Mr. Sanneh:

Keep up the good work.  Please don't get distracted by insults.  We are here
to talk about issues.  I have decided to contribute fulltime on this
debate about decency and respect for objective analysis.

One deterrent is to delete mails that are offensive.  Another is to block them
completely.  The GambiaL is for everyone.  

I commend you for your objective view.  Keep focus.

Naphiyo,
Comrade Jassey-Conteh

-----Original Message-----
>From: abdoukarim sanneh <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Apr 16, 2006 12:11 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: HISTORY OF POLITICAL VINDICTIVENESS IN THE GAMBIA
>
>Mr Conteh,
>  It is sad how the past and present events are folding. We has a nation will not go any where if we cannot forgive and also tolerate each others views. The vindictive nature of this regime is what destroy the fragile peace in our country. It is that same vindictiveness that accumulate into state of fear which have a serious implication for democracy in Gambia.
>
>Jassey Conteh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>  Mr. Barrow:
>
>It is frightening that most Gambians refuse to compromise 
>and forgive, even when their worst enemies are arrested, 
>tortured, intimidated, and imprisoned by Yahya Jammeh.
>Jammeh's enemies are my friends. I will continue to
>defend their rights. An attach on any Gambian, is an
>attach on me. 
>
>Do we understand Jammeh's style of politics? No, I don't think 
>some of us do. It is called divide and rule through intimidation, 
>harassment, torture, and jail. The law in the Gambia, is 
>according to Jammeh and Jammeh only.
>
>Going back to Gambian politics since 1962, I conclude with
>reasonableness that it was based on vindictiveness, tribalism, 
>exclusiveness, and other negative assertions. Sir Dawda 
>dropped Governor General, Alhagie Farimang Singhateh 
>when the Gambia gained republic status. Mr. Singhateh 
>was not even compensated for a high commissioner's post. 
>
>Hon Sherriff Ceesay was Sir Dawda's shining star. What happened
>between them? Politics of vindictiveness. But Mr. Ceesay later 
>accepted the post of Governor of the Central Bank of the Gambia
>He finally was resurrected with the PPP. 
>
>Pierre S. Njie, the darling of Banju South and Gambian politics was 
>betrayed byhis loyal supporters. Again the forces of political
>vindictiveness and selfishness prevailed. I remember a very decent
>Gambian in the name of Koro Sallah of Banjul South. The brother 
>talked about objectivity and fairness. Do we have that anymore in 
>the Gambia? I leave that with history to conclude. 
>
>Sheriff Mustapha Dibba, a onetime Sir Dawda loyalist left the PPP. 
>Mr Dibba formed the NCP. The NCP successfully won a seat in 
>Banjul South when it allied with UP. But Mr. Taal betrayed the party 
>and switched to the PPP. Sir Dawda offered Dibba the post of 
>Prime Minister, and he agreed. But what happened? Again 
>the forces of political vindictiveness, subjectivity and 
>exclusiveness prevailed over Sir Dawda. The old man 
>rescinded his offer. 
>
>Assan Musa Camara also faced the same trend. Muhammad
>Lamin Saho, nominated member and Attorney General of the 
>Gambia for fifteen years accused Sir Dawda of tribalism
>when he reassigned him to the local government 
>portfolio. Fafa Mbye was accepted the post of Attorney
>General of the Gambia. Mr. Saho left the PPP and joined forces with
>Assan Musa Camara. We all know what subsequently 
>happened to him.
>
>Bakary Bunja Darboe and Saihou Sabally were onetime good
>friends. These folks became bitter enemies. This division 
>created a split in the PPP. Again politics of vindictiveness 
>and selfishness prevailed. Mr. B.B. Darboe came back and 
>served under dictator Jammeh, but only to run for his dear life.
>
>I ran for the NCP nomination in my native Kombo East. Again the 
>forces of political vindictiveness continuously harassed me. I was 
>reported on numerous occasions to be fired from my job. 
>On one occasion I was attacked by one Bakary Sarr, an 
>alien from Senegal. Life was so unbearable that I left the 
>Gambia for the U.S. 
>
>When I visited the Gambia this past summer, those same forces 
>were so friendly to me that it was unbelievable. I visited every 
>compound and shook hands with everyone. I did so because
>I was revisiting my previous paths. 
>
>History would dictate that politics of vindictiveness, tribalism, 
>exclusiveness, subjectivity, and numerous negative trends 
>were to be blamed for the Gambia's political troubles. We 
>cannot continue with this type of politics. We should
>reengineer our politics and embrace continuous improvement. 
>We may even have to resort to theories of constraints. 
>
>Jammeh must go. But he cannot go if we remain vindictive, 
>tribal, and subjective in our assertions. No single Gambian has 
>absolute authority in the dictates of our country's politics. 
>
>The military succeeded in overthrowing Sir Dawda because of
>a split in PPP. When Jammeh came to power, some of 
>Sir Dawda's loyalists joined the APRC. Dibba also accepted 
>the post of the Speaker of the Gambian House of Parliament.
>
>Though I disassociated myself from his politics, I cannot hate
>him. Should I not defend Dibba's rights as a vindictive of Jammeh's 
>dictatorial mandate. Yes, I will. I will continue to fight and 
>defend the rights of every Gambian. I will even fight for the 
>right of any Minister who serves under Jammeh if the dictator 
>subsequently arrests him or her. I believe in democracy. I 
>refuse to advocate politics of vindictiveness, tribalism, 
>subjectiveness, and unforgiveness. Thank God that I personally
>met Hon Yaya Ceesay, the late Honorables Kebba Leigh, Garba Jahumpa, 
>Badara Njie, and MC Jallow. I may not have been a fan of the PPP, but these 
>five Gambians always showed me respect and kindness. 
>
>During the 2001 nomination for president, the forces of vindictiveness
>prevailed. These same forces exhibited the same pattern during 
>NADD's crisis. Some even attacked Ousainou Darboe as a tribe. Some
>even said, "does Mandinka's think they have birth right to the 
>presidency." Some said, "We will see." See what, I asked. We will
>continue to be divided if tribal sentiments are injected in our politics. 
>
>As Jammeh continues to divide and rule in the Gambia, we should
>refocus our attention and condemn his dictatorial rule. 
>Jammeh is the worst thing that has ever happened to the Gambia. 
>Gambians are crying for truth and reconciliation. Jammeh, please let 
>my people go. 
>
>No Gambian should dance and clap for Jammeh when he intimidates, 
>tortures, and jails even their worst enemies. Do we have to continue 
>with this type of political vindictiveness? Absolutely not. How can we do
>this? Through objectivity and compromise. I believe in all sincerity 
>that the task to replace Jammeh is irreversible.
>
>After all, do we have power? No, absolutely not! What is the best 
>solution in defeating Jammeh? I believe objectively that we have to
>come together regardless of historical precedent. Our focus 
>should be on Jammeh. I refuse to subscribe to the notion that
>an enemy is an enemy forever. I believe in forgiveness. If we 
>want to bring sanity in the Gambia, we have to be forgiving. 
>Jammeh is our enemy, and thus, we must embrace his former 
>friends, whose rights are violated. I believe an attach on any
>Gambian is an attach on all Gambians. I will continue to fight 
>for the rights of those Gambians who were part of Jammeh's regime,
>and are now sitting in jail. 
>
>The reality of political doctrine is that one has to look at issues 
>at face value. We will fail if we continue to be uncompromising, 
>relative to the rights of all Gambians, who are arrested, intimidated,
>tortured, and imprisoned by the Gambian dictator. The fact of 
>the matter is that Jammeh will continue to exhibit dictatorial 
>tendencies if we clap when he arrests our enemies or 
>those who we disagree politically.
>
>May Allah bring sanity to the Gambia. Jammey, please let my people
>go.
>
>Naphiyo,
>Comrade Jassey-Conteh
>
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