(JollofNews) – Events of far-reaching importance are developing in the Gambia as the country strives to give content to the new Gambia that people of diverse backgrounds hope to build as a result of change of government through the consent of the sovereign people, for the first time in Gambian history.
No one would have envisaged that in less than six months after the emergence of a new government, blood would stain in the corridors of state power. This should compel all Gambians to take a pause and ask what has gone wrong and how to right it. This is the demand of truth and justice under our times and circumstances. This is the urgent task precisely because the clarion call of the Coalition 2016 is to give Gambia a new start.
Hence if that new start is blemished by blood stains, each Gambian should speak and act in accordance with the dictates of conscience and the national interest . This is the only way we could speak with one language. This is the only way we could give shape and content to the concept of one Gambia, one nation and one people.
The incident in Kanilai gave birth to weeping and gnashing of teeth on one side, and the cocking of guns and the issuing of warnings on the other. This is not a recipe for building the new Gambia
People, State, Parties, Security Force and CSOs and the New Gambia.
The New Gambia must be a Sovereign Republic with a Sovereign People. This is the commandment of the Constitution of the Republic, which should shape the thinking values and practice of the people, state, parties, security forces and the CSOs.
Section 1 Subsection 1 states that “The Gambia is a sovereign Republic. Subsection 2 adds that the Sovereignty of the Republic resides in the people of the Republic. Hence all the Gambians are equal before the law, says section 33 of the Constitution. None should be discriminated by being subjected to any disadvantages on the basis of ethnicity, religion, gender, race, birth, origin, language, political opinion, affiliation or other status. This is the basis of national unity and good neighbourliness among the sovereign people.
Subsection 2 does not only make each citizen a depository of the sovereign power and authority of the nation, it goes further to establish who should exercise power and how which is the basis of democracy.
It reads: Sovereignty of the country resides in the people of The Gambia, from whom all organs of Government derive their authority, and in whose name and for whose welfare and prosperity the powers of Government are to be exercised.
The essence of democracy is clear. It starts with giving each citizen sovereign power and authority. It makes it mandatory for any authority to govern to be derived from the authority of the people. Thirdly, it makes it mandatory for the authority derived from the consent of the people to be utilised to promote the general welfare and prosperity of the people.
Hence democracy is rooted in the sovereign equality of all citizen and does not recognise the separation of citizens into majority and minority ethnic groups, religions, gender and other status . Hence the duty of a people is to recognise each other’s sovereignty and live together in the spirit of sovereign equality and good-neighbourliness.
The State institutions must derive their authority from the will of the people and utilise that authority to promote their welfare . Any state that fails to do that in a Sovereign Republic is unfit to govern.
In the same vein, the role of the security forces in a Sovereign Republic is to safeguard the sovereignty of the Republic and the people and protect their general welfare, including their liberty and prosperity. Any security force that is not bound by such principles and values is a killing machine. Such senseless and conscienceless killing machines are what tyrants rely on to impose reigns of impunity.
CSOs in a Republic have the duty to amplify the needs of the Republic and, as principal interlocutors, advocate for their satisfaction and ensure the consolidation and enlargement of liberty and prosperity.
These are the values of the new Gambia for which PDOIS joined the coalition to engender and defend, and for which we were ready to live or die for during the Impasse.
Hence all developments in the Gambia must be weighed against such principles and values. The Kanilai incident is no exception.
Suffice it to say, it is important to review the issue of security before narrating and drawing relevant lessons to address the event in a judicious manner in the quest to prevent a recurrence.
The security land scape and the Kanilai incident
State security has scope and scale in terms of gravity and weight.
The reaction of a state to incidents which may have security concerns should depend on the scope and scale of security threat, or otherwise which is determined by the weight and gravity of the actions concerned. In short, to every action that has to do with state security, there should be equal and opposite reaction which aims at warding off any threat and prevent its recurrence.
For example, when soldiers or armed civilians move to the state house and other corridors of power with arms to overthrow the head of state and the government, that would be considered as the height or zenith of security threat. The state must mobilise loyalist forces to defend its legitimacy. This is the basis of most civil wars in Africa.
On the other hand , rebel movements may also enter a country without gaining any strong ground, and a mass uprising may occur which opens up the seat of government to a visible threat of overthrow. Here too the army and other security forces may have a major role to play to ward off the threat by only using the minimum force necessary to achieve their purpose to prevent, or minimise loss of life and damage to properties.
It stands to reason that when demonstrators aim to express grievances in a peaceful and spontaneous manner, near or away from the corridors of power, without any destruction of life or property, or posing any threat to the seat of government, then the action should be seen as civil disobedience and a threat to public order and not a threat to state security.
A threat to state security requires the combined forces of armed and law enforcement agents. On the other hand, a threat to public order requires the presence of only the law enforcement agents. Their method must either be to escort to prevent any damage of property, or confrontation with other opponents, or disperse the perpetrators if threat to life and property becomes eminent. How then do we classify the Kanilai incident? Is it a threat to state security or civil disobedience, or a threat to public order?
The classification of the Kanilai incident
The answer to the question is simple. The fact that those arrested are charged under the Public order Act, rather than with treason and other state security offences, confirms that the incidence was a matter of civil disobedience and Public order, which should be handled by the police and not a matter of state security, which should be handled by a joint force of military and law enforcement agents.The police should know when and what to do to escort and defuse civil disobedience without any arrest or commotion, and when to disperse by using minimum force without any loss of life or property. This should be a by-product of appropriate training and experience in dealing with such matters.
Origin of conflict, Claims and Counter Claims.
Kanilai is the home town of ex –President Jammeh, who left the country under an agreement with the UN, AU and ECOWAS negotiators for him to leave in a haste by getting assurance that his properties and supporters would be protected. The UN, AU and ECOWAS negotiators did not proceed to sign a document with President Barrow to get him to also Commit himself to the declaration of intent of the negotiators.
Hence two claims are being made why Gambian and ECOMIG forces are in Kanilai.
Some Claim that the Gambian soldiers and ECOMIG forces were stationed in Kanilai to protect the properties of the President. Others, especially residents of Kanilai, claim that they are an occupation force which is making it impossible for them to live a normal life .
Hence on Friday 2nd June 2017 residents of Kanilai and their sympathisers gathered at the Kanilai Carpark in a public demonstration to ask the state to remove military forces from KANILAI, so that they could live normal lives . They then moved with banners towards KAM FENDA. Many Newspapers were called to go and cover the March. Since most do not have regional reporters, they arrived late.
However modern technology does provide sketchy details.
What is clear is that the Marchers did pass the encampment of Gambian soldiers without incident. However when they came to the encampment of ECOMIG soldiers, they were blocked . The reports did not indicate any injury of ECOMIG soldiers due to the use of traditional weapons. What is evident is the use of live bullets and the injury of 9 persons, one of whom eventually died of bullet wounds. This is how matters stand by way of facts.
Lessons
That the Kanilai incident is the final attempt by the Jammeh forces to show their degree of organisation and preparedness to restore his rule, and such people are calling on the Barrow administration to take the incident as a threat to state security. Interestingly enough, despite the shooting and arrest of Kanilai residents, the rebels, often alluded to, have not retaliated for the sake of kinship or ethnic ties. One is therefore left to wonder who will be using arms to support the demonstrators to bring Jammeh back to power. The Nation needs to be enlightened if someone has the facts; fiction cannot provide the raw materials for policy making, or for devising strategies and tactics.
Others have argued that the use of live bullets on demonstrators, six months in office, is a signal of a return to a past marked by intolerance of dissent which gave rise to the April 10th and 11th killings and that of Solo Sandeng. They have started to give the Barrow administration a similar type of rating like that of Jammeh. Where do you stand? If the nation takes sides, the issue of the Kanilai incident would be reduced to a Barrow versus Jammeh affair.
This would be a distortion of the demands of our situation. The question that all Gambians should address is whether the Barrow administration should preoccupy itself with the challenges of a second coming of the Jammeh administration, or that of building the new Gambia .
History has already settled this question. In short, when Ex-President Jammeh refused to leave office, President Elect Barrow had two options. He had the challenge to focus on Jammeh’s refusal to leave office and mobilise protest movements and demonstrations to oust him, or focus on his victory and prepare the ground for addressing the challenges of assuming office when the term of the incumbent expired. He chose the latter and this is why he assumed office in peace and tranquillity. His challenge now is how to build a new Gambia in peace and tranquillity.
The Way Forward
It is indisputable that death has occurred, and when death occurs the matter could no longer be treated as a Kanilai issue or a political or national one . The issue becomes international because of the universal and cherish values of humanity.
It is therefore important that as required by law a coroner’s inquest is conducted and recommendations made by the coroner implemented.
It is important as a Gambian People that we reflect on the incident as a national issue rather than an ethnic , partisan or sectarian issue.
It is important for all Gambians to seek the facts and then promote reconciliation.
The Government has taken the posture that in a transitional arrangement, one needs transitional justice. It is important for the Government to utilise this incident as a case study of how that transitional justice which brings about truth and ensures justice tempered by reconciliation. The authorities responsible for crafting the rudiments of a transitional justice system should speed up the laying of the architecture and address the death of Harona Jatta as a matter of urgency.
It is also important to clarify the presence of ECOMIG forces in the Gambia.
The fundamental objective is clear. The ECOMIG forces are forces of Solidarity, not forces of Occupation. Hence if any sector of Gambian society sees them as forces of Occupation, the ECOMIG forces should look inward and find out why and then make sure that what makes those people see them as forces of Occupation is actually remedied .
The ECOMIG forces and The Gambian Forces are Republican Forces. There role is to defend the sovereignty of the Gambia and its people. It is not to take part in an ethnic strife or political infighting. They are to play their part in enhancing the unity of the people.
In short, Republican Forces wherever they are based must provide services to the population.
They must have doctors , educators, technicians and builders who would render voluntary services to the people such as the provision of medical treatment , building facilities and providing water supply and so on and forth in order to endear them to villagers.
Republican forces are forces trained to be servants of the people rather than their oppressors. They are designed to be protectors of the people and not their subjugators. This is why where ever they engage in peacekeeping or solidarity campaign they must leave behind leave behind a legacy of development and good neighbourliness instead of a legacy of retrogression and divisiveness. They must be seen as saviours rather than killers.
Hence it important for forces stationed in Kanilai and other places to be given orientation if these forces are to be stationed in kanilai , orientation to ensure that they are guided by Republican and democratic values and the spirit of caring for others. The community in which they find themselves should be able to accept that the security forces protect life just as doctors do.
Furthermore , to facilitate healing the state needs to issue another statement in order to remedy the damages wrought by its original one.
The statement should emphasise reconciliation and healing and call on the people of the area to come together to discuss on the way forward. The statement should call on the National Assembly members of the area , governors, religious leaders, the Alkalolu and elders to become involved in the whole process so that a way out could be found to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
Those who are arrested or are under the threat of arrest There is no doubt that peace does not drop from the sky. It is built by giving liberty to those whose freedom are at stake, Justice to victims and reorientation to those who need the trust and confidence of the community.
It is believed that if trust is built those young people who are running away from Kanilai will have the courage to go back and live normal lives in their village .
It’s is also important to look at the issue of prosecution. It is better to utilise the transitional justice system under the current circumstances. The Public order Act is currently under scrutiny. There has been incidents under the last government which involved opposition leaders who were also charged under the Public Order Act and there are many Sections of the law that are now being challenged at the supreme court so that Gambia becomes the democratic country that will allow freedom of expression, freedom of Association with greater tolerance.
Since there are many questions, it’s better to utilise the transitional justice system to ensure that we all have a new start in the new Gambia.
We are convinced that once these measures are taken, the Kanilai incident will be a matter of the past, not as an end in itself but as a means to promote national reconciliation and teach others how Gambia did overcome a major crisis in a manner that ensures that we maintain the path that we have chosen for ourselves , a path of democracy, rule of law , good governance, a path of National unity , a path of One Gambia, One Nation, One People.
If we do not defend a justice for all we will be worse than yahya jammeh and the change will not be worth anything
The long awaited foundational response from Hon. Halifa. The wisdom is in the detail as always;
A good response and a measured one. I would suggest that the honourable MP initiate a parliamentary action to invite law enforcers and relevant authorities to the national assembly for questioning and to answer to the “pertinent issues” raised in his statement. Such an action would represent ACTION on the part of pdois not, as most often, merely policy statements or the legendary “open letters” by honourable Sallah.
From day one the Barrow government gives the impression that it is in a permanent state of jet lag. It awakes only briefly to turn over onto its side and sleep its dreams of disarray and confusion.
Thankfully Hon. Halifa remains on the watchtower;
Indeed Mr. Sallah reminding the coalition partners about the necessity of restraints in handling kanilai incident, is a welcome state of affairs. Notwothstanding, one need to be reminded that being in a position of responsibility is quite different from being at the scrutinising end of the political spectrum!
minister of interior to testify !!!
It is asinine that this MP with his wealth of experience and knowledge did not avail himself to the Barrow administration before the Foni disaster and preventable death. This events are predictable and will reoccur. I agree to the essence of his discuss were this a test book. This is not, these are Jammeh’s supporters, this is Kanilai. This is a city, a community built with the blood, tears and suffering of many Gambians. I am a realist, I am not a politician, but I can recognize a threat when faced with one. I also know how Yahya thinks. He is a Psycho. The coward is plotting death and destruction far away in the comfort and safety of EG. Look Mr MP, this is our lives, this is not politics. If you have anything useful to say, say so before the bullets start flying. I am never impressed with self serving show boating.
God Bless The Gambia.
Politics or poly tricks is a dirty game and some politicians know how to play the game. Them sitting on the sidelines doing fuck – all, only come out at the right moment to steal the show and acclaimed all the praise.Hypocrisy at its worst.
The government already made the decisions to investigate the Kanilai incident, so them preachers on their ego trips need to give us all a break from insidious political moves. Action speaks louder than words. If only their sweet words can be translated into actions in their part?
Labelling yourself a “Realist” is One thing. However, the apparent Naked Hatred for Jammeh that is extrapolated to all Foni Jola and Potentially the Jola in general is, I beg your pardon, Narrow Minded, Dangerous and Unbecoming for Someone in your purported Profession. At least Hon. Sallah is Speaking up and doing so without Finger Pointing and Finger Wagging of the Official kind. When Jammeh was in Power, the “See No Evil, Hear No Evil” Syndrome was Practiced by many Gambians especially those who are within the Gambia. Under the Circumstances, it is Understandable. They too are “Realist” in how they Choose to respond. Is that how best to respond? I am not sure if I was in the Gambia I would have done different. I am not sure the most of us would. However with the “Gambia Has Decided”, it is Shameful to witness the same Sectionalist, and Ethnic Group Hatred Consuming otherwise Rational and Reasonable Gambians. Let’s embrace each other, if for nothing but the simple fact that we cannot wish away those we hate or wish the WORST. Remember, the words, “For Whom The Bell Tolls…It May Be Tolling For Thee”. One People, One Destiny.
When old ladies were being stripped naked in Sintet and suffering kidney failure from being forced to drink poison>>it was Halifa Sallah that left his comfort > to say enough is enough, whilst the rest of the Opposition were silent. The considered opinion on this matter from Hon Halifa is worth reading again and again to truly understand and absorb. Once reading and considering with care, it is plain that his wise and objective summary is not party political but very helpful and balanced to resolving with moderation and unbiased consideration, to all the issues intelligently.
The core content of his discuss is not the issue. I only advocate a preemptive dialogue and guidance by those who are capable and experienced in such matters before injury is brought to bear on innocent civilians. The parigm should shift now to hold every Gambian life sacred and worthy of protection at all cost post Jammeh. What does it take for the MP to warn interior of this impending disaster, if any in Gambia is aware it is Halifa. And to you Sidi, I love all Gambians and do not harbor hatred for anyone or group, well maybe there is one exception. Yahya Jammeh who is deserving of scorn! I see our beloved Gambia as one country for ALL.
God Bless The Gambia
Dr. Sarr, and if I may, my Sister, With Sincere appreciation, I pled no Contest and if possible, take the opportunity to put forth some thoughts and prayers I have. My hope and wish is that all Gambians would dig deeper into their inner core and endeavor to Articulate and Live With a Measured Philosophy of Tolerance and Peaceful Co-exitence of my Childhood days. I have reservations and misgivings of a lot of things I have Said or Written and Others have Said or Written on this and other Media Outlets. One thing I am mindful of is not to allow my Emotional Content to Over ride my Judgement of the Whole Picture. For it is Said in Politics and with Politicians, “there are no Permanent friends, just Permanent Interest”. However, I draw an “Exception” when the Price of “Interest” is To Devalue another persons’ Life. Too much Blood and Death hung over our Land, the Gambia and Gambians. And considering the Size, Peace loving nature and interelatedness of the Gambian Society, it is Felt as it should very deep and wide. It is all the more Significant that All Gambians join in for a Day of Forgiveness and Redemption. A Day when Neighbor Approaches Neighbor and Ask For Forgiveness, as he Offers his or her Forgiveness. A Day of Prayers and Sharing with a Neighbor while Emoting over our Different Levels of Collective Suffering, but Suffering it is. Let’s begin the Healing. To those I may have Offended by Commission or Omission as a Gambian and an imperfect person, I seek your Forgiveness and Prayers. To those who may have Offended me in the Past or Present, I have Forgiven and Wish the Best for them. The Gambia Deserves Better. All Gambians Deserve Better. The Current State of Affair is Not Sustainable nor Desirable. Current and next Generations Deserve Better. Let us Resolve to Mitigate and Resolve our Conflicts and Differences at the “Bantaba”, Courts or Similar Venues or Gatherings. If no Resolution is found, lets us with Civility and Humility Handle our Conflicts and Differences without Violence or Blood Shed. Let’s Invest in Peace Making and Peaceful Co-exitence for all, especially, with our Perceived Adversaries or Enemies. Let us Begin the Healing, One Neighbor at a Time. One People, One Destiny, The Gambia.
Love him or hate him, Hon Sallah has demonstrated that he is a capable leader; a straight talker; and a very principled man.
As a political party that advanced and supported a non partisan approach to all aspects of the 2016 coalition project: an approach that was thwarted and destroyed on the pretext of allowing democracy to flourish and individual parties to be visible and gauged on their performance during the transition period, PDOIS is right, even if this is not the intention, to exercise its right to react to current happenings in the country in any way, shape or form that it deems appropriate, to reflect its alternative approach to government and governance.
People who are accusing Hon Sallah and PDOIS of seizing the moment for political gains, a claim that is obviously false, should tell us why they think PDOIS shouldn’t seize the opportunity, when arguments for political parties to be independently seen and gauged were made and supported by the very same people, not so long ago.
It is becoming crystal clear, as we stumble from one avoidable calamitous situation to the other, that the source of the stable leadership and the high national and international rating the incoming government enjoyed during the impasse, lies outside the current circle of political leadership running the executive: the decision making branch of government.
Rather than single out a man who is doing his best, under the circumstances, to help us understand the source of the Kaninlai crisis and how it can be resolved, for unfair criticism and disrespectful insinuations, we should direct our frustrations at the people who are taking those decisions that are leading to these public reactions.
They did not have to govern like this, but they chose to and they alone are to be held responsible. The people of Kaninlai feel suffocated by the government and they have a right to express it. They are not fighting to bring back Yaya Jammeh. They just want to be allowed to live their lives like everyone else in the country.
Questions have to be asked, whether they even have control over the ECOMIG Forces, given this incident and the previous one with Gambian soldiers. Who asked the Senegalese Forces, for example, to barricade and block the path of the demonstrators, when The Gambian Forces did not interfere when the demo passed by their encampment?
These are the issues that we should be talking about; not a press release and conference by a legitimate, independent political party on national issues. Are you kidding me?
Halifa is a national hypocrite, a liar as claimed by Yaya jammeh and is now a political idol by yaya jammeh with his many pseudonym names. let Halifa continue with his political gerrymandering and subterfuge just to further expose his lack of gist and understanding of his former shadow. we are in the 21st century and not in the 80s or 90s, today young people have studied importance fields which has much relevance to Africa’s socioeconomic development than Halifa’s sociology which is meant for student who are indecisive . Halifa is not a sacred cow… why Halifa waited until all authorities made comments including government, Ecowas etc. he committed political plagiarism by exactly saying what others have said already…that is by condemning the unfortunate incident, extending condolence and to launch an investigation. His great mistake is about Jammeh’s Assets, committing a political suicide and double standards….. I JUST REFER YOU TO EDEN SHARP’S COMMENTS ON HALIFA’S IGNORANCE!
Where Halifa erred is in his erroneous conclusion that what happened in Kanilai “was a matter of civil disobedience and Public Order which should be handled by the police and not a matter of state security.” Halifa belabored to arrive at this conclusion by ridiculously attempting to delineate and classify what types of incidents should constitute a national security threat and which ones are a matter of civil disobedience.
Generally, there are four stages of threats: High, significant, moderate and low. Going by Halifa’s logic or illogic if you’re so inclined, it is only when a threat is at a high level (zenith) that it becomes treasonable and a national security issue! Incredulous. Halifa insists that “when soldiers or armed civilians move to the state house, and other corridors of power with arms to overthrow the head of state, and the government, that would be considered as the height or zenith of security threat.” I am inclined to ask Halifa why does he think ECOMIG forces are stationed in The Gambia? Should West African security experts have waited until certain elements “move to the state house and other corridors of power with arms to overthrow the head of state and the government… before they deploy ECOMIG? It’s like saying we will wait until the dagger is in the heart of The Gambia before we consider it a national security issue. Don’t mind anyone that even talks about putting a dagger in the heart of The Gambia because that is not a national security threat; that is just civil disobedience
If Halifa knew the stages of a threat, understood threat and vulnerability assessments, I doubt he would be making this claim. You don’t have to wait until a threat becomes “actual” (zenith) before you consider it a national security issue. Halifa seems to think that a threat to public order cannot morph into a threat to national security; a very naïve view I contend. The security experts of ECOWAS determined from their threat and vulnerability assessments that certain locations, and specifically Kanilai, pose a sociotropic threat to The Gambia and hence their decision to strategically locate their forces throughout the region. They are dealing with the threat at its nadir (lowest level) and not waiting until the threat actualizes or becomes credible.
Halifa expertly concludes that because those arrested are charged under the “Public Order Act, rather than with treason and other state security offences, confirms that the incident was a matter of civil disobedience and Public Order, which should be handled by the police and not a matter of state security…” So only treasonable offenses are a matter of state security? It is apparent Halifa has very limited knowledge of threats and security issues. But if you bought his premise of classifying threat levels, I guess you will buy this wholesale joke of a conclusion.
On the role of ECOMIG in Kanilai, Halifa maintains that “ECOMIG forces are forces of Solidarity, not forces of Occupation. Then he goes on to place the onus on “ECOMIG forces “to look inward and find out why” some people see them as a force of occupation “and then make sure that what makes those people see them as forces of Occupation is actually remedied.” Now I know where Sulayman Bokarr Bah gets his nonsense from that he is a nationalist and so ECOMIG forces should leave! No Halifa, since you seem to understand the mission of ECOMIG, why don’t you do your civil duty and educate the people of Kanilai! Don’t put that onus on military forces whose military occupational specialty you know nothing about!
Lastly, Halifa tells us that “ECOMIG forces are Republican Forces (whatever that means) and that “they are to take part in enhancing the unity of the people.” No Halifa, their primary mission is providing security. Playing sociologist, healing our nation and or enhancing the unity of the people is the purview of others. Halifa further educates us that “Republican forces must provide services for the people, that they must have doctors. Educators, technicians and builders who would render voluntary services to the people…” If you are curious on how occupation forces act, that’s exactly what Halifa describes above. Since Halifa was engaged in negotiating Yaya’s forced exit, perhaps he should share with us the operational order of ECOMIG with their mission statement. Does he know the composition of the forces? Does he know their primary and secondary tasks if any? Or is Halifa just assuming that since ECOMIG is a stabilizing force, they should also have doctors, educators and what not? If we cannot be grateful to ECOMIG, the last thing we should be engaged in second-guessing their role and passing ridiculous judgements on how they perform or function. If not for ECOMIG, Yaya Jammeh would still be in The Gambia ruling sovereign!
Reaction to modou mboge:
First point:-I think any honest and sincere critic, who wishes to accuse another of lies, should have the decency to state what the lies are/were. If you want to accuse someone of lying on a public forum, then decency demands that you mention the lies. Failure to do so exposes something about the accuser’s integrity.
Second point:- The security analysis given by the writer of the reproduced write-up in your comment, seems very informed on first glance, but it is obviously very flawed, when considered seriously.
Indeed, the “security analyst” is right to intimate that security situations are fluid and that a matter of civil disobedience can quickly moph into a national security matter, but to give the impression that all civil disobedience exercises can moph into national security issues is a flawed analysis. There are always indications/indicators to the expert/trained eye to show whether a particular incident can change into another or what it can moph into.
The Kaninlai incident, even to the untrained eye, has got a long way to go before it can moph into a matter of national security, if we really know what the term “National Security” means.
And if the “security analyst” you reproduced is claiming that the Kaninlai incident could moph into threats to national security, then I would suggest that his/her credentials be seriously questioned.
In fact, the Kaninlai incident is on a much lower level of “threat to national security” than both the Faroto demo, which was more violent and disruptive and the Solo Sandeng/Ousainou Darboe demos, which occurred closer to the seat of power; closer to national elections and at a time of mass dissatisfaction with the Jammeh regime.
The writer of the original comment, shared on Facebook as Mama Linguere, was amongst the topmost critics of Yaya Jammeh’s brutal crackdown on the peaceful demos, in the name of national security and yet, she now seems to be saying that it was okay to crack down on the Kaninlai demo because it threatens national security.
This is indicative of the hypocrisy and duplicity of some Gambians and unfortunately, there are far too many exhibiting this characteristic today.
Thirdly: The writer, commenting about Hon Sallah’s views on the role of Republican Forces stated sarcastically, “whatever that means”, but inversely, that sarcastic statement actually exposed the writer’s ignorance.
Senegal officially describes itself as “La Republic de Senegal” and The Gambia also describes itself as “The Republic of The Gambia”. So our national institutions, including the Armed Forces, are “Republican institutions” that are tasked with promoting and upholding Republican values.
Unlike the ignorant “analyst”, Hon Sallah knows this fact very well and his suggestions of how the forces can offer services to the villages of Foni, is consistent with his ideas of true and genuine republicanism, where public officials become servants, not lords and oppressors; where forces will be seen as guarantors of national security, not oppressors and abusers, etc, etc.
Fourthly:- The writer seems to redicule Hon Halifa’s advice that the ECOMIG Forces should also look “inwards” to know why they are seem as occupiers in order to remedy the situation and change perceptions, but he/she seems mute over government’s announcement of a Commission to look into the Kaninlai incident. Isn’t a commission a probing mechanism to look “inwards”, as well, to determine causes and recommend remedies? A serious lapse here or is it another evidence of ignorance?
The new Gambia should encourage open criticism because no one is above criticism, but let’s be sincere critics; not just critics because we can criticise.
Wassalaam. Ramadan Mubarak.
Gambians don’t need to make fireworks; They are bordering on the self incendiary.
Similar the book War and Peace; Which in title may be quite appropriate ?
Brother and Sisters all in name only.
Nicely put Jack; If it swings one way last week/ it will surely swing the other way this week;
Gambians aim to be consistent>>>> please.
In any case I would put all this disquiet at the door of the coalition government who are also “swingers” All playing into Yahya Jammeh’s hands. HE must be laughing his little white slippers off. So much publicity for absolutely no cost at all.
What a hypocrisy from this so call sociologist and selfish politician