Hi Kebba!
 I thank you for the brotherly advice and wish to convey to you that your
decision to comment on my mail is welcome as we are both concerned with the
well-being of our country despite our different methods. It is however
through dialogue that we can educate each other.
You wrote:

"Something eye-catching in your piece was your attempt to paint a dismal
picture about the removal of Yaya by violent means. For example, although
you conceded that the transition can go smoothly, you lamented about the
fact that we might want to kill Yaya and everyone associated with him (out
of revenge). Nothing wrong with that fear on your side, but I do not think
it is fair for you to predict such a gloomy future for us when you
deliberately refrained from discussing with us what our plans for the future
after Yaya entailed. We tried to set the parameters and debate about our
plans during the transition. You decided not to partake in that exercise for
reasons best known to you. I believe it would then be very irresponsible for
you now to speculate about what we are going to do; especially if your
speculation is aimed at scaring off ordinary Gambians and portraying us as
villains."

I did not attempt to paint a dismal picture. I discussed the dangers
associated with the violent method. I even accepted the fact that such an
operation can be carried out without damage.  That is a possibility. Another
possibility is that it can go wrong with dire consequences. Even where it
succeeds it can become a destabilising industry. I am glad that you accept
that the fear of such a possibility is justifiable.
I did not direct what I wrote at your group per se as you are not the only
one on the L calling for a violent overthrow of the government and there
might even be people within The Gambia who are also considering the
possibility. That is a wide list with a correspondingly wide list of
motives, abilities etc. I am not therefore speculating as to what your
particular group will do but what is a possibility.

Even though I did not directly participate in the debate as to what your
particular
group would do if you succeed in your endeavour, some of my postings as you
alluded to in an earlier correspondence, indirectly tackle issues that will
be relevant. Do you remember the "Transitional Justice" series I sent? I
sent them when some were talking about taking this person and that person
when the government is overthrown to the stadium and blowing their brains
out. I did that because I realised that I can only write my views on the
methods of change and what I feel is the better option for our country. That
will not stop others who are determined to do otherwise. If those people
take the chance and succeed and do whatever they like, they might plunge the
country into a deeper crisis.

Regarding Halifa's statement, I cannot say that it is different from what
you have been saying. Maybe he can clarify. The state of our country is
getting more worrying and it is very difficult to say what the best thing to
do is as both the peaceful and violent methods are fraught with
difficulties. The peaceful means is fraught with difficulties as it is
increasingly becoming difficult to ask people to exercise restraint when new
and unjustifiable acts of barbarism are perpetrated everyday. The violent
means is laden with difficulties in that it can plunge our country into
further crisis. We are therefore in a very serious dilemma.

We have something in common in that I am neither a politician nor an
aspiring one. Have a good day and thanks again for the advice.

Buharry.

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