Is Gambia-L trying to wear too many hats?

Gambia-l has become one of the most popular lexicons in most Gambians
households both in the Diaspora and at home. My cousin, residing in
Banjul will call me in the middle of the night asking me to help him get
subscribe to the –L, everybody at home believes it is the only place
that the real truth can be heard especially during the April 10 massacre
of students. Every Gambian yearned to have access to the truth, and
Gambia-l is seen as a source of the truth that is not under the wimps of
any controlling authority. The winds of change is blowing rapidly and
the G-L is beginning to have quite a few tentacles; also unconsciously
forces and opinions are trying very hard to cloth the G-L with a wrapper
of their own making. Fact, the G-L is popular because any force does not
manipulate it and every opinion can be heard, especially if civility and
reciprocal respect can be buttressed in our dialogue. One of the major
criticisms so far leveled against the G-L is seen as an anti-Jammeh
forum, whether that characterization is completely accurate is
debatable. Clearly, most of the opinions aired by individuals on the G-L
are against Jammeh, but are equally against the former Jawara regime and
I can see them to be also critical of our future leaders. Instead of
complaining, we should be celebrating for our embracing of democracy
where the power of opinions can be a source for governance and policy
making.

But is it also accurate to point out whether the G-L is getting carried
away? Is the role of the G-L clearly defined for everyone to understand
its function? Has the Gambia-l adopted a cult like mentality, and anyone
perceived to have opinions outside of this cult is attacked and to be
silenced? Personally, I am confident that there is no conspiracy of any
sort within the G-L, but clearly having an opinion that is not seem to
be main stream does receive an unwarranted and unfair treatment by some
members of the –L. It is fundamental to differentiate opinions of
individuals on the G-L, and the defined role of the G-L. the Gambia-L
has recently adopted a role that I believe operated outside of its
perceived function. Not to impose my own definition of the role of the
G-L, I think of the G-l as a Gambian forum where ideas and issues
relevant to our country is debated and argued upon, and hopefully can
have an impact on governance and to our socio-economic challenges. The
name Bantaba from the old country gives one of the important elements of
participation, family-like dialogue and civility. Clearly, the G-L
cannot be monolithic as indicated by some of the contributors, or even
be seen as driven by an ideology or spinemaster who are only interested
in promoting their political candidate or will for that matter. The
above can be done through the medium of the G-L, but it is important to
differentiate them from the opinion of the G-L. In fact the G-L should
not have an opinion. In America, the media is usually attacked by
conservative as being a liberal media, but yet still every shades of
opinions are to be heard whether as an advocate or from a credible
journalist. The G-l is being attacked as an anti-Jammeh forum, and of
course we all know that is not by designed, but when Jammeh supporters
are not allowed to be heard with civility and respect, it only
reinforces that argument and fairly so.

Also, there have been letters written to Jammeh and other organizations
coming from the G-L and I am not sure how prudent such a move is.
Certain opinions of the G-L base on their political proclivities (to
borrow one of Hamjatta’s favorite) can put forward such letters and try
to impact policy, but the G-L should not be seen as taking a position in
terms of promoting an ideology or a political force. The G-L is a forum
for all opinions and will not be effective in this endeavor if it takes
position base on opinions of some of the contributors.

Personally, the G-L is the closest thing Gambia has ever gotten closer
to democracy, and where opinions of every individual can be heard if it
is done in civility and respect for the forum itself. The forum will
continue to effectively function in this role if it differentiate the
G-L medium from the opinion of individuals, groups or any popular
political leanings. The G-L is the source of truth where every Gambian
can be heard, and if you disagree, you have every right to be equally
heard. Yet still I will like to extend congratulations to the pioneers
of this brilliant forum, and together we can take it to another level
worthy of emulation at home.

Thanks

Musa Jeng

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