Well written Yus.
So we are at square one again. Instead of ending our suffering, Gambia is
being engulfed by terror, and the perpetrator is the winner of the
"democratic" elections of 2001. What should have been an uplifting period of
genuine reconciliation and reconstruction has given way to a nation ensnared
by fear of terror with a despotic masquerading as president.
All Gambians must bear some responsibility for this moral failing by our
collective complacency to speak out against the increasing madness that
Jammeh has set in motion. It`s a dangerous enterprise which could have
disastrous consequences for the country. We ought to condemn it. Where is
our moral outrage? What is the difference between then and now? Where are
those preachers who held "special memorial services" and implored the
Almighty to "relieve us of our obstacle"?
Gambians, especially those of us who have the privilege to live in this
democracy, cannot remain indifferent to the truth of what is happening in
the Gambia. We have the responsibility, indeed, an obligation, to highlight
the state-induced terrorism that is taking place in tha Gambia since those
living in the country cannot speak against the regime. The issue is not that
one is against JAMMEH. Instead, it`s that one is for "liberal democracy", a
system which supports the individual`s autonomy and dignity against
encroachment by the state. In that light, the words of Isabel Allende become
relevant to our situation. She said, "When crimes against humanity are
committed, humanity has to react." We must denounce violence without regard
to its victims or villains.
>From: Y C Jow <[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 OLIVE BRANCH FROM JAMMEH - NO WAY!
>Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 18:01:56 EDT
>
>Dear Lers:
>I know that per Gambian traditions where elders seem to have the rule of
>the
>roost which cannot be questioned by the younger ones like some of us, but I
>would like to add my voice to this call for reconciliation by the Jammeh
>camp.
>
>In my estimation, that those who truly seek the truth and have no fear in
>fighting against injustice wherever it might be, should reject the olive
>branch unconditionally.
>
>Let us not forget that this regime has murdered and illegally overthrew a
>legitimate government, subverted the judiciary, detained people without due
>process for long periods and sometimes indefinite periods of time, murdered
>our future (the school kids), looted our coffers in broad daylights, set up
>a
>system where the underhanded dealings between government officials and rich
>businessmen only make the average Gambian poorer, raped our groundnut
>farmers, ruined our education system, embarked on ill-timed grandiose
>projects at the expense of our economy and so on, etc., etc.
>
>In this light, this government-despite the election triumph -- should never
>be seen as a legal or competent one. Yes, some might say that the only way
>to turn things around is to negotiate with them and hence accept the olive
>branch with conditions that they improve their governance. However, if we
>accept this, then we might as well accept all the illegal regimes in the
>World.
>
>We should NEVER settle for the mediocrity we have now. If we accept their
>branch in good faith, then we might as well continue the culture of
>'laissez
>faire' and mediocrity which has been the Achilles heel of our nation from
>the
>day we achieved independence.
>
>
>Yus
>
><<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>
>
>To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
>at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
>To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
>[log in to unmask]
>
><<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>
To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface
at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to:
[log in to unmask]
<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>
|
