On December 1st, 2016, Gambians went to the polls and democratically removed a 22 year autocratic, repressive and entrenched dictator through the ballot box. Despite months of denial by the incumbent, dictator Jammeh, and months of uncertainty for the population, the voice of the people eventually prevailed and our collective will was instituted when the elected Adama Barrow was sworn in and Jammeh sent into exile to Equatorial Guinea. Although we continue to stumble a bit here and there as we find our footing in this new-found democracy, hope was restored and many are optimistic in the prospects of “New Gambia” to finally get on the path to prosperity.
On April 6th, 2017, Gambians head back to the polls to elect the legislative branch of our government, The National Assembly. For the past half century, I believe this branch has been the most neglected of the three branches. This has partly been by design – the Executive deliberately refusing to give it the due attention because it helps them control and abuse power without the required checks and balances. A bigger reason, in my estimation, is the lack of understanding and appreciation for the importance of the National Assembly by the general population, and a lack of proper understanding by elected officials of their role AND POWER in the functioning of our democracy themselves. The national assembly does not carry the same prestige as cabinet ministers, it does not pay as well, the members are not issued government vehicles with personal security guards to drive them around and they don’t travel as much to meet foreign diplomats and collect lucrative per diems. Also, add that one normally has to go through the rigors of a campaign with the risk of humiliation should they lose. So it’s understandable that our “highly educated” are not usually attracted to serve. Consequently, it’s left to the “popular” community leaders or “elders”, or political party militants chosen by the party leaders. These folks may not be the most educated or most qualified, but are almost assured of winning the elections due to their political backing or their popularity. This lack of enough competent national assembly members is right up there with any systemic and structural failures that have led to the poor governance we have endured since independence, especially our great suffering under the AFPRC/APRC regime over that past 22 years.
I would have loved to believe that the past 22 years have taught us the importance of a competent national assembly. Sadly events and discussions after the removal of Jammeh have proven beyond any reasonable doubt that that appreciation is still lacking. Evidence? It does not get more glaring than the outrage many critics expressed when Coalition 2016 Spokesperson, Halifa Sallah, turned down a cabinet position because he wants to contest for a seat in the National Assembly. For me, this was one of the noblest sacrifices one could make at such a crucial time in our nation’s history. Instead of praises and accolades, Mr. Sallah was rebuked, even insulted, by many who accused him of being selfish. Seeing that many Gambians understand and follow football, I beg your indulgence to allow me to use a football analogy to explain the importance of the national assembly. The nation/government is the game of football. We all know the importance of the greats – Pele, Maradona, Ronaldinho, Drogba…all the way to Messi and Christiano Ronaldo. These are the stars that everyone knows as responsible for the exhilarating entertainment that keeps fans glued to their stadiums, that sells tickets and merchandise and draws advertisers to make the game the multimillion dollar business it is. Deservedly, these big stars enjoy the fame and fortune that comes the job. Occasionally, they also endure the criticism, paparazzi and other not-so-fun baggage. Their importance is undeniable. Before, we had Pele, then came Maradona and now we have Messi. They dominate, make an impact and disappear, leaving us with memories. The ingenuity of some forces some changes as teams try to adapt to new stars and their abilities. Sometimes they even leave us with some moves like the “Cruyff” or the “Maradona” that kids continue to learn and use decades after they’re gone. In our government, these “superstars” would be the President and Ministers. Their names are recognized and their contribution will forever be remembered. Historians will write about them and children will be asked trivia questions about them.
Now ask yourself, who made the rules that allowed the stars to shine and for the fans to enjoy football? Who decided that a football match will last 90 minutes so Messi does not get exhausted playing for 3 hours? Who decided that the game won’t end as soon as one team scores? Who decided the size of the football pitch and that there will be grass on it? Who decided that for certain fouls, one is issued a yellow card to be warned? Who decided that a violent foul results in a red card and an ejection so Christiano Ronaldo does not get his legs broken by Chiellini? See, many of us never even thought of the people who made these rules or their importance to the game. I certainly do not know any of their names. However, many of these rules that were made over a century ago still stand today and without them, we would never have been able to enjoy Messi, Ronaldo or Ibrahimovic. Despite not having enjoyed the fame or fortune of the stars, the impact of these rule makers will continue on to the end of time. The role of the National Assembly members is like these rule makers. It’s not as glamorous, prestigious or even recognized, but it’s noble and crucial, and its impact will put the country on either a safe path to prosperity or a perilous path back into the dark ages of tyranny and corruption. This is why I would have loved to see our “wise and patriotic” political leaders shun the limelight, stay behind the scenes and make the rules that will guide the nation we all claim to love. Our culture believes that with age comes wisdom. How I wish our “older and wiser” politicians would have been the one making the rules to guide the “young” technocrats, of which we have plenty, to be the “Messis and Ronlados”. Imagine a national assembly of Sedia Jatta, Ousainou Darboe, OJ Jallow, Fatoumatta Tambajang and Halifa Sallah, making rules that “The president will only serve a maximum of 2 five-year terms”, “The President shall name a vice president before being sworn in” and “Ministers shall declare their assets prior to being sworn in”.
The Gambia is at a crossroads. In our books, are many bad laws that need amendment. In our “culture” are even worse habits that need a reorientation. In our communities is a lot of hurt and pain that need healing. Jammeh stayed for 22 years because there are no term limits in our constitution. A woman was recently arrested and initially denied bail for “insulting the president” despite pleading to the judge that she had an infant child to take care of. Bodies of political victims are being exhumed from mass graves. We need solid people who have the character, conviction and wisdom to lay the solid foundation that will ensure that we will never return to the dark days we just got out of. With this I pray that Gambians with the right qualifications and qualities step up to the plate, forego the “glamour and glitter” and serve in this most crucial branch of our government. I pray that when casting that ballot, we remember to put aside fear, favor, affection or ill-will and elect people who understand what is required and possess the qualities that will serve the national interest. This is the most important elections in our history…of course second only to the one that removed the brutal dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh.
SANA SARR
