Mr. Jallow, you may not be aware of this but someone brought to my attention
that we now have two Abdoulie A. Jallows. That is perfectly alright with me
since your mail headers can tell the difference. However, some G-lers may
not have the ability to tell the difference. As such we ask you both to find
ways to differentiate yourselves. Thanks.

Malanding Jaiteh

-----Original Message-----
From: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Abdoulie Jallow
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 12:46 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Gambia In a Downward Spiral


Mr. Conteh;
Thank-you for the brilliant analysis of what is happening on the grounds in
our dear motherland. You couldn't have said it better. The Gambia is in a
desperate situation yawning for someone to come to the rescue.

As you rightly pointed out, prices of basic commodities are skyrocketing at
an alarmable rate. The dalasi, which use to be Gambia's pride in the sub
region due to it's stability, is now nothing other than a laughing stock.
Gambians would rather be in possession of physical commodities than the
dalasis. Businessmen would in the same way be rather paid in foreign
currency than the dalasi. What makes this situation even worst is that
salaries have not been adjusted to makeup for the rising prices.

T
he Gambian youths are the one that are most affected by these
developments. Jobs are unavailable and yet still the government is on their
ass daily accusing them of being lazy and aimless. Education is at its
darkest moments in the Gambia. Teachers are underpaid and under
appreciated. The only hope left for our youths is to find a way out of the
country and seek heaven somewhere else even if that means having to put up
with all the woes that go with being an immigrant in a foreign land.

What makes the situation in the Gambia scary is that the government is
either ignoring or failing to acknowledge their bad economic policies. In
an effort to shift the real debate of the economy from Gambians, the
government resorts to intimidation and suppression. Being a realist, I know
very well that those tactics would work but just for a short period of
time. The government will have to face the reality of their bad policies
one way or
 the other. Which begs the big question, what if anything can be
done to alleviate the situation in our country. The answer to that question
is what everybody on this list seems to be failing to address in a profound
manner.

Some people call for unity in the opposition. That we know is almost
impossible. The opposition in The Gambia seems to be more in opposition
among themselves than to the government. Some call for some form of revolt.
We also know that would in essence be a long way from accomplishing
anything. So now that we've talked the talk, it's about time we walk the
walk. Whatever that walk would entail, it would be up to every one of us.


-----------Have a great day everybody---Abdoulie Jallow

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