BY PA NDERRY M'BAI WHILE the United Nations, ECOWAS and other international bodies have vehemently condemned the Mauritanian military coup, local citizens in the landlocked country are jubilating the action taken by the military. DEPOSED TAYA WITH HIS "FRIEND AND BROTHER" DICTATOR YAHYA JAMMEH DURING A VISIT TO BANJUL Both the civilian populace and the new military leaders believe that the toppling of president Maaouiya Ould Sid Taya will mark the end of what they called a "totalitarian" regime in that country. Even though military coups are considered illegal and also an affront to democracy, the average Mauritanians argued that without the military intervention President Taya, will continue to misrule their country. The issue of divide and rule, slavery, intimidation of political opponents and discrimination were some of the reasons advanced by the military to justify their coup. However, world big powers including the UN are asking the military to return the country to civilian rule at the soonest possible time. Now we should critically examine the factors leading to such unconstitutional actions. First and foremost is the issue of over staying in power. Our leaders are hell bent on undermining national constitutions in a bid to further stay in power. Most constitutions prescribed for two term limit for the presidency. But due to greed and corruption, some leaders will amend such clauses to suit to their own selfish interests. Common sense should dictate to them that over staying in power will give room to corruption and misrule. We are not trying to justify military take overs in any way. What we are saying here is that the third world should start urging our leaders to practice modern democracy by promoting two term limit for the presidency. This will save the continent from such unlawful acts. Military coups are not the solution to the continent's trials and tribulations. Just imagine in less than one year, the deposed Taya had suffered more than three failed military coups. The writings were on the wall for everyone to see including Taya, that change was inevitable in Mauritania. Instead, he kept on vilifying the opposition and human rights activists in that country. Shortly after the coup, many local observers started raising questions about how Gambia's president Yahya Jammeh will feel-now that "his friend and big brother" Taya had been toppled. What type of relationship did Taya had with Yahya over the years.? Why should people think that Jammeh will be living in a world of anxiety and worry following the toppling of his fellow tyrant Ould Sid Taya? These are valid questions. It's only Jammeh who could volunteer to give out the answers. One thing is clear though, Jammeh had a lot of common characteristics with the deposed Mauritanian president. Both leaders had proven to be iron hand presidents. They ruled with impunity. As the Wollof saying goes"Wahama sa haret, ma wahla sa geko" meaning tell me your friend and i tell you your attitude. Indeed. A very true and frank statement. While, we strongly condemned the Mauritanian coup, it's our contention that leaders like Taya, the late Togolese president, exiled Liberian leader Charles Taylor and Yahya Jammeh, have over stayed their mandates. These leaders had over the years imposed themselves to the people without any constitutional justification. A classical case is The Gambia, where the former military boys headed by now president Yahya Jammeh vowed that they will not allow future leaders to rule The Gambia for more than two terms. Such statements of Jammeh are well documented. We have tapes, in which Jammeh vilified the former president Jawara for "misruling the tiny West African country." It was Jammeh who said"We will not allow anybody to rule The Gambia for thirty years again. Two terms is enough. The new military junta is here to promote accountability, transparency and probity. Over staying in power will never be allowed" What's the situation today? Guess what? Jammeh broken promises are now trashed in the dustbin of history. He was only interested in taking charge of the presidency to further enforce what had always been accusing deposed president Jawara. It was under Yahya's watch that constitutional provision encouraging two terms limit for the presidency was amended. It was under Yahya's watch that the constitutional provision for second round of voting was abolished. what's the justification of their coup against the PPP administration? The people of Mauritania should be bid cautious about these new military rulers. Their dream for a new Mauritania with flourishing democracy and rule of law will be shattered if they fail to mount pressure on the military rulers to go back to barracks. The military is not capable of bringing any development in that country. Instead, they will loot the nation's coffers in the name of effecting change. They will also go after people, they perceived to be a threat to their regime. Beside the late Thomas Sankara, non of these so called coup leaders honoured their promises to poverty stricken citizens. Sankara was right when he said"A soldier without a political education is virtually a criminal." From our little understanding Sankara was trying to imply that the participation of some military leaders in active African politics was criminal. That they lacked the leadership qualities to govern a nation. That soldiers should be well trained before doubling in politics. We are asking the new Mauritanian military rulers to present a reasonable time table to the people of the landlocked country and return the nation to civilian rule. That the new changes should not be used to persecute Taya's followers. That messages of unity and reconciliation should be preached. Long live democracy and rule of law. Long live equal rights and justice. _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/CGI/wa.exe?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] いいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいいい