No. The Gambia isn’t stopping. For you. For me. Or anyone else. Yes, the leadership has got a few things wrong. But they haven’t crossed the criminal forward line yet. “Oh hell, they did”, some will hastened to charge. “The unlawful killing of Haruna Jatta”, they will exhibit. Blind and ill-informed conclusion. Did the leadership ordered the shooting of the Kanilai protesters? Or did the soldier shoot out of panick? Did he execute an order of a senior man? Until independent and conclusive investigation into the incident is dusted, all we are doing is speculate what happened and should have happened. However, what remains ethical is not to fish for excuses to justify the killing by apportioning blame. Having highlighted that, one now tests the protest merit. Is it government’s responsibility to provide them with free food, electricity and water supply? Is it legal for ECOMIG to be housed in Kanilai? Is it right for them to protest for the reinstating of Goloh Ajuma? Was it their constitutional rights to burn tyres next to the fire station and demand it should not be extinguished? Was their protest against peaceful one? These are pertinent questions which require honest answers.
Firstly, it is not sustainable for government to continue providing them the free services they enjoyed under Jammeh. That is not victimisation. It is reality. Secondly, it is not government’s responsibility to do so. What government must do for them and every or Gambian community is to create avenues for sustainable community and individual projects for all to develop and live a decent life. Secondly, Goloh was democratically booted out in a free and fair election which Goloh Ajuma initially conceded. So to protest for him to come back without being duely elected is likened to building castle in the air. Government cannot and should not allow citizens to use democracy and constitutional rights to manifest to hold it hostage and render the Gambia ungovernable.
On the other hand, government must not also cover up wrongs by quickly running off with doctored self-sanctifying statement without verifying its authenticity. What that does is to create doubt and questions for the motive of your action. Are you covering something? Did you handled the crisis maturely? Is your reaction defusing or further intensifying the crisis? Are you impartial in your handling of the crisis? Answers to these fundamental queries will vilify or vindicate you. Everyone is watching you with keen interest. Some are learning from you to model their leadership. Others are interested in how you will emerged successfull from this delicate and challenging circumstance.
Can you imagine? More than 60% of the National Intelligence Services staff cannot read and write? This revelation really beats. How can anyone expects an Intelligence Service ridden with such high illiteracy rate to perform as expected. No wonder they were a bunch of killer machines for Goloh Ajuma. The Intelligence Service needs a complete overhaul. Get rid of all those bunch of good for nothings and recruit new young and educated GAMBIANS. Proper screening process must be set for all new recruits. “According to the legal adviser, the reform is not yet done and without it the NIA cannot contribute effectively to the crucial role a democratised intelligence service can play in the national security architecture to combat both traditional and emerging threats including terrorism, espionage, insurgency, sabotage, subversion, human trafficking, money laundering and illegal migration”, The Point. Hon Mai Ahmad Fatty needs to translate his promise of transforming the Gambia Security services into action. Nothing has changed with the security services apart from the mere change of name.
Sulayman Jeng
Birmingham, UK
