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Building The New Gambia: Why We Must Save The Gambia!

Beyond life and property, there is another value of a human being or society that must be protected because without it, the potential for the human being or society to lose its worth, dignity and self-esteem is quite high. And when a human being or society loses that value, that human being or society could transform into its worst form and perish. This value is what I call virginity, innocence, purity or sanctity. It is divine.

Just like a man or a woman can be virgin, so also can a society or country. The Gambia, as a society is a virgin whose innocence and purity is being threatened by 22 years of the misrule of Yaya Jammeh. The virginity of a society lies in the compactness of the bonds individuals and communities share. It is about the culture of care and share that exists between them. It is about the respect and the reverence individuals have for themselves and each other, particularly in the relationship that elders and the young share. The innocence of a society is reflected in the humility and honesty of its members and the adherence of the members of that society to the common good and justice. A society’s innocence is peace, trust and confidence in oneself and towards ne another. When a society loses its innocence, it self-destructs.

Until now, the innocence of the Gambia is largely intact despite the severe bruises that the AFPRC/APRC regime has inflicted on it. But the innocence of a society does not last forever. Hence it has to be protected and cherished because when it is destroyed, it fundamental changes the bearings of that society. How does a society lose its virginity?

A society loses its virginity by the manner of its governance and the attitude of its leaders. Leaders produce behaviours and attitudes in people. When the leaders are humble and honest and caring, they will produce a society of good men and women. When a leader is dishonesty, callous and pompous, it will produce men and women of vanity. It will create a culture of shamelessness and disregard of the sacred values and virtues embedded in the culture and religions of that society. Such a society becomes an enemy and a parasite onto itself. It becomes a dog society of man eat man; woman eat woman. This parasitic culture is what the AFPRC/APRC regime has been inflicting on the Gambia.

Failure of Yaya Jammeh to relinquish power would potential force our society into an open armed conflict. One of the leading causes of the destruction of the virginity and innocence of a society is war. In war, human beings engage in acts that outrage the conscience of humanity. This is why you have concepts like war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide as the highest forms of crime a human being can commit. War causes men to rape women. War creates child soldiers and makes them killers of their own mother and father. War makes human beings to mutilate and butcher their fellow human beings. War hardens the hearts of people. War destroys all the sacred virtues and good norms and values of a society and its culture and religions. War transforms a people who share and care and live with each other in respect and love to become enemies and haters of each other. War makes a society eat up itself like how fire consumes paper. War destroys the future.

In our lifetime, we have seen war and its effect on societies in Africa. In Sierra Leone, fellow citizens brutally and mercilessly butchered each other’s limbs and life. In Rwanda, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Sudan, Congo, Somalia and many other places, we have seen how war has destroyed a society.

We the Gambians, must not allow the little innocence and virginity that is left of our dear country be destroyed by one man who has been hell-bent on the destruction of our society since 22 July 1994. The evidence is abundantly clear. Who would imagine that a small boy like Minister Sheriff Bojang could openly disparage an elder like Dembo (By-force) Bojang even in the context of partisan politics when this man could be older than his own father? Who would imagine a small boy like Seedy Njie of the National Assembly could disrespect an elder like OJ as if this man is not the same age, if not older than his father? Who would imagine that small boys like Pierre Minteh or Babou Gaye Sonko could face elders in the opposition and insult them as if they do not belong to our society and culture? Above all who would imagine that a small boy like Yaya Jammeh could face the nation and say that he will circumcise imams and community elders if they allow any female circumcision in their locality? Who would imagine that a Gambian president could face our people and tell them that women bleach all of their bodies but not their private parts? Our innocence is being damaged!

As a child growing up, it is taboo to speak about sex and sexuality openly. Elders, any elderly person is deserving of respect from the young. We had the innocence and purity, which made us the embodiment of humility and respect and self-esteem. It is this innocence that Yaya Jammeh is gradually destroying in the Gambia for the past 22 years. By his numerous festivals and parties of vanity, he has not only inculcated a culture of wastefulness and uselessness into our youth, but he has equally corrupted our elders as imams, chiefs and alkalolu that today most of our imams and chiefs have lost complete reverence and confidence in our society. Who respects the Imam Ratib of Banjul today? Who respects the imams of the Supreme Islamic Council today?

Gambians, this is why we must save the Gambia by standing up and together we demand that Yaya Jammeh steps down. Failure to make him step down means he will force this country into a conflict in which the little left of our innocence and purity as a society will be damaged. We will then have a society of immoral and intensely selfish people who fear no God and have no regard for the good norms and values of our culture. We will become a society of Nyaaka Jom, Malibaliya, Hamadi, Kulubaliya, Rewandeh. A society in which people lack self esteem and do not respect each other. A society of parasites where we have no regard for the common good. A society of selfishness where truth and justice are trampled upon without shame. This is why we must save the Gambia.

Stand up for the Gambia and save her innocence, virginity and purity.

By Madi Jobarteh

Yahya Jammeh’s obsession with power is stretching beyond reason

Let’s jump into it straight without cutting corners. Why would Yaya Jammeh degrade Gambia by humiliating the high level delegation of ECOWAS-UN, consisting of respectful African heads of states? What conceivable advantage is there in choosing the occasion of a high-profile visit to close the doors to the premises of the IEC, and shamefully sending the chairman and his staff home.

To add, an insult to injury, why would he wait until a historic day like this to dispatch one of his top minions, Bala Gaba Jahumpa — to punish for his effrontery in second guessing the elections results by filling a petition on behalf of APRC on an empty supreme court? What could Yahya Jammeh and his dying regime gain from— what is, in effect, their own indictment perfectly for the world to see. Well, I never knew incompetence and stupidity is so contagious. With Yahya Jammeh in charge, this sort of problems should be obvious.

As Gambians, we see it as nothing short of an insult and disrespect to other heads of state, let alone our President Elect’s team. Maybe Yahya Jammeh didn’t understand that this powerful delegation’s was on a mission aimed at soothing his strained relations with Gambians to ensure smooth transfer of power. Harder to fathom was the security heads flip flops in their drive to expunge any trace of supporting the Gambia people’s will and groveling to their foolish master- Dictator Yahya Jammeh.

That’s ridiculous on its face. Chalk it up, if you like, the CDS now turned Juju fashionista, photo shopped a picture of the dictator and place it on his chest to display loyalty to Yahya Jammeh. Can we finally now accept the official explanation of his loyalty and move on? Never mind, Right. Let no one be mistaken Yahya Jammeh will go one way or another. The sooner everyone recognizes this fact, the better. If he wants “suicide pact” to stand in the way world powerful forces, he can choose his own family to ride straight to perdition.

For a moment at least, the ECOWAS-UN fact finding and political dialog delegation ,patiently listened to a dilatational Yahya Jammeh’s a toxic mix of demagoguery , mean-spiritedness and nonsense rhetoric , but their message is clear— ensure a smooth transition of power . Put simply, they blow their whistle on him to bring him back to reality. The rules are the rules. He lost and he got to go. It’s really as simple as that. Denial has been Yahya Jammeh’s greatest ally because everything he says falls somewhere between risible and infuriating. Yahya Jammeh can confuse Gambians with a spider web of ideological and demographic fault lines of the election results, but he wants to negotiate the best deal for himself to live his blissful life peacefully elsewhere. It’s time for Gambians working for this regime to reject Yahya Jammeh and his reckless rhetoric. Public trust about this regime will plunge even deeper as times goes on. They should even go one step further to desert the APRC party and bolt away from this dead regime.

Perhaps by now, reasonable people know that Yahya Jammeh is far from alone in his hypocrisy. Granted, his team of enablers and NIA has been contributing to the confusion by releasing fake news about Presidents elect’s cabinet or creating a fake twitter account in his name and creating fake profiles on Facebook to hurl our tribal slurs. Disgraced dictator Yahya Jammeh also dispatched one of his top minions, Bala Gaba Jahumpa, to file a petition on behalf of APRC on an empty supreme court.

Sadly, this petition was prepared by disgraced former regime Justice minister Edi Gomez. Notwithstanding, he closed the doors to premises of IEC building and his man prevented the IEC chairman and his staff from entering the building. So far what is clear is Yahya Jammeh is testing the patience of Gambians — and exceeding — the limits of his constitutional powers. But it’s a remarkable thing if you take a step back and think about why he gave orders to temporally shut down IEC. Yahya Jammeh’s Obsession With power Is Stretching Beyond Reason.

Seemingly every day, there’s another story of powerful unions condemning the actions of Yahya Jammeh. So it is no wonder that Gambians grow instantly queasy at the thought of Yahya Jammeh wanting to annul the results of the elections by any means possible and further find it abhorrent that he refuses to hand over power to President Elects team. Already, the Gambia Bar Association, Gambia Teachers Union; Gambia press union and the Female Lawyers of Gambia, have all call of the regime to respect the elections verdict or otherwise —they will boycott court cases, exams and so forth. Yahya Jammeh could prevent all this strife by simply leaving the shores of Gambia and handing power to his successor— President Elects team. Such diplomacy would go a long way to reduce — or at least prevent — further polarization and ensure a smooth transfer of power peacefully.

If Yahya Jammeh thinks he is controlling the narrative, he is making the biggest mistake of his life because by 18th of January when reality of new Gambia begins, it might be too late for him to discover where hope and fantasy ends. The IEC chairman has put it very clearly — there is no way he can unearth a bombshell to derail the transition process. The results are clear and valid. Unsubstantiated claims are only coming from Yahya Jammeh and it have not contributed much to the noise he wants to hear. Fortunately, his regime will be history soon. It was encouraging to hear the ECOWAS-UN delegation, advice the President elect and his team to continue working on the transition process. The fool can keep on day dreaming.

By Habib Drammeh

Gambia’s security forces must put human rights above loyalty to Yahya Jammeh

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The army has backed Yahya Jammeh, but now they must support a democratic transition.Gambia’s political crisis has entered a dangerous phase. After publicly conceding defeat in the December 1 presidential election, incumbent President Yahya Jammeh reversed his position on December 9 and rejected the election results. The longer he refuses to agree to step down, the greater the risk of human rights violations.

A high-powered team of West African presidents, led by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the current chair of regional body Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), failed to persuade Jammeh to transfer power during a December 13 visit to Banjul, the capital, and the Gambian president appears to be digging his heels in. His party, the Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction, filed a Supreme Court challenge to the election results on the evening of December 13, making the court deadline by less than an hour.In his attempt to stay in power, Jammeh, and the security forces he controls, could resort to the arbitrary arrests, torture and forced disappearances against political opponents and activists that have marked his 22 years in office. Security forces in April and May arbitrarily arrested and beat more than 90 peaceful opposition protesters; two of whom later died in custody, one allegedly as a result of torture at the National Intelligence Agency.

The risk of rights violations underscores the responsibilities of Gambia’s security forces during the transition and the potential consequences if they fail to fulfill their international legal obligations. They should ensure that Gambians are secure, no matter their political persuasion, and that the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful protest are respected. The army and police leadership should ignore any order that contravenes these obligations and instruct their subordinates to do the same.

Jammeh is believed to retain the support of key members of the security forces. Army chief Ousmane Badjie on December 13 arrived for the ECOWAS talks wearing a badge on his uniform featuring Jammeh’s face and declared his support for the “commander in chief, President Yahya Jammeh.”

President-elect Adama Barrow, who has no army or police security detail, said on December 11 that he feared for his safety. Two days later, Gambian security forces evicted the courageous chairman of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), Alieu Momar Njai, and his staff from their offices. “Other than Barrow, I am perhaps the individual most at risk,” Njai told me afterwards. More…

Ibn Chambers to Jammeh : “The end is here”

“For Mr. Jammeh, the end is here and under no circumstances can he continue to be president” The Special Representative of the U.N , Secretary General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel is quoted by Reuters.

By January 18th, “his mandate is up and he will be required to hand over to Mr. Barrow” says Mr. Chambers.  The former Head of ECOWAS warned that Mr. Jammeh faces “strong sanctions,”

Speaking to a French radio station a couple of days ago,  Marcel de Souza, the current head of the regional body went a step further by warning that military intervention in The Gambia “is possible.” He said the international community preferred option in resolving the stalemate is diplomacy but “draconian’ measures will also be on the table.

The noose is tightening around Jammeh’s neck as more and more national and international voices are coalescing around president-elect Adama Barrow who is viewed as to have won the presidential elections in what was considered to have been conducted under free, fair and credible circumstances. President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation is the latest to join the avalanche of public support for the newly elected president of The Gambia.

We continue to counsel Yaya Jammeh to come to his sense by conceding defeat and paving the way for a smooth transition  to a new administration under the leadership of Adama Barrow.  We hope Jammeh comes to his senses to avoid inflicting further harm to The Gambia and its citizens.

Ecowas says ‘could send troops’ if Yahya Jammeh refuses to go

The sub-regional grouping – Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says military intervention in The Gambia is ‘possible’ if outgoing President Yahya Jammeh does not step down.

Marcel de Souza told French based RFI Radio that diplomacy is the preferred path as at now but ‘draconian’ measures would have to be considered if it failed.

On Tuesday, four West African leaders of Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone and UN Africa envoy were in Banjul to persuade outgoing President Jammeh to step down.

Asked whether Ecowas would consider sending troops into The Gambia, Mr de Souza told Radio France Internationale: “We have done it in the past. We currently have troops in Guinea-Bissau with the Ecomib mission. We have had troops in Mali. And therefore it is a possible solution.”

Mr Jammeh who lost the December 1st Presidential elections to opposition coalition leader Adama Barrow initially accepted defeat before changing his mind.

The commission said Mr Barrow obtained 222,708 votes (43.3%) compared with Mr Jammeh’s 208,487 (39.6%). A third candidate, Mama Kandeh, won 89,768 votes (17.1%).

Mr Jammeh, who has ruled the country for 22 years, has questioned the validity of the count after the electoral commission changed some results, even though the electoral body still insists that the results represent the true will of the people and that Jammeh lost.

Meanwhile, President-elect Barrow has welcomed the regional intervention, saying he hoped Mr Jammeh would give up power.

By Alhagie Jobe

Gambia Press Union urges Jammeh to handover power & release detained comrades

The Gambia Press Union (GPU) has called outgoing President Yahya Jammeh, who had earlier endorsed the outcome of the Presidential election outcome, to, in the interest of peace, stability and progress facilitate a smooth transfer of power to help strengthen democracy and ensure peace and stability in the country.

In a statement read by Saikou Jammeh, Secretary General of the Union at a Press conference held at its Fajara Head Office, the Union recalled the several threats, arrests and detention meted against media practitioners before the elections and condemned the blockade on the internet, international calls and SMS services during the election period.

The Union further called on the government to drop charges against Momodou Sabally, former Director of the state broadcaster, GRTS, and discontinue his trial and the immediate release of Bakary Fatty, a journalist with the state radio who had been detained for one month some days now.

Below is the full statement by GPU;

Dear Colleagues

The Gambia Press Union keenly followed the press freedom situation in the country during 2016 presidential election.

First of all, we applaud the Independent Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure, for the relative ease at which press accreditation were provided to both local and international press. We further applaud the IEC for prevailing on the GRTS to provide fair and balanced coverage to all political parties during the official campaign period. The private newspapers, Teranga FM Radio, and Eye Africa TV, have all done tremendous coverage of the elections and deserve to be singled out to be commended.

Thank you, our colleagues from the international press, for coming to Banjul, in order to give voice to the Gambian voters. We also wish to thank the UNDP and International Republican Institute for funding our election reporting training programmes. More than HUNDRED journalists were trained by the GPU in the run up to the polls.

However, ahead of the election, journalists faced threats, arrests and detention as well as undue restrictions on access to information by the state.

On November 8, the Director General of GRTS, Momodou Sabally, was relieved of his duties. Alongside Mr Bakary Fatty, one of his reporters, Mr Sabally was subsequently arrested and detained by the National Intelligence Agency. He was detained for SIXTEEN days, before he was charged to court. Mr Fatty, meanwhile, remains in detention, with no access to his family or lawyers.

On Thursday November 10, Alhajie Manka, a freelance photo-journalists and Yunus Salieu, a reporter of Daily Observer, were arrested and detained for taking photographs of President Jammeh’s supporters during his nomination at the IEC. Yunus was released a day later, on Friday. Alhagie Manka spent SEVEN DAYS in detention at the NIA. He was subjected to lengthy interrogations and screening. Both Yunus and Manka were released without any charges.

On the evening of November 30, 2016, the government shut down internet connections, restricted international call and SMS services. Although services were restored on December 02, the journalists who, in this 21st Century depend almost solely on internet connectivity, were left frustrated for two nights and a day. On Monday December 11, two reporters from Al Jazeera, were deported from the country.

The Gambia Press Union hereby condemns, in the strongest terms, the arrest and detention of these media practitioners. We further condemn the blockade on internet, international calls and SMS services. In this regard, we call on the government to drop charges against Momodou Sabally and discontinue his trial. We call for the immediate release of Mr Bakary Fatty, who had been detained for ONE MONTH SIX DAYS today.

We also call on the government to respect the Nations Human Rights Council’s resolution on the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the internet – remove the blockade on WhatsApp and Skype and refrain from further interference with the internet.

Moreover, we condemn the deportation of Al Jazeera journalists and call for review of the media accreditation procedure that gives wide powers to state authorities to cherry-pick who to give or refuse media accreditation.

Colleagues

The Gambia Press Union is deeply concerned by the prevailing political uncertainties brought about by the unfortunate and regrettable U-turn by President Yaya Jammeh on the results of the December 1st presidential elections. We are aware of the risks and challenges the current political environment poses to press freedom.

We therefore, call on both sides of the political divide to give full cooperation to the media and uphold the values of press freedom. We further call on all the security agencies to ensure the safety of journalists.

Equally, we call on the journalists to be professional in the execution of our duties. We also implore you to be effective and daring.

These are crucial times. Our people, our country, needs us more than ever before. Let us give comprehensive coverage of events as they unfold. Let us adequately inform our wide ranging audiences and watch over the duty bearers. More importantly, may I remind you that it is our responsibility to provide open space for dialogue with a view to building a consensus towards resolving this potentially destabilising political crisis. The GTRS, which has regrettably stopped the broadcast of divergent views following President Jammeh’s U-turn, is particularly urged to play a key role in ending the logjam.

As an organisation that represents the interest of journalists, promotes and defends press freedom and freedom of speech, we are moved to take a position on the ongoing crisis because press freedom depends on democracy, peace and stability. In this regard, we wish to call on President Yahya Jammeh, who had earlier endorsed the outcome of the Presidential election outcome, to, in the interest of peace, stability and progress facilitate a smooth transfer of power. This, in our view, will strengthen our democracy and ensure the peace and stability that we enjoy over the years is intact.

We are very pleased to see the first ever democratic change of power, which comes FIFTY-TWO years after independence. Our democracy has waited too long to reach this important milestone. But the people have now spoken. The contest was fair, as reported by election observers, including the CSO Coalition. The victory was clear. The winner was declared. The defeat was conceded. There’s, therefore, no turning back.

We, therefore, are biased in favour of democracy. We are biased in favour of opportunities for greater freedom to the press. As the FOURTH ESTATE, we are biased in favour of the verdict of the Gambian people.

And, we applaud the position taken by the Gambia Bar Association, Female Lawyers Association, Gambia Teachers Union, TANGO, National Youth Parliament, Medical and Dental Association. We hereby offer our support to work through a civil society consortium towards a non-violent transition.

Thank you all.

UN Chief tells Gambian security forces to vacate electoral commission offices

UN Chief Ban ki-moon has expressed total ‘dismay’ at the takeover of the Gambia’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) premises by the military and called on them to immediately vacate the Commission.

He also urged them to refrain from any further acts that could jeopardise efforts towards the peaceful transfer of power.

“This action violates the independent status of the Commission under the Gambian constitution, and could compromise the sensitive electoral material under the IEC’s custody,” said Mr. Ban, according to a statement issued by his office on Wednesday.

“He condemns this outrageous act of disrespect of the will of the Gambian people and defiance towards the international community at a time when a high-level Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) delegation was in the country to broker a peaceful transfer of power,” the statement added.

It further noted that the UN chief reiterated his call for a peaceful, timely, and orderly transfer of power, in full respect of the will of the Gambian people as expressed in the presidential election.

On Saturday, Mr. Ban as well as the UN Security Council had expressed concerns at the outgoing Gambian President Jammeh’s rejection of the outcome of the election and had urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from violence and remain calm.

The UN chief had, in particular, urged the country’s defence and security forces, to refrain from any statements or actions that may lead to violence or unrest.

By Alhagie Jobe

Open letter to Outgoing President Jammeh and his henchmen

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 needs to absorb elections message; grapple with the fact that he lost fair and square

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

Gambians’ democracy oscillating between graciousness and defiant: A Wake up call for the Coalition

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 1st 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.

National crisis: A call to Gambian diplomats

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

While ECOWAS mediation was on, Jammeh was filling petition to void election result

The defeated Alliance for Patriotic Re-orientation and Construction (APRC) party of outgoing President Yahya Jammeh on Tuesday challenged election results with a petition asking the Supreme Court to annul results from the December 1st election.

The petition was file just as heavyweight quartet of West African leaders were holding talks with Mr Jammeh to persuade to accept the will of the people and leave after 22 years.

The delegation led by ECOWAS Chair and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf included Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari, Sierra Leone’s Ernest Bai Koroma and Ghana’s outgoing President John Mahama as well as the UN Africa envoy Mohamad Ibn Chambas.

They also met the President-elect Adama Barrow and the Coalition leaders, the Gambia’s electoral body (IEC) Chairman Alhaji Alieu Momar Njai, Mama Kandeh and the GDC Party, UN diplomats as well as foreign ambassadors in the country.

The petition seen by The Fatu Network signed by Hon. Bala Garba Jahumpa, Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) General Secretary and Minister of State said the country’s independent electoral commission (IEC) had violated the law and added that opposition leader Adama Barrow was “not duly elected or returned as president and that the said election was void”.

“The petition prays that it be determined that the said Adama Barrow was not duly elected or returned as President and that the said election was void; that the said Yahya AJJ Jammeh was duly elected President by virtue of the actual votes and therefore, ought to have been returned as the duly elected President; that the election of the 1st December 2016 was invalid by reasons of (a) non-compliance with the Election Act, (b) that it was not conducted fairly or in good faith and (c) that the non compliance mentioned in this petition seriously affected the credibility of the results of the said presidential elections and necessarily render them invalid” the party urged the court to rule.

The APRC said it was not present when the IEC issued a recount on December 5th, claiming there were irregularities in the process and alleged voter intimidation.

Jammeh had surprised observers by initially conceding defeat in the poll but then reversed his stand, triggering an avalanche of international condemnation and a multitude of calls for him to cede power peacefully.

Earlier on Tuesday, police locked down the offices of the electoral commission, raising fresh fears Jammeh might not leave office without a fight.

Meanwhile, Gambian army chief Ousman Badjie seemed to reverse a previous declaration of support for Barrow and arrived at delegation preparation talks wearing a badge that featured Jammeh’s face on his uniform. He said he supports the Commander-in-Chief, President Yahya Jammeh in brief comments to journalists.

However the electoral commission chairman, Alieu Momar Njie, confirmed to The Fatu Show Programme on The Fatu Network Radio that when he went to work on Tuesday, the security did not allow him to enter the IEC headquarters. He said no reason was given, but the premises remained locked down and surrounded by soldiers.

Asked if there is no possibility of tampering with the results since army are in control of the office, Mr Njai said “even if they burn down the building, the results will not change” he said.

Jammeh’s party left it late to file a complaint contesting the election with the Supreme Court, as Tuesday was believed to be the last day constitutionally possible to do so. The legal body however has lain dormant since May 2015 as Jammeh himself sacked all the judges.

Earlier, The Gambia Bar Association has said there is “no legitimate legal mechanism available in The Gambia to hear and determine the election petition”, as Jammeh would have to stuff the court with his own appointees.

By Alhagie Jobe

Nothing conclusive from ECOWAS-UN led political talks in Gambia

The heavyweight quartet of West African leaders Fact Finding Mission to The Gambia has concluded a day of talks in Banjul on the ongoing political crisis but no deal reach so far.

The delegation led by ECOWAS chair and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, also included Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari, Sierra Leone’s Ernest Bai Koroma and Ghana’s outgoing President John Mahama as well as the UN Africa envoy Mohamad Ibn Chambas.

They were in The Gambia on a fact finding mission on the current political crisis that started after the December 1st Presidential election in which Mr Jammeh was defeated by opposition Coalition candidate Adama Barrow, ending his 22 years rule.

Jammeh had earlier surprised the world by initially conceding defeat, call the winner and congratulated him but then reversed his stand a week after, triggering an avalanche of international condemnation and a multitude of calls for him to cede power peacefully.

Meanwhile, during the day-long talks, the ECOWAS Heads of States and UN officials met with both side – Outgoing President Jammeh at the State House and President-Elect Adama Barrow with the Coalition leaders at the Coco Ocean Resort & Spa Hotel.

The Heads of States also met with the IEC chairman Alieu Moma Njai and other foreign diplomats in the country.

It was however announced that the team is on a Fact Finding Mission to hear from both sides and later come up with a resolution.

Information received by this medium revealed that nothing conclusive or a deal has been reached but what is more promising is that the Heads of States delegation has encouraged the Coalition to continue with their preparation for the handing over and also urged the supporters to maintain decorum during the process. The leaders said that the discussion is a way forward towards a smooth transfer of power to President-Elect Adama Barrow.

Halifa Sallah, a member of the opposition Coalition told waiting journalists that though nothing conclusive but that the process is a beginning of a breakthrough.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who is also the ECOWAS chairwoman also told waiting journalist that they’ve met all the stakeholders and they said there will be peace and security if there is smooth transition.

When asked whether he had been receptive to the delegation, Nigeria’s Muhammadu Buhari told journalists “very much so”.

The delegation later returned to the State House to meet outgoing President Jammeh before departing to their various countries. They will now report to back to the ECOWAS and UN which will sit over the matter on Saturday, December 17th, 2016.

By Alhagie Jobe

Gambia’s US ambassador switches loyalty, urges Yahya Jammeh to hand over power

Gambia’s Ambassador to the United States of America has asked his boss Yahya Jammeh to accept the will of Gambians and hand over the presidency to President-Elect Adama Barrow as stipulated in the Gambian Constitution.

In a letter dated December 13th, 2016, HE Sheikh Omar Faye said he is supporting the people of The Gambia by recognizing Mr Adama Barrow as the President-Elect of The Gambia out of his personal decision and desire to protect and safeguard the peace and social cohesion of the beloved country. He said he is not by any means speaking out of personal interests but extremely worried about the peace and stability of The Gambia.

He made it clear that as servant of The Gambia, he finds it morally difficult to remain silent while Gambians are in fear and uncertainty adding his duty as a diplomat is to promote the interests of The Gambia and her people.

“I have always pushed for the interest of our people and vehemently stayed on course to help build a solid and healthy bilateral relationship between The Gambia and The United States. As the Ambassador of the Republic of The Gambia to the United States of America, I respectfully ask His Excellency President Jammeh to accept the will of Gambians and hand over thee presidency to President-Elect Adama Barrow as stipulated in the Gambian Constitution” he said.

He called upon outgoing President Jammeh to stay true and committed to the amiable and democratic stance he took after the December 1st, 2016 election results which were communicated to Gambians and the world at large.

“Nations around the world especially Africans were so proud of the political maturity of His Excellency President Jammeh when on December 2nd, 2016 he gracefully accepted the verdict of The Gambian people and the will of Allah” he said.

He expressed disappointment over President Jammeh’s U-turn on December 9th, 2016 saying ‘President Jammeh reversed his decision and called for fresh elections which has created s serious post-elections crisis and put The Gambia on a dangerous path”. For the preservation of peace and stability, which Gambian is known for, it is imperative that all Gambians cohesively move in one direction and speak in one voice.

“I have not talked to any member of the Coalition before; during or after the elections nor have I informed them of mu decision. Out of my own will and deep care for The Gambia and her people, I am making this statement as a patriotic citizen of The Gambia with the hope that it will contribute to the efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the current situation” he concluded.

By Alhagie Jobe

ECOWAS delegation arrives in Gambia, meeting outgoing President Jammeh

The high level delegation from the sub-regional bloc –Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) dispatched to Gambia has arrived.

The High-level ECOWAS delegation led by ECOWAS Chairwoman and Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf includes President Muhammadu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Ernest Bai Koroma of the Republic of Sierra Leone, outgoing Ghanaian President John Mahama and the Special Representative of the United Secretary General for West Africa, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas.

The delegation arrived in the country early Tuesday to mediate the current political upheaval following the December 1st President Elections.

The crisis is ignited by incumbent President Yahya Jammeh who ruled the country for the past 22 years and was defeated on December 1st by an opposition Coalition led by President-elect Adama Barrow.

Initially, Mr Jammeh conceded defeat and congratulated President-elect Adama Barrow. A week after conceding defeat, Jammeh made another U-turn and rejected the election results in totality blaming the electoral body of certain irregularities leading to his defeat and further announced that the results are ‘null and void.’

Mr Jammeh further called for fresh election in the country to be supervised by what he called ‘a God fearing electoral body”. This was followed by another announcement by his party to file a petition in court to challenge the result that he has already declared null and void.

The announcement on state television, GRTS TV, threw Gambia’s future into doubt as the winner and opposition coalition led by President-elect Adama Barrow rubbished Mr Jammeh’s claimed and urged him to ensure a smooth transition and hand over power.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority and President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf last Sunday issued a special statement on the current political situation in The Gambia, urging President Jammeh to respect the election results, which reflect the freely expressed will of the Gambian people.

The statement also expressed support for the Joint Statement issued by the African Union Commission, the ECOWAS Commission and the United Nations and further called on the Gambian people to remain peaceful and calm.

The United Nations Security Council on Monday also “urged President Jammeh to meet and cooperate with the UN-ECOWAS high-level delegation.

The council met behind closed doors at Senegal’s request to discuss the crisis over Jammeh’s refusal to recognize the outcome of the December 1 election.

The Security Council earlier on Saturday released a unanimous statement demanding that Jammeh “transfer, without condition and undue delay, power to President-elect Adama Barrow.”

By Alhagie Jobe

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