Did you notice there has been a shift on the narrative focus lenses? Instead of the coalition government, the diaspora is now under the microscope. The investigator has become the investigated. Very interesting indeed. The new homily is for the diaspora to give President Barrow and his government a break. It is now perceived as a disgruntled group striving to remote control President Barrow and his government in the guise of holding him accountable. Many are, therefore, left to conjecture if the diaspora is in disarray and more unpredictable than the English weather. Others even forewarned it to stay well away from the waikanteh cabinet less it gets hurt by a stray bullet or a friendly fire.
On the contrary, the diaspora is an active Gambian pressure group which endeavours to exude pressure on government in order to align it with delivering sustainable development, usher in the most needed constitutional reform, restructure and overhaul the security services in accordance with due diligence and procedure. Is that remote controlling President Barrow and his government? How is the diaspora a spoiler for President Barrow? Should we issue the rainbow government a blank cheque and expect a balanced account at the end of business?
What is it with us, Gambians? How many times did the dictator vilified his council of elders for not telling him the truth even though everybody knows he does not fancy the truth? Fortunately, for now, President Barrow encourages criticisms, so why is Saul Jeng always uneasy when someone calls out President Barrow? What we are negating in our pursuit of safe-guarding our new found freedom is the self-centred politicians. A politician who loves his party and pocket more that country is dangerously egoistic and stinks with impressive corruption. Isn’t it time that Gambian political leaders start a soul searching expedition?
My premise is since every Gambian wants a two-term limit for the presidency, why can party leaders who have led their party for more than two electoral cycles make way for others in the party? Hon Omar Jallow is on record assuring Gambians that after the NAM election, he will never present himself as a political aspirant again. Will Lawyer Darboe, Halifa Sallah and Hamat Bah also find it fitting if any of them loses the next presidential election to give others within their parties a chance to lead? If a party leader is not willing to chance his or her colleague to captain their party, what assurances do we have that they will not prostitute the constitution to elasticate their hunger for power?
The most potent effect of massaging truth is it procreates violence as amply demonstrate by the UDP-APRC clash. Tribal and reckless politicking is cancerous. Political violence must never be tolerated in new Gambia. What is the Minister of Interior’s take on the bloody clash between APRC and UDP? The violent attack on UDP militants by APRC is callous and inhumane. No one should tolerate such barbaric exfoliation of our already cracked political sediments. The perpetrators must be opportune to taste the bitter-sweet juice of justice to deter others from falling in love with political thuggery. The Gambia cannot afford to derail into political cleansing. If you cannot tolerate opposition, defeat and criticisms then politics is not for you. Hate eats up the mind and hardens the heart. It breeds unjustifiable loathe for persons, progress and social cohesion which fertilises violence.
The Gambia Bar Association are demanding what is rightfully theirs. One of the most distasteful dispensation of justice during the Jammeh era was the hiring of mercenary judges to dish out jungle justice to perceived opponents. To have same judges look after our justice system for us in new Gambia especially when there are competent Gambian legal luminaries is a spiteful slap on the face. Whatever the contract the previous government entered with them must be reviewed to allow Bar members take care of our own legal system. How can we trust them to dispense justice without fear, ill-will or favour when they had in the past sold their souls to the devil for a pin of pleasure? Why do we always have to call on outsiders to help restore our house in order?
Can there be any meaningful development in the absence of electricity, clean water, good road networks and excellent telecommunication? I can vividly remember when Bakary Njie was manager of Gamtel, Gambia ranked second in Africa’s telecommunication ladder. Even though internet wasn’t a much sought necessity, telephoning other destinations was not only cheap but the lines were crystal clear. With all the advancement in IT, it is more expensive to either call the Gambia or call from the Gambia today than before. Worst of all the lines are intermittently reconnecting and unclear. Similarly, Internet data is a gold dust in Banjul. President Barrow and his Information, communication and Infrastructure Minister need to seriously look at these issues if they are serious about development.
Sulayman Jeng
Birmingham, UK
