Hey Ebrima, I was wondering if your sources in The Gambia are okay. Cause' you haven't post anything from them for a while.Are they to themselves? To yourself, i just wanna say keep up the good work.Your postings and comments will bear fruit shortly. God bless Gambia. Ous. >From: Ebrima Ceesay <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: My Eleventh Message To All Gambians! >Date: Sun, 27 Aug 2000 21:51:56 GMT > >My Fellow Gambians: > >In my last ten messages, I have endeavoured to expose the sort of person >Yahya Jammeh is. I have discussed his ineptitude as a leader, his >mismanagement of every facet of Gambian life, his corruption, his lies, his >reputation as a thief of the grandest order, his disregard for Gambian >decency and integrity. Indeed, there can be no doubt that under Jammeh, The >Gambia is on a collision course with disaster. > >I have so far received no disagreement with my summing up of the situation >at home. What is clear is that the vast majority of God-fearing Gambians >are >genuinely concerned about the dire state of the nation, and there is also >consensus that the only way forward lies in a "Jammeh/APRC-free" future. > >I have put a lot of effort - these few days - into discussing my belief >that >Jammeh should be shown the door by The Gambian people through the ballot >box: that the restoration of democracy and freedom in our country should be >as a result of a peaceful, constitutional process. > >My fellow Gambians, it is now time to turn our thoughts to the future, and >therefore, in this next series of postings, I shall be outlining some of >the >challenges that will face a new government in The Gambia after Jammeh is >unseated from the Presidency. My humble contributions will hopefully add to >the discussions about our common future, and will raise issues that need to >be aired in the broad light of day. > >However, in no way do I claim to have all the answers, but it is vital that >people start to think constructively and critically about the future. The >problems besetting The Gambia are far bigger than Jammeh the man, the >failed >leader. His departure from office will not spell an immediate return to >well >being and prosperity for the nation, and the future is far from rosy or >assured. > >In fact, there is a grave danger that whoever takes over from Jammeh may >make the same awful errors of judgement, and go down his path to ruin. >Surely, our country’s destruction would be continued if we voted in a >"Jammeh Mark 2". But given the raised political consciousness of The >Gambian >people after six years of misrule, I am convinced however, that our next >leader will be mindful of this, and will strive to avoid the pitfalls of >power. > >My fellow Gambians, it is crucial that from now on, we all spend time to >reflect on the post-Jammeh, post-APRC era, and the ways in which The Gambia >will move forward. Indeed, this now needs to be the focus of our thinking >and discussions. All of us need to be concerned about helping The Gambia to >become a better country, where decency, liberty, prosperity and freedom >from >fear will be guaranteed for all. > >Given the huge amount of damage which Jammeh has perpetrated in our >country, >it is not going to be easy to repair it. There will have to be a massive >amount of effort, and no one is in any doubt that it will be an easy task. >It is always far easier to take things apart, to dismantle them, than to >put >them back together in the correct order to make a working model again. The >task ahead is tough, and the challenges are many. > >In my next postings, I shall be looking in some detail at the challenges >that lie ahead of us all, and in particular ahead of the next leader of our >nation. For now, in this Eleventh message to all Gambians, I shall >endeavour to give a brief overview of those areas which will require the >immediate attention of the future government and the Head of State. > >Therefore, what follows is not meant to be an exhaustive list, nor a full >debate of what has to be done: it is my humble opinion of where our >thinking >should now be taking us, and I shall welcome feedback and constructive >debate. > > >1 What to do with Jammeh himself > > >When he is ousted from power, it is probable that Jammeh will flee the >country and settle in Morocco, Libya or some other APRC-friendly country. >However, it may be that he will stay in The Gambia to face the music. He >has >ensured that there are Indemnity Clauses written into the Constitution, and >he could well try to hide behind these and avoid the consequences of his >years of corrupt government. > >We need to be certain that Jammeh answers to The Gambian courts and to The >Gambian people for his misdeeds, and the next government will have to set >up >a Committee of Investigation, comprising qualified and impartial Gambians >who will undertake a thorough examination of his actions. Where there are >charges to answer before the Courts, then Jammeh and any of his henchman >should like any citizen, be required to answer them in public and without >fear or favour. > >The rule of law will be mandatory: there will be no lynch mobs; no calls >for >retribution outside the law, no vendettas. The disregard that Jammeh and >his >people have shown for the rule of law, and the partiality of the Judiciary >which he has fostered, will have no part in the revived Gambia. Jammeh is >entitled to the justice that he himself has denied to so many, and we need >to ensure that he receives it in full. > >The Indemnity clauses will need to be carefully scrutinised, and if >necessary amended in order that this man does not escape the rule of law. > >From Day One, the new government will have to demonstrate its own integrity >and impartiality, and it will work within the law of the land. > > > >2. Disempowerment of the repressive institutions created by Jammeh > > >During the last six years, Jammeh has set up a series of repressive >institutions which he has used to consolidate his power base, and which >have >created fear and confusion across the nation. Chief of these is of course, >the National Intelligence Agency. > >In the name of democracy, respect for human rights and human decency, the >NIA has to be first of all scrapped, and then there will need to be a >careful scrutiny of its role (and that of its chief henchmen) since 1994. > >Again, I call for the setting up of an independent and impartial Committee >of Investigators, peopled by qualified Gambians, who will undertake a >thorough review of the work of the NIA. Those who are liable for >prosecution >must be brought to book, and answer in the courts for their actions. There >should be no escape for people who have time and again, broken the law of >our land, but we have to use the rule of law to seek redress from them. > > > >3. Disempowerment of the APRC > > >The influence of the APRC in both the public and private spheres will need >to be thoroughly examined, and curtailed where necessary. In particular, >the July 22nd Movement needs investigation and disbarment. > >The debate over whether the APRC should be banned as a political party will >need thorough airing. There are pros and cons to this, and it is an area >where Gambians need to contribute their views. > >Given the present government’s banning of certain opposition parties, we >shall need to be careful not to go down the same route. > >It is certain however, that the influences, rights and privileges currently >enjoyed by the APRC will need to be curtailed. The Gambia is NOT going to >become a one party state any longer again if you know what I mean. > > > >4. Restoration of an impartial and independent Judiciary > > >One of the first priorities facing a new leader will be to ensure that The >Gambia enjoys a legal system that is fair, transparent and effective. This >is essential to the protection of her citizens against the arbitrary use of >state authority and lawless acts of individuals as well as organisations. > >The role of the Judiciary is paramount: its independence and impartiality >should never be jeopardised as it has been over the last six years under >Jammeh. > >We need to ensure that the Judiciary is manned by dedicated, competent, >well-trained and fair-minded people who will administer the rule of law >without fear or favour. Our country’s judicial independence has to be >restored, and maintained: there has to be an end to political interference >and fear of reprisal. > > > >5. Restoration of an independent Media > > >For six years, Jammeh has worked to gag the media and to ensure that it is >the mouthpiece of government. The draconian Decrees 70 and 71 which hinder >the flow of free information and independence of expression will need >immediate repeal. > >The harassment of journalists and editors (in the press, on radio and on >TV) >will have to cease immediately, in order to ensure that freedom of >expression is guaranteed. > >The media services will need to be led by well-trained, competent and >honest >people best fitted for the important jobs they will undertake. > >Above all, we shall have to ensure that the national media (in particular >the GRTS) is no longer a mouthpiece of government, but belongs to the whole >nation and represents every span of opinion and view. > > >6. Review of the 1997 Constitution > > >This should be an area of concern for all of us: we need to ensure that >proper amounts of time and levels of discussion are given to a thorough >review of the Constitution by the next government. In particular, we >should >be looking at those Indemnity clauses that protect our leaders from >prosecution, and at the clauses governing length of tenure of the >president. > > >7. Restoration of Public Confidence in Government > > >There is an urgent need to set about restoring the confidence of ordinary >Gambians in every sphere of life, in accountable and democratic governance. >Despite Jammeh’s claims to operate in a climate of transparency and >accountability, this has patently NOT been the case over the last six >years, >and The Gambian people have lost all confidence in and respect for its >leaders and the government. The restoration of public confidence in Central >Government will be a long drawn-out task. > >I shall recommend the appointment of Ombudsmen, composed of individuals who >are neutral and independent. > >The face of the Civil Service will need to be transformed so that it >becomes >an entity which offers efficient, non-discriminatory and reasonable >services >to its public. > > >These seven tasks are those which will require immediate action on the part >of our next leader and his/her government: they will set the scenario >against which proper governance can take place. In addition to these hefty >responsibilities, we shall also need to be undertaking thorough analysis >and >review of every aspect of Gambian life and society. > > >1. The Economy > > >Obviously, this is the key issue: it comprises the backbone of our country >and it has to be taken seriously: it is what feeds the nation. Despite the >lack of natural resources, there is a huge amount of potential in The >Gambia >and with strategic vision and good development packages, we can tap into >this potential to the benefit of all our people. > >Agricultural performance is paramount, and we are fortunate in having an >exceptionally well-qualified body of people who can take us forward in this >area: Gambian agriculturalists, agronomists, horticulturalists, soil >scientists (like our own Gambia L Dr Katim Touray) have worldwide >reputations and we need to draw on their knowledge and expertise. > >Levels of investment in agriculture will need an overhaul, and we shall >need >to continue the good work of the Taiwanese in increasing domestic rice >production. Our farmers will need the full support of government (and >increased investment in fertilisers, implements, machinery) in order to >ensure that our country becomes fully self-sufficient in food production >within the next few years. > >Livestock production needs careful review, and we should be looking for >ways >in which we can increase our use of the by-products on the domestic front. > >The government will also need to take control over fishing: there is a >real >danger that our in-shore water stocks are depleting far too rapidly because >of large-scale over-fishing. The sea and river are areas we can exploit to >better effect, while at the same time, protecting their long-term efficacy >and future. > >The Re-export trade needs revitalising, and we should be working with other >countries in the sub-region to ensure this happens. Similarly, the whole of >business life in The Gambia needs a fresh look, and policies for >regeneration will have to be set up in order to boost the business >potential >in our country. Entrepreneurs and business people will need the full >support of government in order to restore confidence and boost levels of >investment. > >Tourism has been sadly neglected over the last six years, and we need to >take a fresh look at how we may best invigorate and diversify this sector >of >the economy. There are many Gambians heading up the tourist sector who with >government backing, have the ideas and the skills to make our nation a >world-leader. > > > >2. Infrastructure > > >In order for The Gambian economy to grow, and in order to encourage >investment in the country, the future government will need to put a lot of >effort into ensuring that the infrastructure of our nation will support >this. A chief priority will be a reliable, twenty-four hour electricity >supply and we should be working together with ESKOM in South Africa to draw >upon that organisation’s expertise and skill. > >Transport (including roads and ferries) needs a boost, as does our >Telecommunications Service. Having been a leader in Africa in the >Telecommunications area, in the past, we are now relegated to the bottom >division. > >Education and Health Services will need a thorough review, and I shall be >touching on these issues in later postings. > > >3. Foreign Policy > > >The Gambia has a crucial role to play in the sub region, throughout the >African continent and on the world scene. The next government will need to >undertake a critical examination of our foreign policy, and ensure that we >take our place in the world family, committed to high ethical standards and >dignity. > >We need to be reviewing the strategic location of our embassies, and >ensuring that we have a voice in those important countries where thus far >we >have none (in South Africa, for instance) and that our Embassies and High >Commissions are economically and effectively staffed by well-trained >Gambians. We ought to make sure that our Embassies are strategically >located >and manned by competent diplomats. > >Our relations with our immediate neighbours, and in particular Senegal, >will >be a priority task, and we shall need to ensure that we build respect, >trust >and recognition of territorial integrity with them. The Gambia and Senegal >may be equated to "tongue and mouth": we have a mutual interdependence that >needs fostering and consolidation. > >We are two discreet nations bound together by culture, language, geography, >climate and family, and we should be looking for ways to be mutually >supportive of each other whilst maintaining our independence of each other. > >Links with African nations such as Nigeria and South Africa need >examination, and we should look for ways to extend these to mutual benefit. > > >4. Security Forces > > >There has been a lot of debate about the Security Forces in The Gambia >recently, and in particular about the Gambia National Army. Viewpoints >range >from scrapping it completely, to enlarging it. My own view is that the GNA >requires total restructuring, and some downsizing. > >There is already a nucleus of fine people who will form the backbone of a >streamlined, well-trained and ethnically diverse force, which will serve >all >the needs of the nation. Its neutrality, particularly in the political >sphere, will need to be assured, and we should be encouraging a >diversification of role, as well as the more conventional services of an >armed force. We should also be looking for ways in which to foster >military/civil relations and ensure that the army plays a full role in >serving the country in peacetime. > > > >My fellow Gambians, in this posting, I have not touched on Education, >Health, Women’s Affairs, Culture, Sport, Employment issues (including Trade >Unions and Employment Law), NGOs and the like. These are areas that need >fuller discussion, and I shall return to them in future postings. > >I have spoken about SOME of the challenges which will face our new leader >and his/her government, and to conclude this piece, I should like to >challenge Gambians themselves. > >The problems which have beset our country are not all related to leadership >issues. All of us need to be examining our own attitudes and ourselves, and >thinking about how we can reshape ourselves to serve the country better in >the future. We have to be less flattering of our leaders, less sycophantic, >less of the "praise singers". Instead, we need to be more honest, direct, >frank and candid with our leaders: they need our total and critical support >and not our empty flattery. > >We cannot afford, as a Gambian people, a repetition of the last six years. >We have to do all in our power to make sure that we do not replace Jammeh >with a similar leader, and that we do not allow the same mentality of >leadership to develop. > >We have an uphill struggle on our hands, but with dedication, hard-work and >concentrated effort, we can transform our beloved nation into one of which >we may all be justifiably proud. > > >Ebrima Ceesay >Birmingham, UK > > >PS: Gambia-L, my Sources are alive and kicking. I have been busy with this >series of postings, and my access to the Internet has until now been >limited. I am glad to say that I am now online at home, and shall be giving >my sources the green light to re-start their postings to me. > >_________________________________________________________________________ >Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. > >Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at >http://profiles.msn.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 >You may also send subscription requests to >[log in to unmask] >if you have problems accessing the web interface >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.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 You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface ----------------------------------------------------------------------------