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rescinded his offer.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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