Jaajef all on G-l, Following from Halifa's posting and the discussion of subregional inter-government relations and politics, I thought it was useful to post two differing views from Senegal on the future of Senegal's foreign relations in the light of the Mauritania crisis (where Senegalese nationals are being expelled)and the Casamance war. I am sending these two postings (which came from the discussion list hosted by the And Jef party website www.ajpads.org/) without comment. The question not neccessarily whether on agrees with one or the other, rather that they represent two strands of opinion, both touching on important and relevant issues. Obviously whatever direction Senegal takes will have an impact on events in Gambia, and in that light I am posting them on the L. The transalations are my own, and I take full responsibility for any mistakes (those wishing to read them in french or follow the debate should visit the website (forum des immigres). PART 1 The first contribution is from a contributor named Mor Fall Dieng Yeenduleen ak jaama' Tony ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the name of peace! In the name of peace Posted by: Mor Fall Dieng on June 09, 2000 at 14:42:24: It seems to me, it is necessary, at this time of crisis in the North and South, to break with a tradition that consists of wanting to please everyone. Such a grand gesture policy is maintained generally to the detriment of Senegal. The Mauritanian reaction, partly motivated by the conservation of gains made atthe expense by the defunct regime, leave a bitter aftertaste. This politic of “peace at all costs” has cost us 40 years of suffering for the majority of people who have been terrified by waving the spectre of the consequences of a so-called “horrific” change of context. At an international level, non-interference and/or respect for the sovereignty of others, has become a pretext to mask the complicity that exists in the on-going segregation, genocide and ethnic cleansing that is unfolding. A bad interpretation of this principal has allowed co-habitation with regimes calling themselves democratic but lead by the worst of despots. It was said that the "alternance" (the change following the Senegalese election) should be a rupture with all the bad things of the past. But this “filtered” or “wooden tongued” diplomacy, that sacrifices the interests of the local populations, should be one of the things banished from our relationships with other countries. I believe that today citizens should resolve their internal difficulties and rally around the President. They need to give total support on the specific questions of Mauritania and Casamance., in the face of the “encirclement “ of Senegal by hostile neighbouring countries. In is not being an anti-panafricanist to love ones country and to ensure that its citizens and institutions are respected. It is not being a “gung ho militarist” to speak ones mind to a neighbour whose dishonest declarations hide the distain and dislike of all that is not "Arab". And anyway the supporters of "peace at all costs" have not yet been able to demonstrate that a war would not cause less devastation than this "peace" has already caused amongst civilian populations in Casamance and during the events of 1989. *The Casamance problem was supposed to have been "sorted out" in corridors, during endless missions, and secret consultations. Tons and tons of resolutions have been drafted, scores of agreements signed. Whilst our diplomats have been busy shaking hands and lifting glasses, hundreds and thousands of farmers are killed and maimed by mines planted by one of the parties seated round the negotiating table. It’s like a procession of dupes where the Senegalese people is the fool. *The problem of the Senegal River valley and the management of inter-state Infrastructures is as much about the problem of the very usefulness of these Infrastructures, as much as how useful the projects will be on their completion. These are not new questions, the solutions should be resolvable within the framework of "technical" commissions. It is the same as with the questions around the fossilised valleys and their impact on the management and exploitation of the river. Nothing in these issues justify the scenario of the wolf and the goat, where we are supposed to be the goat. The ethnic question that exists in Mauritania is no longer an "internal" issue, as Senegal hosts the refugees from that country. This is not without precedent, witness Guinea Bissau which hosts and even aids the MFDC rebels. The Senegalese government must make a decision on these matters. A decision based on its own legitimate interests and philosophy, not those of the governments of Mauritania and Guinee Bissau. If the decisions of the Senegalese government don't please Mauritania, so be it. Lets be serious, this government was not given the mandate to please Ould Taya, Yaya Jammeh or Dr.Coumba Yalla. Our role as citizens is to judge whether the positions and decisions taken by our government are consistent with our conception of African solidarity and respect for the rights of refugees. In relation to Casamance, we will judge our government by its intransigence in bringing about a real and lasting peace. The feelings of the neighbouring governments cannot be determining factors in our conduct. No country has the right to tell us what we should do, much less Mauritania. The method used by President Wade of "shaking the coconut tree" on each of his state visits could prove to be positive for the future of Senegal and indeed African Unity, if it means that "masks" are dropped and relationships are re-built on a new and more honest basis. If this ”stirring of the pot” leads to a reconsideration of all of Senegal’s international relations (especially in the sub region), then I say we must support the President in this crusade. All vigilant citizens must recognise that since the arrival of "l'alternance" (triumph of the opposition alliance) our neighbours have started to "raise their voices" on issues regarding Senegal’s security and/or development. If for reasons of geography, history or fact, these countries feel touched by these national issues, well then, the problem is now in the open. The problems must now be solved in a fast and responsible way. Libya, Guinee Bissau and Gambia must answer unequivocally the questions put to them about their participation, if not to say complicity in the bloody war in Casamance. It is not by hiding behind diplomatic niceties and by making small movements of policy that these countries will prove their innocence. If Mauritania has a justified grievance, then they should bring it before those institutions and authorities responsible for the management of the river. But if it comes to ethnic problems, or the ethnicist orientation of the Mauritanian government then Mauritania should expect the return of the of the FLAM (Mauritania Liberation Army, lead by Black Mauritanians). Mauritania cannot expect Senegal to share its ethnicist objectives, nor to continue to police the refugees, without a response. Now the issue is one of national solidarity. Solidarity with the institutions we have won, whatever our political differences, or the political advantages each one might think they can gain from the situation. . It is necessary to react firmly against what looks more and more like a regional plot to undermine the new Senegalese government. Is it not true that certain countries, or maybe certain interest groups have not forgiven Senegal for having opened the way to an irreversible change. Are not internal forces not using an international channel of shady relationships to destabilise Senegal? Guinee Bissau, Gambia and now Mauritania!!! Why not tomorrow Guinea Conakry just to buckle the belt? It is for each citizen to reflect... Without being a militarist, I support the government to: - Speak a language of truth to all the leaders in the sub-region. Our quest for a true African unity and a strong Africa will never be achieved without ruffling feathers in the process. - Avoid being weakened in front of other governments who are looking after their own interests. - Clearly support peace, but to stand firm in our principles, showing in an unequivocal manner that peaceful co-habitation is built on respect. It is now for every citizen to support the government in the national interest. Mor Fall Dieng ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ foroyaa <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: LETTER TO THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL > ASSEMBLY ON THE STATE OF GAMBIA, SENEGAL, GUINEA BISSAU RELATION >Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 15:51:20 +0100 ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------