POLITICAL PARTIES HOLD MEETINGS WHILE FEMI PETERS IS STILL IN JAIL

 

One of the greatest ironies of the political situation is the holding of Femi Peters in jail for using a public address system during a meeting without the issuance of a permit while political parties are holding meetings after jointly having tete a tete meeting with representatives of the Heads of the security forces to reach an understanding on the requirements of the law.

 

In fact, the UDP held its first meeting after the fiasco exactly where it held the meeting which led to Femi’s arrest and incarceration. Foroyaa is contacted by many people to ask why Femi is jailed and for how long. It appears strange to many people that a person could be jailed in the Gambia for 1 year for simply using a public address system in public without permit. The members of the NIA should go around and check the pulse of the Gambian public and the international community on how they see the incarceration of a person for 1 year in connection with using a public address system at a meeting which started and ended peacefully.

 

We at Foroyaa are convinced that justice is not about legal technicalities. Justice is substantive. Just retribution comes when the liberty of the accused is curtailed for doing an evil thing that harms another or threatens the security and welfare of the public.

The elections decree states categorically that … "political parties may be established to participate in the shaping of the political will of the people, to disseminate information of political ideas and on political; economic and social programmes of a national character, and to sponsor candidates for public elections"

 

Article 1 (j) of the supplementary protocol on Democracy and good governance, states that "political parties shall be formed and shall have the right to carryout their activities freely, within the limits of the law. Their formation and activities shall not be based on ethnic, religious, regional or racial considerations. They shall participate freely and without hindrance or discrimination in any electoral process. The freedom of opposition shall be guaranteed."

 

We at Foroyaa hopes that the Government of the Gambia that is a signatory to the Constitutional convergence principles of ECOWAS will not condone any law that is discriminatory in its effect. The electoral process needs a new start. This is inconceivable without providing remedy to the consequences of past discrimination and maladministration of public office.

 

We therefore hope that the executive which has the prerogative to give a speedy remedy to the situation would do so without waiting for any mediation efforts which is already becoming too late. It is as if this country does not have a Bishop Tutu who could speak the truth and set things right without expecting any political or material gain. A country is cursed where all responsible elders sit and watch while matters remain which requires intervention. Leaders sometimes need to be saved from themselves. This is why mediation is sometimes necessary. It is not about begging for mercy from a demigod. No public trustee is a demigod. Mediation helps to mitigate an undesirable outcome.

 

There is nothing to gain by Incarcerating Femi and there is nothing to lose by releasing him unconditionally and with honour.