You want to know how democratic a country is? Check not only its political system, the separation of powers and system of checks and balances, the independence of the judiciary, the frequency of power change, the robustness of its accountability and transparency systems. Sine qua non, no doubt.
Measure too the rights enjoyed by its minorities, of religion, tribe, political, sexual orientation, etc; how safe the minorities are in that environment; how equal law is protecting their rights and liberties; how the majority, of religion, tribe, political orientation is respecting the rights and sensibilities of minorities, allaying their fears and feeling of insecurity and protecting their property.
Though the political minority should submit its political will to the political majority, that principle demands that the political majority protects the rights, interests, lives and property of the political minority; the political majority also subjecting itself to same laws.
While equal law protects the rights of all equally in The Gambia, each below and none above the Constitution, attitudes of political majority and religious majority towards political and religious minority have been below par, at least frightening and at worst a show of “majoritarian tyranny”. Yaya and his Government, callous to the feelings of the religious minorities in the country, used their diktat, out of the constitutional pale, to rename our country “Islamic Republic of The Gambia”. The religious majority, Sunni Moslems, or rather their scholars and leaders, endorsed this unconstitutional renaming or “baptism” as a matter of right- there were resistances from some quarters but distant and suppressed. Political stamping of religious majoritarian tyranny.
What about the building of mosques in public offices and property? The presence of a mosque at State House? It is not the function of our State to promote one religion over others, to proselytize on behalf of any religion, to organise or fund religious events, build or sanction the building of mosques in public places on public property. The State is supposed to be for all of us, maximising the greatest happiness of all of its people. Public places are bequeathed to none because they belong to all. Religion is a private matter and it should be private individuals to build mosques, churches and places of worship on their private property. Just imagine the chaos that could emerge if we have a non-Muslim as President but who is a religious zealot and order for the building of houses of worship in public places. A religious tower Babel.
Few years ago, some people in a particular community in Tallinding debarred the Ahmadi community from burying their dead in the communal, public cemetery. A stand off ensued which could have escalated into something unsavoury if not diffused in time. There is open hostility against the Ahmedis, from some Islamic scholars, with few calling for their expulsion from the country- citizens brazenly calling for the expulsion of other citizens because they are religiously different.
And now we have this Taneneh burial ground saga, precipitated by, according to sources, a Muslim man’s claim of ownership over a piece of land which is also a cemetery of a minority tribe and religion. Who would claim ownership of a cemetery? The case may not be tribal or religious but that a deceased member of a tribal and religious minority cannot be given a decent burial because of some claim of cemetery ownership beat my imagination.
The beauty of any democracy is in how it treats its minorities. The strength of any governance structure is tested in the way the rights of its minorities are protected and secured. The tolerance of a society is exhibited in how people disagree without being disagreeable, how its majority are accommodating towards the interest of the minority.
Morality apart, that we need to maintain peace and be tolerant towards others, the State has the obligation to protect the rights of others from violation or transgression, which include the rights of minorities. The State cannot be seen to be pandering to selected interests.
The Gambia is ours and everyone must feel it is a country they can call home, a country whose foundation is equality, non-discrimination, rule of law, accountability, human rights. After all, what other country can we all proudly call home? Nonetheless, our country ought to be lovely towards all of us.
Yet another brilliant discussion point highlighted by the eminent Njundu Darammeh, bold and to the point without mincing words.
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Here is my take on the rights of minorities and people with special needs:
First you need to categorize “minorities“ based on concrete demographic features and characteristics, the same applies to people with special needs.
These elements should then inform central and local government government policies, strategies and agenda.
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Herein lies the problem though: Using the right terminology in its proper context and at the right moment. For example, the term “tribe“ is loaded with problems. So what do you say? Ethnicity? It’s also a problematic because as with all categories, it has its instabilities.
Will we then be able to exist without these categories? That’s the million dalasi question. If yes, how? If no, how do we deal with the inadvertent resultant consequences? Grim reaper, Dida, Sarr, Bajaw, Bax, Andy, Jack, the Babus, etc……….be my guess and enlighten me.
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Religion is also not far behind. Njundu lumped the majority of Gambian Muslims under the Sunni sect. I have a different impression on that. I would say majority of Gambian Muslims practice Sufi Islam but still claim to be Sunnis. Even the Ahmadis say they are Sunnis. So not much distinction there.
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The most important thing in this transformative period of our history (at least in word), is to inculcate progressive ideals into our constitution to foster unity, tolerance and our common humanity. So I believe the CRC will be hearing and reading from all Gambians and alike who would want to see a better tomorrow for our country.
Brilliant piece indeed Lamin.
Lol, Njundu Drammeh, no doubt you will be labelled “devilish” for your thoughts by some people.
I believe that the government must designate cemeteries for all, regardless of religion or being gay or a lesbian(which I don’t condone the practice).
Terminology.
Democracy is a posh(educated person) word meaning,
“mob rule” “majoritarian” by natural forces, minorities will suffer, and I suppose if we were to find that equilibrium, some would call it, “socialism” or “communism” definitely some kind of “ism”
I don’t know, finding a new word to replace the word “tribe” would only be patronising, because at the end of the day, that new word would still have the same meaning, lol, it’s a tough one.
Grim reaper,
I think your proposal for a cemetery for all is interesting. Yet, it will be the feat of the century if one can pull that. One thing is clear, it should be part of the discussions on the way forward.
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“Tribe“ in connotation is problematic. It has an archaic cum premitive meaning in most European languages. In our own languages though, the representative words can differ greatly whilst the concept remain the same.
So the question we should be asking ourselves is:
1) Munémuu seyoo ti?
2) Laan mooi xeet?
3) Same question in Jola, Fula, Serer, Manjago, Bainunka, Papell, manswanka, Bambara. Then English last!
4) What’s tribe or ethnicity?
When we can define the above, then we will be able to deconstruct the phenomenon of identifying along ethnic or tribal features.
Grim reaper, am pushing you somewhere. Lol
Jump in, let’s keep this one going.