(JollofNews) – Mai Ahmad Fatty has rubbished allegations that he was pushed out of President Barrow’s cabinet for corruption.
The leader of the Gambia Moral Congress Party (GMC) was sacked as Interior minister on Friday before being redeployed to an unnamed post in the diplomatic service.
And although the president has declined to give reasons for his sacking, there are speculations that it was in connection with some shady dealings Mr Fatty was involved.
But writing on his Facebook page, Mr Fatty said: “All Thanks and Praises due to Allah, the Master of the Truth and Destiny. Gratitude to Allah for the opportunity to witness the New Gambia.
“I will remain loyal to The Gambia with pride, confident in the knowledge that I did nothing to betray my Oath of Office such as personal involvement in corruption, or bribery. It is no secret that The law grants President Barrow the authority to hire and fire a Minister.
“A Cabinet Minister serves at the President’s pleasure. You may or may not agree with the exercise of that authority, but all Gambians should respect that right of his. I do, and without an iota of bitterness. The call to serve is an honour and I am thankful for the opportunity given me. I will never stop serving The Gambia and her citizens. The Gambia is bigger than one individual, and I want you all to support the on-going development efforts. Let us stay focused, stand together as one people, shun divisive propensity and remain true to our allegiance to our Republic. I wish our Coalition Government success.
”At this sensitive period, confrontation among the coalition leaders will not help our national cause. I resist the invitation to the contrary for the good of Mother Gambia. We cannot fail and we will never fail. The Gambia shall be a beacon of hope and prosperity in Africa. There is no other choice. Together we shall build a strong Nation. God Bless you all.”
Alhamdullilah,we know the president has the constitutional power to hire and fire a minister,but we need a full explanation as to how and why you became the first casualty?has Semlex issue triggered the abrupt and unceremonious departure as alledged?
Remember you were the first to say no deal was made between the coalition and Jammeh as to his exit……again you were the first to say that Jammeh went with $11,000,000.00 without authenticating it..You did a good job too by saying that the protesters at Kanilai were armed with local guns,which turn out to be not only untrue but the biggest lie of the century… You unilaterally transferred the interior ministry from Banjul to a very posche area,with all these i don’t think you were ready to go any time soon,if you were not ambushed….Good luck to Gambia Making Corruption( G.M.C ) one man party .
Solo, with all due respect, how can Mai Fatty unilaterally transfer a whole Ministry without Cabinet approval?? To move a Ministry from one location to another would require the President’s approval. The relocation of the Ministry of Interior would have been handled by Finance and another appropriate Government Department but not Interior itself or Mai. Nevertheless he has left now but the Ministry is still where it is for Gambians to enjoy and make use of. Lets try and look at the bigger picture here rather than making ridiculous assumptions or assertions that Mai did that move unilaterally. As for the $11 million, if I were you I would not mention that one because Mai has been vindicated through the Janneh commission so far that Jammeh has done far worst than that. And besides Mai doesn’t have to authenticate that because he got his information from reliable sources at the time. You are distorting the facts here Solo, Mai never said people were armed with local guns, what he said was people were armed with “traditional weapons” which can be anything from a hoe, cutlass, rake, secateur to anything. As unfortunate as the Kanillai incident was, security threat is perceptual, therefore irrespective of what the rioters were holding, their intentions can be perceived as a threat to the security of the person being approached.
All that Gambians are left with is the unnecessary cost to cover-up due to this one man. Why move from a property rented for D400,000 per annum to D3,000,000 per annum. This was not MoFEA, but the team headed by Mai Fatty and Badu Conteh. If you were to extrapolate the resources drained by Mai during the past 10 months to 22 years, what you will get is a mini-Jammeh, somethingnot exactly, but very close to Jammeh.
Mai, all respect to you and well done for seeing through all the hypocrisy going on in the social media. Remain true to your words and do not let anyone tempt you into doing or saying anything that will be detrimental to the success of the coalition. Like you said ” the Gambia is bigger than any individual” Good luck in your new role.
Mai deserves no respect,he is a crook, a deceit and a liar.We need clean Gambians like the President to run this country,he was rich before coming to power,so no one can buy him.Long live my President.
Solo
In a democratic society, all men and women are innocent until proven otherwise in a competent courts of law and since nothing is proven against Mr. Fatty, he deserved all respects and calling him a crook, a deceit and a liar is premature. The man was a force to reckon with in our struggle to free our nation from the monstrous rule of Yahya Jammeh, and lest you forget that politics is a dirty game. Lets hold our judgement till we know why he was removed from his post.
If you are looking for a common and perfect criminal don’t pass Maimuna Fatty,no wonder as soon as he assume office his first port of visit was at mile 2,because he knew if he wants to play it smart on the Gambians,that may be his place of abode.
Restrain yourself a bit. Wait until president comes out with the true version of events that led him to sack Mr. Fatty. After that, we can point fingers. Your outburst is immature to say the least. Don’t you take a break and ask yourself about why President Barrow retain Mr. Fatty after sacking him from a ministerial position? Do you know the reasons?
I cant still understand why the burden should be on the president to proof. Why cant Mai himself say why he was sacked. After all, when he (Mai, i mean) sacked a coalition member as Spokesperson sometime ago, he did not give any reason.
Mai is showing good sense and diplomacy. But if this coalition fails to impress and I am sure it is far from perfect, It would be incumbent upon Mai to show his leadership qualities. He is right in his direction that only Mother Gambia matters. Politicians like politics are sometimes forced by circumstance to come and go. Mai may yet have his day.
True talk Gambian
Why didn’t Mai thank President Adama Barrow for appointing him in his Facebook post????huumm!
He will not,because he Knows and President Barrow knows what led to the unceremonious departure,crooks will always be crooks,this Maimuna Fatty has no interest for the Gambia,just his personal interest no wonder his party is a one man party.
If president choose not divulge the reason he fired Mr. fatty for, and even went ahead in retaining him in the coalition in a different capacity, then there is no reason to point to a wrongdoing on the side of Mr. Fatty. We can merely conclude that President has used his powers allowed by the constitution to displace and replace a minister. Then I would advise my fellow interceders to remain calm or say outright what is holding the president from disposing Mr. Fatty altogether and if necessary bring him to court for embezzlement. Let’s be careful and use our intellects to distinguish a self-fulfilling prophecy from rationality. Rationality here dictates that Mr. Fatty has done nothing wrong until the president consequently say so and act to restore legality if the minister had broken law.
If someone calls me a Thief, I will scream, I will shout, I will be loud, loud, loud and clear in consistently telling Gambians that I am not a Thief. The truth is in his carefully worded weak posting.
I saw no weakness in the posting. On the contrary. It was measured, acknowledging what was achieved together and calling for the strengthening of the govt. He who shout is in the wrong! This is an old adage. Those who accuse him of embezzlement and misconduct must now act to restore legality, if the minister indeed broke the law. No one is above the law and the president must not shield Mr. Fatty from the law. This is true for every citizen.
Alternatively, if the president choose to keep it a secret, I suppose we can only accept the innocence of Mr. Fatty and accept the president’s prerogative to displace and replace a minister. We hope of course that Babili Jammeh’s ways are not imitated. That would be very sad- even for strong supporters of Barrow govt.
I think since Mr Fatty is claiming that he did nothing to betray his Oath of Office such as personal involvement in corruption, or bribery and you also have people with very strong believe that he is doing well in his position as an interior Minister and therefore do not deserved to be removed and demoted then it is now obligatory on the President to come out in public and tell us why he did what he did. The fact that the president has the constitutional authority to remove ministers dose not mean that he should be exercising it according to his vim without any genuine reason; otherwise he will not be different from his predecessor Yahya Jammeh.
Could Mr Fatty’s removal be connected to #Occupy Westfield Group? Could he have succumbed to pressure and granted Police Permit to the group, which may not have gone down well with some influential people within government? The #Occupy Westfield Group was granted a permit during the week, but when they got to Westfield on Sunday morning, the Police were there to disperse them. Obviously, a change of heart had occurred somewhere during the week for the permit to be revoked. Mai Fatty was removed at the end of the week. So, could there be a link?
The fact the president is refraining from humiliating Mai in public does not mean that he, Mai is innocent. I am sure Mai is prayong that all those who are calling for the President to disclose the reason for his dismisal to remain silent foever. He wouldnt want this laundry to displayed in public. No way.
How do you know for a fact that the president’s decision not to provide any reason(s) for Mr Fatty’s removal is meant to save him (Mai) from humiliation? Isn’t it the case that President Barrow would also be complicit in condoning corruption and corrupt behaviour, if he had removed Mr Fatty for corruption, but decides to retain and redeploy him to the foreign service? I don’t know Mr Barrow personally, but I don’t think he will be that naïve to think that he can get away with condoning corruption and bribery.
President Barrow’s expressed intention to keep Mr Fatty in government and deploy him to the diplomatic mission, would suggest to me that his removal is not connected to bribery or corruption, and until proof can be provided by his accusers, the permit issued to #Occupy Westfield will be the most plausible explanation, in my view.
My grandma ones told me that she can entrust her maize farm to a wolf, but certainly, not Tabaski ram. I didnt understand why but am sure Master AB do.
It seems you inherit the short-sightedness inherent in that example. A tobaski ram is a one day feast. Whereas the maize field/farm would guarantee a year’s food stock!
Kinteh (Kemo), I am beginning to doubt your capacity think. Do you honestly believe that a one-day old ram can serve as a Tabaski ram. Please, cut your crap and save us a penny!
Kinteh (kemo), Hope you have now realized that inheriting shortsightedness is far better than inheriting ignorance, irrationality, immorality and selfishness. I will advise that you use the opportunity to reinvent yourself.
Bax, the issuance and revocation of the permit and the sacking of Mai all happens within the same week (or should I say within 3 days). The consideration and decision to fire a Minister will take longer than that, except if you are in Yaya Jammeh’s world.
Come on now, a president can fire a minister within 24 hours of any unreconcileable disagreements, especially when the issue is around competence to make sound judgements that may be viewed as capable of compromising National Security, as the planned demo was seen by some in government and in support of government.
Bax, be assured that this one was thought through long and hard. Even Mai’s Father-in-law have been doing the covering-up but couldnt sustained it any longer.
Mai Fatty’s in-law doing the “covering up? I didn’t know about that. Tell us more. What’s he/she saying?
The problem I see with the proposed redeployment of Mai Fatty to the Foreign Service is that he will have to sacrifice his leadership of the GMC to take up any diplomatic position. Unless I am mistaken, he would become a civil servant if he accepts a position in the foreign mission and would be unable to hold any positions in any political parties.
It will be interesting to see how President Barrow is going to fill the position vacated by the GMC representative. Is he going to maintain the balance of the coalition in Cabinet by appointing a GMC party member or is he going to fill the position with someone outside the GMC? How will the GMC react, if their position in Cabinet is taken away from them? Will Mai give his blessing to the appointment of someone from his party to a more senior position in government than him?
I don’t want to speculate, but we can be heading for a crisis in the coalition makeup.
I think Bax…is highlighting more “fish hooks” for President Barrow to avoid {again}
While we acknowledge standing next to these dubious Biometric companies whose association with Gambia is somewhat controversial. It certainly does not mean Mai has sampled meat from the bone. The silence from Barrow {again} is becoming his trademark. Secret donors to The National Assembly and leaving the reputation in Tatters by yet another secret is absolutely appalling leadership underpinned by a gaping lack of transparency. I think The public needs another truth commision but this time it should be against this makeshift and fast unravelling abomination called “a coalition” Led by Africa’s first a foremost Jet Setter.
Incompetance abounds the land.
Mike, everyone are entitled to opinions individually; while I for one wish transparent detailed scrutiny in all political dealings pertaining the country, I will acknowledge too that there’s similar happenings in everywhere…
All politicians & political parties world over solicit donations & funding etc…
While some of these funds & donations are in public knowledge, there are many others too that changes hands behind scenes covertly; many of these transactions remains under tight lids as much as possibly could…
Some of them get divulged either in forms of fall-out & subsequent bickering between party militants who knew about these donations or they get revealed by some undercover disclosure from evidences obtained through investigation, whistle blowing, etc …
For example; some time ago, some political parties in UK were reported in the news for deliberately recording & understating their funds spent on elections campaigning which exceeded more than the acceptable amount as required by the election guidelines…
Mike, continue to help any political doctrine you support & stop behaving like this coalition is the only corrupt entity of its kind; the reality is the particular party &/ candidate/s you support must be subject to & have to pass the public judgment to win elections practically & access to public office, which is possible on a fairer political field from now on & in future, than before…
President Barrow could’ve afford to do otherwise with the vehicles personally if he chooses…
The fact that majority of the NAM members have the use of the vehicles, in my view will impact to facilitate to the overall performance of the MP-community interactions,; enabling positive societal elevation endeavours & advancedments subsequently…
God bless Gambia; Ameen…
Jammeh used to go round with lots of money and give out to individuals, groups and societies. Over the years, this might have accrued to hundreds of millions of Dalasis. Obviously, the people that receive these monies are mostly, very poor people who would, no doubt, put those monies to good use.
I remember around 94/95, our school received $200 (2 brand new crispy $100 bills) from Lt Jammeh as donation to our school ($100) and to buy shoes for children ($100), as many who lined the road to welcome him had no shoes on.
Would you have no issues with Jammeh’s use of state funds in these cases?
In the court of public opinion, a person can accuse another and demand that the accused prove that he or she is not guilty. In a court of law, the accuser must prove that the accused is guilty. This principle is as clear as the shining sun. If a person has a personal issue with Mai Fatty that is one thing, but to demand from him to prove that he is not guilty of wrongdoing betrays one’s impartiality. If Mai was fired for impropriety why still keep him the government’s payroll? From the little I know about Mai, he is not going anywhere. He will unfortunately disrupt things as he goes. He is going to be a thorn on the government’s butt. Mai does not know when to back down. He likes being in the center of things. Whether that is a good thing or not, I do not know. He has been and he still is very confrontational. When he was appointed for the top job at the Ministry of Interior I was very skeptical, because Mai does not have the temperament required for that job. He is too combative to hold public office. I still hold that view today. The questions I have for now are (1) How did Barrow came to the decision to fire Mai? (2)Who provided what information about Mai to Barrow(3) Was Barrow’s hand forced? And if so, (4) Who forced his hand? I think some of you are giving Barrow credit because of the assumption that he is running things and calling the shots. I have beg to differ. My position is based on how he has performed since he came office. His adherence to the Supreme Law of the land, the people he has appointed, and his vision for moving The Gambia forward. May be some of you know Barrow’s vision better him and myself, and if you do, please enlighten me. I am tired of waiting for Barrow to take a single issue and explain it clearly. If a person knows something well enough, there is no difficulty explaining that thing. Since I cannot wait any longer, I am asking for help from anyone who can act in Barrow’s place for a few minutes or a few hours and articulate Barrow’s vision. I am not interested in Barrow spoon-fed speeches, those are very distracting to me. Sorry for any typos, I always write on the run! God bless you all!
Bajaw; My good friend. Time and time again when I make a constructive opinion you refer me to the “political court” of Great Britain and make a very weak comparison of how the western world itself is corrupt.I would suggest that the only reason you can say this is because such corrupt practises do get exposed and then the media…blows its righteous and virtuous trumpet warning,,,,when even the media really should be the last to be judgemental. Lets us agree generally that the world is a very corrupt place and this is sad.
The point I have made is more or less seconded by Bax… and more eloquently put by Samba. Neither are British by Birth. But are definitely Gambian and very knowledgeable at that. I would also suggest that Kemo is of a similar mind with reference to the knives being thrown at Mai Fatty’s back. We have advanced to 10 months for Barrow to show us his direction only to find,,, if he has one { which I doubt} he prefers to keep it a secret. I don’t wish to be rude but, can someone keep him awake long enough to know,,,,,what the fish;;; ? is going on ?
Mr President come down from the skies , curtail your air miles and lead Gambia somewhere, anywhere other than dragging up the daily misfortunes of Yahya Jammeh and the 40 thieves.
Mike, I know for a fact that Gambia has a long long way to go in every sense of the word…
How I too wish things could improve instantly to worldly acceptable levels (whatever that maybe)…
But the reality is that, we can only accept where (the level) we (Gambia) are currently & slowly head out & upwards on gradual improving…
I’m apolitical but what’s mostly taking place on the fora is the various political opponents & supporters & sympathisers who visualises on issues to score political points for politicking purposes in disguise; not necessitated by nation building; the NAM vehicles for example, are benefiting parliamentarians across the various party divisions not necessarily Barrow & UDP only; which can trickle down to the communities represented by frequent interaction with the communities which wouldn’t have been easily accessible without the vehicles…
My ‘weak samples’ to other places in examples, are not necessarily because of attacking ‘Mike & anybody else’ per se but are rather indications that there are similar issues everywhere even in mature democracies world over aren’t exceptional…
While I join in encouraging political dispensation to be played by the book, I’m with no illustrations to understand for myself that can only happen with patience & not instantly; & improve upon gradually & strengthened progressively with Successive governments upon others; there are no instant fixes & totally doing everything according to our various demands here which are not the cases in totality even in even the mature democracies themselves, as we all stand to witness…
I don’t think I will buy into various political motivation arguments & accounts that other politicians can in fact do best with magic fingers; which are all but political campaigns & nothing more…
Otherwise, I can’t understand the repetitions on issues, just to score political points with issues like this; where as neutrally, I believe we should be all scratching our heads to pave the road ahead together for the general communal good; while the various politicians can pass on the the baton to each other in term limitation for political stability….
Are our actions truly geared towards Gambia regardless of whosoever is in the driving seat or on partisan political motivations in lip services…,?
Mike, my message is, stop demanding perfection from the infant coalition government & captain, when it’s not totally perfect in mature democracies & other places too, including UK; otherwise someone else can point to you being unreasonable….
Rectification please – with no illusion –
not illustration, thank you
Bajaw; Thank you for the mature insight to your foundational democratic patience.
I did not condemn the allocation of National Assembly cars. I enquired who would own them…the Nam Or the state ? I ask who would maintain them the Nam or the state. I asked if they should be a taxable item as they are benefit in kind.
But overarching all these questions was ..who are the donors ? If you cannot see why this should be declared then all the democratic principals are dropped and suspicion must rule. This is immature for any government, no matter who or where they reside. I mean as Bax said recently….”they” tried to portray these cars were donated by Barrow….but tripped themselves up very badly.
If you ask me for an opinion; I would say Barrow and side kick Darboe have hung Mai Fatty ” out to dry”. To let Mr Fatty be a target for social media attack could have been predicted….instead the silence over “reasons” for the sacking are conspicuously absent. Barrow was also absent over the Westfield protest debacle….leaving his Interior Minister….without support. It is appalling leadership.
But what do I know ?
The publication of a piece on Kaironews (the UDP mouthpiece) alleging receipt of a D15m bribe from Belgian investors as the reason for Mr Fatty’s removal, would seem to lend credence to your suggestion that Mai was being “hung out to dry.”
One would expect to read such articles on Kaironews about Halifa Sallah, but not Mai Fatty, who is their closest ally amongst Gambian parties, unless…..
Mike, ‘maturity in the eyes of the beholder’; behaviour is contrarily reactionary & mirror reflect in some instances…
The vehicles, no doubt have a general positive impact on the Gambia as community, if not on Barrow’s political underhand as argued…
Who the donor/s are (supposed to be) is question of transparency we all sort in general endeavour to better & improve wherever upon, (at time, & conditions etc)…
This is not to say donations aren’t equally sought, received &/ accepted by the opposition too, either covertly &/ overtly; in mature democracies including UK aren’t exceptional; that’s was how parties could actually spend money more than legally acceptable on political campaigns for example, while they doctor records to synchronise in UK as on the news sometime…
Some of these donations takes place behind closed doors; some only gets revealed when there’s a political fall-out &/ revealed by undercover (underground) / whistle blowers investigation & divulging, etc etc etc…
Yes I agree, politically it gives political advantages & extra edge to Barrow & (those) associated; as one may argue rightly…
I don’t see the necessity in detraction all about it though while we condemned & continue to encourage for clearances in future dispensations progressively together; just like (our) calling for the official version of honourable Fatty’s relieve…?
But we got to accept the fact that politicians everywhere have their various cupboard skeletons; the Gambia have been & will continue too, just as anywhere else…
Mike, I believe too much time are wasted, (humble opinion) at this material time around wrangling on political domineering within the parties (none of them excluded) than the due assault required to grapple on transition; on the commissions Currently, & those yet to (be) set, the constitutional review, among others, etc, to end of transition at least…
We can’t expect to an outright win win situations as being unreasonably demanded in a toddling democracy when the ball isn’t rightly played everywhere as per those same rules in mature democracies; withvsome star players scoring goals by ‘hand of god’; another weak (lame) example comes to mind; David Cameroon condemned offshore tax evasion ‘morally corrupt’ only his own dad to be outted (divulged) on newspapers & media as those in the act; David continued to be prime minister to until falling on his own sword on the brexit debacle…
Mike, this explains another side to a ‘silent follower’ in my little self; you were just dismissive about the energy efforts reports, on here somewhere, when those officials are among the entrusted mandatorily for the issue; they were being transparent on efforts gearing, as who are (persons) entrusted to find solutions to the issues at all costs; yet you pretend to sell a textbook theorem as the anointed solution for politicking advantages chancing on who’s behalf(if I may ask); why do you expect everybody to buy into that…?
About, Barrow, Darboe, Fatty; I can only speculate, if I may…
Out of my non partisan ambition, I remind my little self always, & all (everybody else), including the trio, that Gambia is greater than us all; individually & even collectively (all of us) together…
To agree &/ disagree at any given time/s either politically & in the execution of duties as fallible humans are healthy in communal advancements endeavours in searches for improvements where possible as required, which are the responsibilities entrusted to the (those) mandated in leaderships; whilst (at same time) the collective communal concern of (us) all…
God bless Gambia; Ameen…
Bajaw, I don’t quite get your position on the 57 “donated” vehicles, so let me ask you a few questions.
1. Are you saying that those who question these gifts are doing so for political maneuvering?
2. Are you saying that the outcome of the vehicles (benefitting NAMS) is what matters over the actions of President Barrow?
3. Are you suggesting that we should all understand such actions of the executive, when they occur, because our democracy is still “young”?
Ceasefire…..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nope, Bax; 1. we have all asked for transparency to be applied as to per the letter as constitutionally stated; while persistent detraction bits about it all can just point to politicality in priority arguably equally, just as Mike dismissive on the energy efforts transparency as we all are calling for repeatedly but not out of sincerity to Gambia but on ulterior inducements; where by end of transition successive term limit administrations will ensure to that overall improvement in future dispensations among others….
2 Yes, pending on where my priority lies at the junction; Barrow can instead accept the donations in different shapes &/ forms & choose to (hide) sit on it selfishly while the NAM struggle with logistical facilities as was the case; which will impact negatively & slow drag the communal collective advancements in effect, where the elected representatives are (supposed) to be in (at the) forefront; until the issue can be solved by the state & other means (at anytime in future) with our current economic conditions; what we call for is for such donations not to exert reckless undue influences at expense of the state community…
No politicians, world over can attest to shunning donations & gifts in totality, including the Gambia political parties too…
3 we should condemn as have been already; & allow rooms for encouraging improvements when & where possible; while others persistently apply to detract with it; obviously at end of transition, we will expect to improve considerably; especially after the next government to come; with some political maturity attainment community wise which can only improve & sustain the general public & the leaderships towards the total realistic challenges faced for the better…
Even the mature democracies aren’t, will not & can ever be ‘perfect’ as those in the opposition divisions currently against the government would want to sell at all cost, but rather for political chancing; whilst others act to defame for personal &/ political vendetta & sowing misunderstanding among the coalition to achieve the failures envisaged on ulterior motivation different from genuine communal endeavour as pretended…
I think I am clear about your position now. It seems that depending on your priority at any juncture, you can excuse abuse of office, if the outcome, in your view, promotes the national cause.
Unfortunately, that is not dissimilar to the positions of Jammeh supporters, whenever we used to question the source of his wealth. They would say that he was spending his money in The Gambia and on Gambians, to help poor people and develop the country.
For many observers, there is need for consistency if we are serious about fighting abuse of office, whether perpetrated by a leader we oppose or one we support, and with such a consistent position, the outcome of an action would NEVER negate the need to adhere to good conduct and proper, legal procedures.
As regards the 57 vehicles, nobody would dispute the positive contribution it can make on NAMS’ effectiveness, but that fact should not negate the improper and illegal conduct of the executive arm of government, and all who wish to see an end to improper conduct and illegal behaviour in public office, should raise their voices as loudly as they can.
The executive has behaved improperly because it has ignored the code of conduct of Public Officials, by receiving gifts and presenting them to NAMS as personal gifts. It (The executive) has also behaved illegally because it has violated the provisions of the Constitution that clearly established the two institutions as separate and independent from each other, by not following the proper official channels of communication when the two institutions do official “business.”
If you, or anyone is ready to brush these violations under the carpet because some NAMS are going to enjoy mobility to facilitate their work, then you might as well forget about fighting abuse of office.
I can understand when people say that a 10month old government cannot address all the chronic ills of the country, especially water and electricity, but proper conduct and following due process should be expected from DAY ONE and insisted upon by ALL.
Otherwise, we can all forget about blasting Jammeh for improper conduct and failure to follow due processes, because that would be double standards. Simple as that.
Kinteh (kemo), Hope you have now realized that inheriting shortsightedness is far better than inheriting ignorance, irrationality, immorality and selfishness. I will advise that you use the opportunity to reinvent yourself.
The truth is what current coalition government can get away with due to our political & civil awareness maturity levels, will be expected to be different in, say, two Successive governments to come, for example; won’t it be unreal to demand to that expectation standard instantly…?
That’s imaginatively unachievable…
Bax while we agree on some of the issues, we will always disagree in others as on, time frames, prioritising, etc pending on views which will always be, for the divergent homogeneous community together…
I’m sure if you get back on above I stated somewhere that we seek to attain transparency gradually as per letter as constitutionally stated, as we have asked & expressed for transparency on the vehicles already before; but truth is, that can’t be the situation in reality as ‘wished religiously’ when even the constitution is yet to finalise among many; after when, with improved political maturity, such would not be possible at the time anymore…
When the vehicles, except for the possible political advantages, other may rightly claim in counter undoubtedly, it will impact indeed positively at our material junction; while we allow improvements for Barrow to be disclosing more not to be exploited for ulterior detraction…
The next government in, after transition one, would be improved more, from the lessons being learned currently; but expecting & demanding instant changes when it’s the case everywhere as in the democracies inclusive, who we term ‘mature’ while on political chancing rather than systematic realistic rationality; are we in Ethiopia or utopia…?
Views can be different optionally, based on communal, political & individualistic elevations etc, pending from one’s approach angling…
To have the vehicles as provided for now, condemned the underhand for possible political advantages & sensitisation as have already been done, with reaping the positive impact it will effectively contribute to achieving that transparency attainment overall in due time, do we say, totally refuse the donations & allow (enable) the negative effect as would be the case without the vehicles in societal benefits, as being argued in others politically…?
We all can have our various view inclination which are always optional in our preferred priorities, pending on various convictions; the beauty of democracy; that we all aspire for; but (only attained) in measured achievable standards practically, at the material times & junctures, under the particular circumstantial situation/s…
(Opinion)
True. Divergence is our strength and defending our positions through arguments is the beauty of free speech.
I don’t think even those that did not take the vehicles did so because they did not want them. They did so because they wanted due process to be followed, and if all had taken the same principled stand, I’m sure the executive would have gone back and followed due process. That’s one way you stop abuse of office.
It is only through principled stance that we can guarantee that abuse of office is eradicated. We will never succeed if there are some who are always prepared to do the bidding of public officials, even when they know that what they are doing is wrong.
Officials under Jammeh used the fear factor to justify their actions. What would officials under Barrow use? That it was a young government that needed time? There is no justification for complicity in abuse of office and we should not make excuses for anyone.
You keep referring to advance democracies, but like Mike said, the difference is that the public does not justify such behaviour, as we seem to be doing. Officials who are discovered are exposed and often, pay the penalty. No one says, “oh, he/she just got into office and is bound to make mistakes.”
Let’s stop making excuses. The executive should have been clean about the vehicles and communicated to the National Assembly in the proper way, if members were the identified beneficiaries of the gifts. The outcome of the vehicles DOES NOT matter if we are serious about ending abuse in public office.
Those who accepted the vehicles are parliamentarians equally informed in law & Political advantages too & all not necessarily UPD parliamentarians as being touted about, but they chose to accept in communal advancements overall, impacting on positive communal benefits rather than individual/s political exploitation for detraction purposes; while we all commented on sensitising about the disadvantages therein, in ensuring to effective accountability suitability subsequently, etc which not achievable instantly as we can wish but are geared towards the total eradication of secrecy in totality in progress; every one here can attest that I never defended secrecy at any time/ point but have condemned it like everyone else, whilst encouraging for improving giving attention to the practical ones feasible currently…
It’s equally in the PDOIS & anybody’s political option/s too, to sell their political messages in priority; but no politicians & political parties will deny they don’t solicit & accept donations themselves…
Thanking you…
The floor for everybody fellows please…
I’m going into hibernation to conserve energy & continue learning from the rest of the able commentators & readership…
Thanks
Bajaw no one can deny your patriotism and your sterling contribution to freedom.
But I see a crisis of confidence looming large.
The secrecy question is this ?
President Barrow has said that those who donated the NA cars also assisted him with his election.
Are the donors Foreigners ?Are they business people ? Do they have economic ambitions in the Gambia now or later ? Or are they a foreign power ?
All the President has to do is say NO to all these questions.
..and lastly, why did his personnel/ staff infer that It was President Barrow who was donating these cars, out of his own pocket ?
PS add to this list….Why no reasons given for Mai Fatty’s redeployment ? This move infers that Mai is innocent of all online allegations. For if the allegations are true, then the President must explain why he has employed someone under such public scrutiny ?
It is what we British would call…..Accountability, under public audit. In a true democracy any citizen is entitled to ask searching questions of its leaders and expect written answers, normally through a local Member of Parliament.
I do it all the time. My drawers are full of detailed and authorised replies from British Cabinet Ministers.
Is the time not ripe yet for Gambians to re-visit the drawing board and start it all over by itemising WHAT ACTUALLY Gambians wish The Gambia to be?
Some advocates of ‘TRANSPARENCY’ rightly hold it so important and which in The Gambian context can be translated to the intentions behind the setting up of the Janneh Commission, which is questioning even the bututs spent on Gambian students in foreign countries during the last regime. However, my concerns are beginning to worry me and reading a few opinions above, especially one that pointed to ‘future commissions’ seemed that the ‘need’ for another commission shortly after this one is already pinching skins!!!
My problem is not because that will be wrong to happen, if it does; but rather, it suggest to me(perhaps wrongly) that the actually business of improving the quality of life for everyone in this small country in size and population in every region (including) Fatoto, kiang, Kanilai,Brikama to Gunjur/Kartong is being left aside until our politicians finish their priority tasks (positioning themselves firmly in place, discredit and scrutinise each other in turns while allowing ordinary citizens (who voted them in) fall out big time by turning against each other on every issue, sadly to the advantage of the politicians and sad to the disadvantage of both warring camps? Holding on issues based on narratives/perspective to favour one’s party, tribesman in power or region they hail from is one of (if not the main) obstacle holding this little country down.
Despite explanations (benefits of the donated vehicles) given by some which looking superficially could be swallowed by many, if Gambian (including NAM given the vehicles unite on transparency of the government and demand straight dealings by every official(including the executive) of the vehicles be left to remain in front of the state house or NAM building on the highway entering Banjul, I am certain it won’t take the executive a day to come out clean. With the population behind them, if the NAM had initiated this to demonstrate to the people who voted them in that this resembles some of the things we sold to you and you bought our narrative in the hope that we will not just do things differently but we wont go near shady dealings behind your back! The executive would have corrected their missteps without having the citizens hit each other from(LR&C – Left Right and Centre) and it will ensure sober calculation before taking the next step. The mantra of ‘together we stand, divided we fall’ is one thing I always believe in politics (I maybe naïve). Politicians or should I say, ‘seasoned politicians’ never voluntarily like to take on a united population or at least deliberately. Had the secrecy issue in the gifts of cars been taken by the NAMs with backing of the people, current debate would likely not have happened. The constitution (even if amended) will certainly not cover everything under the sun, but the ever united, present & watchful population will earn the respect of the executive.
It is sad that our politicians spend a lot of time figuring out how to play their cards (political strategies) to impress us but little time actually to work on strategies to improve or lot.
The valuable time could be better spent studying how to feed, treat,educate, house …. ourselves in a very near future; by benchmarking if those in the offices don’t know how, or even reading/studying how others did it with no magic resources/Marshall plan? Tomatoes are thrown all over Serekunda market almost every day during peak harvest, searching for simple (if complicated ones will sound far fetched) technology/industries to convert these tomatoes into preferable past will not only improve the lot of these in horticulture but it will provide employment for not only women gardeners but also attract youth and those give us a win win effect!!! A project I once read to start a scientific research complex in The Gambia sounds very plausible for various reasons. But my problem, before we think of how to track criminals, DNAs, etc why not we think how to minimise the tendency for one to turn to criminality by making other less ventures more attractive to youths than criminality or ‘back way’?
A local saying from an old man reads ‘you will get a dog when you start raring a puppy on a hunting day, but be sure it won’t catch any game for you’ (and I want to add – at least for that day), no mockery intended.
On a more serious note, could be that to avoid some of the current happenings or their reportages in The Gambia be among reasons why the wise African and Global hero (alive as well as dead … Mandela decided to swallow painfully his ego, with courage and bravery the pain and all the wrongs done to him and his country and surprised his foes as well as his supporters by pursuing the goal of peace and forward moving of the common good (South Africa) while pushing the Truth & Reconciliation process for healing but not straight forward arrest without prosecuting apparatus, opening the gates of the prisons to world media (with good intentions perhaps) but knowing there are no ready funds to change the situation there, such efforts described by others as meant to serve a different (political) purpose than the immediate concerns of ordinary people.
I may be too small to say certain things but from the pattern of what is unfolding, my worries are spilling out now; thus …. if the outcome of the entire interviews and answers at the commission (not just economics but social) will produce (not for politicians as for them its already a success) for The Gambia more than what is being spent to run it? If the answer should be no, (Allah forbids) a better way could have been more suited to the Gambian situation. Has the cat been placed before the horse?
With no apologies but regrets should readers who truly love Gambia choose to go after chaff instead of the grain of the thoughts expressed.
Apologies: A re-post with corrections/additions for clarity.
Is the time not ripe yet for Gambians to re-visit the drawing board and start it all over by itemising WHAT ACTUALLY Gambians wish The Gambia to be?
Some advocates of ‘TRANSPARENCY’ rightly hold it so important and which in The Gambian context can be translated to the intentions behind the setting up of the Janneh Commission, which is questioning even the bututs spent on Gambian students in foreign countries during the last regime. However, my concerns are beginning to worry me and reading a few opinions above, especially one that pointed to ‘future commissions’ seemed that the ‘need’ for another commission shortly after this one is already pinching even the thickest of skins!!!
My problem is not because that will be wrong to happen, if it does; but rather, it suggest to me(perhaps wrongly) that the actually business of improving the quality of life for everyone in this country (small in size and population) and in every region (including) Fatoto, kiang, Kanilai,Brikama to Gunjur/Kartong is being left aside until our politicians finish their priority tasks (positioning themselves firmly in place, discredit and scrutinise each other in turns while allowing ordinary citizens (who voted them in) fall out big time by turning them against each other on every issue, mostly to the advantage of the politicians and very sadly to the disadvantage of both warring camps? Taking on issues based on narratives/perspective to favour one’s party, tribesman in power or region they hail from is one of (if not the main) the obstacles holding this small country down.
Despite explanations (benefits of the donated vehicles) given by some which looking superficially could be swallowed by many, if Gambians (including NAMs given the vehicles or those who don’t take it) unite on the issue of transparency of the government reject or refuse to receive them without clarity and demand straight/clear dealings by every official(including the executive) and let the said vehicles be left to remain in front of the state house or NAM building on the highway entering Banjul and wait for proper procedures to take place; I am certain such a stand would have far more corrective and preventive outcome than the current debate seemingly healthy democracy but more often than not personalised to the detriment of what the common denominator ‘Gambia’ – that stand there with her problems unresolved). If such a move was initiated by the NAMs with support of the people (at least the majority), it will surely not have taken the executive more than a day to come out clean or clear to the people perhaps with apology. The NAMs would have demonstrated to the people who voted them in that they (NAMs) deserve the rust of the people and would have sent a strong message to the executive not to attempt taking them for a ride in any issue that resembles some of the things sold to the people and who bought their narrative in the hope that they will not just do things differently but won’t go near shady dealings behind back of the people. The executive would have corrected their missteps without having the citizens hit each other from(LR&C – Left Right and Centre) and it will ensure sober calculation on the part of the executive before taking the next step.
The mantra of ‘together we stand, divided we fall’ is one thing I always believe in politics (I maybe naïve). Success of the colonial powers is partly given by some writers to their ‘divide & rule’ strategy. If this carry some or whole truth, lets be aware that Politicians or should I say, ‘seasoned politicians’ never voluntarily like to take on a united population or at least deliberately.
Lets also me mindful that, the constitution (even if amended) will remain man made and therefore will certainly not cover everything under the sun, but when actions deviate from natural moral path, a united, ever present & watchful population should take it together to earn the respect of the executive.
Some are already cajoled by the lack of official statement for removal of a cabinet minster while others laugh at a sense of defence coming from the direction of executive or cabinet for the removed official? Are they kicking each other for people to make an impression (by defending shortly after) or they are really kicking each other for a good reason? Whether the constitution mandate clearly what need to be said or not, morality demand something to be done at least if not for transparency for the sake of it but to avoid innocent family members and supporters of the two camps getting at each other neck! That is a moral duty and a preventive mechanism for conflict prevention.
It is sad that our politicians spend a lot of time figuring out how to play their cards (political strategies) to impress us even if the action bears no direct tangible result but little time actually to work on strategies to improve the lot of those they represent.
The valuable time could be better spent studying how to feed, treat,educate, house …. ourselves in a very near future; by benchmarking if those in the offices don’t know how, or even reading/studying or ask about how others did it with no magic resources/Marshall plan? In the Gambia, unsold tomatoes are thrown all over Serekunda market almost every day during peak harvest, searching for simple (if complicated ones will sound far fetched) technology/industries to convert these tomatoes into a more preservable form (tomato paste, ketchup, etc) will not only improve the lot of those in horticulture but it will provide employment for not only women gardeners but also attract youth thus giving us a win win effect!!! A project I once read to start a scientific research complex in The Gambia sounds very plausible for various reasons. But my problem was/is, before we think of how to track criminals with such technology, how identify criminals/dead bodies via DNAs, etc why not we think how to minimise the tendency for one to turn to criminality by making other less attractive ventures more attractive to youths than criminality or ‘back way’ happen to be these days?
A local saying from an old man reads ‘you will get a dog when you start breeding a puppy on a hunting day, but be sure it won’t catch any game for you’ (and I want to add – at least for that day), no mockery intended.
On a more serious note, could it be that to avoid some of the current happenings or their reportages in The Gambia be among reasons why the wise African and Global hero (alive as well as dead … Mandela decided to swallow painfully his ego, with courage and bravery the pain and all the wrongs done to him and his country and surprised his foes as well as his supporters by pursuing the goal of peace and forward moving of the common good (South Africa) while pushing the Truth & Reconciliation process for healing but not straight forward arrest without prosecuting apparatus, opening the gates of the prisons to world media (with good intentions perhaps) but knowing there are no ready funds to change the situation there, such efforts described by others as meant to serve a different (political) purpose than the immediate concerns of ordinary people.
I may be too small to say certain things but from the pattern of what is unfolding, my worries are spilling out now; thus …. if the outcome of the entire interviews and answers at the commission (not just economics but social) will produce (not for politicians as for them its already a success) but for The Gambia more than what is being spent to run it? If the answer should be no, (Allah forbids) a better way could have been more suited to the Gambian situation. Has the cat been placed before the horse? If that happens, lets expect prosecuting one another for the next foreseeable future with less or no real improvement in the lives of ordinary Gambians, a case in point is NAWEC, worse today than past days described by many as ‘very bad’. Not what Gambia wishes for herself.
With no apologies but regrets should readers who truly love Gambia choose to go after chaff instead of the grain of the thoughts expressed.
Bambo sensible contribution but very long passage.Please kindly summarize next time,thanks.
Thanks brothers for the time reading my points!
For Bourne: Thanks and points well noted!
However, am troubled still, can you or anyone help me here comprehend?
Your points are right and my agreement with that reads — ‘A project I once read to start a scientific research complex in The Gambia sounds very plausible for various reasons’….. can be tracked in my piece above.But thanks for elaborating the other benefits of such a project. Yet, am worried that I won’t list it the immediate need at this stage. Why? It will be under utilise or futile without regular electricity supply for example. We need to prepare for such things technically to avoid having to beg for power supply from others (who can use it a bargaining chip to achieve other aims or to have to hire experts from outside to teach us how to use/run it, a situation that could be similar to the case at hand (Biometric Passport & ID cards … good things though). Also a situation where the executive can keep aware from public (at will) the source of the controversial vehicles, the mere facts behind the removal of a cabinet minister, on top of all of these take pleasure in watching your citizens scratch their heads for answers, others resort to rumours while still others find convenience in castigate each other. These are recipes for agitating the sensitivities of a peaceful population- which has a strong propensity for triggering conflict. Even with scientific laboratory,in a situation as we have today, the condescending and nonchalantly behaving officials can sit on the results not to come out or refuse to utilise those apparatus to detect the failings of their favoured colleagues. What can we do? When an executive fail to make its officials declare their assets before confirming their appointment, when executive can refuse to effect the 2nd most important appointment until a rush through amendment of ONLY one out of the many needed to change in our constitution, just to enable a favoured candidate to fit in, do we need a scientific lab. to correct things like that? Certainly, NOT!!! How do we utilise a scientific lab. to trace a criminal, a rapist, tax evaders, etc (not if they happen to be close relative, friend or colleague of the POWERFUL few). All of these plus the continues failure of successive governments /officials to negotiate sound and appropriate deals (projects) without attracting heavy fines the tax payer have to pay on top of the already truck/ship loads of pressing needs to deal with from a dry national pot as pronounced, tells who we truly are, where we stand on the development needs tested hierarchy and what our development needs/priorities should be. One of those I will suggest is proper EDUCATION backed with discipline, attitudinal change in our societies. And a set criteria/principles that any one aspiring or wish a friend or ally to aspire taking a position where failure is no option, must be scrutinised all round either vertically and horizontally or call it academic, professionally, socially etc.
Our own attitudes/’culture’ eg. X or Y suffered under the previous regime, therefore with or without scrutiny or efficiency in that profession, s/he should be given a top job. That is costing Gambia her life blood and pulling it down the drains! And we are all witnessing it right now.
People alleged to have ever been involved in shady activities at home or overseas, and served time behind bars (rightly or wrongly, we should be man enough to demand proper/thorough forensic checks on the content of that person’s character to avoid multiple damages). Without which, such a person should never be put in a positions of authority. It does not only delay our development (as NAWEC’s failures currently shut many businesses) but also teaching the next generation of leaders that politics is all about say nice things but do as you wish once in office or a game of get rich quick!!! while beyond our borders damaging our international reputation which we need for investors (national or foreign alike) to have confidence in the people they will have to deal with when they bring their hard earned resources to invest on our sores. Its baffling what is happening to our homeland!!!
For Nyancho: Point noted!!!
My apologies for the length, just that The Gambian story is becoming a mockery, the situation is frustrating, some of our problems have nothing to do with KNOW HOW, they are deliberate actions and a clear display of nepotism causing emotions spill out uncontrollably.
Thanks for reminding anyway.
not investigating a criminal is lack of respect for citizenship 15 millions of dalasis in 10 months businesses