The announcement by State House on April 8 that the Gambia Armed Forces intends to embark on a large-scale agricultural production in partnership with an American company must be stopped immediately in the interest of democracy and national security. The Gambia Armed Forces must not be given any means to engage and control any aspect of the Gambian economy. The military should rather remain confined to its traditional role which is to protect the territorial integrity and defence of the Gambia and provide humanitarian services where necessary.

History has shown that countries that allow their military to engage in such large-scale agricultural production or owning industries and supplying vital economic goods and services to the public and exporting to the world end up having the entire country under the firm grip of the military. When that happens the army eventually becomes the kingmaker in deciding who becomes president, and what kind of government to prevail thereby eventually controlling and putting all state institutions at the mercy of the military. That is dictatorship.

The best example of this scenario is Egypt where the national army controls between 45% – 60% of the economy thanks to their control of the economy – in agriculture, industries, and supply of goods and services. This came about as various Egyptian leaders since independence allowed the army to engage in the economy. Will Barrow make the same mistake in the Gambia? Time will tell.

The economic empire of the Egyptian army began with the establishment of the National Organization for Military Production (NOMP) in the 1970s, which included 18 factories, some of which provide military services, while others manufacture electrical appliances. From here the military moved into the sale of land in South Sinai to local and foreign investors in the 1970s. The trend further developed as the army began to take control of many government companies that had been privatized or cooperated with their new owners in the 1990s.

Today Egyptian military-owned companies and its agencies are active in several sectors that had been traditional bastions of big business, such as construction and housing, infrastructure, and urban development, as well as modernization of the health sector. Since the ascent of the current Dictator Fattah Al-Sisi several decrees have been issued that effectively awarded huge economic projects to the army such as the current project funded by UAE and signed in June 2018 to produce ready-mix concrete to supply all projects currently under construction in Egypt!

It is common knowledge that indeed the Egyptian Army has been effectively in charge of Egypt since independence mainly because of the extent of their wealth and economic control and power. If the Gambia now wants to also give our military similar status and opportunity, we must consider what could happen in the future. If one listens to CDS Massaneh Kinteh it is clear that his vision is exactly seeking to bring to the Gambia what has happening in Egypt for decades which is a direct threat to national governance and security.

According to media reports the CDS was quoted as saying that, “We are looking at a whole range of agricultural production, from rice to moringa, aquaculture to ruminants and red meat to white meat.” He went further to state that they are looking at diversifying their roles and responsibilities in order to reposition the army in the productive sectors of The Gambia! The CDS boasted about the ability of the army to feed the nation as well as export. This is indeed a very scary and worrying statement and the Gambia definitely does not need such function from its military. By his thinking the CDS is seeking to practically place the Gambian economy right in the middle of the hands of the Gambia Armed Forces! That is terrible.

If we have an army that could do what the CDS is thinking, then it means this country will eventually be at the mercy of the army just like in Egypt. Let us remember that the Gambia Government already has relevant ministries, departments and agencies for agriculture, healthcare, education, industries and export among others. What we need is to have these institutions fully developed to efficiently perform their functions for the sustainable development of the Gambia. Furthermore, what we need are right policies and programs that will create the necessary opportunities, facilities and projects for Gambian youths, women and entrepreneurs to engage in all kinds of businesses to serve the needs of our people. We do not need a military that is engaged in business and economic control.

Let the army develop its skills and knowledge in all areas but only to serve the men and women of the army itself first and then to provide humanitarian services to Gambians and the world when necessary. For example, if we have severe flooding or an epidemic or some other situation that incapacities health workers such that they cannot fully perform their functions well we can then use the army as back-up to provide emergence services. One can find this kind of function for the military everywhere in the world. But to make the army a primary service provider in our economy would be a disaster that the Gambia will live to regret sooner or later.

Apart of making the army become an uncontrollable giant in the country and overshadowing and threatening our democratic institutions, such economic power in the hands of the military only generates more corruption. Once again, we can see how generals in the Egyptian Army have become richer than anyone in that country. In Egypt no one sees or knows the budget of the military except the president and few of those generals. It is because of such military economic power that Mubarak was able to rule for 30 years and even when the masses overthrew his regime, we saw how the military easily came back again to overthrow the civil regime of Pres. Muhammed Morsi and to continue to maintain their hegemony under Al-Sisi. All of these are possible simply because of the military’s control of the economy and the huge amount of wealth in their hands consequently.

I therefore call on Pres. Adama Barrow as the Commander-In-Chief to stop this project forthwith. I call on the CDS Massaneh Kinteh to abandon this project forthwith in the interest of national security and democracy. I call on the National Assembly to make the Gambia Government abandon this risky project immediately. It is not in the national interest and has all the potential to harm the country, today and tomorrow.

Finally, I call on all citizens and CSOs, trade unions, media, private sector and our academia to stand up against the army getting into such large-scale agricultural projects and indeed to stop the army from engaging in any activity in the national economy. The military cannot and must not engage, control or provide in anyway any economy activity for the country. The army is mandated to only defend our territory and provide humanitarian services to our people where necessary as well as provide peace-keeping functions. Let them stay there and nowhere else.

Let us be ready to rise up to demonstrate in front of the State House and the National Assembly and the Defence Headquarters until this project stops. Let us be prepared to go to the Supreme Court to stop the Government from engaging in this project. Let us speak out and write against this risky project that threatens our future and democracy as a nation! There is nothing urgent for the military to engage in such a project and it is not necessary.

For the Gambia Our Homeland

Your Excellency, Mr President: the Right 2 Know Coalition-Gambia extends its greetings and compliments to you and your entire government. We write in the true spirit of partnership, with the aim of assisting your administration better deploy its mandate, promised to the electorate, at this critical time, when the country is still emerging from a post-tyrannical regime.

Mr President, we wish to draw your attention to a recently released report detailing the shocking and unacceptable conspiracies by ex-president Jammeh and his accomplices, some of whom are still in your administration, to extort the country and loot its meagre resources. These acts of criminality, which spanned two decades, have resulted in the country losing one billion dollars to the rampant, unbridled and attendant corruption under ex-president Jammeh.

The report, which was released last week by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global network of investigative journalists, presents irrefutable evidence of how the country was captured and eventually stolen.

It details how state owned enterprises, public finances, pensioners’ monies, donor aid, were all misappropriated to the tune of at least $975 million.

Among the accomplices biggest targets and scores were:

$363.9 million from the state-run telecoms company GAMTEL;

$325.5 million in illicit timber revenue from the Casamance, Southern Senegal; more than $100 million in foreign aid and soft loans from Taiwan;

$71.2 million from the Central Bank of The Gambia;

$60 million from the Social Security and Housing Finance Corp., which manages disability, housing, and pension payments; and

$55.2 million from the state-run oil company- GNPC.

Your Excellency, these figures are staggering for any country, especially for a small and impoverished nation like The Gambia, which you now lead. The acts were so audacious, that to ignore them would not only be seen to be irresponsible, morally reprehensible and complicit, but possibly illegal. This is precisely so because the least that your government should do is to react to the report, especially as the facts show, that it was your very administration that encouraged such an undertaking to investigate corruption under ex-president Jammeh.

Your administration has publicly called for information on any acts of illegality and corruption to be ventilated, whether through the process of the established Janneh Commission and or, in other fora including the media and other public spaces.

This report has responded to those requests made by your administration in the most deliberate and thorough manner. We are however, saddened and extremely alarmed at the loud silence from your good self and the government you lead, over these startling revelations.

We are further disappointed that despite the evidence presented in this report, and by extension the Janneh Commission itself, whereby individuals admitted to taking part in looting of state coffers and enterprises; individuals who admitted to committing crimes of theft and conspiring to commit acts of corruption, are not only left to shamelessly gloat with impunity over their escapades, but are still under the employs of your government; and some have been elevated to higher public office. This does not inspire confidence.

Mr. President, we urge you to show political will and act on the OCCRP report, by at the very least, suspending those that were at the helm of these entities when the corrupt practices took place and commence investigations as a matter of urgency.

Anything short of decisive action will undermine your credibility, weaken your administration, and blemish any legacy that follows you during and beyond your presidency.

Mr President, Gambians that placed their trust in your leadership by voting for the 2016 coalition are becoming disillusioned, so is the regional community that placed a major premium in your ascendancy to the highest office, by affording you their support and security in times of uncertainty; and the international community that demonstrated their magnanimity and supporting our collective developmental aspirations to want to be a better people, and a shining example of a country reformed.

Sincerely, R2K Coalition- Gambia *********************

Who: Right 2 Know- (R2K) Gambia, started its work in October 2016, focusing on elections integrity around the then, now famed, 2016 Presidential elections, when Jammeh was ousted from power. Our membership/following has since grown to 4,800 people. The founders are a grouping of individuals with professional backgrounds ranging from geology, demographics, economics, international relations and law, communications, and academia. All members are human rights activists. We are located in The Gambia, US, UK, West and Southern Africa. We are a non-partisan entity that focuses on rule of law and democracy, good governance, human rights and the principles of access to information and freedom of expression.

Organizations in solidarity with this Open Letter:

The Democratic Union of Gambian Activists (DUGA)- is an umbrella movement to unite Gambians in North America (US and Canada), Europe and Africa, mobilizing citizens to achieving the goal a sustainable democracy in The Gambia.

Gambia Participates- promotes accountability policies and institutions that will prevent the occurrence of corruption. The organization also work on budget transparency, elections and participatory democracy by engaging community and policy makers.

Team Gom Sa Borpa-is a youth movement dedicated to raising awareness and participation among young people through Art and supporting their interest in the development of The Gambia.

The Victims’ Centre- provides support to victims and families that underwent untold suffering of torture, kidnapping, forced evictions, illegal seizure of property, and murder under the Jammeh regime.

Institutions and Diplomatic Missions to which this Open letter is copied:

AU Advisory Board on Corruption- Hon. Begoto Miarom

African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights- Commissioner Jasmina Essie King

British High Commissioner to The Gambia- H.E. Sharon Wardle

ECOWAS Commission- H.E. Jean-Claude Brou

EU Delegation to The Gambia- H.E. Stephane Meet

IMF Resident Representative for The Gambia- H.E. Ruby E. M. Randall

US Ambassador the United States of America to the Republic of The Gambia- H.E. Richard Paschal

Right 2 Know Coalition Gambia

By Bubacarr Drammeh

The dismissal of Hon. Ousainou Darboe, the Secretary General of the United Democratic Party (UDP), was destined to happen. There has been tensions between the President and his number two after the establishment of the Barrow Youth Movement, the rejection of the movement by the UDP, and the UDP’s refusal to nominate and select the President as the leader of their party. The supporters of Mr. Darboe, majority of whom are his party militants, believed that he was betrayed by someone who once regarded him as his political father. The termination of his service, as the second most powerful person in the executive of The Gambia, seems to energize his base. Within a week of his termination, political rallies were organized to show support for him and perhaps to send a message to the president, that the UDP is the most powerful party in the nation. Mr. Darboe said that the outpouring support reminded him of two occasions: first, the inception of the UDP; and second, the day he was released from prison.

Majority of political pundits are of the opinion that Mr. Darboe would be the flagbearer of the UDP in the upcoming 2021 presidential election. Mr. Darboe when asked in an interview with The Gambia Time has refused to rule out himself as a contender for the next scheduled election. He insisted that the members of the UDP, not him, will decide the party’s presidential candidate. Mr. Darboe’s refusal to rule out himself as a contender, buffered by the high popularity he enjoys among members of the UDP seems to almost guarantee that he will be chosen to be the flagbearer of the party in 2021.

Mr. Darboe’s removal as the Vice President of The Gambia has sparked a national debate with respect to his eligibility to run for president under the current constitution of The Gambia. The paramount question is, whether as a result of his dismissal and termination from the public office as the vice president bars him, constitutionally, from running for office?

During the UDP Seattle Chapter inauguration in Washington State, Mr. Darboe was asked, by The Gambia Times Correspondent, his response to people who hold the opinion that he is not qualified to run for office come 2021 if the constitution Section 62(3) remains in the constitution or is adopted in the next constitution. He responded thus:

Let them come up with it. In fact, somebody mentioned it and told him if anybody is dissatisfied let them go to the Supreme Court. In any case, I think people misread that provision. I think is subsection 3. People misread it . . .. Can I sue the government for unlawful dismissal? So why would you say that section would apply. For termination you either give the person one-month salary in lieu of notice or you give one-month notice. So, is the president required to order for me to be given one-month salary in lieu of notice or one-month notice? That section is applicable to people who are public servants. Because it is a public servant or a permanent secretary whose service can terminate or whom you can retire or dismiss. If I cannot sue for unlawful dismissal, why would that section apply to me? If I cannot hold on to a ministerial position until I retire why would that section apply? They just don’t understand. They just read bare letters without really applying your mind to what you lawyers will call the purpose of the section.”

What is the position of the law as of now? Is Mr. Darboe right in his analysis of the law or those with the opinion that he is barred by the constitution are correct even though they have not, supposedly, averred their minds to “the purpose of the law?”

For the purpose of clarity, I reproduce below Section 62(3) ipsissima verba:

A person who, while holding public officein The Gambia has been—

(a)  compulsorily retired, terminated or dismissed from such office, or

(b)  has been found guilty of any criminal offence by any court or tribunal established by law; or

(c)  has been found liable for misconduct, negligence, corruption or improper behaviour by any commission or committee of inquiry established by law shall not be qualified for election as President.

Evidently, any person who once hold a public office is not qualify to contest for the Presidency in The Gambia, if, during the time he or she was holding such office, his or her service ended because he or she was dismissed or terminated or compulsorily retired; or during the time he or she was holding such office, he or she was found guilty of any criminal office; or during the time he or she was holding such office, he or she was found liable for misconduct, negligence, corruption or improper behavior.

The key words from section 62(3) are PUBLIC OFFICE. What then is a public office? A public office as per Section 230 of the constitution “includes an office the emoluments attached to which are paid directly from the consolidated fund or directly out of moneys provided by Act of National Assembly, and the office of a member of a local government authority or staff of a public enterprise.” Thus, any office, whose salary, fee or profit from employment or office are paid directly from the consolidated fund or directly out of moneys provided by an Act of National Assembly is a public office except if the constitution provided otherwise.

Is the office of the Vice President designated as a public office by the constitution? In The Gambia, those working for the state are either holding office in the public service or are holding a public office. The constitution as expressly provided in section 166(4) that the office of the Vice President is not an office in the public service. The said section provides thus“In this Constitution, an office in the public service does not include— (a) the offices of President, Vice President,Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Secretary of State or a member of the National Assembly.” Therefore, it is clear from the aforementioned constitutional provision that the office of the Vice President is not an office in the public service.

Section 156 of the constitution provides thus:

• The salaries and allowance, and the retirement benefits, of the holder of the offices to which this section applies shall be a charge on the Consolidated Fund.
• This section applies to the offices of – (a) the President and the Vice-President;(b) the Speaker (c) a judge of a superior court; (d) a member of the Independent Electoral 
Commission; (e) the Auditor general; (f) the Ombudsman; and (g) the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Thus, from the aforementioned provision, it is clear that the salary and fees for office of the Vice-President are paid directly from the consolidated fund. That being the case and considering the definition of public office as per section 231 of the constitution, the office of the Vice-President is a public office.

It is a fact that Mr. Darboe was relieved of his duties as Vice President. He was either dismissed or terminated by the President. And having established that the office of the Vice President is a Public office as per sections 231 and 156 of the 1997 constitution of The Gambia. If the constitution remains as it is until 2021 presidential election, Mr. Darboe will be constitutionally barred from running for office if members of the UDP chose him as their flagbearer.

Mr. Darboe may be right when he said, “if anybody is dissatisfied, let them go to the supreme court.” The issue with his statement is that his nomination could be rejected by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) base on Section 62(3). If that happens, he and the UDP would have to go to the Supreme Court to challenge the rejection of his nomination. This would have consequences for him and the UDP. While other parties are campaigning for the presidency, he would be challenging the rejection of his official nomination of the ballot. On the other hand, if his nomination is accepted by the IEC, his opponents would likely challenge his nomination. And in that scenario, his party would definitely be in court defending his eligibility to be on the ballot for that presidential election. Such reactionary move could have an adverse effect on his party. Should United Democratic Party do something about this prior to 2021 in order to avoid any such distraction? Yes, it should. Can they do something about this issue before 2021? Yes, they can.

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Darboe’s position that “That section is applicable to people who are public servants. Because it is a public servant . . .  whose service can terminate or whom you can retire or dismiss.” The section 62(3) is applicable to holders of public offices which includes the office of the Vice President. Furthermore, holders of public offices can be dismissed or terminated from office or compulsorily retired as per S.62(2).

Finally, this provision does not affect only Mr. Darboe. It affects Mai Fatty, the leader of the Gambia Moral Congress (GMC); Dr. Amadou Janneh, the newly UDP member; Amadou Sanneh, former    Minister of Finance and Minister of Trade; and any holder of a public office dismissed or terminated by President Adama Barrow, and by his predecessor former President Yahya Jammeh.

With all honesty Barrow did his best with his UDP family. We all saw how posts were divvied up in 2017. He willingly or unwillingly left out all others not wearing yellow T-shirts. Ambassadors, Ministers, and other key posts save a few, went to UDP supporters or sympathizers. It was all milk and honey then. Any who dared speak or point out such facts got chastised and branded “haters”! “Give the government time you impatient haters and job seekers”! That was the rhetoric. Many folded, did own businesses, went on hibernation or totally gave up on publicly speaking about Gambian affairs. The labels were flying like cheap kites at wharfi nyago! HE was Moses. Those who dared even ask for right spelling of mankamang kunda got rained with “hater and wishes of heart attack” for having the guts!!! Don’t dare call him Adu, or Manasi. That’s the sacred baby and lifesaver so you better reckon. Even with “Banko Taa”, Barrow was still a loyal son.

Then I heard there were WhatsApp audios being disrespectful and saying they control him and other degrading remarks. He was the best since slice bread until he came up with Youth Movement and some started feeling threatened. The breakup started.

It was gradual but intense. At the same time, other Gambians who didn’t see themselves in Administration were speaking louder. Barrow started looking at non UDP and the fragment which was the size of a pebble on a windshield, stretched. The pea sized crack could have been cured but hey, confidence was at its max. Phrases like, “he came from us, we are the biggest, we made him, haters can’t divide us” started flying this time like helium balloons. The signs were ignored due to some false confidence.

That’s all cool but why not be gentler with the hand that was feeding you? Yakarr yap ma! No human will tolerate that! Be honest! Confidence of biggest in Bathurst shielded our outlook. Worldly teachings, tell us no matter our might, we always need each other! Remember you can get a lot with honey than vinegar! Manasi did his bit by filling public posts with his UDP family. Once he saw lack of performance or the need for change, he took action. Why kick your son for doing “the job”? Barrow reshuffle in order to add more Gambians shouldn’t be a problem only because you were affected. Barrow is your Barrow until the cows come home (forever). Nekh nahari ?. In Gambian culture we don’t throw our sons out once they reach age of eighteen.

Best thing would be to stop the insults and reconcile with your son, our dear President for 5 years?. Support National Development for all Gambia and NOT just UDP. He ain’t no Dictator and you know it. You told us he was the most humble guy, won’t hurt a fly and a great listener. Well we believe you and agree!!! ?You also told us 5 years or fe toch, again we yielded and agreed! You can’t unlearn or un hear so spare us! #GambiaNice where kick dae nyaka kick dae is our mantra!??

First Dispatch from The Gambia: “The Fierce Urgency of Now”

A Country Longing For a Better Moses, For a Better Mandela, and For a Better Polity

My last trip to Gambia was my first trip where I did not go to collect data or conduct any kind of research. It was also my first trip where I did not spend most of my time in the provinces. I was simply in The Gambia to observe, catalogue, enjoy my family, friends, and our wonderful country. However, there was so much happening in the country and I struggled to capture the essence of everything around me. I have so much to tell you but I need a bigger platform than this medium to dissect the many issues I would like to discuss.

Firstly, Gambia, in my view, is not a country on the ascendency, but on a precipitous decline. Secondly, and a point of emphasis, The Gambia is not a serious state. The folks at the helm are just winging it — etching and sketching their way to oblivion. Mediocrity abound and the ever swelling number of impoverished masses are more worried about their next meal than the governance of the state.

Consequently, the country has all the hallmarks of a failed state: massive unemployment, underemployment, inflation, economic contraction (if this happens in the West, we would call it an economic depression, with all the attendants of urgency and seriousness. But, since we are not a serious country, who cares what the hell we call it, it’s just semantics, right?). The loss of human capital due to lack of investment in human capital and human flight, a crumbling and decayed health and education system, and an inept and corrupt government. The security of the state has been mortgaged to foreign forces. Put differently, we are at the mercy of the Senegalese colossus for our security. The state does not have control over its own security.

Thirdly, the aging population in some parts of the provinces coupled with the youth bulge in the Kombos is a ticking time bomb. In addition, if the state does not do something about the land crisis in the Kombos, it’s going to get really ugly and nasty.

The Gambia is slowly becoming an urban country, where a good many of the populace lives in the urban, peri urban areas. Many people have been displaced from their ancestral lands in the Kombos, creating a huge housing and economic crisis.

Fourthly, what I have observed is that we are malignantly reliant on outside dough, from foreign aid, tourism (this includes semesters), and remittances. And, without remittances — the economy would catastrophically bottom out. We cannot build an entire economy around remittances alone. Evermore evident in the latest developments along the Kombo coastline, overwhelmingly funded by semester dollars — and remittances conservatively accounting for 22% of our GDP. The Semesters are a huge constituency and I reckon most of the youth would like to be part of this constituency, in order to escape the poverty trap.

JFK said that, the one true measure of a nation is its success in fulfilling the promise of a better life for each of its members. In the case of The Gambia, the state has failed in this capacity, as well — and this promise lies beyond the shores of the country, for a good many of the youth. As a result of this, traveling to “Europe” for our youth, either “Backway” or not, is not a choice, but a necessity. They also want to afford the the new D1.5 million homes on the Atlantic.

Because of Gambian fatalism, our “Bayee Ko C Loho Yallah” mentality, it seems like we, collectively, have lost the capacity to question the present, much less offer alternatives to it. Which begs the question: why is it so behind us to conceive of a different set of arrangements to our common advantage? The current arrangement, my comrades, has been disastrous.

‪Finally, for those of us who dabble in the world of theories, of academic exercise, of philosophies — we would be terribly disappointed, for, my friends, Gambia is where all of our great theories, galant literatures, and philosophies come to a seismic halt. All evident, given that absent for a few skirmishes — the state, for all intents and purposes, has failed in all aspects, every single one — to wit, security, education, healthcare, housing. I mean, the state cannot meet the basic demands of the populace. The fact that the state hasn’t collapsed beggars belief, honestly. ‬

To that end, is the Gambian state tenable? What does all of these foretold? I’m not sure but, I do know that, we need to charter a better path. We need a better polity. A better Mandela. A better Moses to lead us to the promised land, for this Moses, is myopically punching above his weight. And, perhaps, we need a better God of Gambian politics. To that, I say, we need a better Gambia.

Watch out for this space. For my next dispatch, I would offer suggestions and alternatives to our current situation. I have so much to say, folks. More to come from my dispatches from home — The Gambia.

So long for now,

Saul Njie, Ph.D.

Visiting Professor of Political Science, Bluefield State College &

Policy Analyst, The United States Government Accountability Office

By Sana Sarr

We have gone through 2 sessions of sittings for the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission. The testimonies have brought us some truth and some lies, but also left us with many unanswered questions. One thing is certain though, hearing first hand narratives of some of the horrific acts committed by Gambians against other Gambians has been sobering for many. There have been many tears, both for what these realities mean for the nation and also for what some of the victims and their families went through. While the commission took a break from sittings this week, here is, in humorous vein, my mid-season awards to some of the witnesses who have appeared at the commission so far.

1. Zero! – SCHUPIT FOOL AWARD– Remember when your illiterate uncle or grandpa got so mad and wanted to hurl insults at someone they felt was an idiot? Yes, at their wit’s end, their go-to insult was “Schupit Fool!” This award is for the witness who came with the intention to lie to the commission, but is so dumb that they couldn’t even align their lies. The lies were so incoherent and insane that even a toddler could tell it was a lie. Unfortunately, the only person was still “schupit” enough to not realize how obvious they were…and this made them annoying enough to drive grandpa to his wit’s end.

   Ensa Mendy– by claiming that a private soldier making less than $50 a month owned a mobile phone in 1994 Gambia, Ensa really proved himself an *$$ clown!

   JCB Mendy– Annoying as Ensa was, he still couldn’t out-dumb his fellow lie man JCB Mendy. JCB’s lies were frequent, varied and schupit as can be. Dude was so annoying that Lead Counsel Essa Faal could no longer mask his frustration. JCB was like a ghost – one minute he was present at a crime scene and next minute he wasn’t. For example, despite confessing that he was one of the soldiers who confiscated the camera of a photographer, yet, he claimed he couldn’t tell whether the same photographer was beaten by those who took the camera. What did he do, grab the camera and then immediately close his eyes?

2. Zero – COCKROACHAWARD – Following the saying that karma is a dog, many of those who participated in the gross human rights abuses for the former regime had their day at the receiving end of the evil they once supported. A good number of them, however, survived and to this day continue to wear the uniform and have their livelihood funded by taxpayer money. They did so much damage, but like cockroaches, they continue to survive…a shoe is required to squish them.

   Warrant Officer Lamin Colley– could have easily qualified for a number of other awards in the liar categories. Despite reports of his alleged direct participation in at least one gruesome murder, this man continues to serve in the army and actually appeared at the commission in his army uniform! Not only did he survive the evil regime, he also continues to survive today…at least for now.

   Alagie Martin – Although the former regime had slapped him around a few times, Martin has managed to survive the worst of it and continues wearing the uniform to this day. His record as both a supervisor of torture and/or a direct perpetrator himself has long been rumored around town, and it’s no surprise that victims continue to name him.

3. Zero! – NOLLYWOOD AWARD– Have you seen those Nigerian movies, the ones where everything is so exaggerated to the point of absurdity? Yes, this award is for those who overdid it with the storytelling. Not only were the stories outrageous, they were also unnecessary.

   Warrant Officer Lamin Colley – knowing that many of those who saw him shoot and kill a man were still around and some had even named him as the shooter, this fool, still in uniform, decided to recreate the story. He’s not dumb enough to deny shooting, but he’s “smart enough” to spin it…and thinks we’re the dumb ones to believe that he, a medic, heard the voice of Sana Sabally, a man he “was terrified of,” calling for the shooting of a soldier. This “compassionate” medic then saw the fleeing soldier shot, and with Sabally and others who ordered the shooting watching, he, “the compassionate one”, ran to save the fallen soldier… and that’s when his hand “accidentally” fell on his gun and “accidentally” pulled the trigger to shoot the man he was trying to save… in the head! “Kii mor muna d**l!!!” Nollywood directors got nothing on him, and his story may have been funny if it wasn’t so heinous!

   That Jeng Guy – One of the first witnesses called, this dude probably had no reason to lie. I’m not even sure how much he lied, but his whole demeanor showed he was trying too hard to embellish his story just to appear cool. I wonder who he was trying to impress… or maybe he felt this was his 15 minutes of fame and thought to make the best of it. Whatever his reason was, I hope it was worth it, because he has since disappeared back into oblivion. I couldn’t even remember his full name… and no, I didn’t bother to look or ask!

4. Zero! – MAKEUP ARTIST AWARD– We’ve talked about the dumb liars – the ones who embellished stories but because they’re not smart enough, were so incoherent that their lies were obvious. Well, there were smarter folks. They simply took a true story and carefully edited or adjusted parts of it. They did it so well that some people were unable to tell fact from fiction, just like when people use filters to edit photos for social media.

   Captain Amadou Suwareh– One had to pay close attention to Suwareh’s narrative to realize that he was one of the first punks to give in to the coupists on July 22, 1994. Left to man the Denton Bridge and stop the advancing soldiers, Suwareh simply laid down and joined the criminals.

   Alhaji Kanyi did quite well when he admitted to participation in some crimes, including murder, while still claiming innocence in others. He brought the tears and the ratatoyeto curry sympathy. Nyakajomm!

   Dr. Binneh Minteh, one of the plotters of the November 11 attack, who escaped and eventually made his way to the USA, also used his scholarly skills to portray himself as the hero who did nothing but attempt to save Gambia. He gave very little about how the plot was hatched, how he involved unsuspecting innocent folks like Mafuji Sonko or how he learned the plot had leaked, only for him to escape, leaving his partners behind. Yes, when fiction is based on a true story, it’s hard to tell where one begins and the other ends.

5. Zero! – MR. HEARTLESS AWARD– For a long time, many Gambians believed Sana Sabally was the most heartless and wicked of the AFPRC council members. It was not unearned. Sabally’s guards and orderlies were notorious for abusing anyone that got in their way. They publicly shot at cars on the road, beat up cameramen and went around offices to terrorize civil servants. The hearings have revealed that while he made the most noise, Sana Sabally was a punk who relied on guards and orderlies to do the dirty job, much like Yaya Jammeh. Edward Singhateh, on the other hand, who many believed to be the quiet one, seems to actually enjoy inflicting pain on others. “Gee sumayaa mofaa laa” – we say in Mandinka.
6. Hero! – FAVORITE MEAL AWARD– Here we have two. “Water water chu”was a favorite stew enjoyed by the soldiers at the barracks, but it was outdone by “Wet or Dry Cherreh”, the coos meal served at Mile 2 Prisons for prisoners and detainees. Even the notorious gangster rats at Mile 2 refused to eat it!
7. Hero! – ESSA FAAL AWARD– named after the lead counsel because I suspect it’s his favorite part of the job. With name worthy finalists like Di cheb, Churoo, Achopin and Lie tulu Baa, the award for Best Nickname goes to none other than Njie Ponkal. Because of how much he enjoys saying the name, lead counsel Faal should give a plot of land to Mafuji every time he says the name!
8. Hero! – BRAVE HEART AWARD – many will claim heroism. Who are the real heroes?

   AIG Ismaila Chongan– By all indication, Chongan seems like he was the only leader who tried to actively stop the soldiers taking over on July 22. It appears that Chongan never, not even for a moment, wavered on his belief that allowing the military to depose a democratically elected government was wrong. It’s not a surprise that the only shot fired on the day was on his orders. After being jailed, tortured and released, he left the jurisdiction and never stopped speaking out against the regime.

   Prison Officer/Medic Bubacarr Jatta – Buba’s story is evidence that one can work within a flawed system and still maintain your decency, integrity and humanity. He is also evidence that one did not need to be a high ranking official to make a difference. Despite working at what was basically a crime scene, at a time of gross human rights violations, under the most stressful conditions, not least of which was the knowledge that getting caught showing kindness to the detainees could land him in the worst possible situation, this prison warden/untrained medic displayed the best of humane qualities Gambians want to be known for. He did not cure AIDS or build an orphanage. He simply showed compassion and empathy for people when they were at their lowest and needed it most…and they all appreciated him for it. Buba is a national hero!

OJ Jallow– The Civil Rights Movement had MLK and Malcolm X. Apartheid had its Madiba. Many heroes are recognized and appreciated posthumously. He was arrested and tortured in the presence of his young children. He was detained for a long time. He was beaten so badly that he lost one eye. Yet, even while in detention and being tortured, OJ continued to speak truth to power, because he felt it was his responsibility to be a leader. This angered his captors even more and they chose to make an example of him to shut others up. The civilian leaders, Jawara, BB Dabo, Saihou Sabally and many others ran into exile. Security service leaders like Chongan also left the country when they had the opportunity. OJ chose to remain in the country and continued to live his truth, without apology and not for want of an opportunity to flee like the rest of his peers. I’m sure he has many flaws, but when it comes to principles and bravery, others may rise to his level, but none can can go higher than Omar Amadou Jallow!

1. MVP – he won us with his candor, his honesty, his humility and he won us with his charisma. He made us cry and he made us cry. He gave us “tinki tanka” and he offered to demonstrate to the commission how to use the bathroom with both hands tied behind his back!!! Mafuji Sonkois the real MVP!!!