Let me go straight to the point: I do not understand what is the rationale and value of the military and the intelligence representatives in the Faraba commission of inquiry. The incident that took place on Monday June 18 in that village was not about an internal or external armed violence by armed groups or a terrorist attack.
The matter was merely about citizens seeking to vent their grievance at the decision of the government to grant a mining license and the activities of a private company in their environment. In response to community displeasure the government deployed an armed police that is notorious for heavy-handedness and violence against unarmed civilians. This is how matters stand.
Hence when there is a need to set up a commission to study this matter, the membership must be individuals and institutions that are relevant to the matter and that can bring value to the fact-finding exercise. In that case this commission has nothing to do with membership from the military and the intelligence. Rather the armed and security services, as unique sectors of society are legitimate stakeholders to testify before the commission.
I would have expected that there would be a youth representative as well as representatives from the local government system or their line ministry given the various participants in Faraba itself, such as youths, Alkalolu, VDC and other community leaders. I would have also expected that there would be a sitting judge or magistrate as vice chair given that the Chairperson Emmanuel Joof is squarely apt and competent to lead the commission. While Joof is a lawyer and one time magistrate however a sitting judge would still be valuable in terms of current legal and judicial responses to the matter.
I would have also put in a member of the private sector, such as from GCCI given that this matter is deeply generated from that sector. A member from the religious community would also bring more relevance and value than the military and intelligence.
I would therefore urge Pres. Barrow to review the membership of this body before he inaugurates them.
My second issue has to do with the terms of reference. A closer look at the six-point TOR indicates only two issues in fact, i.e. investigate the stand-off between the police and the community and then recommend measures to prevent a recurrence. But the Faraba issue is more than just a protest by residents and the use of force by the police.
The Faraba incident reflects a deep-seated structural imbalance regarding laws, policies and institutions in terms of the economic, social and cultural rights of communities. It is about the right of communities to their overall environment including land and natural resources and the way and manner private capital access those productive and extractive resources. Hence the Commission must seek to understand how the ownership, management, access and control of these resources are covered by law.
It must also seek to understand the procedural paths that institutions such as Geology Unit grant mining licenses or how NEA conducts social and economic impact assessments and how communities are involved in these processes and decisions. If we fail to understand these issues and address them accordingly then we shall continue to see this kinds of incident repeat one by one throughout the country.
The TOR must also highlight the effectiveness of monitoring mechanisms to ensure that private businesses abide by ethical practices in terms of preserving the environment, sharing benefits with communities and fulfilling other corporate social responsibilities.
The TOR should also cover the issue of civil and political rights and how best could citizens enjoy these rights. In other words the Commission should look at the role of police in maintaining law and order during protests without having to unleash violence on the people. It will look at the capacity of law enforcement in terms of knowledge, skills, tools as well as values.
I strongly believe that a holistic and realistic TOR would have helped the country to identify much more needs, concerns and issues of our society that could be useful in creating better laws, ensuring progressive institutional reforms and constitution building.
I therefore submit that Pres. Barrow review the terms of reference and membership of this commission to make it more relevant and useful. If he fails to do so, I call on the Chair Emmanuel Joof to raise these issues so that they are addressed before he takes office.
From the look of things it appears the president created this commission under duress just to satisfy the public outcry against the government. This incident is symptomatic of the erstwhile 22-year dictatorship hence we cannot take light measures to address this matter. We need deep and robust approaches lest we allow the same system of mediocrity and impunity to continue.
For the Gambia Our Homeland.
Nothing wrong with those with training and knowledge in security deployment to be members of the commission. Nothing wrong with those with education, knowledge and expertise in law and law enforcement to be members of the commission. There is however a need for stake holders in the community, residents and farmers whose crops are affected to be represented. That will ensure that the community will at least be open to accepting the recommendations of the commission.
Madi, NO politicians please, they are opportunist and are likely to corrupt the process for political and personal gains. Some are probably secretly instigating the youths in Faraba to violent confrontation with security personnel. Remember the online discussions and “battle” Andrew and I had with one so called “activist”, who was advocating violence in Gunjur. This was precisely the kind of killings we tried to avoid by speaking out against that particular dangerous human being. Moving forward, we all need to speak loudly and clearly with one voice. It does not benefit us to be reactive. What we need is to be proactive. How do we ensure that this ugliness never surface again.
God Bless The Gambia.
You can’t direct your arrows at me and not expect a befitting response. Am in fact very much surprised that it took you so long to launch your spiteful calculated attacks on my humble self.
I went back to my numerous postings here calling on the people of Faraba Banta and Gunjur and all communities whose environment and resources have been plundered illegally to revolt and take a firm stance against an exploitive and subjugating system. I never for once advocated for violence and destruction of property. That’s a constitutional right of every Gambian.
The writing was on the wall that mayhem was going to result from this governments total disinterest in the plight of the ordinary poor. And there is more brewing in my home region of Badibu.
Why can’t you muster the courage to apportion blame where blame is due rather than picking on me every chance you got.
Am not the dangerous one here. The dangerous human beings are the armed PIU officers and their commanders who let them loose on an unsuspecting community. And of course YOU for twisting facts all the time.
Are you drunk or are suffering from bouts of insomnia because there is no other explanation for your present lack of connection to reality.
If you are of sound mind right now, I’ll bet you have a thriving fetish of some kind and am not in a position to help you.
I have nothing to defend from my expressions. The status quo has worked for the privileged few like you and its maintenance will guarantee you and your progeny a future of not knowing what misery under want means.
But am for the down trodden and the voiceless and even at the cost of life and limb, I will be their eyes and mouth. There is nothing that capitalist cronies and the little bourgeoise like you can do about that.
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Please leave me to mourn with my people. You can stay with yours and continue on your damned fanatical obsessions with ME.
YOURS IN THE SERVICE OF THE GAMBIAN A AND AFRICA, I REMAIN.
I have no idea what you are talking about. The above reference and discussion had nothing to do with you.
No one needs your service you ignorant piece of human manure. Stop saying that. What service Can a failed man that is unemployed, can’t feed his children be to anyone. Go get a damn job and stay offline. Idiot.
It’s a clear cut fundamental of African politics that if you put your neck out there with your words and or actions for those defenseless peasants, the woman and the man who has no agency in the burocracy of these “nations”, you will be targeted for ridicule, banished or even killed. For your info, no of the above are fear factors for me in my life choosen mission to be the light, if my people need me in moments of darkness, to be their voice when they can’t wail anymore, to be their shoulder they can lean on, to be the masseur for their tired souls.
You will have to come up with better weapons to break me down that these fabricated lies.
As I told you before, you’ve never met a woman like me before. I am not done with you yet. By the time I am finished with you ignorant poor piece of shit, you will never respond to anything I post ever again you son of a pig.
I know you have a mental problem. But I will tame your disgusting pretentious persona. Yes, you are jealous because you are in the shadows behind that stupid screen. You better stay there and make love to your computer you impotent bastard. Bring it on. I guarantee you one thing, unlike you looking for fame, money and position, I need nothing, therefore I have nothing to loose. You on the other hand will die in that disgusting shack you call home, if you don’t get an appointment. Tell you what, I will be back with some more words for your entire family. Asshole. Please, big man trying to pick a fight with a girl. Reply.
Stop kissing your online friend’s ass. This is not their fight. You have nothing to contribute and I want you off this forum, frankly off all Gambian forum permanently. You useless unaccomplished idiot. No need for your type. Bye.
For sure it’s your desire to get muddy with me. But I’ll have to disappoint you and tell you I don’t play your games of insults and gratifying on perceived dominance of any kind.
Am not online for me, am online for The Gambia and I’ll be around for some time to come, sharing my thoughts with all.
My mantra is conflict free communication, not out cowardice but out of a deep conviction that those you want to transform our lot for the better should be paragons of morality and tolerance.
Yours in the service of The Gambia and Africa, I remain.
Stop deluding yourself you piece of shit. You can’t even be of service to your wretched family. Get employment first. Feed your children, then get back online to live your dream of service. No one knows or cares if a failed street merchant exists. My advice, start at your village.
Look around you. Don’t be upset about the filth, it’s your destiny. Not my fault. Ask your father.
You are correct coconut head, it is muddy the moment you opened your filthy mouth to address me. This is not one of your hijab wearing peasant girls that you abuse in your hut.
Your numerous outburst on me is clear sign of inferiority about all above your station in life. Go see a dentist today if you can afford it. Village champion.
Keep on talking to yourself.
Honestly this is too low for me and not even worth of a reply .
Have fun insulting.
You better believe I will keep talking you arrogant prick. It’s your low life mother that talks to herself. As promised each and every time you give one of your stupid opinions, it will be met with a revelation of your disgusting pedigree. Better not raise your ugly head again. I am done with you for now stupid idiot.
My two favorite personalities in the forum are at war……… My heart is bleeding……..
Cease fire my dear brother and sister and lets embrace one another in the spirit of love, dialogue and nation building. I regard you both as future presidents of our dear beautiful country, so the war is not among ourselves but the predicament of our nation.
Guys calm down and please i beg you all let criticise in a genuine and polite way we are all here to educate each other and a way forward to bring normality in our beloved gambia i thank you all
To your point Baba, there’s absolutely the need to cut invective out of the discussion.
Higher education is all about the capacity for self instruction and we hope that finesse is attained along the way!
I get what you say, but you don’t live in my world. I deal with egotistical ignorant bastards everyday. They always try to single out women and shame us. I am not having any of it. I have warned that fool time and time again, but he needed a serious beat down and I am more than happy to oblige him each and every time. I have learnt very early how to deal with imbeciles like this Nwalimu or Lamin or whatever he calls himself. I eat fools like him for breakfast daily. There is no surrender here. If Lamin says one word on this forum, I am coming after his whole clan. He disgusts me and frankly I am not done with him yet. Guys stay clear of this please, I am just getting started with Lamin.
Dr. Sarr, I am shocked and I call on JollofNews to consider whether the abuse here is appropriate to such a respected Gambian discussion forum.
Don’t be. Jollof news can do what they deem appropriate, but one thing I won’t take from Lamin or any guy is bullying me and attempt at redicule. That boy is a damn fool. Yes I will be very happy to be delisted, but as long as I am not be prepared to hear the words of a very angry woman.
Are “we” really here to educate ourselves! I do not think so at all. Most people here think they are way above that. Most commentators are here to listen to the sounds of their own voices. If a person has something to say, it better be from their point of view or else you are wrong. And if one is challenged, instead of answering a question, it would turned into name calling. Instead of attacking what a person says or his or her reasoning, that individual’s person is attacked or he or she accused of not being true to some cause, whatever that cause may be. All these is done even though the attacker knows absolutely nothing about the person being attacked. To have an opinion and to say what that is, is not the same as “thinking.” It is true that sometimes a person thinks without even knowing that he or she is really “thinking.” By thinking, I do not mean what most people commonly call thinking and it is not. To have thoughts about Barrow or a place one has visited or an event one has attended is not thinking per se. That is more like recollection. Thinking involves drawing out inferences from propositions already held or asserted. If I say my sister, Dr. Sarr, is an African because she is a Gambian, this can only follow if all Gambians are Africans. If I say my sister, Dr. Sarr, is not “black” enough, I have to explain what the term “black” means and not subjectively but objectively. Then I have to show that my sister, Dr. Sarr, lacks a quality or qualities that make people black. Now, if being black is limited only to the color of a person’s skin, then my sister, Dr. Sarr may be more black than those who labeled her not “black enough.” If on the other hand, being black is way of life, what it is? If it is a way of thinking, what is it? Sometimes this place looks like a vous where one goes to spend time and gossip and listen to one’s voice.
There are very serious things going on The Gambia, but most of it is drowned out by pettiness. For example, there is no bigger and more important topic than the Constitutional Reform Commission but guess what, it is drowned out now while the CRC is at work. The next thing you know, the CRC will make recommendations that will affect not only you but posterity and you will not know how Gambia got there. Of course, a new administration is going to come in after this one and will also take on the constitution that will have been reformed by this administration. Don’t you see a pattern here. In 226 years, the American constitution may have been amended about 25 to 26 times. In African and specifically in The Gambia, not only do we amend provisions of our constitutions, we overhaul them completely. No wonder African constitutions are like toilet paper; most of them absolutely mean nothing. Please keep this in mind, no person can protect another’s life, properties and liberties but a constitution. When a person’s life is threatened, the only protection for that person is the constitution. When a person’s property is threatened, the only protection he or she has is the constitution, and when a person’s liberties are infringed upon … you get it. If The Gambian constitution was respected do you think those persons who died in the Faraba incident would have died? You do not have to put the Constitution on the same level with God in terms of respect, but if you do not pay attention to it and guard it jealously, you may not be able to practice your religious beliefs as you see fit. Have a blessed day everyone!