(Writing in a hurry)
Gambia-L: I wanted to take some quality time to work on a very sober final
e-mail explaining why I wanted to leave the list, but in the wake of the
numerous e-mails and phone calls I received even as a far East Timor, I am
obliged to scribble something out of respect to those who wrote or called
me.
Below, Gambia-L, you will read what was to be my final posting to The Gambia
List. I am forwarding it to the List, so that members such as Seedy Saidy
Khan can be made fully aware of my then decision to quit and the reasons for
it. I think it is extremely important to set the record straight and to be
totally open and above-board.
In particular, I should draw your attention to the penultimate paragraph
"there was never ANY intention on my part to seek approbation from
contributors to the List, and I was and am entirely serious in my decision
to leave: no bluff at all".
However, over the last few days, I have been totally overwhelmed with
messages of support in private phone calls, in private e mails, and also
those encouraging List postings. Because of my role in forwarding original
source materials from The Gambia as well as my broad overview of Gambian
affairs, I have been persuaded to continue to contribute to the List.
Whilst my reasons for wishing to leave the List are now on public
record, I have, in response to all those people who have asked me to
continue, decided to remain as an active contributing member, and to
continue to forward postings which will take our wonderful country into a
good future, built on secure foundations of democracy.
I recognise that the Gambia-L is a microcosm of Gambian society, and
that it reflects the rich diversity of opinion and political views of
Gambians at home and abroad. I have been particularly moved by the
large number of appeals from fellow Gambians in The Gambia to continue
the struggle, as Sister Ndey Jobarte would put it.
Momodou Camara, please do not unsubscribe me !
Ebrima Ceesay
________________________________________________________________
Gambia-L:
I publicised my intention to cease contributing to The Gambia-L on
Friday 9th June, and I want to set the record straight on the lengthy
background to my decision to quit. It was not something that I decided
without a lot of heart-searching and discussions with my friends and
colleagues.
I am aware that I have been one of the focal points in opposition to the
tyranny being perpetrated by the present regime in The Gambia since 1994,
both in my role as Editor of The Gambia Daily Observer until 1996, and
subsequently in the UK through my regular writings for The Gambia-L, and
through my safe transmission of unimpeachable original source material from
Gambians still at home.
Whatever my situation vis-a-vis The Gambia-List, I want to make it
overwhelmingly clear that my opposition to Jammeh's tyranny remains as
strong and as dedicatedly transparent as ever. If I can play any part in
seeing the back of this regime through my writings, then I shall do it, and
do it to the best of my ability.
I believe that "the pen IS mightier than the sword" and that the cut and
thrust of penmanship does greater damage than any AK47 or exploding rocket
launcher in the long term.
My passionate concern for my country and my fellow Gambians is without
question, and I am committed to seeing The Gambia back on genuine democratic
course as soon as possible. Niebuhr, a German philosopher writing towards
the end of the second world war put it like this: "Man's capacity for
justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes
democracy necessary". The whole tenet of my work and opposition to Yaya
Jammeh's despotic rule is rooted in support of the democratic principle.
So why am I choosing to cap my pen at this moment ? Let me elucidate:
First, The Gambia-L, especially of late, consumes hours and hours of my
time: I am not on the Dole or on Welfare benefits contrary to what Tombong
Saidy once insinuated on the list (laugh). Anyway, on a more serious note, I
actually pay my way here through my work, and the pace of "List Life" has
become frenetic of late. I am working every waking hour, and my energies are
sapped by the workload of List matters.
Secondly, many people will assume that I have my own computer and modem at
home: nothing could be further from the truth. My internet work is done on
computers at the College where I am employed, and out of hours in most
cases.
New Health and Safety requirements as well as Security changes, mean
that it is increasingly difficult to get computer time sufficient for my
needs. Some friends of the Gambia are trying to find a computer for me at
the moment, but until that happens, I have great problems in getting on line
for enough hours in the week to be effective as a regular List contributor.
Thirdly, I receive numerous private mails each month, which mainly
derive from my List contributions. Most are supportive, helpful and
constructively critical, but there is an increasing trend for the mails to
be offensive in the extreme, not just about me personally but about my
family and friends in the Diaspora and at home.
My shoulders are strong, and I can bear the whole range of abuse which heads
my way, but when the abuse starts to impinge on my private and family life
then I need to take action for their sakes not mine. Of course, as a
journalist I am used to being critical and to receiving criticism in return
and that does not make me fearful in any way: but I also have a deep
responsibility to those for whom I care.
Fourthly, while I can screen most of the abusive telephone calls I
receive on a regular basis, some hit their mark and I would not be a
human being if I did not find them unpalatable and hard to swallow. I
could start recording the messages and taking slander actions against
the callers, but that would only result in yet more invective from my
detractors. I have never been afraid of fair criticism, but increasingly I
am subjected to abuse of the worst sort.
Fifthly, whilst I recognise the importance of the Gambia-L, I am now
being persuaded by friends and colleagues to widen my audience and to take
up journalistic challenges again on a bigger scale. In fact I am currently
writing a series of articles for national and international publications,
and I am confident that the subject of political and social change in The
Gambia will reach many more people through these writing efforts as well.
If I had 48 hours in the day, I could probably keep pace with all my plans
and dreams, but I have to make some hard decisions - again, with a longer
term view in mind. By widening my target audiences, I can make even greater
impact on the struggle for peace with justice in The
Gambia. Rest assured, that I am single-minded in my desire to bring an end
to Yaya Jammeh's tyranny.
Sixthly, I plan to take up studies for my Doctorate in the coming
months, and need to carve out more time for these in my hectic daily
schedule.
Seventhly, of course I was highly aware that my decision to quit the
list would bring a flood of comment (some supportive, some less so). I
thank all those who have asked me to stay on from the bottom of my
heart.
To my detractors, I can only say that I am as emotionally sound as ever
(!!), that I am not burdened with anxieties and stress into a
depressive state (!!), that I am fully compos mentis ! There was never ANY
intention on my part to seek approbation from contributors to the List, and
I was and am entirely serious in my decision to leave: no bluff at all.
I hope that this explanatory message explains my decision, and to all
List Managers and members I say thank you from the bottom of my heart
for your support over the last two and a half years. It has been a
privilege to write for you.
Thanks!
Ebrima Ceesay
Birmingham, UK
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