DISSENT AS AN ELEMENT OF 21st CENTURY POLITICS:
In a democracy the conventional wisdom has been that citizens have the right to dissent and express micro-aggression against rogue leaders who violate the constitution. With trust in politicians at an all-time low denying such rights shall only lead to chaos, hence voters around the world have become cynical about politics and its practitioners. Across colleges and university campuses students of all shapes and political persuasion have expressed distaste and contempt against tyranny, and the millionaire and billionaire class holding onto extreme riches at the expense of the majority. Younger people often complain about the trust factor suspicious of traditional politicians who appear to say just about anything to win votes.
A democratic society is one in which peace and security reign for a prosperous people, conducting periodic elections underpinned by free speech. As Winston Churchill enumerates – such is a state in which the principles of justice and fair-play protect the weak against the strong. Over the years, however, African citizens have been manipulated and conditioned to accept the status quo. Despite evidence to the contrary, we are being asked to accept the offerings whilst billions continue to disappear into thin air. This is a daylight robbery of the poor yet to wise-up to the tricks of the trade. Premised on sixty years of failures by successive leaders all across Africa, questions about tax evasion and the maligned connections between money and politics with those lining their pockets onto ill-gotten gains lingers.
In Victorian England during the reign of King John, the British Monarchy exercised ‘absolute power’ in a reign of terror refusing to accept the demands of the masses seeking to establish an accountable system of government based on laws and plurality. The citizens eventually rose led by Langley, the Archbishop of Canterbury, demanding rights over an unelected King forcing the Monarchy into a binding accord – thus the ‘MAGNA CARTA’ was born. The Magna Carta (1215) blueprint established Britain as a nation of laws based on individual rights governed under parliamentary democracy, with the Royal family reduced to bare ceremonial purposes. The lessons of that struggle highlighted the march to democratic change is never easy. Deposing an entrenched dictatorship and a manifestly corrupt ruling class has historically proven hellish, even fatal. Across Africa, Gambians, Ugandans, and Togolese face similar predicament. Regardless of those challenges, the campaign to depose Yaya Jammeh has got to remain resilient, steadfast, but also patient recognising our strength in exploiting his weaknesses. This involves relentless expose of his scandalous regime undermining the leadership at every opportunity.
The power of lobby and vested interest has often led to favourable media coverage as it is with the Daily Observer Newspaper in Banjul. Hardly a day goes by without a favourable headline showcasing the dictator in good stead. Despite overwhelming evidence of banditry seeking to destabilise the Senegambia region orchestrating a potential war within the periphery, the Gambian daily continue to support him. Yaya Jammeh has orchestrated and manipulated the border impasse with Senegal in scoring political points, but it all came crashing down. Most African leaders still exploit the so-called securitization and anti-terror laws as means to strengthen their arbitrary rule, and to satisfy political positioning as exemplified by the ‘Kangaroo Court’ case ‘Darboe and Co’ are being subjected to. In today’s Gambia, the rule of law has been supplanted by the rule of the jungle, with a once democratic process and civilised citizenry masked by anxiety and disillusionment.
The rise social media has effectively allowed for an informed citizenry to organise and analyse free-talking politicians with such rhetoric in political discourse gauging fact from fiction. The last ten or so years has witnessed popular dissent by a disillusioned electorate fed up with lies and deceit from their leaders and acting according by taking to the streets. This scenario unfolded on the streets of Dakar, when the then incumbent, Abdoulie Wada, decided to temper with the constitution extending his term. The masses rose demanding slogans of change eventually deposing the old man. A similar fate was sealed for Blaise Compaore, in Burkina Faso, when the power hungry dictator employed similar tactics in hanging onto power. Ordinary citizens refused as people power defied military tanks and bullets on the bloody streets of the capital, Ouagadougou, overthrowing the 30 year dictatorship. When will African leaders learn? Today, the Gambian people are probably facing the worst dictatorship and repression of anywhere in the world facing major uncertainties. The economy is crumbling with no investors looking its way. Because of ineptitude and bad leadership, the country is drowning in debt according to IMF figures (2016). Across the continent, leaders often make promises of stupid proportions just to win votes knowing full well they are undeliverable. For instance, Yaya Jammeh has promised the poorly educated Gambians that he will transform the tiny west-African state into Singapore in a span of five years. How that is possible in a repressive regime pushing the nation’s economy down a cliff, with half the population malnourished seeking food-aid. Again, how is such achievable in a country in which its youth continue to flee in large numbers through the ‘back-way’ syndrome across the Mediterranean Sea seeking pastures new.
In1989, for example, China became synonymous with the massacre of pro-democracy protestors at Tiananmen Square, serving as a wake-up call to the Communist leadership better start putting the welfare and concern of their citizens foremost if the status quo is to sustain. Fast-forward twenty years, China has managed to uplift over 400 million of its citizens from poverty into the middle class, thus the trend continues – unprecedented human development in history. Dissent is a powerful political tool, thus encouraged. The U.S. Presidential contest for the White House has unearthed similar angry and frustrated voters who reject establishment politicians turning to a man with no political acumen, DONALD TRUMP. Political leaders in the western world have come to learn that power belongs to the people. What are the lessons for Africa in light of the ‘SOCIAL CONTRACT? Our leaders ought to realise that it is far more productive to keep a society content by providing for its needs than it is for a self-interested ruling elite to seek compliance through violence.
In modern 21st Century politics, citizens are no longer willing to accept lose talk and crumbles of the elite to trickle down to their level, instead demanding wholesale changes at the top for leaders with the nation’s interest at heart. As exposed by the Panama Papers, corruption is a global phenomenon which has created an international bourgeoisie exploiting the poor. Sadly, African leaders themselves have contributed to that exploitation against their own people. In true Liberal fashion, the philosopher, John Locke, has called for an overthrow of such corrupt ruling class to be replaced by a legitimate government reflecting the wishes of the majority. A population of barely two million, The Gambia is suffering from a ‘legitimacy deficit’, isolated and abandoned by its partners and allies in the international arena. A country of limitless potential, industrious and friendly people those soft-power diplomatic channels of old ought to be revisited and applied if we are to realise our collective dreams soonest. History teaches us that the long road to freedom has often ridden rougher, simply because anything worth fighting for is difficult. After twenty-two years of diaspora struggle we must remain steadfast and dedicated to the task as a collective unit if one is to exert penetrative impact and hard-blow damage to the Jammeh regime and the criminal cartel sugar-coating it. Please, I urge the various Gambian pro-democracy groups to embrace unity so as to gather international credibility, thus focus on the enemy at hand.
The quasi-democracy in The Gambia has connived in every deceitful way possible to block democratic means of expressing dissent and vexation against the manifestly corrupt government motivated by vested interest and cheap thrills. Banjul is at a critical juncture where its credible politicians are either assassinated, exiled or locked in jail. As campaign season heats up to the December 1st polls, so has extreme rhetoric escalating major human rights violations by the country’s de facto dictator narrowing the democratic space each passing day. The only viable option in changing the status quo and putting a stop to the brutality is not elections – a military takeover is justified in this instance – thus the trial of MONSTER Jammeh in earnest, dead or alive!!!
Mr Gibril Saine
England
GDF Gives $4,000 To The Families Of December 30 Attackers sentenced in Minnesota
Press Statement
Gambia Democracy Fund – GDF, would like to inform the public that on Monday, 6/13/16, the organization disbursed $1,000 to each of the families of those sentenced in Minnesota during the week of May 10th, 2016 (totaling $4,000.00). This amount is a direct donation from GDF.
As you are aware of the legal ramifications 12/30/14 comrades are facing, Gambians in the Diaspora reached out and collectively agreed that GDF should organize a fundraising drive to support the young families they will be leaving behind. GDF must make it clear that under no circumstance did these families request help. Gambians saw a need and decided to fill that void. Therefore, after Ramadan, GDF will be conducting a fundraising simulcast on the online radios – details will be posted on our social media pages. In the interim, we urge you to please donate to this worthy cause through the Gofundme attached to this press release. You may also contact GDF for other means of making a donation.
Thank you in advance for your generous donation.
https://www.gofundme.com/24bpv9vu
NCP Unveils Presidential Candidate
National Convention Party (NCP) has unveiled its presidential candidate for the upcoming December 1 presidential elections.
On 18 June, 2016 in Brikama, the administrative capital of West Coast Region, the NCP announced that Dr. Lamin Bolonding Bojang is its new party leader and secretary general.
Dr. Bojang, a former leader of the defunct People’s Democratic Party (PDP), told journalists that “The Gambia matters and that the seat of presidency is very crucial so it should be given to a credible person.”
“I am ready to sacrifice my life in the interest of Gambians, we want continuous peace and stability in The Gambia, but we are not out for a revenge,” he said.
He urged all Gambians to exercise their constitutional rights wisely by voting for a leader who is answerable to them and will bring development to their doorstep.
Jerrehba Jammeh, NCP’s deputy secretary general and party leader, said that NCP was formed in 1975 under the late Sheriff Mustapha Dibba, one of the pioneers of Gambia’s independence.
“We took part in elections, represent Gambians in parliament until in 1994 when the military took over and we were banned,” he said. “We want to inform the electorate that NCP still exist as a credible party with the intentions of effecting change through the ballot box.”
“We are urging all Gambians to join hands to ensure that democracy, human rights and rule of law to flourish in our beloved nation,” Jammeh said.
Majanko Samusa, NCP’s national mobiliser and campaign manager, said they call for free and fair elections. He said if the NCP is given the chance to be the flag bearer of the opposition coalition they will do better than all previous governments in The Gambia.
“We are yearning for electoral reform for a level playing field in the December presidential elections,” he said.
“We cherish the peace and stability of The Gambia, but we want to endeavor to remove [the ruling] APRC regime from power because of its lack of respect for human rights, and political freedom,” Samusa said.
“We revive the NCP, we are ready as we believe in Gambians to answer to urgent needs of the country that is to vote out a system that has failed to deliver its promise to it people.”
WHERE IS BUN SANNEH?
All went so quiet about Ebrima Bun Sanneh since his unceremonious exit from the Gambia Police Force and subsequently as the former director of the National Drug Enforcement Agency. Bun Sanneh as was commonly called used to live in Tallinding where he was so arrogant to us the neigbours and quietly terrorized us psychologically as tool to get us into supporting his political party.
A half-baked educated former police officer never hid his support for the dictator whom he supported so well, thus almost much feared in Tallinding, not because he used to carry a pistol in the neighborhood, but he was in a position to report anyone to the authorities or even arrest you because he had the “human power” as a former police officer and an APRC loyalist and was so oblivious of the fact that he won’t remain in his position forever.
While Bun had/ has the constitutional right to support any political party / leader of his choice of which was the APRC/ dictator Yahya Jammeh, he did it wrongly in Tallinding where as neigbours who lived together side by side peacefully before the coming of Yaya Jammeh into politics had no such political issues between us to an extent of creating suspicion. This support by Bun was done with arrogance and total distain for the good neigbourliness and mutual respect we have been having in Tallinding.
Bun was in the habit of carrying his official pistol tucked in between his underwear and his trouser anytime he is taking a walk in the neighbourhood. He used to do it in a way that if he was passing you or meeting him in the streets; you must see the pistol. Also, he made sure he greeted you in order to draw your attention to the hand-gun he was carrying. Bun was also without respect for our Tallinding Muslim worshippers as he used to carry the pistol into the mosque and would pretend to have forgotten the pistol in the mosque. This would later be taken to him at his home by some worshippers who thought he forgot the pistol by mistake. This was an intimidation tactic he employed thinking it would force some of us to cross-carpet into APRC.
Interestingly, Bun confided into someone in the neighborhood that he made a mistake and is so embarrassed to now visit Tallinding because of his past sycophancy with the neighbours since he moved out to his new compound in Yundum (I think).
Ebrima Bun Sanneh was indeed oblivious that dictator Yahya Jammeh does not have friends; he forgot that neigbours came first before Yahya Jammeh; he forgot that any position on this earth and especially in the government of Yahya Jammeh is very temporal; he forgot that he can’t intimidate people with a gun; he forgot that Yahya Jammeh will go sooner or later and that our relationship and good neighborliness shall always remain forever.
This is just a reminder and a simple message for Bun Sanneh that he owes an apology to his former neighbours in Tallinding for his careless attitude he demonstrated while he was at his peak. May Allah help Bun with a better mindset and a good thinking faculty.
By a Concerned Gambian
Leaked Gambia Gov’t affidavit confirmed Solo Sandeng died in State Custody
By Alhagie Jobe
The Gambia government through its legal representatives in the ongoing trial involving the state versus opposition UDP members on Thursday, June 16, 2016, confirmed in an open court that Ebrima Solo Sandeng, the opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) youth leader indeed died in state custody.
An affidavit signed by Saihou Omar Jeng, the NIA director of operations confirmed the death of Mr Sandeng during arrest and interrogation. Mr Jeng has ever since been accused of supervising the torture and killing of Mr Sandeng. Mr Jeng’s name appeared in both affidavits of Fatoumatta Jawara and Nogoi Njie who were equally tortured the same day alongside the late Solo Sandeng.
The late Mr Sandeng and a dozen others were arrested on April 14, in the strategic Westfield junction during a peaceful protest demanding justice and electoral reforms. He was later reported dead under the custody of the notorious National Intelligent Agency after severe torture.
The beating and killing of Mr Sandeng was also confirmed by a co-accused person Nogoi Njie, another UDP party member in a leak affidavit detailing her ordeal after been seriously tortured. Nogoi narrated how Mr. Sandeng was beaten, humiliated, and treated like an animal which resulted to his subsequent death.
Below is the leak affidavit signed by Mr Jeng, the NIA director of operations confirming the death of Mr Sandeng and presented in court by state prosecutors on Thursday June 16, in reply to a Habeas Corpus earlier filed by defense lawyers on behalf of Mr Sandeng.
LATE MUSA NGUM ‘S FAMILY TO RECEIVE D35, 000 FROM THE THE MUSA NGUM TRIBUTE COMMITTEE.
PRESS STATEMENT
The Musa Ngum Tribute Committee was set up barely 48 hours after the demise of the legend in October of last year to help sustain his legacy and raise funds to support his family.
The project started with the establishment of a Gofundme account to raise funds for the family followed by the production of two tribute songs; one of which was released in February of this year and another one yet to be released.
The final phase will be to organize a tribute concert in October to coincide with the aniversary of Musa’s death.
The committee is glad to announce that we have raised D35,000 through our Gofundme account and individual donations.
Tomorrow June 17 at 4pm Gambia time, the committee will be handing over the money to Musa Ngum’s family at their residence in Kololi. The handing over ceremony will be attended by high ranking public officials, musicians, journalists and other stakeholders including Mr. Bai Janha, Senemi Tailor, Ousu Njie Sinyorr, Mr. Lie Ngum a.k.a Abdul Kabirr and members of the Bai Fall community of which Musa was a part.
The committee wishes to thank everybody who contributed in one way or the other towards the success of this project especially those who contributed financially and the musicians who participated in the tribute songs.
For more information, please contact Kalilu Banja on (+220)-201-5524
Thanks.
Rest in peace father Mose. Till we meet again. Akasa.
Musa Ngum’s Tribute Committee
Release date: 06/16/2016
President Jammeh’s Threats against Mandinka’s in Gambia are Irresponsible and Repugnant of a National Leader.
By Professor Binneh s Minteh
Controversy is not new about The Gambia’s irrational and psychopathic leader. He takes pride in killing and burying citizens 6-9 feet deep and his distaste or dislike for the ethnic Mandinka group in the Gambia has never been a hidden agenda.
While serving in The Gambia National Gendarmerie, Yaya Jammeh had always singled out Mandinka’s as bad people. As an acting sgt at the time, he had either directly or indirectly attacked Mandinka’s in comments and remarks. As a former officer of the Gambia National Gendarmerie, I can fully recall Jammeh’s ruthless and disrespectful encounter with a Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) Kebba Dibba, largely on the bases of his ethnicity as Mandinka. Similarly, Yaya Jammeh’s encounter with Captain Ebrima Camara remains fresh in our memories. As a Second Lieutenant Jammeh brandished a pistol and threatened to shoot Captain Camara in front of the Commander’s office at Fajara Barracks during the tenure of Lt.Colonel Pa Jagne (AKA, Press Jagne). Both these encounters were entrenched in Jammeh’s deeply rooted hatred for the Mandinka.
Upon coming to power in 1994, Yaya Jammeh briefly but in a brilliant fashion shoveled aside all anti-mandinka sentiments in the early years of the coup for two main reasons: first to consolidate his power across government and security landscape, second to win the hearts and minds of ethnic Mandinka’s across the country to support his dubious political intentions of transitioning to a legitimately elected leader. This was evident in Jammeh’s administrative tactical deception that ensued promotion and designation of command and responsiblity within the armed and security and other government institutions. It was similarly evident in the Gambian leader’s use of former foes, Retired Captain Yankuba Touray, Retired Captain Edward Singhateh, and Retired Captain Kaaba Bayo as mouth pieces during political campaigns, largely to bring Mandinka’s onboard his grand scheme of hanging on to power.
Old habits dont die or fade away quickly, and this is true with the human nature of the Gambian leader. No sooner than President Jammeh consolidated and entrenched his power base, the anti-Mandinka rhetoric and hatred in him came to the forefront of his political leadership. Throughout his two decades rule in The Gambia, President Yaya Jammeh’s divisive politics has repeatedly singled out Mandinka’s with hateful remarks such as ” Mandinka’s are foreigners, Mandinka’s think they own Gambia, Mandinka’s are evil, And Mandinka’s will never assume political leadership of The Gambia”.
The most recent irresponsible and inflammatory threats against Mandinka’s did not come as a surprise either. President Yaya only truly confirmed his decades long hatred of Gambia’s largest ethnic group; hatred that is driven by ego and low self-esteem on the part of the deranged Head of State. The Gambian leader’s historic argument about the non-existence of Mandingo’s in The Gambia before the 1860’s is both unfounded and a travesty to Africa’s rich history. The distinguished Ghanaian historian, Professor, Adu Boahen (1964) opined that influence of the Manding people in West Africa dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Adu Boahen’s historical account noted that, what started as a petty kingdom of Kangaba in the 12th century gained influence in West Africa to include in the north, Ghana and southern regions of the Sahara, Senegambia in the West and the gold producing regions of Wangara, Bambuk and Bundu in the east (Boahen, 1964). Evidently, historical accounts of Professor Adu Boahen, and the famous Arabic historian, Ibn Khaldun, showed the Gambian leader’s historical deposition about Mandingo’s as both misconstrued and unfounded. Thanks to the efforts of the broader Gambian civil society at home and abroad, and Gambian citizens across all sectors, that Jammeh’s divisive ethnic politics is increasingly challenged in all domains.
Perhaps the Gambian leader failed to realize that such inflammatory remarks inciting tribal and ethnic tension only put him on an international spot light as a predator of peace and stability. As a global community we have moved from emphasis on state centricity that killed millions of world citizens to new norms of collective responsibility, emphasizing the protection of all citizens irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, gender or political affiliation. Under such norms, states have a responsibility to protect all citizens from Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, Crimes against Humanity, and War Crimes. When states are reluctant, unwilling or fail to protect its citizens from such grave crimes, it is the responsibility of the International community to provide protection.
In sum, threats and inflammatory remarks against any ethnic group are irresponsible and repugnant of a national leader. President Jammerh must resign in the interest of peace and stability in the Gambia and across the sub-region.