(JollofNews) – Only if we the citizens fully comprehend the meaning and significance of the Right to Protest. This is the only right that combines and through which we manifest the:
1. Right to Association
2. Right to Assembly
3. Right to Freedom of Speech
4. Right to Petition
When you take away these rights from a citizen then you effectively disempower and control that citizen. It means you raise the State above and beyond scrutiny and accountability.
These were the rights that Yaya Jammeh actively curtailed by using laws such as the Public Order Act and practices such as arbitrary arrest and torture to inject fear on us. Through the use of offenses such as ‘giving false information to a public officer’ or sedition or ‘false news’ he was able to limit our right to petition the Executive to show our grievances. Is this what we want again?
Disagree with the objectives of #OccupyWestfield but insist that their right to protest is protected. There cannot be good governance and democracy without the protection of the right to protest. Public institutions will not deliver efficient and quality public goods and services when there is no right to protest in a society.
Alieu Bah, organiser #OccupyWestfield
We cannot combat corruption and ensure sustainable development when the right to protest is restricted. Anywhere in this world that a government and leaders are forced to act with transparency, accountability and responsibility it is because the power of protest is present. Without the right to protest a government or leader does not address the needs and aspirations of the citizens with urgency.
The cheapest argument any government can give to curtail the right to protest is to proclaim security concerns. Yet every state has a law enforcement agency purposely to ensure public security which is also our right as citizens to enjoy.
Right to protest is about free speech or going to court or writing petitions or demonstrations in various forms including processions, concerts, dancing, singing, sitting at home or boycotting etc etc etc. These are the only weapons in the hands of citizens to tame the government and hold it accountable to deliver goods and protect rights. These are the tools that citizens use to make businesses deliver quality products and services that worth our money.
Westfield Junction
Without the right to protest you force citizens to engage in unconstitutional and violent means of expression. This was why we had December 30 attack and many others in the past 22 years! Hence the right to protest is also a peace building mechanism.
When we side with the government to deny any individual or group to protest then we are limiting ourselves as a whole. We are giving power to that government over us which will become unbearable sooner or later.
It was the manifestation of the right to protest that ended the Yaya Jammeh Tyranny. Therefore let us not allow anyone to kill the right to protest. Let’s defend it because it is in our interest as citizens.
Remember that the Government already has all the tools of power and coercion to overcome us. Our only tool is to protest. If we surrender that tool also to the Government then we the citizens will become seriously powerless, voiceless and defenseless!
You don’t have to join #OccupyWestfield but defend their right to protest. You don’t have to agree with their message but defend their right to protest. If you defend them today you are securing your own right tomorrow. Yet if you deny them today then tomorrow your own right will also be denied! Mark my word!!!
Powerful argument from Madi; But I don’t agree that all protests are legitimate. Arbitration should be taken first before protest. Like in so many cases Gambia needs to erect so many democratic institutions…One no more necessary than a court of arbitration.
If the Gambia’s energy and water supply deficit had been easy to solve, it would have been done so 100 years ago. While the people have every right to launch an appeal to its government, It must also understand that there is no easy, quick, solution. If Gambia had one or two billion dollars to spare on energy generation, environmentally friendly and cheap and sustainable…It could partially cure this problem. But I don’t think their is a total solution unless Gambia gets a cheap source of fossil fuel. Oil could be the answer….but this is years down the pipeline.
So Patience. Stop making a big deal out of something that can’t be solved quickly and also joining this situation to Human Rights. The two are not joined at the hip.
Pa It’s the chicken and the egg conundrum….”which comes first”
But yes everyone will agree with you including me.
You see Gambia over the last 52 years has benefitted from more than enough inward cash flow…to make energy and water issues to be resolved easily…You have The River Gambia, a great source of fresh water,, and underground you have water resources in abundance. So the money resource has been syphoned off through squandered millions.
AS a point of interest, I had some dealings with NAWEC…The Bangseng water course is filtered by sand…which is a good and safe process, but they had a deficiency in pumping the water to holding tanks. AS luck will have it, in my home town we have a world renowned centrifugal pump manufacturer. I gave them the problem and they gave me the solution. I then go back to NAWEC and gave them the price and delivery and installation costs. Answer No Money. In fact they gave me the impression that I should pay for it. But this situation I came across time and time again. The APRC appeared to have a policy of donorship in everything. I was asked many times for second hand. But now we know what Gambia’s taxes and loans and donations were used for .
I was even given VIP treatment and shown a site in Banjul that need a Basketball pitch upgrade. I said this is a laudable project and was asked to foot the cost of £40 thousand pounds. The stark difference between they way we do business and The Gambian Government do business is very confusing. I think Halifa’s dig at system change is actually a very experience and knowledgeable and wise statement.
Lol. Mike stories like yours abound. It even trickle down to the stupid believe that the Toubab should foot the bill at all events and occasions be it social, business or love….
I for one will always refuse to shift the blame to someone else after 50 years of nationhood. The problem is us, our mentalities and state of mind.
The only issue I have with the West is that some countries connived and agreed to hide the loots of African leaders.
Until we believe that no one else will develop our countries for us, we will remain civilized beggars. Halifa Sallah’s leadership might be a difference for Gambia? Fingers crossed.
Halifa always comes across as aloof and above us all. Some people can never connect with ordinary people. I also doubt Halifa really would be happy doing Presidential stuff. I think he thinks and that is his vocation. But that is only my opinion…The only connection we have is he once called me out sharply because he thought I inferred his writings and speeches as boring. But as I have said..we come from different commercial and political worlds with different speeds.
Mike and Pa, I agree with you guys that Africa’s problems in general and Gambia’s in particular are caused by Africans and Gambians. However, I do not think it is caused by only the politicians, I think it is caused mainly by our “intellectuals”. Politicians in the West are not that dissimilar from their African counterparts in their lust for power and greed for material gains through public office. The only difference is that in the West most intellectuals will expose politicians when they come across something that is not in the national interest even if it will cost them their own livelihood. But face with the same scenario, the African “intellectual” will instead do all that they can to convince the public that the politician is the people’s Saviour. Remember Sabally, Njogu Bah, Mam Buri Njie and countless other Gambian “intellectuals” who were all singing Jammeh’s praises despite being fully aware of the fact that he was emptying state coffers. These people contributed a lot in keeping Jammeh in office because lots of ordinary Gambians were with the believe that such “intellectuals” won’t be lying to the people. And what is most annoying is the fact that they are still lying and not owning up to anything. This, guys, I believe is our problem and it is far worst than incompetent politicians. The UK and USA are perfect examples, both have incompetent politicians at the top but both economies are doing OK because the intellectuals are doing their jobs well.
Buba I agree with you in part. I believe ALL sectors of society have a share of the blame including myself. Religious leaders, Elders and Youths in addition to the groups you mentioned, myself simply because I keep silent on certain matters.
The day we all respect the constitution and apply the laws without fear or favor then we will develop. Making oaths and promises without keeping them is the biggest problem in Africa.
The Janneh Commission will eventually unveil that ALL those aided Jammeh enjoyed the booties as well. Whether they accept or not, that is the gospel truth.
Do you see now why they are “frightened” of Halifa Sallah? Have we noticed how they try to ridicule adherence to the Constitution by mockingly calling him “Mr Constitution.”?
How many “intellectuals” are standing with Halifa Sallah and his PDOIS NAMS, when they refused to take the donated vehicles, because lawful procedure was disregarded? How many have called the great Lalo Samateh to order, when he went on a PDOIS tirade on his news programme on the same vehicle issue?
I agree with both of you in your views that African intellectuals are as culpable as leaders, if not more culpable, in our situations, but I think the masses also have equal share of the blame, because they can see and learn how masses around the world dictate politics and take charge of their countries, through citizens’ activism.
Until the masses change, we will continue to see the same attitudes in our intellectuals because, as parts of us, they are simply reflecting a behaviour that is common to us all.
I will partly agree Bax, whilst diverge, pending from view & inclination & approach to issue of ‘interlectualism’ in itself per se…
Political Doctrines, in my view mainly got judged by practicality which is/are only physically (practically) executed once in office, on winning an election mandate; the rest can be categorised trials & error theorems as ‘politics’ in itself, if you like…
The West are politically aware with advances in technology & Political maturity among, which enables that sway-voters critical to tipping balance in favours &/ against; pending on the general incumbency performance in the (particular) political (election) cycle; viz the expressions of the various opposition leaders on individual party manifestations (can only be ‘promises’ at the particular times; not necessarily reality in effect because (they) are yet to happen (practically)…
All politicians solicit, generate & accept donations, funds etc in any shapes &/ forms; covertly & overtly; while some can be announced or in public knowledge, lots go behind scenes too; & most remained under tight lids, unless & until divulge on fall-outs &/ uncover revealed, etc…
Some parties in UK were in news while ago, for record & understating political expenses as per election code dictates, for example; I for one see the NAM vehicle issue in positive; that it’ll facilitate political interaction with the communities represented to facilitate the general societal uplifting expidising; yes, might be political underhand for Barrow as any can rightly argue in all sense; influencing overedge against opposition as another would argue in view…
Contrarily in Gambia; the political maturity due to low civic awareness levels, I believe are the main driver factors influence on elections outcomes & Political offices…
With current civic awareness assault unleash by the current crops of Gambians, it’s rather ‘slow but sure’ race, for some catching up on better political mandating based out of the current influences; but yes there will always be the party militants, vibrant for solid party structures on the ground in communities, & building upon, in the localities; just like everywhere else, to facilitate winning…
However, funding for perpetual) continuous) community engagements periodically, are no doubt essential (vital) ingredients for palatable political scorings; even the mature democracies aren’t exceptional…
Bax, do you mean to say ‘Sarjo Barrow’ instead of ‘Lalo Samateh’; I understand the later is no more (God bless him & us all, Ameen…?
For example; a very major promise which evidently influenced the brexit vote sway was on the £350 millions Tory promised to NHS which now became ‘campaign pledge & not government responsibility’ anymore, as to Health secretary Jeremy Hunt; can cite endless more, if got all the time…
They Bajaw..take your time before posting and avoid endless rectifications LOL.
I agree with your post in part also although I have to crack my old brains to understand your writing style. LOL.
Ok, Pa I will try; for your understanding, my writings is mostly in shorthand due to time constraints; & (I also do) given ulternative inferences in brackets, etc…
Thanks…
Brother Madi
I agreed with you 100% on this regard. You right.
I also agree.
Powerful argument from Madi; But I don’t agree that all protests are legitimate. Arbitration should be taken first before protest. Like in so many cases Gambia needs to erect so many democratic institutions…One no more necessary than a court of arbitration.
If the Gambia’s energy and water supply deficit had been easy to solve, it would have been done so 100 years ago. While the people have every right to launch an appeal to its government, It must also understand that there is no easy, quick, solution. If Gambia had one or two billion dollars to spare on energy generation, environmentally friendly and cheap and sustainable…It could partially cure this problem. But I don’t think their is a total solution unless Gambia gets a cheap source of fossil fuel. Oil could be the answer….but this is years down the pipeline.
So Patience. Stop making a big deal out of something that can’t be solved quickly and also joining this situation to Human Rights. The two are not joined at the hip.
Mike, as an African myself I truly believe that corruption and misplaced priorities are our main problems and not lack of ressources.
Pa It’s the chicken and the egg conundrum….”which comes first”
But yes everyone will agree with you including me.
You see Gambia over the last 52 years has benefitted from more than enough inward cash flow…to make energy and water issues to be resolved easily…You have The River Gambia, a great source of fresh water,, and underground you have water resources in abundance. So the money resource has been syphoned off through squandered millions.
AS a point of interest, I had some dealings with NAWEC…The Bangseng water course is filtered by sand…which is a good and safe process, but they had a deficiency in pumping the water to holding tanks. AS luck will have it, in my home town we have a world renowned centrifugal pump manufacturer. I gave them the problem and they gave me the solution. I then go back to NAWEC and gave them the price and delivery and installation costs. Answer No Money. In fact they gave me the impression that I should pay for it. But this situation I came across time and time again. The APRC appeared to have a policy of donorship in everything. I was asked many times for second hand. But now we know what Gambia’s taxes and loans and donations were used for .
I was even given VIP treatment and shown a site in Banjul that need a Basketball pitch upgrade. I said this is a laudable project and was asked to foot the cost of £40 thousand pounds. The stark difference between they way we do business and The Gambian Government do business is very confusing. I think Halifa’s dig at system change is actually a very experience and knowledgeable and wise statement.
Lol. Mike stories like yours abound. It even trickle down to the stupid believe that the Toubab should foot the bill at all events and occasions be it social, business or love….
I for one will always refuse to shift the blame to someone else after 50 years of nationhood. The problem is us, our mentalities and state of mind.
The only issue I have with the West is that some countries connived and agreed to hide the loots of African leaders.
Until we believe that no one else will develop our countries for us, we will remain civilized beggars. Halifa Sallah’s leadership might be a difference for Gambia? Fingers crossed.
Halifa always comes across as aloof and above us all. Some people can never connect with ordinary people. I also doubt Halifa really would be happy doing Presidential stuff. I think he thinks and that is his vocation. But that is only my opinion…The only connection we have is he once called me out sharply because he thought I inferred his writings and speeches as boring. But as I have said..we come from different commercial and political worlds with different speeds.
Mike and Pa, I agree with you guys that Africa’s problems in general and Gambia’s in particular are caused by Africans and Gambians. However, I do not think it is caused by only the politicians, I think it is caused mainly by our “intellectuals”. Politicians in the West are not that dissimilar from their African counterparts in their lust for power and greed for material gains through public office. The only difference is that in the West most intellectuals will expose politicians when they come across something that is not in the national interest even if it will cost them their own livelihood. But face with the same scenario, the African “intellectual” will instead do all that they can to convince the public that the politician is the people’s Saviour. Remember Sabally, Njogu Bah, Mam Buri Njie and countless other Gambian “intellectuals” who were all singing Jammeh’s praises despite being fully aware of the fact that he was emptying state coffers. These people contributed a lot in keeping Jammeh in office because lots of ordinary Gambians were with the believe that such “intellectuals” won’t be lying to the people. And what is most annoying is the fact that they are still lying and not owning up to anything. This, guys, I believe is our problem and it is far worst than incompetent politicians. The UK and USA are perfect examples, both have incompetent politicians at the top but both economies are doing OK because the intellectuals are doing their jobs well.
Buba I agree with you in part. I believe ALL sectors of society have a share of the blame including myself. Religious leaders, Elders and Youths in addition to the groups you mentioned, myself simply because I keep silent on certain matters.
The day we all respect the constitution and apply the laws without fear or favor then we will develop. Making oaths and promises without keeping them is the biggest problem in Africa.
The Janneh Commission will eventually unveil that ALL those aided Jammeh enjoyed the booties as well. Whether they accept or not, that is the gospel truth.
Do you see now why they are “frightened” of Halifa Sallah? Have we noticed how they try to ridicule adherence to the Constitution by mockingly calling him “Mr Constitution.”?
How many “intellectuals” are standing with Halifa Sallah and his PDOIS NAMS, when they refused to take the donated vehicles, because lawful procedure was disregarded? How many have called the great Lalo Samateh to order, when he went on a PDOIS tirade on his news programme on the same vehicle issue?
I agree with both of you in your views that African intellectuals are as culpable as leaders, if not more culpable, in our situations, but I think the masses also have equal share of the blame, because they can see and learn how masses around the world dictate politics and take charge of their countries, through citizens’ activism.
Until the masses change, we will continue to see the same attitudes in our intellectuals because, as parts of us, they are simply reflecting a behaviour that is common to us all.
I will partly agree Bax, whilst diverge, pending from view & inclination & approach to issue of ‘interlectualism’ in itself per se…
Political Doctrines, in my view mainly got judged by practicality which is/are only physically (practically) executed once in office, on winning an election mandate; the rest can be categorised trials & error theorems as ‘politics’ in itself, if you like…
The West are politically aware with advances in technology & Political maturity among, which enables that sway-voters critical to tipping balance in favours &/ against; pending on the general incumbency performance in the (particular) political (election) cycle; viz the expressions of the various opposition leaders on individual party manifestations (can only be ‘promises’ at the particular times; not necessarily reality in effect because (they) are yet to happen (practically)…
All politicians solicit, generate & accept donations, funds etc in any shapes &/ forms; covertly & overtly; while some can be announced or in public knowledge, lots go behind scenes too; & most remained under tight lids, unless & until divulge on fall-outs &/ uncover revealed, etc…
Some parties in UK were in news while ago, for record & understating political expenses as per election code dictates, for example; I for one see the NAM vehicle issue in positive; that it’ll facilitate political interaction with the communities represented to facilitate the general societal uplifting expidising; yes, might be political underhand for Barrow as any can rightly argue in all sense; influencing overedge against opposition as another would argue in view…
Contrarily in Gambia; the political maturity due to low civic awareness levels, I believe are the main driver factors influence on elections outcomes & Political offices…
With current civic awareness assault unleash by the current crops of Gambians, it’s rather ‘slow but sure’ race, for some catching up on better political mandating based out of the current influences; but yes there will always be the party militants, vibrant for solid party structures on the ground in communities, & building upon, in the localities; just like everywhere else, to facilitate winning…
However, funding for perpetual) continuous) community engagements periodically, are no doubt essential (vital) ingredients for palatable political scorings; even the mature democracies aren’t exceptional…
Bax, do you mean to say ‘Sarjo Barrow’ instead of ‘Lalo Samateh’; I understand the later is no more (God bless him & us all, Ameen…?
Rectification please – undercover revealed – not uncover, thank you
For example; a very major promise which evidently influenced the brexit vote sway was on the £350 millions Tory promised to NHS which now became ‘campaign pledge & not government responsibility’ anymore, as to Health secretary Jeremy Hunt; can cite endless more, if got all the time…
Weekly £350 millions pledge Tory promised – meant to read; thank you…
They Bajaw..take your time before posting and avoid endless rectifications LOL.
I agree with your post in part also although I have to crack my old brains to understand your writing style. LOL.
Ok, Pa I will try; for your understanding, my writings is mostly in shorthand due to time constraints; & (I also do) given ulternative inferences in brackets, etc…
Thanks…