The recent spate of events has me seriously pondering what other alternatives
are left.  The unfortunate truth is that we are fast running out of
alternatives.  The regime's propensity for violence, threats and anti-Western
rhetoric shows that they do not believe in any law and will do anything to
stay in power.  In fact, a while back, someone posted an excerpt from the
Observer detailing the Sindola activities.  I immediately recognized that
this was an exercise in the art of intimidation.  It was a violent combat
exercise that was meant to intimidate.  I could just picture that wicked face
smiling jubilantly from the VIP terraces of Independent stadium while the
average Gambian citizen cringed in horror.  My friends, this is exactly what
the Interhamwe did in Rwanda before they unleashed their campaign of terror
on the Tutsis.  Similarly, Yahya has sowed that seed of violence in certain
communities and now you see those same armed vigilantes terrorizing the
country side.  If they can attack the leading political party, then think
about the campaign of terror that will be launched on the innocent Gambians
in the provinces who will form the majority of the electorate.  My fear, as
Buharry pointed out earlier, is that these idiots not only will terrorize
people into voting for them, but will create a situation that will totally
spiral out of control.  Not that things aren't bad enough already!

As you can clearly see, they have adopted a terror campaign to subdue our
people.  We cannot fight against guns and mortars.  If an armed campaign is
started, we will be set back many years.  There will also be an unnecessary
loss of lives and no family will remain unscathed.  If you doubt my words,
just think about the havoc that that silly 3 day war unleashed on our country
in 1981.  Also, as I stressed earlier, our politicians/freedom fighters have
failed us.  They are a bunch of toothless dogs whose bark is much more
ferocious than their bites.  It is clear that the internal option has been
exhausted.

This leads me to the gist of my argument, the possibility of selective
sanctions.  After a brief exchange with Matarr Sajaw, I have realized that
comprehensive sanctions will definitely hurt the Gambian populace.  This is
contrary to my earlier position, but what about the possibility of selective
sanctions?  In other words, hit them where it hurts the most, their money and
business interests.  To my recollection, one of his chief supporters and
business front men, was a nice guy when he was my neighbor back home.  But,
sorry Mr. Samba, aside form the dictator, you have become the second big
target. However, Mr. Samba is not the only one.  There has to be a
comprehensive plan to attack all of their business interests.  Choke them!
Make them suffer!

To do this, we have to gather upon the enormous resources of the L and the
expertise of the members that comprise this Bantaba.  Browsing the archives
of the L will unearth a wealth of relevant information to assist us in this
process. The first move would be to identify their major businesses and
suppliers and develop a course of action to curtail the supply of goods or
money to these entities.  I am convinced that this will not be a problem when
one considers the wealth of resources that our available to us.  Furthermore,
the infrastructure/organizations we have in various countries will be able to
expand their missions, lobby the respective countries to read those firms and
entities the riot act.  Countries in the sub-region can also play a
monumental part in this effort.

To conclude, I would like to extend an overture to the economic experts on
this forum to explore the feasibility of selective sanctions, plus how to
enforce them?(Basil, Hamjatta and CO) Aside from the non-African sanctions,
how about the possibility of regional action?  How about goods flowing
through the borders with Senegal?

I am convinced that this is one of our very few remaining options.  Even
mighty South Africa bowed under the pressure of selective sanctions.  Why not
the bloody tyrants?

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