Dear Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh,

The priority of all truly patriotic Gambians at this crucial point in our
nation's history is to unite towards getting rid of the Jammeh Dictatorship
rather than to rip open wounds of the pre-1994 era. Indeed, the bloody 1981
attempted revolution and its immediate aftermath was a very sad and
regretable episode in our history during which human rights violations were
committed by all sides of the conflict.However, should one place the ordeal
and sufferation faced by Gambians as a result of those fateful events in its
true perspective; it would be evident that the bloodshed,lawlessness and
chaos that ensued prior to the intervention of the Senegalese forces was
first perpetrated by Kukoi and other anti-PPP elements, either deliberately
or through default of proper planning and execution of the attempted 1981
revolution.It was an armed civil conflict brought upon the Gambia by Kukoi
Samba Sanyang: an ex-NCP parliamentary candidate and therefore when the
attempted dictatorship failed,some members of the come-back PPP regime
orchestrasted unjustifiable acts  of atrocities against some NCP militants
and others who were percieved as supporters of the attemtpted revolution.But
for the direct intervention of Sir Dawda, (of whom i am no admirer but even
the devil deserves his due)the politics of retribution that some members of
the PPP wanted to bear upon their political opponents would have been
worst.Sir Dawda always advocated for the due process of law to brought upon
all such people which unfortunately was not always heeded by his supporters.
Had Yahya been in a similar situation, he would have ordered extra-judicial
killings and secret night burials as he did during November 11, 1994 or even
ordered a broad daylght massacre as happen to the students on April 10 & 11,
2000.
As a member of the NCP pre-1994, i fervently belief that Jawara failed the
Gambian masses but also held the view that so did SM Dibba in July
1994 when he embark upon his self-imposed exile from politics and abandon
the masses to the 'unknown' during those days when he was needed most. At
least when members of Foroyya stood up for their rights and in effect for
the genaral right to expression of opinion, he should not have labelled them
as 'agent provocateurs'.However, when he did, many others like myself gave
up on SM as a person capable of providing the leadership that the Gambia
craves for.We want leaders like Mandela, who would not let down the people
but SM did! for whatever flimsy reasons and i am of the opinion that he just
lacks the
courage to take on Jammeh and his gun-tottling hoodlums.
On the other hand, Lawyer Ousainou Darboe and members of the UDP leadership
has demonstrated that even at the expense of their lives, they are ready to
moblise Gambians against the dictatorship.They have faced unlawful
incacerations, torture, assasination attempts,and all sorts of trials and
tribulations but have not relented to injustice.
I thought this was also like SM but how wrong he proved himself to be.
Therefore compatriots, let us all rally behind the genuine opposition
coalition to free the Gambia from tyranny.We should all learn from the
past but always remember that the Gambia should come first.
THE YOKE OF OPPPRESSION MUST BE SHATTERED! come October.

BMK

>From: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: WHY I WILL NOT ENDORSE THE ALLIANCE!
>Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 22:53:08 -0400
>
>Comrades:
>
>I am very appreciative in engaging numerous comrades in
>this strugle.  I am fortunate to meet many Gambians, and I
>must admit that I am indebted to many who have provided
>valuable information in knowledge and attitude.  One should
>not feel above anyone in their assertion for equity,
>fair-dealing and truth in the pursuit of a free Gambia.
>
>Many of us must understand that the quality of life and our
>own idealistic sentiments must provide guidance in an
>endeavor so vital in searching for truth.  The Gambia is our
>country and as such, we must provide reasonable assurance in
>how we threat each other in this struggle.  The voices of
>those who fought dearly, especially Hamat Bah and Halifah
>must not be burried under a rug.  I cannot as a Gambian
>join the alliance of PPP/UDP/Assan Musa Camara at the
>expense of Hamat and Halifa.
>
>I have to reach out to Illiasa Gibba, a jola and a trusted
>friend, who was unjustly imprisoned by Sir Dawda after the
>failed takeover by Kukoi Samba Sanyang.  Within the same
>district of Kombo East, Mba Debo Sanneh was arrested and
>remanded for no just cause.   Her sin was that she was a
>member of the National Convention Party.  I cried for the
>deaths of Momodou Modibo Conteh and Saikou Fatty, who were
>shot to death because they were suspected of being Kukoi
>Samba Sanyang's sympathizers.  In Perang, at the urging and
>approval of Lamin Kitty Jabang, Famara Sanyang and Tombong
>Jabang were beaten so severely that the latter was left
>almost crippled.  Momodou Binta Sanyang was unjustly
>imprisoned for ten years.  Momodou's late grandfather,
>Seyfo Fa Touray Sanyang made Sir Dawda of who he was. I
>cannot join a group that has Sir Dawda's blessings.  It
>will be suicidal for me to trust the PPP.  I know the late
>chief, Fa Touray Sayang is looking down on meeting with
>approval.
>
>During Sir Dawda's witch-hunt numerous Gambians were arrested
>and imprisoned.  Any Gambian with a Sanyang last name, who
>happened to innocently danced during Kukoi's brief tenure, was
>arrested and detained.  The late Essa Barajo Jarju, who was
>heard saying "jola massa kunda" was dismissed as an executive
>of the area council.  The late Hon. Famara Wassa Touray,
>who fearlessly campaigned for Sir Dawda by riding his
>bicycle from Gunjur to Brikama and other villages in the
>Kombos, died pennyless because he fell out with Sir Dawda.
>The late Seyfo Fa Sanjally Bojang was fired.  Before that,
>Sir Dawda unjustly fired the late Seyfo Jereba Bojang.  I
>just cannot trust the PPP.  I must also add that Fa Hali
>Jammeh of Bakau, a founding member of the PPP was unjustly
>detained.  Fa Hali died in custody.
>
>When Sir Dawda was restored to power, he continued on his
>witch-hunt by dismissing and detaining Gambians.  The
>selected few who have now surrounded the leader of the
>UDP, enabled Sir Dawda in his payback strategy.  I cannot
>consciously endorse a group that violated the rights of
>Gambians.  The PPP has a regrettable history.
>
>The PPP in my view cannot be trusted.  If the UDP wins,
>those same individuals who were part of the payback
>strategy will embark on the worst kind of arrogance.  The
>Gambia should know better.  We do not need any repetitive
>arrogance.  We need equity, fair-dealing and truth.
>
>As we revisit history, we must have compelling reasons
>to narrate and vividly illustrate with certainty why
>the PPP will never change.  As a Gambian, who was raised
>with Jolas, I cannot endorse an alliance whose members
>had exhibited tribal sentiments on the Jolas after Sir
>Dawda was restored to power.
>
>I wished Ousainou had not given the selected few leadership
>roles.  I wished Ousainou had reached out to the rest of
>the opposition.  I wished Ousainou had done what he promised
>me.  I wished Ousainou was open.  I wished Ousainou had not
>engaged the UDP in a suicidal marriage with the PPP.
>
>While I remain loyal to this struggle, I  want to reiterate
>that I cannot endorse the PPP/UDP/Assan Musa Camara alliance.
>
>I hope Allah guides me in this pursuit.  With Allah's
>blessings, the truth will prevail.
>
>Naphiyo,
>
>Comrade ML Jassey-Conteh
>Greensboro, NC/Kombo East Constituency
>
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