Silent majority of Gambians would have been relieved had he chosen to forego a second term; but many others were probably ecstatic about his declaration. There is nothing unusual about what he has done. It was long expected that he would find the allure of power quite irresistible, and the giddy delight of his supporters too entrancing, for him to be indifferent to a second term.
Has the coalition executive committee members given the honor of being the first to hear from him directly; but even if they were not so honored, some coalition partners have always been with him lock, stock, and barrel, and would have swallowed every form of indignity hurled at them given their naturally ingratiating disposition.
When he made the terse unofficial public announcement at political rallies, and on media interviews that his mission, vision, action plan for the Gambia cannot be realized in a short span of time (three years of the coalition, Memorandum of Understandings agreement (MoU), transition period) and afterwards Adama Barrow changed his mind that the 1997 constitution legally mandated him for five years- term.
Barrow eloquently argued that the constitution, the supreme law of the land supersedes any coalition MoU agreement. There was a time when men were men. Their word was their honor and honor were “the” bond. I am sure apes won’t do what the man does today.
What is the furor about the change of mind by Adama? So, he changed his mind and broke his promise of honoring the bond of the MoU. If a candidate promises to do a term and then changes his mind, no laws have been broken; no legal infractions. Moral issues? Perhaps. But elections according to our Constitution and the electoral commission are guided by laws and not moral issues. When promises are broken, or people are misled, the bonds of trust are breached.
“If a man makes a vow to the Lord or swears an oath to obligate himself by pledge, he must not break his words must do everything he has promised”.
However, coalition 2016 of opposition political parties that ended 22 years of entrenched dictatorship was a coalition of strange bedfellows and a one-chance special purpose vehicle to get rid of President Yahya Jammeh by all and any means possible.
Unfortunately, President Barrow has also been behaving as if he does not know or he does not care about the utter cluelessness of his team. We suspect he knows, but his arrogance is perhaps his hubris. He doesn’t care because he does not think that Gambians are important enough. He projects a vision, an image, and optics of power in contradistinction to the objectives of democratic governance.
Adama Barrow significantly rested his decision on the “clamor by Gambians”. That clamor was of course neither unanimous nor overwhelming, and it seemed even evenly divided between his supporters and opponents, but it was, to him, nonetheless a clamor still, and one worth honoring and not honoring the MoU, the coalition agreement that voted him into office.
And so, whether anchored on people’s clamor or rested on something more inspiring and noble, the president’s second term ambition has finally been kick-started. Given how easily his supporters are frenzied by his ambition and person, what perhaps really matters is that he has finally announced the momentous decision.
Reports suggest that he received a standing ovation when he disclosed his intention to his close allies and many other politicians instantly jumped on the bandwagon. The ululation will doubtless continue, converts to his second term ambition will swell, and countless Gambians will fawn over him in record number in a manner close to a mafficking.
In 2016, the coalition had campaigned on these main promises, to wit, anti-corruption, security, institutional reforms, human rights, justice, repatriation, the economy and heal and reconcile a divided nation. His approach to the anti-corruption war has been desultory and generally ineffective.
Like caviar to the general, it has tackled symptoms with elegant flourish more than initiate policy reforms and political and economic restructuring necessary to deoxygenate the cancer afflicting the body politic or create an institutional atmosphere that is durable, civilized and progressive.
Adama Barrow’s government has paid some attention to the economy, but he has never personally seemed capable of understanding its dynamics, let alone its modern manifestations.
Though he continues to sell the narrative of an economy bankrupted by his predecessor, he has not fully and convincingly persuaded the public that the tailspin to which the economy was driven shortly after his assumption of office was not due in large part to his government’s naivety in economic issues. That economy, even after its emergence from recession, has not quite received the structured and nuanced shot in the arm needed to infuse it with the growth that takes a huge percentage of the people out of poverty. He will be required to propound and defend new concepts of the economy, beyond increased rice output. And, despite his inexperience-induced lethargy, he will also be required to vigorously champion new ways of doing things. Whether he will be able to convince the electorate that he is that man for 2021 remains to be seen.
President Barrow’s biggest protection lies in the legacy that he leaves behind. The people he listens to, those who claim to be his managers or handlers, those who speak for or claim to speak for him, have done incalculable damage to the minimum legacy that he can lay claim to – being the third President of the Gambia if he insists up to 2021 and his legacy not reconstructed he may have the big challenge of legitimacy to deal with if he gets another mandate.
Palaver = Nonsense, Troubles, Valueless, Idiotic.
Nothing unexpected about the news, frankly most observers would have been surprised if Barrow decided to honor the MOU or even if he did not honor the coalition agreement, he is expected to ask for a second, third and fourth terms.
The problem, the palaver here is it will cost Gambia irreparable damage to our.
Economy
Progress
Security
Peace and Tranquility
This is why.
Our country is now in the hands of a bunch of men and women who are not able to properly manage the affairs of State. We can expect that our unemployment numbers will rise, inflation will rise, infrastructure development will decline and overall standard of living will drastically decline in the next 2 years.
Not what we bargain for. Is it?
What is the remedy.
Gambians must participate in the process by going to the polls in large numbers to reject ALL politician that failed to deliver what we ask and what they promised
More Gambians MUST contest for elected office. Replace the entrenched.
God Bless The Gambia.
Dr Isatou Sarr,
You see waste, deliberate plundering of resources, squandering, daylight looting, rampant corruption, nepotism, tribalism, paradigms of underdevelopment and abject poverty and you still urging the poor to wait TWO years more!
Is the position they are occupying theirs, their parents’ property, their divine property?
You, Dr Isatou Sarr, may patiently wait in your comfort in the USA.
But our poor mayority won’t wait. We’ll set Banjul in flames to send those IDIOTS to HELL. In December!!!
The Almighty Allah SWT is NOT with evil people. Adama Barrow and his henchmen are EVIL.
“Set Banjul in flames!” Why? Can you put the flames out? What hardships are Gambians experiencing today that they haven’t experienced before? Yes, many can wait for TWO more years because they are much more safer today than they were less than 3 years ago. No more missing husbands, wives, neighbours, colleagues at work or political activists. No more threats of killing on the national TV; no more forced labour; no more fake treatments. The list of “no mores” is inexhaustible.
@Babu.
Refrain from inflammatory statements if you love our country. There is only one way for the citizens to get their wish. ELECTION. You should spend time encouraging our people to go to the POLLS.
The Coalition is dead; it has been dead since the “tactical alliance” ended the non-partisan approach that united the nation and facilitated an unlikely victory against entrenched dictatorship. The excuse of the dangers that the independent, non-partisan approach presented to the survival of the then existing parties or the smooth functioning of the National Assembly (of independents) was unfounded or grossly exaggerated. But that’s history. We can only learn from it now.
Under the prevailing circumstances, I think the best thing would be for Political parties and all voters to now insist on the reforms that will give parties and individuals wishing to contest elections, an environment that is as conducive for FREE and FAIR Elections, as can be possibly be achieved.
There should also be an uncompromising position on the unconditional opening of the national broadcaster to divergent views and civic education programmes, as well as, unfettered access by different political parties and groupings to sell their ideas, express their viewpoints and engage in healthy, lively debates.
Dr Sarr/Bax,
Which people can wait two more years? Our hungry and destitute people?
Elections that are bought with their own money will never be take place with Barrow at state house!!
Our people who can easily be fooled because they cannot read and write, those who form the mayority of the electorate will be bought. That’s unacceptable.
Elections will only take place without Adama Barrow and his clique of THIEVES, inept, incompetent, corrupt and tribalist bandits.
Yes, we can set Banjul ablaze and extinguish it with the TRUTH.
Then and only then can we live to equitably share the spoils of our beloved country. Every change has a cost. We’ll bear the brunt of that change but cleanse our beautiful home of neocolonial henchmen, idiots, very egocentric and corrupt STUPID ASSES.
Prices of basic imported and domestic produced commodities are unbearable, youth unemployment is soaring, our women are continuously falling prey to sex bandits, children are undernourished, official theft/ corruption and nepotism are the order of the day, border insecurity is at its highest, Fatumata Bah continued to use state funds to fly with buddies to Mecca, Badara Joof Minister of H.Education had wife and family in Mecca; this culture of using state funds for officials and families on trips to Mecca while our poor youth and rural families continue to suffer.
Not forgetting the D25 million Adama Barrow storey buildings in Tabokoto. The Dou Sanno 50-kilo bag full of dalasis to dish out.
Do you know, Sister Sarr/ Bax, where Koto Babu’s anger lies?
They accused Jammeh of wrongs which they promised the electorate to correct only to do the worst.
December is just3-4 months ahead.
Babu Soli,
1. Setting the place ablaze will not put food on the plates of the hungry and destitute. It will only make it worse.
2. “Our people who can be easily fooled because they cannot read and write…” Well, that’s an indictment on Jammeh and the A(F)PRC, who had 22 years to rectify that situation but failed.
3. Prices of goods are going up, but that has started under Jammeh. In fact, the margin of the increases from Jammeh era to Barrow era is far, far less than it was from Jawara era to Jammeh era.
4. Fatumata Bah Barrow’s travels and influence (foundation) should be criticised, but only by those who saw the wrongs of Zainab Jammeh’s globe trotting and influence.
5. The irresponsible squandering of funds by Barrow and his allies (Dou Sanno) is wrong, but Jammeh and his allies did the same thing. I have personally witnessed Jammeh handing out $100 notes randomly from a brief case filled with brand new crispy $100 bills. It’s the same with the Dalasi. He was always moving around with bulging pockets and brief cases filled with money to be dished out randomly.
6. Adama Barrow’s recent alleged purchase of a D25 million building should raise eyebrows, but not from people who don’t questions Jammeh’s purchase and questionable ownership of numerous properties around the country.
Yes, we should criticise Barrow and be ready to hold him to account, but we must dismiss calls for upheavals from the likes of Babu Soli, who seem to condone all these excesses by Jammeh, his wife and allies.
Alagie Yorro,
If Adama Barrow dishonours his coalition promise, it’s not only immoral but also unconstitutional.
Constitutionality and morality cannot be separated. The constitution is a set of standards to satisfy the human being, moral standards are innate undertakings to satisfy the human being. It is therefore the human being, the main embodiment in the two standards. Therefore, if you behave immorally, you are equally behaving unconstitutionally.
There are countries without written contitutions but there aren’t any without moral standards.
So, if that Argos Watchman behaves immorally by dishonouring his electoral promise to step down after three years, we’ll teach him and future Gambian leaders what it takes to be an honourable leader.
We are not into political gymmicks, intellectual debates/diatribes, philosophical analyses etc etc; we have our facts and plans to take on the CORRUPT, DYSFUNCTIONAL administration in December until it hands over to a more patriotic incorruptible administration.
Not to Ousainou Darboe who still owes the Gambian people over D400,000 of tax money he evaded as a lawyer. Ungrateful, insincere and dishonestful.
Bax
Nobody cares your Jammeh arguments, the TRRC deliberations; they are predatory and out of tune with the realities.
It’s all about what was said to remove Jammeh, what was promised and what is on the ground at present. PERIOD.
We are no longer living with your arguments nor holding onto them.
Barrow will be tackled head on!!
Babu,
I am happy that you have now renounced TRIBALISTIC from your usual shouts. What you now have to do is renounce JAMMEH. Then all we, with equal rights and claim to our dear country, diverse in culture and opinion can face the malaise in the country.
There are many malaise but today Adama Barrow personify CORRUPTION in all its facets. The incompetency of the president and those arround him is a cause of national regret and disgrace.
But we cannot confound this and many malaise if we are apologetic and in your case even vehemently defend the cruel, barbaric Jammeh!
Dump Jammeh like the Badibus dumped Sheriff Dibba or Jarra dropped Baba Jobe or Wuli dropped Mai Fatty after they sold their souls to the MONEY! in Jammeh’s case to the devil!
National and common interest overrides singular or regional interest.
Like in the Sudan civil uprising, some crooks marked a territory within one of the sit-in sites, and claimed to be ‘Columbia?’ and so perhaps whose clan’s leader had a bold ‘General Noriega’ on his Tshirt, was a good excuse for janjaweed elements to shoot indiscriminately at such a sight of human beings in such a rare large group. Yeah, because in Sudan when you say ‘Columbia’, you are about drugs, unruliness, immorality and anti-Islam. When crooks in disguise dash a flame in a peaceful, intelligent and important demonstration or protest, the intention is to thwart the essential purpose of such civil rights activities, making the aims of the orderly masses hard to be realised. In a politically crooked nation, police’s aching desire to resort to applying absolutely unnecessary violence on what would be an intelligent, essential and peaceful constitutional rights activity, would therefore be justified.
On Adama’s pullover palaver, those fumbling about a constitutional 5yr term are the ones out about to teach our children that, it is alright for us to be shameless liers and crooks to our nation. Adama or any coalition member or citizen, who do not honor that SCRAP PIECE OF PAPER of a MOU fall within that category of crooks who pose to be those actual enemies of progress and welfare of the younger and future generations. If our politicians and lawmakers are not capable of coming together quite close to each others nose and find permanent resolve to country’s abhorrent political culture and traditions, that proves that the heart-splitting poverty and dust and frowning grocery doors and flies-infested open markets and the innocent sad and hopeless deep look in the eyes of malnourished children who run around government vehicles on so-called treks are far from being your concerns. We can have 20 political parties and yet be able to bring about the more meaningful governments of their times even if they have had only 6 months in office. If the expected integrities in the political party leaders and lawmakers of the Gambia are truly not cankered by wicked, arrogant, useless, hideous and cultural traditional agendas, whereby their political concerns, opinions and view are driven by the hard reality in the:
– rising cost of living and
unemployment
– ‘axe-hoe-donkey’ agriculture
– poor healthcare
– ineffective education
especially in science and
technology
– deplorable conditions of our
housings, housing and
sanitation systems
– shameful sight of a totally
absent infrastructure
– Gambia’s inability to
industrially produce simple
daily
basic commodities
– no-serious-face of the Gambia
in the world of sport, etc.
I thought political parties’ manifests may differ based on nothing and nothing but their various national development blueprints and their global political awarenesses, not driven by arrogance, mediocrity, cultural or traditional selfishness. If I was an elected member, what is there to be of more concern to me than the desolete poverty of 90% of Gambians and the evident uncertainity of the future of her younger generation? Can we stop thinking like; Gambia is not alone in it, looking at the fact that Gambia is a small country whose looks, just one private construction and engineering company can transform in probably less than ten years. But with politicians in the Gambia who don’t care damn about citizens breaking free from the perpetual nation wrecking corruption of their governments, to risk their lives in the luring waters of the Mediterranean sea, would they care install upmarket medical equipment under in a shack, or install upmarket medical equipment in a skyline-marking marble and glass building, that hardly ever had a secured electricity source and filled with doctors and practitioners most of whom are the least inquisitive or care about even what the biological and botanical properties of ‘Sefo and Nettetuh’, the famous Gambian spice may be?
If the coalition are those true statesmen and women we thought of them to be, they will be able to sit in a very tight room to touch noses and see the value in each other as entrusted representatives of people. Let political party leaderships and lawmakers start telling the electorate the need to refrain from ethnocentric party politicking but first by refraining themselves from the disgusting tribalism, greed, backwack cultural and traditional modes of reasoning, corrupt attitudes and sycophancy.
Barrow has indeed seriously broken a law by his persistence he will run for elections more so projecting for his reelection, dreaming for more than a term. He is a Transitional and Coalition Flag-bearer-President, and therefore, his and his enablers thrashing a of Coalition MOU (a naturally treasurable national document worth its stand in the national museum), to be an inproper or a-not-signed document, is all an dishonesty and criminality of the highest order. Barrow’s persistence to clinch to power is not driven by anything but the average Gambian’s twisted and misguided stereotypes likes; “who Allah bless no man curse” as if Allah would ever command Gambians to be unintelligible crooks and adversaries to their own country. There are evidently politicians and lawmakers and a small group of hardened militants in tyranny to slow the country in it efforts but i think they won’t get anywhere. Such characters are apparently of the belief that one’s bids for public office is to establish themselves and their families. The latter is the most stupid and underdeveloped political education because nobody can establish a sustainable future for him and his family through embezzling and hoarding of a nation’s funds and resources. Actually what seems to be going down now is commotion caused by conflicted individuals who think waging a civil unrest now will overshadow the two ongoing commissions in the country thus in such a situation forgetting Jammeh and his circles extra judicial killings, rapes, forceful systematic robberies of private citizens’ properties, among countless human rights violations. In that way, every atrocities would be able to fade in thin air. Barrow will go and Jammeh and his friends atrocities will be properly investigated, concluded and closed. Barrow’s commission then would flow.
Kinteh(Kemo),
I’m not, have never been and shall never be a TRIBALIST.
I come from a small tribe, the Manswanko, which had suffered some bruises of tribalism. It’s only now that things are gradually changing.
Our perseverance, zeal for hard work, unity and respect and love for the neighbour helped us to integrate peacefully in all societies.
What I always fear and fight against is domination, subjugation and exclusion by bigger tribes.
Give President Jammeh Babili Mansa chance to defend himself. Let him come home freely and say his version against the numerous allegations.. He’s not being treated fairly, so Babu cannot accept those interpretations.
KONI, Haadama JIPPO!! That’s gonna be the slogan going forward.
Subscribers to this thread have raised valid points except for Babu Soli that calls for setting Banjul ablaze!
Fighting fire with fire seldom yields the desired results but instead yields untold unintended consequences. Yes Babu, there’s what’s called a controlled burn that’s generally well planned in advance.
Babu, why not put all that pent up energy, anger and resentment into educating the public on the importance of showing up to vote for good leadership.
Vote out the scum that represents an insult to the intelligence of all fair minded Gambians! Just as we voted out Yaya Jammeh but unfortunately brought ourselves a happenstance of a Domorr Foday! One that now believes in living large on $30 prime steaks at the expense of the Gambian people!
Andrew $30 steak. Where have you been. Last year the First Lady was seen at a 5 star hotel in Delaware USA in the company of OJ and several of officials dinning on lobsters and steak at $550/ plate. In fairness to the group, they were guest of a well connected and famous Nigerian millionaire who was hosting the group, I don’t know who paid, the point here is $30 steak is no longer on the menu for our political elite.
Nigerian moneymen hosting or patronising our politicians (overtly or covertly), whether in office or aspiring to be in office, should be a concern not to be taken lightly. We know, or at least suspect, what Nigerian moneymen are all about.
I was at the commission session dealing with (late) President Jawara’s affairs, where a file containing information about a certain Nigerian moneyman (Chief Nzeribe or something similar) was examined. I believe he is/was a construction tycoon.
It was found in the file that he (Nigerian moneyman) had transferred a huge sum of money into Jawara’s personal bank account in the UK and when he (Jawara) knew about this, he ordered for the return of the funds. This was at a time when Government was planning to extend State House; a contract that the China State Engineering and Construction Company won. Thus,we should be wary when Nigerian moneymen start courting our politicians and people in public office.
All the more reason why GDC’s Mama Kandeh’s boreholes should be a concern, given his shady connections in Nigeria.
@Bax. That characterization is very unfair. It’s like saying ALL Gambians are killers after watching the Jungulers testimony.
I am reliably informed that the Nigerian in question is a successful physician and a oil and gas investor who is held in high regard by several US Presidents and State Governors.
I brought the issue of dinning in fancy places up as a comparison NOT to indict the reputation of anyone or any group.
Certainly our healthcare system needs investors, and I was informed that this was why the group was visiting to solicit needed expertise, equipment and money.
Nothing wrong with that.
Let’s be mindful of damaging generalization.
Arthur Nzeribe is the first African lobbyist in UK. His firm Jeafan Ltd represented Ghana, The Gambia, Nigeria and others. The man is worth over $2B. It is doubtful that he will be involved with what amounts to petty crime of bribery as suggested involving a poor country such as ours.
Why would a man who can BUY Gambia attempt to bribe our poor president. Certainly does not add up.
Common on, Dr I Sarr, you know I won’t paint ALL Nigerians with the same brush. I referred to only the NIGERIAN MONEYMEN (extremely rich Nigerians) and of course, not every Nigerian falls into that category.
It’s more like your position on the Gambian Army/soldiers. You don’t hold them high in your consideration, but that does not mean you view ALL Gambians in the same way.
I honestly don’t know whether Arthur is/was the first name of the Chief Nzeribe who was mentioned at that commission’s session, but I do remember that a Chief Nzeribe was mentioned in connection with a payment into Jawara’s UK account.
I didn’t mention the fact that there was more in that file than just that payment, but there was more to his “involvement” with the Jawara household.
Trust me, I’m not making this up.
I don’t know Nigeria and has never been there, but like Gambia, I know it has many same names and titles. So, it might be a different person and my suspicion is that this particular Chief was into construction.
In any case, paying unsolicited funds into someone’s bank account, especially an official holding the Office of President, is not the best way to contribute to that country’s development efforts. I would be wary of any person(s) who did that, regardless of their intentions or global status.
So, my caution still stands: be wary of politicians who wine and dine with Nigerian MONEYMEN because all that glitters is not gold.
Dr. Sarr, I am irritated that you are defending a Nigerian lobbying for the Gambia in the US. I think the fundamental question is whether Gambia needs a lobbyist in the US as a go-between between US govt/firms and the Gambian govt?
1st, we have a fully staffed tax-sponsored embassy in Washington. Their job is to the official intermediary between both gov’t. They are also obliged to enhance the work of private businesses seeking access to us market or businesses especially Gambian-born entrepreneurs seeking to invest in the Gambia.
2nd, we have the chamber commerce that should be entrusted with the work of engaging private businesses, lobbyist, Gambian-born entrepreneurs etc. If the Nigerian fall into this category, well and fine.
But it is totally unethical that OJ and crew under auspices of Gambia govt trip let themselves corrupted by a lobbyist. The question is what does the lobbyist expect in return? I guess commissions.
I think we have to fork out more than just commissions to acquire and retain the services of a lobbyist or lobbying firms. After all, they are businesses that provide services for money.
If an individual is ready to host a Gambian delegation in a 5star US hotel, where a plate of steak cost that much, you can bet your life that the returns for this individual makes the extravagance worthwhile, especially when a Nigerian moneyman is involved.
You don’t even need hard evidence to figure that out. These guys didn’t get their global reputation for nothing.
Carefully read my comments.
I never defended any lobbyists, I simply pointed out to Bax that Arthur Nzeribe who was a lobbyist for Gambia in the UK during Jawara’s administration is unlikely to be involved in bribery.
Concerning OJ trip to USA. We don’t know if those they met are lobbyists or not, frankly we don’t know who paid for the trip.
Unless you have those facts, your indignation is misplaced.
If the majority of society think that rich people in their societies are gods, and they careless if they are such rodents who have funneled billion $$ Nigerian petrol proceeds in foreign banks or if they are those international scammers and arm robbers. Some of those Oga vampires do have British airlines fly ready-to-eat+pizza from London delivered to their doors.
It’s still more amazing having to listen to some of them who don’t like Buhari because they think he is himself ‘corrupt’ but yet relentlessly keen on curbing corrupt. I never agree with them because my point is: I think most of these Nigerian friends who think others people’s efforts aimed at curbing corruption and unscrupulous lifestyles are backward and wasted efforts. Such is a common mindset among not just Nigerians but many Africa.
Nigeria being among Africa’s biggest economies and yet with the largest down trodden poor population on the continent. One terrible attitude of us as Africans is; we rather be corrupt and unscrupulous today and fill our bellies than do the right things that will pave a way to a sustainable human capital and infrastructural development of our nations’ future generations. I hope major newspapers and TVs are not cheaply disseminating false news in all those major headlines about Nigeria’s international swindlers and scammers. Most of African billionaires and millionaires are either public wealth embezzlers or scammers or money launderers of some sort. If you say Gambian professional footballers are age falsifiers does not mean literally that that is true of most them but that, it is a common practice in Gambian football than elsewhere. The same may apply if you say South Africans are xenophobic – that in reality very few people from the whole big South African population carry out xenophobic attacks. I think our obligations as Africans is to engage each other to point out the need for us to cleanse our hearts and minds, and also to straighten our means of livings and acquiring assets. While it may be impossible to straighten the former and latter to perfection, we can make it a wonderful future for our children by just taking it to ‘level good’.