Dear Mr. President! When you conceded to Adama Barrow last week, the entire world celebrated your gesture as appropriate and honorable. A week later, you rescind your words in the same office and through the same medium you announced your concession. We judge presidents by their actions and the specific expectations they ask to be measured against such as empathy, integrity, wisdom, and honesty. Dictators as we know them, are seldom men of integrity and through your actions you clearly showed Gambians and the rest of the world a shortage of candor and integrity.

You choose two roles in every leadership: you are either sunshine to the plant or you become saltwater to the roots, and for the last 22 years you were the saltwater. The only thing right about your leadership was your pride and ego. You and your family represent all that has gone wrong in our nation, and Gambians have decided you are no longer anything worthy of praise.

Whilst Gambians fell into deep poverty, you were busy with power and hanging your portraits in all government offices. Whilst mothers and children died on their hospital beds, you were consumed with trivial things, putting your name and image on billboards and lamp poles along the streets. Whilst countless Gambian youths have perished on the back way, your family was jetting freely around the world at the expense of the Gambian taxpayers.

Mr. President, by your defiance and mercurial attitude you disengaged our country from the international community and brought us nothing but shame and ridicule. It is apparent now to even the young children on the streets that you do not have a sophisticated understanding of diplomacy neither do you have the capacity or wisdom to differentiate facts from fiction.

Mr. President, this campaign period should be a clear manifestation to you and your surrogates that Gambians have long awoken from their slumber. For so long we’ve lived in fear. Today Gambians have learned from the rest of the free world that we are perception creators, and if we have a problem with the way our leaders see us or treat us, we have the power to change it. Unlike many who have gone down the road of violence, Gambians chose the only route they know best – the democratic process and the peaceful ballot.

Hope you are reminded of your slogan from that fate Friday of July the 22nd, 1994 – “Power to the People!” Gambians have spoken, and I hope you do the right thing and respect the will and power of the masses. There is no second coming here. A wise man knows his limitations and does not pick a fight which he has a slim chance of winning. This is not a battle you will win sir.

To members of the security and armed forces, please remain neutral. Honor your oath and code of conduct to protect the interest of The Gambian nation first. Jammeh’s regime is over, and the only tactic left in his arsenal is to create carnage and destruction in our country. As soldiers, be reminded in the rules of engagement there is a clear line between obedience to authority and illegal behavior. If suicide is Jammeh’s choice and means of checking out of this situation, then please let him go alone. Don’t die for him. Be reminded of the African wisdom that “only a stupid fly follows the dead body in the grave.”

Long Live The Gambia! Long Live Peace!

By Sheriff Kora

Yahya Jammeh having acknowledged he lost the elections on December 2nd ,what virtually all Gambians and  rational observers already knew, and  then promised to take specific steps to hand over power to President Elect Adama  Barrow on live TV, but has since ratchet back and repudiates  the results in its entirely with un-nuanced arguments .

Not only that, he followed through with a gracious victory speech, including a conciliatory overture to his critics.  So where are we now two weeks later? On uncertain ground -because of Yahya Jammeh’s is determined to make a poisonous situation all around what would have been a smooth transition process  with his hyper-macho threats of annulling the results. The dictator now is sharpening his rhetorical machetes and wrapping an extra loop of barbed wire around the door way to the transition process.  In some respects, we’re witnessing a national-level repeat of Friday July 1994 coupe de’tate’.

Contrary to Yahya Jammeh’s post-election spin to denounce the validity of the election, the great irony is that—by definition,  IEC Alieu M Njie has made it categorically clear on an interview with BBC “The election results were correct, nothing will change that”. It is foolish and irresponsible to rain scorn on that, but Dictator Yahya Jammeh doesn’t want to hear that—because to do so is not in his nature. He wants to put up such a power struggle to cripple President Elect Adama Barrow and his team agenda to see a New Gambia. But eventually, want to set up the narrative and have a way out on his own terms or something close to making him walk free from his record and crimes against the Gambians. That’s one of the many ironies I guess but I can predictably say his demands will be too great to paper over indefinitely. If Yahya Jammeh  is smart, though, he’ll  not wait as long as he can before handing power because he risk  exposing that fact.

As for Gambians, there was nothing shocking about a malicious and incompetent Yahya Jammeh’s behavior because after 23 years, even a little child knows about his breathtaking record of mendacity and flip-flops on everything. However, the world have to know that — as unmourned and erratic  dictator Yahya Jammeh is , he  likes to have a very high opinion of himself and a tendency to reject evidence that contradicts his opinion, combined with an eagerness to find corroboration of his self-regard wherever possible. He is not a man of his word and has a deadly chameleon character. The psychedelic fantasy of irregularities he is trying to put out there is not credible as he claims. Also the dis-positive narrative about the IEC chairman is the kind of stuff we expect from little children playing on a playground. Dictator Yahya Jammeh refuses to budge on his unfounded claims and won’t grapple with the fact that he lost fair and square even though the electoral laws were all favorable to him.

The big question is whether the world can take charge quickly enough to make a sufficient difference— by talking sense into Yahya Jammeh to hand over power immediately. In that sense, this is the time for intense diplomacy because we do not have the luxury of waiting for Yahya Jammeh to destabilized Gambia and the sub region. Its beyond me a man who held power for 22 years and a billionaire in fact, is still desperately pursuing excuses in an effort to overturn the election  and presumably — eventually to reject President Elect Adama  Barrow’s legitimacy. What is his insidious agenda all about and coloring everything with lies to deceive Gambians? Reports are out there he wants to organize a forceful solidarity match. Seriously?  Yahya Jammeh is just controversial figure who just wants to die as he lived — praised by useful idiots.

UN and African heads of state can help speed up the calendar for the transition and sent a strong signal to the regime — to respect the will of the Gambian people. Gambian military, too, have a crucial responsibility to protect the nation instead allowing Yahya Jammeh to used them  for his  own personal endeavor.  Everyone in Gambia knows that — Yahya Jammeh does not serve the interest of the country, he ruled Gambia as  a nation of servants, often cruelly, while making obscene profits for himself and his family. I just don’t get it. As much as Yahya Jammeh wants to cling onto power, one has to wonder what more can he do  for Gambia? Absolutely nothing!  Because there is no possible chance he can balance out the load of horrors with anything good he does. After a lifetime of being a President as a result of counting a coup in July 1994, he lost the idea of why he cannot simply understand that Gambians do not want him anymore. In some respects, we’re witnessing a national-level repeat of July 1994 all over again like I mentioned earlier. From any angle or perspective, the coalition’s victory was arguably the most improbable electoral event of our lifetimes— because the dictator lost and refuses to hand over power. Not only that, he followed through with a gracious victory speech, including a conciliatory overture to his critics.

Yahya Jammeh should respect the will of the Gambian people and his party should keep their promises. Their polling agents agreed to all the results and pen their signature on each constituency results to validate the whole process. Despite him putting out an incomplete smile with a stiff upper-lips, as much he wants to openly moot about people cursing out his mom and rolling their eyes on his pictures, whether he likes it or not, Gambians do not want to go the elections with him—  nor want any power sharing with him. That’s where the negotiations should start and it should end with him leaving our country. It is impossible to weave dictatorship with democratic agenda as oil and water do not mix. The pressures to get it right this time by UN, quickly, are enormous because quite frankly, we are tired of Yahya Jammeh. Suffice to say, it is fairly ridiculous that Yahya Jammeh dismantle the Supreme Court since May 2015 — when he propitiously sacked Justice Gibou Janneh and Justice Raymond Sock from the bench. This is a fact as rightly sited by the Gambian Bar Association.  The place has been vacant eve r since. There for he does not have the constitutional mandate to fill it with mercenaries to give him an edge or silver lining to hang on around the pit of mud he finds himself.

Last but not the least, according to The Gambian constitution Chapter V sub section 49 under the sub heading “Challenge to election of a President”. It states “Any registered political party which has participated in the Presidential election or an independent candidate who has participated in such an election may apply to the Supreme Court to determine the validity of the election of a President by filling a petition within ten days of the declaration of the result of the election”. This proves Yahya Jammeh has no case or business of annulling the election results. Firstly, the language is very clear his party has to file the petition. Secondly, it has to be done within 10 day after declaration of the results.  I think we can skip a few steps for that paragraph and just say we are done with him. He needs to pack and leave by our contemporary standards. That means, leaving empty handed as he came in the country.

By Habib Drammeh

By Solo Demba

The President’s concession statement was applauded by many because it was seen as a gracious act by an incumbent to accept defeat without casting doubt on the election results.

While the rejection of the same result may be construed as an assault on democracy, it seems right as it is necessary in a democratic society. Of course, political parties have the legal right to challenge election outcomes in order to maintain the integrity of the process. This challenge provides an important opportunity for the Supreme Court to dispense justice in an unimpeachable manner that will certainty establish the independent and impartiality of the Judiciary. What seems odd with this challenge was its timing, this raises the question whether it designed to attract maximum attention and obscure some important happenings.

Undoubtedly, it is uncommon for election to be rigged by opposition parties in Africa given the state control over of the electoral process. It was Mr President who declared the election as the fairest in the world. Indeed, the Gambian people are reasonably expected to believe the words of their President. That explains why they believe the election was fair and free, so there is no need to challenge the result Mr President.

However, if Mr President changed his mind to challenge the result because of alleged election irregularities, he is right in doing so. While we cannot allow selectivity to violate rule of law, it is absolute necessary for a functional competent Supreme Court to hear the President’s case for the interest of justice. Any attempt hastily install a functional court does not sit comfortably with the principle of justice, “as justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done”. Moreover, it is against all common reason for the Executive to settle a dispute in which it is party to, by appointing judges who may be consciously biased towards the Government’s case defies sense of fairness.  This crisis reveals an important constitutional matter which must be resolved to limit the power of the executive.

The Coalition has a duty to ensure that there is balance and checks entrenched in the constitution to prevent arbitrary use of state power. As an optimist, I do hope fair minded judges will not allow politicisation of judicial decision whenever the challenge arrives in court.

The assumption that a man will relinquish power without an attempt to cling to it represents a utopian view. The reality is that, a passion that drove man to assume power is fire that can hardly be extinguished by indecisive political opponents. Men have the propensity to be blinded by greed, selfishness irrationality, when they are faced with an ultimatum of power transfer engendered by ball box rejection. As they feel sense of rejection they are bound to be oblivious to unequivocal voice of the people. The current situation in the Gambia could foreclose a path to Gambians unity, and further fuels division in our society if the Government fails to do the right thing. Gambians!!Let put the interest of the country first!! The Gambia belongs to all Gambians.

In my view, Coalition’s approach seems ambivalence at best. It is imperative for the Coalition to impart coherent and clear message in order to competently fill the power vacuum created by the outcome of the election. Since conceding defeat the incumbent has become a lame duck in many senses. The Coalition should have been bold to spell out in clear terms how it intends to govern and move the country forward for all Gambians including APRC, GDC supporters.

Sending mixed messages about future prosecutions seemed to have energized the Government to find ways in halting peaceful transfer of power. Such has bolstered the Government’s stance and provides opportunity for political parasitism. Gambian people deserve more detail about the plans to revive the country rather than making abstract statements. The Coalition’s communication strategy must be robust and effective to offer Gambians hope of change. It could deploy communication medium that transcends beyond borders of the Gambia. It must be seen as viable alternative to serve all Gambians with no witch hunting agenda.

Gambian politicians servants must hold their nerves and expressively condemn any attempt to outflank the express will of the people. It is time to us to stand for principle and justice. History will judge us by ours action. What is good in life without justice and freedom? Better to die than to live a slave. Let us stand for what we believe in.

Certainly, the condemnation by United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is welcomed as it carries clear message to the Gambia Government that the world will not stand by and allow Gambian people to be stripped of their sovereign right lawfully exercised on the 1^st of December. Although UNSC Resolution is more desirable because of its immediate binding effect, it is inherently difficult to obtain consensus especially when the hegemony powers ’interest are at stake. Given absent of rivalries for vested interests and the geopolitical insignificance of the Gambia, it may well be possible to for UNSC to reach a consensus on a resolution, Furthermore; it may see the necessity to protect the principle of democracy, the very value of the hegemony powers. While external intervention could trump the UN Charter, the principle of non-interference must be qualified in important respects to fundamental rights.

I suggest that moral consideration justifies international intervention to maintain international order and security of the Gambians. For instance, this was the case in Kosovo. Therefore, OAU ECOWAS, UNSC must use all their powers to stop the current situation from spiraling out of control. Senegalese Government’s role must be strengthened through bilateralism and a possible consideration unilateralism. Let me be clear here, if the international community fails to take bold action to put the situation under control, perhaps, they are either arrogantly in sensitive to the plight of Gambians, or they have not yet learnt from history of world conflicts.

I urge UNSC to be swift in their actions to prevent arbitrary use of state power against ordinary citizens. We cannot allow states sovereignty to be used as façade to abrogate Gambians human rights guaranteed under the Gambian Constitution. I conclude with the words from distinguish international scholar, Martti Koskenniemi: “If sovereignty is an expression of community liberty and self-rule, then surely it cannot be permitted to destroy them”.

I urge all actors to give high consideration to the above words in their effort to solve this crisis.

God bless. Forward with The Gambia.

As tensions continue to mount in the Gambian amidst uncertainty concerning the outcome of the just concluded elections; we wish to converse with the county’s diplomatic missions around the world.

Diplomacy, in short, is a tack or skill in dealing with people. In bilateral and multilateral terms, however, diplomacy is defined as the art of conducting international relations, by negotiating alliances, treaties, and agreements – on behalf of one’s national interest.

Historically, diplomacy is based on a simple principle of reciprocity in line with values and ethics, but also national interest of the countries concerned. A plea to all Gambian ambassadors, especially, in D.C., London, Beijing, and across the globe – scratch the diplomatic playbook and side with the Gambian people against a criminal president with no regard for life, or law. It is profoundly disturbing and a mystery as to why our diplomatic missionaries still remain silent and muted, with a major crisis engulfing Banjul.

Mr Ambassador – your undivided loyalty should always be to the country and people you claim to represent. Please, have the moral backbone and speak up, against your boss – The tyrant. The uncertainty Gambians are subjected to hurts, and it sucks too. The Jammeh regime is over. It lacks legitimacy, operating on an expired remit, albeit forcefully. Those with sense knew this, and are abandoning the ‘fast sinking ship’ in large numbers.

Mr not-so-honourable Ambassador – ever heard of the chilling tale of a murderous regime driven by excess, and greed. A government, but in name – under Senegalese blockade, abandoned by allies in the international community. Have the character, and wisdom, by doing the right thing for once. Obey your conscience and immediately resign the portfolio, if you are men and women of truth.

As ‘fish diplomacy’ come into play – The marketplace and future of the Gambian child remains a scary thought. Yahya Jammeh has sold Gambia’s soul to the Chinese fishermen. Before his illegal usurpation of power, fish was found, at a cheap price across the country. Today, over-fishing has exhausted the industry, as foreign trawlers paying fees to the dictator, while ramming the seabed in their wake.

Ambassadors – a UN Security Council resolution is in check, laden with Senegalese diplomatic prowess across the periphery. Jammeh is isolated, and ‘caged’ as paranoia sets in. Once again, to our diplomats around the world – your country is in a political crisis, and the future looks uncertain. The Gambian people have spoken, as enterprising as ever.

So, what is it gonna be (dis) Honourable ambassador – #Gambia one #Love for Country #Forward always, Backward NEVER!

By Gibril Saine, London