Dear Asbjorn,
Your reflections on and aspirations for the Gambia shows that you are indeed
a true friend of the Gambia and therefore care for the well-being of the
country just like 99% of Gambians do.
I, for one, never expected President Jammeh to perform miracles for the
Gambia when he just assumed the presidency. He is just human, not a perfect
being and therefore susceptible like the rest of us to commit mistakes both
in his judgments and deeds. Some of our fallacies should be overlooked and
even excused PROVIDED we do not choose such as our way of life. In order
words, at some point, a perpetual offender/committer of the same crime or
mistake should not expect to be forgiven or ignored by others, affected or
not.
As far as i am concerned, the first major crime perpetrated by the A(F)PRC
against Gambians occurred on November 11, 1994 during which many alledged
military coup plotters were arrested and summarily executed, one of whom was
my childhhood pal, a handsome and gentle young Lieutenant in the Army. As an
adult, I only cried once so far like a distressed child does, when i visited
my late friend's mum to express condolence to her following the abduction
and killing of her son. I wish never again to experience such emotions like
the impact of that my visit had on my late friend's family and myself. Her
son was abducted before her very presence, bundled into a military vehicle
only to be later informed of his summary execution. His body and those of
other victims were not even handed over to their families for decent burial
because of the gruesome manner in which they were executed. Many families
were affected by the Nov, 11 massacre because of the extended family system
in the Gambia. The Government pleaded self-defence but the truth later
emerged that all the victims were arrested, severely tortured and finally
treacherously executed. If the crimes of Novemeber 11, 1994 were a terrible
mistake from the APRC, the regime did not to this day show any remorse or
regret for them. Instead, a cabinet minister was also heinously murdered by
some members of the cabinet which was revealed by a former insider, another
cabinet minister now in exile. The crimes committed against Gambians by the
current regime became an established pattern of torture and killings. The
most horrific of all was the massacre in broad daylight of peaceful student
protestors, the result of which was a blanket indemnity for all the killers.
The orders to shoot and kill the students could only have emanated from the
President otherwise he would have shunned and imprisoned all the
perpetrators of the killings.
As i write, the NIA is at liberty to torture Gambians, and so is the death
squad of the regime to kill anyone who takes to the streets to demand
justice.
All we expect from the regime is reflected in the sentiments you expressed
in the following:

>But what I should like to see is more of a FATHER-figure. He is the
>president for all gambians, the whole of The Gambia, and he should behave
>like that. Even he is out of a party and has a specific political platform
>and program to take out. I will not say that you all should love or like
>him, but he should in my opinion try and act more to win  respect from all.
>And he should also try and talk to our hearts. You could see he was happy
>the day the result came in and he was re-elected and he took a short ride
>out of the residence. Why should he just few days later threat people in
>public jobs, that if they have not voted for him, they were not able to be
>loyal and serve him and the state, and should fear for their jobs ?
>Why not use his authority to solve the situation after the april-incident,
>instead of putting forward the indemnity-act, which should serve all
>involved in crimes. I think he should take the reports and declare that
>something ran out of order, someone failed his duties and dismiss those in
>charge that day. Get it over with. And then let the boys who are now laying
>suffering at RV get the treatment and operations needed no matter where and
>what it costs be it in America, Russia, Egypt. And compensate the families.
>Let the student leader return and rest. To risk something, to risk your
>arm,
>that is a step towards reconciliation.
>And if the state has nothing important in the Dumo-trial, get it over with.
>Let the men free instead of playing a game that first one then the other
>prosecutor is ill. Get forward, try and do something. The truth and the
>compensation will always be disputed no matter what solution. So if I was
>the president I should try and get forward without that millstone round my
>neck.
>History will tell and judge, so no matter what he does there will be some
>who said he stood behind all this. I donīt see it as weakness or acceptance
>of any guilt to try and get forward. Thatīs how "cool and cruel" politics
>is
>and as I say, history will judge by the end.


I should like to see him turn more as
>a father-figure for the country instead of using his whip so much  and give
>fine presents some places, he should rule fair, as the father of all
>gambians, also for the 35 % percent who preferred another person to lead
>the
>country.

Yes, since coming to power; the AFPRC has built bridges, schools, a TV
station, an International airport, hospitals albeit from public funds as
expected of them by Gambians but they have ALSO DESTROYED SO MANY LIVES and
unless checked are INCLINED TO CONTINUE DOING SO. The pillar of good
government is above all the respect for human rights and adherence to the
Rule of Law by those in power. In my view, this is the most important
feature of good leadership and not entirely cement and sand oriented
development projects. Any modern-day government that condones torture and
killings is synonymous to the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler, Alberto
Mussolini, Joseph Stalin, Idi Amin, Jean Bokassa  and many like them in the
past. We do not want such a system and culture of impunity to thrive in the
Gambia.
To my compatriots who do not want the APRC condemned or criticised,I am
pleading with you to implore with President Jammeh to genuinely change for
the better of himself and that of the Gambia. If he does, due credit will be
given to him becuase as goes the phrase "even the devil deserves his dues."

This is how i feel.

Asbjorn, Thanks for your candid thoughts and pleas.

The yoke of oppression must be shattered!

BMK


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