Greetings Gambia-L,

July 22, 2000 will mark six years of APRC/AFPRC rule in our beloved Gambia.  During this period the gambian citizenry have been entertained to what I believe has become The Dance of Musical Chairs.  Appointment upon dismissal, upon appointment upon dismissal.  The pattern never ceases.  The drummer beats his drum and his appointees dance.  With each beat drops a bead of sweat from the foreheads of these dancers who know that when the drumming stops they may no longer have a seat to sit.

The daily news and speculation of dismissals, appointments and reappointment has become so routine that I believe we have all come to take these movements for granted.  Setting aside the qualifications of these people, how effective a government can we expect when the leadership is so unstable?  How secure could we possibly feel if those tasked to watch our collective backs are too busy watching their own?

I would like to celebrate these six years by compiling a list, perhaps by position or by date, of all the appointments and dismissals in key positions of government and security since that one morning in 1994 when this new dance began.

I think once completed, we may all, including the drummer, find ourselves awe struck at what we see.

Any help on this small initiative would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Latir
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