our people were tortured, raped and maimed by the Senegalese. Gambians don’t know how Mustapha Danso was bludgeoned to death and the corpsed dragged by Senegalese military jeeps before finally been thrown in a mass grave. Gambians don’t know that there are mass graves in the Banjul cemetery where their loved ones were dumped.
It’s really disheartening to hear from our own people that it was the right of the Senegalese to commit such barbaric atrocities and go impuned
“… Gambians don’t know how Mustapha Danso was bludgeoned to death and the corpsed dragged by Senegalese military jeeps before finally been thrown in a mass grave…”
Babu, you should fear Almighty Allah & always relay & reflect the truth to best of one’s ability; everyone will be accountable for one’s own actions & utterances in the Hereafter…
Factually, murderer Mustapha Danso was prosecuted in a court of law, sentenced to death & executed…
No distortion of the events in your attempts can ever change the facts on kukoi & the Devilish elements devilish carnage in 1981…
Please why not divert your energy to establish your so-called “NGO” as you claimed & prosecute anybody you have beef with concerning the Devilish 1981 event…?
The Gambia is moving on regardless of the devil plays…
Bajaw,
The Gambia is not moving, has never moved and will never move with this CORRUPT, TRIBALIST and DYSFUNCTIONAL administration.
Shame on all of you for supporting a USELESS bunch of people who have shown their true dissenting colours with dismissals in mass. A clear sign of INCOMPETENCY and SELFISHNESS.
You have all been disappointed which you can’t admit openly.
I stand firm on my version of Mustapha Danso’s brutal death.
I know you were fooled by the official version of his death which was a LIE.
If not Babu, there are many people ready to agitate the 1981 investigation claim. They want to see the outcome of the deliberations of the HOPELESS TRRC.
Babu Soli, Did you say that the official version of Danso’s death was a lie? May be the story that he shot Commander Mahoney was also a lie or that he was tried in a court of law, found guilty and sentenced to death, commuted to Life Imprisonment. May be that too was a big, fat lie.
In any case, why does his manner of death matter? He was a cold blooded killer serving a life sentence, when he took part in a rebellion that attempted to overthrown a government, cost lives and destroyed properties.
Surely, you can see why the state reversed the decision to commute his sentence to Life and enforced the original judgement, which was death by execution.
And of course, Jammeh threatened Mandinkas, but I am not convinced that he was referring to the entirety of the Mandinkas.
Why? Because he knew that he had huge support in many Mandinka majority constituencies, like Kombo South and Kombo North. He will be extremely stupid to wipe out his own political support base, as he seems to claim that he would rule forever.
But his stupidity played very well into the hands of those who thrive on ethnic politics, and it cost him dearly.
The lessons are clear for those who wish to seek political knowledge and political office.
Do you think Kombo was in his calculations? Do you consider him a Democrat? If he wiped out the entire Mandinkas, he wouldn’t have had headaches about the Kombo votes you are alluding to. Sometimes I am lost at how you tend to shrug off Jammeh’s stated intent as nothing other than stupidity! Utterances and intent was supported by Jammeh’s own executive actions. Stupidity looks different!
Kinteh (Kemo), you can view Jammeh’s utterances any how you want to, and if you think Jammeh was going to wipe Mandinkas out because they opposed him, that’s your prerogative. In that case, you might as well believe that he was going to rule for a billion years or that he was going to teach the West lessons they will never forget if they ever dared to interfere with him or his rule. He did make those utterances, didn’t he?
Personally, I think Jammeh was nothing more than a big mouth who likes to present a certain image of himself. He has sacrificed his life and was going to die for he believes in, wasn’t he? Didn’t he scurry away into hiding, as a refugee, when reality confronted him?
Undoubtedly, he was a dangerous person because has tortured, maimed and killed small numbers of people at different times during his rule, perhaps numbering a few hundreds in total, but wiping out a whole group, whose members number in the thousands or hundreds of thousands, is a completely different thing and if you believe Jammeh had the guts to do that, then you and I are talking about two completely different Yaya Jammehs.
Do I think Kombo was in his calculation? Well, I had to, if the claim was that he was actually going to wipe out an entire ethnic group because Kombo Mandinkas are also Mandinkas.
And if you think he didn’t have Kombo Mandinkas in his calculations, doesn’t that actually lend credence to my view that he played into the hands of those who thrive on ethnic politics? Isn’t it true that they have seized upon his threats and propagated the idea/threats of mass extermination of Mandinkas?
That’s what we constantly hear about that stupid threat he made.
Babu, truth is, all genuine Gambians are proud & grateful for coming together in various ways to get rid of the EVIL kanilai Dracula & tsetse fly cohorts…
True, things are far from satisfactory yet but the Gambia is surely & truly moving on…
I for one, I’m not particularly taken aback with the deceptive politics currently at play in the Gambia because it is the outdoing manoeuvres of politics everywhere worldwide; Brexit (Brestroy/Britain destruction) is one bright example of the spooky art of selfish politicians….
Whatever happens, from henceforth, no president will serve beyond the 2-term mandatory stipulations as demanded by Gambians for the reviewed constitution….
I have always expressed before & again hereby repeat that this government isn’t the one to birdfly us directly to the aspired destination; it’ll be through subsequent governments until the Gambia reaches political maturity to attain the desired destiny like other nations before us…
Mustapha Danso, like Bax stated was tried & sentenced to death in a court of law & initially commuted to life sentence for murdering Commander Ekou Mahoney…
Mustapha was later executed by firing squad after murdering more innocent people in the 1981 devilish event…
On Mustapha’s own plea on mitigation from horse’s mouth when the decision was taken to execute him, he plead to be forgiven because “the very 1981 coup in plan was his purpose for murdering Mahoney in the first place & now that (then=at the end) the attempted coup failed”…
Mustapha’s execution was signed by then justice minister Saho…
Bajaw,
I am not into the politics of WASTING TIME; that’s let’s not expect much from this administration; let’s wait for the next administration; things might seem better; Allah’s time is better; it will come…..
I am fed up with this pseudo patriach politics, Bajaw. That’s how we suffered under the Jawara non-functional government for 30 horrendous years, always expecting Allah’s time. Are we Muslims with five credible senses to behave like the White man? That, the Almighty is no longer responsible of our poverty and destitute. That He endowed His most glorious Creation (the human being with knowledge to improve his welbeing). So, we(Gambians) are directly responsible of our underdevelopment, whilst blindly accusing the Almighty of our backwardness. That is sinful in itself.
You see a CORRUPT, TRIBALIST, NEPOTIC, EGOCENTRIC bunch of INCOMPETENT elements mistakenly chosen to badly run the affairs of our life and yet you’re telling me that the country is “moving on”. Come on, Bajaw!!!!!!
Sincerely, I revere the high calibre, brilliance and intellectual feat of the contributors on this tabloid. I sincerely respect and love all of you. But, Bajaw, don’t take me aback. The Adama Barrow administration is wasting our time and life. It is CORRUPT and non-OPERATIVE. How can we move on?
Are you sure that Mustapha was executed by the Gambian forces? He pleaded under duress because he was severely tortured by the Senegalese.
Point of observation Babu: Mustapha’s original sentence was before the Senegalese Military involvement in the Gambia.
It was that death sentence, initially commuted to Life, which was reversed after his involvement in the 1981 rebellion, and carried out in full.
The Senegalese Forces may have tortured him, like they did many others, but that has got no bearing on Mr Danso’s conviction for killing Commander Mahoney.
Babu, are collective predicament (in my opinion) & main hindrance affecting us (Gambia) developmentally as a nation is our collective level of political awareness (maturity) which is why we are taken for rides politician after another far too long; but as we progressively move ahead gradually with time, slow but surely we’ll get there sometime at some point…
Yes, Mustapha was executed eventually by the State firing squad (being the first of such a kind in the Gambia) when the execution decision was reached after he went on to kill more innocent people in the 1981 event…
Rectification please
Babu our collective predicament – (it supposed to read)…
Thank you…
As a Gambian am not indifferent to the fate of 1981 victims. The fate of 1981 victims (on both sides) should have being established immediately after the carnage. If Jawara reneged on pursuing retributive or conciliatory justice, I see no reason why Jammeh had to renege on bringing light to the occurrence of 1981 coup. A Junta that came to being promising Justice among other noble things.
The current Leadership cannot be held responsible for not probing 1981 coup. The current administrative was voted in to end dictatorship and account for the violent rule that prevailed in the Gambia for 22 good years! That is the reason for TRRC! others like me have pleaded for a retributive justice!
And again, I don’t accept the excuse that Jammeh polished over the 1981 because he wanted reconciliation. Probably the massacre of up to 15 innocent soldiers on November 1994, orchestrated By Jammeh himself, made any effort to unearth 1981 carnage untenable. He soaked his Hands in blood and tied himself.
Nobody should be indifferent to those terrible events of that fateful July 30. 1981 but neither be drawn to focusing on names like Mustapha, when that ugly beast, Kukol, murdered young police officers on duty to loot the national armory, before setting the country on a full fledged week long civil war.
Talking about Mustapha and the likes is just a tactic to distract folks attention from burning issues at the commissions right now. Letting oneself getting focused on Mustaphas and like can cause “hypocritisdistractitis”! Many Gambians are suffering from it.
What happened to Sheriff Dibba is sad. He was arrested and subjected to disrespect by Jawara. He was banned by Jammeh, redeployed by Jammeh, disabled by Jammeh and psychologically exterminated by Jammeh.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Well I think he lost the only sustainable commodity a politician has … integrity! You can’t undo all that grace despite the “humiliation” from Jawara only to succumb to a fraudulent Jammeh.
Even as a 12 year guy, I knew from Jammeh’s voice that he was a fraud and not to be trusted.
Waa Juwara is such a kind and has rendered himself irrelevant. Mustapha Dibba’s fate, how ever bitter, is self inflicted! Lesson for current opportunism underway in The Gambia.
@Kemo. For my education, can you name one African politician, on our beautiful continent with integrity. Just asking!
Dr. Sarr, since you have not indicated dead or living, I would say Nelson Mandela. There is also the case of Alberto Chissano of Botswana and near to home Ellen Johnson -Sirleaf of Liberia.
In Gambia, I think Darboe has being very honest and consistent since coming to the national stage. Consistency and honesty are among criterias for integrity. I Attribute the same virtues to Halifa and Sidia despite differences of political leaning.
Kinteh(Kemo),
Don’t make us nervous and jittery by naming CORRUPT leaders like Darboe as people with integrity. From your writings, one can presume you are a UDP sympathizer/supporter. That’s your right we highly respect.
Well, it’s not only squadering resources that tantamounts to lack of integrity but lack of humility to recognize failures is also lack of integrity.
Darboe failed to secure political power on three occasions but still imposes his authority on his party supporters without giving way to the younger generation. It’s not my business , though, but a leader with integrity would not behave the way he’s doing. Besides, has he refunded the over D450,000 of tax he evaded paying while a lawyer? In a more enlightened society where political contenders are scrupulously screened, Darboe is NOT qualified to contest any high official position. He is a cheat!
An anecdote, if you witness a rape episode and fail to take stringent measures against the rapist, you are equally punished a rapist. Simple logic.
If you wine and dine with CORRUPT people, you are equally corrupt. And all corrupt people lack integrity. Darboe was in the CORRUPT Barrow administration for over two years until he was flushed out. He never left on his own volition to denounce his disagreement/discontent. They are all birds of the same feather. CORRUPT without integrity.
@ Baby, The simple answer to that smear is: how come Jammeh didn’t use that “tax evasion” offence to get rid of Darboe?
I think every right thinking person knew if there were any truth in that smear campaign, Darboe would have died in mile 2.
That offence is even more serious than the peaceful demonstration demanding Solo’s body dead or alive!
On the other hand, Jammeh never paid and may never pay tax to the Gambian state. That alone is a stark contrast.
Point of correction: meant to spell @Babu. no malice intended!
What I’m I suppose to do now that I already drank a lot of from Jammeh’s white leather slippers. Vomit .. and run to a doctor … Or? Any better idea?
The need for the present administration and public office holders to learn their formidable lessons at this very right time can’t be overstated though.
Kinteh(Kemo)
The hallmark of the Gambian political arena is Darboe’s indefatigable blood thirsty desire for power. May I ask you, who should investigate tax evasion, GRA, the Auditor General’s office, the Accountant General’s office or the President’s? While in the Gambia, I saw a reliable, bonafide Income Tax receipt that showed the over D400, 000 Darboe owed to the state. NOT A SMEAR to tarnish his personality.
Not only that, Darboe was involved in a lot of compound swindling cases which he represented in the courts. Kinteh(Kemo), your man is far from being a CLEAN politician. Of all the Gambian politicians you cited, I might accept Halifa as the exemplary man with some amount of integrity, even though he was educated from the people’s money which his brother Captain Sallah illicitly acquired. Though, Halifa is exonerated from the brother’s deeds. Sidia Jatta is marred by the failure to correctly account for the monies he collected from one of his European tours, monies it is rumoured, he used in constructing his mansion.
We Gambians are naive, tribalist and very selfish. Once we support someone, we never accept that person’s weaknesses and guilts. That’s why we’ll remain backward for a long time.
Kinteh(Kemo), don’t be naive. It’s time you accept that there are better breeds in the UDP than Darboe. Remember Babu in not party to your UDP programmes.
Darboe’s decision with the striking teachers(all of whom he threathened with sacking), whilst VP, clearly manifested that this temperamental septogenarian is no longer the suitable candidate for the Gambia of the 21st C technological period. He is corrupt, tribalist, antiquated with a patriach notion of ruling.
Babu; please read “Gambian ex-president ‘stole almost $1bn before fleeing country’
Thursday, March 28, 2019 publication on the Point Newspaper, Gambia….
Thank you…
Bajaw,
If it were another newspaper other than the Point, I will give credit to the article. The most bias and hostile newspaper to everything Jammeh and the APRC, the point never wrote this:
THE JANNEH COMMISSION
1) D8,302,970…….sales of 750 heads of the President Jammeh cattle
2) D67,894,170…..sales of seized 138 tractors and 458 vehicles
3) D51,000,000….spent by the Commission on emoluments, per diems……
The Commission will soon submit its futile report after 2 wasteful years of our meagre resources.
Still more corrupt practices to emerge from a commission led by Gambia’s most corrupt jurist. The most serious mistake was the appointment of Janneh. A thief intending to trap would-be thieves. What a joke of our democracy and judicial system.
Yes Babu, the Point is well known for self censorship, biased reporting, shielding the Banjul Mafioso and the whole gamut but that doesn’t obviate the fact that Yaya Jammeh was a looter, plunderer, a bully, a dirty and unsophisticated philanderer on top of having been an insult to our intelligence for all the while that he’s been there.
This back and forth between yourself, Bajaw and Kemo needs to stop or else you Babu will look like you’re borrowing from the Kemo playbook or the other way around.
Your unwaivering support for anything Yaya is akin to Kemo’s seemingly unflinching support for anything Wisainou. I wonder what would happen to all the ambassadorial appointments that were fished out to the UDP’s Afang Ousainou LA BASSA CHAFFU LAALU? Now that the marriage is in the doldrums!
Please call this quits and stop burying your heads in the sand.
And Bourne you’d be doing us disservice by further mention of the buffoon with the white “Jiitu Ma Safara Doubal Talongs” that this disciple of Judas and Satan sported together with the fake Quran and beads. I’m about throwing up too!
Ambassadorial appointments Dished out, it should read above.
Babu, please got to allafrica.com website, for the same story, that’s where the Point Newspaper lifted the news from…
Thanks…
“Gambia: How Yahya Jammeh Stole a Country” – is the heading on allafrica.com website…
Andy P,
I will heed to your call and call this quits. Bajaw, let’s get into more educative social and economic issues that will benefit our beautiful people.
I wish to renew my call to you the younger generation, if you are, Andy, Mwalimu, Bax, Kinteh(Kemo), Bajaw, Bourne, Dr Isatou Sarr, Natty Dread, Seedy, Omar, all the contributors here to tighten your belts, get ready to assume responsibility and save our most beautiful country from sinking 10+ years in the hands of very CORRUPT, INCOMPETENT, USELESS, SELFISH, EGOCENTRIC and TRIBALIST “administrators”.
I was in my village last summer, shortly before I fell ill, and heard the discourses at Barrow’s meetings in our area. They were intoxicating. He is a damn TRIBALIST. The Fulas being superior because of knowledge, the Sarahule’s for money, the Mandinkas for their generosity to new-comers, the Wollofs for their astute nature. Nothing of my tribe, the MANSWANKOLU. My wife (a Fula teased me). Nothing of genuine programmes.
He only spoke of being born Fula-Mandinka, learning the Qu’ran in the Sarahule community, brought up in a Wollof community………. Nonsense speeches with no basis for our livelihood. Darboe was present.
Babu, exposure of corruption in any shape/form which adversely affects societal progression, past & present is part (pillar) of meaningful communal advancement endeavours….
Yes, some few insensitive people will exploit tribal lines & sentiments for personal gains/benefits politically/otherwise, BUT holistic tribalism doesn’t exist generally in the Gambia as all tribes intermarry; you Babu & your glorious missus are one example amongst numerous others….
The Gambia will have to go through political maturity phases to reach the desired destiny with (/over) time…
Those who may be clapping at the political rally you cited above, unaware in their political consciousness levels for informed voting at elections for societal elevation have equality the same vote & say as Bajaw & Babu….
Jollofnews has a very vibrant and dedicated commentator base which correspondingly increases it’s readership and of course the amount of clicks it attracts. I feel that’s a potential Jollofnews is not exploiting to its optimal advantage. What’s going on?
@ Babu Soli: I will only consider contesting political office if Badibou will be given autonomy to run its own affairs. How about that? Lol, in good humor.
On a more serious note, what do you mean with “tighten your belts…..”?
I just want to highlight that spending time on this platform too, to express ones opinions and share enlightened views is also a big form of contributing to the penultimate rescue mission. Or does Babu mean the whole lot of us should foray into seeking political mandates?
I for one will set parliament on fire, literally, to make sure all those who receive compensations for their loyalty to Adama resign or are kicked out with immediate effect. The other option will be for me to walk out and never come back. But I agree with you that our country needs its young people to step up, believe in their abilities and make the difference.
Adama and Ousainou, as Andy alluded to, have visited the plague of political decadence on us once again. It will take bravery and audacity to see their brand of ethnic and nepotistic politics wipe out the face of country.
can jollofnews bring other relevant Topics for discussion:
– Jammeh stealing ober $1 billion Prior to leaving for Exile;
– Dot’s Faal mother & wife account of the nov. 11 1994 massacre
– UDP’s $ 88,000 fundraising in Seattle.
-Etc.
UDP’s $88,000 fundraiser?
So all the BAMBOLU, May, (note the word) be sitting in The Gambia rubbing their hands in excitement, mouths wide open that Allah has showered the party with new found TINNAY/WORRSAG?
Gambians in the diaspora that are putting up their hard earned monies in the hope that their support will bring about a change in fortunes may very well be disappointed if they don’t ask for a thorough accounting of the funds. Gambian political parties are notorious for squandering anything that comes their way.
Why not donate for the object of strengthening civil society organizations? Oh no! They’d rather throw good money into the KIBIRO, FANG YITO and NNA YAA that’ll bring them Zilch/nothing at the end of the day.
The PPP, NCP, the Mama Kandeh outfit (why do I keep forgetting the name), GMC (no morals about them) and not in the least Hamat Bah’s Gambian Meringue have all profited from the Gambian diaspora’s generosity but look at what they’ve got to show for it!
And now The UDP is at it feverishly ostensibly because Barrow will use incumbency, Chinese money, FAR Ltd slush funds plus the attendant fruits of the office to steal the show.
Hold the UDP’s feet to the fire folks or else you’d be throwing good money after bad! What’s called NIMISO in Manding will invariably follow.
ALIMANG SO LA SIIMAAYAA LA!
Well, with Domorr Foday’s movement, it’ll be all about Domorro/Lekk going forward.
No accountability their whatsoever! It’s all a charade and a smokescreen that donors that currently provide the Balance of Payments Support are well aware of.
Had to take a swipe at Foday SAAKU MAALO! Smile.
No accountability there whatsoever I meant to write.
Pjalo, I don’t understand. The last time you lamented about the penniless UDP and admonished me to ensure the party is well funded instead of all the talk. Now people have shown that it is not about talk but in fact they are willing to take ownership of party financially.
Now you have problem with that using far fetched excuses to point home why such a membership contributions is futile.
I expected you to encourage Gambians to take financial ownership of their parties just like it is the case in many democratic countries. Not just UDP, but all parties should strive to be financially independent of big business or donor money.