Kejau, I am for any means necessary including a coup. If the shrub came through a coup then am perfectly fine with him sent packing through a coup. Now, let's look at the reality of some soldier risking his life to take over a government. The natural thing for them is to want to take the spoils. Thus, in a coup, we will end up fighting that same soldier to strip him off that control, thus it is a two step process. Where as in a militia, all participants have a vested interest to create a better union and it is a one step process. That is all I was saying. Now if the people or the politicians love being under Yaya, well that is a choice they will make and they have been making and living under the abuse. It appears the politicians are not bothered either, for they eagerly create unnecessary chaos to help Yaya stay. Oh, on what you converted to, by that I mean you are now reading from the PDOIS script, just as you had read from the UDP script before (so me think). Kejau, I know you are a soldier in your own right, but if we were to have a militia today, you will not be in line before I do. I do not speak idly.
Regards,
Joe
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2013 15:35:17 +0100
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [G_L] In sympathy with PDOIS and FOROYAA’s approach in things Gambian
To: [log in to unmask]
Joe.
Converted to what exactly? I have always said we put money together and buy guns or unite with Senegal to help us fight Jammeh. What am against is and has always been is to castigate and blame others who are doing what they can to liberate us. Moral courage is a virtue and cannot be forced on anyone. Also, you cannot have your cake and eat it. The politicians will not lead any uprising, the populace will not rise and you do not want militancy or a coup. What do you want then apart from playing the blame game then and how are you helping bringing it about? Do get off your high horse and do some darn thing about and stop castigating and blaming others for moral failings please. Otherwise just bear with those trying to change the status quo and be patient.
Kejau.
Sent from Samsung Mobile
-------- Original message --------
From: Joe Joe <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [G_L] In sympathy with PDOIS and FOROYAA’s approach in things Gambian
Kejau, yes indeed and if lonjevity is on our side we shall as a people recognize the inevitable at some point - forceful overthrow of this government. I know you have converted but time takes care of things. Militancy is the best option because Gambians will in the end control their destiny and to say never again. However, due to our lack of a history of taking back what is ours, those with the guns will beat us to the punch and when they do, you think they will tell the politicians, here, take it from here. No, they will do like Yaya, Jerry, and countles other dictators to take off the uniform and we'd have another round of the same. If neither happens, then the murderer will die in his sleep. Lolu Dung Mor Fee Neh! I do understand your new buy in, but in the end, "Wedi, Gis Borkucha. Nange Dem".
On a side note, Nit Daal Daa Gaawa Fateh. Here we are celebrating the life and meaning of Mandela, yet, we forgot how and why he is celebrated. It has less to do with his profession, or that he was the first president of SA, etc. Rather, he used any means necessary to get to where he ended up with all South Africans. He started with the school of peaceful movement and when that was futile, they formed a militia to give the same medicine the abuser had used on them for centuries. That continued with the children who saw their parents and friends murdered right in front of them to pick up from where his generation left off. When the abuser had enough, was he willing to sit on the table, nuclear weapons and all. Nange Bayi Nahateh Bi. Jokh Rek Mor Worr.
Regards,
Joe
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2013 13:04:56 +0100
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [G_L] In sympathy with PDOIS and FOROYAA’s approach in things Gambian
To: [log in to unmask]
Cheers Joe.
From your analysis, it seems the way forward is militancy and as you said, most Gambians are not interested in that even those in the diaspora. Kejau.
Sent from Samsung Mobile
-------- Original message --------
From: Joe Joe <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [G_L] In sympathy with PDOIS and FOROYAA’s approach in things Gambian
Folks, am sure you got my point even with the many typos and grammeroitical errors. The good thing is I'm not selling a publication, so you have to live with the mistakes and this will not be the last time either. :-)! Multitasking is the new way. Off to bed.
Joe
Date: Thu, 5 Dec 2013 17:54:28 -0600
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [G_L] In sympathy with PDOIS and FOROYAA’s approach in things Gambian
To: [log in to unmask]
Mbodge, a good summary of what PDOIS is to Gambia and how they continue to work towards change and educate Gambians, in their own way. I don't think any Gambian with commonsense will argue what PDOIS does for Gambians daily, especially when there are no elections in sight. As I write, I know our people are at their doorstep (regardless of party affiliation) seeking their help, support, advise, school fees, etc. And so the insults I'm hearing towards their persons is surprising and one can clealy see it is displaced agression or settling of scores. No question, they are doing what they can with what they got and I salute them.
You are also right that change can come from the people, like we saw in let's say Senegal, the Arab Spring, or to some extent in South Africa. However, there is a difference in context and history when you juxterpose the Gambian situation with the above examples and in some instances they do overlap. What do I mean. Yes, in Senegal, the youths, Rappers, etc. started the struggle to get rid of the Wade Machine, but complemented by vocal opposition and civil society organizations against a regime that is very aware of the legacy of Senegal with her clean record of democracy. Those folks knew that Wade knows not to order the Military to have open season on them and the Military establishment will not have gone along because of the intertwining nature of politics and religion in Senegal. Every Colonel has a Seringe and belongs to an "Askan".
In the Gambia that is not the case. We have a history of military coups and also a history of the Military mowing down any group of a couple of hundreds in front of them with the issue of an order. We also do not have a history of opposition political leaders being in the forefront of challenging detrimental laws crafted to sponsor state murders. The opposition are for the most part reactive and their route of choice is to file a legal brief or go the the press whenever the state murders 1, 10, or more of it's citizens or nabb their own comrades to torture. That is a a good arrangement for a dictator. Because he knows that he can litterally stay on until he dies in his sleep. The question is, can any of us live with that? On the flip side, the students did stood up in protest and 12 or so of them were murdered with countless wonded for life. A perfect opportunity for the opposition politicians to support the students, but instead at best they kept quiet or joined the Religious Dealers and psycophants to further abuse abuse them with language that supported the powers that be. With that kind of history, Gambians know that if they stand up against this regime they will be murdered and none will care. Gambians also know that political leaders, Imams, civil socity leaders, etc are not immune from this murderous regime. So , when each is vulnerable, alone, it makes perfect sense to stand as a group for a fighting chance. That is where the chicken or the egg debate commences. The opposition leaders know that they did not inculcate militancy within their ranks and if they were to stand up, they will not have anyone to stand up with them, just like when a certain Imam was nabbed illegally his congregation sympathised with him but did not have it in them to rescue him. In other parts of the world they will go for the head of whom ever ordered their arrest, much less torture them. The opposition in turn makes the case that if the people want this regime out, they will vote them out, even though all of us know that at this stage of our situation, elections where Yaya manipulates them with threats, murders, inducement, etc. is neither here nor there. And so, what gives? I fervently believe that it will be a waste of our time doing the same things we did the last 19 years to get rid of this murderer. Let me take this opportunity to bring a snippet of the South African context at this moment. Sharpville was a turning point and Mandela in his own wards told the world that their tactics up to that point was not working for a Murderous regime that did not hesitate to kill them. Thus, the birth of the military/militancy wing of the ANC. In the Gambian context where all aspect of life is threatened, it will be very wishfull for us to think that citizens can stand up, when they see their leaders even more vulnerable. It makes perfect sense for political leaders with following to use their base to if nothingelse protect themselves and their supports, forget the rest of Gambia for the moment. Yes, PDOIS can stick to their script and live by that moto to Yaya's natural life, but how does that help the rest of Gambia? Are they in this to help stop the bloodletting now, or are they more interested in their dogma? For PDOIS to say that they will not be part of any change but "Peaceful Change" means no matter how well meaning they are, that is not what Gambians need at this time. If they are of the view that even if it takes Yaya's eternity for that kind of change to happen they will still stick to their cause, then I am sorry that is not what Gambians need at the time. Coming to terms with that outlook is what a lot of diasporans who believed that PDOIS was a change agent to begin to look elswehere. Dogma is one thing, but when you begin to loose friends and sympathizers in a numbers game consistently and you continue to insist on your way or nothing, that is where PDOIS is at with many diasporans. They are not willing to change with what the people are asking for but without the people they will continue to see the same lukewarm response that they have experienced the last nineteen years. It is amazing to hear Gambians from the generation of the 80s and 90s who were inspired by PDOIS to manifest their disapointment with them with them. How does a party loose those generations and not see any need for change?
Transitioning, diasporans, due to their proximity can say a lot of what's on the minds of the majority of Gambians who are inside Gambia. By so doing, the vocal among us cannot step foot in Gambia because the only folks who will know you dissapeared are those that came to meet you at the airport. It appears though that is the perfect line the politicians now utilizes - "if you are that great, why don't you come on the ground". For the most part, the only Gambians venturing in and out of Gambia in the open are Gambians who do not say a word about Yaya. If you are vocal and set foot in Gambia that is the last you will be heard from (especially men), and folks would be on this very distro to write about how wreckless you were or that you committed suicide knowing what awaited you. So, if you know that if you venture in the Gambia you will be minced meat and none will care, and if you say a word from the outside for those in the inside to tell you to come on the ground and say it, then like most of us do, we keek quiet like the rest of us, and the misery continues. Our society does not have a history of individual sacrifice. The ony way to break the stranglehold by Yaya is either a military take over, a militia, or mass protest. The first can happen sooner than the second and third, by virtue of the fact that they have guns, however limited in the their hands. Militia is a possibility but not many Gambians are interested at the moment, especially those on the outside. Mass protest by politicians and their supporters is the more remote for they told us it will happen on their dead bodies. And so, what is the meaning of our existence in relation to the situation in the Gambia?
Dssclosure, my relationship with some of the leadership in PDOIS predates PDOIS and I was not in Gambia when PDOIS came into being. However, I have worked with them in their efforts to help the average Gambian in need over the years and will continue to do so as my location permits. However, I do not share their view of what Gambia needs to liberate from the clutches of a murderer, especially when we tried those tactics for 19 years, almost 2/3 of Jawara's entire regime. The route they and other political parties continue to follow will allow Yaya to die in his sleep still clutching our neck. By that time Moe would be of age for us to have a "Baby Doc" on our lap.
An exchange with a fellow Gambian is stamped in my mind forever. In the heat of the exchange, he asked rhethorically, " I do not recall where Gambians asked you to care, so your caring is your busines". Walahi he got a point. So, as I voice my thoughts about our situation, I am always reminded about that question, who asked you to care? If the true answer is none, then what am I talking about? A very funny position to be in. Anyway, PDOIS have done many good things to add value to the lives of many Gambians and none can take that away from them.
Regards,
Joe
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2013 23:41:36 +0000
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [G_L] In sympathy with PDOIS and FOROYAA’s approach in things Gambian
To: [log in to unmask]
In sympathy with PDOIS and FOROYAA’s
approach in things Gambian
By Momodou Olly Mboge, Norway
Where
can I start? Well, I acknowledged PDOIS
as the kind of political organisation I would have joined if I were to commit
myself to any political party structure at the very moment it appeared on the
Gambian political terrain. I have been
attracted to the 'discourse' pioneered by PDOIS's Sam Sarr and Halifa Sallah
the first time I was given a publication by a Koto who was an early member of
the party. The publication dealt with
the now defunct 'Senegambia Confederation'.
This was in 1985 during or after the Zone 2 football tournament. Prior, I was lucky enough to have been among
the Maths (I was among the dullest)students taught by Sam Sarr at GHS who was
always busy in trying to augment the welfare of the underprivileged students
whilst making sure every student regardless of status equally got the best
education they deserved. I was as well a keen follower of Halifa
Sallah's radio programmes with broadcaster Alhaji Assan Njie of the then Radio
Gambia. The programme was very
popular. The kind of rapport between
Alaji Assan Njie and Halifa mesmerized all listeners whilst at the same time
educating us about our society's sociology.
When Sedia Jatta published his resignation letter and join the PDOIS
party, I thought 'woow' now Gambia has a real political alternative to Jawara's
PPP. Sedia’s letter was a masterpiece. I became an avid reader of Foroyaa, which I
use to get from my Koto, and when I was able to afford one, I would of course
purchase a copy from vendors. I use to
buy the paper from MR Jones who use to stand by the Education Department near
McCarthy Square in Banjul. I was very
disappointed when I heard Jones 'jumped' ship and joined the APRC. Now he is history.
Anyway, PDOIS at the time became the party all the
youth wanted listen to. The Jawara
regime did all it could to destroy the party. The PPP supporters of SereKunda
East ferociously attacked Halifa Sallah where
he stood against their candidate. They
did it in the nastiest and most derogatory manner one can imagine. In addition, I remember that captivating
moment when Sam Sarr challenged President Jawara on Radio Gambia and if I am
not mistaken it was something about the Senegambia Confederation. All those who were listening to Radio Gambia
knew Jawara was not happy with Sam Sarr’s line of questioning. Following this
confrontation with the then president Foroyaa was excluded from all news
conferences that were held at the State House.
During
the 1987 elections, PDOIS was able to present only five candidates. At
LatriKunda German, Adama Bah the Hotelier was the candidate if I remember
well. I voted for the PDOIS for
parliament and NCP for the Presidency since the PDOIS had no presidential
candidate. Some of us who had voting
cards were illegally (21 years was the legal age to vote) registered by the ruling
regime's members in the hope of getting our votes. THE
PARTY'S PROGRAMME AND its PRACTICAL DEVELOPMENTAL INITIATIVES WERE the main attractions to me. It is, as it was unusual
for a political party in the Gambia to have a newspaper to spread its message and
to open schools to educate the poor as well as virtually running a social
clinic where people come for help. It is also
through reading PDOIS writings I started to understand the functions of state
institutions and what the purpose of a nation state’s constitution was. I was
as I am still attracted to PDOIS because they use dialogue and conversation to
communicate their position.
They have
stated since their inception that they will only be part of a government that is
in the real sense the choice of the people.
It is only through peaceful democratic changes that PDOIS will ever be
in power. THUS AS FAR AS I AM CONCERN
PDOIS HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR WITH THEIR POSITION AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY
PEOPLE EXPECT PDOIS TO DO THEIR BIDDING. I MUST ADD THAT ACTIONS SUCH AS THAT OF DUGA MUST
NOT BE CONDEMNED BY PDOIS or anyone else. I UNDERSTAND,
IT WAS BECAUSE OF MANY YEARS of a RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A DUGA MEMBER AND THE
PDOIS FOLK THAT PROMPTED an opinion from the senior member of PDOIS. I still think the criticism could have been
made differently.
In
countries where people take to the streets and confront a government, that is
abusing its power such as was the case of WADE’s Senegal or the so-called 'Arab
Spring’ countries, political parties never lead in the way, they always pursue
the political solution. For example in Senegal,
the youths said enough is enough and took the initiative to take on the Wade
government head-on. Some set fire to
themselves in the streets and died whilst many fought running battles with the
police and other security structures for change to happen. Human Rights
organisations were vocal in condemning the excesses of the regime and some
rights activists such as Alioune Tine were beaten seriously but stayed on to
finish the fight.
Youths
and other groups in the SENEGALESE
DIASPORA WORKED WITH GROUPS OF THEIR CHOICE TO EFFECT CHANGE. SOME in the DIASPORA WHO WERE COMMITTED AND
WERE READY TO BE MAIMED, IMPRISONED OR DIE FOR THEIR COUNTRY WENT BACK HOME AND
JOINED THE FRONTLINE IN the FIGHT FOR WADE to go. They
did not spend their time condemning politicians and others for not doing what
they would not do. ORDINARY PEOPLE TOOK THE LEAD AND THE POLITICIANS HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO
GIVE THEM SUPPORT. A political
solution came into being when the whole Senegalese nation including religious
leaders and other stakeholders realize that the country was going down if WADE
DIDN'T GO. The opposition joined forces during the second round of voting in
April 2012 and the rest is history. It
is the ordinary PEOPLE WHO WOULD
SPONTANEOUSLY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE WHEN THE CRITICAL MOMENT COMES and
POLITICIANS will not PROMPT them.
<
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