Soffie,

As always, I appreciate your imput and thanks.
However sister, if we off-handedly label this issue as just part of the
Jammeh problem without bringing it into the open so that we can pre-empt any larger
problems that will arise later when it is too late, I think we wil lhave
regrets only after things have gotten out of hand. The fact that there is
favouritism in the allocation of high ranking positions in the army as well as even
the availability of basic services like electricity and the cost of rice which
is a basic Gambian staple tells me that this issue is potentially explosive
unless and until we talk about it openly, and in so doing, those who have
interest in fermenting this sinister plan will know that the people are aware. That
simple fact itself can be a deterrent. We Gambians are used to adopting the
least confrontational mode and simplifying things to our own detriment.
We cannot afford to leave any problematic area that this regime has helped to
create.
Diplomacy cannot change the feelings of hostility that these actions can brew
on the local level, and these seemingly minor details have led to hostilities
and became much larger problems elsewhere. Only full exposure of the problem
can be the deterrent.

Jabou Joh

In a message dated 4/6/04 9:20:02 AM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> Brothers and sisters -
>
> The grey on my head is multiplying (no kidding), thanks to the daily grind
> of life in the US and the struggle we have to wage for Gambia's liberation.
> And, thanks also to dialogue that has only helped to fan the flames of
> mis-understanding between those of us who are fighting the same fight.  I hate to go
> against what my elders say and so I apologize before hand but, what pertains
> in the Gambia is not a JOLA problem, but Gambia's problem.  That Yaya is a
> tribalist we all agree on.  A tribalist for whom and against whom, very hard
> for me to say and I will dis-agree with anyone who singles out anyone tribe.
> The Jola's are as much at the receiving end of his tyranny as everyone else.
> Those who've helped prop him up come from every strata of Gambian society
> and to allow ourselves to miss this point sends shivers up my spine.
>
> At our last demonstration in New York, when reporter Ebou Waggeh asked a
> question (I do not recall what it was), this lady pushed forward and began to
> spew spittle about the Jolas this and the Jolas that.  I was frightened -
> frightened because she was speaking from her heart and frightened that she has
> allowed herself to be manipulated into segmenting our society by the shenanigans
> of a loony.  If I were to turn around and ask her what any Jola has done to
> her or her family before Jammeh or now, she would have pointed only to
> Jammeh.  My response to that comment, to Waggeh, was this - Yaya was born a Jola
> and that is as far as he can claim.  Those who benefited from and supported him
> run the tribal gamut.
>
> Some of us are lucky and can claim to be a bonafide Wollof, Mandinka, Jola,
> Sarahuleh, Manjaago, or whatever.  So what?  At the end of the day, what does
> that bring you?  I will suggest that many Gambians are like me who cannot
> claim to be a bonafide anytribe even if I grew up speaking only Wollof.  I will
> also suggest that it is people in our families and tribes who will put the
> screws to you without a second thought and Yaya is no different.  For
> political expediency, he uses whatever he can and if tribalism is readily available
> and he's proved that it can polarize the opposition, why not use it.  My
> sincerest apologies to all as well as my regards.  I now go back to the plantation
> grind.
>
> Soffie Ceesay
> A Gambian
>
>

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