(Writing in a hurry) Gambia-L: I wanted to take some quality time to work on a very sober final e-mail explaining why I wanted to leave the list, but in the wake of the numerous e-mails and phone calls I received even as a far East Timor, I am obliged to scribble something out of respect to those who wrote or called me. Below, Gambia-L, you will read what was to be my final posting to The Gambia List. I am forwarding it to the List, so that members such as Seedy Saidy Khan can be made fully aware of my then decision to quit and the reasons for it. I think it is extremely important to set the record straight and to be totally open and above-board. In particular, I should draw your attention to the penultimate paragraph "there was never ANY intention on my part to seek approbation from contributors to the List, and I was and am entirely serious in my decision to leave: no bluff at all". However, over the last few days, I have been totally overwhelmed with messages of support in private phone calls, in private e mails, and also those encouraging List postings. Because of my role in forwarding original source materials from The Gambia as well as my broad overview of Gambian affairs, I have been persuaded to continue to contribute to the List. Whilst my reasons for wishing to leave the List are now on public record, I have, in response to all those people who have asked me to continue, decided to remain as an active contributing member, and to continue to forward postings which will take our wonderful country into a good future, built on secure foundations of democracy. I recognise that the Gambia-L is a microcosm of Gambian society, and that it reflects the rich diversity of opinion and political views of Gambians at home and abroad. I have been particularly moved by the large number of appeals from fellow Gambians in The Gambia to continue the struggle, as Sister Ndey Jobarte would put it. Momodou Camara, please do not unsubscribe me ! Ebrima Ceesay ________________________________________________________________ Gambia-L: I publicised my intention to cease contributing to The Gambia-L on Friday 9th June, and I want to set the record straight on the lengthy background to my decision to quit. It was not something that I decided without a lot of heart-searching and discussions with my friends and colleagues. I am aware that I have been one of the focal points in opposition to the tyranny being perpetrated by the present regime in The Gambia since 1994, both in my role as Editor of The Gambia Daily Observer until 1996, and subsequently in the UK through my regular writings for The Gambia-L, and through my safe transmission of unimpeachable original source material from Gambians still at home. Whatever my situation vis-a-vis The Gambia-List, I want to make it overwhelmingly clear that my opposition to Jammeh's tyranny remains as strong and as dedicatedly transparent as ever. If I can play any part in seeing the back of this regime through my writings, then I shall do it, and do it to the best of my ability. I believe that "the pen IS mightier than the sword" and that the cut and thrust of penmanship does greater damage than any AK47 or exploding rocket launcher in the long term. My passionate concern for my country and my fellow Gambians is without question, and I am committed to seeing The Gambia back on genuine democratic course as soon as possible. Niebuhr, a German philosopher writing towards the end of the second world war put it like this: "Man's capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man's inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary". The whole tenet of my work and opposition to Yaya Jammeh's despotic rule is rooted in support of the democratic principle. So why am I choosing to cap my pen at this moment ? Let me elucidate: First, The Gambia-L, especially of late, consumes hours and hours of my time: I am not on the Dole or on Welfare benefits contrary to what Tombong Saidy once insinuated on the list (laugh). Anyway, on a more serious note, I actually pay my way here through my work, and the pace of "List Life" has become frenetic of late. I am working every waking hour, and my energies are sapped by the workload of List matters. Secondly, many people will assume that I have my own computer and modem at home: nothing could be further from the truth. My internet work is done on computers at the College where I am employed, and out of hours in most cases. New Health and Safety requirements as well as Security changes, mean that it is increasingly difficult to get computer time sufficient for my needs. Some friends of the Gambia are trying to find a computer for me at the moment, but until that happens, I have great problems in getting on line for enough hours in the week to be effective as a regular List contributor. Thirdly, I receive numerous private mails each month, which mainly derive from my List contributions. Most are supportive, helpful and constructively critical, but there is an increasing trend for the mails to be offensive in the extreme, not just about me personally but about my family and friends in the Diaspora and at home. My shoulders are strong, and I can bear the whole range of abuse which heads my way, but when the abuse starts to impinge on my private and family life then I need to take action for their sakes not mine. Of course, as a journalist I am used to being critical and to receiving criticism in return and that does not make me fearful in any way: but I also have a deep responsibility to those for whom I care. Fourthly, while I can screen most of the abusive telephone calls I receive on a regular basis, some hit their mark and I would not be a human being if I did not find them unpalatable and hard to swallow. I could start recording the messages and taking slander actions against the callers, but that would only result in yet more invective from my detractors. I have never been afraid of fair criticism, but increasingly I am subjected to abuse of the worst sort. Fifthly, whilst I recognise the importance of the Gambia-L, I am now being persuaded by friends and colleagues to widen my audience and to take up journalistic challenges again on a bigger scale. In fact I am currently writing a series of articles for national and international publications, and I am confident that the subject of political and social change in The Gambia will reach many more people through these writing efforts as well. If I had 48 hours in the day, I could probably keep pace with all my plans and dreams, but I have to make some hard decisions - again, with a longer term view in mind. By widening my target audiences, I can make even greater impact on the struggle for peace with justice in The Gambia. Rest assured, that I am single-minded in my desire to bring an end to Yaya Jammeh's tyranny. Sixthly, I plan to take up studies for my Doctorate in the coming months, and need to carve out more time for these in my hectic daily schedule. Seventhly, of course I was highly aware that my decision to quit the list would bring a flood of comment (some supportive, some less so). I thank all those who have asked me to stay on from the bottom of my heart. To my detractors, I can only say that I am as emotionally sound as ever (!!), that I am not burdened with anxieties and stress into a depressive state (!!), that I am fully compos mentis ! There was never ANY intention on my part to seek approbation from contributors to the List, and I was and am entirely serious in my decision to leave: no bluff at all. I hope that this explanatory message explains my decision, and to all List Managers and members I say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support over the last two and a half years. It has been a privilege to write for you. Thanks! Ebrima Ceesay Birmingham, UK ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------