Jawara's Lost Opportunity




The Independent (Banjul)

EDITORIAL
August 6, 2001
Posted to the web August 6, 2001

Banjul, the Gambia

Sir Dawda's impending return has raised blinding dust in our political
landscape. The eddy of confusion that his proclamation to return has
propelled has drawn confusing and contradictory remarks from secretaries of
state Sedat Jobe and Yankuba Touray. Sedat says yes, he's welcome and free
to return. Yankuba says the ex-president should face a commission of inquiry
for some past deeds.

The Gambian people, who in reality should decide who takes control of their
political lives, are equally and naturally divided over the merits and
demerits of Sir Dawda's return. Some, like Sedat Jobe, say Sir Dawda should
indeed come back to The Gambia. Others, like Yankuba Touray, would have none
of the ancient 'Jawara diko'. The Gambia, they argue, should and could move
forward without Jawara. As we had indicated before, the repeal of Decree 89
is a long overdue step in the right direction. We know that like all unjust
laws, the decree had always been a law of the iron grid, imposed not because
of its moral and essential qualities, but to satisfy the whims and caprices
of a regime that came to power through unconstitutional means and that was
confidence-starved. We know also, that the decree was repealed not because
the president has suddenly seen the light and grew an angel's heart, but
because first, he was forced to; and second, he feels confident that he had
bought enough Gambians' favours that he had nothing to fear from an old and
spent guard of politicians.

Certainly, Sir Dawda Jawara, apart from his nurturing of the democratic
spirit in The Gambia, which is by no means a mean achievement, has little
else to show for his thirty years in power. We know that he had allowed
himself to be mystified and almost worshipped by his cronies. We know that
he had nurtured the shameful and harmful mansa mentality that continues to
be a bane of our national politics. We know that he refused to put in place
the constitutional framework required to make possible smooth, peaceful and
periodic change of leadership with the result that the equally power-hungry
soldiers found an acceptable excuse to step in. We know that his extremely
sweet tooth for power rendered him blind to reality and believe in the fatal
illusion that he could be president for life. We know, ultimately that Sir
Dawda had a chance, an excellent opportunity to set this country firmly on
the path to eternal bliss and he blew it.

We certainly are dead opposed and shall remain opposed to the wanton
'powertics' of the Jammeh regime. But at the same time, we do not sympathise
with the excesses of the Jawara regime. The fact that he told the BBC that
he had no alternative but to accept the invitation to lead the PPP shows
that the Pa had learnt little in exile. Why could he not say 'no, look we
need to revamp the party. Let's recruit a new young membership. Let's inject
new blood into the party. We old guards should be active members and
advisers, but should not seek leadership roles or political office again.'
But no, Sir Dawda is still hungry for leadership. He still wants to be the
great leader who did us more harm than good. He still feels and is made to
feel indispensable. He is still out of touch with political realities.

We truly wonder why our African politicians never learn.





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