In contemporary Gambia, politics is apparently the universal set of all these frequent frenzy fusses. Avalanche of attacks, avatar of disarrays, jibes and jeers, we’ve seen them all. Political party formation is escalating like COVID-19 cases. Even comedians have their own political party. Perhaps musicians will also form theirs very soon. Such is the Gambia we are living in.
Aside all these political party enterprise, the language with which politics is spoken is a dirty one. Quite vulgar and disgusting. So obscene and invasive and penetrative. Gambian politics has evolved in such a way that, insults have become part of the game. If you’d overtly pledge your loyalty to the party of your desire or interest, you’d not be surprised to receive insults and intimidation on legitimacy.
Is there any loyalty left in politics, in Gambian politics? Well, positions and bucks undoubtedly bought the remainder.
What about justice? Legality? Well, it’s in this country where:
You’d go behind bars if caught with two baggies of Marijuana, but you’d be free if you were to be caught with 5000kg of Cocaine!
A domestic thief would go to jail if he steals 1k, but a government official would go scot-free if he steals millions from the national coffers!
You can be in the civil service without a degree, but with a degree, you’d struggle to be in that same civil service.
People holding governmental positions are looking for degrees whilst those with degrees are left unemployed!
A land dealer who sells a plot of land twice to two different people is a criminal, whereas a minister who sells a government position to his allies is clean.
People in the Cabinet and their families would travel abroad for treatment, but an ordinary Gambian could die in a regional health center out of neglect and unavailable service.
Children of the Executives could attend universities in the West, whereas an average Gambian would struggle to go to UTG.
A Minister’s wife would travel to the West for delivery, but an ordinary Gambian could die at EFSTH of a mere lack of blood.
A Minister’s sister and wife could have a Diplomatic Passport, but a headmaster’s wife is just an undiplomatic
wife.
Politics will continue to split opinions amongst the citizenry, but splitting relationships, compatriotism, bonds, respects and tolerances shouldn’t be the case. Sadly, the splitting gets worse, aggressive and even extensive. Family members that share different political loyalties, spouses that aren’t in the same political dimensions, tribesmen in opposite parties and suchlike; all tend to upkeep a fair degree of resentment and politico-contempt for the other party.
Apparently, Gambians do politics with their hearts. We give very little regard to competence and vision, education and goodwill. The past would corroborate that.
At the National Assembly, it’s sad to hear some members speak. Quite disheartening. Maybe they should just tell us what ‘furufurundum’ and ‘Anthony General’ mean. Maybe some of them should be charged for raping Queen Elizabeth. You see – this is what happens when you put square pegs in round holes – as they’d say.
If partisans could go on stage and insult their counterparts, without any remorse whatsoever, then there’s something to start worrying about. That something is national peace. Unless insults like that, bigotries of that kind, sarcasm of suchlike, and attacks of melancholy are buried in the very depths of Banjul; politico-mayhem will continue to be a menace to national cohesion.
About The Author:
Batou Saidy holds a degree in Public and Environmental Health. Aside his profession, he is a writer and a football fanatic.
