Mr Jallow,
I earnestly share your concerns for the rumours of instability in the Gambia
going the rounds.We all have our familities in the Gambia and if that nation
sinks ( as it seems to be doing), it will cause us all irreparable damage.
But recalcitrant dictatorships always make their exit from power expensive
not only for themselves, but for the masses as well. A government that
steadfastly adheres to rigging elections to perpetuate its stay in power,
puts the back of the constitutional opposition against the wall, and lends
weight to the arguments of some potentially bloody adventurists.
I disagree with you that the opposition has made the cost of electoral
defeat too expensive for President Jammeh. The opposition never had control
over his political strategies and leadership styles. I wish to argue instead
that it is Yaya Jammeh, who over the years, through a multiplicity of
political blunders, leadership ineptitude and mere personal stubborn-ness,
has evolved  a very passionate opposition to his leadership.
I like your apparent agreement that there is need for our pronouncements to
be consciously put in conciliatory terms. However, I insist that Jammeh is
better placed than the opposition to lead the way in this area. Its obvious
that if he extends an olive branch to the opposition, it will be accepted on
the basis of what it is.
I very earnestly believe that it was Jammeh who chose to demonize himself,
therefore I dont think it is fair to expect the opposition to make matters
easier for him. Their business is to create an alternative to his regime.It
would be terribly unfortunate if we do not have an opposition in the Gambia,
with the current political leadership as shaky as it is.
Omar Joof.



>From: Ebou Jallow <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: FWD:Coup rumours upset Gambia
>Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2003 12:45:52 -0400
>
>Mr. Sidibeh,
>
>I have not been reading my emails regularly but I do recollect Sister
>Jabou posting a comprehensive concern urging for some coordinated
>effort.  Naturally, the rumors of instability in the Gambia that are
>peddled around the net is quite disturbing, and compounding the problem
>with empty threats, rhetoric of vengeance and political posturing shall
>only regenerate impasses to a peaceful resolution. I believe that a
>coordinated effort will be a good start provided that a condition is
>acknowledged in the process i.e. a bi-partisan (the opposition and
>APRC) that will engage President Jammeh in a conciliatory dialogue.
>Democracy can never work its magic in a country where the incumbency
>has to fight for its survival or perish.  The opposition parties in the
>Gambia have succeeded in making the cost of electoral defeat too high
>for Jammeh to afford, and democracy can never flourish in such a
>political culture.  It is true, and I am privy to this concrete fact
>that the Senegalese government was aiding and abetting instability in
>order to use that as a pretext to invade the Gambia, and install a
>puppet government.   Jammeh is very well aware of this and perhaps it
>is the reason for the recent shakeup nation-wide.
>Freedom is the very essence of any human being including Jammeh
>himself.  Only a very sincere and compassionate communication in truth
>can appeal to that essence thus creating a resolution to the current
>problems in the country.   The history of the civil rights movement and
>Martin L. King Jr. in the US can be an illustrious example to emulate.
>
>
>Ebou
>
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