By Dr. Ismaila Ceesay
Dante Alighieri once claimed that ‘the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality’. It is against this spirit that, a group of influential staff and faculty of The University of the Gambia on whose behalf I write as spokesperson, have made a pact to take sides during this political crisis of our great nation.
To express our disgust with the blatant subversion of the popular will by Yahya Jammeh and to show support and solidarity with the Gambian People, we have decided to boycott all examinations and teaching activities at the University of the Gambia until the voice of the Gambian people are respected and Yahya Jammeh peacefully hands over office to president-elect Adama Barrow.
We give to, and expect from, all other staff who are not part of this pact the opportunity to demonstrate their patriotism, love of peace and moral decency to join this noble cause. Therefore, a line has been drawn on the sand. It is either you are with the people of the Republic of the Gambia or you are with Yahya Jammeh and his illegitimate and criminal government.
We strongly urge the Senior Management of the University to desist from undermining this pact. We send a strong warning to all lecturers, non-Gambian staff in particular, to immediately discontinue all university related activities or face serious consequences when the dust settles and power is given back to the people. We will have people on the ground to monitor the situation.
President Roosevelt of the United States once said that: “Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.”
The author is the Spokesperson of The Pact of Influential Lecturers
