Dr. Jeng,
Perhaps I have to make one qualification to my statement about the "Senegalese" since I was referring to the ruling elite and definitely not all the Senegalese people in general. I know for a fact beyond reasonable doubt that the Senegalese government since Abdou Diouf has an agenda to destabilize any Gambia government that resists kow-towing to callous demands from Dakar. In the beginning Abdou Diouf thought of Yaya as a necessary fool that can be manipulated as long as Jawara and the PPP are marginalized. Well Yaya has turned out be very a strong, independent leader and the Senegalese governments worst nightmare- Good for the Gambia, and tough luck for the arrogant French sidekicks in Dakar.
Dr. Jeng I have a strong Senegalese heritage: a matrilineal Wollof/Serrer from St. Louis/Sine; a patrilineal Jola heritage from Casamance; and my children are also half-Mandinka related to the Bojangs of Bakau, the Hydaras of Georgetown and the Jammeh's of Nuimi. Personally I am beyond ethnocentrism or parochial nationalism. I do understand your "fear" of my statements, and it is reasonable.
However, I am also terrified when reasonable people make social judgments based on some moral sentimentality rather than systemic rationality. Reality is not optional and what is moral or immoral is a gratuitous judgment that is up for grasp in political interaction. In recent human history we have learned that Jews were herded into gas chambers, entire villages were destroyed rampaging gangs in Rwanda, and ethnic cleansing in the Balkans...all these happens amongst people who claimed to be "one people", "neighbors", "friends". In other words the banality of evil is inherently pervasive within what you deem as "the two culturally and ethnically knit nations."
Dr. Jeng we also now know from contemporary scientific research in social psychology that cruelty and aggression always emerge from nowhere when different groups of people compete for scarce resources. Consequently, people lose their capacity for moral sentiments, and intellectual judgment. This is the ultimate reality of human nature ( hisorical and scientific) upon which I base my statements about Senegambian disputes. It shall be a fatal mistake if any Gambian leader ignores such brutal facts of life and makes some foolish political decisions based on kinship or historical neighborliness. The reality of international politics dictates that there are no permanent friends or enemies of the Gambia but only permanent interests.
Gambian interests are supreme and above any brotherly love for the Senegalese. Peace shall prevail if the Gambian government jealously guards the sovereignty of that interest by building a strong military defense against all enemies both foreign and domestic.
Regards,
Ebou Jallow
"Dr. Alhaji S. Jeng" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Mr. Jallow,
Have you really put much thought into your statements "The Senegalese are
the most dishonest, corrupt, unreliable and incompetent human beings I have
ever met on this planet," and "Jammeh should also start reaching out to the
Casamance resistance movement and arm them to the teeth. If the Senegalese
instigate any instability in Gambia, then the Gambia armed forces shall join
forces with Casamance and liberate Casamance from Senegal for good." The
repercussions of these subversive statements are division between the two
culturally and ethnically knit nations rather than unity.
I have been following your postings for some time and, frankly I am
terrified by some of the statements coming from a seemingly so intelligent
person as yourself. I fear your leadership or any influence you may have on
the present leadership. No offence!
Alhaji
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ebou Jallow"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 6:13 PM
Subject: Re: President Wade's speech is a non starter
> Mr. Jaiteh,
>
> A Free-Trade Zone: may be. A joint Senegalese-Gambian Transportation
> Authority is absolutely out of the question. The Senegalese are the most
> dishonest, corrupt, unreliable and incompetent human beings I have ever
> met on this planet. They are simply uncomfortable with an independent
> Gambia that strategically divides their country two incompatible halves.
> The last thing that a Senegalese leader wants to see is a strong leader in
> the mold of Yaya Jammeh who coincidentally happens to be Jola.
> Laye Wade prays for a weak government in the Gambia and exploits the
> Gambian opposition parties and former military officers for that end.
> Jammeh should also start reaching out to the Casamance resistance movement
> and arm them to the teeth. If the Senegalese instigate any instability in
> Gambia, then the Gambia armed forces shall join forces with Casamance and
> liberate Casamance from Senegal for good. The Senegalese elite don't give
> a damn about their own people much the Gambians.
>
>
> Ebou Jallow
>
> Malanding Jaiteh wrote:
> This is from the Daily Observer.
> I believe President Wade's public comment on this very important issue
> is a very good first start. There is no doubt that the two countries
> must learn to live together.
>
> Perhaps he got his ideas of Ferries, Tunnels and Bridge all at once from
> his few days in New York . With combined population of Gambia and
> Senegal less than that of New York Metro, and a combined GDP of 20
> billion US Dollars (5% of NYC GDP) you wonder whether going for tunnel,
> bridge and ferry service is not an over kill. My advice is to start
> negotiations the following modest goals:
>
> 1. A joint Senegalese-Gambian Transportation Authoriy. This would be
> responsible for purchase of and managment all ferries and (any future)
> bridges across the two major crossing points (Banjul-Barra and Bamba
> Tenda-Yeli Tenda) and the major trunk roads in each country. This
> Authority must be authonomous. The goal is provide service at all people
> at all times and be accountable to the customers.
>
> 2. A Senegambia Free Trade Zone. This means unrestricted movement of
> people, goods and transportation anywhere anytime within Senegambia. To
> prevent it from being another ECOWAS treaty, both governments must be
> required under the treaty to conduct atleast 5 years of intensive public
> education campaign of their people on their rights of passage and trade
> across both countries. Also setup joint mechanisms for addressing
> individual claims for any violation of that right. eg give the common
> man to take anyone or institution to court for interfering with his
> right to free movement and trade.
>
> Malanding Jaiteh
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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