JAbou,
You are absolutely right that it is important to talk about tribal issues, not only to avoid a Rwanda type of a situation, but to think that tribalism does not shape our politics is utter nonsense. Personally, I do not think we have a tribal animosity like the Hutus and the Tutsi. In fact, I am willing to make a stretch that JAmmeh cares less about the Jolas as a tribe. This is not about the Jolas, but moreso about Jammeh the person and what he has to do to maintain the status quo. He will exploit all avenues of sensitivities to maintian power and his political survival. For anyone to thing think that all these have anything to do with the establishment of a Jola empire is ridiculous. As for the suggestion that moving the "Capital" to Kanilai is a clear indication of this dream of a Jola empire, is just that. This is all about Jammeh the egomaniac, and "Jola this or Jola that" has nothing to do with anything. Although, like any other dishonest political survivor he will continue manipulate and will use all the tribes for his own political end.
Musa Jeng
> From: Jabou Joh <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: 2004/04/03 Sat PM 01:10:02 EST
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: AN APPEAL TO ALL GAMBIA L SUBSCRIBERS
>
> In a message dated 4/3/04 11:20:49 AM Central Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
>
> > "we have two options either to let history take a
> > disastrous path or shape the course of history towards
> > the right path."
> > ."The purpose of history is to learn the lessons of
> the past and we let history repeat itself in vice then
> we might be very sorry for ourself. We will then let
> both ourself and our future children down."
> "The Gambia is country of tolerance and is not divided
> by tribal demarcations and tribal values or allegiance
> have no place in The Gambia."
>
> Brother,
>
> I think we need to be very clear before we label people that are commenting
> on tribal issues as tribalists.
> I am making a comment on the issue of tribalism for the reasons you have
> stated and which I have quoted above. There are some indications that Jammeh is
> playing a tribal card and the very reason that such things have led to genocide
> and other horrible things in places like Rwanda is because no one wanted to
> talk about it. I think we have to discuss these issues so that we can let it be
> known that the people are very much aware of any attempts to engage in such
> things and thereby avoid the possible consequences in our own country.
> We as Gambians have a tendency to not talk about things until they get out of
> hand and we cannot affort to do that in this. case.
> Rather, I think the issue to how do we get across to Jammeh that tribalism
> will not be tolerated, as opposed to trying to put a gag order on the discussion
> of tribalism even when there are certain tendencies that will cause divisions
> along tribal lines being implemented by Yaya Jammeh. For example, why is it
> that Gambians have never asked the question why Jammeh moved our capital to
> Kanilai? Is there a plausible explanation for this action?
>
> Jabou Joh
>
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