(JollofNews) – An international journalist and communications for development consultant has denied reports of his appointment as Gambia’s minister of Information and Communication.
Ebrima Sillah said the reports are false and he has never lobbied for any position in the new government of Adama Barrow.
Mr Barrow who was sworn-in last month as Gambia’s third president is vetting out potential candidates for some of the vacant positions in his government.
But writing on his Facebook page, the former BBC Africa correspondent who fled the Gambia after several failed attempts on his life by agents of the former regime of Yahya Jammeh, said his contribution in the political struggle against Mr Jammeh’s regime was not to seek for reward or compensation.
“Rather most of us joined the sstruggle to liberate our country from the yolk of tyranny,” he said.
“ I salute all those who stood shoulder to shoulder with their fellow countrymen and women to bring down one of the world’s worst dictatorships. This victory belongs to us all. Our next job is to ensure that we guard it jealously.”
The respected journalist added: “All those who are closed to me especially in our UDP caucus will tell you that I have repeatedly turn down offers, albeit humbly, to serve in the current government in different capacities as per my professional competence. And that’s why I was shocked by the rumor of my appointment as minister even though I was never consulted or contacted over it.
As a foot soldier, I fully support the development efforts of the current government whose coming to power I fully participated in. I intend to do my best for my country outside the control of the government bureaucracy. And I have repeatedly made this known to all those who have had private discussions with me on issues related to this present government. That’s where I believe I can serve while remaining relevant and critical.”
Ebrima I understand your point and completely respect your position on the issue nonetheless I would humbly ask you to reconsider position. Sometimes it is easier to effect change from within. So whilst it is true that government bureaucracy can be frustrating, contributing in formulating progressive laws can have significant positive impact on people’s lives far longer than the tenure of office of those who formulate the laws. I believe some of these rumours and created to put patriotic Gambians like yourself on the defensive and thereby staying away from positions where you can implement your progressive ideas. These will leave president Barrow with a lot of mediocre people to choose from for certain jobs. Certain people want to maintain the mediocrity that plagues Jammeh’s regime because they thrive on it. I am appealing to all patriotic Gambian intellectuals not to turn down jobs because of fear of being accused of lobbying for the post. Let national interest trump our individual pride. We have all brought President Barrow this far so lets not abandon him at the he needs us most to the mercy of those who never wished well for him and the country.
Mr. Sanyang, you comment was very touching and forward-looking and I find compelled to reply to the heart of you post “all patriotic Gambian intellectuals not to turn down jobs because of fear of being accused of lobbying for the post”. I wish it were that simple and logical in making such consequential decision(s). Except it is not that simple. All accomplished and patriotic Gambians who can make a difference in rebuilding a better and prosperous Gambia for all her people must put the country first. Many Gambians including Sillah would humbly offer their services in the pursuit of a better Gambia we all know is possible. In this dynamic, the first move belongs to the president and the new government.
Sanyang: You have missed the Subliminal and unstated point Sillah is making. Unlike the Fairweather Constitutionalist Salivating for the Crums of a job from the “Dough boy” and the Truncated Third Republic and Coalition Government, Sillah wants to remain Clear of a Regime that is Hell bent on Underminding itself at every turn. Item: First Absconding to Senegal to Supposedly seek refuge under Uncle Macky Sall, while abonding the GAMBIAN Citizenry Adama Barrow and his Clique were supposed to lead. What kind of LEADERSHIP is that? Second, False and later proven lied and misinformation about Jammeh Supposedly Absconding with GAMBIAN money at an alleged amount of 500 Million Dalasis. Proven to be a lie and may be an attempt to Steal or Defraud Gambians of an equal amount to Settle Accounts with the Senegalese Overlords and his Master, Macky Sall. Item: Another lie and falsehood or Whooper told again by the same Discredited Clique and Pathological Corrupt and Ethically challenged Cabal, hooted and tooted about an unproven and non existent Substance or Poison at the State House. The Senegalese Overlord Head of the ECOWAS ECOMIG Force, later Discredited the Adama Barrow and his Clique’ lie and falsehood, when he announced that “there was no Substance or Poison at the State House”. Yet the “Dough boy” and his Clique are Still at their own Volition “Hold up at a Hotel” in the Gambia and refusing to Occupy the State House, while Squandering the Meager Resources and Sovereignty Funds of the State, the Gambia. The unresolved Sad and Tragic Circumstances of the President’s Son who was alleged to have been mauled by a family dog at an Aunt’s house or Compound, while Adama Barrow and his Clique Vacationed at a Hotel in Senegal. Who paid for that bill after about two weeks of living large at the expense of the GAMBIAN People has not been addressed nor Cleared. Nor, has the “Sacrificed” Son’s death addressed or Cleared. The dog was examined and found to be Not Rabid and that it has Never Attacked anyone before the alleged mauling of the poor child. Adding these Major Less than Credible and decidedly Corrupting behavior from the infancy of the Adama Barrow, Mai Fatty and Ousainou Darbo Regime, most Non Inclined Ethnic group Interest Politics Professionals who are of the Persuation of an Oppossum and Charmeleon like Politicians are Sitting Out this Transaction Drifting Without Direction Regime. They do not want to Sell their Ethics, Moral Compass, Reputation and Democratic Principles just to be a part of a Regime that is Hell bent on Violating the Constitution, Stacking the Deck Against other Parties and other Ethnic groups in the Appointments of the Cabinet Members. Squandering Gambian Meager Resources at a Hotel, instead of Hulling their Behinds to the State House, Now! Detractors of my piece would howl and scream at the top of their lungs, claiming “this is a Jammeh supporter, or that it is too soon to hold Adama Barrow and his Government Accountable and Transparent with little or No Malfeasance. The problem is, the Adama Barrow, Mai Fatty and Ousainou Darbo Infant Regime, had from the get go, Exhibited a Propensity for Secrets even in the Oath that was Administered to the Adama Barrow Cabinet. What is this Nonsense of “Not Violating All Secrets for which the Cabinet Members are Exposed or Previewed to”. Such an Oath is one directly from the pages of the “Nteri Kaffo” Oath and many other Ethnic Group Interest Based Cults, in this case, the Mandinka. It has No place in an Oath for a Position for a Cabinet Minister or any other Government under a Constitutional Democratic Dispensation such we have in the Gambia. If Individuals like you are compelled to See no evil, Hear no evil, and Smell no evil based on the Ethnic Group at the Presidency And other top Appointments in Government, there are a large part of the Majority of GAMBIANS who will not buy into such Narrow minded and ETHNOCENTRIC, TRIBALIST AND NEPOTISTIC PRACTICES. GAMBIANS HAVE MOVED ON FROM THE 1965 AND 1970 GAMBIA TO THE PRESENT. THEY WOULD NOT BE SUBJECTED TO THE BYGONE ERA OF THE FIRST AND SECOND REPUBLIC’S FAILURES.
Good afternoon Ebrima SILLAH. I understood that you are real freedom fighter. You have stood with Gambian people to gain freedom from the worst dictator Jammeh. Allah will bless you and good citizen of gambian. If that is the truth you were offered with the minister of information and communication that good move. The government need educated and interlectual people like you. I or we pray for you. Information and communication is your field of area that many people know you. Allah subhana watalla will always guide and protect you. What we need here in the Gambia is the development of this nation. Right people should hold a right position as they study the area as their carer.
Allah will always bless the Gambia and protect the Gambian
Mr. Sillah is simply making two points:-
1. “Ebrima Sillah said the reports are false”.
2. “He has never lobbied for any position in the new government of Adama Barrow”.
In the context of the FALSE report, Mr. Sillah is naturally annoyed by the fact that some people may think he is “lobbying” for a job. That is all.
Dormu Rewwum Gambia all that you said is true and Mr Sillah is perfectly right to be annoyed. I think such false rumours are peddle by certain individuals to pre-empt the appointment of competent Gambians to positions where they can make positive contributions. They do not have the best interest of the nation at heart. I would like to make a suggestion to all Gambians in the diaspora. If anyone contacts you about a rumour of a potential appointment, don’t be angry with the person. Just say to them that you have not heard anything of such from the government but if you are approached you will happily go and serve your people. Soon they will stop peddling false malicious rumours. And to Mr Sillah I would humbly ask you not to turn down any job within your competency because of some idiot who has nothing to offer the nation. Personally I would take up any job that I know am competent to do. I won’t give a hoot to what my detractors say about me. I would let my accomplishments in that post do the talking. And I will ask all patriotic Gambian intellectuals to adopt the same attitude.
Sanyang: Are not rather too presuming and listening too much to your own Words and Counsel! Not all GAMBIANS need or want to go to the GAMBIA to Serve in a Adama Barrow Government or maybe any other Government. Please, do not be blinded by your total and unquestioned, some might say, Naive opinion of the Adama Barrow, Mai Fatty and Ousainou Darbo Regime. A Significant number of Gambians hold a different opinion if the Regime due to major and troubling Decisions, Acts or lack thereof Committed by Adama Barrow and his Clique in the Third Republic. Give such Individual Professions their due respect and soace. In the event that they in their own Volition decide to be as Militant a Supporter like the “fellow traveler” who goes by the moniker, “Maxs”, who also seems to believe that all GAMBIANS should Bow and Subjugate themselves to the Adama Barrow/UDP Regime. In a Constitutional Democracy, such Dreams are just that, Infantile Nocturnal Dreams… To achieve such Dreams, UDP Mandinka led Coalition Government would have to become even more Despotic, Unileralist, and Rule by Decree! Even the duo like you know better than entertain such. Being a member of the ruling Party is hard work and requires Members and Supporters to develop thick skin, a sense of humor and tolerance, if you want to be Successful within a Constitutional Democracy. I pray that you and all who wish good tidings for Adama Barrow and his Government, as well as Adama Barrow and his Government, would imbibe and embed a Code of Ethics and Morality Principles along with a Teflon Skin and body for the three years ahead. They would need it.
GAMBIA is more than the Sum Total of One Individual, Ethnic Group and Region. One GAMBIA, One People, One Destiny.
Sanyang your comment was very touching and looking for word ,thank you so much