DATE:22 FEB 2001

FROM:[log in to unmask]

TO: [log in to unmask]

SUBJECT:DISCUSSION ON THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE IN THE GAMBIA

Dear List members,

I would first of all like to thank Abdoulie Saine, Malanding Jaiteh and Solomon Sylva for writing to welcome me to the list.

As i promised in my first sending to the list,i would like to exchange views with intrested parties on the current political climate in the Gambia inorder to come out with constructive ideas that may help in our search for possible solutions.

I am quite sure that some of you will agree with me that the current state of affairs in our country leaves to be desired.To begin the discussion, allow me to clearly state that i am not anti Jammeh but a pro Gambia.I have nothing personal against Yahya Jammeh but i do have a lot of objections against President Jammeh the head of state,whose authoritarian style of leadership in my view, is to some extent responsible for bringing the Gambia to this sad situation.

I am not and have never been a member of any political party or organisation.However i consider myself as a Gambian who loves and cares  for his country.This is the reason why i have decided to take part in this discussion forum.

Gambian people have always respected their leaders.This however  implies that their leaders equally should respect them.Threatening people with brooms to sweep them from their work places,six feet deep burials or rolling off their heads may probably work in other places unknown to me but not in the Gambia.Such threats in my view just erodes the mutual respect that was once almost sacred in our culture.Most Gambians don't understand the language of threats and the events of April 10/11 is a testimony to that.

As Gambians we have a lot in common and this is what unites us as a people with one destiny.Our country is a peaceful one.Everyday thousands of Gambians gather in mosques and churches to pray for peace and stability.This is formular of our peace and not the threats of slicing people or buring them very deep.

Gambian civil servants are employees of the state.They serve the state and the people of the Gambia and not individuals.They owe their loyality to the government and people of the Gambia but not to political parties.They have duties and obligations to perform and a civil service code of conduct to adhere to.These are the parameters on which their efficiency should be judged.In today's Gambia however, people widely regarded as professionals are being sacked from their jobs without explanations.

The Gambia should be govern by the rule of law.Gambians should not be subjected to any form of harasment because of their political views.In the Gambia of today, the president publicly declared in TV that those who disagree with him should be fired from their jobs and be replaced with his supporters.

 As much as much as we recognise the need for a reconciliation and healing process,after the bloody events of april 10/11, there is also a need for justice.We Gambians are not witch hunters but the  people responsible for the killings of school children should face the law unless we want to sow the seeds of lawness.

Your views are welcome,God bless the Gambia

Daffeh





















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