(JollofNews) – President Adama Barrow of the Gambia has sacked the country’s minister of the Interior, Mai Ahmad Fatty.
Mai Fatty, leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC), which is part of the coalition government of President Adama Barrow, was sent packing from his office on Friday.
No reasons were given but a letter from the Office of the President said it was in accordance with provisions of the country’s constitution.
Mr Fatty, a former human rights lawyer has now been redeployed to the diplomatic service but the government is yet to disclose in what capacity.
Meanwhile, Abubacarr Tambadou, minister of Justice has been assigned to oversee the vacant Ministry of the Interior until further notice.
More details to follow soon
I feel very sad for Mai; But I am sure in hindsight he would have done things differently.
This may be a sign that President Barrow is to reconsider his direction ? As such this may be a positive sign that he has renewed ambition with direction?
Wow!! I did not see this coming, I wonder what he must have done to be fired. Although, I have always considered Mr Fatty as one of the most proactive Ministers in the cabinet, his dismissal will but everyone on notice that being a coalition partner is not a cast iron guarantee that you can get away with everything. Bravo! Mr. President for flexing your muscles. Doctor Sarr, it seems someone was listening to you. I do not think he should just be redeployed to the foreign services if he is fired. Gambians deserve the right to know why he was fired because that same reason might disqualify him for being a diplomat. We will follow developments in the coming days.
Buba it is always painful to see someone loose their job. But Mai Fatty was reckless and disrespectful. First there is nothing more sacred than the freedom we won in Dec 2016. Fatty completely misunderstood his responsibility and abused the trust the President placed on him. He became so intoxicated by the power of his office, he abused our freedom. He constituted himself a nuisance and a seed of discord in the country. He would have by his act of aggression against innocent Gambians brought this administration to her knees. The Barrow administration fired him for cause. It is a wise move. I am glad Darboe finally saw Fatty for who he truly his. One not to be trusted.
Well done Mr President.
God Bless The Gambia.
The president should not compromised when you comes to country affairs, it will be like thumb up or thumb down.
Removing Mr Fatty as the Interior Minister is a very good move by the President for which he deserved to be congratulated by all. The man is too temperamental for that position. If he remains their for long, he is going to put the government in a very embarrassing situation similar to the April 10th and 11th incident which force the president and his government to disregard their promises to the people and hang on to power even after the end of their term because of fear of re corning.
Removing Mr Fatty as the Interior Minister is a very good move by the President for which he deserved to be congratulated by all. The man is too temperamental for that position. I have always have the fear that if he remains in that position for long, he is going to put the government in a very embarrassing situation similar to the April 10th and 11th incident which could force the president and his government to disregard their promises to the people and hang on to power even after the end of their term because of fear of re corning.
Buba, not sure that I can say that you belong to my DAARA or my TAALIBEH KUNDA. However, you should have seen the writing on the wall from the outset.
Buba, the majority of the coalition members that benefited from cabinet positions for merely registering, leading a political party, carrying water for the MBIRI BAA and/OR being at the right place at the right time (happenstance), should be sent strong signals that nothing is etched in stone in The New Gambia. In my view, coalition members are mostly what in Kombo is labeled, KIDO JUU TO SAMATO (THE BUTT OF THE GUN), A BI JEH, A SEH FAYE, A TI JEH, A SEH FAYE. The Gambia can certainly do without this bunch.
I’m thinking Hamat Bah, the Gomez fellows, Mai Fatty, the two Dibbas plus the showboat OJ!!
And yes, the intent is to stir the hornet’s nest here!
I will again go back to the old Kombo ways to add, MBANG WULENKEH, NSAA FO, KAA FO TIKO FO to quote the Kombonka at MENG BEH KEERING.
I’m so glad that Adama Barrow is showing a good dose of oomph here.
Leadership in our Gambia should be about the carrot and stick approach!
The DINDING SILANDI RANGO must always be there!! Alright Buba, I don’t really want to get ahead of myself.
thank yu mr Presiident
this is showing that there is no sacred cow . the journey has just began. Gambians interest should be first.! Barrow Mana si, futa toranko, fulo!!!
In the same vein, National Assembly members must be put on notice that they must all get off of their behinds to embark on tours, at minimal cost to taxpayers, to sufficiently educate themselves on the turn of events at Area Councils, Public Corporations and Public Institutions.
The Legislature must be seen to be engaged and well informed on all aspects of governance. Some street savvy, in the Halifaesque fashion, will also go a long way!!
If we can all swallow the bitter pill in the form of free vehicles to members of the National Assembly, the least we will expect from them is that they all, without exception, must deliver on the goods!
The Vice President must also be reminded that there’s not so much appetite for the Isatou Njai-Saidy-Khan type of Ajaratou, arm chair leadership.
Andrew, you’ve once again cracked me up. I can’t stop laughing at the proverbs you mentioned above. It is good to have people like you who always take us back to our roots and relate things to our customs. You are very right, the National Assembly members must educate themselves on things happening both in the Government and the country in order to hold public servants accountable.
This is Gambian outsider. I have not written anything for a very long time and that has been by design. I think we all need to reserve judgment until we know the reason for Mr. Fatty’s firing. Mr. Fatty was my senior in high school. If I am not mistaken, he was a class ahead of me. Within two months after the new administration came to power I wrote an article titled “Jumping of the Barrow Bandwagon.” Most of what has been going on with this administration was either stated or hinted in that article. I also wrote a subsection directed at Mr. Fatty whom I referred to as my big bro because of our connection in high school. I warned him that he needed to keep one thing in mind and his political success depended on it and that was, the approach in the courtroom as a defense lawyer does not translate well into the court of public opinion. That the tactics in a court of law when applied in the court of public opinion most often will come out as arrogant. Whether my advice was on point or not is up to you guys to decide. Maybe Mai’s firing is a good thing or maybe it is the beginning of the end of this government. Mai has demonstrated over the months that he was the only one within the administration capable of thinking on his feet on difficult issues. He has a skill at analyzing things better than most in the administration. And that includes the Minister of Justice.When other members of the administration give interviews, they usually make matters worse. Anyone can go to Youtube to verify what I am talking about. There is a reason why Barrow is always hiding and when he shows up he seems lost. In my mind, the first casualty of the administration should have been the Minister of Justice because what his older brother said on tape about the NIA 9 case undermined The Gambia Justice System and that warranted to have him fired if a thorough investigation was done and evidence show that he was the source of what his older brother said on tape. I will not waste your time to repeat how that matter was cover-up and shoved under the rug as if it meant absolutely nothing. Please let us wait for a few days as information for Mai’s firing come to light. And within a few months we will be able to assess whether his firing was a good thing or not. Judge not!
Samba, welcome back to the forum. I remember having some interesting debate sin the past and will look forward to more in the future. You have made interesting analysis of the situation and I agree with you that we should follow developments in the next few days and weeks. The Government should come out clean and tell us why he was fired to nib speculation in the bud. I would also expect Gambian journalist to do their job and interview Mr Fatty and the Government to get the facts and not rely on “according to source” format of journalism.
Its not “April Fool’s Day”, is it? Are you guys sure this is not “Fake News”? This would be a real bombshell, if it is indeed true. Very interesting indeed.
Well done his excellency president Barrow.
Foni loves you now. Mai fatty never hides how much he hated prople of foni.
He was so myopic in thinking that foni is jola and end of story.
No one can divide The Gambia.
God bless president Barrow.
Not surprised at all! Oh, actually surprised that only Mai Fatty received his marching orders. Folio 1 should have been addressed to Mr O Darboe, Folio 2, Mr H Bah, Folio 3, Mr H Gomez and then Fplio 4, Mr M F…
If that would have been too much for one weekend, well, then another one is comming in seven days time…so i will keep my fingers cross untill then.
….If I may, I am adding that Fadera guy as number 1 in the list of “should be fired”.
I think it is premature to welcome Mai’s sacking. The facts must be on the table. If he indeed committed an abuse of office or is involved in corruption as it is being widely speculated -pertaining to a Belgium syndicate awarded govt contract to process new ID-cards and/or passports, his dismissal would be warranted.
However, if he is fired to satisfy narrow sectional opinion, the move will backfire terribly. The decisive voters will not be easily convinced and would certainly characterise this move as efforts of sabotaging elements within the coalition trying to starve off efficient and proactive ministers. I am also dismayed by the act of assigning the interior ministry to Ba Tambadou. I think the man and his brother suppose to be the ones first served with packing orders.
But again it all depends on what evidences and rational lies behind Fatty’s dismissal.
The evidence and justification is all over the place, not just on the table. This is the guy doing the health ministers job by signing contracts with lab/health compnies, the finance minsters job by inviting scanning companies for contracts, the IGP, DG Immigration jobs by requesting for their uniforms, minister of information by speaking on behalf of government, all without authorisation. The guy has been more presidential than The President. Thus, it is only the blind and the premature who cannt see the reasoning. He should have been fired 9 months 13 days ago. Well done Master B.
I sense you need to relish some kind of sweet rejoice on the sacking of Mr. Fatty. You are entitled to it. I think it would be worrying to now see jammeh sympathisers rejoicing at the sacking of a committed member of this gov’t. I think all those who are interested in the stability and success of the barrow gov’t are dismayed at this departing. And they have a reason to be alerted. What we can’t accept is people infiltrating president Barrow inorder to weaken the govt or insert wedge between the strategic elements of this gov’t. Ultimately president will be at the losing end. For those political rivals at the other side are not interested in his govt but only to undermine it.
Exactly the opposite. It is those who are not intereted in the President’s success who are crying foul. Mai has been a disgrace to the government from day one. He is the Sanna Sabally and Baba Jobe of President Barrow. It is good that he and his followers true colours are now comming to light. Well done Master AB
You can continue to hide behind Gambian, fantasize and make ridiculous comparison. Barrow is not a military dictator to navigate the trappings of political power. He must maintain a critical alliances to guarantee stability of his administration and bring any meaningful reforms. He therefore depends on a “strategic alliance involving GMC, UDP and NRP ” to do anything meaningful. If he starts behaving unpredictable like Jammeh, then he can call it a day. Because certainly by doing so, he will alienate UDP and I don’t believe they will condone such practices. This is the fact and I hope people like you are not near the president narrating fantasies.
May I include the minister responsible for energy and the MDs of NAwec and GNPC in the list of those who should face the sack without any delay. MD Fadera must be replaced for his failure to improve the quality of service of the electricity company. The situation was far better before he was made MD. Similarly, Mamburay Njie has lots of questions to answer in the Commission more than most of Jammeh’s enablers. His appointment was a bit premature. There are clean untainted Gambians who can do a clean job at the GNPC.
If not for anything, the bungled kanilai unrest handling, resultant in lose of life was Mai Fatty’s flaw personally; as the minister responsibly mandated; with resources, manpower & technicality in form of secretaries, advisors & staff at disposal…
Except for yaya Jammeh; I repeat, every single Gambian, myself inclusive, pocess the (mas/muslaha) humility (gene) syndrome, including our political leaders too; we all know what I mean to say here…
Short falls & flaws in communal assignments mustn’t be condone for Coalition (harmonious) interests &/ personal at anytime; if not to your (politician’s) own perils together…
After all that’s the political office mandated to all politicians & nothing short…
Old boy Jawara used to pull you (in badingbung) aside; begging… ‘err please resign…’ muttering under his breathes…?
Why would anyone else expect to succeed, if (you are) not prepared to do as expectedly told as an employee, of the very public (as your employer) you are entrusted to serve….?
This can only add & compound to my optimistic conviction; for some very shiny rainbow arise in the horizon…
God bless Gambia; Ameen…
Clarification please – expectedly told – meaning – as required upon… thank you
I’m not in anyway insinuating the kanilai unrest to Minister Fatty’s firing; rather citing a flaw under his watch…
I think it wasn’t in anyway Honourable Fatty’s deliberate intention &/ by design, to spill any human, much so, Foni blood…
Mature politics world over demand, required & aspirations to acceptable heights; with rooms to improve upon progressively for maximal societal advancement…
That kanilai incident wasn’t Mai’s making; but the evil kanilai killer do dethroned alkalo in hiding on the equator & disciples on the ground…
But the issue has been an issue, & tool for detractors in particular since then…
Mai, in person, undoubtedly contributes & continues to do to the community & humanity immensely; but he can only be a man in fallibility; unlike yaya Jammeh with a devil soul & intent…
Unless something official is reported for Mai’s relieve; we can always just speculate & counter speculate…
Whatever the reason(s) for Mr Mai Fatty’s removal from Cabinet, I think he is confronted by, perhaps, the biggest challenge to his credibility as a party leader, since he emerged on the political scene. Bearing in mind that Mr Fatty is the leader (in Cabinet) of the GMC, which is a member party of coalition 2016, I am of the view that how he reacts to his dismissal, and how he will address the reason(s) for his removal, will define his future role in Gambian politics. Simply put, Mai Fatty could be fighting for his political career here.
The good news for Mr Fatty, is that he seems to be in the good books of the most vociferous elements of the social media political fraternity, and for the first time since we settled down into the transition period, voices of reason are coming from people who displayed zero ability to even think as sound minded human beings, never mind, reason so. I know of a couple of politicians who would have evoked completely different reactions.
The future will tell whether Mr Fatty will quietly accept his dismissal and commence his diplomatic career, or reject the reallocation and continue his political career (however he may do that), but one thing is certain, Mr Fatty’s ability to influence the reform process will be seriously hampered outside of both Cabinet and National Assembly. Mai Fatty and his GMC have been effectively decapitated and their influence in the reform process seriously curtailed.
Obviously, another proof that there is wisdom in the decision of the PDOIS Leadership, to shun Cabinet and opt for the National Assembly, instead, where they can play their roles without being decapitated by anyone.
Bax, I think, as you observed, Mai can rise up to the challenge pending on how he conduct from henceforth…
Falling short in the current portfolio now, doesn’t mean he can’t challenge & pick himself up again to learn from the curve, build upon & even be in driving seat in future possibly…
Politicians mustn’t shy away, yet be afraid to take up to challenges, such as Mai did; after all, politics is trial & error…
Parties survive on structural evolution & adapting to challenges like such which are common places in politics…
Mai can enhance the GMC structures countrywide & mobilise supports & win new members if aspire doing it partywise; or make political ally & rise to lead in determination…
Falling short, in my opinion, requires self challenge in aspirations; to improve & elevate; not necessarily spelt doom failure; especially in a revolve door domain such as politics…
Humility, Restraint, and Tolerance wrapped up in Objectivety is called for. Of what I hear and see of Mai Fatty, the Minister of Interior, is usually at odds with each other and at the Extream end of the Political and Ethnic Spectrum. It is possible for an individual to be both good and bad, honest and dishonest, generous and miserly, cruel and benovelent, witty and ….you get the idea. It all depends on who is talking about Mai Fatty and for the most part, what the interlocutor’s Ethnic Group Affliation and or Political Affiliation or Leaning is. Like Mai Fatty himself, Opinions of him are not moderate. One is either in his camp or out. You an enemy or a potential friend. I say, potential because it seems to me Mai Fatty is not one to have Meaningful, Deep Relationships. His Relationships appear to be more of the Superficial type. It is not a good or bad trait though, it is a good idea for an African Politician or “Party leader” especially, to have a Warm and Approachable Disposition. Add an apparent “Sour” Personality to his Despotic tendencies, disregard for Due Process and the Rule of Law that he talks about a lot, but does not seem to believe he is governed by the same laws, his Kneejerk Reactionary tendencies and inflexibility, Ethnocentrism, Regionalism, and Nativism, Wrapped up in a River Gambia size Ego, you get the making of a Fanatic, Sectionalist and Divisive One man Party and Show of One Mai Fatty. At one point, Mai Fatty was the self appointed spokesman of President Elect Adama Barrow, of all places in Senegal even though there was an able and skilled Coalition Alliance Spokesman in the Gambia, by the name of the Hon. Halifa Sallah. Mai Ordered the Arrest of the so-called NIA NINE (who with Due Process Should have been investigated, and with evidence, Warrants, Arrest Warrants issued by a Judicial Officer of the Court for example, a Judge). Mai Fatty who fancies himself a “Lawyer of the highest order” did not see the necessity of Due Process and his actions would have Prejudiced the Case at the minimum and may be Grounds for an Appeal by the “NIA Nine” in many other Jurisprudence and Juridiction. An Application of the “The Fruits of the Poinsonous Tree Dcotrine” would have thrown away most if not all Evidence Obtained. Mai Fatty is not done. He Ordered the Arrest of Opposition APRC SUPPORTERS following the Swearing-in of President Elect Adama Barrow when UDP Supporters were allegedly attacked by APRC Supporters” of Kafenda village in the Fonis”. Mai Fatty then Ordered the Arrest of a Jola Woman, by the last name of Badjie and like all those he Ordered Arrested, they were Detained and a significant high Bail Set. Mai Fatty cooled down a bit or events in the Gambia were such that Mai Fatty had to thread gently. However, he could not Control the Overseer Military Forces Sent in by Senegal and ECOWAS to Protect all Gambians. However, that Military shot at Unarmed Civilians of Kanilai who were demonstrating the Occupation Forces in their Mist, who they accused of Harrassment and Intimidation. One man, Haruna Jatta was killed. On the other hand, a few weeks later residents of Baffoloto and Farrato Villages reacting to what they described as Corrupt and Corruptive Practices of land grabbing, Rioted and burnt Private Property including a Caterpillar Truck. The Regional and Ethnic Group Affliation and Composition of the two events determined Mai Fatty’s Unilateral Reaction and or Response. The Police who responded to the Baffoloto and Farrato Villages were Ordered to exercise restraint. The ones in Kanilai, Kafenda were not offered the same Courtesy or Civil Rights of Movement and Protest. This is what I have heard and seen of Mai Fatty since his elbowing his way into Political power in the current government of Adama Barrow. He also fancied himself a Lawyer and Crusader Against the Jola Ethnic Group especially, those in Foni who he held in Contempt for simply being Jola like the former President Yaya Jammeh. Mai Fatty was alleged to have bought a Mansion Worth Ten Million Dalasis within Six Months of being assigned his Portfolio of Minister of the Interior. The matter should be investigated. The matter of the Belgian Company and the Contract for the Production and Issuance of New Biometric Passports that is alleged to have been Steered toward the Belgian Company despite questions of Malfeasance is another Indication of Mai Fatty and his alleged Malfeasance. Fired or not, this too needs to be investigated and resolved in a Transparent and Accountable manner. The latest have been the Police calling in Opposition Party Leaders for questioning allegedly for Speeches or Utterances that “constitute a security threat”. The same type of Speeches were made by the UDP Party Leadership and Mai Fatty himself but he was not called in for questioning. Recently, the Planned Protest or Sit-in at the Kanifing Turn Table Permit was denied by the “Police” at first and then after much Recriminations between the Police aka Mai Fatty and by Extension the UDP Led Government, the Permit was allegedly Issued or is going to be Issued. Boil, mix and match all of the above, and you have a very complex Individual without Alliance, Allegiance or Real Friends who can count on him or he on them, in the long term because his relationships are Superficial and Transactional in nature, not emotional and or mutually beneficial. Mai Fatty has not, but may be forced to learn that “Mai Fatty is not an Island to himself nor a law to himself”. Word in the Gambian Streets and Online Forums has it that Mai Fatty is a “Lawyer”. I hope so, because by the look of it, he may need his Training as a lawyer. By the way, which Law School did Mai Fatty attend? Did he graduate and when did he graduate? Is the Law School Accredited and if yes, by which Accreditating Board? Mai Fatty himself can help his Cause by shedding light on this questions and many more. Caveat, to a fellow Gambian, Mai Fatty. Remember, Gambia is More than the Sum Total of One Individual, Ethnic Group or Region.
Seedy, I’m not in by any means standing in brief for Mai here; but convince me in particular, & win me over (to agree) in your response to below…
Except for the short fall handling, & wordings used as reports on the media on the kanilai unrest why would Mai Fatty ‘hate & (deliberately) kill jolas because of yaya Jammeh’ when President Barrow’s ‘sister/s is (are) married to jola/s’; with nieces & nephews, in laws, etc etc; & more so, kill anyone else human & be left without prosecution as required by law…?
How many jolas have yaya Jammeh killed, let alone Gambians & other nationals over all; yet you were ‘heard noth, saw noth, said noth; why…?
Except for speculation, please provide evidence to your other allegations; Mai will have cause to answer at any material time you done so…?
Why do you think I for one should (must) take you seriously…?
Having viewed these interesting comments, I would have to side with Samba, and pay lip service to Bajaw and Bax. I think the others are all right in part and wrong via speculation. We should not condemn Mai Fatty today, but wait until the time when all may be revealed. Mai has always been on the right side of Gambian history. I have conversed with Mai via e/mail over a period of time. The e/mails dried up when he took part in the coalition { which is understandable } I cannot talk for the others, but I found Mai to be disciplined, courageous and played a key role in keeping the international community informed on Jammeh’s atrocities. For which his life was constantly in danger. I believe he was instrumental in keeping Ecowas leaders aware of the dire situation in Gambia. His personal campaign against Jammeh was I am sure a very lonely and dangerous path to choose. He could have done nothing and treated his wounds more generously from that staged car accident in Gambia. Where it was for a time uncertain if he would be granted access to Senegal and life saving treatment. For Mai to be sacked but kept in the diplomatic service, would be a well considered move by President Barrow and his advisors. Because Mai as a Party leader would possibly present to be a significant thorn in the side of government, as a former Cabinet Minister. Hence the diplomatic call, would negate any potential political risk to the coalition and perhaps the personal future ambitions of some UDP members.
We are unclear what Adama Barrows own political ambitions are ? Perhaps he is thinking forward to the time when his future position is announced. ? I agree with Samba, that Barrow appears to turn up and then looks somewhat confused. Clearly we would all like to know what is really happening behind the scenes ? Of course all this speculation and uncertainty is not at all good for Gambia’s political direction and economic trajectory. Not many Manifesto promises are yet fulfilled. But perhaps Mr Barrow, is attempting a short sprint to get ahead of the peloton.? But the energy levels may evaporate before the winning line. Who can say ?
Maybe Mai, was seen as someone who has his own ambitions for Gambia, which do not fit the purpose of all who surround him ? Who can say. But Mai is single minded and has been available for controversy and an easy standing target for his beliefs for such a long time.I would not agree with all he says and does/ But I admire him for his courage nonetheless.
Where we go from here matters. The Mai Fatty that I know will attempt to align with the opposition and Halifa Sallah. It won’t work out with Mr Sallah for obvious reasons. He will end up with others against UDP.
What he should do is take some time of for personal reflection and give a news conference. First apologize to Gambians and explain the reason why he was sacked. He should ask for forgiveness and hope he can be able to serve in a different place at a different time. On Barrow’s side he should give full disclosure to the citizens and pick a law enforcement officer with years of experience to replace Fatty. Finally the President should sack Bah Tambadou for incompetence and dereliction of duty.
He is tainted!!
God Bless The Gambia.
Seedy, the kanilai VS bafuloto incidents in contrast may be similar but different in reality…
Bafuloto was civil between communities locally; local riot police deployed & asked to retreat not to endanger lives…
Kanilai was political & confrontational towards a regional mandated force with advance information as to what to expect…
Retreat &/ withdrawal isn’t in the book of international intervention forces…
While local riot police carry rubber bullets, international troops carry real bullets…
Which according to a protester Ecomig fired bullets on the road deflected to hurt; not directly upon demonstrators under Mai’s say so…
If riot police were deployed on the ground to buffer between demonstrators & Ecomig, probably, the life lost could’ve been averted…
Mike, I can’t buy into your Barrow conspiracy theorems…
You aren’t clear at all…
Are you intending to contest for presidency Mike; you got to be on the ground for certain period as requirement; you better check with IEC before late…
Dr Sarr, I think, Mai may seek other alliance as you think; or still accept to redeploye; strategise & build upon experience; & still stick with the ‘tactical coalition’; build his way up within ranks to possibly lead, when mandated some day…
Political office is trial & error; coping strategies & resilient survival instincts…
You are right; we shall all follow & see how it pans out…
God bless the Gambia; Ameen…
Fatty is a different animal. He will refuse deployment and fight UDP. He can be very unpleasant you know.
Section 70 sub section 2. Powers to fire his staff. Many more are on the waiting list.
Barrow Mana si Toranko Fulo!!! Do yur job with deligence and think of the oat yur swore holding the Holy Quran. It is now clear to all that there is only one president who can hire and fire. Fire in truth and conscience. Fear Not and Favour none. Neutralise any force that may antagonise progress towards mans brotherhood,peace each day and let justice guide our action, our promise we renew. To the Gambia ever true. TORANKO!FULO! History will judge yu should yu allow any one to rule the Gambia yu swore to serve with yur true conscience. GOD Bless and protect yu Mr. President.
Know that Barrow is no military dictator aka Babili. His success will hinge on his ability to maintain a critical alliance. If that falters, he is finished. So your toranko fulo swores and god knows what self-fulfilling prophecy will come to no fruition. And just yesterday you were all negative about Barrow govt. Now apparently you change colours. Don’t rejoice too soon. Barrow’s political base hinges not on his supposedly toranka fulo background. Remember that Jimara (Barrow’s birthplace) refused to elect him in the presidential election and went on to elect GDC candidate to the NA. Please practice restraint and be aware that the political base behind Barrow will ensure that he plays by the rules.
Bajaw: Thank you so much for the Presidential advice. But I must decline. I just can’t envisage myself being surrounded by AK 47’s for the rest of my life or holidaying in a very hot humid place and wondering who is knocking at my door. But I wouldn’t mind working with Mrs Tambajang. She is not giving up on bringing your Monster to trial. I mean it’s alright having commissions to reveal most of what we know. But the main game here is the demobbed tyrant of darkness. So far the New Gambia appears impotent in what to do next. But this is only another one of my hypocritical opinions that all love and admire so well. { smile } Perhaps Your main man has fallen asleep on the job again.?
Nope Mike; not impotency at all…
Just for truth & reconciliation to commission; there’ll be practical documentation on humanity crimes committed & legal clearance to confer extradition preceeding & prosecution of our murderous kanilai devil…
Ma’am Tambajang is resilient ever; where others & many lost hope in despair; she’s undoubtedly created space for herself in history for humanity; on earth & hereafter…
Together, we’ll get there; & sooner, hopefully…
I can’t see how any can base politics on ethnicities rather than society advancements; when one like President Barrow is mandinka by tribe; ‘fula in mum, sarakhule in grandparent, jola by on laws’, etc etc; far as you can count back…
I don’t know yet but haven’t reason to believe Mai’s firing is politically motivated…
Rectification please – jola by in law – thank you.
“Sucess depend on a critical alliance”kemo). It seems possessive and self grandisement. The president is representing both proponents and opponent and hence sucess does not hinge on a so called” crtical alliance” that my be a sneaking and preconcieved lurking alliance. So that the” For the Gambia ever true” is a carve it all
Barrow political base does not hinges on his Toranko Backgroud(kemo)
Why this statement. I did not mention any where in my post about a fula background and or elections or political base .
If saying Toranko fulo in this sense “thumbs upping” the decision to use his powers to hire and fire is what yu are tribalising it shows clearly how tribal sensitive yu are. Brother man, eschew and wash it off yur heart it a necrotic maligant that could eat yu ruin yu.
The praises is endemic to traditional Gambia, senegal, Mali surnames. From kombo junjur, badibu Junjur, Jarra Barrow kunda,kiang Jiffarong,Namina Barrow kunda to Manka mang kunda the presidents home town sing this praises “Barrow Mana Si;Toranka Fulo years before Mr President took the mantle. I do not know what yu feel to respond like this just becos i quote what is a common knowledge ?I have not used it in any manner different from if i had said Jammeh jilanka, Touray Manding Mori, Darboe Jula, Jallow Jerri, Sanneh Balamang or Njie kuli Jatta
It is sad that sometimes we feel emotional on things that are trivial. I am “Camara Hileh” what about it and is yur feeling of where i should belong in the irrelevant tribal line of the Gambia?
Buba Camara, we all understand that these are commonly and widely used phrases to praise individuals, but surely, the inappropriateness of their usage for Public Office holders, given the context of our times and situation, is not lost on you, I hope.
And even when used for “ordinary people”, the objective often, is to anticipate something back and thus, it has become part of our common political language that typifies sycophancy, the very “disease” that must be “cured” to produce a “new Gambian”, for a “new Gambia” to come into being.
You may not be using the praises to curry any favours from President Barrow, but it is a “Red Flag” for many and a painful reminder of how an “innocent” looking Lt. Yaya Jammeh was turned into a brute. You can understand why we seem “paranoid” about your praise singing here.
President Barrow is human and Gambian, and like the rest of us, he is not immune to the intoxicating effects of constant and incessant praise singing. We must guide against “spreading” this deadly virus and try, as much as we can, to protect a very humble and genuine man from this chronic Gambian disease.
Mr Bourne, one like Seedy can’t cease to amuse…
Seedy, was yaya Jammeh too killing the jolas killed (for) on behalf of mandinka or which other tribe/s? what about the non jolas & other Gambians & non nationals killed, on who’s behalf did yaya kill them for…?
One like President Barrow is mandinka by tribe, fula in mum, sarakhule in grandparent, jola by in law, wollof by adaption & family extention, aku in colleagues, manjago in friends, sarere by neighbour, etc, etc, etc…
How can any other Gambia claim to be different in any shape &/ form from the above diversity, yet unique distinctiveness of the Gambian…?
Bajaw; We often chat here about Jammeh not foreseeing his demise, but we never chat about the coalition not foreseeing their incredible victory. Having had top authority and responsibility in my life, I came to understand I didn’t need to be Richard Branson and know every damn answer to every damn issue. I am sure Sir Richard felt the same at the beginning. Hence Barrow doesn’t need to think he is the square peg in the round hole. A man who never made a mistake never learned a thing. But when it came to the crisis, he folded because his experience had never been tested. I envisage the members of the coalition stood around for awhile, as they faced the capitulation of an empty bank balance, and when they moved they moved for money loans and donations. The usefulness of the coalition and its weaknesses, compared little against the pressing security issues and the emptied bank accounts. But I think recently the Barrow administration and his political bureau have shown signs that control is definately returning to the centre, through the Executive, and a reshuffle of sorts is bound to take shape. If only to strengthen the power and control of the Executive for its future. One commentator suggested that this politicking was a distraction from the main issue of increased economic activity and output. Which if true is a major handicap for the poorest and most vulnerable in society who need to feel some relief from their perpetual misery.
My view is that the activity of an elected government has only one purpose, to protect and improve the lives of its people. If the government’s energy is focussed on its own well being and survival…the time and energy of the people is squandered needlessly. I wonder if other members of the coalition are feeling vulnerable ?
For their political future outside the coalition appears bleak. This cannot be said of the members of the UDP who occupy the three main portfolio’s of government. The Presidency. The Ministry of Finance and The Foreign Office.
Does this leave the only viable opposition being the GDC and The APRC and Pdois? bearing in mind that without the GDC’s 17% the coalition would never have succeeded
Mike, the 17% that you keep referring to was not necessarily all from APRC but from UDP as well. You are making the assumption that the 17& was solid APRC which is an erroneous way of looking at things. Remember Brexit? Lots of people who where strong Labour supporters voted leave and but that didn’t translate into votes for UKIP in the last elections neither did it translate into votes for the Conservatives. The only place that APRC had a solid block of votes is Foni, the rest of the country were just voting for Jammeh because they do not want to incur his wrath. In the UK people vote mainly on party line not on policy, a similar thing obtains in the Gambia but instead of Party line people vote on relationships like family, village, region, tribe and even religion plays a part in shaping people’s decision. If you take a closer look at the demographics of where GDC got most votes you will recognise a pattern of voting in line with what I mentioned above. And that applies to all the Parties. Furthermore, Mike, there where areas that the Coalition knew were GDC strongholds so they did not campaign in those areas as much as they did in other areas. Without GDC those areas could have been potential coalition areas.
Buba, I will agree with much of what you said above, except on your view of voting patterns in the UK. There is no doubt that there are hard-core party loyalists, who would always vote for their party, regardless of anything.
You have hard-core Labour voters who see voting as a duty and would always come out to vote for their parties, regardless of policies or personalities. There are also those who maybe dissatisfied with their party, but would rather stay at home, than vote for another party,
However, there is a sizable majority that I will call, “the in betweens”, and these may be members of one party or the other, or may be party-less “free voters”, who would vote for anyone in any election, depending on what they see from the parties. They can vote Conservatives in one election, vote Labour in another, or Libdems, or anyone they think represents their views, whenever they feel so, and this is often reflected in polls that gauge public opinion. Currently in the UK, especially England, Labour is leading in the polls and would likely form the next government, if elections were called today, but not long ago, it was almost as if Labour was “dead and buried”. The Libdems were even been touted as the opposition to the Tories, back then, due to the internal problems Labour was having, particularly, the Leadership issue.
And that’s not happened without the policies of Jeremy Corbyn resonating with the working people, as well as, the bismal wrangling within the Tories and their seeming inability to deal with key issues, like Brexit, and total inaction to respond to the Grenfell Tower disaster adequately. We in The Gambia have a political culture problem, where incumbency and other non political factors determine political support and that’s what we must change.
For example, often, people ask why PDOIS, being the oldest party still lags behind in vote counts, but what they fail to realise is that PDOIS does not go out to win votes, at any costs. I am pretty sure that if PDOIS employs the same tactics (bribing the electorates with money, food, fanfare, endless promises, etc), they would reap the rewards.
They have chosen the difficult path of educating the voters about citizenship, the rationale for elections and how PDOIS wants to manage their resources to change their conditions, and letting the voter to decide whether to vote for them or not.
Obviously, that approach in The Gambia is difficult, but there are many factors that have made the task even more difficult now (since 1994), and Gambian intellectuals have played no small part in creating that difficult environment.
Bax, I totally agree with what you say about the “undecided” voters in the UK. I did not mention them in that piece just to make a point to Mike about the 17% that GDC got. I have seen Mike repeatedly make this comment, that without GDC the coalition would have lost. What I want him to understand is that a good chunk of that 17% voted GDC out of familial loyalty and that the coalition has more similar characteristics within it’s leadership to GDC than APRC has with GDC. I want Mike to understand that GDC didn’t get all those votes because it is similar to APRC but mostly because of the reasons I mentioned above. As for PDOIS, I still maintain my position that the Party needs a real soul searching to do. Something is fundamentally wrong with the message, the messenger or the message delivery hence the inability to make any inroad into Gambian politics after 3 decades. For a Party lead by a Sociologist and full of intellectuals, connecting with society should be the least of PDOIS’ problems. Bax, I know you will come with brilliant answers to the above (laughs) so am looking forward to another debate.
Quote: “Something is fundamentally wrong with the message, the messenger or the message delivery hence the inability to make any inroad into Gambian politics after 3 decades.”
Response: I think this is a logical and reasonable observation and if I didn’t know Gambia, I would have agreed that this is the explanation and answer to this baffling question. It is an established fact that in communication, the rule generally, for the failure to achieve desired objectives is, often, the fault of the bearer of the message, rather than the recipient, but there are exceptions to this rule.
A good example to illustrate this exception will be the example of the prophets of God: Their message was/is always clear and simple; it is always delivered in the most eloquent and easy to understand manner, often repeated over and over for decades, if not centuries; and delivered by messengers possessing the best of human qualities, yet except for a few, their message is almost, always rejected by the majority of their audiences.
Viewed from that perspective, and given the fact that we in The Gambia have been unable to effect political change through the ballot box for 52 years (half a century), despite having the vote for the same period, I would say that the exception to the communication rule holds in our case.
In other words, the recipient, rather than messenger, is the problem and that’s why I observed somewhere that our problem is our political culture and the need for cultural change to avoid relapsing into the old ways of doing things.
I think there is a lot of promise in that regard, as the “old”, mostly illiterate, passive and unthinking “political actors” gradually exit the “political stage”, to be replaced by a young, almost all literate, active and very inquisitive actors seemingly ready to demand results for support, rather than offer blind loyalty, regardless of anything.
Of course, the “battle”, which has already started, is going to be a hard fought one, as the new upper and middle classes begin to consolidate their newly found status and use every trick in the same old book, to maintain the same status quo. The order may be reversed, but the situation will more or less, be the same for the many.
By the way, looks like old Mugabe has become the latest victim of the African Military. Though the military are denying a coup, most observers are saying the obvious: if it looks like a coup; behaves like a coup; talks like a coup; then it’s a coup.
Rectification please – serere – not sarere, thank you
I agree with you partly Mike; on the mandatory expectation of communal services & purposes placed & required upon governments…
No, I for one foresee no bleak sort, either in &/ outside coalition; in that they will stand the tests of the population in their various formations &/ arrangements at any times; on fairer level playing fields politically…
I believe government &/ parties will be judge from now on by political conviction towards communal development rather than what obtained before…
The Gambia too will graduate, with time, in political maturity, with progressive civic awareness elevations, to make informed decisions at elections to public office in future…
Kemo and Jack i leave with yur cancers of the irrelevant tribal ego. I have no time to debate on this meanigless things bcos it seem .The fact and one century traditional African cutlure remain in yu like it or not. Being in Europe or any where does not remove yu from yur roots. If praising Mr. PRESIDENT for sacking Mr Fatty angers yu to warrant mis representing me in this regard. It really show yu are mudded in tribal anger and pomposity.
Kinteh (kemo), that is why all the more HE should get rid of redicolous characters. Pure succes need people/ ministers free of illegal drugs, bribery, corruption, prostitute rings etc. Hiding behind fathers in law should no longer be an insurance.
Bajaw….Yours is a very good answer.
Brother Bax i do not know yu and do not think i have ever seen or met yu. But by yur contributions i can deduce that yu are a matured,objective and sincere in yur contrubtions
I honestly do not mean to connotate any thing about calling traditional praises to Mr president
But it seems kemo and Jack want to sway the topic about Mr.Fatty,s to a tribal or cultural relevance debate. I am not the least bothered about how they feel . But for yur sake given the regrds i have for yur balanced view , i apologise if this praises is changing the debate
I let them know i am a mandinka from both parents (badibu and kiang) but i don,t care whatabout it or who is involved.
Refer to my statements about the president doing the right thing without fear or favour and how He will be accountsble for what he swore.
Kemo and Jack are too tribalist and sunkun in it to the point they can pick this trivial matter to potray in negative. I am no griot nor do i intend to be one so that Mr. Barrow will hear my praises and act on them to do things against the constitution and morale conscience. Brother men throw yur egos and tribal pomposity.
Brother bax i apologise once more
Thanks Buba Camara. Your contributions here only adds to the richness and diversity of the forum, but however diverse we may be, we share one very precious thing in common, and that’s our LOVE for The Gambia. That LOVE, despite our differences, is a much stronger bond than anything else. And if we all agree to put this LOVE above all else, we will make a great success of the 2016 change.
Jack yu are left with yur immaturity in judgement and tribal sentiments. I am done with it
Barrow mani si toranko fulo will fire more in the coming months becos of my praisess! expect more surprise and cleft asunder
“Verbum sapentium satis est”
To All!
So many comments on so little a stock. Why is Mai Fatty’s case a surprise incident? I cited the arrogance and pomposity of this innocuous figure, but was taken on by STUPIDITIES like Nasty Natty Dread & Co.
It’s not Mai Fatty alone. It’s the whole bunch of INEPT, CORRUPT; SELFISH INEFFICIENT; TRIBALIST administration elements that MUST be shown the exit doors. They are inoperative, counterproductive, weak, without tangible socioeconomic programmes for our people.
Why are you on-line contributors continuing to give the benefit of doubt to a people who cannot work.
You employ an inefficient employee and continue to maintain her/him in the position! That’s ludicrous and unprogressive.
I call on well determined energetic and progressive Gambians to take the bull by the horn and start organising for a better change. This one is NOT a change for the better.
Wow, Babu needs public flogging in the fish market, don’t you think.
Babu, can we agree, for once now, that Gambia have truly embark on a change…
The resilient Gambia & well wishers will ensure just to that…
The Gambia envisioned is an inclusive community like were before the perpetual ali kanilai baba fiefdom; with gradual progressive elevation under termlimit governments; & built upon to posterity; where no Gambian can’t be above law & “order; whether ruler (leaders) &/ the ruled(peasants)…
Bajaw,
All your assertions about the Gambia under President Jammeh are bunkums. There is no explanation about the firing of your corrupt erstwhile Ex-minister Fatty, the same President Jammeh modus operandi of dealing with uncouthed Gambians, isn’t it? Fire them and never explain to the people policy!
Your Mai Fatty got rich in less than 9 months after telling lies about President Jammeh’s stealing (which Halifa Sallah refuted) in Dakar where they foolishly and selfishly squandered our money at the bogus swearing in of Barrow.
The slightest minimal regard for our laws and respect for a leader NEVER existed with the Jammeh regime, thus the punishment that the Solo Sandeng and the coup plotters incurred in their fate.
Why did the OccupyWestfield demonstrators obey the prohibition orders by the Police and dispersed, an exemplary behaviour which the April 2014 mob and Solo Sandeng failed to do?
Laws have to be obeyed inspite of one’s disagreement with the powers that be.
While you are talking about change, the staunchest supporters of your bitty administration have already made their voices heard about their disgruntlement about the Mai Fatty and other pertinent national issues. Listen to the FORUMS. Conscientious Gambians, especially those in the country , who are suffering the bitter consequences of this useless administration’s ugly modus operandi, have started to disassociate themselves with your INEPT people.
You may say anything in support of your dysfunctional administrtion, but the realities are there. Realities which have urged our citizens to come together at Westfield only 9 months after what you refer to as a “change”.
Your administration, which is not living with democratic dispensation, was swift to quell the demonstration because it depicted the ugliest image and poorest reputation of the most USELESS administration ever.
It’s a SHAME. But equally SAD to have WORKERS who are unqualified to work!
Dr Sarr, I think sea water pouring on head alone, will do for Babu…
Babu, we are all together in calling for official version for Fatty’s relieve as has been expressed by many comments here variously…
There’s is no what/ifs; as to whether yaya Jammeh killed &/ thieved, as evidence aplenty…
As to what Ma’am Tambajang, Mai & Halifa said in contrast against each other were for the fact that none lied…
While both Tambajang & Fatty spoke with their heart; Halifa treaded with damage limitation & spoke with his head; this is logical independent digestion…
For the NAWEC query being Westfield occupy played for ulterior inducements; I draw your attention to Mike’s thesis in contrast…
You can’t afford to acknowledge yourself that Westfield demonstrators were peacefully dispersed lawfully; when the political reform demonstrators were attacked, malhandled & arrested with pretense to lawful (protective) custody for legal prosecution on to be subjected to more sadistic barbarities, rape & murder in cold blood…
Jack; I for one can vouch, yaya Jammeh is a devil lucifer incarnation in human flesh; can’t comprehend anyone defending &/ idolise…