Hi Dr Saine,
I am sure there is not a single soul on this list or anywhere else for that
matter who
will like to differ on this very honourable proposal of yours.
There is one very fundamental question though, that am sure has been nagging me,
and possibly most of you on the list. This my dear brothers and sisters, is how
and what Jammeh and his outfit will feel about this proposition.

It's true that the time definitely is nigh for nation building and healing, but
how do we go about it if the government of the day will not accommodate it (am
not saying that is the case, just assuming it is). What then do we do?

There have been a great number of comparisons between the present day government
and the Jawara regime, but the one very clear fact is that this present day
regime is run by the military. No one needs a psychology degree to understand
how the minds of soldiers-turned-government work. They are jumpy, trigger-happy,
and very insecure.

One might be surprised why this is the case. The answer is very simple, they got
in  by the gun, and if they succeeded in doing so, who says another group of
soldiers will not try to in turn overthrow them, after all they can see the
ill-gotten wealth amassed by their peers in government.

There is a clear hint of this in Mr Jallow's postings with regards to Korro's
death and the general feeling of insecurity that was plaguing Jammeh and his top
guys. True or not, it still makes a very chilling and terrifying reading. For
Gambians to go to that level of moral decadence is truly appalling.

There is unfortunately a number of examples of these regimes all over our
continent. "Soldiers are people too" someone told me the other day, sure they
are, but they are people with guns and often that power of the gun overrules
their common sense.

I have no personal experience of military governments myself, but the fact
remains the same, whether it's in The Gambia, or anywhere else, these regimes
will go to any length to stay in power. We have all seen the brutality in
Nigeria to name just a few. Please am apologizing in advance if I offend anyone
by this statement, it's only my personal view!!

Personally, soldiers should not govern, they are soldiers and so they should
remain. There is no justification for it. The situation in The Gambia, might
have been really bad under the Jawara regime (personally am too young and too
unknowledgeable to say much about this facet of our political history), but the
fact remains that things have not changed for any better for The Gambian people,
rather one can say without hesitation that the very opposite is the case.

Am sure we've all read the the horror story in the Observer of financial
mismanagement of Gambian Bureaux abroad, and also the local councils back home.
One then asks oneself, "if these guys justified their coup on the basis of
financial mismanagement of The former government, why are these social ills
still rampant?"
I think they should stop and take stock of themselves. The only honourable thing
to for them to do now is to call for a fair, transparent, general election, for
they have failed The Gambia people miserably. They have no excuse, they should
just resign.

More schools may have been built, and even a university, and I will be the first
to commend them, but no government should try to rule their people by
sub-ordination and threats of brutality.

I will like to know if there is any way of recovering the $2 million Mr Jallow
talks about as if it's a small change. If there are any of us on this list who
are legally versed maybe it's about time we try doing something about recovering
these money from everyone involved, from Jammeh to the lowest ranked civil
servant.
I do not know if this is possible, for I do not know how or  if there is any
international law on these types of pillage.
I do not know, and have never even heard of this Mr Jallow, but I was shocked
and horrified at the way the guy talks about $2 million as if it's a couple of
pence.
There should be an insurrection to these shameful acts, not by violence but by
challenging the government legally.

As we have come this far we should go all the way. Let's start nominating people
to meet Jammeh and his government. This is incumbent on us all, cause whether we
are born in the West, of Gambian parents as am sure some of us are, or whether
we are here for education or have migrated here, the truth remains that The
Gambia is our home.

I once again reiterate my apologies in advance, if anyone is offended by this am
terribly sorry. I honestly do not tend it to be so. It's only my humble personal
opinion.

Peace to us all.


>
>
> Hello Laye,
>
> Thank you once more for your constructive proposals in trying to move our (
> Gambian people)agenda forward.  I think the proposals are at the core of
> what we as a nation need in order to make any meaningful progress in our
> national development in the next century.  I do not think these proposals
> are partisan.  They are basic human rights which are necessary for any
> nation to optimize its developmental goals, whatever those may be.  I am
> sure most well meaning Gambians will see these proposals as corner stones
> for the way forward.
>
> I therefore plead with all of you my compatriots to approach these proposals
> with an open mind, and give them your support in all its forms in order to
> help bring about the stated goals in our country.
>
> However, one question remains and that is; how do we approach the
> reconciliation process? Here are a few suggestions.
>
> (1)     We will need a coordinating committee which,    should include
> members from all factions       (opposition, government supporters and those
> who     are neutral) probably to be headed by Dr. Saine.
>
> (2)     We need to galvanize as broad a spectrum as     possible of our
> people both abroad and at home.         This will give the necessary
> critical mass to        push the reforms we are advocating for in The
> Gambia.
>
> (3)     We need to assure the present government of our         good
> intentions and that there are no hidden         agenda for us.  This should
> be easy because the     committee that will be dealing with the
> government      will include supporters of the  government.  We also should
> treat all the parties   to the dialogue befitting their status.
>
> Thanks Laye.
>
> Bakary J Sonko.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Abdoulaye Saine [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Thursday, November 11, 1999 4:10 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: It is Time to Heal Self and Nation
>
> G-L Community:
>
> I have been greatly enriched by my association with the Bantaba and over
> the year that I have been a member, I have been impressed by the
> diversity of views expressed. Yet, I am also saddened by the pain that
> seem to be at the core of our constant criticisms against Jammeh and
> Jawara.  Clearly, the coup in 1994 and its aftermath have had and
> continue to have a traumatizing effect on all Gambians.  The criticisms
> leveled against Jammeh and his Government and for that matter Jawara's
> by well meaning people, reflect the hurt and trauma I spoke of earlier.
> Both Jawara and Jammeh have made mistakes.  It has been pointed out by
> many that Sir Dawda made many mistakes during his thirty year rule. And
> needless to say Jammeh has also had his share of mistakes. It is time to
> move the debate beyond blame and recrimination and propose concrete
> remedies to both the political impasse/stalemate on Gambia-L and in the
> country of our birth, Gambia. The reality is Jammeh is President and
> Jawara is not.  Both Jammeh and Jawara are not perfect.
>
> And it appears that the overwhelming sentiment on the L and Gambia,
> though expressed differently, lead ultimately toward improving the lives
> of Gambians.  This ought to be the theme that unifies us as a people.
> This unity of purpose does not mean necessarily that we would all agree
> on an issue, but it should guide us as we pursue a common vision for
> Gambia with other Gambians.
>
> What can we do as a community of Gambians and people interested in
> Gambia to influence and shape in a decisive and positive way political
> events unfolding in Gambia?  How can we begin to engage President Jammeh
> and his Government and influence him in the direction we desire and
> toward that vision?  What compromises is Jammeh willing to make? What
> concessions must we make?
>
> It seems that the L and the political situation at home are populated by
> some individuals who speak at and alienate each other.  We need to get
> to the next level, I suggest, by proposing solutions to Gambia's current
> political crisis. The criticism leveled against Jawara and Jammeh during
> their recent visits to the U.S., have had an effect, admitted by them or
> not.
>
> Let us turn to a new page!
>
> >From the discussion over the last year certain key concerns we appear to
> share are summarized below. These include:
>
> a)A Gambia where individuals can pursue a livelihood in dignity while
> enjoying basic freedoms and to vote in a government of their choice
> unrestrained by the state or its authorities;
>
> b)A political atmosphere were fear of retribution is not a constraint to
> the expression of one's beliefs, either in print or verbally; and
>
> c)Political participation as a right that all Gambians are entitled.
>
> If my reading of the Bantaba and the crisis at home are accurate, we
> must begin to work with President Jammeh, his Government and the Gambian
> People to resolve these issues. And as the Presidential and National
> Assembly elections are fast approaching, it is imperative that the
> political system be opened up.
>
> I propose that at minimum, all political parties and politicians that
> were banned shortly before the 1996 elections, be unbanned and let the
> Gambian people decide who rules them.
>
> The latter it appears to me and many more on the Bantaba, is a way to
> realizing this vision for Gambia and Gambians. To me, this is beyond
> partisan politics.  It is life of a people and of future generations.
> This could be our challenge to President Jammeh and his government.
> WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>
> Abdoulaye Saine
>
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