Dear Dr. Saine,
According to my observation, there has being an overwhelming criticism of Yaya Jammeh
particularly on the Gambia L that i still have difficulty understanding, knowing that there´s
no genuine democracy anywhere in this world. Most of the criticism based on the
deficiency of democracy i think is dispensable. I want to share with you a question and
would be obliged in acquiring an answer from you.
Is the Western style democracy really suitable for Africa?
We need to understand that democracy cannot be packaged and exported like every other
commodity. The rule of law and civil / human / citizenship rights which while being
meaningful in the context of the history of Europe, are essentially meaningless when applied
in rural Africa where the mojority of people live.
I think Africa´s situation of social and economic under development has to be more than to
democracy than a multi party system and periodic elections. Western style
democracy could only have full meaning for ordinary Africans if they simultaniously led to
the creation of conditions for the improvment of their livelihood. Looking back wards to
Jawara´s thirty years of democratic, this hasn´t gained any effects.
A disproposionate amount of resources and lives have been wasted for decades in the
fight for Western style democracy in Africa. The struggle and rule by democracy like wise
authoritarian have both produced resurgence in the ethnic and religious identities.
Almost all African social scientistss´ notion of democracy are heavily influenced by those
developed out of the African historical and cultural perspective, but in the West.
In creating an African democracy, it should be a product of local entities based on their
history. Our civil society in Africa is more complex than we thought, comprising of
groups calling for a western style democracy, antidemocratic forces, and different ethnic
groups. But with the help of our social scientists, an effective African democracy can be
moulded without the risk for misinterpretation, which can sometimes course devastating
consequences.
The future for Africa lies in education, empowerment and employment of our enormous
physical and human resources to generate poverty - reducing economic growth. This can
only be acheived through efficient socio - economic policies, and not by the stuggle for power,
intolerance and distrust, which is bringing Africa to ruin.
The Jammeh regime undoubtedly has some defects, but there is no truely genuine democracy
on the face of this earth yet. I think Africa has alot to learn from Asia, and our social scientists
including interlectuals still has alot to do. The course of African importation of western ideas,
ways of doing things and cultures ( European civilising mision to Africa), has so much impact
opon us, that we tend to loosen up in creating and establishing our own. And this exportation
is continuing through different refinements, to this day.
Let us Africans exercise awareness, love and tolerance for each other. This includes every one,
from the leaders to the farmers.
I personally have no animosity against Mr. Jammeh, but i think one should be tolerant towards
him and try help him rectify some of his mistakes, instead of all the negativity against him.
You cannot rectify a wrong with a wrong.
Thanks for sharing !
Saul S.Jawara.
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