Ebou,
        Why should the concept of "Democracy" be so alien and
incomprehensible, to the political elites in the Gambia, much less to the
majority up country?

       It is true that the majority of our population are illiterate; and
that they have not been secured with the blessings of formal education. This
does not, however, negate in any way, the fact that there are fundamental
basic and inalienable rights that they have, and which are necessary to the
preservation of civil society, and the dignity and self worth of the
individuals who comprise of such a society.

    The concept of democracy, is inherent in the very nature in which
societies are constituted and organized. When societies become organized and
civilized, and removed themselves from that state of nature, where might
becomes right, and the weakess don't survived, they form bonds among
themselves and establish the basis for their relationships. The basis of such
relationships is enacted in a constitution.

     What has happened, particularly in our case, is that those who control
power has misused it at the detriment of the people who entrusted it to them.
Instead of telling the people their rights and obligations, their duties and
responsiblities, they bombarded them with political propaganda that seek to
perpetuate and consolidate them in power. They were only governed by their
individual interest, and those of others whom they have aligned with, to rob
the people of their wealth and their dignity. These people have no interest
in enlightening the people, keeping them informed, or empowering them. They
seek to dominate and subjugate them.

    Secondly, because of the nature of our governments, which have come to
personify heads of state, many people are removed from the business of
government, and see it as an alien entity. Those who engage it do so, only
for their own individual interest and that of others. Hence, everyone was
interested in his own personal growth and development, and no one was
interested in empowering the people, orientating them and guiding them to
take control of the political process.

     With the emergence of PDOIS, and now the Gambia-l, and with developments
that are taking place on the ground, we should be confident that the building
of democratic structures, are now at our door steps.

  Rene

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