Good Morning Mr. President,

The Fear of old politicians
Mr. President, your aides are clamoring that the repeal of Decree 89 is
meant to further democracy in the country with what Africans call a double
tongue. You said on July 22nd that Decree 89 was history and you in fact
threw an invitation to those affected by the ban to freely engage into
politics. But what is surprising is that days later this tone changed.
During the inauguration of Saihou's hotel and the new NAWEC generator, both
you and Yankuba nuanced the dispensation. In fact, Yankuba had earlier
promised a commission for President Jawara and brandished the spectre of the
commission's findings against OJ and others. Your tale at Saihou's lodge is
also fresh in our minds.

We did not fail to decipher who the wounded lion in 1994 was as well as the
rabbit/hare (heir?) and the donkey. This sounded to many as a threat. The
promise to set up a commission for the former President is also a matter of
great concern. All the commissions had their life span restricted to six
months by the National Consultative Committee but your government prolonged
their tenure to over two years. Now, everybody knows that the commissioners
had concluded finally their assignment, a situation that has allowed some of
the affected people to seek redress in the courts against the decisions of
the commissions.

So, on what basis a commission is to be set up against Jawara? Is a new
decree going to be promulgated now that we are in a civilian administration?
I do not think Now when the AG was introducing the Repeal Bill at the
assembly, he emphasised that the decree was lifted in the spirit of
reconciliation and national unity with a view to making democracy a way of
life in the country. But the minister was quick to add the restrictions that
would be brought to bear against certain people affected by the findings of
the commissions and the age ceilings.

Now, he said all these restrictions were based on existing provisions of the
constitution but he omitted to also observe that the same fundamental law
guarantees to all Gambians the right to partake in the political life of
their country. The APRC MPs who took the floor also re-echoed the AG's
position, that is, people must understand that some former politicians are
affected by the commissions or by age. On subhead "Political Rights",
Section 26 of the Constitution reads: " Every citizen of The Gambia of full
age and capacity shall have the right, without unreasonable restrictions
a) to take part in the conduct of public affairs directly or through freely
chosen representatives
b) to vote and stand for elections at genuine periodic elections for public
office, which elections shall be by universal and adult suffrage and be held
by secret ballot
c) To have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in The
Gambia. Therefore, we wonder how these people can be legally restricted from
taking part in the political life of their country.

If the AG's pronouncements are anything to go by, where do these people
stand should they invoke Section 26 of the Constitution? The bottom line is
a promise is a promise and it must be respected. Who so ever is interested
in drawing sword with you for the presidency must be allowed to do so as the
Constitution does not promote any form of segregation. The state media
almost 'jubilated' when they read and/or published the applause by the US of
your decision to lift the ban on politicians. At The Point, we were not
jubilant for we were worried about the fate of the people. The text of the
American release congratulated you but at the same time, it made it clear
that all banned politicians should be allowed to re-join the political
arena.

" The repeal opens the door for all credible political aspirants to
contest". Remember that these people know very well the people who were
banned. Therefore, if the ban is lifted, they would expect to see all those
banned to come back, as the law that barred them is dead. We hope this is
clear to everybody. Decree X was promulgated to prevent Y N, B to contest.
If Decree X is repealed it means that Y N and B are no longer proscribed.
Mr. President, why fear people you say are old and have not impacted well on
the lives of Gambians and had failed to deliver. Now you and your aides
clamour that you are troubleshooters, you have produced good results,
therefore why fear the compatriots who you term as old people who have not
delivered anything to the Gambian people. If you are so sure of your star
and deeds, why don't you proclaim that the arena is open to all and let the
best win. Let the people's choice win.








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