Sister Soffie:
Your response in its face value may be true, but there are some who have
captivated on Jammeh's tribal favors at their greatest benefits. This is
indeed true.
Informed sources around Sere Kunda have informed me that some
Jolas have capitalized on Jammeh's presidency and that some are above
the law. They have indicated to me that even at public places some
refused to speak any language but Jola. One said that while traveling
on a public bus, one Jola shouted and pushed it. He further pointed
that a police office was there but was afraid to do anything. Is this
not lawlessness?
I want to make it abundantly clear that I grew up with Jolas. What is
happening even in my local district is frightening. Do you know that there
are some who are publicly making comments about the fact that a Jola
president is here to stay. What connotation does this interpret to the
average Gambian?
Do you know that even in my own family, last names like Kujabie, Jargu, Gibba,
and etc are now publicly going around and sarcastically saying that they've
returned to the Jola tribe because that is the only way they can get decent jobs
in the Gambia. Is this not an indifference of behavior?
We must understand that tribalism is worst than racism. Why can't we address
this sick decease? Why do we have to shy away from it? Should this be the
norm?
Joe seems to be fixated that when one mentions the word Jola, one is
attacking all Jolas. If Joe wants to be inclusive, he has to have an objective
mind. Though Joe has a right to meet with anyone, it is a concerned to me
that he has met secretly with Tejan Ceesay at different times. Does Joe want to have it
both ways? Is Joe an agent planted by Jammeh? Will the real Joe stand up?
Can we truth this apparent Joe?
The 1981 abortive coup in the Gambia also shown its tribal tendency. Some
forces concentrated only on Jolas. To me, this was wrong. It was also wrong
over the years for the first Republic to deny some Jolas opportunity in
Education. History had shown that some Jolas were not offered scholarships
because of their tribal trend.
Do you know that most jobs are now offered to Jolas? Is this right? Also,
do you know that most scholarships are now offered to Jolas? Is this right?
Are we not one Gambia? Should we care which tribe ascends the presidency?
Do you know that I do not know what tribe I am from? Well, historically, I
should claim to be Susu, but wait, how about my paternal side? Oh yes, then I
should claim to be Mandinka. But wait again, how about my maternal site?
I should then claim to be Serere. By following this trend, I am ascend from
all tribes. All I know is that I am a Gambian.
In conclusion sister, we should condemn tribalism. We should openly talk about it.
Naphiyo,
Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh
-----Original Message-----
From: "Ceesay, Soffie" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Apr 6, 2004 10:18 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Joe Sambou & Tribalism/ Conteh
Brothers and sisters -
The grey on my head is multiplying (no kidding), thanks to the daily grind of life in the US and the struggle we have to wage for Gambia's liberation. And, thanks also to dialogue that has only helped to fan the flames of mis-understanding between those of us who are fighting the same fight. I hate to go against what my elders say and so I apologize before hand but, what pertains in the Gambia is not a JOLA problem, but Gambia's problem. That Yaya is a tribalist we all agree on. A tribalist for whom and against whom, very hard for me to say and I will dis-agree with anyone who singles out anyone tribe. The Jola's are as much at the receiving end of his tyranny as everyone else. Those who've helped prop him up come from every strata of Gambian society and to allow ourselves to miss this point sends shivers up my spine.
At our last demonstration in New York, when reporter Ebou Waggeh asked a question (I do not recall what it was), this lady pushed forward and began to spew spittle about the Jolas this and the Jolas that. I was frightened - frightened because she was speaking from her heart and frightened that she has allowed herself to be manipulated into segmenting our society by the shenanigans of a loony. If I were to turn around and ask her what any Jola has done to her or her family before Jammeh or now, she would have pointed only to Jammeh. My response to that comment, to Waggeh, was this - Yaya was born a Jola and that is as far as he can claim. Those who benefited from and supported him run the tribal gamut.
Some of us are lucky and can claim to be a bonafide Wollof, Mandinka, Jola, Sarahuleh, Manjaago, or whatever. So what? At the end of the day, what does that bring you? I will suggest that many Gambians are like me who cannot claim to be a bonafide anytribe even if I grew up speaking only Wollof. I will also suggest that it is people in our families and tribes who will put the screws to you without a second thought and Yaya is no different. For political expediency, he uses whatever he can and if tribalism is readily available and he's proved that it can polarize the opposition, why not use it. My sincerest apologies to all as well as my regards. I now go back to the plantation grind.
Soffie Ceesay
A Gambian
-----Original Message-----
From: Jabou Joh [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 9:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Joe Sambou & Tribalism/ Conteh
In a message dated 4/6/04 6:09:09 AM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
>
> Joe:
>
> I don't see anything wrong with Mr. Fye. In fact, I think what he evokes
> should
> be commended. What is wrong with someone intimating that yahya is using
> Jolas to be indifferent? Tell me if a single Jola who has been accused of
> corruption ever was arrested.
>
> While I commend you for your numerous contributions, I am really concern
> that
> you get upset when one mentions the word "Jola." What is wrong with that?
> It
> is true that a lot of Jolas and other tribes benefited from Jammeh's
> trabilim.
>
> We should conclude that this tribal sentiment has to stop. May be you
> should be
> the first person to condemn tribalism. By the way, why did you visit Tejan
> Ceesay at the Gambian Embassy in DC. Should this not be a concern to
> Gambians?
> Can we trust you? Are you sleeping with the enemy?
>
> Naphiyo,
> Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh
>
> Conteh,
I have always found it interesting that Joe Sambou has taken it upon himself
to keep people from discussing certain issues, Jammeh's Jola tribalism being
foremost among those issues even as he claims to be a champion of the people's
rights. The contradictions are obvious because there is no conflict with one
calling attention to Jammehs' tribalistic tendencies and favouritism and for
the life of me, I cannot see how anyone who opposes this man can at the same
time wage a campaign to silence people from talking about that. I should think
that part of the process of opposing and exposing Jammeh would be to talk about
this issue of tribal favouritism and its' possible repercussions especially if
one is Jola.
I have asked Joe Sambou before to tell us whose side he was on when he has
waged canpaigns to silence people about certain subjects, and he never takes me
up on those even as he has much to say about everything else. The information
I have is that the visits with Tejan Ceesay at the Gambian embassy in DC were
not restricted to one, but were regular.
One thing i do know is that Gambians are easy to infiltrate. All one has to
do is beat your breast and repeat what the people are saying.
Jabou Joh
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elhajj Mustapha Fye <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Apr 5, 2004 2:55 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: AN APPEAL TO ALL GAMBIA L SUBSCRIBERS
>
> Joe,
> Welcome back! Yaya Jammeh is a tribalist, armed murderer, Armed thief, Tony
> Daabaa and Armuumin. He killed our brothers, children and countinue to
> harass,
> Torture, intimidate, exile and punishing a whole nation. Am I now an
> ignorant and no more a fool? Can you forward the mail I said that the first
> rebuplic harassed me? Where did Ebou Jallow send his mail? Can you answer to
> these questions? Nothing can change my stance that Yaya is a tribalist!
>
> Elhajj
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joe Sambou" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Monday, April 05, 2004 7:54 PM
> Subject: Re: AN APPEAL TO ALL GAMBIA L SUBSCRIBERS
>
>
> > Elhajj, you are one ignorant person. Keep foaming, the more you talk, the
> > more folks know who you are. Like I said before, when it comes to
> > tribalism, you are no different from Yaya with your ignorance. You can
> > carry on with your few backers, but folks would just relegate you for what
> > you are. Keep up the ignorance.
> >
> > Chi Jaama
> >
> > Joe Sambou
> >
> >
> > >From: Elhajj Mustapha Fye <[log in to unmask]>
> > >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
> > ><[log in to unmask]>
> > >To: [log in to unmask]
> > >Subject: Re: AN APPEAL TO ALL GAMBIA L SUBSCRIBERS
> > >Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 04:59:09 +0200
> > >
> > >Mose,
> > >Yaya and his supporters are up to no good for Gambia. How can you believe
> > >that Jammeh cares less about the Jolas as a tribe? The guy is surrounded
> > >all
> > >over Kanilai with Jolas ready to act on anything he tells them. Do you
> > >believe these lies his double standard supporters are peddling here?
> > >Pls.find out properly!
> > >
> > >Elhadj.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: <[log in to unmask]>
> > >To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > >Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2004 2:39 AM
> > >Subject: Re: AN APPEAL TO ALL GAMBIA L SUBSCRIBERS
> > >
> > >
> > > > 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
> > >conti
> > > > nue 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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