The so-called Yaya Jallow/UDP visa saga is an interesting one. This wasn’t the first time for such rumors. I don’t know any specifics about it. However I am Gambian enough to know there is truth to it somewhere. That said I intend not weigh on it. Instead I want to stretch the situation to what I consider the bigger picture of who we’re as people.

Generally speaking an average Gambian uses his public position for personal benefits through nepotism, economic gains and/or political favors. In part this is a big chunk of our struggle against poor governances. More disturbing is the repeated dark cloud hanging over some senior members of opposition whom we hope to entrust the destiny of our nation should we succeed in defeating Yahya.  Isn’t these what Jawara did with national resources? Isn’t these what Yahya doing? How and why can/should we expect anyone else be different if everything else remained but removing/replacing the president?

It’s no secret in Gambia officials trips be used to include passports of none parties to such trips in the visa applications. These are done to help family member9s) (nepotism), or economic gains (Dalasis) and/or politics (party affiliation).  Equally senior members of some opposition parties were accused of the same practices. 

I know the meaning of foreign visa to an average Gambian and/or his/her family. My argument is not about that. We will debate that at another time weather everything goings to secure a foreign visa. It’s simply wrong (legally, morally and ethically) for the weight of public office be used as such. Hence if we call ourselves agents of change it should not only reflect in our words but more important in our deeds/actions. 

My concern! How can we be convince those vying for the presidency will be any difference from their predecessors if they are wrongly using their current public positions for wrong purposes? What would they do if they’re in the presidency?

Fast forward! My argument for an institutional democracy even stronger! Lets not anchor our hope on an individual and/or a group of few to be our saviors. Lets organize/mobilize as much of our citizens to demand ‘a people center democracy’ anchored on functioning institutions. With that it wouldn’t matter so much who is in charge as it would what systems governed his/her actions.

To be true to our cause I urge all those accused of such actions make public their party official trip itinerary and visa applications. If there is no wrong doing the debate will close itself in the court of public opinion but more importantly they will pass over some of our mischiefs. In addition they will take another step to prove they’re worthy alternatives to what currently obtained. After all political parties were supposed to be public institutions hence very important to be directly accountability to such public. 

Again I am not weighing on this particular case because I have no knowledge; instead my concern is its implications on our overall goal.
 
My thoughts!

Burama FL Jammeh

Founder/General Secretary 
The People's Movement for Democratic Gambia 

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