With the long Atlanta commute on a daily basis, it has become an ideal
time to do lots of reflection, These days, although far away from home,
there is a preoccupation with the political situation in the country.
Terrible as it may sound, and rather convenient to us living in the
Diaspora, bloodshed is unavoidable. And it is part of the reality, and
may be the price to be paid to bring an end to the Jammeh nightmare. My
former classmate, Koro Ceesay, the children of the April 10 massacre has
already paid this expensive price, and many of the Soldiers that become
cannon fodder for the bringing about, or sustaining of this illegitimate
government.

The solace and the consolation are the creation of a government of
National Unity. This is an opportunity to introduce and put together the
foundation for constitutional democracy. An Alliance victory will shake
up all form of political domination and no single party or people will
runaway with the new political reality, and a new political life would
be breath into the system. Such a government of national unity would
freeze any propensity for vindictiveness, retaliatory tendencies, and
instead would create a country of laws where the rights of all Gambians
would be protected.

The other political dynamic is that the APRC government cannot even
fathom the possibility of loosing this election, and would do whatever
it takes to hang on to this imaginary power. It is perceived as a life
and death situation, and would take more than going to the pools on
Election Day to unseat the APRC government. This mindset is a recipe for
bloodshed, breakdown of civil society, chaos and lawlessness. Such dire
situation has already begun, the attempt by the Justice secretary to use
a technicality to disenfranchise the Gambian voter, and if that fails,
they will up the ante and eventually a breakdown of civil engagement.
Bloodshed, chaos and civil war is a very likely scenario, and contrary
to the notion that “Deka bi dafa am nyan”, maybe now is one of those
times that we really need that notion to materialize.

This grave situation of bloodshed, death and lawlessness can be avoided
by the action of these principal players:

The IEC (Gabriel Roberts)

I am not the least professing to know the Man, Mr.Roberts, but can only
have an opinion base on decisions and positions taken in the past. Mr.
Roberts is one of the architect of this Electoral commission, and the
fact that he accepted this job offer after Mr.Johnson was removed from
the position without due process, tells one a lot about the man.
Mr.Roberts came from the Aku heritage- a people that contributed a lot
to what is considered Gambia as a nation. The Akus are known as
religious, hardworking, honest, well mannered and very principled. Their
human capital investment in the Gambia forms the foundation of whatever
civil service or governance the country can strive on. It is time for
Mr.Roberts to epitomize that Aku spirit that our country needs dearly.
Pardon me, if anybody feels uncomfortable of the tribal angle, but it is
necessary to put things in its proper perspective.

Mr.Roberts, you would be doing injustice to a whole nation, to your
heritage and your self by compromising your integrity that will result
to bloodshed, chaos and lawlessness. Sir, you have a job to do and it is
a moral imperative to do it freely fairly and accordance to the laws
that you pioneered. If at anytime, whether it is from the government of
the day, Opposition, or some pressure force that rendered you impotent
to perform your job, please do the right thing. Do not be a participant
to a sham that can really create bloodshed.

The Aprc:

Most Gambians do not believe that the APRC government is interested in
conducting free and fair elections. Technicalities have been used in the
past, and have started to show its ugly head to disenfranchise the
Gambian voter. Logistical remedies-disallowing on the spot counting and
the tactic of intimidation are tools to be used to hang on to power at
all cost. This will be a recipe for bloodshed and lawlessness. The APRC
has ruled for seven years and has a record to run on. Take your message
to the Gambian people and let them be the final arbiter. Gambians have
witnessed a thirty-year rule under a PPP government, have witnessed a
second republic under an APRC government, and have gotten to know all
the different political parties; maybe they should be given a chance to
determine the direction this country should take. Nobody has the right
to use intimidation, lies, deceit and eventually bloodshed to affect
that sacred right.

The Opposition:

You are the hope that will take us to the promise land. There is a
feeling that if elections are held freely and fairly you will win. It is
also a fact that Opposition plays a vital and responsible role in the
political process, in fact a partner with government to conduct free and
fair elections. Just because you are bent on removing the present status
quo and you have the moral argument somehow gives you the right to win
at all cost. The people are the final arbiter, and if they have spoken
to maintain the present status quo, then it is your duty to go the extra
mile to be a partner in bringing about the business of governing. A
sitting government is bound to enjoy the position of incumbency, and
that cannot be used as a justification to cru foul and create chaos and
lawlessness. It is also incumbent upon you to fight to the end to make
sure the wishes of the people are reflected come election day. It is
imperative to do whatever it takes not to be part of a sham that will
disenfranchise the Gambian voter.

GNA:

The security apparatus are the ultimate professional group equipped to
protect the Gambia from any form of break down of civil society. Your
allegiance should be to the Gambian people and to maintain and protect
lives. Bloodshed, civil strife and lawlessness are a direct failure of
your responsibility. A repetition of the April 10 massacre only
reaffirmed the reality that GNA is an enemy of the Gasmbian people. You
have the key in making sure that elections are conducted freely and
fairly. Without your presence of taking sides, all the players will play
according to the rules. You participated in removing a democratically
elected government, and for seven years sit unconcern while the rights
of Gambians are been trampled upon. The new political reality is that
bloodshed and lost of lives are a reality come October. If you allow
your Organization to be manipulated or used to disenfranchise the wishes
of the Gambian people, then you have failed in your responsibilities.
Bloodshed, breakdown of civil society and lawlessness can be avoided, if
you act professionally.

Folks, like you, I understand the naivete to some of the assumptions
been made above. But these are the assumptions and safeguards that can
bring about free and fair elections, and ultimately a constitutional
democracy. Each of the aforementioned players has to do its utmost best
to uphold what is expected from them. If any of the players straddles,
bloodshed will be unavoidable consequence.

Musa Jeng

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