Gambia-l:

Since my original posting, it appears things have grown even worse, even
more precarious in The Gambia than I could have imagined within this short
period of time.

Fuel was not readily available by December 12th as the government promised,
and long lines at petrol stations continue.  The price of petrol has been
raised, and expectedly, taxi fares have been climbing rapidly as well.  Here
are some of the indicators of harder times to come: Since the Budget Speech,
The price of bread ("tapa-lapa") increased from D2 to D3; the cost of going
on the Hajj to Mecca is set at D43,000 from just over D20,000; "town trip"
within Serrekunda jumped from D15 to D25 or D30; and fees for foreign
residents (considered very hardworking by Jammeh compared to the "lazy"
Gambian youths) have skyrocketed as well.

Devoid of solutions to the economic quagmire the country is in, the APRC
regime has decided to tax Gambians and foreign residents heavily as a means
to temporarily bring some form of stability to the country's economic
well-being.  It remains very doubtful that the pill prescribed by Dr. Jammeh
would bring about economic salvation.  At the least, there is a heightened
feeling of relative deprivation and a sense that the nation is heading for
even rougher times.  I have never witnessed or experienced this type of
collective despair before in my life.  From drivers and shopkeepers to
consumers and party activists, people are now very worried about their
ability to weather this new storm unleashed by the APRC. There is even the
conviction that Jammeh may finally admit to the regime's many failures and
attempt to find new scapegoats in furtherance of his political objectives.

Folks, forget about all the theorizing. We are talking about a country
sliding downhill at a very alarming rate while those at the helm appear to
be indifferent to, or incapable of, arresting the movement.  Life is
beginning to be quite unbearable for many in this country.  The numbers of
beggars and common criminals (pick-pockets, for example) are on the rise.

Abdoulie Jallow asked a very pertinent question on what could be done by us
collectively.  I don't have a specific answer, but I am sure there is no
shortage of people who may now be reassessing the situation privately with
that issue in mind. God save us!

Ebrima S. Conteh

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